#it just keep freaking escalating at high freaking speeds

[blueflipflops]

Me, reading about The Curse of the House of Atreus:

[karmelek-writes]

comfort zone I part 3

Harrison Osterfield x fem!reader, Tom Holland x fem!reader

Synopsis: What do you do when you love them but want someone else?

Word count: 4,5k

Warnings: angst, swearing, suggestive comments, mentions of sex, smut, adult themes

A/N: Hey guys! This is part three of the "comfort zone". I wanted to thank you all again for supporting me and commenting, reblogging, and liking the series! Also, sorry for the delay. The next part will come out on Friday, as usual. Let me know what you think of this part! (sorry for any mistakes, English is not my native language plus this part wasn't proofreaded)

Love, W 🖤

When you entered Tom's bedroom you immediately felt your tensed body softening as the smell of Tom intoxicated your senses. There wasn't another place on this earth you felt more comfortable in than his room. It wasn't big but the cream-painted walls and huge mirror in the middle made it seem vaster. There wasn't much furniture, just all the necessities, but you had to admit that Tom had been keeping his room clean and fresh. It was typical, yet lego Death Star set and spiderman figures arranged neatly on a bedside table screamed Tom. You kept teasing him about this but in reality, you found it endearing. The souvenirs he brought home from the places he had visited were dusting on the shelf, reminding him of good old days having fun on set and hanging out with the cast after work. What always got your attention was his cartoon figure leaning on the wall next to his bed. He got it for his birthday after landing the role of spiderman as a joke from Harrison, his brothers, and you. Even when Tom was younger everyone knew he was born to act. His family and friends would tease him about it calling him a movie star which always made him fuss around. When he finally made it to Hollywood, you all knew what you had to do. You told him that you all had a surprise purposely hyping it up. Judging by his reaction you expected him to throw it out but he kept it. At times Tom was a nerd but it made you like him even more because despite becoming a literal movie star, he never stopped being this little cute boy who still slept in spiderman pj's he was gifted on his 19th birthday.

The cartoon figure was what you were looking at when Tom cleared his throat and locked the door. The action made you turn around to glance at him with confusion written all over your face. His focused gaze and sudden shift of behaviour confirmed your suspicion that it was going to be a serious conversation.

"So… Are we going to talk about what happened?" Tom's nervous voice rang in your ears making your heart rate speed up. You knew that was the moment you had to confront him about your feelings. “Because for the last couple of days I’ve been thinking about everything. I would hate to leave like that.”

“I know,” you sighed mentally preparing yourself to recite the speech you’ve created in your mind in advance. “Look, ever since I met you I feel like my life has gotten better. I never thought I would have such an amazing person in my life,” in the corner of your eye you saw Tom smiling excitedly at your compliment. His honey-brown eyes were sparkling and you had to stop yourself from hugging him and running your hand through his messy curls. “What happened between us was sudden and I’ve said it already, I don’t regret it. Actually, I’m quite happy with how things turned out,” you chucked at the end hoping it would relieve the stress and hesitation in your voice. Your words were all that brunette needed to confirm that you wanted him as much as he wanted you. In the room illuminated by the moonlight, Tom’s silhouette moved closer to you. Having approached you, he touched your exposed arm and traced his fingers up so gently as if he was scared he would break you if he pushed harder. His hand on your body caused shivers to appear and a slight flush crept into your cheeks. You hated and loved the contact silently hoping he would give you more. It seemed like your thoughts were heard as Tom slowly but confidently started to walk you backwards until you fell on his unmade bed. He leaned as close as he could, placing both arms on the sides of your head making it impossible for you to escape.

"I don't want to leave you here," he fussed, highly aware that the next few weeks were going to be hell without you lulling him to sleep, inquisitively going on and on about your day. Resisting the urge to pout you tried to overcome the feeling of sadness slowly accumulating in your chest.

"And I don't want you to leave," a deep sigh escaped your lips, pushing back the thought of him flying away the following day. "But we are here now, so what are you going to do about it?" you extended your arm to grasp Tom's messy curls, daring him to cross the boundary unconsciously set up the moment you've become friends to dive in the pleasure. Tom didn't give you a verbal answer, but knowing that actions speak louder than words, he lowered himself to place a soft kiss on the crook of your neck. The cracked lips caused a wave of shivers to run down your spine, your stomach dropping as you felt sudden wetness between your legs. Mixed with the wet marks left by Tom's tongue, the sensation made your eyes shut, spots emerging in front of them. All your senses were keen, escalating the intensity of the experience.

Tom was determined to work you up as he unhurriedly worshiped your body. A deep moan followed by a throaty “fuck” were the sounds at which you opened your eyes. Your longing stare met Tom’s one and you could swear right then, right there you had never seen a more mesmerising sight. Brunette’s once soft strands now had stuck to his forehead glistening from the sweat. His usually pale cheeks were now painted deep pink - a result of his unholy thoughts combined with the sight of your perfectly shaped body. Eyes dark with desire, hungry to capture every inch of your figure. You noticed beads of sweat dripping on your already wet chest, your shirt clinging to your torso enhancing curves you’d work so hard on at the gym. Lifting yourself on your elbows you signed to Tom to help you strip. You weren’t a self-conscious person, nor were you hesitant to show your figure, but you didn’t like to preen yourself on it. However, you felt the rush of confidence wash over as you caught Tom lustful ogling and wanted to take control of the situation. Shifting from underneath you poked Tom’s chest and pushed him to lay down. Foggy mind and the burn you’d felt on the skin still were dislimning your senses causing you to clumsily collapse at the top of Tom in your attempt to straddle him. Silent ouchs followed by a breathy laugh falling from the boy’s lips made your heart clunch in embarrassment. Much to your surprise, he kissed you as if he wanted to assure you that he didn’t find your awkwardness unnerving. In the few seconds of your make-out session, you recomposed yourself and broke the kiss wanting more as the throbbing between your legs became unbearable.

In the heat of a moment, you took off your bra leaving your breasts exposed for Tom to admire. You didn’t miss how his pupils dilated and his mouth went dry just by gaping at you. This fueled up your nerve leaving no place for doubt and hesitation in your mind. Shamelessly, you rocked your hips against his own at a slow pace. Grunts and scratchy moans could be heard, falling from Tom’s lips like prayers begging for your pleasure. With his eyes shut and fists clenched, he couldn’t look more beautiful, more vulnerable, falling into pieces for you. Finding pleasure in the position and the power you hold over him, you let yourself get lost in the bliss of his hard cock sliding through your folds, the tip teasing your sensitive clit in a steady motion. Wrapping his arm around your waist, Tom lifted himself until he was on an eye level with your chest, his mouth immediately clinging to your breasts, tongue swirling around your hardened nipple. Slowing down your pace, you cupped Tom's face and connected your lips in an aggressive kiss, teeth brushing and tongues intertwined. Fighting for dominance, Tom flipped you so that he was on top. Groaning, you brought him impossibly close leaving no space between your sweaty and hot bodies. Tom's little whimpers were more often now that he was thrusting into your hips, trying to bring himself closer to the limit. Knowing you couldn't last much longer you moved your hand to slip it into your undergarment only for Tom to stop you to do it himself. He licked his fingertips and shoved it into your panties, rubbing your clit in circles.

“That’s okay, cum for me baby,” Tom muttered, trying hard to catch his breath. Completely lost in the moment, you obeyed his command and let go of the tight knot that formed in your stomach. The sensation of Tom’s body pressing against you and his fingers playing with the heart of your femininity caused you to almost black out, starts appearing in front of your eyes. Letting out a pornographic moan, you tried to arch your back gripping the sheets so hard your skin turned white. You couldn’t tell for how long you were wiggling under your best friend’s body but it felt like hours until you were able to get back to reality.

Coming down from your high you took notice of a wet stain on Tom’s trousers. You opened your mouth to say something but he cut you off offering you some fresh clothes and a glass of water. Not thinking much, you accepted his little acts of care and walked past him to change in the bathroom.

Having closed the door, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding and tried to calm your racing heart. While you were getting dressed Tom was silently freaking out. He could’t believe that you went this far. It still felt like a dream to him. At that moment he hated his lifestyle, he hated his profession that required him to fly away the following morning, splitting you up in the worst time. Maybe he could convince you to go with him? No, it was crazy. You had your life here, it wouldn’t be fair to take it away.

Tom’s running thoughts were cut off by the click of the door followed by your silhouette emerging from the room with a small smile. Tom returned the gesture and nodded at the bed, silently asking if you wanted to lay down with him. Getting back on the soft mattres, you let out a sigh contemplating if you should bring up your feelings. Truthfully speaking, you didn’t know how to act and it seemed like so did Tom. He sat down at the foot of the bed, facing away from you. He was scratching the nape of his neck - a habit that always betrayed his nervosity. He then suddenly stopped and it seemed like he came to terms with himself as he turned around to look at you with tears threatening to fall from his eyes and imperceptibly bleeding lip. He had to bite it to prevent it from trembling but the pressure was hard enough to rip the fragile skin of an organ. You couldn’t read anything from the look on his face and it scared you. Not thinking much you embraced him from behind placing your forehead against the side of his face. You wanted him to feel you, to detect that you were there for him.

“I-I don’t want to l-leave,” a broken stutter left his lips, repeating the words he had used before.

“I know, but people expect you to go,” you whispered to him, slowly rocking you two from side to side to the sound of the clock tickling and driving cars coming from outside the window.

“Tell me something that will make me stay,” his words echoed in the quiet room, so desperate and calling for help. Not thinking much you blurred out the first thing that came to your mind.

“I think I’m falling in love with you and that scares me but I don’t want you to go either,” before you got a chance to register your confession, Tom wrenched himself away from you to see if you were serious. He definitely wasn’t in the mood for jokes so when he identified your stoned expression he knew you meant every single word. Suddenly, a way of regret and pity washed over him, not being sure how to tell you the truth without breaking your heart.

“I… That’s… Um…” he tried to initiate the conversation but his mind was so fogged from regret and miscomprehension.

“You don’t feel the same?” you more of stated with so much heartbreak in your voice it took everything in Tom not to lie and tell you he’s always loved you to fix his mistakes. He stopped himself from it because you deserved something better than that. On the spur of the moment, he cupped your face hoping it would help him get to you easier.

“I love you, I really do but…” he couldn’t finish the sentence. It would kill him to watch your face fall with disappointment and sorrow, let down by the only guy who promised to cherish you forever.

“You don’t have to say anything more. I understand,” pushing Tom away from you, you got up making your way to the door wishing to get away from him as soon as possible. You were hurt beyond your expectations. All of the little moments you shared, the kiss, tonight, it meant nothing. You were livid at yourself, you didn’t know for what more - being so stupid to believe that he could ever love you or that he would ever want you for something more than just an easy fuck. Fueled by the sudden anger you turned to Tom with disgust painted all over your face. “Was I just a girl you wanted to try for a day and dump? Was I just good fun for you? Did you have fun playing with me?”

“God, no! I didn’t mean it to happen! I just did and I’m sorry, okay? Just please sit down and let me explain,” you were extremely angry but you needed answers so you stayed in your place, waiting for Tom to continue. “I tried so hard to love you. It just never felt right like there was something missing and I-I don’t k-know what it is but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you. I do love you, can’t you see that?” you didn’t reply for a few seconds and Tom started to get nervous. “Please, say something.”

“Can you try again?” you asked in a small voice. You kept your arms around yourself feeling uncomfortable out of the blue, your black socks suddenly becoming amusing sight to look at.

“Can I try what again?” confusion was evident in Tom’s tone. He knew he was losing you and he needed to do everything to keep you by his side.

“Try to love me.” silence filled the room as you asked the unfortunate question hoping for the answer you already knew you couldn’t get. But it was worth trying, wasn’t it?

“I’m sorry but I don’t think I can,” the words were hard for Tom to get out, a lump forming in his throat.

“Okay,” was all you muttered and at that moment Tom realised he fucked up. “I should go already, it’s late and you have to catch an early plane so…” you trailed hoping that he will get a hint.

“Please, wait!” he ran up to you as you were to exit his bedroom to wrap his arms around you in one last hug before he would leave. “I will keep calling every day, I don’t care if you don’t pick up or block my number. I will always try to get to you. You’re my oxygen, I need you,” if you were in a different situation Tom’s deep sobs would make your heart ache and feel sorry for him, rushing to lighten up his mood but now you didn’t have any of those thoughts. You just felt numb at his praying, a strange feeling settling in your stomach feeling his touch.

“Please, don’t become a stranger,” Was Tom selfish? Yes, but desperate situations require desperate attempts.

Freeing yourself from the brunette's tight embrace, you looked him in the eye for the last time and left the room wishing him good luck at his new job. He didn’t try and call for you, nor did he run after you. He stared at you silently tiptoeing downstairs avoiding contact with other people. You needed to talk about everything like adults but he knew you needed time and he was willing to give you that. He just wished he wasn’t leaving.

================================================

“Okay so… do you think we have all the stuff we need?” Harrison looked at you, having put your bag in the backseat.

“Yeah, granted that you didn’t forget to bring your big ego” you tried to joke and lift the mood but you knew it didn’t work when Harrison made a face at you. Since your not-so-nice exchange with Tom, you haven’t been in a pleasant mood. You knew that what he did wasn’t cool, but that didn’t stop you from missing him. You took off your phone, glancing at it for the twentieth time in the past thirty minutes only to see that you haven’t gotten any notifications. He said he would call. You felt stupid waiting for the guy who clearly didn’t want you and didn’t even bother to talk things out with you. You must have stared at your phone for a little too long because you heard Harrison clear his throat and saw him giving you a knowing look. You only rolled your eyes and put your phone back in your pocket.

“You can’t keep doing this, you know?” the blonde tried to take up a conversation with you. He knew something was up between you and Tom. He knew when you would stop smiling at him when he cracked jokes or when you stopped mentioning Tom in your conversations, or when he noticed Tom tensing at every mention of your name. He tried to get any pieces of information from his best friend but the brunette would always say that you were busy and that it wasn’t his business. Maybe it wasn’t Harrison’s place to be noisy but he had to admit that your careless aura was making him worry. Even when you were upset you acted more lively than now. He was aware that the matter was serious, he just didn’t know how to make it better… and he wanted to make it better for you.

During the last few weeks, your relationship progressed. Since Tom was constantly working, he didn’t have much time to call or text. And even if he did it seemed as if he wanted to spend it with other people. You couldn’t make out what went wrong in your relationship but you knew it was serious when Tom stopped making any effort. You’ve never seen him acting so indifferent towards you and it scared you. However, the lack of interaction between you two brought you closer to Harrison. You almost forgot how significant part of your life he was. Despite your sour mood, you enjoyed the time spent with him. He always made you laugh and feel needed. Your banter didn’t stop but it has changed into something softer and domestic. You found out that you didn’t mind it at all. Harrison still would do little things to drive you insane like casually tracing his fingers along your neck while putting a loose strain of your hair behind your ear or lowering his hand a bit too much than necessary while hugging you but it didn’t seem so unfamiliar and strange anymore. Talking to him almost daily, you learned to be more comfortable around him. To the point where you would hold his hand sometimes and stay over at his apartment after a long session of studying. That, however, didn’t mean that you couldn’t be playful. You knew that Harrison was as invested in your little game as you were. The rules may have changed a bit but it was still on. You had no idea what it meant for your friendship but it was too intoxicating to stop. Now that Tom was not there you could let yourself fully focus on it. You loved the feeling of uncertainty and on the other hand, you wanted to see how far you could push Harrison’s buttons. You were curious how much of it he could handle and if he would snap at some point. You couldn’t help yourself but subtly torture him with your slight touches during movie nights or walking around without a bra. You liked how worked up he always got. He would try to keep it together and act classy in front of you but eventually, you would catch him checking you out. In a way, it all felt wrong but all his attention was on you and you couldn’t help but feel good having this power over him.

When you got in the car you put on some music and looked outside the window. You didn’t want to talk to Harrison about your issues, especially not your issues with Tom so you tried to ignore his questions. Harrison, on the other hand, couldn’t find a way to make you open up to him. You two talked but he also wanted to support you when you weren’t feeling like you could handle things yourself. He remembered how Tom would complain about you being too secretive, even though you’ve known each other for years. That’s how he knew he would have to work hard for you to warm up to him. But that was the effort he wanted to put in. In the blonde’s eyes, you were the most intriguing person he has ever met. You two first came across in the cafe he worked at. You used to go there for some tea every day after classes during your first year. He’s been watching you for some time before trying to talk to you. One day his colleague dared him to get your number after he caught Harrison drooling over you during his break. So he gathered the courage and shot his shot. You two talked until the end of his break. He tried to get your number but you gave him your Instagram account instead. Soon you started to text each other and became really good friends. He would ask for your number a few more times but you always rejected him telling him to work for it. Harrison laughed to himself and shook his head. Even at the beginning of your friendship, you bossed him around.

“What’s so funny?” you asked, a bit confused by his sudden outburst.

“I just remembered how you used to reject me when we first met.” he turned to give you a small smile and started the engine.

“Oh yeah… You were desperate,” you smirked at him, knowing it would cause a good reaction and you weren’t wrong. Harrison gasped, abruptly turning to face you with fake hurt painted on his face.

“I wasn’t desperate! I just saw a pretty girl and wanted to take her out on a date but you were playing hard to get so you lost your chance,” he said it so casually you thought you didn’t hear him right.

“You evidently hadn’t worked hard enough,” you shrugged as if you didn’t care but in reality, your heart rate has sped up. You hoped that Harrison couldn’t hear your shallow breath. You never knew he wanted to take you out on a date and you didn’t know how you felt about it. The thought of him liking you more than just a friend brought butterflies in your stomach to life, making your whole body shiver. Maybe he wanted to take you on a date before. That doesn’t mean he’s still into you.

“So what should I do to get you to agree to go on a date with me?” the knot in your stomach tightened as his voice dropped down an octave. Was it possible he was still interested after all this time?

“I thought I lost my chance,” trying to keep it cool you exhaled softly hoping that the blonde didn’t notice how you squirmed lightly in your seat.

“Well… It depends,” he moved a little bit closer to you catching eye contact.

“On what?” you whispered gently trying not to raise your voice in fear that you would interrupt the moment.

Harrison’s voice matched yours as he whispered “How hard you can work after,” Noticing your disgusted look, he started to laugh deeply.

“Oh God, your jokes are so poor,” you shook your head at him, not finding his joke amusing.

“Oh come on, I know you’ve been dreaming about it,” he wiggled his eyebrows at you. Maybe, just maybe you have thought of it once or twice but you’d rather die than admit it to him. "Besides my jokes aren't half as bad as yours"

“Whatever, Osterfield,” you tried to turn around and fasten your seat belt not in the mood to argue but he stopped your actions again.

“Hey look... I want you to have fun today, okay?” his voice softened as he took your hand in his and started to caress your palm. “I know we joke a lot and stuff.. But I really want to give you something to remember, a memory you would always smile at when thinking of it… or when thinking of me,” he chuckled as if he thought he was never on your mind. Oh, how wrong was he. “Just forget about everything and enjoy the moment. Can you do that for me?” you thought you would melt under his gaze. He was looking at you so lovingly with a dazzling smile that couldn’t make you disagree with him. You felt like his ocean blue eyes were piercing your soul, taking your breath away. After a moment you realised that you could look into them for hours memorising the way his pupils dilated when he was looking at you.

“A-alright, I will.” you stuttered but still smiled at him and held eye contact. You didn’t know it was possible but his grin got even bigger causing you to do the same.

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise,” he smiled at you for the last time and turned around to start driving. Harrison said he planned something special for you. You didn’t know what the evening was about to bring but you knew you were screwed.

Taglist: @osterfieldshollandgirl, @tom-holland-is-spiderman-archive, @harryhollandsgirlfriend, @peachyafshawn

[geniequestria]

“What’s goin’ on?!” “Why are we grown ups?!” “Is this the Storm King’s doing?!”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo (in that order) continuously ask these questions and more in their panicked state to their sisters and their friends.

“Ya’ll just calm down now, if ya take ah breath and relax. We’ll tell y’all what’s been happening”

The fillies-turned-mares find it a bit hard to really calm down about a situation in which they have no idea what’s happening. But they listen to Applejack, quiet down, and stand there waiting for whatever their sisters and/or the others know. Twilight gives a thankful nod to Applejack and then starts answering what’s on the Crusader's minds. During the explanation, Twilight and the others take off the elements. Though Twilight still keeps them near her for safekeeping.

“Alright, first I’ll just say… this actually has nothing to do with the Storm King. This… is part of another situation that’s been escalating…”

Twilight explains everything from up to her coming across Starlight in the archives, her inadvertently transforming her into a genie, what happened to Trixie, and what they just witnessed in Our Town.

“Evil genies?!” “And they’re transforming ponies into more of them?!” “Equestria is doomed!”

Explaining the situation only got them to start freaking out again in the same order as their questions. To be honest, it was difficult for the Elements to not freak out about this situation either. An impending invasion from a threat that took the Alicorn sisters right from under them, and now an ever expanding number of genified ponies are likely to follow in just the next few hours. And having been transported back by an accidental wish from Pinkie, there’s not a lot the elements can do about either situation quickly enough.

Twilight sighs “Even I feel like our current situation is bleak… though the place Cloudsdale is currently situated isn’t that far from where the genies might start expanding… I wonder if there’s a chance the Storm King and Starlight come across one another. And one takes care of the other for us. As I don’t think either have the same goal. I don’t even think there’s a chance they’d team up.”

“I think the Storm King would much prefer trying to keep a population of ponies under him, not equally powerful genies that would be harder for him and his troops to get under control… and with the Storm King’s goal likely not being any kind of equality, I doubt Starlight agrees to even a truce with him”

“With no way for us to help with either situation quickly enough, we’re just going to have to hope the two come across one another. As much as it pains me that this means that Cloudsdale is certainly going to be in the crossfire. But hopefully by now, the Royal Guards should have all the pegasi civilians evacuated”

Rainbow speaks up “If only I could bring you girls with me along with it… but if I Sonic Rainboom towards Cloudsdale I can update the Royal Guards on our situation. I have to imagine they’re not going to be happy that they won’t have us to fight alongside them. But I can try my best to explain what’s going on…”

Twilight nods “That’s a good idea, Rainbow. As long as they know an even more dire threat suddenly showed up, they’ll hopefully understand. I don’t know how they’ll do against the Storm King’s forces without us, but I hope they fight valiantly enough to stand a chance”

Rainbow salutes “Alright… I promise you all coming back won’t take too long either… I’ll see you girls soon!”

Rainbow proceeds to fly high up into the air, she then flies horizontally as straight as possible onto an air cone visible in front of her that shrinks until… BOOM! A rainbow circle spreads out from where Rainbow was and spreads far and wide. It’s always an awe-inspiring sight for even those who’ve seen it many times already. With the speed Rainbow is going, she should be able to reach her old hometown where the frontline against the invasion of the Storm King is currently being prepared quickly enough to inform the troops of the bleak situation they’re in.

With Rainbow already far away from Ponyville, Rarity and Applejack sit next to the crusaders who have quieted down. But their expressions still hold the faces of fear and uncertainty.

“Sweetie Belle…” Rarity faces her now not-so-little sister.

“Sis… are we going to be ok?” Sweetie softly responds, tears streaming down her cheeks

“I… would be lying to you, if I didn’t say I was unsure as you on what’s to come. But at the very least… I want to tell you… even if it was through Genie magic… you make for a very pretty young mare. If there’s something good that came out of this, I’m already getting plenty of ideas in my head for dresses for you. Even if eventually we find a way to turn you back to normal. Perhaps… I can have some clothes ready for you to eventually grow into one day!” Rarity softly smiles

This does cheer up Sweetie a little bit. “That does sound fun, sis. It is sort of nice that I can try on full-size dresses from you now…”

Applejack’s comforts her sister as well, she preemptively hugs her. “Mah stars, ah can feel the muscle on ya hooves from just this hug! Ah’m sure ya should be able t’ help with the Applebucking with the strength y’all must have now!”

Apple Bloom rubs her hindlegs, and finds that her sister is right. She’s got the toned muscles appropriate for apple bucking, her small stature only allowed her to catch the apples that fall down. But now she can help around the farm just as much as her big sister. Both her and Applejack stand up, and Apple Bloom practices some kicks.

“Oh Celestia! Maybe this ain’t so bad after all!” The filly turned mare beamed.

Applejack frowns, she wouldn’t want Apple Bloom to go that far. ``Whoa now, if we find ah way t’ make y’all fillies again. We’re going t’ do that ASAP, so don’t get too comfy now.”

That disappoints Apple Bloom “Awwww… well… ah guess in ah moment, ah’ll go back home, and buck all the apples ah can while ah’m still like this then!”

Applejack smiles in approval “That’s the spirit, go ahead and help out Big Mac out at the farm while me and the others are getting Equestria back t’ normal!”

“Ah ain’t goin’ there yet, but thanks fo’ cheering me up, sis!” Apple Bloom gives her sister a hug, Applejack returns the hug. Still not quite used to Apple Bloom being the same size as her. But it’s certainly good to know that while she’s dealing with this pickle of a situation, the farm will be in good hooves.

((Story continues after the break))

Meanwhile, in Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash has reached the frontlines of the defense force preparing for the Storm King’s inevitable invasion. The defense force cheers for Rainbow’s arrival, for it must mean the rest of the Elements aren’t too far behind.

Rainbow flies on over to where the same captain that had talked to Twilight while she was instructing Trixie about the purified Alicorn Amulet. “It’s great to see you Rainbow Dash. We’re happy to report all civilians have successfully been evacuated!” The captain salutes, and Rainbow Dash is relieved that many ponies including her parents are safe. They may be overzealous for her, but the last thing she’d want is them being prisoners of war.

“Are the other Elements coming soon?” the Captain inquired

Rainbow grimaced and gulped, for unfortunately, a stay is not what she has in mind. “I’m… sorry, Captain… but that’s not going to be possible…”

All the guards and soldiers that can hear Rainbow Dash gasp. Having the elements with them was going to be a huge morale booster, but now they may get the opposite depending what Rainbow has to say. “What?! But why not?!” the Captain responds, in a tone that has hints of both fear and anger.

“It’s not easy to say this… but with the situation me, Twilight, and the others are in… all we can offer is bad news… and MORE bad news about what’s going on… there is no good news as of yet. The first bad news is of course what you already know with the Storm King coming over… but the more bad news is… something else has come up down on the grounds of Equestria…” Rainbow determinedly says to the troops.

“Oh no… was the Cloudsdale invasion a distraction… and the Storm King’s real attack is outflanking us elsewhere?!” The captain freaks out.

“No no no… the incoming invasion here by the Storm King is the real deal. But something is currently brewing down on Equestria that’s WORSE than the Storm King!” Gasps are once again heard throughout the front lines.

“WORSE?! The Storm King's forces kidnapped Celestia and Luna under our noses! How could anything be worse?!” At this point even the toughest of the guards there were nervously shaking. Rainbow then recaps to them all of what’s happened with all the genies that have popped up ever since Starlight has returned, and how the Elements are needed to defend Equestria from a far more powerful Starlight Glimmer. Once the situation has been fully explained, while it doesn’t necessarily calm everypony's nerves, they at least come to an understanding on why the Elements can’t be here to back them up for when the Storm King finally arrives.

“I… understand now… the Elements are needed to deal with a much more powerful threat that could strike anywhere in Equestria… while at the very least we know where the Storm King is coming in… we’d still very much like your presence… but you’ve made it clear that we’re stretched thin with double trouble… I hope you defeat those genies soon enough…until then, we’ll try as best we can to hold the Storm King at bay...” The captain salutes once more.

Rainbow Dash nods “Yeah! You’re Celestia’s loyal defense force. I know they managed to sneak past you all in capturing Celestia and Luna… but they don’t know what’s waiting for them as they try a direct attack!” Rainbow Dash’s words quickly start to help give the troops here some confidence even as they’re unsure how much they can hold out without the elements helping.

“And besides! You won’t be alone!” A sudden voice is heard from slightly afar, it’s a voice that Rainbow recognizes immediately as she gasps. It was none other than Spitfire, followed shortly by Soarin’, and Fleetfoot.

“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh! The Wonderbolts!” Rainbow Dash is currently still in the reserves waiting for an eventual promotion into the Wonderbolts. She still can’t help but fangirl over seeing them again on occasion. The three ponies all in their Wonderbolt Suits land in front of Rainbow and the Captain.

“Spitfire! What are you doing here with Soarin and Fleetfoot?” Rainbow asked curiously.

“What does it look like we’re doing? We're helping these troops with the Storm King, we may have mostly been airshow performers in recent years, but the Wonderbolts have deep ties with the defense of Cloudsdale! And we aim to do all we can to show the Storm King he has another thing coming if he thinks he can just start invading from here!” All three Wonderbolts make a proud pose, as both Rainbow Dash and the army behind her have mouths agape in excitement. Maybe the Wonderbolts’ assistance will be all they need to help give the Storm King’s army some trouble. Rainbow had no doubt in her mind that these three should be able to wreak havoc on the many Zeppelins heading their way. It gives her a feeling of security

“This is so awesome, Spitfire! I just know you’ll make the Storm King think twice about coming here!” Rainbow beams a big grin, and her eyes shine for her idols.

“Rainbow Dash, you go on ahead back to Ponyville. We’ll make sure Cloudsdale doesn’t go down without a fight! I only heard a little of the conversation you had with the Captain. but I know whatever you’re dealing with on the ground. You and the elements will handle it, and once both threats have been subdued… we… may have a surprise for you… next time we meet…” Spitfire winks at the longtime fan.

Rainbow didn’t want to directly say it, but she has a feeling just what Spitfire means by that. She can hardly contain her glee, but she just salutes Spitfire and the rest. And waves off the troops who’s morale had been rejuvenated by the arrival of the Wonderbolts. Rainbow Dash proceeds to go into a Sonic Rainboom back towards Ponyville’s direction.

Moments later, she’s back to where her friends were. Twilight and the others couldn’t help but notice the big grin on Rainbow Dash’s face as she returned.

“Wow, Rainbow! That’s one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen from you!” Pinkie happily commented.

“So, did you inform the Captain about the situation?” Twilight asks politely.

“Yep! They looked down about it for a little while… but then Spitfire and the Wonderbolts showed up! They’ll be backing up the army! It quickly raised the troops spirit… and mine too admittedly, heh heh…” Rainbow rubs the back of her head sheepishly.

“That’s fantastic! I know the Wonderbolts should be more than able to mess with that fleet of Zeppelins. That’s something of a weight off my shoulder, we don’t know what’s going to happen in the coming hours. But I have no doubt Cloudsdale won’t be an easy target for the Storm King, especially with the Wonderbolts there” Twilight proudly states.

The situation seemingly having at least gotten better on the Storm King side of things have lightened the mood for most of the Elements as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Though one member of the latter still looked a little down. Rainbow Dash noticed Scootaloo looking at her adult body, particularly the sides of them. Rainbow flies down to see what’s bothering her.

“What’s wrong, squirt? I just brought good news! What’s got you down?”

Scootaloo raises her head up at the pony she idolizes the most. “It’s not that the Wonderbolts helping over at Cloudsdale isn’t good news… that’s awesome! I’m… just thinking about something else… my wings…”

“Your… wi- OH!” Rainbow finally noticed, Scoot’s wings were still as small as they were when she was a filly. Rainbow wishes she could tell Scoots maybe that was just a flaw of the wish, but she just saw Tornado Bolt back in Our Town, who did have full-sized mare wings.

“So… it’s true, then… I’m... I'm... I'm never... g-going to be able to f-fly…” Scootaloo lowers her head again sobbing, with tears beginning to pour down. Rainbow admittedly went straight to the side of her unofficial little sister to comfort her.

“Hey, hey, hey… it’ll be all ok. Remember what I said to you before you rode the train to the Crystal Empire? Whether you can fly or not, you’re an awesome pony. Don’t ever, ever, forget that!” Rainbow having a hoof on Scoots’ shoulder. Hearing the reminder does manage to cheer Scootaloo a bit better.

“t-t-t-th-Thanks, Rainbow Dash… Though uh… while I’m like this… I’m probably going to need a bigger scooter… I’m too big for my current one now…” Scootaloo frowns a bit.

“Well, hopefully we manage to find a way to turn you back to normal. That said, maybe it’d be a great idea to have someone design a full-grown scooter for ya until the situation is over. Come with me, I’ll go find some pony in town willing to make you a new scooter!”

Rainbow Dash and the aged up Scootaloo head off on their own. The rest of the group smiled for the pair of pseudo-sisters. There’s not a lot the group can do with the current situation, but for now they’ll continue on doing the best they can to support the ponies closest to them.

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[mymoonagedaydream]

Only the Good Die Young (Part 4)

Summary: You tried hard to believe that Bucky was a changed man, but he made it difficult

Pairing: Biker!Bucky x y/n

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: Language, anti-religious sentiment throughout, harmful relationship with parents

Author's Note: Alright, I’ve flaked. My different-song-per-part ambitions were too high, I flew too close to the sun. I’m so sorry Billy.

---

You buried your face in his neck.

Everything he’d said was spiralling through your mind. You knew your parents well enough to know that staying with Bucky for much longer meant losing them forever. You didn’t want to go back but, if you stayed away and things didn’t work out, there was a chance you’d end up completely alone.

Bucky was a risk, a huge one. You wanted to trust him. You wanted so badly to believe that he was everything he appeared to be.

So you did.

A leap of faith. You were good at faith.

You pulled your head up, coming face to face with him. ‘I would like to get very, very drunk.’

‘Me too.’ He went to get up, but stopped suddenly and looked back at you. ‘You ever been hammered before?’

You shrugged with one shoulder, reluctant to admit further inexperience. ‘Communion wine is pretty strong stuff.’

‘Jesus. I almost feel bad, enabling sin like this.’ He sauntered to the kitchen and rifled through the cupboards, grinning in your direction when he found a half-empty bottle of tequila. ‘Almost.’

The golden liquid burned your throat as you took shot after shot, the warm glow in your chest getting stronger with every sip. This was fucking brilliant, why had you never tried it before?

‘So, here’s the plan.’ You could see that Bucky was at least a little tipsy, he’d been matching every one of your shots with three of his own. ‘I make enough money fixing bikes to keep the flat and feed us, so you can quit that fucking college course and find something you actually want to do.’

You paused for a second, processing his words. ‘Are you asking me to move in with you?’

‘Are you turning me down?’

You grinned and shook your head, making a mental note to reconfirm that in the morning when he was sober. You had hoped that he’d at least let you stay with him for the summer, but knowing that he was willing to put up with you more long-term quelled some deep anxiety you’d been harbouring for days.

You shifted your tone, trying your best to look as sober and sincere as possible. ‘Buck. You said you just want someone to talk to, right?’ He nodded, half-smirking and pushing some hair behind your ear. ‘So talk. You know so much about me, I want to know about you.’

‘What you wanna know?’

‘Tell me about your parents.’

His eyes wandered away from yours and he dropped his hand to your shoulder, wincing a little while he strung his words together. ‘Well you’ve met my dad, he’s no different now than he always was. The only time I ever hear from my ma is when she needs money. God knows what for, I don’t ask.’

‘I’m really sorry, I can’t imagine what they put you through.’

You’d never seen him so subdued. You almost felt bad for putting a damper on the evening, but you got the impression that Bucky had never spoken to anyone about this stuff before, drunk or sober.

‘Fucked me up for a long time, I did a lot of bad stuff.’ You reached out and squeezed his free hand as he was speaking, prompting his gaze to fix back on you. ‘But I don’t want to be that person anymore.’

‘You’re a good guy Buck.’ You gave him a wide smile. ‘Plus, after all those Sundays at church, the big guy owes me a couple favours. I can get that slate of yours wiped clean, no problem.’

He narrowed his eyes at you, the warm glow returning to your chest as you watched his mouth curl back into that familiar smirk. ‘You’re buzzed, ain’t ya?’

‘Should I slow down?’

‘Nope.’ He poured you both another drink. ‘Speed up.’

You didn’t ask about the things he’d done, you didn’t need to know. It was in the past, and he regretted it. That’s all that mattered to you.

The tequila was gone far too quickly. Both of you raided the cupboards again, finding a nearly empty bottle of triple sec, three cans of cider and a bottle with Russian writing that contained something resembling paint stripper.

A few hours and all that booze later, you and Bucky found yourselves tangled around each other on the bed, nursing your slowly developing headaches.

‘You’re a terrible influence, Barnes.’ You croaked into his chest.

‘I’m barely even getting started darlin.’

---

The first thing you felt in the morning was dizziness. Even before you’d opened your eyes, you knew the room was spinning around you. You adjusted yourself a little, relieved when you felt Bucky’s arms still wrapped around you and his chest against your cheek. Scooching upwards, eyes still screwed shut, you brought your face level with his.

He stirred, croaking faintly. ‘Still here. Haven’t run away yet.'

‘I feel like there’s a bee hive inside my head.’

‘Your first hangover.’ He chuckled. ‘We should celebrate. Breakfast?’

‘I’m never eating again. Or drinking. Or… moving.’

He started wriggling. ‘Well, either you move or I piss the bed.’

You flopped onto your back, the movement making your brain rattle inside your head, as Bucky scuttled to the bathroom. You started drifting back to sleep, only to be unceremoniously woken when you were hoisted off the bed and carried you through to the front room. He made breakfast while you lay on the couch, feeling sorry for yourself. You managed a few reluctant mouthfuls and a pint of water.

‘I’ve been thinking.’ Bucky piped up whilst washing the dishes. ‘When you feel a bit better we should go back to the flat. I know it’s close to your parents, but at least my dad doesn’t have keys to it.’

You considered for a second, weighing up whether you were more intimidated by your parents or his. ‘That’s fine with me. Whatever you think is best, Buck.’

---

The two of you left the trailer the next morning. You were still feeling pretty ropey, but you were at least able to walk six feet without getting dizzy. In truth, you were pretty happy to be getting away from the trailer. Aside from the stained walls and crappy shower, you hadn’t felt safe there since Bucky’s dad had burst in the other night. Christ knows what else that man was capable of.

Somehow, at some point during your first day back at the flat, Bucky had convinced you it’d be a good idea for the two of you to go out that night. He suggested his usual haunt, a bar you’d never heard of despite living in that town all your life.

It was a dive bar. You’d never been to a dive bar before, you weren’t even really sure what it meant, but as soon as you saw the outside of this place you knew. There was a flickering neon sign advertising Miller High Life above the door and bikes as far as the eye could see.

Some extremely intimidating clientele eyed the two of you as you approached, giving a gruff chuckle when you brushed past them to get to the entrance. Bucky enthusiastically greeted a few guys who were already inside. One of them you vaguely recognised from school, but the others looked quite a bit older.

You were so far out of your comfort zone in this place, every muscle in your body felt tense and you were convinced that dozens of dirty looks were being thrown your way.

‘What’ll it be then sweetheart?’ Your eyes followed the voice to a tall, brawny blonde with freakishly wide shoulders and a crooked smile.

Your mouth opened slightly as you scurried around trying to figure out what kind of alcohol was sold in a place like this, before Bucky piped up. ‘She’ll have my usual.’

You just nodded, keeping quiet for fear of coming across as the naïve religious freak in front of his friends. A few seconds later you found yourself with a pint of beer in one hand and a shot of whiskey in the other.

‘Boilermaker.’ Bucky whispered, close to your ear. ‘Proper booze, gotta make up for all that shit the other night.’

One of the friends led you towards a cramped booth with a sticky table. You found yourself tucked in between Bucky and the blonde, the former’s arm circled tight around your waist, hand resting possessively on your thigh. You didn’t speak much, only when spoken to- that was until the blonde started cross-examining you.

‘No offence, but you weren’t exactly what I was expecting.’

Great. This shit again.

‘Leave it, yeah?’ Bucky’s tone was friendly, but you could sense a hint of warning.

‘Like I said, no offence.’ He smirked. ‘She just looks a little suburban, y’know.’

Bucky got more agitated. ‘What the hell’s that s’posed to mean?’

‘Jesus, chill out Barnes. She’s not bothered, are ya?’ He nudged you hard, pushing you into Bucky’s side. You just smiled politely, a pathetic attempt to diffuse.

Progressively more irate words were thrown back and forth between them, but everyone else around the table was seemingly unfazed by the argument. It escalated quickly, resulting in blonde reaching over to yank Bucky up by the lapels, spilling a pint of beer all over you in the process. Buck shoved him off and helped you out of the booth, apologising as he ushered you towards the door.

Blonde was shouting after you, following you to the door. Just as you thought the two of you might make it out of there intact, Bucky wheeled round and punched him square in the mouth. He got a swift jab to the stomach in return and the two of them crashed into the bar, arms and legs flying in every direction.

Finally, after intervention by a couple huge biker guys, you managed to pull Bucky away. As you pushed open the front door, flashing blue lights flooded the bar. You squinted, waiting for your eyes to adjust. Cops. One of them approached you and Bucky, the same one who came to the flat after your parents reported you kidnapped.

‘Told you your time would come, boy.’ He smirked. ‘James Barnes, you’re under arrest on suspicion of assault.’

Everything said after that was drowned out by a high pitched whining that started in your ears. Buck was dragged away and shoved into the back of a car, he shouted something in your direction before the door closed but you didn’t catch it. You were reeling with shock. They pulled away, lights fading as they disappeared down the street.

There you were, completely alone. Standing in the gutter outside a dive bar, trembling and covered in beer, playing perfectly into your parents’ predictions.

What the fuck were you supposed do? Go sleep on Bucky’s doorstep, hoping he’d get released before morning? How many more times were you going to have to do that?

You couldn’t help but feel so, so stupid. You’d leapt, fallen and landed flat on your face. Maybe your mother wasn’t exaggerating, maybe she was right all along. Christ, maybe you were just some naïve, sheltered Christian kid in way over your head.

You had no choice. You went home.

---

Waking up back in your bed sent a wave of depression crashing over you. You could still smell stale beer and cigarettes, making you feel even worse.

Only your father had been awake when you timidly knocked on the door the night before. He’d stepped aside and let you in without much more than a stern look, but you were dreading having to face your mother this morning.

You sat up, the motion kick-starting yet another hangover, and walked to the bathroom. Switching on the light, you stared into the mirror and were greeted with someone you barely recognised. Your eyes were dark, bloodshot and puffy, your hair was wild from days of washing it with shower gel in the trailer’s crappy shower, your clothes from the night before were still hanging off you, stained and reeking- but you looked alive. And you felt it.

The doorbell rang.

You ran to the top of the stairs, only to see your mother standing in the doorway, face to face with Bucky. He looked awful, cuts and bruises littering his face. You stepped back slightly to hide yourself from his view.

‘Get off my property or I’m calling the police.’ Well she hadn’t changed while you’d been gone.

‘Is she here?’

Silence. You peeked round the corner to see your mother whip her phone from her pocket. Bucky shouted your name. Fuck, so much of you wanted to just run down the stairs and throw your arms round him, but you knew there was a good chance you’d just end up here again a week or so down the line.

‘Fine.’ He backed away, holding his arms out. ‘Y’know, sooner or later, it comes down to faith. Someone’s gonna help her see through all your bullshit, I might as well be the one.’

He limped down the steps and was gone from your view. Dragging yourself back into your room, you looked at your phone for the first time that morning. Twenty-five texts and eight missed calls from Bucky. Taking a deep breath, you typed a message to him.

Meet me on the bench at noon tomorrow.

---

As you turned into the park, you saw him sitting there. He looked tense, elbows resting on his thighs while he ran his fingers through his hair. As soon as he spotted you approaching he stood up, but you couldn’t bring yourself to hug him, so you just perched on the other end of the bench silently. He obviously didn’t take the hint, moving closer and sitting right next to you.

You heard him chuckle. ‘Blink twice if we’re being bugged.’

You lifted your eyes, scanning them over his wounds. His knuckles weren’t even fully healed from the fight with his father. He was just cuts upon bruises upon scars and you weren’t sure if he’d ever stop adding to them.

His face dropped when he saw your obvious distress. ‘I’m really sorry y/n. I fucked up, bad.’

You just nodded, taking deep breaths in an attempt to keep your thoughts straight.

‘I know I struggle to control my anger sometimes, but you gotta believe I’m getting better. I’m not the person I used to be.’

‘You keep saying that.’ You couldn’t meet his eyes, too scared to see the hurt your words would cause him. ‘Then you do shit like this? I’m really struggling here, I-’

‘I know I’m not perfect, but I’m trying, now more than ever. Because of you.’

‘What happened the other night... I was so scared, Buck. I barely even made it out of the house to get here today.’ Tears were clouding your vision as you felt his hands grasp your firmly. ‘I can’t do that again.’

---

Part Five

---

@shawnie--jo @brilliantbellesoares @noiralei @bebeyeni @kingkassam @newyorkgoddess  @livingoffsavvyillusions 

I’ve bolded the names that wouldn’t let me tag, sorry guys

---

[adelheidvonschicksal]

Heat | Bakugo x Dragon!Reader

Synopsis: Due to black magic, you’re slowly turning into a mindless dragon. Bakugo has to help care for you until a cure is available and that includes dealing with your new sexual appetite. [request]

Content warning: NOT SFW, Fantasy!AU, Interspecies, rough sex

“I hate sleeping outside!”

You complained and threw another branch of dry wood onto the fire pit that centered your little camp for the night. Katsuki scoffed at your grievances as you paced in circles around the campfire.

“Well, we could have stayed in town if someone didn’t decide to steal from the fucking merchants’ guild.”

You stopped your pacing and your eyes narrowed at him. “I couldn’t help it! You know that,” you grumbled.

It wasn’t entirely your fault that you found yourself attracted to things like shiny rocks, gold, and jewels lately. When you saw such things, you couldn’t help but collect it. You told yourself it was to sell for money, but that was nowhere near the case as you kept them for yourself. You were starting to accumulate (read: hoard) quite a little treasure pile in your satchel actually. The trinket you stole wasn’t an exception.

“Besides you think he got that talisman through legal means--give me a freaking break.”

“It doesn’t matter! You don’t take it.”

You huffed and sat down in a clear spot that you finally thought good enough to settle and turned on your side. “It’s not like I want to be this way.”

With those words, Katsuki finally stopped grumbling and went to completely ignoring you. As the air filled with silence, you sighed at your unusual predicament and curled your tail around yourself.

Katsuki and you were all you’ve known ever since you were children. Orphaned by the civil war, the two of you had to rely on one another. Being forced to flee your village after another battle made that true now more than ever. When Katsuki’s new goal became to take over the country himself by following his own rule of “whoever survives makes the rules”, you knew there would be hardships, but you also knew he’d get himself killed or worse without your help.

That almost turned true when you had your first scuffle with the King’s royal enchanter. Katsuki almost ended up on the end of a spell that would chain his mind to the body of a beast had you not pushed him out the way. The asshole didn’t even say “thank you” but yelled at you for getting in the way. Thus, your adventure to take over the country sidetracked into a side quest to turn you back into a human before you completely transformed into one of the giant reptiles known as a dragon. The quicker the better, too.

Your head kept hurting with every small sound that you could never hear as a human now that your ears turned to elf-like points and your skin itched with layers of blue scales lining the front of your forearms and going up the side and back of your neck. You didn’t really mind the tiny wings fluttering at your back as much as the beginning of a slowly thickening whip-like tail and the pure white horns sticking out at your temples and curling to the back of your head like a mountain goat, the weight of which hurt your neck no matter how much you tried to whittle them down against tree trunks. Though, the worst is the strain on your and Bakugo’s relationship as he gets angrier with each passing day and added appendage you grow. He doesn’t know how much pain you’re in every time your scales spread or your teeth sharpen. You made sure to keep it a secret to keep him from worrying.

You turned back to him, already asleep with his same resting bitch face and arms crossed. Well, you hoped he was at least a little worried under all the aggression and annoyance.

You weren’t really sure what you wanted to do with your life yet since all you had focused on before was survival, but you couldn’t imagine not spending it without him once everything settled down, no matter how much you fight. He was kind when his mood was calm, and he would often show care for you and protect you. Plus, you’re sure he wouldn’t make such a bad father. You had taken care of the younger orphans before, so you were already like a mom and dad back then.

You paused, wondering where that thought came from. You squirmed, feeling warm as you thought deeper on the subject without real direction since you’re not entirely sure why you suddenly thought about that now. You only ever gave little thought to having children, but you couldn’t break the chain of knowledge that he’d probably give you handsome children, strong ones too, and it’s not like you haven’t thought about taking a spin on his cock a few times. You sat on your hands and knees, crawling as quietly as you could over to him.

Perfectly pleased you were when you gazed at him. Muscles ripping and free to gaze at thanks to his open fur cloak, fine blond spikes scattered and framing a smooth jawline and pouted pink lips. You took the dive and listened to everything that told you to touch him.

Katsuki jolted from his sleep with a groan and a hoarse curse leaving his parched throat. His moan escalated with the intense pressure on his hardened cock, and the situation made him snap his eyes open when the weight felt too real to be a dream. The sight of spiked teeth and unnaturally goldened eyes peering down on him almost earned you a punch to the throat if he hadn’t stopped his instincts from taking over. You had almost fooled him into thinking a dragon got him, the saving grace being your remaining human features calling out to him and his dick as you jerk your hips and your hooked ivory claws dig and pierce into his shoulder to draw blood.

Katsuki shoved his hand to your forehead and roughly attempted to push you away. “What the hell is wrong with you?! Get off me, (Name)!’

“Katsuki,” you huffed, frayed layers of smoke following your words, as your face sweats and creases with another weak moan. You dropped your hands and frantically go for one of his many twisting and crossing belts and cords. “I-I need to feel your cum inside me.”

His face lit red, and you felt yourself flung off in an instant, but that didn’t deter you before you hopped back into a kneeling position and attempted to climb back on top of him like an animal who tried despite their owner demanding them to stop. “I’m not about to fuck you!” Katsuki growled and shook you off again before forcing you onto your stomach and pushing his knee on your back. You whimpered with the bone digging between your shoulder blades, and Katsuki didn’t want to be rough but you kept squirming and trying to buck him back off with snarls of disapproval. “Calm down, damn it.”

Katsuki unhooked the cord around his waist and quickly used it to tie your hands together behind your back before getting off of you. You whined, violently kicking in debris as tears began to stream down your face. You heaved, wailed out, and flipped side to side like a fish out of water. Finally, you got too exhausted to keep up your violent thrashing but not before popping a few scales, breaking the tip off one of your horns, and coating yourself in red dirt and small bleeding scratches from tiny branches and rocks under you.

Katsuki gripped at his hair, panting as he watched the end of your sudden distress. He had no idea what just happened, but it was clear you needed to speed up your trip to the healer. He tied off your items to his waist and heaved you up to journey through the night.

Another four days had passed with you having your little spouts of desperate pleading for him to come over and ravage you senseless and breed with you and tantrums of aggression and violence towards him when he’d reject. He couldn’t say he wouldn’t mind being able to have sex with you; but in that state, it wasn’t anytime likely that he was going to stick his dick in you so you could revenge murder him in his sleep once you’re healed and coherent.

Katsuki finally reached the edge of your old village where he had known the healer to live when you were younger. The old healer had long passed away, but his apprentice still lived there. Any healer was better than none no matter how many times the finicky half-elf made Katsuki roll his eyes.

“Amajiki!”

There was a yelp immediately followed by the crashing of a potion vial to the floor as Katsuki kicked the door open and hauled your sleeping body onto the nearest chair. Finally, the healer turned around, tired eyes falling on Katsuki. He sighed, scratching his head through blue hair.

“Oh, it’s only you two again,” he monotonously drawled, and Katsuki glared. Then, dark eyes widened upon noticing you in the corner, and he moved to you with a speed Katsuki had never seen the halfling move. “What did you do?”

“We got into a fight with that damned Shigaraki, and it was for, never mind! It doesn’t matter,” Katsuki exhaled deeply. “I fucked up all right. Just…please fix her.”

“You don’t need to beg,” Amajiki mumbled, beginning to undo your restraints before moving you to rest on top of his work station. “How long has she been like this?”

“Almost two weeks, she was fine mentally for the first week, but lately she’s been going crazy, and I can’t get her to fucking snap out of it.”

“She’s closer to dragon than human, right now. You’re lucky she has high magic tolerance, or she would’ve turned by now,” Amajiki explained, looking over the progression of your metamorphosis.

Katsuki grimaced. He always knew he had a lack of magical ability or tolerance, not like you who used magic like it was child's play.

“Can’t you do anything for her?”

He nodded and turned to Katsuki. “I’ll give her something to slow down her change until I can make something to remove the curse, but it’s going to take a few week-ah—”

Amajiki gasped as you suddenly lifted up and pulled him down against you. Your lips immediately went to his neck, nipping and biting with a satisfied growl. Bakugo was quick to let his protectiveness and jealousy take over. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch her, bastard!”

“It’s not me!” Tamaki whined and tried to push you away as you passionately pressed your lips to blushing cheeks. “Please, please, g-get her off of me!”

Katsuki moved to yank you off. It was unnecessary since you instantly changed your target once you noticed Katsuki was there. You threw the healer onto the floor without a second thought and bolted yourself to Katsuki’s arm. “Katsuki,” you half cooed and half growled into his ear.

“Son of a—why the hell is she like this,” he scowled as you wrapped your arms around him and tried to hold him against your own body.

Tamaki smoothed out his clothes and wobbly stood back on to his feet. “Mating season started, and she’s in heat right now. I can give her something to calm her down a little, but you…well…someone needs to take “care” of it soon.”

Katsuki scoffed, tossing that idea. “Just tell her to do it herself,” he demanded as he held you at arm’s length.

“She’s not really in a state of mind right now. Dragons need to be induced or they stay in heat like ferrets. If her heat is extended too long, it can kill her before I finish the recipe.”

Dropping his arm, Katsuki’s lips trembled into a scowl, then he asked you, “Do you really need me to fuck you that badly?” You seemed to pick up on the idea, clung him tighter, and seductively crooned at him with a lightly rumbling purr. “Then, just don’t be pissed at me afterward!”

You blinked at him and nod flippantly.

“I’ll get started in here, you can use the room in the back,” Amajiki offered, inwardly drowning in the despair at the thought of having to burn the sheets afterward.

Katsuki dragged you to the room in question the entire way repeating, “Just for healing…just for healing…” Fuck. His heart wouldn’t stop pounding. He didn’t know if it was because he really wanted to have sex with you or because he suspected you would avoid him after. Probably both.

When you got in the room, you pushed him down on the bed without any restraint. Your lips instantly melded to his in a sloppily passionate kiss that made him groan from deep in his throat at you mounted on top of him. Sharp teeth pulled at the delicate curves of his lips, drawing blood that you happily slid your tongue over to taste before moving to his neck with as much fervor and need highlighting every kiss over his bobbing Adam’s apple. He tilted his head up, letting you have free reign to mark and litter his skin with deep purpling bruises as he wrapped his arms around the small of your back.

Despite the scales lining around your back, your stomach and underbelly remained fairly soft and fleshy, leaving your breasts softly hugging to his own firm chest, but it was the eager grinding on his lap that had him moaning.

“Damn, you’re already this excited,” he choked out as you pressed down on his budding boner. Katsuki was beginning to wonder how much of this was you because you didn’t nearly go after Amajiki this compulsively. You seemed extra obsessed on attaching to him. “You really want me to breed you, huh?” You moaned in agreement, a smile drawing against him. Suddenly, he grasped onto your horns and pulled your head back towards your back as he sat up. “You ready to take my cock, aren’t ya? You’ve been begging for it all damn week, but you wanted it before then, haven’t you?”

Katsuki yanked your head back and kissed your collar with rough lips and down the center of your upper chest, stopping only where your clothes didn’t allow him to feel the warmth of your skin. He released your horns and grasped your neck with both hands, dragging his palms down.

“Katsuki, hah, hah,” you whined as your scales prickled and pulled with the strokes of his fingers over the tiny edges. “inside, it’s hot,” you barely strung together the words, but he could pick up on what you meant as you whimpered for his cum to douse the heat built inside you.

“My cock is loaded with cum for you. It’s more than enough to fill your womb.”

Katsuki pulled at his belts, never breaking eye contact with you as you hungrily waited for him to get undressed while snatching off your own robes. Smallclothes were already out for you because of your tail, so you were completely bare and ready as your impatiently watched him finally tug down his pants and his thick cock sprung free, ready and dripping with the first beginning of fresh precum dripping down his rounded head.

“If you want it, you’ll get on your hands and knees," he said to reduce the chance of you clawing him and nudged you to flip you over. He shoved your tail up and out of the way and cup your engorged pussy. He could feel the intense heat radiating from you. He slid his fingers inside your, curling them along your slick saturated inner walls. His fingers nearly slipped out at first go with how wet you were, and a waterfall of wetness oozed out and down his hand as he stretched his fingers inside of you. Katsuki added a third and fourth then begins to move his palm inside you, stopping at the junction of his thumb and pointer fingers, and you take it all with a pleased growl as he twisted his palm in your needy core.

Katsuki moves his hand, replacing it with his cock. He slid his tip against your opening, and you jerked back towards him, desperate to have it inside of you and spraying your insides with his seed.

He chuckled at your whine. “I’ll give it to you, just wait,” he teased and stroked his head in and out of your entrance, teasing the nerves around it with the plump tip of his member.

“Katsuki, ngh, put it in,” you grumbled, smoke coming from your mouth, and he swallowed hard before giving in to your demands before you really got pissed.

He thrusted into you once then pulled all the way out and thrusted again. Katsuki held in his moan as your velvet walls slid around him and enveloped him. Your body was on fire, more so than anything he’s felt. He gripped your waist, thrusting into you with increased speed, his lap bouncing against your rounded ass.

Your nail dugs into the mattress, ripping through the fabric and revealing fluffy down and strands of cloth as your body jerked with his pumps and the room filled with wet slaps and your own growls and low blowing of tiny flickering flames and smoke from your mouth with each pant. It wasn’t until Katsuki gripped your horns, pulled your head and pumped into your innermost wall with an aggressive rut of his hips that you roared in complete pleasure and pain as the pain echoed through your head with the straining of your neck and scalp.

Your tail kept swooping, hitting on the side of his hip, and he hissed with the sting of scales slapping his skin and leaving red welts along his muscular thighs. Katsuki returned your hits with a sharp upward thrust that made you whine and your pussy clench.

It was with a loud mewl that you came around his cock, your fluids escaping in droves down your legs and staining the sheets with the ever-rushed drive of throbbing meat taking your body. It was when he released inside, and his semen coated you inside and out that coolness finally rushed through you, and you dropped your head to the pillow as he stilled deep inside of you before pulling out with a slime trail of cum seeping from your cunt.

You collapsed onto your side with a drawn out, “mm” before cuddling into ripped sheets and piles of cotton. Katsuki shook his head and petted your own. “Feeling better?”

Opening your eyes, you turned to face Katsuki and tackled him to the bed again.

“Fuck, wait damn it, it’s not ready!” he griped as you straddled him and clawed at his chest. You wrapped your hand around his cock and your mouth around his nipple.

With the growl you released, he knew you didn’t particularly care and that he wasn’t leaving any time soon.

—————————extended ending————————

Katsuki hissed as Tamaki slathered his back wounds with healing salve. You had dug all the way into his shoulders and dragged your hands down to the small of his back this time around. They left zigzagging patterns down his back and flared bright red like a beacon on his back, and now it kept hurting every time he stood straight.

“Why hasn’t she changed back yet?” Katsuki demanded to know because at this rate you were going to bleed him dead if not make his dick fall off from soreness and chafing. It had been another two weeks, and Tamaki had given you the potion over two days ago.

“The potion only strips the curse. It doesn’t reverse what’s already happened. She’s going to look like that from now on, but you won’t have to worry about her turning into a dragon completely. Other than having some behaviours like what you’ve seen, she’ll be fine,” Amajiki explained as he finished patching Katsuki’s wounds.

Katsuki sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to face the healer. “When is this heat going to end then so I can tell her?”

Amajiki paused, quirking his head. “I already told her, she said it’s fine.”

Katsuki scowled.

“What are you talking about? Have you not seen these fucking claw marks! She’s still loopy as hell.”

Amajiki shook his head. “Mating season ended a few days ago, and she seemed coherent when I talked to her the other day.”

Katsuki blinked owlishly at him before scrunching his face with annoyance. You heard the echoes of his scream from your comfortable, relaxed position in bed, and your eyes widened with the knowledge you were caught. “(Name), you fucking faker!”

[spicycreativity]

Howl- Ch. 3

Chapter: 3/10

Add'l Notes: Fic is posted in full on my AO3, WizardGlick

Chapter content warnings: Depictions of alcohol use

“Nothing,” Remus pronounced. His breath ghosted over Virgil’s ear and he shuddered, pulling away so he could look Remus in the face. Remus was still in his work clothes and he smelled, not wholly unpleasantly, of sweat and dirty water.

“Nothing?” Virgil ran his pointer fingers behind both ears, just barely resisting the urge to dig in with his nails and see for himself, dammit.

“I think you’d know if aliens had stuck a tracking chip in your head,” Remus said, his own fingers dancing across the countertop toward the basket of enamel pins by the register.

Virgil ran his fingertips across his temples, still feeling for something, some marking or scar. “But if it wasn’t aliens...”

“Far be it from me to be the voice of reason,” Remus said, “but are we sure you weren’t just sleepwalking? Or high on peyote?"

Virgil continued to track Remus' fingers as he stuck his hand in the basket. "If you steal anything, it comes out of my paycheck." Not strictly true, but it would make Remus pause.

"I wasn't gonna steal!" Remus exclaimed, holding up his hands. "But now I kinda want to."

"Please don't." Virgil sighed and put his face in his hands. He'd noticed a strange metallic taste in his mouth after waking up properly, and even the desperate mouthfuls of Monster he'd been forcing down his throat couldn't seem to touch it. It hadn't touched his exhaustion much, either. Whatever Virgil had been up to last night had not been a restful activity.

"Oh, c'mon, don't freak out." Remus' hand sat heavy on Virgil's shoulder, warming him through the thin fabric of his Baphomet t-shirt. "You were probably just sleepwalking. It happens all the time. Roman used to sleepwalk all over the place when we were kids. One time we even found him asleep in the yard. Naked, just like you."

Virgil peeked over his fingertips. "Really?" Remus was not the type to lie to make someone feel better, but this story seemed a little far-fetched.

"I swear," Remus said, eyes wide with childish solemnity.

The only customer in the store stepped up to pay, and Remus stepped aside to let Virgil deal with them. He made faces behind their back, contorted himself into absurdly sexual poses and stuck out his tongue and wiggled his hips like Elvis in his prime. Virgil pursed his lips to keep from laughing. It had been a hard decision to ask Remus for help with this, but Virgil was glad he had chosen him.

Patton was a big softie and nearly as prone to panic as Virgil was. If he didn't escalate Virgil's paranoia about aliens then he would probably end up pressuring Virgil to make a police report. A useless endeavor, since no crime had actually occurred as far as Virgil knew. Roman and Janus would just make fun of him for being a tin foil hat-wearing loony. And Logan… Well. He might judge. He might not. But Virgil didn't want to look stupid in front of him. Not to mention that Logan would ask questions, force Virgil to face something he wasn't ready to face.

So Remus it was.

"Thank you," Virgil said when the customer had left and Remus had stopped gyrating his hips. "I know I'm being dumb and it was probably nothing."

"Janus isn't here right now," Remus said, pouring out the basket of enamel pins. They scattered and clicked across the countertop. "But if he was, I think he'd say--" Remus shifted his weight and crossed his arms, "'Now what did we say about negative self talk?'"

Virgil chose not to remind Remus that Bienvenue was only a few blocks away and he could easily go get Janus if he wanted. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I know it wasn't aliens."

"But if it was peyote, you do have to share," Remus said, his attention already back on the pins. He poked through them with one dirty fingertip.

Virgil watched for a moment, then joined in, turning the pins to face Remus so he could get a good look at them. Remus seemed particularly fixated on one shaped like a death's head moth. "That one's six dollars."

Remus braced his elbows on the counter and clasped his hands under his chin, lashes aflutter. "You know how you could repay me for checking your skull for alien trackers?"

Virgil nearly reached for his wallet before he realized what Remus was actually getting at. He sighed, biting back his smile all the while, and made a show of turning to inspect the rotating sticker display. "Uh-oh," he said in an exaggerated monotone. "I'd better make sure all the stickers are properly organized. Gee, I sure hope no one shoplifts while I'm doing that."

There was a brief moment of silence. It was broken when Remus, presumably done pocketing the pin, said, "So bowling night?"

"Huh?" said Virgil, trying to find the dirty joke. Maybe something about balls?

Remus pulled his phone out of the pocket of his work pants and shook it at Virgil. "Pastor Patton's little group bonding venture?"

"Don't call him that," Virgil muttered, digging his phone out of his pocket. Sure enough, of the messages he'd been ignoring all morning, one was a new group chat. He read through the messages. "How did Patton get your number?"

"Roman gave it to him."

"How'd he get Janus' number?"

Remus grinned. "I gave it to him. No way am I suffering through some corny adult bonding shit without backup."

"Am I not backup?" Virgil asked, unsure whether he should be offended.

"You can't be backup," Remus said dismissively. "You're the bridge. You forced me 'n' Roman to reunite, you made us all hang out. You're the bridge. You won't be as mean as I need you to be."

"I'm mean!" Virgil said. "I'm so mean!"

"Say something bitchy about Patton right now. Quickly!" Remus began to snap his fingers.

"Um," said Virgil. "Uh. Sometimes-- Well, sometimes he can be kinda… Smother-y?"

"Oh, please." Remus rolled his eyes. "That was almost healthy communication."

"Fine." Virgil crossed his arms over his chest.

Remus let him pretend to be upset for roughly three seconds. "But you are coming, right? Or are you gonna spend the night playing with Data's joystick?"

Virgil's cheeks went hot. "Of course I'm com--" He paused and reconsidered his choice of words. "Of course I'll be there. And Logan will, too."

"Wonder if I can start a betting pool," Remus said thoughtfully.

The bells on the door tinkled and Virgil leaned over to see past Remus. "Hi, welcome in," he said in his best customer service voice, which wasn't very good. "Let me know if I can help you find anything."

"Just browsing."

"Alright."

"Well," said Remus, affixing the moth pin to his hi-vis vest. "See you tonight?"

"Yeah," said Virgil. "Please be nice to Patton."

Remus winked and started to back out. "Sorry! Hazing is mandatory."

He slipped out the door, leaving Virgil to marinate in his anxiety.

--

Although he was exhausted, Virgil went for a short walk after work. He wandered by Bienvenue and stared at the fancy suits in the window and wondered how Janus always had the audacity to dress like he was attending a funeral at a high-end night club. His feet took him forward and he smiled a little. If there was one thing Janus had in abundance, it was audacity.

He stopped again by the reflecting pool at the Plaza and read the plaque. It had very little information and devoted barely half a sentence to the supposed curse. A shiver ran down Virgil's spine. He took a deep breath and carefully did not panic. As Logan would say, he shouldn't jump to conclusions. He needed more data.

Virgil didn't want more data. He would happily chalk his misadventure up to sleepwalking and banish it forcefully to his subconscious, if only it would never, ever happen again. He shivered again despite the balmy weather and muffled a yawn behind his hand. Time to go home and get whatever sleep he could before the inevitable disaster of bowling night.

He managed to get home without hitting any potholes. Whatever stormy weather had threatened Vaillant earlier in the week seemed to have passed, and he was treated to a spectacular view of a great blue heron flying low over the road. He even managed a few hours of sleep before he had to wake up and get ready.

He chose his outfit with care, scrutinizing it through Logan's eyes. What would Logan like? What did Logan like? Virgil had no idea about his preference in men or how he slotted into it.  Was it his height? His body shape? His eyes? What should he play up to make Logan like him? So Logan wouldn't regret choosing to be with him?

He dithered over this until he made himself late, and chose an outfit that he felt good in: long sleeves, long pants, the reassuring weight of his hoodie on his shoulders.

He kept it zipped up to his neck even after he entered the warmth and light of Vaillant's singular bowling alley, Gator Lanes. His friends were already seated. Waiting. For him.

Despite the wash of guilt, Virgil slowed and surveyed the scene. Patton and Logan sat on one of the low, pleather couches with a pair of bowling shoes between them. That left Roman, Remus, and Janus wedged on the other couch. They all looked like they were getting along, which was good. Roman and Remus were speed-eating French fries while the others talked.

Virgil approached from the back, gesturing for Patton and Logan to be quiet. He didn't miss the way Logan's eyes lit up; it sent a pleasant little rush of adrenaline all through his veins. When he was close enough, he leaned over and stole the pineapple off the rim of Janus' hurricane glass. It was dyed red from grenadine and tasted vaguely of rum.

"It's fine," said Janus, casually flipping Virgil the bird. "I wasn't saving that or anything."

"Guess you'll have to get another one," Remus said.

They started bickering about how drunk was too drunk for bowling night, so Virgil came around to Patton and Logan's side of the table. He kissed Logan hello while Patton explained about the shoes: "They were out of your size, so I got a size down instead of up, because I know you wear those really thin socks and I didn't want you to slip."

"Thanks, Pat," Virgil said. His hand found Logan's, somehow, and he smiled. "I wouldn't have put that much thought into it."

"That's why you have me!"

"Can we start now?" Roman asked, wiggling in place.

Patton stood up to fiddle with the control, and Virgil forced himself to nuzzle Logan's jawline with his nose. He wanted to do it, but the idea of being witnessed while he did so made his skin crawl.

Logan turned his head so they were nose-to-nose and smiled before pulling away. "Do you want me to order you a drink? We were going to, but we weren't sure what you'd want."

Roman threw a straw wrapper at them. "We're just about to start!"

"You're up second, too," Patton said cheerfully, flopping back down on the couch. "I put us in alphabetical order."

"I'll go, then," Virgil said. He squeezed Logan's hand and let go of it, stood.

"Don't forget to put your bowling shoes on," Janus said, eying Virgil's ratty leather ankle boots. Janus himself had somehow done the impossible and matched the colors of his suit to the dull red and blue of Gator Lanes' bowling shoes, making his whole outfit look deliberately tacky.

"When I get back."

"I'll go with you!" Roman got to his feet. "I already know I'm gonna lose. What's one more drink?"

"That's the spirit!" Remus said.

"Ha," said Patton, "I get it."

They turned to go, Roman bumping Virgil with his hip to prompt him forward. "So you and Logan, huh?" he said once they were out of earshot. "How's that going?"

"Fine," Virgil said, feeling the blush crawl onto his face. It was a short walk to the bar, but it suddenly seemed like miles and miles.

"You sure keep things close to your chest, don't you? Didn't say a word to me." Roman crossed his arms and looked sideways at him.

"I didn't think I had a chance!" Virgil exclaimed. "Wait. Did he say something to you?"

Roman winked at him, shushed him, and bellied up to the bar so he could order. Virgil hung back, one hand on his wallet, but Roman waved a hand. "Janus has a tab going," he said, turning back to Virgil.

"Does Janus know he has a tab going?" Virgil asked.

"Uh, yeah, it's not like I stole his card."

"It's not you I'm worried about," Virgil said, thinking of Remus and the moth pin.

"Ugh, you worry too much."

"This shouldn't be news to you, Roman, I have 'Worry Too Much' Disorder." Virgil flicked at his zipper pull. "Wait, so did Logan say anything to you?"

Roman smiled, even laughed a little. "Uh, yeah, he practically asked me and Patton for permission to ask you out. He made us promise not to tell you. Honestly, it was kinda cute how nervous he was."

"Nervous?" Virgil repeated. It was obvious now, but it hadn't occurred to him that Logan had lost just as much sleep over Virgil as Virgil had over him.

A harried-looking bartender popped up behind Roman, slid their drinks over, and vanished again practically before Virgil could force out a 'thank you.' Roman passed him his vodka Red Bull. "Let's go."

"Alright." Virgil sighed. It was probably better not to try to wring the details out of Roman, especially since he'd said that Logan had told him not to tell.

They reached their lane and he  scooted in next to Logan, snuggling up a lot closer than was necessary, especially given that Patton was currently up to bowl. "Welcome back," Logan said.

Virgil set his drink on the table and began to change his shoes over. "Having fun yet?" he asked Janus. He was still a little resentful that Remus and Janus didn't think he could be mean anymore. Just because he didn't want to shit-talk Patton behind his back. Sure, Remus had been the one to say it, but Virgil had no doubt the sentiment originated with Janus.

"Sure, I guess there's a sort of primal thrill in hurling a 14-pound ball at a target," Janus said primly.

"10 pounds," Logan said.

Virgil bit down on his lip to hide his smile.

"I'm sorry?" Janus tilted his head.

Logan gestured at the bright yellow ball sitting in the ball return. "10 pounds, not 14." Patton's ball came back, followed shortly thereafter by Patton. "16 pounds," Logan said.

"Pat's strong," Virgil said, elbowing Patton as he sat down. Janus bit down on an ice cube. "By the way," said Virgil, feeling a spark of pure evil manifest inside himself. "Have you guys made cutting boards yet?" To Janus, he said, "It's kind of a tradition."

"I'd heard," Janus said, shooting him a covert dirty look.

Virgil smiled at him and turned to Patton. "Janus would rather die than say so, but I can tell he's excited."

"Oh, good!" Patton said. To Janus, he said "I was actually a little worried you wouldn't want to do it."

Virgil's killing strike was delayed slightly by Remus' reappearance and Roman's subsequent disappearance, and he knew he had to act quickly or Janus would wiggle out of it when Virgil was taking his turn. Remus finally sat and stopped crowing about his spare, which no one had witnessed. Virgil pounced. "Bienvenue is closed on Sundays, isn't it?" he said to Janus, as though the shop hadn't kept the same hours for years. "Maybe you guys could do it then."

"The weather should be clear, too," Logan chimed in. Virgil looked at him, trying to gauge if he had picked up on the game, but his face gave nothing away.

"Works for me!" Patton said. "I'm putting the finishing touches on a coffee table for somebody down south, but I can make time on Sunday."

"Great," said Janus with a plastic smile Virgil knew he usually reserved for difficult customers. The daggers in his eyes promised a thorough bitching-out later, but Virgil didn't even care. So he wasn't mean anymore, hm?

"All you," said Roman, tapping Virgil on the shoulder.

Virgil nodded and took a long swallow of his vodka Red Bull. It was stupid, but walking up to bowl always felt like walking out on stage. He knew full well none of his friends were paying attention and even if they were, their friendly teasing was nothing to worry about. They knew when to stop. But still, his heart quivered as he approached the lane. By sheer luck, he managed not to get a gutter ball, then turned and hovered awkwardly as he waited for his ball to come back.

Logan caught his eye and winked at him, not even pausing in his explanation of the physics of bowling. Virgil smiled back, and suddenly everything seemed that much lighter, that much more bearable. He really had to stop worrying so much.

[softyoongiionly]

La Grande Maison: A Mystery in Three Acts 🎠

The rooftop is your safe haven. It’s your escape from the woes of the world below and, you and your best friends take every opportunity you can to visit this special place. It’s here that time slows down, that all your problems seem to fade away...

But when one of you goes missing, not even the rooftop can save you from the nightmare that has yet to unfold. 

Pairing: Jimin x Reader (but also this one is mainly about good ol fashion friendship)

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Word Count: 25k 

Warnings (please read me!!!): angst (like seriously chief this one is ROUGH), alcohol use (not excessive), drug use (not excessive), violence, mentions of murder/crime/kidnapping, swearing (excessive), mentions of death, character death (not major), SMUT (18+ only please). 

A/N: hello yes. It is me. This one is ALOT my friends. Like holy freaking heck. I am honestly so incredibly excited for you to read this and, I can’t wait to see what you think of it. It’s my actual baby and, I’m kind of nervous cause, I’ve never written a fic like this before so, I really really really hope you like it. If you do, please let me know, feedback means everything to me. 

Please Note: Bolded text indicates when characters are speaking Korean

Regarding Taehyung’s French scenes (yes our boy is fluent in french in this fic), I did my best. My french isn’t perfect so, if there are mistakes I am super sorry. 

Please please please let me know if you liked it!

I love you all so much, please enjoy.

Act I- Sur La Grande Maison

The rooftop is a place you often end up.  

It’s a little cliché, you think: a bunch of misfits corralled onto a dodgy high-rise building in the middle of the city, cigarette smoke wafting in the air.  

But you and your friends aren’t delinquents.  

The worst any of you has ever done is get a speeding ticket and that only happened because, one of you had dared Hoseok to go over 100 miles an hour on the highway: Hoseok never turns down a dare.  

But no, the rooftop is a quiet place despite the shady motel it rests upon and, it’s a place you and your group of friends cherish for different reasons  

Jin likes it because; he can spot new street food vendors from the massive height of the building. He’s made all of you try some interesting shit but, most of the time, it’s delicious.  

Namjoon has perfect view of the river and, sometimes he separates from the seven of you to write poetry while gazing down at it.  

Yoongi doesn’t always join you but, he finds himself dragging himself out of the house to listen to the underground rappers that perform in the club next door.  

He thinks he can do better.  

He’s probably right.  

The rooftop gives Hoseok the space to dance; he doesn’t have it downstairs in the room he rents and, he can’t afford a practice room. So, he brings out his old speakers and amuses the rest of you while he moves fluidly around the concrete.  

Taehyung loves to paint the skyline and, the roof allows him a view that he can’t get anywhere else. He’s painted it a hundred times but, he hasn’t used every color; not yet at least.  

Jungkook brings his dads old polaroid up every time you guys meet. He takes unflattering pictures of all of you and, you know it’s just for fun but, what you don’t know is that he’s made a collage on his wall of all of them and, he smiles at them each morning as he heads to work.  

And Jimin well…  

Jimin has a lot of reasons why he loves the rooftop:  

His friends of course; he can’t imagine his life without all of the late nights/early mornings he’s spent huddled up with his best friends, laughing so hard he can’t see straight.    

The view is amazing, it makes Jimin feel like he lives in a penthouse despite him working three minimum wage jobs just to keep a shitty roof over his head.  

But all of those things pale in comparison to his favorite thing about the rooftop: you.  

You’ve been friends since high school but eight months ago, he started realizing that the little crush he had is actually full-blown LOVE and, that he should probably tell you soon before he loses his shit.  

Luckily for him, you reciprocated.  

It wasn’t easy at first, Jimin’s a jealous man and, he let his trust issues get in the way but, after a few stupid fights, he decided he needed to grow up and knock it off.  

The rooftop saw it all, the fights, the making up, the making out and, one night when everyone fell asleep, Jimin made you cum three times underneath the blanket the two of you were sharing.  

It’s a little filthy he knows but, he gets kind of primal around you, he wants everyone to know you’re his.  

But he knows when it’s appropriate to do so and, he’d never try to control you.  

Unless you two were in bed together then, there are times when you give him that control.  

He always brings you down nicely though, he always kisses your forehead...  

You think you might fall in love with him a little more each time.  

“Y/N?”  

A voice brings you out of your thoughts and, you look up across the makeshift bonfire to see Hoseok smirking knowingly at you.  

“There’s an old mattress over by the chimney if you and Jimin need to relieve yourselves...”  

There is a small echo of laughter that moves through the group and, you cock your head in confusion, “What are you talking about?  

Jimin throws a cigarette butt at him, wrapping an arm around you, “Fuck off. She doesn’t realize she does it...” You feel him tuck a bit of hair behind your ear, smiling fondly at you, “Don’t worry about him, he’s just mad he doesn’t have a girl looking at him like that.”  

You turn towards the rest of your friends, “Wait what do you mean? What did I do?”  

With chaos in his eyes, Jin takes the cigarette Namjoon passes to him before nodding to you, “You were eye fucking your boyfriend.”  

“Shut uuuup.” You answer immediately, burying your face in Jimin’s neck which prompts a pleased round of laughter to move past his lips.  

You didn’t realize you were doing it but, you don’t protest his observation.  

It’s been nearly a month since you’ve had a night off, meaning you’ve gone without your boyfriend’s touch for way too long.  

He tugs you closer to him and presses a kiss to your head whilst everyone else laughs at your expense.  

As the night breeze rushes in to move between the eight of you, Jimin holds you even tighter, tugging the old knitted blanket around your body.  

“Give her a break, she’s been without dick for a long time...it’s been like a month since we met up.” Taehyung interjects, taking a drag of the cigarette before passing it to Jungkook.  

Cigarettes are nearly $10 a pack, so they share one at a time and, pitch in when the supply runs low.  

You don’t smoke but five of them do and, you’re kind of thankful your boyfriend isn’t one of them.  

“So? Do you guys not meet up in between? Y/N has a studio, plenty of privacy...” Jin waves his hand between the two of you, judgement in his eyes.  

Jimin tenses up beside you, not really enjoying the way the conversation has shifted, “We both work 3 jobs hyung, you know that.”  

“You’re right. Sex is probably quite straining for you...” Jin smirks, enjoying the annoyance in Jimin’s eyes.  

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jimin’s eyes are narrowed and, you are quickly coming up with a plan to distract your boyfriend from Jin’s teasing.  

His not exactly a good candidate for roasting; he’s far too sensitive for that.  

“You know cause it’s...” Jin positions his fingers in such a way that suggests that Jimin has a small dick  

“Jin-” Namjoon groans in warning but, Jungkook and Hoseok have already started snickering.  

You expect your boyfriend to pop off, guns a blazing, eyes alight with offence but, instead he just smirks.  

Letting his hand curve around the ball of your knee, he says something that nullifies Jin’s insult,  

“You don’t have to have a big dick to be good in bed hyung...”  

Jin isn’t phased and he raises his eyebrows as he holds the cigarette to his lips, “That’s something people with small dicks say.”  

Hoseok and Jungkook snicker again, enjoying the drama and Taehyung grins from behind his phone, shaking his head.  

Jimin’s smirk widens as his hand continues to trail up your thigh, “Do you think I’m bad in bed?”  

His question is spoken into your ear and, his breath against your skin causes a shiver to run through you.  

“No.” You giggle, leaning into him and, he’s quick to tighten his grip on you, his lips quickly finding the side of your head.  

“Now, Y/N...every good relationship is built on trust. You two will never last if you continue to lie.” Jin’s laughter escalates to a full-blown windshield wiper volume and, surprisingly enough, it’s Yoongi who shuts him down  

“Your fiancé made you sleep on the couch with me the other night because, you were too drunk to get it up so,” Yoongi tilts his head as if he’s wagering two options, “you're not really in the position to be talking shit.”  

Everyone’s face turns up in surprise as Yoongi, or Mouse, as they like to call him, puts Jin on blast without even looking up from his phone.  

“Mouse just ended your whole life bro.” Hoseok cackles, throwing back a bit of vodka as Jungkook leans into him with the weight of his laughter.  

Jin waves him off like the unbothered king he is and, gestures to the vodka bottle in Hoseok’s hands, “Mouse’s have tiny dicks too so, he’s just jealous.”  

Namjoon literally cringes in his seat, looking at Jin with incredulity, “Mice not mouse’s...”  

Taehyung laughs at that, leaning forward a bit to warm his hands around the fire. He looks exhausted but, then again, so do the rest of you.  

But it speaks volumes doesn’t it?  

That you’re all hear together, on your only days off, soaking up every bit of time you have.  

Roasting aside, anyone can see that there is nothing but love between the eight of you.  

If you had it your way, you’d spend every night up here.  

Jimin reminds you with his lips, just how long it’s been as he places a few kisses against your cheek, “Come play with me.”  

You giggle, turning in his grip to meet his grinning face, “You sound like the twins from The Shining...”  

Jimin’s eyes wrinkle with his laughter but, he’s quick to place a searing kiss to your lips along with another sinful phrase, “Please? I haven’t seen you naked in a month.”  

You shake your head, tucking hand behind his neck to pull him closer to you, “I’ve sent you nudes...”  

Jimin’s quick to kiss you again but, his lips pout further and, you notice the scent of after shave lingering around his face.  

That shouldn’t turn you on but, for whatever reason, it does.  

“Yes you did and, trust me when I say, I put them to good use-” He kisses you again, nudging your nose as he does, “but I want the real thing.”  

“Let’s go then.” You whisper against his lips  

He kisses you once more before, getting Hoseok’s attention, “Yah, I need your key.”  

Hoseok lives on the 8th floor of the motel you’re currently loitering on and, his room is a place you and Jimin often end up during nights like these.  

Most people would be weirded out by it but, for you guys, it’s normal.  

You don’t bat your eyes at the seedier sides of life, you’ve all lived through it in some way.  

Hoseok just smirks, reaching into the pocket of his jeans, “Stay off my bed unless you plan on inviting me this time.”  

Jimin just flips him off, grinning fondly at him before taking your hand and, tugging you towards the door.  

“Don’t be too long, we wanna play poker!” Jungkook calls after the two of you and, although Jimin has a mission in mind, he responds anyway.  

“With what money?”  

“We’re playing for bragging rights obviously, that shit means more to you heathens than actual money.” Namjoon smirks, taking a swig of the vodka before passing it to Yoongi.  

“That doesn’t apply to me; I would sell all of you for an even $500.” Yoongi remarks, taking a big gulp and, bearing his teeth as it burns his throat.  

The rest of you just laugh but, before you can add your two sense, Jimin is tugging you behind the door.  

He has you pressed up against it immediately, his hands finding your waist whilst his plush lips kiss you with everything he’s got.  

You’re quick to reciprocate as your hands slide around the curve of his neck. Delicately, your fingers tangle into the hair at the nape of his neck and, it spurs Jimin on even more as he groans into your mouth.  

“Christ, what are you doing to me?” He laments against your mouth, causing laughter to bubble past your lips, “It’s not funny...” He laments but, he’s grinning as he does, walking you backwards towards the elevator, “I’ve only been kissing you for ten seconds and, I’m already so hard.”  

You tug him through the elevator doors the collar of his t-shirt all while trying to keep your lips connected, “Should I only expect you to last for ten seconds too?”  

Jimin grunts in protest, his brows furrowing cutely as he shakes his head, “Don’t make fun of me, I missed you...” He whines playfully, smirking when you hitch a leg around his waist.  

“I missed you too.” You breath and, you always marvel at young Jimin can make you feel.  

You’re fully grown, sexually active adults and, yet here you grinding into one another like a bunch of hormonal rookies. The denim of his jeans pressing against the soft cotton of your panties hits you right in the pit of your stomach and, you’re honestly a little shocked by how wet you are.  

Jimin slides the key card through Hoseok’s door several times before it finally works.  

This motel is not a featured business on Yelp.  

“Fucking door- ugh Jesus I don’t know how he gets this open when he’s hammered.” Jimin laughs, pulling you close to him as soon as he shoves Hoseok’s door shut.  

“I have found him sleeping in the hallway before.” You point out but, the importance of your reply dies on your tongue when Jimin steps back to pull his shirt off.  

You don’t hide your reaction either, letting your eyes wander over the masterpiece that is Jimin’s body.  

He’s slightly tan from his days working at the pool, his sinewy muscles protruding tastefully against his smooth skin; it’s enough to make you drool.  

But to center yourself, you comment on something tangible before you literally start begging for him,  

“Your tattoo is healing nicely.” You nod your head to the black ink scrawled across Jimin’s ribs  

The word ‘nevermind’ has never looked so good on someone's skin before.  

He just smirks, “Yeah, it’s still a little sore though.”  

“Oh?” With a tilt of your head, you let your eyes scan over it again, “Should I kiss it better?”  

Your question doesn’t get answered because the next thing you know, Jimin has you on the couch, sat astride on his lap with your shirt half way up your torso.  

“I want you naked- I don’t give a fuck if they’re waiting on us...”  

All you can manage is a nod and, Jimin quickly tugs your shirt over your head.  

He connects his lips to the crook of your neck, sighing into your skin as if the taste alone soothes him.  

“You missed me too right?” He mumbles causing you to gently tug on the black tendrils of his hair so he’ll face you.  

“Of course.” You peck his lips once before pushing him back against the arm of the couch, “See?”  

Jimin nearly busts right there when you lean back to pull your skirt up, exposing the dampened material of your panties.  

Your boyfriend has a panty fetish that nearly warrants concern. For months, he would beg you to leave your panties with him after the two of you had sex until finally; you were down to your last 8 pair.  

He bought you more of course but, that didn’t stop him from begging all over again.  

“Fuck these are my favorite...” He winces at the sight, letting out a shaky breath before his darkening irises find yours again, “Leave them on.”  

You smirk, letting your skirt down and, pecking at his lips once again, “I thought you wanted me naked.”  

He bites down on your bottom lip, pulling it for a moment and, letting it snap back in place,  

“I changed my mind. I wanna cum all over these pretty little panties you’re wearing instead...”  

Jimin makes good on his promise.  

Sex with Jimin is something else.  

The pleasure he brings you is so intense it’s almost painful.  

It’s almost painful because, you hardly see each other and, if you had it your way, you’d be in his lap all the time.  

But, life doesn’t work that way.  

So, you take what you can get.  

He makes you cum twice on his dick, with his thumb pressed firmly against your clit.  

He whispers dirty secrets in your ear and, somehow manages to make you feel both filthy and beautiful all at once.  

Prodding another weakness of his, hickies, you help him reach his own release and, within 10 minutes he’s attaining the orgasm he’s been craving so desperately.  

“Fuck, I missed you so much...” He croons into your neck, nuzzling his nose there for a moment as you run your fingers through his hair.  

“I missed you too.” You smile, kissing the shell of his ear  

The two of you stay like that for a moment, kissing on one another, relishing in your reunion.  

When the time is right, the two of you will share a place one day but, for now, you have to continue working hard and saving money for the things your future.  

And speaking of making money...  

Your phone buzzes in the pocket of your skirt and, you sadly drag your attention away from your boyfriend to see a text from your boss at the nursing home  

Xander: Christian called out tonight :/  

Xander: you want to work a double?

Night shifts pay time and a half and, it would be another 8 hours on this next paycheck...  

It’s like a punch to the chest really.  

Because, you have to leave.  

One your one night off in nearly a month.  

You feel like crying but, you know that’s ridiculous.  

Jimin’s face falls as he sees the text on your phone but, he knows that his disappointment will only make you feel guilty and, he really doesn’t want that.  

So instead, he curls a finger underneath your chin and, kisses you with a tenderness that he doesn’t often display.  

Not that he isn’t sweet with you, it’s just that his lips are sinful and, normally they are working you into a frenzy.  

The time you two have together is so limited that everything always feels so rushed but, in this moment, he takes the time to kiss you slowly.  

And as he brushes a thumb across your cheek, he makes a promise to you, “I promise, we’ll get our break someday and, when that day comes, I’ll be kissing this pretty mouth of yours every chance I get...”  

You smile, leaning into his hand, “I’ll make you breakfast every morning…and we can decorate together our place together and-“

Jimin interrupts your fantasy with a kiss, grinning fondly into your lips, “Anything you want.”

You wrap your arms around him once more, tucking your face into his neck, wishing desperately that you can stay here with him all night…

“I love you.” You whisper into his skin  

“I love you too.” He replies, kissing the side of your head

Jimin walks you downstairs to the exit of the motel and, he tries his best to swallow his disappointment.

Your car is in the shop so; you’ll catch the bus right up the street and, try to remind yourself why you’re working so hard.

With a tight and lingering embrace, Jimin says his goodbyes to you, pecking your lips a dozen more times.

“Text me when you get home tonight…” He requests with a soft voice and, you nod, kissing him once more before stepping outside.  

Jimin leans against the stained glass, watching you with love in his eyes as you turn to wave frantically at him.

It brings a giggle to his lips as he waves back, feeling an ache in his heart as you disappear into the crowd of people.

Jimin knows he’s never loved another person the way he loves you.

He knows he wants to spend the rest of his life with you.

But what Jimin didn’t know is that the agony of watching you leave after only a short time with him is nothing compared to the pain he has yet to endure.

Because tonight is no ordinary night.

Tonight, is the night you go missing.

Kosei Police Station, Thursday 6:24am

It’s been 54 hours since your friends heard from you.

Xander called Jimin, your emergency contact, when you didn’t show up for your shift Monday night.

The group promptly blew up your cell phone, trying any means necessary to reach you.

When there was no reply, they showed up to your apartment and much to their horror, the property manager has no recollection of you returning home.  

“How long has she been missing?”

Jimin wants to scream at the uninterested clerk behind the desk.

He wants to scream in general.

The police station should be in full chaos at the news of your absence.

They should be on the phone with every available resource, repeating your name and details over and over.

But it’s not.

It’s eerily calm and, he doesn’t understand why.

“The last time I saw her was on Monday. She was supposed to work that night but, her manager said she never showed up.”  

Jimin doesn’t recognize his own voice.

He feels like he’s outside of his body.

“Mhm…” The man drone behind the glass, casually typing a few things into the computer, “And what was her name again?”

Jimin’s blood boils over and, thank god for Namjoon because, he immediately intervenes.

“Y/N Y/L/N. She’s __ years old, she has __ hair, __ eyes and, she was last seen at the Paybrook Motel, Monday night. This isn’t like her to disappear. What is your protocol for these kinds of things?”  

The man enters the information before shrugging at Namjoon’s question, “Uh we’ll send a squad car out to do some ground work but, uh honestly most cases like these are resolved pretty quickly, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

Taehyung arches a brow, leaning in towards the bulletproof glass, “You wouldn’t- you wouldn’t worry too much about it? Our best friend is missing…”

The man nods immediately, as if he’s amending his mistake, “Of course, I just mean- she’ll probably turn up you know, most people do.”

Jimin’s eyes are stinging, he’s trying his best to keep it together but, the fluorescent lights are blinding him, the stale scent of old coffee makes him want to vomit, he feels like he’s losing his mind.

“Y/N isn’t most people…” Jimin spits, his eyes honing in on the man, “She wouldn’t just vanish like this, something must have happened to her, this is an emergency. Why aren’t you sending someone out right now?”  

“Sir, this is the inner city, no offense but, people like her disappear all the time…”

Jimin’s eyes narrow, “People like her? What the fuck does that mean?”

“Jimin.” Yoongi murmurs, wrapping an arm around him and urges him away from the desk before things get out of hand.

Surprisingly, Jimin follows but, not without sending a warning glare towards the clerk.

Long story short; the police are no help.

They don’t understand the gravity of the situation.

They don’t seem to grasp the pain the seven of your friends are feeling.

Even if they did, it doesn’t appear that they would care either way.

But the thing is, your friends are used to this.

They are used to being let down by the people who they’re supposed to trust.

Their hardships cultivated a unique ability within them each of them.

And that ability was to fend for themselves.

So a plan is made to spread out and search for you on their own.  

With heavy hearts and fire running through their veins, Jin, Yoongi, Namjoon, Hoseok, Jimin, Taehyung and, Jungkook leave their responsibilities behind to search for their best friend.

Act II- Sous La Grande Maison

Jimin- Chillzzz Ice Cream Parlor, Black Swan Brewery and Pub, Cozy Acres Retirement Home  

Thursday 7:38pm-10:01pm

Jimin spent most of the day retracing your steps like a mad man. He went back to the motel and, walked along the path you would have taken to the bus stop, he showed your photo to every person who would give him the time of day. He spoke with subway drivers, businessmen in suits, homeless people but, no one spoke up, most of them wouldn’t even look at him…

He cried beneath the awning of the motel, not even noticing the judgmental looks that were thrown his way.

For good measure, he calls you and texts you another 50 times as he tries to swallow the acidic taste of fear crawling up his throat.

Where the fuck were you?

He visits your boss at the ice cream store but, she says she hasn’t seen you since your shift Monday morning.

He makes his way to the dive bar you wait tables at but, they have the same story except they haven’t seen you since Sunday night.

Everyone at both locations says the same thing though…

“It’s so unlike her you know? To just disappear.”

“I really hope nothing happened to her.”

“Whatever you need, just let us know.”

Jimin feels like he wants to pass out.

He feels like he’s been dropped in the dead center of a nightmare.

But, he knows he has to act quickly

The city has a habit of swallowing people whole and, he’ll be damned if his girlfriend falls victim to its clutches.

He makes a final stop at the retirement home you work in to speak with Xander.

Xander shows his concern for you in a big way; it makes Jimin slightly uneasy.

“Oh my god what are we gonna do? The police aren’t on it? How are they not taking this seriously?

“Jimin, we have to find her man, I would be devastated if something happened to her.”

“She’s my best employee, she’s absolutely precious…”

Jimin has half a mind to tell him to ‘shut the fuck up’

This is his girlfriend.

His everything.

Not Xander’s.

But Jimin knows he’s sensitive right now and, Xander’s behavior is a nice change of pace.

At least he gives a shit.

With all of his leads coming up dry, he decides to visit the one person who just might be able to help.

Someone who always assured him that they would be there should he need absolutely anything.

Someone who just might have the means to operate above the incompetence of the police department.

“Come here.” Lady’s voice is tender and, reassuring as she quickly pulls Jimin into her chest.

He collapses into her arms, an abrupt sob leaving his lips as he clutches the satin of her blouse.

Lady is a special person.

Jimin started working as her pool boy just over a year ago and, she quickly welcomed him into her life.  

She was becoming the mother Jimin never had and, in this moment, in the wake of his misery, he needs her more than ever.

“I don’t understand-“ He cries into her neck, her perfume is far too strong for his liking but, he remains close to her anyway, “Where is she? She never does this, she always gets back to us I- fuck…what if something happened to her? What if someone ki- ki…oh my god.” He wants to throw up, he can’t even get the word to pass his lips because, the thought of you being harmed literally sickens him.

“Shhh shhh shh, honey it’s ok, just breathe for me alright? Just breathe…” She coos, rubbing his back gently, her face tight with sadness, “I already have my guys working on it. They got started this morning once the news broke. I’ll put flyers up at the country club as well; everyone I have at my disposal is out there looking for her alright?”

Jimin just nods, he isn’t able to say much through his tears but, her words do calm him slightly.

Lady has resources that Jimin doesn’t have and, for the first time, he is going to accept her help.

She’s offered to assist him many times in a myriad of different ways:

Rent money, tuition assistance, money for textbooks, a new car…

But Jimin’s turned them down all the same; he never wants to feel like he owes someone for something.

He accepts the free food and, the occasional fancy clothes she gifts from her deceased husbands closet and, if anyone thinks of judging him for strutting around in dead guy clothes, Jimin would promptly remind them that he is wearing Gucci and, they are not.

This time though, Jimin doesn’t protest; he will take all the help he can get from anywhere he can get it…

“Let's get you a cup of tea or something, c’mon...”  

Lady ushers Jimin to the rich color of her lignum vitae dining table and, she even ensures she pulls out a chair for him to rest easy on.  

Jimin practically slumps into it, his body helpless.

Lady already had a pot ready for him and, although Jimin tries to act like he doesn’t enjoy it, she knows Lavender is his favorite...

“The police have her vehicle information in their news report, I’ll have my guys searching for her civic in no time.” She murmurs, pouring his tea and, eyeing him carefully.

Jimin winces, watching the steam rise from his cup, trying to hold onto reality, “Her car is still in the shop.”  

“That’s right my goodness,” Lady puts a hand to her chest, shaking her head,  “Do you think the person who cut her cables had something to do with this?”  

His heart sinks but, he hesitates a moment before responding, dread filling his chest once again, “I- I don’t know maybe? It’s not impossible. It’s been in the shop for the last two months though, it wouldn’t make sense for them to wait so long. Oh god, unless they have been watching her? Do you really thinks that’s possible?”  

She brings him into her arms again, the pads of her fingers rubbing gently against his lower back, “There are sick people in this world Jimin. But I promise you honey, we are going to do everything we can to bring her home.”  

Jimin leaves Lady’s house with a slightly better outlook.

Slightly

You are still missing of course but, at least he has someone powerful on his side.

Lady is an incredible person and, without her, Jimin thinks he might lose his mind.

Jin- The Night Market, Friday 8:22pm  

You all like the rooftop for different reasons, Jin likes it for the landscape of the night market: The neon lights illuminating the different food carts, the bustling movement of all of the patrons eager to try the next deep fried delicacy. As he walks along the wet cement, he smiles to himself, remembering all the times he used to drag the seven of you down here. He always saved his tips from the restaurant, and once a month, he would splurge, buying everything in sight. The complaints would soon cease as he shoved fried cheese in your faces, the desire to eat like royalty overcoming the group. And you would, you’d eat until you couldn’t walk anymore and, Jin would feel warmth blooming in his chest as he watched all of his friends, whom were more like family, eating well. He’s the oldest, he would think, it was his job to watch over the people he loves. It’s in this moment, as he’s reminiscing that he feels despair tear through his heart.  

He had failed.  

Because, one of you were gone.  

One of you weren’t safely tucked under his mother-goose gaze.  

Your smile comes through his subconscious then and, it feels like a thousand tiny needles scurrying up his cheeks to prick at his eyes.  

You always laughed at his puns, no matter how stupid they were

You always tried whatever food he put in front of you, no matter how strange or spicy it was, you’d humor him.  

With a heavy hand, he wipes the tears from his eyes before they can spill over.  

He doesn’t have time for pain right now.  

Because, tonight he’s at the market for different reasons.  

Tonight, he was here to investigate.  

The Night Market vendors are an interesting crowd, most of them were older, just trying to make ends meet by selling their creations but, there were a few newcomers that Jin’s noticed over the years.  

They were lured in by the neon, the paper lanterns, the money…  

They didn’t understand the culture of this place and, Jin resented them for it.  

“Yah! You’re the money man yeah? Are you buying me out tonight? Where are your friends?”  

Jin is forced out of his inner thoughts and, he meets the eyes of an older gentleman who owns the Mandu stand; one of his favorites.  

“I’m not here for much tonight, my friends are busy but,” He selfishly scans the selection of dumplings, plump and ripe for the taking. He points to a pork and vegetable one to the right of the case, “I’ll take one of the pork ones for the road. Is it ok if I ask you a few questions?”  

The man wrinkles his brow in confusion, “Me? I guess so, what can I do for you?”  

With a deep sigh, Jin pulls out his phone, with a photo of you as his home screen. He swallows back the bit of misery in his throat as he sees your face, before showing it to the vendor, “This is my friend. She went missing three days ago and, she was last seen up on that rooftop over there, “ He gestures to the motel, “She left alone and, she would have walked right past here on her way home. Did you see her at all?”  

As he pushes his glasses up his nose, the man squints at the photo, trying to make sense of it. After a moment, he shakes his head.  

“Sorry. I haven’t seen her.” His eyes flit over the image again, a bit of darkness lingering in his eyes, “Pretty little thing though…”  

Jin immediately rips his phone from the man’s view, disgusted at his comment but, he doesn’t want to make a scene and risk his line of information being cut off.  

“Thanks. If you remember anything let me know. I’ll be around for a bit.”  

He grunts in response, his interest waning as another customer walks up to his stand.  

Jin feels an immense amount of frustration; why the fuck does this man think its ok to gawk at you despite what he’s just told him?  

Does he have no heart?  

Raking his hand through his hair, Jin takes a deep breath. He doesn’t have time for his emotions right now, he needs to push forward.  

He moves throughout the stands, showing your picture to every familiar face that will give him the time of day.  

The chorus of no’s that echo back at him, slowing chip away at his resolve and, he feels himself growing desperate as he nears the end of the market.  

He hates how suspicious he feels.  

He hates that this place, which is home to so many happy memories, is now shrouded with a kind of darkness that he’s only ever read about in books.  

He feels sick with the thought of coming back without you; he doesn’t think he ever would.  

There is a few stands left, which Jin moves through without success before he finally reaches the Tteokbokki stand.  

It’s his favorite and, normally he’d be shoveling an entire tray of it into his mouth.  

But tonight, the smell of the sauce makes his stomach turn.  

“Excuse me, have you-“ Jin begins wearily but, he’s quickly cut off by the man beneath the umbrella.  

“You’re here about the missing girl right?”  

The man’s brow rises but, it does nothing to smooth out the valleys of wrinkles between his eyes.  

“I am…” Jin crosses his arms, reluctant to continue the conversation as the man smirks salaciously in his direction, “How did you know?”  

His smirk grows when he holds up a yellow walkie-talkie, “Word travels fast. I’m guessing you’re here to ask me if I’ve seen her and, I would tell you that I have but, unless you have something to offer me. I’m afraid that’s all I plan on telling you.”  

Jin’s face immediately flushes red. Anger floats up beneath the surface of his surprise but, he knows that if he reacts in the way he that wants to, the man will shut down.  

“What do you want?” He mutters through the tension in his jaw.  

The man’s gaze travels over Jin’s figure before settling on the pocket of his jeans, “Buy me out for the night and, I’ll tell you what I saw...”  

A quick scan of his cart shows Jin roughly 3 dozen trays of Tteokbokki. Even if he had an appetite, he doesn’t have the stomach or the means to consume that much food, nor does he have a way to get it back to his apartment.  

“How much is your cart worth?”  

The man tilts his head, squinting his eyes in thought, “Well, its 3 for a tray and there’s 47 on the cart…you do the math.”  

Jin finally does send a glare towards the man; enraged that he’s capitalizing off of his grief but, he types in the calculations none the less.  

“$141…” He concludes, showing him the number on his cell phone, “I don’t have that much.”  

With a shrug, the man gives Jin a look of faux disappointment, “That’s a shame, I guess my memory is a little hazy then. Maybe I saw her, maybe I didn’t-  have a good night.”  

“Wait- please I…” Jin takes a deep breath, pulling out a wad of cash from his pocket, “I only have $100 right now but, I can get more. I work at the sushi restaurant up the street, I’ll bring you all of my tips for the next week.”  

The man eyes him suspiciously, mulling over his offer, “The next two weeks…”  

Jin’s never been so angry in his life and, part of him wants to flip over his cart and, leave him to clean up the mess but, he knows he has to bargain with him.  

He has no other choice.  

“Fine.” He throws the money onto the counter with a stern look, “Keep the food, just tell me what you know.”  

The man takes his time, counting the money greedily, smirking with satisfaction as he tucks it into his shirt pocket.  

“I saw your friend leaving that motel you always hang out at. The one across the street-“ He nods to the ratty building, “She left and walked along the road for some time before a man approached her.”  

Jin’s heart picks up, “A man? What man? What did he look like?”  

“I didn’t get a close look. He was tall and dressed in some fancy ass suit. They walked together all the way up the road until I couldn’t see them anymore. She didn’t look uncomfortable; in fact…it kind of looked like she knew him.”  

As the man tells his story, Jin writes all of the details down in his phone but, the last bit confuses him.  

He didn’t know you knew anyone that owned a suit.  

Suits are a luxury that neither he nor any of the other guys can afford.  

So who were you with then?  

“That’s all? Anything else you remember?”  

The man shakes his head, “That’s all I got for you. Thanks for the cash, I look forward to seeing you again with the rest of it.”  

A chorus of snickering comes with his last comment and, Jin finally decides he’s had enough of him.  

With a roll of his eyes, he walks away, leaving the hustle and bustle of the night market to slowly fade behind him as he makes his way up the street.  

He begins typing a message to the group chat, informing everyone of what he found.  

He sees your icon at the top of his screen whilst he does and, it triggers the tears collecting in his eyes to finally spill over.  

Namjoon- The Marquee River, Friday 9:54pm  

Namjoon loves the rooftop for the view of the river. He loves the way the sun and moon expertly change the color of its surface from a crystal blue in the daytime to an inky black in the evening. He loves the way people congregate around it. It’s such a stark contradiction to the city. Everyone always looks so happy and so patient with one another. Families are sprawled out on picnic blankets, friends are laughing and sharing homemade dishes, lovers walk along the river holding hands…  

It’s a magical place.  

Well, at least Namjoon thinks so.  

The boys tease him for it, they call him Namstradamus and, say he concerns himself with hypothetical situations far too often.  

But you get it though.  

You’ve sat with Namjoon on many nights while he smokes a cigarette, watching the interactions with the same fondness he does.  

You laughed as he did little voices for the people he saw and, listened eagerly as he created stories for each of them.  

You told him he should be a writer and Namjoon felt a satisfaction that his imagination could entertain you.  

Deep down, being a writer is something he’s always dreamed of.  

He wishes he was on the rooftop with you now, laughing and bullshitting.  

He wishes he could see your smile when Jimin shouts a raunchy compliment your way and, makes a comment about how Namjoon is trying to steal you from him.  

Its all for fun though.  

Namjoon doesn’t love you like that but, the way he loves you makes tonight’s task so much harder.  

He loves you like a sister and, his sister is gone.  

Vanished.  

And he has to figure out why.  

Namjoon is wearing his father’s coat; it’s the only thing warm enough for this weather he tells himself but, really he wears it because it’s the nicest thing in his home.  

It makes him feel capable, even though he’s never felt more inadequate in his life.  

There isn’t many people left at the river tonight, the cold weather is keeping everyone inside along with the news of your disappearance.  

Namjoon has someone in mind though.  

Someone who is always here: the groundskeeper.  

Namjoon notices him emerge as people begin packing up their things but, he doesn’t approach him just yet.  

He stands back and observes his behavior, carefully planning what he needs to say.  

But, Namjoon doesn’t get much time as the groundskeeper has noticed him too.  

“What is it you seek madam? I can do anything…anything you wish.”  

The voice of the groundskeeper is ominous; it makes the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention but, his words confuse him even more.  

“Uh excuse me, I’m really sorry to bother you but, I was wondering if you’ve seen my friend. She went missing a few nights ago, I have her picture here…” Namjoon goes to pull out his phone but, the man stops him with a laugh.  

It’s not a pleasant sound, it’s crazed and dismissive, it doesn’t mirror the laughter he normally hears from the river.  

It makes his stomach turn.  

“I know what the princess looks like madam, I’ve seen her looking down at me many times.” The moonlight shines upon his face then and, it’s enough for Namjoon to make out his features.  

He looks filthy, skin alight with grease, hair matted with the same substance, his eyes are blue and unfocused. A giant scar interrupts his features and, Namjoon does his best to remain composed despite his appearance.  

“So have you seen her? She would have walked right passed here on her way home.” He flashes the picture towards him anyway but, it only prompts another ridiculous laugh from him and, Namjoon feels himself growing irritated.  

“Yep! That’s the one! The princess marked for slaughter, oh but she runs from her fate doesn’t she? She runs and runs and runs runs…..she runs a lot. It’s no use madam, you’ll always catch her in the end.”  

As he hears the word slaughter, Namjoon feel his blood boil over and, he quickly grabs the snickering man by his shirt, “What the fuck are you talking about?”  

The man falters with a gasp but, his laughter continues, his breath fowl and unkempt, “She is gone forever. Left to destiny…left to rot…”  

Namjoon feels his heart jump in his chest and he tugs at the man’s shirt again, harder this time, “What do you mean gone? Did you do something to her? If you touched her, I swear I’ll fucking kill you, my friends and I will tear you apart!”  

Tears don’t aid in Namjoon’s attempt to look tough but, he can’t help himself.  

His grief is unbearable and, all this man can do is laugh…  

“I have nothing for you madam…what’s done is done.” He seethes, bearing his grimy teeth as he smiles  

“Why do you keep calling me madam? You know who I am, you’ve seen my friends before. What the fuck is wrong with you?”  

The man responds by placing a dirty hand against Namjoon’s cheek, leaning in towards his ear, “You are…a work of art madam, it was a pleasure to serve you…”  

With this, the man shoves away from Namjoon’s hold and rushes back to the trashcan, muttering to himself all the while.  

Namjoon feels unsafe around him, especially as he notices how empty the river has become so, he decides to get out of there.  

He wipes his tears as he moves through the trees back towards the noise of the street.  

There is nothing but utter anguish inside of him now.  

One of his best friends is missing and, his only lead is a raging lunatic.  

He sends his findings to the group chat anyway, praying that someone has more information than he does, praying that this nightmare will come to an end. 

 Yoongi- Ginseng Night Club, Saturday 12:04am,  

Yoongi hates clubs. There’s too many people, they’re too loud, everyone is drunk and stupid. He doesn’t really see the point in them. However, Ginseng has a vibe he can appreciate. It’s a little more laid back, a little less expensive and, it’s major upside is its showcase of underground rappers. Yoongi’s never had the courage to get up on stage but, he likes to listen from the rooftop. He judges the contestants from a far because, let’s face it, most of them are trash but, he enjoys their enthusiasm. Some of them are actually pretty good though and, a lot of times Yoongi has to swallow the avarice he feels when he hears them. He can rap too but, the only people who know about it are his friends.  

They tell him he’s good enough to make it big but, Yoongi never believes them.  

He misses freestyling on the rooftop though and, tonight he’s missing your reactions in particular.  

You were always pushing him to perform and one day, drunkenly, you had managed to convince him to promise you that he’d perform at Ginseng on his 26th birthday.  

That date is steadily approaching and, although he was terrified of keeping that promise, he desperately wishes that were the reason he was pushing through the crowd at Ginseng right now.  

But it isn’t…  

Tonight, he’s here to deal with bleaker matter: your disappearance.  

Ginseng is cheaper for a reason and, that reason happens to be the crowd.  

It’s known for its cast of shady characters: drug dealers, con artists, underground fighters, etc.  

He thinks it’s a little pointless, walking into a room full of potential criminals, hoping one of them has the heart to spill any information regarding his missing friend but, he had to try.  

Yoongi decided on all black for the evening; it makes him feel bigger and, prepares him for the onslaught of human interaction he’s dreading.  

Immediately, his chest is met with the hammering base from the speakers, whilst his nose is met with the stench of cheap liquor and, all eyes are on him.  

He’s an unfamiliar face in a club that profits off of regular attendees but, he swallows his anxiety and, soldiers on, heading straight for the bar at the back of the club.  

“What can I get for you?” A short haired woman barks over the music,  sending a mild glare Yoongi’s way.  

He notices the tattoos adorning her neck and arms and, he feels intimidated by her presence but, he responds none the less.  

“Whiskey neat.” He mutters, sliding a ten her way and, she eagerly strips it from the counter, shoving it into the register.  

“You’ve never been here before.” She notes dryly, grabbing a bottle of Jack from the shelf.  

Yoongi nods, shifting on the barstool, “Yeah, I’m here to see if anyone’s seen my friend. She disappeared on this street the other night…”  

The woman smirks, nodding her head towards the crowd of people, “Do these people look like they’d be up for snitching?”  

He glances back momentarily, “No but, I thought I’d try anyway. I have a picture of her…” He pulls out his phone, flashing the image of you towards the bartender.  

She gives it a once over before shaking her head, “Haven’t seen her. I’d remember her if I had. Girlfriend?”  

“No…” He clicks the side of his phone, shutting the screen off, “Do you know if I could talk to someone who comes here a lot? Like a regular or something? I’m not trying to cause trouble but-“  

“These people aren’t gonna tell you shit unless you speak to Jaebeom first and, I don’t know if he’d be willing to talk to scrawny little thing like you.”  

Yoongi has to swallow back the feelings he gets from her insult, feeling smaller and smaller under her gaze.  

“Who’s Jaebeom?”  

“The owner.” She pushes the drink Yoongi’s way, spilling some of it onto the dirty countertop, “He only does business in Korean…”  

“Call him up then,” Yoongi retorts sternly, growing annoyed with her attitude and the carelessness with his liquor, “, that’s my native language. Or tell me where he is…”  

“He’s a busy man… I don’t know if he’ll have time for you…”                  

“Ask him anyways.”  

There’s a bit of a stare off lingering between the two of them but, Yoongi doesn’t falter, his confidence waxing.  

He’ll be a dick if he has to, he doesn’t care; he has to figure out where you are.  

She rolls her eyes, grabbing the receiver from underneath the bar before muttering something into it. Something causes her to raise her brows in surprise and, she looks a little disappointed as she passes the receiver to Yoongi.  

He takes it, holding it up to his ear,  

“What do you want?”  

Moving the receiver to his lips, he responds clearly, trying to mask his nerves, “My friend is missing and, I want to know if you’ve seen her. Or if you know anything about her disappearance.”  

The man chuckles deeply on the other end of the line, “Am I a suspect?”  

“Everyone is. But I’m not a cop; I’m just here to see if anyone has seen anything.”  

“And the police? Do they know about your little friend?”  

Yoongi grasps the receiver firmer, attempting to amp up his toughness as he responds, “The police are fucking useless. Look, just let me show you here picture, if you haven’t seen her, I’ll leave.”  

There’s only a bit of silence but, it’s enough to get his heart racing before he finally gets a reply, “Second floor, room 632. Don’t make me wait for you.”  

Yoongi obliges, pounding his drink and rushing off to meet the man behind the voice.  

Jaebeom seems to tower over Yoongi despite the mere inches he has on him and, he looks more intimidating than Yoongi ever could.  

Three facial piercings, arms wrapped completely in tattoos, loose tank top adorning his muscular figure; if Yoongi were in a different world, he’d be wishing he was meeting this stranger in his room for different reasons.  

“Let’s see it then…”  

Yoongi shows him the photo of you and much to his surprise, Jaebeom nods, pointing a finger towards it, “I’ve seen her before, not recently though. She came in a few months ago and bought a bottle of Midori from me. She’s your girlfriend?”  

Yoongi shakes his head, “No, she’s with my other friend but, you’ve seen her? Did she come in alone?”  

The room smells of marijuana and as Jaebeom lifts a joint to his lips, Yoongi can see why.  

He nods, blowing out a billow of smoke, careless to where it ends up, “She was alone yes, I didn’t speak to her much. She was polite, left me a tip, batted her eyes a bit and left. She’s cute, it’s a shame she’s taken.” He smirks, lifting the joint to his mouth again, “Both literally and figuratively….”  

Yoongi takes a deep breath through his nose, attempting to calm down, “You haven’t seen her since?”  

“No. Honestly, why are you here? Do you really think my guys are into kidnapping? There are plenty of hot woman downstairs. No one is looking to steal. You’re on the wrong side of town for this shit. “  

“What do you mean?”  

“I mean,” Jaebeom flicks the ash onto the floor, nodding to the window beside him, “You should be asking questions in the Upside. They hunt poor bitches like that for sport.”  

Yoongi’s anger floods his brain before he can process everything he’s said, “Watch your mouth. She has a name and, I suggest you learn it before I-“  

With a puffed out chest, Jaebeom steps toward Yoongi, “Before what huh?”  

Yoongi moves back, shaking his head, “Nothing I-“ He sighs, holding his hands up, “I’m sorry. I’m angry, its been a long week. My friends and I just want her home.”  

Jaebeom deflates a bit, scanning over the smaller man in front of him, “My sister disappeared two years ago. Same street. Like I said,” Jaebum plops down in his arm chair, sadness flashes through his eyes, “You’re in the wrong part of town…”  

He nods, biting his lip at Jaebeom’s admission, “Did they ever find her?”  

“They might have…” He takes a hit of the joint, blowing it out with a scoff, “if they fucking looked.”  

Yoongi’s blood runs cold then, seeing the similarities between the two situations.  

No one cares about the people who disappear from this part of town.  

He leaves Jaebeom’s room, feeling worse than when he had arrived but, he reports his findings to the group chat anyway.  

Maybe Jaebeom was right, maybe him and his friends were looking on the wrong side of town…  

Jungkook and Hoseok- The Paybrook Motel, Saturday 7:07am  

Jungkook and Hoseok are newer to the harshness of the city. They come from sweet families, with good intentions. The lack of financial resources is compensated with a lot of love and encouragement. Their lives were similar: simple and sweet. They didn’t have too many run ins with childhood trauma or absent parental figures; they loved their home life, probably to a fault.  But given their lack of money and their love of their friends, they also found reasons to love the rooftop. Hoseok uses the concrete as an affordable practice space and Jungkook uses the view as the main muse for his photography.  

You’re running through their head as they approach the motel.  

Hoseok feels a pang of sadness in his chest as he remembers all the times you would cheer him on from your lawn chair, calling him the b-boy of the year, smiling from ear to ear even when he fucks up his choreography.  

Jungkook remembers showing you an album he made of the summer the eight of you had. He remembers you growing teary eyed as he neared the end and, telling him what an amazing photographer he was. He swallows back his tears, gripping Hoseok’s hand as they approach the entrance to the motel, taking a deep breath.  

“Maybe we shouldn’t-” Hoseok looks uneasily toward their connected hands, his teeth tugging on his bottom lip. “I just don’t want them to say anything to you.”  

Jungkook looks down, his chestnut irises narrowed in confusion, “But, we’re just friends hyung...”  

Hoseok nods, sending a sweet smile towards his pure friend, “I know Kook but, they don’t know that. I promise I’ll hold it as soon we leave ok?”  

And Jungkook really has to act like this doesn’t further his misery, sniffling once as he finally nods, pulling away from his best friend, naïve to his reasons for ending their platonic affection.  

Hoseok pats his arm before swinging open the stained-glass door to the motel, allowing Jungkook to step in front of him.  

There is a woman sitting behind the counter, staring intently at her computer screen, not even bothering to look up at the two men that have just entered.  

“Good morning.” Hoseok sends a watery smile her way, which she doesn’t reciprocate.  

In fact, she doesn’t even look his way but, instead she shoves a piece of paper across the wooden countertop, “Fill this out, there’s only two rooms available- “ At this point, she does eye the two of them with a judging glance, “single beds only.”  

“We don’t need a room mam we-” Hoseok begins, feeling rather annoyed but, Jungkook cuts him off and, practically shoves his phone over the counter.  

“This is our friend, her name is Y/N and, she went missing four days ago and, the last place we saw her is here. Have you seen her? Do you remember if anything suspicious happened?”  

Jungkook’s voice is reedy, full of desperation to the point that he grows a little out of breath.  

Hoseok had a plan with a little more finesse but, he knows how desperate Jungkook is to find you.  

He feels the same way...  

The woman looks affronted by his sudden outburst but, she glances at his phone anyway. It’s only for a moment before she brings her attention Hoseok’s way, not bothering to address Jungkook.  

“Nope. I’ve never seen her, sorry.”  

The dismissiveness in her tone surprises Hoseok. He was expecting her to keep her responses to a minimum but, her lie takes him back.  

“Wait are you serious? I live on the 8th floor, my friends come in here all the time. There’s no way you’ve never seen her before.”  

He steps closer to the counter and, the way the woman looks up stirs something inside of him.  

It’s unsettling and insidious.  

It’s as if she’s deceiving them and, she wants them to know she’s deceiving them.  

“I’ve seen you here before,” She shrugs, conceding with part of his point, “but I’ve never seen her. Although, I’m surprised she doesn’t rent a room here too, she looks like the type.”  

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Hoseok feels the venom in his tone and, although it’s unlike him to lose his temper, something about this woman enrages him.  

“Hyung please...” Jungkook’s soft plea paired with a hand to his lower back is enough for Hoseok to back down for the moment but, his nerves are still alight with suspicion. “Mam, we’re really sorry, we’re just worried about our friend. She’s been missing for a while and the police aren’t really doing anything. Are you sure that you’ve never seen her?”  

The woman seems to soften a bit momentarily but, as something on her computer seems to move suddenly into her view, she toughens up again, shaking her head.  

“Never. Is there anything else we- I can do for you?”  

Hoseok grits his teeth, restraining his urges to throw her glass of iced tea into her face.  

“No, I guess not.”  

She offers a thin smile, that doesn’t reach her eyes, “Have a nice day then. Thank you for visiting The Paybrook Motel.”  

Before Hoseok can throw an insult her way, Jungkook offers a pleasant goodbye before practically dragging his hyung out of the lobby.  

“Yah! Why were you so easy on her? She’s obviously lying! Did you see the look on her face? She knows something Jungkook, I’m telling you she does...” Hoseok is ablaze with frustration, moving quickly to the end of the awning that decorates the front of the motel.  

He’s waiting for Jungkook to join him but, instead he sees his friend moving aimlessly towards him, tears in his eyes.  

The sight makes Hoseok’s heart ache.  

“Hyung...don’t you get it? No one wants to help us.” His voice is wavering through his sadness, doing it’s best to keep afloat, “Even if she knows something, she doesn’t want to tell us. The police won’t help, the signs we put up are all in the sewer by now- no one gives a shit that she’s gone.”  

At this moment, Jungkook breaks down, his tears finally streaming down his face. He stops in the middle of the walkway, disregarding the confused looks from the patrons heading into the building.  

“Shit Kookie, don’t cry ok?”  

Hoseok rushes over to him in the midst of his hypocrisy, because he’s crying too.  

He hasn’t cried since you disappeared but, seeing his best friend break down and, knowing that life would never again be the same crushes him in a way he can’t handle.  

“Come here...come here. Hyung is here ok? Ok? We gotta pull it together.” He sniffles, pulling Jungkook into his arms, placing a kiss on top of his head.  

Jungkook doesn’t let up and, continues to cry silently into Hoseok’s t-shirt.  

“I just want her to come home hyung...”  

Hoseok nods immediately, tilting his head back to slow his tears. It’s a useless endeavor but, he tries anyway until a man’s voice interrupts their moment.  

“I saw her.”  

Hoseok and Jungkook are quick to pull away, turning their attention towards the voice in question.  

It’s obvious the man is a security guard of some kind but, Hoseok has never seen him before.  

“Excuse me?”  

The man nods to the rooftop, “I saw your friend the night she left here.”  

Hoseok approaches the man, noticing the way he seems to shrink away from his presence, “What did you see? Did you see anyone with her?”  

He nods, “Yeah, that small dude you hang out with, the messy hair...he was wearing a yellow shirt?”  

Jungkook moves to stand behind Hoseok, “That’s her boyfriend. He’s one of our friends too, he walked her out that night. He came right back up though, did you see anyone else?”  

The security guard smirks, “Hm that’s interesting.”  

Hoseok narrows his eyes, “Why?”  

The guard nods to the street parallel to the conversation, “Because she met up with someone else...”  

Jungkook and Hoseok make eye contact then, a bit of shock running through them.  

“Who was it?”  

The guard chuckles, shrugging his shoulders, his indifference insulting the two of them, “Listen, I’m new around here alright?  I don’t know names or shit like that, I just know that after your friend was kissing on one guy, she met up with some dude in a suit, you can do with that what you will but, that’s all I got for you.”  

“Jin hyung said something about a suit too.” Jungkook mutters beside Hoseok prompting a nod from him.  

“Thank you. We appreciate it and, uh listen if you hear or see anything else. I’m on the 8th floor. Room 26.”  

The guard nods, tipping his hat toward the both of them, “Will do. Be safe out there, this city is uh, an interesting place.”  

As the man moves back towards the motel Jungkook turns to Hoseok, bewildered by the information they’ve received.  

“Hyung do you-” Jungkook hesitates, the words not wanting to leave his tongue, “-do you think she left on her own? She wouldn’t do that right?”  

Hoseok keeps an eye on the guard as he disappears behind the stained glass, a sick feeling looming in his stomach.  

“No Jungkook, she wouldn’t.”  

Taehyung- La Petite Galerie, Saturday 12:46pm  

Taehyung's been painting since he was a child. Adopted into a French family, he learned his two favorite crafts from an early age: painting and charisma. He was the star of his elementary school, wooing his classmates with the use of his second language and, wooing his teachers with his painting abilities. Consistently, he placed first in his school’s art fair. He was labeled as a prodigy and, selected for all of the finest performing arts schools in the city. However, prestigious art schools come at a price his family couldn’t afford. So, he had to stay behind with the rest of his classmates, whilst his parents begin saving money. He’s so thankful that he did though because, high school is where he met his second family. The family who he’s met on the rooftop since he was 15 years old, the family who’s helped him through his darkest days, the family who’s recently been torn apart...  

He’s missing you as he walks into the gallery.  

It’s one of his favorite parts about the rooftop along with the view of the city skyline.  

You and Taehyung have sat together many times, admiring the well-dressed people walking into the gallery.  

You would always say that they were simply apart of a different world and, that you never hated them for their riches.  

Taehyung admired that about you because, he wishes he could say the same.  

But, he knows he’d be lying.  

One day, Taehyung had been brave enough to come into the gallery and, he actually made friends with the owner.  

Taehyung makes friends with everyone.  

But this woman, Clementine, had a particular soft spot for his French abilities and, gave Taehyung discounted admission for all of his friends.  

Eventually, Taehyung brought the eight of you in with him and, much to his surprise, you all enjoyed yourselves.  

He remembers that day as he steps under the warm glow of the gallery lights...  

Jin made puns about the paintings  

Namjoon endlessly dissected the potential meanings behind them  

Yoongi had admired them quietly, murmuring observations that no one could hear  

Hoseok laughed way too loud at the statue bestowing a marble penis  

Jungkook kept to Taehyung’s side as he expertly explained the stories behind the artwork  

But the image that hurts Taehyung the most is the way you looked at Jimin as he stared in awe up at the paintings.  

Taehyung had never seen someone so enamored with another person before and, he realized why so many artists use love as their muse.  

He felt happiness in his heart that you and Jimin were so happy, so much so, that he didn’t even bother thinking of his own romantic future.  

He was content.  

His family was here, admiring art in their own way, just as it was intended.  

A bit of panic rushes through him at the thought of never having you all together again.  

But determination comes along with it, reminding him why he’s visiting the gallery today.  

“Excusez-moi, j'ai rendez-vous avec Clémentine aujourd'hui (Excuse me, I have an appointment with Clementine today).”  

The woman behind the ivory desk smiles pleasantly at him, “Ah oui Monsieur Kim, asseyez-vous et je sais qu'elle est arrivée.” (Ah yes, Mr. Kim, have a seat and I’ll let her know you’ve arrived)  

He bows his head slightly, sending a tight-lipped smile her way, “Merci.” (Thank you)  

Taehyung takes a seat on the upholstered chairs near the entrance, thankful that the crowd level is mild today. It’s unexpected for a Saturday but, he doesn’t complain, he doesn’t think he can handle excessive human interaction.  

He waits for roughly 10 minutes before a nimble woman with auburn hair comes bustling out of the back room, arms opening wide as soon as she sees him.  

“Taehyung, ma chérie viens ici, viens à Clémentine...” (Taehyung, my darling come here, come to Clementine)  

Her pink lipstick accentuates the pout in her lips as she ushers Taehyung into a tight hug, her fake breasts providing very little comfort but, he accepts her affection anyway.  

He needs it.  

“Bonjour Clementine, (Hello Clementine)” He pats her hips respectively, smiling warmly as he pulls away, “Merci de me rencontrer... (Thanks for meeting me).”  

She scoffs, waving him off as she eagerly pulls him into her office, “Non-sens, je n'accepterai pas de gratitude de votre part pendant cette période.” (Nonsense, I will not except gratitude from you during this time)  

Taehyung offers her a half smile, adjusting his coat and stepping through the archway.  

Clementine’s office is tasteful, covered in various shades of pink and her most favorite pieces she’s hand-picked from the gallery.  

It’s a little loud for Taehyung but, he agrees that it’s uniquely Clementine and, he feels content enough in her presence to deal with it.  

She rushes around her desk, plopping down on her pearl encrusted office chair, “Asseyez-vous ici mon doux garçon...” (Sit here my sweet boy)  

Her face stays firm with pity as she places her manicured fingers on the marble, “Dis-moi, ont-ils entendu quelque chose?” (Tell me, have they heard anything?)  

Taehyung left posters at the gallery the day after you went missing and, Clementine was all too eager to post them all over the building’s exterior.  

He shakes his head, settling into the crushed velvet beneath him, “Non. La police n'a rien. J'ai peur qu'ils ne la recherchent même pas.” (No. The police have nothing. I’m afraid they aren’t even looking for her.)  

With a tsk of her lips, Clementine shakes her head, “Inutile.” (Useless) She spits the word, leaning back into her chair, “Avez-vous trouvé quelque chose? Je sais que tu as dit que tes amis regardaient.” (Have you found anything? I know you said your friends were looking)  

“Nous avons entendu quelques choses, mais nous n'avons pas encore beaucoup de pistes. On se retrouve demain soir pour faire un plan.” (We’ve heard a few things but, we don’t have many leads. We meet tomorrow evening to make a plan.) He feels the disappointment in his heart, wishing he was giving her a different answer, his predicament leaving him helpless.  

“Desole.” (Sorry) She replies, pouting her lips and tucking her auburn hair behind her ear, “C'est dégoûtant de voir comment cette ville est dirigée.” (It’s disgusting how this city is run.)  

A humorless laugh leaves Taehyung’s lip as he nods, “Oui. Oui ça l’est. C'est pourquoi je suis venu vers toi clémentine.” (Yes. Yes it is. That’s why I came to you Clementine.)  

She looks a little flustered by his comment, scooting closer to the edge of her seat, placing a hand to her chest, “Moi? Qu'est-ce que tu as besoin de moi?” (Me? What do you need from me?)  

Taehyung feels a little dirty at his next move but, he does it without a second thought.  

Smiling, he extends a hand towards Clementine, catching her gaze with his, “Nous venons de mondes différents oui?” (We come from different worlds, yes?)  

Against her better judgement, Clementine places her hand timidly atop Taehyungs, nearly shuddering at his warmth, “Oui, mais ça n'a pas d'importance.” (Yes but, that doesn’t matter)  

Taehyung pretends to be surprised by her answer, “Non? Pouvez-vous voir au-delà de cela?” (No? Can you see beyond that?)  

She leans towards his voice, allured by the way it caramelizes in the air around her, “Je ne vois pas ces choses. L'argent, la couleur, l'âge, ce n'est pas important.” (I don’t see these things. Money, color, age, they aren’t important)  

If he were in a different situation, he would notice the ignorance in her statement. But instead, he begins rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles, smiling prettily all the while.  

Clementine is melting beneath his touch, her body subconsciously slouching in her chair.  

“Vous vous souciez de moi malgré ces choses, n'est-ce pas?” (You care for me despite those things, don’t you?)  

Eagerly, she nods, licking her lips before tucking her bottom lip between her teeth, “Oui mon amour.” (Yes my love.)  

Taehyung  leans closer to her, mustering up the best smolder he can manage, “J'ai besoin de savoir ce que vous entendez dans votre monde chéri.” (I need to know what you hear in that world of yours darling.)  

Bless her, Clementine really is doomed.  

“Mon monde? Que voulez-vous dire?” (My world? What do you mean?)  

Taehyung delights in her confusion, taking a moment to seal the deal as he raises her knuckles to his lips, “Vous êtes au country club de Chamomile oui?” (You are in the Chamomile Country Club yes?)  

As he asks his question, he presses a few kisses to her skin, keeping eye contact with her all the while.  

Clementine lets out a shaky breath, placing her free hand to her chest, “Mon dieu...” (My god...) She mutters under her breath, fanning herself before responding to his original question, “Oui, Je suis.” (Yes, I am)  

He grins, still kissing over the expanse of her knuckles, “Dites-moi, entendez-vous quelque chose d'étrange lorsque vous assistez?” (Tell me, do you hear anything strange when you attend?)  

“Étrange?” (Strange?)  

“Oui, etrange. Quelque chose que vous n'êtes pas censé entendre.” (Yes, strange. Something you are not supposed to hear.)  

Clementine’s eyes shoot back and forth across the room, looking unsure of her response, “Mon amour, tu sais que je veux t'aider mais je déteste les potins. C'est désagréable.” (My love, I really want to help you but, I hate to gossip. It’s distasteful)

Taehyung pretends to smile fondly at her, stopping at her middle finger, dragging his lips up the length of it, “Il n'y a rien de désagréable chez toi bébé.” (There is nothing distasteful about baby) As he gets to the base of her hand, he parts both her middle and ring finger before licking right between the two digits suggestively, “En fait, je parie que vous avez un goût incroyable.” (In fact, I bet you taste incredible)

Clementine’s pink lipstick is smudging with the amount of times she’s licked her lips but, she does it again anyway for good measure.

“Vous avez une langue en argent Taehyung, prévoyez-vous de l'utiliser sur moi?” (You have a silver tongue Taehyung, do you plan to use it on me?)

The deep timbre of his chuckle sends goosebumps up Clementine’s spine and, her body is stretched across her marble desk in a rather uncomfortable way but, she doesn’t care.

All she wants is Taehyung.

“Voici ma proposition: vous utilisez votre langue pour parler et quand vous aurez terminé, j'utiliserai la mienne pour goûter.  Comment cette sonne?” (Here is my proposal: you will use your tongue to speak and, when you are done. I will use mine to taste, how does that sound?)

Clementine’s legs part subconsciously beneath her desk, the pink satin of her underwear stained with her arousal.

With her hand still in Taehyung’s grip she clears her throat, tilting her head innocently, “Le Country Club, que tu dis?” (The country club, you say?)

Taehyung smirks, sending a nod her way, “Oui.” (Yes)

“Je me souviens avoir entendu quelque chose de mal le mois dernier.” (I do remember hearing something wrong last month)

He kisses the back of her hand sweetly before returning it to the desk and, allowing her the proper head space to recall information.

Because, who in their right mind would be able to tell a story whilst Taehyung was kissing on them like that?

Clementine seems to deflate a bit, attempting to compose herself as Taehyung gestures for her to continue.

“Quand j'étais dans le salon de thé, je pouvais entendre les costumes parler de quelque chose qui me faisait un peu peur.” (When I was in the tea room, I could hear the suits talking about something that scared me a little)

Taehyung’s brows furrow, “Les costumes?” (The suits?)

She nods, biting her lip in hesitation, “Oui, c'est ce que les membres appellent les propriétaires du country club.” (Yes, this is what the members call the owners of the country club)

He’s watching her intently, nodding as she explains, “Qu'est-ce que tu as entendu?” (What did you hear?)

She seems to crumble under his gaze like a paper swan; torn between her desire to please him and her desire to remain proper.

“Mon amour, c'est vraiment une chose terrible…” (My love, it’s really a terrible thing…)

Taehyung’s quick on his feet, taking her hand yet again, throwing a yearning look in her direction, “Clémentine, s'il vous plaît ... mon cher ami est absent. Vous pourriez être le seul espoir que mes frères et moi ayons pour la ramener à la maison en toute sécurité. Quand elle reviendra, je te couvrirai de mille baisers pour te remercier de ce que tu as fait.” (Clementine, please…my dear friend is absent. You could be the only hope that my brothers and I have for bringing her home safely. When she returns, I’ll cover you with a thousand kisses to thank you for what you have done)

Clementine sighs dreamily, her hand limp in his grip, her legs parting further at the baritone in his voice,

“Un millier?” (A thousand?)

Taehyung gives her a thin smile, “Un millier. Maintenant s'il te plait, ma rose, dis moi ce que tu as entendu.” (A thousand. Now please, my rose, tell me what you heard)

Clementine shrinks again, looking warily around the room before she finally answers, “Je les ai entendus parler de meurtre.” (I heard them talking about murder)

It’s then Taehyung feels the hot fiery sting of fear stabbing its way into his gut, “Meurtre?” (Murder?)

She senses his uneasiness so; she tightens her grip on his hand as she continues, “Ils ont dit qu'ils prenaient le travail d'un homme important qui allait au-delà de ce qu'ils avaient fait auparavant. Ils étaient inquiets de se faire prendre.” (They said they were taking a job from an important man that went above and beyond anything they’ve done before. They were worried about getting caught)

Taehyung shakes his head in disgust, hoping desperately that you aren’t connected to the conversation she heard.

“Quoi d'autre?” (What else?)

Clementine shakes her head, “C'est tout ce que j'ai pu entendre, mon thé est arrivé pendant leur conversation.” (That’s all I could hear, my tea arrived during their conversation)

Taehyung holds back his anger as he’s reminded of the kind of person Clementine really is.

She’s sweet sure but, she’s tragically selfish.

She’s well off and, only cares for matters that concern her; otherwise she is uninterested.

All he can muster is a tight lipped smile as he suddenly stands from the crushed velvet, “Je vois. Merci de votre temps, appelez-moi si vous vous souvenez d'autre chose.” (I see. Thank you for your time, please call me if you remember anything else)

Clementine rises with him, rushing around her desk, “Tu es en train de partir? Je pensais que tu resterais un moment, tu ne devrais pas être seule en ce moment chérie.” (You’re leaving? I thought you would stay a while, you shouldn’t be alone now honey)

Taehyung gives her the fakest smile he can muster, brushing his thumb across her rubbery cheek, “Je reviendrai te voir. Merci pour votre aide, vous êtes un saint.” (I’ll come back and see you. Thank you for your help, you’re a saint)

She rubs her face against his hand like a cat in heat and, whines for him in a similar fashion, “Mon dieu, nous sommes comme Romeo et Juliette…” (My god, we are like Romeo and Juliet…)

He’s disgusted by her lack of awareness but, he plays the part anyway, tucking a finger underneath her chin, “La séparation est une si douce douleur.” (Parting is such sweet sorrow)

With a brush of his lips against hers, he quickly departs, leaving Clementine alone with her desire.

Taehyung rushes through the afternoon crowd of the gallery, feeling grateful for the crisp air that greets him when he pushes the doors open.

His mind is racing; this is the third mention of the suits and, although it isn’t much, it’s the only solid lead the seven of them have.

They need to re-group as soon as possible because, the likelihood that they fill find you alive wanes with each hour that passes.

Taehyung feels horrified at the thought that passes through his brain:

What if they are already too late?

Act III- Tuer La Grande Maison

“Jungkook, pass me a cigarette…”  

Jimin mumbles from across the fire, the light drained from his eyes.  

Jungkook’s first instinct is to question him; Jimin quit smoking two years ago.  

But, he stops himself just as the words crawl up his tongue and, instead he nods silently.  

“Here you go.” He practically whispers, passing the cigarette to Hoseok who then moves it around the circle.  

“Thanks.”  

There is a stale bit of silence that rushes through the group and, everyone seems to look at Jimin to start things off.  

But Jimin doesn’t look up, he just uses his shaky hands to light his cigarette. He takes the first inhale, his eyelids flutter as the nicotine infiltrates his senses.  

Through the smoke, Jimin shoots a dead gaze across the circle, “I have nothing else to report. Lady says she has her best guys on it but, I don’t think it matters…”  

Yoongi interjects, “Aren’t you wondering about the suits? I mean they have to have something to do with this. It’s not a coincidence that three of our sources mentioned them…”  

Jimin lets a humorless laugh leave his lips, “The suits,” He shakes his head, “They sound like a bunch of fucking DC villains.”  

Namjoon and Jin exchange something wordless between them before Jin decides to speak up,  

“Jimin, I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for all of us but, we need to keep at it. We have good information; we just need to keep digging.”  

Jimin feels his eyes burn with the promise of tears but, he just doesn’t have it in him to cry right now.  

He’s too exhausted.  

With another drag of his cigarette, he meets his hyung’s eyes with a hopelessness that shakes Jin to his core, “We don’t any money hyung, that’s all this town cares about. Maybe that’s all she cared about too…”  

Yoongi is known for his tepid disposition.  

He’s known for being the careful one, the collected one; so much so, that in high school Jin and Namjoon used to call him Mouse and, sometimes they still do.  

But right now, Yoongi is angry and, he’s not angry for the same reasons he was yesterday…  

“What are you insinuating?” Yoongi’s tone is clipped and, the intensity of his stare is enough to garner Jimin’s attention.  

He flicks the ash onto the ground, “I’m just saying…maybe I should consider the possibility that she left town on purpose.”  

“You should consider?” Yoongi bites back and, the tension between the two men immediately disperses throughout the group.  

Jimin glances to the side before looking back at Yoongi, “Yes. It’s been almost a week. The police aren’t interested in finding her, no one seems to want to speak more than they have to and, the only lead we have is that she met up with some man in a suit. According to all of your reports, she looked comfortable with him. So, what if she was? What if she was tired of being in this filthy fucking town?” He scoffs, bitterness in his tone, “I wouldn’t blame her honestly, I just wish she would have disappeared before making me fall in love with her. That would have been nice…”  

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”  

Yoongi stands up, another rare occurrence, and glares at Jimin over the fire, “Do you realize how selfish you sound? You aren’t the only one who lost someone Jimin, she’s like a sister to us. She’s not the type of person to just run away from her problems and, you should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting that she’s that much of a coward.”  

Jimin is a respectful man, he honors the age hierarchy amongst his friends but, he disregards formalities in this moment and fights back.  

“She isn’t a coward. It’s a brave move to leave your family behind to pursue a better life, I just wish she would have left a note or something.”  

“Jimin,” Namjoon interjects, trying to keep the peace as he places a hand on his thigh, “Y/N didn’t run away. She wouldn’t do something like that. C’mon you know her right? She loves you, she loves all of us.”  

Jimin crosses his arms defensively, “Did she? I mean…from what I’ve gathered Namjoon, you don’t abandon the people you love. But she left me anyway…”  

Yoongi moves closer to him, throwing is own cigarette into the fire, his brow furrowed with his growing frustration, “Why do you think your relationship with her is more important?”  

Before Jimin has a chance to respond, Yoongi interrupts him.  

“Because you two fuck? Is that why?” He glares at his best friend, with a level of fury that stifles Jimin’s martyrdom, “She taught Jungkook how to drive, she stayed up with Jin and Namjoon for six weeks straight when they were studying for their exit exams, she took Hoseok to work for months while he was saving up for his car. She gave up her studio for Taehyung’s family and, slept in her car while their house was recovering from last year’s flood. She- “ Yoongi starts out with a strong voice but, it slowly begins to falter as he gets to his addition to the list. His black hair moves fluidly with the breeze and, he looks away from Jimin. “She was there the night I- when I was…”  

The sentence is loaded and, thankfully for Yoongi, he doesn’t need to complete it.  

They all know what he’s talking about.  

Jimin feels an enormous amount of guilt wash over him as he sees his calm and collected hyung, fight the tears in his eyes.  

“Just because she’s your girlfriend doesn’t mean you get a bigger stake in grieving over her, she’s important to all of us, not just you.”  

The heaviness is enough to crush the seven men sitting around the fire.  

Yoongi is frozen in his spot, staring down at Jimin with the authority of the second eldest but also, with the desperation of a friend in need.  

Jimin finally lets the sting win and, the tears fall unceremoniously down his cheeks as he tries to meet Yoongi’s gaze.  

“I’m so sorry hyung.” He’s ashamed of his behavior and, he expects Yoongi to scold him further but, instead he kneels down beside him, placing a firm hand on his leg.  

“We are going to find her.”  

It’s all he says but, it prompts to Jimin to pull him into a hug and, the two of them share a moment before Jungkook says something that shifts the course of the evening.  

“Hyung…” He begins, looking up from his phone, “How does your friend know what kind of car Y/N drives?”  

“My friend?” Jimin sniffles, wiping his tears with the back of his hand, “What friend?”  

Hoseok looks uneasy beside Jungkook as well, staring intently at Jimin as he awaits for an answer.  

“Lady. The one you work for, how does she know what kind of car Y/N drives.”  

Jimin just shrugs and, with a nod he requests another cigarette as Yoongi returns to his seat,  

“She said it was in the news report the police published. I thought it was weird too especially since her car’s been in the shop but, the police have access to that kind of information so it makes sense.” He replies with a narrowed gaze, jerking his chin in his direction, “Why?”  

“There’s nothing about her car in the papers.”  

With Jungkook’s response, time almost freezes as a few members of the group seems to realize something dreadful.  

“Wha- How do you know that?” Jimin hasn’t caught on yet but, he knows his friends well and, there is a change in their posture that he notices, “Why does that matter?”  

Jungkook turns his phone in Jimin’s direction as a demonstration and, his voice begins to shake with his realization, “I searched everywhere hyung, it hasn’t appeared in a single article. How would she know something like that? Her car has been in the shop for two months…”  

Jimin’s reaction is immediate denial but, something crawls up his throat; something he doesn’t want to acknowledge.  

“Are you really thinking Lady had something to do with this?” He guffaws, taking another hit from his cigarette, “You know she’s like 70 right?”  

“Have you ever mentioned that she drives a civic before?” Hoseok chimes in, a look of concern on his face.  

Jimin shrugs, annoyed by their inflated reactions, “I don’t know? I wouldn’t remember telling her something like that but, I wouldn’t doubt if it came up especially when her cables were- “ His mouth parts then, cutting off his own sentence, “When her cables were cut…”  

“What are you talking about?” Yoongi pipes up and, everyone seems to lean towards the center of the circle subconsciously, growing closer without even realizing it.  

“When I was…” Jimin’s eyes are lit up with a thousand emotions as he tries to gather his thoughts, “When I was talking to her about Y/N she asked me if I thought it was the same person who cut the cables on her car. But-  I don’t remember telling her why Y/N’s car was in the shop.”  

“Why didn’t you tell us this?” Hoseok rushes out, nearly tripping over his words.  

“I- I didn’t make the connection, I just thought she was trying to help… oh my god.” Jimin brings his watery gaze around the circle, “Oh fuck. Do you think she knows? Do you think she knows what happened to her?”  

“Jimin…” Taehyung finally breaks his silence, “I think she is what happened to her.”  

And he wants to protest, because Lady is like a mother to him. She’s always there, helping him through his difficulties; she even gave him advice on how to confess to Y/N properly…none of this makes sense.  

“Think about it,” Taehyung continues, “She’s the wealthiest person in town, she knows everyone, she’s always checking up on you…don’t you think it’s a little odd that she’s so involved?”  

“I don’t know, I just thought she had connections, that’s why I went to her in the first place.”  

Jimin feels weak at this development and, Jungkook quickly takes his hand to soothe him.  

“What are we waiting for then? Lets go.” Yoongi stands with a firm look of determination but, Namjoon stops him.  

“Wait, we can’t just go busting into an old woman’s house and accuse her of kidnapping our friend. We have to have enough evidence…”  

“We have enough evidence.” Hoseok inserts, wearing a similar expression to Yoongi, “And old woman or not, if that bitch has our friend-“  

Jin comes through, intervening as things get intense, “Namjoon is right. We can’t do that. Look at us, she’d get one look and, call the police and, then we’d be the ones in handcuffs.”  

“Hyung, we literally just established a solid reason to be suspicious of someone.” Jungkook asserts, confusion evident on his features.  

Jin rolls his eyes, “All we’ve established is that Jimin may or may not have told her Y/N’s cables were cut. Lady owns half of the city, she’s more than capable of finding out what happened to Y/N’s car. This isn’t a lead, it’s odd yeah but, it’s not enough to accuse her with. She probably looked into Y/N’s vehicle information as soon as she went missing...”  

With Jin’s reasoning in place, the group seems to deflate a bit and, Jimin feels slightly relieved that he doesn’t have to suspect yet another person he’s supposed to trust.  

“I don’t know.” Jungkook’s small voice asserts, “I still think it’s weird.”  

With pursed lips, Hoseok nods along with his statement, looking longingly at the now empty back of cigarettes, “I agree.”  

“We don’t have to drop it completely, if anyone has any ideas on how to figure out more information, we should do that. Every lead is worth pursuing.” Namjoon murmurs  

“What do you think we should do?” Jungkook’s Bambi disposition is privy to Namjoon’s opinion and, he often turns to him in times of stress.  

“I have an idea.” Yoongi speaks instead, running his hand over the back of his neck, “I think I need to go back to the club. Jaebeom said the police might have found his sister if they had bothered to look for her, it kind of made me think that he had an idea of where she ended up...”  

“I’ll go with you.”  Jimin replies, throwing his cigarette into the fire  

Yoongi shakes his head, “I should go alone. He was kind of an asshole when I went the first time, I don’t even know if he’ll talk to me again.”  

Jimin chews on the inside of his cheek, wanting to protest but, he trusts Yoongi’s judgement.  

Besides, he can’t handle anyone’s attitude right now.  

“Anyone else think they need to revisit their leads?” Yoongi surveys the circle with cat-like precision, already crafting his future conversation with Jaebeom in his mind.  

Namjoon has glanced towards the direction of the Marquee River several times now and Jin, who is so tuned in to his mannerisms, notices.  

“What is it?”  

Namjoon purses his lips, “I think I need to speak with the groundskeeper again…”  

Hoseok wrinkles his nose in disgust, “The crazy guy with the bad breath?”  

He sighs, finally pulling his attention from the direction of the river, “What if his rambling actually meant something? He kept calling me madam…”  

“Namjoon,” Jin begins, placing a hand on his thigh, “he’s obviously sick, he didn’t even know who you were. How are you supposed to get anything meaningful from this guy?”  

“I don’t know. But, I think I should try…”  

“I’ll go with you hyung.” Jungkook vows, his eyes wide with his faith, “If that guys tries anything on you, I’ll kick his ass.”  

Jungkook’s very serious statement elicits something that the rooftop hasn’t heard in a while: laughter.  

They all laugh for a moment, basking in the tiny bit of innocence still left in their complicated world.  

And as the laughter dies down, Taehyung offers a sentiment that they can all agree on,  

“Let’s go find our friend.”  

After a few more cigarettes and a swig from Hoseok’s bottle of vodka, they all part ways.  

Namjoon and Jungkook head to the Marquee River whilst Yoongi prepares himself for a second visit to Ginseng. Jin and Taehyung head back to the night market to see if any of them have more information and, Hoseok finally convinces Jimin to get some rest.  

He’s been up for three days straight but, he hasn’t slept a full night since Tuesday.  

It’s hard but, after a bit more vodka, he finally passes out on Hoseok’s sofa.  

His torn between wanting to dream of you and, praying that he won’t.  

He wants to see your face but, fuck, it hurts so bad to do so.  

Namjoon and Jungkook- The Marquee River, Sunday 5:49pm  

Thankfully, the sun is just on the brink of setting when Namjoon and Jungkook arrive at the river. On Namjoon’s last visit, the moon was out and, very little people were left which left him more vulnerable. Now, not only does he have daylight on his side but, he also has a very vigilant and very protective dongsaeng to keep him company.  

“I’m just gonna stand back and, let you do your thing hyung but, if things get a little heated…I got your back ok? You just say the word and I’ll lay him out.” Jungkook vows, puffing his chest out as they approach the area Namjoon last saw the groundskeeper.  

He chuckles, patting Jungkook on the shoulder, “Thank you. I appreciate you coming with me. We shouldn’t be too long, especially if he starts rambling again.”  

Jungkook just nods, keeping close to his hyung, resisting the urge to hold his hand.  

He really wishes platonic hand-holding was more acceptable.  

Namjoon tenses up as he spots the groundskeeper near one of the trash cans but, he takes a deep breath and jerks his head in his direction, “There he is…”  

Jungkook nods, his expression tightening a bit as he prepares for the worst.  

“Hello?” Namjoon calls out tentatively  

The groundskeeper is dressed in slightly cleaner coat but, Namjoon still tenses up regardless.  

“Good evening gentleman.” The man turns around, smiling brightly, a rake grasped firmly in his hand, “What can I do for you?”  

Namjoon is confused.  

Is this the same man?  

He looks the same but, cleaner?  

And he isn’t laughing...  

What the hell is going on?  

“Uh good evening um...” Namjoon’s eyes flit to Jungkook, “Do you uh- do you remember me?”  

The man cocks his head, narrowing his eyes for a moment before shaking his head,  

“No, I’m so sorry I don’t. Have we met before?”  

Namjoon nods immediately but, for a moment he wonders if the experience he had the other night was some sort of stress induced hallucination.  

“Yeah, I came here the other night. I asked you if you had seen my friend?”  

For good measure, Namjoon holds up his phone, showing your photo and, the man pushes his glasses up his nose and leans in.  

He still has the scar but, his face isn’t greasy.  

His hair is combed to the side and, he doesn’t smell like slow death.  

Namjoon’s heart picks up at the thought of his own sanity slipping from him until the man finally seems to remember something.  

“Oh my-” He pulls back and shoots a wary look Namjoon’s way, “I do remember you. My goodness, I am so incredibly sorry, I probably scared the daylights out of you.”  

Namjoon’s polite nature causes him to chuckle uneasily but, he keeps his distance, not fully trusting this guy’s demeanor.  

“Yeah you uh, you definitely did. So uh...”  

The man cuts him off, placing a hand on his shoulder, “I suffered a head injury two years ago. The damage to my brain causes brief bouts of psychosis and, unfortunately I didn’t have enough money to refill my prescription.” The man extends his hand towards Namjoon and Jungkook, “My name is Nestor, please forgive my behavior. I can imagine it was quite shocking...”  

Namjoon and Jungkook were raised to be polite men so, despite their hesitation; they shake his hand, bowing their heads as they do.  

“I see. I’m sorry to hear about your accident.”  

Nestor chuckles and, something flashes in his eyes that Namjoon can’t quite decipher, “Oh it was no accident son, I was attacked.”  

Jungkook narrows his eyes and, although he claimed he wouldn’t speak, his curiosity gets the best of him, “By who?”  

Nestor looks to the side for a moment before glancing back at them,  

“I can’t remember.”  

“That’s awfully convenient.” Jungkook can’t help but observe with a pouted mouth and, Namjoon lightly smacks his chest.  

“Sorry but, you don’t remember?”  

Namjoon’s intricate brain is searching for ways to connect the dots but, the man is offering him very little information.  

“No, the doctors said I was attacked and, left for dead. I suffered damage to my hippocampus and, this caused a pretty bad episode of amnesia. I couldn’t remember who I was or how old I was, the only thing I could remember is my cat’s name...” He chuckles and, the clouded film over his eyes adds to the pain that flashes through them, “Which is quite funny you see because, my cat’s name is Cognac so, when I kept asking for Cognac, the nurses would try and explain to me over and over that I couldn’t have alcohol in my state.”  

Jungkook and Namjoon offer their condolences in the form of breathless laughter but, their level of empathy quickly absorb Nestor’s sadness.  

“Anyway...” Nestor gestures to Namjoon’s cellphone as a means to change the subject, “I have seen your friend before but, I don’t remember the last time I saw her. I’m terribly sorry...”  

Jungkook pipes up, “It’s ok sir, we understand, your hippo is damaged, that’s not your fault.”  

Namjoon’s mouth opens in disbelief and, he wants to correct Jungkook’s mistake but, he has more important matters to attend to.  

“I hope this isn’t too much for you but, the last time I was here- “ He hesitates, glancing over at Nestor, “-last time I was here, you kept calling me madam. Is there any significance to that?”  

“Oh...” Nestor chuckles, tucking a bit of his gray hair behind his ear, “I’m sure I was talking about my wife. It’s common for me in those episodes to ask for her. She passed away two years ago.”  

This is something Namjoon has been waiting for.  

Two years ago, this man was attacked.  

Two years ago, his wife passed away.  

Two years ago, Jaebeom’s sister went missing.  

There must be some correlation.  

“It was lovely meeting you gentleman. Unfortunately, I have to get back to my duties,” He gestures to the multi-colored leaves littered on the ground, “, these leaves aren’t going to rake themselves.”  

Namjoon understands of course and, they quickly shake hands again but, just before the two men turn to leave, Jungkook’s randomized curiosity strikes again.  

“What happened to your cat?”  

Nestor seems to search his brain and, his features almost crumple with a bit of desperation,  

“I don’t- I don’t remember.”  

Jungkook just nods, offering him a small smile before him and Namjoon move through the trees towards the street.  

Yoongi- Ginseng Night Club, Sunday 8:37pm  

As Yoongi enters the club for the second time, he carries himself much differently. He ignores the looks from the patrons littered on the couches, he ignores the bass vibrating in his bones, he ignores the jabs from the bartender as he asks to speak with Jaebeom.  

His anxiety is replaced with determination.  

When Jaebeom swings open the door a second time, he’s toned body is only covered by a pair of jeans.  

With another joint between his fingers, Jaebeom smirks down at Yoongi, “Are you here for business or pleasure?”  

Yoongi shamelessly allows his eyes to move over Jaebeom’s figure, admiring it but, also noting that his skin is littered with more than just tattoos.  

Nail marks run down the length of his abdomen, purple bruises congregate on the left side of his neck and, his lips are swollen with evidence of kissing.  

“Looks like you’ve had enough pleasure for the evening.” Yoongi notes in Korean, forcing his gaze away from Jaebeom’s body, “I need to ask you a few more questions.”  

Jaebeom’s smirk never falters as he pulls the joint to his lips. With a jerk of his head, he ushers Yoongi inside, shutting the door behind him, “Make it quick, I have company coming…”  

Yoongi wants to make a comment but, he knows it’s not important enough so, he starts with his first question, “I know this might be hard to talk about but when I was here last night, you said something about your sister going missing.”  

A noticeable change runs through Jaebeom’s body as he takes his seat, “Yeah, what about it?”  

“I thought it was odd that they-  my friend and your sister,” He elaborates, “went missing on the same street and the way you spoke about it, it was like you knew something about where she went…”  

Jaebeom tenses up with the subject change but, he sees something in Yoongi that he likes, there is an honesty to him that Jaebeom fucks with, “I have a feeling, yes, but I could never prove it.”  

Yoongi offers silence as a way to encourage him to continue and, Jaebeom obliges despite his hesitation.  

“Her and her boyfriend used to come in to the club every Thursday night for Happy Hour. They had been dating for a while and, things seemed to be going all right. But one night, she came in alone and I asked her where he was and, she told me they were taking a break.” Jaebeom’s expression shifts again and Yoongi, being the empath that he is, senses the onslaught of negative emotion. “She wouldn’t tell me what happened. She just kept begging me to stay out of it and, she made me promise her I wouldn’t confront him. He came in to the club later that night and, some of my guys told me they got into a huge fight-“  

Yoongi interjects, “Did you see anything?”  

He shakes his head and, before he elaborates, he takes another hit of his blunt, “No, I was up here doing a deal but, the next thing I know, my friends are coming up here and, telling me that my sister ran out of the club, crying and shit. I tried to call her, I even went out on the street and, asked everyone if they saw her but…” His voice tightens before he blows smoke from his lips, “…nothing. I blew up her phone for the rest of the night but, she never responded. I went to the police the next day and, surprise surprise, they were fucking useless. They kept saying that ‘girls like her runaway all the time’ and ‘she’ll be back before you know it.’ I was so angry. I couldn’t believe they didn’t care. I did the same thing you and your boys are doing, I started my own investigation and, I didn’t get very far until, I found her cell phone in the club’s dumpster.”  

Yoongi surprise is evident on his face and, it prompts Jaebeom to comment on it,  

“Yeah I know right? You’d think that would have helped but, it only made everything more complicated. I looked through her messages to try to figure out what happened and-“ He blows a heavy breath between is lips, shaking his head, “Her boyfriend was cheating on her but, it was with some old chick, like his boss or some shit…I don’t know.”  

“His boss?”  

He nods, “Yeah, he worked the Upside as a pool boy.”  

Yoongi’s heart drops then, down to the pit of his stomach and, he literally feels the sweat collecting in the wells of his palms.  

“A pool boy?” He has to clarify, just so he’s sure he heard him right  

Jaebeom nods and licks his lips, “Yeah, my sister found out he was fucking her; at least that’s what I got from her texts.”  

“My friend works as a pool boy too. It’s his girlfriend that missing.”  

Jaebeom’s brows rise before shaking his head, “Shit…” He takes another hit, “That’s a hell of a coincidence.”  

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”  

Yoongi and Jaebeom regard each other for a moment before Jaebeom’s mouth turns up in a smirk, “I guess you have an old lady to visit then. If you see my sister’s boyfriend, slap him around a little bit for me heh…”  

Jaebeom seems to gulp the pain he feels down his throat before finishing off the blunt and throwing it in the ashtray.  

“Wait, did he disappear too?”  

He nods, “Haven’t seen him since that night. I just assumed he was living the high life, I mean, I don’t blame him…I’d suck on some old lady titties too for that kind of money…” Jaebeom quickly replaces the blunt in his hand with a the bottle of beer he had sitting on his side table. He takes a swig before holding out to Yoongi, “You want some?”  

Yoongi doesn’t understand his attitude towards his sister’s disappearance. If he knew where her boyfriend was, why wouldn’t he go talk to him?  

But he takes the offer, throwing back a bit of stale beer, letting the slight warmth from the alcohol soothe the rawness in his chest.  

“Why didn’t you go up there? If that’s where he is?”  

“I don’t have contacts up there. There was no way they’d let me in, look at me…” He chuckles, gesturing to his rough appearance, “Besides, I don’t know where that bitch lives and, honestly, it’s probably for the best. I don’t know what I’d do to that guy if I found him…”  

A few more words are exchanged before Yoongi decides he needs to leave; he has a lot to report and, he feels as though time is running out.  

As he’s moving to the threshold of the door, Jaebeom get his attention.  

“Hey-“  

As Yoongi turns around, Jaebeom leans forward in his seated position, placing his elbows on his knees, “What’s your name?”  

Yoongi’s lips twitch, “Yoongi.”  

Jaebeom grins, nodding his head in consideration, “Yoongi. Alright then, well if you ever want to take a night off from your detective work and, uh you know,” He nods to the bed, “have some fun, you know where to find me.”  

Desire stirs in Yoongi’s stomach and, he’s flattered honestly, that such a handsome man could take interest in him but, he knows he couldn’t take a night off if he tried.  

He’s got a friend to find.  

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He sends a smile towards Jaebeom, bowing his head slightly, “See you around.”  

“I hope so.”  

The information they have accrued is once again exchanged amongst the group and, there is only one conclusion that everyone continues to arrive at:  

They have to get inside Lady’s house.  

So, putting their heads together they concoct a plan that just might work.  

The plan is simple.  

Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung will take Lady up on her offer of a home cooked meal.  

Thankfully, Taehyung’s closet is full of clothes that look far more expensive than they actually are; working at a thrift store has its perks.  

Jimin is dressed in a gray and black suit, covered in a gaudy brocade pattern.  

Jungkook choses a floral blazer and black slacks, complete with a simple white button up he borrows from Taehyung’s father.  

Taehyung donns something slightly less subtle; a black and silver blazer with a similar brocade pattern to Jimin’s suit jacket.  

They take time on their hair, doing it up as if it were each of their wedding days.  

When it’s all said and done, the three men walk out of Taehyung’s room looking like they came straight out of Interview with Vampire.  

Yoongi, Hoseok, Namjoon and Jin are dressed in all black.  

They will serve as a distraction during dinner to enable the younger men to explore the property undisturbed by Lady’s security guards.  

It’s not an easy task but, they are more than ready to attempt it.  

An invitation to dinner is of course incomplete without a gift for it’s lovely host.  

Tonight, a bottle of champagne is clutched in Taehyung’s grasp as he strolls up the cobblestone walkway.  

However, this champagne is slightly modified to fit this evening’s itinerary.  

“Doxepin, it's what I take for insomnia. This shit is strong, I only have to take one and, I’m out like a light in 30 minutes...” Yoongi had explained, pushing his prescription bottle towards Taehyung, “Slip that bitch 3 or 4 and, she’ll hit the floor. When she wakes up, just tell her she passed out for a few minutes…”  

And so it was.  

Lady's home is massive.  

It’s the biggest house the men have ever seen.  

Jimin has stood in its immensity before but, Jungkook and Taehyung are almost disgusted by its grandeur.  

The white paint seems to stretch upwards for miles, the greenery of the vines decorating it in such a way that it almost looks serene.  

Nothing could be farther from the truth.  

The lawn is immaculate.  

Carefully trimmed hedges sculpted to perfection line the walkway that leads to the dark oak that encompasses the front door.  

They aren’t here for a lovely dinner inside this massive house.  

The true nature of their visit is simply to gather more information.  

They aren’t sure how but, Lady is connected to your disappearance.  

Tonight, they will gather enough evidence to warrant an investigation.  

Maybe then, the city below them will finally pay attention to their cries for help.  

Lady doesn’t greet them at the door but, another intriguing person does.  

“Noah...” Jimin greets the suited man with a smile that is far too sweet.  

But he delights in the man’s surprise and, Jimin connects another piece of the puzzle.  

Noah is a classmate of theirs.  

He was fortunate enough to land a job in the Upside after graduation.  

He was fortunate in that his family had money and connections that pushed Noah ahead of his fellow alumni.  

Noah knew you well.  

Noah is dressed in a suit.  

Noah works for Lady.  

It seems there is a connection but, instead of pummeling Noah like he wants to, Jimin simply bows his head as he steps through the threshold of Lady’s home.  

“Wh-What are you guys doing here?” Noah stutters, trying desperately to compose himself.  

Taehyung offers the same smile adorning Jimin’s mouth, “We’re here for dinner. What are you doing here?”  

It’s a loaded question and Noah knows it but, he’s helpless to act on this knowledge because, he is required to treat Lady’s guests with respect.  

“I work here.” He mutters, gesturing towards the dining room, “She’s uh...she’s right in there.”  

“Aren’t you going to offer to take our coats?” Jimin feigns innocence, nodding to the coat rack beside the door.  

Noah nods and with shaky hands and, he accepts each of the coats before hanging them up.  

“Enjoy your evening gentleman.”  

The three of them walk away with a sense of satisfaction but, they are also sick with the knowledge of where one of their former friends ended up.  

Money can create the most dastardly of monsters.  

“Oh my goodness you’re here! Come in, come in.”  

Lady appears at the archway, dressed in a red satin gown, her grey hair piled elegantly atop her head.  

Time has been kind to her, Jungkook thinks, she doesn’t look 70.  

But then again, age seems to be less of an issue when you have millions of dollars at your disposal.  

“Lady these are my friends, Jungkook...” He gestures to the man on his right, who bows respectfully offering a boyish smile.  

“Thank you so much for having me Lady Noona, you have an incredible home.”  

Lady is already flustered; she can’t believe Jimin has friends as handsome as he is.  

“And Taehyung...” Jimin continues, smirking at Jungkook’s acting skills.  

Taehyung, takes her hand, keeping eye contact with her and lowering his lips to her knuckles, “Enchanté, votre maison est belle oui mais pas aussi belle que vous.” (Enchanted. Your house is beautiful yes but, not nearly as beautiful as you.)  

Lady’s face rushes red and, she giggles like a demented schoolgirl, fanning herself as Taehyung releases her hand.  

“Oh mon dieu tu l'es aussi. N'hésitez pas à continuer...” (Oh my goodness, you are too much. Please don’t hesitate to continue.)  

“My lord Jimin, you didn’t tell me your friends were so handsome and, that one of them speaks French- “ She eyes Taehyung teasingly and he responds by winking.  

“He was adopted when he was younger by a French family, he actually doesn’t speak English very well.” Jimin lies, strolling into the dining room and, beginning his search for something incriminating.  

She nods, her eyes alight with intrigue, “I see well,” She leans into Taehyung’s frame, lowering her voice slightly, “Ne t'inquiète pas je n'aurai aucun mal à communiquer avec toi.” (Not to worry, I’ll have no trouble communicating with you)  

Taehyung chuckles at that, bringing his lips to her ear, “Bien sûr, vous en avez déjà dit beaucoup.” (Of course, you have already said so much)  

Lady is floored and, enlightened with desire.  

So much so, that she arranges for Taehyung to sit right beside her.  

The dining table, Jimin remembers, is smaller to create a more intimate setting.  

Jimin takes a seat across from Lady who sits at the head of the table whilst Jungkook and Taehyung settle into the two middle chairs between them.  

The first course is a salad topped with fancy ingredients the men barely recognize but, they dive into it anyway as Lady begins the conversation.  

“Any word about Y/N?” She ventures solemnly, giving her best look of concern.  

Jimin smiles, saccharine as ever, “Nothing so far but, I’m sure your men will give me an update soon.”  

Lady nods mid-chew, pouting her lips slightly, “Of course sweetheart, they send me updates whenever they have something.”  

Taehyung interjects, “Ne parlez pas encore d'elle, ça ruine mon humeur. Je t'ai apporté quelque chose. L'homme du magasin a dit que c'était sucré, peut-être que nous pourrions l'avoir avec un dessert?” (Don’t talk about her yet, it ruins my mood. I brought you something. The man at the store said it was sweet, maybe we can have it with dessert?)  

This surprises Lady of course but, as Taehyung hands her the bottle of champagne adorned appropriately with a twist off cap; She smirks salaciously and nods.  

“Tout ce que vous voulez...” (Whatever you want...)  

Taehyung arches a brow, leaning in towards her once more, “Tout ce que je veux?” (Whatever I want?)  

This is part of the plan of course, to disarm her and, Taehyung is doing an incredible job.  

“Oui.”  (Yes.) She practically coos in response, shameless to the presence of the other men.

He chuckles darkly and, beneath the table he places a hand on her thigh, “Et si je te veux pour le dessert?” (What if I want you for dessert?)  

Jimin wants to hurl a little bit because, although he can’t understand what they are saying, he knows something inappropriate is going down.  

“Jimin, your friend is going to make me misbehave.” Lady giggles, licking her lips as she eyes Taehyung hungrily.  

He plays it off though, this is part of the plan.  

“I’m sorry about him. He’s a shameless flirt.” Jimin chuckles lazily, eyeing Jungkook from over his water glass.  

“No apology needed.” She smirks, flushing a further shade of red as Taehyung sends a wink in her direction, “Now, tell me Jungkook, what is that you do?”  

Jungkook smiles brilliantly, looking eagerly at her, “I work as a paralegal for a law firm a few cities over but, on the weekends I work as a personal trainer.”  

The lie is so well executed, Jimin and Taehyung want to cackle but, they hold it together, sticking to their script.  

“Oh that is so impressive. I hear Law careers are increasing by 18% over the next 5 years, it’s an incredible industry to get into.” She compliments, stabbing more of the lettuce onto her fork.  

“I’m glad you think so Noona, I can imagine someone as successful as you has a lot of wisdom for someone like me.” Jungkook’s Bambi eyes are on full display as he stares longingly in Lady’s direction, licking his lips.  

His words have a double meaning and, Lady knows it, she wonders how she got so lucky to have two handsome men flirting with her.  

“I know my way around sure,” She remarks with a smile, “I can introduce you to some of my colleagues, many of them work in your prospective field.”  

“Really?” Jungkook beams, “That would be an honor Noona, thank you so much.”  

Lady nods and places a well-manicured hand over his, “Of course, any friend of Jimin’s is a friend of mine.”  

She turns to Taehyung, who hasn’t taken his eyes off of her, “Et vous, quel est votre métier?” (And you? What is your job?)

Taehyung pouts slightly, eyeing her in a way that suggests embarrassment, “Je suis un artiste. Je vends mes tableaux. C'est un travail très difficile mais, je l'aime tellement, je ne peux pas imaginer faire autre chose.” (I am an artist. I sell my paintings. It’s a very difficult job but, I love it so much, I can’t imagine doing anything else.)

Lady melts at his words, a longing sigh leaving her lips, “Bien sûr. C'est tellement admirable que vous poursuivez ce qui vous passionne.” (Of course. That is so admirable that you pursue what you’re passionate in.)

Taehyung smirks, eyeing her as he takes a sip of his water, “Merci. Je suis curieux maintenant, de quoi êtes-vous passionné?” (Thank you. I’m curious now, what are you passionate about?)

Before she can answer, the second course is served: roasted beef with a béarnaise sauce on a bed of microgreens.

Rich people shit, Jimin thinks but, he smiles graciously none the less.

He isn’t hungry, he hasn’t been hungry for the past week so, he pushes the meat around the plate as he continues to survey her dining area.

There is nothing out of place but, then again, he isn’t sure what he’s looking for.

The only thing he can do is wait for dessert…

Once Lady is out, they will be able to search for what they need.  

“Lady, do you live here all alone?” Jungkook feigns concern, tilting his head.

She smiles sadly and nods, dabbing her lips with a silk napkin, “Yes I do. My husband, Nestor, died two years ago of an aneurysm.  I’ve been alone here ever since, well minus my guards of course. I’m sure you saw them outside but, they don’t live here full time.”

Jungkook has to stifle his shock.

The name Nestor, isn’t a common one.

In fact, he’s only ever heard it once before...

Jungkook kisses his teeth, pouting his lips slightly, “Oh noona, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”

She pouts too, mirroring his expression, soaking up all of his sympathy, “That’s alright dear. I manage just fine, I have to admit though, it’s so wonderful having company. It gets lonely up here.”

The youngest smirks, “Oh of course Noona, I can only imagine…” He places a hand on her thigh beneath the table, rubbing gently over her dress, “A woman like you should never be lonely.”

Jimin and Taehyung have to physically repress their reactions to Jungkook’s acting abilities; it’s a side of him they have never seen.

Anger is something Jungkook doesn’t encounter very often.

But as he looks into Lady’s face, he feels rage coursing through him.

Because, he knows she isn’t genuine.  

He knows there is something off about her.  

Jungkook would normally never dream of harming another person but, when his friends are getting hurt, his morals begin to loosen.

“Oh my, you boys make me feel young again.” Lady chuckles before taking a bit of her beef, “You know…I have the resources to assist you, I tell Jimin this all the time but, he’s just so modest.” She winks at him and, Jimin pretends to shy away from her compliment, “I could really help you with your chosen career paths. Taehyungie,” She turns to him, flashing the pearl white of her dentures, “Ma sœur Clemtenine possède une galerie au centre-ville, je suis sûr que je peux lui faire acheter une partie de votre art. Je sais que j'aurais certainement adoré en acheter ...” (My sister Clementine owns a gallery downtown, I’m sure I can get her to purchase some of your art. I know I’d certainly loved to buy some)

Taehyung’s stomach drops at her statement but, he remains composed and arches his brow, “Clementine? C'est un nom tellement intéressant…” (Clementine? That is such an interesting name…)  

Lady giggles once again, “Oui, nos parents étaient des gens excentriques.” (Yes, our parents were eccentric people.)

“Ils étaient probablement beaux aussi…” (They were probably beautiful too…)

Taehyung winks again and, he must admit, he’s getting off on how easy she is to trick.

She fans herself through her uneasy giggle, nudging his knee with her own, “Oh arrête de me flatter, je suis sérieux, je pourrais vraiment t'aider” (Oh stop flattering me, I’m serious, I could really help you.)

Taehyung pretends to be touched as he places a hand to his chest but before he can reply, a loud voice rings in through the intercom above the dining table.

“Mam this is Noah. There is a disturbance down at the main gate, we have to leave to go check it out, are you alright in there?”

Lady rolls her eyes, unbothered, “Of course Noah, I’m with my friends. Go take care of it, update me when you’re done.”

Anxiety swims into the stomachs of the three men; phase one is complete.

The guards are due to be distracted and, all they can hope is that Yoongi, Hoseok, Namjoon and, Jin stay safe in the process.

“Is everything alright?” Jimin tilts his head, glancing towards the speaker.

She smile reassuringly, waving him off, “Of course, this happens all the time. It’s probably just the homeless, poor things, they beg at my gate sometimes. I don’t engage with them though, as much as I want to help, I don’t believe in handouts you know? It teaches them nothing.”  

This both confuses and enrages Jimin all at once.

She has no problem offering her resources to the three of them because, lets face it, it’s obvious she is partial to their good looks.

But he’s disgusted with her way of thinking.

Everyone deserves a fair shot.

He can’t understand how people, especially fortunate people like Lady, could have this outlook.

But then again, without the abuse of the working class, how would people like her make all of their money?  

“I’ll drink to that.” Jimin smiles, raising his glass and, the rest of the table follows suit, sipping from their crystal goblets.

Then, something peculiar happens…

Beneath their feet, against the expensive lacquer on the wood varnish, there is a banging sound.  

Lady tenses up but, deflects immediately, her surprise quickly smoothing out of her features, “Forgive me, I’m having a wine cellar built beneath the dining room, they’ve been measuring all morning so, it looks like they are getting started on the construction.”

Jimin’s expression shifts and, he stares across the table like a snake honing in on his pray, “Oh? That’s so weird, I didn’t notice any construction trucks outside.”

Lady smiles gracefully, “They have been working for quite awhile, part of their team left to gather more supplies. I’m so indecisive, I changed my mind about the interior several times…” She turns to Taehyung, feeling uneasy under Jimin’s gaze, “Que pensez-vous du marbre noir?” (What do you think of black marble?)

Taehyung’s eyes light up, “Ah, marbre noir? Excellent choix, si séduisant.” (Ah, black marble? Excellent choice, so seductive.)

She entangles her fingers with his beneath the table cloth, shooting him a suggestive look that makes Taehyung sick to his stomach, “Oui, vous l'êtes…” (Yes, you are.)

All Taehyung can manage is a smirk and, a thumb over the back of her knuckles.

His patience is running out.

“L'heure du dessert?” (Dessert time?)

He nods to the kitchen and, Lady immediately blooms with excitement.

“Oui, oui…” She smiles, craning her neck towards the kitchen, “We’re ready for dessert now, what’s taking so long?”

Crème Brule is served alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and, Taehyung whispers something in her ear about her being similar to the French dessert.

With flushed cheeks, Lady giggles (for the millionth time) and, begins eating.

“Chérie, es-tu prêt pour le champagne que j'ai apporté? Il ira bien avec ce dessert…” (Darling, are ready for the champagne I brought? It will go well with this dessert…)

With her approval, Taehyung pours the bubbly liquid into each of the flutes, smirking devilishly at his friends as he does.

Taehyung watches her like a hawk and, picks up her glass, getting dangerously close to her as he lifts it to her lips, “Boisson. Dis-moi ce que tu penses.” (Drink. Tell me what you think.)

Like saucers her eyes widen and, she’s so enthralled with Taehyung, she doesn’t notice another round of banging beneath the floorboards.

But the rest of them do.

Her eyes flutter as she sips some of the bubbly liquid but, Taehyung isn’t satisfied.

“Ah ah…Avale tout pour moi.” ( Ah ah…Swallow it all for me)

She obliges, practically spluttering at his double entendre.

“Bonne fille.” (Good Girl) He chuckles darkly, his heart thumping in his chest, he likes this.  

He has to admit.

There is something so satisfying about fooling an opponent.

He’s turned on by it.

She gulps as she continues to stare at him, completely captivated.

“C’est delicieux.” (It’s delicious) She finally manages, dabbing her lips with the silk once again.

“Tu fais un bon show…” (You put on a good show) He remarks, smirking before pretending to sip some of his own champagne.

There is a bit of silence that moves throughout the table before Jimin takes the reigns once again,

“Lady, I really appreciate you having us tonight. We needed a night off; things have been so difficult lately.”

Lady immediately smiles, forcing her eyes away from Taehyung, “Of course sweetheart. You know I’m always here for you.”

Another sound is forced against the wood below and, for whatever reason, this startles Lady.  

“Goodness, they are loud…” A nervous laugh leaves her lips and she attempts to stand up before faltering a bit, eyeing Taehyung immediately as she seems to stumble.

Taehyung reacts, standing with her and, holding onto her waist, “Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chérie?” (What’s wrong darling?)

She mumbles something incoherent which prompts a sadistic grin to appear on Taehyung’s mouth, “Vous sentez-vous un peu endormi?” (Do you feel a little sleepy?)

She nods, clinging to him helplessly as he guides her to the settee beneath the window,

“C'est bon chéri, dors pour moi. Je promets que je serai là quand tu te réveilleras.” (It’s ok darling, sleep for me. I promise I’ll be there when you wake up.)

Lady’s eyes are growing heavier when Taehyung lays her down and, as he does, he places a kiss atop her forehead, “Si jamais tu le fais…” (If you ever do…)

Her eyes widen at his threatening tone but, before she can process it fully, she passes out in his arms.  

Taehyung, Jungkook and, Jimin all look at each other for a moment before, they spring into action.

They shove the dining table aside, disregarding the sound of the expensive china as it crashes to the floor.

There is a Persian rug that covers the sound and, that is quickly shoved aside to reveal something that makes their stomach turn.

Because, beneath the dining table, there is a cellar door.

Jimin swallows his fear and with shaky hands, he leans down, “Hello?”

Silence.

He tries again, his chest numb from the force of his beating heart, “Is there- is anyone down there?”

Nothing.

Jimin frantically looks for a way in but, the hatch is sealed with a padlock.

“It’s locked, we need a way to-“ He begins but, a voice interrupts him.

A voice he is longed to hear for what seems like eternity.  

“Jimin?”

The men look at each other with such heightened emotion that it could power the entire city.

Because, that voice belongs to you.

“Y/N? Baby? Oh my god…” He clutches the wood, banging on it without a reason why, “Baby? Is that you?”

Down in the cellar, beneath the big house you were taken to, you begin to cry at the sound of your boyfriends voice.

You must be dreaming you think.

He can’t be real.  

Is it possible?  

Is the nightmare finally over?

“Jimin!” You cry weakly, using all the strength you have.

The woman who forced you down here hasn’t fed you since your arrival.

She’s just left you down there, along with the rest of her secrets.

The room you’re in isn’t very big.

It’s constructed crudely and made of stone.

There are only two things to keep you company:

A pile of bones and, a pile of money.

When the woman laid you beneath her home, she said only one thing to you,  

“You will die down here. You will die beside the life you will never have and, while you do, I’ll make sure he gets everything he could ever want.”

Jimin chokes back a sob as he pounds against door yet again and, he doesn’t notice that Jungkook is already scanning the room for solution.

“I’m right here baby, I’m right here, I’m going to get you out ok? Just hang on…”

You cover your chapped lips with the palm of your hand, sobbing into it.

You couldn’t believe it.

He found you.

He actually found you.

You didn’t know how and, it didn’t matter.

You just want to go home.

“Jungkook and Taehyung are here with me, we’re going to get you out!” He calls and, as if on cue, Jungkook appears beside him with hammer, “Watch out.” He grunts, determination in his eyes, “Y/N! I’m gonna break the door in ok? I need you to move aside so you don’t get hurt!”

You laugh in disbelief at the sound of your friend’s voice, “Use that brute strength of yours Kookie! Show that door who’s boss!”  

He chuckles at that, tears collecting in his eyes, “I got you Noona, just make sure you’re not in the way!”

Taehyung is smiling too, trying not to lose it at the sound of your voice.

He keeps a careful eye on Lady, who is still passed out on the settee.

If he hated her before, he wants to kill her now.

Taehyung knew she was involved yes but, he never suspected she had you locked in her fucking cellar.

Jimin is itching to get you in his arms, he wants to claw through the wood himself but, instead he stands back and, lets Jungkook hack away at the cellar door.  

You can see it.

The expensive wood slowly splintering above, light pouring in through the jagged cracks.

The only light you’ve had down here is a single bulb hanging from the ceiling.

It’s been torture.

But, none of that matters to you right now.

The only thing you can focus on is the sight of your boyfriend’s face as he tears the remaining wood away from the frame.

“Jimin…” You whimper, ignoring the weakness in your body before crawling your way up the stairs, wanting nothing more than to be in his arms.

Jimin breaks down, reaching out for you…

You’re still in the same outfit he last saw you in.

“Baby, come here…come here…” He pulls you into his arms, his body shaking with his cries as he holds you so tight, it’s almost painful, “I got you, I got you. You’re safe now, you’re safe…”

You’re face in his neck, sobbing whilst your fists clutch his blazer.

You don’t fully understand what’s going on, or why they are here dressed like little princes.

But, you’re not in the headspace to ask.

You just want to stay in Jimin’s arms and, never let go.

“We’re so sorry…” Jungkook sniffles, wrapping his arms around you and Jimin.

Taehyung follows suit, letting his tears fall, “We’re going to make sure they pay for what they did to you.”

Time seems to stand still as you relish in the affection of the people closest to you.

“Don’t ever be sorry. Look what you guys did…you found me. You saved me.” You whisper weakly, your face remaining in Jimin’s neck.

“Jimin? Taehyung? What on earth is going on?”

The sound of her voice makes your blood run cold…

Lady is sitting up, disorientated but before she has a chance to process what’s going on, Taehyung grabs the carving knife from the dining room table and holds it up to her neck.

“Funny, we were going to ask you the same question.”

Lady’s mouth parts in shock, her eyes widening in fear, “I- I-“ She glances around the room before she spots you and, her heart stalls, “I can explain…”

Jimin wants to freak out on her, he really does but, he doesn’t want to let go of you.

“Lady…” He spits from the floor, setting his piercing gaze on her, “Why the fuck is my girlfriend in your cellar?”

She hesitates and, Taehyung can tell she’s looking for a way out so, he presses the knife into her skin, “Answer him.” He hisses through his teeth

Jungkook stands as well, prepared to back him up should he need it.

“Jimin please, you must know. I was only looking out for you…women like her, they ruin men like you. I was trying to protect you.”  

“Protect me?!” He barks, shaking his head in disbelief, “By murdering the only woman I’ve ever loved? By putting my friends and I through the worst week of our life?!”

Taehyung holds the knife steady as he jerks his head towards her, “Stand up…”

She obliges, mouth parted in disbelief, her hands up in front of her submissively, “You’re working three jobs to support yourself, I’ve been trying to help you but, I knew you wouldn’t accept it unless you had no other choice. I knew she…” She sends a glare your way, “…would always be in your ear. She was all you ever spoke about, I needed to get her out of the way so, you could start focusing on you.”

“She has a name you crazy bitch…” Jimin lets out a humorless laugh, helping you to your feet, “She has a name and, a life and, people who love her and, you…” He points a finger in her face, “…you tried to take that from her. How many people have ended up in your basement huh?! How many lives have you ruined?!”

Her expression shifts to one of pure malice, a devilish smirk appearing on her lips, “Why don’t you ask your little girlfriend?” She turns her gaze towards you, “Tell him, tell him how many skeletons you found beneath my house.”

This angers you.

Initially, you didn’t understand.

You didn’t understand the significance of running into Noah that night.

You didn’t understand why he offered to call you a Taxi.

You didn’t understand why the driver intentionally missed your turn.

And after you were knocked out, you didn’t understand why you were brought to this place.

The big house.

But now, it makes sense.

This pathetic excuse of a woman, gets off on kidnapping the less fortunate.

She breeds new monsters in the process, taking their loved ones and capitalizing off of their grief.

She takes them in and, turns them to stone.  

“You wanted them to think I was dead…so you could convince them to leave their lives behind.” Your voice isn’t a hundred percent but, your gaze is steady as it pierces into her.

She chuckles despite the knife being pressed to her throat, “Hmm so it does have a brain. I knew I couldn’t convince Jimin to work for me unless I broke his heart first. Men are much easier to manipulate when they feel like they have nothing left.”

Taehyung practically snarls, “Let’s waste this bitch, we can tell the police that-“

Lady’s cackle is abrupt, her eyes crinkling with delight, “The police! Ha! The police work for me, why do you think they never looked for your little friend hm? They knew where she was, I pay them a pretty penny to keep their mouth shut.”

Another almost cartoonish voice interrupts the conversation as it crackles over the intercom, “Mam is everything alright in there? We heard a commotion.”

Shit.

It’s one of the guards.

Jungkook is prepared to fight, he looks around for a weapon and, grabs the hammer from the floor.

“Noah! No everything is not ok! It seems as though my guests have overstayed their welcome…” She seethes before another smile appears on her lips, “Kill them…”

Jimin grabs you immediately, pushing you behind him and, Taehyung’s grip tightens on Lady’s waist, keeping her in place.

“Uhhh yeah I don’t know who the fuck Noah is but, uh-  oh wait! Yah, Hoseok! Isn’t Noah the one you hit with the Range Rover?”  

The voice morphs again and, you actually laugh at the sound of Yoongi’s voice echoing through the speaker.

“Holy shit…” Jungkook chuckles in disbelief

“That scrawny little blonde dude??” Hoseok’s voice literally warms your heart as it reaches your ears, “Yeah he’s out like a light sorry, anyone else you’d like to speak to?”

“Who the fuck are you?” Lady hisses, panic settling into her senses, “I’ll have the police here in minutes, you’ll be thrown in prison for the rest of your lives!”

“Ouch, we were afraid you’d say that. See, but the thing is, we destroyed all of your fancy ass cameras but, we left the audio running so…” Jin’s voice chimes in next, explaining her demise, “the only thing the police will hear is a taped confession, you wrinkly ass bitch. And let me just say my dear, you look like your pussy is covered in dust and, that’s why you’re going down, all because you thought you might get some dick...pity.

Jin’s insult causes laughter to move through the four of you and, you can’t help but, feel moved at how dedicated your friends are.

“You filthy bastards, you better get your grimy hands off of my cars before, I add grand theft auto to your long list of charges.”

They laugh hysterically on the other end of the line before; Namjoon speaks up, “Ok boomer.”

In the next moment, Lady takes advantage of the distraction and, quickly lunges at you, her hands going for your neck but, before she can reach you, she’s knocked out of the way by Jungkook.

It’s an instinctual reaction but, it does the job

Because instead of landing on you, Lady falls down the hole in the floor to the cellar.

The four of you rush over to the entrance to see her body laying still at the bottom of stairs.

There is a bit of silence before you speak up, staying close to Jimin, “What do we do?”

He smirks, wrapping an arm around you, “Leave her. Let her die alone with her all nice shit.”

Yoongi, Hoseok, Namjoon and, Jin rush in finally and as soon as they spot you, they sigh out in relief.

“Oh my god.”

“You’re ok.”

“We knew we’d find you. Fuck, we missed you so much.”

“If you ever get kidnapped again, I will beat your ass.”

You just smile, giggling at their comments, holding them close.

“Thank you for looking for me. I love you guys so much.”

Yoongi nods to the cellar door and, him and Jimin exchange glances, “Here.” Yoongi tosses him a small black hard drive which Jimin catches seamlessly, “Throw that down there too. It’s the audio from tonight…”

The rest of you aren’t sure how they managed to do it.  

But, those questions are reserved for later.

Right now, you just want to get out of there.

Jimin smirks, standing over the edge of the hole in the floor before dropping it in, relishing in the sound it makes as it clatters down the steps.

“Should we call the police?” Hoseok asks, slightly breathless from all the excitement.

“Why would we?” Yoongi grins, shrugging his shoulders, “Girls like her disappear all the time…”

“Good point.” Jin nods returning his grin, and everyone’s eyes are still trained on the hole in the floor.

You aren’t sure if she’s dead but, you’re hoping she isn’t.

She deserves to spend the rest of her life suffering for what she did to you, for what she did to so many others…

“What happened to the guards?” You ask, lacing your fingers with Jimin and, he responds by tightening his grip on your hand.

“We knocked em out. They’re tied up in the garage.” Namjoon remarks coolly

“Let’s get out of here. We need to leave town for few days until the police figure everything out.” Taehyung says, finally dropping the knife to the floor.

“Good thing we have a ride then…” Hoseok holds up the keys to the Range Rover and, the eight of you are giddy with the promise of freedom.

Jungkook stays close to Namjoon and, as rest of you exit the house; he spots movement in the corner of his eyes.

Near the coat rack, sits a long-haired white Persian cat.

Jungkook can’t help himself.

If he isn’t going to kill this terrible woman, he’s at least going to take her cat.

Hit her where it hurts you know?

“Hyung…” He stops Namjoon and, he looks confused for a moment until he spots what Jungkook is pointing out.

Jungkook doesn’t wait to reach out to the furry creature, “ Here kitty kitty.”  

The cat rubs against his hand, tiny purs erupting from it’s mouth and, Jungkook smiles as he takes it into his arms.

Namjoon smirks fondly at the two of them before his eyes light up when he sees the name engraved on the cat’s golden collar.

“Cognac.” He breathes and, he and Jungkook share a moment as they exit the house.

The eight of you pile into the Range Rover, with Jin in the driver’s seat and, immediately, you find yourself beside Jimin.

“I thought I lost you…” He whispers desperately, placing a few kisses to your lips.

“I’m not going anywhere.” You whisper back, smiling into his lips before leaning forward to make an announcement to the rest of the car, “Hey guys uh…I think I have a way we can leave town for a bit.”

“How?” Hoseok furrows his brow, leaning around Jimin to see you.

“With this…” You grin and, from the middle of your bra, you pull out several bundles of money, each of them labeled $20,000.

You left the bones in the cellar for the police to find.

But the money?

The money, you took with you.

The police wouldn’t need it for their investigation right?

The seven of them look at you in shock before Yoongi lets out a sound you’ve never heard him make before; it’s pure unfiltered joy.

“Oh fuck yeah…”

Plage de Maeva, Tahiti- Two Months Later

Justice came in pieces.

It started with Cognac and, the massive fortune Lady left behind; both of which were returned to their rightful owner, the man at the river.

Then came Jaebeom; the eight of you dropped off a few thousand for him at the club, along with your findings.

A different precinct responded to the distress call from Lady’s home.  

She survived the figurative fall yes but, the fall from grace that would soon follow completely destroyed her.

She was brought in on 9 counts of first degree murder, 7 counts of kidnapping, stalking, conspiracy to commit fraud and, a myriad of other charges.  

The suits were brought in as well and, suffered similar fates.

Between them, 293 years of prison was to be served.

The staff at the motel, the patrons of the Chamomile Country Club and, even Clementine herself were all publically humiliated when the news broke of Lady’s true nature.

She had been paying them all for their silence.

No charges were brought against them but, their statuses as pariahs seemed fitting enough.

The news came to all of you quite late because, you were far too busy enjoying your own personal victories…on an island called Tahiti.

520,000 was certainly enough to get you out of town and, by the looks of it, you may never return…

“Every second, every minute, man I swear that she can get it Say if you a bad bitch put your hands up high, hands up high, hands up high Tell 'em dim the lights down right now, put me in the mood I'm talking 'bout dark room, perfume Go, go!”  

Yoongi’s voice echoes loudly with the help of his microphone as he raps the lyrics to a rather befitting song by Kendrick Lamar.

It was karaoke night on the rooftop of your resort and the eight of you, along with your loved ones are enjoying every second of it.

Hoseok rushes on stage with Yoongi, laughing as he does, “I recognize your fragrance (hol' up!) You ain't never gotta say shit (woo!) And I know your taste is A little bit (mmm) high maintenance (ooh) Everybody else basic You live life on an everyday basis with-“ He holds the mic out and, the rest of you scream the lyrics with beaming smiles.

“POETIC JUSTICE, POETIC JUSTICE- IF I TOLD YOU A FLOWER BLOOMED IN A DARK ROOM WOULD YOU TRUST IT?”

Jimin is behind you, with his arms secured around your waist, giggling through the words.

He’s euphoric at the moment, he’s never been so happy in his entire life.  

Namjoon hits the stage next, and the song continues with the help of your friends and the crowd,

“I mean I write poems in these songs dedicated to you When you're in the mood for empathy, there's blood in my pen Better yet where your friends and them? I really wanna know you all I really wanna show you off Fuck that, pour up plenty of champagne Cold nights when you curse this name….”

Jungkook and Taehyung are at the front of the crowd hyping them up whilst Jin sings loudly with his fiancée.  

The next part Jimin croons into your ear, tightening his grip on you as the words have so much meaning:

“And anytime…” He sings, kissing into your neck, “You can get it, you can get it, you can get it, you can get it- And I know just know just know just know just what you want…poetic justice, put it in a song, alright.”  

You turn in his arms then, kissing him deeply, pouring everything you have into it.

“You kept your promise.” You whisper, grinning against his lips.

“My promise?” He giggles, kissing you back, his eyes deep with emotion.

You cup his cheek, biting your lip as you hold back your tears, “The night I disappeared, you promised me, we’d get our break…”

His smile widens and, rather than use his words, he just kisses you again.

Because, he can.

Because, you’re safe.

Because, you’re his.

The rooftop is a place you often end up.  

It’s a little cliché, you think: a bunch of rich kids corralled onto a fancy ass resort building on a tropical island, the waves crashing in the background.  

But you and your friends aren’t ordinary rich kids.  

The worst any of you has ever done is rob an old lady’s house, push her down the stairs, leave her for dead and, then ruin her life but…

To be fair…

That bitch deserved it.

[angelliev]

Lover Boy - JJ Maybank x OC - Part Nine - Pogue Style

Word Count: 3.1K

Summary: Aria has the time of her life with JJ and the Pogues. 

Warnings: Making out, explosions, implied smut, cursing, and the Pogues doing crazy shit I guess

A/N: I had a blast writing this one. I just love the Pogues and their chaotic energy. Sorry for not posting for a few days. I’m taking my time writing these parts and I’m still trying to figure out where I want this to go. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy! (Not my GIF. Credits to the owner. I don't own the show or any of the characters.)

Lover Boy Series Masterlist

I’m starting to believe that the past is actually coming back to bite me in the ass. It has been a couple of months of Jennifer being gone. She still calls me occasionally to see how I’m doing along with the family and everyone else. Lately, my parents from my understanding are giving her space. However, they’ve been arguing a lot lately, and when they’re not, they are avoiding each other. I couldn’t help but notice that my dad hasn’t been around the house lately, not that I’m complaining, but it has been making me suspicious. He’s been acting a bit weird lately. He works on the mainland, so normally he’s only here on the weekends, but now here’s rarely ever here.

Today was just another normal day around the house. I’m currently doing homework at the kitchen island, while mom is cooking dinner and talking to Damian. Everything was going just great until the front door slammed shut. All three of us look up in confusion. In charges a very angry Claude. None of got the chance to ask what was wrong before he plucked my phone from my hands and threw it across the room. The sound of a shattered screen could be heard throughout the house.

“What the fuck?!” I yell, which surprises me. Normally I don’t have the guts to yell at my dad. “You lying little bitch!” He shouts. “Claude! What is wrong with you?!” My mom yells. “She has been lying to all of us this whole time!” He shouts. “What the hell are you talking about?” Asked Damian. “I just got off the phone with the private investigator. He knows you dropped Jennifer off at the ferry. He’s seen the text messages between you guys.” His words make me freeze. Everyone’s eyes were on me.

“Are you kidding me? You hired a private investigator to find her? When are you going to take the hint that she doesn’t want to see you?” I spit. “I don’t care what she wants! And I don’t appreciate you going behind my back and helping Jennifer run away.” His eyes filled with rage. “For god’s sake dad, she’s a grown woman! She’s not obligated to live here! She’s finally happy! Just leave her alone!” I quickly gather my things. “You’re not going anywhere. You tell me where she is!” He follows after me. I sprint to my car and lock the doors. I jump high when his body slams against the vehicle.

“This isn’t over! Get out the fucking car right now!” I speed away leaving my dad yelling to the top of his lungs. That man needs some serious help. I pick up the cracked phone. My screen is completely shattered and the phone itself is barely working, much to my dismay. I wanted to call JJ, but that idea was thrown out the window, like my phone, so I just continued to drive towards the chateau hoping that JJ was there.

I pull up to see that the van wasn’t anywhere near the fish shack, but I was more than delighted to see JJ’s bike parked. I check his room, having no luck, so I go outside and follow the sound of music. I find him resting in the hammock, vape in hand, and blanket covering his body from the brisk air. “Hey babe.” I greet him, making his head snap towards me. “Hey, babygirl. Wasn’t expecting to see you. C’mere.” He made room for me and lifted the blanket. “You’re like the best boyfriend ever. You know that?” I snuggle into his warmth. He just smirks. “I know. You moaning my name already says enough.” I lightly smack his chest, before taking a hit from his vape.

“We should runaway together.” I suggest. This catches his attention. “Where did you have in mind beautiful?” I take a couple seconds to think. “Somewhere tropical. Like Spain, Italy, Greece or Monaco. I’ve always wanted to see Europe. We can have a little house on the beach. We can get that dog you’ve always wanted. Fix up that Chevy Camaro. Think about it baby. Wake up to have morning sex, then shower sex, make breakfast, surf all day, have beach sex, drive for a little while, have dinner, then end the night with even more sex.” I ramble on. This makes him laugh. “Someone’s horny. But that does sound nice.”

“Of course, it does. I came up with it.” I let the weed relax my body, enjoying the high. “What brought this on anyways?” He asked curious. “Oh, the usual. My dad being an asshole. Fucking threw my phone across the room.” “What crawled up his ass?” “He found out I helped Jennifer runaway.” I sigh. “How?” “He apparently hired a private investigator, fucking psycho. He’s such a control freak. She’s in her early twenties, if she wants to live in Boston, who cares? Hell, I just turned eighteen and he thinks he has complete control over me still.” I huff.

“I know the feeling babe. Trust me, once we finish school, we’ll be out of here before you know it. We can fuck each other all day with no cock blocking.” The two of us laugh. We let the time pass as we vape and kiss. The kissing soon escalated into a full blown make out session. His tongues slips into my mouth while his hands find my ass making me giggle. I let my hands venture under his shirt, feeling his nicely toned body. “Jesus shit your hands are freezing.” He shivers. “I can think of a few ways to keep each other warm.” I say suggestively, before connecting our lips again. He rolls on top of me, trapping me under him. He attacks my neck with kisses.

“Cool off you two!” A voice interrupts our session, along with a water gun, hitting JJ’s back. The two of us looks up to see the whole group of pogues along with Sarah. “When the hell did this happen?” John B asked, water gun still in his hands. “Oh, you mean the make out session? A few minutes ago.” JJ attempts to dodge the question. “Not that dipshit. You guys dating. How long has that been going on?” JJ’s face scrunched trying to remember. “Like since that get together at Charis’s.” Both Pope and John B’s eyes nearly popped out.

“About time you two came out.” Said Kie. The two clueless boys whip their heads towards her. “You knew?” They asked astonished. “Yeah, so did Sarah and Charis.” “So much for no secrets among pogues.” Muttered Pope. “Sorry to interrupt your guys’ dumbassery, but can I help you? We were kind of in the middle of something.” JJ interrupts. “As a matter of fact, yes. We were planning on doing some stupid shit. You two in? Or are you guys just going to sit here and bump uglies all day?” John B aimed the water gun at us. “Okay! We’ll join you guys! Just put the damn thing down.” We got up from the hammock. “That’s the spirit. Now, get it in the van children.” He smiles. “Spoken like a true pedophile.” Says Pope.

I think it’s fair to say that I was not expecting the day to go like this, but it’s better than going home. “So, what are we doing?” I asked still unclear what the guys were planning. “Well, for starters we’re hitting up the store, Kie and Sarah were nice enough to offer to buy food and drinks, and then the rest is a surprise.” Explains John B. “This should be interesting.” Says JJ. The six of us jump out of the van and stroll our way into the store, ready to terrorize the isles and poor shoppers.

We grab a shopping cart. Sarah jumps into it after calling dibs, earning a glare from the store clerk. We head straight to the candy isle, burying Sarah in M&Ms, Watermelon Sour Patch Kids, Kit Kats, Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, Pop Rocks, Twizzlers, Hubba Bubba and Snickers. “We’re overdosing tonight guys.” Smiles Sarah. We then grab a bunch of chips. Our next stop was the snack isle. John B grabs a shitload of Cheez Its, while Pope grabs fruit snacks. At one point, I had Kie on my shoulders as she attempted to grab a box of Gushers sitting at the top shelf.

“Welp, I think that’s everything guys.” Says Kie, motioning to Sarah, here head the only body part that’s visible due to being buried by all the junk food. “I can’t move guys.” She laughs. As we make our way towards the checkout, we spot Rafe, Kelce and Topper along with more friends talking. JJ gets this brilliant idea to grab the store speaker phone and disguises his voice before announcing, “Paging Topper Thornton. I repeat Topper Thornton. We have your order of extra small condoms ready at the front desk. Thank you.” We all rush to the check-out to pay for our things giggling, before Topper and his friends come to beat our asses. Once we reach the parking lot, we all burst out laughing.

“Did you guys see his face?” JJ asked wheezing as we loaded the groceries into the vehicle. “Maybank! I’m gonna kill you!” We look over to see Rafe, Kelce, Topper and the rest of the crew charging towards us. We all quickly gather into the van, barely escaping from the Kook death squad. “Yo, John B! Slow down a little!” JJ commands before grabbing a snickers and a condom out of his wallet, before opening the side door, to see Topper on our tails.

“Here man have a snickers! Oh, and here’s a much larger condom for you man! Don’t worry you’ll grow into it eventually!” He laughs chucking them at the poor kook. “Screw you dirty pogues!” He yells as we drive off laughing. This is way better than sitting at home. Together we laugh, sang and ate as John B drove us to the surprise location. After a while, we all grew impatient, wondering where the hell he’s taking us, as we look out to see we’re practically out in the middle of nowhere on the island. We finally reach a location, of what looks like an abandoned amusement park.

“Where the hell are we?” Asked JJ, who’s head sat in my lap. “Exactly what it looks like. The OBX Fair Grounds. It’s been abandoned for like over a decade now. It’s the perfect place to do a bunch of stupid shit.” John B smiled feeling accomplished. I must say it was definitely fun to have the whole park to ourselves and boy did we have some fun. Such as, climbing roller coasters that were definitely not stable, venturing into creepy mirror mazes, and drinking on the carousel, while playing a good game of Cards Against Humanity.

As of now, me and the girls are playing another round when the boys came back rolling a bunch of bumper cars. That’s when John B and JJ begin setting them at the top of this small hill. “What the hell are you guys doing?!” I asked bewildered. “We’re gonna race these bad boys down the hill. Winner gets a twenty!” Shouts John B. “I’ll squirt you guys on the way down!” Pope yells holding up the water gun. “I highly recommend you don’t do that!” Yells Sarah. “Don’t worry! Those bushes over there should stop the cars.” Says JJ. It’s at times like this where I wonder how I ended up dating a literal five-year-old. “That doesn’t sound right babe!” I yell. Kie just scoffs. “JJ! I think what your girlfriend is trying to say is that you guys are a bunch of fucking morons!” She yells.

“Fuck off!” Yells JJ, earning an eye roll for Kie. “It’s a miracle that men aren’t extinct, due to the stupid shit they do.” Says Kie, which Sarah and I nod our heads to as we watch the two boys situate their selves in the number carts. “On your mark. Get set…go!” The boys push their cars, speeding down the hill screaming. John B’s car begins to drift. “You’re gonna crash!” Sarah yells to her boyfriend. “No, I’m not!” Not even 3 seconds later, he crashes into a gate, earning a cackle from JJ. “Suck on that loser, better get that twenty-“ JJ doesn’t get to finish his sentence when his car crashes through what looks like a closed off booth. “Dumbass.” Mutters Kie.

“You guys okay?” I asked. The two just got up and whooped. “Let’s do that again!” Shouts John B. “Holy shit! Guys I just found a bunch of fireworks.” JJ grabs one and points at the booth. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s light these bad boys up!” JB yells as all the boys run back up to us. “Yes, John B. Let’s let everyone know that we’re setting off fireworks in the abandoned amusement park that we’re currently trespassing.” Kie said in a sarcastic tone.

“How about this, we’ll just set off one, and take the rest of them back home?” Pope suggests. “Those things are like a decade old. Do they even work?” I asked. JJ just smirks. “Only one way to find out.” He says and proceeds to light the rocket. We all stand back as the spark is close to reaching its end, only for the rocket to fall over, aiming for the whole firework shack. “Oh shit!” “Fuck!” “Run!” All of us curse and begin to run the other way. The rocket shoots into the direction of the shack, before exploding. It then sets off a chain reaction, making all the fireworks go off at the same time, exploding the whole firework tent.

The sound of the all the fireworks going off at once and the explosion makes me cover my ears as we all continue to run and scream, attempting to make distance between us and the explosion. It felt like a long time before the sound of exploding fireworks came to a halt. We decide to look back, only to find that the tent had caught on fire, along with some more standing by it. The black smoke begins to cloud the sky. All of us stand there in pure shock.

“What the hell did you do JJ?” Screamed Kie. “That wasn’t my fault! It malfunctioned!” He defended himself. “Guys, not the best time to argue! We need to get the hell out of here! The cops and fire department have probably already been notified of the explosion and fire going on right now! And we’re a ways away from where we parked.” Pope distinguished the conversation. “Let’s haul ass people!” JB shouts and no one hesitates to resume to running.

All of our lungs began to burn, sweat was beading down our bodies, and our legs were close to giving out as we ran across half of the damn park, before reaching the van. That’s when we hear the nearby sirens. “Everyone in?” JB and Sarah look back to make sure no one was left behind. “GO, GO, GO!” We all scream, the van’s tires make a screeching noise and all of us are thrown back as we speed away from the scene. All of us sit back as we try to catch our breath, adrenaline pumping through our veins. JB decides to take a different route, hoping to avoid the authorities.

“Holy shit. Did that seriously just happen?” I asked still in shock, I must be fucking dreaming. This is not how I thought my day would be turning out. “Hell yeah! Pogue style baby! That’s what I’m taking about!” JJ smiles and puts his arm around me. We all began to laugh at how crazy and ridiculous the whole situation was. Our moment is cut off by Sarah’s phone ringing. “Who’s that?” Asked JB. “It’s Charis. Hello?” Sarah puts her on speaker.

“What the fuck did you pyromaniacs do?” Charis’s voice could be heard throughout the van, making all of us giggle. “What are you talking about?” Sarah plays dumb. “I’m talking about that big ass explosion and smoke in the sky that everyone can see!” She shouts. “Oh that? That wasn’t us.” Sarah played it off all nonchalant. “Bullshit.” “Oh, c’mon Charis. Why would we be start going around blowing up shit?” Asked John B. “Why wouldn’t you guys start going around blowing up shit?! And why wasn’t I invited?!” We all started laughing at Charis. “Uh oh, I’m losing signal. I’ll call you back later. Love you. Bye!” Sarah hangs up the phone.

“Is this a normal day for you guys?” I asked. “Pretty much.” Everyone says at the same time. Damn, I should’ve started hanging out with these guys a long time ago. I have never had this much fun in my whole life. The whole way home we all screamed and sang along to our favorite songs, until we pulled up to the chateau. We all exit the vehicle, still pumped up, so we decided to start a bonfire. Despite the fact that we already started one.

We all sat around the fire roasting some hot dogs and marshmallows. I was snuggled into JJ’s lap, blanket wrapped around the two of us. He takes his roasted marshmallow, before smearing some on my cheek. I look up at him before smearing some of mine on his nose. He leans down and crashes his lips against mine in a sweet kiss. “Get a room you two!” JB throws a marshmallow at the two of us. JJ just gives him the finger. He hugs me tighter nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. “I don’t want you to go home.” He whispers placing a kiss on my neck. “I’m not going back home. At least not tonight. I don’t feel like dealing with my dad and his bullshit.” I yawn before taking a sip of my beer.

“You tired?” He asked. “Nah, the night is still young.” I yawn once more, making him chuckle. “C’mon, let’s go to bed.” He pulls me off the ground, wrapping his arm around me, my arm hooks around his waist. The pogues begin to make moaning noises. “Mm, JJ fuck me.” “Fuck! Right there baby.” “Harder JJ!” “Give me that Big J!” They all teased, earning another finger from JJ. “Night you horny shits.” He waves them off. “Night!” They all say.

The two of us, make our way to his room knocking into stuff, a little drunk. The two of us giggle as he picks me up and kicks the door shut before throwing me onto the bed. We throw our clothes off across the room. “I’m still kinda feeling the adrenaline rush.” He confesses as he litters my breasts with kisses. ��Then let’s put that energy to good use.” I suggest, before biting my lip trying to contain my moan when he finds my sweet spot. “Let them hear babygirl. Let the whole world hear. I need to make sure they all know you’re mine.” He kisses my lips. “I’m forever yours.”

[linkedvrains]

how I run my blog

Tagged by:  @lunephased​ Tagging: You?

SPEED: Probably too fast? If I’m motivated and online I mostly reply withing 10-30 minutes after I saw the reply, depending on the length of the text I’m writing. If I see the reply later it might take a day. If I have motivation problems or the muse isn’t cooperating with me it might take a week, a month or forever :/ All in all if I’m too fast for you tell me and I’ll queue your replies. 

REPLIES: I rarely can keep myself short and I love writing multiparas. It sometimes depends on what kind of thread the replies belongs to. In quicker ones they’re usually shorter. When I go into detail I can escalate on word rather easily. My record for a replies length is at 5 word pages but I had to swear that I never ever do that again x’D 

STARTERS: I love writing starters but sometimes I’m just clueless or don’t know if I can jump into a situation like that. That’s probably why I rarely post starter calls, but if we plot something I’m always okay with writing the first post. Sometimes they tend to be a bit longer though.

INBOX: Is mostly empty and if there’s something it’s 90 % because I have forgotten to delete the asks I answered to : / 

SELECTIVITY:  I’m rather selective and mututals only. It’s easier for me like that because I don’t have the pressure that I have to write with everyone like this. I easily freak myself out and start wondering if I’m not good enough. To avoid that I only interact with those I feel comfortable with. 

WISHLIST:  Too much. Various Hanoi!AU, roleswap AU’s and really high on my list currently are FF7 AUs? 

HONEST NOTE:  I love plotting stuff and talk about possibilities for hours, but sometimes ‘just start and look what happens’ threads are really interesting too?

[avenging-criminal-bones]

Focus On My Touch

Word Count: 1742

Summary: Sam comes home to you having a big breakdown. Luckily he’s one of the people who knows how to help you out of your panic attacks.

Warnings: Panic attack, anxiety, angst, fluff

* * * * *

“Rough day?” Sam asked with a sympathetic smile as he entered the house that the two of you shared. Just like the living room, he noticed the place was a mess. The sink was piled high with dishes, the island slathered in flour and mixing bowls; a sprinkling of red and green sugar coated the tile floor. The oven door was open, a waft of smoke floating fatally close to the fire alarm that had already gone off today.

“It was fine,” you lied and wiped your eyes, turning to greet him with a forced smile.

“Looks like it,” he said under his breath, eyes darting about the room. He eventually found your eyes again and smiled gently.

You knew he meant nothing by it, but his comment ripped through you like a knife to your heart. Your chin quivered with the promise of tears, and you clenched your jaw to steady it. Your fists tightened at your sides and you closed your eyes, fighting the wave of aggravation that pushed and pulled at your insides.

After a moment, you felt him at your side, and Jared lay a firm hand on your shoulder. “What happened?”

You shrugged his hand away and walked to the door to retrieve your spatula, ignoring his question. As you bent to pick it up, you cleared your throat and tried to veer the conversation away from you. “How was your day?” You forced a smile as you turned back to him, but your eyes gave away the lie.

Sam nodded, understanding your reluctance to talk, and gave you a little shrug. “It was alright. Dean got a bit roughed up on the hunt, but that’s about it.”

Panic turned in your stomach. “What? Is he OK?”

Sam crossed his arms and leaned back against the messy counter. “Yeah, he’s fine; just rolled funny when he went down to duck the blade and hurt his knee.

“Huh, well, I’m glad he’s OK,” you said softly and turned to busy your hands with the mess on the island. Your phone buzzed loudly from your pocket and your shoulders tensed at the sound. “Jesus Christ, five damn minutes, that’s all I ask,” you mumbled and pulled it out to silence the alert.

“Busy day at work?”

“Ya think?” you snapped as your eyes scrolled through a message from your boss, needing some pointless bit of information immediately, even though you’d been off the clock for three hours.

“Y/N…”

You set the phone down and looked up to see bright hazel eyes staring at you in concern. Sam dipped his chin and waited for you to reply, clearly not going to let you off the hook.

“I’m sorry, Sammy,” you sighed. “Did you eat? I was making pancakes…” Your phone buzzed again and your eye twitched.

Jared smiled and looked over his shoulder at the ruined cake on the griddle. “Breakfast for dinner. My favorite.”

It was not his favorite, you knew, and guilt settled like a rock in your gut. “I’m sorry,” you whispered. “I was going to make the ribs we picked up the other day, but they didn’t smell right. I put them in anyway, but the pie gunk on the bottom of the oven started burning because I never had a chance to clean it up, because I suck…”

 Words tumbled from your mouth in a rolling rant that had no beginning or end. “…and then whole kitchen started filling with smoke, and the alarm went off. Which woke Johnny up from his nap, and he started screaming and I couldn’t get to him because I was trying to shut off the alarm, but I couldn’t reach the damn thing, and he got so upset he threw up all over himself. And the playpen, and the floor, and me when I picked him up.” Your voice cracks little by little before you start talking again.

“So then he needed a bath and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing for like, ever, and everyone just needs something from me and I just don’t know how to help anyone. Katelyn has called me four times about her boyfriend and they’re in some kind of fight, but what do you want me to do? And my mother… Goddamn it, it’s like nonstop with her! ‘What’s happening for Christmas?’ ‘What time are we eating?’ ‘When is your flight?’… It’s three weeks away-”

Sam, who had been silently observing you from across the room, now rushed to your side and set his hands on your upper arms. He breaks off your rant, not wanting it to escalate any further that it already had. You tried to push him away, but he held tight, and you screwed your eyes shut against his comfort.

“I just can’t freaking do this anymore!” You panted; your breath picking up speed with each passing second. Your heart was racing, fireworks crackling in your head. “I can’t! I can’t do anything! Everyone needs something, but I have nothing. There’s nothing left! I’m done. I can’t!” Your shoulders began to shake, burdened by the weight of life; your responsibilities, both real and imagined, pushing down on you like anvils. “I can't…” you said again and again in gasping breaths as your head began to feel fuzzy.

“Hey! Hey, hey…” Sam’s fingers pressed into your arms, but you could barely feel them. His voice was steady and soothing in its depth, but your heavy breaths blocked his words. “Relax, Baby. It’s okay.” He pulled you forward, trying to force you into a hug, but you pulled back, fighting him as you hyperventilated; your chest tightening, throat closing in.

“I…can’t…I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” he told you quickly and finally managed to pull you against his chest. He was hot and sweaty and all the things you loved, but you couldn’t focus on anything. Your eyes twitched back and forth as your mouth gaped for air, but Jared held you tight.

“You need to breathe, Y/N. Come on…”

You shook your head and looked up at him, suddenly unable to remember how. You couldn’t move, yet your muscles were twitching; couldn’t think, yet your mind raced. Tears fell from your open eyes and dripped like salted rain into your mouth.

Sam bent down, pressed his forehead to yours and closed his left hand around the back of your neck.

“Take a breath, Y/N. Deep breath.”

You shook your head again as white lit the edges of your vision.

“Do it,” he said firmly. “Deep breath.”

Somehow, your chest rose as the air flowed in, and Sam’s fingers tightened at the nape of your neck. “Now let it out,” he whispered, and you did, oblivious to the absurdity of your husband needing to instruct you on how to breathe. It helped, though, and once the air was gone, you pulled in more through your nose, and let it seep out from between your lips. “That’s good, Baby,” Sam said with a faint smile. “That’s good. Keep breathing.”

As soon as you started to relax, another tidal wave of panic slammed into you. Your body tensed and you struggled to pull away.

“Sam, please!” There was no real question, nothing you were asking for other than help, but he knew what you needed.

“You feel my hand?” he asked as he pressed a little harder on your neck. “Do you feel me?”

You nodded, biting your lip to stop from shouting.

“Say it, tell me you feel me.”

“I…” Your voice cracked, your throat so tight it was hard to speak. “Yes.” It was a tiny whisper, but it was there.

Sam closed his eyes in a moment of relief and pressed on. “My fingers, do you feel them?” Lightly, he pressed down against your skin, each finger in turn. “Focus on my fingers.” One by one they pulsed on your neck and you set your mind upon their movements, trying to map their journey. “Do you feel them?”

“Yes,” you sighed as your throat relaxed.

“My hand, do you feel it? Can you feel my palm? The base of my fingers and the heel of my hand? Can you feel it?”

You swallowed and took a slow breath. “Yes.” With the word, you felt your shoulders drop and you kept your mind on the comforting pressure of his hand.

Sam felt you relax and pressed a quick kiss to your forehead before leaning back down. “That’s good, Y/N.” He kept his hand in place, his fingers dancing in alternating firmness. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes.” From the top of your head, straight down to your toes, every muscle released its tension and you breathed deep and steady.

“Listen to me,” he said gently. “You are an amazing person. You give and give and never ask for anything. But you don’t have to give until you are empty.”

You opened your eyes at last and lifted your chin to look into his.

“I love you. I don’t care what the house looks like, or if the oven goes up in flames. I don’t care of there’s baby puke and cereal all over the living room.” He paused and your lips turned upwards at his little joke. “I love you,” he went on, his voice filled with sincerity and love. “Let me help you. You’re not alone in this. This is our life. Our fight. Do you hear me?”

You stared up at your gorgeous husband, wondering how on earth you had ever talked him into falling in love with someone like you. He was brimming with light and love, pure and true, and somehow, by some miracle, it was all focused on you. You were a wreck from the day you’d met, but he saw passed it all. Even when his own light was dimming, he could bring you back from the edge with the touch of his hand.

Sam tilted his head and smiled sweetly, pulling you out of your thoughts. “Hey, I asked you a question.”

You laughed and nodded, still locked into those incredible eyes. “Yes, I hear you.”

His kiss was gentle but full, and you crashed in his arms, exhausted but somehow renewed.

“I love you,” you whispered against his lips.

“Love you more,” he teased and gave you a final squeeze. “Now, can we order a pizza, please? I’m starving.”

You chuckled and rolled your eyes, tossing him your phone. “Yes.”

[aurora-the-kunoichi]

Here is the updated ending for Chapter Ten. 

Chance Meeting

Chapter Ten

Turtles and Reader

The tight grip of Luca’s hands on your waist as she hid behind you strengthened your resolve. You had to protect her; you were the only hope you both had. The shuffle of boxes behind you signaled the movement from the behemoth that was Hun.

“Can’t I catch a fucking break here?” You mumbled under your breath turning to try and get Hun in your peripheral.  

“You’re fuckin dead bitch.” Hun’s voice dripped with venom staggering out of the pile of boxes towards you. You let out a quick chuckle seeing blood dripping from his nose. Serves him right asshole, come any closer and you would cut the offending thing off along with his prized appendage.

The odds were still not in your favor, there were at least 12 Purple Dragons to your left and Hun with a handful of stragglers to your right. You were tired, sore and you were almost positive your left eye socket was fractured. You still couldn’t comprehend how you were still alive, with the odds stacked against you and the sheer numbers of the Purple Dragons that had occupied this hideout you should have been raped and dead an hour ago. Thank god for training and if you got out of here alive you would give that old rat the biggest hug you could muster.

Then it all happened and the unexpected commotion seemed to move in slow motion. The ear piercing shatter of glass tore your eyes from the ever present threat of the Purple Dragons and seemed to grab their attention as well.

“What the hell?” Hun hissed moving his gaze to the cascade of glass shards that rained down from the ceiling.

All at once hell broke loose as you shielded your eyes from the spray of glass and debris. Turning you and Luca you pushed her away from the confusion trying to keep the hysterical woman calm as possible. You could hear the remaining Purple Dragons screaming at something and the shrill sounds they made indicated they were scared. Then you heard four heavy thuds as the old wood floor of the canned factory groaned in protest at the sudden added weight.

You could have sworn your ears were deceiving you when your name was called, frantic and angry behind you. Keeping Luca between you and the chaos, you turn around and a wave of relief rushed through you when your eyes landed on four mutant turtles trained in on you.  

They were the most beautiful thing you had ever seen and when you saw the worry in Leo’s gaze the trauma of the day came thundering back. You knew how you felt, the throbbing ache in your face kept you painfully aware, but you had yet to see your physical appearance and from Leo’s expression you looked horrible. Your gaze fanned over to Raph, Donnie and Mikey and their faces showed a much different expression, they were seething mad, and their weapons were poised and ready for the fight. The threat of violence weighed heavy in the air and the way the turtles looked you would hate to be a Purple Dragon right now.

But there was no time as the Purple Dragons regained their composer and with Hun’s roaring orders from behind you they attacked. Everything was a blur and you could barely keep up with their dizzying movements.

Deadly, was one word to describe the way the four green blurs moved and precision was an understatement. Fueled by your worrisome appearance and the unsure outcome from your ripped clothes they fought with such ferocity even you were a bit unnerved. You were so enthralled you forgot about the woman behind you unaware the large four mutants were there to help. Luca’s high pitched scream rung like a gong in your eardrums making you winch in pain. Her hands wrapped around your arms and pulled you back away from them, away from the fight.

“Luca, it’s alright…..it’s ok, they’re friends!” You winched at the sudden strength in her fingertips. Prying from her grasp you turned to the petrified woman trying to reassure her that the four turtles were there to help not to harm them.

“They’re your friends?!” Her high pitched yelp came out in a quick snap behind her teeth.

“Yes, they saved me in the alleyway. They…” before you could finish a large arm clamped around your waist and right arm pulling you away from Luca with neck breaking speed. The sudden force made you drop your weapon sending it tumbling to the wood floor. An overwhelming urge to throw up rolled up your throat at the horrifying realization that you were pressed back against Hun making you yelp in terror unintentionally.

“So you know these freaks?” he growled in your ear wrapping his thick hand around the base of your throat. “Let’s see how much they appreciate you in one piece you little cunt. Scream for me beautiful?” His fingers tightened around your throat painfully gaining a strangled cry from you.

“Freaks!” he shouted gripping tighter effectively closing off your precious air supply.

All at once the fighting stopped and all eyes were on Hun and you. You felt useless dangling precariously in his oversized mitts watching your friends look on helplessly. Your only free hand slide around his wrist, trying with all your remaining strength to pry it from your throat but it was no use. The reality of the situation was he was 100 times stronger than you and you were now at his mercy, leaving the turtles vulnerable to his whim. Hun could demand anything and you were pretty sure they would do it, and that wasn’t going to be alright with you.

“Alright you fucking green freaks drop the weapons or little miss muffet loses her tuffet.”

Despite the lack of air and the crushing pressure on your larynx you roll your eyes at the large mans ridiculous threat, was he fucking serious? You couldn’t help but look at your friends gasping for much needed oxygen. Fury mixed with horror bore down on you from the turtles making your struggle even more futile.  A sudden change in Leo’s stance made you turn your attention back to the leader in blue. You found his stare almost pleading behind the blue pools like he was trying to get you to understand him. The clatter of their weapons on the ground hit you like a dagger to the heart. They were now defenseless but you watched Leo’s hands hover over his belt and your suddenly realized what he wanted. He wanted you to trust him and you did with every fiber of your being. Nodding softly you let your hand drop to your side and remained perfectly still.

His hand moved with a blur of green and metal and the next thing you knew a roar of pain ripped from Hun’s throat. The crushing pressure on you abruptly lifted and you dropped to your feet. Reacting to your freedom you rolled forward away from the leader of the Purple Dragons landing just beside Luca again. Snatching up your lost weapon a smile spread over your lips seeing a shuriken embedded neatly halfway into the hand of the overgrown homicidal gym rat. Leo’s skill set with any kind of blade was awe inspiring which only added to his irresistible appeal.

“FUCK! KILL THEM ALL!”

Unwilling to be another pawn in Hun’s plan you grabbed Luca’s hand pulling her away from the fray and to the protective enclosure of four mutant turtles.

Weapon’s back in their hands the turtles wasted no time jumping back into the fight. From behind the protective barrier of the four giant mutants you could see Hun in the distance holding his hand screaming at his failing men. Even from this distance you could see the veins in his neck popping in anger and the foam forming in his gaping mouth. You had never seen someone so uncontrollably irate, the color in his face rolled from a white to a rosy pink as his temper escalated. Then his eyes found yours and if looks could kill you and Luca would both be dead on your feet.

Even though the four of them had been outnumbered the four brothers laid waste to the pitiful attempt of resistance and Hun quickly realized this wasn’t a fight he was going to win. Calling for a hasty retreat the remaining Purple Dragon’s and their hulk of a leader ran for the exits.

“Are we just gonna let them leave?!” Raphael growled about to run after the scared gang members still ready to smash some skulls.

“Yes we are, the cops should be out there by now to grab them, besides we have more important things to attend too.” Leo snapped at his impatient brother pointing aggressively at your wavering frame and the still terrified woman huddling behind you.  

Raph let out a frustrated howl and shifted his weight to look past his older brother following his outstretched fingers direction. The seething mad turtle instantly softened being reminded of your current state and relaxed his volatile stance returning his sai to their holsters.

Your knuckles were white from your unwavering grip on your blade and you couldn’t stop the shaking of your legs as you willed yourself to stay standing. You didn’t want to look weak and you couldn’t pass out without explaining a few necessary things to the panic-stricken woman behind you. The fight was over but your body was still running on pure adrenaline and you were afraid once you started to come down you’d be on the floor in a puddle.

“Hey, it’s ok they’re gone. Are-are you ok?” Donnie was the first to talk putting his Bo away stepping towards you and Luca. His hands were out in front of him like he was making sure you knew he wasn’t going to hurt you. Why would you think they would hurt you but then you remembered the bloody machete in your death grip. Blood dripped from its tip the evidence of the violence you had demonstrated today, and you dropped it as if it was burning your skin.

Things you had done today, the things that were almost done to you. Your mind raced with images of blood and Hun on top of you and you suddenly felt dizzy. Reaching for your spinning skull you swayed as the room began to turn.

Seeing you stumble forward, Leo darted forward catching you before your legs gave out hitting the floor.

“Hey, hey its ok, I got you.” His hands were on you touching and searching for serious injuries and his large green hands shook hovering over the tattered remains of your pants. “Did he? Did they?” his once confident voice was timid and terrified asking the question they all were wondering. Did Hun take advantage of you?

“N-no he only touched; I was able to fight him off before he was able to get too far. But he almost….” You couldn’t finish, you didn’t want to think about that horrid man on top of you ever again. Turning to face Luca you smiled using Leo’s immense chest to hold your unsteady legs upright, the adrenaline was starting to wear off. Your fingers reached out resting on her arms pulling her a little closer to you and the four mutants.

“It’s ok Luca, these are my friends. They’re not going to hurt you. They are the ones who actually saved us back in the alleyway. If it wasn’t for them god knows what would have happened to us.”

The dazed look in Luca’s face intensified and she nodded giving an unsure smile before staggering back fainting into Mikey’s quick arms.

“At least she didn’t’ scream again.” Mikey mused gently picking up the motionless woman bridal style.

Leo looked down at you, his stomach churning at your current state. He hadn’t been here to protect you, to save you. He should have found you sooner and now that man had touched you in places he wasn’t supposed too. Your clothes were torn to shreds covered in blood, but you survived it. You had protected yourself and the other woman from a small gang for god knows how long.

“I’m sorry…” Leo started, his intense gaze locked in on you being careful not to touch your wounds.

You tilted your head on confusion, “Why would you be sorry Leo?”

“I should have found you sooner, should have realized something was wrong before Chief Vincent called us. I knew something was wrong but I thought…..”

“Whoa whoa whoa there Leo.” You held your hand up stopping the leader in blue before he went further down that ridiculous road. “You couldn’t have known or stopped what happened to me. You can’t protect me from everything that happens to me and it’s because of you four and Master Splinter that nothing more serious happened. I was able to defend myself enough until you somehow found where I was.” Your hands slide up his chest grazing over his wide neck before settling under his cheeks. Leaning up you pressed your lips to his stealing a kiss from their leader.

Leo’s arms tightened around you deepening the gesture further noting the coppery taste of your blood on his tongue from your busted lip. It felt good to have you in his arms, safe and out of danger but you needed medical attention.

As if on cue, the bay doors of the old cannery swung open allowing a hoard of police officers into the main floor. From the lack of surprise from the officers it was apparent that they had already laid eyes on the four mutants. Turning from Leo’s firm embrace you allowed the EMTs to usher you towards the ambulances just outside the building.

Mikey gently laid Luca down on the gurney provided and the four turtles followed you out into the night.

As the chill of the night air hit your sore exposed body your mood quickly brightened seeing Hun and his cronies struggle as the policemen shoved them into squad cars. With a firm hand from a policeman on top of his giant head Hun saw you and the turtles exit the building and the hulk of a man roared in frustration.

“This isn’t over yet you freaks! And you, you little bitch I ain’t threw with you yet! Not by a long shot!” The large man pushed forward trying to free himself before he was pushed into the tactical van. But with a single shot from the tazer he groaned in pain and rolled backwards into the van vanishing from view.

Raphael let out a low grunt of laughter and assisted you onto the gurney. “Serves him right the monster.”

The four turtles hovered around you while two EMTs tended to your wounds. They quickly brushed off the offers of medical attention to treat their own injuries from a few female EMTs who were done tending to Luca. You smiled watching the turtles blush at the attention, it was sweet. They deserved the positive glances and interest from humans. But you kept your eye on the ones that fawned over the leader in blue. Thankfully he was courteous and kept out of reach of wandering hands.

The jostling of your gurney brought your attention back to the EMTs and they were now loading you into the back of the ambulance. Leo moved around his brothers and growing cluster of female admirers and took your hand.

“I’ll see you when you’re released.”    

Chapter Nine

@blossom-skies

[zebraslovescupcakestoo]

Gambling bet

It's a booming night for gambling and auctioning. The people and whole place was in a masquerade like themed like the ones in a 19th century lectures I've once read...

But I was not expecting to be in one as a gambling 'prize'. I was in a cage, tied up from the back with a collar chained at my neck like an animal. My mouth was gagged to prevent me from saying or even screaming... even if I could, I doubt that will help me...

How did I ended up like this? Bendy DeMon. But his real last name is Drew... I was so close to nab him in that alley way until I got knocked out from the back... I was a fool for not realizing he had Boris Wolfenstein as his second hand man of the Alfonso mafia and now I've really gotten in a huge mess this time.

If I remembered correctly, this must be one of those black auctions slash gambling events only the social elites and exceptional takes place... Some of the items are from Europe and foreign regions that must have at least a thousand dollar value each! But there are some 'items' that are illegal like myself and I believed some dangerous weaponry or exotic animals...

“Our turn is up. You better not screw up more than you are now, ace defective.” I quickly looked at my right to see that demon smirking as I was transported to the stage as a center of attention. He was wearing his best black stripped gangster suit, complete with a black fedora and a demon mask. I gritted the cloth that was tied at my mouth as I glared. This is bad... I have to escape, but what can I do? This place is filled with influential and rich people who are no different than the crooks I've dealt with. If I do something reckless, they have the 'authorities' in their pockets to destroy me and anyone close to me... What would my father do in this situation?

“Our next item featured in tonight's event is a prize by the gentlemen  Mr. Dancing Demon. This one is one of the top member of the CPD and a detective. He's in no one's favor, but if you win the game against Mr. Dancing Demon, he will be 'yours.' You can use him as your personal pet, or use him to avoid minor incidences to stay on top of the 'law.' But if you found him too 'good,' you can always use his organs as a quick, pocket money or if you had 'desires,' he does have a nice body...” The announcer was treating me as I was a commercial item and I felt a lot of eyes gazing at me... I'm getting a whole mess of feelings of what they were thinking... But I can tell that I was an interesting 'prize' to win. I will admit... I'm terrified... If one of them 'wins' me, my life will be more like h3ll and then God knows what will happened to my nephews... My best bet in worst case scenario was to give them again to my uncle in Australia, but then again my cousin will trick them again...

I then noticed that there was a black table set up and there sat Mr. 'Dancing Demon' A.K.A. Bendy along his sidekick, Boris. His partner was wearing black suit and pants, but he had a large, grey fur over coat that made him look like a million bucks. He was also wearing a mask that looked like a wolf. “Mr. Demon, how would you like to do it? Auctioning or Gambling?” The announcer asked about my fate. I looked at him again and he thought about it for a minute... he then gave his answer. “I will gamble. I do admit I really do love the money, but this one... hehehe... oh, this one...” He was teasing me and then grabbed the chain. “I have sooooo much thoughts about this one... he wasn't easy to catch, but if any of you have anything that could give an 'equal' amount, I could just part with it... for now.” He then yanked me at him as I almost hit the bar. I grunted. Now I feel like his pet. “Now who's first?”

----Several card games later------

I can't believed that demon is 'winning' all of their money and some priceless items to boot!

There was a fairly amount of people who grabbed their 'pocket changes' and their values on this bet for me! Any card games like poker or black jacks, he wins it all. There's gotta be almost fifty thousand dollars in cash and value in total... There's a trick I 'detected' while I simply watched. If I can detect the 'trick' to anyone, I can use that as an advantage to unmask his cheat and then while they're 'distracted,' I can escape!

But what can I do? If I don't do it soon... Huh?

I then noticed the last odd person wearing a red mouse mask... that I think I've seen it before... He was also wearing a black and red detailed Chinese soiree suit. His hair was black with two curly buns I think I've seen them before. He was smiling underneath that mask and it made Bendy angry. I can tell judging from how he was gritting his teeth and trembling his hands. I then saw another figure who was a few inches taller than the other one. He was wearing another familiar rabbit mask. He was wearing a white with blue detailed Chinese soiree suit. His hair was also black but with twin pony tails... I think he's looking intensively at me behind that concealed mask... which sends a shiver down my spine. “Guess I can't see one without the other, huh?” Bendy said in a deep tone. “I can say the same thing for you and Mr. Wolf too. At least we can do fine on our own if we get separated.” The guy in a mouse mask said. “I should have known from your nicknames it was going to be you two. I'm done for tonight.” He was about to get up until the rabbit guy spoke. “We still have the right to challenge for the 'prize' as stated tonight's rules. We waited for our turn cause you have something 'rare' and doesn't belong here.” He then puts a suit case on the table. “What's that you got in there? Candy?” Bendy mocked the guy in the mouse mask. “Very humorous, Mr. Double D. But don't you think you're being unfair, again? My friend is ri-” *TACK! * Then there was a switch blade stab on the table that stun the crowd. “When I said I'm done, I mean I'm DONE! Just looking at those mask makes me wanna puke! We're leaving, Mr. Wolf.”

“What's the matter, Demon? You think you can't beat him in another card game? Or maybe you've ran out of luck because of the black cat's karma have kicked in? They don't like to be played 'rough' like you do.” The one with a rabbit mask smirked at him and it sets him off even more. “If we weren't in a social gathering, I would have 'loved' to have a couple of stuffed animal heads for my coats.” In a quick reaction, he tried to slash their masques but the rabbit grabbed his wrist just in time. The rabbit guy was then holding his grip really good to prevent Bendy of getting the upper hand. He must be a REALLY GOOD Chinese boxing expert cause I know Bendy is a knife handling expert next to his speed demon skills. “Still a karate freak, humping rabbit?” Bendy spatted. “I wouldn't even think of f#king with you with a stolen d!k, ya back stabbing demon.” The rabbit replied and I think he was glaring through his mask. I feel his murderous tension when he said that and I feel like I shouldn't try to make him angry if they win.

Or IF they try to bet on me.

“Guys! The host is coming! Knock it off!” The mouse whispered harshly and pointed an individual in white coming our way. They immediately break up before it escalates to a fighting scene. Under normal circumstances, Bendy would have done it, but I guess he's just 'behaving' at the moment cause I knew that he isn't the one who throw these kinds of auctions... And that there's other syndicates that benefits these events for 'rares' and other important 'essentials' for anything.

“Is there a problem?” The white man asked. Can't his clothing be any whiter than his mask?

“Not really, just personal issues. We both just wanted to take a chance of getting his 'prize' he presented. He can keep the rest he gained from others for all we care.” The mouse explained.

Just me?! Who are you both working for why would I be any use of you two IF you win? I better need to think of an escape, FAST!

“Mr. Demon. I'm sure that the evening isn't over yet and I wish to see at least one more card game of yours. Maybe that new card game you've made recently that became quite popular recently that's very challenging and tested your luck pretty harshly. Was it Double Memory?” He calmly questioned at Bendy after pleading for another game of cards. That made the demon perked his ears and I can tell from his mouth expression that interested him. “Oh? THAT game?” He then smiled wider and he made a nod to Boris as to hive him some sort of communication. The wolf reached in his pocket to take out two, unopened, cartoon Bendy themed playing cards. You've already have one deck opened already... Why two new ones and what is that 'Double Memory' card game? I did heard it once before in a rumor and nothing else... Keep listening.

“If I remembered correctly, that 'Double Memory' card game is  the same thing like the 'Memory' game with two exceptions. One is that it uses two decks instead of one. Two is that not only you need to match the numbers, but it has to be in the same suit. Like you need two exact identical cards to make a match.” The mouse explained.

“Correct, rodent. Now since I was the one who created that new game, I will choose the decks.” He then held the unopened packs together and held it close to his face. “Let's make this quick, shall we? I want to 'play' another but a different 'game' with this cat.” He then looked at me as if he had some sort of cruel ideas of what my fate will be. “First one who gets the most pairs wins.”

“Those cards... are they the newest toys you've recently released? They looked very high design.” The mouse innocently said. That makes the demon's grind wider. “Ah! So you finally noticed some better taste. My products needed MY personal touches on the marketing side and I wanted to be done professionally.” He then opens the deck and the cards were fairly scattered.“Compared to your father's puny ideas, mine were all beautifully well selected by yours truly. The design of the deck is far more elegant than the ones that was made originally.” The deck back design was mostly black with a golden like floral themed that resembles to a throne roses. I do admit it's very uniquely beautiful despite it was made by him. The mouse looked like he was in awe like a curious child who is choosing which ice cream flavor he wanted to pick. “I admit, Mr. Demon. You really did a fantastic job of making these wonderfully deck designs.” The mouse complimented. “I thank you for that, cheese brain. Now pick your first move.” Bendy impatiently replied.

The mouse took a few seconds to scan all of the cards on the table while playing with his index finger as if he was deciding which ones he'll pick first. “I shall start with five hundred.” I was nervous once he turned the first one with a four of diamonds. If he turns a wrong one, Bendy will have a turn... and he never loss a game yet tonight. He then reaches for another one across the table and... another four of diamonds! “Lucky rat... Just watch! I'll have my turn as soon as you fail.” Bendy rarely 'complimented.' Then the mouse took another card, a ten of hearts, then asked. “Say Old friend... I need to say this before I forget.” He then continues his turn as he reaches for another one. “I do admire anyone who's been having a hard time growing up as a child and made a name for themselves. I like it when someone who have a dream and they pursued it whether they made it or not. As long as they take responsibilities...” He flipped another exact match! Bendy then sneered his eyes at him. “The f#k you mean by that, mousey?”

But the mouse still has his eyes on the cards. “I'm sorry. Have I offended you when I said that? Don't get me wrong. I just sometimes have that envy of independence like yourself in your 'front' public image. I am barely in a position to make choices like you. The cards you made personally by yourself is one good example... I can't barely even ask for that... not just for marketing smarts... right?” He lifted his head a bit as if he's on to something. “Hm?” Bendy kept his cool and I think he was still sneering until... he surprisingly gasped as if he gets what he's saying. The mouse keeps getting the right cards as if he KNEW exactly where they are! Boris then whispered something like 'he's bluffing!' and it was impossible...

It then strike me what he means: Bendy have made these deck of cards specifically for cheating by making the deck designs HIMSELF!!! He noticed it like I did?!

I then saw the rabbit's grin grew wider and said. “You know, Bèndàn. Let me give you one piece of advice. If you're planning to use your 'front' business image with these tactics, make sure you're duly prepared.” Isn't that Chinese word means... ?!?! YOU ARE SO LUCKY THAT MY NEPHEWS DON'T SPEAK THAT KIND AND TYPE OF LANGUAGE!!! If I wasn't tied up and gagged, I would have a WHOLE hour of lecturing you and ask who raised you!

I glanced back at the mouse as he was pairing the exact cards... No way! How did he figured out his trick like I did? Then there was a final flip... fifty two cards were all flipped. The white guy was impressed and gave a small applause. “Bravo, Mr. Souris. You have won a well deserved prize from Mr. Demon. I do admit, it's a very rare find, even in the Chicago's crime syndicates. I hope you'll be treating him well.” I then heard the cage's door opened by one of the staff members and I was handed to the two mystery guys who won me.

“Hey!” Bendy took out another deck with a different design, but it was just a regular one. “Just give me ONE more round! I will bet ALL of the money and the priceless items for him! Come on! He's not even worth THAT much compared in gold values!” He seems like he was determined to keep me for his 'interests' or something like that.

“Nah, that crap you've collected doesn't interest us. The cat is all we needed.” The rabbit replied as he held me close. I feel something in my chest. What is this feeling? Relief or was it...? No, never mind that. It must be stress over tonight's 'activity' and I'm not thinking straight right now.

Bendy was not done talking. “I'm not letting him go THAT easy! There's a rule about-”

“A penalty fine if we declined and leave the auction before the announcement is over, correct?” The mouse interrupted him. “Yes. It's a one thousand dollar fine to the organizer of tonight's event.” Boris cleared that specific rule.

“Okay! There!” The mouse then tossed another five hundred on the table, both Bendy and Boris choked. They weren't the only ones that were surprised. Who are they behind those masks and how rich they are? Not even Bendy would have bluffed or put that much amount for anyone but Boris.

“Oh! And before we forget...” The mouse said something but before I get to hear it, there was a bag that covered my head and the rest of that memory was blurred....

-------

It was all just twists and turns with the walks, cars and doors. I feel like it's one of those movies where they catch a 'suspicious' character and they brought them at their secret hiding spot, and I was the 'star.' How Ironic.

But what's really going on in my mind is who are they, what would they want with me now that I'm in their 'possessions' and how do I get out of this?

Paying all back wasn't exactly an option... I don't want to become their puppet like Bendy does with the other police men and women either...

I was then tossed on my back and was hand cuffed over my head. Judging from what I felt and positioned, I'm guessing it was a bed. I then heard somethings and they talked in a foreign language. I believed it sounded Chinese, based on my previous investigations with those people...

I then felt the bag removed from my head and it took me a minute to adjust the dimness of the room. It was dim, with only low lights to see that it's a luxurious private bedroom you might see in social elite movies.

I saw only the guy in red, but instead of wearing the same getup from that black auction, he wore some sort of a red and white track jacket, along with a black vest, red tie, black pants and he wore a beast themed facial mask. His eyes were black despite the dimness of the room.

He then removed the gag from my jaws and I took a breath of relief. “Thanks...” I told him. I'm still a bit cautious, but so far they seemed to act nice so I play along for now. He seemed cheerful and replied. “You're welcome! It's been quite an evening. Especially for that dancing demon himself. That card trick was very strategically challenging.” He then took out a card from the night table's drawer next to me that Bendy have made himself and showed the deck's design. He placed a finger on one of the tiny floral. “If I'm not mistaken, there's a rumour from the 'underworlds' about a certain pair of eyes that can detect more than just hidden secrets.” He then lifted his finger to reveal the 'glow mark' of another hidden floral.

It was so tiny yet so convenient for Bendy cause he can easily tell which card is which by temperature. After a few minutes, they slowly faded away so it would avoid of him getting caught. Sure, it would take a lot of work to memorized ALL of it and mastered the games, but the effort will be paid off fully in spades and tonight's winning rounds was the proof of it.

“I know for a fact that he hid most of the packs inside of Mr. Wolf's overcoat for heat and two more in his own pockets for the Double Memory game he played with you. What makes you think my 'unusual' eyes had anything to do with that rumor without any solid evidence?” Is he trying to bluff me into confessing about my 'sight' abilities? I may used them to detect lies but... I do not wish to use them 'willingly' if you know what I mean.

“I'm not forcing you to tell us, but based on our own 'investigations,' we can suspect that you don't always used them as a lie detector.” He winked at that statement and I was shocked. How much did... no, it's too convenient. He's just trying to make me spill the beans! So I decided to ask the most important question I had in mind, but then the other guy with a twin ponytail, who had a similar outfit he changed like him, but in whit and blue, said something in Chinese and then he went to another room. The other guy then came over to me with some threatening yet calming aura. Like one of those cool guys... I sensed something intense from him, not just from his glaring. “Who are you people and how did you know who I was?”

He answered this. “We're just somebodies who doesn't like certain somebodies like that Bendy Drew you've keep an eye on. You're may be equals apart that you don't play dirty like he still does, but you might be prove useful to us.” He then stomped his right foot on the side of the mattress next to me, indicating that he's not the 'joking' type and that he's probably much tougher than he looks... “So you're saying that you're not gonna reveal your names yet I'm somewhat 'valuable' to your needs... Look, I know that I might not have known much, but I did guessed that you and your partner had a history with Bendy. I'm surprised that you even know his real family name.” The only people who knew his real family name were very few aside myself. The rest were in coffins.

“Let's just say... We 'we're' allies a few years ago before he became the new leader of Alfonso Mafia. Call it a mistake for trusting someone who was similar to us, but we're currently keeping tabs on him just so that he's not gonna 'surprise' us again.” He explained their relations. “You guys were allies? For how long exactly? And how much did you know-MGR!” He then grabbed my jaw and made me look straight in his glaring eyes. He had that deep blue eyes that are very beautiful... and very terrifying at the moment. I feel like a scaredy cat being in a stare down against a, intimidating blue eyes, white dragon.

“I just said that we 'used' to be friends, it doesn't mean we're still in touch with each other.” He 'clarified' it. “Ny-ok! You guyz are in neutrwal in 'public' evwent aftwer whatwever happened.” I struggled to say it and then he lets go of my jaw. I took a breath of relief before I continue. “So... why did you guys rescued me, despite you'll probably ain't gonna have all the money right away? I've-”

“Got two nephews that are currently in your care after an incident with your late father and sister. Despite that you had relatives that can raise them, you yourself wanted to care them instead. After graduated from high school, you went straight into the police academy and was an exceptional student. Despite your height, you had that speed, quick thinking and also that 'unusual' detection that got you on top. Of course, you also had a few friends like Sheba and Kitiana to help out, but after the incident with your own, you wanted to do your cases alone after you got more independent from the top brass. Guess what happens when you get too overly confident?” He took a part of my biography and explain it to me like he new me 'very' well.

I was stupefied... and I didn't need my 'sight' techniques to tell that he was smirking at me like he was taunting me to crack under his 'joker' persona. “How much did you knew about me before you 'rescued' me?” My curiosity tingled. “Just enough to understand your background before we... 'co-operate' with one another. You may be a sticker to the rules, but I can see you're not a slouch nor a corrupted copper.”

He wants to what? Co-operate? With people that I didn't know well aside they knew Bendy behind his public image? This is too suspicious. I then noticed that the guy in red came back. “I'm back! Did you guys behaved well?” He said in a cheering tone. “We did, just talking.” The guy in blue said plainly. I wanted to give my opinion, but judging from his actions and my position, it's best that I stay on his good side. The red one then asked the next important question. “Did you wanted to negotiate of that one thousand dollar debt? It wasn't exactly easy for us to get it... without being detected in public image.” So these guys have a public image? I mean, that explains the money but I don't recall anyone in the social elites in Chicago with those particular hair styles nor features... Not even the underground rumors here had people like them.

But for now I'll focus on that 'negotiation.' “What exactly do you meant on 'co-operating?' I don't work with shady people. Don't get me wrong, I really do appreciate for rescuing me from Bendy or in worst case scenario, sold to a crooked rich criminal, but I'm not gonna start playing 'dirty' for whatever you guys want do to get even with that crooked demon. I still have my standards!” I don't want to soil my father's honor in the name of justice by being crooked to a pair of vigilantes who hated the same guy as I did. The guy in red then broke it down to me. “Oh! I'm sorry. Guessed we had a misunderstanding here. See, we're not asking to 'cover' for us whenever we slip up, it's more like... keeping an eye out on Bendy until he's permanently behind bars. Easy, right?”

...what?

“Let me translate for you.” The guy in blue then said as if I didn't understand a single thing. “We needed someone from the law side that keeps us informed in this city. As much as we have numerous ears and eyes on these streets, we needed at least one person in the police department to keep us informed on what and where is this demon and wolf is doing.”

I wasn't that confused, but I had to ask. “Just that? You expect me to keep an eye out for him and Boris? Then what about that stuff about my personal life? I'm sure that-OW!” The blue guy then grabbed my collar tight, lifted me close to his face and glare me down again. “You are not in that position to decide on your own accord, remember? We can easily kill you, let you live or give you a more living h3ll.” His eyes were sending shivers down my spine. “You are 'ours.' However, that black cat's luck have shine upon you since we do show mercy. All we asked is that you keep doing your 'detective' job as usual and if we asked for an update, you'll provide your information from the law side of things. But don't say 'just look at the morning papers' crap, we know that you and your group of three don't always give the whole crucial evidences to the department.”

He then lets go of my collar and my head fell back on the pillow. I tsked. “So what you're saying is that I have to share classified information to a pair of vigilantes who used to be my enemy's friends so you may have a chance to get revenge like I would? And how can I trust you two if you're not gonna use me as an escape goat if things get out of hand?”

They both looked at each other for a few seconds until the guy in blue nodded. The guy in red then whispered a 'Thank you' as if he was happy to have that permission. Even with that mask, I can tell he was smiling. They then turned to me and the red one said. “If we unhand cuffed you now, reveal our identities and tell you our stories of how us and Bendy came to be, will you be our ally?”

I was surprised. “Seriously? Even tough we just met aside your partner had made a background check on my personal life?” Are they really going to risk their identities to someone like me? “Did I also mentioned that you've helped some people out of morale, despite that it goes against the law itself?” The blue one pulled that fact. “Like how you manage to catch a minor fruit vendor thief, only to found out that he only stole it to help his struggling working mother from hunger. So you helped them out a bit until they were fine and never reported it.” I was even more surprised. He... even found out about that? It wasn't to benefit my image just... I tried to he humble and compassionate like my father would have done it.

If... if they believed to risk their identities exposure to me then... “I guess as long as it doesn't involves the innocents or criminal activities, I'll trust you two... and I'll co-operate for now.”

The blue one then uncuffed my restrains and I rubbed my sore wrists due to extensive time bounded. I looked up to them and asked one more time before they do anything else. “Are you still sure that you both are willingly to risk your identities to a cop like me?”

“If it's going to convince you of how serious we are to get that double-crossing demon and his doormat dog behind bars permanently, we'll take it.” The blue one said as they reached out for their facial masks.

Once they removed it, I was not prepared for this. Even if I was just an underdog detective, no amount of police training was prepared for this unbelievable moment that only happens in books or movies twists.

Upon their reveals, I recognized those two faces from anywhere. “Mickey and Oswald Disney... Holey tuna fish! I... How... why...” I struggled for words. I mean, sure it explains the money but that still leaves on their vigilantes life style and other things that relates to Bendy and the Alfonso mafia.

And if this made public, it's gonna be a huge talk of the decade! I felt like this is going to be a long night.

Mickey then started to speak. “Well, now that we didn't need to introduced ourselves, how about we start our story? Say, how we met Bendy before he became who he is?”

----- Author’s notes ------

AHHHH!!! It feels so LONG to write a fanfic, even for a one-shot. It’s been busy and frustrating these past few months with the holidays, work, and my motivations that drains me. I hope you’ve enjoyed a little BBTIM AU fan story here.

So on a side notes, I did got this inspiration from an anime scene from the Lupin the 3rd series, ‘the woman called Fujiko Mine' back in 2012 and also the card game of ‘Double Memory’ was also from that gambling anime called ‘Kakegurui’ in episode 2. So I hope I’ve explained it well cause like I’m trying to be more honest, my story explanation sucked so I hope you might get that idea here and there.

Anyways, hope you like an alternate story line of how Felix met Mickey and Oswald in the BBTIM universe.

BBTIM humanized characters belong to Marini4.

[pinerduck]

Mitochondrial eve parasite eve

Eventually you have to try and stop her from stealing the entire donor supply of a sperm bank so she can impregnate herself and give birth to a mitochondrian messiah. She melts a clutch of concert goers into a single gelatinous mass that looks like King Kong if he were made out of SunnyD. The last time you ever see more than a handful of people in the city is when Eve assaults yet another crowd on Christmas Day. Unlike similar schlock like Darkman, though, the game just keeps mutating like one of Eve’s beasts, escalating into odder scenarios as Aya herself keeps getting more and more trapped in the city.Įve is actually the embodiment of a sentient, evolved group of mitochondria - the engine in living cells - that are trying to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the human nucleus. Half urban isolation meets explosion fest like The Rock and half Clive Barker-ian body horror, it really does feel like a vintage piece of cheese pulled right off of USA’s Up All Night with Gilbert Gottfried. If it stopped there and Aya just had to track down Eve in New York, fighting off mutating creatures as she went, Parasite Eve would just be another eerie high concept action horror fitting of its era. If painter Patrick Nagel and The Babadook director Jennifer Kent were in charge of crafting the worst Freudian anxiety nightmare you’d ever have, it would still be less outlandish than the beginning of Parasite Eve. That’s also when the rats in the building start turning into hog-sized freaks with three-pronged whip tails that shoot fire. Her arms twist and extend into dark claws, her legs are replaced by a curving, coarse tail as she floats in mid-air ranting about how the mitochondria are starting a revolution. The singer then warps into Eve, our monster antagonist. This is one of Parasite Eve’s only scenes where New York is populated beyond Aya and her allies from the 17th Precinct and everyone happens to be on fire. They arrive at Carnegie Hall for an opera, but as the show begins with a wailing, wordless song, everyone in the theater save Aya and the singer on stage starts to burn. On Christmas Eve in 1997, NYPD detective Aya Brea goes on a date with an overeager man who’s never named. In trying to make a shorter, more digestible delivery system for its technological prowess, Square produced something weirder than anything they’d made before. Parasite Eve was an attempt to streamline the concept of a role-playing game - strategic, evocative games that take dozens of hours to unfold their action and plot - so it could more seamlessly integrate with the lushly animated, Pixar short-style story sequences that Square was revolutionizing on the PS1. (Is it a movie? Is it one of those VHS board games? These were valid questions in the ‘90s and they still are unless you’re the sort of person that immediately understands what “RPG” stands for.) That awkward moniker was a mission statement. Square called it a “cinematic RPG,” a weird genre signifier that raises more questions than it answers. That’s the New York in Parasite Eve.ĭeveloped by SquareSoft and released in 1998 for the original PlayStation, Parasite Eve remains an eminently playable, bizarre experiment as beguiling as its setting. New York at rest feels like a dream space made flesh, a place both alien and familiar, isolating and enveloping. All the speed and fury of 8 million people pushing and yelling between the cars and the sirens falls away into a rumbling susurrus, half noise and half feeling. It’s eerie the first time you experience it, coming home in the small hours or walking out the door before the sun comes over the East River. Everything slows for a while, neighborhood by neighborhood, the city’s cardiovascular system easing down just like a human body at the end of the day. It rests fitfully, ready to rise at the crash of a car, the wail and fade of ambulance sirens mixing with the sharp bleat of drunk laughter filtering up from the sidewalk at 2 a.m., but it does in fact slumber. Parasite Eve knows the truth: New York sleeps.

[blightarts]

POKÉMON SUMMER VERSION

CHAPTER 20: New Challenges Ahead

Previous Chapter: An Escalation from Decent to Dazzling

Next Chapter: Autumn is Here!

Disclaimer:  Pokémon is a property of Game Freak and Nintendo, while Endless  Summer is a property of Pixelberry. I do not claim any rights here.

Author’s Note: As I was writing this chapter, I kept asking myself, “WHAT AM I DOING?!” You’ll see why. If the “Keep reading” doesn’t work, go here for the full post.

@princesstopgun, @mechaspirit, @lovearyn, @kaitloyalist, @choicesmarvel, @sceptilemasterr, @hey-its-vy, @skyila, @choicesyouplayandmore, @mysteli, @helentwombly, @scgdoeswhat, @choicesaholic​, @jakemckenzietrash, @xo-endlessmayhem-xo, @abhirio, @diego-vii, @daniela2510, @izzycheeese, @brightpinkpeppercorn

Recommended Music: We’ve Made it a Paradise (Choices)

It is Autumn season and a new day begins in La Huerta. The children step out of the Centaurus Resort in their new Autumn clothing.

They are accompanied by the Endless Summer Gang.

Taari: Autumn is here!

Kaitlyn: I can’t wait for our next badge!

Reginald: And for new challenges ahead.

Quinn: You guys are on your way to Quarr’tel Town, right? Guess you’re up against Zahra.

Zahra: Dope. I’m down to fight these runts. Craig, Raj and I are gonna go ahead. I’ll see ya kids at Quarr’tel Town.

Craig: See ya’ll next time!

Raj: I’m off to the gym, my dudes!

The kids and the rest of the Gang wave goodbye to Zahra, Craig and Raj as they walk away. The rest of the Gang say their goodbyes to the kids.

Estela: Come on. We still have our own jobs to do.

Sean: Right. See you soon, guys. Take care.

Quinn: Good luck on the League!

Taylor and Jake give Kaitlyn a warm embrace. 

Taylor: Good luck, Kaitlyn, and take care. We love you.

Jake: We support you all the way, li’l Marshmallow.

Kaitlyn: I love you too, Mom and Dad.

Grace and Aleister do the same to Reginald. 

Grace: I’ll see you back in Mansingh Town, dear. We love you.

Aleister: Best of luck to you, my son.

Reginald: Thank you, Mother, Father. I love you too.

And lastly,  Diego does the same to Taari while Varyyn pats his head.

Diego: We’re proud of what you’ve done for the past few days, Taari.

Varyyn: May Vaanu guide you in your journey.

Taari: Thank you so much, Varyyn and Mister Diego. I love you guys.

After a moment of goodbyes, the kids and the gang separate. On their way to the outskirts of Orderve City, the kids come across a familiar man. The redhead woman that Taari and Reginald sat next to during the second contest, seems to be holding hands with him.

Kaitlyn: Hey, don’t you think that guy looks familiar?

Taari: Yeah... And that woman too.

Reginald: That’s THE Blight!

The kids stare at Blight in surprise.

Taari: Blight?! The inventor of the Blightdex? And Master of the Foundry in Aryndelle?!

Kaitlyn: You’re right! He IS Blight!

Blight and the woman spot the kids and recognize them.

Blight: Oh, hey! It’s you guys!

The kids are startled.

Taari: He knows us?!

Reginald: Of course, he knows us. He was one of the announcers of the Pokélympics.

Taari: ...Oh yeah.

Blight and the woman approach the kids.

Blight: I guess we aren’t formally introduced yet. My name is Blight and this is my girlfriend, Katherine.

Katherine: Nice to meet all of you.

The kids and the couple shake each other’s hands.

Taari: Glad to meet such a legend!

Reginald: It is an honor, once again, Mister Blight.

Kaitlyn: Nice to meet you.

Blight grins at the kids.

Blight: You guys were amazing during the Pokélympics. I guess I should reward you for that.

Taari: Really?!

Kaitlyn: What kind of reward?

Blight reaches for his coat pocket and pulls out different stones.

Taari: Woah... Are these...?

Reginald: Evolutionary stones!

Blight: That’s correct. These could be useful for your Pokémon who are in need of it.

Kaitlyn: Oh yeah!

Kaitlyn quickly grabs one of her pokéballs and calls out her Pikachu. Katherine squeals at the sight of her.

Katherine: Aww cute!

Taari and Reginald look at her in curiosity. 

Taari: What are you planning, Kaitlyn?

Reginald: I see. You’re trying to get your Pikachu to evolve!

Kaitlyn: Mhm.

Blight then grabs a Thunder Stone and is about to tap it on Pikachu’s forehead, but the Pokémon hisses at the stone and rushes behind Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn: Huh? What’s wrong, girl?

Blight becomes confused but quickly realizes the situation.

Blight: Ah, I see. You got your Pikachu from her Highness.

Kaitlyn: Her Highness..?

Blight quickly covers his mouth while Katherine does a facepalm. Kaitlyn immediately puts together the puzzle pieces.

Kaitlyn: WAIT A MINUTE! YOU’RE KARL?!

Blight sighs and confesses.

Blight: Yeah... Her Highness, or as you may know her as Vishakha, made me join contests.

Kaitlyn: How did she do that?

Katherine: It’s actually a pretty funny story.

Blight: That we’ll talk about later. For now, we have to evolve Kaitlyn’s Pokémon.

Reginald: Not just her Pokémon.

The group turns to Reginald who quickly calls out his Nidorino. Taari gets the idea and calls out his Kirlia.

Reginald: We want our Pokémon to evolve too.

Taari: Since we still have a long way to go in the League.

Blight smiles and grabs a Moon Stone and a Dawn Stone. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn looks at Pikachu, who is still hissing at the Thunder Stone.

Kaitlyn: So, what’s wrong with Pikachu?

Blight: It’s actually hilarious. You see, her Highness trained her Pikachus to despise Thunder Stones.

Kaitlyn: Seriously?!

Blight: Yeah. It goes to show how much she really loves the Pokémon.

Blight laughs while Kaitlyn calms her Pikachu and convinces her to evolve.

Kaitlyn: It’s okay, Pikachu. Evolution is not bad, you know.

Pikachu: Chu?

Kaitlyn: Trust me.

Pikachu: Pi~ka!

Pikachu smiles and agrees to evolve. She, along with Nidorino and Kirlia, steps forward towards Blight. He then taps each of the stones to their respective Pokémon and soon after the kids’ Pokémon start to evolve. Kaitlyn’s Pikachu evolves into a Raichu. Reginald’s Nidorino evolves into a Nidoking. And Taari’s Kirlia evolves into a Gallade.

Taari: Woah! Gallade, you look so awesome!

Reginald: It’s time for you to shine in the battlefield, Nidoking.

Kaitlyn: Oh my god, Raichu! You look so cute!

The kids marvel at the sight of their newly evolved Pokémon. Meanwhile, Blight smirks while Katherine giggles. The kids take notice of this.

Taari: What is it, Mister Blight?

Blight: Now that you guys have your Pokémon evolved... why not we have a battle?

Reginald: Are you serious?!

Katherine: Oh, he is.

Kaitlyn: It could be practice for us three.

The kids nod at each other and turn to Blight.

Taari: We accept.

Reginald: Should we do three matches then?

Blight: How about I fight you guys all at once?

Kaitlyn: What?!

Blight: Don’t worry. I won’t be too harsh.

The kids begin to hesitate but their determination fades their hesitation away.

Taari: Let’s do this!

Blight: Great!

A few minutes later, the group gather on a grass field within the city.

Blight: Ready?

Taari: Yeah!

Reginald: Absolutely.

Kaitlyn: Ready when you are!

Blight smirks and calls out his partner.

Blight: Let’s do this, Greninja!

Blight throws his pokéball upwards and Greninja comes out of it. He then lands on the ground with one foot and crouches like a ninja.

Reginald’s Mind: If I remember correctly, Blight is an aggressive combination expert.

The boy then warns his friends.

Reginald: Watch yourself, guys. I’ve seen him battle and he’s really tough.

Taari: Alright.

Kaitlyn: You lead us to victory then.

Katherine, as the referee, raises her arm.

Katherine: Let the match... BEGIN!

Recommended Music: Rival Theme (Pokémon Sun and Moon)

At the start of the match, Blight and Greninja mimic ninja hand motions.

Blight: Alright, Greninja. Ninja Art: Ice Shuriken!

Kaitlyn: Ninja Art...?

Taari: Ice Shuriken...?

Reginald: I knew it.

While Taari and Kaitlyn wonder in confusion at Blight’s command, Greninja clench his fists and cold air begins to surround them. Greninja then conjures multiple Water Shuriken with his hands. With the cold air surrounding his hands, the Shurikens begin to freeze, turning them into ice shurikens.

Reginald: Watch out! Here it comes!

Greninja then throws them towards his opponents.

Reginald: Quick! Tell your Pokémon to get behind Nidoking.

Taari: Gallade, do what Reginald said!

Kaitlyn: You do the same, Raichu!

Reginald: Now, use Fire Punch, Nidoking!

Gallade and Raichu get behind Nidoking as the Drill Pokémon’s fist start to engulf in flames. He then punches the ground and a wall of fire rises between him and the ice shurikens. Upon reaching the fire wall, the shurkens melt. Blight is impressed.

Blight: Oh? Good thinking.

Reginald: Now!

The fire wall dissipates and soon after, Taari and Kaitlyn give their command.

Taari: Use Psycho Cut, Gallade!

Kaitlyn: Raichu, use Iron Tail!

Gallade’s bladed elbows extend and glow pink. He then runs around Nidoking and charges towards Greninja. Meanwhile, Raichu’s tail glows white and charges towards Greninja as well.

Blight: Not so fast. Greninja, use Ninja Art: Shuriken Barrage!

Greninja mimics ninja hand signs and creates multiple clones of himself using Double Team. He and the clones then conjure Water Shurikens and throw them at Gallade and Raichu. The two were able to cut through some of the shurikens with their moves but were still hit by the rest.

Taari: Damn!

Kaitlyn: He’s good.

Reginald: Tch!

Gallade and Raichu regroup back at Nidoking. Blight smirks as he delivers his final command.

Blight: Let’s go! Ultimate Ninja Art: Dark Spiraling Shuriken!

Greninja does another set of ninja hand signs and uses Dark Pulse. He conjures a sphere filled with dark energy and start to conjure a large Water Shuriken around it. He then throws the attack towards his opponents. Due to its very fast speed, the kids and their Pokémon are unable to do anything against it. The attack eventually hits and a large puff of black smoke appears. As the smoke clears, Nidoking, Gallade and Raichu lay down on the ground, fainted.

Taari: WHAT?!

Kaitlyn: They’re down already?

Reginald: He’s... he’s that strong?

Katherine raises her arm to end the match.

Katherine: With all of their Pokémon fainted at once, Taari, Kaitlyn and Reginald loses the match. Blight and his Greninja wins!

The kids rush towards their Pokémon and comfort them.

Taari: You were awesome out their, Gallade.

Gallade: Ga...

Kaitlyn: You did your best, Raichu.

Raichu: Chu~

Reginald: You were just as amazing as you were before, Nidoking.

Nidoking: Grr...

Blight approaches Greninja and the two high-fived.

Blight: You were great out there, Greninja. Nice job.

Greninja: Kero!

Recommended Music: Whatchoo Lookin' At?! (Choices)

Suddenly, a slow clap is heard behind Blight as he hears a very familiar voice.

Voice: Well done... JESTER!!

Blight trembles and turns to see his niece, Vishakha, in a new Autumn outfit.

Blight: Y-your Highness?!

Vishakha: I found you!!

Blight quickly runs away but was stopped short by Mika, also wearing her new Autumn outfit.

Mika: You’re not going anywhere, “Karl”!

Vishakha catches up to him and grabs his collar. Blight reaches for a smoke bomb in his pocket but it’s empty.

Blight: OH NO! I forgot to stock up last night!

Vishakha smirks.

Vishakha: What’s wrong, Jester? Ran out of smoke bombs?!

Katherine giggles and approaches the two.

Katherine: You know, dear, when you said your niece is a great person, I didn’t realize you were only talking about her sweet side.

Vishakha looks at Katherine.

Vishakha: Who are you?

Blight: She’s my girlfriend.

Vishakha scoffs. She lets Blight go and crosses her arms.

Vishakha: Pfft. Yeah right. If you had a girlfriend, you’d tell me soon.

Blight: No, really!

Vishakha: Stop lying, Jester.

Katherine smiles and cups Blights face before kissing his lips softly. The kids cover their eyes while Vishakha stands there, startled and frozen. Meanwhile, behind her, her sisters and Aryn approach the group.

Aryn: Hey, guys. What’s u--

Aryn, Rachel and Meg freeze at the sight of Blight and Katherine kissing.

Rachel: What...

Meg: ...the?!

Rachel spots Vishakha, still frozen and shakes her.

Rachel: Sis! Get a hold of yourself!

Meg: When did you guys meet?!

Blight and Katherine pull away from their kiss and turn to the group.

Katherine: We met a week ago when I visited Orderve City to try out the great foods they serve here. Then I saw him battling Raj in the Orderve Gym and approached him after the battle. We had a great time and we explored the city. We then took a balloon ride, where we confessed to each other and shared our first kiss.

Blight: Yeah... that’s pretty much it.

Katherine smiles and kisses Blight’s cheek as he rubs the back of his head shyly. The group looks at them speechless until Vishakha composes herself and speaks up.

Vishakha: Well, what do you know? Uncle Blight has found love.

She grins and pats Blight’s back. 

Recommended Music: We’ve Made it a Paradise (Choices)

After a few minutes of catching up, the group walks around the pier. Mika approaches Blight and asks him a question.

Mika: Say, Mister Blight...

Blight: Hmm?

Mika: Why do you want to join contests?

Kaitlyn: Oh yeah! I asked him the same question earlier.

Vishakha smirks at Blight after hearing the question while he laughs.

Blight: Alright, fine. I’ll tell the story. It was a year ago and her Highness was celebrating her birthday. On the castle balcony, I was stargazing and she approached me...

[FLASHBACK]

A year ago, in the Aryndelle castle balcony, Blight was stargazing. He was approached by the birthday girl, Vishakha.

Vishakha: Jester?

Blight: Oh. Hey, your Highness. What’s up?

Vishakha: Well, Izzy Mommy wants me to go to La Huerta to practice my skills in Pokémon Contests.

Blight laughs.

Blight: Pfft. Skills? Yeah right.

Vishakha smirks at his sarcasm.

Vishakha: You wanna bet on that?

Blight: Sure!

Vishakha: What are the stakes?

Blight: How about... when you don’t become the Contest Queen of La Huerta, I’ll temporarily take your place as Elite Four of Aryndelle.

Vishakha: Deal!

Blight: Wow. No hesitation.

Vishakha: Because I know I’ll win.

Blight: We’ll see. So what’s yours?

Vishakha: If I do become the Contest Queen of La Huerta, you get to join the contests next year.

Blight: Are you serious?

Vishakha: Yep!

Blight shrugs.

Blight: Alright, deal.

The two shake hands as they smirk at each other.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Blight: Aaand you guys know the rest.

The group laughs at the story.

Kaitlyn: Haha! You’re right that is pretty fu--

Recommended Music: The Hunted (Choices)

Before Kaitlyn could finish, a lightning strikes the sea, startling everyone in the pier.

Reginald: What’s going on?!

Everyone looks to the sky as storm clouds start to appear out of nowhere. Strong winds start to blow from the sea as waves strike the edge of the pier. The group then looks to the sea and notices a large silhouette.

Rachel: Hey, what’s that?

The silhouette gets closer and slowly reveals itself. The silhouette seems to be  a red serpentine Chinese dragon-like Pokémon with a yellow underbelly and yellow spots along its body. 

Everyone immediately recognizes it.

Meg: Is that a Gyarados?

Katherine: It’s bigger than most Gyarados I’ve seen.

Aryn, Vishaka, Rachel and the kids immediately realizes the situation as the approaching Gyarados is surrounded by a dark aura.

Aryn: It can’t be...

Vishakha: Don’t tell me...

Reginald: That Pokémon is said to be the most powerful among the Four Guardians of La Huerta.

Kaitlyn: So, why...?

Taari: WHY IS THE SEA GUARDIAN CORRUPTED?!

Blight grits his teeth and turns to everyone.

Blight: EVACUATE THE AREA! NOW!!

The Sea Guardian appears before Orderve City and is corrupted! Will the group be able to stop it before it wreaks havoc? FIND OUT IN THE FIRST CHAPTER OF POKÉMON AUTUMN VERSION!

You have reached the end of the first book, Pokémon Summer Version. The second book, Pokémon Autumn Version, will be out this September 1, 2018!

[sciencelings-writes]

Heart of Gold-Titanium Alloy Chapter 4: Mandatory Revelation

Peter woke up in his bed. It wouldn’t have been odd if he actually remembered going to bed. He distinctly remembered falling asleep on the couch while watching Star Wars. He assumed that he had been woken up and was too tired to remember going to bed. He looked to his phone and realized that he had woken up only a few minutes before his alarm. He groaned and tried to pretend to sleep for two minutes before loud music exploded from his phone.

Living far away from his preferred school meant that he had to get ready much earlier than normal. It sucked but Peter would much rather be going to Midtown with his friends than some eccentric science school that was closer to the compound. Maybe he could convince Tony to get an apartment in manhattan…

Peter trudged out of bed and took probably too long fixing and gelling his hair down. He yawned every five minutes as Tony made him eat breakfast. He actually had to eat enough with the whole enhanced metabolism thing.

Harley just had coffee and surprisingly looked worse than Peter did. Of course, Pepper was up and perfectly put together as she too had to work before the sun came up. Tony was closer to the Harley on the spectrum of morning person. He did not look like he wanted to be awake or alive.

They were rushed into one of Tony’s Auti’s because he apparently wanted to make sure that the school had made all of the changes in person. Like no one was going to notice Tony Stark chilling out at a nerd school. Peter prepared to hear about the rumor at school and pretended that he wouldn’t be a part of it.

It was faster than Happy driving them and then taking the subway. By probably too long. They were at least forty-five minutes early and they gained a few stares after walking out of a fancy car and even more stares when Tony parked and got out of said fancy car.

Peter would’ve pretended not to acknowledge the famous Tony Stark™ but before he could, the billionaire did the half hug thing with him and Harley as if he were claiming them. It was kind of awkward and Peter knew that people were taking pictures. He knew even before Ned texted him with several emojis and a WTF dude. Apparently a picture had made it to the academic decathlon group chat.  Peter said that he would explain everything when he comes to school. That was going to be an exciting conversation.’My last relative died then I went into foster care before my actual hero said fuck it and adopted me and my friend brother.’ After everything he’s been through starting with the spider bite, this wouldn’t be as ridiculous as it would’ve once been.

Peter decided to accept his fate and Harley still wasn’t awake enough to give a shit. Tony led them to the main office, needing only a little directional help from Peter. Tony confronted a stuttering secretary who helped him with the whole updated records problem. The whole process was pretty calm and no one else was freaking out so Peter felt pretty pathetic.

When he thought that it was over and Tony was starting to leave, Peter’s spider sense went off. It never went off for no reason but it wasn’t violent enough for immediate action. It just made him generally uneasy. Like he was being watched. He did the stupid thing and ignored it. He attributed it to the premunition of Flash approaching them. His spider-sense usually didn’t go off just when Flash was walking to him. He was just a little on edge.

“Hey Penis!” Flash shouted, obviously not seeing Tony only a dozen feet away. Harley managed to look less tired and more grumpy when Flash walked up to them.

“Flash I don’t want to do this right now…” Peter muttered as he instinctively backed away. It wasn’t that he was afraid of Flash, it was just instinct after being beaten up for years. He was more afraid of falling buildings than a kid that was shorter and more aggressive than him.

“Well that’s too fucking bad isn’t it! One of you little shits ratted me out so I have detention for the rest of the month!” Flash growled. This was when Tony heard and started walking calmly back as if he was waiting for the situation to escalate enough for him to be allowed to punch a child.

More people entered and more teenagers realized that Tony Fucking Stark was just chilling in a STEM high school. A few confident students walked up to him and he switched to the whole charming public persona thing. Tony did seem to keep a discreet eye on Peter though.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Peter said carefully. He knew that he and Harley avoided telling anyone and he really doubted that MJ had, Peter didn’t think she cared enough or that she was aware that no action was likely to be done. Ned probably didn’t tell as this has already happened so much that he knew that no one would listen or do anything about it.

“Don’t act stupid Parker, one of the losers in your group got the idiots that run this place to believe you this time.” Flash hissed furiously.

“Actually I did.” Suddenly, behind Peter, Tony snuck up on them and rested his elbow on Peters shoulder. He jumped a little. Jesus Christ, the guy was like fifty and he was still somehow able to sneak up on Spider-Man. When Tony came into view, Flash froze and could barely talk for a full thirty seconds.

Peter noticed Tony and Harley struggling not to smirk in satisfaction. But Peter’s spider-sense was still making him uneasy. Something bad was going to happen. Peter fingered the folded web-shooters in his jean pockets in an attempt to ease his anxieties. No one seemed to notice his distress so he hoped that he was just over reacting over nothing.

“Y-you’re… You’re Tony Stark.” Flash managed to stutter out in his shock.

“Yeah, nice observation short stuff.” Tony raised his eyebrows. “I am a lot of things and that is definitely one of them.”

“I- uh-I-” Flash tried to speak before Peter’s spider-sense started to peak.

“Tony, something’s wrong…” Peter muttered before a bit of strange movement caught his eye. It would’ve easily been mistaken for a fly. It was tiny and almost metallically black. But something about it was off. It was either it’s non-erratic flying or it’s complete lack of wings or legs. Either way, it was not a fly and it was setting off Peter’s spider-sense like crazy.

The bug landed on the ceiling where Peter noticed more of them start to configure. They were too small for anyone besides him to see and he didn’t even know what they were. They may not even be dangerous. They could just be weird cameras or drones.

Peter realized that he wouldn’t be that lucky when his enhanced hearing caught steady beeping coming from the bugs. In the movies that means they were going to blow up. Apparently, that’s what it meant in real life too. Peter took a fraction of a second to guess where the safest places would be then he realized that the tiny bombs were placed very specifically in the most important parts of the buildings structure. They were trying to bring the roof down completely.

Peter was glad that they were early enough for there not to be too many people at the school in the first place. Not just because of the imminent destruction but also because it was going to be hard to keep a secret identity.  

The image of the building collapsing on them made Peter’s anxiety appear, One time was enough and now it was almost certainly going to happen again. Oh joy. For a moment Peter found it hard to breathe, A split second of his ribs being crushed and the phantom weight of a dozen tons of concrete piled up on his back. Peter motionlessly shook off the feeling. He didn’t have time to have a panic attack.

“Kid… You okay?” Peter was ripped out of his thoughts as Tony noticed him space out. Harley and Flash were staring at him weirdly while Tony seemed to have an idea about what was up. Tony was the only one who knew about the whole spider thing. Not everything though. He hasn’t had the chance to explain everything or even find out for himself.

“Uh, did you bring one of your suits?” Peter asked, hoping that the distant beeping of the tiny bombs would refrain from speeding up.

“I’m not going to bring a fully weaponized suit to visit a school… Why, what’s wrong.” Tony calmly demanded while reaching towards his watch that if Peter remembered correctly, turned into a simple iron man gauntlet.

“They’re going to try to bring the roof down…” Peter muttered as he noticed the pulsing noise speed up. They had seconds, if that. He didn’t have time to evacuate or warn anyone. So he did the best thing that he could think of. He yelled.

“HOLY FUCK THE CEILING IS FALLING!” He managed to scream immediately before the bombs went off. The blasts weren’t actually that impressive but it was easily going to bring the building down.

Tony pulled Harley and Flash to the floor as Peter slapped the web-shooters onto his wrists at the speed of light. A large chunk of concrete ceiling fell in slow motion at the small group and Harley was able to find the time to scream Peter’s name before he thought they would be squished.

Fortunately that didn’t happen. Peter managed to catch the debris and he only fell to one knee from the impact. There was a moment of stunned silence while Peter got back up on his feet and carefully placed the concrete away from them instead of taking the dramatic route and using the piece of ceiling as a frisbee.

“Are you guys okay?” Peter broke the silence and Tony was the first one to recover.

“We aren’t the ones who took the full force of the second floor kid. Are you okay?” His mentor asked while hiding his own marveling. The kid didn’t look even remotely hurt from the impact. Tony knew he was strong but holy shit…

“I’ve had worse.” Peter said carefully. Tony immediately knew that he was trying to hide something. Not because he was particularly good at identifying lies, but mostly because Peter was pretty shit at telling them.

“What the fuck Pete.” Harley spoke up. Flash seemed to agree.

“Not everyone can meet Tony Stark when he fakes his death and sneaks into your garage.” Peter sighed.  “You have to be kinda special. My special thing just happened to be superpowers and non-violent tendencies.” He shrugged.

“You- You’re-” Flash stuttered, which was unusual for him. But being in a collapsing building, pissing off a superhero and finding out the main kid you bully is also a superhero was pretty unusual for him too.

“I’m Spider-Man.” Peter finished for him. “Surprise… I think there are more important things than my identity though. I mean someone just deliberately tried to murder us.”

“Yeah good point kid, was there anyone else in the foyer? It looks like this is where all of the explosions were… Not even the main office looks damaged.” Tony looked around.

“It was pretty empty…” Peter began to check under the biggest chucks of ceiling for anyone but was relieved to not find any bodies.

“Are we not going to talk about what the hell just happened…” Harley took Tony’s hand before the billionaire helped him and Flash up to their feet.

“Nope. Superhero karma. We could totally get attacked again as we seem to be in one piece.” Peter shrugged. “I’m guessing Friday already called the police?”

“Let me check, probably. It’s too bad my latest suit was in the car…” Tony sighed and put on a pair of glasses with the AI casually featured. “Hey Fri, did you call emergency services?”

“Of course. The authorities were notified as soon as the explosion went off.” Peter heard the quiet voice of the AI going into Tony’s ear.

“Good, you see any heat signatures in the debris?” Tony asked Friday while Flash sat on the chunk of concrete that had almost fallen on him. Harley walked up to Peter who was checking for trapped kids a few dozen feet away.

“So… Someone needs to stand up for Spider-Man huh.” Harley leaned on the chunk of concrete that Peter was lifting up.

“Well, I’m glad that it’s you. And Tony, and MJ, and Ned…” Peter chuckled. “What can I say, I’m a bit of a wuss. Even though I can bench press the Hulk with one hand, I seem to attract people who feel the need to protect me.” Peter was fully aware and usually enjoyed it when people cared enough to get protective of him. But it could get annoying as he felt like they didn’t think that he could take care of himself.

“That’s because you look pathetic and have puppy eyes. When you look sad, the world will want to hug you.” Harley snorted. “I guess that’s why you have a mask, you are as non-threatening as it gets.”

“I do not!” Peter dropped the slab of ceiling which made Harley tumble a little bit. The blonde asshole still grinned.

“Only Tony can get away with being that short. He has armor that can make him as tall as he wants and he wears lifts on the daily.” Harley grinned as Tony heard his name.

“You take that back you monster! I am not as short as the Spiderling!” Tony yelled from his position.

“You’re only one inch taller than me!” Peter shouted exasperatedly. “Are we really doing this now?”

“Isn’t the subject of height a normal family argument?” Harley genuinely asked. Both Tony and Peter stopped what they were doing and shrugged. None of them had much experience with family stuff. Or at least, normal family stuff.

This was when paramedics arrived and Flash’s mother got out of her car and launched herself at her son. Policemen walked up to Tony as Harley and Peter were rushed to an ambulance to check if they were okay. Peter was a little bruised on his back but he was fine. Harley just seemed shaken up so they gave him one of those panic blankets.

“Do either of you have parents that we need to notify?” A policeman asked both of the teenagers who both pointed at Tony without hesitation.

“We might need to call Pepper though.” Harley shrugged casually. Thankfully the police guy just went up to the billionaire instead of immediately doubting their situation. It took about fifteen minutes for the school staff to be saved from the wreckage, most of them were stuck in their rooms or offices and none of them were severely hurt. There was an english teacher with a broken arm though and Peter felt bad for her.

“I’ll do it, Tony looks busy…” Peter looked at his new dad and shrugged before taking out his remarkably intact phone. He saw that Pepper had already tried to call but his phone was on silent. He didn’t hesitate to call her back. She was probably worried out of her mind.

“Oh my god Peter, Are you guys okay? Friday told me what happened but I haven’t been able to get a hold of Tony yet.” Pepper answered urgently.

“I promise we’re okay, Tony is just busy dealing with the police. I think Friday is just offline or Tony’s glasses broke.” Peter reassured her. “I guess we get to miss school huh…”

“Jesus Christ now there are three boys ready to give me a heart attack. Can you give the phone to Tony when he’s not busy?” She sounded anxious and laughed nervously.

“We’ll make it up to you I promise. And I’ll try, but it could either take ten seconds or ten hours depending on Tony’s patience.” Peter said gently like he was trying to calm her down long distance.

“I bet ten seconds. He’ll want to get back to you two as soon as possible. Are you guys hurt at all? Even if it’s just a scratch I want to know.” She ordered.

“We’re fine, I caught the debris before it could squash us. Bruising will heal up in a few hours. I don’t think anyone got too seriously injured.” Peter started to think about the situation. The bombs could’ve been after Tony, then it would make sense for the people behind it not factoring in Peter’s super-strength, the bombs were mobile so they could’ve been following them for a while… On the other hand they would’ve been more effective if they had just gotten closer to the heroes. But making the ceiling fall was deliberate so it was probably someone going after Peter and not doing very well.

“I want to hear his voice… just please. Take the phone to him for a second.” Pepper said quietly.

“No problem. I’ll see if I can pull him away for a second.” Peter promised as he strolled over to Tony and prepared to be interrogated in his place. He threaded in between a handful of police who told him to be careful and he got close enough to hand Tony the phone.

“Tony, It’s Pepper.” Peter hissed as he passed his phone to his father.

“Jesus, Sorry boys, gotta console the girlfriend, you know? Hey Honey...” Tony said sweetly into the receiver of the cell phone. Peter decided to tune out Pepper’s relieved yelling.

“Kid, can you tell us what happened?” One of the cops approached him.

“Yeah, so We just got out of the main office so that Tony could finalize our documents, and these little bug things were on the ceiling which I thought was weird. They were black and super metallic and they flew but had no wings. They must’ve had some sort of miniaturized hover technology and they placed themselves at the strongest points of the building to bring it down.” Peter stated calmly.

“So they were probably the work of some villain with a personal agenda with Mr. Stark over there.” The cop motioned toward Tony who was talking in a very animated way to his worried fiance.

“That would make sense.” Peter shrugged and kept his mouth shut over suspecting it being his fault. Someone was after Spider-Man and they knew who he was. Tony being there was just an extra bonus. Probably.

“How did you manage to avoid the rubble completely?” Peter froze.  He recovered as quickly as he could as he answered.

“I don’t know, we were lucky I guess.” He shrugged and glanced over at Harley. He gave his brother a look that tried to convey ‘save me’ and it seemed to work. Harley rolled his eyes and walked over.

“A building just dropped on us. We are traumatized.” Harley grabbed Peters shirt and dragged him away. Well, that was one way to get him out of the situation.

“Whatever…” The policeman reminded Peter why he was still a vigilante. New York just didn’t have people who gave a shit.

“Children of mine!” Tony yelled with his hand on the phone receiver.”We’re going home to recover from trauma, do you guys want Pizza or chinese takeout for lunch?”

This was when Peter realized how much time had past. They had literally just chilled there for hours while Tony had been talking to the police and Pepper.

“I don’t care as long as there is a lot of it. Trauma makes me hungry.” Harley said while Peter nodded. He had a feeling that he would be grilled during lunch anyway. He did just accidentally reveal his whole superhero thing.

Hopefully this time, they won’t be followed.

[ruffsficstuffplace]

The Viridian Vanguard (Part 19)

Note: We now return to your regularly scheduled screwing with Weiss for fun.

“… As every city-state in Heartland struggles with the sudden and dramatic influx of refugees from Candela; the armed forces ready to deploy and reassign a record number of both active and reserve personnel there; and the enemy’s weapons and magitech proves far more advanced and dangerous than previously known, the whole realm can’t help but ask:

“Have we opened yet another Pandora’s Box? And more importantly, will we be able to close it once again, as we have done for others like the Sekhmet Scourge?

“Both the AFA and the Church of the Holy Shepherd assure the public of their preparedness to face and end this new threat--”

Ka-chik.

Pyrrha looked up, the holo she was watching automatically paused.

Weiss sighed as she stepped out of the main house’s bathroom and back into the kitchen, freshened up and in new clothes. “Bathroom’s free if you need it!” she said as she walked over to the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of milk. “Sorry for taking so long, there was some gunk underneath my fingernails that just would not come off...” she grumbled as she headed to the table, and took a seat beside Pyrrha.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Pyrrha said, waving her off and dismissing one of the “earphones” hovering by her head. “Your training today was quite a lot messier than mine, anyway.”

“You can say that again...” Weiss grumbled as she twisted the cap open. “So, what’re you watching?” she said, glancing at Pyrrha’s paused holo.

“Oh, just some international news, is all,” Pyrrha replied. “Force of habit, I was always expected to keep on top of every little thing happening in the realm.”

Weiss nodded. “Anything worth sharing? I haven’t had the time nor the desire to check on almost any news from outside the Valley since I started staying here full-time,” she said, before she took a long drink of her milk.

Pyrrha looked back down at the holo, it resumed playing.

“--but doubt and disillusionment among the people grows, especially with the defection of the current Holy Shepherd, Pyrra Nikos--”

With a swipe of her hand, Pyrrha closed it, and shut off her comm-crystal shortly after. “Just more of the ever escalating bad news that’s been coming since the Eve,” she replied. “More fuel for anxiety and stress, than anything worth knowing about, really.”

“Noted, thank you,” Weiss said, before she took another drink.

“We’re back!” Yang called out as she and Taiyang walked into the kitchen, hauling Jaune between them. “Sorry we took so long, Jaune here insisted he wanted to reach the finish line before we officially called it a day.”

“Did he make it?” Pyrrha asked.

“Yep!” Taiyang said as he held Jaune up by his armpits, Yang carefully put his feet back down on the floor. “He collapsed on his face with his nose clearly inside the line, which still counts!” he said as the two of them helped him into a chair, before heading off to the sink.

Pyrrha and Weiss stared at the exhausted and sweaty Jaune, unsure of how he was staying roughly upright. “Are you sure you should have brought him back here?” Pyrrha asked.

“What, should we have left him outside in the dirt?” Yang joked as she and Taiyang washed their hands, then put on their aprons.

“No, I meant, he looks like he could use a trip to the hospital, not dinner,” Pyrrha replied.

“He’s fine! All he really needs is food, and lots of it,” Taiyang said as he started pulling out pots and pans, utensils, and bowls. “Trust me, I’ve gone to human college for this, and I’ll have you know I’ve already had my Fae physical trainer’s license renewed!” he said as he pulled a knife off the magnetic strip on the wall.

“Here, try giving him this if you’re so worried about him passing out!” Yang said as she rummaged through the fridge, pulled out the half-eaten Cheese, then tossed him to the table.

Pyrrha caught him, Weiss unwrapped the fibers he was covered in, and put him in front of Jaune. Depressions quickly formed on Cheese’s surface, sized accordingly to the reduced area:

:)

Jaune looked down at him with tired eyes, before he fell forward on the table and on top of Cheese, face-first. Weiss and Pyrrha flinched, the latter stood up and pulled Jaune back up. Cheese was now squished and stuck to Jaune’s face, his features warped but still recognizable:

:|

Weiss cast a withering look at Taiyang.

“He’ll be fine come morning, Fae food solves a lot of problems,” Taiyang said as chopped up and prepped ingredients at lightning speed. “Mark my words, after a couple more months of training and some echoes in his system, all he’ll really need is a decent snack and he’ll be back in action in no time!” said as he slammed his hands on the counter.

All of the prepped ingredients flew up into the air, he caught them all in their bowls and plates before any touched the ground, then passed them onto Yang.

“You ladies better stuff yourselves silly tonight, by the way, because we’re heading to the Pits before breakfast!” Yang said as she started dumping the ingredients onto blazing hot pans and woks, the kitchen filling with the sounds of sizzling and frying. “5AM tomorrow—and I mean 5:00 sharp—we are heading out to the Tubes, then lining up at the Pits to get the best chance possible of getting our team name before someone else does.

“We absolutely can not lose our name, alright?” Yang said as she tossed ingredients in a wok. “The cost of failure will be as catastrophic as it is unacceptable.”

“Piper, you make it sound like this whole thing is a high-stakes military operation,” Weiss said.

“And I’m being as serious as any CO in the AFA!” Yang said as she tossed the wok, before she started stirring other ingredients, or putting in more. “Make sure to set several alarms, and know that I’ll be coming to fetch you personally too, just in case.”

So it was that Weiss set alarms for 5AM with the help of some of Winter’s plushies, adding, “She seems pretty deathly serious about this, so don’t freak out if she does anything a little crazy, alright?”

The plushies she was talking with all nodded or made noises of agreement.

“Good plushies,” Weiss said, petting them, before she headed off to get ready for bed. Winter wasn’t around, as she had a night shift with the Watchers, but as she was exhausted from the day’s training and schooling, and had a belly full of delicious food, she slept peacefully…

… Up until 5 AM sharp the next day, when Yang kicked open her bedroom door, screaming “WEISS, GET UP! WE’RE MOVING, NOW!”

Weiss bolted up in her nest, the gems on her collar flashing bright blue. “Wait, what? What’s going—HEY! YANG, WHAT THE FUCK—PUT ME DOWN!”

“No can do, Weiss!” Yang cried as she ran off with Weiss on her shoulder

“At least let me get dressed, damn it!” Weiss screeched as she uselessly flailed her legs.

“You’ll be fine, trust me!” Yang said as she rushed through the Schnee sisters’ home, got into the waiting elevator, and nearly broke the button for the ground floor.

“Why are you even rushing so much?!” Weiss said as the elevator started going down.

“Because, our name becomes available at six, and the wait at the Pits is going to take at least an hour!” Yang replied, running in place. “I’m ashamed you’ve forgotten already, Weiss!”

“Well forgive me for having terrible memory recall when you break into my house, and kidnap me at this ungodly hour!” Weiss cried, before the doors opened, and Yang bolted out of the elevator and the barn, then up the path leading to the Tube station.

“PUT! ME! DOWN!” Weiss cried as she was bounced about on Yang’s shoulder.

“No! You’re. Way. Too. Slow!” Yang said in-between pants for breath.

The Tube station came into view, Pyrrha was already standing there in her day clothes plus a jacket, patiently waiting with a pleasant smile on her face, up until she saw Yang and Weiss run up. She watched as Yang stuffed Weiss into the log that was already open and waiting, Weiss furiously wrestling to get out, before Yang successfully immobilized her with the safety straps, then shut the hatch.

Everyone could hear Weiss screaming bloody murder from inside the log, up until the Tube technician sent her rocketing off.

<Legal?> Pyrrha asked as Yang climbed into the second Tube.

<Yes,> one of the technicians said, pulling out a physical copy of an agreement Weiss, Yang, and Pyrrha had all signed just days earlier.

Pyrrha slowly nodded, before it was time for her to get into the third and last log.

Less than a minute later, Weiss staggered out of one of the Pits’ Tube stations, grabbing onto a nearby column for support as she gazed out at the lobby before her.

It looked like the interior of some ancient, lavish underground arena, the walls, the floor, and the massive columns liberally decorated with commemorative statues, reliefs, and tapestries of the Valley’s greatest Pit Fighters and legendary clashes, all bathed in a warm orange glow by enchanted torches. Everywhere you looked, you’d find antique, handcarved and shaped stone, metal, and ancient wood; lovingly tended plants and carefully woven displays of elemental magic; shining metallic threads and precious stones; paintings, banners, and emblems made of old canvas, paper, and cloth, decades to centuries or even a thousand years old. The only things that really clashed with the aesthetic were the inevitable abundance of clearly modern posters, banners, and holographic advertisements for the latest fights and notices; the songs and music being used, like this week’s latest hit pop songs; and all the support and gimmicks for comm-crystal apps, and marketing promotions.

Weiss would have to find another day to take it all in, however, as Yang grabbed her hand, and started ploughing through the crowds with her and Pyrrha in tow.

The Pits were packed even for the early hour, folks crowded around the feeds of ongoing fights, cheering in delight or howling in despair; argued with one another over bets and odds, the likeliness of certain match-ups and their outcomes, or their allegiances and devotion to certain Pit fighters; or screamed and gushed over the particularly famous ones doing live appearances and interviews then.

Eventually, they rounded a corner and went down a hall to an entirely different section, where the decorations were much less elaborate and space-consuming, the holos were filled with take-a-number systems and administrative notices, and all the furniture was less luxurious and more utilitarian than the lobby, more long stone benches, than cushy, pillow-filled nests. It was packed to the brim with folks, but much quieter and peaceful, as Pit fighters or their representatives waited to be called up to the counters.

Yang screeched to a halt just before she hit a solid wall of Fae standing around at the very back; she frantically tried to look for a gap between the crowds, a path to the ticketing machine, and groaned as she found none. She turned to Weiss, put her hands on her shoulders, and said, “Air Xiao Long.”

Weiss scowled, and replied, “I am not doing that.”

“I don’t think you realize I wasn’t asking,” Yang said, before she picked Weiss up.

“HEY!” Weiss cried. “YANG, PUT ME DOW--!”

Yang threw her, heads turned and ears twitched as Weiss’ went sailing above the crowds, past some hanging decorations, signs, and lighting, before she hit a floor-to-ceiling banner, rolled down its length, and safely onto the floor.

“TICKET!” Yang shouted from behind the sea of folks. “GET A TICKET, WEISS!”

Weiss scowled as she picked herself up by the edge of the nearby counter, held out her hand, and a small bird calmly put one in her hand.

“DID YOU GET IT?!” Yang yelled from the back, hidden by all the folks in-between.

“GOT IT!” Weiss yelled in reply, raising her hand and the ticket into the air, before she had a moment of realization, and awkwardly put it back down. She clutched it tightly in her fingers before she started to squeeze into the crush and back to Yang and Pyrrha, excusing herself and apologizing all the while.

In the back of her head, she started plotting her revenge...