#just today decided to split one path further...

[thelonelyshore-if]

It feels SO good to be writing today. I'm coming out of the worst bout of writer's block I've ever experienced. This past month was pretty rough for lots of reasons, but feeling like I couldn't get any words down was one of the worst parts. I've gotten 1500 words written in the past two hours. That's more than I've written in what feels like weeks, and I've got the next day and a half to keep going. I'm starting to feel like the next update is actually on the horizon 😭

[siolixz]

~Veils Of Crimson~

Chapter 5: part 1

Pairings: oz cobb x reader (Carmine Falcone's daughter)

<chapter 1> <chapter 2> <chapter 3><chapter 5: part 2>

Oz got what he wanted. As he always does. Reader slowly begins peeling back the veil around her- the truth will come to light soon.

I decided to split this chapter in 2 parts because in part 2 there is a scene in which something not that nice happens and that's all I'm gonna say.

I took my inspo from Driving Miss Falcone by (https://www.tumblr.com/genevievedarcygranger here on tumblr), check out the story if you can.

Enjoy, give feeback if u want ily xoxo.

Warnings: mature language, Oz is a manipulative bastard, smexy stuff happening at the end.

Apparently Sofia and Oz have got themselves a partnership. One based on mutual suspicion and distrust, you thought. When you guys left that night, you were in the backseat, Sofia and Oz in the front-with Oz driving. “Just like old times” she said, like old times my ass- you guys didn’t talk to each other at all during the drive, except Oz glancing at you in the back every so often-everything was quiet. 

You finally saw what your brother and sister were up to, it was…different, to say the least.

If they wanted to get their product on the market and somehow overthrow the Falcone operation, they needed manpower and connections, lots and lots of connections.

 Sofia was really going forward with this mad plan. She knew virtually nothing about how this world works and yet she found herself a kingpin. Great. 

Talking to the second in command of the triads wasn't easy but Oz’s smooth talking pulled them through- as he told you.

You talked to Sofia as well, that night, she stopped the car outside and you had the chance to talk to your sister, that didn’t go as smoothly:

“I heard you two are gonna sell ‘Bliss’ tomorrow- at Oz’s club. I wanna be there too, ya know? Not be put on the side lines like today at the meeting.”

“That can’t happen.” Sofia lit herself up a cigarette while she had that poker face she always carried since coming back from Arkham- her words were cold.

“Why is that?” you asked

She took a deep breath and continued “I thought about it and I think the best course of action is if you stay put- at Oz’s place if you like, until we come back. We don’t know how Zao will react.”

There was a prolonged silence as you tried to process what she just told you. The street light that was illuminating your sister's face only further accentuated the harshness in her eyes.

“Stay put- like a dog, ok, got it.” you looked around, looking for anyone who might've been walking by and hearing.

“That is not what I wanted to say, If it makes you feel better- Viti told me to leave as well.” 

“Ok so why don’t you?” you shot back- angry at her orders.

Sofia took a step closer, the scent of smoke and expensive perfume infiltrated your nostrils while she looked at you like you just cussed her out “Are you fucking kidding me? Not you too” She probably felt betrayed- but in that moment you couldn’t bring yourself to care.

“Sofia, this shit you got in your head, about taking over- this ain’t our game to play. We don’t even know the rules.” Your voice almost broke in desperation. Desperation that your sister might still listen to reason- might still turn back from this crazy plan that might get her killed. How could she know anything about being a kingpin?

“No. This is my birthright and I am taking it, this shit you’re talking about- all those snakes back at home, they said the same as you-” The memory of the people you knew very well from back home ignited her need for revenge even more you were well aware of that.

“This path you’re going down on, it’s dark and littered with blood and death, after escaping from that hellhole, I thought you had enough.”Your voice broke at the last word.

That place already took so much from her, why is she so stubborn?

For a moment, something flickered in her eyes—a shadow of doubt, perhaps—but it was gone as quickly as it came.

Her jaw clenched, and she shook her head. “No, it seems I haven’t.” The finality of her words made your heart clench. You knew the pain inside of her was way greater than any need for power, you knew it ate her alive every day.

“Alright-”

Sofia took another drag of her cigarette “Seems like you already got yourself nice and comfy next to another murderer and schemer,”she said, her voice sharp and cutting, each word a deliberate slice.

A smirk played at the corner of her lips, taunting. "Or perhaps 'under him' would be more accurate."

Your jaw clenched, a hot flash of anger surging up your neck. You balled your fists by your sides, nails digging into your palms. “Oh, shut up, Sofia!” The words came out more forcefully than you intended, vibrating with the pent-up frustration that had been simmering inside, both of you bound by the unspoken truth of who you were and what you had become.

You took a shaky breath, feeling your chest tighten as the rush of emotions threatened to spill over. “You’ve been cold and distant ever since I saw you again,” you said, your voice wavering between anger and hurt. “What did you want me to do?” Your eyes searched hers, hoping to find some flicker of the sister you once knew.

“I lost my dad and my brother in the span of one week,” you continued, your throat constricting. The memory sent a sharp ache through your chest, but you pressed on, keeping your chin up despite the burning behind your eyes. “And it seems like my sister has forgotten my entire existence.”

You swallowed hard, shifting your weight as the vulnerability made you feel exposed. “I am—we are—women in this world,” you said, the words quivering with the raw truth of it. “All we have been taught is that we need to be protected and that we need to be subservient.” Your gaze hardened, eyes narrowing slightly as you looked at her. “I am sorry I can’t change the game. I would love to, but I can’t—and neither can you.”

She looked at the ground before lifting her head and responding, her eyes didn’t look remorseful. “I know and that is ok… I’ll make new rules.”

“Yeah, good fucking luck with that.” you turned and left after that comment. 

Whatever the fuck was she thinking? Let’s change 100 years of tradition and indoctrination because I am back from a mental asylum and need to be respected as the head of the Falcone mob.

Back at his place, after the meal- you and Oz retreated to the bedroom. He was sitting on the couch, whiskey in hand, eyes narrowing as you spoke, letting you say your piece.

“Say something” you commanded of him, Oswald barely kept his mouth shut and now he was as quiet as a mouse

“Listen, sweetheart, there’s a lot of things I can say but one is pretty darn clear” he sipped the last bit of whiskey he had left.

“your sister…she ain’t right in the head no more. I know this might seem hard to understand, but I saw it with my own eyes I mean, she shot two people point blank and ever since coming home-” you couldn’t believe what he was telling you “ she ain’t the woman you used to know.” he said softly- like that time in the restaurant when he told you about Alberto.

You looked down at your feet “I guess” He came next to you on the bed “Look at me” he said- your eyes stayed on the ground

“Look at me. Don’t go crying now.” you lifted your head from the floor and looked into his brown eyes

 “Your sister is ambitious, yes, but without me doll, she ain’t got much going for her- I mean yeah she’s the daughter of Carmine and ambitious as hell since coming back but that’s about it.”

“She also has the drug-”

“-Yes yes and that, but that’s about it. We need a bigger fish to pull these ones out of the water. Viti is gonna help us with that.” He looked at you with a small smile and a twinkle in his eyes- like before he said a joke.

“Viti doesn’t even like you guys-” you were confused, your mind racing as you watched Oz rise from the couch and walk toward one of the lockers on the wall, you couldn’t help but wonder what kind of secrets he kept hidden.

What else could he be hiding?

He opened a dossier and sat back down beside you, flipping through it like he had all the time in the world. When you saw the photos—Viti with Luca’s wife—you couldn’t hold back a surprised laugh.

Now that you didn’t expect.

Oz leaned back, smirking, his eyes cold as he glanced at you. “See, they all got secrets.”

You turned to face him, feeling that familiar knot in your stomach, but you still had to ask. “Yeah- what’s yours?”

Oz’s gaze locked on you, and for a split second, you saw something flicker—was it a warning? Maybe a little too sharp, a little too calculating.

He smiled slowly, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I ain’t got none.”

The club mission was a failure, clearly.

The wreckage of the car outside was enough proof of that. As Oz slammed the door open with a force that made the hinges groan, you could feel the tension in the air—the kind that felt like the world itself was about to come undone.

“Where the hell are you!?” he bellowed, his voice sharp, panic mixing with anger. When he saw you, his face twisted into something hard, something you hadn’t seen before. Without another word, he grabbed you by the arm, yanking you toward him.

“Did you talk to your sister?” 

“N-no, why?”

His words came in a rush: “Sofia—she made a deal with the Maronis. As soon as the deal was done, they tried fuckin’ kill me.”

You froze, the weight of his words crashing over you like a tidal wave.

How could she?

The question burned through your mind, but before you could respond, Oz was already on you again.

“Give me your phone. Now.”

He was forceful, more so than ever before. His hand darted into your pocket before you could even think, his fingers wrapping around your phone. There was no hesitation. No gentleness. He ripped it out and, before you could react, crushed it beneath the cold barrel of his gun, the sound of the phone shattering filling the room.

“What the hell are you doing?” The words left your mouth before you could even stop them, the confusion and disbelief clear in your voice.

Oz didn’t flinch, his eyes cold as ice. “We can't stay here. Come on, we have to go.”

When Oz came back home and told you the news, you knew who did it.

Sofia.

How could she?

Gone was the sister you once knew and loved and she was replaced with a psychopath who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, a monster.

The police came and questioned you- they asked you where you were and you told them you wanted nothing to do with your sister, for you- she died 10 years ago. 

Things changed so much over the course of a few weeks- Oz had his own operation after stealing it from the Maronis, you thought he had what he wanted now, but no.

Sofia and Sal were after him and he was a man emboldened by the flame of ambition and power.

 His behavior changed, he started acting differently towards you- sure, he was still the same passionate man you knew but he was different- whenever he would visit you he would look at you differently, a certain gleam in his eyes. Like a guy that just won the lottery. 

You felt numb, your whole life has been destroyed and he was the last thing you had- maybe you should’ve been more careful.

Victor visited you often “to check up on you”- you would often talk to the young man about different subjects, about family and how things can change. You found a friend in Vic soon enough and you knew he felt the same towards you. 

When you guys would eat dinner together- after a hard day at work for both of them you would smile at each when you placed their food on the plates.

You would joke with BOTH of them at the table- you would share stories; you would also say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ to BOTH of them. So why on earth did Oz send glares Vic’s way whenever you would look at him? Like he wanted to yell.

Whenever you would talk to Victor, he would always interrupt you two- with something HE had to say.

Oz acted like a spoiled brat- wanting all of your attention. 

You mostly ignored his ugly looks and snarky remarks towards the young man; he must’ve had a hard day at work.

Sometimes after dinner- he would send Victor away and as he came back to the room you shared he would turn you around on the bed and fuck you until you were sore. Your sweet Oz was gone those nights- replaced with a brute of a man. His grip so hard on you it would leave bruises. 

This ‘relationship’ you two had- it turned more into an ownership of you and he relished in that fact. He would whisper to you at night how you two couldn't leave each other- Sofia would kill you both. 

He was all you had left.

You would lie awake, longing for your old home, where butlers moved gracefully through the halls and your siblings waited to hear your stories- where you’ve been; what you bought lately and all the gossip you would share with them over dinner.

You cried at night more than once, quietly, longing for the laughter and innocence you had left behind.

There had always been hints, moments when you glimpsed the truth: Oz was always two steps ahead.

His charm was his greatest weapon, wielded with precision until he claimed everything he desired.

Now, as he kissed your forehead, a triumphant smile playing on his lips, he said, “I did it. I showed them all.” His voice brimmed with pride. “I’m the king now.”

His power outstripped even that of your father’ and his influence spread across the underworld of Gotham City like dark tendrils- nothing moved without him knowing or having a say in it, he ruled with an iron fist all the unseen acts that plagued this city.

He was richer than your father ever was; he rebuilt Crown Point- he made the people believe that someone was looking out for them and he reveled in his victories.

When he would turn to you and ask, “Are you proud of me?” you would nod, a hesitant ‘yes’ slipping from your lips—whether out of fear, habit, or the last remnants of genuine admiration, you couldn’t say.

When he told you that you would become “Mrs. Cobb,” dread took root in your chest. The proposal wasn’t accompanied by the rush of joy you once dreamed about.

Instead, it was a heavy proclamation, laced with inevitability. 

Oz’s love, though real, was cold and calculating, much like your father’s had been and his passion, though fierce, masked an unnatural need to control.

The friendly man who once drove you around and helped you with the smallest of tasks had faded, replaced by a king in his castle, imperious and unyielding, his word was law in this tower he built for you.

 “It’s all for you-all of it.” he would say

He presented the ring—a dazzling 9.7-carat oval diamond that seemed to mock your lack of freedom. He had you right where he wanted. The dutiful wife, the future mother of his children—a living doll.

You played your part, mostly.

The penthouse’s grandeur became a gilded cage, its wealth unable to fill the void left by days spent alone.

The designer clothes and generous allowances he handed you no longer brought excitement, just a hollow echo of the life you once knew.

You didn’t know what you felt for him anymore, was it love? You knew him very well and you cared for his well being, he was your husband after all.

But this love you carried for him, it twisted and turned when you would ask yourself “was this necessary?” you would’ve loved him even as a driver and as a club owner. You never asked him to do all this for you. 

The penthouse you lived in was a masterpiece of modern opulence mixed with the old grandeur of the Falcone villa.

High ceilings stretched above great windows that overlooked Gotham’s skyline, capturing the sprawling city in all its moody grandeur. Sunlight poured through the windows during the golden hours, casting long, warm shadows across the polished marble floors. Despite the luxury, an eerie silence lingered, interrupted only by the soft ticking of an antique clock and the quiet whispers of the house staff—a stark contrast to the bustle that once filled your childhood home.

Everything spoke of power: the leather-bound books you never touched, the marbled flooring and opulent pieces of furniture; the grand piano that hadn’t played a note since it was installed, and the chandelier that sparkled overhead like a captive constellation. 

One late afternoon, as the sun dipped and painted the city in hues of gold and amber, you sat in the living room scrolling through your phone, disconnected from everything around you. The soft sound of footsteps pulled you from your trance. A maid stood beside you, her hands clasped, eyes wide with nervousness.

“Ma’am, a letter arrived for you.” 

“Who is it from?” your eyes didn’t leave the phone you had in your hand.

“A woman- her name is Selina Kyle.” the maid answered

As you opened the black envelope and read the context of the letter your jaw dropped. This woman- she was your half sister, she wanted to know you- to meet you. She said she was scared to write this letter in case you didn’t want anything to do with her, but she had to get in contact with you; she had a plan to get-

“Good evening, sir.” you heard the maid that gave you the envelope greet the master of the house. 

Shit.

  His footsteps echoed on the marble floor, each one a drumbeat against your chest.

He knew every corner, every inch of this house, and you dreaded that he might have seen you hide something.

“There she is,” he exclaimed, “how are you doll?��� he came over and kissed you. After the quick peck he went over to the bar he had near one of the windows to pour himself some whiskey. 

“I’m good, you?” you tried your best to not look suspicious- he was too perceptive, always watching and always knowing.

“Good, good- I met up with a bunch of congressmen tonight- bunch of ass kissers.” he chuckled in his glass and poured you some wine as well.

“Oh- I don’t want anything to drink Oz.” 

“Why? Something the matter- " he raised an eyebrow at you as he turned around" -don’t tell me you’re gonna make me the happiest man alive tonight.” he proudly announced

“No- I'm just… very tired, ya know? I was going to head to bed.” you stepped away from the couch and went towards the older man “Maybe you can join me.”

Distract him.

He smiled at you “Can never say no to you, can I?” He asked “I have to give some phone calls and I’ll join you.” 

You smiled at turned around to leave.

“Why don’t you put on one of the dresses I got you. Show them to me- just like old times.” 

Oz loved reminiscing, he loved telling you stories of the things you used to do back then- how you acted. You were kinda spoiled but oh well. You were now too. 

He would encourage you to buy whatever you wanted, whatever you needed and desired– it was yours. He was happy to see you spoiled and enjoying the sort of things this life- your life together brought you.

Sometimes after he would come home you would play dress up for him and show him all the things you got yourself as he sipped some cognac on the couch and compliment you, saying how most of the things you got for yourself reminded him of when you were younger– still the same tastes.

Oswald waited patiently until all that was left would’ve been the lingerie section- that was his favorite, after all the anticipation he was more than ready to pull you on the couch on top of him or under him. Completely not caring if one of your maids or butlers would walk past or hear.

You promised him you will and got your phone and the book from the table; climbing the steps until you got upstairs in the master bedroom you two shared.

A big and gorgeous room filled with the opulence Oswald was so keen on sharing to the world. You shoved the letter in your purse and went into the closet to change.

After dressing up, you laid on the bed and at one point you must’ve fallen asleep because the feeling of having your dress pulled up with the familiar weight of your husband's body next to you as he was grabbing your ass woke you up.

“Are you tired sweetheart?” he whispered in your ear as his hands went to your pussy, softly rubbing circles on top of your panties.

You nodded, knowing it won’t make a difference for him. He pulled your leg over his body as he laid next to you. 

You turned the upper part of your body to kiss him, he grabbed your breast as well “You look beautiful baby.” He whispered next to your ear.

 You loved this man and you hated what he had to do to get here- you loved his ambition and calculating nature; you hated that he placed your sister in a mental asylum and that he got rid of everything that reminded you of any sort of normality- he wanted you all to himself. 

What did he do to Victor? Where was he? He was your friend. 

As he grabbed your lips between his you tried to forget. You had a lead now- something you could be doing, you had to read the letter once again but you were sure now that maybe this woman could help you two. 

You had to see your sister.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: I already wrote part 2- I just need to edit it and add some things. The story will end here with them 2. I hope that I could showcase Oz's nature well enough.

I don't want to say a lot about the next part but it will be- something, to say the least. I wanted to really tune it up but I think AO3 might be a better place for that lol still have one story left to write with Oz, about him and his daughters, I can't wait to show you guys.

Also, If you have any sort of ideas or something about one-shots, pls tell me- give me some inspo. Thank you for reading :))))))))))))

[strwbrychffoncke]

"the most wonderful time of the year,, 1.2k words synopsis: you decide to surprise a certain doctor when your mission wraps up earlier than expected; quality time in the form of decorating takes place contains: lads greyson x reader (not lads mc but reader is a hunter!) ,v fluffy ,maybe ooc greyson (using what little screentime he has + characterization through others) , ,playful teasing/back n forths ,kisses ,hugs ,domestic feel(?) ,soft makeout ,he carries you ,ending might be suggestive (but doesnt have to be interpreted that way lol) ,thats mostly it :x note: (mostly edited! pls bare w me!) this one was simultaneously easy and difficult. the idea was there but w what little screentime greyson had i had to draw up character aspects from thin air sigh... i think it came out well? at some point i tried capturing the "warm, home-y" type feel that something like the holidays seems to bring w it so hopefully its conveyed well?

upon entering his home late in the evening, greyson notices a couple of things.

one, he absolutely did not leave music playing when he left, and certainly not the festive classics who's notes float their way towards the entrance, seemingly coming from the living room.

two, the boxes littering just at the end of the walkway were not there when he left for work this morning.

and three...

the special guest humming along to the music and scurrying around the living area was not expected for another day or so.

he haphazardly shrugs off his coat in realization, speedwalking down the short path towards the destination that would lead to you.

he was eager to hold you in his arms again, unable to stand another moment without you when you were right there.

. . .

upon finishing your two week-long mission earlier than expected, you managed to contain the excitement from telling your boyfriend or stopping by akso hospital (you did have some minor cuts and bruises, but figured it was too little to have greyson fuss over, thinking he likely had more important matters to deal with), instead settling to surprise him at his place when he got off of work.

though, when you got there in the early evening, the lack of decorations and the sight of a bare tree were too much for you to leave alone, deciding to dig around for any decorations you could find, and embellish the place while you waited for him.

. . .

something new you learned about greyson today: he had quite the amount of festive decorations.

you're looking around at the containers of decorations and ornaments you have out, checking to see that you have everything you might need when you're engulfed by a sudden weight.

you startle for a moment, not properly registering who it is before you both are quickly falling towards the ground.

in his excitement (and slight miscalculation of the actual distance between you two), greyson practically crashes into you.

in a split second, you're engulfed in his arms as he twists his body while tugging you, falling on his back with a small oof while cushioning your landing as you plop down right on top of him.

"g-greyson??!"

"sorry! are you alright?"

he's gripping your waist securely, looking up at you, automatically checking over you for any injuries.

you shake your head, hands on his chest, pushing yourself up slightly.

"i'm okay... what about you?? what was that?"

after assuring you're alright, he smiles.

"you didn't tell me you were back already. can you blame me for being a little excited?"

you let out a laugh, crawling off of him before offering a hand to pull you both to your feet, a sheepish smile overtaking your features.

"i wanted to surprise you, hehe... seems like it worked?"

"it definitely surprised me," he cups your face in his hands, and you instinctually nuzzle further into his warm hold.

"i missed you."

his voice is a little quieter, his honesty shooting straight to your heart, eyes shining up at him.

he doesnt let you respond, closing the distance and meeting your lips in a sweet kiss. your arms wind their way around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer to you.

after all, you missed him just as much, if not moreso.

after a minute the need for breath becomes too strong. you break the kiss first, eyes fluttering open, a quiet laugh escaping you as you watch greyson's lips chase yours for a moment before pulling back to look up at him, arms still around his neck. his eyes are bright as he looks back at you, thumbs caressing the sides of your face.

a playful look takes over your gaze before you speak.

"but you know, who knew the doctor greyson had so many christmas decorations?" you tilt your head, exaggerated surprise lacing your tone.

"even more, for someone who seems to like christmas so much, your tree is just depressing! so little time until christmas and the tree is as bare as it was when i left?"

you slip a hand from his neck to poke his cheek.

"for shame, doctor greyson" you finish, pouting playfully and shaking your head lightly.

a deep rumble escapes his chest at your teasing, gaze shining with mirth.

"well, you know how it is at the hospital," he moves in close again suddenly, noses centimeters from touching.

"and what can i say? i missed a certain hunter too much while she was away. how can i bring myself to decorate the tree myself knowing its your favorite part of the holiday?"

he pecks your lips, much shorter than the last before pulling back and booping your nose.

you feel your face warm at his honesty, gaze shyly darting to the side.

"w-well, in that case... would you like to help me?"

a bright smile overtakes his charming features.

"would i?"

-

you and greyson spend the next while sorting through the ornaments in the containers, thinking of a color scheme before deciding which ornaments to place and where.

"this one is too cute! let's put it in the center-"

"doesn't this one look better?"

"doctor greyson, i had no idea you had such a knack for decorating!"

"i'm not so sure id say that..."

playful conversation fills the living room, the music a quiet hum in the background as you both carefully assess and hang each ornament in place.

"oh! i brought some candy canes too, let me go find them~"

you scurry off to the kitchen, swiftly returning with a couple of boxes.

greyson's eyes widen at the treats in your arms.

"darling, i'm not so sure you know what the word 'some' means..."

you playfully gasp.

"well, i made sure to get the ones that you like and the ones that i like. plus, they were on sale!"

"you know I'm not picky..." he shakes his head, "but thank you for thinking of me."

you open the boxes before you respond plainly.

"im always thinking of you."

greyson's cheeks color a pretty shade of pink as he feels his heart skip a beat. he's not even sure if you've realized what you said, working to free the candy cane's from their confines before you hand him his.

what is he going to do with you? he thinks.

. . .

candy cane's in hand, you inspect the tree for a moment.

"do you think they'll all fit...?"

"i'm sure they will- there's still a considerable amount of space. see?" he says, placing one closer to the top.

"pfft, you only say that because you're so tall."

"i can always help you up here, too" he offers.

you ponder for a moment.

"if i can't find anymore space down here, i'll let you know."

he giggles, nodding.

"sure."

(you did end up taking greyson up on his offer, and he gratefully lifted you up to place your remaining candy canes closer to the top of the tree. when he gently placed you back down, you wondered aloud how you would get them down later, to which he replied "you'll just have to ask me, of course!" a little too proudly, but given your sweet tooth, you know he'll have the full-power to deny you of fulfilling your craving when the time comes. you couldnt help but shudder at the thought).

-

in just a couple of minutes, when every ornament and candy cane is hanging in place, you take a step back to admire your masterpiece, pausing before a question bubbles up.

"do you think the candy canes throw off the color scheme?"

greyson backs up to where you are, looking at the tree for a few moments before answering.

"nope. if anything, it gives it even more character, don't you think?" he shoots back, gaze wandering to you.

"yeah, you're right," you look back up at him. "and we did it together," you smile gratefully.

together.

yes, you did this together.

he nods before suddenly closing the distance in one step, engulfing you in a warm hug.

"greyson?"

"can we stay like this for a bit?"

you wrap your arms back around him, returning his loving embrace, breathing in his scent.

"of course."

he was so grateful to have you to spend christmas with, excited to do whatever you wished so long as you were both doing it together.

arms still secure around you, he pulls back enough to take a look at your face. you look up in question, parting your lips to speak before he dives down, silencing any words with the answer of his kiss, both your eyes slipping shut as your lips easily melt into his, returning the love and yearning he's pouring into them.

neither of you keep track of how much time passes like this, christmas tree lights twinkling on your silhouettes as it casts embracing shadows on the wall, festive music a gentle ambiance in the otherwise silence that engulfs the space, hearts laid out for each other in a soft warmth, words unnecessary in the loving gestures that you share.

-

extra.

you place a hand on his chest, pausing him from diving back in as you lift a hand to cover your mouth, letting out a yawn.

greyson's eyes crinkle.

"are you tired?"

"i guess so," you lower your hand. "what time is it?" you reach for your phone, but greyson is quicker, reading the time from his watch.

"its... 11 pm?"

greyson almost laughs at the way your eyes shoot open in surprise.

"what??! i didn't realize how much time had passed..."

"should we get ready for bed then?"

you give a sleepy nod before you're startled again as you feel yourself being lifted up.

"greyson?!??"

he hums in acknowledgement, making his way towards the bedroom.

"what are you-"

"my lovely miss hunter is tired, so im carrying her to bed," he states matter-of-factly. "is that a problem?"

"no its just..."

his gaze is soft at your sudden shyness, pushing the door open with his shoulder.

"you deserve some good rest for all of your hard work," he speaks quieter, placing you gently on the bed. "allow me to spoil you, miss hunter."

and spoil you he did. you think this is the best sleep you've gotten in the almost fourteen days you'd been away from him. how ever did you manage that long without him, you aren't even sure yourself.

-

a/n: had to keep replaying greyson voicelines in my head n read it in the dialogue i looooove his deep voice heheheh dr greyson marry me ? i wanna write for him more he's soooooo cute yet attractive at the same time?? i<3 him i can only hope i did him justice sigh

[jakesbeloved]

Reasons for waiting𓇢𓆸 | Chapter 1 |

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Pairing: jake kiszka x f!reader

Warnings: mentions of sex, implied sex but not actual smut

Word count: 7k+

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Brushing through your locks with your flower decorated hair brush, you dared to steal a glance through your bedrooms window. It overlooked your beautiful garden, full of the most beautiful roses and the most vibrant tulips. There were all kinds of flowers, but those definitely stood out the most. You wrapped your violet night gown around yourself, peeking your head out the window in order to get a better look at the garden; it wasn't the flowers you were searching for.

Your lovely guard was nowhere to be seen, his figure that was often turnt to your window is out of sight now. Your heart sank a little, a minute of his absence felt like an eternity of loneliness.

"Hmm, where could he be?.." You whispered to yourself in wonder, your bare feet dancing around your soft bed before you plopped down on it, the smell of him still lingering on your silken sheets. You breathed it in softly, the familiar, comforting scent filling your lungs in a warm embrace.

Deep in wonder, you started dozing off, your body still bare of your red comforter.

Lost in thoughts, ascending to the dream created spaces above, you flinched at a sound. You thought you imagined it but then you heard it once again.

A soft knock on the door sounded throughout your bedroom, the castle so empty at this late hour that even the sound of a fly would echo through the long halls. You rubbed your eyes, willing your body to get up from the bed.

"Who is it?" You called out, wrapping your gown even tighter around your form to look a little more appropriate in case it was someone you weren't too familiar with.

You were met with nothing but silence, the lack of response confusing you further more. Surely you haven't imagined it?

Deciding to test your luck, you took a few quiet steps to the door, pressing your ear up against it. Again, you heard nothing short of silence.

An irritated frown painted your face now, your brows furrowing in annoyance. "Is someone pulling jokes on me?" you creaked the door open just a bit, but before you could question anything else, the door was pushed wide open, making you stumble a step or two.

"What in the world-" you looked up, only to be met with a familiar armour and an even more familiar smirk. "Jake!" you whispered yelled before practically jumping in his arms, not caring one bit about the hard metal of his guard armour pressing against your body.

You pulled away from him for a split second in order to quietly shut and lock the door behind you, ensuring that nobody will hear the two of you. Your lovely guard could not keep you from his arms for too long, for he hasn't seen you all day, so before you knew it, two strong hands were firmly yet gently pulling you back, your spine softly colliding against a steel covered chest.

Although the metal of his armour suit was cold, somehow his warmth managed to seep and spread through the material, enveloping you in a calming embrace. You let out a sigh of relief, welcoming in the familiar feeling of protection and safeness in his arms as he held you, almost like he'd never let you go.

"You fool..." You scolded, without a hint of anger in your voice though. "You could've gotten us caught... Sneaking off like that. Did my father let you off duty today, hm?" You threw him a glance over your shoulder, his tree colored irises meeting your gaze.

"My love..." He bowed his head a bit, his nose trailing a path up your neck, lips ghosting over the sensitive skin and spreading shivers all over your body. He breathed in - for he found comfort in your scent as well as you found it in his.

"You can't blame a mere mortal man for missing his darling now, can you? Besides..." He moved your hair out the way, pressing a delicate kiss to the back of your neck. "I know my darling has missed me too."

You breath hitched at his tone, a fire already burning in the pit of your stomach.

"And to answer your question, yes and no... I wasn't guarding the castle, but your father has sent me to look out in case any men from 'Over the Mountains' were sent from the court. A word has been going around that they're trying to ally with us."

You hummed in response, processing his words.

'Over the Mountains', also knowns as 'Valoria's' (your kingdom) rival court. The two kingdoms have been rivaling against each other even when your ancestors were still present... Funny how a man can get so upset over a piece of land.

Eventually the war and the loss of men has subsided, but the hatred and tension still remained. Your people didn't mix well with their people, and when there was a need for help or support - whether your court or the other one needed it - it was very hard to get.

You, however, had no say in it whatsoever. And honestly?.. You didn't mind it one bit. You were more than happy to stay in the shadows, indulged in a book or helping out the hard working people at your castle. You've always thought that they don't get enough appreciation.

But your favorite thing, what you really loved doing the most? Being with your lover.

You two would often sneak off, either into the secluded depths of your garden where you know you're safe from wandering eyes, or - when you're feeling risky - you'd find yourself pulling him in your own bedroom. Pretty much like tonight.

This was a game you two often played - loving, lustful whispers and secret brushes and touches of his hands just had to do when you were surrounded by people.

It was unfortunate, it really was, that you had to keep your love a secret. There were many times when you just wanted to throw your arms around his neck and kiss him for everyone to see, for everyone to know that you were his and he was yours.

But you couldn't, for your parents trusted him way too much. He couldn't betray their trust... Lord knows how he'd be punished.

Despite your misfortune, you knew that he was worth it. There was no one in the world like him, no one that could set fireworks in your heart like he did. He was not only your guardian, but also your guide, for he encouraged you to get to know your body and soul on a more intimate level. It's ironic really, since he learnt the way you work even better than you in the end.

He always knew where to touch, to kiss and to lick, and you'd often entertained the fact that you'd let him take you again, again and again if you could. And you truly, truly would.

He not only guarded you with all his power and strength, but he always made sure you were taken care of. He'd have you climax, over and over again, before even thinking about his own pleasure. He was so selfless, so thoughtful, that you'd often find yourself sinking to your knees, showing him just how grateful you are. He had shown you that sex goes beyond the purpose of bearing children, shown you what it means to feel pleasure, that meeting of two people so intimately could be beautiful. In all honesty, he was truly one of a kind.

To him, yes - you were a princess - but only of his heart. And to you, he was not your castle guard, but the guard of your heart.

From time to time in the past, your parents would bring a royal family over, and they'd often happen to magically have a son or two. It all felt rather forced, for your parents weren't much of romantics; they only saw them for how wealthy they were.

Still, with an open heart and open mind, you manged to at least try and take interest in each boy. But each time, it felt harder and harder, knowing that nobody could light that fiery spark within you like the certain guard you'd cast your eyes upon, each day as he stood at your gardens gate.

You turned to face him now, your fingers coming up to brush over his rose painted cheeks. His eyes fluttered shut at the feeling, hands coming up to rest at your hips.

"My brave, brave guard..." You whispered, slowly helping him out of his heavy metal armour. "After all those responsibilities, you still came to seek me... When did I ever get so lucky?" You whispered out, more to yourself in wonder as an even deeper blush settled on Jake's cheeks.

"I'm the lucky one, your highness." He protested, his eyes opening to a darker shade as he looked at you.

"Jake, I told you not to call me that..." You sighed, your finger absentmindedly trailing down to trace along his lips. He immediately pursed his lips, resting a soft kiss against the digit.

"I know, my love... It just reminds me of how lucky I am to have my princess. You know I'd do anything for you..."

You released another sigh as you gazed at him, your hands coming up to run through his hair.

"I've been aching for you all day... I think there is something that you can do for me." You smirked, feeling yourself blush at your own boldness. His eyes went seemingly darker, a barely there growl releasing from the back of his throat at your words.

"Is that so, hm?" His fingers tightened their grip on your hips, his feet carrying him forward to back you up against the bed.

You nodded, slowly and teasingly slipping the night gown off your shoulders. With that, he pushed you back on your crimson sheets, arms dropping down to rest on either sides of your head as his signature coin necklace dangled above your face.

"I am at your service then."

~The End.~

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A/N: Okay so before you kill me for not finishing the smut part, I promise you that there is more to come... I just wanted to make a little beginning to start off with🤭 Thank you all so so much for the support you've already granted and let me know how you liked this chapter! All my love... ~jakesbeloved 💌

@vanfleeter @literal-dead-leaf @sanguinebats @lipstickitty @stardustjake @georgeharrisonlover

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[elkieselkiewrites]

Snippet Sunday 26/01

Have a little exposition for today.

~*~

In the light of day, Ida could see their Wodefolk companions a little better, and was somewhat taken aback by their appearances. In the gloam of the night before they had seen little more than tall Thedenfolk, and true enough Fannan was tall, with elegant boughs of dun grey limbs, smattered with patches of pale stars like the splitting of bark to reveal the woodgrain underneath. This was where all likeness ended. His eyes were large, wide-set as a mantis, and the colour of autumnal gold, while his long hair was not hair at all, but hundred of shivering, round leaves so deep a russet to almost be black, like the last left clinging to the branches come winter.

The others, too, looked more like insects feigning to be trees than any Theden. They were ethereal, all different shades of white, brown, grey and black bark, some pitted, some smooth, as though an entire woodland glen had just decided to uproot themselves, their strange language like the creaking of boughs in a high wind. All of the stories Ida had heard of Wodefolk blossomed in her mind, tricksters and seducers, leading good people astray if caught trespassing in their woods. But then Fannan let out a laugh like the bursting of a mountain spring and the spell was broken, they were all but men again, strange and unnervingly elfin, but just men all the same.

The depth of the forest was a strange, timeless place. Every step taken passed one tree just the same as the other, but all at once entirely different. It felt like a wild place, wild in a way that Ida had never truly experienced before. True enough she had travelled the length and breadth of Eathel, but nowhere was very far from civilisation there. One field would lead to another, which led to another, each with a farmstead or cottage to oversee it. Even in the foothills there were shepherds and goatherds who knew the lay of the land, and the telltale smoke of a village in the distance that one could follow should they wish to find shelter. The wild places of Eathel had long been lost to toil and progress, but this, this place had no paths for people who did not already know where to look. She had seen Fannan absently trace the shape of a marker here and there that Ida was certain made sense to him and his companions, but if she were left to her own devices she would likely lose her way within moments.

That thought stirred another, buried deep in the recesses of her childhood memories. Since joining the Imperial Mail Service she had forgotten the feeling of being lost, always travelling with a map and a purpose, but once, when she was very small, her mother had taken her south, beyond Eathel, to visit her grandmother's family in Tarvos. Tarvos had once been a great Empire too, but The Wasting had ravaged the population and the country splintered long ago, the ancient cities falling to ruin, all but the greenest pastures abandoned. They had stopped to make camp for the night on the edge of a woodland that looked as though it had once been planted for some purpose beyond Ida's young mind, but had grown wild with centuries of untamed growth, creeping out from the confines of the neatly planted coppices to become acres and acres of uncharted wilderness. It was into this forest that her little legs had carried her, hoping for some peace to relieve herself away from her snickering siblings. Instead she pulled her skirts back down to find she had come further from their camp than she'd first thought, and could not see her way back through the undergrowth. Until the resurfacing of that memory in that very moment, Ida hadn't realised how much she craved that feeling. Not the initial cold, sick realisation that she was lost, but rather the wide, yawning opportunity of forging her own path, and discovering things that she had likely never encountered before.

[erzherzog-von-edelstein]

Privilegium Maius

Summary: This is about how Austria decided to forge the document that would eventually set him on the path to becoming a Great Power. Most of it is about his relationship with Bavaria.

Also Roderich is a blind little kid. Because I say that he does need those glasses.

During the 8th century

Austria descended the stairs slowly, aware that the low light and his limited vision would make it far too easy to slip. He heard the quiet that told him that the servants had gone to bed.

He knew that he could have woken one and asked them to get him something from the kitchen. It would have been much easier. But he felt stubbornly like he needed to prove that he did not need to be treated gently.

He was still smarting from the events of the day, when Switzerland had to pull him out of a scuffle again. A scuffle he had been losing.

He reached the kitchen. He had a mind to find a loaf of bread and honey, which he was sure was somewhere. It would only take some searching.

As he started to rummage, he caught the sound of another set of voices. He knew them both immediately, and was surprised by how clear they were. He followed the sound, and realized that they were coming from the fireplace, apparently coming down from the room above.

It was just his brother’s bedroom, and Bavaria’s voice was carrying like it often did.

Austria knew that he could walk away, but he was far too curious when he heard, “He is insufferable! How can I look after him?”

Austria felt uncomfortably like he was being talked about. He leaned in as close as he could to the fire so that he could hear clearly. He was not surprised when his mother’s voice came next, “Your brother is your responsibility, and I expect you to remember that even when you’re frustrated.”

Austria did know that there mother had been busy at work recently drawing future plans, changing her own title again from Alammania to Swabia. He had no idea what specific provisions she was writing down for her sons, though the tone told him that he's was being made into his brother's ward.

Austria could feel himself start to bristle. He didn’t want to be begrudgingly taken care of like he was a child. Bavaria responded, “He’s so stubborn. If it isn’t the unending plucking at his instruments, he is running out and getting himself hurt. He got in a fight today! Again!”

He wasn’t completely wrong. Austria knew that his split lip that was still swelling. If Switzerland had not pulled him out, it would have been worse. Yet, he hated the idea that he should be treated like he could not manage himself. He certainly did not need to be his brother's ward.

His mother sounded like she was trying to be patient as she responded, “Your brother can’t see unless something is right in front of him.”

Bavaria’s voice was just resonant enough that Austria could hear him when he muttered, “I know that.”

But their mother wasn’t done, “He will never be able to go into battle, because he will lose. And if he loses, he might die. You can fight and win, because you have blessings that he does not.”

Austria curled one of his hands into a fist. He hated being reminded that Bavaria was strong and capable, and he was not. He need only look across the kitchen to be reminded that the pots and pans on the other side were just blurry shapes. He certainly couldn’t hit one with an arrow, and it would be embarrassing to even try. It would be even worse if he was on horseback.

He was not unaware of the limitation, but he hated the thought of dependence. He heard his mother say, firmly, “Your job is to keep him safe. That is more important than whether you enjoy each other’s presence."

Austria sighed deeply, not particularly caring if it echoed enough for other people to hear him. In his frustration, he didn’t look closely at the stairs as he started to climb. The pain of his toe hitting the stone stair felt like it was further cementing his weakness.

---------------

1359

Bavaria entered Austria’s chamber without knocking, seemingly in a huff. Austria could not quite tell because the man was not close enough to see his facial expression. There was no doubt in his mind of who it was though. He’d recognize the stature and air of annoyance anywhere.

Austria closed the book that he had been holding close to his face. He did not stand up. Since he had not invited the intrusion, he felt no pressure to be polite. He looked up at Bavaria and said, “Do you need something?”

He heard Bavaria scoff, “I need you to explain this.” He brandished a large piece of parchment, which seemed to be adorned with a heavy seal. It looked like a letter or a deed.

Austria said, with a slight smile, “If you tell me what that is, perhaps I can. I cannot read it from here.”

Bavaria sighed like he had already proven some point. But he did respond, “It is an interesting little document. It is a patent that elevates you to the status of archduchy.”

Austria knew, of course. He had spent so much time making sure that every detail of it looked authentic. It had been quite the meticulous task and he was sure that he could name every detail if pressed.

He replied with his most cultivated confusion, “What is so strange about that? I had heard that it had been found in the archives.”

Bavaria’s blurry shape moved like he was shaking his head. He put the patent down on the table, and said, “Why don’t you tell me what it says here?”

Austria leaned forward so that he could read where Bavaria was pointing. It was the signature, which he read out, “The Duchy of Swabia.”

He didn’t need to read it really. It was the signature he had tried very hard to replicate, with so much practice that he could write it better than his own.

Bavaria leaned in, as if he wanted Austria to see his face clearly as he said, “Our mother did not sign this.”

Austria sighed. This was sooner than he was expecting to have to defend the document. But he had already thought of a strategy, and he deployed it, “How do you know? Were you privy to every inheritance decision she made?”

Bavaria shook his head again, and this time Austria could see the frustration and annoyance in his eyes, “I know, because she didn’t want you to be thrust into the center of politics.” He paused, but didn’t leave a long gap before he continued to rant, “I know that you made this yourself because you are upset that you weren’t named in the Golden Bull. You are inviting trouble into your own life with this.”

Austria decided to abandon his feigned confusion for the rest of the conversation, since his brother was the one person he struggled to lie to. Instead, he asked, “So, if you believe that, are you going to dispute this with the emperor?”

He was careful not to confirm anything, since he didn’t want to give Bavaria anything to use against him in a dispute.

He was surprised when his brother shrugged, “No. The Almighty knows that I cannot stop you from doing what you please. I have tried for centuries, and it has never worked. I don’t have the desire to fight you if you want prestige this badly.” Austria’s confusion was genuine when he replied, “Then why are you here talking to me?”

He met Bavaria’s eyes and tried to read his expression to figure out if he was actually angry. He didn’t seem to be. He seemed, at worst, frustrated and exhausted. His reply sounded thoroughly exasperated, “I need you to know that our mother didn’t exclude you out of malice. She was concerned because she loved us.”

Austria smiled slightly, “Dear brother, I don’t doubt that. But, I am destined for more, and I will have it.”

He bit his tongue about saying plainly that he found it insulting to suggest he didn’t know that their mother had loved both of them. But when he had decided to create the document, it had been a question of proving that he was more than a little boy who couldn’t see and couldn’t fight.

Bavaria drew in a long breath through his nose, before saying, “She wasn’t wrong. This plan is foolish. People may leave you alone as a duchy, but they will gladly tear down an archduchy. You still can’t fight, so what will you do to defend yourself?”

Austria met his gave unflinchingly, “I will find my own way.” His brother threw his hands up in frustration, “Fine. But when you need someone to help you, I will still be here.”

[noodyl-blasstal]

Walk this Fae

Day 20 of @taznovembercelebration! Today's prompt card was "fae AU" (FaeU) and I drew another card for fun and got "sweet"

Read below or on Ao3. Missed yesterday's? Find it here.

-

Kravitz fills the dish with a few chocolates and questions, yet again, whether this was rock bottom.

The break up hadn’t been unexpected, per say, Cyrus had been drifting further away and things had felt heavy and weird for a while. Not that they ever felt particularly good, but Cyrus was there and things were fine and then they weren’t. He wasn’t sad about it per say, hadn’t even really cried apart from quick self-pitying one in the shower. But feeling fine about the split didn’t change the fact he’d said he was bringing a plus one to the awards ceremony and he’d definitely said ‘he’ when talking about his boyfriend so he couldn’t really bring Sloane unless he fancied trying to explain the concept of a he/him lesbian to his immediate and very distant coworkers and then also explain why he, Definitely A Man, was dating said he/him lesbian. The prospect sounds deeply unappealing so he turned Sloane down, even though she ‘generously’ offered to wear a tux for the occasion (she’d find any excuse, honestly).

At some point in the thought spiral about the whole mess of it, he decided the best and most logical option was to turn to folklore. He wasn’t going to do anything insane like hiring a date, obviously, so he had to find another solution. This one is simple. He just has to leave the dish out for a final night now and then he can up the ante. It was supposed to be cream, but, well, that seemed unhygienic and he didn’t know if Themselves understood about clingfilm, so he’d been leaving a few Lindt chocolates instead. They were basically just solidified cream if you thought about it. He also didn’t have a back door so he’d been leaving them outside the front door, but you know, they were going, so it was probably working.

Now there were just two more weeks left and he was going to be at the point where he could have a conversation! Probably? Either way it was unequivocally easier than attempting to do dating ever again. Deals with Themselves have rules, there’s a clear path, it’s all laid out in the book and you can cross reference! Kravitz loves to cross reference. It’s simple, the offerings increase until a time when one of Them will be prepared to make a deal with you, usually related to Cornish Fairings as far as he can tell, but they can negotiate biscuit preferences closer to the time, he’ll buy a few packets of different things and they can taste test. Maybe he can make it a fun thing? The fae can rate the best dunkers and see if he agrees with Kravitz’s preferences. There’s no reason a business deal has to be dull.

–

The chocolate is gone the next morning, and there’s a note! “Thanks, T xoxo” is scribbled on the back of a receipt. Kravitz has no idea why a fae lord needs to buy cat litter and dark chocolate - maybe he found it? But he’s happy to take it as an auspicious sign. He just needs to figure out his next steps. Probably leaving the door open to tempt the fae in? No, not tempt, that sounds creepy, invite! That was better. Invite them in.

Kravitz surveys his efforts, the door is propped slightly open, (he tries not to feel weird about that, it’s fine, he can break the ‘always lock your door’ advice that his Mums gave him for something this important) but it doesn’t look as inviting as it should. Even the string of lights he added just look a bit ominous.

He can fix this. More snacks inside! The sign’s not subtle, but it should do the job.

–

“Knock knock!” Comes a lilting voice.

Shit. It’s happening! Yes! “Come in!” Kravitz tries to keep his voice even.

“Are you going to serial kill cha’boy?”

“No?”

“Are you asking or telling?”

“Telling! I’m not going to murder you.”

“Cool!” The voice says, and there’s a swishing jangling step as someone approaches.

Kravitz squeezes his eyes shut, he’s got to stay calm. He can’t eat any food or drink anything he’s offered. Oh! Thinking of drink, he quickly pours the water into the teapot and sets the timer. He knew keeping the pan at a boil would be sensible.

“Oh, hey Krav!” Taako appears in the doorway. “I didn’t know this one was you.” “Is this some kind of trickery thing?” Kravitz asks in the most even voice he can manage. Maybe this is what they do, appear wearing the face of something you desire.

“What? You invited me in.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You said there was more snacks inside?”

“That wasn’t for you… wait… have you been?”

“It’s a long way up the stairs. Cha’boy thought you were leaving snacks for sustenance while the lift’s out.”

Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no!

“You’ve been eating the offerings?”

“What?”

“For Themselves!”

“You’ve been leaving offerings for the fae?”

“Just to get one in here. You’re the one who’s been eating random door chocolates!”

“Hold on, you’ve been trying to fuck a fairy?”

“Don’t call Them fairies! You know They don’t like it.”

“You’re not denying the ‘fucking one’ bit of that accusation.”

“It’s for a work thing!”

“What do you do?”

“No, it’s not like… shit.” Kravitz wonders exactly how hard it is to disappear. He doesn’t really want to cut up his bank card and throw his phone into the sea, but he’ll do it if it means he gets to stop having this conversation.” He settles for flopping into a seat at the kitchen table.

Taako perches on the one opposite him. Maybe he is fae, he’s certainly ethereal enough for it with his colourful clothes and his layers and his cheekbones and his ass. Wait. Not the last bit, fuck. This isn’t about Kravitz’s stupid pointless neighbour crush.

“Wait, did you make these?” Taako tugs one of the biscuit rating cards towards himself.

“Give that back!” Kravitz snatches it out of his hand. He doesn’t need to be mocked any more. He’s going to be reliving this every time he wakes up at 3am for the rest of his life, there’s no need to prolong it or add dimension to the torture.

Taako grabs the other sheet and reads it as if nothing happened. “Big fan of the rubric.”

“What?” Is Taako complimenting his biscuit criteria right now?

“It’s important, durability but also mushiness, they’re two separate things.”

“Yes.” Says Kravitz stiffly. He’s scared to lean too far into the conversation, worried it’s a trap. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had pretended to be interested in what he was saying to flip it back on him later.

“Did you make the tea already?”

“It’s brewing. There’s a timer.” If he doesn’t say too much he probably can’t make this situation worse. It could even be salvageable if they promise never ever ever to speak abot it again.

“Mmmhmm.” Taako drops his usually casual demeanour. “Would you like cha’boy to go? Taako doesn’t like to outstay his welcome.”

“No!” Kravitz says it fast and panicked. He’s not sure why. If Taako goes he can sit on the floor very still and very quiet and think about how exactly which lie to tell about why he can’t come and get the biggest award of his career… but also, also, it’s nice to have him here. This is better than chatting in the laundry room, it’s always hard to hear him over the washing machine.

Taako shrugs as if it’s no big deal, as if this situation isn’t ridiculous, and settles back in his chair. “Which one’s your favourite?”

“I can’t tell you that!” Kravitz cannot believe Taako’s lax approach to research ethics. “It’d bias your opinion. You’ve got to go in fresh.”

“So Taako’s allowed, then? To stay and play?” Taako gestures at the array of biscuits.

If he wants to then he definitely can. “Yes. I want to know what you think.” Kravitz nudges a custard cream themed pen at Taako - appropriate tools were necessary for the job. He keeps the one with the springy Jammy Dodger on top for himself. Taako eyes is jealously, but he should have brought his own.

The tea timer bleeps delicately, Kravitz got it specifically for its tiny boop. He hates being startled and the old one was too aggressive.

“Do you take milk?”

“Yes, no sugar.”

“You’re sweet enough.” Kravitz finishes.

Taako smiles a big smile at that. The pride swelling in Kravitz’s chest at the sight of the delight on Taako’s face. It’s unexpected and he did that!

“Hey Krav?” Taako asks, somewhere between biscuits 8 and 10. “What’s someone like you doing messing with the Mooinjer Veggey?”

“Someone like me?”

“Well, you’re not exactly the usual type, lost fiddler on a hill and all that.”

“I’m pretty good on the cello.” Kravitz shouldn’t be offended, but how dare Taako not assume Kravitz is a fiddle prodigy? He could be! There’s no evidence to the contrary.

“Oh well then, private concert for one, do you take requests? Can you do the Thong Song?”

He can, is the thing. He shouldn’t go and get his cello right now and demonstrate that fact.

“One second!” Kravitz leaps up.

“Are you serious?”

Kravitz doesn’t say anything, just runs to the corner of the living room and opens the case with a flourish.

“My dude, if you are about to crack out some Sisqó on the extra big violin Taako’s going to lose it.”

Kravitz pretends he’s in his fanciest suit, flips the tails, and sits. Drinks in Taako’s smile, relishes the fact his eyes are fixed on Kravitz. It’s not usually something he likes, but in this case he’ll take double staring.

By the time he hits the chorus Taako is laughing so hard he’s flopped sideways and snorting and still just about managing the backing vocals. He’s perfect.

“So I think that Themselves would probably keep me under their hill forever.” Kravitz says once the last note has died. He tries not to be smug, he does, he knows it’s impolite, but it’s hard, he deserves to be pleased with himself.

“You’re not wrong, handsome.” Taako says, still slumped on the sofa. “I think I’m crying.”

Kravitz automatically offers the tissue box, he has one in most rooms, just to be safe.

“Why did you do this?” Taako asks again.

“You said you had a request.” “No, not this.” Taako points to the cello. “This!” He gestures at the tea, the biscuits.

Kravitz isn’t sure if it’s wise to admit the truth, but a minute ago Taako was crying on his sofa about the Thong Song so Kravitz isn’t sure Taako has much room to make fun of him right now.

“I need a date.” Kravitz says quickly. Maybe if he just gets it over with it won’t be too bad.

“You what now?” Taako looks like he’s about to try and reboot his ears for being defective.

“I won’t be accepting any supplementary questions at this time.” States Kravitz, wishing more than anything he had a business curtain to close, or a door to lock, a tannoy announcement. Shut for business for the day, no further questions, thank you all so much for playing!

“So this is a monster fuck thing! I didn’t think you were the type.” Taako gives him a very slow once over that Kravitz doesn’t have any bandwidth to process right now.

“No!” Kravitz is fairly sure the werewolf cowboy romances on the shelf by his bed don’t count. Probably.

“Then why?”

“There’s a work thing.”

“Hang on, you’re serious?”

“I just said it was!”

“It sounded like a lie.”

“Would you like me to make up a more plausible lie than the lie-sounding-truth?”

“No no, go on, cha’boy needs to hear this.” Taako looks positively delighted, but it’s probably too late to back out.

“There’s a work thing… it’s an awards thing, and I was dating a guy and now I’m not, but they already ordered the food and I don’t want to tell anyone because they’ll do the weird squinchy face and not know what to say bit and we’ll all just have to marinade in the terribleness together and long for escape.”

“Bad.” Says Taako with feeling.

“Bad.” Kravitz agrees. “You get it.”

Taako nods solemnly. Then cocks his head to the side. “Taako could be your date.”

“What?”

“Well, I ate your cream… Wait, no!”

It’s too late, Kravitz is laughing hard and ugly and happy.

“I ate the chocolates.”

“You did.” Gasps Kravitz, trying to calm down.

“And the biscuits.”

“Yes.” That was true.

“So now I owe you.”

“You don’t.”

“I think I want to owe you.” Taako smirks and Kravitz is almost convinced it’s flirting.

“It’s black tie, the event. You know. Fancy nonsense.” He’d better make sure Taako knows what he’s getting into.

“Oooh! Is there fancy nonsense food too?”

“Probably. I can check the menu.”

“There will be.” Taako says confidently. “It’s gonna be bad and your company will have paid too much for it.”

“You don’t even know where it is.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you about why it’s all shit.”

“Okay.” Says Kravitz, scared to break the spell.

“Okay.” Taako replies firmly, solidly, making a date-ly. “We’re going to take the world by storm. Anyway, what’s the awards thing for?”

“Nothing much. Just, you know, work stuff.” Kravitz waves a hand dismissively. There’s no way he’s going through the embarrassment of admitting to Taako that he’s the guest of honour. It doesn’t change anything about what they’ve agreed.

“Okay. Well, just send cha’boy the details, I wrote my number on the biscuit form.”

“Before the Thong Song?”

“Before the Thong Song.” Taako confirms solemnly.

-

I hope you enjoyed! Want to read more? Tomorrow's prompt is here.

[awlimagines]

Day Eight - Marlin/Matthew

The cold always soured his mood. It hadn’t always been like this. Matthew used to be a more upbeat person. He settled nicely between Kris Kringle and Ebenezer Scrooge on his Starry Night cheer. Then he collapsed at the company party and discovered his declining health. Matthew had always thought it was a lack of sleep as he pushed to advance his career. Instead, all his hard work over the years destroyed his health. His big sister Vesta settled him into the farm he tried so hard to escape, and his interest in Starry Night grew to dislike. 

“Doesn’t it sound like fun?” you enthusiastically asked after explaining ugly sweaters to him. 

“No. If you have time to focus on such things, you should work to improve your crop quality instead.” 

“Oh, okay. Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll go work on that.” 

Your crestfallen look made Matthew regret his words. His self-disgust grew as Matthew let you travel further from sight without saying anything. He swiftly kicked a rock in frustration from the path as you passed the bridge back to your farm. Why was it always easier for him to snap than comfort? He angrily shoved his hands into his pockets and stomped back to the house. The door snapped shut more sharply than he intended, gaining curious glances from Vesta and Cecilia. 

“Did you invite Y/N over for Starry Night?” Cecilia smiled. 

“Of course! And Takakura, the more the merrier,” Vesta boomed in response. 

“What’s so great about ugly sweaters? People in the city always talked about them,” Matthew muttered, interrupting their plans for Starry Night. 

“Well, because they’re cute, right? And it’s not often you get a chance to make something that’s supposed to be ugly. So, it’s fun!”

“Ha! You’re both missing the point!” Vesta beamed. “It’s the community, doing something together with the people you like.” 

Matthew spent the night thinking of Vesta’s words as her snores filled the silence. Did you want to spend time with him? Is that why you looked so upset? Matthew was grateful to see snow in the morning for the first time since he moved to the valley. Even if he tried to work, Vesta would ensure he remained indoors today. As Vesta and Ceci tended the fields, Matthew dug through his chest. The cloth options were mainly scraps left over from previous projects. Nothing in there would make anything decent, but the goal was to make something ugly. 

He spent the last week and a half splitting his time between the fields and sweaters. Pushing you away on Van’s previous visit had been the hardest. You had looked desperate to spend time together, but as much as he missed you, he needed the time to finish the last touches. Matthew barely resisted the urge to watch you from the windows when Ceci explained he was sick and couldn’t come out. Now, as he stood at your door holding the mess of fabrics, he worried it was too late. Maybe you were sick of his mood swings. Maybe you had made new plans for Starry Night Eve to avoid him. You were always close with the others in town. 

“Matthew? I was just on my way over. You didn’t need to pick me up,” surprise laced your voice as the house’s light flooded over the man on your doorstep. “Wait, what are you wearing?” 

The tips of his ears grew red as a chuckle entered your voice. His ugly sweater was a hodge-podge of styles with a carrot wearing a Santa hat in the center. Matthew swallowed his embarrassment to thrust a sweater at you, “Here, I made this one for you.”

You earnestly yanked the clothing from his hands, your door swinging shut in his face. Before Matthew could decide if this was a good or bad sign, you had opened the door. You now wore a sweater as mismatched as his own. A proud turnip with a bright red nose and antlers stood in its center.

“I don’t think you could look ugly in anything.” 

“Thanks, I love it,” you blushed, lacing your hand with his to head to Vesta’s farm.

[emptyblog7]

Dreamlight Adventures: Book 3 Part 1

The final story in my series thus far!!! This has five parts but it's technically a bit longer than the first and second story. @oh-shtars @signed-sapphire @chillwildwave @uva124 Let us now return to the world of Dreamlight Valley and see what our main characters are up to...

DREAMLIGHT ADVENTURES: WORLDS COLLIDE

Yaron cleared the ascent leading up to the Forest of Valor and walked down the path leading further into the Forest, searching for His friend, Phoenix, as the brisk morning air lightly blew through His hair. The sky was clear, and the sun shone brightly overhead even with the briskness that had now fallen on the Valley, showing that Spring was soon to emerge. A few months had passed since their confrontation with Shadow Magnifico, and Yaron and Phoenix’ bond had grown stronger with the seasons, as they continued to partner together in the care of the Valley.

This morning, the two of them had split the work of clearing the debris and Night Thorns from the Valley and were going to meet by the Beach stairs once finished. However, when Yaron had finished His side, Phoenix was late in meeting with Him. When she didn’t show, He decided to go and look for her to see if there was anything amiss, thinking, “It’s not like her to be late for our breakfast together. What’s keeping her today of all days?”

He soon found Himself up in the Frosted Heights, and when He came close to the mountainside, He heard grunting above Him. He looked up in confusion before His eyes grew wide. He called, “Phoenix?! What are you doing?!”

Phoenix looked down from several yards above the ground as she gripped the mountain’s small ledges. Upon seeing Yaron, she cried breathlessly, “Oh! Sorry, Yaron!” She turned back towards her goal, which was a red ball that had been trapped on a ledge just above her, and revealed, “Olaf somehow got his ball stuck on the mountain and needed help to get it, and since I was in the area, I decided to try and help.”

The fact that Phoenix was helping Olaf wasn’t the strangest thing He’d seen. However, what Yaron was seeing was completely foreign. He cried, “But why aren’t you using your wings to get it, Phoenix?! You don’t even have them out right now!”

Phoenix grunted as she got a little closer to the ball and wedged her foot on a new ledge. “I…was…*grunt* wanting to try and practice not using my wings for this.”

 Yaron groaned. He had recently taught Phoenix how to make her wings disappear and reappear at will, just like He did when He first showed her His true form a few months ago. It hadn’t taken her long to learn the technique with her Dreamlight magic, but Yaron still urged her to try and practice not using her wings when helping the villagers or traveling from one end of the Valley to the other, so that she could become less reliant on them. However, rock climbing to retrieve something for a villager wasn’t what He had in mind for that.

Soon, some small rocks loosened and fell to the ground in front of Yaron, and He called, “Phoenix! This isn’t what I meant when I told you to practice doing things without your wings! You’re going to get yourself hurt if you’re not careful!”

Phoenix reached for the ball as much as she could, and she shifted her foot to try and gain a bit more distance. “I…almost got it, Yaron!” Her fingers were soon on the ball, and she rolled it to her slowly until she had a better grip on it. She exhaled in relief. “Got it!”

Unfortunately, when she had shifted her foot to get the ball, she had placed it on a weaker part of the ledge…

CRACK!!

Phoenix gasped as her foot slipped off, and she began to fall off the mountainside!!

Yaron sprang into action and shot up to catch her before she landed on the rocky ground. Phoenix landed in His arms with cry of surprise, and He calmed, “Easy, Phoenix! I got you!”

Phoenix relaxed and sighed gustily, “That was close!” She then saw the ball roll off and bounce away, eventually stopping by the river, where Olaf was busy smelling a red Passion Lilies. It bumped his foot, and when he saw it, he squealed with glee and waved at Phoenix in thanks. Phoenix smiled slightly and returned the gesture, remarking, “Well, that wasn’t a total bust.”

Yaron landed on the other side of the Frosted Heights and released Phoenix before answering, “I think that’s enough ‘practice’ for one day, Phoenix. The last thing I want to see is you break your neck over this!” Phoenix chuckled sheepishly, and Yaron embraced her kindly as He added, “Especially on your birthday.”

Phoenix accepted the embrace and colored at His remark. She had never told any of the villagers when her birthday was, but somehow, Yaron got it out of her. When He heard when it was, He revealed His desire to celebrate it with her, arguing that no one should celebrate such a special day alone. Phoenix had to concede, but she asked that the date of her birthday not be spread to the other villagers, since she didn’t want it to be a big deal. Yaron had agreed.

The two of them soon began walking out of the Heights and towards Dazzle Beach, and Yaron offered His arm. “Come, Phoenix! The tide will be for us this morning, so we’ll get to our normal picnic area in record time.”

Phoenix accepted His arm and let Him lead her on to the Beach. The two of them had developed a habit of going to a small island not too far from the Valley and having their breakfast together on one of the flat boulders that dotted the landscape. This island was also the place Phoenix had first met Ariel and it was also a good place for Yaron and Phoenix to see the night sky without the light posts of the Valley.

They soon made it to a canoe that was tied to the docks. The canoe was made of fabric and wood, like most canoes are, but this canoe was unique in that Yaron had enchanted it to sail on its own when in use. Once both were inside, Yaron untied it from the dock, and the canoe sailed in the direction of their island.

They didn’t get too far until Ariel caught sight of them. She swam towards them and greeted, “Good morning!”

Phoenix smiled, “Hi Ariel!”

Yaron replied kindly, “Good morning, Ariel! What brings you over?”

Ariel hummed, “Oh, I just thought I’d swim over before you got too far out. Are you heading to your island again?” Yaron nodded, and Ariel stated, “It’s so nice to see you two enjoy a favorite pastime together.” She then sighed, “Well, I gotta swim; WALL-E is expecting me at the Beach for a trade-off. Have fun, you two!” Phoenix and Yaron said farewell to Ariel before she swam off.

After several minutes of sailing, the two of them came upon their island. The canoe stopped when it hit the beach, and Yaron pulled it further in as Phoenix pushed from behind. Once the canoe was tied to a nearby tree, they walked towards a part of the beach where the sand gave way to a rocky landscape. Yaron caught sight of their normal spot, which was a flat boulder not too far from an adjacent beach and stated, “Ah, here we are!”

Phoenix shook her head in amazement. “I’ll never understand how You remember this exact spot every single time.”

Yaron gave her a knowing smile before scattering His magic across the surface of the boulder with a flourish. A bright blue blanket with a few different food baskets materialized before the sparkles and mist disappeared.

As they sat down, Phoenix saw the spread and praised, “Yaron, this looks wonderful!”

Yaron chuckled, “The practice has been paying off.”

The two of them ate in silence, and Phoenix let herself enjoy the calm that characterized this part of the realm. The only things she could hear were the rhythmic waves and the occasional call of a seagull. Her villagers never came here, so it provided the perfect getaway for them from the responsibilities of the Valley. Phoenix took in the sea air and exhaled deeply, “This is the perfect way to start my day!”

Soon, Yaron brought out a small gift box from His pack and handed it to Phoenix, saying, “A little gift to celebrate both your birthday and our bond, Phoenix.”

Phoenix couldn’t help but blush a little as she received the gift. When she opened the box, her eyes grew wide. “It’s…it’s an amulet!”

Yaron nodded as Phoenix brought it out. He pointed to it and to a gem that was attached to the collar of His suit and revealed, “This amulet bears a bit of Mine and your magics inside and has a direct connection to Me.” He closed her hands over the amulet and declared, “May this amulet remind you of our bond that can never be broken.”

Phoenix smiled broadly. The amulet had a glowing orange-blue center that pulsed and was hemmed in by a circling phoenix and another bird Phoenix didn’t recognize. The cord was made of a strong material that was also unrecognizable, but it reminded her of gold. After she secured the amulet around her neck, she looked up at Yaron and said, “Thank You, Yaron. It’s beautiful!”

Yaron smiled kindly and acknowledged, and the two of them continued eating.

Unbeknownst to Phoenix, however, two people were sneaking up to their picnic from behind her. Yaron soon noticed them, but instead of being alarmed, His eyes sparked in humor, and one of the strangers put a finger to his lips, pleading for silence. Yaron discreetly nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Phoenix took a bite out of her rasberry pancake before she suddenly noticed two shadows tower over her own. Confusion flit across her face just as yellow sparkles and mist circled her food a few times before flying in front of her face and forming a strange question:

“Hey Phoenix, mind if we chat?”

Something about that question tugged on Phoenix’ memory, but she couldn’t quite place it. “What…could this be?” She looked up at Yaron and asked, “Yaron, did you send this?”

Yaron looked up and saw the message. He shook His head, saying, "That isn’t My magic.”

Phoenix was even more confused. “Then, what—”

“I told you it might not work, Aster. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen her!”

Phoenix gasped and whipped around just in time to hear Aster respond with a sigh, “Well, it was worth a shot.” Seeing Phoenix’ surprised countenance, he greeted casually, “Long time no see, Phoenix!”

Phoenix was dumbfounded as she stood up. Her old friends from Rosas, Asha and Aster, were standing in her realm, grinning from ear to ear! She stuttered, “Wha—how…I mean…”

Asha and Aster laughed at her speechlessness and simply embraced her in greeting. Phoenix let herself be pulled in with surprise plastered onto her face. Asha squeezed Phoenix as she greeted, “It’s so good to see you, Phoenix!!”

The three of them separated, and Phoenix was finally able to put words together in her mind. “Aster?! Asha?! You’re here!! But how?!”

Phoenix then heard a loud chuckle behind her, and she turned to see Yaron holding back His laughter. Phoenix guessed, “Yaron?! Did You…”

Yaron answered with a smile, “In partnership with My Father, yes.”

Phoenix couldn’t believe it. The High King and the High Prince had brought Asha and Aster forward in time and into her realm! She turned to her friends and asked, “Are you two here to…”

Asha grasped her hands and replied, “We are here to stay, Phoenix!”

Aster added, “The High King told us it was time to leave Rosas behind, and Yaron brought us here and provided us with a place to stay last night. He told us that He wanted to surprise you with our arrival in the morning, so we waited until now to greet you.”

Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh with joy. She invited them to sit with them and went to create a few meals with her magic. However, Yaron beat her to it and replicated some of the meals that were already on the blanket. Yaron made eye contact with Phoenix and winked humorously, and Phoenix chuckled before addressing Him. “Thank You for this gift, Yaron! This was an incredible birthday gift from You and the High King.”

Yaron answered kindly, “You are welcome, My dear friend.”

Aster then caught on to something and turned to Phoenix. “Hold it. You have a birthday today?!”

Phoenix realized what she had just revealed and groaned in embarrassment. Yaron couldn’t help but laugh outright as He stated, “Looks like I’m not the only one who knows that now.”

Understanding what He was saying, Asha addressed Phoenix with a wink, “Don’t worry. We’re sworn to secrecy.”

Phoenix thanked her friends. “Honestly, other than Yaron knowing, I don’t mind that Asha and Aster now know when my birthday is.”

The four of them soon finished the meal and made their way back to Dazzle Beach. As they walked along the shore, Phoenix addressed Asha and Aster excitedly, “I can’t wait to show you this Valley and introduce you to my villagers. It’s a lot more than what my illusion showed you during my time with you two.”

Suddenly, a set of angry quacks echoed from the Forest. Phoenix and Yaron groaned, knowing who those quacks belonged to. Phoenix sighed, “Is that what I think it is?”

Yaron nodded, “Donald and his uncle must’ve gotten into another argument. From the sound of things, it’s serious.”

Phoenix affirmed, “We should probably look into that.”

Yaron countered with a smile, “I’ll take care of it. Go and show Asha and Aster around.”

Phoenix furrowed her brow in concern. “Are You sure?”

Yaron nodded. “I am sure, Phoenix. Go catch up with your friends, and I will find you once I’m finished.” Phoenix agreed, and Yaron made His way to the Forest of Valor.

Once He was gone, Phoenix turned to her friends and smiled, “Come on! I can’t wait to show you everything!” Asha and Aster laughed at her enthusiasm, and they followed her around the Valley.

The tour started up the incline from the Beach, leading into the Glade of Trust. Asha couldn’t help but gush over the friendly crocodiles that scurried across the damp ground, and Aster soon caught sight of someone gazing at the three of them with a judgmental countenance. Concerned, Aster asked Phoenix, “Uh, Phoenix, is that someone we should be careful of?”

Phoenix turned to see who he was referring to, and upon seeing Gothel turning to leave with a huff, she groaned, “Ah. That would be Mother Gothel, and I’d say yes. You may want to be wary around her and take everything she says with a grain of salt.” They made a circuit around the Glade, as she added with a shake of her head, “I cannot believe she’s still holding a grudge against us after these past few months!”

Concerned, Asha asked, “What grudge?”

Phoenix explained as they made their way up to the Meadows, “It was a few months ago during the time I was first getting to know Yaron, and I had asked Merlin to do some research on him because I wasn’t sure if I could trust Him at the time. However, as I learned more about Yaron in my interactions with Him, I found that I had no reason to be cautious about Him.” She then sighed, “But my request soon came back to haunt me, as Gothel revealed it to Yaron, accusing me of being a false friend.”

Asha guessed, “So, she was trying to cause trouble between you two?”

Phoenix nodded as she continued, “I ran off in shame, so I only heard about the rest of what happened when Yaron came back to find me. Anyways, Yaron was furious with Gothel, as He had warned her repeatedly not to interfere with matters that don’t belong to her, and sentenced her to house-arrest for a week. His magic sent her to her Willow and enchanted her window and door to remain locked until her time was up.”

Asha hummed, “Oh my! Well, we’ll keep our wits about us when interacting with her. She can’t possibly be worse than King Magnifico or Queen Amaya, right Aster?”

No answer.

Asha turned to see that Aster had stopped walking and was staring at an elderly man in a blue tunic with disbelief written in his eyes. Asha placed a hand on his shoulder as Phoenix turned around to see what the problem was. “Aster?” Asha called, “Is everything all right?”

Aster simply whispered, “It…it can’t be!”

Asha turned to see what he was looking at, and after a few minutes of studying the man, she gasped in recognition. “Oh my!”

Phoenix knew who they were looking at and made a silent invitation for them to go greet him alone. They nodded their thanks and walked a ways until they met Merlin at his house. Phoenix watched the whole exchange with a smile on her face. At first, Merlin looked a little confused, but his eyes soon lit up when he recognized his old mentor and his wife, and they shared a hearty reunion. They talked for a few minutes until Asha and Aster decided to rejoin Phoenix, and they said farewell to Merlin, but not before promising to talk more later on.

Phoenix couldn’t stop smiling at this exchange, and once they rejoined her, she prodded, “Well?”

Aster exclaimed, “It all makes sense! And yet it’s so hard to believe!!” Facing Phoenix squarely, he revealed, “All this time, when you told us about ‘your Merlin’, it was really our Merlin from the future!!”

Phoenix nodded, and Asha added, “I’m so glad we’ll have other familiar people here in this Valley. It’ll be wonderful to catch up with Merlin later.”

Phoenix chuckled, “Trust me, a lot has happened between your time and mine, but I’ll let him tell you the stories.” With that, they continued the tour.

Phoenix led Aster and Asha all throughout the Valley, showing them all that each biome had to offer and introducing them to the villagers that passed by. Phoenix couldn’t help but giggle at some of the interactions between her friends and some of her villagers, particularly with the toys. “They definitely didn’t see that coming, did they?”

Finally, Phoenix led them up towards the Forgotten Lands. As they ascended up the path, she could hear Asha state warily, “This place seems a lot darker than the other places you’ve shown us.”

Phoenix sighed as she affirmed. “I know. I used to be afraid of even coming up here, because of how wrong it felt to even have this part of the Valley look the way it does.” She pointed to the pillar on the far side of the biome, where the Orb of Remembrance was still missing and corrupted magic was pouring out of the opening. “I have yet to find the Orb that’s meant to seal up that pillar, keeping corrupted magic at bay, but it’s been quite elusive.”

As they continued walking, Aster became thoughtful and asked, “Phoenix, you said you used to be afraid of this place. But here you are walking up here without much of a qualm. What changed?”

Phoenix turned to Aster before revealing, “It was after Yaron and I had defeated Shadow Magnifico and—”

Asha couldn’t believe what she had just heard. “Wait. Magnifico?!”

Phoenix forgot that she didn’t tell them about that. “Oh yeah! I’ll need to tell you about that. It’s a…long story.”

Aster shook his head in amazement. “Clearly, we need to catch up on a lot of things!”

Phoenix giggled lightly before continuing her story. “Yaron had told me one day that He wished to show me something, something to get me over my fear of this place. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with Him to these Forgotten Lands, and once we were here, He began telling a story about how this biome didn’t used to look like this. Long before the Forgetting, the Forgotten Lands used to be known as the ‘Glistening Lands’.” Gesturing to the foliage, she revealed, “The grass used to look like gold, the trees used to be made of every type of mineral found in the Valley, and the atmosphere used to be bright as day even at night!” Phoenix sighed sadly, “Unfortunately, when the early days of the Forgetting set in, the Glistening Lands changed, being corrupted by all that was taking place, until it eventually became known as the Forgotten Lands…because of the dark side of myself that I left behind.”

Asha looked at Phoenix sympathetically and placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping Phoenix in her tracks. She turned to her as Asha encouraged, “I’m sure none of your villagers hold that against you.”

Phoenix smiled slightly and thanked her for the encouragement. “That’s similar to what Yaron said to me when He told me the story. He reminded me that what I had done was forgiven, and that I didn’t have to bear the blame this place tries to push onto me.” She concluded her story, “Yaron then helped me physically see what this place used to look like before the Forgetting with His magic and promised that the Forgotten Lands would return to their former state in time. After that, I haven’t been as afraid to come here.”

There was silence for a moment as Aster and Asha considered what they were told before Aster stated, “Something tells me you know more than just who your friend is, Phoenix.”

Phoenix smirked a bit before leaning up against a large rock formation. “Ah! That’s one story you may need to ask Yaron for.”

SWOOSH!!!

A sudden burst of magic expanded around the rock formation from where Phoenix had stood. She gasped as she staggered back to where Aster and Asha stood and watched in shock as the rock transformed into a thorny, rickety…treehouse?

When all went still, Phoenix slowly walked up to the strange phenomenon. The treehouse was dilapidated, yet there was something still sturdy about it, and there were large Night Thorns weaving in and out of the tree and the house! She was about to place her hand on the ladder when sudden exhaustion came over Phoenix and she collapsed onto her knees with a groan.

“PHOENIX!!” Asha and Aster cried in unison. They helped her stand up, and Asha asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?!”

Phoenix wasn’t sure. This exhaustion wasn’t like when she’d expend too much energy with her magic; this felt different. Something about it was…wrong! She finally answered Asha with a whisper, “I…I don’t know.”

Aster took charge. “Let’s get her out of these Lands and back into the sunlight.” Looking around, he mused, “Something here must be affecting your magic.”

“That’s impossible,” Phoenix thought. As they came back into the Sunlit Plateau, she revealed breathlessly, “But…that’s never been an issue until now!”

Asha urged her to sit by one of the ponds as she stated, “Maybe Yaron will know.”

Sure enough, Yaron came up into the Sunlit Plateau. He turned to them and jogged over to where they were waiting with concern on His face. Something in His countenance told Phoenix He knew something was wrong.

Once He met them, He knelt in front of Phoenix and asked everyone, “What happened?”

Aster revealed, “Something in the Forgotten Lands transformed into a strange house in a tree when Phoenix leaned up against it. Then Phoenix suddenly became…fatigued or…drained or something.”

Yaron nodded in thanks and asked to talk with Phoenix alone. Aster and Asha agreed, saying that they would catch up with Merlin in the meantime, and they went their way. Once they were gone, Yaron sat next to Phoenix and grasped her shoulder gently. “Phoenix? Are you okay?”

Phoenix exhaled as the feeling of exhaustion soon left her. “I…I am now.” She turned to the Forgotten Lands and stated, “That…has never happened before until now.”

Yaron hummed. “A change has taken place up there.” He thought for a moment before urging Phoenix, “Wait for Me here. I’m going to see what’s new up there.”

Phoenix acknowledged and watched Him leave for the Forgotten Lands. Her mind raced at this new development, wondering why this strange structure had taken the place of the normal rock structure she was used to seeing. “I seem to remember touching that rock formation multiple times when I did go up there. Why did it only change now? What even is that treehouse and why is it covered in Night Thorns?”

After a few minutes, Yaron exited the Forgotten Lands and made His way back to Phoenix. She could tell that He was thinking deeply about what He had just seen. When He met her, she asked, “Well?”

Yaron sighed as He sat next to her, “There can be no doubt, Phoenix. This treehouse has something to do with the Forgotten, but what it can mean is difficult to say. The fact that it affected you the way that it did, though, is concerning.”

Feeling more strength return to her, Phoenix stood up as she asked, “What do we do then?”

Yaron was silent for a moment before replying, “I’m afraid the only thing we can do is wait. This development raises more questions than answers regarding the Forgotten, so we cannot rush into this; for all we know, it could be a trap made by the Forgotten herself.”

Phoenix understood and revealed, “Well, there are a few fences both in the garden area and in the Forest that look a little rusted, so I may need to—” She tried walking away, but she was still weak from whatever happened in the Forgotten Lands, and she found herself falling up against a nearby tree.

Yaron arose and came to Phoenix’ side worriedly. He guided her back to her seat and urged, “Easy, Phoenix. Wait until you are fully restored; the fences can wait.”

Phoenix submitted to His urging and sat back down. He pulled her close and allowed her to lay her head on His shoulder as He created a magical, transparent barrier around them to allow for some privacy from worried villagers.

As Phoenix rested and felt more of her strength return to her, she saw Yaron’s wings emerge and drape over her shoulder. Phoenix felt safe in those wings and found that they aided in her recovery. She exhaled in relief and whispered, “Thank You, Yaron.” Yaron hummed in response, and Phoenix asked, “You…how did You know something was wrong with me?”

Yaron smiled kindly and pointed to Phoenix’ amulet. It was burning brightly as Yaron explained, “It has a direct connection to Me, Phoenix.” He pointed to His own gem and added, “I saw Mine blinking rapidly, and I felt a bit of what you were feeling at that moment, as long as you let it. That’s how I knew something was wrong.”

Phoenix was amazed. “Incredible!!” She embraced Yaron in thanks and remarked, “The perfect gift to remind me of my bond with You.”

Yaron squeezed Phoenix’ shoulder affectionately. “Indeed, Phoenix.”

THAT NIGHT…

Phoenix cried out in fright and shot up from her bed, fully awake. She looked around and saw that she was still in her bedroom, and that her window showed that it was the middle of the night. Phoenix exhaled and wiped the sweat from her brow.

It had all been a dream.

Phoenix arose and leaned over her desk as she tried to regulate her anxious mind back to reality. The dream had rattled her to her core, and it had been far too vivid for her taste. She finally purposed, “I need a bit of fresh air.” She then used her magic to change into something more fitting for night weather and walked out of her house, not realizing that her amulet was glowing furiously.

Once outside, Phoenix let the cool evening air cool her flushed face. It was completely silent out, as all the villagers were still in bed. Phoenix thought about wandering around the Village for a bit, but the dream she had nagged her. She turned towards the Forgotten Lands and wondered, “Maybe…maybe there are answers around the place that treehouse appeared.” Her spine shivered at the prospect, “So creepy!” Gathering her courage, however, she began walking up the ascent to the Sunlit Plateau and made her way towards the Forgotten Lands.

She made it about as far as the furthest incline that connected the Plateau to the Forgotten Lands and stopped at its base, hesitant on going any further. She knew that she didn’t need to be afraid, but the incident that had rendered her exhausted made her wary of ever returning to the Forgotten Lands. “That exhaustion felt so…wrong! So different from what I’ve experienced before! But…how else can I get answers?” Taking a deep breath, Phoenix took a step towards the Forgotten Lands.

“Phoenix?”

Phoenix stopped in her tracks and turned around in surprise. When she saw that Yaron had found her, she almost asked Him how or why, but she then noticed that her amulet was glowing again, and she understood the reason. She guessed, “You…felt a bit of my fright.”

Yaron nodded as He came and took her hands in His. “Enough to know that your dream was a nightmare!” He gestured to her area and asked, “What are you doing here, of all places?”

Phoenix sighed, “I…I thought I might find answers around the Forgotten Lands.”

Yaron began to lead her gently away from her goal, and Phoenix submitted. After they were a good distance from the Lands, He stopped and stated, “I don’t think answers are what you need, right now, Phoenix.” Then, without warning, He pulled her into a tight embrace.

Phoenix was surprised but not averse to the sudden embrace. She accepted and revealed, “The Forgotten…she was there and…”

Yaron calmed. “I know, Phoenix. I could feel your fright begin to build, and through your amulet, I could see bits of your dream, enough to understand how you are feeling right now.”

Phoenix relaxed at His calm words and asked in a whisper, “Do…You think she’ll…you know, succeed?”

Yaron held her head close to His chest as He reassured, “The Forgotten will never regain a hold in this Valley again, nor will she destroy you. That I can promise you, My friend.”

Phoenix was grateful for that reassurance, and she exhaled in relief. “That is good to hear.”

After a few minutes, the two of them separated, and Yaron cupped Phoenix’ face in His hands. “Better?”

Phoenix nodded as Yaron let His hands fall to His sides. After some thought, she asked, “Do…you think we could take a walk around the Valley? I was thinking of doing so before I tried to go to the Forgotten Lands.”

Yaron smiled and hooked her arm into His. “Of course, Phoenix.” With that, they descended from the Sunlit Plateau and wandered around the Village. All was silent between them, but Phoenix was okay with that. She was grateful for the comfort Yaron’s presence afforded, and right now, that was all that mattered to her.

They soon came to Dazzle Beach, and the two of them sat on a bench that had been a gift from Fairy Godmother. The fairy had said that it was enchanted, but Phoenix had never understood what made it enchanted. Regardless, the sound of the waves washing up on the shore was calming to her, and she gazed at the stars that twinkled above, leaning against Yaron’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Phoenix caught sight of a small, twinkling comet coming from Lady Elwyn’s star form; it was shooting towards the Valley! She squinted at it, trying to figure out what it was. It wasn’t Lady Elwyn herself; her star form was still in the sky, and her entrance was usually different from this comet’s entry. Phoenix noted that its trajectory was bringing the comet towards where they sat, and she turned to Yaron. “Yaron, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

Yaron looked up and noticed the comet. He studied it for a moment before asking, “Phoenix, would you stretch your hand out towards your right please?”

Phoenix was amazed at that question. “Uh…are You sure about this?”

Yaron replied calmly, “Just trust Me.”

Phoenix did as He said and stretched her hand out away from the bench, as if preparing to catch the comet. As it sped towards her hand, she braced for the painful impact that would normally characterize trying to catch a speeding comet.

But none came.

Instead, the comet simply transformed just before it hit her hand and landed in her hand as a golden envelope! Phoenix’ eyes became wide as she brought it over for Yaron to see. Yaron smiled as He stated, “That is how Lady Elwyn and her people send mail down to people in other realms. However, it doesn’t happen that often, so I’m curious to see what she’s sent.”

Phoenix couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “Honestly, I don’t think I should be surprised at strange stuff like this anymore, but still! Space mail?!” Phoenix opened the envelope and unfolded the letter that was inside. Written in beautiful penmanship, it said this:

Dear Yaron and Phoenix,

You are cordially invited to Cokhavinia for the annual Spring Ball celebrating the beginning of all the realms! The Ball will take place tomorrow night at twilight; please bring Aster and Asha along as a token of welcome from us. Transportation will arrive on your beaches when the first star is revealed tomorrow evening.

Your friend, Lady Elwyn

Phoenix couldn’t believe this. She turned to Yaron, who appeared equally as excited, and exclaimed, “We’re invited to a ball in the stars?!”

Yaron chuckled, “Yes, we are! How wonderful! We’ll need to let Asha and Aster know that they are invited too.”

Phoenix added, “And I’ll need to let Merlin and Mickey know so that they can handle things when we’re gone.” She then yawned suddenly and amended, “I should…probably get some rest though.”

Yaron asked, “Are you feeling better?” Phoenix nodded, and Yaron led her back to her house.

Before leaving, Yaron placed His hand on Phoenix’ cheek and stated, “I love you, Phoenix. Sleep well tonight.”

Phoenix blushed as she thanked Yaron. He then went back to His house, and Phoenix entered her home to get some much-needed rest.

THE NEXT DAY…

Phoenix was walking briskly through the Village in search of Merlin and Mickey. She and Yaron had just recently finished clearing the Valley of debris and had split up to accomplish two things at once, in light of Lady Elwyn’s invitation the night before: Phoenix would talk to Merlin and Mickey about holding down the fort while Yaron, Aster, Asha, and herself were off at the Spring Ball in Cokhavinia, and Yaron would go find Aster and Asha and let them know that they were invited to the Ball as well.

Phoenix eventually found Merlin reading by a pond in the Peaceful Meadows. She smiled as she came around the bench and greeted, “Good morning, Merlin!”

Merlin looked up from his book in surprise before softening. “Why good morning, Phoenix! What can I do for you today?”

Phoenix sat next to Merlin and revealed, “Last night, Yaron and I received an invitation from Lady Elwyn, a ruler in the stars, to come and partake in their Spring Ball.”

Merlin’s eyes widened in surprise. “My goodness! That is wonderful!!” He then became thoughtful as he revealed, “I remember during my apprenticeship that Lady Elwyn would come down often to Aster and give an update on matters of state within her domain. Always a kind soul.”

Phoenix agreed. “She even invited Asha and Aster to come with us. Yaron and I were wondering if you and Mickey could take care of things here while we’re gone? It would only be for the night.”

Merlin exclaimed, “Why that would be no trouble at all! If you ask me, it is high time you and Yaron enjoyed something as exceptional as a Spring Ball. Don’t you worry about things here; I will mention this to Mickey, and we’ll keep order in the Valley until the four of you return.”

“Did I hear someone say they were going to a Ball?”

Phoenix whipped around to see Fairy Godmother standing nearby with a happy gleam in her eye. She groaned inwardly, smiling at what she knew was coming. Phoenix addressed the fairy. “Yes, I and Yaron, along with Aster and Asha, are going to a Spring Ball held at Cokhavinia, a city in the stars.”

Fairy Godmother waved her wand excitedly. “Well then, you and Yaron will need to have the perfect outfits for this special Ball together!!” She added gustily, “My, my! It’s been ages since I’ve done something like this! I must think of a good gown and suit for you and your man. Hmmm…”

Phoenix tried to protest, “Oh, you don’t have to, Fairy Godmother! I’m sure Scrooge McDuck has something in his store that we can—”

The fairy fussed, “Oh come now, my dear. Scrooge McDuck is a fine businessman, but Royal Balls and such are my specialty!” She then placed a kind hand on Phoenix’ shoulder and added, “And it is certainly no trouble at all, my child! I agree with Merlin that it is high time you enjoyed some time with your dear friend Yaron outside of the Valley! You two have grown dearly close, you know.” Phoenix blushed a bit before conceding to the fairy’s urging, and she remarked, “Now, make sure you and Yaron come to me before you head out to the Spring Ball; by that time, I should have the perfect spell ready.”

Phoenix nodded before rising and preparing to find Yaron to give him the news. However, before she left, she turned to Merlin. “You’ll make sure that Mickey knows?”

Merlin nodded and waved her off. “Yes, yes, my friend. Don’t you worry about a thing. Now, off with you!” Phoenix chuckled a little at Merlin’s tone and went off to find Yaron.

She eventually found Him conversing with Asha and Aster in the Forest of Valor. She called to Him, and He turned to see Phoenix coming to join them. He smiled kindly and extended His hand to her. “Phoenix! Wonderful! Is everything taken care of with Merlin and Mickey?”

Phoenix took His hand and nodded. “I told Merlin about the Ball, and he said that he would let Mickey know that the two of them would take care of things here while we’re gone.”

Yaron exclaimed, “Perfect!” Gesturing to Asha and Aster, He revealed, “I’m sure you can imagine, but Aster and Asha were beyond pleased to know that they were invited to the Spring Ball along with us.”

Aster added, “Well, that city used to be my home before becoming human!” Turning to Asha, he remarked, “I can’t wait to show you around!”

Asha giggled a bit. “I’m excited to see your old home, Aster! I can’t imagine how different Cokhavinia will be to this Valley, much less to Rosas.”

Yaron agreed before stating, “We’ll meet at the Beach at dusk, so that we can catch whatever transportation Lady Elwyn has in mind.”

Aster stated matter-of-factly, “Knowing her, it might be one of those Starlit coaches pulled by the Nova-gryphs.” Everyone looked at him in confusion, and Aster chuckled sheepishly, “I’ll…explain that later.”

Asha replied, “Don’t worry! We’ll see what you mean tonight!” Then she revealed, “We should probably be off, though. Elsa, Anna, and Christoph are hosting a lunch party at their castle in the Frosted Heights, and they invited us to join them.” Phoenix and Yaron acknowledged, and the two of them left for the Frosted Heights.

Once they were gone, Yaron hooked Phoenix’ arm with His own and stated, “We should probably get to Remy’s before the lunch rush sets in.”

Phoenix agreed. As they walked out of the Forest, however, Phoenix remembered something and turned to Yaron. “There is…one other thing.”

Yaron turned to Phoenix. “Hm?”

Phoenix revealed, “When I was talking with Merlin about the Ball tonight, Fairy Godmother overheard.”

Yaron couldn’t help but laugh at what was implied. “Let Me guess, she wants to make a gown for you?”

Phoenix tilted her head, “Yes, but I’m not the only one she wants to create an outfit for.” She then gave Yaron a telling stare.

Yaron realized what she was saying and laughed louder than before. “Oh my! Looks like I’m not getting out of this one.” Phoenix shook her head with a smile, and Yaron remarked, “That’s fine. The fairy hasn’t done a spell like that in a long time, so it’s only fair we let her have her fun. I’m curious to see what she has in mind.”

“She’ll show us before we leave,” Phoenix revealed. Once they entered Remy’s Restaurant, Phoenix added, “I’m just glad she isn’t going to change any of our animals in the Valley to a coach and horses!”

The two of them sat down at their usual spot, and Yaron declared humorously, “Now that is where I draw the line.”

Phoenix laughed at His reaction, just as more villagers came in for the lunch rush.

When evening came, Asha and Aster went down to the Beach, however, Yaron and Phoenix waited near Fairy Godmother’s house in expectation for what she had planned for them. The last color from the sunset was beginning to fade, signaling the soon appearance of stars.

Phoenix looked up at the sky worriedly. “Do you think she’ll be ready in time?”

Yaron placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Phoenix. She’ll be here in time; we’ll just need to wait a bit.”

Phoenix mused. “She isn’t home right now though. What could she be doing?” Phoenix always struggled with waiting on someone when there was a deadline.

At that moment, however, a familiar voice called, “Ah! There you two are!”

Phoenix and Yaron turned around to see Fairy Godmother coming down the steps to meet them. Relieved, Phoenix greeted, “Good evening, Fairy Godmother! I was a little worried we’d miss you before we had to leave.”

The fairy waved the concern off as she met them. “Oh come now, child! You know what I always say: Even miracles take a little time.”

Phoenix nodded in remembrance as Yaron came to her side. “Yes, I remember.”

Yaron then addressed the fairy, “I hear I was also roped into this, Fairy Godmother.” He then grasped Phoenix’ shoulder affectionately and glanced in her direction before adding, “We are ready whenever you are.”

Fairy Godmother chuckled kindly. “Why of course, I would include you, Yaron! Think of it as thanks for being such a dear friend to Phoenix.” She then waved her wand around and began, “Salagadoola mechicka boola…Bibbibi-Bobbidi-Boo!!” At the last word, the fairy flicked her wand towards them, sending a stream of magic swirling around Yaron and Phoenix. As the mist and sparkles spiraled up and around them, they watched their clothing transform right before their eyes! Phoenix gasped in amazement. “I’ve only ever HEARD of Fairy Godmother doing this!”

Soon, the light died out, and both Yaron and Phoenix saw what the fairy had created. Phoenix’ dress was loose and light, boasting a blue-white ombre color and a swirling phoenix around her torso and left side! One of the most striking details of the dress was that the bottom half of the skirt had orange and yellow flame designs rising all around it. Yaron’s suit boasted a regal aesthetic, with a dark red cape clipped to his left shoulder and sweeping across his right. His suit was mainly orange and yellow, but the bottom of his cape was lined with blue and white flame designs. By what Phoenix could tell from Yaron’s expression, He was just as excited about what Fairy Godmother had created as she was.

The fairy sighed, satisfied with her work. “Ah yes! Perfect!” Turning to Phoenix, she asked kindly, “Was it worth the wait, child?”

Phoenix looked up and nodded in amazement. “Worth every bit, Fairy Godmother! Thank you!” Then she became thoughtful and asked, “You used more than just your normal magical words. Why is that?”

The fairy hummed mysteriously, “Perhaps there’s more to what I created than you know. Your growing bond to Yaron deserved a little something…extra.”

Phoenix was just about to ask what she meant when Yaron got her attention. Pointing to the sky, He stated, “We should probably meet with Asha and Aster now, Phoenix.”

Phoenix understood and turned to the fairy. “Thank you, Fairy Godmother! We’ll see you soon!” Fairy Godmother smiled and said farewell to them as they made their way to the Beach.

When they made it down the steps, Asha turned to them, and her eyes widened at their sudden change of outfit. She exclaimed, “How in the—” Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh at her amazement, and Asha gushed, “Phoenix! Yaron! These are amazing outfits!”

Yaron chuckled as Aster turned around as well, his own expression showing the same surprise. Yaron then explained, “Courtesy of Fairy Godmother, My friends! She had insisted on creating outfits for the two of us, which is something she’d done once before for a different woman many years ago.” With a slight glance at Phoenix, He added, “The fairy hinted at the possibility of something hidden within her enchantment…”

Phoenix finished, “But we have no clue on what that might be.”

Aster became thoughtful for a moment before stating, “I’m going to have to ask her to tell me her story. She’s always saying she’s off to make dreams come true, which is something I find fascinating.”

Right then, a set of squawks sounded from above the two couples. Turning to the sound, they saw a couple of large gryphon-like creatures pulling a coach made of starlight! As it swooped down onto the shore, Aster exclaimed triumphantly, “I knew it! I knew this was how Lady Elwyn was going to send transportation!”

The others laughed as the door to the coach opened. Asha and Aster ducked inside, and Yaron and Phoenix were just about to as well, but Phoenix couldn’t help but stare at the Nova-gryphs. She drew closer to one of them cautiously in amazement, and it turned to her in curiosity. Apart from being attached to the coach with a bridle and harness, the gryphon looked almost ethereal in its makeup, with purple and blue stardust coming off of its otherwise bright-yellow body. The Nova-gryph stretched his neck towards her and made a few cooing noises in greeting. Phoenix was awestruck at the creature and put her hand out to it. The gryphon’s frills flared before he set his beak against her hand, purring in contentment.

Yaron watched this from the doorway of the coach with a calm smile, pleased at her interaction with a strange creature. After a few minutes, He came to her and offered His hand to her in silent urging, and she accepted it, letting Him help her inside the coach.

Phoenix and Yaron sat on one side of the coach, while Aster and Asha sat on the other side, and once the door closed, the Nova-gryphs squawked and started on their trek, looping around the Valley before shooting up into the sky, leaving a trail of light in their wake.

Phoenix’ breath caught as she clenched her side of the coach in surprise. This ride was completely foreign to her, and her body tensed in fright. She looked out of her window and watched as her realm disappeared from view and the overwhelming ambiance of space took its place. “That…was a lot shakier than imagined.” She then felt someone take her hand. Turning around, she saw Yaron giving her a calming look, lightly squeezing her hand. She relaxed at His unspoken encouragement.

Meanwhile, Asha was looking out her window, amazed at how the stars seemed to whizz past them. Turning back to the others, she commented, “These Nova-gryphs sure are fast!”

Aster chuckled, “Yeah, they are well-known for their speed in Cokhavinia and in the surrounding area.” He then shrugged. “They have to be this fast, since even the closest Starlight city from Cokhavinia is probably a million lightyears away from it.”

Phoenix didn’t have the brainpower to even comprehend how far one lightyear was. “How long does it take for these gryphons to travel from one city to the next?”

Aster thought for a moment before humming, “Well, it definitely depends on how far the city is from us. I’d have to say that traveling from Cokhavinia to the closest city from it by Nova-gryph would take about half an hour.”

Yaron remarked in amazement, “That’s quite efficient! What do you think it’ll be for us?”

Aster rubbed his chin in thought. Phoenix could tell that Aster was thinking hard about Yaron’s question. “There must be some serious math involved,” Phoenix thought to herself.

After a few moments, Aster’s eyes lit up, and he faced both Yaron and Phoenix squarely with a slight smile. “Enough time for you two to tell me something that’s been nagging me since Phoenix hinted at it yesterday: How in the world did Magnifico get here in your realm?!”

Both Yaron and Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh at how baffled Aster looked. Asha too looked like she wanted to know, so both Yaron and Phoenix told their sides of the story. Phoenix told about how she’d first come across Shadow Magnifico on the ocean, and Yaron told of how He intervened and prevented Magnifico from dealing the final blow on her. Their stories weaved in and out of each other until they united as one during their telling of the final battle against Magnifico in the realm’s core.

When they finished their story, Aster and Asha’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wow!” Asha stated gustily, “I can’t believe Magnifico’s playing with that portal started all of that!”

Aster rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Clearly, this man was hard to get rid of! How many tries was it? Three?!”

Yaron corrected, “I’d say it took two tries, Aster, both of which being in Rosas. What we dealt with was a shadow of Magnifico, created by his corrupted magic and the Orb of Remembrance.” He then conceded as He squeezed Phoenix’ hand, “Still, he was no less ruthless.”

Asha remarked, “Well, regardless, I’m glad you two were able to destroy him for good.”

Phoenix agreed wholeheartedly. “Me too! I’m quite done with people trying to steal my magic.” Everyone else affirmed.

Soon, the four of them felt the coach slow down. When Asha looked outside, she gasped, “Oh my!”

Phoenix looked outside her window to see what Asha was looking at and her eyes grew wide at the city they were coming up to. The city itself was large, and the buildings seemed to glow with a fervent, twinkling light, just like the distant stars around it. As their coach entered into the main street of the city, Phoenix could see how the inhabitants also glowed with a variety of colors, leaving a trail of stardust behind them as they walked. Phoenix was awestruck. “This place is beautiful!”

Yaron caught sight of her amazement and quipped lightly, “You seem rather starstruck, My dear.”

Phoenix turned to Yaron and was about to answer…until she saw Yaron’s smirk. She groaned at what was unsaid. “I should’ve seen that coming.”

Yaron laughed as Asha and Aster eventually understood the pun. Phoenix then looked out her window again and noticed that there were more coaches in front of them, heading to the castle in the center of the city. She remarked, “I wonder who else will be at the Ball tonight.”

Aster hummed, “There are a lot of people who attend the Spring Ball; even other leaders from other Star Cities come to participate.”

Yaron mused, “This might be a good way for us to establish relations with these other rulers, Phoenix. Dreamlight Valley and the Star Cities could benefit from an alliance.”

Phoenix hadn’t thought of that. “That might be a good idea!”

Their coach soon came to a stop at the entrance to the castle. An attendant opened their door, and the two couples walked out and into the castle courtyard together, where the festivities were being held. The middle of the courtyard was wide open, with tables on the sides for people to sit, eat, or socialize. At this time, many of those invited to the Ball had already arrived.

“How wonderful you all could make it to our Spring Ball tonight!!”

The four of them turned to see Lady Elwyn coming towards them with a kind smile. Yaron answered, “We are honored to have been invited, Lady Elwyn.”

Lady Elwyn answered, “The honor is all mine, my friends! Come, you are all my guests of honor tonight!”

The four of them followed the star into the castle and led them up a few flights of stairs until they came to a balcony that overlooked the whole Ball below. The star gestured to the Ball and revealed, “I usually pronounce the official start of the Spring Ball from here, but…” she turned to the four of them and addressed Phoenix, “I hear you bear some Starlight magic, my friend.”

Phoenix affirmed as she manifested her Starlight Staff. “It was a gift from Aster before I returned to Dreamlight Valley a long while ago.”

Lady Elwyn acknowledged before inviting, “I would like YOU to be the one who officially starts the Ball.”

Phoenix blinked in surprise and stuttered, “Me?” Lady Elwyn nodded, and Phoenix asked nervously, “But…what do I even do?”

The star chuckled a bit before placing her hands on her shoulders. “There isn’t a set rule on how to start a Ball, my friend. I have my methods, but your reconstruction of your Valley shows that you have your own methods. Feel free to use them here!”

Phoenix thought about Lady Elwyn’s invitation. She looked at her friends; they all looked excited for her. When her gaze met Yaron’s, her eyes sparked in realization, and she turned back to Lady Elwyn. “I am truly grateful for this honor, Lady Elwyn,” turning back to Yaron, she added, “But I would like Yaron to start this Ball with me, if it is alright with you.”

Yaron beamed at Phoenix and took her hand. Lady Elwyn thought for a moment before stating knowingly, “I wouldn’t expect anything less, my friend.”

Phoenix thanked her and extended the Starlight Staff towards Yaron. With a smile, He grasped the staff just above her hand, and the two of them walked to the front of the balcony just as the trumpets below them called for silence.

Phoenix first turned to Lady Elwyn, who nodded encouragingly, and then to Yaron, who gave her a confident nod. She then took a deep breath and exhaled before Yaron and Phoenix raised the Staff up together, declaring:

LET THE ANNUAL SPRING BALL BEGIN!!!

At the last word, a burst of Starlight magic shot out from the top of the Staff and formed a large bird! With wings outstretched, it swooped down just above the guests’ heads with a melodic call before darting up and exploding into a yellow and white firework!

The crowd cheered at the display, and Phoenix couldn’t help but giggle at their delight. Although, something about the bird made it seem like it wasn’t fully Starlight magic. “It definitely wasn’t Dreamlight magic,” she mused, “Then what could it—” she soon caught sight of Yaron’s expression off the corner of her eye. He turned to her and winked. It had been His magic! She smiled in thanks.

Right then, Lady Elwyn exclaimed, “How wonderful!! Such a beautiful way to start this Ball!” She invited the couples, “Now go! Please, enjoy yourselves during the Ball and feel free to explore the city, if you’d like!” Asha, Aster, Yaron, and Phoenix thanked Lady Elwyn and made their way out of the castle and into the courtyard.

They came out of the castle just as the music began, some of the couples had already begun to dance. Seeing this, Aster grasped Asha’s hands excitedly. “Come on, Asha!” He then led her on to the dance floor with her laughing at his enthusiasm.

Phoenix watched them go on with a smile until Yaron came to her side and offered her His hand. He asked, “Might I have this dance, dear Phoenix?”

Phoenix blushed. “I…I have very little experience in dancing.”

Undeterred, Yaron replied, “I’ll lead you on, dear one.”

Phoenix thought for a moment. The last time she danced at a ball was at Rosas with Safi, who was more of an awkward dancer. That was several months ago at least! However, when she looked at Yaron’s expectant gaze, she could tell that He didn’t care about her inexperience. She exhaled deeply and took Yaron’s hand. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot, Yaron.”

Yaron was pleased. He led her into the center of the courtyard, and as He positioned His hand on her waist and she placed her hand on His shoulder, He encouraged, “Let the music fill your heart as I lead you on.” Phoenix acknowledged, and as the orchestra began, Yaron began leading Phoenix in waltz.

As the dance continued, Phoenix’ tense muscles began to relax; Yaron’s way of leading her in the dance was smooth, yet informative, as each move He made seemed to signal to her what she was to do next. They weaved around other couples, and the tempo of the music began to build as Yaron spun Phoenix around. Phoenix giggled a bit, and Yaron smiled kindly in response, glad to see that Phoenix was having a good time, despite her lack of dancing skills. Unbeknownst to either of them, however, a flame was beginning to materialize at the edges of their outfits—one white and one orange—and was steadily growing in height and intensity.

The song soon reached its peak, and Yaron looked at Phoenix and asked, “Try something with Me?”

Phoenix, though confused, answered, “Okay, sure!”

Yaron nodded His thanks and moved her hand to His other shoulder, while also moving His hand from her waist to her shoulder, thus crisscrossing their arms at the center. Yaron then dug in His heels and began spinning around with her. Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh with glee at the uniqueness of this manner of dancing, and the flames that were building at the bottom of their outfits were now rising higher and faster. Those around them gasped in surprise and gave them more room as they watched with utter amazement as the flames spiraled around each other and enfolded both Yaron and Phoenix mid-dance.

WHOOSH!!!

With a flash of brightness, the flames burst above the couple in a plume of magic, and a collective cry of surprise was heard by the crowd when they saw what had changed between Yaron and Phoenix—Their outfits had switched color palettes!

It took Phoenix a moment to realize what had just happened, but after first looking at the crowd around them and then at her dress, she gasped in surprise. Phoenix’ dress had changed from a blue-white ombre to an orange-yellow ombre, and the phoenix was now front and centered on her torso with both wings outstretched across her shoulders! The flame detail that was at the edges of her dress was now gone.

Phoenix was speechless. She then saw Yaron’s outfit and saw how surprised He was at the change. His suit took on more of a blue-white ombre, instead of an orange-yellow ombre, and His cape was deep blue. He looked at Phoenix with an excited smile, and Phoenix matched His amazement. “This must’ve been what Fairy Godmother was referring to when she mentioned that she added something ‘extra’.”

The song soon ended, and the crowd gave them a round of applause. As some of the couples went to socialize, Phoenix exhaled in amazement and twirled around to get a full view of her dress. Yaron too looked at all the changes in His suit and remarked, “That fairy really outdid herself this time. Her enchantment caused our outfits to switch color palettes!”

Phoenix nodded in agreement, and Lady Elwyn came to meet them. They turned to her, and she began, “What a lovely surprise from the two of you! I don’t think we’ve ever seen a dance between a man and a woman end up being this exciting!”

Phoenix chuckled, “Courtesy of our Fairy Godmother.”

Lady Elwyn remarked, “Well, then! Give my thanks to her! From one magic-bearer to another, I can tell that she encapsulated something truly special that is seen when one sees the two of you together.”

Phoenix couldn’t help but blush, and Yaron glanced at Phoenix with fondness. Lady Elwyn soon took leave of them, and Yaron hooked Phoenix’ arm to His as He suggested, “Why don’t we grab something to eat with Asha and Aster.”

Phoenix agreed and as they made their way to the buffet line, she added, “Maybe we could look around the city after we eat? I’m rather curious on what a Starlight city looks like.”

They soon caught sight of Asha and Aster towards the back of the line. Asha and Aster waved for Yaron and Phoenix to join them, and they made their way towards them, as Yaron replied, “I would love to do some exploring with you, Phoenix.”

Phoenix thanked Yaron and bashfully moved some stray hairs behind her ear as they made their way to Asha and Aster.

[hlmowrer]

Week 1: Home MTC in St. George, Utah

Hello friends!  I have written for you today a report of the first week of my new missionary life.  A lot has happened in such a short week, so get comfortable.

The strangeness started as soon as I left home, on my way to St. George, Utah for online training.  I wear a name tag wherever I go, which is often a conversation starter.  The gentleman who sat next to me on the flight from Portland to Denver inquired about my destination.  He wasn't a member of the Church, but was familiar with the missionaries.  I'm learning to get used to people asking me that...nobody paid me much mind in Vancouver or Portland but as soon as I boarded the flight to Utah I realized what I was in for.  Utah is a surreal place for someone like me...I'm used to being the only one in a room who even knows what the Church is, much less the only one who cares to talk about it.  Once you set foot in Utah, it's like the whole world is in on what used to be an inside joke.  The flight attendant, several people sitting nearby, and even the ground handlers in St. George wanted to talk to me, hear where I was going, and wish me good luck.  It's really odd being a representative of something bigger than myself like that, but the encouragement is nice.

Those of you that have been around a while might know that I am cursed to get ill every time I come to this part of the country...this time was no exception.  My first day as a missionary found me spending all morning at urgent care with the world's worst sore throat.  The doctors decided it was viral, and that I just had to wait it out.  That was a week ago, and it is unchanged.  Not fun, to say the least.

As for my work, well, that has been an unparalleled experience.  I am busier than I've been in years.  I have two 3 hour classes a day, and various devotionals, study periods, and teaching appointments.  That last one took me by surprise...apparently the MTC (Missionary Training Center, for future reference) has actors that you teach twice a week to get good at teaching.  Preparing for those lessons is quite stressful at times, but I'm getting better at it.  The second one I did on Saturday actually went really well!  

There have also been an incredible amount of cool spiritual experiences.  I don't think I could keep up with this kind of work without being a missionary.  I've only been going a week, but I've already had a massive boost in spiritual peace and connection.  I have become even more confident that God wants me here, and that there is so much more I can do to strengthen my relationship with Him.  The people He has put in my path so far have been the best part...my companion (the other Elder who's with me all the time) and district (the group of 12 missionaries I go to class with and will soon bunk with) are amazing.  I mean really, we figured out by day two that we got along well but by the end of the week we were 100% convinced that God put us all together.  They're amazing.  Many of those cool spiritual experiences came in the form of what I call "perfect coincidences".  So many times did we happen to study the same random passage of scripture and feel impressed to share it, or feel impressed to make a comment that was perfect for someone else in the district to hear.  One experience on Saturday was particularly special.  We were split into breakout rooms, and were given no further instructions than "be vulnerable".  The sister I was paired with shared some struggles she had been having, and the advice I felt impressed to share was "exactly what she needed to hear".  We repeatedly had exactly the same impressions and comments for the rest of the day, to the point where it was a joke that we could read each other's minds.  I don't think I can read her mind, but I am now even more convinced that God absolutely can.  Over and over I've had peace or specially chosen words and scriptures put into my mind this week, in a way I've never experienced before.  I feel like I can't truly articulate what that's like through an email, but I wanted to share it with you anyway.  I've had confirmation I'm doing the right thing by being here, and I can't wait to find out who I'll be able to serve and how I'll be able to grow over the next two years.  These are the benefits to being focused on Jesus Christ, every day.

On Wednesday I'll travel to Provo, Utah to begin in-person training.  I have very mixed emotions about this.  Adapting to the missionary lifestyle is worth it but often exasperating and I can already feel my little introverted soul having a heart attack about never being alone and being busier than ever.  But, I absolutely cannot wait to meet my district in person or to finally be able to go to the Temple again.  I suppose if Christ could get me through the whirlwind of this week he can help me get the most out of next week too.  In any event, I know this is where I'm meant to be.  As stressful or exhausting as the mission may get, I at least can take solace in knowing I could not be doing a better thing for myself or my future.  And for me, that's a pretty dang nice thought.  I hope this coming week treats you well friends...I'm sure next week I'll have even more to share with you.

 -Elder Beren Mowrer

p.s. Almost forgot...a great little bonus of the week was getting to see my little first cousin once removed  "grandcousin" Evee and her family, who recently moved here to St. George.  She thought my name tag was cool. :)

[thomas-the-tank-engene]

Cheating On You

pairing: heeseung x (f)reader, enhypen x (f)reader platonic

Genre: slight angst maybe? Idk, fluff, happy ending,

wc: 2.5k

warnings: cheating is mentioned but it never technically occurs so \(‘’/)/

also i haven't reread this or edited it so it may make no sense lmao

a/n: i have so many exams i need to study for but instead ill write more imagines tehe

summary: heeseung and y/n broke up a while ago, but it seems like neither of them are really over it 

- inspired by Cheating On You by Charlie Puth

Heeseung and Y/N had broken up months ago, and while one seemed to be getting on with their life again, the other wasn’t having quite the same luck. To be fair, moving on from the ace of enhypen, one of BigHits legendary trainees, was no simple task. His face was always plastered on billboards or the side of buses. His voice was always echoing through the radio that played in the back of the office that Y/N worked at. She couldn’t escape him even if she tried. And although it was very clear she was still struggling six months after the break up, the same couldn’t be said for Heeseung.

She knew that searching his name on google every hour would not help her move on, but it was an addiction she couldn't stop (every hour was an exaggeration but whatever). She wanted to know that he was safe and happy. That he was okay. What she didn’t want to know was that he was with someone else. Another idol at that. 

Three hours later and Y/N now knew everything about this idol that several articles had claimed Heeseung was currently dating. She was pretty. In fact, Y/N felt her breath catch in her throat when she first saw her. She was a goddess. Her voice put angels to shame and she couldn’t think of someone more suited for a guy like Heeseung. Their kids would be unmatched.

Y/N groaned in frustration. Throwing her phone away from her and getting up out of her bed. Red numbers glaring from her alarm clock read 2.17AM. It was definitely past her bedtime. But she needed to get away. Leaving her phone behind she threw on a jacket, grabbing her keys and other essentials before leaving her small apartment and walking outside. A quick trip to the convenience store down the road would take her mind off of things. And then she could top up her cupboards with ramyeon which she had run out of the other day.

Hot breath flowered from her rosy lips as she walked. Hands sunk deep in her hoodie pocket as her eyes traced the cracks in the pavement. After a few minutes, Y/N was able to make her way to the store. She dragged her feet along the floor, following the familiar path she often took to the most important aisle of the store. However, today required a detour as an all too familiar laugh entered her ears. She looked behind her, only to find that the group of six boys had just entered the shop, and were standing in the only exit available.

Y/N was currently three aisles away from the shelf containing her first love, ramyeon. And about eleven aisles away from the exit. It was possible that she could bolt it to the final aisle, grab her long awaited lover, head around the back of the shop, run to the front counter to pay, and then sprint out of the shop, without any of them noticing her. It was possible, but not very likely. She pulled the cap sitting on her head down further, throwing her hood on for extra measure. She just had to hope they wouldn’t split up. 

Eventually, Y/N made it to the ramyeon shelf, deciding just to grab a few packets not to make the trip totally pointless, before walking down the rest of the aisle to go around the back of the shop.

The boys’ laughter bounced off the walls of the small corner store, making her heart clench with longing. She missed them all. But it hurt too much.

twelve

eleven

ten

Y/N swore she saw Sunghoon down one of the aisles with Sunoo excitedly bouncing next to him.

‘Great, they’ve split up,’

seven

six

five

With clammy hands Y/N attempted to hang onto the items in her hands, knowing that dropping them would be a fatal mistake.

three

two

one

She rounded the corner, in the hopes of being on the homestretch towards the finish line.

Hope was a dangerous thing.

There was an awfully loud clutter as Y/N fell to the ground, the food in her hands scattering around her. The other unfortunate person was slightly more lucky. Managing not to fall over but only drop a few items.

“Excuse me, I apologize for making you fall over. Are you okay?” 

Of course it was Jungwon. 

The sweetest kid in existence. 

He quickly knelt to the ground, picking up her items that seemed to be all over the place. Jay, who was standing behind him, had run around to help the poor girl who was struggling with a response. In mere seconds the two of them would look her in the eyes and realize exactly who she was.

Would they be upset? Would they be angry? How much did they even know? What had Heeseung told them?

“Y/N?” Jungwon asked, a smile blooming on his face, showing off his dimples. Well that was not the reaction she expected.

“H-hey Jungwon,” The girl replied, attempting to smile at him.

“How are you?” He beamed at her, his eyes shining as Jay helped her stand.

“I’m good,” Y/N simply responded, not wanting to reveal that she was in fact the exact opposite of ‘good’.

“That’s good then, I feel like we haven’t seen you in ages!-”

“Hey what are you guys doing?- Y/N?!” The girl turns around to see Jake and Ni-ki walking towards them, although the younger boy seems to be shaking with excitement. Once he gets close enough he pulls the girl into his arms, having missed her warmth.

Y/N is quick to wrap her arms around him, having also missed the boy who was like a younger brother to her- they all were.

“I’ve missed beating you in video games,” He mumbles, causing the girl to chuckle, attempting to stop the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

Eventually the pair let go and Y/N finds that she is now surrounded by the remaining members of Enhypen, minus the one she missed the most.

“What are you kids doing out?” She questions, raising an eyebrow and glancing down at the watch on her wrist. The girl feels all the tension and panic leave her as she finds comfort in the boys she used to call her family once again. Peace floods her heart as she sees them all happy and healthy.

“Well Heeseung had his girlfriend over so we wanted to leave them alone-” Ni-ki is abruptly cut off with a sharp elbow to his ribcage from Sunghoon, the rest of the boys sending glares his way.

Well that peace didn’t last long.

“Oh,” Is all she can offer as a reply, the air suddenly growing thicker.

“What are you doing out? Isn’t it past your bedtime?” Jungwon attempts to change the conversation, hoping to ease the pained expression on the girl's face.

“Ahhh, I ran out of the essentials.” Y/N replies, waving a packet of ramyeon causing the boys to giggle.

“We should catch up some time,” Ni-ki suggests, hopeful. Y/N nods, but knows that as much as she wants to, it would just be too painful.

After hugging each of them goodbye, the girl makes her way to the counter and leaves the store.

The boys all wait for her figure to disappear from the store window before turning to face the youngest. Eyes sharp as he pouts innocently.

“I forgot okay!” His arms raised in defense as Sunghoon once again elbows the kid.

After getting the rest of the snacks the boys leave the store, quickly making their own way home. As they enter the dorm (after successfully sneaking out earlier) they find their eldest member sitting alone on the couch, head in hands. Silence envelopes the room, signaling that the boy is alone.

“You okay hyung?” Jungwon asks, placing the shopping bag in his hands on the ground and sitting next to the older boy.

Heeseung sighs loudly, glancing up. The rest of the members head to their rooms, wanting to respect the eldest members' privacy and emotions.

“I broke up with her,” He mumbles, making Jungwon’s eyes go wide.

“Your girlfriend?” Jungwon asks for confirmation, and Heeseung nods.

“Do you know why?” The younger boy's hand begins to rub circles on Heeseung’s back as he notices his tears.

“Because I still love her,”

“Love who?” Jungwon prompts.

“Y/N,”

“wElL tHAt’S GrEat wE JuSt sAw hEr!-” Ni-ki yells, but is quickly silenced by Jay covering his mouth. The pair on the couch glance up to see the rest of the boys' heads peeking around the doorway. 

“Ow!” The youngest yells as he is presumably hit by one of his hyung’s.

Heeseung chooses to ignore the boy's presence, instead turning his attention back to Jungwon.

“So you saw her?” He mumbles. Hope and concern threaded through his tone.

“Yeah, she didn’t look too good, hyung.” The younger boy grimaces, not wanting to admit that the girl who used to shine so brightly looked awful.

The words slowly sink in Heeseung’s head and he sits still, for a few seconds, before standing and putting on his shoes. Before the rest of the members can respond, the eldest member is out the door and running down the street.

“Bye I guess,” Ni-ki states to the open air, earning him another wack to the head.

Y/N sat in silence, slowly eating her ramyeon while trying to process what had just happened. 

She had just seen the best friends of her ex boyfriend. Who had dumped her six months ago because he ‘just wasn’t in love with her anymore’-his words exactly. The girl hadn’t seen any of them since the day of the break up. She wasn’t even sure how much they knew, if anything at all.

Y/N cared for each of them deeply as if they were her own brothers, but breaking up with Heeseung meant she had to distance herself from them too. It would be too awkward to attempt to keep those friendships alive.

Not only did the girl still care for the younger boys, but she was still deeply in love with the one and only Lee Heeseung. How could she not be?

His eyes were the light in her life. And his smile made her heart flutter. She loved him and she thinks she always will.

An aggressive knock at her door, startles Y/N, causing her to get up cautiously. She can’t imagine who would be knocking on her door at nearly 3.30am, but she definitely didn’t imagine it to be Heeseung. He’s bent over with his hands on his knees, attempting to catch his breath while trying to also form a coherent sentence.

Y/N is just trying to form a coherent thought at this point. The very boy she was thinking of is now standing in front of her. She blinks several times, pinching herself to test if it was real.

“What are you doing?” He asks. That’s the first thing he asks? After all this time? 

“Pinching myself?” Y/N responds in a defensive tone, not quite sure what is happening.

“Why?” The boy prompts, attempting to continue the conversation, just glad to hear her voice.

“I think the better question is what are you doing here?”

The boy doesn’t know how to respond. What is he doing here?

“Remember when we kissed on your mother’s couch?” Heeseung asks, causing a single butterfly to flutter in the girl's stomach.

“Yeah,” Y/N simply replies, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Me too,”

Silence envelops the pair. Words on the tip of both their tongues, but fear stopping them from being let loose.

“I miss you,”

“I thought you had a girlfriend?” The girl asks in a bitter tone. She didn’t want to come off as rude, but she couldn’t hide how she felt. All her emotions were raw and she felt so vulnerable seeing the boy she loved in front of her for the first time in six months.

“I do- I mean I did. But we broke up.”

“That sucks?” Y/N is utterly confused at this point.

“I broke up with her.”

“You like doing that don’t you?”

Their conversation comes to a stop again, and Heeseung is grasping at straws. His heart hurts seeing the bags under the girl’s eyes. Her hair is a mess and her skin has definitely seen better days.

“Y/N, I am truly sorry for hurting you and breaking up with you without giving you a proper explanation.”

The girl waits, wanting him to continue before responding.

“The truth is, I’m a dick,”

“You can say that again,” 

The boy looks at her with an exasperated expression. Eyebrows raised.

“Sorry for interrupting, please continue,” She states with hands raised in mock surrender.

“I didn’t know what I had until I lost it. Till I lost you. Every time I touched her it felt like I was cheating on you. I couldn’t look her in the eyes without thinking about you. I couldn’t even kiss her or hold her hand without feeling guilty. I miss you. I want you.”

Y/N’s eyes are wide at the sudden confession. Her heart beats a thousand miles a minute. How could he come here, at such a late time in the evening (morning really) and say something like that? Who did he think he was?

“You can’t break up with me unexpectedly. Leave me broken and alone for six months, and then expect me to drop to your feet and kiss you when you want me back.”

“I never said that, I just- I just want another chance. Let me make it up to you. Show you how much I've missed you and how much you mean to me.”

The girl's heart was beating way too fast for her to form any sound thoughts. She couldn’t decide. She needed more time.

“I need to go to sleep Hee,” The boy almost burst with happiness at the nickname. He could cry tears of joy.

“Can we restart, pretend that we’ve just met. I’ll take you out on first dates, and we can do all the things new couples do,” 

A small smile made its way onto the girl's face, breaking through the tough exterior she had tried to create upon seeing the boy again.

Heeseung takes the action as a win for him.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow then?” He asks.

“I didn’t say that,”

“But you didn’t didn’t say it,”

“What?”

“I’ll pick you up for coffee at 10 then.”

“I have a lecture then,”

“Well how about 1?”

“I have work,”

“Does 8pm work?”

Y/N tried to come up with an excuse, but she was so tired her mind drew a blank.

“Cool! See you then! Have a good sleep, love!”

“But I didn’t respond!”

“Sweet dreams! Don’t miss me too much!”

“LEE HEESEUNG!” 

“Don’t yell people are sleeping,”

[the-bau-quinjet]

My Only Girl

Summary: request! Reader has to decide between keeping her secret and saving the man she loves. In the end, it's not a hard choice.

Warnings: violence/blood

Word count: 3370

a/n: I really enjoyed writing this one! I put a screen shot of the request at the end just because I didn’t want to give away the whole story :)

You never would have guessed that today would change everything. It started the same as any other Thursday. 

You were seated at your desk right outside of Tony’s main office working on his schedule for two weeks from now. Your music was playing softly through your earbuds causing you to bob your head as you read email after email. 

Suddenly, a Starbucks cup appeared in front of your face, a metal hand wrapped around the cup. 

You swiftly pulled the earbuds from your ears, turning in your chair to greet Bucky with a hug. 

“Hi.” You whispered into his chest during your hug. “You are truly a gift.” You smiled, taking the cup with your go to order. You press a quick kiss to his lips only to be pulled back in for a deeper kiss by Bucky. 

“Y/N, do you know when my next press conference is?” Tony asked, walking out of his office while still looking down at his tablet. 

Bucky let you pull back from him just far enough to answer Tony. “Next Thursday. You wanted to announce the new post-mission protocol for ‘Damage Control’.” You chuckled at the title, knowing Pepper was still trying to talk him into changing it. 

“Right! Thank you.” He finally looks up, taking in the sight of you in Bucky’s arms. “Barnes! Let her work.” He nearly whined, playing up the annoyance. 

“I will.” Tony leveled him with a pointed glare, looking between you and your computer. “I will! I just wanted to say good morning to my best girl.”

You scrunched your nose at the term of endearment, leaning farther back from Bucky to look in his eyes.

“You don’t like being my best girl?” He sounded genuinely concerned, earning a small chuckle from you. 

“I like being your only girl. Best implies that there are others, and though I would love to be the best of them, I don’t want there to be others.” You nodded your head resolutely, taking on a serious expression. 

“Please, you’ve had this man wrapped around your finger from the second he saw you.” Tony scoffed. 

“He’s right, doll. And you are my only girl. I love you.” Bucky pressed a quick kiss to your lips, letting you remove yourself from his arms to continue working. 

“I love you too. See you for lunch?” He nodded as he walked backwards to the elevator, keeping his eyes on yours until the doors closed.

“Wrapped around your finger, I swear.” Tony laughed when you glared at him, retreating back into his office to make some phone calls. 

-

Sometimes it’s really easy to pinpoint the exact moment everything went to shit. This was one of those times. 

22 minutes before you were due to meet Bucky for lunch, the red emergency lights started flashing with an accompanying alarm blaring in your ears. 

Friday announced “The compound is under attack, enacting lockdown protocol.”

“Shit.” Lockdown meant you needed to use specific codes to get into or out of any room. It definitely makes your life harder. 

Tony left to meet Pepper 15 minutes ago, so to your knowledge you were the only one on this floor. 

Glancing up and down the hall to double check, you swiftly enter Tony’s office, pulling up the security footage to see who you’re dealing with. Three different sides of the compound are surrounded by mercenaries clad in black fighting gear. 

You watch the screens, contemplating the best course of action to subtly help when one of the mercenaries pulls out a missile launcher. He aims it quickly, firing into the side of the building. 

You feel the walls shake as you watch part of the wall collapse, giving them an opening to enter the compound through. 

“Shit.” You run from Tony’s office, heading for the action without another thought even though this is definitely the biggest problem you’ve ever helped them with. 

You phase through the walls, doing your best to make sure nobody will see you when you come out on the other side of the wall. If all goes well, you’ll be back at your desk before anyone even notices you were gone. 

Your powers are a secret, even from the team. The powers that be, meaning your boss, don’t want the Avengers knowing they have an Angel on their side. It took you enough negotiating to get yourself assigned to this “project”, you were willing to do it without telling anyone that you are a angel. 

You basically had to beg your boss to let the Avengers be the people you watched over. Typically, angels are assigned to help those who can’t help themselves. Your logic for this assignment was that keeping the Avengers safe would, in turn, protect millions of other people. 

The one stipulation you faced when finally being assigned the the Avengers, was that you couldn’t tell them what you are.

At first, You had no problem keeping the secret. Being Tony’s assistant hardly meant spending ample time with everyone. You didn’t need to befriend them to keep them safe. At least, that’s what you kept telling yourself. 

Overtime, Tony broke down your walls. He convinced you to go to one of his galas, ultimately starting your demise. One look at Bucky had your heart soaring. Not telling him the truth has been eating away at you ever since he first asked you to get dinner with him. 

You pushed your guilt to the back of your mind, refocusing on getting closer to the attackers so you could figure out what to do. 

Typically, you use your powers to slightly change the path of bullets or hold off a bomb for a few extra seconds. It gives the team enough time to escape, not necessary unscathed, but with recoverable injuries. Plus, it keeps your powers hidden. 

It’s hard enough to hack into the video feed from various super suits without alerting anyone, you were definitely concerned about how to keep your powers hidden while using them so close to everyone. 

You skid to a stop just around the corner, listening as two of the mercenaries instruct the others. 

“Split up. You know who we’re looking for. If you find him, report in. First priority is getting out of here with him alive. All else fails, kill him.”

Immediately, you’re mind jumped to Bucky. Of course, Hydra scrum could be looking for anyone to use as a weapon, but Bucky made the most sense. When would they finally realize they can’t control him anymore?

You used your powers to confuse the men, making it look like whatever blueprints they studied were outdated. It would hopefully give everyone else enough time to get here and fight them off. 

You hid in a closet when you heard people approaching from behind you. 

“Sam, find Wanda and get to the east side. Nat and I will handle these guys.” 

You relaxed at the sound of Steve’s voice, waiting for the group to disperse before sliding out of the closet.

You ran back through the compound, heading for the lab. It was the closest place for you to retreat to in order to look through the security cameras again. 

“Friday, give me a rundown of what’s happening please.” You looked between the screens, intently listening to the AI’s voice. 

“The east side is being secured by Ms. Maximoff and Mr. Wilson. Based on projected outcomes, they will have everything under control in 7 minutes. Captain Rogers and Ms. Romanoff are fighting on the south side, near the blast sight. They will have the area secure in 6 minutes.”

You nodded, following along as you looked between the cameras. 

“The west side is secure. Mr. Stark and Mr. Barton have cleared the area and are holding off any additional attacks.”

“Good. Where’s Bucky?” You looked between the cameras, but couldn’t find him. 

“Sergeant Barnes is on the roof, engaged in hand to hand.”

“What the hell is he doing on the roof?” You panicked, clicking between camera angles until you could see him. 

There were ten Hydra agents on the roof, surrounding Bucky as he did his best to fight them off. 

“How did he get singled out so fast?” You mumbled to yourself, trying to think of a plan. They had Bucky backed up to the edge of the roof, slowly pushing him further and further. 

You could see what was about to happen nearly in slow motion. You acted quickly, not thinking about keeping your secret, but rather solely focused on helping Bucky. 

You broke through the window in the lab, wings appearing on your back as you flew to him. Just as you arrived, one of the agents shot him three times, propelling him backwards off the roof. Sending a shockwave over the roof, you knocked out the remaining agents as you dove, hurtling through the air to catch Bucky before he hit the ground. 

You grabbed him around the waist, lugging his body through the air with some difficulty. It wasn’t the most convenient position, plus you were slightly rusty from hiding your wings for so long. 

“Doll?” Bucky questioned, glancing at you through fluttering eyelids. “I knew you were my angel.” He whispered before his eyes fell closed, the blood loss getting to him. 

You swung around the building, re-entering through the broken lab window and laying Bucky on the lab bench. 

“Lifting lockdown protocol.” Friday announced, the noise barely registering in your ears. 

“Ms. L/N, Captain Rogers is requesting a check in from everyone on the team, would you like me to update him on yours and the Sergeant’s situation.” Friday asked. 

“Yeah, go ahead.” You muttered, not really paying attention to the question as you did your best to slow the bleeding. You haven’t tried healing anyone in years, so it was taking more effort than it should for you to fix this. 

You closed your eyes, hands hovering over Bucky’s body. Your wings were still present, although no longer fully extended. 

You channelled everything you could into healing Bucky’s wounds, drowning out any outside interference. Your hands began to glow, a warm golden light surrounding Bucky’s body as his bullet wounds healed. 

A few minutes passed as his wounds fully healed. You nearly collapsed from the relief of seeing him no longer bleeding out. His color was returning to normal, heartbeat speeding back up. 

“Y/N?” You jumped at the noise, turning around to see nearly the entire team staring at you. 

Your eyes went wide, hand still clutching Bucky’s as you stuttered in an attempt to come up with an explanation. 

“You have wings.” Wanda pointed out the obvious, everyone still wearing matching expressions of shock. 

You looked over your shoulder, nearly surprised by their presence on your back yourself. You had been so focused on healing Bucky, you forgot to hide them again. 

“Your hands were glowing.” Sam’s brow furrowed, looking between you and Bucky. 

You nodded, still unsure of what to say. 

Suddenly Steve barged into the room, unaware of the tension. He ran right for Bucky, yelling for someone to get a medic. 

“Why are you all just standing there? Friday said he was shot! Three times! Get a medic!” He looked at everyone in a panic before turning to look for wounds on Bucky. 

His brow furrowed as he tried to find any of the bullet wounds. “Wha- Where are the bullet wounds... He’s covered in blood, but not bleeding? Even we can’t heal that fast, what’s going on?” Steve turns back to the team, mouth slightly agape. 

They all point to you. 

Slowly, Steve turns finally noticing your presence. “Y/N?” He looks between the team and you again, a double take so fast it would have been funny if not for the situation. 

“You have wings?” He says it with much more confusion than Wanda’s point blank statement. 

You nod, voice still eluding you. You finally manage to get the wings to disappear. 

“Care to explain...” Tony asks, pointing to where your wings just were, your hands, and Bucky, “All of that?” 

Before you can reply, Bucky jolts awake with a groan. 

“What the hell?” He looks around the lab, taking everyone’s confused faces. Even Nat looks surprised. “How did I get here?” He rubs his abdomen, slightly sore from the bullets. 

Everyone shakes their heads, looking to you for answers. 

“Y/N?” He turns to you, hand squeezing yours slightly. “You were an angel. I thought I was dying...” He trailed off, trying to makes sense of everything in his head. 

“An angel?” Steve balks. Everyone else nods, various expressions of understanding on their faces. 

“I mean, that makes sense.” Nat chimes in, ready to accept it. “Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing that ever happened.”

“What?” Bucky asks, sitting up on the counter. “She’s not actually an angel. I just saw that as my... I don’t know, dying wish?” His face scrunched in confusion, trying to make sense of what he saw. 

“Well, I’m not dying and I saw the wings. And the glowing hands.” Clint speaks up, turning all eyes back to you. 

A voice in your head is suddenly booming. Your hands fly up to the sides of your head, trying to dull the ache of the screaming voice in your mind.

“Y/N L/N, you have broken the only rule bestowed upon you. According to contract 71, you are no longer permitted to enter the Angel Realm. Any attempts to return here will result in termination of your capabilities. Misuse of your capabilities on Earth or any other planet will result in termination of your capabilities.” Your boss’s voice was instantly recognizable. 

You didn’t notice the team crowding around you while you doubled over in pain, rubbing your temples as the message repeated. 

“Ugh, why did you have to say it twice?” You suddenly stared up at the sky, annoyed with the whole system. 

“Um, who said what twice?” Banner finally entered the lab, having been avoiding any anger inducing scenarios. 

Before anyone could jump in with what little knowledge they had, you started talking. 

“My Boss.” You winced, looking at Tony as he raised a brow. “My other boss... well, I guess not anymore. My former other boss.”

“Which is...” Tony gestured for you to continue. 

“Maybe you should all sit down, this could take a while...” 

Everyone followed as you lead them to the kitchen and living room. 

“Okay, I’ll just jump into I guess.” You took a deep breath, looking around the room at everyone’s curious and slightly impatient expressions. 

“I’m an angel.” You nodded, trying to reassure yourself that it was okay to say out loud. 

“Yeah, and? We figured that one out fifteen minutes ago.” Tony huffed, wanting more information. 

“Four years ago, I found out about the Avengers.” You looked at all of them, nervous for their reactions. “Angels are supposed to protect those who can’t help themselves, but I wanted to protect you all.”

“Why?” Steve asked, eying you curiously. 

“Would you all stop interrupting and let her explain!” Wanda whisper yelled, gesturing for you to continue. 

“It’s a valid question. Um, I guess I just thought you all put your lives on the line to help everyone else and I wanted to do what I could to help you. I convinced my former boss to let me come here. I told her protecting you guys would protect all the people you were bound to save, and that’s a lot of people.”

Everyone nodded, seemingly taking in the information. 

“I wanted to tell you. I really did, but it was my only rule. I wasn’t allowed to.” You nervously wrung your hands together, biting your lip as everyone took in the information. 

“That’s why it’s former boss?” Nat questioned. 

“Yes. She fired me?” It was a question to your own ears. “I’ve never heard of an angel being fired before. That kinda sucks.” Everyone chuckled at that. 

“And that was why you doubled over in pain in the lab?” Bucky questioned, concern in his voice. 

You nodded. “Yeah, she has a habit of yelling in my head. And she always says everything twice.” You glared at the ceiling again, knowing she had probably moved on from you already. 

“You’re not mad?” You looked back at Bucky, practically forgetting about everyone else in the room. 

“You caught me after I was shot off of a building and then healed my three bullet wounds. I think you’ve made up for the secret.” Bucky smiled, pulling you into his lap for a hug. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” 

You nearly burst into tears at the relief you were feeling. “Oh thank God.” You squeezed him as tight as you thought he could handle, needing to feel him close to your for a second. 

You then turned to face the rest of the team, giving them an equally nervous look. “Are you guys mad?”

“Well, I didn’t get any magic healing.” Sam huffed, a smile on his face. 

“Nobody flew me around the compound.” Tony added on. 

“But, you can fly?” You gave him a confused expression. 

“Dammit” Tony muttered, thinking on his feet. “Tell you what, tell me what else you can do and we’ll call it even.”

“Deal... Maybe we can meet back here in half an hour?” You looked at their bruised and bloody bodies. “You all look like you could use a shower, and I for one would love to get this blood off me.” You gestured to the blood covering your jeans and shirt.

-

A half hour later, you were back in the living room. Tony ordered pizza, everyone crowding around the coffee tables and couches. 

“Alright. Get to it!” Tony called out, excitement clear in his voice. 

You stood up, turning to face the crowd. “Well, you know about the wings.” Your wings extended from your back with a woosh, spreading out before settling in a resting position. 

You heard various mutterings as everyone took in your wings in their full glory. You then floated slightly above the floor, wings gently flapping to keep you suspended. 

“How’s it feel birdman, her wings are part of her.” Bucky jested at Sam, a proud smile on his face.

“Yeah, well mine are bulletproof.” Sam sneered, a smile on his face. 

“Actually,” you winced, “Mine can be bulletproof. Basically, I can do whatever I want, but only for short periods of time. Like if someone surprise shot me, it would hurt. But if I was prepared, it would bounce off.”

“Wow.” Steve looked at you, a mixture of surprise and wonder in his eyes. 

“Um, I can also walk through walls, create shockwaves, move things with my mind, hack into any computer- although it takes some actual knowledge to not leave a trail... I mean, I’m pretty strong, but I don’t have much training for fighting hand to hand or anything. Oh, and mind manipulation? Not like mind control or anything, that is definitely frowned upon. Just... like earlier I made the Hydra agents forget the blueprints so they wouldn’t be able to get around the compound as quickly.” 

Everyone jumped in with questions. You answered every single one, talking well into the night. You did your best to give examples of your powers, like moving the rubble around to fix the giant hole in the south side of the compound. 

After a few hours, Bucky cut in. “Guys, she’ll still be here tomorrow. Wait, you will still be here, right?” He looked at you in a panic.

“Yes, unless you all want me gone, I’m here to stay.” You smile at them. 

“Good. Now as I was saying, she’ll be here tomorrow. Ask her the rest of your questions then. Hell, make a list if you want. Just let me take my best girl to bed.” Bucky pulled you up from the couch, leading you out of the room. 

“Goodnight!” You called back to the team before turning to Bucky. “What did I say about being your best girl?” You playfully hit his side. 

He pulled you into his arms, hugging you while you waited for the elevator. “I’m sorry. My only girl.”

“That’s better.”

Permanent taglist:

@averyhotchner @jesuswasnotawhiteman

[bunnysuit-femboy]

Bad Idea

Eren x Reader

Word Count: 5.3k

Warnings: Penetration, Cream pie, Cheating, Unprotected sex

Summary: Despite being a seemingly healthy relationship, Eren can’t stop himself from staring at you. Now, you’re finally getting to know Eren’s fascination in your body and the thoughts that keep him awake at night.

Notes: I don’t condone cheating, I just thought of this and couldn't stop myself from writing it...

You believe Eren’s most prominent feature is his eyes. They’re a beautiful sea-green that’s almost split between the blue of the sky and the green of the grass. His eyes are so wide and full of interest when you catch them staring at you no matter where you are and what you’re doing.

You’ve always noticed Eren’s eyes being on you, his gaze is an accessory that always compliments your outfit. You’ve felt the weight of his eyes when you’d walk into the kitchen and he was in there with your step sister, Historia. Or when you’d doze off on the way to the beach and could feel him watching you from two seats over. And even when he’s sitting with Historia while you watch a movie, holding her hand under the blanket while he watches you on the other side of the couch.

It’s odd how much Eren likes to look at you, considering he’s dating your older sister. But, you can’t say you hate the weight of his eyes either. Every time you walk into a room and you see him in there, you wait for the moment he notices the new guest is you. You wait for that split second moment before Eren looks up at you, and then never looks away. Feeling the weight of his eyes was your favorite feeling, the taboo of the entire encounter making your heart race and your panties wetten.

So, why were you pretending to be surprised when you felt him staring at you across the campsite?

You were lounging back in a fold-up chair around the firepit, watching the flames dance around each other to the music coming from somebody’s speaker. You had on your sleep shorts and a big t-shirt, not wanting to wear too much knowing you’d be going to bed once the fire died. It was then, while you were staring into the flames, that that familiar feeling landed on your skin and wouldn’t go away.

You looked up, taking in the scene in front of you. The sun was setting behind the thick forest of trees, painting the sky in colors of purples, pinks, and blues. Historia sat beside Eren on the picnic table, animatedly talking with Armin and Mikasa. Historia was deep into the conversation, but Eren had mentally exited. Instead of listening, Eren was watching you intently, the ghost of a smile across his lips.

You watched Eren back. At first, when Eren would stare at you, you looked away until the feeling was gone. But - more recently - you started watching the boy as he watched you. The ghost of a smile across your lips, one eyebrow curiously raised, and your eyes watching his emerald ones with a hint of interest.

It only made him stare at you more.

You shifted in the flimsy seat, leaning closer to the heated firepit. You shifted your eyes from Eren and down to the dancing flames. You leaned closer to the fire, so much so that your shirt fell forward, teasing the smooth skin underneath. You knew Eren was looking at you, so why not give him something to look at?

You felt a hand on your shoulder before you could look back up at Eren. You were planning on hooding your eyes seductively, smirking at him across the campsite, and tilting your head innocently at the boy. But instead you were ripped from your plan by a calloused grasp on your clothed shoulder.

You jumped in your seat and turned to the new person, “Hi.”

Jean smiles at the empty seat beside you, “Can I sit here?”

“Yeah.” You nodded slowly. “Yeah, yeah, take it.”

“Cool,” Jean mumbles as he joins you around the fire. You lean back in the chair, tearing your thoughts from Eren, though you could still feel the weight of his eyes from across the campsite.

Jean was a close friend of Eren’s, and - by association - a close friend of Historia’s as well. He was always at these group events, usually sitting with Connie and Sasha, doing something stupid. This was the first time he had ever spoken to you, other than your first meeting when he introduced himself. It was strange that he’d choose today of all days to talk to you, but so be it.

“So,” Jean filled the awkward silence, the only sound coming from the crackling of the fire and the sound of music playing from somewhere far off, “How are you enjoying camping?”

“It’s fun,” You answered shortly, “I like the fire.”

“I can tell.” Jean chuckled lightly. “You haven’t left that spot since we got the fire going two hours ago.”

You finally turned to the boy with a shrug, “Does that make me a pyromaniac?”

“Well, do you like to watch things burn?”

You thought about Jean’s question for a moment. You thought about what always attracted you towards fires. You wondered if you only liked to watch the flames dance around each other or if you only liked the scorching heat that radiated, but quickly decided that that wasn’t it. Your attraction to flames was never to the fire itself, but rather the wood underneath.

You liked to watch the wood char from a fire you control. You liked being the one to hit the burnt broken pieces from the log, only encouraging the fire further. You liked watching the log as it watched you, being well aware of the flames eating it alive until the fire finally died. Only when the fire dies can you see the log in all of its glory. The log is falling apart, black pieces flaking to the firepit’s bottom, beckoning you forward to feel mercy for the destroyed wood that kept you warm for so long.

“I suppose I do.” You turned back to Eren only to be met with an empty seat beside Historia at the wooden picnic table. “The wood doesn’t need to burn, but we burn it for our own selfish reasons.” You turn back to Jean, his eyebrows raised at you. “It’s kind of funny - actually - how selfish humans can be.”

Jean smiles sideways, “You say that like you aren’t human.”

You giggle, “I’m human. I’m sorry, that got weird really quickly.”

“Yeah,” Jean said through breathy laughter, “It did.”

There was a moment of silence before you said, “How are you enjoying camping?”

Jean was taken aback by your sudden question, “Oh, yeah, camping. It’s going well. I’m honestly surprised Historia invited you.”

“What?”

Jean started waving his hands in your face, “No, no, no, no- that came off so wrong.” Jean leaned back in the seat beside you. “Historia and Eren got in a fight the other day about you, so I was surprised she invited you to come along.”

“What fight?” You leaned towards the boy, the ghost of a smile on your lips. The excitement in the pit of your stomach was the same excitement you felt when you watched the log slowly burn away in the firepit.

Jean sighed, “Don’t get upset over what I tell you.”

“I won’t.” You leaned closer to the boy, your shirt involuntarily shifting forward and showing more skin than you wanted. But, you couldn’t notice your shirt at the moment, you were focused on everything wrong with Historia and Eren’s seemingly perfect relationship.

Jean’s eyes quickly glanced over your face and body before he started, “They were fighting the other day because Historia thinks he talks to you too much. She said he always targets you at parties and when he comes over, he's always around you.”

You pout at the boy, “We barely talk, though, and I’ve never noticed him being around me.”

It wasn’t a lie, you never noticed Eren being around you. You never noticed how he got closer to you the longer he watched you from across the room. You never noticed how he always seemed to be right over your shoulder, forcing himself into any conversation that happened with you. He’d been doing those things since you’d met him, it was simply something you were used to.

Jean put his hands up in silent surrender, “Hey, that’s all I’ve heard. Of course, I heard that through Armin who heard it through Mikasa who was with Eren when he was fighting with Historia over the phone. So, who knows what’s real. All we know for sure is that they fought and you were the key discussion point.”

“Weird,” You said as you leaned back in your chair, much to Jean’s disappointment.

“But,” Jean quickly continued, “I doubt it was that serious of a fight considering you were still invited to come on the camping trip. I just think they needed to blow off a little steam before the big trip.”

“Yeah,” You quietly agreed, looking around the campsite.

The campsite was beautifully bland. It was surrounded by a thick forest of trees, and a dirt path leading down to the site itself. The firepit sat in the middle of the campsite, a group of fold up chairs surrounding the blazing fire. It also had a metal park grill not too far away from the picnic table where Historia, Armin, and Mikasa all sat together. And close by the picnic table was the RV still attached to Jean's truck he had driven into the mountains only a few hours ago.

Right after getting to the destination, you mostly stayed on the couch in the RV, listening to music and ignoring everybody else. It was only when the sun started to set and the marshmallows were promised that you found your way to the firepit. And for the last two hours, you sat in your seat, eyeing up Eren and watching the log burn slowly.

“Anyways,” Jean said before standing up, “I’m thinking about taking a walk around the woods, care to join?”

You looked up from the blazing fire and at the tall boy looking down at where you were sitting. Jean was waiting for you, as if he expected you to give up the fire for his company instead. Jean was attractive, but you knew the only way you were going off with Jean was if Eren was here to watch your exit.

You looked around the campsite to find Eren’s eyes. He was no longer at the picnic table, talking with his friends. You couldn't see the emerald eyes watching you from the RV or the edge of the woods or - wait, there they were. Eren stood at the grill, helping Connie cook hamburgers as Sasha patiently waited beside them. And, just as you expected, his eyes were watching you intently.

You turned your attention back to Jean, “Yeah, I’ll join. But, wait for me to grab my sweatshirt in case it gets cold.”

Jean nodded, “Yeah, yeah. Of course. Take your time. I’ll be with Sasha when you’re ready to go.”

You rose from the seat and happily skipped your way over to the RV. You could feel the weight of Eren’s eyes from across the campsite, watching the way you move your body and the way your hair bounced with each overexaggerated step. Once to the door of the RV, you pressed your back into the handle and turned your eyes to Eren’s. You quirked a single eyebrow up at the boy, almost tempting him to come closer.

You turned around and found your way into the RV. You walked through the driver’s area and into the middle. Across from the dining table and kitchen was the couch in which you had taken reign over since you first walked into the RV. You found your backpack on the side of the couch, hanging over the back cushion.

You grabbed the backpack and sat on the couch to go through it. You shuffled through the things you had shoved in the biggest pocket. Things like the many cords for your appliances, your laptop, the book you’re currently reading, a packet of your favorite gum, and loads of other useless objects you didn’t need to bring. You frowned at your backpack, thinking you had shoved your sweatshirt into the bottom of the bag.

The door of the RV swung open suddenly and you jumped in your seat from the noise. You placed the bag back on the floor, giving your attention to whoever had joined you in the RV. You were expecting Jean, considering he was waiting for you, but you were dead wrong.

“Eren,” You whispered the name of the new guest, standing up with his entrance.

“Hey,” Eren grinned as he looked you up and down.

You tried to look away from his eyes, glancing around the entire RV, “Have you seen my sweatshirt?”

“No,” Eren said quickly, “What were you and Jean talking about?”

Your eyes snapped back to the boy, “Excuse me?”

“You heard my question.”

You crossed your arms against your chest, “That is hardly any of your business.”

You turned around, walking back towards the bedding area. You glanced in every crevice of the RV, still trying to find your sweatshirt. Eren followed you through the RV, only a few steps behind you.

“But it is my business,” Eren said to your back, “You made it my business.”

You turned around to him, “And, how the hell did I do that?”

Eren sighed, “Because, it’s you we’re talking about here. Everything involving you also involves me. You’re my girlfriend’s little sister, I care about you and I’m protective over you. And - Jean - he isn’t a good guy, you shouldn’t be talking to him.”

“He’s your friend,” You remind the boy, “If he’s a good person or not is not my problem. Maybe pick better friends next time, Eren.”

“You’re the one who’s going to follow him into the woods right before the sun goes down.” You tilted your head at that, so Eren did know what you and Jean had talked about. “You think he has good intentions? You think he only wants to walk and talk? You can’t be stupid enough to think he doesn’t have ulterior motives.”

“And if he does,” You say with a smile, “Who cares? If I let him lead me into the woods and strip me and then we end up fucking in a cold ass lake in the middle of the night, who cares? Surely, you don’t care.” You raised your eyebrows. “Right, Eren?”

Though the scenario was purely for playful purposes, Eren didn’t find it funny. In fact, he only frowned down at you, as if he were a disappointed father looking down at his rebellious teen daughter. Your relationship with Eren was strange, one minute he was watching you like a hungry man watching a seafood buffet and the next minute he was reprimanding you for simply making a joke.

“I don’t care,” Eren said with a single raised eyebrow.

You grinned up at him, “You aren’t acting like you don’t care.”

“Aren’t you looking for something?”

Your smile only widened, “Oh my god, are you jealous?”

Eren looked away from you, now focusing on the wall to your left. You continued to look into his big green eyes, trying to make him break. He was holding a strong front, but you wanted to hear his own ulterior motives - like, why he followed you into the empty RV in the first place.

“Come on,” You taunted, “You aren’t seriously jealous?” Eren remained silent so you prodded further. “Who are you more jealous of? Are you jealous of me for having the option to run off into the middle of the woods with your best friend to let him fuck me because I’m single? Or, are you jealous of Jean because he gets to be the one to fuck me?”

Eren closed his eyes, “I’m just protective of you, I told you that.”

You took a step forward, “Would you rather you be the one leading me into the dark woods and fucking me in the lake?”

Eren finally looked at you, “I don’t have to be Jean to fuck you.”

“But you have to be single.”

“Do I?” Eren took a step closer to you, making your heart pound in your chest. “You won’t tell anyone, right? You won’t tell your older sister?”

It was disgusting how Eren could joke about sleeping with you when he was dating Historia - but also, was he even joking? His mouth was set in a permanent smirk and his eyebrows were quirked and you could see the way his eyes searched every inch of your body. Suddenly, wearing shorts and a t-shirt wasn’t enough, you were sweating bullets under his gaze.

“Eren,” You said his name in a whisper, “That’s not funny.”

“Jokes are funny.” Eren tilted his head at you. “But, I’m not joking.”

You thought of Historia, innocently sitting at the picnic table right outside of the RV. You thought of Jean, waiting by the grill for you to grab your sweatshirt and finally go on a walk with him. And, you thought of Eren and how close he was. And, how he smelled of campfire smoke, and his beautiful sea-green eyes, and his plump pink lips, and his white teeth that were biting into his smile, trying to hold back his obvious amusement.

You wanted to say no - you really did - but now that Eren finally offered this to you, you could no longer think of Historia. You only thought of yourself, and how good Eren would feel on top of you. You thought of how heavy his body would feel on your chest, a lot heavier than his eyes have ever felt.

“You aren’t joking?” You whispered, there was a tint of interest evident in that one question.

Eren shrugged lightly, “I’m not joking if you’re not joking.”

“I could tell her.” You took a step closer to Eren, now only an inch away. “I could tell Historia about this whole conversation.”

Eren placed an uncharacteristically gentle hand on your cheek, “But, would she believe you? Her angelic little boyfriend trying to sleep with her little sister? That’s something I would never do.”

You raised your eyebrows as he leaned in closer, “I could still tell her, maybe even cry if I have to.”

Eren’s lips were only a moment away from your own when he whispered to your mouth, “And, what if she doesn’t believe you?”

Eren pushed through that second of space between your lips. He kissed you gently at first, as if metaphorically dipping his toes into the water before diving in completely. And surely, only a moment later, Eren came in for another kiss but this one quickly became ravenous and desperate.

Eren had his arms wrapped around your waist, bringing your body closer to him and pressing your chests together. You wrapped your arms around Eren’s neck, using his height to your advantage to stay with his lips. When Eren straightened back up, he took you with him, your feet going up on your tip-toes.

You weren’t doing much of the walking, but you went with him as he walked backwards to the couch. Eren let go of you before he sat down on the cushion beside your bag. He looked up at you where you stood above him, tilting his head mockingly. Eren then smacked his lap lightly, beckoning you forward the same way an owner would call forward a dog.

You crossed your arms against your chest from where you stood over Eren, “Seriously? Are you mistaking me for a bitch?”

Eren smirked and said, “Just sit down already. You don’t want people to get curious about what we're talking about, right?” You sighed and reluctantly took your spot on Eren’s lap, straddling him. “Good puppy.”

Your face was only an inch from Eren’s, and he was watching your lips as you said, “I’m not a puppy. That can be Historia’s job.”

Eren cringed at the sound of his girlfriend’s name, but then quickly replied, “Let’s not talk about her while you’re on top of me, alright?”

“Talk about who?” You leaned in and pressed your lips to Eren’s lips.

Eren smiled against your mouth, “That’s my girl.”

That nickname caused you to shift closer to Eren, your chests pressing together. Your lips found each other once again, the kissing just as desperate as before. Your lips moved against his, your teeth clattering together with neediness.

Eren had his hands on your hips, and he moved them onto the small of your back. His hands kept rising, moving up the back of your t-shirt and settling on your spine. Then, in one swift move, Eren swung you through the air and laid you down on the couch, finding his place on top of you.

You let out a quick gasp from the quick position change and the newfound pressure right where you needed him between your legs. You couldn’t help but whine into Eren’s mouth with every movement of his hardening cock against the heartbeat in your pants. And, each whine you fed him only made him groan into your mouth as well.

“Eren,” You whispered to his lips, “More - I want more.”

Eren pressed harder into you one last time before sitting back on his knees. As if he were getting timed, Eren grabbed the hem of your shorts and pulled them off in one swift move. The shorts hit the floor and Eren looked down at you with a sickeningly confident smile.

“How sweet,” Eren said, “You're so desperate for me.”

“Shut up,” You mumbled, “How can you call me desperate when you’re the one with the staring problem?”

Eren moves back on top of you, looking deeply into your eyes, “Don’t act like you never stared back.”

You turned your head and whispered into his cheek, “I only stared back because you stared at me.” You jutted your chin forward, holding back from kissing Eren. “Why did you stare so much anyways? What were you even thinking about?”

Eren grinned as he whispered, “I always thought about-” He chuckled quietly to himself- “Well, about what’s happening right now, princess.” Eren leaned in closer. “Watching you practically whine for more of me.”

You finally brought your lips to his, kissing him in response to his statement. Honestly, it was exactly what you had always thought. You knew Eren didn’t watch you because he liked your hair or your outfits or the way you smiled when you talked. You always knew there was some deep rooted sexual desire planted in Eren’s head - and that reality was entirely why you started staring back in the first place.

You liked the attention and you grew comfortable with the weight of Eren’s gaze over time. You knew even if you were completely overlooked in every conversation with your sister’s friends - desperately trying to squeeze your way into the conversations and even going to the lengths of clinging onto Historia’s arm, hoping you’ll receive as much attention as she was getting - Eren would still look at you despite it all.

Eren was back between your legs in a moment, but close wasn’t nearly close enough. You instinctively wrapped your legs around Eren’s waist, hooking them together at the ankles. You pushed your hands under the thin fabric of his t-shirt, moving your fingertips over the thick muscles of his back and shoulders. You pushed the shirt upward with a quiet command.

“Off,” You whispered against Eren’s mouth.

Eren shook his head, moving his nose against your own, “No time.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, about to ask what he could mean by that when he silently answered your unspoken question. Eren’s one hand moved from the side of your head and down to his waist, undoing his jeans in one experienced move. He struggled with the hem of his pants, so you silently offered two helping hands.

Your fingers fumbled around with the rough fabric of his pants as you both attempted to push them over his waist. His jeans moved swiftly over his curves, revealing his boxers pitching a unexpectantly long tent. You always assumed Eren’s cocky attitude was his way of overcompensating for something he didn’t have - but, now that you could see it, you realized he didn’t need to overcompensate for anything, he was just a cocky bastard with a big cock.

You felt Eren’s fingers hastily grab for the bottom of your panties, pushing them to the side. Eren brought his free hand to the waistband of his boxers, pushing the fabric down enough to free his cock from underneath. Your eyes were caught on his dick, taking in a sight Historia must see all of the time - considering how needy he seems to be.

But, what if Eren wasn’t this needy with Historia? You’re not Historia, and you don’t pretend to be either, so maybe he likes the change - in fact, maybe that’s what has always drawn his attention to you. Maybe he likes the way you let his eyes confidently decorate you, instead of Historia who gets giddy and blushy under his gaze. Maybe he likes that you don’t remind him of his girlfriend because sometimes getting used to something means getting bored of it.

Eren’s mouth kisses down your jaw and neck, pressing soft kisses to the sensitive skin under your ear. His breath was hot against your skin, making you squirm lightly under the pressure of his body. His whispers tickled the places he had previously kissed.

“‘You okay?” Eren whispered against your throat.

The question made your stomach turn with butterflies, “Mhm, perfect.”

Eren brought himself closer to your body, hips to hips and his cock finding its home in your entrance. The movement made your back arch, pressing your chest flush against Eren’s chest. A low ache of pain spread between your legs and you couldn’t stop the broken moan that left your lips.

“Shush,” Eren groaned against your ear before bringing his lips back to yours. He kissed you softly once before he leaned back to look into your eyes. It seemed he was pretending not to be balls deep inside of you as he gazed sweetly into your eyes. “Are you okay?”

You nodded, “M’fine.”

You always thought Eren’s gaze of desire was enough for you, but his gaze of admirational was enough to turn you on by itself. His eyes were burning holes into your own, and you felt yourself growing hot under the gaze as if you had anything to be nervous about. You bucked your hips against his own, wanting more of him but not knowing how to voice those desires.

He took the silent hint well enough, moving his body against yours, and pulling himself out of you before pushing himself back in. You bit your lip to stop the loud moans from escaping your throat. Eren brought his lips to yours, attempting to help suppress the moans from coming out. Under better circumstances, Eren would’ve loved to hear your sounds of pleasure, but not when his friends and girlfriend were right outside.

“How about-” Eren groaned against your mouth as he pushed his hips against yours- “Next time I’ll take my time.”

“Next time,” You whispered breathlessly in between two kisses.

Eren repeated, “Next time.”

The thought of doing this again made your heart jump and your entrance grow a little tighter around his cock. Next time, he was already planning a next time. Next time without his friends waiting outside, next time without his girlfriend within a thirty foot radius, next time without a quick fuck - something a bit more meaningful than right now.

So, you let him use you. You let him use your body to fill his every desire, and use you as his personal fleshlight. He slammed his hips into you, desperately reaching a high that you weren’t even close to finding. Because next time you knew he’d take his time with you, and let you have as many orgasms as you could hope for.

Eren was close to his climax, you could tell by the way his thrusts got sloppy and his kissing got messy against your lips. He leaned back far enough from your face to whisper into your mouth.

“Where?” He whispered with a groan.

“Anywhere.” You whispered back, moving your hips against Eren’s hips to help bring him to his approaching high.

WIth one last gutty groan into your mouth and one final thrust fully into you, you felt yourself get filled with his warmth. After Eren pulled himself completely out, he dropped his head to your shoulder, breathing heavily against your skin. After a few moments of silent relief, he pushed your panties back to cover the mess he had made.

Eren moved to sit back on the couch, covering himself back up with his boxers and jeans. You rolled yourself partially off of the couch, grabbing your shorts from the floor before moving them over your legs. You were once again fully dressed, now looking at Eren with furrowed eyebrows.

You wanted to say something, but without a single word of acknowledgement, you walked to the door of the RV. Before you could reach for the door handle, Eren spoke up suddenly from the couch.

“Your sweatshirt,” He said quickly, his eyes once again finding yours.

You glanced lazily around the RV, “I don’t need it.” You looked back at Eren with a cocky grin. “Maybe I can borrow Jean’s sweatshirt if I get too cold.” Your grin only grew wider. “Or, maybe we can create our own body heat - you know, if we have to.”

Eren frowned at you, “You’re insufferable, you know that, right?”

You shrugged lightly, “That’s just how little sisters are.”

It was as if you had watched his world crash around him. You watched realization make itself known in his eyes and in his face, from his now slack jaw and widened eyes. He was finally remembering - after forcing himself to forget for so long - that you were a little sister. Not only a little sister, but his girlfriend’s little sister.

You regretted saying anything, so you instead walked out of the RV. Nobody had noticed you were gone and nobody was waiting for your return. You walked across the campsite to stand beside Jean still talking with Sasha. You stood silently for a few moments until Jean finally noticed you by his side.

“Hey.” Jean looked you up and down, noticing your newly rosy cheeks and swollen lips. If he gave himself the time to think about it, he could come to the conclusion of what had happened in the RV, but Jean silently chose obliviousness. “‘You ready to go?”

Your eyes moved quickly to the opening door of the RV, Eren making his escape. There was a new awkward gait to Eren’s walk as he made his way to his girlfriend and friends sitting on the picnic table. Historia excitedly ran into Eren’s arms when he came within a ten feet radius, and you felt your stomach turn in jealousy.

It was weird how he labelled himself as Historia’s boyfriend, but yet he was just as much - if not more - yours. In just a few months, Historia and Eren would be celebrating their two year anniversary. And, in a strange way, you would be celebrating with them as well as their unofficial third.

“I’m ready.” Your eyes met Jean’s and you offered him a genuine smile. “Let’s go walk.”

For a second as you made your way towards the edge of the woods with Jean, you felt the familiar weight of Eren’s eyes on your back. It was heavier than normal, two new feelings silently shared between the two of you: the guilt of what you had done, and the excitement of knowing it would happen again.

[starfinss]

Wingman — Akaashi Keiji

Fandom: Haikyuu!!

Summary: Bokuto heard you like Akaashi and decides to be your wingman. It goes about as well as it sounds.

Pairing: Akaashi Keiji x Reader

Rating: Fluff, humor (SFW)

Word Count: 1,779

“Do you like Akaashi?”

You choked on your rice at Bokuto’s sudden question, sending you into a violent coughing fit as you pounded on your chest in an attempt to clear your throat.

“I’m sorry, what?!” You said once you could speak, taking a large swallow of water from your bottle.

Bokuto looked blankly at you, owlishly, which was sort of his default expression. “I asked if you liked Akaashi.”

You sent a glance to Yukie, who seemed to be trying her best to look innocent.

“Who,” you said pointedly, and you watched Yukie’s facade break, just a smidge, “told you something like that?”

Bokuto inclined his head in said girl’s direction. “Her.”

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “Yukie, I told you not to tell anyone. And you told him of all people?”

A pause, then offense flashed across Bokuto’s face. “Hey!”

Yukie made a pained noise. “I’m sorry! It kind of just… slipped out. We were talking about how Akaashi never seems to date anyone, and I remembered what you told me and I just… I couldn’t stop talking!”

“No offense, Yukie, but Bokuto isn’t the best at keeping secrets.”

“Hey hey, I can keep secrets!”

You pressed your lips into a thin line, hands flattened against your temples.

“Okay, prove it by keeping this one. I haven’t told Akaashi because I’ve never seen him ever show me any sign that he feels the same.”

Bokuto took a large bite of his sandwich. “Just tell ‘im anyway. What’s the worst that could happen?”

You sighed. “Don’t talk with your mouth full, it’s disgusting. And I dunno, he could reject me?”

Bokuto swallowed loudly, a splitting grin growing on his face.

“Well, what about this, (L/N). How about I be your wingman? Ey?”

Your mind flooded with all the ways that idea could go wrong, and the bad outweighed the good.

“No. No, Bokuto—“

“Come on, (L/N), let me help! I know Akaashi better than anyone, we’re best friends! I wanna do this for you, come on, let me!”

Bokuto was relentless on and off the court, and he was hard to argue with. He did know Akaashi the best, you’d give him that, even while you were friends with the quiet setter as well. Being team manager with Yukie really did have its perks.

And Akaashi really was too pretty for his own good.

You could benefit from Bokuto’s help, even if something would undoubtedly go terribly wrong in the process.

“Fine,” you relented, resulting in loud cheers, the sounds drawing the attention of the people eating lunch around you.

You exchanged a weary look with Yukie.

“I hate you,” you said, and she smiled.

“I know.”

Your eyes flicked back to Bokuto, who was bouncing in his seat.

“I have a plan.”

You put another bite of rice in your mouth. If this was going to be as insane as you thought it was going to be, you’d need a full stomach.

“Tell me.”

————————

Bokuto’s plan was horrible.

The first one he gave you involved you just walking up and kissing Akaashi, but your use of some choice language in response to that made Bokuto change tactics.

“Go into a closet—“

“No.”

“I could lock—“

“Bo!”

He groaned. “Let me talk!”

“Then stop giving me plans that could result in me being utterly humiliated!”

“Fine! Then try this. Just get him alone after practice and ask him to walk you home.”

You frowned. “We do that every day anyway. We live two houses apart.”

“Toss him some sets!”

Yukie made a frustrated noise. “I’m going to lock you in the club room.”

You gave her a fearful look. “Me?”

“No. Bokuto. But maybe you if we can’t come up with something.”

You closed your now empty lunch box. “So you’re in on this too, now?”

She grinned. “I’ve always been in on this.”

Anger simmered in the pit of your stomach. “Did you tell him on purpose?”

“What?” Yukie said, then paled. “No. That really was an accident. All I’m saying is I support you.”

“Well,” you sighed, “that’s something, I guess.”

“Lock you in the club room!” Bokuto cried, and the expression on his face coupled with the triumphant tone in his voice made it seem very much like he’d struck gold.

You paused. “What?”

“I was joking, Bo,” said Yukie.

“No, but it could work!”

It could. But you were pretty sure Akaashi had a key, so it would be kind of useless to put him in a situation he could easily get out of. And, to further this, you also had a key. Bokuto pouted when you relayed this to him.

“Come on, (L/N), let me be your wingman!”

You rolled your eyes. “Isn’t that what I’m doing? All you’re giving me is stuff like ‘lock yourself in a closet.’”

“It could work!”

The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch period, and you stood up, stretching your arms above your head.

“I’ll see you guys at practice,” you said, “text me if you get any new ideas.”

————————

Practice was somewhat of a nightmare. Of course, it went as well as it usually did, the gym full of Bokuto’s victorious shouts and Akaashi and the other club member’s sarcastic quips. But that wasn’t the problem. Every time something needed to be fetched or the water needed to be refilled, either Yukie or Bokuto, usually with matching grins, suggested you go with Akaashi. Akaashi, of course, shut this down fairly quickly since he had no need to assist you with such menial tasks.

But Bokuto didn’t stop there, no. It was too much to hope a hurricane would stop in its path.

Because during a break, Akaashi approached you.

“Is there any reason why Bokuto is constantly asking me to compliment you?”  He said as he dried his face with a towel.

You furrowed your eyebrows, dread sinking into the pit of your stomach. “He’s doing what?!”

“Asking me to-“

“No, I heard you. I just can’t believe he’s doing that.”

Akaashi blinked, oblivious to the situation. “Is there a problem, (L/N)?”

You sighed. “Yeah. No, I don’t know. This is a mess.”

From what Akaashi told you, Bokuto had started showering you with random compliments, then asked Akaashi if he agreed.

“I just want to know why he’s doing that. Do you think he has a crush on you?”

You shook your head. “No. This is… It’s something else. I don’t really want to talk about it, sorry Akaashi.”

He looked worried all of a sudden. “Is there something wrong?”

Your eyes went wide. “No! I’m fine, really. I just— I can’t talk about it.”

“Why?” Bokuto said, strolling over, and you deflated, “do you not trust him?”

“Bo,” you warned, speaking between gritted teeth, “not. Now.”

“Isn’t this what winging is?”

Akaashi looked deeply confused. “Winging? What is that supposed to mean? Did you make up a word for spiking?”

Bokuto seemed affronted. “No! I’m her… Her man wing—“

“It’s called wingman, Bo,” you muttered.

He was going to give you away.

“Tell him, (L/N), he thinks you’re pretty, smart-“

Akaashi blinked. “You asked me what I thought about that, Bokuto.”

Bokuto faked shock. “So you don’t really think those things?”

“I never said I didn’t.”

Bokuto gave a squawk you could only assume was a cry of victory. “See? See, (L/N) Akaashi thinks you’re pretty! You gotta tell him, tell him now!”

You looked at Bokuto with pure murder in your eyes, and he seemed to falter.

“Tell me what?!”

“Akaashi!” You cried, “talk to me outside, would you?”

You looked sharply at Bokuto.

You buried your head in your hands once you were outside. “ I might as well just come out and say it, because we both know Bokuto isn’t about to quit. That massive meathead is trying to be my wingman because he found out I like you today.”

You sent Yukie a murderous look as she passed the open door, raising your voice a bit as you spoke. “Because someone told him.”

She looked sheepish.

You closed the door, only breaking eye contact with her when you couldn’t keep in anymore due to the new barrier between you.

“Well, that’s fine,” Akaashi said, “I like you, too.”

You worried your lip between your teeth. “I understand if— Wait what?”

Akaashi looked at you blankly. “I like you too, (L/N).”

You were at a loss for words. “You never gave me any signs that you liked me too.”

Akaashi leaned against the door. “I walk you home every night.”

You frowned. “We’re literally neighbors.”

“That’s beside the point. Why do you think I bring you breakfast to eat while we walk to school?”

You blushed. “I thought you were being nice.”

“No,” Akaashi stepped forward, letting his hands fall to your shoulders, “no, (L/N). I like you. You’re an incredible person, and I thought I was making myself clear with my advances.”

Well, you decided, you were a dumbass.

“Wanna… Go get something to eat sometime?” You asked, voice quiet, and Akaashi nodded.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

He kissed you, and you swear you forgot how to breathe, that you forgot your own name. You sighed softly, reaching up to thread your fingers into his hair. Akaashi was an intense young man, and kissing him, even if it was simple and innocent, was just as intense. You felt him wrap his arms around your waist with a heartbreaking tenderness, nose brushing yours as his lips pressed and ghosted against your own.

It was cold outside, but you didn’t care, not when his lips were so soft and gentle.

The door opened abruptly and you heard a shout that could only have belonged to Bokuto. You felt Akaashi smile against your mouth before he pulled back.

“I am the best wingman!” He cried, “Hey, hey, hey!”

You laughed. It felt good to laugh, especially when Akaashi was still holding you so close.

“You are, Bo,” you confirmed, resulting in more cheering.

“Akaashi got a girlfriend!” He shouted as he ran inside, and you couldn’t help but smile.

“Is that what you want to be?” Akaashi asked, and you nodded.

“Yes.” You were unable to hide your grin.

“Then it’s official.” Akaashi kissed your nose, then stepped back.

“I will hold your hand when we walk home.”

You blushed at his bluntness. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“Nice pun!” You heard Yukie shout, and you groaned.

“I hate both of you!”

You didn’t. But the smile that ghosted Akaashi’s lips as you said the words was worth it.

So was the burning kiss he gave you after practice, and the feeling of his hand in yours as you walked home.

Maybe having Bokuto’s help, as disastrous as it had been, wasn’t so bad after all.

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Mute

Prompt: I absolutely adore your writing! Could I ask for a request too, please? I was thinking of a back-and-forth between Janus and Logan, just lies after truths after lies, until one snaps and accidentally causes the other to lose the ability to speak? Since they can both technically change the reality around them. Either the recipient becomes forcibly mute or the very angsty "sowed up mouth" method. Whoever caused the other to lose their speech freaks out and tries their best to fix their mess while apologising. Either a platonic or romantic ending -whichever you decide- but with at least a happy ending please? - willowaudreykeyes

Thanks for the prompts, babe!

Read on Ao3

Warnings: sympathetic janus, logan gets his mouth sewn shut but it's okay we fix it

Pairings: can be platonic or romantic I don't care, but we hit logince, rociet, lociet

Word Count: 2922

He doesn’t even remember how it started.

Or, an argument between Logan and Janus spirals dangerously out of hand, and powers in the Mindscape are sometimes more curses than blessings.

It hadn’t been something Thomas knew about, it hadn’t been a group discussion—he doesn’t think the others know where they are. Virgil is probably in his room, Roman is working in the Imagination, Patton is baking with Remus.

He doesn’t remember how it started.

He does know how they got here.

“I fail to see what use this is,” Logan had grumbled, standing up from the library table, “I will be better off figuring this out myself.”

“Oh, yes, of course, because that’s always gone so well for you in the past.”

Logan’s eyes had flashed with anger he still denies he has. “I fail to see what gives you the opinion that you have any right to complain.”

“Because I’m certainly the one saying that I’ve done all my best work alone.”

Janus had smirked cruelly as Logan shoved his glasses back up his nose and pointed a finger at him. “Your track record, may I remind you, has certainly shown that.”

Janus had thrown his head back and cackled, filled with mirth that sat like rot in the pit of his stomach. “And yet I managed to do so much more in the few times I appeared than you.”

“Oh, like that’s the same thing.”

He had held his hand to his mouth in a mock gasp. “Why, Logan, surely you can’t be insinuating that you think the others are incompetent. How hurtful, what on earth would they say?”

“I did not say that.”

“But you meant it, didn’t you?” Janus had morphed his expression into a mock pout. “They’re all so slow, so irrational, all they do is get in the way, they’re so irritating.”

“You’re attempting to convince me that I said something I did not,” Logan had said firmly, “it will not work. The meaning of my remark, as you are aware, was that you, as your role in the videos, have an easier time disrupting the flow of conversation that I do as a member of the main cast.”

Logan had ignored—or perhaps not noticed—the subtle tightening of Janus’s fist. He had simply sniffed and looked down his nose.

“And even then, it’s a surprise you haven’t been more capable.”

Janus had bared his teeth. “Yes, because obviously, you could’ve done better.”

“Oh, please.” Logan had tucked his notebook into the crook of his arm. “Can you name one of your haphazard schemes that actually worked?”

Janus had gritted his teeth as Logan opened the notebook and began to read down the list.

“Your attempt to get Thomas to lie to Joan failed when Roman started to believe that lying was wrong as well, leading to Thomas discovering your true identity.”

“By all means,” Janus had growled, “keep going.”

“Most notably, your attempt to get Thomas to go to the callback backfired quite spectacularly—something that wouldn’t have happened in quite the same fashion had you actually let me participate—“

“Keep talking, Logan,” he’d said again, inching closer to the nerd, “that’s a wonderful idea.”

“—and of course, led to what is the most disruptive event in recent memory,” Logan had continued, undaunted, “the wedding.”

Janus hadn’t even bothered with words this time, reaching for the notebook with a growl. Logan had tucked it away before he could reach it.

“Tell me,” he had said, “was it worth it? Knowing how much it cost us?”

“Surely,” Janus had growled back, “then you know it’s not because you didn’t do your job well enough.”

Logan had stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

“Well surely you haven’t realized that the reason I was able to make it into that video in the first place,” Janus had said smoothly, sliding back into the ‘villain’ persona Logan has so graciously cast him in, “was that you were so painfully easy to replace.”

“Falsehood,” Logan had said lowly.

Janus had raised his hand again. “Oh, so you did notice. Splendid. Then you know that when it comes to pushing blame around the Mindscape—“

He had leaned closer.

“—you’re where we should be looking too.”

“I am—“

“Easy to overlook,” Janus had sung, prowling around Logan in a circle, “easy to silence. And surely there’s no correlation between when you attempt to override the others and when Thomas gets hurt. You want to talk about my failures? Then let’s not forget getting the others trapped in Patton’s room, shall we?”

Logan’s fists had tightened. “That’s not—“

“After all,” Janus had continued, speaking over him to illustrate his point, “if I’m to blame for knocking all the dominos down, you certainly didn’t give me a hand setting them up.”

“As if that in any way equivocates to what you did,” Logan had spat, the emotionless facade finally giving way as he whirled of Janus, “I did not use, manipulate, and lie to get the others to do what I want.”

“Oh, of course you didn’t.”

“And if I did, my lies would be nowhere near as comically obvious.”

“Ah, yes, of course you’re never comical.” Janus had tapped Logan’s flushed cheek. “The possibilities of you being a joke have always been…infinitesimal.”

Logan had bared his teeth as Janus chuckled. “At least my concept of a joke never hurt anyone.”

Logan’s mouth had tugged up cruelly too.

“Setting Remus loose on Thomas when you knew he was already upset, pushing the others to follow on whatever path you decided was best. And let’s not even start on what you did to Roman.”

Janus had flinched.

“Have you ever apologized?” Logan had shaken his head. “For everything that you’ve done to hurt him?”

“Have you?”

The room had dropped several degrees.

Janus had dropped the villain persona, staring directly at Logan.

“You want to talk about hurting the others, hurting Roman,” he had said lowly, “what do you think it is that you do?”

Logan had opened his mouth to speak but Janus had raised a finger.

“No. Do you know how much you’ve hurt him? Over how many years you’ve made him ashamed of who he is?” He had shaken his head. “I know I’ve hurt him. But you don’t seem to recognize it.”

He had looked Logan up and down, mouth curled in disgust.

“Maybe I’m not good enough at my job for your liking, but I sure was good at yours.” He had raised an eyebrow. “Maybe they wanted you silenced permanently. They did press the ‘skip’ button, after all.”

He had looked for the shadow of the bruise on Logan’s neck.

“And it was so easy to replace you. To silence you properly.”

He had turned away, not bothering to look at Logan’s face.

“Maybe I should do them a favor and keep you quiet.”

There had been a strangled gasp behind him.

“Oh, what,” Janus had drawled, turning around, “did you finally realize you don’t have a smart comeback for…”

The room had frozen.

…so that’s how they got here.

Janus, standing a few paces from Logan, turning back to face him, the sharp quip dying on the edge of his lips as his mouth drops open in horror, staring back.

Logan, his eyes wide, shining with unshed tears, glasses blurred and obscured by the bright light shining from the golden stitches that sew his mouth shut.

Logan raises trembling hands to his mouth, feeling the stitches, tears rolling down his face. His fingers disappear into the bright golden light as he fumbles with his mouth, until he realizes that he can’t.

The strangled scream lingers in Janus’s head long after Logan shrinks into a crouch on the floor.

No.

No.

No, no, no, no—no, not Logan. Not Logan.

“Oh, god—“ Logan’s hands keep pressing fruitlessly against his mouth— “no, oh, god, Logan—“

He runs back, ready to crouch and pry Logan’s hands away before he hurts himself, chest splitting open from the ache of hurting the poor thing like this.

He doesn’t think it could hurt more.

Like so many other times today, he’s wrong.

The instant Logan catches a glimpse of him moving toward him, he shoves himself away, scrambling backward until his back hits the wall. Eyes wide, breathing as heavily as he can through the stitches, utterly terrified.

As he has every right to be.

“No, no, Logan,” he murmurs frantically, “no, it’s okay, I’m not trying to hurt you—“

Does it matter that you’re not trying? You certainly were earlier.

“—I promise, Logan, please, I’m—I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—“

Through the pants, the sobs, the shakiness of his chest, Logan huffs, disbelieving.

“I didn’t, Logan, I promise.” Janus drops to his knees in front of the crying man. “I—we went too far. I’m sorry, I didn’t know this would happen, I didn’t mean to, please—“

The poor thing presses himself further against the wall. Janus swallows, feeling guilt press hot and heavy against the underside of his tongue. He reaches out, trying desperately to show him that he’s sorry, he didn’t mean to, he doesn’t actually believe anything he just said, he’s nothing but a liar, a horrible liar, please—

“I didn’t mean it, Logan, I promise, you’re—you’re not replaceable, I don’t want you silenced, the others don’t hate you, they don’t want you gone, I’m sorry—“

Slowly, too slowly, and not slowly enough, Logan’s breathing begins to settle. His eyes lose that awful whiteness and he slumps a little against the wall. His cheeks are damp, his glasses knocked askew, but he stares at Janus and slowly, slowly, nods.

“L-Logan?”

Another nod, a little less hesitant.

Janus’s shoulders slump. “Oh, Logan, why does it always end up with you being the better person?”

A tiny quirk of the eyebrow, nowhere near Logan’s typical sass levels, but it’s enough. It’s enough. Enough to make a weak smile come to Janus’s face.

“Can I come over, please? Can I come help?”

Logan nods, still wary as Janus shuffles across the floor. Before he makes it all the way there, he tugs off his gloves and stuffs them in his pocket.

“There,” he says quietly, wiggling his fingers to get used to it, “don’t want the fibers getting caught on anything.”

Logan’s wide-eyed stare tells him he knows why Janus really took the gloves off. Something Janus confirms a moment later.

“And I want you to know that I mean it.” He reaches forward. “Can I touch?”

Logan still flinches when Janus runs his thumb carefully over the cruel stitches sewing Logan’s mouth shut. He winces as he takes in how taut the thread is, how many stitches there are.

“Oh, Logan, I’m so sorry,” he mumbles, “does it hurt very badly?”

Another miserable nod.

Then it clicks.

Logan.

The one who submits least to the Imagination. The one who tethers himself tightly to the fact that they are metaphysical, they are subjective, they need not subject themselves to real-world consequences of whatever nonsense the other Sides pull.

Logan still has the stitches.

It threatens to break Janus’s heart all over again.

“Oh, sweetie,” he murmurs, cupping Logan’s face and slipping his glasses to the top of his head, “I’ve hurt you more than this, haven’t I?”

For indeed, if Logan is too upset to remember how to pull himself out of turns of phrase, then the poor thing is distraught.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay,” he murmurs, gently wiping away Logan’s tears, “it’s okay, sweetie, I’m not going to hurt you, it’s over, I’m not angry, I’m going to take care of you.”

And oh, the way Logan pushes shyly into his hands feels warm.

“Does this help, sweetie, is this alright?” At Logan’s nod, he moves, tucking Logan’s legs across his lap with his other hands. “Come here, yes—that’s it, shh, I’ve got you, you just focus on me.”

Logan’s eyes fall closed and a muffled whimper comes from his throat.

“I’ve got you, sweetie, I’m right here,” Janus murmurs, still cupping the poor thing’s head as it leans into him, “shh, shh, let’s get you a little calmer before we have a look, okay?”

Logan gives a huff of ‘what do you think I’m trying to do?’

“I know you know that, sweetie,” he chuckles, lifting Logan’s head to gently knock their foreheads together, “you’re clever. Our resident brain cell.”

He wraps one hand around the back of his neck.

“It’s just like what you taught us, remember? Object impermanence. This won’t last forever. I’m right here. You were so brave, you are so brave, so wonderful, so sweet…just give yourself time, sweetie, it’s okay.”

Logan relaxes a little in his hold as he keeps talking quietly. The poor thing gets over his hesitation and buries his face shamelessly in the crook of Janus’s neck.

“Shh, shh, that’s it, sweetie, easy now—“ Janus cradles him as he sets his glasses out of the way— “I’ve got you. I’m right here, sweetie, I’ve got you. It’s almost over, now, you can do it, shh.”

Another muffled noise from Logan.

“You’re not easily replaceable,” Janus says firmly, “you’re not unwanted. You’re not a joke, the others know how much you care about them, how much you help them, how important they are to you, how important you are to them.”

He tilts his head to press a kiss to Logan’s temple.

“How important you are to me.”

The golden light dims, sputters, and vanishes.

“…sweetie?”

Logan pulls back, carefully rubbing his fingers over his stitch-free mouth. He opens and closes a few times.

“Ouch.”

“Are you alright, sweet? I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—“

“I know,” Logan says quietly, “I’m sorry too. That…escalated very quickly. I did not mean the things I said either.”

He squints.

“Oh, here—“ Janus passes him his glasses.

“Thank you. But that’s not why I—what were we arguing about, to begin with?”

Janus huffs a laugh. “I had been meaning to ask you that question.”

“Well, whatever it is, it must not have been very important.”

There’s a moment of silence.

“I’m sorry too,” Logan repeats after that pause, “you are not just a villain, you are not incompetent, and you…you are not to blame for everything that has gone wrong.”

Janus chucks him lightly under the chin. “Neither are you.”

“I know that, intellectually, and yet…somehow, it remains difficult for me to grasp.”

“Because even though you’re Logic, sweetie,” Janus says, “you’re Thomas’s Logic.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because Thomas is, frankly, something of a dumbass.”

It startles a laugh out of him at any rate.

“I mean, that also makes you a dumbass.”

“Oh, I’m perfectly aware.”

Logan’s smile is wonderful. “What is it that Roman is quite fond of saying?”

“That he’s pure of heart, dumb of ass?”

“That’s is.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“It is.” Logan frowns. “Even if he’s far more intelligent than he gets credit for.”

Janus nudges him. “I hope you know that you can be big of brain and dumb of ass at the same time.”

“Ah. I see.”

There’s another moment of silence as they reflect on what’s been said. Then Logan nervously adjusts his tie.

“Speaking of Roman…”

“I was about to say.” Janus gives his knee a pat. “Shall we see if we can find him?”

“I believe his business in the Imagination should be done.” They help each other to stand, Logan keeping a grip on Janus’s sleeve. “Should we check his room first?”

“I think so.”

Roman, of course, swings open the door with a cheerful greeting, the role of the pompous prince firmly in place until he takes in their tear-stained faces and he melts, dropping the act almost immediately.

“Oh, my darlings,” he coos, cupping each of their faces in a hand, “what’s the matter? Why do you look so upset?”

“May we come in, please?” Indeed, poor Logan looks as if he’s about to melt into Roman’s arms. Janus can’t talk, though, he’s about to do the same.

“Of course, come on, let’s get you sat down—“

Roman bustles about the room, fetching them a glass of water, sitting on his bed with them, almost bursting into tears himself when he hears what’s happened and promptly telling them they’re going to spend the rest of the day right here, in comfy clothes, watching ridiculously obscure documentaries until Patton and Remus call them down for dinner. They keep a hand on each other at all times, laughing at Janus’s snarky responses to awful narrators, Logan’s quick corrections when the information is out of date, and Roman’s impersonations of the strange wildlife. Roman’s room is pleasantly noisy and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

He doesn’t remember how it started, but he will always remember how it ended.

Curled around each other, in the warmth and safety of the people who care about him.

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[royallyjoon]

nephilim (quatre)

you know where the cred goes 💙

cult au, supernatural creature au

yandere! ot7 x f! reader

warnings: yandere themes, violence, manipulation

undoubtedly, the boys have opened their arms and hearts to you. but have you done the same? life has only gotten more stressful for you, and the closer you find yourself getting to them, the more you feel as though you are changing, and the more you push yourself away. you refuse to break. never forget: one’s hubris could be their hamartia. forge your lonely path with conviction. after all, it may not be yours for much longer. the victor or the fallen--exactly who is it that stands to lose the most?

——————————————————————

For a long time now, you had feared that your relatively peaceful days in Ichabod were coming to an end, and recent events only further proved your point. 

Mana’s forewarning carried its weight well, as Aemilia seemed dead set on making an enemy of you. She went from hardly acknowledging your existence to cursing it. 

She would never lift a finger to do her dirty work, oh no, for how could the delicate Augustus princess stoop so low as to take the garbage out herself?

No, she used her puppets Brooklyn, Constance, and whoever else she managed to sink her claws into in the student body to torment you. 

They tripped you in the halls, stole your belongings, and essentially made it difficult for you to bleed into the background like you used to.

Luckily for you, you happened to gain some formidable allies.

Mana was there to tell Aemilia’s lackeys to back down, and they wouldn’t dare approach you with Jimin around. And he happened to be around more often than not, strangely enough.

The three of you managed to form a strange alliance during this time. Your best friend was still extremely cautious around Jimin and his siblings, as were you, but they had gotten somewhat closer, which made you glad. You didn’t want to be the bridge between them, as you thought that would be tiring and more than you could already handle. 

Still, the two were only human. They wouldn’t always be there to defend you. Nevertheless, you were quite capable of defending yourself. 

You didn’t give Aemilia the satisfaction of breaking under her pressure. You held your head up high despite the amounts of rumors flying around the school about you, even if they made you want to split your own skull open. 

The student body, in part, was divided. Half of them wanted nothing to do with you, considering how you were associated with both the Augustuses and the Kims. They were wary of your actions, claiming you were steps away from meeting Wylynne herself. 

The other half whispered about how tired they were of Aemilia’s antics and tantrums, given that this was not the first time she had behaved like this toward another student. 

Two weeks passed by, and neither you nor Aemilia was giving in. The strawberry blonde was beside herself, and so were her poor friends. Every day that she failed to teach you a lesson was another day she went raving mad in private.

Soon enough, her patience would snap. She would find herself going over the tipping point, but the question remains: Who would stand to lose the most when she got there?

It was another stressful day for you at Ichabod Academy as you sat in your lively homeroom. 

Mana rested on your desk, laying their head on their arms. You figured they would be uncomfortable, considering the way their body was twisted around in their seat, but your friend was drifting off without a care in the world. 

You slumped in your chair, looking every bit as done with life as you had recently felt. There was so much you had to be on the lookout for, and today was no different. 

You blinked tiredly and looked at your best friend. You then decided to lay your head on top of Mana’s, who did nothing more than let out a grunt, and closed your eyes in an attempt to get some rest as well.

When Jimin returned from the restroom, he internally cooed at the sight. 

Your head started rocking back and forth as it tilted dangerously on top of Mana’s. Ensuring he wouldn’t wake you, the boy sat you up and leaned your body on him so that your head was resting on his shoulder. 

He smiled down at you in relief. Your classmates took note of his treatment and started to whisper about the two of you, but one look from him and the room quieted.

Unfortunately for you, the peace was short lived. There was a loud crackling over the intercom that shook both you and Mana awake. 

They sat up and glared at their surroundings in annoyance. You opened your eyes in a flash, desperately hoping it wasn’t your first period teacher. 

“Don’t worry, Ms. Diivi isn’t here yet.” Jimin reassured you. “It was just the intercom.”

You nodded in thanks and covered your yawn with the back of your hand.

There was some more crackling and finally, your principal began to speak. 

“Good afternoon, students. I apologize for the interruption, but this is urgent.  Constance Pierre is to report to the principal’s office immediately. I repeat, Constance Pierre to the principal’s office. Thank you for your attention, and please continue about your day.”

You squinted in confusion. 

Constance has never been called to the principal’s office before in her entire life. Even when she was causing trouble for you and other students, the teachers paid no mind and others were too afraid to report her. What could have happened?

The sound of feet pounding against the floor got closer and closer until you could hear it outside your classroom door. A blonde blur passed the room, disappearing as fast as it had come.

“Pierre...why does that name sound familiar?” You murmured to yourself.

“It’s the name of the freshman that went missing.” Mana said as they stretched. “Chance Pierre, I think.”

Your eyes widened in understanding.

“He was-is Constance’s little brother.” They corrected their statement.

Jimin glanced at your shocked expression and suppressed a dry laugh.

Quite frankly, he could care less about the Pierre family. Constance has been nothing but a nuisance to him and his brother.

He’d been willing to overlook the rumors of how annoyingly outstanding and clever the freshman was because he knew his little brother would always be better. 

But after the blonde went so far as to start pestering you, he used the information he’d gathered against Chance in its opportune moment. And he had no regrets.

You snuck a peek at Jimin and saw a familiar, cold decisiveness plastered on his face. It was the only expression you’d been seeing from him for a while now. Any time someone brought up the missing student, Jimin would go frostily silent. 

It reminded you of the difference between the two of you, just like his reaction--or lack thereof--the morning of Chance’s disappearance had.

You figured he was just uncomfortable talking about the situation and was carefully avoiding it, just as he had with you and Mana that first day you spent lunch together.

At least it wasn’t Mom or Mana, you thought to yourself.

“They must’ve finally found him.” You commented, distracted by your incoming thoughts.

Aemilia’s family is specifically in charge of hunting down anyone who can be perceived as a “threat” to the Kim family. Brooklyn Hayes and Constance Pierre, however, acquired social immunity for themselves and their families as the girls are so close.

Or so you thought.

Constance’s disheveled appearance the morning Chance went missing made much more sense, then. She was worried sick about her little brother, and one of her closest friends didn’t even bother warning her or her family. 

You shuddered. Just how many people would Aemilia sacrifice? How far would she go, just for her sick sense of what was right?

You had no intention of finding out.

By lunch time, the rest of the school had heard exactly what happened to poor Chance Pierre.

The fourteen year old boy was deposited in the family’s living room, returned out of the blue just like all of those who came before him. 

His mother had stepped out for a short moment to go grocery shopping and returned to find her bloody mess of a son, who she then quickly rushed to the hospital.

He was covered in bruises, had a broken arm and leg, several broken ribs, and permanent blindness in his left eye. All things considered, he is one of the lucky ones.

His family was just grateful that he was returned to them still breathing.

Whatever the message was, the Pierre family had received it loud and clear. And so had the rest of the town.

No one is allowed to leave Ichabod. Not without being stopped by Death herself. 

Another school day had come to an end, and you walked out the building with Mana and Jimin at your side. 

Seeing how the end of the month was coming up, you and Jimin decided that it would be best if you went over to his house to work on the project again. The beginning of the presentations were not far off and it was about time you completed your research.

It didn’t take long to convince your mother. The both of you found it easier for you to go over to the Kim residence than to ask Jimin if he could come to your home.

You sat on a granite bench outside of the entrance. Mana stood on your left, leaning up against the wall and Jimin sat to your right, perched on the bench. 

You were waiting for Driver Bin and Mr. Waye to show up when you heard a familiar voice call out.  

“(Y/N)! Jimin hyung!” You watched as Taehyung came running out the school doors, Jungkook trailing calmly behind him.

You waved at the two and gave them a tired smile. Taehyung made himself comfortable on Jimin’s lap as Jungkook stood along the wall near Mana.

“Did you have a good day, (Y/N)?” Taehyung hummed, eyes teeming with concern.

“Yeah, it was fine.” You said, struggling to actually mean that statement. 

Mana gave you a knowing look and huffed out a laugh under their breath.

It’s not as though you almost had your things stolen twice in one day.

This morning, Hoseok saw you chasing a junior who was running away with some of your notebooks and folders in hand. 

His charming smile dropped and he gave her a grim look. All he had to do was extend his hand and she placed the items in his palm, which he then promptly returned to you.

Then one of your classmates stole your laptop while you were at lunch in an effort to wipe the thing. Had it not been for Namjoon walking into the library and catching them in the act, you surely would have lost all of your information. 

Thankfully, he safely retrieved your laptop from your classmate. You made a new password for all of your devices and resolved to never let your bag out of your sight again.

“I’m glad you’re coming over again, though! Maybe we’ll get to watch a movie or play some games together.” He flashed you a boxy grin and you sent him a small smile in return.

“Jungkookie’s got loads of games,” Jimin added, peeking his head out from behind Taehyung. “He’s such a hoarder, he rarely lets us play with him. I’m sure he’d let you, though.”

Jungkook punched Jimin in the shoulder, looking at the ground in embarrassment. “Hyung, what are you saying...”

 “Yeah, that sounds nice.” You sighed absentmindedly. “I could do with a break from school and homework for like, the next month.”

The youngest brother flushed, peeking up at you through his bangs. “If you wanted to, I’d be happy to play with you.” He mumbled as he smiled.

“Oh, there’s Driver Bin!” Taehyung called, hopping up and pulling you and Jimin to your feet. 

You hugged Mana goodbye as the black van pulled up to the curb. Just as you turned to follow Jimin, however, someone knocked their shoulder into yours. 

“Oh, sweetie. You should really watch where you’re going.”

Brooklyn stood in your path with her arms crossed. Over her shoulder, you saw Aemilia and Constance standing a short distance away.  They looked as though they were about to make their way towards Aemilia’s family’s car. 

Of course, she could have just walked around you, but why would she ever let you off easy? 

The strawberry blonde wore a satisfied smile and she leaned over to whisper something in the ear of a haggard Constance. Constance merely blinked and nodded in response. 

You smiled at the girl in front of you. “Of course. It was all my mistake. I’m so sorry, Brooklyn.”

You stepped closer as though you were going to confront her and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward you before she could step back.

She fought against you but that only made you grip her arm tighter. You could feel your nails start to dig into her skin.

 “I’m sorry that you’re nothing more than a means to an end.” You murmured in her ear.

The brunette stilled.

“I’m sorry Aemilia couldn’t care less about you or your family.”  You continued, speaking in a low voice. “I’m sorry that your so called friend sees you as mere disposable goods, or should I say...a useful little puppet?”

You released your grip on her arm, bringing your hand up to her shoulder instead and giving it a few consoling pats. “Didn’t your little sister just get the lead role in the school play? I would hate for you to be the next Constance...”

You looked toward the blonde just to emphasize your point and Brooklyn’s eyes followed your gaze.

Constance was staring, unseeing, at the ground, nervously clinging to Aemilia like a lifeline. She was strangely quiet and obedient...like a dog in fear of disobeying its master.

Brooklyn looked back and forth between you, Aemilia, and Constance in utter shock. You sent her one more sympathetic look before moving around her to follow the Kims into their car.

The remaining students whispered, wondering about what you said and in the corner of your eye, you saw Mana tilt their head inquisitively. You knew they had questions, questions you would have to answer later.

You bowed in greeting to Mr. Bin and entered the car behind Jimin like last time, Namjoon going in after you.

Mr. Bin closed the door and walked around to the other side of the vehicle in preparation to leave.

“I’ve never seen Brooklyn look so shocked,” Taehyung said from the backseat. He put his hands on the headrest behind you and poked his head around it. “What did you tell her?”

You shrugged. “Something that could hopefully put her life in a different perspective.”

“I don’t know how you deal with those girls, (Y/N).” Jimin said. “Aren’t you tired of the tricks Aemilia’s playing?”

“Don’t you just want to get rid of them, once and for all?” Taehyung asked, tone darkening.

You shrugged. “For whatever reason, she’s currently obsessed with me-”

The reason being all of you-

“-and of course I want her to stop, but I would never give her the satisfaction of letting her think she won. She’s petty, and a bully.”

You texted your mother an update on your location and locked your phone, looking up at your classmates. “She just needs a reality check. I’d be happy to give it to her every now and then.”

Part of you felt like trying to care for Brooklyn was pointless, especially after the way she treated you. The other part of you felt you were killing two birds with one stone--you were opening her eyes and isolating Aemilia in one go.

While Namjoon and Hoseok nodded in understanding, the rest of the boys couldn’t help but worry. 

They all followed Namjoon’s advice religiously in fear of scaring you away. But what if your independence only made it harder for them to be able to be there for you? What if you never came to them on your own for assistance?

...They would simply have to make it so that you had no other choice, would they not?

But the circumstances were not yet that dire, so for now, you had nothing to fear.

——————————————————————

The ride into the woods was pleasantly silent, and this time you made sure you didn’t fall asleep.

All too soon, Mr. Bin drove the van past the wrought-iron gate and up the impressive driveway. You weren’t as nervous as you were your first time visiting their residence, but you still had your guard up.

The boys bound up the wooden steps and opened the front door, piling into their home. You entered last, quietly closing the door behind you. 

As you were taking off your shoes, you spied a pair of nude slides next to all of the black ones.

Jungkook noticed you looking at them and smiled. “Mother prepared them for you. She saw you wearing hyung’s pair the last time you came over and ordered them after you left with your mom.”

“That’s so kind of her,” you said, slightly in awe. “I’ll be sure to express my thanks.”

You never thought you’d reach the day where Mrs. Kim would welcome you so readily into her home, but here you stood corrected. 

“(Y/N), let’s go!” Jimin called to you from the stairway.

“Coming!” You lay your shoes at the door, slid your feet into the slippers, and went to catch up with him, climbing upstairs. 

The library had hardly changed since you were gone. The shelves were just as dusty and dilapidated as before, and the couch was just as comfortable.

You maintained a safe distance away from Jimin this time as well so he wouldn’t get the opportunity to pull any tricks.

You spent the majority of the afternoon on writing the paper together, as you both had agreed. A few hours later, you finished and decided to get a head start on the presentation.

“‘The strength of a Nephilim depends on which angelic order their parent hails from,’” You read out to Jimin as he added to your shared document from his laptop. 

“‘The sheer majority, however, were parented by those in the third sphere. This was the lowest order consisting of the angels most concerned with the affairs of humans: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.’”

“Got it.” He claimed, typing out a couple more sentences. “I think we have enough for the background information, but Mrs. Hargrove also wants us to discuss the religions they come from, their abilities and their weaknesses.”

You hummed. “Angels are mentioned in a multitude of religions, but Nephilim are really only mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, according to sources.”

“So that question shouldn’t be so difficult to answer,” He smiled, marking it. 

“Nephilim are really strong,” you said from behind the book cover, fascinated by the information it held. “They appear as ordinary humans on the outside but possess celestial powers bestowed upon them by their angelic parent. They’re faster and stronger than ordinary humans, and are excellent at reading people.” 

Jimin took the book from you and glanced further down in the book to see if he could find more specific powers for your project. 

“Oh, I found something here.” 

You opened your laptop and prepared to type as he read. 

“It says Nephilim possess super strength, longevity, the power of flight, healing abilities, teleportation, telepathy, angelic wrath, illusions, the ability to drain someone’s life force, and telekinesis.” He raised his eyebrow in awe. 

You chuckled as your hands raced to keep up with his words. “Illusions, the ability to drain someone’s life force, and what?”

“Telekinesis, the ability to move things with your mind.” He said. 

“I could use that all the time--like, the other day, I was waiting in front of the student council room to return the uniform I borrowed.” 

You recounted the story for Jimin as he peeked up at you. You were too engrossed in typing, however, to notice his gaze.  “I could have sworn the door was locked, but then Namjoon appeared and it unlocked without him pulling out a key or anything. He just flicked his wrist and open sesame.”

Jimin unabashedly stared at you, a small smile on his face. You always noticed the littlest things about them and it made his heart pound for you a little harder.

“Namjoon hyung always comes in at the coolest moments,” he replied, looking down at what you’d managed to gather so far. “So, we have the powers and where they come from. I think we found a section on their weaknesses the other day.”

“Yeah, it sounds like their main weakness is original sin, or the innate tendency to sin, all humans receive once they’re born.” You thought back to the section you and Jimin read before. “Because they’re part human and part angel, they are constantly at war with themselves and the human side typically wins.”

“Do you think that’s a bad thing?” Jimin asked. 

You closed your laptop. “...What do you mean?”

Jimin shifted, tucking his legs underneath him. “I mean, they’re celestial beings. They have cosmic powers at their disposal, access to the heavens, and everything they could have wanted. But they have a choice to throw it away, to sin, for...whatever the reason may be.” He muttered, glancing aside at the carpet. “If they gave it up, do you think they would have made the right decision?”

You paused for a moment, eyeing the shadows nearby branches cast on the library windows. “It think it depends on the person and what they’re sinning for. Whether they were doing it for their own self interest, or to protect a loved one-”

“What if they were doing it because they loved someone?” Jimin interrupted, eyes widened in curiosity.

Your eyes left the window as you turned to face him. “I would admire their dedication. And it’s not as though they lose their abilities when they fall from grace. I only wish that person would be worth it, and that they’re happy.” 

You smiled wistfully. “An angel losing their wings to love someone for the rest of their life. What a sad, beautiful thing. ’Tis the plight of being human, I suppose. They’re really not that different from us--besides the celestial gifts, of course.”

Jimin grinned and hummed in agreement. 

As always, only you could understand them perfectly.

You stood up from the couch and brushed off the back of your skirt. “Uh, Jimin, could you please tell me where the bathroom is?”

He smiled. “Yeah! You just make a left at the corner, then a right, then another right, and there should be a guest room with a bathroom in it.”

You zoned into and out of your thoughts momentarily and blinked, smiling and nodding at him. “Thanks.”

——————————————————————

Perhaps Jimin told you the directions incorrectly, or you made a left when you should have made a right, but there was no doubt about it. You were lost. There was no bathroom where he stated there was, and you’d been wandering around the third floor for several minutes now with no clue as to where it was.

“Damn this house.” You muttered under your breath. “Only seven people live here, why is it so big?”

You finally came upon what looked like a guest room, one that hopefully had a bathroom inside, when you heard two voices speaking from the behind the partially open door. 

“Seriously. You need to be more careful with these sorts of things.” The first voice said, deep and mature.

You stopped in your tracks immediately.

“It’s not like I wanted this to happen.” the second one spoke. Their voice was much lower and raspier than the first. 

“Of course you didn’t. That’s why you should pay more attention when doing your work.” The first voice nagged and you heard someone hiss.

“Ah, it’s fine. It was worth it. Still, thanks for patching me up, hyung.”

You were stuck near the crack in the door, too afraid to move in fear of being heard. 

“Whatever. You’re too reckless. Maybe this’ll teach you a lesson.”

“Oh, come on. How was I supposed to know that the kid would make such a-”

“Stop talking.” The first voice stated, sounding much lower than it had before. 

Your eyes shook at the sudden silence and you whipped around to look at the hallway, quickly searching for a place to hide.

About two steps behind you, there was a five foot long indent in the wall, courtesy of the prominent display of a large painting.

You risked it and threw yourself backward, stepping as quietly onto the wood as you could before throwing your back up against the indent, facing away from the room. 

And not a moment too soon, as you heard the door fly open the second you were hidden from view. You sunk to the floor in a crouch.

“What’s wrong, hyung?” You could hear the younger’s voice sound from the room much clearer now.

You sucked yourself as tightly into the corner as you could.

There was no response from the older and you strained your ears for a sign, a hint, anything.

Breathing felt too loud, swallowing felt too loud, the brush of your clothes against your neck as you turned your head felt too loud. Everything was deafening.

Please don’t find me, please don’t find me, please don’t find me-

There was the slow, soft padding of feet on the wooden floor. You trembled as it got closer and closer to where you sat. 

In the corner of your eye, you could see a socked foot, inches away from where you hid.

“Jin hyung!”

Your savior, none other than Jimin, appeared at the end of the hallway, yelling in excitement.

You know he saw you, of course he saw you. It was impossible not to coming from his direction. You cast your eyes down, praying he wouldn’t reveal your presence.

He grinned as he ran towards the man. 

“You came back early!” The younger boy tackled him in a hug, wrapping his legs around him. 

The force drove the man back several steps and he grunted, his foot disappearing from your sight. “Jimin, you’re getting a bit too old for this, don’t you think?”

“Yes, but I know you’ll always carry me, hyung.” You heard him giggle. 

“What are you doing up here?” The other voice asked, joining the other two in the hallway. You remained where you sat, not moving an inch. 

“Yoongi hyung! You came back too!”

He scoffed. “Of course I did.”

“Answer his question first, Jimin ah.” You heard the elder comment in a much warmer voice than the threatening tone you heard behind the door. 

“I was in the library working on a project with my classmate. She had to use the bathroom but she never came back, so I came looking for her.”

You blinked rapidly, staring at the wooden floor in front of you.

There was a pause. 

“Have either of you seen her?” Jimin asked.

“...No, we haven’t.” The deep and mature voice, which you now matched to the eldest brother, replied. 

“I’ll just keep looking, then. But you should head downstairs. Father will be home soon, he’ll be pleased to know you’re here!”

Due to the series of complaints you then heard, it sounded as though Jimin took both of his brothers by the wrist and led them to the stairway down the other side of the hallway. 

You waited in that spot for several moments, until you couldn’t hear anything but the wind blowing up against the walls. Once you ensured that they were gone, you ran back down the hallway you came, bladder be damned.

Of course. How could you have possibly forgotten Mr. and Mrs. Kim’s two eldest children?

Kim Yoongi and Kim Seokjin.

Had you not moved when you did, and had Jimin not interfered when he had, you might have...no, you surely would have lost your life in that instant.

——————————————————————

You made it back to the library, quickly and quietly opening the door before rushing in.

Jimin still hadn’t returned, so no one was there to see you fly over to the couch and plop down to sit. You tried to catch your breath to slow the pounding of your heart.

Kim Yoongi and Kim Seokjin. You were almost caught eavesdropping on their conversation.

You had never wanted to purge your memory more than in that exact moment.

What if they suspect I heard everything? What if they have the Augustuses’ people capture me for it? It couldn’t have been that important--it sounded like they were just patching up wounds. Maybe one of them got into a fight? Surely this wouldn’t be enough to warrant such violence. Even they have limits, yes? Then again, when did they ever need a reason to-

The library doors flew open and you flinched, looking up at them only to sigh in relief.

“(Y/N), there you are! Did you find the bathroom alright?”

Jimin’s eyes twinkled playfully as he smiled at you. You restrained yourself from cursing at or hitting him in anger and relief, choosing instead to let out a deep sigh.

“Yeah,” you stated quietly. “It was fine.”

At that moment you received a text from your mother stating that she was downstairs.

"My mom says she’s here. I guess it’s time for me to go.” You stated, beginning to pack your laptop and notebooks away.

“Sure! I’ll come downstairs with you.” He smiled and turned away from you to return The Word of the Lost to its proper shelf.

“Thanks,” you whispered, then zipped your bag up.

Jimin was already gliding away toward the back of the library, the leather bound book in hand, but he still managed to hear you. He didn’t respond, but he smirked triumphantly.

You accepted his silence as a “You’re welcome” and took the moment to fix your composure. When you were both ready, he led the way downstairs.

“My eldest sons have finally returned home!” You heard Kim Moonsik cheer from the living room. 

His tone, usually melancholic and oily, was much lighter today. You surmised that even his mood could be improved by the sight of his family.

He sat on one of the two settees while his two oldest sons perched on the long, gray couch in front of him. 

They both had black hair and dark eyes, like their brothers and parents. One was casually dressed in a large black hoodie and black sweatpants, while the other looked comfortable in a neutral toned sweater and slacks.

The one sitting on the left rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand why you had hyung drag me here a week earlier than necessary, Father. It isn’t that big of a deal.”

Kim Yoongi was notorious for his rebellious attitude. You had heard that since his days at Ichabod Academy, he never listened to authority figures--his classmates were afraid of him and his teachers let him do as he please. The only time he would adhere to rules and tradition was at the required monthly meetings, for obvious reasons.

“On the contrary,” The older man chuckled. “Every time you come home is cause for occasion, my prodigal son.”

“Have some sympathy for me here.” The eldest drawled with his arms crossed. “I get a headache every time I’m forced to drag you home with me.”

Kim Seokjin, on the other hand, was an entertainer. He would lower people’s defenses with a friendly expression and a joke. The citizens of Ichabod found him much more agreeable and respectable as Mayor Kim’s eldest son. They thought him harmless. They fawned over him and Namjoon, praising the mayor for how well he’d raised them in terms of respect and diplomacy.

They were fools. For even now, you could see it as he lounged back relaxedly in his seat: Kim Seokjin may be considered kind and polite, but he was by no means harmless. 

“Do you want me to bring you some medicine?” Jimin piped up from beside you on the stairs, drawing the three’s attention. 

You could feel the college students’ gaze burning into the side of your face.

You kept your facial expression neutral and descended the stairs behind Jimin, who skipped down the rest of them. 

“Who’s this?” You heard Yoongi question.

“This is my classmate, (Y/N). She’s the person I was looking for earlier,” Jimin said, seating himself in between his older brothers.

You bowed toward them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Seokjin smiled and reached out his hand. You extended yours, expecting a handshake. 

He held it, turned it over, and pressed his lips to the back of it. “The pleasure is all ours.” 

Yoongi smirked as you took your hand back, fighting a blush. “How lovely it is to make your acquaintance.”

“Thank you, you too. It’s nice to see you again as well, Mr. Kim.” You addressed the older man.

“You also, (Y/N) dear. I’m simply ecstatic you took up our invitation.” Mayor Kim said, the usual, passionate fire in his eyes blazing. 

You fought back a shudder. 

“You know the entire town needs to be present, Yoongi ah.” Mr. Kim continued the conversation from before. “You’re no exception.”

“I never said I was,” the second oldest retorted. “I just prefer to spend less of my break here.”

“How’s everything at school, Jiminie?” Seokjin asked as Jimin wrapped his arms around his midsection, skillfully redirecting the subject matter.

“Strange, as usual.” He mumbled, hesitantly looking up at you. 

“I heard the police finally found the Pierre boy,” Mr. Kim added, and you suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable in the presence of this conversation.

Where’s my mother? Weren’t we supposed to be leaving?

“Yes, we heard about it at lunch.” Jimin said. His tone when speaking to his father wasn’t as clipped or standoffish as it was when he was speaking to his mother; rather, it was more lackadaisical. “Right, (Y/N)?”

All four heads spun to you, still standing in the middle of the living room. 

“Why are you standing there looking so stiff?” Seokjin sent you a sinister smile. “Come join us.”

This was the last place you wanted to be, but you had no choice in the matter. You smiled awkwardly and shuffled to the empty settee. 

Before you could sit down, however, Jimin jumped up and pulled you to the couch, seating you in his old spot between his brothers. He then claimed the spot on the other side of Seokjin.

You stiffened and relaxed in a second, praying to everything that you didn’t look as uncomfortable as you felt.

The atmosphere was stifling. You couldn’t breathe.

“It’s a shame what happened to him, truly.” Mr. Kim continued, humming in sympathy. “I sincerely hope something like that doesn’t have to happen again.”

How dare he sit here and act as though he had nothing to do with it? What happened to Chance Pierre was his fault! You unconsciously balled your fist in your lap.

“I’m sure everyone will take this lesson to heart, Father.” Seokjin consoled him. “May they never underestimate the power of Wylynne’s grace again.”

“She is holy and forgiving, but some actions need to be punished, yes.” Yoongi added from your right with a cruel smirk. “Praise Wylynne.”

“Praise Wylynne.” Jimin nodded, eyes twinkling with amusement.

It suddenly occurred to you that you were the only one left who had not spoken. When you raised your eyes to meet with the others’, indeed, they were waiting for your response.

“...Praise Wylynne.” You smiled. False religion or not, there was no way you would be testing your luck in front of the divine priest and his sons.

Mr. Kim nodded in approval, then broke out into a laugh. “Wise, hardworking, and devoted; like mother, like daughter. Wylynne surely smiles upon the women of the (L/N) family.”

You laughed awkwardly. “Thank you, Mr. Kim.”

“Will your mother be arriving to get you soon?” Mr. Kim asked you.

“It was to my knowledge that she was already here-”

“(Y/N)!”

Your head spun toward the sound of your mother’s voice and found her standing in the entryway next to Kim Eunbyul. She wore navy blue scrubs today and her hair was pulled back into a bun with a few loose strands in the front. 

You had thought right. The two were a vision next to each other.

Mrs. Kim walked over, bringing your mother with her. “I apologize for the wait--(M/N) and I were having the most delightful conversation. (Y/N) my dear, how are you?”

She sat next to her husband on one settee and your mother took a seat on the other, empty one. 

This was your second time seeing Mrs. Kim, yet you still could not get over her beauty. She wore another silk housedress, a muslin scarf draped behind her back and over her inner arms. 

Her elegance was neither ostentatious nor arrogant. She demanded respect but gave it in return. 

She had what Aemilia desperately sought after but could never possess.

You nodded with a smile, bowing slightly. “Good evening, Mrs. Kim. I’m fine, thanks for worrying. And thank you so much for the sandals, I really appreciate you going out of your way for me.”

The former actress waved her hand lightly as she laughed. “It was no trouble at all!”

She took your hands in hers and looked down at her feet. “Besides, we match!” Following her gaze, your eyes widened. Indeed, you both had the same style and brand of slippers on.

“Thank you so much for the welcoming her so warmly, Mrs. Kim.” Your mother smiled. 

“Of course.” She assured. “Think nothing of it. I already think of you both as family.”

Your heart warmed a bit and you smiled in response to her words, for you already greatly admired Mrs. Kim. To think that she had taken a liking to both you and your mother...

It was then that the rest of the brothers trekked downstairs in curiosity, then heartily grinned once they realized their oldest brothers had arrived.

“How about we let the kids step aside so us adults can talk properly, hmm?” Mrs. Kim suggested, taking her husband’s hand.

Mr. Kim grinned and squeezed her hand in response. “A wonderful idea, love.”

The boys then quickly pulled you away from the main couches, moving your discussion toward the glass windows. 

You looked back at your mom a couple of times while the brothers greeted each other before focusing on the conversation at hand.

The eight of you stood in a circle near the windows, and you were currently stuck between Jungkook and Seokjin. 

“The other day, (Y/N) said she really liked your interior designing, Jin hyung.” Hoseok piped up. “She said she thought the living room was lovely.”

“Did she? She must have impeccable taste.” He playfully winked at you.

You smiled weakly. “Thank you. I really admire what you’ve done with the space.”

Yoongi, across from you, leaned against the glass. “How is everything at the academy these days?” He asked. 

You hesitated to answer then directed your gaze to the floor thinking the question was not meant for you. When you didn’t hear any of the other boys speak, you looked up and found six sets of eyes on you.

Their gazes were so focused and intense, as if you would break or disappear the moment they looked away. You shifted your eyes.

“It’s not the easiest, but isn’t that what high school is like for everyone?” You grimace-smiled.

“(Y/N)’s being bullied.” Taehyung revealed, draping himself over Jimin’s shoulder. “Aemilia Augustus and her lackeys won’t leave her alone.”

This little-

You whipped your head around to see if your mother had heard anything. Thankfully, Taehyung’s voice was lowered at the time. She seemed engrossed in her discussion with Mrs. Kim. 

“The Augustus princess?” Yoongi asked, interrupting your thoughts. 

“She’s what?” Jin started in surprise, his polite smile turning into a displeased frown. He glanced at Namjoon. The student council president simply nodded in response.

“She has the other kids pester or steal from (Y/N).” Hoseok added, glaring out the window. “The students can hardly stop talking about it.” 

Jungkook gently tugged on your shirt sleeve to get your attention. “If she’ s bothering you--” 

“It’s alright.” You assured them before they could really give Aemilia and her people a reason to go after you. “I’m working it out.”

“And how well is that going?” Namjoon snorted, giving you a knowing look.

You grimaced, locking and unlocking your phone. “...I’m working it out.” You repeated, suddenly fascinated by the wooden floor.

“If she ever gives you a hard time, you let me know.” Yoongi said, holding up his fists. One hand was wrapped in bandages and the other hand was bare, knuckles covered in torn skin and still-healing scabs. “I don’t get these from just lying around, if you catch my drift.”

You gaped at his hands and at the offer. Kim Yoongi? Offering to beat someone up for you? Where had his famous apathetic attitude gone?

“Violence is never the answer, Yoongi ah.” Seokjin replied before you could. He gently took your phone from you while it was unlocked and swiped around until he found your contacts. “If you ever need help, just give us a call. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We’ll always be there.”

You opened and closed your mouth in distress. 

Seokjin pointedly ignored the glare Namjoon was sending his way. 

He was jealous of his younger brothers, who got to see and speak with you every day. Earlier, he’d been in the middle of healing and wrapping Yoongi’s injury when he saw your shadow outside the door. 

He’d barely been able to hold himself back from ripping you out your hiding spot and pulling you into his arms. But then all of their progress would have been for naught. 

So he allowed Jimin to drag him away. 

But not anymore.

He understood that you needed your time and space but, really, their angel shouldn’t be so stubborn around them. 

He held the device out to you and you took it back, observing the six newest additions to your contacts list. He’d taken the time to add not just his number, but the rest of the brothers’ numbers as well.

“Thank you,” You confided with a rare, genuine, and small smile, “really. But I can handle it myself.”

On the outside, some of them nodded while the others frowned at the floor.

On the inside, however, they collectively sighed inside their head, tired of your age old response.

They just wanted you to be able to lean on them, to see them as another option that was always available to you, and only you.

How long was it going to take for you to trust them? How far would they have to go to capture the object of their desire?

Whatever the obstacle, they would surely overcome it. 

Your mother called your name once more and you shouldered your bag, replacing the nude slippers with your school shoes.

“I hope you have a pleasant night,” You said to the brothers, fumbling with your shoes. “I’ll see you in school tomorrow.” 

“See you tomorrow!” Jimin waved you off with a smile and his brothers and parents chorused farewells behind him.

You both bowed once more to the Kim family and descended the stairs, making as hasty but collected an exit as possible.

“I swear, (Y/N), I lose years off my life every time I come to this house,” your mother murmured once you both sat in the car.

“You know what, Mom? So do I.” You exhaled, slumping down in the front seat. “Drive slowly, won’t you? I might be the one throwing up once we reach the edge of the woods.”

Your mother barked out a laugh and nodded in thanks to Mr. Bin as he opened the gate. 

As you drove away from the Kim family home, you opened your messages and texted Mana, updating them on how you’d nearly lost your life this time.

That night, you ate dinner, cleaned up, finished other assignments, and had an hours long conversation with Mana about Brooklyn and your latest visit to the Kim residence.

The way their eyes bugged out of their head when you told them about how you’d nearly gotten caught made you laugh. Of course, it hadn’t been funny in the moment. Even thinking about it now made you slightly nauseous.

But you went to sleep that night all the same, dreaming once again of haunting, magnificent black wings.

——————————————————————

Once the front door of the Kim household closed, Jimin’s cheerful face dropped into a scowl. 

And he was not the only one upset. All seven of them glowered around the room in the aftermath of (Y/N)’s departure.

Kim Eunbyul and Kim Moonsik sat deathly still on the couch, unprepared for whatever was coming.

When someone is explosive with anger, they are destructive. One might break things, they may say harmful words, but for the most part, one takes their anger out in that single moment.

The seven men behind them were different.  

When they were angry, they plotted. The harder it was for them to get what they wanted, the harder they fought. They made sure there would be nothing that could possibly be in their way. 

“We told you to be patient, hyung.” Namjoon broke the angry silence. “Don’t ruin all of our plans with your ineptitude.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh?” Seokjin scoffed. “I put your number in her phone, too. Try being a little grateful.”

“Don’t disrespect your elders, Namjoon.” Hoseok chided, shoving his hands in his pockets. “We told you to put your dog on her leash.”

“You weren’t complaining when Aemilia’s antics gave you opportunities to help (Y/N),” Namjoon sneered. “I loathe her very existence as well, don’t misunderstand me.”

“You should hear the rumors going around at school, Namjoon hyung.” Jungkook frowned. “People are placing bets on how soon Aemilia’s going to destroy her.”

“I know you’re the brains of this operation but if (Y/N) gets hurt, this is not going to end prettily.” Yoongi stated solemnly.

“I won’t let it get to that point.” Namjoon assured.

“Get it together. And keep that girl in line.” Seokjin nodded.

There was a significant reason Eunbyul was so receptive of the (h/c) haired girl and her mother. 

Despite the fact that she really did enjoy your company and was happy to welcome you into their home, she knew what would await her if she ever dared to mistreat you.

You precious thing. You precious, hardheaded, stubborn thing. Why did you not give in to what they wanted? Could you truly not see how much they how much they longed to protect possess be with you?

Perhaps you’ve already started picking up on it, and this was why you wanted to distance yourself from them before it was too late.

You beautiful, foolish thing. It was already far too late.

Eunbyul quivered, squeezing her husband’s hand. Moonsik wore a stony expression on his face, but he squeezed his wife’s hand back with surprising strength. 

When she looked up from her lap, she gasped, for Jungkook was squatting directly in front of her. She felt as though his dark gaze was piercing her soul.

The probability of that very thing happening in this instant was high.

She exhaled and carefully avoided his gaze.

“Mother, Father,” he hummed, “is everything alright? You’re shaking like leaves in the wind.”

“Oh dear.” Taehyung replied, resting his arms on the back of the settee behind them. He tilted his head and frowned down at the two as if they were insects, scurrying around in an attempt to escape their deaths. “That doesn’t sound very good.”

“I’m sure it was just a result of them working so hard.” Seokjin smiled at Moonsik. “I must say, I was impressed.” The elder simply nodded and avoided his gaze.

Namjoon strolled over to Eunbyul’s side of the settee and gently pat the woman on her back. “Your performance today was especially moving, Mother.”

“At least she wasn’t trembling in front of (Y/N) like she did last time,” Jimin kissed his teeth. “Useless woman.”

Hoseok bent over in laughter, the outburst shortening into a light giggle as he joined them by the couches. 

“They work diligently, why not praise them once in a while?” He suggested, suppressing another laugh.

“Like I’ll ever.” Jimin rolled his eyes. “I really hope you know what you’re talking about, Namjoon hyung. I’m going to bed before I feel the need to hit something--or someone.” Jimin glared and bounded back up the stairs.

“It’s alright. We’re fine.” Eunbyul forced out. “Thank you.”

“Yes, you should be. If you weren’t, it would imply you did something wrong.” Yoongi smiled.

“And if you did something wrong,” Jin continued, “...well, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

She stiffly nodded. 

“Of course not.” Taehyung grinned and pat her head condescendingly. 

“Of course.” Moonshik repeated, willing his hands to stop trembling.

He had never expected this to happen. He never thought he would be living the life that he did.

He had called for power, and he had surely received it, but not in the way he thought he would.

Was the insurmountable power worth the treatment he received in his own home?

Yes. And if he had to repeat it, he would have made the exact same decision. It would surely be worth it. That was what he told himself day in and day out, the prayer he spoke to his god in an attempt to convince himself of the lie.

It would surely be worth it.

“We’re trusting you, Mr. and Mrs. Kim.” 

——————————————————————

The Augustus residence was a fairly old building, a beautiful family manor transformed into a modern, affluent home. It stood in the center of the city, as their family used to be the epicenter of society. 

Aemilia found both her home and its location extremely fitting. 

As unfortunate as it would be that she would have to move from this stately home to one in the middle-of-nowhere woods, she was willing to deal with it. She would follow her future husband anywhere, everywhere, if need be.

Usually, the esteemed Augustus home was silent. 

“How could you?” Brooklyn shouted in anger.

But today, those grand old walls whispered in the wind through quite the ruckus.

“The people that work for your family dragged Constance’s little brother out of his home in the middle of the day! They tortured him for two weeks! You knew where he was the whole time, and you didn’t say a thing!” Brooklyn gestured toward their friend. “She came to you for help, and you slammed the door in her face!”

The blonde had stopped talking long ago. She curled herself into a ball and tucked her head into her chest, looking well on the verge of a panic attack. 

The three girls had arrived at Aemilia’s house earlier, prepared to do the usual: finish some homework, study, and binge watch some shows. 

But (Y/N) (L/N)’s words had been ringing inside of Brooklyn’s head all afternoon. 

A means to an end. 

Disposable goods.

A useful little puppet.

She couldn’t take thinking it anymore, so she finally voiced the dreaded question. Brooklyn asked Aemilia what she and Constance meant to her.

The strawberry blonde tilted her head, staying quiet for several minutes. She then grinned and replied,“My ladies in waiting?”

For Wylynne’s sake. She could have at least been less direct than to compare them to literal servants.

Brooklyn erupted at Aemilia, asking her if that’s what she thought years of friendship had amounted to, thus leading them to their current argument.

For whatever reason, it had never occurred to the brunette that Aemilia may be using her. She thought she had broken the barriers the callous girl held for her long ago, but after Constance showed up at Brooklyn’s house in tears, combined with Aemilia’s response to Chance’s disappearance...

Perhaps it was time she seriously reevaluated their “friendship”.

“Don’t you think you could have reassured her that he was alive? Even police officers tell family members when people have been arrested.” Brooklyn glared at the other girl.

“Get real, Brooklyn. This isn’t a stupid police station. This is Ichabod. It’s because we live in Ichabod that Chance broke the law, and received his due punishment.” Aemilia justified coldly.

“A fourteen year old boy in laying in his bed, covered in bruises and permanently blind in one eye. But I need to get real because this is Ichabod, and that somehow makes it okay?” Brooklyn raised her volume, disturbed by how convicted Aemilia was in her reasoning. “How could you possibly think that makes it okay?” 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Aemilia sneered, “I wasn’t aware that I needed your opinion or approval for my thoughts and actions.”

“That’s exactly the problem! This is about you playing us, using us through your actions! I honestly thought we meant more than that to you!” She snarled in response.

“I don’t see a problem with it,” Aemilia shrugged. “You and Constance used me for popularity and safety, and now you come crying to me, claiming that I can’t use you in return?” She barked out a laugh. “That hardly seems fair. How ungrateful.”

The brunette couldn’t deny the benefits that came along with being close to the strawberry blonde, but for her to twist their entire history and friendship into one of utility? She was beside herself with anger.

“Used you? You think we used you? For what?” She roared. “Your money? Your status? Don’t you think we have those exact same things?” 

Brooklyn Hayes and Constance Pierre were not one’s normal, run of the mill best friends. In fact, they were in extremely similar situations to Aemilia, for their families were also members of the old city elite. 

The Hayes and Pierres had lived in Ichabod for nearly as long as the Augustuses. They may not have had the same amount of prestige that Aemilia lay claim to, but they certainly were not far off.

“You grew up with us and thought we were nothing more than what? Walking labels that strengthened your social status? People you could use to do your bidding?” Brooklyn deadpanned. “We were nothing more than pawns in your game, weren’t we?”

“We didn’t befriend you because of your title or your family, Aemilia. We befriended you because we admired you and your personality. We weren’t the ones that twisted your perception of us into toys, or puppets, or ladies in waiting.” She gave a mirthless smile. “That was all you.”

Aemilia paused, reminiscing on her younger days. In every interaction she ever experienced, she was treated like royalty. At some point, she simply assumed it was natural for everyone to bend to her every whim.

Everyone...except for those two.

They had approached her for some childish reason like playing dolls or tag or other, but it was all genuine. 

“I honestly can’t believe you.” Brooklyn shook her head at her silence and stormed around the room, collecting her and Constance’s materials and shoving them into their respective bags. 

“All these years. All these years, and I was that clueless, that hopeful.” Brooklyn muttered as she gave her a cruel smile. “I can’t believe (Y/N) (L/N) knew you better than I did.” 

Aemilia’s face flushed bright red. 

“Your ladies in waiting are going to relieve themselves of their position now.” Brooklyn carefully dragged the non responsive blonde to her feet, holding both of their bags and contacting her personal driver. She curled her lip. “Please feel free to march your way to the throne by yourself, your highness.” 

The door slammed shut behind them, and for a moment, the residence was silent once more.

Then, with an anguished cry, Aemilia picked up whatever textbooks were nearby and vaulted them at her walls.

First, her future husband. Next, her friends. What would that (h/c) haired bitch steal next? Her life?

“No. No. I won’t let it get that far. I would never let you get away with it!” She screamed, hurling another book. 

Her bedroom door swung open and her father ducked the incoming textbook. “Aemilia! What on earth is going on? Brooklyn and Constance just left looking extremely upset, did you three have an argument?”

She dropped the rest of the textbooks, raced to her father and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Daddy, I need you to call up the special squadron.”

Aloysius Augustus held his daughter’s hands and warily pried them off of him. “Whatever for?”

Aemilia flashed him a maniacal grin. “Namjoon just texted me. He says his father believes he’s found in another soul in dire need of discipline.”

——————————————————————

Ever since engaging in this battle of wills with Aemilia, you tell yourself that there isn’t anything that could surprise you anymore.

Yet the actions of your classmates the next morning were strange. Stranger than you could possibly anticipate.

You entered the classroom and found a group of girls standing in a huddle around a desk, whispering to one another.

The room was strangely empty. Neither Mana nor Jimin had arrived yet, nor had some of your other classmates known for coming to school relatively early.

The girls noticed your entrance and quieted immediately. You found this suspicious, so you decided you wanted nothing to do with them. You shifted your gaze away from them and kept on walking to your seat.

That is, until you heard one of them scoff loudly in your direction.

“I mean, just look at her. She walks around the school as if she’s better than us, just because Ms. Diivi had Jimin sit next to her.”

You froze but their tittering only got louder. 

The girl that scoffed before, a classmate of yours named Seph, left the group and stood in front of you with crossed arms.

“You’re not anything special, (Y/N). You shouldn’t mistake yourself.”

The others seemed to agree with her as, soon enough, they left the desk one by one to surround you.

“It’s really pathetic how you practically beg for Jimin’s attention.”

“The other day, when you made him give you his sweater? It was really embarrassing.”

“Yeah, I could hardly stand to watch.”

They imitated your shivering as they laughed, making it look as though you were having a seizure.

“You used to be tolerable at the least, but Jimin transferred to our class and you finally decided to take the opportunity to climb the ranks, huh?” Another sneered.

You could hardly move. You were stuck in place, the words swimming around in your head.

Externally, you stared down at the ground in confusion, but internally, you were shocked. You couldn’t believe the accusations the girls were coming up with.

Even after everything this town had been through, the Kim brothers still had some sort of deluded fan club...and now they were coming after you.

“What the hell?” You finally said, lifting your head to look each of them in the eye. “Why would I go begging for his attention?”

“Don’t try to deny it, bitch.” Seph snarled. “You used to keep your head down and mind your business like the rest of us, but now, all of a sudden, you’re relishing in the spotlight.”

“We’ll see just how much Jimin likes you soon enough.” One of her lackeys snickered.

They left you where you stood, turning their attention to the doorway.

You could see Jimin from the glass window in the door, waving goodbye to Taehyung as he headed off to his respective classroom. He reached down to twist the knob and pulled the door open.

Had you blinked, you would have missed the entire thing.

Seph pulled a bucket out from under the desk they were all crowded around and threw its contents all over Jimin.

He closed his eyes and opened his mouth in shock as he was doused in water from head to toe. His uniform was soaked and his hair lost its floofy nature, flattening down over his eyes.

One of the girls ripped the bucket away from her and shoved it into your hands. They moved back in tandem, shocked gasps hiding their deeds as Jimin wiped water out of his eyes, which landed on you holding the bucket.

“(Y/N)...?”

You were just as shocked as he was, mouth agape. The evidence was completely against you.

He looked up at you with teary eyes. He looked hurt, so angry, you figured there was no way you were going to get out of this.

“I didn’t do it, why would I?” You protested.

“Jimin, are you alright?” The ringleader picked back up, skillfully concealing a triumphant smirk with an open look of concern. “(Y/N), how could you do such an awful thing? Especially after he’s been nothing but kind to you...”

Wow, does she get lessons from Mrs. Kim or something?

You dropped the bucket in surprise. “No! Jimin, it wasn’t me, I promise, they just grabbed the bucket out of nowhere-”

This is it. My mother is going to have to bury her daughter young. I failed to provide for her, or thank her for everything she’s done for me. Your thoughts couldn’t stop racing. 

“Even for a prank, that’s a bit much, isn’t it?” They continued behind you.

“She’s been acting all this time. I’m not surprised.” 

“He treated her so well and it all just blew up in his face.”

“That’s just like her.”

“She’s lying directly to his face, how fake.”

“Disgusting.”

They continued spouting lies in front of Jimin, telling him about how you were only using him, how you would curse his very existence behind his back. 

Jimin approached you, his wet shoes squeaking on the tile floors.

You backed up, intimidated, bumping the back of your leg against another desk and falling to the floor.

...Would begging help? 

When you finally looked up at him, begging felt like an appealing option.

Jimin’s eyes glistened, chocolate colored irises now hardened and flashing gold.

They were even colder than the ones you’d seen in your dreams, and you felt the temperature around you drop considerably.

You must have been going crazy with terror, something that wasn’t completely amiss in your town. The girls behind you were feasting on the fearful expression in your eyes.

Then, right as you were about to stand, Jimin gently put his hands on your elbows and guided you up.

To their surprise, he tugged you to your feet, wrapped his arms around your shoulders, and pulled you in for a hug.

“You must have been so scared, weren’t you, (Y/N)?” Jimin whispered in your ear. “Those rats dared to mess with you. They tried to come between us with petty rumors and tricks. It’s okay, I’m here now. I believe you.”

He rubbed his hand up and down your back, the water from his uniform seeping into the front of yours. “I’ll make sure you have nothing to fear.”

Jimin pulled away from the hug, smiling at you. He then turned to face the girls, and with that same chilling smile, spoke.

“You all enjoy playing pranks, yes?”

The girls’ expressions changed in a matter of seconds, from snickers and taunts to tearful pleads.

Seph could hardly pick her jaw up off the floor. “Jimin! It was (Y/N), we all saw her-”

“Ah, ah, ah.” You heard a low chuckle sound from the doorway and whipped your head towards the sound.

“I saw everything with my own eyes.” Hoseok stood in the entrance, his arms crossed as he leaned against the door frame.

When had he gotten there?

“And quite frankly, I don’t take too kindly to you lying about what happened to my darling little brother.” His famed smile slipped from his face as he stared down the girls with more hatred than you’d ever seen him possess.

“Jimin...” you reached out to get his attention, but he couldn’t pry his gaze away from the detestable scum that stood before him.

How quickly the tables had turned, you thought as you watched them cower.

Jimin calmly walked toward her and tucked his hand underneath her chin, yanking her ear to his mouth.

He directly whispered into Seph’s ear, but everyone in the room besides (Y/N) heard the same thing, the message pulsing loud and clear inside their heads.

“I’ll make you wish you had never done that.”

He left the group huddling against one another in fright.

“You’ll have to try harder than that.” Hoseok smirked and kicked off the door, walking off with his hands in his pocket.

You stood, incredulous at what had just happened.

“Jimin.” You lay your hand on his shoulder and he covered it with his, turning to meet your gaze. His eyes were wide with expectation.

“Let’s go see your brother, we can get you some new clothes.” You said softly. He smiled serenely and nodded, dragging you to the door by the hand.

Before you could step out, however, he turned around to face them and glowered. “Clean this mess up.”

Seph whimpered and knelt down to pick up the bucket. The other girls scrambled to collect paper towels to dry the floor.

You watched them, trying to conjure up some form of sympathy. That could have been you, cowering beneath him. Moments ago, that was you.

Frighteningly enough, that familiar, heart-strengthening feeling made no appearance. There was no hatred, no remorse. You felt nothing as you were dragged away to the third floor.

Jimin knocked on the door to the student council room, smiling as he spotted his brother. Namjoon, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Hyung! I need a new uniform.”

He stepped back to let the two of you enter. Jimin released your hand and beelined for the atrium, grabbing a new shirt and a pair of pants. He then stepped into the bathroom and loudly shut the door.

“Do you mind telling me what that was all about?” Namjoon looked down at you for a moment before his eyes flew up and he stared at the wall with newfound interest. “Feel free to grab a change of clothes as well.”

You followed his gaze and jumped at just how wet the front of your shirt had gotten. “Thanks,” you muttered, desperately hiding your blush.

I’m seriously finding myself back here too often.

You got another polo from the closet and left the door open as you changed, praying that Jimin wouldn’t leave the bathroom and that Namjoon wouldn’t walk around the corner. To keep him busy, you filled him in on what had happened moments before.

When you were finished, you stepped out into the main room with your wet shirt folded over your arm. Namjoon leaned against the wooden table with his arms crossed. His eyebrows furrowed and he looked as though he didn’t know whether to laugh or punch someone.

You glanced at Namjoon and thought back to the way he looked at the people around him.

It quickly dawned on you how bothered you were by Namjoon’s view of everyone around him as some sort of game. 

He always wore an amused smile on his face: when he was looking at his mother in his family home, when he heard what Constance did to you, when he saw all of the students worrying over Chance, and whenever Aemilia and her antics were brought up.

He probably thought he was so clever at hiding it, at being the misfortunate yet accomplished gentleman that everyone perceived him to be, but you saw right through his act.

“The audacity they have to dare make such a ruckus on school property,” He clenched his jaw. “Don’t worry. They will surely receive proper punishment.”

You nodded, eyes glazing over with indifference.

You were too grateful that it was not you or Mana and too exhausted to be concerned with the affairs of other students.

They should have been prepared for this, at the very least. You were only worried about the well being of you and your loved ones.

Did that make you incredibly selfish? Did that make you just like...them?

A hot flash of anger rose in you and died as quickly as it had appeared.

Perhaps Namjoon’s act angered you because it was so similar to, no, better, than your own.

Your face twisted in response to your thoughts. “Thanks for the help. I’ll be sure to pay you back. Tell Jimin I’ll see him in class,” you muttered and bowed then left, needing to separate yourself from them as soon as possible.

Namjoon watched you leave, intrigued by the sudden look of displeasure you wore. “...She noticed,” he chuckled to himself.

"She must not have liked it,” Jimin said as he walked out, fully changed. His hair was still a little wet, but it was nothing he couldn’t take care of later.

Namjoon scoffed.

His little brother subsequently seized opportunity of your absence to explain to Namjoon just how delightful you looked in front of him.

“She looked as though she were about to beg, hyung. As gorgeous a sight as it was, those lower beings had the nerve to send her to her knees.” Jimin growled. “They terrified her, made her think I was going to hurt her.”

“What would you like to do with them?” Namjoon asked him as he leaned against the wooden table, a familiar smirk on his face.

By the end of homeroom, those girls were removed from your section. By the end of lunch, they had left your class and the school completely.

——————————————————————

The final bell rang and you lifted your head off your desk. You’d been trapped in your thoughts since earlier today, but your class schedule had given you no time to focus on your inner monologue.

Someone’s finger tapped your shoulder and you snapped out of your thoughts, directing your attention to them. 

A freshman stood before you nervously and passed you a folded piece of paper. 

“Thanks,” you muttered.

The kid nodded and scurried out of the classroom.

You unfolded the paper, reading the slightly disorganized handwriting. 

You and me, (L/N). Show up alone. Rooftop. 4 pm.

You didn’t even need to ask the kid who it was from.

“This is the game you’re going to play?” You mumbled to yourself. “You still can’t even confront me face to face.”

Unfortunately for you, you already were alone. Mana never came to school today, as they had gone with their father to visit their grandmother at her nursing home, and Jimin was going to be in robotics club for the next forty-five minutes or so.

Then again, Brooklyn and Constance didn’t look like they were attached to Aemilia’s hip today either. The brunette spent all of lunch sending her a bunch of particularly nasty glares from across the cafeteria.

You eyed the clock. fiddling with your phone. After several minutes of deliberation, you opened it to text your mother that you would take yourself home today. 

Let’s get this over with.

Approximately thirty minutes later, you shouldered your back pack on and made your way to the school staircase. 

You texted Mana an update on where you were going and what you were going to do, just in case. After a second thought, you also texted Jimin.

They must not have had their phones on them because they didn’t text back immediately, so you locked yours and put it in your pocket.

When you finally arrived to the rooftop, you saw Aemilia standing near the edge, strawberry blonde ponytail swinging in the autumn breeze.

You already weren’t feeling well and wanted to go home several hours ago. Alas, you were here. 

Your school rooftop was moderately large; appropriate, considering the size of the building. There was nothing up there but a few stacked, forlorn chairs, scattered materials, and blocks of concrete that functioned as storage spaces.

“What do you want, Aemilia?” You asked tiredly. 

She didn’t say anything, nor did she turn around. You walked a couple steps closer to her and stopped. “Hello?” 

“Did you enjoy yourself, (Y/N)?” She asked, her back still facing you. 

You squinted in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Did you enjoy taking everything away from me? Everything that I deemed mine?” Aemilia finally turned to face you. 

On the outside, she looked no different than she had a couple of days ago, but her eyes seemed...hollow.

“I didn’t take anything from you.” You pointed out. “Though, it sounds like you finally realized how skilled you are at pushing people away from you. That has nothing to do with me.”

“Don’t lie to my face.” She croaked out a laugh. “Don’t you dare claim that you haven’t stolen anything of mine.”

Her gaze turned malicious. “I thought you’d be a bug. Small, easy to crush. I wanted to make you even more insignificant than you already were. Unidentifiable.”

“But the harder I tried, the more I failed to crush you. I wanted to rub you into the dirt, but you kept on escaping unblemished.” She gazed in bored ire at her own two hands as though there was something on them that only she could see.

“So I realized, if I can’t crush you, then I’ll just have to destroy you. Completely.”

Foreign hands grabbed your arms with a vice and you started, immediately fighting to pry them off. 

“Are you fucking serious? What are you doing?” You voice was a mixture of fear and disbelief.

Had your greatest fear finally come true? Were the Kims actually going to make an example of you?

“I’m simply executing my right as an Augustus. I am removing anyone who is a threat to the Kim’s empire. My future empire.” She calmly remarked, nodding tonce o whoever was behind you. 

No. She was doing this for her own purpose. Her sense of order, of what was right in the world.

“Aemilia! You can’t do this!” Your voice raised in pitch and your breathing increased, your blood pumping faster and faster by the second. The hands on your arms were growing tighter and tighter.

“Oh, (Y/N). I tried to warn you several times. You didn’t listen.” She chided with false disappointment. “You did this to yourself.”

“Are you scared? Have you now realized your wrong doing? What a shame.” You watched in horror as a deranged smile crept its way onto her face and Aemilia threw her head back in laughter. “It’s already too late!”

There was no time for her descent into madness.

You stilled for just a second, then rocked your head back and successfully slammed it into your captor’s. There was a low grunt from behind you and the person let you go. You took off without a second thought.

You didn’t even bother trying the school door, as you knew it would be blocked. 

Instead, you ran past Aemilia, shoving her aside as hard as you could, in the direction of the roof’s edge.

The strawberry blonde fell, but her laughter didn’t pause--if anything, it only rose in volume. 

You realized the person had regained control of themself, as they came barreling after you.

Yet you also knew that one floor below you, there was a balcony informally used by all the students as a multipurpose space. To your knowledge, it consisted of old blankets and furniture.

I’d rather take my chances with an old table or couch than these bastards, you thought as you ran towards the eaves.

The closer you got, the harder your heart beat in your chest. You were terrified. But somehow, under all the fear, you were able to rationally think and suppress your fears. 

You willed yourself to keep running and, before you could think about it, threw yourself over the edge.

You were in the air for about three seconds before your captor grabbed you by the jacket and stopped your descent. With surprising strength, they yanked you up and backward, tackling you to the floor. 

Your body met the concrete with a harsh slam and you yelled out in pain. Hopefully, you had received nothing other than a few nasty bruises. 

Aemilia’s laughter had quieted by now and she stood on her feet. She brushed her clothes off with a pleased grin.

“Nice try, sweetie. Mr. Byun, why don’t you give dear (Y/N) here a reminder on what happens should she mess with the Augustus family?” She crooned.

Your captor pinned your hands behind your back and shifted so that they were kneeling on your arms, bones digging into your back. He grabbed you by the hair and slammed your head repeatedly into the concrete.

It hurt.  

It hurt more than when you sprained your ankle that one time walking to a monthly meeting and had to continue walking on it for the rest of the evening. 

It hurt more than when your mother healed a particularly deep cut of yours by stitching it up herself because she couldn’t afford to take you to the hospital.

It hurt more than seeing your mother’s face whenever you asked about your father. 

Everything hurt.

You couldn’t even cry out in pain as it would take up too much of your effort, effort that you didn’t have to spare.

“Thus, I declare myself the victor of our little battle of wills.” Aemilia chirped, not at all disturbed by the violence occurring in front of her.

There was something hot running down your forehead. After a couple of blinks, red crept into your eyes, falling down your face with your tears. 

“Your pride’s going to be the death of you.” You choked out, then winced as the Mr. Byun kicked you harshly in the stomach.

“Should my time arrive, at least I will go out in a blaze of glory.” She said brazenly, beaming with triumph. As she bathed in the light of the afternoon sun, her strawberry blonde hair turned a shocking red.

You blinked blood out of your eyes and squinted up at Aemilia, not that it helped as your blurry vision kept her form shifting in and out of focus.

“Yet I can’t say the same for you.” 

Then the grip in your hair tightened and your face met concrete for the last time, your entire world going dark.

Halfway across the campus, Kim Jimin turned his phone on and felt his heart drop to his stomach as his eyes landed on your text message.

——————————————————————

hey y’all! whew this is a long one--i’m sorry for taking longer than normal to update! thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and love! i adore reading your theories and comments :D i hope you all enjoy this chapter! feel free to let me know what you think will happen next~

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