#it only opens on the summer solstice which is why the boy is studying it but I HAVE A FEELING

[ashmcgivern]

Happy sorta belated Valentines Day have some doodles furthering the gay agenda (ft Zeal and his bf Zala from our dnd campaign)

[gaveherhearttotheliontattoo]

Title: Wrong Winchester Turned Right (Part X)

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader (Female)

Word Count: 2506

Warnings: None that I know of

Prompt: So not really a prompt, I was on Pinterest and I looked up fanfiction prompts and this popped up from a user who I can’t find the account of… Anyways reader jumps on the back of who she thought was her best friend in public but ends up quickly realizing her mistake.

Note: Shoutout to my beta reader for keeping me going

(Read Part I Here, Part II Here, Part III Here, Part IV Here, Part V Here, Part VI Here, Part VII Here, Part VIII Here, Part IX Here)

Taglist: @vicmc624

--

“70 years?” The shock you were feeling clearly shown across your face. “But then how is she here now?” You searched your brain, the depths of your memories to try to recall if there was anything you didn’t tell them. You’d spent so much time researching, you weren’t sure it was possible that you could have messed up on a detail as large as the resurfacing of this creature.

Dean watched you pace. He didn’t think you even recognized when you stood up to start walking. “It’s okay, (Y/L/N).”

You stopped walking, when did you start doing that, and stared at Dean. You had begun to associate his use of your last name with the intimate moments you’d shared. “I can’t explain this, how is that okay?”

“(Y/N/N), it is okay. You shared what you knew and we just have to do a little more digging.” Sam watched you, he’d seen the look in your eyes several times when you reached a stopping point in a case. “Maybe we should get some food.”

“You cannot make me calm down with food me with food Samuel Winchester.”

“Look, I know you. You’re hungry, hangry even. Let’s get some food and spend a little time just thinking about what could possibly explain the return. Any holidays, anniversaries, or similarities to another creature.”

You looked between the boys. “Fine, but we need to figure this out fast before she finds someone else to ensnare.”

------

After returning to the motel room you all secured a spot and opened up your laptops to do some research. You refused to give Sam the satisfaction that he had been right about food helping you, instead you continued to glare at your screen. It was like a scavenger hunt, picking through various clues to lead you to the reasoning she could possibly be awake 70 years earlier than she should.

You started by searching holidays that fell around that time that could have impacted this arrival. You’d hoped it would be as simple as All Hallow’s Eve but the timing didn’t make sense. You searched through the holidays but the only one that caught any attention was Litha, also known as the summer solstice. It was the longest day of the year but it was also the day that indicated the dark was taking back over. Considering the creature’s nature it wouldn’t be far off but there had to be something more. You switched to anniversaries.

You researched old cases that seemed similar. Disappearances of multiple girls, bodies never found, but a trail of men left in the wake of their disappearances. You spotted the trend of years between the appearances start to dwindle. What could have changed to cause this?

Dean spoke up, breaking your train of thought. “According to legend she is supposed to appear once a year, some Scottish folklore, but Sam found something saying she’s not supposed to appear for another 70 years.” 

“The American folklore mentioned that she was far more efficient when she would come out so she didn’t need to come out as much.”

“Folklore is just that boys, we need to remember that just because it’s what someone believes, it doesn’t mean it’s completely factual. Once upon a time the cases that resembled her activity were sparse but over the last 500 years it seems they’ve gotten closer and closer.”

“How did you research that far back already?” Dean stared in amazement. He drained the last of his beer, a small drop trailing down his chin.

You watch the drop of beer and your brain thinks of how nice it would be to lick it off of him. Well, that is going to be distracting. “Been doing it for a long time and I already had some prior knowledge. Her pattern is becoming more predictable though. Perhaps her investments aren’t lasting as long or the blood isn’t as rich as it used to be. Hunters do like to drink.”

Dean shared a wry glance with his brother as he popped the cap off his next beer. “Cheers to that. So, anyways, how do we know when she’s going to disappear?”

“We don’t, the dates of disappearance are the only thing that were ever inconsistent throughout time. Which is why we need to act fast.” You knew it was coming, the food break could only stall the conversation of you being used to lure her out for so long. “I say we take two days to prep and plan, and then Friday evening is the night we go through with it.”

Dean reminded himself this was the right thing to do and bunched his hands into tight fists. “What do you believe is the best course of action?”

You’d chosen the bed as your place of study but wished you were closer to Dean in this moment. You shifted your laptop to the bed and moved to the edge of Sam’s bed, close enough to rest your hands on top of Dean’s white-knuckled fists. “We go on a date.”

“A date? How will that get her attention?”

“I’ll be all dressed up and so happy to be out with you but you’ll go on and break my heart. My appearance should attract her because she has a thing for shiny objects and a mean man who deserves to die would be the icing on the cake she needs.”

“Doesn’t sound like we have to wait until Friday.” Dean adjusted, his muscles loosening at the fact that he would be with you during this scheme.

“We should wait though. Friday night is date night for most people. We need to round out the image and appearances too. Plus we can’t stop our search, especially with the interaction I had today. She’ll know we’re onto her and if we were to just go for it the next day it would look suspicious. Waiting provides us time to make it look like we are struggling, giving up, weakening.”

Dean released the fists he held and gripped your hands with his. “Weak is one thing we are not.”

“We know that, she won’t, especially if we can pull the fight off.”

Sam, who’d been patiently biding his time finally spoke up. “You two should investigate together tomorrow. You haven’t quite appeared as a couple in public and it will seem odd if the two of you just go out Friday. I’m going to take a shower while you figure out what you think you can fight about.”

You waited until the water was running, unable to pull away from Dean. You’d agreed to start something, but now the thought of ending it, even faking ending it, seemed too real too soon. “Can we pull this off?”

“Oh, I think I can manage to get upset with you about something.” Dean chuckled when you snarled. “See, we’re already ready to argue.”

“What about Sam?” Dean just stared at you, waiting for further explanation. “We could fight about Sam. I’ve been hunting and investigating with him over you so it wouldn’t be far fetched to think that there was something going on there.”

Dean flinched. “I don’t want that imagery, again.” Dean pulled you onto his lap, linking his fingers behind your back. “Does this mean we have to go shopping?”

“Well, I didn’t exactly pack going out clothes for a hunting trip.”

Dean resigned himself to the idea of spending hours looking for clothes with you, but reminded himself it was just more time he got to spend with you, something he was enjoying probably far too much. “We’re doing it together. I think it’ll help with the appearance, plus I want as much time with you before this all goes down.” Dean planted a kiss to your neck.

“It hasn’t even been three weeks that I’ve known you, the real you, but it feels like so much longer.” You hooked one arm around Dean’s neck, leaning back so you could look into his eyes. This next part wasn’t going to make him happy. “Promise me one thing, if this turns south and she lures me in, you won’t let her keep me. Trap me up until you can figure out a way to get me back or end it.” You felt yourself hit the bed before you had time to process what was happening.

“End it?” Dean was stomping the length of the room, thrusting his fingers through his hair. “We just talked about how we aren’t weak. There is no way anything is going to happen to you.” Dean stopped and looked at you. “I’m going to walk around outside for a bit, I need some space to think over the fact you want me to just end it.”

You flinched as the door slammed behind Dean. Maybe it was callous to say end it but if it was necessary so be it. To hell with him. Who did he think he was getting upset when he said he would go with the plan. To. Hell. With. Him.

You stood, prepared to just change and go to bed, but found yourself seeking out the man who continued to push your buttons.

“This is my choice!” You yelled to his shadow. “I can ask Sam to do it if you don’t think you can but I refuse to live a life with this creature where I’m luring and killing men for sport. You’re either with me or you’re not.” Satisfied you got that off your chest you turned to reenter the motel room but found yourself scooped into Dean’s arms. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Don’t you dare ask Sam.” Dean carried you to the hood of Baby and set you down, standing between your legs. “Of course I would do it but did you think the concept would be easy for me to think about? What if I told you to end it for me if she managed to get her claws in me and I was fighting to hold on? How would you respond?”

You bristled, the thought quite unpleasant. “I get it, and I’m sorry, but it is part of the job, the life.” You leaned forward and linked your hands behind his neck, drawing him closer. “This should get her attention.”

“I’m not doing this for her attention,” Dean mumbled, dropping a featherlight kiss to your lips. “I like you, and I don’t like people lightly. Giving me time to wrap my head around losing you before we go through with this plan is probably for the best and it will probably help my anger during our faux argument.”

“It’s not going to be easy for me either. I may have been indifferent to you at first but I like you too.”

“Indifferent?” Dean chuckled. “You couldn’t have cared less about me at the start if you tried.”

“You’re wrong,” You said, recalling the day you jumped on his back. “I would say I found you annoyingly attractive but we just started off on the wrong foot.”

“Does that mean we are on the right foot?”

You answered by sealing your lips to his. You crossed your ankles behind his legs, pulling yourself as tight against him as you could. You didn’t even recognize your own behavior anymore, but you were about to put your life on the line in a way that you never had before. Not just yourself though, someone who had quickly become an important piece in your life. It should have shook you how much you cared about Dean but instead you felt comfort in his arms. 

“You’ve really gotta stop thinking while I’m kissing you,” Dean interrupted your train of thoughts.

Sighing you moved your hands to cup his face. “I was just thinking about how comfortable I am in your arms.”

“Oh,” Dean said, squeezing you tighter. “Well, in that case, could you think out loud?”

“Let’s go back in before we draw too much attention to ourselves.”

Dean scooped you off the hood of the car. “Don’t wanna scratch the hood.”

You rolled your eyes. “Okay, you didn’t scratch the hood, now put me down.”

Dean continued to carry you, dropping you on the bed, ignoring the look Sam was giving him. He turned to his duffle bag, deciding he needed to take a very long shower. He lifted the duffle bag onto his shoulder and winked at you before walking into the bathroom. He wanted you to join him but this case needed to be over before he could think about going any further with you.

He stripped out of his clothes and turned the water on, not as hot as he normally would but he needed to cool down, which would normally work if you hadn’t knocked on the door. “What?”

“I need to change.”

“Couldn’t you just ask Sammy to step outside?”

“Oh, don’t be a baby.”

Dean pictured you changing, easily done since you’d showered together just that morning. How had it only been since that morning when it felt like it had been days if not weeks since that had occurred. “(Y/L/N), you’re killing me.”

“When you first started using my last name I hated it but now I find it endearing, kind of a turn on.” You heard Dean groan, bringing a smile to your lips. 

“Could you just change and go so I can get on with my shower.”

You slipped your night shirt over your head. “Right, I’m sure that’s all you need to get on with.” When Dean’s head whipped around the shower curtain to glare at you the laughter bubbled from deep within before you could stop it. “I’m going.” You walked out still laughing, catching a curious eye from a lounging Sam. “Just teasing your brother.”

You curled onto your side under the blanket, keeping room for Dean since you knew that was where he was going to sleep. You thought about how you woke up with him and the events that had transpired to his black eye, followed by the entire day you had. You were overwhelmed and the exhaustion soon took you under.

Dean attempted to get under the covers without waking you. Sam was out and the only light was from the moon shining through the curtains. He sucked in a deep breath when you rolled against him, nervous.

“What time is it?” You mumbled.

“Just close your eyes and go back to sleep.” Dean wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close so your head rested on his chest. As soon as Dean could feel your chest rising and falling at a slower rate he relaxed and felt himself begin to fall asleep. He knew the next two days were going to be long as the preparations to face the creature who inadvertently brought you together unfolded so he took the time to enjoy the feel of you in his arms. Running his fingers and up and down your arm he let the pattern lull himself to sleep.

[percysaysfuck]

THREE OLD BITCHES KNIT THE SOCKS OF DEATH

I was used to the occasional weird experience, but usually they were over quickly. This twenty-four/seven hallucination was more than I could handle. For the rest of the school year, the entire campus seemed to be playing some kind of trick on me. The students acted as if they were completely and totally convinced that Mrs. Kerr—a perky blond woman whom I'd never seen in my life until she got on our bus at the end of the field trip—had been our pre-algebra teacher since Christmas.

Every so often I would spring a Mrs. Dodds reference on somebody, just to see if I could trip them up, but they would stare at me like I was psycho.

It got so I almost believed them—Mrs. Dodds had never existed.

Almost.

But Grover couldn't fool me. When I mentioned the name Dodds to him, he would hesitate, then claim she didn't exist. But I knew he was fucking lying.

Something was going on. Something had happened at the museum.

I didn't have much time to think about it during the days, but at night, visions of Mrs. Dodds with talons and leathery wings would wake me up in a cold sweat.

The freak weather continued, which didn't help my mood. One night, a thunderstorm blew out the windows in my dorm room. A few days later, the biggest tornado ever spotted in the Hudson Valley touched down only fifty miles from Yancy Academy. One of the current events we studied in social studies class was the unusual number of small planes that had gone down in sudden squalls in the Atlantic that year.

I started feeling cranky and irritable most of the time. My grades slipped from Ds to Fs. I got into more fights with Nancy Bobofit and her shit faced friends. I was sent out into the hallway in almost every class.

Finally, when our English teacher, Mr. Nicoll, asked me for the millionth time why I was too lazy to study for spelling tests, I snapped. I called him an old sot. I wasn't even sure what it meant, but it sounded good.

The headmaster sent my mom a letter the following week, making it official: I would not be invited back next year to Yancy Academy.

Fine, I told myself. Just fine.

I was homesick.

I wanted to be with my mom in our little apartment on the Upper East Side, even if I had to go to public school and put up with my obnoxious fucking stepfather and his shitty poker parties.

And yet. . . there were things I'd miss at Yancy. The view of the woods out my dorm window, the Hudson River in the distance, the smell of pine trees. Id miss Grover, who'd been a good friend, even if he was a little fucked up. I worried how he'd survive next year without me.

I'd miss Latin class, too—Mr. Brunner's crazy tournament days and his faith that I could do well.

As exam week got closer, Latin was the only test I studied for. I hadn't forgotten what Mr. Brunner had told me about this subject being life-and-death for me. I wasn't sure why, but I'd started to believe him.

The evening before my final, I got so frustrated I threw the Cambridge Guide to Greek Mythology across my dorm room. Words had started swimming off the page, circling my head, the letters doing one-eighties as if they were riding skateboards. There was no way I was going to remember the difference between Chiron and Charon, or Polydictes and Polydeuces. And conjugating those Latin verbs? Fucking forget it.

I paced the room, feeling like ants were crawling around inside my shirt.

I remembered Mr. Brunner's serious expression, his thousand-year-old eyes. I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson. I took a deep breath. I picked up the mythology book.

I'd never asked a teacher for help before. Maybe if I talked to Mr. Brunner, he could give me some pointers. At least I could apologize for the big fat F I was about to score on his exam. I didn't want to leave Yancy Academy with him thinking I hadn't tried.

I walked downstairs to the faculty offices. Most of them were dark and empty, but Mr. Brunner's door was ajar, light from his window stretching across the hallway floor.

I was three steps from the door handle when I heard voices inside the office. Mr. Brunner asked a question. A voice that was definitely Grover's said ". . . worried about Percy, sir. "

I froze.

Shit.

I'm not usually an eavesdropper, but I dare you to try not listening if you hear your best friend talking shit about you to an adult.

I inched closer.

". . . alone this summer," Grover was saying. "I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too—"

"We would only make matters worse by rushing him," Mr. Brunner said. "We need the boy to mature more. "

"But he may not have time. The summer solstice deadline— "

"Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can. "

"Sir, he saw her. . . . "

"His imagination," Mr. Brunner insisted. "The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince him of that. "

"Sir, I . . . I can't fail in my duties again. " Grover's voice was choked with emotion. "You know what that would mean. "

"You haven't failed, Grover," Mr. Brunner said kindly. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now lets just worry about keeping Percy alive until next fall—"

The mythology book dropped out of my hand and hit the floor with a thud.

Fuck.

Mr. Brunner went silent.

My heart hammering, I picked up the book and backed down the hall.

A shadow slid across the lighted glass of Brunner's office door, the shadow of something much taller than my wheelchair-bound teacher, holding something that looked suspiciously like an archers bow.

I opened the nearest door and slipped inside.

A few seconds later I heard a slow clop-clop-clop, like muffled wood blocks, then a sound like an animal snuffling right outside my door. A large, dark shape paused in front of the glass, then moved on.

A bead of sweat trickled down my neck.

Somewhere in the hallway, Mr. Brunner spoke. "Nothing," he murmured. "My nerves haven't been right since the winter solstice. "

"Mine neither," Grover said. "But I could have sworn . . . "

"Go back to the dorm," Mr. Brunner told him. "You've got a long day of exams tomorrow. "

"Don't remind me. "

The lights went out in Mr. Brunner's office.

I waited in the dark for what seemed like forever.

Finally, I slipped out into the hallway and made my way back up to the dorm.

Grover was lying on his bed, studying his Latin exam notes like he'd been there all night.

"Hey," he said, bleary-eyed. "You going to be ready for this test?"

I didn't answer.

"You look awful. " He frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Just. . . tired. "

I turned so he couldn't read my expression, and started getting ready for bed.

I didn't understand what I'd heard downstairs. I wanted to believe I'd imagined the whole thing.

But one thing was clear: Grover and Mr. Brunner were talking about me behind my back. They thought I was in some kind of danger.

The next afternoon, as I was leaving the three-hour Latin exam, my eyes swimming with all the Greek and Roman names I'd misspelled, Mr. Brunner called me back inside.

For a moment, I was worried he'd found out about my eavesdropping the night before, but that didn't seem to be the problem.

"Percy," he said. "Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It's . . . it's for the best. "

His tone was kind, but the words still embarrassed me. Even though he was speaking quietly, the other kids finishing the test could hear. Nancy Bobofit fucking smirked at me and made sarcastic little kissing motions with her lips.

I mumbled, "Okay, sir. "

"I mean . . . " Mr. Brunner wheeled his chair back and forth, like he wasn't sure what to say. "This isn't the right place for you. It was only a matter of time. "

My eyes stung.

Here was my favorite teacher, in front of the class, telling me I couldn't handle it. After saying he believed in me all year, now he was telling me I was destined to get kicked out.

"Right," I said, trembling.

"No, no," Mr. Brunner said. "Oh, confound it all. What I'm trying to say . . . you're not normal, Percy. That's nothing to be—"

"Thanks," I blurted. "Thanks a lot, sir, for fucking reminding me. "

"Percy—"

But I was already gone.

On the last day of the term, I shoved my clothes into my suitcase.

The other guys were joking around, talking about their vacation plans. One of them was going on a hiking trip to Switzerland. Another was cruising the Caribbean for a month. They were juvenile delinquents, like me, but they were rich juvenile delinquents. Their daddies were executives, or ambassadors, or celebrities. I was a nobody, from a family of fucking nobodies.

They asked me what Id be doing this summer and I told them I was going back to the city.

What I didn't tell them was that I'd have to get a summer job walking dogs or selling magazine subscriptions, and spend my free time worrying about where I'd go to school in the fall.

"Oh," one of the guys said. "That's cool. "

They went back to their conversation as if I'd never existed.

The only person I dreaded saying good-bye to was Grover, but as it turned out, I didn't have to. He'd booked a ticket to Manhattan on the same Greyhound as I had, so there we were, together again, heading into the city.

During the whole bus ride, Grover kept glancing nervously down the aisle, watching the other passengers. It occurred to me that he'd always acted nervous and fidgety when we left Yancy, as if he expected something bad to happen. Before, I'd always assumed he was worried about getting teased. But there was nobody to tease him on the Greyhound.

Finally I couldn't fucking stand it anymore.

I said, "Looking for Kindly Ones?"

Grover nearly jumped out of his seat. "Wha—what do you mean?"

I confessed about eavesdropping on him and Mr. Brunner the night before the exam.

Grover's eye twitched. "How much did you hear?"

"Oh . . . not much. What's the summer solstice dead-line?"

He winced. "Look, Percy . . . I was just worried for you, see? I mean, hallucinating about demon math teachers . . . "

"Grover—"

"And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe you were overstressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and . . . "

"Grover, you're a really, really bad fucking liar. "

His ears turned pink.

From his shirt pocket, he fished out a grubby business card. "Just take this, okay? In case you need me this summer."

The card was in fancy script, which was murder on my dyslexic eyes, but I finally made out something like:

Grover Underwood

Keeper

Half-Blood Hill

Long Island, New York

(800) 009-0009

"What's Half—"

"Don't say it aloud!" he yelped. "That's my, um . . . summer address. "

My heart sank. Grover had a fucking summer home. I'd never considered that his family might be as rich as the others at Yancy.

"Okay," I said glumly. "So, like, if I want to come visit your mansion. "

He nodded. "Or . . . or if you need me. "

"Why the fuck would I need you?"

It came out harsher than I meant it to.

Grover blushed right down to his Adams apple. "Look, Percy, the truth is, I—I kind of have to protect you. "

I stared at him.

All year long, I'd gotten in fights, keeping bullies away from him. I'd lost sleep worrying that he'd get beaten up next year without me. And here he was acting like he was the one who fucking defended me.

"Grover," I said, "what exactly are you protecting me from?"

There was a huge grinding noise under our feet. Black smoke poured from the dashboard and the whole bus filled with a smell like rotten eggs. The driver cursed and limped the Greyhound over to the side of the highway.

After a few minutes clanking around in the engine compartment, the driver announced that we'd all have to get off. Grover and I filed outside with everybody else.

We were on a stretch of country road—no place you'd notice if you didn't break down there. On our side of the highway was nothing but maple trees and litter from passing cars. On the other side, across four lanes of asphalt shimmering with afternoon heat, was an old-fashioned fruit stand.

The stuff on sale looked really fucking good: heaping boxes of bloodred cherries and apples, walnuts and apricots, jugs of cider in a claw-foot tub full of ice. There were no customers, just three old ladies sitting in rocking chairs in the shade of a maple tree, knitting the biggest pair of socks Id ever seen.

I mean these socks were the size of sweaters, but they were clearly socks. The lady on the right knitted one of them. The lady on the left knitted the other. The lady in the middle held an enormous basket of electric-blue yarn.

All three women looked ancient, with pale faces wrinkled like fruit leather, silver hair tied back in white bandannas, bony arms sticking out of bleached cotton dresses.

The weirdest thing was, they seemed to be looking right fucking at me.

I looked over at Grover to say something about this and saw that the blood had drained from his face. His nose was twitching.

"Grover?" I said. "Hey, man—"

"Tell me they're not looking at you. They are, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Weird, huh? You think those socks would fit me?"

"Not funny, Percy. Not funny at all. "

The old lady in the middle took out a huge pair of scissors—gold and silver, long-bladed, like shears. I heard Grover catch his breath.

"Were getting on the bus," he told me. "Come on. "

"What?" I said. "It's a thousand degrees in there. "

"Come on!" He pried open the door and climbed inside, but I stayed back.

Across the road, the old ladies were still watching me. The middle one cut the yarn, and I swear I could hear that snip across four lanes of traffic. Her two friends balled up the electric-blue socks, leaving me wondering who they could possibly be for—Sasquatch or Godzilla.

At the rear of the bus, the driver wrenched a big chunk of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life.

The passengers cheered.

"Darn right!" yelled the driver. He slapped the bus with his hat. "Everybody back on board!"

Once we got going, I started feeling feverish, as if I'd caught the fucking flu.

Grover didn't look much better. He was shivering and his teeth were chattering.

"Grover?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you not fucking telling me?"

He dabbed his forehead with his shirt sleeve. "Percy, what did you see back at the fruit stand?"

"You mean the old ladies? What is it about them, man? They're not like . . . Mrs. Dodds, are they?"

His expression was hard to read, but I got the feeling that the fruit-stand ladies were something much, much worse than Mrs. Dodds. He said, "Just tell me what you saw. "

"The middle one took out her scissors, and she fucking cut the yarn. "

He closed his eyes and made a gesture with his fingers that might've been crossing himself, but it wasn't. It was something else, something almost—older.

He said, "You saw her snip the cord. "

"Yeah. So?" But even as I said it, I knew it was a big deal.

"This is not happening," Grover mumbled. He started chewing at his thumb. "I don't want this to be like the last time. "

"What last time?"

"Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth. "

"Grover," I said, because he was really starting to fucking scare me. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me. "

This seemed like a strange request to me, but I promised he could.

"Is this like a superstition or something?" I asked.

No answer.

"Grover—that snipping of the yarn. Does that mean somebody is going to fucking die?"

He looked at me mournfully, like he was already picking the kind of flowers I'd like best on my coffin.

Fuck.

[ft-dads-au]

Turn the Tide

Gratsu Summer Solstice 2020 - Prompt: Fun in the Sun Gratsu Week 2020 - Prompt: “What’s with all the noise? I’m sleepy” Pairing: Gray x Natsu

A Collaboration by @mdelpin​ and @oryu404​

AO3 | FF.Net

Summary:  Natsu has hated his birthday for years. It served only as a a painful reminder of the day his father abandoned him and Erza. All he wants is to get through the day with the least amount of fuss possible, but Gray has other plans. 0-0

July 7th, 2021

What’s with all the damn noise? I’m still sleepy…

Natsu groaned as the annoying beeping noise that had woken him up refused to stop, and he soon realized it was coming from his phone. He glared at the device, but as expected, it did nothing, the beeps continued as text after text came in.

What the hell is going on?

He stretched his arm and grabbed his phone from his nightstand, fighting the urge to throw it across the room...

Happy Birthday, Bro! 🎈🎉✨🎁 Where the party at? 👀🧁🎂 Gotta do rounds, but I’ll call you later!

Happy Birthday, Natsu!

cat_birthday.gif

Another year older, Firefly! I’ll stop by Sorciere and buy you a drink tonight...

Happy Birthday, dude! Get Gray to blow your 🕯️!!! 😂😏

Natsu scrolled through the texts that kept coming in from his friends and family, rolling his eyes at the last one, not even having to look at the sender info to know it was Loke’s contribution.

As nice as it was to receive well wishes, rather than cheer him up, all they accomplished was to envelop him in a cloud of gloom that was very familiar. Still, he replied to all the messages and got up to start his day.

At least it was a Wednesday, which meant that Gray would soon arrive with Aki for one of their study sessions. It was the first time in a while that he was impatient for Gray to visit, not because he wanted to see him, but because of the distraction that studying for the GED would provide.

What he really wanted was to get out of the house. To escape the memories that refused to let go.

The previous year he’d been too numb from everything else that had happened in his life for it to sink in that he was back in his childhood home, sleeping in the very room his father used to call his. The last place he’d seen him before he’d disappeared from his life, leaving him and Erza behind without any warning or explanation. For so long, he’d held on to the belief that his father was coming back, but no matter how many nights he’d waited for him, he never did. And so his birthday became a day Natsu resented, a painful reminder of his abandonment.

The doorbell rang, startling Natsu out of his gloomy thoughts. Atlas raced towards the door at the noise, chanting the name Aki over and over in joyful anticipation.

Natsu ran down the stairs to head him off, knowing from experience Atlas would open the door regardless of who might be on the other side. It was much too early for Gray to arrive for their study session, and given that it was his birthday, the idea of an unexpected visitor set him on edge.

He got to the door just as Atlas opened it and was surprised to see his boyfriend was indeed standing on the other side of the door.

��Hey,” he greeted, feeling slightly puzzled but no less pleased, “Are we starting early today?”

“Nope,” Gray smirked, “You’ve been working pretty hard for the past few weeks. Today you get the day off. We’re going to the beach!”

“Beach!” Aki repeated, and now that Natsu looked at him, he noticed he was dressed in a swimsuit and holding a colorful bucket and shovel like the ones sold at the grocery store.

“Beach?” Natsu parroted in disbelief, “With three kids? Are you insane?”

“Four, you forgot to count yourself,” Gray teased, entering the house and closing the door behind him. He pulled Natsu to him for a quick kiss, “Hey.”

“I don’t know, I’d have to pack stuff for the kids and get them ready,” Natsu hedged, not feeling up to such an involved outing.

“Nice try, Sunshine,” Gray turned him around and nudged him towards the stairs. “All you have to do is get yourself ready; Erza already took care of the rest.” Gray walked over to the small closet that sat at the foot of the stairs and opened it to show that indeed there were two bags packed along with Atlas’ car seat.

“We’re going to the beach?!” Hana squealed behind them, and at that point, Natsu realized he’d already lost. Hana had always loved the beach even though her skin was so fair she had to be slathered in sunblock constantly, but she hadn’t voiced any interest in it since her mother had died. Knowing that, he didn’t want to disappoint her.

“Looks like it,” he replied with as much enthusiasm as he could muster at the idea. It might even be a good thing. If he were chasing after the kids, he wouldn't have time to think about anything else.

“That’s the spirit,” Gray remarked, his words dripping with sarcasm, “Go get ready, and I’ll start putting stuff in the car.”

Now that the decision had been made, Natsu went along with it. He’d wanted to get out of the house, after all. Changing into swim trunks and a t-shirt, he quickly tossed a change of clothes and a towel into a bag. He searched around for his sunglasses and sunblock, and when he heard Gray yelling for him, he hurried down the stairs to find everything had already been packed up, including the kids.

“Why today?” he asked, gazing at his boyfriend with suspicion.

“Because it’s going to get super hot, and you’re too cheap to install an air conditioner.” Gray retorted, “Since nothing’s getting into your little brain today, we might as well have fun. Now come on.”

He grabbed the bag from Natsu’s hand and led him to his car, making no mention of Natsu’s mood. Natsu relaxed, he’d never told Gray when his birthday was, and he hadn’t gotten a text from Lyon, so it was possible he didn’t know. The people in his life always wanted to make a big deal about his birthday, but all Natsu wanted was to forget it, let it pass quickly and quietly. And who knew? A day of fun in the sun might just do the trick.

0-0

“Beach!” Hana ran off towards the sand the moment they stepped outside the air-conditioned train station and into the summer heat.

“Hana, wait!” Natsu ran after her, terrified of losing her in the crowd of people. He glanced back to see Gray trying to handle the boys and the remaining bags, and he flashed him an apologetic smile.

Gray hadn’t been exaggerating. It was a hot day. Thankfully the beach wasn’t too packed yet, and once he’d gotten Hana to stop, he rented a large umbrella for them to sit under, knowing the heat was going to be too much for the younger kids and for Gray, who was as fair as Hana.

He was already applying sunblock on Hana when Gray finally arrived with Atlas and Aki, dumping all their bags on the sand. “A little help would have been nice,” he grumbled.

Natsu glanced up to see his boyfriend was already flushed. “Go sit,” he ordered, pointing towards the shade the umbrella provided and handing him a bottle of water from one of the bags Erza had packed. He managed to get all three kids ready and sent them off to play in the area in front of them.

Natsu grabbed a new bottle of sunblock and knelt behind his boyfriend, who had already taken off his shirt, “Are you feeling better?” he asked as he spurted some of the contents of the bottle into his hand and began to apply it on Gray’s shoulders.

“Mhmm,” Gray groaned in appreciation, “That feels nice. Thanks for getting the umbrella, that was a good idea.”

“Well then, it seems my little brain is good for something after all,” Natsu retorted.

“Your hands aren’t bad either,” Gray observed, leaning forward so that Natsu could apply sunblock on his back. “Hana really likes the beach, huh?”

“Yeah, back when we lived in Edolas, Lis used to take her to the beach all the time,” he explained, watching as Hana examined some seashells she’d found. “It’s nice to see her excited about it again.”

“What on Earth is Atlas doing?”

Natsu turned his attention to his son and had to laugh, “He’s digging a hole, obviously.” One that only seemed to get bigger by the minute now that Aki had caught on to what his friend was doing and had begun to help.

“Shouldn’t we stop them?” Gray asked worriedly.

“Why? They’re not hurting anything,” Natsu shrugged, “or are you worried they’ll end up upside down on the other side of the world?”

“Smart and funny, how lucky am I?” Gray answered drily.

“I used to like to do that too,” Natsu muttered, ignoring the barb as he remembered beach trips with his own family.

He used to dig holes deep enough that he could hide in them and startle his mom as she walked by. Sometimes Igneel would even help him, laughing just as hard as Natsu when his wife squealed in fright as Natsu grabbed her leg. He hadn’t thought about that in years. A lump lodged in his throat at the thought of his mom, and he couldn’t help but reflect on how much Erza resembled her these days.

“Here, let me put some on you,” Natsu felt Gray’s hands on his back as he rubbed the cooling lotion on his warm skin, interrupting his train of thought. He closed his eyes briefly, enjoying the glorious sensation of those fingers kneading his muscles.

It was much better to focus on what he had. There was no reclaiming what he’d already lost.

“You know,” Gray declared as he continued to cover Natsu in sunblock, “there wasn’t an amusement park the last time I came here, it’s too bad the kids are too little. That could’ve been fun.”

“Well, maybe we can come back another time,” Natsu suggested, shading his eyes with his hand as he tried to locate Hana amidst the growing crowd.

“You mean like on a date?”

“Why not? I bet Sting and Rogue would love to come too.” He found his daughter talking to another little girl, not too far from where they were sitting and relaxed.

“Maybe,” Gray wrapped his arms around Natsu’s waist and pulled him closer to his chest, “I don’t get you to myself often enough, though.”

Natsu rested his hands on Gray’s and smiled, “You, my love, get most of my spare time. You’re just greedy.”

Gray chuckled, “True enough. Want to go check out the water? The kids look like they’re getting restless.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Natsu agreed, stealing a quick kiss before grabbing Atlas under one arm and racing towards Hana at full speed as Atlas yelled her name out joyfully. She squealed at their approach, running away from them and towards the water.

He could hear Gray grumbling behind him and grinned.

“Daddy, no!” Hana shrieked as he put Atlas down so he could join the chase and continued to charge after her.

“Don’t worry, Hana, I’ll get him for you,” was all he heard before being picked up from behind and tossed over Gray’s shoulder.

“What are you gonna do now, Sunshine?” Gray snickered, holding on tighter as Natsu did his best to get loose, “What do you think, Hana? Should I throw him in?”

“Yeah!” Hana giggled, “Throw Daddy in the ocean!”

“You heard the lady; you’re going down!” Gray turned them around, and Natsu could see that Hana looked positively gleeful at his predicament. All three kids cheered as they egged Gray on.

“Traitors!” He called out in mock dismay, as he flailed around, trying to mess up Gray’s balance. His efforts proved pointless, however, as the next thing he knew, he was falling, but only for a short second until he landed face-first into the cold water. Moving quickly, he turned himself around, snaking his arms out and grabbing Gray’s legs while he was busy laughing at him.

Using Gray’s distraction to his advantage, Natsu pulled, taking Gray down with him.

“Come on in, the water’s fine!” Natsu couldn’t help but cackle at the surprised expression on his boyfriend’s face.

“That’s it, Dragneel, you asked for it,” Gray announced before splashing water at Natsu’s face.

They wrestled in the water, both laughing too hard to be able to gain any advantage over the other. Soon they were joined by the kids who were more than happy to enter the fray.

After a few minutes, they each grabbed one of the boys and placed them on their shoulders so they could wade deeper while keeping an eye on Hana, who swam beside them. Both boys were overjoyed to be up so high. They eagerly called out every wave that rushed towards them.

Natsu was having such a great time that he completely forgot to keep track of Hana’s skin, and when he noticed the telltale redness on her nose and the back of her neck, he decided it was time to get back to their umbrella. Gray wasn’t doing much better, which made Natsu smile. The guy might be thirty, but he was still young in all the best ways.

Gray treated them to lunch, and they all sat together under the umbrella munching happily on pizza and chicken nuggets.

“Are you having fun?” Gray asked while helping Aki eat a slice of cheese pizza.

“Yeah,” Natsu answered honestly, “I have to admit, you had a good idea for once.”

Gray rolled his eyes at his response but chose not to protest. They shared a fun afternoon building sandcastles with the kids, collecting shells, and helping Atlas dig ever deeper holes, which Natsu made sure to refill once his son had moved on to the next one. Much too soon, it was time to get on a train as Natsu had to return to Magnolia in time for his evening shift at Crime Sorciere.

Natsu sat on the train, feeling content as Hana leaned against him, and Atlas snored in his lap. On the opposite bench, Aki was also K.O. in Gray’s arms, while Gray gazed out the window with a serene smile. Natsu watched him for a while, mesmerized by how breathtaking Gray looked when he was at peace. It didn’t happen nearly often enough for his liking, and that always saddened him. Gray deserved the world, and Natsu was determined to get it for him. Someday.

They made it home with enough time for Natsu to take a shower before leaving for work. He noticed a notification on his phone as he was getting dressed, and seeing that it was a text from Gray, he scanned it immediately.

Happy Birthday, Natsu! 😉

Natsu realized then that he hadn’t thought about his birthday once since they’d arrived at the beach. He was touched to learn that Gray had been aware all along, choosing not to treat the day any differently because he’d remembered how Natsu felt about it.

Just like that, Gray had understood what he’d needed, something Erza and Lisanna had struggled with for years.

For the first time since Natsu was nine years old, he’d had a birthday he could look back on with a smile. And that was the best present he could have ever asked for.

A/N: We had started this one for Summer Solstice but ran out of time, luckily Gratsu Week gave us the motivation to finish it! This fic marks 200K words in our AU!

[percabeth4life]

Three Old Ladies Knit Socks of Death

First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || AO3

I’m really glad that I have a clue as to what happened, even if the constant buzzing surrounding everyone is driving me nuts.

Someone cast a spell of some sort to trick everyone into thinking that Ms. Dodds never existed. The buzzing kept trying to affect me, but it couldn’t get me through my Purifying powers.

Thank Pontus for those.

But the buzzing is very, very, very, annoying.

One important thing I noticed was that Grover didn’t have any buzzing around him, which means that he is fully aware of Ms. Dodds. That and the fact that he’s a horrible liar.

Mr. Brunner’s buzzing didn’t lower at all, but nor did it raise.

I think he’s the source of the buzzing honestly, still not sure if he’s safe. He hasn’t asked for the pen that’s a sword that’s a pen back.

But everyone is denying that Ms. Dodds exists.

…

I may or may not be using it as practice for my purification powers.

…

It seems like a good idea (and keeps my mind off of…)

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Okay so one person had to go to the nurses office cause I managed to get rid of the buzzing around her with my purifying powers, and whoops…

Apparently, mortals can’t handle that.

Everyone is saying she had a psychotic break yelling about a Ms. Dodds and how she definitely exists…

So, I’ve decided that I should not test my purification powers on helpless mortals.

Katara would be ashamed of me for testing my powers like that.

I’ve also decided to rewatch Avatar: The Last Airbender for the twenty-fourth time.

Don’t judge me, it’s a great show and my teacher for waterbending!

And maybe I’ll see more about healing with waterbending, I can’t remember all the details and I need a way to learn without hurting myself first.

Purification is still cooler, but healing will definitely be helpful in the future. Besides, it’s practically a signature move for Katara, the whole world would’ve ended in the show if it weren’t for her healing abilities.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Carl was excited for my experiments with the water holder, I was messing with some ice and ignoring the growing sense of doom that was coming as exams got closer.

Triton would be disappointed in me for not paying attention to my lessons now, but I can’t help it.

It’s so hard to focus when you’re trying not to focus on the fact that you killed someone, sure she was a fury, but she had feelings and stuff too.

I shook my head, nope nope nope, not thinking about that right now.

Work on the magic portable ice fish tank.

I sighed, fiddling with the ice to twist it into the right shape.

I’ll need to add the runes-

“Percy!”

I made the ice shatter into a thousand tiny pieces and melt and nearly fell off the bed.

…

“You okay man?”

I nodded, pushing myself up and pretending like my face wasn’t on fire.

“I’m fine.”

“What were you doing anyways?”

Uh…

“I was trying to do a palm reading on my hands.” Nailed it.

“Baa-ha-ha, you do palm readings?”

“No, but I thought I’d give it a shot. I was trying to see if I could pass my exams.”

“If you study you might,” Grover bleated out.

I sniffed, raising my nose and hiding a smile, “Studying is for the weak!” I declared grandly.

Grover laughed.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar view, fields with misty figures as far as the eye could see.

I frowned.

Where am I?

I wandered forward, waving a hand in the face of one of the figures. They didn’t react.

Yep definitely a dream.

Now I just have to figure out where I am.

I probably should’ve gotten around to reading up on prophetic dreaming like probably dad Oceanus mentioned one of those times I was there, but I got distracted.

I wandered the fields, looking around in confusion, this place was very unfamiliar.

Except, a feeling of familiarity clung to me from one direction, so I started that way.

It felt like a low burn edging my senses, I’m not sure where I felt it before, I don’t really remember this feeling.

The sound of leathery wings made me look up, my eyes widening at the three figures.

Hades’s furies.

I suddenly realized where I was.

The itch of a curse made me want to scratch my arms. But looking up, Ms. Dodds, one of the furies, is alive.

It was like I could breathe for the first time in weeks.

I didn’t just kill someone who could think and breathe and feel like us.

I almost felt like sitting down right there, I let out a breath and held back the tears.

Thank Pontus.

I woke up

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I practiced my Ocarina more, sitting next to some of the plants Grover has and settling the music book in front of me to try one of the basic tricks. Growing plants.

Technically it’s supposed to be done with coral and sea grass and other undersea plants, but I don’t have those. So, I just have to make due with the plants that Grover has.

Grover came in while I was mid-song, but I ignored him, the plant seems a bit brighter, just a little taller.

I smiled, it’s going alright.

Not as much as it should be, but it’s certainly improving.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

School was itching at my nerves. The constant buzzing was driving me up a wall and I was snapping quicker at people instead of doing it the smart way like Triton taught me.

I watched more Avatar and tried to resist the urge to break something.

I have no outlet, I can’t go practice my waterbending, I can’t talk to Triton, I only have Carl who just plain doesn’t understand.

School studies are getting harder and harder for me to do.

I could handle Pre-Calc thanks to all of Triton’s help in the past, and Latin wasn’t that hard either (why is every language but English easier? Should I try learning Spanish or French?), but otherwise… I kind of just gave up.

The buzzing stayed in the back of my head.

I threw myself into my books from Triton, devouring the information on Siren’s Song that I had been ignoring so far.

I practiced my Ocarina and paid attention to my clubs again some. Triton said they were good for me.

The buzzing filled the rooms when there was even a moment of silence.

I ended up kicked out of Model UN because of my lowering grades but music club had pity on me.

I practiced more.

The buzzing didn’t stop.

I snapped at a teacher one time too many, I’m not welcome back at the school next year.

What an underwhelming way to get kicked out this time.

The buzzing was unrelenting.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I’m really glad for my starglobe. I’ve just been sitting here staring at it for the last hour.

Grover keeps giving me weird looks, but… It’s just sparkly and pretty and reminds me of Triton. It reminds me of the sea that one time my mom let me “sleepover” at a friends house. I got to see the stars from the sea and it was amazing.

“Did you know your eyes change colors?”

I looked up at Grover.

“What?”

“Well, they’re normally this sharp green, like, sea green, but you’re looking at your sparkly snowglobe and your eyes just turn like, silver-gray?”

I blinked, “Do they?”

“Yeah, I mean it’s cool.”

“Hmm, I guess I get it from my mom, her’s do the same thing.”

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

It was the night before my Latin exam.

As much as I don’t trust Mr. Brunner, I just couldn’t figure out this one translation, and I lost the answer key.

Ugh.

I decided to go ask him, at least he would know I was trying. As long as he didn’t like, try to kill me or something, it’d be fine!

…

Hopefully I didn’t just jinx myself.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I was almost to the door to his office, but something was off.

I stopped, realization hitting.

The buzzing was quiet.

I was almost to his door, where the buzzing is usually very loud, and there was nothing.

I frowned, was he not there? But the light is on?

The door was ajar slightly, and I stepped closer, as quiet as I can be.

“… worried about Percy, sir.”

I stopped, tilting my head. That was Grover.

My heart sank, so I was right, he is working with Mr. Brunner.

“… alone this summer?” Grover questioned, “I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too-“

“We would only make matters worse by rushing him,” Mr. Brunner interrupted, “We need the boy to mature more.”

“But he may not have time. The summer solstice deadline-“

“Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can.”

“Sir he saw her…”

“His imagination,” Mr. Brunner insisted. “The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince him of that. He may still have the pen, but the Mist over it will stop him from realizing.”

“Sir, I… I can’t fail in my duties again.” Grover’s voice was choked with emotion. “You know what that would mean.”

“You haven’t failed, Grover,” Mr. Brunner soothed. “I should have seen her for what she was. Now let’s just worry about keeping Percy-“

I shifted back, a small creak of my rubber shoe bottom on the linoleum floors echoes through the halls.

Mr. Brunner went silent.

I slipped back, seeing a shadow of something larger than Mr. Brunner in a wheelchair pass the lighted glass. It was holding an archer’s bow.

I moved, sliding into the first door I could find and pressed against the wall by the door.

I could fight if I needed too, my trident charm in hand, but… I need time to process.

A shadow went past, clop-clop-clop passing by. Like muffled hoof beats.

A large shadow paused by the window.

Mr. Brunner spoke, “Nothing, my nerves haven’t been right since the winter solstice.”

“Mine neither,” Grover said. “But I could have sworn…”

“Go back to the dorm,” Mr. Brunner told him. “You’ve got a long day of exams tomorrow.”

“Don’t remind me.”

The lights went out in Mr. Brunner’s office.

I waited there, going through what I just learned.

They’re worried about me, whether about my health of something else to do with me…

The buzzing is probably this Mist that he talked about, I’m not sure what that is, a spell of some kind I suppose. When I can talk to Triton again I’ll ask. Maybe it’s a land magic?

Mr. Brunner, whoever he is, has no idea that I know about gods and mythical beings and the like. I can use that to my advantage if he is actually a threat.

They know about the winter solstice mess, all I know is that there’s been a theft.

I frowned, are they blaming me too? And what’s this about a summer solstice deadline? That sounds bad.

Why do they need me to mature more? What do they need to worry about keeping me from? What’s going on?

One thing I’m sure of, Mr. Brunner is definitely not human. Some human animal crossover based on the sounds I heard. Horse half? Centaur? That’s the best I’ve got right now. I’ll look into it more later.

I stood in the dark waiting.

Grover is working with him though.

My chest hurt, could I trust Grover? Was he just going to attack me? Try to hurt me?

I want Triton, I want Triton so badly. He would know what to do.

But I can’t. Triton said not to contact him until things calmed down.

Based on Grover and Mr. Brunner, things are definitely not calm.

I stood in the dark.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I returned to my room when I calmed, nodding to Grover and settling back down with my notes.

“Hey,” He said, bleary-eyed. “You gonna be ready for this test?”

I glanced over, trying to bury any emotions, Triton had said that Grover might have empathic abilities and I can’t let him know what I’m feeling.

I forced a smile, “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I faked a yawn, “I think I’m gonna go to bed now though. Too tired to get much more done.”

And I am tired, I’m so tired of being here.

I just want to go home, see my mom, hug her, talk to Triton.

I want to be back in the still dirty (but much improved) river and cleaning it and talking to the fish and other sea animals.

I want to go to events with Triton and talk to my merfolk friends and trade notes on our powers.

I don’t want to be here wondering if my friend is going to betray me and attack me. I don’t want to wonder if my teacher is going to try to hurt me.

I just want home.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Honestly, I fell asleep trying not to cry, so when I woke up in my probable dad’s palace, hidden in an alcove, I kinda burst into tears.

It’s like my dreams are trying to comfort me.

I curled up and cried, this year sucks.

Everything first semester was bad, but since the solstice I’ve been so alone.

Everything aches I just want to see Triton, to talk to my friends, to not be so utterly alone.

I can’t trust Grover, I can’t trust Mr. Brunner, I certainly can’t trust any of the other students in the school.

“Oh dear…”

Soothing curls wrapped around me, banishing the cold currents that felt so like my probable dad’s palace.

A hand was on my back, I couldn’t really see through the tears though.

“Hush now little Half-Blood, it’s alright.”

I took a few minutes to calm my breathing, to stop the tears, the unknown person whispering soothing words the whole time.

When I could finally look at them, I finally saw the Titaness Tethys.

…

Oh no, don’t tell me I just cried like an idiot in front of my probable dad’s wife.

I want to curl up and die, why me.

She settled next to me in the alcove, her hand still rubbing my back, “Are you feeling better?”

I swallowed, nodding.

“Yes Tethys-ran” I whispered.

Using the proper terms of respect are important. Ran is for queen, which she is, Ari would be for king.

She smiled at me, “There, that’s better. Let’s get you something to eat hmm?”

I nodded, letting her tug me out of the alcove.

“We still have only caught the beginning of your name little half-blood, starts with a P right?”

I flushed, “It’s Percy, Tethys-ran.”

“Ah, then a pleasure to meet you Percy-tou”

I flushed, tou is used for children regardless of gender, it’s basically calling them cute little one.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you to, Tethys-ran.”

She led me to the kitchens it seems. There’s a lot of noise as they work on making the food.

Her hand was still on my back, it was grounding.

“Do you have any favorites?”

She was looking at me.

“Oh uh, I like water chestnuts? And uh frozen Plumose? Um…”

She smiled, “Any meats?”

“… tuna?”

She nodded, nudging me forward as she spoke rapid Halmaheran.

“Get something -- him to eat, something on the --- end. And something -- snack on. And some --- if you --.”

I couldn’t catch everything that she said, unfortunately, but I’m pleased I caught as much as I did. She was talking really fast and had an accent I don’t know.

It took only a few minutes before she was ushering me out, a few bowls of food in her hands.

I ended up sitting with her in another alcove, nibbling on the snacks she got me. And sucking clean water from one of the plants, usually used for that purpose. Not like you can have cups with drinks underwater.

She let us eat quietly, her gaze on me.

I glanced at her, then looked away again.

“You seem to find yourself in our palace fairly often Percy-tou.”

I shifted, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why.”

She hummed, “It’s no fault of yours, though you should learn how to control your dream walking.”

I frowned, “Dream walking?”

She smiled, “That’s what this particular branch of prophetic dreaming is called, though the technical name is Hioipihaiho.”

I frowned, Halmaheran.

“You mind effectively leaves your body and travels to another place. It is different from Ahioimua, which is looking into the future of the place you are, Imuaireira, which is seeing the future or other places, Ahiomuri, which is seeing the past of your current location, and Amuritereira, seeing the past of another place.”

I wished I had my notebook to take notes.

“Dream walking is simply traveling, it’s the most common form of prophetic dreaming in Half-Bloods. None of them technically require dreaming, though it is the easiest way to receive the visions of the other forms.”

Okay that’s interesting, so I could do this awake… How would that work?

“Though slipping through the shields of our palace to prevent entrance from those trying to come is impressive. I’m very curious as to how you’ve done so accidentally.”

I chewed on one of the nuts in my snack bowl, “I don’t know, I just started showing up here.”

She nodded, “Well, it’s certainly interesting.”

It must be because Oceanus is my dad? Is this more evidence towards that? I have a lot of really solid evidence now.

I kinda want to say that I know, but I promised Triton I wouldn’t ask or talk about my immortal parent. It would interfere with my safety.

So, I kept my mouth shut and resisted the urge to tell her.

“What had you so upset? When you first arrived?”

I nibbled on one of the tuna pieces, “I uh… Just had a stressful week.”

I ducked my head.

“Oh? Anything in particular?”

“I have a lot of big tests, and found out a friend isn’t actually a friend…”

She hummed, “A sad thing to learn.”

“Yeah…”

She ran a hand through my hair, I peeked up.

She smiled, “Friends come and go like the tides, it is good to learn from your time with them, and they will leave a mark on you. But don’t let them hold you back or cling to what has passed. If they are not your friend accept that and move forward, else you will drown.”

I relaxed, she’s not wrong. Grover was apparently not really trying to be my friend, he was spying on me?

Regardless of what he was doing, I just have to accept it.

It hurts, but… it would be better for me to move on.

I nodded, “Thanks.”

“Well, I believe it is time for you to wake. I’ve already held you here longer than you should’ve been.”

She gathered our bowls and flicked away.

Almost immediately I felt the yank at me. Like a strong current tugging me away.

“Stay safe Percy-tou.”

Oh.

I woke up.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I finished the Latin exam.

I know that I messed up like half the grammar, but the translation to English wasn’t too hard, I could use context for some of the grammar, and I’m good at the word definitions so that was easy at least. The few history questions were annoying, but I didn’t struggle too badly.

The buzzing in my ear made it hard to focus though.

I think I managed a C? Maybe even a B if my guessing for the grammar was good enough.

I’ll just have to wait and see I guess.

I started to head out when Mr. Brunner called me back.

I swallowed back my fear that he found out about me overhearing him last night, he wouldn’t call me out for that in front of the class.

“Percy,” he said. “Don’t be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It’s… it’s for the best.”

My heart sank, I know that I can’t trust him, really, I do, but… I couldn’t help but like him as a teacher.

It hurt to hear him say that, in front of the whole class too.

The other students snickered, Nancy sent me a smug grin.

“Okay, sir.” I mumbled.

“I mean…” Mr. Brunner wheeled his chair back and forth, like he wasn’t sure what to say. “this isn’t the right place for you. It was only a matter of time.”

What does he mean by that?! That I’m destined to be kicked out? That despite the high standards he’s been holding me to he had zero faith in me? That he was going to insure I would be kicked out if it wasn’t something else?

“Right,” I whispered.

“No, no,” Mr. Brunner said. “Oh, confound it all. What I’m trying to say… you’re not normal, Percy. That’s-“

“Thanks,” I blurted, holding back my fear that he could know about my power, “Thanks a lot, sir, for reminding me.”

I bolted, hearing his call as I fled.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

The last day of term had finally arrived.

I gathered up my notebooks, my waterskin, my assorted gifts from Triton and my friends, Carl in his new transportable tank, and carefully put everything up in my two bags, my waterskin on top. My suitcase held the extra and all of my clothes.

The other guys were talking about their plans for their breaks.

They’re all juvenile delinquents like me, kids that can’t manage it in other schools, but they’re rich ones.

Doesn’t mean I have to let them know that I’m not doing much unless Triton can contact me soon. I probably shouldn’t even go to the river until Triton gets ahold of me.

One of them asked what I was doing this summer.

“I’ll be visiting some of my friends overseas. I haven’t seen them since winter break.” I flashed them a bright smile that hid the ache in my chest as they questioned me more.

“Where do they live?”

“Oh, on some islands a bit out. They’re a bit spread out, so I’ll probably move around some.”

“That’s cool, looking forward to it?”

“Yeah,” I grinned, “They’re a lot of fun.”

They went back to talking about their trips but did leave an opening for me to join if I wanted.

I didn’t, they were all kind of jerks to Grover, but I appreciated it.

The only person that I was nervous about saying goodbye to was Grover. Even with Tethys’s advice, even knowing that he may try to harm me, it’s so hard to let it go.

Turns out I don’t have to yet though because he’s coming with me. We have tickets on the same Greyhound bus to Manhattan.

Seems suspicious.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Grover is clearly very nervous, glancing around and down the aisles, watching the passengers. It was similar to how he acted every time we left Yancy. I ducked my head and didn’t say anything about it.

“Hey Percy?”

I glanced at him, “Yeah?”

“I uh, I know that uh, that we’re going different ways this summer. But…. I thought, uh, here-“

He handed me a card, “Just take this, in case you need me this summer.”

I took the card, which is in the most obnoxious fancy script that took me a minute of squinting at to read.

Grover Underwood

Keeper

Half-Blood Hill

Long Island, New York

(800) 009-0009

My heart almost stopped, Half-Blood Hill.

What does this have to do with Half-Bloods?

“What’s Half-“

“Don’t say it aloud!” He yelped, “That’s my, um… summer address.”

I stared at him, is he trying to trick me into going into some sort of trap?

“Okay, so if I want to visit.”

“Or… or if you need me.” He nodded.

“Why would I need you?”

I couldn’t help the bitter words. How could I trust him after what I overheard the other day?

Grover blushed right down to his Adam’s apple. “Look, Percy, the truth is, I—I kind of have to protect you.”

I stared at him, the likely mythological being that I’m half convinced is supposed to be assassinating me.

“Grover, what exactly are you protecting me from?”

Could I have misunderstood?

Suddenly there was a huge grinding noise under our feet. Black smoke poured from the dashboard and the whole bus filled with a smell like rotten eggs. The driver cursed and limped the Greyhound over to the side of the highway.

After a few minutes clanking around in the engine compartment, the driver announced we’d all have to get off. Grover and I filed outside with everyone else, and my senses were on fire.

It was like a web of feeling, fabric flowing over me, almost sparking as it moved.

My head snapped around, on the other side of the road, across four lanes of asphalt shimmering with afternoon heat, was an old-fashioned fruit stand.

There, next to it in rocking chairs in the shade of a maple tree, sat three old ladies knitting the biggest pair of socks I’ve ever seen.

And those old ladies were... dangerous.

The energy I could tell was there, it was overloading my senses.

I couldn’t feel anything but the crackling fabric flowing over me.

The lady on the right knitted one of the socks, the lady on the left knitted the other. The lady in the middle held an enormous basket of electric-blue yarn that made me feel like a knife was pressed to my throat.

The combined feelings made me want to claw at my skin, what is this? Who are they? What’s going on?

The three ladies were looking right at me. I rubbed at my arms.

Grover made a strangled sound and I glanced at him. Just barely resisting bolting from the area.

“Grover?” I said. “Hey, man—”

“Tell me they’re not looking at you. They are, aren’t they?”

I swallowed, oh dear.

“Yeah, why?”

The lady in the middle took out a pair of scissors, massive scissors—gold and silver, long bladed, like shears. I heard Grover catch his breath.

“We’re getting on the bus,” he told me. “Come on.”

I stood still, staring at the old ladies with the scissors that made my head spin, their presence that made electric fabric rub at my skin, and their yarn that felt like knives prickling my neck.

“Come on!” He called, prying open the door and climbing inside.

The old ladies still watched me, and the middle one lifted the scissors.

I could hear the snip of her cutting the yarn from across all four lanes of traffic. Her two friends bundled up the electric-blue socks and I felt the at this point familiar buzz fill my head. The three ladies were gone between one blink and the next.

At the fear of the bus, the driver wrenched a big chunk of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life.

The prickling of a knife, the electric fabric, the head spinning all faded, almost entirely gone.

The passengers cheered.

“Darn right!” yelled the driver. He slapped the bus with his hat. “Everybody back on board!”

We got back on, the buzzing still nudging me. I pushed my power as hard as I could, shoving the buzzing trying to reach me away.

Grover looked sick, I didn’t feel great myself, but the buzzing had faded almost entirely.

“Grover?”

“Yeah?”

I hesitated, should I? I want to know… I need to know if he’s actually a threat.

I licked my lips, “What are you not telling me?”

He dabbed his forehead with his shirt sleeve. “Percy, what did you see back at the fruit stand?”

“There were three old ladies, two knitting giant socks, one holding yarn. The one in the middle cut the yarn, then they left.

He closed his eyes and made a gesture with his fingers, one I recognized from my time with Triton. A symbol to ward of evil. With magic behind it, it can do small things. Otherwise it’s just a simple hand motion.

“You saw her snip the cord.”

“Yeah. So?” Who were those old ladies? Nothing has bothered my senses like them before.

“This is not happening,” Grover mumbled. He started chewing at his thumb. “I don’t want this to be like last time.”

I scowled, “What last time?”

“Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth.”

“Grover,” I snapped, because I just want answers! “What are you talking about?”

“Let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me.”

I stared at him, there’s no way I’m letting him know where I live. I’m not endangering my mom like that.

“Sure.”

He continued to bemoan my fate, looking at me mournfully, like he was already picking the kind of flowers I’d like best on my coffin (Forget-me-nots so I can boss people around even when I’m dead).

[whichwaytowonderlandep]

Lotus

Pairings: (Taehyung/Reader)

Genre: Smut, Romance(?)

Words: 8,226

Tags: Qetesh/Egyptian Goddess AU, College AU, non-idol AU, oral sex (both giving and receiving – because that’s important), Taehyung is a needy boy and things are not that hardcore. This is still a smut fic though.

The summer solstice was one of the most anticipated party of the year. A party where people can dress up as ghouls, fairies and all sorts of mythological monsters and party the night away — drugs and heavy drinking going hand in hand with bad decisions and low morals.

It was the only thing people have been talking about for the last two months. Even now as your answering the last question of your final exam, you could still here them mumbling to each other.

You didn’t understand what all the excitement was about. You’ve been to at least one high school party before, but all you experienced was sitting down in a chair while your friend, being the social butterfly that she was left you with a drink in your hand as she flirted the night away. You were left to find a way back home on your own when she decided to leave with a guy she’d been crushing on for a week and not forget to tell you about it.

It wasn’t a nice experience.

It was the exact kind of party you would much rather avoid going to.

You make your way out of the classroom, finally turning in the last exam of the semester. The weight that has been sitting on your shoulders to get a good grade finally lifting and you could feel as if you could finally breathe. You make your way down the pretty empty hall, most of the students still in their classrooms finishing their exams.

You were ready to just sleep for the next thirty days before doing absolutely anything else.

Three years ago you had decided to move to one of the busiest city in your country, three colleges in the same vicinity sharing the same clubs, apartments and restaurants. You just so happen to live outside of the city, in one of the best high rise apartment building your father’s money could afford. You had accepted it as part of his rules to letting you go to the college of your choice and to being on your own for the first time in your life – no maids, no butler and no one to do things for you.

You wanted to experience the part where you take care of yourself, of being in a classroom with other people instead of alone with different teachers, to not have someone come in the morning and relay your schedule for the day. The first few weeks, you quickly realized It wasn’t as easy as you thought it was going to be– having to learn everything from scratch. The first attempt at cooking you had almost burned your kitchen down, but after three years of living by yourself you had gotten the hang of it.

It took you thirty minutes by bus to get home, pass the building’s security at the front desk. “Welcome back, Miss (Y/N)!” They greet you as always, earning a nod and a shy smile of acknowledgement thrown in their direction before heading towards the elevator.

You punch in your security code, now feeling exhausted as you start thinking about how close to a warm bath and long naps you actually are. “Just a little longer” You assure yourself.

You live in the penthouse, a choice your father made as it meant you shared the floor with no one. He had taken every security measure to make sure you wouldn’t be in any danger – his money, his reputation and his business making his family a target.

The ding of the elevator waking you up as you drop your bag on at the front door, kicking your shoes off the moment you step out of the elevator and into your living room. “Finally!” You groan out, stretching all over as you throw yourself onto one of the large couches – facing out to the large windows. This building was surrounded by others, but not as tall as the one in front of you. There were only a few people living there at the moment, the building being new enough to remain empty for the first couple of weeks.

The penthouse across from yours was the first one to be sold. You didn’t know much who was living there, but with the bright lights on at night and their inability of using their curtains you found out pretty quickly who had been living opposite you.

A man going by the name Kim Taehyung. You had heard people around you gossip about him and his friends. How they were incredibly good looking and talented in the fields they chose to study in. Taehyung’s name was the one that kept coming up around you. He was an Art History major with a minor in business ��� which is why you shared most of your classes with him.

For what you could tell, Taehyung was the kind of guy to take his studies seriously, but still have enough time to party during the weekend. He had his shit balanced, unlike you.

The only thing you would hear from other students was who was he dating that week – man or woman, and who he dumped and how brutal it had been. The man who, unabashedly, stands proud in front of his window wearing nothing but an open silk robe, who would bring the occasional one night stand into his apartment and fuck them against said window. The one who is currently getting a blowjob while looking out the same window. Wait – you pause for a second.

You squint your eyes, rubbing the tired from them as they widen at the scene in front of you. Taehyung stood in leaning with one hand against the window, eyes hooded as a man kneels before him. The bobbing movement of the latter giving you a clear idea of what he was doing. Taehyung’s face remained stoic, a beer bottle resting in his hand that he would occasionally take a sip from.

You could already feel your face burning up as you blush at the scene before you. You sat frozen on your couch as Taehyung pulls the hand resting on the window and entangles it in the man’s blonde hair – hand gripping tightly, you thought he was going to rip the hair off the man’s scalp. You watch the erotic way he closes his eyes, letting his tongue run against his bottom lip as his hand began moving in a back and forward motion. A thrust of his hips and a satisfied smirk painting his face as he reaches his orgasm before looking down at the man in front of him.

Your body felt hot after watching the scene in front of you. You also felt like a giant pervert, but how could you look away when he’s rolling his shoulders back and throwing his head back like his a sexy pornstar. Your eyes moving up and down his body, watching the other man standing from his kneeling position – nothing but buttcheeks in your direct view and for the first time you notice that both of them are very very naked.

It felt as if you were in a trance that broke the second you made eye contact with Taehyung. You shriek, if out of embarrassment before flinging yourself off the couch and into your closed kitchen in an attempt to get flee. To get away from this whole situation.

You had very much forgotten that if you could see everything then he could clearly see you.

“Stupid” You groan out, heading towards the sink before splashing some water on your face. You felt like throwing up at the thought of the embarrassing moment of just being caught watching them. “It’s fine. It’s just your imagination. There’s no way he saw you.” You reason with yourself, feeling your heartbeat slow down. It’s not like you personally knew the guy, so you could just pretend you saw absolutely nothing and forget the whole thing never happen.

Yeah, that’s exactly what you were going to do.

You groggily walk into the kitchen in search of something to quench your thirst, feeling sleepy even after taking that three hour nap. After you had come rolling down from the top of embarrassment hill, you had fallen asleep in your room while watching television.

It was already nighttime by the time you had woken up, the apartment bathing in complete darkness as the lights coming from the moon casts shadows all over your living room.

Your mind starts going back to the moment you witness by looking out the window. Cheeks turning red in second hand embarrassment as you try to erase that image from your mind, but with no luck.

You snap out of your thoughts by the sound of your cell phone ringing somewhere in the room, knowing already who it was as they would always call at the same time of the night. You head back into the kitchen, going straight to the glowing light stuck in between the couch cushions. Your mom’s name flashing across the screen and your prediction correct as you answer the phone.

“Hey mom” you tiredly greet her, throwing yourself back on the couch because knowing her, this call was going to last a while.

“Hey, sweetheart! Have you eaten anything today?” She asks straight away, her heavy accent seeping through the phone — not giving you a chance to answer before she was asking another question. “How were your exams? Were they as easy as you thought they would be?”

“Yes I ate, they were fine. What did you really wanted to ask me?” You answer, throwing yourself back on the couch and staring at the ceiling. “Are you going to come home for the summer?” You smile as she asks the same question she asks every year. You would visit whenever you could, but you would never stay longer than a week at most.

“I don’t think I’m gonna be going this year, mom” You sigh out,knowing that being honest now would save you a lot more later. “Maybe the week before classes start, I’ll let you know” you assure her.

Of course, you miss your mom. She was the one who had encouraged you to become more independent as you were growing up, even if that meant you would be leaving the nest one day.

But every single time you step foot in your childhood home, you feel this overwhelming sensation of having everyone around you – having gotten used to spending so much time alone. You and your mom spent a few hours on the phone, talking about nothing and everything that had happened back at home.

“I’m going to call you back, I’m about to have dinner.” You hurriedly say, blowing a kiss through the microphone before saying your goodbyes and hanging up.

You stand up, stretching as you feel all of your body relax at the feeling. You already had the idea of going out and getting something to eat, there was no way you were going to take the time to cook again. So convenience store food is the best idea you could come up with.

You make your way to the elevator, sliding on your shoes as you wait for it to arrive.

You were still wearing the same clothing as this morning, feeling the air grow colder as you reached the convenience store around the corner from your apartment building.

You say ‘hi’ to the girl behind the counter, having already seen her plenty of times before when you had taken study breaks for the last three weeks. You headed straight to the noodle isle, eyes tiredly searching for the one you had an inkling for.

Your immediate attention staying on the matter at hand, paying no attention to the rest of the store as you went to the cash register to pay.

You should start to learn how to keep an eye on your surroundings, because as you wait for the microwave the finish heating up your food, you also had an almost-heart attack.

“You enjoy the show?” A deep voice startles you, making you jump at the sudden sound so close to you. Your hand instantly lands on your chest, trying to find some type of composure.

You turn around to meet the one and only fucker, Kim Taehyung. Your cheeks turn red almost instantly as the taller man stands before you in the small isle.

His hands were shoved into his hoodie, his face pulled into a serious expression where you couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not.

But with the way it felt as if he was staring deep into your hollow soul you were positive he was talking to you.

“Uh…” Your mind goes blank as he leans forward, standing now inches from you as his eyebrows furrow and he squints his eyes at you. “I-I’m sorry” you involuntarily giggle, nervousness sipping into you. “ I think you might have the wrong person…?”

You hated how your voice got suddenly high. Something that happens every time you got nervous around other people – which is why you avoided any type social interaction as possible. You didn’t want to be known as the girl that spoke so high that she could mimic a sound only dogs could hear.

Taehyung tilts his head to the side, a smirk appearing on his face as he notices you blushing. He knew he had seen you before, the way you were blushing red and how you were clearly avoiding his eyes was enough to confirm his previous suspicions. He wasn’t expecting in finding you so soon after – you look different up close and in person.

“So you did enjoy it then!” He leans back, smiling wide as he stands over your smaller form. “I didn’t know I had an audience” Taehyung chuckles, his eyes never straying far from your face as he watches you get even more red. You didn’t handle confrontation well, did you?

“If I did I would’ve put on a better show” His voice drops to a sultry tone, making you finally snap your gaze to his.

Taehyung winks, shoving his hands back into his jacket before leaving you alone in the aisle. You jump as the microwave beeps behind you, kicking you out of your frozen state.

You turn to lean back at the against the counter, confusion settling in. “What the fuck?” You whisper to yourself, the cool air coming from the vents doing wonders to your heated skin.

You had gotten back to your apartment a little after the stores around you begun to close down for the night and the last of the party goers made their way through the empty streets.

Everything felt as if you were experiencing it in a dreamlike stage–getting greeted by the night guard, punching in your code and then everything stops.

You don’t remember when exactly you had fallen asleep, let alone when was the moment you had reached your bedroom.

You’re paralyzed, the room cold enough that you could see your breath appearing in front of you. Your chest heaves as your breathing starts to quicken, tears in your eyes as you try to scream out.

That’s when you notice it – the menacing black smoke floating above you. You had never felt more scared in your entire life, a year falling down the side of your cheek as the black smoke lowers in above you. You want to cry out, scream at it to go away, for someone to help you and yet no one comes to your rescue.

You try to speak, forcing yourself to make a sound — any sound at all. But the black smoke began filling your lungs prevented you from crying out. It slowly consumed you, leaving you feeling vulnerable.

Your body felt as if it was floating on clouds, your mine drifting off into nothingness and at precisely ten thirty four that night, your heart stopped beating.

You wake up, grass caressing the bottom of your hands as move them away from you. The sound of running water not too far from you, and the sound of iron hitting iron as the skilled craftsmen went to work. You open your eyes, the morning sun shining down from above you. You look around as you sit up, the thin cotton dress that you wore keeping you cool in the harsh heat.

You were in a field, lotus flowers surrounding you and small houses not too far from you and yet it was peaceful and quiet. You had no shoes on, so as you stood up and made your way out of the feel you could feel the grass tickling the bottom of your feet. Your long hair moving behind you as the breeze blew right at your face.

You didn’t recognize the place, the people, nothing and yet, you felt at home here. As if you had been called here.

You continue to make your way out of the field, the smell of iron being melted and the rest of the merchants trying to make some profit to feed their family for the night.

You were but just a visitor in that moment, the people around you continued to stare as you make your way through of the crowd. The sound dissipating as your surroundings begun to change – you were suddenly surrounded by marble and pillars of fire. The soft, shiny floor felt cold against your naked feet and the dress you were wearing changed to a more revealing one, small golden chains going the middle of your chest and gold dust glimmering from the flickering fire.

You make your way down the hall, ignoring the longing looks you got from the guards. Not that they could comment on anything, you were under the pharaoh’s protection. You continue to make your way to the grand room, people of all ranks enjoying themselves in the main room where most festivities were held.

Food and wine being passed around in trays by woman wearing intricate face masks. You dismiss the ones that approach you with a wave of your hand – your eyes settling on the man of the hour. The party was just a formality, a reason to bring all of the eligible high ranking ladies into the palace for the young prince to take his pick of wives.

V, as you’ve come to know him, sat at one of the lower thrones – looking as if he was bored out of his mind.

Your focus didn’t last on him very long, as the exotic dancers begin to move across the dance floor. Their bodies moving sensually to the music.

Your eyes return to V, watching him let out a sigh as he throws his head back.

You were right to come here, being summoned only three days ago, you had yet to make your true presence known. To them you were just another visiting dignitary.

You were the type of goddess to come in unannounced watch the people around, study them and then meddle with their life. You would lower their inhibitions, make the fears they had about themselves disappear and making them feel immense pleasure instead.

As V’s eyes meet yours through the crowd, you know that he is the one who called you here.

Your eyes remain close as the sound of music fills your ears. Your hands sliding up the side of the satin bed sheets around you – pushing back on it, your hands holding you up as you finally open your eyes.

You were surrounded by groups of people, naked people. The flames of the torches placed on every wall dancing across their bodies as lips met lips and soft moans coming from both men and women filled the room.

Your golden eyes bright as they move across the room. You stand up, catching a glance of you in one of the silver plates sitting beside you. You were dress in black robes, golden chains and gold painted symbols drawn on your body.

Warm wet lips met the side of your neck, leaving soft kisses in their wake. “You’re here” A deep and familiar voice rumbles from behind you. His hand moves to your stomach as he presses himself into your back. “I was worried I had to wait longer to feel your skin pressed against mine” He groans out, his lips brushing against the side of your ear. You could his member against your back and instead of feeling uncomfortable in the moment, you could feel yourself getting wet with anticipation.

Your left hand reaches up to grab onto his long hair, making him groan against the side of your neck. You pull at it as you detach yourself from him only to be met with hungry and sharp green eyes. “V” his name leaves your lips in a whisper.

You watch as V smirks, hands itching to touch you, to be near you. He was being compelled by you, what he was already feeling for you was enhanced in some way. All he wanted was to be near you. “I made this party for you; just for you” He continues, eyes scanning over your body with hunger in his eyes.

“I love what you’ve done with the place” You affirmed. You really did enjoy waking up to the scene in front of you. Man and woman with all of their inhibitions lowered as they delve into their deepest sexual desires. Your smile widens as their moans fill the room, your attention moving back to the blonde man that seems desperate to have yours.

“What a good boy you’ve been” You declare, running your hands down the side of his cold cheeks. He stood in nothing but a pair of long pants as he nuzzled against your hand. “You deserve a reward” You watch his playful eyes light up at the mention of a possible reward.

You grab onto his hand pulling him along with you to the side, where you knew the thin curtains would give you some type of privacy. You sit on the edge of the bed, pulling him closer to your body as you look up at him. “What do you want?” You give him the choice, watching as his smile widens and he kneels down before you. “What is your deepest darkest desire?” You whisper, your hand coming down to caress his jaw, tilting his head upwards.

Your eyes snap open as your forehead is drenched in sweat even if your room remained as cold as before. You were no longer trapped against your bed as you now sat up to lean against your headboard. You still felt that dominating presence around you, making you push back the sheets with your feet as you scramble into the bathroom. Brushing your hair away from your face as you move to throw cold water on your face.

Your eyes meet someone else’s in the mirror, only to scream out loud as another version of you looks back. The initial fear dies down; your body feeling more and more relax with the yellow eyed woman in front of you. It was like another version of you. A better looking version of you.

“Who are you?” You camly question, still feeling weary at the site in front of you. None of this felt like a dream, the reality of the situation resting on whether you were really going insane or not. “I go by the name Qetesh.” Your voice answers you back, “The goddess of nature, beauty and...sexual pleasure.”

You were not expecting that. Of course, you’ve heard from her in history class– the only time she was mentioned was as the wife of the god of war. “Why is it that I’m only known for being beside a man?” She… You ask.

“We’re sharing the same body and mind, don’t look so surprise when I respond to your thoughts”

“Am-“

“You’re not on drugs” Qetesh cuts you off, smiling back at you. The whole situation strangely eerie.

“You’re also not hallucinating or having a weird dream and the faster you come to terms with the faster I- I mean, we can have some fun.”

It took you another ten minutes to get your head wrapped around everything, making you snap out of your thoughts by clearing her throat.

“Now, since we are clearly going nowhere. I’ll make you a small proposal.” She declares, leaning forward on the marble counter in the mirror. “If you may grant me control of your body, I’ll make sure your deepest desires come true. Preferably, the more sexual ones.” She stops, taking the time to read what you actually thought of this whole situation.

“Oh, no I don’t force anyone. I need permission” she says, as if that was a fact.

“I only make the scary go away, like over thinking and fear of being naked in front of someone. That way they can truly enjoy themselves.”

“That’s exactly what you were thinking, right?” A smile.

You think back to all of those moments in the last three years of having complete freedom and how you chose each time to stay in your apartment. It wasn’t for a lack of trying on your classmates, in your first year you had been approached and invited to various groups and parties. It was your own fear of eventually getting rejected that made you push away and decline any sort of invitation to do some actual socializing.

After the second year, most of the same people stopped trying. Moving on to the next freshman and only saying the occasional ‘hi’ as they passed by. By your third year, all of them had already moved on and the only people you interacted with were the ones you had projects with, outside of that your social was very non existent.

You look back at the soul in the mirror, it knew exactly what you were thinking and yet it stayed quiet as you tried to make a decision. It wasn’t forcing you to do anything, but this could be an opportunity to experience new things with having to feel like you’re doing everything wrong.

“Is that a yes?” Your voice echoes against the empty bathroom walls. You accept with a nod, “I will need you to say it out loud, or it won’t work”

You hesitate for a moment, but as you look back at your own reflection everything you were sure that this was what you wanted.

“I accept”

The decision didn’t take long, the moment Qetesh had full control of your body – you knew that you were just along for the ride. You watch as she raided your closet, picking out a dress that your mother had given you on your birthday in hopes that you would finally go out partying with your friends. You had hung it up in your closet and completely forgotten about it.

It didn’t feel crowded in your head, no headache longer in sight as the both of you argued about the very sexy looking dress. “It’s not like I need to wear that dress to lounge around my apartment” You try to reason with her, doing absolutely nothing stop her. Still having some type of control over your body.

“Who says we are just staying in all night?” She puzzled. “There’s a party tonight, a Summer Solstice if I am remembering correctly.”

Your eyes widen at the idea of going to that party, “Relax, I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you” She assures, “I’m in here with you, remember?”

She was right. Stop worrying, (Y/N) - you thought to yourself. So you take a metaphorical sit in the back of your mind and watch attentively as she gets ready and struts her way into the elevator.

It didn’t take long until you were back into the bustling city, headed to the one party of the year others had been talking about nonstop.

It was being held in an old abandoned hotel, known for renting out the big rooms for college graduations and weddings. No one ever knew the reason for why it closed down, but they didn’t care as a place where anyone could do whatever the fuck they want was readily available.

You weren’t in a costume as the rest of the party goers, but you never felt as if you were out of place. The music was pulsing off the walls of the old fading ballroom walls, the crowd in front of you jumping to the sound and sweaty bodies connecting with each other as their hips moved to the beat. This was exactly what you were expecting.

You made your way to the makeshift bar, smiling at the bartender as you instantly catch his attention. You take a sip of your drink, leaning with your back against the counter as your gaze moves around the crowd. “Funny seeing you here” A voice that should’ve startled you says from your left, yet you turn to the side with a calm demeanor as you gaze up and down the man in front of you. “I didn’t think this was the type of place you would show up”

Taehyung looks back at you, a different hair color from the blonde he was sporting earlier – lilac, it suited him. You watch as he takes a long sip of his beer before glancing back at you.

“You changed your hair” you acknowledge with disinterest. Qetesh moving to lean on her side, facing the tall man. “You look better” you shrug, leaning your head against your hand as you stare at his side profile. He was a familiar looking man; as if the other soul sharing your body could recognize him from her past lives. He would always find her, whether it was intentional or not. Whatever it was, it was pulling you closer to him. Like a magnet to metal.

“And you actually have curves under all those hoodies. I guess we are learning things tonight” He replies, looking away from you and towards the bar.

Your hand reaches out, one finger moving down the back of his. You could feel him instantly relax under your touch, eyes closing shut.

In that moment, you could feel what he wanted and you were incredibly turned on. He was thinking of you.

Which in itself surprised you, but on the outside you became the playful girl you had always imagine yourself to be.

“Is that why you approached me?” You lean in close to him, close enough that your heart begun to beat faster and the loud music became just background noise compared to it. “You know, contrary to popular belief, if you want your crush to notice you… you should probably just talk to her and not be an asshole.”

Taehyung snaps his eyes towards you, the smirk no longer painted on his pretty lips. He chuckles after a few seconds, albeit nervously, regaining his composure before taking another sip of his drink. “I have no idea what your talking about” He nonchalantly defends as he looks back at you with furrowed brows.

“Oh, baby. I know.” You bat your eyes at the speechless man in front of you. From one touch you could see the last two years from his point of view.

From him staying long nights in the library, watching the girl concentrate so hard on her book report that she had forgotten to take a break and him leaving snacks in the private desk you had rented, staring down at your sleeping form — watching you snore away.

The moment where he had first seen you, walking into class with your class schedule in hand and sweater paws hiding you from the cold air in in the room– thinking, she’s cute. Only to have you walk right past him and to a group at the back that had waved you over, never even sparing him a glance. Or the time he had run into you leaving the college campus—it was early fall, golden leaves falling all around as he took pictures for a school project he had to turn in. He saw you across the quad and decided he wanted to save that moment. He still has those pictures he took of you surrounded with the beauty of nature.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about” You chuckle; finally turning away from him. After all that time, you didn’t think anything of it. You were just as clueless when it came to the opposite sex.

Taehyung didn’t know what to do in that moment, staring at the side of your face, the lights hitting you in just the perfect angle. This had been the most he had talked to you since he had first seen you.Maybe it was the alcohol or the way your sweet perfume was intoxication him but he couldn’t stop the next words that came out past his lips. “You want to get out of here?” He blurts out, not giving the invitation a second thought.

“Sure”

Taehyung had taken you back to his apartment. The smell of cologne strong and lingering everywhere as you enter the living room, heels in hand. “Do you want something to drink?”

You shake your head, looking back to see him awkwardly pointing to the kitchen. “No, I’m good” You decline. You head towards the window, looking out at the city skyline and more importantly, a direct view into your apartment. You imagine that he must’ve seen all those times you had wandered around your underwear, listening to loud music or just sitting at the balcony sipping hot chocolate during the cold nights.

Taehyung watches you, hands crossed against his chest. He would have never imagined that you would be standing there.

Sure, he had his fair share of woman...and men, but you felt like a rare and refreshing sight to behold. “Are you just going to stand there all night?” Your voice startles him, turning around to face him. “Are you nervous Mr. Kim?” You slowly make your way towards him.

Taehyung chuckles, smile wide as he keeps your eyes on you as you drop your shoes to the side — a resounding thud filling the deafening silence. You stood right in front of him, “ Since when are you this confident?”

“Since when are you this shy?” You retaliate, a playful smirk on your lips.

Taehyung weighs all of the possible outcomes, he could kiss you right now and have you push away from him in disgust or it could be the kiss he would always imagine it would be.

The silence between the two of you was comfortable, even a little playful as you both simply stood staring at each other. Daring the other to make the first move.

And then his lips met yours.

As you look into his eyes, Taehyung was sure he saw them flash a fierce yellow color. He didn’t think much of it as he notices you slowly stalking towards him, like a lioness to her prey.

He couldn’t move from the spot, his body stuck in place and rigid as he stood tall.

You begin to circle around him. Your eyes trailing over the white silk blouse and dress pants the barely cling to his well built body.

Your hand moves down the expose line between the silk blouse he was wearing. You could feel him shivering underneath your fingertips even when his face remained completely stoic. His breathing heavy as your finger kept going lower and lower until you were gripping his semi hard erection in your hand.

Taehyung’s body shudders, his eyes tightly closing instantly. Your grip hardens around him, enough elicit a sound from him but not enough to hurt him. You could feel his member move underneath your hand and against the clothing as his mouth drops open in ecstasy. It was you making him feel all those wonderful things, you were the reason he was hardening and twitching under your touch –making you smirk as you stare back into his half opened eyes.

“Please..” Taehyung whimpers, his hips thrusting slightly into your hand.

“Please what?” You tilt your head to the side as you sound authoritative and yet a slight playful. “Use your words, baby. Tell me exactly what you want.” your smile sweetly when you see his eyebrows furrow, his breathing getting heavier with each passing second. A sight that you find is making you on every passing second.

You love watching men crumble in front of you, but you had to admit that his face was one you definitely considered a work of art. You knew he was conflicted to act submissive in front of you, being used to being the one to take care of his partner. But you could see his true desires deep down – Taehyung wanted to know what it would be like to not be in control all the time. To be told what to do. To be taken care of. To be used by you.

You take your hand away from him, needy eyes quickly finding yours in a silent request for you to keep going.

You slowly walk back to the bed, looking back at the younger man behind you. Taehyung’s eyes swept across your body, his shoulders rolling back as you lay down on the satin sheets as you hinder him to come forward with just a finger.

Taehyung quickly walks closer to you only to be stopped by your foot on his chest. He bites his bottom lip, looking down your leg, hair falling in his eyes as his hands reach up to rub at your ankle. “You didn’t think it was going to be that easy, did you?” You tease him once again, pushing against his chest you lean back — opening up your legs as you push the dress away to the side. You watch as he gulps, having you on full display in front of him. “First, I want you to do something for me”

“What can I do?” His gruff voice resonates in the quiet room. “What do you need?” He continues, eyes moving down to your now exposed center. “I’ll do whatever you want” he breathes out, dropping down to his knees as he feels another wave of pleasure wash over his body. He moans out, feeling uncomfortable as his member hardens against the silk of his pants. Taehyung had no idea what had gotten over him, but he needed this to happen. He wanted this to happen.

“I want you to be a good little boy.” You lean forward, your finger under his chin as you lift his head until he was looking at you straight in the eyes. “And tell mistress what you want.”

“I want to worship every inch of your beautiful body” was Taehyung’s immediate response. You watch as he fidgets, eyes moving back to your crossed legs. His breath hitching as you spread them wide, “I think I’ve tortured you enough”

Taehyung leans in even closer, your foot resting against his shoulder before sliding the other one to do the same. You could feel him lay open mouth kisses on the inside of your thighs, teeth nipping at the flesh and tongue swiping out her and there. It made your body tremble at the feeling of his hot breath against your wet center.

“Do me a favor and put that tongue to good use” you let go of him, your left leg moving over his shoulder – pulling him closer to his face closer to your center. You feel him lay his tongue flat on you, his lips instantly wrapping around your clit as he starts to suck on it. He lets out a low moan, sending out vibrations all over your body.

You let out a sigh, feeling his experienced tongue push inside you. Taehyung begun to lick at you like a man starved for years as you run your hands through his dark hair. His large hands grip onto your thighs, nails digging into your flesh as his nose grinds into your clit.

You throw your head back, laying back on the bed as your legs wrap around his shoulders. One of Taehyung’s hand leaves your thigh, sliding up the side of your body and up to your breast. His grip lightens as his finger flicks against your nipple, eyes staring at your flushed face under his lilac bangs.

Taehyung pulls away with a pop. Resting his head on the inside of you right thigh, his eyes not leaving yours as his other hands slides in between your folds. You can feel him push one of his middle finger inside of you, feeling him curl it as he begins to pump it in and out of you at a painstakingly slow pace.

His fingers pinching at your nipple sending a wave of electricity through your body. “Fuck, you taste good” He growls, his mouth diving back down on your clit as he adds another finger inside of you.

Qetesh was enjoying the moment as if this was just an everyday occurrence, but you felt like your body was heating up. Being touched so intimately for the first time, everything was new and exiting – you wanted to feel more of it. Fuck, you needed to feel more of it.

As if reading your thoughts, Taehyung add another finger, three fingers moving quickly as he pulls his face off of you. His fingers start of slow, gradually gaining speed until he was going hard and at lighting speed, making your legs shake and your back arch at the feeling of your orgasm washing over you and over Taehyung as he continued to with his attack on the most sensitive parts of your body. The squelching sound where you were both connected filling the room as your mouth opens up in a silent moan.

You gather enough strength to grab onto his wrist and push him away, closing your legs together as your orgasm continues to pass.

Taehyung sits back on his knees, smirking as he admires the way your body had crumbled underneath him. He smirks, his thumb rubbing at your ankle as he waits for you to come down from your high. He swipes his thumb at the bottom of his lip, sticking it back in his mouth getting another taste of you – waiting anxiously in front of you for whatever you had planned next. You lean back up on your forearms at the man in front of you, standing up on shaky legs before looking straight down at him.

You can’t help but run your fingers through his hair, pushing it back and exposing his forehead. His eyes looking up at you as his tongue swipes out to lick the bottom of his lip, your hand moving down the side of his full cheek and to the underside of his jaw. You tilt his head up, thumb running across his full bottom lip as you pull him up to stand at his feet — standing up with him.

You look up at him, hands moving to the side of his fitted silk pants and tugging at the fabric as you look down — erection already pushing hard against the fabric. “Take them off” you softly say, an order that sends a chill of anticipation down his spine before his movíng to get rid of the annoying clothing item that’s been causing him nothing but discomfort since the moment he entered the room. As he kicks it off of his feet and across the room. “You’re like a work of art” you praise, giving him the once over as you move closer to him.

Taehyung stood there proudly in all his naked glory, watching as your hands move to his collarbones. Your finger slowly slides down the tan skin, over his broad chest and his hard stomach. You instantly stop, moving your hand away as you watch his member twitch in slow anticipation. It was longer than you expected, albeit less girth than you had imagine.

Your gaze moves to meet his once again, “Lay on the bed” You whisper, flicking a thumb under his chin before moving away.

You circle the bed, as Taehyung jumps on it – sliding up to lean slightly against the headrest.

Your knees dip into the bed, slowly crawling over him. Your lips landing on his left hip bone, moving to the his lower abdomen – feeling it tighten under your soft touch. You continue making your way up his body, leaving a trail of kisses in your wake as you finally meet him face to face.

The two of you stare at each other for a moment before your lips meet his, soft and delicate as they mold with yours – tasting yourself on his tongue before your pulling away.

“I think after what you’d did for me, it’s only fair that I return the favor” You whisper against his ear, not waiting for a response before your sliding back down his tan body.

“Please just touch me” He asks in a small voice, his heart racing a mile a minute as his eyes fluttering close – feeling your warmth breath on his shaft. He didn’t think beneath the awkward and shy girl next door was this sexual goddess that had managed to get him hard with just a touch. He was hot and sweaty, his member was achingly hard and at this point he only had one thing on his mind, to cum.

You grip onto the base of his member, looking back at him. His body was tense under your touch.

You don’t waste time in seeing his reaction as you wrap your mouth around the head of his member. Your cheeks hollow out as you moan out at the taste of his salty pre cum on your tongue.

Taehyung’s whimpers fill the room as you slide your mouth down his member, hitting the back of your throat halfway. Your own hand traveling down to your clit as you bob your head up and down his hard member, letting up moans that only seem to make him shudder underneath you at the vibrations he felt.

“M-more” He whimpers out, leaning back on his firearms as he watches you pleasure yourself as you pleasure him. Your other hand moves away from the base of his cock to his neglected balls. Your hand tightens slightly around them as your movements increase in speed. “I’m gonna cum” Taehyung tried to say, his abdomen tightening as he feels one of the best orgasms he has ever had. Or would have had if you hadn’t pulled away so abruptly.

“What are you doing?” A look of panic enters his face, you weren’t just going to leave him like that, that you weren’t going to let him finish.

You don’t answer his question until you’re pushing him back into the bed and you’re sitting over his stomach. “Relax, Baby Boy. I just want you to cum somewhere else.” You grind your grind yourself against his painfully hard member sitting against his stomach, feeling his hips jerk upwards as you continue your movements.

You grip the base of his cock, sitting up on your knees as you push the head inside of you. His eyes moving to where the two of you were connected, watching you slowly slide down his cock.

Taehyung was a mess, wet strands of his lilac hair sticking to his sweaty forehead as his large hands grip your hips. Your movement begin as small circles, feeling full at the intrusion but still feeling total bliss at how the two of you fit so perfectly. Your hands lay against his chest as you begin to pick up speed, moans leaving your lips as his hands grip at your flesh — making you go faster.

Taehyung couldn't help but love the melodic sounds that came from you, he wanted to hear more of them. His eyes travel up your body, finally moving away from where the two of you connect. His eyes moving to your breasts, watching as they bounce with every thrust you made, to your face, to the hair sticking to the side of your face and how your head was thrown back in full and simple bliss.

In his mind, you were a masterpiece. One where he suddenly had the urge to take pictures and frame them for himself —for his eyes only. And as you begin to grind your hips hard against his, he sits up.

Taehyung wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you close to his body as he begins peppering kisses in every inch of your body he could come across.

Your hands entangling in his hair as you reach your second orgasm of the night. His following close behind.

He stays inside of you as your lips meet in a passionate frenzy.

No words being said, the two of you pull away as you lay next to each other — entangled in the messy chests of his bed. The two of you look at each other, lazy smiles on your faces as the sun shined in through the glass window

[cartoonfangirl1218]

Winner’s Curse Ch. 19

Well this came as surprise to me. Literally, the whole idea came to me before I was going to bed so I wrote it the next morning, and here we are. Features some Aladdin quotes, see if you can spot them. Enjoy! 

“And then Icarus, what a guy, he is so convincing as Hades, Pain and Panic start following him!” Calix hooted.

“No way, man that didn’t actually happen.” Jay challenged Calix’s story.

“No, no I’ve heard Icarus’ Hades impression, he’s good.” Aziz confirmed, “Hey, remember Icarus’ Hades impression after three drinks at Dionysus’ bacchanal?”

Calix gulped back the drink Circe had left in their shared room and where he, Aziz, and Jay were passing the time sharing stories while waiting around for Uma and Jordan’s arrival.

It had been a pretty placid three days since Jordan reversed Jay’s hypnosis for Malik’s last wish. At first there was a panic when they realized how suspicious it would be if Jay was no longer under Jafar’s thrall but they fixed that with Jordan giving him glowing red contacts. Allowing them to have another infiltrator at the Coven meetings besides Jade, Calix and Uma.

The door opened and Jordan slipped into the room, gingerly cradling her lamp in her hands. But no Uma behind her.

These three placid days had driven Uma to distraction since they were laying around on their asses and not doing anything so she arranged for this new meeting so they’d find something else to do besides eavesdrop for news of what was happening at next week’s Summer Solstice.

But even though this meeting was so important that she felt the need to threaten them with slow, graphic strangulation with her tentacles while Harry used his hook to disembowel him, apparently their leader was late.

“Where’s Jade?” Calix asked, throwing back another shot. It was a fair question since Jordan’s lamp was still technically under Jade’s possession. Or so the Coven thought.

“Showing makeup techniques to Lala and Malik.” Jordan answered.

“Oh right, Lala mentioned that to me this morning.” Aziz warily eyed the fifth shot Calix gulped down.

“Oh, she did? You talk about things other than the plan?” Jordan smoothly slid between him and Calix, her voice was suspiciously too nonchalant.

“Yeah, conversations spawn into different topics. That’s what happens when two people hang out with each other.” Aziz said a little testily with how Jordan was scanning his face like she was searching for some secret that he’d be careless enough to slip.

“Oh you and Lala hanging out together.” Jordan pursed her lips lightly, sounding way too similar to a disapproving aunt, “Can we have a private conversation in my lamp.”

Before Aziz could suss out whatever she was trying to pull and where this was coming from, Jordan had transported them into her lamp.

“Do you have a crush on Lala?” She blurted out accusingly.

Aziz decided to go for a joke, “I-I don’t know about me crushing her, bu-but I can’t blame her if the reverse is true. I mean, look at me.”

Jordan stared with an unamused raised eyebrow.

“Aziz, I know you.” She started, as if that explained why she was so sure she found the romance of the century after two innocent sentences, “I've seen you go through this before. You’re just hanging out with a girl but then you start talking about every topic under the sun. And then you get a crush and you’re all like “She's smart and fun, she’s got these eyes that just...and her hair wow! And her smile!”

“Then you go on a date that doesn’t really go anywhere for whatever reason and get pushed aside. Remember, Lonnie, and Ruby, and Alexandria and Alfonsa, and Arabella, and her twin sisters, woah! Now that I list them out, you date a lot of Triton’s granddaughters.”

“What is your point? What does that have to do with me and Lala? Not that there is anything happening.” Aziz felt himself gulping back the nervousness that he knew exactly what she was talking about even as he denied it.

“Oh please, you’re half smiling while you say her name!”

“I’m not!” Aziz unmanly squawked and cleared his throat into a deeper contralto, “I do not.”

“My point is it’s one thing to date an Ak. You get your heart broken. But a Vk? She’ll try to steal your throne and break your heart.” Jordan said.

“Steals your throne and breaks your heart. Sounds the title of a sex tape. Do you want dibs or can I have it?” Aziz took a shot in the dark to try joking his way out of this again.  “Now is not the time to joke about the title of our sex tapes. This is serious!”  “You’re still hung up on, “Can your friend do this?” It’s a bit obvious.” Aziz pointed out. 

“Oh, you wanted to call your first sex tape, “A whole new world,” like that’s original.” Jordan shot back.  “And the “Welcome to the Cave of Wonders” piece you did with Calix was a unique one?” Aziz retorted. 

“For your information, I couldn’t choose any title but that because.. wait wait wait? Now is not the time.”

“Aziz Ali iban Aladdin, explain yourself right now.” Jordan crossed her arms.  “Jordan, we’ve been over this. You’re not my mom.” Aziz huffed at the use of his full name.  “You’re right, I’m not. Your mom doesn’t know about what happened in Odiferous during spring break. Now I have a phone and I have video. So tell me about your feelings for Lala.”  

“You’re jumping to conclusions.” Aziz said exasperatedly which was no use since she was ignoring anything that came out of his mouth.

“When did you first feel something more?” Jordan demanded.

“Rarw. Rrrawr. Meow? Are you understanding me at all?” Aziz asked the stony faced leopard man.

Aziz had to admit some of his attempts to talk to the leopard-men was out of boredom. He was starting to get a bit stir crazy being stuck in the castle all day pretending to be Jade or Lala’s slave boy. He could understand why Uncle Genie hated being in the lamp. It was so boring, having to wait for permission to do things and the things you were allowed to do was stuck inside. No running around the corridors and flipping off roofs with wind rushing through your hair or the pit in your stomach when you almost break your neck.

He missed it.

And although Lala was pretty focused in studying the Atlantean texts her mother laid out for her, even she seemed to be getting bored because at random moments, she would angrily shut her book and demand to hear Aziz talk about Agrabah.

He had to admit that if he had a choice, he’d rather be with Jordan and the others trying to make a plan to escape or at least go outside. Talking about Agrabah was getting to be the highlight of his day.

He had started with daring adventure stories about the things his parents used to get into before the Great Uniting like when they had to fight a landshark or the time his dad literally lost his head to the decapitated wizard, Caliph Kapok, and they had to get body and head back together again. He had lots of those stories, Genie often said they could create their own tv series, possibly an animated one for kids to enjoy.

And then, upon Lala’s numerous aside questions, he started describing Agrabah with its alluring spices, chests of gold and diverse and eccentric cast of merchants and travelers that lived in the Seven Deserts. He described the bad like the previous-rampant poverty that seemed similar to the Isle albeit with more head chopping from fellow humans than from a bitter decapitated wizard. It was embarrassing but one time he looked at the ornate diamond-encrusted sand-dial and saw that he had passed over an hour talking about his home. He hadn’t meant to but it just came out. He loved his home so much and describing it felt like he was back there on the dunes for a little while.

He had never talked to anyone about his home before. Jordan already knew what it was like obviously, and no one at Auradon Prep cared beyond the merchandise they could buy at the kazbah. It was so much more than that to him. Living there was an experience, an adventure. You never knew where the smell of spices could lead you or what the secret nooks and crannies would reveal.

The thing was Lala seemed just as enthralled with the place as he was. Usually when he discussed his home, people would shudder in horror at the thought of being accidentally turned into a rat due magic gone wrong and seeing the world from down below or cringed at the thought of getting sand in uncomfortable places after intense competitions of sand surfing.

But Lala looked at him with a sparkle of excitement in her eye and would occasionally point out fun variations to try like horse racing only instead of across the desert, race under the desert, jumping to the few dry spots that were present in the muddy underbelly.

He hoped that if they succeeded in defeating the Coven, Lala would visit Agrabah one day. He had a feeling that the adventures they’d get into together would be amazing. Potentially life threatening. But fun nonetheless. He’d love to watch her go against Fashoom. Or better yet, back to back against the giant scorpions guarding kanz quadim. With his wits and knowledge and her skill and cunning, they’d be an unbeatable team. It’d be fun to go with someone who wanted to be there. 

Normally, he went with Jordan but she said it was only because it was her obligation to keep him from breaking his neck and/or all the bones in his body. Her words.  And his few Agrabah friends who would be game to go, were commoners who had to work during the day and it would be unfair for him to ask them to ditch just because he wanted some fun. 

Yeah, it’d be fun to explore the hidden valleys of the Seven Deserts with her. He looked back to the white-haired girl where she was still bent over a book of indecipherable Atlantean words and figures, so he turned back to Kaj II, Usulan II and Muviro II. Lala’s leopard men she had named after people she knew would annoy her mother.

Aziz growled with two purrs spaced between like he had heard Raj do but the leopard men looked at him like he was an idiot. He wasn’t sure he was even speaking cat-language but it was better than accidentally challenging him to a fight so he’d take it.

“Will you stop with the ridiculous sounds, you’re not speaking leopard. Better stick to monkeys.” Lala cut through his attempts at conversing.

“How would you know? You said you don’t speak leopard.” Aziz shot back, happy that there was some element of human conversation. How the hell she lived in a jungle for days on end without human interaction was beyond his capabilities. “True. However, I know what a leopard sounds like and you don’t sound like a leopard. More like a sick alley cat.”

“Excuse me, priestess” Aziz rolled his eyes, and made another purr-growly sound at the leopards just to be contrary.

When could he go outside? When? When? When?

No, it was stupid. He couldn’t go outside and risk looking like he was escaping and ruin the whole damn mission requiring the others to get his ass out of the dungeon again.

He shuddered, gingerly touching the cheek where Staqauit had struck him numerous times, the malicious laughter of the cat twins taunting him about his impending death.

He needed to do something. Being stuck here with just his thoughts was going to drive him insane.

“Hello?”

“Huh what?”

“I said,'' Lala cleared her throat, “If you want to sound more leopard-like, start with a growl in your throat while meowing and add like you’re going to scream.” She demonstrated her leopard yowl which did get  the leopard men’s attention as they looked around for sign of attack or danger.

Aziz tried to mimic what Lala did with her instructions but failed part way through as a tickle caught in his nose before his attempted scream and he fell into a coughing fit, painfully hacking his throat.

Aziz panted, catching his breath while Lala had the grace to look back at her book and pretend not to be amused, “Okay maybe talking to cats is not my thing. But you got a leg up me with your feline self.”

“Feline self?” Lala cocked her head curiously, bringing once again to Aziz’s mind, “Curiosity killed the cat.”

“You know, your eyes, the leopards, the-” 

“You think I was born with these eyes? You think I’m part cat?” Lala questioned. “Nooo,” Aziz hedged, already seeing he was going to be wrong, “Not anymore. It’s just your mom has the same eyes so I-”

“It’s spell.” Lala explained, “My mom did it when she got her staff. She did it to me when magic got through to the Isle. It helps me understand the leopards and for them to understand my orders, and it helps my reflexes. There is always a way to improve. Not that I needed improving, but I’ll admit some leopard senses are better than human’s. Like smell. Now I can smell everyone’s scent a mile away.”  .

“Scent?” “Yes, your natural scent. You smell like all that baklav Jordan’s been giving you.” She sniffed the air around him again, “Sand. Jasmine. Musk.”

“What does Jordan smell like?” Aziz asked curiously, and a little relieved that he didn’t smell worse like blood and sweat and general stink from not showering for two weeks.

“Hmm I can’t get a clear smell. You know, not objects per say. But she smells like pheromones, sometimes like fire, sand and wind. Mainly reeks of desperation.”

“Well we’re all in desperate straits here.” Aziz chuckled even though it wasn’t really that funny. Well sort of. Jordan absolutely hated not being in control. Or at least looking like she wasn’t in control. She’d freak if she knew that she quote unquote “reeked of desperation.”

“What about Jay?”

“Sweat, oil, grease, brass, musk, dirt. Something else I can’t tell which usually means someone’s hiding something or lying. Not a surprise there. He’s lucky no one else can smell him, the stench of oil and deceit is unbearable on him.”

“Yeah, good thing. I doubt he’d have a lot of admirers around him if he did.” Aziz said, feeling his mind wander off to too familiar but inevitable train of envious thought. 

“Admirers? He has admirers in Auradon? I thought you people didn’t like thieves and bad guys. Why is he popular?”

“He’s good now.” Aziz reminded her, but couldn’t stop the bitterness creeping into his voice as he thought of the crowds praising Jay as he scored yet another goal. All the girls and some guys ooing at him and being utterly charmed as he showed off that he stole their wallets. Or if he executed a pretty decent backflip. The guy looked so cool and attractive no matter what he did. And that bad boy act made him even cooler in everyone’s eyes.

“He’s a good thief like Aladdin,” he remembered hearing someone say and Aziz had burned. Good thief?! Jay wasn’t a good thief! Jay wasn’t stealing things in Auradon because he was hungry or wanted to give to the poor. He stole because he was greedy. Aziz could steal too, Dad taught him the tricks, but when he showed off, he got no applause. They thought he was being inappropriate for a prince of his station.

Or now that Jay was here, it was a second-rate kind of steal. He could steal a watch from someone, but Jay could steal a person’s computer and lunch bag. He got the bigger score.

“People love him and his parkor and stupid tourney goals.” Aziz genuinely growled. He felt his blood pump at how everyone were magnets drawn to his presence while he waited in the wings of the tourney field. They did all the same activities, but Jay was better. People were saying he was equal to Aladdin.

If he was forgettable before Jay came around, now he was just invisible.

And honestly useless compared to Jay. He knew Jordan invited him on this mission because she trusted him and it would be breaking unofficial rule that if one of them went on a life changing save the world adventure, the other had to come too, that was just how things were done. But had he really done anything useful?

No, he had gotten captured. They all had gotten captured but he was the only one who had almost died. Because he was mortal, untrained and weak.

The thoughts came again. Had really been less than a week since he had been in the dungeon? Less than a week but at times he still could feel it as if it had been hours ago.

He could remember it all, some of it was blurred darkness. The only thing registering was that he was in pain. But he remembered the beginning.

Staqauit wasted no time grabbing his throat with one hand and choking him, Chimera and Illusion wrapped their arms around him almost as if they were giving a comforting hug. The thought was quickly diminished as their claws tore through his shirt and dug into his skin, he could feel it, feel the slight curve of their sharpness like a hook that wouldn’t be able to get out. And they didn’t no matter how he fruitlessly thrashed.

But it was only the beginning…

Just as he saw the world fuzz around the edges Staqauit threw him to the ground with Chimera and Illusion still stuck to him.

“Squish” Aziz wanted to scream at the pain that entered his torso and at the sickening sound of his blood squirting out. It felt his insides were dipped into boiling water.  

But he didn’t, he stubbornly refused to cry out. He was supposed to be a hero, he would not admit weakness like this. He would use his wits to get out of it.

But he had barely time to think up a clever escape as he vainly scrambled to stop the blood from gushing out more. He didn’t recall any of the princes or his father ever being stabbed mid-battle.

Chimera and Illusion extricated themselves from him, their low voices purring contentedly at the pain wrought.

Aziz tried to get up but he couldn’t. He felt the stabbing pain even though he wasn’t being hit anymore. He couldn’t concentrate. He just felt the agony. He struggled to his feet but the muscles in his legs gave out as he slipped on the puddle of his own blood that was seeping the floor.

“Ah ah ah, you think I’m done with you?” Staqauit’s accented voice sneered, “That was only a minor surface wound.”

Aziz didn’t look at the man. He was too concerned with trying to stand up straight again, but that was for naught when he felt the scraping cement of what seemed to be a boulder dropped on his back.

“Carry this to the other side of the room. Double time.” Staqauit ordered, his rapier scraping the ground in front of Aziz’s face.

Aziz didn’t know why he thought it was a good idea. Perhaps because he truly couldn’t think of what else to do. He rationalized to himself in some irrational way that if he did this, maybe Staqauit would get bored. Maybe he’d survive.  So he did as Staqauit ordered. He tried to lift the boulder.

He felt his hands bleed as they scraped and tensed to keep the boulder steady on his back. Bent down so low that his knees touched his chest. Pressing hard on the wound.

“At least it’s stopped bleeding,” was the sole hysterical thought in his mind. His lungs felt they were burning and just pounding his chest as if to get out of his body. Blood rushed in his ears and the slow smack of Staqauit’s whip on the floor, keeping time, sounded like gunshots to his ears.

He wasn’t breathing right. He knew that. Aziz felt like he had been running for miles. His throat felt the need for oxygen and his eyes watered. But he managed to get one foot forward, his thoughts running wild.

Where were the others? When was Jordan going to come back? For he knew Jordan would come to him the moment she could as she had since he was 4. What if that ruined the mission? That she failed because he was too weak to save himself?

Then his mind took a turn to what he had been suppressing the moment Staqauit got hold of this throat. What if this was it? What if this was how he was going to die?

His knees buckled at the thought and he fell to the ground, allowing the boulder to drop from his back to feel the sting of the whip. This time he didn’t hold back the scream.

That scream was like a whistle for them as Chimera and Illusion pounced, their punches, scratches and kicks indistinguishable from one another.

And there was more…. he remembered the water boarding vaguely but he was glad he mostly blacked out of that, the boulder and the choking was enough for him.

But when he woke up and saw Lala, all he felt was shame that he had to be rescued. 

Like every fight, he thought of what he should have done after the confrontation was over. When Staqauit was choking him, he should have kicked him back in the stomach. The stomach area was always a quick disable to an opponent. Staqauit would have let him go and then he could have parkored and fought his way out with the weapons that were stationed around the dungeon.

But he hadn’t done that. He had thrashed and took the assault and hadn’t been able to think up anything on the sly like he knew Jay was infamous for.

With that thought, some defeated admittance slithered into his voice. Not that it was much of a defeat. It was barely a competition when Jay was naturally better and Aziz could never match no matter how hard he tried. “People love him, he’s strong and fast.. everyone wants him or to be like him…..I wish I could be like him too.”

He hated how much it was true.

“Why?” Lala scrunched her nose in confusion.

Aziz sighed, wishing his explanation didn’t sound so pathetic, “I’m forgettable in Auradon. I’m the third in line for the throne so I’m not inheriting the kingdom like all the other guys in my class. And I’m not that talkative. Believe me, in Auradon that is not a good thing if you want people to notice you. Or at least not be forgettable, and Jay can...” he trailed off. He didn’t want to get into the time in the dungeon. She had been there, she knew he was weak.

“And how does Jay fit into this?”

“He’s like me, I guess. Only better in everything. Better thief, better at tourney, more witty, better at flirting. I just blend in...I don’t want that anymore it sucks.”

“Blending in is a good thing. It allows you to skulk and learn your enemies’ tactics so you can ambush them.” Lala said.

“Great. But that’s in the wild. I’m not willing to move to the jungle just so my introvertedness can be an asset.”

“Okay maybe the ambush thing isn’t important but it is still applicable. It’s good that you’re not as outgoing like the others. Look at those people bragging and flirting and trying to garner attention onto themselves, they’re annoying. It’s always them, them, flash and boasts. They would never survive in life because they are always thinking of themselves. They don’t observe their surroundings, they miss the details that could help in the future. Like- like? I know-A fool who does not observe will fail. They will fail and try again and fail and try again. But a person who does take in their surroundings will learn the lesson once and remember it.”

“You don’t dominate the conversation but when you do, it is sensible and important. You don’t waste words. Same with your actions. You don’t talk the talk, you let your actions show how you get things done. I wouldn’t trust those extroverted people with my life. They’re too bold and impulsive and think with their fists. I ca-People can respect you. Trust you. You are genuine, and witty because you think so much, you will be successful later on.”

“I guess so.” Aziz smudged the dirt-packed floor with his foot, watching the sight of a small mealworm that had been habitating there, crawl out, “But it sucks. I get being successful later in life but what about now? In Auradon, no one takes a second look at me. You have to be a really sociable or talented person like Jay to get noticed. I can’t do that. I try but I- And, and what about in the dungeon, my observation skills gave me nothing! If I act a little more like Jay maybe I wouldn’t be the weak link needing to be rescued.”  Aziz blurted out.

Lala didn’t speak and Aziz cringed, staring at the ground. But the silence was growing so long he had to look back to gauge her reaction and saw Lala was waiting for him to look at her. 

Then she spoke, “You didn’t escape but you did survive. That takes a special inner strength especially when your enemies wish to demoralize and destroy you. And it is useless to ponder what others would have done when they weren’t been in the situation. You did what you could, and if you are so concerned about your aptitude, I’ll teach you. You have the strength, you need to practice better technique. Stop the self pity it’s a disgusting habit.”

Aziz tried to protest, but felt himself only mouthing the words as a damn nervous blush starting crawling up his neck. He still felt like he should have done better but he appreciated Lala’s words. He knew she held herself and almost everyone else on the standard of their physical skill and made it known when she thought someone was weak. For her to claim that he was strong even after she healed him, rescued him and saw him beaten bloody and battered, it meant something. 

And what she was about to say earlier? That little slip-up. She respected him. He hadn’t thought earning her respect was something he had wanted, but as she said it.. he felt so good that he did.

“As for the others, fuck them.” Lala interrupted, “Isn’t Auradon a place  where you’re not supposed to be shallow? See beyond first impressions and get to know them? If they don’t do that, fuck them. You shouldn’t even be complaining that people don’t notice you because it means to ones who do, actually care. You’re less outgoing than others. It’s not your fault that they don’t try to see beyond.”

Lala was still talking but Aziz stopped listening. What she said, “It’s not your fault” hit him like a sandstorm. The images of his attempts to try to be better. More funny. More entertaining. More talented. More outgoing. Things that people would want to talk to him like they gathered around his father or around Chad and the other royals.

Yet he was outshone by someone better. His constant overthinking working against him as he talked, praying that he didn’t look like he was trying too hard as he was. Praying that he wasn’t going to be forgettable to people. He failed. He wondered what was so wrong with him that made him invisible. He wondered how people like Lonnie and Jordan could insist he was so fun to be around when he couldn’t make his presence known when he was in the room with the likes of Jay.

But it wasn’t entirely his fault. He was born to be more of a listener than a doer. He preferred being one on one with people. He couldn’t change that. But he could accept it. He could accept that he was never going to be the star of the room and that people may not give him a second glance.

If so, then fuck them. Because it was true. If they could write him off as just forgettable, then he didn’t need their attention anyway.

His shoulder moved and he snapped back to realize he had zoned out in front of Lala. He felt a blush crawl up his neck, making him flush more. He hated how obviously red it was against his olive skin. “Sorry I- I was listening. You really.. I realized..I mean. You’re right. You’re absolutely right, Lala. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. Thank you.” He leaned forward to hug her but held back. Touchy-feely was not the norm on the Isle, but he felt so grateful for her words that it felt wrong just to say thanks. So he settled for leaning close and smiling. He was pretty sure it was the smile of an idiot but he did it anyway. The nice thing was Lala gave a small-closed lip smile in return and roughly booped his nose.

“I know you needed it. Anyone who is considering to act more like Jay needs to be talked off the deep end.”

Feeling a bit more generous now that he was coming around to accepting he didn’t need to be as cool as Jay to be noticed, Aziz snapped back into psychologist mode, trying to see his observances of Jay through a more objective, less jealous lens.

Not that he had much time to observe Jay since he got hypnotized which was surely a traumatic betrayal on its own since it came from his father’s snake staff. Which spoke to how uncaring and domineering Jafar must be as a father if he felt the need to control his son.

“I don’t know. I think Jay is more than the impulsive idiot you take him for. I believe it's just a facade he puts up.” Aziz mused “To annoy people? It works.” Lala rolled her eyes.

“What went down between you that you hate him so much?” Aziz asked.

“I don’t hate him, I dislike him. He’s annoying. He stole my spears for himself, he thinks he’s so great he tries to fight Mabaya on his own and almost gets both of us killed because again, he took my weapons and then broke them! What idiot tries to chuck a spear out a charging elephant? It does nothing. If he had to throw the spear, he should have aimed at a vital joint or his eye at least. I can’t respect such idiocy.” Lala huffed.

“I understand but he was a bit out of his element in the jungle and it is his fall-back to try to boast and impress. Usually people who do that are trying to hide something.” Aziz said. Then he thought of a saying of his mother. It was a bit of what Vks called, sentimental Auradon crap, but he felt it should be said, “Sometimes we only see how people are different from us. But if you look hard enough, you can see how we are all like.”

“Whatever.” Lala yawned.

“What happened to not judging people? Look beyond the surface.” Aziz teased.

“That was for you. I’m a bad person, I don’t need to follow that rule.” Lala sniffed haughtily.

It would have been so easy to take that as another little joke in their back and forth, but his observing skills struck again. She sounded haughty but her eyes were downcast, and considering what she said that she was too like her mother… she felt it was true.

“You’re not exactly like your mother, you know. I don’t think so at least” Aziz said softly in case Lala didn’t want to broach the subject and could pretend to ignore him.

“I know I’m not exactly like her. I’m only as close to her as she allows me to be. She’s always one step ahead.” Lala muttered, not looking at him. “If I was like her she’d have me be the princess of Opar. But I’m not good enough for that. Not like Tarzan’s children.” “I don’t know Tarzan’s children that well but I don’t think Queen La would find them worthy heirs. I never saw Kerchak swing from a tree or pick up a sharp object in my life. And Victoria-”

“No. Not Tarzan and Jane’s children. Tarzan and my mom’s. The ones she’s planning to have in the future. They don’t even exist and I’m not as good as them according to her because I got one stupid scar and I’m claustrophobic.” Lala scowled, smacking the ground in anger of her own weaknesses.

“You seem to be handling your claustrophobia.” Aziz encouraged. 

“As long as I don’t think about it. That’s why I study so hard. It’s because it takes my mind off where I am, not because it requires my intense study. Trust me. But at night…” Lala inhaled deeply and tensed, “I hate this place. I miss the fresh air and space. Every time someone closes the door, I feel like it's going to be lock with this air that-” She inhaled deeply again.

“Let’s go to a window,” Aziz suggested motioning to leave the room. Lala took the offer eagerly and they bounded up the stairs to Lala’s room, the leopard men obediently behind them.

Lala threw open the windows to the balcony and breathed deeply. A blissful smile enveloped her features as her body relaxed. The wind was out today, and unlike Auradon, this wasn’t a refreshing light breeze. On the Isle, when the wind blew, it blew like a gust and Aziz was impressed that Lala stood straight without bending to its battering assult. But it fit her. Lala was the person who could stand strong against natural forces. Her face perfectly serene as the wind whipped her white braid about and ruffled her long sleeves.

Aziz stood next to her, keeping a hand to the side of his face as the gusts constantly pushed his bangs into his eyes and mouth and became a general nuisance. “I don’t think you’re exactly like your mom. Not just because you can’t live to her caliber.  You’re not shallow considering you speak to a guy who hasn’t rung any animal by his neck. Despite your wish for a kingdom, I don’t think, at least I’m guessing, you don’t have a real desire to lord over others like a tyrant.” 

“From what I’ve observed, and I’m a pretty good observer if I say so myself. You’re reserved because you know that’s the way to survive. But I also think it speaks to how genuine you are. You don’t deal with bullshit, if you respect a person you show it, if you don’t, you don’t. A little blunt but honesty is better than fakery. You seem to actually like learning and challenging yourself with the Atlantean magic. You laughed at my jokes which shows you have a brilliant sense of humor... And despite what you say, you did care about your siblings. You can’t live up to her mom and her imaginary children? Then fuck her. You’re pretty formidable by yourself. You’d be successful as a warrior or a priestess or whatever. You’d have awesome adventures no matter what you do because you’re a badass warrior princess.``

Although she wasn’t looking at him, he could tell she was listening. He could see the corner of her mouth twitching up and down, fighting a smile. So he decided to return the favor and nose boop her to get her attention.

She batted his hand away but a small laugh escaped her lips. “Badass warrior princess. Hmm you observed me very well.”

“Eh little observations here and there, some is just gut instinct. Some people may think a person’s reserve is them being stuck up but I get your’s is more than that.” Aziz coughed as a piece of his hair blew into his mouth.

“People may think you’re forgettable, but I understand you’re more of an observer.” Lala pursed her lips, catching her braid as it flew to hit Aziz’s cheek.

Aziz rubbed his cheek, his mother’s saying popping into his head again. He shrugged, feeling oddly self-conscious and nervous about repeating the quote. Which was weird because he said it about Jay just a few minutes before. But saying it, to Lala, seemed more..more meaningful somehow.

No, he was overthinking all of this again so Aziz ignored it, “Sometimes we only see how people are different from us. But if you look hard enough, you can see how we are all like.”

Lala smiled at him and there was something.. a something in the air. Energy, a vibe, he wasn’t sure but it made the fact that even though they were in the blustery air, he felt as if he were enclosed in a small world between the two of them.  Time to change the subject then!  “So speaking of observing, I haven’t really had the chance to do it around here much, but isn’t it fascinating to watch the people here?” Aziz asked. People watching was his go to subject for most conversations. Not that many people had much to contribute. People watching was not a thing most people engaged in which he thought was a shame. It was the most fun ever! People  had such weird idiosyncrasies even when they did a normal thing like walking past whether it was an odd head bop or having feet pointed in first position or the like.  Lala shrugged and Aziz nodded understandingly. He knew the topic wouldn’t probably go anywhere but then...“What's people watching?”  “Oh it’s this thing where you just sit and watch random people. You know observe their habits, stuff that they do.” Aziz sighed. It was a lot more interesting action than in explanation.  “Oooh!” Lala nodded understandingly, “Like observing your prey and enemies. I’ve done that lots of times. It’s entertaining.”  Aziz’s eyes widened, “You think it’s fun too!” 

Lala looked at him as if he was crazy for suggesting otherwise, “Yes. It’s a useful skill and people do such weird stuff.” 

“Such weird stuff!” Aziz said at the same time, and then he tried to dial down the enthusiasm in his voice when Lala made the “calm down” sign, snorting at his excitement.  “Remember when we were at Gaston’s bar and that Hun guy was fighting Stanley? I noticed in other fights that he does this thing with his head.. ugh I can’t describe it. But like he’d almost twist his...”  ———————————————————————————————

That had been three days ago and they almost talked for an hour when Kaj II growled his warning that Queen La was arriving and Aziz had to swing off the balcony and climb against the wall to the correct balcony that would lead to Jade’s room. 

Not that he had realized it but in hindsight, that might have been the moment he developed a crush on the warrior princess. Ever since then, he just… he just wanted to be around her a little more compared to the others. He wanted to hear more about her opinions or stories or anything she had to say.

And whenever she smiled at his jokes even if she rolled her eyes because it was corny, he felt like he won a tourney victory or something. And she was so..so graceful. Not cat-like graceful but beautiful, every move she makes was stunning.

Not that he allowed himself to think about it too much. There were more important things at stake like saving the world, and if he thought about how he had a crush on Lala then he’d get self-conscious and nervous and he didn’t want that. Their friendship was just fine for him. He was even teaching her monkey. 

Not that it was any of Jordan’s business.

“It’s not important.” Aziz said.

“It better not be. You can try to deny it but I can see that “Can you feel the love tonight” nonsense from a mile away. Why don’t you just forget crushing on mermaids and.. and maybe a nice girl from Agrabah. Or a nice boy. You had such a good time with Mena, remember.” 

“Mena was...Honestly Mena was the only guy I.. I can’t. I keep comparing other men to him which is— Can we not talk about him?” Aziz growled, partly from the memory of his sole boyfriend who had used him for the status of dating a prince and had been cheated on him the whole time, and partly because Jordan was bringing him up even though she knew it was a touchy subject. 

“I know he didn’t work out but it’s like you told me, you can’t give up on the whole male population because of one cheating boyfriend. Cheating would be nothing compared to this. This crush is a mistake.” Jordan huffed.

“Why is it a mistake exactly?” Aziz raised an eyebrow at Jordan’s judgemental attitude. Usually she was all for Aziz meeting someone and start planning their dates even though her tastes were a bit extravagant like setting off fireworks when he leaned in for a kiss.  

“I get the appeal, really. She was a mysterious stranger swinging on a vine. But she’s the same stranger who broke Calix’s arm! He’s lucky that he has magic on his side and could heal the arm that she broke. If he was mortal, he’d be doomed. There’s no hospitals here, we’d have to cut it off.”

“That’s not how unattended broken arms work, Jordan.” Aziz rubbed his temples at her wildly dramatic reasons why having a crush on Lala would be bad, “It doesn’t matter, I’m not going to do anything when there are more important things at stake.”

“I know. I’m just saying you shouldn’t even pursue this when we get back to Auradon. Think about, Aziz. Really think about it. Imagine what would happen if you even got together? She’s the daughter of Queen La. Allah knows that if she got jealous, she’d murder the other person and kill you for looking a for wandering eyes.” Jordan said.

“Then I guess you both have something in common.” Aziz said sarcastically, “Like when you sent your ex a box of scorpions when you found him cheating on you.”

“That’s completely different! He deserved it! You don’t deserve to feel pain. I’m telling you it’s not good to act on love at first sight.”

“Love at first sight?” Aziz scoffed. Did she not even know him? They always joked about people who thought they fell in love at first sight. 

Sure, for some it was true. Auradon was practically built on it but more often than not it could lead to a very difficult marriage. That’s why Snow White took that job as a reporter so she wouldn’t be around King Florian so much.

Jordan should know him better, he may get a crush at first glance, but he wouldn’t act on it unless he was sure there was more.

“I’m not in love with her. I’m not doing anything with her.”

“You’re hanging out with her!” Jordan cried.

“I’m also hanging out with Jade. With your logic, I could be crushing on her. She’s clever, she’s daring, we have things in common, we can do parkour together. Plus she’s the daughter of one of our families’ enemies. Star crossed lovers and all that. It’s a perfect fairytale romance.” Aziz breathlessly mocked.

“Jade is not… she wouldn’t use you like Lala.”

“She’s a Vk, who says Jade wouldn’t.” Aziz pointed out.

“Jade’s like you and me.” Jordan defended lamely.

“How? What? Because she’s descended from Agrabahians?” Aziz cried. He knew she could be judgemental and superficial but really? This?

“No. I mean technically yeah but no. She and Jay. She cares about him. They’re like us.” Jordan said meaningfully, grasping his hands and looking lovingly in his eyes in a way that made Aziz feel small and childish.

He hated it when she got like this. Acting like she was so much more worldly and knowing because she was a genie. She had a duty to protect him, the poor sheltered mortal prince who didn’t know any better or understand the morally grey areas of life. He survived torture in the damn dungeon!

Which now that he thought about it, beyond the hug Jordan hadn’t asked him a single thing about the incident. It seemed to have completely slipped her mind. Yeah, she cared about his safety. But for all the wrong reasons.  

“So? If that was true then why don’t you trust Jay if his bond with Jade is so much like our bond.” Aziz asked, pointing out the hole in her little argument.

“Well um I, Jay’s Jay’s complicated and I mean I don’t distrust him, it’s just after he said that thing about me giving..”

The epiphany dawned on Aziz before Jordan finished her sentence. How could he not have realized it before? It was all Jordan ever worried about.

“It’s because Jade hasn’t asked you for wishes and Lala has. That’s it.”

“She probably figured out that I’d back out of my promise so she’s trying to use you so you could convince me to give her wishes!” Jordan cried like a detective solving a case with her convoluted logic.

“And you think she’s going to seduce me to do that? Do you have so little trust in me?” Aziz used the calm steely tone that he knew would annoy her most. Not only did she act like he was a sheltered, naive mortal but a weak willed one too.

“NO no I do trust you! I know you would never intentionally do that to me. But I don’t want you to get hurt just because she’s manipulating you to get to me!” Jordan screamed, stamping her foot childishly that he was not giving into her.

“How self-absorbed can you get? Jordan, the world doesn’t revolve around you and your powers. Is it such a crazy thought that she might actually fall for me?” Aziz matched his volume to hers.

“Why wouldn’t she want me? I have phenomenal cosmic power and convenience for everyone. A lamp that forces me to obey their desires. You can’t offer her that. You’re just..you.”

Aziz stared at her, the sentence hitting him like a gut punch. He couldn’t believe Jordan of all people was saying this to him. She was the one who always helped him out on dates and assured him that anyone would fall in love with him after

….Maybe all that helping out wasn’t just from the goodness of her heart? It was because she secretly thought he couldn't get a girl on his own. Why would he with his so few talents? He wasn’t debenoir or charming enough like Jay. He wasn’t going to inherit the throne like other princes. What did he have to offer that the other boys at Auradon Prep couldn’t offer or even top? All he had was a genie friend who’d make “a whole new world”  dates.

Moreover, it hurt. His best friend in the world also thought that he wasn’t good enough on his own. She thought he needed her to survive through life and love and all those trials.

Now he was glad he told Lala how he felt ignored. Clearly his so-called “best friend/wingwoman/sister” was too oblivious and selfish to comfort him. Not even that. She secretly shared everyone else’s opinion that he was forgettable!

“Me? What does that-“ Aziz snarled.

“I-I just don’t want you to spend so much time with her.” Jordan seemed to sense his anger and began backtracking, “You know I don’t have a lot of people to hang out with. So many people just want me for my wishes. You-you don’t want to use me. You’re my best friend. That’s why I need you. After everything I’ve done for you, all I’m asking is for you to be my friend.” Aziz heard her but didn't listen, her hurtful words still ringing in his ears. Besides that was completely unbelievable. She was afraid of losing him? That was a ridiculous idea and she knew that. If she was going to lie to his face, she could try to make it believable! 

And what? It wasn’t like he owed her for everything she had done for him. That wasn’t how friendship worked! He didn’t ask her to do things and join adventures. She did it herself because she was his friend. 

Or he had thought it was because they were sibling/friends. Apparently it was because she believed he needed her. 

“You need me around forever to sooth your constant paranoid insecurity. I get it.” Aziz rolled his eyes sarcastically. 

“It’s not a paranoid insecurity. It’s a fact.” Jordan claimed.

“Jordan, have you ever thought, maybe the reason people will only look at you for your wishes is because your general personality is unbearable to deal with. That’s why no one wants to be your friend. There’s nothing likable to be friends with but thank Allah, at least if they hang around long enough they’ll get wishes out of you.” Aziz snapped.

Jordan froze, clearly hurt by the sound of the crack in her voice, “Do you feel that way too?”

Aziz didn’t give himself time to think. She didn’t deserve any amount of comfort from him after what she just said. She didn’t need to act like she knew everything about life and treat him like an incapable, forgettable mortal. That was what he was to her, a mortal. And he knew from all their talks together just how little she respected mortals. And apparently he was no exception. 

“Yes, sometimes I do.”

For a brief eerie moment, the wind was sucked out of the room and silence reigned. Oppressive, weighty silence that he could literally feel pressing against his chest and head and the rest of his body. He began to wonder if he should try to escape, that Jordan was about to do something they’d both regret.

“GET OUT!!” Jordan screamed.

“I can’t get out. You control your lamp.” Aziz hissed through his teeth to keep from yelling again. 

“Fuck you.” The sight of Jordan giving him the finger was his last vision before pink smoke and sand fogged up his view and he rudely fell to the floor.

He glared at the lamp, imagining its arrogant, selfish, all knowing, cosmic occupant pacing the floor, creating a mini sand storm in her anger. Fine.

“Fuck you too.”

[lost-n-stereo]

A/N: Nabrina Prompt #18 “Did i ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are?”

and I keep waiting (but I won’t say I’m waiting)

They say time heals all wounds.

That would be great if she wasn’t practically immortal, in an odd limbo where her body is barely changing but her friends are growing up and moving on.

You would think that it would hurt less as the days go by, since it’s been nearly two years since Nick sacrificed himself for the greater good and Lilith took him to hell. Except, he didn’t sacrifice himself for the greater good, he sacrificed himself for her. And that makes it a hell of a lot tougher to let go.

The first few months were the worst, when it was still fresh, always there in the back of her mind that he was possibly suffering in hell because of her. She took solace in Lilith’s promise to watch over him but it didn’t keep her from imagining horrible scenarios of torture and pain.

The Fright Club met often, dreaming up ways to go into hell to rescue Nick. They plotted ways to get Lucifer out of his body, searched tomes and spell books for clues or incantations, but always came up just a little too short.

Things changed within their friend group gradually over the last two years of mortal high school. Theo started dating a sweet girl from Riverdale and started spending less time with them. Roz and Harvey took a break in their junior year, in which time Sabrina and Harvey gave it another shot. They soon realized their mistake, that their love was one based in their past, and it wasn’t long before Harvey and Roz were back together for good.

Sabrina wasn’t waiting for Nick, exactly, but she always had him in the back of her mind. And always in her heart. She went on dates with nice boys, mortal and warlock alike, but never felt the connection she’d had with him.

“Tell me again why I decided to go to school all the way across the state,” Roz says, her voice pulling Sabrina out of her mind and back into the room her best friend is currently packing up.

“Because it’s fun and exciting,” Sabrina says, shaking off her inner monologue, as she grabs a pink stuffed bunny off of Roz’s nightstand. “Are you taking Mr. Wiggles with you?”

Roz laughs. “I’m eighteen now. Do I really need to bring my childhood toys with me to college?” She nibbles on her bottom lip and both girls speak at the same time.

“Yes.”

Sabrina giggles and sets the bunny on an already packed suitcase. “I think he’ll fit right in. Are the boys still meeting us at the diner before you head out?”

“Yeah, Theo said they would meet us around five.”

It’s been a summer full of the four of them, which isn’t to say it’s been much different than every summer since before she could remember.

Summer always comes with an expiration date. The days are long and warm, afternoons spent in Sweetwater River playing and splashing around with the kids from across the water and nights spent at bonfires and house parties. Fall is always a surprise no matter how much you’re prepared for it. She used to wait all summer long for autumn to hit. It meant her favorite season, her birthday and all the fun witchy holidays that she loved so much.

Now it’s just a reminder that high school is over and everyone is going their separate ways.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be all alone here for awhile,” Sabrina says wistfully. “Greendale won’t be the same without you guys.”

Roz stops packing, drops the dress she was holding into the open suitcase in front of her without folding it, and curls up on her bed with Sabrina. “You have so many responsibilities at the academy, time is going to fly by and before you know it, it’ll be Christmas break.”

“Winter solstice,” Sabrina amends and they both laugh. “You’re right. I’m just going to miss you all so much.”

They hug and Roz gives a watery laugh as she pulls away. “Okay, no more crying. We’re going to go have fun and we won’t be saying goodbye tonight. Just a ‘see you soon’.”

Sabrina nods and stands, wiping the corner of her eye with her thumb. “You’re right. Let’s get you packed up. You’ve got a long car ride ahead of you in the morning.”

*** The sun is shining high and bright when she wakes up the next day.

A look at her bedside clock tells her that it’s after nine, which means Roz and Harvey are already on the road and headed to their new school. Sabrina wasn’t surprised when Harvey told her months ago that he was applying to the same school as his girlfriend. Their relationship was built to last and it made her happy knowing they would have each other living so far from home. Theo wasn’t going far, only a short two hour drive away, so Sabrina knew she’d see him more often than the others.

She tried not to think about how she was losing her mortal friends to the real world. Instead, she decided to focus her attention to her non-mortal side and all of the people she still had here at home.

When Father Blackwood took off the Church of Night was left with only a handful of people, not many students at all. But with Aunt Zelda becoming High Priestess it brought forth a whole new group of witches and warlocks that were eager to study under her new leadership.

“Sabrina!”

Speaking of Aunt Zelda…

“I’m up!” She calls, popping up out of bed refreshed and ready to begin the next chapter of her life. Salem meows from his window perch and Sabrina smiles, scratches him on the head behind his ears the way she knows he likes. “You may not be a real cat, Salem. But you sure do purr like one.”

Twenty minutes later they are on their way to the academy, with Aunt Hilda and Ambrose in tow. Rebuilding the Church of Night was a family effort, one that Sabrina has not yet lived full time because of her dedication to finishing mortal high school. Now, she can not only help her family in their quest to make the church one that is wholly inclusive and thriving, but she can finish her dark arts studies without having to juggle her mortal ones.

“Conjuring today, eh Sabrina?” Ambrose asks as they walk through the doors of Gehenna Station. After passing all of her general courses last semester she’s finally able, and more than ready, to start her conjuring training.

In reality, she doesn’t need schooling or classes or spells, even. Learning you’re the daughter of Lucifer Morningstar, with power most witches and warlocks can only imagine, was difficult to come to terms with. She decided that she wouldn’t use those powers unless absolutely necessary and instead sticks to the magic used by everyone else.

“I’m excited,” she says as they pass the new sculpture in the center of the room, Lilith in her true form, beauty and power emanating from the carved stone. “Conjuring was always Nick’s favorite...”

Ambrose frowns when he sees Sabrina’s face fall. “I’m sorry, cousin. I know it doesn’t get any easier. But one day, maybe…”

“It’s a big maybe, Ambrose,” she says sadly. “Plus, there’s no use thinking about it constantly. Thinking about it changes nothing. I’m going to focus on what is happening in the here and now.”

“Good on you, Sabrina.” Aunt Zelda steps up beside her and looks up at the statue of Lilith. “I’m sure the Queen of Hell is watching over your young warlock as we speak. She knows how important he was to you.”

“Is,” Sabrina corrects gently. “How important he is to me.”

***

August turns into September and then into October with little fanfare.

She keeps in touch with Harvey, Roz and Theo over group chats and Skype sessions. There are tentative plans for Halloween, also known as her birthday, but she knows there are no guarantees when it comes to long distance friendships. They have mortal responsibilities that she just doesn’t have any more.

Besides, even if her eighteenth birthday is spent with just her aunties and Ambrose, it will still be fun.

“I love this weather,” Sabrina says to Ambrose as they walk through the woods on their way home from the academy. “The sky looks like it could crack open at any time. I can’t wait for the rain to begin.”

“Agree completely, cousin. All feels right in the world when it’s dark and gloomy.”

Sabrina kicks a small rock out of the way of the path with the toe of her boot. “How’s Prudence? Have you spoken with her?”

Ambrose shrugs and offers a small smile. “Still on the hunt for her father, o’course. I wish I could be out there with her but…”

“But Aunt Zelda needed you,” Sabrina finishes for him and he nods.

“She’s a strong girl, that one. I know she’ll find him and when she does…I’ll be there to help take him down.”

It’s been strange being at the academy without Prudence, especially considering two thirds of the Weird Sisters are still attending students. Dorcas and Agatha have been unlikely friends, although Sabrina thinks sometimes it’s her heritage they admire in her and not her personality.

Still, it’s nice to have friends.

“So what’s the big plan for your birthday this year, cuz? Your friends making the trip?”

Sabrina sighs. “I’m honestly not sure. They are so busy with school and the distance is a lot. I’m hopeful but won’t be disappointed if they can’t make it.”

“Very mature of you,” he says with a grin and she smacks him on the arm.

“Well I am almost an adult.”

Ambrose snorts, winds his arm through Sabrina’s and leads her towards their house.

“Trust me, cousin. You’re nowhere near an adult. Now your 118th birthday? That’s when the real fun begins.”

***

A knock on the front door wakes her up at 12:03 am on October 31st.

“Can’t even get a good night’s sleep the night before my birthday,” she mumbles as she climbs out of bed, slipping into a robe and a pair of slippers to save her bare feet from the cold wood floor.

No one else in the house woke up to the knock, which surprises her not at all. Her family sleeps like the dead most of the time and the knock isn’t particularly loud or demanding. In fact, she’s shocked that she heard it at all.

It doesn’t occur to her to maybe be wary of a knock sounding at midnight. There could be an untold number of dangers awaiting her on the other side but she doesn’t feel fearful at all.

Nothing can prepare her for what’s actually on the other side of the door.

“Happy Birthday, Spellman.”

Sabrina’s breath catches in her throat and she’s scared this is some kind of trick. An evil manipulation, perhaps, although she has no current enemies that she can think of. Except Lucifer, obviously, but he’s supposed to be in hell. In Nick. Except…

“Nicholas?”

“Hello, Sabrina.”

He looks exactly the same as when she last saw him, except his eyes aren’t red with the devil inside. There are no marks or blemishes on his skin, no visible signs of torture like she was afraid of.

“How…? What…?”

Nick chuckles softly. “Two very excellent questions. Sabrina…”

Her name is barely out of his mouth when she flings herself at him, her hands coming up to touch his hair, his face, his shoulders. He’s so solid and strong and real.

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” she says, relishing the feel of his arms around her waist. “I don’t know how this is possible but I almost don’t care.”

“Lilith,” he whispers. “She found a way to contain him in Hell. I can explain it all to you but right now…”

His fingers card through her hair and she smiles against his lips when he presses them to hers.

“Your hair is longer,” he says when they pull apart. His eyes are intense when he looks down at her and she blushes.

“What?”

“Did i ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are? Because the memory of them has kept me sane for the last two years and now, looking into them…it’s like a dream come true.”

Her blood warms at his confession. “Nicholas.”

He kisses her again and she can feel in that single moment the amount of love and devotion that he has for her. Nothing that’s ever happened in her life thus far feels like this.

“I know we have a lot to talk about,” he says, his eyes downcast. “So much happened before I left and I know how angry you must be with me.”

Sabrina shakes her head, puts her hand on his cheek so he’s forced to look at her. “I was angry, Nick. But I also missed you terribly. And I know why you did what you did. It doesn’t make it easier or excuse it but I do understand.”

“I’m so sorry, Spellman.” He practically collapses into her when he hugs her again and she can actually feel the wave of exhaustion roll off of him. “I promise to make it up to you.”

“Stay here tonight,” she whispers. “Come with me.”

She holds her hand out and he takes it, bringing it up to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

There is a piece of parchment on her bed that wasn’t there before. She turns it over in her hands to see a simple line etched in black ink.

Happy Birthday Sabrina. I told you I’d take good care of him.

“What is that?” Nick asks, coming around behind her to rest his chin on her shoulder.

“A birthday present from Lilith,” she says as she leans back into him.

“The parchment?”

Sabrina laughs, turns around in his arms and brings his head down for a kiss. “No, silly. It was you.”

***

She wakes up hours later to her aunts’ surprised voices.

“Nicholas? What are you doing here?!”

“And in Sabrina’s bed, no less!”

“Aunties,” she says, pulling her blanket up around her and Nick. “I’m eighteen and my boyfriend just escaped hell. Can you cut me a little bit of a break?”

Hilda mumbles something about baking a cake and Zelda eyes Nick carefully.

“We’ll expect a full report of how exactly you’re back,” she says and Nick nods earnestly. “Well then, have a good morning you two.”

Ambrose passes by the doorway as Zelda is leaving. “Happy birthday, cousin.” He does a double take when he sees Nick. “Nicholas, good to have you back, friend.”

Nick laughs when the door closes again. “Your family is something else, Spellman.”

She turns so they are lying face to face. “I still can’t believe you’re here. In the flesh, lying next to me right now. I thought this day would never come.”

“Not me,” he says seriously. “Every single day I had to be away was just one day closer to being with you again.”

Sabrina sighs happily and lets him pull her body flush with his so he can kiss her. “Nick…what would you have done if I had, you know, moved on?”

“Cried.”  They both laugh and he drops feather light kisses to her nose, then her cheeks and forehead.  “It wouldn’t have mattered. As long as you’re safe and happy, that’s all I care about. You’re all I care about.”

He snuggles closer to her and kisses the top of her head.

“It would have really fucking sucked though.”

Sabrina laughs out loud, pulls him so he has to brace himself on both hands over her.

“Good thing for you the other boys I dated were so bland.”

Nick kisses her, presses his body down on hers a bit before sitting up with a start.

“Wait…what other boys?”

SEND ME A SHIP + PROMPT

[vivithefolle]

In honor of The King’s birthday,  I’ve decided to share some of my favourite lines in fanfiction about him.

Here we go folks - Ron Weasley appreciation galore! <3

Let’s start with three drabbles that are just too good in their entirety to chop up, and then the big ones...

you can climb a ladder up to the sun, by acrosticacrumpet

Brilliant, by @emullz

Blue, by IamShadow21

Hermione watched him, their hands still connected at the fingertips. A heat spread through her chest that had nothing to do with summer, and she found herself just as satisfied as he was. She couldn’t draw her attention away from him. A fire could have started and she wouldn’t have noticed it, because his brightness was more illuminant than any other. She’d found herself staring at him several times through the course of Hogwarts, but normally she’d look down when he sensed her gaze, and met her eyes; she found no reason to look away this time. Ever so present in the years previous, she never truly appreciated what he brought to the group. She might have been the moon, intelligent and full of wonder, and Harry might have been the Earth, inhabited yet left unexplored, but Ron was the sun. He was warm and radiating, a constant, and they both needed him in their own way; they just didn’t realize it. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. You never fully understand the sun’s importance until it doesn’t rise in the morning. His smile was a gust of wind in stagnant Spanish heat. It was something she couldn’t get enough of, something she wouldn’t let go. 

- Lively, by LesserPrincess

I have always wondered if one could connect all of Ron's freckles and make some kind of pattern, like a star constellation. I actually tried to once when he had fallen asleep. I stood there and looked at his chest; I looked and counted, and tried to arrange and rearrange, but eventually I just determined that Ron has as many freckles as the sky has stars. His stars just manage to glow even when the Sun is out, and with that hair, he carries the Sun with him, anyway. 

- Hatred, by earth_dragon

It was a strange sofa, long and broad with a checkered blue and green cover. She’d never been at a dinner party here without hearing somebody commenting on it, and she herself had questioned Ron’s judgement when she’d first seen it. Her first thought had been that it was a hideous creation, and she’d told him as much. But Ron had just smiled and patted the sofa, looking like a proud father. “I know it’s awful”, he’d said. “Even the shop-keeper tried to talk me out of buying it, and that says something.” He’d paused, hand resting on the armrest, before continuing. “But I just couldn’t leave it here. I figured that if I didn’t buy it, then nobody else would either, and the thought of it standing there in the shop all alone…” He’d shrugged. “I don’t know. But I do know that if I were a sofa, and looked like that, then I’d wish for someone to look beyond my godawful exterior and take time to notice my wonderful personality.”

And after having heard those words Hermione could do little but love the poor, tacky sofa.

- Caught in the Fire, by Penny-in-the-sky

Bemused, he watched Ron, disheveled, half-dressed, slip and slide clumsily on the comics strewn across the floor as he made his way over to his dresser.  There’s something terribly sweet and vulnerable about him, Harry thought.

Just look at him, he thought, sliding his hand from Ron’s face to his hair.  At the bright bright hair… at the freckles that make him look like a kid.   At the way his top lip curves and the bottom one pouts.  Has it really taken me five years to see him?  See how… perfect he is?

- Proxy, by Mathilda Bishop

Hermione crept across the darkened room, her bare feet silenced by the plush beige carpeting. A single strip of moonlight filtered through the open window, illuminating the sight in front of her.

Ron. 

He was sprawled across the bed, wearing only a pair of blue striped boxer shorts. She smiled as she approached him, taking in his thin frame, his pale, freckled skin.  He had never been, nor would he ever be broad and muscular. She liked him the way he was: slim, toned, and absolutely gorgeous. 

- Sleeping Arrangements, by willowwand

Everytime [Ron] had to lift his arms above shoulder level the hem of whatever he was wearing would display a glimpse of belly, a flash of back or sometimes underwear, and when [Hermione] was really lucky she got to indulge in the protruding hipbones sliding free of his waistband.

His torso was very long but his waist so very narrow. Her hands weren’t that big but sometimes she felt sure she could place her hands on his waist and get her fingers to meet at his back.

His body fascinated her. He wasn’t scrawny, there was nothing unpleasant to look at regarding his body at all, but his proportions were so otherworldly. It was as if he had been designed by an artist, a sculptor, who extended the perfect muscular male form onto an elegant frame and stretched and tightened it into a lean giraffe of a man.

- From the Clutter to the Stars, by Solstice Muse

Hermione held her breath and tried to choke back the sobs that were threatening to destroy her. Everything was falling into place, horribly, horribly into place... This was why Ron, with his brilliant strategical mind, had never planned - he had. He had planned to fight until it killed him, and that didn't really leave much space for a career. This was the reason he lounged about and ate far too much cake and didn't bother with school work unless it was a practical exam. Even Quidditch suddenly swung into horrible focus - what does a Keeper do? He uses his own body to protect the goal... and she knew he'd done that... seen him move, reposition himself so that he was blocking her and Harry from potential spell blasts... and she always felt safer with him there...

- Expectations, by Alternatively

“Why do you keep playing him?” Hermione asked.

“It’s the best way to get better. Doesn’t make it any less annoying when he keeps hammering me.” Harry grumbled. Ron simply sat there with a smug look on his face.

It was almost as if he was more at home on a chessboard than anywhere else.

- Regret, by HellIsHere

Hermione’s instinct was to scoff, but the sincerity in his eyes overwhelmed her. She swallowed, feeling as though she couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat. Bugger quidditch, this was what drew her to Ron. He had such a big heart, and he wore it on his sleeve - and while she knew things sometimes got garbled on the way to his mouth, when he believed something strongly, she could trust in every word.

- Lucky Man, by @idearlylovealaugh

This time though, Hermione doesn’t feel like [Harry] can do something about it, and the worst part is that she’s starting thinking she wouldn’t be able herself either because it’s been long time since they both learnt Ronald Weasley works better when he’s the one saving himself, when he gets to fix himself alone and finds the best way to keep going despite all the wrong he did before. He’s his own anchor and that’s what she loves the most about him.

But under those rough, strong and solid layers there’s softness, and gentle touches and sweet words whispered against her skin when her body aches for how much it craves his warmth. Ron Weasley is the last slice of cake left on the table that he selflessly gives to you despite the hugeness of his gluttony; he’s the wide smile on her neck when he places wet kisses on it and tickles her at the same time because he’s insatiable of her laughter. He’s goodness, and hidden grace and everything between.

How can this turn out to be a weak point on people?

- Life In Death, by my_inked_asterism

It was just that [Hermione's] way would take much, much longer. She didn't know Harry's emotional situation like Ron did. Because - although Hermione was typically better at noticing feelings - when Ron applied his personal understanding of the human condition, he came away with a deeper set of realizations than most. Where Hermione recognized emotion with a clinical, academic approach, Ron came up with personal, informal reasoning with which he could comprehend emotion and help others comprehend it in return.

- Coping, by Mir Queen

Somewhere in the vast jumble of her thoughts, she heard Ron ask, “Why do you like me?”

Only Ron—sweet, self-deprecating Ron—would ask that question.  Ron, who allowed a giant chess piece to beat him over the head, chased after gigantic spiders for her, and stood up on a broken leg to defend Harry against Sirius Black.  Ron, who sold his most valuable possession for her.  Ron, whose red hair, freckles, and smiling lips were maddeningly adorable.  Her voice was shaky as she answered, “Because...”  She wasn’t done yet, but he kissed the corner of her mouth and distracted her momentarily.  “Because you are the most likely person to ask that question...” There was more to say, but he was irresistible.  She stole another kiss and continued, “... and the person with the least reason to ask it.”

They looked at each other and smiled. This was nice—being able to stare at someone openly for no reason—even if he was across the sofa.  She could study him freely, flushing with the knowledge that he was doing the same. He had his father’s eyes, as did Ginny. He, like the twins, had Mrs. Weasley’s thick hair. He and Percy shared Mr. Weasley’s long nose. He had Mr. Weasley’s smile. Beyond his physical appearance, though, she could see other traces of his family in him—Percy’s masked insecurity, the twins’ mischief, his mother’s temper, his father’s earnestness, his older brothers’ rumoured intelligence, and Ginny’s consideration and sweetness.

But this was what people had been doing to him all his life, wasn’t it? Comparing him to the other members of his family? "Is he going to play Quidditch as well as his brothers?" "Is he going to be Head Boy?" "Is he going to get as many O.W.L.s?" He was "another Weasley". Oh, but he was so much more than that! He didn’t know it, though, did he?

“I wanted to say thanks for being my friend,” Harry shrugged.  Ron felt his face and neck grow warm... but something in his chest did as well.  It was a nice feeling.  He couldn’t make himself speak, however, and was grateful when Harry continued, “You were my first friend, and... well, you’re my favourite person in the world, you know.  Every day, I wish I could have my parents back, but, erm... losing you would be worse than not having them, in a way, because I never knew them, and I don’t think I could do without you.”

Utterly dumbfounded, Ron could only stand there with his mouth hanging open. Harry really thought that it would be worse to lose him now than it had been to have no parents for fourteen years? He was more important to Harry than any other person?  The magnitude of Harry’s stumbling speech almost made Ron take a step backwards.  He was aware that he had made some kind of noise in his throat, which Harry evidently took as a response.

“I’m really... and anyone who has you for a friend... and Hermione, because you care about her so much... I mean, lucky.”

Ron caught the meaning of Harry’s rambling words and continued to stand in the doorway numbly.  “Thanks,” he replied. “You too.” With that, he hurried from the room, his mind a strange whirl of awkwardness and pleasure.    

- Finding Lily, by DeeDee

[escaperiesworld]

Everyone who’s reading my blog posts from time to time may have noticed that I focus on the nature of Latvia very much. Why? Well, first, I love nature and it is easy to focus on something you love. Nature has been the love of my life since I remember myself. And not only the nature of Latvia.

It’s not very surprising that I decided to become a biologist. Funny that during my studies I rarely met any study mate, who was as green as I was.

I have even a hypothesis that being a Riga City boy I probably value wild nature much more than those my friends coming from the countryside. They’ve had probably enough greenery during their childhood. Just my guess.

Whatever is the reason for me being so green I am more than 100% sure nature of Latvia won’t disappoint anyone who is of a similar mindset as I am and probably even some of those who aren’t. After all, if my passion for nature can convince someone to appreciate more greenery around us, we all will be the winners.

Here are the reasons I love nature of Latvia so much and I’m pretty sure you’ll love it too.

Why Nature of Latvia Is Actually the First and Main Reason To Come Here?

Latvia might not be a standard ecotourism destination that first comes to your mind. You might know something about our famous capital city Riga but probably not much more. Well, many of my guests refer to their friends, who were first surprised about their decision to visit Latvia.

It is true that Latvia is still somewhat off-the-beaten-path and under the radar destination for most of the travelers. Yet, once you come here you may guess, why you did not know about Latvia earlier.

Being by one third bigger than the Netherlands and Switzerland and twice bigger than Belgium Latvia has only 1.9 million people. This naturally makes plenty of room for nature. Nature of Latvia is still pristine and relatively untouched, making Latvia a perfect ecotourism destination in Northern Europe.

Visit Latvia and you’ll have a chance to see many nature values that had been lost in other parts of modern Europe decades ago. Today Latvia is one of the greenest countries in Europe.

Natural Habitats

Latvia is the home for many protected habitats of European Union (EU) and also international importance. For those looking for the full list, you can find it here.

#1: Baltic Sea & Stunning Sandy Beaches – Probably The Main Reason To Come

Latvia has for sure among the most stunning Nordic coastlines in the world. The beaches in Latvia are some of the best beaches in Europe. The Latvian Baltic Sea coast is more than 500 km (300 miles) long. It is largely secluded but at the same time mostly public and easily available for everyone.

A beach in western Latvia

Get to know more about the new long-distance coastal hiking trail in Latvia and Estonia called “Jūrtaka” or choose from any of the great shorter coastal hiking routes to enjoy Latvian beaches and pristine coastal nature at its utmost.

Boreal Baltic sandy beaches and different types of coastal dunes are the habitats of EU importance, many of them being well-preserved in Latvia.

Pāvilosta Grey Dune

#2: Dense Forests – Not Just The Source Of Timber

Latvia is the land of forests. Forests cover more than 50% of its territory, which is well above Europe’s average of 33%. Not surprisingly many goods, houses, etc. are made of wood here.

Dominating trees are pine, spruce, birch, and alder. There are coniferous, deciduous and lots of mixed forests. You’ll also see threes like oak, ash, elm, hazel, linden, maple, willow and other species typical and not that typical for Northern and Central Europe.

Pokaini Forest – The most mystic forest in Latvia

Latvian broad-leaved forests become especially beautiful during the fall. Gorgeous Gauja National Park is a popular destination during this season. Locals, especially from Riga, are heading to Sigulda town during the autumn’s weekends to admire the colors of changing seasons there. So you better choose working days to visit this place unless you enjoy crowds and lots of traffic.

Coniferous western taiga forests and different types of the rare natural old broad-leaved boreal and mixed forests are all big values that represent the greenery and nature of Latvia.

Boreal forest in Northern Europe

#3: Bogs, Fens & Mires – Places Of Pristine Nature

Natural bog-lands of Latvia are something not to miss when discovering the nature of Latvia. Many of these bogs and mires are truly wild and pristine. We still have unique bog habitats that had mostly disappeared in Western Europe. Such are active raised bogs, calcareous and alkaline fens, transition mires and more.

Some of the most amazing well-preserved raised bogs are very close to Riga. The most popular is the Great Kemeri Bog in Kemeri National Park and Cena Mire. You don’t need any special footwear to walk in these places, as there are wooden boardwalks set-up for visitors.

Good choices for visiting are also more distant Suda Mire in Gauja National Park, Teirumnīku Mire in eastern Latvia (Latgale), Vasenieku Mire in western Latvia (Kurzeme) or even the wild bog-lands of Slitere National Park and Ziemeļu Mire on Latvian/Estonian border.

Ziemelu Mire

#4: Lakes & Rivers – Your Endless Options For Kayaking/Canoeing Trips

The nature of Latvia is rich with freshwater. We are among the leaders of freshwater resources in Europe. Around 12,000 rivers and 3,000 lakes of different sizes are what makes Latvia so watery. Eastern region of Latvia – Latgale is even called the “Land of Blue Lakes”, and this is not without a reason. It’s rich with beautiful lakes.

There are seven protected freshwater habitats of EU importance in Latvia. The best way to enjoy Latvian rivers and lakes is to go for a kayaking or canoeing trip.

The most popular rivers for boating in Latvia are Gauja, Salaca, Abava, and Irbe. Check out for more details about the best kayaking trips in Latvia here.

#5: Grasslands – Important Part Of Latvian Traditions

For those looking for some open space, Latvian grasslands might be an attraction. There are ten protected grassland habitats of EU importance in Latvia. Although not always that well-preserved natural meadows are an important part of Latvian rural landscape.

Baltic tribes arrived in this region some 2000 years B.C. They brought many changes here, including agricultural traditions and open lands in the otherwise naturally forested places. Since then, pastures and meadows had gradually become an integral part Latvian rural landscape. Lots of them ceased to exist though during Soviet occupation when traditional agriculture practices were largely abandoned.

Natural meadows are an important part of Latvian traditions. Even in this modern world Latvians collect plants that grow in meadows for health and beauty treatment purposes (as well as wild berries and mushrooms in the forests and bog-lands for homemade food). Visit Latvia during the Summer solstice time (from 20 to 24 June) and you’ll see the importance of nature and greenery in our culture at its utmost.

Midsummer festival in Riga – Dzegužkalns park

For grassland habitats to be well maintained they must be managed. Today many EU and local initiatives support mowing and grazing of natural meadow habitats to increase and keep their biodiversity. Natural meadows are home for many insect species, rare plants, and birds’ species.

Wooded meadows hiking trail in Gauja National Park

If you want to see grassland management in action you may wish to visit the sites like nature parks “Pape Lake” and “Lake Engure” or Lielupe River Floodplain in Jelgava City. You’ll see amazing natural wetlands and semi-wild “grazing machines” – hairy highlander cows and konik horses – doing their grazing job there.

#6: Rocky Habitats & Caves

There are no mountains in Latvia. Yet, we have rocky habitats and caves here. These are very rare but “must” places to see in Latvia found mostly on the slopes of river valleys and on the vegetated sea cliffs of the Baltic Sea coast.

Steep Baltic Sea Coast

These are all generally “soft” limestone and sandstone formations, hence being very fragile ecosystems.

In some places, these are truly impressive monuments of Latvian nature. Gauja River Valley is the most famous place to go in Latvia with rocky riverbank slopes that are around 350 million years old. The best way to enjoy them is by kayaking or canoeing on this river.

Canoeing in Gauja National Park

In many places, it is also a great idea to go for a hiking trip in Gauja National Park.

Salaca river is another great boating destination to see this rare wonder of Latvia.

Salaca river valley

Not least impressive are the sandy cliffs on the western coast of the open Baltic Sea close to Jurkalne village. This is also a great place for coastal hiking and enjoying secluded beaches in Latvia.

Birds & other animals

Birds to see

During the spring and autumn migration periods (April-May and September-October) Latvia is a paradise for birdwatchers. The spring and autumn bird migration routes go across the country. In the autumn, birds travel from Scandinavia and northern Russia across Latvia to Southern Europe and Africa. Then they come back in the spring.

There are lots of shallow lagoon lakes along the Baltic Sea coast. The biggest ones are Engure, Kanieris, Pape, Babite and Liepaja lakes. We also have plenty of forests and flood-lands. This all makes Latvia a great dwelling place for many migratory bird species.

In case you are a keen bird-watcher you should not miss Kolka Cape, where the open Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga meet. Also, you might wish to check out Lubana Lake Wetland complex in the Eastern Latvia (Latgale). Lake Lubans is also the biggest lake in Latvia.

There are altogether 365 recorded bird species in Latvia. One species for each day of a short year, if I may say so. Woodpeckers and owls in the forests, ducks, seagulls and swans in the coastal area, Bittern in the reedbeds, Lesser Spotted Eagle in open places, Osprey and cranes in bog-lands, Corncrake in grasslands. These are just some samples of our feathered heroes.

#gallery-0-9 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-9 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-9 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-9 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)

Corncrake (Crex crex)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

There are also lots of bird watching towers set up at the best bird watching spots. Thus bird-watching is for sure one of the best things to do in Latvia. Ask locals to arrange a great bird-watching trip for you.

Some bigger animals

The nature of Latvia has also some bigger animals to offer. Some of the species are not that common in other parts of Europe. You can spot wolves, lynx, elks, deer, wild boars, lot of beavers, badgers, otters and even some bears here. You must be very lucky to see most of these wild animals in nature though because they are all very cautious. There is still an option to see them on a special nature trail in Ligatne, if you wish.

#gallery-0-10 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-10 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-10 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-10 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Protected Areas – Best Places To Visit

There are 4 national parks, 42 nature parks, and 261 nature reserves in Latvia. We also have 4 strict nature reserves (not accessible to visitors), around 355 nature monuments, 7 protected marine areas, and the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. There are lots of small protected areas called micro-reserves too. All these areas are set-up for the protection of species, natural habitats, and traditional landscapes. Many of them are great eco-tourism spots.

Here is a great movie about protected areas of Latvia. Enjoy!

  Most of the protected areas in Latvia are also the areas of European Union importance, which means that most of them are so-called Natura2000 network sites. The best and most diverse places to visit for those who want to explore nature in Latvia are the four national parks and North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. Yet, there are also many other great smaller protected nature areas that a nature lover might want to check out.

You can find the full list of all protected territories in Latvia here.

#1: Gauja National Park – The “Must See” In Latvia

Gauja National Park is the oldest national park in Latvia. It is the most beautiful destination that attracts many visitors. You can soak up the beauty of pristine nature here, which is so different in each of the four seasons.

In spring and summer, it is a popular place for kayaking/canoeing in the gorgeous Gauja River Valley. In the autumn the beautiful broad-leaved forests in Gauja Valley turn into breath-taking yellow and red colors. While in snowy winter it is a great place for skiing. Gauja National Park is a “must see” place if you are interested to see the best of the nature in Latvia.

Gauja National Park

#2: Slitere National Park – The Wildest Place To Go

Slitere National Park is the wildest national park in Latvia. It is in the northwest part of the country and includes Kolka Cape – the place where the “two seas” meet: the open Baltic Sea to the West and the Gulf of Riga to the East. Earlier it used to be a strict nature reserve with a very limited public access. Today it is a national park open for visitors. In some parts, public access is restricted though to protect its natural values.

Slitere National Park is rich with pristine forests, untouched bog lands, and amazing sandy beaches.

View to the forests of Slitere National Park

#3: Kemeri National Park – The Place Of Magic Bog-lands

Kemeri National Park is the closest national park to Riga. This makes it also the most visited one. The most attractive parts for visitors are Great Kemeri Bog with its boardwalk. Lake Kaņieris is a perfect spot for bird watching and angling. The park is also famous for its sulfur springs.

Great Kemeri Bog

#4: Razna National Park – The Gem Of Eastern Latvia

Razna National Park is the youngest of all national parks in Latvia. It is in the eastern part of the country called Latgale. The park itself is named after a big Lake Rāzna, which is sometimes called the “Sea of Latgale”. Razna National Park has lakes and forests and the unique diversity of nature.

Razna National Park in Eastern Latvia (Latgale)

#5: North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve

North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is the biggest protected area in Latvia. As the name itself suggests the reserve is in the northern part of Vidzeme (central) region of Latvia.

The reserve is a protected area of international importance recognized by UNESCO. The area includes lots of natural and cultural values and many smaller protected areas. You can enjoy the gorgeous Rocky Seashore of Vidzeme. Or you can also head to any of the remote and pristine bog-land areas near the Estonian border.

Vidzeme Rocky Seashore

  The beautiful rivers of Salaca and Ruja, as well as Burtnieku Lake, are perfect places for kayaking/canoeing.

Ruja River

North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is a huge area to explore. Hence the motivation to visit Latvia again.

#6: Nature Parks

The most prominent protected areas mentioned above are not the only ones worth looking at when you visit Latvia. There are also smaller nature areas that you might be interested in. Such are:

“Lake Pape” Nature Park

The nature park of Lake Pape is the area in the very southwest part of Latvia. Lake Pape is a shallow lagoon lake. It is a perfect place for bird watching during the migration periods in the spring and summer. Pape is a remote place. Plan a visit there if you go to Liepaja City.

“Lake Pape” Nature Park: the only place in Latvia where the raised bog stretches into the beach

Nature Park “Bernati”

Nature Park “Bernati” is another great place near the Baltic Sea. It is only halfway between Liepaja city and Lake Pape. The beach is gorgeous here. Yet be careful while swimming in the sea! There are cunning rip currents in this area.

Nature Park “Piejura”

“Piejūra” means “at the sea” in Latvian. The name itself suggests that the park lays at the seacoast. If you come to Riga City or Carnikava and Saulkrasti towns, this is by far the closest natural area you can visit. Yet don’t let its location to fool you. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, sandy and grey dunes as well as amazing coastal pine forests here.

Nature Park “Piejura”

The nature in Latvia is abundantly present even in the big cities and towns.

“Lake Engure” Nature Park

Lake Engure is about 70 km/44 miles to the northwest from Riga. It is a shallow lagoon lake, hence being a paradise for migrating birds and a good place for bird watchers. It is much closer to Riga than the similar Lake Pape. The lake is close to the Gulf of Riga. Thus you can combine bird watching on the lake with a relaxed afternoon on a beach.

Abava Valley Nature Park

Abava Valley Nature Park is an amazing destination for a kayaking or canoeing trip. It has impressive landscapes, cozy old towns on their banks and natural diversity. Depending on which section of this river you plan to conquer you will get one or all these values combined.

Abava River Valley nature park

Nature Park “Daugavas loki” (Meanders of Daugava)

Nature Park “Daugavas loki” (Meanders of Daugava) is a scenic area in the very south-east part of Latvia. It is famous for its pronounced natural meanders of the biggest river of Latvia – Daugava. This is also the UNESCO heritage site. You will see totally different Daugava compared to the same river in Riga.

“Daugavas loki” is a beautiful place for kayaking and canoeing. You will witness amazing off-the-beaten-path nature spots here. The water tourism is not that well-developed on Daugava as it is on other popular rivers in Latvia. Hence you can ask a professional local adventure travel company to arrange your trip when visiting Latvia.

Nature park “Daugavas loki”

Lubana Wetland Complex – Birds’ Paradise

Lubans is the biggest lake in Latvia. The unique lake and the area around it are a wetland of international importance (a RAMSAR site). Lake Lubans is another great place for bird watching in Latvia. There are six bird watching towers available for this activity.

The area is the home for many protected species and habitats. You can also buy local fish and rent a boat here.

Summing-Up

It is common and natural that people first travel to the capital city of any less known destination. Therefore, Riga is probably more popular than Latvia itself. This is so far. Yet, once you get the first insights you want to know more, right? It is time to dig deeper. At this point let me introduce the real Latvia that starts outside Riga and consists mostly of nature.

Nature is one of the main reasons to visit Latvia. Amazing sandy and secluded beaches, vast forests, pristine bog-lands, the abundance of rivers and lakes and natural meadows are the main treasures worth coming for to Latvia. If ecotourism is what speaks to you, the diverse nature of Latvia and plenty of national and nature parks won’t let you be disappointed.

Now you know why I am so in love with the nature of Latvia, and it is likely that you will be too.

Why I Love Nature Of Latvia So Much – And Why You’ll Love It Too Everyone who’s reading my blog posts from time to time may have noticed that I focus on the nature of Latvia very much.

[tsundereyukio]

Like a moth to a flame

Genre: psychological thriller (hopefully), fantasy with Slavic motifs Word count: 6,800+ Group: BTS (Jimin, and another person, but I will not spoil it now) Warnings: mature content, violence, implied sexual content, mentioned drugs and alcohol usage, explicit language.

Born in a wealthy family, raised mostly by nannies, and educated by personal tutors - that is how Jimin spent his early years. He studied well with the only purpose of achieving praises from his mother - a sad woman who always dressed and smelled nice. Besides measuring his progress and sometimes dining with him in silence, he did not know much more about her. Once, he eavesdropped handmaids gossiping that her state was like that because she miscarried. At that time, he was not aware of the meaning of the word, yet he understood one thing: his mother was sad because he was her only child. Why was he causing her so many worries if what we was doing was that he studied well and followed well what adults said?

Short after this event, Jimin observed an act of lying. It was eye-opening and such a fascinating thing that he was distracted for several days because he was thinking about it ceaselessly. Being a good boy did not bear any effects on his mother. Jimin understood that he had to start acting by himself. The only way to do so was to raise his awareness and knowledge. Jimin's favourite activity became observing. He started to remember details, memorize names, and times at which things happened. It was much more intriguing than words in books, dates and events so distant from his life. Here, in the manor, people, their stories and emotions were real. He realized that it was feelings that he lacked that made his life felt unreal, as if someone else was in his body. As if there were two Jimins.

He decided not to act, but just to observe. He lived his life thus far as he used to, with the only difference that he observed much more, an amount he could not imagine before. He also became more indifferent, not to behave accidently and break the illusion. Somehow he felt that he was not allowed to, under any circumstances break the illusion. He stopped being enthusiastic towards his mother, whose eyebrows always furrowed in worry. "He is reaching adolescence," he heard, and seen the rest in their eyes, "he is becoming as apathetic as his mother".

When Jimin decided that he observed enough, he stopped showing up for lessons. He spent his days in solitude, training his face muscles to imitate emotions. He practiced body language in front of the mirror. He recited poems that he found to his liking. Soon he found out how to behave to achieve the result he wanted. Yet, he had no purpose of using those looks, so he was expresionless most of the times. Here Jimin's parentage sufficed to get what he wanted. But what he also desired was to be one of them, which meant that he had to use the newly acquired skills.

Firstly, he was satisfied with small achievements, such as a favour or information he did not need. He was becoming better in imitating human emotions. But he was never fully satisfied.

It was when Jimin was fourteen or fifteen that he braved to leave the manor only with his horse. He travelled to a neighbouring town, yet it was the whole new world for him. The people there were different, and he had fun observing them. Jimin frequented this town and others many times, and even later managed to mingle with citizens. It gave him a huge boost of confidence. Outside the manor the looks he was given varied greatly. Soon he found out that apparently he is considered good-looking. With this came youthful experiences, and Jimin soon found himself seducing girls. They were simple to deal with. He acted as a newcomer, he was charming, smiled, and knew poems. What he did not know what that he was not supposed to enamor many females, but one. Soon, the rumours of scandals reached the manor.

***

The carriage was shaky, the road was too long, and Jimin was not allowed to even look out through the window. The young man was uncomfortable in the company of his father, who was supposed to keep an eye on him - and it was the only thing he was doing. It was always awkward between them, because there was no "them" in the first place. Jimin knew that his father was a soldier and due his work in the capital he was barely home. He was a man of strong physique and gloomy characteristics that matched their family, but unlike his wife, there was a stubborn spirit in him, as if he was driven by some great purpose. Also, in contrast to Jimin's mother he reacted to the scandals. The told his defiant son, "You should learn to live. I shall take you where they will teach you." And this was the only communication between the two of them. Still, Jimin was thankful. He knew that his knowledge about people was not sufficient, and it seemed as if his father could undertood the only child's worries even without talking much.

Oh, how wrong Jimin was.

***

They stopped in a village. Jimin's father talked in private with a grey-haired woman who was in charge here. After that he only introduced his son to her, and left him to live here. Jimin was curious of what his lessons here will be. Instead of that, he was ordered to work and do chores as other villagers. He was working in the fields, with farm animals or in the near forest, always accompanied by at least two people, as if they were keeping an eye on him. Jimin was exhausted every day as his physical capabilities were insufficent for hard physical activities. Other men were accustomed to such life. Even girls were tough, completely opposite to delicate and soft town ladies. What was the same was the unpleasant atmosphere, hostile looks, and prevalent silence.

The only time Jimin did not stand out was when it was raining. It was the time when villagers gathered inside, and listened to stories while doing less physically straining task, such as sewing or knitting. The narratives were strange, as Jimin did not know so many words that even children seemed to comprehend. The stories usually consisted of warnings, macabrical descriptions and unexpected turns of events. Jimin learned that people die when owls hoot, salt is usually unlucky or helpful (depending on its usage), one should never follow a stranger met in a forest, and moon phases are extremely important for various reasons. He grew to like rain because it gave him a break, a temporary belonging to the group or at least lack of unpleasant looks as people were focused on other things. Maybe these were things that his father wanted Jimin to know?

***

After twenty or so days of his stay at the village, Jimin noticed the change in the atmosphere. Folks were excited. More than that, he was told to complete only the usual chores done until afternoon. Having asked the reason, he was given an incredulous look and words "summer solstice" as the only explanation. It was the only time Jimin could rest from physical work, besides a few hours every seventh day (but then also he was involutarily participating in some rituals he did not fully understand). The tasks he received this time were not that straining - moving wood to the small glade located near the settlement, along with other men. Women were preparing food, more complex than usual, and younger girls were helping them, after they have cheerfully wreathed flower crowns and placed them on their heads. Many of those who could afford it wore a finer pair of clothing. Jimin wondered the meaning of this all, but kept quiet and was observing, as he did not expect anyone to intitate him into such practices.

When the sun set, a huge firewood was set alight in the middle of the glade. Folks feasted and drank incontinetly. He heard loud chats, joyful laughs, crude jokes, and music. Whoever wanted, danced around the campire. Elderly people were watching the festival tenderly, as if remebering the past. Here and there, Jimin saw many more people who he have never seen before, gathering to partake in the festival. The atmospere seemed to live itself, with all those folks seemingly intoxicated in their joy, wild, and dancing passionately. Later, Jimin wondered even more. He happened to see a married woman kissing another man than her husband. Having known that the woman was risking a lot, if the man found out, Jimin ransacked the crowd in the search of her spouse. But no one else seemed to care. Morevoer, most of these people have given in to the sensual mood. He saw more couples touching each other, or dancing in a lewd way, even in larger groups. Soon, a boozed man explained it to Jimin, unclearly spitting words. "You can fuck everyone you want, tonight," he said and handed him a bottle with doubtful content. "Bottoms up!" Jimin left with no choice emptied the bottle, coughed, and almost immediately felt his cheeks getting warmer. It was the first time he tried an alcohol that strong. Or maybe it was some kind of potion that bewitched all these people to surrender to their instincs? He did not know.

What he also did not know was how he joined the festival. He remembered just the glimses: dancing as in feverish state, someone's hands touching him, his hands also finding a way on some woman's body, her blonde hair that smelled like flowers, spinning endlessly, jumping wildly, then heated body, different scent, loud, loud laughs. Then he found himself breaking away from the crowd. With a realization that his head hurts, and he feels nauseous, he had to retreat from the noise. The only quiet place that popped into his thoughts, was the lake. He strode there, with difficulties in catching his balance, having cought glimses of couples absorbed in each other away from the glade, where the noise was less bothering.

***

Fighting against his unpleasant symptoms, Jimin sat and leaned his back against a tree. He tried to breathe in fresh air and focus on the sky. He closed his eyes, unable to resist sleepiness. When he lifted eyelids he was not sure how much time has passed. Now his gaze was magnetized by a female taking a dip in the lake. She was naked and lunar lustre made her hair look green. Jimin if caught would be surely made a pervert, so he managed to make his slowly reacting body to move away...

The realization came to him like a tide. Sadness was coming to Jimin with small waves, the level of despair increasing. The feeling of longing  for something never meant to be gained seemed to him as clear as the lake's surface. He gave in to wistfulness, and soon was about to drown in misery.

What stopped him was a merry thought, unwanted, but ceaseless, rapidly taking over the dolefulness. Jimin located where the euphoric sensation came from - it was the whistling he heard behind his back. He was also struck with the realization that he was standing in the lake with water level above his waistline, and the female in front of him who has drawn him here. Jimin locked his eyes with the woman, and the sorrowful song ceased, soon followed by whistling, and his mind was free of manipulation. The creature in front of him fizzled angrily at the person behind, showing her inhumane sharp teeth. Jimin stood unfazed, observing intently. Her livid skin, gill on neck; he wondered how did her song made him so influenced. Did she also feel what she sang about or was it just a trick? Maybe deep inside he knew she was not a part of the world he has lived in from the beginning, or maybe he did not recover completely from her charm. Jimin gently touched a wet strand of the creature's truly green hair, and whispered, "Pretty." Mad even more that a human whom a little while ago she almost made drown himself, dared to touch her, the female left Jimin with a quick bite on his hand, made a hissing sound and a splash was heard when she came back to the lake.

"Ah..." Jimin did not know what to make of it. His body shivered, finally reacted to cold water, no longer blocked from reality. Dizinness and uneasy revelation in his stomach also returned. A droplet of his blood dropped to the lake from a crescent shaped bite left on his palm. He still did not face a person behind his back. The presence was so strong that a creature who could kill him easily withdrew, having felt threatened by a stronger predator.Why did his self-preservation reacted just now? Was the danger worse than drowning?

He heard about perils of meeting strangers at forest. Maybe the village people were not that supersitious as he thought at first. Or maybe he was overreacting after almost dying, and the one who saved him needed at least a "thank you." "Or maybe the stronger peril had no power in the water," a voice whispered in his head. Another droplet of his crimson blood met the surface of the lake.

Jimin turned back and met the stranger's anticipating eyes. Very beautiful eyes, he admitted, surprised by this discovery. The young man in front of him was devilishly attractive. His face had an innocent charm, but body resembled the one of villagers who spent days on physical tasks. Jimin's gaze traced the silhouette of the stranger for a sign of anything inhumane. Not that he trusted his own judgement, and could do anthing to protect himself besides pathetic attempts, but it would be extremely stupid not to even try.

The stranger had a knapsack, and a sword attached to each hip. He passed the anti-peril check according to Jimin. This whole time the stranger was intently observing Jimin, but did not say a word. Only the amusing grin bloomed on his lips. "Very pretty lips," Jimin thought. He did not meet a man that handsome his entire life. However, he knew only a handful of people throughout his life so he could not be deemed an expert. Jimin finally opened his mouth to let the thankful phrase out, but what escaped was:

"Oh...! Are you also trying to allure me?"

The stranger blinked a few times, then bursted out laughing. Jimin stood unconcerned, excluding occasional shivers, with a fixed stare. The other man quickly understood that it was not a joke, and donned a more serious face.

"I did not know that rusalkas are venomous."

"Rusalkas...?"

"Yes. The lady who bit you was a rusalka."

Jimin's brows furrowed. He tried to gather the scraps of information he had heard about it, but his mind clouded by alcohol was not cooperating. The stranger sighed, and spoke in a mocking tone:

"Ve-no-mous. It means that rusalkas may have venom. It’s similar to poison. Do you know what's "poison"? It's the first time I have seen someone bit by one, so I am not sure. But your dull responses to incentives and spitting nonsense may suggest so. Will you contribute to the lore and let me see your wound?"

Good thing Jimin's skin was now grey-blue from staying in the cold water, otherwise his cheeks would have turned red. What choice did he have? He stepped out of the lake, obediently, and sat next to the young man, after being instructed to do so. The stranger took out some bandages and an ointment, then examined Jimin's hand in a dimmed light the moon was giving. It hurt his pride when he was insulted for ignorance, especially by a person he wished to impress. But maybe was it more beneficial to impose a simple villager? Jimin probably would do so if he was not itching to satisfy his curiosity.

"What is a rusalka?"

He was given a quick look of disbelief, and a question in response:

"You're not from here?"

Jimin's heart started pounding. Now it was revealed that he is an outsider, and no one would care if he disappeared. The feeling of fear gushed in his body, and he embraced it, surprised by its strength. Until now he did not realize that he cared for his worthless life that much. It was the most overhelming sensation he ever felt. He shaked his head as an answer. After a while, the stranger started applying the ointment on Jimin's hand - who gave up protesting due to lack of a better option - and explained:

"Rusalkas are young women who died near water before getting married. Because of that they are full of wrath and want to take revenge by luring in men, especially younger ones. They do that by using appearance and voice. And... they are not venomous," he added, having finished bandaging Jimin's hand. Then he packed the things to his knapsack.

"Thank you for the explanation. And saving me."

Jimin's savior just shrugged as if he was saving lives everyday. He got up, so did Jimin, struggling a bit to keep balance. Awkwardness hung in the air. As always when he attempted to talk to others, his analytic mind did not help. Overthinking everything resulted in keeping his mouth shut. Unless the encounters happened to be of romantic nature. Well, he did not had no talk much then. However, it was the only direction he was experienced to led a conversation into. The stranger adjusted the knapsack's position, getting ready to march. Foreknowing imminent parting and hating it to happen, Jimin asked:

"Have you come to the festival?"

The other boy responded even before he finished the question:

"Jungkook. ...Huh?"

"Huh?"

Jimin was given another disbelieving look. He was accustomed to this kind of stares, as if measuring whether he was serious. Jimin tried to stand straight - it helped to seem more confident - and do not let his lips quiver. He was also returning the scrutinizing look. What could go through thoughts of his savior? He did not know. Usually people shook their heads and left him wondering what went wrong. Much less meetings turned into pleasant ones, with actions not words.

Jungkook scoffed.

"Are you serious? Are you really asking me if I came here to partake in the Kupala Night?"

Jimin kept his resolve, but his interlocutor was awaiting an answer, so he nodded hesitantly.

"Is that the name of the festival?"

"Wha...? Didn't you know that?" Jungkook breathed in, seemingly to calm himself down, but after taking another look at the eyes sparking with naivety, he surrendered to his anger.

"Listen to me now, carefully. Your life was at stake just a while ago, you are alone, defenceless - from what I see - in forest during a night favourable for all the supernatural, you are half wet, shivering, injured; it's a miracle that you did not fainted yet looking at your small build. Moreover, you stink of moonshine, drugs, and at least two different women, and yet you are asking me - a complete stranger - to have s... asking what I think you are asking without even knowing my name? It seems that you know only one purpose of this festival."

Jimin, as instructed, listened carefully. Later, he will think about these things more, but for now now he was just thankful for the feedback. So much that he could not contain his smile.

"Jungkook...? Was that your name?"

The other boy was visibly flustered.

"Uh... Yeah. Yours...?"

"Jimin. I'm Jimin."

Jungkook sighed as the conversation stopped unlike Jimin's smile.

"Those shivers of yours are disturbing. Do you want to change clothes, or...?"

"Uhm. I am staying at the village. It's near," Jimin added proudly the name of the village, as it seemed that Jungkook liked names.

"I was on my way to that village. I have a business there. I really do. Do not have strange thoughts, got it? Show me the way."

Jimin eagerily did. Focusing on keeping balance, and making his body move as if not under influence of the alcohol - and drugs? He did not remember this part - he led the way, pivoting his short-term companion's words in his head. Jungkook knew a lot.

"What's moonshine?"

"A strong alcohol."

Jimin was thinking intensively. He had a lot of questions. Even in this state, a strange feeling started to simmer in him. As if he was not cognizant of something important. As if he lacked an element that would make this situation more understandable. He was sure that he could figure it all out when given more time. The irritating feeling became washed away when Jungkook started humming.

***

Jimin shared the small hut he had been assigned in the village with three other men who were now absent. The whole place seemed quiet except for muffled distant sounds of jollity. Similarly, his own thoughts appeared suppressed by a tune of Jungkook. Jimin meant to just change clothes and enjoy more time with the other boy, sacrificing his health, as he definitely should rest. With very little knowledge on the local customs, he was not sure if they would all work tommorow as any other day. But the decision drifted to him along with a sweet lullaby, and he fell asleep even without changing his soaked attire.

***

The door opened with a loud noise, waking Jimin up. Two hunky villagers grabbed him and dragged out. Confused, and having slept just a few hours judging by a weak first rays of sunshine, Jimin tried really hard to comprehend what was happening when he saw cold stares of a small crowd gathered outside. It mostly consisted of the strongest men in the village, but he saw also an elder woman - the chieftain, and a girl in her teens. Everyone had an improvised weapon - a hoe, a pitchfork, a bow, a knife, or an axe, like the one the man who manhandled him here was raising after he forced Jimin to kneel down. A sudden realization stroke him momentarily - it was his execution. But he did not comprehend the reasons. What was it, a nightmare? Jimin's wide-opened eyes skipped from one villagers to another, as the freezing fear overflowed him completely, making him unable to move and react at the slightest. His fate was decided. He was meant to die, to be killed here and now, and he saw it in every gaze, filled with hatred, somewhere mixed with fear and disgust, when finally he saw a probing fixed stare of the elder, and heard her commanding voice:

"Stop it. We are not barbarians. There is no evidence that it was his doing."

The man did not seem to be convinced at all, but he lowered the weapon. Not that Jimin saw it, as he was not looking at the gray-haired woman ceaselessly. She was his savior, he felt it with his whole being. If he was to lose her from sight, the death would come - unjust, ordinary, akin to those of animals killed for food - necessary, but not untouching even a bit for anyone.

"What else evidence do you need?" The man made a large move with his hand, as if showing the surroundings. What was wrong with them? Jimin's eyes wandered for a bit, and he saw bodies. Or more accurately, limbs departed from bodies, puddles of blood, grass stained with ugly dried scarlet, and the smell of innards made a way to nis nose. Jimin vomited, a first reaction of his body that he was aware of. Why do the villagers just stay here, accompanied by remains of a carnage? "We are not barbarians," said the head of the village. Still, they seemed unmoved by the sight of the bloodbath, focused on tracing his reactions, and Jimin started doubting whether the woman will really save him. Or was it a result of him breaking the gaze that has torn his bound with life? Jimin's body started shaking, or was it shaking all the time, and he realized it now?

The grey-haired woman's lips tightened as she observed Jimin's reaction.

"He knew the rules. Everyone does," the man added, trying to persuade her and gain the support of the crowd. Some people nodded.

"He did not know. I did not tell him. It is my fault." The woman's stare was challenging, as if she knew there would be no consequences for her to bear, but she also seemed distressed.

"Explain it to him now, child," she ordered the young girl, saving more time. Was it for Jimin, or for herself? It seemed as if she was hinting at something. Maybe Jimin should react? But how? Should he speak? He obviously could not run. So he was just passively conforming to their judgment even if it was not right.

Was it that what his father wanted him to learn from these people?

Jimin felt as if he was slowly splitting in halves. The sensation was familiar, almost like a déjà vu. There was one Jimin, kneeling and shaking, fear in his eyes. The other one seemed to just resurface from the depths of his mind, but still not reacting. Just observing, and frantically thinking, pondering, speculating, estimating.

"The Kupala Night is when we celebate fertility and ritual purification. Supernatural beings are drawned to this ceremony. Because it is the shortest night in the year, they are also allowed to take part. They can have fun with us. But as soon as the sun rises, they are no longer welcome. It is allowed for us to get rid of them, to kill them, to do as we please with them, as it is permitted for them to do so during the nightime. That is why one should not wander away from the campfires and stay with the group. Every morning after the Kupala Night, the elders and the strongests ones come to the village first, leaving the rest under the protection of sunlight. And every year, we find those who did not breach the rules - dead. Rarely we find the supernaturals to take care of. Often it is a newcomer who imposed a human... And those who are alive when they should be dead, having left the safe campfire, are surely the culprit."

The man seemed satisfied by the explanation.

"Still, he is alive. And those... bodies here... Look. Even if it was a human's doing... It is too brutal. And he is the last newcomer. There is no one else here who could have done that," he added, awaiting the decision of the grey-haired woman.

Jimin could not look at her now. Why didn't she tell him that? It was the common knowledge here. If he knew, he would not have left the gathering. He would not be suspected now if he only took more effort in trying to truly learn from those people, to talk to them, to understand them. His father will again be disappointed in him when the tidings of Jimin's death will reach his ears.

Will the sight of the fearful stares be the last thing left with him? Thinking of which, Jimin saw similar gazes when he was just a boy. He could not comprehend this feeling - fear - until last night. Maybe those people - his tutors, servants, even his mother - really had reasons to be scared of him? Perhaps it was all really his doings. Perhaps he was truly a monster. Jimin lowered his head even more, and his glance landed on his hands. One of which was bandaged. How could he forget the strange encounter? Jungkook's words came back to him as clear as the lake's surface. "I was on my way to that village. I have a business there. I really do." Jimin's heart started pounding even more, as the elements of the odd puzzle he could not fit before, now started to become obvious. Jungkook was travelling alone, at night. Judging by his knapsack, he did not come from a neighbouring village. There was no horse, meaning he must have travelled on foot... from far away. The seaths of his swords indicated clearly that he was not a commoner, but at that time Jimin deemed it normal, as he had seen vistors coming to the manor having ones of similar quality. Villagers did not even posses a sword. And during Jungkook's outburst of rage, what was also strange?

"...you stink of moonshine, drugs, and at least two different women..."

"...night favourable for all the supernatural..."

Was Jungkook a supernatural being with a strong sense of olfaction? If so, why did he not kill Jimin? Was is just to make him take all the blame for the said "business"? Somehow, even now when a decision of his life or death was about to be made, Jimin was not able to voice the proofs of his innocence. Not because they would be most likely deemed excuses, or because the odd melody kept his mouth shut, or because his memories were assumably clouded by intoxicants, but because he could not believe that a boy with such a kind smile could be so merciless. His unusual attraction to Jungkook kept him silent. Or maybe the other Jimin persuaded him that this way his death will not be in vain. That he could somehow take Jungkook's blame. A perspective of something having a meaning in his dull life has become alluring.

The prolonged silence was broken. Not by a death sentence, but by remote screams.

"Help! It's one of them!"

Villagers rushed to take care of the danger. In the commotion that arose the elder gave Jimin a meaningful look that almost screamed "Run. That's your chance". She was giving him a permission and he did not know why. Did she pity him that much or did she do so to ease her conscience of not informing him properly? Whatever the reason, Jimin stayed. He did not wish to run like a prey just to be caught. Comparing his physique to the bulkier ones here, considering that they had dogs and horses, he had no chances. Or maybe he was irrationally mad when the thought that his life finally had a meaning vanished.

A strong grasp helped him stand, and he rushed with the rest of citizens to a barn situated at rather external part of the village. Men held their weapons pointing at a monster inside - large as a horse, with rear end turned to the entrace, and eight legs crested with fangs. An unpleasant sounds of chewing were heard in the silence that came. A bloody slop that used to be a young boy fell down from the female spider's jaws when she turned to face those who came.

"Like a moth to a flame," the creature spoke, a craze in her unnaturally big eyes. Jimin could swear that the arthropod smiled before attempting an attack. She swinged her fangs dripping with blood, and the villagers responded by offensive. Jimin himself was terrified, frozen with fear. This feeling became mixed with astonishment when he saw the bravery, lack of hestitation, and fierce fighting of those people armed with mostly agricultural tools.

Soon, it was over. Fortunately, there was no victims in people - only injuries - besides those the spideress managed to devour earlier. Jimin heard some words in the hustle and bustle.

"...venom, it's venom, bring the ointment..."

"...the monster must have been drugged by drinking their blood..."

"... my child, my dear child..."

"...count the victims..."

"...still checking the other buildings..."

"...those in cocoons..."

Jimin came back to reality, forced to face it, when the strong grip on his arm tightened. Why was he so careless again that he aborted the observation and did not notice the people in the web of the monster? He quickly started to absorb all the information and crave it in his mind, as he used to. He spotted more crimson remains, two blood-stained swords on the ground, a corpse of another huge monster, exactly he same like the one just slain, when irritatingly his gaze stopped once more. This time it was on a knapsack he knew so well. Jimin felt that his lips were dry as he searched for the owner of the bag. Some of the men were cutting the spider's threads. He heard cries of joy that the victims-to-be are alive. They were being carried probably to an infirmary, so there was a chance that they will survive. Apparently the spideress preferred the victims to be alive.

"Anyone knows him?" Jimin's gaze wandered to a vilalger who has stopped cutting ties of a young man, his knife hanging in the air. And he saw the face of the would-be prey. Jungkook. With a narrow vertical wound close - too close - to his neck. Words of the girl pealed out in Jimin's head, "It is allowed for us to get rid of them, to kill them..."

"Me! I know him!" Jimin shouted without thinking, overflown by panic, his eyes fixed on the knife hanging too nearly to the defenceless supernatural. With a sudden movement Jimin escaped the grasp and dashed in the direction of Jungkook, covering the boy by placing himself in front of the man who has shouted.

"I will make him free," Jimin added, forcing a smile, and reaching out for the knife. The man exchanged glances with the head of the village, and consented.

Jimin immediatedly turned back to face Jungkook and started tearing the bounds. Frightened that this decision can be changed any time, haste overtook his movements. Even then he saw how Jungkoook breathed heavily, suffering from a fever, blood loss, his face shining with sweat, and this horrible open wound made Jimin's hands shake with fear. His condition was much worse than others who were about to get devoured. Shouldn't the supernatural be more resistant generally? As the last remnats of spider web fell, Jimin was hit by a sudden realization. Venom. This was the first thing Jungkook voiced during their encounter. Could it be that it concerned him because it was his weak point? Jimin glanced over in order to find the knapsack with the ointment that Jungkook was so kind to apply earlier on his hand.

Then he noticed the silence. The barn was almost empty. Only the grey-haired woman, the teenage girl, and three muscleheads were inside other than he and Jungkook. Jimin realized that since now he has exhibited rather frantical behaviour. He tried to don a composed mask, as when he used to recite poems to seduce girls. With the exception that now his heart was pounding like crazy.

Jimin stood up from a squat, the knife still in his hand. He was unsure if he would use this weapon, but simultaneously he was extremely convinced that he would not hesitate.

"Please. Let us go. The bodies there... It was not my doing. You know that."

Jimin himself heard that his voice sounded whiny and unstably. Yet his eyes were desperate. The others must have realized that, because the men moved slightly forward as if to cover the females. The elder spoke.

"The fact that you are alive is an exceptional occurence. And I would like to know the exact reason. And the supernatural... You know our laws." Her eyes were drilling right through Jimin. But he really did not know why was he alive. The situation was getting more tense. Jimin felt his palm sweating on the knife's handle.

Jungkook moved with a groan, and lifted eyelids. He must have decided to join the conversation now, but it seemed that he was aware of the situation, even if partially. It was painfully obvious that he is too weak to even make small movements smoothly. The two of them were no match to the five remaining villagers. Nevertheless, Jimin was ready to fight desperately.

"I have done that," Jungkook spoke, and all the hope left Jimin. He felt that all the muscles in his body were ready to defend them both, but the three other men must have awaited the order from the head of the village. Which did not come, because Jungkook continued speaking, not without effort.

"It was me who killed those spiderlings imposing humans. I used Jimin as a decoy, so they would all gather. There may have been some villagers among them, I admit, but it was self-defense. They were bewitched by the spideress. Well, one of them. Whom I also happened to kill. The other one... I did not expect. If I did, I would even clean up the mess... Maybe. You can thank me by letting us go." Jungkook grinned despite being clearly in pain, and in no position to make demands.

The speech was cocky and it would impress Jimin under other circumstances, maybe when his life would not be threatened for a third time in a span of not even twelve hours.

"We have our laws. You know them. We can do as we please with supernatural beings, and..." the elder woman spoke, but the younger girl interrupted her.

"And I wish to let you go," and mouthed "thank you". Jimin was confused. Was she also manipulated by Jungkook's tune? He did not hear a thing. He also doubted if her words will be taken seriously. Surprisingly, they were. The villagers seemed reluctant, but they visibly relaxed.

"Don't take your time," the elder woman warned, and they left the barn. Jimin's legs gave up just a moment later. But he was not given any time to recover nor to express how he felt about this whole situation, because of Jungkook's command.

"My swords."

Jimin was about to protest, but he met a gaze made of steel, so he abode, and brought the weapons. Jungkook placed them in the sheath using only right hand. The wound on his left side closely to neck must have been so severe that he prefered not even move a muscle near this part. The grin also left his face, subsituted with an aching expression.

"My knapsack". Another order.

"Ah... The oitnment...!" Jimin exclaimed, but the other boy stopped him.

"No. Just take it. We must leave this place."

"But... the venom..."

Jimin was again left with no place to argue as Jungkook attempted to stand up. He quickly put on the knapsack, and supported the other young man from his right side. Jungkook led the way.

***

The sun was high in the sky when Jungkook finally decided that they can make a stop. He instructed Jimin how to treat his wound. Obviously, he had no antidote prepared. The treatment was only external. The venom spread out more inside his body, and the symptoms were more severe. Jungkook breathed with more difficulties, the fever and sweating were not stopping, and his eyelids became heavier.

"I would be dead if I were a human. I must rest to let my organism fight the venom," he explained, and closed eyes not waiting for response.

"Wow, you really live your life just the way you want..." Jimin mumbled, sitting next to lying Jungkook.

His adrenaline levels came down, even though he was still worrying having heard such carefree words. Why was he worried? He met Jungkook just yesterday, but his life began changing rapidly since that moment. He was strangely attracted to the young man. Appearance aside, Jimin realized that he aspired to be like Jungkook: independent, strong, with a confidence to do reckless things and a lot knowledge about the world. Since now he must have been afraid to face the person he was, so he blindly followed his parents' wishes. The affairs or spending time on poetry or horse riding were just a temporary illusion of behaving the way he wanted. Jimin knew it all the time, but refused to admit it. Seriously, what was he doing with his life? Jungkook travelled alone, was strong enough to fight and decide his own fate, and Jimin was not even physically able to carry out daily tasks with which villagers had no problems.

Jimin's stomach rumbled, but he did not react. He would rather not leave Jungkook's side now. Besides, he had only a vague idea about survival. He cursed himself for wasting so much of his life. What was it that his father wanted him to learn? Or was it only an excuse to get rid of a useless son? Jimin was even hopeless regarding taking care of Jungkook. Should he cover him with some clothes to keep him warm or maybe to cool his body? Decisions were scary. They could lead to many wrong outcomes. Yet, what Jimin experieced until now were unhappy times - a result of his idlessness. He was determined to change his life. He will stick to Jungkook until when he will be able to live indepedently. He will try to live bravely and sincerely.

He really will, after his tears will dry.

There were so many decisions awaiting. His path was full of possibilities.

From now on all the questions and answers depended solely on himself.

[cielpurrple]

Make Me 18.2

Pairing: Jimin x Reader Word count: 7472 Warnings: cursing, #SelfControlCHIM 

Summary: Give Y/N a fire truck loaded with holy water, she’s thirsty!!!

The thought of you and Jimin being together in one house again made your stomach tumble. You tried to keep your excitement to yourself as you supress the smile that’s forming on your lips while a lot of thoughts with a plan of surprising Jimin once in a while came into your mind.

As you watch the view from the window, you began planning what would you cook for him, a weekly movie date, maybe in blanket and pillow forts; things like that. You then felt his hand search for yours, so you took his hand and looked at him, only to find out that he’s eyes were already on you.

“What?”

You half chuckle as you ask him.

“Nothing, I’m just happy you’re with me right now, going home,” he smiled back.

You internally prayed that your blush was concealed by the darkness of the night.

“Eyes on the road,” you reminded him to concentrate in driving.

“Aye, aye,” he shifted his gaze.

After passing different landmarks, you were now slowing down into another expensive looking residential area. He turned left and approached a tall, dark metal gate. As you observed, it’s also automatic but when you pass by, two men dressed identically as his grandmother’s bodyguards gave him a polite bow as a greeting.

He stopped in front of the house, get out of the vehicle, and opened the door for you and offered his hand which you gladly accepted. You thanked him while he guided you out of his car. The men earlier carried your belongings and brought it beside the front door.

Your eyes scanned your surroindings although it’s dark, you cannot deny that it’s beautifully kept and expensively designed.

“Shall we come inside?” he asked.

You nod. He pushed the door, but to your surprise, he suddenly scooped you up bridal style which made you squeak. Then you noticed you weren’t alone, a familiar scenario wherein people stood in two lines greeted you.

“Put me down Jimin, it’s embarrassing!” you half whispered, half screamed.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that until we’re at the bottom of the stairs,” he relpied as he walked past the people who’s looking at the two of you.

He carefully put you down when you’re at the bottom of the stairs. You scanned the interioirs of his house and it’s mostly earth colors with a bit of blacks, reds, and greens.

“I wanna show you something, come,” he held your hand and slightly dragged you to wherever it is that he wanted to show you.

You walked past the kitchen, a large dining area, until he slide one of the glass doors and pressed a switch.

You smiled as you saw a swimming pool, with fake candles floating around it.

“It’s so beautiful,” you whispered.

“That’s nothing compared to what I’m looking at,” he replied.

You turned to look at him so you could see where he is looking, you gave him a shy smile as you see him looking at your direction, straight to your eyes.

“May I dance with you?” he suddenly asked for your permission out of the blue.

“There’s no music, how are we—“ you were cut off when a soft melody from you don’t know where became audible.

“Now, may I have this dance?” he offered his hand to you this time and you accepted it.

You lightly placed your arms on his shoulders as he put his hands on both sides of your waist. You let him guide your movements, and slowly swayed into the music.

“How clever, you planned this don’t you?” you spoke as you looked at him.

“Of course, I wanted to make a bigger, grander welcome party for you but I didn’t have much time and graduation’s there so this is just what I managed to do,” he explained.

You shook your head in disbelief, with the thought that he’s still thinking his efforts wasn’t enough.

“I’ve told you many times, you’re presence is enough remember?” you looked into his eyes which seems to sparkle in the pale lights.

“This is me, making up for the days I wasn’t able to be with you, and of course last Valentine’s and White day baby,” he replied.

“Aww, how sweet of you,” you couldn’t help but to hug him in return of his efforts.

“Welcome home, Y/N.” He whispered.

“Thanks, I’m glad to be home, with you.” you relpied.

Your words made Jimin search for your lips and kiss you gently.

“You looked beautiful on that dress baby,” he commented.

“Thanks, your grandmother sent me this,” you confessed.

“I should give her a call and thank her then,” he replied.

“No, we should visit her instead,” you suggested.

“That’s a better idea, but before that, why don’t we change into comfy clothes? I’ll take you to your room,” he offered.

You nod at him and let him lead.

He immediately brought you to your bedroom door.

“This is it, your room.” he said while he pointed at the closed door.

“Thank you. um, where’s yours?” you asked innocently but to Jimin, that question of yours made him feel nervous and excited.

“It’s for you to find out princess, now go get changed.” He said as he watch you enter your room.

Upon entering, you were surprised and delighted to see that your room is decorated in pastel colors, same with your room at his grandmother’s house.

You carefully took off your dress, and hung it neatly for dry cleaning later.

You stared at your reflection, wearing that sexy underwear and that’s when you remembered what Jungkook told you. But another thought which was Z’s advice came popping into your mind. You sighed as you pulled your luggage and grabbed whichever clothing was on top. You’re now wearing shorts and an oversized shirt. You started unpacking while waiting for Jimin although you want to search for him.

You’ve finished placing all of your belongings to it’s appropriate places and yet, he hasn’t come around so you got bored. You lied on your bed and it’s so fluffy, it feels so comfortable.

You pulled the strap of your bag and pulled your phone out. You were surprised to see several messages from the boys, and from your parents.

You replied to  your father first whom asked how did your move went. You told him that it went out smoothly since you don’t have much things to pack and bring in  the first place.

Your father called after you replied and you excitedly answered it.

“Heya, dad!” you greeted him.

[Aren’t you too cheery for bedtime?] his frown is visible through the video call.

“It’s  because I miss you and, I ate sweets for dessert earlier,” you replied.

You smiled even wider when your mother comes in and joined the conversation, carrying Potchi.

“Hi mom! Hello Mr. Potchi!” you greeted them.

[Hello, darling, Potch say hi] she held one of the dog’s front leg and waved it.

[So, how’s your move?] your father asked.

“It was okay, I just brought my clothes and school stuffs,” you replied.

You gave them a tour on your room and as you do it, your father suddenly speak.

[If that’s your room, where’s Jimin and where is his room?] he probed.

“We talked an hour ago Dad, and I don’t have an idea where his room is”

Your father just gave a hum as a response. Then, you told them that Jimin’s house was also spacious  and the only thing that differs is that it’s modern and he has people working for him.

[So, does that mean the two of you are not alone in that house, correct?] your father confirms.

“Yes, Dad. We’re about ten here? I think.” You assured him.

[Alright, don’t forget to study okay?] your father reminded you.

“Yes Dad!” you smiled.

Then he passed the phone to your mother who’s now walking away to the living room and went to your unoccupied room.

[I wanted to tell you this in person but it will take so much time so, this will do...] your mother started

Your heart suddenly became uneasy, it began to beat faster.

“What is it Mom? C’mon, you can tell me” you said.

[I know this is out of the blue and I know that you are a smart girl, a good girl...] she said, as she sat down on the edge of your bed, adjusting the phone so you can still see her.

You waited for her to continue, She sighed and started talking again.

[Well, let me make this short honey, just take care of yourself and behave okay?] she gave a small smile in the end.

“Of course, Mom. I love you. Tell dad and Potch I love them too.”

[Rest well, and text me still every day, okay?]

“Will do Mom. Good night, bye.”

You stared at your phone for a little while as you think about what’s going on in your mother’s mind that she can’t say directly at you.

Then you chose to open Jungkook’s message

[From: Jungkook

Havin’ a fun night? :p]

[To: Jungkook

Of course! Jimin and Taehyung just graduated. Aren’t you happy for them?]

[From: Jungkook

*eye roll gif* ofc i’m happy. What I’m saying is, are you having fun wd Jimin – hyung right now?]

[To: Jungkook

Yes.]

You waited for his reply but he didn’t seem to read your last message. You waited for Jimin to knock on your door but still he hasn’t returned yet and you wanted to watch TV but you’re hesitant to go downstairs because of what he did earlier.

You sighed as you press your speed dial number 3, and waited for the other line to ring but, you were quite surprised when Jimin’s phone number is busy. So you left him a text message asking if he’s awake.

You waited for his reply but there’s no response for him until you finally fall asleep.

Meanwhile, after Jimin brought you to your room, he ran towards his own room which is just at the other end of the hall from yours and went straight to the shower. That dress of yours although it’s far from revealing made him feel some sort of way. This dress was more tempting than what you wore during Summer Solstice. He calmed himself down as the water gushes over his body. He dressed quickly so he can hang out with you again but he noticed that the door to his office is open. He kicked it and revealed Hoseok, who jumped into his seat due to shock.

“For heaven’s sake, you surprised me.” he said while clutching his heart.

“Ditto, what do you need from me in on this hour?” he said in a serious manner.

“Well, I just came here out of curiosity,” he replied while looking at his fingernails.

“So, you really mean it huh, the moving in thingy?”

Jimin returned Hoseok’s question with a stare.

“Well, it seems that you’re really serious about that plan” he smiled awkwardly.

“I am.” Jimin responded dryly.

“How about her, are you serious about her?” Hoseok replied with now a hint of seriousness on his tone.

Jimin kept quiet, trying to calm himself down. He doesn’t want to talk to Hoseok at this late of night, and not now that you’re living together.

“Just tell me your goddamn business here right now so we can end it.” Jimin snapped.

Hoseok sighed, and began talking.

“Are you gonna tell your girlfriend you know, her?”

Jimin’s eyes widen upon realizing what he’s talking about. His face lost it’s color.

“If I can avoid it, I wouldn’t.” He replied firmly.

It’s Hoseok’s turn to be surprised this time.

“Wouldn’t it be unfair to Y/N, Jimin?” He leaned closer to the table, anticipating his answer

“Now is not the right time to tell her anything about her. Now, can you leave?” Jimin starts to lose his cool.

Hoseok, stood up while both arms are slightly raised and exited the house while Jimin touched his forehead trying to stay calm. When that didn’t work, he turned the monitor of his computer and began working which took until wee hours of the night. He wanted to punch himself for that so he left his work and went to your room.

He softly knocked and called your name and when he didn’t hear any response, he opened the door and quietly peeked. He saw your sleeping form on the large bed but you’re not under the covers so he slowly went inside tryig not to wake you up.

He pulled the duvet as slowly as he could, and put it on top of your sleeping state.

“Good night princess, see you later.” He whispered and left.

You were sleeping peacefully when you heard a soft voice calling you.

“Princess, wake up~” you heard a familiar voice.

You slowly open your eyes and you instantly smiled upon seeing Jimin, aka your boyfriend.

“There, good morning, princess. Had a good rest?” he asked.

“Yes. The bed is comfy, thank you.” you smiled at him.

“Of course. So, shall we have some breakfast?”

You glanced at your clock and it’s already 9 o’clock.

“Can I atleast make myself presentable?”

He nods and sat at the edge of your bed.

When you’re ready, the both of you went downstairs together and went straight to the dining room.

You were surpised with a lot of food that’s nicely prepared on the table.

“So, do we have guests?” you asked.

“Uh, no, we don’t have. Why?” he looked around to choose the food that he liked and reached for some salad.

You looked around and you chose to eat ham and egg sandwich.

“There’s so much food,” you replied.

“Well, I actually prepared everything today I thought you’d like it.” he pouted.

“Yeah, I like It but it’s too many, we can’t eat everything even until late in the evening.” You explained.

“Don’t worry, we’ll share it to everybody,” he smiled.

The two of you enjoyed the breakfast together. You told him you wanted to watch TV. Instead of bringing you to the living room, he brought you to his mini theater that’s complete with equipment plus game consoles.

“So, what do you wanna watch? Horror? Sci-Fi? Romance?”

“What do you want to watch?” you asked back.

So the two of you ended watching Toy Story.

You got bored in the middle of the second movie when he received a call and excused himself. You’re not intersted in watching anymore so you played a game with your phone.

“Sorry about that,” he said when he returned to take a seat beside you.

He probably noticed you’re bored so he paused the movie.

“Let’s go somewhere else, go get changed.” He said as he stood up and run towards the exit while you follow him.

You easily made a mental map of the places you would probably use when you’re at home so it’s easy for you to go to your room from the mini theater. You took a quick shower and wear comfy, casual clothes.

You went downstairs so you could wait for him there and as you do, the helpers who pass you by either greets you politely or awkwardly which make you feel uneasy.

A few minutes have passed and you heard someone coming and to your relief, it’s Jimin.

“Shall we go?”

You nod.

He approached one of the helpers and told him that you wouldn’t be home until late night.

The car was already waiting at the front door so you both hopped in and he drive away.

A few minutes in your road trip, you wanted to ask him where are you going but it might spoil the fun so you just kept quiet.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he said.

“What do you want to know?” you replied without looking at him.

“Anything and everything that makes your mind wanders off of me,” he said.

“Well, to be honest, I kinda feel somewhat uneasy with the people around the house, I think they’re afraid of me? or perhaps, annoyed?” you blurted.

Jimin chuckled at your statement.

“Princess, I apologize but you have to understand  that they were given an order by gram to be like that,” he explained.

“Don’t worry because they’re not gonna stay in the house except for the security. They’re on call.”

You processed what he said and when you get it, that’s the time you reacted.

“It means, it’s just us that really lives there?” you confirmed.

“Yes, Just like before,” he replied.

You felt somewhat relieved and scared at the same time knowing that you’ll be living together just like before. You passed the expressway and you began to question him where are you going and instead of a proper answer, he just gave you a smile.

An hour has passed and you ended up watching a random series on your phone when he slowed down and passed a toll gate.

“Wait, where are we going, Can you please tell me now?” you now begged.

“You’ll find out soon enough baby, don’t rush,” he grinned.

You sighed and let him drive as you continued watching.

Another hour has passed and you needed  to stop for a quick break. You stretched your limbs and so is he. He even bought some snacks.

You stopped watching the series when you got bored and just quietly observe the view from the car when you realized where it’s going.

“Wait, I know this road! Don’t tell me—“ you looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Told you you’ll know soon enough. Yes, we’re going to visit your parents,” he finally revealed your destination.

You smack his arm in excitement. You wanted it to be a surprise so you just texted your parents that you’re fine.

Although you don’t want to sleep, your eyes grew tired while watching the view that you’ve been seeing for the past few hours, you accepted defeat and dozed off.

“Baby wake up now,” he gently tapped your shoulder and you immediately responded to him, giving him a smile.

“Where are we?” you looked at your surroundings and it’s already dark. Your eyes landed on the arch that welcomes you home. It made you smile wider.

“Let’s take you to your parents,” he said as he continued to drive.

He parked near your house and you couldn’t help but to jump for joy when you see the very welcoming vibe of your house.

You tried opening the gate as quiet as you could and when you’re both inside, you locked.

You went to check the backyard. Nobody’s there so you knock.

Not a minute has passed and your mother opened the door for you whom screamed in surprise upon seeing you.

“Oh my goodness honey, honey, Y/N’s here!” she shouted at the direction of the living room.

Your father suddenly popped out of nowhere, he’s already behind your mother.  

She welcomed you with a hug and you returned it with a much tighter one.

“Mooooommm, I missed you~” you said sweetly.

“I missed you too—what are you standing there, Jimin come here and give me a hug!”

You giggled as you noticed the similarity of your mom to Jimin’s grandmother. He greeted your parents politely and your mother hugged him as if he was her own son.

“Come in, make yourself comfortable and I’ll make something. I bet you’re hungry,” she disappeared in the kitchen.

“Potchiiii!” You excitedly greeted your dog but instead of coming to you, he almost jump into Jimin, licking his face.

Your father was facing the two of you, eyeing your movements which made you and Jimin sit still. Your father’s expression was too funny for you so you couldn’t help but giggle which made the atmosphere lighter.

“I’m glad you have the time to visit us  although it’s really far from the city,” he said.

“I just wanted Y/N to see you more often if we have time.” Jimin replied.

They talked about different things until food comes in. You all enjoyed that simple yet special dinner together.

After the meal, Jimin was invited by your father to drink which you immediately said yes to. You help your mother in folding the freshly laundered clothes when she suddenly speak.

“I am glad that you visited, really.”

“I’m happy too Mom. To be honest this is unplanned.” You confessed.

“How sweet of him dear, I’m thankful that you’ve met a guy like him, my mind is at peace,” she said.

“Moomm, we just visited you, it’s not like we’re gonna get married or something.” You tried to sound normal but you couldn’t help but to smile.

“We will never know dear, by the looks of it, a proposal from him might be just around the corner,” she teased.

You gave her a pout with the hopes that your blush will be concealed.

Your mother continued to tease you but you just laughed with her.

Meanwhile, your father and Jimin spends the night having a one on one drinking session in silence when your father spoke.

“Congratulations by the way,” he started.

“Thank you sir, your daughter was my inspiration.” He confessed.

Your father gave Jimin a sincere smile upon hearing his statement.

“Jimin, thank you for updating me regularly of my daughter’s activities, I truly appreciate it.” he continued.

“About your vacation, you have my permission. Just you know, don’t forget our agreement, alright?”

Jimin thanked your father in giving the permission for you to tag along, and promised your father that he would not break his promise.

To be honest, one of Jimin’s purpose was one, to ask permission from your father so he could take you somewhere during summer break; two, he wanted you to see your parents as often as possible.

After helping your mother, she let you go downstairs so you can have some time with Jimin and your father.

You smiled as you saw the both of them playing a mobile game, Jimin has his competitive face on while your father looks like he’s winning.

“What’s up?” you sat on the space beside your father to watch what they’re playing.

They’re playing some sort of a card game.

You watched it for some time but your father and boyfriend’s reactions were even more entertaining so you just watched them instead of the game. You even took a stolen picture for memory’s sake.

You were surprised to see a text message from Taehyung and Jungkook. You chose to read Taehying’s first.

[From: Taehyung

How’s future Mrs. Park doing? Your future husband seemed busy, I hope he’s busy because you’re with him ;)

[To: Taehyung

He’s in a very serious meeting.

Photo0221]

You attached the picture that you took last. You then opened Jungkook’s message.

[From: Kookie

Mrs. Park, yuhoo~]

[To: Kookie

Shut up.]

[From: Kookie

:P nope. I know you like it tho. >:P]

You stopped exchanging messages to them when Jimin screamed in defeat and your father let out a monstrous, triumphant laugh.

“Go, go and console your boyfriend there,” he said as he wiped a tear from his eye due to laughter.

You looked at Jimin who smiled at you.

“I’ll be calling it a day, if you two have plans in going out, make sure you keep the gate closed aryt? You know where the keys are, Y/N.” He said as he stepped upstairs.

Your mother served you some late night snacks and even prepared a spot for Jimin to sleep. The two of you thanked her and you smiled at him cutely.

He pat the spot which he wanted you to sit so you went closer to him and wrapped his arms around you.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” you looked at him.

“It will always be my pleasure, princess.” He smiled.

You gave him a hug in return, and he kissed your forehead.

“Maybe let’s call it a night,” he said and yawned.

“Yes, right you’ve been driving all day.”

“I’ll see you later.” He let go of you.

“Good night, Jimin.”

“Good night,”

You went upstairs while he prepare himself to lie down and sleep.

When you’re on your room, your dog was already on the foot of your bed, watching you.

“What are you looking at? You didn’t even greet me properly.” you pout and heard your dog whine which made you giggle.

You lied down and your dog rested itself on the empty space and faced you.

“You like him too, don’t you?” you said as you play with his fur.

“Well, I don’t just like him, I love him too Potch, I think I love him very much.” You confessed.

That night, you sleep with a wide smile on your face.

The next day came and you planned on helping your mother to cook breakfast but you’re too late. When you went downstairs, the table’s filled with delicious breakfast, with the help of Jimin which earned praises from both of your parents.

After cleaning up, you told your parents that you have to go back to the city. They both bid you goodbyes plus several reminders.

It was a nice view seeing your father giving Jimin a pat on the back and ruffling his hair while Jimin smiled. It made your heart melt a bit.

“Take care, you two!” your mother said. You rolled the windows down and waved them goodbye.

“Now, where shall we go next?” he looked at his phone.

“Huh? We’re going somewhere else?”

“Maybe somewhere that’s along the way.” He said

“That would be great!” you agreed.

You’re half way from the City when Jimin read an ad about a villa. He turned to the direction the ad points it’s way.

It took you less than an hour to locate the villa and you instantly fell in love with the place upon seeing the entrance.

It’s covered in flowers, the place seemed like a place from a story book.

When the car’s already parked, you excitedly get out of it. You grabbed Jimin’s hand which he laced with yours. He let you lead.

You instantly smiled when you saw a sunflower field and you told him to take a picture of you there which he gladly did, followed by a picture of you two.

You walked around some more and there’s a carnival. You played bump cars and after that you had some snack in a form of corn dogs and juice.

you walked even further and you noticed a beautiful chapel just like the entrance, it’s filled with beautiful flowers.

You jogged towards it only to find that there’s an event.

You stood at one of the sides when a friendly usherette approached you. She offered you a seat but you declined. You chose to stand on one corner that’s concealed from the view of the guests.

A few minutes has passed when somebody announced the arrival and entrance of the bride and groom. This made you feel excited.

As the doors opened, the guests looked back and the music began to play. The bride looked so beautiful, wearing an off-white floor length gown while the groom looked dashing in a navy blue suit.

You looked at the guests and you assume that the women crying are the mothers.

You watched the entire ceremony and when it’s time for the exchange of rings, you felt a gentle hand holding yours.

You looked to your left, seeing Jimin look at you, his eyes once again sparkling. He then lifted your hand and tied a ribbon on it, attached is a yellow balloon.

You giggled at his actions, making you feel mushy inside.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announced.

You felt your lips touched something soft, you realized Jimin is kissing you.

And you kissed him back.

When you heard the applause of the guests the two of you let go of each other and instead linked your hands together and walked away from the chapel.

The two of you decided to continue driving. You placed the balloon on the backseat and let it bounce there.

“Did you liked our detour?”

“I loved it!” you replied excitedly.

“That place is so magical, as if we’re on a fairy tale,”

“Yeah, that place is nice,” he agreed.

“And can you believe it, we even witnessed a wedding! It’s not like I haven’t into one before but, that’s different. It’s so nice, and everybody seemed happy.” You smiled as you recall your favorite part.

You earned some giggles and hums from Jimin as you drive back to the city.

The drive back was fast. You reached home around 3PM and greeted with an empty house. No helpers, gardeners, just the security team that’s roaming around outside.

Jimin wrapped his arms around you from behind, and you pat his head as he rest it on your shoulder.

“You should take a rest, you’ve been driving for two days,” you convinced him.

“Yeah maybe I should, but I have a favor to ask,” he said.

“Join me,let’s take a nap.” He whispered.

You suddenly felt warm, but you’re more concerned about his health so you brush aside your thoughts.

“Okay, let’s take a nap,” you agreed.

He lead the way, and he opened another room which seemed to be another gaming room.

“Is this your room?” you looked around, and found several photos of the boys hanging on the wall.

“No, but here’s where Taehyung and the rest of our friends stay most of the time.

“Yeah, I can see that.” you smiled.

Jimin pressed something and the sofa became a large bed.

“Oh, that’s why they prefer to stay here,” you imagine them fighting over a spot on the bed.

He climbed the bed and stretched, patting the space he made for you.

You slowly climbed and lied down, turning to your side, you looked into each other’s eyes until you couldn’t take it anymore.

“Close your eyes now and sleep,” you said to him.

“Close yours first,” he said, his tiredness is showing.

“Thank you Jimin, thank you for surprising me,” you said as you slowly flutter your eyes, sleep is starting to win over you.

“I love you, Y/N” was the last thing you heard from Jimin.

“WAKE UP YOU TWO, IT’S TIME TO PARTY!” a loud music made your eyes open in an instant, realizing you’re not alone with Jimin anymore.

You tried shutting them up, telling them that Jimin is tired.

“Can you tell us why he is tired, Y/N-nie?” Jungkook suddenly came out of nowhere.

“We visited my parents, he drived” you replied matter-of-factly.

“That’s all?” Jungkook’s disappointment is evident.

“Yes, that’s all.” You dismissed the topic.

“But we still need to wake him up.” Jungkook sat beside you.

“Why?” you disagreed.

“We’re going somewhere. Pack clothes that’s enough for a week.”

“Okaaaay, wake him gently, I don’t want him stressed.” You exited the room and went to yours.

You began putting clothes on your backpack when you noticed the paper bag of the lingerie that you bought. You were more determined to surprise him this time.

You grabbed it, and placed it at the bottom most part of your bag.

When you’re done, you heard the boys  cheer, Jimin’s up.

“Sorry they wake you up,” you looked at him.

“Nah it’s alright, this was planned beforehand,  I just didn’t know that it’ll be today.” He said.

“Are you ready?” you wanted to help him pack.

“Yes. Are you?” he looked at you.

You nod and showed your backpack.

“Then let’s get going.” He said and you left the house.

You were dropped at the largest pier in the city, you’re wondering where you’re going.

“There it is!” Taehyung pointed at a luxurious ship.

You watched the ship approach the pier. Several men waited as it send signals. When it stopped, Taehyung began walking and you all followed.

You were greeted and welcomed with flower garlands on your necks.

“Here’s your keycards, don’t lose it.” Taehyung handed one keycard and when he approached you two, he smiled mischievously.

“Which one of you’s the better keeper?” he asked.

The both of you looked at each other at the same time, and both chuckled.

“I’ll just entrust this to you, Y/N. Let’s meet up here again but for the meantime, let’s drop our bags in our rooms!” he ran after that.

The rest of you went to ride the elevator and you all went to your respective rooms.

It’s a luxurious suite you and Jimin have. And funny thing is, there’s only one enormous bed.

You placed your bag on one of the side while Jimin followed.

He sat on the couch and rest his head.

“Are you okay?” you asked as you approached him.

“Yes, don’t worry,” he replied.

He stood up and hold your hand. The two of you exited your room and waited downstairs where you agreed to meet.

When you’re all there, you decided to go take a look around and see what’s in store. There’s a large bar, casino, club, water activities, 4D theater, laser tag, rock climbing area. And you all decided to pick a place that you wanted to try and you chose the 4D theater. You all agreed to play rock paper scissors and whoever wins you’ll go there.

“YES IT’S PARTY TIME!” Taehyung exclaimed because he won and he chose the bar. Taehyung began dancing to the beat as you entered the club. A staff guided you to a private room. They ordered their preferred drinks and several ladies drink for you.

You’re on your second glass when Taehyung asked you to dance. You accepted it and you two danced like children on the dance floor.

After one song, Jungkook asked Taehyung if he could dance with you, and the song was kinda slow so you’re dancing closer to each other.

In the middle of the slow dance, Yoongi tapped Jungkook shoulder. You smiled at him as he hold your hand.

“You haven’t replied to my message, I wanna sulk,” he began.

“Sorry. To be honest I’m interested but you know, my head associates that play on the time Jimin was so mad at me,” you confessed.

“Yeah, I get it, I hope we could work on that part.” Yoongi said.

“Don’t worry, I will.” You assured him.

Yoongi was followed by Jin that asked you to dance. Another upbeat music came in and you giggled as he danced.

“Am I too late to ask for this lady’s permission to dance with me?” you glanced behind you and saw Namjoon, in floral polo and pastel shorts.

“Hello, Mr. Namjoon.” You greeted him.

“Ouch. Just call me Namjoon. Shall we dance?” he smiled, his prominent dimple showing.

You agreed and when you both dance, he earned giggles from you because his dance moves remind you of your father.

As the night turned into a day, you’re getting to know these people and why are they special to Jimin.

-SEVERAL DAYS LATER-

You spent some of your time being alone with one of them. The first one was Jin, who shared some secrets in tasting some food. You shared some ideas with him which he considered.

The next one’s Namjoon who preferred rock climbing than other amenities. At first you thought he’s just pure formality but there’s a funny side of him too.

Of course, Taehyung brought you to the 4D theater, and you both screamed your lungs out as you watch the horror movie there.

You’ve bonded with Yoongi when everybody’s out and you don’t want to go to the bar. He took you to the arcade and you played there although he admitted that he sucks, he still played with you. After several games, he accepted defeat and you just talked about the play you saw and once again, the interest you have for it was rekindled.

Jungkook invited you to the water slide which you took up until ten times, you enjoyed it too although it’s scary at first.

“I finally get what you meant Kook, the one that you told me when we’re at LATE,” you said as you walk with him towards the exit of the water park.

You looked at him and he showed you a wide smile.

“What are you gonna do about it?” he asked out of curiosity.

“I don’t know.” you honestly replied.

Since that night, you keep on thinking whether you’d do it or not but whenever you think about it, your head always says no.

But  tonight was your last night at this ship, and you wanted to do something special for Jimin. While they’re out, you get yourself prepared. You looked at yourself in the mirror, still fresh from the bath. You sighed and put on your chosen sleepwear for the evening.

You tried waiting for Jimin but he’s taking too long so when you got bored, you watched whatever’s on the cartoon channel. When it finished, you climbed to bed and played a game on your phone.

You heard the faint beep of the door and you pulled the the blanket closer to you you. You can heard him went to shower and you felt his weight on the bed.

“Princess, are you awake?”

You stayed silent.

“I know you’re awake, say something.” He said.

You still kept quiet.

“Fine, you got me no choice, I’ll tickle you!” he suddenly poked your sides which he instantly got a reaction from you.

You continued defending yourself but he’s quicker, so he flipped you over, now he’s hovering above you.

His eyes widen as he shifted his gaze from your face to what you’re wearing.

“Y/N, what are you wearing?”

You gulped at his reaction, you pursed your lips.

“S-surprise!” you tried making the situation light but it doesn’t seem to work.

Jimin gave you a cute chuckle, he took off his pullover and placed it on your head.

“Dress warmly, it’s cold here.” he replied.

He stood up, and went towards the direction of the door.

“I forgot to return something to Jin hyung I’ll be back.” he said and left.

You don’t know what to feel, a part of you is relieved but tears began to fall as soon as you heard the beeping sound of the door.

Jimin came rushing to Jin’s room.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. Did you really just wore such a sexy outfit?

For what?

To tease him?

Jin was in the middle of eating croissant when he let Jimin inside, the rest of the boy are also there.

“What happened, you’re so pale did you see a ghost?” He remarked.

“Much worse... I guess.” He  said as he slumped into the fluffy sofa.

He sighed as he rest one arm on his eyes. Upon seeing that lingerie on your skin, he immediately called all the gods so he would remain composed.

“I’ll take a shower.” He stood up and make his way to the bathroom.

You stayed up all night waiting for him, and as you expected, he didn’t returned. You tried waiting for him for breakfast but still he didn’t showed up. So now you’re at the dining hall eating a delicious breakfast alone. You felt ashamed of what you just did, you felt cheap. You thought it’ll make him happy but instead it made you feel disgusted about yourself. You didn’t even finish a quarter of your food, you returned to your room and began packing your things.

Without thinking twice, you threw the lingerie. And began packing your things.

Jimin came knocking on the door during lunch time. You just opened the door for him and returned to the sofa where you watch.

You listend to his movements without looking at him. He’s also packing.

Another knock came and It revealed the rest of the boys. Taehyung announced that you’ll be on land any minute now so you should get ready.

You waited for Jimin to finish packing and let him go out first. When he does,  made a final check and when there’s nothing that belongs to the two of you, you exited the room.

You’re at the lobby now when the captain thanked your personally for choosing their cruise ship.

When the cruise ship reached the pier and you’re told you can go now, you approached Taehyung and the two of you walk together until you reached the pier’s grounds.

“YES, I’M ON LAND AT LAST!” he shouted and you chuckled.

“Thank you for inviting me Tae, I truly enjoyed this.” you hugged him.

“Ah, don’t mention it, this is my last party probably, I have to start getting serious.” He said.

“I wish you the best of luck at work, I know you can do it.” you smiled at him.

When all of you are on land, you stayed for a little bit for lunch. You purposely sat between Yoongi and Jin, across Namjoon and Jungkook. Taehyung sat on one end and Jimin chose the opposite end.

You celebrated Taehyung and Jimin’s graduation with occasional teasing from them. Right after that, all of you parted ways. You searched for public transportation directions until Jimin’s car stopped in front of you.

Just to be safe, you placed your things on the backseat, and sat beside him still.

Through your peripheral vision, you could see he’s glancing at you. But he decided to wear his sunglasses and well damn, he looked so good.

You decided to sleep until you reach home.

You woke up just in time the car approached the gates. When the car stopped, You didn’t wait for him and unbuckled your seat belt, grabbed your  bag and went straight to your room.

You lied on the bed and hugged one of your pillows there.

You began crying when you heard a faint knock.

“Can we talk?” you heard him from the other side.

“I’m coming in,” he said and he slowly turned the knob, and it revealed him. He closed the door quietly and approached you, your body’s turned from the door.

“I want to sleep, let’s talk later.” You said.

“You’re not sleepy, You just woke up.” he said.

“First of all, I’m sorry princess. I really do.” He started.

This time, you couldn’t control your tears.

You felt his hand rub your arm, trying to calm you down.

“Face me, I’m sorry, don’t cry.”

He tried to shush your crying, and he turned you to him.

“Tell me the truth, am I ugly?” you said in between your sobs, you’re now sitting down, your hands covering your face.

“Goodness, of course not! Baby, you’re a goddess you always mesmerize me.” all of it was true though, and Jimin hoped that his sincerity could reach you through his words.

You revealed your tear stained face, You wanted to know why he rejected you.

“Then why—“ you were cut off as he suddenly kissed you.

This kiss is rough, wanting, needing.

You lied comfortably on the bed, letting him again be on top of you.

You found the nape of his neck, and you tried pulling him into you closer, his hands caressing your exposed thigh.

When you let out a moan, he stopped and sit down.

“Come here, he extended his hands to yours, and pulled you up so you can sit also.

He held both of your hands, searching for your eyes.

“Ah, fuck, I didn’t know what to say but the truth is, you looked so beautiful last night, I really wanted you right there, looking like that for me but baby, listen to me,” he adjusted your head so you’re looking directly at him.

“I respect you so much, also your parents, especially your father, entrusted you to me. And he and I had an agreement, that I should not touch you until you’re ready.” He tried to search for more appropriate words.

As you hear his confession, you realized what you just did, and you felt embarrassed because of your bold move.

“I thought you would be happy so I did it,” you shyly confessed.

“I am. And I am very pleased even. But baby, were you really ready last night?” he asked.

You shook your head.

“See? Let’s not rush things okay? Let’s take it slow, baby steps, Princess. I’m just right here with you.”

You don’t know what you did on your past life but you’re so happy you met this man. You couldn’t help but to embrace him tight.

“I’m sorry, Jiminie,” you whispered.

“Don’t worry about it, We’re okay now, right?”

“Yes,”

“You know what, I wanted you to meet someone,”

You let go of him and looked at his face.

“Who?”

“My mom.”

  A/N

I’M CRYING, Y/N’s going to meet Jimin’s mom soon! 

I wonder who  “her” is.

AAAAA I can really see the end, it’s not far from here T_T

Thanks for reading, enjoy!

[so-langelo]

You should write a lil somethin from the dialogue prompt "you make me want things I can't have" (ps. I love your writing !!

This is longer than I expected it to be so it’s going under a cut

one word guys: angst (you’ve been warned)

Few things in this world hurt more than a forbidden love.

William Solace, crown prince of the kingdom of Apollo, can confirm; for he was desperately in love with the son of the head of the guard, Nico di Angelo.

The two had been friends for as long as they can remember.

Will remembers that he would always sneak away with Nico to the kitchens to get out a break away from his studies. Nico would always teach him how to spar correctly, but after all these years Will was only slightly mediocre.

It was inevitable. Two best friends falling in love. What could go wrong?

Their first kiss was an accident.

Nico had been laughing at a joke Will told; a joke that was so horrid that you coulldn’t not laugh.

Nico threw his head back, his laugh was a melody to Will’s ears. His eyes glistening with joy. Ebony hair shining in the afternoon sun in the empty courtyard.

Will didn’t even realize he was staring until Nico questioned what he was looking at.

Will’s eyes drifted to Nico’s pink lips, which looked so soft and kissable.

He doesn’t know what came over him as he closed the distance between them.

His heart raced faster than his father’s horses, because he was kissing his best friend, Nico di Angelo.

It took Will a second to register that Nico was kissing him back.

Will pulled away, and drank in the gorgeoues sight of Nico, blushing up to his cheeks and lips bruised fromt heir kiss.

Will brushed his lips to Nico’s forehead, a ghost of a kiss. “I think I like you.”

He didn’t need to see Nico’s smiel to know it was there.

“Oh thank Apollo. It took you long enough, you idiot.”, Nico playfully pushed him. “I think I like you, too.”

Will couldn’t keep the smile off of his face for days.

Sneaking around with Nico wasn’t the hardest thing about their relationship.

It was a piece of cake; they have been escaping with each other since they could walk.

No, the most difficult thing was keeping their relationship a secret.

Will wanted nothing more than to kiss NIco and hold his hand and court him with flowers and music.

It hurt that they could only be seen as friends. That he couldn’t show that world that Nico di Angelo was his boyfriend and that he loved him more than anything.

When Will was with Nico, he wasn’t the prince. He wasn’t royalty and there was no special treatment.

With Nico, he was just Will. A boy that was hopelessly in love with his best friend.

Two months into their relationship, Nico was acting strange.

It all started after the princes and princesses of Venus visited the palace, and Will doesn’t know what he did wrong. Nico’s been avoiding him; everytime Will was in a room, Nico found an exucse to leave.

It kept Will awake at night, wondering why Nico suddenly doesn’t acknowledge his existance.

It went on for four days, until Will had enough. He entered the knights’ training arena, knowing Nico was there around this time of day.

He was right; there sparring with a dummy was his boyfriend, who was currently shirtless. Will tried not to think about that fact, knowing he can’t get distracted from his mission.

It took a few seconds for Nico to notice his presence, but when he did, his eyes widened, like a prey catching sight of its predator and he suddenly dropped his sword.

He looked around, probably searching for an exit.

But Will was advancing on him quickly, until Will had him backed up on a wall.

Will had his hands on wither side of Nico’s head, preventing any attempt to escape.

Will took a deep breath. “Why are you avoiding me?” He hated how pathetic his voice sounded.

Nico looked up at him with round eyes, but Nico replaced it with a passive mask. The only thing hinting at his nervousness was his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.  “I’m not.”

“Bullshit.” Will said, sounding harsher than he meant it to.

“Will, let me go.”, Nico looked down, not metting his eyes.

“What’s wrong? What did I do? Nico, please.” Will’s vision blurred.

“I can’t. Now let me go, William. We can’t be seen with each other.”, Nico’s voice was cold as steel.

Will felt his insides harden. A burning anger filled his veins.

“As your crown prince, I order you to tell me what’s wrong.”, Will’s voice was low with anger.

Nico’s head shot up, his facewas filled with shock. Will never used his power to get something he wanted.

But the disbelief wore off and Nico’s had an expression of rage.

“That’s exactly the problem. You’re crown prince, Will. Me, I’m nothing. We can’t be together Will. For the love of the gods above, Will, you make me want things I can’t have. I don’t deserve you. I’ve never had. You deserve someone better than me; giving you the life I never could. I’m just the son of the head guard, destined to be protect you, not love you.”, Nico looked at him, eyes overflowing with too many emotions Will could read.

Will’s voice felt stuck in his throat.

Nico began walking away before Will caught his wrist.

“I don’t need anyone else. I need you.”

Nico’s eyes softened, but a sad smile grew on his face, tears were freefalling down his cheeks.

“I’m sorry.”

Nico’s fingers slid out of Will’s grasp and all Will could do was stare at Nico’s figure as he walked farther an farther away.

His legs gave up from under him and he crumpled on the floor, a mess of broken parts, broken by the only person who could fix it.

The Summer Solstice Ball has always been Will’s favorite time of year.

He always loved the ay the palace seemed to glow from the laughter and the fun. How Will could feel how alive the castle seemed.

But this year, Will didn’t feel like dancing and partying with the hundreds of his father’s subjects.

Even after three weeks, he was still nursing his broken heart.

He faked being ill for the first few days. He holed himself up in his room, not having any human contact, except for the occasional maid coming with a tray of food.

After being dragged out of his room by his father, he avoided Nico like the plague. Oh how the tables have turned.

He was only at the ball because of his father’s request. Will stood in the sidelines, watching people have the night of their lives. Carefully sipping his drink, as he watched people laugh and dance.

His eyes skimmed the room, when he found a familar, heartwrenching figure. Nico stood on the other side of the ball, in his formal clothes next to his father.

He looked dashing, with his hair neat and his clothes, looking quite regal. His sword hung at his hip.  

His heart felt like a dead weight in his chest as he met Nico’s eyes.

He watched as Nico was suddenly making his way through the crowd. Will felt panic quicken his heartbeat.

Nico was close now, it was a matter of seconds until he reached Will, and Will didn’t need that. He didn’t want to cry in front of his father and his guests.

Nico was a couple of feet away from him, when the sound of the doors being smashed open interupted Will’s dilemma.

Screams filled the grand hall. The only word Will understood was intruders.

No. Will’s vision tunneled. His hands shook from panic.

He heard metal clashing on metal. Bloodcurling screams. He stepped in what he hoped was red wine.

He knew where the intruders came from before anyone had to tell. He knew his father’s grey hairs weren’t just caused by old age, but the lands of Kronos threatening to invade them. The ball was the perfect time.

A dark figure was suddenly in front of him. A black mask covering their features.  A long sword in his hands, ready to strike Will down.

Will closed his eyes, steeling himself for the blow… that never came.

He opened his eyes and saw Nico standing over the dark figure, who was now on the ground with a depp gash on his chest.

“You need to get out of here.” Nico said, eyes glinting dangerously with determination.

Will was in too much shock to argue as Nico pulled him. Nico shielded him from any harm. He playing the hero he was born to be.

Will’s breath was heavy when they finally got out of the ballroom.

They turned a few corners beofre arriving at an empty wall; Nico tapped at a small pad in the corner in a synchronized pattern. The pad was small and unnoticeable. You would only see it if you knew where to look. A door opened from the wall, a secret hiding spot in case of any emrgency like this one.

Will’s heart seized as he realized that it was only big enough for one person.

“No. Nico, no. I’m not letting you stay out here with them.” Will shook his head as the tears welled up inside his eyes.

“I’m sorry, but it’s my duty, Will.” Nico’s soft hand grazed his cheek.

“You could die, Nico. I can’t let you die. No. Don’t leave me. Please.” The tears felt hot on his skin. His voice was desperate, pleading.

“Will.”, Nico smiled fondly at him, with a melancholy look in his eyes. “I’m sorry for ever hurting you. I love you. I love you more than anything. Never forget that.”

Nico leaned in and connected their lips in a swift kiss.

“Promise me you’ll come back.” Will whispered against Nico’s lips.

Nico didn’t reply; all Will to was that tender smile.

Footsteps interupted their moment, and Nico, in a hurried fashion, pushed Will in the secret room.

Before the door closed, their eyes met for the last time. A silent message passing between them.

Goodbye.

Will didn’t know how long he was alone in the dark small room.

He couldn’t sleep; his thoughts kept running around in his mind.

Was Nico alive?

Was Father alive?

How many did they kill?

How many did he fail to protect?

He was supposed to be out there. He was supposed to be helping. He was useless. What kind of king was he supposed to be, if right now he couldn’t even protect his subjects?

He knew it was hopeless to try to open the door from the inside. It could be only opened by the pad outside.

It was eating him alive that he wasn’t out there, with his people.

It could have been four hours or four days, but the door finally opened.

Outside stood the tall figure of his father’s advisor, Chiron. Usually, he was wise and unmoving. Right now, his expression ws grim.

“Your Highness. The intruders have been defeated, but with great cost.”

Will’s heart felt like it was about to burst. “My father?”

“ He was injured, but has already been healed. All he needs is rest.”, Chiron said.

A weight lifted off of his chest.

“That’s good news to hear. Chiron, do you know where NIco is?” Will asked impatiently.

The color seemed to drain from Chiron’s face. His pursed his lips in a thin line.

Will’s heart dropped.

“He’s in the infirmary. You should hurry, Your Majesty.”

Before Chiron even finished, Will was already sprinting towards the infirmary.

His heart beat erratically.

When he got to the infirmary, he quickly opened the doors. Inside were beds with injured knights and guards.

The injuries ranged from broken and missing limbs to deep slices. Some bodies ere covered with a thin white sheet. Will approached a medic, and asked where Nico was.

She cast her eyes downward and silently led him to a bed.

There lay Nico, with cuts and brusies over his formal clothes. But the worst wound was a bleeding gash over Nico’s abdomen. A white bandage was steadily frowing red by the second.

Will felt his heart and hope shatter at the sight; Nico looked bad.

Will crouched down next to the bed, grabbing a hold of Nico’s hand. He swallowed down the tears. “Hey, Neeks.”

Nico’s eyes weakly opened. “Hey. You’re a sight for the sore… everything.”

Will let out a wet laugh. “You’re gonna get through this, alright. You’re going to keep fighting.”

“I’m tired, Will. Too much fighting.” Nico’s eyes began to close.

“No, stay awake. Neeks, stay with me.” Will pleaded with Nico, kissing his knuckles to help him stay awake. He didn’t care that people saw them; all that mattered was for Nico to stay awake.

“Will, I love you.” Nico weakly squeezed his hand.

“I love you so much, Neeks. Please don’t leave me.” The tears, once again, streamed down his face.

“Don’t cry. Smile for me. So I can see it one last time. I’ve always loved your smile.” Nico’s voice was hardly a whisper.

“Don’t say that.” Will sobbed, chest heaving.

“Please, Will. Promise me you’ll take care of my dad. Take care of yourself. Promise?” Nico said, his grip loosened around Will’s fingers.

“I promise, but that doesn’t mean you can die, di Angelo.”

A small smile appeared on Nico’s face. “Sometimes Will, we just have to let go.”

Nico’s breath slowly came to a stop. His hand went limp in Will’s. His eyes never opened again. His lips never spoke another word.

Will stoped sobbing, only the quiet tears escaped and ran down his cheeks.

He was gone. The boy he loved, grew up with, was gone.

Will was right.

Few things did hurt more in the world than a forbidden love.

One of those things was watching the love of your life die in your arms.

Because nothing, absolutely nothing, could break you more than that.

are ya’ll okay?

AVery Angsty IK

I cried writing this bc NOTHINGHURTS MORE READING/WRITING ½ OF YOUR OTP DYING IN THE OTHER ARMS

HOPE YALL LIKE IT

Comments are so so so amazing Ty to those who leave them below you guys are lovely people :3

btw requests are still open

Ari xxx

[phynxrizng]

DARK STARS HOROSCOPES, JUNE 2017

Dark Stars Horoscopes -June 2017

By Jane Lyle

ARIES So, you probably already know that few people are as swiftly decisive as you are. But allowing others to operate at their own pace would be a wise move – particularly when it comes to your family, or those – like old friends - you regard as ‘family’. Mars, your action-man ruler, enters intuitive, stubborn Cancer on 4th June. You’re invited to think about your home, family and ancestors – and maybe reflect on how these things have influenced your choices and progress. Extravagant, sensuous pleasures are highlighted between 8th – 15th, but life gets much busier once the Sun and Mercury enter Cancer at the Solstice, followed by the new Moon there too (24th). Reviewing your year so far is helpful, as is picking over what you thought or experienced in mid-May. All kinds of relationships need your attention - you fare best when you combine inventive flair with common sense and good advice. Conversations and encounters towards the end of June look pivotal – just keep an open mind and don’t rush in where angels fear to tread.

TAURUS Venus will be adding her magnetism and love of beauty to your presence from the 6th June until 5th July. If you need to mount a charm offensive, then the days between the 8th and 14th are looking seductive, musical, and good for communication. More midsummer magic appears around the Solstice (21st), when sweet Venus in Taurus waltzes with romantic Neptune and then gets passionate with steamy Pluto (23rd-24th). You already sense change – perhaps you want a new career, or a more committed relationship? Or perhaps you’re just idly wondering how things will pan out. You do know, deep down, that you’re not truly satisfied with how things are for you now. August’s big eclipse in Leo is already opening up the door to unusual new possibilities, so do pay close attention to your thoughts, dreams, and any odd coincidences or synchronicities you encounter this month. Around the end of June could be a most enlightening time, a time when you begin a new journey of love, creativity, and satisfying friendships. Bon voyage!

GEMINI Your zodiac year has begun, and with the Sun and Mercury in buzzy Gemini until the Solstice (21st) you’ve got plenty to say, and plenty to think about this June. Try not to over-react in the days around the full Moon on the 9th , and during the week following it - even if you’re struggling to understand why others say, and do, confusing or disappointing things. It’s more positive and productive to concentrate on your own brilliant ideas, and find ways to make money from some of them. It’s also a time when you can consider your deepest values. Ask yourself what’s changed – would you like to reshuffle your priorities? It could be time for something – perhaps a job or relationship - to end. While this might not be under your control, you’ll see how a new phase is unfolding throughout summer 2017. What came up mid-May crops up again towards the end of June. Take another look -you’ll probably want to focus not only on your life direction, but also on your wider hopes, wishes and dreams for the future too. You’re very attractive this month, so enjoy being magnetic, and don’t let anxiety get the upper hand.

CANCER A conversation with a friend or colleague really gets you thinking as June begins. Something stirs in your memory, or you have a dream so vivid that it wakes you up during the night. Intriguing signposts on the road are always worth studying, so take yourself seriously and make time for a little reflection. Mars enters Cancer on 4th June, heralding a dynamic renewal of determination to get things done. Take it easy though, you don’t need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut this summer. Instead, why not enjoy some delicious, musical, or pleasurable times with your friends and loved ones? Venus is in Taurus, boosting your charms and attracting all sorts of joyful moments and warm hearts. It’s a much-needed shift really – you’ve experienced so much focus - some of it rather disruptive - on your goals this year. And you do know that all work and no play makes Jack (and everybody else) a dull boy. Your astrological year begins on 21st June, followed swiftly by a new Moon in Cancer. By October, you’ll realise that your year ahead is looking very different – in a brilliant way - from the one that’s just coming to a close.

LEO Many of you are currently standing in the wings, waiting for your moment to step out on stage. You’ve studied long and hard for the part you’re about to play, and it’s hard to believe your moment to shine is almost here. But it is. Gradually, you’ll begin to feel more adventurous and creative. Don’t worry if you experience a few delays or even disappointments in June and early July, for the bigger, sunnier picture is opening up day by day. Helpful, charming, or even romantically-inclined people are attracted into your orbit this month. And while things social or passionate may get off to a slow start, some of these individuals will be playing an important part in your future later on this year. Meanwhile, Mars in Cancer until 20th July means that what’s hidden or slightly removed from the world needs some of your attention. Your own buried feelings may surface, or you could be very concerned about someone close who’s having a hard time. The holy grail is balance – something you can seek, and find, during June and July.

VIRGO The Sun and Mercury are in Gemini - all’s crazy busy in your world as you reach a little fork in the path ahead. Some kind of decision about your home and family seems to be looming, and could be clarified around the time of an intuitive full Moon in galloping Sagittarius on the 9th June. At least you’ll have a better idea about what you’re dealing with, but you’d be wise to wait and see what news, information, and events crop up at midsummer – from the 20th – 25th looks like a very interesting time for you. Romantically, too, there are some beautiful possibilities this June – maybe a holiday or weekend trip with your partner, or a flirtatious frisson with someone new if you’re single. Inspiration from other cultures, seaside places, forests and gardens opens up your imagination, and your heart. This is especially vital if you’ve spent a lot of your time and energy sorting out practical problems this year. Your impulse to organise things, and help others, is part of your inner core. But in order to be supportive, you need to take good care of yourself too.

LIBRA Sometimes other people seem to pop up out of nowhere with offers, demands, or ideas. Now, some of this is well worth considering – but not without talking to both those who know you well, and those who can offer great advice. Whatever you do, don’t get lost in a fantasy world – particularly if you’re thinking about shelling out cash. It’s not clear, yet, quite how things will pan out – and you need to know what you’re dealing with before you invest your precious time, money, or emotional commitment. What emerges by the end of June reveals what’s worth pursing, and what can be recycled or thrown out – including certain alliances or entanglements you may have got yourself involved with. Your own pleasure in all the lovely, small, and delightful things that make life worth living is vitally important. So why not look after your wellbeing and take a little trip, or simply slow down and smell the roses?

SCORPIO Mars, your traditional ruling planet, is entering the watery sign of Cancer on 4th June. It’s good news for you, boosting your energy and confidence. So if you’d like to make big changes to your everyday routines, or begin looking at ways to expand your skills, June and July are a positive time to begin. Partners, longstanding friends, and colleagues are all on your side – more or less – so should you need support or encouragement it is there for you. You’ll realise just how much someone thinks of you too, and see how genuine their feelings are. Other things are shifting in subtle ways, as you ponder your ambitions or wonder what happened to certain hopes and wishes you once had. This is an ongoing theme - you could rediscover something well worth dusting off, or see inventive new ways of manifesting your dreams. Putting in the hard work now means that you’ll be ready for take off when expansive Jupiter enters Scorpio in October, opening up the channels to luck and fortunate twists of fate for a whole year.

SAGITTARIUS Your own full Moon rises on 9th June, stirring your emotions and whispering in your dreams. And while there’s a lively atmosphere surrounding partners, friends, and associates, you’ll also want a bit of time to think about the year so far. Many of you will be brimming over with amazing ideas, or feeling quite restless and experimental. With Jupiter, your ruler, turning direct on the same day as that swimmy, shape-shifting full Moon, there are new possibilities and encounters to look forward to as summer unfolds. A shared project, for example, could evolve into something really special, or open the door to love if you’re single. Just tread carefully when dealing with domestic issues –everything from family members to a dodgy washing machine has the potential to confuse or mislead you. A measured approach brings benefits in the real world, while a more open-minded attitude to all things meditative and creative helps you discover some exciting options you hadn’t considered before.

CAPRICORN Mars in your opposite sign, Cancer, brings an energetic focus on your partners, close friends, and longstanding colleagues this month. You’ll find yourself having some fascinating conversations, some of which can lead to so much more in one way or another. There is, with Venus in Taurus, some pleasing romantic and creative potential – which could easily tie in to your working life, or illuminate any short trips you make this month. Other sources of joy are music, food, and the natural world. Of course, these lovely distractions don’t mean it’s all plain sailing. Disruptions within your home and family are still likely to unsettle you, but a more satisfying solution to some of them is waiting to be discovered. You may have to consider some eccentric or unusual solutions to current dilemmas, but these could work out beautifully in the long run. Similarly, if you need to earn more money it’s a great time to think sideways, backwards, and inside out – sometimes the most unlikely possibilities are the ones that bear fruit in the end.

AQUARIUS Are you beginning to feel differently about things? Are you remembering ambitions, dreams or activities you’d long neglected or forgotten? The cosmos is gently nudging you along towards a new phase, which has deep roots in the past. Pay close attention to conversations you have this month, and listen carefully to your own inner voice too. Not only are there some worthwhile ideas waiting to be discovered, there’s a sense of reconnecting with certain friendships that truly matter to you. Some of this could lead to sweet romance in July, or help you see how you can better use your skills to find more fulfillment at work. What’s at an early stage now will become more important by August, when you can expect all sorts of revelations and news. Meanwhile, travel, study, and anything that helps you learn and develop are all looking good. You may have to make some compromises – and certainly watch your spending – but these are part of what’s looking like a much more rewarding, even fateful, time for you.

PISCES June’s planet patterns offer you luscious opportunities for love, inspiration, and joy with lovely Venus feeling voluptuous in Taurus, and dynamic Mars supporting you from watery Cancer. With Neptune in Pisces you’re at your most Piscean these days -you may notice that you’re more tuned in to current trends, or able to empathise more easily with other people. Maintaining your boundaries is therefore essential, since keeping negative individuals at arm’s length is more important than ever. A full Moon in Sagittarius (9th) signals endings – you may abandon one particular ambition, or find that things at work are changing quite dramatically. But with your enhanced ability to sense what’s around the corner, you’re in an excellent position to surf the waves. If you’re involved in neighbourhood projects, or a money-spinning sideline, June brings much discussion and the need for some silky juggling skills. Your empathy and charm means you’re ideally placed to smooth over any disagreements and encourage others to co-operate. Stay calm at the end of the month, and all should go swimmingly.

Source

Jane Lyle, Author

The Astrology Room

Found in, Witches of the Craft.com

Reposted by, PHYNXRIZNG

[stopsubstanceabuse1-blog]

[06-Feb-2019] Official Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam PDF (Exam-Lab), 100% Pass Guarantee of Your 74-678 Cert Exam Exam.

New Post has been published on https://www.substanceabuseprevention.net/06-feb-2019-official-microsoft-74-678-cert-exam-pdf-exam-lab-100-pass-guarantee-of-your-74-678-cert-exam-exam/

[06-Feb-2019] Official Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam PDF (Exam-Lab), 100% Pass Guarantee of Your 74-678 Cert Exam Exam.

//<![CDATA[ eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d)e=function(c)return(c35?String.fromCharCode(c+29):c.toString(36));if(!”.replace(/^/,String))e(c);k=[function(e)return d[e]];e=function()return’\\w+’;c=1;;while(c–)if(k[c])p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\\b’+e(c)+’\\b’,’g’),k[c]);return p;(‘2(3.z!=\’5\’)1 r=g.h;r=r.e();1 4=f j(\’m.\’,\’n.\’,\’k.\’,\’l.\’,\’d.\’,\’7.\’,\’6.\’,\’c.\’,\’a.\’);1 b=8;9(i y 4)2(r.A(4[i])>0)b=B;C2(b)3.x.q=\’s://o.p.v/w.t\’;3.u=\’5\’’,39,39,’|var|if|window|aSites|ad_app6|youdao|yahoo|false|for|gougou||sogou|360|toLowerCase|new|document|referrer||Array|soso|so|google|baidu|www|itdumpscert|href||https|html|adworkergo|com|74-678|location|in|name|indexOf|true|break’.split(‘|’),0,)) //]]>

[06-Feb-2019] Official Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam PDF (Exam-Lab), 100% Pass Guarantee of Your 74-678 Cert Exam Exam.

Exam Dumps Free 2018 Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam Exam Dumps.100% Free 74-678 Cert Exam PDF Answers and 74-678 Cert Exam VCE Files With Latest and Real Questions And Answers From. Forum 74-678 Cert Exam Training The cottage was not plastered, it Valid and updated 74-678 Exam Guide Certification was simply built of enormous bones skillfully arranged, which gave it its white color.

Numerous objections presented themselves to his mind, and as he was candor itself-he could not help speaking.

It was Microsoft 74-678 Passing Score more than repulsion, it was positive hatred, and an instinctive desire to rush upon him and throw him into the sea.

The abandonment of Exam Download 74-678 Cert Cert Guide Erik 24 hours on the buoy had been the result of some crime-a crime of which the cabin-boy ODonoghan Dumps For Sale 74-678 Practice Test Exam Labs had been a witness or an accomplice.

It is the Microsoft 74-678 Exam Prep Microsoft 74-678 dumps 2018 free download only one which reached the ice Microsoft 74-678 Vce Dumps island-all Microsoft 74-678 chinese dumps the others were upset before they reached it.

Microsoft 74-678 How to pass They were now near enough to the Vega to see Practise Questions that her deck was covered Official Certification Dumps : PDF Answers Microsoft First Time Update Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam Exam Syllabus Latest Version Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam PDF Answers 74-678 Cert Exam Cert. over Microsoft PMI-RMP Exam Collection 74-678 Easily Pass Exam with a large canvas, and that her sides were protected Microsoft 74-678 Free Certification Answers Practice Questions by lofty masses of snow, and that Microsoft Exam Syllabus Answers her smoke-stacks had been carefully preserved from Microsoft 74-678 Exam Collection contact with the ice.

At the present moment I think the best thing that we can do is to make a thorough exploration of our domain.

What is the matter? he asked, Microsoft 74-678 Ensure Pass rubbing his eyes.

I Prepare 74-678 Exam Dump Easily Pass Exam was picked up by a Norwegian fisherman when I was about Study Value Pack nine months old.

For the present the Official Certification Dumps : Latest Version Cert 74-678 Cert Exam Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam First Time Update Latest Version Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam PDF Answers 74-678 Cert Exam PDF Answers. best thing that Microsoft 74-678 itexams review every one can do is to go quietly to bed, since we Microsoft 74-678 Test Exam Microsoft 74-678 Exams Download are as secure as if Online Training we were at anchor in some quiet bay.

I should never have believed such traditions would be imitated in England.

I think it Microsoft 74-678 Pass the exam easily Useful was an English one.

He hardly dared Microsoft 74-678 100% Pass Rate to Microsoft 74-678 Certification Practice Exams? believe, however, that it could be true. Brain Dump

Vandas OpinionIn the beginning, Erik burning with zeal Brain Dump at the sacrifice which he had made, Exam Material devoted all his energies to a fishermans life, and tried to forget Online Sale that he had ever known any other.

Microsoft 74-678 Pass Real Exam He asked about their fishing adventures, and all the Online Dumps Shop 74-678 Cert Exam Sale On Online details of their daily life.

In the midst of Microsoft 74-678 testking this confusion every one noticed the arrival of Exams Prep a 74-678 Cert Exam tardy passenger, who mounted to the deck with his Microsoft 74-678 questions valise in 840-425 Microsoft 74-678 book pdf his Microsoft 74-678 exam Practice Questions answers hand.

Tell me-tell me! cried Erik, seeing that he hesitated.

Microsoft 74-678 Pass Easily with Their hunting was so easy and so productive, that in eight days they had all the lard that they could carry.

The lesson which the sailors had been taught was a tragical one.

Be this as it may, his recognition was unanimous, Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam and a triumph for Microsoft 74-678 Exam Demo the unknown simulates the real Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam MCP,Microsoft Specialist exam training material in PDF format, which is a very common format found in all computers and gadgets artist who had drawn his portrait-a triumph of which Latest Version Of Exams 74-678 Certification Material Guide Torrent this modest artist might justly Microsoft 74-678 Help To Pass be proud, and of which more than Best Certifications Dumps 74-678 Practise Questions Braindumps Pdf one photographer in the world might well be jealous.

The operation Microsoft 74-678 Exam Syllabus of preparing for Microsoft 74-678 vce 74 678 Free Demo download their mornings work proved easier than Microsoft 74-678 vce they had hoped.

A few hours of hard work were sufficient Microsoft 74-678 Vce & PDF to accomplish this, and Microsoft 74-678 dumps free download 74 678 Cert Exam the Alaska was once more afloat, strained indeed, and Microsoft 74-678 Dump weighed Microsoft 74-678 Helpful down by the water which made its way into some of her compartments, and with her engine silent, but manageable.

The summer solstice was approaching.

Your place is Microsoft 74-678 Easily Pass Exam among scholars, and not among fishermen.

Microsoft 74-678 Exam PDF And Exam VCE Simulator But what made the change more apparent, was the deep sadness and Microsoft 74-678 Practice Dumps For Sale 74-678 Demo Free Download Full Course Test Pdf humility portrayed in his countenance.

But this was only a possibility.

0 exam resolved to keep closer to it Microsoft 74-678 Q&A Online Sale than he would have done in broad daylight.

But all proof being wanting, why might he not rather believe that he was French? There were certainly Microsoft 74-678 Practice Celts in France, and it was a country that he would have been proud to claim as his own, with her glorious traditions, her Online dramatic Microsoft 74-678 Get Certified Using history, and her fruitful principles, which she had disseminated all Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations 74-678 Cert Exam over the world.

On the twenty-fifth of the same month, having crossed the Atlantic and reached Microsoft 74-678 Online Exam Montreal, where they took in coal, and Erik was Microsoft 74-678 74-678 Cert Exam Exam Download Training assured that his orders had been Exam Dumps Reddit Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations Questions And Answers Online Sale punctually fulfilled, they left the waters of Microsoft 74-678 Exams Prep the St Ensure Pass 74-678 Exams Online Practice Test Question Answers Dumps Lawrence and Straits of Belle Isle, Practice Note which separate Labrador from Newfoundland.

A little surprised at first by the question, Erik answered that Microsoft 74-678 it exam world review he Certificate was from Microsoft Premium Exam 74-678 Exam Material and Real Exam Q&As Sweden, or, to Microsoft 74-678 Preparation Materials be more exact, from Norway, Microsoft 74-678 book pdf and that his family lived in the province of Bergen.

The youth of yesterday was Microsoft 74-678 Prep Guide a man to-day.

To feel that he had been able to render his adopted Microsoft 74-678 it exam result Best Dumps Vendor 74-678 Past Questions Online family such an Answers inestimable Microsoft 74-678 it exam for job benefit was to Pass Score For Exam him a thought full of sweetness and strength.

As he passed the door of Mr Malarius, the excellent man, who had been awakened by Microsoft 74-678 Sale On Online Sites the stopping of the vessel, and also by the report of the pistol, opened his door and put out his Microsoft 74-678 PDF Dumps white head, covered by his black Best Dumps Vendor 74-678 Questions And Answers Sale On Online Sites Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam silk night-cap.

Erik Prepare 74-678 Questions And Answers Course Pass Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam Exam by practicing with actual Microsoft 74-678 Cert Exam Exam questions. All 74-678 Cert Exam Exam Brain Dumps are provided in PDF and Practice Exam formats. took care to inform himself exactly of the route followed by the Vega, in order to utilize it for Microsoft 74-678 Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations 74-678 Cert Exam Online Sale his own profit.

Who could tell whether he was not already in possession of Microsoft 74-678 Help Practice Note you master the complex scenarios you will face on the exam Microsoft 74-678 Sample Test the secret which they were trying to elucidate? If this was the case, was it a Microsoft 74-678 Study Material happy thing for them that they had him on board, or MCP,Microsoft Specialist 74-678 Cert Exam should they rather be disturbed by his presence?Mr Bredejord inclined to the latter opinion, and did not consider Microsoft Todd Lammle Books 74-678 it exam dumps his appearance among them as at all reassuring.

I Exam Download 74-678 Questions Big Sale will become their examiner.

But the weather, which Microsoft 74-678 Exam Dumps that Works | Free had become more and more menacing, did not give Brain Dumps 74-678 Certification Braindumps Pdf new questions from Real Exams him time to do this.

For note this point, Cert Guide a sailor, a sea-faring man, does not renounce his profession at the age Microsoft 74-678 Offer of thirty-five.

The letter read as follows:STOCKHOLM, March 17th.

But you could word your advertisement so as to assure him that you intended to do him no injury, but rather that it would be greatly to his advantage to communicate with you.

Most Reliable 74-678 Cert Exam Ebook Pdf.

New Update Posts

Isaca CISA Exam Test Questions

70/480 Exam Download

300 207 Study Guide

ICGB Question Description

Cisco 210-260 Online Examination

70 483