#if we’re counting Aled’s new Wish AU

[oh-shtars]

*breaks in and strategically places warm milk by Sueño*

*plays some lullaby music*

*puts a sign on the door saying I think I saw the star go twenty miles that way <-*

*sneaks out super carefully and quietly*

*leaves an apology note for the broken window*

Awwww, he appreciates it Bo <33

In fact, certain people snuck in and decided to keep him company. :))

[blixabargelds]

Helloooo mate would you wanna do #10 for the bathing prompts? 🤓

for you anything <3 cw body image. some kind of au where they escape and get home together then i guess find a bath somewhere ~~~

¹⁰⁾ “i wish the first time you saw me like this could’ve been under better circumstances.”

“Wish the first time you seen me like this,” Gale says quietly, chin on his knees, “could’ve been under better circumstances.”

John frowns. It’s such a strange thing to say. They each have all their bones intact, hearts in chests, four lungs between them and four legs, too. John runs his two wet hands up and down Gale’s two wet arms. Counts the moles on Gale’s skin. He’s got John beat on those. He dances his fingertips over the ladder of Gale’s ribs. Feels him flinch minutely but lets it slide. They’re both flighty, now. It’s only been six weeks.

“What sort of circumstances?” John asks. He dips his hands beneath the water to pull Gale close to his front.

Gale shifts uncomfortably. John lets him go, the distance between them yawning out too wide for his liking. Gale shrugs. Water sloshes around him.

“Warmer.”

“Plenty warm,” says John. Compared to where they’ve been, John thinks it could only be hotter in Hell.

“Different,” Gale says.

“Different how, Buck?” John presses. Gale manoeuvres himself around in the small tub, knees still up to his chest. He’s scowling somewhat. John doesn’t get it. “Jesus, Gale, this ain’t like you to sulk, what’s gotten into you? We’re fuckin’ free, you and me. Here. You’re finally damn soapy and naked with me- Christ what is it?”

Gale’s jerked back from his touch again. He groans, splashing water over his face before hauling himself from the bath. He turns away from John as he does so, seeming to curl in on himself as he grabs the nearest towel.

“Just drop it, Bucky.”

John has never dropped anything that’s irked him in his life. He gets out the tub, too, foregoing the towel and walking over to Gale. He seems to recoil, almost. John thinks, for a devastating moment, that he’s changed his mind about all of this. About them. He wonders if he should put his cock away.

“Buck, I’m not comin’ all this way with you to be shut out now. What circumstances? Tell me.” Something withdrawn is punching Gale’s face. His arms are hugged close around his body. John realises, like a hit to the gut, that it’s not about him at all. “You shy on me now, Major?”

Gale blushes deep. “John.”

“C’mon, that’s it, isn’t it?” John says, half worried, half satisfied that he’s onto something. “Buck, you’re world class. You got nothin’ to worry about. And I’ve seen you in your skivvies-”

“Not like this,” Gale snaps. John’s mouth promptly shuts. Gale’s shoulders sag, and he sits down heavy on the bed, like all his limbs are being pulled through it. He sighs, and repeats more miserably, “Not like this.”

John’s chest tugs. “Buck-”

“Come on, Bucky” Gale says. “’M not what I was before.”

John gnaws his lip, and looks at him. He has become a slip of a thing. Stand just right and can’t see my shadow, he’d joked with the boys. The remaining boys. But John can see now, with bare bony arms clasped across his hollowed chest, that it’s hurting him. Gale’s never been vain, but he’s always liked to look good. Solid. Put together.

He looks unwell, now.

They’re all smaller, all sharper around the edges, but Gale’s whittled down to visible vertebrae, skeletal fingers and harsh, jutting ribs. The feel of his hip bones under John’s hands in the tub, his wrists like keys. He aches to look at, a little. John sighs, wrapping his arms around Gale’s thin frame and kissing the top of his head.

“You’ll get back there,” he says.

When Gale speaks it’s muffled by John’s chest, lips brushing the sparse hair there. “What if I don’t?”

John pulls back enough to see his face. There’s something raw and anxious in it that John hasn’t seen before. He’s never known Gale to be insecure. He supposes there’s new parts to both of them that they’ll have to learn. John kisses him.

“Always liked the skinny ones,” he says. He feels a small smile against his mouth.

“Don’t be kind, now, Bucky.”

“I’m serious. I like to fit you in both hands. Makes me feel like a giant.” Gale smirks. John kisses his lips again, then the line of his jaw, the peak of his cheekbone. He looks over at the abandoned tub. “Water’s probably cold now. Want to get some chow?”

Gale hesitates. John can feel him tense beneath him, then deflate. “Ain’t really hungry.”

“That’s alright,” John says. His nerves twist in unease, but he smiles at Gale either way. It’s only been six weeks. “Y’can watch me. I’m starving.”

[binniesthighs]

two tails | reader x minho |

One 

Pairing: self insert, female reader x lee minho 

Genre: strangers to lovers, neighbors to lovers, fluff 

Tags: neighbors au, comfort fic, catowner!minho, catowner!reader, author!reader, bestfriend!seungmin, agedup!skz, slow burn, plot-driven, gradual romance, meet cute scenarios, lil bit of angst, strained parental relationship, explicit language 

Word count: 3.9k 

Chapters 

P | ONE | TWO

homebody noun 

: one whose life centers around the home. 

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

Grocery stores are a cursed place. Horrible. You might have guessed that if there were to be a special layer of hell to be reserved for you (which you sure as hell wished there wasn’t) it would likely be a grocery store. 

Firstly, they are one of the messiest places that you could ever experience. Have you seen the ways that those beige-y grey floors get caked with dirt and smudges from who knows what? Have you seen the dirt and grime that hides under those produce shelves? Secondly, why is it that everyone always feels the need to get so close to eachother crammed in those isles? Why is it that you have to do that awkward shuffle when your cart and someone else’s cart gets in each other’s way and you have to do the “no you go first” and “no, you go first.” 

You prayed that you had been good enough in this life to escape some kind of grocery-store induced hellscape. 

Partly it was Bomi’s fault. Temperamental nuisance. Three days into her newest bag of cat food and she suddenly decided to go on a hunger strike. The internet  had told you that perhaps she just didn’t like the flavor. Little did the internet know that you had nearly already tried every other flavor there was, even the expensive ones. 

You stared down to your crinkled up list filled with the ramblings of an attempted grocery list and other absentminded doodles. 

DONT FORGET STUPID NEW CAT FOOD 

Under the reminder, you had drawn an angry little cat face with Bomi’s characteristic calico facial splotches. 

“Damn cat. You’re lucky that I still love you.” You uttered under your breath. 

The wheels of your cart screeched as you turned the corner into the pet isle. Of course, you were the lucky one that had to pick the cart that had only three functioning wheels and whined like your mother over the phone. You cringed to yourself, bearing through the sound and the two glances from a mother and her child throwing an obscenely large bag of dog food into their totally normal cart. 

You didn’t need to, but you mouthed a tiny “sorry” to them as you passed them. 

The tall metal racks appeared to touch those flickering fluorescent lights above them as you perused them, glancing over all of the brands which you had undoubtedly purchased one time or the other. 

Tuna, salmon, tuna and salmon, tuna and veggies, salmon and veggies... 

What would it be that Bomi would tolerate this time? Was it grains that she didn’t like? Wet food? 

Merely looking at the prices for the canned cat food sprung such a headache that you wished you hadn’t looked at them at all. But, if it was what your princess would eat... 

On the highest shelf, your gaze caught a brand that you hadn’t seen before, so you summoned your strength to stand on your tip-toes, stretching up your arm as far as you possibly could, teetering just a little... 

“Al...most--” 

“Here, I can get that, let me just--” 

“--Oh no, it’s fine, I can reach it, thank you--” 

“--It’s alright, I’ve almost got it...” 

His elegant fingers got tangled up with yours. Had your determination been any weaker, he would have snatched it up all himself, but...

He chuckled a little. “Are you sure?” 

You turned your head to affirm, “Positiv--Minho?” 

“Y/n?” 

You had finally had the little can in your grasp, only to feel it slip out of your fingers in your shock. 

The terrible sound of the aluminum can hitting Minho’s head and glasses bonked between your fumbling arms, working just too slow. 

“Ssss-OW!” 

Minho’s hand went immediately to rub at the top of his head with eyes tightly shut. 

“Oh my god!!! Are you okay?” 

Instinctually you swooped in to see if any harm had been done. 

“Ah-I’m fine, don’t--I’m fine.” 

Your neighbor patted down his head, trying to craft a smile for you under his painfully crossed brows. 

“Are you sure? I-I’m so sorry. God, I’m so stupid and clumsy, don’t you think that you have a concussion or something?” 

He laughed out a sharp chuckle, then winced at what the action did to his head. “I don’t think so.” 

“Are you sure about that?” If he could have heard, he would have noticed your heart anxiously beating at a hundred times per second. 

“It’s okay, really, I’ve had worse things thrown at my head.” 

“What the hell could be worse???” 

“You don’t want to know.” He maintained his hopeful grin. 

Even after being assaulted by cat food, he was still just as beautiful as you remembered. 

“Oh! Your glasses!! Where did those go??” 

Frantically, you spun around, shoving your cart aside with another startling screee. Quickly you found them nearest the bird seed. 

“Here. Here you go, I hope that they’re not broken.” 

“Mm-doesn’t look like it.” Minho inspected them. 

“Oh thank God.” 

He huffed out one more little scoff-sounding laugh. “At least you’ve got the cat food that you wanted now. 

“Yeah, but at what cost?” 

“I said don’t worry about me.” 

Minho fluffed his hair back into place, likely hiding another rub to his throbbing head. 

What even does one say to someone who you nearly wrecked with cat food? 

“You uhh--what are you doing here?” 

“The same as you, getting cat food.” Minho snatched a bag of food from a lower shelf. “With three mouths to feed you tend to run out pretty fast.” 

“Oh! I-uh...can imagine.” 

“Weird shopping here like I live here now...never thought that would happen. I’m still getting used to everything around here; never knew that I would end up back living with my mom...and at my age.” 

“Don’t-don’t feel bad! It’s a nice area around here! At least I think, and it’s a... nice grocery store...” 

You did not think that it was a nice grocery store, but it seemed like the right thing to say. 

Minho smiled back at you warmly, just as he had done back on your doorstep, tabby cat in his arms. You had wanted to see it again. 

“-Guess that means I’ll be seeing you around here more often too then.” He took the cat food can--his ex-assailant-- to drop into your cart. 

“I guess so...and sorry, again.”

“Really don’t worry about it!” Minho rolled up his hands into little sweater paws on the handle of his cart. “I’ll see you later then.” 

“See...you...” 

Your words trailed behind him, seeing as he had already started wheeling away. As soon as he was out of an earshot, you cursed yourself out terribly--another habit you had developed since living alone; you really were your only company. 

“God, Oh god. Now he thinks that I’m a recluse and a wreck, oh god--” 

“--Hey! Watch where you’re going!!” 

An old man with a newsboy cap griped before you nearly collided with him and his cart full of diet sodas. 

“Sorry!! I’m so sorry!” You bowed profusely in apology while removing yourself from the isle as fast as you could.

Grocery stores really were your own kind of personal hell. 

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

The cold metal of the bus stop sign dissolved into your sweating forehead while you watched the springtime sunset fade out before you. It really was pretty, and it was just enough to distract you from how weighed down your backpack and numerous reusable bags felt. Had your hands been free, you would have taken a picture. 

What time is it even? 

Your watch was restricted by the number of straps around your wrists. Sometimes stepping outside of your home and onto the sidewalk was draining enough to make you feel like scurrying back inside. Big trips like this however, had you falling asleep in those uncomfy plastic chairs in (also) disgustingly messy buses. 

To your right, you heard the usual hum of the number 10 bus wheel up. 

“Wait! Wait!! Hold the bus!!” 

Hurried footsteps came patting behind you, followed with shallow running breaths. 

Hair bopping and cardigan flopping a little like wings behind him, Minho sprinted to the doors. 

“Take a seat ma’am.” The bust driver snapped you out of your embarrassment over seeing him one more time than you would have liked. 

“Ah-sorry, I will.” 

You shuffled your way near back of the bus and attempted to hide your face behind your bags decorated with none other than flowers and cartoon cats. 

“Please don’t see me, please don’t see me.” You chanted under your breath while your neighbor looked for a seat. 

“Y/n? Heh, I just keeping running into you don’t I?” 

“Minho!!!!” You piped, just a little too animatedly. “Huh! Didn’t figure I would see you here...too...” 

Minho slid into the booth across from you. “I mean, it makes sense, we’re going to the same place basically.” 

“Don’t you...have a car or something?” 

“I do, but I figured that the grocery store was close enough, although, I didn’t really factor in how all of this would weigh a ton.” 

“Hm, I never really do as well.” 

A pair of older lades glared over at the two of you, clearly displeased that you were disrupting their peaceful bus ride. Minho cowered under their piercing and aged brown eyes, then stealthily slid into the seat next to you. 

His washed out jeans brushed up against your leggings, and you felt your hairs stand on end. If there was someone out there who decided if you went to a hellscape grocery store, they must have also been able to mask the smell of your sweat. You hoped that they were listening to your pleading requests. 

“It’s a really a nice evening isn’t it?” 

Minho peered out your window at the little shops and bustling streets beside you. The sidewalks were decorated with little skinny trees here and there which had just started to bloom with the buds of leaves and flowers. There was a peaceful air about the scene that reminded everyone that the cold would soon be gone for good, and the sky swirled into pinks and purples. 

“Oh! Yes, yes it is.” 

You tried your best to ignore the fact he was leaning into you slightly. 

“So. What else do you do besides be a cat parent and a part-time chucker of canned goods?”

You wanted to crawl in a hole once you saw his adorable grin once more. “I-I have a job, a couple actually.” 

“A couple? And what are they?” 

“I teach online college courses in creative writing and English.” your glasses fell a little down your nose bridge, so you adjusted them accordingly, “I also edit for a small publishing company--but that’s more of a side thing.” 

“That’s...a lot of writing and things like that.” 

“Well, it’s what I went to school for, and, I don’t mind...although my mother--” 

“--Have you written anything yourself? Anything that I could read?” 

You felt your cheeks set ablaze with heat. “You?! Oh no no no no.” 

“What?” A mischievous grin overtook Minho’s adorable one. “Do you write provocative content?” 

“No! I do not!” Your tone turned more defensive than you had intended. 

“Well, what do you write? Even if you did write that kind of stuff, I wouldn’t mind. Provocative contents are trendy these days.” 

“I didn’t even say that I write in the first place!” 

“I just assumed seeing as you seem to do other things in this field...so, what do you write?” 

“It’s embarrassing, and I don’t owe you the knowledge!!” 

Minho reached over your fuming body to pull at the bus cord, letting out the little stop requested tune. 

“What is it that you do then?” 

“Something boring and business-y that you wouldn’t care to know about. It’s definitely not as interesting as what you do I’m sure.” 

Your neighbor gathered up his bags while the bus slowed to the stop. 

“You coming?” 

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

[19:07] 

me: seung, i’m such a fool. you will not believe 

seungmo: should I even guess? what? Bomi yack during your online lecture again? 

me: no, worse. 

seungmo: i’m listening. 

i guess i don’t really have a choice though don’t I? 

you’re just gonna tell me anyway aren’t you? 

The cat in question purred in your lap, permitting you your usual one hour of cat-attention a day like she would during the evenings. After your day of embarrassment, you had hunkered down on your favorite place on the couch, swaddled in blankets with the TV playing some nature show that you had been trying to pay attention to. Somehow, the thought that Minho living just doors away made it all seem even worse; you were bound to see him again. 

You bit your lip and started tapping away at your phone screen, regaling the entire tale to your best friend--who frankly had enough of your awkward “you-isms.” However, no matter how socially insecure you were, Seungmin appeared to stick by you. In fact, it was one of your “you-isms” that had brought the two of you together. 

Four years ago at that pet shelter where you had got Bomi, Seungmin was there too looking for a dog. It was Bomi’s skittish self that leapt out of her cage and into Seungmin’s arms when his dog started barking. Bomi had nearly destroyed Seungmin’s sweater by the way that she had clawed into him. Of course, you took her crime upon yourself and insisted on buying him a new sweater. After an exchange of phone numbers, he hadn’t gotten bored of you yet. Bomi had always liked him more than you--the traitor. 

[19:18] 

me: ...and then he showed up on the bus, just as I had thought that I had escaped, and then started berating me about what I do for a living. 

seungmo: are you sure he wasn’t just asking questions, NOT berating? 

me: it felt like it. 

seungmo: and why are you telling me all of this? 

me: bc I wanted you to give me some comfort?? or reassurance?? isn’t that what friends do? 

seungmo: what do you want me to say? I’m sorry, that was really embarrassing? get over it? stuff like that happens to you all the time y/n, I don’t know why you are making such a big teal of it. 

*deal of it. 

me: wow, you’re being of such help. 

seungmo: you’re overthinking it. as always. 

me: but i’ll have to SEE HIM again. 

Seungmin’s little three writing dots disappeared, and you waited in silent anxiety for what he would say next. 

[19:24] 

seungmo: you’ve got a crush on him don’t you 

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

The evening sky had darkened, and you felt the air temperature begin to drop. It wasn’t unbearable however, and you had prepared yourself well with your giant sheep-like blanket wrapped around your shoulders. The cold wire chair that you sat in was undoubtedly pressing shapes into your bare legs crossed up on it, but you never seemed to mind it. 

Bomi yowled behind the sliding glass door to your backyard, so you allowed her to exit, making her a much happier cat. The two of you enjoyed these nights together deeply--they almost felt like a brief escape from life. Bomi would sneak around the edges of the fence, sniffing and looking rather suspicious when her green eyes would glow in the light of the house. Your glasses likely looked the same reflecting the light from your computer screen. 

You took one more sip of tea, then opened up your internet. A couple clicks, and you found the notification screen on your page. 

hearts: 267 

shares: 19 

comments: 21

Your eyes scanned over the little paragraphs that some of your readers had written for you. It made your heart swell with immense joy seeing the way that they had analyzed and picked apart every little part of your prose and how they would write IN ALL CAPITIAL LETTERS about how excited they were for your next chapter. 

~

I can’t wait for the next chapter! I’m DYING to know what was in that chest!! I really hope that Bomi can trust Davers. He just seems a little shady to me >////< 

YOU��RE INSANE FOR THIS. The fact that Bomi could fight off the dragon while Blaze was confessing his feelings for her??? I could never lollll 

 P L E A S E protect little Herbie. He’s such a cutie. I wish that hedgehog companions were real, I would take one with me everywhereeeee 

N/n, your writing is so so pretty!! I felt like I was right there in the scene with them! The way that you described the enchanted fountain had me drooling ahhh you’re such an inspiration to me as a writer!!! 

Blaze fanclub?? i’m trying to see somethin’ 

~

“If Blaze were real, I’d be the president of that fanclub.” You laughed out to yourself. 

Suddenly, you found you thoughts shifting from your dreamy Blaze to someone much less fictional. 

Crushes on boys who were real was much better than one’s who weren’t. It was nice admitting it to yourself at last. 

“Ahhhh” You sighed out, doing a little happy dance in your seat, then opened up the chat box to return to the replies. 

After responding to as many as you could, you opened up a new chapter. 

Chapter 22 

Blaze wiped off his sword, stained with the steel blue blood of the dragon, still steaming with heat underfoot. His disheveled deep black trellises were coated in his own sweat but it didn’t make him look any less dashing--per usual. 

“Princess Bomi, you still haven’t answered my question.” 

Bomi sheathed her own sword, then inspected her wooden shield for any more damage. For a moment, she thought that the claw marks made it look even more beautiful and intimidating. 

“Blaze. You know that I can’t talk about romance at a time like this, have you forgotten that the kingdom as stake?”  

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

Bomi perched at her usual spot in the window, eyes fluttering closed before she would take her nap that would last for nearly the whole afternoon. You would have been lazing with her, but that would have to wait another hour or so: with your newest paycheck, you had decided to deliver some new flowers to yourself for your garden. 

The little array was spread out before you: yellow and purple pansies, pink tulips, fuchsia and baby pink peonies, and dainty while lilies of the valley were arranged where you had planned to adorn your front lawn. The aroma of the flowers lingering in the air was enough to make you feel as if you had transported yourself to the very magical gardens that you would be writing about that evening. 

A pair of songbirds chittered past, carrying their whistles behind them. For a brief moment, the sun shone directly onto your arms spotted with dirt and filled your whole body with warmth. Nothing was more peaceful than this. You took to work, crackling them out of their plastic pots, and digging at the earth in holes to hold them down. After a while, you felt the dew from the grass start to soak into your work-jeans, but it was a welcome little cool feeling. Next, you popped up to hose them down with your little attachment that made the water cascade like a rain-shower. You admired for a moment how the water would create little rainbows from the spray. 

“Ahem, uh-hi there!” 

You choked out a gasp before swinging around, aiming the hose like your sword to the startling voice. 

“STAY BACK!!’ 

You pointed the stream directly at them, only in your horror to see your neighbor, trademark cardigan and all, soaking wet from your weapon. 

“GOD! That’s cold.” 

The fabric hung onto him, adhering to every part of his body which was much more toned than you had expected.

Minho looked absolutely bewildered as the water dripped off his frame with sad little pat pat pats on the concrete sidewalk. 

“Oh God. Oh God. Minho, I’m so so sorry. I-I can’t believe that I keep doing this to you--” 

You nearly felt like crying, but for fear of embarrassing yourself further, you decided to turn around quickly in search of your rags. They were garden rags, but dry nonetheless. 

“Here, here, I-I think that these should help.” 

You dabbed at his body, although it was clear that this wasn’t helping in the slightest. 

“Stop, stop,” He pushed your hands away. “I just live next door, I’ll live being a little drenched.” 

“You realize that's an oxymoron right?” Your nervous hands continued dabbing. 

“A what??” Minho kindly laughed at your frantic hands. 

“It’s a...writing thing. Sorry...” 

“I really need to be careful around you don’t I?” 

Your mouth crinkled into a flustered line. “M’sorry.” 

“Can you quit apologizing?? Here, I came over to give you these, my mom made some extra side dishes so she wanted me to bring them over to you.” 

“Oh.” He handed you the little bundle of Tupperware containers. “Thanks.” 

“She also, or--I mean--I wanted to invite you over so that you could meet my cats...and! my mom. My mom too.” 

“You want me to come over?” 

“I did mention that I wanted to a little while ago didn’t I?” 

“Oh! You did...” 

“Does next Saturday work? Around 5?” 

“I-I can do five.” You brushed your muddied hand across your sweating brow. 

Minho scoffed, “You’ve...got something...on your...” 

“Oh! Oops.” You tried your best to wipe off the dirt, but you didn’t know you had only made it worse. 

Minho squeezed out his soaked sleeve to carefully raise it to your forehead. “Here, like this.” 

This close to you, his brown eyes deeply shone with the color of coffee, chocolate, the bark of forest trees after a spring rain, and a million other things that your writer brain could compare them to. 

“There. It’s all gone.” 

For a moment, you wondered if you really had fantasized him, or if he really was real. For you, you wouldn’t have been surprised if he was some kind of figment of your imagination: they usually were. 

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

[1 missed call, Mom, 09:12] 

“Y/n are you there? Why is it that you never pick up your phone? I’ve told you so many times that you should pick up when I call. What if it’s an emergency? What if someone’s died?? Nevermind, I wanted to call and tell you my friend’s daughter is getting engaged and I’ve been invited to the bridal party. I think that you should come with. It’ll be good to get you out of that house. 

Why is it that you haven’t gotten yourself married yet? You know that you aren’t getting any younger?? Either way, call me back. You’ll need to bring a gift too. Its impolite to show up without a gift. 

Ah, I almost forgot. Your brother got a promotion at work; I’m not sure if he’s told you. We’ll be having dinner to celebrate this weekend. Can I count on you to be there? 

Also, how is the job search going? Your father has some more connections for you to speak to. You need to take advantage of every one of them. You’re so close to getting something that really matters. I can feel it. Ah, I just feel like you’re wasting away there sitting at that computer with those silly classes. It’s like, barely any contribution at all. You could be making so much more money. 

Anyway, call me back once you hear this. 

love you sweetie, talk soon. 

i know that its tuesday and i said I would publish on mondays shhh just pretend I published this yesterday ooP 

[lifeofkaze]

When Stars Ignite - Chapter 8

HPHM Rockstar AU

A/N: Welcome back to Part 2 of the HPHM Rockstar AU! New location, new songs, new drama. Buckle up, we're going for a ride!

General Warning: This whole fic has a general warning of being NSFW / 18+. We will give specific warnings for every chapter in itself, but several adult themes will be more or less present in every chapter, may it be explicitly or in mention. These include sexual topics, drug abuse, (ab)use of alcohol, smoking and a whole lot of cursing.

Specific Warning: Language

~~~

Find the masterpost here, the previous chapter here and the next one here. The songs featured before every chapter can be found on this pretty badass playlist here.

~~~

This work is a collaboration with @the-al-chemist

Taglist: @slytherindisaster @night-rhea @carewyncromwell

You keep on saying you'll be mine for a while

You're looking fancy, and I like your style

You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy

You keep on shouting, you keep on shouting

I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day

~ Kiss - Rock And Roll All Nite ~

Despite it being her third tour with Equinox now, Lizzie would probably never stop being amazed at the incredible machinery that stood behind every single one of their shows.

Now, two weeks after they had started out in London, their route had seen them through Bristol and on to Birmingham. All the familiar routines had established themselves again as if they hadn’t spent a whole month apart at all. Like cogs in a well tuned machine, everyone was working together in well established patterns to make each show unforgettable for those who came to see them play.

It didn’t matter whether one was part of the tech crew, the management, security or the band themselves; they were all like a big, chaotic but loveable family. Of course, Lizzie couldn’t deny that this time around there was considerably more tension to be felt backstage than she was used to, but fights were something happening even in the best of families; at least, that’s what she was telling herself.

Their soundcheck being over, Lizzie had just left the stage with Skye, waiting for the others to catch up. Even though the roof of the arena they were playing in tonight was still closed, Lizzie could feel a bead of sweat running down her spine.

It had been uncharacteristically hot for weeks now, very unusual for a British summer. Not that she was complaining, Lizzie typically loved everything about the hot weather; but the dampness that it brought with it made it almost unbearable to move, setting everyone’s nerves on edge. Hopefully it would just rain soon and be done with it; there was nothing better to clear the air than a good summer storm.

At least for them, however, the heat of the sun would soon be replaced by the spotlights burning down on them. Even after so many years of playing on stages of every size and format, Lizzie had trouble fighting the nervous feeling spreading from her stomach through her body. She was always the first one to enter the stage, the beat of her drums building up the mood until one after the other of her friends would enter and add their own instruments to the sound. As soon as she started playing she was in her element, every flare of nerves forgotten; but until then, she was stuck feeling like in free fall.

Lizzie reached into the pocket of her shorts, her fingers finding the familiar shape of the red plectrum she was always carrying with her. It had belonged to Orion before it had found its way into her possession; it was one of the plectrums he had used on the first tour they had ever played. Without thinking about it, she drew it out and let it wander through her fingers, a fun little trick Orion had taught her to help channel her focus when her stage fright was setting in.

“What’s that you got there, little rockstar?”

Charlie had finished his work on Merula’s keyboard and joined them at the stage entrance. Lizzie hadn’t noticed him approaching and jumped when he spoke, dropping the plectrum to the ground. Before she could pick it up again, Skye had gotten hold of it, turning it around between her fingers with a confused look.

“That looks familiar,” she mused, examining the colourful piece of plastic. “Is that one of our old plectrums?”

Lizzie tried snatching it from her hands but Skye quickly moved it out of her reach.

“No, it’s not, it’s just a lucky charm.”

She could tell Skye didn’t buy her explanation. “Why would you have one of these?”

Lizzie scowled at her friend as she tried in vain to reach Skye’s hand. “None of your business, Parkin. Give it back.”

Skye made an indignant sound as Charlie jumped to Lizzie’s aid; playing out his advantage in height, he unceremoniously plucked the plectrum from Skye’s fingers and handed it back to Lizzie with a wink. Giving him a grateful look, she let it disappear in the depths of her pockets.

“You’re a real spoilsport, Weasley,” Skye snorted.

“And you’re a nuisance,” Lizzie said in Charlie’s stead.

Charlie shook his head. “Hearing you two talk, I might just believe the rumours about your relationship.”

“I do have standards, you know,” Lizzie rolled her eyes, chuckling at Skye’s sound of protest.

Lizzie’s attention was drawn away from their bickering when she saw Orion and Everett were still standing on stage, engaged in a heated discussion. She stifled a sigh; Everett was still at odds with Orion’s decision to perform the new songs himself. There wasn’t one day he would spare them his complaints. Although Everett had always been a person with a temper, Lizzie couldn’t remember him ever being angry at one of them for so long.

Orion, however, wasn’t responding to Everett’s aggressive demeanour. Ever the calm and collected person, it took a lot more for him to lose his centre; Lizzie wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him anything but level-headed at all. And sure enough, even when Everett left him standing with a dismissive gesture, he only looked after him with a tired expression.

In contrast, Everett’s face was clearly showing his annoyance. He tried to hide it behind his usual sneer when he saw them looking, but the way his shoulders were tensed was speaking volumes. His posture only changed when he walked past where Artemis was still working on her explosives. She was bent deeply over the igniter she was wiring, so concentrated on her task she didn’t even notice Everett coming up behind her.

“A little lower, sweetheart. If you have to mess with our pyros, you might as well give us a proper show.”

Artemis straightened up with a face like thunder. “Go fuck yourself.”

Everett shrugged. “I don’t need to, I have plenty of people willing to do that for me. I can bump you up the queue if you like?”

Rolling her eyes, Artemis gathered up her things and moved to the other side of the stage, as far away from all of them as possible.

“Why can’t he just shut up for a second,” Charlie growled as they watched Everett strut off with a self-satisfied smirk. “I’m making no progress with her whatsoever. I’m still trying to convince her that we’re not all dickheads. Ev’s attitude is definitely not helping.

“Is it still so bad with her?” Lizzie wanted to know.

“Yeah,” Charlie admitted, “I don’t know how to get through to her. She’s a tough nut, that one.”

“Tell me about it,” Lizzie said. “I’ve never met anyone so determined to not be nice to anyone.”

“Surprised there’s people out there not wanting to be your friend?” Merula scoffed as she joined them.

“Actually, I am,” Lizzie said. “I even managed to convince you to be my friend, after all.”

“If you want to call us friends,” Merula snorted, but Lizzie knew she was teasing her.

She chuckled and turned to Charlie. “Do you have any idea why she’s so frosty?”

Charlie shrugged, looking as clueless as they came. “If only I knew. She’s giving me no chance to find out either, as soon as the work’s done, she’s off.”

“Sounds like she needs to get a few drinks in to loosen up,” Skye said. “Probably much easier to handle her then.”

Charlie looked at her incredulously. “You do realise how creepy that sounds, right?”

“Don’t be stupid, you know what I mean,” Skye rolled her eyes, “but seriously, who says no to a free drink and some good company?”

Charlie watched Artemis work her way through the remaining igniters. He didn’t seem convinced by Skye’s suggestion but shrugged anyway. “Might as well give it a shot at this point, but if she bites me, I’ll hold you accountable.”

***

Just like the weather forecast had promised, the temperatures hadn’t dropped one bit until it was time to enter the stage. And even if a cooling breeze would be blowing outside, it would stand no chance of reaching the fired up masses filling up the arena.

Lizzie wasn’t sure where it was warmer, down between the thousands of people singing along to their music, or up with them on stage where the heat of the spotlights made her wish for a cold shower.

They were already halfway through the setlist and as always, time seemed to be racing by.

Their fans were fantastic tonight as well; the arena was sold out up to the last seat and the crowd was incredibly enthusiastic. They were reacting to every prompt they were given, whether it was a challenge to cheer louder, sing along or clap to the beat. It was shows like these that reminded Lizzie time and time again that she had the best job in the world.

Everett was giving a stellar performance tonight; he had the whole stadium wrapped around his little finger like only he could, and the fans were cheering him on as he stepped back from the microphone to join the sound of his guitar with the rest of them.

Lizzie turned her head to Orion, who was already waiting for her to give him his cue. She counted down the remaining beats in her head before she gave him a nod. When he turned his attention from her and began playing his solo part, Lizzie couldn’t help but grin. The people were screaming themselves into a frenzy as Orion worked his magic on his guitar.

He never planned what he was going to do beforehand, not one solo the same as the day before. His brow was furrowed in concentration and his lips ever so slightly parted as his fingers flew up and down the neck of the guitar. In moments like these, everything else faded into the background for him; there was nothing left but him and his music.

As Lizzie watched his fingers dance with dizzying speed, her flushed skin burned at the memory of what other magic they were able to do. The thought almost made her miss a beat.

Almost.

She caught herself at the last moment before anyone could notice. She was glad everyone else was too busy to see the blush spreading on her face. But even if they had, they would never have suspected that it didn’t come from the incredibly high temperatures, but something else entirely.

The song ended with a bang, Lizzie hitting two cymbals and the bass drum at the same as KC let all the spotlights flare up. Almost blinded by the brightness flooding the stage, Lizzie closed her eyes and dipped her head back, breathing heavily. For a fraction of a second, the fading sound of the music was still hanging in the air, everyone holding their breaths, before it gave way to the cheers erupting from the crowd.

Lizzie smiled to herself, waiting for her racing heart to slow, before setting her mind onto the rhythm of the next song. The crowd was still cheering and she waited a moment longer until everyone was ready and Orion had stepped behind his own microphone. The next song was one of the unpublished ones and even two weeks after striking their deal with the label, Orion hadn’t let Everett sing one single verse of them.

Lizzie took a deep breath and set the rhythm by hitting her drumsticks against each other a few times. Luckily, it was one of the slower songs so they all had the chance to calm down a little. Orion’s melodic voice carried into the vast space of the stadium over the hushed crowd and Lizzie felt a shiver run down her spine; she had loved this song from the first time Orion had let her hear it.

The crowd seemed to share her opinion; many had taken out their phones and lit the screens, waving them through the darkness in what was looking like a sea of stars. It wasn’t quite the same sight as it had been when lighters had still been allowed in the auditoriums, but Lizzie was loving the sight nonetheless.

All of the new songs they had played so far had been very well received. They made sure to switch them every night so no one got too overexposed, but whatever ones Orion chose, they were always met with great enthusiasm.

The only unrecorded song they were playing night after night was, much to everyone’s surprise, not one of Orion’s creations. Even after Orion had given his consent, Everett hadn’t stopped pestering Ethan until he had agreed to give a few of Everett’s songs a shot. Most of them weren’t nearly as well liked as the ones Orion hadn’t even finished yet, but there was one song that had instantly become so popular with their fans that Ethan had decided to make it a permanent addition to the set list for the rest of the tour.

Everett had revelled in his triumph over Orion; at least that’s how he saw it. And Lizzie had to admit that it really was a catchy melody. But much to Everett’s dismay, whenever Orion picked up his guitar and did what he did best, all eyes were on him, and him alone. He was pouring his heart and soul into the music he played, and people could tell. Like the Pied Piper, he commanded everyone’s attention without even trying to.

That was probably what angered Everett most; the fact that Orion wasn’t even trying.

Even now, Everett was scowling darkly at Orion as he was singing the song in Everett’s stead. Lizzie tried to concentrate on keeping a steady beat, but her eyes were drawn back to their frontman’s menacing expression.

She couldn’t help the feeling that a storm was coming.

[leqclerc]

What a year (derogatory.) It’s been long and difficult and frustrating and not what we had in mind when the clock struck midnight a year ago I’m sure. Wishing you all a happier, brighter, less lonely 2021. 🙏🏻✨💕

I’ve been out of this fandom for about two years. When we went into lockdown (the first time around) I didn’t know what to do with myself. On a whim, I got back into Formula 1 (it was always somewhere in the back of my mind but I hadn’t given it my full attention for a while), first by catching up on DTS, and then by tuning into the races around June. Finally, I tentatively re-joined the fandom in early August. At first I felt kind of lost - there were so many new urls, icons, new posts; hell, the fandom had a name now (f1blr) which was new. I didn’t really have any expectations, I just wanted to feel a little less lonely, a little less hopeless. I never could’ve anticipated what would happen in the next five months. 

I got back into editing and giffing and interacting in fandom and everything that comes with that. I met so many wonderful, talented, kind people, a lot of whom I consider genuine friends. I’ve been welcomed back with open arms. I got to be a part of something bigger than myself, experience the epic highs and lows of Sebchal as teammates, and feel a real sense of purpose and community for the first time in this cursed year. I know it sounds stupid, but every note on a gifset, every @ mention, every tag under my edits, every time someone hits like under one of my long drawn-out essays, every anonymous (and non-anon) ask in my inbox...It all means so much to me. My follower count shot up from 600-something to an astonishing 983. I still can’t really believe it, but I’m grateful for each and every one of you. You inspire me and motivate me and bring me so much joy. Thank you💕 

First, I want to collectively thank the @dailyf1 crew and the soup chat (y’all know who you are) for being wonderful. 🥰 Thank you to all the content creators and artists and fic writers that have shared their creations throughout the year. I also want to give a shoutout to some of the people on here that have made an impact on me; those who’ve helped make this dark year a little bit brighter. Also full disclosure my memory is awful, so if I miss anyone, that’s on me and my forgetfulness! I’m sorry! 

@j-button formerly known as jnny-g: Oh, Fir. You’re my everything and more: the Seb to my Charles, the soup to my bread. It’s crazy to think that it all started with that one innocuous ask about football AU...And now here we are, months later, and you’ve become one of my closest, dearest friends. Thank you for indulging me almost every single day from 10am to 5am; thank you for all the ideas we’re shared, ranging from reasonable to self-indulgently unhinged; thank you for all the fics you’ve written and all the love and care you’ve poured into everything you’ve created; thank you for all the laughs and the endless encouragement. Most of all, thank you for being you, and thank you for being there. There’s a lot more I could say but I think you already know everything. I love you. 💕

@helmetswap: Give me your helmet and I’ll give you mine. ✨💕🙏🏻✌🏻 Lynn! Thank you for letting me yell at you about Sebchal and for yelling back. Thank you for all the worms we shared. Thank you for indulging Nora AU and making it the special little thing it’s blossomed into. You’re one of the sweetest, funniest, kindest, loveliest people I’ve met in this fandom and I’m lucky to call you a friend.

@totovolff: J, you’re one of the coolest people on this goddamn hellsite. An icon. You’re one of the first people I actually spoke to via DMs and I’ll never forget that. Thank you for your presence, your tireless defense of Val, and all of the amazing fics you’ve produced - especially Formula Student fic, your Sebchal portrayal lives in my head rent free and will continue to do so for many months to come. 

@scharletred: I know we haven’t spoken much but your presence is always felt on my dash. You’re one of the nicest, kindest, most positive people on here. You’re always ready to help out with a link or an opinion or a translation. Thank you for everything <3 

@formulabarbi: Again, one of the loveliest, most talented people I’ve had the pleasure to interact with! I love all your content, your tags, your enthusiasm. Thank you again for being so willing to help me out and make me a header, I love it 🥺🙏🏻

@redbulllracing: Elise, your talent and kindness is always felt on the dash! Thank you for welcoming me into DailyF1 and always being so willing to help out in any way. You’re a treasure and a huge inspiration <3 

@redpaint: I know we haven’t spoken much but Nat of redpaint fame, you’re an icon, a legend, one of the most important people in the unhinged little Sebchal community. Your fics and posts served as a Sebchal crash course for me when I got back into the fandom, and conflict resolution and see you falling live rent free in my mind. Thank you for writing the language of another world, easily one of my fave fics that I’ve read this year. Stay iconic <3

@pinsaroulettes: Fuck, Olivia, you’re in a league of your own with all your Charles edits. Your brain, your talent. Keep doing the lord’s work and spread that sweet, sweet Charles Leclerc propaganda. Always a delight to see your content on my dash. The fiercest of us all ✌🏻

@4mulaone @4xmulti21champion @alexanderalbon @callumilott @enemy-crush @f-uno @georgerussellls @goalkepa @hakkinens @jensons @marcusarmstrongs  @mclarenrenaissance @mclarenp3 @mhakkinen @mushroomseb @oscar-piastri @pitcrew @sebchal @sebestianvettel @sunshine-ricciardo @reynobody @ricciardos @verstappen

[accioromione]

I loved the fic where Hermione was jealous, can you plz do something similar with Ron? There's my idea. Ron finds out that a colleague of Hermione is flirting with her(maybe Harry told him😉) and like that's not bad enough the guy is handsome, wealthy, top of his class(head boy) at hogwarts and now has a very successful career in the ministry. Rons insecurities start coming back and he is afraid he is going to lose her😱.... do you best! 👍

“Harry I’ve told you countless times that-” Hermione began in the ministry elevator as the doors closed , but she was interrupted by the elevators opening once again due to somebody stopping the closing doors with their briefcase. 

“Sorry,” said a tall handsome man walking in, “didn’t want to wait for the next.... oh wow it’s Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, what are the odds,” he said. “Albert Wildsmith,” The man added, holding out to shake Harry’s hand and then Hermione. 

“Wildsmith?” Hermione asked, as she shook his hand. “As in Ignatia Wildsmith? She invented Floo Powder.” 

The handsome man chuckled, “it is true what they say about you then” Hermione blushed, “the one and only, I don’t take credit for her work though- the gold she left behind is more than enough.”

“Well nice to meet you,” said Harry, looking at him suspiciously. 

“What floor?” Hermione asked, going to reach to press a button. 

“Six,” said the man, 

“oh that’s my floor too, are you new then?” said Hermione. 

“Oh yeah, well here, after graduating I got a placement in France because I can speak it fluently, but I got offered the assistant head position, and it’s quite nice to be back in England. I missed it.” said Albert. 

“So you went to Hogwarts then?” asked Harry. 

“Yeah, I graduated in 1993.” 

“Yeah that would have been our third year-” said Hermione thoughtfully. 

“What house were you in?” Harry interjected. 

“Ravenclaw” said Albert, 

“Oh, you were head boy weren’t you? I remember an Albert who was a Ravenclaw head-boy!” Hermione said excitedly, Albert smiled. 

“That was me,” said Albert smiling, “impressive how you can remember, looks and brains you’ve got” Hermione blushed. 

“So you’ve been in France since?” Harry asked. 

Albert nodded sadly, “yes... I wish I could have been there...for you know.. the war.” 

“Well France didn’t ban you from coming back did it?” Harry asked. 

“Harry!” Hermione said. 

Albert smiled sadly, “I had ministry restrictions, France wasn’t prepared for me to leave.” 

“How lucky,” said Harry. “We know a girl from France, she came to England, married Hermione’s FIANCEE’S brother, she helped out even being from France and all.” 

“Harry!” Hermione said again. 

Albert smiled at her, “it’s okay- I understand, I would be that way as well. Fiancee eh? Lucky bloke.” 

Hermione’s face flushed. 

“Yeah Ron Weasley, sure you’ve heard of him if you’ve heard of us,” said Harry annoyed. 

“Oh...I have heard of him... well... lucky guy anyways,” said Albert. 

“Floor six” a lady’s voice said coolly. 

“Well that’s us I guess,” said Albert, “it was nice meeting you Harry,” 

“Oh I’m coming, Hermione and I have to talk about....ministry matters.” said Harry, Hermione looked at him confused.

“What?” Hermione asked. 

“Yes Hermione I have to discuss something of great importance with you,” said Harry puffing out his chest. 

“O-okay?” Hermione said. 

The doors opened and the three of them walked out. 

“Well, nice meeting you Albert,” said Hermione walking to her office. “Let me know if you need anything,” 

“Will do,” Albert said smiling at her  “pleasure again Harry,” 

Harry followed Hermione to her office and turned at her at once. 

“What are you doing?” Harry asked, annoyed. 

“What?” asked Hermione confused. 

“He was flirting with you!” said Harry. 

“Oh Harry stop...no he wasn’t.” said Hermione absentmindedly. “That’s seriously what you wanted to talk to me about?” 

 “You’re not going to cheat on Ron are you?” Harry asked sternly. 

“Cheat on.... are you crazy Harry? I would never.” said Hermione. 

“Good,” said Harry crossing his arms, “because once he hears about-” 

“What? Oh don’t tell me you’re going to tell him!” Hermione said. 

“Well why not? Since you don’t think its a problem!” said Harry angrily. 

“I don’t,” said Hermione, “but you know how Ron get’s... he’ll be jealous for no reason, don’t tell him Harry. It will cause trouble for no reason.” 

“Fine,” said Harry walking off, “he seems like a pompous git anyways.” Hermione rolled his eyes and Harry walked away. 

“Harry I’m serious, don’t tell Ron!” Hermione called back as he walked away. 

“I won’t!” said Harry, leaving. 

xxxxxx

“What’s his name again?” Ron asked. 

“Albert,” said Harry. 

“Sounds like a git,” said Ron. 

“That’s what I said.” said Harry. 

“Bragging about being in France during a war, Fleur’s from France, she helped.” said Ron angrily. 

“That’s what I said!” said Harry. 

“Well I reckon I need to place a visit to Hermione’s office today,” said Ron sternly. 

“Er-” said Harry. 

“What?” asked Ron. 

“I kind of told Hermione I wouldn’t tell you, she didn’t think much of it,” said Harry. 

“Right,” said Ron getting to his feet, “well, I’ll just pay a visit, make sure the bloke see’s me, and if I happen to injure him accidentally well, so be it.” 

“How tall is he again?” Ron asked looking back before leaving the room. 

“Still shorter than you,” Harry responded. 

“Right.” said Ron, “Well thanks mate, can always count on you.” 

Ron left the Auror department and headed for floor six. 

“Oh hi Ron!” said the secretary, 

“Hi Janice,” said Ron, “Hermione’s in her office right?” he said loudly. 

“Um, yes?” Janice responded, confused at the loudness in his tone.

Ron leaned into whisper, “do you know an Albert?” he asked, Janice giggled, “yes” she whispered back. 

“Do you mind telling me where his office is?” he whispered again. 

“609,” Janice whispered, giggling. 

“Right, thanks loads.” Ron said, he figured he’d ‘accidentally’ knock on room 609. 

He knocked the door to room 609, no response, he sighed, just his luck. 

He figured he’d go see Hermione to remind her that she was in fact engaged to him. He knocked Hermione's office door and opened it, “Hermione love?” Ron said entering the room. His mouth gaped open as he saw her sitting down at her desk, laughing, with another handsome man seated right across from her. 

“Ron!” Hermione said nervously. 

The man turned to face Ron. Ron was boiling with anger. 

“A-Albert this is my fiancee, Ron Weasley,” said Hermione. 

“Pleasure,” said Albert getting to his feet and reaching to shake Rons’ hand. Ron did not shake Albert’s hand back. 

“R-Ron this is Albert Wildsmith,” Hermione said, “he’s new to the department, just transferred from France.” 

Ron looked at him, “You’re fluent then?” 

“What?” asked Albert. 

“Oh you sure know how to pick them Hermione, fluent in French..what else?” Hermione glared at him and Albert’s face flushed. 

“Oh-oh yes.” 

“Nice, real impressive” said Ron, “I’ve learned a few phrases myself,” 

“Oh really?” asked Albert intrigued, Ron nodded his head. 

“Yes..let’s see...I’m a a bit rusty....umm oh yes!” Ron said snapping his fingers, “tu misérable petite baise” 

Albert’s eyes widened, “I er...” 

“A veela taught me that one,” Ron said proudly. “Funnily enough Hermione doesn’t like it when I talk to French Veelas, looks like she has no problems talking to French ... how do you say .... wankers in French?” 

“Ron!” said Hermione. 

“I-I’ll just go,” said Albert. 

“Oh no stay Albert, Alberto, Big Al, Al the pal!” Ron said, helping him sit back down

Albert looked at him awkwardly. 

“I um...” Albert began, 

“Oh let it all out Albert, heard you had lots to say with my fiancé over here, why you were just laughing five minutes ago,” Ron said. 

“Ron seriously you’re over-” Hermione began and Ron lifted her hand to silence her. 

“Listen pal,” said Ron loudly, “you may think you’re some big shot because you lived in France and you’re handsome and your great ancestor invented Floo Powder, but let’s make three  things clear.” said Ron now holding up his three middle fingers. 

“One,” Ron said, “I hate baguettes,” putting down his pointer finger

“Two,” Ron continued, putting down his ring finger so that only his middle finger was stuck up. “The Floo Network is a right MESS, and most people apparate or use portkey’s now.” 

“And THREE” he said touching Albert’s nose with his middle finger, “I don’t know who you think I am, but I am not afraid to fight any French pansies and ruin their handsome faces, GOT IT?” Albert gulped and nodded. 

Hermione put her head in her hands, 

“Now you’re off with a warning but if I hear you come near my fiancee again we’re going to have some major issues. Got it Napoleon? AU REVIOUR.” Ron said and Albert got out of the seat and ran out of the office. 

“Ron,” Hermione said shaking her head, “he was signing documents,”  

Ron looked at Hermione angrily, “must have been some funny documents,” he said snatching the paper from her desk, “ah yes policy eighty five, HILARIOUS” 

Hermione shook her head, “Why are you like this?” she asked desperately. 

Ron looked at her in disbelief, “You’re flirting with some random bloke! You expect me to be over the moon about it? YOU SET BIRDS ON ME WHEN I TALKED TO ANOTHER WOMAN.” 

“That is not the same thing, I wasn’t flirting,” said Hermione. 

Ron rolled his eyes. 

“first of all, who trusts a brit who willingly moves to France?” Ron asked. 

“Ron this is not the hundred years war- I should have never told you about muggle history” Hermione said. 

Ron looked at her furiously. 

“Fine, I’m sorry,” said Hermione “but you really have nothing to be worried about.” 

Ron crossed her arms and Hermione approached him slowly. 

“seriously,” she breathed, “that-that doesn’t even cross my mind,” 

“well letting him flirt with you is just as bad,” said Ron, slowly melting at her touch. 

She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, “what do you expect me to do? Be mean to him? He works in my department.” 

“Yes,” said Ron. 

Hermione laughed, “ugh you’re so annoying... but endearing at the same time,” she said as she placed a kiss on his lips. 

“He’s handsome,” muttered Ron. 

“So are you,” said Hermione, Ron’s ears turned red. 

“He’s rich,” said Ron. 

Hermione rolled her eyes, “yes because I definitely am looking to get more money,” Ron laughed despite his anger. Him and Hermione had gotten so many promotions that they were making well above average income alone let alone together. 

“So I have nothing to worry about?” said Ron. 

“No you jealous idiot,” said Hermione, Ron grinned. 

“I will punch him you know,” Hermione rolled her eyes, “I know,” she said, “but no punching is permitted, we all know how brave you are,” 

“He was scared wasn’t he?” Ron said, “ran out like a pansy,” 

Hermione crossed her arms. “I told Harry not to tell you because I knew you’d be like this,” 

“Well I for one am thankful someone has my back in this god forsaken place,” Ron said, Hermione rolled her eyes. 

“Why must you be so dramatic?” she asked “now he’s scarred and will be too scared to talk to me again,” 

“Good” said Ron. 

Hermione looked at him, “fine, I’ll be nicer... but if he flirts with you again, it’s my fist he’s getting in his face.” 

“Noted.” said Hermione 

“And tonight... I’m reminding you of why it’s me you’re with.” Ron said sternly, Hermione’s face turned pink. 

“Oh?” she asked. 

Ron nodded angrily, Hermione bit her lip. 

“S-so like...y-you’re going to be l-like that other time?” Hermione asked, her breath hitching. 

Ron nodded angrily, “yes like that time Harry told me when you talked to... wait a second,” Ron said with a look of realization hitting his face. 

“What?” Hermione asked innocently. 

“You sneaky witch!” Ron said, “you did it in front of Harry on purpose because you knew he’d tell me because you... you... wanted me to... like last time!” 

Hermione’s face flushed, “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said. 

Ron grinned, “you’re sick.”  

“A-and what are you going to do about that?” she breathed. 

“Oh you’ll find out tonight... don’t overwork yourself... you’re going to need some energy when you get home.” Ron said, Hermione bit her lip. Ron shook his head angrily. 

“Unbelievable,” he muttered to himself exiting the office, Hermione smiled as he walked away, excited for what tonight had in store for her. 

[missskzbiased]

Getting a Roommate (3)

Hi, I’m back~

So I’ve stablished some kind of friendly relationship between Y/N and most of the guys. Next chapter I will probably begin to put some romance

Genre:  Romance; Sugestive; College Au; Roommate Au; Love Triangle

Word Count: ~6,4K

Female Lead

Warnings: Language, Sugestive stuff (?) [I’m not sure what to warn people about yet kkkkkk]

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Final)

   When Felix first asked you how was your new life going, now that you lived with two fuckboys you had to answer “It’s great! They’re just like anyone else out there, but with a very active sexual life” because well… It was the truth.

   It was true to your first day there.

   Even though Hyunjin was a pain in the ass on the first day, You’ve learned that He wasn’t all that bad, just a little bit… Well, He sucked sometimes, that was it. He got friendly enough, quite funny and overdramatic, but was cocky as hell. You wished you could wipe off the smug grin He has every day, looking at you like you’re a noisy little girl and He was some kind of untouchable hot stuff. Minho was just like the first day: Crude, friendly, and really nice. You didn’t expect to have any problem with him at all.

   You should have expected it, though.

   On your second day, Minho brought a girl home and you were on the couch, watching TV, like a normal human being. You were in shorts and a loose shirt since it was quite hot, and the girl eyed you like you were some zoo animal and smiled. She pity smiled you. Great! Just what you needed on a Saturday night. You got your cellphone and checked your messages: Not even a single message from Minho saying He would bring a girl tonight.

   “Did you know He was bringing anyone home?” You asked when Hyunjin came to the kitchen, pouring some water in the glass.

   “Why? Jealous already?” He asked giving you no attention.

   Scratch your previous thought, Hyunjin will always be a pain in the ass, period.

   “No, you moron” You rolled your eyes “It would be nice to know… I could have dressed better” You shrugged.

   “Why? Are you going to fuck her too?” He joked, looking at you. You glared at him but didn’t respond. You could talk to Minho about it later. The later would have to be on the third day, though, because you soon found yourself sleeping on the couch.

   Your third day began with a backache.

   They could have ordered that damn bed earlier, You thought grumpily.

   “Good morning, sunshine” You heard Minho’s voice and you smelled the breakfast He was making, which smelled really good.

   “Good morn—“ You started to say, but another voice made their way with yours. A girl's voice. “Oh” You let out when She came into the kitchen. It was pity girl, pitying you all over again. Great!

   “Morning, Sir” She grinned and He smiled at that.

   “Hey” Hyunjin said coming to the living room and sitting on the couch, looking at your embarrassed self standing beside it. You soon sat down again, looking at the TV. When He offered her breakfast She denied, and you felt relief wash over you. You couldn’t stand her judging look and smug Hyunjin beside you at the same time.

   She blinked to Minho, waved at Hyunjin, pitied you again, and was finally gone.

   “What the fuck was that?” You asked, moody.

   “What are you talking about?” Minho asked, eyeing you.

   “Wha r yu talkin’ about?” You mocked him and scoffed “You didn’t warn me you would bring a fuck buddy!” You accused.

   “I told Hyunjin to tell you!” Minho defended himself and you glared at him, When He felt you were going to snap, He raised his palm, trying to reason “She was eyeing my phone all night, I couldn’t message you!”

   “You would be in your room!” Hyunjin uttered, looking at Minho “Besides, where would you go? You’re sleeping on the couch anyway!” He directed his look at you.

   You sighed “Just let me know next time” You asked, tired, and went to the bathroom.

   So your morning was tiring, to say the least. You woke up in pain, had to be pitied by someone you didn’t know, and stated Hyunjin was indeed a douche. Things you could easily expect, but you didn’t. When both of them announced they would be bringing someone later, you promptly called Felix.

   “Are you free?” You asked hopefully.

   “For you? Always” He answered and you smiled.

   “You flirty bastard” You laughed “Wanna grab something to eat?”

   “Are you even hearing yourself now? Of course I wanna eat!”

   “They’re bringing people home and I don’t want to be here at the time” You complained “I only have the couch and the bathroom to stay, Lix” You whined and He laughed at you.

   “You should have taken the bed offer, moron” He reminded you.

   “I don’t want to sleep on their sex nest” You told him disgusted “But now I kinda wouldn’t mind… My back hurts so much!” You whined again.

   “Stop complaining and get over here” He mimicked Scorpion, giggling “I will give you a massage” He promised.

   Should you canonize Felix? Probably.

   “Oh, god! Did I ever say that I love you?” You asked, emotional and He shrugged it off.

   When you arrived at his place, Felix opened the door giving you a bright smile when He saw you had food with you, rushing you inside. The first thing you noticed was the music on the background, something that sounded really cool, whatever it was, and you grinned at Felix.

   “Have you finally got good taste in music?” You teased and He scoffed.

   “Shut up” He rolled his eyes “It’s 3RACHA” He explained.

   “No, actually it’s barbecue” You corrected, showing the sauce and the fried chicken you got for yourselves.

   “What? No! Jisung’s and Changbin’s trio. They’re called 3RACHA” He explained again “Their friend is over here, they’re making something new, I guess”

   “Why did They call themselves Hot Sauce?” You asked amused.

   “That’s because We’re hot, my dear” Jisung answered you, coming to the kitchen and laying on the wall like He was some flirty guy on a movie.

   You laughed at that.

   “Smooth, real smooth, Han” You mocked and He grinned at you. “That’s not loud at all! If you guys didn’t lie to me I would have stayed here and Felix would be with fuckboys” You whined.

   “It’s quite loud, though” He noticed “Fuckboys? What?”

   “Just my new roommates” You shrugged ”And good music is never too loud” You corrected him and He blushed, embarrassed

   “Oh! thank you!” He uttered hyped “Do you wanna hear our songs?” He asked with shiny eyes, looking like a happy child.

   “Hey, back off” Felix joked “She’s my best friend and this is the chicken I can only eat when she join me” He pointed at the food, making you laugh.

   “I would love to hear your songs later, Han” You assured, “Let me eat with this starving boy I just found here at your kitchen and I will be there”.

      That being said, Han picked up a big bottle and three glasses and went back to where He came from. You and Felix ate together and chatted a little bit, He told you He already knew Han and Changbin from a class they took with him last semester and you told him all about the girl that came last night to your place.

   “Well, it’s a pity you were watching TV instead of playing games with me last night” He pointed out and you nudged him “You should see Han and Changbin playing! They suck at it, We can totally beat them up… We should bet food on it” He wondered and you laughed.

   “You’re bad!” You poked him “But I’m in! I’m always in for free food”

   When you finally decided to check out 3RACHA, you wished you didn’t because standing there with a focused look on his face was Dom boy. You stopped abruptly, making Felix run into you, confused, and of course, the guys heard you two being clumsy. You looked at Chan and blushed, embarrassed, and He blushed too. Awesome. You started to stutter and Felix nudged you, trying to help you.

   “I think your friend has the hots for Chan” Changbin stated mockingly and you blushed harder.

   “No! That’s not it! I… I… I wasn’t expecting to see him here” You tried to explain, but the guys weren’t buying it.

   “Oh… So you know Chan” Han said suggestively.

   “Yeah, I… Checked his place yesterday” You said averting your eyes.

   That was all it took for Felix connecting the dots. He as your best friend could only yell right beside your ear, making you deaf for a moment, “OH MY GOD! CHAN IS DOM BOY?” He cackled, laughing so hard he was crying.

   “FELIX!” You hissed at him, slapping him hard on the chest.

   “Ouch!” He whined, but didn’t stop laughing “Oh my… Chan, I can’t believe you asked her if she liked to hear people having sex! Are you nuts?” He mocked.

   “You what?!” Han and Changbin asked in chock, looking at their friend.

   “How the hell did you get to that?” Changbin asked amused “Hey, I’m Chan! Do you want to be my roommate? Noice! Do you like hearing people having sex?” Changbin copied his accent and Chan nudged him.

   “I don’t talk like that!” He whined and sighed “I’m so sorry about that” He apologized.

   “No! Don’t be!” You reassured him “You weren’t a creep or anything like that”

   “He kinda was” Felix noted and you stepped on his foot “Ouch!”

   “Well, at least I’m not the creepy guy…” Chan laughed “I’m Dom boy” He arched a brow at you and you blushed.

   “Well, it was better than calling you Daddy” You defended yourself and Felix laughed again.

   Chan bit his lip holding up a comment and you snorted.

   “You’re dirty!” You accused and He blushed.

   “No! I was going to mock you! I didn’t think anything!” He assured and the boys laughed.

   “Y/N, you made a good choice not living with him” Han assured you “He’s loud as fuck! I mean… He’s loud as He fuck. We had to kick him out from here! That’s how loud He was”

   “I wasn’t being loud!” He protested “Did you hear me?” He challenged.

   “Are you kidding me?” Changbin snorted “Do you want me to say the things I heard you saying?! It was like living with a porn star, for lord sakes! You and your companions were loud! Really loud!”

   “That bad?” You asked amused.

   “Shouldn’t be That good?” He joked smugly and you rolled your eyes.

   “See what I’m saying?” Han whined “You did well to go somewhere else! I can’t even believe He can be like this” he pointed all over Chan “When He’s a soft goofball all the time!”

  After They got tired of mocking Chan, 3RACHA showed some songs to you and you got pleasantly surprised. Their songs were great! You promised you would see them live and They smiled at you, happily acknowledging you like their fan. Soon You and Felix got to his room and you chatted through the evening, catching up. When it was getting late, 3RACHA stopped their music and Felix finally gave you that massage, you sighed contently while He did it, getting your back revived.

   “Holy Shit, Lix!” You moaned, feeling like you just woke up from a good dream “Your hands work magic” You smiled, feeling the happiest you felt this weekend.

   “I can’t believe it! Get a room!” Changbin yelled from the corridor and you both cackled.

   “We’re already on mine, Binnie” Felix teased and you could hear him groaning.

   “Don’t wanna hear you, lovebirds!” Han shot back.

   “Maybe Chan wants it!” Felix yelled and you widened your eyes.

   “What the fuck?!” You kicked him and Felix laughed.

   “I would prefer to join” Chan joked and you whined.

   “Don’t give him something to tease me about, for lord sakes!” You pleaded but it was too late, Felix was already on it.

   “He’s so into you” Felix stated, grinning.

   “No, He’s not” You disagreed “He’s just being friendly”

   “Asking to join our imaginary sex? Right” He scoffed.

   “He was joking!” You whined, “You were joking about it too, you ass!”

   “But I’m your best friend and He’s the Dom guy” He said like you were three and couldn’t understand anything “Chan is pretty cool, I hang out with him last semester… He’s funny, shy, and hot!”

   “Do you want me to get his number for you?” You mocked and He slapped your back.

   “Stop it! You’re saying this because you want his number” He wiggled his eyebrows.

   “I have his number! I checked his place out!” You rolled your eyes.

   “So text him!”

   “I don’t wanna text him!” You whined.

   “You need to get laid!” He snorted “You’re whining a lot these days”

   “That’s because everything went wrong! I can complain about my life!” You pouted.

   “See? That’s what I’m talking about” He nudged you “You live with two fuckboys and you met a dom guy that is into you! You can’t say you don’t have an option”

   “I don’t have an option that I want” You reasoned.

   “I doubt that” He gave you a knowing smirk “What about sweet boy you couldn’t get as a roommate?”

   “Seungmin?” You snorted “He’s not this type of guy” You assured “It would be easier to fuck you”

   “You didn’t deny it!” Felix said as if He spotted something “You like Sweet guy!”

   “Stop it!” You pushed his shoulder lightly “You’re sounding like my mom!”

   When Felix was preparing to tease you about it you guys heard a knock on the door, “We’re going to play some games, do you guys wanna join us?” You heard Chan asking half-yelling from the other side.

   “Into you” Felix whispered and you rolled your eyes.

  “Please!” You agreed “Get me out of his range, He’s annoying” You said getting up from the bed and opening the door, eyeing Felix with a grimace that made him laugh.

   “If I and Y/N win you guys pay the food” Felix announced.

   “Deal” Chan scoffed.

   Chan shouldn’t have scoffed, because He paid for your food later.

                                                    /////

   You wanted to murder Felix, but you couldn’t.

   When you picked up your stuff to go back home, He eyed Chan like the little snake he was and “innocently” suggested for him to give you a ride home since it was really dark outside. Bullshit. He always lets you go home by yourself at night! But Chan didn’t know that so He just smiled saying “Sure” dangling his keys.

   And that was how you ended up alone in a car with Dom boy.

   You tried to stay still on the seat, looking straight ahead, pressing your lips nervously. You started to notice the small things in his car, like the nice smell coming out from somewhere you couldn’t find and how everything was so clean and neat. While you were curiously eyeing his car, your looks met by accident and you found yourselves in an awkward situation. Chan cleared his throat and decided to put some music, a song you recognized to be 3RACHA’s. You hummed the song with him, feeling the silence between you getting uncomfortable.

   “You were the first person to show up to be my roommate” He suddenly broke the silence “I was really nervous back then… I hope we can start over” He smiled unsurely and you smiled back.

   “Of course” You agreed “I was just surprised… I… Hm… Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to hear them… I mean… Well, yeah” You rumbled and He laughed.

   “I suppose I didn’t help it either by telling I wouldn’t mind having sex with you because you were pretty enough and then shading the way you would have wanted it” He laughed and you groaned.

   “That was horrible!” You agreed “What the hell was going through your mind, dude?!” You laughed along with him.

   That wasn’t enough to clear all the awkwardness but you felt better to be there singing songs with him, talking about useless stuff, and judging his awful Dad jokes. It was better than eyeing around his car in complete silence. When you finally arrived home, you got out of the car and bent down beside the window “Thanks, Dom boy” You smiled teasingly and He groaned.

   “Stop calling me that!” He pleaded and you giggled getting to the door “If you want to call me something call me Daddy, babygirl” He flirted playfully and you scoffed.

   “You wish, Daddy!” You yelled laughing, opening your building door “Bye, Dom boy” You waved goodbye and He scoffed before yelling back a “bye, babygirl!” waving back and driving away.

   When you got on your apartment Minho and Hyunjin were sprawled on the couch in a very suspicious way, looking straight at TV and ignoring you. You noticed Hyunjin was holding the TV control upside-down and you saw Minho resting his hand on his mouth but you had a glimpse of his smirk and you knew you were screwed. You locked the door and arched a brow at them, waiting for them to say whatever they wanted to say, but they stayed quiet. You shrugged it off and made your way to your room to pick up some clothes, but Hyunjin broke the silence.

   “Hey, Babyboy, can you give me some water?” He asked and you eyed him.

   “Of course, Daddy” Minho agreed and you rolled your eyes.

   “You guys are so gossipy!” You accused and they busted out laughing.

   “Oh, Daddy! Thank you for giving me a ride” Minho uttered sweetly, intertwining his fingers in front of his face and flicking his eyelashes.

   “Hey, babygirl” Hyunjin called you and you looked mindlessly which just made them laugh more “She responds to that!” He grinned “Oh my god… Such a good girl!”

   “Fuck off” You scoffed, turning your back to them.

   “Such a brat!” Minho yelled and you groaned.

   “He’s not my Daddy and I’m not a babygirl” You yelled back “And I’m not a brat!” You added later, picking up your pajamas and going to the bathroom.

   When you got out of the bath you put on your pajamas and left the bathroom, hoping the guys would just drop it. You left your clothes in the laundry basket and made your way to your couch. When you got there you heard Hyunjin giggling leaving the kitchen and you rolled your eyes. You would never hear the end of it. You sat on the couch and turned on the TV, hoping for some peace before you slept. Tomorrow you would have classes in the morning and you sighed, tired, you wished you had a good bed right now.

   “How is your back?” Minho asked, sitting next to you.

   “Pretty good not thanks to you” You reminded and He chuckled.

   “Dom boy fixed it for you?” He asked and you groaned.

   “Let it go!” You pleaded “But no, my friend did” You answered.

   “Oh?” He seemed surprised “I thought you were on a date” He admitted and you snorted. They really thought you had a Daddy, didn’t they? You wondered if you should tease them with it, but decided not to. They would totally embarrass you in front of Chan later.

   “No, I was at my friend’s place with his friends” You explained.

   “Friends such as Dom boy?” He asked and you rolled your eyes.

   “His name is Chan” You corrected “And yeah, friends as Chan”

   “Hmm…” He smirked “Friends as Chan” He mocked you and you slapped him.

   “You’re like an annoying brother, for lord sakes!” You whined and He smiled at you. Minho ruffled your hair and you noticed He did it a lot, maybe He adopted you like his little sister, who knows? You sprawled on the couch and smiled at him “Do you wanna watch some horror movies?”

   “Are you trying to hit on me?” He joked and you kicked him lightly “Ouch!” He faked-pain, holding his arm as you had just stabbed him.

   “You know what, Minho?” You muttered and He eyed you curiously “I’m glad I’m living with you even if you can’t buy a damn bed before announcing a place” that got him laughing and He sprawled on the couch across you, poking your belly with his feet.

   “Let’s watch the movie, you clingy fox” He gave you the controller and you giggled “Try not to kick me when you’re scared, I need my balls” He asked and you cackled at that.

   “I will let your balls live for today” You assured and started browsing through the channels “Oh my god!” You uttered and He looked at you like you were crazy “Please! Let’s watch Tangled!” You pleaded with puppy eyes.

   “I can’t believe it” He rolled his eyes “Do you honestly think I would watch it?” He asked in a serious tone and you dropped your smile, getting back to the channels “Without a damn snack?!” He completed hyped and you kicked him annoyed.

   “You son of a bitch! I thought you were movie shaming me!” He laughed and got up, going to the kitchen “Bring me something too” you shot to him.

   And that was how you ended up watching Tangled with a fuckboy on a Sunday night, sprawled on the couch and eating potato chips instead of sleeping earlier to wake up feeling rested in the morning. When the movie ended Minho got up, offered his bed again and you denied, thinking about how He brought two girls in two days into that same bed, and you laid down tired, regretting your life choice of watching a movie so late at night.

   You hoped your back could handle it for one day and slept through your worries.

   When you got up on a Monday morning with two loud boys asking where their pants were and with your back hurting, you figured you shouldn’t hope for impossible things. You got up from your “bed” and sat down a little bit, eyeing them searching for their stuff. That was when you noticed something that shouldn’t be that important but you couldn’t help staring. Both of them were shirtless and were wandering around on their boxers. You choked, coughing, and averting your eyes from them. Well, you certainly had seen shirtless boys before, but these were your friends, on the beach, not your… Fuckable roommates in your living room. You felt your cheeks grow warm at the thought.

   “Y/N?” Minho called you concerned “Are you okay? Is your back hurting?” He asked, coming to you. You got up from the couch and looked him straight into his eyes, focused on not looking at his chest. He arched a brow and shook his head confused, asking silently what was up with you. You couldn’t tell him you were flustered because they were shirtless, they would tease you so much about it!

   “Yeah, but it’s fine” You smiled politely and He seemed to find it weird “I’m going to dress up”

   “No whining?” Hyunjin snorted and looked at you “Daddy really lifted your mood” He teased and you looked at him ready to give him a retort. A retort that died on your throat as Hyunjin was a little bit taller than Minho and your eyes landed right on his collarbone and wandered a little bit down, just for a second, but enough for fuel his smug grin.

   “What?!” You asked annoyed, looking at his eyes this time and He grinned teasingly.

   “My eyes are up here” He grimaced and you heard Minho’s chuckle.

   “Let her go” Minho said holding back his laughter “She never woke up next to two hot stuff like this” He mocked and you groaned, going to your room to get dressed. When you got back they were already dressed as well and Minho was fixing the breakfast. You sat down along with Hyunjin and waited for your food.

   You watched Minho scrambling the eggs and saucing it peacefully humming some music only He knew and shaking his butt slightly left and right. You suppressed a smile and looked down, hiding your mouth pretending to look through the messages on your phone. Hyunjin wasn’t hiding his smile though, filming the unaware dancing Minho and you figured that being in the Dance Department was enough to make those silly moves seem more foolish than you thought they were. Minho put the eggs on a plate and picked up three forks as Hyunjin hid his phone and smiled brightly at his friend.

   “Finally! I’m starving” He said, picking a fork and starting to eat. You scoffed and picked up a fork for yourself, fighting him on a particularly big piece of egg that ended up on Minho’s fork while He scolded you both for being childish. It felt nice to be there with them, eating and talking. Your old roommate wasn’t so friendly and you had to admit that you always wanted some friendly companion to watch TV and cook, say random stuff while laying down, and play around. Even Hyunjin seemed nicer this morning when He wasn’t being smug about you looking at him earlier.

   Minho offered you a ride that you promptly accepted, picking up your stuff and following them to the car.

                                                            /////////

   Your week was going really well if anybody cared at all.

   Even though you were still a little bit flustered every time Hyunjin and Minho walked in only on their boxers, you were beginning to get used to them half-naked in your kitchen. Felix as the great friend He is promised you a back massage every day and made you promise him you would buy him some coffee every day to pay for it. That’s how you began to hang around the Dance department, that was quite far from your building but who cares? And that was how you discovered a coffee shop across the street that was really cute and not so expensive.

   “Let’s get you some coffee” You told Felix on Tuesday, the first day of bribery.

   The Café was really cute.

   The facade was all in glass what made the place really bright, especially with all the plants hanging around and the yellowish walls on the inside. They always had calming music sounding on the background and the smell of coffee was just… Perfect. You liked to stay on the couch, beside the bookshelf, and get your back massage from Felix sitting there sipping your coffee in peace. It was the moment you lived for.

   On Wednesday you learned that Jeongin worked there on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and you introduced Felix to him. That was the same day you discovered Seungmin also hangout there, just a little bit earlier than you would. You had a break on Wednesdays, so you went earlier to the Coffee shop and waited for Felix there. Every time the bell ringed you looked to see if it was Felix, but then you saw Seungmin coming inside with a bright smile on his face. He waved at Jeongin and looked for a table.

   “Not-hag!” He greeted you as soon as he spotted you and you giggled at him “What are you doing here?”

   “I’m waiting for my friend, I’m a little bit earlier and He is a little bit late” You answered and He grinned at you “Do you want to sit with me?” You asked and He nodded, putting his stuff on your side and going to Jeongin to ask his coffee.

   “So? Are you in the School of Arts? I never saw you here” He pondered “I’m from the Music department, so I hang out here all the time, I would have remembered you”

   “Oh? No, I’m not, but my friend is from Dance Department and He’s doing me a favor so I’m coming here so I can get a massage” You explained and He eyed you weirdly.

   “A massage?” He snorted “Why the hell are you coming here for a massage?”

   “Because I’m sleeping on the couch” You whined and He scoffed at you “My roommate didn’t plan things out… I’m sleeping on the couch for now, but my bed should be coming this weekend”

   “You wish you had stayed with me” He joked and you chuckled.

   “Nah!” You shrugged jokingly “I have two hot roommates and a best friend to take care of me… I’m good enough” You teased and He pouted.

   “And here I was thinking We had a connection” He mocked you.

   You heard the bell again and finally, Felix came into the coffee shop.

   “Hey, sorry I’m late” He apologized, walking to you and eyeing the mysterious friend you had. He looked at you searching for any sign of discomfort and you glared at him, expecting him to say something embarrassing like ‘Oh, is that sweet boy?’, instead He took your glare in a completely wrong way and voiced “I’m Felix, her boyfriend” offering his hand for a handshake.

   Nice.

   “Seungmin! It’s nice to meet you” The boy greeted friendly. Felix’s face brightened up and He shot you a knowing smirk.

   “Oh my god, Felix” You sighed “He’s just a friend! Felix thought you were harassing me, I guess” You explained and Seungmin laughed at that.

   “I’m her best friend, actually” Felix presented himself again in a much more friendly way “Sorry” He smiled sheepishly.

  “I’m glad you’re not her boyfriend” He said and you shot him a bashful look “No! I don’t mean it like that!” He rushed to say, blushing “What I meant is that I thought you were lying to me”

   “Sure” Felix scoffed and you glared at him as He mouthed silently a “So into you”.

   “Well, I’m better to let you guys do your stuff… Bye, guys” He said, waved to Jeongin and went out.

   “So…” Felix grinned and you rolled your eyes.

   “You think everyone is into me!” You accused.

   “You can’t say He’s not into you! He said He was glad you didn’t have a boyfriend” He uttered and you shrugged it.

   “And He said he was just glad I wasn’t lying to him right after that” You reasoned.

   “You gotta be kidding me” Felix rolled his eyes “Did you buy that?” He scoffed “That’s why you can’t get a boyfriend! Guys are literally screaming they’re into you and you’re oblivious!”

   “Who said I want a boyfriend?” You pouted “Are you trying to get rid of me, Felix?” You joked and He rolled his eyes.

   “Shut up” He said, gesturing for you to turn your back for him “Hey, Han said they were going to perform somewhere Friday night. Do you wanna come?” He said while massaging your shoulders.

   “Sure! It’s been so long since I have gone out” You agreed, feeling excited to finally have something to look after on a Friday night “Can I crash at your place if my bed don’t arrive until then?”    

   “Of course!” He agreed “You deserve a good night of sleep after a Friday night”

   “Sure as hell I do!” You sighed and He chuckled.

   You thought your Friday couldn’t be better.

   Hyunjin had his classes canceled in the morning so He was staying at home which meant you had a peaceful ride with Minho. You were hyped about your night, texting Felix about it from time to time, asking if He wanted to come with you or if you’re gonna meet up there which He answered with “I have a friend who will give me a ride, I can ask him to pick you up” so you were beaming. Then the top cherry! Your professor got sick (Not that good to him) and your afternoon classes were canceled!

   You were free at midday!

   You called Minho asking if He still had classes, which He didn’t since He only had classes till midday on Fridays and you thanked god to giving you a lucky day for once.

   You should have known better.

   You and Minho got to the elevator, speaking about your luck. You said that maybe even your bed could arrive today and it would be the best day of the month by far! He chuckled at that and said that your life sucked. Rude! But true… You were halfway on the corridor and He said “Shit! My phone” rummaging his pockets and you mocked him.

   “Whose life is sucking now?” You smirked and He shot you his middle finger.

   Karma is a bitch.

   When you got to your door you saw a sign hanging there “Welcome!” and you smiled at this. Hyunjin was being a sweet guy for once? What a surprise! You unlocked the door and opened it with a smile, just to drop your smile the second you laid your eyes on your couch.

   A naked girl was riding a naked Hyunjin.

   On your couch.

   “Holy shit!” You shot surprised, covering your mouth right after.

   As soon as you said that their heads snapped at you and Hyunjin let out a “Fuck!” you were not sure if it was horny or an angry one, but the girl was certainly into it because she looked straight into your eyes and came undone, without looking away.

   Right. On. Your. Couch.

   You slammed the door and looked in Minho’s way, He was looking at you startled and rushed to your side at the same time the elevator arrived at your floor. You stood there, mouth agape and your eyes unfocused. He held your shoulders, concerned, and then looked at the door. The “Welcome!” sign made his eyes light up with comprehension. Then He laughed right on your face, cackled up like a son of a bitch.

   “He was on the couch?” He asked, wiping his tears away.

   He knew?!

   “I can’t believe it! His naked butt was on my couch and you knew it?!” You yelled, which didn’t help Minho to recover from his laughing form “His cheek butt, Minho! My cheek lands on his butt every damn night! I’m sleeping on Hyunjin’s butt! Oh my god! He was naked!” You uttered, dizzy by your thoughts.

   “Well, that’s how you have to be to have sex” Minho reasoned.

   “Minho” You called him seriously “Do you understand I have been kissing his butt all this time? I could say I had my mouth on his damn ass!” You whined and Minho busted out laughing.

   “I wouldn’t say it like this If I were you” He advised.

   “Who knows what else He’s been rubbing on the couch?! I may be sleeping on some unknown pussy! Or worse! In his cu-“ You were stopped by the door being unlocked.

   “Please, come whine inside, you’re embarrassing me” He asked and you frowned at him.

   “Why the hell you’re fucking on my bed?!” You yelled at him, coming inside and being followed by an amused Minho that didn’t care about his phone at the moment.

   “That was the couch!” He retorted “And I clean it up after it!” He yelled back.

   “Are you kidding me?! You know damn well I’m sleeping on this bloody couch, you son of a bitch!” You urged, enraged, poking his chest.

   “I will clean it!” He groaned, mad at your poking.

   “That’s not the point!” You groaned “Your ass was right where I lay my face at night, Hyunjin” You whined “Couldn’t you do it on your bed? At least until I get mine?” You couldn’t handle him anymore. You sighed, tired.

   “Are you dumb or deaf?” He asked you and you shot him a glare “I said I will clean it up, damn it! Stop being a pain in the ass” He rolled his eyes.

   “Minho” You called him and He eyed you, not finding the situation funny anymore “Please hold me” You asked.

   “What?” He asked confused.

   “Hold me before I lay my hand on his damn face and wipe off his damn smugness from it” Before you could finish, raising your voice by the time, Minho hugged you from your back, holding you still as you tried to kick Hyunjin enraged. “You son of a bitch! And He doesn’t even feel sorry!” You shouted, trying to get away from Minho “Let me go!”

   “No, You will punch him” He denied, holding you tighter “Y/N calm down, He really cleans up the stuff, We buy the right products, I swear you weren’t sleeping on his butt”

   “And you!” You accused, eyeing Minho as you could “You knew! And you let me sleep on the couch!” You tried to kick back, but Minho turned you around and pinned you against the wall, letting your legs apart, so you couldn’t kick him in the crotch.

   “Oh” You heard the girl say, looking at you and Minho “I’m really sorry, sweety, If I knew you were sleeping there I wouldn’t have agreed to it” She said and You stopped for a while, smiling at her.

   “Thank you! See? She understands it’s disgusting!” You groaned.

   “And you’re more than welcomed to join us next time” She smiled at you and you gulped “You’re so hot and wild”

   Oh my god! Hyunjin’s girl were hitting on you!

   “I don’t think I would want it” Hyunjin spoke up and the girl arched her brow at him.

   “I know few guys that wouldn’t mind” She shrugged him off “Let me know, sweety, Hyunjin has my number. I’m gonna let you fight them now” And then she went away. Just like this.

   You calmed down a little bit and looked in Minho’s eyes “Let me go” you asked.

   “Are you sure you won’t beat us up?” He asked unsurely and you nodded. When He let you go, you went straitgh to your room in silence, the boys following you and watching you picking some clothes and a bag. You put some other things you thought you may need and Minho frowned at you “Are you leaving?” He asked concerned and you didn’t respond.

   “Are you going to leave because I had sex on the couch?” Hyunjin asked perplexed and Minho nudged him, you didn’t respond to him either.

   “Hey, Y/N” Minho called you in a calming voice, but you were already zipping your bag and heading towards the door “Y/N, don’t go” He pleaded “Can we talk this through?”

   “I’m not leaving, Minho” You stated, unlocking the door “When my bed arrives you can call me and I will be back” And with that being said you closed the door.

[darling-i-read-it]

Supposed Fiancé

Mob AU

Series Masterlist  

Al Pacino x reader, Robert De Niro x reader, also including Uma Thurman, Emilia Clarke and Rachel Weisz

Word Count: 2.2k

Warnings: talks of murder, cussing

Author’s Note: I did it, I really started a new series. I’m going to plan this one out before I post this part too. I’m thinking like three or four parts or something but we shall see! I really hope you guys like it! 

I’m using the actors to play a role I have created. This is not based off of real life. 

Summary: You are marrying Al, the biggest crime lord in New York, despite the fact you don’t want to. Many people surround the wedding that’s going to happen, people from different lives. 

(not my gif)

After everything happened everyone knew your face. Everyone knew that it was the only thing they should fear. That they shouldn’t fear Bobby, they shouldn't fear Al or even Rachel. What they were meant to fear had always been you in the end. 

They should have known earlier. 

They should have looked at the two worlds that you were ripping apart, the people that you had wrapped around your finger and thought twice before they underestimated you and your ideas. 

The world needed to learn to take a step back when it came to you.

The world needed to learn to take a step back when it came to you.

The world needed to learn to take a step back when it came to you.

Let you do what you need to do and move along.

Otherwise the wedding would happen again, that one wedding that never should have happened in the first place because the bride was not in love with the groom but the groom had more explosives than the government. 

World collided at that wedding that should never have touched.

In the middle of it all, there was you.

-- 

“Alright, I’m out of here,” Emilia said. If she had been a police officer like she had been to school for people would have wished her a nice weekend. Instead she only told her cat that she was heading to the other room for bed.

Ah the world of being a private investigator. 

She was able to do the same things that the police did but without being in a corrupt organization. She was her own boss and she could buy her own donuts when she wanted them.

She stood up from her desk that was where she usually worked. It was raining outside, despite the fact that it had been sunny only a few hours earlier. She hadn’t realized that it had even started to rain until just then as she looked behind her desk at the gloomy night weather. New York had never been the best place to live and she wanted to leave when she was able to. 

But for now she was stuck here, looking down at a couple of files she was able to snag that she shouldn’t have had.

She was already wearing pjs but she walked over to her bathroom and brushed through her teeth, mentally wondering what she needed to get done the next day. Her mind started to wander and she wondered if she was ever going to get that case she needed to get done. 

Emilia was so caught up in her own head that when she heard the front door open it startled her enough to jump. She turned around in the bathroom and opened the door a tad to see if anyone had entered her apartment. She didn’t see anyone but still grabbed a towel stand from in the bedroom and walked outside with caution. Maybe it was just her imagination. Maybe she hadn’t actually heard the door open.

She saw the front door was shut and checked each room in the small apartment. Her cat was still there and no one else seemed to have been inside. Nothing had been touched at first glance. 

She walked over to her desk which had papers strewn around, along with photos she had taken of unfaithful couples that she was about to pass on. On top of the stack was not one of her files. 

She picked it up and looked around one last time before flipping it open. 

There was a picture of a man everybody recognized on top of a thick stack of papers. 

Al Pacino stared back at her, the crime lord of the city. She stared back at him, wondering why someone thought it  was necessary to drop a file of him on her desk.

She sat back down at the desk, deciding sleep was to be pushed back a while longer.

--

Uma cocked her gun one last time and the bullet she released hit the man in the neck down on the streets. There were screams down below her but she sunk back underneath the window so that no one else would see her. She let out a long sigh as her phone rang. 

She stood up, her combat boots hitting the empty warehouse with an echo.

“It’s done?” Al asked. She nodded even though he couldn’t see her.

“Who was the guy?” she asked. He chuckled on the other end and she wondered yet again if he would give her any kind of straight answer. Likely not. 

“Someone that should be dealt with.” 

“Right.” 

She put her phone between her ear and her shoulder. She put her large gun back into the bag that looks vaguely like a violin bag.

“I’ll call you when I need you,” he said. She took the phone back in her hand and nodded.

“Course.”

The phone line went dead and she shoved it into her pocket.

Uma walked down the stairs of the warehouse and walked right past the man she had just killed without anybody stopping her.  There were more people surrounding the man now and some people had called the police but she would be long gone before they got there. 

She put her sunglasses on as she walked to her car. 

She had been doing jobs for Al for a while now. There was nothing personal that she felt about him, no need to be on his good side except for the need for a good paying job and not being killed. 

Al was the most dangerous man in the city, everyone knew that. She was simply ensuring that she wasn’t killed along his rampage by helping him out here and there. That was all that she could do in her line of work.

Uma got into her car and drove away, just as the police passed her to the scene of the crime she had committed.

--

“No. No I am not going to go out and kill someone Al,” you said leaning against his desk. Al was looking at you as he paced the small office, his hands waving wildly around as he spoke to you. He stopped and turned to you after a moment.

“You have to. You’re my fiance. It’s going to be your job soon.”

“My job will be to be a good housewife, if I heard you correctly when you were talking to your friends.” He shook his head and walked closer to you, waving his finger in your face. You let him and thought about biting it as it got closer but you thought better of it.

“Do you know how many girls want to be you?” he asked. 

“Plenty of those dim witted ones that worship the ground you walk on.” You walked around him and then behind the desk, looking out at the New York night sky. It had started to rain. “Or those men who act like they worship you but really are too scared of you to do anything else.”

“The wedding is in two weeks. I don’t know why you feel the need to pester like this,” he said angrily. You turned back around to him.

“You think I want this wedding Al? You think I asked for this?” 

“You did in bed last night.” 

You scoffed, shaking your head. 

“We’ll never be in love. Not the way you want us to be.” He grabbed your arm and was close to your face. His father had been the person to set this whole wedding thing up. Prior you and Al had been nothing more than fuck buddies who looked good together. You were on his good side. His dad thought him having a wife like you would get him to stop fucking around with those girls who would ruin his repuation. 

“You’ll learn.” 

You almost spit in his face but instead he backed away. You never felt scared in his presence, not like everybody else did. It was one thing he hated about you. That he could ever use fear to his advantage.

“I will never belong to you.” He looked back at you and smiled charmingly.

“Don’t kid yourself. You always have.” 

--

Robert was sitting in the bar that he owned. He was fishing out some money for a poker game that he was rigged to win, people around him that he barely knew the names of because they came and went so quickly.

He stood up, looking around them.

“I’m going to get some air,” he said and the man sitting beside him nodded, hitting his back a bit.

“Hurry back Bobby!”

He walked through the bar and people parted ways for him. 

He was the man who could rival Al. He was the only man who could rival Al at all. New York had Bobby and Al to be afraid of. Bobby walked outside and leaned against the wall. He was really waiting for someone else to throw in their cards so he could go back in. It was raining pretty hard and he looked across the street to see a girl running through the cold, her hands over her head as though it would protect her from the cold. 

He kicked himself off the wall as you ran closer to him. 

You didn’t know where you were. You had gotten out of Al’s and just started to run. You wanted to run, truly. But it was cold and when you saw Bobby standing there you didn’t recognize him enough to avoid him.

“Where am I?” you asked. He recognized you immediately. The supposed bride. 

“You’re at Bob's Bar,” he said. You looked up at the sign and then back at him. You scoffed.

“Of course I would end up here.”

“Do you want to come inside? Get warm?”

“I shouldn’t. You..you know who I am right?” He nodded, chuckling slowly.

“I won’t shoot you in there.” You purse your lips and teetered on your feet.

“You swear?” 

“You haven’t been in this life long have you.” You shook your head. “Come in.” You followed him inside and immediately felt warmer. You were somewhat glad you had made it there somehow. At least you knew what you were dealing with.

“What got you engaged to Al?” he asked, holding a hand up for a beer. You took it happily and took a small sip. 

“I was a stripper. A good enough one to get a proposal,” you joked. “Al’s dad thought it would be better to nail him down. No more strippers.” You looked at Bobby. “I shouldn’t be telling you all this.”

“You probably shouldn’t.” You looked down at the beer and your phone rang. You looked down and saw that it was Rachel, Al’s sister. You hit decline.

“We’re fighting.”

“Can’t imagine why.”

You looked over at him and you were half smiling. He liked it. 

“You can stay here tonight if you want. Give him a good scare.”

“You wouldn’t mind?” 

“There’s a small room upstairs. Take it.”

“Thank you.”

“Don't mention it.”

--

Al looked out the window. You had left a few minutes ago and he was just left alone to think. 

His mind was reeling.

The door opened and he turned around, hoping it was you. It was only Rachel who was standing there dumbly even though she looked good. 

“Where is she?” Al shrugged.

“Don’t you have some sort of crush on her? Shouldn’t you know sis?” She scoffed and walked over to where he was sitting behind the desk. 

“What if she wanders to the wrong part of the city? She’s still new here, how are you supposed to keep her from heading to the bar.” 

“That bar is beginning to be more of a pain than anything.”

Bobby and Al were rivals who had never spoken. It was wordless. 

[musical-traysh]

Sevro’s Best Man Speech

So my S/O and I collabed on this for a communications project I had for a wedding toast. I originally had Sevro being rather Horny on Main for Darrow and 10 times the swears but here y’all go.

Spoilers ahead! And a bit of wishing Darrow and Virginia has matching last names.

Dear Howlers and others, I am excited to be the one to be giving this speech for my Howler One, Darrow of Lykos. From the day I first started stalking him I always dreamed we’d be friends. He was probably the nicest of the people in his group, although that’s a pretty low bar. He helped me really work with my pack, the Howlers.

Anyways, our man Darrow was the best man on the playing field in our trials. Played people like pawns in chess, dominated the field. He also didn’t take much issue when I came around with a stinking wolf carcass on my back, so I’ll give him some props for that. A lot of the Golds were total pixies about that sort of thing, but Darrow took it in stride.

And, of course, who could forget the fact that Darrow was the sort of man who would end up courting one of the people who most opposed him? Not me, obviously and unfortunately, on both counts, but the woman he’s standing here with now. Three cheers not only for Darrow, who has refused all of my marriage proposals, even the one I’m half-tempted to make right now, but for his lovely wife as well, Virginia au Augustus. I know, how unfortunate she’s gotta settle for only the conqueror of Mars, liberator of slaves, the Reaper, the man who defeated The Jackal, and convinced me that cyanide teeth capsules were a bad idea… in retrospect, I maybe should’ve figured that one out on my own, but I was sloshed at the time! Or I’m sloshed right now; honestly, I can never really tell.

Moving on from that, I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of this man, Darrow. I mean, it takes a true, divine legend to be so charming that you can squirm your way into a marriage with a woman who was flat-out trying to kill you a while ago! I mean, Victra’s never tried to kill me, mainly due to lack of opportunity, but I’m undeniably impressed.

That’s not to mention the fact Darrow went on a right proper quest to get to this point. He’s my good friend, and he was born a commoner! A lowly red miner boy, cut and carved into a mighty Reaper bashing heads and carving tongues like the rest of us. We’re more than friends in my eyes seeing as my mother was a Red. It’s incredible what men with Red blood can do, when we stand together against the tide and hold hands.

We didn’t hold hands. But, in retrospect, I wish we had! Ah, but that is a time long past now. Now, Darrow’s getting married.

Look, I’ve gotta say, it’s been real. Ever since I was known as a “Goblin” back before I got the Howlers, Darrow was my friend. He’s a good fellow, that Darrow of Lykos, suppose it’s soon to be au Augustus; ah, names. They’re awfully meaningless.

I myself have gotta say he’s one of the most incredible people in the colonies. Darrow of Lykos, Darrow au Andromedus, the Reaper, whatever name you know him by, you know one of his names. He’s a commanding force, that Darrow, a man so powerful and intelligent that he once won a lie-detector test against the Sovereign with a giant bug monster crawling along his arm. I mean, I have… okay, I’ve actually won one of those too, but he did it first which makes it more important.

Seriously, the courage of the man. I mean, who else would pull something so insanely gutsy as allying with one team, leaving a bunch of people in wolf pelts in their castle, and waiting for them to party themselves. I tell you, Darrow’s the best tactician this side of Odysseus himself, and ten times the looker.

I kid, I kid. Not like I really want Darrow in my chambers. After all, the man smells like an ox and he’s twice as hard to control. Honestly, I think the one we should be applauding here is probably his good wife Mustang, as she’s willingly chosen to reign Darrow every last day of her life. Not a choice I’d make.

Darrow is not the sort of man who’s easy to reign in.You can ask his mother at base camp for stories about little reap running around the mines. Just make sure to take your shoes off and eat whatever she offers.

Darrow’s the sort of man who’ll play you like a fiddle and then buy you an actual fiddle to make up for it. I’d say just ask Tactus, but Tactus is very dead. He can be a little odd, for sure, but I won’t pretend I didn’t understand Darrow from the moment I met the sorry pup. He was a different man, then. I suppose we all are. Ah, but the passage of time isn’t kind to us! We’ve only got so long to live, and we’d better make the most of it.

Darrow’s living his best life, getting himself a wife and everything. It’s very impressive. I can’t… well, I can’t lie, I’m proud of him, and I’m happy for him, and I’m never gonna stop being happy for him. He’s an incredible man, that Darrow of Lykos, and he’s the best friend I ever had.

Now this was fun and all, but all this ale won’t finish itself! To Darrow and his new life as Mustang’s Bitch!

[bewaretheidesofmarchyall]

Soulmate Shenanigans Five: The Order Of The Shenanigans

Hey! Guess who has returned? 

Me!

Just the March doing her prompt writing thing, as seen on previous episodes :)

Parts one, two, three, and four here!

Prompt #5

Any intense emotions your soulmate feels you will also experience

Warnings for kidnapping mention and gifted kid “potential” mention

Okay. Not going to lie, I kind of tweaked the concept, but I like how it turned out. The idea of the sides having sides in human AUs has been in my brain, and now it’s in yours!

World Building

At first, the symptoms of having a soulmate was seen as symptoms of witchcraft

It was a reasonable assumption to make, as seeing into someone’s head and emotions wasn’t really a thing that humans did. 

However, as the population grew and communication across the globe became a thing, the instances of people finding their soulmates grew as well, and not everyone could be a witch (or, if they were, being a witch was simply being human).

It took a while for the culture around soulmates to shift, but shift it did, and people eventually figured out “Oh, that person is my soulmate, not my eternal enemy that I need to destroy via my demonic powers, which I totally have”

But people’s minds are kind of a lot, and it’s hard to process it all.

So, in modern day, people have learned to separate the pieces of their soulmate’s personality that they get bombarded with into different pieces, or sides

The sides are Logic, Morality/Emotions, Creativity (with there sometimes being a divide between dark and light), Self-Preservation, and Anxiety.

Characters

Roman: Roman is looking forward to meeting his soulmate so much!

Just...later.

When he’s a famous writer and people know about him and he’s evened out his insecurities and he deserves them!

Being perfect for them is going to take work, but most people meet their soulmates over 30, so he’s got at least fifteen years to prepare.

Until then, he was working on his fantasy story and dreaming of the day he’d get published or get the lead in a school play.

The writing club had been his idea, so you could say that everything that happens in the story was his fault. He’d just wanted to be around people who liked the same things he liked!

Roman’s Sides, ranked in order of how much control they have:

Note: Names are hard. Aaaagh.

Magnus, his creativity, romance, passion, etcetera. Magnus is really the one who calls the shots around here. He’s just as goofy of a fifteen year old (if not more) as Roman, but he has the unenviable position of running a mind palace and being the ego of someone who hates himself.

This guy just wants to listen to Hamilton, but noooo, he had to have an evil reflection of himself and self-worth issues.

The Count, his self-preservation and pretty much Roman’s inner Roxie Hart/Velma Kelly. Randomly suggests poisoning their mortal enemies a lot (note: they don’t have mortal enemies). 

The most like canon Janus out of any of the self preservations, except instead of “we live in a society” it’s more “fuck it, we’re going to be *famous*!”

The other sides will pay him to stop saying, “that’s showbiz”

The Medic, his morality and emotions. Sort of has a medieval healer thing going on (which means herbs in a satchel, not plague doctor mask).

A lovely person on his own, but when he and The Guard team up, it’s ✨Guilt time!✨

He has the question of “Am I a terrible person?” on his hands, so...good luck to him. He’s trying to hold the five of them into a cohesive unit, but it’s hard!

The Guard, his fears and anxious thoughts. He has a shield and a spear, and is kind of dressed like a (dark and stormy) knight.

No one particularly likes him, but it’s his job to recognize The Shadow, so they all need him.

He hangs around on the outskirts of the mindscape, ever vigilant.

The Alchemist, his logic. No one listens to the voice of reason in this house. Al isn’t really a fan of this, and being Roman’s logic, he thinks that if he can find a way to prove himself it’ll turn out okay.

The Shadow, everything Magnus discarded. You could call him dark creativity, but he’s a lot more. 

They used to call him Rex, when they were kids.

Patton: Patton isn’t thrilled with having to move to a new school, but he’s keeping a positive attitude

The new town is creepy and making friends is harder than he thought, and he just wants to right a sappy love story about ghosts without feeling sad.

But if he keeps his chin up, he knows it’ll all be fine!

And hey, maybe he’ll find people who like him in this writing club thing!

Patton’s Sides, ranked in order of how much control they have: 

Patrick, his morality and emotions. Patrick feels all of the loneliness and desperation that Patton feels daily, but pretends he doesn’t feel it, since he has to be there for them!

Them meaning his family, meaning the rest of Patton’s mind, as well as Patton, since he’s kind of an older brother/role model to the guy.

Covering the full scope of human emotions isn’t great when the other half of your job is enforcing the sense of right and wrong (and the general consensus in Patton’s head is showing negative emotions = burden = wrong).

None of them can cook, but that won’t stop him from trying!

The Canary, his fears and anxious thoughts. Constantly popping up to remind everyone that they’re failing. It’s kind of his job.

Stress plays the piano when things get to be too much.

The Gardener, his creativity, romance, and passion. Conjures flowers a lot. Projects wishes for a soulmate into the sappy ghost love story, which he’s mostly in charge of writing.

Hasn’t split yet, but that’s mostly because nearly all of Patton’s negative impulses that would be considered “dark creativity” already come from The Miser.

Dr. Picani, his logical side. Knows everything about cartoons, and tries to be professional, but a complete sweetheart.

Secretly knows his name is Emile, but is waiting for the best moment to tell everyone.

The Miser, his self-preservation and deceitful side. No one’s a fan of him. Patrick is kind of his mortal nemesis (in the sense that Patrick claimed the title and he just kind of went along with it?)

Everyone else in the Pattonsphere refuses to curse, but he says many a “fuck” with ease

Trying to protect The Gardener from splitting by taking responsibility for most of the things a dark creativity would do.

Virgil: Virgil just didn’t want to join the yearbook committee. 

It was irrational, maybe, to have a deep rooted hatred of the yearbook committee. 

They were just trying to categorize things, design pages-it wasn’t malicious! 

And yet, being in that classroom and seeing Amelia’s dead eyes and smile near rang every alarm bell in his system, so he needed a way out this year.

His parents weren’t going to let him not choose an activity, so he flipped a coin and ended up in some writing club.

He came into the club determined to fake some pretentious poetry about death. Just because they say the club’s about expression or whatever doesn’t mean that they can know anything about his comics.

Virgil’s Sides, ranked in order of how much control they have: 

Dante, his fears and anxious thoughts. Dante has too many eyes. Dante is lowkey a cryptid, but he’s sadly a cryptid in charge of life decisions.

There’s no way to dance around it. Dante’s a spider-human hybrid.

Dante would prefer they never be perceived by anyone for anything. He does not want to be seen, he does not want to be heard, he does not want to be perceived. Period. 

But he’s a very conspicuous spider-human hybrid. 

The Competent One, The One Who Can Actually Do Math, Steve, whatever you want to call him, he’s Virgil’s logical side.

His theories are just....

See that image? That kind of sums up his characterization.

Parker, his creativity, romance, and heroic side. He’s the one who got them obsessed with comic books, and is trying to write his own. If people don’t like the comics, he’ll probably just start screaming and never stop

He gets the purple eyeshadow!

Remy, his self-preservation. He mainly just wants Virgil to just...rest

Nap. Sleep. Take a self-care day. This is Remy’s goal.

Also to continue to have the most style out of anyone in the Virgilsphere

Remy has a talent for never being anywhere at the right time, and then popping up at the worst moments, caffeine in hand.

Tam, his morality and emotions. The most into the emo phase out of any of them, since he feels all angst!

Sometimes just hovers and screams. Everyone’s pretty used to this.

Logan: Logan was trying to ignore the things he’d seen

Logan was a scientific guy. He knew that magic wasn’t real, that the fae were just stories.

So, clearly, the nightmarish things he’d seen that night were just that: nightmares. Just nightmares caused by stress over his academic struggles.

That was the immediate problem at hand: academic struggles. Logan was always the top of his class his whole life, and words like “gifted” were thrown around. Lately, however, things have been harder to keep up with and pay attention to, and it’s a bit of a mess.

Logan joined the writing club because he thought it might help him with English class, and he did like speculative fiction.

But, more importantly, he joined it because he thought it would be a simple task he could easily ace, so he wouldn’t have to keep being told that he wasn’t trying.

Logan’s Sides, ranked in order of how much control they have:

Mimir, his logical side. Mimir is pushing himself to take care of all academic matters and keep Logan afloat.

Mimir is over his head, but doesn’t really have anyone to talk to (or so he thinks), so he’s just putting Warby Parkers over his panic and faking cold distance to make everyone think he’s doing okay.

Alastor, his moral side. Half of his job is repressing Logan’s emotions, which isn’t a great thing to be doing, but he think he’s doing it for a good reason.

Kinda strict and blaming Mimir for everything going wrong. He does care about the others, he’s just bad at showing it.

Cassandros, his fears and anxious thoughts. 

This dude-

He’s basically just [puts feet on coffee table] “Hey, did you know everyone hates us?? I made a PowerPoint that proves it!”

He’ll get character development, though.

The Chessmaster, his overdramatic self-preservation.

Tries to be clever, walks into walls.

The Detective, his creative and fanciful side. He wants to swashbuckle, but instead he’s restrained to geometry. 

But now he has a project in the writing club! He has something to do!

And The Mad Scientist is trying to ruin it!

The Mad Scientist, Logan’s dark creativity.

They never used to care about the creative side one way or another. There was no need to make a dark side when it was already looked down upon.

Now, however, there are things in Logan’s mind that he’s trying not to think about, and so the Mad Scientist has joined the fray.

The Actual Plot

This is going to be an actual fic that I write. So, I’m not going to fill out the entire plot here.

I can, however say a few of the plot lines

Plot One: Everyone’s sides are in a state of constant screaming and must learn to communicate.

They also need to let their main guys figure out they have soulmates, because they’re all repressing that information for their own reasons.

Plot Two: LAMP in a writing club, falling in love and being disturbed by first drafts!

Plot Three: The fae are kidnapping people.

And everyone needs to get them to Stop.

I guess you could call this a trailer??

I JUST REALLY LIKE THIS IDEA

[shikasaku-week]

The Masterpost is finally here, in preparation for the incoming ShikaSaku Week. We tried something different for this Hanami edition, with bilingual prompts so you could pick between two options. We had a lot of participations and we’re so happy to see this community grow and something big and beautiful forming around this event so dear to us.

As the creator (Mako), I also want to take the time to thank with all my heart the people who have helped me keep the ShikaSaku Week going over the years, even when life kicked me so hard I didn’t think I could make it happen. But we didn’t miss an event, and now, literal years later, I want to give the biggest thank you to @mouseymightymarvellous​, my partner in crime and best friend from across the ocean. This wouldn’t be possible without you.

We truly hope everyone is doing well, those are unprecedented events, and dealing with them has proven to be particularly challenging. You have all our best wishes and sympathies, please take care of yourselves and each other, and wear masks!

*

Links to all submissions are below the cut. Please let us know if a) we missed something or b) you would like us to change the name/bio link associated with your submissions.

If you haven’t already, please make sure to let our creators know that you enjoyed their creations with likes, kudos, comments, replies, and reblogs. And we will see you soon for ShikaSaku Week 2020!

DAY ONE dawn (we celebrate our victories) des constellations dans tes tâches de rousseurs

Art:

dawn by @helen-renee​

Dawn by @indrabourgoist​

Dawn by @kyoties​

Fic:

Dawns are really troublesome by @intellectuallyrong/IntellectuallyRong

dawn (we celebrate our victories) by @dimancheetoile​

our victories (cannot be counted) by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Sunrise by PanWuthAPlann

DAY TWO of stardust and galaxies les cris, au loin, des loups

Art:

“Cuando se acabó la guerra, ellos se acostaron y observaron las estrellas.“ by @doctorpepperjack​

Stardust and Galaxies by @indrabourgoist​

Stardust and Galaxies by @kyoties​

Fic:

93 Percent by PanWuthAPlann

Decaf by @thekatthatbarks​

Galaxia de Primavera by @roxasfanfics​

mars in ascendence by @mouseymightymarvellous​

of stardust and galaxies by @dimancheetoile​

DAY THREE proud of you, proud of me fissures dans le froid de ton âme

Art:

“Are you proud of me, Sakura?” by @kyoties​

proud of you, proud of me by @doctorpepperjack​

Proud of you, proud of me by @indrabourgoist​

Proud of you, proud of me by @sabrinart19​

Fic:

Discover a New Truth by @thekatthatbarks​

fruits like honey to the throat by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Pride by PanWuthAPlann

Rest For The Weary by @roxasfanfics​

DAY FOUR drip, drip, drip (our blood) sang toi

Art:

drip, drip, drip (our blood) by @indrabourgoist​

“Jashin-sama! Let our blood mingle, let my wish come true. I want Sakura to fall in love with me.“ by @kyoties​

Fic:

Black as Blood by PanWuthAPlann

Checkmate by @thekatthatbarks​

in arms by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Lucid Dream by @roxasfanfics​

sang toi (mes rêves exsangues) by @dimancheetoile​

DAY FIVE laughing, joyful and free embrasse la nuit sur ses lèvres

Art:

“A moment worth remembering is when I’m next to you.“ by @doctorpepperjack​

“Even two brainiacs can have fun and let loose” by @kyoties​

Laughing, joyful and free by @indrabourgoist​

Fic:

embrasse la nuit sur ses lèvres by @dimancheetoile​

Guy Who Takes His Time by @thekatthatbarks​

Where Time Stood Still by @roxasfanfics​

Worship by PanWuthAPlann

DAY SIX like air in my lungs (i need you) j’ai toujours su que les femmes avaient le goût de grenadine

Art:

“Like air in my lungs, I need you” by @indrabourgoist​

Fic:

All but in Name by PanWuthAPlann

The Cliff by @thekatthatbarks​

Rainshowers by @roxasfanfics​

sailors forewarn by @mouseymightymarvellous​

DAY SEVEN we are ruins tu couches avec ta meuf en pensant à une autre (t’as pas kiffé)

Art:

We are ruins by @indrabourgoist​

Fic:

and all your prayers to her feet by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Broken by @roxasfanfics​

Kintsugi by @thekatthatbarks​

We Are Ruins by PanWuthAPlann

DAY EIGHT (bonus day) free day or remix challenge

Art:

“If you were my wife...” by @indrabourgoist​

Fic:

Kohona’s Tree by @gingergretchen​

Sky Full of Song by @thekatthatbarks​

[you-a-southpaw-doll]

Lovin’ Him - A Negan!AU Story ~ Chapter 1

Story Title: Lovin’ Him - A Negan!AU Story

Story Summary: When high school student Leigh Sullivan feels like the world is against her, and she’s prepared to end it all, there’s only one other person in the world who could save her from herself. Her best friend, neighbor, love of her life, current United States Marine, and even bus driver, Negan Morgan. But what if even his love isn’t enough? Will Negan be the one to save Leigh, or will it be too late? If it is not, what will come of Leigh and Negan? Will they stay best friends and maybe become more? Or, will the strain of Negan trying to save Leigh become too much for their long-lasting friendship, and it’ll all come tumbling down?

Chapter Summary: Leigh and Negan interact a little before the bell rings on the last day of school before Christmas break. An exchange of Christmas presents. :)

Word Count: 1,709

Warning(s): Explicit language. Caring Negan. Loving Negan. Slight angst. Fluff - LOTS of Fluff.  Somewhat of a slow burn? Eventual relationship. Hella teasing. Negan’s very sneaky and naughty in a good way. Teacher x student relationship – The reader is of legal age, and Negan’s a bus driver. NO Zombie Apocalypse.

Author’s Note(s): Sorry that it’s taken me so long to get this first chapter posted, y’all. After I got back home from Christmas break, school started right back up the next day. Then my laptop decided it wanted to stop working, so I had to get a new one. It’s just been crazy. But, don’t worry. I have a good bit of this story already written, so I just need to get my amazing and wonderful editor to look over the chapters, and then post them. I’ll do my best to post to a new chapter at least once a week, at least up til the end up April, since that’ll be finals week, and graduation for me. If y’all have any questions, feel free to message me! Also, if you wanna be tag for future stories, just shoot me a message and I’ll be sure to add you!

Relationship(s): Negan x Leigh Sullivan (OFC)

Characters: Negan. Leigh Sullivan (OFC). (More characters will be added as the story continues.)

Taglist: @negans-network, @prettyboynegan @mychemicalimagines @spnnnxangelsx @rockinkel21 @misskittycat02 @band--psycho@ofxallxwexlost @iron-halt @thamberlinawrites

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Chapter 1: Last Day Before Christmas Vacation

 “C’mon, Leigh. Wake up.”

I keep hearing his voice in my sleep. I slowly open my eyes, even though I really don’t want to. I want to keep dreaming ‘bout him. Although, when I open my eyes, that perfect face, smiling, greets me. That amazingly gorgeous face of his. Man, oh, man. 

He is fine, with a capital “F”. Like, no joke. This man is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. So what if he has a scar running through his left eyebrow? So what if he has a scar beside his left ear? So what if he has a scar along the right side of his cheek that’s faded over the years? 

There’s a story behind each scar. Moreover, it’s a part of him, and who he is. In fact, if you were to ask me, I’d say that his scars add to his sexiness, but that’s just my opinion. His scars lead straight to his hair. At least, the one by his ear does anyway. 

It leads into that somewhat wavy, and somewhat curly, brown hair that’s been lightened over the years thanks to the sun shining down on it. He’s got a chiseled jaw and cheekbones that would put any Hollywood actor to shame, male or female. 

Even his slight beard and mustache he has going on, that’s been trimmed recently, makes him look sexy. Like extremely sexy. I’m guessing that he probably trimmed it this morning before leaving his house. Those lips. Man, those lips that are always turned up in a devious smirk whenever I catch him glancing at me with those eyes.

Those brown eyes, with a small tint of darkness, that gives him the “I’ve been there and done it a time or two” look. I bet he probably has, and even enjoyed it too. Knowing him, he has. I’m sure he’s had fun in his life before becoming a bus driver. 

He’s not one of those grumpy, old, mean bus drivers. No. He’s cheerful, young, and really nice. Or at least, he’s cheerful and nice to me. I haven’t really paid attention to how he is with the other people on the bus. I’m too busy admiring him like a lovesick puppy.

“There you go, Leigh. There’s that pretty face I love to see. C’mon. School’s ‘bout to start for you.” He says, in that sexy drawl of his.

I groan. “I don’t wanna go. Can’t I just stay here on the bus with you?”

He chuckles. “I’m ‘fraid not. The rules won’t allow it, darlin’. Besides, you got an education you need to get. And, I’ve got some fuckin’ shut-eye to catch up on.”

“Who cares ‘bout the damn rules?”

“Well…you see, I do. If I lose my job, then you won’t have me as your bus driver anymore. Then, you might get stuck with some old grumpy ass fucker.”

I laugh. “I don’t want that. I like you too much as a bus driver. You’re nice to me.”

“You’re easy to be nice to.”

I roll my eyes. “If you say so.”

“I do say so. Now, c’mon. Up and at ‘em. The quicker you get off, the quicker your day will go by, and the quicker you get to be back on the bus, heading home to enjoy your vacation.”

“Well…when you put it that way…ok. I guess I’ll get up.”

He laughs. “That’s my girl. Figured that would work.”

I uncurl my legs from underneath me. He takes a step back into the seat in front of me so I don’t kick him. By the way, I’d never do something like that. I sit up in the seat, and stretch. He just chuckles. He leans forward, and tickles my sides slightly. 

I squeal and drop my arms to my sides, trapping his long fingers against my body. I look up as his nostrils flare and his eyes dilate. He sucks a deep breath in. I smirk to myself, and relax my arms. He removes his fingers, and swallows deeply. 

I stand up in the aisle and bend down to grab my backpack off the floor. The only reason I brought it is so I could carry his Christmas present. I don’t really need my backpack today, except for that reason. I set my bag on the seat I was sitting in. 

I unzip it, and get his present out. I look up to see him looking at me. He quickly looks away once he sees that I’m looking at him.

“Um, hey, Neegs? I have something for you.” I mumble.

He looks back at me. I haven’t even given his gift to him yet, but he looks surprised, yet excited. I hand him the wrapped up box. I’m not really good at wrapping presents, but for him, I spent a little more time on it to get it to look decent. 

He holds the box in his hands. He looks at it, then back at me.

“Can I open it now, or do I have to wait till fuckin’ Christmas?” He asks, genuinely curious.

“Umm…whatever you wanna do. It’s yours.” I say.

He carefully, but quickly, unwraps the box. I drew a little smiley face on the top of the box. He grins once he sees it. He lifts the lid and peers inside.

“Awww, shucks, darlin’! You didn’t have to!” He says, once he sees my gift to him.

“I wanted to. I wanted you to have a present this Christmas. Plus, you’re always nice to me. So…I um…made you a bracelet.” I mutter quietly.

Another thing I’m not good at is making stuff. But, once again, for him, I tried to make him a bracelet. I just took some black nylon cord, some forest green nylon cord, and some hunter orange nylon cord, and braided it into a bracelet. I even added a watch face to it, and a tiny compass. 

It’s kind of like a survival bracelet. I took his favorite colors, and some things he might need and mixed ‘em together, and ta-dah! I made a bracelet watch for him. I hear the click of a buckle and look up as he wiggles his left arm slightly to get it in place on his wrist. 

He looks up at me, grinning like a little boy who just opened the best present ever. Before I know what’s happening, he scoops me up in his arms, and is hugging me. I wrap my arms ‘round him to hug him back. He holds me close to him for a moment before setting me back down. 

I bite back a groan of protest. I wish he didn’t set me down. I’d gladly stay in his arms all day. I don’t just like him because of his looks. No. I like him because of the fact that he’s nice, and he’s a gentleman. Plus, I really respect him. Not only is he still in the United States Marine Corps, in the Reserves of course, but he’s also the only person that’s ever been nice to me.

“Thank you, Leigh. I really ‘preciate it. It’s special to me already. Just because you made it for me, and you didn’t have to.” He says.

“I wanted to.” I say, blushing.

He smiles that megawatt smile at me. I can’t help but smile back at him. His smile drops for a second.

“I guess you should get on to class now.” He mutters.

I sigh. “I guess so.”

“You riding this afternoon?”

“Of course.”

He smiles again. “Al-fuckin’-right! I’ll see you this afternoon.”

I grin. “Ok. Sounds good to me.”

He chuckles. We start walking up the aisle since I was sitting in the last seat on the left side of the bus. I walk in front of him. Once we get to the front, I have to wait for him to open the bus doors. I climb down the stairs.

“Hey, Leigh.” He calls from behind me.

“Yes?” I ask, turning ‘round to face him.

“Thanks again. I really do love it.”

He holds his wrist up and shakes it a little bit. The bracelet watch that I made him jiggles on his arm. I giggle. He’s acting like an adorable little kid. He just grins at me.

“I’ll see you later, darlin’.” He says.

“See you later.” I say, smiling.

As I walk away from the bus, and towards the school building, I can’t stop thinking ‘bout him. We’re not dating or anything, but I really like it when he calls me “darlin’”, or “his girl” or something like that. I’m sure that nothing could exist between us relationship-wise, but we’ve been friends, and neighbors, for years. 

He’s always called me his girl, or darlin’. I smile as I think ‘bout him.

“Hey, Leigh!”

I turn and look back towards the buses. He’s standing by his bus. Once he sees me looking at him, he smiles and waves. I giggle, and wave back. He does a little hand gesture signaling that he’ll see me later. He points to himself, makes circles over his eyes – almost like he’s looking through a pair of binoculars – points to me, and then to his watch. 

I laugh. He’s insane, but that’s ok. I like it, and it makes me happy to see him goofy. I make a gesture letting him know that I’m looking forward to seeing him later. I point to myself, do the binocular thing, but move my head side-to-side as if I were really looking for something. 

After I do that, I move my hand and make the gesture of moving forward, hold my hand in a peace sign, do the binocular thing again, but keep looking at him. I end with pointing to my wrist to signal time. I hear him laughing despite the distance between us. 

He gives me a smile and a thumbs-up. I grin. He waves goodbye. I wave back, and turn to continue on my way to class. All day long, I can’t help but think ‘bout him.

I can’t stop thinking ‘bout the man who goes by the name of Negan Morgan.

I can’t stop thinking ‘bout the man who happens to be my bus driver.

[between-two-fandoms]

Soulmates

Beta: @innocentbi-stander

Word Count: 1,229

Notes: All of my Geraskier Week 2020 fics will be cross posted onto the official event’s collection on Ao3 as well as my own series. Find me @RandomNerd3 on Ao3, I’ve also been posting a few Locke and Key works lately.

 This is actually my first soulmate au so... idk take from it what you will.

Summary: It was always known you shared your scars with your soulmate. Jaskier just wished he knew who the hell his was, because only a witcher had the chance to get wicked scars which stretched over his skin.

At ten years old Julian got his first scar, but it wasn’t from anything that happened to him. When his mother saw it she shrieked, the protruding white skin slashed across his chest. “What kind of mother would let such a thing happen to her child?” His mother would ask as she calmed Julian’s tears. “It’ll be alright Julian,” she cooed, tracing the injury with her fingers. “It’s what destiny wants.” The ten-year-old nodded then wrapped his arms around his mother’s waist. The woman put him to bed that night and the next morning an X crossed his chest. By the time the year was up his mother had died of natural causes.

At eleven, Julian broke his wrist, the bone stuck out of his skin in an awkward angle. When their town’s healer saw his other scars after the wound had healed, the woman gasped. 

“I’ve only seen one kind of sword that can make a scar like that,” the elderly woman said gesturing to the line  that crossed Julian’s forehead. “It’s a witcher’s blade, son”. Julian’s father cursed at the woman and dragged him out of the shop by his ear.

“We don’t mess with the witchers,” his father would say hissing into his ear. “Their kind doesn’t belong here. If your soulmate is one of them you aren’t my son anymore.” When Julian retired to his room later that night he hoped his soulmate wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between hiscars and theirs…

When Julian turned fifteen, his friends all left him behind. Bragging about where they were accepted for schooling, or if they’d already found their soulmate. When he turned fifteen Julian met his first lover, Lydia. Her hair was as golden as the sun and Julian would swear her eyes shone brighter than diamonds. She ended up leaving him too. 

“We just aren’t soulmates,” Lydia said, and Julian’s heart shattered into a million pieces. “It would never have worked anyway,” was what she said before leaving him on the banks of the river where they first met each other. He went home and after he added a new scar to his ever-growing collection, he wrote his first real song. A ballad singing the song of a heart scorned by destiny, love destroyed in its wake. Before the year had ended a fresh scar stretched across his back, jagged as though a rabid animal had tried to bite a chunk off his back.

Julian’s scars started to hurt him when he turned sixteen. The skin would pull at his limbs, not allowing them the full movement they needed. The healer finally identified the bite marks to be those of a Drowner, a nasty creature only a witcher would be insane enough to face. Julian’s father dragged him home again, giving him just enough time to grab what he needed before kicking him out. 

“Don’t you ever come back!” His father had shouted, Sighing, he shouldered his beloved lute, clutched at his songbook, and started down the path out of town.

Not long after his seventeenth birthday he began to hear tales of the Butcher of Blavikin. The stories told warnings of the witcher who massacred hundreds. Legends say that witchers have no emotions, they can’t afford to feel as humans and other creatures do. Monsters and coin are all they’re good for. Just before he begins his first official gig as Jaskier, the bard finds a new scar zigzagging its way up his leg. And suddenly he doesn’t believe all the stories he’s heard of the witchers. The next time the Butcher becomes the topic of a tavern conversation Jaskier finds himself drawn to it, ready to defend a man he’ll never meet.

Upon his eighteenth birthday, Jaskier found two more scars on his chest, stab wounds judging by the look of them. He continued his travels, playing in taverns and inns trying to make a bard’s living. 

In the shadowed tavern, Jaskier finishes the set of songs he’d prepared for the evening, and stops to gather the food the patrons threw at his feet. As he scampers around the tavern shoving bread into his pants his attention is drawn to a man brooding alone in the corner, shadows enveloping his imposing figure. Well that just won’t do, Jaskier thought, sauntering towards the man swinging his hips about. When he got closer he saw the double swords strapped to his back. Jaskier leaned against the wall, 

“I love how you just… sit here in the corner and brood.”

“I’m here to drink alone,” The man said taking a sip of his ale. Jaskier let a smile stretch across his face.

“Oh what fun! You know, everyone else has already gave me their opinions of my performance. How about you?” He asked, the man remained silent. “Come on then, you don’t want to keep… a guy with bread in his pants waiting.” Jaskier said cursing his inability to talk to strong muscular men. “Pretty please?” He begged sliding into the chair across from the other man, “three words or less”. Jaskier folded his arms across his chest, well aware it made him look like a five-year-old pouting. They lapsed into an awkward silence until the man spoke,

“Go away now.” A smirk crossed his face as he drew his mug to his lips and took a sip. 

 “I know who you are,” Jaskier sing-songed, wagging a finger in front of the witcher’s face. “Two big swords, muscles for literal days, a smug brooding face all alone in a tavern full of beautiful women.” The witcher stood up, picked up his coin purse and left him sitting alone at the table. After a moment of hesitation Jaskier stood up and followed him. “You’re Geralt of Rivia!” Jaskier said following the man to his horse. Something deep inside the bard startled awake, and a low growl rose to his throat. Geralt turned around surprised at the sound then Jaskier saw a thin white line just barely visible past the wither’s collar.

“What are you doing?” The witcher grumbled, by some miracle letting Jaskier trace the scar down to his chest. Jaskier untied the top few clasps of his own shirt to reveal he had the same one. Geralt’s eyes widened in surprise. “We’re soulmates?” He asked. A smile stretched across Jaskier’s face, so wide he knew must look like a complete fool, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He had found his soulmate Almost against his own will, he rocketed forward, wrapping his arms around the witcher’s waist. He nuzzled into Geralt’s chest, the muscles tense, then he felt the witcher slowly relax in his embrace.

“I thought I’d never find you.” Jaskier said, the beginnings of a sob echoing into the witcher’s chest. Bewildered, Geralt wrapped his arms around Jaskier and the bard melted into his touch.

“What’s your name?” The witcher asked, the bard sighed happily before he answered.

“Jaskier,” he said into Geralt’s chest. Jaskier hummed a sweet melody as they left the building together.

Outside the tavern, Geralt helped Jaskier climb onto Roach, then climbed on after him so Jaskier was positioned between his arms. The two of them rode off to find Geralt’s next contract. 

[heyyyharry]

Chapter 2: Castles In The Air

(from the My Girl Trilogy: Be My Only)

…in which Y/N can’t stop worrying about Harry, but she isn’t the only one.

AU: actor!Harry, older!Harry, younger!Y/N, (4-year age gap).

Word count: 5k

Wattpad link

Chapter 1: Fire And Rain - Harry and Y/N go back to where it ended.

A/N: Welcome back to emotional hell. Listen to What If I Never Get Over Your? by Lady Antebellum for full experience. - Allie.

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.

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Isaac thought he had done a great job. Y/N had trusted him enough to reveal why she'd gone back to Holmes Chapel last year, not because of her father's wedding, but because of Harry. He knew everything, from how they'd got together to how they'd ended. Though the truth was evidently unpleasant, it also made him sigh in relief, for he was sure she had officially moved on.

But last night he'd seen for himself, how she had freaked out at the party and later broken down in the hospital. He'd seen the way she'd held Harry, how she'd cried, thinking something bad had happened to him. She was usually talkative when they were alone, but had been awfully quiet on the drive back to her place. It didn't take a mind-reader to figure out what was bothering her. It was that hug they had shared, what he had whispered into her ear that nobody else would ever know. And in that moment Isaac realized, there was a place in her heart that he could never reach.

It'd been a rough night, and his loud thoughts had kept him awake until 3AM, with fear that the girl in his arms could leave him any minute. But when the morning came, everything seemed to have fallen back into place. Stepping into the kitchen with sleep in his eyes, he was greeted by his girlfriend's gleeful "good morning!" and the delicious smell of sizzling bacon and eggs. Maybe he had over-exaggerated the situation yesterday, because Y/N was still here, and she was...making breakfast?

"Y/N! The eggs!"

"Shit!" The girl nearly knocked everything off the table as she fled across the room to turn off the stove. Clouds of dark smoke erupted from the frying pan, causing the couple to start coughing uncontrollably.

"My eggs..." She mumbled with a frown when he stroked her head and burst out laughing.

"I thought my girl was possessed, but I'm glad she's still herself." His joke made her snort as she tossed the burnt egg into the bin and told him she would try again. But after what he had just witnessed, he thought he should do all the cooking from now on, for their own safety.

"Step aside. I'll manage," he said with a smirk, nudging her with his hip to steal her spot as they both giggled together.

"Okay, so you take care of our breakfast. I'm gonna finish this."

Curious, Isaac stole a glance at his girlfriend, and saw her put the tuna salad she'd made into a lunch box. It wasn't like her to wake up early, make breakfast and lunch for herself. She hated cooking more than she hated children crying on the bus, and she'd rather starve than turn on her stove.

"Hey," she spoke before he could ask. "Can you bring this to Harry later?"

"Did he ask you to cook for him?"

"No." Y/N shook her head. "Niall said he wasn't allowed to go anywhere, so I decided to make him food."

Her naive response made Isaac cackle. He told her not to worry, that Harry's team would make sure he had the healthiest, and most expensive meals, while laying in bed. But that didn't ease the wrinkles between her brows.

"These foods will help his wounds heal faster." She met his thoughtful stare. "Besides, you two have to talk to each other at one point. This is your chance to make up."

"We're fine."

"How 'fine' exactly?" She arched an eyebrow at him. "I know everything is my fault, and I'm trying to—"

Isaac didn't let her finish. He grabbed her chin, kissing her full on the mouth, and slightly pushing her backward until her back bumped into the desk. His kiss became more urgent as his hands moved to hold her cheeks. She kissed him back, fingertips resting on his face. Neither of them knew what had gotten into him, yet both went with it because, what else would they do?

Reassurance. He needed reassurance.

But this kiss wasn't it.

Slowly, he pulled away, tucking a loose strand behind her ear as his heart started racing faster. With a smile to cover up the fact that he was on tenterhooks, he said in hushed tones, "why don't you ask Niall to bring him the food? They live very near each other."

The truth dawned on Y/N as her eyes shifted away from his. She thought for a couple seconds before nodding her head, and Isaac hoped she didn't think he hated Harry. How could he? He loved Harry like his own brother, and had sacrificed a lot for him since they became friends; like his top bunk in the dorm because Harry wanted it, his 20th birthday party because Harry had failed a movie audition that same day, his first magazine cover deal because Harry's hateful ex was the model, and many other times he couldn't recall. He'd done everything, no questions asked, because he believed Harry would do the same for him.

But Y/N wasn't something they could take and give whenever they wanted. She was a person, someone Isaac truly cared about. And he'd known from the start once he'd fallen for her he could never step back, which was why he'd asked Harry if he'd had feelings for her too. If only the answer had been 'yes' since the beginning, he would've walked away for them to be together. Would Harry have done the same? Would Harry have respected Isaac's feelings for Y/N and stepped aside, instead of going after her while Isaac was in Rome? No. Harry had done the opposite. And even so, even now, Isaac would still walk away. But things weren't as simple as it used to be. He was in too deep to undo how he felt about her for someone who'd broken her heart again and again.

There were certain things in his life that he was always in control of. Feelings, just weren't one of them.

.

.

.

"What do you mean you're in LA?!"

"I got on the plane as soon as I dropped Harry off last night." Niall sounded so casual, as if it wasn't a big deal to fly to a different country every time he was bored. A normal person like Y/N could never relate to it, though she guessed nothing could be too much for someone with excessive fame and fortune like Niall Horan.

As Niall rambled on about his second birthday party in LA, Y/N had missed most of it while busy sorting the books on the shelves. She would get in so much trouble if her manager caught her on the phone while at work again.

"That sounds super cool, Niall. But I really gotta go," she told him, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder. "Have fun at your party."

"Thanks! Have a nice day, Y/N!"

I wish, Y/N thought, as she hung up and headed back to the reception counter. There hadn't been a single customer that morning, so her friend and co-worker Alice was sitting behind the counter, filing her nails instead of doing whatever she was supposed to do. Sometimes Y/N truly felt bad for their boss. He had only two employees, but neither one was hardworking or at least responsible.

Alice actually got fired from her job in their university library for never showing up on time, and Y/N couldn't stay there either. Without Alice, no one would make sure she got to read as much as she wanted without getting caught. So the girls ended up finding this new job, and apparently hadn't learnt any lesson from their previous one.

"Al, I need back up," said Y/N as she threw on her jacket and grabbed her bag and lunchbox. "If Eddie comes back before me, tell him I've got some 'lady issues' and had to leave, yeah?"

"Lady issues? Wow, we've really run out of excuses, haven't we?" Alice seemed quite amused.

"He'll believe anything." Y/N rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Once I told him my cat was sick, and he gave me a weekend off."

"You have a cat?"

"No, but he has three."

Alice giggled as she gave the older girl a high-five. They could only be mean to Eddie when he wasn't around. After all, he was the one who paid them, so the least they could do was treat him with respect...when he was around.

"You're meeting up with Isaac?" Alice asked with a massive grin, but Y/N only shook her head and said, "a friend."

Waving Alice goodbye, she left the store and walked to her car which she'd recently bought from a man living in the same building. Though it ran out of fuel pretty fast, and once left her stuck on an empty highway in the middle of the night, it was still good for a used Vauxhall. To be honest, she'd made a lot of questionable buying decisions ever since she moved to London, but that car wasn't one of them.

As Y/N buckled up her seat belt and started the engine, she only had one thing on her mind. Maybe she should leave the lunchbox at his door, ring the bells, and run away before he saw her. That way she wouldn't have to talk to him and still make sure he got her food. But on second thought, wouldn't it make her a coward? If she was so sure that she was completely over him, she should act like an adult and face him at some point. Besides, she'd said it herself, Harry was mentally and physically unwell. What he needed most at this point was someone to look after him. If not Niall or Isaac, that someone had to be her.

.

.

.

When the doorbell rang, Harry didn't expect it to be Y/N.

He had too many 'friends' here in London. But ever since his accident made the news, the only person who'd come to visit him was his manager Jeff, which said a lot about working in this industry. The cameras might stop rolling but the people never stopped acting. His Bambi, however, was different from all the others. She showed up here because she genuinely cared about him, and even though he didn't deserve that kindness, he was very thankful she'd decided to come.

"I brought you lunch." Y/N showed Harry the pink lunchbox and a wide grin that made his heart leap in content. 

As she walked in and politely asked to use the bathroom, he played along, saying "you're welcome" in response to her humble "thank you". They thought it would be less awkward if they pretended that she was a stranger to this place. Pretending was easy, forgetting was hard. The memories of their last night together were still vivid as if it was yesterday. She had stood right there in the middle of his living room, in his shirt, with tears running down her red cheeks. The look she'd given him was utterly heartbreaking. And if he could go back in time, he would tell her those three words again and again until she agreed to stay.

"I guess I'm leaving now."

But he couldn't go back in time. And this was reality. He watched the smile fade from her lips as she walked right past him, straight towards the door. On spur of the moment, he said aloud what he should've said a year ago.

"Stay."

She stopped dead in her track, turning to look at him like he'd committed a crime. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable, so he plastered a smile on his face. "Stay for a cup of tea?"

"I have to get back to work," she replied with a sense of reluctance.

"Since when do you care about work?"

"Excuse me! I'm very responsible, alright?" She pointed to herself as they both cracked up in unison.

Harry guessed he must've looked like a fool for smiling this much, still he couldn't help it. Her presence made him feel alive. He shouldn't have spent a fortune on a therapist while he could've just gone to her instead.

"It won't take long," he insisted, this time giving her a pout. Y/N tossed her head back as she rolled her eyes, knowing for sure there was no way to deny him when he looked at her like that. So she shrugged off her jacket and hung it up by the door, making him sigh in relief.

"Only for a cup of tea," she emphasized the word, more like a reminder for herself than for him. But even so, once they had finished their tea and the discussion about how those doctors had stitched up Harry's wounds, they switched on Netflix. And that was how hours had gone to waste, only for a cup of tea. Well, it wasn't actually a waste, at least for Harry, who needed an excuse to spend as much time with his Bambi as possible. He was like a teenager on his first date, stealing glances at the girl he fancied, hoping she wouldn't notice, though he wouldn't mind if she did.

Judging by her many different facial expressions, Harry believed he might've missed a whole lot of what was happening on the screen. But he was too far gone to keep on watching while she was right here. When the last episode ended, they sat in silence, staring at the rolling credits. He was waiting for her to suggest watching something else so they didn't have to talk. But apparently, she also felt like a conversation was necessary. She turned to him, both of them parted their lips and quickly looked away at the same time. He caught a glimpse of her hands rubbing onto her thighs. She was nervous. And he was too.

"You've...changed your wallpapers." Her little discovery made him laugh a little bit. As it turned out, he wasn't the only who sucked at starting a conversation.

"I did. Thank you for noticing."

She met his eyes and they were beaming at one another. Now that the unwelcoming awkwardness had passed, Harry thought he should say something. Tell a joke, maybe. No, that poor attempt would be suicide. But what should he say? Everything that he wanted to say was all wrong. He couldn't tell her that he'd been thinking about kissing her since she walked in. That he missed her so much his body ached. That he could still feel her in his arms after last night, and now he began to wonder if she could feel it as well. Most of all, he couldn't tell her he loved her. He thought he might've missed the only chance to say it, and now his life sentence was to live with it as a secret until the day he died.

As he kept on fidgeting, Y/N's eyes wandered around the room, and spotted his new movie script lying on the desk opposite from them. "Castles In The Air," she read the title aloud, catching his full attention.

"That's not for you! It's confidential," he said quickly as she attempted to go get it.

Y/N breathed out a laugh, rolling her eyes. "What's the point of having an actor as a friend, if you still have to wait for the movie to come out like everyone else?"

Harry didn't know why he started beaming at the word 'friend'. Just yesterday they were nothing, and now she called him a friend, which meant he was gradually gaining back her trust. And that was enough to keep him happy for the rest of the day.

"You know," she began, resting her chin on her palm. "When I was little I used to think that 'castles in the air' were actual castles floating in the air. I got so fed up when I learnt the real meaning of it. Desires, ideas, or plans that are unlikely to be realized. How disappointing is that?"

He nodded to agree. "It sucks to grow up and find out not everything is possible."

His remark made her chuckle. Her eyebrows knitted together as she told him, "our 'castles in the air' are all built out of fear. They're like...our coping mechanism."

"How so?" He asked, smiling while studying her expression. He loved the way her eyes twinkled when she came up with something smart, which was almost everything that she said. The way she observed the world was different from everyone else, and he adored her for that, he could listen to her talk forever.

She began with a little smile. "We create these unrealistic ideas and believe in them to distract ourselves from our disappointing reality. For example, we talk about inhabiting on Mars, so we don't have to worry about our planet dying. We tell ourselves that something big is gonna happen to us tomorrow, because we don't wanna roll out of bed and repeat the same boring day. We believe the person we love will also love us back, because we can't stand the fear of rejection."

Harry knew she didn't include the last example on purpose, and only realized how ironic it sounded until after. As she paused to make sure he wasn't upset, he gave her a reassuring smile. "So...tell me yours?"

Y/N held his eye contact as she spent some time thinking before answering his question. "Don't have one. I already have everything I need."

Even herself didn't fully believe in those words. How could he? But he wasn't going to force her to give him the truth. He accepted that answer, and let it go, allowing the silence to sink back in. This time it only lasted for about five seconds.

"Give me your motorcycle key," Y/N said as she opened her right hand, looking dead serious at him.

"Why?" He lifted one eyebrow in confusion, at the same time, slightly amused.

"Because I don't trust you with it after last night. Come on, hand it over."

Sighing, Harry grabbed his coat on the backrest of the couch. He pulled out the key from the pocket then put it in her hand. She gave him a questioning look, chuckling nervously.

"I was only kidding."

"I wasn't," he answered to her surprise. "I already told you, I don't want you to worry again. So you can have the key."

She stared at him as if he'd said something wrong. He watched her lips tremble, not knowing what to expect while the look in her eyes was eating away at him.

"At the hospital..." His entire body stiffened once he heard those words. "You said something about...the fireplace. What did you mean by that?"

"You know what I meant..." Harry said under his breath.

"I don't. That's why I'm asking." Her voice was soft, yet stern and direct, letting him know she wasn't going to let him off that easily.

But he didn't believe her. Y/N would never forget her mother's words. She must've had figured out what he meant right when he said it. Thus there was only one good explanation.

Fear.

She was fearful of hearing those three words now that she'd moved on. So she hoped he had misunderstood the metaphor, or at least remembered it differently. It'd be easier for her if he didn't love her. Then they could pretend like nothing had ever happened. And she wouldn't have to feel guilty for being with Isaac. Harry wouldn't know for sure, but it didn't matter. Right now, he must make up his mind. He could either tell her what she wanted to hear, which would make him a liar; or tell her what he wanted her to hear, and never spoke to her again. Either way he would lose.

The sound of doorbell shot Harry right out of his seat as he took it as the universe throwing him a lifeline. Despite his injured knee, he dashed towards the front door, praying it was Niall, or Jeff, Gemma or even Isaac. Nevertheless, he was out of luck.

"Rubes..."

His gruff voice immediately washed off the beam on the woman's face. She released a faint gasp, cupping his cheeks and observing the scratches from the accident.

"I wish you'd called me," she uttered before pulling him in.

Harry didn't expect that hug. His first instinct was to push her away and turn to his Bambi, whose eyes widened in shock as she rose up from the couch. The way Ruby looked at her was far from courteous, so Harry guessed she had assumed only the worst about them. There was no possible way this encounter could end with smiles and handshakes.

"This is Ruby," he spoke, unable to look into those eyes when he was introducing her to the cause of their last goodbye. "Ruby, this is—"

"Y/N, Harry and I were neighbors in Holmes Chapel," she said, stepping forward to shake the woman's hand. 

"How long are you gonna be in London?" Ruby asked, throwing on a grin. It was scary for most people how fast she could switch from one emotion to another, but Harry had grown used to it. It was only with him that she showed how she really felt.

"Actually...I live here in London. Harry and I knew each other when we were kids, then we separated for a long time," Y/N said, still Ruby wouldn't leave her alone.

"And how did you meet again? He's never mentioned you, not even once."

"Rubes," Harry cautiously lowered his voice as a warning, but neither of the girls paid attention to him.

"It's a long story, Harry can tell you later," Y/N calmly said before picking up her handbag and placing Harry's key on the glass table. He thought she would just head out of the door without turning back, but instead she stopped right in front of him. She was expecting something, and he knew exactly what it was.

He ignored the look Ruby was giving them and pulled Y/N into his arms like he'd done the previous night. He made sure no space was left between them, and that she would have something to remember when she walked out of here. But Y/N knew Ruby was watching, so she just put her hands on his back, barely touching him though it was all she wanted to do.

"Text me when you get home safe, alright?" He whispered.

Without another word, she gave him a nod before pulling away. Then she was gone, leaving so fast he could barely finished the word "goodbye". And now he was scared to guess what she might think of him after today. The man who kept running back to the ex he said he didn't love anymore, the same man who'd broken her heart and let her run out in the pouring rain, not the man who had changed and deserved a second chance to make her happy. So much for closure and sincerity, he thought.

With a heavy heart, he shut the door and turned back to Ruby, who was waiting for him, lips slightly parted.

"Have you been sleeping with her?" She asked immediately.

"No," was his answer as he walked back to the couch. Her big cat eyes observed his every move, like she was the predator and he was her prey. In silence, she came to sit by his side and watched him open Y/N's lunchbox while acting like she didn't exist. Now she couldn't take it anymore. She pulled the lunchbox away from Harry, leaving him flabbergasted. If only he would snarl at her, or at least show any kind of emotion to prove that he cared, but all that she got in return was silence. And Ruby hated meaningless silence more than anything in the world.

"She wasn't just a friend, was she?" That wasn't a question, this was, "are you in love with her?"

"She's got a boyfriend. Are you happy to hear that?"

"No." She bit her bottom lip. "If you don't look happy to say it."

"Fuck, Rubes." Harry exhaled, causing the older woman to flinch in surprise. "What else do you want me to say? She's dating Isaac. My best friend. Can you just give me a break?"

Not a single part of that answer stated that he wasn't in love with Y/N, but that was the last thing Ruby cared about at this point. She was so hopeless that she would accept any answer showing a possibility for her to win him back. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile, forgetting he could always tell when her happiness was fake.

"I'm sorry...I overreacted." She said quietly. He hoped she would stop there, but he knew her well enough to be sure that she wouldn't.

"I have every right to worry though," she began as expected. "You promised to give me a chance, but stopped talking to me since you came back from Holmes Chapel. Then this girl was in your house, and you started acting weird towards me. How am I supposed to feel?"

"I'm sorry...I've had a terrible week." He sighed, turning back to her. There was no reason for him to be sorry, but if it could stop Ruby from giving him a hard time, he didn't mind saying it.

"I forgive you," she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder. Harry swallowed hard when he felt her lips at his ear and soon on his neck. They used their mouths a lot when they were together alone, just never for talking. This was the only way for her to get close to him, and Harry knew exactly how this would end. The only thing on his mind when he kissed her lips, was the look of disappointment Y/N had given him before she walked out. He was also disappointed in himself, yet did nothing to stop Ruby from getting down on her knees and undoing his pants. His head tossed back, and his eyes fell shut. He just wanted to feel something other than a heartache, anything.

.

.

.

The tension in the room had escalated to the point of no return. Something had gone wrong, and Y/N could only wish she knew what it was.

It was probably a bad idea to tell Isaac about her going to Harry's place, but from her own experience, every failed relationship began with a secret, no matter how small. And they were doing so well, she didn't want to mess this up by keeping a secret from him. However, his reaction left her confused. His smile dimmed slowly before fading out, and the blue in his eyes turned ice cold.

"I thought Niall was gonna bring him the food?" He mumbled, not looking at her, even though she was sitting right by his side on the bed.

"Niall was in LA. I called him," she tried to explain, tugging harder at his sleeve to gain back his attention. "But does it matter? I was trying to tell you about—"

"Ruby. I get it." He breathed.

No, he doesn't get it, not at all. "Harry is in a bad place right now, and the last thing he needs is going back to her. I'm worried about him."

"Aren't you always?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked, withdrawing her hands at once.

Isaac rose up and started pacing back and forth, until he was calm enough to stop and point a finger at her. "You're worried about him and Ruby, not because Ruby is toxic for him. But because you cannot accept that he's still the same person who hurt you before."

"No—"

"Don't." He took a step back when she got up and reached for him. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes watered in a second.

"You still love him, right?" Isaac's breathy voice was mixed with a tired laugh that made his body shake slightly.

Without a second thought, she surged forward to seize his arm. "I don't. I'm with you now," she whispered, sounding so desperate, but it wasn't enough to convince him to stay. He took her hands and pinned them to her chest. In that instant, her heart wrenched as the lump in her throat grew bigger.

"Lie to yourself all you want, but don't lie to me." His voice was dangerously low, as if even himself couldn't believe he was saying those words. "You cannot love me, or anyone else for that matter, at least not as much as you love him. But wake up, Y/N. He loves Ruby. He's always gonna love Ruby, he's not gonna change for you. I wish you could just see that...Why can't you see that?" Isaac voice went weaker towards the end, until he had nothing left to say to her, so he reached for the door handle. He told her they could continue their talk in the morning, when they were in their right mind to think this through. However, Y/N had a feeling that nothing was going to change.

Once he had left, she sat alone on her bedroom floor, contemplating his last words over and over again until her mind became numb and she couldn't continue. That was when a text lit up her phone.

⌲ H: Are you home yet?

She almost ignored him. Almost.

⌲ I am. Sorry, forgot to let you know.

⌲ H: It's okay :)

Three dots popped up to show that he was typing, only to disappear right afterwards, leaving Y/N heartbroken. She wasn't thinking straight when she wrote 'Had a fight with Isaac. I don't know what to do.' But right before pressing send, it occurred to her that having him involved might be a bad idea, so she deleted it all and put her phone on airplane mode.

At that same moment, Harry was sitting fully-naked on his bed, patiently waiting for those three dots to reappear. One minute. Two minutes. Now it'd been five, and his heart slowed down for he knew it was not going to happen. He put his device back on the nightstand, just as Ruby pulled him back under the covers. He let her snuggle into his bare chest, while all he wanted was to get out of this room because it didn't feel right. In the darkness, he imagined the girl he loved lying in the arms of his best friend, and his heart wilted to the unpleasant thought.

Little did he knew, Y/N was on her own, trying to fall asleep so she would wake up to a message from Isaac that said everything was fine. But was it really? Or was it just another one of those unrealistic fantasies she'd created for herself — her coping mechanism? Building castles in the air was easier than accepting reality. Having a perfect relationship, a perfect boyfriend, a perfect life, were certainly better than facing the same ending twice.

[magewriter]

Understanding

Understanding

Kalex Week Day Four: Marriage Tropes

Wednesday, 11/20 - Supertrope - Marriage - Marriage tropes! Fake married, arranged married, accidentally married, betrothal, etc.

I own nothing. So…I went with another AU for this one. I’m not entirely happy with it and will probably eventually revisit this in order to continue it.

Words: 4,198

*&^*&^

Alex sighed, closing her book and taking off her headphones. Her parents were still at it, discussing what to do with her new ‘sister’. The alien girl that had yet to leave the room across the hall for more than meal times. The same girl who spoke very little English and seemed terrified of her own shadow.

She could hear her cry at night, although neither of her parents had appeared to be aware of it. Alex was used to this, since she knew from experience that her parents could sleep through practically anything. Alex was a light sleeper, like her grandmother.

Scowling down the staircase, Alex had to wonder if they realized how much sound carried upstairs from the living room and kitchen. If Alex could hear them, then Kara with her super hearing could as well. Better, actually, when Alex thought of it.

Sending a dark look at the closed door guarding the younger girl, Alex returned to her room and began gathering supplies. She didn’t want to have anything to do with the new girl that had invaded her family and clearly did not want to be here. Not that Alex could blame her for that. Alex didn’t always want to be here either.

Looking over the pile, Alex nodded to herself. Talking was all well and good, but sometimes action was better. She was fairly certain action was always better. It certainly got more done than talking a subject to death did.

Creaking open the door (they would need to replace it at some point, Kara’s uncontrolled strength having cracked the door and frame several times), Alex slipped into the dark room. Searching the space as her eyes adjusted, the thirteen year-old felt her heart break.

Kara was curled up in the corner furthest from the door. Her hands were over her ears and her eyes were squeezed shut. She was once more dressed in the same odd white clothing that she had arrived in, the tattered remains of the outfit she had worn to breakfast scattered beside the bed. Things were broken and torn all over the room, testament to Kara’s abilities.

New abilities, Alex reminded herself. With that, Alex began approaching the smaller girl. Kara looked up at her and Alex stopped. No one had ever looked scared of her before, but she didn’t know what else to call the look in tear filled blue eyes.

“Hey,” she said softly.

Kara blinked at her. “Hello,” she said slowly, “Al-Ex.”

“Alex,” Alex corrected at the odd pronunciation of her name. At least she was no longer using Alexandra.

“Alex,” Kara repeated slowly, nose scrunched up in concentration. She shifted more into the corner, winching when she felt the material crumble from the movement.

She hated this. Not the Danvers, but the situation. None of them understood exactly what Kal-El had done, and he was too busy ignoring her to learn his mistake or assist her in rectifying it. Kara doubted he would want to, as human as he was.

He had taken everything but the clothing she wore to his Fortress. All the things she could have used to assist her in adjusting to this planet were now hidden away from her. She was prohibited from using powers she didn’t understand, much less know how to control.

Like his, her parents had planned for the changes that would occur. Unlike his, hers had planned for her to raise him and hide both of them should the need arise. No one had planned for her to go off course, but then she doubted they would have expected Kal-El to abandon her to strangers.

Kara almost wished she was back in the Phantom Zone. At least there she was no one’s inconvenience. She was not betrothed to a girl who had no understanding of just what that meant. Kara was pretty certain Alex disliked her, either as a ‘sister’ or future spouse.

She did not have the language needed to explain all of this. The older Danvers were trying, but they lacked the same understanding as Kal. They were all focused on her adjusting to Earth and being human. None of them had stopped to consider that she had just lost her family and the world she knew as home. They all appeared to be under the impression that she should be ‘over it’ already.

Alex broke their staring contest, moving to sit beside her. “Can you at least understand what I’m saying?” She asked bluntly.

“Zhi,” she winched, “yes,” she repeated the affirmative in English. Understanding the language was the simple part, trying to use it to express herself was proving more difficult.

“Okay,” Alex nodded to herself. “This is how this is going to work. You are going to teach me Kryptonese, and I’ll help you with your spoken English.”

Kara nodded. It would help and she owed the girl that much. Perhaps eventually she could explain what Kal had done.

“While that happens, we’re going to work on your powers.”

“I am not to use them,” she repeated the phase she had heard far too many times to count.

Alex scoffed. Adults. “Then how are you going to learn to control them?” She took Kara’s silence as agreement. “We’re starting with hearing and strength. And once we figure it out, you’re taking me flying. Got it?”

“Got it,” Kara nodded, feeling a smile form on her face for the first time in days. Flying was easy, and she would be very careful with Alex.

“Good,” Alex pulled out a fresh notebook. “So first thing, alphabet.”

Several weeks went by like that. Using basic skills most people learned in preschool and kindergarten, Alex helped Kara control her strength. She found sounds for Kara to focus on when things began to be too loud. Kara taught her the basics of Kryptonese, both the simplified alphabet and key words. Alex made a game of it, exchanging word for word around the house and figuring out terminology when there simply wasn’t a translation available.

Kara was much faster with English, although she still spoke formally instead of with the vernacular of a thirteen year old. Once she had enough words, she lamented the loss of her pod and what it contained to Alex in the dark of the night.

“We could try to ask for it,” Alex suggested quietly. She had discovered that Kara was tactile to the extreme, so it was no longer odd for her to have the smaller girl curled in bed with her. It meant that Alex was not yanked from slumber to Kara’s night terrors, plus she was never cold.

“I doubt they would allow us to have it. Kal-El desires me to forget, to be human.” Kara had tried before, argued that it belonged to her. Would it really harm anyone if she was allowed those small pieces of home?

Alex snorted. She was beginning to like, possibly even love, the odd girl. She was not, in anyway, the least bit human. Why should Kara have to forget anything? Alex equated it to being told to forget her Nana and Papaw after they had passed away. How could she forget the man who had first taken her surfing, or the woman who made her favorite blanket for chilly nights?

She was well aware it was not the same, but she had nothing else to compare it to.

“So we don’t ask permission.” She wondered if she had the right clothing for a trip to the Artic. “You fly us there and we steal it back.”

“I do not believe I can carry you and my pod.” Perhaps if Alex was inside? Kara didn’t think so, not when she would need to fly high enough to remain unseen.

“So we take the big back pack,” Alex replied, “and we fill it with the important bits to bring back here. That I know you can do.”

Kara nodded. “Yes, but it would take time. More than a single night.”

“You have a point,” Alex mulled it over. “I have an idea, but it means waiting. We’ll need to be really convincing in order to pull it off.”

“Okay.” Kara trusted Alex. Kal-El may have made many mistakes, but this one might actually become something Kara was no longer angry about. She hoped that Alex would be understanding and accepting of it.

“Okay,” Alex hoped this worked out. If not, they would be grounded until college. Well, she would be at least. “I need to make a phone call, but this will work.”

A single phone call later and her Grandma Mason (Eliza’s mother) was a firm ally. Alex hadn’t even really had to try to convince the woman to begin asking for the girls to visit. The eccentric woman was always up for trouble, a trait she shared with her granddaughter.

Not that Eliza had much room for complaint. She had agreed to take in an alien child using faked documents to make it look legal. She also managed to use the ‘sister’ title as if she actually believed it.

Emily Mason took exactly three months to arrange for the two girls to spend two weeks in Indiana in June on the family farm. Eliza and Jerimiah were fine with it, although both gave the same lecture on keeping Kara’s origins a secret. The ‘no powers’ rule was to be strictly enforced, and they left it on Alex’s shoulders to ensure it happened.

Dutifully, fingers crossed behind her back, Alex promised to take care of Kara and keep the secret. Kara did the same, although she still did not fully understand why crossed fingers negated a promise.

It took all of an hour once the elder Danvers were gone for Emily to turn to the girls and ask them what the plan was.

“Kara’s an alien and we’re going to get her stuff back.” Alex answered.

“And that’s the reason for all the missed family gatherings then,” she nodded. It made much more sense than the excuse her daughter had been using. “Well, come along and fill me in. I have fresh gingerbread and tea. Kara dear, how to you like yours made? Sugar or honey?”

“Honey, please!” Kara’s eyes were bright at the thought of two of her favorite things on this planet. Krypton had not had bees. She wasn’t entirely certain what went into gingerbread, but the spiced sweet reminded her of her aunt and the candies she would return with from her travels.

Alex grinned, following the two inside. Grandma was the perfect ally.

Emily listened as the two teens told her Kara’s story. Her heart went out to the girl. Her own grandparents had been Holocaust survivors and she had grown up with their stories of the camps and the war and the aftermath. To have lost everything and not truly been given the time to deal with the trauma, it was hard enough on an adult.

“The old field outback is well hidden,” she told them after a few minutes of silence. “You should have no trouble practicing out there. The barn is old, but still perfectly sound. There are plenty of things around here where we can work on things, and hide others.” She studied them a bit. “How certain are you that your pod is at the Fortress?”

“Where else would he have taken it?” Alex asked. “He wouldn’t have…” she trailed off. Clark wouldn’t have destroyed it, would he? He had been cruel enough to leave a distraught, traumatized twelve year old on her parents’ doorstep.

“It is there.” Kara said. “He took it and myself there first, before taking me to the Danvers’. He said it would be there for when I was older.” She didn’t think he would be capable of destroying it. There was a failsafe in the pod to prevent such a thing. Her father had assured her of it, mostly to assuage her worries probably but she trusted him not to lie to her.

“Then it won’t hurt to at least check it out.” She sighed. “That would be something to see. You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back. Alex, your grandfather’s old jacket might be a bit big but I think a few extra layers and it’ll fit just fine.” She set her empty mug down. “I want it to be understood that I do not like the thought of you two going that far away without adult supervision, but I think this is something you both have to do.”

“It is,” both girls replied. Kara needed that information to help explain what it was Kal-El had done. Accident, misunderstanding, whatever it was, he had still done it. Considering her foster parents’ constant stressing of the title ‘sister’, she was beginning to suspect they had some inkling of what had happened.

“Alright, but you leave and come back at night. And,” she stressed this, “you do not leave until I am satisfied that you are prepared.”

Not wanting to lose their only ally, they both agreed. Kara thought it was smart. The cold wouldn’t affect her, but Alex would freeze in moments. She did not want to lose her betrothed. Alex was the absolute best thing on this planet. Even better than potstickers.

They were allowed to leave two nights late. Alex was bundled up to the point she was more concerned with heatstroke before they got off the ground than she was of freezing once they were in the Artic. Kara was dressed in a brand new black leotard, blonde hair tucked up in a black beanie. Both of them had new black combat boots, Alex’s a size too big to accommodate the layers of socks on her feet.

Emily was prepared for everything. From the amount of snacks she provided, not even Kara’s appetite fazed her.

“Your grandmother is,” she struggled for a moment to remember the correct wording, “amazing.” She beamed when Alex smiled at her.

“Yea, she really is.” Alex looked around the woods they had stopped in for a break. It was pretty, all pine trees and very different from the beach she had grown up on. “Um…Kara…we need to go.”

“Why? You are still cold.” Despite the layers, her human was still shivering from being so high in the atmosphere going at speeds just under dangerous for humans. She had promised Emily that she would take care of Alex, keep her safe and bring her back in one piece.

“Yea, I can deal with the cold. That, not so much.”

Kara turned to see what Alex was looking at. She knew the animal from the television and books, but it took her a moment to place it. “Oh! A bear! It’s so cute!”

The animal saw them. It growled, rising onto its back legs to tower over them. Soft snuffling sounds came from behind them.

Alex swallowed as two bear cubs appeared. Kara cooed over them.

“No Kara, don’t pet them!”

Kara froze when the mother bear roared. Catching herself, she changed targets to Alex, picking her up and taking them back into the air. The adult bear roared again, but the girls ignored it in favor of locating another clearing. This one without any bears.

“Don’t pet wild animals, ever.” Alex told her firmly. “No matter how cute they are.”

Kara looked down, ashamed. She was invulnerable, but Alex wasn’t. She could have gotten her betrothed hurt, or worse killed. “I am sorry Alex.”

Alex sighed. She pulled Kara into a hug. “I’ll get you a stuffed animal. You can pet those as much as you want.”

Kara’s eyes widened in horror. “Who would stuff an animal? Why?”

“No, no!” Alex shook her head. She no longer had any of her stuffed animals, having long ago abandoned them in favor of science kits and other more interactive amusements. “It’s a kind of toy. I don’t have any, not anymore, but,” she paused. “Find us a town, I’ll show you.”

That was how their quest got sidetracked so Alex could buy Kara her first stuffed animal. It was a floppy puppy with bright orange and green fur. Alex had no idea what kind of dog it was meant to be, but it made Kara smile as she looked it over.

Toy tucked carefully in the bag, they continued on. Alex had absolutely no idea what time even was when they arrived at the Fortress. She knew she was cold and the light was strange. Kara was tired, she knew that as well by the way she had slowed even as they reached an area where it was safe for them to fly lower.

“A giant key, really?” Alex crossed her arms, words muffled by the layers of scarf covering her face.

“Kal-El’s security measure could be much improved.” Kara agreed. It was easy enough to get inside.

It hurt a little, to see this small piece of home. However, it didn’t take her long before she had the Fortress online and warming to safe human temperatures. Scowling at the computer, Kara quickly fixed the settings so that such functions were automatic.

Lights turned on, illuminating the different spaces. Alex was awestruck, absently shedding her outer layers as she tried to take everything in at once. The little robots that appeared speaking Kryptonese took the clothing and began leading them to a room Kara’s presence had apparently unlocked.

“Oh Rao…” Kara felt tears escape her eyes and didn’t try to stop them. Her Uncle had nearly perfectly recreated her room and the view from it. She suspected that one of the kelex units had moved her pod here. It was set against one wall, waiting for her.

“Is that…Kara, is that Krypton?” Alex asked softly. “It’s pretty.”

“It was,” her voice trembled.

Alex listened as Kara began half singing what sounded like a prayer. She remained quiet as Kara’s voice flowed from one prayer to another, eventually choking off. At that point Alex wrapped the girl in a hug, offering what comfort she could.

For some time, they just sat there in the room staring out the ‘window’ at a view that no longer existed. Eventually, Kara stood up and broke the hold.

“I need to show you something. I do not know how to explain it. You need to know.”

Alex, confused, watched as Kara opened her pod and began to take things out of it. Clark had clearly not done anything more than set it down. Kara paused over a few items, wiping away tears as she separated things into two separate piles.

“Here, this is a translator.” Kara held out what looked to be (and were) a combination of contact lenses and tiny earbuds.

Alex hesitated a moment, but took them. Kara had to help her put it on, but they managed it with only temporary discomfort.

“How do I know they’re on?” Nothing looked different.

“Can you understand me?”

“Yea?” Alex looked at her weirdly.

Kara smiled sadly. “They’re working. Can you read this?” She held up a small tablet, sliding a crystal into it before the screen lit up.

“Tales of Firebird,” Alex frowned as the shapes she recognized as Kryptonian rearranged themselves into English. “That is freaking awesome.” Her frown turned into a grin as she began to understand how this worked. Of course an advanced civilization like Krypton had technology akin to something out of science fiction.

Kara’s smile was weak. Yes, she supposed it would be amazing. She took the tablet back and removed the crystal. She picked another, this one a simplified explanation of Kryptonian culture. Inserting it, she skipped to the section concerning the joining of families.

“Please read this.”

Alex took the tablet, eager to learn more. Kara seldom spoke about her life, mostly because all of the adults were so intent on her learning to live on Earth. It had been nearly a year. Kara would be going to school soon instead of studying at home.

She began reading. She paused, moving back to the top of the page to reread it. Then she did it again. And Again. Finally, she looked back up at Kara.

“We’re engaged?” No one had asked her about this! Is this why Kara was so reluctant about certain things?

She rescanned a few phases.

Gift giving. Alex had given Kara any number of things since her arrival. Kara, once they had begun testing out her powers, had taken to giving her small stones she had shaped. The blonde had also gifted her with several sketches, mostly of Alex surfing or fantastical animals.

Food sharing. Kara was often reluctant to try new foods, but she gave anything a try once Alex had tried it or offered it to her. Once Kara knew what her favorites where, she often brought them to Alex when the older girl was slow to get going in the morning or when they were having a lazy day.

A family Elder turning over the person in question to the new House. Clark had done that, insisting in both English and his terrible Kryptonese that the Danvers were adopting Kara. They were to be her new Family, her new House. He had fulfilled the negotiation stipulated in what she was reading.

“Holy shit.” Alex breathed out. “We’re engaged.”

“Yes,” Kara spoke. “We don’t have to be if you don’t wish this. I understand,” she kind of did, more than she had anyway, “kind of, that adoption is different here. Kal-El did not know what he was doing.” She continued to babble, apologies mixed with explanations.

“Kara,” Alex set the tablet aside and went to her alien. “Kara, it’s okay.” She could handle this. “We can be engaged.” She swallowed, determined to see this through. She had been told to take care of Kara. She was just going to do it in a vastly different way than had been intended. “When we’re older,” she covered Kara’s mouth, “when we’re older,” she stressed, “we’ll talk about it again.”

Kara nodded and Alex removed her hand. “So is there a ring to go with this?”

“Ring?” Kara frowned.

“Humans exchange rings when they get married, and one person usually wears an engagement ring.” Alex explained.

“Oh! We exchanged bracelets,” Kara explained. “Plain ones, made by the larger house for the engagement and more ornate ones for the ceremony.” She swallowed. “Marriage was for life. Unless one of a pair died, there was no dissolving the bond. Even then, the remaining partner seldom bonded with another.”

“Right,” Alex could do that. Bracelets would certainly be easier to get away with. She was going to have some fun with this. “Does my being a girl bother you? Is that why you waited?”

Kara looked confused. “I do not understand. On…on Krypton gender is not…was not…it’s a thing that is. Why would it matter?”

Alex had a feeling she would be reading the information on the crystals over and over again. “It doesn’t,” she finally decided on. “So, do we have bracelets?” They were easy to make, she probably had all the supplies needed at home. If not, her grandmother would have them.

“I think I might.” Kara got up and looked through the small pile of items she had set aside. She pulled a small box engraved with the House of El crest. “Here.” She brought it over, opening it to show Alex what was inside.

Two silver bracelets rested inside, both embossed with the same House of El crest that Clark had made so popular the world over. This was sharper, the lines and points less rounded.

“I have a set, and another that were meant to be Kal-El’s.” Kara said. “Betrothal bracelets are often handed down through the generations while the ones used for the formal ceremony are forged through the courtship. These were last used by my parents.”

“You’re awfully calm about this,” Alex commented, hesitantly reaching out for one of the bracelets. She stopped. “Does it matter which one I wear?”

“I always knew my marriage would be arranged once The Matrix chose my match.” She gave Alex a small smile. “I think we would have been matched. I think my family would have liked you a great deal.” She set the box down so she could remove one of the bracelets. “Do you…are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Alex was well aware she could have taken the out. They could work on becoming the sisters her parents wanted them to be. Alex…didn’t want to do that. She held out her left wrist. “I accept your proposal Kara Zor-El.”

“I accept your proposal Alex Danvers.” Kara slid the bracelet onto Alex’s wrist. Alex startled when it reshaped itself to her wrist until it was the perfect fit. Kara’s did the same when Alex repeated the actions.

“We should pack up and get back to Grandma’s.” Alex looked around. “Pity we can’t take this with us. We could have our own clubhouse.”

The trip back was simpler.

There were no bears for starters.

Alex took a great deal of pleasure in informing her parents that they had already arranged her marriage.

[santoteez]

A Manhattan Tale - Seonghwa (6)

Parts: 6 of ?

Masterlist HERE

Genre: Chef!Seonghwa, FormerDrugdealer!Seonghwa, FormerKingpin!Hongjoong, Bad boy/ Good Girl kinda??

Warnings: Love interest is a Black Female, Alcohol use, sexual intercourse, swearing, smut, oral (f receiving), unprotected sex (wrap your hard drive with antivirus always kids), squirting, slight degradation, Daddy kink, a little praise kink, cum eating (sorry), mentions of betrayal, Angst

Requested: yes

NOTE: This fic does NOT, in any way, shape, or form, portray the way I view any member of Ateez nor does it depict their true personalities or actions. This AU is just that. An AU. All family members are FICTIONAL.

Seonghwa and Zelie managed to make it to Applebee’s with no problem. Seonghwa was surprised how easy it felt talking to Zelie. He hadn’t felt this free talking to anyone else, not even Hongjoong. Whether it was at the restaurant or his local corner store, he always felt the need to be uptight; to keep his guard up. Zelie reminded him what it was like to feel youthful. To act his age.

“What are you thinking of getting?” Zelie asked as they waited for a table.

“We haven’t even gotten our menus yet.” Seonghwa laughed.

“So? It’s Applebee’s. Everyone knows the menu.” She shrugged.

“Valid point. I have been wanting to try the Quesadilla Burger. They have that Blue Long Island Iced Tea, too. I might get that.”

“You’re drinking at 2 in the afternoon?”

“Alcohol starts with AL. You know what else starts with AL? Always. As in, it’s ALWAYS time for alcohol.”

Zelie shook her head. “You’re really something else.”

The hostess reappeared, grabbing some menus. “Sorry for the wait! The table was a little dirty and we’re a little busy during lunchtime, so I just wiped it down myself. You can follow me.”

“You really didn’t have to do all that. We would’ve waited.” Zelie said.

“Well, not to sound creepy but I recognized both of you almost immediately. You’re the head chef of The Majestic Dragon downtown, right?” She asked Seonghwa.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, that’s me.” He smiled.

“I admire you so much! I’ve been picking up shifts here to pay my way through culinary school, but I hope to work in a restaurant like yours someday. The way you worked your way up from the bottom to one of the city’s highest-ranked gives me hope for myself.” She beamed at the pair.

“Wow, thank you. I don’t think I’ve had anyone look up to me like that, but I really appreciate it. But of course, I’d be nowhere without everyone I work with. Chefs like Zelie are key to making sure my head doesn’t fall off. Everyone from the chefs to the dishwashers to the hostesses are essential to a restaurant. If I can give you any advice, it’s that.”

The girl nodded. “I’ll take that with me. Well, here’s your table, feel free to sit where you like. Here are the menus, and we have some new dishes so have a look at those as well and your server will be right over. Enjoy your meal!” She said, returning to her post at the front of the restaurant.

“I like her, she’s nice.”  Zelie smiled.

Seonghwa nodded. “It feels great that I can inspire someone like that. Do you know what you want?”

Zelie glanced at the menu. “I’m thinking of getting a burger, too.”

“Should we get two of my order then?”

“I don’t know if I wanna drink this early, though. Last time I drank, you found me wandering around the city and I got shot at.”

“Sounds to me like you need a good alcohol-related memory to override the last one. Where’s our server?”

Zelie laughed. “Such a bad influence.”

“Hello! My name is Timothy and I’ll be your server-”

Seonghwa’s face dropped. He knew that voice anywhere. He looked up from the table to meet Nunu’s pale stare.

“Timothy Claremont. It’s been a while.” Seonghwa responded coldly.

Timothy’s hands shook as he opened his notepad. “It has. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have the Quesadilla Burger and the Blue Long Island Iced Tea. She’ll have the same thing.”

“What are your sides?”

“I’ll have fries. Zelie? How about you?”

Zelie snapped out of the trance this tense interaction had her in. “I’ll have mashed potatoes.”

Timothy nodded. “I’ll bring that right out to you, okay?” He smiled at Zelie before practically running away.

“Is he part of the story you told me earlier? Looks like he seen a ghost.”

Seonghwa nodded. “He’s one of those details I spared you. We can talk about it later if you wanna know. Damn, we should’ve gotten appetizers, these boneless wings look gooood.” He brought the menu up to his face.

“We can order them when he brings our drinks.”

Seonghwa did just that, much to Timothy’s despair, who wanted to keep his interactions with the table to a minimum. The pair ate and drank; their alcohol level rising steadily.

“I want another drink.” Seonghwa said, scanning the room for Timothy.

“We should just go. We’re both already way too gone to drive.”

“You’re right. Plus, there’s alcohol at home. TIMOTHY! Check please! And make those desserts to go!”

Seonghwa paid as Zelie bagged up the desserts.

Timothy resurfaced with his debit card. “You don’t scare me anymore, you know.”

Seonghwa looked up. “The way that notepad was shaking earlier says otherwise.�� He said, slurring his words a bit.

“Enjoy your restaurant while it lasts. One Eye’s gonna deal with you, your friend HJ, and the Missus over there. Next time the bullet won’t just graze her.”

Seonghwa’s eyes narrowed as he felt himself sobering up. “That’s a pretty incriminating statement. Sounds like a threat.”

Timothy stood up straight went Seonghwa closed the space between them. “It’s more of a promise. You think just because it’s been three years you’d gotten away with it? You have no idea what’s coming.”

“Actually, thanks to you, I now know it’s One-Eye who has it in for us. Soon I’ll find out why, and when I do, I’ll make sure you and your brother never target us again. We chose to leave you alone last time. This time, we won’t be so courteous. I may be out of the game, but I still know how to use a fucking gun. So, go ahead. Try me.” He pulled away, smiling. “Thanks for lunch, man. It was nice seeing you.” He said, backing away, leaving Timothy with a sour look on his face. He walked to the hostess stand, Zelie close behind him.

“Hey, you never told us your name.” He told the hostess, trying to mask the apparent anger in his voice.

“Oh! It’s Zina.” The girl smiled.

Seonghwa fished into his wallet, pulling out a business card. “You said you want to work in a restaurant like mine someday. Why wait?”

“Seriously?” She beamed.

Seonghwa shrugged. “I can always use an intern. Email me and we can arrange a meeting. Show me what you’re made of.”

She nodded frantically. “Thank you Chef Park! You won’t regret it!”

Seonghwa grabbed Zelie’s hand, leading her out of the establishment.

“That conversation with the waiter couldn’t have been good, judging by your face.” She said.

“I just found out who’s behind all this.” He said, calling Hongjoong. “HJ. Zelie and I are at the Applebee’s on Parkchester. I can’t drive. Can you and Santana get here? Alright. We’ll wait here.”

Hongjoong arrived at the restaurant 20 minutes later with Santana. Hongjoong got out of the car to drive Seonghwa’s. Santana had volunteered but Hongjoong refused to have her drive by herself.

Santana drove and conversed with Zelie the entire time, with Hongjoong driving closely behind. She double parks outside of Seonghwa’s building, getting out of the driver’s side to say bye to Zelie and let Hongjoong take over.

“I’m so glad there’s another girl now. For years, it was just me and all the boys. Then Soojin came, but she doesn’t really count. I have someone to talk to!” Santana said, hugging Zelie tightly.

“Well, I guess that settles it. You gotta marry her now, or Santana will kill you. And like I said before, if she gets mad, I’m letting her.” Hongjoong told Seonghwa.

“Very funny.” Seonghwa rolled his eyes.

“On a serious note. I know you like her. She likes you back. Lock her down. You’ve been a bachelor long enough.” Hongjoong dapped him up before walking back to the car.

“I saw Nunu at Applebee’s-” Seonghwa said, stopping when Hongjoong raised his hand.

“Whatever you have to tell me, it can wait. Enjoy the night with your lady.” He winked, causing Seonghwa to laugh.

“You too, man.” Seonghwa said.

“I’ll try.” Hongjoong opened his car door, and Santana’s boisterous voice came through. “What do you mean ‘can we stop for Mcflurries?’ You just had ice cream this morning!” Hongjoong sighed when she screamed again. “Okay, okay. I’ll get you the damn Mcflurries. Yes, I’ll get you apple pies too. Just stop screaming.” He got into the car, driving away.

Seonghwa and Zelie made it into the apartment, Zelie sitting on the couch.

“You should really get a better couch, you know.”

He sighed. “What’s wrong with my couch? I’ve had it for years. It goes where I go.”

“I can tell. It screams college guy. Not to mention it looks like something straight out of a porno.”

“It takes a true porn watcher to know that,” Seonghwa said, taking a bottle of Mango Ciroc.  

“I guess you caught me.” Zelie shrugged. “Do you seriously need that much alcohol? You live alone.” She peered at the cabinet full of various liquors.

“I’m not alone right now.” He said, sitting beside her and handing her a glass.

“So your bright idea is to get me drunk?” She asked, taking a sip.

“A little liquid courage will go a long way for both of us, don’t you think?” Seonghwa said.

“Well, what are you hoping will happen?” Zelie asked.

“If I told you my wish, it wouldn’t come true. I’ll tell you this, though. From the moment you handed me your application, you never left my mind. Whether I was here, with HJ, or at the damn supermarket, I thought of you constantly. The way you laugh when you think something’s funny, the way you scrunch your nose up when you’re draining noodles, the way you look off to the side, daydreaming and looking distant.”

“Aww.” Zelie blushed.

“The curve of that ass when you bend over to pick something up.”

“Why you gotta ruin it?” Zelie deadpanned.

Seonghwa laughed. “I never dared to tell you before because I’ve been alone for so long. I haven’t had someone since Breana’s crazy ass and I got complacent.”

“So you mean you haven’t…?” Zelie asked.

Seonghwa shook his head. “Not since Breana, no. I haven’t even had a booty call.”

“How do you manage?”

“There’s dozens of toys around here. If you run into any, I’m sorry.” He laughed.

“So, if you never told me before, why now?”

“I’ve gotten to know you. I realized you’re not like the other girls that have flirted with me before. You care about me as a person, not just some hot guy. When you asked me if I was okay, I realized it. I was cold and distant. I told you my story, what I’ve done. And you’re still here. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

Zelie leaned in, kissing him suddenly. “I’ll always be here, if you let me.”

Seonghwa nodded. “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

Zelie laughed. “You sound so childlike.”

“I haven’t had to do this in years, okay? I’m a little rusty. Just tell me yes or no before I die of embarrassment.”

Zelie rolled her eyes. “So dramatic. Yes, Seonghwa. I’ll be your girlfriend.”

Good. Because now I can do this.” Seonghwa yanked her up by her thighs, walking her to the bed.

“I dropped the glass you ass! There’s shards everywhere!”

“Fuck the glass. It’s not important. I’ve imagined having you here so many times, and it’s finally happening. Nothing’s gonna stop me right now.”

“Let’s see if you can handle me.” Zelie smirked.

“Don’t underestimate me, baby. I’ve been out of commission for a GRIP.” Seonghwa kissed her passionately, laying her down on the bed. He groaned at the softness of her plump lips, indulging in the taste of her. Zelie’s hands found way under his shirt, running her hands up and down his broad back. There were some rough patches she was positive were scars, but the heat of the moment forbade her to ask. She tugged at the material, lifting it.

Seonghwa broke the kiss, pulling his shirt up and off his torso, tossing it to the floor. He grabbed the hem of Zelie’s shirt, discarding of that as well. He kissed across her jaw, down her neck, making a beeline for her breast. He expertly unclasped her bra, exposing her chocolate-colored nubs. He took one in his mouth, twisting the other with the pads of his fingers.

Zelie’s hands tangled into his hair. “Fuck, Seonghwa.” She arched her back at his tantalizing assault. He took his time giving the other nipple the same treatment. He kissed down her stomach, pausing at the hem of her pants. He unbuttoned them, pulling them down in a hastily manner, his arousal getting the most of him. He pulled her panties down, tossing those too. He marveled at the smoothness of her calves, caressing them as he lowered her head to kiss her thighs.

Zelie writhed under his touch. “Are you gonna tease me all night or what?”

Seonghwa smirked. “I’ve waited a long time for this. Excuse me for wanting it to last.”

“You don’t have to. You can get it whenever you want. It’s yours, remember?”

Seonghwa hummed in pleasure. “You have no idea how good it feels to hear that.” He blew on her pussy lightly, causing the girl to shudder. “I’m feeling really hungry, are you gonna feed me, Chef Carter?” He asked, centimeters away from the area she needed him most.

Zelie nodded, pushing his head further. “Fuck, yes.”

Seonghwa shook his head. “That’s not how you ask, baby. What’s my name?”

Zelie huffed, rolling her eyes.

Seonghwa backed away slightly. “If following instructions is too hard for you, we can always just stop.”

“Please,” Zelie panted, delirious with lust. “Please let me feed you, Daddy.”

Seonghwa smiled. “Good girl.” He said, his tongue licking languidly at her core. Zelie’s back arched, her head hitting the pillow as Seonghwa sucked tantalizingly on her clit. Seonghwa wrapped his right arm across her waist; his left arm forcing her legs apart. He quickly became addicted to her. Her taste, sweet as fresh, dark berries, and her scent, as heavenly as the feast of your dreams.

Zelie’s legs began to twitch sporadically, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. “Fuck, Daddy, just like that. I’m so close.”

“Yeah?” Seonghwa asked, sending vibrations straight up her core. “Come for Daddy, then.” He said, his lips trapping her clit in a tight lock.

Zelie’s back arched at an almost impossible angle, her chest heaving up and down as she screamed Seonghwa’s name.

She yelped as she felt a sting on her ass.

“What did you call me?” Seonghwa asked, his voice husky and his eyes low.

“I’m sorry Daddy, I didn’t mean to!”

“Turn around and bend over. Put your wrists together.” He ordered, reaching over into the nightstand, grabbing a red, silk tie. He wrapped it around her wrists tightly, forbidding any movement.

“Daddy, please! Don’t tie me up.” Zelie whined. “I won’t call you the wrong name again.”

“Quiet. You’re being a brat. Brats get punished.” He said, rummaging through the drawer. “Fuck. I don’t have a rubber.”

Zelie shook her head. “You don’t need it. I’m on the pill. I want to feel you, Daddy. Please let me feel you.” She mewled.

“Don’t worry, baby. Daddy’s gonna fill you up so well.” He said, his hard cock pressing gently at her entrance, marveling at the sight of her arousal from her previous orgasm dripped down her legs.

“Fuck, Daddy. You’re so big.” Zelie exclaimed as Seonghwa bottomed out deep inside her.

“So wet and so tight for me, baby. You feel so good.” He said, earning a moan from Zelie. “Does my baby like that? Do you like being told how tight and wet you feel?” He said, thrusting slowly.

Zelie nodded. “I want to know I’m making you feel good, Daddy.”

Her words fueled him to quicken his pace, his hips now slapping against her, creating a lewd rhythm that echoed throughout the room. “You know how many times I’ve dreamt of this? Having you bent over for me, screaming and whimpering for me. You prance around the kitchen like you fucking own the place. Always so in control, and I’ve wanted nothing more than to have you right there on the counter and fucking wreck you. What would all the other chefs think if they knew Zelie Carter, typically so in control, was in my bed being my little bitch?”

Zelie moaned in response, her legs trembling. She reached out for the pillow, biting it to stifle her moans.

Seonghwa ripped it out of reach. “Uh uh, baby. I wanna hear every little sound you make. I want everyone to hear how good I’m fucking you. Fuck, you’re clenching around me so well.” He growled, pounding into her at a rapid pace.

“Is it everything you dreamed of, Daddy?”  Zelie asked in a sultry tone.

“It’s even better, baby. So much better.”

“Fuck, Daddy, I’m gonna cum. Keep fucking me right there. Just like that! Yes!” She shouted, her entire body ablaze.

“Cum for me, baby. Cum for Daddy. I want to see you wrecked.”

Zelie’s body shook with pleasure as the feeling in her stomach took over. Her orgasm rushed from deep within to Seonghwa’s cock and onto the bed.

“Fuck, Daddy, that’s never happened before. Oh my God.” Zelie said, coming down from her high. She whined from overstimulation when Seonghwa’s thrusts failed to cease.

Seonghwa let out a guttural groan. “Just a little bit more, baby. I’m gonna cum.”

“I want you to cum in my mouth, Daddy. I want it deep down my throat.”

“Yeah? Come here then, hurry up.” He said, pulling out and jerking himself.

Zelie knelt in front of him, her mouth ajar.

“Open up, baby. Here it comes.” His eyes shut tight as ropes of thick white cum fell into Zelie’s mouth.

Seonghwa sat onto the bed with a loud thud. “Fuck.” He chuckled when Zelie opened her mouth again, all traces of cum now gone. “You’re so fucking dirty.” He said, kissing her.

“You love it, though.” She said. “Next time though, I wanna suck you off.”

“Don’t get me started again. You don’t look like you’ll handle another round.” Seonghwa warned, making Zelie laugh.

He got up lazily, grabbing the broom and the dustpan and sweeping away the glass. “It should be safe to walk now. The bathroom is the door on the left if you want to shower. You can use my towel.” He said.

Zelie nodded, getting up and headed to the bathroom.

Seonghwa sat down on the couch, hearing a squeal from the bathroom.

“Seonghwa, you motherfucker! There’s a fleshlight in the fucking shower caddy!”

Seonghwa laughed. “I told you already. They’re everywhere!” He said, laughing harder when the sex toy is hurled his way.

His wish had come true after all.

Stephie here! I got a little carried away with the smut lmfao i really dont know man. BUT next chapter is FOR SURE going to be regarding the threats. i pinky promise.