#it pains me that Jae is so obscure

[sparrowmoth]

5 Favourite Characters Poll (Tag Game)

Tagged by @waterloou! Thank you, hun! 💕

I like a lot of characters whose name start with J okay dajkjgkdg

GIFs and a screenshot of Jae under the cut if you're unfamiliar <3

Tagging (no pressure): @finitevoid @arobear @kindness-ricochets @nerdlingmerchling @sixofcrowdaydreams @fizzysugarwater andddd anyone else who wants to do this! <3

[insurrection-if]

Hello! Could I bother you please with a little info of each ro gift? some words only!

Some words only! (゜Д゜;) Oh, what a challenge for someone who has been repeatedly called out as rather verbose . . . as evidenced by this sentence, haha! And please rest assured that it's no bother at all! As for the Gifts . . . here are snippets for what it is like for the MC to experience them for the first time, to some degree. They are more than some words but, alas, [insert Pawn Stars meme here].

Sigmund: It is like a storm. An inner turmoil that threatens to tear your soul apart. An intense, inherent pain that steals the air from your lungs. You did not ask to be let go.

Imka: It is too much. Lights, colors, flashing faces. Beautiful, and sickening. Horrid scenes, lovely affairs, still days, chaotic nights. Yet you are alone. You want someone to hold you.

Elouan: Warm light around a cold soul. A blinding sun obscures the scars and cracks beneath practiced charm and false allure. You are burning from the inside. A raging fire on your skin. Help.

Jae: It is not you alone. No, you can feel the strings. The metallic taste lingering on your lips, the constant roar of unsynchronized drums. Sweet and toxic. An addicting cruelty. A familiar one. You need to escape these lifeless dolls.

Niccolò: You cannot reach them. Though you can feel the life and soul practically bursting from them, there is nothing truly there. As alive as wooden planks, as dead as turning gears.

Mutya: A cold abyss consumes your mind. All your thoughts— lost from your broken will. They are their own beings, their own entities. Waking demons and troubling tools. Leave me alone.

Fyodor: It is . . . drained. Incomplete. Longing, desirous, as it whines and hums a hopeful plea. Fickle like a dream. Oh, so wonderfully familiar an emptiness it is, and soon . . . you wish to have it all.

Thank you for the ask, and I hope this is satisfactory! ＼(´▽｀*)

[jungcity]

STRIPPED. | jaehyun

tw: languages, jealousy, unprotected sex, degradation(?), dom!jaehyun, edging, oral sex (m), cum-eating, creampie, overstim

pairing: jaehyun x fem!reader

wc: 2657

note: crossed-posted this on my haikyuu blog as an ushijima fic. i hope you enjoy this in the jaehyun-narrative, though.

Having Jaehyun alone, inside an elevator, would��ve been exciting if not for your current situation. He stood beside you, prim and proper as always. His pristine tuxedo unruffled despite the whole day of attending meetings, signing papers, and talking to his business partners.

This was suffocating. You needed to at least say something before the atmosphere would rip your to shreds. Trying to shake the crippling aura away, you cleared your throat and opened your mouth to speak.

But before you could do exactly that, Jaehyun spoke. “Shut it, Y/N.” Further proving his indifference, he remained staring at his reflection inside the elevator.

You bit your lower lip to suppress a retort. Talking back would only add to your agony. Besides, you could feel Jaehyun’s mood in the air. It would be a bad move to taunt him.

However, you definitely weren’t the one to back down either. So you tilted your head up, straightened your back, and said, “Well, look at you now, attempting to conquer yourself yet again.”

Jaehyun’s delicious and virile chuckle echoed suddenly. The kind of laugh that has never failed to stir your stomach with its sound. You would’ve swoon if not for the edge that had come with it.

“Ah,” he moaned. “Your guts really does turns me on, Y/N,” he added, shaking his head lightly. “Let’s see how far that attitude could go, though.” After he spoke the words, the elevator door tinged.

Jaehyun adjusted his necktie before stepping out. He didn’t need to see if you’d follow him. It was just an instinct, an assurance.

His words might’ve shaken your knees lightly, but you won’t crumble because of him. Jaehyun always liked the fight, though. And you did, too. It was the dynamic of your relationship: the audacity of each other.

Doing your best to look confident, you puffed your chest and walked behind him. Heels clicking against the tiled floor.

When his penthouse door opened, that was when he finally looked at you. He looked like the devil himself, trying to lure you into hell. And because not even the devil could scare you away, you stepped inside.

Jaehyun walked straight to his bar counter and poured himself some hard liquor. While you unbutton your blazer and throw it onto the sofa. You could feel his eyes piercing your body with every move, therefore feeding the audacity you have.

“Tell me why, Y/N,” he finally spoke.

You chuckled, irating him even more. “What are you talking about?”

The sound of liquor pouring in the glass echoed through the silence. “Tell me why you kissed him.”

All the blood drained from your face. His voice was raw, his emotions rolling off his tongue. A mixture of curiosity, hurt, and punishment. “I... I don’t know.”

Jaehyun hummed. “Now, now, you don’t need to be discreet,” he said with his taunting yet luscious tone. “It’s just you and me here. No one’s gonna hear us.”

You hated to admit it, but you knew exactly that no matter how brave you made yourself to be in front of him, you’d always falter once he’d used that voice to you. “I really don’t know, Jeong,” you breathed.

Jaehyun downed the contents of his glass. He laid the glass flat on the counter. Then he started to unbuckle his necktie while looking at you. “Alright, then. Take your clothes off. Leave the heels on.”

Without thinking twice, you unbutton your shirt. You needed to make him feel good. Anything. Just to say how sorry you were for this night.

The cool air grazes your breasts as you unhooked your bra. You removed your skirt next, exposing your sex for Jaehyun to see.

When you were finally naked, Jaehyun walked towards you. His proximity made you want him all over your body. You needed him to touch you. So bad that you tried to close the gap between the both of you, but Jaehyun lifted a hand to cup your chin harshly.

You gasped. He smiled. “Tell me why.”

“It... it was a mistake.”

His thumb grazed your lips. By the friction, your body screamed. Driving the pulsating of your sex mad. “Was it a mistake if you’re halfway through each other’s throats when I saw you, Y/N?”

“Jae—”

“He’s had his lips on you. Did it feel good?”

You tried to shake your head, but his grip was firm. “No, of course not.”

“Did you think of him fucking you?”

“Jae!” you cried in both astonishment and embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!”

He seemed unfazed by your emotions. Jaehyun inserted his thumb inside your mouth. You knew what to do. You sucked his thumb like you were sucking his cock.

“Would you suck his cock like that?”

You abruptly stopped, surprised by the question. He knew what the answer was. And yet...

You swallowed. “No, Jae.”

A smirk ghosted his lips. “Whose cock you’d want to fuck you? Whose cock you’d want to suck off?”

“Yours!” you replied almost immediately. The immense need to have his hands around your body was so intense you felt like crying. It didn’t help that your sex was aching for attention and seemed like he won’t succumb to it.

Jaehyun placed his hand on the top of your head. “Prove it, then.”

Greedily, you unbuckled his belt, refusing to look away. Both of you held each other’s eyes while you tugged his undergarments down to reveal his beautiful cock.

Jaehyun sank to the couch, eyes never leaving yours. You went on your knees, wrapping your hand around his thick cock. Then it was on your mouth. You moaned, tasting his warmth and the little saltiness of his skin. Jaehyun watched you as you licked the bottom of his cock to the tip. But there was no emotions on his face. Your heart dropped. He was usually the silent kind of guy, but whenever you were behind closed doors, Jaehyun never stopped himself from eliciting sounds.

You sucked his cock again, and reached for his groins. Jaehyun made a sound through his teeth. He was unmistakably holding himself back.

Moans of apology vibrated on your mouth as you deepthroated him yet again. Then you fisted half of his cock, milking him while licking the tip. His thighs jerked in the slightest, then his ragged breaths could be heard inside the penthouse. By the sounds, you double-fisted him while sucking half his cock. You did just like that until a thick spurt of semen exploded in your mouth.

You moaned once more, trying your hardest to swallow the semen that was starting to pool inside your mouth. Jaehyun kept cumming, thus spilling some of his warm liquid down the length of his cock.

Ignoring the spilled semen, you started to bob your head up and down again. But his firm hands held your shoulders. You looked up to meet his eyes. Jaehyun stared at you, his face aloof.

“Are you wet?” he asked, voice cool and dangerous.

“I am,” you admitted.

“Sucking my cock really turns you on.” He leaned back down the sofa. His cock still hard, veins bulging. “Slide that little cunt around me.”

Your nipples perked by the crudeness. And you were quick to straddle his lap, your knees on either side of his hips. Lining your entrance to his pretty, and achingly thick cock, you sank down. But Jaehyun held your waists all of a sudden. You looked at him, frowning.

“Why, Y/N?”

Feeling as if you were going to snap anytime soon, you closed your eyes. “I don’t know.”

“Then I don’t think this cock is for you,” he replied, detachment clear in his voice.

You bit back a sob. Fuck him. But you couldn’t just let go. Your body has been screaming for him to fill you, to fuck you, to stretch you. “Jaehyun, please.”

Half of his face was obscured from light, while the half was lit by the single light from the hallway. Jaehyun’s eyes glinted darkness, then his sturdy grip on your waists loosened. “Ride this cock, nice and slow,” he whispered, the air from his mouth leaving goosebumps on your bare collarbone down your spine.

You sank your sex deep down his cock. The impact made you grip the headrest of the sofa. Jaehyun breathed through his teeth. He felt it too. The way his cock stretched your insides deliciously. The way you exactly fit each other.

He was stoic, despite the sweat coating his forehead. Instead of feeling dejected, you pulled yourself up and forcefully sank down. Buttocks hitting his lap.

Through gritted teeth, Jaehyun cursed, “Goddamn.”

You moaned by the friction of your wet sex sliding up and down his thick cock. Jaehyun tried to meet your every move by moving his hips, therefore hitting the soft spot inside you. It was painful to bob your body up and down, but you won’t stop l. Not until his façade crumbles down and he’s wanting every inch of you.

You won’t stop riding his cock until Jaehyun is a mess underneath you. He deserved it, nevertheless. Let your body say the apologies of your mistakes tonight.

His hands were comfortably holding your waists, allowing you to do the deed of fucking your brains out together. Jaehyun licked his lips. “Tell me why you kissed him.”

You bit your lower lip out of frustration. He won’t let it slide, would he? Having no idea how you could feel different emotions all at the same time, you tried to ignore his question. But Jaehyun held you in a viselike grip again, halting your movements unexpectedly, painfully.

With your brows furrowed, you tried to move again, just to feel him. However, he brought your hands behind you, held them firmly with his large ones. His cock was buried inside you, reaching for places you didn’t know was possible to reach. Hell, at this point, his cock would surely penetrate your intestines.

“Why?” His voice was raspy and menacing. He was using this against you.

Out of your exasperation, you cried, “I don’t know! I swear!” It was a drunken mistake, commixed with Jaehyun’s ex arriving at town. It didn’t help that they were unfortunately business partners. All week he’s with her. You were a woman, jealousy was something you didn’t know existed until Jaehyun came into your life.

Jaehyun chuckled once more, the sound were dark and brooding. “Are you thinking of him fucking you right now?”

“No! Of course not!” How could he ask that? Tears brimmed in the back of your eyes. This is getting tiring. You wriggled your body but Jaehyun buried himself deeper, eliciting a gasp from your lips. The friction of your sex to his cock was both pleasureable and painful. He was stretching you, balls deep. “Jaehyun, please!”

Bodies slicked and coated in perspiration, Jaehyun leaned back, freeing you. You collapsed on the crook of his neck, feeling as if all your energy has been sucked out of you.

“You wanna stop? You know what to say,” he taunted.

God, you wish you knew how to. However, you knew you couldn’t. No matter how filthy his mouth could get, you won’t taste defeat. So you pulled yourself up. He won’t hear the safe word tonight.

“Damn you,” you exhaled.

With one swift movement, Jaehyun was out of you. Then he supported your body as he bent you over the sofa, your breasts making friction against the head rest.

“Jae— ah!” You moaned as he slammed his cock back inside your wet sex. Gripping the headrest tightly, your body jerked forwards and backwards as Jaehyun slammed and thrusted into you in a pace that made you scream and moan his name.

“No one,” he panted. “No one’s gonna fuck you like this, Y/N.” You felt his body leaning closer. He was hugging your back while fucking you from behind.

Your sweat trickled down the leather sofa. Perhaps your saliva, too. The reality of your lover fucking your brains out, inside his penthouse, with the tall skyscrapers as the witness further ignited your lewdness. You moved to meet his thrust, but Jaehyun reached for your clit, rubbing harshly.

Biting back a cry, you focused on the feeling. The heat on your toes was unbearable. You could feel your release building up. Your moans get louder and louder as your abdomen tightens, your stomach caving in, ribs protruding. Then Jaehyun cut out the friction.

“Fuck!” you cried out. You were so close, so damn close. “Fuck you! Fuck you!” you chanted as he fucked you from behind. Jaehyun chuckled, clearly amused by the way you were so helpless. At this point, he would give you a cataclysmic vaginal orgasm if he won’t stop fucking you like that.

“Tell me why you kissed him,” he repeated with his brooding voice yet again.

You cried, literal tears streaming down your face, mixing with your sweat. “Because you are an asshole! And you deserved—”

Jaehyun thrusted forcefully, his skin slapping against yours, stroking your cunt with his hard cock. “Jesus fucking Christ, Y/N,” he gasped. “Why.”

Over and over, he spread you out and fucked you relentlessly. Your sex felt so full it was overwhelming. Jaehyun reached for your hands and secured them behind you. You screamed in frustration and pleasure. One touch on your clit and you would explode right there and there.

He reached for your nipple and flicked it with his forefinger and thumb, giving you shudders. You have nothing left to fight with. You were all his. Mind, body, and soul.

You were still panting when he leaned closer. Then his left hand found your clit again. You readied yourself for the intense orgasm. Praying that you won’t lose your mind.

Jaehyun pulled your hair lightly, bending you at his will. He licked your shoulder all the way up your jaw.

“Jae—” You didn’t finish your sentence when a loud cry resonated in you. He pinched the lips of your sex towards your clit. You screamed his name as the release finally exploded through you. The orgasm was so, sooo good, tears started to stream down your face again. You tried to grab him for support, anything, just to keep your body from limping. Your cunt was still pulsating when Jaehyun stilled and fresh, warm, semen burst inside you like a separate thrust. He spilled himself inside you, filling you in, occupying every space.

After his cock was finished pulsating, he pulled out. He’d never let go of your body as he turned you to face him. Your face collided with his chests, exhaustion pulling you down.

“I am yours,” he stated with his eyes finally softening. “I’m sorry if I’ve ever done something to hurt you.” Then he placed a reassuring kiss on your forehead.

You nodded slightly, eyelids drooping down. “I’m sorry, Jae. I never really meant to hurt you.”

“Hush, angel, I know,” he whispered before kissing your lips fully. After he pulled away, Jaehyun carried you to the bed in a bridal style.

“Let’s wash you first, alright?” he said. You moaned in response. Then he chuckled. There was no danger in his tone now, only amusement meant for you.

Jaehyun laid you down in the tub. He filled it in. Then he started to lather your hair with shampoo. Because of his large hands, Jaehyun’s massages are the best. You hummed as he rinsed off your hair.

After bathing you, he washed off the perspiration from his body, too. Then he carried you again to the bed after drying both your bodies.

Naked, you both laid down on the bed. Jaehyun tucked you in, spooning you. Then he gave your shoulder one last kiss, before you finally drifted into oblivion.

[flowerbeom]

Double Pepperoni | LJB

Part of The Pleasure Chest | A GOT7 Cringe Collaboration

Lim Jaebeom x Female!Reader Genre: College AU, Crackhead Comedy Smut Rating: Mature. So very mature. Warnings: Bad puns, Swearing & Explicit smut scenes. Word Count: 4k

Concept:  to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass, its me. your best friend. or what’s left of her. remember that kinda hot but kinda gross pizza delivery guy? the one with the nose ring and always smelt of cheetos? yeh, he’s looking less gross these days. what?! don’t judge me. desperate times call for desperate measures. it has been 154 days since i’ve had sex. shit’s dire here man.

A/N: If you lean into how bad this is purposefully meant to be, you’ll really enjoy it. 

All GIF credits for this series go to @defsenses.

Day 97 

📧 to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass!  yes my phone is still broken, and i have no idea when im going to get a new one cause im broke from visiting you in another goddamn country - so just suck it up and reply to my emails like the good best friend you are.  fuck i miss you already! why the hell did you have to be smart and shit and get into that international program and go to college in Seoul of all places!  do you know how far away that is?! 16 hours cassandra! 16 fucking hours on a plane with no leg room, subpar food and a middle aged balding man snoring next to you the entire time so you get no sleep on a 16 hour flight AWAY FROM YOUR BEST FRIEND.  it was really good to see you though, can you thank mrs kim again for me - you really struck gold with that housing sitch you got - especially your roommate! that fine ass college freshman you DID NOT allow me to fuck!  yeh yeh whatever, i get it - how the hell are you meant to look mrs kim in the eye again when your childhood best friend who you talked up to be an angel fucked her only son on the fold out couch. yes i get it, stop rolling your eyes at me.  either way, its still the dry season down here. miss you, love you. bye. 

It’s funny how jet lag after coming home from a holiday feels almost identical to a hangover; it’s a painful reminder that something that was quite enjoyable is over. The headache feels almost the same, along with the cotton mouth, hunger, dehydration and utter disappointment and resentful emptiness that the fun you were having is completely done - but only one makes you hurl your guts out at the smell of orange juice. Condolences to those who are unlucky enough to hurl in both instances. 

Either way, that’s where you found yourself - Thursday night, half unpacked suitcase lay in the middle of your living room, eyes bloodshot and staring blankly at the television; an all consuming headache pounding between your temples. Lucky for you, you knew a sure fire way to get rid of it without painkillers. Insert Mr. Pene Falso. No literally, insert it. You didn’t call your vibrator Fake Penis in Spanish not to insert it. And in case anyone hasn’t caught on yet, an orgasm legitimately helps get rid of a headache. Try it next time. 

As ever, positioning is important - preparation is key. Sweatpants pushed down to your ankles, one leg completely fished out. Sideways lean, cushion under one elbow, completely bare leg propped up onto the couch; allow for maximum spread when those pre-orgasm hip rolls start. Set Mr. Pene Falso on one, there is no need to go hard straight away - ease into the session, let the endorphins build. You have been deprived of a real penis for a while, so you know you’re eager; but a little self control will yield the most delicious of results. 

You will run the long race to Destination Stimulation and you will bite that bottom lip as your eyes roll back into their sockets as your long awaited, slow built, easy increase of settings on Mr. Pene Falso brings home the most delectable of orgams. It will not be a dry night, no sir. So lower that beautiful vibrating, bright pink silicone wand onto your clit-- 

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK 

Who the fuck..? Your eyes snapped to the front door, your hand clenched around your vibrator just millimetres away from your clit. A small loosening of your grip dropped the angle and the tip of your vibrator dipped against your clit, sending shockwaves through your body. A gravely moan escaped you; your focus immediately brought back to the task at hand. Literally. 

Ignore it, it’s probably no one important. That’s what you told yourself, shaking your head and leaning back against the couch once again. You licked your bottom lip at the enticing notion of self-induced euphoria. Spreading your legs further than before, you corrected your grip and pushed Mr. Pene Falso into you. Your head dropped back involuntarily, your teeth marked your bottom lip and those pre-orgasm hip rolls started slowly. It felt devine, finally some release; a little bit of pleasu--

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK 

“Who the fuck?!” 

“Pal’s Pizza!” 

Tossing Mr. Pene Falso aside, you yanked on your sweatpants, wiped the one bead of sweat off your brow and stampeded to your door. 

“You got the wrong house, buddy!” Ripping it open, your rage was greeted with a face you had not seen in a long time. Your eyes blew wide, as the eyes of the man before you narrowed; complimenting the smirk etching across his face. The ever familiar smell of cheetos, weed and pepperoni of years passed filled your nostrils and nostalgia wasn’t a word you wanted to use in that instance, but repressed memories were being dug up nevertheless. 

A few moments of stone-cold silence passed before a subtle hum started to invade your auditory peripherals. Leaving your eye-line, Mr. Pal’s Pizza leaned sideways, throwing his smirk into the apartment behind you and directly onto the bright pink silicone wand still vibrating on your couch. All colour drained from your obviously stiffened face. 

He scoffed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your alone time. Mind if I join you instead?” 

Day 106

📧 to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass did you know that there’s a woman in Georgia, who due to a rare disorder, experiences hundreds of orgasms a day? she’s just persistently aroused and will climax any time, anywhere - even in the most obscure of places. whereas I cannot even have one, in my own goddamn apartment.  because you will never guess who delivered a pizza to the wrong house last week. Crusty Jae. Yyu heard me. Fucking Lim Jaebeom from high school! Who by the way, still looks like a tryhard 2006 Skaterboi with his stupidly baggy jeans, Stussy t-shirt and bad haircut - or lack thereof who fucking knows.  AND he still smells like damp. No no, he doesn’t smell damp. He smells like damp. Like the idea of damp. but istg i could still cut myself on that jawline of his. and come to think of it, I haven’t had pizza in ages.  miss you. love you, bye. 

Day 114 

“Seriously dude, you need to stop ‘delivering pizza to the wrong house’. It’s getting pathetic.” You feigned irritation despite taking the box out of Jaebeom’s outstretched hand.

“Bruh, I am not. The guy’s next door never answered. So you--” He shook back his overgrown fringe and shifted all his weight back, angling his pelvis towards you. His eyes traipsed up and down your frame, saliva clearly pooling under his tongue. “-- get a free pizza delivered by this handsome mug.” 

You didn’t even try to bury the scoff that escaped you as Jaebeom dug two thumbs into his chest; a pungent smugness wafting from his stained Pal’s Pizza t-shirt. You practically laughed in his face. Yet he didn’t waver. 

“You’re still the same overconfident creep from highschool, Jae.” Jaebeom faked offense, a hand slapped on his heart - leaving a faint damp hand print. 

“And I still managed to nab all the ladies.” Sliding his tongue over his top teeth, he winked and you almost gagged. The fact that Crusty Jae, the school’s resident stoner, managed to have the highest body count by graduation is something that still baffled you. Something must have been seriously wrong with the girls who let that inside them. There were rumours of course, but you weren’t willing to explore any of them to prove if fact or not. 

Lifting the lid, you inhaled a glorious whiff of mozzarella and pepperoni but caught Jaebeom scratching his head from the corner of your eye; little flecks of dead skin floated to the ground and you couldn’t help but focus on the flakes of what looked like parmesan on the top of your pizza. Horror ensued, visible in the quiver in your voice. 

“You.. you don’t make the pizzas do you?” 

Jaebeom smirked, and ran a clammy hand through his greasy hair. 

“Nuh babe, I just deliver them.” He punctuated his statement with a wink and pucker of his lips. You were not comforted and turned away before he could see the grimace on your face. You dropped the pizza box onto your couch and fished a twenty-dollar-bill from your wallet and returned to the door to slap it into Jaebeom’s hand. 

“Nuh baby, it’s free.” He insisted with a stupid slanted grin. You shook your head, pushing the money harder into his hand and away from your door. 

“Keep the change.”

“Damn, thanks for the tip.” He smiled softly. Maybe he isn’t so much of a creep anymore. 

“Want a taste of mine?” 

You couldn’t have slammed the door in his face any harder.  

Day 129 

European. What about Lebanese? Kirby? No, too short. Continental? Way too long. But then again Kirby cucumbers have girth, and it’s not all about length. It’s how you use it. Would you go raw? Or would you wrap it? How sturdy are Kirby cucumbers? You’d obviously have to wash it first. Oh shit, could they poison you if it smooshes up while inside you? No, well you eat them so they can’t be too dangerous. How much lubrication would you need? 

“Little to none if you’re warmed up enough.” 

Cutting off your mental ramblings and ripping you back into reality, your head snapped towards the voice. Jaebeom’s voice. Of course it had to be Jaebeom. Why is he suddenly everywhere? 

“Excuse me, what?!” 

“Lubrication. You wouldn’t need any if you’re warmed up. Cucumbers just slide right in.” He said with total confidence as if speaking from absolute experience. If anything, the pompous smile was enough to tell you what he was saying was true. You tried to swallow and gasp at the same time, causing you to start choking in the grocery store. 

“Wh-wait-what, I was saying all of that out loud?!” You prayed it didn’t say all of it out loud. 

Are you really that delirious from lack of sex that your pathetically curious and completely comedic wonderings about cucumbers as dildos was said out loud in the grocery store?! Have you become that incapable of controlling yourself that you can’t even keep being a horny bitch on the inside?! Must you zone out in full stereo?! 

Jaebeom giggled. 

“Maybe. I heard from about ‘What about Lebanese?’.”

You froze, the hand gripping your shopping basket growing dangerously limp.

“So pretty much all of it.” Jaebeom laughed again and reached across you to pick up the thickest Kirby cucumber from the pile and dropped it into your basket. 

“Think of me.”

“What!?” 

His smirk thawed you completely, leaving you standing in a lukewarm puddle of distaste. “Later babe.” 

Seriously, you needed to find every girl who fucked him in highschool and just ask them “WHY?!” 

Day 147

📧 to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass he ran out of battery I have no spares I live in a wasteland of despair miss you love you bye

Day 165

ring-ring-ring

“Pal’s Pizza, can I take your order?” 

“Hey Jae, it’s me. The usual please.” 

“Stuffed Crust?” 

“No thanks.” 

“No probs. How about I stuff you?”

“Bye.” 

“See you in twenty minutes!” 

Day 167 

📧 to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass I think I’m living in a permanent fever dream today in my tech drawing class my professor told me if I lick the tip I’ll get better results so I asked him, if i let him lick my tip would I get extra credit? HE MEANT MY PENCIL CASSANDRA, HE MEANT TO LICK THE TIP OF MY PENCIL SO I GET THICKER LINES what the fuck is wrong with me?!  oh I know.  it has been 167 days since I’ve had sex ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN DAYS and Mr Pene Falso still does not have new batteries.  miss you love you bye

Day 175

You had never felt more accomplished in your life. In one hand rested your brand new phone, shiny and in-built with all the things to keep your easily distracted brain entertained. No longer did you have to make calls from the decrepit pay phone outside your apartment building. No longer did you have to sit on buses and pretend to like reading. No, you were reunited with the technology of your generation and you were ecstatic. Full time college and part time employment didn’t always meet the needs of your demanding lifestyle, but you saved enough to finally get a brand new phone.

And in the other hand lay two beautiful AA batteries. You know perfectly well what they were for. You were equally as ecstatic. But for some reason there was one person you wanted to talk to about it. 

Your fingers dialed the number almost on their own; muscle memory taking over. It rang six times. 

“Hello?”

“CASS!” So excited to hear your best friend’s voice you tripped on the corner of your rug; your body colliding with the couch. 

“Holy shit, you finally got a phone. Took you long enough.” 

“Shut up, I’ve been busy.” Rubbing the part of your shoulder that managed to miss abundant cushioning on the couch and hit the tiny piece of wooden framework beneath it all. 

“Sure. Busy trying to get yourself off every chance you get.” 

The fingers trying to unscrew the bottom of your vibrator halted; your bottom lip folded between your teeth - a pout formed in your silence. 

“I--” Lost for words you resumed unscrewing the cap, placing one battery into each slot. 

“You’re probably gonna go masturbate after you get off this call.” 

The last battery dropped in with a clang, albeit muffled by Cass’s muffled laughter. 

“You know I’m messing with you right?”

“..Yes.” 

“Good. So how’s Crusty Jae?” She continued to laugh as you groaned.

“Dude, can you please explain how he managed to pull so much in high school?! Please! Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?!” Suddenly incredibly frustrated, you screwed on the vibrator cap with so much gusto that your grip accidentally turned it on; the abrupt buzzing ripping out a quiet yelp. 

“You know his nickname used to be Double Pepperoni.” You scoffed so hard, you felt it in your ribs. “Nuh apparently he was packing.”

“What? Like what, like he always had slices stuffed in his pockets?”

“No, like p-a-c-k-i-n-g.” 

“I highly doubt that flat-ass McGee is huge.” You smirked while Cass tried to stop herself from choking on laughter. “And even if he was, dude, I still don’t understand how that seemingly unhygienic mess can score so much.” 

“Bro, I don’t know either. But from all the girls I’ve ever talked to about him, they all say that whatever he did to seduce them or whatever - their reactions were purely carnal.” You made a pathetic noise, like a dying car horn to highlight your skepticism. “Like apparently, he would do something or they would see him do something and they’d just snap. Fuck him once, have a great time but then refuse to ever bring it up again. Except to me.. Cause after all, it was Crusty Jae.. But that’s beside the point.”

“They’d just ‘snap’?” 

“Yup. Like a fresh green bean.”

“Weird metaphor.” 

“But you got it.”

“Sadly. I’m going to go now.” 

“Happy Orgasm!” 

“Fuck you.” 

“Miss you.”

“Love you.”

“Bye!” 

From putting down one electronic device to picking up the other, you settled into the couch cushions with Mr Pene Falso in hand - recharged and ready to go. Yes, you were obviously going to prove your best friend painfully correct by getting off as soon as you hung up that call, but honestly - fuck it. You deserved it. 

Remember, preparation is key. Sweatpants pushed down your ankles, one leg completely bare. Hair pulled up into an overeager and messy as ever bun. Sideways lean. Mr Pene Falso, setting one. 

It’s not meant to be pretty, the faces you pull while masturbating. And the sounds one makes, equally as carnal. But who the fuck cares. You’re doing this for you. And as those pre-orgasm hip rolls get more and more intense as your clit is vibrated right down to Destination Stimulation, you moan in pleasure for you know you are finally getting what you’ve wanted for so lon-- 

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK 

“Hey it’s me!” Your head snapped so fast to the door it cracked every bone in your neck. 

“Jae!?” 

“Yeh, can I come in please?”

“Oh come on, what the fuck!?” Fury swallowed you whole, Mr Pene Falso slamming into the ground in a fit of rage. “What do you fucking want, Jaebeom?!” 

“Please, I need--” Jerking your pants back on, you charged at the door; ripping it open. 

“Need what?!”

“-- to use your bathroom.” Sheepish eyes met your own; blown wide and shaking. Jaebeom stood before you, pizza delivery bag hung loosely in his hand; completely soaked from head to toe. 

“Sorry, it’s fucking pouring outside and I delivered next door and I just want to dry off a little, that cool?” 

His usually loose shirt clung to his body, every inch of his torso outlined. His hair, normally shaggy and overgrown, was completely pushed back off his face; slick and saturated to show every carved line of his face. Was his eyes always this piercing? Or was it only because it was in context with the rest of his beautiful face? 

“So..?” Jaebeom reeled you back from your slow descent and you shook it off violently. 

“Uhh yeh, that-that way.” Throwing a thumb over your shoulder to show him the way, Jaebeom slinked past you; a marginal waft of damp weed followed behind. 

What has gotten into you? This is Crusty Jae we’re talking about here. You are not meant to find him attractive. Nothing about him is meant to be attractive. But there you were - standing in your hallway, dumbfounded as you watched Jaebeom take off his shirt and wring it into your sink. You tried to tear your eyes away from how broad his shoulders were, or how all the muscles around his waist tensed as he squeezed all the water out of his shirt. You couldn’t even fight off the shiver that crawled down your spine when you watched his triceps flex when he pushed his hair off his face. You swallowed hard when that shiver landed right between your legs. 

“Like apparently, he would do something or they would see him do something and they’d just snap.” 

He didn’t see you come up behind him but he felt the hand you placed in the middle of his back. Turning to face you, his eyes were as dark as yours were crazed.  

“Sup.” His cheeto breath didn’t deter you.  

“You’re a pal, right?” You swore you couldn’t sound any more desperate. 

“Says so on my shirt.” You couldn’t quite figure out if it was Chipotle or Flamin’ Hot cheetos. But it wasn’t the time or the place. You had needs. 

“Be a pal then.” Jaebeom quirked a lewd and curious brow. “Get me off.” 

The speed of which he had his hands under your arms and lifting you onto the benchtop was frighteningly fast. Your shirt was pulled hastily over your head and thrown aside, your pants were torn down your legs equally as fast. You had no time to question, no time to doubt - not when Jaebeom’s mouth was on yours, his tongue rolling over your teeth as if searching for hidden cheetos in your cheeks. But with the way his thumb circled over your clit through your underwear, you weren’t going to complain. Go on, fish for those cheetos baby. 

Through wet and messy kisses, your hands tracked down his chest; stopping at his belt buckle. Of course, you thought, it was one of those snap closure canvas belts - ridiculously too long and matched his ridiculously baggy jeans. Nevertheless, you snapped open the buckle, fished it out of the loops and his pants fell instantly to the ground. 

Jaebeom broke away from your mouth, leaning back to make room for his hands to pull off your underwear; just to have his lips crash back into yours the moment the lace garment hit the floor. 

“Conmg-do. Cone--. Con-” You mumbled against his mouth. Strong hands pushed against his chest; disappointed eyes flashed for a moment, before turning devious at the sight of your naked breasts. 

“Condom.” He nodded and you swung around to grab one from the medicine cabinet. Rounding back to face him, you saw his underwear was on the ground, his very erect penis greeting you fully. Double Pepperoni…  

He ripped the wrapper open with his teeth, slid the condom expertly onto his length and caged you against the mirror in one fluid movement. He waited, paused for effect if you will and you weren’t having any of it. One hand scratched into his hair, the other pulled on the chain around his neck.

“Oh, you want me to stuff you do you?” Said with total hubris. 

“Like cheesy crust.” Who have you become?! 

Jabeom’s heavy hands found themselves on your hips, pulling you down onto his dick. He filled you wholly, deliciously; throbbing against your walls so achingly good that you didn’t even care that you could feel crumbs of garlic bread that did not belong to you in your mouth. 

He pounded you roughly; each thrust making you bounce on your porcelain sink. His hair, still wet, dripped onto your shoulder and down your back as his teeth marked your neck. Your bathroom began to fill with lewd and erotic noises, squelches and squeaks of wet flesh against wet flesh and some against hard surfaces. 

Jaebeom snapped his hips harder and harder into you, moans tumbled from your mouth as the orgasm you have craved for finally rounded the horizon. He was merciless, relentless, completely determined to drive you home. 

You yanked harder on the fist full of hair in your hand, ripping a loud and gravely groan from Jaebeom. Not one to be upstaged, Jaebeom shoved his hand into your hair, tangling his fingers into your bun and pulling down to expose more of your neck to him. His pace had not slowed down at all. 

He marked your neck, sucking and biting on your flesh so gloriously that you began to mewl - high pitched and needy, and it’s what sent Jaebeom over the edge. His hips snapped harder, forcing his dick deep into you; hitting spots you had forgotten about completely. 

Different colours were flashing behind your eyelids and you were close, so close. 

And as Jaebeom neared climax, he tore his hand out of your hair. Though in his earlier fervour, got so much of it tangled around his fingers and stuck under his ring, that your whole body was torn sideways and off the bench. 

Landing on the floor, shocked eyes watched Jaebeom ejaculate all over your sink as your own orgasm retreated away; shrivelling up into dust and blown away in the wind - his hand still stuck in your hair. How the fuck, wasn’t he wearing a condom, you thought, only for you to reach down and find it stuck inside your vagina, half hanging out. There was literally nowhere lower you could go. This, this is rock bottom. 

“Haha, holy fuck. Sorry babe.” Jaebeom leaned down and carefully untangled his fingers out of your hair. Towels were passed around for hygiene purposes and you almost vomited when you saw cheeto crumbs wedged between Jaebeom’s butt-cheeks. 

You weren’t really sure what happened after. You think Jaebeom said something crass. Or maybe he said thank you. In a crass way. Either way, he eventually left and the two hour shower you took still didn’t make you feel clean. Especially not after finding a half-dried pearl of cum on your toothbrush. 

But there was one thing you knew for sure. You totally snapped. 

Day 0

📧 to: cassandra.l@unisk.edu.com hey cass in the interest of our friendship and for the purposes of full transparency it has been 1 day since ive had sex and we will never speak of it again

[carewyncromwell]

“Trusting desire -- starting to learn -- Walking through fire without a burn! Clinging a shoulder, a leap begins: Stinging and older, asleep on pins --

So here we go...”

~“I Should Tell You,” from RENT

x~x~x~x

Erik Apollo had never seen his guardian Carewyn Cromwell more scared than the night a rogue swarm of dementors descended on their neighborhood and she rushed home to find Orion protecting Erik with his Abraxan Winged Horse Patronus. He would also never see her quite that scared again, for the rest of his life.

Once Orion and Carewyn had walked Erik back home, Carewyn immediately rushed around, gathering blankets and bundling Erik up in something like a blanket burrito, and then steered him into bed while she made him some hot chocolate. While Carewyn rushed around, Orion quietly sat at the foot of Erik’s bed and gently encouraged him to take slow, deep breaths. Even though the nearly-thirteen-year-old wizard really wasn’t the sort to meditate, Orion was patient, and he eventually wore the boy down enough to steady his breathing by the time Carewyn arrived with the hot chocolate. Orion then got up and headed to the living room so he could leave the two alone to talk.

Erik slowly lifted the mug up to his lips and took a sip. His light blue eyes hadn’t met either Orion’s or Carewyn’s gaze once since they walked him home, but the hot chocolate did seem to bring some of the color back to his freckled cheeks.

“Better?” asked Carewyn.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Good. Make sure you drink all of it -- chocolate is a good antidote, when dealing with dementors...”

Erik bowed his head and didn’t answer. Carewyn tilted her head slightly to the side, trying to read his emotions. She could sense discomfort -- shame.

“Erik,” she said slowly, “I’m proud of you, for having wanted to help. It was good of you to want to protect the Muggles who live on our street. But dementors aren’t something you can fight back with first-year spells -- ”

“I had to do something,” snapped Erik.

“I understand that -- ”

“No, you don’t understand! I had to make them go away! I couldn’t just stay locked up in here, listening to that toad Umbridge and Rowle and -- and -- ”

Erik choked on his words. Despite the anger in his voice, it was clear to Carewyn that it was an expression of hurt more than anything -- like a snake biting someone after being stepped on.

Carewyn’s eyes softened with sad understanding. “...They made you remember your mother.”

Erik bowed his head again, shutting his eyes tight to try to obscure the pain in his features. Her red lips coming together solemnly, Carewyn reached out a hand to trail it through Erik’s blond bangs gently. Despite how prickly he was, Erik didn’t pull away.

“How could the Minister just let them loose?” he whispered bitterly.

“He didn’t have much choice,” said Carewyn. “Minister Shacklebolt didn’t want them as the guards of Azkaban any longer...and I agree with him, they shouldn’t be there. But the dementors were positioned at Azkaban for a reason, however shaky it was. The Ministry thought to give them a purpose and food source that would keep them contained somewhere far away from both Muggles and wizards alike. So now that that’s off the table, we’re right back where we were three hundred years ago, trying to figure out what to do with them.”

Erik’s light blue eyes flared with hatred. “Wipe out the lot of them -- that’s what they should do.”

Carewyn sighed. “Easier said than done, I’m afraid. Drink up, now -- don’t let it get cold.”

Erik did as he was told and took another long sip. Carewyn considered her ward for a moment before speaking again.

“I’ll have to send an owl into the office...but I’ll be working from home for the next week or so. Until the Dark wizard that released those dementors is caught...I don’t think it’s safe if you’re here on your own.”

She offered her best attempt at a smile.

“...Fortunately, since Christmas is on the way, that means we’ll be able to have some fun celebrating it around my case work. Did you have anything special you wanted to do this Christmas? Any traditions?”

Erik shrugged. “Not really...”

“Well, at the very least, we can go to Diagon Alley and do some shopping together.”

“Must we?”

Carewyn bit her lip to hold in a laugh. Erik grinned mischievously despite himself as he finished his hot chocolate.

“...Ms. Cromwell?”

“Yes, Erik?”

“Those things you and Amari cast...the winged horses made of light...what kind of spell was that?”

The memory of Orion’s and her matching Patronuses once again made Carewyn’s heart swell in her chest.

“...It’s called a Patronus Charm. It’s a magical shield created by a powerful, happy memory, which takes the form of a different creature, depending on the person who casts it. It’s not an easy spell to cast, but it’s the one sure-fire defense against a dementor -- because it doesn’t have any sorrow or pain that a dementor can feed on.”

Erik frowned. “So Patronuses can look like other things?”

“Yes. Sometimes they look like magical creatures, but more often, they take the shape of an animal that reflects something about the spell’s caster. Wendy’s is a unicorn and Jacob’s is a hippogriff, for example...but Jae’s is a fox and Talbott’s is an eagle. I’ve also seen dogs, cats, lions, rabbits, bears, dolphins, swans...even an elephant.”

Erik turned the knowledge over in his head. “So there’s a lot of different kinds, then.”

Carewyn nodded. Erik looked at her, tilting his head to the side.

“It’s kind of amazing you and Amari have the same one, then, if there are so many...”

Carewyn’s eyes flickered over her shoulder toward Erik’s bedroom door, which had ended up slightly ajar.

“...It is,” she said very softly.

Carewyn held out a hand so she could take Erik’s empty mug from him and got to her feet.

“All right...you should try to get some rest. Chocolate helps a lot, but some peace and quiet and maybe even some sleep should help you fully recover. I’ll be up the rest of the night, so whenever you feel hungry again, you can come on out and I’ll make us something for supper. Or breakfast, depending on how late it gets,” she added with a wry smile.

“Don’t you mean ‘early?’” asked Erik with another mischievous grin.

The smile then slid off his face, making it look more serious.

“...Ms. Cromwell...I want to learn how to make a Patronus. Will you teach me?”

Carewyn paused by the door and considered Erik carefully.

“It’s very advanced magic -- many full-grown wizards are never able to cast one. It won’t be easy for you to learn, or for me to teach...”

Her almond-shaped blue eyes softened.

“...but if you’re determined, then I’ll do my best.”

Erik looked relieved. He’d clearly thought Carewyn might say “no.”

“Thank you, Ms. Cromwell.”

Once Carewyn had put Erik to bed, she closed the door to his room, casting a few silencing charms around it so that she wouldn’t have to worry about Orion and her disturbing his rest with their conversation. Then she washed out Erik’s mug in the sink, put it in the dishwasher, and headed into the living room where Orion was waiting. Carewyn found him meditating with his legs crossed on the couch, and decided not to immediately disrupt him. Instead she primly placed herself down on the couch beside him and watched him, taking the time to gather her own thoughts. After all...it wasn’t every day you found out that someone shared your Patronus. Carewyn wasn’t the type to believe in fate or predestination, but...knowing they had something like that in common...that their souls were that similar, when she’d been so resigned to the thought that she could never be everything he deserved...strangely it brought her some comfort.

“How is he?”

Carewyn blinked as she came back down to earth. Orion slowly opened his eyes -- his expression was very calm and his gaze very gentle.

“Better,” said Carewyn.

She rested her arm on the arm of the couch and trailed a hand through her hair.

“...He didn’t just come out to help the Muggles. The dementors...made him hear things, from his past, even while they were outside.”

Orion nodded, his eyes glinting with solemn understanding. “With how many of them there were...I daresay to someone with emotional scars, particularly fresh ones, such an aura could be stifling.”

Carewyn nodded too.

“I’m just so lucky that you were around,” she said softly. “If you hadn’t been there to protect him, I don’t know what I would’ve...”

Her voice trailed off, lacking the strength to finish the thought. Orion extended a hand and, after a brief hesitation, rested it on top of hers in her lap.

“You couldn’t have known what might happen,” he murmured gently.

“I should have,” said Carewyn in frustration. “I knew when I took on those cases, I’d be opening myself up to death threats -- I’ve gotten plenty of them through post....I should’ve known they’d try to target the ones I care about, just like R did -- ”

“You placed very strong protections over this flat. No Dark wizard could have gotten inside -- even the dementors couldn’t.”

“But my shields still couldn’t protect Erik from them! He was still affected by them...I should’ve been able to -- ”

“Carewyn,” Orion cut her off.

His level, patient voice betrayed a slight edge, even as his hand migrated up her arm to cling to her shoulder, steering her around so as to make her face him properly.

“You cannot plan for everything,” he said quietly, his voice still unusually firm. “You’ve done everything one could humanly do, to protect and care for Erik. You love him with all of your fire, and that shows in your actions. That’s more than enough, and better than can be said for most people. ...Please don’t hurt yourself like this.”

There was a silence. Carewyn stared into Orion’s eyes -- the galaxy-like depths were endless and unwavering, but something in the back of them...it was like they were beckoning her closer, wanting her to drown in them. She could sense something imploring and concerned, but also something soft, caring...longing. There was a flash of memory: herself as a sixth-year student, walking down the halls with her long hair and uniform in disarray and her eyes lacking all light or hope -- “I know the beasts we fight are different, but...”  --  the first time Orion and she ever held hands, the day of the Quidditch Cup Award ceremony --

Carewyn hadn’t realized how they’d subconsciously moved closer together, while staring into each other’s eyes. She broke eye contact at last, her red lips curled up in a weak smile.

“...And here I thought I was supposed to be the one who’s talented at Legilimency,” she said sardonically.

Orion’s lips curled up in a wry smile as his hand slid back down her arm and returned to its place on top of her hand. “Don’t worry, you still are. Your inner fire is just too blazing for me not to feel its heat, Carewyn Cromwell.”

“Or you just know me too well,” said Carewyn.

Her gaze came down to rest on their joined hands. She slowly shifted her hand so that she could wrap her fingers around Orion’s wrist and hold it. Orion stiffened ever-so-slightly at first, but after a few seconds, he tentatively tried to mirror the gesture, brushing his own fingers along her wrist so he could take it in return. Carewyn looked up at his face and their eyes met -- although Orion’s face appeared as calm as ever, there was something almost shy coming off of him.

“Orion...”

Carewyn bit the inside of her cheek. She had trouble meeting his gaze head-on -- her eyes had flitted down to his lips.

“...Your Patronus...how long did you know? How long did you know that it’s...?”

Orion now seemed to be the one having trouble meeting Carewyn’s eyes. He turned his face away, his grip on her wrist shifting slightly the way a horse might nervously pad the ground with their hooves.

“...Since the moment I first saw yours.”

Carewyn was taken aback. “That long?”

Orion’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in his throat as he swallowed. He bowed his head, his eyes moving into the shadow of his bangs.

“...I’m sure you’re wondering why I didn’t say anything, back then,” the Star Chaser said softly. “To be honest...it’s something I’ve asked myself for years. I had reasons, of course, but even just repeating them back now...I daresay McNully would’ve graded them with very low percentages.”

He exhaled quietly through his nose in a sigh. Carewyn gave his wrist a light squeeze to try to comfort him.

“At the time, I was simply enjoying the moment, spending it with you,” he continued. “You were up and about, largely healed and in good spirits -- and in that moment, the thought that you and I shared a Patronus couldn’t distract from that. Instead it...enhanced the feeling. Gave it nuance. Not only was I happy to be with you...but I was seeing you more clearly than I ever had before. It was like seeing a beautiful wild horse from the distance for years, before finally getting close enough to recognize it as a unicorn.”

He glanced at her out the side of his eye.

“...I told you...that I’d thought we were alike before, didn’t I?”

Carewyn nodded, her lips spreading into a slight smile. “Yes. It seems you were right about that -- more than I realized.”

Orion tried to smile back, but it came out rather weak and hesitant.

“I knew we were kindred spirits the year we first met, Carewyn Cromwell. I knew that for all of our differences, you...saw the world the way I did. Wanted but a small piece of that world to call your own, as I did. Sought the freedom to live a peaceful, modest life, as I did. Guided and supported others, but only shared all of yourself with a special few, the way I did. And I confess, that’s not something I can say for much of anyone. And yet, even with that...it took seeing your Patronus for me to even consider looking at you with any sort of...stirrings.”

Carewyn couldn’t completely bite back a laugh. “‘Stirrings?’”

Orion’s cheeks darkened with a slight flush.

“I cannot call them feelings,” he said almost defensively, “that’s too strong a word. And...we were flying in different directions -- you toward the Vaults, me toward the Magpies. Neither of us could have changed direction at that time, even if we’d wanted to, and neither of us should have. We’d both worked too hard, put in so much tenacity in the quest for our ‘gold,’ to afford to get distracted so close to the end. Especially when...all there really was between us...was an old wives tale.”

Carewyn’s eyes became a little smaller and sadder as she squeezed his wrist again.

“Orion,” she murmured, “there has always been more than that. There’s been respect...faith...caring. And...”

Wendy’s advice rippled over her mind.

“Let him make that choice to love you, whatever it might look like. You’ll never know if it’s meant to be if you don’t ever ask if it could be.”

With a swallow and a light flush, Carewyn raised her free hand up to Orion’s cheek. When her fingers met his face, Orion gave a slight start -- as gently as she could, Carewyn cradled his cheek in her hand, using the contact to coax him to look at her.

“...I hope you know those things have only grown since.”

The softness of her voice and the beautiful caring rippling in her eyes were enough to make the tenseness in Orion’s shoulders ebb away completely. Within a minute, he’d melted, his own hand coming up to rest on top of hers on his face and his eyes fluttering closed as he savored the warmth and softness of her touch.

“Carewyn...” he exhaled.

He took her hand on his cheek, holding it as he brought it down under his chin and squeezed it tight. When he opened his eyes again, they were full of longing.

“…I have…nurtured this bud in my heart…longer than I have ever admitted to anyone – including myself. But when we collided again, during the War, that bud only served to grow further…and then bloom into a blossom so strong and beautiful that I could never hope to hide it…however ashamed I am that I denied it the sunshine and attention it deserved years ago. I’ve wasted…so much time, trying to stifle it…trying to be happy with what was in front of me, rather than chase what my soul was clearly aching for. All because of my own inner doubts -- because of the reluctance I felt, in the face of making a choice between the dream I’d been fighting for for so long…and the chance of a new dream I’d never imagined. I realize I have been a coward, Carewyn Cromwell – something you have never been, from the moment we first met. I don’t know if someone like that could be your soulmate – if I could ever live up to the standard that word entails...especially when your standards are so very high…but most assuredly, you are a special woman, one I will never know the likes of again…and I love you, all the same.”

The words made Carewyn’s heart feel like it’d swollen to a size too big for her mere rib cage to contain. Her eyes crinkled up to make room for the smile of pure joy that conquered her face and she gently rested her hand over Orion’s heart.

“You don’t need to worry about my standards, Orion Amari,” she said with blazing emotion in her eyes. “I...don’t know if I can be everything you need or deserve...but the way I feel about you, at least...I promise, you won’t ever have to doubt that.”

And in a fluid movement, she’d swooped in and placed a chaste, searing kiss to his lips. It only lasted a few seconds before she pulled away, so it was rather short. Too short, it seemed...for after Carewyn had withdrawn, Orion -- his black eyes flooding with a kind of emotion Carewyn had never seen before -- reached out both hands to cup her face and tilt her head back up so that he could kiss her again, more gently and deeply than before. When they broke apart again, both sets of eyes, blue and black, were sparkling.

“I’m sorry,” said Carewyn with a weak smile. “I’m afraid I’m a bit out of practice.”

Orion smiled fully, handsomely, as he trailed his hand along her cheek to brush her short ginger hair behind her ear.

“I would be happy to train with you, my dear Abraxan.”

[notchesandbullets]

Ryokuryuu’s Lifeline

Part 6: Pain

Your back collided harshly with cold stone as the officers tossed you around in the alley. Just like you predicted, it didn't take long for them to find you. They always hunted for unsuspecting women and children wandering around late at night.

Tch, what kind of sick person prays on innocent people...

You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, the skin coming away spotted with scarlet. Snarling, you launched yourself at the closest officer, and he fell down with a surprised shout. The other pulled you off of him, fist making contact with your jaw, almost knocking you out.

You blinked as the world around you spun.

Here we go...

Then, it all faded to black.

///

"Whatever it comes down to, I'll be right there with you. I promise."

Your determined voice pulsed through Yona's mind as she trekked up the hill to where her comrades were for the night, recalling what you had said to her the night Captain Gi-gan drew up the initial battle plans. Jae-ha had nodded off, and you both were exchanging hushed whispers, careful not to catch the attention of a certain hovering Thunder Beast. When you had first proposed the idea of going in undercover without telling anyone, she immediately was against it.

Yona didn't know what Yang Kum-ji had done to you personally, but she definitely didn't want to give him an opportunity to repeat it. You hastily rationalized your idea, knowing you didn't have a lot of time before Jae-ha woke up. The conversations the crew was engaged in rose in volume above yours, effectively concealing it from curious ears.

"I'm ready to face him. I've been running, but not anymore. If I can save one person from the fate that Jae-ha saved me from, then I'm going to do it."

Your tone left no room for argument, and Yona didn't have to ask to know that you didn't tell Jae-ha or the captain any of this. She would tell them tomorrow so that they would at least know about it before they started the infiltration.

Maybe they could dissuade you.

She glanced up to see Hak's dark figure leaning against the cliff. Yona stepped past him, but didn't get very far. She let out a shriek as he slammed her against the rock, pinning her with his arms on either side of her head.

"What can I do..." Yona looked up to see Hak's normally clear, cobalt eyes had darkened to obsidian. "...to stop you?"

"Hak..." Yona murmured.

"Do you know how dangerous it is to go to Kum-ji's place? You just did something reckless, didn't you?!" He shouted, gritting his teeth as he remembered the despair that filled him when Yona and the others were trapped in a cave in at Seiryuu's village.

He leaned his face into her shoulder, hoping to hide the fear in his eyes. "Sometimes... I want to tie you down."

Yona couldn't ignore his words as her heart shook, "Hak! M-Move aside!"

He didn't budge, despite her best attempts to create some kind distance between them and retain some of her usual color in her face. Eventually, she sighed and relented.

She needed him to hear her reasons for doing this, just like you had explained yours to her. "I used to think Kouka was an abundant country. I thought it was a country where people smiled and there was no conflict just like my father desired."

Yona paused, taking a second to formulate her thoughts into words. "But, the land of the Fire Tribe and Awa port haven't changed since my father's reign. Responsibility for the Fire Tribe and this town being the way they are also lies with me."

"Hak," He pulled back slightly to stare directly into her eyes, but Yona brushed off how her heart stuttered, intent on finishing. "Let me go. I am going to fight."

Her violet eyes burned with searing fire, and he let her pass, watching as the princess walked the rest of the way back towards camp. His heart was beating so violently, and he feared it would beat right out of his chest.

"Tsk, even though I said I absolutely don't want her to go... I'm shaking with... excitement? I want to see the princess..." Hak grinned, eyes glowing with unspoken pride. "End this successfully."

He sat up in alarm as an anguished scream pierced the silent night air. Kija, Shin-ah, Yoon and Yona burst from the forest, startling Hak even more.

"What was that?!" Yona cried out as Kija panted beside her. It was obvious that he was the only one who had been asleep.

Shin-ah pointed to the pirate ship, "Ryokuryuu..."

They tore through the night, reaching the docks in record time.

"What's going on?!" Hak demanded, eyes widening as they landed on Jae-ha's shaking form, clutching a crumpled piece of paper in his hands and Captain Gi-gan glared at them.

"Shouldn't you know?" The captain retorted savagely.

Kija was bewildered. "What?"

Yona carefully went to Jae-ha's side, easing the paper from his grip and unfolding it.

She almost dropped it.

Scrawled in blurry ink, she made out the message.

Jae-ha,

I'm sorry, but I've got to do this. It's selfish for me to hide while others take on the same fate that you spared me from so long ago. I have to do my part too. Yona inspired me, but please don't be angry with her. She did know, I asked her not to tell you. I understand I'm a coward for not telling you this in person, I was afraid I'd lose my resolve if I faced you. I know you'll probably hate me after this, but I want to save them. I'll do anything to save them from the pain that Kum-ji will inflict on them. There was so much I wanted to say to you... I'm sorry I couldn't. Know that you meant everything to me, Jae-ha.

-Y/N

P.S. Keep a lookout for metallic green attached to a mast, Captain Gi-gan. That will indicate which ship Kum-ji is on. I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye, but perhaps Yona will be a better replacement for me. Thank you for all the lessons that you've taught me. I will treasure it forever.

"You idiot," Yona lifted her head as she heard Captain Gi-gan scoff brokenly. "As if anyone could ever replace you."

Jae-ha's violent sobs racked his body, shattering Yona's heart. He was bent over, head pressed against the wood, darkening it as endless tears fell from his eyes.

"I-I'm so sorry, Jae-ha!" Yona let out a cry, the reality of what you had done setting in, and the pain crashed over her in waves. She reached out to him, but Hak grabbed her by the arm, shoving her behind him protectively. There was no telling what the distraught Ryokuryuu would do in this state.

Je-ha didn't seem to hear Yona, all he could think about was you.

How he failed you.

How he couldn't keep you safe.

You went back, did you not care about him at all?

You meant everything to me, Jae-ha....

His body trembled as your soft voice echoed in his head, and he cried harder, teeth nearly cracking underneath the pressure as his jaw clenched in agony.  

Why?

Why did you do this to him?

Didn't you know how much it would hurt him?

"Jae-ha..." He faintly heard Captain Gi-gan's voice, but it seemed so far away. No one was there to calm him down.

You were gone.

Would he ever see you again?

"Jae-ha." Her voice was clearer this time.

"Y/N..." Looking up, Jae-ha thought he saw your concerned face, but as his vision cleared, he saw the captain peering down at him worriedly, unmistakable sadness etched in her eyes.

She wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly as Jae-ha sobbed into her shoulder for what seemed like hours until he finally stopped and she released him.

The deck was empty, he had no idea when everyone had left, but he was grateful for their absence for once.

"Jae-ha, we'll get her back." Captain Gi-gan stated fiercely.

His eyes were swimming with grief, regret and a whirlwind of other emotions she couldn't identify and the captain knew it was only a matter of time before he spiraled out of control. You were the only one who could keep him successfully grounded, just like he did for you, and as much as she despised the way you went about things, she understood why.

After all you had been through, there was no way you would be able to convince her, let alone Jae-ha, to let you go back to the man who had kept you chained to an alleyway.

Captain Gi-gan begrudgingly acknowledged the rationality in your plan, but that didn't mean she agreed with it.

There was a very high chance you wouldn't make it out alive and that was a possibility she was not willing to entertain.

Yona and Yoon were supposed to leave the day of the exchange taking place with the Kai Empire, which was scheduled to be tomorrow. By being there a whole 24 hours more than them, there was no telling what state you would be in once they found you.

If they found you.

"We're going to get her back." She reminded him firmly, just as much for his sake as it was for her. "Jae-ha, you've got to fight for her."

That snapped something inside of him, and in a heartbeat, he was on his feet, a murderous look in his eyes. Fury blazed from within him and threatened to scorch any living thing that got too close.

"Captain," Green hair obscured her view of his eyes, but if she was able to see it, she would see the unhinged anger and desperation flashing in them. "I might not be able to hold myself back this time. I am going to kill him and anyone else who gets in my way." He warned.

She sighed, "She wouldn't want us to do that, but I'm not sure I can hold back either."

They had taken you away from her again, even if you went willingly to stop them.

Yang Kum-ji was going to pay for the girls that he had stolen from their homes, but he was going to pay a million times over if he so much as breathed on you.

Y/N... Captain Gi-gan closed her eyes in unusual desperation as Jae-ha stomped below deck, presumably to take his anger out on something. The normally calm and collected captain was gone and in her place was a worried and brokenhearted mother.

Hold on. We're coming.

[diddlesanddoodles]

DUMPLING ch 51

Whatever Bertol had done to her, Nenani continued to feel the exhaustion deep inside her body and limbs. Her arms felt very much as though weights had been strapped to her wrists, and she found the simple endeavor of keeping herself sitting upright to be alarmingly difficult. At last, the fatigue won out and she collapsed back against the bubble in a tired heap. It was a terribly distressful feeling, and she may have been inclined to worry more if not for the reassuring sight of both Farris and Keral only a dozen yards away.

While Keral’s gaze was firmly fixed on their captor, Farris was studying the condition of the humans as best he could from his vantage point. His green eyes met Nenani’s own and she placed a hand against the wall of her prison in a silent plea for release. Shifting his focus to Bertol, his expression darkened and his mouth pulled back into a bitter snarl.

“I’ll warn yer now,” he growled. “If ye’v harmed a single hair on their heads, I’ll draw and quarter ye myself.”

“They’re perfectly fine,” Bertol replied in irritation as he waved a dismissive hand. “Ye should be more concerned with how well Ellis is fairing, seeing as she’s the one been stuck in a damn jar for weeks.”

“She says she’s just fine,” Keral assured him and then jerked his head forward towards the bubble. “Now let ‘em go and I’ll let sparkles here out.”

Bertol did not move and merely regarded the brothers with reserved contempt. “You must think I’m an imbecile.”

Keral did not deny the accusation nor did his stare waver. Bertol’s own glare remained firm and unyielding and several moments passed where nothing was said. Abruptly, the tense silence was shattered when a small voice cut through with an irritated, “Oh for fuck’s sake, Bertie! Just let them go already.”

The severity of Bertol’s glare lessened and he addressed the occupant of the lantern. “You first. Then the children.”

“You must think so little of me that I could not escape this thing,” the fairy replied, rapping her knuckles against the glass. “Unlike the jar, this hasn’t been sealed. So let them go so we can all get on with our lives. I am desperate to spread my wings.”

Though not appearing the least bit placated by Ellis’s words, Bertol nodded mutely and waved a hand in a downward motion. All three bubbles floated towards the ground before bursting, and all three of the humans fell unceremoniously onto the grass. Nenani struggled to push herself up, her arms shaking badly. Jae was suddenly at her side, pulling her up with him and leaning her against his side for support.

“Watch it,” Keral growled, reaching up to the lantern and pulling the door open. With a sidelong glance at the fairy, he said, “I appreciate yer cooperation, Ellis. And yer help.”

“I suppose it’s my own fault,” said the fairy as she leaped into the air. Her iridescent wings unfurled from behind her and she stretched her arms and legs out, relishing her new freedom, as she hovered around Keral’s head as a golden ball of light. “I could have explained everything at the start, but magicians are so thick-headed about their worldview of magic, I didn’t see the point of even trying it. I’m just sorry Haiyer got mixed up in all this stupidity. And the others too, of course.”

Keral level a deadpan look at the fairy. “Uh-huh.”

The fairy flew over the brothers’ heads before zooming across the field. Bertol stepped forward to meet her, his hands reaching out eagerly, and the golden ball of light dropped gently into his hands. “I missed you, dearheart.”

“You sentimental old fool,” Ellis replied, though there was a smile in her voice. She rose up to nuzzle his nose and wrapped her thin arms around his face. “I missed you too.”

“Let’s go home,” Bertol said as he turned and began making his way back towards his tent.

“Not so fast there,” Keral said as he put down the lantern and slipped his pack off his back. He stepped forward, pushing his coat back to pull a pair of iron shackles from his belt. “Ye didn’t think ye could just up and trespass on the King’s property, abduct his son plus the heirs to Silvaara, and then just bugger off back into obscurity did ye? Ye’v got a lot to answer fer, Bertol.”

Bertol sneered at the ranger, pulling Ellis to his chest. “You have your waifs and I have my companion. Our business ends here.”

“I don’t think so,” replied the ranger, and then sprinted forward, his hands reaching out for the hermit. Bertol’s right hand pulsed with yellow light and he swung it in a circle above his head. A great wind cut through the copse of trees that shoved Keral back as it struck him. The ranger fell to the ground hard with a cry of alarm and pain. Farris scrambled towards the children and fell to his knees. His arms swept around to coax them all together and he used his body as a shield against the unnaturally turbulent wind.

Only when it died away did Farris raise his head, though he kept his arms curled around the humans. Nenani looked up to find that Bertol, Ellis, and the tent were all gone. She was still staring at the empty spot they left behind when, all at once, a deep chill settled over them. It was as though Bertol had been keeping the worst of the cold at bay and, now that he was gone, it was seeping back. Nenani’s whole body shivered with the sudden drop in temperature. The frozen grass under her was melting and soaking through the thin material of her nightdress, further exacerbating the problem.

Farris pushed himself up to study the humans below him. “Everyone alright, then?”

“I didn’t get to say hi to Ellis,” Haiyer murmured with disappointment from his place beside Jae.

“Damn raggedy old mage,” Keral grumbled bitterly as he picked himself up, favoring his right hip. He brushed away grass from his sleeves and backside as he surveyed the now empty lot where the tent had been. But it was not completely empty. Within the impression left behind, Keral’s eyes spotted the humans’ blankets laying in sad little heaps. The bright-colored fabric stood out starkly against the greenery. Bending down to gather them up, he brushed off the clinging debris while still muttering under his breath. “Fuckin’ moldy old goat.”

“Dammit, why is it so cold?” Jae demanded loudly while fervently rubbing his arms.

“Because its winter and yer damn near naked,” Farris snapped as he shrugged off the pack he was carrying. It plopped onto the ground and he began to fish around inside. “Luck fer ye three, I thought of that.”

He pulled out a wool coat for Jae who took it eagerly and slipped into it. It was a thick dark brown material that fell around his knees with a simple string belt to tighten around his waist. For Haiyer, he pulled out a tawny-colored padded tunic. It looked more appropriate for someone three times Haiyer’s size. “Wasn’t able to actually nab anythin’ of yer own, but this’ll keep ye toasty just fine.”

The tunic’s sleeves were far too long on Haiyer, but the little boy seemed content enough to let the extra length fall over his hands and drag on the ground. The thicker material would do well enough to shield against the cold.

Keral walked up on them while holding out the retrieved blankets. “These should help a bit too.”

For Nenani, Farris had brought one of the wool dresses that Lolly had made her when she first came to Vhasshal. She had difficulty slipping into it and Farris’s eyes narrowed as he watched her struggle. He brought his hand to her side, fingers curling around her back, and leaned down to peer into her face.

“What’s wrong, lass?” he asked. The creases of his forehead were more concerned than irritated.

“Tired,” she answered, leaning against his hand. “Bertol did something to me.”

The mild worry in Farris’s face was replaced with fury. “What did he do to ye?” he demanded.

Jae answered for her before she could form any response.

“She went all fire mage on him. He really didn’t like that.” He held his hands up and wiggled his fingers. “Then his hands got all glowy and he just sort of sucked all her magic out of her until her flames died out. He seems to have a thing against fire mages.”

Farris’s nostrils flared, but he held back his words and focused instead on helping Nenani into the dress. She had managed to get it mostly over her head by herself, but Farris had to pull the rest of the garment down over her. Once she was dressed, he took one of the blankets from Keral, wrapped her up, and then tucked her into the crook of his arm.

“If I ever see that bastard again,” Farris sneered, “I’ll skin ‘im.”

He growled and grumbled inaudibly for several more moments and then turned his attention to the boys. “Yer just gonna have to manage without shoes til we get back. But we’ll be carryin’ ye, so ye should be just fine.”

“And speakin’ ‘a that,” Keral interjected. He stood over Jae and Haiyer and dropped the two other blankets over their heads before standing back up. Ignoring their muffled protests, he planted his hands on his hips to gaze out at the scenery around them. “Yer not gonna like how long that’s gonna take.”

Farris frowned. “Just how far out are we?”

“Don’t have a fuckin’ clue,” was Keral’s frank reply.

Farris’s frown deepened. “What do ye mean ye don’t know? Yer a damn ranger.”

Keral returned his brother’s glare. “That was my first time taking a fairy portal, too. I’m used to knowin’ how I got to a place instead of being dropped down into it. What I can tell ye is we’re way fuckin’ north.”

“Well I could ‘a figure that much out myself,” Farris grunted, jerking his head towards the looming mountains.

“Fairy portal?” Jae asked after freeing himself from the blanket, and he looked back and forth between the brothers for explanation. “What do you mean fairy portal?”

“Just as I said,” Keral answered. “When the guards found ye all missin’, the whole castle lost their fuckin’ minds. Turned the whole place upside down. And we weren’t gonna just sit there and pretend like we were gonna find ye somewhere under the floorboards, so we decided to find ye ourselves. Grabbed some supplies and went to see if Maevis could give us an idea of which direction to go.” He scratched his chin and shrugged. “And then wouldn’t ye know it? A lil’ voice starts berattin’ us from an empty jar. Said we were irresponsible fer losin’ ye and some other insults I don’t remember. Then all a sudden that empty jar wasn’t so empty anymore. Maevis damn nearly fainted findin’ out not only are fairies real, but he’d been keepin’ one in his office. She offered to lead us to the fucker that nabbed ye three in exchange fer lettin’ her out and we took her up on that. She makes this big ol’ ring of light, we stepped through, and poof! Here we are.”

“And now that the fairy has left…” Jae prompted.

Keral turned his head to regard him with one eye. “We ain’t got as easy a way back as we did gettin’ here. So that means we’re walkin’.”

Jae wilted, pulling the edges of the blanket up around his face. “Wonderful.”

“Well, don’t be surrenderin’ to gloom just yet, lad. Might not be as bad as all that,” Keral replied. He pointed off to the left at the tallest of the mountain peaks. “That big one there is Mt. Vehnmir. So that must mean we’re somewhere in Dovencliffe or close enough to it. If we start headin’s south, we’ll start hittin’ civilization within a day or so. The Lords Harvington and Adler have hunting lodges up this way. If we can find one, we’d be able to garner some help from them and get a message back to Warren at the very least. Lord Brennan’s estate’s up here too somewhere.” Keral grinned down at Jae, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “And of course yourdear friend Lord Colem.”

Jae glared at the ranger. “I would rather walk all the way back barefooted.”

“Lucky fer ye, then,” Keral laughed, “I’ll be carryin’ yer sorry arse.”

“Great,” Jae grumbled. “First I’m taken hostage by bumbling fucking Bertol and then I get to be hauled across the country like a sack of potatoes.”

“A royal sack of potatoes,” Keral corrected smugly.

“You’re far too happy about this,” Jae told him. “Shouldn’t you be more pissed that Bertol got away?”

Keral crouched back down in front of Jae and ruffled his hair. The puckish tilt to his grin grew warmer and soft. “Just relieved to have found ye safe and in one piece, lad.”

Wrapped up snugly in his blanket, Haiyer ambled over to Keral and tugged on his coat. When the ranger looked, all he could see of the boy were his eyes and nose peeking out.

“Hm? What’s wrong, pup? Yer feet froze?” Keral asked, reaching down and gently nudging the boy with a knuckle.

Haiyer wiggled back and forth. “I have to pee…”

Keral raised an eyebrow and jerked his head in the direction of the trees. “Plenty ‘a trees over that way.”

“I don’t wanna go by myself,” whined the little boy.

Keral smirked and eyed him accusingly. “Don’t tell me yer afraid now.”

Even with the majority of the boy’s face covered, his expression of indignation was clear enough, and to further accentuate it he stomped his foot. “I am not afraid.”

Keral hummed in consideration. “I think ye might be.”

With nothing more than a glare, Haiyer turned on his heels and began to march towards the trees. The excess blanket trailed behind him like an overly long cape. Jae moved as though to follow, but Keral stopped him by placing his hand in his path. At Jae’s questioning stare, Keral whispered, “Let’s see how far he gets.”

He was nearly two thirds of the way to the nearest tree before his determined pace began to slow and then stopped. Haiyer turned just enough to see if Keral was watching. Seeing that he had the ranger’s attention, Haiyer gave his best pleading pout and made a high-pitched mewling sound.

With a shake of his head, Keral stood. Chuckling, he told the little boy, “Son, one ‘a these days yer gonna have to learn to take a piss all on yer own.”

“I know how!” Haiyer asserted vehemently as Keral approached. In a smaller, less assured, voice he admitted, “But I don’t want to.”

Keral gathered up the boy and blanket before making his way to the shelter of the trees. Farris watched them go with a sigh and shake of his head before turning his attention back to his ward.

“How ye feelin’, Dumplin’?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She wiggled within her blanket, thankful for the warmth. “A little better I think. Just tired.”

“Hm.” Farris did not seem convinced.

Glancing up to meet his eye, she said, “Thank you for coming to get us.”

He snorted a laugh, a faint smile pulling at his lips. “Aye, well I got a wee bit tired of waitin’ fer someone else to go and rescue ye from all the shit ye manage to get yerself into. Gotta tell ye though, lil’un. Startin’ to get old.”

She broke out into a smile, but it quickly faded as guilt welled up. “Sorry you’re stuck out here.”

“A lil’ walking never hurt no one,” Farris assured her. “Could ‘a timed it better though. After that smokey bastard crashin’ the party last night, everyone was convinced he’d been the one to grabbed ye. The King and yer Mum were just about ready to send out the army.”

Nenani’s eyed widened in alarm and she tried to sit up. “What?”

He coaxed her back down with his hand. “Don’t get too excited now. I’m sure Maevis’ll have told him all that happened. So the sooner we can get a message back to ‘em the better.”

“Warren wouldn’t really send the army out,” Jae remarked, but as he said it, he looked unsure. “Would he?”

“Can’t rightly say. He was livid when they found all ye missin’,” Farris told him frankly.  “Chewed out the guards, chewed out Rheil, and Lolly said he was even throwin’ stuff.”

Jae looked very nervous and uncomfortable. “How long do you think it’ll take to get back?”

“Wrong one to ask, lad,” Farris replied. “My work’s in the kitchen. All this out here is Keral’s territory. But if we do find one ‘a these lord’s estates or lodges or whatever the fuck they have out here, it won’t be longer to get a message to His Majesty. If only to let ‘im know yer alright.”

“Was Mama mad too?” Nenani asked.

Farris shrugged. “Couldn’t say. Wouldn’t be surprised to find a few bits a furniture were turned into charcoal, though.”

………………………………..

Within the hour, they were moving. Jae was settled away inside Keral’s pack while Haiyer hitched a ride inside his large breast pocket. Farris made room inside his own pack for Nenani to lay down and rest. The sway of his gait easily lulled her into a dreamless sleep. When she opened her eyes, feeling more like herself, it did not seem as though she had been asleep for very long. Her side was sore from where she laid against her dagger, but the pulling weight of fatigue was gone and replaced by a dull ache in her belly. She had only nibbled on the apples Bertol had doled out to them and now she was properly hungry.

Farris had left the top flap unbuckled and slivers of day light shone through the gaps. The swaying of the pack made getting to her feet tricky, but once she got a good hold of the top ridge she managed to hold herself up. Pushing aside the top flap, Nenani poked her head out into the crisp mid-morning air. The sun was further up in the sky, but not quite directly above them yet.

“I promise you Keral on my life,” Jae was saying with real vehemence. He too was standing inside the pack with the flap pushed aside. “The lyric goes ‘and I’ll be gone by morning,’ not ‘I’ll be fine by morning.’”

“Hm,” Keral hummed in consideration. “Might be. Still like the other version better.”

Jae sighed dramatically and flopped over the ranger’s shoulder. “You’re impossible.”

Farris laughed. “No use tryin’, lad. That one’ll never admit to bein’ wrong.”

Keral turned to glower at his brother. “Me? Yer one to talk. I’ve met tax collectors more reasonable then yer moody arse.”

“Like to see how much ‘a yer manners ye manage to hold onto with my work load,” Farris shot back and then added, “And they’re paid more.”

“Ah, I’m sure yer justly compensated,” Keral told his brother and then under his breath, muttered, “ye kitchen gremlin.”

“Heard that,” Farris growled.

“Well, good to know yer hearin’ is still good.”

“If that was yer attempt at callin’ me old,” Farris replied with an unamused stare, “maybe ye need remidin’ that I’m only three hours older then ye.”

“And what a world of difference those three hours make,” Keral quipped with a self-satisfied smirk.

“Come off it,” scoffed Farris, but the edges of his mouth quirked in a suppressed grin.

“Just let me know if ye need a rest, old man,” Keral laughed.

Wordlessly, Farris leaned over and punched Keral’s shoulder. The ranger winced and pulled a pained hiss through his teeth. He rolled the offended shoulder. “I’m tellin’ Ma.”

“Go right ahead,” Farris laughed. “I’ve got three more in reserve from the last few times she begged me to knock some sense into ye.”

“Yer just lucky the lil’uns are here,” Keral warned, but his expression was one of mock anger. “Or I might ‘a said somethin’ unkind.”

Farris chuckled and shook his head. The motion caused him to catch sight of Nenani and he turned to better look at her. “Did our bickerin’ wake ye up?”

“No,” she answered, smiling. Leaning forward to rest her arms over his shoulder, she watched the grass below his feet pass by. “I’m all better now.”

He rumbled approvingly, the sound sending light vibrations through her arms.

Another hour passed easily as they moved through the low rolling hills, and the sparse cloisters of trees began to converge more and more until they faced the treeline of a thick forest.

“This can’t be the north tip of the Blackwoods, can it?” Farris asked, looking to his brother.

“Hm,” Keral hummed as he studied the trees before them and then looked up to mark the sun’s position in the sky. “Don’t think so. That would put us close to the Hoek boarder and Mt. Vehnmir is too far west. No, my best guess is we’re coming up on one of those hunting lodges I mentioned. At least, that’s my hope.”

“It’d be nice to get a message to the castle by end of day,” Farris remarked.

As the brothers spoke, Nenani took time to study the trees for herself. They were enormous things with their canopies reaching hundreds of feet above their heads. Though the season had robbed them of their leaves, the remaining branches jutted out every which way, with the smaller twigs spider-webbing out and mingling with those of the trees around them. The early morning fog that had dissipated with the climbing sun still clung to the inner pathways by virtue of the spindly canopy above, resulting in an eerie and ominous sight.

“Are we going through?” Nenani asked.

“Well, that’s the question,” Keral replied. “Do we go through or walk around? There’s no real way of knowing from where we are. There’s dangers to traveling through open land. No cover, for one. But that also means ye tend to see anyone trying to come up on ye. Most of the time, at least. In a forest, ye have more cover. But less of a chance at seein’ someone tailin’ ye.”

“What about walking around?” Nenani suggested, though even as she said it, she felt it was a silly question.

“Walking around might cost us a day, going through may only save us an hour. No way of knowin’ right now.”

“What would you do?” Jae asked the ranger. “If it was just you on patrol?”

“Me? Forest,” Keral asked, briefly glancing at Jae before turning his gaze back to the trees. “More resources, more cover.”

“Seems like we have our answer then,” Jae said simply.

Keral looked to Farris. “Ye agree?”

“If this is a lord’s land,” Farris began, his expression serious. “We could end up walkin’ right into a hunting party and risk earnin’ an arrow in our hides.”

“Ye ever been on a hunt with a noble, Farris?” Keral asked.

“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” Farris replied wryly.

“They ain’t quiet affairs,” he explained. “Loud horns, squires whackin’ at bushes, and hollerin’ tryin’ to scare any game out into the open. We’ll hear any hunting party long before we come upon ‘em. And the season’s over fer that sort of sport. The lord’s still likely to be at the castle or on his way to his home estate. We’d be dealin’ with his resident staff.”

Farris considered this for a few moments and then nodded. “If there’s a chance goin’ through saves us a few miles, I agree. We should take it. Sooner we get these three back home, the better.”

Keral nodded. “I agree.”

Nenani kept quiet as they approached the tree line, all the while eyeing the skeletal branches above with growing unease. She could not explain exactly the reason for it, but she felt as though they were being watched.

And that they were distinctly unwelcomed. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BONUS ART: 

[wouriqueen]

About Hae Kyung’s wounds and why No Eul needed to be part of this story

So episode 8 was amazing and one of the important things it did for me was finally make clear to us the narrative importance of having Jin No Eul in this story : she’s there so we can understand Hae Kyung better, and so Hae Kyung can understand himself and not repeat the same mistakes.

To be honest, although I rant on and on about M. Scary Jae Hyuk I never actually felt like the exes being in the show was a deterrent to watch or a flaw in the story. Yes, it was partly because the synopsis I’d read made it clear they’d be prominent characters and because having watched many k-dramas, I expected some of the antics they pulled (although not all - they have an unprecedented kind of audacity  and entitlement lmao)

But ALSO : I figured they had to have been added in there for a reason. And since the show made pretty clear in previous episodes that Do Hee and Hae Kyung do not have any feelings left for these people (they’ve clearly stated it to each other during / after the camping trip + their attitude towards their ex says it all), I thought “This is not about love triangles”. I figured No Eul and Jae Hyuk were there to push along the leads’ character development and inform us about their personalities and the wounds that made them the way they are now.

(Under the cut : why Hae Kyung’s break-up with No Eul was also a little bit his fault and why realizing that will help him get over that painful break-up, understand he loves Do Hee and not repeat the mistakes he made with No Eul).

About the narrative role of the exes : Jae Hyuk ... right now, he’s only bringing in drama lol. I’m not complaining because he’s shaking things up narratively and I actually like that - I just worry that the drama gives him too much narrative presence / power and that his character ends up obscuring the true subject of the show which is Do Hee and Hae Kyung learning how to love and trust again, together.

But No Eul? She’s different. I don’t know if the same will ever happen for Jae Hyuk’s character but episode 8 of Dinner Mate gave a deeper meaning / role to her character.

You probably noticed - Hae Kyung doesn’t seem to have many people around him. His father passed years ago, he’s rejecting his mother and his only friends are :

His assistant with whom he maintains a distance with no matter how much he likes him, the cause (or the excuse) being : it’s a professional relationship) 

Gon Woo who clearly is more No Eul’s friend that Hae Kyung’s (maybe that’s even how he met him in the 1st place ?)

Which means that No Eul, the woman he dated for 8 years, was the closest person to him. 

And yet ... their latest conversation reveals that he in fact never really opened up his heart to her. Sure he had sincere feelings for her, but he never let himself get so invested that her acting up or cheating would actually really get to him. 

Do you realize how scary and sad that is ? How closed off this means he’s been all these years ?

And this is something we’ve had hints of all along : him never showing or saying as much as Do Hee did, him being the one to demand they have rules to their “dinner mate” relationship and notably adding the “no dating” rule ... He told Do Hee he’d closed off his heart (decided to “never start again”) after No Eul left him, but the truth is that his heart had never been opened in the first place. Or rather, it might have been open enough for him to enter a romantic relationship, but never enough for him to rely on the people who try to love him back.

Do you remember ? In the beginning of this story when they see each other again for the 1st time and they discuss their break-up, she brings up the same topic as in episode 8 : how she hated that he never got angry or jealous no matter the wrong she did him. Back then I thought she was just ungrateful, manipulative and toxic. I thought he forgave everything because he loved her too much, and because he maybe had a more naive personality that made him let her walk all over him. 

Then No Eul’s long-standing familial issues were revealed and I thought he had been forgiving because he’s a really empathetic person, as we’ve seen, because he pitied her circumstances, and because he related to her being let down by her mother.

But turns out he never even had to try hard to forgive her, because he never was truly that angry in the first place, because he never let himself want her enough that he’d even feel such emotions to the extent you’re supposed to when it comes to someone you love.

No Eul is right. For all that she is selfish and sometimes childish, even though she’s a cheater, even though she should have confronted him about this all the way back when they were still together instead of betraying him in ways that would only convince him further that he was right in safeguarding his heart like that... she’s right on one thing at least. 

He never truly loved her. 

He liked her a lot, he cared so much and he still does, obviously, but there was none of that greed that comes with love - none of the greed that drives him now to step out of his comfort zone and risk being vulnerable all so he can share one more meal with Do Hee. We’re talking about the guy who let go of his 8-year-long love with No Eul so easily !

Which means Do Hee is different from No Eul. What I think is : he may like her just a bit more than he used to like No Eul, but also the circumstances allowed his feelings for Do Hee to develop differently. 

Think about it : initially their relationship doesn’t have a title and they purposefully do not exchange numbers.  Like they said, this is what made it easy for them to open up. Except their excuse is "I can be vulnerable and embarrassing because you don't know me in 'real life'", and imo the truth is : "a stranger can’t abandon you because they were never really there for you anyway" . Then they decide to become “dinner friends” ....... BUT he wants to establish rules to still keep a distance lol. And now I realize : it’s not just that he was more comfortable with her if she remained a stranger. It’s that if she became someone to him, he’d have the urge to barricade his heart again. And he didn’t want that. Why ?

Because having no official relationship title meant she officially didn’t owe him anything. And precisely because there were no expectations, no commitment Do Hee could possibly betray .... there were no mistrust and no fear. That allowed him to open up and rely on her just a teeny tiny bit by talking about his first love. And I guess the taste of it was strong - because he starts looking for her when he’s upset or considering calling her. He heeds her advice.

But he never crosses the line. He never calls to seek comfort. Even when he goes to look for her, he never admits it to her (aka that time he looked for her at the restaurant they went to, or when he waited near her house to return her earring.)

Sure, he attempts taking a few steps forward because he wants to be close to her (”I don’t mind if you show me “too much””, “you can tell me about you if you want”)....

.... but he never goes far enough. He’s still scared. Even when their little bubble bursts and their easy relationship turns out to be a little complicated, when Do Hee gets scared and runs away, even as he tries to reassure her by revealing his identity and hanging onto her and trying to convince her ... he’s still not letting himself be hopeful, be vulnerable, be expectant. He’s saying “I am here for you”. Not “Will you be here for me ?” and he probably thinks at first that Do Hee needs to hear the 1st one because she’s been abandoned twice, but actually she needs to hear the 2nd one because she needs to know she’s not the only one invested in the relationship !! That he needs her as much as she needs him. 

That’s what anyone would want. 

That’s what No Eul wanted. 

No Eul failed to ask for it the right way but by clearing the air with her and really getting to the bottom of what went wrong with her, Hae Kyung realized he was making the same mistake and risking losing Do Hee because of it. That’s why he confesses to Do Hee. He doesn’t want to lose her like he lost No Eul. And that’s why No Eul needed to be part of this story - for Hae Kyung not only to get closure with her but to understand himself better and finally move forward.

Edit : forgot to mention it but of course I think his reluctance to open up and rely on people all has to do with his mom abandoning him / not being there when he needed her the most all those years ago.

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

Back again with one of my classic asks. With spooky season nearly upon us, I’d love to know what you think the boggarts are for the HPHM crew. 👻

Oh snap, I’ve thought about this a lot and it’s another one of those magical signatures that flesh out a character that are always fun to think about. Let’s see what I can come up with! This is going to be very disorganized and I apologize for that. 

Some of the characters are confirmed, we know for a fact that Tulip and Penny’s Boggarts are Merula and a Werewolf respectively. We also learn some of the other characters’ fears, although it’s not confirmed if they would be their Boggarts. Bill fears losing his family, meaning his Boggart would very likely be the same as Molly’s. Though it might be an easy way out, I think that Charlie would have the same values and probably have the same Boggart. Rowan feared failing their exams, which means that maybe it would be similar to Hermione’s and just be their Head of House condemning their failure. Or perhaps someone closer to them. Just imagine Rowan seeing their brother, or MC looking at them in disappointment? 

Barnaby is said to fear clowns, and that’s genuinely hilarious. However, I have to wonder if they would  really be his Boggart form. Though he pushes it down all the time, Year 5 makes it very clear that he lives in an abusive household. I’ve seen a lot of head-canons that Lucius would be Draco’s Boggart, but I’ve never agreed with them because however terrible Lucius was at parenting, he was never abusive - at least not to Draco. Barnaby, on the other hand? I wouldn’t be surprised if his Boggart is his father. Alternatively, I find myself remembering how he gravitated toward Merula and Ismelda, despite how they would hurt him. MC helped him see that he was being used. Maybe Barnaby fears being hurt by people close to him? Maybe the Boggart would be something more like a shadowy, scary figure - beckoning to him. The dissonance when one isn’t sure about the difference between abuse and love.

Then there’s Tonks. She’s said to fear losing her abilities. This is one of the only times she ever talks about her shape-shifting powers in a serious moment that isn’t played for laughs. She fears losing her powers? Why would that be? I think I know. I think I know why she constantly makes animals noses, and has her hair pink or purple or whatever color. I think I know why she prefers her surname. And sure, part of it would be that “Nymphadora” sucks as a name, but it’s not like “Tonks” is that much more “normal.” No...I think Tonks wants to distance herself from her mother’s side of the family. I think she’s low-key ashamed to be related to people like Bellatrix. I bet she’s the spitting image of Andromeda, who as we know, is the spitting image of Bellatrix. Maybe that’s why Tonks never shows her real face. Why she embraces the muggle side of her family more. Why she would fear the loss of abilities that let her present herself as she wants to be. As to what her Boggart would physically look like? Maybe Bellatrix herself.

We don’t have any canon information about any other characters, but let’s talk about Ben. I can’t say for certain what his Boggart would be, but I know where his fear lies. Ben is keeping some kind of secret. He’s definitely on our side, but he’s not telling the whole truth. Maybe he’s trying to protect MC, I don’t know. But I bet he fears, or at least feared, what MC’s reaction would be to learning this secret and learning that Ben lied. Imagine his Boggart being MC hating him and turning their back on him for it. Of course, after Chapter 18, I think it would turn into Rowan’s corpse. I doubt I need to explain why. 

Let’s get a bit obscure for a second. This one is more of a head-canon than anything else because there really isn’t any evidence for it beyond how I interpret the character. But when it comes to Badeea, I think she fears the loss of her senses, and her awareness. To put it simply, she fears losing her mind. Being unable to appreciate the world for all of the beauty and wonder it has, all of the new secrets she can learn. I think she’d be afraid of going blind, because that would painting a lot more difficult. I can envision her Boggart taking the form of Badeea herself, visibly unhinged. Blind and stumbling around, muttering to herself. 

I’m not sure what Liz would have as a Boggart, but I have to assume it would reflect on what she finds important. The things that are important to us are ultimately going to shape our greatest fears. Liz is an activist, we know this. I think she fears the evil that humanity is capable of, especially to the innocent. She fears the trauma that cannot be spoken, because the victims lack the language to ask why this is being done to them. Children and creatures, primarily. I could see Liz’s Boggart taking a couple of different forms. Maybe a wounded animal in a cage. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what a Boggart would do for the more abstract fears...

Merula is one of the characters that I know exactly what her Boggart would be. At first it was Jacob’s Sibling. She feared them, felt intimidated by them. We know this - that was the real reason she locked them in a room with Devil’s Snare. She’s also envious of them - I wouldn’t be surprised if they played some role in her Erised vision as well. But post-Portrait Vault? Come on, we all know who her Boggart is. That seems almost like a given. You may be surprised that I’m not listing her mother, but Pre-Portrait Vault and post, I just don’t believe it would be. I’m not saying Mrs. Snyde is a good person or a good mother, but Merula seems to genuinely love and miss her. 

Chiara is different from Remus in that he hated himself for what he was. I don’t think that Chiara does. I think she has self-respect, but just because that’s true, it doesn’t mean the rest of the world respects her or would look at her with anything but fear and hatred if she shared her entire self. We see this with her trauma over what happened with Selina, and I think we have our answer right there. Young Selina, screaming and terrified when she saw Chiara’s transformation. We never got official confirmation that this was her Boggart, but it’s exactly the kind of thing that would be. It represents all of her insecurities. And sure, MC witnessing her transformation may have helped with that, but I don’t think for one second that it all went away. 

Talbott is another character who all but tells us what his Boggart would be. It’s said that many people who grew up during the First Wizarding War had Voldemort as their Boggart, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Talbott did. (Would make far more sense than MC having Voldemort as a Boggart, that’s for damn sure.) Or if not Voldemort himself, a Death Eater. Could also be his parents’ corpses. Hell, he said that they only found his parents because of the Animagus Registry. Suppose they were killed in animal form. Suppose his Boggart is a swan, lying slain and bloody. There are multiple forms it could take, but it’s crystal clear what Talbott fears the most. He fears the people who murdered his parents, and he fears that he’ll suffer the same fate and that they will have died for nothing.

Okay, I knew you were waiting for this one. Skye Parkin. Another character who’s anxieties are worn on her sleeves, pretty much blatantly. I’m not sure what form the Boggart would take. But it seems clear to me that she’s insecure about her own talent as a Quidditch player, not to mention her lack of social skills. She’s under tremendous pressure and she would have anxiety about not living up to that pressure. Would her Boggart take the shape of Ethan? Maybe. But similar to Merula, I’m not sure because at least on a conscious level, Skye doesn’t seem to realize that she fears him. The Boggart could just as easily take the shape of Rath. Either way, it would have quite a bit of fear to go on. 

Let’s talk about Jae. I’m not sure how canon this is but I’ve heard that the reason he’s dealing in Dark Artifacts is for the sake of his mother, and I really like that idea. It implies that there’s a lot more going on with him and with his family. I can only assume there’s no Dad in the picture. I can only assume that perhaps they aren’t doing that well financially. He can bond with Charlie over that. In any event, I think Jae’s biggest fear is his operations shutting down, that he might get caught or busted. Because he probably depends on this business to help his mother. Not sure what form that Boggart would take, perhaps Ministry wizards showing up to arrest him? Perhaps something to do with his mother? 

Ismelda. Oh Ismelda. Again, we all know what the source of her fear and her pain is. We all know her baggage. Then again, I think her reaction to her family has manifested more into hate, than actual fear. On the other hand, she seemed pretty scared when she thought Merula was going to ditch her for MC. I have to assume that, at one point, she desperately wanted her parents’ attention and feared that they would never love her, before she settled into bitter acceptance of that. I think Ismelda’s fear would look similar to Badeea’s, in that it would take the shape of Ismelda herself in the state that she fears - her being all alone with no one caring about her. Or maybe it would take the form of her sister, throwing this in her face.

Orion seems to value one thing more than anything or anyone else, and that is his family. He lost one family before, and now he has a new one in the form of his Quidditch team. I think he has an interesting perspective about them, and however odd his choices may be I think he’s fully invested in helping them and seeing them grow into the best people and players they can be. I wonder if the reason he’s hesitated to get too involved in the whole fiasco with Skye, is because he fears conflict? If so, I can relate to that. Or maybe he sees something that we don’t. Either way, I don’t think he’ll ever kick Skye off the team because she’s part of that family. His Boggart is probably something to do with his family, and serious harm coming to them. I’ve always speculated that his family died of natural causes. Maybe he fears his new family will dissipate in similar ways? The old fear of losing touch with people after everyone leaves school? Again, this is getting primarily into head-canons and I know I’ve rambled on, but I wonder if his Boggart wouldn’t be the members of his team, reuniting with him and barely remembering or caring about him...

I haven’t covered everyone, but with characters like say, Murphy and Diego and Andre, I have genuinely no idea what their Boggart would be. These are the characters that I’ve had ideas about for a while and I’m so glad I was able to share them, so thank you for that!

[becuztaelien]

3| The Beast

Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4

2.6k words, Warning: Intense shit, triggering themes, language

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.”

Jaemin pressed the gun harder against Jimin’s forehead, a wide grin spreading across his slim face. “Renjun!” he called out to his partner, not breaking eye contact with the terrified boy below him for even a second.

“P-please..” Jimin whispered from the ground; his throat felt constricted causing his voice to crack. The gun was only in contact with his forehead, but the metal made his entire body shudder with dread.

“Princess, I think it would be wise to keep that pretty mouth shut.” The brunette pursed his quivering lips together tightly, the last thing he wanted was to piss off the gang members. “Now stand up slowly and don’t get any clever ideas.” Jimin didn’t realise he’d been holding his breath until he had to stand up; the gun against his head seemed to have stolen his attention entirely.

“There he is! Sneaky little rat,” Renjun happily exclaimed as he came round the corner, “did you think we wouldn’t find you?” he seemed pleased; the man was taller than his partner and muscular, one punch from him was probably enough to knock a grown man unconscious. He approached Jimin’s small figure and chuckled, “What are you? Min’s old whore or somethin? Didn’t know he swung both ways.” Both of the men laughed among themselves until Renjun noticed a cell phone on the ground. He scoffed before bringing his heel down on it hard; Jimin yelped, his legs had begun to shake at some point but now he could feel his entire body following. The phone screen shattered and the heel of Renjun’s shoe had made such a prominent dent it was good enough to be used as an acute angle in a child’s mathematics book. Renjun wrapped his arm around the smaller man “aww, did little baby get scared?” he mocked. Jimin was extremely uncomfortable, not only by his words but the bastard had slid a hand under the dancer’s shirt and was currently resting it on his bare waist. His fingertips were cold and it sent a shiver down Jimin’s spine; he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. “Jae, what do you say we play with him a little?” Jimin’s eye’s widened, they were going to do what?

“No one’s coming anytime soon anyway, might as well see what those big lips are good for.” Jaemin approvingly responded and his partner gave a disgusting smirk in return.

“Just his lips? I kind of want to see what these dancer hips are good for.” Before he knew it, Jimin’s throat was being grabbed and his entire body slammed against the nearest wall. He desperately gasped for air, bringing his hands up and trying to loosen the strong man’s grip; it proved futile. “what do you say kitten?” the male brought his free hand to tug at  Jimin’s belt. “Shall we have some fun?” an extreme sense of nausea spread through Jimin’s body and he could only pray for you to save him.

11:09 pm, in the helicopter

The line had cut off and if you weren’t freaking out already, that was enough to send you over the edge. The tears you had been holding back poured out and you began screaming into Yoongi’s chest hysterically.

“Baby please, listen to me-” He tried to calm you down but there was no point anymore, they had him, they had a gun pressed against his head, you were powerless, Yoongi was powerless. “It’s okay, hey, nothing will happen to him!” Your lover’s efforts continued but you had had enough by then; you pulled away and harshly pushed his chest

“HOW CAN YOU BE SO SURE OF THAT?!” you screamed into his face, tears streaming down your cheeks, anger and fear being the only thing left in your eyes. “They have him! Yoongi they have a fucking gun pressed against his head, he could die at any second and you want me to calm down?! How can you tell me it’s going to be fine when this situation is the FURTHEST from fine???” He grabbed your face and brought it impossibly close to his own; you wanted to pull away but his grip was strong.

“I’m not asking you to calm down, I’m asking you to trust me.” He said assertively and his words finally reached you; maybe it was his eyes that always saw right through to your soul and understood your thoughts (or maybe it was Maybelline- sorry, sorry I had to) but he somehow always knew the right thing to say. “I know this is a difficult situation for you but I need you to trust me right now.” You held his gaze for what seemed like minutes, looking from one eye to the other; searching for proof of his reassurance… and there it was, lurking in those dark chocolate brown eyes, a soft yet genuine integrity.

“Okay.” You broke the silence and brought your hands up to place over his, “I trust you.”

11:18 pm

Busan Dance Academy came into view making your heart pound through your entire body at an incredible rate. The last time you were here was the summer before you and Jimin went your separate ways for college; 6 years ago. You still remembered the big smile on his face, the way his -then orange dyed- hair blew in the wind. I want to become a pro and teach here someday; he had said to you as a young and naïve boy. Who would have thought that six months into living that dream, it would be stripped away from him. The scariest part was not knowing whether he was even inside, whether he was alive and well or zipped up in a body bag and thrown into the trunk of an old car. You thought back to Yoongi’s words; I need you to trust me. You pondered over it again, he would never lie to you, he always gave you the raw truth. If Yoongi thought for a second that Jimin was dead, he would have prepared you for the possibility but even if he didn’t, you had no choice but to put your faith in him.

“When we land, I need you to stay here with the pilot and Choi.” Yoongi stated as he stood up and prepared himself for jumping; before you even had the chance to protest, a single finger had made its way to your lips “don’t even think about it, I will not put you in danger.” He had turned slightly and was giving you a serious look; it wasn’t up for debate. You sighed in disappointment but gave him a small acknowledging nod. After a few seconds of holding your gaze, your lover removed his finger and pulled out two loaded guns from the hidden holsters in his jacket; two of his accompanying men following suit. “Alright boys, let’s go make some fuckers pay.”

The chopper landed on one of the back fields outside Busan Dance Academy; Yoongi and his men jumped out before the aircraft even had a chance to touch the ground. The mafia leader ran towards the back entrance with his men close behind, leaving you with no choice but to watch as they disappeared into the building shortly after kicking the door down. Beside you, Choi had pulled out a sniper and was getting in position right next to the slight opening of the helicopter door. Yoongi had taken a precaution? He never did so unless he doubted the success of his operations. Suddenly all the reassurance he had given you seemed to have evaporated into empty words. Just what the hell was he thinking?

The building was dark and quiet.

“Front entrance, now!” Yoongi ordered. Shit… did they get away? The possibility could certainly not be ignored so both his men did as they were told while he hurried up to the second floor in case they were still hiding. The Beast’s sharp eyes immediately spotted an open door and blood that had stained the ground beside it. Fuck... was the first thing he thought before turning on his heel and sprinting back the way he came.

“We have a visual, sir!” his men yelled via the radio device they were all equipped with. Good, he hadn’t lost them but his suspicions were simply further confirmed. The gang members never expected company. They would definitely have been torturing Jimin and made a break for it when they heard the chopper; it would certainly explain the sloppy mess left behind.

“Get the chopper to the main entrance. Choi, if you have a direct hit on Zico’s ass-wipes, you fucking take it.” He grunted back into the device; sounding aggravated yet obscurely excited. The device obviously played his voice on speaker which meant you heard and knew he wasn’t in control of the situation. Panic surged through your body as the helicopter began rising off the ground.

Yoongi reached the main entrance, instantly noticing his men in pursuit of your best friend’s perpetrators. The taller, more muscular one was practically carrying a weak looking Jimin while the other had a gun pressed to the struggling boy’s head. They tortured him to the point of immobility huh? Yoongi lifted up his gun and aimed, wind direction; southeast… distance; roughly 120 yards… aim… 127.4 degrees northwest…

BANG

“FUCK!” Jaemin’s shriek's filled the silent night air and his gun flew clean out of his hand. The mobster’s other hand gripped at his bleeding bullet wound; desperately trying to stop the pain and blood. Yoongi’s bullet had gone through perfect centre and shattered the man’s wrist without a doubt. The sound of his partner’s gun falling caused Renjun to halt, he threw Jimin on to the ground and within seconds, his hands swiftly pulled out two guns previously hidden in his coat. He turned around to face Yoongi; one firearm pointed at Jimin’s fainting body while the other was held up in the Beast’s direction.

Don’t you dare fucking move!” He howled, meanwhile Jaemin had managed to rip part of his victim’s shirt and was in the process of wrapping it around his bleeding wrist.

“Fuck that hurt so bad-” he spat through clenched teeth.

“Put a knife to that boy’s neck right now.” Renjun whispered, a wild sense of urgency in his voice. His partner groaned in pain but pulled out a hidden blade; he lifted Jimin’s frail body up with the arm of his damaged wrist and proceeded to press a clip point blade to the man’s neck using his able hand.

Both of Yoongi’s men stopped upon witnessing the danger but not the leader himself; he continued walking towards the gang members. Jimin’s weak body was lifted just enough so the bruises, blood and tear stained cheeks were glaringly visible. Yoongi only halted when he noticed the boy’s jeans; barely on, buttons torn, zipper broken. They went that far huh… but he wasn’t the only one who saw the horror; the helicopter had risen above the walls of the academy and you could clearly see the state of your best friend. His eyes were empty, hair, dishevelled and stained with blood from the wound on his forehead; his neck was heavily bruised, as though he had been choked to death… but that was the worst part… he hadn’t been given the release of death… he was alive, alive and in pain.

“I have a headshot sir but one of them will most likely kill the target if I take the other out.” Choi spoke into his radio and your heart felt as though it would stop at any moment.

“Hold your position.” Yoongi responded. For a moment there was silence, each man on the field waiting for a reaction from the other. Then, when Yoongi seemed to be obeying, Renjun instructed his partner to get Jimin in the getaway car stationed barely seven yards from their position. Not even a second after Jaemin began dragging your heavily wounded best friend backwards, the beast fired into the air causing both gang members to practically shit themselves.

“You amuse me.” Yoongi scoffed before dropping his gun and starting to walk towards them again.

“Are you fucking insane?! Do you want me to put a bullet through his skull?!”

“Go ahead.” The raven haired man chuckled as he got closer meanwhile Renjun’s eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets.

“You’re fucking bluffing,” he choked out, “there’s no way you would come unless he meant something!” The only reason the mobster hadn’t fired yet was Yoongi being unarmed and the fact that the bruised boy was his only ticket out. What happened next however, caused both the gang members and you to stare in confusion; he was laughing. Yoongi was laughing as though someone had cracked about five really good jokes in a row; the man was hysterical.

“Mean something to me? HA! Please, who in the fuck do you think I am?” The leader spent a good minute recovering from his laughing fit but even then, there was a big smile on his face. “do you want to know why I came, you fucking lowlife?” he edged closer and Renjun was in too much shock to even respond “it’s because after all this time, after years upon years, finally someone put me in a situation where I had to think fast, oh the fucking adrenaline! Go here! No there! Now get a fucking chopper across the city! Shit they’re getting away! Fuck! I really gotta give it to Zico, I mean he really gave me a good rush tonight.” Both thugs were frozen in their place, just what in the fuck was this man? The situation was amusing to him? He was enjoying himself? “I mean seriously-”

“Shut the fuck up!” Jaemin shrieked out, staring at his broken, bloody wrist, “what the fuck man…” he sounded and looked petrified. “You’re a fucking monster… and a goddamn liar! If Park didn’t mean shit, you would have killed us already! But you haven’t, you even dropped your gun.” He finally looked up and tried to hold contact with the dark, soulless eyes of Min Yoongi, “we are getting in that car and getting the fuck out of here and I swear to fuck if you take a single step, Jun is going to pull the fucking trigger.”

Another pause, Yoongi had stopped advancing and the very air that surrounded them had gone deadly silent. Even previous cutting sounds of the helicopter blades seemed like a distant wind but most notably, the big grin from The Beast’s face had disappeared. After what seemed like an eternity, a deep voice finally broke the silence.

“Who said you could interrupt me?” He tilted his head to the side, “Oh and what makes you think I only have one gun?”

There was a breath, as though Jaemin was about to speak but the faint sound was only followed by that of his body falling to the ground. Renjun spun round in a millisecond and that’s when he saw it; a bullet hole, right in the middle of his partner’s forehead. SHIT, HE’S GOT A FUCKING SNIPER- but before he had the chance to react, the barrel of a gun was pressed against his neck. There was a clicking sound; the safety on a death inducing weapon being removed but what followed was a louder, ear piercing noice.

But not one… two shots had been fired in that moment.

Yoongi’s eyes widened, Renjun fell to the ground, your body went limp. It was as though all oxygen in the world disappeared when you saw the blood… pouring out of your best friend’s head.

“JIMIN!!!!!!!!!!”

//Part 4

[maiasolaire]

KDramas I Wanna Watch

Dramas recommended to me by friends and/or internet posts.

(Summaries aren’t mine)

1. She Was Pretty

Can you over-romanticize a cherished memory from childhood? Ji Sung Joon (Park Seo Joon) was a shy, porky kid who was constantly teased by the other kids for his rotund shape. When he transfers to a new school in fifth grade and meets Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum), the prettiest, most popular girl in school, his life turns around. The kind-hearted Hye Jin becomes his only friend and protector — and they become each other’s first love. But then everything changes when Sung Joon’s family immigrates to the United States and then Hye Jin’s father’s business goes downhill, plunging her family from their previous wealthy lifestyle. But that’s not all! Hye Jin’s beautiful looks initially took after her mother. But as soon as Hye Jin hits puberty, her father’s genetic skin condition takes hold and leaves her with reddish facial scars that makes her resemble a raccoon. Fifteen years later, Sung Joon is a whole new person — dashing and handsome and a successful art director — who is transferred from New York to the Seoul office of “The Most” fashion magazine to work as the deputy chief editor. He tries to find his childhood friend, Hye Jin, again. But embarrassed by her current unglamorous appearance, Hye Jin passes off her best friend, the stunning Min Ha Ri (Go Jun Hee), as herself. But when Hye Jin is suddenly transferred to the magazine department at her new job to work as in intern under Sung Joon, how much longer can she keep her true identity a secret?

2. Descendants of the Sun

Some relationships are fated, despite the challenges of time and place.

Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki), the leader of a Special Forces unit, meets trauma surgeon Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo) in a hospital emergency room after Shi Jin and his second-in-command, Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo), chase down a thief on their day off.

Shi Jin is immediately smitten with Mo Yeon, and he asks her out on a date. But Shi Jin keeps getting called to duty when he is with Mo Yeon, and the two also realize that they have conflicting views about human life (he will kill to protect his country and she has to save lives at all costs). They decide to break off their budding relationship as a result.

Dae Young also tries to break off his relationship with Army doctor Yoon Myeong Ju (Kim Ji Won) because her father, Lt. General Yoon (Kang Shin Il), thinks Shi Jin is a better match for his daughter.

Shi Jin and Dae Young are then deployed to the fictional war-torn country of Urk on a long-term assignment of helping the United Nations keep peace in the area. After repeatedly being passed over for a promotion because of her lack of connections, Mo Yeon gives up performing surgeries, loosening her principles somewhat to become a celebrity TV doctor and caring for VIP patients at the hospital. But when she refuses the sexual advances of the hospital chairman, Mo Yeon is picked to lead a medical team to staff a clinic in Urk! There, Mo Yeon unexpectedly reconnects with Shi Jin.

3. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Do Bong Soon (Park Bo Young) comes from a long line of women possessing Herculean strength. But Bong Soon can only use her strength for good; if she uses it for her own personal gain or to mistreat others, she can lose her strength forever like her mother, Hwang Jin Yi (Shim Hye Jin). Bong Soon’s twin brother, Do Bong Ki (An Woo Yeon) did not inherit the unusual family strength and is a doctor, but Bong Soon has trouble finding gainful employment as an aspiring game developer.

When Ahn Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik), the young CEO of AIN Software, a gaming company, witnesses Bong Soon’s amazing strength against a group of gangsters one day, he hires her to be his personal bodyguard to help him catch a man who has been making death threats against him. Bong Soon has a secret crush on her childhood friend, In Guk Doo (Ji Soo), a police detective who is trying to capture a dangerous kidnapper in Bong Soon’s neighborhood. Can Bong Soon help both men track down the culprits?

4. While You Were Sleeping

A young woman with bad premonition dreams meets two people who suddenly develop the same ability.

Nam Hong Joo (Suzy) lives with her mother, Yoon Moon Sun (Hwang Young Hee), a widow who runs a small restaurant. Jung Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk), a rookie prosecutor, and his younger brother, Seung Won (Shin Jae Ha), move in across the street. Since she was young, Hong Joo has had the ability to see bad events before they happen, but she is often unable to do anything about it.

One day, Jae Chan has a strange premonition dream about an accident involving Hong Joo and Lee Yoo Beom (Lee Sang Yeob), a ruthless attorney who used to be Jae Chan’s tutor. Jae Chan decides to interfere in the course of events and ends up saving the lives of Hong Joo and Han Woo Tak (Jung Hae In), a young police officer. When Jae Chan, Hong Joo and Woo Tak then start having dreams about one another, they realize that their lives are now somehow entwined.

But can the three discover the reason that they were brought together, and can they prevent the people closest to them from getting hurt?

5. Just Between Lovers (Rain or Shine)

A building collapse ties the fates of three young people years later. Ten years ago, the S Mall collapsed due to shoddy construction, killing 48 people inside.

Ha Moon Soo (Won Jin Ah) was there with her younger sister, who perished in the accident. Lee Kang Doo (Junho) was there waiting for his father, who was an electrician doing work on the building. Seo Joo Won (Lee Ki Woo) was helping out his father, who was the head engineer of the building. Moon Soo, Kang Doo and Joo Won survived the horrible accident, but their loved ones did not.

Years later, Joo Won is an architect who is working on a new project to replace the former S Mall. With her keen eye for detail and sturdy building construction, Moon Soo ends up working for Joo Won on the project. Kang Doo works odd jobs to get by and ends up working at the new construction site.

How will they each deal with their respective pains as they are reminded of the event that changed all of their lives so profoundly?

6. Father Is Strange

This is one of those things that can disrupt a seemingly normal family. Byun Han Soo (Kim Young Chul) lives on the outskirts of Seoul with his selfless wife, Na Young Sil (Kim Hae Sook). Their bustling lives center around his small diner, “Daddy’s Snack Shop,” and their four adult children, Joon Young (Min Jin Woong), Hye Young (Lee Yoo Ri), Mi Young (Jung So Min) and Ra Young (Ryu Hwayoung).

Joon Young tries not to disappoint his parents as he has been unable to pass the civil service exam for five years. Hye Young is the most accomplished as a successful attorney who has an on-again, off-again relationship with Cha Jung Hwan (Ryu Soo Young), a television producer-director. After years of trying to land a job, Mi Young finally lands her dream job as an intern for Gabi Entertainment, only to discover that her high school bully, Kim Yoo Joo (Lee Mi Do), works there as a team leader. Ra Young works a yoga instructor and falls for Park Cheol Soo (Ahn Hyo Seop), who has absolutely no interest in returning her attention.

The close-knit Byun family is thrown into turmoil when Ahn Joong Hee (Lee Joon), an idol-turned-actor, shows up one day and claims that Han Soo is his father. Joong Hee is widely ridiculed by netizens as a robotic actor, but he is determined to earn respect by landing a role in a highly anticipated miniseries about a father-son relationship. But in order to conjure the emotions needed for the role, Joong Hee decides he needs to get to know the father he believes abandoned him and his mother 35 years ago.

Will Joong Hee’s appearance threaten to reveal a deeply buried secret and otherwise disrupt Han Soo’s happy family life?

7. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

What else could there be to life than barbells and heavy weights?

Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is a weightlifting phenom who has only focused on barbells her entire life while growing up with her father, Kim Chang Gul (Ahn Gil Kang), is a former weightlifter. She attends Hanwool College of Physical Education, a university full of top-notch athletes who are driven to succeed in the hopes of representing their country in national and international competitions.

Bok Joo went to the same elementary school as Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk) but reunites with him in college. He is now a competitive swimmer who is having trouble recovering from the trauma of being disqualified for a false start in his first international swim competition.

Song Shi Ho (Kyung Soo Jin) is a fiercely competitive rhythmic gymnast who won a silver medal at the Asian Games when she was 18, but the pressures of her sport drive her to break up with Joon Hyung. Bok Joo’s tunnel-vision life starts to change when she falls in love with Joon Hyung’s older cousin, Jung Jae Yi (Lee Jae Yoon), a former athlete who became an obesity doctor after suffering a career-ending injury.

Will Bok Joo learn that there is more to life than weightlifting?

8. Queen In Hyun’s Man

Every actress hopes that an opportunity will come along to play an iconic role that could bring her out of obscurity and make her a star.

For Choi Hee Jin (Yoo In Na), that opportunity is in a television drama playing the role of Queen In Hyun (Kim Hae In), who was deposed during the Joseon Dynasty as King Suk Jong’s (Seo Woo Jin) consort by the scheming actions of Lady Jang (Choi Woo Ri). But Hee Jin’s modern-day world collides with that of her character in ways she doesn’t fully understand.

Kim Boong Do (Ji Hyun Woo), a scholar from the Joseon era, is mysteriously transported 300 years into the future to modern-day Seoul and comes into Hee Jin’s life as she is preparing for her career-making role. Boong Do not only knew the real queen but also supported her reinstatement.

Was Boong Do brought to the future to help Hee Jin bring some authenticity to her role as the queen?

9. Madame Antoine

Can a very observant woman outwit a psychotherapist? Go Hye Rim (Han Ye Seul) operates the Madame Antoine cafe on the first floor of a building that also houses a famous psychotherapy clinic on the top floor. Hye Rim uses her keen intellect and heightened senses to also work as an adviser to psychotherapist Choi Soo Hyun (Sung Joon). But unknown to Hye Rim, Soo Hyun is running a top-secret experiment on her “ideal type of man” with the help of his younger half-brother, Choi Seung Chan (Jung Jin Woon), and clinic employee Won Ji Ho (Lee Joo Hyung). But unknown to Soo Hyun, Hye Rim also is being paid by a mysterious man to get a hold of Soo Hyun’s valuable experiment files. What is Soo Hyun’s true experiment, and will Hye Rim help him or hurt him in his research goals?

10. The Guardians (Lookout)

The Guardians tells the story of a group of people who team up to serve justice themselves after losing their loved ones to criminals. The group consists of a detective, prosecutor, hacker, and an extremely shy person. They want to give these criminals the punishment that they deserve, and take matters into their own hands as the corrupt justice system in South Korea fails to capture the culprits.

11. Circle (Circle: Two Worlds Connected)

A sci-fi mystery drama that takes place in both the year 2017 and the year 2037. In 2007, twin brothers, Kim Woo-jin and Kim Bum-gyun, witness an alien arrival that brings about a huge change in their lives. In 2017, Kim Woo-jin (Yeo Jin-goo), now a college student, notices that a series of suicides in his university is somehow linked to his brother, Kim Bum-gyun (An Woo-yeon). While in pursuit of the case, he meets Han Jung-yeon (Gong Seung-yeon), another college student who is investigating the serial suicides. In 2037, South Korea is now divided into General Earth, a heavily polluted place where crimes are rampant, and Smart Earth, a clean and peaceful city free from crimes. Kim Joon-hyuk (Kim Kang-woo) is a crime detective who tries to get into Smart Earth to investigate a case of twin brothers who went missing in 2017. Each episode contains two parts, the first part is set in 2017 called “Beta Project,” while the second part is set in 2037 called “Brave New World.”

12. The Heirs

The series follows a group of rich, privileged, and high school students as they are about to take over their families' business empires, overcoming difficulties and growing every step of the way.

Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) is a wealthy heir to a large Korean conglomerate called Jeguk Group.[9] He was exiled to the U.S. by his brother Kim Won (Choi Jin-hyuk), who tries to take control of the family business.[10] While in the States, he meets Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye), who went there to look for her sister.[11] Despite being engaged to Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji-won), a fellow heiress, Kim Tan soon falls in love with Eun-sang. When Kim Tan returns to Korea, his former best friend turned enemy Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin) begins picking on Eun-sang to irritate Tan. Tension ensues when Young-do also falls in love with Eun-sang, and Kim Tan is forced to choose between responsibility of pursuing the family business or love.

13. Laughter in Waikiki (Welcome to Waikiki)

The story of three men who come to run a failing guesthouse called Waikiki. Complications spark when their guesthouse is visited by a single mother and her baby.

14. I’m Not a Robot

Kim Min-kyu (Yoo Seung-ho) lives an isolated life due to a severe allergy to other people. He develops extreme rashes that rapidly spread throughout his body once he makes any form of skin contact. Jo Ji-ah (Chae Soo-bin) is a woman who is trying to make it in life by creating her own businesses. However, after an encounter with Min-kyu, she ends up pretending to be a robot in place of the supposed Aji 3 robot. The Aji 3 robot was developed by Ji-ah's ex-boyfriend, professor Hong Baek-kyun (Um Ki-joon) and his team. The robot was meant to be tested by genius Min-kyu, however an accident caused the robot's battery to malfunction. As Baek-kyun modeled the robot after Ji-ah, the team ends up recruiting her to take the place of Aji 3.

15. Because This Is My First Life

House-poor Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) and homeless Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min), both unmarried in their thirties, start living together as housemates.

[purechaos27]

Dynasty Chapter 2

A subtle breeze brushes through the air, sifting its way through the fiery-crimson locks of the two sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. Choppy waves crash against the rough edge of the cliff, sending up a misty spray that briefly obscures the view of the red dawn. Yona has never been to such a place in person, but she trusts her companion’s memory and imagination enough to know that the fine details down to the taste of salt in the air are accurate to reality. The former king gazes ahead. “Had fun today, Yona?” “Uhn!” Yona nods in enthusiastic affirmation. “Soo-won and I hid from Hak today during hide and seek, though I’m not sure if Hak knew we were playing…” Hiryuu finally turns away from the dawn frozen in time to smile fondly down at his reincarnation. “You pulled off the temper trick to motivate Hak to run after you and Soo-won, correct?” “Yep! His face was really funny! I thought his vein was gonna burst!” “And what about your lessons?” Sudden silence as Yona turns around and starts to sweat nervously. “Eh, well, u-um you see—” A raised hand cuts her off. “It’s alright Yona, I understand. I know that it can be quite frustrating to be forced to listen to so-called scholars preach about incorrect or at least incomplete teachings. However.” His stern look quells the budding hope in the princess’s eyes. “That does not mean you can show such disrespect to your instructors by completely ignoring them and even running away in the middle of your lesson.” “But Hiryuu—” “Listen, Yona. All knowledge is worthwhile, even the biased history that is all your instructors know to teach you. To understand conflict, you must know all sides to the story. I have and will continue to teach you the unbiased truth that I have observed from my time above the stars, but as the future ruler of this kingdom, you must understand your own people. A ruler who cannot understand and connect to her kingdom is no ruler at all.” Yona looks down in guilt, kicking her feet to give a reason not to meet Hiryuu’s eyes. The adult sighs softly and brings his finger under her chin, tilting her head so that their eyes can meet. “Yona, I am not angry with you. Yes, I am slightly disappointed, but you are six-years-old. It would not be fair of me to expect you to—” “But I don’t want to disappoint you, Hiryuu! You are the only person who has always been with me; even father doesn’t always have time. I want to make you proud and be a kind, wise, and strong ruler of Kouka kingdom. You already have so many worries—don’t try to say you don’t, I know you’re worried about the Ouryuu! You shouldn’t have to add my competence onto the list as well. I want to change things in this kingdom for the better, but no one ever listens to me. If I can’t even convince my instructors that they’re wrong, how can I ever succeed as a ruler? Father just treats me as a child all the time, and when I ask about how the kingdom is doing, he just pats my head and says that everything is peaceful and everyone is happy. I know that’s not true so why, why does he…?” The little six-year-old girl breaks down into choking sobs before launching herself into her previous incarnation’s lap. Hiryuu looks down at the little girl who resembles him so much helplessly for a bit before trying to sooth her by patting her head. “Shh, shh, it’s ok Yona, you don’t have to worry about me. The kingdom will run just fine for now; you don’t have to change anything just yet. Yes, I worry about you sometimes, but that’s only natural for me. Adults tend to worry about children a lot, I know, it’s silly of us, right? I know you want to change this kingdom, and I won’t discourage you from doing so, but there’s nothing wrong with starting small. Try to make someone smile. Help out a servant who’s struggling with carrying a load. Thank someone…” Hiryuu rambles on and on, trying to soothe the princess’s concerns even as his mind works furiously to figure out just how he managed to miss this up-coming break down. I never knew she felt so much pressure, was I the one to cause this? The dragon king glanced sorrowfully down at the sleeping princess in his lap. I never wanted to—I just didn’t want her to be ignorant! I didn’t take into consideration her own stubbornness and determination. To think that she’d be worried about me! I don’t want her to think she’s responsible for the entire kingdom before she’s even 10. But how? I suppose…yes, that would work. But first… Hiryuu carefully stands up, making sure the princess is secure in his arms. As he walks away from the cliff ledge, the dreamscape slowly fades away to a familiar room. The decoration is tasteful, Hiryuu thinks as he gently lays Yona down on her own futon. It isn’t the garishly bright pink that most stereotypically imagine a princess’s room to be. Instead, the walls are decorated with to show a beautiful forest. Gentle branches spread out starting right behind the futon in the middle of the back wall, climbing overhead onto the ceiling and reaching to both sides of the room. Among the branches, the only splashes of color are four majestic dragons painted protectively around the futon. The futon in the center of the beautifully decorated room is covered by silk sheets of the highest quality, sewn with the detailed image of a crimson dragon. It’s a miracle no one’s figured the truth out yet, but Hiryuu supposes most people believe the story to be a myth nowadays. “Yona” The dragon sighs, “I’m truly sorry to have burdened you with such a heavy destiny for being my reincarnation. Although I will try to prepare you for your future as well as I can, I fear that you will have many years of pain and loss to face. I know you will bring about the change you so long for. Not because you are my reincarnation, but because you are Princess Yona of the red dawn.”

“…na. Princess Yona. PRINCESS YONA!” “Up! I’m up! I’m—hm? Oh, is it morning already Jae-eun? I—” The princess cuts herself off as she breaks into a wide yawn. The sound of an impatiently tapping foot interrupts Yona’s morning leisurely stretching. “Princess Yona.” The red-head freezes and robotically turns toward her servant, who gives an unimpressed look at her innocent smile. “Yes, Jae-eun?” “Don’t give me that look, Princess Yona! You know very well that your history lesson is first in the morning. Now up, up, time to make yourself look presentable. The maids have already drawn a bath for you and if you take too long the water will get cold.” A dejected sigh. “Alright, alright” Hiryuu did say that I can learn from my instructors, so I guess I’ll give it a try. The stuffy old windbag is so booooring though. All he does is go on and on about how our majestic kingdom brought peace and prosperity to all—he doesn’t even tell the story of Hiryuu and the Four Dragon Warriors, the founding of our country! But I don’t want to disappoint Hiryuu… Yona quickly gets washed and dressed before eating her breakfast (chicken porridge!) and running to her lesson. Her teacher is an old man from the earth clan with squinty eyes, a balding head, and a long, white beard. He’s dressed in the black colors of all palace instructors with a fan in hand. “Ohoho Princess Yona you are on time today! Perhaps this time you will not run off in the middle of the lesson?” I want to turn around and walk back out. Despite various uncomplimentary thoughts running inside her head, Yona takes a deep breath and sits down. For Hiryuu, for the kingdom, and for my pride because I don’t want to lose to this geezer. “Today we will be discussing how the reign of the sky tribe lead to wide prosperity…” Nope, she can’t do this. “Ah, actually instructor, today, could we learn something different? You are from the earth clan, correct? Could you teach me how the customs there differ from at Hiryuu palace? What are women and men expected to do? What activities and festivals are common? What does the earth tribe respect?” “Oh,” Her instructor looks taken aback. “But princess, that is not included in the original curriculum…” “That’s ok, I’ve already learned everything from the original curriculum.” Don’t say it, don’t say you know everything better than a windbag could ever teach, restraint! “But your father,” He tries to protest. “I’ll talk to father. Besides, this way I learn what I want to know and you don’t have to worry about me running away! It’s a win-win solution~” “U-uh, he-hem!” Yona watches delightedly as the geezer tries to regain his composure. “Well, if it’s ok with the king, then I will change the lesson plans. As you know, I am from the earth tribe. We are a strong, stubborn people and admire those who…” A smile spreads across Yona’s face as her eyes start to sparkle at finally learning about her people. “What about yourself? How did you become a scholar?” “Although books were rather scarce in my hometown, I learned to read…” “Do you have family?” “Yes, I have a son who has given me two wonderful granddaughters. My son was a soldier, but with the war-ban…” “Wow, I never knew General Geun-tae was so respected!” “Indeed, he is an idol to much of the clan. But I still remember when he was just a brat long ago”

“Are you sure?” “Yes! I just passed by the room!” “But-but, I just don’t see how that’s possible, the princess has never enjoyed a history lesson since she first started them two years ago.” “Still, I’m telling you, I was walking by the Chrysanthemum room on my way to deliver the laundry and I saw the princess asking questions.” The maid’s mouth drops as she stares wide-eyed at her friend. “Asking questions?” She squeaks out. “H-how is that—what do you think might’ve caused such a change?” “That’s the thing, no one knows! She just woke up today and arrived on time to her lesson for once, and the next thing we know, they’re discussing the earth clan with active participation and interest on her part. I mean, I’m not going to complain because this makes our jobs easier—we don’t have to worry about chasing the princess down after she escapes each day, but don’t you think it’s a bit strange?” “Well, let’s just hope this change of heart holds for a while.” “Yes, I suppose that’s all we can do for now,” Both maids nod at each other and go their separate ways. Rumor travels fast in the palace and before Yona’s history lesson that day ends, theories as outlandish as spirit possession and a missing twin sister are flying around. Yona, oblivious to the chaos her drastic change has caused, simply skips her way to her father’s room to discuss alterations to her lesson plan.

[heyymonkey2]

First Night Back in Fuuga Ch 29: Heal You

AO3 Link to Chapter 29

Summary: Yona and Hak reunite after defeating Kai

Yona and Hak see each other.

A heavy breath of relief escapes both, suddenly all the air in the world feels lighter.

Hak slides off his horse. As he advances toward Yona, there are tears in his eyes.

Yona is stuck in place staring as though he were a mirage. That mess of black hair stuck to his face and the emotion behind. Hak? ...Hak!! She starts running--

--falls to her knees when she reaches him, not wanting to risk throwing herself into him and hurting her gallant warrior any further. He meets her there -- falling to his knees and reaching out to touch her, pull her to him, thank the gods and never let her go.

“Princess…” he tries not to hold her too tight but of course he is -- as he nuzzles his face into her hair, sure they’re both dust-covered and bloodied, but this is her and any scent of her stirs his heart, “Are you hurt?”

“You idiot!” she’s smiling and clinging onto him unyieldingly despite her language, “Your leg! You’re injured, we need to get you to--”

“I’m gonna be fine,” he lifts her face up toward him so he can look into her eyes, “Did he hurt you? Is he gone?”

Looking into those comforting, piercing blue eyes after all that just happened… Yona nods ‘yes’ to both questions and then loses it sobbing into him.

He holds her against his broad chest, caressing her back lovingly, “It’s OK. I’m here now. Everything’s gonna be OK.”

The comfort of his voice and strength of his arms around her, Yona can hardly believe they found their way back to each other, “Hak,” his name on her lips has become synonymous with ‘I love you.’

Zeno and Kija have just gotten there and stand next to the reunited couple.

As Yona and Hak turn to their friends, she gasps achingly, “Jae-Ha! We have to find him, he just… he flew off but he--”

“We found him,” Kija offers.

Yona’s heart stops, “Found him? ...is he… is he...”

Zeno shakes his head oh, no no--“We were lucky we brought the other Little Miss with. She has him now. Shin-Ah lead them back to camp to treat his wound.”

“Lili… was here?” it’s all too much of a miracle, but Yona has seen a lot of those today, “Jae-Ha might be OK?”

The dragons nod.

“We need to go to them,” Yona rises, unsteady. When she sees Hak’s worry, “I was hit in the head, but I’ll be fine. Jae-Ha might not be, so…” she looks toward his horse, “Let me ride with you?”

“Of course,” he’s still staring at her with those concerned eyes as he rises.

“I’ll let you inspect it when we get to the medic tent. Just trust me… I’m not going to die in your arms between here and there.”

“You better not,” he cups her chin and runs a gentle finger along her petite jawline, “I’d never forgive you.”

Yona smiles tearfully at his meaning, “It’s nice I’m not hanging off a cliff though, huh?”

“I appreciate that,” he tenderly kisses her forehead, then takes her hand to lead her.

“Wait -- just one moment,” Yona slips her hand back out of his grasp, “I need to tell Zeno and Kija something. I’ll be right up.”

Hak nods. He’s comfortable giving her privacy. Even now.

When Yona reaches Zeno and Kija at their horse, the yellow-haired dragon is waiting as though he knew this moment was next. Kija is at the ready for whatever she needs.

“It’s about Soo-Won…” she begins.

She had a life-changing decision to make when she faced off with Soo-Won back there. The favor she asks now is her choice. And in so many ways now, she hopes she’s fast enough...

Yun slips into the main medic tent to the sight of hundreds of warriors being treated. He looks around in worry… will they have enough supplies? Then he hears it--

“And you! Bring me another needle right away. This wound isn’t gonna close itself!”

Yun hardly recognizes the command emanating from this child. She’d been a blubbering mess in the tent with Min-Soo the last time he saw her… but damn, this girl’s got some passion.

“We need to give the best possible care to this man! He’s kin to the royal family!” Lili is focused, determined, as she gently wipes sweat from Jae-Ha’s fevered forehead, then she whispers, ‘You too, you know. You have to do your best. She needs you.”

Yona is nauseous and dizzy during the ride back to camp, so when the finally arrive, she between Hak’s arms on their shared steed, she’s not ready for what they witness--

The crowd of Koukan fighters along the pathway before them parts. As the warriors realize who they are -- Her Highness and the Thunder Beast -- they kneel with their heads down to honor them.

“This is…” suddenly Yona realizes the outcome of this battle may have changed things in a very real way.

Also… she turns because she has to see it -- Hak is so embarrassed he’s downright annoyed and red in the face from irritation. This is not his thing. Yona giggles as he runs a hand through his hair to obscure his face.

“What? They’re all looking at you,” Hak corrects with his face down.

“Oh right, of course,” Yona totally doesn’t believe that. They saw him out there. He’s amazing. And she agrees with them.

“Your Majesty,” Joo-Doh stands before them, knowing exactly what he’s looking at -- he left a duel on that battlefield. If Hak is here, then… “Am I correct to… believe the king has fallen?”

Yona stares forward for a long moment. Honestly, I’m not even sure exactly… but I know what my answer has to be: “Back there… Soo-Won was taken down.”

Yona feels Hak’s arms and chest stiffen. She moves a hand from the mane to his on the rein and gives it a squeeze.

“Then, Your Majesty--”

“--I apologize, we’re in a hurry to tend the wounded. There’s nothing that can be down about what I just said. So let’s leave the details of those matters to be dealt with when our people are in stable condition.”

Yona gently kicks their horse’s flank and continues past Joo-Doh and the bowing warriors, toward her friends and family, and all the sacrifices that allowed her to survive to this moment.

When Jae-Ha opens his eyes, a grumpy black-haired beast is next to him.

“Deja vu, I’m afraid,” his body hurts like hell.

The corner of Hak’s mouth rises, relieved, “Well if you’d quit getting yourself into these situations…”

"Can't help myself," Jae-Ha smiles as best he can, “You’re here… so she must be OK.”

“Dying to see you, but alive,” Hak confirms.

Jae-Ha closes his eyes in relief for a moment -- all the pain well worth it -- then opens them to continue his favorite pastime -- hassling this guy, “You know, now you’re not the only one with a scar for her.”

Hak raises an eyebrow, “If you think I won’t hit you just because you’re dying, you’re wrong.”

“Hak!” Yona rushes over from talking with Lili off to the side and smacks Hak’s arm, “You have no boundaries!” Then turns to smile down at Jae-Ha.

“That guy has no boundaries…” Hak mutters, making room for Yona at Jae-Ha’s side.

“What you did back there…” Yona starts but then stops herself, “No, we’re going to have plenty of time to talk about that later. Because you’re going to get better, OK?”

“Of course, Dear,” Jae-Ha comforts, “Did I mention just being near you heals me?”

Hak rolls his eyes and turns to see Lili giving him the stink eye.

“I see that foot -- no kicking patients’ beds or I’ll kick your ass! Also, a certain someone told me you have a leg that needs tending to…”

Hak looks around the room, “Focus on those guys. I can dress this,” then he gets up and heads to get wrappings and such to deal with his leg.

Lili looks back over at Jae-Ha, then moves closer and reveals, “He really is going to be fine, I think. This is the second wound like that I’ve treated in the past couple days. Perfectly missed the vital organs.”

Yona turns to Lili, the meaning of this washing over her… “The same man caused both cuts. It was Soo-Won.”

Lili’s eyes widen, “Do you think he… on purpose tried not to mortally wound them?”

“I did the same to him,” Jae-Ha interjects, “A certain captain made me very good at non-fatal damage.”

“Then he…” as Yona realizes, she glances across the room at her husband with his wounded leg propped up as he chats with Shin-Ah, “Lili, Jae-Ha… please don’t say anything to Hak. Something like this, I need to tell him myself. At the right time.”

The camp is being packed up everywhere save for the medic tent area. After spending ample time with Jae-Ha, treating Hak’s leg and Yona’s head, and sending Yun to bring Min-Soo in with everyone else now that he’s in safe company -- Yona and Hak were requested to the generals’ tent by Joo-Doh.

When they arrive, Joo-Doh, Kyo-Ga, Geun-Tae, and Tae-Woo are there around the table. Tae-Woo beams up at Hak and Yona.

“We heard…” Kyo-Ga begins, “About Soo-Won.”

“No one’s been able to recover his body. But at this point…” Joo-Doh sighs, “Can you tell us what exactly happened out there?”

“He was with me,” Yona clarifies.

Joo-Doh raises his eyebrows. That's odd... last he saw, he was with Hak…

“I saw him go down. I was quite preoccupied myself, so I don’t have any more clear details to provide. If you haven’t found a body, then I think we can presume someone took it.”

“In which case…” Geun-Tae shakes his head at what happens to leaders when taken by the opposing side in war.

“Leave it to us, Your Highness, we’ll keep searching,” Joo-Doh commits.

“However,” Kyo-Ga interjects, “If His Majesty is not recovered within the month, then given what we know, we should move forward in the assumption that the king is gone. This country needs a ruler. In which case, we should proceed with the ceremony to install Princess Yona as Queen. And with tradition, the man she chooses to wed will become the king.”

Yona takes a deep breath -- they don’t know. Well, some of them don’t. Tae-Woo is going through some sort of shock at the end of the table. Geun-Tae’s checking out his fingernails like he’s bored. Joo-Doh looks like he’s about to say something…

Yona looks up at Hak who looks back down at her like he always has -- whatever she wants, he’s fully behind her.

So Yona moves her hands behind her neck, undoes the tie of her necklace, pulls it off to remove the ring, and hands it to Hak.

Now all the generals are watching with serious fascination.

Yona nods up at Hak. Carefully, he undoes the necklace around his neck, removes the ring, and hands it to her.

Hak takes Yona's left hand in both of his and slips the symbol of his love onto her ring finger.

Yona takes Hak's great left hand in both of her small hands, and slips her promise onto his ring finger.

Hand in hand, they turn to the stunned audience.

Yona confirms, “I’ve already chosen.”

As Hak holds her hand, he can feel her wedding ring against his skin… and hearing her announce their relationship before the leaders of this country… this is a future he never even dreamed of.

Yona looks forward with confidence -- out of every decision in her life, she's never been so sure about anything as choosing Hak.

Joo-Doh sits there the least shocked, since he already knew, and having known these two since they were very small, he’s even a little touched, “Very well, then as Kyo-Ga said, it’s a short matter of time before this country is in your hands. You’ll need to take residence in the palace. Let’s begin your journey back to Kuuto.”

::-:: Some time later ::-::

Soo-Won wakes in a large, fine room with no idea where he is. It’s peaceful -- quiet, still. And he feels peaceful. The terrible pain in his side and in his heart have both significantly subsided.

He looks down to see he’s in white robes. He sits up with a bit of pain, but he’s eventually able to stand. He walks toward a great window at the end of the room to look out.

Forest. Trees and blue sky as far as he can see. Then down below… a village. With people walking around, also in white with blue details and all white hair. All ages. They look happy. Well.

What culture is this? He turns to investigate the room, but--

“He’s awake!” Three girls in white gowns rush to him and begin offering water, medicine, food, massage, a change of clothes, and even… a girl he could marry? What is this place…?!

As they rush off to get him things, he notices a man in a chair at the end of the room. He has wavy, messy blonde hair that comes down over his eyes.

“Where am I?” Soo-Won asks.

“None of us are supposed to know where this is,” the man responds.

What an unsatisfactory answer… “Who are you?”

“My name is Ik-Soo. I’m here to help you.”

[feyre-cursebreaker]

11 Questions

I was tagged by @abookandacoffee and I tag @miladyaelin @a-court-of-feels-and-pain @yalenayardeen @accidental-rambler and @propshophannah

My questions for the people I tagged are:

1. Last thing you watched on Youtube? 2. Favorite beauty product? 3. Go-to Starbucks order? 4. Favorite class in school? 5. Childhood celebrity crush? 6. Favorite lip color? 7. Favorite obscure movie? 8. Last TV show you watched? 9. Favorite ACOTAR fanfic? 10. Opinion on fish as pets? 11. Last time you touched glitter?

And so for my answers!

1. What is your favorite kind of weather?

I like the rain. It’s really pretty in South Dakota, and it usually means I can pull my sweaters out in the summer.

2. What would you do if you saw a friend crying

Ask them why and then let them cry it out. I don’t believe in saying empty things purely to make people feel better, most of the time they just want to be heard and their feelings validated.

3. Do you believe in love at first sight/has it happened to you?

No it don’t, mostly because I could never be in a relationship with some one I wasn't friends with first. 

4. Would you rather someone buy you a bunch of books or give you a giftcard to a bookstore?

Gift card. They don’t know what I want to read.

5. What is the last book you read (that was not ToG or ACOTAR-related)?

I’m in the middle of Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones. Ugh its so good and I’m only 1/4 of the way through it!

6. How many countries have you visited?

I went on a cruise with my parents when I was 17, so technically 5, but I don’t think it counts.

7. What would be your dream job?

Book editor or a writer. I want to read and give feed back but also publish my own stories.

8. What is your favorite thing about fandom?

The exploration of ideas and theories, bonding over a shared love while also tearing it to pieces.

9. Do cute things ever make you cry? Like…. puppies? Or reunion videos?

Not really, I’m a very stoic and withdrawn person, I don’t emote very well and something has to be very wrong for me to cry.

10. How many books do you own?

Yesh, I don’t have time to count all of them but at most 200. I’m a hoarder.

11. Choose one: French fries or ice cream.

Ice cream!!! Fries have to be just right for me to like them.

[carewyncromwell]

*hums the Up is Down theme* All right, let’s get the usual stuff for the POTC AU out of the way super quick so we can just jump right in --

Previous part is here -- full tag is here -- alternate version of picture two with a lame attempt at blood is here -- and characters that aren’t mine are Jules Farrier-Weasley @cursebreakerfarrier; Finn McGarry/Davy Jones @theguythatdraws; Samantha O’Connell @samshogwarts; Arjun Singh and Aishwarya Mehra @hogwarts9; and Ellie Hopper @that-ravenpuff-witch! Hope you enjoy! xoxo

x~x~x~x

The crew member Orion sent delivered his Piece of Eight -- his right earring -- to Jules aboard the Revolution. Both Bill and Jules had been concerned about Orion sending it on ahead rather than bringing it back to them himself; they were even more concerned when the fleet of small ships was led by Jae and the Kumiho, rather than by the Artemis. Jacob and Ashe, however, didn’t seem surprised, even though Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly and he went oddly quiet when he heard the news. If Bill didn’t know any better, he could’ve sworn he might’ve even seen some guilt in the curly-haired pirate’s face.

Meanwhile Charlie pulled up alongside the Revolution to drop Chia Dalma off safely before the Phoenix rejoined the Blackbird, Naga, and Treasure. Before parting ways, Charlie actually pulled Chia aside.

“So,” he said a bit sheepishly, “guess it’s time, then?”

Chia nodded. She tilted her head slightly to the right in response to how uneasy Charlie looked.

“Something troubles you?” she asked.

“Not trouble, exactly,” said Charlie, offering a smile. “I mean, I’m glad you’ll get to be free. What the Brethren Court did, back then...it was a right rotten thing to do...”

His smile faded. “I guess I just wondered why you called yourself ‘Chia Dalma,’ and not Calypso. I mean -- you are Calypso, right? It’s not like when the spell is broken, you’ll just...disappear, right?”

Chia was taken aback by the concern. Then her pale face softened, betraying genuine fondness.

“You have a noble heart, Charles Weasley,” she said. “I’m afraid that Chia Dalma will cease to be, when the spell is broken. She is human -- I am human...and I no longer will be, when the spell is broken. I will no longer feel things the way I do now, or see things the way I do now...and my perspective once again will be that of an immortal, not a mere human.”

She gave Charlie a reassuring smile.

“But Calypso will not forget what Chia Dalma has seen and learned. Nor will she forget the kindness you showed her.”

The corners of Charlie’s lips turned up too. He brought up a hand and clapped Chia on the shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“And I won’t forget the sea goddess who was once my friend,” he said with a grin.

Meanwhile, on the HMS Lion, Cutler Beckett had assembled his higher-ranked officers on deck to give them their last set of orders. There would be no quarter during the battle, no prisoners taken -- everyone in the pirates’ fleet and in Shipwreck Cove would be wiped out, without exception or mercy. Carewyn could see how hesitant the other officers were, upon hearing this. Percy, in particular, looked very troubled.

“Lord Beckett -- ” he said before he could stop himself, “d-denial of quarter -- surely that isn’t necessary...we have more than enough room to transport prisoners back to Port Royal -- ”

“The pirates themselves wave a flag that represents no quarter,” said Beckett very smoothly without stopping his stride as he walked past the line of officers. “They have not earned the right to it themselves.”

Percy faltered. “W-well...yes, but...they are pirates, sir. Should we not...show a better example, as King’s Men -- ?”

Beckett came to a sharp stop in front of Percy, looking up at the slightly taller man with a rather beady dark eye.

“Do I sense a lack of conviction, Captain Weasley?” he asked, his voice very soft but very dangerous.

Percy stiffened, his freckled face losing quite a bit of its color. The officers surrounding him looked worried too. Rakepick, who was standing a few feet away from the line of soldiers with her arms crossed, didn’t look worried, but her dark blue eyes did narrow grimly upon Percy and Beckett.

“No, sir!” said the red-haired Captain very quickly.

“Ah, then it’s a conflict of interest, perhaps,” said Beckett, his voice becoming a bit harder as his lips spread into a cold smirk.

He leaned in a bit closer, and whispered something else in Percy’s ear that no one else could hear. It made Percy’s entire frame stiffen, his face blanching in horror as his wide brown eyes flickered over to Carewyn.

“Lord Beckett, Captain Weasley’s loyalty to the English Crown is unflappable,” Carewyn said in a very loud, harsh voice. “As is the loyalty of all of our officers. He meant no disrespect, I assure you.”

Beckett looked at her, his eyebrows raised high over his coldly narrowed eyes. As he strode purposefully over to stand in front of Carewyn, all of the officers tensed up even more anxiously, none more so than Percy. Rakepick had uncrossed her arms and was watching the scene unfold like a hawk.

“I certainly hope that is true,” said Beckett very softly. “Treason is -- as we all know -- a death sentence.”

Carewyn met Beckett’s icy gaze head-on, even as he likewise leaned in, his head once again lingering over her shoulder like it had back in his cabin, so that his breath grazed her face.

“I will not punish your brother for his insubordination, as a favor to you. But I expect proper gratitude on your part. After all, I’m already doing quite a favor for you already, allowing you and him to remain among the ranks.”

Carewyn’s almond-shaped blue eyes narrowed, but she refused to look at him or speak. Beckett’s face grew a bit colder still as he tilted his head enough that his lips were mere inches from her ear.

“Don’t forget, Admiral,” he whispered, and there was an odd satisfaction creeping into the corners of his pitiless voice, “your loyalty is, first and foremost, mine.”

He then moved away, turning his focus back to the rest of the officers with his more usual, detached sort of expression.

“Attack when ready -- no prisoners, no mercy. You’re dismissed.”

The officers all saluted and immediately bustled off to head back to their ships. Carewyn glanced over just in time to see Percy, rather than heading immediately back to his ship, rush up to her. His freckled face was ashen and his eyebrows were knitted tensely over his eyes.

“Carey...Lord Beckett -- ”

“I know,” Carewyn cut him off. She already knew what Beckett must have said to Percy, for the rose-colored lenses to fall from his eyes so quickly.

Percy’s brown eyes widened even more. They darted over to Beckett heading up to the helm and then back to Carewyn, welling up with anxiety.

“He suspected it after you expressed interest in him hiring a woman,” said Carewyn softly. “I reckon him knowing Rakepick first made it easier -- she dressed as a man for a while, when she was in the Navy...”

Percy seemed to be losing more and more of his courage every second. His face suddenly looked so much more boyish as his gaze fell away from Carewyn’s face, staring down at the deck of the ship without seeing it.

“It’s my fault,” he mumbled.

“Don’t say that,” Carewyn cut him off firmly.

Percy closed his eyes and shook his head.

“It’s all my fault,” he repeated, shame and pain pulsing through his face. “I never should’ve trusted him, I never should’ve believed -- I just -- he was so against piracy, and I...after you were taken by Orion Amari -- after you got kidnapped by the crew of the Revenge -- ”

“Percy -- ”

Carewyn brought a hand onto his shoulder, but he cut her off, his soft voice more choked and upset than ever.

“I never should’ve let Bill and Charlie go after you alone -- I should’ve followed them myself in my own ship, if I had to -- ”

“Percy.”

Her hand clutched the top of his shoulder, right beside his neck, so as to force him to look up at her.

“You were only trying to do what was right, as an officer,” said Carewyn, her blue eyes blazing with conviction despite their pain and empathy. “The Navy is your dream, far more than it ever was mine, or Charlie’s, or Bill’s. Don’t hate yourself for trying to do things the right way. ...That’s always been who you are.”

Giving Percy’s shoulder a tight squeeze, she steered him forward enough that she could bring her other arm around him and give him a hug.

“I know what Beckett must’ve threatened you with, Perce, but I want you to forget it,” she said, and her voice betrayed a crack of emotion Percy had never heard before. “Don’t try to protect me or my reputation -- those things won’t matter much longer anyway. Do what you need to, to do what’s right...for yourself and them.”

Them... Percy tensed. He knew who that “them” was, but...the way her voice choked -- was she...trying not to cry?

He looked at his surrogate sibling with dismay, but he couldn’t see her expression.

“Carey -- ”

“Admiral.”

Carewyn pulled away from Percy and looked up.

Rakepick had approached them, her dark blue eyes flickering from Carewyn to back over her shoulder at Beckett, who had seemed to have turned his focus back to the two red-haired officers -- almost as if she was...trying to warn them.

Recovering from this surprise quickly, Carewyn turned to Percy with a harder, more serious look and grabbed his shoulder, giving him a light push backward.

“Go, now,” she said, her voice hardening to try to obscure the pain and tears she was trying to force back.

Percy’s brown eyes rippled with anxiety. He clearly wanted to insist on her explaining, wanted to argue her point -- but he too could sense Beckett’s gaze. So, with a pained expression, he reluctantly straightened up and exchanged a salute with Carewyn, before finally leaving the deck and returning to the jollyboat that would return him to the Clearwater.

Rakepick and Carewyn both watched Percy go.

“You didn’t tell him,” said Rakepick lowly. “No doubt because you don’t want him to try to stop you...”

Carewyn looked at Rakepick, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Didn’t tell him what?”

Rakepick, however, didn’t respond. Her eyes watched the horizon absently, but seemed to almost look beyond it.

Carewyn's eyes flashed with even more distrust as she turned to face the older woman. “Don’t play games with me, Rakepick -- ”

“The time for games is long since through,” said Rakepick sharply, as she turned to looked Carewyn straight on in the face.

What...was that, in her expression? It was certainly harsh and arrogant as ever, and yet...there was something almost sadder there.

“You truly are a guardian, Admiral Weasley,” murmured Rakepick. “Right now, though...it seems to me that it’s you who most needs guarding.”

Carewyn felt a knife in her chest at the thought of Jones and the fate that awaited her. Her blue eyes drifted off to the side and away from Rakepick’s face, hardening further as she tried to obscure her emotions.

“I’m not so much of a coward as to choose my safety over the lives of others’,” she said very harshly, turning her focus to the helm.

She turned her back on Rakepick, her arms looping behind her straightened back in proper Navy posture.

“You should return to your post...before Beckett gives you the side eye too.”

Rakepick didn’t respond, and Carewyn refused to look back as she strode away.

Almost immediately, the strategy Jacob had devised did not go as planned.

The plan had been for Jules to bluff Beckett before releasing Calypso -- but although the Revolution, as flag ship, had pulled into position at the head of the pirates’ charge, Beckett’s (and therefore the Navy’s) flag ship the HMS Lion did not. Instead it hung back, letting individual Man O’ Wars immediately start the charge without it.

In alarm, Jules ordered her crew to hoist the colors and signal to the rest of the Pirate Lords to attack, as the Flying Dutchman sailed out in front as if to meet the Revolution. Charlie and Merula led the charge in the Phoenix and the Blackbird, firing at will against the Man O’ Wars in an attempt to hit their stores of ammunition, even as the Navy’s ships’ superior firepower quickly overwhelmed them, cutting down the smaller ships in the dozens with their cannons.

“Captain!” said Barnaby from his place at the helm. “We just lost three more ships -- oh. Make that four!”

Charlie’s eyes narrowed as he racked his brain.

The Man O’ Wars were too powerful to face head-on -- they just had far too much firepower, compared to their pirates’ fleet --

A mad idea beginning to take root in Charlie’s head, he whirled around toward Samantha O’Connell, who’d been up in the rigging adjusting sails so that the Phoenix could better avoid the Navy’s cannon fire.

“Signal to the Naga! We need to get closer to that Man O’ War at the front!”

Samantha’s mouth dropped open disbelievingly. “Closer? But that’ll only make it easier for them to shoot us down!”

“Not if we divide their attention!” Charlie shot back forcefully.

He ran up to the deck of the ship and leapt onto the railing so he could dangle off the rigging and better talk over the sound of cannon fire.

“We’re going to do what pirates do best,” said the red-haired pirate captain, shooting a huge, blazing grin up at Samantha, “we’re going to sack and commandeer that Man O’ War ourselves!”

With some help from Arjun and Aishwarya running interference, Charlie was able to steer the Phoenix up alongside one of the Navy’s ships, called the Clearwater. As mad as Charlie’s idea was, however, it seemed he hadn’t been completely off-base -- just as Ben Copper himself had proposed earlier, the Navy had indeed not expected the pirates to try sacking and stealing their ship. Unfortunately to get close enough, the Phoenix ended up directly in the path of the Clearwater’s cannons, and as the pirates started to board, cannonballs blasted through the air, smashing the Phoenix to pieces.

“ABANDON SHIP!” roared Charlie. “ALL HANDS TO THE CLEARWATER!”

The pirates all flocked to the rigging and gangplanks to board the Man O’ War, now their only hope at avoiding the ocean waves. Charlie met up with Barnaby on deck, even as its planks was blasted to pieces.

“Is everyone else off?” demanded Charlie.

“Aye, Captain!” said Barnaby.

As splinters of wood and metal shot through the air, Charlie and Barnaby both leapt up into the rigging, preparing to swing across --

Unfortunately, just as they both swung, a cannonball collided squarely with the ringing. In an instant, both men were flung off of the ropes they’d been holding and into the air, falling toward the water with the weight of stones.

Barnaby, in a purely instinctual move, leaned forward in mid-air and, with all of his strength, shoved Charlie forward just enough that he could clear the hurtle between the two ships.

Charlie ended up colliding harshly with the deck of the Clearwater, his leg collapsing out from under him with an unpleasant CRACK.

“ACK!”

With a bellow of pain, the red-haired pirate captain crumpled in on himself, gritting his teeth as he struggled to control his breathing.

“Charlie!”

Samantha chucked a lit grenade right into the side of one of the Navy soldiers’ heads, using the Navy officers’ alarm and the subsequent small explosion as a distraction so she could run over. Bending down, she quickly grabbed hold of his arm to help Charlie to his feet.

“Augh -- “ choked Charlie. “My leg -- I can’t...ack!”

Samantha secured her arm around his waist, using a considerable amount of strength to try to hold him up at her side. “Hold on -- I’ve got you -- ”

Charlie looked up and around, taking in the scene of his men hot in battle with the Navy’s men.

“Barnaby?”

Charlie looked around. His First Mate wasn’t there.

Limping badly on his injured leg, Charlie threw himself across the deck to look over. In the ocean between the two ships was an unsettling set of ripples -- as if a body had collided with the water.

“BARNABY!”

“LOOK OUT!” yelled Samantha.

Charlie would’ve likely thrown himself overboard to try to retrieve his fallen comrade, but he immediately had to yank out his cutlass and defend himself against a Navy soldier who‘d made to attack him. Samantha pulled out her pistols and began shooting, trying to beat the enemy forces back as they descended on the fallen Phoenix’s captain.

Neither Charlie or Samantha saw the second cluster of ripples and bubbles that burbled up from under the surface, nor the gold mermaid tail that briefly flipped up out of the water before disappearing again under the waves.

Nothing turned out as it should. The battle plan Jacob and the pirates had devised hoping to scare the majority of the Man O’ Wars into surrendering was cut off at the legs. If they released Calypso now, there would be no reason for any of the Navy officers to think that her release was a threat pointed squarely at them. Calypso would certainly have no reason to cooperate, even if Chia Dalma had expressed some favoritism toward Orion and Charlie previously. They were still pirates, and Calypso had no reason to help the kind of people who had trapped her for so long just because they released her, especially since the decision was made out of desperation. The only thing guaranteed by Calypso’s release would be that the battle would be harder and would likely put everyone’s lives in even more jeopardy.

Despite this, however, Jules was firm in her conviction. They’d made a promise to release Calypso, and more importantly, it was a decision that was already well overdue. Regardless of whether Calypso decided to help them or not, she didn’t deserve to stay in bondage.

So despite the hesitance on Jacob’s and the majority of her crew’s faces, Jules fetched the tricorn hat full of the seven Pieces of Eight she’d been given by the other Pirate Lords -- Orion’s gold hoop earring, Jae’s copper mun coin, Ellie’s sunflower-engraved pocketwatch, Arjun’s snake-engraved fob seal, Charlie’s “S”-trimmed anchor button, and Merula’s jade ring. Then Jules plopped in the eighth that Samantha had fetched from the inside of the Pirate Codex (a cheap copper brooch shaped like a mermaid and scarred over with greenish-white rust), to represent her as Pirate King, and handed the full hat to Chia Dalma before setting the pieces on fire.

“Calypso,” Jules murmured as gently as she could, “I release you from your human bonds.”

The transformation was terrifying. It was little wonder that the process of turning Calypso into a human was described as her “being bound in her bones,” for when the goddess was set free of her human form, it was like a foreboding, slow-motion explosion. Chia’s eye sockets erupted blueish-white light, while her hair and clothes dissolved away into terrible gusts of wind and crashing sea spray. The low, rumbling, earthquake-esque sound that erupted from her could not be contained by her lips, instead coming from her every pore, as she levitated up off the ground, her flesh and blood limbs dangling uselessly in the face of her supernatural essence breaking free of them. Her flesh seemed to melt away, becoming more liquid and blue and white and incorporeal -- until at last, Chia Dalma’s frame burst open in a violent crash of seawater that for an instant submerged the entire pirate ship.

Jules, Bill, Jacob, and the rest of the crew were suddenly underwater, scrambling to escape so they could breathe. It was only thanks to Ashe that they survived. The merman quickly swam up to the helm and took control of the ship’s steering wheel, chucking it all the way around to tilt the Revolution sharply enough that it forced the ocean wave that had been Calypso back off the side.

Calypso, however, was not just the wave, as the pirates quickly found out. Overhead, there was a horrible rumble of thunder. Within moments, the ocean began to quake under the Revolution and the Flying Dutchman, darkening forebodingly. Somewhere in the distance, Jules could hear a delighted roar, like a triumphant beast’s -- it was Jones, delighted by the liberation of his lover and by the vengeance she would wreck for him.

Rakepick stared up at the darkening sky, her eyes very wide. “This...this storm -- it can’t be -- !”

“Oh, but it is.”

The cursed captain whirled on Rakepick, a smirk curling up into his octopus-stained features and a malevolent gleam in his eye.

“And now,” he said as he unsheathed his sword, “I fear no consequence o’ this!”

Rakepick cried out in agony as Jones plunged his sword right through the upper-right side of her chest. The privateer-turned-pirate-hunter crumpled up on the base of the stairs, her tricorn hat flying off into the wind. She tried to pull the blade out, but she was pinned down to the deck, unable to move as blood spurted out of her chest like a red flower.

“Augh...augh...”

Satisfied that the woman who’d so haughtily lorded over him was going to suffer properly before dying, Jones whirled on the rest of his crew with a victorious gleam in his eye.

“Let’s finish dismantling this ship afore us!” he indicated the Revolution, which was sailing up alongside the Flying Dutchman. “Then we can turn our sights toward different prey!”

Out of the blackening sky, a bolt of lightning crashed down, colliding with the ocean a mere twenty feet from the HMS Lion. The threat of fiery white death terrified Beckett’s men. Carewyn struggled to keep them calm, ordering them to weigh anchor so the HMS Lion could join its brothers in the charge. Beckett, however, contradicted her.

“If we advance, then we’ll merely be sailing right into the pirates’ hands,” he said coolly, as he sipped a cup of tea from the helm. “Our other ships are already dismantling them well enough.”

Carewyn’s blue eyes flashed. In an oddly harsh move, she brought up a hand and slammed it down on the table, making the china tea set rattle precariously and her fellow Navy men flinch.

“Don’t be a fool!” she hissed. “This isn’t some normal storm! Look at the waves you’ve sent our ships into! Look at this lightning -- it’s touching the sea itself! This is not an act of God -- this can only be Calypso!”

The rest of the Navy’s crew tensed up at the name. Beckett looked up from his tea, his dark eyes flickering with some interest for the first time.

“Calypso?” he repeated.

“The Pirate Lords bound her years ago, and now it seems they’ve released her,” said Carewyn fiercely. "We can’t stay still, if we hope to evade the wrath of a sea goddess -- ”

“But you believe she can, in fact, be evaded,” said Beckett mildly, putting down his cup on its saucer with a soft clink. “Good. From what I understand, Calypso doesn’t particularly like pirates much either...so it seems we can have her do some of our workload for us, if we merely steer clear of her destructive path.”

Carewyn’s eyes widened, her pupils narrowing to slits of rage.

“So you sentence your men to death? You choose to abandon our other ships to the mercy of both the pirates and to a vengeful goddess, in the deluded hope that they’ll destroy each other and leave us be -- ?!”

She didn’t even care if her voice was shriller than it should’ve been, thanks to the emotions that rebelled against her chest.

Beckett got to his feet, stepping right into Carewyn’s personal space with a fierce, cold eye.

“Our men know where their loyalty lies -- may you not forget the placement of yours, Admiral!”

Carewyn, however, got right back up in Beckett’s space in return, yanking her pistol out of her belt and pointing it right between his eyes.

All of the soldiers on deck stiffened or let out small, shocked cries. Even Beckett, whose expression did not flinch, raised his eyebrows.

“Just because my soul is no longer mine doesn’t mean that I won’t protect my men, Beckett,” Carewyn spat.

Beckett’s eyebrows furrowed over his eyes, which gleamed with cold, stony, foreboding rage.

“You dare...?” he whispered.

Carewyn’s eyes flared with hatred. “The only leverage you had over me is currently out there, being sent to his death on your orders.”

‘You have nothing left to take from me, Beckett. I’m already enslaved to Jones, and therefore you. I have no future. I can’t do any more good for the others. ...I’m worthless...’

Carewyn returned her pistol to her belt and turned to her men with a gentler, but still very serious look.

“Prepare to abandon ship, Lieutenant.”

The young Lieutenant who’d nearly caught Ben the previous night straightened up sharply. “Sir?”

“I will not have men who were assigned to this mission lay down their lives fighting a sea goddess,” said Carewyn solemnly. “Just as I don’t intend to let the men out there do so. We can’t signal to them to retreat from this far-off, but I won’t endanger your lives while I call them back. Tell the men to abandon ship and head for the Swallow...and then do so yourself.”

Despite the firmness of her voice, she knew the gravity of what she was asking of him.

The boyish, uptight Lieutenant looked from the silently seething Beckett to the grim, pale face of his commanding officer, visibly conflicted. Then, his lower lip trembling, he saluted.

“...Yes, sir,” he said weakly.

The young officer and his compatriots reluctantly followed orders and left the helm, leaving Beckett and Carewyn alone.

“You will regret this most dearly,” Beckett said in a very soft, pitiless voice.

“I only regret that I wasn’t able to do it sooner,” Carewyn shot back icily.

“There will be no safe place to hide from me,” said Beckett. “The entire world will know who and what you are. I will hunt you down with the might of my Company and the English Crown, until you sit under my heel like a dog.”

Carewyn was reminded of how he spoke to Orion, back on that tiny island -- like he was some pathetic, disgusting cockroach.

“I’m not a coward like you, Beckett -- I have no intention of running and hiding.”

‘You won’t need to hunt me down,’ she thought. ‘I already know I'm trapped.’

She turned her back on Beckett and walked away, shooting coldly back over her shoulder,

“Flee with your life while you still can.”

Once Carewyn was sure that her soldiers had all boarded the jollyboats and were on their way toward the HMS Swallow, she immediately made her way down to the lower deck, to where she knew Ben Copper had set up the explosives from the previous night.

The HMS Lion could not use flags to signal the other ships to fall back, from this distance...but the flagship being in distress would be more than enough for them to come back to try to help.

Carewyn approached the highly flammable barrels of black powder, her jaw set in determination despite the fear and paleness of her face. There was only one way she could make it explode on her own -- and so, with a deep breath and a faintly trembling hand, she slowly slid her loaded pistol from her belt and raised it to point at the barrels.

All of a sudden, Carewyn felt someone grab her from behind. She struggled against the grip as the person’s hands seized her arm, trying to pull it back -- “No, please -- please, no -- please -- ”

The voice made Carewyn freeze where she stood.

It was soft, detached, almost airy, and yet so choked and tense...she’d never heard that voice sound that way. Not that voice, at least...only a voice much younger, much less confident --

Carewyn slouched immediately.

“Orion?” she breathed.

The Pirate Lord’s shaking hands still clutched at her arm even after her pistol was no longer raised.

“Please,” he gasped for air, clearly trying to steady his heavy breathing. “Please -- ”

“Orion!”

Carewyn dropped her pistol to the floor with a clatter. She couldn’t pull out of his grip, but she tried to turn around to face him. Only managing to make it half-way, she looked up at him, taking in his parted lips and hollow dark eyes, and reached up to take hold of his face.

“Orion...it’s all right...”

Shakily Orion released her arms. Then, very abruptly, he just as quickly grabbed the back of her head with one hand, cradling it almost desperately.

“Orion, breathe,” Carewyn said desperately as she trailed a hand through his dreadlocks to try to comfort him. “Breathe...I’m here -- I’m here...”

The pirate closed his eyes. His breathing gradually slowed and quieted as he worked to ground himself.

“...Carewyn...” he murmured against her hair at last, still sounding faintly tense, but much more level again.

Carewyn’s chest was so overfull of emotion that her eyes flooded with tears.

“God, Orion!” she swore.

She placed a short, searing kiss against his lips before pulling away to look at him and tearing into him with anxiety,

“What are you doing here!? You’re going to get yourself killed!”

“I could say the same to you,” said Orion, his much more usual, calmer voice low in his throat with disapproval.

Carewyn’s eyes fell down to his shoulder uncomfortably. “I have to signal the rest of the fleet to retreat -- ”

“You needn’t sacrifice yourself for that.”

“I can’t make this signal any other way!”

“Don’t take all of this onto yourself -- ”

“It’s the only way I can help now!” Carewyn burst out. Her own hands were shaking now. “I know what you and Jacob were trying to warn me about, Orion, but it’s no use -- I can’t just stay off the Dutchman! Jones told me that the contract can’t be undone unless I wanted to condemn someone else in my place, and I...I can’t do that, Orion! Even if it means I can never make that world I promised for you -- even if it means I can never get Bill and Charlie and Jules their lives back, or protect Jacob and Ashe from the Navy, or even see you again...”

She fiercely tried to hold back her tears even as they blurred her vision.

“My life isn’t worth protecting, if it means I lose you! I can’t lose you! Without all of you, there’s no point to anything, anything I do!”

Orion’s dark eyes were swirling like miniature galaxies as he adjusted his hand on the back of Carewyn’s head more securely, tilting it up to try to prompt her to look at him before speaking again.

“Carewyn...will you marry me?”

Carewyn looked up at him like she’d just gotten a splash of cold water right to the face.

“What?”

“Will you marry me?” Orion repeated, undaunted.

Carewyn’s mouth hung open in disbelief. Where in the world did this come from?!

“I don’t think now’s the best time!” she said in a weaker, more high-pitched voice than usual.

“Now may be the only time,” said Orion, sounding oddly serious.

Carewyn scanned his face, struggling to understand his thought process.

“Orion...I’ll be part of Jones’s crew -- there can’t be a future for us, even if we -- ”

“On the contrary,” Orion cut her off gently. “We would only have the freedom to be together, this way.”

Carewyn’s eyebrows furrowed. Then, very, very slowly, her blue eyes widened in understanding.

“You’d be a member of our family,” she whispered.

Orion inclined his head in a nod. “I’d take the Cromwell name, rather than give you mine. That would make it so that Jones’s conditions could apply to either of us -- and so, if we wished to be together...the one Jones does not take could volunteer to remain with the other, as part of his crew...or, if not...one of us would be free to leave, with the debt still paid.”

Carewyn stared, hardly believing what she was hearing. She clutched at Orion’s shirt with both hands.

“You...you can’t!” she said desperately. “Jones is still under Beckett’s command -- if you join Jones’s crew, you...you’ll never be free again! I can’t let you enslave yourself to Beckett, not after what he did to you!”

“What he did to me...” murmured Orion.

He cradled Carewyn’s head as he leaned his forehead against hers so that their noses touched.

“Carewyn...what Beckett did to me was make it so that I’m no longer able to live a normal life. What he did to me was make it so that the only life I can lead is that of a pirate -- a creature of few friends, adrift on an unfriendly sea. However much I’ve been able to find independence and camaraderie on the high seas, that doesn’t mean I’ve ever been truly free. For I was never free to stop being a pirate. I was never free to stop running. I was never free...to return to the island where I first met the girl who would flit in and out of my dreams, like a songbird on the wing...see if she was happy...see if...she even still remembered me...”

Carewyn’s eyes widened.

“When I met you, I was an orphan with no name or home to call my own,” murmured Orion. “Although I’ve since crafted a name for myself...thanks to Beckett, I can never have the second. And even if I somehow ever could...that home would not be complete without you.”

His lips spread into a smile as his dark eyes slowly flooded with tears too.

“The freedom I want more than anything,” he said, “is the freedom to stay. Perhaps this choice wasn’t one we ever wanted to make, and perhaps it will be one we’ll have to live with longer than either of us envisioned, but...please...will you let me stay with you?”

Carewyn choked, trying to hold in the storm of emotions beating at the inside of her chest. She covered her face in both hands in a vain attempt to obscure the pain. She could feel Orion’s hand on the back of her head tense slightly, but he made no move to comfort her -- the pirate wasn’t entirely sure how, and he didn’t know if he should, since he knew he’d unloaded a lot onto her.

At last, Carewyn finally tore her hands away and threw her arms around Orion’s neck, burying her tear-stained face into his chest.

“Yes,” she whispered against his neck. “...Yes...”

She placed a feathery kiss to his collarbone.

“...Orion, I’m...I’m so sorry...”

Orion mirrored her, bringing his lips into the crook of her neck.

“Don’t be,” he said seriously, “for I am not.”

Carewyn looked up at him, prepared to speak -- but she stilled when her ear caught the sound of a pistol being cocked.

“GET DOWN!”

In an instant, she’d thrown herself against Orion, knocking him down to the floor just as the bullet whizzed overhead with a loud BANG, just barely missing the barrels of black gunpowder and instead colliding with one of the columns.

Carewyn and Orion both shot up, to find Cutler Beckett standing at the base of the stairs, his stony eyes set ablaze with a kind of hatred Carewyn had never seen.

At the exact same time, the Revolution and the Flying Dutchman were hotly engaged in battle on the rockier, more tempestuous sea. Jules had been firm in not having anyone swing over to the Dutchman until their ship had the upper hand, since she knew her mortal men would be outmatched by men who were already technically dead -- but Jacob, it seemed, had no intention of following her direction. Jones was still aboard the Flying Dutchman, and he had a score to settle with Jones. And so he swung over to the ship of the damned himself to confront its captain.

“Ah, Captain Roberts,” sneered Jones. “Welcome aboard.”

“Where is she!?” he snarled.

Jones’s dark eyes narrowed coldly. “If you mean the Admiral, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong place. Her enlistment isn’t set to begin for another month or so.”

With a roar of fury, Jacob lunged at Jones, hacking at him with his cutlass. The shorter man was very talented with a blade -- it was fortunate, considering he was hotly engaged in battle with someone who couldn’t be killed through ordinary means.

“Don’t know what you’re intending to do, Jacob Roberts!” spat Jones. “The contract is not one I can break either! The Admiral will be in my crew, no matter what she or anyone else thinks of the matter -- ”

Jacob slashed at Jones’s beard, slashing off several tentacles. Jones cried out in pain and frustration and when Jacob tried to attack again, Jones seized his arm in his claw, snapping down on it really hard.

“AUGH!”

Jones lifted the smaller man up off the deck by his arm so that he dangled off his feet.

“She only has her brother to blame for her misfortune,” the captain of the damned said lowly. “Yet she somehow has enough grace to not do so.”

Jacob’s face blanched and his slit-like pupils flared with hatred as he fought against Jones’ grip.

“You -- argh!”

Jones’s claw twisted Jacob’s arm painfully, making him drop his sword.

“Were I not a heartless wretch, I would feel remorse, knowing I have to condemn so decent a person,” said Jones.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Jones cried out in surprise as a sword was plunged through his back.

It was Bill.

The eldest Weasley knew that the wound wouldn’t really hurt Jones (and he was correct), but it was the proper distraction for Jules to jump in from the other side and bring her sword down on Jones’s claw with enough leverage that he dropped Jacob. The curly-haired pirate captain fell onto the deck, clutching his arm, as Bill yanked his sword back out of Jones’s back.

“That is for Carey,” he snarled at Jones.

Jones whirled on Bill with his own cutlass, hacking away at him. Jules rushed to help Bill, while Ashe ran over to Jacob’s side to help him up.

“Jack, you’re bleeding -- ”

“I’ll be fine,” croaked Jacob as he clutched his wounded arm.

Jones fought both Bill and Jules singlehandedly, his cutlass slashing at Bill as his claw snapped at the air sweeping through Jules’s dark hair.

“Tell me, William and Juliette Weasley,” he crowed, “do you fear death?”

“Do you?”

Jones froze. Everybody else on the deck froze. Then, as if as a unit, they slowly turned, to look at Rakepick standing at the foot of the stairs.

The privateer-turned-pirate-hunter had shed her red jacket, leaving her in her blood-stained, high-necked and long-sleeved white undershirt, and her ginger-red hair had come loose of its bun and flapped in the gusting wind like a flag. In her hand was the throbbing, pulsating heart of Davy Jones.

Both Jacob and Bill lunged forward, but Rakepick moved before either of them could. Her dark blue eyes flaring with pure, undiluted hatred upon Jones, she yanked her loaded pistol out of its holster, thrust Jones’s heart down hard onto the deck, and fired at point-blank range.

BANG.

Jones lurched forward as if he'd been shot in the chest. He choked, his dark eyes going very wide as he struggled to breathe -- then he swayed, suddenly finding himself unable to stand, as his claw shakily clutched the railing of his ship.

Rakepick’s eyes held no compassion whatsoever as she bore down upon the crumpled-up Jones.

“The Chest’ll be doing its work soon enough,” she said very softly. “As it’s said...‘the Dutchman must have a captain.’”

Jacob suddenly felt like his hand was on fire. Ripping off the bandages, he stared in disbelief as the Black Spot Jones had given him so long ago seemed to shrink and disappear, leaving his palm completely unscarred.

For the deal Jacob had made was only in effect as long as both he and Jones lived. 

Jones gasped for air as Rakepick seized him by the collar.

“I would ask if you wished to serve under me -- but I don’t want scum like you on my crew. So I’ll instead be kind...and send you to meet your dear Calypso.”

In a heartless move Jacob only knew too well, Rakepick shoved Jones overboard, right off of the Dutchman into the rushing waves.

“No!” hissed Jacob.

Rakepick turned to Jacob, a cold smirk spreading onto her face. “You know what this means, then, Black Jack? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised!”

Out of nowhere, Rakepick lurched forward, clutching at her chest, which pulsated with demented, sickly sea-green light. She shrieked in agonizing, hellish pain as her chest ripped itself apart, her own heart molting out of her skin -- the Dead Man’s Chest appeared out of nowhere in a flare of light at her feet -- and it swallowed up the heart that had ripped itself out of her chest before snapping shut.

“What -- ” gasped Bill, “what is -- ?”

“The one who stabs the Heart,” said Ashe, his face very pale with fury and anxiety, “must replace it with their own.”

“And become the immortal Captain of the Flying Dutchman.”

Rakepick clutched her chest with one hand, her long ginger hair in her face. She breathed heavily as her lips spread little by little into a broad smirk. When she pulled her hand away, the wounds in her chest and in her shoulder had completely sealed up. Even the blood had dissipated.

“Incredible,” she whispered. “I can feel the Dutchman -- the sea -- the creatures of the deep, all responding to my every whim...”

She flung out her arm. In an instant, Jones’s fallen barnacle-encrusted blade soared into her open hand, and she raised her head, her dark blue eyes devoid of human light or mercy upon Bill, Jacob, Jules, and Ashe as her loosely flying ginger hair seemed to smack the air like tentacles.

“Now I finally have the power I need,” she whispered triumphantly, “the power to destroy all of you and Cutler Beckett, in one fell swoop!”

[thetickingmonolith]

A Journey To The Shoreline

        I sat there for some time, pondering to myself, my usual glass of whisky resting to my side and cigarette balanced between my lips. The hustle and bustle of my minds thoughts rushing around me, Jack arguing with Magnus, Grey tapping away at the massive console behind me, Atlas and Belladonna discussing the various factors of gossip that flooded the world around me, none of it intriguing me to any great degree. Azel sat atop his perch, within the moon looking down on us all, the titanic figure of Balmorhea resting just beneath the waves, nothing more than a shadow.

        I stood and left them all to bicker and discuss, raising from my chair and wandering through the halls, glass haphazardly swinging in one hand, cigarette in the other. “What is this feeling we have?” I wandered up and down staircases, climbing through cogs and across walkways, not really knowing where I was going or where exact I was, merely wanting to walk and think to myself out loud. “What is the madness that we feel, this worry of anger, of not being able to control ourself. There comes this feeling of worry, of loss? No none of these.” I wandered further and further into the bowels of my creation, about half way down the tower now I stopped to look out of one of the holes in the damaged wall, peering out across the ocean, witnessing the tiny blip on the horizon that I once called home.

        I looked down to see the jagged rocks at the base of the tower and the waves crashing up against them. The faint distant sound of the crash inviting me further down the tower, further into the recesses of my own mind. I wandered, stopping periodically to take a sip of my drink or a drag of my smoke, the groan of the gears around me and creak of the floorboards beneath me. “I can walk and convey it to myself, the fear of reacting badly knowing that I am merely making myself paranoid as I usually do, only this time it is more manifest, why?” I walked and walked, pondering this why…why is this anxiety more manifest, why does it only last a short while yet inflict such tangible pain.

        I came to an old rusted area, where a massive hole in the wall has allowed the spray of the sea to seep in and bring this whole region to a halt. “What were you once? A part of me that thought himself something? An idea that would be proven false? Some part of my mind left to rust out of disuse…uncertainty…” The idea of not knowing the coming events, the concept of being blind in a fog, the fear of what ifs and the anxiety of mere continued existence. The simple act of existence and an odd feeling of being unwelcome…of it being implied I am unwanted part of something…

        I took a sip and sat on the floor, staring up at the cogs of various shapes and sizes…trying to put together the word I was looking for, for it was not unwanted or unwelcome but a similar feeling, but more prolonged…I leaned against the remains of that section of the wall, finishing the last of my whisky, wishing I had brought the bottle with me. “Well where am I to put this then?” staring at the glass as the mental haze began to set in. I heard the faint creak of floorboards in the distance, someone had followed me down here, who? I had little idea, but they would take some time to catch up with me.

        A spray of sea water came in through the hole in the wall and put out my cigarette. I sighed, putting down the glass and reached into my breast pocket, retrieving the packet of cigarettes and the lighter, standing and taking a drag. I nudged the glass with my foot and knocked it over the edge, sending it hurtling onto the jagged rocks below. “Well I’m going to need another one of those before I get back.” I turned to face the staircase where the creaking had come from before to find The Young God walk down them. Needless to say I was quite shocked, he had not made such an appearance in quite some time. “Whyte?” “Yes my dear?” “What are you doing down here? You rarely leave the higher portions of the tower” “Something has been bothering me and I’ve kind of just wandered down here as I was lost in thought” He looked me up and down, I looked a little rough all things considered. “What’s bothering you?” and so began the rambling.

        “Your name comes from a few different sources, however the main item I think about when I look back on your first appearance is the song Young God, in the intro the words Forever cursed in love are the observant, forever a slave to detail.” “I don’t understand” “When we first got to know each other, when we fell asleep on that couch while everyone else had disappeared to sleep elsewhere, we innocently were asleep on a couch. I was struggling with this idea, you were there to help me and talk me through things, despite being so young you had so much knowledge and maturity you saw things people twice my age didn’t…your name is also derived from The Death Of God And The Meaning Of Life by Julian Young, Young’s portal of god fit mine, your outlook on life reflected her idea of the meaning of life, thusly Young’s God, or The Young God.” “Does this have anything to do with me?” “Not really  no, however it does have something to do with what someone said to me…the opening part of Young God by Halsey talks about the Honeymoon phase of a relationship…not after an actual honeymoon but rather the opening of a relationship where it is passionate and fiery but deteriorating in a fashion, like a flame dying out.” “Whyte what are you talking about?” I took a moment to compose myself and placed my hand on his shoulder, “come with me, I was walking to the base of the tower to the shoreline.” He nodded and walked beside me as we set off wandering the halls.

        There was silence between us as we walked for a few minutes, it was of course him that had appeared at this moment all things considered, who else would appear when it came to such feelings. “Your name came to me nearly two years ago and only now do I realise its importance, all this time later…my subconscious has an interesting way of foreshadowing…anyway now that I’ve gathered my thoughts” We stepped onto a staircase, the bottom obscured by a void of shadow, a distant glint marking the bottom. He stopped at the third step. “Don’t worry it will only take a minute and we will be back in the light.” I had stopped and extended a hand to him as we delved deeper into the darkness beckoning him forward. When we reached the bottom he looked much more relieved, if still a little uneasy. “See wasn’t so bad” “Why does the darkness cling to you like a membrane?” I was a little shocked at this for a moment, “It’s complicated, some people walk through the darker parts of themselves, people like me it stays with us a little longer than it should, the world reflects this…like everything in this world it is equally uncertain and meaningful, the details we do not know and we fill in the blanks for reflect ourselves, for example, did you take my hand? Or did I merely beacon you to follow?” “Well I…oh…I can’t remember” “Depending on how you filled in the gap shows a little something about you. The statement in a way contradicted itself so depending on my mood, this memory will be filled in one way or another, come now we must keep pace.”

        “Should the fires fade, should the cinders dim…should the fires fade, silent sigh final hymn” “What?” “They are lyrics from Fires Fade by Miracle of Sound, it’s a song about Dark Souls 3…Dark Souls taught me about overcoming adversity, stepping back and looking at a situation and finding a more effective strategy to tackle it, despite all of the failures I have faced and the obstacles I face naturally as a person I have found myself here pondering this exact question…should the fires fade and the cinders dim…what should I do…” “Whyte is this about Jae?” “No not really, It is no my place to have a hand in that, that friendship survived the worst break up of each of our lives and either he is miserable with me or happy without me, there isn’t much of a choice in that, if that defaults to the usual bullshittery then that took me all of 5 minutes to put to bed…no this is about that feeling I have…mostly should I attend this weekend? He made it quite clear that he did not want me there, that my presence was an issue, and I would understand if it were not for the fact that before there was no mention of it…that and the reference he made to Young God being about abuse, when it is in reality about the fading flame of a relationship, the song he would have wanted was Trouble…which in many respects would confuse me even more than anything else…is that how he views me? Was it a hint? I’m aware that this is that passing feeling of paranoia and anxiety but its only left to come back harder this time…might as well talk about it with someome…”

        “Whyte where is all of this coming from so quickly?” “That moment…just that one…it made me look back on everything and question if I was missing something…was him telling me to find someone else who would reciprocate those romantic feelings a hint? When in and of itself was in part a lie when he would become jealous of others by his own confession…all of this suddenly comes flooding back in a moment and makes me question so much, just the mere mention of such an implication and the ironic mistaken nature of a song…the feeling that he doesn’t want me to merely enjoy the weekend…all of this in less than 24 hours of course it is bound it send me into a self-circling spiral” He stopped and caught me by the shoulder shaking me “Whyte stop this WHYTE LISTEN TO ME…the two of you have survived hell and earth together…you have stood by his side and screwed up beyond imagining and remained his friend above all else, played ignorant to what was happening using you spicy autism burrito idiocy to make him feel less awkward, playing unaware to what you were doing when you knew full well so he felt more comfortable…don’t you get it you are spiralling into this madness now because you are worried your friendship will not survive this when you simply lack the words to talk to him about it, when in reality even if he never knows what turmoil is going on in your head your friendship will survive you idiot…” I didn’t respond and he shoved me to grab my attention, upon contact my mind flashed with a flurry of emotions and we were both consumed with a flash of blinding white fire.

        We stood before a door, light flooding in through the edges, everything else was consumed by darkness, I burst into laughter. “You magnificent son of a bitch you” I slammed my right hand against the door and threw it wide, grabbing him with my left and dragging him out onto the shoreline of the tower. “The Young God lives up to his name” I let go of his hand and stepped forward, walking out along the jagged rocks, “As you once said, everything will be okay in the end, if it’s not okay its not the end.” I climbed farther out onto the rocks, with the sea spray raining down on top of me. “A SONG IS IN ORDER MY FRIEND”  The crash of the waves before me spraying across me in my totality, my suit soaked in salt water.

A snap of my fingers and a flash of fire later, “Tell me, If I give a call,” a massive wave crashed behind me, a G major note beginning the song as I slowly pull the bow across the neck. I slipped slightly against the damp rocks, taking a moment to regain my composure “We’ve been caught up in such trivial things”. Tapping my heels together I step over a rock, getting closer to the water’s edge. “Will we be lovers?” Skipping closer to the shower line and feeling the waters spray wash over me again closer and more intense this time. “Guess it always depends” stepping backwards again the edged of the waves washing over my dress shoes as another crashes down just behind me. “on my on again” slipping on the damp rocks and falling backwards into the water as another wave crashed over me, my bow ripped out of my hands but my violin remaining in my hands, I quickly reached the surface with no fear with my fingers plucking away at the strings, “off again friend”…yes royal’s song is best for the now…