#maybe i will try tomorrow if i last more than an hour in the wig we will call it a win. i cant wear harrow she Is Broken :zooted:
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theriverbeyond · 6 months ago
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my wig-wearing tolerance has taken such a nose dive is this a sign to finally take the plunge and go ginger
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cirilla-fiona-riannon · 4 months ago
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You've Got Some Nerve Trying to Buy Me
Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.
Not proofread.
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(Spending an entire day with the winning bidder!?)
Merchant 1: "I see, an auction. That's fair."
Merchant 2: "This is getting quite interesting."
The merchants were all in agreement, and I was the only one panicking.
(W-What should I do!?)
Silvio: "But I don't want money. Bring me what I want the most right now."
Silvio: "Whoever can provide that will win the bid."
(This has turned into a big deal.)
About an hour after the party ended, I was sitting on my bed, holding my head.
The traveling merchants were given a place to stay at the villa, and tonight, I'll also be staying in the guest room.
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(The auction is tomorrow night.)
(If I can't prepare what Silvio wants by then, I won't be able to spend his birthday with him.)
(But what does he want the most?)
Emma: "........"
(No use, I need to get some fresh air.)
I was about to leave the room but hesitated at the last moment.
(Yeah, I should at least put on my wig.)
I quietly walked down the hallway and heard a familiar jingling sound approaching from ahead.
(Is that...?)
Silvio: "Hm?"
Just as I thought, it was Silvio and Carlo walking down the hallway.
Silvio: "Where do you think you're going?"
Silvio: "You're not going to run away with your tail between your legs, are you?"
Emma: "No, I was just going to get some fresh air."
Silvio: "Is that so?"
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Silvio: "Carlo, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with this female merchant."
Carlo: "Great! You're finally willing to have a proper conversation."
Carlo: "Even about the letters—"
Silvio: "You really want your research funding cut, huh?"
Carlo: "Sorry, sorry, never mind! Take your time!"
Carlo bowed repeatedly as he passed by, then hurried away like a rabbit.
(Letters?)
I was curious about what Carlo was about to say, but more than that, I was excited to see him for the first time in five days.
Emma: "I missed you. Are you okay? I heard you were busy."
Silvio: "Ha! You're talking like you're my fiancée. If you're going to make a move, you'll have to do better than that."
Emma: "What?"
Silvio: "What's with that face? You're a merchant, remember?"
(That's right. Right now, I'm not Emma. I'm just a merchant.)
(Emma is forbidden from approaching the villa, so I have to play the part properly.)
(But why is he trying to keep me away so much?)
(Sure, I'd be a distraction to the negotiations, but I feel there's more to it than just that.)
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Silvio: "Looks like you still haven't prepared anything."
Silvio: "Talking big and failing to win me would be so damn funny."
Emma: "Don't worry. There's still time until tomorrow night."
Emma: "I’ll get what you want most and win your birthday."
Before I could finish my sentence, I found myself cornered against the wall.
Emma: "P-Prince Silvio?"
Leaning against the wall, Silvio cut off my escape route and slowly brought his face closer.
(H-He's so close!)
Maybe it was the fact that five days had passed since we saw each other, but my heart was pounding like crazy.
Emma: "T-There are important people here, you know? Are you sure this is okay?"
Silvio: "What, didn't you come here to seduce me?"
As if provoking me, his face drew even closer.
(That's how you want to play it, huh?)
Emma: "Take this!"
I hugged him tightly, and his face immediately turned red.
Silvio: "Don't cling to me, idiot! Let go!"
Emma: "Nuh-uh!"
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Silvio: "Ha?"
Emma: "Just as you said, I'm seducing you. I won't let go until you tell me what you want."
Silvio: "This is the worst seduction attempt ever."
Emma: "But you're flustered, so it's working."
Though I tried to appear strong, the moment I felt his heartbeat and body heat, the loneliness I had been holding back overflowed like a dam.
(Of course, I want to know what he wants, but more than that, I just can't bear to let go of him after so long.)
(If I could, I'd stay like this with him forever.)
Silvio: "Geez, that's not the face of someone trying to seduce."
He pulled me away sharply and suddenly lifted my chin.
(Ah…)
As our faces drew closer,
Silvio: "........."
He turned away just before our lips could touch.
Silvio: "You'll never be able to get what I want."
Silvio: "The other merchants might have a slight chance, but for you, it's impossible."
Silvio: "At least, not as you are now."
("Not as I am now?")
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Silvio: "Well, do your best."
Silvio: "If you can buy my precious time, that is."
He turned on his heel and walked away. For a brief moment, his profile seemed like he was going through something.
(That expression.)
(Could it be that what he wants is...)
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The following night—
As Silvio had declared, the auction to win his birthday was underway.
Merchants and nobles from all over had gathered, filling the venue with an intense, almost oppressive heat of competition.
Amidst this, I participated in the auction as a "merchant," just as I had the day before.
With what he wants most in hand.
Silvio: "Alright, let's see what ya all brought."
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Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Part 3 ╎ Part 4
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la-principessa-nuova · 11 months ago
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So, I don’t know how it happened, but I ended up staying up all night. Honestly, my sleep schedule has not been good for more than a few days at a time since my egg cracked.
I was getting ready to read and go to bed on time, when suddenly I remembered that I’d been meaning to look up how to cover stubble with makeup since my last few attempts to wing it were unsuccessful. So I looked it up, and that made me want to try it.
So then I didn’t and it looked great, but then I didn’t want to just put it on and take it right off, so I decided to go upstairs and play a game. I’ve always recorded my playthroughs of games with the intention of maybe releasing it and never do, so I started using this as an excuse for voice feminization practice, just getting used to speaking at length in that voice.
I played for an hour and a half and decided to head downstairs to bed. But then I was thinking about things some more and I decided I wanted to record a video for posterity’s sake, going over everything so far and where I was at in terms of understanding my identity and what future steps I wanted to take to affirm it and when.
This is ended up being a much longer task than I thought, and there were so many things I wanted to vent about that suddenly my phone died at 4 AM. But I wanted to wrap up the video and say a couple more things I was planning on getting to, so after my phone was back on, I wrapped it up, which ended up taking me until just after 5.
Then I needed to move to videos off my phone to the location I’m storing all of my trans progress photos and stuff while I’m in the closet, but normally I move photos, whereas this was multiple hours or 4K60 video. So now it’s 6:30 and I’m still waiting for the files to transfer so I can delete the originals and go to bed, but I’m now on the fence whether it is better to go to sleep and sleep all day, or given that I’m off from work today, just be tired and feel bad all day and get on a better sleep schedule tomorrow.
Downside is I’m not able to stay up and feel mostly fine anymore like I did in college, so it will be a rough day with very poor focus, jitteriness, and possibly heartburn. The upside is that I will start the day in girl mode and it might be my first day fully in girl mode depending on whether I have to go outside at all.
Also I’m toying with the idea of my newname being either Alice or Lily. I was on the fence about changing it at all because my original name is allegedly gender neutral, but I’ve only heard it used for men, and it was a top 10 male name in my year of birth but not a top 1,000 female name. It feels masculine to me, but I also don’t hate it or anything.
The other day I practiced signatures for several ideas I had for a newname, and the two clear frontrunners were Alice and Lily. I really like both names, and it’s hard to pick which one. I am currently leaning more towards Alice because I feel like I identify with it more, but I think Lily might be the better name in general. I like that it can be shortened to Lil in speech better than Al, and I like how swoopy and curly it would be in my signature. But Alice feels more like me.
Anyway, this is sort of just a wall of text as I unload everything and kill time waiting for my files to transfer, so I’m just not gonna tag it.
I still have time to kill, so I’ll talk about one thing that’s been on my mind, which is all the questioning and doubt that still comes up around my identity. To be clear, I experience clear dysphoria around my maleness and clear euphoria around my femaleness that makes me overall confident that I am a trans woman, but every now and then I get these impulses of doubt, where it feels like I’ve woken up from a dream, and I see the man under the makeup and the wig and I feel like, “What the **** am I doing? I need to stop this and go back to my normal life.” And then I realize that yes, I see the man’s body under this stuff, but then why does the body feel less like me than the wig and the makeup?
And then sometimes I judge my masculine (or even non-feminine) traits too harshly, like surely this one trait being more in line with men than women means I must be nonbinary, or maybe I’m just a bit more feminine of a guy. But then I remember how many cis women I know with the same trait. Not every woman is the paragon of femininity, and I don’t need to be either.
Suddenly the tiredness is overwhelming. I will need a nap at the very least. Good night? Or maybe good morning? Hopefully this is intelligible because I am way too tired to proofread this.
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matsbarzal · 3 years ago
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Could I request fluff #6 with Jack Hughes?
fluff #6. "you've been my best friend for 10 years, why not change it to husband and wife?"
pairing: jack hughes x fem!reader word count: 1.4k
It was always easy to love him. It was easy to love the friendship he initiated all those years ago, and it was even easier to admit your love bore a little deeper when he admitted his feelings were more than friendly about you. A decade long friendship had blossomed into something more, and it was something neither you, nor Jack had any arguments against.
Jack always brought up your ‘friendiversary’, and you couldn’t help but get a laugh out of the pure joy he always bestowed on you every time he mentioned it. The new kid in school accidentally exploding his yogurt tube all over his desk partner was probably one of the funnier ways to begin a lifelong friendship that would eventually blossom into more.
“So, how are we celebrating a whole decade together this year? Should we go get frozen yogurt? Maybe we can make a re-enactment of what happened in middle school? We could make it a whole thing, make a tiktok about it and everything,” you could feel your eyes rolling involuntarily at his words, shooting Jack a glare from across the room.
“We’re not doing anything that involves yogurt.”
“Not even something sexy?” Wigging his eyebrows at you, your hand immediately reached for the pillow beside you to whip at your boyfriend.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Lil’ Jizzy,” groaning at your words, Jack plopped himself on the couch beside you, instantly pulling you into his side.
Shrugging his shoulders at you, you could see him googling friendiversary ideas out of the corner of your eye. “Babe, we don’t even have to do anything. We could cuddle up and order food and just watch a movie or something, it doesn’t have to be anything special.”
“It’s our ten-year friendiversary, baby. We can’t just do nothing. I’ll figure something out, don’t worry. You’ll love it.”
It would be hard to admit that a trip to Florida in the middle of the season was what you were expecting from Jack. He had practically thrust the tickets into your hand, informing you that you had less than three hours to pack, all while giving you a list of the specific outfits he wanted you to bring.
You knew almost immediately that Jack had definitely not planned the celebration alone, just by the Airbnb that you pulled up in front of. First, you didn’t even realize he knew what an Airbnb was. Second of all, there was no way Jack Hughes had managed to find a place this gorgeous on his own.
Shooting a message to P.K. was your first priority, knowing full well he was the likely culprit behind the gorgeous booking in front of you.
“Okay, so I have a full itinerary. Tonight, we’re just going to chill, relax, get situated, maybe break the house in, you know… the usual stuff,” ending his sentence off with a wink, Jack grabbed your hand and pulled you along behind him.
“Tomorrow we’re going to head out to the marina that I don’t know the exact name of but will figure out and we’re gonna spend most of the day on the water, and then dinner… obviously. Sunday, you have to plan. I’ll pay… but you have to plan.”
Giggling into his ear as you pressed your body closer to his to press a gentle kiss on the nape of his neck, Jack tilted his head to the side with a small grin plastered across his lips.
“Sounds like the perfect weekend, baby. I think we should probably get started on your plans for today.” The grin never left his lips as he whipped around to press them to yours, his body moulding against yours easily.
The next day came quicker than you were expecting, Jack picking out your outfit as you picked his. That was something you both just found easier; there was no one else you would ever let pick your outfit, Jack just… knew you. He knew your style, knew what you did and didn’t like, knew what would fly and what wouldn’t. Small things like that with him were easy, everything was easy when it came to him.
“Well, don’t you look sexy. Damn, I’m so good at picking your fits. Should I quit hockey, maybe get into fashion? You could be my main model, baby.” Laughing as he wrapped you up in his arms with a smile, his happiness infectious.
Shaking your head against his chest, you peaked up at him from between his arms. “I don’t think you should quit your day job, maybe get some pointers before you start making drastic decisions like that. Can’t use you as my future trophy husband if you’re going to up and quit the job that makes you that.”
Pinching your side gently, Jack just smiled as he pulled away and interlocked his fingers with his.
It didn’t take you long to get to the marina in the car he had rented, everyone greeting the both of you politely as they directed you towards the boat Jack had rented for the day. You almost stopped in your tracks when you observed the setup on the boat; a picnic basket set up, non-alcoholic champagne on ice, fairy lights adorning the inside edges of the boat.
“Damn, I didn’t read the fine print when I booked. Just said I wanted the closest setup to an anniversary they could get, guess they went all out,” popping his hip into yours gently with a beam.
“Jack, do you even have your boating license?”
Eyeing the steering wheel with a curious look, you turned towards your boyfriend just in time to see him roll his eyes and glare at you playfully. “No, this place just let a random guy with no boating license rent a boat. Obviously, I have my boating license.”
Rolling your eyes back, you tapped his side as you made your way to the small seat next to the drivers. It only took a few moments to get out from the dock, far enough away that you and Jack could have some privacy without being too far and worrying how you were going to get back.
“Do you remember the first day we met? Other than when I accidentally exploded my yogurt tube all over you? You told me that boys were icky, and all they did was ruin everything,” nodding your head with a loud laugh, you let your mind wander to your first few years with Jack.
“Crazy how things have changed, huh? I remember going home that night and telling my mom I needed to get those stupid yogurt tubes so I could hit them against the desk and do what you did to me, she said no real quick.”
Smiling softly towards you, you could see the love in his eyes the way he looked at you, the softness that crossed his features every time you were on his mind or in his sight. It had been the same look he had given you since you both were fifteen, Jack never having eyes for anyone except you.
Standing up and holding his hand out, you took it and allowed him to pull you from your seat and towards the picnic basket and bottle of champagne.
“It always makes me laugh; I told my mom back when I first moved from Sauga to Michigan that I wasn’t sure how I was going to live without you. She said you’d always be there, even if you weren’t physically there. Pretty sure that was when I realized you were more than just a friend to me, then I moved and wasn’t sure what’d happen. Never really thought we’d get here, honestly.”
Sighing as he sat down, Jack gestured for you to sit in his lap, both of your legs extended out in front of you as he ruffled through the picnic basket beside him.
“I say it a lot, but I’m so glad you sprayed that yogurt all over me. It sucked, but I don’t think we’d be where we are without it,” nodding his head gently as he rested his cheek on the top of your head.
“You know, you’ve been my best friend for ten years, why not just change it to husband and wife?”
Swivelling around to look at him, you almost cried when you saw the little black box in his hand, his eyes glistening at he looked at you. Moving so he was directly on one knee and not sitting, your hands instantly pressed to your mouth.
“I’ve had this thing sitting around since my first season. So, I guess what I’m trying to say here is… I’ve been so grateful for your friendship and your unconditional love these last ten years, so how about we make it forever? Will you marry me?”
You couldn’t contain your body flying towards him, the aggressive nod of your head the only answer he needed.
note: so sorry that this is so late, but i hope you enjoy!! thank you so much for requesting. and yes i did steal mitch marner's proposal idea for this thank u very much simply bc i have reason to believe jack would too
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rowanaelinn · 3 years ago
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Fire on Fire - Chapter Six
this is finally going somewhere! i had to cut this chapter in two otherwise it would have been six thousand words so… sorry for the cut😬
Warning for sucidal thoughts in this chapter.
chapter five // chapter seven
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“She did not!” Aelin laughed loudly, still in her nightclothes. “Why do we always miss that?”
“Miss what?” Sam asked as he entered the room, two bowls of cereals in his hands. He gave one to Lysandra and brought two spoons so Aelin could eat in his bowl. Lysandra and Aelin just woke up, it was four in the afternoon and Aelin didn’t eat anything since last night, so she was starving.
Aelin, Lysandra, Nehemia, and Sam might have partied a little too hard last night. So this morning, Aelin and Lysandra decided to stay home. Sam didn’t look happy about Aelin missing class but he didn’t say anything, knowing Aelin’s mind was made. He came back from school an hour ago and woke them up.“Gods, I love these cereals,” she moaned at the taste. Aelin loved food, and it showed on her body. The only good thing about her injury is that now she didn’t have to pay attention to everything she ate to fit in stupid costumes. She might miss dancing but she loved food more.
“I finished the last box, by the way.”
Aelin nodded, making a mental note she’ll have to ask Quinn to go grocery shopping as soon as she could.
“Leave me some, Lys,” Nehemia said as she threw herself on Aelin’s bed. She was glad to have a gigantic bed when the four of them were home, which is almost all the time lately. Nehemia threw her hair behind her shoulder, silently asking her friends to pay attention to them.
“That color suits you, Mia,” Aelin smiled and it was genuine. Nehemia had fresh new braids, they started black but ended in a deep ocean blue. The girl never wanted boring colors in her hair and almost everything suited her. Lysandra and Sam agreed with her, making Nehemia smile arrogantly. But Aelin knew that Nehemia was hiding a real smile behind that.
“Might dye my hair blue to match you,” Aelin said and Nehemia looked thrilled.
“Don’t you dare!” Sam said, turning to Aelin and almost spilling the cereals and milk on her bed. “Your hair is so pretty. Buy a wig but don’t you dare dye it.”
“Excuse me?”
He pouted, “Please?” Even with this ridiculous face, he stayed beautiful. She loved the twinkle of mischief, the hint of exasperation at her, and the kindness that made her feel good, the kindness that made her want to be the best person she could be.
“Okay,” She sighed and he had a victorious smile drawn on his face. “Let’s go for the wig.”
He smiled and kissed her, pout-ring all his love for her in it. She could spend years kissing him. “You two are gross,” Lysandra complained, Sam and Aelin pulled apart and Aelin sent her best friend a vulgar gesture.
“Anyway, Lys, what did we miss?” Sam asked again, this boy was the most curious of the four. He liked to hear gossip about everyone.
“Ansel was high at Nox’s party two days ago.” Aelin was sad they missed a party just to be at a Gala, but her parents were home for once and demanded that she was with them.
“You’re joking?” Nehemia asked and laughed as she took Lysandra’s spoon to eat some cereals. The brunette threw the dark-skinned girl a look that promised violence.
“You’ll never see me taking drugs, that’s for sure,” Aelin sighed and rested her head on Sam’s shoulder. “God, I already regret drinking twice in a week.”
“Good,” Sam said and she rolled her eyes.
The four friends spent hours talking and laughing together. They practically all lived at her home, anyway. Sam and Lysandra’s families were fucked up enough, so they spent their time here. Nehemia’s parents worked too much to notice that she didn’t come home most nights. Aelin’s parents were never here either, so she welcomed the company.
When it started getting dark outside, Aelin’s phone rang. She had no idea who called her but it could be one of her parents, calling her from wherever they were now or even Aedion who had a habit to lose his phone.
“Hello?”
“Aelin?” A deep voice asked and Aelin thought she recognized it in the back of her brain but she couldn’t put a name on who it belonged to.
“I’m not trying to be rude but, who are you?”
The man laughed and the sound gave her chills. “It’s Arobynn Hamel. Your mother was supposed to give you my phone number but I guess she forgot.”
Her body froze. Arobynnn Hamel. Of course, she knew that voice, she had watched enough interviews of him to become familiar with it, she even met him two days ago. She sat straighter in her bed, attracting the worried gaze of her three friends. With a more serious face than they had ever seen, Aelin motioned for them to remain silent.
“Oh gods, I’m sorry, Mister Hamel. She didn’t give me your number, I’m very sorry.” She was so embarrassed, Mala knew how much Aelin would be mad at her mom for it. Her friends looked surprised at who called her.
“Calm down, Aelin. It’s okay.” He comforted her as he laughed softly. “And call me Arobynn.”
“Alright.” She said and waited for him to explain why he was calling her, not that she wasn’t happy about it because she was. She just knew she would embarrass herself if she opened her mouth and started talking.
“Are you doing anything tomorrow night?” He asked and Aelin furrowed her brows. That was weird but exciting at the same time.
“No, I am free. Why?”
“We didn’t have a lot of time to talk Saturday and I think it’s a shame. I am still in Orynth for two days and would like to talk with you. Your mother told me you wanted to be an author or work in the publishing industry, is it true?”
“Yes,” it was the fastest answer of her life. Yes, she had always dreamed of working around books.
“From what I’ve heard, Aelin Galathynius, you are special. I’d like to see that by myself. Allow me to take you out for dinner tomorrow and we can talk about your future.”
If Arobynn Hamel helped her… She could become a successful author. She could picture it, a small house, Sam at her side, a study full of books she wrote, a life away from the spotlight, a happy life. It’s exactly what she wanted. Special, he thought she was special.
“Dress code?”
He laughed again and Aelin couldn’t help but smile. “Something like the dress you had on Saturday should be good. I’ll pick you up at seven, is it good for you?”
“Perfect.”
They hung up and she looked at her friend, still surprised, and smile. She was thoughtfully happy.
“Aelin?” Aedion asked, tearing her from her daydream. “You there?”
“Sorry. What is it?” She was tired and hungover, she didn’t get lots of sleep last night and she was feeling the effects. Dorian had left early this morning, long before anyone woke up. It was better than having to face Aedion’s judgmental looks.
“I asked if your scholarship got renewed for next year, Lysandra got the answer in the mail yesterday so you’re supposed to have yours too, right?” She looked up from her bowl of cereals, confused for a second. When she met Rowan Whitethorn’s face, with the same confused expression as her, she remembered.
Lysandra, Aedion, and everyone else believed she got a scholarship, frankly, she had no idea how they believed her. But they never had a reason to distrust her, that’s probably the reason.
Most of her relation with Arobynn was secret and the money he spent on her was part of the lie.
“Yeah, everything is taken care of.” She smiled, it was the truth in a way. She dared to look at Rowan and she didn’t why, didn’t know how, but she knew he didn’t believe her. She could see it in his frown and eyes.
“Good,” her cousin smiled as he drank his coffee.
She smiled back, he was worried for her, she knew it. It’s exactly why she didn’t tell him anything, he didn’t need the stress. “I’ve got everything under control.”
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“What are you still doing here?” Arobynn asked, startling Aelin. She had been too busy on her computer to hear him coming. “It’s past nine, we finished hours ago.”
They both had worked for hours today and she was tired. “What are you still doing here?” She asked.
“I asked first, darling.” He sat in his chair in front of her. She was still in her seat, the chair almost belonged to her for all the time she spent on it. She wanted to be annoyed at him but today had been different. He had been different. He wasn’t the Arobynn she had known years ago but he was close, closer than he usually was lately. Aelin was pretty sure he hadn’t had a drink all day, which could explain his mood. That was a good thing.
“I’m writing and waiting for my cousin to check his damn phone so he can pick me up.”
“Where’s your car?”
“Broken,” she grilled through her teeth. The damn truck had decided not to work this morning, causing Aelin to have a nervous breakdown. “A friend of mine had a look at it and told me it would cost me more to repair it than to buy a new one, so here I am, depending on my cousin.” She hated it, hated to depend on someone. But it seemed to happen a lot lately, so she might have to get used to it. “What are you doing here?” She repeated.
“My meeting lasted two hours,” he said, his voice hard.
“Ah, sucks when you have to actually do your job, right?” She remarked and didn’t know if it was a reproach for the way he over-worked her or a teasing. Maybe both, she didn’t want to wonder about it too much.
“Someone’s feisty today,” he joked and she fought a small smile. “Ready for Monday?”
“I already told you no, Arobynn.”
“Why not? You finish the school year in four days.”
“I have a job, Arobynn. I can’t just-”
“Everything’s taken care of.” He cut her off with a smile. It was the kind of smile that told her he had done something and was feeling rather proud of it.
“What.”
“Did you know Rofle was my friend? After a drink or two, he agreed to let you come back in September, right after your internship at Hamel Publishing.”
“And you did that after I told you no?” Her tone was rising. “And are you friends with everyone here?”
He rose from his seat to stand right before her. She had to raise her head to look him in the eye. One of his calloused hands rested on her cheek, caressing her cheekbone. "You know how powerful I am." She did, Arobynn wasn’t just a successful author or the CEO of a publishing company, those were just hobbies for him. He had grown up in a rich family, had been raised to be like every rich people. He had learned how fake smiles and words were weapons, how to manipulate people. He had a way to manipulate everyone he called his friends, whether it was a picture, a video, or a letter. He had something on everyone. “I once promised you I would make you shine, Aelin. I won’t let a shitty job ruin that promise.” For years he had told her she was special, he had told her she could reach the stars should she just let him help her. And for years she had believed him, so she decided to do it again. She only nodded and it seemed to be enough for him.“I’m calling a cab for you.”
“No.”
“No?” His voice was surprised. “Is it because of the money?”
“For fuck sake Arobynn I can afford a cab ride,” that was a total lie, but he didn’t need to know that. “I just… can’t.”
Understanding and pity flashed on Arobynn’s face and she had to keep herself from yelling at him for it. “You still can’t?”
“I don’t wanna talk about it.” She said voice hard that didn’t let room for questions.
“Pack your things, I’ll drive you.” This was what Arobynn from four years ago would have said, what the Arobynn she had come to know would have said. In a flicker of hope, she said yes. Hope that she could erase what happened between them, that she would forget like Arobynn repeatedly asked her to, and just start again because she didn’t know how to survive another person leaving her.
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It was the middle of the night when Rowan heard her cries.
At first, he had ignored them, trying to give her privacy. It was unusual of her to let someone hear her, so Rowan thought it might be very bad. But after five minutes of cries, he couldn’t stay in his bed anymore.
When he walked into her room, his heart broke a little. She was in bed, sleeping, trashing against the sheets, crying, and trying to talk. Even with only the light from the bathroom, he could see the pain written all over her face.
He couldn’t take it, he couldn’t just walk back to his room and ignore her. So, he shook her shoulder, trying to wake her up but it didn’t work. She kept jerking in her bed as if she was fighting with the pillows and her blanket.
“Aelin,” he said, using both his hands to shake her. “Aelin,” he repeated louder. Her eyes jerked open, she turned her head several times, trying to figure out where she was. Her whole body shook and a second later she leaned over the bed and vomited her guts out. Rowan held her hair back, avoiding touching her directly so as not to overwhelm her.
When she lay back down in bed, she was still crying, her limbs shaking as if she were hypothermic even though Rowan could see the sweat glistening on her skin.
Rowan had only seen one person look so wrecked in his entire life, himself. He saw it every time he woke up and looked into the mirror. It was worse ten years ago because he had no idea how to hide it, in a decade he learned how to conceal everything. How to recognize which night was most likely to give him a nightmare, learned how to stay quiet while he felt like dying inside.
“You should take a shower,” Rowan said, voice softer than he has ever used with her. He had been wrong, so wrong.
“I don’t think I have the strength.”
“To shower?” He asked but there was no judgment, he only wanted to make sure.
“To live.” Her small voice broke and his heart did too. When she looked up at him, eyes filled with tears, Rowan didn’t see anything but desperation and loathing. He knew it wasn’t directed at him but at herself.
“Come here,” he said as he slid his arms under her body. “We’re gonna clean you up, okay?” He lifted her up from her bed, avoiding the content of her stomach on the floor as her weak arms curled around his neck and he guided her to the bathroom.
————
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dontcare77ghj · 4 years ago
Text
Inked
Natasha x reader x Wanda
"You know those cause cancer, right?" Mal asked, entering your office. "And you're gonna stink out your office."
"The window's open." You shrugged, exhaling slowly and sending the smoke out the open window. "And you and I both know, cancer isn't something I'm scared of."
"Yeah, yeah, death licks your boots." Mal rolled her eyes, blowing a strand of blue hair out of her eyes. "Anyway, I'm going on break, Blaine's with a customer, and we've got a walk-in."
"I'll handle it." You promised, putting out your cigarette. "You going to pick up Erin?" You asked the younger girl.
"Yeah, I'm gonna drop her off with a neighbor. May offered and wouldn't let me refuse." She told you.
"Well, here. Get Erin something sweet for me." You said, shoving a twenty into her hands.
"Y/N, I can't." Mal started, trying to give you the money back.
"I insist." You cut her off. "I want to be her favorite aunt." You shrugged, forcing her to curl her fingers around the money. "Go, get your kid, and give her a hug for me."
"Will do, boss." She nodded before leaving.
"Hi, welcome to SkinPolish. How can I help you?" You asked, entering the main room to see the back of a man. He was looking over the walls of the store but turned at your entrance.
"Just so you know, I'm not here to get stabbed a thousand times," Clint told you with a grin.
"I think your day job provides you with enough of that." You joked, wrapping your arms around him. Clint chuckled as he returned your hug, pulling you close. "It's been too long, geezer."
"I know, you've got at least four more tattoos since the last time I saw you, you hoodlum." Clint teased you.
"It's been two years, Clint. Some of us had to change our identities." You reminded him, pulling back. "What are you doing here?"
"I need your help." He told you.
"Blaine, watch the shop." You said without taking your eyes off the man before you.
"You got it, Y/N!"
"Follow me." You told Clint. You led Clint out of the front of the store and into your office. "Clint, I left when SHIELD fell. I handed in my clearance and took off." You said, lighting another cigarette. "I'm not doing any more work for them."
"Don't be like that." Clint groaned, sitting on your desk. 
"First off, get the fuck off my desk. Where are the manners Laura shoved down your throat? And secondly, I can't come back. Fucking HYDRA was running SHIELD for years, and none of us knew. All our information was in their hands. Who knows what they took? I have people I care about, Clint. I can't risk anyone's lives." You told him.
"I'm not asking you to do anything for SHIELD. I'm asking you to help the Avengers." Clint explained.
"Even better, a more public job." You scoffed. "Clint, we're friends. We've been through a lot. I get why you're here, but why the fuck would I risk the people I care about for another mission?"
"Argentina." He said simply.
"That is a dick move, and you know it." You groaned, finishing your smoke.  
"I do know it, but I have to use it. We need your help." Clint said, rising from your desk to stand in front of you. "We need your help, kid. I wouldn't be asking if I had another choice." 
"Fine." You relented after a minute. "When do you need me?"
"Tomorrow," Clint told you. "I'll pick you up." He added before going to leave.
"You don't know where I live." You protested.
"Yeah, I do." Clint corrected you. "I'll see you at nine." He said, and with that, he was gone.
"Fuck me." You sighed, rubbing your hand across your face.
"Remind me why I agreed to this again?" You asked, watching as the Avengers Compound grew closer through the window.
"Because you love me," Clint responded cheekily.
"Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart." You rolled your eyes. "You never even told me what I'm needed for."
"Briefing's in half-hour," Clint told you. "Which gives you enough time to get acquainted with everyone." He added as the car slowed to a stop.
"You know how I feel about crowds of people." 
"It's not a crowd. It's the team and Maria. You're fine, kid, I promise." He said.
"Fine, let's get this over with." You sighed, unclicking your belt.
"Avengers!" Clint called as the two of you moved further into the maze of a building. "I have a surprise for you all!" 
"Is it a unicorn?" A male voice asked as you both entered what looked to be a meeting room.
"Even better. Gentlemen, and Wanda,"
"Smooth Barton." A redhead coughed.
"This is Y/N L/N." Clint continued his introduction. "A specialist in all fields, especially disguise, and the only reason we might do our job today."
"Oh, so I'm doing your work for you again, Barton? Nothing's changed, I see." You commented. 
"Hey! That's not true! Name one time that's ever been true!"
"I can list fifty off the top of my head." You said, raising a brow at him.
"I can add sixty-seven to your list." The redhead piped in. "Natasha Romanoff." She introduced herself.
"Pleasure Agent Romanoff." You smiled. "C'mon Barton, formal introductions, please."
"Yeah, Barton. Introduce us." 
"Y/N, this is Tony, Steve, Bruce, Thor, and Wanda." Clint gestured. "Are you all satisfied?"
"Not particularly, since you still haven't told me what you need my help for." You said, crossing your arms.
"You haven't even told her that. Jesus Barton." Wanda snorted.
"I was getting to that. I was waiting for you all to meet." Clint whined. 
"Well, we're met." You said, taking an empty seat beside Natasha. "C'mon, what am I doing here?"
"There's a gala tonight," Natasha said, handing you a file. "A man named Jayden Reeds is going to be in attendance. Reeds has stock in several large companies, but that's just a front. Reeds actually has ties to HYDRA and deals in human trafficking. From what we've gathered, Reeds kidnaps people who will seemingly not be missed. They're then delivered to HYDRA bases around the world and never heard from again."
"Am I here to kill him? Because I can get behind that." You said, shaking your head.
"Wait till you hear the rest," Clint told you.
"There is a possibility Reeds also has his own collection. He's been spotted with several women who have all disappeared shortly after."
"What's the connection between them?" You asked.
"They're all French brunettes."
"So let me guess, my job is to go undercover tonight and see if he takes the bait. And when he does, I bring him in."
"Bingo Boingo," Tony told you.
"Well, I guess I better find a long sleeve dress. Oh, and maybe a wig."
"You know, if I didn't know better, I would have assumed your accent was real myself," Wanda commented later that night.
The mission had gone as smoothly as could be. Reeds had fallen for your act believing you to be a young French brunette on vacation in America's busiest city.
You hadn't even needed to corner him as he'd followed you into a woman's bathroom with two other men. 
You hadn't given any of them a chance to move or say anything before you had them unconscious on the ground.
Now you were heading home, still decked out in your gala gown, with Natasha, Wanda, Clint, and Tony.
"It's not that good. No matter how much I practice, even my Italian's better than my French." You shrugged.
"Not that good?" Tony snorted, glancing at you in the rearview mirror. "Sweetheart, if I weren't engaged and I met you in Paris, I'd take you back to Hotel Plaza Athenee and show you a time."
"Cute, Starky boy, but you're not my type."
"I'm everyone's type."
"Sorry, hon, but I like women." You told him. "This is my stop." You added as Tony pulled over.
"You live here?" Natasha asked, looking around the neighborhood in distaste. You could understand her aversion to the area. Any one of your neighbors would move in an instant if given the choice.
"Yep." You said, unclicking your belt. "Been here since SHIELD crashed."
"Did SHIELD pay this bad?" Tony questioned you.
"SHIELD pay wasn't great, but it was something. I saved most of it, but a lot of it went to making sure Y/N Smith, the tattoo artist from the wrong side, wasn't connected with Y/N L/N, SHIELD agent." You shrugged. "Didn't see a point in moving after." You added. "This was fun. We should do it again sometime." You said, sliding out and holding the door open.
"We'll give you a call if we need someone to do all the work for us." Clint nodded.
"Great. Come by the shop if you ever want a free tattoo. Clint knows where it is." 
A part of you was sure you wouldn't see any of the team again. They led much more busy lives than you did, and their schedules were forever changing.
So imagine your surprise when Natasha and Wanda entered your shop the next day just to simply chat. And they continued to do so for a week. Sometimes Clint would come, Steve had popped in for a few minutes while on a run, but Natasha and Wanda visited every day. 
On the seventh day, the two came in at one in the afternoon with Tony.
"Hey, Tony. I didn't know you were coming to lunch with us." You said, continuing to lock up the shop. "I'll be ready in a couple minutes."
"Great, but there's been a slight change of plans," Natasha said, watching you closely.
"As long as foods still involved, I won't be too bothered." You shrugged.
"Food is involved. It's just going to take us a while to get to it." Tony cryptically informed you.
"Guys, I'm running on twenty minutes of sleep and caffeine. Please, no cryptics." You sighed, narrowing your eyes at the three.
"Relax, we're not trying to hurt your head." Tony chuckled. "We have something to tell you."
"But first, step this way, away from any possibly hidden weapons," Natasha said, gesturing you forward. "No-one should get a knife to the head because they shocked you."
"Haha." You rolled your eyes, walking forward. "For the record, I did that once. And Clint caught it." You added. "What did you three do?"
"Technically, Tony did it," Wanda said, pointing a thumb at the billionaire.
"Real smooth, Sabrina." Tony scoffed. "Alright, yes, I did this, but I did it out of pure kindness."
"Did what?" 
"I've had all your stuff moved out of your apartment. I've had it moved into a spare room in the Compound," Tony announced. 
"Put it back, Tony." You demanded, crossing your arms. "My things aren't yours to touch."
"You live in a shitty neighborhood." Tony defended himself. "You have eight security systems of your own just to keep yourself safe. You won't find a new place of your own volition, so I found one for you."
"Tony, you moved my things into the Avengers Compound." You sighed. "I'm not an Avenger."
"Yet." Tony cut you off. "You are more than qualified to join the team. The way you helped us the other night, the way you took those men out and got the information quicker than we would have done. You can be an Avenger."
"I'm not risking those closest to me." You shook your head. "I gave up Y/N L/N when I left SHIELD. I have people in my life now, civilian people, who could get hurt because of me."
"Than don't let them," Natasha said. "I've been through your records, know how many people you helped and protected. Protect those you love just as you did all the strangers. You can still lead this life as well as one where you can protect people again."
"At least try temporarily," Wanda suggested. "Give it a month trial period and see if you can remember what it feels like. If it doesn't work out, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. And if it does work, you can join our team. Please." She added, giving you puppy dog eyes.
"Fine. A trial period." You sighed, pushing your hair back. "But no more using those eyes. It's evil, and you know it." You said, pointing at the witch.
"Yes, she does." Natasha smiled, putting her arm around her girlfriend's waist. "C'mon, there's a car waiting to take us back to the Compound."
"Where Tony ordered lunch," Wanda added, putting her hand out to you to take.
"At least he did one thing right." You joked, taking her petite hand.
"Hey!"
You had been staying at the Compound for almost a month. There were four days before the end of your trial period, but you hadn't made your decision yet. 
There was still a part of you that thought it would no longer be safe for the civilians in your life if you joined the team. If you entered the Avengers, you might have to give up this identity and everything and everyone that came with it.
But there was something about being around the team that ignited a spark within you. A spark you long thought had burned out. You longed for adventure, for that adrenaline rush that came with being undercover and the pride you felt at helping someone. 
You were torn between two worlds. Torn between two personalities.
"Jesus Christ, you smell like an ashtray," Natasha complained as she suddenly appeared by your side. You snapped out of your daze just in time to see Natasha take the smoke out of your hand and take a drag for herself.
"Didn't know you smoked." You commented, watching her exhale the smoke slowly.
"I don't. Not anymore." Natasha shook her head. "Just couldn't resist."
"Don't expect me to kiss you until you brush your teeth," Wanda said, skipping into the room and crossing her arms as she stared at the two of you. "I want a tattoo." She announced, staring you dead in the eye.
"Okay. Do you want me to find a parlor for you in the morning? I have a couple friends who owe me a favor or two." You suggested.
"No, I want you to do it," Wanda told you firmly. "As soon as possible if you would." 
"And you're sure about this?" You asked, raising a brow. "You're sure you want a tattoo and that you want me to do it?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"Alright, then. Follow me." You said, leading the two back into the Compound and into your room.
"You have a gun and inks in your room?" Natasha asked, looking your makeshift parlor over.
"Yep. Set it up the night I arrived, gave myself this the next." You said, lifting your shirt to reveal the healing tattoo on your hip.
"Geez, you know most people drink a bottle of scotch to welcome themselves to a new place? Not give themselves a tattoo." Natasha informed you.
"Probably." You nodded, beginning to set up your station. "Okay, Wanda, what did you have in mind?"
"I want the words, 'Ty namnogo bol'she' to wrap around my wrist," Wanda said, tracing around her thin wrist with her finger.
"Alright, I can definitely do that. But you might have to write it down for me. My Russian's not that great." You informed her.
"We'll have to work on that," Natasha said as Wanda began to write it down.
"Alright." You began after Wanda handed you the spelling. "Let's get started."
"I love it." Wanda smiled, watching as you gently wrapped her wrist. "It's perfect." 
"I like to do my best." You grinned, putting the last of the tape down. "Make sure that stays moist. And do not scratch it under any circumstances." You instructed her as you began to shove your equipment away in plastic tubs.
"You need a better system," Natasha commented. "Yours is kind of a mess."
"I'll update my system when I change this room around." You said, looking around the nearly bare room. Everything you owned was in plastic tubs or bags. You hadn't been bothered to unpack yet.
"Does that mean you're planning on staying?" Natasha asked. "Have you made your decision yet? To join the team or not?"
"Not yet. I'm still trying to decide." You sighed, leaning against the wall. "I like not giving a shit. I like waking up in the morning and paying too much for a shitty cup of coffee. I like going to work and being around people who've never had to see the shit we have. I like not having to feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, but I miss it. 
I miss being a part of a team. I liked saving people. I enjoyed going on missions, creating new personas to get what I needed done. I miss being around people who've seen the shit I have. Who know what the weight of the world feels like. 
Now I don't where to go. What I need more in my life." You told them.
"We told you, you don't need to pick one world," Wanda said, standing from her stool. "You can still save people and drink over-priced coffee. You can still be with people who share your trauma and be with those who don't. You don't have to pick one world."
"Can we help your decision along by us asking you out to dinner?" Natasha asked, breaking your pensive silence.
"Excuse me?" You asked, for once being taken aback by another person. "I think I went temporarily deaf there. Can you repeat yourself?"
"Let us take you on a date," Natasha repeated slowly. "We were thinking about dinner and wine and then a night at the opera." She said, causing your nose to scrunch up without thought.
"She's kidding." Wanda giggled. "Actually, we were thinking we get a couple beers, order a pizza, and watch a movie in our room."
"Can I pick the movie?" You asked her.
"With your crappy taste, no." Wanda shook her head.
"Okay, now she's kidding," Natasha said, taking three steps forward to stand beside her girlfriend. "Of course, you can pick the movie."
"And this wouldn't hurt your relationship?" You asked tentatively. "I wouldn't ruin what you already have?"
"You could only add." Wanda smiled.
"So, what do you say? You wanna go on a date with us?" Natasha questioned you.
"I'd love to."
"Go away.” You groaned, rolling away and under the covers into Natasha’s body.
“Wakey, wakey. Up and at ‘em you two.” Wanda ordered, pulling the blankets off the pair of you. 
“Wanda!” 
“Both of you will forgive me when I tell you I have coffee.” Wanda rolled her eyes, sitting on the bed beside you.
“The overpriced kind?”
“What other kind is there?” Wanda asked. “C’mon sit up or no coffee for either of you.”
“Alright, alright, we’re up.” Natasha said, sitting up with you on her chest. “Thank you, sweetheart.” 
“I love you.” You groaned after taking the first sip of your steaming beverage.
“Are you talking to me or the coffee?” 
“Can’t it be both?” You shrugged before grabbing her hand and kissing her palm softly.
“As long as there’s love for me too, it can.” Natasha told you.
“I love you too, Nat.” You promised, kissing her collarbone.
“After today’s meeting, I want you to give me a tattoo.” Natasha announced. “I don’t care where is is, but I want ‘YA zasluzhivayu lyubvi’.” She told you. 
“Alright then. I like this plan.” You smiled, looking up at your girlfriend. “You know I think I’m due for some new ink myself.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you can choose for me.” You shrugged. “I trust you both, always.”
Once, you left SHIELD and it’s lifestyle behind. And then one day Clint Barton walked into your shop and brought you back into it. 
He brought you back to the life you missed and brought you to Natasha and Wanda.
Remember all Taglists are open as are requests. 
Taglist
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woogyu · 4 years ago
Text
A World Tinted Gold | Mingyu; Chapter Two
Kalon; beauty that is more than skin-deep
Tumblr media
streamer!y/n x werewolf!mingyu
notes; werewolf au
word count; 1749
previous | next | masterlist
summary; The only werewolves you encountered were the ones living inside your video games. They were nothing more to you than mythical creatures you often had to kill in order to complete objectives. You had a good thing going with your online gaming setup. Your supporters were kind and usually tipped well during streams. Sure it meant you had to deal with the occasional creep sliding into your DMs, but it was worth it. Playing games online was putting you through college. Little did you know your quiet life was about to be turned upside down at the hands of someone you didn’t think existed outside of the virtual world.
»»————- ♡ ————-««
“Are you seriously watching that steamer again? Why don’t you just play the games yourself?” Seungcheol questioned as he stepped into Mingyu’s room, chuckling as the younger wolf quickly turned around and blushed.
“It’s not the same… I’m not really interested in the games, I’m interested in her” Mingyu admitted sheepishly, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. He didn’t know what it was about you that made him so transfixed, but he had a hard time tearing his eyes from the screen. Hell, just the other day when you read his comment aloud, he was over the moon.
“It’s rare for you to show interest in a girl at all” Seungcheol remarked, eyebrow pulled up in question. Until a wolf found its mate there was little reason to get involved with or show interest in others romantically. There were of course some wolves that preferred being unmated; it allowed them to be explorative with their romantic partners. Not all wolves longed to find their mate, and not all wolves would end up finding their mates. He knew destiny had a hand to play in it all, but the thought of never finding who he was supposed to be with made the wolf in him whine. Mingyu wasn’t an unmated wolf that enjoyed exploring his options, he was desperately waiting for the day he met his mate. Right now, Mingyu wasn’t sure if he was simply lonely or if there was something more going on.
“There is just something about her…” Mingyu started, pausing for a second to find the right words, “I just have a hard time tearing my eyes away from the screen. There is something about her that just draws me in” Mingyu explained. He wasn’t doing a very good job at explaining the feelings that bubbled up inside him when he saw you on screen. When he tried to explain it he could never quite describe the feeling that settled over his chest and body, it was a warmth almost like a subtle glow within him.
Seungcheol didn’t comment on it any further as he moved into the room and crossed his arms over his chest. Mingyu knew better than to ignore the alpha, closing his laptop he turned to face Seungcheol fully. Their pack had a different dynamic than most. Normally a thirteen-member pack would be impossible because of the strain it put on the head alpha. It worked for them because while Seungcheol was their main alpha, they had two secondary alphas, Jihoon and Soonyoung. The three of them shared the work of looking after the group and it worked perfectly for them. He liked that the alphas didn’t abuse their power, there was a lot of lenience in the pack and it made for less confrontations.
“Joshua has to head into town tonight and won’t be able to run the perimeter. Would you be alright with doing it?” Seungcheol asked, pursing his lips as he looked down at the younger wolf. Mingyu normally enjoyed running the perimeter, it meant he got to shift and stretch his body, but this time he was a little bit more hesitant with his answer. Mingyu knew that later on tonight you would have a new video posted and he would have to wait even longer to watch it. It seemed like a silly reason, but his heart ached at the thought of not being able to ‘see’ you on screen until early tomorrow morning.
“Sure! I don’t mind” Mingyu answered with a half-smile, Seungcheol never asked him for much so he figured he could help him out with this. Seungcheol breathed a sigh of relief as he leaned back against the wall.
“Thank you, I didn’t really want to be the one stuck doing it again” Seungcheol admitted, the alpha had been on perimeter duty for the past 3 nights and must have been eager for a good night’s sleep. Mingyu smiled and nodded his head a few times, his own wants would just have to be paused for a little while.
Before leaving the room Seungcheol patted him on the shoulder, yawning a little bit as he headed toward what Mingyu assumed was his own room. Mingyu was thankful that Seungcheol’s parents had left him their families pack house. Coming from a family of alpha’s certainly had its perks, and it meant they all got their own rooms.
Once Seungcheol was gone he checked the time, he had roughly 4 hours before he would have to head out.
»»————- ♡ ————-««
“I just don’t understand what this trend is supposed to be” you complained to Ciri for probably the 20th time over your video call. Apparently, there was a trend going around among streamers to recreate video games in real life. You hadn’t thought much of it when it first gained popularity, but now Ciri thought it would be a good idea for the two of you to join in on it. Her big plan was a two-part video where the two of you recreated iconic aspects of the Witcher 3 video game. You should have known she would want to do it, she already owned a Cirilla cosplay.
“It’s going to be fun” Ciri reminded you, drawing out the last syllable as she drew a fake scar along her face, effectively transforming herself into the iconic video game character.
“Come on, I even sent you the Yennefer cosplay and everything!” she exclaimed, using her make up brush to point at the camera accusingly. You rolled your eyes as you reached up to adjust the dark black wig that you now wore. To her credit, Ciri had sent you everything you would need to transform yourself into Yennefer of Vengerberg. How she somehow guessed your sizing right you would have no idea. Probably the Witcher powers.
“I wish we lived in the same city” you sighed, leaning your head back and looking up at the ceiling. Things would be so much easier if you and Ciri, and the other girls, didn’t live so far away from one another. But that was the price you paid for finding your friends online.
“Me too” Ciri said with a gentle sigh, setting her make up tools down and picking up her phone, her face coming into full view.
“I sent you the script, I won’t be able to stay on the call with you while we are filming because data rates are crazy, but I know you’ll do amazing” Ciri said with a reassuring smile. You would have to film all of this on your own, which was just a little bit intimidating. Ciri’s script mostly just directed you to do a lot of handwaving and she would add in the ‘magic’ elements later.
“Just find a good spot in the woods and it’ll be perfect” Ciri finished with a nod of her head. You sighed, straightening yourself up and looking down at your phone.
“I’ll call you later on when I’m finished to send you the video” you mumbled, pouting a little bit as you stood and picked up your phone.
“Good luck!” Ciri told you, waving a little bit before ending the call. Great, now you actually had to go do it…
»»————- ♡ ————-««
You were lucky there was quite a bit of woods around where you lived, the problem was going to be trying to get to the woods without anyone seeing the ridiculous clothes you were wearing. You threw on a huge coat, effectively covering up most of the costume. After grabbing the bag with your equipment, you ventured outside, keeping your head down as you walked to avoid drawing attention.
Twenty minutes later you were standing in the middle of a beautiful calm forest. Now that you were here you questioned why you didn’t come out here more often. You couldn’t hear the loud noises that came with living in a bustling city and the air felt fresh on your face. Once you reached a small clearing by a river you laid your things down and took a deep breath, basking in the coolness of the air. Maybe this trend wouldn’t be so bad.
After setting up your camera in a place you were at least half sure wouldn’t result in it falling over, you walked into frame and took a deep breath. You briefly checked your phone to see what Ciri’s notes asked of you, before you began doing your best to follow directions. Your portion of the video wouldn’t be long, but you did re-film it 4 times to try and get your motions to be less stiff.
After forty-five minutes of waving your arms around, you walked back to your camera, picking it up before taking a seat on a nearby log. Reviewing the footage, you winced at how awkward it looked, you seriously hoped that Ciri could work some magic on this because you didn’t have it in you to film it again.
The forest around you was darkening as the day began to draw to a close, but you couldn’t bring yourself to head back right away. The forest was too peaceful and serene. Reaching up you pulled your wig off, stuffing it in your bag as you sighed with relief. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, focusing in on the sounds of nature around you. Maybe coming to the woods would become a weekly thing for you, like therapy.
A low deep growl broke you out of your trance, your eyes flying open and flickering around to find the source. Your heart hammered against your chest, and your whole body stiffened in fear. A few moments later a dark black wolf emerged from the trees, larger than any wolf you had seen on tv. You could vaguely see blood dripping from its muzzle, and its dark red eyes were focused right on you.
It paused at the edge of the clearing, its lips pulling back to reveal sharp blood-stained teeth. Your breath came quick as you leaned back, unsure if you should run or try and hide behind the log. Both seemed unhelpful in this current situation, but you were really low on options.
The wolf’s body tensed before springing toward you. Your hands instinctively grabbed whatever was nearest to you, which happened to be your very expensive camera, and threw it toward the wolf. This did nothing to deter the predator from its prey, and within seconds the beast was on you.
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impala1967dwinchester · 4 years ago
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Dean Winchester: Queen
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*Credit to gif owner* 
Paring: Dean x reader 
Pov: Readers
Warnings: Dean dressing in drag, swearing, Dean, loss of a bet, Dean being cocky, mention of Sam, Jealous!Reader Angst/Fluff, lots of talks with Sam, lots of talking with Dean towards the end. reader self-doubt, Dean being reassuring. 
Summary: When Dean and the reader place a bet, it goes very much not in Dean favor. Dean has a tendency to get bored quickly though, which leads down a harsh road for the reader. Coming back to the bunker she tries to pretend everything is fine, but Dean wants answers. 
Word Count: 3k 
A/N- I know lots of pov switches I’m sorry... but I hope this is good and y’all like it. 
Main masterlist
Dean Winchester Masterlist
Taglist: @akshi8278​ @deanswaywardgirl​ @hit-meup69​
“Bets are down!” Sam said.
Y/n had bet that if she won that game of pool that Dean would have to dress in drag. Dean bet that if he won pool which he was cocky about winning that Y/n would have to do the research for the next four hunts.  
What neither one of them knew was the bet the other one placed.  
Sam was the only one. So, the game began. I racked up the fifteen Dean grabbed his pool stick, and grabbed me a pool stick as well. He was being sort of gentleman. He chalked the end of both the pool sticks.  
“Are you ready to get your ass beat!?” Dean said handing me my pool stick. “I can’t wait for you to have to do my bet.” Dean said excitement dripping into his words.  
I rolled my eyes and rocked on the back of my heels. “Are you done being cocky Dean, so we can play this game?” I asked looking over at Sam.  
He just shrugged and watch Dean and I. “Come on Dean just play. Stop trying to be an asshole. I bet Y/n doesn’t really care how much you show off.” Sam said.  
Dean huffed and started to play. His board shoulders leaning over the pool table, lining the pool stick up with the white cue ball. I lifted the rack and stepped away from the pool table.  
He struck the cue ball and game began. None of the colored balls or striped balls ended up ports at the corners of the pool table. Dean stepped back and let me have a go, figuring out what ball I wanted to take a hit at I lined my pool stick up with the white cue ball and strikes it.  
The cue ball ended up hitting at least four balls two of which were colored balls landing into the corner spots. Sam sat and watched as Dean looked over at me and huffed once again in a sort of defeat. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, Ya hear Dean.” Sam said.  
Dean only shooed him off with a wave of his hand, and continued to play. This cycle went on for a bit. I’d play and get at least one ball in every time. I’d back up and let Dean take over the pool table, I’d go sit with Sam drink whatever beer I had left. And wait.
Wait for the grunt of disappoint when Dean didn’t any of his striped balls into the pockets, or a “Hell Yeah!” from Dean when he got a ball pocketed. Dean’s macho stance whenever he did hit a ball was ridiculous. “You know you honestly make him work for things.” Sam said commenting on how much Dean was really putting effort into the game.
“Come on now Sam. That’ I say waving my hand over the figure of Dean farther away ���That right there is all Dean. I have nothing to do with any of that.” I said not really wanting to believe that I may have that great of effect on Dean like Sam says.
Dean is great at pool. Dean doesn’t lose bets either. Sam has watched his entire life Dean play pool and win every game. So maybe Sam sees something that I can’t see, or something neither Dean or I can see. Yeah, maybe Sam's right, maybe I have just the great of an effect on Dean Winchester.  
We continued to play, each other us going back and forth from the pool table. Finally, the last-colored ball was sitting on the pool table, black eight ball was staring at me from across the table. taunting me to win the game, I lined my stick up with the cue ball and went through with a solid hit. It hit and within seconds the eight ball was in the pocket and I had won the game.
Meaning that Dean, oh poor Dean had lost the bet. Not a normal thing either for him to lose, but I keep thinking about what Sam said. I really hope that Sam was right for my own sake.  
Sam looked over at me grinning at me. Dean was too preoccupied with a rather younger woman sitting not too far from the bar. He said before he left that he was getting more drinks and that there was no way I was going to be able to hit that last ball in.  
All the happiness and excitement went out the window when I saw Dean flirting with her at the bar. His swagger and smirking face turned on to the max. It would have anyone weak to the knees.  
Sam's eyes followed mine. Even Sam didn’t know that I wanted to be with Dean. Nobody knows, and I’d like to think I don’t want anyone to know. Because if I’m the only person then I don’t have to listen to Sam try and force to tell him, or Dean push me away.... I don’t want any of that.  
Sam's eyes landed on his brother flirting his way into the woman’s pants. He looked over at me. I played a good game of pool, but I didn’t have a good poker face.  
Sam got up from his bar stool at the table. He stood next to me and bumped my shoulder with his own, biting the inside of cheek I took a deep breath in and looked over at Sam. “Dean tends to be blind to the good things in front of him.” Sam said.  
“It doesn’t matter. The happy moment is gone. He’s bored. So, I take the rest of my pride and leave with it. Because I’m sorry Sam, but Dean isn’t worth the heartbreak.” I said putting the pool stick down on the table and grabbing my jacket from the bar stool seat that I was sitting at.  
Sam shrugged his shoulders and apologized for Dean. “I’m sorry for him. Drive back to the bunker, and I’ll get him home without extra company.” He said, before kissing my temple.  
I smiled for a quick second at Sam before walking past Dean at the bar with the women straight out the door and to my car. I slammed my car door and rested my head against the steering wheel. Letting my body finally go through the emotions. Crying until my steering wheel was soaked.
Dean Pov:  
When I finally looked back over at the pool table the first thing, I noticed was no Y/n. Where’d she go? I got up from the bar and walked back with the drink that I had ordered.  
“Sam, where’s Y/n?” I asked, noticing the pool stick sitting on the table. Sam didn’t turn around at all, his eye very much focused on the sports game on the TV screen above. Setting the drinks on the table I asked again.  
“Sam, where’s Y/N?” He turned and just shook his head. “Dude seriously, her jacket isn’t here and her pool stick is sitting on the table.” I said still very confused as to what was truly going on.  
“Dude she left.” Sam said jugging the rest of his beer. “But we weren’t even done with the pool game.” I said a little huff falling out with my words. “Yeah, you were, Dean. Don’t play innocent like you weren’t feeling that girl up at the bar.... Oh, and by the way she won.” Sam said shortly.  
I walked over to the pool table noticing all the colored balls were gone pocketed in the corners of the pool table. ‘Damn that girl beat me’ I thought. Wait I don’t understand why’d she leave just like that. I didn’t say anything to her.  
“Oh my god Dean, I can hear you thinking. Let me guess you can’t figure out what you did wrong can you?” Sam said getting up and tucking his bar stool under the table. “Let’s go. I’m ready to go home.” Sam said. I really didn’t have any choice, so I chugging the rest of my beer, and throw some cash on the table before jogging to catch up to Sam.  
Y/n Pov  
I sat in the kitchen with a glass of whiskey. Sipping it ever so often, but hearing the bunker door open and then shut I decided to just chug the whiskey. It burnt at tad as it fell past my lips and down my throat.  
In walked Sam and then shortly Dean walked in. Sam was silent grabbing a water bottle from the fridge and giving me a kiss on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen.  
Again, it was silent. “So... Sam gave me your bet. I’ll do it. I just have a question’ Dean asked, I turned in the seat and faced him. Dean was leaning up against the kitchen island arms crossed his chest and his ankles crossed. ‘Why’d you leave the bar early.” He said finishing his sentence.  
Bewildered by how Dean thought he had done nothing wrong I sighed heavily and went to say something it couldn’t. The words not wanting to fall out of my mouth. If they fell out then that would mean that they were real.  
“If I dress you in that drag... I tell you afterwards. Deal?” I asked. Hoping Dean would let it go for tonight. I could have the last fun with Dean tomorrow and then I’ll tell him. “Okay fine. Tomorrow after you’re done.” He said pushing off the kitchen island and kissing me on my temple.  
Leaving me alone once again in the vast space of the kitchen.  
I won’t say that I didn’t have fun grabbing all the shit I needed for dressing Dean up in drag. Grabbing laced up combat heels, a black dress, and a shit ton of makeup. I wanted this to be fun. And how can I forget I grabbed a bleach blonde long wig to complete whatever look I was going for.  
Shooting Dean, a message to come to library he was there quicker than you could say apple pie. It was awkward at first since everything that had happened last night, but he had gotten over that pretty quickly. Dean sat down in front of me.
“Are you ready?” I questioned him. “I lost a bet. I really can’t pull myself outta this one can I.” He spoke. “So, I’m going to take that as yes.” I spoke. After almost three hours of me trying to do Deans drag makeup. Constantly having to tell him to close his eyes, or whatever other instruction I gave him. I was done with that part.  
He got up, “My face all the sudden feels every heavy.” He said gently patting his cheeks with his palm. “Don’t touch!” I said swatting his hand away. Dean raised his hands in defense.  
“Here!" I said shoving the bag with everything except the wig to him. Go change, just don’t look at the make-up, yeah.” I spoke. sitting back down in the chair with a plop.  
Dean getting dressed took another hour. He walked out the dress wasn’t tight around his figure and the lace stockings I had also bought he was wearing; the boots look good. He was little wobbly but otherwise he looked alright.  
He walked over to me. Reminding me just how much taller he was then me now that he had a pair of heels on. “Put your head down.” I said quietly but he followed my instructions. When Dean flipped his head back over, he had a wig on. The extra weight throwing his head off for a long second.  
As Dean tried to regain his head balance, I shot Sam a message asking him to come out the library and to have his camera ready. In a split-second Sam was there with his phone.
Dean stood-up his hands on his hips. “Yeah, laugh it up. I’m just going to say that I look like a bad ass bitch.” He said trying to balance on the heel on the combat boots I had grabbed.  
“Can we take pictures? We promise we won't share them.” I asked, getting for a harsh ‘no’, but instead the answer was yes. Sam took a few and so did I. then Sam waved to us saying he had reading he had to catch up on.  
“So... Now that I've done this, can you tell me why you left the bar early yesterday night.” Dean said reaching up to take off the wig. “Yeah, but first get out of the clothes because I bet, you’re uncomfortable and you come back here, and I’ll take all this shit off your face, agreed.” I spoke.  
He gave me a sideways glance, “Okay, don’t go running off okay.” He said as he got up wobbling and holding onto objects as he walked away. Only a few minutes he came back wearing only a pair of sweats and a pair of Christmas slippers I had gotten both of the boys.  
“Please take this stuff off my face, because to be honest with you I can feel it seeping into my skin.” Dean said. I laughed a little thinking about how realistic that explanation was to what it really felt like.  
I got to work. Wiping Deans eye gently with the cotton pad. “Can you please tell me now?” Dean said eye closed. The feeling of his eye not being on me as these words passed my lips was actually more helpful.  
“U mm... you left... and everything was going great, but... You... and then” I said skipping over words and frustrating myself. Dean reached out placing his hand on my wrist. “Y/n just slow down. One step at a time.” He spoke.  
Taking a deep breath in, I started again. “So, everything was going well, you were being your cocky self which doesn’t bother me. And then all the sudden it seemed like you got bored of us... actually, more like you got bored of me and the game. Like whenever it just you and me. Some younger chick takes your attention.” I said, grabbing a new cotton pad and starting to clean Deans other eye.
You’ve got to get the rest of your thought-out Y/n.  
“Dean I would do anything for you. I hope you know that. Literally anything I’d die for you to be able to save the world. But I don't much in return. I ask for you spend some of your precious time with you. I just want your attention. I’ll do anything for you to just want me.” I spoke  
I gasped and covered my mouth. Oops that part wasn’t supposed to come out. I finished in eyes. He opened them and grabbed my wrist before I could grab another cotton pad.  
“Do you really mean everything you just said.” He asked, I kept my eyes the floor suddenly finding that much more interesting than Dean’s emerald green eyes. Or his amazing freckles. I felt a touch of Deans hand on my chin, forcing me to look at him.  
“Did you mean it Y/n?” Dean asked again a sterner tone falling into the words. “Yes, Dean.” I said a frown falling onto my features. So many thoughts running through my head but none of them were the next things that Dean said to me.  
“Glad, because I want you too.” He spoke. Thank god Dean finger was still under my chin because if not my jaw would have landed on the floor between our legs. “So, the flirting?” I asked in a hushed voice. Not trusting my own words at current moment.  
Dean face contorted and he took a moment to think. “Those girls... they were the only way I thought I could get over you, but I realize now that I’m a complete and utter asshole. A blind asshole. I’m sorry Y/n.” Dean said
His hand migrating to my cheek and his thumb rubbing right under my eye in a comforting way. I leaned into the touch. “You are an asshole. Just neither of us knew what the other was thinking.” I said touching out forehead together.  
“Can you get the rest of this makeup off, please, Y/n?” Dean asked. I rolled my eyes and pulled away from his forehead.” Way to ruin the moment Winchester.” I said before I started cleaning up the rest of Deans face.
‘Yeah, I know, but I really wanted to kiss you properly without any makeup on.” He said smashing his lips into mine, and holding down tight onto my waist and forearm. When he pulled away needing air he asked “We’re both idiots, but can we be idiots together?”  I smiled and shrugged my shoulder before lunging in for another Dean Winchester kiss.
“Wait, you don’t care that I don’t look like the other girls the you flirt with?” I asked shyness overcoming me. My grasp on the idea that Dean would even want me was eating away at my brain. Giving me a very perplexed look, and scrunching his eyebrows.  
“Look I know that it looks like I have a type.” Dean said grabbing into one of my thighs. “But, that’s a different Dean, that’s hopefully in the past. I know that I have a track record for only bring home blonde skinny women, but I... I want you and your body. I want all your thick parts’ he said squeezing my thigh. ‘I want your crazy bed head in the morning. I want you to continue trying to beat me at pool, I want you to be with me. I want so many things, but all of them are because of you.” Dean said pausing to let me take in his words. “I want whatever you want to give me. I don’t care what your body looks like because that’s not what made me attracted to you doll. Your heart, mind, and soul are what made me want you. I hope that’s okay” He said.  
I smiling and sniffed my nose trying to stop the cascade of tears that was about to break. “Yeah, that’s okay Dean.” I said grasping Deans strong body for a hug.  
Completed on: 04/11/2021
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breanime · 5 years ago
Note
If you’re taking two, “who did this?” and “why do you care?” for Rio please! And if you’re only doing one, then “who did this” also you’re gorgeous and I blame you for my Rio and Johnny obsessions
Last one for Rio, tomorrow (or sometime this week) I’ll finish up my Johnny drabbles!
warning: steamy
*gif not mine*
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Rio gave you the keys to the kingdom the same day he got them. He shared everything with you; you were his ride or die, his rock, and he was your King. You were with him through everything, and he kept you at his side.
So when he was arrested for his first big charge, and the FBI broke down your front door, they took you too.
You had been in holding for hours by the time an Agent came in and cut you loose. You asked about Rio, and he said: “your man’s looking at 5-10”, and that was all.
It turned out that Rio took the fall for you, saying that you had nothing to do with his business, and that you were just an innocent bystander. His lawyer ended up getting him off with only having to serve 3 years, which was a hell of a deal. And you were there for him. Every visiting day, you were at the jail. Every morning and every night, you were spending thousands in collect calls talking to him on the phone. You were in constant communication with his lawyer, doing everything you could to make things easier for him. You ran the business by yourself while Rio was locked up, dealing with gangsters and criminals and all kinds of crooked cops. You’d learned a lot from Rio, but having the reigns in your hands—alone—was like a trial by fire.
And you flourished.
The day Rio got out (32 days early, no less), he kept you in bed for the rest of the week. You could hardly walk, and when he touched you, you could feel how much he loved you.
A month later, you came home to find all of your stuff boxed up.
“We’re done,” he had said, his voice low and eyes hollow, “It’s over.”
And that was that. You moved out that day; there were no amount of tears or reasoning that would change his mind. When Rio made a decision, that was it. Of course, you asked him why, what had gone wrong? But his answers had been vague and unsatisfactory. By the end of it, you were telling the man you loved that you hated him.
You had to leave the city.
You couldn’t stay there; Rio owned it, and every single stone, every blade of grass, every scent in the wind reminded you of him. So you moved. You started your own business in your city, you made a name for yourself, answered to no one, and kept yourself working all hours of the day. It was the only way to keep Rio off of your mind. Anyway, you were good at what you did, and soon, you were a Queenpin in your own right.
But being the Queen wasn’t always easy.
Overnight, shit hit the fan. Your empire had been compromised—you’d been betrayed by one of your men. The Feds were on your ass, and what was worse, your life had been threatened. A bomb in your car was the way you found out that there was a hit out on you, and as you lay in the street, lungs full of smoke and dust in your eyes, watching the inferno engulf your wine red Cadillac, you knew you had to restock.
You had to lay low.
Fuck. You had to go home.
You decided to hole up in a luxury suite on the edge of the city. Only your most trusted lieutenants knew where you were, and you didn’t let anyone from your past know that you were in town. You just needed a safe, quiet place to lick your wounds and re-strategize before heading back to your city. You checked in under a fake name, only went out in sunglasses and a wig, and kept to yourself…
…which is why your heart stopped when you heard a knock at your door.
You picked up your gun, holding it near your leg as you stood up. You knew it wasn’t one of your people at the door—they knew to use a special knock, and they had strict orders to stay away until you called them. It couldn’t be the FBI, because they had the subtly of a bull in a china shop; they wouldn’t knock. You creeped towards the door, watching the shadow underneath it move. You’d seen too much to look through the peephole—one shot through the eye would have you dead, and if this assassin had a silencer, no one would even find your body for days. Carefully, you stood behind the door and put one hand on the knob. You opened it, sticking the gun up as the person stepped in, and your heart felt like it would burst when you saw him.
Rio.
“Huh,” he grinned, not at all concerned about the pistol in his face, “That’s one way to greet me.”
You lowered your arm, eyes wide, as Rio kicked the door shut behind him. He walked past you into the sitting area, looking around the suite with his hands in his pockets. He looked good, wearing all black and a beanie. He had more facial hair than he did when you were together, but you could see his tattoo—the eagle—on his neck. You would know that tat anywhere; you had a matching one on your ankle.
“Rio,” you said, and you watched as he turned, slowly. It occurred to you then, as he stared at you, that he couldn’t see how wide your eyes were. You were wearing your shades, and you wondered if he could see his own reflection in them. You swallowed. “How did you know I was here?”
“The Queenpin enters my city,” he drawled easily, “I hear about it. Don’t worry, though, no one else knows you’re here.” He quirked an eyebrow. “You gonna shoot me, Y/N?”
You sighed, placing your gun on the counter. You put a hand on your hip, raising an eyebrow back at him. “Don’t be rude,” you said.
He chuckled, and the sound of his laugh made your eyes water. You blinked back the tears and watched as Rio took out his gun—and oh. He was still using the gold pistol you’d bought him all those years ago… He placed it on the counter next to yours, and seeing your guns side by side made your heart flip. When you looked back up at him, Rio was walking towards you.
You took a step back, and he paused. “I don’t remember you being this jumpy,” he said coolly.
You frowned, and you took two steps closer to him. “I’m not jumpy,” you argued, taking a third step just to prove your point, “I’m cautious.”
Now it was his turn to frown, and he titled his head. “You think I’m gonna hurt you?”
You laughed, shaking your head. “Rio,” you answered, “there is no way you could ever hurt me now, more than you have before.”
He licked his lips, nodding as he looked away from you for a second. “You find out who betrayed you?” He asked.
“I’m gonna handle it.”
Rio smirked. “That’s not an answer.”
Your eyes narrowed behind your glasses. “I’m handling it,” you amended.
“Hm…” He took a small step towards you, and you knew that if you gave any indication that you didn’t want him to get closer, he would stop. But you didn’t, so he didn’t. “And the car bombing? You handling that?”
You moved up, taking another step closer to Rio. “I’m alive, aren’t I?” You answered.
He was directly in front of you now, and he reached out, his hand touching your chin. You held your breath as his fingers brushed over your face, gently brushing over the small cuts there. “You know who did it.” It was a statement, not a question. He didn’t wait for you to respond before he was reaching up and taking your sunglasses off.
You didn’t stop him. You watched as his eyes took you in—the bruises, the scrapes, the redness in your eyes from staying awake, watching your own back for all hours of the day. His eyes were dark with emotion, and you had to look down to avoid getting sucked into them. Rio looked down at your collarbone, his fingers brushing your skin and the cuts there as well before dropping and picking your hand up, looking at the scrapes on your knuckles. When he looked back up at you, his eyes were black, and you could see the anger in them. He was still holding your hand in his, and you could feel the tension in him—or maybe it was coming from you. It was hard, with him so close, to know who was feeling what. You always felt so connected with Rio, and this was no exception. When Rio spoke, his voice was low and rough with rage.
“Who did this?”
You moved to step back, but he wouldn’t let you—and that pissed you off. You yanked your hand out of his and stepped back, glaring up at him. “I’m handling it,” you repeated, “and anyway, why do you care? It’s none of your business.”
“You know why I care,” he said slowly.
You shook your head; your heart wanted to hear him out, but your head refused to fall down that rabbit hole again. “I’m only gonna be in town for a couple of days,” you explained, “and I’m not trying to move in on your terf or take any of your territory—”
“I ain’t worried about that.”
“Then what do you want?” You asked, getting to the point.
He leaned forward for a moment, like he wanted to move closer to you again, but he stopped himself. “A name.”
“What?”
“I want a name. The name of the person who did this to you,” he clarified.
You bristled. “Why?”
“You know why.”
“He’s mine,” you said, walking up to him, “My rat, my problem—I don’t need your help!”
“I’m not asking,” he said calmly, “You could’ve been killed,” he said, as if the thought hadn’t occurred to you, “I can’t just let that go.”
“Oh yes, you can,” you argued, “You’re good at letting things go.”
Rio’s jaw ticked, and you swallowed back a smirk. He was getting riled up. Good. “Don’t…” He started.
“You forced me out,” you went on, “You told me to leave, and now, I’m telling you.” You turned, stomping to the door and ripping it open. “Leave.”
Rio walked over to you, and for one terrible second, you were afraid that he might actually go, but instead, he slapped the palm of his hand on the door and slammed it shut. He towered over you, his face just inches from yours—close enough to kiss. Or slap.
“Give. Me. A. Name.” He ground out.
“Fuck. You.” You said back.
The two of you glared at each other, two pieces of the same puzzle, a King and Queen, heartbroken lovers, and you wanted to devour him. He was so close to you, you could feel the heat coming off of him, you could hear the sound of his breathing, heavy like yours. You could see those long, dark eyelashes, the curve of his lips—you could see the man you loved. Love.
You reached up and grabbed him, pulling him to you fiercely. Rio growled into your mouth, wrapping his arms around you and picking you up. He carried you across the suite and dropped you onto the bed. He was on top of you in a second, his mouth melding against yours, kissing you so hard it would bruise. But you weren’t being gentle either; you scratched at his back, trying to bring him even closer. You nipped at his lower lip, and he hissed, but didn’t pull back. Rio’s hands were on you, pulling at your clothes and ripping them off, tossing them all over the room. You scratched at him as you helped him out of his clothes, relishing in the feel of his flesh under your hands. It didn’t take long for you to be skin-to-skin, and you gasped at the feel of him, the warmth, the heat, the pressure, the weight of him—you wanted to drown in him. He was kissing you again, his tongue swirling against yours, it was sloppy, it was primal, it was just so him. You felt Rio’s hands, big and rough, on your thighs, spreading your legs for you, and when you felt him against you, hard and ready, you dug your nails into his ass, pushing him forward.
You screamed when he entered you, there was no other man on the planet who made you feel like Rio made you feel. No other man who could make you so strong while keeping you so weak. He was grunting, his forehead pressed against yours, as he fucked you. You took him eagerly, your body moving naturally against his. Being with him, like this, was so new and yet so familiar; Rio would always feel like home to you, and you, despite your best efforts, would always come back to him. You could feel yourself approaching your climax, and he could feel it too. It was out of your control, you needed him, you needed him, you needed him.
You were powerless.
You came with a whimper, and Rio came with a shout. You shivered against him as he emptied yourself inside of you, and you never felt so whole in your entire life.
You were breathing heavy, trying to come back down with Rio still inside of you, when you felt him kiss you again. This kiss was soft, gentle… this kiss went from your lips all the way to your toes, and when you opened your eyes, he was staring down at you.
You wanted to cry.
“I made you leave,” he said, his voice hoarse, “because I wanted better for you.” You blinked up at him, afraid to hear him, but unable to do anything but listen. “I’ve done a lot of shit, but that… that was my one mistake,” his mouth was so close to yours, as he spoke, it was like his words were going right into you, “I told myself that I had to, to protect you, cause you weren’t strong enough, but we both know that’s not true. You’re stronger than me,” he admitted, “you always have been.” His eyes were staring into yours so hard, you couldn’t even blink, you didn’t want to miss a moment of him. “I knew it the second you screamed you hated me, and…” His eyes were so soft, so deep. “…You don’t hate me, do you, mama?”
You closed your eyes, trying to keep yourself from breaking. “…please,” your voice came out in a whisper.
You felt Rio’s lips on your skin, kissing you right on the corner of your mouth. “I love you.”
You hugged him to you, and suddenly, you were crying. You vaguely registered him pulling out of you, before gathering you in his arms. He held you to him, leaning back against the headboard with you cradled in his arms, your head on his chest as you cried. Rio let you cry, and you honestly had no idea how long you were crying—a minute? an hour?—it was unclear. All you knew was that he was holding you, his large hand rubbing your back and shoulders, his soft lips kissing away your tears, and he didn’t move away from you, not even for a second. You knew, as he held you, the same truth that you had always known, the truth that you had tried to swallow down and push back all these years: Rio was your kingdom, Rio was your home.
Rio kept you in his arms like that for hours, just holding you. Neither of you spoke during that time, but you felt closer to him then than you did all those years ago when he was yours. It wasn’t until now—just now—that it truly felt that he was yours, that he was letting you see him—all of him. And you could tell that you proved yourself to him, though you weren’t entirely sure when or how, but you could tell by the way he held you, the way he kissed you, the way he wiped away your tears, that he saw you seeing him, and more importantly—he knew you would never look away.
“I can’t say it back,” you said, your hand on his chest, over his heart, “I’m too scared.”
“I know,” he said back, his mouth in your hair, “and that’s my fault.” You felt his press a kiss to the top of your head. “You don’t have to say it back.”
You nodded, looking up at him. There was still a lot that needed to be said, trust that needed to be built back up, but when you looked at Rio, you saw your future. “I can give you a name, though,” you said softly.
He smiled.
A month later, you were moving back to the city—Rio’s city. All your enemies had either been viciously, publicly murdered, or disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Either way—the FBI was off your ass now, and so you decided to move back home and pool your businesses with Rio’s. You moved into your own place (much to Rio’s quiet annoyance), but you saw him every day and every night. You had a key to his place, his car, his warehouses…
…you had the keys to the kingdom. But this time, you were partners in a greater sense, and this time, you both grew and changed and flourished together. He came over to your place one day, and his heart stopped when he saw that everything was boxed up. You smiled, walking over to him and going into his arms easily, feeling him relax a bit as you held him.
You kissed him, and when you pulled back, you could see the question behind those dark eyes of his. “So…” You asked, your voice casual. “…Do you need a roommate?”
Rio answered by picking you up, kissing you deeply as you giggled against his lips. And so a new chapter of your lives began—
—an unstoppable duo; a King and his Queen.
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Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think! I really want your opinions on this one, please!
Everything Taglist: @sweetybuzz25​  @mrsjaxtellerfan​  @rhabakoli​  @encounterthepast​ @realduckvader​   @justvnash​ @knowles-morgan  @ateliefloresdaprimavera @evanlys19  @nyxxnoxx​ @carlaangel86  @luminex3 @jigsawlover10  @gollyderek @otomefromtheheart  @lexxierave @crushed-pink-petals  @amethyst09​ @falsehopesndreams @a-dorky-book-keeper @witchygagirl
Rio Taglist: @gemini0410​  @glimmerglittergirl @gensneverland @jamielennkeeler @angels-pie @hermionetriskatniss​  @christinawxxx @nich0lasmatthews  @whovianayesha @tashawar @existentialvacuum @beardburnsupersoldiers @feelingsandemotionsnotexplored @thickemadame​ @juul4jesus​
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airi-p4 · 3 years ago
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Miraculous escape - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 |
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I wasn’t planning to post this yet, but it’s Lukadrien June and today prompt is ‘escape’ and, even if it’s only Lukadrien friendship (bc it’s Lukanette & Adrigami endgame), it fit so well that I couldn’t stop myself from posting this. Chapter 1 and the final chapter have been finished for months, but I don’t know when I’m going to continue with the rest... 
This fic is based / inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Some like it hot’ film.
Thank you @alittleshycat for the header and wanted posters pic! ( I hope you’re doing well... I miss you... 🥺💙 )
Thank you @brickercupmasterx3​ for proofreading! 💙
Summary:
Luka helps Adrien escape from his prison-like house and his strict father but Gabriel Agreste is not planning to let them go away easily. They become fugitives and ask Juleka for help, who offers them a very unconventional escape plan: joining a girl band/orchestra to flee the country.
Easier said than done, especially when they find something unexpected in that band: the two most beautiful women they've ever seen.
Warning: includes art
AO3
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Chapter 1: Fugitives
"My father is going to kill me."
"Your father is going to kill us."
One carrying a guitar on his back, and the other a piano keyboard case on his hand, two musicians were being chased by multiple cars around Paris. Turning corners, going up and downstairs, hiding behind trash containers and cars, the chase seemed far from an end anytime soon. Panting for air, the pair continued running after they turned the corner, just in time not to be seen-  a close call. The loud sirens never seemed to stop, coming from all directions.
"I can't believe I finally escaped from home!", the young blond man exclaimed excitedly. "Thanks, Luka. I wouldn't have made it without your help. You're a real friend."
"Don't mention it, Adrien. That's what friends are for, right?", the blue haired man laughed and patted his back. "It would have been perfect if we hadn't broken half of your father's statue collection while escaping your bodyguards, though. Now he's gonna kill us for sure. We can't let them catch us!"
"We need to run away from Paris. And fast! My father is the devil itself! You don't want to know..."
"I don't!"
Jumping down a wall, and turning another corner, the two friends hid in the back of a funeral car and waited until the police sirens got further away. They had been scolded for being disrespectful with the dead, but it was worth it: they were safe- at least for now.
"We need to leave the city and find a place to stay. Knowing your father, he must have all stations, roads and airports under his control." Luka said, stopping Adrien from crossing the street to firstly check their surroundings.
"How are we going to do it? Our car became 'inoperative' during the chase and our friends and family must be monitored!"
Adrien's panic made Luka grab his shoulders to reassure him of their plans.
"No, look. They know you, but they don't know much about me. Not many people know I have a sister who lives here, in Paris."
"You do?"
"Yes. We need to make it to her apartment and then we’ll figure out how to proceed. Are you ready to run again?"
"More than ready. I'm excited!" Adrien grinned back at Luka, feeling an adrenaline rush.
"Let's go!"
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When Juleka opened the door of her apartment, she wasn't expecting to meet her dumbass older brother and Adrien Agreste, the young man who had been on the news non-stop for the last two hours. She raised one eyebrow and Luka knew she was looking for a reason not to shut the door on their faces.
"Juleka! We need your help! We have to get out of the city. Could you lend us your car?"
"What the heck is wrong with you!? It's been two years and that's all you have to say? What kind of trouble are you involved in now? This flower boy has been in the news for hours! They are even offering a reward for whoever finds him! And one for you! A dead or alive one in your case! They're saying you kidnapped him! So you better have a good explanation or I'm kicking you out."
"I do, I do! Listen: remember dad? I know you were little, but do you remember what being trapped is? That's this man's, Adrien's, everyday life for you. I couldn't bear to see my friend like that anymore so I offered to help him escape" Juleka's eyebrow sank deeper towards her nose, meaning Luka knew that wasn't good news. "I had to help him get his freedom! Can you believe he has never had a burger? Or been to a drive through? He can't even drive a car! He literally crashed my car at a streetlight after mistaking the gas and brake pedals! Have some compassion and help us escape Paris. Please?" he finished, pleadingly.
Juleka's eyes moved to analyze Adrien before answering: blond rich guy, well dressed and innocent looking. The way he was trying to figure out her front door and how his green eyes curiously examined his surroundings made him look like a playful cat, and Juleka had no doubt that he was as dumb, or probably dumber, than her older brother. Which meant Jukeka wanted them out, but also that she couldn't refuse to help- otherwise they would surely not make it out alive.
"Fine. What do you need?" She resigned.
"A car or anything that takes us away from Paris! No, better! Out of the country!"
Adrien was still examining Juleka's old and untidy room when she noticed his eyes paused on a paper on the table. She knew that paper: a girl band/orchestra called "Miraculous" was looking to recruit experienced musicians to perform around Italy for three weeks. Suddenly, she knew what to do.
"Join that girl band, the one in the pamphlet", Juleka suggested, pointing at said paper.
"What? A girl band? We're men, Jules! We can't join a girl band!"
"Luka is right!" Adrien quickly agreed.
"No, it can be done. I'm good with makeup and I'm tall enough for my clothes to fit Adrien. We can use some of Mom's clothes for you. ‘Old style’. Oh, and I have some wigs too.” Juleka continued. "Can this blondie play any instrument?"
"Well, yes. He's a pianist," Luka answered.
"Perfect! I'll find a way for you to cover for the pianist and the guitarist of the band: Chloe and Lila. Nobody likes them anyway, and the band members probably don't even remember their faces well, since they joined recently. Nobody will miss them. And it's perfect that you're blond, just like Chloe. I have the perfect wig for you"
Juleka disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a pair of scissors, two wigs and a box of makeup- oh, and wax. The two male friends could feel cold sweat down their backs.
"Wow, you have such a pretty face!" Juleka exclaimed, taking a closer look at Adrien's facial features. "I'll cut your bangs a bit so they don't show under your wig. Luka: do yourself a favor and go shave meanwhile."
"Are you serious about this, Jules?" Luka asked, moving towards the bathroom sink.
"Of course I am", she glared confidently at him. "Do you want to flee the country or not? I'm getting you out, but you need to trust me."
"Is this really necessary…?" Adrien asked in a trembling voice, seeing how Juleka's scissors were close to his eyes as she was cutting his long bangs.
"It definitely is! The band orchestra is leaving midday tomorrow and we have a lot to do!" Juleka ordered. "I can't wait to wax those hairy legs of yours" she murmured. Adrien could only gasp in fear.
When Juleka finished, she was proud of her results. The disguises were perfect: a long blond wig on Adrien, tied as a long braid, his big green eyes standing out with the mascara on his lashes, and he had pink colored cheeks and cherry lips. His face and hair were perfectly complemented by a white dress to his knees and a short jacket over his shoulders, covering his strong forearms. He also used some pads to simulate not very large breasts. The final touch was a pair of elegant high-heels with diamond looking glass studs on them. He looked beautiful, prettier than many women. So pretty the Couffaine siblings blushed a little at the sight.
As for Luka… well, he was tall, big and manly, and with sharp features: definitely not easy to pass him as a woman. But Juleka was almost a professional and she did an incredible job. He had his hair cut short so his blue hair didn't show under the long dark haired wig - good for covering his wide muscular back. He was advised to wear a hat and sunglasses most of the time, but he was also wearing lots of makeup. Using a full palette of skin tones, Juleka managed to hide his strong jawline and make his cheekbones, chin and nose look smaller and rounder. He wore black eyeshadow and mascara, brownish red lipstick and natural blush. He looked like an unfeminine lady but that could pass as genetics, right? People would maybe look away, but they would understand. As for his clothes: he wore a long wide purple dress tied with a belt and some brown pirate-like high boots (the only ones that would fit him because they belonged to himself). The bottom half of his outfit was complemented by a grey knit poncho. His fake breasts were bigger than Adrien's and he wore a wine red scarf to cover his neck- especially his pronounced adam's apple. He looked… pretty good, considering the base product. And that alone was an amazing accomplishment.
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"You're perfect. Ready to go. I've packed a pair of party dresses too. You'll need them for your performances" Juleka said, admiring her amazing work. "Oh, and just so you know. I'm also part of the band, so I'm coming too."
Later that night, just before sunrise, Juleka sneaked to Chloe and Lila's apartment to steal their accreditations and sent them fake cards about the train being delayed so they wouldn't appear at the last moment and ruin everything. Juleka smirked victoriously for having at last taken her revenge on the two women she hated the most.
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After nervously passing the first frontier of the train station- the ticket man, Luka and Adrien, who were disguised as women, moved towards the platform, happy for not having been recognized after the first control. Adrien had trouble walking in heels, so Luka lent him his arm to help him keep his balance.
"Remember: your name is Chloe now, and my name is Lila", Luka reminded his friend as they walked towards the train platform.
"I don't like those names", Adrien complained.
"I don't like them either, but it’s better that we don't stand out". Luka sighed.
Grabbing their baggage and instruments, the two men approached the train car written on the ticket. They were stopped before they could get on the train- just next to one of their 'wanted' posters. The two men didn't notice it, but Juleka did and rushed them to get on the train fast.
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"Hey, who are you?" Asked a middle aged woman, the one in charge of the band, they assumed. "I've never seen you before. Are you new?"
"I- I'm Adri- My name is Noirette”, Adrien said, receiving equally surprised and annoyed glares from both Luka and Juleka. Before Luka could speak, Adrien continued. “And she's Lucia. We're the new pianist and guitarist of the band".
‘What. the. heck?’ Luka couldn’t believe his friend as he stared at him in annoyance and shock. His high pitched voice acting was hurting Luka's ears too. 'We're dead', he thought.
The middle aged woman showed orchestra at Adrien’s words: she clearly didn’t like last minute changes. Scanning them under her glasses, she questioned them again. "What happened to Miss Chloe Bourgeois and Miss Lila Rossi?"
While the two men were taking too much to come up with an excuse, Juleka, who was sick of their bad acting, stepped into the conversation.
"The talent agency sent them somewhere else. These two are here to fill in for them."
Still unconvinced, she raised her glasses. "Hmmm... you know them, Juleka?"
"They come from the same talent agency as me", Luka’s sister confidently said.
"Hmmm... that should be enough then..." It seemed like she was convinced at last and the two men could finally breathe. “I'm the band's director. You can call me Madam Mendeleiev. And that man over there is Mister Damocles, the manager. You can introduce yourselves later. Go to your seats now.” Before they could take a first step, the middle aged woman stopped them again and called for someone. "Yves! Come here and carry these ladies’ instruments to the train! Be useful for once!"
Luka and Adrien exchanged looks when a young blond man approached them quickly. "Yes, Madam!" He shouted, approaching the disguised men to get their instruments. He stopped in front of them, intensely staring at Luka’s pupils before trying to complete his job.
"Oh. Hello, there. XY at your service! Can I help you, beautiful? Fancy a drink sometime?" He raised his eyebrows twice, shamelessly flirting.
Luka's face went white in disgust. Juleka's chuckle and Adrien's big eyes made him snap out of it.
"Oh, Just carry this, thank you!" Luka answered, annoyed, as he shoved his and Adrien’s instruments and suitcases into XY’s arms, making the blond man lose balance from the pile of weight on his arms. “And take good care of them because they’re… fragile”
"A- As you wish, beauti- Ah!…" He stumbled, losing his balance and almost falling down. “But later that drink-”
"Yves!! Stop the crap and do your job!" Mendeleiev scolded him.
"Yes, Madam!" He straightened his back. "See you around", he winked at Luka before leaving, having trouble walking properly. The guitarist could feel shivers all over his body, while Juleka snorted, having real trouble trying to hold her laugh in.
"C'mon, hurry up!" Juleka pressured them, adding in a whisper "you better not expose yourselves before leaving."
"Thank you for saving us, Juleka." Luka whispered to her ear while getting on the train.
"You better stop acting stupid if you don't want to get caught!" Her response showed her annoyance and the men gulped in response.
The seats were arranged in pairs, so the two fugitives could sit together and relax a bit. They were also grateful for the lack of contact needed with the rest of the band.
The ‘Miraculous band’ was a dancing orchestra. Similar to a big band, but with vocals, a spectacular stage and completely fine for all ages to enjoy. In this case, its main particularity was how it was formed only by women. The band formation included: a rhythmic section (electric bass, electric guitar, drums and electronic piano), a wind section (saxophones, trumpets and trombones) and two singers. Many of the members were usually multi-disciplined in those bands, which meant they could play more than one instrument, just like Luka with the Lyre. Some of the side instruments were the violin, the flute, the maracas or the tambourine. Another particularity of these kinds of bands was the big range of styles in their repertoire: from rock and popular national or international hits to swings, waltz, salsa- anything that could be danced to.  
If it weren't for the all girls' rule, Adrien and Luka wouldn't have minded joining them for real. But they had something more important to think about now- running for their lives.
"Is everyone here?", Mendeleiev asked, standing at the train car passage.
"Marinette and Kagami are not here yet, Madam" A dark skinned, red haired lady pointed out.
"Those two again… if they weren't so talented and popular I would have fired them already!"
"There they come!' A small blond short-haired lady screamed, startling Juleka in the process. "Sorry! I didn't want to startle you. My name is Rose" she introduced herself.
"Juleka…" and that's all she could say as she lost herself in that petit woman's eyes.
"What do you play?", the little woman innocently asked. "I play the trombone!"
"The electric bass…" she answered, hiding her blush. ‘Cute, sweet and with lungs of steel?’ Juleka gulped. ‘I’m screwed’.
"Finally!" Madam Mendeleiev said, as the ladies arrived, panting from their run there. "You're late! Go to your seats quickly!"
The two ladies who got in the train, bowed their heads in apology for their tardiness, as they walked to the empty seats of the back of the car. And when their faces looked up for a moment, it was the exact moment Adrien and Luka reached heaven. Their eyes couldn't stop staring at the most beautiful ladies they had ever seen, following them with their eyes and faces as they passed just beside them, moving to sit a few rows to the back. They couldn't take their eyes off them until Juleka called for their attention, warning for their discretion. But it was too late: the boys had lovestruck grins on their faces that didn't plan to go away anytime soon.
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The two ladies had black hair and asian features. The short haired one was taller, had brown eyes and wore a beautiful white blazer with a red skirt. She looked elegant and confident, while the other woman looked cute, clumsy and innocent, and was shorter. She had blue eyes and dressed in a pink coat. Her hair was long and tied in two curly twin-tails. Their beauty stood out even more when they were together.
When the train started moving, Madam Mendeleiev gave the girl band some instructions- something Luka and Adrien would ask Juleka what it was about later. Later, Rose suggested an introduction game for the new members after the explanation had ended. The ladies excitedly agreed.
"I start!" said the same blond girl. "My name is Rose Lavillant and I play the trombone! I studied at a conservatoire in Paris for 3 years before joining this band recently. I like pink and unicorns and my favorite food is strawberry shortcake. Nice to meet you!"
After a round of applause, Rose signaled Juleka to continue, and she passively proceeded. "I'm Juleka. Bassist. Nice to meet you"
Next to continue was the red-haired woman from earlier, Alya, flautist and trumpeter; the drummer, Mylene; another trumpeter, Alix; and one of the saxophonists, Sabrina. It was Adrien's turn next.
"Hello!" He started, with his high-pitched voice. "My name is Ad-" he paused for a second at Juleka's deathly glare, gulping once before continuing. "My name is Noirette. I play the piano! I'm from Paris Classical School and I'm very pleased to meet you all!" He squealed, moving his arms along.
Adrien's excitement for freedom and new experiences was contagious to the rest of the ladies who energetically (almost hysterically) responded "Nice to meet you too, Noirette!".
It was Luka's turn next. He gulped, nervous, and with his fake high pitched voice and under Juleka's death stare, he started.
"Hi... My name is Lu- Lucia". 'I'm killing Adrien for giving me that name' he thought. "I play the guitar. Nice to meet you"
With their introductions over, Juleka finally relaxed. The rest of the ladies' introductions followed but, to be honest, neither Luka nor Adrien were listening: they were just patiently waiting to know more about the ladies that captivated their hearts. Their turn finally arrived, and the short haired one started:
"Hello. My name is Kagami. I sing and play the violin. I've been in the band for a few weeks. My favorite color is red and my favorite food is katsudon. Nice to meet you" a silence followed Kagami's introduction, so she called for her partner's attention with her elbow. "Marinette, your turn!"
"Oh-! Sorry… I was distracted… He-ello… My name is Ma- Ma- Marinette! I'm a singer but I can also play side instruments like the tambourine, the maracas or the castanets. I've been in this band for a few weeks and I studied in Paris Music School. My favorite color is pink and my favorite food is macarons. It's nice to meet you-", she ended with a nervous high-pitched voice.
Luka and Adrien exchanged excited lovestruck grins: the ladies' names and voices were just as beautiful as their faces. They were going to enjoy their outing with the band better than they could have expected.
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When the car got loud from the ladies chit-chat, Luka and Adrien found their moment of peace to share their thoughts.
“Luka, did you see that?” Adrien started, signaling at the end of the car, towards the singers of the band.
“Yes…I saw.” Luka answered, with a lovestruck grin on his face.
“That beautiful face…”, Adrien continued.
“Sweet voice…”, Luka added.
“Asian features…”, their mumbles continued.
“Dazzling eyes…”
“Dark shiny silky hair…”
The two men reacted at their exchanged words and looked at each other, surprised and nervous. Adrien gulped, worried.
“Wait- who are you talking about?”
“Who are YOU talking about?” Luka threw his question back at him, slightly aggressively.
“That girl, Kagami, of course!” Adrien exclaimed as if it was the most obvious response.
“Oh, that's good. I was talking about Marinette.” Luka sighed and showed him a relieved smile.
“Oh...” Adrien blinked, sighing and smiling in relief too. “I'm glad we weren't talking about the same girl. I wouldn't have liked to steal a girl from you.”
“What makes you think I wouldn't win her over you?”, Luka confidently grinned.
“Oh- anyway- It's better this way.”
The two men laughed together, trying not to be too loud for their manly voices to destroy their cover-ups.
“Will you help me with Kagami?” Adrien asked his friend.
“Only if you help me with Marinette.” said Luka, offering him a handshake he excitedly returned.
“Count on it, my friend!”
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youngerdrgrey · 3 years ago
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I know you (even if you don't want me to) // a Batwoman fic, chapter 4
about: After finding out Batwoman’s identity, Sophie tries to trap Ryan with her newfound knowledge. If she’s going to be on the outside, she might as well have some fun – and maybe fall in love along the way. #Wildmoore
CHAPTER FOUR SUMMARY: Ryan’s on a mission to stop Sophie’s crush on Batwoman, but she is very unprepared for what a rejected Sophie is about to do. + read on ao3
previously: read chapter one, chapter two + chapter three
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Unknown to SM (21:37) Hostage situation at the Krell Warehouse. Could use an assist. No Crows.
SM to Unknown (21:42) ETA 20m
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Sophie crouches low at the rendezvous point. A few rusted shipping containers form a makeshift wall on the edge of the warehouse property. Ryan’s fully suited up with her favorite batons ready for the action. She turns them in her hands to try and get rid of her nervous energy.
Sophie nods her way. “Surprised you called for help.”
“Yeah, well….” Technically, Ryan hasn’t called for help. She needs to put space between Sophie and Batwoman, and doing this over text would be even more uncomfortable than doing it in person.
“What do we got?”
“Six people inside — mostly teens who thought cruising an old Wonderland haunt would be a fun way to spend their Friday night.” Ryan points to the second level of the building where a row of boarded up windows give them their best entry point. “One got out a distress call, but False Face is all over the lower level and all the reasonable exits.”
Sophie mulls that over. “Do they know they’ve got company?”
“They found one kid who split off solo. The others are hiding, waiting for us to get them out.” Ryan stands back up.
“How’d you hear about this before us?” Sophie asks.
In a word, Parker. The inherited back-up / hacker teen is a senior now, and she’d reached out to Mary for an assist. Mary caught Ryan up to speed, but there’s not really a quick way to clue Sophie in.
“A little doggy told me.”
Sophie side-eyes Ryan. “I didn’t know riddles were your thing.”
Ryan gets her baton ready. “Saving people’s my thing. Now, I’m going to break through the boards. Draw their attention to me. After that, you find the kids and get them out of here.”
“Aye, aye Captain.” Sophie salutes her.
Ryan hesitates. She could bring Sophie up with her. Get them both into the building the same way. “You want to take the shortcut with me?”
A slow smile curls onto Sophie’s lips. “Yeah?”
Ryan pulls Sophie to her with her left hand. “Hold onto me. Tight.”
Sophie doesn’t need to be told twice. She wraps her arms around Ryan from the left side. Ryan secures her arm around Sophie’s waist, then clicks the button on the baton, launching the zip wire and effectively sending them into the air.
Sophie clings to her tighter. She gives a little gasp that Ryan’s sure will live in her mind rent free. Ryan shifts her weight to push boots first into the wood boards. She kicks through, and the splintering will definitely be enough to get the False Face members’ attention.
She lands firm, and Sophie takes a moment to readjust. Ryan knows she shouldn’t, but she glances up at Sophie. There’s a breathless awe in her that Ryan can’t look away from. Sophie genuinely laughs.
“That was awesome!”
Ryan smiles back despite herself. “Go find the kids. Thank me later.”
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Ryan takes out three different False Face goons. The two remaining ones chase her through the building and out the front doors. It’s not the most effective strategy, but she catches sight of Sophie leading the kids out from the corner of her eye. Parker has the audacity to wave at Ryan, like they’re friends. The girl might’ve been Kate’s chosen teenager, but Ryan is not taking in any strays.
She focuses back on her two shadows. “Aren’t you guys sick of getting your asses kicked at this point?” She assumes her fighting stance while they split masked looks and probably choose who is charging at her first. “I knocked out three of your buddies back there. I broke into your boss's hideout. Gotham is mine.”
A car starts in the distance. The guy in the Seal Mask cheats a glance towards the shipping containers. Ryan takes the opportunity to launch a Batarang at his shoulder. It slices through his jacket like butter. The Monkey Mask runs at her.
She blocks three punches and a kick before getting a roundhouse one of her own straight to his side. Monkey Mask crumbles with the kick. Seal Mask storms right at her, but thankfully, Sophie shocks him with a taser from behind. As he writhes his way to the ground, Ryan chops Monkey Mask in the side of the head to knock him out too.
Sophie pockets her taser. She wipes her hands after. “Kids are gone. They say thank you.”
“Did you tell them this was a one time thing?” Ryan asks.
Sophie nods. “I promised I’d haul them in myself next time.”
Of course she did. Because that’s who Sophie is. How many times has she said those same words to Ryan? Her solution will always be to lock people up and maintain the status Crow. Ryan cannot be a part of that.
She bites the bullet and announces, “There won’t be a next time. Not for us.”
Sophie’s smile drops. “I’m sorry, what? If it’s the Crow thing again, it was a joke—”
“No,” it wasn’t a joke, but it’s now or never to put an end to this. “It’s the Kate thing.”
The mention of Kate works exactly the way Ryan thought it would. A wall builds around Sophie in an instant. Her voice drops to a warning.
“Watch yourself, Batwoman.”
She has to watch out for Gotham. Keep them safe by keeping Sophie out of the Batcave and back with her Crows where she belongs.
“You said it yourself: she was the love of your life. Isn't it a little weird that you’re asking me out for drinks?”
Sophie’s nostrils flare. She grinds out, “It’s a drink. Not a marriage proposal.”
“You’ve already done that part, right?”
Okay, Ryan may have gone too far with that one. But the point is to drive Sophie away. If Sophie thinks Batwoman is a bitch, then Ryan’s in the clear. No more crush, no more problems.
But Sophie spins Ryan around with a vice-like grip on her wrist. She glares down at Ryan, and Ryan’s thankful once again for how the cowl and the wig cast her eyes in shadow.
“And what have you done, besides try to push away the one person who’s repeatedly saved your life? I’m not your enemy, and I’m not going to stand here while you try to use my dead ex against me.”
Sophie’s whole body shakes. Her rage is clear and channeled straight at Ryan. She practically growls, “You want to work alone so badly? Be my guest.” Then storms off into the night.
After a beat, the crackle in the Comms gives way to Luke.
He sighs heavily into his microphone. “Not cool, Ryan.”
Ryan clears her throat. Tries to sound a bit less affected. “Hey, mission accomplished.”
.
.
Screw Ryan. Sophie would normally go for more eloquence, but she’s a little sidetracked. She squares up her shot in the minimalist Crows shooting range. The small scale facility has a row of five shooting stations opposite the targets. On a Friday night, the other Crows are either working or relaxing, so the space is all hers. And Mary’s, who presses a pair of earmuffs tighter onto her ears and squeaks as Sophie takes another shot.
Mary practically screams, “Are you sure that this is how you want to spend Girls’ Night?”
Girls’ Night meaning yet another last minute outing to distract Sophie from how shitty Ryan is acting. At least the last time, Sophie could have a bit of fun. This time, her blood’s boiling, and she grinds her teeth so hard that she might upset a filling.
“Any better ideas?”
Mary gives an incredulous look to Sophie. “There are so many clubs in Gotham. You can take shots instead of shooting them. And… didn’t you used to go shooting with Kate?”
Sophie sets her gun down. “It’s great stress relief.”
“Yeah, so’s dancing. And it’s a lot more fun.” Mary pushes her ear muffs down onto her neck. “I don’t need to know what’s got you so…” She waves a hand at Sophie’s generally tense demeanor. “But you can find plenty of ladies who would love to help you forget about it.”
And forget about Ryan slut-shaming her for even looking like she was moving on. “Look, I can live my life however I want. It’s not disrespecting anyone to do that.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.” Mary turns knowing eyes up at Sophie. “I also feel like there’s someone else that you want to be saying that to, and it’s not me. So, you work on your speech, and I will cement our spot on the guest list, okay?”
Mary squeezes Sophie’s arm and then excuses herself from the room. She stays right outside, where the pop of Sophie’s next shot is on the other side of the glass. Her phone’s ringing before she really thinks about it.
Ryan groans into the phone upon answering. Then she must hear the muffled shots in the background. “Are you getting shot at?”
“Thankfully, no. Sophie’s got me at the Crows shooting range because someone pissed her off tonight.” Mary rolls her head in a circle and wills some of the tension out of her body. “An hour ago, you two were fine, so want to clue me in how you royally screwed things up?”
Ryan scoffs, and her voice pitches higher in indignation. “She’ll be fine. This is Crowphie we’re talking about.”
Mary watches as Sophie fires off three rounds before her arms drop. Sophie lays the gun down and plants her hands on the wood of the stall in front of her. Her shoulders shake with what may actually be a sob.
“She’s not invincible, Ryan. And you can’t hurt her just to push her away. It’s not fair.”
“When has any of this been fair, Mary?” There’s a thud on the other end, like Ryan’s slamming their fridge. Is she home right now? “I’m doing the best I can.”
“Well, do better. I’m taking her out to hopefully dance through some of this intensity. Maybe tomorrow you can try to fix this. Okay?”
A bottle cap pops on Ryan’s side. She’s definitely got a beer from the fridge. This won’t end well for any of them, will it? Ryan takes a swig that’s loud enough for Mary to hear through the phone.
“Which club?”
Mary sighs.
.
.
Leave it to Mary to pick the one club playing decent music tonight. Ryan half expected Mary to have picked Curse, but Sophie’s not really an EDM kind of girl. Before tonight, Ryan would’ve assumed Sophie’s never been to a club at all. She’s the tight lipped, straight backed type. The type to think of a few drinks at a bar as a wild night.
Tonight, though, Sophie’s hotter than ever. In a tight dress that stops above the knee and heels that make her tower over half the patrons, Sophie’s got the attention of at least half the club. Ryan watches from beside Mary at their table. Sophie had taken one look at Ryan, downed her drink, and gone onto the dance floor.
“She’s not even a good dancer,” Ryan mumbles. Sophie’s a bit too stiff to really be good out there. She does have a natural rhythm though. Everyone around her bends to match it. One particular person with a mullet slips up behind Sophie. Their hand finds Sophie’s hip, and Sophie only misses a beat before dancing again.
Mary twirls the ice around in her drink. “She’s fine.”
She’s vengeful. Sophie gets told one time that she’s moving on too fast, and now she’s grinding with a stranger at a club. If anything, she’s proving Ryan’s point.
Mullet takes Sophie’s hand in their free one and spins Sophie around to face them. The move gets a laugh out of Sophie. The laugh gets a kiss from Mullet. Ryan groans.
She leans across the table to Mary. “I thought this was Girls’ Night.”
Mary shrugs. “Mullet's a girl. Maybe. I'm trying not to assume anyone's gender based on expression. Look, you rejected her, so she’s going to rebound.”
Ryan pulls a disgusted face. It’s not about Mullet in particular. Just, if Sophie’s going to rebound off of Batwoman, couldn’t she do it with somebody interesting? Somebody who will do more than kiss along her neck in a sweaty club surrounded by strangers. Now both of Mullet’s hands are on Sophie’s hips, and Sophie’s head is tilted back like she’s actually enjoying this. Like Mullet has found just the right spot and —
Ryan turns to put her back to the dance floor. “I’m not watching this.”
“You don’t have to. You also… didn’t have to come?” Mary’s voice lilts up at the end. Her face is that mix of carefully constructed curiosity that usually means Mary’s leading Ryan into a trap. “I get that you wanted to see how bad she’s taking it, but I could have just texted you. Imani would’ve loved an impromptu date night.”
Things with Imani aren’t as great as they were before. Imani’s still amazing, but she gets quieter and stares at Ryan like she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. The last time Ryan bailed for Bat business, Imani looked absolutely betrayed.
Ryan could keep it to herself, but she blurts out, “Imani doesn’t trust me. I have to bail on half of our dates because of work and after meeting Sophie—”
“Why would she be jealous of Sophie?”
Ryan scratches at the back of her neck. “We may have gotten caught up in an argument in front of Imani.”
Mary hums. “And the two of you forgot anyone else even existed.” She says it like this is something that they do.
“I didn’t forget.” Sophie infuriates Ryan. She’s so sure that she’s right about every little thing, and if Ryan doesn’t correct her, then who will?
“But you didn’t care. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t the woman that you’re sleeping with have your full attention? Not your ‘coworker.’”
Ryan gives her a tight smile. “You’re forgiven.”
Mary turns her eyes back to the crowd. Ryan glances back, and of course, Sophie’s still with Mullet. But as Mullet kisses Sophie’s neck again, Sophie stares across the dance floor straight at Ryan.
Mary claps her hands together. “Alright. You two might want to talk about whatever this is. Preferably before I become an unwilling third and Imani ends up heartbroken.”
Ryan’s halfway out of her chair before she remembers to deny it. “There’s nothing to talk about.” Mary’s sarcastic mhm follows Ryan as she cuts her way through the crowd towards Sophie.
The heat of the bodies engulfs her. Somebody familiar tugs at Ryan, but she shirks out of the touch without so much as a look. Her eyes catch Sophie’s again, and she holds the stare as she slips around the last few people between them.
Mullet’s behind Sophie again. They possessively wrap an arm around Sophie’s stomach. “We’re good,” Mullet says.
Ryan ignores them to talk to Sophie. “Mary’s worried about you.”
Sophie’s dismissive. “Then Mary can come talk to me herself.” She turns her nose up at Ryan, and honestly, it’s enough to make Ryan see red.
Ryan’s here because Mary said Sophie was hurting. Ryan could be anywhere else. She could be at home, drinking a beer, in her bed. She could be patrolling the city. She could be with Imani, but she’s here because Mary had the misguided idea that Sophie was actually sad about being rejected. Mary was wrong.
Ryan huffs. “Whatever.” She starts walking back through the crowd.
Sophie calls out, “Hey, don’t walk away from me!”
Ryan glances over her shoulder to see Sophie push Mullet away. Sophie storms after Ryan, cutting through couples and dancers to get to her. Ryan speeds up. She makes a sharp turn in the crowd. No need to head back towards Mary and her leading comments.
The bathrooms are packed, as always, but there’s an exit door a bit further down the hall that’s normally unlocked. Ryan wiggles along the hall to get there and slips out into the night air.
A wave of humidity lingers outside the door. The stoop can barely fit Ryan. She pauses, which is just enough time for Sophie to push her way outside too. Ryan has to step down off the stoop. So she takes the remaining two steps to be firmly on the ground.
“Ryan, stop!” Sophie stomps down the steps. Ryan can’t move quick enough, so she ends up with Sophie standing over her. Sophie’s breathing hard. Her cheeks and neck are flushed from the club. Her lipstick’s in tact, but there’s a well kissed swell to them too.
Ryan can’t explain the fire in her veins. She shouldn’t have the power to get to Sophie like this. And maybe Ryan doesn’t. Maybe only Batwoman means something to Sophie.
“I have never seen you like that.” Ryan throws a hand towards the club. “Who was that in there?”
“You’re the one who said we didn’t know each other,” Sophie snaps.
“Maybe with good reason!”
Sophie quickly shakes her head. She stabs a finger into Ryan’s shoulder. “You do not get to judge me, Ryan. I am not interested in hearing some speech about how I should be acting. I decide what I want to do. I spent twenty-nine years denying myself that. And I am tired of letting other people tell me what team to be on.”
“You picked a clear one in there,” Ryan retorts. She should have worn her heels. Sophie’s a fucking Amazon woman right now, and it makes Ryan flare up. Makes her puff her chest out more than she needs to.
Sophie says, “I didn’t have a choice!” She catches herself. Her eyes cut to the wall before coming back to Ryan. “Did you know that I worked with the last Batwoman?”
Of course Ryan knows that. Everybody knows Sophie and Kate worked together. It’s why Sophie got suspended last year. Even low level non-criminals like Ryan heard about that. The Crows number two getting the deuces.
Sophie knows too. She keeps going, “For months, we worked together, and she never told me who she was. She never even gave me the chance to keep her secret. And you could say that she was protecting me, but really — ” Sophie’s anger fractures. Her lip trembles, and she sniffles before setting her jaw again. ”She was protecting herself.”
Luke always talks about Kate like she was perfect. Kate stood up for the people of Gotham. Kate had a code. Kate loved Sophie and established a legacy that Ryan’s supposed to carry on. Is hurting Sophie a part of that?
Sophie pushes her hair back out of her face. “I’m sick of playing games, Ryan.”
Ryan’s blood runs cold. “Meaning…?” Does Sophie know?
“Meaning I am going where I’m wanted.”
Ryan sighs in relief. A stressed laugh slips from her lips. It’s not about her. It’s still about the rejection.
Ryan lightens her tone. “You didn’t have to come to the club for that. There’s a line out the door at The Hold Up.” Sophie shakes her head, and the tension’s still tight between her eyebrows. Ryan needs this out. She takes Sophie’s hand in hers to swing it playfully between them. “I’m serious! Much hotter than Mullet. You should see the number of women checking you out every time you’re there. They are waiting for you to give them a chance.”
Sophie’s shoulders drop, like the fight’s slipping out of her. “You’re being nice.”
Ryan runs her thumb along Sophie’s knuckles to undercut her words.
“When have I ever been nice to you, Sophie?”
Sophie gazes down at Ryan in such a tender way that Ryan forgets how to breathe for a second. Forgets that they shouldn’t be toe to toe in an alleyway underneath the moonlight.
Sophie’s natural rasp pokes through. “You tell me.”
The quick hits: saving Sophie from Black Mask, cracking jokes with her and Jordan, the free margaritas. Sophie’s the nicer of the two of them. She stayed with Ryan on the island. She didn’t even look under the mask when she could’ve. She got Ryan back to Mary’s clinic with no questions asked.
She always plays along when Ryan wants a fight. She comes running for every text, every call, and she flips the Bat-signal to see Ryan. Not for some ghost of who used to be.
Sometimes Sophie smiles at Ryan like they’re the only two people in the world. Like now. Ryan gets lost in the warmth of it. The hopeful glow in Sophie’s eyes. Maybe Ryan should’ve been in heels. Sophie wouldn’t have to lean so far down to kiss her. Would it be so bad if Sophie did have a crush? If Ryan maybe —
“OW! What the —” The back door snags on the sleeve of Mary’s dress. She stumbles on the stoop, and her eyes jump up in time to spot them. Ryan and Sophie freeze, hands still together, faces angled towards each other but no closer to bridging the distance between them.
Ryan’s whole body feels like it’s on fire. Like she’s been caught in front of the whole of Gotham with her mask off.
Mary stares down at their hands. Ryan finally remembers to drop it. Sophie just licks her lips and steps back to turn to Mary.
The medical student points back into the club. “I… I could go back inside.”
Sophie walks back up the steps. “I’m calling it a night. Thanks, Mary. This was….” She glances over her shoulder at Ryan, who can’t bring herself to move yet. “Yeah.” Sophie slips into the club.
Mary lightly closes the door behind Sophie. She takes a deep breath in. “WHAT WAS THAT!?” She shrieks. Her eyebrows have practically left her face when she turns to Ryan. “You were supposed to be apologizing, not making out in the alley!”
Ryan snaps back to the moment. She readjusts her top, which she doesn’t have to do since it’s not like Sophie touched her. It’s not like they actually did anything. They just… stared? Looked? Saw each other, maybe.
“We weren’t making out.”
“Oh really?” Mary doesn’t believe her.
“We didn’t even kiss,” Ryan snaps.
Mary snorts. “Don’t sound so disappointed.” Ryan crosses her arms defensively. Mary’s eyes quadruple in size. “Oh my God, are you disappointed!?”
Ryan stomps up the steps to the door. Mary figuratively dissects Ryan with her eyes. Maybe Ryan could sprint through the club. If she starts running, the other Black people at least should run. It’s code. A little stampede, and she can ditch her roommate and this awful line of questioning.
Mary keeps up with Ryan as she speeds up though. Mary fast-walks beside her down the narrow hallway.
She says, “You can’t ignore me. You know that, right? We’re going home together. We need to talk about this.”
“Talk about what?”
Mary jogs to get around Ryan and stand in front of her. Ryan nearly crashes into her. Mary grabs both of Ryan’s shoulders so Ryan has no choice but to look at her. It’s almost not fair that Mary and Ryan are nearly the same height. It gives Mary an advantage when it comes to reading Ryan directly. Plus, Ryan can’t escape the soft concern in Mary’s eyes.
She asks it softly but like she already knows the answer. “Do you like Sophie?”
Ryan scoffs and laughs and shakes her head and does everything she can to look like that’s not true. Because it can’t be true. It shouldn’t be true. “No, I do not like Sophie.” So why does that sound like a lie?
.
.
Sophie shouldn’t be up here. She should be back home, like she said, not waiting under the Bat-signal. But she can’t exactly go to Ryan’s loft and ask Ryan what the fuck that was back at the club. At first, it just seemed like judgement. Ryan’s never been subtle about her discontent. She tells Sophie everything she dislikes from the way Sophie’s done her hair to the fact that Sophie’s committed her life to a police state that may never be capable of getting better.
Judgement doesn’t pinch Ryan’s lips though. Judgement is a self-assured raise of the brow. Judgement is that all-knowing smirk and a dimmer switch on Ryan’s normally bright eyes.
At the club, that was something else. That was heat. That was anger. That was jealousy. Ryan might’ve spun it into jokes about The Hold Up, but it started from there. They were so close in that alley. So close as themselves, and that should be the goal of all this, right? Sophie started messing with Ryan to get Ryan to be honest with her. Sophie could take the first step. Drop the charade and tell Ryan that she knows. Ask her to let Sophie in.
Ryan lands on the roof with a whoosh and a soft thud. The wind runs through the wig. What would it feel like through Ryan’s hair? What would Sophie’s fingers feel like?
Ryan shifts her weight from one side to the other. She gives a little “Hi” that sounds nervous even under the voice regulator.
If Sophie speaks, then those nerves will go away. This charade makes it easier. It gives them an excuse and an out. Because if Sophie and Ryan kiss, then Sophie has to change her life. Sophie has to quit her job, and Ryan has to bend her beliefs, and neither of them can ever go back to who they were before. But if it’s Batwoman….
Sophie summons all her strength. “You owe me an apology.”
Ryan glances down at the roof. “Kate was a low blow.”
“And Tyler,” Sophie reminds her. It’s probably a good thing Ryan doesn’t know enough about Julia to bring her up too.
“I’m sorry. I….” She licks her lips and steps closer to Sophie. “I panicked. You’re out here telling people that you have my phone number. What am I supposed to do with that?”
Sophie fakes a thought as she steps towards Ryan. “You could try talking about it, like an actual adult. You are an adult, right?”
Ryan takes another step. They’re only an arms length apart. “Yeah, I’m an adult.”
Sophie’s turn. “Good. And you want me?”
“I….”
Sophie stops. They’re almost toe to toe again. “Yes or no. Do you want me?”
A few agonizing seconds creep in. Ryan doesn’t move, or speak. Dread sinks in. She read this wrong. Ryan really was being nice in the alley, and now Sophie’s pushed too far. She’s gone back on her word, and it’s only going to give Ryan more ammunition against her. She’s going to kill Mary for bringing her out tonight.
“Yes,” Ryan whispers. Sophie jumps forward at the word. “I think…. Yes.”
Sophie drapes her arms around Ryan’s neck. The wig tickles against her bare skin. Ryan’s breath catches in her throat. Tentatively, her hands come up to Sophie’s waist. The gloves bunch her dress. Sophie’s eyes drop from Ryan’s down to Ryan’s lips, then back again. Sophie leans in, so close that their lips almost brush.
“Do you trust me?”
Ryan tenses around her. She says, “I want to. I just… can’t.”
Sophie nods and swallows around the immediate lump in her throat. “Then I can’t do this.”
Sophie detangles herself from Ryan and heads for the doors. She only gets a few steps away before Ryan grabs her hand. Ryan runs her thumb over Sophie’s knuckles the same way she did in the alley.
“We can work on it. It’s not just me, you know,” Ryan says. “I don’t have to work alone.”
Right, there’s Luke and Mary, who lie to Sophie every single time she sees them. There was Julia. Even Alice gets to be in on the action sometimes.
Sophie asks her, “So what’s wrong with me?” Why keep pushing her away? She’s done everything she can think of to prove she’s trustworthy. The last few weeks of jokes and games aren’t the problem. Ryan doesn’t care about kids thinking Sophie’s friends with Batwoman. She doesn’t care about drinks. There's something else at play here. Something Ryan won't admit.
“Soph….” Ryan starts, but no explanation follows. Sophie can’t set herself up like this. Not again.
Sophie pulls her hand back. “Figure that out, and get back to me. Until you do, I’m done.”
.
.
a/n: So many fun things in this chapter! Let me know what's working for you and how you felt about our near kisses (one of which was almost a full one -- can you guess which one?)
END OF CHAPTER UPDATED, MONDAY JUNE 21ST AT 10AM.
it's going to be a busy week for me. give me some fun comments and reblogs to keep my energy up?
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chimchimsauce · 4 years ago
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XS (III - Showtime)
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“Give me just a little bit MORE”
Being the son of the largest gang in the country, Kim Taehyung might as well be a prince. He is more powerful than any one man should be and is not afraid to get rid of anything - or anyone that gets in his way.
So when a man is unable to pay back the gigantic loan he owes Taehyung, the heir is all too happy to take his life. Moments away from pulling the trigger, a girl more beautiful than he’s ever seen bursts in and offers her life for her father’s. Taehyung knows right away that he wants her.
And Taehyung gets everything he wants.
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
YN has never seen a room so opulent. She feels as if she's just stepped foot back in a time where Kings and Queens threw magnificent feasts and wore terribly tacky powdered wigs. She half expects there to be music playing, maybe a man or three strumming some ancient instruments.
But all that greets her is one table, much too small for the massive room it sits in. There are four places set at the table, one on each side. YN recognizes the back of her "fiance" right away, the mere sight of him causing her to stiffen. He looks up and they lock eyes, YN feeling all of her breath whoosh out of her.
He's smiling pleasantly, his fingers intertwined as they sit on the edge of the mahogany table.
"Hello, spitfire," he says much too jovially, "You clean up rather nicely."
His eyes scan over her body languidly. An icky feeling descends over YN and she has to fight the urge to vomit again. She's felt more nauseous in the past twenty-four hours than she has in her entire life.
"Don't just stand there," the man says impatiently, "Come sit down next to me."
YN doesn't have to be a genius to understand that he's not asking.
As carefully as she can, YN makes her way over to him, careful not to trip over her dress and go flying. As she approaches, the man stands up and pulls her chair out for her, pushing YN close to the table before returning to his own seat.
"Let's get some things settled before my father arrives, why don't we?" the man says, not wasting any time, "I want to be incredibly clear in my expectations for you. It'll be best for us both if you don't fuck things up."
YN swallows and nods, staring down onto her empty plate, wishing it would turn into a portal to get her away from here.
"Rule number one," he says, large hand reaching up to grip her jaw harshly and yank her face towards his, forcing her to make eye contact, "Always look at me when I'm talking to you."
YN does her best to nod, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.
"Rule number two," he continues, squeezing her face even harder, "Use your words. Understand?"
"Yes," YN says as best she can through her puckered lips.
"Sir," he adds.
"Yes, sir," YN parrots.
Seeming pleased, he releases her face.
"Rule number three," he continues, "Always do as I tell you. Insubordination will get you punished. Hesitation will get you punished. Backtalk will get you punished."
YN goes to nod before correcting herself.
"Yes, sir," she says meekly, forcing herself to maintain eye contact.
Even his gaze looks deadly, sharpness thinly veiled by a layer of warm chocolate.
"Besides that, you may do as you please. Besides leave, of course. I really don't care what you do as long as it doesn't reflect poorly on me. My reputation is very important. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," YN manages, trying not to think about how awful her life is going to be from now on.
"If anyone asks," he says, "You and I met at a party last year. You were incredibly taken by my beauty and approached me. We fucked and you found yourself catching feelings. I decided that you were beautiful enough to suit me and here we are."
YN tries to hide her disgust but she must not have been fast enough because he scowls.
"What?" he snaps, "You got a better idea?"
YN forces herself to speak, afraid of whatever 'punishment' he could have in store for her. She chooses her words carefully.
"No," she says, "It just wasn't what I expected you to say."
"Humor me," he responds, "How would you tell our fictional meeting and love story?"
YN wets her lips slightly, nervous. She's always been a romantic and has thought of a million different ways she'd fall in love on the days when classes were particularly difficult and loneliness set in.
"Well," she begins, "Considering that you're part of some organized crime syndicate, it would be very unlikely for us to meet in class or at the library or a cafe. I would say that we met as one of your deals went sour and your . . . enemy . . . tried to run away. They caused a fuss as they tore threw the crowd and you chased after them bravely, only for me to turn the corner and run smack into you, causing both of us to go flying. You, ever the gentleman, stopped to help me up and gather my things, asking me to wait for you while you handled some business. As you said, I was overcome with your beauty and stood waiting for you. It took hours but you showed back up, albeit a bit rougher than you were before. I noticed that your hands were bleeding and insisted on bringing you back to my place to patch you up since you refused to go to the doctor. And after that, every time you got beat up or bruised, you would return to me and I'd help you. Over the course of many months, we fell in love and when you told me of your job, I was too head over heels to be afraid, pledging to spend the rest of my life with you. And here we are."
For a moment, all is silent. YN fears that she's said too much as he just looks at her.
"That's stupid," he says dismissively, "I never get injured. Nor would I trust some random stranger to take care of me when I have a full medical staff at my disposal. Just go with what I said."
"Yes, sir," YN says, heat rushing to her cheeks in embarrassment.
"What else?" the man asks himself, "Ah! Yoonji will be your personal servant. If you need anything, tell her and she will handle it. As my wife, you won't have any power in the syndicate or anything crazy like that, but it will be in your best interest to make nice with the other women. They can be rather . . . vicious."
His mouth quirks up in amusement. YN doesn't want to know what exactly the other women have done to warrant such a response.
"Any questions?"
"What's your name?" YN asks.
If she's going to be stuck with this man for the rest of her life, living under his thumb, she at least wants to know what his name is.
"Taehyung," he says, a wicked grin on his face.
He picks up YN's hand, turning it around to kiss her wrist, her pulse rushing under his lips.
"Get used to it. You'll be screaming it a lot."
Disgust hits her like a truck.
The grand doors open again and an older couple walks in, looking elegant and deadly.
"It's showtime," Taehyung whispers into her ears.
Taehyung more or less pulls YN up to stand beside him, smiling at the couple as they approach the table.
"Father," he greets somewhat affectionately, completely ignoring the other woman.
YN smiles, unsure if she's supposed to speak to them.
Taehyung's parents are somehow even more intimidating than their son. His father has a large scar running across half his face and skin that looks at tough as leather. The woman standing beside Taehyung's father looks much too young to be Taehyung's mother, maybe just a few years older than YN herself.
"Taehyung," his father says gruffly.
All four people take their seats and staff glides forward to bring the first course, some heavenly smelling soup.
Is YN expected to know what utensil to use? Panic wells up inside of her.
"I see you've finally found yourself a wife. I'm surprised she's not one of your usual whores," Taehyung's father says.
Anger sprouts forth at this old man's misogynistic statement.
"Of course not," Taehyung says smugly, "What's the fun in that? Besides, look at how beautiful YN is."
He's speaking as if she's not even there.
The old man looks YN up and down, his eyes lingering on her chest far too long.
"She is indeed. Good job son," he says, chortling to himself.
YN's eyes flick over to the other woman at the table. She's drop-dead gorgeous, nearly ethereal. If she's upset at her husband's words, YN can't tell in the slightest. She's eating her soup quietly, not even looking up.
YN decides to copy her to the best of her ability, her trembling fingers grasping the right spoon and skimming some soup off of the top. She brings it to her mouth.
"I'll have the wedding preparations ready for tomorrow, then," Taehyung's father says, startling YN so badly that she drops her spoon into her bowl, splashing soup all over the table.
What?
Chapter Four
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nejiraez · 5 years ago
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checking in | bakugou katsuki
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIMMM / more to come on this blessed day
genre: fluff/comfort
summary: bakugou goes visits your house to check up on you, as a good boyfriend would. you’ re doing anything but fine, but that’s alright. that’s why bakugou’s there//inspired by ‘🥺anon’ and an ask in my inbox!
word count: 2,008 (luv that year~)
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"I don't think Aizawa-sensei is telling us the whole story."
Bakugou doesn't look up from his notebook, still jotting down notes onto his page for his class in world history. "You think?"
Despite his friend's guarded demeanour, Kirishima still pushes on with the subject. Your absence in school was a little odd, but Aizawa reassured the class that you were staying home due to "quirk complications". "Yeah, I mean, three days straight is a long time for someone to be gone," he says, "especially for (Y/N)."
There's an unexplainable expression on Bakugou's face that Kirishima couldn't quite read. Worry lines formed near his brows due to how tightly they were scrunched. And his eyes, his eyes were vacant. Almost as if he were lost in thought. "I know."
"You've recently spoken to (Y/N), right?"
"Yes," Bakugou hisses. His writing comes to a complete halt and instead, he opts to play with the lead in his pencil absentmindedly. Your curt responses to his text messages and slight avoidance of the topic him bringing up your well-being threw him off. It wasn't like you.
"And you know what's happening?"
"I have an idea of it, yes."
Kirishima leans against his chair and rests his elbow on the backing of it. Bakugou doesn't like that look on his face. The way the corner of his lips curl into a small smile as if Kirishima knows something about him that he doesn't.
"You know," Kirishima says, "it's okay for you to say that you're worried." He knows that pride was an issue for Bakugou. He wouldn't say it out loud, but he did care. "I think it'll do both of you some good if you just went to their house and—"
Bakugou's expression immediately sours, "Don't tell me what to do." He packs up his belongings and shoves his work into his bag. Disregarding the fact that his papers may be crumpled due to his negligence. "I was gonna do that anyway."
Ah, there he was.
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'It'll do both of you some good if you went to their house.'
And that's just what he did.
The minute the bells rang at the end of the day, indicating that students could go home. Bakugou made no waste of time by elbowing his way past his four idiot friends and went straight on the path to your house.
'Just be patient. You can't expect (Y/N) to be in the best of moods when you arrive.' Kirishima's words echoed against the walls of his head. Another piece of advice he shoved into Bakugou's head before he left school.
Pressing the doorbell to your house, Bakugou waited for a solid three minutes before you answered the door. And when you did, he was taken back a bit. He hasn't seen you for the majority of this week and you just look... different.
"Bakugou?" Your hair was dripping wet and, the water droplets soaked the hem of your white tee-shirt. You looked a bit disoriented at the fact that your boyfriend has shown up at your house. "What are you doing here?"
Biting the inside of his cheek, Bakugou adjusts his grip on the bag of food he was holding. He replies, "Checking in on you."
"Oh?" You exclaim, a bit confused at his comment. You weren't expecting this at all. "Then that's alright."
There's an uncomfortable pause of silence that hangs thick in the air. You still stood at the door, unmoving, almost as if you didn't want Bakugou inside. For whatever reason.
Bakugou frowns at how you were still standing at the doorway, unmoving. "You gonna let me in or what?"
"You... want to come inside?"
At this point, your unusual behaviour was wigging him the fuck out.  "Isn't that the whole point of what 'I'm coming over' means?" He questions. "Didn't you read my text?"
You open the door and give Bakugou entry, "I was showering." His scarlet eyes flit over to your hair again, now it made sense why your hair was soaked.
The house was empty, save for the furniture and all. However, there were no signs of your parents being home, to which Bakugou assumes that they were at work.
Before he forgets, Bakugou grabs your arm and plunks the bento box he's made for you into your hands. "I brought you something..." he mumbles, fighting back the urge to acknowledge his pride. It was a real habit of his.
You take a quick peak inside to examine the contents, and realize that he brought your favourite meal. Stir fry. "Thank you!" You say, smiling for the first time since he's arrived. "Here, come with me. I'll take you upstairs." 
He kicks off his shoes and follows you up the steps towards your room.
Once the two of you step inside, you feel Bakugou’s hand catch your wrist.
In an abrupt fit of sudden affection, he smooths down the stray strands of hair away from your face. "You shouldn't be answering the door for people with your hair wet," he catches a droplet of water that was trickling its way down your neck with his thumb, "or you'll get sick."
You nod your head and ignore the pressing feeling of Bakugou's eyes on you. You knew that he came here for the sole reason to check up on you. And it made sense, especially your absence at school lack of response to your friends and him. "I know, I was getting to that."
"When'd you shower?"
Bakugou watches as you pat your head dry with the towel that was on your desk. You shrug, "About an hour before you came."
Well, that was fucking odd.
Another question bubbles in his throat, but he decides to let it slide and doesn't press any further. 
Why did it take you so long to dry your hair? He doesn't know, but Bakugou wasn't a complete fucking idiot to continue pressing on the matter since you were giving off clear social cues that you didn't want to be bothered on it any longer.
Ever since that dreaded Kamino incident, the annoying task of listening to people's concerns hasn't gone away. God does he knows what it's like to have people on his back. Constantly questioning on his wellbeing and current state. Almost as if they were pitying him. Something that he fucking hated.
There was only so much Bakugou could do, but he understands where you're coming from. Which is why he dropped it.
"Are you doing okay?" He asks, watching as you pace around your room, tidying up the clothes on your floor and throwing them into your hamper. 
Bakugou is aware that you're able to fend for yourself. That you weren't helpless brat who needed to have their hand held through every tough decision. He knows what you're capable of and has seen you at your best.
However, the condition that you were in now was anything but that, and he was troubled by it. 
Your once tender and vivid (e/c) eyes, were now deprived of any emotion. Bakugou focuses his eyes on your damp hair and the drained expression on your face. All things he found to be chilling because it wasn't like you at all. 
"Could be better, but it's alright. I'm fine." You mutter, dropping yourself onto your bed once the floor was clean. You scootch over and make room for Bakugou so that he could sit beside you rather than stand at your doorway.
When he does finally join you on the edge of your mattress, the extensive number of wrappers on your comforter take him by surprise.
"Are you eating?"
"Yes, this - " You're about to lift one of the granola bars as proof that you did eat, but Bakugou was having none of it. He pushes down your hand and fixes you with a piercing stare.
"Real. Food."
An exasperated sigh escapes you once you notice the unimpressed look on Katsuki's face. "You brought me rice and stir fry, so I'll eat that, won't I?" 
That didn't answer his question though, which made it clear to him that you haven't been eating. Casting your stubborn nature aside Bakugou decides that he wouldn't beat around the bush anymore.
Saying that you weren't hungry is one thing, but blatantly putting your health aside and disregarding your needs was something Bakugou refused to swallow.
"Look at me (Y/N)," he says, his hand presses against the outline of your jaw and cradles it. The scent of caramel fills your nose while the pads of his fingertips glide across your skin.
"I know it's hard. Trust me, I fucking know baby." Bakugou was nervous and on edge. He's never done this before and has always been on the receiving end of comfort. But now's a better time than ever to try. 
"But you're not gonna get yourself anywhere if you continue like this."
You cast a watery glance away from him and offer a slight nod. "I know..." His hand slips from your cheek towards the back of your head so that he could card his fingers through your hair as a means to placate you. 
"I know." You reiterate for a second time with much more force, trying to convince yourself once that stinging pressure in your chest throbs against your ribcage like a war drum.
Bakugou pushes your face into his shoulder, sparing you the distress of him seeing you cry and your situation as a whole. "I'm not good at this, but just know that I've got you." He ignores how the collar of his uniform absorbs your tears and the lasting effects of your shower. "So quit thinking you're bearing this alone because you won't, as long as I'm here."
And that's more than enough. 
Maybe it was the overwhelming wave of emotions being released all at once which made you cry. But it was strange. To be crying yet feeling so relieved at the same time. To know that Bakugou would be there to support you if needed. 
Through your sobs and tears, Bakugou doesn't make any comment on it. Rather, he sits there unnaturally quiet, taking into consideration how you must have felt the past few days.
There's a moment of unspoken words shared between you both before you pipe up. "I'm going back tomorrow," you say, wiping away any trace of tears on your face before you face Bakugou. "It's what I originally had planned."
"You are?" He holds his eyes with your own, looking for any hesitation but backs off once he sees there wasn't any. The last thing he wanted happening was for you to push yourself when you didn't need to.
"Then your ass is gonna need this," Bakugou says, shoving a notebook into your hands. "So you don't fall behind and join those idiots." You could pick up on how he was trying to lighten the mood by referring to his friends and their poor grades.
Glancing down at the notes that Bakugou had written for you, you notice that there are a few scribbles and poorly drawn diagrams on the page as if he were rushing to get it done. 
Bakugou half-heartedly scowls at the sly smile creeping its way onto your face and reminds himself to stay composed, to not lose himself altogether from your shift of mood and the effects it has over him.
A warm and unwinding feeling resides within his chest while he watches you flip through the pages. 
"Your writing's a little messy, you know?"
"Well— fuck me for trying to help, right?" He says, snatching the notebook away from your grasp. He tucks it under your pillow and out of view, hoping that you'd drop the subject of his messy handwriting.
"I will," you reply, squeezing his knee. You don't miss the quiet sputter of his words and how he fumbled over them at your sudden brazenness. "Thank you, Bakugou. Really."
You could be a real pain in the ass sometimes. But as long as you were feeling better...
"...Whatever."
That's all that mattered to him.
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bakugou’s bday tag list (more in the comments): @tooloudarts @awkwardvampires @lilhemmo @itsbabyysunnyy @charvaughn-writes @lmaobroccoli @bakugoustanaccount @plusultratempo @wynaut @cin-midnight @hipster-merchant-of-death @peachy-yabbay @i-need-to-yeet-right-into-a-wall @wondxrgurl @gaydrowzee @blubblesss @amayau2 @restlessshadow @huntersbunker @thoughtfulpandazine2​
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jungle321jungle · 3 years ago
Text
Your Words Fill The Space Between Us
The published letters that detail the romance that changed the kingdom.
~~~~
Aka Roman and Janus send each other letters
Taglist: @angels-and-dreams @ollyollyoxinfree @gattonero17 @chumo-cookie @dreaming-always @anxiety-ismy-name @mrbubbajones @janustheliar @why-do-you-care @hogwarts-my-love​
Ao3 - Masterlist
Your Words Fill The Space Between Us
September 18th
J,
I received the gift you sent with your previous letter, and I wanted to ensure I thanked you for it- despite how bold it was. But I suppose that has always been something I liked about you- even if my heart very nearly stopped when Mother asked who the flowers and watch had come from. I was forced to give her the flowers (but I kept the watch for myself) after telling her it came from a businessman I work with (I am blessed that she didn’t ask which of them it was). Though I was disappointed to give up the flowers. I don’t even remember mentioning my favorite flowers and yet you knew anyways. Are you using your power for useless things again? I hope not, you have enough on your plate as it is without worrying about what I like and dislike. But if it truly crosses your mind do know that what I like are your letters and the rare moments we spend together.
But enough about that, more importantly I will be aiding my father this year so I too will get the pleasure of attending the New Year’s Ball. I hope when I arrive you can finally show me the spot you’ve described with the view of the whole city.
R.
~~~~
September 23rd
R,
I am glad my present to you was received well. As to your comment regarding whether or not I was using my power correctly, all I must say is that if it is my power I shall use it as I please. If that happens to be to determine your favorite flowers so be it, my servants are paid accordingly. Also, once I get more power laws change and I get you- so I truly see no downside.
I cannot wait until you get here, I will show you all my favorite spots here to view the scenery and my favorite places in town to shop and eat. We’ll need to think of an excuse for why we spend so much time together though, but we have the time to work out a story.
Speaking of, with this letter I am sending you a book. It’s one I just found by chance and I fell in love with instantly, I’m sure you’ll do the same. Be sure to send me your thoughts when you finish.
J.
~~~~
October 17th
J,
You are utterly horrific. Sending me a book that plays with my emotions like that. I wouldn’t have gotten so invested if I just knew she was going to die like that! Not even from her disease but from an assassin that’s horrible. Just horrible.
I stayed up to finish the last few chapters and now it’s late and I’m crying, but I don’t want the maids to hear. You’re horrible. And to prove it I’m sending you a book.
R.
~~~~
November 2nd
R,
I truly am dastardly aren't I? I laughed a lot at your letter, it was the exact response I was expecting. You never disappoint dearest. As for the book you sent me I unfortunately am yet to open it. I wasn’t planning on sending this letter until completing it, but things have gone bleak in terms of negotiations. I’ve been spending all my time locked in my office taking over my father’s daily work in addition to my own while he tries to calm things with the other delegations. At present I should actually be overlooking some documents, but I feel if I do I will truly lose my mind.
I miss you.
I know that if you were just here sitting beside me I would instantly feel energized.
At least the ball is next month.
J.
~~~~
November 4th
R,
I doubt you have even received my last letter as I write this, but I must tell you to withhold sending other letters. I’m not entirely sure why, but Father is suspicious of something and is having mail checked.
I’ll send word when the coast is clear.
J.
~~~~
December 22nd
R,
My father has found whatever it is he is looking for, so we should be fine now. But that did take longer than I thought. So much has happened in the last few weeks.
Mother’s sudden illness, and sister’s broken engagement, not to mention that the countries on either side of us have declared war and both are begging for us to pick a side. It’s beyond tiring. Father still insists upon holding the ball though, so I’ll see you then. I wonder if this letter will even reach you before you depart for the capital.
I hope I’ll have the time to show you around as I promised.
J.
~~~~
December 27th
J,
I was about to respond to your first letter when the second arrived. You must’ve sent one of your fastest messengers. As for your third and most recent letter I received it just before climbing in the carriage. We are staying in the Barony tonight, which is where I write this letter from. But I will wait to have it sent to you until I reach the capital.
I too hope we can meet up during the festivities, at least for a minute and even better if that minute was spent alone so we can speak freely. But please, remember that you mustn't push yourself too hard.
R.
~~~~
December 31st
R,
There is a small balcony west of the ballroom and past the room where the ladies rest. It’s secluded. We can use our usual signal, I’ll meet you there.
J.
~~~~
January 1st
R,
I cannot describe how amazing it was to simply hug you again. And as I said before it was wonderful to see how your dancing had improved. I’m sorry that our time together was so short, I will send you word as soon as I know when I can slip out of the palace. Maybe, two nights from now I can try? That’s when the commoners set up an array of stalls with games and prizes. Would you like to go?
J.
~~~~
January 2nd
J,
Of course I want to go! We will go and I will beat you at every game! But I don't have any clothes that would help me blend in. Also, how do you intend to disguise yourself?
R.
~~~~
January 3rd
R,
With this letter are clothes for you to wear tonight. I’ll meet you outside the gates by the large willow about an hour after dinner. And as to your question, I will be wearing a blonde wig.
J.
~~~~
January 4th
J,
You cheated. That’s the only way you could have won so many games. I don't care that you said you didn’t, you most certainly did.
R.
~~~~
January 5th
R,
You are free to believe what you like.
For the closing ball tomorrow we can meet at the same spot as the first night. And I have a surprise for you.
J.
~~~~
January 6th
R,
I swear I didn’t know.
I am so sorry. I didn’t know, I saw you crying and run off and I’m sorry that I couldn’t run after you. I’m sorry. Can I come by so we can talk?
J.
~~~~
January 8th
R,
You’re leaving tomorrow right? Please respond so I can see you before you do.
J.
~~~~
January 9th
R,
I understand you’re mad at me, and I won’t even ask you not to be. But I will ask that you at least try understand the position I am in.
And I hope you travel safely home.
J.
~~~~
January 16th
J,
Did you really not know?
R.
~~~~
January 19th
R,
I didn’t. My father sprung it on me, the same way he did to every party guest. He didn’t even tell me which nation he was leading towards in terms of support, much less this.
J.
~~~~
January 22nd
J,
Will you marry her?
R.
~~~~
January 25th
R,
I don’t want her. I want and I love you.
J.
~~~~
January 28th
J,
That’s not what I asked. I asked if you will follow through with the engagement.
R.
~~~~
January 31st
R,
I don’t have a choice. I thought I could spend more time living as the Crown Prince before I could reject the role and leave the crown to my brother. I thought I could do that if my parents ever brought up marriage- but this is more than a marriage. It’s war.
If I don’t marry the Delphine our trade routes are shut off- and since we already cut ties with the empire by my father announcing the engagement. If I reject this for you, I put the whole kingdom at risk. I… I don’t know if I can do that.
J.
~~~~
February 4th
J,
Surely there’s another way! Why can’t she just marry your brother?
R.
~~~~
February 10th
R,
Do you truly think I haven’t looked for one? My hands are tied. The only possible thing I could do to even have you near me is to bring you here as an advisor or the like when the time comes. I can find a way if it’s that.
J.
~~~~
February 14th
J,
No. I will not stand to the side just watch as you dance and hold hands with her for the public’s morale. I would rather die than that.
R.
~~~~
February 19th
R,
Please don’t be so dramatic. I am trying all I can think of in between my hectic schedule. But if you truly don’t like my efforts tell me, do you have any brilliant ideas?
J.
~~~~
February 25th
J,
Don’t mock me, Your Highness. You’re not the one who has had his heart stepped on repeatedly. You’ve been making me promises for years- am I not allowed to be upset when I find out that they’re hollow?
R.
~~~~
March 2nd
R,
You’re unbelievable. Feel free to sulk all you wish, meanwhile I need to continue my regular duties, prepare a wedding, and prepare for war.
J.
~~~~
March 5th
J,
War? I thought our kingdom was just to supply aid.
R.
~~~~
March 8th
R,
I’m getting married to the daughter of a nation who declared war upon the empire. Of course war will come to our borders as well.
J.
~~~~
March 23rd
J,
Father got the invitation to the wedding this morning. I wanted to tear it to shreds. Have you truly thought of nothing yet? Something other than me working for you?
R.
~~~~
March 29th
R,
I’m sorry to say I haven’t. In the months since the ball and start of the war I haven’t gotten anywhere with my Father- and Mother’s decline isn’t helping.
J.
~~~~
April 1st
J,
What? I had heard she was getting better?
R.
~~~~
April 6th
R,
That’s just the rumor I spread to redirect attention. She’s getting worse if anything.
J.
~~~~
April 10th
J,
I am so sorry.
R.
~~~~
August 12th
J,
It’s been a long time since my last letter, I’m not sure how many months. I guess I should follow custom and congratulate you on the wedding even if I am late. You at least looked very nice on your wedding day. You’ve truly perfected that fake smile.
I’m sorry for how I acted when I heard about your engagement. I know you didn’t want this either. And I know it’s late for this, but I’ll come work for you if that’s what it takes. The more I try to pretend that I don’t love you- the harder it gets- and the more it hurts.
R.
~~~~
August 17th
Lord Roman Regis,
Please do not waste my time and deny that you are the author of the letter I just read. I intend to keep this letter brief. I do not wish to know what kind of relationship you have with my husband, but I must request that it ceases. My husband serves as a figure to both nations, and he cannot have anyone dragging him down. Especially not someone of a lower stature.
If you contact him again, there will be consequences.
Crown Princess Delphine Ekans
~~~~
August 22nd
Crown Princess,
Your Highness I apologize for any misunderstandings I may have caused, but please speak to Janus. I’m sure he will explain everything.
Lord Roman Regis
~~~~
August 26th
Lord Roman Regis,
To think a measly count’s son can not only tell me what to do, but he can be bold enough to refer to my husband without a title. I already asked you not to drag my husband down, and by doing so you have disregarded my warning.
Do remember that you have brought this upon yourself Lord Roman.
Crown Princess Delphine Ekans
~~~~
September 5th,
Ro,
You know all those times I told you to just get out there and just love the prince if you actually love him? Well this is not what I meant. I mean like you should speed up that “perfect” plan you two always talked about, not that you should wait so long that he got married. And definitely not so long that his wife outed your “despicable crush on the married crown prince”- however I can say that the papers are currently god tier with gossip. I have been asked for interviews like four times and I love it. Oh and have some faith in me, I didn’t talk to them- for long.
Anyway, lover boy should be able to help you out of this, right?
The better you,
Remus
~~~~
September 10th,
Remus,
Sometimes I hate you, and then when I remember we shared a womb I hate you even more. But even so, I thank you for being the one “calm” person about this. Mother and Father (mainly Mother) have been up in arms about how big of a disgrace I am, and just about every noble in the kingdom is in agreement. It doesn't matter that just about every unmarried woman pines after the Crown Prince even after he got married, because when a man does it- because that Witch known as the Crown Princess publishes my letter- I’m somehow a deviant.
I haven’t left the manor since word got out. And I am just flooded with letters from friends and other nobles, but truthfully I am too scared to read them. Maybe I’ll have a trusted maid read them and pick out the kind ones, but I am not sure.
I have no clue what is going on with Janus at the moment. I am yet to receive anything from him- most likely due to the Crown Princess’ interference. I wish I could know what was happening behind the palace doors... I truly do.
This is why I just wanted to run off to somewhere else, but Janus was confident he could change the laws for us and then we could go live quietly somewhere... I wish things were that simple.
I rather not discuss this anymore truthfully. I'd like to have a normal conversation again. So tell me, do you have any stories to tell of your travels? Reading them would prove far more interesting than anything here.
The best twin,
Roman
~~~~
September 18th,
Remus,
Given I am yet to receive a response from you, so I assume you are on the move once more, but I thought I should send you an update letter before you hear the filtered version from word of mouth.
I am currently being escorted to the palace. I know some will think I am to get some sort of punishment, but Janus sent one of the guards with a verbal message that he is handling this in his own way. I have no choice but to place my trust in him. Mother was still worried about it, Father interestingly seemed to be rooting for me but we didn’t get to talk more about it. But I know I will see Janus soon and that thought comforts me. Even though I know his wife will be close behind.
I’ll keep you updated on what transpires. But I still expect traveling stories. Like honestly, what was the point of you joining the navy if I don't get to read any seafaring adventures? You aren’t fighting in the war so surely there must be pirates or something? Or some stories about sirens and other such creatures? I want to read them all.
And in return you can have me as your wonderful twin.
The twin that matters,
Roman
~~~~
September 21st
Roman,
It almost seems strange to be able to address you by your name in a letter, but I like it all the same. I am very sorry for my silence and for Delphine’s actions. The former was a result of a few things: the first being my traveling to the battle front. I'm sorry I did not tell you prior to leaving, I did not want you to worry, but... I spent some time in battle. I was on my way back when your letter reached the palace and Delphine had taken it before I knew it even existed. Then upon my return I was busy dealing with Mother’s health and my war reports- I had intended to write other excuses here but truthfully I was scared of your reaction. I was scared that you would have just given up on me- on us. I had written and thrown away over 20 letters that I started without finishing before Delphine handed me a paper with a letter I had never seen published on the front page.
We had a long argument, about her not having the right to do such a thing to a “friend” of mine. It took a lot of time to cool things down and convince everyone to allow you to come here. Your father had sent me a letter saying he was worried for your safety, and that was enough to pull them to my side to bring you out of harm's way.
I am sorry I cannot currently go to see you, right now everyone believes I am just trying to clean up a mess that my wife blew way out of proportion and going to you would only start rumors. The knight who will deliver this letter- Virgil- can be trusted. He may huff and roll his eyes, but he does not pry and will not look at the contents of the letters. As he put it, he will only do the bare minimum of his job, and being curious and nosy takes too much energy. So you can send your letters through him. I swear I will figure something out.
In the meantime I hope your quarters are comfortable, let me know if they are not.
Yours,
Janus
~~~~
September 22nd,
Janus,
You are an absolute idiot. You went to war, without telling me? What if something had happened to you? Are you crazy? No of course you are. You’re absolutely insane- and I am so so glad that you are alright.
It has been strange being here in the palace, I don't often leave my room due to the looks servants give as I pass by, but my room is comfortable and Virgil makes good conversation. He certainly doesn’t have the demeanor of most knights which is enjoyable. Reminds me a bit of my twin in a way- but I think both would disagree.
Regardless, I have a request for you even though I know you will disagree. I wish to speak with the Crown Princess. I do not know how much you have told her, so I can keep things sounding one sided if you wish- but I want to speak to her. If you don't give an answer I like, I will simply write to her myself.
Roman
~~~~
September 22nd
Roman,
And you call me crazy. Why would you want to meet with the woman who ruined your life? You wrote in the same letter that even servants are scorning you- I will have Virgil report to me who they are so they can be fired immediately- and yet you wish to speak with her? I will not allow it.
Janus
~~~~
September 24th
Janus,
As you read this the Crown Princess should be receiving her letter as well. I kept it simple, just asking for tea with the promise of an apology. But before I schedule a time to meet with her, I want to know... do you like your wife?
Roman
~~~~
September 25th
Roman,
Delphine showed me the letter and she gave some unkind phrases to go with. I told her not to accept your invitation- but I think she wants to even more now. As to your question, I don’t know what I think of her. I hate what she has done to you, but I do not hate her (entirely) as a person. I admire the fact that she will go to great lengths to help her people, but I certainly do not like her. Or perhaps it’s better to say that I like her in the way one likes a business partner? Appreciating when they get the job done well, and hating when they don't. I am not sure if that answers your question, but I do not know how else to better phrase my thoughts.
Janus
~~~~
September 27th
Janus,
I met the Second Prince yesterday. He came to my room and chided me for not getting enough sunlight and fresh air, before he ordered me to accompany him to the gardens. He seems far too kind to be of royal blood. Oh, while he denies it I definitely say Virgil stealing glances at the Prince. It was quite adorable actually.
I am laughing to myself as I write this and he looks on, it is most amusing. Do tell you brother to visit again.
Roman
~~~~
September 28th
Roman,
Patton is definitely too pure for this palace, if he wasn’t the spitting image of father I would think he was illegitimate. As for him and Virgil... I rather not speculate, no one and I mean no one is good enough for Patton.
In more important news I will be accompanying Delphine to your tea tomorrow. At least for the beginning of it. Seeing you two together with my own eyes is the only way I can be sure someone won't attack the other.
I’ll see you then love.
Janus
~~~~
September 29th
Janus,
Since I am sure you are worried about what I and Crown Princess Delphine spoke of in your absence here is a few notes about what we discussed:
The fact that I have loved you since our academy days
That my feelings won't change no matter what she does
That I don't want anything negative to befall either country
She did not once ask about your thoughts or feelings, they seemed relevant to her
She doesn’t want me near you. She says it will ruin the reputation she is building
I do not know what this means for us, but at the very least I think I understand what you meant about having a business partner relationship.
Roman
~~~~
October 2nd
Roman,
Good to know your talk with her was for mostly nothing. She has more recently gone to my father about some scheme to boost morale and he seems to be on board. So she’s at least distracted for the time being.
In surprising news Mother wishes to meet you. She’s probably the one person who knows everything simply because she sees through every lie I tell. But thankfully she never questions me on the truth. You’ll receive an official invite from her soon.
Janus
~~~~
October 4th
Janus,
Your mother is one of the kindest people on the planet. She kept fretting over if I was okay, and meanwhile she is the one bedridden. And you were certainly right about her knowing the whole story, because it is clear she is rooting for us! She told me she just wants you to be happy, and marrying for love is something she wished you could do. She did also say she wanted to give the Crown Princess a “stern talking to”, and I think that would be hilarious to watch.
Roman
~~~~
October 14th 4th
Logan,
This year has been an absolute shitshow. Have you even heard what’ss going on? Because I haven’t heard a word fom you. But I suppose what else should I expect from the disaprearing count? I just want to marry for love and be done with the fucking war? Is that so bap? Delphine is making this hard, but I know she just wants things to be not war… it’s all so annoying. What should I do lo?
Your only friend,
Jans
~~~~
October 5th
Mother and Father,
I want you to know that despite all that has occurred I am well. I have gotten a chance to speak to the Crown Prince and Princess, and the Queen. Currently the Crown Prince intends to release rumors regarding the Duke’s family (which may or may not involve treason so please pull any assets out quickly) to stop the month long gossip about me. Once that happens, I am not sure if I will be staying here or returning home but I will let you know once I figure it out. Living in the palace certainly isn’t bad after all. The food is to die for. I may try to lengthen my stay just because of it. So don’t worry about me, worry about Remus who just sent me a letter detailing too many things about pirates that would make you cry in shame.
The lesser of two evils,
Roman
~~~~
October 8th
Crown Prince Janus Ekans,
I was quite surprised to get your letter and even more surprised by it’s contents. I have told you multiple times it is not becoming of a prince to send letters written in a drunken stupor.
Yes, I am well aware of the gossip in the capital that you have involved yourself in. But I saw no need to send you a letter of my own thoughts when I am not involved in your marital issues. If you were simply writing to me to rant and rave, then your letter was received. And I would like to say that I do have other friends.
Regardless, please expedite the report enclosed, it is part of our winter preparations.
Count Logan Ackroyd
~~~~
October 9th
Janus,
I went into town with Prince Patton (who gave me permission to call me by his name) and Virgil today. We went in disguise of course, but we got to go to a great many shops and try some good food. I bought you a present while we were out, but with the current circumstances I don’t believe I should send it with this letter. If you ever find the time to drop by my room please come and get it.
As we went about I couldn’t shake two thoughts from my mind, the first being that fall looks so different here in the capital, and the second was that it’s been nearly a year since we promised to do such things together. I still await the day where you show me your favorite spots.  
I hope those times come soon.
Roman
~~~~
October 10th
Roman,
I too hope for the same, and I would love to see what it is you got me, but we have an obstacle at present. A few actually. While the war is finally moving in our favor, I fear that the Duke’s situation is less clear than I thought. In addition to that, Father wants you sent home to the county sooner than later. And if that’s not enough, Delphine wishes to speak with you before you leave- I will do my best to convince her otherwise. I’m not sure when they want your departure to be, I’m currently negotiating and thankfully Patton is on my side.
Janus
~~~~
October 11th
Ro,
So in my quest to find exciting stories for you I may or may have not taken a cutlass to the leg. It nearly got cut clean off! Or well that’s the story I’ll tell at least. Anyway, I’m gonna be home for a while so you should come visit your dearest twin. And as for get well presents there’s nothing better than basically all the sweets in the capital so I’ll take those please and thank you. Oh and buy me some of those racy novels you pretend you don’t read. Mother saw the word “tentacle” then burned mine.
Your horribly wounded and now sickly and pathetic twin,
Remus
~~~~
October 12th
Janus,
I heard from Prince Patton that there will be a party next week. He was asking me if I plan to go with him, and truthfully I’d like to, but I also don't want to undo anything either. What do you think?
Roman
~~~~
October 13th
Roman,
I’m afraid that your attendance will not be a good idea. But, I’ve heard sickness is floating around the palace. It would be truly tragic if I can’t attend. The greatest of tragedies.
Janus
~~~~
October 15th
Dearest Husband,
At least for the sake of appearances, can you pretend like you’re not missing your lover when we’re in public? It’s very nearly sickening.
Your Wife,
Delphine
~~~~
October 15th
Delphine,
I don’t believe I ever said he was my lover. Also if you want a conversation just come here. Thomas is a knight not a messenger.
Janus
~~~~
October 15th
Dearest Husband,
Sir Thomas shall be what I ask him to be. But on topic, if Lord Regis is not your lover then Queen Mother is in perfect health. If you’re going to ignore my and your kingdom’s wishes then at the very least be subtle. Please and thank you.
Oh and I will not be joining you for dinner, your sister asked me to dine with her.
Your Wife,
Delphine
~~~~
October 17th
Janus,
I’m afraid the party must wait (and for shame my meeting with the Crown Princess must wait as well). I have just received word that Remus was injured- not gravely though- so he is currently resting at home. I must return as soon as possible to rescue my parents from his madness. Well after I buy all the things the idiot requested.
Roman
~~~~
October 18th
Janus,
I love the jacket thank you so so so much. I’ll be sure to wear it the next time I see you, which will likely be the New Year’s Ball. I’ll write to you again as soon as I get home.
Roman
~~~~
October 21st
Janus,
I have just arrived and I already wish I had stayed in the palace. Mother is already talking about how lucky I am that despite the “scandal” she found a woman who would be willing to marry me. Maybe I’ll tell her to invite this poor girl over while Remus is here. Hopefully that scares her off.
Roman
~~~~
October 26th
Roman,
What do you think about eloping?
Janus
~~~~
November 1st
Janus,
You are aware of the fact that you’re married right? Also two men marrying isn't exactly legal. Also you know, the war?
Roman
~~~~
November 7th
Roman,
Trust me when I say the war will come to an end soon. And screw the laws and my wife. If I just kidnapped you, what would anyone really do?
Janus
~~~~
November 13th
Janus,
For starters I don’t think announcing kidnapping in a letter is the proper way to kidnap someone. Also I would like to point out that in the past years I always wanted to run away and you said no. Then a few months after I drop it you’re getting engaged.
Roman
~~~~
November 18th
Roman,
Virgil said the same thing. You two spent too much time together while you were here. And I’m a married man now. I’ve grown and I’ve changed. And running away sounds better and better.
Janus
~~~~
November 20th,
Logan,
If I said I wanted to elope with Roman to your domain what would you say?
Janus
~~~~
November 23rd
Janus,
You assigned him to be my guard of course we spent time together. Also I’ve been receiving letters from Prince Patton, he truly is a ray of sunshine. He told me that the Queen is doing better and I am elated to hear that. Please pass my well wishes to her.
Roman
~~~~
November 24th
Crown Prince Janus Ekans,
What would I say if you wanted to elope here? Well, I would remind you that you have responsibilities. While I do wish for your happiness do remember that the country lies on your shoulders as well. However if there was such a way that everything was sorted beforehand, then I would still say no.
Count Logan Ackroyd
~~~~
November 28th
Logan,
That’s unnecessarily rude. I will take your response as a positive one.
Janus
~~~~
December 4th
Dearest Husband,
I am apologizing in advance for what I must do. I did not anticipate such a situation, but the Duke has my hands tied. You know I will always do what I believe I must for the good of our nations, and to stop this war. I beg you to keep these thoughts in mind.
Your Wife,
Delphine
~~~~
December 4th
Lord Roman Regis,
I beg you to keep the crown standing tall despite everything. This is not your opportunity.
Delphine
~~~~
December 10th
Janus,
Is it true what everyone’s saying? That the Crown Princess is going to be charged for treason? Was that why she sent me a strange letter?
Roman
~~~~
December 15th
Roman,
She sent you one too? And yes I’m afraid it’s true… but I don’t think that’s how it started. I was aware of the fact she was working with the duke to supply troops using her knowledge of how both armies could work together, I truthfully think he took advantage of her. But her name is on some of the documents which can be read negatively.
I apologize in advance for my lack of responsiveness and attention to you. For now I need to convince Father not to execute Delphine and others in her position. This is all truly at the worst timing, we were in the midst of discussion to end this whole war.
At the very least I’ll see you come the New Years Ball.
Janus
~~~~
December 29th
Roman,
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, love but I think I have things sorted. At the ball my Father intends to announce the annulment of my marriage- claiming that Delphine unfairly used me. That’s not true of course, but it’s the best way for us to keep her here as a “hostage” and to withdraw our support in this war and try to reclaim a more neutral stance. At least outwardly, things are always more complicated when you look closer.
But with the war coming to a true end, and the end of my marriage, perhaps it’s time I take ‘crown’ out of my title? Patton would certainly be a better face to be out there right now as we try to maintain the rockiest of peaces. And once he takes over maybe I’ll just have to vanish in plain sight. I know a certain count who would take us in without complaint.
We can speak on it more at the banquet, I’ll meet you in the same spot as last year. We can use the same signals.
Janus
~~~~
January 2nd
Janus,
I have spent the past day thinking over the words you told me. I'll admit when I received your most recent letter, I took your words to be akin to wishful thinking. But now after hearing all the plans you made for us, this sounds like something we can really do. My heart beats faster at the thought.
Running away with the Crown Prince, it sounds like a novel doesn’t it? If we were to leave, when would we go?
Roman
~~~~
January 3rd
Roman,
Ideally I’d like to leave as soon as the snow melts, but diplomacy is known to take it’s time.
Janus
~~~~
January 4th
Janus,
I’m ready when you are. Just give me some notice to pack up my things at home and to write a letter that will make my mother sob when she realizes that she can’t marry me off for a reverse dowry. Yes, I know such a thing doesn’t exist, but I’m not sure she does.
Also I spent today with Prince Patton and Virgil and my stance has not changed.
Roman
~~~~
Roman,
Do me a favor and keep your fucking mouth shut? I don’t need Prince Janus interrogating me anymore.
-V
~~~~
January 8th
Janus,
Virgil left a note on my bed last night saying in not so nice words that I ratted him out to you. I take it I was right! You need to speak with your brother then we can be official cupids.
Also I’m leaving today, so make sure your next letter goes to my home.
Roman
~~~~
January 13th
Roman,
I will do no such thing. No one on this planet is good enough for Patton.
Janus
~~~~
January 28th
Logan,
You have till March to prepare our rooms. No, I won’t be telling you my arrival date.
Janus
~~~~
January 30th
Janus,
I don’t know if I ever told you, but I’ve kept every single letter you’ve sent me. The good, the bad, and the pointless ones. I’ve kept them all in a box in my wardrobe and my maids know not to touch them. I think I’ll take the box with me when we run.
Roman
~~~~
February 2nd
Roman,
The Prince is being weirder than usual and is fretting over little stuff and he keeps mumbling your name. Do me a favor and take him off my hands fast.
Also he got very mad at me when he found out we exchanged letters. It’s not like we’ve been doing this since you left or anything. He’s so jealous it’s stupid. Sometimes I like to imagine what would have happened if you had been the one forced into a political marriage- and then I quickly stop because I realize he would order me to go arrest and or kill someone and I legally can’t say no.
Save me.
-Virgil
~~~~
February 3rd
Roman,
I have a box of your letters as well. Even ones you haven’t written but are about you- so even some of Delphine’s have been included. Our story is certainly different from that of other couples, and our letters reflect that. I’ll bring my letters as well, maybe we can organize them all into a large collection.
That was an incredibly sappy thought, and yet I wish to follow through with it all the same.
Janus
~~~~
February 7th
Roman,
I deeply apologize. I saw the play. I know we promised to watch it together, but Patton begged me to go with those eyes and that expression and I couldn’t say no. I will make it up to you. I’ll sit through an opera in the future maybe? I know you like operas even if I don’t.
In good news I plan to send a carriage for you, it should arrive on the fourth of the coming month. It will bring you here to the capital, we can see a horrid opera and then we can be on our way to our future. So you have a full month to pack.
Janus
~~~~
February 12th
Janus,
I can’t believe you watched it without me. It will take more than an opera to make up for this. You can start thinking now on how to make it up to me.
Roman
~~~~
February 19th
Janus,
As the days grow closer my excitement grows more and more. Even now I’m writing this to you rather than sleeping as it truly sinks in that we’re going to do this. I can’t wait.
Roman
~~~~
February 23rd
Roman,
My feelings are the same as yours. This morning I announced to my family my intentions. I didn’t tell them where we’ll be going of course, just that I will be relinquishing the position of Crown Prince and that I will be traveling. Father was enraged, sister was surprised, but Mother and Patton seemed to understand and once the three of us were alone they assured me that they are happy for me. I have a few more people (boring nobles) to tell, but now that they know there’s no going back. So you’re not allowed to have cold feet.
Janus
~~~~
February 27th
Janus,
Please if anyone was to have cold feet it was you. I’ve been willing to run away with you since the day I first laid eyes on the pretty thing you call a face.
Roman
~~~~
March 4
Janus,
The carriage should be here any minute, and I’m writing this letter that I intend to hand deliver to calm myself. My room is packed into bags, and I’ve already said most of my goodbyes. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I’m sure time will fly when I’m with you. It always does.
Roman
~~~~
Jan,
Truthfully I wish you didn’t have to leave, but I understand it. So I wish you luck in chasing your love, while you’re gone I’ll make some changes around here so you can lead the life you want when you get back.
Be happy, and don’t forget to write.
Patt
~~~~
March 19th
Patton,
I have arrived safely, and both Logan and Roman are doing well. The former was griping about needing to share his estate with us, but all it took was me bringing up a few embarrassing childhood stories for him to loosen up. I don’t know when I’ll be home, but if you’re ever in the mood to frighten Father, tell him that we’ll need a royal wedding upon my return. I finally got to do the proper proposal I’ve had in my head since the New Year’s before last, and it was perfect.
I wish you luck in dealing with the state of affairs, if you need any help send me a letter discreetly and I can offer some aid.
Best wishes,
Janus
P.S. Fire Virgil if you feel like it. You can do better.
~~~~
A Forbidden Romance Years in the Making!
It’s been years since the ex Crown Princess and now hostage of the kingdom Delphine outed then Lord Roman Regis for loving a married man. Afterwards he was shunned by society and took shelter in the palace after his father begged for his shelter. Generously, the former Crown Prince agreed given he was tied to the scandal. But now we know that was never the whole story. Rather the two have been in a secret romance since their school days.
Now, as if his sudden disappearance was nothing, First Prince Janus Ekans has returned with his betrothed Lord Roman Regis, by his side. Previously talks of Crown Prince Patton signing the new law has been floating for a long while, but it seems the pen will finally be put to paper so a royal wedding may commence.
The couple will wed immediately following the signing of the new law legalizing gay marriage. And it will surely be a wedding to remember.
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firespirited · 3 years ago
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Today I did two parcels, one from the latest in four doll sales since the new year: I don't need hobby money right now (someone bought 5 reroots for xmas) but space is always good. The second parcel was full of wigs and put aside in December, lost and the last box to be found of course 🤡. I pulled out my entire hoard of shipping boxes from the top cupboard taking quite the facefull of old dust then reaching under the bed with the grabbie claw. As the accumulated exhaustion and dust allergy hit, my floor was covered in boxes. I threw things off my bed, off my body and lay down covered in rashes and goosebumps. Then got a migraine like a tent peg through the face. I txted sis who came over in a mask, handed me one, made a pathway and opened the windows wide. She could see the dust clouds swirling in low afternoon winter sun, i couldn't see more than blinding colours by then. 3 hours later, i closed the windows, dressed warm, threw out 3/4 of the stash using a barbie as size guide, thanked sis profusely, put together the parcels and sat updating ebay quantities in a daze feeling weak and very stupid.
You see, allergies are directly impacted by exhaustion. They did tests on people on treadmills and exercise bikes, carried out over days and weeks. So things that don't affect you too bad when you're in good shape become a lot more potent if you've done a lot, stressed or had sleep problems. My mistake was panicking over the lost parcel and getting it all out without putting a mask on after large-output bad-sleep days. On Monday, i asked sis for help keeping Lily happy while i gave her derrière a good clean and trim: she convinced me to do a whole bath and haircut so she can look fancy and well cared for at tomorrow's dog adoption interview and I shouldn't have... but I know how much it means to her.
That night, Tuesday and night were defined by intestinal obstruction and a new helper G who did my room which was 'fun' as I tried to explain how versatile the doll hobby is, enquire about her family and gauge how wierded out she was while gritting my teeth behind the mask and seeing stars from the gut pain.
All that to say that 'big output' days prime you for accidents and violent allergic reactions. Living with chronic illness means keeping track of recent events not just how you feel in the moment. Recoup bubble days are a must: where you avoid people and their small colds and tummy troubles, foods that you're slightly sensitive to and doing any heavy lifting (you can damage a muscle tendon or joint for months on a drained day). So basic chores and nothing more until at least sunday. Hard to stick to with how unpredictable life is, especially as we might have a new dog tomorrow! But gotta try or this body will get payback. Photos of various doll projects and finished stuff tomorrow maybe. Take care all 🖤🖤🖤
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dranza · 4 years ago
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Tarot
Draco x Reader
Word count: 2232
Draco bumps into you in the slytherin common room, late at night. You both find yourself opening up to each other. I just think its cute man.
Warnings: Parent struggles. If there is anymore please let me know!
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Glancing at the clock on the wall I realise it's now half past twelve in the morning. I had officially spent over four hours painting my tarot cards, procrastinating from doing my homework is officially one of my skills. Sighing, I slide the card I was working on over to the edge of the table to dry. I then reach for a mint leaf from my pocket and slide it into my mouth, the taste takes me back to being a child and playing in the manor gardens with my Nanny. I'm clearing up my paints as I hear footsteps coming into the hall that leads to the slytherin common room. Scrambling, I hide the paints under the table and pretend to fall asleep over the charms book I was meant to be reading. Recently, Pansy had been taking her prefect duties a little too seriously and had busted me for being out of my dorm room too many times now. I could easily wind her up and make her leave me alone but tonight I just didn't have the energy to hear her rattle on about how ‘we aren't meant to hang in the common room outside of curfew times’. The thing is, I’ve always been a night owl and not wanting to wake up the other girls in my room, I've made a habit of coming down to the common room to have some alone time. 
“Stop being so pathetic, I know you're not asleep y/n” Draco announces in a chuckle as he walks in front of the table I'm at. 
“Oh, what do you want Draco?” I lift my head to look at the white haired boy towering over me.
“Don’t worry, I'm not here to kick you out.” He pulls at a stool with his foot and sits opposite me, picking an apple from the bowl on the side table “I was just coming to pick up a snack. What are you doing awake at this hour anyway?” 
I lift a paintbrush from under the table in response. “I don't even know where to start on the charms essay so I thought I'd add to my collection instead.”
He places his elbows onto his knees and leans closer to the three cards I had set on the edge of the table. “These are pretty good, I didn't know you could paint.” 
“I didnt realise I had to inform you of everything I do.”
Draco huffs contempt, tilting his head a little “fair enough.”
“What are you doing awake?” I ask as I lift my wand and clean my paint brushes.
“Just finished the reading for potions class” he takes a bite from his apple and lifts the middle card.
A confused giggle escapes my mouth and I tease “I didn't know Draco Malfoy actually cared about his grades.”
Under his breath (more to himself than to me) he whispers “my parents would probably kill me if I didn’t.” Switching to a smirk, he echoes my words back to me “Well, I didn’t realise I had to inform you of everything I do.” He places the card back onto the table and drags the subject back to me “anyway, everything you need for the charms paper is in the fourth and fifth chapter.”
“Ah, thankyou.” I open up the charms book to the suggested chapters and place in a book mark. I stretch out my legs and lean back onto the sofa behind me, sitting on the floor for so long has made my legs go dead. “So, do you want me to do a reading?” 
Dracos body stiffens slightly, and he straightens his back. “I don't think so, it's not very accurate anyway is it?” His thin fingers pick at his loose black pajama bottoms for fluff that wasn't there. 
He clearly was one of the people who thought divination wasn’t actual magic. Back at Durmstrang, divination was such a popular subject that I was shocked when I came to England and saw so many columns popping up in The Daily Prophet about it just being a hoax. “Oh, for goodness sake Draco, it is accurate if it's done correctly. One card wont hurt you. Also, accurate or not, at least I'll get some practice.” I offer an encouraging smile.
“Please... my father says it's purely based on chance and calculated guessing. I don't imagine you'll be very good if you've had Trelawney teaching you anyway, the woman is out of her mind.” he says in a huff, scrunching his nose in disgust.
“One card?” I lift my eyes to meet his and pout in an exaggerated way.
He cocks a brow and flashes a look at the cards “one.”
I sit up instantly, leaning to the chair that I dumped my bag on earlier that night and pull out a full tarot deck. I clear the table, shuffle the cards and spread them upside down in a row. “What do you want to know?” 
“Errr,” he squeezes his eyes shut and sways his head trying to think of a question. “What do I need to focus more on right now?” he asks unsurely. 
I smile softly at him, surprised that he actually asked a decent question. “Perfect, now just really concentrate on that question and pick the card you're most drawn to.” He seems to hesitate a bit so I add “Don't think too deeply about it, just go with your instinct.”
He lets out a loud breath as he bows over the table to be closer to the cards. With a single finger he slides a card out slightly from the deck and then sits back, looking down at me tentatively.
Sitting on my knees, I take the card he selected and flip it over. 
“The magician? Really? What may this suggest y/n? Well, we're at school and maybe I need to focus on my magic skills.” he word vomits in such a patronizing manner I resist the urge to punch him.
“Will you just shut up Malfoy! Let me concentrate…” 
He lets out a sharp nose exhale but obeys.
“I think it suggests you have an opportunity to right a wrong, it's something you've been putting off but you finally have all the tools you need to be able to make it happen.” I look away from the card to him but his gaze is locked to his hands now. “This has really been weighing down on you, hasn't it? You just need to focus and manifest on the outcome. Is it… is it to do with your father?”
“What?” he lifts his head in a sharp movement at my final question. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, I told you this is all a load of rubbish. I'm heading back to bed.” He throws his half eaten apple into the bin. “As should you, we have potions first thing tomorrow and I doubt Snape will let you nap in class.”
“I’m sorry Draco…” I break, realising I had touched a nerve. “You don't have to answer me. Don't just… you don't have to leave.”
He runs his fingers through his messy white hair. “I just… well, I’d just rather not focus on that right now.”
 Draco’s father (Lucius Malfoy) is meant to be having his final hearing, for conspiring with Voldemort, this weekend and whispers all about the Malfoy family have been wandering through every hall at Hogwarts. Last year Voldemort had tried to take over the wizarding world and Draco (much to his parents' alarm) had apparently joined Harry Potter in destroying the horcruxes. Still, everyone was questioning his intentions. He has been putting on a brave face but it's obvious he's been more reserved since the news broke out.
“That's ok.” I try a sympathising smile. “I get it, I’m not trying to pry.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the only one then.” he says with a sigh.
I look around to try and change the subject, “what's your favourite colour?” I blurt out. I sink inwardly, was this really the best I could come up with.
Draco smiles, raising a brow. “Black.” he states confidently. 
“Ha, dytto.” I pick at the dry paint on my hands. “It reminds me of ink... and wolves... and outer space.”  
 “Yes, that. Also,  you always look great when you wear black” Draco chuckles softly. “Well, I mean not you personally. Although… I'm sure you also do look great in black. But I mean generally, no one can ever… really go wrong if they’re dressed in black.” A blush creeps up his face as he stammers over his words.
A funny little giggle escapes me as I watch him, a similar pink tinting my face. “I know what you mean.” I nudge his arm slightly, noticing his all black pajamas. “I think there’s still a certain skill in pulling off a black outfit though.” 
Draco picks up one of my paint pots and twists it in his hand, trying to look at anything but me, his blush deepening. “Yeah, I guess.” 
“You know, I would have pinned you more as a bright pink kind of guy myself.” I kick myself for trying to be funny but it lifts his nervousness. 
“Not quite.” His laugh is deep and sensual, sending a warm fuzziness through my body. 
“Do you ever paint?” I ask, signally to the pot in his hand. 
“No. I’ve never done any intricate stuff like this anyway.” he gestures to my cards. “These really are quite amazing.”
“Thankyou.” I try not to stare at his face as he studies my work, but the candle light bouncing off his eyelashes and his soft, bottom lip kind of tucking under his teeth is making it very difficult. “To be honest, I don’t really like them.”
“What? Why?” he shoots at me.
“It’s not very neat around here…” I point at the first card, I’d spent half an hour trying to get the shading right on the bricks of the tower earlier tonight. “And her hair just looks like a wig.” My finger grazes the back of Draco’s hand as I point to the Empress card.
“No it doesn't, plus no one else would notice these things you’re bothering about” 
“My mother will.” Quietly correcting myself, I add “would.” I clear my throat lightly to continue “And she would definitely reveal a few more mistakes as well.” I take in a long breath and rub my eyes. “I know this sounds terrible but sometimes I think it's not so bad that she's gone.” 
“Oh, I'm sorry, I… I didn't know.” He stretches his arm across the table towards me but stops just before his hand touches. “Are you OK?” 
“Yeah, I was never really close to her anyway.” I sadly shrug. I realise I’ve never told anyone else any of this. I'm clearly over-tired. 
“And your father?”
“He died when I was 3, I don't remember him. It’s why I’ve had to move here after my mum passed, Uncle Filius is the only member of my family that would take me in.” 
Draco questions in surprise “So it’s true. You are Professor Flitwick's niece?”
“The one and only.” I give him a side smile. 
“Hmmh, well, I know this means nothing… but I don’t think it's all that terrible that you don't feel bad you mother is gone. Sometimes parents aren’t as perfect as they seem.” Draco clicks his fingers and continues, “As you probably know, I’m meant to be meeting my dad this weekend. I have no idea how to explain myself to him. The last time...” Draco stops abruptly at the sound of footsteps coming from the hallway. Two 3rd year students walk in carrying a whole load of sweets whispering to each other in rapid conversation. Draco swiftly stands and informs them that they cannot be out of their dorms so late. They try to oppose but after a stern look from the tall, blonde-haired prefect they give in and return. He takes a second before turning back to me and saying “I think we both ought to go back to our beds as well, it has gotten quite late.”
I look up at him confused, “don't you want to finish what you were saying?”
He shakes his head while holding out a hand to me. “Maybe another time. I’m guessing this won't be the last time we bump into each other, here at this hour.”
I accept his tight grip and with a strong motion he lifts me from the ground. “No, I hope not anyway. This was nice.” I squeeze his hand gently before letting it go and picking up my things. 
His hand combs through his thick hair as he smiles shyly “It was.” He waits as I pick up the last of my books and we walk out together. As we get to the end of the hallway he stops and looks down at me, “are you sure you don't need help taking that stuff up?” I shake my head and with that he yawns. “Well then… good night y/n.” 
“Goodnight Draco.” I glance back as I’m walking up to my room and catch his eyes looking back at me. He instantly pulls his gaze away and for some reason I feel a little disappointed. Goodness me, was I really forming a crush on the Draco Malfoy?
Im writing a few different one shots that can be read on their own or in order for a full story. Here’s the masterlist!
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