#maybe i should just watch the untamed

[webawee]

Okay but why do people think Jiang Fengmian was in love with Cangse Sanren??

I headcanon him as gay

Completely

Totally

Gay.

The guy was totally in love with Wei Changze.

[ancientstone]

Do you ever think about how Jiang Cheng would forgive literally any mistake of Jin Ling's, but continues to tear himself apart over his own mistakes at the same age in harsher circumstances...

[space-heat3r]

So I just finished The Untamed, and out of all the mdzs adaptations, for some reason it made me cry the most. Something about real people I guess lol. I think I wanted to give like- everyone a hug at some point.

I really enjoyed it overall; it was so visually pleasing and the music was gorgeous (Wu Ji will never leave my head at this point). It was pretty faithful to the source material which I appreciated as well.

Even with the censorship, you can see the subtle things and the LOVE Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian hold in their gazes. I was this close to jumping from excitement 😂

"One true friend"? More like one true BOYfriend.

[sykoangels]

cockwarming with wade wilson 💋

cockwarming is such a comforting concept for mister Wade Wilson. you just sitting on his cock keeping it warm as he does miscellaneous tasks he teases your nipples and aching clit. “you know what’s nice about this hun I get to feel you squirm on my cock begging for movement while I sit back and relax and watch adventure time.” wade giggles before nipping at your neck before turning back to the tv enjoying his cartoons like some latch key kid. In your opinion, cockwarming felt like a punishment from the depths of hell, like yes let’s sit on your boyfriend's dick and don’t move but constantly feel it twitch inside your pussy like a goddamn Beyblade. You bit your lip, trying to suppress a moan as his words sent a shiver down your spine. The sensation of Wade's cock inside you was unbearable, a mix of pleasure and pain that made your body tense. You could feel it twitching, like a restless beast trapped within you, desperate for release. “Wade, please," you whispered, your voice barely audible over the adventure time theme song. "I can't take it anymore.” He chuckled again, a soft, amused sound that made you want to both scream and cry. "Shh, it’s the time sandwich episode I need the perfect sandwich recipe told to me by Jake the dog and BMO” he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing circles on your inner thigh moving scarily close to your clit. You closed your eyes, trying to focus on anything but the throbbing between your legs. But it was impossible. Every slight movement Wade made sent waves of electricity through your body, making your breath catch in your throat. Suddenly, Wade shifted beneath you, adjusting his position slightly. The change was minuscule, but it was enough to send his cock pressing against your cervix. A sharp spike of pain shot through you, followed by an overwhelming wave of pleasure that made your head spin.

"Fuck!" you gasped, your hands gripping his thighs tightly, nails digging into his skin. Wade's laughter filled the room, a deep, rich sound that echoed off the walls. "Feeling a little sensitive today, are we?" he teased, his voice thick with amusement. You didn't answer, couldn't answer. Your mind was consumed by the sensations coursing through your body, every nerve ending alight with a fiery intensity that threatened to consume you. "Maybe I should give you something else to think about," Wade mused, his voice dropping to a whisper as he nips at your neck before licking it. Before you could respond, his hands were on your breasts, cupping them gently before giving them a sharp squeeze. You cried out, a mix of pain and pleasure that made your body arch involuntarily. "Wade!" you gasped, your eyes wide with surprise. He just laughed again, the sound sending vibrations through your body. "What? Can't handle a little attention? I thought you could since you always beg for me to touch you like some two dollar hooker.” he taunted, his fingers pinching your nipples hard enough to make you wince. "Please, Wade," you begged, your voice cracking under the strain. "Don’t stop p-please.” But he only chuckled, leaning closer until his lip were brushing against your ear. “Oh baby weren’t stopping till you are dripping cum out of that pretty pussy.” he whispered, his breath hot against your skin. You whimpered, your body trembling with a mixture of fear and desire. You knew there was no escape, not from Wade, not from this relentless torment that seemed to go on forever. Just when you thought you couldn't take any more, Wade's hands moved lower, sliding down your stomach until they reached their destination. With a cruel smile, he began to stroke you, his fingers dancing across your clit with practiced ease. “I’m gonna c-" you screamed, trying to squirm away, but it was too late. The damage was done, the floodgates opened, and there was no stopping the torrent that washed over you. Your body convulsed, every muscle tightening as you came undone, a wild, untamed creature caught in the throes of passion. Wade watched with a satisfied smirk, his hands still moving, still driving you deeper into the orgasmic delight.

you collapsed against him, gasping for air, your body limp and spent. Wade just chuckled, leaning back and returning his attention to the TV.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he teased, his voice light and carefree.

You didn't answer, couldn't answer. All you could do was lie there, feeling the aftermath of the storm, wondering what would come next.

[callsigns-haze]

Tyler’s girlfriend/wife suggests he and the team chase one last storm before their baby comes. While they’re on the road a tornado hits Tyler’s hometown and for a few angst filled hours he’s unable to reach her. When he gets home she is safe with only minor injuries.

Before the Storm

Pairing: Tyler Owens x Reader

Chapter Summary: Tyler Owens faces a life-altering decision when a tornado strikes his hometown, forcing him to choose between his passion for storm chasing and his newfound responsibilities as a husband and soon-to-be father.

Chapter Warnings: Intense emotional distress, fear of loss, and scenes of natural disaster.

The day was hot and heavy with the promise of storms on the horizon. The kind of day that made the air crackle with electricity, where even the slightest breeze carried the scent of impending rain. Tyler Owens stood by the truck, his hand absentmindedly resting on the hood as he glanced over at his wife, Y/N, who was sitting on the porch of their small, cozy home. She was eight months pregnant now, her belly round and full with the life they had created together. And despite the heat, she looked serene, her hand resting gently on her stomach as she watched him with a calm, understanding smile.

“Tyler,” she called softly, her voice cutting through the thick, humid air. He turned to look at her, his heart swelling with love and something else—something heavier. She was his world, and soon, she would be bringing their child into it, a new chapter in their lives that filled him with both excitement and trepidation.

He walked over to her, crouching down so that he was at eye level, his hand moving instinctively to rest on her belly, feeling the slight kick of their baby against his palm. “Hey there, little one,” he murmured, smiling as he looked back up at Y/N.

“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she said, her tone gentle but knowing. She had seen that look before, many times. It was the look he got when he felt the pull of the storm, the thrill of the chase calling to him like a siren song. “There’s a big one coming, isn’t there?”

Tyler hesitated, his fingers absently tracing circles on her stomach. “Yeah,” he admitted after a moment. “Could be one of the last big ones of the season. But with the baby so close to coming… I don’t know if I should go.”

Y/N reached out, placing her hand over his. She could see the conflict in his eyes, the tug-of-war between his passion and his responsibilities. “Tyler, I know how much storm chasing means to you. It’s part of who you are. And I also know that once our baby is here, everything’s going to change.”

He swallowed hard, nodding slightly. He knew she was right. Once the baby arrived, his life would be different—storm chasing would take a backseat to late-night feedings, diaper changes, and lullabies. He wasn’t afraid of that, not really. He was ready to be a father, but the thought of leaving behind the adrenaline-fueled chases, the camaraderie of his team, and the wild, untamed beauty of the storms… it was hard to let go.

“Go,” Y/N said softly, squeezing his hand. “Go and chase this storm, Tyler. One last time before everything changes. You need this, and I want you to have it.”

He looked at her, his heart aching with love and gratitude. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone, especially not this close to… you know.”

She smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine, I promise. And when you get back, we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”

Tyler felt a mix of excitement and hesitation well up inside him. He nodded, giving her one last lingering kiss before standing up and turning to head back to the truck. As he did, he couldn’t help but glance back at her, feeling a twinge of something he couldn’t quite place. A sense of finality, perhaps, or maybe it was just the weight of the unknown, of knowing that this could be the last time he felt the rush of the chase for a while.

The team was ready to go, the truck loaded up and the GPS coordinates set. Tyler climbed into the driver’s seat, his mind already half in the storm, the other half still back home with Y/N. As they set off, the anticipation of the chase began to build, that familiar surge of adrenaline starting to pulse through his veins.

But then, as they were speeding down the highway, the radio crackled to life, cutting through the tense silence. “We’ve got a tornado touching down in Tyler’s hometown,” came the voice, sharp and urgent. “It’s moving fast—winds are off the charts.”

Tyler’s blood ran cold. The hometown. Their home. Where Y/N was waiting, alone. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles white as the fear sank in. He tried to call her immediately, his fingers fumbling with his phone, but the call wouldn’t go through. The signal was patchy, the storm’s interference blocking his attempts.

“Come on, come on,” he muttered, his heart pounding in his chest. Every unanswered ring felt like a punch to the gut, the anxiety gnawing at him with every mile they drove. The distance between him and Y/N felt insurmountable, the fear growing with each passing minute.

“Tyler, we’ll get there,” one of his team members said, trying to offer reassurance, but Tyler barely heard him. His mind was spinning with worst-case scenarios—images of their house torn apart, of Y/N trapped or injured, or worse. He couldn’t lose her. He couldn’t lose them.

Time stretched out painfully, each mile feeling like an eternity. The closer they got, the more desperate he became, trying over and over to reach her, his hands shaking as he redialed her number. The storm was ferocious, the winds whipping around them as they sped down the highway, but Tyler’s only thought was getting home, getting to her.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived in town. The destruction was overwhelming—trees uprooted, houses reduced to rubble, debris scattered everywhere. Tyler’s heart pounded in his ears as he jumped out of the truck, barely waiting for it to stop. He sprinted towards their house, his legs burning with the effort, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to her.

When he reached the house, his breath caught in his throat. The structure was still standing, but it had taken a hit—windows shattered, the roof partially torn off. Panic clawed at him as he stumbled inside, calling her name.

“Y/N! Y/N, where are you?!”

His voice cracked with fear, the dread suffocating him as he searched the wreckage of their home. And then, he saw her. She was sitting on the floor in the hallway, her back against the wall, holding her belly protectively. She looked up at him, her face pale, her eyes wide with relief.

“Tyler,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

He was at her side in an instant, dropping to his knees and pulling her into his arms, holding her so tightly he was afraid he might hurt her, but he couldn’t let go. The relief that washed over him was overwhelming, tears burning in his eyes as he buried his face in her hair.

“You’re okay,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re okay… oh, thank God, you’re okay.”

She nodded, clinging to him just as tightly. “I’m okay,” she said, her voice shaky but firm. “The baby’s okay. We’re okay, Tyler.”

He pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers, needing to see for himself that she was truly safe. She had a few cuts on her arms, and a bruise was forming on her forehead, but otherwise, she seemed unharmed. He exhaled a shuddering breath, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I was so scared,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I was going to lose you. I thought… I can’t lose you.”

“You didn’t lose me,” she reassured him, her fingers brushing through his hair. “I’m right here. We’re right here.”

As he held her close, the storm still raging outside, Tyler felt something shift inside him. He had always known there was a balance to be struck between his passion for storm chasing and his responsibilities as a husband, and soon, as a father. But now, with Y/N in his arms, that balance felt more fragile than ever. The thrill of the chase was still there, but it paled in comparison to the fear of losing her, of losing the family they were about to become.

“I’m done,” he whispered after a long moment. “This was my last chase. I’m done.”

Y/N looked at him, surprised. “Tyler, you don’t have to—”

“No,” he interrupted gently, shaking his head. “I’m done. I can’t keep putting you through this. I can’t keep putting our family at risk. This is where I need to be—from now on, this is my priority. You and our baby… you’re what matters.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded, her hand resting over his on her stomach. “I love you, Tyler.”

“I love you too,” he said, his voice breaking as he kissed her deeply, holding her as if he’d never let go.

And as the storm began to move on, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos, Tyler knew that this was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The thrill of the chase had been a part of his life for so long, but now, he had something even more important to protect, something worth giving it all up for.

As he held Y/N close, feeling the faint kick of their baby between them, Tyler made a silent promise—to be there, to protect them, to never let the storm take away what mattered most.

Requests for Tyler are open be free to send in as much as you wish!

tagging some:

@senawashere

@saviorcomplexrry

@cevansbaby-dove

@saynotononsense

@missdottie

@willowisp7

@taorislover94

@eloquenceinpurple

@86laura11

@rosiahills22

@jessicab1991

@kmc1989

@shanimallina87

@eternalsams

@teen-antisocial

[hitoshitoshi]

Now, Now, Kitten. Don't Bite. [Jealous!Sylus x Cat Hybrid!Reader]

Sylus stretched out his legs, one polished boot rested atop a stack of a crate someone had left lying around a warehouse. It was supposed to be a meeting—a show of force with some upstart gang that was trying to bite off more than they could chew in his sector. Idiots, the lot of them. Predictably, they were late and it left Sylus time to indulge in a rare moment of quiet. Well, almost quiet.

A soft thump from the rafters, followed by the low purr of a content Cat Hybrid!MC—you. broke the silence. Sylus didn't need to look to know who it was.

"Decided to grace us with your presence, kitten?" Sylus murmured, his gaze still fixed on the warehouse's entrance.

A shadow detached itself from the shadows above. Your paws padded gracefully towards Sylus, every movement was fluid and elegant, from the twitch of your tail to the way you lowered yourself onto the crate beside Sylus with a soft thud. Your head rubbed against Sylus' arm, your fur was surprisingly soft against his leather jacket.

"Impatient?" Sylus chuckled, feeling the familiar prickle of tiny teeth against his gloved fingers where they now rested on the armrest. "Now, now, kitten. Don't bite." Of course, these words were entirely just for show.

You tilted your head, studying Sylus with an intensity that would have been unnerving coming from anyone else. Then, with a playful flick of your tail, you struck. Precisely as Sylus knew you would. Tiny fangs grazed Sylus' skin, a sensation was more akin to a caress than a bite. It was a line they danced, a delicate push and pull, predator and... less predator.

But at the arrival of Luke and Kieran, they put a swift end to their little game. They bursted though the doors, their usual boisterous energy turned up to eleven, a stark contrast to the quiet intensity that clung to you like a second skin.

"Boss! We got something!" Luke practically vibrated with excitement, brandishing a brightly colored object.

"For the cat hybrid," Kieran added, tossing the object towards you. Sylus' lips twisted into a ftown. It was a teething toy shaped ike a fish, with rows of rubber bristles meant to soothe aching gums. Practical, maybe. But it grated him. You, with your untamed grace and predatory instincts, reduced to teething on a child's toy. He felt... Possessive. Annoyed.

Predictably, you got easily distracted, being as though you were a cat hybrid. You abandoned your perch on the crate, drawn to the novelty of the gift that Luke and Kieran got you. You batted the toy around with your cute littel paws. Those tiny and lethal teeth now gnawing on rubber instead of... well, Sylus.

Sylus watched, his gaze was dark as the feeling off quiet amusement was replaced by a simmering irritation he felt for some reason. He was Sylus, damn it. Fear was his currency, respect was his due. He didn't do these... domestic feelings. And yet, the sight of that damned toy irked him more than it should. "Seems like our little hunter has found a new plaything," Sylus drawled, his voice was deceptively mind, though the glint in his eyes held a warning. "Think the kitten likes it, Boss?" Luke, ever oblivious, beamed. Sylus rose from his crate, "We wouldn't want to deprive it nowm would we?" He scooped up the offending toy as if by accident, feeling it discreetly.

-

Later, after the meeting — Sylus found himself alone again in the quiet warehouse. You watched him with those unsettling eyes.

"Looking for something, kitten?" Sylus asked, a smirk played on his lips as he leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed.

You tilted your head, a low and questioning sound escaped your throat. You really wanted to bite something. You walked towards him, rubbing yourself against Sylus' legs, trying to get Sylus' attention because you felt super bad that you couldn't find the toy that Luke and Kieran gave you and you wanted Sylus' help to go find it.

Sylus allowed the contact, he even arched into it slightly. "Don't worry," he murmured, his gaze softened ever so slightly. "Some toys are simply too easily... misplaced."

Sylus could practicaly hear the purr of satisfaction rumbling in your chest as you nudged Sylus' hand, seeing that familiar, teasing bite. "Good kitten."

A/N: Damn, Sylus would 100% be that pathetic to be jealous of a toy.

If you like otome games, including Love and Deepspace, you should join Linkon Lounge! A discord server that's LGBTQ+ friendly (only serving those who are 18+) where we all can share our interests, talk to roleplaying bots (Caleb, Rafayel, Zayne, Xavier, and Sylus), and have fun game, movie, and stream nights where we stream games and/or cards that we pulled that others want to see. It would be super fun to have you as a member of our server.

Click here to join Linkon Lounge!

Masterlist

[cevansbrat0007]

Indecent Exposure Pt. III: Poolside Promises

Summary: You convince Ari to finally let you have a little fun this summer. But at what cost? Check out Part One!

Warnings: Mature Themes, Ari Being A Menace, Brat!Reader, Dad's Best Friend Themes, Older Men/Younger Women Themes, Brief Allusion to Oral Sex, Cursing, Minors DNI

A/N: Please heed all warnings. Part of my Indecent Exposure Series. If you'd like to be added to the tag list, please let me know.

Almost Two Weeks After Your Father's Departure...

You glide through the water effortlessly, seeking a brief relief from the summer heat. While the news had promised you and everyone else that today’s weather would be one for the books, the warnings still hadn’t been enough to prepare you for the heat that assailed you the moment you’d stepped out the back door. 

However, it’s not until you allow your head to break through the surface that you realize you were no longer alone. You had company. And he was also staring at you.

Again. It was something he had a habit of doing.

“Can I help you?” It’s a flatly delivered question. 

The man only shrugs, dragging a hand through his shaggy, chestnut brown locks. Frankly, he looked so much like his brother you were almost surprised that you’d never really noticed just how many similarities they actually shared.

Same striking blue eyes. Same massive build. Same chiseled jaw that looked great with or without a beard. But where Steve always possessed an aura or control, Ari emanated something a little more raw and untamed. 

You found found that it sometimes did funny things to those annoying butterflies that had seemingly taken up residence in your belly these days.

“Did you need something?” You try as you continue to tread water in the middle of the pool.

“Nothing you're quite prepared to give, sweet Clover.” Ari responds cryptically, his head cocking to the side as he continues to survey you. 

“Then why the hell do you keep staring at me?”

That was another thing you’d recently come to learn about Ari over the last couple of days. He didn’t seem to care whenever you decided to take a spicy tone with him – a fact you’d discovered when you’d found him sitting in your father’s study just the other morning.

You’d been so happy until that moment, especially since you’d previously been granted three days free of Bucky, Steve, and Andy. Your time alone had been glorious, even if it had proved to be short lived. 

You watch the older man closely, fascinated by the increasingly pronounced tick in his jaw. Hell, if he was allowed to stare then so would you. However, the question was, who would blink first?

Turns out, that award belonged to Ari. 

Humming a tune under his breath, he proceeds to grab a lawn chair before pulling it closer to the edge of the pool. Neither one of you says a word as he takes a seat, his sinewy muscles bunching and flexing beneath the thin fabric of his light gray t-shirt. 

“Just came out here to check on you.” He reaches up to scratch at his beard. “See how you were managing in this heat.”

“I’m managing by planning to spend all afternoon in the pool, like any other sane person would.”

“Ya know, I’m pretty sure Bucky and the boys made it clear that they don’t appreciate your little penchant for snark.” He muses, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.  

Probably. You inwardly concede. It definitely hasn't been winning you any favors. Which is why you often preferred to play the part of a mute. Whenever they allowed you to, that is.

“Doesn’t seem to bother you.” You respond honestly before closing your eyes and flipping your body so that you can float on your back, giving Ari a glimpse of your peaches and cream-colored bikini.

“That’s cuz’ not too much bothers me. I don’t allow it.” 

“Hmm…” You spread your arms, silently wishing you could simply float away from this conversation entirely. “Maybe you should talk to the others about that. Seems like I find a new way to piss them off every time I open my mouth.” 

“Nah.” Ari shrugs away your words as he continues to appear unbothered by the heat. “Something tells me they don’t quite know just what to do with a pretty little thing like you.” 

“Oh. And you do?” Well, you could safely say that you hadn’t been expecting that answer. 

“I’d certainly like to think so.” 

His statement hangs in the air as you both fall silent. While you weren’t quite sure what your would-be caretaker was talking about, it was definitely enough to make you think. And it’s at that moment that you decide to change tactics. Instead of floating here annoyed, perhaps it was time to use Ari’s seemingly indulgent personality to your benefit. 

A friend of yours was throwing a party tonight. And you wanted to go. 

When you’d previously brought it up to Bucky and Steve, they’d both hemmed and hawed over the subject – asking you all kinds of questions and refusing to give you anything more than a non-committal “we’ll have to see” or "we'll have to sit down and talk about it". And when you’d tried to play the ultimate trump card by calling your father, he’d sided with them. 

“I’m not there, pumpkin.” Your Dad had said while you’d been holed-up pouting in your room. “I asked your Uncles to watch over you, which means I’m gonna have to defer to them in situations like this one."

And, as luck would have it, you hadn’t been able to get your answer before they’d just up and disappeared on you like the overbearing assholes they were proving themselves to be.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure I trust the judgment of anyone who’s crazy enough to sit out here in this heat and roast – not when there’s a perfectly good pool, like, right in front of them.”

“Not sure that pool of yours is big enough for the both of us.” Ari mutters, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. Although you get the feeling he’s talking more to himself than you. 

“It’s plenty big.” You eagerly reassure him, adjusting your position so that you can float closer to where your pseudo-guardian is sitting. “See? There’s aaall this space.”

For a second Ari appears unsure. And the closer you get, there’s no denying the fact that he was finally showing signs of feeling the heat. It’s hard to miss the thin line of sweat dotting along his brow.

“C’mon…” You urge, playfully splashing him. “Don’t be such a hard ass, Uncle Ari.” You decide to tack on the last bit for his benefit, all the while trying hard to keep the edge out of your tone. But if he notices, he thankfully doesn’t comment.

“Fine. Melt.” You heave an exasperated sigh when he still doesn’t move. Climbing onto a nearby pool raft, you turn your attention back to your companion. “Jesus, you guys are always so serious, like all of the time. I mean, what’s wrong with having a little fun?”

“Alright.” That’s all you get before he reaches to pull his shirt over his head, revealing the sculpted body hiding beneath.

You scarcely have the chance to appreciate the sight before you’re treated to the sound of a splash. You let out a squeal as water goes splashing everywhere, rewetting your already rapidly drying body. Seconds later, Ari’s head breaks through the water.

“Happy now, princess?” He disappears again, only to reappear closer to where you’re currently lounging. 

“Depends.” 

“On?” He asks, seemingly content to tread water alongside you. You’d be lying to yourself if you didn’t at least admit that the man was kind of attractive.

Or, as your friends had put it, sexy as hell. Yeah, you weren’t quite sure how you felt about that one.

“Well…” You hedge, giggling when he splashes you to encourage you to hurry up.

“Out with it, Clover. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” Or fucked. He silently adds.

“There’s this party I kinda wanted to go to tonight. All my friends will be there and I haven't really had the chance to celebrate my birthday with them yet.” You finish, your teeth going to worry your bottom lip. 

Ari studies you for a moment as he tries to figure out the best way to respond. “What did Uncle Steve and the others say?” He already knew that you'd asked them, and he wanted to make it clear that he’s not one to be so easily manipulated. “I’m assuming you asked them first.”

“They said “maybe”. Well, two of them did anyway. But then they left without ever giving me a real answer.” 

“I see.” He offers you a cheeky grin while pausing to swat at a wayward fly. “Maybe we should call them. See if they’ve finally made up their minds–.” 

“No!” You shoot straight up on your perch, accidently flipping the raft and sending you tumbling back into the icy cool water. You come up sputtering and coughing, and while you can’t quite tell, you’re also fairly certain that Ari is laughing at you.

“You all good?”

“Yeah.” You gag, hating the taste of chlorine. 

Ari nods before moving to retrieve your float. He’s even kind enough to hold it still long enough for you to climb back on it again. Only once he’s satisfied that you’re secure does he seem interested in continuing the conversation. 

“So…it sounds like you really wanna go to this party. Don’t you, Clover?” 

“Yes.” You breathe, refusing to say anything more than that just in case he was actually considering it. You’re so desperate that you don’t even balk when he begins swimming towards the edge of the pool, dragging you along with him. He doesn’t speak again until he’s reached his destination. 

“Tell me, will there be any drinking at this party?”

“Wha–no!”

“Now’s not the time to lie to me, princess. Will people be drinking at this party?” He reaches up to cup your chin, his brilliant blue eyes boring into yours as if he's attempting to unravel all of your secrets.

One by one.

“I swear! Grace’s parents would positively kill her if they found out she threw that kind of party.”

Ari quietly mulls over your answer before deeming it to be honest enough for his liking. “How about boys?”

Fuck. While you couldn’t be honest, you also didn’t want to lie. Not when you were this close to getting what you wanted. Which was freedom. 

“Her little brother will be there. He’s a couple grades below us. But it's not like she can kick him out or anything.”

“Just her little brother, huh?” You could tell he was feeling more than a little skeptical. However, you’re surprised when he seemingly lets it slide. Releasing his grip on your chin, he gives you a little push, content to let you float away. 

“I swear. We can’t do anything too crazy with him around – he’d rat us out sooo fast.”

Please believe me. Please believe me. Please believe me. 

Holding your breath, you watch as he climbs out of the water. He makes a beeline for your towel, patting himself dry to the best of his ability before draping it over his shoulder. 

“Okay, sweetheart. I might be willing to make an executive decision on this one, provided you’re willing to do something for me in return. Something that’ll keep at least some of the heat off of me when it comes to dealing with Steve and the boys.”

What you didn't know was that they had already discussed your desire to attend this party – him, Bucky, Andy, and Steve – and they'd decided that the answer was "no". But since you'd gone the last couple days without throwing a tantrum, Ari felt inclined to give you what you wanted. It also helped that he found your bratty ways to be rather endearing.

So long as you weren't outrightly disrespectful.

“Anything.” The word flies out of your mouth before you can catch it. And just like that, that damn tick in his jaw is back.

“The only way I feel comfortable enough letting you go is if you promise to text me every 30 minutes. Doesn’t have to be long. Just a message to let me and the other guys know you’re okay.”

What the hell?

You open your mouth to protest before deciding you’re better off not. Right now, you’d take the win and try to renegotiate the rest later. 

“Take it or leave it, princess.” 

“I’ll take it!” You reply, albeit probably a little too enthusiastically. “Thank you so much!”

Ari doesn’t even crack a smile. Instead that damned tick of his only seems to grow even more pronounced. “Alright.” With that, he turns and begins striding towards the door. “I’ll, uh…I’ll get you another towel.” He pauses once he reaches his destination, turning to face you once more. 

“And Clover?”

“Yeah?” You call back, feeling happier than you have in almost two whole weeks. 

“Don’t make me regret this." Ari rumbles, allowing you to get a good, long look at his muscled, hair covered chest. "I'd hate for my kindness to come back and bite me in the ass. It would be a shame to start the summer off on such a bad note.”

“I…”

His words leave you so speechless that you can only watch as Ari proceeds to waltz through the sliding door, leaving you outside all alone once more. But not before reiterating his promise to bring you another towel so that you can get ready for lunch.

“Well, fuck…” Is all you can muster before rolling yourself off your float and into the cooling expanse of the water. You swim down to the bottom, touching the floor with both hands as you work to center yourself. 

You hold your breath for as long as you’re able before the need for oxygen forces you to resurface. As you greedily gulp air into your burning lungs you tell yourself not to give a fuck about Ari and his bullshit. Instead, you decide to focus on the most important aspect of tonight, namely…

Just what in the hell were you going to wear?

END

Official Tag List

@daykrisr999 @our-marvel-universe @imyourbratzdoll @xjule @jamabean @babyhatesreality @jeremyrennermakesmesmile @inappropriate-shell @emmy-littlebird @sarahowritesostucky @cjand10 @mrsstuckyboo @emerald-writes @swagger1 @mostlymarvelgirl @still-scribblin @ninacutebee16 @ladyvenera @katymae12344

[pandorxxx]

Lurkin’

Lo’ak (19) x human fem reader (18)

Warnings: SMUT THE HOUSE, BLOOD (from biting), p in v, oral, biting, choking, squirting, cursing,rough sex, size kink, praise kink, CNC.

🔞Minors do not interact🔞

With a loud gasp, you finally awoke. Sitting up quickly to scan your surroundings. You look around frantically to find yourself in the forest. You remember walking through the forest of pandora with a couple of scientists. You were new, so they had to show you around. And now, you’re here.

“Ughhhh” you winced, sitting up slowly. You scanned your body for injuries finding several, but nothing too serious. You looked down at your clothes as they were almost completely ripped off.

“What the hell happened?” You mumbled under your breath, wobbling to your feet.

“Hello!!!” You yelled, cupping your hands to your mouth. You looked around for a moment, and nothing. You sighed loudly, trying desperately to remember your way back to the lab. What you didn’t know was that there were a pair of eyes, watching your every move.

Lo’ak was lurking in the shadows, following you. He noticed that you were in distress; clothes torn, hair a mess, blood visible on parts of your body. He assumed you were a scientist, lost in the forest.

Jake took lo’ak to the forest, as his rut was approaching. Lo’ak was completely untamable in his state, but maybe coming to the forest was a bad idea this time. He was intrigued by little you; The way you stumbled on the huge rocks, your frustration from actually being lost. You were hypnotizing to him.

His rut was almost at the peek, and he couldn’t take the lurking anymore. He walked closer behind you, making sure to keep quiet. He made his was behind you, towering over your little frame.

You felt a presence behind you. Your heart beating fast, not knowing if you should turn around or run. Before you knew it, you felt a strong hand wrap around your neck gently, from behind. Then a strong hand cupping your mouth.

“Don’t scream ok?” He commands calmy. You could feel your heart beating out of your chest, but you quickly nod in hopes that he would let you go. To your surprise, he did. He turned you towards him by your shoulder. You look up at the na’vi, basking in all of his glory; he was glowing in the moan light, his skin was a calming blue, and his strip pattern was intricate. He was towering over you, panting loudly as he glared into your terrified eyes.

“Please, don’t hurt me. I’m lost, I need to get back to the lab.” You plead taking his hand in yours, almost in tears. He looked down at your hands, locked together, and then back to you.

“I will not hurt you, I just need some help.” He stated, getting down on his knees to seem less intimidating. You stopped weeping to shoot him a confused look.

“Help? From me?” You asked, tracing his glowing freckles down to his chest. He pulled your chin up, connecting his eyes with yours.

“Yes, from you.” He replied, squeezing your hand firmly, pushing a strand of hair out of you face as he wiped your tears. You noticed his breathing becoming rapid the more he touched you. His eyes were not the color you studied about, but more of a deep red. He was sweating profusely, and it was no where near hot at this time of night. These were only symptoms of a Navi in rut.

Your eyes widened from realization, as you let his hand go, stepping back slowly.

“No no no, please. I can’t help you with that.” You whimper, shaking your head desperately trying to wake up from what had to be a dream.

“You can’t help me with what?” He asked, tilting his head as he glared at your small frame. You knew he was playing games. He knew exactly what you were talking about, but he just wanted to hear you say it, hear you beg for mercy. You glance down at his loincloth, noticing the huge bulge growing by the second. A single tear falls from your eye as you realized there was no way out of this.

“I have to go back…” you whisper, but it comes out as a soft cry. He shook his head, leaning back on his knees.

“I’ll take you back, later. I need you right now.” He growled, glaring at you through his eyebrows. There was awkward silence for a moment as you planned your escape. He caught on quickly, and smirked at you.

“Come here.” He commanded coldly. He started undoing his loincloth, letting it drop to the ground. Your mouth flew opened at the size of him. You were almost sure that it was the size of your forearm. The veins that lined his cock were pulsating, needy for attention. Drops of precum dripped to the moss underneath him.

“Shit” you screeched, not being able to keep your eyes off of it. He licked his lips at your discomfort, almost as if he was turned on by it.

“Don’t make me come over there.” He sung, stroking his length as he eye fucked you. You shook your head side to side frantically before backing up more. Lo’ak was growing frustrated, low growls rumbling in his chest. He lashed out, grabbing you by your arm, and bring you nose to nose with him.

“I was trying to be nice, my love. That shits over now.” He growled, snaking his hand around to the back of your head. He stood up tall, looking down at your helpless face. The tip of his cock was inches away from your mouth. You tried to back up, but his grip on your head didn’t allow that.

“Open.” He commanded, now holding your head with both hands. You opened your mouth slowly, and before you knew it, he plunged half of his cock into your mouth. Your screams were muffled from being stuffed. You pushed on his lowered abdomen, but he wouldn’t let up.

“Don’t fight me, babygirl. I need your help.” He moaned, thrusting into your mouth. Him being at the back of your throat was an understatement, you felt like he was tickling your rib cage. You were choking constantly, trying your best to breath through your nose.

“Fuck! Babygirl don’t do that. You’re gonna make me cum in this pretty little mouth of yours.” He groaned, stuffing alittle more of himself down your throat with every thrust. Tears were running out of your now red eyes. You felt your consciousness leaving you slowly. You tapped his leg exhaustedly, and that caught his attention. He pulled out of your mouth, and you gasped for air, eyes wide as the spit ran down your chin.

“You look so fucking pretty like this.” He muttered, tapping the tip on your swollen lips. In an instant, he lifted you up, pinning you to a nearby tree. He tore your already ripped shorts off of you with one swift pull. That’s when you started fighting him, trying with all your might to get him off of you. He grabbed your cheeks, squeezing them together.

“You wanna be a good girl and give it to me? Or do you want me to take it? Either way, you’re getting this dick.” He growled, Turning your face to the side to attack your neck. Even after his statement, you tried to push him back, punching his chest, and the arms that help you up.

“STOP!” He shouted, pinning your neck to the bark behind you. You finally stopped all sudden movements, realizing that there was no way to fight him off.

“That’s a good girl.” He smiled, grabbing his cock and lining it up to your entrance. He could feel you shaking in fear underneath his touch, and a piece of humanity slipped through the cracks of his rut.

“I will try to go slow. Yeah? Does that make you feel better?” He searched your teary eyes for consent. You nodded slowly, pouting at him. With that, he slide the tip in slowly. You gasped, gripping his shoulders tightly. He bit his lip, trying to refrain from plunging deep into you. He lingered for a while, letting you get used to just the tip.

“You’re doing good, babygirl. I’m gonna go alittle deeper now, ok?” He asked, and you nodded. Even though he was in rut, he was doing well at restraining himself, but all restraint was slipping away slowly.

You nodded, bitting your bottom lip tightly with your eyes shut. He slowly slide half way into you, and the way you sucked him in was sending him over the edge. He started thrusting into you slowly, growling loudly as he hung his head onto your shoulder. You tapped his shoulder, letting him know that it was too much, but he was already slipping away.

“OKAY, slow down please. I-I need a minute.” You whimpered, trying to pull his face off of your shoulder.

“I-im so sorry!” He moaned, shaking his head before slamming the rest of his cock Into you.

“OHHH SHITTTT!” You whine, trying to climb out of his arms. He squeezed your waist tighter as he rutted into you at a steady pace, yet and still very deep.

“Mhmmm FUCK! You’re so fucking tight!” He growled, biting down on your shoulder. Your eyes widened when you felt small lines of blood trickle down your shoulder.

“P-please!” You whimper, shutting your eyes tightly as his thrusts became slower to accommodate your pain.

“I-I’m t-trying baby, just take it for me.” He moaned breathlessly, holding on to you for dear life. He licked the womb clean, massaging it with his tongue. The pain from him stretching you out slowly subsided. You tried to focus on the feeling of him hitting your spot with every thrust as he slid in and out of you slowly. How warm he was, and how his strong arms wrapped around you. The way he kissed your neck, leaving hickeys everywhere. The way he moaned in your ear at how good you felt sucking him in just right.

“Mmmmm shittt” your voice jumped from each deep thrust, as you threw your head back.

“Does it feel better?” He asked, still sucking the blood from your opened womb. Something about his gentle licks along your sore skin sent shivers down your spine. You couldn’t believe that you were enjoying this, and that he got you to open up. You didn’t want him to stop.

“b-bite me!” You moaned, putting your arms up to the heavens to give him easy access. He bent down to your ripped shirt, completely tearing it off to reveal your plump breasts, bouncing up and down from each stroke. He sucked your nipple before moving up, biting your breast hard enough to draw blood.

“Is that what you wanted, babygirl?” He titled his head, bouncing you up and down on him by your waist. Your moans got stuck in your throat from the mix of pain and pleasure. All you could do was nod. He smirked, bending down again to lick the womb clean, massaging around it with his tongue. You watched as the blood dripped down your abdomen, all the way to where you two were connected. You glanced back up at him to see your blood dripping from his lips as he looked at you with heavy, lustful eyes. The image alone sent you over the edge.

“I-I- FUCK!!” Was all you could mutter out before gripping his arms, bowing your head back on the bark behind you. He licked from your breast to your neck, catching all the blood that flowed down.

“You wanna taste it, babygirl?” He growled, making you look him in the eyes. Blood still dripping from him mouth. He looked so seductive in that moment that you just couldn’t help yourself. You wrapped your arms around his head, crashing your lips into his. The kiss was slow and sloppy, and the copper taste consumed you. You bit down on his lip hard, drawing blood as you sucked it up.

“Mhmm yes baby girl! now you’re getting it.” He smiled into the kiss, rutting into you faster. You could feel your orgasm approaching as you dug your nails into his arms, eyes locked with his.

“You gonna cum for me? Hmm?” He asked nodding his head. You nodded yours too, jaw dropped as he smashed into your sweetspot with every thrust.

“I-I’m!!!” you muttered, leaning your head on his shoulder as you clung to him tightly.

“I know, babygirl. I’m gonna give you what you want. He sent you one hard thrust, massaging your sweetspot with his swollen tip. Just like that, you squirted all over his cock as your juices flowed down his legs.

“Oh my fucking god, yesssss!!!” You screamed, convulsing in his arms as tears flowed down your face.

“It’s my turn baby, I’m almost done with you. You’re doing so fucking good for me.” He kissed your blood stained lips before pinning you back to the wall. He shift the bend of your knees to hang over his forearms as he placed his hands on the tree bark behind you. He started thrusting into you hard and fast, watching your face contort in absolute pleasure. The pleasure was beginning to be too much for you to the point where you had double vision , feeling completely lightheaded.

“Im almost there baby, wake up for me!” He shouted, smacking your face lightly to keep you conscious. You were moaning, and mumbling, trying your best to keep your eyes opened.

“I -I can’t…” you mutter breathlessly, head falling to the bark behind you. He bit down on your chest, waking you up alittle bit.

“Yes you can, baby. Just alittle longer. You’re doing so good.” He moaned, licking the blood from the new wound. Your body twitched under his touch, as a single tear ran down your face. Lo’ak felt his stomach twist in pleasure, and he just couldn’t hold it anymore.

“Ohhh fuck, you ready for me to cum in this tight little pussy, babygirl? Huh?” He growled slapping your face once more. You nodded wearily, desperately waiting for him to be done with you. Lo’ak threw his head back in pure bliss, shooting his load deep inside of you.

“Fuck yesss!!!” He whined, thrusting into you slowly to ride out his high. You finally fell limp in his arms, snuggling into his chest. The fog of his rut slowly went away, clearing his mind. He looked down at your bruised and bloody body, gasping loudly. He gently laid you on the moss, before hovering over your limp body, slipping in and out of consciousness. He was hesitant to touch you, as he didn’t want to hurt you more than he already did.

“Umm…hello?” He said in shaky breaths, poking at you. Your eyes opened half way, staring at the figure hovering over you.

“Hmm?” You hummed deliriously, trying to get up, but the spikes of pain shot threw your entire body, causing you to wince loudly.

“Woah, woah, lay back.” Lo’ak commanded, pushing you back by your chest lightly. He scanned your body thoroughly, looking at all of the bites and bruises, before looking at your face.

“Hey, I’m gonna get you cleaned up before I take you to the lab. Is it ok if I pick you up?” He asked caressing your hair with a lighthearted smile. You nodded, holding your arms out for him to help you up. He chuckled softly before picking you up by your hips, wrapping them around his waist. You looked into his now, bright yellow eyes, caressing his cheek.

“W-what’s your name?” You asked, playing with his braids, almost fascinated by how beautiful his hair was. He smiled at your wonder-like demeanor.

“Lo’ak. My name is lo’ak. What’s is yours?” He asked, walking in the directing of the River.

“Y/n…” you said,wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. He hugged you back tightly, rubbing your back.

“Will I see you again?” You asked, almost devastated that this could be your last encounter with him. He smiled at you, and leaned down to your ear.

“Don’t worry, I’ll always be watching you.”

Not my girl falling in love with that Na’vi 🍆. She is in a full trance now🤦🏾‍♀️, and i low key love that for her🫶🏽. Anywaysss, as always, love y’all to death and I’ll see you soon❤️!!!

Outtie❤️🖖🏾,

Pandorxx

[mystra-midnight]

Two Tickets to Paradise

summary: you'd fought and given up, then started fighting again. the lighthouse, which had started as a paradise, was turning into hell, and it was breaking you—slowly tearing away your sanity.

warnings: 18+ only. on the darker side. mentions of alcohol consumption. rough sex. dacryphilia. hints of emotional distress. hints of angst and/or mental anguish.

words: 990.

notes: honestly wrote this so surprisingly quickly. murphy's always been one of my favs from the show - the arrogance, the vulnerability, the character development? jesus it just does thinks for me. (i don't think i'd ever say no if you send in thots and imagines for him)

The moment the lighthouse door slammed shut, you should have panicked, but you hadn't been able to find it in yourself to be afraid or even upset. After surviving a trek through a seemingly endless desert, then a boat ride across a seemingly endless ocean, a serpent attack, and a night out in the cold with an injured and angry delinquent, the lighthouse was a welcomed surprise—a perfect paradise.

Not even John—fucking—Murphy, with his toxic tongue and perfect eyes, could ruin your good mood. The two of you had never been particularly close, but you got along well enough that the shared space wasn't uncomfortable. For the first few days, you gave each other space, choosing to sit on opposite sides of the room and occupy yourselves.

Occasionally, the two of you would watch and rewatch the videotape that explained what caused the apocalypse on Earth. On the tenth day, you both drank yourselves stupid and spent hours sharing secrets, thoughts, and theories. You discovered you both had a mutual distrust of the adults who'd arrived on Earth and taken over as though they hadn't sent one hundred kids to their deaths until eventually passing out.

That became your routine for the next forty-five days. Or maybe it was fifty-four. You didn't know.

You tried to keep count, but the days had started to run together, turning into a blur of drunken moments that hurt to think about. You had screamed and cried. You had clawed at the doors until your nails bled. You'd fought and given up, then started fighting again. The lighthouse, which had started as a paradise, was turning into hell, and it was breaking you—slowly tearing away your sanity.

Murphy was in a similar predicament. Some days he screamed and raged around the room, breaking what he could. Other days, he sat completely still and stared ahead as though he no longer inhabited his own body. Eventually, you turned to each other for comfort and escape. That was how you'd found yourself bent over the arm of the sofa, his cock buried deep in your slick walls.

Murphy was wild and untamed, lost in a frenzy of emotions. His hand was fisted in your hair, pulling hard as he pounded you. The sound of his pelvis hitting your ass was obscene and loud, as were the moans and gasps forced from your lips. He was rough—rougher than you liked, but you still couldn't find it in yourself to care.

The pain and pleasure blended so beautifully together that it left you speechless and dazzled, only able to moan each time he pushed into the satin clutch of your cunt. Before this moment, you'd felt hopeless, utterly so, and at the end of your rope, your sanity had been stretched so thin and buried so deep in your being that you never thought you'd find it again.

Murphy found it.

And now the pain was starting to feel so good. It made you forget about the emptiness that had been eating away at you—the hopelessness, the desperation. You needed him. You needed him to stop your thoughts from racing and to fuck everything from your mind until all that remained was him, his cock, and the pleasure searing in your veins.

He happily obliged as he needed the distraction as much as you did.

Both of you needed to feel something—anything—instead of that all-consuming disparity. Luckily, the familiar warmth of orgasm was starting to course through your veins, leaving your skin sweat-slicked and your voice ragged as Murphy adjusted his angle, somehow driving his cock deeper into your sweet cunt, the tip of his cock hitting that spot that sent you suddenly careening.

“Murphy!” You sounded panicked, like you were breaking, and perhaps you were. He did it again, feeling your walls tighten around him. He was dripping with your slick; the wiry hair at the base of his shaft matted; your own equally as messy from where he pulled and yanked it. He was in a frenzy, chasing the climax snaking through his veins, relishing in the feeling of it coiling tighter and tighter in the pit of his stomach until he could hardly breathe, until all he felt was flames licking at his skin.

He was going to break you—maybe kill you—but you didn’t care because the same feelings were consuming you. It was glorious and all-consuming. You started to shake. Your thighs trembled so violently that only the arm of the couch kept you from collapsing.

He didn't notice—or maybe he did and he didn't care; either way, it didn't matter; you didn't mind.

He could use you; you'd let him. He could break you; you'd thank him.

But the moment his cock slipped from your slick walls, you couldn't forgive him. Tears stung in your eyes as you sobbed, the sound welling up from your chest only to be drowned under the sounds of his grunts and groans. Murphy snapped his hips forward, seemingly spurred onward by the tears that rolled down your cheeks in rivers, his pelvis meeting the reddened skin of your ass with a sinful slap, slap, slap.

The moment you needed and wanted with every beat of your heart faded away, your orgasm sleeping through your fingers like waters as you felt thick, ivory rops of come hit your lower back. Murphy tugged hard at your hair, sending pain blossoming through your scalp as he shadowed over you, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear.

You wanted to be angry. You wanted to fight and rage, as you'd done many times already. But the feel of his other hand moving between your legs, his fingers gathering your slick and bringing it to your own lips to taste, melted such thoughts from your brain.

"Not yet," he hissed, pushing two fingers into your mouth, the taste of your own arousal spreading over your tongue. "Not until you're begging."

[webawee]

I'm always so confused about yin iron

Wtf is yin iron??? I never watched The Untamed so whenever I'm reading mdzs fics I have zero clue what yin iron is??

Like why?

I googled it and I still don't get it tbh

[laduenadelswing]

My star

The chaotic realm of Hell, pulsated with a frenetic energy as Vox, the suave master of the TV waves, gracefully navigated the bustling streets. His screens projected a dazzling array of colors, each hue a testament to his control over the infernal airwaves. Tonight, however, a singular frequency resonated with him—a presence that shimmered amidst the sea of lost souls.

Y/N, a striking model whose essence transcended the ordinary, became the focal point of Vox's attention. Drawn to her like a moth to a flame,or Valentino to Angle dust, Vox envisioned her as the star of his upcoming TV show. The backstage of Vox's studio buzzed with otherworldly energy as Y/N prepared for the spectacle that awaited her.

Vox, watching her every move through his screens, couldn't help but feel a magnetic pull. She embodied a rare blend of beauty, confidence, and an untamed spirit that resonated with his own desire for control. No wonder she made it through Velvet.

The atmosphere backstage crackled with anticipation. Vox, ever the showman, orchestrated the visual feast that would unfold on the screens of the City. The cameras, guided by his meticulous vision, captured Y/N's every angle and expression, turning the backstage chaos into a masterpiece that amplified her captivating frequencies.

As the show reached its crescendo, Vox descended onto the stage himself, his screens displaying a kaleidoscope of admiration. "Y/N, my dear, you're not just a model. You're a masterpiece in the ever-shifting canvas of Hell," he declared, the words echoing through every TV set in the city.

Y/N, caught in the mesmerizing atmosphere Vox had orchestrated, met his gaze with a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, Vox, you certainly know how to put on a show."

The backstage chaos faded as Vox and Y/N retreated into a more secluded area, away from the prying eyes of the studio crew. The air crackled with an unspoken tension, the boundary between the curated TV spectacle and the pulsating reality of their connection blurring.

Vox, usually in control, felt a surge of something uncharted. The lines between the TV demon and the model began to blur as they exchanged playful banter, their laughter echoing through the backstage corridors.

In a moment of irresistible impulse, Vox closed the distance between them, his lips meeting Y/N's in a passionate kiss. The backstage chaos faded into the background as they lost themselves in the intensity of the moment. The allure of Hell seemed to dissipate, leaving only the connection between Vox and Y/N—a symphony of desire and an unexpected union behind the scenes. He lost himself in the kiss with his model, superstar and masterpiece.

As they broke the kiss, Vox's screens displayed a spectrum of colors, reflecting the tumultuous emotions within him. Y/N, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, whispered, "You really do know how to surprise, Vox."

The airwaves of Hell buzzed with the frequencies of their connection, the backstage now transformed into a haven where desire and control intermingled. Vox, still captivated by the enigmatic model, smiled. "In Hell, my dear, surprises are the spice of existence."

"Your so beautiful." He whispered.

"Maybe I should give a private Show." She replied playfully.

[blue-sadie]

Connection

Tonowari x Reader x Ronal

Prt 1. Prt 2

Summary: based off this post

Warning: none

Yn/3rd person pov

"Are we there yet" i smiled glancing at tuk as she cuddled into her mother "almost" jake murmured flying slightly closer to his mate and youngest.

"hopefully" lo'ak huffed rolling his eyes "hey lo'ak" I called gaining his and neteyams attention "let's race you to VS me" I laughed "let's go" lo'ak hollered "it's on" neteyam growled.

I quickly sped off with them chasing me as I turned and twisted around the few rocks before gaining altitude flying higher and higher "yn come back" neteyam yelled as they came to a stop just watching me.

I looked down at them "catch me" I whispered to my ikran before unlinking myself and letting go of her falling down "yn" lo'ak and neteyam screamed trying to catch me but I easily maneuvered myself away from them.

I let myself free fall just smiling at lo'ak and neteyam trailing behind me screaming at me to grab their hands, I rolled my eyes turning to the sea calling my ikran that swiftly came to my rescue.

"Such babies" I laughed settling back on to my ikran "oh fuck off" lo'ak muttered as jake and them caught back up to us "don't worry boys she did the same to me" jake grumbled making me stick out my tongue back at him.

The rest of the flight went smoothly as we got closer to the reef tribes "hi" I murmured waving down to the people below "finally we're here" jake smiled back at his family.

We came to a soft landing and I grabbed tuks hand as their started approaching us "no bow" jake hissed to neytiri "come tuk" I murmured slightly tugging her and I put my other hand out so the can see I have no weapon.

The people started to surround us and I watched with careful eyes as the chefs children approached us but my eyes widened as I saw the chef himself on a skimwing in his full glory.

He approached us with ease as we said our greeting my eyes trained to his glistening abs as he stood infront of us neytiri nudged me, I quickly shook off the feeling.

But it immediately returned as his wife ronal approached my breathing hitching as her eyes ran over me 'what am I doing' I turned my gaze to the floor till the interaction was over.

-Next day-

I smiled as I swam next to jake as we neared tonowari and a few of the other hunters my gazing being anywhere but tonowari, last night was hell I couldn't close my eyes because every time I did they were there.

"Maybe you should learn to ride the ilus first" tonowari murmured his voice filled with worry and concern "one thing you should know about toruk makto over here he lives on the line of death" I said teasing.

Jake huffed at me as we approached our untamed skimwings, mine was being held by tonowari and he smiled at me as I slowly climbed on "wrap this around your hand" he instructed "put your legs here" I gasped feeling his hand grab my leg.

"You have to keep this position to stay on" he murmured moving back away from me "let's go" I smiled as me and jake went off we first glided under water before resurfacing, I laughed as some water sprayed into my face.

"This is easy" I screamed but breaking in histerical laughter as jake went in again immediately getting flung off "loser" I murmured steading myself as I went in but did the same thing that jake did.

"Fuck" I cursed looking at my very bloodied hand "grab on" tonowari said as he swam up to me "I don't ne" I screamed as he pulled me onto his skimwing bringing us back to the village "ronal" he called dragging me to their family hut.

"What happened" she muttered grabbing my hand and bringing it to her face "I'm fin-" "no your not" tonowari murmured standing behind me and placing his hands on my hips keeping me still "this should help" ronal said picking up a bowl with a pasty substance.

She came close to me so we were only inches apart "this might sting" she warned looking into my eyes before applying "fuck" I cursed throwing my head back "shh shh" tonowari whispered.

"Here" ronal said wrapping the wound still standing infront of me I looked down at her my heart started racing as they stood in silence "w-we have something to speak with you about" ronal said breaking the silence.

"W-which is" I asked stepping aside to look at both of them "since your arrival we felt strange" tonowari explained "we felt like our bond wasn't full anymore".

"We felt like we were missing something, someone" ronal whispered gently grabbing my hands, blush dusted my cheeks running up to my ears "and that is" I asked my hope getting the best of me.

Ronal gently pecked my lips before tonowari as they stared down at me with love and care in their eyes.

"You"

Prt 2

Tag.List

@thatonepansexual2000

@virgocathaunted

[divine-misfortune]

Mushy May, day 4. Wound tending/first aid.

Rating: T

Pairing: Alpha/Omega

Words: 1,399

Summary: Omega gets hurt and simply shatters under the weight of his guilt. Alpha puts the pieces back together.

Contains: Vague descriptions of injuries, talk of feral water ghouls (ie: Delta), lot of hurt before the comfort. Mushy May? More like misery may- (i'm sorry)

Once again many thank you's to @forlorn-crows for all of this <333

He was shaking. 

Alpha swallowed thickly as he registered that Omega, who moved with a surgeon's precision in every aspect of life, Omega the sturdiest most reliable thing the unholy father ever crafted, was undeniably shaking. 

His hands trembled as he stumbled for the edge of the sink, knocking a few sterilized tools from the counter beside it onto the red splattered tile as he caught himself. Alpha's ears pinned back. Without all the hissing and growling, with the chaos forcefully subdued by the younger quintessence ghoul’s quick thinking, all Alpha could hear was his mate's unsteady breathing. 

The sound of the faucet being turned on broke him from his stupor, driving Alpha from where he'd been rooted with ice creeping into his veins. Lead settled in his belly, a weighted sort of dread as he flocked to Omega's side. He choked on the scent of copper and gunsmoke as he grabbed for Omega's wrists, a desperate attempt to ground him. Try to bring recognition to his eyes. Omega almost jerked away from him and he instinctively held tighter. Never wanting to let him slip away in this blind panic, he'd get lost in it. Alpha did his best to hush him, he was never one for comforting or soothing. People don't often seek out fire to ease the pain, but it was good for cauterizing the wound. 

“Hey, hey, Megs it's me-” Alpha softened his voice to the best of his ability, “look at me.” 

It took a moment but those pinprick pupils found him after bouncing to a few nonspecific points, and Omega let out a shuddered breath. 

“Did you-?” he began, voice grim. Alpha felt his stomach sink like it might retreat back to the very pits he crawled out of. 

“No. No, your kid just put him out for a bit till we figure out a better solution.” Relief and worry fought for a place in his expression. Omega tried to look over Alpha’s shoulder but he abandoned the idea the second he saw the tattered curtain. 

“This wasn't supposed to happen, the transition was supposed to stop it” his eyes dropped, staring at the multitude of gouges raked down his forearms. The reality of failure dawning on him. “We put him through hell, and we still lost Delta.” 

“I….” Alpha followed his gaze down to the cuts on his arms and grimaced, only now registering the blood seeping through his fingers and down his own wrists. “Fuck…C'mon, I don't need you bleeding out,” he gently tugged him away from the sink and towards the office at the back of the infirmary. 

Omega dropped heavily into the chair behind the desk the second he got close to it, fully sagging into his seat. He looked tired, like this had taken everything he had left. Maybe it had. 

The last few months had seemed somewhat hopeful. Short lived relief as Delta seemed to settle into himself, into his new element. There had been a shared anxiety over the transition to begin with, it had never been done before - the idea of an element like water, entirely untamed, being reshaped to fit the ever changing mold of something as elusive as quintessence seemed so outside the realm of possibility. The solution really had been too good to be true, there was no saving a water ghoul from their element or the fate that they were doomed to. Perhaps Omega should have seen it coming, should have sensed the fraying threads in Delta's very being, and judging by the resignation creating harsh lines on his face Omega accepted his part in Delta’s rapidly deteriorating humanity. 

Alpha watched his chin sink to his chest, eyes fixing somewhere far away, seemingly unbothered by his injuries or just too numb to care. He wanted to grab him by those broad, capable shoulders and shake him. Shake the sense back into him. Rattle the guilt out of him like spare change from a piggy bank. 

But he clenched his fists at his sides and went to collect the things he needed. Alpha was no medic by any means but he could certainly clean and dress a wound, Omega had taught him well through the years and various injuries he'd collected - for a time Omega must have thought he was getting hurt like that on purpose to have an excuse to visit the infirmary. His time in the medical wing was informative at least, he knew the various cabinets and drawers a bit too well. 

Rags, hot water, gauze pads, and bandages in hand Alpha returned to Omega to find the quintessence ghoul had not moved an inch. Even the few strands of hair falling over his face hadn't shifted. 

The position felt backwards. Alpha knelt before him while Omega sat silently, avoiding eye contact out of shame. He did not move with confidence like the quintessence ghoul would have. Hesitant and cautious as he moved to dab a wet rag at the fine imprint of teeth. Omega nearly jerked from his grip but Alpha's tail swatted at him lightly, pulling his hand back towards him. Delta had a nasty bite, two rows of jagged needle like teeth, flinching was certainly understandable. 

“He really got you good, huh…” Alpha mumbled, feeling a tendon in Omega's hand twitch in a sort of agreement. No change in his face. “Omega,” he sighed, barely looking up. “You can't tear yourself apart over him, he knew the risk when he pursued the transition.” 

Not a word. 

“This isn't your fault. You couldn't have predicted this.” He offered with an alarming sincerity, a voice too gentle to belong to someone like him. “You did everything you could, but you can't save everyone.” 

His fingers curled, a fist in his lap suddenly. Alpha feared those claws would dislodge the blood clot and he'd start bleeding everywhere again but Omega didn't seem bothered by the thought. 

“Why can't i?!” The words spilled out of him soaked in desperation, face screwing up, eyes shut. “What good am I as a healer if I can't save them?” His voice broke, silently pleading for an answer to ease his guilt. 

Dropping the red stained rag to the floor with a wet slapping sound, Alpha reached for his face instead. Needed to touch him, skin to skin, he couldn't let Omega fall much further lest he lose him entirely. This was the only lifeline he knew how to provide. 

The tears escaped at the first touch, and Alpha wanted to engulf him entirely. Shroud him in a warm safety where the cold cruel reality couldn't tear into his mate any further, but all he could do was slip his arms around his middle and drag Omega's face into his shoulder. The position was awkward at best, what with Omega in the chair and him just kneeling on the floor, but they still found a way to fit together. They always did. 

Clutching the back of his shirt, Omega's shoulders shook. A muted sob that could have easily torn Alpha's hardened heart entirely in two. 

“You couldn't save him but you gave him more time,” Alpha held him tighter, like the truth might be squeezed into him. “You did more for him than any of us could.” 

“He'd have never forgiven me.” He mumbled, cheek pressing close to Alpha’s steady pulse. 

“He would have never thought you needed forgiveness.” He corrected and laid his palm flat to the nape of his neck, idly scratching at the overgrown whispy hairs. “Delta was nothing but grateful to you.” 

Against his neck he felt Omega open his mouth to argue but the words didn't come. He didn't have the energy to let them tumble out, wilting into the fire ghoul's embrace helplessly. Alpha knew his knees would ache, he'd probably walk with a faint limp for the next day or two from the unforgiving tile against his bone, but he didn't dare to move. The bruises were nothing compared to the proverbial beating Omega had given himself, he could endure it. Alpha could endure it all if only to bring Omega peace of mind. 

So he remained, a light in the dark, coaxing Omega back from the places none of them could follow. Warm and solid, something for his lover to latch onto. Alpha would have stayed perfectly in place for centuries if that was what Omega needed. 

[hunnysnoops]

˗ˋ𝕎𝕙𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕋𝕖𝕖𝕥𝕙 𝕋𝕖𝕖𝕟𝕤ˊ˗

Chapter Five: Mess Around

Kyle Broflovski x fem reader

The heat is rising and only getting hotter, ready to blow. I think I’ll pour myself a glass of water, let it flow.

Also available on Ao3 and Wattpad!

Premise: You’ve practiced all season for this track meet, time to show off your skills.

Warnings: cause language + humour / brief mentions of blood

MASTERLIST

Amidst the chatter of athletes, coaches, and spectators, one figure stood out—you with bruises swallowing your under eyes like Halloween makeup, the bandage covering up the break and the dried blood that stayed beneath your nostrils. You had tried to get rid of the dried blood several times though the swelling kept pushing pressure onto blood vessels and forced it back out leaving you to look like you had gone straight from Fight Club to the track meet.

No matter how many times you raced around the oval track, adrenaline still surged through your veins like an untamed wildfire. You had gone somewhat nonverbal while you reached back to what your PE teacher had taught you about the most successful athletes using mental imagery to win their respective heats.

You stood on the outside of the track, sneakers sinking into the grassy field while you shifted your weight back and forth between your legs, hands on your hips as you stared dead at the track. The rest of the kids from South Park were either catching their breath beneath the shade of the pop-up canopy or they were on the track competing. Currently, speed walking was in session so there wasn't much to watch even if you had been paying attention to anything other than the thought of you winning.

The music blasting through your headphones was nearly turning you deaf, you wanted to block everything out until the time came when you got back on the track for the relay. Your other heats went well though you knew that you wouldn't be satisfied unless all of them were blue ribbons.

The playlist that was spilling out of your headphones was one that Bebe had made for you to listen to before soccer games though you chose to ignore the fact that her absence made her feel even more present in your life than ever.

A boy wearing a maroon Cedar Valley Wildcats uniform had strolled up, saying something with a huge smile on his tanned face. You hadn't assumed he was talking to you until he stood awkwardly, maintaining his crooked smile while he waited for you to answer him. You pulled a headphone out, eyes narrowing at him "What?"

"I asked if you got a nose job," He repeats, pushing his tousled waves of chestnut hair away from the frame of his chiselled jawline.

"No," You answer, face stoic and voice to match. The past few days you heard this question more times than you could keep track of, the first time it was asked you didn't care but the next thirty or so times, it grated in your skull whether it was intended as a blandly unfunny joke or a genuine question.

"Oh," His grin falters for just a second "I'm Hudson,"

"Okay," You move to put your headphones back in but Hudson interrupts the process.

"So, does it hurt?" He gestures at his nose.

"Feels great," You answer with sarcasm dripping from your voice like syrup "You should see the other guy."

"Yeah?" Hudson says this like it's a challenge "Where is he?"

You swerve your head to look for the ginger and after a moment you spot him at a concession stand, he was tasked to buy Gatorade for his friends though two girls in Maplewood t-shirts keep prodding him with questions. One of the girls has her arms crossed as she looks up at him with a smile, the other is on her phone, seemingly bored. Even with a black eye, he was still drawing attention from girls. Maybe it was the black eye and bruised cheekbone that caused the intrigue, he should be thanking you. "Right there," You point at him.

Hudson's eyes widen a little bit before he cracks into the huff of a laugh "Holy shit, I thought you were joking," He's undoubtedly tall though you couldn't shake the thought that Kyle would tower over him with his sky-scraping height.

"Cool," You return to the one-word responses.

You would've thought him to be a surfer if you weren't in Denver, he almost checked off every box with his athletic build, bronze tan, and effortlessly charming smile, all he was missing was a puka shell necklace. "I saw you run in the four hundred, you were really good," He smiles once again, his teeth blindingly white in contrast to his skin.

"Thanks," You press your lips together in a thin line. No matter what Hudson was doing to try and flirt with you, it fell flat and rested in awkward silence before he forced out another attempt at small talk.

"Ayo," Another guy from Cedar Valley rolls around, slinging an arm around his buddy. "My boys got W rizz!" He looks back and forth between the two of you, expecting you to laugh or react in any other way that wasn't cringing so hard you felt the urge to gag.

Hudson slowly turned to look at his friend, silently cursing him for ruining what wasn't great to begin with. "Dude," He says, friendly tone and smile dropping completely.

"He's the rizzler," He gives Hudson a firm pat on the shoulder while beaming at you like he was a good wingman "Rizzly bear," he tries again but is met with unnerving stillness from both you and Hudson.

"Ignore him, please," Hudson turns his attention back to you.

His friend didn't seem to catch onto the fact that poking this dead horse wasn't funny in any manner "He's the rizzard or Oz, if you give him your number you can spend Chrizzmas together."

"I'm good, I think I'll just get a rizztraining order," You say, face contorting into a look of disdain as you turn to leave the conversation, putting your headphones back in until the sound of him yelling after you had gone completely.

You spot Red sitting beneath the canopy, a track and field hoodie thrown over her uniform of a green jersey that read 'Park County High' on the front with a graphic of a cow paired with black shorts, the same thing you were wearing.

"I can't fathom that speedwalking is a sport," She says, eyes focused on the track out of boredom while she soaked up the coolness of the shady grass.

"Fathom it, babe," You pause your music to listen to her. Red's hair had been secured tightly by you during the bus ride, you French braided it then secured all of the flyaways from her shaggy haircut with barrettes and bobby pins then finally pushed any hair that dared to touch her face away with a black headband. Her hair had held out through each heat that she ran, only budging slightly during hurdles.

"What was going on with those two guys?"

"I don't know but I feel strangely violated," You respond truthfully, almost shuddering at the thought of the short smiley wingman.

"Checks out," She nods, looking back to the track.

Absentmindedly, your eyes shift back to the concession stand where Kyle still stands, trying to balance entirely too many bottles of Gatorade while he chats with the same girl from before, her friend had disbanded but the short brunette girl held her ground. Kyle was laughing at something she had said, nearly craning his neck to look down at her.

Red follows your gaze and sees the same sight as you "Why the hell is he getting game with a fucked up eye?"

"I wouldn't know, man."

"I mean, you're getting game and you look like you've been lobotomized."

"Thank you, raggedy Ann."

"You're so welcome," A small grin splits onto her face though you look past her at Kyle instead of focusing on your friend. It was compulsive, really, how your eyes just shifted to the dark bruise enveloping his eye.

Maybe it was because he was laughing at the girl in front of him and in turn she put a hand on his forearm. What you had pulled from your head was that he laughed harder at your joke the night he got that bruise which was already drastically lighter while the pain from your broken nose didn't seem to let up.

"I was joking about the lobotomy thing but you're being more off-putting than usual," Red says, eyebrows furrowing in, a glimmer of light bouncing off the copious amounts of jewelry skewered through her ears.

"I'll off-put you," you say, trying to figure out how that statement made sense as it came out of your mouth.

"Sounds kinky," She shrugs, pulling some grass up from the soil until it's spilling out of her hand. She drops the balled-up blades of grass and wipes the remainder on your arm which left nothing more than a little dampness and a few pieces limply stuck onto your skin.

You brush the grass off your arm, ripping some out to toss it on her lap like you were still a petty kid in elementary school.

Shot put was taking place at the same time as speed walking, a little evil part of you snorted at the idea of one of the balls hitting the walkers. You thought back to the one year when Stan had joined track and excelled at shot put though he didn't return the following year due to a little awkwardness between him and Tolkien.

"How funny would it be if one of the shot puts hit someone on the track?" Red asks.

"Oh my god," Your face softens slightly "I love you so much."

"Where you just thinking that?"

"Yeah, I was," You nod, reaching to snatch up her left hand into your right and clutch it tightly. Using your free hand, you rip up more grass and tuck it into the hood of her sweater, she doesn't fight you over it, all Red does is accept the fact that she'll be finding bits of pasture in her hoodie for the next week or so.

"We look kinda gay right now."

"We usually do," You answer.

"Yeah, I guess."

A figure looms above the pair of you and as you glance up at Kyle you can't fight the reflex of narrowing your eyes at him like he was always about to do something evil. "Here you go," He tosses a Gatorade to Red and to you, a Powerade.

"Thanks, man," Red looks from the bottle to him with a little smile.

"No problem," He says, pressing his lips back together and taking off. You did nothing but study the drink with intensity like it was an ancient code waiting to be cracked. While everyone else got a standard bottle of Gatorade he gave you a Powerade.

"That was nice,"

"Too nice," You glare at Kyle as he returns to his little huddle of friends to distribute the drinks.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"He gave me a Powerade instead of Gatorade because he knows that I like them more," You tell Red, eyes still hyper-focused on Kyle where he stood. You had always made a fuss about preferring one to the other even though everyone told you that they tasted exactly the same, you could always tell the difference and made sure that everyone in your vicinity knew that.

"Okay?" Red raises an eyebrow, she had the sense that you were going to break out into a conspiracy theory.

"This isn't right," you conclude, breaking your gaze away from the ginger to turn your attention back to the bottle he had given you.

"What? You think it's poison or something?" She asks.

"No, it's just weird," You tell her dropping the Powerade onto the ground "It's unsettling."

"It isn't unsettling, it was just Kyle being nice."

"Yeah, and that's unsettling."

"Not really, you're always worse to him."

"Nuh-uh."

"Oh my god," Red cracked the lid of her drink open, the icy condensation dampening her palm as she took a deep swig. "It's so weird that nice gestures make you so squirmy, I could put you in a nice meadow with a gentle breeze and you'd find something to seeth about."

"Maybe I don't fuck with meadows."

"Yeah, that sounds about right," She shrugs, taking another sip.

"And nice gestures don't make me squirmy."

"You're squirmy as fuck right now," Red gives you an up-and-down look, your knees are pulled into your chest while you stare at the bottle of Powerade on the ground. "Is it possible that you're becoming friends?"

Your face contorted into a look of terror and disgust, mouth hanging ajar, upper lip curling in while your shoulders tensed "Jesus fucking Christ, don't say that ever again, I might have to take a couple shots of Clorox."

"Alright," She raised her hands in defence "My bad, dude."

"Yeah, it is your bad," Your eyes shifted over to the girl Kyle was talking to. She was short and had mousy brown hair long even in a ponytail, it was so silky that it almost looked like it was shimmering gold the way the light hit it. "Why do we like pretty people?"

"Isn't it called the halo effect or something?"

"Yeah, but I mean do we find super good-looking people attractive because it's rare to see someone so beautiful?" You ask "Like if everyone got nose jobs, BBLs, filler, and botox would their beauty dwindle in value because what was unique becomes common like inflation?”

"Have you been online? Everyone already has all of those things and they're still pretty hot." 

"Am I right though?" 

"Maybe," She takes another beat to think it over "I guess, yeah, like if everyone looked the exact same then someone with different features might become the new standard."

"I think we should start celebrating grotesque ugliness instead of beauty." 

"Or maybe we should just stop being so obsessed with appearance.”

"Yeah," As much as you pretended to be above picking apart appearances it was something drilled into your head since childhood that you weren't sure you would be shaking anytime soon "Maybe."

In your peripheral, you caught a glimpse of the girl from the concession stand. She was making her way in your direction which you didn't think anything of until she flashed a blindingly white smile "Hey."

Red looks to you for a reaction but you just stare up at the girl with gaping eyes and a crease between your brows so she takes the hassle of answering "Uh, hey."

"I'm Alyssa," She says, briefly gesturing to herself before hiding her hands behind her back. 

"I'm Rebecca," A faint smile touched her lips, barely noticeable.

"That's a pretty name," Her lips, softly curved and naturally rouge, formed an easy, inviting smile. She had a litter of freckles over her button nose, faint over her caramel skin.

"Thank you," There was a tinge of confusion in Red's voice, it wasn't often that you came across girls your age that were so forwardly kind. 

"So, are you guys friends with Kyle? I saw you talking to him," Aylssa's voice gets quieter towards the end of the sentence as she quickly glances around to see if he's in the area.

Once again Red looks at you like you're going to answer, she takes it into her own hands to respond "Yeah, I guess."

 "Great!" The relief is evident on her face "I wanted to ask him for his number but I sorta chickened out, is there any way I could get it off one of you?" She looks between the two of you and her face drops at your expression "Unless he has a girlfriend-

"No, you're good," Red waves her off "I don't have his number but she does," She gently elbows your bicep.

"Awesome, is it cool if I grab it off you?"

"What the fuck is happening today?" You mutter to yourself.

"Mixed *mmph* will begin shortly, all competing *crack* to the track, please," A pot-bellied man with whispy grey and white hair calls through a megaphone, his voice is muffled and staticky through it, though the message is intercepted by a decrepit microphone, you were well aware that this was the announcement of the final relay.

You stood next to Tolkien and Kyle, the three of you watching Red where she prepped herself for the lead-off. She stood a few meters down the track, bouncing lightly on her toes and rolling her shoulders. She shook her hands out in front of her while taking deep breaths to loosen her body. It wasn't often that you saw Red so focused on something, the last time you saw her this earnest was at the soccer tournament last summer where she had to face off against her ex. 

The man with the megaphone looked past the three of you to Coach Dawsey, who was chewing loudly on three pieces of bubblegum, from metres away you could hear him smacking his lips. Megaphone man held up a thumbs up and a thumbs down to the coach, a subtle way of asking whether our team was set to go.

"Yeah," Dawsey says through a mouthful of gum "We're good to go Marty."

"Huh?" Marty narrows his eyes and cranes his neck forward to get a better look at you coach.

"I said we're good to go, Marty!" Coach shouts, cupping his hands around his cracked lips.

Marty shrugs, megaphone hanging limp by his side while he uses his other hand to tap his ear "I can't hear ya' Steve."

"We are good to go!" He shouts even louder, causing the crowd of Coaches, teachers and students alike to cast him odd glances. 

"You gotta be louder, Steve," Marty addresses Dawsey, ignoring the abundance of spectators silently judging his senility. 

“We are good!”

"What?" Marty holds the microphone back to his mouth "Park County, are all of your racers accounted for?"

"Yes!" You shout, holding two thumbs up high to be sure the old man can see them before gesturing to you, Tolkien, Kyle, and then Red "One, two, three, four."

"I don't see the fourth," Marty shakes his head. "Young lady, you cannot count well."

"The girl with red hair on the vaguely empty track, in a Park County uniform, do you think she's stretching to watch the relay?" You point at your friend who seems completely tuned out along with the few other people warming up. 

Marty says something to a woman with a clipboard then doesn't address you or your team again. It wasn't your first time running the 4x400 though it was the first time without Adam and that thought made you sway a little on your feet. Adam had always been the finisher and now you had replaced that position. 

"Runners two to four please line up with your team, lead runners please find your lane on the track," The woman with the clip board's voice carries effortlessly over the others and almost immediately everyone begins to straighten themselves out. Being behind Tolkien and Kyle you couldn't see directly ahead of you so you awkwardly tilted your head to keep your eyes steadied on Red. 

"Hey," Hudson calls from the line beside you. He's in the middle of two other runners, meaning he'll be running third for his team, he was parallel to Kyle. You grace him with a brief glimpse before focusing your attention back on Red "I'm sorry about my friend, earlier."

"Sick," You tell him without even looking in his direction though both Kyle and Tolkien were keen to pick up on this conversation. 

"Just pretend that never happened."

"Sure."

You really weren't attentive to what Hudson was saying, your mind was elsewhere whereas the two boys in front of you seemed more interested in the exchange, Tolkien had one eyebrow raised while he regarded Hudson. Kyle was however looking at you for any indication that what he was saying mattered to you, your face was unmoving. 

"I-uh, didn't catch your name," Hudson still maintains his crooked smile.

"I didn't throw it."

"That's a good one," He chuckles, rocking back and forth on his heels. You were less interested in him and more interested in the guy behind him who was the one you would be racing against, he was pasty, slim, and tall, maybe a few inches shorter than Tolkien and Kyle though it was hard to tell without him standing next to them. "I just feel like we got off on the wrong foot."

"Yeah," You answer truthfully, asking if you got a nose job wasn't a great opener and bothering you before what you considered the most difficult sprint wasn't aiding his case.

"Maybe I could get your number and we could redo this whole thing?"

"No."

Kyle and Tolkien glance at one another before Tolkien whispers "What's going on?"

"Dude, I don't know," He wasn't entirely sure why this boy was chasing someone clearly uninterested though he may have been one to go for the mean girls. 

"How about if my team ranks higher in the relay, you give me your number," He proposes.

"And when my team ranks higher you'll put a shotgun in your mouth while I watch?" You say with ease. Like usual you were teetering very dangerously on the line between standoffish and obscenely confident.

"You're really funny," Hudson smiles and there was not a single speck of evidence that he took any of that statement poorly.

'What the fuck?' Tolkien mouths with furrowed eyebrows, he couldn't tell whether Hudson was truly self-assured enough not to be bothered with your cold regard or if he was stupid enough to consider it flirting.

"So if I win, I get your number?" He presses for confirmation.

"Yeah, sure, stop talking."

When Hudson finally turns back to his group Tolkien looks past Kyle and at you "You're going to give that guy your number?"

You shake your head "We're not losing to him," You and Kyle manage to say in sync, staring at each other and horror. It always scared you when your words happened to match up with Kyle, as rare as it was, it happened more than you would've liked. 

"Runners, on your mark," Marty's crackly voice sounded out amongst you. The three of you fell silent while you trained your eyes on Red, her muscles tense and ready for the long sprint ahead. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs, and visualized her lap—every stride, every breath, the smooth curve of the track.

She adjusted herself into the blocks, clutching the orange baton in her right hand while tapping her fingers lightly against the turf. You were glad that you had been given the fifth lane, it would prove to be gentler as opposed to the inner lanes and their sharp turns.

"Get set," He announces and Red angles herself on the starting block, eyes narrowing on the length ahead. Marty holds the air horn to the sky and the very moment it sounds the runners take off. 

Red launched forward with powerful, determined strides, her legs pumping rhythmically as she rounded the first bend. The cheers of spectators blurred into a distant roar as she concentrated on maintaining her speed and form. She was neck and neck with a girl in a bright yellow uniform who took up her pace and passed her. 

You wanted to cheer for Red until your lungs felt like sandpaper but she never paid any attention to the cheering and yelling, just the stretch that she had to cross and the amount she had left. Tolkien shifted forward along with the others taking the second lap of the sprint, the volunteers had been quick to move the starting block out of the way. He took the fifth lane, standing sideways on the curve of the track, he bounced slightly on his feet to stay light.

The final leg of her sprint approached quickly, and Red leaned into it, her body angled perfectly to maintain speed without losing balance. Her breaths were deep and controlled, her focus unbroken. The wind rushed past her ears, carrying the faint cheers of the crowd. She knew the other teams were right behind and ready to swallow her. She neared the handoff zone as two other teams pushed past her narrowly, their bright uniforms a blur past her eyeline. Physically you winced as you watched this. 

Coming into the first handoff, Tolkien was already in motion, his arm extended backward. The baton pass was seamless, a fluid exchange born of countless hours of practice that only one of the two had attended. Tolkien took off like a shot, his long legs eating up the distance. He pushed through the first curve with smooth, even strides, his eyes fixed on the track ahead. His determination was palpable, driving him to push ahead. 

His eyes flicked to the runners behind him, gauging their distance. The rival teams were close, their presence a constant pressure, but Tolkien thrived on it. It pushed him to dig deeper, to find that extra burst of speed. 

The runners taking the third lap were called forward to take their positions, despite not intending to, Kyle looked back at you to see you already staring at the back of his head. "You'll do good," You would deny that you ever said it but in that moment it was what he needed to hear. You let the words simmer between the two of you only for a second before everyone began to inch forward into their new positions. 

"You'll do great," His mouth drew into a thin line, curving upwards so slightly that you would've missed it had he jogged his way to the handoff zone a second sooner. 

You look to the boy now standing alone a few feet away from you, the lanky pale kid that was allegedly faster than Adam. Your mind recovered the memories of every coach and PE teacher you had ever come across telling you that running was a mental game; they meant you needed to train your mind so you could push past your current physical capabilities and achieve new levels of success, something like that. Though you had something else in mind entirely "My grandma just died."

The lanky boy who stood behind Hudson minutes ago looked around to be sure you were talking to him "I'm sorry?"

"Yeah," You let out a long sigh "She was doing well until she tried to crawl over the patio of her retirement home to buy Fireball at the liquor store across the street."

"That sucks, did she hit her head or something?"

"No, she made it over the railing but tripped and broke her hip so she got sent to the hospital without Fireball."

"Oh, I'm-

"And then she got better and was sent back to her retirement home and snuck out again, she made it across the street but they were out of Fireball so she had to buy Jägermeister."

"Jägermeister's good too," He said sheepishly.

"That's what grandma thought before she got hit by a truck crossing the street to get back to her retirement home," You shook your head, feigning melancholy. 

"That's unfortunate."

"No, it's not," You say "She survived getting hit by the truck but it happened to be transporting cashews and grandma's deathly allergic to tree nuts."

He pressed his lips into a thin line, nodding slowly "My dad's allergic to peanuts, that's sad for her."

"Luckily she had her Epi-pen on her and a bystander was able to bring her back from anaphylactic shock."

"Oh?"

"She died a year later from liver failure, she's a terrible drunk, and takes her wig off when she gets tipsy."

"Sorry for your loss-

"Grandma said all she wanted me to achieve in life was to win the 4x400 relay at the Kettle Valley junior track meet," You mustered up your best guilt-tripping look, you weren't sure whether it was working or not but you hoped that your broken nose added sympathy points. Running is a mental game after all.

His eyebrows furrowed "No she did not."

As Tolkien rounded the curve and entered the back straight, he lengthened his stride, his legs a blur of motion. His arms pumped rhythmically at his sides, each swing helping to propel him forward. The strain was building in his muscles, a familiar burn that he welcomed. It meant he was pushing his limits, giving everything he had until he flew past a boy from Northridge leaving two more runners roughly five metres ahead.

The next handoff zone loomed ahead, and Tolkien locked eyes with Kyle, who was already in motion. The coordination had to be perfect. He could see Kyle's hand extended back, ready to receive the baton. Tolkien's focus sharpened, his entire being centred on making a flawless pass.

Kyle felt a surge of adrenaline as Tolkien approached the handoff zone. He began his run, matching his steps to Tolkien's pace, his hand outstretched and steady. The baton was placed firmly into his grip, and without missing a beat, Kyle accelerated down the track. The smooth handoff gave him confidence, and he launched into his leg of the relay with a new determination. As he passed he couldn't help but steal a glance as you stuck up your middle finger to the tall boy beside you who moved on to say he didn't believe your grandma was dead. 

"Stop talking shit about my grandma."

"She's not dead," He said bluntly.

"How would you know? Mabel was really sick in the last year of her life."

"Maybe some of that sickness passed to you." He shrugged. 

You glared at him "Alright, Slim Jim, I'm gonna kick your ass and then shove peanuts down your dad's throat and make you retrieve his Epi-pen through a saw trap."

"Jesus," He uttered. 

While the runners were nearing the midpoint of the track the anchor runners were directed to the final handoff zone. Kyle swung his legs faster than he thought was possible, he was used to endurance running, not the panicky surge of sprints and the anxious feeling of the other teams pulling ahead any moment.

The two ahead were a girl from Summit in a deep blue colour and Hudson, the boy he recognized only as the one who had asked for your number. The one who would be getting your number if he won and that was something that irked Kyle to the point he quickened his strides, chasing down the Cedar Valley boy.

In mere seconds he passed the girl from Summit who was quickly swallowed by another runner and Kyle was feet away from closing the gap with Hudson, His long legs were being put to use. His steady steps pounded in rhythm with the beat of his heart. 

Kyle ignored the way his body ached like someone had set in on fire, he kept his mind focused on pulling past Hudson and his smug crooked grin. He thought the muscles flexing in his calves were ready to give out at any second until he said you at the handoff, eyes steady and unmoving on his panting figure. He glanced to the side at Hudson who was paralleled to him, their strides almost fell in complete sync, each time either sped up so did the other leaving them completely levelled. 

With a nod of your head, Kyle extended the baton forward, his grip firm but ready to release. Your hand met his with perfect timing, and the baton passed smoothly. Kyle felt the slight resistance of the transfer before letting go, ensuring it was secure before he released it.

His part in the race complete, Kyle slowed his pace, his chest heaving with exertion. He turned to watch you take off, his heart swelling in anticipation. The handoff had been perfect, and now it was up to you to bring them home as he and Hudson had reached the handoff at the same time. Kyle jogged off the track, joining Red and Tolkien on the grassy sidelines of the track. 

They were all breathless but exhilarated, their eyes fixed on you. Kyle had no doubt in his mind that you would break the tie and take the lead. 

Your powerful strides ate up the track as you took the baton and surged forward. Every muscle in your body hummed with exertion, the focus was entirely on you and you had no intentions of losing to the lanky boy struggling to match your pace.

Kyle watched as you navigated the back straight, your form perfect and pace relentless. The crowd's noise seemed to swell, a thunderous backdrop to the subtle drama unfolding on the track. Kyle's eyes were locked on you, every step pushing you forward seemed like it didn't phase you though your shaky breath displayed otherwise. 

The final curve approached, and you leaned into it, your speed undiminished and ever-consistent. Kyle could see the strain on your face, the sheer effort it took to maintain such a blistering pace. But there stood the overwhelming urge to win, the finish line was in sight, and you were giving it everything you had.

With the home stretch before you, your strides lengthened, arms swinging with renewed vigour. The other teams were close, but you had a slight edge with the Cedar Valley boy beginning to pass you. Every muscle strained as you forced yourself to push further, moving so fast you felt like you had broken a record.

The tall boy from Cedar Valley was watching you take the final stride across the finish line, barely passing him but still you did so despite catching the turf with the toe of your runner and tumbling, colliding with the track. Your skin burned with bare friction against the turf as you slid, you had made sure to protect your already broken nose, not bothering to rescue your limbs which were previously fine. It may have not been the mightiest of victories but it was still a victory nonetheless. 

You dragged yourself off the ground before anyone could reach you, the skin from your knees and elbows had been scraped a violent shade of red, so raw that spectators visibly watched droplets of blood emerge and pool over the shallow wound. Disregarding the newfound injury, you threw the baton on the ground, sticking the middle finger up to the lanky Cedar Valley boy and then to Hudson "Fuck you!" You smiled brightly. “My grandmas been dead for five years!”

"Yeah, fuck you, her grandmas dead as hell,” Red matched your gesture to the opposing school "Why are we doing this?"

"That's enough," the woman from earlier with the clipboard approached you and the pair of you were quick to drop your hands to your side. Wordlessly she handed blue ribbons to each of you, you slipped yours onto the the safety pin tasked to carry your other ribbons from the day and dangled it in front of Tolkien's face. 

Kyle hangs back and watches you drink in the win, unmoved by the stinging of the scrape of the blood dribbling down your shins like juice from a cherry.

The turf burn hurt far worse when the adrenaline wore off. Sally had misplaced her bag and in doing so held up the bus from departure, a little group of volunteers helped her look for it, a group which you had happily opted out from in exchange for a few extra beats of sleep on the bus. 

You balled your hoodie into a makeshift pillow and wedged it between your head and the window of the bus. It didn't take long for you to succumb to sleep despite the sun still shining brightly. Between the pain medication you had taken for your nose and the absurd amount of cardio you had performed that day, you were beyond thrilled to put your headphones in and close your eyes until sleep washed you over.

"Found it," Sally chuckled awkwardly, holding up her lavender duffle bag as she scuttled onto the already overfilled bus. The little search and rescue group piled onto the bus, shoving themselves into seats though Kyle paused next to the driver's seat. "Are we allowed this many people on a bus?"

"Yuh," Dawsey smacks his lips together "Legally we are allowed seventy-two kids on a school bus."

"Kids?" He asks "Like children?"

"Yuh, that's right."

"We're almost adults."

"No, you're good, sit down."

"It's obscenely crowded in here," His nose wrinkles as hazel eyes rake over the rows of sweaty teenagers.

"For god's sake boy, sit down or we're leaving ya' here," Coach yanks off his baseball cap to use it as a fan for his sweaty face.

Kyle shuffles through the aisle scanning for an open seat. The first he spotted was next to Emily Marx and the second was next to you. He tried to be quick about the decision, I mean you were asleep and Emily talked too much. It wasn't that he preferred either company in particular, he just preferred the silence and landed himself next to you. 

"Anyone missing?" Coach called back, he took the stillness as a no and geared up for the ride. He wasn't the best driver, there were times when Kyle thought he was so upset about Adam's injury that he wanted to drive the remainder of the team off the freeway as revenge for the tragedy. 

As usual, Kyle put his headphones on, ignoring the buzz of chatter from the rest of the team. it was quieter than usual as everyone was so beat, aside from the speed walkers. He was sure you wouldn't be the only one to fall asleep on the hour-long drive. 

The bus rumbled down the highway, the soft hum of the engine blending with the muffled conversations of the other passengers. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow through the windows, creating patterns of light and shadow on the seats. In the middle of the bus, Kyle reclined into the leather chair while you sunk against the window. His headphones securely in place, the world outside a blur as it whizzed past.

His body was pleasantly tired from the day's exertions, the kind of fatigue that comes from giving your all in competition and having blue ribbons to show for it. His playlist was a mix of his favourite tracks mixed in with some of the pop-punk stuff he begrudgingly listened to as per Stan's request, the music providing a not-so-soothing backdrop to his thoughts.

He replayed the events of the track meet in his mind, the adrenaline of his race still lingering. His muscles ached, but it was a satisfying ache that mingled with the thoughts of smiles lingering a moment too long. 

The bus hit a small bump, jostling him slightly, but he didn't mind. Kyle opened his eyes and glanced around at his teammates. Some were chatting animatedly, still riding the high of their performances. Others, like him, were lost in their own worlds, headphones in, gazing out the windows or dozing off. Coaches sharp turn failed to wake you, only shifting you until you had slumped against him, head uncomfortably digging into his bicep though Kyle didn't dare wake you or shrug you off him. 

He had known you too long to be so childish to make a spectacle over it. Not to mention he made the executive decision to sit next to you.

Still and unwavering Kyle looked at your lulled figure, he couldn't tear his mind away from how serene you looked when you weren't tense with defensiveness and challenge or lying about your grandmother. Then he wondered what you dreamed of that had you looking like you were drifting into eternal bliss. 

You had the occasional sniffling, little twitches and spasms in your face from what he presumed to be caused by the broken bone in the centre of your face as well as the abundance of padding to keep it in place. In his pocket, Kyles phone abruptly buzzes. 

Unknown Number: Heyyy :)

Kyle: ?

Unknown Number: Oh it's Alyssa lol

Unknown Number: From the concession stand

Kyle: How did you get my number?

Unknown Number: ur friend with the broken nose gave it to me

Kyle: oh cool 

Unknown Number: Do you wanna go out in the summer sometime?

His eyes shift from the blue light radiating off the screen of his phone and then to you and you and scraps over your knees, the bandage over your nose, and the half-drunken Powerade he had bought you tucked beneath your arm despite your endless murmuring to Red that you would sooner eat a pack of cigarettes before ingesting anything Kyle bought for you. 

Kyle: No, sorry

Kyle: I’ll be pretty busy this summer

Unknown Number: Oh

Unknown Number: that sucks 

Unknown Number: I thought we hit it off 

Kyle: Sorry

A/N: sorry for lack of updates, I’ve been on vacation. Got home from Greece at three am last night! Missed you guys lol

[rarepears]

Nie Huaisang, Lan Xichen, Jin Guangyao, and Nie Mingjue all reincarnate together into PIDW, and become disciples around the same time as Luo Binghe.

The drama of this is of course enhanced by the facts that NMJ & JGY died "early," but NHS & LXC lived to the end of their natural lives as cultivators, and so some of their perspectives and opinions on events have naturally changed with age. (tfw the passage of time renders you unfamiliar to your once-loved ones)

Eventually they talk about their feelings and reconcile and such, and this ends up derailing the plot of PIDW severely as the rest of the PIDW characters confusedly observe quite possibly the weirdest disciples Cang Qiong's ever seen

NMJ on Bai Zhan, with no clue what's going on because he died first and NHS & LXC haven't told him anything

NHS on An Ding, thoroughly enjoying what's pretty much a vacation to him at this point and possibly running an interpeak illicit goods market (definitely not to distract himself from any of the emotions having NMJ & JGY alive and nearby would be causing him, Everything Is Fine) I haven't decided if he'd get involved with the whole og!SQH and MBJ situation tho

LXC on Qiong Ding, because I feel like he'd see himself in Yue Qingyuan and lowkey hate him for it and I think that could be interesting

JGY on Qing Jing, because he's the objectively the funniest/most interesting character to throw into the mess that is SJ and LBH. The way I imagine it, he's doing the most direct derailing of the plot, because he mostly accidentally gets right in the middle of the thing that is going on between those two

I feel like as I wrote this it became more serious than I originally intended so just know that I'm mentally picturing this like a fic that's interspersed with outsider POV of the 4 of them being completely deranged about eachother

(Also I'd feel bad taking away LXC's brother so LWJ and WWX + friends are busy doing hot girl shit being rogue cultivators. I think WWX should be a half demon so he gets to keep the cultivation and steal some of LBH's protagonist energy. If this was a fic then the rest of the Untamed gang would be perfect to use for side characters during off-peak missions)

*grabs popcorn and sits down to hear more*

Nie Huaisang is having too much fun waiting the two idiots called his shizun and shizun's poorly kept secret of a boyfriend go flailing around on these terribly unromantic dates BUT THE TWO WERE TRYING SO HARD that it was cute. He wonders if he should do something to help the poor idiots out... Should he?

Maybe he should...

(Watch Shang Qinghua and Mobei Jun suddenly have a number of sex pollen accidents over the next few months....)

Lan Xichen would be an old man and a good voice of reason for Yue Qingyuan. Although he's head disciple and a very good one at that (if only because his Big Brother instincts can't be held back and he MUST interfere to help prevent history repeating once more), Lan Xichen has made it very clear that he would never accept becoming sect leader.

Also don't forget Liu Mingyan in the background writing about a 4 person sex orgy. At least, that's her personal theory for why there's so much UNRESOLVED TENSION between these four sus male disciples. And also, because it's fun.

It's even funner when you consider that Nie Mingjue is out of the loop of Cang Qiong stuff even on Bai Zhan because he tags along on so many of Liu Qingge's missions that he's probably spending like 8 months of the year outside of the sect.

(Nie Huaisang gets "assigned" to missions that happen to take place near Nie Mingjue's hunts.)

Meng Yao is Meng Yao and he still craves the approval of Male Authority Figures That Could be his dad. Also Meng Yao still likes to climb up the social hierarchy and power. AKA Luo Binghe growing mushrooms in the corner at seeing ANOTHER QING JING disciple THE SAME AGE AS HIM being given SO MUCH ATTENTION AND APPROVAL by shizun.

Luo Binghe develops a complex over Meng Yao of course.

(Shen Jiu approves of Meng Yao because he understands these characters very well and know how to manipulate (cough kill or injury them physically or mentally) them easily. Plus Meng Yao is actually competent.)

[More in #Nie Huaisang Lan Xichen Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue reincarnate into PIDW and are Cang Qiong disciples at the same time as Luo Binghe is AU

[eleni-cherie]

a thief's origin✨ || bts • kth - chapter 0.3

"you're afraid I won't wait." "I'm afraid you will."

a criminal and a doctor should be as different as the sun and the moon - but unexpected things happened every day. like him finding his safe haven in her.

© 2024 | eleni_cherie

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masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers s2f2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

21st April

Barcelona, Spain

"Wished I could travel around again, like when I was a kid.. haven't done that in years."

Cassandra heaved a sigh and sat back at the bench in parc de la Ciutadella. Trying her best to shield her eyes from the sun that still flared from in between the trees. Preventing her from drawing properly.

She needed that little distraction from all the medical things. It had been an intense week once again at the hospital and that was one of her favourite spots.

"Around the world like you do, you know?" Her lips pressed into a thin line as she peeked at Taehyung who was sitting beside her, sunk into his seat and legs widely spread in front of him. Untamed raven hair hanging into his eyes behind round sunglasses. "Okay, maybe not exactly like you do," she laughed under her breath, "But still, I'm quite envious of you for that."

"It's not as much fun as you imagine it though.." he chuckled while mindlessly observing a group of tourists gathering in front of the impressive fountain in the park. The song on the playlist sitting between them faded and a soft piano melody began playing instead.

"Sure, having to be on the run from interpol probably takes the fun out of it but.." She dragged a breath. "It's still better compared to being stuck at one place."

Cassandra often liked to pretend the job didn't phase her too much, especially since not even a full year had passed of her officially practicing it. She tried keeping a professional distance to the patients and even her colleagues, with the exception of Stella. Sometimes it was easier, sometimes not. She wasn't sure which path was the right approach yet. She hoped with practice there would come knowledge.

The only thing she knew was that day hadn't been one of the great ones. Not only because of the tantrum by her assistant colleague Pavlo, a big sleazy jerk who definitely wasn't made for any profession that required contact to sick humans, but even before that. That was why she was thankful for Taehyung randomly showing up that day. Waiting for her at the ER entrance as always. 

She didn't say it out loud, but his random visits were always a welcoming break from the monotony of her daily life. And she appreciated them. Even if they were usually for just one day. It was the one day she looked forward to the most, despite never knowing when it'd come and if it'd ever come again. Because being friends with someone like him had the disadvantage of having little to no contact the rest of the time.

Still, even if not much, the time they got to spend together always reminded her how exciting and fun that city could be. With the right company at least. It reminded her there was a life outside of the hospital.

Taehyung looked at her, pensively. He never realised how hard her job must've been and he gave her an empathetic pout. "Stuck.. that bad, huh?"

She sucked on the little rest of her melon lollipop before throwing the plastic stick into the bin next to her. "Sometimes, yeah."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"There's not really much to talk about.. but thanks." A weak smile graced her lips, not quite reaching her eyes. Truth was she'd have liked talking about it with someone but couldn't because a) medical confidentiality and b) it was a sad story and she didn't want to dump it all onto him. They might be friends, oddly enough for some, but she didn't want to scare him off with all her emotional baggage.

Amyloidosis. Why on earth would a seven-year-old have that?

Her heart clenched just remembering it.

"Well, I know a place that might distract you at least." His cheery voice caused her to perk up with curiosity, watching him pausing the music to shove the phone into his pockets. 

"Really? What place?"

He flashed her a grin filled with mischief and promise before standing up. Motioning for her to follow. "You'll see."

Whenever he'd come to Barcelona before meeting Cassandra it was mainly for a job, a layover or to lay low when interpol was on their tail. However, he'd still got around a fair amount of times and there was a small tapas bar in the basement of a narrow alley that he liked a lot. It wasn't nearby, but she looked like needing good food and a drink right now.

Intrigued, the coppery-haired girl packed her drawing utensils and swung her tote bag over her shoulder before following him out of the park to his parked car. Perhaps she shouldn't be so trusting of a thief she'd not even spent two handful of days together and yet she was. Finding herself heading west in his car when they stopped at a red light.

He let his long fingers absentmindedly drum to the soft beat playing on the radio while waiting. Humming along to it. 

Cassandra got curious to where he was bringing her to and attempted to ask after all, but faltered when she watched him slid off the sunglasses. Using them to push back his hair that was unrulingly covering his vision due to a spring blow coming from the cranked down window. She took in his musing eyes and the soft edges of his features. Skin shining in a warm undertone, much warmer than hers in the city's afternoon glow.

"Traffic's unbearable," he sighed then and turned to her, catching her gaze already resting on him.

Her long eyelashes fluttered and she looked away to the lines of cars in front of them. "I-it's because of roadwork at the ring road. Everyone's detouring."

"Ah," he replied with a bashful smile. Seeing vehicles at the front moving then, much to his relief. And he prepared switching gears when an unexpected whistle made him grow stiff.

"Well, well, well.. who do we have here!"

That seething voice instantly triggered his memory and made the blood in his veins freeze. He internally cursed, glancing to his left. His eyes recognising that sleazy lopsided grin from its source. It was one of the goons he owned his wounded arm last year to.

The man, not much taller than him and surely not smarter, was leaning against a street lamp, a half-lit cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he pushed himself off. The grin widening in a threatening mannor as he took the butt from between his teeth and tossed it to the ground, glance never leaving his.

Taehyung's jaw clenched and he faced Cassandra with concern. Meeting her already inquiring look. 

"Cas, buckle up and hold tight. Okay?" He expected her to pelt him with questions but instead, she just nodded and sank lower into her seat. Gripping her seatbelt tightly.

"Hey, I think we still got to settle an outstanding score!" the guy sneered then. Preparing to make his way over to them when thankfully the cars in front of them disappeared. And he  instantly shifted gears, flooring the gas. 

The thug shouted after them in anger and Taehyung knew this wasn't over. Catching a glimpse of the man in the rareview mirror, waving over another one before getting into the red car parked besides them.

"I'm sorry, Doc, I think we have to postpone it." His face turned apologetic as he navigated himself through the busy streets. "I'll stop somewhere so you can -" The sentences was left unfinished as a loud pang! echoed and next thing he noticed was the side-mirror, cracked into tiny pieces. "Fck."

Cassandra's eyes grew. Staring at him with bewildered bambi eyes. "Was that a bullet?"

"I fear so."

Quietly, she folded her lips and sunk even lower into her seat. "Damn, so that's what it's really like to hang out with you, huh cool guy?" she joked and he glanced at her, astonished.

There was mild concern on her face, paired with irritation in her eyes. But he realised they lacked fear or panic. She wasn't terrified like most people would be in that situation. It seemed nonsensical, almost comically absurd. And he chuckled under his breath.

"Sometimes, yeah. Keep your head tucked down, okay?" He shot her a smile before sliding out the gun from his waistband underneath his loose-fitted shirt and she nodded vigorously.

Cocking the magnum he glanced over his shoulder, spotting the red car nearing them fast. It was only a couple of vehicles behind them. In that moment, someone leaned out of the passenger window and Taehyung instantly sat back again. Shifting to a higher gear and taking a sharp turn into another street, earning loud honks and curses from two other drivers. With the advantage of the new angle, he fired a couple of shots himself. Each one piercing the red car's front tyres and eventually causing it to come to an abrupt halt in the middle of the street.

He drifted to the next side-street, heading for the exit to the ring rode highway in the north then. There was no time to think themselves safe, though, with the piercing sound of multiple bullets hitting his car's trunk. And he saw two motorbikes following them in the rearview mirrow.

"Would you do me a favour?"

Cassandra arched a brow at his apologetic smile. "W-what favour?"

"Hold the steering wheel for me - just for a few seconds. Can you do that?"

"W-what? Why?"

He sighed. "I might be a great marksman, but I can't shoot behind me while also driving."

"I can't drive though! I don't have a license." Taehyung stifled a laugh, finding it ironic that only now she chose to panic and that over something, in his opinion, minor.

"Just keep the car on the road for five seconds, that's all." He gave her an reassuring smile and Cassandra gulped. Eventually agreeing, not having much of a choice after all when another bullet hit their car. So she leaned over and gripped the steering wheel, holding it tightly. Thankfully not many cars were in front of them on the highway. 

Five seconds. Just five seconds, she kept telling herself as Taehyung turned in his seat and with a deadly precision aimed and hit the motorbikes' tyres. The vehicles along with their passengers stumbling and collapsing to the ground. And he quickly took the steering wheel back.

"Good girl," he grinned at her proudly. Cassandra feeling her cheeks heating up at his affirmation. She peeked at him then as she straightened in her seat, "Your aim is quite impressive." He could've aimed at the passengers - it must have been easier - but he still chose to only shoot the tyres. She noticed that.

He mumbled an embarrassed 'thanks' before clearing his voice. "You know the city well, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Alright, do you know any abandoned area close by?"

Cassandra sat back, thinking hard as she chewed on her lips while trying remembering anything.

There was the forest and mountains, but they couldn't be reached well by car.

"Ah, remember I said one of the main roads is closed due to constructions? It's a big stretch of the road. That part should be pretty abandoned save for the warehouses close by."

He nodded, trusting her words. They didn't have much time to come up with an alternative now anyway as a third bike had appeared in the distance. "Lead the way."

"Take the next exit," she instructed him an they headed east. No vehicles around them as they left the main road segment. Soon encountering the roadblocks in the distance with the construction area behind it. He took a sharp turn, sliding down from the road and towards the block of grey warehouses beside it to park the car behind one.

"Go to the backseat and stay low, got it?" he instructed and before her lips could even part in protest, he had already left.

With a huff Cassandra shuffled and did as she'd been told. Unable to contain her curiosity, however, she dared to peep out a few times. Trying seeing if she could catch a glimpse of anything.

She didn't.

He had probably headed towards the construction area. Keeping the action as far away from her as possible hence why he'd hidden the car there. So she sat back down, bringing her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her angled legs and waited.

It felt like an eternity passed and she was unable to hear anything, assuming there was indeed no one around. And she began to feel stupid. Wonderung if he had perhaps left her there altogether. He hadn't struck her like such a person, but as she got out of the car and looked around the empty area, her heart sank in disbelief.

Had he really just left her there in the middle of nowhere? No. No way.

Puffing out her breath, she started walking out of the warehouses towards the main road. Determind to walk all the way back to the city if needed when her eyes caught a black car and a motorcircle parked at the construction area in the distance. And she abruptly paused in her tracks, quickly retreating behind the wall of a warehouse to observe. 

There were several people standing around the escavated area. Shouting incoherent words to each other. Then suddenly another person appeared behind one of the construction vehicles and shot at them, hitting one of the men on both shins in the matter of a single second before disappearing again. Two others quickly ran away then to jump behind a pile of gravel next to a hole. Shooting at the vehicle now.

They stood so far away that the gunshots sounded like faint plopping noises.

The other man's head popped up again and that was when she caught a better look on him - it was Taehyung. Clearly. She should've known from his aim. He shot at a cargo net hanging from a crane, causing it to cut in an instant and the cargo dropping right next to the two men. Cracking open and heavy bags falling onto them, burying them.

Cassandra held her breath. Seeing her friend then coming out from his stash to examine his work and she decided to check the situation out herself. There was a guy with clear gunshot wounds wailing on the ground and Taehyung might've also been injured, she had to.

In the meantime, Taehyung dragged out the unconscious guys from underneath the bags. Dropping the last one's arm, he wiped over his forehead with the back of his hand. It was exhausting but he knew he couldn't leave them underneath. Surely the cops would soon be there, taking care of the rest. All that was left for him was to tie them up just in case they decided to come back to their senses earlier than he wished.

He grabbed a rope wrapped around a pipe then, beginning to tie it around their wrists and ankles when a dull noise echoed behind him and he turned around in alert.

He saw one of the men he thought were unconscious, kneeling down on the ground and holding his head, wincing. And above him stood Cassandra with a shovel, panting heavily. She caught Taehyung's surprised glare then, flashing him a grin.

"He was creeping up on you."

His lips parted, ready to scold her for leaving the stash but before he could properly react, a flashing from the direction of the cars caught his attention and he shoved her behind a stack of logs. A shot ringing through the air the second they hit the sandy ground.

Her round eyes stared at him startled as he was towering over her with a stern look. The tips of their noses a breath away from brushing against each other. 

Cassandra had noticed the tiny moles on his face before. The one under his eyelashes, the one on the round tip of his nose, the one at the edge of his full lips. But it was only with the close proximity of it almost touching hers that she really saw them, taking them all in. And her breath hitched when catching his eyes skimming over her features, too.

Taehyung's chest rose and fell against hers. He swallowed, holding her gaze a second longer and almost getting completely lost in the depths of her irises' warm gradient, when another shot rang above them. And he quickly retreated and propped himself back up. The small golden pendant usually hidden underneath his shirts, slipped out and dangled in the air between them.

He grabbed his revolver from where it had fallen next to them, taking the empty capsules out and filling new bullets in before aiming the magnum at the direction of the shortly joined cars. Shooting at the backup the others must've called beforehand. He stroke the shooters with one bullet each despite the long distance, hearing a series of yelps until the last one was down.

And Cassandra silently studied him from where she was still laying on the ground. His usually gentle almond eyes, sharp and hard as they were focusing on their target. Arms flexing with every recoil.

In that moment she indeed believed he looked like the coolest guy she knew.

She didn't notice the ringing in her ears from all the firing. Only when she saw his outstretched hand towards her, she realised it had ended and she grabbed it, heaving herself up.

Brushing off the dirt from her uncovered legs, when the distinctive sound of sirens shrilled in the distance. And the two exchanged an alarmed glance. "To the car!" 

They began running over the uneven construction area, the warehouses in close sight when Cassandra suddenly felt the ground beneath her feet shifting and giving in. She tripped in an unwary moment and the next thing she knew, she tumbled down an excavated hole.

"Cas!" Taehyung yelled out. Not wasting a second before skillfully sliding down himself to check on her.

She groaned in pain as her limbs had tried to absorb the shock, but she still attempted staying up from the gravel. Biting back a hiss then when a piercing ache crossed her senses, forcing her to pause. And she sank back down. The skin on her legs and hands burning.

"Your leg," Taehyung muttered then as he knelt down. Cassandra furrowed her brows, not understanding what he meant only to see her right knee being covered in blood. The graze quite big and deep, burning like hell along with all the other abrasions. And a persistent pain in her ankle.

"Is it serious? Can you move your leg?" Taehyung asked with concern in his voice.

"Sure I can I jus- ouch!"

"So that's a no. Is it broken?"

"No, I can still move it -" She winced at her anew attempt. She could move it indeed, it was just very painful. "It's most likely just sprained."

It was quite ironic. Of course the only way for her to actually get injured was by tripping and falling. Not bullets or anything. How embarrassing. She felt like an utter nuisance. All she wanted was to help and instead she was a burden.

Much to her astonishment, she watched him turn around and scrunch down in front of her then.

"Get on."

"Huh?"

"We got no time to spare, just get on," he commanded and she gulped at his serious tone, making her guilt only grow. She quickly obeyed, wrapping her arms aroung his neck and allowing him to hook his hands around her knees to lift her up. 

The hole thankfully wasn't too deep, but nevertheless steep and walking it back up with another person on his back definitely wasn't an easy task. They didn't have any other option though, the sirens drew nearer. The police probably on the highway parallel to this road, soon reaching the exit and them, so they needed to hurry. And she was clearly not in the state to climb up on her own.

Cassandra was holding onto him tightly. Feeling bad for Taehyung having to carry her back to the car in a piggyback ride. Afraid she was too heavy for him despite the firm grip on her legs so she squeezed them tighter against his waist not to slip out.

Reaching the car in no time, he placed her down onto the passenger seat with a deep set crease between his brows. Rushing to the driver's side then and engaging a gear, he rushed the car out from the warehouses and onto a field road, towards the direction of a side road leading back to the highway.

"How - how bad is it?" His face was guilt-driven as he glanced at her, redirecting his focus onto the road then. "Where's the next hospital? We need to get it treated."

"No, don't worry. It's nothing serious. Just need to bandage and cool it at home." Cassandra only waved him off with a wary smile. Much to Taehyung's growing frustration. He only frowned, brows furrowing with reasonable doubts. "Home? I should bring you to a doctor!"

"I am a doctor," she pointed out, earning an eye-roll from him.

"And you can patch up yourself?"

"Uh, yeah why not?"

"Cas, I'm getting you a doctor. Another doctor."

"No, you won't," she retorted, persisting, "It's honestly nothing severe and they won't be able doing anything but bandage the wound and tell me to cool the ankle and keep it lifted, anyway. Trust me."

Dragging out a breath he gave in. Not thinking he'd be able winning any argument with her persistent stubborness and an attitude comparable to a child's 'so what?' mindset.

"How did this even happen? I just looked away for a second.." he mumbled then, more to himself than her really. He was driving at speedlimit, trying his best not to overdo it as they didn't need the police's attention right now.

Cassandra could only face him with an sheepish grin. "Well, there's a reason I became an internist and not a surgeon. I'm clumsy as hell, if you haven't noticed yet." She tried joking, hoping to lighten the mood.

At least she could laugh about it, he thought. His stern expression mitigating, breathing out a chuckle himself over her self-irony.

Now that she mentioned it, he'd indeed noticed her left-handed behavior at times. Dropping things, hitting her limbs, tripping.. There was always a random bruise adorning some place on her skin.

"Yeah, I surely wouldn't want to get operated by you," he deadpanned then making her audibly gasp before breaking into a fit of giggles. And he exhaled, shaking his head as his lips formed a crooked smile. "You're something.. you know that?"

She huffed, folding her arms. "Something good I hope." 

He smirked, almost missing the right turn. "Always."

Eventually reaching her street with no patrol cars in sight, he parked a bit further away from her building just in case and helped her out of the car. Offering his hand which she gladly accepted. Watching her hobble out since she was still unable to properly bend her right foot.

"Let me help you." His voice was low, almost a whisper and he took her hand, wrapping her arm around his shoulder before hesitatingly placing his hand around her waist.

Cassandra didn't object, putting her pride aside as she undoubtedly needed a little assistance and so he led her down the sparsely illuminated narrow pavement.

It was barely past 9pm, but the sun had set already. The only other additional light being the blue flickening of tv screens coming from behind closed balcony doors. 

Taehyung kept internally cursing while supporting her limping self. His grip around her waist getting firmer as his other hand squeezed her fingers which were hanging from his shoulder. "Cas, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.. I should've paid more attention."

"Seriously, Tae, don't let it get to you," Cassandra countered with an reassuring smile, not wanting him to feel bad for her own mistake.

She had been used to things like this happening. Random cuts and bruises without exactly knowing where they came from. It was normal to her. Though, admittedly, such a large wound along with a strain was a new level she'd reached, but it was still her own doing.

Something Taehyung didn't seem to accept so easily though, as she only earned a mildly irritated huff and scowl from him. 

In his opinion, she was way too laid back for someone with a large open wound on her knee, scratched and bleeding, and a strained if not broken ankle that made her unable to properly walk without flinching. He suspected her to be downplaying it and pretending not being in pain for his sake. However, it was quite evident by the way her jaw clenched and she bit down on her tightly pressed lip whenever she turned her face away, thinking he wouldn't see.

Perhaps she was also just as prideful and stubborn as he was.

He led her out of the elevator, down the hallway towards her apartment's door and after she fiddled with the keys for what felt like a minute, doing so with only one hand proving harder than she thought, she managed pushing it open and he hurried her inside and to where she pointed the bathroom was at.

Taehyung let her take a seat on the small bathtub's edge then. One foot on the blue rug while the injured leg was stretched out along the bathtub so she could inspect the wound better. Good thing that wounds and blood always fascinated her, made that workfield much easier.

The dried blood covering her shin, got cleaned first with the water jet of her shower. It was surely just a flesh wound.

However, it was still rather extensive. If she had been wearing long pants it might've been prevented, but her shorts hadn't provided any kind of cover when she'd stumbled down the gravel and asphalt.

"My emergency kit is under the sink, could you fetch it for me?" she asked, eyes too focused on inspecting the wound to look at him.

He quickly obeyed, handing her over the blue box and watched her opening it like a mechanic would open their toolbox. All kinds of supplies inside. Gauze, rash creams, small brown bottles of oitments and bigger, clear bottles he couldn't really identify.

"Pledget," she suddenly ordered, stretching her hand and Taehyung only eyed her with an amused smile over her unusual bossy tone.

Confused about the lack of acknowledgment, she glanced at him before her eyes widened. Giggling embarrassed at herself when rememering she wasn't in the hospital but her own bathroom. "Sorry, force of habit. Behind the mirror I store pledgets. And in the bottom drawer I have a small wash cloth. Please wet it and give them to me."

He smirked before he picked everything in her list. "Anything else I can assist you with, Doc?"

"No, that's all for now, nurse," she smirked back as she accepted the pledgets and the cloth from him. Beginning cleaning the wound from the dirt and tiny particles and trying her best not to wince with every touch of the wet fabric on her open skin. And Taehyung pitied her. Still feeling like all this was in some way his fault, no matter how much she denied it.

He grabbed the cloth from her then and Cassandra was about to object when she watched him kneel down in front of her. Silently taking over in cleaning the wound. Flustered, her breath halted for a moment when his fingers gently prushed over her shin to keep her leg steady.

"Y-you don't have to."

"I know."

And she folded her lips, leaving him work in silence. When he deamed the wound to be free from any foreign material, he put the cloth away and glanced up at her in anticipation. "What now?"

She swallowed before offering him a smile. Motioning with her chin to the blue box. "There's a disinfectant spray. Spray some on a pledget to disinfect it."

He hummed with a nod and she observed him follow her instructions. Both growing quiet again until she flinched at the disinfectant's cold burning. His hand gently pressed her leg back down, holding it in position. "Almost done," his voice soothed her, quietly demanding for her not to move. And Cassandra bit the inside of her lips, nodding. Not only her wound tingling, but every fibre of skin covering her body was. Like fizzy powder being sprinkled all over it.

"N-next use the cream saying 'dexpanthenol'."

His concentrating brows furrowed while he spread the cream. And Cassandra had to look away.

Dammit, she thought and closed her eyes. Why was it suddenly so warm in there?

She felt like melting into a puddle right into the tub.

Before she even realised, he had began to wrap gauze around her knee. "Tell me if it's too tight." His usually chesty voice hollow now, his mind preocuppied with racing thoughts. Almost missing her cough out a hum as she was still unable to form coherent sentences.

Cassandra had been so used to be the one taking care of others, especially physically, that having someone who wasn't her parents or grandparents, taking care of her felt not only strange and unusual, but also oddly pleasant. And she smiled gently.

"Thank you." Now she just needed to rest and cool the ankle.

Taehyung nodded only, packing everything he had used back into the blue box.

"Least I could do, really," he sighed then, a rueful smile tucked on the corner of his lips, "I'm sorry, Cassandra, I -" He looked down to the blue rug he was sitting on. "I guess it was foolish to make you hang out with someone like me. Should've known it was a bad idea."

A frown nestled onto her features hearing his words and she slid her leg down from the bathtub, sitting properly now. "You didn't 'make' me, Taehyung. I hang out with you because I want to. Because I like hanging out with you."

Glancing up at her briefly with a raised brow, he quickly shook his head. She said it so matter-of-factly, but it felt undeserved.

"Even after today?"

"Especially after today. And besides, you told me to stay in the car and I didn't listen.." She sighed, averting her irises in shame. "So I'm the sorry one."

"Right, but I should've known you wouldn't listen," he shrugged nonchalantly, "It was to be expected really."

She huffed out a puzzled laugh. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

Taehyung grinned, flickering a finger on her forehead with a chuckle. Cassandra flinched at the unexpected gesture, rubbing the spot with a whine.

"It means that you, Cassandra, are curious, impatient and defiant like a child. So of course you wouldn't listen."

His words had the potential to offend or hurt someone, but the tender expression on his features let her know of their affectionate nature. They weren't meant anything but teasingly, he wasn't actually scolding her. Yet, she couldn't help but pout.

"Besides," he said then and lifted himself, standing in front of her now, "If you hadn't knocked off that guy with the shovel, you might've been the one treating me again instead. So if anything, I owe you."

Frankly, it didn't make sense to Taehyung that she was apologising when she'd have had all the right to yell and cuss at him for endangering her.

Why wouldn't she throw him out of her flat already? Why wasn't she terrified or scared?

Now that he thought about it, she hadn't been before either.

When the shooting began, a little, but after that? She had been rather composed. More than most civilians would've been in her position. And it confused him even more, but it also impressed him.

"Weren't you scared at all?" he wondered then, eyes dropping with a pensive look, "You could've been injured more severely than this."

Cassandra was buffled for a moment but seemed to understand what he was hinting at and her doe eyes became even rounder, contemplating his words.

Yeah, she should've been terrified. But she wasn't. And hadn't been. Why?

He watched her pushing herself off the tub, attempting to stay up. Carefully, she eventually managed standing on one foot while the injured one lightly touched the ground for balance. Her brown eyes radiating warmth at her following words.

"I wasn't, no. You were there after all, so I didn't have a reason to. I knew you'd protect me. And you did."

His lips parted, startled. "I, I see.." He coughed in an attempt to mask his flushed smile. He hadn't expected that.

She trusted him. She trusted him enough not to be scared. The thought made him irrationally proud.

"I mean," she chuckled then, trying being casual about it, "You didn't lie, your shooting skills are pretty mad. I'm impressed."

He huffed, scratching the back of his neck as his other hand automatically went to the gun in the back of his waistband. "Ah yeah?" he smirked for a brief moment before his lips pressed into a thin line again. "Cas, seriously now though. Why aren't you mad at me? Why would you.. still want to spend time with me?"

"Told you already."

He sighed in frustration, unsure if she simply didn't get it or pretended not to. "You know what I mean. You're a doctor, a good person. You help others. You literally save lives, while I.. I don't do any of that. I'm a literal criminal. Sure, not as ruthless or devious as most.. but still a criminal. A bad guy."

His bubble, it was bursting. He could feel it. The bubble he kept escaping to that past half a year. The little delusion of feeling normal he had clinged to.

Cassandra remained silent, her stern gaze staying on Taehyung's despite him looking away. Blame written all over his gentle features and in a way, the way he perceived himself ached her more than the strain. Especially since she knew him and his friends weren't ordinary criminals. 

And it also upset her, the way he portrait her. Placing her on a pedestral. As if she was a perfect being who couldn't do any wrong.

"Just because I'm a doctor I'm not a saint, and you ain't a demon for being a thief."

The firmness in her voice made him perk up, eyes keen to prove him wrong.

"Come, I need to show you something," she said then and gently tugged him by the wrist.

Wordlessly, he let her hold onto his forearm as she led him with small steps across the hallway into what turned out to be the living room.

She turned on a lamp in the far corner, illuminating the space.

The room was as organised as Cassandra's thoughts, every piece of furniture and decor at its place neatly. A flat-screen on the wall and in front of it a broad sofa stuffed with soft pillows and colourful plushies, and underneath the dark coffee table, a carpet of bright but soothing colours. The window big beside it, with several smaller to medium-sized plants lining up on the windowsill.

She came to a halt, positioning them both in front of the wall opposite to the window then.

There was a corckboard with all kinds of tickets, photos and postcards from around the world pinned onto it, gracing a small part of the wall, while the majority was occupied with posters. Film posters, to be precise.  

"Some of my favourite films," she plainly stated, peeking at him expectantly. And Taehyung breathed out, allowing his gaze to wander over each one of the posters decorating the space. Then going to the tall shelves in the corner with numerous old dvds. His lips falling slightly agape when taking everything in. "You.."

"Yup."

Crime films, heist films, neo-noir, gangster-comedies. 

That explained some things.

After what felt like minutes of silence, he eventually spoke up again.

"Great films."

"Yeah?" she asked, beaming when seeing him nod in approval.

"Of course." He faced her then with knitted brows. "You know films aren't very realistic though."

At this she only scoffed when seeing an shit-eating grin spreading on his lips. And she nudged his side. "Oh, I know. But some are based on real stories, so close enough I'd say."

They shared another glance before Taehyung eventually broke into a fit of laughter. With her promptly joining him, recognising the absurdity of it all. Both laughing over what felt like their own little inside-joke.

"You really are something, Cas.."

»»»

23rd April

Interpol branch office

Seoul, South Korea

"Agent Kim? I forwarded you the video the colleagues from Spain sent over," Jungkook, the newest and youngest addition to the robbery department explained with an eager tone. Making Seokjin perk up and avert his eyes from the file case on the computer screen. "They said it might be of interest for us."

He hummed, waving Namjoon over who had been walking down the corridor with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Moving the curser to Jungkook's message then. Sensing the younger agent hovering expectedly over him when Namjoon finally joined them and he opened the file. All threee watching the video intently, processing the scene.

"I'd recognise this gun work anywhere, that's Kim Taehyung," Namjoon stated, excitement evident in his voice. Seokjin agreed with a grin. "Not bad, how many goons were there? Nine?"

"I count eight, but still."

His superiors' steadfast statements astonished Jungkook. After all the video quality of the security camera from the construction area in East Barcelona was quite low and grainy, partially due to the lack of light. It was mainly shapes visible. No details.

"You mean one of Park Jimin's accomplices? Are you sure?"

Seokjin wanted to almost scoff at the doubtful tone in the young agent's voice but remembered he had only arrived there from the academy two months prior, after Hoseok had transferred to organised crime to become the department head there. So of course Jungkook couldn't know everything yet.

"Pretty sure," Namjoon flashed him a dimpled grin then, patting Jungkook's shoulder.

"I know these guys in and out," Seokjin exhaled dramatically then, "Jimin, Taehyung and Yoongi, who joined them five years ago." His brown eyes wandered to the whiteboard across the room where their photographs along with important details greeted him every morning when entering the office. "The only one I don't recognise is this girl."

"She might be connected to Jimin, too, since Taehyung was there," the younger agent suggested.

"Possible," Namjoon stirred his coffee and took a sip, "But the only other woman we know in Park's life is Arabella Valentine and it's surely not her."

Jungkook's brows furrowed in astonishment. "And you're so sure because.."

At this Seokjin laughed out, quite entertained by the youngster's naivity. "Because Jimin's the only one whipped for her, contrary to his partners who'd never trust her. And I can't judge them for that, I wouldn't either," he added, closing the file he faced his younger colleague then. "So I doubt Taehyung would join hands with her if Jimin didn't force him to. But I neither see him nor Yoongi around, so Kim was probably on his own."

Jungkook nodded with a contemplating expression, deep in thoughts. "Maybe she was just a bystander who happened to get involved then?"

Seokjin hummed at Jungkook's reasoning, musing over it for a moment. "Possible. Wouldn't be the first time. Keep an eye on that in the future, though. In case we see her around again."

"Of course," he nodded with a serious tone, about to return to his desk when Seokjin called out for him again.

"Who were those other guys by the way?"

"Oh, according to the case file a gang called Ojitos."

"I see, thanks."

As far as he remembered those were the same guys the three fellas had got into a fight with last summer. So he concluded they'd recognised Taehyung and therefore gone after him.

That girl, however.. whoever she was, it remained a mystery for now.

»»»

25th June

Barcelona, Spain

The day seemed never-ending and Cassandra almost tossed her stethoscope to the ground, slamming her locker close. It was one of those days where pretending not caring didn't work and everything was a bit too overwhelming. Sucking in a breath, she changed into her normal clothes and left the hospital as quickly as possible. Fearing if she looked back, it might just swallow her alive.

It was days like this that made her doubt her choices.

The only thing she looked forward to on the whole way home was food and the ice cream she had stored in the freezer. Hence why she almost forgot to check her mailbox, hurriedly grabbing the few envelopes from it and skimming over them when a postcard that peaked out from among the letters, caught her attention. And she paused.

Eagerly, she tucked it out. Seeing the famous white opera of Sydney surrounded by the sea on its front.

Her brows furrowed. Not recalling knowing anyone who visited or lived there so she flipped it to read the text on the backside for any clues.

"some films shot here:

matrix 1-3, mission impossible 2, two hands, the hard word

thought this might make up for your lack of travel :)

-T"

Her face lit up, instantly recognising the sender. Taehyung.

She hadn't seen him in awhile, the last time he happened to pass by Barcelona being some months ago. And she wondered if that meant he was thinking of her during the months apart, just like she was thinking of him. Always wondering where in the world he had been.

Now she had her answer. Along with two new films for her watchlist.

And she smiled.

»»»

next chapter: 0.4 here

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