#ill never forgive the government for letting her stay with them.

[skullcrusher-mountainn]

guys it is time to grieve what happened to me and my siblings in our infancy to jonathan coulton's when you go .

specifically this version, I LOVE THIS VERSION . o ugh

[youroriginalsublimecupcakestuff]

Normally lady tsushima tane wouldn't be caught dead in a place like suribashi city but they're was rumors about her son shuuji having been seen for the last time here.

The only reasons why she entertain those rumors was that as it's the last sort of place that you would think for the tsushima heir to be and is also the best place for his distateful hobby she can see him hiding here.

It's what bring her with an army of Bodyguard shadowing her to suribashi city, but she didn't found shuuji no while she was searching for him she heard an explosion which brought her to a destroyed building and a little amnesiac red haired boy.

It's more appropriate to say that they found each others him who could only told her the name nakahara and that his name was chuuya and her a sickly woman who was drowning in guilt , she feel like chuuya was the answer that she searched for since the loss of shuuji.

But when she brought him to their home in kanagi she had to fight to make them to accept her decision, her husband Gen’emon though that she lost it but chuuya was a bright child who quickly gained the affection of everyone in the family even her renowned to be difficult to please mother in law safe for her sister in law kye who had been the closest to shuuji.

While she neglected shuuji at best content to treat him like he was dead letting him be raised by her sister in law and the servant she was overprotective with chuuya.

*she refuse to lose him no like ~shuuji~ never again , inforgivable, she won't forgive anyone who try to take him away from her*.

Especially when she learned about his ability, she heard rumor about human with surnaturals ability of course with the influence of the tsushima family it was easy for them to hear about it but it was just that rumor but with chuuya ability she feared even more to lose him.

He was hidden and protected, his friendship and association vetted but learned how to fight to defend himself and was a natural at it but Gen’emon died in an accident and tane succumbed to her illness .

After their death and despite the objection of his adoptive brother bunji ( who only accepted if he agree that he will stay in an appartment provided by the tsushima family and be protected by security) , he choose to study at the university of Yokohama.

Here he heard from his friends and classmates about a notorious detective agency and went there to try to learn about his past but make the acquaintance of an annoying man that was strangely familiar to him he have a stricking physical similarities with the pictures of shuuji that his adoptive mother showed him .

They didn't get along but would also meet when chuuya went at the arcade at first it was a coincidence and both refused to left but then they learned more about each others and dazai learned that it wasn't a plot by the tsushima family to bring him back here they still had many bickering but what bonded them the most was when chuuya was kidnapped and the ability that he suppressed was activated to everyone shock.

When they learned about it the tsushima family tried to lock him up in the mansion to protect him but dazai went there braving his trauma for chuuya and had a long conversation with bunji with the help of kye, he agree to let him stay in Yokohama and work part time in the detective agency to help control his ability but the ADA and the government should protect him one more kidnapping attack and he come back to kanagi.

Dazai end up moving into his appartment well mooching off on him should be more appropriate because the damn mackerel doesn't make the chore and is annoying when he does it nor does he pay the bill because he argue that he's too poor for that, his comeback " but i'm here to protect you of course o'chibi i promised your brother and i'm so nice to do it for free you should pay me back and pamper me" when he talk about kicking him out only annoy him.

They end up together but dazai only agree to see a select few members of the tsushima family amongst them his aunt kye which while he's loyal and grateful to the tsushima family and love them , he doesn't argue against it , understanding that dazai was hurt by them and accepting it .

[drwcn]

concubine/sleeper agent!wwx and prince!lwj bullshit continues: 

[story board 1] -  The two empires and the Imperial Lan Family [story board 2] -  WWX, Qishan Wen’s sleeper agent   [story board 3] -  The inner court (harem) of Hanguang Manor, prior to WWX

→ [Story Board 4] - “A-Xian”, the attendant of Jiang Yanli 

Wei Wuxian lived with the Jiangs for 2 years. After he came to Gusu as a 16-yro, he charmed/scammed his way into the Jiang manor, won the favour of Jiang Fengmian, the affection of Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng, and waited.  For a long time, no further instructions were given to him from Wen Ruohan. Then, one day, he saw Zhao Zhuliu on the streets of the Capital. Zhao Zhuliu was the head of Wen Ruohan’s intelligence bureau and incidentally, was also Wei Wuxian and Xue Yang’s shifu.  

— “Shifu, does bixia finally have an assignment for me?”  — “He does. Jiang Yanli is set to marry Lan Wangji. You are to find a way to accompany her to Hanguang-fu and get close to him.”  — “Close to him as in...?”  — “Any means necessary. He has a harem already, so you will not be the only one vying for his attention. Do think you can handle it?”  — “Well I don’t know, shifu,” responded WWX coyly. “ Word on the street is that this Hanguang-wang prefers pretty men. His ce-wangfu Jin Ziyan is famous for his handsomeness, and that mianshou Mo Xuanyu he keeps around is a looker too. Do you think I’ve grown pretty enough?” — “You seem very aware of his household, I’m surprised.”  — “Bixia sent me here to observe and learn; I’ve not been idle.”  

Wei Wuxian knew Jiang Yanli was set to marry Lan Wangji before she even knew herself. This was not a coincidence. Originally, three years ago, when Lan Wangji was first choosing members of his harem, Jiang Yanli had been considered, but at the time Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan were already engaged to be wed. Jin Zixuan had promised Jiang Yanli that as soon as he passed the imperial scholarly exam and secured a position for himself in His Majesty’s court based on his own merit and not on the influence of his father Jin-guogong (Duke Jin), that he and Yanli would marry. It was a marriage that his late mother had arranged with her best friend Yu Ziyuan, and both Yanli and Zixuan were amenable to it. However, when Jin Zixuan finally passed the exam and ranked 6th in the national polling, he chose to take a position far away from the capital and left without a word of affirmation regarding the engagement. The position was an important one given to Jin Zixuan by Emperor Lan Xichen himself and so in some ways, it was understandable that he could not refused. After Jin Zixuan left the capital, Jin Guangshan went to his “old friend” Jiang Fengmian and “apologized” profusely on his son’s behalf, spewing all sorts of words about how a young man ought to make his way in this world and such. However, this left the Jiangs in an awkward position. Jiang Yanli was 21 yrs old, already older than any unwed noble lady should be. The Jiangs were angry with this outcome, but given the politics of it, they could not say much...and that was when Lianfang-jun Meng Yao revisited an idea that had been put aside three years ago. — “Hanguang-wang...desires to marry A-Li?” Jiang Fengmian was somewhat flabbergasted. “But...” — Meng Yao smiled, “Jiang-houye*, three years ago I came on behalf of er-di to broker a marriage between our two families, but you and Yu-furen both refused on account of her engagement with Jin-xiao-gongye. But I must say ling’ai* is a fine young woman, eloquent and mild-mannered and would make a fine wangfei* some day.” — “Wangfei? but -” — “Yes, Hanguang-wang did say he would choose his own princess or prince consort, but as you can see, even with Jin Ziyan as he ce-wangfu, Qin-fu’ren and Luo-fu’ren at his side, our prince has not shown any desire for any of them to be his legal spouse. He is still waiting, searching, and who’s to say Jiang-gu’niang is not equal if not better than the lot of them?” 

What the Jiangs didn’t know was that Jin Guangshan was a traitor and had already sold his loyalty to Wen Ruohan, who promised him to make him a fanwang* when Qishan eventually annexed Gusu. JGS was a mole inside Gusu’s government secretly helping to further Wen Ruohan’s agenda. Nevertheless, Wen Ruohan wanted Wei Wuxian to get close to Lan Wangji, because as helpful as Jin Guangshan was, he was never fully trusted by the royal family and did not know their inner workings. Breaking Jiang Yanli’s marriage with Jin Zixuan was just a matter of convenience. Jin Guangshan was not fussed regarding a simple marriage when the reward would be much greater. As per WRH’s instruction, he used his influences in court to maneuver Lan Xichen into giving Jin Zixuan a position far away from the capital, thus removing his son from the dangerous political atmosphere and freeing up Jiang Yanli as a potential concubine for Lan Wangji. Then, Jin Guangshan sat back and allowed Meng Yao to finish the game that he started. Meng Yao was not a willing participant. He loved Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue but Jin Guangshan held the secret to his past and thus a noose around his neck. Everyone in court knew that Lianfang-jun Meng Yao was once a lieutenant in Nie Mingjue’s army and later became his personal secretary. He was known for his wit and silver tongue and the charming dimples on his cheeks whenever he smiled. However, not many knew that Meng Yao was the bastard son of Jin Guangshan and a prostitute. Meng Shi’s hope was that one day her son would be legitimized by his father, but alas her hopes were in vain. A child born to a whore would be condemned to a live in the “jian” caste unless otherwise freed. It was Nie Mingjue who chose to raise Meng Yao above his station and respected him as a person for the first time in his life. When Nie Mingjue and his long-time sweetheart the crown prince Lan Xichen were set to marry, Meng Yao thought his days of freedom would be over. To his surprise, Nie Mingjue opted to bring him back with him from the borderlands where Nie Mingjue’s battalion was stationed and introduce him to court and to Lan Xichen. It seemed almost impossible that Lan Xichen would love him as unapologetically as Nie Mingjue, but somehow he did. Meng Yao became the only concubine person in Lan Xichen’s harem other than Fengjun Nie Mingjue. Life was perfect, so perfect in fact Meng Yao even entertained the idea of coaxing Lan Xichen to take on a lady or two to be his concubine so that the palace could be filled with little ones. Of course he’d be a little jealous...but they would have children...and Lan Xichen loved babies.  Then of course, Jin Guangshan found out who he was, and from that point on, Meng Yao was no longer a free man. Every single moment of his life, his father threatened him with exposure. If anyone were to find out just how unseemly his origin had been, how not only was his mother a prostitute, but he himself had been nearly no different (given to the Nies as a gift by a stupid pandering official), his life would be over. At the very least Lan Xichen would be forced to banish him, at the worst, he’d be dead. Oh there would be no public announcement of course, but it would be said that he had taken ill and succumbed to his frail health, and with his death the smear on the Lan imperial family would be cleansed.  Meng Yao didn’t want to die, so he did as Jin Guangshan asked, even when the ask became Nie Mingjue’s life. (But NMJ isn’t really dead...Meng Yao was nothing if not a fighter. He could not let the father who’d cursed him to a less than hellish existence take away from him the first man who’d ever shown him love and kindness.)   — “Jiang Yanli must marry Lan Wangji.” Jin Guangshan instructed. “And you must ensure that when she does, the boy goes with her.”   — “What boy?”  — “The ward of Jiang Fengmian: Wei Wuxian.” 

So when Meng Yao came to speak with Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, naturally he brought up the subject of Lan Wangji’s “preference.”  “The Qin family did very well in this regard. They were quite clever in allowing Mo Xuanyu to serve Hanguang-wang; the boy is too low-born to be of any threat. Even if Hanguang-wang’s harem of today becomes the imperial harem of tomorrow, Mo Xuanyu would not be more than a mianshou. His success, on the other hand, would ensure that Hanguang-wang’s favour stay with the Qin family. As we can see, their effort was not in vain. Qin Su became with child rather swiftly. Little Kaisong was born more no later than three months after Jingyi.” Meng Yao explained the delicate nature of the situation to the Jiangs. “If Jiang-guniang is to marry Hanguang-wang, forgive me for my boldness, but she would be wise to bring a male attendant of her own. Wangji is kind and would honour her as his concubine, but the man cannot control his inclinations, as none of us could.”  Yu Ziyuan exchanged a look with Jiang Fengmian. Yanli was older now; waiting for Jin Zixuan to keep his promise had delayed her and possibly ruined her prospects. If this marriage to Lan Wangji were to succeed... he is an honourable man who treated all his concubines equally and with respect. If he grew to like Yanli enough to make her his legal spouse as Meng Yao seemed to think is possible...then one day she would be Empress.  — “Hanguang-wang’s preference is men. Would he not prefer to have a wangfu instead of a wangfei?” Jiang Fengmian was still hesitant.  — “Indeed I’m sure he would, but politics being what it is...” Meng Yao sighed. “I’m sure Wangji understands that having the mother of his heir be his wangfei and his future empress is the best course of action to ensure the stability of the nation. We certainly have no shortage of examples to learn from in history: a shuchu prince with competing shuchu brothers walks a perilous road.”  — “Lianfang-jun is wise.” Yu Ziyuan nudged her husband. “Which young man do you suggest we include in the bridal party?”  — “That I have not decided, which is why I’ve come to see you today. Jiang-fu is a large manor, surely there must be some servants worthy to catch the eye of our Hanguang-wang. Yu-fu’ren, why don’t you assemble them, and we can have a pick?”  — “Lianfang-jun, that is a delightful idea.” 

Wei Wuxian was not surprised at all when all the young men of Jiang-fu under 21 and above 16 were assembled in a courtyard. He scanned the crowd; there were about 20-ish of them. One by one, they were beckoned forward, and when it was his turn, he walked with his head bowed towards the man sitting under the eave on a luxurious wicker chair, holding a fan. The fan was very expensive, drawn by an artist in the previous dynasty. An antique. This must be Zewu-di’s* only concubine, Meng Yao.  — “Greetings to Lianfang-jun.”  — “Raise your head, boy, let me take a good look at you.”  — Wei Wuxian obeyed. Meng Yao looked him over once, appraising and evaluating, before making a pleased little noise. “Hm. Your name?” —  “Wei Wuxian.”  —  “Wei...Wuxian?” Meng Yao gave a pretty laugh. “A rather boastful name for so young a person. My, but you are a lovely thing. Tell me, what is your age?”  —  “Eighteen.”   —  “Eighteen, excellent. It’s unfortunate that your name isn’t something a little more humble. What does your family call you?” —  “My family calls me A-Xian, dianxia.” — “Well A-Xian, if I were to tell you that you’ve been chosen to accompany Jiang-gu’niang to serve Hanguang-wang, what say you?”  — WWX thought *I’d say Lan Wangji better sleep with one eye open*, but said with a gracious and deferring bow of his head, “That would be my honour.” 

[next]

Note: 

houye - marquess ling’ai - a formal way to address someone else’s daughter  wangfei - princess consort  fanwang - a type of high-ranking prince with their own region/land to govern and possibly even their own army to command under imperial rule.  Zewu-di - emperor zewu. 

[ninjakitten1699]

More Oni headcanons that I wanted to add on

to @ambrosial-tea post but I forgot until now!

There are different tribes of Oni as stated in the last post. Aka Oni (Red), Ao Oni (Blue), Shiro Oni (Pale/White), and our Kuro Oni (Black/Dark).

We don’t know too much of the Dark Oni we got but we do know that Oni were originally intended to be guardians between Material Plane and Spirit World when the two began overlapping (possibly The Grasslands/Departed, and Cursed Realm before they began separating). Put a tribe of Oni on the Material Plane for a couple years and they’d splinter into subraces of Oni and become more corrupted by the years. Dark Oni became one of the tribes corrupted.

Aka Oni are the most common type of Oni with their dark red colors, large size, and toughness. They’re slightly bigger than the rest of their kin, more violent, unfocused, and pursue immediate satisfaction, disregarding long drawn out plots and schemes. They’re mostly known for strength too.

Ao Oni are known for their unnatural cunning and aptitude for magic, smaller than their red kin but larger than pale, and have different shades of dark blue. They’re the ones you’d catch calculating and meticulously pursuing lofty goals like power and knowledge.

Shiro Oni are known for their aloofness and connections to the spirit realm. They’re the smallest of the main three tribes and the fewest of members. They vary from pale white to light gray. (They may as well adopt other Oni who share their colors and hopefully teach them their ideals.) Pale Oni would rather keep things in balance between the material plane and spirit world as the ancient Oni intended. They guard their locations but will adventure for artifacts of the spirit world and mend balance. If we take that into account perhaps they are another reason why Realm travel is difficult to Oni who try to cross through the any of the realms involving afterlives.

While Oni have no concept of gender since they have both reproductive organs, they also have no concept of sexualities either. Honestly they just didn’t have a name for it when one didn’t feel the need to have sex or when another felt more attracted to the same sex aspects of their partner. (If anything, their type of relationships or way of thinking would be looked up upon because they felt closer to their spirituality and their true selves.) Again they sometimes don’t mate for reproduction but just for the vibes of their partner.

They probably didn’t have a name for having multiple partners at the time either. If one Oni wanted to be a part of what the other two had and they were content with the feel of them, then it was okay. Plus more hands to help raise the cub personally. (Essentially that’s what PolyGarm would basically be. They make Garm happy, they’re happy with him, and Lloyd would basically have more than two parents. At this point Lloyd would just have more dads and Koko is just the one good mom he deserves.)

The second Oni learn what kisses are and how they work, they find it just as addictive as they do with other acts of affection.

Oni are more closer to their family than they are to strangers because in most Oni’s belief, strangers brought suffering to the family. In turn they displayed their family’s name first before their own, showing pride in them and hoping to intimidate any strangers with ill intent towards them.

Speaking of Oni names, they don’t usually have any but when they do their names would be what positive traits the parents wish the child to take on. For example, a son could have “Akihiko”. “Aki” meaning “bright” and “hiko” meaning “boy/prince”. They could want him to be someone brighter than they ever hoped for. For a daughter, “Asuna” with “asu” meaning “tomorrow” and “na” to “greens” or “apple tree”. Maybe the parents are hoping the Oni daughter would lead them to a more plentiful day. And then there’s the family names. The most famous ones are “Hideyoshi” and “Ishikawa”. We’ve heard of these names and the history behind them, I wouldn’t want to come across any of their descendants that carry their name with honor.

Ironically “Harumi” is actually a name for a female Oni in some home brewing lore. One of her meanings is “govern/rule” and “beauty”. Goes to show how far she would take her name literally.

Shiro Oni/Pale Oni don’t have names, but it’s because they don’t want to be too close to the material plane while they guard the spirit realms. They would refer to themselves and each other as “that/this one” instead like how gargoyles in the old days would. If they come up with names, it’s for the sake of working with others on the material plane, but even then it only happens when they really trust the people around them.

Oni have a large appetite that could put the Pythor and the Anacondrai to shame. They could honestly compete against the Great Devourer and other wyrms.

An Oni’s pair of horns are a sign of honor. No pair of horns are alike, not even the closest siblings’ horns look the same. They all have their differences. Their horn length is their pride. Having them sawed off is quite literally shameful to the owner of them but they did do something to deserve it.

It’s possible that some Oni were confused at Garm’s horns not being there at first but they hear about the first time they grew out of his head he quite literally broke them off and bled for a good long while to the point of passing out. (Blood vessels actually go throughout the antlers/horns in animals which is why they aren’t busted right off easily. Why wouldn’t they to Oni horns?) Come to find out it was the FSM’s hate for Oni that made Garm hate himself and how he looked so Garm had them filed down to his scalp or small enough to hide in his hair. It honestly almost hurts the Oni’s look on the FSM even more but hey who hasn’t he hurt? It takes a couple more decades and some therapy before he finally let’s go of his internalized self hatred and trauma that he grows out his horns and finally has pride in himself like most Oni already do.

So it’s not uncommon for Oni to live among other races, whether secretly or not, due to their shapeshifting abilities, however sometimes they’re immediately shunned when their true form slips out. Unless they proved otherwise to the most accepting of inhabitants, they’re allowed to stay. By then they’d have a hybrid appearance with their horns out, either out of their kindness to ease the others’ fear of them or for their own personal benefit.

Oni that do live on their own choose to live in the wilderness or in the mountains. If living in society but still wanting some sort of solitude, they’d either be closer to the outskirts or deep in the downtown where you’d either have to ask directions to specific people to find them or already know where they are. Hence Mistaké with her small tea shop and Wu being able find her.

As stated before Oni have no problems with Half-Oni at all. They’re just welcoming another cub into the pack and it’s just the fact that they are a child of an Oni who fell in love with another humanoid. Although there are some cases of Oni being chased out by the other race with their cub in their arms and they just run until they find the closest tribe. They’d be welcomed into the tribe and the cub is basically adopted by them.

Again half Oni isn’t a problem to them, but they do have a problem with any particular wizards experimenting on Oni breeding with any other humanoids. The know it’s not the parents’ fault neither is the cub’s. If neither parent want nothing to do with them, then the half Oni cub is taken off of their hands by another Oni who was grieving at a loss of a cub (or the realization they couldn’t have any) or a pairing who wouldn’t mind another. The cub won’t have a terrible environment, the parents won’t have to unwillingly interact with the child until they resolve their own issues or they wish to visit and see them grow.

Meanwhile, those wizards will never know peace again until the day they die, even other tribes, who they could be at war with, will catch wind of what happen and help in taking them out. By the time those wizards die, even the Pale Oni who have no ties with Omega or any other tribes won’t be forgiving to them. They won’t do anything too harmful to them, but they will lead them to the terrible part of the Cursed Realm and those wizards proceed to stay there until they fade out of existence entirely.

Enough angst there and let’s go back to fluff. I bet Oni would love dice. Like not even for games but for the click-clack sound. (“Lloyd. They’re metal dice. You cannot have—.” “Shiny sparkly metal bits make pretty sounds! :D” “Garmadon please tell your son not— Not you too!” “Wha~ It does sound pretty.”)

Y’all know how like adult lions play with their babies? They pretend to be hurt and that the cub is super strong to help build up their confidence. Hear me out, Oni do that too. Big goddamn Omega really be taking hits from tiny little cubs, Mistaké be playing with little Garmadon and playing dead on him, then Garm just does the same thing for little Lloyd. (“Koko, sweetie, help. It’s the battle of the century in here. Help, save me. He’s too powerful!” “*tiny war cry*”)

Someone makes a baby Oni cry one time and boy it’s absolutely over. It’s on sight for that person. I’m telling you On Sight!

Oni can purr loud enough to the point where it rumbles in them like a motor and that’s how cubs feel their parents’ purring. Then there’s baby Oni just babbling and the adult Oni just pretend to have a whole conversation with them. Don’t get me started on them playing soft flute music to help the toddler Oni sleep.

We probably only got a few words out of Omega when they first appeared because we were hearing them through human ears. Lloyd’s Oni brain would click on and translates what he knows while Garm in full Oni form can get full sentences out of Omega.

Oni are willing to learn a different language if it helps others understand them and their intentions. Now let’s just think of Lloyd connecting to his Oni side of the family (since let’s face it, the Oni are going to be around longer than most of his friends are) through teaching them sign language.

They also try to teach him their Oni tongue but he can only grasp a few words at a time easily. When he finally learns the language, next thing you know he’s going to be cursing and only Oni will understand. Some (aka Mistaké) want to scold him and others (*cough*Garmadon*cough*) find it hilarious.

Garmadon’s Oni-Dragon hybrid brain wants him to decorate his significant others and now I think of Oni just sharing the precious items they hoard with their mate. Wait till they figure out they can make jewelry and have their significant other wear it.

[choicesenthusiast]

Foreign Affairs, Ch. 13 AKA Penny For Your Thoughts, Millions For Your Betrayal

What happened this week:

The traitor is “revealed” to be Ayna, which, to quote Di: “doesn’t make any sense!” This destroys your established relationship and any hope for any proper development, if we even had any prior to this incident at all. Now who at PB drank the Bad Writing Juice again?

It takes an attack for our mother to suck up and apologize to us, but worry not, because all is forgiven. Mostly. Family and all that. She and Winston return to their pending presidential duties. We’ll just have to wait and see if she’ll follow up on that promise to be a better mother.

Dean Lundqvist and Professor Masako show up at your suite to offer their condolences, which would be sweet if it weren’t so incredibly suspicious of them to show up announced and then just dip.

Tatum offers to teach you some self defense, because you mean a lot to him. Er- the team. You mean a lot to the team. See, the only self defense I need to know is SING, from Miss Congeniality. Solar plexus, instep, nose, groin. Could never forget it.

Blaine sneaks through your window to bring you food, which is infinitely more comical considering the suite appears to be on the ground floor, MC is supposed to have tighter security, and how he was accosted by Murphy. Nevermind that Di was at the dining hall, but Murphy protecting us from Blaine is so funny. If you want, ask them to stay and they’ll tell you about important family history that you probably already should know.

Ayna tries to apologize and even brings you to the hospital to see her father, who seems to be recovering well from his illness thanks to the money and not your wonderful healthcare system.

Tatum’s getting removed from your security detail. Yes, because he’s the only one competent enough to actually protect MC. The attack happened when he was off-duty. This makes sense. We’ll find out why next week.

Thoughts:

Yes, let’s forgive our gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss mother, the woman responsible for this country and all its issues, such as in healthcare, just like that, but not the victim of the terrible healthcare system who was blackmailed into dishing out information on one of her students only for her employer to launch a weak-ass attack on them exposed at a lake. No, you have to pay for that.

Is Ayna even Rutherlandian? Because all this blame on our government means nothing if she or her father are not even citizens. See, this is the type of stuff we’d know if PB bothered to give her proper screentime and backstory.

I got so tired of this that I waited 3 days until I actually came and typed it out. Yeah, we got they/them pronouns but at what cost? Everything else.

[kuronanox]

Jazz lies - Shinji Hirako

It would be wrong to say that (Your Name) was having fun at this jazz bar that a few coworkers wanted to check out, but it definitely wasn't a place she would call fun.

Out of courtesy of some of the artists at the bar they decided to stay for about an hour and half listening to the music.

"Excuse me miss the lovely gentlemen over there bought you a nice drink." One of the bartenders told (Your Name) setting the nicely made drink in front of her.

She looked at the man who bought her the drink, he had weird teeth and a grin on his face. His hair was a bit long and girly for her taste.

By the time the performance was over (Your Name) and her coworkers got up to exit the bar. She didn't touch the drink once. The whole time it sat in front of her as the man with the weird smile stared at her most of the night.

"Awe yer really left a man hanging!" Shinji jokes as he leans against the door watching her exit.

"Sorry I don't take drinks from strangers." She responds blandly not looking at him in the eye.

Shinji just chuckles and walks out after her side by side, as a few of her coworkers were a bit ahead of them.

"Can't a man try?"

"I've seen better." (Your Name) awkwardly says looking him up and down and then straight ahead to avoid eye contact.

"Damn girls these days sure are harsh." He says with hands in his pockets. "Yer new to town?" He proceeds.

"No, just checking the place out."

"Ahh! So you will come around more often?" Shinji pipes up excited to see her more since jazz bar tended to be on the older side of age.

"Nah, Jazz isn't my vibe."

"Ouch, I thought you were cute too."

"I'm sorry but who are you?" (Your Name) stops walking and looks at Shinji with slight irritation. "Isn't it weird to talk to a man I don't even know the name of?"

"It's Shinji and this man is trying to make a friendly conversation with a cute girl."

A feeling of guilt build in her because he was rather nice the whole time, but it was always good to be defensive just in case he was a real weirdo.

"(Your Name)." She says and continues "sorry I'm just being cautious, there are a lot of sick people out there."

Shinji sighs and rolls his eyes. "It's okay baby doll I've seen sick people in my life time and I ain't one of em."

(Your Name) just smiles, she was still being careful though because he was still a stranger, but it was good to converse with someone new once in a while.

"So I'll let you go now only if I get yer number!" He grins noticing the hesitation in her eyes. "Don't worry, if you don't wanna talk to me anymore after this just don't respond to me." He assured the girl as she willingly gave her digits.

"I'll see you around." (Your Name) says bidding a farewell catching up with her coworkers.

(Your Name) couldn't help but be a bit interesting in this Shinji man because he was a sweet heart. Shinji was being a hopeless romance, but she couldn't tell if he was being over dramatic or if he was foreal.

He told her she was his 'first love' but she knew he was probably joking.

Although they didn't meet a second time they spend a few weeks sending text messages to each other. (Your Name) thought he was going to be pushy and ask her out again, but to her surprise he didn't.

Shinji genuinely was interested in her.

"Why the hell you keep smiling at your phone like a idiot baldy?" Hiyori says peaking over him curious who Shinji had been texting the last few weeks. "AHH!" She screams and snatched the phone reading a loud.

Shinji - "Good morning baby doll, how was yer day?"

"HIYORI STOP OR ILL-!" Shinji screams chasing the smaller girl as the other visords attention grew to them.

(Your Name) - "Good morning! It's been nice! I've just been cleaning my place. What about you Shinji?"

Shinji - "I'm glad you had a good day <3 I went to the store to get the newest record."

"Like I said Hiyori it's no one!" He continues as she kicks him in the face and continues to read out loud.

Shinji - "Shopping alone ain't fun, when yer going to join? I'll pay for dinner!"

(Your Name) - "is this a lame way of asking me out to eat lmao?"

Shinji snatches the phone back with red tints on his cheeks as Hiyori laughs on the floor. "Shut up will ya!"

"Oi Shinji, my books will come in handy if she decides to go out with you." Lisa seriously says flipping her book the couch.

"Hate to admit it but she's right." Kensei butts in getting ready for dinner.

"Oh shut up." Shinji says embarrassed as he walks into his room and slams the door.

To Shinji luck (Your Name) agreed to go eat with him for dinner a week after he asked her. Although it was their second time meeting the atmosphere was smooth and easy.

"Yeah! I graduated college a year ago and I work at the hospital in town!" She tells Shinji passionate about saving life's everyday. "What about you Shinji?"

Shinji was sweating because he didn't actually work. So he tightly gripped his knife and put the steak in his mouth as he smoothly played it off. "I work at a company, top secret for the government only." He winked.

"Kami I'm safe, being dead actually is inconvenient."

(Your Name) face lit up as she took a bite of her wagyu. "Nice! Never thought I'd meet someone so high in status."

"Yer not missing much baby doll, I live ina abandon warehouse actually."

Shinji grins as they take a toast together and enjoyed the view of Tokyo below them.

"So what are your future plans?" She then asks Shinji as he tilts his head.

"Oooh we already wanna start thinking about the future together?" He jokes as she laughs and playfully roll her eyes. Which for (Your Name) was good because it lighten the mood.

After dinner was finished and Shinji paid they walk down the busy streets of Tokyo admiring the views. "Isn't it pretty?" (Your Name) asked Shinji as they walked side by side with linked arms. "What? My face? Oh I know!"

"No dummy the lights of Tokyo!" She lightly flicked his forehead as he shuts his eyes tight.

"Yeah, one day I'll show you the view of Tokyo at a better place, maybe." He tells her as she happily nods her head eagerly.

The night was getting late as she grew tired but the city was still awake. "I'll see you off then? Please get home safe baby doll."

"I will! Maybe we can go out again later!"

"Of course I'll really like that." Shinji grins as she walks down her path towards home. Watching from afar Shinji shunpo to see if she got back in the house safely and after he left.

"Spill the beans how could anyone possibly like you baldy?" Hiyori asked one night as they all sat around.

"Oh shut up! I'm pretty handsome!"

"More like a hand full." Kensei added.

"That's Mashiro who is." Shinji bites back as Kensei could only agree to that statement.

"Young love, can't wait to see what the future holds for you." Rose says.

Shinji just left to his room after that, they were giving him a headache. He laid onto his bed and closed his eyes. (Your Name) was pretty, kind and mature. She had a future ahead of her, but Shinji was living in a dump with lots of roommates and plus he was basically a soul.

Shinji was surprise she stuck around as long as she did. They had went on many dates after that and he successfully earned a kiss on the 5th date.

The only problem for Shinji was the fact that he basically lied about his whole life to her, he wasn't sure if it was right to tell her the truth or wait it out.

It wasn't until 6 months into their relationship that the problem he feared worse appeared.

They had left the bar shortly after midnight, Shinji was walking her back safely to the train station, and then he would secretly watch her go home to make sure she was safe, but a drunken man had appeared from a ally way.

The drunken man was causing a problem for (Your Name) as he said some rather vulgar remarks. Shinji was a laid back man as he told the drunken man to beat it and go cat call someone else.

"Yer really pushin my buttons." Shinji tells the drunken man giving him a glare and lightly grabbing (Your Name) to safety behind him.

The drunken man crossed the line when he tried to grabbed (Your Name) shoulder as Shinji puts his foot onto his chest not allowing him to come any closer.

Before they could walk away the sound of a gun click appeared as Shinji pushed (Your Name) out of the way.

"I don't hurt humans but it seems like you want to harm someone precious to me. I don't mind being naughty just for this special occasion." Shinji grins calm and composed as he stopped the bullets from flying between his fingers.

(Your Name) was in panic mood at first because they were at gun point and then second Shinji was using some unknown godly powers to her.

"Don't worry baby doll, yer safe with me." Shinji says disappearing from her sight as he grabbed the gun from the man and broke it in pieces with his bare hands. "Don't play with toys sir, I've seen scarier!"

Of course the man got terrified and ran away scared for his life. "See ya!" Shinji calls out.

(Your Name) watched from her spot unsure what to be afraid of.

The man who was about to possibly rape her or Shinji who was lying about his identity the whole time. The tears grew in her face because of how frighten she was.

"What's wrong bab-"

"Stop, don't get any closer." She tells him as Shinji sees the water in her eyes. She looked terrified and hurt. "I can explain to you about all this."

"Explain what? That you've been lying about yourself the whole time? What are you? Some kind of god?"

Shinji knits his brows and grabs her hand lightly but she pulled away. "No. I'm going home alone tonight. I'll talk to you when I'm ready."

"I'm not letting ya walk home this late alone." He tells her as she protested but by a flash of a step they were back at her place as he set her down lightly.

"Talk to me when you are ready, I'll be waiting." Shinji says as she looks away from him obviously surprised on how they got home so fast.

"Whatever, thanks for tonight." She slightly says in a forgiving tone as she walked into her place.

He didn't hear from her in weeks, it was only 6 months together and during that period of time he felt happy and light. He didn't think about Aizen or any ill thoughts when he was with her.

Shinji knew it wasn't going to work out, they were so different and so far from each other's world yet he wanted so bad to make it work.

"Is this the common word to say that I got ghosted?" He sulks in the corner as his phone rings to see a message from (Your Name).

(Your Name) - "Meet me at the bar we first met."

Shinji walks in and spots her sitting alone but beautifully shining. She notices him and gives a small smile.

"Alright get it to it, if you wanna call me a freak I understand." He says.

"No one is calling you a freak, I just want an explanation. I had time to think and I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was scared and confused."

He takes her hands and grins. "Of course baby."

The music started to play as the bartender served them a couple of drinks.

"Just please let me finish before you ask any question. Basically you are dating a dead man, I'm from the world where souls live and we have powers that protect and balance the living and dead. Remember when we were talking about how sick people can be? Well there was a guy that got me and few of my comrades exile from the Soul Society and that is how I ended up here."

(Your Name) had to process everything, it was so unreal. At the same time she was curious and slightly interested about another world out there. Of course she wanted to be angry at him for lying about his identity, but she understood from his perspective.

"Well that was a lot to take in, you must be serious about me if you told me all this."

"100% percent, I ain't leaving soon." He sips his wine now.

(Your Name) smiles and then looks down.

"Just don't lie to me anymore. Keep everything real."

"I won't. At the mean time, I'm glad we had this talk so now I can finally use my godly powers as you say." He grabs her hands as they run out the bar.

Stumbling a bit she grips his hand tightly and follows. "Where are we going?!"

"You will see!" He shouts as Shinji hoisted her and lifts them up to the sky.

The view from Tokyo was below them and this time she could see everything.

"How?! This is so beautiful!"

Shinji was happy, although they haven't talked serious yet, he was willing to give it time and effort.

"Remember I told you I would show you a better view. Well here it is!"

(Your Name) was overwhelmed with happiness as she clung onto him. It was weird for her because they were basically standing in midair.

"We won't fall right?"

"Nah just relax I got you."

The night came to an end in a positive way as both parties understood each other and why things were the way they were. Shinji had a sense of relief because he didn't have to hide anymore.

They laid in bed at her place, god forbid he brought her back to his.

The night was cold but the room was warm, they laid peacefully and in each other arms.

(Your Name) would make sure in the future to talk about their relationship because it was a complicated subject. A human and soul together as a couple.

Everyone always says it doesn't hurt to try something new so that's what she was taking this as but genuinely she wanted to brag about how strong and cool her boyfriend was but that was for another time.

For now they both just want to cherish the easy and smooth moments together before anything complicated comes up.

"So our next challenge is to meet my peeps." He tells her as she groans.

"Are they weird like you?"

"Oh baby doll, we are a mix of hip and style."

(Author notes: Heya! I'm taking request at the moment! I'll be on vacation so I might have some time to write a few pieces! The rules are telling me a character and a general plot on what you want the story to be! Also none of my one shots have been edited.)

[your-angle-of-music]

Let Me Sleep Here

Angsty canon-era Enjoltaire conversation, although neither of them quite know it.

Keep reading under the cut or on AO3 :)

Grantaire is a careless man. He is careless with his money, especially on those nights when he can feel his father’s fingerprints on every sou. He is careless with his life, especially on those nights when he rediscovers that absinthe kills quicker than air. He is careless with his canvases (when he can get them), especially on those nights when he dares to believe he is capable of making something beautiful. He is careless with his words, his sticky, staining words, which seem to flow from him like blood from a wound.

But the one thing that Grantaire is very, very careful about, though, is not getting caught sneaking into the Cafe Musain every night, just after one. 

So it is to his utmost surprise, indeed, indignation, that when he enters the familiar back room, he finds Enjolras sitting at the table, writing by candlelight.

“Grantaire?” The other man looks up sharply from the array of papers in front of him. “What are you doing here at this hour?” His tone is neutral, but Grantaire still flinches at the reminder that he is the only member of Les Amis de l’ABC whom Enjolras addresses as vous.

He arranges his features into something resembling a smile. “Late night wanderings are good for the constitution, don’t you think? Besides, we shall all be ghosts someday, perhaps some of us sooner than others, and I do believe it serves me well to practice haunting familiar places at unfamiliar hours. And I am not so presumptuous as other ghosts. Hector’s ghost asked Aeneas to start a city, the King of Denmark’s ghost asked the Prince to end a life, but all I ask is that I be allowed to stay where a while, and bring a little chill to the air. Come now, am I such a great bother? Truly, I shall be as silent as the gra—”

“Grantaire.”

“What are you doing here, then?” Tu, of course. Always tu.

“I am drawing up plans to deliver food and clothes to the poor of Paris. If the government will not give aid, we will. Winter is coming on fast, and I’m calculating all the supplies we can afford, only, finances have been tight this month, and Combeferre is usually the man who does the numbers, but he has been ill all this week, and so very tired. Madame Hucheloup was generous enough to let me work here tonight, instead of our flat, so that I don’t wake Combeferre with my scribbling. ” Enjolras gestures towards the spare key lying on the table. “Oh, and I must remember to lock it up afterwards. It seems she never does.”

Before he can stop himself, Grantaire blurts out, “Please don’t.”

“Excuse me?” 

“Don’t lock up tonight.” 

“Why not?” 

A pause. 

“What, do you plan to pillage Madame Hucheloup’s wine cellar? Is harassing her waitstaff not enough for you?”

“No, I don’t,” says Grantaire, very quietly, and he sinks into the chair across from Enjolras.

“What’s going on, Grantaire?” 

He means to say something funny, something false, something cruel. But as he looks into that face, those cheeks brushed by angel-wing lashes, that marble brow carved in shadow, that hair haloed in candlelight, all he can say is, “Let me sleep here.”

“What’s wrong with your own rooms?”

Grantaire stares at him, and Enjolras’ eyes widen. 

“Oh. Oh! I am so, so sorry. Please forgive—”

“It’s fine,” Grantaire cuts in, too sharply. 

Enjolras nods once, with uncharacteristic uncertainty. “How long?”

“More than long enough to decide that the streets of Paris are not worth the effort of saving, and that I am bored and tired and dying and dead and—”

“But can you not stay with Joly?”

“Ah, but to stay with Joly would be to stay with his Eagle of Meaux and their pretty little nightingale, too, and by God, you should hear their mating calls at night! No, I wouldn’t sleep a wink.” He doesn’t mention that last time he stayed with them, Joly tried to stop him from downing a bottle of brandy before breakfast and Musichietta smacked him when he did anyway.

“And so you sleep here,” says Enjolras.

“And so I sleep here,” says Grantaire, and then he has to look away from the strange gentleness in Enjolras’ eyes. Under the table, he squeezes his hands into fists that he wishes could smash the whole world.

“Grantaire?” 

God, he hates himself for the warmth that blooms inside him when Enjolras says his name. He refuses to glance up at him.

“You…” Enjolras swallows audibly. “You may stay with Combeferre and me. If you please. Until you save enough to pay your rent again.”

Grantaire’s nails are digging so hard into his palms that he feels the slick wetness of blood upon them, mingling with the paint stains in the creases of his hands. He imagines it — a clean and ordered room, a mattress on a bone-cold floor, Enjolras’ soft late-night whisperings with Combeferre. Books and bullets and not a bottle in sight.

 The winter sunlight on Enjolras’ face. The imprint of his hands on the door. The washbasin water sparkling like dew on his rose petal mouth. The space between a floor-banished mattress and a golden-haired man on a bed.

“No, Enjolras,” he says, in a voice that he prays isn’t shaking with the weight of the other man’s name. “There are so many things I want, but your lofty pity isn’t one of them.”

“As you wish,” says Enjolras. If he is offended, he doesn’t show it. He pushes his spread of papers into a neat stack with one hand. With the other, he slides the Cafe Musain key towards Grantaire.

Grantaire snatches it up wordlessly as Enjolras stands and tucks his documents into a satchel. In a handful of heartbeats, Enjolras has disappeared out the door.

The next morning, Madame Hucheloup finds Grantaire curled up in the back room, with an empty wine bottle from her own Cafe’s cellar clutched to his chest. When she wakes him with a kick to the ribs, he barely stirs, but manages a slappable smirk. 

Gone is his sense of sneaking propriety. Let them see. Let them all see him. 

Grantaire is a careless man, and there shall be no exceptions.

[dreamingofscully]

5x07. “Emily” (part 2 of 2) - X-Files Rewatch

This... is an extremely long post. It not only involves "Emily" analysis but some creative thinking surrounding "Per Manum" from season 8, due to some inconsistencies surrounding the storylines in both. I think I have a fix though!

Scully's dream - walking by herself on some sort of desert - "Alone, as ever." I refuse to use the word that gets used in this series while talking about Scully's fertility here, even though I think this scene is is meant to allude to it. Gross.

It's one thing for Scully to have the knowledge that she cannot conceive and to think she has the possibility of adopting her sister's child. It's quite another to discover that Emily is hers, and possibly the only child that will ever be hers, and that she was created unwillingly out of trauma. 😥

She doesn’t hesitate to call Mulder. She needs to find out Emily's history, needs to KNOW to have power over it. She doesn't care too much about the implications - what led her to her daughter, hearing her sister's voice. It doesn't matter, all that she cares about is Emily.

I love that Scully told Emily about Mulder before he got there. He's important to her and will be just as much a part of Emily's life as he is in Scully's. I wonder what she told her?

The picture of Mulder seeing the two of them on the floor together. Emily's grin is eerily similar to Scully's. What must Mulder be thinking?

He's so good with kids, too. Wish we'd seen more daddy Mulder. Such a waste.

Mulder calls her out on why she didn't call him sooner. He's starting to push a bit more, be a bit more demanding and critical when she does things that don't make sense (but that he knows are pushing the boundaries for her in terms of her belief).

Scully wanting him as a witness in her adoption hearing. But Mulder says he should have declined because he doesn't want to see her hurt. 😥 He has a feeling this can only end badly.

Really shitty of Mulder to reveal the fact that he knew that Scully's ova were harvested during her abduction for the first time IN FRONT OF A JUDGE. Whyyyyy didn't he tell her this... oh, y'know... on the way over? So she's not sitting there with her mouth open completely vulnerable and exposed? it was necessary to tell the judge so that it would support Scully's adoption - that things were forcibly removed from her and then experimented with to create Emily. But he SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER BEFORE THIS. (I talk about this more in my analysis at the end.)

Scully looking back at Mulder in relief that Emily's still there, cut short by realizing she's sick. Mulder immediately taking her in his arms. 😥

"Are you two the parents?"

he subtle looks between themselves

then Scully saying she's the mother, even though its complicated - what else can she say without telling a stupidly long and complicated story?

Scully grasping Mulder's shoulder at the window & standing close, seeing what is happening with Emily in the room. Poor Emily, all alone in the room, causing someone else to be sick. 😥

Mulder going to Dr. Calderon and doing what he does (frustration manifesting as physical violence) while Scully stays by Emily's side.

"I want everything to help that little girl."

Scully in a mask. Her tenderness 😥 Her heart breaking when she has to put Emily in a scary situation - the sound of the machine.

The idea that she's found a child but now she's dying and will lose her. D:>

Threatening the social worker - ensuring she can still make decisions about Emily. Though she's not the most objective, she has the most knowledge about the strangeness surrounding her.

God Emily is so stinkin' cute. Scully makes cute babies.

Standing close outside Emily's room. Wanting to reassure Mulder despite what she's going through. HUG HER DAMNIT (though she'd probably not want him to right now).

He puts his arm around her, says he'll stay but Scully wants to be alone.

she doesn't want to be around him when she breaks down

this isn't about him, she can't spare any energy worrying about him

she can't let him in yet. Doesn't think he thinks of her in a romantic way and can't let him in out of pity. Needs to stay strong. Also she's pissed at him (see below).

At the funeral, Mulder wanting to comfort. Gazing.

Deep dive Emily analysis/fix. (Also “Per Manum” stuff.)

So there’s a contradiction in Emily/Per Manum. As written, both episodes contradict each other.

EMILY (Adoption Hearing for Emily) MULDER: She was missing for 4 weeks, that's documented in the file. JUDGE: And you found evidence that during this time, she was subjected to experiments where ... you say, they extracted her ova? MULDER: Yes, all of them. (Scully is stunned.)

(LATER ON.) SCULLY: Why didn't you tell me, Mulder? MULDER: I never expected this. I thought I was protecting you.

PER MANUM (Elevators of FBI Building) SCULLY: I was left unable to conceive with whatever test that they did on me. And I am not ready to accept that I will never have children. MULDER: Scully, there's, um, there's something I haven't told you either and I hope you, uh, forgive me and understand why I would have kept it from you. SCULLY: What? MULDER: During my investigation into your illness I found out the reason why you were left barren. Your ova were taken from you and stored in a government lab.

Events of Per Manum deal with the EXACT SAME CONVERSATION but in a MUCH LESS SHITTY manner (well, except for the use of the word "barren"). Mulder tells her what he knows in private, and is apologetic. The question being, which came first? Is Per Manum unreliable because it's a memory? Doesn't seem likely that Scully would forget exactly what happened, but it seems that it is the only possibility. Perhaps instead of telling Mulder straight out about not being able to conceive she only tells him about not wanting to accept it. Therefore Emily happens first then Per Manum. And once we get there in the series I’ll reveal when I think the flashback occurred (it’s within season 5).

EDITED/FIX’D PER MANUM SCENE:

SCULLY: I was left unable to conceive with whatever test that they did on me. And I am not ready to accept that I will never have children. MULDER: Scully, there's, um, there's something I haven't told you either and I hope you, uh, forgive me and understand why I would have kept it from you. SCULLY: What? MULDER: During my investigation into your illness I found out that your the reason why you were left barren. Your ova were taken from you and stored in a government lab.

(This also has the bonus of removing Mulder saying “that word” so yeah.

The reason for the extra stuff in Per Manum is just pure laziness, not wanting to re-explain to people who didn't remember stuff from Emily, not wanting to have additional flashbacks to the episode to save time.

The adoption hearing is where Scully shuts herself away from Mulder. She wanted more from him, wanted a second chance. With Emily, perhaps her priority shifted to her daughter, but she wanted Mulder included in whatever that relationship ended up being. When she learns that Mulder kept all of this from her, it is a very large step backwards. Scully won't initiate anything not only out of fear that Mulder doesn't feel the same, fear of a deeper connection, but also because he PISSED HER OFF. 

Hiding knowledge from Scully is very bad. She NEEDS TO KNOW, in order to have power over terrible things that are done to her. She goes into pathology to have power over death and dying. She focuses on finding out what happened to her when she was abducted, despite being recently returned, needing to know to have power over her fears about it. That he withheld these things from her takes away her power/her control over them.

At her brother's house, sitting on the couch unusually far away from each other.

Why didn't you tell me, Mulder? - Scully I never expected this. I thought I was protecting you. - Mulder

Anything else that might need to be said is interrupted by a phone call. Emily needs their help.

Scully wants to say more, wants to call him out for why his actions hurt her so much, but her focus switches immediately to Emily, on being there for her, instead of thinking too deeply about anything else. Also, Scully needs Mulder's help, and he did come from a place of wanting to protect her, so she focuses on who the "real" enemies are at the moment. These facts do not excuse the shitty things Mulder did, but provide a reason for her to ignore it for the moment.

Scully folds in on herself after losing Emily. It will be a while before she can open up to Mulder, to anyone. DISTANCES HERSELF because she needs to heal, needs to go back to the safely and familiarity of JUST work. She CANNOT risk any more right now.  She's be extremely hesitant to open up again. She's regressed emotionally to where she was before her cancer diagnosis, probably WORSE.

Scully's fears came true. Her fear of death/loss once she opened herself up.

She takes a chance on the little girl, Missy's voice and her instincts causing her to pursue the investigation - all she learns is that when she takes a chance, when she believes in something other than the expected, all she gets is pain and sorrow. (Although she wouldn’t trade having known Emily for anything, the experience is a terrible one to have to go through.)

[omxriis]

               hi   guys      !      this   is   something   i’ve   been   tossing   back      &      forth   in   my   head   for   a   lil   bit   ,   but   the   fact   of   the   matter   is   that   my   muse   for   mari   was   starting   to   run   low   ,   but   i’m   a   mess      &      don’t   wanna   let   go   of   him   asdfjkns   ,   so   i   decided   to   revamp   him      !      or   more   accurately   ,   bring   old   mari   back      !      so   below   u   will   find   his   old   biography      (      thank   god   i   still   have   his   old   intro   up   sdfgkjfsd      )      as   well   as   a   little   update   bc   he   needs   smth   to   give   him   a   kick   up   the   ass   :/   this   shouldn’t   rly   affect   most   of   my   plots   but   if   u   would   like   to   plot   smth   w   him   ,   pls   let   me   know      !

&& .   announcing   his   royal   highness  ,      (      𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈   𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈   𝐙𝐔𝐋𝐔      )      ,   the      (      𝟑𝟎      )      year   old      (      𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍   𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄      )      of      (      𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀      )      .   he   is   often   confused   with      (      𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋   𝐁 .   𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐍      )      .   some   say   that   he   is      (      𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒      &      𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍      )      ,   but   he   is   actually      (      𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑      &      𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋      )      .

trigger   warnings   :   brief   mentions   of   death      &      illness   .

*    𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑪𝑺   .

𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋   𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄      &      𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒   :      omari      (      god   the   highest      )      malachi      (      my   angel      )      zulu      (      heaven      )      .

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒    :      mar   ,   mari   .

𝐀𝐆𝐄   :      thirty   .

𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘   :      4th   of   august   .

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑   :      male   .

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐒   :      he   /   him   .

𝐙𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐂   :      leo   af   .

𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍   :      christian   .

𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍   :      crown   prince   of   botswana      (      self   -   proclaimed   professional   pain   in   the   ass      )      .

𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒   :      writing   ,   reading   ,   being   in   social   situations   ,   solving   problems   ,   traveling   ,   annoying   his   siblings   .

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒   :      loud   eaters   ,   obnoxious   people   ,   big   insects   ,   being   responsible   for   his   actions   .

*    𝑨𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑺   .

bare   feet   in   mornings   ,   neatly   folded   clothes   ,   an   organised   shoe   closet   ,   messy   sheets      &      an   unmade   bed   ,   missed   calls   at   2am   ,   highlighted   passages   in   a   book   ,   dogeared   pages   ,   unanswered   texts   ,   tucked   in   shirts   ,   unfinished   books   ,   warm   tea   ,   warm   jumpers   from   the   dryer   ,   odd   ceramic   mugs   ,   hidden   springs   of   water   ,   worn   out   military   boots   ,   fallen   leaves   during   autumn   ,   poetry   at   midnight   ,   sleepy   morning   voice   ,   unsent   letters   .

*   𝑩𝑰𝑶𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑷𝑯𝒀   .

               when   botswana   gained   its   independence   in   1966   ,   it   seemed   as   if   things   were   going   well   .   the   democracy   they   had   built   was   stable      &      it   appeared   as   if   the   land - locked   country   had   no   problems   ,      &      for   a   while   it   hadn’t   but   after   a   few   years   the   peace   in   the   government   started   to   dwindle   .   too   many   people   wanting   too   much   power   ,   somebody   said   .   they   jumped   in   feet   first   without   any   real   clue   how   to   run   a   country   ,   said   another   .   but   over   time   the   uninterrupted   tranquility   became   obsolete   .   botswana   was   slowly   going   down   a   sinkhole   until   1985   ,   when   the   south   african   king   titled   his   eldest   son   ,   arno   zulu   ,   the   king   of   botswana   .

                the   change   shook   the   botswanian   government   to   the   core   ,   a   change   that   it   needed   .   at   first   the   people   of   botswana   weren’t   sure   how   to   react      —      this   new   monarchy   was   something   nobody   had   expected   .   but   the   newly   crowned   king   had   ambition      &      he   had   stride   .   he   had   a   set   vision      &      a   set   plan   to   follow   ,   all   the   while   he   was   kind   to   his   people      &      a   fair   ruler   .   it   didn’t   take   as   long   as   he   expected   for   the   botswanians   to   settle   under   his   rule      (      not   being   given   the   south   african   throne   was   a   huge   knock   on   his   confidence   as   a   royal      )      so   the   speed   his   country   settled   was   comforting   .

                however   ,   the   king   could   never   forgive   his   father   for   throwing   away   his   right   to   the   throne      &      instead   promised   it   to   the   youngest   of   the   zulu   heirs   .   this   bitterness   ,   however   subsided   into   a   more   a   more   subtle   distaste   as   he   settled   into   his   new   role      &      a   short   few   years   later   ,   he   was   married   to   a   libyan   princess      &      not   too   long   after   that   ,   she   fell   pregnant   with   their   first   child   .   the   pregnancy   wasn’t   easy      ;      there   were   a   few   complications   along   the   way   but   after   only   8   months   of   carrying   him   ,   omari   malachi   zulu   was   born   .

                omari   wasn’t   by   any   standards   an   extraordinary   baby   .   his   birth   was   easy   ,   all   things   considered   but   as   the   first   born   child   of   the   king   of   botswana   ,   he   had   responsibilities   he   never   even   knew   he   had   .   the   country   accepted   him   with   open   arms      &      celebrated   his   birth   in   an   ornate   fashion   .   after   all   ,   he   was   the   first   born   child   of   their   first   king   .   streets   were   decorated   with   the   botswanian   flag      &      music   filled   the   streets   for   days   after   .   the   prince   was   a   vision   ,   as   many   called   him   .   he   looked   strikingly   similar   to   his   father   ,   even   small   features   like   the   dimples   in   his   cheeks      &      the   crease   between   his   eyebrows   as   he   smiled   .   for   months   botswana   was   full   of   joy      &      that   joy   started   to   bring   the   country   back   into   the   state   of   peace   they   had   at   the   very   start   of   their   independence   .

                   the   birth   of   their   future   king   gave   them   hope   .   stability   .      &      in   turn   they   treated   their   leaders   with   grace      &      kindness   ,   living   in   harmomy   .   it   was   almost   idyllic      ;      omari   grew   up   in   a   world   where   everyone   was   at   peace   as   opposed   to   just   a   few   years   before   he   was   born   .   he   had   everything   he   wanted      &      was   treated   with   respect   ,   so   he   treated   his   people   with   respect   in   return   .   he   grew   up   in   a   loving   household   ,   full   of   books      &      all   the   learning   tools   a   young   heir   could   need   ,      &      although   his   professor   was   hard   on   him   ,   omari   did   not   let   this   harden   him   .

                as   a   child   he   had   always   been   a   free   -   spirit      ;      he   was   intrigued   by   the   idea   of   traveling      &      had   read   about   all   the   places   in   the   books   from   the   palace’s   library      &      from   strangers   who   had   stayed   at   the   palace   in   passing   .   he   was   quite   content   ,   he   had   a   certain   mischievousness   which   often   caught   the   guards   out      &      a   long   string   of   jokes   that   could   keep   people   laughing   for   days   .   however   ,   for   a   child   living   in   such   a   large   expanse   it   was   incredibly   lonely   ,   so   it’s   to   be   expected   that   when   his   brother   was   born   ,   omari   was   over   the   moon   .

                the   pair   were   like   two   peas   in   a   pod      ;      where   you’d   see   one   ,   you’d   no   doubt   see   the   other   following   not   too   far   behind   .   they   grew   close   quickly      &      omari   was   fiercely   loyal   to   his   younger   brother   .   however   ,   much   like   any   ordinary   older   sibling   he   could   be   difficult   .   although   he   wasn’t   nasty   ,   he   was   a   bit   of   a   tyrant   .   causing   ruckus      &      playing   pranks   on   his   brother   was   omari’s   favourite   pastimes      &      although   they   had   their   disagreements   ,   he   did   it   with   love      &      there   was   very   little   omari   wouldn’t   do   for   him   .

                when   his   brother   was   born   ,   omari   learned   a   lesson   in   sharing   .   when   his   sister   was   born   ,   he   learned   a   lesson   in   protection   .   growing   up   he   was   educated   on   how   to   run   a   country   successfully      &      how   to   be   a   good   king   ,   but   nobody   taught   him   how   to   be   a   good   brother   .   sometimes   he   could   be   intolerant   to   who   he’d   often   call   the   ‘ bonus   zulu   children ’   just   to   irritate   them   ,   but   despite   his   annoying   habits   his   siblings   were   his   best   friends   .   they   filled   the   empty   void   that   would   otherwise   still   be   hollow   in   the   palace      &      on   stressful   days   ,   they’d   be   the   ones   to   aid   him   in   unwinding   .

                the   pressures   of   becoming   king   one   day   didn’t   truly   hit   full   force   until   he   hit   his   teenage   years   .   he   was   expected   to   set   a   prime   example   not   only   for   his   country   but   also   his   siblings   ,      &    although   he   did   a   good   job   at   being   generally   liked   by   his   peers    &      the   like   ,   he   realised   soon   enough   he’d   have   to   get   out   there      &      represent   his   country   ,   so   that’s   what   he   did   .   he   started   travelling   the   world      &      meeting   new   people      &      after   a   while   ,   he   went   to   college   .   someone   had   briefly   suggested   a   college   in   portugal   so   he   decided   to   go   there   ,   studying   literature      &      modern   language   .

                it   was   here   where   he   met   barbara   de   bragança   ,   being   in   college   at   the   same   time   as   she   was   getting   her   degree   .   due   to   his   royal   status   he   was   invited   to   stay   at   her   college   home      &      after   taking   the   opportunity   ,   the   two   quickly   became   close   friends   .   he   completed   his   education   in   portugal   before   he   jetted   off   to   carry   on   exploring   the   world   ,   however   he   never   lost��  touch   with   barbie      &      he   started   to   become   more   responsible   as   he   prepared   to   one   day   be   king   .   while   on   his   travels   he   learned   a   lot   about   different   cultures      &      could   strike   up   a   conversation   with   anyone   over   anything   .

                give   or   take   a   few   years    &      his   family   asked   him   to   get   engaged   to   the   princess   of   hungary   ,   fanni   croÿ   .   the   arrangement   was   strange   given   they   already   had   a   history   but   due   to   it   being   for   the   benefit   of   botswana   he   agreed      &      then   they   were   engaged   .   however   ,   just   as   they   were   starting   to   figure   things   out   the   engagement   was   called   off      &      out   of   his   confusion   ,   omari   took   off   without   a   word   to   anyone      &      has   been   m.i.a   ever   since   ,   only   keeping   in   touch   with   a   short   selection   of   people   .

*     𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑻𝒀   .

omari   is   a   lover   of   adventure      &      experiencing   new   things   .   people   might   call   him   a   thrill   seeker   ,   but   he   just   believes   that   a   life   without   experiencing   everything   you   can   isn’t   a   life   worth   living   .   he   enjoys   learning   new   things      &    is   always   keen   on   hearing   different   opinions   to   benefit   his   own   ,   however   he   can   come   across   as   being   quite   opinionated   when   it   comes   to   his   own   thoughts      &    he’s   not   afraid   to   speak   his   mind   ,   which   sometimes   got   him   into   trouble   when   he   was   younger   but   has   earned   him   great   respect   as   he   grew   older   .

                in   general   ,   omari   is   kind      &      thoughtful   .   he’s   been   influenced   a   lot   by   his   father’s   way   of   ruling   the   country      &      is   a   firm   believer   that   you   should   treat   people   the   way   you   expect   to   be   treated   ,   but   he’s   not   afraid   to   stand   his   ground   when   he   needs   to   or   protect   those   that   he’s   closest   to   .   when   it   comes   to   his   family      &    his   close   friends   ,   omari   will   go   to   the   ends   of   the   earth   for   them   even   if   it   was   just   to   bring   them   a   pretzel   from   europe   .   he   values   them   a   lot      &      is   extremely   loyal   to   them   .

                however   ,   omari   can   be   quite   flaky      &      fickle   .   when   it   comes   to   making   decisions   regarding   his   country   ,   he’s   very   clever   in   his   approach    &    makes   sure   it’s   the   best   decision   but   when   it   comes   to   his   personal   life   ,   he’s   not   very   good   at   all      &      often   has   to   seek   advice   from   other   people   just   to   make   the   correct   decision   .   he   dislikes   situations   that   are   too   messy   ,   which   is   one   of   the   few   reservations   he   has   about   being   king   because   he   knows   he’ll   be   stuck   in   some   but   he’s   working   on   his   habit   of   fleeing   before   the   situation   gets   too   bad      &   instead   striving   to   resolve   them   .

                he   can   be   pretty   mischievous   ,   since   when   he   was   younger   he’d   often   play   pranks   on   the   guards      &    his   siblings   just   to   ,   as   he   used   to   say   ‘ pass   the   time ’   so   although   he’s   someone   you   can   trust   with   your   secrets   ,   he’s   not   someone   you   can   trust   not   to   scare   the   living   daylights   out   of   you   the   next   chance   he   gets   .   he   loves   to   have   fun      &    is   slightly   worried   that   when   he   becomes   king   all   the   fun   he’s   having   now   will   no   longer   exist   ,   but   following   in   his   father’s   footsteps   is   something   he’s   always   been   keen   in   doing      &      seeing   how   well   he’s   doing   pushes   him   to   do   the   same   .

                although   his   father   isn’t   so   bothered   anymore   by   the   fact   that   he   was   ,   as   omari   sees   it   thrown   to   the   side   for   his   younger   brother   ,   omari   is   extremely   bitter   about   it   .   even   though   he   loves   botswana      &      its   people   ,   he   still   heavily   believes   that   since   his   father   is   the   oldest   of   the   zulu   heirs   ,   he’s   rightfully   in   line   for   the   south   african   throne   so   the   fact   that   his   uncle   ,   who’s   little   over   ten   years   older than   him   never   fails   to   stir   up   troubling   thoughts      &      now   that   his   grandfather   has   fallen   ill   ,   he   sees   this   as   an   opportunity   to   start   conflict   with   his   uncle   .

*   𝑼𝑷𝑫𝑨𝑻𝑬   .

ok   i’m   literally   just   gonna   bullet   point   the   things   that   have   changed   for   him   bc   i’m   too   lazy   to   go   back      &      edit   this   entire   bio   sdfkjdnsjkg

but   u   guys   already   know   gramps   is   dead   ,   which   means   ayo   is   king   ,   which   means   the   cousins   failed   in   their   attempts   smh

mari   was   slightly   bitter   after   the   coronation   ,   but   it   only   lasted   for   a   short   while   ,   bc   news   hit   him   that   his   father   wasn’t   very   well   ,   which   meant   that   mari   would   have   to   step   up      &      do   more

i’m   gonna   say   to   save   confusion   that   he   just   wasn’t   doing   enough   .   he   rarely   got   involved   with   political   moves   ,   so   that’s   crucial   now   since   his   father   can’t   cope   as   usual

so   i   don’t   rly   know   how   this   will   affect   him   ,   it’ll   either   make   him   kick   his   ass   into   gear      &      do   shit   with   his   life   or   he’ll   get   so   stressed   he’ll   have   a   break   down

WHO   KNOWS

[elcorhamletlive]

fandom: MCU (Alternate Universe - Medieval) ship: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark tags: Outsider POV,  Howard Stark's A+ Parenting, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Howard Stark POV summary: “What I’m about to ask you has no relation to our alliance,” Rogers continues, his voice a lot steadier now. “I come here only in behalf of myself, and what I’m about to ask, I ask as a man, not as a soldier.”

Howard feels as if he can see the anticipation growing in the room, almost as a cloud forming over them. The guards don’t bother hiding the shock in their expressions, and even Jarvis can’t fully disguise the curiosity, his eyebrows quirked.

Rogers takes one short breath before locking his eyes with Howard’s. His blue gaze is almost peaceful in its resoluteness, as if there’s an element of inevitability in what he’s about to say.

“I’m here to ask for your son’s hand.”

“…with profuse thanks for the accommodations,” Obie’s voice echoes on the room, his low, monotone reading turned into a more solemn sound that it has any right to be, considering the dullness of the subject. “Lady Maryam hopes you’ll join her for dinner tonight.”

“And she will remain hoping.” Howard’s throat scratches as he speaks. He eyes the wine next to the throne, his mouth feeling dry as he sees the little drops of water dripping from the bottle. He can’t drink yet, though – there have been whispers, of course there have been, and he will not feed them so easily. He motions for Obadiah to go on, forcing himself to look away from the bottle.

His eyes dart around the large room. There’s a scribe boy next to Obadiah, taking note of his every word with unfailing precision. Jarvis is next to him, his posture very still and eyes focused, expressionless, exerting his wonderful ability of hiding in plain sight.

As Obadiah starts listing the latest shipments coming from the port, Howard feels the beginning of a headache prickling up his neck. It’s an unbearably hot evening, and even the servant girl fanning him does little to combat the heat. The velvet cushion of the throne sticks to his skin uncomfortably.

“Is that all, then?” He asks, barely bothering to hide his eagerness, as soon as Obadiah pauses to breathe.

There’s hears a noise on his side, something akin to a cough or laughter. Howard’s neck snaps as he turns.

Truth be told, he had forgotten Tony was there. One could hardly fault him for that – Tony was never present in meetings about their economic affairs, even though, according to his duty as the lord’s son, he should be.

Then again, Tony wouldn’t recognize his duty if it slapped him in the face with a horse’s carcass.

“Apologies,” Howard says, his voice cutting as his eyes land on the chair to his right. To his frank surprise, Tony is dressed properly, in a blue waistcoat with golden embroidery and blue breeches. His posture is slightly slouched, but, as he schools his features in a serious expression and looks back at Howard with curiosity, he almost looks just as a young man on his position should. Almost. “Should I put on a jester’s hat for my next joke? Would that make it more amusing to you?”

Tony’s mouth quirks as if it had a life of its own - a notion Howard certainly wouldn’t dispute - but he ducks his head, eyes staring down at his lap.

“Forgive me,” he says, voice meek. “My… my immaturity gets the best of me at times, father.”

“Indeed it does,” Howard agrees. He’s astonished by the lack of an irreverent reply; Tony has never lost one opportunity to be snippy with him.

Perhaps he’s feeling ill, Howard thinks. The thought is not strong enough to be a concern, but it still makes him strangely uncomfortable. He grasps the goblet’s stem before raising it to his lips for another sip.

To hell with the whispers, he thinks. He can do as he wants.

When he lowers his glass, he realizes all the eyes are on him, waiting for permission to continue the conversation. He barely fights back the urge to sigh.

“Are we done?” He directs the question to Obadiah, turning away from Tony entirely.

“I’m afraid not yet, my lord,” Obadiah’s voice sounds compassionate, but there’s a glimmer in his eyes that leave no doubt this is the moment he’s been waiting for all night. “The rebels sent a raven to the city walls last night. Captain Rogers has requested an audience with you.”

The last words seem to suck all air out of the room. Howard straightens his posture, forgetting for a moment his discomfort with the throne’s cushion. “They have gotten all the weapons we sent them, have they not?”

“Yes, my Lord. The Captain said it was… a different matter.”

“And he specifically asked to speak to me,” Howard says, not a question.

Obadiah nods.

Howard clenches his jaw. “We cannot afford to spare any more soldiers.”

This isn’t entirely true – Howard could, he imagines, send a few more man to meet the Captain’s forces. But that would weaken their own defenses more than he’s comfortable with. He’s already playing a large risk, allying himself to the Captain’s cause.

Some would say it was a safe bet. Through the entire kingdom, there are villagers convinced of a certain victory, already singing songs of the one who came to free them from Zola’s tyranny. But for the longest time, Howard had dismissed this possibility: rebellions come and go, and it’s foolish for a nobleman to be concerned with the legends of the common folk. Even as tales of the Captain’s prowess in battle started reaching royal feasts, for the longest time the rebels were still perceived as a momentary threat; a thorn on the king’s side and nothing more. When word got around that the king had sent Pierce’s command to handle them, most of the lords - Howard included - had assumed that would be the end of the rebellion.

Everything changed when Pierce’s men were defeated. Suddenly, the tables had turned, and any lord worth his land was scraping for leverage to negotiate with the rebels.

Of course, the Starks were a crucial piece of support for the Captain to get, if he intended to govern the North. The whole continent knew of the quality of Stark iron and the weapons they could craft. It was, then, only a matter of time until they received a messenger to negotiate an alliance. The Captain had not been present, yet according to the messenger - a stunning and terrifying red-haired woman - he had wanted to be there, except it wasn’t safe for him to veer inside the city to reach the palace.

The negotiations went smoothly, and in no time, the Starks were officially allied with the rebels, just – as the rumors said - in time for the Captain to start planning his final assault against the king’s castle.

Howard didn’t mind being late to the party. He’d leave the alliance for after the king was overthrown if he could, but Gods know that would lower his negotiation power considerably. He was left with no choice.

He is not very happy about that. Mind you, he has no love for the king – the crazy, old bastard could jump off a cliff for all Howard cares – but Zola ruled the lands for decades. With him, it was easy to know where you stood. With the Captain…

Well. That remains to be seen.

“Did he, uh,” a voice cuts through the silence, and it sounds so hesitant that it’s with quite a shock Howard realizes it’s Tony’s. “Did he say when?”

“No, my lord,” Obadiah says. Howard barely resists the urge to roll his eyes. He spoils Tony too much, not nearly as much as Maria had, true, but... “Though I assume he must be waiting for a swift reply. We don’t know how long he can stay in the outskirts—"

“I will see him tomorrow,” Howard declares, half-distracted by the wine goblet and the way its gold reflects the lights of the chandelier. “Send word for him to meet me after dinner.”

“Of course,” Obadiah replies, with a slight bow. Tony, sitting on his chair, shifts a little.

“This should be interesting,” Howard states. The wine is a bit on the sweet side for him, he decides. His eyes dart to the door, already wondering—the last bottle the Romanoffs sent, had he finished it? And if not, where had it gone? Perhaps on the last cabinet of the kitchen, the one Happy kept locked at his request…

“Meeting the Captain can’t hurt,” Obadiah agrees, running his hand over his beard. “Perhaps we can gather information on his next assault.”

“He won’t say anything,” Tony counters. “Besides, it’s not as if you will be meeting for the first time.”

Howard frowns at that, though his eyes remain at the door.

“Tony, Tony, Tony,” Obadiah says, as if he’s talking to a child. “It’s dangerous for the Captain to veer into the city. We have negotiated through a messenger. He has never been here before.”

Howard glances at Tony’s reaction. Part of him feels curious, the other part is already at the kitchen, thinking about the Romanoff’s bottle.

“I know this,” Tony says, huffing a breath. “I’m talking about…” He trails off when he catches sight of Howard looking at him. “You know what I’m talking about. You know him.”

Howard raises an eyebrow in response.

“Do I?”

“Yes,” Tony replies, and Howard feels a tinge of annoyance at the indignation that fills his expression, as if Howard has insulted him deeply. “He used to live here, years ago, as a child. Don’t you remember?” He frowns as if the possibility honestly confuses him. “He tended the stables. How could you not remember?”

A moment of stunned silence follows his question.

“Oh, yes.” Howard grins and snaps his fingers. “Of course. How could I not remember a kid who once worked on the stables ages ago? I obviously have nothing better to think about.”

The scribe lets out a muffled laugh. Howard, with a rush of self-satisfaction, waits to see Tony’s cheeks flush with shame, but instead he only seems more indignant, hands closing into fists on his lap.

“Are you jesting?” He snaps. His eyes are wide, seeming bigger than ever. He got that from Maria – big, unbearably inquiring eyes. “He set your horse for you every morning for years. And you’re saying you couldn’t even be bothered to learn his name?”

Hot anger boils in Howard’s stomach. “You might enjoy mixing up with all sorts of people, Tony,” he spits, his voice dripping with disdain, leaving no doubt as to what class of mixing he’s referring to. “But I’m a busy man, and I can’t bring myself to learn the names of every poor bastard who makes sure the horses don’t eat themselves to death.”

The flush finally appears in Tony’s cheeks, but it’s not of shame, but anger.“He’s not—” His mouth shuts with an audible click and he stands abruptly. “I should go.” He turns on his heels as quickly as possible, walking in large strides towards the door.

read the rest on ao3!

[the--sad--hatter]

Name Calling (34)

FANDOM - MARVEL MCU

PAIRING - BUCKY X READER (female reader, no physical descriptions)

WARNINGS - ALL OF THEM, SMUT, VIOLENCE ANGST

DESCRIPTION -  In which the ongoing and bloody war of words between you and Bucky turns in your favor when a disgruntled one night stand of his lets slip a secret when you run into her in the elevator… Now you have all the ammunition you need to destroy your enemy but you don’t plan on killing him quickly. Oh no, Bucky Barnes was going to suffer and you were going to enjoy every second. You just didn’t count on how much you would enjoy it.

Current Word Count -  95,032

MASTERLIST

Moodboard by @talesofakindredspirit

Chapter Thirty Four - Starkcation

On the bright side you were the golden girl of the international media and had been given a medal of some kind by the Spanish Government for dismantling Los Charlínes, one of the major Galician Mafia Clans.

On the less bright side, you had three bullet wounds a broken wrist, a hairline fracture in your skull and the worst hangover known to mankind. The UN were furious with you for your unsanctioned self-appointed mission despite it’s success and you were currently sat on a Private Plane across from your extremely displeased father.

You tried to sit up and grab the glass of water but every time you moved half an inch you just ended up groaning in pain and/or throwing up.

“Help?” You muttered pathetically at Tony.

You hadn’t really needed his help or to have him fly all the way to Spain in a panic but Wade had convinced you it was a great idea. Your drunken self had agreed and paused in the middle of a shoot-out with forty odd mafia goons to phone Tony and tell him you were in trouble. By the time he arrived you were holed up in the American Consulate building being congratulated for your work by the Spanish Prime Minister and trying not to throw up into a waste-paper basket.

“I told you I needed space. You really think acting out like this is going to make things better?” Tony snapped at you as he pushed the water within reach.

You guzzled it down and collapsed back in your seat with a whimper.

“I * hiccup* missed you.” You muttered.

“You went on a killing spree with a mercenary whilst you were drunk, without any kind of back-up,  without informing anyone where you were and you did it in a foreign country.” He ranted.

“Well when you say it like that it just sounds impressive.” You retorted.

“It’s… a little impressive.” He begrudgingly admitted.

“But it was dangerous, foolhardy and ill thought out and now I sound like Capsicle so thank you for that!” He continued.

“I just wanted to have fun, I needed to have fun and feel good feelings but I realised no matter how hard I try it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t love me anymore.” You said weepily.

There was a slight possibility you were still drunk.

“I can’t love you if you’re dead! If this had gone badly you’d be floating in the ocean right now as shark bait!” Tony yelled and you winced at the volume.

“But I won. Well we did, Wade helped. He got all the money and I got all the credit. There’s a country with a lot less crime going on, there’s less drugs being intentionally shipped, we get to spend quality time together and I have a pet donkey! There’s no downside.” You insisted.

There was in fact a donkey in the cargo bay of the ship, gifted to you by a very grateful family who’s son had been taken by the mafia a few years prior. His name was Mr Donkeypool and Tony had to pull some strings so you could take him back to the US where he was going to live on the Barton farm since Laura had happily agreed to take him in.

“No downside? You’ve got so many bullet holes in you you’re practically swiss!” He pointed out.

“I’ll heal.” You pouted.

“You’re too much like me, I can’t argue with you.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Does that mean you forgive me?” You asked hopefully.

“For risking The Accords and international politics? Yes. For falling in love with the 100 year old brainwashed assassin who orphaned me? I’m trying, I really am.” He admitted.

“I know you need time, I do. But do you have to ignore me? I won’t rub me and Bucky in your face, I promise but please don’t push me away.” You begged.

Tony looked guilty and reached over to slowly adjust your seat so you were lying down.

“Get some sleep Kit Kat, you need it. We’ll talk more once we’ve landed.” He instructed you.

You were drunk and hungover at the same time, in massive amounts of pain and emotionally and physically exhausted. You didn’t have to be told twice. Your breathing evened out quickly and Tony watched your face smooth over as you fell asleep.

Maybe pushing you away wasn’t the best idea. He couldn’t face you and Barnes but maybe he didn’t have to just yet. Secretary Ross needed time to cool off and you needed some R&R away from the buzzing public while you healed. He pulled out his phone and started making arrangements.

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

Tony gently shook you awake as the plane a few hours later.  

“We’re landing Kit Kat.” He warned you.

The sun was streaming through the windows and you blinked blearily, shifting to check your pain levels. You were stiff as hell and your mouth felt like dry moulded over cardboard but you had healed a little bit. You’d gone from death’s door the death’s driveway so it was an improvement at least.

The plane tilted as it began it descent and the pilot spoke over the intercom.

“Good morning Mr Stark, Miss Stark. We’ve begun our descent and will arrive at Van Nuys Airport shortly.” He said.

“Where?” You asked groggily.

“We’re in Malibu, you haven’t been to the New House I had built here yet and you need a few days for your injuries to heal.” Tony explained.

“So we aren’t in New York?” You asked, puzzled.

“No we’re in Malibu.” He repeated, shaking his head at you and handing you an espresso.

“Why?” You asked.

“For Gods sake… We’re here to have a vacation.” He said, rolling his eyes.

“Oh. OH! Really? We? As in you’re staying?” You asked excitedly.

“Well I’m not leaving you alone in my beach-front mansion, you’ll probably invite every morally dubious individual in the city over and throw a rager.” He snarked.

You ignored the sass and grinned happily at him.

“I would never do that, not without inviting you anyway.” You offered.

“No parties, can’t believe I’m saying that. Pepper landed a couple of hours ago and will meet us at the house. This will be a peaceful family bonding holiday. With lots of booze. For me, you’re being dried out.” He informed you.

You couldn’t care less, you were going to get to spend a few days with Tony and Pepper. Pain aside, this was the best news ever.

When the plane landed Tony had to help you hobble off it and down the stairs and as he guided you across the tarmac you decided there was something magical about the sky in Malibu, it was so blue. You barely had a chance to see it as Tony ushered you both into the waiting car but he did put the top down for you as he drove you both to his house.

Mr Donkeypool was in good hands he assured you, he was being transported to the house and he was going to be a beach Donkey for a few days. Tony promised he’d be happy in Malibu and he’d hired someone to look after him until it was time to send him to the farm.

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

After you washed the jet lag off in the gigantic en suite shower you wandered back into your bedroom. Pepper had set out a sundress on the bed for you in your favourite colour and you smiled at the gift. Pepper had a penchant for spoiling you.

You slipped it on, mindful of your plasters and bandages and after gently rotating your wrist you decided you could get away without rewrapping it. It was fairly healed by now.

You happily slid down the bannister and joined Tony and Pepper on the back deck where luch had been set up.

“There you are sweetheart, how was your shower?” Pepper asked you, passing you a glass of orange juice.

“Great! I’ll enjoy it more when I’m not doing weird acrobatics to keep my bandages dry though.” You admitted.

“Maybe try not getting shot next time.” Tony snorted.

“This coming from the man who flew a nuke through an alien wormhole.” Pepper berated him and you smirked.

“Wait how did this become about me?” Tony asked, perplexed.

“Isn’t everything?” You quipped and he toasted you in agreement.

“If you’re feeling up to it we were going to take a walk on the beach after lunch.” Pepper informed you.

“I’m ready, I’ve never been to the beach!” You admitted excitedly.

“You two have fun, I’m going Jet Skiing.” Tony informed you both.

“Tony...” Pepper warned.

“Don’t worry, Kit Kat is going to help me test the new repulsor gauntlet on the beach later.” He assured her.

You choked on the bite of fruit salad you’d just swallowed.

“I am?” You asked.

“Yip. I’ll throw stuff and you can shoot it. It’ll be fun.” He said.

“And perfectly safe dear.” He told Pepper confidently.

Tony and Pepper continued to affectionately bicker throughout lunch, you and Pepper teaming up to make fun of him every few minutes.

“That’s it, I’m leaving while I still have a shred of ego intact.” Tony sulked, kissing you both on the cheek.

“Want to take that walk now?” Pepper asked you and you nodded.

She linked her arm with yours since you were still a little unsteady as you both casually strolled along the sandy beach.

It was beautiful and calming and while you missed Bucky terribly (He was sending you sad face emoji’s every half hour and you were going to kill whoever taught him how to use emoji’s) you found you were strangely happy. You just weren’t you when you didn’t have Tony.

“So you and Barnes?” Pepper asked, diving right in.

“I know, I picked the worst possible person to fall for.” You sighed, ready for her disappointment.

“I’m not sure you did. I remember how much you admired him before you even met him and how he inspired you to ask Tony if you could join the Avengers. I think you and Bucky have a connection, a unique way of understanding each other.” She admitted.

“You’re not mad at me because of the complications?” You asked her.

“What happened to Tony’s parents was in no way Sargent Barnes fault, he’s a good man. I admire him for trying to make amends for the things he was forced to do, it takes real bravery and strength. And maybe, this will help Tony finally see Bucky as someone other than his parents killer.” She said.

You were speechless. Pepper not only supported you, she saw Bucky the same way you did and saw hope for Tony and Bucky’s relationship.

“Thank you.” You told her earnestly, holding her a little closer as you walked.

“If he hurts you though, it won’t be Tony he has to be afraid of.” She warned and you laughed, even though you quite believed her.

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

It was the same scene he had watched on a grainy video in Sibera but this time he was there, frozen and unable to do anything as his parents car was ran off the road. He watched the Soldier stalk over to the car and kill his parents, horrified and heartbroken but he couldn’t stop it.

“Dad… Help me.”

He turned slowly, in fear at the familiar voice. His daughter, his Kit Kat was sprawled across the road, covered in blood. He tried to go to her but he couldn’t move as The Soldier walked over to her.

She coughed weakly, reaching up to stroke The Soldiers face lovingly as he knelt down and placed his metal hand on her neck.

“Barnes, stop.” Tony croaked.

“I love you.” She said, to him or the Soldier he wasn’t sure.

The metal hand crushing her windpipe jerked to the side and her neck snapped with a sickening crunch. Her unseeing eyes looked straight through Tony.

Tony woke up covered in sweat. Pepper was sleeping soundly next to him and he quietly slipped out of the bed without disturbing her and left the room. The door to your room was cracked open and he peered through. The room was empty. His heart skipped a beat before he spotted your silhouette on the balcony and he walked over to join you.

“Can’t sleep?” He asked.

You’d had a long day, playing in the sun with him all afternoon after your walk with Pepper. You’d been exhausted at dinner and assumed you’d sleep through the night.

“Too much on my mind.” You admitted.

“Wanna go down to the lab and help me rewire the circuitry on the Jet Ski I crashed?” He offered.

“Sure.” You shrugged and followed him downstairs.

“Why are you awake?” You asked him.  

“Too much on my mind.” He mimicked you.

“Touche” You muttered as you both entered the lab.

“So what’s eating you Kit Kat?” He snorted at his own dad joke.

“Just nervous about my first session at Xavier’s. It’s straight after we go home.” You admitted.

“Why would you be nervous about having a telepath poking around in your brain?” He asked sarcastically.

Why indeed. What was lurking in your subconscious was weighing heavily on your mind, no pun intended and you wished you could discuss it with somebody.

“Dad I...”

You almost told him. You wanted to. But how could you tell him that the monster within you was one of your own making? That there was a very real part of you that wanted to destroy the world. That deep down in your soul, you were evil.

“I know Kit Kat. I know.” He said.

You frowned and he sighed heavily.

“There’s a video in The Vernichtung Files from the one time Docherty managed to call Vernichtung to the surface. Since I saw it, on some level I’ve known the truth since I found you. It wasn’t until the Professor told me you needed his help to make yourself whole again that I worked it out though.” He admitted.

“You know what Vernichtung is?”

“Yes sweetheart, it’s you.”

“How did you know?”

“Genius remember?” he snorted.

“You aren’t afraid of me, you don’t hate me?” You asked fearfully.

“I’ve never met anyone without a dark side. The difference is you literally locked yours away to keep it contained, that doesn’t make you evil, that makes you stronger than most people.” He assured you.

“But my Dark side wants to kill people!” You insisted.

“And my good side created a killer robot and sold weapons of mass destruction. Nobody is perfect, especially those of us with power. Don’t mistake your capability for destruction with being a bad person. The fact is you’re the same as everyone else except for the fact you fight harder than most. Being a good person is a choice and you went through hell to stick to that choice.” He rebutted.

Your eyes teared up. Tony knew the worst parts of you and loved you anyway, more than that he saw the good in it that you couldn’t. You tried to stifle a sob by burying your face into his shoulder and you felt him put his arm around you.

“No matter what happens kid, I’m proud of you. Always will be.” He assured you.

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

STARKCATION

The hottest new Hero on the block is taking a much deserved vacation in Malibu after her busy week.

Deathwave hasn’t been on the scene for long but she’s already proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with. After her debut taking down aliens in the Capital it was revealed that the mysterious hero was actually the youngest Stark and a Secret Avenger, one responsible for helping the Secretary Of State save millions of lives and facilitating the arrest Benjamin Newlands.

Her tragic backstory was then revealed and hearts around the world broke as they read about the harrowing upbringing of the mutant know as ‘Vernichtung’. Raised by what can only be described as a mad scientist the young mutant was primed to end the world and live up to her namesake but instead chose to become a symbol of goodness and hope.

Fans around the world have accepted her into their hearts and while there are naysayers and those who believe she poses a threat, the general consensus is that the heroine is the symbol of strength and hope we all need. Proving that people can be what they chose and not what they are told, we our the masters of out own fate.

Seen earlier today walking along the beach with billionaire superhero Tony Stark, it seems the hero on everyone’s minds is enjoying some family time after her recent victory in Spain. We can only assume her father is as proud of her as the general public is since the family are celebrating in the sun.

“She’s almost ready.” He said with a vicious grin after reading the article.

“Doctor?”

“Everything is proceeding as I hoped. Vernichtung will soon learn her final lesson. The more she gives in to hope and happiness, the easier it is for me to break her.”

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

The drunken shenanigans with Deadpool were left out for several reasons...

It just seemed funnier to see the aftermath.

I'm in too deep a sad funk to write a funny drunk chapter. I'm starting to wrap up this fic now, so there are several chapters left but we are in the home stretch now. I was informed that longer fics can put readers off so I'm quitting while I'm ahead, before anyone gets too bored. As long as people are still interested I'll still do sequels and one-shots though, but that is mostly up to you lovely folks!

@nerdandproud-86 @harrison-shot-first @thejourneyneverendsx @thelostallycat @inquisitor-selvala @the-corruptor @iovher @kendrawr-kitkat @phoenix-whiskey-tears @the--real-wombat @buckitybarnes @fairislesheets @angieptt @meganjonezzzz @dugan365 @fluffeh-kitty @memanda17 @krystallynx @theonelittleone @piscesbarnes @free-as-fishes @tarastudiesalot @captainamericasbeard @dropthepizza346 @jaynnanadrews @likes-to-smell-books @drdorkus @life-wanderer @metalarmlover @animegirlgeeky@jsmith509

[lemonjoonah]

Under Fire - Pt 17

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Title: Under Fire Word Count: 6K Rating: M Genre: Gang AU/ Mafia AU, Drama, Slow Burn Romance Warnings: Violence Pairings: Hyung Line x Reader (Primarily Namjoon x Reader), very slight OT7 x Reader.   Pairings (in this chapter):  Namjoon x Reader, Jin x Reader, J-Hope x Reader,  Jimin x Reader 

Summary: As a child you lived among the most wealthy and powerful, after the death of your mother you were shipped off to stay with her sister. Even after finishing your education you continue to live apart from the elite, but a visit home creates an unexpected disaster. You are suddenly roped into a darker world, and who better to be your guide than the infamous gang known as BTS.

Chapter 17 - When a Boy Meets Evil

POV Y/N

You stand outside of the library, hand hovering over the knob willing yourself to go in. Trying to assure yourself that you won’t see your father sitting there, tied to his chair, surrounded by pool of blood. The thoughts may be irrational, but the image still doesn’t leave your mind.

Your other hand holds on to the drafted bill that will be going before the assembly. With the foundation still closed and under investigation, Jin had redirected the legal team to work on this. You’ve been trying to familiarize yourself with the document for the past week. The legal jargon was easily solved by quick internet searches, but the obscure court cases used to build the claim were proving difficult to find online.  Your father’s law books carry transcripts of many of these proceedings but of course he keeps those in the library, bringing you to your current predicament.

You begin to shiver in the hall, you had forgotten how cold this house can be in the winter. The rooms always warm up quickly but the halls remain frigid. You finally convince yourself that you will go in, grab what you need, and then retreat back to the warmth of the server room. There’s no need to linger once you have the materials. With a deep breath, your fingertips brush the handle, the metal begins to turn, but not from your touch.

Jin throws the door open from the other side, not looking where he’s going he runs into you while making a hasty exit.

“(Y/N)?” He steadies you with a grip on your shoulders. You spot a black envelope in his hand, seeing your direction of sight he quickly tucks it away before returning to his hold to you. “Sorry.” He looks at you and back at the library in confusion, your behaviour in avoiding this room still known to him. “Were you looking for me?”

You hold up the bill, “No, I just need to look up a few things.” He looks back to the door with a slight grimace, and then his watch. “I have to run or I’d give you a hand... are you still good for tomorrow morning?”

“Yeah, hopefully I should be ready by then.”

He leans down to give you a swift kiss to the cheek and a few more words before departing. “You’ll be fine, this will speak for itself we just need to get it into their hands.”

You slowly edge into the library. The fireplace is still lit which you find odd, Jin wouldn’t have left it unattended. You look over to the shelves at the opposite end pinpointing the legal section from a distance. Once you reach the correct row that’s when you spot him, sitting on the floor with his head buried in a book, taking notes on a sheet next to him. Your father’s ring glints in the light as his pen scratches the paper.

You’ve only seen Namjoon in passing since the night of the accords, that was two weeks ago. You thought that he might be avoiding you, finding him in here confirms your suspicions.

As you approach he speaks up. “Jin I told you I’m not taking it off the table, we’ll discuss it later with everyone.”

Namjoon peers over his book making a small sound when he realizes it’s you he’s addressed instead. You feel bad for encroaching on his space. You find it difficult to be in his presence, if he is going to this extent to stay away from you, you can only assume he feels the same.

“Sorry, Jin didn’t say that anyone else was in here. I can go if I’ll get in your way.” Why didn’t he warn you Namjoon was in here? You could have prepared yourself better than the stuttering mess that you are now.

“No it’s fine.” His tone is low his eyes turn back to then book. You begin to search the shelves next to him, pausing when he addresses you again, “That night... you didn’t come back down.”

“No. I wasn’t really in the mood after what had happened. I wanted to think a couple things through.”

“In Suga’s room?”

You know that Namjoon had come looking for you. Suga accidentally woke you that evening when returning to bed. He had sent Namjoon away with the understanding that you didn’t want to see him. You didn’t expect Namjoon to bring it up though, as if he’s jealous of Suga.

You turn back to look at him, “Yes in Suga’s room. I was upset Namjoon, forgive me for not wanting to be completely alone in that moment.”

Namjoon clenches the book in his hand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I upset you I didn’t intend for that to happen. It’s better this way, I’ll hurt less now than if we carried on and I disappoint you in the future.”

You find that hard to imagine, the thought of being in more pain. “My intention was to let you know what I needed that night. I didn’t want to push you away, I wanted you to try. Loneliness hurts more... remember?”  

“Do you truly want that? Do you want me to lie and say that I can be better when history tells me I can’t? No, I’d rather have you hate me now than loathe me forever. I don’t want you to be alone either, but please just be careful. Be careful with Suga, he might not be as unattached from the situation as you think.”

“Even he is, he’s not one to let his feelings cloud his judgement. He’s not afraid to let me take part.” Suga has spent most of his time with you over the past couple of weeks. He would distract you with new skills to learn taking you to the shooting range and getting you to perform the calculations required to take an accurate shot. He may be keeping you close but he has barely touched you since that night. His number one priority it seems, is making sure you can defend yourself.

“Not in ways that you’ve seen. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“The only person doing that right now is you. Suga is trying to help me so please just let him.”

You take a step away from Namjoon, as you put an end to the conversation. You go back to searching the shelves pulling several books off and adding to your reference pile. Every now and then from the corner of your eye you can see Namjoon look over to you, eyes reaching over the pages of his book.

Eventually he gets up and approaches you this time. “If you’re looking for the case files you’ll need this too.” He hands you the tome that he was reading but the slip of paper he was taking notes on is nowhere in sight. “Good luck tomorrow. I’ll be meeting with the others but... I hope you know, that you can always call if you need me. That will never change.”

A short thank you is all you can manage to convey. You watch as he slowly saunters away leaving alone in the library, you last five more minutes before deciding to withdraw from the room too. Without Namjoon to distract you the memories of this place come to the forefront of your mind once again. Taking your stack you exit after dousing the flames.

Hauling the pile back to the warm server room as you had planned, you take a seat on the couch while JK works to gain entrance to the assembly building’s cameras.

Many of the cases focused on the management of drugs distributed by the pharmaceutical branch of Kim’s Company. They had sold medications and conducted trials without proper communication of accurate side effects. They weren’t just covering the drug that could be made into BlackDust, but everything from painkillers to cancer treatments.

The bill is trying to prove the need for government oversight and restrictions on their products including the need to brand the new medication as a narcotic. As the Kim company can not be trusted to place those labels themselves.

Namjoon had been looking through a select volume featuring corporate court cases from 10 to 15 years ago. The most prominent listing was a chemotherapy trial. There were more than 50 defendants lumped together with the same case, all of them suing on the bases of wrongful death on the behalf of a family member.

“JK, is there any reason why Namjoon would be looking into a case from 12 years ago?”

JK continued to look at his screen, you can hear the hesitation in his voice, “No idea maybe he’s looking into new leads.”

“New leads for what?”

“You should ask him.”

“Is it something you don’t know, or that you can’t talk about?”

“For him, it’s something personal.”

...

Jin and Jimin wait for you in the entrance hall the next morning. Jin had reached out to his contacts organizing meetings with the members of the national assembly. While Jimin will be escorting you for security purposes.

The first visit is a bust, with the member of the legislature getting a call for a family emergency.

Your next appointment cancels due to illness. The third cuts your meeting short for an important last minute appointment.

After several more instances like this you know you’re all thinking the same thing, but no one will come out and say it to the officials. With each excuse Jimin’s eyes roll back, while Jin clicks his tongue and tilts his head, the sarcasm in his dismay always very prevalent.

“That’s such a shame.” Jin lightly taunts the assembly member as you leave another office, before leading you to the next. You’re early of course having expected the lasts appointment to have gone on longer. Jin excuses himself to make a phone call while you and Jimin sit on the bench out front. Out of habit you slowly leaf through the document to occupy yourself, trying to quell your anxiety over the prospect that this one will follow the same pattern as all the others.

Jimin angles his shoulder behind yours and shuffles closer. You can slowly feel his hand move across your lower back. He doesn’t make eye contact with you, and to an observer it look like he is keeping watch over a door down the hall. You smile at his attempt to maintain his professional cover, while making sure that your okay.

A secretary comes out of the office you are waiting to enter, but as she runs off to the restroom she leaves the door slightly ajar. You listen closely as two voices carry from the room.

“Shall we go grab some lunch?”

“I can’t I only have a few minutes left before I have to meet with that Park woman.”

‘That Park woman’... you don’t like how that sounds, and neither does Jimin, you watch as he goes rigid in his seat next to you.

“Ah you too? I had a meeting with her today, luckily my secretary was able to cut it short.” You remember the voice as the first member you had met today, the one with the family emergency.

“What did she want?”

“She had a bill to present, one that would raise regulations on pharmaceutical companies. Touching anything of hers thought would be political suicide. The woman has more scandals than a celebrity.”

“I’ve heard. She comes out of nowhere as the sole heir after the death of her father and you’re telling me she had nothing to do with it?”

“Don’t forget the relationship gossip, at first it looked like she was with Kim’s adoptive son but now she’s here with the one that was disinherited? Something just seems off about her.”

You thought that they cancelled out of fear of backlash from your attackers, but instead they banter their news of you as if it’s grade school gossip, this is unexpected. They don’t seem to care about the violence against you, just your reputation and they truly think the worst of it. You try your best to remain calm, confronting them or calling them out will just make the situation worse as it’s you that they dislike.

“I’ll have to figure out a way to cancel on her.”

Jimin gets up from his seat. You grip his arm attempting to hold on knowing, that he intends to interrupt their conversation. But he succeeds in breaking away,  and inserts himself through the crack in the door. “No need, Miss Park would like to thank you for following her personal life so closely, but I’m afraid she won’t have time to discuss those matters with you.”

Jimin returns back to you, not even slowing his brisk step for a second as he pulls you from the bench. He doesn’t say another word, just leads you outside. Sending a message on his phone before helping you into the back seat of the car and following you in. With the tinted windows the facade can be dropped, your shoulders slump and you let out a shaky breath.  

“You shouldn’t have done that Jimin, I might have been able to change her mind.”

“No, you think I’m going to let you put up with that?”

“This was supposed to be my task. It was the one thing requested of me, and without this step the whole plan will fail. I don’t want to be the reason we fall short of our goal.”  The things that the assembly member accused you of are not your fault but at the same time you feel responsible for her opinion of you.

Jimin turns your face to him. “This is not on you. Those things they said, you know they’re not true. There was a miscalculation, someone's been perpetuating the lies. You didn’t let those at the accords walk all over you. Treat these fools with the same force, they’re not so different really. They’ll bend with the right strength.”  

Jimin unlocks the doors seeing Jin make his way across the lot.

“I got your message to come out here but why? (Y/N) has a meeting with Rep. Wan in a few minutes.”

“Wan wished to cancel.” Jimin doesn’t explain anything further than that but as Jin glances over to you. You know that he can tell something else must have happened, but thankfully he lets it go. “Good that saves us the bother. I just spoke to RM if they won’t give you the time of day we’ll have to find another way.” He reaches his hand out to Jimin. “Give me the keys I’ll drive.”

...

When you arrive back at the manor you spot Monsta X’s van out front, giving you the slight hope that you can sit in on the rest of their meeting. But once you get inside you see J-Hope storming of out of the sitting room quickly followed by Namjoon. The door is left open allowing you to see several stunned faces inside.

“Hope don’t run off, we need to discuss this as a possibility.”

“What’s the point? You’ve clearly made up your mind, otherwise you wouldn’t have brought it up. I won’t do it RM, I won’t be responsible for giving him anything.”

J-Hope escapes down the corridor leading to the gym, while Namjoon is left speechless. Wonho slowly exits the sitting room to edge his way towards you. “What happened?” you mutter to him and soon as he’s within earshot.

“I don’t know RM had just gotten off the phone with Jin, so we were discussing alternate contact points. Looking for those who could be bought that hadn’t already sided with Kim. RM brought up a man by the name of Cha and J-Hope just lost it. Is he always this on edge?”

Jin cuts in, “No he’s usually the one that stops the fights. If you were discussing Cha though...” Jin pushes your lower back forward, “You should go talk to him, it’s not good for him to be alone when he’s like this.”

“But I don’t even know what’s going on.”

“That might be for the best, he won’t get mad if you bring it up.”  

“Coward,” You scoff at him.

“Damn right,” Jin laughs back at you.

You quickly change before entering the matted room finding J-Hope laying into a punching bag with his forceful blows.

“You shouldn’t take our anger out on something that can’t hit back.” You muse, he persists despite your entrance.

“Fine, go find for me RM then.”

“As much as I’d like to see that, I could use the practice.”

“I’m not in the mood to train you right now.”

“Then don’t, fight me instead. Either we fight or we talk it’s your choice.”

“Fire your not far enough in...”

“No, don’t tell me I’m not good enough to even be your punching bag Hope. I’ve had a hell of a day and I need to hit something too.”

“I’m not going to hold back.”

“Good.”

He takes up position opposite you, waiting for you to make the first move. You approach looking for any sign of weakness in his form that you might use to your advantage. He’s left side appears to be open, his back foot half a step too far forward.

As you reach to hit your intended mark he shifts back swiftly, his right arm makes contact, pushing you back mid lunge and sending you to the ground.

You jump up and ready yourself again. He sends you to the floor ten more times. His hits aren’t hard but manipulating you in a way that throws you down letting the floor do most of the work in exhausting you. It seems to be working, he’s barely out of breath and you’re already feeling the bruises.

You’ve been trying to avoid his attacks but that only seems to throw off your balance making it easier for him to knock you over.

This time instead of taking the opening you move to his dominant side. His eyes widen for a fraction of a second as you absorb the hit rather than flinch away. You get the chance land your own punch on his flexed core, but he barely even budges. A quick kick to your legs your down again.

“Better. You need to stop being so impulsive. If your enemy is more skilled they can feint a weakness to draw you in. If it’s too obvious it might be intentional.

You grin back at him, “What happened to not being in the mood for training?”

“You looked too pathetic on the ground.” He scolds, “How could I not take pity on you?”

You glare back at him. “Again,” You order jumping back up.

This time he makes the first move. The onslaught of his attacks is rapid, you can barely keep up. Now that you’ve caught on to his trick he’s changed his style again. You begin to reach the point of exhaustion, but you continue to persist seeing that he too is fading.  Every time you get up after taking a hit you see a pained look on his face.

“Fuck, will you just stay down?” He pleads.

“I’ll make you a deal. When you’re ready to tell me what happened I’ll stay down.”

With a flinal sweep of his leg and a shove to your shoulders you land pinned beneath him. His breathing is heavy with sweat dripping down his face.

“I really don’t want to fight you anymore.”

“Then tell me who Cha is.”

He slides down a little before collapsing onto you completely his head now resting on your stomach. “No and good luck getting up this time.”

You laugh at his attempt subdue you. His playfulness doesn’t last long, as he soon goes quiet again. His arms encase your waist pulling you closer, “Please,” he whispers. “Just another minute. Can you let me have this?”

After the night of his nightmare you’ve come to the understanding of how much J-Hope needs the comfort of physical contact to help relax when it comes to his fear. The process of soothing his anger appears to be no different. Giving him that moment of silence, allowing him to rest before you try again. You run your hands through his hair playing with the strands between your fingers. The minutes pass, the lull stretches and he continues to clutch you. You find the embrace comforting, but you worry when you see no change in him.

“I don’t like seeing you like this. If there’s something wrong with RM’s plan I won’t be able to help fix it unless you tell me.” You confide to him softly.

J-Hope lets out a groan of defeat, “You’re too stubborn you know that?” He gives you sigh before caving fully to you request, “Cha is the reason I had to join BTS. I met him when I still went by Jung Hoseok.”

“Wait I know that name. My father, he went to a big sponsored fight featuring you... but I thought you were a street fighter.”

J-Hope nods against you, “I was. Cha was my sponsor, he took me on and brought me up to the competitive level. On one of the biggest fight nights the odds were heavily in my favour, 4 to 1 in fact. You don’t generally see a match that skewed. That night was when Cha asked me to take a fall. He couldn’t bet against me, but his friends could and he had a nice cut negotiated. So he told me to go down in the second round.”

“I had made it all the way there and he expected me to intentionally lose.” You notice his tone shift, becoming more dark as he relives his thoughts in that moment. “He didn’t care that it might ruin my standing. I wanted no part of it. I knocked my opponent out in the first round, and then I ran. My career was over either way, but I wanted to end it on my terms. Not because of his money, not because of his power, it was my talent that brought me to that stage.”

“They came looking for me. I had lost his partners a lot of money and they expected retribution. I had to keep moving, every night I had to sleep in another bed. One evening I was staying at an old friends house who had gone away on vacation.”

J-Hope looks up to you with his chin hovering as he makes eye contact again. “That was when your father found me. I remember seeing him standing alone in front of the door, determined and without fear. He explained that the rest of his men were taking care of some unwanted visitors that had caught up with me. He had seen my fight and one of his members had informed him that I had shown up on several hit lists.”

“He offered me protection, a home, and revenge. I declined at first, I told him that I had no  interest in dealing with his kind any more. That I didn’t think that wealth should come with power over others. To my surprise he agreed, but he also explained that sometimes you need someone on the inside to help break the cycle.”

“I take it you haven’t had your chance at revenge yet?”

J-Hope shakes his head “Shortly after I joined Cha ran for a seat in the assembly and he fucking won. Now RM wants to pay him to take on this bill. I won’t do it. I’m sorry Fire but I’ll leave before that happens.”

You nod in agreement trying to figure a way out of the dilemma. J-Hope lowers his head once again, never letting up from his hold on you but his breathing has slowed and he feels significantly calmer.   

“What if we don’t pay him, what if we threaten to pay his opposition?”

“The election isn’t until next year, we want to get this bill passed sooner.”

“But he doesn’t know that.”

...

Namjoon isn’t too thrilled with the plan. You join the meeting after you and J-Hope discuss the details.

“I’ve been watching his pattern for a while,” J-Hope explains. “Once a month he goes to the casino alone sitting at a table that’s always reserved just for him, his usual date is three days from now. This will be our best chance.”

“VIXX just sent word of a shipment to for GOT7 that’s moving the same night. We and several others plan to interfere with the delivery, we won’t be able to support you.”

“All I need is Hope, and a minute of JK’s time. Do you think you can at least spare that?”

Hyungwon makes his opinion known, “Isn’t he the one who left you alone at the foundation?”

“Yes, and I kick myself for that everyday since now we have to put up with you lot.” J-Hope bites back.

“Enough,” you call them to silence. “We all know that’s not going to happen again. RM can you give me that?”

“It’s not that I can’t spare them, it’s that I think you’ll need more.”

“We don’t have anymore time, thanks to Henry they’ve known for a while that we’re buying his stock. They’re probably trying to secure their investors so they don’t sell. The longer we wait the more difficult it will become. I just need to meet with him, preferably in a public setting, where I can show that I will out bid him if necessary.”

“Jooheon and I.M can do a quick sweep of the area beforehand,” Shownu offers. “We won’t need them until later.”

Namjoon slowly yields, looking you in the eye as he gives the final orders. “Use one of the executive suites as a base and pay enough that they allow anonymity. You will not engage until we’re sure that the whole hotel is clear. Thirty minutes, that’s all, and then I want you out regardless if you have him on the hook or not. ”   

...

Not wanting to draw attention to yourselves you and J-Hope decided you would both change at the hotel. Jin had booked an upper floor suite. With its own hidden entrance outback and private elevator, it will also grant you access to the high-roller tables.

You step into the bathroom to change, but the outfit you had thrown in your bag had been replaced, pinned to the new dress is a note.

...You can thank me later. -V...

You hold up the short black dress. The long sleeves with a boat neckline are nice, but the hugging material and length were not what you had in mind. After putting it on you groan in despair, you wanted to appear intimidating not uncomfortable.

“Everything okay?”

You open the door slowly trying to pull the hem of your dress lower, handing the note to J-Hope.

“This is not what I packed...”

He laughs, “I’m sorry I saw him hanging around your stuff earlier. I didn’t think he’d do this though.”

He turns you to the mirror and stands behind you in a sleek navy suit, his hands on your shoulders. “You look great, I know you had something else in mind but this dress will allow you to blend in easier.”

“Nothing I can do about it now I guess.”

Hope checks his phone, “Cha’s just arrived, still need the all clear though.”

He slumps down in a seat next to the mirror. “Never thought that I would willingly meet this man again.”

“Don’t think of it like that, we are not meeting him as an equal, this isn’t a friendly chat. We are going to use him for what he is, a pawn. That’s all he will ever amount to, he won’t be an ally he’ll be a tool.”

J-Hope nods, taking your hand he places a kiss on the tips of your fingers and another on the exact spot where your father’s ring should sit. At first you wonder if it’s a coincidence, but before his lips part you skin he looks to you with resolve.

He’s phone vibrates again giving you the cue to leave. “Thank you,” He smirks up at you, “I suppose we should get this over with then.”

Taking your personal elevator down to the casino floor you head straight to the exclusive room off to the side.

Much to your dismay, V had been right to make the switch. Every guest is looking for a break from reality, they’re here to relax and let their hair down. The other dress would have appeared too stuffy to deem natural in this setting.

Cha is found over at his table in the corner. J-Hope hangs back as you approach.

“May I?” You gesture to the chair next to him.

“Miss Park... please do, I must say that I’m a little surprised to see you here.”    

You find yourself on guard by the fact that Cha had recognized you instantly. You take your seat as the dealer plays you in.

“Since you already know who I am and I you. I’ll cut straight to the chase shall I?”

“I would prefer if you did, I don’t enjoy being distracted while I have money on the line.”

“No I’m sure you don’t, not while the odds are even.” You smile at the 21 you attained from your dealt hand.

“Excuse me?”

“My friend over there.” You nod to J-Hope waiting in the wings. “He tells me that you have a weakness for gambling. So much so, that sometimes you need to spin the outcome in your favour.”

The dealer looks at you for a split second hesitating before letting the next card loose. Almost as if in fear. No, you ponder, surely Cha wouldn’t be so stupid as to cheat here.

“If you’re here for an act of reprisal. I have to warn you I brought a few friends of my own.” He points to a couple bulky guards next to the closest exit.”

You can see J-Hope smirk after sizing them up, obviously finding them lacking.

“I’m not here for revenge, nor your poor skills in fixing. I want the influence of your seat.”

“Ah, this is about the bill you brought in the other day. What makes you think I’ll go against Kim?”

Finally, you rejoice, someone who has priorities that you could expect and work around. Cha manges to secure blackjack for a second time in a row, confirming your earlier suspicions. The first hand must have been to lure you in, whereas the rest will all likely fall flat in comparison to Cha’s cards. You give the dealer a kind smile. “I can see why Mr. Cha likes to come here you’re good. Tell me what’s your cut?” You pause to watch him freeze.

The dealer turns to Cha in a panic. “I’m sorry Sir, but I believe that there’s something that I must attend to. I’ll send another to take my place.”

Cha waves him off with an air of frustration.

“Money must be tight for you to risk it here of all places.”

“What can I say? Not all of us will inherit our massive amounts of wealth.”

And just like that you know you have him, he’s desperate. His foolish attempt to win has made this match so much easier for you. “Elections are difficult to rig Mr. Cha, and it’s just over a year until the next cycle. But the more campaign funds one has, the greater their chance of being elected, wouldn’t you say?”

“Are you implying that you wish to make a contribution to my campaign?”

“No, I’m say that I’ll fund your opponent. The biggest difference between you and me is that you need schemes and titles to keep your financials afloat. If you lose that’s it, but if I lose there’s nothing to stop me from cashing in another player. I will play this game for as long as I have to, until I get what I need, or you lose.”

Cha suddenly bursts out in laughter. “I like you Park, very straightforward.” He leans in closer to your seat. Hope seeing this moves in as well. “There’s a reason I haven’t been bought by Kim yet. He likes to keep his alleys in his collection. Now I don’t like to be owned, but he’s been pressing my hand recently to make a choice. I can’t sit on the fence much longer. I’ll take your bill, between you and him, you seem like a more candid choice.”

“You’ll get the 10 signatures required?”

“Consider it done, but I won't guarantee it will get passed.” He pulls out a black envelope similar to the one you had seen Jin with a few days ago. “I’m assuming you received one of these?”

Not wishing to appear in the dark you feed back a limited amount of information. “One of my associates did, yes.”

He hands the envelop over to you. “You should take mine as well, I think you’ll find the difference between our invitations very informative as to what you’re up against.”   

...

POV J-Hope

I try to keep my expression neutral while we retreat, I manage to hold it until the elevator door closes, but once they shut I can barely contain my laughter and smile. I hold your face between my hands as you mirror my grin. “Thank you. I don’t think I’ll ever see anything as enjoyable as what I just witnessed.” It wasn’t just seeing Cha losing at his own game, but seeing you take charge of the situation.    

“I’m sure JK could make a tape for you.” You quip back, still boasting your wide smile.

I slowly move in closer, leaning in to you until your back touches the elevator wall.  “It wouldn’t be as good as watching the real thing.” It wouldn’t catch my favourite parts, your subtle movements, the glint in your eyes, the small twitch at the corner of your mouth, the way your fingers rub your pendant. The last habit being a small nervous tick of yours that I don’t think that you are even aware of. It’s something that I’ve come to notice but keep to myself, using it as my way to read you. Even now as I look at you your index and thumb press on the delicate metal.  Does it make you nervous when I hold you like this? Is your heart beating as quickly as mine?

I never thought anyone could make me as happy as you have done tonight. You’re making it too easy to fall, I know I’m not the only one who adores you, but at this point I don’t care. I just need you to understand what you mean to me. The elevator door opens but I remain still.

“Hope?”

Your lips barely finish speaking my name before I take them as mine. Despite my sudden approach they feel so soft. You slowly relax closing your eyes and indulging me as I tilt your head up further. Your hand drops from your pendant, coming to rest against the lapels of my jacket. I too close my eyes and find the effect overwhelming. The warmth of you in my hands and on my lips is intoxicating, as if a flame is licking at my skin.  I part my mouth, my desire requesting to dive in further, you allow my tongue to glide inside.

You are that sip of whiskey, the honeyed liquid that burns so well at the back of my throat. You’re taste is far too sweet, pulling me down to take more and more. Leaving me drunk, with my eyelids heavy and unwilling to open. You turn away for a quick breath but I only give you a fraction of a second to rest. I know if we linger both of us will begin to focus the pain that brought us here. I have no wish to come to my senses, all I want is to think about you and how your body feels against mine.

I need to distract you from those you who might shift your thoughts away. I’ve seen Jin treat you as a child, Namjoon push you aside, and Suga fail to admit his feelings for you. I know I can do better by you, your hold on me is already so tight that I could never run away. Even if this is just a moment of weakness for you, even if it’s only for now, kiss me, it’s okay if it hurts.

I pull you from the elevator tying you with my grip, making it as far as the couch before the phone in my jacket begins to ring. I ignore it and continue to attend to you.

“Hope?’

“Mmm,” I respond with a hum to your ear.

“You should answer it.”

“It’s just V don’t worry about it.” The weight of my body presses you into the cushions.

“J-Hope.” You push back against me with the palm of your hands.

“Fine.”

I answer my cell reluctantly, but before I can even say hello V throws a question a me.

“Which elevator leads to your room, and what’s the code?”

“Wait, why?”

In the background I can hear Jin speaking frantically. “JK keep pressure on it. Jimin come on, stay with me.”

“We don't have time, just tell me Hope!”

...

A/N: Once again I would like to thank Blood Sweat and Tears for the inspiration in J-Hopes POV. I swear that that song just keeps giving and giving. Hope you enjoyed it and sorry for the cliffhanger.

[writer-chan97]

Escape

A short story for my Final Space Rogue Soldier AU. This part shows how Gary breaks out Mooncake and flee from the Infinity Guard. Enjoy!

***

Gary calmly walked past two Infinity Guard soldiers, neither of them suspecting a thing with his helmet on. He walked down the long hallway and turned two corners. Once the coast seemed clear, he aimed his blaster at the door lock and shot it. The panel exploded and the door opened by malfunction default.

At the center of the lab was his little green ball friend, miserably trapped inside a small force field cage.

“Mooncake,” Gary said. If he had known what sort of cruel plans they had for such an innocent creature, he would have never said anything about Mooncake. Gary regretted letting Mooncake go. As he approached his friend, the small alien became hostile on site and whimpered. “It’s okay, little buddy,” Gary reassured, taking off his helmet. “Look, it’s me.”

“Chewp chewp?” Mooncake immediately recognized him.

Gary pulled the switch, lowering the shields. “I’m so sorry, Mooncake. Could you ever forgive me?” The first thing Mooncake did with his newfound freedom was hug Gary warmly in the face. Gary graciously accepted it. “Okay, bud. Let’s go.”

“Not so fast.” Gary turned around to see General Stone blocking their only exit, pointing the gun at Gary.

“Stone… you no good sphincter sack!” Gary yelled, outraged at the man he once trusted.

“Now that’s no way to address your superior,” he retorted. “Put E-351 back in his cell like a good soldier and maybe we can sort things.”

“I am done taking orders from you or anyone else.” Gary raised his gun at the general. Frightened, Mooncake stayed close to Gary’s side. They glowered silently into each other’s glares until Stone broke the silence.

“It’s a real shame, Gary, how you’re going to give up your life-long dream for that thing.”

“Hey, Mooncake has feelings! You don’t get to talk to him like that while I have a gun pointing at your face.”

“Right back at you,” Stone replied, reminding Gary that he also has a gun aimed at his face.

“What does the Lord Commander want with Mooncake anyways?”

“You have no idea, do you? That small alien whom you perceive as helpless is a planet-destroying super weapon. It has wiped worlds out of our star maps.”

Gary chuckled, thinking that Stone must have truly lost his marbles? There was no way a plushy, huggable green ball could be dangerous. He waited for Stone to say psych, but when he turned to look at Mooncake, he saw his friend looking down in remorse. “Little buddy?” Mooncake frowned, quaking even more.

“With a weapon like that, the Lord Commander can rule the Galaxy.” Stone took a couple of steps forward. “I’m going to give you one last chance, Goodspeed. Hand over E-351 now and we can forget this whole thing happened. You can either live as a proclaimed hero, or die in disgrace. Your choice.”

Gary looked back at Mooncake. All of this started when Gary met Mooncake. Mooncake was nothing but good to him. He just knew that Mooncake would never hurt anybody. People who would want to use his powers for evil are the real monsters. Gary’s only mistake was delivering his friend to the clutches of evil. With the world against him, all he knew was that Mooncake was his only friend right now.

Gary glared back at General Stone. “His name... is Mooncake.” Gary shot Stone in the forearm, disabling him of his weapon. Stone cried out in agony as he dropped to his knees, cradling his bleeding arm inside his chest. Gary walked over and picked up his gun. “The Infinity Guard is the last message of hope in the universe? What a load of crap. If this is the government that’s supposed to hold order and protect the universe, then I’d rather be an outlaw than serve sphincter sacs like you.”

“You will pay for this!” Stone groaned. Gary shot him in the leg, causing Stone to let out another blood-curdling scream of pain.

“Chookity...” Mooncake looked at Gary with concern. Gary proceeded to the door with a straight-laced expression.

“Let’s go, Mooncake.”

As soon as the two entered an elevator, the alarm in the entire headquarters set off.

“Attention all Infinity Guard personal. Rogue soldier Gary Goodspeed is at large. Code indigo. Repeat. Code indigo.”

“Really? What correlation does indigo have to do with that specific situation? I would’ve gone with red!” Gary complained. 

The elevator stopped and opened the door to three Infinity Guards approaching. As soon as Gary was spotted, he repeatedly smashed the button fast as they ran toward him. Of course, the doors closed as soon as they entered. Gary fought them off, punching the first one square in the head. The guard behind him tried to hit Gary with the bunt of his gun. Gary grabbed the weapon and jabbed it in the abdomen, then upper swung it under the soldier’s jaw.

The third guard managed to graze Gary on the arm with his blaster. With adrenaline kicking in, Gary immediately pinned his attacker against the wall and grabbed his gun. They both fought for control of the weapon, but Gary was winning the battle, slowly aiming the barrel at the guard’s face. Before Gary could pull the trigger, he looked at his enemy so that the last thing he would see was Gary’s face. Instead, Gary caught a glimpse of fear and desperation in the man’s eyes. No signs of ill-intent. Just a lost soul ignorantly following orders. Not all Infinity Guards are traitors, like himself, but who else can he trust?

The guard was beginning to gain the upper hand, shifting the gun to point at Gary. Focusing back on the struggle, Gary head-butted the man hard. The guard fell unconscious as Gary pressed his hand on his forehead, feeling that hard onset of pain and dizziness. He leaned against the glass wall of the elevator for support. He looked down at his hand to see splotches of blood.

“Chookity pa,” Mooncake said, growing more concerned for his friend.

“I’m all right, buddy,” Gary reassured, closing his eyes.

Mooncake noticed that one of the guards laying on the floor reached for his gun and aimed at Gary. Immediately, Mooncake swooped down and bit the man on the arm. “Ack!” The man raised his hand, trying to shake off Mooncake and impulsively shot through the ceiling in the process. One of the shots hit the cable line, snapping the wire and dropping the elevator down the shaft.

Gary felt his stomach jump as his feet were lifted off the ground. The elevator was only thirty flights away until would they splat. Gary shot at the glass window, shattering an escape hole. “Mooncake!” Gary scooped Mooncake in his arms and leaped out of the elevator.

The elevator box smashed upon impact into a bellow of glass and smoke while Gary had a softer landing thanks to his levitating friend. However, they weren’t quite out of the woods yet.

Upon their arrival in the HQ’s transport center, Gary and Mooncake were greeted by an entourage of Infinity Guard troops. They lined up, the front row aiming their weapons at Gary.

“Gary Goodspeed, by order of the law, you are under arrest,” said one of the guards. “If you do not surrender now, we will shoot.”

Still holding Mooncake in his arms, Gary hugged his friend closer. “Don’t worry, buddy,” he whispered. “I’m not letting you go. Not this time.” He then felt this weird, warm vibration against his chest as Mooncake wiggles out of Gary’s arms. “Mooncake?” Confused, Gary watched as Mooncake’s body charge while his eyes glow a bright green. The guards took aim, but before they could do anything, Mooncake shot a large energy beam out of his mouth, drawing an explosive line between them and the enemy. 

“Oh, my gosh…” Gary said, astonished. He couldn’t believe his eyes.The guards panicked and ran away in fear. Mooncake charged again and shot the ceiling above them, causing chunks of debris to tumble down.

“You really are a super planet-destroying weapon.” Mooncake turned to Gary, expecting him to be frightened too, but instead had his cheeks smooshed together as Gary cheered. “That’s so freakin’ tight!

While the sector was falling apart, Gary and Mooncake took advantage of the mayhem to look for a ship for their getaway.

“We’re almost home free, Mooncake!”

Gary scanned around the area. So far the only ships that he could find were ones needing legal access and others that were crushed under the rubble.

“Hey, Gary!”

Gary screamed when the annoying robot KVN came out of nowhere, now suddenly at his face. “What the heck, KVN?!” Out of all the familiar faces he could’ve ran into, his was the least.

“Where you heading off to? You look like you’re in a rush.”

“You don’t say? Well, if you haven’t even noticed, I’m a wanted criminal now! Get out of my way while I look for a ship!” Gary started running again with Mooncake falling behind. 

“Welp, if you need anything, the Galaxy 01 is always open. I’ll be hanging around with H.U.E.”

Gary stopped at his track, Mooncake slamming against his back. “Wait, the Galaxy 01? She’s still here?”

“Yeah, I’ve been saving your parking spot this whole time.”

Gary shook KVN back and forth. “Take me to the ship!”

KVN’s eyes swirled around, feeling a bit dizzy. He soon shook it off as he leads the way. “Everybody follow KVN!”

KVN sang as they approached the Galaxy 01 at the hangar. “Yes! KVN, you’ve actually made yourself useful!”

“Last one in is a rotten egg!” KVN teased as he flew inside through the hatch. Just as Gary began stepping on the boardwalk, he heard a gun cock behind him.

“Freeze!”

He raised both hands up and slowly turned around. It was Quinn, the last person he wanted to confront. She looked pissed.

“Quinn... listen. I am not the enemy.”

“You escaped from your cell, stole a classified life form, assaulted your commanding general, and destroyed Infinity Guard property.”

“Yeeaahhh… I can see that this all seems bad.

“I’d say that’s more than enough to sign your death warrant.”

Gary sighed, trying to weigh out his options. He could shoot her, but he had to make sure first. “Do you know about the Lord Commander?”

“Our sworn enemy and tyrant of the universe? What does he have to do with this? Are you a spy?”

Quinn didn’t seem like she was in on the coot. Otherwise, she would have no reason to hide it at this point. “What a relief. At least there’s one good person I can count on.”

“What are you saying?”

“Listen, Quinn. You can’t trust anyone here.”

Quinn’s eyebrows furrowed as she got closer. “I don’t trust you.” Gary looked down, disappointed. Of course she wouldn’t listen to him. She was too stubborn, hot, and loyal to the Infinity Guard. What did he expect?

“Heyyyy, Gary!” KVN popped out of nowhere, startling Gary in a jump. “So when do we-”

“Shwah!” Without hesitation, Gary kicked KVN at Quinn, knocking her down. Quinn faltered, dropping her gun.

Gary acted immediately, picking up the gun and aiming it at her. Quinn looked up and gasped. Gary saw those same eyes as the man in the elevator. To her, he’s the bad guy. But if he lets her go, she might follow. The choice was obvious. He’ll take the risk. Gary pulled back the gun and turned running toward the ship while Quinn sat there dumbfounded. Why didn’t he take the shot, she wondered.

“Gary, wait for me!” KVN hollered as he followed him inside before the hatch closed.

“H.U.E.! Get us out of here ASAPPP!” Garry commanded as he raced to the bridge.

“Gary, I am not authorized to take orders from you,” H.U.E. responded.

Gary stopped into the bridge from the elevator where Mooncake was already waiting for him. Gary hopped into the captain seat and took the control handles. “Fine, then I’ll do it myself.” He switched from autopilot to manual. “Hang on, Mooncake. We’re going for a ride.”

He pulled back the controls to lift the ship. He carefully guided the ship through the terminal, scratching a few cruisers and hawks. Just as he saw daylight at the end of the tunnel, it became narrower as the doors began to slowly close.

“Hang on!” Gary speed up, sweat trickling down his forehead. The opening became tighter, but Gary didn’t hold back. In the last second, The Galaxy 01 flew through the doors with its wings scratching sparks on the sides.

“Hell, yes! Hah!” Gary cheered.

“Yay! Road trip!” KVN cheered, hugging Gary’s head from behind. “Where to next, Gary?”

As soon as they have left the earth’s atmosphere, Gary pushed the controls forward, activating Lightfold. He watched as the light pattern of the stars stretch past them as they move full speed to who knows where. “Anywhere but here.”

[vixxiedust]

The Scholar’s Love Ch. 2

Genre: Romance, Drama, Alternate universe

Pairing: KenxOC

Warning: none

Summary:    

“You seem pretty passionate about politics, my lady,” Prince Jaehwan broke the silence.

“It has always been my dream to be an official, Your Highness,” I nodded.

“You can call me by my name when it`s only the two of us,” he smirked when I gave him a blank confused look, “After all didn`t have an unspoken agreement to get married?”

part one

Two. 

Which of the princes was he exactly? It couldn`t be Jongsu because he was only fourteen which meant that he was either Junho, the Crown Prince, or Jaehwan, the second Prince. I bit the end of my brush and chewed on it.

He promised that he`d come again but he never did. I knew that it was stupid of me to want to see him again yet I found myself waiting for his return. I tried to reason with myself that it was probably because it was my very first encounter with a man, so it felt new and exciting.

“Congratulations,” Adra interrupted my inner dilemma.

“On what?”

She sat on the cushion next to mine.

“On your essay, of course,” she placed her head on my shoulder and let out a deep sigh, “Why are you so talented?”

I chuckled. It was true that our teacher praised me for my last essay and he was not a man who`d speak empty words. But before I received the slightest of compliments, I`d get scolded daily. But recently I had gotten better both when it came to writing and debates. The amount of books piled on my desk along with the hundreds of burned candles were finally bearing fruit.

“You don`t seem to enjoy it here very much,” I said softly stroking her hair as if she was my younger sister, “Why didn`t you apply for a lady-in-waiting?”

“I mustn`t disappoint Father,” Adra whispered.

“Yes, we mustn`t disappoint Father,” I repeated automatically.

“Lady Nala,” I heard a boy calling me and when I raised my head I saw my teacher`s servant, “My master wants to see you.”

I nodded quickly but my heart sunk. I exchanged a quick glance with Adra and followed the boy.

What would teacher want with me? Did I not perform satisfactory? I strived with everything I could to be one of the best students in our group and it wasn`t easy. We were daughters and sons of scholars after all. All of us had had access to the best tutors. We came prepared to the Palace.

My teacher`s study was almost dark despite today being a lovely sunny day. He usually kept the curtains drawn. The aroma of calming incense hit my nose upon entering.

He was standing by his desk idly practicing calligraphy. He often said to us that nothing much was left for him to do since he was in the fall of his life. But we saw him working tirelessly despite the casual façade he`d put on.

I bowed.

“Master”

“You still have a lot to learn,” my heart sunk by the way he acknowledged my presence and I mentally prepared myself to be scolded, ”You are showing some advancement, of course, but far from perfect.”

“Yes, Master,” I replied as humbly as I could and stared at the tips of my shoes.

“Your father is a great scholar, so I believe you are not completely hopeless. In fact you`re less hopeless than many of my pupils,” he continues while his brush painted with beautiful steady strokes.

I inhaled the incense hoping to help me soothe my nerves.

“It`s my fortune to be your student, Master.”

He groaned and a drop of ink fell on top of his creation.

“You talk too much. I lost my concentration because of you.”

I bowed deeply sensing my impending doom. Teacher sighed and sat on his chair.

“Anyway, Minister Ha is sick. The weather has been so horrid lately and he has cold. He won`t be able to come to the Palace for the time being and the Imperial Doctor advised him that he should stay in bed.”

I blinked a couple of times. What had Minister Ha`s illness had to do with me? He was a powerful politician and I was a mere student of his friend.

“He needs someone to do the writing for him. Someone who can come to his manor daily,” teacher looked at me and I finally understood.

“Thank you, Master,” I bowed a couple of times, ready to shed a few tears of joy.

Writing instead of someone else was a simple task anyone could do. Any of his students could do it but teacher wanted me to meet influential people in court. He was taking care of my future.

“Don`t thank me,” he interrupted my erratic and excited mumbling, “Your writing is like a child`s and I hope your don`t embarrass me in front of him.”

“I will never to something like this on purpose,” I quickly tried to reassure him, “I will  do my best to uphold the prestige of our institu..”

“Alright, alright!” he waved dismissively but I knew that he wasn`t really annoyed with me, “Go away already and prepare yourself.”

It was stupid but I felt some tears of gratitude threatening to burst from my eyes. I brushed them quickly.

“Thank you, Master, I will not disappoint you.”

And before he could nag me again, I turned on my heel and ran outside.

---  

“That would be all,” Minister Ha said and managed to stand help from a maid.

I curtsied and started picking up my brushes.

“I should be heading to bed now,” he added quietly, his voice quite raspy from all the talking.

“Take care of your health,” I bowed again.

He didn`t go much further since a servant announced someone`s arrival. I heard Minister Ha coughing and instructing him to welcome the guest.

I quickly wrapped my used brushes in a thick cloth and put them in their box. I was so excited when this morning I was presented with a badge which allowed me to exit the Palace. For the first time in months I felt important and it lasted until I stood before the minister. He was an imposing man of forty and even sick and pale he still acted with so much authority that I didn`t dare to say anything except answer his occasional questions.

I tucked the box in my bag and took the time to straighten the crinkles of my dress because I didn`t want to embarrass myself in front of Minister Ha`s guest. I wasn`t allowed to wear my uniform outside the Palace so instead I opted for one of my own dresses. It was a simple light green one that I hoped made me look trustworthy and serious.

I was about to made my exit when I heard the visitor`s voice and it made me stop abruptly behind the bead curtain which divided the study and inner hall. It sounded familiar and I couldn`t remember where I had heard it exactly but it made my heart beat a lot faster than usual.

I peeked carefully and saw him. The Prince.

He was sitting there, smiling at the Minister and discussing the current problem that plagued the government – the flood in the Eastern region.  

I quickly took a step back and hid behind a decorative screen. I never expected to see him again. Too much time had passed since that afternoon in the library and it was evident that he had just flirted with me out of boredom and then quickly forgot about it. I, on the other hand, notoriously famous for not caring about love and romance, couldn`t do it. I felt my cheeks burning with shame.

I contemplated on the thought of remaining hidden there until he left but the Minister knew that I was still in his study. It would be awfully impolite not to leave.

Just take your own advice and be brave, you wretched girl. All you have to do is be polite and exit gracefully.

I took a deep breath and entered the inner hall with a steady moderately fast pace.

“Minister Ha, I bid you farewell,” I bowed, keeping my head down.

“Since you are training to be an official,” his voice rang in my ears painfully before I could even attempt to exit, “Please give us your opinion of the flood situation. Let us see if it coincides with Prince Jaehwan`s.”

I raised my head just a tiny bit and risked a quick glance towards the young man. Prince Jaehwan. This means he was the second in line.

I fell on my knees and made an unnecessarily formal bow.

“Forgive me for not greeting you before, Your Highness,” I croaked because my mouth suddenly went dry.

“Please, stand,” he said and I rose shakily.

The Prince looked amused and pleasantly surprised. His full soft lips were curved in a subtle smile. At least he remembered me. It didn`t, however, erase the fact that he just used me to waste some of his free time.

“The flood,” Minister Ha reminded and I stopped staring like an idiot, “In your opinion how is Crown Prince handling the situation?”

That was a tricky question. Crown Prince was entrusted with this task from the King. I couldn`t afford to criticize him severely especially in front of his brother. Be brave. You`ve done this many times before in the classroom with the other students. It`s no different now.

“His Highness has acted in timely fashion,” I said carefully, ”But building the dams takes time and resources the Eastern region doesn`t really have. I would suggest relocating man power from the Southern province.”

“King Samsa is waiting to attack us and weakening the South is not a good idea,” Prince Jaehwan objected, “They can only provide food for the hungry families. But keeping enough men at our borders is crucial for long-lasting peace.”

“The faster the Eastern region recovers, the quicker it will start producing weapons for our army. I believe that His Majesty hasn`t forgotten that our iron mines are there.”

“I haven`t, of course, but I`d rather transfer men from elsewhere or slow down the building process than leave our borders unprotected.”

“Potential war conflict is not worth an internal one and the citizen are suffering,” I was speaking louder and more confidently now.

“So you`re saying that my brother isn`t doing his job properly and the common people are paying the price?” Prince Jaehwan raised an eyebrow, a devilish smile plastered on his lips.

For a moment I had forgotten who I was speaking to. I bowed hastily.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, I am young and ignorant still,” I spewed the words trying to sound as humble as possible, “I am in no place to criticize your brother. May the gods punish me for this.”

He tried to suppress his laughter and I felt like an idiot. Minister Ha also seemed to take our discussion as entertainment.

“On account of your youth and ignorance, I forgive you,” Prince Jaehwan said barely trying to conceal his smile.

I hated him vehemently in this very moment. He was sitting casually, in his luxurious robes, being handsome and of royal blood and I was standing before him and patiently enduring everything while he was making a fool out of me in front of Minister Ha.

“Please allow me to take my leave,” I cleared my throat, “I have work waiting for me in the library.”

“Go. You did well today,” Minister Ha dismissed me with a gesture.

Relieved I curtsied first to the Prince and then to him and quickly made my exit.

The cool spring wind hit my face and I instantly felt relieved. As bad as it was, it was over now and could go back to the Palace and enjoy some quiet time with my books. I wasn`t a person of importance now but later when I became a real official I could face the royals without any fear and they`d take my words seriously.

I reached the front gate of the manor and as I was about to step out, I heard someone calling me. It was Prince Jaehwan. I sighed mentally stopped so that he can come to me.

“Your Highness?”

“Miss Nala,” he gave me the most charming innocent smile, ”Allow me to escort you to the Palace.”

I took a sharp breath. On one hand I was flattered since I never told him my personal name which meant that he had been asking around but on the other, I didn`t want him to take advantage of me anymore.

“I am not worthy,” I said bowing.

He lightly touched the sides of my arms helping me up.

“Miss Nala, you bow and apologize too much. Or at least ever since you found out who I really am,”  he stated.

“I am your subject. I ought to pay my respects.”

The corner of his lips curved in a smile but he didn`t seem happy. He nodded.

“It`s dangerous for a noble lady to walk alone. I`ll escort you.”

I couldn`t say no to him anyway but part of me was happy that we were about to spend some time together.

The main street was bustling with life and everyone was trying to make the most of the nice weather: street vendors, mothers with children, beggars, young men gambling… The occasional smell of food reached my nose whenever we passed by a food stall.

I hadn`t had much chance to stroll outside ever since grew old enough  to be considered a woman, and now was my time to enjoy this tiny bit of freedom. It felt strange to have a man by side though. No one knew that weren`t married, of course, or siblings, but the thought of us walking together openly made my face hot.

“You seem pretty passionate about politics, my lady,” Prince Jaehwan broke the silence.

“It has always been my dream to be an official, Your Highness,” I nodded.

“You can call me by my name when it`s only the two of us,” he smirked when I gave him a blank confused look, “After all didn`t have an unspoken agreement to get married?”

“Your Highness, I don`t think that promises are your strong point,” I objected, “You also promised that you`d come and see me again. I do not recall you visiting me.”

“Ah, so you`ve been waiting for me, Miss Nala?”

I said nothing. His hand brushed against mine as we were walking and I felt something. A spark, a spark which triggered an entire storm in my body. I was pretty sure that he felt it too. This gentle accidental touch changed rapidly the atmosphere between us.

“You don`t want to answer, I see,” Prince Jaehwan whispered smugly.

His finger touched my hand again but this time it wasn`t an accident.  He gently traced a couple of circles over my knuckles. I sneaked a glance and he was so focused on it that he nearly bumped into someone.

“I imagine you`re too busy, Your Highness,” I withdrew my hand and he returned his gaze to me.

“It`s true, I`m busy,” the prince admitted. “I have to assist my brother and my father because Jongsu is still young. That`s why certain promises slip from my mind from time to time.”

I nodded silently. Honestly, I didn`t expect him to start caring genuinely about me. We both had our own destinies anyway. And to add to that my father was only a third rank official, not even remotely enough for me to deserve a prince.

“That, however will change today!” he suddenly proclaimed and grabbed my hand, “From now on I will visit my lady pretty regularly.”

“Your Highness!” I pulled my hand in horror.

“Ugh, no… not Your Highness! Jaehwan, simply Jaehwan,” he whined.

“People are watching, Your Highness!” I cut him off, “You can`t touch me in public.”

“In private then?” he grinned.

“Anywhere.”

He stopped and gave me a thoughtful look.

“Yes, I know. Propriety is important, of course, but I have decided to be very serious about you.”

He sounded genuine but I knew he couldn`t be. Such marriage would never be allowed and I`d never risk losing my position as an official to become someone`s wife.

“Please, don`t joke around,” I managed calm myself down at last, “I`m honored to have attracted   your attention and it`s enough for me.”

“You sound so formal again and I just want us to be friends,” he moaned, “In fact I think it`s necessary to give you a token of my affection.”

The prince gently caught me by the sleeve and led me to a stall with lots of different trinkets.

“Choose whatever you like,” he smiled at me.

I scanned the jewelry and shook my head.

“It`s not necessary.”

But he was already browsing around the different bracelets.

“Is this jasper?” he asked the vendor holding a reddish brown one.

“Yes. You have such a good eye, mister,” the man said in a well-rehearsed voice, “It will suit your wife so much.”

“Right?” Prince Jaehwan exclaimed happily, “My wife will look splendid in it!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Your wife doesn`t need a bracelet because she doesn`t wear jewelry. And she is going home.”

I left him at the stall and started walking.

“Hey, hey! Wait for me! You can`t leave without me,” I heard him shouting.

I saw him hastily shoving some coins in the vendor’s hand.

“Catch me then,” I yelled and ran towards the Palace.

---

It was raining quietly outside and I was so close to dosing off but there were books waiting to be catalogued. Adra and I also had to transcribe a couple of books that our teacher needed so both of us were lacking sleep.

I stretched in my chair. The library was almost empty today except for a few scholars who had a quiet discussion in the corner.

I yawned discreetly and headed towards the door. If I was lucky enough I could catch a passing maid to ask for some tea. It took me some time and wandering around but eventually I saw a young woman dressed in brown. She quickly curtsied upon my request and ran down the corridor towards the kitchens.

I rubbed my temples and returned went back to the library. I had to finish things as fast as possible here because I needed sleep. I couldn`t present myself in this state in front of Minister Ha tomorrow.

I sat on my chair with a deep sigh. There was something left on the sheet that I was currently transcribing. A jasper bracelet. I touched it and strangely enough it didn`t feel cold. Someone had been holding it until a moment ago. Probably the Prince or at least I was hoping that it was him.

I looked around and he wasn`t in sight but his gift still brought a smile on my face. This time he didn`t about forget me and it was all that mattered.

[globalworship]

Prayers during an Epidemic

1. A Prayer for the Global Health Crisis MARCH 4, 2020, by my friend Dr. Carlos  Colón https://carloscoloncomposer.com/2020/03/04/a-prayer-for-the-global-health-crisis/

God is our refuge and strength; A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Our God who is with us, Emmanuel, we come to you asking you for your assistance, and to lend your ear in this time of distress.

Hear, our prayer O Lord.

As you lifted once a paralyzed man from his bed, we ask you to come and visit us, and raise our bodies and spirits.

Hear, our prayer O Lord.

Grant to us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that our bodies and souls may be protected from infirmity.

Lord, Have mercy.

And we pray for those who are now suffering from this disease: we beseech you, O Lord, to visit them, encourage them, and heal them according to your great lovingkindness.

Lord, Have mercy.

As you once listened to the cry of the Canaanite woman, we beseech you to hear our voice, for every country hit hard by this disease, and specially: China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and many other places in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Lord, Have mercy.

And we pray Lord for the families, friends, and medical personnel who care for the sick, and for those who are being monitored.

Be their Rock of Ages.

Please bless all scientists, researchers, public health officials and governments who seek and prescribe treatments, and for those who are working toward a vaccine.

Be their wisdom!

And for all of us, Lord, guide us so that this may be a time of reflection and good will to work to eradicate the diseases that threaten our bodies, and the hate that threatens our souls.

Lord, Have mercy.

O God our help in ages past, the God who heals and comforts; our Maker, and the Maker of wonders; the one who alone is worthy to be praised: incline your ear to us, and grant, in your mercy, the prayers of your people.

Amen.

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2.  Love Thy Sick Neighbor: A Liturgy in Times of the Coronavirus by Kayla Craig,  March 4, 2020 https://www.redletterchristians.org/love-thy-sick-neighbor-a-liturgy-in-times-of-the-coronavirus/

[See link above for an introduction]

Forgive us

As we have feared others,

And in doing so

Have contaminated our hearts.

Forgive us

As we have hoarded our resources,

And in doing so

Have abandoned our witness.

Forgive us

As we have desired control,

And in doing so

Have not loved our neighbor.

Comfort the afflicted among us.

In their loneliness, provide care.

In their sickness, provide health.

In their weariness, provide rest.

We grieve the contagious fear that we consume and spread.

Soothe our anxious minds as we read viral headlines.

And protect those who have been victims of racism and fear-mongering

Because of our dread of the unknown.

Protect us from the evil one

Who aims to use each update, not to inform or guide,

But to stoke the flames of chaos and confusion.

We thank you for health care workers

Who care for the sick and tend to bodies and souls

With great compassion and commitment.

Give them stamina.

Give them wisdom.

Give them grace.

We pray for those who lack access to health care,

Or safe places to rest their heads.

We pray for the vulnerable:

The sick,

The disabled,

The elderly,

The uninsured.

For the Kingdom is theirs.

We pray for the mother working paycheck to paycheck,

Who worries about her children and the job she can’t afford

To take time off from.

For she reflects Your image.

We pray for the chronically ill fighting invisible battles,

Hour by hour, day by day.

Nourish their bodies;

Protect their souls.

For they are never out of your sight.

We lament our roles in an empire

That values profit over human life

And takes advantage of our anxious spirits.

We acknowledge that we are not immune to the human condition,

And we repent from ways we have benefited

From dehumanizing systems and structures.

We ask for your Holy guidance

As we journey into the unknown.

Ignite in us a spirit of generosity;

Of hope and mercy;

Of grace and truth;

Of gentleness and self-control.

Cleanse our spirits,

Comfort our minds,

Care for our bodies,

And make us new.

We give thanks that you lavish your grace onto us,

Not pushing us into shame, but providing a steadfast comfort.

When all else falls away, we turn to You and You alone.

We pray this in the name of Jesus

Who healed the sick

And sat with the poor.

Amen.

+++

3. A Coronavirus Prayer Amid an Epidemic by Kerry Weber, March 02, 2020 https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/02/coronavirus-prayer

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

Printable version of the prayer above at https://www.americamagazine.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Coronavirus%20%281%29.pdf

4. Lord, Make Me An Insstrument (adapted for this health crisis) https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/612394111416320000/lord-make-me-an-instrument-adapted-for-global

+++

+++

Remember Who We Are

In uncertain times like these, it’s easy to lose our bearings and focus on stocking the freezer or finding the last remaining N95 masks from a cousin of an uncle of a friend in Turkey who can get you a special  delivery at an unbeatable price. Yet church history reminds us of the countercultural posture of our spiritual ancestors during times of great affliction.

In 252 A.D., a devastating plague hit the ancient North African coastal city of Carthage. Healthy people fled in droves, leaving everything behind. In response, Carthaginian Bishop Cyprian drew all the Christians into the center of the very city where they had been persecuted and told them, “If we’re going to do what Jesus did, so that through His poverty we might become rich, I call you to give personal and financial aid, care and comfort to all according to their need, not their faith.”

This unconventional posture clearly differentiated these early Christians from the society that surrounded them and contributed significantly to the perpetuation of the Christian faith. 

About a century and a half later, the ancient Mediterranean city of Caesarea had already been suffering the effects of famine and war when the plague struck. As citizens began fleeing the city, one group determined to remain: the Christians. As Bishop Eusebius reported, “All day long [the Christians] tended to the dying and to their burial, countless numbers with no one to care for them. Others gathered together from all parts of the city a multitude of those withered from famine and distributed bread to them all.”

Eusebius goes on to state that because of their compassion in the midst of the plague, the Christians’ “deeds were on everyone’s lips, and they glorified the God of the Christians.”

While we face uncertain days ahead, let every Spirit-filled heart remain open and, “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9.

Please join me in praying for the safety and health of our community and that our church can showcase the hope of Christ during this time. 

Following a Faithful God, Pastor John Lindow at Arbor Heights Community Church in West Seattle.  (March 2020)

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See a new hymn text dor this time of healh crisis at https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/612213497111166976/a-new-hymn-prayer-in-response-to-coronavirus-cw

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A woman wearing a mask prays during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 26, 2020, amid the coronavirus outbreak. (CNS photo/Kham, Reuters)

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Thirty-Two: Slumlord ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Divine Light ] [ AO3 Link ]

Not all of their journey is so glamorous. Though a great deal of it is spent on the road, camping off on bedrolls on whatever dry, even ground they can find, the group occasionally makes their way through towns. Inns are a welcome respite, but cost a pretty penny in turn. The better the conditions, the more expensive their stays. And eventually, their coin purses start to feel a bit...light. Work while on the move is difficult to find, let alone that which pays well enough to make it worth their while to stop.

So when the group decides even the cheapest of the inns of their latest towns is too much to pay for, they weigh their options.

“We could just keep going through town and camp off the roadside,” Sasuke offers, looking unbothered. “What’s the difference?”

The light mage, however, protests. A night in a proper bed is a relief for Itachi, and helps make it all the easier for her to keep him healthy as they make their way to the capital.

“Is there a...cheaper part of town…?” Hinata asks.

“None that’s likely both in our price range, and safe,” Sasuke mutters. “Heading into the slums is just asking for trouble. Sure, we could probably handle it given our ven, but I’d rather not take the chance.”

“Well...maybe we could just ride through? Scope things out?”

He sighs. In truth, he knows it won’t be worth it. Sleeping somewhere rat and flea-infested won’t be the restful night of sleep the light mage is thinking of. “...all right, fine. We’ll ride through. But do not get off your horse. Be ready to bolt if anyone gives the word. It’s not safe.”

The rest of the group nods gravely, keeping astride their mounts as they head to the western edge of the city. As they leave the brightly-lit main thoroughfare behind...it becomes clear Sasuke knew exactly what he spoke of.

The streets begin to narrow, cobblestone quickly abandoned for dirt with deep ruts from carts. Buildings almost seem to loom forward over the roadways, dirty and dark with many a broken, boarded window. Sallow-faced people look to them with a mix of fear, suspicion, and yet a glimmer of greed.

Hinata can’t help but keep a bit of ven at her fingertips.

They do eventually come upon an inn, but just one look tells them it’s hardly a place they should consent to. Like the other structures, it clearly lacks in upkeep and repair. A few beggars sit along the front, dressed in rags and rattling their tin cups for alms.

“So, believe me now?” Sasuke mutters, glancing to his companions.

But before they can agree to move on, a man steps out from the inn, tailed by a few others. Looking a bit out of place, he’s dressed in far better shape than his compatriots, giving a grin that flashes a tooth of gold.

“Well well, what ‘ave we ‘ere? A few customers for me ‘umble inn?”

“Just passing through,” Sasuke bites back, clearly not in the mood for whatever this one’s scheming. “Now, if you’ll excuse us -”

“Ah, but what’s the rush? Forgive me, milord...but it’s rather clear the lot a’ you’s been on the road for quite some time! Why not take a night to freshen up ‘fore you’s back on the ol’ path, eh?”

“Forgive me, but it looks like if you want to run an inn of any repute, you’d best invest in it rather than your threads, slumlord.”

Rather than take offense, the man just lifts arms in a gesture of airy disregard. “I’ve many a’ property this side a’ town, milord. S’not an easy thing to keep up so much property! But I always do right by me patrons, yes I do.”

“I had a feeling you were the reason so much of this part of town looks rat-gnawed. You charge these folks into the gutter, and don’t invest a penny back into the places you rent them. It’s a wonder they’ve not all caught the plague living like this,” Sasuke snaps.

...at that, the man’s grin fades. “...s’no concern a’ yours how I run my business,” he growls. “If you’ve no intent on stayin’, get t’hell out.”

“I’d love to, if you’d move from the fore of my horse.”

The slumlord sneers, and for a moment everyone tenses, awaiting the breakout of conflict. But then the group steps aside, letting the traveling party pass. Nonetheless, Sasuke keeps a sharp eye on them, Hinata doing the same.

“...what a horrible man,” she murmurs once out of earshot. “How can bhe treat those people so…?”

“After the fall of the Summit, the governments of the lands fell into disarray. Much of the hard work put into structuring and regulating places like this were left to fall apart...and people like that rose to claim the pieces. It’s why it’s so important the Elemental Summit is put back into place,” the lux mage replies softly. “Without the overarching order, the scattered remnants have struggled to keep things from falling into chaos. The gap between the rich and the poor grows...and you end up with slums like this one.”

“And you’ll just magically save the world from itself, will you?” Sasuke bites back.

“It won’t be easy...but it is necessary.”

“Any change takes time,” Hinata offers, taking the healer’s side. “But that’s why the sooner we start, the sooner we can hopefully start getting things back into a more peaceful, balanced state.”

“Good luck undoing over a century’s worth of corruption.”

“Well...we have to start somewhere.”

With that, the four of them move to the markets, stocking up a bit before heading back out of town through the opposite gate. They get in a few more miles before pulling off into a copse of trees, setting up camp as is reflexive by now. As usual, Sasuke heads the effort with Hinata’s help as the healer tends to his brother.

“...did you mean what you said back there?”

“Hm?” Looking up from the fire he’s tending, Sasuke gives Hinata a glance. “...what did I say?”

“You sounded so...defeatist when we spoke about reassembling the Summit. Are you...really so jaded?”

That earns a scoff and a scowl. “...my entire life has been lived in the chaos after the Rift. My family was forced to flee when I was barely a babe when civil war broke out. We lived in seclusion from then on, separated from our kinsmen and barely allowed to show our faces in any town. Even now, crowds make me nervous. I don’t see how this many years of prejudice against our people can be overcome.”

Hinata considers that quietly for a time. “...I was displaced when a little older. I was maybe...eight? Nine? Our home was raided after my father’s work was discovered. We fled...and my mother died protecting us, holding the men after us at bay. For a while...I too was hopeless. I lived my life in secret, on my father’s estate. But then...I met you. And we started this journey. And while we’ve seen some terrible things, l-like today...we’ve also seen things that give me hope. And...now that I have it, I can’t let go of it. We have to try. Otherwise...n-nothing will ever change. After so long living the same way...I can’t go back to it. So I’ll give this my best effort...or I’ll die trying. Going back to how things were...would be a fate worse than death, to me.”

It’s Sasuke’s turn to go quiet and think. In his life, things just always seem to go wrong. The scattering of his people, the slowly-growing illness in his brother, the desperation in his family. It all feels so unfair...and so hopeless…!

...and yet...he’s here, isn’t he? Putting his faith in this healer, a near-extinct breed, to save his most precious person. If he really was hopeless...would he have come this far?

But healing one person...and healing a world...it’s not the same. This woman may be the very last of her kind. Can they really turn a tide this long-standing, this deep? It just seems...impossible.

“...well...I’ll believe it when I see it,” he concedes, wanting to let the subject rest. The whole evening has him a bit on edge, and he really just wants to sleep it off. “We’ll hardly see it done in one night.”

“No, we won’t.” Pausing, Hinata murmurs, “I’ll take first watch. Get some rest.”

“But -?”

“It’s clear you need it,” she counters gently with a smile. “I’ve some energy in me yet. Sleep.”

Sighing in acceptance, Sasuke settles atop his bedroll. Rest might not come easy, but...well, nothing really does, does it?

                                                          .oOo.

     Back into the fantasy verse we go! This “series” hasn’t really had an order to it like a few others - it’s been a bit more sporadic, so apologies if it’s ever unclear. But then again, I never had much intention of making series within the series when I started, lol      Sasuke is a bit of a sourpuss in this verse, but for good reason. Elves have gotten the short end of the stick for quite some time. But, with any luck (and a lot of hard work), things will change! He just needs to have a little faith!      Aaanywho, that’s all for tonight! Thanks for reading n_n