#im just trying to be formal cause this is meant to be informative

[freakattack]

This is a littlw bit out there so bear with me but. actually im gonna slap this with a

anyways orbulon speaks very very formally in both english and japnese versions of most games but for some reason in warioware twisted he seems to be way more casual. Like for a guy who says "molecular sustenance heat transfer unit" when he means "microwave" i feel like this line of dialogue is jarringly succinct:

And he speaks like that for most of the cutscene like it's not TECHNICALLY unusual for him to use contractions but he definitely has a different tone. Idk waht the oriignal japanese dialogue is like so it may be a wonky translation but if we take this at face value and also get too invested in analyzing warioware dialogue then there are a couple thngs we could gather:

Orbulon has been shown in the past to get snippy when he's tired so that could be part of it

Maybe he drops the pseudointellectual facade when he doesn't havw anyone around to impress (not my favorite interpretation but throwing it out there cause its technically valid)

MY GAME THEORY: i think that orbulons long winded manner of speaking is partially because he has his weird ego thing but also partially because he has been shown to struggle with earth languages so i think that there are many times where he genuinely does just forget the word for microwave. Like his default avenue for conveying a noun is just to describe it with as many hyperspecific adjectives as he can muster. But in this scene he is only conversing with fellow alien freaks (not the same animal as him but similar). So my game hypothesis is what if he is speaking in his native language here and he is just way better at saying what he actually means when hes not trying to filter it through an earth language. I still think he does it a little on purpose sometimes because he sure does base his self worth on how intelligent other people perceive him as but i think he'd probably be a little more casual speaking the language he grew up with. The only thing that kind of throws a wrench in this premise is this line (and i apologize for putting this in fromt of your eyeballs):

Befause i'm pretty sure we're meant to assume he was so zonked out from this alien rabbit massage that he just stopped speaking english. Which obviosuly clashes with the interpretation that he wasnt speaking english to begin with. Idk what to do with this information really i'm just saying shit at this point. Isn't orbulon cool

[fallintower]

Mike Is Not The TV

Spamton seems to say here that the TV gameshow host character he alluded to throughout chapter 2 - which many people, including myself, pretty reasonably assumed to be Mike up until now - was the one responsible for his life going downhill, and thinks that he was the one who deserved to wind up homeless instead of himself. Spamton then says that everyone who didn't buy his products will pay... except for Mike. This implies that the TV and Mike are separate people, whom Spamton has two different opinions of.

This page's URL supports this idea, reading "damn you tenna". I believe this is most likely the actual name of the TV gameshow host character. It could be short for Antenna, which would fit the TV theming. People have assumed that Tenna is actually Mike's last name - which definitely could make sense in this context, if you interpret this as Spamton doing that thing where you invoke someone's last name for dramatic effect/to emphasize a point - however considering the rest of the current evidence, this seems unlikely to me. Spamton seemed to be comfortably on a first-name basis with him previous to this.

This answer from his Twitter Q&A makes a lot of sense when viewed from this angle as well. Spamton gets very angry and defensive, and refuses to give any information about Mike to someone he assumes to be "ONE OF THAT [Cathode]'S CREW" - that is to say, someone working for the TV. This response wouldn't make as much sense if Mike and Tenna were the same person. ...but, if Mike isn't the TV, then who is he? Looking back at previous mentions of Mike within this context, we can infer a few things.

The very first time Spamton ever mentioned Mike, it was amongst his other former friends - Notably, Mike is mentioned separately from both the "Easels" and "CRTs" - who are most likely Swatch and Tenna respectively - and is the only one called directly by name, which is another point that makes me think they were particularly close. Also, it's Tenna who he's calling a liar and a criminal here, so Spamton's strong emotional reaction to remembering his and Mike's relationship is probably not out of anger at him.

When the NEO body is about to explode and Spamton is desperately trying to... do whatever it was he was trying to do, he asks if Mike is "GETTING ALL THIS", which is the kind of thing you ask someone who's recording. Mike might not be the TV itself, but this does imply that Mike is related to recording devices. So, why were Mike and Spamton such close friends, why isn't he around anymore, and why is Tenna a lying criminal? I wanna hear everyone else's ideas, but here's my best guess: Mike was a radio host, probably a microphone. He and Tenna didn't get along. Tenna valued his TV studio's profits the most, but Mike? Mike cared about the freedom. Mike loved radio, because anybody's free to broadcast whatever they want to if they know how! So when Spamton finally made it big and got invited onto Mike's show, they really hit it off, and became fast friends. Maybe Mike kept doing things for Spamton for free, kept having him on? Spamton's appearances made Mike's show become so popular that people stopped watching Tenna's, until eventually, his studio was about to go under. Obviously, Tenna wasn't about to just let the Lightners stop paying attention to him. So Tenna decides to give his shadowmen the order, and... Video killed the radio star.

Spamton's free advertising was gone, his home was gone, the only one who really understood him was gone. So that's why Spamton decided he'd make Tenna pay. Make everyone pay. Everyone... Everyone except... Mike. Because Mike can't pay. Mike already paid.

[oh-for-fic-sake-library]

Gloria Regalia Chapter Two

Masterlist

Summary: After your acceptance your quickly thrust into uncomfortable family gatherings and then cameras arrived. But hopefully things will calm down after your crowned? You just have to get through the coronation, but with jasper kicking and screaming you might end up having a nervous breakdown, but then again maybe a handsome prince will ride in on a white stallion and save you?

Warnings: Swearing, confrontation,  angst?, panic attacks, fluff, a power couple is born, pure self indulgence.

A/N: here is chapter two of my royal au! And napoleon has landed! Im so excited to get this fic going i hope you all enjoy! And once again a big shout out to my lovely beta reader a @eldarwen333 you are a star my love! Thank you so much for reading through and correcting things for me

Wordcount: 13,000+

Returning to the palace was rushed, a blur. You'd only been home long enough to inform Vincent that you were being moved back to the palace and he too was invited. He'd been confused at first trying to make you slow down, worrying something was wrong. Jace decided to give you both a moment and began packing for you, already knowing where everything was because he was your right-hand man.

You'd taken the time to inform your roommate you were taking a senior royal role and had to go home but wanted to take him with you. Needing to have a genuine friend. Luckily, he didn't push too far and nodded agreeing to join you tomorrow, stating he'd never abandon you, especially with the impending shit storm. Not that he knew exactly what was actually happening yet.

And then it was all systems go. When your uncle said he'd make it a speedy transition, he meant it. Within hours, you were taken to your uncle’s private study and signed away your life. A document that swore you in as the new heir, it was mostly legal jargon that made you aware of your duties and the expectations people had of you. You signed and printed your thumb and added the customary wax seal with ten witnesses: your father, some of your uncle’s elected officials, some religious figures and a few of the king’s close staff. There were also a few photos taken for the archives. Thank god you had time to change, a simple blouse with a bow on the neck and pencil skirt. Formal and elegant.

And then you were off to bed. Considering what the documents were all about the whole affair had been dull. But you powered through it mostly without thinking. You didn't have time to think, thinking would make you second-guess yourself and no one needed that.

After a fitful night’s sleep, a good few hours spent in the kitchen, nursing a pot of tea and a variety of comfort cakes stolen from the fridge; and almost causing three maids to have heart attacks, you found yourself thrust into an equally stressful family meeting. You sat in the drawing room, your siblings all around you, each wondering what was going on. They had been called here overnight and were a mixture of annoyed and excited. And it was only going to get worse.

"Oh look? A few television crews are being brought in!" Eleanor exclaimed, peering out of the window. She was excited, along with Jasper.

"Yes, I suppose this has to be big news as we are all here. Perhaps the old codgers have decided enough is enough, it’s time for the country to be led into the 21st century!" Jasper said with a triumphant jeer. He was all smiles, thinking he was about to be handed the country on a platter. You smirked in to your cup.

You may not necessarily want the throne, but taking it from under Jasper's upturned beak? Yes, you'd enjoy that. But you couldn't help but be a little ruffled by his tone. The way he spoke of your uncle, who by now you knew Jasper knew was fatally ill, it was disgraceful. He only cared about money and status.

"Those old codgers are your king and father, Jasper. You of all people should treat them with respect," you snipped, slamming your cup down whilst tipping your head up to face him. He faltered for a second, unsure what had got into you. You seemed much more finicky since yesterday, but his puzzled face quickly changed and he sneered at you. You must be jealous.

"Why are you still here, again? Shouldn't you be running around playing pauper," he prodded, walking past you knocking you with his knee. All the self-control of a fucking toddler, lashing out at those who would dare scold him.

"And shouldn't you be at a training barracks somewhere? Oh yes, that’s right, you quit that, didn't you? Couldn't handle fighting for your own country, could you?" you snapped at him, following him with your gaze as he slumped down into his seat with a grunt.

"I can serve our country other ways!" he snapped at you, clenching his fists. He usually enjoyed bickering, but even he could tell there was something more to this. You knew something he didn't, and he didn't like it. Not that he would let that stop him, he was sure he was about to be handed the crown and nothing was going to ruin it for him. Certainly not the little runaway bitch of a sister.

"With a pretty crown on your head? And you call me a child. Almost forty years old and still living with daddy, waiting for a pretty hat. I pity you," you huffed, smirking as the others chuckled under their breaths. Jasper flushed and stood stomping towards you snarling.

"Why you little bitch-"

You gasped and leant back, seeing him thunder towards you with his hand raising, the confidence of his 'ascension' getting him to make him both stupid and brave.

"Do not raise a hand to her!" Jace bellowed, intercepting the angered princeling and grappling him, seizing his hand and twisting it at an odd angle.

"What? You- release me! I order you to release me this instant! Know your place!" Jasper squealed like a pig, trying to throw his weight around. Literally aiming to tip Jace over.

"I suggest that you learn yours," Jace drawled smirking, enjoying finally having a reason to get his hands on your eldest brother.

"Jace, do let go before he squeals the house down. These walls are over four hundred years old, yet I doubt they could survive his wailing for long," you huffed giggling, well aware of the other’s beady eyes, shocked and spiteful.

"Of course, highness," he uttered, before spinning your brother and shoving him across the room sending the buffoon into a long stumbling fall.

"Why do you have this security anyway, sixth?" your sister questioned, ignoring the way Jasper cursed and staggered, trying to haul himself upright once more, almost knocking over a table in the process.

💎💎💎

Your reply was interrupted by the doors opening, your father entered wheeling in your uncle who looked slightly better today, worry free. You each stood and bowed, your eldest siblings grovelled, pawing at you uncle, showering him with praise, but the king swatted them away before nodding to everyone. Then bowed his head deeply in your direction. The room froze for a moment. The king never bowed his head to anyone. He used the moment of stunned silence to begin addressing the room.

"I see you all made it! I am so pleased, we have very exciting news," he began, suddenly the shocked silence became a buzz of excitement, each of your sibling salivating over the prospect of more money and power.

"As you may have noticed there is a lot of activity around the palace today and with good reason... I have arranged for a televised announcement later this morning." He paused and looked over the five of you with a small smile, then looked down at himself sighing, shrugging before speaking.

"These bones are... Not what they used to be and I now find the mantle of king to be tiring... I am stepping down." There was a beat of silence but the air in the room became elated. It made you feel sick to your stomach as your own family was excited by the decline in your own uncle’s health.

Jasper quickly frowned and faked a sympathetic smile stepping closer and kneeling down before him. Something you personally found demeaning. Jasper was treating the king of your country like a fucking child.

"What? But uncle, surely you have years left, you’re barely out of your prime," he praised, kissing the older man’s ass one final time. But your uncle was having none of it and sneered.

"Come now Jasper, flattery will get you nowhere, my boy. Trust me. Nowhere. But I am old and tired, I want to relax for whatever time I have left." Jasper stuttered and stood back up and tried to brush off the verbal beat down the king delivered swiftly.

"So, father will be king?" your sister spoke, trying to save your brother the embarrassment. She may be just as power hungry as Jasper but she also had his back. They were the dream team, the two oldest who would look after one another, but at the same time stab the other in the back if it’d get them a little more money or fame.

"Not quite Eleanor... I've never been the most level headed even as a prince... I’m refusing the crown... Your uncle and I feel it’s time to let the youngsters have a go. To inform you of the succession-" you could almost hear the teasing roll of his eyes as your uncle grinned, subtly looking at you sending smirks.

"It's me, I’m second and I would be honoured! Thank you, I promise I won’t let you down-" Everyone jumped as Jasper quickly burst, unable to contain himself.

"Silence Jasper, you are being passed over." Your father lost it and laughed. And to his own regret had to face away and miss his son’s undoing so he didn't give away his bias. The stunned silence didn't last long as Jasper began screeching.

"WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! I’M SECOND IN LINE!?"

"You've also proved that you have neither the charisma nor the tact to be king. Your rule would be disastrous for the kingdom. You are petty and have done little with your life but gamble, spend my money and fall on top of various women. You are forty years old and have never even left the palace or pursued a career." Your siblings all chuckled as the king ripped into Jasper, tearing him down piece by piece, and all your oldest sibling could do was gape.

"You can’t cut me out of the line of succession for that?!" Jasper snarled, beating his chest and spat his words livid with the way things were going.

"I can cut you out for much less boy and I have- Eleanor don’t look so smug, because you’re not being given the crown either. Not with all those questionable correspondence with overseas companies..." the king spoke, sending your sister into her own snarling cries of injustice and foul play. Which the king and your father ignored. After a few moments of infantile whingeing, silence broke over the room. A deafening silence that spoke more than any words could. The glares of your father and uncle made your sibling stop and think for a second, re-evaluate their decision.

"Then who is?" Colton asked hopefully, breaking the tension. Clearly, he was chipper as the elder siblings were written off from ever receiving the throne. But his face dropped when your uncle turned to face you with a small grin.

"Firefly, would you like to be queen?" your uncle asked with mirth, chuckling out of the side of his mouth having the time of his life.

"Well, if the position’s open, I wouldn’t mind giving it a go. What’s the salary like?" you giggled and leant forward, playing along letting your uncle have fun.

"It’s adequate, you even get dental and a company chariot," he replied amused, enjoying the banter between you both.

"Why didn't you say so? Sign me up," you said whilst rising, holding your hand out shaking the king’s hand and 'sealing the deal'.

💎💎💎

"WHAT?! YOU- HOW DARE YOU?! YOU ROTTEN LITTLE SNAKE-" A few seconds of jaw-slacked silence followed before Jasper snarled staggering onto his feet and crouched over a table thumping it hard enough to make the ornate brass lamp jump to his rage. The king was none too pleased with his nephews.

"JASPER! Calm yourself! This is exactly why you will never have the throne: tantrums! You always throw these tantrums! You have done little in your life but wait and scheme!"

"I have done lots to benefit this family-" he tried arguing, making the rest of you look at him in disbelief. None ever dared to snap back at the king.

 "You have done nothing but bring shame with your scams! And you will do well to remember whom you are speaking to. I might be abdicating, but for now I am still king." With those steely words, your brother faltered.

"I- forgive me, but this is madness! Madness, she is sixth. Sixth! She is practically a commoner! She’s clumsy and rude, beastly! She has nothing to offer this kingdom!" Jasper added, changing tactics. He knew the king wouldn't fall so easily to peer pressure, even in his weakened state. So instead tried to attack you, rally the troops so to speak. He thought this was a debate. That if he could get the others to agree with him, the decision would be changed.

"I suggest, son, that you show some respect to your sister, otherwise you may leave now and not return. And I do not mean the palace, do you hear me?" At your father’s words, Jasper rose and stormed around the sofa, a humourless laugh escaping. Venom and anger on his tongue, he was the angriest you'd ever seen. Eleanor glanced at him and tipped her head. He calmed, leaning forward grinding his teeth, placing his palms on the table behind the sofa. You frowned; it wasn't like them to see eye to eye. 

"But this? This can’t be legal? She is sixth in line; she isn’t trained or even been a part of this family for years? She won’t know how to govern, or how to deal with the work," Eleanor spoke up, trying to sway everyone with her tactile 'reasoning', fluttering her lashes and trying to look poised.

"I assure you it is legal. As king, if I feel the need to, I can rearrange my succession line as I see fit," your uncle countered firmly, glaring at Eleanor making her pale.

"She hasn’t been sworn in or-or anything!" Jasper’s rage ignited again, he sneered motioning to you. You sighed pivoting slightly facing him as best as you could.

"Actually, I have. I signed the papers yesterday evening. Documents of intent, relinquishing private citizen status, giving up my passport and driving licence. I even drew up my own succession plan. It’s all done," you announced with a smug grin, almost teasing him. Years of torment finally catching up with him. You weren't above a little victory gloat.

Your brothers face darkened, he hissed viciously. It would seem he no longer wanted to pretend. He was defensive and losing everything he pinned his future on. It was pitiful seeing the grown man have such a tantrum. But you had expected nothing less. Before anyone could speak another word, your uncle continued his announcement.

"In one week’s time, Odette will be crowned queen. She will be the absolute authority in the family and in this kingdom..." He paused, eyeing your siblings for a few seconds, locking eyes with each of them, cold blue eyes piercing them with the gaze that had broken down many ambitious men.

Your siblings each had to look away, none having the nerve to out stare the angered eyes that promised retribution. The king’s lip tugged into a lopsided grin. He found it refreshing to finally frighten the spoiled brood of rotten eggs that had rejoiced over his own wife and son’s passing. All too happy to take their place as crowned royalty.

He rose a single frail hand and pointed to them firmly, a threat in his eye as he firmly laid down the law.

"I am warning you all now, if you do not like it, then denounce your royal titles and leave. Now. I’m not playing games with you all: you are a bunch of spoiled children and I'm not having any of you ruining my country and our family's legacy. You have until noon to decide whether you are to remain a working royal during your little sister’s reign, or not. Your choices will be announced alongside the abdications of myself and your father." With that said, the angered man turned to you, who had been quiet during his lecture. You knew when to keep your mouth shut: it’s what kept you out of trouble.

"Odette, dear, do you have your speech made?" You smiled nodding to him quickly, pulling a neatly folded speech, the one you'd spent all night tweaking, before rewriting it as neatly as you could.

"Yes, I do, it took a while," you added, holding the paper, plucking at the corner with your nail trying not to think of the contents or the severity of it.

"Good, I'd like to hear it if you follow me into the study," he replied, indicating for your father to help wheel him out of the room.

"You're a fucking bitch," Jasper snarled the second the door clicked shut. He rounded the sofa and faced you at you stood, squaring up to him with a smirk.

"That’s Queen bitch, Jasper, do try to remember that," you hissed back in a sickeningly sweet tone. Sharp, angered yet victorious.

"You won’t last, you won’t even make it to the throne-" Jasper growled, leaning forward trying to intimidate you. You almost flinched, luckily Jace was on hand and stepped forward growling. Your guard was all too happy to lunge at the prince. He had watched your brother bully and belittle you for so long, he wanted the princeling to make a move. Jace would kill him given half the chance.

"Are you threatening her highness?" Jace fumed, stepping up beside you, the other guards dotting the room also took a step forward from their posts ready to protect their soon-to-be queen.

"Jace. He hasn’t got the balls to threaten me," you said, holding a hand out, halting your guards’ advance on your brother. You will give him a little leeway, after all his entire life’s hopes and dreams had just crashed around him. But then again, he has been threatening you with a miserable existence for your entire life, so perhaps a little pay back was acceptable. 

"And as for you, I'd worry more about yourself Jasper, because you are about to find yourself out of favour very quickly. Who wants to be friends with someone no longer in the line of succession?" you added, stepping languidly around him, craning your head back as you teased him with his own taunts of years gone by. It was bittersweet.

"If an accident happens-" you tutted, spinning back around crossing your arms watching your brother, feeling like the strong royal you were. The person you always wanted to be. The woman who took no one's shit and would fight her corner. You'd been like it as a girl, but as time wore on you were silenced, you understood your position and held your tongue. You would not any longer. 

"I've named my own heirs already- as is my right and duty considering I have no children to speak off. And you may be surprised to learn you’re not one of them," you shrugged at him, playing it cool at you exacted your sweet revenge in the best way you could. Politics, law and royal status. The three things used to beat you over the head with since you were old enough to understand your title. 

"Being passed over means being excluded for all succession rights. Yesterday the stupid little pauper, number six, hedge row herself, destroyed any chance of you ever wearing the crown, and I did it with a single fucking signature," you seethed, finally letting your anger show. The glimmers of rage peeking through your eyes to greet him.

"You’ve gone out of your way to punish this family, because of your stupid jealousy!" Colton added, beginning to grow a spine before your very eyes, even if it was just to kiss your eldest brother’s ass.

"I have done what’s best for my people. I am protecting them from this family’s greed. I have made sure none of you will ever, ever, be the ruler of this kingdom. Least of all you, Jasper," you bellowed, making Jasper stagger back a few steps. Everyone seemed shocked by your outrage. You bickered, yes, but never yelled. Not like that.

"And you'd be surprised to learn, Colton, that you are higher on the list than the rest, and even then, you’re not even tenth in line. And you, Jasper, are not even on the list," you added, managing to control yourself. You tipped your head to face Jasper once more.

"It’s funny, because yesterday you were threatening me- what was it again? Things are going to change? Well, they certainly are... If I were you, I'd start looking at the other royal property, because we will not be living under the same roof," you forewarned, making sure they understood there would be no more gravy train and palace hopping.

"You'll kick me out, sister?" Jasper hissed, locking his jaw in temper. His eyes flicking to Jace who stood dutifully by your side.

"Absolutely, I'll not have you living with me- none of you. If i had my way, you'd all be sent overseas. Trust me, it was this close to happening," you threatened, holding your fingers up together showing them how close exile was. And it wouldn't be completely uncalled for. They had each betrayed their kingdom for riches in some form or another. You had the right to kick them out.

"Is that what we can expect then?" Eleanor asked, standing herself looking more worried than the rest. She knew her fate was going to be an arranged marriage now that the throne had slipped through her fingers. At least with Jasper they had an understanding she would pick in the end. Her future was just as uncertain now.

"If you try to cross me? Yes, I will have you shipped off. But I'm not unkind, not like you. If you do your duties and stay out of trouble you'll be rewarded greatly. Or you can get out now; escape before my reign so to speak. I will leave you to think over your options. I do hope you remain here and choose to stay in the family. But if not, don't worry, I will manage without you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important matters to attend," you smiled, smoothing your hands over your dress before turning and exiting the room with a triumphant grin.

💎💎💎

The wide lenses and huge cameras stared coolly at you. You stood straight, one hand placed delicately on the backrest of the large gilded wheelchair your uncle was in, the other at your side barely moving. The flashing made you feel dizzy, you'd been away for too long and almost forgot how blinding the lights were. The reporters all stood a respectful distance from you and your family, being polite in their requests trying to each get a perfect image of the rare gathering of all the royals.

And it was rare. Your uncle and father were in their official red royal military uniforms. You stood in a long plain half button up emerald day dress, a small black belt cinching your waist letting the fabric flow into a simple long skirt. Simple and regal, a small dainty necklace holding a single pearl on a thin chain, your fiery locks loose bar from the two strands pulled behind your head giving a clear view of your face. You were just off-centre in this gathering, flanking your uncle. Your father on his other side, then your sister sat beside you, ankles crossed demurely. Jasper was behind her, but on the far side trying to be as far from you as he could be. Both Finnegan and Colton stood on the other side of your father.

The image was strange, and everyone knew it. Jasper should be standing in your place, and you as a female should be sat on the right of Eleanor far from the monarch. There were murmurs along the small crowd, noting the change in position. In a way they already suspected something. Your uncle began to speak bringing a silence over the room instantly. You knew the cameras were recording.

"I thank you for your attendance today, your haste has been appreciated. I am well aware of... how my absence has been speculated upon." His voice carried through the room, cutting through the high pitch buzz on the equipment and flashing of cameras, still taking pictures as the meeting continued.

"As I’m sure you have realised by now, the gossip is true. I am ill, and at the end of my long life." He paused for a moment, twisting his head around making sure each journalist got a chance for one clear shot. He liked cooperating with them, it just made everyone’s life easier.

"And as such my duty has only truly just begun. You see my father taught me that a monarch can only be judged by his people and the state in which he leaves them in. If you pass and your kingdom is in peril you have failed as a ruler." He began getting more serious building to the finale. The reporters all looked to one another, shock grazing their features, each asking the same question.  Was he abdicating? Will there be a new monarch? And more importantly, who?

Your uncle didn't give them time to dwell on any more questions as his speech continued to flow with ease, he truly looked like a man having a huge burden lifted. He sat straighter, looked more and more relaxed as he relinquished the responsibility piece by piece. Though you could slowly feel its weight passing over to you.

"The same can be said for leaving your kingdom in the hands of lesser men. Corrupt men. You need to find someone to continue the good work. You have to leave knowing that your kingdom will flourish"

"And so, I have retreated in the past months to do just that. To prepare my successor for the path ahead. I wish to leave this kingdom knowing that this country, my country, that I have loved so dearly and tried to nurture, will remain peaceful and prosperous once I am gone. That my successor has a love, respect and understanding of their duty and what truly makes this nation great," he chuckled, grinning a genuine grin as his speech moved to his nation and what he had helped achieve in his reign.

"The people, the beating heart of this nation, deserve the best I can offer them. And so I have thought long and hard, spent many months on this decision," he said seriously, it was clear he wanted everyone to know he hadn't made this decision lightly. That he had deliberated over it for a long while, perhaps longer than you even realised.

"And I have decided that it is time for a new era. And I along with my brother are stepping away from the throne. And renouncing our claim to the crown, in favour of appointing a new monarch." He paused and tilted his head to you almost unnoticeable but you felt the shift, the small heads up that this was it. You drew a deep calm breath and breathed out between slightly parted lips, your hand squeezing the wood of his chair. ‘This was it, don't screw up’ was the tiny pep talk you managed to give yourself, swallowing the anxiety and fear to maintain your calm facade. This was your debut and it had to be regal and perfect.

"As my last act as king, I enacted the right of choice my forefathers have never had to use. Until now. I have rearranged my succession line for what is the best for this nation. I, Theoden Ephlyos, king of Sinvir and the Flint Isles, name my niece Odette Myrtle June Ephlyos, Queen of Sinvir and the Flint Isles. Ruler of the guard and kingdom. Head of our nation and government.  Gloria regalia, peace and understanding, forever may she reign."

💎💎💎

Suddenly there was a huge collective gasp and the cameras that had been slowly drifting to Jasper during the speech turned to you. Even your siblings were shocked. This was an announcement, no one had been aware your uncle would do that!?

Just like that, you were queen. Not yet crowned, but queen all the same. But it wasn't the king’s denouncement of the throne that had passed the mantle over. No, it was the fact that he had blessed you, sworn you into power with the sacred binding words.

Everyone seemed to burst into hushed whispers and began jotting down notes typing away at cell phones and tablets, clearly looking up anything they could about you.

"I would like to say a few words," you said as your uncle nudged you, prompting you to speak.

"I’m sure you have questions about my reign. About me. I’m fully aware of the fact that I have not been seen in the royal household. There is a reason for that," you began. Somehow years of coaching and lessons of public speaking flooded you and you were speaking calmly and evenly, despite being a nervous wreck inside and wanted nothing more than to run and hide.

"The decision of my queendom was made a while ago, my uncle has held off for as long as he could," you said, casting a glance to him, face dropping slightly. You were still saddened by the news of his impending death but were slowly accepting it. You also took the opportunity to glance at the speech clutched in your hand. The one you'd written and your uncle had tweaked to make sure everyone understood your ascension to the throne was non-negotiable. Which it was. As it turns out, both your uncle and father had been pulling strings for some time, preparing you for the role as queen without so much as whispering in your ear.

Over the last 24 hours you'd been told of the various decisions made for your future. They placed you in your particular university that was known to be unbiased about status. You genuinely had to work on your education, you wouldn't be gifted high grades because of who you were. The way they held back on money so you would have to work and earn a living, which had in turn forced you into the real world facing everything from taxes to shitty customers. The way they had allowed you to step away from the spotlight, so you wouldn't be recognized as easily or get special treatment.

Absolutely every normality in your life, every ounce of treasured privacy and personal experience was orchestrated in such a way to make you lead as much of a normal commoner life as you could. To make you experience triumph and failure, to understand every action had a consequence. All of this was done so once you were queen, you knew what needed reform and what didn't and had a real understanding of the everyday trials your people faced.

You faced the cameras head on once more, eyes staring through the lenses as if trying to see the wall behind it and smiled to the reporters waiting with baited breath.

"He wished for me to live my own life while I could. Before I answered to my calling, before I took the throne. But in my absence, I was not idle." You paused, taking a quick breath and smiling, trying to look past the cameras and people that made the room feel like a circus.

"If I am to rule, then I decided I would rule with first-hand knowledge of my country, and its people. So, I left the palace to do just that. I have lived among you, worked and studied among normal people and shunned the palace as much as I could. I wanted to see the truth of our country, see what was working and what was not." Your words echoed in your head, the truth of them making your heart beat faster, you truly felt you will make a difference. You cast a quick glance to the reporters and gave a small shrug, a sad yet sincere smile grazing your lips.

"I know that many will say I am too young. I ask that you all give me the chance to prove that I am capable. I swear to you I do not take the throne lightly, nor will I abandon the lessons that you, the people, have taught me. And believe me, you have taught me a great deal. Much more than any public relations advisor ever could." Honesty. That is what you wanted, honesty and trust, respect was earned and you were determined to earn it. Your speech was almost at an end, with any luck you'd manage the rest of it without an issue or swear word.

"I see my reign as an opportunity, an opportunity to bring this country forward. Without leaving anyone behind. Because a country that abandons a single person in it, is not a successful one. And a queen that does not listen to her people is no queen at all, she is a trinket. I refuse to be a trinket." You paused, faltering slightly and glanced at your hand quickly scanning the small parchment with bullet points hidden behind the chair before grinning once more.

"You have my word I will rule fairly, I will protect our interests- not just as a nation but our culture and way of life. I will work tirelessly to see that we are all cared for and have a country and infrastructure that we can be proud of. This rule will be different, but it is time for change. I pray that in time our change will inspire others to follow. I would like to be a modern monarch who remains in touch with her subjects and that is what I aim to be. Thank you." You drew a final deep breath eyeing the cameras, fist clutching the small hand written speech in your hand behind your uncle, the ink running from the sweat staining your hand.

You were surprised when everyone bowed low, looking to you. You even heard the shuffle of your brothers bow from beside you. Then they all rose before taking a few more pictures. You were a little lost, unsure what to do in that moment. Luckily your uncle knew and gave you another little push.

"Firefly, you leave first, no one else can until you have. Not even me. Remember you’re the queen now," your uncle whispered discreetly, pulling your hand to his lips pressing a kiss to it. You cursed inwardly. Oh yeah, you forgot about that. You stepped back tipping your head quickly before gliding across the room hands clenched as your body trembled. The double doors of the exit were opened by two guards and closed behind you with a soft click.

💎💎💎

You drew a deep breath and swore under your breath stamping a single foot. Only to gasp hearing a chuckle from beside you.

"Well then, majesty, what now?" You turned sharply almost falling off your heels. But you were caught by Jace, the taller man managing to save your ankles. Jace steadied you before nodding to the shoes.

"Vinny?! What the hell?" you hissed, placing a hand on Jace as you slipped off the shoes hissing lightly as your stocking clad feet smoothed out over the cool marble. Vinny moved closer and gave an over exaggerated bow making you bat at him playfully. But he just grasped your heels from you and gave you a one-armed hug.

"Jace thought you might need a friend after today," he spoke finally with a small grin as you clutched at him tightly holding him for dear life.

"I’m glad you’re here," you mumbled into him, tucking your face into his shoulder. He was family, the brother you'd always rely on.

"How was it?" he asked, pulling back from you, slinging an arm over your shoulder before aimlessly wandering down the hall slowly.

"Scary, terrifying and I almost forgot my speech-" you began rambling, shrugging. But he laughed shaking his head.

"Not that, the others! Come on, how did they react! Give me the tea! Did Jasper cry? Please tell me he cried!" your friend gushed, wanting to hear of the real behind the scenes story.

"Oh... no, he didn't surprisingly."

"Your majesty, perhaps you would like to take lunch with, master Vincent?" For a moment you didn't even realise Jace was talking to you. When you did, you flushed and stuttered, embarrassed over not realising you were being spoken to. But Vinny huffed, chiming in saving you some face.

"Haha no, not master, quite the opposite actually. But if you’re into that, we can always-"

"I’m well aware of... your insinuation. I’m happy to hear of your eagerness, Vincent. It's always good to know one's place, especially when I am involved.  And trust me, I intend to be deeply involved." You burst out laughing, full on belly laugh, as Vinny paled and stuttered. Your friend always did have a little crush on Jace. And apparently Jace was taken by Vinny too. When the hell had that happened?!

"Oh my god Jace, I think you broke him... is he drooling? Look what you made him do," you grunted, sparing Jace a glance. He was smug as you'd ever seen him, eyes locked onto Vinny who was avoiding looking up at the older male at all costs.

"I apologise, I'll be sure to keep a very close watch over him and his secretions.  Now, may I suggest a private lunch in the south wing?" Jace teased, quickly taking your shoes from Vinny making him yelp. And then he motioned you both towards the south wing, the quietest of all wings.

"Yes, with wine... lots of wine, good wine. Strong wine. Come along Vinny, let’s go before you leave a puddle," you added, and began walking ahead of Jace. Linking arms with Vinny dragging him away from his own embarrassment with the slightest of teasing.

"I'll be sure to alert the maids of his moist nature," Jace added, throwing his own two cents in. You rolled your eyes at him. Jace was a bit of a sadistic sod, and you got the feeling now that you were the top dog, he wouldn't be hiding his sexuality anymore. It couldn't be used to sack him. Only you could remove him from your side, and that was something you'd never do, you trusted him.

"Jace, for the love of god, leave him alone, poor baby. Come on, it’s okay, let’s just walk," you encouraged Vinny, who whined and ducked down feeling more and more embarrassed, whispering in your ear asking if Jace was looking at his ass. You flicked your eyes to Jace who was indeed eyeing Vinny’s butt. Well, looks like this was going to be fun.

💎💎💎

You hated mirrors. Especially these tall gaudy ones. Ostentatious gilding and ridiculously wide. Wide enough to fit this poofy dress. You halted your belly aching, twisting on itself, whilst you stared at the dress in the mirror. The servants had left you to yourself, bowing and curtsying low before leaving in tittering giggles. You couldn't blame them, they were excited. Everyone was. Everyone apart from you.

You eyed yourself in the reflective glass. Pristine. Elegant. Perfect. Just as planned. The dress was beautiful: a large modest ball gown, in a light off-gold champagne colour, smothered in delicate embroidery. Flowers and fleur-de-lis-like symbols decorating it in a deep gold with crystals and pearls dotted across it. Somehow it looked both modern and ancient. Traditional and new.

There she was. The new you. The symbol of a new era. You eyed the stranger in the mirror. Appraising her. A young queen, dragged out of university to be sat on a throne.

You drew in a deep breath, then twisted on your feet causing the gown to sway, you slumped looking away. Today was the coronation. Your coronation, something that had been planned without your knowing. Somehow your uncle, the king, had known you'd accept the throne and his retirement.

One week. It had been one week since you'd entered the palace. One week since you were a lowly unassuming princess that was overshadowed by your four older siblings. One week since you had been in the classroom studying history; and now you were making it.

This was the first time in history that the sixth in line was taking the crown. The first time in Sinvirian history that a king was using their right of selection, bypassing the line of birth succession and choosing his heir.

It was terrifying, as the world outside rejoiced at their new young queen, readying themselves for a few days of celebrations, you were here quivering, staring at the girl in the mirror willing yourself to disappear into the marble below your feet. You wished you had more time, but no. Things were dire and this needed to happen now, you needed to be on the throne before anyone could dispute it.

Before your brother could try to dispute it. That slimy bastard would do anything to get his butt on the throne and godawful head under a crown. Luckily your uncle had a cunning head on his shoulders and was handing the crown to you whilst he was still alive, even if he was going to be rolled down the aisle in a fancy ass wheelchair to do it.

Not only was becoming queen a huge responsibility, especially being one of the few absolute monarchies in the world. But it had also painted a target on your back, your own family now hated you. Siblings that had spent their lives believing they would rule next, now conspired against you; either hissing venom in your ear, or trying to coax you into filling their coppers... willing you to be their cash cow or puppet.

But they had a lot to learn. Your siblings may have written you off years ago, but now? Now it was time to rule, time to show them you were no child and you won’t take any shit. Now it was time to begin your reign.

💎💎💎

It didn't take long for your family to try and ruin you. Mere minutes before you had to leave the palace for the abbey, Jasper had begun his tantrum. Luckily you were in the quiet private wing of the palace and other visiting royals shouldn't hear you. You slumped into the seat behind you trying to hold in the frustrated tears.

Things had fallen apart quickly for your brother. After the announcement, all his little friends had come out of the woodwork telling all the sordid secrets of his less than legal plans. Each of his allies had tried to get in your good graces by throwing your brother to the wolves.

And in his rage he had just thrown a fit, refusing his role in your coronation. He was bribing you, holding a traditional right hostage at the last minute for money, titles and houses! He’d left to give you time to 'think of your options, there’s not many that won’t leave you looking a fool.’

It made you so furious. You were above him! Being crowned should mean you were free! He shouldn't have this hold over you, you were no puppet. A life time of refusing all of these games only to come back and be thrust right back into all the political games and vindictiveness of your own family.

You rose from your seat once more, willing yourself not to cry and ruin your make up. You had no time for touch ups. Instead, you settled for an angered yell and kicking the table beside you knocking one of the vases to the floor with a loud smash.

You heaved deep breathes and blinked. The rush of anger left you as the water from the vase, seemingly dousing the flames of rage. You looked to the flowers, porcelain and water now on the floor.

"Oh shit," you cursed, moving to clean up the mess cautiously, trying to collect the flowers without cutting yourself or getting this ridiculously poofy dress wet.

"That’s it, just throw a fit like Jasper! Break the vase, ruin your dress! That’s how a fucking queen behaves," you hissed, berating yourself as you looked around for something to cover the shards and water with, not wanting anyone to hurt themselves. 

"I’m sure the vase had it coming." You swore again, yelping and jerking back, almost falling into the shattered porcelain. Hands flying around trying to hold something to stop your fall.

A strong hand quickly grasped yours, smothering it in warmth, a soft thumb slowly drawing back and forth on your hand soothing you. You followed the arm, eyeing the black fabric that strained against the man’s strong frame. You gasped as you saw the familiar face you'd never expect to see in the palace walls again.

"You? Prince Napoleon Solo? Grand duke of Valena from Teilaan," you said, surprized to see him here. He was once stuck to your brother’s hip. Jasper and he had been close friends with only two years separating them, then Jasper did what Jasper does best and tried to swindle him. Solo had been one of the few to slap him down a few pegs. You never really understood what had happened but what you did know is it was something to do with fake art, heirloom jewellery and millions of Pounds.

You appraised him carefully as he stepped back offering his other hand puling you to your full hight and coaxing you away from the mess you created. God, he had aged well. Extremely well.  You gasped forgetting the way protocol had changed and for a second felt like the princess you once were and quickly dipped into a bow making him rush forward with a yelp, catching the not yet secure tiara as it tried to tumble from your head.

"Careful, I presume that will be hard to replace on such short notice," he quipped, hands helping to hold the small tiara in place. You smiled and cupped the jewel, then moved to the small table where two hair pins were, each one slipped through a discrete eyelet on the back that would help secure it to your head.

"Yes quite, thank you, Napoleon" you uttered quietly, somehow finding your voice and speaking to him without stuttering. Perhaps your light publicity tuition was paying off.

"Oh come now, Leon, please, we have known each other a long time, though last I saw you I do believe you had braces..." Napoleon smiled a cheeky smile and winked at you, relaxing his shoulders and moved a hand to your arm patting it gently. Before wagging a finger in the air and begun retelling the last time he saw you.

"If I remember correctly, Colton had pushed you face first into Walter and your brace got stuck in the threads of his blazer and you had to be snipped free with scissors."

"Oh god, I hoped you had forgotten about that," you muttered, flushing at the embarrassing memory. Being bullied by your siblings in front of neighbouring royals was something you wished not the relive. But then again what had changed? Was Jasper not picking on you now? Trying to coerce you into doing his bidding or else.

Napoleon laughed out loud shaking his head and spun with you and motioned to the seat you had been sulking on mere moments again

"May I?" he motioned, asking to take a seat in your presence you nodded and slowly followed, delicately sitting down beside him on the other seat. He helped with your dress, lifting it slightly so none of the water dampened the hem.

"There isn't a chance in hell I’d ever forget that particular visit. It was the first time I'd seen you as the famed fiery red head in action, you beat the hell out of Colton, taking down three guards in the chase. Even August struggled pulling you off of him... you cracked his rib you know?" He laughed at the memory of his own brother being bested by an enraged pre-teen.

"Oh my? I didn't! Did I?" you gasped, eyes panicked. If you were honest, you don't remember who it was trying to pull you from your brother, you were far more interested in exacting revenge.

"Indeed, you did, apparently you kick like a horse. He sulked for quite some time; he couldn't play polo. And it didn't help we gave him a hard time over it, after all you were twelve? Thirteen?" he elaborated with small chuckles, remembering the way you'd managed to bloody Colton’s nose before finally being subdued.

"I apologise for intruding; I couldn't help overhear Jasper’s... tantrum. I wanted to make sure everything was alright. I presume he is not taking this well." The silence was broken by Leon, he almost sounded apologetic. You eyed him for a second debating whether he was being sincere or just looking for gossip. But then again if anyone knew your brother it was Leon. So maybe venting to him isn’t a bad thing, he would understand.

"No, he is extremely angry as you can imagine. He wanted to be king and it will never happen, all his 'loyal followers' are now flocking to me- not that I give them the time of day; they are all soo-" you stopped yourself short, realising you were about to get yourself all twisted again. The embers of your fury igniting once more and the worry of your current dilemma rising again.  You swallowed your panic and smile sadly to the prince across from you.

"I’m sorry, you don't need me to rant," you offered regally, trying to play your part elegantly, if only for today.

"Even a queen needs to let off steam. There are few who will listen, but I intend on being one of them," Leon said lightly, quiet and understanding. Trying to offer you some support and let you be human if only for five minutes. The crown was an identity in itself, all royals understood that. It almost seemed unfair to place such a burden on you.

"So, what was the princeling’s hissy fit over this time?" he asked, giving you no time to think of an excuse to leave. You sighed, pausing for a moment before retelling the predicament you were now in. It couldn't hurt to have a second opinion, could it?

"He is angry someone- and I have a few guesses who, has let it slip that he will not be taking a seat among my advisers, nor will he be given and I have a few guesses who, has let it slip that he will not be taking a seat among my advisers, nor will he be given any political position. If anything, his duties have to be reduced," you said tersely, glaring at the flowers on the table beside you. There was a hissing sting to your words, recounting the measures taken to shield your brother from his own fuck ups.

"So, he is now a professional ribbon cutter?" Leon offered, trying to make light of the situation and poke a bit of fun at Jasper. You flicked your eyes back to him.

"Well, that’s if I can trust him with big boy scissors," you scoffed along with the prince, who only laughed louder striking the table lightly in his laughter.

"Well, that is a big if, isn't it?" he teased, leaning forward, eyes twinkling with mirth. It would seem Leon was pleased with Jasper’s outcome. And you couldn't blame him in the slightest.

"Yes, quite. I have no choice but to reprimand him. As I'm sure you read, word got out about all his... misdeeds; his allies all selling their stories to try and prove loyalty to me,” you huffed, feeling somewhat guilty for your brother’s position but he had no one to blame but himself. Had he tried to be a good person he would still be the heir. Not you. He bit off his nose to spite his face, yet he will always blame you.

"Because selling secrets is a perfect way to become trusted?" Leon teased, offering some much-needed sarcasm. Something that you found lacking in the palace.

"Yes, apparently," you scoffed, chuckling along with him before deflating somewhat.

"He doesn't seem to understand the position he has put me in. I have no choice but to remove him from public office. He is a stain on our name! Tarnished his own reputation- he is a crook!" you growled, feeling powerless in your new position of power. It was a cruel irony. To have the authority but not the means of confidence to use it.  If you had your way, Jasper would already be across country, alone. But your uncle and father thought it would be good to show a united front. Offering Jasper a place in the coronation was meant to send a message, that everything was smelling of roses and the family was fine, there were no feuds.

"I know that, trust me," Leon added with a dark look. You drew a deep breath, how? How could he be so breathtaking even when his face was clouded by frustration? It seemed completely unfair. You waved your hand trying bat off any untoward feelings, you were enjoying speaking to him. His presence was calming, he had managed to get you to relax and be honest, something you'd missed over the past week. Everyone saw a title now, Leon didn't it was nice.  The normality, you remembered now why you craved it so much before. Royals were things, not people.

"Yes, well. In retaliation, he refused his role in the coronation last minute- the right of passing," you finally uttered, spouting your dilemma. Leon’s face twisted into anger, his mouth hung slack and brows furrowed.  He seemed furious.

"What? He-?! After everything, that slimy little bastard is trying to beat you into submission. Even on your coronation? Being handed over to the people and forgoing your right as a private citizen is one of the biggest responsibilities; surely he knows this!" he fumed, and leant back in his seat smoothing his hands over his face before leaning forward once more, gobsmacked that a tradition would be used as a weapon against you.

"Yes, he was presenting me to the people as a gesture of good faith on the crown’s part. Now I have no one, unless I reinstate him with more authority and up his allowance! He wants the Summer Palace!" you admonished, venting to the foreign prince your anxiety and panic thickening your voice, making you tremble.

"Can you believe that? Holding a sacred right hostage because he wants more pocket money and toy soldiers." Your strained words verged on being tearful. You wanted to scream and cry and beat your brother to a pulp. But you weren’t surprized. Jasper will do and say anything to be top dog.

"Oh yes I do, he is a snake, however... You should know, no one can make you commit to anything without your consent," he added, scooting forward to grasp your hand sweetly, breaking you from your defeated thoughts and the silly notions of just giving in for a quiet life. But you loved the Summer Palace, you were planning on taking residency there yourself. It was the cosiest of royal palaces. It was the only one you could honestly see yourself make a home in.

"I don't have much of a choice," you added, standing slowly, removing your hands from his. But Leon followed, rising with you and grasping your hand once more making you freeze a moment, looking up to him. He smiled down at you almost adoringly. As if he were trying to commit your face to memory, taking snapshots of you in real time.

"You do have a choice; you have many allies. They are just waiting in the wings for the scavengers to grow tired and leave," he uttered, slowly tipping his head down to you, quirking a smile before stepping to your side offering his arm to you.

"I've got nothing but respect for you, and so have many others... a lot of neighbouring royals know exactly why you are taking the throne. We welcome it. My own brother jumped for joy when he realised you were to be his new neighbouring ally... He enquires about Eleanor too, now that she is not being considered queen," his words were precise, as he slowly began ushering you out of the royal wing. You didn’t know how he'd gotten so deep in the royal quarters unhindered, but you were grateful.

"Now wouldn't that be a pair? Eleanor and Walter," you teased, perhaps Walter would be good for her? That was she'd be a queen, have her dream realised. And Walter wasn't an unsightly man. He was very handsome. But a small part of you bristled at the idea of your serpent-like sister slithering her way onto a throne. She doesn't deserve it.

"Oh no, no... not Walter. Walter is quite happy with his own woman- it's serious this time... no. Walter wishes to have her matched with our little cousin, Humphrey." You burst out laughing. Now that would be a poetic justice!

"You’re kidding?! The little strawberry blonde?" you asked, making sure you had the right person in mind. Leon nodded as he turned the corner and helped you down the stairs gracefully, taking care to keep your mind off of your nerves.

"Well, little is a relative term. After all, he is older than you and shot up considerably, a twiggy lumberjack," he sniggered, the nickname for his cousin making him smile. They did like to poke fun at him, the spoiled kid that became a rather vicious adult. Though as bad as Humphrey was, your own siblings were worse.

"Gosh, I remember him. Jasper used to tease me, saying he was by betrothed- I'd cry something fierce! You’re sure Walter would like that match?" you uttered, an air of panic to your voice. You’re sure he has his merits, but he was not one you'd ever really liked. He was just not for you.

You slowly waltzed down the halls, Leon guiding you sweetly. Your nerves climbed somewhat as you glided towards the entrance of the palace. The roar of the crowd outside sounding like the rush of the sea, an overwhelming sound. They were there to see you, and it wasn’t a comfort. It terrified you.

You paused half way, the landing on the staircase looked out onto the courtyard. The carriage of white gold and ash wood glistening. The silver-coloured horses Sinvir was famous for in two neat lines before it. The ocean of people held back by the royal guards and tv crews all lined the gates.

Leon noticed you growing pale, a light tremble to your hands and a nervous gulp. You truly were frightened of this, not the crown but the public. Opinions and gossip. He could empathise, he too experienced the rather nasty bite an unkind photo could deliver. He quickly gave a light tug pulling you from the window and continued down the stairs, patting your hand lightly trying to give you a small boost in confidence.

"I swear, Walter wants Humphrey to have a mature woman, lest we have to deal with his haughty attitude and demands of a match any longer. And he is agreeable, he has been sweet on her for some time. I think he has held out for her," Leon rambled slightly, trying his best to distract you. You knew what he was doing and were thankful for it.

"Yes, out of your brothers, it's just you and Dominic [WG1] left, is it not? Even Mikey is married now?" you asked, letting him distract you as he reached the bottom of the stairs feeling much safer with him than without.

"You seem shocked?" He quipped, stopping before the doors that would lead you out into the hectic public halls of the palace, teaming with maids and guards.

"Of course I am, August is married," you shrugged laughing, slowly untucking your arm from his and managing to stand facing him.

"That is a fair point, your majesty, August is with Freya- that was a surprize," he added, still willing the conversation to continue. He had waited a long time to get you alone and speak with you. He didn't want it to end, especially when he knew his departure would leave you alone and uneasy. He had lied about hearing Jasper. He hadn't, he'd only seen him storming out of the royal wing looking far too pleased with himself to mean anything good. And so, without a thought, Leon had begun looking for you, finding you only moments later in the hall upstairs.

"August used to terrify me when I was younger. He asked me to dance once and I swear it took everything not to faint from fright!" you giggled, for a few moments during your dance with August you'd been scared stiff, terrified he was going to inquire after you. God knows you'd have died on the spot if he'd made any mention of marriage and matches.

"You’re not the first woman to say that. Freya however stomped his foot at their first meeting and called him a 'broomer' instead of boomer on account of his kingstache. He said that’s how he knew she was the one and pursued her fiercely, breaking all tradition," Leon added, making you chuckle again, the idea of anyone making fun of August was both amusing and frightening.

"Just like you can today if you so wished. You are in a unique position, writing history. So, forgoing a tradition will just make for more exciting history lessons for future generations." You paused, snapping your head up to Leon again, this time frowning before shaking your head with a sigh and shrugging looming to the floor.

"I doubt I'll be remembered," you offered quickly, already putting yourself down, but Leon tutted and inched closer, tipping your chin up making you look him in the eye. You flushed, for some reason it felt, intimate? That he wasn't looking at you but actually seeing you. Seeing into your soul.

"I wouldn't be so sure. I have a feeling you will transform this country. All you have to remember is that we are treated how we allow people to treat us," he stated as a matter of fact, making it sound so simple. It wasn’t! Was it? If anyone would know it would be him... was that the secret to his publicised yet private life? You decide how you’re treated? Don't leave it up to anyone else to make decisions for you?

"I know I’m young. They want me to fail! And yet still be queen! To be a perfect puppet to manipulate, they think I do not see it! That I will be compliant in everything they plan," you snapped, before huffing and giving him an apologetic look. It wasn’t his fault and he was trying to help. You made to apologise to him but he hushed you with a softly spoken 'I know, it’s alright'.

💎💎💎

A strange comforting silence hung over you both for a few moments, Leon’s hands moved to your shoulders lightly grasping them, flexing his strong fingers, molding his hands around you in a gentle warmth.

"Please allow me to... Impart some wisdom, one realistic royal to another? These people of court do not know you. They did not bother to know you because of you were not useful, neither first or second inline for the throne," he began telling you something you already knew, but for some reason having him say it out loud, acknowledging it made your heart feel lighter. He understood your position, more than most. He was almost king himself: when August refused the position, Leon was almost king. Luckily Walter stepped in for his big brother and asked to take over. Leon abdicated along with August.

"You were never meant to be here. And the simple fact that you are here? That frightens them. You are a mystery to them, something they can never own or control.  A monarch that has not been groomed to fit their needs," he continued, slowly trying to help you through something he himself endured. The difference was he was second in line, he had some training and a long run up to the shit storm. You did not.

"You have seen reality, lived among your subjects as one of them. You’re not a part of their elite club and it unsettles them, and I do believe that is why your uncle and father chose you." You paused now, that wasn’t something you'd thought about.

"They fear me?" you muttered under your breath, eyes growing wide at the realisation. Leon smiled at you, his face lighting up as you understood his rambling.

"Yes. They are terrified of you. You are a dark horse, your highness, they don't understand you. And my advice is to keep it that way: a mystery has no weaknesses because she is just that, a mystery," he hummed, grinning down at you with a sweet gaze. He seemed to be so happy and hopeful for you, he was rooting for you. It was almost like he wanted to protect you, he wanted to be your white knight. And honestly you didn't mind.

"....And was that something a great king of my lineage said?" you grinned at him, teasing him, trying not to let him see just how much his words had touched you, and how much he had made you think about your situation.

He stepped back from you with a smirk, one hand dropping to his pocket, the other wagging his finger pointing at you, laughing playfully. You smiled too; his laugh was contagious. He seemed so relaxed and self-assured.

"No, just me. Surprizing, isn’t it?" he chuckled, winking at you. Before he could even add another quip, he was interrupted by the bells of the clock. Midday. You were late.

You watched as his face dropped, his time was up. He sighed before taking a few steps backwards from you. His job was done, he had given you a reprieve and now you had to endure the rest of this circus alone.

"May I be the first to congratulate you on the day of your coronation... Gloria regalia, forever may you reign, your majesty" he spoke quietly, dropping down before you, bending into a perfectly regal bow. And with that he took another step backwards from you as he rose. And then he was gone, slipping thought the large doors behind him with one last longing glance.

 💎💎💎

"Highness? Napo...shit! Leon?!" You weren’t aware of your feet carrying you, didn't register opening the door or sliding through, dragging your skirt through the opening. You didn't think of anything other than chasing after the only person that had helped ease your nerves today.

 You froze as you entered the foyer. Maids, guards and servants all stopping at you called out for Napoleon. He stopped mid-step and spun to face you. He was shocked and watched as you faltered. Stopping your approach, eyeing the others in the room. Each one eyeing you, getting their fill of the new monarch.

"Yes, your majesty?" Leon hummed, quickly stepping closer to you, one hand hovering closer, standing tall and shielding you from view before you got upset.

You tried peeking around him nervously but he moved with you, leaning and hiding you as you fiddled with your fingers anxiously. Finally, you looked at him lost.

"I... I do not have anyone to... Walk with me to the abbey or into it..." you said softly, trembling under the weight of your question. You weren’t sure if this would work.

 "I thought you would forsake tradition," he hummed, leaning closer tipping his head to you listening carefully, yet his eye continued to concentrate on you. You drew a shaky breath, taking a second to close your eyes and drew some much-needed courage.

"No, I? I don't want to be the first queen in our history not guided and have my passover. Nor do I want to let Jasper make me look a fool. He won’t ruin this for me. He shouldn't have a hold over me, if he gets his way today it will spell disaster, I will always know he outdid me on my own coronation," you said, trying to make a point. Hell, you were trying to find the point! You moved a hand to him, lightly clutching his arm.

"I'd ask my father and uncle but they are part of my coronation, they cannot... I ask if you would be so kind? You are the kindest face here so far and... I would feel better having someone I trust when I go in there. I'm scared, I don't want to fall," you asked pleading with him, praying you weren’t being foolish in seeking him out.

He stood full hight once more before sending you a sad smile. Only to shake it off and beam at you. Pressing a single hand to his heart.

"I would be honoured, your majesty. And I will not let you fall; you have my word." You could have cried in relief. You felt as if he'd just lifted the entire weight of the world off of your shoulders.

"Th-thank you," you uttered, feeling the way your lower lip wobbled and your voice was strained. He moved closer, hiding more of you from prying eyes, and spoke calmly to you.

"Hush, do not cry please- all will be well, you'll see. Once you are crowned, you can do as you please with those that see to harm you. Whether they are blood or not. You just have to get through today." You nodded, feeling him somehow ignite you, he filled you up with confidence.  For the first time today, you felt you could do this.

"Now take a breather, just a few deep breaths. If you’ll excuse me, I must visit the men’s room quickly, but I shall be back in a moment." Leon had barely made it through the door to the left, when you heard another set of footsteps, haughty and fast. You just knew who they belonged to.

 "Oh, there you are. I was looking everywhere for you, now is not the time to be fashionably late!" His words bit into you, snappy and clearly still irritated at having to hunt you down.

"I’m here to guide you or whatever; but I expect my allowance upped and the Summer Palace! As agreed, sister," your brother hissed at you, not even caring that he just snarled at you in front of some guards and servants. You could hear the whispers, feel the eyes staring, watching. Waiting with baited breath.

They were waiting to see what their new queen would do. Were you meek? Will you give in and be a pushover? Or will you rise, put your foot down and take charge like a true monarch, just as you'd said to Leon...You stumbled over your thoughts for a second and then.

"No." Your lips move with little thought. But as soon as you said it out loud you felt a change. You rose, standing straight, Napoleon’s words of encouragement echoing in your ear. You were the queen and you can do what you wish. You don't have to be pressured into anything anymore. Jasper held nothing over you, he no longer controlled anything about you, and he never will.

"What, you can’t-" You took a step closer to your brother. He will not make a fool of you. Not now, not ever again.

"I said no. And you do not tell me what I can and cannot do. I will do as I please, especially today of all days," your voice carried over the room and silence fell over everyone. They watched quietly without even glancing to one another. The many people in the room were fixated on you.

But you paid them no mind, instead continued scolding your brother. Taking one slow determined step after another towards him, making him back away, shock and anger etched on his face.

"You are not having a raise- you're not even getting half of what you usually get. And you most certainly are not having the Summer Palace to turn into funfair and a whore house."

"Don't be so stupid sister, you need me," he moved to bat you away and spun creating distance between you both, trying not to appear weak.

"No, I do not. As of today, you need me, your lifestyle depends on me and the money I allow you to spend. And blackmailing me on my coronation is a very stupid move, brother. Now remove yourself before I see to it you’re escorted to your rooms to pack your things, instead of coming to my coronation," you bellowed, having to bite your tongue as more stern words tried to follow.

"What, you’re going to go alone? You're willing to stumble into the crown? But then again, you already have! I will have my demands met or I'll-" For a moment you faltered, as he strode up to you quickly hands raised as if to grab you but he was intercepted. A large frame barged its way between you and your brother. You thought it was Jacee before the man spoke. Leon.

"Excuse me, but that is not an appropriate tone to take with your queen. I insist that you correct yourself. And your hands, before I do so for you." You gasped as Leon rounded to you, glancing at you with concern, before offering his arm, still managing to place himself between you. You took his arm, squeezing it sending him a grateful look.

"What- what the fuck are you doing here?!"

"I’m escorting the queen for her passover. She requested and I couldn't say no to such an honour," Leon huffed, a sting to his words, his fury just grazing his statement. Then with a quick tilt of his head, he dismissed Jasper and gave you a reassuring smile.

"Your majesty, I am sorry. I should never have left you alone, but nature called.”

"That’s fine Napole- Leon, I was just informing Jasper that his car is waiting for him, that he will take your seat with your brothers for the ceremony," you explained quietly, nodding to Jasper. 

Jasper gawked and scoffed, stomping a foot and waving his hands around, gesturing to you both angrily. 

"What, no- I just told you I’m coming in the carriage to guide you-"

"No. You made perfectly clear that you would rather walk on hot coals than ever guide me to my throne... as you can see, I have replaced you," you said, moving to walk around him, holding Leon for dear life, trying not to flinch as you moved around your brother leaving him in the centre of the room alone.

"Replaced? You can’t do that!"

"I can do as I please. Because I am queen and I have no regent. And I’m sure father will be less thrilled with you, forgetting your place and throwing the kindness of involving you in such a high-profile event in my face. Believe me when I say the mistake of trusting you in such a pivotal role will not happen again," you called over your shoulder, still making your way to the entrance of the palace.

"You dare speak to me like that! I am your older brother and you will show me some fucking respect-" Jasper matched up behind you one hand raised to jerk you free from Leon, but your escort was ready. With little effort you were pulled from Jasper’s reach and Leon had grabbed his hand, twisting it until Jasper was yelping.

"She is your queen, I implore you to remember that before threatening her... treason still has a penalty; a woman scorned would be likely to use it," Leon growled, before releasing your brother’s hand with a hard shove sending him staggering back a few feet.

You couldn't help the fluttering in your tummy as Leon snarled, jumping in to protect you. But you could think about that later, right now you had to lay down the law with Jasper. You turned to him, pinning him with what you hoped was a firm stony face.

"Jasper. I am aware how difficult this is for you. But the fact of the matter is, this is my coronation. Not yours. I am being anointed.  Not you. And I am being crowned queen of this realm." You paused, letting him absorb your words, wanting them to linger in the air. His face pulled into a snarl, mouth opening to speak but you cut him off.

"You must accept it, sooner rather than later. Your tantrums will no longer be tolerated. Starting from now, you will show me the respect I deserve or you will leave for good as a private citizen and the royal purse strings will be cut." Your threat drew a chuckle from Leon who had hovered behind you, but you didn't break your gaze from Jasper, who seemed to find a new angered shade of red with each word.

"I have decided that you shall go ahead alone and take Napoleon’s seat in the abbey and I suggest you smile because the paparazzi will be watching, especially after the recent scandals that have come out... Now go, I believe there is a back seat waiting for you," you finished with a cold stare and amused smirk. Then you turned to one of the closest guards.

"Excuse me, guard? Could you please escort Jasper out? Have Leon’s car brough around the side gate for my brother. I expect him to be at the abbey before my arrival," you asked, unsure if he’d actually obey. But to your delight the green clad man nodded giving you a salute and bow before stepping over to Jasper, motioning for the once mighty prince to lead the way to the side guest entrance.

Just before you stepped up to the doors and wait for them to open and begin your coronation parade you tutted turning with a joyful smile. Calling out to your humiliated brother.

 "Oh and Jasper? Do become accustomed to being in the back seat, because after this whole sorry affair, that is your place from now on." And with that you turned facing forward with a huge grin.

"That was a nice touch, majesty," Leon added, stepping closer to you, letting you take his arm once more. You giggled girlishly up at him still facing forward. The sounds of the royal marching band began playing.

"Payback for a life time of threats of what my life will be once he is king. It felt pretty good..." you quipped, peering up at him with glee, you felt giddy, free and alive. For the first time, true freedom was within reach.

"Now there it is, that beautiful glistening smile... Shall we your, majesty?" he praised, his own face lighting up at you, making the fluttering in your tummy grow. But you managed to fight it. And turned to the doors nodding taking a deep breath. You were ready.

"Yes, let’s do this," you uttered, nodding to the doormen letting them open the great doors, a rush of air engulfed you as you stepped out into the light, the roaring crowd coming to life as you greeted them with a small regal wave and bright smile. Unbeknownst to you, Leon was watching, his entire face beaming as he took you in. Today was your day and he would be damned if anyone was going to ruin it.

[moon-goddess-posts]

Hello everyone! This is my first fanfiction and I decided to write kaeya first because I just love him sm 😭😭😭😭 anyway hope you guys enjoy! Zhongli is up next. I'm also new to Tumblr so idk how this works LMFAO

Kaeya x Gn reader

Fluff, kaeya is weird but its ok cause he warms up to you, didn't proof read this cause it was 1am

You were walking around the streets of mondstadt, you always loved the night and decided to come out for some fresh air. Lost in thought, you were reflecting on your first moments here and how the handsome calvary captain gave you a tour of the city. You were an adventurer from Fontaine seeking to do research on all the 7 regions. Mondstadt was the first region on your list. You've heard most of it from stories on barbatos and how he saved mondstadt, but you'd love to meet the people and all the certain flowers that were around. You finally arrived at the front gate and the guards gave you a warm welcome. The city air was fresh and everything had a carefree warm feel to it. "This truly is the city of freedom" you thought to yourself and smiled. Having everything written down on your notebook, you decided to try out the foods that were common here. "What can I get for you today?" The women spoke as you came up to the counter. You took out your notebook and chose a dish. "I'll take one chicken mushroom skewer please, ah would I also ask for your name if you don't mind?" You gave a friendly smile. "My name is Sara, worker at Good Hunter! Your food will be right up. I see you arent around here." "Nice to meet you Sara, im actually traveling the 7 regions for my art pieces and mondstadt just happened to be my first one. I would love to know some tourist attractions around here, would you happen to know a guide?" It was nice to see a conversation going well especially since you were never really the best at conversations. But you wanted to hurry up because your social battery was draining fast. "Id love to be your guide" and unfamiliar voice came to the right and you shot your head to that direction. His appearance was definitely different from the rest of the citizens but looked really attractive either way. He was leaning against the booth almost giving off an intimidating nature underneath the layers of charming. "Really? That would be great, thank you so much! And uhm your name is...?" Depsite the oddness you got from him, you did your best to continue the conversation as normally as possible. "Kaeya, Knights of Favionus, happy to be your guide dear" his sudden pet name made you flitch but you pushed it off "So where are we going first dear calvary captain" you gave him a teasing remark as you smirked. He chuckled "well obviously I wouldn't be a good tour guide if I didn't show you the Barbatos statute first." "Ah of course haha" you gave him a nervous chuckle. "Is there any other reason you decided to come here other than to just "explore"" You thought he ease dropped on your conversation, and even so he still didn't find you that trust worthy. "Well I'm a pretty well known artist where I'm from, but besides just coming here to make art I also decided to write a few poems for each region. If you'd want I can show you my works" you smiled happily and his cold attitude started to fade just a bit. "You can show me once we get to the next place, feel free to draw me then too ♡" it wasn't the best first impression but at least he didn't feel as hostile anymore. You and Kaeya finally made it to the statue and it was more beautiful in person than your thoughts could ever imagine. Ideas started to flow through your brain on how to paint it. "Wow its so...." you were at a lost for words. "Breathtaking isn't it?" Kaeya finished your sentence and you flahsed him a small smile and nod. "Yeah it is, ill be sure to mark it down as the first place to paint. Maybe if you'd like, you can give it to the Acting Grandmaster as a token of my thanks for having me here" "Such a kind hearted soul arent you? I'll be sure to inform her." Kaeya patted your head and walked off, assuming he was leading you to the second destination, you started to follow him. "You should stop by the tavern Cats Tail sometime tonight, I can tell you more about this place and if you'd like, more about me," You saw this as an opportunity for more research on the area, and maybe get to know Kaeya a bit more, he truly was an interesting person, so you

accepted. "I'll be sure to make it around 18:00 or 19:00!" The next destination included a beautiful tree, lake, and another small statue of barbatos. You thought it was truly magnificent, especially how the sun hit the leaves all so perfectly giving it a warm glow. "This place is Windrise. Its often associated with love and is one of the most well know spot for dates." He winked at you and you looked away, not really sure what to do. "Is that so? I can see why. Its very beautiful." You did your best not to stutter from how flirty he was being. "This statue here is for offerings. You find anemoculous and you offer them to the statues. In return, you get a gift from the God." "Oh! We have on of those where I'm from as well, but its a different person." You weren't really sure why you wouldn't tell him where you were from, maybe it was because he was super analytical, or the whole predator with its prey vibe he got going on. "There are 7 types of statues that represent the 7 archons, would it be ok if you'd tell me where you're from? I'm just so interested in you." He gave a flirty smirk and you couldn't help but blush a little bit. "Uhm I'm from Fontaine, if you couldn't tell by the clothes. Its quite similar to Mondstadt, but I find it here to be more peaceful and calming than there." "Fontaine huh? I've heard people live the luxury over there. Very formal." He laughed a bit, part of him was right but it wasn't all that good as he was making it sound. "Hmm I guess you could say that, my parents were pretty well off but I can't say much about the rest." Your gaze drifted off to the forming sunset and you wondered if you should head back soon. "Ill head back, ill tell you more about the attractions tomorrow. Don't forget our date tonight deary..." He waved goodbye and walked off. "Deary.." you said to yourself, he flattered you very much but all of it seemed off in a way. You didn't think to much about it and decided to head back too. Your memories of your first interaction with Kaeya was over once you heard someone call your name. A familiar voice that was. "Y/n!" Kaeya called out. Automatically knowing who it was, you turned around to be greeted by a fine tall man dressed in blue tones "Hi Kaeya!" "I dont think its a good idea for a pretty lady like you to be walking out so late at night." He sounded amused but you were over it. "Oh cut it out captain, I know you were just swooning some girls a couple minutes ago." "Haha so what, you jealous?" "Dont flatter yourself, why would I be jealous anyway? Feelings like those are just a waste of time" you hated to admit that you were just a tiny bit jealous. You weren't sure how your crush on the calvary captain formed but it did and it didn't seem to be going away any time soon. Part of you thought maybe he already knew and he was just toying with you. Or maybe he was oblivious to it, thinking no one could love such a person like him. Either way, you still kept these feelings inside. "There's no shame in bearing emotion, love, its just our nature. And for a while I think you've been feeling pretty intense emotions about a certain someone..." His hand tilted your chin so you could face up to him. Shoot did he know? How was that possible? Was I that obvious? You thought to yourself, you weren't sure how you were going to get out of this situation. "I...I-its nothing that concerns of you" you broke eye contact but you knew kaeya wasn't letting up. "A lie to a lier is no stranger, but if you wish to keep your secrets then who am I to cross such a boundary." He back off from you and you started to breathe again. You wanted to tell him so bad. How much you loved and cared for him, how much you so desperately wanted to be there for him no matter what situation. You were willing to take risks for him if it meant that one day you would forever be together. But maybe you thought the image you had of him was wrong. You knew well enough his flirty nature was never sincere, and how he was hiding something much darker then you ever wanted to imagine. Even so, you still wanted your

thoughts of him to become right. So before he walked off again you mustered up the courage. "Kaeya wait! I, I do actually want to tell you something." He looked surprised now but intrigued. "Ever since we met, there was always something different about you. It always left me wanting to know more and over the years I did learn more about you. But then I started feeling these weird emotions and having thse weird thoughts like thinking maybe one day we could be together...or knowing the real you even. I know you say less than you lead on but I felt like I'd be willing to take extreme risks to know who you actually are. I feel so safe around you and I always smile at those good memories we have. I dont know if this is called love, I dont know fully what love is but you're special enough for me to be having these feelings." Thats it, you let everything out. Awaiting for rejection, you began to panic when the silence held for what seemed like an eternity, until you heard him walking toward you. He held your chin again and gave you a look you've never seen before. A mix of admiration, and happiness. He swiped his thumb over your bottom lip and you tensed up. "Kaeya...." Before you could say anything else, he pulled you into a kiss. A new feeling started to arise and your whole body began to feel hot. Euphoria was coursing through your veins and you felt like you were going to fall without Kaeyas support. He was so warm, so intoxicating. You couldn't even feel where you were or he was, it all just became a bundle of sensations and happiness. You couldn't tell how long you both had kissed for but you were the first one to pull away as your breath began to shorten. "As much as a flirt as I am, I dont do well communicating my actual emotions. So id prefer to show them through my actions. I cant say it right now, but I hope that helped you realize what my answer is." He pulled you into a hug and you buried his face into his fur jacket. Already knowing his answer, you breathed a sigh of relief

[bbygilre]

Hello, I hope you are doing well! If you are taking requests, may I request headcanons for the DMC guys (or just V or Dante) and their reaction to their significant other giving them really good massages? It can be sfw or NSFW, thank you for taking the time to read this and have a good day/ night!

I WANNA BE YOURS

Omg hello hello, I was quite busy with real life stuff!! Im sorry if this is late. 🥺👉👈 Here is it!!

(Dante x F! Reader )

P. S NSFW CONTENT HERE!!

It was around 9:30 in the evening when the telephone rang at Dante's desk. It was odd, people usually call Dante during the day because they know Dante won't answer their vendetta's during the night. I let the phone ring twice before answering it.

"Good evening, this is assistant of Mr. Dante Sparda. I'm sorry to tell you that we won't be attending jobs or gig during the night." I responded in a formal way, just as what I was instructed.

If Dante's not around it is my duty to answer the calls. Strange, someone called tonight.

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is just to inform you will be receiving mails. This is from the post office,"

"Ah, very well. Strange that you guys called us this time of the day."

"We called during th afternoon yet it seems that no one answered."

Oh damn, there is no electricity during the afternoon cause Dante can't pay his bill right.

"Oh, we are sorry to inform you that we cannot answer calls during the afternoon because we have problems with the err— electricity." I sighed

"No problem ma'am, we'll be sending these mails to you, have a good Mrs. Sparda."

"I am not his wife—" before I could even protest, he hanged up.

WHAT? MRS? MRS SPARDA?

Mrs. Sparda...

It actually sound pretty nice. My name plus Dante's family name...

I like it.

"Y/N Sparda. Hm, not bad." I smiled before heaving a sigh, the smile still plastered over my lips. Goddamn it, this is not the perfect time to think about it.

For months, I have been working for Dante. He's quite different from the people I have worked with and one thing to describe him is that he is cocky. Sometimes he plays around yet when he's serious, I see a different version of himself. Dante himself isn't just an ordinary person. He is a half demon.

I grew up knowing that people described demons as entities that looked horrible and ugly, in Dante's case, he isn't one of those in fact, he looks like a living god. His family definitely has good genes, especially his mother.

I took the picture frame that was placed at his desk. It was like a prized possession of Dante, a fragment of his good memories with his dearest mother. She looked beautiful, piece of art work. I smiled as I adored her timeless beauty.

"What are you doing?" A raspy voice snickered behind me before he blew a thin air to the back of my neck.

I warm breath touched my neck and in a moment, I quickly placed the picture frame back to the desk and eagerly faced this man who just surprised me like that.

"Do you really have to do that?" My cheeks were flushed, I could feel my ears heat up.

He is so damn close, damn.close.

"Do what, Mrs. Sparda?" He let out a booming laugh, before he messed his long ivory white hair. "I heard that mail man called you Mrs. Sparda,"

"H-he did not!"

Stop.

"Hm, very well." He smiled before winking at me. He then turned around and went to his sofa, taking a comfy sit and closing his eyes.

This man, does he even know the word 'SPACE'?

I heaved a sigh, placing my palm over my chest. My heart was beating so fast that it wanted to leap put of my chest so bad. I took a glance at him and noticed he closed his eyes and sighed, his long ivory white hair was tied. His strong and well chiseled jaw clenched before he groaned.

"Y/N..."

"Y-yes?" Oh shit, I could feel my cheeks heating up again and my heart beating so fast.

"Can I ask for a favor? It won't be much."

"What is it then?"

He cleared this throat, his adams apple swallowing before he flew his eyes at me. When I said that Dante looked like I living god, I meant it.

"Can you massage my shoulder and my back too?"

I, an obedient kitten, shyly nodded at him.

I feel so nervous! Not that its not my first time doing a massage to someone but actually giving my boss a massage. I haven't touched Dante, I never had the chance to touch his skin or have any physical contact with him. Now once again my heart was beating so loud and beating so fast. My cheeks were flushed and so was my ears.

I positioned myself behind him and trying to get myself to calm down and collect my thoughts. My hands were shaking and my thoughts were scattered everywhere. Before I could even touch him, he quickly took off his shirt and revealed his skin.

It was holy. Everything about Dante looked so goddamn holy. I was too afraid to touch him yet there was this feeling of also wanting to touch this god.

"What's the matter Y/N?" He looked back and gazed at me.

"N-No nothing..." I shook my head and bit my lower lips.

Gosh, I have never been this crazy. Nobody made me feel this way except the son of Sparda.

"Well then,"

I bit my lower lips before pressing my fingers against his bare back. He was well built and that made him look tough. His shoulders were broad and his back was well chiseled, his muscles well evident. I guess exterminating demons is quite a workout for him. There wasn't any scar visible at his smooth skin nor any imperfections and it was a sign that he wasn't a normal being and it's not a bad thing at all.

I rubbed my palms together to create heat before gently pressing it as his broad shoulders. I started to massage his shoulder by extending my your while pulling my fingers together and curling them slightly, forming a loose letter "C".

I bit my lower lips and continued giving him a massage. I heard him growl and groan and it somewhat made me flustered. I didn't know if it was good or not.

My thoughts were scattered as he continued to growl and groan. I didn't know what to do next, It felt like he just swiped my feet like that. No matter how many times I tell myself to calm down, my curiosity gets the best of me. I slowly ran my fingers to his back and felt his skin.

My breath hitched.

"Y/N,"

He called my name and it almost seemed like a thunder. It was deep and raspy, almost like a Greek god calling a peasant like me.

"Y-yes?"I yelped.

"Curiosity kills." He looked back with a devilish smiled plastered at his lips. He reached for my left hand and pressed his lips against it.

Shit. I think I'm loosing my sanity.

"What the hell are you doing, Y/N."He snickered before he maneuvered me and lead me, now here I am standing in front of this god.

Please. Please. Not now. Dante...

"I-I was just..."

He stood up and leveled my gaze. He's tall. And when I said that he's tall, he fucking is.

"If you're going to touch me like that, your curiosity taking over you, at least let me look at you." He kissed my left knuckle before he guided my hands into his bare chest.

I hitched my breath once more, biting my lower lips.

Damn it.

He let go of my hand and let my itching hands roam his bare chest. It was well chiseled,well defined. My fingers slowly creeping to his abs.

Holy shit. Holy shit.

I circled my fingers around his abs once before covering my face with the both of my palms. I'm getting crazy. Dear Lord please help me.

I didn't know what to do next. I was just giving him a good massage awhile ago and here I am getting crazy over this man's body.

Fuck.

He looks so damn...damn holy that my body tells me that it's a big sin to touch him. To touch every detail of his.

"Baby..."

Dante, not now please...

"...baby please."

He took my palms away from my face and raised my chin using his fingers, now my gaze fixated at him.

The lights were dim at his office because it was only his neon lights were turned on at this time. It was the usual routine. Now I see that glow from the neon calligraphy hits different when you're getting sensual.

"Dante..."

I can't even recognize my voice anymore.

"You're driving me so damn crazy," he spoke in a rough and raspy tone.

As he moved closer to me, I was able to smell him. His musk lingered around, making me dizzy.

"Oh please,"

He didn't waste his time by just looking at me. His hunger took the best of him and it was quite evident. He harshly pressed his soft lips against mine, intruding my mouth. He was skilled, he know what he's doing.

I let out a muffled moan under our kisses, I wasn't able to catch up with his pace. His hands locked unto my waist, wrapping it around before he decided to carry me towards the wall.

My back was now against the hard wall. I couldn't think straight, all I know that this man is kissing me until Im crazy. Now that we positioned ourselves well, he roamed his warm calloused palm to my chest and broke our kisses.

He wasn't satisfied by just touching my mounds against my offending night satin gown. He rudely ripped it off and threw it way, revealing my skin. His warm palm cupped my right mound, gently kneeding it. I have never been aroused like this. Even his simple touch makes me crazy, what more his lust for desire and sex combined with his touch.

"Ahh!" A soft moan escaped my mouth, vulgarly leaping out each kneed he makes. "Oh Dante..."

My eyes widened when I saw him lower his head, his lips trailing a kiss from my jaw to my collar bone to my left mound. Now the loneliness from my other mound was swept away.

"Oh my goodness—" I yelped when I felt his tongue playfully lick and suck my erect peak. He swirled it and sucked it like a greedy baby. His eyes were fixated at me and it seemed that he was amused seeing me getting crazy about it. I tried to push his head away yet I felt so week and he kept going.

The skill.

He knows what he's doing.

He unfortunately stopped licking my erect peak and fixated his gaze at me. His palms were now on each sides of my thighs, spreading my legs open. Grinning, he harshly pinned me once again on the wall and this time, I can feel his arousal against the thin cloth against my crotch.

It's warm and hard. I bit my lower lips as he slowly rocked his hips, his hardness brushing my folds. I can't believe that he's rock hard by just kissing me and I can't believe that Im already soaking wet down there.

Fuck.

His gaze was now serious, ruthless even when he started to change his pace of brushing his rod against mine from slow to a fast one. It felt so good making me arch my back while I pull his hair. The pleasure felt too much and he was brushing a spot that whenever his rod brushes against it, I loose my sanity.

"Y/N..."

I looked up at him and noticed that he was panting and his jaw was clenched. A planted a small kiss at my forehead before once again stopped brushing.

"I need you..."

"H-huh?" I looked at him, flushed and my eyes were dreamy.

Did I just hear it right... He needs me...

"I need you, my hands won't hush me." He looked at me with desire and scorching lust. His voice was rough and deep making him look even ten times sexy.

In a moment the next thing I knew that he swiped my thin panties to the side and his finger slowly entering my sex. My eyes widened when I felt a foreign sensation as he started to finger my sex. I rested my forehead to his shoulder and moaned softly, letting the feeling sink over me. It was a slow and gentle rhythm, letting his finger brush inside me.

"I can't take it anymore." He said in a stern tone, frustrated and wanting.

I was actually clueless at first but when I heard him unzip his pants, I knew that we were going to do it. I didn't care anymore, I want him. I need him too. I want him so bad.

"I can't take it anymore but I just can't put it in—"

I cut him off by facing him, my cheeks were burning red and my heart was raising so fast.

"J-just d-do it..."

Wow, I actually can't believe I said that.

He smirked at me once again, this devil. This man literally know how to drive me crazy, even if he's just smirking or even smiling.

Am I considered lucky because I'm actually making out with the Son of Sparda? I guess I do, I'm sure girls would've said yes to this. He's Dante Sparda, he's just more than a devil hunter. In a moment, I sure felt lost but then, a tingling sensation when a hot rod slowly went inside me. I quickly hid my face when I realized he's burrowing his hard staff inside me even more. I feel so full inside, my mind is spinning, my body feels hot against him.

"Fuck..." I heard him growl in a deep and husky voice, frustrated yet aroused.

Dante started to move slowly, gentle. I felt him inside me, by detail. It was driving me crazy, I'm absolutely enticed by the pleasure I am feeling and this is no joke, I'm swayed by it. I kept my moans low by biting my lower lips and it awfully stings now knowing that I've been biting it.

"Y/N..." He groaned while he whispered my name.

Damn it.

He slowly changed his pace to much more rougher one. His tip continuously hitting a sweet and delicious spot and his length brushing inside.

He looked like he is still controlling his lust and desire for it, I can feel it. He took a tighter grip on my thighs and it felt like wanted to have a tighter grip on it even more. His pounding was rough, wanting. I could still hear him groan over it.

"Fucking hell..." He suddenly stopped and pulled out, leaving me empty and lonely. I quickly looked at him, my eyes wanting for an answer.

"I want to see you, you're just hiding your face," he gently kissed my right before planting a small kiss on my left cheek. He seem to have started to walk towards his huge ass wooden table with a smirk.

He gently put me down against the hard wood of table, letting my lie down afterwards. Now that he placed me at this table, I surely feel so embarrassed knowing that Im showing all of me, even the littlest imperfections I have, my flaws. I covered my face with my palms, flushed and shy.

"You are beautiful..."

He chuckled before taking my palms away. His eyes were intently looking at me but I can see his sincere and passion eyes at the same time.

"You are beautiful, even your flaws, they're beautiful. Your littlest detail, it's so beautiful."

No fair, this man truly knows how to drive me crazy. Even at this time.

"You are a piece of art, a masterpiece."

It was so intense, full of passion. Sex is usually for couples, full of love and scorching passion. But in my case, I really don't know what to say... All I know that I love this man. For months of working for him, I loved him. For once, I wanted to be selfish and asked the universe to grant me luck with what selfishness I ask for. Now, this is it. Even just for tonight, I'll claim Dante as my own. Even just for tonight.

"I wanna be yours..." I whispered so soft and gentle and it almost felt that I was fragile. He didn't probably hear it, and Im quite sad about it. I slowly parted my legs, once more inviting him to my secret garden. He never hesitated to enter it anyway.

The feeling of pleasure once more sunk in me, taking over my system. We made love all night, over and over again. The overwhelming feeling of pleasure and lust combined with passion kept us all night. Our bodies against each other, our thoughts flying away. Our voices calling out our names, begging and wanting for more.

Until we got tired.

Until we got satisfied.

Until we reach our limit.

Until we passed out with so much.

Until my selfish time that I asked runs out.

I feel so full, sore, and tired. A complete mess even.

Oh dear universe, does this man even know that I love him? That I adore him?

"You're beautiful." He caressed my cheeks, repeating the same line over and over again.

"Do you even realize that I..." I didn't have the strength to even open my mouth and talk.

"I do. I do wanna be yours..." His voice slowly fainted as I slowly fell into slumber.

[yelenasdog]

unknown desires (spencer reid x russell holmes) (i’m so sorry BFRHEKRB)

really all i have to say about this is what the fuck and why the fuck. I DESERVE NO RIGHTS. enjoy i guess??? if u found this while searching for some reid x reader there’s plenty of that on my account!! 

i’m deleting this bye ok-

btw it’s set at the end of s9 ep18 and then ends probably around s13?? idk. also listen to billie eilish’s “i love you” to be extra sad bc this is lowkey kinda angsty and lowkey a mess but im throwing it at u ok bye!

🂦∙🂦∙🂦

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary”- Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven

Spencer shouldn't have been so drawn the first time he saw Russell in person. He shouldn't have been drawn at all.

He was a victim, someone who the young doctor had stared at a photo of for days while planning his rescue.

Although he didn't feel the initial electricity, he was far too buried in the case to think about Russell's kind puppy dog eyes or plump, rosy lips. Yes, far too busy to even fathom thinking of the way his raven locks that Edgar Allan Poe himself would be jealous of complimented his ivory skin, even for an inkling of a moment. He couldn’t bear to do such a thing.

But then, there was after the case, that day at the hospital. There was loss, it was hard to see. But yet again, he saw it every day.

His brain was fuzzy, and he seemed to be more heavily affected by this case than any previous endeavors. He wasn’t sure as to why.

It had him lost in his own thoughts, swimming in a pool of unknown desires.

So lost in fact, so drowned in his daydream, that he was barely aware of the person that had been wheeled over in his general vicinity.

It was him. His pink pout (that was more of a smile) was busted, no doubt, and his porcelain skin had cuts littered among it, but god, it was him.

He should have been disgusted, scared even. The man had rabies! And this was doctor Reid we’re talking about, the biggest possible germaphobe. But he couldn’t bring himself, he was too infatuated. Not that he would admit to it, though.

And he apparently had heard about Spence and his displeasure with even slightly unsanitary situations, as he chose to greet (and simultaneously say goodbye) to the doctor with a simple wave and bashful smile.

Spencer returned it in the same manner. The interaction was quick, too quick. It also warmed his heart to a full extent.

Russell was whisked away by a nurse, looking back reluctantly at the three agents that had saved his life, specifically a certain brown haired doctor, wanting to encapsulate his stunning image in his mind.

Spencer stuck to a cycle. Save, move on, repeat. It was easiest to do so rather than deal with any tag along, unwanted, painful emotions. 

Because that’s all love was. 

Crude and abrupt pain. But despite this, he found himself asking Garcia for Russell's current home address. His own actions confused him, but nonetheless, he held his head high as he exited the batcave towards the light, clutching a paper with the info in his hands. 

He knew he didn’t need it. But he refused to face the (impossible) possibility to forget this information, to forget Russell.

The paper was wrinkled and dampened from his gorilla grip by the time he had arrived. He flattened it out with shaky hands, grabbing a fresh piece of parchment.

“Hello, I'm Doctor Spencer Reid.”

No, no, too formal. He erased it.

“Greetings, I’m Spencer Reid.”

What was he, an alien? Even though many members of the team thought so, he decided against giving Russell Holmes that opportunity. And then it was gone in the wind with a few swipes from his pencil eraser.

“Hi! I’m Dr. Spencer Reid, I was one of the agents that assisted on your case. I hope this message finds you well. I’m just checking in to see how you’re healing.”

Spencer scoffed at himself out loud. “just checking in”, his ass. He continued writing and with very low expectations, he sent off the letter.

------

“I'll be just a minute, Mom!” Russell hollered through his home as he went to go check the mail. He walked down to the mailbox, limping ever so slightly, still in recovery. He flipped through the various envelopes, doing a double take when he saw a certain name.

Doctor Spencer Reid

Apartment 23A

Wilcox Road, Quantico, Virginia, 22134

He tore into the message immediately, a growing smile resting on his face as he read.

“Hi! I’m Doctor Spencer Reid, I was one of the agents who assisted on your case. I hope this message finds you well. I’m just checking in to see how you’re healing. How's your mother been since her surgery? I hope she is doing well, too. If you need anything don’t hesitate to write back or call the number at the bottom of the page. Yet again, I'm glad we could get you home, perhaps to your boyfriend/ girlfriend, or wife/husband.

Best regards, Spencer.”

He was off the walls with excitement. There was a newfound pep in his step as he made his way up the driveway, no doubt planning on writing back.

“Dr. Reid, I appreciate you checking in on me. I do not regret informing you that there is no boyfriend or girlfriend here, just my mother and I while we both recover...”

-----

Glee and bliss. Those were the two things that could no doubt be used to describe the relationship between Spencer Reid and Russell Holmes.

Although it was nothing too formal, exchanges of news about mothers or about how work was going was going on either side soon became much more deep, bringing the two closer than imaginable, even from 689 miles apart.

Never meeting again in person, the situation reminded him all too much of Maeve, but nonetheless, to him, Russell was worth it. So they talked, and talked, for years and years on end. 

They both felt a warm fuzzy feeling in their chest, quite able to place the cause on one another. 

Then one day, they stopped. 

Spencer had gotten home from a long case, and was very much so looking forward to an uplifting note from his distanced lover. But to his surprise, there was nothing. 

Although he found it odd, he blew it off, considering the possibility of getting lost in the post, running some stat to calm himself. Pulling out his cell, he dialed the number that he had saved of Russell's if for some reason the letters were to become inadequate. Voice mail. And voicemail again, and again, and again. Spencer tried for days and weeks, but to no avail, he was met with radio silence.

Until one day, if it was fateful or not is up to you.

 It was sunny in August, and Spencer Reid was not a fan. 

After sweating around all day (he wasn’t sure what it meant either), he made his way to his apartment. He stripped down to his slacks and undershirt, waltzing around his apartment with a water bottle in hand.

knock knock

He squinted his honey eyes, confusion flooding his body. He cautiously approached the door, keeping his revolver in his peripheral vision, compliments of his paranoia.

Another two knocks sounded, but before a third could ring out, he swung the door open.

He gasped, his jaw water bottle falling out of his hand and rolling into the hallway.

“Russ?”

“Hi, Spence.”

He wanted to hug him, he wanted to kiss him, God, he wanted to-

“I felt like I needed to tell you in person.”

His heart dropped to his feet as Russell's own shaky hand presented itself, in it, a white envelope, similar to the one that started their not-so extravagant rondevu.

“W-what is this, Russ?” he opened with nimble fingers, sliding it from its encasement.

Join soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Jane Holmes-

He didn’t read the rest, he didn’t need to, and couldn't. Tears made their way to both men’s eyes, threatening with such a fierce hostility to spill.

“I’m so sorry, Spence.”

This warranted no response from the doctor. He looked blankly behind Russ, his mind running a million miles a minute. With his head hung in a terrible shame, Russell turned to leave.

He was shocked when he was stopped by Spencer grabbing him by his blue and red plaid shirt, pulling him back.

“Wait.”

He turned, his hazel eyes just barely meeting Spencer's own of the same color.

“Do you love her?”

He pondered for a moment, before nodding slightly.

“Yes, I,” he paused. “Yes.”

Spencer bit his bottom lip briefly, before making a choice he knew he would regret.

He gripped him by the collar of his shirt, smashing their lips together for the first time and the last.

It should have been sweet, it should have been everything he hoped for and more. It should have been a reunion as glorious as they both could have imagined.

But instead, it was a mixture of salty tears, as their lips moulded together like they were made for each other. He pulled away, trying to maintain a strong facade.

“Good.”

And with that, he took one more look, before committing him to a memory, and nothing else.

He shut his door, sliding down against it and silently sobbing, pulling at his curls as tears racked his body. He heard smaller footsteps pad up the staircase, stopping next to where he left a dumbstruck and emotion ridden Russell.

“Hey, sweetheart, is your friend going to be able to make it?” She rubbed his shoulder lovingly, so incredibly oblivious and unaware of the previous happenings.

He put a remorseful hand on hers, watching how her engagement ring shimmered, even in the dim lighting.

He put on a false smile for his future wife he thinks he loves. “I think he’s a bit busy, he said he needs to review the date.” He spoke loudly, hoping Spencer could hear him through the thick door.

She frowned, nodding in what was her understanding of it all.

“Well, I hope he can make it, he must be important if you came all the way here to deliver this for him!”

He smiled genuinely, thinking of all the letters sent and hours spent.  

“Yeah, more than he knows.”

It wasn't until after he heard their steps retrieve, and their car start up and go, that he picked up the card to finish reading it.

He ran his finger over the gold raised trim, the feeling giving him goosebumps. He read the front and flipped it over, seeing an all too familiar hand writing underneath the date that the supposed union was to be held.

I'm sorry, I love you.

🂦∙🂦∙🂦

literally what the fuck was that ffwbfbfbkfw what do i even tag this?? im so sorry. also this is my first character x character be nice

[ask-de-writer]

SEA DRAGON’S GIFT : Part 32 of 83 : World of Sea

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to World of Sea

SEA DRAGON’S GIFT

Part 32 of 83

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

140406 words

copyright 2020

written 2007

All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form, physical, electronic or digital is prohibited without the express consent of the author.

//////////////

Copyright fair use rules for Tumblr users

Users   of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights.  They may   reblog the story provided that all author and copyright information   remains intact.  They may use the characters or original characters in   my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical   compositions.

All sorts of fan art, cosplay, music or fiction is actively encouraged.

///////////////////////

New to the story?  Read from the beginning.  PART 1 is here

///////////////////////

Chapter 10a: Grandalor : A New Tack

That same night, aboard the Grandalor, a very different council was underway.  Barad gazed at his wife in one chair and Master Selked in the other.  He made sure that the door was secure.  He sat and fidgeted with a Three Dragons die.  It was plain that something was bothering him.  The others waited quietly for him to speak.

“Selked,” he began at last, “you know the whole plan to strike at the Longin. Please tell Tanlin exactly what the plan is and how it is to be carried out.”

“Is that wise, Captain?” Selked asked carefully.  “She has already played a part in the plan but she may do her part best if she remains ignorant of the whole.”

Barad thought a moment, fidgeting with the die.  A Dragon turned up.  He replied, “It was Kurti who first brought your objections to my attention.  Her untimely death and then the turmoil of finding Tanlin drove things out of my mind for a space.  

“Now I want to hear you out and, at the same time, inform Lady Tanlin. Whether it is wise or not, she has asked me what the plan is.  Mister Morgu and myself are blinded by our separate desires for revenge.  I want her to hear it from you because you are opposed to it but have carried out your part.  I want to see clear to the horizon on this matter.  I thought that I did until I learned of your opposition. Please speak freely.  We are friends of old, and I respect your ideas even when I disagree with them.”

Selked leaned back in his chair and steepled his hands as he organized his thoughts.  “You must know first that I trust you.  I believe that you can carry out your plan successfully or I would have no part in it.”

He turned to face Tanlin squarely.  “In short, Captain Barad has a long standing grudge against the Longin.”  When she heard this, Tanlin looked stricken.  “It was Mister Morgu who proposed this plan for revenge and Captain Barad agreed to it.  The plan is a covert murder.  An Ord spine is to be pierced into the food of the victim, causing a slow and untraceable poisoning.  Morgu chose the girl Kurin as the target because of her importance to the Longin.”

Tanlin started up in angry horror at the revelation but was quelled by Selked’s upraised hand.  “Hear me out, Lady Tanlin.  I have more to say.  I was asked to speak my opposition.  Captain Barad rarely asks for other opinions unless he truly wants them.

He turned and faced Barad squarely before speaking, “Briefly, Captain, I believe that you have chosen the wrong action because you have failed to sort out what your grudges actually are.  May I elucidate?”

Barad thought that over for a moment before answering.  Frowning in concentration, he replied, “Please go on.  This plan seemed good but it has bothered me.  Perhaps you can clear up my difficulty.”

Relieved, Selked plunged forward.  “Sir, with due respect, you do not hate the Longin and never have.  Your grudge has always been with Mord Halyn, the Longin’s captain.  One person, not a whole ship.”

Barad thought over his many years of hate and looked at the die in his nervous fingers.  A skelt.

Selked leaned forward in his chair and said intently, “Mister Morgu does hate the Longin and not any one person of the ship.  The Longin’s crew exposed his first counterfeiting scheme and got him voted off his ship.  Now, Morgu has made you the tool of his revenge.

“I suspect that you do understand why Captain Mord tried to expose you when you came to the Captain’s Council to be confirmed, so many Gatherings ago.  True, he had little or nothing to gain by doing so. He is no fool but he is rigidly honest and fair.  He believed your election false and tried to prove it, simply because he believed it wrong.”

Sympathetically, Selked leaned forward in his chair and laid a hand on Barad’s knee as he went on, “I have no wish to hurt you, my friend, by bringing her up, but before your first wife, Teralat, died, you would have understood his opposition.  I thought that the feeling part of you died with her.  Now I think that you only covered it up.  

“I feared for your sanity when you lost Kurti, too, even if you and she could never have married.  She had become your keel.  Tanlin’s awakening seems to have been a gift of the Dragons that benefits you both.  She gave you a clear course through the reefs of your grief and you have preserved her through her memory loss.

“For you, Morgu’s plan strikes the wrong target for the wrong reasons,” Selked went on.  “There’s no profit in it for you or our ship. Even by the old Barad’s standard, that’s wrong.  We should gain by what we do.  

“If you want to hit at Mord, it is fair to hit at his ship as a whole: cost them fishing waters or get a Council ruling that harms their trade.  It is spiteful to strike at them through an innocent like Kurin.”

Barad, deep in thought, turned to Tanlin and asked, “What do you think of what Master Selked has said?”

She took a deep breath thinking, Barad ‘asn’t even told ‘is closest friend t’e trut’ about us.  Oi must remain Tanlin, even in private.  Oi’ve got to’ conn t’is ship by Arrakan t’ought, and replied, “Oi agree wit’ ‘im for a differ’nt reason. Oi only just ‘eard o’ yer grudge against Ca’tain Mord but ‘e wa’ at our Announcement Feast by yer invitation, a public renunciation o’ yer ‘ate.  Kurin wa’ also at our Wedding Feast. I’ she were our enemy, she should ‘ave been barred from ‘t. By Arrakan law and custom, w’ich ye claimed for our wedding, ye ‘ave t’ drop t’is.

“I’ we’re forsworn, we must part an’ can never remarry.”  She buried her face in her hands, rich brown hair cascading down about her as she said in a shaking vioce, “I’ ye gae forward, I must find ot'er quarters an’ anot'er ship.  Oi donnae won’t t’ lose ye, ‘Eart o’ Mine!”  Startled, she realized that both her thoughts and words had framed themselves in Arrakan.  Oi wonder i’ Oi’ll ever forget t’at Oi wa’ once anot’er?

Barad looked at her, amazed.  “You have both gone to the point immediately.  There is high risk and no profit.  I have always tried to be direct rather than maliciously spiteful, Selked.  You are right.

“As to your point, Tanlin, you are also correct.  I did claim Arrakan custom for our marriage.  I had forgotten that part of the Arrakan custom of Announcement Feasts.  If I don’t put aside my whole rancor toward Captain Mord, who was an invited guest at our feast, then all of our vows at that feast will be forsworn.”  He regarded her for some time before going on.  Tanlin now clings to Arrakan ways and behavior so firmly that she might actually take this the whole way to its end.  He saw a Dragon tide pulling the safe water from under him leaving only hard, jagged coral under his keel.  Suddenly, he said decisively, “Tanlin, our love is more important to me than any hate.  This plan is done.”

Tanlin leaned back in her chair in relief and asked, “Wa’ picking up t’at crazy boy, Silor, an’ sinkin’ ‘is boat like t’at part o’ t’e plot?”

Barad, glanced at the die in his now calm hand.  A Wide Wing.  Looking to be at ease with his decision, answered, “It was.  I’ve known him for the last five Gatherings and milked him for information about the Longin.  Where Kurin is concerned he’s so far onto dry land that the horizon hides any sight of water.”

“W’at’ll we do wit’ ‘im now?” asked Tanlin with genuine concern.

Barad considered carefully before he answered, “Now, I guess, we will have to help him sell his indenture to the Arrakan fleet.  Once he’s away from Kurin, he should be OK.”

“Ye’re t’ good, m’ Luve.  T’wad be easier an’ safer t’ repair ‘is boat an’ put ‘im bock on ‘is way t’ t’e Pollant fleet.”

“True, but I have known him for Gatherings and he is basically a good sort. He deserves the best chance that I can give him for the help that he has given me.”  Barad smiled wryly, “It’s your influence on me, Lady of my Heart.”

“Still,” Selked remarked, “we need to inform Mister Morgu that the plan is off.  And we need to make it impossible to carry out.  Many have guessed that we meant to do more with that Ord than try to catch Strong Skins.”

“A wise precaution.  I will make this a logged event with formal standing orders.”  Barad stood and offered Tanlin a hand up. “Tanlin, my dear, will you assemble the officers and Masters in the Mess, please?  I will address them this morning at 10:00.”

Tanlin left at once to notify everyone of the meeting.  W’at kind o’ mon ‘ave Oi married t’at could ‘arbor t’is monstrous plot? Then she answered herself, T’e kind o’ mon t’at could drop a costly venture t’e instant t’at ‘e believed ‘t t’ be wrong, t’at’s w’at kind o’ mon ‘e is!  

She found First Officer Timms on the quarter-deck, off duty, quietly watching sea glitter in the light of the rising Wohan.  Long thin clouds glowed around their edges.  The pale golden light of the early part of the moon-rise gilded the masts and yards of the sleeping fleet about them.   “Tis beautiful, is ‘t nae, Mister Timms?”

“Aye, that it is.  I’m in charge of the Day Watches, so I don’t get to see the sight as often as I would like,” he said quietly.  “I wager that you came for a different reason, though.”

“Oi’m only newly come t’ t’is ship, an’ ye know m’ so well,” she said wryly.

“No, Ma’am, but I do know Barad and you’ve been closeted with him and Master Selked this last hour.”

“Little escapes yer eye,” she said, leaning comfortably on the rail.  “Ye an’ all yer wotch officers are needed in t’e mess for a meeting wit’ t’e Ca’tain.  New standing orders.  T’will be at 10:00 A.M.”

“Aye, Ma’am.  We’ll be there,” he responded smartly.

She went on with her rounds of the shops and crew.  She ended at the Captain’s cabin for some much needed rest.

Her dreams were troubled.  Two seabirds squabbled over a fish.  And she was the fish.  Children played at tug-o-war and she was the rope, frayed and near to breaking.  She whimpered in her sleep.  An arm gripped and held her gently.  She calmed and smiled in her slumber. Safe now.

TO BE CONTINUED

<==PREVIOUS   NEXT==>

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[jeremiahgrey]

JEREMIAH GREY ##STATS&BIO

Basic Information

Full Name: jeremiah grey

Nickname(s): jay

Age: twenty-four

Date of Birth: march 23, 1995

Zodiac Sign: aries

Hometown: las vegas, nevada

Current Location: san francisco, california

Ethnicity: his mother is caucasian, his father is african american

Nationality: american

Gender: cis male

Pronouns: he/him

Orientation: heterosexual

Physical Appearance

Face Claim: justice smith

Hair Colour: dark brown

Eye Colour: dark brown

Height: 5′10″ (178 cm)

Weight: 149 lbs (68 kg)

Health

Physical Ailments: none

Neurological Conditions: borderline personality disorder

Allergies: none

Sleeping Habits: varies, depending on level of anxiety/current state of mind.

Eating Habits: varies. tends to snack frequently, rather than eat large meals.

Exercise Habits: goes for a run 1-2 times a day.

Emotional Stability: it varies, but overall about a 5 or 6.

Sociability: likes to be alone, or in the company of 1-5 other people. but he doesn’t fear public places or crowds and doesn’t have social anxiety (typically). just a preference.

Addictions: cigarettes, usually stress related.

Drug Use: none that he consumes habitually. he’s experimented with psychedelics and marijuana, but it’s just a once in while type thing.

Alcohol Use: about once or twice a week on average.

Personality

Positive Traits: adaptable, adventurous, amusing, charming, determined, quick witted, resourceful, tough

Negative Traits: detached, finicky, moody, obsessive, quick tempered, stubborn, unstable

Hobbies: swimming, running, conspiracy theories, hiking, visiting abandoned towns/buildings & old cemeteries, people watching

Habits: smoking, whistling, biting the skin around his nails, fiddling with objects or his clothing, tapping his foot

BIO:

TRIGGER WARNINGS: CHILDHOOD ABUSE, SELF HARM & SUICIDE IS BRIEFLY MENTIONED, MENTAL HEALTH

Jeremiah grew up in Las Vegas

His father left him and his mother when Jeremiah was 12. He had been verbally and physically abusive to both of them up until his departure.

The trauma stuck with Jeremiah and later led to him being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder

When he was in middle school he would have “episodes” of social and mental withdrawal. They would last a few hours typically, and without the clinical resources to diagnose it, he would always refer to it as being “trapped in himself”

Being trapped meant he was disassociating. He would basically just “blank out.” An inability to focus on one thing, just racing thoughts that he couldn’t keep track of or characterize. Often times he would have to physically escape as well, isolating from other people. A lot of the time he had urges to self harm, or even suicidal fantasies.

His personality for the most part was bubbly and charismatic, he was adventurous and always starting a new hobby or interest. And then he would become “trapped” in his mind.

His inability to characterize his mental illness, and his childhood trauma, culminated in a short temper.

He was suspended from school in his junior year for getting into a fist fight. He was sent to mandatory counseling sessions, where he was formally diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder.

For a few years he faded in and out, never quite having a quick fix or remedy when he felt trapped or angry. And he refused medication, or any forms of continued therapy.

His senior year of school he just couldn’t put up with it anymore. The bouts of aggression, being labelled a freak, the lost sense of loneliness that accompanied being “trapped.”

Every time he’d have an “episode” he would journal. An attempt at collecting and manifesting the racing thoughts. He would smoke a cigarette, hold his breath, count to ten, and write everything he possibly could. Then he would go for a run.

It worked, at least a little bit. It made him feel more in control. A way to cope. And whenever he feels it coming on, he has to get away, and chase that ability of control. He doesn’t always have to write, but he needs to do something. Go to the top of a building and yell his thoughts, or to a creek to throw rocks and count out his feelings. It’s not a one hundred percent fix, and he still has outbursts that mimic rage. But he can clench his fists and disappear and try to deal with it.

He moved to San Francisco when he was twenty one. Just to get out on his own, face the world. His mom had a new boyfriend, someone better than his father. And he felt okay leaving her, finding himself.

Today he’s still the same guy with borderline personality disorder, but it’s not a ghost that unwittingly haunts him. He just lets it happen, redefines it. Yeah, a bit unstable, but he doesn’t fear it anymore. Of course, he still has the traumatic threads of his pasts that still weave into his character from time to time. But he feels more free than he’s ever felt before. He has an apartment, and a job, and a different outlook on his mental health. It doesn’t feel like he’s trapped anymore, it’s just a burst of  inward thinking that he can channel into something recognizable and bearable.

Jeremiah works as a delivery guy for the businesses on Carroway Street.

FAST FACTS / HEADCANONS / PERSONALITY:

Goofy and lovable, unless he’s in a “mood.” Sometimes he may seem a bit odd or scatter-brained, jumping from topic to topic in conversation.

Likes memorizing random facts, and sprinkles them in when talking to people. He doesn’t naturally have a very good memory, so he tries to purposefully improve on that.

Often comes up with nicknames for people.

Sometimes he’ll just say some cryptic, vague shit. Something ominous or nonsensical. This is just him thinking out loud usually.

The way he interacts with people is usually pretty vibe based. If someones a dick, he’s a dick. If someones acting tough, he’ll probably try to get under their skin or irritate them a bit. He’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind, and usually the thought of “filtering” himself isn’t even present. It doesn’t feel controversial to him to say some of the things he says. He doesn’t think of himself as bold or brash, but he’s come to learn over his entire lifetime that it’s the reason he’s so often branded as a freak or a weirdo.

ALSO just because he doesn’t “filter” himself in conversations, doesn’t automatically mean he’s an asshole, or saying rude things constantly. A lot of the times he will say stupidly sweet things that the average person would find cringy or awkward to say to another human being so brazenly.

He’s also pretty good at reading people, just he’s not very good at acting accordingly and appropriately?? I guess? Like he can pick up on vibes, but that probably won’t change the fact that he’s gonna say what he’s going to say. 

And lastly (I promise this is the end and I’m sorry this got rambly oops) he’s kind of stubborn and can be bossy, like once he gets something in his head like THAT’S IT, he’s doing it and he wants you to do it. And you can call him bull-headed or balky but he’s just going to insist he’s passionate and determined. And it’s probably annoying to the people around him but he doesn’t really care honestly he’ll probably just rant and rave and somehow convince whoever he’s with because he has a sort of cheeky charm about him. but also he’s a pain in the ass sometimes i guess.

PLAYLIST:

coming soon

WANTED PLOTS/CONNECTIONS:

any of these can be platonic or romantic, depending on how we develop them!!!

a friend that he can just “shoot the shit” with. someone who will go on little adventures with and sit in the woods with or sit on the beach with and listen to music. they never pry about his mood swings and they give him space and stuff?

someone who works at jukebox records and doesn’t mind when he loiters around all day and recommends music to him, and sometimes they’ll sit at one of the listening booth things at the store and listen to each others recommendations together.

a drinking/karaoke buddy

someone he met when he first moved to san fran (3 years ago), and maybe he’s told them about his past and his mental illness and his coping mechanisms and they’re good at recognizing the signs and they kinda help him out and let him vent and they’re just supportive and understanding. but also respect when he just needs to be alone or escape, but checks up on him cause < 3 < 3

a neighbor (in his apartment, and im assuming he lives in the calloway apartments i guess) but they started off as enemies kinda? like maybe one of them would blast music and then the other would bang on the walls and be mad and leave little passive aggressive notes telling them to stop being annoying. but maybe the loud music stopped or something?? and then the other person was like “whoa are they okay?” so then they started leaving notes that were caring and supportive and maybe little gifts or knick knacks or food for them, or little scavenger hunts, and then they just kinda started hanging out one day. IDK, this can be discussed more in depth/particular in dm’s i guess. this would be cutesy i feel!!!

an ex girlfriend or ex fwb. but it didn’t work out because they couldn’t really deal with jeremiah’s mood swings or his need to disappear sometimes, and how vague he would be about it. or maybe they suggested he should go to therapy or a support group, and since he is such a stubborn little pain in the butt he just became distant and felt judged and went cold on them. maybe there’s still some lingering feelings there, either positive or negative. we can discuss the particulars in dm!!!

someone with mental health issues, that he met at a support group when he first came to san fran. but jeremiah stopped attending the meetings after only a few. this relationship could be a lot of different things! maybe it’s hostile/confrontational, because they have differing viewpoints on how to treat mental illness. it could be supportive. or maybe it’s like a secret?? like maybe this other person was at the support group for reasons that they’ve never told anyone, and like, jeremiah can be their trusted friend or confidante.

NOTE: if there are any connections that aren’t mentioned here, but you feel like would really suit my muse, please feel free to message me!!!!!! with anything!!!!!!!

[yuzuruspoohsan]

do you ever think that yuzuru is completely different irl ??? like i think it’s safe to say he puts on his “media face” whenever he’s in front of cameras and press and interviews, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing and im not trying to call him twofaced, but do u think he’s totally different when those cameras are off???

hi again im the anon who asked about what yuzu is like irl and i just wanted to clarify my ask as not to offend u what i was trying to ask was if you think yuzuru is any different off camera or irl as compared to when he’s on camera and with press and things and by “media face” i just meant like u know how he acts with the media u know poised and calm..hope this clears my ask up sorry!!

It’s okay, anon. I can see where you’re going. I wasn’t offended. Maybe a little baffled as to why this would need an ask, but then again…I have had this asked before sort of….[x]But in general, feel free to type ‘personality’ into the search bar for my blog, and I’ll have a few answers about him in that regards.

But your ask is a little more specific in terms of whether or not he is some way different from his presentation of himself before the official press/media, then of course, yes.

No one is exactly like their “press self.” It’s like asking, are you like the way you are when you’re giving a presentation before a group of people. You might be more formal or stern, or more exaggerated than your general self, so on…

But I have thought over my answer and it’s going to be a somewhat long passage….

So, when it comes to people….your gut reaction should feel something. And maybe some people have more accurate gut reactions than others, but there’s always something that you can generally deduce from what you see and perceive.

It’s not to say your reasoning is always going to be correct because you can be swayed and remain bias to your thoughts. In my case, I have had the experience of finding out that the person I was stanning was indeed a real jerk and asshole (scum of the earth). But then in hindsight, there were things he admitted in the past that aren’t things that someone should be proud of sharing or making a joke out of. So, maybe had I been a little more aware or judgmental of the guy, I would’ve noticed earlier.

But when evaluating someone, these are kind of the things you look for and think about:

1. Consistency

Yuzu has always been fairly consistent in how he presents himself. And it’s hard to consolidate how he is or who he is from the library of videos that have documented his existence, but in general, he is more thoughtful, mindful, reserved, and formal when speaking to the official press which are the news outlets.

Yuzu is more relaxed and can be more of himself when he is being interviewed by people he knows or has probably spoken to outside/off camera. For example, Arakawa Shizuka and Nobunari Oda (he trolls them during some interviews.)

And he tends to remain consistent to how he acts. You don’t feel like he ever does anything that should surprise you, other than, “hmmm, he’s doing it again.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do anything that surprised me when he’s on camera. And I keep bringing that up because you see, when you watch interviews with big hollywood stars, you never what to expect and that gives you the incentive to say….”woww, I can’t believe that happened.” And that’s probably because, they aren’t acting like themselves and they’re suppose to entertain you.

2. Incentive

Yuzu has no incentive to feel like he has to entertain people when he’s on camera. That’s not his job nor is it his job. He’s just answering questions in the best way he sees fit. Where as celebrities or TV personalities are more compelled to answer it in the best way that make them more charming.

Yuzu has said before in the past “I am not an idol. I am an athlete.”

I mean sure, he’s done commercials and promotions, but even then, he doesn’t do anything that is unlike himself to do.

You shouldn’t concern yourself with how he appears before the media or press. You should just watch videos where he’s in a more informal setting when he’s doing interviews with Arakawa-san, Nobunari-san, or Kenji. He’s most relax in those.

Watch him when he’s skating or sassing around. 

Think about the accounts people have given time and time again about how it is like to work with Yuzu (Shae-lynn, Jeff, Orser, etc.) and skate with. The accounts are nearly all positive (save for the fact that he can be very stubborn at times). That adds to the consistency of who he is generally.And people generally like to be around him and work with him (unless you’re his junior and get intimidated when he starts doing the glarey glaring thing when he’s on ice…..)

But to conclude, I’m not really sure what you’re trying to figure out from this ask. 

Are you concern that maybe he’s an asshole in disguise or not or something?Or whether or not he’s really that nice…?

And I would say, you shouldn’t have to worry or concern yourself all that much.

I can’t say that he’s completely like the way he seems or appears because, again, I don’t know him personally, and even then that wouldn’t really prove much because everyone has the ability to hide a part of themselves from the world.

But in my opinion, he does appear to be who he truly is on camera and that’s regardless of whether or not he’s speaking before the press or goofing around with other skaters during gala practice. 

Yuzu is Yuzu. He is always going to be himself.

He looks empowered precisely because he is true to who he is.And he has consistently…subtly….shown people to remain true to themselves in everything they do. Pursue, persevere, and do what you can to succeed.

Note: That when I say he is probably how he seems, it doesn’t mean that he’s saint. Cause if you’ve seen enough of him, you’ll know he isn’t. He’s overall a nice guy, but I’m sure he has off days too like every body else in the world. 

So, just to clarify, he should be how he appears to be more or less, and nothing more exaggerated. 

But that’s my opinion, someone else can have a totally different opinion from me and that’s cool. Cause it’s not like I have the power to know if I’m right.

(Though I always like to brag a bit on how I’ve consistently guessed what he’s thinking….haha. Ci )

[armytae18]

The Past and The Present

Possible love triangle series: rating- mature

Word count: 2314

Chapter7

------

Jungkook's POV:

I woke up next to Taehyung who was still sleeping, I ruffled my messy red locks. I smiled looking down as his sleepy face, he reminded me of a cute like puppy but sadly I didn't always love him. When I was younger I didn't think I'd ever find my mate at all and that scared me. I ended up falling in love with Jimin. I didn't know if it was because he was the future leader of the group or if it was because he was just hella sexy.

~ Flashback~

I watched from the gardens as Jimin walked by his father's side as he showed him around the castle and the multiple responsibilities he would have later once he grew up. Jimin glanced over to where I was standing with his piercing hazel eyes. I felt so nervous that my stomach was filling with butterflies. Not knowing what to do I waved at him but he didn't wave back he just smirked and continued walking with his dad.

'Did he just smirk at me?' I thought blushing so I walked back to my room with that question on my mind. I laid in bed checking my phone to see if anything interesting was happening. 'I doubt Jimin would like me. He doesn't seem to be gay, I found out when I was 14, I went on a date with a girl and she tried kissing my cheek and I felt grossed out. I just left her there, now I regret doing that too her. I turned my phone off and went to bed.

~A 6 months later~

My dad told me I had to go to this thing for young vampires like me. It was a coming of age type party. "Do I have to go dad?" I asked, I didn't want to go because I knew I didn't get along with any of the other vampires. "Yes son you have too. You're my only son and you're at the age where you find your mate. This is the best event to kickstart the search." He informed me as he fixed my tie. I signed upset and looked at myself in the mirror. I was in a black tux with a red tie, my black hair was slicked up.

-skip to the event-

It's been 2 hours at this party and I was getting bored of it all. I had so many girls try to flirt with me and get in my pants. I rolled my eyes going to the bar to get something to drink. "Do you have anything other than alcohol?" I asked the bartender and he shook his head. "I guess I'll just take a jack and Coke but not a lot of Jack please." I said as he whips up my drink. I hear shoes clicked behind me and I turn around to see Jimin. "Hey Jeon." He said with a straight face. "O-Oh hey Jimin." I said stuttering so I cleared my throat. Hey smirked then ordered a drink as well, a stronger drink than what I was having.

After a few drink I noticed I'm a light weight compare to Jimin, crap. On my 4th drink I started smelling the sweetest of bloods and I knew then that meant my mate was close by. Was it Jimin? Was he actually gay? I looked towards him but I noticed it couldn't be his blood.

"H-hey is anyone sitting here?" A small and nervous voice asked I turned around and that's when it hit me. He was my mate. A small petite man with light brown hair and big doe like eyes and very pink, big lips. I knew I was too long because his figure starting shifting in place. "Y-Yes, sorry you can sit." He sheepishly smiles and sits down by this time I realized Jimin was gone. "I didn't introduce myself, I'm Kim Taehyung." He said cheerfully. "My name is Jeon Jungkook." I responded taking a sip of my drink. "So I guess you can feel the pull?" He asked, I noticed his hands rolled into fists resting on his thighs and he nervously moved them back and forth.

"Yeah I do. I never thought I'd find my mate." I chuckled and he looked towards me nodding in agreement. "Me too." He confesses his blush reaching the tips of his ears. "Why don't we blow this boring party." I suggested. "But where would we go?" He asked shocked. "I have a place in mind." I smiled holding my hand out, he smiled back at me and grabbed my hand. I led him to my car and drove towards a waterfall. "This is where I go when I need space or clear my mind." "It's beautiful." He smiles going towards the edge to look how far it goes. I reach out and grab his hand pulling him into my chest. "Please be careful I don't want you to die." I state and he looked up at me blushing. He's beautiful brown eyes shimmering under the stars, I couldn't resist but lean over and kiss him. He responded and kissed me back wrapping his arms around my neck.

~End of flashback~

And that's how it all went down, I think about 2 months into our relationship I still had a think for Jimin but it slowly faded the more I started being with Taehyung, my beautiful doe eyed mate.

Nala's POV

After Hoseok and (y/n) graduated I started getting bullied a lot. This was the harsh reality I had to live but I meet Brittany who transfered all the way from England. She saved me from the bullies then they tried to bully her as well but they quickly realized Britt is not a bitch to be fucking with, she knew every kind of self defense moves out there and she was also a black belt.

I sat on the toliet seat hiding from my bullies. Today Britt was out sick and of course it's a Monday and the bitches that tortured me found out and they ganged up on me. Currently I had blood all over my face, a bruise was started to show on my check and arms. Silent tears rolled down my face mixing with the blood. "Brittany." I quietly cried but I shouldn't call her she's sick.

I decided to go home and skip the rest of school today, I couldn't deal with the pain and I didn't want anyone else to see me like this. I walked home on the long strip of road that lead to my neighborhood not too far from this hell hole called school. "Hey, do you need a ride?" I ignored the voice thinking it was one of those weird men wanting to have sex with young girls. "Nala, are you okay?" I recognized the voice immediately this time. "Mrs. Tran." I turned around seeing her in the passenger seat and her husband in the driver's seat. "What happened to your face?" She asked in shock getting out of the car. I felt tears pricking my eyes again as I hug her tightly and she began petting my head softly. "Come let's get her home and treated." Mr. Tran said opening the back door and letting me in as they both got into the car and drove to their house which was right across the street from my house. My mom wasn't home so they had to treat my wounds at their place.

"Would you like to explain to me what happened to your face?" Mrs. Tran asked as she gently cleaned my cut on my cheered. "Promise not to tell my mom?" She nods and I explained everything to her. "Awe sweetie I'm sorry you have to go through that." She said hugging me. "Well are you hungry I can make you something to eat." Mrs. Tran offered getting up. "That would be nice but I don't want to bother you anymore than I am not." I nervously rubbed my arm. "It's no trouble." She smiled warmly going into the kitchen to whip something up.

I waited patiently for my food and it was not long before she came back with a try filled with a croissant looking pastry. "It's a mini Apple pie. It may look like just a dessert but it fills you up surprisingly." She said reassuringly. "Thanks Mrs. Tran." I picked one up and took a bite, the crunchy but delicious taste of the Apple and the sweetness of the cinnamon. "Woah these are delicious." I ate two more. "Thank you. Im glad you like them." She grabbed one and ate it too.

We sat in comfortable silence when we heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it." Mr. Tran said as he opened the door grabbing the round handle. The door revealed my mother with a worried look. "Mom? How did you know I was here?" I asked standing up. "Ms. Foster said she saw you walking on the road with blood on your face." She explained hugging me. "Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Tran for taking care of her." My mother bowed in respect and we head out the door. I waved goodbye as my mom got into the car with me in the passenger seat.

A few days later I went back to school and went to my first period class and sat down at my desk when the rest of the class trickled in then the bell rang. "Hello class we have a new student to our school, please welcome Lee Taemin." The teacher introduced as a tall guy walks in. I've never seen someone so handsome, all the girls were drooling over him. He was a few inches short of 6 feet, with beautiful brown eyes and red streaks in his black hair. He was wearing his uniform tie loosely and looking like one of those bad boys mom and dad tells you to stay away from. I was so zoned out thinking about his looks that I realized what the teacher said. "There's an open seat next to (y/n)." He bows to the class and then walks towards me with long strides. "Hey sexy." Taemin smirks at me causing me to blush and cover my face with my bangs.

Around lunch time I sat alone at a small table eating my food quietly. Then I felt a sudden splash of water, my hair was drenched and water dripped from my face. I looked up and see the evil bitch who's been torturing me. "Really Ashley?!" I yelled. "What? I slipped, plus what are you going to do about it?" She asked smirking at me, I turned around and went back to eating. "I thought so." She snickered high fiving the other two girls with her. "Hey I suggest you leave her alone." A familiar voice said causing me to look towards the source. Lee Taemin. "Heyyy Taemin~" Ashley purred getting closer to him. "Get away from me skank." He almost growled at her causing her to get scared and step back. "Why are you standing up for her?!" She yelled pointing at my wet figure. "Because I don't find bullies attractive." He rolled his eyes as he said. "How dare you accuse me of that!" She was getting frustrated. "Get out of my sight." He demanded causing her and her posey to leave. "Hey you okay." He asked handing me a small hand towel. I nod my head. "Thank you, Lee Taemin." "Drop the formalities just call me Taemin." He said sitting next to me. "Arent you going to eat?" I noticed he did have food. "I already ate." He said staring at me.

From that day fort I had two protectors, Brittany and Lee Taemin.

------

Blackpink's story

"BLACKPINK!

Ah yeah, ay yeah!

BLACKPINK!

Ah yeah, ay yeah!"

On stage the girls perform their new single Ddu-du Ddu-du for their fans but things weren't always this great, they went through a big struggle to become idols.

-flashback-

"Hey Jennie we need to practice now." Rosé said the other two girls stretching and getting ready. "But I'm so tired just 10 minutes?" She asked. "No get up." Then Jisoo walks over. "Come on please Jennie, if we don't we'll never get the chance to debut." Jisoo whines trying aegyo on her. "But haven't we already debuted Unni? We have a buyable CD on iTunes." Jennie grumbles folding her arms together. "Jenny if you don't want to put in the work then you should leave." Lisa said angry. "Fine." Jennie got up and started stretching and they practice their dance for their upcoming new album square up.

-end flashback-

Every day they had our ups and downs, they shared tears, laughter, happiness and sadness but they made it together as a family.

At the end of the concert they all hugged in a circle as a silent tears rolled down their cheeks. They turned to the crowd and bowed, waving at the fans. "Thank you everyone so much for your support without you guys none of this would be possible." The crowd erupted into a loud scream as Lisa spoke. Finally they quiet down when suddenly they heard. "I LOVE YOU!" From a particularly loud fan causing them to smile and send finger hearts to everyone. "We love you too." Jennie smiled realizing how important it is for her to work in this group.

It was around this time that everything was aligned with each other. Jungkook's secret crush on Jimin, Nala being bullied then rescued by Taemin who she doesn't yet is a vampire, Jungkook finding the love of his life and finally Blackpink's struggle and success.

(This chapter again has nothing to do with the 3 main characters but it's a little back story on the supporting cast)

Chapter1 Chapter2 Chapter3 Chapter4 Chapter5 Chapter6 Chapter8 Chapter9

[respectwomenjuice]

hey, i know you have probably forgotten about this post by now and i wasn’t going to respond to it, but its been bothering me. i want to preface this with i am not in any way mad, i just wanted to let you know.

I was mostly put off by you calling adhd and autism comorbid when it is implied what it was taking about adhd before. adhd has a long list of other possible and more common comorbidities than autism, such as depression (end of season), bpd (seen theories relating to blackbeard), among many others that people with adhd deal with on a regular basis. it is only recently that there has even begun to be research into the rates of how often they co-occur

as for the spoons, i find trying to take in too much information at once can be overwhelming. especially something you are uncommon with, it would be like asking someone now to go eat a formal dinner with the queen with no prep or research, and then add a bit more.

last but not least, fine things gives background to the character, hes also a sea man- its safe to assume his hands are heavily callused. why does that matter? he wouldn’t be able to feel how soft the piece of fabric was, so the next available option would be his face. even this put aside, adhd people also can like sensory things, its not necessarily exclusively an autistic trait.

so why would i say this as an autistic person?

i have a lot of problems with how these communities interact with each other, and being a person in both that makes it weird. a lot of autistic person dont like adhd people in their online spaces interacting with that content, while adhd people are seeing terms autistic people have for symptoms similar to their own and desperately want to connect because they were never taught about their own condition. yes its not nice to see comment sections meant for an autistic discussion plastered with “i have adhd so” but its also not nice to see adhd and its struggles reduced on the internet because its “just adhd”

they are different things. they may have similar symptoms but i can promise you sensory overload from adhd and sensory overload from autism are two very different experiences. as someone with both i can pick out which is causing what

im not trying to disprove your headcannon, you are more than welcome to think that, i just wanted to bring this to your attention and explain why i thought this

stede and ed are autism x adhd at its finest.

stede’s pirating and boats is a special internet. as is fashion and books? its screaming.

and dont get me started on how he has all the rules memorized for proper upper class socializing

and ed! well we see it in the fourth episode, he feels that the routine has become boring, hes itching for something new, it’s monotonous and he cant stand it

the ten steps ahead of everyone? his brain is jumping, and im sure he hates having to explain that ‘yes those thoughts are connected’ or even just doesnt- example: specifically when he was talking about the clouds to izzy

[wang-yeon]

Accidental| Hoseok

Your boyfriend doesn't show up for your date leaving you in the awkward position of peers staring at you with sorry eyes. Right as your about to get up a presence saves you from your embarrassment portraying as your boyfriend.

Warning: Cussing, implied smut, Smiley Hobi!

Genre: A dash of fluff and angst?

Word Count: 8.8K

A/N: I saw this prompt on pintrest and thought it was cute, also i may have made some spelling mistakes and other things because Teen wolf came on tonight and I needed to finish before it came on. Please dont hate me frens!

Hours had passed and the loneliness and dread in my head only managed to sprout further more into my heart. I had been promised a lovely evening at a rather expensive restaurant but it was far from the situation that was vowed. I was missing the very non evident boyfriend that was supposed to be sitting across the table as i was met with the cold nothingness of a longing body. I had merely order a bottle of wine to cover up my sorrows but that doesn't really do the trick as the angry waiter suggest you should leave so he can fill the table and others staring at you with pity and disgust.

The classic lines 'Oh he'll be here in a moment' or 'Hes running slightly late, he'll be here soon.' were just running out of justification. If it wasn't for the seemingly careless stares everything wouldn't have worsened. This visible contact made anyone think that i was a saddened women being stood up for what she thought would be a good evening, which they weren't wrong for this assumption. However this wasn't normal him to do, sure he once and awhile got caught up in work but always informed me if he wasn't going to be able to make it or even if he was the most tad bit of late. Sure enough due to my observation it was enough to but ideas into my fragile mind. The main option being that he was cheating on me and assuming that i would never catch on.

My frown deepened at the news as i danced my finger around the rim of my wine glass. My eyes had officially gone dead and lonely thinking of the pain and misery he was putting me through while he was sticking his dick in a mean less hole. Somehow a mean less hole was definitely better than me as he was spending his time with her rather than me making my stomach churn.

If matters couldn't get worst the waiter approached my table with a face of Sorrow. The own waiter pitted me as did everyone else in the restaurant. No one just had the courage to ask me if i was okay or to just stop staring and tend to there meals. The waiter had finally mustered up the courage to kick me out and hand the table to someone who actually needed it rather than a useless mopey body. I could tell he didn't want to and i didn't need to be told to leave once again so saving myself further more embarrassment i stood up ready to make my long waited escape. Before the waiter could approach me properly a body came storming in and took a seat right across from me. I had previously been gathering my things before being shock by the sudden presence, halting my actions.

"Sorry babe traffic was crazy."

This simple existence of a new person caused me to look at him stunned. I hadn't known who he happened to be or why he had chosen to sit across from me right as i was leaving. I was far oblivious from what he was proposing till the small whisper fell from his lips.

"Just go with it."

I looked at the stranger with curious eyes before the waiter was greeted to our table in a moments notice. As the waiter approached our table the stranger proceed to say how sorry he was about him being late making sure he said it loud enough for everyone to hear including the waiter. It was a kind gesture letting the peers know that i truly wasn't a saddened women but it also made me feel slightly annoyed that he had to save me from the situation. It made me feel vulnerable and pathetic that he felt the urge to save me from even more embarrassment. None of the less it was a kind gesture that i was willing to accept.

The waiter cleared his throat and dotted his eyes between me and the rather handsome male seated across from me. He connected the dots and came to the conclusion that this happened to be my date. The waiter plastered a smile of hope that my evening had been turning around for the better. I hope it was.

"Well its certainly a pleasure to see you finally arrive, you shouldn't keep a lady waiting for such a long time."

"I know, I apologize deeply, my arrogance got the best of me."

He certainly did have some acting skills up his hand and it was fairly a believable performance. It was certain that he was also putting on a show as everyone watched the seen unfold. The peers had been watching way before he had appeared and as he began to act everything out no one couldn't help but to watch the scene happen before there eyes.

"Well may i start with drinks?"

"Yes, Ill take a sprite please and for the lady."

I looked up to be met with his eyes. They were the darkest of all irises almost black even. Im sure in the brightest of lights you would be able to make out his dark brown eyes. They were lovely to uphold and admire. The stranger seemed to take notice of my admiration as he flashed a warm smile. His smile was different from his eyes as they held the brightest of all things. I could tell it was a kind gesture but i couldn't help get an once of warmness in my heart, something that i shoved away. I had to remember i did have a boyfriend and that the scene playing out in front of me was all a scene exactly.

"Another glass of wine please."

The waiter nodded and fled from the table. I grabbed the menu and began observing the things listed. It was remarkable how long i had been sitting here but never managed to grab the menu and look at the choice. Probably because i didn't imagine actually eating at this restaurant tonight, being kicked out was the only option i saw tonight.

As I was skimming through out the menu i couldn't help but often glance up at the stranger questioning why he chose to sit and save me from ashamed moment. He could have easily watched as everyone else did but rather he took action and tried to save me from my hard ship. I admired him for that and was still curious on way he settled for something like that. A normal person would have just accepted the kindness wither as for me i had a nagging voice asking me why over and over again.

"You didn't have to do that you know?"

The stranger looked up at me with a small smile. He sure did seem to smile a lot,he seemed like a positive person. We haven't spoken to each other formally yet i was already analyzing him to the brim taking in every small detail.

"Oh please its fine, i much rather eat with you then by myself."

He waved it off acting as if it was a problem. Which it wasn't, i was just surprised by his actions of doing something so caring. I couldn't get that off my mind. Why had he been sitting by himself to top it off. Surely someone who presented himself as kind as he is doesn't deserve to eat by themselves. Maybe the details i were reading up on were just false information. I shouldn't give my hopes up, i already wasted enough of that tonight.

"Do you usually drink wine a lot cause i can smell the wine from all the way over here."

I glanced up from the menu to be met with his small smile and a laugh following behind it. I would have found it funny too but the trauma that i had gone through tonight was enough to make me drink a whole ocean of wine. My dull mood everything less bearable and his witty comments make me want to swim in the ocean of wine.

"Alright, i can see why you wouldn't laugh at that. I've seen you over here waiting for the past few hours, whats your name by the way?"

He must have took notice in my non existent laugh and not so energetic mood as he was glowing with it. I suppose getting to know the guy i was on a date with wouldn't hurt. Possibly know that he came to rescue me from my vulnerable state he could change my mood to a more positive light.

"Y/N"

He looked up from the menu to be met with my fearful gaze. He was obviously confused by my sudden blurt especially since it was the first word i had managed to say to him. Along the lines he began to catch on nodding his head before he began speaking.

"Ah you finally speak to me, Im joking. Thats a very lovely name i suppose i should tell you mine now. My name is Jung Hoseok."

I nodded at him in response. I hadn't been good at first dates i was always awkward with strangers and it was very evident that he was the polar opposite as he beamed with confidence and handed me small compliments. It was enough to make me slightly shiver in my seat surely he took notice of my actions. His eyes slightly softened as he put the menu down and looked over at the table attempting to met my worried eyes.

"Hey, i know this is weird but lets just make this as comfortable as we can. Lets just imagine that were two people getting to know each other. So, where do you work?"

I scooted myself closer to the table trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and actually participate in this rather strange moment between two strangers. If Hoseok was willing to go to drastic measures to make me feel less embarrassed then i should at least east repay him with communication and a reasonable date.

"I do billing and coding, nothing very interesting but it pays well. When i was young i always dreamed of owning a dance studio but it never worked out."

I was worthy of owning a dance studio as i was rather good at dance but the money never worked out and here it seemed like money meant everything. So i took the alternate path of becoming something i never saw myself becoming but didn't complain. I had met my boyfriend there along the way making my life enhance before it soon Plateaued as months passed by. Now my boyfriend and his entire being someone how been managed to be replace by Hoseok. I hadn't known why i had given him such information but it was a first date after all, well kinda. I was supposed to tell him something semi interesting about me even if it wasn't knowing something about someone was always somewhat valuable.

"Really? I actually work at a dance studio I would love to show you around sometime. Maybe you could help me with a few classes."

His eyes lightened up as he talked on. He truly did love what he was doing and it slightly warmed my heart as he wanted me to join. I was honored definitely especially since it had been something i had my heart set on but was destroyed when everyone told me how preposterous the idea had become. I could see how carefree Hoseok appeared to be and i envied that as he was doing something he loved while i was stuck being a desk day dreaming.

"I wouldn't want to be a burden."

Hoseok shook his hand as if he was offend.

"Of course you wont be, It would be a pleasure to have you by my side."

I smiled at his kind gesture. It was mind blowing how i already felt these warm sparks through out my body and we haven't even known each other for merely a day. It was scary to say the least but was more scary was that i was growing an attraction for someone other than my significant other. Why was i even thinking about him he was the one who graciously stood me up and was where ever he carried himself. Hoseok was kind enough to show me some sort of interest and i needed to focus on that rather on useless things that were irrelevant as of now.

"You have a lovely smile."

I hadn't done that quiet often. I haven't really found the purpose of smiling as i didn't see the most joys in things but as he complimented me without any hesitation. It made me want to smile as big as i could the simple gesture made me beam unexpectedly as he joined along. The big smiles that graced our faces stayed through out our mind bending conversation about the littlest of things. He laughed loudly while i held in my laughs and settled for small giggles. Our moment felt like a life time as we were lost in each others voice before the friendly waiter was by our sides once again.

"Are we ready to order?"

We had been so wrapped up in each other that i hadn't got a chance to actually decide what i wanted, same had went for Hoseok. The blank stares and the eager reach for the menu made the waiter only groan louder.He had been waiting on me all night and didn't intend to wait any longer. We flipped through out the menu before a loud cough from Hoseok brought me away from looking at my menu. The waiter asked if he was okay even though his features looked as if he could care less.

"Yes, its just the prices are..Huh wow."

I took my eyes away from him to gaze at the menu and the closest prices that happened to sky rocket. It was outrageous the amount of money you had to pay for this scrap of food. I should have known something was up when i noticed the room was filed with expressive silky dresses and snarky comments. No wonder why people were so intrigued with the scene that was unfolding.

"We can always just leave."

"NO! I mean um, no. Its the least i could do since i was terribly late."

I nodded looking through then menu trying to find the lease expressive thing on the menu. A small voice in my head kept nagging at me asking me why he had said No so abundant. I hadn't known the reasoning nor did i question it any further. The waiter was already annoyed by our mere presence why add to it.

"Ill have the salad."

I had hated salad but it was the cheapest thing on the menu. It was so plain and i much rather had chosen a simple burger rather than this expensive place shunning anything floating in the main stream. I had been so feed up with this restaurant and the bad luck that comes along with it. Happily Hoseok was the only luck that came along with the restaurant.

Hoseok put in his order as the waiter finally left with his lovely sigh. He must have really hated his job along with his life. Me and Hoseok weren't adding any positiveness to it any how as well. However when the waiter left we made our own positiveness for each other not following into the peers who looked bitter.

"Sorry for saying no so loudly, its just that i dont want the moment to end between me and you. Im actually enjoying myself a lot."

I smiled again at his kind words that once set my heart into a warm haze but as of now it felt like it was on fire. He manages to send my heart into this state with his simple words that he doesn't see as a big deal but is for me. He doesn't realize the impact it truly does hold. Maybe along the way he would understand but for now i was fine with the mindless compliments it surely fueled my liking to him.

"I just hope my pork chops are good."

"I doubt it, since the food will literally be the size of your pinky."

Hoseok  laughed whole hearty at my joke. His eyes sparkled slightly taking in my new mood that had replaced my dull one. Hoseok seemed to be kind and gentle and even though he had just managed to show up out of the blue i still was willing and ever so eager to see him more. He added something to me something that i really didnt know but it wasn't a bad thing, it made me feel actually happy and at peace. Knowing he wouldn't judge me with my simple movement that would often bother others. The waiter had approached us bearing our food as he placed it on the table before walking away without a single comment let alone a smile.

We began diving into our small portions of food dwelling on small talk and things that make our heart soar. I had been having an excelling time not minding the bland salad and only focusing on him and the moment between us. I had been giggling slightly to the point of me clutching my stomach, he sure had the personality to change someones mood. My mood changed as i felt my phone being to vibrate seeing my boyfriends name pop up. My smile immediately vanished as i silenced the phone. Hoseok took notice in my replaced state asking with concerned eyes if i was alright.

"Im fine."

Hoseok looked unconvinced as he eyed my persona. He had known something was up from the moment i looked down at my phone. I could tell possibilities for my frown were occurring in his mind. I knew he was thinking that it was himself and the situation i had been put in. He was a stranger and did come over to rescue me from my sadness but he didn't ever ask me if i wanted to go through with this. Maybe he thought i was uncomfortable, which i was but not for the reasons he thought. Overall he must have been thinking a number of things that were wrong with me till he choose to say what had been mostly crossing his mind.

"You know the guy who stood you up is a real asshole and doesnt deserve you. They surely missed out on a beautiful women tonight."

I glanced up at him feeling my heart combust once again by his comments. How did he make them seem as nonchalant as possible. He spoke his words with care and didn't matter if someone was going to shut him down for his words spoke truth and love. He was a beautiful soul and i was lucky to have met him over such circumstances. Everything about him was flowing with perfection as far as i could see. The simple thought made me smile caring as he looked over at me and held the same smile.

He reached over the table and laid his hand on mine in a comforting way. The simple contact was sending me into over drive as this was the first time we shared contact. I was sad when he drew his hand away but none of the less kept the moment fresh in my mind.

"Would you like a piece of my pork chop?"

I shook my head no the his kind gesture finishing up my salad. I had really wanted a piece but denied as it was his meal not mine. However Hoseok placed a piece down right on my plate sending me a playful smile. I swear he could smile all day and you would never get tired of it. I thanked him for the piece picking it up and placing it in my mouth before some of the juice began to dripped down my mouth.

Hoseok giggled with a bit of food in his mouth. He reached over to grab a napkin wiping it from my face. I swallowed the last bit of food focusing on the concentrated look on his face as he wiped away the residue. He even looked adorable while doing so, it amazed me how he had a control over me. His eyes soon diverted to mine as we locked together. It felt strange being so captivated in someones gaze. We began to grow closer it not taking a genius to know where it was leading to. I couldn't tell if i actually wanted this to even happen. It was the simple gaze that craved me to do so before the waiter stopped us.

"Would you like the check now?"

Hoseok moved away from me adjusting in his seat nodding along to the waiter. It was obvious the waiter was through with everything we had contributed to. It was slightly awkward at the table due to the altercation before the waiter approached us. None of the less Hoseok managed to plaster the joyful smile on his face nothing seeming to bother him. Hoseok paid willingly despite my protest. Soon enough we both got up on our way out of the restaurant.

We stood by the fast cars knocking us from any hushed sounds. I looked at the blazing cars not sure how to end the unintended evening.

"I hope next time we can make it an official date."

I turned to be met with Hoseok. It surely was an amazing time that i couldn't forget but i was faithful to someone else. Hoseok managed to make me feel the amount of small sparks my boyfriend never expressed to me. I was possibly willing to give that up because i wanted to be loyal to someone who wasn't. I was battling what i wanted to come out my mouth, i really didn't want this time to end.

"We dont have to end things right away."

Hoseok looked at me with glimpsing eyes of happiness from hearing that i had been actually enjoying the time well spent with him. I didnt know why he was so surprised by my sudden statement, im sure anyone would automatically grow a liking for someone who saved them from social embarrassment. I wanted to thank him in any means possible.

"Are you hungry for dessert? My sister owns a sweets shop."

I would be lying if i wasn't nervous to met his sister. There was no point in being nervous yet i was. I neither his friend nor foe so what was i to him. We were certainly hitting things off but it was nothing of the extreme. He was a very attractive guy making meeting his sister heighten my nerves. What if she didnt appear to like me. I had officially been over reacting and i needed to try my best and play as if i wasn't completely losing my shit entirely.

"Wow first date and im already meeting the family."

Hoseok laughed off about my comment not taking it seriously luckily. If only he knew that i was going mad just by the simple thought. I have never even met my boyfriends family members so meeting an attractive strangers that i may have grown an attachment to was sure enough to make me go slightly insane.

None of the less i shut my mouth and got in the taxi happily. During the whole way i wouldn't help but fidget in my seat. Hoseok took slight notice in my actions as he placed a caring hand on my squirming thigh. I found comfort in it as everything else he did. He sure did have a way with things and handled it well with a smile.  I couldn't help but imagine that his sister gave off the same warm smile. I would all but find out soon, and i could feel the riddling anxiety being to commence at the tender thought.

We arrived shortly after to be greeted with a small quiet shop by the side of town. It had grown dark but the shops fairly lights lit up giving a lovely scenery. People went in and out of the shop holding small sweets and treats as others stayed in the shop and devoured there scrumptious desert. Hoseok  guided me in the shop with a tight grip on my hand. He positioned me in front of the cashier where i was met with a fairly lovely lady who sported a contagious smile. She almost combust as she laid eyes on Hoseok jumping up slightly from her previous stance.

"donglyo, Im so happy to see you! Oh whos this?"

His sister directed her eyes to me. She held a smirk raising her eyebrows attempting to signal something that wasn't supposed to be. It was funny either way but Hoseok proclaimed to be slightly flustered at her suggestion. I didnt know what he was going to introduce me as, We had merely met a couple of hours ago making the situation complicated.

"Um, this is my date Y/N."

Hoseok sister and me happened to both be taken back by his answer. I dont know why was surprised, its what we were. It just felt slightly foreign to have that fall from his lips especially when i wasnt happily single. Then again i wasnt happily dating.

"Well, hello Y/N my name is Ji Woo. Now tell me how much did he pay you to go on a date with him?"

I could sense the sibling teasing as i had a sibling of my own. Hoseok still managed to groan at her comment taking offense. I thought it was rather funny and decided to play along but rather awkwardly. I still was nervous around her even though i was still warming up. She just held such a confident exterior as did her brother. It was enough to make anyone feel down about themselves and try to amount to anyone else. I tried to push the thought aside and proceed how i was acting normally when it was just Hoseok and me by ourselves.

"Actually i bought him off of E-bay. He seemed so lonely i just couldnt help myself."

Ji Woo began laughing rather loudly as i joined her with my small giggle. Hoseok stood next to me pouting that i was taking part in the teasing. I rubbed his arm letting him know that i didnt mean anything i said whole heartily. Hoseok seemed to lighten as i touched his arm slightly. It was warming to know that i had the same effect on him as he had on me. Hoseok brought his arm around my shoulder bringing us closer in proximity as he was aching for it since the slight touch. His sister cooed at use before pretending to be sick by the small affection. I felt a strange feeling of comfort by being in there presence. It was something i could grow use to.

"I like her Hobi shes a keeper."

I felt myself tense slightly and i could feel himself tense from atop me as well. He could sense my newly wed state as he became visibly nervous but played it off perfectly, almost to the point where it was unnoticeable. Hoseok respectfully removed his arm away from me, something i didnt want to happen. I had been aching for his warm embrace but didnt want to force into anything. Instead of focusing on the i decided to answer Ji Woo's statement to the best of my abilities. I hadnt known what to say or even what to think of it making me respond with my emotions on the spot.

"I sure hope Hobi thinks so as well."

I made sure to put more emphasis on the nickname his sister gave him to distract him from my bold answer. I didnt even have to answer making me slightly panic at my use of my unwanted emotions. I never trusted them scared that they would unleash the worst of the unknown. Something that i feared deeply but when i was with Hobi i noticed how he never showed an once of fear. I guess being in his presence made me think differently about things and he altered my feelings into what i always longed for them to be.

Hobi looked down at me smiling warmly at my statement making me glow inside. It was a sign of reassurance. Knowing that my feelings wouldn't be turned away any longer i assertively guided my hands to his griping on to them tightly as if afraid that the moment would be ripped away. Hobi tightened his hands along with mine almost as if he was experiencing the same thing. I lifted up his unoccupied hand to ruffle my hair making me giggle slightly at his attempt to make things semi more comfortable for his sister. She responded to our affection by throwing her head back and letting out a loud groan only to smile at us in a joking manger. They sure were siblings and were connected in many ways making me smile.

We were on the verge of ordering when Hobis sister insisted that she surprised us with her specialty. Hobi looked at her with confusion about why we couldnt just order but she kept on insisting. I tugged on Hobis hand telling him that it was fine and i was eager to try her suggestions making Ji Woo smiled in victory. She guided us to our tables before bowing politely leaving us alone. We took our seats as i looked around the restaurant taking everything in. It really was a lovely place, she had everything well going for her. I was completely memorized by her passion and what she managed to do for it.

"Your sister truly has an amazing restaurant."

"Yeah i use to work here when i was younger."

Pictures flashed through my mind of a younger Hobi working happily by his sisters side.Now he owned a dance company following his passion after seeing his sister maker her own. Maybe this is how he got his drive, by seeing his sister build up her success. It certainly made my drive to do something enhance as i heard about Hobis shop but knew i wouldnt take action int it. None of the less it was still nice to see everything to work out for them equally.

"Im sure you looked adorable prancing around in an apron."

"Oh yeah i was quiet the charmer, dancing any time i got."

I giggled at the thought not believing him. Hobi looked at me with eyes as if he was being challenged. I honestly could see him doing something like that but i just wanted to see how far he would actually do to change my beliefs. Hobi seemed as if he wasn't going to take defeat to this and subject to it so he stood up productively and began dancing very, awful might i add. I knew he was joking as he threw in some rather amazing dance moves in there but still manged to make me laugh to the point of me clutching my stomach.

Hobi halted his movements and looked at me with wonder filled eyes. I had realized that i had laughed rather loudly instead of subjecting myself to a quiet down giggled. I knew i had quit a loud laugh something that my boyfriend didnt like so i changed it in a hurry. Now as Hobi stares at me i cant help but think the same thing. as his lips begin to move i begin to realize i was wrong.

"I had been waiting all night to hear that laugh and it was all worth it."

I was taken back by his sudden affection in his eyes while he kept his playful smile. He always managed to make me melt, he couldnt have said anything and i still would have warmed slightly due to his smile. Yet he did say something. Something that sent my heart ablaze, something he had learned to be good at but shouldn't happen. In the back of my mind the nagging voice appeared again signaling that i was already in a relationship. However the mere presence of Hobi made me often forget that as i conjured up our own possible relationship abandoning the old. He never treated me with affection the way Hobi did making me think of the alternatives and they didnt seem as bad as i imagined.

I opened my mouth to say something before Hobis sister appeared with a hand full of trays. Hobi helped her placing them on the table before returning to his set. I eyed the sweets with a watering mouth eager to get my hands on the first thing i could. Ji Woo began pointing to each sweet describing each before i decided which one i wanted. Hobi was already digging in as Jo Woo watched with nervous eyes as she was afraid of what we would think of her product.

I plopped the sugary sweet in my mouth feeling it take over my taste buds. I hummed in tastefulness enjoying the flavors taking over me and splash around in my mouth. I turned to Ji Woo as she looked at me with anxiety still flowing in her eyes. It still surprised me how nervous and anxious she was about her product as it was amazing.

"This has to possibly be the best thing i have ever plopped into my mouth."

Her once nervous state change to an excited one as she visibly began to bounce up and down. Hobi was to indulged in his snack to even look up. It truly was amazing and she had to believe it as she made it.

"Oh my god, Hobi i love her. Im sure mom will as well."

Hobi was now taken away from his saver sweet as he slightly choked on it from his sisters comment. It startled me slightly too but she didnt notice as she was to excited from my opinion that she longed for. Hobi straightened himself out shooting his sister a long one she didnt take notice of as she asked another question out of the ordinary.

"Do you mind if i take a picture, Its just i havent met a girl that actually shows attraction to you and is actually very nice."

His sister was very out spoken that was for sure but i didnt mind it. I found it welcoming at times as it lightened the mood. So I scooted closer to Hobi telling him that i was fine with the idea. He eased down at my body language as he wrapped his arm around me bringing us closer. I smiled slightly as i put my head on his shoulder getting comfortable at the new position. It was slightly strange that his sister had a camera while this action was occurring but it didnt lower my comfortablity. Even when it was slightly strange.

She counted down as i displayed a huge smile waiting for the camera to go off. As she finished she sent us a quick smile before leaving us to go tend to her work. Even as the camera went off i couldnt help but still keep the smile plated on my face as Hobi went off about his sister. I laughed at some of his comments but mostly paying attention word for word. He talked about the memories he shared with her here and i couldnt help but think of the memories we just created together. Hopefully we could create more.

We had been at my house now seated on my bed something that was slightly dangerous. However i set myself up for this. Hobi was just leaving as we reached my door step as i invited him in. We had been laughing at the Disney movie displayed on the screen. We dabbled in small talk and shared genuine laughs. The part of the movie landed where Rapunzel and Flinn where on the boat and were singing along while the lanterns roamed the sky. I awed at the scene taking everything in enjoying the beautiful moment shared between the two.

While I was taking in the scene Hobi was taking note on the moment being shared between us. I rotated my body to his looking at him with curiosity as he still held the admiration. Hobi wanted to say something as his mouth opened but soon closer right after and directed his eyes back to the screen. He seemed nervous about something but i decided not to force anything on him as my eyes trailed back to the movie.

The end was rolling near as she cried on his chest singing the heart tugging song. It was sure enough to cause my eyes to water from the love they shared. Hobi took notice of my tears as he brought me into his chest engulfing me into a hug. I laughed slightly at his comfort as he ruffled my hair. I directed my eyes back to the movie as i felt Hobis eyes gaze at my figure.

"You seem more interested in me than the movie, trust me im not all that interesting."

I sat up on the couch looking at him with curious eyes and a small smirk. I could tell he was slightly tense from the question but none of the less i was playing, it seems that he didnt pick up on that part. He fiddled in his seat preparing to answer the question to the best of his ability. I was slightly intrigued by his answer by also scared for an unknown reasoning. The fear also enhanced as he cleared his throat getting serious something i hadnt seen on him but as he reached out for my hand my smile brightened as worry faded away.

"Im usually awkward when it comes to these things but none of the less i get to practice but now im going to open up and say it.See when i usually meet someone i grow attracted to i have the time to get my words together and not make them a jumbling mess however with you its different. I cant get my words together rather find any words for you have me so hypnotized by your beauty and smile. We may have met on unwanted circumstances but i want to get to know you on wanted ones. I want to know the things that cause you happiness so i can recreate them just to see the smile painted on your face for lifetimes to come. I guess what im trying to lead up to is that I like you and I really would like to see you again."

Hobi let out a final breathe as he finished his sentence with a anxious exterior. He was definitely shaking in his seat afraid of the answer. While he was freaking out on the outside you couldnt help but do the same in the inside. Had no one confessed to you in such a lovely way that your own melted heart turned to fire works and explode as he said word for word. I could tell as he meant it all as his eyes still held the admiration they had since the beginning of the movie at earlier in the day. My answer had been obvious as he held a great affect on me and i certainly couldnt lose something so gracious. I truly liked him to the point of insanity. He made me laugh genially and was they purpose of my bright smile. I liked him and he liked me. Nothing more was to be said.

I placed my lips on his while my hand caressed his cheek. It certainly was unexpected as he inhaled a big breath before exhaling and getting into the kiss. His hands were on the waist gripping slightly on them not wanting me to grow uncomfortable, but i wasnt. I wanted him to explore my body more but kept that for myself as it was to early to enhance on those actions.

The kiss broke as i pulled away Hobis eyes still closed as i laughed at his actions. He opened them slightly with a dazed expression a small smile painted on his face copying mine. The kiss was sure enough to send us both into shock as i hadnt experienced anything like that as i imagined the same went for him. The feeling went beyond the normal warming of the heart and fire works i normal felt with him but the new contact brought something far more extraordinary. It was a feeling that you didnt want to let go of and thats what i indented on.

"Luckily my sister isnt here to take a picture of our first kiss."

"Oh im sure shell find a way."

We laughed slightly driving away from the seriousness we created. It was comforting to know we could openly jump for emotion to emotion without losing a part of our minds. The werent anything drastic but comforting emotions and comforting talk. It was never tense with us as we always found a way to spark up a conversation. He was everything i wanted but deep in my mind i knew i couldnt have. There was a nagging pain that laid back but i had pushed it so far back that i didnt know why it was acting in such way. Hobi made me happy and thats all that matter at the moment.

"Do you mind if i kiss you again."

I was brought from my thought as i looked at Hobi who was slightly nervous and eager. I chuckled under my breather before nodding softy. We both met in the middle our lips clashing together with a soft sigh. The moment was filled with other bliss nothing to sensual, it kept soft and sweet. There was a feeling of wanting more but i didnt push into anything. It seemed that Hobi aimed for the same thing as i felt his tongue swipe across my bottom lip asking for promission, one that i easily granted.

Our tongues were mixing together  in pure peace and ecstasy. I had been so caught up in the feeling that i had let out a small moan and sure enough Hobi with his sense heightened from the contact he heard the small noise. He grabbed onto my thighs as his new fond confidence came out to play. He guided me to his lap before he laid down on the bed completely. It was a dangerous game we were playing that involved two young adults high on hormones. I was sure of what was meant to happen but welcomed it willingly.

Hobis hands grazed my thigh before he reached my ass. He gave it a tight squeeze letting me see the side of him that was rather kinkier than i anticipated. I moaned do to this as he smirked into the mouth watering kiss. His hands roamed up my abdomed as his hands disappeared under my shirt. I shuttered from the coldness of his hands but still accepted them as they were a part of him. His hands rubbed up and down on my sides ever so slightly teasing there way up to my breast. The feeling of his hands fluttering through my body and his toxic kiss was enough to shot happiness that i hadnt felt in ages but the feeling quickly switched to fear as i heard the front door close and someone calling my name.

I broke from the kiss as Hobi looked with shock at the sound and new found presence in the house. That when i remember the nagging presence that had been place in my head, i had pushed it so far away that i completely forget the reason it was placed there for. My mind had been so filled up with the happiness i was gaining from Hobi that i completely forgot about my boyfriend.

I improvised as quick as i could trying to gather any evidence of Hobi and and shoving it into the closet as him being on the bed was far worst. I straightened out my clothes and placed myself casually on the bed looking a the movie trying to look as normal as possible. He stormed in with red angered eyes making me sit up. Had he known of the situation that was going under his nose now coming to the surface. I stood up afraid that if i looked as if i didnt care or know what was going on he would grow more mad. I made my way over to him making sure not to get to close.  before i said anything.

"Is-is everything alright?"

It wasnt the best question to ask someone who was visibly fuming, but i hadnt known what to say. I didnt want to say to much nor to little as i would give myself away. Now as he opens his mouth i get ready for the impact he was ready to unleash.

"I have been waiting at the restaurant for merely two hours and you ask me if im alright? Well im fucking not, I tried calling you but you didnt answer your damn phone! Do you understand how pathetic i looked waiting on your sorry ass!? Why didnt you answer your call while i was being pestered by your non existence!?"

I looked at him with angered eyes. He wanst doing this? How could he had said such thing when i was the one waiting at the restaurant and his sorry ass was who knows where.He left me waiting for two hours to long as he was probably getting his dick wet. I could tell Hobi was mad too trapped in the closet wanting to say his input but knew he couldnt so i was left to say what i had to say.

"Are you fucking serious? Dont you dare fucking lie to me Yoongi, because i was the one waiting for your sorry ass not you! I texted you and called you a number of times while you were getting your dick sucked by a dumb slut. I was eating alone while you didnt give fuck only focusing on her rather than your girlfriend. So dont you lie do my face when we both damn well know the truth."

It was certainly a loud and abundant statement i had managed to say. Something i hadnt been use to expressing as it stunned me and Yoongi. It was a surprise that i had even said that but the presence that i experienced with Hobi today i realized that i should open up more and express myself without any regrets. Hobi was doing amazing living his life the way he was and i aimed to try and enable that very lightly. It was a good thing for me however for Yoongi he took this as  threat and tried to struck back.

"You really think i would cheat on you? Sure i lied about waiting on you at the restaurant but i was working, and thats more than a date. I have to make money in order to go on these dates, no money no dates!"

"Yeah im sure work was hard along with your dick. How was she, better than me? Are you fucking your Secretary certainly wouldn't be a surprise."

Im sure the whole conversation was strange for Hobi but as for Yoongi e grew irritated by the second along with me fueling him on. He tugged at his head letting out a frustrated sigh before rubbing his temples.

"You really dont have fucking trust in me since im the one who always makes the mistakes! News flash you arent perfect either! For all i know you could be fucking someone else and they could be hiding right under my nose-"

My mind had gone on auto pilot as he had said those dreaded words. We were both playing each other and the relationship was clearly unhealthy but we were so attracted to each other and had been together for such a long time that breaking things off would be so strange. So the only way we cooped was to fight out our problems, usually they involved him yelling at me and me cowering back down. As of know things were different as i stood my ground as i grown tired of his ways but wasnt willing to go as far as ending things.

"But oh Your little miss perfect in your eyes."

"I never said i was perfect."

"Well you sure damn act like it."

We were both growing tired of the conversation. We rubbed our eyes and temples gaining physical pain from the verbal fight. We had grown so used to this that it soon became another way of living for us, a much tired form of it. I ached due to it as did he.

"This is going no where."

"Yeah your right, maybe i should go."

I latched onto Yoongi hands not wanting him to leave my presence without on good terms. He held onto my hand bringing me itno a hug brushing my hair whispering sweet things. It was strange to be in such contact with him as all i could think of was Hoseok making me hate myself even more. He kept telling me how we both were going to find peace and that he wasn't giving up on us. This had been a lie on both of us, we had been so toxic we couldnt save it. He had cheated on me already as i awaited for the next. I would be a hypocrite if i didn't say the same for myself however i actually felt a form of guilt.

His next moment were out the door saying how he would see me tomorrow but couldnt bare sleep here tonight. I couldnt blame him as another body still laid beneath the closet door as i opened it. Hoseok engulfed me in a hug as he rubbed my back telling me how strong i was. However instead of feeling the warmness i felt cold. Coldness throughout me as i realized the danger i was getting myself into.

"Maybe you should go too."

Hoseok looked at me with wild eyes as if the request was absurd. He lead me to the bed still rubbing my back and comforting me by any means possible.

"Im sorry but i cant do as you ask. You arent in a good state to be by yourself. I get you have alot of history with him so please let me just be here for you as a friend. Let me take care you this once."

I smiled slightly and nodded at his answer. He attempted to make me food that turned out wrong as his frown deepened. Taking care of me had been going roughly for him but i insisted that it was okay and we just order pizza. We had curled up in a ball maintaining our distance as we watched the movie while eating pizza. The power had gone out momentarily making Hobi groan that the moment was being ruing by all these tragedies. However as I get into bed and he positioned himself on the floor with a pillow and blanket i cant help but think.

Even though it hadnt been going as Hobi planned the evening we had earlier had been perfect. Even when he experienced second hand on the argument he still stayed rather than someone who was experiencing it first hand. He stayed to take care of me when he knew something was wrong rather as for Yoongi he left despite the sadness in my eyes. If all false i knew one thing that mattered was that Hobi cared about me to the point of insanity and i was sure driving him close to it. I had made him go through my own troubles that he didn't have to go through, yet he did it with eager eyes.

Hobi was hypnotized under my gaze while i was under Yoongis and his at the same time. I hadn't known what my next choices were to be yet i feared them. I looked up at the ceiling breathing deeply afraid of what to come till i heard the soothing voice.

"Y/N please dont worry, it will all work itself out and even if it doesn't ill stick by your side."

Even the flow of my name leaving his lips was enough to reassure me that everything would be okay but also reassure me about something else. I had been falling rather hardly for Hobi yet was already in love with Yoongi and in a relationship. No matter how much pain he put me threw i couldnt imagine life without him. However Hobi provided as a good substitute. No matter my debate I would end up possible hurting one of them in the end, so i say the only thing i can muster on my mind with a small whisper.

"I hope so."

[rizzythemonk]

One Night in the Row

Everything in italics have been added by me for clarity and insight, everything else is directly copied from rp with @roewyn​ @leywalker-starsworn​ @zaderick​ @velerodra​ @thebuildingcacophony and @Vicajin. There was also a lot of peanut gallery chatter I did not include to keep the story focused. Indented is from Kurel’s post.

“Anyways… Im goin before it escalates t’crazy.” He told Kurel and Mav

Famous last words Rizzy.

“But she’s right. Its a manageable thing. Should you tame a tiger from Pandaria, part of you will always fear it.” Said Magistrix Demytrya as Rizzy took to appearing from the shadows, standing atop the cart, just inches in front of his sister. It was an interesting choice of words. An interesting choice of creatures, and the shadow of the tiger across his back itched in response.

Rizzy cleared his throat. Conversation continued on top of him and all around, but the monk focused most of his attention on Captain Essex, on the Ambassador, on the Magistrix.

Killian’s ears perked up when he heard Rizzy clearing his throat. His gaze fell on the man and gave a quiet nod in greeting. A smile returned briefly, then his gaze moved back to Ilyea. It was good that he had their eyes, and the monk waited patiently for their attention. Granted he knew quite a bit about what was circling around through his informants, Riz still wanted to give the pair a chance to own up to their end of the bargain, or to at least ask for what he had to offer.

He counted beats. Patient. And then tried once again to gather attention to himself.

“So. I believe.” He started out slowly. “There was some interest in a meetin with Kurel goin on. That interestin’ly enough, the magistrix ain’t got any power t’fullfill.” The monk called out clearly. He licked his lips and crossed his arms over his chest in mild irritation. He was almost tempted to let his tattoo roar for him if this did not in effect work.

“Evening, Rizzy.” Taleyreil intoned back.

Rizzy nodded, glad to finally have some amount of attention. “Would y’like to have a talk there Ambassador?”

Killian shifted his weight, scratching the back of his right ankle with his left. His gaze drifted from Taleyriel towards Rizzy, but let the Ambassador speak.

“A talk where?”

“Just away from the distraction of people who are promisin you something they absolutely cannot deliver.” As he pointed at Demytrya to ensure they knew what he was talking about. From Kurel’s mouth to his, there was absolute certainty in the monk’s mind that even given the man’s chance to cool from the clusterfuck she would be unable to make a meeting happen for the two. A meeting that Riz sincerely wanted to help with.

“With all do respect, Rizzy, you have yet to deliver.”

Rizzy raised an eyebrow, “We had a deal an it looks like y’goin round tryin t’no’ pay my reward. Makes the wonder whether you’d pay the reward for the one puttin up the posters either.”

The captain and the ambassador exchanged glances, and as much as Riz would have responded to Ilyea’s comment about the posters he had bigger fish to fry so to speak. Which Taleyriel seemed content to ignore as well.

“I cannot talk to others now?”

“We settled terms, settled location until -you- backed out, and settled on a payment schedule. How is that no’ at least good faith?”

“A failure to disclose the intricacies presented by said location could undermine your good faith. Me speaking to the Magistrix here has not put in jeopardy your reward.” The ambassador countered.

“Except I did disclose said ‘intricacies.’ And payin forward two grand in gold for Kurel’s bail, acceptin a card t’meet Kurel on her turf very much does put in jepoardy my pay.”

Demytrya glanced up at Rizzy, her expression letting him know he wasn’t helping. Her words were clipped as she offered a smile in his direction, “I asked for a show of good faith on the Ambassador’s half. He’s a man that obviously understands that no meeting with anyone of import comes without a price. His is to handle the small…” She paused, calculating how she would put it, especially with Ilyea in presence, “Kerfuffle that Kurel found himself in with the state. I’ve asked him to show that like me, he can make sure such trivial matters are set aside so that business can continue as it should.” Surely she wasn’t speaking of the row as business. Fels bells, she totally was.

That cinched it.The ‘Kerfuffle’ her own subordinate caused, when she turned Kurel in to the guards. An incident of the Magistrix making that she was demanding the Ambassador clean up, the appearance that it was his fault Kurel was there to being with, it was down right rude and bad business. Business he had thus far conducted about as transparently as the monk could, she was adding lies and backdoors to. The monk steeled himself to perhaps make a rare enemy for once. Speaking against a Magistrate was always dangerous. He could bend forever, but Kurel, Killian, Taleyriel would not. Especially two thousand gold poorer. He had Kurel at his back, Vel by his side, the pages of Sunspire in his pocket. It was time for the tiger to speak.

“Magistrix, with all do respect, you had no right making any deal on the Trade Lord’s behalf.”

Killian looked towards Taleyriel, taking a few steps towards him. He leaned in to whisper inaudibly to the rest. He nodded once finished.

Demytrya looked at Rizzy, “You can let me handle that, hmm? Unless you feel you are suited to handle such affairs between the Magistry and Sunspire?”

“I am in fact.” Fuck the magistry. That was the entire point of Sunspire. Freedom from such bureaucratic condescending manipulation. That was what all of this was for. Sunspire and Sunspire’s eternal freedom. It was a discussion that should never, and if Rizzy had anything to say about it, would never be controlled by the Magistry or any other power. They were self governed men.

Killian nodded at Taleyriel again.

“I’m sorry, I must have missed your induction into the magistry. I’ll be sure to get right on such accounts, as I would have welcomed you more formally, had I known.”

Rizzy pulled out the official paperwork of Sunspire from his pocket, “I have all the official paperwork of Sunspire’s trade connections, manifests, and legalities directly from the Purveyor’s office and the Will and Voice of the trade Lord.” He took a breath, that had come out harsher than he wanted, rilling himself up with the state of the port and its freedom, so he tried to clarify. “Sunspire is a free port. We are not, under any condition to work with or within the magistry, ma’am.”

“And I hold the proof In. My. Hand.” Oh please let that be the end of it.

“Indeed, you aren’t. Well then, it would seem my negotiations have been for naught. Forego the 2000 gold crown negotiations I asked of you, Magister. It would seem Rizzy here, has a better deal for you.”

The pair in question kept exchanging glances, and kept quiet.

“I have the -only- deal at present.” He reiterated firmly against the magistrix’s not so subtle snark, but at least she was acquiescing.

“Meet Kurel without such trivial matters being thrust upon you, as Kurel was delighted to pay such a fine.”

Or not. Clearly she was trying to goad Rizzy on the price tag. On the perception of his employer’s disgruntled reaction to the two thousand gold wasted that could have covered his jail fees. He knew better. He knew what Kurel wanted. He had for a long time now. He knew Kurel was the man that would rather blow up his own ships than see a dime from their use if it meant proving a point. Two thousand gold was but a drop in the bucket to what others had already ripped from the Trade Lord by a woman’s manipulating tongue.

You did not threaten his freedom.

“Are you certain, Magistrix?” Taleyrial piped in again finally.

“Sounds like the man blocking my view is the only deal in town Ambassador…” Vel offered and Rizzy gave her a light pat in thanks for the reassurance.

Demytrya looked up at Rizzy at that point, “Are we certain, Rizzy? He was about to see to it that Kurel’s fines be abated. Is that what you would negotiate for Kurel? That he pay the fines and meet with the Ambassador without such trivialities?

“Will Kurel rather he had the fines in lew of… well no strings.

“I suppose that is what it comes down to, Rizzy. You, after all, hold the papers.” She motioned to the papers in his hands.

Good gracious, how many ways could the man tell her she had no idea what she was dealing with before she got the point?

“The fines are none of the Ambassador’s business. How he is involved in Kurel ‘inciting someone to nudity’ I’m not certain. Nor should you be, you and I were both present for his lawless act.” He threatened. She wanted to keep talking? Fine. He would offer publicly her public humiliation and all the details he was aware of if she was not careful.

“Whoa. What?!” The Ambassador seemed to almost jump at.

Rizzy looked to Taleyriel and Killian, “She was trying to get you to pay restitution for something you had nothing to do with. So, you’re welcome.” Hopefully done with the meddling magistrix.

Demytrya laughed softly, “You think the pamphlets had nothing to do with it then? By all means. Tell Kurel your decision then Rizzy. I defer to you.”

Killian looked at Rizzy.

“If you defer to me, madam Magistrix, then shut y’trap? Thank you.”

The phrase in question was apparently such a slight the magistrix would not let it go even days later. Clearly it was the rudest possible things the monk could ever say.

“How do you incite someone to nudity?” Taleyriel asked.

“He paid someone to undress.” Said Riz.

“Oh.”

“He paid someone t’undress specifically to humiliate the magistrix here.”

Demytrya lifted a hand, a cold blast of icy air expanding from a small vortex outside of her palm towards Rizzy, meant to blast him off the cart and on to his ass if he didn’t dodge. She would have a certain amount of impudence, for sure, but his telling her to ‘shut her trap’ that seemed to be a no-no.

Killian frowned, furrowing his brow as he glanced towards the magistrix.

Rizzy had seen the wind up. The ice. The fury growing in the mage and relaxed his muscles ones by one. If this was it, he was going down fighting and making sure Vel would take none of the force of the attack. “That’s the charges he was official paying fin-” Rizzy did not dodge, and was blown all the way back, smacking into the wall hard, the air from his lungs audibly forced out with a hard grunt.

You did not threaten his people.

Killian walked towards Rizzy and held his hand out to the man. No words were said, but he gave him a nod.

Riz let out a hacking cough.

Taleyriel stared blankly into the distance as though he were in the office. Yep.

Demytrya watched as rizzy was thrown, turning to Taleyriel as if she hadn’t just blasted him in the face with 70 mile per hour winds of ice, her smile not entirely meeting her eyes. “Go ahead and go with our agreement. I’ll make sure to tell Kurel that Rizzy here fought on his behalf for you not to honor the agreement we established so Rizzy is not seen as derelict. I’ll also make sure to see to it that if he hurt his poor noggin, it’s handled, hmm?” A single pale brow lofted.

Rizzy took Killian’s hand once he could breathe again, leaning hard on him for just a moment, “Thanks”

Rizzy’s next words were quiet, pressed close to Killian in a whisper. “There is no deal. Kurel is refusing to speak with you two for now because of all this cluster. Whatever she's promising you, don't trust her. I'll work something out in the future. Don't worry about my pay. I just want t'see you two safe an sound. Also... Im gettin rid of the rocks round sunspire. I had no idea how terrible they were."

"Whatever fucking shit's happening, you will get paid. You came forward with information, even though we didn't meet. You deserve at least half for that. This whole thing is bollocks. We should speak in private. I have met Kurel before." The captain mumbled back.

"Anytime. Im here for you guys whenever y'need. Also that Ilyea lady? She's the one that made all the flyers."

"Are you certain about that?"

"Its what Kurel said, an’ the fact that she won't shut up about em lends support t'that."

"Ten thousand pieces of gold, as per my reward. Thank you for that."

Meanwhile Rizzy kept his ear perked for the ambassador and the magistrix still…

“Are you all right?”

“Welcome to the row, Ambassador.”

Taleyriel gave a polite nod. “You have my gratitude,” his attention shifted towards Rizzy and Killian for a moment. The absurdity of having asked the attacker if she was fine had been entirely lost on him.

“Magistrix - to be clear, are you saying you intend to keep the deal you have no authority to make?” Vel asked considering Rizzy was still a bit winded.

“Vic if you hadn’t been sitting there being bored, you’d have known that was your cue to wisk Rizzy away in the shadows.” The magistrix shot the troll a frown.

The troll in question only replied, “I don’t do political assassinations anymore. Messy stuff.”

Wait, what?

Rizzy did a few calculations. Killian at one side, Vel at the other, other friends and informants about the crowd hidden and in view… he was safe, but at the same time. She blatantly offered out loud to have him taken into the shadows and murdered. He would remember that.

“I’m saying the deal I was making was on behalf of a close friend. Not as an agent of Sunspire Port. He can take Sunspire Port’s deal, or mine. I am willing to bet which deal Kurel would find more to his liking. Do you challenge that?”

“Me too.” Vel replied.

“Which is going to make Kurel have more faith in the magister here? Which is going to show the magisters good faith that he in in fact who and what he says he is?” Demytrya would just not stop.

“Ambassador.” Taleyriel corrected.

“Pardon, Ambassador, my apologies. At any rate, the Ambassador here gets an opportunity in my deal.”

Taleyriel gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “No need. It has been a rather energetic night.”

Ilyea pipped in “Demy is a very good friend of Kurel. She will be the best to make sure both are done well. I guarantee it.”

Except Killian knew the truth already. If Taleyriel didn't know yet, he was soon to follow.

“To show that if there is business to be had, he can handle it. He’s got the cops, as it were to make such negotiations and see them through.” the magistrix continued.

Vel shrugged, “I’d not dare challenge an all knowing magistrix… Though, I do know… somewhat - that Kurel doesn’t like deals he isn’t being told he’s a part of… which - unless you’ve manage to tell him… you have no way of knowing… I’d bet on Rizzy’s deal…”

“Oh? So perhaps we put it to the test? We could offer both deals to Kurel.”

Vel just stared at Taleyriel. Then to Demy, “wait - one moment… if we do the test - and he rejects your deal… You owe me something… hm?”

“Sure.”

Riz remained quiet, letting the magistix blow her storm out thinking somehow her icy wind had led her to win. He quietly recalled conversations with Vel and felt more centered despite the physical bruising spreading across his skin. Given a choice, as a free man of Sunspire it was his right to choose; Riz would never be the wind.

Seriously, have you all not figured out reading this by now?

The reed bends in the wind. It does not break. But contracts do.

@shaded-hawke @kurel-andiel @tinthard @thoendran @aranyaphoenix @crimsynlotus

[def-initely-soul]

Blood Relations Part 10 - Extra

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10 - Extra, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15

A/N: okay so this is like an extra chapter about part 10, and it happens right after the events of part 10. It’s small but not that small to put it in the next part, so I’m making it as an extra! Anyways that’s it! Enjoy!

Gif’s not mine

Words: 2365

Pairing: Jaebum/Reader

Summary: No summary ehehehehehe

Previous Part: Part 10

You are walking down a hallway. People seem to pass you by, no one really noticing you. You look around astonished, as you try to figure out where you are. The boisterous sounds around you, fill the air and inform you of the great number of people in the house. It’s buzzing with life. Vivid smells engulf your senses, in the wake of tonight’s feast. Confusion and bewilderment absorb you, in the images in front of you. The long gray dresses, the too formal attires, the way the house is decorated. All are messing with your mind. Until the sound of a well-known laugh, floats in the air, making you search for it, in the midst of your confusion. It sounds alive and vibrant. You follow the sound, out of curiosity and you end up in a big, familiar, spacious room with a large dining table as its centerpiece. Your eyes spot three girls in long gray uniforms, preparing the table, lighting candles, placing silverware and plates, the sounds they make filling the silence. But the owner of the laugh is nowhere to be seen. Before you wonder about where they might be, the laugh rings through the walls, once more, coming from the left side of the room. You quicken your pace, in your attempt to locate the owner, excitement surging through your limbs. You open the door in front of you, and you are suddenly in the middle of an empty hallway. Well, empty except from you and other two men. You can’t recognize them, your vision is blurry. You blink your eyes over and over again, but the picture refuses to clear. Until you hear the laughter once more and while your vision clears, you have recognized the owner of the voice, before you get to see him. It’s Jaebum. His pair of familiar eyes are gleaming, as he stands close to Youngjae, hearing him talk. They looked polished and extravagant, with their hair brushed back and their attires in blue and black, in pure perfection. Your heart flutters at the sight, a quick reaction you’re used to having every time you see him. By now, it’s common for you, even though he stills manages to electrify you.

“...And I swear he fell right off the horse, after we just informed him about its condition” Youngjae says, his voice sounding distant at the beginning, but it slowly becomes clearer.

“Unbelievable. And how did he manage to recover after that? My pride would have been wounded” Jaebum replies with a soft, teaseful smile and you observe him. He looks stunning. The way his suit fits him so well, highlighting his well-built figure, has you trapped. You cough to gain their attention. But none of them seem to notice you, as they carry on with their conversation. Until another cough echoes in the air, making them stop talking and look over at you. They both smile at your direction, and Jaebum’s smile is nothing short of magnificent.

For a moment you think the smile is meant for you, but as you take a step towards them, you feel something strange coursing through your body, as a girl, literally, walks through you. You stare at her in shock and then back to your body, safe and sound. How did she do that?

“What does my dear brother bother you with, this time?” she asks playfully, as she nears the two men, who stare at her with smiles in their faces. She gives a quick peck at Youngjae’s cheek and then she turns her attention at Jaebum. Her face shines with glee as she looks at him, her eyes wide with adoration.

Jaebum smiles at her, joining his hand behind his back, and you feel yourself getting uneasy.

“We all know that I bother him much more about my affairs. Consider it as an eye for an eye” he replies, teasefully while Youngjae laughs.

“Actually, dear brother, I think Lady Im requires your help about something. You should go and assist her” the girl says to Youngjae, but he looks at her, his face betraying his confusion. Then he gets the hint and your uneasiness grows as you get it too.

“Ah, yes of course, I should go” he replies as he moves away from the duo, and you notice Jaebum’s eyes growing, looking at his friend in close panic. Youngjae looks at him, with a gaze that only tells Jaebum, he can’t avoid this. Then his stare moves to his sister, as he observes the close attention she’s giving to Jaebum. Then he leaves them alone. You return your eyes to them, feeling panic rising through your chest. You can see the affection in her eyes, when she looks at him.

“So, how have your studies been, Sujin? Youngjae informed me you seem to be doing well” Jaebum’s voice fills the awkward silence, clearly uncomfortable with being alone with her.

“I am… What about you? Is everything alright with the business? Being a merchant must be very consuming over time and energy” she replies, calmly.

Jaebum gives her a chuckle. “It’s alright, I can’t complain… Should we head back to the dining room? Dinner is about to be served…” he tries to walk to the door, when her voice stops him. Your heart stops for that moment, but then it starts beating fast. You are sure it’s gonna beat out of your chest and you wish she won’t say what you think she will.

“Could you wait? ... I… Actually, I have been meaning to talk to you, alone. You see, I-”

“Sujin, don’t say something you’ll regret”

She stops and looks at him stunned, as you do. “What do you mean?”

Jaebum sighs. “People might hear. And I don’t wish for you to be ridiculed” he explains, with a soft, honest voice, looking at her. She doesn’t respond. Jaebum moves to leave again, until her words stop him, once more.

“Why would I be ridiculed?” she asks slowly, as if she is afraid to hear the answer. As if she already knows it. Jaebum stands still, his face scrunched up in concentration.

He turns to face her, while taking a breath. “Because my feelings for you can never advance into something else, besides brotherly love” he says carefully, waiting for her reaction. Your chest falls slowly, as you exhale in relief. She continues to look at him, wide-eyed, but then she lowers her head to the ground.

“Oh, I see…” she whispers, and you feel guilty, being relieved by her misfortune. You can almost hear her heart, breaking.

Jaebum moves close to her, with an exhale as he takes her hands into his.

“I am certain you will find someone to love you and cherish you, as much as you’re worth to. But I am not that person. And if our union wouldn’t succeed, I would despise myself for being the cause of your unhappiness. You deserve to be happy”

She raises her head to look at him and a bittersweet smile graces her lips. “Thank you…” she exhales. Jaebum smiles once more, hooking his arm around hers. “Shall we go now? I am sure Hakyeon will be dying to see us again”. She smiles again and nods. The duo slowly begins to move towards the dining room, with light steps.

But as soon as they leave the scenery changes….

You are in front of the mansion. It’s bright and warm. Too warm.

And that’s when you realize it’s because the mansion is being devoured by flames.

There is chaos everywhere.

The fire is slowly licking the house, destroying and consuming everything in its path. People are running around, trying to flee an image out of their worst nightmares. But none manages to escape. They’re either prayed on by the fire or by something even sinister.

A few of them that succeed to escape, run towards the open fields but before they can get away from this pit of hell, they’re being attacked. Formless shadows hunt them down, one by one. They move quickly, with precision. Ghost-like things that disappear into the night and appear again, before the sickening sound of skin tearing and bone breaking, fill the gaps the sounds of the fire allow. Along with the agonizing screams of the people that lose their lives.

You stare in horror as you try to go to their aid, when you realize you can’t. Cause every time you try to touch something, your hand moves through it. As if you’re made purely of air. Then the sound of wood breaking makes you look away. Your eyes are held captive by the image the fire bestows. The alluring picture lulls you to step closer to the entrance of the house, completely forgetting the danger you might put yourself into.

And that’s when you hear a high-pitched scream. So dreadful and horrific, it causes shivers down your spine.

You move quickly inside the house and once, inside the dining room, you see everything is consumed by fire. It’s either burned to ashes or still burning. The room is full with smoke, but it doesn’t affect you as you notice Youngjae’s sister coughing uncontrollably. You move closer to her, when a shadow drifts, swiftly around her. At first it doesn’t attack her, it seems like it is observing her. Her scared eyes look frantically around her, following its movements. Then you hear a voice.

“Your beauty exceeds my expectations. It’s such a shame. If you weren’t Jaebum’s, I was going to claim you as my own”. Maliciousness and greed are dripping with every word.

Sujin’s terrified gaze continues to chase after it, now bafflement evident in her eyes. “But I’m not-”

She ceases her words as the shadow stops moving and a male figure materializes in front of her. She is left speechless, her eyes wide with shock.

“Too bad that I’m gonna have to kill you” he says and before Sujin manages to react, you hear the grotesque sound of a neck snapping, and Sujin falls, lifeless, to the floor.

You cover your mouth with your hands, muffling the cry of horror that tries to escape your lips. This can’t be happening. She can’t die like that.

“SUJIN!” an unrestrained cry fills the air, that stops you from moving closer to her. You see N barging in, his clothes burned and teared apart and his eyes frantically looking for Sujin. But as soon as he finds her, he stands still. He walks slowly next to her and he falls to his knees with blank eyes. Shock and heartbreak are covering his features, as his hands reach for her.

“No…” he exhales, almost inaudible, as he holds her close. He places his forehead on top of hers and soon enough, tears run down his face. The image in front of you starts to blur and you realize it’s because you’re crying too.

The man turns to N. “Tell Lord Jaebum he shouldn’t have meddled where it’s not within his limits. This is what he gets for going against us” he says and then he disappears the same way he came; like a shadow.

N doesn’t move his face to acknowledge the man, but his words remain etched to his mind. That’s when Jaebum bursts into the room. His attire is in the same condition as N’s; burned and torn to pieces. His face is full of worry, but it freezes as soon as he sees N cradling Sujin’s body, silent tears of sorrow rolling down his cheeks. Jaebum takes a step towards them, but N’s head snaps towards him. His eyes full of despair.

“This is your fault” his voice dripping with misery and hate, his gaze fiery upon Jaebum. “She died because of you!” he yells, his figure wretched, ready to collapse. And just as Jaebum is about to move closer, another lingering shadow infiltrates the room, going straight for N’s neck. You hear the sound of fangs breaking skin. Then N’s cries of suffering. He writhes in pain and the shadow remains for just a moment before it disappears, letting N fall to the ground. Jaebum’s face turns white, as realization hits him, his face contorting in agony.

“HAKYEON!” he yells, in desperation, rushing to N’s body on the floor, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. Jaebum’s face is already stained by tears, as he cradles his brother’s body close to him, among this chaos and your heart breaks into million pieces. Why is this happening to him? You fall to your knees, opposite of him, next to N’s body, as you stare in terror, at N’s still form. Then Jaebum raises his head and he stands frozen as he sees something behind you.

At this moment, you want to simply erase any pain or sorrow he’s going through. You long to touch him, to feel his skin under your fingertips, to comfort him.

But then you realize he’s not looking at something behind you.

He looks straight into your eyes.

“Get out” he whispers, in urgency. You stare back, motionless, unable to tear your gaze away from him. Is that meant for you?

His eyes stare into you, silently trying to persuade you to escape. But as you fail to move, another shadow invades the room and materializes, in the middle of descending from pure air, as it goes straight for Jaebum’s neck. A shocked, scared yelp escapes your throat as you fall to your hands, in terror.

An anguished scream leaves Jaebum’s lips when he falls down, unable to do anything, as the man feds from him, uncontrollably.

“STOP!!” you yell in desperation, tears, now, continuously flowing from your eyes, but your voice won’t come out, as you stare at the familiar man sucking the life out of Jaebum. You try to push him, but your hands only pass through him, rendering you useless. You can only stare as you watch Jaebum’s life being destroyed.

And when you really see the man, you realize you know him.

It’s him.

You woke up with a loud gasp, as you jumped from the bed, drowning in sweat.

What the hell was that?

Next Part: Part 11

that was it!! confused aren’t you? don’t worry though, more are coming in the next chapter!! xD feedback is always welcome, and please look forward to the next parts!! xoxo

[lliinnkk]

Love And Laughter - Dinner With A Skeleton

"Wow! Amazing! I-I wish I could d-draw like you!" Alphys exclaimed, staring in awe at the sight. "If you stick around long enough, you may even get to see the finished product as it's being made!" beamed Kirsty. "As much as I'd love Alphys to stay, she better not be too long; me and Kirsty are going-" Frisk said. Kirsty intervened at once, informing her that "it's not 'me and Kirsty'. It's Kirsty and I." "... Yeah. Right. Kirsty and I are going for dinner at the MTT Resort." "Yeah, I'm gettin' kinda bored, sitting around, watching Mettaton. Let's go home, Alphys. I'm gettin' hungry!" Undyne moaned, pulling her lizard lover out of the house. "Oh. I guess I don't really have a choice. B-bye, Kirsty! I hope I s-see you again soon!" Alphys yelled. "Bye, Alphys! Bye, Undyne!" shouted Kirsty, waving goodbye as the door closed with a bang.

"Alright, Ms Kirsty Poppy, we better get ready, 'cause we're not just going for dinner at the Mettaton Resort; we're going with Papyrus and Sans." said Frisk, pulling Kirsty onto her feet. "Oh, cool. I like Papyrus. He's really nice." smiled the girl, letting down her hair and brushing it thoroughly. "I'm glad you like him. You'll probably like Sans, too. He's real funny." the almost teen grinned. "Really? Cool! I like funny people." Kirsty commented. "Well, in that case, let's not waste time talking!"

Soon enough, the humans were in a more formal state, ready for dinner with skeletons. They smelled like lovely lavender, owned two sets each of pearly white gnashers and and had low, tied-back, brown hair.

Frisk took Kirsty through the snow, past several houses, to a nearby river. Hovering on the water was a small boat, just big enough for five people, and on it sat a hooded figure, who spoke, "Tralala. Where to today, humans?" "Hotlands, please." Frisk said, sitting on the boat with Kirsty. "Tralala. Hotlands it is then." the figure replied. The boat took off at a satisfactory speed, right away. "Hotlands?" asked Kirsty. "Yeah. There's the Ruins (where humans fall), Snowdin (where we live), Waterfall (where Undyne lives), Hotlands (where the MTT Resort is) and Tori's Castle (where the queen lives, of course). Hotlands is, obviously, very hot - so you might wanna take off that massive coat - and there lava - try not to fall in." Frisk explained, taking off Kirsty's winter coat. "Alright. Sounds fun."

Soft, tepid waves slowed to a stop as the boat ride shortly ended. Frisk and Kirsty climbed out and thanked the figure kindly. The abrupt change in atmosphere caught Kirsty off guard. She had gone from being so cold that her breath came out in great clouds of smoke like a dragon, shivering as she took each step and watching as she turned into Kirsty The Red-nosed Human to being so hot that she had the sudden urge to strip off completely - which she would have, had there not've been people strolling along the sweltering streets. Kirsty now started to sweat and she took off her GEEK jacket, tying it around her waist.

"Haha!" laughed Frisk. "I told you it was hot!" "I don't think I like this heat." the teen chuckled. "I hope it's not this hot in the resort." "Oh, nah. They're kind enough to have air conditioning." Frisk clarified, giggling happily as her friend breathed a sigh of relief.

The two of them walked along the rocky path, chatting about people and places, dodging the bursts and bubbles of lava that the pools shot at them, making their way towards the hotel - a large, blue building, which read 'MTT' above the glass door. Unprecedented changes in the air became frequent to Kirsty; she made a mental not to always expect the unexpected. The cool breeze from Snowdin had followed her to the resort like a dog to it's caring owner and this fact lifted their spirits (and their coats onto the trustworthy coat hanger near the entrance). Wet from the overflowing Mettaton fountain, the floor they danced over was a perfect, brilliant gold. The only thing terrible about the place was the staff; an orange cat cashier could be seen stealing money from the till, not even trying to be subtle or secretive about it.

Frisk took Kirsty to him, asking if he'd seen two skeletons pass through. He replied with, "Yeah. A tall one and a short one. You with them, little buddy?" "Yeah, we are. Thanks, BP." said Frisk, dragging Kirsty away. "Any time, little buddy." he nodded. "'BP'?" asked the teen. "It stands for Burger Pants. That's what everybody calls 'im. Don't ask why." Frisk chortled. "Well, what's his real name?" "Er... Dunno."

The restaurant had a stage at one wall and a multitude of round tables in a range of sizes. Neat tablecloths were thrown onto them, cutlery set out tidily, chairs tucked in, a single candle on every surface - 'This is certainly a place worth admiring.' thought Kirsty. "There they are!" Frisk pointed out. What with there being only a few people in the room and the monsters in question were having trouble with not standing out, there was really no need to point them out, 'but, whatever floats your boat, I guess.' shrugged Kirsty. "Hey, Papyrus! Hey, Sans!" There, right in front of the stage, sitting next to each other at a table for four, was Papyrus and his brother, Sans.

Papyrus was still in his 'battle body' - a red scarf, red gloves and red boots - a kind of formal outfit. His brother, on the other hand, was quite the opposite - everything-wise, apart from the fact that they're both skeletons, of course. Sans was short and wore a blue hoodie, a white sweater, a pair of black and white, striped shorts and sneakers. He leaned back in his chair, half-asleep, while Papyrus sat politely upright.

When they heard the humans coming, Papyrus waved excitedly. Sans lifted an eyelid, then the other. His eyes - if he had any - widened. "Papyrus," he whispered. "you said she was pretty, but I had no idea she was this...beautiful." "She is, isn't she? Quite a pretty picture." Papyrus nodded in agreement.

The humans took their seats at the table, Kirsty shuffling the cutlery about until she saw it fit her liking. She looked Sans up and down, deciding that he was just another person to add to the Crowd Of Gawping People. "Hello, humans!" grinned Papyrus. "I was wondering when you were going to come." "Sorry if we were late." Frisk apologised. "Actually, I think it was just that they were a bit early." explained Kirsty. "Ah." said Frisk. "Well, in that case, not sorry." "Oh... Um... I didn't... Okay." Kirsty stammered. "Hehe. It's okay. It was a joke, yeah?" said Frisk. "Uh... Yeah." replied Kirsty.

"So, anyway, Kirsty, this is Sans. Sans, this is Kirsty. She's the newest human, but you probably already knew that. Go ahead, Kirsty, shake his hand." urged Frisk, grinning at the skeleton. Sans offered the girl his hand, but she was quick enough to uncover the prank, pointing out a hidden whoopie cushion. "Heh. You're pretty observant, huh?" he laughed, stuffing the failed joke in his pocket and properly shaking her hand, forgetting to let go. "Thanks... Can I have my hand back now?" asked Kirsty, shyly. His grip was firm, yet kind. She almost enjoyed it. "What...? Er... Oh. Yeah, sure." Sans let go, faintly blushing. "Sans!" Papyrus hissed. "Don't embarrass yourself in front of the human! At least try to make a good first impression!" Sans shrugged, staring at his hand.

"Yeah, Sans is pretty good at the jokes. Do you know any good ones?" asked Frisk. "Um... Knock knock." said Kirsty. "Oh, God! Please, don't!" cried Papyrus. "Who's there?" Sans asked, ignoring Papyrus' begging. "To." Kirsty replied. "To who?" "No, it's 'to whom', actually." Frisk and Sans chuckled; Papyrus rolled his eyes, scowling. "That was a good one!" Frisk cheered. "I'm not as good at telling jokes as Sans is. Why don't you tell one?" "Uh... Erm... I..." stuttered Sans, at a loss for words.

However, before he could say anything, his younger brother called to a waiter and ordered the staff to surprise them. He said, crossing his arms, that he "just had to put an end to the disgusting topic", as it was making him more and more uncomfortable.

Papyrus and Frisk then began talking non-stop about food and the cooking lessons with Undyne. Apparently, Undyne and Frisk - but mostly Undyne - had set her whole house ablaze when they were cooking spaghetti together (turns out, the final product wasn't actually half bad). She then had to live with Papyrus and Sans until her house was put back together again. They had a lot of fun. At this point, Kirsty chose to switch off again. She allowed herself to daydream as she waited for an MTT Meal. The imaginative cogs in her brain whirred into motion, running as quick as a nice cube in Hell.

The images of future sleepovers with her future besties, Alphys and Frisk, roamed the vast complexity of her mind. They attacked each other with playful pillow fights, toyed with subjects not to be messed about with, roasted marshmallows over the fire in the lounge, played truth or dare, and talked about cute boys (or girls) they took an interest in, all whilst having a whale of a time - and whales do make some noise, so, of course, they did too. Bang! Slam! Boom! Clap! No one got rest on the nights they spent together (not even them). Was there any better way to have a sleepover with your possible BFFs? Ah, yes! Movies! Now this was a practically perfect party. And, if it wasn't, Kirsty was filled with perseverance to make sure it was.

As her mind wandered, so did her eyes - they, themselves, seemed to have a mind of their own. They drifted about the room, travelling from the ceiling to the floor, from the cutlery to the door, and from one person to the other. Soon, Kirsty found herself staring blankly at Sans, who sat opposite her, staring back. It felt as if they were having a staring contest, but neither really cared for winning. They stayed like this for almost a minute, before Kirsty managed to shake herself out of the magic spell, without stopping to wonder if their moment meant anything.

Frisk found Kirsty sitting on the cream sofa, looking into the fire in her pyjamas. The evening had gone smoothly. The food was delicious and she hadn't spoken much, but how could she when others kept babbling about somewhat unrelated subjects? Sans held her hand on the way to Snowdin, but she no one ever thought anything of it. Papyrus and Frisk held hands, so why couldn't they? Her hair was freely falling down her shoulders, her fringe persistent to veil her sleepy, emerald green eyes. She hugged her knees, mesmerised by the dancing flames, letting out a tired yawn as Frisk sat beside her.

"So, what do you think?" asked the twelve year old. "Of the Underground, I mean." "Good." Kirsty replied. "I'll explore it tomorrow. It seems interesting, all these different places. I bet there'll be different people there... They're all really different...really confident...not afraid to be who they are... That's my favourite part..."

Start: https://cookiepopstumble.tumblr.com/post/159492285047/love-and-laughter Previous: https://cookiepopstumble.tumblr.com/post/159750474762/love-and-laughter-mountain-of-avens Next:

[berenice-h]

Notebook 1

For my first exploration of topics, I’m going to focus on the attitudes and barriers of mental health in the Latinx community across first and second generations. The theme I’m going to try and relate my topic to is (im)migration and citizenship.

Let’s start with a story (and yes, it’s tied to my story because why not make it personal, right?) So, both my parents migrated to the United States towards the end of the 20th century when conversations about mental health were becoming more comfortable across the nation. In America, for example, on top of the establishment of advocacy programs for people with developmental disabilities in the mid-1970’s, legislation was being put into place during Reagan’s presidency that pushed towards creating “formal advocacy program[s] in each state and territory to serve people with psychiatric disabilities.” Conversations about mental health were increasing, and the negative stigma associated with disorders was adapting. “Consciousness-raising” became a movement, and “people moved from victimization to action,” in the form of advocacy, in states like California, New York, Massachusetts, and Kansas. 

Despite the openness the country was developing towards mental health and treatment, my parents were not as receptive. Given their upbringing in Mexico, my parents viewed mental health disorders as something negative. I know this because, growing up, any mention of therapy was looked down upon, and it was seen as unnecessary. Counseling was reserved for locos. If there was a problem within, it was seen as being caused by nervios, and the expected way to deal with those nerves was through communication with the family or with toughening up.

In my culture, looking for help outside of the house is not okay. Your “rocks” are your family. Whatever happens inside of the house stays inside the house, and the only time to really bring doctors into the picture is when one gets really sick or really injured. Friends are meant to stay outside of the door, at least when it comes to conflict, and it is expected for children to go to their parents when they’re going through a struggle. 

These were the values I was taught. These were the ideologies that circled my community. 

For most of my life, I grew up in Logan Heights, down in southern San Diego. My childhood was there. My parents wanted to live in the barrio because that’s where family was. I come from a big family (like many Mexicans). My mom is one of three, and my dad is one of thirteen. One of my mom’s siblings, and nine of my dad’s siblings, live in San Diego. At the time, all of us lived in the same neighborhood; some of us even next door to one another. Family was, and to some extent still is, one of the most important values I had growing up; dependency on one other was key to surviving in this country. That being said, it should be no surprise that for most of my childhood, I was surrounded by my family, both immediate and extended. Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews all filled the house. Of course, the adults rotated who hosted events, and environments did change depending on current circumstances, but the idea of “al fin del dia, lo unico que vas a tener es la familia” never left.

I remember often getting into trouble when I spent more time with my friends than with my family (that’s a constant argument many people in my generation can relate to), and growing up, there was always this comparison made between my relationship with my parents and my parents relationship with their parents. There was always this comparison made between me and my mom, and my brothers and my dad. 

My siblings and I were all born in America, my parents were not. As kids, we weren’t surrounded by the traditional ideals of the Mexican culture, on the contrary, we were deeply embedded in the American culture: that’s part of what comes with being second generation. For second generation kids, there’s an added pressure to be better than your parents; there’s this unspoken standard that is set by the adults of the family that you are going to achieve great things. It’s expected that you are going to pursue secondary education, and that once you graduate and get a good job, you’ll come back and take care of the family. These expectations are silently demanded within the culture, and those who fail to achieve that dream, often created by the first generation, are seen as “not good,” and as disappointments. Taking a step back, when you think about it, the mental toll that perspective takes on a developing child is ridiculous. That pressure, mixed with poverty, discrimination, and inequality, is honestly one of the main reasons Latinx youth are at higher risk for developing mental disorders.

Besides cultural ideologies, some of the biggest barriers that influence Latinx communities seeking treatment are: lack of information, lack of health insurance and citizenship/immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination. Unlike most first generations, second generations are more open to mental health discussions. There’s generally higher education rates among the second generations, thus the negative stigma that is often paralyzing to the first generations, has less of an effect given the increased awareness. There is also the reality that some individuals who have migrated to the States do not have papers, thereby making them ineligible to get insurance, and as a result, appropriate assistance. Within mental health profession, there are not many bilingual/bicultural staff, which can be a problem because for most migrant families, Spanish is the first, and at times only, language, therefore if there are families who want to reach out and receive treatment, the options are very limited. That’s not to say that even with these barriers, and these are not all of them, receiving help is impossible, it’s just more difficult.

Overall, what has been shown is that approaches to mental health and treatment vary across generations, and across cultures.

Sources:

https://www.cpp.edu/~healthcounseling/Documents/apa_ment-hisp_engl_b3_4-10-08_2.pdf

http://nrchmh.org/images/Disc2/Mental%20Health%20in%20the%20Hispanic%20Immigrant%20Community%20An%20Overview.pdf

http://www.narpa.org/webdoc6.htm