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violetsiren90 · 7 months ago

Text

The Light of Your Eyes

Pairing: best friend's younger brother!Changbin x f!Reader

Genre: one-shot; friends to lovers; smut and fluff; hurt/comfort

Summary: Can the gentle touch of an unexpected pair of hands on your body heal the wounds of your soul?

Sequel: Arms Around Me

Content warnings: 18+ (minors, dni), age gap romance (consenting adults); mentions of break-up and unhealthy past relationship dynamics; depression and anxiety symptoms (mild); MC has self esteem struggles, some are body-image related; the ex was low-key emotionally abusive tbh 😒; depictions of alcohol consumption (no drunkenness); depictions of food and eating (MC has a moment of negative thought patterns in regards to food consumption); gaming/watching movies; emotional breakdowns; kissing (so much kissing, guys); Fluffy fluffy FLUFF 💕; making out; interrupted shenanigans; cuddling; shirtless Binnie 👀; strong and gentle Binnie 🥺💘 ; working through FEELINGS 😅 ; breast play; nudity; oral sex (f. receiving); feedbag position; confessions and new beginnings.

Word Count: ~9300

Author's Note: Well, here it is - my first Binnie fic! I wanted to make it as sweet and sexy as he is...which, I know, is impossible, so I gave it my best shot! Hopefully, it's something worthy of his face-claim. I'm not going to make any judgements as to whether I feel it fits the bill, but rather like the man himself, tell you to be the judge of your own opinions! Jutdae!! 😂💗 But in all seriousness, if you decide to read this story, thank you! I hope it brings you something warm and fuzzy!

*The poem at the beginning is an original, and is what inspired this story!

Acknowledgements: I cannot thank @moni-logues enough for beta reading this for me, and for all her hype and humor and general human decency - this story wouldn't be what it is without her! 💖

As always, if no one has told you today, please know that you're loved, and worthy of love! 🧜‍♀️💜

the

Bright color of my laughter and the

Melody of the curve of my hips and the

Soft velvet of my irises

seemed

To have taken their first breath,

Opening gently - like flowers perfuming my soul

- When bathed in the light of your eyes.

"Changbin? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," he says with a little smirk, whipping a dish towel over his shoulder as he shuffles back to let you in.

Fair enough, you suppose. You are showing up without notice. Not that you ever need to give his sister any notice - as your best friend, there's a key with all the others in your purse that unlocks the door you're closing behind you. You wouldn't have even knocked had his car not been parked in the driveway.

"Where's Nari?" you ask, glancing at the gaming console hooked up to the massive flat-screen, and a bullet blender cup half filled with something thick, pale and probably protein-packed sitting on the coffee table.

"She went out of town for the weekend," he calls, heading back toward the dining area. "Last minute work thing."

Damn.

Your apartment is boring and barren and lonely. You wanted to hang out. You've been coming around more than usual – almost as often as when you were in grad school together. But Nari had her own life, you understood. You had your own life too.

And then three months ago, on New Years Eve, your long-term boyfriend called it quits. It wasn't as if you were heartbroken. Not really. The relationship had been sick and slowly dying. But returning to a life lived in solitude was proving a difficult adjustment – especially navigating the new and constant stillness which left you the mental space and dexterity to run up against the shadows of wounds unhealed. And you didn't feel like growing into your EQ. You felt like distracting yourself. So you ended up at your bestie's place more often than not, these days.

You sigh, trailing toward the kitchen. You won't stay long - if her younger brother is house sitting, he'll probably have people coming over. It's Friday night, after all, and he's twenty-four years young.

The sound of running water, and music from a little speaker playing a catchy beat laced with fast-paced rap draws you into the warmly-lit, open kitchen. You recognize the voice on the track.

"This new?" you ask, dropping your bag on a barstool and rounding the island to where Changbin is up to his elbows in suds at the sink. He's in a black band tee and bright blue joggers, his curly dark hair unstyled.

He looks over his shoulder and nods.

"What do you think? Wait, no, lemme start it over..."

You smile to yourself as he hastily dries his hands and whips out his phone, pulling the track back to the beginning. He braces himself against the edge of the sink, gnawing on his bottom lip as he bobs his head with the lyrical punches and runs.

You smile to yourself, leaning your back against the counter beside him.

"This is good, Bin," you nod earnestly.

"Yeah?" he asks, returning to his soapy task.

"It really is. Hyunjin's pretty damn fast. Not as fast as you, but who is?"

You grin, bumping your hip into his side.

He smirks down into the bubbles.

He's wanted to make music for as long as you've known him, and even fifteen years ago he could spit out a diss track that would have you wetting yourself laughing. He and his buddy, Hyunjin, met in high school and started messing around with music senior year. They committed to the dream, and both worked full-time gigs - Hyunjin as a tattoo artist and Changbin as a personal trainer - while promoting their artistry in their spare time. Production was a tough road to take when they were counting on nothing but raw talent and guts, but you'd always been an unflinching supporter.

"We've got a gig next Saturday...at The Eight Ball," he remarks, looking over at you as a proud smile presses a tiny dimple into his bread cheek.

"What?!" you squeal, turning to smack him on the arm. "Dude, that's fantastic! Oh my god, congratulations!"

"Thanks, and ouch!" he replies, rubbing his arm with a pout that you ignore. It couldn't possibly have hurt him, not with those biceps.

He moves to the fridge, a grin still plastered on his face.

"You should come!" he urges over his shoulder as he appraises his sister's stash before grabbing an energy drink. "I know the boyfriend isn't into rap, but you could come with Nari..."

You scoff softly.

"Doesn't really matter what he likes anymore," you mumble bitterly.

Changbin freezes as he's about to crack open the beverage in his hand.

"Wait, what? Did you guys...is that over?"

You purse your lips and nod. Changbin looks completely taken off guard in a way that surprises you.

“When did that happen?”

You reach back to clutch at the cold tile of the countertop.

“Beginning of the year.”

He scratches his head.

“Nari didn’t…why didn’t you say something?”

You shrug, your eyes falling. For reasons you'd never considered, you’d rarely brought your ex around or even brought him up to Changbin.

He turns to the still open fridge and swaps out his energy drink for two beers, opening both and sliding one across the island between you.

"How you holding up?" he asks in earnest concern, a little furrow appearing between his dark brows.

You want to tell him that you're fine - it's what you've been telling everyone else - but from the way he holds your gaze before letting his eyes search your face, he's looking for a real answer. You pull your lip between your teeth. You're not ready to form the words that spell the truth. He sees it.

"Ah," he waves dismissively, "Fuck that guy. You're too good for him anyway. What an idiot."

You blink, a little smirk tugging at your lips.

"You don't have to hate on him just because we're-"

"I'm hating on him because I hate him," he stares at you unflinchingly, taking another swig of his beer. "He wasn't good to you, didn't make you happy. I'm glad he's gone. Seriously, fuck him."

You didn't expect that sort of reaction out of Changbin. Not that you expected anything, but the strong, certain tone he took in regards to your ex's unworthiness has a tiny little warmth glowing in your chest. It was like him to feel strongly and take a stand, but to have his conviction aimed at you...

"Thanks, Bin," you murmur softly, hiding your smile behind your beer.

The young man nods, and his lips part as if to speak when his phone buzzes in his pocket. As he answers the call - clearly, from the nature of his greeting, one of his buddies - you're reminded that you’re trespassing on his Friday night. Draining your beer, you grab your bag and slip out of the kitchen.

You huff a little sigh as you pull on your shoes, lingering listlessly for a moment before pulling open the door. The thought of going home has your stomach churning. You can't go back and be alone there.

You can't.

You have to.

How pathetic could you possibly get? you consider sickly, staring out into the darkness. Your self-loathing and mounting anxiety battle for dominance as you will yourself to take the step over the threshold that will carry you to your car…

Click.

The door swishes shut, and you blink in confusion before you note a bulky arm stretched over your shoulder, hand pressed to the wooden frame below the peephole.

You turn into Changbin's frame and he jostles backwards, hand dropping to your shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asks, a little smirk playing on his lips.

You try to get your bearings as you resurface from the flash flood of inner turmoil, blinking up at him in confusion.

"Uuhh...home?" you answer, jerking a thumb back toward your intended exit.

Changbin shakes his head.

"You just got here."

"Well...I came to see Nari but she's gone, so..."

When the faintest shadow of hurt seems to flicker over his features at your words, you stammer to clarify.

"Bin, it's Friday, I- you've got plans, right? I don't want to be in the way...Like, it's really nice seeing you don't get me wrong, but, it would suck to have one of your sister's random friends underfoot if you're...if..."

You trail off. He's watching you in amusement now, arms crossed and bottom lip pulled between his teeth, one eyebrow cocked just a little higher than the other.

"What?" you press him, now a bit self-conscious at your rambling and still on edge from the surging anxiety of moments ago.

Damn, what was with you? You'd been a mess lately, and now you couldn't even get your words out with Nari's kid brother?

"I do have plans."

Changbin's words interrupt your muddled self-assessment. You glance up at him.

What? Okay, that's what you had been trying to...

"I plan to kick your ass at Super Smash Bros Brawl," he quips, turning to round the couch and settle in front of it before reaching for the blue controller discarded on the coffee table.

Huh?

You watch him start up the game and move through selections. Shuffling toward the back of the couch, you place your hands on it. He wants to hang out? Now that he found out you'd been dumped. Nari's away, so he's falling into stride, you think to yourself. You sigh. You should be grateful. Instead, you feel like a burden.

"Um, Bin..." you murmur, "You don't have to do this..."

"Do what?" he asks without looking back. "I'm not going easy on you, if that's what you mean. And I'm using Kirby - nonnegotiable."

Your heart melts a little as your eyes rest on him. He's always been a good guy, and it was like him to do this sort of thing - look out for someone when they were feeling low. Leaving simply because you don't feel worthy of his care and attention risks hurting him more than you.

You slowly slip out of your shoes and cross into the living room, retrieving a red controller from atop the console before sinking onto the carpet beside him. You toggle through your choices before landing on Link. Changbin glances over at you disparagingly.

"Link sucks."

"Kirby sucks."

"Hey!" Changbin, practically shouts in your ear, "Don't insult my widdle cutie guy..."

You grimace theatrically at the baby talk.

"Don't ever do that again."

"Or what?" Changbin challenges as he immediately unleashes a combo move that has your character hurtling toward the edge of the battle stage.

You hop around, avoiding him and trying out different button combos. It's been forever since you played this game. Your ex had been a Halo enthusiast. You were never big on first person shooters, but you tried to get into it for his sake. He hadn't the patience to help you learn, though, and after a couple of sessions of grimaces and apologies on your behalf mumbled into his headset, he'd stopped taking you up on your offers to join him.

Kirby darts back and forth across the screen after you on stubby pink legs. Eventually you get the hang of things and are returning his attacks, though he easily bests you in an embarrassingly short sequence of moves.

"Sorry, I'm no good at video games," you mumble apologetically.

The smug look falls from Changbin's face.

"Why are you sorry?" he raises a brow, dropping his controller into his lap, a little smile still playing on his lips.

You shrug. His smile fades.

"Who says you're no good?"

Shit.

You shift your focus to the screen and toggle for a new character.

"Best two out of three."

You can feel his eyes still on you as you opt for Princess Peach.

Two out of three turns into five out of eight, and around eleven out of twenty, the doorbell rings. When Changbin turns in surprise toward the sound, you take the opportunity to deliver a critical blow, winning your first match of the night. He rolls his eyes as you giggle wickedly and moves to answer the door.

You pull your phone from your pocket reflexively to check the socials you've deleted, before sighing and tossing it across the room to land on the carpet with a thud.

"Did you just throw your phone?"

Glancing over your shoulder, you catch him shooting you a quizzical look over a stack of pizza boxes tall enough to feed a small army. Clambering to your feet you trail after him into the kitchen.

"You do have plans, you liar!" you elbow him as he opens the top box and pulls out a slice, hissing as the melted cheesy overflow burns the tips of his fingers.

"Ow!" he snaps up a napkin and cradles it under the steaming piece of pizza, shaking his other hand before holding up his fingers in front of you.

"Blow on 'em," he whines.

You raise your eyebrows.

"You're joking."

He pouts and you want to laugh. This big, grown man is seriously going to give you the lip right now?

"That's what you get for having no patience, Bin..." you tsk disapprovingly.

He lets out a little disappointed sigh.

"Meanie..." he grumbles, and lets his hand fall.

You return your focus to the obscene amount of food now stacked on Nari's kitchen table.

"So, I'm sure people are going to start showing up, so I'm just gonna..."

Changbin hands you a paper plate with two slices of pizza and heads to the fridge where he fishes out two more beers. You stare at the plate in your hand.

"I...Bin..."

"What, you don't like sweet potato?" he asks with a smirk, cracking open a can and handing it to you.

You blink at him in confusion.

"Please enjoy this meal compliments of Han Jisung, who never remembers to update the address on his delivery app. Now, load up on pizza and let’s get back to it because I'm not trying to let you act like you came out on top from winning that last match on a fluke."

You scoff at his last remark. Watching him pile several slices onto his plate, you take a bite of yours. It tastes good, and you realize as it hits your stomach that you haven't eaten all day. When was the last time you ate a real meal? When was the last time you wanted one?

"Noona?"

Changbin's voice makes you realize you had zoned out and when you blink up at him, there's just nine inches of disposable dinnerware between you. His lips are pursed and his eyes trace your features, their gaze gentle but searching.

"You alright?" he asks.

There it is again; the concern. He isn't just checking in. His voice is soft and low, like his eyes. As a rule, Changbin's voice is strong, resonant - saying everything from his chest without even trying. So when he's gentle, when he pulls himself back...

"Do you miss that guy?" he murmurs.

"No!"

You say it so quickly.

Changbin nods.

"I'm just..." Fuck, why are you suddenly so emotional? "I think I'm...adjusting. Y'know?"

He nods again slowly. Then he reaches up and touches your face, dragging his thumb over the side of your mouth and suddenly your brain waves flat-line. Your eyes widen and your lips part, but before you can even process what's happening, he drops his hand to swipe it on a napkin.

"Had sauce on your face," he mumbles, and you can't read his.

His mouth is tugged up in a small smile but somehow it looks sad, and his eyes look like they're still asking a question that was never really answered. Before you can consider any further, he picks up his plate and heads back toward the living room.

You follow him, still half in your head.

When you sit down next to him, there's something hanging unspoken in the foot and a half of space between your bodies. Something has shifted, gone taut.

Shit, had you made him uncomfortable? Why had you stared at him like a weirdo when he...wait, he touched you...

Your eyes shift over to where he sits beside you. He runs a hand through the wavy hair over his ear. Has he always been so beautiful? He turns quick enough to catch you staring and you put your plate out of your lap. The pizza smells so good but suddenly you can't touch it.

Changbin initiates another round, which you lose in record time. Your stomach grumbles.

"You better eat if you're going to have any hope of beating me again," he goads, finishing off his third slice to abandon the crust with the others on his plate before launching another game.

"I had enough," you deflect, pushing your plate toward him.

"You took two bites."

"I need to cut back."

"Like...go on a diet?"

"Yeah."

His brows furrow and his tongue slips between his lips as he sends Kirby into a hammer flip that lands as a critical hit and you wince.

"What have you eaten today?"

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I...I don't know. I..."

Your stomach twists. The hunger is there, but so is the anxiety. The fear of being judged for eating too much or too quickly or...

The game pauses. Your plate slides back toward you over the carpet.

"The rest of that piece. Or whatever else you want. But something."

His voice is gentle but firm. You sigh.

"Fine," you murmur, grabbing the half-eaten slice.

You take a bite, and slowly raise your eyes to his as they regard you patiently.

"Sorry," you mumble, covering your mouth, shifting away from him.

"Why now?"

"I make gross noises when I eat."

"What? No you d-"

A hand tugs at your elbow. When you look back toward him his handsome face holds so many things, and you watch as they take turns seizing his features. Horror...pity...anger.

"Who told you that?" he asks lowly, but it doesn't sound like a question. "Noona..."

He squeezes your elbow.

You feel everything you've been shoving down in your chest begin to well up.

Fuck, no!

Your lip trembles.

He's shifting to face you.

You shake your head and press your eyes shut.

Your hand is encompassed in a larger one.

"It's lies, all of it," Changbin whispers with desperate conviction...and your dam breaks.

He pulls you into his arms as you sob with abandon. One of his hands encircles your waist tugging you against his broad, warm chest, and the other slips to brush tenderly over your nape as you tuck your face into his neck.

"He's a liar...shhhh...he's a lying piece of shit," he insists earnestly, into your hair. "You're perfect. He's the one who needs to fix himself. You're so, so perfect."

Perfect? You let your heart hold the word in its palm for one precious moment before pushing it away. Your heart had never been one to accept gifts it didn't think it deserved.

You weep and weep in his strong arms until you run out of tears, and then he holds you while you breathe. As the catharsis of your breakdown begins to settle in, you wonder at the comedown - a softer, warmer one than you've ever known – and you consider the loveliness that has broken your fall.

Soft and firm, everywhere he touches you. And warm. So warm. Not just the heat radiating from his body like a furnace – the velvet rasp of his voice, the absolute and unfaltering nature of his embrace.

Your hands move tentatively against his back. Soft cotton stretches and bunches between your fingers over his sturdy frame. Where your face is pressed to his collar every breath draws in a comforting combination of detergent and cologne. When you close your eyes and sigh, letting your weight sink against him further, you feel his arms tighten in response.

"Sorry," you croak feebly.

"Stop," he implores you, "Every time you apologize, I want to sock that guy in the face."

"I...I'm so stupid, I didn't even really realize..."

"No," his arms squeeze you again, "He had your trust. It was his job to protect you."

Protected. That's how you feel right now. Safe. So, so safe. Letting him hold you and reassure you felt good...it felt right. But yet again, the voice in your mind that liked to remind you how much of a burden you always were speaks up in a sickly whisper.

You pull yourself slowly from his arms and off his lap. Drawing yourself up to stand, you wipe your hot cheeks, puffy red eyes finding his like the needle of a compass. Unprepared for what awaits you in his gaze, your knees nearly give out beneath you.

Changbin is looking up from where he kneels before you, the yearning in his eyes unchecked as they burn with an unasked question and an unspoken promise.

"I should go," you whisper, barely able to form the words.

"Don't," he says, standing.

"If I stay I'll just wreck your night," you mumble.

"You could never," he insists, lips tugging into a little smile. His eyes are still pleading.

"Changbin..." you breathe, suddenly drowning again in the fizzy serotonin his words ignite in your chest. "You don't want..."

"You let me be the judge of what I want."

His hands find your arms and he pulls you in. There are centimeters between you. His eyes rest on your lips. Your heart hammers in your ears as your brain begins to malfunction the way it had when he touched your face...

"D-do I have something on my-"

Mouth? His.

The whole of your being floods with something beautiful and ineffable at the touch of his lips and no voice, no doubt, no force in the world could be stronger than the one that pulls you into him. Your arms fly up to wrap around his neck and tug yourself impossibly closer. His hands drop to your waist, pressing desperately in kind, and your bodies mold together. You flush with heat, sparks igniting in your belly and skittering through your veins as his lips move against yours. He stumbles back, pulling you with him as his knees buckle at the edge of the couch, and your body spills over his lap.

Your fingers card into his hair.

His hands drop to the back of your hips.

Your tongue brushes his bottom lip.

He moans.

At the gorgeous, deep sound from his chest, you pull back, fighting the smile that pulls at the corners of your mouth. What the fuck is happening right now? You don't get much time to consider as his head falls against the backrest and his eyes flutter open.

"Sorry," he grins bashfully. The tips of his ears burn pink.

"Now who's apologizing for no reason?" you tease, pressing your hands to his chest.

He smiles so sweetly in return you feel you might physically melt. And then the smile fades and the lids of his eyes grow heavy and he leans up to claim your mouth.

His lips taste the same as a moment ago, but their press is slower, hungrier. His hands are powerful and assertive as they hook under your thighs and pull your hips flush against his own in a single tug. You gasp softly against his lips and you feel his smirk. You feel his smirk and something else - something beginning to press up into your ass through your jeans.

Licking into his mouth, you push down, grinding your hips over his in a slow, deliberate undulation. The groan that falls from his lips unlocks something inside of you that needs to know every sound he makes and how to elicit them. Your mouth drops to his neck.

Suddenly, he's gripping your waist and pivoting to lay you on the cushions, slotting himself between your legs. You're still dizzy from the sudden rush of movement, when your legs curl around his hips and over his ass and–

A loud buzzing from the coffee table has you mourning the press of Changbin's lips to your throat as he glances at the caller ID.

"Shit!" he scrambles to sit up, hand still gripping your thigh above your knee when he presses the phone to his ear.

"Hey," he runs a hand through his hair. "What? Nothing. No, I didn't forget. I will, I will."

You recognize his tone of voice. There could only be one person on the other end of the line. You sit up, your head beginning to clear as the reality of the situation washes over you.

"Okay, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Be safe. Love you."

Changbin presses the end-call button and tosses the phone onto the cushion beside him. He leans back against the couch and claps his hand against your leg with a sigh.

"She really knows how to wreck a moment for me."

You crack a wry smile.

"I mean, it's probably for the best that we don't desecrate your sister's couch."

His eyes widen as horror, disgust, and amusement wage war across his features. You burst into a fit of giggles. He feigns a gag. You laugh so hard that you snort.

"S-sorry," you clap your hand over your mouth, still tittering while your ears heat in embarrassment.

Changbin's face softens again. He reaches for your hand and pulls it from your face, threading his fingers through yours.

"Cut it out."

"What? I can't be embarrassed about snorting like a pig?"

"No. It's cute," he smirks.

"It is not!"

"Mhm. Everything you do is cute."

He glances over at you, a lopsided smirk on his perfect lips, his eyes sparkling. He means it.

You fluster, gaze dropping to your enjoined hands, and concentrate on tracing little patterns on the back of his with your thumb. He sighs.

"Wanna watch a movie?"

The request takes you by surprise and your heart squeezes. If it was any other guy, the night would have been over. For the fourth time tonight, you had been about to head for the door, and for the fourth time, Changbin makes you feel wanted. So you stay.

You grab a big, fluffy blanket from the basket in Nari's room, and when you return, Changbin has the lights dimmed and Your Name ready to go on the TV. You smile as you settle in beside him, tossing half the blanket over his widespread legs.

"We don't have to watch this just because it's my favorite, you know," you insist, but he shakes his head.

"Taki's ma' boy," he smirks, shooting you a glance as he presses play on the remote.

You're not quite sure what it means, but you feel your heart skip a beat just the same.

You love this movie. You love that you've seen it enough times that you can talk through it. You love that Changbin is more than willing to talk over the film himself. You're not certain when it happened, but by halfway through the movie his arm is stretched out behind your shoulders and your head rests on his bicep.

"Do you remember seeing this together in the theater?" he asks suddenly, tilting his head toward yours.

You grin.

"You cried and Nari gave you shit about it," you recall.

"You bailed me out. Told her all the sniffling was you. Never even teased me about it either."

Changbin smiles down at you, his eyes sentimental.

Butterflies flutter their delicate wings in your ribcage. How does he make you feel this way?

Your eyes dip to his lips for a moment. Sighing, you nuzzle into his shoulder, hiding your face as much as seeking his warmth. His arm slips off the back of the couch to curl around your shoulders and pull you into his side. The movie plays on.

When the credits roll, Changbin stretches and yawns, and watching him it dawns on you that, working at a fitness center, he's an especially early riser.

"We should call it a night," you offer, standing and stretching yourself, but you're tugged back down into Changbin's lap, yelping as you topple onto him.

His arms encircle your hips as he regards you with a sleepy grin.

"What, do I live here now?" you tease.

"Stay the night," he urges, tightening his arms around you. "You really want to drive back now?"

You chew your lip, eyes tracing over his face. This is all more than a bit unreal, and you haven't given yourself even one second to process what's happening, lest you utterly panic. All you know right now is that your little ship had been sinking and he had hauled you into a lifeboat. Everything outside of him seems like a raging sea.

You nod.

"Okay," you whisper, combing his hair away from his forehead. “I’ll stay.”

His eyes dip shut at your touch and the butterflies flutter gently once more.

A few minutes later, you take Nari's room and slip into a pair of her cotton shorts, which do basically nothing to contain your ass, and tug on a plain white tee that stretches snugly over your torso. How a big guy like Changbin could have emerged from the same genetic pool as his teeny tiny sister was beyond you. As you glance in the mirror, your heart sinks. You don't like how the tight fit is pressing you out everywhere you're most self-conscious. But, they are just pajamas, and they're all you have at your disposal.

As you're about to head into the master bathroom to finish your nightly routine, you remember that the toothbrush and toiletries you keep on hand at Nari's are in the little half-bath attached to the guest room. You groan, glancing at yourself again in the mirror, and pull a blanket around yourself before crossing the hall.

Hoping Changbin hasn’t yet fallen asleep, you knock hesitantly on the door. You hear the bed creak before the door opens to reveal a head of mussed hair and hands scrubbing over bleary eyes. But it's not what you notice. Your apology for rousing him dies on your lips as your eyes glue themselves to his bare chest. Blinking dumbly, your eyes climb from his soft stomach subtly rippling with the presence of strong abdominals up to a pair of impressive pecs with wide-set, dusky nipples. His flannel pajama pants settle at his hips, accentuating how his body broadens as it rises from his waist to his full chest and wide shoulders flanked by bulging biceps. Thick. He's so fucking thick you could bi-

"...Noona?" he rumbles, his voice husky from sleep. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...sorry..." you rush out, ripping your gaze up to his. "My toothbrush is in your room – I mean! in your bathroom. That's where I usually stay, so...but I didn't think you'd be asleep. Sorry, I can just..."

He rubs over one of his eyes with his palm as he steps aside.

"You can grab it."

Right. You shuffle in awkwardly, trying not to step on the blanket dragging around your feet. As you cross the dark room, you try not to dwell on the rumpled sheets of the bed that speak of his body having lain between them, or the soft smell of his cologne hanging in the air. You quickly retrieve the little toiletry bag and, as you move to squeeze past Changbin at the door, he eyes the fluffy shroud you're clutching to your chest.

He raises a sleepy eyebrow.

"I'm sure Nari has pants you could..."

"I'm wearing pants!" you bluster, "They just...don't fit."

You move out of the doorway to make your way back to your room, but a hand cups the side of your face and turns it as soft lips meet your forehead.

"Good night, noona," he murmurs with a little smile before retreating back into his room.

You stand in the hall, staring at his door, the butterflies absolutely aflurry.

Despite your best efforts, you can't sleep. Your mind is full of the last five hours. Full of Changbin.

He had kissed you. You had kissed him back. And it had felt...

You roll from your side to your back, sighing up at the dark ceiling. You chew on your lip as you remember breaking down and his arms around you. You would usually feel regretful and ashamed after baring yourself like that to someone. You despised moments of weakness. But you couldn't bring yourself to hate the moments in his arms. You didn't regret them. In fact, you wanted him to hold you again. You wanted to feel vulnerable in his hands, and you wanted him to keep you safe.

You feel heat rush up from your neck as you recognize these feelings.

You must be absolutely shameless, you conclude in wonder. You should be freaking out right now - this was Changbin, for Christ's sake – Nari's brother! You should be wondering what happens next, and what all of it means...but even so you can’t bring yourself to care. All your mind can focus on is how his arms felt like waking up after a nightmare to song birds and soft sunlight.

After an hour or so of tossing and turning, the salty pizza from dinner has you parched and slipping out to the kitchen for a drink. You pull a glass from the cupboard and fill it at the fridge, gulping down the contents to refill it again. Suddenly, you feel two strong arms snake around your waist and you start, sloshing your water and smacking the back of your head into the man holding you. You hastily set your glass down and turn in his arms as he lets out a groan, one of his hands releasing you as it flies up to cup the front of his face in pain.

"Bin, oh my god! Are you okay? You scared me!" you chide with a chuckle as you reach up to push his hand away and brush the tips of your fingers across his nose.

He pouts down at you and you smile.

"Did I wake you?"

He huffs.

"Yeah. To get your toothbrush. Then I couldn't go back to sleep."

"Sorry," you groan, still stroking over where you had struck his face. "Does it hurt?"

He nods.

"Kiss it better," he mumbles cutely.

You roll your eyes, but lift your lips to comply when suddenly he interrupts the motion with the soft press of his mouth to yours. It's slow and sweet, and you're struck all over again with how quickly you melt at his touch - a sensation you cannot imagine ever growing accustomed to, but to which you are fairly certain you are in danger of growing entirely addicted.

"Bin..." you whisper against his lips, "Bin, what are we-"

"Liar," he murmurs, pulling back.

Your mouth parts in confusion as you stare up at him, still drunk on his lips.

"You said the clothes didn't fit. You should wear this all the time," he smirks as he squeezes low on your waist.

Your cheeks heat as you remember what you're wearing, but you don't have long to be anxious over it as he presses his lips to your nose...the corner of your mouth...your jaw. You tremble as you lean into him, fingers splaying over his warm, bare chest.

"Let me show you," he whispers against your skin.

"Sh-show me...what...?"

He draws back, pressing his forehead to yours.

"How perfect you are."

You still, eyes flicking up to his. They're dark and tender and pleading. You let out a little shuddering breath.

"I...you don't have t-"

His arms hold you closer, gentle but insistent.

"Let me," he whispers, the tip of his handsome nose brushing over the dip of your cupid's bow. "Please. I want to."

You swallow, eyes dropping to his lips. You want it too, you find. You want his hands and lips and eyes all over you, bringing warmth everywhere they meet your aching body. You nod and take his lips again with yours.

"Yeah?" he murmurs against them.

"Yeah," you breathe, slipping a hand up the back of his neck and into his hair.

He groans in response, deepening the kiss as he licks at your parted lips and when your tongues brush, sparks burst in your belly. You feel it all slipping, the masks, the walls - every barrier you hold up to shield yourself from not being enough. His arms are strong and his lips are tender and you can't focus on anything but the perfection of being so utterly held.

His mouth moves to caress your jaw, under your ear, down the column of your neck, and suddenly you feel the edge of the counter pressing into the small of your back. His hands grip your waist and he hitches you onto the tiled surface with ease. It's cold against your bare legs, but you don't have more than a second to register the discomfort as Changbin nudges his way between your knees. He runs his hands over your thighs as his eyes trail from your panting lips to your lightly heaving chest.

You feel your nipples pebble under his gaze and a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, his eyes glinting with mischief as he runs a hand up your side, over your shirt, to rest under the swell of your breast. He flicks a thumb over the hardened bud and you whimper and jump. He laughs softly, his smirk spreading into a full smile as he squeezes your breast and brings his eyes to yours.

"Your pretty body likes me, noona," he puffs proudly, massaging you deftly through the soft cotton of the tee.

You don't have a witty retort. Your body likes him so much that it frightens you. And with the deep affection you already feel, have long felt, for him...

You reach to gently tangle your hand again in his coarse, dark curls. He glances up, a sweet little smirk tugging at his pretty lips again.

"Bin..." you sigh.

"Hmm?" he hums as he slips his hands to your bottom and tugs you forward so that you're flush against him.

You dip your head and your lips ghost his.

"Nothing," you whisper, and you kiss him again. Again and again.

His hands slide from your ass to slip beneath your shirt at your lower waist and he kneads the soft flesh above your hips.

"So soft. Feels so good," he groans into your mouth.

You moan as the walls of your pussy contract. You're beginning to ache, beginning to drip – and his words seem to affect you as intensely as his touch.

He moves his lips to latch onto the soft skin of your neck and suck, his hands bunching your shirt up and up until his mouth pops free from your skin and he's pulling the thin garment over your head and tossing it aside. The cool air pricks your skin and you become keenly aware, for the briefest moment, that you are sitting on your best friend's kitchen counter, stripped down to her sleep shorts, with her brother between your thighs. As your brain races to decide whether to find that incredibly arousing or absolutely panic-inducing, Changbin's cherry lips rewire your neurological pathways in favor of the former when they close around your right nipple. Your head lolls back, colliding with the cabinet door and it clatters.

"Shit..." you hiss softly, threading your hands into his hair and gripping it by the roots.

Your eyes slip shut and you focus on the sensation of his warm tongue slipping over the peaks of your breasts, his strong, smooth palms cupping and caressing. And then you feel his little puffs of breath and the nudge of his nose at the valley of your chest as he groans and smushes your tits up to meet his face.

"I fucking live here now," he mumbles into the globe of your breast, and despite the heat of the moment, you softly laugh. You laugh and you feel his smile pressed to your skin.

Then suddenly he's pulling you into his arms in a bridal carry. You know he's strong, as you wrap your arms around his neck, but can't push away a pang of self-consciousness as he bears your weight.

"Bin, I'm so heavy..."

"You're not."

"I don't want you to..."

"Stop it," comes his voice in a soft, deep command as he halts in his tracks to kiss you.

He kisses you and kisses you until you believe that he could carry you until the end of time, and then he takes you into the guest bedroom and sits you gently on the bed. The bed with the mussed sheets that smell like him. The sheets that he's leaning you into as you push yourself to the middle of the bed while he hovers over the top of your body, his lips never leaving yours.

As he sinks down over you, the weight of his body pressing you into the mattress has warmth licking through your veins. You move your hands to caress over his broad back, feeling his muscles ripple beneath your fingers as he shifts to prop himself up on his elbow. You use the free space to trace your hand down his chest and abdomen until you reach the waistband of his pants. If he'd just push himself a few inches up you could...

He pulls away, just barely breathless, and his eyes find yours. He reaches down with his right hand to pull yours gently from between your bodies and to his lips, before threading his fingers through yours and pressing your joined hands into the sheets beside your head.

"I want to eat you out."

He says it so simply, so confidently, and you can feel more arousal gush to join what's already begun to paint your inner thighs.

"Fuck..." you breathe, your fingers trembling in his grasp.

"Can I?" he asks, kissing your lips softly again.

For a moment you're afraid of what saying yes will mean, of the intimacy of it all, of the possibility that you won't measure up, someway, somehow, or maybe...that you will - and what in the world you would do with that level of acceptance...

You let out a shaky sigh, as you hold his gaze. It arrests you and washes over you. You remember his eyes as he knelt on the living room floor, and all they pleaded with you to disbelieve, to unlearn.

Yes. Yes...If it's him, you want it, whatever it means.

You surge forward, pressing your lips to his, your hands weaving through his hair, pulling him in. He lets out a tiny whimper as you devour him, kissing him with determined abandon until you have to come up for air.

"Yes, Bin, yes," you shudder into his mouth as he pants over you. “Yes I want you to.”

In answer, he presses one last tender kiss to your lips before moving to kiss down your body. He moves slowly, but with purpose, pressing an adoring mouth to every part of you that’s bared. He kisses your ear, your neck, your collarbones…he moves over your shoulders and down your right arm to the tip of each finger. He kisses your breasts and down your stomach. He kisses your belly button, and over your hips and down your left thigh. He kisses the inside of your knee, and bends your leg to kiss over your calf and down to your ankle.

You can barely watch him, as he brushes his lips over you, but he flicks his eyes up to yours so often you don’t dare look away. There is something flickering in his gaze, something like a challenge - daring you to contradict, to doubt what he seeks to impress upon you - and you begin to feel something strange and new. Something you’d never found at the touch of a lover, blooming in your chest and unfurling like a proud little flower under the sun: the strong, heady beauty of esteeming yourself worthy of his desire. It terrifies you a bit, and the ugly voice that has heckled you so often tries to cast doubt, but Changbin’s lips and hands are too persistent and assured for the harbinger in your mind to linger long. And the tidal wave of lovely feelings crashing over you threatens to destroy the shabby prison your heart has lingered in for so long.

Changbin lays his head on your thigh as he brings his hand off the other to cup your pussy over the softness of your shorts. His groan is nearly as loud as yours when he rubs over your mound, and it makes you impossibly wetter. He’s so unabashed and liberal with reacting to what he enjoys, and he is clearly enjoying you as much as he ever has anything.

He moves to bring his face to your clothed cunt, hovering over you for a nanosecond to catch your eyes as he mouths down over you. Your jaw drops open, and when his teeth scrape dully over your clit, your hips jerk and you fist the sheets. Changbin pulls back with a smirk, and sits back on his knees between your legs. He pulls one of your legs up to lean against his shoulder as his hands instinctively knead over the muscles of your calf and thigh.

“Do you trust me?” he asks, with a little smile.

You nod with one of your own.

“I’m gonna lift you, okay? You can hold onto my legs, but I’ll have you, so don’t worry.”

You bite your lip and nod, suddenly a little shy. Look at him. Where did he get all this confidence?

He drops your leg briefly to tug off your shorts and panties, cursing at how wet you are, and gently slipping two fingers to brush between your glistening lips and over your clit. You gasp at the sensation - his fingers deft, his touch soft but firm where you ache for him. And then, suddenly, he is sliding your legs back up to rest against his chest and shoulders. His hands slip down to your hips and he effortlessly tugs your ass over the incline of his thighs and flush with his abdomen. Your heart starts to thrum in your chest. His body is warm and sturdy against the soft plush of your ass. Heat floods your cheeks when you sense a slickness against him where your arousal has begun to smear against his stomach. He, however, is far less bashful. Widening the gap between your thighs, he dips his head down, inhaling deeply.

"Fuck…" he murmurs, squeezing your legs where he holds them.

When he raises his eyes to yours again, they’re unlike you’ve ever seen. They’re dark and hungry and hooded in a way that nearly intimidates you. His expression is full of heat, and manly in its sudden gravity. He watches you as he slips his thumbs under your waist and, slowly with strong hands, pulls your hips up beneath his chin. Your legs bend at the knees and drape around the crown of his head. Your spine curves where your upper back is flush with his thighs, your arm on either side of his kneeling form, and as he embraces you tightly around the hips and waist, you feel nearly every ounce of your weight suspended in his hold. The blood rushes to your head where it lays against the mattress, your neck curving just shy of his knees, offering a clear view of his gorgeous face as he wastes no time in pressing his open mouth to your labia.

Your core muscles flex in response, hips pressing higher against him as you feel ripples of exquisite pleasure trickle through your body from above. The smooth muscle of his tongue slips past your entrance and begins fucking into you. Your head swims, the slightest dizzying restriction of oxygen dampening your ability to focus on anything but the bliss of his hot, wet mouth. Being tasted has never felt this intense. You whimper, your hands reaching around his body to find purchase on his muscular ass. You feel the press of his throbbing erection into your back as his tongue fucks unhurriedly into you. He’s rock hard, and all for you. From the sight of your naked body, the feel of you in his hands, the taste of you on his tongue. From the sounds pouring off of your lips as he worships your sex.

Your legs begin to shake. You’re so totally in his hands. He holds you, lavishes you, consumes you. Nothing stands between you and ecstasy, and you can feel your climax fast approaching as pleasure ebbs and flows like a crashing tide on the rhythm of his firm, languid strokes.

"Ch-Changbin! Nhhh!" you mewl, you voice throaty and muffled from your position.

He growls against you and you nearly cum then. One of his hands drops to squeeze the soft mound of your right breast. Your cheeks burn, sweat beginning to bead on your forehead and neck. You can feel your pussy throbbing - hot and sticky and swollen with stimulation - as he devours it like the flesh of ripened fruit. His lips encircle your clit and suckle as the tip of his tongue flicks over the erect peak of your bud.

And then it all goes white. You lose all sense but feeling as you rock your hips up to meet him, the tension in your abdominals adding sinfully to the fluttering pulsating of your pussy. There’s nothing but you and him and his arms around you and his mouth against the most intimate parts of you as your orgasm washes over you in electrifying slow-motion, pulling you under a tidal wave of bliss for what seems like an eternity. Your lips part in a silent scream of his name, your eyes pressed shut, as he works you through the longest and most intense climax your body has ever experienced.

You feel him place one last sweet, gentle kiss to your cunt before moving the hand on your breast to one of your thighs as he guides you back down onto the bed. You’re panting and boneless as you watch him draw an arm over his cum-slicked chin and cheeks. For a moment he simply looks down at you, a victorious air about him as his eyes trace your sated features and his gorgeous chest heaves with labored breath, then he crawls forward on the bed, stretching himself out on his side next to you, his body flush with your own. He slips his hand over the soft skin of your belly and rubs it soothingly as he watches you with a little grin.

“You good?” he asks in a raspy murmur.

You reach for his face, bringing it to yours as you kiss him with what wherewithal you have. You pull away, still breathless.

“Am I good? Seo Changbin, I think I could fly.”

His answering smile is so filled with joy and pride and affection that you think you truly may have sprouted wings. You roll to your side to press yourself against him, your hand tugging at the waistband of his pajamas, but he takes your hand again in his.

“Not tonight.”

“Why?”

“Tonight is yours.”

“Bin…”

“I’m yours.”

You blink up at him, his head resting on his hand, his eyes sparkling and soft.

“If you’ll have me,” he raises your hand to his lips to kiss your knuckles. “You don’t have to answer right now. I know you’re going through a lot, and this is all…new.”

He smiles again, glancing down as his features take on a boyish shyness.

“But I care for you. And, however things work out,” his eyes lock with yours again, “I’ll always protect you.”

Your heart stands still. There are things that are too deeply lovely for words to be wasted on them. Any words but three - three that are already deeply true, but which have begun to mean something beautiful and different tonight, burying themselves like a little seed in your heart that needs time to grow. So for now you let yourself cry tears that fall like raindrops in the sunlight, and drift to sleep with the steady beat of Changbin’s heart.

“Ay!” Nari’s voice cuts through the din of chatter as her hand shoots out to narrowly prevent a fellow patron from snagging the chair beside her. “Sorry, seats are taken.”

She takes a sip of her beer and stretches her short legs as far as they will reach across the two empty chairs beside her.

“The guys are gonna have to hustle if they’re gonna sit with us,” she says reproachfully, dark brows rising as her eyes scan the venue for the bodies that belong in the seats you have been desperately attempting to reserve for the last hour.

The Eight Ball is crowded to bursting, and you scan the stage for signs of the evening’s openers. Checking your phone, you find that it’s nearly eight. You also find a text that brings a smirk to your lips.

“What?”

You glance up at Nari, who’s staring at you suspiciously.

“Nothing…” you mumble, flipping your phone back over onto the table. You sip your cocktail through a straw.

“Are you texting him?”

You nearly choke on your drink.

“What? Who?”

“You know who,” Nari mocks, narrowing her eyes at you. “The jerkwad.”

“Oh my god, Nari, no!” you sigh, as your phone buzzes again.

She glances at it.

“Then what was with the look? Who are you…”

“Are these for us?” a voice belonging to a smiling, dimpled young man in a black hoodie with a matching beanie pulled over his head saves you from further explanation.

“Jesus, Chris, finally,” Nari admonishes as he takes the seat next to you, pulling her legs off the remaining chairs to free them up for the other two men that follow behind him.

The freckled blond pulls Nari into a side hug which she returns, booping his nose before leaning across him to peer menacingly at his friend.

“Yo, Jisung,” she barks, “If you’re gonna order several hundred pizzas, how about taking some with you next time? My fridge is still stuffed.”

The young man blinks wide, surprised eyes at her before his brain catches up with her scolding.

“Sorry, but it wasn’t my fault!” he insists poutingly. “I ordered them because Changbin asked me to and then he canceled gaming weekend ‘cause he had a girl over.” he grumbles, causing the other two to snicker.

“Nice,” Chris giggles.

This time you do choke.

Your eyes fly to your best friend, watching the barrage of questions bubbling up on her face when a voice cuts through the din, silencing the crowd and unknowingly saving himself for the time being.

“Good evening, Eight Ballers!” Changbin rasps into his mic as Hyunjin waves, as ridiculously beautiful as ever, beside him.

You look at Changbin’s eyes.

They’re bright and confident and determined. You smile and cheer when he finishes introductions. As the band hits the first few notes of the opening number, his gaze finds yours, and it’s full of so many things.

His eyes sparkle with seven days worth of secrets – of waking up to your eyes and arms, of a weekend of nothing but bare bodies and hearts, of weeknight phone calls until the wee hours of the morning…of a new way of caring for each other that you’ll eventually tell the others, but that is just yours for now.

As you look at him, so full of adoration, you hope you can offer him even a fraction of the new world he’s only just begun to share with you – and the reflection you see a little more beautifully each day in the light of his eyes.

-Fin-

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alliezarin · 1 year ago

Text

my heart has a sweet spot for #alizinc,,

tsun slow burn between my alice and @nari-chanxd’s zinc, our hogwarts legacy’s MCs in a different AU ✨

203 notes · View notes

alessiamalfoyzabini · 8 months ago

Text

Vampire's Kiss | Chapter Two

Pairing | Vampire!Jungkook x Reader

Word Count | 4,4k

Warnings | +18, MC feels a lot of anxiety but Jimin is there for her, she feels inferior under the gaze of the Park family, Mr. Park and Mrs. Park are horrible people, Jungkook enters the scene 👀👀👀👀, attraction (for now only this)

⤷ Summary | Humans have finally unveiled and accepted the centuries-old existence of vampires, in a modern world people share their lives with these peculiar and mysterious creatures, but it is not all roses.

Will two souls belonging to such different species be able to be together?

➢ Author's Note | The second chapter of Vampire's Kiss is here, and Jungkook finally arrives! 👀 Let me know what you think of the story, it is very important to me 🥰❤️

Taglist: @katherine-kookie, @peterstarkchrishiddleston

Taglist is open!

Chapter List - Previous - Next

You are nervous, strolling through your living room back and forth, waiting for the boy who would accompany you to the party, you have worn a simple little black dress for the occasion and heels of the same color, you are the picture of understated and elegant simplicity, your hair instead is tied up in a soft bun that leaves your neck free, except for the thin silver necklace you are wearing.

Yet you do not feel beautiful, whatever you wore would not have served with the Parks, they would always see you the same way, as trash unworthy to stand beside their only son.

In some ways it's for the best, Jimin will get what he wants right away and you'll get out of the way, but it still hurts to be judged that way by people who don't even know you.

You hear the doorbell ring and check yourself one last time in the mirror in the main hallway, your lipstick and mascara are also in place, you take one last breath and go to the door, finding Jimin in all his glory in front of you.

He is wearing a white shirt that is slightly open across the chest, with smartly cut close-fitting pants and a jacket of the same material, his hair is pulled back, leaving his perfectly distended forehead exposed. He is a vision.

He is also wearing a necklace, the pendant of which depicts a silver dagger.

"Wow ... you look simply stunning," he says with a huge smile that brings his eyes to smile in turn.

"Thank you, you always are," you chuckle in response, he shakes his head.

"I'm used to girls giving me compliments, but when the compliments come from you they taste better" a subtle reference to whether you were such a bitch that you rarely gave him any?

Possibly.

He extends his arm to you, which you gladly take and together you leave your apartment.

"I'm sure the best are your girlfriend's," you say casually, curious to see how he would react. You are not surprised by the devoted look that outlines his features. That's just the way Jimin is, he gives the impression of being a hardened playboy, but he gives his heart and soul to his better half.

"Yes, the best ones are Nari's."

From there on, the walk to his car, an Audi TT Coupe, is fairly quiet on both of your parts, only the sound of your heels tapping on the asphalt bridges a bit the little space that divides both of you, you clasp your stole over your shoulders, not because you feel cold, it's a way to protect yourself from whatever would happen. It is strange to stand arm in arm with Jimin, dressed up and ready to threaten his parents with marriage if they did not heed his wish. It is strange to stand arm in arm with Jimin knowing that he has a real girlfriend awaiting his triumphant return.

Nari. She sounds familiar, you've heard her name before.

You can't think beyond that, Jimin unlocks the doors and the scent of new and clean welcomes you inside the Audi, Jimin adores the car just like a daughter, and you wouldn't be surprised to learn that only a few people have had the opportunity to climb aboard.

The boy makes the turn and finally gets behind the wheel, the sound of the engine being started catches you slightly off guard, Jimin gives you a mischievous look.

"Excited?"

You stare at him with wide eyes, "You shouldn't say such things now that you have a girlfriend, you know?" Jimin's smirk disappears immediately, and there you feel guilty.

"Wow...my human girlfriend bites like a wolf," he whispers, a boulder settles on your chest when he says so, "Hey...it'll be okay, I told you it's just for tonight, yeah?"

You nod, but you still have something to ask him.

"Does she know? That I'm going to pose as your girlfriend, I mean."

The last thing you want is to antagonize his real girlfriend, too.

"Of course she knows, she said anything goes as long as it works," he sighs looking at the traffic in front of him, "You're our last hope for a happy ending, if this doesn't work either.... it will mean that I will give up my name and my rights as an heir, I have a job and my boss is also my best friend, no matter what, I won't be in trouble" he mutters darkly.

Of course, Jimin does this for his parents, even if outdated, he loves them and wants to have a chance to stay by their side, how can you blame him.

You also love your father and mother, even though your father does not see eye to eye with vampires and is influenced by your sister. In spite of everything, they remain your only family and you owe them a lot; they adopted you even though they knew nothing about your previous life; they are good people who care about them and your welfare. For many years humans have been prey to vampires; so it is natural that a man of your father's age should feel some fear and hatred for them, you only hope that he will soon adapt to the new age, he cannot remain locked in his memories forever.

You gently squeeze his arm, as if to comfort Jimin in a way, "I hope for you that this 'plan' succeeds as best as possible."

He gives you a look, before giving you a little wink.

"You are not a human, but an angel."

You giggle, losing your gaze outside, among the speeding cars, the pedestrians waiting on the sidewalk for their bus, as the city lights brighten the entire environment. Your reflection in the window returns your glance, you're tense, you've never teased anyone and you're also a bad actress, you even told Jimin, but he insisted that you just have to stick to what he would say, that's all.

Jimin turns right and before you is the intriguing and luxurious appearance of the hotel hosting Seokjin and all his guests.

"The party will have already started, we'd better hurry."

The guy gets out of the car and runs to open the door for you without you asking him, you are pleasantly impressed and let him take you inside without a fuss, even though you are actually dying to imagine who knows what scenario. Will you be the only human? Or will you find some of your own kind? Will Jimin's parents freak out in front of everyone?

Shaking your head, you need to calm down.

"Don't be like that, I can smell your agitation," Jimin whispers as he leads you into the lobby, shows his invitation to a waiter who smiles politely at you, making his way to the area dedicated to the restaurant, it's crazy, everything is decked out in warm colors and silk ribbons, it looks more like a wedding than an engagement.

You peer through the crowd of people talking, everyone is seated at a table of four, further along is a longer table, and seated in the center next to a woman is Seokjin himself, his profile is ravishing, as is the skin that seems to be made of porcelain, he brings a goblet of wine to his lips as he nods at the words an elderly man is murmuring to him. The woman next to him is ethereally beautiful, you can tell right away that she is a vampire, both of them seem meant to be together.

"This way, baby" Jimin's serious expression alarms you, you look across and see them, father and mother Park.

They are both sitting at a practically empty table, their faces stiff and stern, but also remarkably beautiful. Park Sr. is practically a slightly older Jimin, while looking at his mother you realize where her son inherited those magnificent rosy lips from.

"Mother..." Jimin bows slightly, giving a faint kiss on the hand that his mother promptly extends to him, his father on the other hand nods in greeting, but neither parent shows that they have noticed your presence. You are about to vomit.

"Father, this is Han Y/N," Jimin says, gallantly shifting a chair to seat you in front of the woman who stares at you casting baleful glances.

"I know who the young lady is, Jimin ... you already introduced us to her several years ago," the father replies, at least he doesn't display the blatant disgust his wife is addressing to you instead; he's good at hiding it, "But I don't understand what she's doing here."

You tighten your lips, trying to moisten them somehow, and take advantage of a waiter's arrival to ask for water; you don't feel like drinking alcohol that night.

You glance sidelong at Jimin, but he smiles with absurd naturalness.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to give her a chance to have a word with Jin."

"How so?"

People start clapping and you see Seokjin get up from his seat laughing at something the woman said to him, you are sweating.

"Work stuff," the young man says vaguely, you venture to stare at Mrs. Park, she has not looked away from you, she is aware that there is more to it, a mother's instinct is rarely wrong.

"Just this?" the father then inquires, you huddle in your shoulders.

Jin began his speech.

"I thank you all for being here today, as you may know I have developed with the help of my trusted friends a dating site..."

The older man narrowed his eyes, "Well, Jimin?"

"It's getting harder and harder to find love nowadays, Vampire's Kiss was born for just that, to help lonely hearts find their missing piece..."

"You are right, there is more."

"And with happiness I am pleased to announce that unexpectedly I have also found my missing piece."

Jin takes the hand of the woman sitting by his side, and leaves a sweet kiss on her wrist, the hall erupts in loud applause filled with joy, "She is my fiancée," he thus drops the bombshell.

Amidst the congratulations of the guests, Mr. Park stares at you with huge eyes, while his wife cannot resist any longer.

"What?!" she exclaims horrified, "Are you out of your mind! You already have a perfect woman to marry! You can't do this to us, idiot son!" she growls breathlessly, her husband trying to calm her down with short pats on the hands.

"Darling, calm down...I'm sure we heard wrong, there was applause, Jimin definitely said something else" he sends a warning to his son with one expression, but Jimin is not intimidated.

"I'm afraid not, father... you two understood my words very well, she is my fiancée," he says with a confidence that you definitely do not have at that moment.

Father's face turns granite, he immediately shifts to you and you almost squeak, "Is that true? Speak up, damn!" he blurts out imperiously, your guts twisting, but before you can even respond, Jimin jerks up.

"I would appreciate a calmer attitude from you, you are scaring her and I don't like that," he hisses in their direction.

"We, on the other hand, would like to talk to you privately" Mrs. Park takes her husband with her, prompting Jimin to follow them, but before going the boy lightly hugs your shoulders as if to give you some sort of security.

"Go ahead, I'll be fine," you say with a smile, then see him disappear behind a door.

You're left alone watching couples and families talk about this and that, some have gotten up to greet Seokjin personally and you feel like a fish out of water, you can't even go and talk to him about the deal, it's not the right situation for such a topic, he seems so happy... and you're so nauseated by what just happened. You are grateful to Jimin for not letting you talk, because you surely would have been a stammering mess.

You sigh as you get up, maybe a breath of air is what you need to recover a little from all the fuss that has surely been raised, even as a fake girlfriend you suck.

You go to the balcony, it's nice and big and the hotel treats itself well, it overlooks a vast flower garden with a fountain that surely in the morning the birds use to freshen up, the moon high in the sky illuminates the whole area, casting mysterious shadows around, it all seems so...

"... beautiful."

You look around with wide eyes, was it you who said that?

No, it couldn't have been you, the voice sounded nothing like yours, it had a timbre ... masculine and hypnotic.

Looking suspiciously at every corner of the balcony, only to catch a glimpse of a tall figure in the shadows, you inhale deeply.

"Excuse me?" you ask, incredulous. How long has it been there? And why didn't you notice anything?

"I'm sorry..." a man comes out of the shadows, "You didn't get scared, did you? I didn't mean to scare you."

The first thing you think of as you look at him is that he could not have been human like you. His appearance is as bewitching as it is extraordinary.

His pupils have been engulfed by the darkness of the night, they are so deep that you feel a strange attraction draw you into those eyes, you cannot look away from his. But aside from the hypnotic coloring, the shape of his eyes gives him the sweetest look, despite the piercings that decorate the entire arch of his ears, his right eyebrow and even one side of his lower lip, fleshy and scarlet... inviting.

The well-defined jaw line and powerful physique make you think he is the kind of person who works out regularly to stay strong and healthy, he is really beautiful.

Such a man has to be a vampire, a forbidden dream.

You shake your head suddenly, remembering his words.

"N-No, you didn't scare me! Just surprised... I wasn't expecting someone here, they're all talking in there."

His face breaks into a shy smile, in your stomach butterflies begin to flap their delicate wings.

"I noticed it too, but I only know Seokjin and didn't see any other familiar faces, so I preferred to admire the moon.... it's beautiful, isn't it?" his gentle voice is a boon to your ears, after the sharp and inquisitive looks of the Park family, this boy is giving you some peace.

"Yes ... really beautiful" you smile, then extend a hand, "I'm Han Y/N, nice to meet you" you introduce yourself in a lively tone, but he stares at your hand for a few seconds, so long that you think you've done or said too much. You try to withdraw it uncomfortably, but to your surprise he reaches for it, and instead of a handshake as you expect, you see him politely bow his head, leaving an imperceptible kiss on the back of your hand, it's barely a brush, but a flush of heat reaches your cheeks and you feel a strange tingling sensation there where he lightly placed his lips, you've never experienced a hand-kiss, and few knew how to do it nowadays, but he was perfect, not at all vulgar or slimy.

Before fully raising his head, he lifts his eyes nailing yours, from that angle his gaze takes on a predatory hint, which disappears in a flash when he returns to a more natural position.

With surprise you have to breathe deeper to stop your arousal from rising, you don't know if vampires can feel such a change, you hope not.

"Oh...I didn't expect that," you giggle in embarrassment, he follows.

"My mother raised me that way, in her time it was a pleasant duty" he explains, and that is the certainty you were looking for, he is a vampire, "My name is Jungkook, Jeon Jungkook to be exact."

Jeon... Jeon... Jungkook?

Of course, you remember now. He's Kim Seokjin's manager, he handles most of his work commitments, maybe you could ask him for a little help.... No! You can't. You're at an engagement party, goodness! Jimin would take care of it, as he has already promised.

The guy in front of you looks around, "Did you come here with someone or do you know Jin?"

Okay, you came here as a fake girlfriend and technically you should support your best friend's plan, but looking at Jungkook something tells you that you shouldn't tell him such a lie, you don't know why-something in your brain says to seize the moment.

"I'm here with a friend of mine, he didn't have anyone to accompany him so I offered, did you?" you ask, his smile growing brighter and his perfect skin darkening the moon itself.

"I came alone, I had no one to ask," he shyly shrugs his shoulders and almost squeaks with tenderness, how can a guy so attractive and with such a size, also be infinitely cute?

The rhythm of a foreign song began to resound from the hall, you cast a quick glance at the stained glass windows and besides the reflection of the two of you you see numerous couples holding hands and moving to those notes, Seokjin is there too, he must have opened the dance. You envy them all. Even those who didn't know how to dance most likely threw themselves boldly onto the dance floor, you on the other hand are just good at blocking yourself like a piece of marble.... Jimin often teases you for this reason.

A little embarrassed you look at the tips of your shoes, not sure how to continue the conversation, you're such a dork.

"Do you want to dance?"

That question sends you into a tizzy.

You like Jungkook so much, but you don't know how to dance, and your instincts are screaming at you to tell him a sharp no right away, but the butterflies in your stomach want to push you to accept.

"Here... I would gladly accept, but I don't know how to dance and to tell the truth I always freeze, I'm not suitable," you chuckle sadly, but he tilts his head slightly, in his eyes you can see a spark of amusement.

"You only talk like that because you've had the wrong dance partners, give me a chance" he is firm in what he says, but you know you would only look like an idiot.

"I'd make you look bad, I don't want to ruin the reputation of a guy I just met" you try to joke, Jungkook takes two more steps toward you, you find him practically with his chest inches from your face, he's damn tall.

"In that case I will pretend to be a bad dancer, and then everyone will look at me, I will take responsibility for everything.'

'They'll look at you anyway, and wonder why a walking bag of blood is hanging from your divine arm' you think regretfully.

You sigh, only to find yourself nodding, there's no harm in trying, and then when would you have a similar encounter again?

Jungkook gives the impression of being one of those guys you only meet once in a lifetime.

You earn a smile from him with his teeth firmly in view, not only are they as white as the best porcelain in the country, but among them, two in particular have the typical sharp points that make vampires deadly predators, you feel the urge to reach out a hand and feel under your fingertips how sharp they can be, you stop only because he was quick to take you to the dance floor before you can change your mind, and with the light of the room you finally get a chance to study his clothes, he's wearing a cream-colored silk shirt, it comes down soft and loose but does nothing to hide the hard lines on his back and chest, his pants instead are tight against his skin and highlight the full power of his thighs.

Shit, you won't get out of it.

"It's a slow dance, you just have to put your hands here" gently he brings your arms around his neck, your hands graze his shoulders and your heart misses a beat, his sweetest eyes don't leave your face for a single moment, attentive to your reaction when his arms encircle your hips, "And then you have to follow the song, accompanying your body to mine" he whispers in your ear, you are trembling and hope he doesn't notice, a weight is falling on your legs, it's happening again. You are afraid to dance, people's judgment has always upset you, you will make him look bad.

You try to pull away from Jungkook, who in response just tightens his grip, now you're both an inch away from touching each other completely and his eyes seen from so close are absolutely a sight, oh god... his dark lashes are so long and his skin glows with a life of its own.

"Hey, hey... take it easy and look around, no one is paying attention to us, just move as your instinct tells you" you barely understand his words, his lips are in the foreground and you can see every scarlet ripple of their soft, shiny skin, you notice every little mole adorning his face, you swallow hard.

That's right, no one is looking at you to your relief, you nod and begin to move slowly, simply following his body. You frown, it's not so bad.

Well, it's still a slow one, you just have to rock a little and....

"I'm sorry to ask you like this and maybe I'm sounding intrusive-" he lowers himself to the crook of your shoulder, inches from your neck, his icy breath sparks little shivers on your skin and your nostrils are invested with his captivating, fresh scent, "Is there anyone in your life yet?"

Your eyelids begin to flicker, caught as you are by his scent you almost choke on your own saliva at his words.

He gives you a worried look, "Sorry, - he chuckles uncomfortably - I don't usually do that."

"No! I mean, I mean, relax! You didn't sound strange or intrusive," you quickly set the record straight, what sounds strange is your figure clasped in the arms of such an absolutely wonderful being as he is, "Anyway.... define 'someone' " you try not to look around the room, if you had seen Jimin's parents you would have died instantly.

You see him tighten his lips into an absolutely adorable expression, "I don't know… like a boyfriend, or a husband ... or someone you're dating," you think of Jimin, technically for that night you're his girlfriend, but you can't fake it in front of Jungkook, even if it's a stranger you'll never see again.

"No, actually no...what about you?" you choose honesty, plus you're curious too, does he have someone to go back to?

His smile returns to relax features once contracted with worry, afterwards he shakes his head.

"Neither have I, I've just had bad experiences, unfortunately," he pauses in the middle of the room, at first you don't understand what his intentions are, you see him move a few inches closer to you and everything about him screams a certain amount of seriousness, "But seeing you there, under the moonlight, I-"

"Baby!"

You widen your eyes, see Jungkook freeze and inside you scream in despair, why? Why did Jimin have to come right now?

Jungkook was saying something important, you feel it, and now he is simply walking away from you. A chasm opens in your chest. You want to kill Jimin, and then drown yourself in the valley of your own tears. You turn to cast a furious glance at the one who calls himself your friend.

"Jimin..." you hiss, he must have realized he's interrupted something because you notice him pale, more than he already is.

"Um... Jungkook?" he turns to the boy next to you, which makes you wince since he looks anything but pleased at the interruption. His contracted jaw gives him a dangerous air that you didn't think was possible in a sweet guy like him. But after all, you've known him for a little over half an hour; anything could have been possible.

"Do you two know each other?" he asks stiffly, before Jimin can answer him, you get in the way.

"Yes! He's the friend I accompanied to the party, rather ... do you two know each other too?" you feel nervous, not expecting such a turn of events.

Jimin nods, "We've been friends for years and we also work together."

Oh, great. Now you can go bury yourself. You're Jimin's fake girlfriend and you've ambiguously spent time with one of his friends.

"I didn't expect to find you here, you usually never attend events like this... you say couples make you lonely," Jimin teases him, but Jungkook just shrugs.

"My instinct was telling me to come, at least this time..." he casts you a brief glance, "But I think it's getting late for me, I'll leave you to your knight" with the last sentence he turns to you, and you don't miss his facial rigidity, you want to ask him to stay, but the words don't come out of your mouth. You have to stick to the plan; it would have been strange for the Parks to see their son's girlfriend dancing with another man all evening.

You watch him walk away into the crowd with regret, Jimin coughing slightly.

"I'm sorry... did you like him?" he asks cautiously, you sigh.

"No, it's okay... it's my fault, I got too carried away when tonight was all about you," you reply.

"Don't say that, you make me feel like a monster" he whimpers, a feeling of emptiness takes hold throughout your body, "I could arrange for you to go out together" he proposes, but you shake your head in denial.

You feel somehow that you have let Jungkook down, you don't know why, but you won't have the courage to talk to him again.

You turn to Jimin, "What happened with your parents? Did you tell them what your intentions are?"

The boy returns an apologetic expression to you, "In truth..."

#bts #bts fanfic #bts fanfiction #jungkook fiction #jungkook fic #jungkook x reader #vampire jungkook x reader #jungkook imagine #bts vampire au #bts smut fanfiction #bts smut #bts fanfiction smut #bts x reader #bts x you #jungkook x you #vampire bts #bts ff #jungkook smut #jeon jungkook smut

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jerzwriter · 3 months ago

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Mono~poly Chapter 5: Beautiful Days

A Tobias x Casey AU - Information and Notes

AU Premise: What happens when something that was supposed to be just fun turns into something real? When true love enters the equation between two people who view the very concept of love in different ways, can it work? In this alternate universe, we'll follow Casey and Tobias (and some others along the way) on their journey, where a happy ending is what both desire, but (as in life) nothing is guaranteed.

Fandom: Open Heart, Choices** Pairing: Tobias Carrick x Casey MacTavish F!MC Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Jackie Varma and OCs: Vivian Carrick, Jordan Carrick, Rose D'Allesandro, Addie Larkin, David MacTavish, Peter MacTavish, Diana Ellington-Rourke Rating: Teen Words: 5,300

Chapter Summary: The chapter begins with friends and family gathering for Tobias and Casey's big day. There is much revelry to be had, but for some, emotions run high. Later, the couple has settled into a happily married life where the honeymoon never seems to end. But as they prepare to celebrate their third anniversary, Casey receives an offer that is hard to refuse. Will that change things?

A/N: Participating in @choicesaugustchallenge Day 30 - Summer Wedding. A huge thank you to @angelasscribbles for prereading this for me!

The news spread like wildfire. It only took days for all of Boston to be abuzz over the engagement of Drs. Tobias Carrick and Casey MacTavish; it only took a few more before it was news in their hometowns, too. The announcement was met with a blend of joy and levity. While those who knew him had had a few years to get used to Tobias trading his swinging single life, and most were thrilled about his union with Casey, a dose of good-natured ribbing was bound to take place.

His mother, Vivian, was overjoyed and initiated her plans to deliver an August wedding that would leave people talking for years at once. With two confirmed bachelors as sons, she never thought she’d live to see this day, and she wasn't containing her excitement. When she stopped in to see Casey the morning of the wedding, she informed the young woman that she was erecting an altar for her daughter-in-law-to-be in her backyard, and Casey wasn't sure if she was joking.

In Casey’s corner of the world, her mother, Rose, was equally enthusiastic. Her reaction warmed Casey’s heart despite her fears over the inevitable conversations about how her father, David, would fit into the wedding plans. Those negotiations were fraught with tension and left Casey in tears - that’s the thing about the emotional baggage childhood delivers: it never fully goes away.

But Tobias was having none of it; he was totally serious about eloping if they failed to get their act together, and Casey was completely on board. That ultimatum was all Vivian needed to hear before she put the fear of God into both the D’Allesandro and MacTavish families. She promptly called a meeting, telling Tobias and Casey that she would take care of it all. Within an hour, Vivian emerged from the locked room with a satisfied grin and nary a hair out of place, assuring, “They will behave.”

Now, after months of planning and fuss... the day was finally here. It was time to celebrate the happy couple's love and commitment, and they were on top of the world.

After a chaotic morning, Casey was enjoying a quiet moment alone before the ceremony began. The soft hum of voices and laughter of guests who had gathered outside seeped through the venue’s walls as she adjusted the final touches of her wedding gown, its delicate lace and satin catching the light just so when Ethan entered the room.

His arrival went unnoticed. So, he leaned against the doorframe, allowing himself a few precious moments to take her in. A broad smile tugged at his lips, despite a hint of sadness lingering in his eyes. Clearing his throat to make his presence known, he moved toward her with the ease and familiarity of their long-standing bond.

“It’s not too late to run away,” he said with a playful grin. “Just say the word, and I’ll drive the getaway car.”

Casey turned toward him, her smile bright as her eyes met his. Ethan. Her dear friend, Ethan. While some might balk at a bride having her former lover as one of her bridal attendants, Tobias wholeheartedly supported her choice. He understood the depth of their friendship and was pleased that Casey would have him by her side on this special day. He wanted nothing more than for his bride to have everything her heart desired.

“Come on, Ethan," she teased. "You and Tobias buried the hatchet years ago. Do you really want to hurt him that bad?”

“Of course I don’t," he smiled. "And that would absolutely kill him.” He took a deep breath, his eyes still reflecting the bittersweet emotions in his heart. “You look absolutely stunning, Casey. You’re going to take Tobias’s breath away.”

“Thank you,” she blushed.

“He doesn’t deserve you – you know that, right?”

Casey winked playfully and adjusted the layers of her skirt. “I know!”

The tender moment burst when Jackie rushed into the room, her nervousness palpable. “Hate to bust this party up, but the photographer needs us in 15 minutes, and I have to finish getting the princess camera ready.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Not ready? She's gorgeous! How can you improve on that?”

Casey chuckled softly. “See, I told you I needed him around to bolster my ego! But I do have some last minute touches to complete.” She shooed Ethan away. “Go - go join the other attendants and have fun. I’ll be down before you know it.”

Jackie clapped her hands the moment Ethan exited the room. “It’s almost showtime! You ready?”

Casey beamed with a joy that radiated from inside. “You better believe I am! I can’t believe it’s already time!”

Jackie looked at her friend in the mirror, her smile faltering just a bit. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. “But you do have the prenup in order, right?”

The smile fell from Casey's face. “Jackie! Is that any way to talk to me 30 minutes before my wedding?” She tried to keep the mood light, but there was an unmistakable trace of annoyance in her voice. But it would take more than that to deter Jackie.

“You didn’t answer?”

Casey’s heart sank as she turned to her friend. “His family’s attorneys sent one over last week, but Tobias lost his mind. He insisted he didn’t want one; we’re going to be together forever, so…”

Jackie rolled her eyes, and it didn't go unnoticed. “Jackie, really? You’re my maid of honor! Tell me you’re joking about this! These are supposed to be the happiest moments of my life.”

Jackie’s internal struggle had her light-headed. She loved Casey, and she loved Tobias, too. She couldn’t deny their relationship had proven even the greatest skeptics wrong; they’d be relationship goals personified if not for that one promise. She was the only one who knew Casey had made it three years before, and if Tobias ever called in the offer of dabbling in non-monogamy, she wasn’t confident her friend would be able to handle it; if that happened, she doubted their marriage would survive. Still, Casey was relying on her, so Jackie forced herself back to the present.

“You know I’m an asshole,” she grinned. “I’m joking, girl. I love you, and I love Tobias, too. Come on. Let’s get you ready to marry your man.”

Casey took a deep breath as Jackie delicately placed the veil on her head. She’d have to be a fool to pretend she couldn't read Jackie's thoughts. Yet, at this moment, her heart was overflowing with joy, leaving no room for doubts. She loved Tobias with all her heart, and his love for her ran just as deep. She couldn’t imagine being happier than she was today. Yes, Casey was confident... this was forever.

The ceremony went off without a hitch; a Hollywood director couldn’t have scripted it better. Tobias wiped away tears as Casey walked down the aisle. She had opted to walk alone, and at that moment, he silently promised she’d never be alone again. Casey had struggled to hold back her tears - her make-up was flawless, after all - but her husband’s heartfelt vows diminished her resolve. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the officiant pronounced them husband and wife; the joy was unmistakable.

Vivian had meticulously planned the reception to be an elegant affair, but with Tobias & Casey as the bridal couple, there was bound to be some debauchery. Still, the revelry was kept in check, and after a couple of hours of staying glued to each other’s side, they began making the rounds. Tobias was on the dance floor with his friend Addie, who Casey had finally managed to wrangle into a bridesmaid’s dress.

“And they said it couldn’t be done,” Addie grinned.

“Ehh, that was a long time ago. Tell me you haven’t expected this from the moment I met Casey?”

“The moment? No. Absolutely not,” Addie laughed. “A year in... mmmm... maybe. But all I know is I’ve never seen you smile like this. I’m really happy for you, T.”

Tobias’s beamed, his face a picture of pride, joy, and contentment. “Thank you. I’m happy for me, too.” As they continued to dance, Addie leaned in closer, and Tobias returned to the playful banter that marked their friendship.

“Hey, I just realized... you’re here alone tonight. You’re always whining that you only get plus ones on your invites. Casey and I give you a plus two, and who do you bring? No one!”

“Relax!” she chortled. “It wasn’t intentional. My boyfriend is traveling with his band, and my girlfriend was going to come, but her Mom got sick, and she had to fly back to Dallas yesterday.”

“That’s too bad. I was hoping to get to know them better; I swear you’re hiding them from me.”

“That’s not true,” she insisted. “The three of us are just pretty independent. But on the upside, I’m here stag, so if I run into any cute guests...”

Tobias barked out a laugh, “They won’t have a chance against you!”

Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find his mother, resplendent in an emerald green satin gown. “Mind if I cut in?” she asked.

Addie raised her hands with a playful smile. “As if I’d argue with you, Vivian.” She gave Tobias a quick kiss on the cheek before hurrying off.

Tobias took his mother in his arms, his heart full of love and gratitude. “Have I mentioned how grateful I am for all you’ve done for us today?”

“A few times,” she nodded. “But please continue. I think I'm entitled to hear it multiple times since you made me wait so damn long for this day."

Tobias chuckled, and then his gaze landed on Casey. “I think it was worth the wait, don’t you?”

Vivian followed his line of sight and nodded with a smile. “Absolutely! Casey is a gem. I love her as if she is my own." She turned back to her son with a sigh. "You did good, Tobias. Now, don’t mess this up!”

“I promise, Mom. See that smile on her face? I intend to make sure she looks that way every day for the rest of her life."

“That’s what I want to hear,” she smiled as they swayed to the music. “Is she enjoying the day?” taking a half-step back, she changed her tone. “Has her family been behaving?”

Tobias winced slightly, and Vivian knew he was grappling to decide if he should tell her the truth. “Overall, yes... but her Father and one of his relatives were overheard discussing how relieved they are that she ended up marrying a man.”

“Oh, for God’s sake!” Vivian spat. “Do I need to intervene?”

“No,” Tobias laughed. “We don't want bloodshed at the wedding, Ma. Besides, Casey shook it off, and her cousin, Peter, made it very clear that they needed to knock it off. Let’s just say I’m confident there won’t be any more incidents.”

“Well, as long as Casey is all right.”

“She is; she told me nothing is going to spoil today for her... for us.”

“I’m glad,” Vivian smiled. “Because this is a glorious day and if anyone messed it up... no promises on the bloodshed.”

The reception was winding down, but the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music still filled the air. Casey was sitting at a table with friends, their spirits high as they recounted funny stories from the past and talked about the day’s events. Casey had her head tilted back in laughter when Tobias slipped up behind her and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

“All right, this has been the best day of my life, baby, but we have a honeymoon in Bali to get to... and honey... do I have plans for you.”

Sienna raised an eyebrow as she put down her drink. “So, what you’re saying is, in a couple of days, this will be demoted to the second or third best day of your life?”

Tobias’s brother Jordan chuckled from the other end of the table. “Well, their honeymoon is 14 days long, so this is going to be his 15th best day real soon.”

Casey rolled her eyes as the group burst into laughter, and then she looked at Jackie and Sienna’s way. “I should go get changed. Jackie, Sienna, mind helping me out of this dress?”

“Hey!” Tobias interjected with a teasing grin. “Isn’t that my job?”

“There will be plenty of time for that on the honeymoon,” Casey winked, giving him a gentle shove before she headed off, leaving Tobias and his friends behind. He ordered a bottle of the restaurant’s finest Scotch to continue the celebration. When it arrived, Ethan took it in hand, visibly approving the choice. He poured a glass for everyone as the toasting began.

“Here’s to Tobias!” Bryce started. “The man who swore he’d never do something as crazy as this, and look at him now... he’s totally whipped.”

“Seriously,” his brother, Jordan, chimed in. “I’m so happy, and not just because you took some family pressure to get hitched off of me! As the now sole confirmed bachelor of the Carrick family, I wish you the very best... Casey is precious - now, don’t screw this up!”

Ethan was the next to go. “To Tobias. You’ve married a wonderful woman. Casey’s very lucky but nowhere near as lucky as you. Remember to appreciate every moment.”

“Salut!” the friends toasted as Ethan forced a smile. Seated at Tobias’s side, his friend Addie looped her arm in his and raised her glass.

“Hey, I’m not getting left out of this!” she insisted with a grin. “Cheers to my dear friend Tobias—the one person I thought was less likely to settle into monogamy than me. Just look at you proving us all wrong. But I get it... Casey is amazing, and I’m genuinely, truly happy for you.”

“Thank you," he winked. "So, you gonna join me over here on this monogamy train."

“Oh, no fucking chance!” Addie laughed.

There was only one person left, Casey’s cousin Peter. Both were only children, and they grew up closer than most siblings, and all eyes were on him when he raised his glass.

“Tobias, I’ve watched the love between you and Casey grow over the past three years. It’s hard to believe, but every time I see you, it appears to deepen and grow. I couldn't be happier for both of you. Here’s to a future filled with love, laughter, and everything your hearts desire. But remember... be good to her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of treating her any other way," Tobias insisted.

“Good,” Peter laughed, giving Ethan’s shoulder a playful slap on the shoulder. “Then you’ll save the two of us the trouble of having to dispose of your body.”

They all raised their glasses and drank. The warmth of the Scotch reflected the warm feeling in the room. Surrounded by love and well wishes, Tobias and Casey continued their journey. Neither could wait for the life they were about to build.

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

The fluorescent lights in the diagnostic team’s office created the illusion of midday, even as dusk approached outside. What had once been a sterile, impersonal space had transformed over the years, thanks to Casey’s loving touch. Shelves that were once filled solely with medical journals and textbooks now showcased lush plants and carefully chosen photos. Ethan had initially approved the more formal shots— the team at award dinners, conferences, and the like—but Casey had managed to slip in some candid moments, too. Memories that highlighted the friendship the members of the team shared. Now, photos of them at local festivals, picking pumpkins in the fall, turning green at amusement parks, and smiling on a sunset cruise dotted the room. She had argued that they spent more time at work than they did at home, so their space should reflect that. Eventually, Ethan relented—with Casey involved, no one was surprised.

That cozy spot was where Casey, Ethan, and Jackie found themselves today as their workdays wound down. The faint hum of hospital activity provided a soothing background noise as their conversations turned to weekend plans. Ethan was attending a philharmonic concert, Jackie wanted nothing more than to catch up on sleep, and Casey couldn’t have been more excited to celebrate her third wedding anniversary.

“Three years already? How is that possible?” Jackie marveled.

“You made it to three years!” Ethan joked. “How is that possible?”

“Meh,” Casey smirked. “We have oodles of kinky sex and great communication – we’re set for life!”

“Ugh,” Jackie groaned. “Did you have to bring the conversation there, Ethan?”

“Me?!” He protested. “Casey’s the one who turned this conversation.”

“Don’t act all puritanical, Dr. Ramsey!” Casey laughed. “My third wedding anniversary should bring back good memories for you, too.”

“This again?” Ethan moaned. “When are you going to let it go?”

“As soon as you call her! You convincing Addie to go home with you once after my wedding is not enough to satiate me! You should know that! You two would be so good together.”

“Wait! Is that how he told you it happened!” Jackie jumped in. “I was there, and Addie was the one doing the seducing. Ramsey didn’t stand a chance.”

Ethan took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It was a one-time private thing. You all really have to move on.”

“Fine!” Casey sighed. “I’ll just go on representing the happily married contingent of the diagnostic team for the foreseeable future.”

Just then, Tobias entered the room, his larger-than-life presence immediately commanding attention.

“Is that my beautiful wife talking? If so, you represent that contingency very well, baby.” With effortless charisma, he leaned over Casey’s chair and placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

“Great. Now we’re subjected to these two,” Ethan grumbled as Jackie groaned in agreement.

“What?” Tobias grinned as he poured a cup of coffee. “We’re at work! I know how to contain myself, you know.”

The room went silent as three sets of eyes stared at him incredulously. “All right, all right,” he smirked. “I know how to dial it down... to a degree. But you can’t blame me,” he added, sitting beside Casey. “The honeymoon never ends with this one.”

“Why are you here so early?” Casey asked, politely steering the conversation. “Your shift doesn’t begin for another hour.

“Correct, but yours ends in fifteen minutes. I thought we could grab dinner together in the cafeteria before you head out. You know,” he said, looking pointedly at Ethan. “Because my boss is an asshole who keeps scheduling us on opposite shifts.”

“That’s not true!” Ethan defended. “I go out of my to....”

“Relax! Relax!” Tobias laughed. After all these years, he still knew how to push Ethan’s buttons. “I’m teasing. Honestly, you do a great job making sure Casey and I get time together, and I appreciate it.”

Casey’s expression grew momentarily serious as her eyes met Ethan’s with a knowing look, but if Tobias noticed, he didn’t let on.

“So what do you say, baby? Dinner?” he asked.

Casey looked at her watch and nodded. “I do have errands to run after work. But if we go right now, I can squeeze you in.”

“Oh, honey, you can’t say squeeze me in and....”

“STOP IT!” Jackie yelled, holding her ears, and the happy couple laughed as they walked down the hall.

They settled into a quiet corner of the cafeteria, two chicken potpies—one of the better offerings—steamed between them. Casey smiled warmly at Tobias and reached across the table to gently squeeze his hand. She was so happy to see him, but she knew they had to tell him some news.

“Tobias,” she began, her voice tinged with apprehension. “You know the research Ethan and I have been doing on the inequities in diagnosing women’s health conditions?”

“Of course,” he replied, digging into his food. “You’ve been passionate about it. I really believe that if you keep at it, you could help bridge that gap and make a real difference.”

“Well,” she said, a mix of pride and nervousness in her eyes, “Apparently, you’re not the only one who thinks so. The National Institutes of Health agrees, and they’ve offered us an enormous grant to continue our studies. They want us to create a blueprint and train others nationwide.”

His eyes widened in disbelief as he grabbed her hand. “Honey! That’s incredible! This is huge! I’m so, so proud of you!”

“Thank you, baby,” she said softly. “But... I’m not sure I’m going to participate. I told Ethan I needed some time to think about it.”

He looked at her, both shocked and concerned. “You... you what?”

“Tobias, it’s difficult enough for us to make time to be together now. If I take this on, it’ll be in addition to my regular work. It means long hours and a lot of travel; I don't know if it's a good idea.”

“Hon, we’ll figure it out,” he said firmly. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. You can’t turn it down. I won’t let you.”

Casey’s face twisted, her eyes filling with tears. “But we were talking about possibly starting a family soon,” she whispered. “This would put that on hold indefinitely.”

“Possibly,” He replied gently. “We didn't even decide for sure if we wanted kids.”

“But we were leaning that way.”

“And we still can,” he reassured her. “I’m the old one here, you’re not. If we have to delay it, so be it. But baby, you can’t pass this up opportunity.”

“You really wouldn't mind?” she asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

“Mind? Do you have any idea how much I'm going to brag about this?” he grinned. “I'm going to be incorrigible. What does your wife do? Oh, that’s cute. Let me tell you about my wife.” He slid his chair closer to hers and brushed a stray hair from her face before he gave her a playful kiss. “Not only is my wife gorgeous,” he kissed her again. “Not only is she hot as hell,” another kiss. “She’s brilliant, and she's going to change the world.” He pulled her closer, this time capturing her lips in a lingering kiss, deeper and more intense. “My wife,” he whispered, “is perfect in every way, and I’m so glad she’s mine.”

A lump formed in Casey’s throat as tears filled her eyes. “Have I ever told you how happy I am that I married you?”

“Yes,” he grinned. “But tell me again.”

“Have I told you how...” but Tobias silenced her by gently placing a finger over her lips.

“Not now,” he whispered. “Later, when I get home from work. In bed, naked... tell me then.”

“Hey, if that’s how you want me to tell you, I won’t just tell you... I’ll show you, too!”

“That’s the idea,” he smirked.

Casey hugged him, noticing the time on the clock over his shoulder. “Oh, shoot! I’m sorry, honey, but I have to go.”

“What's so important that you’re cutting our time short?” he asked, holding tight to her hand.

“I have anniversary plans to attend to,” she smiled as she cleared her place.

“But that’s not until Saturday?” He groaned. “Why do you have to go now?”

Casey gave him a knowing look. “I need to make sure my lingerie is in order,” she winked. "You wouldn't want to interfere with that."

“All right,” he sighed dramatically, making a show of dropping her hand. “Then go! Get out of here. Please, go!”

“Fine!” she giggled, picking up her tray.

“And remember,” he called after her, “the traditional gift for the third anniversary is leather. Feel free to add that to the mix.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as she walked away.

Tobias chuckled to himself as a resident glanced over, looking a bit horrified. “What?” Tobias grinned, unbothered. "One more trip to HR won’t kill me.... and she's worth it."

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

Casey hustled out of Edenbrook and headed toward the South End neighborhood they called home, with a smile tugging at her lips. The whole “lingerie situation” was already under control —she’d taken care of that weeks ago. But she had another stop to make, the Beacon Gallery.

She’d commissioned a painting by an up-and-coming artist to give to Tobias as an anniversary gift, and he asked for her to stop by and see it before he finished the work. The piece was eclectic, blending hues of their favorite colors and incorporating elements and symbols representing key moments from their time together. The general viewer might not decipher its meaning, but Casey knew Tobias would take one look at it, and his heart would melt.

The way Casey spoke about Tobias and described the deep love they shared moved the artist to name the piece Eternal Love. Casey smiled at the sentiment, believing it perfectly captured their bond.

But the gallery's owner balked at the idea. “That’s tempting fate!” He insisted. “Why do anything to welcome bad luck.”

Casey brushed him off, replying with confidence. “We don't need luck. We make our own own.”

The evening was beautiful, so when she left the gallery, she decided to take the long way home, strolling through the familiar streets she knew and loved so well. She was headed toward their favorite bakery to pick up a few things for dinner, when something unexpected caught her eye—a new gallery, one she was certain they’d never visited before.

She tried to recall if Tobias ever mentioned a new gallery opening. She was certain he had taken her to every existing gallery in Boston and beyond, and she was confident this one was new.

With her curiosity piqued, she crossed the street and gazed into the window. The artwork displayed was stunning—vibrant colors, bold strokes, and intricate details that she knew Tobias would love. The gallery itself looked almost empty, as if it was still being set up, so she decided to step inside.

The scent of fresh paint and varnish greeted her, as did crisp white walls that made the few displayed pieces stand out even more. Several other pieces remained wrapped, leaned against each other and a few sculptures were scattered throughout.

An abstract painting in the back of the gallery caught her eye. Its swirling, contrasting shades of blues, pinks, ombre, white, and gold danced across the canvas, evoking images of the four seasons. There was something both calming and chaotic about it, and it resonated with her. She reached out, almost touching the canvas, when a voice broke the silence.

“Hello,” a woman’s voice echoed.

Casey turned to find a tall, slender woman headed her way. Her sea of dark curls streaked with golden highlights was piled on top of her head, with a few curls cascading down onto her flawless tawny skin. She was beautiful in a way that was almost surreal like a figure in a painting come to life. Her movements were fluid and graceful, and as her warm, dark eyes met Casey’s, she momentarily forgot how to speak.

“Oh!” Casey replied, taking a startled step backward. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t realize! I’ll come back when—”

“No, no, it’s fine,” the woman said with a melodic laugh. “I won’t make any friends in my new neighborhood if I shoo everyone away.” She wiped her hands on the paint-splattered apron tied around her waist and extended a hand. “I’m Diana. I'm an artist - and I own the gallery, too.”

Casey relaxed, taking the woman’s hand. “I’m Casey. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Is all this your work?”

Diana looked around the room with pride. “Most of it is, but not everything.” She nodded toward the painting Casey had been admiring. “Do you like that one? That is mine.”

“I do,” Casey replied, eyes returning to the painting. “It’s beautiful and captivating. From one angle, it’s so calming, but from another, it feels chaotic. It’s like it symbolizes… life.”

Diana’s smile widened. “That’s exactly what I was going for. Not everyone sees it right away. Are you an artist yourself? Or a collector, perhaps?”

“Me?” Casey laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, no! When it comes to art appreciation, I’m a novice at best. My husband is the connoisseur in the family. He may be a doctor, but art is woven into his DNA. He’s spent the better part of the last six years trying to bring me up to speed, but I'm afraid I still feel like a fish out of water around it.”

“Well, you’ve got a great eye,” Diana smiled. “And I love that you’ve taken an interest in something so important to your husband. That’s very special.”

“Thank you,” Casey smiled. “Actually, I just came from the Beacon Gallery. Our anniversary is Saturday, and I commissioned a painting for him. But I’ve got to admit…” She glanced back at the abstract. “I think he’d like this one even more.”

“Well, I certainly won’t stop you from buying another piece,” Diana winked, and Casey couldn’t help but be charmed.

“So, you’re new to Boston?” Casey asked.

“Yes,” Diana replied. “I have other galleries; my largest is in LA, and I have a smaller one near my home in Colorado. But I’ve wanted to establish an East Coast presence for a long time now. I came to the SoWa Winter Festiva last year and fell in love. Do you know when you can just feel from that start that it's going to be a perfect fit?"

"I do," Casey grinned. "When will you be opening? I can’t wait to see the rest of your work.”

“I officially open in two weeks, but I’m hosting a grand opening party next Saturday. It’s by invitation only, but I’d love for you and your husband to join us.”

Casey’s eyes lit up. “Really? Oh my God, he’ll be thrilled! Our anniversary is this Saturday—that would make the perfect addition to my gift.”

“I love that,” Diana said, clapping her hands together. “How many years are you celebrating?”

“Three."

“Ah, leather,” Diana playfully winked. “I assume you’ve already taken care of the traditional gift?"

Casey burst out laughing. “You knew that too quickly—you must be married yourself.”

“I am, and I have a crystal anniversary coming up. Fifteen years next month.”

“Fifteen?" Casey was stunned. "Wow, what did you do? Get married at ten?”

“I knew I liked you the moment I laid eyes on you, Casey," Diana chuckled. “But now, you're my best friend! I’m so glad you stopped by—you’re officially my first friend in my new town.”

“I consider that an honor,” Casey said, genuinely touched. Her eyes landed on a stack of brochures on a nearby table. “Mind if I take a few of these? I work at Edenbrook Hospital, and I could hand them out to some of my peers.”

“I've got a beautiful new friend, and she's helping me spread the word? This really is my lucky day,” Diana said, handing her a stack of brochures and two elegant invitations. “I really hope to see you both at the grand opening.”

“I wouldn't miss it!” Casey smiled, tucking the brochures and invitations into her bag. “And don’t be surprised if I stop by before then. I wouldn't mind another sneak peek."

“Please do!” Diana enthused. “I’d love the company, and you can tell me all the good places to go in the neighborhood. If I don't find a good iced matcha latte soon, I might lose my mind."

“Ah! I know just the place! I'll be sure to stop in if I see you here!"

Casey walked home with a sense of contentment. Her day had started with a bright opportunity and now, she felt like she found something special in that gallery... and in Diana. She couldn’t wait to tell Tobias all about it.

When she arrived home, she set the brochures on the kitchen counter, and her fingers brushed over the invitations as she thought about how much Tobias would love this surprise. It really was the perfect addition to her anniversary gift: a new place they could explore together and a night where they could dress up to boot! She already had the perfect dress in mind.

She carefully hid the invitations in a box toward the back of her closet, not far from the lingerie and a few leather items that would be making an appearance on Saturday, as well. The thought made her smile; she couldn’t wait to celebrate! As she glanced at the clock, she realized Tobias would be home in a few hours. She had so much to look forward to. As she stepped into the shower, allowing the steam and warm water to envelop her, she felt a peace that soothed her to her core. It had been a wonderful day filled with new opportunities, new connections, and the promise of even more to come. She was so fortunate, and she couldn’t wait for all that was ahead.

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging others separately.

#open heart #open heart fanfic #open heart choices #choices open heart #tobias carrick #ethan ramsey #tobias carrick x mc #choices #choices fanfic #playchoices #playchoices fanfic #writers on tumblr #choices stories you play #mono-poly #tobias x casey au

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yestrday · 8 months ago

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hii I see that reqs are still open. so I was wondering if u had any albedo thoughts! I would like hybrid!albedo.. but you've done quite a bit of hybrid posts recently ^^; so I completely understand if you wanna take a break from the hybrids!

i was especially curious as to how he treats mc (in any au) and who are some of the people he commonly gets along/spends time with in ur aus! :]

i think ive already explained enough abt how albedo gets along with the mc in the og posts so ill stick with his relationships!!

you might like: yandere! hybrid genshin ft albedo

wildcat hybrid! albedo 🐈

albedo tends to get holed up in his makeshift lab located at the hillside, invested in his own research and experiments. the more attached he is to you though, the more he'll start hanging around the manor. you soon build a laboratory that he shares with the other research-oriented hybrids

he's part of the educational team and he's tasked with teaching you the more normal stuff. think arithmetics and science. he's softer on you than the other educational team members, and he takes his time teaching you whenever you get stuck.

since he spends a lot of time in his lab, he's usually hanging out with nari and sharing insights. since cyno's always with the fox hybrid, they also see each other a lot. nari always thinks that the way albedo looks at cyno is like a scientist looking at a specimen.

other than that, albedo hangs out with the mondstadt crew. they're a free and friendly bunch, minus diluc and kaeya's banter. when diluc's not looking, albedo will slip in a few drops of his potion so that he can have some experiment subjects. kaeya always gets a kick out of it

he tries not to be clingy with you, but if you insist, he'll gladly lie on your lap. he poofs into his wildcat form, a bit embarassed at being pampered, but he falls asleep quite easily as you gently brush his tail.

has never really grown out of his habit of stealing household products that whenever something's missing the head maid goes angrily stomping to the lab and demanding that albedo give him back. of course, albedo gives it back and apologizes, but he's so charming and apologetic about it that the head maid quickly falters (nari is not fooled)

#yandere genshin impact #genshin impact #yandere x reader #genshin impact x reader #yandere albedo #yester.shorts #yester.au — hybrids 🐾

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stephschoices · 2 years ago

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by any chance are any of playlists public? i would love to listen to them, only share if u feel comfy to do so if not then no worries <33

i don't always have them public, sometimes i'll get self contious about them and private them lol but for now here's a few i'm okay with sharing ~ ^_^

(under a read more bc the links are big lol)

Ava (The Passenger @the-passenger-if) -

Cora (Fallen Lights @fallenlightsif)-

Daphne (Body Count @bodycountgame)-

Ellery (Shepherds of Haven @shepherds-of-haven)-

Elodie (Fate Unwritten @fateunwritten-if)-

Nari (Esper @esper-game)-

Seulki (Novaturient @kalorphic)-

#the songs are all over the place in them #i just go for vibes ok it doesnt always make sense skfjskksf #mc: seulki #mc: nari #mc: elodie #mc: ellery #mc: daphne #mc: cora #mc: ava #ask #anon #about my mcs

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nariandthesevendemons · 2 years ago

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♡Happy Valentine's Day Lucifer!♡

tagging (no pressure): @eternallydaydreaming2015 and anyone else who wants to play!

Happy Valentine's Day, dearest Solomon :3

Don't forget to wish your favorite Obey Me boy a Happy Valentine too! @undertaker-02 @fantasy-dating-sim-trash @sparkbeast20 @the-dumber-scaramouche and whoever else wishes to join in!!

Picrew #1: Get him some chocolates

Picrew #2: Chibi artwork

Picrew #3: A cute little kiss

Picrew #4: Spicy times???!!?

#tag game #obey me #mc nari

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nariico0 · 4 months ago

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My MC in Obey Me call her Nari 🤗🪽

#obey me #obey me shall we date #digital illustration #art #obey me mc #digital art #artwork

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leoneliterary · 10 months ago

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Heya Leone! Hope you’ve been having a good (or survivable) week so far! Here’s two questions that have been on my mind for quite some time:

We know that Aretas and Laverna get a good stream of admirers, but how’s it look for the rest of the ROs? Do people tend to get crushes on/court them often? 🤔

Shoutout to Amatus for gracefully gifting his Ducklings the gift of Being Hot by simply growing up near him btw

Thank you, I've been preoccupied with staying warm, but I can't complain!

Okay this is a cool question, let's see:

Sarai:

(Some have tried to get with her and very few have lived to tell the tale.)

When Aretas was young, many nobles wanted to approach and control a young, politically vulnerable widow. They did not succeed. Now people at court are either too resentful of her power or too afraid to risk the ire of the Aretas to try anything. Still, she has many admires who still appreciate a beautiful woman. She gets love letters, gifts, and marriage proposal's from other kingdoms.

Sutek:

(If he wanted to, he could be getting busy on the regular and have a whole family.)

In the Jackal territory and other parts of Lower Cusmo, he's viewed as a catch. Idir wishes that Sutek would take advantage of his position as guild leader and followed his example, but Sutek keeps mostly to himself. He rebuffs people's advances, assuming people feel obligated or have ulterior motives for approaching him, but he doesn't do it in a cruel way. Unfortunately for him, this only increases his appeal.

Desma:

(She's had some casual flings and broken several hearts because she's careless when it comes to people's feelings. Unless you're one of the ducklings.)

Her intense connection with the ducklings, especially if she has feelings for the MC, makes it hard for her to invest too heavily in other people on an emotional level. The Talons are her family/friends and a roll in the sheets is good fun. Any of the people in Cusmo that thought there could be something more usually found themselves with empty pockets, no palpata, and Desma's confusion about what else they expected.

Merikh:

(People have been interested, but he's too unavailable for it to go anywhere. Plus his ex...was not the best.)

He has that whole broodingly handsome thing going on that has caused people to be interested, but he usually is too busy sulking and thinking about vengeance for it to go anywhere. He's dismissive of the attention he gets at best and at worst he's hostile. People that have been around him long enough to have a crush are usually crushed by his blunt refusal of a confession.

Nari:

(She has some quiet admirers, one closer than others, but most people don't view her that way.)

Ever since she began to follow in her father's footsteps, her marriage proposals have withered away to almost nothing and the offers she does receive are more disrespectful than flattering. She doesn't think any interest people express in her is genuine and has all but given up hoping for it. This has caused her to miss some of the people that are interested, but not vocal.

Heka:

(People are definitely interested, he just doesn't know it.)

He has grown up in a temple and is somewhat oblivious to his good looks. People gives monks food all of the time, so he thinks all of the nice ladies in some of the villages they help out at are just very kind to offer him dinner and baskets of fruit. When he was younger, some of the other monks called him a pretty boy, but that was usually trash talk before a scuffle broke out, so he assumes they're being sarcastic.

P.S. Oh my goodness you're right! Amatus is proof that being hot is contagious haha!

#interactive fiction #honor amongst thieves #if wip #game development #interactive novel #ros #hat if #all ros #sutek #heka #merikh #sarai #nari #desma

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stillness-in-green · 2 months ago

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What do you think about Horikoshi ending the manga without a canon couple? Do you ship or used to ship MHA characters? Did you see romantic potential? Do you think Horikoshi might confirm a couple later?

No canon couple? Au contraire, my dear anon! The manga ended with the most important canonization of all!

(Everybody give a huge hand to The Only Hets Who Matter, Gentle and La Brava; they deserve it.)

As to the ships people actually care about or were expecting some word on (e.g. the stuff with the students), my reaction there is overwhelmingly “lol gj hori”. I’m glad he ended it with no canon student couple to speak of! While I do sympathize with the position of certain people on Twitter who contend that Ochaco’s arc about repression really needed her to actually confess to Deku, I hated what her crush on Deku did to her arc anyway, so I don’t have it in me to be too annoyed. Anyway, I don’t think it’s possible to do the Iron Might 2.0 part of the epilogue if Deku and Ochaco[1] have been dating the entire time, so I’m perfectly happy to run with the headcanon that she did confess at one point and it didn’t work out for whatever reason, so by the time the last chapter rolls around, they’ve just been friends for years.

1: Or Bakugou, for that matter, but with all due respect to the BakuDekus who haven’t been seeing Shonen Jump battle manga come and go for twenty years with nary a confirmed gay MC amongst them, that was never in the cards.

I remember posting once ages ago about a Japanese fan’s hope that Horikoshi, who the fan perceived as being at least somewhat progressive about women, could manage to end the series without a bunch of timeskip romances showing up at the last minute. While I have some deep reservations about Hori’s progressive cred at this point in time, and am not tremendously impressed with his writing of women, either, credit where credit is due: he did end the series without any timeskip romances.

As to there being any confirmation of couples in the material we have remaining, I imagine the last train station[2] for that is going to be the final volume release in December, as, on top of the usual volume extras, Horikoshi should be considerably more free to include expansions that his schedule and exhaustion kept him from in the weekly publication. I could even see a bonus chapter of some sort, maybe something post-epilogue so we can see the power suit in action or something silly and fourth wall-breaking to celebrate the series conclusion. There’s also going to be one last fanbook released in January, which I have been assuming will be a data book like Ultra Archive.

2: Or harbor, I suppose, since we’re talking about ships.

Now, do I think any of that stuff will confirm ships? Eh, that’s not really in my analytical wheelhouse. The farthest I’d venture to guess is that I would a) not be surprised to get some clarification on Deku and Ochaco, and b) definitely peg the volume release to have material like that over squirreling it away in the fanbook.

For myself, my shipping habits are somewhat erratic—it’s not really where my primary engagement in media lies, and certainly not for this series! But that’s not to say I don’t have ships, or that I’m not happy to talk about them, so if you’re curious about that, do feel free to hit the jump. I’ll order them by general sphere first, then by how passionate I am about them compared to ones I just think are kinda cute or funny for whatever reason.

DISCLAIMER: While I have not explicitly stated as much here before, I am a 40-year-old asexual proshipper, proshipper here meaning I'm in favor of curating your own fandom space and not harassing people about their fictional ships under any circumstances. When I say I ship something, that does not mean I’m idealizing the relationship, want it to be canon, think it would be cool in real life, or am mentally putting myself in the place of one the characters. It’s solely because there’s something in the dynamic I think is fun or interesting, and “interesting” can very much include the same kind of interest one might have in watching a building get demolished.

That is to say, there are a handful of Too Problematic For Tumblr ships in here—one age gap but otherwise wholesome, one age gap and tacitly abusive, and one that really hits the Tumblr Trifecta by being age gap, abusive and incestuous. I've put all three at the very bottom in their own section in descending order of Most BadWrong, but if you’re one of those people deep into The Discourse about how ships need to be Morally Correct otherwise the shippers are terrible people who should kys, this is not the post for you. The block button’s there if you need it—and be advised that it’s there if I need it, too, and I’m not afraid to use it. (I grew up in dark fantasy shoujo fandoms; I am not litigating my ships with anybody.)

~~~Stillness’s Dubious and Delightful BNHA Ship Opinions~~~

Villain-o-rama-rama:

Spinarakiya, ShigaRD, Spinaraki: Alas for my short-lived OT3! I was really, really pumped for this in the stretch between MVA and the early stages of the first war, what with there being such interesting possible angles between all three parties, only for Re-Destro to get arrested and never seen in person again, Spinner to get snatched up by Gigantomachia and never look back, and Shigaraki to get lost to the possession plot for, at least as far as scenes with his allies were concerned, basically the rest of the series.

Not exactly great material for my shipping heart, though I’ll refrain from the rant comparing how long the PLF members were living in close contact with each other compared to the League of Villains and why that should have meant they developed stronger relationships than what we got.

But canon being what it is, I do still ship the hell out of these three in a canon divergence situation, or any number of potential AUs. I love the connective tissue there, with Re-Destro + Shigaraki having some startlingly strong background parallels and lasting injuries courtesy of each other, Shigaraki + Spinner having the gaming and the emptiness themes, and Spinner + Re-Destro having their Big Gay Feelings About Shigaraki as well as an appreciation for patterned fabrics some shared early frustrations about Shigaraki’s seeming lack of plans or direction.

It's a good dynamic, and I think they could all do a lot for each other, though certainly not in ways that are good for the continued survival of Hero Society. But fuck Hero Society anyway.

As to the component parts, I don’t ship Re-Destro and Spinner without Shigaraki being at least an invisible part of the dynamic (though I would read the fic where he wasn’t with considerable interest!), but I’m also very much on board with ShigRD and Spinaraki individually. My constant refrain about Shigaraki and RD is that they have a lot of common ground but very little common language, and I’m fascinated by how much of that they could recognize in each other and how much of it they could then recognize back in themselves, versus how much you’d get one of those cases of, “This guy is a freak and I’m so normal.”

It's so, so, so important to me that Re-Destro is the first ally Shigaraki won entirely on his own merits. He's got no borrowed reputation from Stain, no monsters on loan from Sensei, and no help from people on Sensei’s payroll, yet still, as a result of his efforts (both in his own fights and in making the League his own, even if it didn’t start that way) he wins himself an army and a follower who never saw a light that wasn’t his.

I weep for the Shigaraki/Re-Destro relationship we could have had if Horikoshi didn’t decide that Shigaraki in the endgame was to be nothing but a pawn, and therefore couldn’t be allowed to keep any of his markers of independence and growth.

As to Spinaraki, man, what is there even to say? The relationship so clear and obvious that it had even the mhatwt bros out there saying, “Spinaraki but at what cost?” in the last chapter! I will admit that I liked them better when their romance had that apocalyptic tinge than when it suddenly started getting painted as primarily about them being Gamer Bros, but at least that melancholic “beauty at the end of the world” shading came back when Shigaraki talked about destroying Mount Fuji for Spinner (be still my heart!).

They will meet and be close in every world and I will hear nothing else.

RiKoku: I don’t think I truly understood the appeal of ex-lover ships until these two. They snuck up on me in a big way, pretty much entirely a result of my realization when I was halfway through the (first and only, sadly) MLA Week event that Trumpet was pretty free-roaming and independent from Re-Destro all the way through Deika only to be glued to his side from there on out. Together with the Spinner parallels (the subordinates who fought each other and then came together to the crater to see their worlds remade) and my jokes about wanting to see the MLA heads during their stressed-out, over-achiever college years, all the pieces fell into place for a Rikiya and Koku who had dated for a few years and then broken up when Rikiya realized that his authority as Re-Destro—and Koku’s strong subordination to that authority—meant that he could not responsibly stay in the relationship. (This also presents several good explanations for why a man in Rikiya’s situation isn’t married with at least one child already.)

Anyway, to me, they never really fell out of love with each other; Re-Destro just couldn’t justify overlooking the power dynamic problems once he realized how extreme they were. (This does make for a fun alternate angle on RD’s personal life post-Deika, wherein Trumpet watches RD pass the mantle of leadership to Shigaraki Tomura and then more or less immediately pounces on him because now he doesn’t have the power dynamic excuse anymore. Look up the great Whatever Is Spared by @leftofrevolution on AO3 for more on this.)

Overhonest: I just like Nemoto much more than I like Chrono, and thus my Overhaul ship of choice follows suit. I like the idea that their feelings are wildly unbalanced but not totally one-sided—Overhaul has more baggage than a freshly loaded airport carousel, but he does like the Shie Hassaikai, as proven by them being mentioned in the Likes section of his character page. Nemoto in particular is someone whose presence we know Overhaul finds reassuring and we know it because he told Nemoto so directly when Nemoto asked, which means it can’t be anything other than the plain truth. He relies on Nemoto enough to make demands of him, he expects (and gets!) effectiveness, and he even bothers to take the time to justify out loud why it would be okay for him to merge himself with Nemoto physically (because Nemoto would say yes if asked, right? of course he would) rather than just doing it with no thought to Nemoto’s feelings about it because why should he care about that.

And Nemoto, for his part, is of course an obsessive weirdo who’s totally smitten with the first person he’s ever found who legitimately wants him around, so smitten that he’ll happily overlook the fact that Overhaul primarily wants him around because he’s useful.

Moving away from what’s on-the-page canon, I enjoy (and write) the take that Overhaul is sex-repulsed, not because he’s fully asexual, but as an extension of his mysophobia. This makes his sex life extremely fraught, but not non-existent. When I dabble with writing them (and they’re by far the ship I’ve written the most explicit material for in this fandom), I write him as basically a sex-repulsed demi (not that he would know or use that terminology!) who is attracted to Nemoto but has been largely left aggravated and sexually frustrated by their periodic experiments in non-traditional ways of getting him off. (Nemoto, for his part, is more than willing to keep trying! No kink is too weird for this guy if it means finding something Overhaul would actually like.)

(To get real here for a second, if Spinarakiya is meaningful to me as a person who’s comfortably poly, Overhonest is meaningful to me as an asexual person who's only ever had allosexual partners.)

AFOUji: Truly the Evil Husbands of all time. I wish the shift from Final Boss Shigaraki to Final Boss AFO hadn’t left Ujiko with a few truly inexplicable characterization beats,[3] because I truly do love these two as just the worst pair of mutually enabling monsters making the world worse and more dangerous for everyone while being 100% supportive of each other’s passions the entire time. Here’s to 70 years of Dark Lord/Mad Scientist domestic bliss.

3: For the record, I consider these to be his, “I've only been living for the boy's sake,” line in Chapter 269 and his clear reticence and dissastisfaction with Shigaraki getting the surgery in Chapter 240.

DabiSkep: Skeptic is the only man Dabi has ever thanked for his contributions. Dabi goes out of his way to kidnap him. I’m 90% convinced that they’d been working on the video together prior to the Villa raid. The combination of Skeptic’s deep and abiding neuroticism with Dabi’s swings between lazy malice and manic pushiness is extremely funny. What can I say; it’s just about the only Dabi ship that really clicks for me. I enjoy leftof’s take that Skeptic had a goth phase he never completely exited and so Dabi appeals to his inner Hot Topic teen, which he is 100% aware of and 150% embarrassed by.

School Environs:

Mirio/Tamaki: Tamaki literally regains consciousness at the exact moment Mirio loses his quirk. Other than cases where there’s some actual explanation for that—a magical connection, psychic powers, etc.—I have never seen that kind of beat happen outside of a shoujo manga. The bit where one romantic lead just mysteriously has a Bad Feeling in the same instant that something Bad happens to their love interest is so shoujo-coded. Jesus Christ, Tamaki is so moe. And Mirio so clearly thinks the world of him, too, as evinced by what an over-the-top sobriquet he dubbed Tamaki with. They’re great, end of story.

Monoma/Shinsou: I’ll admit I liked this somewhat better when I thought there was any chance at all Shinsou might end up in Class B—I kind of loathe that he wound up in Class A for the self-evidently terrible reason that it’s The Main Character Class, when it seems so obviously a conflict of interest for Aizawa to be teaching him. But eh, it’s okay; it just means Monoma will have to nobly learn to look past it after a lot of time spent being completely obnoxious about it.

My annoyance with Shinsou’s class placement aside, Monoma is one of my favorite students, and I like that he immediately latches onto Shinsou as a kindred spirit. And, like, if that were 100% one-directional, I would probably shrug it off, but Shinsou, despite trying to play at being aloof, does actually get invested enough that he gets pretty bothered by the idea of Monoma needing help, even in something as inconsequential as a class exercise. It’s just a much, much more interesting dynamic than Shinsou has with Deku or especially Kaminari.

Also, as someone with a bit of a Thing for mind fuckery, the way Copy and Brainwash can play off each other is Good.

MomoJirou: The fanart is cute and I like Momo better than Kaminari. And the culture clash thing is fun.

Shouto/Inasa: The fanart is cute and I like Inasa better than Deku or Bakugou.

Professional Sphere:

Hawksdeavor:The age gap adds flavor. The fact that Endeavor is still married but deeply unhappily so makes it even spicier. The difference in what they represent (or could potentially represent) to each other is the best part, with Hawks, for Endeavor, being someone who represents a totally clean page, while Endeavor, for Hawks, represents a lifelong adoration. Finding each other’s reality in all of that would be an interesting relationship arc and could be extremely fulfilling and strengthening for both of them.

The spoiler is (or at least should have been, if I’d been writing the series) their divided feelings on Dabi. Honestly, I really wanted to see them clash over the matter of Touya and how to deal with him, with Endeavor wanting to save him but not knowing how and Hawks just wanting him gone but not knowing how to get away with it. A certain pair of facts is glaring to me: first, that Hawks was a chief architect of the second war’s battle plans, whereas we never saw Endeavor involved with them at all, and second, that, when the big day came, Endeavor was slated to fight All For One with Hawks at his side despite at least some guilty protests from Enji that he really ought to be facing Dabi.

It smacks strongly of Hawks making some profoundly selfish decisions under the guise of clear-headed strategy and I really wanted it to blow up in his face when Dabi found his way to their battlefield anyway. Pushing Endeavor into a place where he had to choose between them and ultimately chose his son (say, by protecting him from an attack coming from Hawks) would have been validating for Touya, done a lot to lever Endeavor’s arc out of the reactiveness and passivity that drag it down so badly in the canon, and also handed Hawks a real consequence for how dismissively he treats the lives of Villains and how much he’s tried to avoid reckoning with both Endeavor’s abuse and Enji’s own attempts to do said reckoning!

In summary, Hawks and Endeavor could be very good for each other, and the incredible amount of baggage they’d have work through first would be key to either making that good ending feel earned or lead to them dramatically and deliciously imploding. Either one works for me, and either one, even without the romantic angle, would have been more interesting than the pablum we got.

NightMight: Speaking of could-have-been-good relationships that dramatically imploded! I love Sir Nighteye as the most visible cost of All Might’s lifestyle, the one he lost because he couldn’t step away from the path his ideals had set out, and how that ideal inevitably took him full circle so that he found himself standing, for Deku, in the same place Nighteye once stood for him. And of course by then it was too late and Deku wouldn’t listen to him anymore than he himself listened to Nighteye back then.

But Nighteye didn’t give up on caring about him, even if he had no avenue left to express it but throwing himself into finding a successor All Might would accept, which led to Nighteye's own (wonderful) relationship with Mirio.

Just great, difficult, adult stuff about irreconcilable differences that never stopped them from caring about each other even as those differences forced them to their parting of ways.

Mount Lady/Kamui Woods: They’re cute and I like the idea that they both have trouble, for opposite reasons, with cameramen. I like that he calls her just Lady when he thinks she’s in trouble. And not to put too fine a point on it, but I like that they’re kinda the most explicit Pro Hero couple and yet she’s the more prominent and important character with the more visible arc, which is a nice contrast to most of the other hetero relationships in this benighted manga.

Other/Cross-faction:

Togachaco: The yuri ship that could. My god, the canon divergence I want to give these two. You know why I want Deku and Ochaco to not be together in the end? Because I want Ochaco to realize that she did everything in her power to save her Villain while Deku—after all that talk on the cliff!—just killed his, and triggered Toga just before he left to do it, meaning Ochaco had a harder time with Toga than she might have otherwise.

But, I’m not here to talk about No. 2 Green; let’s talk instead about the canon divergence where Toga survives (shove that absurd death-via-blood-transfusion right into the incinerator) and then Ochaco has to come face to face with a system that does not want to let her be anywhere near as kind as she wants to be. The canon divergence where Ochaco realizes that her forgiveness is immaterial to justice, where she watches the system she fought to defend gear up to try Toga as an adult because Japan needs a scapegoat for the destruction of the war and all of the people who are actually most responsible are already dead or dying. Where Ochaco realizes that she has to do something drastic if she doesn’t want to live the rest of her life haunted by the knowledge that her compassion got a 17-year-old victim of emotional and psychiatric abuse executed by the state. The one where she decides to take a fucking stand, and it forces the rest of her class to confront that need as well.

“The cutest girl in the whole world,” my god.

Kotarou and Nao: I’m not as big on it by the time we’re seeing them in the Tenko flashback, though I certainly wasn’t pulling for some mean-spirited, allegedly feel-good “Nao slaps Kotarou and the whole family walks out of him” thing like you see in fanfic sometimes. No, what I really like with Kotarou and Nao is thinking about them when they’re both still young, in the stretch of years where they really think they'll be happy together. That her being with him can make all his problems go away, that him being able to bury his past and be better than all the people who hurt him (and there were so many people who hurt him) will be enough, that love is the answer to everything. Sure, the cracks are there, but they’re thin, and they can be hidden beneath all the days when things are good, when the two of them hold each other and feel safe and loved and sure.

The cracks are still there, and love isn’t enough when love becomes a band-aid and a blind eye. But the love is still there too, and it’s so fierce and so desperate, and it still won’t save them.

Sorry, everyone; they make me emotional. They are beautiful in the way of sparks dancing above flames, or early flowers blooming right before a vicious cold snap. Ah, me.

StainMight: GOD, All Might really needed to grapple more with Stain’s side of his legacy. Like, StainMight is really a victim of the way the story looked like it was setting up to criticize All Might’s methodology as well-intended but not sustainable long-term, but then, like every other aspect of the series that was about systemic critique, that criticism just evaporated and Stain became an All Might cheerleader with nothing to say about the system All Might supported for thirty years. Maddening! But for real, All Might should have been badly hurt in that car attack and then rescued by Stain, both to give Deku some stress about how All Might could be in danger after they parted on bad terms, and also to really make All Might have to sit with this opinionated zealot all-too-prepared to talk about how no one else is really living up to his example.

And there should be UST the whole time.

Yoichi and Kudou: I am almost entirely negative towards the OFA Collective these days, especially Kudou’s role in the endgame, but I still have some fondness for what he and Yoichi could have been. My god, the first One For All transfer really should have been because they kissed. More beautiful, more tragic, more profound, and preserves the Yoichi that had some actual fucking agency in the life he lived instead of just constantly being AFO’s or Kudou’s trophy princess there to talk about how respectively terrible and awesome they are.

TogaTsuyu: I just think it would be interesting if Tsuyu were actually allowed to be more present in the Toga plotline, rather than only arriving as a spoiler to avert major shifts every time. Toga says she likes Tsuyu, too, after all, and Tsuyu is so different from both Ochaco and Deku, so much more thoughtful and considered. I dunno, I just wonder how things might have gone if, for example, it had been Tsuyu that Toga managed to draw away in the Jakku fight. Given that side story with her snakey friend Habuko, evidence suggests that Tsuyu is a good deal more observant and intuitive than Ochaco, and I wonder if she might have been able to suss out what Toga was actually asking there better than Ochaco did, and how that might have changed things.

THE TUMBLR PROBLEMATIC ZONE:

Gentle Criminal and La Brava: I was willing to follow the canon’s initial vagary about these two, but I also like them quite a bit together, so if canon wants to put them in wedding rings at the end of the series, that’s fine by me! Yes, I’m aware that there’s a pretty significant age gap there, which would have been at its most apparent when she first sought him out, but I don’t for one single instant believe that he’d be anything less than a total gentleman to her. Indeed, it’d be entirely plausible to mount an argument based on his behavior that they were not at all romantically involved circa the Culture Festival arc,[4] and only become so after Gentle’s imprisonment and subsequent release. But in general, what I’m more concerned with is the dynamic—I regard a power differential in a relationship as a reason for both parties to be cautious and mindful of that differential, but not as an immediate game-ender.

4: Most obvious is that when she says, “I love you,” he only says things like, “Thank you,” in return.

In that sense, Gentle and La Brava are great—they click together perfectly and obviously make each other tremendously happy after a lifetime of rejection. La Brava, in Gentle’s theatrical attention-seeking, finds someone who accepts her overflowing way of showing love; Gentle, in living up to La Brava’s feelings, finds a reason for his skewed heroism beyond satisfying his pride. To whatever extent their life together was heading anywhere bad (and there’s no evidence of this at all save that Heroes were always likely to catch up to them eventually, making La Brava’svery extreme response to Gentle’s defeat likewise inevitable), Deku’s intervention got them off of that path and back onto one that let them be accepted by the world, which they seem to have capitalized on marvelously.

They’re the only Villains I can think of whose turn to Team Hero in the endgame works for me without any significant quibbles. Good for them! I hope they are so, so happy together, because they deserve it.

AFO and Kotarou: MEANWHILE, IN MY OTHER KOTAROU SHIP. I love AFO knowing Everything about what he’s doing here while Kotarou knows absolutely Nothing about what AFO is doing here. I love an AFO who is self-amused in being friendly and reassuring and distractingly attractive to Kotarou, an AFO who knows that his toying with Kotarou would make Shimura Nana sick with terror and rage, and even if she isn’t alive to be so anymore, the fantasy of it is satisfying enough, especially since Kotarou is himself a very handsome young man, one whose hurt and resentment AFO finds beguiling to sometimes prod at, as if unable to leave a bruise alone except the bruise isn’t on his own skin.

I have an AU I’m never likely to write where Kotarou winds up successfully knocking out Tenko on the night of the accident before going on the run with him, only for them to get picked up by AFO a few weeks later, and let me tell you guys, that’s where all my guilty pleasure AFO/Kotarou really lives.

That said, I liked this one much better before we got the opening for it in canon, and not just because AFO’s disguise persona was doofy-looking instead of devastatingly handsome. It was always one of those ships that tickled my inner hedonistic wickedness fancier but that I never wanted to be canon because my affection for the ship's vibe was not more important to me than the integrity of Shigaraki’s arc, and Shigaraki’s arc was far better served by his early childhood being as free from AFO as possible. Alas, the reveal is very AFOtarou but at what cost.

Dabideavor: Sorry not sorry everyone, but all the people screaming about how this is SICK FILTH seem to have missed the point that it is indeed, absolutely and completely, sick filth and that’s part of the appeal. Personally, I like it for two main reasons.

Firstly, I want Endeavor to have as hard a time as possible, and times don't get harder than this. I enjoy it when he's frozen and helpless in the face of the son whose life he destroyed because I have a long history of enjoying stoic male characters being made vulnerable through suffering.

Secondly, and more importantly, I like it because I like the version of Dabi you see in it, particularly compared to the Fanon Dabi who made so much League of Villains fan content un-fucking-readable for years.

I'm going to try to keep the hot fandom tea to a minimum here, limited to the upcoming footnote, but I hated Fanon Dabi.[5] He was an incoherent mash of a character designed to be a vehicle for the unabashed revenge fantasy of bloody murder against Bad Dads while also presenting no danger whatsoever of splash damage, a Woobie Big Brother who was completely harmless except to the father whose organs he was planning to paint the walls with. Every excuse that could be made, would be made, for Dabi's more questionable or even outright nasty moments, even if it meant minimizing or outright erasing the harm we saw Dabi do, right there on the page in literal manga monochrome.

5: There's a particular type of flanderization that goes into Fanon Dabi, the same kind of flanderization I saw attached to Steven Universe's Lapis Lazuli, and which informed the absolute umbrage certain people took with Rebecca Sugar for describing Spinel, the SU movie's villain, as toxic. There is a portion of fandom that loves abuse victims who get angry and lash out, but which will go absolutely ballistic at the slightest suggestion that abuse victims are themselves also capable of harm, that lashing out has the potential to hurt innocent people. In a perfectly executed DARVO, it becomes "victim blaming" to confront an abuse victim about the very real abuse they're inflicting on others. I only specified fictional characters here, but it's a dynamic you see in real life, too. Some people hunger for nothing so much as an acceptable target and abuse victims are not exempt from that statement.

The Dabi I thought was fun was the high-energy maniac who doesn't give a shit about anyone else getting caught in the crossfire of his revenge. Both that version of Dabi and the Endeavor who's paralyzed with guilt and despair are facilitated by Dabi’s father-obsession having a taboo sexual dimension to it that Dabi is all too ready to shove in the face of absolutely everyone who would think worse of Endeavor for it. That means Endeavor himself, of course, but also all the good little civilians who Endeavor keeps telling to watch him. Watch this, says Dabi, as he makes lewd hand gestures on force-streamed national television.

It's not about Dabi healing as an abuse victim, and it’s not about Dabi having a fulfilling arc—covering that stuff was canon's job! It's about the fact that I, for reasons both personal and related to fandom spite, am personally entertained by Dabi being pedal-to-the-metal deranged about doing whatever it takes to seize Daddy’s attention and never let him look away again, which also means acting to ensure that no one is capable of or willing to save Endeavor from that fate. Like, if you want someone who would spend ten years plotting the most agonizing possible way to torment his abuser, then it’s sophistry to suddenly declare some agonizing torments off-limits. Dabideavor is just committing to the bit.

#bnha #stillness answers #stillness ships #tw: incest #just discussion no depiction #it's the last one on the post

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