#is that warm honey milk offer still up tho—

[seelie-buddy]

Maple doesn't sleep she eeps.. Every minute i get a notification saying maple reblogged-

SLEEP BEFORE I MAKE YOU DRINK WARM HONEY MILK!!

Not me seeing this after I wake up hehe

[shit-begone]

WISHES (Part 4)

Wishes (Masterlist) | Prev (Part 3) | Next (Part 5)

STORY LINE:

*Lee Chan/Dino as your best friend that suddenly confessed his feelings for you.

*Choi Seungcheol/Cheol as the annoying mutual friend who wants to be a part of your life.

The confusion began when you realized that your best friend may have offered you the world while your annoying friend that resembles a lot like your college heartbreaker, Seok-jin, wanted to be part of yours.

It was an easy-peasy thing for you, not until you had to join Chan and Cheol in a five-day vacation with the boys.

-----

PART 4                       WISHES: Call Me Honey

WORD COUNT        5,427

CATEGORY              Fluff and Smut

-----

Dino looked at Cheol and then smiled at you. He quietly left the room and left you under Seungcheol's care.

Seungcheol arranged your "breakfast in bed" and sat beside you. "How are you feeling now, Y/N?"

"My head hurts so badly, Cheol. I don't even want to eat."

"Look in the mirror."

You looked at the mirror and surprised with the gauze patch on your head. "Huh? What happened?"

"You got drunk, fainted and hit your head on the corner on the table. What a stubborn fuck."

"Who are you calling a stubborn fuck?" You exclaimed.

"Eat before you pick up a fight with me." Seungcheol commanded giving you a spoonful of onion soup, "Here's warm milk too. Coffee is not allowed for today."

"I can eat on my own." You said.

"Okay then, show me your hands." Cheol said.

You confidently showed Cheol your hands only to present it shaking.

"That's the cause of too much vomiting; you lost too much salt in your body. Just eat, don't be hard-headed now." He added.

After a few more spoonful:

"I know why you hate me so much."

"Wow. Tell me."

"Chan told me that I look like Seok-jin. Whoever the fuck is that. He also told me that he broke your heart."

"What a chatterbox." You pouted

"So, I do look like that bastard?"

You looked at him and squinted your eyes, "You're far better than Seok-jin. You look good."

Seungcheol smiled at you and you blushed.

"I mean, I--- not in a way that you think tho. It's just--"

"Touch move lady, there's no way you could take that back now, I saw you blush."

"It's the alcohol left."

"That's not what my eyes saw." He said as he fed you sausages.

You disregarded Cheol's teasing and changed the topic instead.

"I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy the waterpark today."

"It's okay. I'd rather stay here in our room and take care of you. You should've seen the shock you caused everyone last night."

You felt bad about the trouble you caused and remembered Dino, "Did he really say that? That he needed time?" You asked.

"He did." Cheol lied.

"I'm a bit sober and that felt sad still."

Silence surrounded the room.

"Hey, Y/N."

"Yes, Cheol? I'm done eating. Thank you." You curled yourself under the sheets.

Seungcheol removed the table, kept your left overs and sat beside you on the bed.

"Take a rest." Cheol said. I'll wake you up at lunch.

"You were saying something earlier. I'm sorry I had to interrupt."

"It's nothing."

"Then I won't eat lunch."

Seungcheol stood up and went to get the first aid kit.

"Let's replace your patch. It's all stained with iodine and blood." He ignored your statement.

"Choi Seungcheol ignoring me. Fine. I'll sleep now."

"Not so fast." He cupped your face, "We still need to dress your wound."

It hurts a little when Seungcheol removed the wound dressing. You must have hit the corner of the table too hard. What a pity of you unconsciously hurt at that very moment. He soaked the wash cloth with warm water and gently removed the stains of iodine on your forehead.

"Does this hurt?" He asked still focused on your wound.

"Not at all, Cheol." You responded.

You were caught off-guard with your view as of the moment. You can clearly see the details of his pretty face and the red tint that outlined his lips. Seungcheol is very surprising in situations like this. Who would imagine that he could be caring too?

"Stay still." He said dressing your wound, "Aaand, all done."

"Thank you, Cheol." You rested your head.

"Do you need anything, before you sleep?" He asked.

"I don't feel too well. My head still hurts."

"Coffee is prohibited as of the moment." He suggested.

"I want chicken wings, sushi bake and coke for lunch."

"As you wish. I'll wake you up when the food is ready." He said as he decluttered the first aid and hangover remedy stuff.

"You can rest beside me, Cheol. I don't mind. Let's just figure out where to put all those stuff tonight so I could help you."

"Can't say no. You won't even feel me here." He inched beside you as you rest away the hang over.

*****

Dino watched the boys get rough on the waterpark. They look like they're having fun, he wanted to join but he was trying to get rid of his thoughts of you, in his peaceful corner.

Defined are the last blue strokes in Chan's painting as he finished the piece he has been busy with since this morning. He didn't exactly know if he's trying to get rid the idea of you, or is he portraying you in the masterpiece.

"What's up?" Wonwoo tapped Chan's shoulder.

"The sky?" Dino chuckled. "We're good."

"That's good news. Maybe you could join us later, huh?"

"I'll just prepare Y/N's lunch, as promised. Then I'll join you."

"I'll wait for you here, while you air-dry this painting. Minghao and Soon-young won't stop picking on me on the giant slide." He said.

"Let's pick on Minghao this afternoon." They both chuckled.

"Don't be too long." Wonwoo requested.

"I won't."

Dino immediately went back to the villa and prepared chicken wings, sushi bake and sprite for your lunch. He knew you too well; it's the go-to lunch combo when you want to sober up your day.

As Dino prepare your food on the tray, Seungcheol came to the kitchen.

"How's Y/N?" Dino asked.

"She's asleep right now. I was about to prepare lunch, she requested chi---"

"Chicken wings, sushi bake and sprite?" Dino showed you the prepared tray.

"How did you do that?" Seungcheol was amazed.

"I told you, there's still a lot to know about her."

"But actually, she wanted coke this time." Seungcheol picked up the sprite and switched it for a can of coke.

"I'll leave this to you." Dino handed the tray to Seungcheol, "We got some ass-whooping mission to destroy Minghao and Soon-young today at the waterpark."

"I'm jealous." Cheol pouted.

"Don't use that word on me." Dino said.

"My bad." Cheol laughed.

"I'll get going now. Please take care of Y/N."

"Thank you, Dino. I will."

Seungcheol prepared himself some chicken balsamic wrap for lunch. He sure was amazed of Dino on how he knows you too well. He figured that he should start taking notes in his head now if he really wanted to win your heart.

He went back to your cabin and was surprised that you have already taken a bath.

"Are you feeling well now?" Cheol asked.

"You took so long that I decided to take a bath to ease my headache. I still got something to spew up. But I'm already hungry. Also kind of dizzy."

"What do you want to do then?" He asked.

"I'll puke one last time and then maybe we could eat already."

"I'll wash up while you wait for your sickness to come. Is that cool? I could really use some time to freshen up."

You just nodded.

The way Seungcheol cared and smiled at you made you feel not just butterflies but the whole animal kingdom in your stomach. You never thought that he could be someone so attractive. If not just for Seok-jin, maybe you would have been crushing on Cheol— way before this vacation came at hand.

But somehow, the thought about what Cheol could be made you want to throw up, or is it just the alcohol in your system?

You ran by the bathroom, "Seungcheol, are you done? I think I'm going to throw up," You knocked on the door.

"Almost done, Y/N. I'll just put on my clothes."

"Hurry please."

As soon as Seungcheol opened the door, you rushed to the lavatory and threw up. He grabbed you a glass of water and held your hair so you won't mess yourself.

You sat on the toilet, your legs in between Cheol's as he was facing you.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he pinched your thighs.

"Uh-huh." You said as you looked at Cheol with tears in the corner of your eyes, you wiped your lips with the wash cloth he gave.

Cheol was shocked of the view he was witnessing. It was like a post-blowjob occurrence where you choked on his dick and almost teared up to death.

"Can you not look at me like that?" He said as he ignored his imaginations.

"Why? What? Did I do something wrong?"

"I hate it when you look at me with puppy eyes." He said.

"Like this?" You teased Cheol emphasizing your puppy eyes.

"If you do that again, I won't be responsible of what might happen next."

You were confident that Cheol won't do anything, so you teased him continuously, "Are you bothered of my----"

In split seconds, Seungcheol cupped your face and kissed you on your lips. Softly pressed, quiet and still for almost half a minute.

"Get ready for lunch. It's almost two o'clock in the afternoon." He left you speechless like nothing happened.

Seungcheol prepared the table and saw you still staring at the bathroom floor, seated on the lavatory.

"Cm'ere, honey. I'm starving. The food has gone cold."

You slowly stood up and sat in front of him. He picked up one chicken wing, deboned it fed it to you.

"Cheol, I can eat on my own."

"You just vomited. Please show me your hands, hun." He requested.

"I'm not your 'Hun'." You pouted.

"After I kissed you? Still you won't allow me to call you 'Hun'?" He asked, "Show me your hands."

"It's not shaking anymore!" You exclaimed as you showed him your hands.

He held yours and kissed it, "Can I call you 'Honey' now, Y/N?" He asked as he gave the chicken wing he deboned.

You were once again utterly dumbfounded by the great Seungcheol. You ate the piece he gave and he smiled at you.

Seungcheol was very happy treating you this way. It's the feeling he ever wanted: the feeling he needed all this time.

"Can I ask something, Cheol?"

"Yep?"

You just smiled, "Can we join them by the waterpark this afternoon?"

"It's best if we stay indoors tonight. You need full recovery. In fact, I think we can just treat your wound with iodine. It needs no dressing, I guess." He looked at your forehead.

"I hope it doesn't scar."

"It won't."

"How?"

"Well, studies show that if you let me kiss your forehead, it won't scar."

"No! I don't want to!"

"You don't want me to kiss you anymore, honey?" Cheol pouted.

"I'd rather let this scar than to let you kiss me again." You rolled your eyes, stood up and made your way to the couch, "Please make popcorn, Cheol. Let's watch movies to kill time."

"Okay, but let me kiss you first."

"No."

"Then you have to make it on your own." Cheol said as he finished his food.

"Please?"

"Okay, but come with me to the kitchen later. It's kinda boring there working all alone, and you won't get any popcorn if you don't finish your food."

"But I'm full." You pouted.

"No you're not. Eat up."

"Cheol, I said I'm full."

"No popcorn."

"But--"

"Then say it like this: 'Honey, I'm full.'" He smiled.

"No."

"Then you have to finish your food." Seungcheol lifted your plate and walked towards you.

"No, honey, I'm full." You said as you rolled your eyes.

"No rolling of eyes, Y/N and more polite."

"Honey, can you please finish my food? I'm already full." You said.

"Alright, honey. It sounds nice when you call me that." He winked.

You rolled your eyes again and again and again with heavy sighs.

Seungcheol finished all your leftovers and spent the afternoon with you just scrolling through your phones and little talks. It was past five in the afternoon when he decided to make popcorn downstairs. The group must have really enjoyed the entire waterpark, they're still not home. No one's home except you and Seungcheol. If only you didn't have hangover or the wound on your forehead, you would've enjoyed the waterpark, too.

"You know, we can make popcorn anytime tonight, Y/N, what if we just prepare dinner for them? You're allowed to drink coffee if you help me with dinner." Seungcheol bribed.

"Sure!!" The excitement rushed to your body after you heard the word coffee.

"What can we cook for them, Y/N?"

You opened the two-door refrigerator and observed what food you can make with the ingredients you have.

"What can you say, hun?" He kissed your shoulder, enclosing you between the coldness of the fridge and the heat of his body.

"Why don't you make orange chicken, Cajun shrimp and fried rice and stop pestering me? I'll make coffee and prepare soda pops, and maybe lemon bar." You said as you faced him and paved him out of your way.

"Why is it that you're so damn annoyed with me but you don't resist my kisses, hun?"

You just rolled your eyes and felt attacked because he's fucking right! Can't say no to kisses of someone THAT pretty.

You and Seungcheol got really busy in the kitchen that you enjoyed the company and lost track of time. It's almost seven o'clock in the evening and they should be here by now.

The two of you started preparing the table.

"Honey, can you pass me the knife here please?"

You were surprised as you handed over the knife to Cheol because Uji was smiling crazy behind Cheol’s back.

"Seungcheol, mind telling me, who you called 'Honey'? Was that endearment for me, 'Honey'? Uji said walking past Seungcheol and giving him a light punch to his sides.

Uji gave you a smile and said "I'll pretend I didn't hear. I want to hear it back from Y/N. Cheol might just be delulu. Right, hun?" Uji turned to ask you, mocking the "Honey" endearment.

"Y--y-yes you're right Uji. Cheol is just delulu."

Cheol appealed, "But what about the---"

"You're just delulu." You answered.

"We'll talk about this later, huh?" Cheol whispered as he walked past you.

They started to arrive one by one and gathered for the scrumptious dinner you and Cheol made. It just happened that Jihoon left earlier than the group due to stomach issues. You didn't know why you were affected that Uji heard Seungcheol call you "honey". You felt that there was a lot of explaining to do.

Maybe that's because even though you don't accept Seungcheol's "honey" endearment, you don't even stop him or call his attention of him kissing you whenever he wanted.

Right, self?!?!

But is it my fault that his lips felt good on my skin?

NO. CONTROL YOURSELF. HE DIDN'T EVEN CONFESS YET!

But...

Does it have to be words, really?

If he didn't like me, he wouldn't kiss me, right?

"Okay, shut the fuck up, especially to those who pushed me off the marshmallow mountain." Jeonghan walked in with some of the boys as he was pertaining to the waterpark activity earlier this day, "My back badly hurt from the fall. I'll crush you later if I could!"

Everyone laughed at his demise.

"Look who is good at cheating now." Dino exclaimed.

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Back to the main event." Jeonghan cleared the noise, "Mingyu will be distributing the catalog given to us by the beach club, and each catalog comes with an amenity stub with your name. If in any case the amenities don't fancy you, you can surrender it to Mingyu, so others can avail it, or we could turn them in for refund."

Mingyu started distributing the catalog to everyone.

"Listed are all the amenities we can avail and the complete guidelines for each. Everything's now up to you." Jeonghan added.

"All surrendered catalogs will be put on the table at the living room for everyone's access." Mingyu concluded.

You looked for Dino but have failed to see him. Maybe he wanted to rest early for tomorrow's personalized itinerary. Maybe it's best to talk to him tomorrow, you thought.

Also, everyone did ask how were you and if your wound still hurt. With your head still a little light, you decided to leave the dinner table to have some rest for the activities tomorrow.

You went to your cabin and snugged on the bed. In just a few moments, Seungcheol came.

"You forgot our snacks." He said as he carried a tray with two iced coffee, some extra lemon bars and popcorn.

"Who made the coffee?"

"I figured you forgot to make one for you so I asked help from Seungkwan. He taught me how to make americano and cappuccino." He smiled.

"And the popcorn is?"

"Salt." Cheol answered, "I was going for onion powder but then Seungkwan told me that if it's for you, it should be salt."

"Awwww. Seungkwan is such a gentleman."

"I've got a lot to learn from your closest troops."

He has set up his laptop and went under the sheets beside you.

"Choose any movie, Y/N."

"I already have something in mind. I want to watch The Best of Me."

"Granted."

As the story progressed, you became fond of each other's touch and the warmth of your bodies.

"Can you pause for a while?" You requested as you gathered all the extra pillows.

As you crawled forward reaching some of the pillows, Seungcheol can't help but look at your figure as you kneel with your back and bottom turned from him; tracing his look from your waist to your butt and down to your thighs, it surely left him imagining things that are not supposed to happen at the moment.

He thought to himself: Composure. No to temptations. Everything is too soon.

You gave some pillows to Cheol, "Surround yourself with these, it's getting cold."

Your position beside Seungcheol was now a little bit tight due to the pillows surrounding you. So Seungcheol adjusted his arms and wrapped it around you as you rest your head slightly on his chest.

"Can you pause again, Cheol?"

"Okay."

"What was your wish?" You asked referring to the visit to Eros' Cave.

There was a long silence; but you can feel his hands caressing your sides.

"It's okay if you don't want to----"

"You." Seungcheol stared at you, "When din you become so impatient, Y/N?"

"Me?"

"You. I wished for you in that cave, and it was like a wish granted the moment I switched my flashlight on because I saw you looking at me. You were my wish. I like you, Y/N." He said pulling your head back to his chest again.

You continued watching.

"Cheol?" You called again.

"What now? Don't you want to watch anymore?" This time, he did not paused movie.

"I want a hug from Choi Seungcheol."

He was surprised of the request but still granted your demands.

"Is it wrong to feel so right, Cheol?"

"What do you mean, Y/N?"

"I don't know."

"I like you, Y/N. Please don't doubt me now."

You hugged him tighter, "I know, Cheol."

"I like you. I like all of you. All that you are; and all that you are not."

You leaned a little more to his chest and saw him looking at you. "I just want to know if you are certain."

The both of you were surprised as soon as the movie progressed to something hot and steamy. You suddenly felt every inch of connection between you and Cheol and tried to fight whatever you were feeling at the moment.

"Well, fuck this shit." Seungcheol closed his laptop in envy of the scene on-screen and pinned you down on the bed.

"Seungcheol.."

"Is there something wrong?" Cheol stared down at you.

"I--I don't know." You slowly sat up.

"Tell me when to stop." He commanded.

He aggressively lifted your body and let you sit on his lap. He kissed you gently at first until you felt his tongue seek to dance with yours.

The moment your lips separated, he removed his shirt and kissed you again, this time, your lips and tongues have met its rhythms. As you lightly stroked his back, you clutched a handful of his hair that made him decide to remove your pajamas and let it hang loose on your arms.

Your body rhythm made Seungcheol's member grow hard. You can feel it between your legs and felt quite scared of what might happen next.

He stroked your back as he kissed your neck, down to your clavicle, with your hand rested on his shoulders. Every kiss that traced your body sent you shiver that made you bite your lips as he added more.

"Is this alright, hun?" Seungcheol nibbled on your chest and formed patches of hickey.

"Hmmm. I don't know." You whispered.

"I love the way you taste."

In split seconds, he unhooked your bra and was astonished of your chest's full view. You were shocked on how fast he did that.

"S-sseungcheol."

"Honey, is this alright?" He asked.

You lightly nodded. You just gave him hints that you're a bit embarrassed and became conscious on how he stared at your bare chest.

"Just..d-don..why are you staring at me too much?"

"You're beautiful." He looked into your eyes.

"Are you saying that just because I'm naked?" You said as you covered your body with a blanket.

He was startled of your question and held your hand instead. "No, no, I-I'm sorry. I'll stop. That's not what I meant."

"No, Cheol. What I mean is: I want to know, why are we here?"

Seungcheol was silent for a moment, confused of your question. But then he knew what you meant, "I've seen parts of you that you thought are not important. I've seen you with your ugly crying, the 'happy you', the 'mad you' and most especially, the 'annoyed you' that you show me every day. I've seen how passionate you are, I've seen you win along your dreams and I'm still learning about the parts of your naked soul that you hide from me. I'm not convincing you to continue this with me. This is no metaphor, Y/N. I mean it. You should know that I want to be with you with or without these clothes. Regardless, I'm sorry; I was just carried away by my emotions. I shouldn't have done that. It won’t happen again." He bent down his head.

"I appreciate all of these, Seungcheol. I'm sorry; I think I'm just a little new to this feeling. I'm still processing what happened yesterday, with the---"

"The spider?"

"Y--yes, and the moment after that. Also when you kissed me inside the bathroom, and now, uhhh. There's.. There's just a lot to process. I have been feeling a lot lately. I don't know if I should stop myself from having these things with you. It feels so wrong."

"But it felt so right, too? Is that what you're saying halfway through the movie?"

"Yes." You looked at him shyly.

"I'm sorry if it's too much for you."

"I just want to know how I would respond and to what extent should I be responding to."

"You'll feel it. You'll know it," He smiled, cupped your face and kissed your forehead. He grabbed his white t-shirt and clothed you, "My intentions are always pure."

"You're such a gentleman."

"Your compliment makes my heart melt."

"We should rest now." You said as you shifted away from his lap and crawled under the sheets. "Goodnight, Cheol."

"Day one of not being an annoying Seungcheol." You let out a nervous laugh and smiled at each other.

"Can we hug as we sleep, tho?" He requested.

"I will allow one night."

"You'll probably seek for my warmth for tomorrow night. Don't be so confident that this would only last for one." He snugged himself beside you and hugged you from behind.

"You sound so proud." You said as you switched off the bedside lamp.

"Your whimpers sound so sexy." He whispered close to your ear.

"Stop! Your voice is so annoying."

"Your chest is so well-endowed." He whispered one more time.

"Ugh! I hate you."

"I like you."

You didn't answer and just pretended to be asleep.

"I hope you'll like me back. Goodnight, Y/N." He planted a kiss on your shoulder.

-----

VACATION DAY 4

The sun peeked through the blinds and you woke up to Seungcheol's back hug and good morning kisses.

"Why so early, hun?" You asked.

"Just have to pee." He hummed against your back.

"I'll go get water downstairs we're out of water here."

"Alright. Don't be long."

You tied your hair and went downstairs. You heard a light conversation and smelled some cooking, the cooks for today: Dokyeom and Joshua.

"Good morning." You greeted with your sleepy voice.

"How are you feeling right now?" Dokyeom asked.

"I'm all good, just gonna grab some water."

But then Joshua observed something unusual to you. Your white shirt hung loose off of your shoulders that exposed the swollen hickeys made by Seungcheol.

"You really seemed fine, huh?" Joshua grinned.

The hickey marks were also recognized by Dokyeom.

"Hey, Y/N. What happened last night?" He asked.

"We watched a movie before bedtime." You said.

Seungcheol came rushing down the stairs with no shirt on. He picked you up like a drunkard and carried you upstairs.

"Ohhhhhh, movies!" Both exclaimed.

"Hey put me down!" You protested and lightly punched his back.

"You didn't see anything." Cheol exclaimed as he carried you upstairs.

Seungcheol shut the door and looked at you trying not to laugh.

"What's funny?" You asked.

"You see, hun," He lifted his shirt on you.

"No, not again Cheol!"

"Relax! I'm not trying to undress you. I'm just showing you what happened last night! Jeez!"

He pulled the shirt down to your chest instead and lightly pushed you in front of the mirror.

"Look." He giggled, "That's what Dokyeom and Joshua saw earlier, you careless little monster."

You saw the hickey patches made by Seungcheol. They were wine red and plenty.

"Yaaaa! Fuck you!" You exclaimed.

"I won't decline that, hun."

"No, not that!"

"Actually, it's also the shirt that Joshua gave me for my birthday."

"Waaaaaaah! That's why he was so suspiciously looking at me, and you came down shirtless. What the fuck, Cheol?!?!"

"I forgot to tell you that it would bruise hard. You could have changed to your pajamas at least."

"What to do, what to do!!"

"The boys won't judge, honey. Keep your cool." He said as he kissed your forehead.

You sat by the corner of the bed and looked at Seungcheol, "What if.. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

"I said it's alright."

You cleared your head for a moment and changed the conversation instead, "I'll think about that later on. I want to know what your plans are for today, Cheol?"

"Calling me Cheol is cute. But I'm not Cheol."

"Eeeeeeeeh. Honey or hun is cringe."

"Okay, then I won't answer." He sulked.

You took a deep breath and a heavy sigh "What are your plans for today, hun?" You rolled your eyes.

"I'll go rappelling. You want to come?"

"I'll ask Chan if we could go together. Whatever he wanted."

"Wow. What about me?" He pouted.

"Really now, Cheol? I think Chan should know before the boys tell him that they saw me with these fucking hickeys."

"Can't take a joke, hun?" He laughed, "Cm'ere and kiss me." He said as he extended his arm.

You tiptoed in front of him and gave him a shy kiss on the lips, “This is not included in your subscription, Sir!”

“Then, why are you granting my requests?” He smiled.

You didn’t know what to say, are you enjoying these things already?

Oh my God!

"Get yourself ready so you could ask him out." Cheol smiled.

You immediately changed to your proper pajamas and went downstairs to look for Dino. You lightly knocked on their cabin door.

"Yes? Is the food ready?!?!?!" Soon-young smiled as he opened the door with his hyperactive mood, "Oh, Y/N good morning, how are you? Please come in."

"I'm fine now. Is Chan awake?"

Soon-young pointed at Chan who was hooded under his blanket.

You slowly patted Dino's arms, "Dino. Dino, wake up."

He removed the blanket covering his head as he was surprised of the voice waking him up, "Y/N, why are you here?"

"I want to join you today." You smiled and lied down beside Dino.

"I'm actually planning to paint something by the floating cottage."

"I can help you with the materials." You said.

"Alright. Then it's an art date?" He smiled.

"Do you have extra canvass?"

"I do have. Don't worry."

"I'll prepare for the day already. See you at breakfast?"

"I want a little hug first." He requested.

You gave him a hug and he gave you a kiss on the forehead.

"This must hurt a lot." He lightly touched your dry wound on the forehead.

"No, it didn't. You already smiled at me that is why it recovered immediately on the spot!" You giggled.

"You never fail to make me smile."

"See you in a bit, huh?" You said as you went for the door.

"See you." Dino smiled and covered his head with his blanket.

"Thanks, Soon-young." You gave him little waves before you close their cabin door. He just smiled at you and continued doing his stuff.

"Hey, Y/N, please call everyone upstairs. Breakfast will be ready in 20 minutes." Dokyeom requested as you passed by the kitchen.

"Yes, chef!" You hurried upstairs and completed the task requested by Dokyeom running from door to door, as you screamed that breakfast is now ready.

When you entered your cabin, Seungcheol just finished taking a bath so you went in next.

"Dokyeom said that food will be ready in 20 minutes. I'll be quick."

"Okay, is there anything I could do?" Cheol asked from outside the bathroom.

"Can you find me a good pair of swimwear? We'll stay by the floating cottage."

"Got you."

"Oh and a hat."

After a few minutes, you slightly opened the door and called for Seungcheol, "Cheol, can I have my clothes now?"

"You can dress here, hun."

"I'm shy." You said softly.

"After what happened last night, you're still shy?"

"Ehhhhh that's not it."

"Look, nothing will happen alright? I just want to see what looks good on you before you cover it with some shirt or stuff." Cheol insisted.

"Promise?"

"Yes, hun."

You went out of the bathroom and walked towards Seungcheol as he handed you a pair of swimwear, "This is my first option."

As you were putting on the red swimwear, Seungcheol can't help but to study all the parts of your body he hasn't seen yet, but as he promised, only for fitting purposes.

"Uhhh, no. The bottom is too low rise, try this one." He said as he handed you a blue pair.

"Wow, blue? This red one is cute. What's wrong with this?"

"I can literally see your v-line in that bikini."

"Okay. I'll try blue." You quickly changed in the bathroom and went outside for another outfit check.

The moment you went out, it's already a big no for him. "No. I can see your hickeys; what if you just try this cropped rash guard and this black bottom." He said as he tossed you another pair.

You went back and quickly changed to it. "I think this is better, honey," you turned around for him.

"Come closer and turn to your back."

"Okay." You did so as requested.

He grabbed you by your waist and planted a kiss on the exposed skin just a little above your butt, "You taste different today."

"Seungcheol, we talked about this. Okay?"

"When will you give in?" He pouted.

"You're a little bit impatient, Choi Seungcheol. I’m not even your girlfriend. Can you even hear yourself?" You turned around and moved your face a few inches in front of his. You can feel his breath brush against your lips as he smirked crazily.

"I am. I am impatient." He smiled. He lifted you and slumped you onto the bed. Seungcheol stared at you and scrutinized your body with his eyes. "I can tear you down in a minute if you want me to."

"Do you think you could scare me?" You extended your hands to him, "Tie me up. I'll show you what's scary."

-----

Wishes (Masterlist) | Prev (Part 3) | Next (Part 5)

[oh-obrien]

Please write a one-shot about Anthony and reader! I don’t know why, but the stove scene cracked me up. Perhaps something in which the reader, who’s very kind and nurturing, finds herself in the kitchen with Anthony and actually knows how to warm up the milk (even tho she’s highborn), and Anthony being in awe and just falling in love ✨

BET THIS IS CUTE!! If it’s not what you wanted (or if you have any other ideas) feel free to slide into my inbox again!! I even got to make a Bridgerton banner to add to my masterlist, exciting exciting!

So here’s a little quick something. It’s not proof read so they’re may be a few typos but I just got an idea for a series!!

You quietly padded down the stairs of the Bridgerton estate, making your way towards the kitchen but not wanting to wake any of the family or the maids. Moving to London for the marriage season wasn’t something you had been all that excited about when your father had first informed you of the arrangement. Your father and Mr. Bridgerton had been quite close when they had been younger, and your mothers had also developed a rather close relationship.

You had spent many a summer with the Bridgerton children, opting to run amuck with the boys rather than learn to be the ‘prim and proper’ lady you were expected to be with the Bridgerton daughters. That had been an area where you parents seemed to disagree, but neither couple wanted to tell the others how to parent. However, upon Mr. Bridgerton’s passing your visits to see the other children started to grow rather scare and after your own mother’s passing they were nearly nonexistent. Your family was well off, with your father being one of the Queen’s most respected Generals, but had had never purchased an estate in London as he never had the time to think as far out as your first season.

With your father needing to lead his men in the ongoing war against the French Empire, he didn’t have time to help you through your first season in London. With the Queen’s help, your father had been able to quickly get in contact with Lady Bridgerton who agreed to host you for the durration of the season, and after if your father had not yet returned home. The woman quickly took you under her wing and along Daphne you were expected to be one of the diamond’s of the season.

Settling into the Bridgerton home had been quiet easy, as you always got along well with all of the children. Nights, however, often seemed to drag on and you never seemed to get a full night of restful sleep. You were used to living on a farm with your father, one of your family’s dogs asleep at the foot of your bed and another on a pillow next to the door, as if he was protecting you while you slept. Without the noise of the animals, or the dogs keeping you warm, something always seemed to feel off. Which led you to your current location.

You stood by the kettle in the kitchen, the glass container of milk held between your hands while you looked around the room for a second candle to help light the stove. As you set the milk down and and turned to look for another candle, hoping to have better luck with both hands free, you caught sight of a figure in the corner of the room. “Anthony!” You hissed after you recognized who had been lurking in the corner of the room, not sure how long he had been there. “What are you doing?”

With a sly smile Anthony pushed himself off the wall and made his way over to you, handing you an unlit lantern that you quickly used your candle to light. “You know how to make it work?” He asked, nodding towards the stove. You set the lantern down next to the stove before turning around, quirking a confused eyebrow at the man standing in front of you.

“And you don’t?” You offered him a smirk of your own while you croched down in front of the stove, opening the door on the front to show plenty of fresh coal to do the job you needed it to. “Not all of us have servants that wait on you foot and hand all day, Anthony.” You stood up and brushed off the skirt of your night dress after you had lit the stove.

“Life seems better that way sometimes,” he spoke quietly while you began to move about the kitchen. You pulled a pot to warm the milk off of the wall where it had been hung before also grabbing two mugs, tilting one towards Anthony, asking him if he wanted any. “Yes, I’d love a cup.”

You nodded to yourself while you set the pot on the stove, adding enough milk to it for two people before you turned around to face the eldest Bridgerton again. “Life is much simpler out in the country, but your family has a country estate so you should know that.” The flames from the lanterns lit up his face in the most flattering way possible, highliting all of his beautiful features.

“We still have a full staff when we live out in the country, when you and your father are home you are the only ones that tend to your animals,” he pointed out while you turned back to the milk, dipping your finger into the liquid to see if it was getting warm before picking up the pot of honey you had pulled out earlier. “I’d love to live life that way, away from,” he motioned around himself, “all of this.”

You hummed quietly, acknowledging his statement, as you pulled the spoon out of the honey pot, letting some drip into the quickly warming milk on the stove. “You can live like that if you wanted to, of course.” You picked up a spoon and began stirring the honey into the Milk, hoping it would all dissolve like it did at home. “But that means you making your own life, Anthony.”

“I want to make my own life but I fell - I feel,” the man in front of you trailed off, running a frustrated hand over his face.

“Trapped?”

“Morally obligated to do everything my father should be here doing,” he let out a long sigh, finally finding the words he wanted to. “I don’t want to have to be part of the season to find someone I want to marry, I want to marry someone I love.” You could see a few frustrated tears gathering at the corners of Anthony’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away and you found it best not to acknowledge them.

“Nor do I, Anthony,” you dipped your finger into the warming milk, finding it to be warm enough before pulling the pot off the stove. You poured the liquid into the two cups before setting the pot back on the stove. “I just don’t know what other choice we have right now.”

You handed one mug to Anthony and kept the other for yourself, eyeing him carefully while you brought the rim of the cup up to your lips. “What if we did have about her choice?” He set his own cup down and went to grab yours out of your hands, setting it down next to him. “I-,” Anthony took in a deep breath. “I think I’ve loved you my entire life-”

“Anthony,”

“No,” he cut you off. “I love how differently you live from the other proper women, you don’t care about the standards, the tiles, the hall, you don’t care about any of it!” He grabbed your hands in is. “The last few years I’ve been, I’ve been filling this void with other women, but the perfect one has been in front of me and I didn’t even realize it.”

You stood in front of the eldest Bridgerton, shock evident on your face while you listened to him rambling. “Anthony, you’re tired, you don’t know what you’re saying right now.” You tried to shove down the shimmer of hope that started the bubble in your stomach, pushing away your desire to marry the man in front of you right then and there.

“No, I know exactly what I’m saying! Tomorrow we’re doing this right,” he dropped your hands with a bright smile, “we Court through the remainder of the season and then I’ll propose!” He picked up his cup from the table and took a long sip from it. “And then, and then we’ll have the most amazing wedding that London has ever seen. We’ll move to the country and tend to our own land and it will the life I’ve long for.”

Trying to hide your smile you just nodded, a small, okay slipping past your lips.

“Okay?” Anthony asked, his own smile widening.

“Yes, okay. We’ll marry by the end of the season!” You couldn’t help the laugh that slipped past your lips when Anthony quickly crossed the room, wrapping his arms around your waist and sweeping you off your feet in a tight hug. “Now go back to bed Anthony, your sister is seeing the Duke again tomorrow, you need to be well rested to escort her.”

You saw his face drop slightly, “and of course you also need to be well rested to dance with me.”

[maria-scribbles]

cocoa

sick of hearing his parents fight day after day, reggie goes to the one person who knows exactly what he's going through: the pretty violinist who lives next door.

fandom: julie and the phantoms

ship: alive!reggie x reader

word count: 1.5k+

featuring: swearing (as always), fighting, allusion to an abusive relationship, general sadness, mention of a family member’s death

a/n: day 2 of my holiday challenge: hot chocolate! this is kind of depressing and i'm sorry, sad!reggie was stuck in my head and he wouldn't leave until i wrote this but it has kind of a hopeful ending tho so i guess that counts for something? this is also my first time writing for this fandom so forgive me if it sucks. as usual, unbetaed so all mistakes are my b.

come join my holiday challenge!

December 1994

They were fighting again. It was the same old story: his dad being an ass on purpose, his mom taking the bait, wash, rinse, repeat. Their shouts rang harshly throughout the house, gloomy and miserable despite the cheerful decorations strung up in every room and the massive Christmas tree downstairs, dressed in its festive best and looking like it came straight out of a seasonal catalog.

Reggie had gone to them at the beginning of the month, begging them not to fight, please; his everyday life was already ruined by their screaming matches and the only thing he wanted for Christmas was some peace, quiet and civility to celebrate his favorite holiday. His father had pretended not to hear his son's pleas, ignoring him completely like he always did while his mother offered a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"We'll try, honey." She'd said and he knew it was a lie. His mother always lied, his father always threw a plate at her head, Reggie always wished he had the courage to run away for good, like Luke did. But he wasn't Luke, he never would be, and he just didn't have it in him to leave them, even though he was the one who came out worse for wear after each fight.

The distant shatter of ceramic drifting up the stairs was his cue to go until things cooled down again -he never stuck around after the first dish got thrown, not anymore, the scar on his arm the perfect reminder why- and so he jimmied open the window of his room and climbed down the trellis into the salty air, the crashing waves of the Pacific covering his escape like a blanket.

(He could've stormed down the stairs and slammed the door behind him and his parents still wouldn't have noticed he left but something about sneaking out and risking a broken bone made him feel alive, the same rush he felt when he was on stage, bass humming in his hands, performing alongside his bandmates and knowing they felt it, too.)

Even outside, the echoes of his parents' angry voices still rang in his ears, haunting him all the way to the house next door, its sparkling lights shining brightly and guiding him through the darkening night like a beacon. The driveway sat empty, sans for one lone bicycle haphazardly lying on its side in front of the garage and he carefully propped it up on its kickstand before climbing the stairs to the front porch.

The faint sound of a slow, somber violin came to a stop as he knocked on the door, followed by a quiet, familiar voice Reggie knew like the back of his hand.

"It's open."

He found Y/N alone on the couch, eyes downcast and fingers fiddling with the strings of the violin on her lap and she glanced up at the tap of his boots on the hardwood floor, face brightening the slightest bit at the sight of her friend rounding the corner into the living room. 

The girl didn't speak as she gently placed the instrument aside and stood, meeting him halfway and throwing her arms around his neck to draw him into a crushing hug. His own arms wrapped around her waist and held her just as tightly, his head resting on her shoulder, and the warm vanilla scent of her soft hair tickling his nose helped calm the storm in his heart.

"I'm sorry, Reg." Her voice was low and soothing in his ear and he didn't know how he could possibly hold her any tighter than he already was but he managed as he replied, "I'm sorry, too."

While his parents fought like wildfire, explosive and loud and raging with the wrong type of passion, hers were like a deep freeze, icy and cold and desolate in the worst possible way. Too many times Y/N was left to her own devices, all alone in an empty house with her thoughts and a violin her only company (at least they had given her that, the gift of music and a beautiful, expensive instrument to prove their love was real, albeit superficial).

It was some time later before she pulled back just far enough to look him in the eye and brushed a wayward strand of his dark hair back from his forehead with one calloused finger. "Okay, pity party's over. It's almost Christmas and we're not spending it being sad about shitty parents. Deal?"

She held out her pinky with one eyebrow raised expectantly and grinned when he nodded and hooked his pinky around hers. Reggie loved really liked that about her, the way she could just make all the heartache and pain and disappointment vanish from his mind like magic and replace them with thoughts of her and her sunny smile, her big heart, her touch that made the very blood in his veins spark like lightning. Y/N was his bright spot, his safe haven, and while Luke, Alex, and Bobby knew what he was going through, they just didn't understand like she did (they had their own problems to deal with, anyway, so he couldn't blame them).

"Good, now come on," She wrapped the rest of her fingers around his hand and started tugging him down the hall to the kitchen. "You're helping me make hot chocolate."

"Peppermint?" He asked, smiling when she glanced up at him with an offended look on her face.

"Duh. Only a heathen would make it without peppermint, Reginald."

Another thing he liked about her: she never did anything halfway; half-assing things, taking the easy way out, cutting corners just wasn't her style. It even applied to hot chocolate apparently, as he watched her flutter around the kitchen with practiced ease -heating milk and cream on the stove, measuring sugar and chocolate, slowly adding drops of peppermint oil- and despite her saying he was going to help, the only thing he got to do was crush some candy canes. Not that he minded, though, because while his hands could play bass like no one's business, they were a total disaster when it came to cooking and he knew Y/N was well aware of that fact, considering it took a week for the burnt popcorn smell to fade from her microwave the last time he tried. 

The violinist smiled and proudly handed him the finished drink, whipped cream piled high and candy cane bits almost overflowing from the edge of a red mug. "This is my grandma's recipe," She said, one hand holding a purple mug for herself and the other reaching to grab onto his wrist and pull him out the front door. "She'd always make it when she came to visit for the holidays and we'd sit out on the porch and watch the ocean, each and every year." 

"She was the best," Reggie said as the two sat together on the porch swing, his right side flush against her left. "I still have dreams about her cookies and wake up drooling."

The cool ocean breeze ruffled Y/N's hair and carried her laugh off down the beach. "She loved you, you know that? She was always talking about 'that nice boy next door.' Pretty sure she wanted us to get married."

"I loved her, too." He took a sip of his drink in an attempt to hide the blush that was taking over his entire face. "And we still have time for the whole marriage thing."

"I'm still waiting for my ring." She laughed again before looking down at the mug in her hands, voice becoming quiet as she replied, "I really miss her. She was the only person in my family who actually cared about me 'cause my parents sure as hell don't."

He wanted to tell her she was wrong but he knew it'd be a lie and he never did that, refusing to become a pathological liar like his mother, so instead he just wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side. "Hey, no more talk about shitty parents, remember?"

"Sorry, I know," She took a long sip of her cocoa, then rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh. "I just feel alone sometimes when you're not around. I mean, you have your band and I always had my grandma to talk to but now she's gone and I'm kind of...lost."

"You have the band, too, Y/N! Alex and Luke love you and Bobby, well, he's Bobby. No one really knows what goes on in that guy's head but I know he thinks you're cool. We all do, especially me, and you should know you're never alone 'cause you'll always have us."

The girl abruptly sat up and grabbed the mug from Reggie's hand before he could blink and placed it alongside her own on the floor, then threw her arms around his neck in another one of her fierce hugs.

"Has anyone told you how fucking amazing you are?" 

"You just did." He buried his blushing face in her shoulder as his arms wrapped around her waist once again. "I'm serious, Y/N. You'll always have me."

"And you'll always have me, Reg. No matter what."

And as they sat there on the porch swing, wrapped in each other's arms, Reggie knew as long as he had Y/N in his life, things were gonna be okay.

[jiikyu]

Taste of Marigolds In Bloom

Herb of the Sun — Or Marigold was often used during the Middle Ages as a love charm. Carrying one of these brightly colored flowers was thought to bring love. Though be warned for they are also poisonous. Chapter V. It’s becoming painfully clear you find comfort in the wrong things. Like the smell of the ocean. A smile that’s far too blinding. In the way calloused hands always seem to find their way back to you. Despite everything — Can you really be blamed for falling? ∘◦ ✿ ◦∘ All characters are 18+ Yandere!Mirio x Fem!Reader(AΩβ) Y/N = Your Name F/N = Your Full Name E/C = Eye Color H/C = Hair Color Warnings: Yandere / Unhealthy Behavior / Delusions / Angst / Possessiveness / Manipulation / Breaking & Entering, tho we don’t really elaborate on it this chapter? First Chapter Here❦ Previous Chapter Here❦ Next Chapter In Progress... Taglist. @missyredbean @yandere-romanticism

∘◦ ✿ ◦∘ You’re fading or — At least that’s what you’re starting to suspect. Time seemingly has escaped you. Who knows how much time has passed with you holding of the bathrooms door handle. The metal resting loosely against your skin is now warm from the shared contact and it’s beyond disappointing because — It’s the farthest you’ve been able to will yourself. Motionless you find yourself stuck at standstill. You hate it. You hate the invisible thing stopping you from opening the door, like you would have if it were any other day. It’s not the dry clothes that stick uncomfortably to your skin or the wet droplets coldly clinging to you. Something familiar yet foreign. Settled in the pit of your being, it claws and begs you not to abandon the shelter these thin walls provide. You know what’s taken hold of you and god, does that make it so much worse. You just want it gone. But, how do you kill fear? There is no reason for your hands to be clammy or for the hairs on the back of your neck to stand raised. All you’re doing is making the situation worse, for yourself and — For Mirio. He’s probably worried. Plus, it’s not like you can stay locked away forever. Right? Only when you’re able finally gulp down the passing mania and turn the handle do you realize that you’re alone. Light pours from behind you, spilling into the empty hall. Your E/C eyes take a moment to adjust but it’s clear that Mirio is nowhere in sight. How long had it been? The stillness is broken by the familiar ding of your microwave from the kitchen. “Just in time Y/N!” And just like that the shame eating away at you disappears as quickly as it appeared, lulled into submission by the voice calling out to you. It should probably frighten you. How fast your troubles seem to melt away with the sound of his voice. Leaving the bathroom you forget the jacket still hanging from the tubs edge. Your footsteps are muffled by the carpet underneath, it’s then that you notice the sweet scent dusting the air. You follow the faintest hints of sugar and — milk? Rounding the corner you spot the familiar silhouette standing under fluorescent white light. And it’s hard to miss just how comfortable he appears to be in your kitchen. The jug of milk has been removed from the fridge, garnished with paper towels littering the back counter and a lone spoon sitting forgotten... Oh and one of the cupboard doors has been left hanging wide open. You’re really not sure what he’s done to cause such chaos. The last thing you notice are the two steaming cups, filled to the brim. It’s so faint but, you swear it smells like honey — “Sweetheart I don’t know how you do it!” And suddenly all the thoughts buzzing around your head just stop. A total short-circuit. He just called you Sweetheart. And the bastard doesn’t even bat an eyelash, he just lets it slip past his teeth without any repercussions. Though, if you’re being honest — You’re not even sure Mirio realizes he’s said it. It’s fine, really, it’s not that big of a deal. There are plenty of people around the world that use nicknames. Something as simple as a title of endearment shouldn’t have your heart doing backflips and cartwheels. But it does. You’re absolutely screwed. “There’s barely enough room in here for one person!” His words have you more than a little confused. To demonstrate what exactly he means he lifts his arms in the air. From one hand to the other he practically touches the walls that represent the beginning and end of the kitchen. “See, it’s no good!” Huh. You suppose Mirio’s right in some sense of the word. But it’s him that makes the space feel small. “Well...” You can’t help but chuckle between words at the man T posing in your kitchen. “I guess for you it might be a bit much.” “Nah I think I’m onto something. You’ll just have to move in with me!” It’s hard to tell sometimes when Mirios joking because he always wears a wide grin. But there’s no way it’s a serious offer. Maybe your missing the point, but you don’t see the problem at hand. Sure your dorm might not be as uh — spacious — as the ones meant for rising star heros. But you’re nothing if not appreciative, the space had came with all the basic necessities and for that you couldn’t be more grateful. You’re lucky enough to even have the opportunity of sleeping under the roof of your dream school. “Now you’re pushing it.” Your tone is lighthearted. “My place isn’t that bad.” Though your smile brings warmth to his little heart the moment is soured. He cannot help but stare at the puffiness just under your eyes, from where tears had fallen and stained. A reminder that has the blond to biting into the meat of his cheek. Mirio would be lying if he said felt comfortable with your living situation. It’s far too small — Let alone for the both of you. But most importantly, he couldn’t help but notice the lack of heavy bolts on the front door. He doesn’t like it one bit. Maybe it’s just the itch of anxiety from what happened but he’d much rather see you someplace safer. Somewhere you weren’t forced to be alone, preferably someplace he could stay by your side. Like his dorm. “What’d you make?” Freed from his thoughts it takes Mirio a second to process the question, his eyes follow your stare — The two cups cooling on the counter, the steam vanishing as it rises. He’d almost forgotten! “Oh! It’s honey milk.” Suddenly one of the cups is pushed across the smooth counter surface, till it sits within your reach. “My dad used to make it for me when I was a kid, usually when I was upset or had a bad day.” His smiles softens when he ends with. “I thought you might like it.” What he can’t tell you is that he made it in desperation. A distraction from what he’d done. “Thank you.” Blue eyes watch your fingers wrap around the heated smooth surface of the ceramic. “Really, it means a lot.” He can’t help but stare as your lips part to take the first sip. “Anything for you.” Those words are your wake up call. You’d got caught up in his antics... Are you really that weak around him? Because, now you understand there’s a deeper promise there. One you almost wish had remained in the dark. Almost. “If you want we can watch a movie, or —“ “I think.” You stare into the swirl of milk and honey before continuing. “Maybe we should sit and... Talk about what happened.” Your words always seem to have an effect on him because his pulse begins to race. It’s fear. “Yeah.” ∘◦ ✿ ◦∘ You’re in trouble. Even with the suppressants dulling your senses they’re not strong enough to block the scent of seashore and sandalwood now permeating the walls. Not strong enough to hide the fact that your dorm is already starting to smell like Mirio. If people knew you allowed an Alpha into your home, let alone an unmated one, you’re reputation would tarnished. You know this, it’s been drilled into your head since presenting as an Omega, but... It’s Mirio Togata that’s seated next to you in your kitchen. The one exception — Or at least that’s what you hope. The cheap material of the barstool digs into your back and there’s a constant drumming of fingers against the laminate countertop, a harmony of tension. The thing that held you captive in the bathroom is back and whispering in your ear. It doesn’t use words, no, instead you’re haunted by awful unintelligible garble. Of blood filled lungs struggling for air. This is a bad idea. You can already feel your mouth becoming dry, but there’s no going back — “What happened during the fight?” It’s the one question that could’ve caught Mirio off guard, and his smile falters, if only for a split second. “Oh you mean —“ A hand rubs the skin of his neck sheepishly, as if you caught him redhanded in the cookie jar. “I guess I did go a little overboard on that guy, didn’t I?” He says half jokingly, he wants so badly to be able to sweep the whole thing under the rug. A little overboard? “But don’t worry! From here on out I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you.” Even without his quirk, he’ll manage. “I promise.” Even if it means he has to get his hands dirty. He reaches an arm to wrap around your shoulder, so you know your hero will always be there for you and — You flinch at the touch. ... Mirio blinks a few times because he’s not sure what happened. You hadn’t meant to flinch. You really hadn’t meant it. But it’s too late. It’s clear as day, he sees it in your eyes. And you know it when his smile begins to fall, it’s plummeting. There’s fear in your eyes. Somewhere in your subconscious you must’ve been praying. Stupid, so incredibly stupid. Praying that you were strong enough to hide it from him. And it makes what comes next all the worse. “Wait you’re —“ Blond brows knit together, still grasping the change in atmosphere. “You’re not afraid of me... Are you?” There it is. The air is suddenly tens times heavier, like breathing through a straw. Your throats so dry you’re not even sure you have the ability to speak. When Mirios only answer is deafening silence does he become hyper aware of the situation. You literally see the moment it clicks. It’s in the way his mouth opens and closes in disbelief, in the way his blue eyes widen in realization. It’s like watching an incoming car crash in slow motion , you know it’s going to be horrible but there’s nothing to stop it. You have to tear your eyes away before the inevitable collision and when you do... Mirios panic truly sets in. He had been afraid of you to thinking less of him. But never in a million years did he think that you might see him as a potential threat. This is a nightmare. He’s sweating bullets. “Sunshine I know — I know I messed up.” Another nickname. “I never meant to scare you. I’m sorry — I don’t know what took over, you know I never would have let it go that far but the guy, he —“ Each word more unsteady than the last, more desperate, because you won’t even look at him. And it’s killing him. He can’t take it anymore. Mirios scarred hands find your shoulders, slowly — Like you might crumble away from the touch but this time you don’t recoil from the fingers pressing into the material of your shirt. “Will you please look at me Darling?” Having averted your eyes you don’t bare witness to the pain carving his face but god, do you hear it. It’s absolutely heart wrenching. And despite it all, despite having watched him beat a man within an inch of his life, the last thing you want is to hurt Mirio. So you give in. And you look up to see a man on the edge. It’s worse than you imagined. You see the wild storm of blue, one that could easily ravage everything within its reach. “This is all some sort of misunderstanding right? I was just protecting you that’s all, you know I would never hurt you.” One of his hands has left your shoulder to snake its way to cup your face, thumb stroking languidly over the cherub of your cheek. Desperate for contact, for anything he can get from you. “Please just — Say that you’ll forgive me.” Everything. 

From the way Mirios voices wobbles weakly to the way he looks at you with desperation. It’s enough to crush every last bit of reason within you.

You break. This is the man that little voice inside your head screamed and begged you to stay away from? The man who lost everything to save a little girl from some madman? The man who rescued you and is now pleading for forgiveness in your kitchen? That man? Life is cruel. You’re finally able to find your voice. “Mirio. What you did was horrible —“ His heart just about stops beating right there. It hurts. Having his name associated with something so terrible in your eyes, even if to him it was something he’d done out of devotion... It’s a stab to the gut. “And despite everything.” Is this how it ends? You’re going to break up with him. “I — I can’t find it in myself to be upset with you.” Those words leave your lips and Mirio can finally breath. The blond hadn’t even realized he’d been holding his breath till now, the lack of oxygen straining his lungs. But you’re not done yet — “I’ve never met a person quite like you. You are the sweetest, definitely a little dense.” By the end your lips have started to curl upwards, it just comes naturally. “What I’m trying to say is that — I still care about you, and this isn’t the end —“ It’s like the worlds gone silent, your words are going in one ear and out the other. All he knows is that. You’re here. You’re smiling. And you’re not leaving him. It’s all Mirio needs to understand. The swell of emotions is just too much for him. It just sort of bursts out. “Though, you’re —“ “I love you.” ... The last — What? Six hours of your life have been nothing but a rollercoaster, one you’d like to get off of now. You don’t need a mirror to know you’re wearing the most wide-eyed expression of your entire life. But you couldn’t care less, because you’re far too busy replaying those magic words over and over in your head. You’re not sure you heard right. Maybe your skull was smashed against the pavement at some point during the fight and this is all some weird fever dream. That’s right. You’re probably in some hospital with IVs hooked to you. “Mirio —“ Pinching your inner arm before continuing, it’s almost concerning when the tinge of pain feels real. Very real... And you’ll be damned if you can’t find the reason for the sudden lack of common sense in the room. “Did you hit your head?” “I — What no? Y/N I’m being completely serious here.” “Are you sure? M-maybe you should you lie down, just incase?” You’re starting to panic because — Dear god, what if he needs medical attention and he’s here because of your own problems? As if reading your mind he understands. His heart skips and stutters because it’s him you’re worried about. He hasn’t lost you yet. And as much as he would love to tease you about how cute you are — He’s having none of it, because he just admitted his true feelings and your too worried about a stupid concussion! Suddenly he’s no longer seated next to you but standing and... He’s taking a few steps back? Once far enough away he outstretches his arms forward so that his thumbs mirror each other. “Could someone with a concussion do this?” In one swift motion his hands are planted to the floor with both legs kicked to a point in the air. A handstand. “One, two, three —“ Of course, nothing can be easy when it comes to Mirio. Show off. “— Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty!” Twenty seconds. Your jaw would’ve hit the floor if it were physically possible. It’s impressive. More than that. “I can go longer if you want.” When he hops back to stand on his own two feet the floor trembles. “But, I’m not sure you want to watch me do a handstand all night.” He’s smiling and laughing. It makes you feel small and irrational, that you’ve been overthinking everything. That you’ve made something out of nothing. The panic starts to settle, like a layer of soot waiting for its next opportunity to suffocate. But you gotta ask one last time. For your own sanity. “So... You’re really okay?” If he’s fine then that would mean — “Never been better! Because — Here, let me say it again.“ He says stepping closer, like there’s a magnet between the two of you, he closes the gap. Before you know it large hands find yours, with the outmost care. You can only describe it as being bathed in sunlight, warm and glowing, your digits are dwarfed in Mirios own. It’s slower this time, softer. “I love you.” Has your heart ever flown this high before? “It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not but, you’re the only person that’s made me feel this way — The only one for me.” You know there’s no way for you to come down unscathed. “I was being serious earlier you know? That... We could move in together.” His thumb maps the tiny hills of your knuckles. “So, won’t you please consider moving in with me?” Really now, it’s got to be one of the most ridiculous things you’ve be asked in a while. Hadn’t you only just admitted your feelings a few hours ago? Doesn’t he care what others will think? Why are you even entertaining the idea? Even as the list continues to grow, reasons on it’s unrealistic, why — Sitting perched atop the stool your feet dangle, support-less. You’re helpless because those blue irises are looking down upon you like your the only one in the world. It’s too much. “I —“ Why won’t the butterflies stop swarming you? “I need to sleep on this Mirio — This. It’s just a lot.” You’re certain now, now more than ever before. You’re in far deeper than you ever could have bargained for. Because you still haven’t said no yet. “Of course!” Voice soft and lighthearted, Mirios hands give yours a squeeze. Whether in reassurance or in fear of letting go he doesn’t know anymore. “Take all the time you need.” ∘◦ ✿ ◦∘ The night ends with you helping bandage-up Mirios knuckles. Rubbing alcohol, cotton balls and Hello Kitty bandaids. The ugly futon you found at a garage sale and a few spare blankets are included in the five star Hotel experience. The springs groan back to life when Mirio unfolds the furniture. You don’t know how long you stand in the doorframe of your bedroom, there’s just so much — Why’d he have to pile everything on you at once! You just need time, that’s all. Time to think. Once you get your head out of the clouds you’ll be able to let him down gently, because it’s a childish idea after all. One you’d never agree too. Right? And maybe if you hadn’t succumbed to a night of stress you wouldn’t have failed to notice the bottle of pills missing from your nightstand. ∘◦ ✿ ◦∘ At some point sleep overtook you in your exhaustion, because your phone now reads 10:12AM. After laying in bed for an extra twenty minutes you finally sit up and only when your feet touch floor are you startled fully awake. Something touched your left foot, and it rattled at you. Your eyes adjust enough for you to see the culprit, it’s your bottle of suppressants. They must have rolled off your nightstand while you were out. It’s quiet. If you didn’t know any better you would say it felt like any other regular morning, besides the lingering fatigue. That’s why when you open your bedroom door it takes you by surprise, the lumpy, vaguely looking human shape on the futon. Mirios sleeping form barely fits the ancient pullout. One of his arms hangs off the side with his fingers resting against the floor. Only with the glow of the television are you able to make out his sleeping face. Whatever miraculous hair gel he buys no longer keeps the mess of blond together, bangs of gold hang over his soft features. A normal persons heart probably wouldn’t flutter at something so simple. From under the blanket peeks the same t-shirt he’s been wearing for at least a day now. The same one you cried into. In a few days the scent of calming sea waves and citrus will fade. And you’ll be all that’s left behind. It’s a realization that leaves you feeling, empty. You find the more time spent mulling over the situation the blurrier everything becomes. It doesn’t matter how hard you try to convince yourself, no matter how many hours you spend staring at your ceiling in the dark of your bedroom — It won’t change the way your heart beats wildly whenever you’re around him. You can’t help but wonder. Is it really such a bad idea? 

And you know you’re a terrible person because the curve of your lips is real as you gently place your hand on his shoulder. There are roots that have already taken hold of you long ago. 

[the-darklings]

Not gonna lie, Lucien grabbed me by the throat since the first attack on V and then my heart by the sewers scene ;; if you have time, could you mayhabs give us Luci stans a lil something with V? 👀

nature of doubt.

⤫ notes: so this is actually based in that original world I keep alluding to post-coa and uh,, Lucien and V actually have a very different relationship here (tho this piece isn’t considered entirely canon for them, either) and you’re getting a backseat into that relationship. Lucien/Reader is established here - more or less, considering how he is.

⤫ pairing: lucien x f!reader (+clara (oc!v)

⤫ word count: 4.4k+

“You can’t keep doing this.”

Your feet halt sharply at the sound of those words, startled into an acute silence.

The night hums around you, and you lean against the side of the greenhouse, peering through the blur of the glass. Humid heat keeps you warm from the night chill and you slow your breaths in order to hear better. You’ve come up to the terrace because you couldn’t sleep for the life of you, caught in your turbulent thoughts as you were.

Lucien being back should make you happy but something is different this time. You’ve kissed him and hugged the moment he came close enough to touch, and that might have led to a long and strenuous session in your shared bed. Bites and kisses and nails against the skin—just him, raw and passionate, and…

He always comes back from his disappearances with an appetite of a starved man—cruel, dangerous, prowling thing. Always dancing on that line of pain and pleasure. Never pushing more than you ask but there had been a strange detachment this time, a drift you know he felt as well.

Something, this time, felt emptier than usual. For both of you.

Coming up here so late has been more about getting some fresh air to clear your mind and get rid of that gnawing, traitorous whisper of soft brown hair. Hazel eyes and shoulder against yours when you replanted one of hundred plants in her greenhouse.

And it’s because of that, that you recognise the owner of that low, smooth feminine voice that speaks.

“Doing what?”

Of course, it’s him. Of course, the two most nocturnal members of the Pit of Vipers are the ones you have managed to stumble upon.

Instincts scream at once. They’re beyond dangerous individually much less together, and if they caught you spying they might be angry. Disappointed. That thought sits like curdled milk inside your stomach, tart and bitter.

Still. There is something that moves your body. Some need, a draw.

Leaning over the edge of the greenhouse, you spot the shadowed figures of Clara and Lucien. The latter stands with his back to you, his wispy blonde hair loose in the wind, a mess from your running your fingers through it earlier. Hungry. You had been just as hungry and just as needy for his touch.

Yet for some reason it…

It hadn’t been the same.

You love him so much, you do, and you think that maybe—just maybe—there is something inside his chest too. A small, fond thing you so rarely catch glimpses of but know is there.

Clara, on other hand, stands with her arms crossed over her chest, one side of her face bathed with terrace lights. It cuts a terrible, steely line—one dark, one light; and you suppose that’s only right too.

She’s tense though, her stare set as she drills holes into the side of Lucien’s pale head.

You know full well that is a terrifying position to be in. Her stare is downright chilling on a good day. Even more so when she’s angry. It’s made worse, you think, by the fact that she has a face that looks like it should be smiling. It’s a face made for kindness.

She hasn’t smiled once since you’ve met her. It stings more because you know she used to. Noah told you as much once; a sad, thoughtful expression crumpling his sharp, friendly features with sorrow.

Not since him.

The one no one speaks of openly, and certainly not Clara herself. A man with glaciers in his eyes, and tar-black heart.

“Disappearing like you do,” she says flatly, a fine lace of irritation in her voice.

Lucien clicks his tongue, shaking his head in amusement. “It’s what I’ve always done,” he returns dismissively. And you know that it’s an answer that will not go down well. He disappeared for so long you were starting to doubt he would ever return. Clara, since then, had been even more solitary and distant. You’ve always thought that Lucien needed her more than she needed him but this disappearance has proven different. “How is this time any different?”

She doesn't respond right away. It’s as if considering his question, wondering if he actually means those words and you swallow.

You shouldn't be here.

This is a private conversation and yet…

You’ve been just as disappointed by his actions. And you know that if you asked he would not answer.

He answers to no one but her—his leader, the only one he trusts and has chosen—and perhaps that’s the only way for you to get a glimpse into him as well. Find out where his head is at.

It was not so long ago that their bond used to make you jealous and insecure. A tiny part of you still has doubts—it’s hard not to, not with the looks they share, the mute acceptance between them, the way you sometimes just find them sitting together, shoulder to shoulder—but ever since Lucien’s last disappearance something has changed.

“You were gone for months,” she states briskly, her voice icy, and a shiver races down your spine hearing it. She doesn’t raise her voice. It’s smooth, controlled; a pleasant, ordinary string of words. She stands there, and simply looks at him, and it’s terrible somehow. “Even Step couldn’t find you. I couldn’t find you,” she adds after a slight pause, the tiniest of catches in her voice.

You’ve heard that catch a handful of times in the past. Mostly in the shadowed greenery of her greenhouse. Where you sometimes found the viper curled up and resting, hiding away from the world. You’ve tried sitting by her like Lucien sometimes does. It made you feel special, near euphoric the first time she allowed you to hold her hand in silent comfort. The first time she leaned her head on your shoulder.

The way she had sagged against you—atlas on her shoulders, expression fragile, soft—had stuck with you for a long time. So long, you can’t help but see it now.  

This is the first fracture you’ve seen in her demeanour in weeks though. She’s so controlled for how Lucien is untamed. But demons that stir under the Viper’s skin might be worse than his and somehow…

That thought is as thrilling as it is terrifying.  

The blonde doesn’t take much note of her words. Still staring out towards the twinkling New York streets. “Yes, I imagine it was rather annoying for him,” he says, deliberately avoiding her softer admission, an open fear. “Such a pity.”

It's wrong to say. Right now when every muscle in Clara’s body seems to have gone so taut with tension she bristles. Then, follows fire.

It thickens the air and even some distance away, hugged and hidden away by the shadows, you can feel something volatile bubbling in the air between them. It becomes near suffocating the longer Lucien remains impassive and disinterested in their conversation.

You’ve never seen him show fear, but perhaps, this once, he’s aiming for someone who can remind him of the feeling.

He knows it, too, you conclude when his head finally turns in her direction.

“I do it for you,” he snarls lowly, practically spitting the words, his grip on the railing tightening. “If I didn’t leave, I would skin your loyal little snakies and give you their skins as a present. By the time I came back to myself, it would already be too late, and you would hate me for taking them away from you. You would kill me for it, and maybe I would let you.”

Your heart slams into your throat at his calm, chillingly logical explanation.

You knew—to some degree—that him leaving was about protecting others as much as it was about allowing Lucien that room to roam. It’s hard to feel trapped, tied down, to something when you’ve spent years being treated as no better than an animal.

It makes you value that freedom just that much more.  

Your lungs burn yet you feel too afraid to inhale lest you miss her reply.

The woman is silent for a leaden, disturbing moment and you feel your heartbeat accelerate the longer she remains quiet.

“Do you really think you mean so little to me?” comes her chilling whisper of a question and goosebumps tickle across the length of your arms. “That I would kill you?”

She laughs but it’s an unpleasant, cold thing that makes you think of a viper circling her prey and Lucien’s chin tilts at the challenge, at the mocking tilt of her inquiry. “You may act like you don’t care for them but could you really kill them? Just like that?” she demands, her tone sharpening as if she’s wielding one of her blades. “Kill her?”

Your heart thuds; once, twice.

You’re not sure what you feel more surprised at.

The fact that she’s pushing or that she sounds so furious at the mere prospect.

It’s them, you remind yourself hurriedly, ignoring the flush of heat you feel in response to the honeyed, poisonous edge you catch in her words, not what she’s saying.

Yet it feels like a weak argument even in your own mind.  

Lucien pushes back from the railing, clenching his fingers experimentally, humming lightly under his breath before offering his verdict, “I won’t even hesitate.”

“You’re lying.”

It’s sharp, and immediate dismissal. So knowing that you don’t even doubt the call out because she knows him better than anyone. They’re two beasts snapping jaws and snarling and it makes for a beautiful sight. Captivating despite the danger. 

The terror you should feel around them doesn’t come. That should probably concern you more. You’re not helpless but getting even more tangled with these people is a death sentence.

Lucien steps closer to the leader of the Vipers, and it’s only then that you notice that his white shirt is still unbuttoned. His skin often feels cold to the touch but he’s never once complained about it. The pale canvas of his flesh is marred by scars and faint bruises alike. You’ve tasted them, traced them with your tongue just a few hours ago—so even though you can’t see them clearly, you know they’re there.

“Funny thing. Lies. Like you lie to yourself daily, I imagine, hm?” Lucien’s voice slices through the night air, fills it, stretches it into something even tenser. “You walk around like you want to destroy everything in your path yet you still hold yourself back,” he spits knowingly, his voice slipping into harshness, and his eyes narrow, inspecting the woman before him intently. “He still clings to you and you let him. Still love him.”

He spits the word love out so hatefully you nearly flinch. Like no bigger crime could be committed against him.

His throat grows tense, tendons trembling, and in that moment he looks near feral. Livid.

Because she’s in pain, you think sadly, and he wasn’t there for her, and now she carries it.

It saddens you.

“You have no right,” it’s a warning, a hiss of a statement.

Lucien comes undone in a span of a second.

His arm snaps out, locking behind the slim curve of her neck, his fingers sinking into the nape. He doesn’t drag her forward, he drags himself to her. She lets him, and that surprises you more. She watches him from beneath her heavy, quietly furious brow, silent.

“I have every right!” he fires back, his stare brimming, and he briefly presses their foreheads together but his next words are cruel, “When we crawled out of that filth it was you and me. And then you let some fucker steal you. Do this to you.”

She rips out of his grip with speed that’s a blur, her teeth flashing, “Then maybe you shouldn’t have abandoned me!”

Pain in her voice is like a whip against your skin and heart. They rip into you, linger under your skin. Is that how she felt? All this time. Alone. With no one to turn to.

It...

“You know that’s rich, Lucien,” she continues, her voice a low growl. “You really think I don’t see how you are with (Name)? Did you really assume you could hide something like that from me?”

Your gut coils at her tone. She sounds...small.

And then her words…

Oh.

Oh.

She must think…

Does she feel like Lucien is replacing her with you? It’s true that you have bonded and grown closer together but…

God, doesn’t she realise no one could come even close to her for Lucien? You’ve accepted their bond long ago though it took time and a lot of battling insecurities that still crop up to do so.

It’s startling to realise that she has even more of those. That beneath a woman who has carved her way into power with such ruthless efficiency is still, at the end of the day, just human. Capable of wounds and bleeding. Doubts and diffidence. It gives her a different light, a human light, one that makes you want to hold her hand again. Feel the fold of her long fingers around yours.

“Ah, my pretty girl,” Lucien begins, sighing softly, his voice silky with tendrils of desire, hunger. So he’s concluded the same, then. Based on his sudden change in topic. “She’s a greedy thing. I see how she watches you, too. A heart so eager and big she doesn’t know what to do with it. So eager to give...and take,” he purrs, his tongue wetting his lips, and you choke down a breath at the memory of that searing tongue on your body. “At least I can say that about her. Can you say the same about your spider?”

You suck in a breath, holding it in your lungs, wide-eyed and unsteady.

Why is he goading her like this? Does this truly get under his skin so much? No—you know it does. Lucien has a greediness of a child who never got toys or enough food growing up. Eager hands and darker eyes. Constantly clawing for more, claiming everything he touches and hoarding it, ready to bite and snarl at any hand that tries to take his things away from him.

He’s considered her his own long before he even knew you. That same silent burn of mine, mine, mine rages in his gaze every time he looks at either of you.

“Do not speak of him, Lucien,” this time her voice is soft, deceptively so, a fragment of a warning that’s the last second of stillness before a viper strikes. “This is the only warning I will give you,” she adds.

Lucien’s head shakes. “Wipe him away,” he warns in return, his voice ice. “Do it, Clara, because if he destroys you, I will scatter his remains across this Earth. He will know agony long before I grant him death. Let her in.”

This time your heart jumps straight to your throat and stays there, beating and trembling, trying to flutter away.

“She’s not a thing for you to decide what to do with.”

There’s an edge to her voice, to her stance. They’re both tense, their shoulders taut as they glare at one another.

You’ve never seen them fight before. Not once. The fact that you’re the topic of their conversation…

Lucien snorts, shaking his head back and forth. “I’m only stating what you noticed long ago,” he says knowingly. “What my pretty girl wants even if she won’t admit it to herself yet,” a pause, and he licks his lips again, his head turning to stare right into the darkness, into the spot where you’re standing, “Isn’t that right, my brave foolish girl?”

Your muscles stiffen with shock. Your flee instincts scream at you to get away but you only stare at them numbly.

Clara doesn’t look surprised by his words, either. Did she know too? This whole time? Then why let you listen to this. Why—

“Don’t be shy,” he coaxes, his voice beguiling and gentle; a dangerous purr. “Come on out.”

You shouldn’t.

They’re…

Too much, too dangerous—you called them a death sentence only minutes prior, and you know you’re right.

Yet you step onto the terrace and straight into the jaws of two awaiting snakes who watch your every step with rapt intensity.

It’s an effort to keep your steps steady and spine straight. Under their stares, you become intimately aware of every stitch of clothing on you. Namely the fact that you’re in nothing but loose V-shirt and worn sweatpants, having pulled on the first thing on hand before departing your room in restless haste.

The intensity of their regard makes you feel like you’re naked, however.

Gulping a quiet breath you try to ignore the way Lucien traces the dip of your collarbone where a love bite is still visible. He sucked on the skin relentlessly, following that with a scattering of open-mouthed kisses, soothing the twinge of the ache.

“I…” you try and sigh. “Sorry. It was rude of me to listen. I…”

Your voice fades when Lucien steps towards you, his footsteps inaudible but purposeful. Same hunched shouldered, tense prowl of a gait, his arm encircling your waist the moment he’s close enough. You lean into his touch despite your wariness, your breath tickling against his exposed skin but over his narrow shoulder, you can’t help but watch Clara.

Dark jumper, messy braid over her shoulder, and sunken cheeks. Tired smudges sit under her eyes, her stare empty, and she looks…

Sad.

There is no particular expression on her face—she’s not that obvious, and he taught her well, you suppose—but the air around her seems to be teeming with some melancholic ache.

Lucien’s mouth brushes over your ear, nipping once, and you expect a shiver of shame or embarrassment to flood through you but it doesn’t. It doesn’t feel wrong to have her witness these things, to watch Lucien’s rare show of intimacy so closely.

The argument between them seems to be forgotten, for now, all of you caught in your own spells. Lucien’s mouth drags downwards, his teeth scraping against the hollow of your throat and you gasp softly.

The sound seems to snap Clara out of her daze, and her expression tightens in a blink. You still can’t get over how pale and tired she looks. Worn. Everything about her seems to be muted today. It’s then that you also recall that you haven’t seen her the whole day. When you asked Hector he had only barked a harsh she’s busy and you had retreated after that, noting his foul mood—more so than usual.

Why?

You try to think if this day holds some sort of significance and—

Oh, oh, oh.

It must be today.

Your stomach sinks at the realisation. So hard and suddenly the sensation of Lucien’s mouth fades just for a second. Because just like that the man’s return also makes sense. He returned so he would be here just in case she needs him.

Two years since the night she was taken in Tokyo.

There must be so much turmoil in her today. No wonder you haven’t seen her out and about and now, out here, in the private space between them, her guard has worn far quicker than usual.

Lucien presses you flush against him and hums a pleased sound when you sigh at the feeling of his lips skimming over your jaw. His head tilts then, staring at Clara over his shoulder.

“You’ve made your point,” she snips the moment he does, her voice throaty.

She stalks past you both, her jaw set and lips pressed to a hard line. Your actions are instinct alone.

Your fingers wrap around her wrist, partially jerking from Lucien’s hold to catch her in your grip. Last time you’ve done something like this she flinched and yanked her arm away with a heated glare. This time she freezes, tensing, but doesn’t pull out of your hold. Her steady, strong pulse beats against your palm and you inhale at the contact.

Last time you touched her had been when she told you her real name.

Clara, Clara, Clara.

With her hands knuckle deep in a pot, a smear of dirt across the freckled nose, and near content look in her eyes. You know she never demands. Yet each member chooses to cement their loyalty to the Pit in their own time and on their own terms. Once the snake tattoo marks their skin, it’s forever. In return, Clara gives them her own name—the ultimate sign of acceptance.

You don’t have a snake tattoo. Yet she had given you her name still. She had noted your startled expression before it morphed and bloomed into a bright grin. That seemed to have startled her more.

When you had hugged her—breathing her in, absorbing her warmth, and savouring the comfort that comes with such simple affection—she had stood there, not moving. It took her several minutes to fully relax, melt into you with a sigh so gentle you barely felt it.

Now, your hand is on her skin again, even if circumstances are so different.

“Don’t go,” you say, fighting back the urge to tug her towards you. “Stay.”

Lucien shifts around you—another snake coiling—but he’s waiting and watching. Almost vibrating with energy you have no name for. Arm around your waist, hand resting lightly on your lower stomach, but you feel his stare digging into her.

He’s eager to see how she will react.

This. This feels right.

Lucien at your side and you holding onto her. A unit, a chain of energy. A thrill rushes through your hand and right to your heart at that conclusion; hot and fierce.

Those dark eyes peer at you, and there is something in her gaze—maybe longing, maybe regret—but it blows out like a candle in a stiff breeze.

Her stare goes to Lucien briefly and she tugs her wrist free. Your expression falls the moment cool night air kisses your palm instead.

Clara turns and disappears down the staircase. Her room is on this floor, just below the terrace and you listen to her fading footsteps. The disappointment you feel stings, bubbles in your chest and you pull your hand back, folding your fingers into a loose fist.

Lucien hisses under his breath, displeased, muttering something in French. His nails scratch against your stomach as he pulls his hand away.

“Why did you do that?” you demand quietly.

A soft breath and quick, hard kiss against your head, his fingers sinking into your shoulder.

“Because I will not let her run anymore,” he mutters coldly, and it carries through the night air, making you shiver.

Turning in his hold, you stare at him.  

“Have you two ever…”

He reads into your meaning without you having to force the words out. You’re immensely grateful for it.

“No.”

Your throat aches but you still wonder, “Kissed?”

“Yes. Once,” blunt and straightforward as always. For once, you find yourself appreciating that. “We both thought we were going to die, and neither of us wanted our last memory to be of rotting in pain and alone. Our humanity stripped away.”

You step out of his embrace, mulling that over. You can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. Feeling that level of desperation. That lack of hope and despair. That kiss had nothing to do with desire and everything to do with comfort, with a need to cling to something so ordinary yet human in what they perceived to be their last moments alive.

“It’s today, isn’t it?” you finally ask, your words soft, thoughtful. “When she was taken. That’s why you came back. Because you knew she would need you,” you add knowingly, staring up at him.

Lucien stares back at you wordlessly. He doesn’t need to waste his breath and verbalize it for you to know you’re right.  

“She needs us both,” he concludes and there is no room for argument in that statement—for him, it's an absolute, a known fact. “She’s just too wrapped up in him to realise that.”

Him. It always comes back to him.  

The seething rage lingers in Lucien’s soft words, practically spat, certainly damning. Yet you never expected him to be as accepting of this as he has been.

“Why aren’t you mad?” you wonder, watching his profile, the dips of his skin illuminated by the artificial lights. In this moment he’s a wraith, a spirit, a restless ghost. “At the thought that I might…”

Do feel something for a woman you shouldn’t. Did that make you selfish? You often felt selfish for simply wanting Lucien. For hoping that one day he will be able to make peace with his demons and stay with you.

You can’t help but wonder if the woman who reminds you of a beautiful, haunted house could ever, possibly, let her demons go too.

Could...could she feel the same?

Your blood warms at the thought, your mind cycling through every moment shared with her over these last several months. Combing them for any signs and...

“Why would I be, pretty girl?” he retorts with a tsk and a cutting glance. He reaches out, fingers caressing the length of your chin. “I have no intention of choosing, you’re capable of loving us both I know that, and she needs to learn happiness again.”

You lean into his touch, your eyes fluttering shut, savouring the contact. There is that greediness in his hold when he drags you to him. You follow. This time there is new conflict but the energy between you seems to be back, settled. Pressing your forehead against his bare collar, you shiver at how cold he feels to the touch but feel happy at this return.

The missing piece finally has a name.  

“What did he do to her?” you mumble against his skin, so desperate to understand what no one is willing to share with you.

You want Clara to tell you herself, one day, but until she’s ready, if ever...

Lucien's voice is dark and low, barely audible when he answers, “He made her love him.”

You doubt anyone can make someone love another person. Not really. But now can’t help but wonder if Lucien feels like that man stole the Clara he knew—Clara that smiled—away from him and that’s what boils his blood. Something that he considered his own was taken from him and he was powerless to stop it.

“And did he love her back?”

He was a fool if he didn’t.

Lucien is quiet for a long, long time after that question, and you feel him staring out towards the twinkling skyline.

“There is a reason why he’s still alive.” 

. . .

an: yeah, little to no context and I don’t really expect anyone to read this or care but if you did and happen to enjoy it thank you very much for giving it a chance! love you guys lots. this was written a solid month back so discord gang this is familiar to you lot *wiggles eyebrows*  

[friendocheaven]

Picnic Ask

Ask and ye shall recieve @theaxolotleastofthesun it’s long af tho, so it’s under the cut.

 1.       Where and When is the picnic happening? (Gonna take this as ideal location and season basically)

a.       Milo: Prefers someplace a bit south—warmer than the northern parts of the Eye. Summer in Sun Elf territory would be nice. Not south enough to get jungle-y and humid (Glim can take heat, but draws the line at humidity), but someplace he could retreat to the blessed relief offered by the shade of a scrubby tree and have a good excuse to eat his favorite spicy foods and sweat to cool down.

b.      Glim: as stated above, he doesn’t do well in high humidity. Also not the biggest fan of excessive heat, but will put up with it for Milo’s sake. Were it up to him though, he would prefer an autumn picnic in a cozy shady glen under a still-full canopy of rich reds and violets and sunny yellows. A sigh of crisp wind carrying with it the first hint of winter.

c.       Remmi: Love’s spring, especially when it’s still early. They love the way the fruit trees look while still flowering and the cool, but warming, breeze. They would most enjoy something near water, but with plush green grass still under foot. The Northern Reservoir is well tended, with bright, blossoming bushes hedging cobbled pathways. The surrounding park stretches most of the way ‘round. Remmi would most like a quiet day at the eastern edge—farthest away from the great roaring falls that lead into the canyon. Bonus if there are frogs.

d.      Hani: Loves the dead heat of summer; the feel of warm sun on his skin. A midsummer, late afternoon picnic after a day of splashing around the Southern Sea would be heaven. Sure, the food might get a little sandy, but it wouldn’t stop him from eating and enjoying every second.

2.       What food and drinks do your OCs bring? (you fool! You’re enabling me to indulge my fascination with food culture!)

a.       Milo: Goes all out on the spice—picnic with him at your own peril. He packs extra-hot kimchi, seasoned roasted garlic cloves, Zevi’s falafel recipe, and a few other side dishes that reflect his upbringing by a Southern Dwarf familiar with Halfling food culture. He also gets pretty excited with drinks, bringing three; an iced ginger tea made with turmeric and black pepper, buttercup and honey hwachae (most non-halflings just call it wine even though it’s usually not alcoholic) because he’s (not so) secretly pretty sappy and sentimental, and Baekse-ju to finish off with a good pair for spicy food and just a touch of alcohol.

b.      Glim: Settles for light, seasonal snack foods. He brings a bunch of fresh cut in-season fruit like apples (that yes, he does cut the skins to look like bunnies like his mother used to), a couple loaves of bara brith made with ground dried fruits and nuts served with butter, and a whole basket of pic ar y maen (cookies with raisins and currants mixed in). He brings spiced virgin cider and a fine local white wine to wash it down.

c.       Remmi: As a professional baker, they refused to bring anything but their best to their picnic. They pick finger-food pastries—the best from their eclectic cooking experience and travels. Beignets topped with honey and powdered sugar—in a basket enchanted to keep them fresh and hot and crisp because they take pride in their work. An impressive assortment of petit fors lined up and packed tightly in another container. Muffuletta finger sandwiches with toothpicks holding them together for the more savory inclined guests. And finally some cranberry pastila which they hadn’t made in years and was their way of flexing their baker’s muscles. They pack a thermos of milk tea and an iced chocolate drink.

d.      Hani: not a big cook. He was hoping Senya would do most of the cooking. It’s not like he’s particularly picky about what he ingests. To be polite though, he brings a crock of bamia—a stew with lamb, okra, tomatoes, and onion—that his mother would make on special occasions. He also brings an impressive array of drinks; sugar cane juice, carob juice, tamarind juice, and iced coffee.

3.       What are your OC’s wearing to the picnic?

a.       Milo: Largely his usual sort of outfit. A sleeveless turtleneck, cargo capris, and combat boots. He does add a lightweight cotton shawl embroidered with geese in shades of red that he got as a wedding gift from Lian. He wears it to avoid sunburn, but once in the shade and eating, he carefully folds it and sets it aside so it doesn’t get dirty.

b.      Glim: A cream colored tunic and brown tasseled cardigan over dark blue leggings, simple but sleek black ankle boots, and finished off with a simple sapphire teardrop pendant on a gold chain.

c.       Remmi: they opt for something simple and comfortable, but fitting for the season. They wear a yellow wide-band tank top under an oversized baby pink cable knit sweater. The sweater is so big it slouches off one shoulder, reaches their knees, and the sleeves hide their hands if they aren’t scrunched up at the elbow. They pair that with slim, washed out jeans, and a pair of tan slouchy boots. As one final touch, they don cherry blossom studs in their ears.

d.      Hani: he goes for something sporty and comfy. A loose and flowy off-white sleeveless crop top over a pair of baggy gray-blue shorts held round his hips by a broad and colorful sash and a pair of greek sandals that he discards almost immediately. To add a touch of class—after all this is a fun outing so why not—he wears golden arm bands just above each bicep. Those stay on longer, but they, too, eventually get unceremoniously dumped into the picnic basket in favor of total comfort.

4.       Which OC brings a musical instrument to idly play?

a.       Surprisingly enough, Hani. Remmi knows a little piano and harp, but those aren’t exactly available at a picnic. Milo has never learned an instrument (though he finds guitar interesting). And Glim tried playing, but sucked at just about everything; and anything he could play he couldn’t play in front of others. Hani, on the other hand, randomly knows how to play—and is good at—the oud (which is like an Arab lute). And yes, he does attempt to play Wonderwall on it.

5.       How quickly does your OC realize there are ants trying to sneak into their food? What do they do about it?

a.       Milo: He’s very perceptive, so it doesn’t take long for him to notice. He proceeds to squish them then mix them into his food for “extra protein” without hesitation. Despite knowing that Milo was raised eating bugs and still does fairly regularly, everyone still looks at him like he’s gone insane.

b.      Glim: He picks up on it when someone else points it out. It’s only then that he realizes that he forgot to activate the insect repellent rune. He curses under his breath and apologizes before quickly moving the picnic supplies a few meters away and activating it then.

c.       Remmi: They spend the whole picnic low-key looking out for this. Whenever bugs start walking toward or flying around their precious gourmet picnic, they nonchalantly close all the containers up tight then swat them all away without breaking the conversation.

d.      Hani: he doesn’t notice until one of the ants bites his tongue as he’s eating. He spits that one out because it was mean, but all subsequent ones he eats. And unlike Milo, Hani doesn’t mix them into anything, he just pops them into his mouth.

6.       Which OC hides under the shade at first before being convinced to come out into the sun? How do they react?

a.       Glim hates the heat. If you can manage to convince him to leave the tranquility of shade, he will be a drama queen about it. Really laying it on thick and moaning about how “the sun is a white hot laser” against his “poor fragile flesh” and that if he continues on he will surely “burn up, dry out, and die!” and other such dramatic nonsense. He gets weirdly poetic when he’s frustrated or cranky. Needless to say, Milo has ceased pushing the issue.

7.       Imagine your OCs spending their time picking nearby wildflowers and watching the butterflies and bees at work.

a.       Milo foregoes this particular activity, choosing this time instead to just take in the scenery. He’s scared he might upset a hive or get stung or bitten by something so he’d rather just sit back and soak up the atmosphere.

b.      Glim is carefully rooting around for four leaf clovers under a subdued parasol.

c.       Remmi carefully plucks and cuts an armful of flowers and stems so they can make colorful flower crowns for everyone.

d.      Hani chases the bugs and small animals, not unlike a dog would. But he’s having fun so it’s fine.

8.       Which OC foregoes a picnic blanket and sits directly on the ground? Are they concerned by the grass stains on their clothes afterwards?

a.       Hani doesn’t care where he plants his butt and cares almost as little about stains.

9.       Which OC brings a chair because they can’t stand the thought of sitting on the ground?

a.       Remmi, but a lot of it is because they don’t want to risk getting their clothes too dirty and also because the ground is never as soft and even as you think or hope. So sitting on the ground, even on a blanket, hurts their butt.

10.   Imagine your OCs falling asleep after eating their food, content and happy.

a.       Milo is one of the first to nod off and lays down in the shade. He kicks his shoes off and lets the sun warm his feet while the shade keeps his face cool. He wakes up to groggily help pack everything back up.

b.      Glim doesn’t actually fall asleep. He just sort of zones out while playing with Milo’s hair and enjoying the breeze.

c.       After loading up on carbs, Remmi dozes off in their chair and wake up with a tender sunburn spread across their nose and cheeks. They vow to never fall asleep in the sun like that again, but they make the same mistake next time.

d.      Hanni has seemingly boundless energy throughout the day, which is a bit unusual for him as he often naps a lot when the sun is out, but is wired by the time the moon replaces it. As soon as they’ve packed everything up and are headed home, though, the excitement wears off and he crashes hard. He’s asleep the whole way back.

[cloveroctobers]

ROBERT “BOBBY” MCKENZIE —

IG info/bio : @/returnofdamckenzie | 426k followers | @/mclitgs2 is my forever boo🤟🏽😍 while @/cardib is my WIFE! She just doesn’t know it yet ❤️ support my work & be part of my family: @/bobbymckcares

24 (25) years young

Born in Dundee, raised in Glasgow, Scotland

Jamaican father named Badrick who is a African studies professor

Caucasian/Scottish mother named Catriona who used to be a au pair but now works as a receptionist in senior living — one eye is honey hazel and the other a dark brown

It was difficult growing up in a school that didn’t accept Bobby being biracial, it resulted in bullying to the point where he needed to switch schools (A lawsuit was also in place) The next school was slightly better but Bobby slowly learned to accept himself as it was not something he could control and not something he would want to in the first place. He was proud of where he came from and never thought he was better or less than anyone else, that wasn’t how he was raised

He’s an only child, his parents thought about adopting (and fostering) but with Bobby they had their hands full and he was just enough for them

His family is very family-oriented so he would never have to feel lonely since they gave him a lot of attention, slightly making him spoiled but he was also around his cousins & spending time with them as well

He’s extremely close to his younger cousin (only by a few months) Femi who he views as his sister. They’ve been through a lot together and are always there for each other so it only makes sense

Most likely an active kid always up to some sort of shenanigans whether it’s by himself or with his group of friends, “why would you do that Bobby?” “Don’t ask why but ask, why not!?”

Definitely suffered some broken bones, concussions, & sprain injuries but would never show signs of pain...guys got a high pain tolerance that’s for sure

Fan of films/series “stand by me” & “the goonies” & “scooby doo” since he feels they relate to his life??

Hospital caterer and loves making those feel better with food that he’s created. If he can’t put a smile on patients face with words then he feels like he can show them with food

Food is an art to him. He went to school for culinary & it’s very important for him to show how much it is to him. He picked up the craft from of course his family, who always used food for numerous of things: to bring people together is one of them

Perfected Jerk haggis, it is now he favorite dish next to desert & breakfast!

I’m struggling to figure out what sign he maybe? He’s very playful which may come off as childish at times, which makes me think of Leo? (Maybe Gemini?) Only because they usually hold onto their childhood as best as they can, very generous, & give their energy to you but I also don’t see him being a fire sign at all? So maybe very little Leo in his chart. I also feel like he might be a bit of an empath? He knows when situations around him don’t feel right, knows how to read the room, and always wants to help others by lighting things up.

Idk but I’m feeling he’s libra sun + Gemini moon + Leo rising? Who knows

Probably lived in a 2 bed flat with his old uni mate. It was small and a bit shit but it was their shit and they made the best of it

Now lives in a stone cottage or farmhouse with MC that was built in the 1900’s & is slightly haunted. He’s decided to call them Duncan??? But he believes they’re a good spirit, maybe even a friendly ghost!? since he got comfortable with the bizarre happenings in the new flat & it doesn’t seem like they want to hurt them

Lottie offered to bring her ouija board next time she visited—Bobby declined

House is mostly neutral based but three of the rooms in the flat are covered in ridiculous patterned walls or furniture much to MC’s distaste but, “what’s yours is mine” right? No. But Gary approves!

Has two dogs: a terrier & a collie since MC wasn’t down for getting a sheep

They do have chickens to raise their own eggs tho!

Definitely the kind of significant other that will ride on the cart when they’re out grocery shopping, will make you breakfast in bed, & will send you memes while he’s at home and you’re out or even when he’s at work and you’re at home, let’s you put his arm to sleep when you’re laying on it in bed (big ass head gang!), definitely chooses the candles from bath & body works that smell like food items (majority of them suck let’s be honest)

Probably smells like cucumber, melons, lemons, and eucalyptus

Has your wedding date in his IG bio & is proud

Annoys Gary & Lottie with his food pics, “oh, Not this shit again! 😡 looks brilliant, but enough!”

Has zoom/FaceTime movie nights with Marisol & MC who stopped feeling like she was third-wheeling months ago

Talks to hope & Noah (in the background) as much as he can. Feels like they’re his inspiration for love, even tho he’s the only one married out of the villa

He values marriage just like his parents do and often has Sunday dinners with them & MC ofc

Probably has relationship guide books and only reads them out of boredom but finds fascinating facts/advice if he pays attention & tries to apply it to his relationship with mc. If it works, it works! & If it doesn’t, you can’t say he didn’t try!

Works long hours but will still come home to cook for MC or brings leftovers from the events he’s catered (most are for the hospital but occasionally he’ll do other events)

Has a separate IG for his work

When WAP dropped, he almost lost his shit. Even tried to get MC to do the challenge with him, he’s pretty bad but MC eventually learned it just for him 😜

Is thrilled that Cardi made the best decision EVER on divorcing offset, “are you thinking of leaving me now?” “... I might.” “BOBBY!” “Haha, I love you!

Absolutely loves Christmas!!! It’s his favorite holiday and he loves giving back to everyone in his life. Usually he’s working overtime for the holidays & it makes him emotional due to the stories he hears & he puts a little extra love in his food

Goes all out for Christmas. Tries to buy/make everyone something. Even if he doesn’t really care for them...he’ll at least send them a x-mas card, if they keep it or burn it it’s entirely up to them—if he knew about it he’d probably be a little sad not gonna lie...he’s a soft king

Once bought Lottie black crocs with spooky pins , “are you joking Bobby?!” He knows she secretly loved them

Uses salt and peppermint in his dark hot cocoa...

Rather make deserts for Christmas than the food, he feels like it’s his duty

King of giving the thumbs up, especially when situations have gone to shit. He’ll still shoot them up with a smile or a grimace

Always inviting someone somewhere. “Bobby, hun. You’re 4-6 hrs away and it’s 1 am.” Hope groaned after listening to his bright idea, thinking something bad happened. “Ah, you could still make it if you tried, lassie.” “I’m gonna hang up now. Good night, bonkers man.”

Needs constant reminding when to get his locs touched up & moisturized

Either has a trampoline or a funhouse jumper in his backyard (maybe both) “we’ve got the space and this is better than a pool, or almost!”

Wants children, a whole footie team! There’s no specific time frame for him, when it happens, it happens

Used to cool & wet temps & loves vacationing in Greenland. Sure the hot weather he experienced in the villa was awesome & something different than what he’s used to but you can’t take the scot out of the man. So he typically sticks to places that are similar in temps, that way he doesn’t have to change his clothing choices much

Loves a good bath. Bubble baths are better than bath bombs to him, PERIOD!

Loves bubbles so much he put too much laundry detergent in the wash (does this on purpose now) and came back home to the dogs and room covered in it. Do you think he cleaned it up before MC came home? No. He decided to have a bubble party in the room with a Caribbean playlist playing in the background

MC definitely posted about it the first time & joined him for a bit, dreading the work that came with cleaning it all up. Now whenever Bobby needs a bubble party, he knows what to do. MC preferred him to have his little bubble party in the tub but 50% of the time he chooses not to listen & they leave him to pout & clean it himself

Likes to hold hands with fingers interlocked. When it’s cold and if you’re both wearing hoodies, he’ll slide his hand inside the arm of your hoodie to help keep you warm

Canon: His version of a snack is spaghetti hoops on toast & can eat that for the rest of his life & be content

If he didn’t end up marrying MC, probably finds his significant other working as a nurse at one of the hospitals he caters to or a volunteer at a old folks home

Never had a serious relationship, very few hookups, was either always placed in the friend zone or there was one person he wanted to be serious with but they rejected him and continued loving someone else who treated them like shit—so he kinda swore off of relationships and just flirted a bunch and kept his love life non-existent

Fav ice cream? Rocky road ice cream with one scoop of cotton candy & one scoop of cookie butter blue

Doesn’t believe in measuring when it comes to culinary. He uses his eyes as his measurement, could be a bad thing, could be a good thing, that’s up to you

If he’s up at night, he’s eating something sweet. A nice glass of single malt scotch whiskey + a splash of coconut milk (🤢) with a slice of angel food cake & he’s out like a light

Absolutely loves shopping for the kitchen, finds immense joy in doing so. If you lose him in a store, one of the places you’ll most likely find him is in the kitchen decor area

Owns a bagpipe & wants to get better at it, even tho he scared the living shit out of his dogs & chickens

Wears his shades quite a bit even tho the weather is hardly sunny and mainly windy & damp

Will hold the door for strangers even if they don’t say thank you

He’s open when it comes to music. Will listen to anything but feels like the music has to be a purpose for something...Everything he does in his day to day life has to feel like a soundtrack to him since in his mind he’s daydreaming about his life being made into a movie. Who isn’t?

He thinks wentworth Miller should play him in a film and that kid from blackish should play him when he was a wee lad, Marcus Scribner

Always keeps a positive attitude because he knows what it feels like to feel low and he doesn’t want anybody else in the world to feel like that so he wants to uplift and if he can try to be someone’s happiness he’ll gladly be that— which isn’t always the right move, he learned

Listens to: Rotimi, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Skip Marley, H.E.R., Jhene Aiko, Jorja Smith, UMI, The Kooks, The Killers, Cold War kids, Milky chance, Blood Orange, The 1975, Vampire Weekend, Bad Suns, BRYSON TILLER, Kilo Kish, & Ella Eyre (although he misses her old music)

Celeb crushes? Cardi B is his mfkin celeb wife okay?! Nobody else comes above her! He also thinks FKA twigs is pretty & super talented, sevdaliza!, Tia & Tamera, Iman, and brandy from the 90s makes him swoon

Anthem = jaden, “Boys and Girls”

[nocleansocks]

Zephyr: 1. Yuri: 10, 65. Lumi: 16, 73. Hush: 7. =)

Ahahaha everyone gets a slice of this ask meme life1. If [Zephyr] wasn’t an adventurer, what livelihood would they lead?

I actually already had an answer for this one that was a big influence in a level-up decision! It’s been really fun watching Zephyr grow, even in an adventure league atmosphere where there isn’t much consistency or roleplay. Nonetheless, him dying and coming back (understandably) impacted him pretty hard, but for the positive! He made an almost paladin-like decision to fight and understand undead while ensuring common-folk and other adventurers wouldn’t meet an untimely death. With that being said, he can’t save everyone in the world himself, so one of his biggest character traits that’s developed in these higher-tier levels is that he’d 100% be a mentor or teacher! He took the magic initiate feat for the sole purpose of getting guidance, not as a mechanical benefit, but because he doesn’t want to see other people fail. Be it training them in battle or offering (ultimately confusing) advice, he would be a guiding force in others’ lives. 

10. If [Yuri] had time to pick up any artisan’s tools, game set, instrument, etc., what would it be?

Tool-wise, I’d say Yuri’s strengths definitely lie in cooking and brewing, she even actually has calligrapher’s proficiency! In terms of something new to pick up, I could absolutely see her being interested in pottery. If she were to pick it up, it would be in secret. Sneaking off to train, practicing in a simple kiln somewhere downtown Stormhelm. Then, when she feels she’s good enough at it, she’d convince Lumi to gather her favorite flowers or plants “in whatever way you gardener’s do. I don’t know, can you just bring a plant inside? If you can, you should do that tomorrow.” Then, next thing you know, surprise! All of Lumi’s favorite plants have a new home in the windowsills in handmade pottery!

65. What is [Yuri]’s favorite food? Beverage?

She’s definitely a meat girl, preferring steaks and the like when possible! She by no means wants any part of the, er... “collection” process, she’s seen Lumi as an animal too often, but she knows who’s the most humane to buy from and she certainly knows how to cook all! Drink wise, she likes just about anything. Probably drinks more water than she needs to, but you can never bee too safe! Oh, but, man, she can make the best comfort drink out of warm milk, honey, cinnamon, and just a small pinch of tea leaves...

16. If [Lumi] wasn’t [a druid], what would they be instead?

I actually think she’d be a cleric, not necessarily for any capacity as a healer, but mainly because it’s another one of the wisdom-based classes. Specifically, she’d be in the nature domain, which feels like druid to a certain extent anyway, but it’s the second best way I see for her to stay connected with animals. I thought about sending her down the ranger path for the sake of this question, letting her get conjure animals and such, but I think the utility of nature cleric fits her much better. The channel divinity is a charm effect on animals and plants, and if that doesn't’ scream Lumi, I’m not sure what does. 

73. If [Lumi] knew that they were going to die in a month, how would they spend the rest of their life?

Wew, that’s a question, isn’t it. As much of a cliche as it’s walking into, I think she wouldn’t tell Yuri for the first week or two. She’d care less about easing the process for herself or knocking out any sort of bucket list, but she’d spend the month making sure Yuri is prepared and taken care of. In her ideal world, she’d convince Yuri to take a month to travel, be it coast to coast, up to the mountains, or even hop over to a different continent real quick. What’s the point of committing to these druidic powers if you’re not gonna put ‘em to use, right? Once Yuri’s convinced and they’re on the road, that’s when she’d tell her, then she’d insist on them enjoying the rest of their trip. She’d make sure Yuri was home before the month was up and that all their business was in order and that Yuri had the support she needed, mainly emotionally. That’d be her dream plan, but if the month pans out that they stay right where they are and keep providing a safe haven for others, then hey, that’s a great set-up too. 

7. Describe [Hush]’s current appearance: clothes, armor, scars they’ve picked up along the journey, etc.

Hohoho wouldn’t YOU like to know! There’s a lot I could say about how he looks right now (Is he bloodied and bruised in a dungeon somewhere? Sitting high up on a throne of dead bodies, sipping wine?) so let’s instead focus on how his appearance has changed since living in Stormhelm. Obviously his scars haven’t healed, thos are basically with him forever. they’re pretty much all on the back of hands, fingers, a few on his palms. He probably wears a lot more hand wrapping now. Traveling the road, he actually looks a little less colorful. Not the Belprin khaki’s-whites-and-grays look, but that Indiana Jones-esque adventuring professor look. His accent is less so on accessories and more so hat-focused now! Sun hats, wide brims, fashion hats of every sorts. (Does he just throw em away after wearing them? How does he travel with so many? Who knows it’s fantasy). 

Nope, now that I think about it, I lied. He still has accessories. They’re just more mundane. Like glasses that he totally doesn’t need. Necklaces. He’s still rocking the low-cut Vs and poofy sleeves of course. Oh no is he turning hipster

[trailerparkflower]

Billy tries to sit down as careful and quiet as he can, but the damn bed, frigging cheap piece of junk, still quakes under his weight-unfortunately, loud enough to bother Steve peaceful sleep. Billy swears under his breath, watching at how Steve relaxed, dozy body squirms between the mess of his chaotically maden nest; arms wraps around his belly protectively like if he was in danger. It's breaks Billy hearts, a little-Steve still suffers from nightmares, and even the panic attacks became very rare and didn't brought the troubles in their personal paradise as often as before, he knows what he has big problems with feeling safe after all they've been through, especially when he is alone. 

If Billy could, he would guard his mate twenty four seven, but they struggled with money, both kicked out from their families- Billy for the “knocking up some faggot omega bitch”, and Steve for “whoring himself for white trash”; their fathers was surprisingly similar in many ways. 

Even if Chief gave them place to live, old cabin in the woods, small yet cozy (when he offered it to them, Steve cried and hugged grumpy old man who tried to look like he isn't flustered by this tenderness, and if Billy would see himself in Hopper behaviour, he probably would laugh) and Joyce helped them with food, neither of them wanted to be a burden.

“Shh.” Billy whispers, as Steve brown doe eyes flutter open and little confused sound escapes his mouth. “Sleep, sweets, it's just me.” Says he, throwing his pants and socks on the floor. Steve will probably scold him for this in the morning.

“Billy?” Steve slurs; his sleepy voice gentle and soft. “'M missed you.”

Billy grins, getting under the blanket and leaning to Steve warmth closer. His omega smells like jasmine and lilac, milk and honey, like home, and only with inhaling his scent Billy remembers how tired he is.

“Missed you too, dollface.” Murmurs he, placing his hand, big, tan and rough on Steve milky, soft stomach, and something embarrassingly similar to whine sounds in his throat. Steve blinks, and then smiles, lazy and wide, tilting his head to the side, looking like a cat who finally saw the sun and ready to get warm in it's rays.

“Come here, big boy.” He says, stretching out his arms, and Billy gives up immediately, wrapping his himself around Steve body and putting his head on Steve chest.

Jesus, he was pathetic. But when Steve eyes, so huge and loving and beautiful, looks at him like that, Billy wasn't really mind being pathetic.

“Bad day?” Steve asks, stroking Billy curly hair and massaging his scalp as Billy pats his swollen belly, inhaling omega sweet, comforting scent.

“Fuckin' worst.” Admits he, nuzzling his nose in smooth pale skin.

“Hey,” Steve says, nose wrinkling in annoyance, but tone playful. ”We have a deal about swearing, remember?”

“Yea-yea,” Billy scoffs. “As you say, your majesty. I'm truly sorry what this unworthy tongue of mine made you feel offended.”

“That's better.” Mewls Steve generously, this cheeky little shit. God, Billy loves him so much. “Tho I wouldn't say what your tongue is so bad…”

“Oh, really?” Billy raises up his face, wagging his tongue to watch how pretty pink blush colours Steve cheeks as he laughs.

Billy probably looks like a love sick giant puppy right now, but he don't really cares. All what he cares about was Steve and their little family.

Putting his head back on Steve chest, listening his omega purring, Billy enjoys how long fingers caressed his face only for a moment-and then he takes Steve hand in his own, and kisses it, like how knights kissed their beloved ladies in old books. 

Maybe he should write a poem for Steve, or sing him a serenade, or something.

“Princess,” Breaths he, glancing at the other boy under the thick dark eyelashes. “Ya know, you look so beautiful tonight.”

Steve giggles, and Billy wouldn't lie if he say what he would die for this little dorky sound.

“And they say what romance in dead.” Snorts he, trying to look unaffected, but Billy knows. Steve was always shy to the praise. “I love you, Billy.” Steve adds seriously when he stops laugh, and if anyone want to know, no, Billy didn't cried at this moment-it's just some dust got into his eyes. 

Definitely.

“Love you too.” Answers he, throat working, and they kiss, in that intimate and chaste kind of way what they don't allow to see to no one, except the pale moon. Not if someone else excisted for Billy in this moment-all his world was concentrated in their little nest.

Just he, his mate, and their pup in Steve's belly.

[goldsteinsistersimagines]

May The Best Sister Win

Requested by anonymous: okay but imagine both Queenie and Tina falling for reader and trying to woo her. They decide to compete against each other to see who the reader is going to choose. Its up to you who the reader chooses, tho.

Pairings: Tina Goldstein x reader, Queenie Goldstein x reader

Warnings: None

Tina and Queenie were on the couch in their pajamas, catching up and relaxing after a long day. In the midst of a conversation, Queenie decided to bring up what was on her mind lately. 

“Tina, if I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone?” 

Tina laughed. “Since when have I ever told anyone anything you told me to keep a secret?” 

“I’m serious!” The younger sister giggled as she threw a pillow at the brunette. 

“Okay okay. What is it?” The woman leaned forward to give her sister all of her attention. 

Queenie twiddled her thumbs. “I... might like (Y/N).” 

Tina shifted uncomfortably. “Like like? Or...?” 

“Like like.” The blonde bit her lip, nervous what her sister would say. But she heard her thoughts first and they made her frown. “You like her, too?” 

“N-no I don’t,” Tina denied. 

“That’s not what I’m hearing.” Queenie put a hand on her hip. 

“Okay, maybe I like her a little.” 

The room grew silent. 

“Well... That’s okay. As long as it doesn’t get in between us,” Queenie said. 

Tina nodded. “Agreed.”

You were invited to the Goldstein apartment for brunch. You looked in the mirror and checked that your outfit was suitable for the day. Usually when you were at their apartment, you stayed the entire day. When you felt satisfied, you walked over to their apartment. 

When you entered, you felt a strange new energy in the apartment. It wasn’t something you could quite put your finger on, but it definitely didn’t feel the same as before. 

“Hi, (Y/N)!” Queenie greeted you at the door. She took you by the hand and led you into the living room excitedly. “Tina and I are still getting things ready but you can just sit here until then.” 

“Are you sure you don’t need any help? I’d be happy t-”

“Oh no, that’s alright, honey. You just relax.” The blonde winked at you before leaving. You looked around the apartment and saw a rare sight: Tina and Queenie not talking to each other. You weren’t an expert on reading people like Queenie was, but you definitely knew something was up. 

You saw as all the ingredients flew around the kitchen and formed together into a meal. 

“Brunch is served!” The younger sister exclaimed. You nodded and went to the kitchen table to sit down. 

“Oh, let me get that for you.” Queenie pulled the chair out for you. 

“Uh, thank you, Queenie,” You said. 

“Sure thing, sugar.” The woman beamed at you. You had to admit, you loved seeing Queenie smile. 

Queenie smirked at her sister and Tina immediately sprung into action. “(Y/N), would you like some milk or orange juice?” 

“Um.... Orange juice would be nice.” 

“Okay.” Tina smiled softly. You smiled back as a reflex. Something about Tina never failed to warm your heart. 

Tina poured the orange juice in your cup and when she left, she brushed her hand on your shoulder. You tingled at the sudden contact. 

‘Checkmate,’ Tina thought while looking at Queenie. 

As brunch progressed, you noticed Tina and Queenie were looking at each other intensely. You had seen this happen once before. They were arguing about something and you knew it. You couldn’t imagine what Tina was thinking to evoke such an extreme stare down from Queenie. You looked back and forth between each sister and felt a little uncomfortable as the minutes went by. 

Eventually, they snapped out of it.

“(Y/N), would you excuse us, please?” Queenie asked sweetly. 

“Uh, sure.” You put your fork down and wiped your mouth on your napkin. “I’ll just be here waiting.” 

The two sisters left the apartment and you sat alone at the table, wondering what was happening. 

“What are you doing?” Tina inquired. 

“I’m just being friendly, that’s all.” Queenie swung on her heels, giving her best innocent face. 

“I thought we agreed we wouldn’t let this get in between us!” The brunette said in a loud whisper. 

“I was following that agreement! Until you purposely directed a thought at me!”

“Oh, so you just started pulling chairs out for people all of a sudden?” 

“It’s a nice thing to do,” The blonde insisted. 

Tina scoffed. “Okay. Fine.” She put out her hand. “May the best sister win.”

Queenie shook her sister’s hand and leaned in to whisper something in Tina’s ear. “I will.” 

You twirled your fork around on your plate, waiting for your friends to come back. You hoped everything was okay between them. You didn’t really like picking sides when it came to friends. You heard the door open and you turned to the source of the sound. 

“We’re back,” Tina announced. 

“Oh good. I thought you ditched me,” You joked, an eyebrow raised. 

“Never in a million years,” The brunette replied. You giggled at the response. 

“(Y/N), Tina and I were just talking about how we wanted to take you to The Blind Pig tonight.” 

Your eyes widened with excitement. “I’d love that! Only... I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” 

“That’s okay, honey. I could easily make you a dress,” The blonde offered. 

“Really?” 

“Of course!” Queenie beamed. 

“Wow. Thanks, Queenie.” 

Tina leaned up against the door and crossed her arms. You wondered if she was okay. You decided to ask her later. 

“Alright, honey. Just stand still and spread your arms out.”

You did as you were told. 

“You’re doing great, sweetie.” Queenie bit her wand and kept it in her mouth so she had two free hands to measure you. When she was done with the measurements, she draped the measuring tape around her neck and took her wand in her right hand. She put a finger to her chin, thinking about the kind of dress she could make for you. 

“Um... So, do you need me to change out of these clothes, or...?” You asked nervously. 

“Oh no, honey.” She looked up at you. “Not unless you wanted to.”

You blushed but said nothing. 

Queenie looked at you up and down, deciding what to do. Her eyes lit up when the idea came to her. “I got it!” The woman excitedly went to her drawers to make sure she had everything. “Perfect.” 

With all of the materials out and ready, the woman flicked her wand and the dress formed before your eyes. You marveled at the sight. 

“Wow, it’s beautiful.” 

Queenie had made you a red dress that had some sparkles, but it wasn’t too flashy. The straps were slightly loose so they could drape over your shoulders. 

“Ready to try it on?” 

You nodded eagerly. The woman floated the dress over to you and you caught it in your hands. 

“You can change in here. I’ll step out for a moment.” Queenie left the room and closed the door behind her. 

Tina was in the kitchen, swirling a cup of tea mindlessly. When she noticed Queenie came out, her attention was directed towards her sister. 

“So?” The brunette asked. 

“She’s putting on the dress now,” Queenie informed. 

“I see.”

The two looked at each other, not saying anything. 

“H-hey, Queenie? I’m done,” You called out after getting changed. 

Queenie slid the doors open and immediately grinned when she saw you in your dress. Tina saw you as well and couldn’t help but stare. You looked at Tina and gave a small smile before Queenie closed the doors behind her. 

“You look just darling!” The blonde exclaimed. 

“Thanks, Queenie. You really outdid yourself with this one. I love it!” 

“Only the best for you!” The woman started making a few adjustments to the dress. She took a step back to get a better look at you. “Hm... It seems like it’s missing something.” 

You tilted your head. “What is it?” 

The blonde looked around the room and dug around in one of her drawers, just like earlier. You were curious what she was looking for. You wished sometimes you could read people’s minds like Queenie could. 

“Ah, here it is!” Queenie pulled out a necklace and showed it to you. Your eyes widened. 

“Queenie… It’s gorgeous. I couldn’t possibly…” 

“It goes perfectly with your dress, (Y/N)! You have to wear it!” It was no use arguing against Queenie. When you nodded in approval, the woman squealed and went behind you to put the necklace on you.

Queenie carefully undid the clasp and brought the necklace around your neck. When she was done putting the necklace on you, you turned your head and noticed just how close she was to you. Her eyes drifted down. Queenie began to lean in and pulled you into a kiss. The kiss you shared with Queenie felt amazing, but it couldn’t distract you from the only person you had been thinking about all day. 

The blonde pulled away. You knew she had read your mind. You looked down. “I’m sorry, Queenie.” 

“For what, sugar? You didn’t do anything wrong.” The legilimens took your hand and squeezed it. 

“Neither did you,” You said meekly. Queenie smiled in appreciation. 

Queenie opened the doors and you stood at the doorway, your eyes drifting to Tina, who stood up when she saw you.

“You look beautiful,” Tina commented. 

You smiled. “Thanks, Tina.” The brunette gave a shy smile. “Well, enough fussing over me. You guys should get dressed, too! It’s going to be a fun night, I just know it!” 

You grinned. When the sisters changed, you took a moment to admire their dresses. “We are definitely the best dressed trio in New York tonight.” You smiled. 

At The Blind Pig, you couldn’t keep your eyes off Tina.

When she left to go order some drinks, Queenie leaned over to you. “Ask her to dance with you,” the woman whispered. 

“I-I couldn’t possibly.” 

“I didn’t make you that dress so you could sit here all night.” 

Your lips tugged into a small smile. “Thanks, Queenie.” You turned to look her in the eyes. “You’re a great friend.” You stood up and began making your way towards Tina. 

You cleared your throat before speaking. “Uh... Tina, would you like to dance with me?” You nervously put a hand out. 

You could swear you saw Tina’s eyes sparkle. “I would love to.” The brunette took your hand and the two of you headed out on to the dance floor. 

Queenie smiled. It didn’t bother her that you liked Tina. As a legilimens, she had heard so many thoughts that have gone unsaid. She knew it was better to be honest about how you felt than to keep it in and regret it later. She knew there was someone out there for her. Tina deserved this. Besides, there was nothing bad about having you as a friend. In fact, she felt very lucky.

In the midst of her thoughts, a person approached Queenie and asked her to dance. The blonde graciously accepted.

When you were dancing, you remembered earlier you had thought to check in with Tina but never did. 

“Hey, are you okay?” You looked into Tina’s eyes. 

The woman grinned. “I’ve never been better.” 

You smiled. You had to agree. As you and Tina danced, you noticed Queenie had also found a dance partner. You were glad everything had worked out in the end. And you were happy you had finally found your way to Tina.

[minimalorc]

y’all fucking THOUGHT

@sunnygrowl challenged me, here y’all go

(1) Do You Sleep With Your Closet Doors Open Or Closed? Easy. CLOSED. (3) Can You Whistle? Nope! I can snap my hands tho, the closest to a whistle i can get is like the descending bomb sound (5) What Is Your Favourite Colour? W h o k n o w s. This has somehow become discourse in my friend group. It’s yellow, blue, or red (or green according to one source). (7) What Is The Temperature Right Now? Too much (9) How Many Followers? I just remade so like, 9? But honestly if you add up all the followers i have on all my blogs it’s easily in the thousands (11) What Is Your Eye Colour?

Cerulean Orbs,

(i do Not Know) (13) Do You Sing In The Shower? Only if no one is home i used to get made fun of for my voice a lot (15) Grab The Book Nearest To You, Turn To Page 64, Give Me Line 14. Damn it i dont read ok ok here we go

“‘Ah, a magician. How-de-do?’” (17) Last Person You Cried In Front Of? I dont know the last time i cried but i got really close to crying in front of @sleepypuddle a bit ago (19) What Did You Have For Lunch? Ramen because if i am given an offering i am bound by the spirits to consume it (21) Favourite Animal? F o x e s (23) What Time Do You Usually Go To Bed? Haha, bed (25) Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean? I dont like swimming (27) Bottled Water Or Tap Water? Bottled, i hate tap water deeply (29) Post A Gif Of What You’re Currently Feeling Right Now.

(31) Dogs Or Cats?

DOGS. or lizards. I am,,,, allergic to cats it is w h y i am sick right now im literally trapped in my home because of a stray cat (33) PlayStation Or Xbox. I?? Have no preference??? I have both??? Playstation tbh tho because kingdom hearts (35) Do You Believe In Magic? Im a weirdness magnet in the most literal sense of the term, i dont have the luxury of not believing (37) Can You Curl Your Tongue? Fun fact! I have a tongue tie which means my tongue is too short to curl or even really stick out! Fuck u normal tongue ppl tbh (39) Is There Anything Pink Within 10 Feet Of You?

…. Yes? I think? (41) Have You Ever Caught A Butterfly? YEAH I LOVE BUTTERFLIES WE HAVE A WHOLE DEAL (43) Do You Have Strange Dreams? No comment (45) Name One Movie That Made You Cry. ??? uhhhhhhhhhhh ?????????? most studio ghibli movies? (47) If I Handed You A Concert Ticket Right Now, Who Would You Want The Performer To Be? Bruh i wanna see the cello guys or like a dead composer, like Mozart or some shit, like the Originals yknow? I TAKE IT BACK I WANNA SEE PACHELBEL PERFORM CANON IN D IRL (49) Are You A Heavy Sleeper? It depends??? I dont know actually (51) Do You Like To Read / Write? Y ea h i love reading but i only read informational books or like old classiques bc i just love the aesthetic and all that also i wanna lowkey be a playwright or director (53) Would You Rather Carve Pumpkins Or Wrap Presents? I avoid wrapping presents at all costs, i love carving pumpkins (55) What Season Are You In Right Now? (Weather) depression (57) Post A Screenshot Of Your Tumblr Feed.  

(59) Coffee Or Tea? Coffee AND tea (61) What Is Your Sexuality? Baby bi bi bi (63) Favourite Pokemon? GROWLITHE (65) What’s Your Opinion On Instagram Stories? Dollar store snapchat (67) Are You A Virgin? I cant read (69) If You Were Far From Home And Needed To Sleep For The Night, Would You Choose To Rent A Crappy Motel Room For $60 Or Sleep In Your Car For Free? I love crappy motel rooms but knowing me i would be sucked onto another plane, so if i really need to be somewhere ill just sleep in my car (71)  Whats The Next Movie You Want To See In Theaters? ANY SUPERHERO MOVIE EVER (73) What Is Your Favourite Quote Right Now? “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” - Ernest Hemingway

OR

“i do not want to have you to fill the empty parts of me i want to be full on my own i want to be so complete i could light a whole city and then i want to have you cause the two of us combined could set it on fire” - Rupi Kaur

O R

“how is it so easy for you to be kind to people he asked milk and honey dripped from my lips as i answered cause people have not been kind to me” - Rupi Kaur

OOOOR

“The kindest words my father said to me Women like you drown oceans.” - Rupi Kaur

I just really love rupi kaur

(75) Did You Like Swinging As A Child? Do You Still Get Excited When You See A Swing Set? I was terrified of swinging and it still makes me feel a little sick when i go on them but i like it! (77) What Games Do You Have On Your Phone? Mostly just time-killer games i can play without service, solitaire, piano tiles, et cet (79) Been On The Computer For 5 Hours Straight?

I am a digital artist, i am often on the computer for upwards of 10 hours (81) Do You Like Meeting New People? NO. only ppl i am interested in first. I dont like meeting new ppl ever (83) Do You Sleep With Your Bedroom Door Open Or Closed? C L O S E D. (85) What Do You Wear To Bed? As little as possible tbh (87) Are You A Day Or Night Person? I am a before-sunrise person (89) Tell Me About A Dream That You Had And When It Happened. I had a dream once that I was back in the hospital a bit ago and its kinda fucking me up currently but its cool (91) What Sounds Are Your Favourite? The sounds of people talking quietly in a cafe, jazz music in a coffee shop, convenience stores at 3 am, walking on marble, writing on paper, rain, the sounds of a subway station, walking through an airport, someone warming up on a guitar, pouring drinks over ice, stirring a drink, listening to your friends talk in a dennys at midnight, the sound you hear when you lean on a car window, rustling tall grass, strong winds, a long cello note, the orchestra right before the curtains rise (93) How Do You Look Right Now? Bless this mess (95) What Tattoo Do You Want? Flowers and skulls and sayings and lucky charms and anatomical vivisections and animals and symbols and color and classical recreations