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the-tiniest-one · 3 years ago

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Parenting Rock Lee with Might Guy :)

Note:@xemaliahrssx here ya go! I hope it tastes just like you dreamed it would!

Sitting at the kitchen table, watching Guy and Lee devour the dinner you made, had you feeling nostalgic... You watched with your head rested on your hand. It was the little family moments that you appreciated more than anything else these days. "Yeah! and then I caught him in a cross block!" Lee said, describing their latest mission, his mouth full of food.

"Haha yes yes (y/n) you should have been there, our Rock Lee is becoming a real force to be reckoned with, much like his handsome sensei" Guy said with a wink in your direction.

"Handsome indeed" you said with a grin.

Thinking back to the days when you were a little more of a workaholic made you laugh. If you told your younger-self all those years ago that you would be Konoha's worst helicopter parent in just a few years, you'd have never believed it. Guy was a perfect match for you in that regard. You two were a well oiled machine when it came to parenting.

While Lee could do no wrong in your eyes, Guy was a bit heavy handed in his discipline of Lee's skills as a shinobi. You kissed every bruise and scrape, while Guy was teaching him how to prevent them in the first place.

Rock Lee has had more than his fair share of the short-end-of-the- shit-stick his entire life. BUT One could be forgiven for not recognizing the true level of hardship the boy has overcome in his short tenure as a shinobi. Lee is a true underdog.

Lucky for him, you've always been a bit of a sucker for an underdog.

You thought back to those early days......

Even before Lee evolved to a mini version of your childhood crush, you felt the need to protect him. Watching him fumble and practice jutsu in vain day after day.....early in the morning and into the night. You would watch him from a distance while training your own team. One early morning, you decided to check in on the boy with long black hair. He kicked at a post, counting off as you looked on...10....11.....12.....his kicks were weak even for his young age. As he got closer to 50 he fell back, overwhelmed by the pain of repetitively beating his shins into the wood without chakra to safeguard his bones.

Clearly angry at his situation, the thought occurred to you that maybe he wasn't using chakra because he couldn't....the boy had tears streaming from his eyes. It broke your heart to watch a kid who couldn't be more than 10, cursing his life.

"A kid working that hard shouldn't have to feel that defeated..." you said to yourself.

You felt conflicted. Torn between wanting to step in and takeover his training...but feeling the weight of responsibility that would come with encouraging a child to chase a pipedream that would only lead to disappointment. You knew all too well what happens to weak ninja. The reality was that it would be cruel to encourage the boy to peruse a life as dangerous as that of a shinobi. You were no slouch when it came to taijutsu but ninjas are able to compete with one another because of the advantages that come with developing kakai genki.

Could a boy with no use of chakra stand a chance against the generations of those families of ninja who use fearsome jutsu and tactics like lightning...wind....wood or even hereditary gifts like the dreaded sharingan or byakugen? The real answer was sad and harsh. No. He couldn't.

You wouldn't be so irresponsible as to tell the boy he could be anything but a failure.

If he perused that path, he would die young.

So you stood back, restraining the desire to comfort and nurture the little boy out of what you told yourself was mercy. Day after day, week after week....you watched on....until it became too much. You couldn't sleep anymore, couldn't function on missions the same way. Always thinking back to him still out at those training grounds.....always struggling.

....

One morning it was pouring rain. You called off training that day for your team and headed out to the place you knew he would be. He was there of course. He was doing his best to catch a cold while practicing hand signs to no avail. After watching him for a few minutes you finally asked, "What's your name kid?" speaking loud to project over the rain. Startled he looked up to where you stood, perched on a post a few feat away. "I...Im Rock Lee" he said timidly. You laughed at his shy but sweet face, "Im y/n" you said.

"Your kicks look like they could use some work", holding your palm about chest high, to show him where his blow should be landing. The boy grimaced...clearly angry with his lack of direction in training. You laughed and the both of you worked on his kicks for the duration of the morning.

"I think you'll be a splendid ninja someday" you said as you offered him a bit of lunch you packed. The boy looked up at you with the most heartbreaking fear in his eyes, "I can't use chakra" Lee said barley above a whisper, clearly ashamed to tell you the truth.

You ruffled his hair. "Look kid, life is shitty sometimes. But I can tell you are someone who will never quit. No matter the odds, and that is something worth more than all the talent in the world." He instantly smiled up at you, melting your heart for what would be the first of a million times. Laughing and showing you also first time you saw that shiny smile that you would come to love more that anything on earth.

From then on he was your responsibility. Your chest burned with pride in his concrete determination. Feeling instantly the protective burn and feral instinct to insulate him from anything that would hurt him.

....

It was about a year later when things evolved. You and Lee had become close. He, being an orphan as you found out he was, had taken your invitation to live in your spare bedroom. It wasn't long before you were nagging him to be sure and eat breakfast before class, take baths every night. You were often hearing your mothers voice echo in your own as you guided the child to a structure he lacked.

You even went to his parent meetings at the Academy, much to the surprise of Iruka (because he himself was 2 years older than you and had known you since you were smol) laughed when you asked to see Lee's reports.

----

Then one hot summer day you got the order... your team was dispatched on your first extended mission with your new genin. 3 months on a C rank mission to Suna. Your heart sank as you remembered Lee's graduation exam was in just a few days. Before you left, you kissed his forehead and promised a tearful Lee who had become just as attached as you over the last year, that would bring him back a graduation present.

You just knew he would finally pass.

....

Returning to the village near midnight you couldn't wait to see Lee. After giving report to Lord Third, you quickly made your way home. Quietly cracking the door to his bedroom, you peaked in to see his sweet little face. The snoring boy looked peaceful.

"He cut his hair?" you thought puzzled..."he must have done it himself, it looks a little odd." You laughed at the thought of him using a bowl to cut his hair.

Then your eyes traveled to the headband still around his forehead, "He passed!!!" you quietly celebrated, careful not to wake him up. You placed the promised gift on his dresser, a brand-new set of num-chuks you'd had made in Suna.

The next morning you were up before sunrise making a celebratory breakfast when an extreme round of knocking came from the apartment's front door.

You quickly answered, immediately flustered when on the other side was none other than Might Guy....the same Guy you'd had the hots for over a decade.

"Y/N!, I must have the wrong address! I was looking for one of my students!" Guy said in his familiar boisterous cadence. Laughing nervously you started to respond, when behind you Lee pushed his way through the doorframe. Your eyes widened at the sight.

The haircut made sense now, Lee stood side by side with his sensei. He was wearing Guy's jumpsuit... they could have been father and son.

Looking at the two of them standing side by side in front of you for the first time gave you the most jarring sense of dejavu.

"Guy sensei! Look what Y/N brought me from her most dangerous mission!" Lee brandished the weapon, beaming up at his teacher who laughed and winked in your direction. "Ah, a great choice! Only the most skilled ninja know how to use such a fine weapon! We must enlighten you at once Lee my boy!" With that the handsome jonin and your sweet Rock Lee were off to train.

You had known Guy since he was still struggling to gain entrance to the Academy, you knew that the man who radiated confidence today, only earned that ability through blood, sweat, and tears.

You apprehensively accepted that Might Guy was a good match to be Lee's sensei.

"Be careful!" you called, more than a little apprehensive at the thought of your sweet baby boy training with such an admittedly impulsive man. Feeling a small tug of sadness as you watched the two of them disappear down the street.

"Lee's getting tall..." you though as you closed the door.

....

Over the next few years Lee had grown into a strong young man. You felt such extreme pride in everything he did. Even though you being in your mid-twenties were not nearly old enough to be Lee's mother, he had taken to occasionally calling you mom.

Lee was never embarrassed of you as he grew into a teen like some of the other kids his age. He was always just as willing to give you a hug before a mission as the day you met him.

It would be a lie to say that the relationship you and Guy shared hadn't also matured along the way. Although you weren't Lee's biological parents, anyone would be forgiven for thinking that you were. Everything you had admired about Guy, his hot-bloodedness, his devotion to youthful perseverance, his love of his village had been passed down to your surrogate son.

It was only natural that you and Guy would become a team in raising Rock Lee. Over time after a few years of dinners, training sessions, birthdays, holidays etc...Guy decided to propose to you.

It was a literal dream come true. You couldn't say yes fast enough. But as required when two shinobi become married, when you went to sign the paperwork to make your marriage official, requesting a stamp of approval from Lady Tsunade....she extended to you a folder with a second set of forms.

Guy beamed as you read the contents. Adoption papers with Lee's name printed at the top in bold.

"He will always be our son. Since we are making it official... why not add one more?" Guy said with a laugh. The tears began welling in your eyes. "He's 17" you laughed, "I love you" is all you could think to say in response to the most kind gesture you have ever witnessed.

Guy held his trademark thumbs up high as he replied, "Lee will always need his mom, no matter how big he gets!" His words like music to your heart...

You'd never felt so complete as you walked hand in hand with Guy, on your way home to surprise your sweet son with the news.

Upon telling Lee what the two of you had done, he looked from the papers back to you. Confusion spread across the sweet ravenette's features. "But I do not understand" Lee said with a hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Have you not always been my mom?"

The innocent look in his eye and profound sincerity in his voice made tears well in your eyes for what felt like the tenth time that day. You laughed and swept he and Guy into a hug that didn't last long enough. "What's for dinner?" the two men asked in unison and in that moment you knew you were the luckiest person in the world.

#rock lee #might guy x you #might guy relationship #naruto imagines #naruto #naruto fanfiction #might gai imagine #might guy fanfiction #rock lee fanfiction #parenting with maito #rock lee's mom #maito guy #rock lee imagines #rock lee x y/n #team gai

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cheri-translates · 4 years ago

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[CN] Lucien’s Radio Broadcast Date

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 电台之约, which has not been released in EN! 🍒

[ This date was released on 17 May 2021 ]

[ PROLOGUE ]

Part One: A Weekend Arrangement

On the weekend morning, I wake up contentedly, doing a big stretch on the bed.

Feeling for my phone beside the pillow, I tap on the unread text that was received five minutes ago.

Lucien: Are you awake? Little Lazy Bug.

A small smile involuntary surfaces on my lips. Nuzzling the soft pillow case, I get up at one go, washing my face and brushing my teeth.

After fifteen minutes, I knock on Lucien’s door.

MC: Lucien, it’s me!

Not a moment later, he opens the door, wearing light-coloured home wear that I rarely see, a pair of golden-framed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.

It’s been a while since Lucien and I last saw each other. He has been staying in the research centre recently, and I’ve been busy with filming a new show.

Since we both have a rare break, we made arrangements to meet today.

Lucien: I even thought I’d only get to see you at noon.

Upset, I look at his teasing smile.

MC: In Professor Lucien’s eyes, am I a person who doesn’t keep to her promises? I finally get to see you, so of course I’m seizing every moment.

The arcs at the corners of his lips grow deeper. He turns his body to the side, beckoning me to enter.

Following Lucien into the living room, I see several thick English books left open on the coffee table, and my shoulders droop subconsciously.

MC: Lucien, do you have work to handle today?

Lucien turns around, his eyes curving when he sees my appearance. He walks to me, then lifts my shoulders up gently.

Lucien: Of course not. I finally get to see you, so of course I have to be entirely focused.

Part Two: Pondering on the Play

After releasing a secret sigh of relief, I become curious regarding the books on the coffee table. Picking up one of the books, I see its name on the title page -

MC: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”? Are you reading Shakespeare’s works?

Lucien: To be more accurate, I’m selecting a play.

MC: Selecting?

Lucien doesn’t respond to my question, turning around and walking into the kitchen.

Lucien: Are there any plays that you like?

MC: Hm... I can’t think of any that I especially like. All the plays I’ve watched with you seem pretty good. What about you?

Lucien: Do you still remember the play we watched called “André & Dorine”?

[Trivia] André & Dorine depicts the enduring love between an elderly couple as their lives are disrupted, but not overcome, by dementia

MC: I remember! Was it that mime theatre production? I still remember how you pondered over the guitar case on stage for a long time after the performance was over.

Lucien: I wasn’t pondering much. It’s just that after watching it, I felt that life is very short.

Lucien brings over a cup of steaming hot cocoa from the kitchen. He places the cup in my hand naturally, his eyes meeting mine.

Lucien: It has to be spent with the person one loves.

Part Three: A Typical Day in the Radio Broadcast Station

The temperature within the house seems to rise along with the the piping hot cocoa. I pat my slightly flushed cheeks, pulling the conversation topic back.

MC: Come to think of it, why do you have to select a play?

Lucien sits down unhurriedly, his tone steady as he gives me an answer which leaves one utterly confused.

Lucien: I need to confess something to Producer MC -

Lucien: I accepted the invitation of another radio broadcast station.

After waiting for Lucien to finish with his short “confession”, I finally understand why he has to select a play.

Two days ago, Lucien received an invitation from the Loveland Radio Broadcast Station to participate in a 520 Special Broadcast Program called “A Day in a Play”.

[Note] 520 stands for 20 May, a day celebrated by the Chinese as another Valentine’s Day. This is because 我爱你 (“wo ai ni” - “I love you”) sounds like the numbers 5, 2, and 0 (“wu er ling”) when said aloud

This program regularly invites theatre fans from various occupations to share their favourite plays, and Lucien is one of them.

Hearing such news bogs me down with mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m silently in awe at the good choice made by the radio station. On the other hand...

I sneak a peek at Lucien. His head is currently lowered as he blows on the steam of the hot cocoa, his expression levelled.

...if I were to get jealous about Lucien agreeing to participate in another show, it’d be an incredibly inconsiderate thing, right?

Just as I think about this, Lucien suddenly lifts his head towards me. He crinkles his eyes into a smile, as though he has completely seen through the little grumblings in my heart from earlier.

Lucien: Oh yes, this show requires me to invite a partner. The Great Producer MC would grace me with her presence, won’t she?

[ DATE ]

Lucien: “Come live with me and be my love,”

Lucien: “And we will all the pleasures prove,”

Lucien: “That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,”

Lucien: “Woods, or steepy mountains yields.”

Lucien: “And we will sit upon rocks,”

Lucien: “Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,”

Lucien: “By shallow rivers to whose falls,”

Lucien: “Melodious birds sing madrigals.”

Lucien: “...if these flights thy mind may move,”

Lucien: “Then live with me and be my love.”

Lucien: What do you think about this poem? Do you like it?

Lucien sets down the manuscript in his hand, lifting his eyes slowly.

He’s leaning next to the window of the guest lounge. The warm light of spring falls on his shoulders, creating a mild, brilliant white halo in the air.

A few days ago, Lucien invited me to participate in the 520 Special Broadcast Program called “A Day in a Play”.

The content of this show consists of idle talk related to plays, and it regularly invites theatre fans from various occupations to share about their favourite plays.

The stanza that Lucien just read aloud came from a poem written by a playwright called Christopher Marlowe.

MC: I like it very much.

Returning to my senses, my expression is sincere as I look at him.

MC: Lucien, have you ever thought of changing occupations and becoming an actor?

When Lucien hears this, his eyes arch into a smile. He walks over, tapping the manuscript gently on the top of my head.

Lucien: An exaggerated compliment would make it lose its sincerity.

Just as I’m about to firmly express my sincerity, I notice from the corner of my eye that there are several markings on Lucien’s manuscript.

Leaning over to get a better look, I realise that those markings are notes taken down on the poem by Lucien with a pen.

I recall how he’s been incredibly busy in the previous period, and how there were many times when I had to remind him to eat...

Even so, he made notes on the manuscript regarding reciting techniques for this show. In my heart, I deeply respect his endless energy. At the same time, I can’t help but be envious.

MC: Does Professor Lucien need to do homework beforehand too?

Lucien: Techniques are required for specialised skills. I’m not a professional at reciting poetry, so of course I need to do my homework beforehand.

I deliberately fold my arms, letting out quiet “hmph”s.

MC: But you don’t seem to do any preparations as a consultant for Miracle Finder.

Lucien: Since I’m a consultant, I can’t let the producer of the show see me do last minute work.

He draws slightly closer to me, lowering his voice.

Lucien: At a place you can’t see, I’ve always been working hard for you.

The evident slyness in his tone causes my breathing to turn slightly ragged. Clearing my throat, I put some distance between us.

MC: [blushing] That’s not what I meant...

Lucien: I understand.

Meaningful arcs hook the corners of his lips, as though he sees through the feelings in my heart. He tugs me over to sit on the sofa in the guest lounge.

Lucien: Or should I only participate in the shows you produce next time?

MC: ...I’m not asking you to go that far either!

He narrows his eyes and turns his head to the side, pretending to give it some thought.

Lucien: In that case, I’ll always ask for Producer MC’s opinion before appearing on a show. Is that okay?

I nod, face red from his teasing. All of a sudden, my heart stirs.

MC: Verbal statements can’t be relied upon. Concrete evidence is needed.

I lift my hand, removing the small hair tie on my ponytail. Then, I indicate for Lucien to give me his hand.

He seems to guess what I plan to do. Supporting his chin casually with one hand, he stretches the other hand in front of me.

With a serious expression, I put on the hair tie on his wrist solemnly, as though I’m conducting a formal ceremony.

MC: It shall be the evidence. In future, the Professor Lucien on the big screen will be completely reserved by me!

After sitting in the lounge for a while, the director comes over and goes through today’s show schedule with Lucien and I briefly.

The show is segmented into reading letters from theatre fans, reciting monologues from plays, and monologue appreciation, among other things.

In every episode, this show will choose a particular theme of plays, which will then be used to expand on the contents of the show.

In order to be in line with the special day of 520, the theme for this episode has been set as the “possessiveness” between lovers.

As such, the plays and characters we selected are related to “possessiveness”.

The first segment consists of sharing letters from listeners. The show team had collected various reviews of plays from listeners, as well as their personal takeaways from the plays.

There’s only ten minutes before the show begins. Seizing this final free time, I sit in the studio, skimming through these letters briefly.

Some of the letters include analysis spanning over a thousand words on the extreme possessiveness of some classic characters in plays...

Some of the letters created a hearty one-act play based on the word “possessiveness”.

My line of sight roams over these letters, and I can sense someone leaning over from the side.

Lucien: What are you looking at?

MC: Letters from the listeners. Which letter would you like to read later?

Lucien glances at the open letters on the table for a while. Then, the corners of his lips suddenly curve upwards.

Just as I'm about to follow his line of sight, the director gives us a signal from outside, telling us that the countdown to the broadcast is about to begin.

Suppressing my curiosity, Lucien and I begin today’s radio broadcast with the guidance of the host.

The segment of reading letters arrives on schedule. I select a satisfactory review of a play to read. Very quickly, it’s almost time for Lucien to read a letter.

Host: Would Professor Lucien be reading an interesting review of a play as well?

Lucien picks up a pink coloured envelope in the middle directly, as though he has long since made a decision.

Lucien: Even though it isn’t a review, ever since I saw this letter before the show, I really wanted to share it with everyone. However, it looks like the owner of this letter is female. If I were to read it, I’m afraid it’d be slightly inappropriate.

Lucien turns over, handing the letter to me.

Lucien: Could I request Producer MC to read it for me?

I blink, taking the letter without knowing what’s going on.

Opening the letter, the childish handwriting brings with it a fragrance as it unfolds before my eyes.

MC: “Hello hosts, I’m a student from junior high.”

Slightly puzzled, I look at Lucien. He smiles slightly, indicating that I should continue reading.

MC: “Recently, I’ve been feeling troubled.”

MC: “Ever since coming to junior high school, my deskmate has been a very playful boy, and he always bullies me.”

MC: “He often tugs on my ponytail, or asks me to give him my seat in the canteen. Even though he gives me snacks, he says that it’s only because he doesn’t want to eat them.”

MC: “While eating his snacks one day, a classmate suddenly teased us and asked if we liked each other. At that time, I was in a fluster and shouted without realising, ‘How could I like him!’”

MC: “Ever since then... my deskmate hasn't spoken to me.”

MC: “I thought I’d be really happy since I’m freed from his bullying. But whenever I see him distributing snacks to other girls, I actually feel the impulse to cry.”

MC: “I even secretly placed his snacks on my own table, pretending that my deskmate gave them to me...”

MC: “ --so that I can attempt to stake my claim in front of other girls.”

MC: “Last week, I watched a stage play, and the experiences of the lead character were somewhat similar to mine.”

MC: “Afterwards, I read the reviews. Everyone was saying that the lead character was fiercely possessive, and a little abnormal...”

MC: “Am I also such a person? What counts as being possessive? Is being possessive truly an illness?”

After reading the last line, I lift my head to meet Lucien’s eyes, giving him a knowing smile.

Host: I didn’t expect Professor Lucien to select such an adorable letter. How would you respond to this young listener’s question?

Lucien: I’m very sorry, but I’m unable to respond. This question might require a consultation with a professional. But I once read a document on concepts in psychology related to “possessiveness”, and I could share it with everyone.

Lucien stretches his hand towards me, and I hand the letter to him in tacit understanding.

He unfolds the letter, casually lifting his spectacles. Then, he lowers his hand, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table.

The sound of tapping stops abruptly. He lifts his hand to support his lips, then tilts his head slightly, as though recalling the contents of the document.

Lucien: The following information is for everyone’s reference. Possessiveness is typically expressed as an exceptional cherishing of the other party, and being concerned about the other party in various aspects of their life.

For some inexplicable reason, along with Lucien’s words, I suddenly recall scenes of myself heading to the research centre to bring him bentos.

Lucien: Only allowing oneself and the other party to have a connection, and not wishing for others to get close to the other party.

My heart once again inexplicably recalls the bitter taste when I heard of Lucien participating in this show.

Lucien: If one finds that the other party no longer belongs to them, they’d use all sorts of methods to stake their claim.

Lucien appears to deliberately twist his wrist slightly, revealing the small hair tie on it.

...I have a feeling that Lucien is implicitly referring to me. I keep my eyes on Lucien, and can’t help but purse my lips.

He seems to sense my “complaint”, but his eyes remain on the letter in his hand, a smile on his lips tugging upwards.

Lucien: This is simply a definition, and isn’t enough to ascertain the intensity of a person’s possessiveness. However, satisfying one’s possessiveness in an appropriate manner isn’t a bad thing. If possessiveness is unable to obtain a suitable outlet, it’d end up violently engulfing the originally balanced love. Furthermore, possessiveness isn’t a disease.

Lucien sets down the letter. As though sensing my gaze, he turns his head and gives me a slight smile.

Lucien: It accompanies a strong love. It’s a human instinct.

After the letter reading segment, Lucien, as the main guest, has to read a monologue from a certain play in the next segment.

This play narrates an account in mid-century Europe, involving the love story of a wealthy lady and a butler who grew up together since young.

This butler was naturally more intelligent than others, and had a composed temperament. If he were to craft a career for himself, he’d do far better than being a butler.

However, in order stay by the side of his beloved lady, he was willing to remain within the four walls.

The naive wealthy lady didn’t understand the genuine feelings of the butler. Like every other wealthy lady, she looked forward to marrying her own prince.

But when she was arranged to get married to a wealthy duke, her heart started to waver.

Because the intensity of the butler’s possessiveness went to his head, he eventually poisoned the wealthy lady, then vanished into the night.

With his own hands, he buried the love of his life, and from then on became a fugitive, living a life that was neither dead nor alive.

The monologue that Lucien is about to read is taken from the part after the butler finds out that the lady is inclined to marrying the duke. It’s the first time he reveals the depth of his possessiveness.

Lucien selected this monologue himself, and I can’t help but anticipate it.

Host: Listeners and friends, we’ll now lend our ears to Professor Lucien -

Lucien nods slightly, tilting his head towards me and blinking slowly. His lowered voice gradually seeps into the earpieces.

Lucien: “I thought she was just a canary which would only sit by the window...”

Lucien: “When the sun rises every morning, she’d be at the glass window, facing the blazing sunlight and preening its feathers to its heart’s content.”

Rich affection is in Lucien’s voice. It’s as though I can see a talented and handsome young man staring at the girl’s back in the room with deep feelings.

Lucien: “Her wings are vibrant and heart-stirring. She spends a lot of time on them, combing them gently with a bristle brush.”

Lucien: “Whenever this happens, I’d stand behind her, carrying a cup of hot tea, waiting for her quietly.”

Lucien: “I know that in this moment, she belongs only to me.”

Lucien’s voice suddenly turns soft and barely discernible. I can’t help but be immersed in it -

The modern studio around me suddenly shifts, as though turning into wooden furniture in Western Europe.

Ripples of colour reflect off the windows and onto the floor, glistening with light. An expensive fragrance of rogue diffuses in the room.

Lucien: “Only I know what she's thinking of, and only I understand everything about her.”

I turn my head to Lucien, who is behind me. He’s wearing a fitting suit, standing at a spot where shadows and light mingle.

Lucien: “We will be forgotten in this place by the world, but the strings of fate will tie us together.”

He suddenly pauses, the intermingling of shadows and light distorting his expression into shreds. He trembles slightly in the darkness.

Lucien: “...before meeting that duke, she was always in front of that glass window, being my bird.”

Lucien: “She should realise that if she were to fly out, she would have cuts and bruises all over from those impetuous dandies.”

Lucien: “She would discover that there is an entire sky of canaries which are just as beautiful and frail as her. Those dandies only have to reach out gently--”

Lucien: “And her beloved feathers would be easily plucked out.”

Lucien: “If this is the ending... if this is the only ending...”

Lucien: “Then her feathers should belong to me.”

When I see his calm and shadowed expression, I hold my breath momentarily.

Lucien: “Only belonging to me.”

The monologue ends.

Lucien: In the short span of one minute, you’ve already hesitated to say something to me five times.

Lucien sighs, setting down the cup of water in his hand.

After the monologue ended, the subsequent segments no longer involve the guests that much.

Lucien and I have left the studio earlier, and are sitting on the sofa in the lounge, waiting for the show to officially come to an end.

It’s just that... ever since we stepped out of the studio and I saw Lucien returning to his normal state, my heart has had difficulties making the adjustment.

MC: ...I was just so stunned.

Tickled by the exaggerated tone in my voice, Lucien chuckles softly.

Lucien: I’ll take that as a compliment.

MC: Of course it’s a compliment! I didn’t expect you to perform so well. You were basically an entirely different person earlier!

Lucien: I was simply portraying the role as I understood it. But I accept Producer MC’s compliment.

He takes a shallow sip of tea calmly, returning to how Lucien typically is, and completely different from the butler he was acting as earlier.

Seeing him like this, a question suddenly surfaces in my heart -

I wonder what Lucien’s possessiveness looks like?

Director: Sorry for the wait! The two of you have worked hard today!

After the show ends, the director returns to the lounge, carrying a stack of manuscripts in his hand.

Director: The responses for today’s show are extremely good! Many thanks to Professor Lucien and Miss MC for the spectacular performance!

Lucien: We’re also grateful for your invitation to participate in this show.

Director: Professor Lucien is too polite. Both of you truly did very well. The comment board for the show is filled with positive remarks. To tell you the truth, there’s something I need to ask of the two of you.

The director unfolds the manuscript in his hand. Lucien and I lower our heads to look at it. It’s the script from that earlier play.

Director: We’d like to include a special 520 Easter egg for this episode’s theme. It would be the final scene between the butler and the wealthy lady. Earlier, Professor Lucien’s monologue left a deep impression on the listeners, and the responses were very enthusiastic. If possible, could you and Producer MC record this Easter egg today?

The director clasps his hands together, inviting Lucien sincerely. However, Lucien turns his line of sight to me.

Lucien: My rights to participate in a show belong to this lady. If she agrees, I’ll naturally have no issues with it.

The director looks over in confusion. Just as Lucien is about to showcase the hair tie with a dead serious expression, I hurriedly agree.

MC: Yes! We can!

The director unclasps his hands quickly, preparing for the recording of the Easter egg. Lucien and I remain in the studio to go over the lines.

After familiarising myself with my lines, I lift my head, realising that Lucien is leaning against the sofa, reading the script meticulously and silently.

Seeing him look so serious, I suddenly become curious again.

MC: Lucien, could I ask you a question?

Lucien: Does it have to do with why I agreed to participate in this show?

MC: ...as expected, I can’t hide anything from you.

He sets down the manuscript, grinning as he tidies the hair at my ear.

Lucien: I simply care about you exceptionally. I’m guessing that what you want to know even more is why I’d bring you along to participate in this show.

My eyes widen slightly, and I give him a thumbs up.

He chuckles after seeing this. Waves of gentleness ripple in those eyes that have always been difficult to read.

Lucien: I know that we differ from others in the way we’re always handling our own matters. It’s difficult to meet, much less have each others’ time. I also know that you’re always doing your best to give your free time to me -

Lucien: Bringing me bentos with plenty of dishes, attending conferences when I release new books, and taking me to see the spring day in your eyes.

Lucien: So, I want to tell you that whether or not you can see it, I’m also doing my best to own every moment of your free time.

Lucien: To me, participating in this show is akin to watching a movie together. I simply want it to be a special moment for us which belongs only to you and me.

He leans down, drawing closer to me, encasing my surroundings with his unique scent.

Looking into his eyes, a wave of gentleness seems to ripple in my heart, and my cheeks flush slightly.

MC: I’ll also do my best to create special moments belonging only to the both of us. I’ll invite Professor Lucien to look forward to them.

Lucien: You being like this is already good enough.

The corners of his eyes turn upwards, and he puts some distance between us.

Lucien: Let’s go over the lines together. The director’s waiting for us to record the Easter egg.

I nod. Taking a deep breath, I return my focus to the script again.

In the final scene between the butler and the wealthy lady, the wealthy lady is holding a love letter she wrote to the duke, naively wanting the butler to polish her writing.

Even though she senses that she shouldn’t let the butler see this letter, he’s the person she trusts most.

In front of the butler, she’s like a young girl experiencing her first awakening of love as she reads the love letter aloud.

The butler, whose unbridled possessiveness and intense jealousy have rushed to his head, finally poisons his beloved in his arms after she reads the final line.

Using a letter from a listener as a prop, I place it in his hand and begin the monologue.

MC: “You must definitely listen to this letter...”

MC: “It contains my heartfelt sincerity. No matter what, I don’t want there to be any mistakes.”

Lucien: "If you read it to me, it will be your first mistake.”

MC: “Please! You’ve never refused anything I ask of you. I’ll just treat it as tacit consent, just like always!”

MC: “Dearest Great Duke...”

MC: “I’m writing this letter to you, and it contains my sincerity...”

Following the script, I read the letter written to the duke.

MC: “...and with this, I look forward to your reply.”

These are the final words on the letter. Following this, there are a series of stage directions.

“The wealthy lady grips her love letter, brimming with anticipation as she stares out of the window. The butler is silent, handing her a cup of hot tea as he usually does.”

“The lady drinks it without putting up any defences, but doesn’t know that he had poisoned this cup. The love letter floats to the ground, and she falls into the butler’s arms.”

“...he speaks into her ear: ‘You belong only to me.’ The canary in his arms twitches for a while, then never stirs again.”

Seeing the tragic ending of this love story, my heart can’t help but sigh.

The butler’s love made him lose his mind. In order to possess his beloved forever, he pushed both himself and her into hell with his own hands.

I recall the scene from before when Lucien was reading the monologue, and how he usually has eyes as calm as a deep pond.

That earlier thought once again surfaces in my mind -

I wonder what Lucien’s possessiveness looks like?

Just when I’m thinking about this, I feel a forceful tug on my arm.

I stumble, then fall into familiar arms.

Puzzled, I turn my head towards Lucien. A sense of restraint is concealed in his eyes, and the unfathomable dark eyes hold within them intense emotions.

Lucien: “This letter will never be sent, just as the bird will forever remain in her cage.”

Lucien takes a deep breath, leaning his weight against my body.

I feel scorching breaths on my exposed shoulders, and his hand brushes against my lips gently.

Lucien: “You can only belong to me.”

A familiar scent cages me in his embrace. For a moment, I’m unable to tell if the person before me is the butler who went mad because of love, or if he’s Lucien himself.

I abruptly return to my senses - the performance should already be over.

However, Lucien doesn’t let go of me, as though he hasn’t disengaged from the performance.

Just as I prepare to remind him that it’s over, he suddenly leans near, leaving a soft kiss at the corner of my lips.

Lucien: Very sweet. I’m referring to the taste of the tea.

Stunned, I look at Lucien - he’s changing the ending of the script...

While he looks at me, the foreign emotions in his eyes suddenly vanish. Then, he crinkles his eyes into a smile, just like how he smiles at me every time.

I already knew that I couldn't hide anything from him.

This is his response to that question I’ve never asked -

Lucien: The person I want to possess will eventually possess me.

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#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #OK THIS IS REALLY GOOD #LUCIEN GAVE ME TINGLES #AHHHHHHHHH

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heliads · 4 years ago

Text

Neighbour

Bucky first moves into the apartment building because it’ll provide him a safe home away from the dangers of his work as an Avenger. He doesn’t plan on meeting Y/N, the girl down the hall.

masterlist

The apartment building is the perfect fit. It’s four blocks across and three blocks down from the Avengers Tower in New York City, far enough away that Bucky can easily walk to the building and close enough that the tower’s shadow still chills his back. It’s nice to be able to have a place to live that isn’t a part of the Avengers, like almost every other aspect of Bucky’s existence.

It also doesn’t hurt that it seems to calm Tony down to have Bucky away from him- he supposes the Civil War situation and the unmentionable crimes he’d committed as the Winter Soldier still tighten an invisible noose around Tony’s neck whenever the billionaire looks at him. The more time Bucky has away from the entire Avengers world, the better. The separation of church and state; except, in his case, more like the separation of government secrets and any potential relaxation at home. Although Bucky’s never been one for relaxation.

His few meager possessions have finally been moved into this new apartment building, and they decorate a few sparse shelves. The rooms aren’t quite luxurious, nor bare, more somewhere along the lines of furnished. This isn’t due to lack of funding- no, Steve and everyone else had made sure Bucky had more than enough money to support himself. This was all his choice- maybe born from a habit of only needing a few things so he could pack up easily for a life on the run, maybe even from before then, when scrimping and saving for wartime efforts were commonplace.

Money didn’t form the decision as to why Bucky chose to live in an apartment building, though. That was purely for protection. The thoughts had spiraled into his head as soon as Bucky had begun considering a future living situation. A house by himself was no good- even with neighbours, he would still be easily targeted. And if he lived alone, with few neighbours? Even worse- he could be singled out and killed by any decent strike team. Living without anyone around would cause Bucky to be a lone wolf, separated from the protection of the pack and left to the mercy of a none too benevolent world.

An apartment complex, on the other hand, would do nicely. There are 15 stories, about 275 total apartments but only 260 in use. There are enough people in the building to hide Bucky, enough inhabitants coming and going to ensure that one war-worn soldier in particular would be disguised in the crowd. No sniper, no matter how well trained, would risk firing into the building at him. No strike team could excuse a raid on his room, and thus Bucky ensures his safety as best he can by living here.

This being said, Bucky still flinches at the sound of a knock at the door. No one should know he was there, and any coworkers would only speak to him at the Avengers Tower or some other S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters to guarantee no suspicions were raised as a result of high-profile government agents coming to his apartment. Bucky walks slowly over to the door, back hand moving silently to grab a knife hidden in a discreet pocket on his belt. His hand closes around the ridged rubber handle and the blade shines in the light from an open window. Bucky glances once in the peephole in the door, then groans under his breath, putting his knife away hurriedly before opening the door.

Standing before him is a cheerful young woman, holding a cloth covered plate in her hands. When she sees him, her smile grows even broader, if that was possible. “Ah, you must be Mr. Barnes. I’m Y/N, your neighbour from down the hall. The door next to the window?” Bucky forces a smile, still confused as to why she was there. “Bucky. Uh, I go by Bucky.” The woman nods. “Bucky it is. Well, I always bring new neighbours some freshly baked cookies. I figure it’s a nice way to start off your first few days here, right?”

She carefully unwraps the cloth from around the plate, revealing a small mound of chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven based on the steam just beginning to emanate from the plate. Bucky tries not to stare- he hasn’t had homemade cookies in what feels like years. Could be decades.

He takes the plate from her after standing there for a moment. “Thanks, Y/N. I appreciate it.” Y/N smiles at him again. “No problem! Hey, if you ever need something, even just someone to talk to, I’m right down the hall. Apartment on the left of that window there. Just knock.” Bucky nods slowly. “I’ll, uh, keep that in mind.” The woman waves goodbye, then heads back down the hallway once more, leaving Bucky standing in his doorway holding the plate of cookies. So that was his neighbour.

After Bucky manages to make it back inside, he sits down in one of his newly purchased chairs, thinking. He hadn’t planned on speaking to any of the other inhabitants of the apartment building- he’s always been taught that friendships with non-Avengers or other agents were risky. Too big of a chance of them being double agents or hurt because of him, so Bucky had decided not to talk to anyone else in the building. Yet here he was, already telling Y/N his name. Hey, at least her cookies were good.

Bucky finds himself stumbling up to his apartment building after a long, rough day. The problem with his line of work is that it constantly left him questioning everything he did. When he helped use his skills to track someone down, was it worth it? When he had to go in on missions and infiltrate HYDRA bases, who was benefiting from it? When he looked into someone’s eyes and pulled the trigger, was he killing a criminal or murdering an innocent?

Bucky’s head is a swirling mess by the time he finally gets to his floor, and his feet drag him out of the elevator without being directed by a single thought. His eyes latch on the shape of his front door, but Bucky realizes that the last thing he wants right now is to be alone. Unconsciously, his head turns to face another door, one near him. It’s bathed in a light from the window right next to it.

Y/N.

Her words rise, unbidden, from some unknown depths of his memory. If you ever need something, even just someone to talk to, I’m right down the hall. He doesn’t know why he stops by her door, doesn’t know why his hand rises to knock twice on the hard wood, doesn’t know why the door knob twists open under the guide of his fingers when she calls for him to come in.

Y/N’s apartment looks a lot like his. It faces the bustling streets of the city, the junctures of the streets. She has art hung around the walls, and tall bookcases are wedged in the corners. A faded blanket is draped across a pale green couch, and light from an antique lamp paints the room in a bright coat of gold. After a second, Bucky’s eyes find Y/N, bent over her kitchen counter. He can see now why she couldn’t answer the door herself- her hands are covered in flour, busily kneading a mound of dough in front of her.

She smiles when she sees him approach. “Hey, Bucky! Sorry about this- I’m just finishing a loaf of bread.” Bucky chuckles softly in spite of himself. “Didn’t realize you like baking this much.” Y/N laughs, a soft sound like the chiming of bells. “It’s a habit.” Her hands methodically fold the dough in front of her, pushing it forward only to pull it back over itself once more. Light motes of flour occasionally drift up from the counter.

It takes Bucky a moment to realize she’s looking at him expectantly, and he clears his throat. “Right. I just wanted to- I remembered you said something about-” Y/N glances up at him with her lips curving into a smile, and he suddenly can’t finish his sentence. She reaches into a tall plastic container next to her, and dusts her dough with a pinch more of flour. “Well, no matter the reason, I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve been meaning to ask someone about this program I’m supposed to be reviewing for work. It’s not that long, only ten or so minutes. If you don’t mind, I’ll put it on while I finish up the bread and you can tell me your thoughts.”

She crosses the kitchen to rinse off her flour-powdered hands, and after dashing a towel about them, pulls up a short video on her TV. It’s actually quite interesting, some overview of a project regarding city planning. Towards the end, Y/N puts her bread in some warm drawer (“to proof so it will rise!” or whatever that means) and cleans her hands once more before perching on a chair next to him.

Once the screen fades to black, she turns to him. “So, what do you think? I’ve got to decide in a few days whether or not to support this guy and his project, but I’m not sure. I mean, more space for the hospitals would definitely be useful, but if it keeps encroaching on park land like that, it won’t be great for the environment.” Bucky frowns. “What if he extended it in the other direction instead? He’s got more room around the east side of the building.” Y/N furrows her brow in concentration, playing back the video so she can see what he’s talking about.

He ends up staying for half an hour more, spending almost the entire time discussing the proposed project. He didn’t mean to stay that long, but it’s so easy to talk to Y/N that he barely felt any time pass at all. When he eventually heads out, after promising to drop by again soon, he closes the door behind him with more reluctance than he had realized. His chest feels strangely light, and there’s an odd expression on his face. A smile.

The weeks fly by in his new apartment, coming and going far faster than Bucky had expected. He ends up visiting Y/N often, and they quickly become fast friends. For someone who��s not supposed to be engaging with civilians, Bucky’s breaking his own rules quite easily.

He’s at work at the Avengers Tower when he first hears about it. Bucky had noticed a sudden increase in commotion outside of his station, and he hadn’t considered it much before Steve had come bursting into the room. All his friend had to do was hold out the case file in his hand and Bucky’s heart rate had gone through the roof.

Y/N was missing. No, Y/N was captured. By HYDRA agents. Because of him. There were photos of her in some cell, hands tied behind her back. She was being held ransom to hurt him, to punish him for defecting from his title as HYDRA’s Winter Soldier. It hadn’t taken long for Bucky to put together a team and find out where she was being held, but the entire time he was preparing Bucky felt a constant twist in his stomach, a pain like a knife being slowly stabbed through him.

The HYDRA outpost where Y/N is being held is small, barely large enough to trigger S.H.I.E.L.D. sensors. Yet there it is, guards posted outside the door and everything. Bucky barely says a word to his team, already taking out the guards and storming inside. It’s strange- enemy soldiers in the halls look terrified at the sight of him, and Bucky doesn’t realize why until he comes face to face with his own reflection in a polished metal door. He looks like a wild animal, emotionless and cold, seconds away from a kill. He looks angry- no, furious. Beyond furious. What was dear to him had been taken away, and he was ready to do anything to get her back.

The HYDRA structure is small, and so it doesn’t take long for Bucky to find Y/N. She looks up when she sees him, and he can see the confusion and relief warring in her eyes when he walks through the door. He doesn’t say a word while they’re leaving the building, and neither does she. It’s only when they’re both alone in a closed off room on a Quinjet leaving the HYDRA compound that Bucky finally opens his mouth to speak.

“I’m leaving the apartment building. I’ll probably never see you again.” Y/N jerks her head up, shocked. “Because of the attack? Why wouldn’t you see me?” Bucky methodically takes off his armor, removing mics and thick pieces of armored uniform. “It’s not safe for you. I’m not putting you in any position when you can get hurt.”

Y/N laughs harshly, a strange, discordant contrast to the bubbly laugh he’s used to hearing. “Bucky, you not seeing me won’t make a difference. I knew that when I first met you, and I decided to get to know you anyway. I was the first one to take this risk, and I’m not letting you walk away from me because the consequences have been made real.” Bucky looks at her, confused. “What are you talking about? You knew who I was?”

Y/N nods, turning her head away so Bucky can’t see her face. “I knew you were the Winter Soldier. James Buchanan Barnes. I knew that being anywhere remotely near you would be dangerous to me, but I stayed because you were important to me. Please, don’t give up on me because of what might happen.”

Bucky throws his hands in the air, frustrated. “What might happen? Y/N, it already did happen. You could have been killed-or worse- all because of me. This is for the best. Don’t think I want this to happen, because I don’t. I just-” His voice cracks on the last word. “I just need you to be safe.” Y/N walks over to him, gently taking his hands in hers. “I will be safe. If you’re there with me. Bucky, we both know they won’t try something like this again, not for a while. Not after their first attempt went so badly. It’s alright to be worried, but please, don’t leave me.”

Bucky looks at her, earnest eyes meeting his tense ones, then sighs. “Fine. I won’t go. Just promise me you’ll be careful? You’ll contact me if anything seems wrong?” Y/N smiles at him. “Of course I will. As long as I’ve got you, I know I’ll be alright.”

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes imagines #winter soldier #winter soldier imagine #winter soldier x reader #winter soldier imagines #avengers #avengers imagine #avengers x reader #avengers imagines

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wornoutmouse · 4 years ago

Text

Im making this gender neutral cause I feel like I did pretty damn good here. And it had a bit of a fairytale ending but I couldn't figure how else to tie it up prettily

Also tried of tumbler adding gaps to all the paragraphs when i copy and paste from docs to here so y'all just gonna have to deal. this fic is way too damn long for me to fix it like i normally do

Also i went over the aparent limit so just look for the words "pt2" in green for the extension

Letting go is one of the hardest things one can do. But understanding why you had to let go is harder.

You and Izuku knew each other for the longest time. Hell you were the one that lifted him back up when Bakugou knocked him down. So why…. Why after all that were you not good enough?

He never said you weren't, he'd never do that. But the worthlessness you felt as you watched her hand him a love letter. You thought, he won't accept, afterall she's one of the many girls and guys that had confessed since the beginning of U.A. Hell you were surprised Ochaco even had the guts to confess.

But the small blush and smile that overcame his face as he finished reading the letter, was one you've never seen before. In that moment you wished you'd decline coming with him for support.

The sick feeling in your stomach grew larger as they hugged each other tightly. That sickness translated into a smile when he looked back at you.

From then on, your sunny disposition was a fabrication of what once was. You didn't hate her, you even saw the appeal, having the slightest crush on her as well. You just hated that he chose her. Was the years of companionship worthless?

As the two grew closer, you grew farther and buried yourself in training and school work. Days went by, months, and by the time graduation came, you were all 3rd years. You and Deku had become nothing more than aquaintences.

The others tried to stop your descent into isolation, Including you in everything they did, ut it wasn't the same.

"Hey Y/n." You wiped your sweat with the towel around your neck. You'd been at it for most of the day and had shed most of your clothes. Izuku was dressed casual for once and looked gorgeous in the setting sun.

"Yes Midoriya?" Ouch. When did you start calling him that? You couldn't quite remember. Deku looked over the trees, green hair blowing with fall wind. "You know we haven't hung out in a while." You took a drink of water as you sat on a fallen log. "Oh really?"

That came out harsher than needed and you both knew it. "Since we are graduating tomorrow, I was wondering if you would join us for once as a last farewell.

You didn't miss the undertone in the last comment. Deku watched in silence as you put your tank top back on. "I don't think I can make it."

Izuku's fists clenched as he glared at the floor. "Why?" You eyed his fists,"I have other things to do." Deku scoffed, "Give me a break, school is over what more do you have to do?!" "More important stuff than partying."

There was a change in the air and at the last minute, you jumped back as Deku's foot slammed down in the floor causing a sizable crater. "Stop lying Y/N! What could you possibly have to do that's more important than hanging out with your friends?! Don't you understand that this is the last time we'll have this much free time to see each other!?"

A small smirk crawled onto your face. 'Still a crybaby huh?' tears trailed down Deku's face as he looked at you, "We haven't talked in years y/n." You would not break, this was for the best, you would not fall back into this cycle. "We talked this morning." "Hello is not a conversation y/n"

"What do you want me to do then Izuku?"

Nothing, just like you expected. "Listen Deku, Sometimes, people grow apart and..." You have to take a deep breath, cause if you don't you'd break all over again. "Sometimes we just have to accept it."

Izuku says nothing more and leaves, heartheavy. During the party, Izuku spent his time with Uraraka, both day-dreaming about their future, though Izuku wasn't as engaged as he usually was. You sat alone in the common room, looking down at the feastivities below. Mr. Aizawa was the only one who noticed.

As a pro hero you stayed in a moderate range in regards to popularity. About the same level that Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods used to be.

Watching Bakugou and Midoriya's ranking teeter back and forth like hot potato was amusing as the fiery blond would call you to complain since he knew you would simply listen.

Your love life was non-existent besides the occasional fling with a cute chick at a bar or a himbo™ at the local gym. You weren't looking for anything sold anyways and that was not only due to your hero work, but because no one peaks your interests.

The gang of course flocked together in regards to their love lives. Kaminari and Jiro were finally a thing. Momo and Todoroki were dropping hints to each other but they are both a bunch of oblivious bimbos and that is not going to change anytime soon.

Tsu and surprisingly Mineta prefered the bachelor life and worked hard on building their teams. You were greatly surprised when Mineta asked you to come to his house and genuinely asked your opinion on trainees.

Unlike the rest, Mina, Kirishima and Bakugou, were trying to figure out the ins and outs of a poly relationship. Bakgou of course being the word if reason as the other two goofed around.

All was in its place as you all conformed to your new adult lives. You had no faint clue where the other boys were besides Kouji's and Satou's engagement.

It was a Thursday evening when you walked into your condo, shuffling through your mail until a white envelope with gold trimming for your attention.

You are invited….

Of course how could you forget Deku and Uraraka. When was the last time you saw those two? Most likely the last day of school. How the hell did they get your address?

You tossed the envelope on the couch and walked to your kitchen to get a bottle of wine. You spent that evening drinking the petty thoughts away, altering between cursing Ochako, to reminiscing on how they were truly a match made in heaven.

By 4 in the evening, you were beyond tipsy and could barely stand to answer the door when the bell rung.

"Whatdoya want Midoriya?" You said, leaning a little too far to the left. Deku looked at you with concerned eyes. "Are you drunk y/n?" Your roll your eyes and turn around, walking back into your home. "What does it look like?"

You slump on the couch as Deku walks throughout your home. He was alot bigger than you remembered. His curly green hair was almost touching your ceiling as he looked at your disheveled body.

"I'm just here to make sure you got my invitation." You tug the envelope from where it fell between the cushion and wavs it in front of your face. Izuku acknowledged it as he sat down, "Well are you coming?"

You shrugged your shoulders as you reach for your glass. Izuku tried to take it away and you smack his hand. Even though you could taste the unresolved tension, you wanted to make things a bit lighter. "I don't know deku, what's the theme? If it's green then I can't come, you know that clashes with my complexion."

He doesn't laugh, not even a smile. Oh well not your problem. The bottle is empty much to your disappointment as you held the opening over your mouth. Deku sits there, fists on his knees as he makes a conflicted face. "How many bottles have you drunk?"

You slap his back, slightly impressed that his solid form didn't move. "Oh calm down worry wort!" A lazy grin comes over your face and a teasing tone slips into your voice. "I'm not an alcoholic...mmm, yet."

You both sat in silence, Deku swirling in his own emotions for seeing you this way. You looked completely fine on the surface but he knew you better. They all knew you better. Bakugou's weekly gossip visits were nothing more than a check on your personal health. Even Mineta had to pitch in.

"Hey Deku?" You looked off into thin air as you spoke but Izuku hung off your every word.

"Can you kiss me?"

Deku didn't mean to stand up the way he did. You didn't react, you expected it if anything. "Y/n, you know I can't do that. Why would you even ask!?" You rubbed your eyes to rid yourself of the smallest threat of tears. You weren't an emotional drunk and you weren't going to start being one now.

"Mm just thought that if you did, maybe I could get over this fuzzy feeling in ma'chest." Deku blushed, from what you. didn't know, but you did notice how he sat back next to you, closer than before. "If I do…..will you come?"

I was going to come either way idiot

"I'll think about it."

Your lidded eyes picked up on the smallest movements and you shivered as Izuku held your chin between his fingers. The kiss was gentle and nothing more than a simple press. You would have been fine with that, that's all you wanted. What you weren't expecting was for Deku to continue.

You could feel your chest flair with the familiar discomfort of things being out of your control. His rough hands came home to your face as he deepened the kiss. You couldn't help but let out a small whimper as his tongue swiped against your bottom lip and he took that chance to delve deeper.

You pushed him away and stood. You both looked at each other, darkened eyes and veins fluttering with adrenaline. "Why?" you whispered, voice betraying you as it cracked. Izuku held his fist over his heart where you pushed him. "I..I did what you asked." You shook your head.

No, no this is wrong

Izuku stands up and tries to console you. The words that left his lips unrecognizable.

It's over isn't it?

"Y/n calm down please and let's talk." You put your hands over your ears. "You're so selfish." You wheezed. Why was the room getting darker?

It's over isn't it?

Strong hands grip your arms and you scrape them off. "Get out."

You won and he chose you

As a last resort, Deku tries to kiss you again, holding you close back your lower back, even daring to nibble your lips as he pulls away. "Y/n can you please focus!?" Why was he making it worse? You are not a home wrecker!!

And he loves you so he's gone

Izuku helplessly watched you fall into your own thoughts as you gripped the wall so hard your knuckles turned white.

It's over isn't it?

You blindly stumble into your room and close the door, falling against it.

Why can't I move on?

Izuku tested his forehead against the door, trying to listen for any sign of life, even a heart beat. On the other side you fall into a dreamless sleep.

War and Glory

It rained on their wedding day. And in the worst way possible or made the ceremony even more beautiful as light drops of water tangled itself in Uraraka's veil.

The pictures were to die for and so was the food. "Y/n come on, take a picture with me!" You sip some champagne and prepare yourself for your sin free facade as you walk over to the new bride.

Her dress was gorgeous yet modest, one would confuse this gathering for a party since you were forced to wear white with her and Deku despite you explaining how weddings worked.

You kneeled to adjust to her height as she held the camera the highest she could. "You want me to do it?" You took the phone and held it above you. Ochaco pouted as you dwarfed her and gripped her small hands on the front of your clothes.

She smelt of strawberry's and soap.

Reinvention

Before you could pull away, she tugged your down as she came to whisper in your ear. "I know." She pulled away with the same small smile she wore since the day began. Your face mirrored one of fright and she quickly noticed.

She raised her hands in surrender as she tried to calm you down. "Hey what's that face for, it's fin-" you flinched as she reached out to touch you. Backing up, you ran into Deku who quickly held onto you to prevent you from falling.

You do your best to calmly untangle yourself from him, but subsequently jumping away as if you were on fire. The newly weds shared a look and you shivered as they both narrowed their eyes at you. Focused the same way they were when on a mission.

Fusion

Walking through the crowd of fans and distant family was no hard feat as you headed to the hotel the wedding was taking place behind. The two followed you and you tried your damnedest not to simply run.

You had almost made it out conservation free but Deku's hand quickly slapped on the side of the door before you could close it and he forced his way in as a limping Ochaco followed behind. "Come on Y/N, these heels are uncomfortable!"

You could feel tears falling down your face as you backed away from the two. It wasn't out of fear, but shame. Shame that you had feelings for your friend. Shame that you kissed a taken and engaged man. Shame that his wife knew.

"Y/n calm down it's fine, I don't mind!" You looked at her with confusion and bristled as Deku came closer. "I told her the day after it happened." You focus on Ochaco, preparing yourself for any physical attacks the small woman might deem necessary. "I'm sorry Ochaco, I-I didn't mean for it t-to happen."

Anger at the memory filled your brain and you almost didn't notice small hands taking hold of yours.

Her attention

"It's okay Y/N." Ochaco smiled warmly at you, bringing your hands to her lips as she kissed them gently. "I don't mind, infact this was the goal for a long time." You look at Deku for some coherent conversation, "What is she talking about."

Izuku blushed, "We've been trying to get your attention since highschool. We knew how you felt and didn't mind you joining us like Kachan, Kiri, and Mina." A steely gaze with the power of Aizawa's death glare, casted over Izuku's face, "But you kept running."

Ochaco waved her hands to divert the sudden hostile energy. "Anyways, we were planning on announcing it at the flower toss." Ochaco reached into her bussom and pulled out a small jewelry case. Inside it held a silver ring, strikingly similar to the one she now wore on her left hand.

"I know we really haven't got to get to know each other that well. And I know your feelings don't lie for me but, if you would like…" Deku gingerly plucked the ring from Uraraka's hands and the both lowered to their knees. (Ochaco with more effort as the fluff of her dress almost tipped her over)

Oop looks like i went over the limit?

#black y/n #blackreader #bnha headcanons #mha #bnha x black reader #bnha #deku x reader #deku x ochako #bnha ochaco #ochaco x reader #gn reader #mha x male reader #x male reader #poc male reader #male y/n #gender nuetral reader #poly love #mha angst #bnha angst

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justmypartner · 4 years ago

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Make it Work: Chapter 6

Summary: When offered a permanent position with the FBI, Hailey agrees to take it under one condition: Jay comes too. As their personal lives and work lives begin to change, the two partners find it increasingly difficult to navigate their complex relationship and manage their feelings for one another.

Writer’s Note: How’s everyone feeling after last night’s finale?? I’ve been feeling so many things, and this chapter did not help lol but it was super fun to write and I hope you can forgive me for the angst! As always, thank you so much for reading!

Tagging: @angelsjedi , @brookerz122493 , @cpdfan2014 , @the–carousel , @maya-asturias , @itsdesiree86 , @tvshowsaremyhappyplace

Read on AO3 or below

Several days had passed since the veteran’s convention case. Jay woke up out of breath, drenched in sweat with his heart racing several nights in a row following the case. His normal techniques weren’t working, so he met virtually with his therapist back in Chicago a few afternoons after work. He put in the work and before he knew it, he was back to sleeping through the night, nightmare free. He had kept his distance from Hailey during it all, not wanting her to know he was dealing with residual effects from the case. At first, she pushed against his distance, but she eventually granted him the space he needed. After three full nights of sleep, he was finally feeling himself again. He got up earlier than usual, stopping by his and Hailey’s new favorite coffee shop before heading into the office. She was already at her desk by the time he arrived, so he made his way over and dropped the cup on her desk with a light smile.

“Thank you,” she said, a twitch in her voice as if she were surprised by the gesture. “Finally feeling social again?” She asked as he dropped his coffee on his desk and pulled his chair out.

“I am. I just want to say thank you for giving me the space I needed… and for not asking why,” he told her. She smiled at him, looking down at the cup before bringing her eyes back up to his.

“Of course. Glad you got everything sorted out,” she returned with a warm smile.

That moment was the last time that day either of them felt anything resembling joy because they spent the next 13 hours working the hardest case they had taken on since they arrived in New York. About an hour or so after they had gotten into work, Drake received a call from an undercover agent who had been in deep with one of the major drug distributors in the city. The agent had gotten in close with the daughter of the crime lord, learning she had valuable information about his operations that she was willing to share if they could help her get away from him. Drake sent Walker and Daisy to pick her up, leaving Hailey and Jay to question her. They learned the dark reasons behind why she was so eager to get away and flip on him. Seven years ago, when she was just 14 years old, her dad began pimping her out to his associates, forcing her into a life of prostitution and drugs for the sake of his business. She felt trapped by the power her father had over her and the entire city, and it was only when she developed a close bond with the undercover agent that she felt like she had a real chance to break free from the abuse.

As they listened to the girl’s story, Jay could see Hailey slipping deeper and deeper into a dark place. Cases like this always prodded at her, touching that raw part of her that easily made her lose focus. He stuck close throughout the day but remained quiet knowing the last thing she’d want to do was talk about it. It was the silent support they were always able to give each other that he knew she needed. They gathered all of the information they could from the girl, setting up teams to take down the man’s stash houses and bring him in before he could get a chance to try and figure out who flipped.

Through the young girl’s intel, they were able to seize all of his product and shut down all of his operations, but he was on the run, desperately trying to get out of the city. Unfortunately for him, Hailey was desperate too. She insisted she and Jay worked out of the car, keeping in contact with every available law enforcement resource in the city to track him down. They were out and ready so that the second somebody had a lead on his whereabouts, they could be the ones to take him down. The sun was beginning to set when they got a call about security footage picking his town car up on the George Washington Bridge. Analysts were able to quickly find out that the target kept a jet in a hanger in Jersey, and the second the information was relayed back to Jay and Hailey, they were darting through traffic to cross the Hudson and catch him before he could get in the air.

It was one of those dramatic scenarios that felt straight out of a movie. The plane was rolling down the runway and Jay had his foot pressed to the gas, challenging the pilot head-on. The space between the car and the plane was closing in, and Jay’s heart rate picked up as he held steady in his speed, certain the pilot wasn’t stupid enough to keep the challenge going long enough to see how it would end. Sure enough, the plane began to slow, and he pulled around the side of the motionless plane, right up to the door with the angle and space needed if the two of them had to take cover.

“FBI come out with your hands up,” Hailey called out, positioning herself in the space of the open door, resting her elbows on the top of the car and door. Jay recognized a harshness in her voice that she seemed to only reserve for guys like him. The ruthless ones with no regard for children, more specifically their own children.

The door opened and the pilot came out with his hands raised high, their target and his guards followed close behind with guns and hands raised in the air. Hailey came out from her cover, way quicker than Jay would have liked, but he backed her, following with his gun raised out in front of him as she made her way to the three offenders. Jay took the guards as Hailey approached the target. From the corner of his eye, Jay noticed her gun still pointed at the man as he cuffed the guards. She brought it close to his chest, standing off with him as they eyed each other.

“Give me a reason,” Jay heard her say through gritted teeth.

“Hailey,” he called out to her, sending a disapproving look. Her gaze remained on the man, and she went around him kicking the back of his legs and sending him to his knees. Jay watched as she pressed her muzzle to the middle of the man’s back. He took a deep breath, staying quiet but watching her intently. He knew she never would kill him right there in cold blood, but he also knew she was hovering a fine line. One he had put himself on numerous times before in situations that would have ended much differently if she hadn’t pulled him away from it.

“Hail,” he called out once more, this time much quieter as if it were just the two of them standing there on the tarmac. With this, her eyes drifted over to Jay and met his look of concern. She brought her gun to her holster and firmly brought the man’s hands around his back. Jay let out a sigh of relief as he called for additional units to transport the men.

“You’re not worth it anyway,” he heard her say close to the man’s ear as she tightened the cuffs around his wrists.

When they got back to the bullpen to complete their paperwork for the day, Hailey worked quietly, deliberately avoiding Jay’s concerned gaze by burying her head into the files. She finished before him and headed out without a word to anyone. Jay knew the case had stirred up something in her, but he wasn’t sure how to address it or even if he should.

He finished his paperwork and headed home, spending the entire walk debating whether or not to show up at her door. A few blocks away he stopped in his tracks when he eyed a liquor store on the corner. It’s what she would do, he thought when he found himself entering the store and buying a bottle of tequila. It was a habit of theirs to force their company on the other when a case hit a little too close to home. They’d done it countless times before, but for some reason, on that night, Jay had a sinking feeling in his chest. He felt almost nervous, but he pushed through it as he pressed the buzzer to her apartment.

“Yeah?” Her quiet voice echoed through the speaker.

“It’s me… bearing tequila,” he said, leading to a loud buzz as the door to the lobby unlocked. He made it to her door, leaving three rhythmic knocks on the wood before taking a small step back. When she opened the door, he took in the sight of her probably less discretely than he would have liked. She wore an oversized shirt and a pair of running shorts that barely peeked out from the bottom hem of her shirt. The shirt was a light blue color that complimented her eyes so well, and it was so big the sleeves covered her hands. It made her look smaller than usual, and he couldn’t help but think about how adorable she was. He diverted his eyes quickly to the bottle in his hands to break the lingering stare.

“Figured you could use this after today… and some company,” he said timorously. She flashed him a fake smile before stepping aside and letting him in.

He stepped in, taking off his jacket and resting it on the back of the barstool in her kitchen before grabbing a pair of glasses and making his way to her couch. They sipped on their first glass in a comfortable silence, a low hum of music radiated from her stereo in the corner, and Jay could feel himself loosening up with every drop of alcohol that entered his system. By the third glass, they were both well loosened up, talking about anything and everything but the case for almost an hour.

“Are you okay after today?” Jay finally asked, the liquor giving him enough courage to try and push through that wall Hailey had put up much earlier that day.

“I don’t know,” she breathed out with a shake of her head. “I just don’t know how a parent could do that to their child,” she said, staring blankly in front of her before letting out an amused snicker. “Not that I have room to talk really, my father wasn’t exactly parent of the year.”

Jay looked over at her, thinking about her father for a moment. He knew only the few things she had revealed about him, but he had a clear picture of what type of man he was. This made him realize why the case got to her so much. The cases involving fathers and abused kids always did, and for good reason. It also made him think about his own father. Neither of them had any luck in the dad department, something they both became well aware of through the years.

“You already know, but my father and I had anything but a healthy relationship. I mean, he was nothing like that guy today or even yours, but he made me realize what kind of dad I don’t want to be,” he said before taking a swig from his glass. She looked over at him with a concentrated frown, like she was thinking deeply about something. Her eyes had a slight glaze. Jay convinced himself it was from the booze, but it could have also been because of the touchy subject they had just entered into. Her bright blue orbs held steady with his like she was looking right into his soul.

“Do you think you’ll want kids someday?” She finally muttered, holding steady in her gaze.

“Yeah… someday. You?” He said simply, a flutter building up in his stomach at the way she was looking at him.

“I used to be against it. I’ve always loved kids, but when I was younger I told myself I would never be like my father… or my mother even, and I figured the only way to avoid it was to just skip parenthood altogether. But, as I got older and started working cases that involved kids, I realized it was possible to be a decent parent even after going through what I went through. Sort of like you said I can use what I was given as a guideline of what not to be. I can give a kid everything I never had while also knowing exactly how to protect them from everything I did,” she said quietly. It was such an idyllic thing to say, and she put into words how he had felt about parenthood his whole life. Suddenly, he was imagining a world where they could each give that to a kid together. A kid that was the perfect blend of the two of them.

“You’d make a great mom,” he whispered, the words slipping right out of his mouth. Any other time, the statement would have created a weirdness between them. The entire conversation strayed from that of a normal conversation between partners, but for them, in that moment, it felt normal. She didn’t smile, she didn’t look nervous, she didn’t even try to protest, she just peered over at him from her side of the couch with a deep look, almost like his face was covered in a code she was trying to solve.

“You’d make a great father,” she finally muttered after a few seconds of silence, maintaining the gaze between them. They were both still, trapped in a mesmeric gaze as the low hum of the music from her stereo filled the silence that fell upon them. Before he could say anything back, she stood and positioned herself back on the couch only inches away from him. Jay’s knee was tucked in, as his other leg hung over the couch and his chest rose and fell quickly at her new proximity to him. They were facing one another, close enough he could feel her breath against his face, and her knee came to rest on his, sending his heart racing even more in his chest. She brought a hand up and delicately began to trace her fingers on his skin from his brow, down the side of his face, and finally finding rest at his jaw.

“You’re a good man, Jay,” she whispered, and he closed his eyes as his breath shuddered with her touch. The alcohol in his system combined with the intoxication of her touch made him lose all inhibition. The part of him that always pushed down his feelings for her was gone, and all he wanted in that moment was to tell her how he felt. Show her that she was so much more to him than just his partner.

“Hailey,” he began, his breath coming out in irregular puffs as her hand remained on his face.

For a moment, he could have sworn he noticed her eyes drift from his eyes to his lips. But the tequila had created a fuzz in his brain that prevented him from trusting himself. He closed his eyes once again, ready to lay everything out and take a leap that could change their relationship forever, but suddenly he became hyper-aware of the alcohol coursing through both of their systems. This isn’t the way I want this to go down, he thought to himself. He opened his eyes, letting out a deep sigh before grabbing her hand from his face and holding it in his.

“We’ve had a lot to drink, I should go,” he said, standing as she wrapped her hand around his, grasping it tightly as he increased the space between them. It was like she was trying to pull him back to her, but more importantly, pull him back to that moment he was trying so hard to flee from.

“I’ve gotta go,” he said, almost with dread. She nodded lightly, her eyes falling to the floor as his hand slowly pulled away from hers. She had a look of disappointment on her face, and he knew that even though he didn’t say a word she knew exactly what he was about to say before the sliver of inhibition he still had left pulled him back to reality.

He pulled his jacket on and made his way to her door. He paused and looked back at her, her stare still transfixed on the floor.

“Goodnight, Hailey,” he told her. Causing her eyes to raise from the floor and meet his from across the room.

“Goodnight, Jay,” she said sadly with a knowing look.

As he walked home that night, he dwelled on what almost was. He was seconds away from laying all of his cards on the table, from finally knowing what her lips felt like against his, but he was ultimately relieved that there was a part of him that was still sober enough to recognize that they deserved a moment so much better than a drunken kiss or confession. When the time came, he wanted their moment to be something that happened with a sound state of mind, not something that only happened because of a bottle of tequila. With that relief also came a looming sense of dread. If they both woke up the next morning with a clear memory of the almost moment, he knew there was bound to be a shift in their relationship. One that came with awkward interactions and avoiding one another. Part of him went to bed that night hoping there was enough alcohol in both of their systems to just forget about it entirely.

#upstead #jay x hailey #hailey x jay #jay halstead #hailey upton #chicago pd #upstead fic #justmypartner fics #collection of Em’s fics

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gravityunforgiven · 4 years ago

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Right Where You Left Me (Kakashi x OC)

Pairings: Kakashi x OC, Jiraiya x Tsunade

Synopsis:

She was the daughter of a Legendary Sannin, He, a son of a disgraced shinobi. Fate brought them together but life tore them apart. Will they be able to take control of their destinies and find their way back to each other?

...Or will they be another victim of the cruel shinobi world they are both a part of?

Chapter Four

"You didn't tell me." Kakashi's tone was almost accusing.

Their roles were reversed now. She was the one sitting on the bench of the locker room as he stood next to her.

You didn't tell me you were going to be a jinchūriki. You didn't tell me you were chosen.

Of course, that never happened. She was too late to do anything.

Akira looked up, her voice just as cold as his, almost menacing. "I didn't think you should know."

A deafening silence engulfed the two.

"He's dead." She breathed in conclusion. A silence fell over the two as their reality sank in. Minato was gone and so was Kushina. Kakashi knows they were an important figure in her life especially after her mother left the village.

Kakashi sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

They didn't talk much for the next three years. He threw himself at work to relieve his pain and she did exactly the same to relieve her guilt but every now and then, Kakashi would find a neatly wrapped bento box placed on his front door and he would know it came from her because she was the only one he told about how much he hated eating his own cooking.

She remembered.

—

He just turned seventeen the first time he walked her home. Their friends threw him a small party ( against his will) in the dango shop for his birthday. Everyone in their class were invited and Kakashi actually had a good time himself.

Akira was not her usual self that night.

She had just returned from a mission from the Land of the Waves when Kurenai knocked on her door and dragged her to the shop. She was never the one for the parties but she sure does enjoy the company of her friends but she was just dead tired at the moment. The adrenaline cursing through her veins for the past week had died down and fatigue has taken its place instead.

It was half past one when the celebration wrapped. Everyone bid their goodbyes outside the shop and parted ways.

She headed west and him to the east.

However, Kakashi couldn't get Akira's unusual behaviour out of his head. He just turned into the first corner when he found himself running back, past the dango shop, and to the opposite direction of his apartment at full speed.

He found her walking on third street on the way to her house. Akira immediately noticed the familiar chakra signature and stopped on her tracks.

"Kakashi?"

He gave her a smile, his eyes crinkling in the process. "I thought you shouldn't walk alone at this time of the night." He shrugged.

Of course, that was a lie. She was more than capable of taking care of both of them but it was all Kakashi could come up in the short time he had before he was able to catch up with her.

She lived on the far west side of the village, in one of the quieter neighbourhoods. She had too much chaos in her life that she just wanted to have a little bit of serenity in the rare times she was actually home and she figured that the best place to get that was to be away from the center of the village and in a neighbourhood full of civilians. In here, she could just be a normal person just like every body else.

Their walk back to her apartment was quiet, peaceful, even. The two of them basked in the calmness that surrounded them and the presence of one another. There were no words that needed to be spoken, they both knew how nice it was not to walk home alone for once.

Kakashi was at a war with himself the whole way to her place. He didn't know what got to him and he did this. He was not typically the one who acts based on impulse. He was a shinobi, the kind who plans his every move and analyzes the situation he was in.

But this, right now. Walking next to her, Kakashi couldn't put his finger to what he was feeling but somehow...it felt right.

"This is me." She said, stopping in front of a moss-colored door.

He bid his goodbyes and left. But Kakashi lingered in her street a little bit more. He hid behind the shadow of a street lamp and stayed until he heard the click from her door as it locked and the first light in her home burst into life.

On his way home, he concluded that he was just being a good friend and it really was just late. He made himself believe that it was just a lapse of judgement on his side and it would never happen again but ever since that night, they sat a little closer to each other, sometimes their shoulders would brush and although Akira seemed oblivious about it, Kakashi was hyperaware of her skin brushing against his and he couldn't be more thankful for the mask he wore.

Kakashi tried his best to fight against his own instinct. It was no easy task especially for a shinobi who relies on his instincts the most, but for her sake, he did.

He knew he was bad for her and she was too good for him. Everyone he had ever loved died. His parents, his team and most recently, his sensei. He couldn't do that to her. He would rather suffer for the rest of his life knowing she cannot be his than bring her down with him.

He can't live with that. So he did. He did his best to do what he believed was right and ignored his feelings knowing she deserved someone better. Someone who could protect her more that he can. There were no labels between them and he settled on the privilege of walking her home when he had the chance. Every time, he would tell himself that it would be the last time he was going to walk with her only to fail again the next time.

Kakashi knew he was in too deep. He didn't know when he started falling. All he knew was that when he walked next to her for the first time nearly two years ago, deep inside, he wanted to be by her side for a very long time.

She made him feel safe, she didn't treat him any differently when people were calling him names and their friends looked at him with pity in their eyes. She has just always been there. She was his one constant since his days in the academy to his time as an ANBU. She understood his pain when he lost Minato and respected his space when she too was grieving and needed someone but most of all, he fell for her genuine kindness, her bravery and how she always puts others before herself.

It was during the time when Kakashi found himself meddling with Root Division business, a stern warning came from her. She said he may no longer recognize himself if he continued to deal with the division. She said it was made for people specifically like him. But when Lord Third was negotiating with Danzo, she volunteered herself to be in exchange for another wood style user, Kinoe. His abilities were only half of what she can do and yet she willingly went back into the dark so he could find the light. The Third strongly disagreed with this, but like before, Akira did not listen and she was back in the Root Division. She shrugged nonchalantly saying she needed more training anyway.

Kakashi asked if Kinoe knew Akira. He said yes. She was really powerful when they trained together and they became good friends since they were the same age.

When the Root Division was disbanded, Akira was back on the Hokage's ANBU. She was in the hospital for weeks, and when she came back, she was still wincing in pain.

This made Kakashi want to put her first for once. He felt like she had no regards for her life, like she didn't care about it. He knew what that feeling is like and he wanted her to know that she was so more than just another pawn in the war.

She was slowly becoming his world.

She made him feel things that he didn't even know existed, she made him do things he thought he would never do. She made him see the beauty of life once again.

She saved him.

For two years Kakashi kept himself at bay, wondering if Akira felt the same way as he did. A part of him hoped she only saw him as a friend and nothing more, he hoped that the meals she left on his door were just random acts of kindness on her part, he hoped it was just him making up stupid scenarios in his head because he knew wasn't strong enough to stop himself from caving in if she does.

Their friends eventually noticed Kakashi's odd behaviour. He looked for her as he passed through the sushi restaurant where she's mostly seen these days, it was her face he first searches in a crowded room, the one he hoped to see when he tagged along for dinners and the others eventually noticed.

They didn't really confront the two about what was going on (except for Gai which Kakashi outright denied) but they always had their suspicions that there was something more than what meets the eye.

He ran into her in the locker room the night he first held her hand. She just came from a week long solo mission in the Land of the Snow and though he wouldn't admit it, he missed her.

"How did it go?" He had asked her.

"It went well." She replied as she strapped her shoe into place.

She stood up from the bench the same time he sat down. Before she reached the door she called his name and told him she was going to report in to the Hokage and eat dinner after. She was out of the door before Kakashi could ask her if she wanted him to join her for dinner. He stared at the door, perplexed and unsure of what she meant.

He ate next to her anyway. That night when he walked her home on the now familiar streets that led to her house, their hands lightly brushed against each other. Kakashi's heart almost stopped when he felt her hand take his own.

It was warm. So warm that the heat radiating from their tangled hands traveled through his whole body.

She wanted him.

Akira held Kakashi's hand just as tight as he did with hers. They didn't have to exchange words to know how each felt. Their eyes already said a million words. It was just how it's always been with the two of them.

When they reached her house, Kakashi walked her up to her front door. He watched in amusement as she fumbled with her keys before finally abled to unlock the bolt and switched the first light on.

They stood in her doorway, both unsure of what to do next but when her green orbs met his dark ones, Kakashi knew there was no stopping them now. Whatever the consequence may be, there was no turning back. They were both in too deep that the world would just have to deal with them being together.

Kakashi leaned in and kissed her forehead. She smelt like oakmoss, like the forest after the rain. It eased Kakashi's nervousness.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Everything fell into place soon after that. As the months passed by, the began to fall in love with each other, know each other, it was slow and gentle, like the flowers blooming in the spring.

They became familiar with each other's presence, their small quirks and habits, like how Kakashi likes his miso soup with eggplants in them or how Akira can't go to bed without a cup of warm tea and the way he would stay up late at night just to watch her sleep, wondering how he had gotten so lucky only to discover that Akira talks in her sleep. She mumbled words in a language Kakashi never understood but once in a while, his name would leave her lips and Kakashi swore he could feel himself falling in love with her all over again.

Kakashi never thought he could love someone this much. love. He was in love with Akira. He thought he loved her enough before, but now, having her in his arms, knowing her the way he was the only one allowed to, Kakashi asked himself what he could have possibly done to deserve her.

None of their friends knew. In fact, no one besides the two of them knew about their relationship for an entire year. It was the first time for the both of them and they wanted their relationship to be theirs for the time being. They knew the others would find out soon enough but for now, they wanted to relish the feeling of finally having each other after years of holding back.

It was a little after Kakashi had moved in to her apartment when the news broke out. He had been sleeping in her house for months and didn't do much "moving in" anymore since most of his things were already in her house anyway. In fact, her apartment has been looking more and more like theirs for a while. She had neatly folded her clothes to make space for his growing number of shirts left in her place months ago and the window sill that contained her worn-out books now has his as well.

Their relationship finally became public when Genma had caught Kakashi leaving Akira's apartment early one morning. It would have been harmless and easily dodged if Akira hadn't bolted out of the door to give Kakashi a kiss goodbye on his masked lips. Genma initially kept their secret for weeks but accidentally slipped up during a conversation which Kurenai and Gai immediately picked up. It wasn't long after that when the pats on the back were given followed with congratulations for the couple. Their former classmates weren't really surprised by the news, they always knew it was going to lead to this but what took them by surprised was how they were able to keep it a secret for a long time.

The answer was simple. They were both ANBU members after all.

Kakashi cherished their long walks together the most. After all, it was where everything started. They walked along the streets of Konoha, hand in hand with the moon shining brightly above them. No one could touch the way they laughed in the dark, talking about their future or the way they would spend hours on wrapped in each other's arms, watching the sun go down. He loved how the world seemed to fade away when he looks at her. All he could see was this woman who chose him despite his flaws and accepted him wholeheartedly.

They were no longer two seperate beings, they were two souls merged into one. This time, they will have each other to lean on for the rest of their lives.

That was the plan.

Life doesn't always go according to plan.

—

Next Up: Tsunade and Akira meets again.

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peaceoutofthepieces · 3 years ago

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you were my crown

chapter 3

Ao3

~^~

There was a distinct tension permeating the carriage. Lucas looked especially uncomfortable, and Sander heaved sighs and shifted in his seat every few minutes, as if he couldn’t stand staying still. Jens knew he couldn’t, that if anything he’d rather be up front, but mostly would have preferred their usual method on horseback. But when Jens had asked Lucas if he could ride, he’d stared back as if Jens was insane, and Ellis was not quite ready for Lucas to be left alone with her son without ‘protection’, so here they all were.

Jens was feeling a bit uncomfortable, himself.

It was nothing to do with the carriage and the rather useless cushion under him, either, but a combination of Sander’s fidgeting next to him, Lucas’s avoidant gaze across from them, and his own inability to stop staring.

Lucas had stared at the carriage with a somewhat dubious expression, and then the lush cushion on his seat with utter disbelief. He’d nudged it aside to sit on the wood, and Jens had just tried not to be disappointed that Lucas hadn’t sat next to him. Sander had slanted another one of those looks between the two of them and sat himself next to Jens with a huff. Lucas had caught Jens’s eyes then, just for a second, before directing his eyes at his lap and keeping them there for the entire journey.

At least, until Sander could no longer take the silence.

“I’m going to teach you how to ride a horse,” he told Lucas. “First duty.”

“That doesn’t at all fall under either of your duties,” Jens pointed out, earning himself a sharp look.

Lucas didn’t look pleased, but he didn’t look upset either. “Why?”

“Because I think you’ll like it, and you’re going to get tired of walking to the castle every morning and night very quickly.”

This was enough to make Lucas’s expression crumble in distress for a second before any emotion was neatly tucked away again. He was, however, slightly more grim-faced as he offered Sander a single nod. Then he hesitated and flicked a glance at Jens. “But, what does that matter? I won’t be allowed to take a horse from the stables.”

“You will,” Jens flicked his hand.

Lucas stared at him, and Jens returned his gaze as steadily as he could. It was quite the promise to make, he knew, and he wasn’t actually sure he could pull it off, but for Lucas, he’d try. Lucas was still closed off, but he seemed less tense since finding out he could go home, even during the meeting with Ellis. Jens had done this for him, and Lucas knew it. He seemed to be appreciating it more than Jens saving his life in the first place, which was odd, but well, Jens wouldn’t question it. He might not be the best people-person, but he knew when he’d tried his luck far enough. He knew to accept Lucas’s glances of enquiry and nods of acceptance and rare smiles for now.

He would have time to work out the horse thing, while Sander actually taught Lucas, and until then, “I’ll send the carriage out for you for now.”

Now Lucas allowed a blink. “I can just walk. It’s what I’m used to.”

“It’s a good distance. I don’t need you exhausted for the day before your duties even start. They might sound simple but I’ve heard plenty of complaints before,” Jens warned him. “Daily.”

His mother had done a rather good job of outlining what was expected of Lucas regarding his new position. He would bring Jens his meals; he’d take care of washing and polishing both clothes and weapons; he’d do whatever needed to be done in Jens’s room, including lighting the fire and changing the bedsheets and organising baths; he’d be present at any events inside the castle and accompany Jens to any outside in order to serve him, and he’d take over the task of preparing Jens for them and finally relieve the poor maids. Along with all of this, he’d do whatever Jens, or the Queen, or even Sander, in this special instance, told him to do. It was what was expected of most servants—more than was expected of some but less than was expected of many. Lucas had accepted it with the same grim expression and one of his quiet nods.

Ellis, then, had politely pointed out the extent of special treatment he was getting. For anyone. Never mind a ‘traitor’. Not everyone, she’d said, had the honour of the Prince being their personal escort. Then Lucas had managed a tight smile but a rather impressive bow and a mumble of gratitude.

It was true. Jens rarely ventured outside the castle grounds unless it was to hunt or let some Lord or another play host. He’d ventured to bordering kingdoms only a few times to meet allies with his mother, either to make deals or attend their rather lavish parties. He tried to imagine Lucas hovering at his shoulder during such an event and bit down a smile. They hadn’t gotten a chance to visit Milan yet, after all, but Jens still had the thought in mind. Lucas would need official robes eventually—Jens would make him see it had nothing to do with pity, that it was a necessary custom. If he was amused and intrigued by the mere thought, well, that was a mere bonus Lucas didn’t need to know about.

“Do you think someone might faint when they see you?” Sander asked, looking at Jens curiously. His voice was innocent, but his lips were tilted in a faint smirk. “I’m always curious to know if there actually are people out there who’d end up helplessly falling at your feet.”

Jens scowled at him, but Sander had already turned to Lucas.

“What do you think? Anyone you know around here going to die at the sight of him?”

Lucas sweeped his gaze over Jens consideringly. Jens expected a biting remark, but he had to admit the slight smirk on his face was a bit of a surprise. “Unlikely they’ll be disappointed.” Jens’s heart thumped in surprise, and then Lucas continued. “They already expect very little.”

Sander immediately burst out laughing as Jens turned his scowl on Lucas. He couldn’t quite bring himself to be mad or upset when Lucas’s lips twitched up further as he gazed back before eyeing Sander in amusement. Sander patted Jens’s shoulder consolingly and only laughed harder when Jens batted him away.

“I should have known better than to let you in on this.” He glared at Sander, then frowned at Lucas as he slouched down in his seat, being jostled slightly on the way as the carriage trundled over a bump. “You can’t team up on me, I’m the Prince.”

“I think that’s probably why we have to team up on you,” Lucas mused, and Jens was so pleased to hear him respond he didn’t immediately have one of his own.

Sander pointed at him. “I knew I had a good feeling about you. You understand how it all works.”

Lucas didn’t seem as sure, but he just shrugged. “Fast learner.”

“So I was right to pick you,” Jens said. “You’ll be the most coveted servant in no time.”

Lucas rolled his eyes at that, but his slight smile hadn’t disappeared, so Jens knew he hadn’t made a mistake and Lucas heard the teasing. He even seemed prepared to respond, looking at Jens with the same, faintest glimmer of amusement and challenge, and Jens felt his heart thrum. But Lucas just flicked his eyes around Jens’s face before looking away, staring out the small window this time as they returned to silence.

They’d made it out of the Court and the surrounding village, where no one had blinked at the carriage after seeing so many trundle in that morning. Lucas had still seemed more tense then, when the raucous sounds of life had surrounded them and face after face could be glimpsed outside. Jens wasn’t a fan of it, either; he kept waiting for someone to catch sight of him. The journey felt much more peaceful now that they’d made it onto more barren roads. The dirt extended from the path into the fields and flirted with the edge of the forest on the left, making everything a medley of grass green and dusty brown. There was a spark of yellow or red here or there, wilting on branches or melting into the undergrowth where autumn was beginning to strip everything away.

But the sun was still out, and it was playing all those yellows and reds across Lucas’s face and setting his hair alight. Jens watched him while Lucas watched the scenery and he wondered, again, what exactly he had gotten himself into.

He diverted his attention out the window just in time to see the forest shift away, reeling into the distance as it backed off to make space for a stretch of fields. The open space was dotted with wooden buildings, small shelters and cabins that were soon found in closer clusters as they entered a new village. Sander leaned forward to look out as Lucas leaned back, straightening up with his hands curling into fists atop his thighs. Jens stared at him until Lucas felt his gaze and met his eye, and then he offered a reassuring smile.

Lucas allowed it for only a moment before looking away again and clearing his throat. “We should get out soon and walk the rest of the way. The road narrows the further we go. Not really meant for anything more than a horse wide, at most.”

Sander raised his brows, as if shocked that someone would give anything like an ‘order’ to someone like Jens. Sander turned to look at him and Jens shrugged back—he was just amused.

“Here?” he asked Lucas.

Lucas shrugged, taking a closer look out the window before nodding. “You could get another ten yards or so, probably.”

Jens nodded at Sander, who leaned forwards towards the front of the carriage. Lucas started and slid out of his way as Sander almost headbutted him, then the knight managed to get the hatch at the front open and whistled to the coachman. The carriage slowed in an instant, rolling to a stop just as Sander fell back in his seat, knocking his shoulder off Jens’s.

“Sorry, damn,” Sander muttered as Jens shoved him off. Jens was more annoyed that it almost made him miss Lucas’s tiny huff of amusement than about the actual jostling.

Only once they’d settled and all surrounding noise had stopped did Jens open the door and hop out, ignoring Sander’s muttering about ‘improper princes’. The dirt road was firm under his feet, but he’d already collected a layer on his shoes from the landing, which made him wince. Lucas would likely be the one left to clean it, which seemed to make sense and feel entirely unfair at the same time.

He ignored it for now and looked back into the carriage, where Sander gestured for Lucas to go first. Jens held a hand out almost automatically, then felt a little stupid, then shocked out of his dirty shoes when Lucas took it. He curved his fingers carefully over Jens’s palm, only letting his weight bear down lightly as he stepped from the carriage. Only for a moment, and then the touch was gone. Jens would have thought it didn’t even really happen if his hand wasn’t tingling, but it was, and Lucas wasn’t looking at him, and Sander was muttering again.

The knight jumped down and slammed the door shut behind him, giving Jens a withering look as he sniffed. “Thanks for the hand, that was very kind of you.”

Jens blinked, then broke out of it and slapped Sander on the back. “You’re welcome.” He caught Lucas wiping a hand over his mouth, as if he was brushing away a smile, and didn’t bother biting back one of his own.

Sander heaved a sigh and gestured at Lucas. “Well, lead the way.”

Jens lingered to thank the coachman and tell him they hopefully wouldn’t be long, then paused to pet the horses and feed them a couple of sugar cubes before catching up to where Sander and Lucas were waiting. He could see the landscape better now, and cast his eyes around as he fell into step alongside Lucas and Sander followed behind. The road did indeed narrow quickly, turning into more of a path as the grass inched inwards and more houses took up the extra space as they made it into the village. They were quaint and quiet, some with smoke coming from the chimneys and others with their doors open and noise coming from inside.

The center of it all was swallowing them quickly, and Jens straightened as he felt Sander stick closer to his back. Here, there were houses and farms and stalls, people milling around between all the available set-ups and conversing and bartering with their neighbours. It didn’t take long for Jens to feel the weight of a couple of stares, and his shoulders crept up. Lucas glanced at him, but kept tall and straight-backed as he walked, evidently at ease—at home. It took a little longer for Jens to realise the stares were for him, not the prince by his side or the knight following. Of course, he thought, they likely knew where Lucas had been. The whole village probably wondered when and if he would return, and now here he was, walking in with a royal escort.

It really should have been garnering them more attention. But even of the starers, no one said a word. They only had to walk another few yards to realise that it was because focus was directed elsewhere, to a commotion by one of the smaller stalls.

Jens didn’t even think about following Lucas as he furrowed his brow and pushed through the growing crowd, but he heard Sander’s aggrieved sigh and felt the knight’s hand at his back, curled in the fabric of his jacket. The vibrant velvet stood out, the red drawing eyes like a beacon, and the crowd was parting and staring now, raising a new murmur as they made it near the front and caught sight of the scene. Jens was, for once, extra thankful for his height as he gazed over the remaining heads.

He saw what he suspected was the seller’s back first, a tall and fairly burly man with buzzed hair and broad shoulders. He had a tight grip on the arm of another man—or possibly boy—who was much slighter with darker skin and a full, curly head of hair, though he also had a thin mustache and scruff on his chin. Lucas cursed softly under his breath, but Jens was watching as the smaller of the two laughed, the sound seeming nervous as he did his best to hold his hands up and keep the other man at bay. He said something Jens couldn’t hear, and then the man was gripping his throat in one large hand instead and Jens slithered through the remaining gap in the crowd.

“What seems to be the problem here?” he demanded, using his best authoritative tone as he stepped up to the two men. The younger boy looked at him, wide-eyed, but he went ignored by the other. It only worked to piss him off further, so he wrenched the man’s grip away and twisted his arm until he finally acknowledged Jens’s presence with a pained shout.

The crowd had gone utterly silent, now, and it made the boy’s dry gasp more audible as he stumbled back after being released from the choking grip. Jens didn’t look at him yet, focused on the more aggressive threat. The man stared down at him, glaring in pain and trying to wriggle his wrist free before, very slowly, his face went white with recognition, and he froze.

Jens smiled at him, and knew it likely wasn’t his kindest. “That’s better. Now, I believe I asked a question. Do we have a problem here?”

The man gaped a few times, then stuttered something unintelligible before steeling himself and flapping his free arm at the boy. “This kid was trying to steal from my stall,” he growled. Jens noticed he had a slight beard, as well, though it was much lighter and the lines of age were also carved into the skin around his mouth and eyes.

“Trying to?” Jens pressed.

“Lifted one of my fresh apples and stuffed it in his pocket,” the man grunted. “Went to run if I hadn’t been quick enough.”

Jens flicked his eyes around to the boy for just a moment. He was watching on in disbelief, but didn’t seem to have any stolen goods on his person. Jens looked elsewhere and lingered on what must have been the man’s stall, where an array of fruit was laid out but a lone apple sat precariously on the corner. He nodded towards it. “That apple?”

The man nodded hesitantly.

“So he was already unsuccessful in his attempts,” Jens said, raising a brow. “What reason did you have to react with violence?”

The man sputtered, and eventually his face reddened. “The boy’s a thief with a bad mouth! Somebody needs to teach him a lesson.”

Jens considered him, unimpressed. He turned to the boy. “Was that all true? About the stealing?”

“You’re the Prince,” the boy blurted, as if the recognition had only settled in. It seemed like that was probably the case, considering the shock in his expression. When Jens’s brow simply rose further, he settled and answered quietly. “I live with four siblings, my parents, and my grandmother. We were running low.”

Jens’s heart twisted. He pursed his lips and turned back to the man, who was beginning to grimace at the pressure on his wrist. “Sounds like he’s hungry, not a casual bandit. He’s no threat to you. You’ll lose a few extra customers if you always choose to raise your hand like that,” Jens warned.

When the man grunted, but eventually nodded in acceptance, Jens let him go. He moved back to his stall in an instant, wincing as he rubbed over his red skin. Jens turned to the boy instead just as Lucas made it through the crowd, looking as if he was shaking Sander’s grip off of him.

“Christ, Kes,” Lucas muttered when he was close enough. “I haven’t been gone that long, I expected you to be able to stay out of trouble.”

The boy—Kes—had lit up as soon as he laid eyes on him, and he lurched past Jens to clasp Lucas in a tight hug.

Jens blinked as Lucas hugged him back, still seeming to be scolding Kes under his breath. He looked to Sander, who was still standing a couple of feet away, but he looked just as bewildered. He made a face at Jens and shrugged, as if it was strange but not that strange. Which, it probably wasn’t. This was Lucas’s home, he reminded himself. Of course he would have friends here.

“You’ve been gone long enough,” Kes huffed, pulling away from Lucas; though neither of them fully relinquished their grip on the other. Kes looked between Jens and Sander. “But I am planning on killing you myself if you’re just back for a final goodbye. What’s with all this?” He gestured to Jens somewhat dramatically, and Lucas followed the gesture so their eyes met again. Jens tried not to let it make him feel small.

Lucas’s expression was complicated, or Jens just hadn’t at all figured out how to read him yet. They had only known each other a few hours. “‘All this’ has some sort of saviour complex, apparently,” Lucas said.

Sander snorted as Jens frowned, feeling irritation begin to bubble. “A ‘thank you’ would suffice,” he snapped. “Or would you like me to let your friend get pummeled next time?”

“You didn’t know he was my friend,” Lucas dismissed.

“So are you upset now that I wasn’t doing it on your behalf? You’d rather I only defend your honour? Really, I’m beginning to get mixed signals.”

Sander hid his smile behind his hand as Lucas glared and Kes whipped his gaze between them in bewildered intrigue.

“You know that’s not what I meant,” Lucas said.

Jens grit his teeth in a likely unpleasant grin. “What exactly is it you want to say then, Lucas? Please, enlighten me.”

“Are we finally giving orders now, Your Highness?”

Oh, Jens shouldn’t have bothered. At this rate, he was going to strangle the boy himself. He had thought they were getting along in the carriage. What was he doing wrong? Why did Lucas insist on being such a brat?

Sander was suddenly at his side again, pressing a hand between his shoulder blades. “Okay, as entertaining as this is—really, you’re both better than a court jester—we should be moving along. And maybe just lower your voices, if you want to continue.”

Jens scowled at him and was only met with raised brows and a pointed nod. He glanced past Sander and caught sight of the crowd, which hadn’t dispersed at all. If anything, it had only grown—the attraction amplified by the Prince inserting himself in the brawl, most likely.

Sander would say he has no self-awareness, but he understood fairly well pretty quickly.

Lucas winced as Kes gave a low whistle. Lucas reached out and Jens tensed, waiting for contact, but it never came. He was simply being herded in the right direction with Kes now leading the way in front of him and Lucas at his back, with Sander bringing up the rear. The knight was smart enough to actually do his job and keep Lucas in his sights, which was probably unnecessary for the expected reasons; but Jens appreciated knowing there was someone watching Lucas’s back, at the moment.

“You could just leave,” Lucas said, and it wasn’t as harsh as Jens expected. “I’m here now. I’m not going to run, I wanted to come home. And now you know Kes and could probably use him as blackmail, or something.”

Kes looked around Jens to gawk at him. “Are you trying to give them ideas?”

“No ideas necessary if he doesn’t run off,” Sander said, shrugging.

“He’s not offering you as a sacrifice, he’s using you to earn my trust. He won’t risk you by getting himself in trouble, knowing we could come after you now,” Jens said bluntly. “Smart, really.”

Lucas huffed. Still no ‘thank you’ on the horizon, then.

Kes was leading them away from the center of the village, winding outwards through a dirt path until the houses became more sparse again. They also seemed smaller here, stuck into the available spaces between fields. Most seemed to be constructed from timber and wattle, and it was so unlike the sturdy stone of the castle walls that Jens felt cold and wobbly looking at them. He had slept in worse places (the forest floor, for example), but he had never lived outside the castle for more than a week at most. His home was a fortress, built with enough care to offer protection and warmth even in the coldest winters. The recognition hit suddenly of just how much of a privilege this was as he took in the fragile shelters around him. He’d only ever seen the outer villages in passing; he hadn’t taken much in or thought to dwell on it. But the realisation that all these people, people like Kes and Lucas, lived out here came as an odd sort of surprise.

Even Sander had once lived somewhere just like this, though Jens had no idea where and Sander never spoke about it. He was giving no reaction now, not that the others would notice, but to Jens he appeared more withdrawn than usual. Since they had made it away from the bustle of the town, he was silent and solemn, which were both unusual traits for him.

Jens supposed it could have had something to do with the people still surrounding them, more and more coming out of their homes as their group passed through and finally made it to a small hut, which Lucas entered without knocking.

The house was small and open—Jens could see most of the space from his half-glimpse inside the door. There seemed to be minimal furniture, and yet what was there was still cluttered, forced together in places it probably shouldn’t be. It was dim, and as odd as it was, Jens almost thought he could feel a breeze coming out of it.

Lucas looked at it with such awe that Jens thought he should probably try to see it differently. All tension melted from his shoulders as he stepped through the threshold and called, “Mama?”

Kes slithered in next to him and set a hand on his shoulder as Jens and Sander hovered outside. “She could be sleeping,” Kes told him softly. “We’ve been checking in on her while you were gone. Isa’s actually been staying.”

Jens didn’t know who Isa was, but he assumed she was the girl who appeared from behind one of the curtains and who was definitely not capable of being Lucas’s mother. Her face lit up when she saw him, however, and Lucas smiled when she barreled into him and wrapped him in a hug. Jens absorbed the expression and tucked it away and wondered just who this girl was.

“I knew you’d be back in no time! I told them it all had to be bullsh—“

“Ies,” Kes cut her off with a hiss, jerking his head towards the open door.

Isa’s eyes landed on them and went comically wide. She gaped, eyes lingering on Jens’s face and Sander’s chainmail, before she dropped into a surprising, slightly awkward curtsy. She leaned in close to Lucas and whispered (rather pointlessly, because they were all close enough to hear everything), “You came back with a knight-in-shining-armour and Prince Charming?”

Lucas only flicked his gaze towards them for a moment. “I would hardly say ‘charming’ is the right word.”

Much like Kes had, Isa gaped at him for the audacity. Jens was begrudgingly beginning to like them.

“You are just getting our roles mixed up, you see,” Sander told her with a winning smile. “Lucas has already learned I’m the charming one. And Jens is more likely his knight-in-shining-armour.”

Jens watched Lucas roll his eyes and rolled his own in response. He turned his own attention to Isa and offered her a smile too, as well as his hand. “It’s nice to see someone aware of the property courtesies, or at least with some basic manners.” He tilted his head pointedly towards Lucas, and the girl laughed, slipping her hand into his. Jens left a kiss to the back of her fingers; he too was aware of his courtesies.

It made Isa flush a pretty pink, and it also made Lucas scoff, which was the main goal. Jens raised his eyebrows at him in a dare to say something about it, but their staring match only lasted a few seconds before they were interrupted by more soft footsteps.

“Luc,” a gentle voice said. Lucas was instantly rushing across the small house to capture an even smaller lady in a hug. She was actually a little taller than Isa, but thinner, and she had Lucas’s light brown hair but not his blue eyes. Still, it wasn’t hard to tell that this was obviously his mother as she clutched him back tightly and he let out a shuddering breath.

Jens’s heart twisted. This was Lucas’s home, that much was clear. It seemed impossible that it had almost been taken away from him that same day. Lucas clearly belonged here with each of these people, regardless of what their connections were, and there would have been heartbreak left behind if he was gone. Jens was even beginning to understand why Lucas detested his ‘help’ so much. He lived his whole life here, and now it would be nothing more than a place to sleep. Even that would be cut short.

“I’m sorry,” he heard Lucas mumble. “I’m so sorry.”

The woman pulled back to cup his face gently in her hands, stroking her thumbs over his cheeks. “Oh, you didn’t do anything wrong, darling. I know you didn’t. I’m so happy they saw that too and you’re safe.”

It was enough to make Lucas stiffen again. “Well, Mama,” he trailed off, because it didn’t matter—she had already caught sight of them in the doorway.

“My, I am so sorry,” she stammered, gripping tighter to her son for a moment before letting go and curtsying as well. Jens really didn’t know where Lucas had gotten his manners, then. She glanced between them and Lucas. “Your Highness. To what do I owe this honour?”

Jens opened his mouth, then quickly closed it again.

Sander rested a hand on his shoulder and stepped up next to him. “We’ve just come to escort Lucas home. There are some...conditions, to his return, that we’ll gladly discuss with you unless Lucas wishes to do so on his own.”

Jens nodded his own agreement and looked to Lucas, who wrapped an arm around his mother but didn’t respond. It was apparently enough permission for the woman to hastily beckon them inside and offer them a drink.

They all crammed into the small seating space. Jens sat with Sander stood just behind him, across from Lucas and his mother. He hadn’t actually thought much about Kes and Isa, and expected them to leave before they discussed Lucas’s situation. But Isa had taken the one spare stool and Kes had leaned against the wall behind her, both of them watching on expectantly. Mostly watching him, with a slightly familiar wide-eyed wonder. It made Jens more nervous than it probably should have. The space was also, as he thought, run through with a terrible chill, and he felt strange shivering in his thick jacket when Lucas looked perfectly collected in his thin, threadbare tunic.

Lucas’s mother had introduced herself as Tess, and poured both visitors a glass of water with trembling hands. It was likely nerves, but she seemed steady and curious as she looked from Jens to Sander and back. “You mentioned conditions? But Lucas isn’t guilty of anything?”

Jens once again looked to the boy in question, who, shockingly, stared back rather defiantly. His look seemed to say, ‘go ahead, you can tell my mother that your mother wants to kill me’.

It was also possible that he was reading too much into things.

“We don’t believe that he is, no,” Jens said softly, looking back to the woman placatingly. “But we also have no proof of his innocence. I’m sure you understand the Queen has to react with caution to any possible threat of treason.”

“But I was here. I am always here,” Tess said firmly. “Surely, I can attest to his innocence?”

“No one can even know when the sword was taken,” Sander said. “Unless you are here every moment of every day with Lucas, it would still not be counted as proof. And I’m afraid as his mother, you’re already likely to be considered as an unreliable witness.”

“So what does that mean? There is no way of proving his innocence? Can’t you find out when the sword was taken? Surely knights aren’t supposed to leave their weapons lying around and would notice before long,” Kes said, clearly sharing his friend’s fiery spark. Jens noted that Lucas seemed a lot more wary in the face of it, flicking his eyes to Kes nervously. His sense did, apparently, extend from his mother to these friends.

Sander just snorted. “No, they’re not. And it will be looked into further, because if Lucas had nothing to do with it we need to know who did.”

“But until then, we can’t absolve Lucas of guilt entirely,” Jens explained. “So, rather than a...harsher punishment, it was agreed upon that Lucas would work for me in the castle.”

“Work for you?” Tess questioned, confused, her eyes flicking briefly to Sander.

Isa snorted, then immediately looked embarrassed about it. “What sort of work is Lucas qualified for? He can’t cook to save his life, and could you imagine him trying to use a sword?”

Lucas frowned at her.

Tess set her hand on Isa’s and gave a squeeze, appearing amused. “I doubt that would even be allowed, sweetie.”

“No,” Jens agreed. “He’ll be my personal servant.”

The room—the house, this space was the whole house—went utterly silent. They all stared at him, blankly or bewildered, and then at Lucas, disbelieving.

Isa was the first to find her voice. “What—what does that actually mean? I mean, what will he be doing?”

“I’m not actually sure of all the details myself,” Jens said slowly. “I’ve never had a manservant, which is partially why I suggested it, but it also means it shouldn’t really involve anything too difficult. Lucas will just be expected to take care of things like meals and clothes, looking after my chambers and my things, accompanying me.”

They absorbed this for a moment. “So he’s basically working as your mother,” Kes said.

“My mother’s the Queen,” Jens said, confused, before realising it was meant to be some kind of joke.

“More like a slave,” Lucas suggested, still bitter. It earned a sharp look and quiet reprimand from his mother, which actually made him shut his mouth and shrink in his seat. Jens marveled at all the power in this tiny woman.

Sander tsked. “Jens would never treat someone that way, and he’s already managed to overrule his mother for you. You’re lucky.”

Lucas didn’t huff or scoff this time, but he looked like he wanted to. It was likely the presence of his mother keeping him at bay, then, not an agreement with Sander’s words.

“It’s just a job,” Jens said, leaning across the table towards Lucas. He didn’t have to go far. “I know that it is meant to be a punishment, but we do not plan to treat it that way. You’re no different to anyone else working in the castle, except you actually have a higher standing than many of them. You will be treated with just as much respect and paid just as kindly as anyone else.”

That finally broke Lucas’s facade enough for him to furrow his brows. “Paid?”

“Maybe out of my own pocket,” Jens admitted, “but yes.”

“Why? Why would you do that?”

Jens furrowed his brows back, frowning. “You will not be able to work otherwise to earn anything. You don’t wish to live in the castle. How do you expect to live otherwise?”

“You were invited to live in the castle?” Isa demanded, eyes bright.

Lucas ignored her for the moment and continued to address Jens. “I was under the impression that my life was my payment. Or is it actually not still under threat?”

“Your life?” Tess repeated, shocked. “Have they threatened to kill you?”

Jens winced, but Lucas was already laying a hand on her shoulder placatingly. Still, he didn’t speak up to deny her worries, and her startled, terrified gaze lay heavily on Jens, and he found himself leaning in her direction instead. “Lucas is perfectly safe, I assure you.”

“But he wasn’t, was he?” Kes asked. His gaze was no longer filled with the initial bewilderment and faint awe; it was hard and heavy and filled with questions, as if he was suddenly intent on picking Jens apart. It made Jens oddly nervous, although he was oddly glad Lucas seemed to have these people willing to protect him, looking out for him.

Lucas, thankfully, answered on his own this time. “I was initially sentenced to death.”

Tess sank back in her chair as she stared at him, raising a hand to grip tightly onto his. She was as white as a sheet. Lucas quickly shifted around to look at her more directly, holding onto both her shoulders now and gently stroking his thumbs back and forth. It was the most kindness Jens had witnessed from him so far.

“I’m fine,” he said, at once soft and firm. He flicked a glance at Jens. “His Royal Highness—“ he seemed pained using the full title; Jens was utterly amused “—laughed at the idea, and it seemed that was enough to save me.”

Tess blinked, looking from her son to Jens and back. “I beg your pardon?”

“You laughed?” Isa said, baffled, then immediately looked embarrassed again. Kes sighed as he put a hand on her shoulder.

“To be fair,” Jens defended himself, “it was a rather ridiculous idea.”

“To be fair,” Sander added, “it also worked.”

Jens waved a hand at him in agreement and thanks.

“He convinced Her Majesty that she had no actual reason for such an extreme punishment,” Lucas said quietly, looking at Jens now. “He earned me a second chance and as much freedom as he could.”

“Hang on,” Jens blinked at him. “What is this sudden gratitude?”

A muscle in Lucas’s jaw twitched. “I recognise what you did for me. That does not mean,” he enunciated clearly, “that I have to like you. Regardless of how kind a keeper you view yourself as, you made me your prisoner.”

“He saved your life,” Tess said, but there was no intonation of any argument or rebuke. There was only relief and an overwhelming gratitude of her own; her eyes were shining as she looked at Jens. Jens was grateful when Kes spoke and he had a reason to look away.

“Why would he do that?” The question seemed to be in response to Lucas or Tess, but he was only looking at Jens as he asked it, now even more calculating than before. “You don’t even know Lucas.”

Jens shook his head. “Why should that matter? Even if he is guilty, he doesn’t deserve to die. Even if he had hurt someone, it’s not always so black and white. I didn’t know you, either, when we arrived today, but that didn’t mean you deserved to be harmed.”

Kes leaned back against the wall, dragging his gaze over him appraisingly.

“Thank you,” Tess whispered, dragging Jens’s attention back. He was surprised when she reached over and clasped his hand, squeezing tightly, and Lucas flinched as if making an aborted move to pull her away. “Thank you, so much.”

Jens’s heart warmed, and his throat felt tight. Like he had with Isa, he brought her hand to his lips and lightly kissed the back of her fingers, then squeezed them in return. “I mean it. It’s not to earn thanks. I believe Lucas deserves his safety and I will do what I can to maintain it. I would’ve done the same for anyone.” He cut his eyes to Lucas. “Whether they would be grateful or not is not the point.”

“He also negotiated with the Queen to make sure Lucas could stay here. We were only to escort him back to make sure he really did come home, but he’s free to stay here now and will only be expected to come to the castle every morning to do his duties,” Sander explained.

“Will you have to walk every morning?” Isa asked, disheartened as she looked to her...friend? Something more?

Lucas glanced at Jens.

“Only to the end of the village, where the road widens,” Jens said. “A carriage will wait for him there and bring him back in the evenings.”

When they all stared at him once more, he shrugged. “It will make sure he turns up?”

“It sounds like you’re getting a reward, Luc, not a punishment,” Kes pointed out with a snort. He walked over to clip the back of Lucas’s head. “Maybe stop acting like an ass, yeah?”

Sander let out an aborted laugh, and Jens belatedly realised this was assurance that he’d earned Kes’s approval. It seemed like an important—possibly vital—first step. Even though Lucas scowled and batted him away, he didn’t complain, and his following glance at Jens didn’t seem filled with quite as much disdain. Jens chanced softening his own gaze, and Lucas clenched his jaw and looked away.

“Boys,” Tess admonished half-heartedly. “We still have company.”

Jens drew his gaze away from Lucas and offered her a smile. “We should be getting going, though.”

“I’m sure he has things to do, Mama,” Lucas said, in a drawl that let Jens know he was about to be mildly insulted. “Orders to give, hair to fix.”

Jens straightened and raised a hand to his head, running fingers through the strands curling over his face. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

Lucas raised a brow at him, as if he’d just proven an excellent point.

Sander clapped a hand on his shoulder. “He’s teasing you, idiot. About how you probably only care about your hair? Even though it does fall flat because this—“ he ruffled Jens’s already messy hair “—is atrocious, you still managed to prove his point. Who lets you outside?”

“You?” Jens said hesitantly, then frowned. “Wait.”

“Did you just...forget you’re the Prince?” Kes asked.

Jens opened his mouth to protest and jumped as the door banged open instead. He twisted around to see and had to peek around Sander, who instantly moved in front of him at the intrusion.

In the doorway was yet another boy with wildly curly hair and a light scruff. He had a full water bucket hoisted in his arms and his foot was still slightly raised from where he’d kicked the door open. He was staring at the large group of people cluttered in the small space, taking in Sander’s hand on the hilt of his sword and then Jens peeking out from behind him, before his eyes found Lucas.

“Luc!”

His hands loosened dangerously on the bucket and he fumbled for a moment as water sloshed around the rim. Kes appeared in front of him in an instant and hastily took over, yelping out a “careful, Jayden” as water splashed over his shirt. He managed to get the bucket from Jayden and carefully set it down out of the way, and Jayden was already moving forward with a grin.

He halted after a single step, however, eyes landing on the looming knight in his path. He flicked his gaze down to where Sander’s hand still rested and back up. Jens curled his fingers in Sander’s sleeve and gave a quick tug, but Sander remained and narrowed his eyes at Jayden.

Jayden blinked. Then narrowed his eyes back.

Sander nodded in approval at the handling of the stare-down and immediately backed off, leaning casually against the wall beside Jens again.

Jens huffed, used to the antics by now. Jayden only looked bewildered for a second before moving on in favour of bounding around to Lucas and wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug. “Shit, I was sure they were gonna kill you or something.”

The others shared a look. Lucas simply patted Jayden’s back.

Sander tapped Jens’s shoulder, and Jens convinced himself to get to his feet. Lucas nudged Jayden off of him and looked up at them. “Do you need me to walk back with you?”

Jens tilted his head, surprised that there was no teasing or sarcasm in the comment, and marveled at the manners Lucas seemed to learn within minutes of his mother’s presence. “No, the deal was to bring you right here. We’re not going to drag it out.”

“I meant so you don’t get killed,” Lucas said dryly.

Jayden suddenly, and finally, hissed, “Lucas, isn’t that the fucking Prince? What are you doing?!”

“Language,” Tess quickly reprimanded, offering Jens a nervous, apologetic smile.

Isa patted Jayden’s arm and quietly assured him they’d fill him in later as Jens cocked a brow at Lucas.

“I can take care of myself,” he said easily.

“You mean you never go anywhere without a knight and they’re under strict orders to protect you?”

“No,” Sander huffed. “Weren’t you watching him like a hawk earlier? He can take care of himself.”

Lucas looked dubious.

Within a second, Jens was leaned across the table with a dagger tucked gently under Lucas’s chin. He heard a few gasps and one cry of protest, but Lucas only drew a sharp breath and stared back at him through slightly wide eyes. “I’m not sure how you think this works,” Jens murmured. “But Sander’s only had a sword in his hands for a couple of years. I’ve had a knife in my belt since I could walk. I’m already the one protecting you, don’t forget. I can take care of myself.”

Lucas swallowed, and Jens drew the dagger back enough that it wouldn’t pierce his skin when Lucas refused to lean away. “Okay. Point taken.”

Jens rolled his eyes and slipped the dagger away again, leaning out of Lucas’s space and moving towards the door. “Sunrise,” Jens reminded him. “Your carriage awaits.”

He was aware of Sander’s quiet laughter as he followed him out and pointedly ignored it. He’d barely gotten three yards before someone had caught up with him, and a gentle voice was calling, “Your Highness.”

He paused and turned back to Tess, feeling oddly nervous all of a sudden. He had just held a dagger to her son’s throat right in front of her and left without another word, after all, and following all his judgment of Lucas’s manners, he probably should have recognised that might be rather rude. Still, he just straightened his shoulders and asked, “Yes?”

“I just wanted to apologise for Lucas,” she said quietly, looking down now as she wrung her hands. “I know that it is not proper, but it’s partly my fault. He’s very protective.”

Jens let his posture soften and stepped closer, bringing his hand up to touch her arm lightly. “I could see that right away. He wanted nothing more than to come back to you. I understand his anger at how much this disrupts his life here.”

“I don’t know what we have done to deserve such kindness from you.” Her voice wobbled, but she looked up at him now. “He is scared and will not recognise it, but I do, and I cannot thank you enough. I know it is wrong of me to ask you for more…”

“He’ll be safe,” Jens assured her. “He will adjust, and I’ll keep him safe. I promise.”

She reached for his hand and held it tightly between her own, squeezing once. “Thank you,” she repeated, breathless with her relief.

Jens kissed her knuckles again, overwhelmed with sympathy. He wanted to ask where her partner was, Lucas’s father, because he thought it would help him understand but knew he would not like the answer. Instead he gave her hand a final squeeze, allowed her to see the promise in his gaze, then glanced back through the open doorway.

He could still see Lucas, still at his place at the tiny table, but now his head was tilted back and his mouth was open in laughter as he looked up at Kes. The noise of them all filtered out, their easy familiarity and joy, and Jens turned away quickly and nodded to Sander.

Sander led them back to the carriage in silence, and his confident stride stopped anyone from speaking up or approaching. Only when they’d made it back out of the village and onto the small path did he fall in step with Jens and speak up. “You’re going to have your hands full with him, y’know.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” Jens huffed.

“He didn’t even flinch.”

“He looked happy about it.”

Sander barked a laugh, clapping his hands together as they reached the carriage. He patted the horse’s flank on the way past and winked at the coachman, who gave him a two-fingered salute in response. “He’s a treat. I can’t wait.”

#van der stoffels #vds #wtfock #skam nl #prince!jens au #vds royalty au

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eddieeatsass · 4 years ago

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On the Edge of an Avalanche

Summary: Graduation was upon them and Eddie Kaspbrak was eager to leave Derry behind. His one last hurrah would be the senior ski trip, earning him an escape from his mother and the looming stress of college admissions. It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, until he got slated to look after resident pain-in-everyone’s-ass, Richie Tozier. Pairing: Richie Tozier/Eddie Kaspbrak Rating: E Chapter: 4/5 Read Chapter 3 Here / Read on AO3

Richie’s room was nicer than Eddie’s, way nicer. It’s not that Eddie’s room was bad, in fact he’d spent a good amount of time admiring it earlier, it’s just that Eddie’s room was like the discount version, and Richie’s was designer. Where Eddie’s room had gotten tall windows, half of Richie’s wall was taken up by a fireplace. Eddie supposed it was a trade, someone who preferred a nicer view might say Eddie’s room was the winner, but there was something undeniably romantic about your own fireplace. Richie’s room also seemed to have a newer TV, mounted on the wall across from their bed. The TV in Eddie’s room was older and hid behind two panels of wood in a cabinet. Simply put, Eddie was very glad Richie had decided to bring them here. Richie flopped on the bed immediately, overdramatizing how exhausted he was just from limping his way down the hall. Eddie hid a knowing smile and joined him. “Thank you for saving me, I was about five minutes away from dying of boredom.” Richie drawled. “Well, I can’t promise you’ll have any more fun here, but you’re welcome. ”Richie let his head loll to the side, regarding Eddie closely before speaking again. “No, I’ll definitely have more fun here. ”The insinuation was brash, Richie didn’t even bother trying to hide it behind a joke. It made Eddie’s gut clench in unusual ways. He brought his thumb up to his mouth, the habit of gnawing at his fingernails a hard one to kick, but was interrupted by his own gasp as his hand came into view. His knuckles were starting to bruise, tender to flex and even more tender to touch. He hadn’t noticed any pain earlier, too caught up in Richie to even think about anything else, but now that he was staring at his fist the ache began to echo under his skin. “You just notice that?” Richie asked gently, noting the horror in Eddie’s eyes. Eddie could only nod, his gaze fixed on the evidence of his breakdown. He wasn’t sure how long he stared at his hand, but when Richie’s entered the frame Eddie startled. He’d gotten a hand towel from the bathroom and wrapped some ice in it, which Eddie could only guess was provided in their minifridge. Richie guided Eddie’s hand down to his lap, placing the ice pack atop his knuckles gently and murmuring an apology when Eddie hissed at the sudden coldness. They stayed silent for a few minutes, simply sitting in each other’s presence as the ice dampened the cloth atop Eddie’s hand. Eddie was the first to speak, keeping his eyes downcast as he admitted his guilt aloud. “I’m not a violent person, you know.” He could feel Richie’s eyes on his face but didn’t give in to the lure. “Yeah, I know.” Richie reassured. “But Bowers is an exception-”“No, he’s not.” Eddie snapped. “If I sink to his level, I’m just like him.” Eddie wasn’t sure if Richie would get it. They had both been targets of Henry’s attacks, but Eddie never wanted anyone to feel the way he’d felt, not even Henry himself. Eddie’s mind was constantly replaying all the times he'd had his face shoved into the dirt, the way the gravel would stick to his wounds, the shouts he’d receive from his mother upon getting home. Henry was a god-awful human, but that didn’t mean he deserved to feel that same pain and sorrow. That wasn’t going to change anything; you can’t break the cycle with the same bullshit that fueled it. “I didn’t mean to do it.” Eddie whispered. “I just snapped.” Richie immediately scooted closer, an action Eddie wasn’t expecting or prepared for. He looked up and met bright blue eyes, tender and open and completely void of judgement. “You’re nothing like him; you didn’t want to hurt him. Bowers wants to hurt people. ”Eddie looked back down at his hand, flexing his fingers and watching as the makeshift ice pack slid off and landed on the sheets. “You know…” Eddie began thinking out loud. “I’ve felt the brunt of a lot of people’s insecurities. I don’t usually mind being projected on, it’s easy to see through the words and figure out what’s actually going on behind them. I’ve even gotten good at doing it with Henry, though he’s a bit of a different breed… But there was something about the things he said today... they felt more personal.” Richie listened intently, allowing Eddie to spill out into the space between them, his vulnerability a tender wound. “Whatever, it’s stupid.” Eddie was quick to dismiss his own feelings, covering them up with a shrug of his shoulders that attempted to pass as indifference. “It’s not stupid.” Richie insisted. Eddie stared down at his uninjured hand as it picked at a thread on the blanket beneath them. “Listen, I don't know what Henry said, but you're not suddenly a super villain for fighting back one time. The first time I was called a fag, I threw a mug at the dude’s head.” Richie admitted aloud with a chuckle. “We were in a coffee shop and I was on my first date with a guy. I ended up having to pay for the broken mug and my backtalk. ”Eddie perked up like Richie had just given him a straight shot of smelling salts. All other sound in the room fell away as Eddie homed in on Richie’s voice, trying to discern if he was dreaming or not. “Safe to say it was not a very good first impression.” Richie laughed lightly, completely unaware of the way he was flipping Eddie’s world upside down. “Anyway, all I’m trying to say is you’re not the only one who’s lost their cool before. You’re human, you’re allowed to get upset when people treat you less than.” Eddie was sure Richie was making a good point, was sure what he was saying held some wisdom that could potentially help, but he was guilty to say he hadn’t processed a word of it. He was too caught up on the fact that Richie had dated guys before. Stan’s words echoed in his brain ‘You might want to consider the possibility that this isn’t their first time eating a hot dog’, fucking Stan was always right, even with that stupid metaphor. Richie had begun talking again, but Eddie didn’t hesitate to interrupt him, this new revelation too significant to pass by. “You like boys?” Eddie blurted out, all grace and subtlety left behind with his spiraling thoughts. Richie froze in place, his hands up in a gesture Eddie was sure had something to do with what he’d been talking about, but now looked comically out of place. Slowly, Richie lowered his hands to his lap and regarded Eddie with a new look, one that held enough cockiness to knock the wind out of Eddie. “Grinding my dick on you didn’t send the message?” Richie teased, raising one eyebrow and swiping his tongue across his teeth. Eddie suppressed a full body shiver, averting his eyes from Richie’s intensity. “I thought you were maybe, like, I don’t know-” “This ain’t my first rodeo, cowboy.” Richie said with a twang that went straight to Eddie’s pants. He blamed Brokeback Mountain. “Well, it isn’t mine either.” Eddie defended instinctively. He watched as Richie’s eyes flicked down to his mouth and back up again, quick like a hummingbird and with all the same charm. “So, then what’s the issue?” Richie’s voice had lowered, taking on something much more intimate and sultry. It made Eddie’s heart rate spike. “I guess there isn’t one.” He breathed. “Good, because I’ve been wanting to do this all day.” Eddie barely had a moment to breathe before Richie captured his lips in a hungry kiss, his hand burying itself in the hair at Eddie’s nape to pull him in closer. The gesture almost made Eddie go limp, as if he were a cat being held by its scruff, submissive by instinct. He opened his mouth pliantly, allowing Richie in with a welcome of his own tongue. Eddie couldn’t believe that this was happening. Just a couple hours ago he was fisting his own cock, fantasizing about the way Richie tasted. Now he knew. Richie was a cold fire, stoking Eddie’s lungs with mint and cinnamon spice. He tasted like the frost outside, and the embers that kept you warm. It was comforting, enveloping in a way Eddie couldn’t describe. Eddie pushed against Richie, guiding him to lay down on his back so Eddie could climb atop his lap, resuming the same position they’d been in the night before. This time, however, there was clear determination between them. There were no longer hesitant touches or swallowed moans, every move was purposeful, made with intent. Eddie wasn’t shy to shed his sweater, wanting to move things along as quickly as possible now that they were finally happening. “Your body, god, do you know how long I’ve been wanting to get my hands on you?” Richie grabbed Eddie’s bare waist in near disbelief, awe shining in his eyes. “Less than 24 hours?” Eddie snorted, rolling his eyes and his hips in tandem. Richie groaned and tightened his grip, stilling Eddie forcefully. “Try years. You think I didn’t notice you until Mrs. Harrow forced us to sit together?” Eddie flushed even hotter, his skin reddening to match the fire that Richie was stoking. Richie grinned at Eddie’s speechlessness, pushing forward. “I noticed you for the first time in sophomore year. You were trying out for the track team at the same time as Mike and we were in the bleachers cheering him on. I was gone the second you walked out onto that grass. I tried to be respectful, but I couldn’t stop imagining myself squeezed between those thighs that your tight little track shorts did a great job of highlighting.” Eddie tried to recall that moment, tried to visualize Richie in the bleachers with his floppy hair and lopsided glasses, but all he could remember was the adrenaline he’d felt going behind his mother’s back, too busy to notice anything else. “I never stopped noticing you after that, in fact I’m surprised you never caught me looking your way during class…” Richie moved his hands to begin trailing up Eddie’s thighs. “But the second time I really noticed you, was at the end of that school year. We had a heat wave and the AC broke, d’you remember that? The school had no idea how to deal with it, so they just chucked us outside and gave us popsicles from the freezer in the cafeteria, probably because they were going to melt anyway. But you sat there in the middle of the field sucking on your popsicle like it was the best fucking thing you’d ever tasted. You might have been miserable like the rest of us, but you were too focused on your treat to pay any mind to the weather.” Eddie’s throat was going dry, his head beginning to feel light and airy as he listened to Richie talk. “That night I dreamt you were sucking my cock, that same euphoric look on your face as if it were that damn popsicle.” Richie’s hands reached Eddie’s hips and traced the curve around to his ass, causing Eddie to stutter a breath as his eyelashes fluttered against his cheekbones. “I’ve thought about fucking you for years, Eds, to see you cum on my cock and hear you cry my name. I would do just about anything you asked me to, just as long as I can make you feel good.” Eddie had never been this aroused in his life. Every single nerve in his body was buzzing like a live wire, his toes already curling just from Richie’s words alone. “What if I asked you to take your clothes off?” Eddie braved, his voice shaky. Richie sat up, bringing them chest to chest. “Anything. You. Asked.” Richie punctuated each word with a featherlight kiss to Eddie’s lips. The butterflies in Eddie’s stomach went wild as he watched Richie begin to strip off his shirt. He did it slowly, keeping his eyes on Eddie as Eddie’s own raked down the newly exposed skin. Richie's skin was pale enough to rival the snow outside, spattered with fewer freckles than Eddie’s, but enough to break up the milky complexion. He was thin but still held definition, especially as Eddie’s eyes reached the ‘v’ of his hips that dipped into his waistband. Eddie swallowed thickly and nodded towards the spot where Richie’s hands were already hovering over his waistband. Eddie had to swing his leg off Richie and move to the side to let him shimmy his pants down his legs, every new inch equally as mesmerizing. “Like what you see?” Richie’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Not sure yet, I think I need to see more.” Eddie whispered back, tension thick between them. Eddie could see where Richie was straining against the fabric of his boxers, tenting them to an intimidating level. The way his mouth watered at the sight made Eddie feel absolutely depraved, lewd in a way that only added to his arousal, made him want to spread his legs wide and offer himself up whole. The moment that stretched between them as Richie pulled his boxers down felt like an eternity. Eddie lived, died, and got reborn all in the span of that second. Richie’s cock was heavy, springing free for only a moment before falling back against his stomach. Eddie could see Richie moving in his peripheral, getting comfortable back against the duvet after throwing his boxers to the floor, but he couldn’t tear his eyes off his dick. He felt fingers carding through his hair, pushing it back from his forehead, and finally Eddie tore his gaze away from the challenge that sat before him. Richie’s smile was smug, but his eyes seemed vulnerable. Eddie realized he was waiting for his next command, unsure how they’d fallen into that pattern but not opposed to continuing it. Eddie felt powerful as he raised on his haunches and moved to where Richie’s legs were spread. He watched Richie’s face, noted the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed, and his fingers twitched as he tried not to move. Eddie lowered his head so it was level with Richie’s cock, pausing just a few inches away so his breath grazed against it as he spoke. “Fuck my mouth.” Eddie directed, lust overwriting his usual nerves and replacing them with boldness. Richie’s breath shook as he let it out slowly. “Jesus fuck, Eddie…”Richie’s hands travelled back into Eddie’s hair, gentle at first and then gripping at the base. He guided Eddie’s head the rest of the way down and shuttered when Eddie finally took the head in his mouth. Eddie instantly felt intoxicated, like Richie was the strongest absinthe man had ever made. He greedily gulped it down, laving at the underside of Richie’s cock as it glided into his throat. Drool was already pooling at the corners of his mouth, but Eddie paid it no mind, his only focus on drinking in as much of Richie as he could. He knew right away there was no reality in which he could take all of Richie at once, at least not without a lot of practice, so he committed his mouth to the top half and his hand to the bottom. His fingers barely met as they wrapped around Richie’s shaft and gave an experimental pump. Richie groaned, and Eddie took it as a good sign. He repeated the motion with a twist of his wrist, tonguing the slit of his cock where precum was leaking out greedily. Eddie could feel Richie’s legs tensing where he had his free hand splayed across his thigh. Every time he teased the underside of Richie’s head that muscle would jump, and it almost became a game to see how quickly Eddie could make that muscle twitch, his tongue moving faster and faster against that sensitive spot and causing Richie's legs to vibrate. “Oh my god- fuck, ahhhh-h-how are you so good at this…” Richie’s voice was wrecked, raspy and low and breathy all at once. Eddie just hummed in acknowledgement, sending vibrations up Richie’s shaft that made him hump up into Eddie’s mouth. The action caused Eddie to gag and he reveled in it, moaning like a whore in heat. He was so far gone he barely noticed when Richie pulled him off suddenly. “Okay you’re too good at that.” Richie panted, his chest heaving. Eddie’s head was cloudy, the only conscious thought chanting ‘more, more, more’. He blinked a few times, trying to shift the room back into place. “Why did we stop?” Eddie asked dumbly, his words a bit slurred. “I didn’t want to cum yet. I sort of thought… maybe, if you wanted to, we could-” “Finger me.” Eddie blurted out, his senses coming back to him but not all gracefully. “I mean…” He cleared his throat, face beginning to flush. “…please." Richie looked liked he’d just won the lottery and been slapped across the face at the same time, a dopey kind of smile accompanying his features. “You don’t have to be polite about it, Eds. I’m kinda digging this whole dictator thing you’ve got going on, actually.” Eddie giggled adoringly, calmed by the way Richie was able to dissolve his nerves so quickly with such a disastrously dumb joke, even at a time like this. “Gimme a sec.” Richie leaned forward, catching Eddie’s lips in a chaste kiss before he was springing off the bed. “I know that bastard has lube somewhere.” Eddie watched as Richie began searching through what he assumed to be Bill’s suitcase, throwing things to the side in a frenzy. He finally came across a toiletry bag and ripped it open, rifling around for only a moment more and emerging with a small bottle of clear liquid. “Will Bill mind if we use it?” Eddie worried his lip between his teeth, not so much caring about the answer but asking anyway out of respect for his new friend. “Nah, he’ll just be happy I’m getting laid.” Richie winked and those damn butterflies acted up again. Richie crawled back onto the bed, setting the lube to the side temporarily. He returned his attention to Eddie, a renewed twinkle in his lust blown eyes. He crowded Eddie’s space, towering above him but lowering his head so their lips grazed against each other. “Let’s get these off, hmm?” Richie’s fingers stroked lightly at the waistband of Eddie’s sweatpants. “I thought I was the one giving orders.” Eddie teased back, voice barely above a whisper. Richie hooked his fingers under the waistband and pulled, letting it snap back against Eddie’s stomach as he released it with a shuttering breath. “Alright Kaspbrak.” Richie let his body fall backwards, bouncing lighting as it hit the mattress. He brought his hands up behind his head and made a show of getting comfortable. “I am at your mercy.” That same emboldened feeling consumed him once again, a confidence only Richie seemed to instill in him. It was intoxicating, much like everything else about Richie. With a smirk, Eddie backed up off the bed and stood in the middle of the room. Eddie kept his eyes focused on Richie as he began to pull his sweatpants down, going painstakingly slow just to see Richie’s reaction. He saw his adam’s apple bob as he swallowed back his desire, a nearly imperceptible twitch making his cock jump in intrigue. Eddie kicked his pants to the side where they joined his long since discarded sweater, and then all his focus diverted to his neglected cock. All earlier thoughts of whether Richie would like his body were gone, he knew Richie liked his body, and he was planning on milking that for all it was worth. Eddie palmed himself over his underwear, letting his head fall back and his mouth drop open as he finally offered himself the stimulation he needed. He looked down and noted that the white fabric had gone translucent where his cock had been leaking against it, giving Richie a peek of the pink head underneath. He heard Richie whimper from the bed but paid him no mind, indulging in his own senses for a moment. He continued to tease himself through the thin cloth until he couldn’t take any more, finally allowing his hands to wander to the waistband and pull the underwear down his thighs. Richie was silent, watching so attentively that a pin could be heard dropping in the room. Eddie kicked the last piece of clothing off to the side and immediately let his hand wander back to his own cock, tugging it a few times and allowing himself to moan at the sensation. He heard the bed squeak and opened his eyes to see Richie crawling towards him. Gone was Richie’s passiveness and submission, replaced with a new hunger that made Eddie’s legs quiver. Richie reached his arms out and pulled Eddie in until his legs hit the edge of the mattress. Even with Eddie standing and Richie kneeling on the bed, he was still a good few inches taller than him, and he used that to his advantage while crowding into Eddie’s space. “You can’t tease me like that.” Richie whispered into the shell of his ear, kissing right under it and beginning a path down his neck. “I didn’t mean to.” Eddie answered honestly, succumbing to the warmth of Richie’s lips and letting his head tip back once again. “Just felt so good…” “I can make you feel even better.” Richie promised, ghosting his hand down Eddie’s torso and just barely grazing his cock. Eddie moaned, arching into the faint touch and whimpering as it left. “Please…” Eddie’s jaw was slack, the word falling out without a thought. Richie continued making his way down Eddie’s body, sucking marks against tan skin as he passed. He paused at Eddie’s nipples to give them special attention and Eddie keened, grabbing at Richie’s hair in sudden desperation. Richie swirled his tongue around one bud, allowing his hand to pluck the other until he switched. He nipped lightly enough to cause Eddie to shutter and then sucked to soothe the reddening skin. He continued his trail downwards, licking along Eddie’s hip bones and kissing the juncture between his thighs and his pelvis, avoiding Eddie’s cock purposefully. Pleas were falling from Eddie’s mouth steadily now; his hands tugging weakly on Richie’s hair to try and guide him towards pleasure. Richie swiftly gathered Eddie in his arms, catching him off guard in his haze of lust. He moved back up the mattress and laid against the bed board, situating Eddie so he was laying across his body. “I bet your pretty little hole is just begging to be touched.” Richie murmured, reaching for the bottle of lube and hastily pouring a generous amount on his digits. Eddie moaned at the lewdness of the comment, his hips moving against Richie’s and causing their cocks to grind against each other. He could feel a wetness smearing against their bellies, similar to the wetness Richie was spreading between his fingers. He watched as Richie’s hand disappeared behind him and then he felt the warm press of a finger at his entrance. The feeling was somewhat familiar; Eddie had fingered himself countless times before, he wasn’t new to pleasuring his prostate. But this was the first time anyone else had ever touched him there. It was difficult not to focus in on every small sensation, to not grind up against Richie like a virgin being touched for the first time. Richie teased the pad of his finger around his rim and unsurprisingly, Eddie fluttered in response. He could hear Richie’s laugh reverberating in his chest where Eddie laid his head. He closed his eyes and spread his legs a bit wider, silently ushering Richie to continue. The first slip inside was uncomfortable. It always is, no matter how turned on you are, but it was also euphoric in a way Eddie was never able to make it for himself. Richie’s fingers were thinner than Eddie’s, but significantly longer, and soon enough Richie was already in to his knuckle. Eddie breathed steadily, allowing his body to get used to the intrusion. Richie followed his queue, stilling for a moment until Eddie nodded minutely against him, signaling him to continue. The next finger wasn’t too much harder than the first, and soon the discomfort ebbed away to make room for pleasure. Richie worked his fingers in and out, scissoring them to stretch Eddie open as much as possible before a third was added. It felt way better than Eddie had ever imagined it would. Richie’s fingers weren’t clumsy or unsure like Eddie would have thought, they were precise with their pressure and quick to find the spots that made Eddie melt. He went at the perfect pace, allowing Eddie his time to adjust but not waiting too long to lose their momentum. Arousal bubbled hot in Eddie’s stomach, searing his skin at every spot where they were connected. His breathing had become labored, and his hips had begun their own little rotation where he ground himself down into Richie. Every time he did, he felt Richie’s cock twitching against his, eager to escape the slot between them and burry itself inside Eddie. And in that moment, Eddie wanted that more than anything. “Fuck me, now.” Eddie demanded breathily, holding no more space for patience. “You sure you’re ready?” Richie checked, his own breath seeming to stutter. Eddie whined indignantly, raising himself up on shaky knees and grabbing both of Richie’s wrists. He pulled them away, deft fingers slipping out of him easily and falling to the pillow beside Richie’s head where Eddie pinned them. “Now.” Eddie repeated, grinding his ass against Richie’s cock and coating it with lube. “I’m gonna die here and it’s gonna be the happiest day of my life.” Richie rushed out, eyes squeezed shut and face flushed a blotchy red. Eddie removed one hand and reached down to grasp Richie’s cock, marveling once again at its size. He was sure he was going to feel a stretch, but he craved it at this point. With determination and just a little too much arousal for rational thought, Eddie lined himself up and began sinking down. The stretch was… a lot. Eddie let out a pained whimper as Richie’s head breached his rim, and suddenly there were hands all over him, cradling his face, petting his hair, steadying his hips. “Hey, hey, you’re okay.” Richie rushed to comfort him, kissing the spot between Eddie’s eyebrows where he hadn’t realized he’d furrowed them. “We can stop at any point. You want to stop?” Eddie was stubborn, he knew this about himself. He was aware that his stubbornness had gotten him into trouble in the past, but it had also earned him some of the best moments of his life. He didn’t want to end this prematurely and look back on his first time with remorse, but he also didn’t exactly want to rip his asshole open on a high school ski trip. Eddie decided he just needed a minute, so he shook his head and told Richie as much. Richie continued to rub his back, his hair, anywhere his nervous hands could settle. He seemed on such high alert Eddie wasn't sure how his dick wasn't flagging. Eddie winced as Richie inched down the bed carefully, lying himself flatter and pulling Eddie back down to his chest. Eddie closed his eyes and focused on Richie’s heartbeat, feeling Richie moving above him but paying it no mind. He jumped in surprise when Richie’s hand joined his dick, but his body relaxed instantaneously as he felt those soft fingers begin to massage extra lube around his rim. As the seconds passed Eddie could feel himself opening up under Richie’s touch, his muscles relaxing and his temperature rising. Richie was clearly feeling the heat himself, as he’d started to rock his hips gently beneath Eddie’s. The action was gentle, inching him further into Eddie in torturously small increments but not pushing him past his limits. It was beginning to drive Eddie crazy as his craving for more became overpowering, all the pain from before having subsided. Without warning, Eddie pushed himself back on Richie’s cock, feeling his fingers flutter around his hole at the sudden movement. He was quick to use his hand to steady himself at the base of his cock, holding it still for Eddie to fuck back on. Richie let out an elongated breath, swearing profusely at the end of it. It made Eddie blush and move faster, his hips taking on a rhythm of their own. Eddie was on cloud fucking nine. His body lit up like a live wire, electrifying him with every move he made. Richie appeared to be just as affected, his mouth stuck open in an orgasmic ‘o’, his eyes practically rolled back into his skull. Richie had been quick to match Eddie’s pace, thrusting up into him feverously, hands clamped on to Eddie's hip as tightly as Eddie was clamping around his cock. "You're so fucking huge." Eddie moaned, the statement coming out honestly despite sounding like a script from a bad porno. "Holy shit, you can't say stuff like that or I'm gonna blow my load." Richie responded, chest heaving. "I'm serious, it feels like I'm being split open, god Rich." "That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble." Richie's thrusts were speeding up, becoming more erratic. Eddie almost felt like he was riding a bull, clenching his thighs in a desperate attempt not to be bucked off. "Then shut me up." The response was instantaneous. Richie flipped them over, pressing Eddie into the mattress as he pounded into him mercilessly. He brought one hand up to Eddie's mouth and shoved two fingers against his tongue, forcing Eddie to suck on the digits. Eddie gagged on them like he would Richie's cock, saliva dripping out of the corner of his mouth and mixing with the tears that had escaped without notice. He was completely fucked out, his brain unable to process anything besides Richie. "I'm gonna cum." Richie warned, his orgasm approaching rapidly after being so on edge for so long. Eddie didn't mind, his own release not far behind. "Cum inside me, please, want to feel you." Eddie begged, unaware of his desire until it was suspended right in front of him. "Fuck, unnnf- god, Eddie." Richie said his name like a prayer, bringing his hand up to stroke Eddie's neglected cock. The sensation was downright sinful, the best thing Eddie thinks he's ever felt in his entire life. It caused his toes to curl, most of the muscles in his body seizing up at the pleasure. Richie's hips stuttered a few times and then he was overwhelmed with a warmth deep inside him, Richie's cock pushing through it to press diligently into his prostate. Eddie came with blinding lights in his eyes, his body convulsing as waves upon waves of euphoria flooded his senses. He's pretty sure he screams, but he could have been completely silent and it would have sounded the same to his deaf ears. Eddie's not sure how long he lays there in fucked out bliss, his mind completely separate from his body, but when he finally tunes back into the world around him he's alone in the bed. He looks around to find Richie and spots him crouched on the ground by the fireplace, tinkering with the button to light it up. Electric flames suddenly burst alive behind Richie's silhouette, highlighting his long legs as he stretches back up and turns to regard Eddie. "Hey." His voice is gentle, not quite a whisper but close enough to one that the greeting still felt secretive. "Hi." Eddie matches his tone, his throat appreciating the low register after being abused not too long ago. "I thought I lost you there for a minute." Richie crawled back into bed, pulling the thick duvet over them. "I think you did." Eddie admitted sheepishly. "That was fucking... wow." Richie laughed at the advanced vocabulary Eddie was able to implement at that moment. "Wow is right." Richie agreed, welcoming Eddie as he crowded into his space. The silence fell upon them naturally, their bodies and minds too exhausted to bother with much else. It was a long while until Eddie pipped back up. “Was that your first time?” Eddie asked quietly, his eyes having drifted closed from the comfort of being satiated in such a new way. “Mm-mm.” Richie answered carding his fingers through Eddie’s hair. “First time was with Ally Mae Espin. It was a mess.” Eddie hummed for Richie to continue, too content to respond vocally. “It was in Bill’s garage in 8th grade. It lasted exactly two minutes and neither of us finished. I had blue balls for the rest of the night, but honestly, I didn’t even care. I’d realized as soon as we’d kissed that I wasn’t into her the way she was into me. I don’t regret it, but as far as first times it’s pretty anticlimactic. Literally.” Eddie giggled, nuzzling closer into Richie’s warmth. He felt fuzzy all over, invincible to the evils of the outside world. He thinks he could probably survive an avalanche right now, completely safe inside Richie’s arms. “What about you? How was your first time porking the hog?” Eddie scrunched his nose in disgust, peering up at Richie judgingly. “First of all, ew. Don’t ever call it that again. And also… this was my first time.” Richie’s eyes widened a fraction, an unreadable but unmistakable softness within them. “Shit, Eds. I wish you’d have told me, I would have at least tried to perform better.” Predictably, Richie was trying to hide his vulnerability with humor. Also predictably, Eddie could see right through it. “It was perfect. You were perfect.” Richie seemed to gnaw on the inside of his cheek, so Eddie continued. “Ten out of ten, would pork again.” That earned a surprised laugh from Richie, and Eddie considered his mission accomplished. He could work on Richie’s insecurities more later, but for now, at least he knew Eddie didn’t regret what had happened. They fell back into another stretch of silence, the crackle of the fireplace background noise to their steady breathing. Eddie had almost fallen asleep when Richie spoke again. “Did you always know you wanted to be a mechanic when you were younger?” It took a moment for Eddie to fully re-inhabit his body, wondering why his slumber had been interrupted for such a random question. “Huh?” “You know, kids are so indecisive. One minute it's 'I'm gonna be a doctor' the next it's 'I'm gonna be an alien superstar princess'. Did little Eddie have lots of dream jobs or was it always a mechanic?” Eddie took a moment to think, having to dig through all of the expectations and responsibilities that had piled on top of him over time, shielding his passions and replacing them with pragmatic plans for the future. "I always wanted to be a mechanic. Actually, I even wanted to open my own garage when I grew up." Richie listened intently, allowing Eddie to continue. "My dad was a mechanic. I learned a lot just from watching him, and then when he passed away I continued learning under a guy named Isaac, until mom decided it was too messy and too dangerous for me to be in the shop. I always believed I would grow up, open my own place where my mom couldn't ban me from being, and name it after my dad." Richie's face fell at the mention of Eddie's dad's death and he cursed himself for bringing it up. People always felt uncomfortable at the mention of death, and even though Eddie had long since accepted that his dad was gone, he always had to suffer through people’s weird grief reactions that, more often than not, made him feel worse. However a few moments passed and Richie still hadn't said anything, so Eddie braved a look upwards. "What's your favorite car?" Eddie was taken aback, already in the process of mentally preparing himself to field the same old questions he'd long since memorized his answers to. He blinked a few times, a smile creeping up on him without his permission. Richie continued to surprise him at every turn, and Eddie was absolutely giddy about it. "You're gonna make fun of me." Eddie sighed, infinitely grateful for Richie somehow always knowing exactly what to say and when not to say. "I absolutely will." Richie nodded. "1966 Volkswagen Type 2." Richie seemed to contemplate it, nodding slowly before bursting into a side splitting smile and letting a little laugh go. "You’re right, that's hilarious." Eddie laughed along, but still slapped his chest playfully to at least act offended. He snuggled in closer, settling his head on Richie’s chest. "It's just that the hippie lifestyle doesn't exactly match the Eddie Kaspbrak I've grown to know and lo-" Richie cut himself off just as Eddie's heart skipped, both of them falling silent for a moment before Richie cleared his throat and marched onwards, his own heart beating rapidly in Eddie's ear. "I'd have guessed you were a smart car kinda guy." "Why? Cause I'm small?" Eddie challenged, trying (and failing) to return his heart rate back to normal. "Yeah. Small, compact, can fit a surprising amount in its backseat." Richie moved his hand down from where he'd been rubbing circles into Eddie's lower back and tapped one of his cheeks. "Careful! I'm still tender." Eddie pouted, unknowingly looking far too cute for Richie's fragile sanity. Richie kissed the top of Eddie's head and Eddie kissed him back between his collarbones, absolutely smitten with the way Richie handled him. "I like the freedom of it." Eddie admitted, picking the conversation back up. "I've always felt trapped in this town, it's comforting to think of owning something that can take me anywhere." “Technically anything with two wheels can accomplish that.” Richie pointed out. “Yeah, but with a van I don’t have to worry about where I’m gonna sleep. I can live out of it for as long as it takes me to get to my destination.” “Where is your destination?” “New York.” Eddie answered automatically, surprising the both of them. Richie’s arms tightened around Eddie, erratic laughter falling from his lips. “EDDIE!!!” “WHAT!?” Eddie was being jostled now, Richie’s happiness contagious even though Eddie had no idea what was happening. “NEW YORK IS MY DREAM!” Eddie finally connected the dots, realizing a little late what that meant. If Eddie wanted to move to New York, and Richie wanted to move to New York, then they could theoretically move to New York together. The notion made Eddie’s belly do flips. “Oh, yeah, I guess that is kind of perfect huh?” Eddie answered, far more bashful than he'd expected himself to sound. “We can get a little apartment downtown where you can open your own garage and I can work at whatever coffee shop will hire me while I practice my standup routine on the weekends! We'll be a dynamic duo, running the streets of New York together. It’s FATE!” Eddie couldn’t deny that it did feel like something cosmic was at play. Richie was this boisterous, loud, chaotic puzzle piece that somehow fit perfectly into the slot on Eddie’s board. He pushed Eddie’s boundaries, encouraged him to challenge his world and rethink the ways he’d been taught to live. Being around him was invigorating, but it also felt like home. Eddie realized with terrifying clarity that he didn’t want to spend another day without Richie in his life. He couldn’t fathom how he’d done so before; looking back felt like watching a black and white film in contrast to the technicolor movie magic he was living in now. Richie had lit up a spot in Eddie’s life that he hadn’t even realized had been dark before. Eddie trailed his hand up Richie’s chest and found the back of his neck, tilting his head down to face Eddie. He moved slow, bringing their faces close together so their lips barely touched. Richie’s skin was soft, his lips plump and inviting as they trembled beneath Eddie’s. They breathed each other in as Eddie nosed at Richie, watching as his eyes fluttered closed and his brain took a backseat. Eddie hummed a nearly imperceptible laugh and finally slotted their lips together, lingering in place for just a second before parting. It was teasing, but not in the sense of arousal. Eddie left Richie with a million thoughts on his mind and nothing but big brown eyes as answers. “I think I passed out for a second there.” Richie breathed shakily, effected in exactly the way Eddie’d intended. “You’re going to take me to New York one day.” Eddie decided aloud. Richie was all shy smiles, dipping his head low to try and hide his blush. “I sure fucking hope so.” Richie responded quietly, looking back up at Eddie through inky curls. Eddie pushed his hair to the side, tucking it behind Richie’s ear and letting his hand fall back down to his chest. “You will.” They fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other’s arms with thoughts of the future fueling their dreams. Eddie knew that nothing was guaranteed. Two days can’t rewrite your whole life, and once they left the resort and re-entered Derry, he was sure that all the expectations and pressure he’d superseded were going to come back full force. But somehow, he felt more prepared to face them. They didn’t hold the same weight as they once had, because now Eddie knew he had a whole world outside of the one his mother had built for him to exist within. That world might just be Richie Tozier, but it was a thousand times bigger and brighter than the solitude he’d lived in before. For once, Eddie was excited to live.

#reddie #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #reddie fanfic #reddie fanfiction #reddie smut #reddie lemon #my posts #my writing #OTEOAA

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levisnackajack · 4 years ago

Text

The Wrath of War

Chapter Seven

Sweat beads slipped down her spine as she crouched over; palms pressed against her kneecaps.

Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, nerves wrecking her brain.

Levi stood beside her stationary, eyes planted on the top of her head.

They had been training together the entire afternoon, clashing together as Levi beat the shit out of her.

The only good thing that came out of her bruises and cuts was the fact that she learned a thing or two from his instructions.

“Take a break, clean yourself up and report back to my office for cleaning duty,” Levi finally broke up the tumultuous silence, taking a final glance down at the fatigued girl before striding off.

She glared at the back of his head, mimicking his words under her breath as he retreated.

The Captain whipped his head back to glare at Eden and she could swear her life flashed before her eyes as they widened comically.

“What was that, brat?” He seethed, turning his body back to face her threateningly.

“Nothing...sir...I was just...repeating your instructions back to myself in case I...forgot...” she lied through her teeth; knowing very well by the stone look on his face that he didn’t buy her story.

Regardless, he chose not to waste anymore time with her as he marched away, knuckles clenching.

Eden waited until he had disappeared before beginning to walk back to the castle. She was so preoccupied on her training session with Levi, she didn’t take the chance to appreciate the beautiful scenery surrounding her.

The field was large and green, the smell of dirt and grass overwhelming her scenes. It had rained during the night and so the aroma was still fresh and delicious.

She picked a couple of chamomile flowers on her way back.

She pulled her hair out of the tight bun, massaging her fingers over her strained scalp. The girl thought back to Levi’s careful words, useful training tips and the way he so carelessly brought her down as though she had been a ragdoll in his hands.

Scoffing, Eden walked through the grand entrance, making sure to take her boots off before hurrying up the stairs.

The freezing water felt good against her aching muscles.

Eden found the long, plain skirt that fell to her ankles and a tight shirt that Petra had left for her. She decided to leave her hair down, allowing her damp curls time to dry off without the tight grasp of her hair tie.

She clicked her tongue irritably, closing the door behind her as she walked towards Petra’s room.

“What’s up?” The older woman chirped after letting Eden in; setting the book she was reading onto the mattress.

“Well, I didn’t want to risk walking into Oluo or someone else’s room, so I decided to come and ask you where Captain Levi’s office is,” Eden began, clasping her hands behind her back awkwardly.

Petra nodded slowly, eyes trained on the cadet quizzically.

“He told me to get changed and report back to his office for cleaning duties...and yeah...”

Petra sighed, letting out a chortle under her breath. “He really is making sure to leave a good first impression as your superior. He’s just a man with very high expectations...-”

“Yeah, but I feel like he despises me. Every time he looks at me, I can feel the hatred. I don’t know if I’m overthinking or something, but I literally feel like I can’t do anything right,” Eden seethed, sitting down beside Petra, placing her palms on her temple.

“I told you, it’s just the way he is. We’re at war, Eden. We’ve seen fellow comrades fall left and right. Naturally, he’ll be harsh on you. But don’t assume that his strictness implies you’re not good. In fact...I overheard him talking with Hange today and he seemed pleased with you. Said there obviously needs some work to be done but other than that, he actually complimented you to Hange! Take that as a win,” Petra smiled gently, reaching to squeeze Eden’s shoulder.

The Captain had been impressed with her skills? Perhaps all this wouldn’t be for nothing. The feeling of victory blocked her trail of thought as she sat there grinning back at Petra.

They chatted for a little while, until Eden’s face writhed with fear.

“Shit. I told you, I was supposed to meet with the Captain right after training.”

Petra’s eyes widened in realization, grabbing her hand and leading her to the bedroom’s exit.

“I’d tell you not to worry, but Captain Levi absolutely hates slacking.” Ushering her out quickly, she told her exactly where to find his office.

With a tight nod and a soft ‘thank you’ response to Petra’s ‘good luck’; Eden walked through the castle with trembling hands and a rapidly beating heart.

She stood before his door, knocking gently as she awaited his affirmative response.

“Come in.”

She pushed the door with her forearm; eyes immediately taking in the details of his office.

First of all, it was immaculately clean. The bookshelf stood tall, gleaming down at Eden as she saluted Levi before closing the door behind her. His desk was spotless, large stacks of paperwork layered one of top of the other in the most perfect way.

Eden bit her lip as she edged closer to the man behind the desk.

He didn’t bother looking up to see who had come in. Perhaps, she was the only person he had been expecting that afternoon. Once she planted her body in front of his desk; he looked up from the paperwork in his hands- tired eyes taking in her informal attire.

“You’re late,” he said in irritated tone, noticing Eden’s trembling knuckles.

“I’m sorry, Captain. I have no valid excuse. I went to ask Petra for instructions...-”

“Spare me the lecture, brat. You have twenty minutes to mop this hallway spotless. You actually had more time, but since you came late, I’m assuming you’re confident that you’ll be able to clean every bit of surface for less time?” Levi challenged her, brow raising slightly as he tipped his chin upwards.

Eden looked down at him, her mind plagued with possible comebacks that would earn her a not-so pleasant reaction from him.

“Yes, Captain.” She nodded at him, picking her skirt as she walked back out of his spotless room. She heard his chair reclined as she assumed he had leaned back into it and her muscles ached for the same.

Eden was done cleaning in fifteen minutes.

By the way Levi glared at her in distaste; she could tell he probably thought the young cadet was joking. Eden laughed nervously.

“I’m serious. You can come take a look if you like.”

“Of course, I will,” he snapped, brushing past her; the scent of tea leaves and mellow cologne overcoming her senses. She shuffled after him with her head down, her body colliding with his as Levi abruptly stopped in the hallway.

Her cheeks heated up as she stepped away, her fingers still feeling the solidness of his biceps of when she accidentally gripped him upon collision.

Levi turned to her, his lips pressed into a thin line as she uttered her apologies.

He slowly walked along the corridor, fingers gliding under the window pane as he reached the end of the hallway.

Turning back to her, he held her expectant gaze before blessing her with a stiff nod.

“Finally you did something right. You’re free to go,” Levi said as he walked past her, shoulder brushing Eden’s one; her muscles crying in pain.

“Thank you, Captain.” Eden quickly stalked off before Levi changed his mind.

She spent the rest of the evening with Petra, pealing vegetables and helping her cook the soup. It was quiet and the somber clouds that darkened as the sun waved goodbye wept across the fields.

Eren stalked into the kitchen, eyes drooping as he asked whether they were in need of any help.

“No, but you can stay for the company,” Eden offered, pulling the younger boy into a tight embrace. He returned it with the same amount of force before leaning against the counter and answering all of Eden’s questions regarding Hange’s research. He referred back to Hange’s hypothesis regarding his failed Titan-transforming attempts; causing them to think that Eren could only transform when his mind was set on a clear objective; not because he was instructed to change.

She listened intently, heart sinking at the way he explained how Oluo, Eld, Gunther and Petra had pulled out their blade when he accidentally transformed by the touch of his teaspoon.

Petra laughed softly, eyes shifting to the ground. “Sorry about that. We’re just not used to acting casually around titans.”

“Of course, I completely understand. I just need to get to the bottom of this before I lose my mind,” Eren replied tiredly, rubbing his face lazily.

The brought the food to the dining hall, where the rest of the team was already waiting. Minus the Captain.

“I’ll go bring the plates. Do you mind letting Captain Levi know that dinner is ready?” Petra asked in a low voice, earning a sigh from Eden.

“Sure, no worries,” she answered, eyes twinkling at Eren who sent her a sympathetic glance.

Eden walked through the cold estate, the thunderous rain smashing against the walls, wind howling.

She knocked on his door, entering only after his exhausted voice echoed past the wood.

“Captain, the food is ready, if you’re hungry,” the girl said in a soft voice. Once again, he looked up from his paperwork a moment too late; brows furrowing together as his silver eyes reflected the moonlight seeping through the window.

“Alright, good to know.”

Eden kept his stare for a second longer before he called after her, referring to her surname for the first time since she got there.

“I expect you to process everything I’ve taught you today before tomorrow’s training session. The upcoming 57th Exterior mission requires the best out of you. There’s no room for failure,” he said in a low voice, his calculating eyes measuring the girl before him.

She nodded hesitantly, bowing her head formally before walking out of the office.

“I will not fail you, Captain.”

Come morning, her muscles were in excruciating pain, the shades of her bruises a vast juxtaposition against her porcelain skin.

She met with her Captain on the training grounds right after breakfast and she couldn’t help but notice how exhausted his eyes were, the shadows under his hooded eyes dark and sunken.

That didn’t seem to affect his fighting skills, as he dropped her to the ground again and again.

“You’re not giving it your all,” he growled, pinching the bridge of his nose in disappointment. Eden let go of the breath she was holding onto in frustration.

He commanded her back into the first fighting position before aiming for the left side of her face with a stone fist. She ducked, her own right fist catching the Captain in the jaw for the first time ever.

She gasped, slapping her hand over her mouth as his head snapped to the side.

“Oh, my God, Captain, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean...-”

“Shut the hell up, brat. Isn’t that the whole point of the training?” He huffed, recoiling quicker than Eden could blink; grabbing a fistful of her now wild hair as he pulled her face inches closer to his.

“This is all pointless if you’re too scared to throw in a real punch. I’m just wasting my time here.” He shoved her onto the ground as he spoke before running his fingers to fix his t-shirt.

Eden let go of any anxiety that held onto her as she kicked Levi’s feet from under him. He toppled to the ground only because he had assumed she was giving up.

She moved over towards him, fist aiming for his face. He let out a low grunt, grabbing her wrist and thrusting her off of him. But she held onto his hand, growling as she pushed closer to the Captain, her temple colliding with the same spot she had previously hit.

He slapped her across the face with such shrill force, her neck cracked to the side. Blood poured over her lips and trickling down her chin from the way his fingers caught her nose.

Eden spat the bloodied saliva onto the ground, jaw clenching, teeth gritting as she punched her fist into his abdomen. He let out a huff, his fingers slipping between her raven locks once more.

Levi picked her up by her hair, barely moved by her thrashing. “Better. I’d be feeling sorry about your own looks if I were you. You cannot beat me.”

His fingers relaxed, her locks stroking his palms as she dropped to the ground, spitting another round of bloodied saliva. He grimaced, pulling a soft, pearl-white handkerchief out of his pocket before handing it to her.

Eden stared up at him with carnal eyes, blood pounding in her ears as she wiped her nose.

Before she could acknowledge his movements, he had picked her up from under her arms, letting her balance on her own two feet.

“You need to learn when spilling blood is necessary, brat. In this world, there is no place for throwing sympathy at your opponents,” Levi said in a chipped tone as he looked down at his new cadet.

“It’s different when I’m expected to fight my superiors,” she grumbled, pushing the hair that had stuck to her bloodied skin off of her face.

He raised a brow. She assumed he was humored by her response.

“Then maybe I should be harder on you. Perhaps that’s what you need in order to follow orders respectively,” Levi shot back, eyes narrowing.

“Then maybe you should, sir,” Eden challenged him, the corner of her lips twitching in antipathy.

He clicked his tongue, snatching the handkerchief out of her fingers in disgust.

“We’ll see how assertive you’ll continue being after we’ve left the safety of these walls,” he assured in a dangerously calm voice before grabbing her by the chin.

She winced, hands immediately gripping onto his forearm as she tried pulling away. Alas, she couldn’t budge.

Levi eyed her nose, tilting her head to the side as he let out of soft “tch”.

“Not broken. You’ll live.” He instantaneously loosened his grip on Eden’s jaw, eyes shifting back to the castle.

“You’re free to go. Remember what I said to you.”

By the time she had slipped open her eyes; he was gone. His words echoed through her mind as she touched her nose. Although the Captain had just told her that there was no place for feeling sorry for her opponent, Eden felt a wave of guilt wash over her as she thought back to the timid, blue discoloration on the line of his jaw. She had punched him on the same spot twice and he had just lectured her about how stupid she was being for apologizing to him.

The days that followed kept to the same routine; minus the cleaning punishment.

She helped Petra cook quietly, her mind thinking back to the sparring session.

“I can’t believe you caught him in the jaw. Not that he probably felt it, but the fact that you managed to do that...wow,” Petra said as she slapped Eden on the back. Eden shook her head in response.

“Stop it. It was such a big surprise, but I won’t lie, it feels good knowing I punched him...just a little bit,” she smirked as both women let out soft laughs.

Eden couldn’t sleep that night. She whipped from side to side, her wall clock indicating it was well after two in the morning.

She decided to go for a stroll around the castle in peace. Given the fact that it was pouring outside once again, she was confined to linger within the barricades of the castle’s walls.

Eden was dressed in shorts that lay concealed under her oversized pajama shirt. Her curls rested against her shoulders- she hated the feeling of her hair tied up when she was sleeping.

She lingered through the hallways, goosebumps sprinkled against her skin. Darkness rested around her, the sound of wind and rain knocking against the stones the only sound surrounding her.

She walked down the hallway, rolling her eyes at the sound of Oluo’s incoherent snoring.

Walking along the second floor, she peered through the black corridor camouflaging the Captain’s office. Eden halted in her tracks, honey-green eyes concentrating on the dim light peaking from under his door.

The girl rubbed her eyes, thinking it was her mind playing tricks. But the light was still there when she centered her attention back onto the floor.

She stood in the cold hallway, hesitating at what her next move should be.

She chose stepping backwards, trotting down the staircase rapidly, her mind set on the kitchen as the final destination.

She stood in the cold hallway, hesitating at what her next move should be.

She chose stepping backwards, trotting down the staircase rapidly, her mind set on the kitchen as the final destination.

Pulling the dried chamomile leaves out of her short’s pocket, she began boiling the water, gently stirring everything together and pouring it into a small teacup. Eden made her way back towards the dreadful dark hallway with the light peaking through the crack under the door.

She tapped her trembling knuckles against the hard wood, standing there in silence until she heard Levi’s voice.

The Captain’s eyes widened slightly; - the yearning of sleep extremely visible as he sat over his desk. The dark circles under his eyes were far more proclaimed than before; it almost made Eden want to ask him when was the last time he had a good night’s sleep.

“Did you forget your pants somewhere?” He inquired, eyes dragging over Eden’s bare legs as his brow raised. Her cheeks bruised with a faint blush but luckily, the light was faint.

“I made you some chamomile tea,” she began, sauntering over, gently placing the teacup before his hands. Levi stared at the teacup in wonder before moving back to the nervous girl before him.

He gazed at her expectantly, mumbling a token of appreciation before lifting the teacup to his lips.

“I just wanted to apologize for hurting you, Captain,” Eden began, eyes fixed on the light bruising against his jawline.

Levi shook his head, exhausted eyes meeting tired ones as he held onto the warmth of the cup. “I told you, stop apologizing for things you’re meant to do. That’s why people think you’re fragile.”

Eden sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair as she tensely looked away. “I understand, but it’s hard not to apologize when all I’ve been doing is looking out after everyone- including myself- my whole life. I just- I feel this weight of responsibility holding onto me for everything that goes wrong.” Levi pursed his lips, the shadow of an urge for her to continue masked behind a stiff nod.

“I never want to let the people I care about down and I guess I just feel inclined to always apologize because I feel like it’s my fault when things do go to hell.”

Eden finally met Levi’s levelled stare, only to feel a wave of surprise gush through her as she saw how his eyes had softened. Perhaps, it was the first time she had seen that hard, dull stare disappear and be replaced with a more gentle one.

“If you’re still worried about Eren; he’ll be okay. And that’s the thing about people like us- we carry the heavy burden just so no one else has to.”

He leaned back into his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose before sighing under his breath, “You think I don’t worry about everyone every single day? My job has made me very familiar with loss and sometimes, there’s nothing else to do but accept that you’re on the losing side. I can’t lie to you and sit here preaching how it gets easier with time. The faster you accept loss as part of your life; the better it will be for you. I too- feel like I let my people down if things don’t go accordingly.”

Eden listened intently as Levi shared with her the secret to acceptance. Her fingers were shaking as sadness raked through her body.

“I can’t imagine what that must feel,” she said quietly, lips stitching together as she carefully thought out her next words. “Even through all of the darkness and death, you still manage to lead us and have everyone put all of their faith into you. I know I have many qualities I need to work on; but knowing that I have a team that has once been where I stand now makes it just a bit easier. I know you need to be harsh with me so I can learn and I can vouch that as hardheaded as I am; I am always ready to lay my own life down to save anyone’s on this squad.”

Levi nodded once more, gray eyes searching Eden’s face intently. There was something about his gaze that made Eden’s heart break; his eyes held so much trauma and tragedy, it had become part of his daily expressions.

There was an awkward pause that mixed with the tension between the two individuals as neither of them backed down from the staring competition.

Until Levi glanced at his clock before standing up to make his way around the front of his desk, leaning against the wood. “It’s very late. Go to sleep. If you don’t wake up on time, just know I’ve assigned you to cleaning stable duties.”

Eden let out a breathy laugh, turning to slowly make her way to the door. She paused, heart sinking as her eyes fixed on a line of dust resting between the key and the keyhole of his door. She glanced at Levi with wide eyes, gliding a finger across the fragments.

“It seems like you’ve missed a spot, Captain,” Eden whispered, lifting her finger towards Levi- who’s eye twitched. Eden cocked her head ever so slightly, biting on her bottom lip as she lowered her hand down.

“I apologies if I’m overstepping, but someone mentioned your strictness to tidiness comes from your childhood. May I ask why?”

Immediately, Levi’s hooded eyes harden to stone; his brows scrunching in annoyance; jaw clenching tightly. Eden mentally swore, hating herself for completely disregarding the fact that his childhood could have been a touchy subject.

“Get out,” Levi voiced in an incredibly icy tone, hands pushing his body off of the desk as he made his way to Eden. She backed up, tears pooling in her eyes as she lowered her head.

“I’m sorry,” She managed to voice before having the door slammed in her face.

It didn’t take long for her to reach her own room, closing the door shut with her back before sinking against the wooden surface until she had reached the freezing floor. She shook uncontrollably, her thick sobs stranded at the back of her throat as she placed her head in her hands.

Eden never wanted for this to happen. She merely wanted to make him a cup of tea out of sympathy. Instead, she left his office an absolute mess; leaving behind a vulnerable part of her past with him.

She wanted to kick herself for pushing him too hard, the tenderness of her heart completely disregarding the fact that perhaps Captain Levi did not want her help.

That night, Eden fell asleep against the door with cheeks scarred by undisciplined tears; her hand pressed against her chest.

Link to the story in AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28919136/chapters/70952145

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iwhumpyou · 4 years ago

Text

The Cost (Part 6)

Masterlist. Wergild.

Taglist: @whumps-the-word, @swordkallya, @whumpy-daydreams.

Part 5.

~#~#~#~#~#~

Jace sighed when he closed the door of his office behind him, and groaned when he realized it was already occupied.

And then stilled, because there was a letter in Jayden’s hand, and he did not look amused.

“Jayden –”

“You told me you were allied with the elementalists now,” Jayden said, his voice level.

“We are.”

“Really?” Jayden hummed, staring at the letter, “Because this doesn’t sound very friendly.”

“Jayden –”

“‘I’ve been informed that Aidan and Nerali are guests at your compound’,” Jayden read out, “Which means she’s not the one who sent them. Which means you’re not entertaining guests, you’re harboring runaways.”

“Aidan is Clarissa’s second-in-command,” Jace said mildly, “I have no issues accepting his word on behalf of his clan’s. I’m not interested in elementalist infighting.”

Jayden shot him a sharp look at that, but then turned back to the letter. “‘It reminds me of the last time we worked together’,” he read out, “‘We were always a good team.’”

Jace winced. That one was more difficult to explain.

“When was the last time you worked together with Clarissa, Jace?” Jayden asked quietly, “Is she talking about the peace talks?”

No, she wasn’t. “Three years ago,” Jace said, which was a cop-out and an answer all on its own.

Jayden didn’t visibly react, but his fingers went still on the letter.

“Three years ago,” he repeated flatly.

Jace set his jaw and stared at his cousin. He didn’t get to judge him. Not when he left them. Jayden had always had a temper, and in trying to protect his family, left them without any protector at all.

“‘Peace is not built on people.’ ‘It is stronger than either one of us.’” Jayden repeated the last lines, “‘Give my regards to Mirai. She has grown into a fine warrior.’” Jayden stared at the letter and exhaled softly.

“You said peace,” Jayden said softly, and raised his head to meet Jace’s gaze, “This? This is a threat.”

“It’s complicated,” Jace said, because he understood why Clarissa was angry, and what she was warning him against.

“She near-outright told you that she’d replace you with Mirai and your only excuse is ‘it’s complicated’?” Jayden spluttered.

“It’s complicated,” Jace repeated, a hint of steel in his tone. He walked forward and snatched the letter out of Jayden’s hands. “You don’t know why she sent that. You don’t know what the context is. I understand you’re upset, Jay, but you walked into the third act. You don’t get to pass judgement calls.”

Something in Jayden’s eyes went sharp as he stilled. “I’m just worried about you,” he said finally.

“I’m not a kid anymore,” Jace said patiently, “I’m the clan leader. You have to trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“Oh, spirits, has it really come to that?” Jayden asked, smiling sadly.

Jace laughed, shoving at his shoulder. Jayden leaned with the push, curling an arm around his shoulder. Jace relaxed against him.

“Clarissa said she’ll come to pick up her sister,” Jayden said into the silence, “When will the treatment be finished?”

“A couple of days, I think,” Jace mused, “Might give it till the end of the week. And then all the elementalists will be out of our hair.”

“Looking forward to it,” Jayden said dryly.

~#~

Aidan shivered as he began climbing the rungs. He couldn’t go back to sleep, not when he saw jeering faces in every shadow. He had left Nerali’s side in the afternoon, unable to stay in the same space as Jayden, unable to stand the feeling of the other man’s gaze boring into him as he tried to remember one of the worst days of Aidan’s life.

He had thought about warning Nerali away from him, but the last time they told her not to do something, she nearly started a war. And then fixed it. (Aidan wasn’t quite sure which one was worse.)

So he spent an afternoon worried about Nerali and terrified about Jayden in equal measure. It wasn’t a surprise that he couldn’t sleep.

Aidan climbed up the last few rungs, intent on relaxing with the stars, far away from footsteps and shadows and –

Unfortunately, the platform was already occupied.

Aidan stopped at the top of the ladder, watching the figure staring out at the stars. The moonlight was full, and it illuminated a face that was softly smiling.

It also illuminated the key dangling between his fingers.

“Why do you have that?” the words came unbidden.

Jayden’s smile grew, and he curled his fingers around the key. He didn’t turn to look at Aidan. “I got it from my dear cousin,” he said, straightening up, “I was the enforcer, did you know that? For my uncle, of course. Until the old man decided that he didn’t want a soldier that spoke his mind.” His mouth twisted before smoothing out. “I thought I’d pick up my old job, now that I’m here.”

Aidan stayed where he was, eyeing the ladder back down. Pity it was too far to jump.

“And what are you planning to do with it?” Aidan asked coldly. His fingers were trembling – Aidan curled them into fists, not that it made him feel any better.

“Peace is a fragile thing,” Jayden hummed, finally turning towards him. The winds picked up, raising goosebumps along Aidan’s arms.

“How long do you think it’ll last after I dump your broken corpse at your sister’s feet?”

Aidan stared at him. Jayden gazed back, his smile soft and utterly at odds with his words.

“War,” Aidan said, “You want war.”

Jayden laughed. “Oh poor rainbow boy, so far from home,” he said in a lilting tone, a tune that raised the hair on Aidan’s arms and set his heart to pounding. “Don’t you know what happens to rainbow boys, when they claim the forest as their own?”

– “Oh poor rainbow boy,” a tall youth laughed, crouching in the mud, “So far from home.”

The boy was crying, an arm twisted around broken ribs, dead sparks fluttering from his fingers.

“Don’t you know what happens to rainbow boys?” A stomp on broken fingers, and a howl that split the air. “When they claim the forest as their own?” –

His smile grew at the look on Aidan’s face. “Did you really think I wouldn’t recognize you?” Jayden asked softly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Aidan swallowed, backing up and searching blindly for the first rung down.

“Then why are you running?” Jayden asked.

Aidan threw caution to the wind and took two rungs at a time – he stumbled, five feet off the lower platform, and hit it hard enough to knock the breath from his lungs.

Jayden laughed, leisurely descending the ladder, moonlight dancing on his grin. Aidan scrambled upright as soon as he could breathe, heading for – where? He couldn’t trust Jace, he wouldn’t lead Jayden back to Nerali, he didn’t know Mirai’s intentions – he could get out, sprint back to their compound and hope that the darkness would conceal his flight, but he wouldn’t leave Nerali here alone and –

He didn’t have any warning before Jayden attacked. He was tackled to the ground – Aidan swung wide, but flames didn’t arc at his fingertips and Jayden caught his hand. The smile was still stretching his face, turning a not-unattractive face into something slightly manic.

“You don’t need these anymore,” Jayden said, before twisting.

Aidan barely managed to strangle the scream as his fingers shattered. He writhed underneath Jayden but the older man had pinned him down and Aidan’s panicked struggles were nothing compared to Jayden’s strength.

“Like a beached fish gasping out its last breaths,” Jayden mused, and Aidan snarled as a hand found its way to his throat, long fingers wrapping around his neck and squeezing.

“Aren’t elementalists supposed to be able to control the air?” Jayden laughed, watching as Aidan wheezed, trying to pry his fingers off. Jayden merely squeezed harder. “You’re the same failure we found in the woods all those years ago.”

Aidan twisted his face into a snarl, but Jayden just laughed. “Little rainbow boys never grow up,” he said – and then he wrenched Aidan upright, his grip still tight on Aidan’s throat.

Aidan choked – his vision was beginning to go fuzzy, colored dots swimming across it as Jayden dragged him by his throat.

“I’ll finish what I started all those years ago,” Jayden said, and Aidan couldn’t see his face anymore, he couldn’t see anything anymore because there were iron bands crushing his throat and he couldn’t breathe and he could barely move and –

The world tilted around him. The iron bands of pressure disappeared. Aidan drew a startled breath – and choked on it when he hit the ground.

He could feel the impact in every bone in his body. He could feel something in his chest snap under the sudden burst of pressure. He couldn’t breathe – he couldn’t even remember how to breathe, he could do nothing but clutch at the ground with his fingers.

There was an earth-shaking thud near him and Aidan forced his head up to see Jayden strolling over to him.

“I didn’t end your pitiful life all those years ago,” he said, crouching near Aidan. Aidan tried to swipe at him, but his arms were heavy and uncoordinated. “And look how you’ve squandered that gift.”

“It wasn’t a gift,” Aidan forced out, curling his fingers in the dirt and pushing – through the shakiness, through the terror, through the pain that knifed through him as he forced himself up onto hands and knees. “It was torture.”

“Oh, little rainbow boy, you don’t know what torture is,” Jayden said, his smile falling. His face was cast in shadows as he blocked out the moonlight.

“Torture is watching your family suffer and being unable to help them.” Aidan tried to crawl away – his right leg shrieked at him if he tried to put weight on it and he dragged it along, his only thought to get away.

“Torture is stumbling through the desert and dreaming of water with every step.” Aidan hissed as he clawed forward another step.

“Torture is hearing the screams of the people you love and being too far away to help.” Aidan pulled himself forward, fighting against the throbbing pain.

“You don’t know what torture is,” Jayden said, and then stomped on Aidan’s bad leg. Aidan screamed, curling up as pain erupted from fractured bone.

“Be grateful.”

~#~

Part 7.

#whumpfic #wergild #arc: the cost #broken bones #strangulation #fall #yes we finally got to the whump

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suffering-and-happy-about-it · 4 years ago

Text

The Wolves (A White Demon’s Love Song, Part 5.)

Series description: A new job was what the reason you found yourself on a lonely roadtrip on the western coast, ending up in the woods of Olympian Peninsula. Yet a sudden car malfuction was what cause your unplanned stay in Forks. To your surprise, there was a lot of sinister things going on under the veil of fog.

Part summary: The wolves now had to come up with a different strategy since the vampires coming so close to the town was a thing no-one expected so soon. Yet, a secret was to be revealed that night.

A/N: Heavily inspired by the Phascination Phase (Carter Burwell for the Twilight movie), because... Idk, there’s something so ambient about the track.

Tagging: @missdictatorme

Word count: 3.7 K

Twilight playlist: ✨ Twilight Crackheads ✨

Series masterlist: H E R E

A few hours ago, La Push, Emily's house:

Jacob stood in the opened door for not longer than a moment, watching you leaving the garage in his black towtruck. For the most part, you should be safe. Why the hell was Jacob so stressed about keeping you safe? You were, for now, just a normal Forks citizen like everyone else. Maybe it was just that you were his personal responsibility for some time now. He offered you a place to stay - naturally, you accepted the offer because you counted on being safe. And just ten minutes ago, a leech almost made you their personal lollipop or worse, they might've made a newborn out of you. Thanks to God, the shifter scent was too strong for the vampire. She saw Jacob waiting for you in the opened back door, but it was the typical stench that made her stop.

Jacob saw her for a fragment of a second, just standing there and watching you laying on the ground. Then, she gave Jacob a teasing smile and in the next second, she was gone. It was at that moment the man knew he had to send to some location which was overseen by the shifters all the time. There was also a second reason to keep you at Charlie's - that bitch surely smelled your scent. Since you didn't really live at the small flat, the werewolf scent wasn't covering you enough - and the raincoat didn't help much anyway. At the end of the day, it was you, who was still just a normal human being.

As soon as the truck disappeared behind the high school, Jacob walked to the back of the building and walked into the woods. Fuck the motorbikes, he was way faster on all four. He could borrow something from Sam, so he just bound the tore sweatpants around his upper thigh and let the animal take the lead. Of course, Leah and Quil noticed immediately - there was confusion in the group shared telepathic web. - 'Did something happen?' - Leah asked, but hadn't moved from her spot. She knew better than to annul the formation because Jacob had just shifted. At first, Jacob didn't answer and just let both her and Quil to look inside his mind. At first, both of them got way more confused when they saw the strange girl jumping out of the woods - yet then they felt it. The humongous smell of rotten tomatoes, the wolves could feel her presence and they saw her, just standing there with her eyes wild and hungry, the grin on her face was threatening.

'Okay, now I get it.' - Leah muttered after a moment. Sure, there was still a hint of confusion and curiosity regarding you in the shared consciousness, but honestly, you weren't that important in the bigger picture. - 'I can't believe she came so close! She was trying to get through here... I guess the cold one must've caught her scent. Are we going after her?' - Quil asked immediately, getting ready to run to Jake's position. - 'They're just trying how much closer they can get and top of that, that leech has already run away. I'm on way to Sam, we'll be trying to figure out a different system of watching Forks.' - Jake said in a calm voice, running in the direction of La Push at the highest speed he was capable of. - 'I'll be checking on the southern part of the city... Quil is on the west. Sam has five boys here today, so there will be no problem to run in circles around the town.' - Leah told Jake and since Quil caught on what she was doing, he immediately started to assure their leader as well. - 'No chance they're slipping, boss.'

Since that moment, both of them kept their thoughts silent. Quil and Leah were a good team - ever since Leah left Sam's pack, she became quieter and calmer. Now, she wasn't such a pain in the ass. And Quil didn't want to disturb with too much of empty thoughts in case something might've happened. For once, it was nice not to deal with Seth's endless sunshine energy. - 'I won't tell my little bro a thing, but thanks for the compliment.' - Leah laughed inside Jake's head. The phase where he was rolling his eyes after every word Leah said out loud was far behind him, now, he snickered lightly as well. - 'I would appreciate that. Okay, I'm at Sam's. Once we figure something out, I'll let you know.'

Jacob didn't wait for their answer and changed into his human form. Hastily, he put his old sweatpants on and ran to the house and knocked on the door. The twins, Emily and Sam's small girls, were running around the place and as Emily approached the door, she tried to calm the kids down. Yet as soon as they saw Jacob behind the door, they started to yell excitedly again. Emily wasn't stupid - as soon as she saw Jake visiting them during the day, even if Sam and Jake usually met during the nighttime watch, she knew something happened. The woman let Jacob inside and put cookies on the big plate in the middle of the table, saying... - "Give me a minute, I'll wake Sam up." - With that, she disappeared inside the house.

Sam was always taking his time getting up - yet when his wife said Jake's name and that he came just so he could talk with him, he tried his best. When he finally walked into the kitchen, half-dressed uncle Jake was sitting at the table with a muggle full of fresh coffee and watched small Brianna and Ellie drawing with various colors of wax crayons. It was just a small, peaceful moment that was not to last long. As soon as Jacob looked up to Sam, the older man could see the emotion in Jake's face. It... It wasn't fear, not even horror - it was rage. The younger man wasn't shifting, he was just angry. - "Angels?" - Sam smiled tiredly and kissed both of the twins on their temples. Both the girls smiled at their dad, but before Sam started talking again, Bri was already babbled at him, because both her front teeth fell out. - "Daddy, look! I drew you and mamma. And this is uncle Paul, auntie Rachel and... Auntie Leah and..."

The picture was more or less a formation of stickmen - each of them had a crazy hair color... But sure, it was the La Push family. - "You should go play to your room for a bit, my birds. Come on, I need to talk to uncle Jake. You can have him later." - Sam smiled. The girls hadn't got a favorite - but they were super pumped when Jacob came back to La Push since he was now living in Forks for the most part. Rachel and Paul were taking care of Billy, so he had more time for himself and his love for cars. - "Okay!" - Ellie cried out happily, picked a few crayons, and ran to their room with loud, happy squeals, Brianna following right after. These kids were always happy. Jake could see all the things Sam was fighting for. He had a lot to lose.

"Start talking. I know you're not here just to say hi." - Sam muttered out with a loud yawn, pouring some coffee into a mug as well. Emily was standing behind the stove, preparing some eggs and bacon for both the men. At that point, she didn't even ask - Jake just had to eat everything Emily had served. - "Yeah, something like that. That vampire bitch just showed up behind my house. Not even an hour ago." - "Did you try to catch her?" - Sam fired back immediately. Even though they had their differences back in the day, even if they argued a lot when Jacob left his pack, Sam was still worried about his brother in arms. For God's sake, they knew each other since they were small boys. Sam was just five years older. - "Unfortunately... Listen... She wasn't hunting me down, she was after someone else." - "That girl who's car crashed here? I've seen her in your head, just a glimpse." - Jake nodded.

"Well, this is getting worse and worse, I'm not going to lie. How did the girl get into trouble?" - Sam asked just when Emily served the breakfast; then she quickly kissed Sam's cheek, smiled at Jake, and left to the children's room so she would make sure they don't hear anything. - "I think she just went on a walk, she seemed off when I found her. Sam, Y/N realized something was in the forest with her." - "What did you tell her?" - "Well, I tried to misguide her, tell her that it was just a mountain lion." - For a moment, both the men fell silent. - "She might be on the target list now." - Sam muttered out after a moment. It took a while before everything clicked in Jake's brain. - "That girl borrowed my raincoat, but her scent was still too strong..." - "And if she saw you there, she might figure out that she's our weak spot. Where is she now? Is she safe?" - Sam didn't care who the hell you were - it could be anyone from Forks, La Push, Port Angeles and he would still care the same. The Protectors committed to protecting everyone in the town, no matter if they were a tourist or a local.

"Y/N? She's at Charlie's now, but he'll be coming to La Push later this afternoon. I asked him to take her with him. My people are here, your people are here - if they'd feel the slightest hint of the leech's stench, they'd go right after them. Leah and Quil are helping with watching the city boundaries." - Jacob leaned his back to the chair. His back was hurting really bad, but there was no time to rest now. - "How could the bloodsucker just slip past us? I don't understand?" - "We should call the doctor finally, ask him about the things regarding this group of leeches... I don't have a single good feeling about them."

Just ten minutes after Jacob proposed the idea, Sam was debating with Carlisle on the phone, describing everything about the group of vampires living near to Forks now. Carlisle said to Sam that this behavior can be considered normal - except the noticeable skills, these had with hiding their smell and tracks. Such vampires tended to be old and experiences - they had most probably encountered their first group of extremely good trackers; ones such as James was. After some time, the vampires who lived too long already wanted to feel the thrill of the game. James's talent was tracking - yet such things could be learned through hundreds of years of experience. It could be significantly harder since the shifters hadn't estimate how many of the players were out there. Sam's pack had encountered one, Jacob was one hundred percent positive there was a second one... But there could be one more. And once the vampires would figure out the right formation, there was nothing that would stop them. Well, this wasn't any good news. Fucking trackers.

"Do you think these old vampires might show here, doctor?" - Sam mumbled, listening to Carlisle's calm, enjoyable tone on a speaker. - "The Volturi?" - "Yes, I mean these we had already met. Can these be sent by them?" - For a moment, Carlisle was quiet, yet both men could hear chatter in the background. - "Hardly." - Alice's jolly voice answered suddenly. - "I can't see them even thinking about Forks or going there, or sending their people there. Aro is still hoping that he might get us, but... No. He doesn't choose to send his people your way." - She explained quickly. - "Are the vampires too conspicuous? I hadn't seen any news reporting murders in Forks." - Carlisle muttered after a moment, audibly going through some newspaper. This made Jake grin a bit; the man was still looking after his former place of stay. - "No." - Jacob said simply, which made Carlisle sigh. Well, that didn't mean anything good. - "Then the Volturi will hardly come to dismantle them, unfortunately. As long as the vampires aren't violating any laws, they won't be stopping them. Do you think that you need help?"

Clearly, Carlisle was asking 'should we come to help you?'. If there would be any sign that the pack can't do it on their own, they would spend no time sitting around. No matter what were the pack's members' opinions on the Cullens, Jacob had to say that the liked this family of leeches. - "No. We're doing just great, I just wanted to be informed. Have a nice Carlisle, nice hearing from you." - With that, Sam hung on the phone after the doctor said his goodbye and wished the men good luck. The news wasn't good at all. A pack of damn tackers who wanted to play a game with the pack.

After all, they were there to hunt - yet they were willing to take their time, wait for the pack to grew tired and then slip by in the dead of the night. What could've been worse? And the Volturi were neither behind this operation or about to stop it. There were dark clouds on the horizon, which wasn't making them any calmer. Both of them went for a short walk around Sam's house, trying to figure out... Something. And the only solution was... - "No. Sam, this isn't happening." - Jacob put both his hands on his chest, having the typical expression of an angry five-year-old. - "It's just a t-shirt." - Sam answered back, rolling his eyes. - "I already told her there are mountain lions... Sent her to a stranger's house and to a place she never been at. Now, I'll be stealing her clothes?" - Jacob snickered, shaking his head.

"She's the weak spot right now. They want to start a game, we will start a game, then - and on our own terms. All we need is her scent." - Jacob knew Sam was right, but... Seriously, you've been thinking about his ill intentions (killing you, let's be honest for a minute) since the first moment you saw him. And now, he was supposed to steal a piece of your clothing? Well... - "Okay. Okay. I'll try to get something. When we're talking about clothes, can you lend me some for the afternoon? I'll be picking her up on the beach." - With this question, both men walked back to the house for Jake to keep the promise. He spent playing with the girls a huge portion of his day, just before he fell asleep on Brianna's bed, snoring on the whole house.

To get to the beach, he certainly didn't use his human form. That would be too slow. He called to Billy's, making sure you're still at the beach - or if you decided to take off and maybe run away from Forks. Jacob wouldn't flinch at that. He wouldn't be surprised if you did. Yet, you still were there - with Rachel. The man groaned at that, as all little brothers do, rolling his eyes. He could only imagine everything Rachel told you about him. Dear Lord. Now, you could justify thinking like a killer when talking about him. Rachel didn't spare his good name at all, Jacob was positive there.

It was a busy day at the beach. Normally, Quil would spend his time there with Claire - yet the boy knew that sometimes, protecting the place because of the people you love is important as well. For a moment, he was just standing there and watched the sea lazily waving around - he knew that somewhere in the woods, there was Jared looking after the La Push territory. And just when he was thinking about that, he saw you and Rachel walking out of the forest side by side, laughing at something. Great. He could only guess how many stories did Rachel pull out.

Of course, he wouldn't Rachel walk home alone - it was almost six miles to their home after all. But he didn't plan on stopping on a visit either. Billy, who was in the elder council, naturally understood that Jacob was rather busy in the last few days - but Charlie did come to the car and made you roll down the window. - "I just wanted to ask... Hm... How was the beach?" - It looked like genuine interest from Charlie's part, which made you grin. It was nice of him to ask. - "Rachel showed me around... It was pretty impressive. I need to tell my friends about it, definitely." - Then, the cop shot a quick gaze at Jacob. For the love of God, he was hoping that the boy won't drag you into some funky business with him. - "If anything happens, I'm at the phone number all the time, okay?" - Charlie reassured himself before patting the side of the truck and leaving without waiting for you to answer. You were just watching him leaving back to the house, with a small smile on your face.

Jacob tried to ask you about your day, but you could tell that the 'worse' Jacob was now in the position. He didn't seem to smile a bit, he was kinda mumbly and quiet for the most part. As you walked into the garage again, you knew you had to do something. This couldn't wait two days. No. You had to do it immediately. As soon as he would sneak out, you'll follow right after. Yeah, mountain lions, sure... This made you grin as you worked on the paperwork once more. Throughout the whole time, you hadn't seen Jacob - the whole time, he was outside and worked on your Beetle, changing the smaller parts he had with him. It was obvious that you will have to visit a wrecking lot soon - in search of working components, hustling the best prices out of that. By the way, the components were even on sale - those which your car needed so desperately. The wrecking lots were your last chance.

Around the same time as the previous day, you've just told Jacob you're going to take a shower and go to sleep - which he only barely acknowledged. He was too busy working and thinking about Sam's theory. It wasn't right. The vampire girl saw Jacob looking out for you and even though she didn't know you two have nothing in common, she most likely connected you as partners of sorts. He could steal one of the t-shirts you've put into the laundry, couldn't he? All it took was an article of clothing to lure the leeches somewhere where they wouldn't be in advantage - like a huge plain, the one next to Ozette Lake. Fuck, this was uncomfortable. He couldn't even look you in the face.

That night, when he was leaving for the watch, he didn't even lock the door - it wouldn't be functional against a vampire. He was to stay nearby the town, looking after the damn house - while Embry and Seth, as humans, got their orders from Sam. Jacob didn't know what the strategy was - he had only Jared and Brody on the watch in Forks. Jared could be only barely counted in since he was sleeping while walking. The boy took a 24 lasting shift, no wonder he was so done.

As soon as you noticed Jake marching to the woods, you put his raincoat on, since it was raining again, and went after him, lurking in the shadows. If Jacob would be in his normal human self, he would hear you. He wouldn't smell you, since the rain and wind was making the scent trail fade away rather quickly, but he would know somewhere's there based on the sounds. You weren't as dumb to walk straight after him - you could barely see him, hiding behind the trees, but you could still hear him breathing. Dear God, was he breathing loud? You hadn't noticed before. Suddenly, he stopped and started to breathe quicker and quicker.

Curiosity got the better out of you, let's be honest here, as you sneaked past a few trees, getting closer to him, finally catching a good look at the man. He was... Breathing really quick, shaking. His muscles were visibly tensing under his skin, but you knew that something wasn't adding up here. Was he having a seizure? Was he chanting himself before another kill? Or was this the ritual after which the second part of his split personality came out? Fuck, you were confused. Your nails dug deeper into the tree and your breath hitched as the tension got the better out of you. Unknowingly, you pressed to the wet, cold tree and didn't blink from that point on.

It was fascination at its best. You didn't even jump when growls cut through the silence, resonating through the whole, quiet forest. The man fell on his knees, growling and grunting in immersive pain. And that was when you saw it - a strike of russet fur flying out of his body, traveling on his spine. And then... Jacob exploded. He quite literally was torn to shreds, just like his worn-out pants and instead of a man... There was a wolf, bigger than you. This animal could eat you like an appetizer and barely blink about it. No matter how beautiful the animal was, your brain couldn't grasp what was happening at the moment. In combination with holding your breath for the last minute, it resolved in one thing. As you forcefully grasped for any air, your head spun. Once, twice, and then you felt your body falling to the ground. Maybe, you would've got up, but you felt the back of your head hitting a root on the ground. A dull thud sounded through the forest as it started to fade away.

You fainted. This caught Jacob's attention as he realized something terrorizing - he had a lot to explain now.

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eri-blogs-life · 4 years ago

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There was, of course, a fair amount of controversy around the time of Pokemon Sword/Shield’s release regarding Dexit, among other issues. When they first came out, I played Shield version, and had an okay time. Now, having put some space between the game’s release and the present, I decided to pick back up and try playing Sword version to see if my feelings changed any. Was it more than just okay? Or worse than I’d thought before?

I have a lot of notes on thoughts I had during this adventure, and I’m going to try to structure these thoughts in some way but idk how exactly. Some are fairly minor thoughts, but some are definitely going to require a more in-depth writeup. Also, for context, I only played through the base game, not the DLC. I probably will play through again to try out the DLC but I didn’t want to buy the DLC just yet.

Why Can’t Pokemon Follow You Anymore? AKA Iteration vs Innovation

Pokemon has a problem with getting any better as a series. Especially in the last few versions, we’ve really seen this coming to light - while early on, updates to graphics and gameplay (like the physical/special split) made each new generation feel like an evolution of the previous one’s gameplay, somewhere around gen 6 it really started to show that the series isn’t focused on evolution quite so much anymore. Sure, there’s still been some updates to mechanics and some graphical updates, but those have all been minor since, or completely dropped after that generation.

Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and now Dynamaxing are all part of this problem. They are cool new ideas that add to the mechanics of the pokemon games, but are ultimately dropped in the next generation. They are gimmicks, meant to drive sales and engagement with any particular game in the series, but which don’t serve to elevate the series as a whole particularly well.

Generally speaking, it feels like the direction the Pokemon developers want to go with the games is more in coming up with some cool gimmick as a temporary measure rather than creating new core growth to the series that could be iterated upon in future versions to create better games with each new one. While Gold and Silver definitely felt like an evolution of Red and Blue, and Ruby and Sapphire yet again an evolution of Gold and Silver, with the games slowly becoming more advanced and better with each generation, I can’t really say that I feel like SwSh is any better than Sun/Moon, or Sun/Moon is really any better than X/Y. They are different, and have some small new iterations to the previous formula, but they don’t feel all that much better, just different.

Grinding bosses, AKA Diagetic Fail States

Diagesis is always a fun topic to talk about in video games. I was watching a video the other day about Sekiro and how it uses a lot of similar gameplay structures to other FromSoft games, like a diagetic fail state - when you die in Sekiro, that’s a part of the story. You don’t game over. There is no way to get a game over in a FromSoft game, as your character can never truly die.

Pokemon is definitely neat in how it is a series that has also always had a diagetic fail state - when you die, you retreat to the last pokemon center you were at, keeping any experience gained but losing your physical progress towards your next destination. However, each time you faint while traveling down a new route, you make the progress a little easier for yourself the next time, by both gaining experience for your team and defeating some of the trainers along the path.

However, this diagetic fail state doesn’t always make sense in Pokemon’s design, and I think the Championship in SwSh really brings that to the forefront. If your team faints while fighting a gym leader or while fighting in the championship or against the Champion, you don’t fail your gym challenge. You just retreat and come back to try again. This isn’t acknowledged in any way in-game. Leon has the same dialogue no matter how many times you fight him. Every time you fight him is the first time you fight him, no matter how many times you’ve been knocked out and had to retreat to the pokemon center. It creates a significant divide in the experience the game’s mechanics are giving you and the story they are trying to tell.

In the story, after helping stop the Darkest Day, you challenge the League Champion and claim your spot as the new champion. But in the gameplay, you have infinite tries to bash your head against the wall that is Leon, and the Championship will never end unless you end it.

I think the diagetic fail state pokemon normally has, wherein when you faint you go back to the last pokemon center, makes a lot of sense both mechanically and in terms of the world of pokemon. The world of pokemon is built in no small part to support this diagetic fail state. However, there are certain events, like fights with Team Leaders, Legendary Pokemon, or the Champion, where that diagetic fail state is incomplete.

How could pokemon fix this? I think the big thing would be to have two sets of dialogue for at least major antagonists, like the Team Leaders or the Champion, where they give you one set of dialogue the first time you fight them and a different set on future fights, if you lost the previous fight. And changing any cutscenes surrounding fights with Legendaries, like the fight against Eternatus in SwSh, to have different dialogue if you lost the fight at least once, could help explain why the legendary hasn’t already gone and done their nasty world-ending attack that the story often seems to set them up to be going through with.

It’s not a perfect solution, I think, but that seems like the simplest solution to resolve this weird discrepancy between the fail state that exists in gameplay and that which exists in story, one admitting the player failed but giving them a chance to try again, and the other simply pretending that the player didn’t even fight the legendary that would cause massive global destruction if it wasn’t defeated then and there.

The Legendary Problem, AKA Story-Driven vs Player-Driven Game Design

Speaking of legendaries... What even is a Legendary Pokemon? Mewtwo, Ho-oh, Lugia, Groudon, Kyogre, Palkia, Dialga, the three dogs, the three birds, the three regis. These are all legendaries. They are powerful and rare pokemon that exist in their particular game/region. But their existence and their purpose has steadily changed over time.

Early on, legendaries were truly that - legendary. To own a mewtwo in red and blue was one hell of a feat, because it took a lot of work to find it and a lot of work to catch it (unless you used a master ball). But things started changing around Crystal version, but especially in Ruby and Sapphire. Legendaries became less of a rare thing that was out there somewhere, as some kind of legend, and became more integral into the stories of pokemon, and representative in some way of the story that the developers were trying to tell. Groudon isn’t really all that legendary, as you’re guaranteed to encounter them in the normal course of gameplay of R/S, but it’s important that Groudon be encountered in the story because Ruby and Sapphire is a set of games all about environmentalism, and Groudon and Kyogre serve as metaphors for the natural balance of our environment.

And this is part of a greater discussion on the direction of the pokemon series as a whole. Over time, Pokemon has become less about the journey that you are on as a player, with your pokemon, and more about telling some kind of a greater story with the world as a whole, where the player character serves as a vehicle for the player to see the story that is going on.

Sure, Red and Blue had a world story, but in no small part it felt not like you were being funneled into partaking in a story, and more like you were building your adventure while you traveled. There was a sense of discovery in Red and Blue, like the region of Kanto had a lot of hidden away pockets of existence that just weren’t known to the populace as a whole. But by the time of the Galar region, even the wilderness is carefully curated and sanctioned off. The Wild Area exists as just a singular place, but it is full of bridges and other man-made structures clearly indicating that this place isn’t really wilderness.

And absolutely a part of this comes from me now being an adult and having played many pokemon games before. And certainly my nostalgia for the older games is playing a part in this reading, and I’d like to return to red and blue soon to see if this really holds up quite so well.

But overall, it feels like the direction that the pokemon franchise is taking in recent games strays further and further from the original intention of the pokemon franchise. The story is that the idea for pokemon was developed because the original creator missed his childhood adventures of going out into the woods and catching beetles, an experience one just couldn’t get while living in the city. Pokemon feels like it’s straying further and further away from that sense of a player-driven exploration-focused adventure, and more into a constructed narrative.

The Wild Area was a step in the right direction. And if I understand right, the DLC areas are in their entirety Wild Areas where you can just wander around freely encountering wild pokemon and trainers. With all hope, the developers are coming to a similar conclusion I have, that the core appeal of pokemon is in that sense of exploration, adventure, and finding new things.

(Though, to be fair, not everyone would think of that as the core appeal of pokemon, anyway! Different people are into different aspects of the series, and of games as a whole - some people are completionists, some are explorers, some appreciate a good story, and some are super-competitive. Everyone experiences games differently. And while the pokemon dev team has done has a lot to make things better for different styles of play, my hope is that they can give explorers like myself more to look forward to in future entries in the series.)

Other Notes

Alright, so that gets through all the big stuff. With that, let’s just talk quickly about some other little notes I had while I was playing!

There’s way too much dialogue, and it’s not very interesting.

Pokemon are definitely still very very cute and I love them and I love this franchise as a whole.

I loved when X/Y added fashion but really the clothes in Galar feels not great? There’s not a lot of options, and it’s mostly just the same couple of styles in different colors. So I was really unimpressed. I think the DLCs add a lot more clothing options, though? So that’ll be exciting to try out later on.

The whole thing with time freezing whenever you get on a ladder is still really really silly

The gym missions are real neat. They are definitely just kind of an expansion on the totem challenges from sun/moon, and I really like where they’re going with challenges that aren’t purely about fighting like older gyms were. (Look at me, talking about how this one innovation to the core gameplay is so great when I was just earlier complaining about their gimmicky way of not really innovating on the core gameplay. I don’t think this totally changes my opinion from earlier, but it does kind of. They are making changes, but just very slowly)

Why force players to wear the gym uniform during gym missions? Like, I worked so hard to buy my own fancy clothes and they won’t even let me show off my clothes to the whole of the Galar region during my fight against the champion. Horribly game design

Honestly, the whole dexit controversy. Like... I still don’t think the pokemon company were in the right, and they really should just delay main-series games until they are complete rather than trying to release on such a tight yearly schedule.

I miss Victory Road. Having to put all your skills and knowledge you’ve gained up to that point together for one final grueling challenge was just a really nice way to bring together the whole experience into a neat little package at the end. I guess since especially SwSh is more focused on the gym challenge and the spectacle of that rather than on giving you an exploratory adventure to go on, it kinda makes sense that instead we get a short linear route followed by a series of fighting your rivals and refighting some gym leaders before the Champion.

The Champion fight definitely feels way harder than any of the other fights. It’s got a decent bump in levels compared to the previous fight, and I think that’s... well, it’s kind of cool cause it does really make Leon feel impressive. But also like, at that point there aren’t any great places to just grind to catch up to him so I ended up grinding by just challenging him over and over until I happened to win one time, which largely happened by luck, not by my team’s strength or my stratetgies. Maybe the best way for this to have happened was having the player start to fight Leon, but then have that fight get interrupted after the first pokemon was knocked out, rather than interrupting the championship right before the fight with Leon. That way we could’ve seen Leon’s team in action and gotten a sense of how much stronger than the player he would’ve been at that point. Then, you could’ve gone out to train against the wilds and prepare yourself for your final battle.

But of course, following up on the last point and making this its own point, the only reason I did struggle at points was because I didn’t much take advantage of everything the game had to offer. I never once used a healing item in battle, I never used any rare candies nor did I ever dynamax any of my pokemon. I did use a couple of experience candies, but I only ever did three dynamax raids during the course of my game, so I didn’t have a ton of candies to use anyway. If I’d taken full advantage of everything Galar had to offer to buff up my pokemon, I would’ve absolutely bodied Leon. Instead it was a tough fight that was doable after a few tries and some luck.

Overall, I’d say Pokemon Sword and Shield are an okay time. The game didn’t excel relative to my last time I played Shield near when they came out, and it doesn’t excel compared to past games in the franchise. It’s also not particularly bad compared to my first time or past pokemon games, though it definitely has its fair share of problems.

And of course, let us not forget the greatest tragedy of Pokemon Sword and Shield:

The best pokemon in Galar, Snom and Frosmoth, just aren’t that strong.

EDIT: one last note, here’s my final team that took on Leon with me

Dirt, my Runerigus, was someone I caught to fight against the fighting gym, and became an integral part of the team ever since.

Clara, my octopus thingy whose species name I forget, is nicknamed after my character from a wrestling tabletop rpg my group recently played.

Charlene, my Dubwool, was the mascot of the team from the very beginning. I caught her as soon as I could and quickly put my starter into the box

Pepper, my Shiftry, was in its third stage evolution before I even fought the first gym. I’d caught him as a Seedot early on, and he evolved into a Nuzleaf on the route before the town with the first gym. And in the town with the first gym, you can find a Leaf Stone just sitting around, so I evolved him before we went in to face the gym

Cooper, my Obstagoon, was someone I always thought I’d end up replacing, but just kept sticking around and proving herself more and more useful. In the end, it was her with her moves of Night Slash, Thunderpunch, and Icepunch, that was able to tank and take out like three of Leon’s pokemon

:3, my frosmoth, was a late addition to the team but absolutely beloved. He may have been pretty weak overall, but he pulled out a couple of clutch victories and I couldn’t be prouder of his time with the team.

#eri blogs games #whew this is... a big one #a long post if you will #i had a lot of thoughts about my latest single-player gaming experience #pokemon #pokemon sword and shield

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nctxnation · 5 years ago

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A Haunting in Neo City

➳ Pairing: Renjun x Reader

➳ Genre: Romance | Buzzfeed Unsolved AU

➳ Word Count: 4.8k

➳ Warnings: Mild Language

➳ “Of all the problems and complications in my life, I had not expected love to be one of them.” ― Stacie Evans

You spun around in your chair, eyes tired of seeing the screen after finally finishing another article. The coffee mug next to you, empty, and your brain still sleep deprived and sluggish.

“You look like shit.”

You groaned, pressing send on the computer and turning to see your partner in crime, or more like partner in the occult and crime.

“Hello, to you too, Renjun,” You flicked a paper clip at him and he rolled his eyes as it bounced off his chest. “I’m just tired. Yeri and the girls’ invited me out for dinner last night.”

“Fun,” He grinned, jumping onto your desk, knocking papers to the side. “All I did last night was see how many pens Jisung could stuff in his mouth, nine, by the way.”

“I’m guessing you have some news for me,” Your eyes zeroed in on the stack of papers in his hands. “Let me guess a cursed doll that terrorizes its owners?”

“Been there, done that, remember?” He smiled down at you, eyes brightening at the prospect of a new adventure. Your heart fluttered at the eagerness in his tone and the sparkle of his eyes, “We’re going out to Neo City to scope out the Evermore Woods, aka the Haunted Woods of Neo City. There’s supposedly haunted cabins and we might just end up possessed, you in?”

Of course, you were in. You’d follow Renjun anywhere, he didn’t know that. You sure as hell didn’t want to submit to the sheer embarrassment and awkwardness that would ensue after disclosing your romantic feelings to your coworker and closest friend.

“Do I have a choice?” You grinned snatching the prints of research out of his grip. “We’re not gonna end up possessed, it has never happened.”

“You never know,” He was positively buzzing with excitement and it made you beam at how adorable he looked. “I have a feeling this one is gonna be a good episode though.”

“You always have the craziest shit up your sleeve,” You noted, glancing through rumored sightings of ghosts and wild stories that spurred from college students partying in the woods. “This is no exception. Sounds like a fun roadtrip to me.”

“Wait ‘til you read about the Ghost of Jieun they saw there, it’s some crazy shit I kid you not!”

Renjun went on the full blown spiel, trying to persuade you that the woods were indeed haunted and it wasn’t just a hoax. He did this all the time, seeing as he was the one who fully believed in the paranormal between the two of you. You were the one who decidedly followed him throughout his supernatural investigations sprinkling witty commentary as you weren’t as sold in any stuff like that.

You were often the cause of Renjun’s constant hysteria as you seldom kept quiet and continuously egged and taunted any ‘spirit’ that might be lurking. It got to the point Renjun would keep a small bottle of holy water in his car and occasionally spray you with it just to make sure you weren’t actually possessed.

A long ass story about some ghost later, Renjun was summoned by Jeno who needed help as Haechan had gotten his hand stuck up some tubing they were filming a video with. You took that as your cue to refill your empty coffee cup, to regain some life and have at least a semblance of a normal, functioning human being.

You however didn’t expect yourself to be cornered by Yeri and Yuta, who were looking far too devilish. Their evil smirking were making you want to add them to the list of possible people to perform an exorcism on, part of Renjun’s never ending list.

“So, you and Renjun looked pretty cosy there,” Yeri commented, subtly glancing at Yuta whose face only darkend with mischief.

“We’re partners on this ongoing project,” You deadpanned, pouring in some burning hot liquid into your mug. The steaming zest of life. “He literally has no choice now, the loser is stuck with me. We ordained it with a blood oath which is pretty on brand for us, I guess.”

Yuta cackled heartily, “No wonder you guys’ are in love. You have the same sense of humor.”

“Thanks,” The words processed in your brain slower than Internet Explorer. “Wait--what? In love? Renjun and me?”

“Am I speaking in Japanese?” Yuta winked at you, sipping his coffee so smugly you wanted to slap him. “So, when’s the wedding?”

“It’s not like that,” You began to feel uneasy, their staring was predator-like. “How many times do I have to spell it out to you guys? Renjun and me, we’re friends and co-workers, nothing more. So, we share a room every once in a while and have inside jokes, you and Winwin do too.”

“Mhmm sure,” Yeri shrugged it off, “One day we’ll get you to admit your love for each other.”

“Not gonna happen,” You gritted out, taking your mug and walking away as fast as you could so they couldn’t see the intense blush coloring your features.

“You better send a wedding invitation!” Yuta hollered as you rounded the corner and saw Renjun and Haechan laughing about his incident.

Your heart warmed as Renjun’s eyes met yours and you could have sworn you saw a fondness in his eyes that was only reserved for you. A small sliver of hope slithered its way into your heart, but you crushed it easily on account of it being your sleep deprived brain creating scenarios in your head that weren’t real.

Unbeknownst to you, Renjun sighed in aggravation. His little frown catching Haechan’s attention.

“You might as well tell Y/N you like them,” Haechan said as he watched your retreating figure.

“It’s not that easy,” Renjun admitted, “Y/N and me are a team, we have our own series and its doing really good. I don’t want to ruin any of that knowing they don’t feel the same.”

“You sure about that?” Haechan snorted.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Renjun snapped, ready to put Haechan in headlock at any given offense.

“I mean the supernatural isn’t the only thing your blind to,” Haechan patted his friend’s shoulder and left, leaving Renjun more confused than before.

Renjun thought it was easier to be cornered by ghosts, demons, serial killers, and bizarre monsters than having to ever come close to admitting his feelings for you. Your friendship ran deep and he didn’t want to derail the dynamic he worked so hard to upkeep. Plus, he didn’t think you’d like him, you got along swimmingly due to the fact that you two instantly clicked. You were his best friend, in his eyes, telling you he wanted something more was severely scarier than facing ghouls.

The matters of the heart were always something terrifying.

Renjun placed his folder of information neatly on the table, eyes bright as he faced the camera. You sat next to him trying your best not to stare too much at him. You failed of course and you hoped your audience thought none of it. The comment section had a few comments littered about they way you looked at each other. The last thing you needed was your full blown heart eyes for Renjung to be the one thing your viewers discussed.

“This week we will be exploring the haunted cabins in the Neo City Evermore Woods.”

Gosh, even the way his voice went into professional mode was starting to sound immensely attractive to you.

“Do you think we'll see bears?” You asked, smirking at the frustrated sigh he let out. The edges of his lips turned upwards and that in itself was enough to have you glowing.

“The woods are crawling with ghosts and demons and you're worried about bears?” He chuckled, it was so like you. It was one of the many things he liked about you, even when it clashed with who he was.

“I just don't want to take my chances.”

“But you'll be okay with being possessed?” His eyes bulged out of his face and you giggled at how comical he looked.

“I'm being realistic. I guess we can trace a circle around us.”

“Of salt?”

“No, dirt like with a stick. For the bear, Renjun. Not the ghosts.”

“Isn't that from Spongebob?” He regarded you with sparkly eyes full of amusement.

He loved the way you made the tension in his body release, the way your eyes crinkled when you laughed at your own stupid jokes. He was seriously gone and he hoped it didn’t get captured on camera.

“Yeah that's where I get all my educational information from.”

He started wheezing and you joined in laughing at how silly you sounded. That was your role in this dynamic duo, he took everything regarding the supernatural seriously and you joked about it. You two were like yin and yang in a sense, you balanced each other out.

“Well, I get all my educational information from reliable sources,” Renjun began addressing the timeline of the Disappearance of Jieun, to telling about her murder and the hauntings of the lake and cabins.

You added your own commentary, smiling when the camera turned off and Renjun excitedly high fived you. Yup, you were way too deep.

“You were really funny out there,” He said, shuffling all his papers back into his folder, “Great stuff. I think I’m going to need an inhaler or something.”

“Nah, I think I sounded cringey,” You waved off his immediate protests, “I just wanted to take the time to say that you really put a lot of work into this series and it shows. You’re doing amazing, Renjun, and you deserve to know it.”

“Couldn’t do it without you?” He was too sweet, he was going to give you tooth decay.

“I don’t think--”

“No, of course you don’t see how great you are,” He interrupted you, placing a small warm hand on your shoulder. “But I see how great you are and I think you should know you make this series worth doing.”

“Renjun…”You swiped an imaginary tear off your cheek, ignoring the actual tears building up. “You really are the sweetest person in the office, don’t tell Jungwoo I said that.”

The weight of his compliment and your lack of though, had you wrapping his frame around your arms. He froze, but then melted into your hands.

“I’m serious you make the other half of Spooky Duo,” Renjun’s warmth blossomed a new kind of warmth in your heart, “I love you, Y/N...I mean, you’re the best partner in crime money can buy.”

“You threatened me to join you,” You sniffled, ignoring the fluttering feelings the eight letters he murmured brought you. “I had no choice in the matter, but you’re a great partner in crime...I love you too, Renjun.”

The love you felt was different than the love he felt that much you knew. No lack of sleep or caffeine rush was going to lull you into a false reality that you made up in your head. He didn’t feel the same.

There was beat, in which you both stood, arms tangled and breathing rough, staring into each other’s eyes. The moment was broken when Yuta and Yeri stumbled into your work room claiming a group meeting. You scrambled away from each other, your eyes having totally not been hyperfixed on his lips. Renjun cleared his throat and fist bumped you claiming you as the best friend he could ask for, before he went on his merry way.

You sighed, not trying hard enough to hide you own dejection, but you followed behind him. This, unfortunately, only roused Yuta and Yeri even more as they began gossiping about the office, murmuring about how any day now the Spooky Duo were finally going to get together.

It was dusk, night barely stretching across the horizon when you reached the edge of the Evermore Woods. The forest was cold, dark, and dense. It was the picturesque vision of any horror movie setting, horrific and nightmarish. It would certainly allow for your mind to conjure up the scariest of things to crawl from out of the forest, had you been creative enough for it. From the look in Renjun’s wide eyes, you can tell he felt the eeriness set in too.

The uneasiness reflected in Jeno and Jaemin’s eyes, your camera crew for tonight. Haechan and Yuta were already setting up things in the cabins. Renjun gulped and led the way down the path, Jeno and Jaemin stayed a couple of steps behind you two, jostling through the greenery with their equipment.

“Are you afraid of anything?” Renjun trekked through the foliage skillfully, the bright flashlight guiding him, although there was a subtle shake to his grip.

“Yeah, dying alone. Thank God I have you.” It was meant as a joke, but the weight of your words rang heavy and poignant in contrast to the eerie silence of the night.

Renjun deliberated for a moment, before following it up with a quip of his own, “I'll feed you to the demons before you even get to me.”

“That’s to say there’s even demons.”

“Our viewers think you’re a demon.” His eyes were playful, reeling you in and effectively turning you into mush.

“I can’t confirm nor deny that.” You squashed the butterflies easily, falling into step behind him.

“Do you think we’ll catch some real footage of something?”

“What if we see Bigfoot?”

“Wrong episode,” Renjun smiled, “Do these woods spook you out? What's that noise?”

“Do you know what a cricket is? Speaking of Bigfoot,” You poked his side and he flew up, sending you a glare, “Remember last time? Dude, you were practically crying.”

“I thought we were gonna die,” He defended, “How was I supposed to know Johnny was in a Bigfoot costume ready to scare the shit out of us.”

“That was the whole point,” You said as you finally reached the small lake where the Ghost of Jieun was rumored to be seen. “Are you down for a late night swim?”

Renjun focused his thermal camera on his surroundings, frowning as he caught sight of nothing out of the ordinary. “Should we try the spirit box? Maybe we can speak to her.”

“Chick was murdered by a man, she probably has some deep issues,” You said, plopping down on the wet grass that covered the lip of the lake. “She probably won’t want to speak to you. Or maybe she’s hiding in the cabins back there.”

Jeno and Jaemin propped up all the filming equipment and readied the camera to start filming. They signaled Renjun to get started and he immediately launched into ‘YouTuber Renjun’.

“We’re here at the Evermore Woods of Neo City. As you can see, we have Green Water Lake right behind me and some of the cabins that remained from the old campground. People say the Ghost of Jieun likes to linger around this general area, near the dock.”

“Wasn’t she killed by her lover?” You bounced a small pebble into the water and watched it ripple.

“Yeah, he dated her. He actually said she was too beautiful to be murdered and she agreed and used that as her tactic to live for one more minute.”

“I--what?”

“Yeah she was basically like ‘Please don't kill me, I’m too sexy for this disrespect.”

“Do you think he was like hahaha don't die your so sexy...oops sorry my knife fell into you.”

“We really shouldn't be joking about this here,” Renjun bit his lip, glancing around nervously.

“That sounds like a freaking skit from American Horror Story 1984! How am I supposed to take it seriously?”

“Because we're probably standing within the general vicinity of the crime.”

“Oh, shit.” You turned towards the cabins. “Should we go inside?”

“You want to go first or should I?” He asked, brushing off bits of grass of his pants and helping you up off the ground.

“The non-believer always goes first,” You smiled, pinching his cheek, “You, my dear, are last because you’ll most likely freak out and that will be great footage.”

“Please don’t summon anymore demons from the pits of hell.” Renjun begged, although you caught subtle lilt of amusement in his voice.

“Can’t make any promises,” You took the spirit box and thermal camera from him. “It’s not like anything exciting ever happens anyway.”

“Be careful.”

The words were simple but the way he said them, dripping with concern. You almost turned around to see his face, but you knew that if you didn’t stop walking towards the cabin, you’d kiss him then and there. Your feelings were growing and him being the sweet, caring person he was, wasn’t helping your case.

“Honestly, Renjun, is probably pissing his pants right now.” You told the camera Jeno was pointed at you, he agreed silently with a grin. “He’s always terrified, but is like an eager puppy wanting to catch anything.”

“Y/N probably raised hell in there, but what's new.” Renjun called out, opening the door to one of the cabins.

“I did no such thing...just told the ghost to screw itself for not singing Fergalicious to see if it's real or not.”

“Fergalicious wasn't even a thing back then.”

“Fergie withstands the fabric of time, it's all an illusion, Renjun.” You walked up to him and he made room for Jeno and you to enter. “Maybe something will come out if there’s more of us. It could want variety in its selection.”

The door closed behind you and all you could hear was the heavy breathing of everyone in the room. There was a freakish vibe to them, more so than when you were alone. Jeno swept the camera around the room, catching every cobweb and dust particle within view. Jaemin focused his camera on the Renjun and you waiting for some action.

“Okay, if there’s anyone--Jeiun or any other ghost can you say something to let us know you’re hear.” Renjun flipped the spirit box on and the room was flooded with static noise and the occasional gurgle of something possibly otherworldly.

“My name is Y/N and this my buddy Renjun,” You licked your lips, feeling the chill of the night creep up on you like a frosty hand. “For his sake, can you say something? Is it like in Ghost Whisper, that you have unfinished business and that’s why don’t cross over?”

“Ren…”

“Oh, fuck,” Renjun began to blubber.

“Y/N….” The voice was barely audible above the static, but still managed to erupt a trail of goosebumps down your arm. It clearly sounded like the voice of a girl. “Ren...jun…”

“Oh, hell no,” Renjun looked on the brink of a breakdown, he clambered towards the exit but Jeno blocked it. “Jeno, what the hell!”

“I...am...Jieun…”

A shrill noise pierced the ear and the static of the spirit box became muffled right after. Suddenly, Jeno began to move frenetically, casting the camera aside on a wooden table. His eyes were twitching and his arms waved in the air as if he were possessed.

“Jeno?” Jaemin’s voice was hoarse, he gently shook Jeno.

His eyes widened as Jeno glared down at him and then smacked him on the side, knocking him straight down. Jaemin whimpered from the brute force of his hit and recoiled as Jeno wailed violently and incoherently.

“J-Jeno?” Renjun grabbed your arm and shoved you behind his body, shielding you from any harm Jeno may cause. “Hey, man, if this is about you not getting to pick the location, we can work this out?”

Jaemin got up and quickly grabbed a hold of Jeno whose eyes were rolling back, his whole body contorting under the hold of Jaemin. Renjun pushed you back, slowly stumbling into the small closet in the corner of the room.

“I think he’s possessed!” Jaemin shouted, pinning Jeno down and waving you two off. “Take cover somewhere, I don’t think I can hold him down for much longer.”

Renjun hesitated, not believing his eyes. You pulled him back and ducked into the small closet, the only thing you could hear was the violent rustle of the wind outside and Jeno’s screeching.

“I shit you not if this is one of your pranks Y/N--”

“It’s n-not,” You stuttered, your whole body quivering like a feather in the breeze. “I swear to God Renjun, I don’t know what’s going on.”

Jaemin’s screaming ceased, there was silence, then a loud, thumping. Jeno’s fists hit the door in frantic, solid beats shaking the door with each hit.

“He loved me,” Jeno’s voice sounded distanted, higher pitched, “He said he loved me. He said I was beautiful, yet he killed me.”

“Jieun?” Renjun almost sounded sympathetic and you wanted to cry at how sweet he can be, but this wasn’t the time. “Is that you in Jeno? Look, I’m sorry for--”

“You’re not sorry!” Jeno’s thundering voice was full of anguish, “You mock me with your love!”

“What?” You cleared your throat, finding it hard to sound anything remotely human when all you wanted was to sob.

“Your love for each other,” Jeno as Jieun said, “I thought I had that with him. I was wrong. All I want to see is the love I never got.”

“Is she on crack?” You blurted unthinkingly causing Renjun to silence you with a frantic glare. “I mean, oh yeah, we have a very deep friendly affection.”

“Love,” possessed Jeno corrected, “Tell each other you love each other. You never know what life might throw at you. Enjoy love while you can.”

“Is that a threat Ghost Lady?” You didn’t know what to think of possessed Jeno’s words.

“I’ll let you out only if you speak your heart’s desire.”

“Heart’s desire?” Renjun laughed perturbed by the ghost’s insinuation. “This is crazy.”

“Confess your heart’s desire or face the consequences!” Jeno began banging on the door again and it looked like if he slammed his fist one more time, it would crumble under his sheer strength.

“Renjun do something!”

“Okay, okay, stop Jieun,” Shaking like a leaf, he turned to you ignoring the persistent badgering and grumbling from possessed Jeno. “Y/N, if we don’t make it out of this alive I’m sorry I dragged you into this place.”

The lack of heartfelt confessions only angered Jeno even more.

“Hey, Samara chill for a second, okay?” You looked at Renjun, taking his hand and squeezing it. “You don’t force me to go anywhere with you, truth is, I’d follow you to any stupid place you want to go. It doesn’t matter if I think it’s haunted or not, for work or not, I’d still follow you anywhere.”

“What?” His breath knotted in his threat and as your breath fanned across his cheeks, he could have sworn he’d be the next ghost to inhabit that cabin. You were too close and his poor heart can only take so much in one night.

“I don’t know if its the fact we’re about to die,” You wanted to be swallowed by some random hole in the ground or have creepy ghost Jeno drag you away. “Or the fact I can’t see you since it’s dark as shit in here. Or even the fact that I’m starting to think this is a nightmare and I’ll wake up in my desk with you hovering over me with fresh coffee and that cheesy smile of yours that I lo--”

“Y/N.” The way he spoke your name so softly and lovingly, made your temperature rise the cold of the dinky closet no longer affected you.

“Oh, right, sorry,” You rushed through your words, wanting this all to be over, “Truth is I like you, Renjun. I’ve liked you for a long time and that’s why I didn’t need a lot of convincing to join your team.”

“Is that true?” Samara-Jeno asked.

“Truer words have never been spoken.”

“I like you too, Y/N,” Renjun’s voice cracked and your heart swelled. “I’m not...I have no words to describe it. But I like you so much and I never had the courage to say it.”

You smiled, shrouded in the darkness he couldn’t see the pure happiness on your face.

“I’ll leave this body now,” Samara-Jeno said, breaking the heart-eyes-through-the-dark spell you two were in. “You can rest easy, I’m gone…Hey, you guys what the hell happened?”

“Holy shit it worked!” The sheer exuberance of him confessing and you not being in danger had you squealing. “I didn’t think that would work!”

Renjun, however took this differently, “Yeah, you’re such a good actor. That confession...wow.”

“What?” You didn’t even have time to process the crushing sensation his words brought. “Oh, yeah, good one right?” You knew it was too good to be true.

“For God’s sake--”Jeno threw the door open and you clambered over to grip Renjun close to you.

Jaemin sighed exasperated as he readjusted the camera in his hands. You crawled out of the closet, disoriented and bewildered by everything going on. Haechan was handing Chenle money (“Told you they were dumb to see their love”) and bitterly glaring at you two. Yuta and Yeri looked like they wanted to bang their heads.

“What the hell is this?” You shrieked as Renjun gaped at his coworkers.

“This was a set up!” Jeno explained, outraged by the sheer dumbassery you two possessed. “You guys literally confessed to each other like we wanted! Then straight up made it sound like it was all acting...what the heck!”

“You guys are really something else,” Yuta shook his head. “Love is blind and makes you oblivious, but you two are just dumbassess.”

“Wait, so you like me?” Renjun’s eyes widened at your accusation.

“You like me too?”

“Yeah, I actually wasn’t lying,” You felt sheepish at all the pairs of eyes glued on you. “I do like you, Renjun...enough to go ghost hunting even though I don’t believe in that.”

“I like you too,” He cupped your cheek in his hands, ignoring the camera Jaemin pointed right at you. “You’re my partner in crime and I kinda wanna have you around to hunt more ghosts.”

“That’s an offer I can’t resist,” You grinned, kissing him gently on the cheek. “However, you’re gonna have to buy me dinner after, all this ghost hunting makes me hungry.”

“Deal.” The same fondness in his eyes you thought you imagined before, returned and your eyes reflected that fondness. “Now, what the hell were you guys thinking this was a great location and we could have had awesome footage!”

You spent the rest of the night scouring the woods for ghosts, although you didn’t find any. Renjun and you, trailed behind everyone, hand and hand and beaming brighter than the moon above.

“What do you think our viewers are gonna make our ship name be?”

“I hope it’s not something silly,” You gripped his fingers tightly, yanking him closer to you. “There’s something I’ve really been wanting to do, but doing it in front of everyone and in haunted cabin, just didn’t seem right.”

“Yeah, what’s that?” His fingers caressed your cheek, letting them trail down as he placed his hand on your arm. He marveled at the way you shivered under his touch. He was getting too cocky and needed to be stepped down a notch.

You pecked his lips quickly, the only witness to your kiss was the moon and stars. He soften under your touch, holding you tighter. You pulled away all too quick for his taste and laughed as you made your way towards the cars and the group.

“That’s what you get for being a tease!”

He smiled and followed you spraying holy water from his spray can at your retreating figure.

“You really are a demon!” He joked as he caught up to you and took your hand in his again.

“Another one to add to the list of completed missions,” You grinned shuffling into the van. “Up for another adventure?”

“With you, yes,” He would never stop making your heart flutter.

“I swear to God if you two are going to be this cheesy, I am going to regret setting this up in the first place.”

Yuta was only kidding, considering he was the biggest shipper. The next day at the office the video of you two confessing to each other was seen by everyone. For once, you were glad to have been terrorized by an alleged ghost. You watched as Renjun walked over to you, glowing, and a folder in his hand. Yeah, you’d definitely followed this dork through any “haunted” place or anywhere for that matter.

Paranormal Neotivity masterlist

#neotober #cznnet #neowritingsnet #huang renjun #renjun x reader #renjun #nct renjun #nct dream fanfic #nct dream

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thetravelerwrites · 6 years ago

Text

Wrykas (Minotaur) Lemon

Rating: Explicit Relationships: Female Human/Male Minotaur Additional Tags: Exophilia, Minotaur, Sex, Oral Sex, Princess, Mercenaries, Light Dom/Sub Relationship, Chubby Reader, Reader-Insert Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Abusive Parents, Neglectful Parents, Words: 6349

A submission for @hufflesmonsters! A princess is kidnapped fairly regularly by an opposing kingdom's monarchy to spite her parents, but she comes to regard the time away from her neglectful parents as vacations. One day, a single mercenary comes to retrieve her, but a sudden snowstorm forces them to spend time alone together. Please leave feedback!

The Traveler's Masterlist

Being a princess came with perks and pitfalls. On the plus side, you got whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it. On the down side, your country had been in a petty feud with the neighboring kingdom since before you were born, and they seemed to think you were an excellent bargaining chip to get their demands met.

The abductions started when you were young; men hired by the crown took you from your room and held you in a secure location until your parents paid the ransom. Back then they were pretty terrifying, with blindfolds and ropes. Your captors were kind, however, and treated you well.

As you aged, though, your capture turned into something of a spontaneous vacation a couple of times a year. Your abductors would come in the dead of night, wake you and let you pack a bag, lead you to a waiting carriage, complete with wine and snacks, and you’d all tease each other as they carted you off to a chalet on the border of your two kingdoms. Both you and they thought this feud was stupid and that the abductions were a joke, but they had a job to do and you understood: got to pay the bills somehow.

The hostage situation usually ended one of two ways: either your parents paid the ransom, or they sent bonehead mercenaries who weren’t aware that this was mostly a picnic for you and came in all valiant and foolhardy, and your captors had to knock them all out, dump them back over the border, and pretend you escaped in the chaos to avoid bloodshed. You’d all struck a deal early on: no blood, no tears, no widows, no orphans. A couple of bumps on the head and some bruised egos, sure, but no one died. That was the rule. If your captors ever broke that rule, you’d become a lot less cooperative.

One night, very late into autumn, you woke to hear someone tip-toe into your room. Ah, yes. It was about time.

“Ethan?” You called.

“Yes, My Lady. It’s time,” You heard his voice call. Ethan was an older gentleman and was your first captor, gentle and accommodating, and he always oversaw your care during the abductions. He was the closest thing you had to a best friend. It was a shame you only saw him a few times a year.

“Finally,” You said, leaping out of bed and throwing on a dressing gown. “I’ve had a bag packed for weeks. You’re terribly late this season. I’ve been dying to get out of here.”

He chuckled. “My apologies, Lady, the opposing crown has been unusually reasonable this year. But it always comes back around, doesn’t it?”

“Thank the gods,” You replied, grabbing a few things from your vanity table. “I don’t know what I’d do without these trips abroad. Another day of my mother fussing about my ‘healthy appetite’ and I’ll go batty. I hate this place. Any time I can get away is a blessing.”

Ethan nodded knowingly. You’d complained to him many a time about your parents haughty nature and constant criticism of everything about you, from your weight to how you dress to your relaxed and casual attitude toward the servants.

Your parents were the worst sort of nobility, the kind people fawned over when in their presence but mocked scathingly behind their back. They were proud and arrogant and hard to please, and you were a prime example of everything they disliked. You took it as a compliment, but you did have to admit that their relentless judgment was wearing, and any break from the ferocious nagging was a welcome relief.

“Ready, Lady?” Ethan asked.

“Yes,” You said, taking his proffered hand. “And what did I tell you? You can call me by my name.”

“Nope,” He said, grinning. “You may not care about the propriety of your station, but I’d rather not have my tongue cut out, if you please.”

You sighed. “Fine, fine. Let’s just get out of here.”

There was a tunnel under the castle that a previous monarch had used to escape during a coup, and it was little known by anyone besides you. This tunnel had been discovered during your first abduction when your kidnappers hid from guards, and now it was your favorite means of escaping the castle. It led out to the woods a safe distance from the walls, where guards patrolled, and made it easy to get away.

It had taken you much effort to keep the entrance and exit hidden over the years, since your parents kept trying to discover how the kidnappers kept getting in and out so easily, but you had managed to keep it secret.

When you both were safely inside and the entrance was sealed, Ethan lit a torch and the two of you made your way out into the woods. Once there, he led you to the waiting carriage and ushered you inside. He jumped up into the driver’s box with Ira, another regular who you were friendly with, and snapped the reins, jolting the carriage forward and toward your secret hideaway.

It was nearly mid-day by the time you arrived there, and you had fallen asleep on the way. Ethan gently shook you awake and took your bag, offering you a hand as you stepped down. Ah… if only he weren’t married.

“How long do you think I’ve got?” You asked him as he opened the door to the perfectly kept chalet.

“Oh, likely a week. I mean, they know where the chalet is, but at this point, finding mercenaries that we haven’t beaten up will be difficult.”

“Wonderful,” I said, clapping my hands and opening my luggage. “I can’t wait to get settled and relax for a while.”

“We’ve got guards patrolling the perimeter. If there’s any trouble, we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you, Ethan,” You said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You and your men are my best boys. If I ever become queen, you lads are definitely hired as my Queen’s Guard.”

He grinned and bowed, leaving you to get comfortable.

That evening, most of the boys who weren’t out guarding the perimeter sat with you for a full dinner and a card game. You took Tebin for every coin he was worth, and Jos won it all back with a smug grin on his wide face. Ruik got drunk and tried wearing your dressing gown, but being a goblin, it trailed several feet behind him as he moved and he tripped over it constantly, making the chalet shake with laughter. The boys may have been hardened mercenaries, but they always had the best booze and sure knew how to show a lady a good time.

Around midnight, when things were winding down, there was some commotion outside in the distance. All the men got grim looks on their faces, except for Ruik, who was passed out on a footstool, and pulled out their weapons. You pulled your own short sword from under the mattress and leveled it at the door. The sword had been a gift on your thirteenth birthday from the lads, and each one had taken it upon themselves to show you a trick or two with it.

“Ethan!” Gern called. He was the only orc on the team. “You better get out here! We’ve got a spot of trouble!”

“What’s going on?” Ethan called through the door.

“Big fella took out the perimeter guard. They ain’t dead, but their gonna be limpin’ tomorrow. Big bastard says he won’t hurt nobody else if you come out and have a chat with him. Says he knows you.”

“Ask him his name!” Ethan responded.

There was a few seconds of muffled conversation, and Gern called back, “Wrykas!”

Ethan’s eyes widened and he sheathed his sword. “Wrykas?” He said in an undertone. “Holy shit, I thought he was dead.” He turned to you. “Stay here, lass, I’ll sort this out.” He looked at the other lads. “Keep her safe.”

The others nodded sternly and tightened the grip on their various weapons. The lot of you waited tersely as Ethan talked to the newcomer, unable to hear what they were saying. After a moment, Ethan came back in and instructed everyone to lower their weapons. The boys did so reluctantly. You lowered your own sword, but kept it in hand.

Ethan came back into the cottage, followed by an absolutely massive minotaur that had to duck in order to get his horns in the door. You were taken aback by his size and coloration. You’d seen minotaurs before, but this one was striking. He had white fur from the tip of his nose to the top of his head, and also down his chest, but his ears and eyes were brown, and his neck, back, and shoulders were covered in black fur. There were white and brown speckles, like freckles, on his shoulders.

Oh no… he’s cute.

Ethan slapped Wrykas on the shoulder. “This is an old army buddy of mine, Wrykas.” Ethan then introduced all of the gang.

“And I assume this little lady is the princess I’ve been hired to retrieve?” The minotaur asked.

“No! Already?” You whined, tutting. “Damn it. I was hoping for at least a few days of peace and quiet.”

Wrykas snorted, seemingly confused. “You don’t… want to go back?”

“Hell no! I hate it there. These ‘abductions’ are the only time I get to be myself and not have to worry about my parents bullshit. You’re ruining my vacation, you dick!”

Wrykas’s head rocked back in surprise. Whatever he expected you to say to him, that wasn’t it.

You groaned and began packing your things. “Did you bring the ransom?”

“I… no, their Majesties hired me to retrieve you. My skill is apparently something to be commended because they sought me out specifically.”

“Well, considering you took out four of Ethan’s men, there must be some truth to it.” You took out a sack of gold from your bag that was enough to both cover the ransom and buy the boys a few shiny new toys as well, and tossed it to Ethan. He snatched it from the air with a wink.

“You have the ransom?” Wrykas asked.

“Of course,” You scoffed. “These guys have mouths to feed. I’m not going to let their babies go hungry because my parents and the neighboring monarchy are having a twenty-five-year temper tantrum.”

“You’re… not what I expected from speaking with the crown,” Wrykas said.

“That’s not surprising,” You replied dryly as you help Ethan and the men get their gear together. “My parents don’t know anything about me. They haven’t bothered to know me since I was a small child.”

“Well,” Wrykas said, turning to Ethan and putting his hand on his old friend shoulders. “It’s the middle of the night. There’s no reason for your gang to move out now. You can get a fresh start in the morning.” He turned back to you. “We can, too.”

You sighed. “Well, I guess one full day of freedom is better than nothing.” You fluffed out your bed, preparing to get in it. “Ethan will show you where the men sleep. Be civil while you’re in there.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him, lass, no worries,” Ethan said, and you nodded. Ethan led the lads out behind Wrykas, though they were all still glaring at him tersely.

The rest of the night followed without incident, beyond Ruik climbing onto the foot of your bed, still wearing the dressing gown, and falling asleep at your feet like a puppy

The next morning, just after breakfast, the boys got their gear packed and ready to go. You’d miss them, like always, but they had other jobs to do and families to look after. They couldn’t be your boys all the time. They were other people’s boys, too.

As they were getting ready to head out, you leaned in close to Ethan and whisper, “Is this guy alright?” You jerked your head back at Wrykas. “Tell me the truth.”

“He’s a decent sort,” Ethan whispered back. “At least, he was in the army.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Fifteen years? Something like that. Before I left to become a sell sword.”

You fixed him with a wry expression. “Fifteen years is plenty of time for a person to change.”

Ethan wasn’t paying attention. He was looking down at you with a fond expression. “You were the first job I took, you know?”

You cocked your head and smiled. “Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah,” He said. “I didn’t know you were a child, though. They just told me to take the neighboring kingdom’s princess and hold her in a secure location. When I realized you were a child, I almost quit.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He shrugged a little and looked sheepish. “I’m ashamed to say I needed the money. I’d just had my first girl and we needed food.”

“And look at us now,” You said, smiling. “Best friends twice a year.”

He laughed. “Yeah. Life is weird.”

“So see you next spring, then?” You asked.

“If they don’t send us, we’ll come on our own, just so’s I can win back that sack of gold you took off me last night.”

You grinned. “Good luck with that. Kiss your girls for me,” You told him.

He pulled you into a bear hug. “I will,” he replied with a smile. “You look after yourself back at that prison. Don’t let your wardens get you down.”

You smiled back and nodded, pulling your cloak tighter around you against the late autumn chill. You then moved on to the others to give them hugs and kisses on the cheek. Wrykas sat on the woodcutting stump, watching all this happen.

The gang was off then, waving back at you as they left, and you watched them disappear around the bend and out of sight. Sighing sadly, you turned to your new companion, eyeing him with some skepticism.

“Hands to yourself,” You said. He put up his hands and raised his eyebrows in acquiescence. You then went back into the chalet to pack.

He stood with a shoulder braced on the doorframe, watching you, and folded his arms. “You say you expected to be here for several days?”

“Yep,” You said with a sigh. “I usually have a few days, either with the boys or by myself.” You stopped for a moment and reminisced. “There was one year where I had three whole weeks. Gods. Those were the best weeks of my life.”

“Why do you call them boys?” He asked curiously. “The youngest of them has to be at least five years your senior.”

“Because…” You shrugged. “They’re… my boys. My friends. What else would I call them?”

“They do kidnap you.”

“It’s not kidnapping if I want to go. It’s more like a rescue.”

He was silent for a moment, then walked over and took the dress you were packing from your hands.

“Do you really hate it there so much?” He asked.

“Yes,” You replied venomously.

“Why? You’re a princess. You live in a castle. You have servants waiting on you hand and foot. What’s so bad about that?”

You sighed again and turned to sit on the bed. “What was your life like, growing up?”

He seemed surprised by the questions and sat down next to you, his eyes distant.

“I grew up on a farm. It was backbreaking work and we barely raised enough to keep ourselves fed, let alone sell anything. Five minotaur boys is a lot of mouths to feed.”

“You have four brothers?” You asked him.

“Yeah,” He said. “They’re all still on the farm with my parents, but I couldn’t stand farm work. I wanted more. More money, more freedom, more acclaim, just… more, you know? More than the life of a farmer.”

“But you’re family? What were they like? Did they love you?”

His brow furrowed. “Of course they loved me, they were my family.”

“You’ve never wondered? You’ve never had reason to think they didn’t love you?” You pressed.

“No, never.” He squinted at you. “Is that how it is for you?”

You took a deep breath and released it slowly. “My parents’ marriage was arranged. More to the point, they really disliked each other and didn’t want to marry, but the political climate was tense and their marriage was the only thing preventing a war. Their dislike of each other turned to absolute hatred pretty quickly. The only reason I even exist is because they were expected to create an heir, and I couldn’t even manage to be born a boy.” You stared out the window at the fast moving clouds. “A disappointment from the beginning.”

“Gods,” He said softly, and you looked over and saw he was staring at you with a gentle expression, which did a weird thing to your stomach. “I can’t imagine a parent hating their own child.”

“Oh, my father is indifferent to the point of failing to acknowledge my existence most of the time. I don’t think he cares enough to actually hate me. That’s all my mother. When I was young, she used to have cute ‘pet names’ for me and offer ‘helpful suggestions’ that I know now were outright insults.”

“What sort of things would she say?” He asked.

“That I was her fat little piggy, that I’d eat my weight if she didn’t watch me, that if I stood straighter, I would look less like a gargoyle stalking it’s prey, that if I wore my hair up, people wouldn’t notice how mousy and stringy it was, that if I wore rouge and lip color, I’d look less like a rotting corpse. Things like that.”

“What a vile woman,” He said, scowling. “She seemed unpleasant when I met with her, but I didn’t realize how truly awful she was.”

“She’s not exactly secretive about it. The castle staff hates her. I’d know; I spend more time with them that I do with my parents, which is another point of contention.” You stretched and stood. “But, I guess there’s nothing for it. They’re waiting. I might as well get this over with.” You reached for the dress he was holding, but he didn’t let go.

“Actually, that’s what I was coming to talk to you about,” He said, pointing out the open door. He stood and beckoned you to follow him, and you did so. The fast moving clouds you’d seen out the window were growing dark.

“A storm?” You asked him.

“Not just a storm,” He replied, narrowing his eyes and flaring his nostrils. “Do you smell it?”

“Smell?”

“The change in the air. There’s a cold front coming. I’d bet anything the temperature is going to keep dropping. We’ll likely be up to our knees in snow by midnight.”

“Oh,” You said. “So… what do we do?”

“Wait it out,” He replied, looking down at you with a sly smile. “Looks like your vacation just got extended.”

You actually gave him a real smile then, trying hard not to bounce on your heels in excitement.

“Your firewood is low. I should cut some more before the snow starts,” He said.

“Alright,” You told him. “How much is in the men’s quarters?”

“Not sure,” He admitted. “Would you mind checking?”

“Alright,” You said, turning.

The chalet was split into two rooms that were not connected; in order to get from room to room, you had to go outside from one door and go inside through another. You’d never actually been in the men’s quarters before. There had never really been a reason to before now. When you went in, you were actually a little shocked at the sight of it.

It was as large as your own room, but that’s where the comparisons ended. Where your room was bright and decorated and had food and comforts aplenty, this room was completely bare. The floor was cold stone, there was a dark hearth at the end of the room and a stack of furs and threadbare blankets neatly folded in the corner. There were some shelves with jars of preserves, and a container of salted meat. That was it.

Gods, you had no idea they were sleeping in these conditions. Why hadn’t they said anything? You’d have sprung for beds and good blankets. You made up your mind with a frown to return here in a few weeks and leave some surprises for their next stay.

Next to the hearth, you saw a small pile of firewood, enough only for a few hours. Clutching your cloak, you ducked back outside. And stopped short.

Wrykas had removed his sleeveless tunic and was chopping wood shirtless. You could see the muscles in his back move against his skin as he raised the axe and brought it down to split the logs.

No.. no, no… Not good…

“There’s not much in there,” You called to him, smacking yourself mentally to pull yourself out of his obliques.

“I’ll cut up some extra, then,” He said, casually, bending to pick up another log and put it up on the stump, his arm flexing as it moved.

It was time to go do something that… was not slobbering over your would-be rescuer, so you decide to start on lunch.

Wrykas had been right. No sooner had he finished the wood that snow began to fall, softly at first, but getting heavier by the minute. He made quick work of stacking the wood next to your hearth and was surprised when you handed him a steaming bowl of soup.

“Thanks,” He said. “I wouldn’t have guessed you knew how to cook.”

“Cause I’m a princess?” You asked wryly. “I told you, I spend more time with the servants and kitchen staff than I do at galas or grand balls. If I had a proper kitchen, I could cook literally anything.”

“Full of surprises,” He said, winking at you. He was still shirtless. You keep your eyes on your soup and tried to keep from staring.

Night fell, and with it the came the storm Wrykas had warned you about.

“I should go start the fire in the men’s quarters,” Wrykas said.

“Actually,” You said, reaching out to stop him. “Why don’t you sleep in here tonight? Even with the fire, it’s bound to be terribly cold in there, and even with your tolerance, you’ll be freezing.”

He laughed. “I appreciate your concern, Lady, but I’ve slept in worse conditions.”

“Please,” you said, keeping your grip on his arm. “I insist.”

“You’re sure?” He asked, and you nodded. He looked startled, but replied, “Alright. If you wish.”

“Would you mind turning so I can change for the evening?” You asked him.

“Not at all,” He said, turning to face the wall.

You took off your restricting skirted bodice with a relieved sigh. You mother insisted you wear them to “maintain a semblance of a figure despite your unfortunate size,” so they were the only outerwear you had. You’d go around in your shift all day if it didn’t make the boys blush. They were more of a family to you than your own family, so you didn’t want to make them uncomfortable unnecessarily.

Wrykas, however…

You decided not to put on a nightdress or a dressing gown, and stayed in the sheer shift you wore under your outer clothes. You also took your hair out of it’s brain and let it hang freely around your shoulders. You felt a little self-conscious about your body and weight, but you didn’t care. You wanted to be comfortable.

“I’m finished,” You said. He turned and opened his mouth to say something, but when he saw you, no sound came out of his mouth. He just stood there, staring, and not saying anything.

You suppressed an urge to cover yourself. “Everything alright?” You asked him.

He jumped as if someone had smacked his mouth, and closed it. “Yes, sorry. I was… um… caught off guard.”

You snorted. “By what?”

He cleared his throat. “You… uh… you look nice.”

You blinked a few times. “I just took my hair down and I’m wearing less clothing. I didn’t do anything to look nice.”

“You still look nice,” He said, scratching his neck and looking at the ground.

“Well… would you like to play a card game?” You asked him.

“Actually, I’m a bit tired. I spent most of yesterday traveling here and I didn’t sleep well. I was thinking of turning in early, if that’s okay with you.”

“Oh, sure, yes, of course,” You replied, going to your bed and pulling back the coverlet. When you turned back, you saw him laying out a fur on the ground.

“What are you doing?” You asked him.

He looked at you, then the fur, and then back at you in confusion. “Laying out my bed?”

“Don’t be silly,” I said, patting the bed. “The bed is big enough for four people. There’s no reason for you to sleep on the floor. Come on.”

He visibly gulped. “Are you--”

“Get up here!” I said.

He smirked at me. “So demanding, princess. I wonder if anyone’s ever told you ‘no’ before.”

“Are you going to be the first?” You asked him, a hand on your hip.

He snorted and picked up the fur, laying it over the back of a chair. He put a few more logs in the hearth and extinguished the lanterns before coming to the bed. You scooched over to accommodate him. Gods, he was warm.

At first, you maintained a respectable distance apart, but as the night got colder, you found yourself moving closer and closer to Wrykas. If he felt you moving, he gave no sign.

The smell of him, his warmth, the memory of his muscles as he swung the axe, flooded your senses, and you could feel the rising tension in your body.

“Are you awake?” You asked softly.

“It is rather hard to sleep with a beautiful woman lying so close to me,” He said quietly.

You snorted and rolled your eyes. “You don’t have to make jokes.”

He turned over and braced himself on his elbow, looking down at you with a frown. Did he have to be shirtless all the time? “What are you talking about?”

You didn’t answer. You tried to roll over, but he stopped you.

“Do you think I was joking when I said you were beautiful?” He asked.

“Weren’t you?”

“No,” He said seriously. You couldn’t help but notice that his hand was creeping up your arm.

“I’m plain and unappealing,” You told him.

“Bullshit,” He said. “You have the loveliest eyes of anyone I’ve ever seen. You hair looks like silk in the firelight. Your skin is so soft, it’s like you bath in lotion. I’ve never felt skin so soft.”

“I… I’m fat,” You said, your voice wavering.

“So what? There’s nothing wrong with your size. What about that makes you less attractive?”

“Ask my mother, she’ll tell you all about it,” You said sourly.

“Your mother is a angry shrew who hates everything; what does her opinion matter? I think you’re gorgeous.”

You looked up at his sweet brown eyes, looking down at you with no deception or guile, and your heart thumped harder.

“You mean it?” You asked him in a hushed whisper. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Yes,” He said simply.

You didn’t even think about it. You lifted your head and kissed him. He kissed you back enthusiastically. He wasted no time in touching you; your stomach, your hips, your breasts. He slowly drew the underdress up and over your head, leaving you nude in the bed. He pulled the covers down so that he could look at your body.

He got up and pulled off his trousers, his member already fully erect. It was black and speckled, like his shoulders. If it weren’t for the size of it, you’d have called it cute.

He got back into the bed and knelt between your knees, his cock bobbing and pulsing as he soaked in the sight of you. You were doing the same to him, greatly admiring his hard, well-defined, multi-colored body.

He put his hands under your knees and pulled them up and apart, staring hungrily at what lay between. He lay kisses up your thighs, alternating with each one, until he reached that place that ached with want.

His tongue came out and pressed itself to your slit, and it was still. It didn’t move. You moaned in both pleasure and anticipation, but he pulled away.

“Hey!”

He crawled up your body and smirked at you. “No one has ever told you what to do, have they?”

“Besides my mother? No. But I don’t listen to her.”

“Would you listen to me?” He asked.

“What do you have in mind?” You replied curiously.

His smirk widened and he lay on his back with his hands behind his head. “Why don’t you take care of me the first?”

You got up and took his length in you hand. His body jerked at the first touch and he grunted, but he relaxed as you pumped him slowly. You bent your head and licked the flat head, and he grunted again.

He was as apparently as impatient as you were. He put his hand in your hair and gently pushed your head down, and you sucked him into your mouth. He was too big to take him all in, so you used both hands to massage the rest. He kept his hand on your head and applied gentle pressure on it as you sucked. He groaned and grunted, making you wetter.

He pulled your hair up a little to signal you to stop. He then pounced on you, flipping you on your stomach and laying you flat against the bed. He kissed down your back and ran his hands over your bottom, spreading your legs as wide open as he could with you in this position. He stuck one of his large fingers inside you, and you gasped.

“Mmm,” He purred. “You’re just right.”

“I can’t wait, please,” You begged. “Please, Wrykas.”

“A princess begging?” He said, and you heard a smile in his voice. “I think I like that. Do it again.”

“Please, Wrykas, please, please,” You said, over and over. You felt him nudge your entrance, and your begging increase in pitch and frequency. He pushed himself inside slowly, and you cried out, gripping the sheets.

“Say thank you,” He purred into your ear as he began to move inside you.

“Thank you, Wrykas,” You breathed.

“Louder,” He said.

“Thank you, Wrykas!”

He began to move faster, putting his hands over yours and gripping them as he did. He lay his head next to yours so you could hear his heavy breathing and moans. Gods, it was hot.

You cried out loudly, and the put one of his hands over your mouth, muffling you. You were right next to his large ears, and your shrill cried of pleasure were likely painful.

He sped up, and your screams of pleasure increased. You could feel yourself riding up to that peak, feeling your body tense as the wall of ecstasy, crying out against his hand.

His grunts got faster more intense, and you could feel from his pulsating inside you that he was close too. Your legs began to tremble as the wave crashed over you. He kept up the pace as your pleasure ebbed, then abruptly pulled out and released all over your bottom and back, snorting and grunting and bellowing.

He collapsed forward, braced on his hands so he didn’t fall in to the mess he’d made, and huffed to get his breath back. You felt the warmth drift across your back every time he exhaled, and it made your spine tingle.

“You alright?” You asked him breathlessly.

He laughed and kissed your shoulder. “I’m lovely.” You felt him raise up and slide off the bed. “Wait there, I’ll get you cleaned up.”

You opened on eye and watched him walk naked to the pot of washing water that you kept close to the fire so that it would stay warm and dunked a rag into it. He rung it out and brought it back, and you admired the view as he did with a side smile.

Once he’d cleaned you, and wiped himself off as well, he got back into the bed and pulled you against him. He kissed your face until you fell asleep.

You passed the next few days of the storm in bed, blissfully wrapped up in the best lovemaking of your life. He took control, and to your surprise, you loved it. You loved being told what to do during sex. You loved following his commands. It was thrilling.

Eventually, the storm began to die down, and your spirits started to dampen.

Wrykas noticed. “What’s the matter?”

“When the storm blows over, I have to go back,” You said sadly, laying your head back against his chest.

He put his arms around you and lay his cheek on the top of your head.

“Have you ever considered running away?” He asked you.

“Run away?” You asked in return, swiveling to look at him in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Leave. Go somewhere else. Another kingdom. My parent’s farm is in Farrowville, you could go there. They’d take care of you.”

You looked at him in shock. “You want me to live with you?”

“Not with me, I don’t live there,” He said. “I actually don’t have any sort of permanent residence, but I visit them often between jobs. They’re very loving people. They’d take good care of you.”

“You’re serious,” You said. “You’re really talking about running.”

“Why not?” He asked. “It’s clear your parents don’t value you. Hell, it shouldn’t be so easy to steal you away twice a year. They haven’t strengthened their guards or made arrangements for your protection. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear they were behind your abductions, maybe even made some kind of deal with the opposite kingdom disguised as a political dispute, just to get you out of their sight for a while.”

Your head rocked back at the thought. It had never occurred to you before, but now that he had said it out loud, it made perfect sense. Wow. They really did hate you, didn’t they?

“You’re sure your family won’t mind taking me in?” You asked, suddenly nervous about the prospect of a whole new life.

“Not at all. They really are wonderful people.” He sighed with a smile on his face. “I love my family, just not the way they live. I just wasn’t born to be a farmer.”

You smiled at his smile, as gentle as it was.

“The house is rather small, and they will expect you to earn your keep, but their not harsh or cruel. I’m sure they’ll love you.”

“I’m not worried about the work…” You said slowly, looking around the chalet. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes,” He said, taking your hand. “You’ll be with kind people who will care for you, and I’ll see you all the time.”

“Is that something you want?” You asked him playfully.

He smirked wryly and kissed you hard. “Are you going to be a good girl for me?”

You bit your lip. “Yes, I will.”

“That’s my princess. Say yes.”

You smiled and pressed your face into his shoulder. “Yes.”

Three months passed with Wrykas’s family, and it was the happiest you’d ever been. Wrykas’s parents were just as kind and loving as he told you they’d be, and his brothers were proper country gentlemen, always asking if you needed help or if there was anything they could do for you.

Wrykas visited at least once a week, usually bring back coin or furs or other spoils from his work. Sometime back, he had gone to inform Ethan and his gang what had happened, so every so often he came back with gifts and trinkets from your boys. You missed them, but you were finally happy.

Then, Wrykas showed up at the farm with Ethan and the gang in tow. you were immediately alarmed.

“What’s going on?” You asked, dropping the hoe you were using. “What’s happened?”

“Your parents have been deposed,” Wrykas said. “They’ve been sent into exile. Most of the people in your kingdom believe you dead, so there was an uprising. They felt that since the crown couldn’t protect you, how could they possibly protect the people.”

“That’s great news!” You exclaimed, but Ethan stopped you.

“There’s also bad news. With your parents gone, there’s a power vacuum that other members of your extended family are trying to fill. You’re the heir. If you went back, you could take the throne. Your right to it is beyond contest.”

“That’s true,” You said, rubbing your chin. “I could finally end these petty laws my parents put into place and get the country back on track.” You slapped Ethan on the arm. “You and your gang still want to be my Queen’s guard?”

Ethan blinked at you. “You were serious about that?”

“Hell yes, I was serious. You and the boys and your families will all move into the castle and replace all the up-tight, snooty ladies-in-waiting my mother appointed for me. You in?”

Ethan looked to the lads, who all grinned excitedly. “We’re in, lass. We’re with you all the way.”

You looked up at Wrykas, kissed him, and smirked. “Hey.”

“Yeah?” He asked quizzically.

“Remember when we first met and you said you wanted more from life?”

He smiled, still a little confused. “Yeah.”

“How does ‘prince’ sound to you?” You asked with a big smile.

His face split into a wide grin. “Sounds like something I was born to do.”

“Good,” You said, putting your arms around his neck. “Then let’s get to our coronation.”

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