#more focused on cross because i think leaving ink's thoughts and emotions ambiguous would be interesting

[what-have-i-unleashed]

dark crink ahead

(cw: unhealthy relationship, manipulation)

so in underverse ink meets cross after timeline x ended, and xtale has been rendered into a white void. i think since ink has fear of emptiness, he wouldn't stay in xtale for too long. instead, in this scenario, he brings cross with him to explore the wonders of the multiverse, teaches cross about the in-and-outs of it, and helps cross to manage his newfound abilities after merging with xchara.

of course, ink is still keeping that promise with his old friend xgaster, but having a new friend wouldn't hurt, right? and ink revels in cross' attention and adoration - he's just so easily enamored with everything the multiverse has to offer. ink can't help getting closer with cross, eventually showing cross his art. cross doesn't understand the importance of this gesture, but he still greatly appreciates it and showers ink's creations with fascination. cross asks ink to teach him how to draw and ink eagerly complies. they just have a great time honestly.

that is, until the honeymoon ends. ink eventually tells cross that he can't help him restore xtale. he's the guardian of creation. he himself cannot create a universe - that is the duty of the creators themselves. hearing this is like the wake-up call to cross. he has forgotten what he has to do all along, his responsibilities. xchara is so vindicated - he knows that nothing about ink can be trusted after all. cross has fallen for the biggest trick in the world. is the time with ink so wonderful that cross is prepared to abandon his empty universe, abandon his friends and family? will he choose ink over them?

... but what if he can have both? he can have ink, and he can find ways to restore his universe? ink wouldn't listen, but cross/xchara can make him listen. they have a power that they haven't experimented on a live being yet - the hack knife. and eventually, ink becomes the first test subject for it. and it's easy, because it's just like a betrayal kill, something that cross is not unfamiliar with, no matter how terrible it makes him feel. but this is for the greater good after all, and ink is too much of a valuable ally (... or something even more) to lose.

and that's how cross and xchara find out about xgaster's plan. imagine how mad they are. but it's fine, really. with ink under their control, they don't have to worry about that old coot anymore. xchara wants vengeance, but cross wants to keep ink. i imagine they don't know about ink's immortality yet, so xchara agrees that ink will be under cross' care. cross is a little bit irate that xchara treats ink like a misbehaved pet, and they argue a lot about it. ink is just so small (he's canonically 3ft8 what), he's vulnerable and cross has to protect him, especially from that damned destroyer who keeps interfering with their plans.

now imagine if cross and xchara meet nightmare and killer. the things killer would comment about how nightmare and cross are so similar with their "pets" and all.

[dorkyungsoowrites]

Spontaneous Attraction Ch. 30

Pairings: Kyungsoo x You

Genre: Fluff/Angst/Smut | Ambiguous AU

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1.4k

Description: Kyungsoo finds the perfectly imperfect time.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |

It was three days early, but that was okay. Kyungsoo had been working almost non-stop for weeks and you were eager to do something special for him. When he called saying his last schedule for the day was canceled you couldn't wait for your anniversary to come. He was going to come home early and be pampered. You were determined. First you cleaned everything in the apartment, and then yourself. Putting on your newly bought black lingerie and an oversized white sweater; knowing he loved the tease of skin. You admired how your legs looked in the stockings, the garter straps barely visible, and contemplated wearing heels, but ultimately it seemed pointless so you remained comfortable.

Next was dinner. Kyungsoo had taught you how to use an oven properly so you would utilize this new skill by roasting potatoes. You saw a cooking show where they used salt, pepper, parsley, basil, paprika and olive oil to flavor the slices they cut so you decided to do that. Staring holes into a recipe for the sausage dish that would go with it as you cooked. Hyper focused on getting every measurement and cooking time right. It was taking you twice as long as it should have to cut the vegetables. Kyungsoo would return soon. So you decided you could set up a nice bath for him to relax in while you finished dinner. It would help with his muscle ache from dancing and he rarely treated himself. Lighting a few candles around the edge and putting his favorite scented soap nearby to add to the water. You put your laptop on the sink so he could choose some music to play.

Then a thought occurred to you. This would check off an item on your list of things to do together if you were to join him. You could at least give him the option. This was a night for whatever he wanted after all. When you went to get the paper from your dresser, however, it was missing. Thus your search began. It didn't just evaporate. You went through the bookshelf first, then around the living room and kitchen. Still nowhere. So you checked the pockets in both of your coats. Nothing. The only place left to search was the bathroom, and since you knew it wasn't in your drawer of stuff you opened Kyungsoo's.

"Aha!" There it was. Perfectly folded into a tiny square next to his comb. You picked it up and shut the drawer. Opening up the paper. Right as you did the front door opened and closed. Kyungsoo called your name. After a moment you heard his footsteps coming closer.

"Why was the stove on without any food in the pan?" You couldn't respond. You were paralyzed by the words on the page. Because under everything there was a new line. Under the hundred things both crossed off and waiting to be done, written in perfect black ink. Kyungsoo had added one more thing to do. He appeared with wide eyes in the doorway to the bathroom. You looked up at him, mouth struggling to form words. Suddenly he lunged forward. It wasn't for the paper, however. He squeezed past you in the small bathroom, rushing for the bathtub. Profanities spilling from his lips. As your eyes followed him your entire body tensed.

The shower curtain had caught fire. You placed one of the candles too close and now bright orange flames were licking up the edge of the fabric. The curtain was perfect fuel. You felt useless as Kyungsoo yanked the cloth off its hooks and threw it in the tub. Doing his best to have as little contact with the burning thing as possible. He turned on the water, the shower head raining, panting as the flames died down. He had caught it early. Small wifts of smoke drifted up as the quarter blackened ash of what used to be your shower curtain was revealed. You inched closer warily. Trying to get a better look at the damage. Kyungsoo whipped around then, grabbing your shoulders. Glaring harshly at you, mouth opening to scold you. You flinched and prepared, but his words were lost somewhere. His eyes darted from your face to the paper you still clutched in your shaking hands then back to you. His glare softened. Unfurrowing his eyebrows. Licking his lips. His attention fixed on you with stars in his eyes. He looked...inspired. Enchanted. Then he breathed two little words and your blood turned to rocket fuel in your veins.

"Marry me."

Those two simple words turned your whole world upside down. Marry...marry Kyungsoo? The man in front of you? With his big eyes and uneven breaths. With his nerves tightening his fingers on your shoulders. The man who stole the covers on the bed during cold nights. The man who was hardly home except to sleep a lot of the time. The one who got upset when you ruined "his kitchen" trying to cook. Who eats your leftovers without asking. Who leaves hair on the sink after he shaves. The man who always pulls you closer when you sit together. Who turns innocent cuddling during movies into steamy kisses with his hand down your pants or up your shirt. The man that always kisses you after sex. Who holds you when you're anxious and refuses to leave your side until you calm down. Who does what you need before you even know you need it yourself. The man who grew past his trust issues so he could love you whole-heartedly. Your best friend. The person you couldn't imagine your life without. You could only respond one way.

"What?" You were doe-eyed and slow to catch up to your racing thoughts. Kyungsoo lost part of his confidence. Repeating himself in the form of a question. Like he was worried he didn't do it right the first time.

"Please marry me?" You didn't have a chance to answer. His pre-prepared speech rambling off his tongue as if you'd refuse if he didn't say these words first. "I knew I wanted to marry you years ago. When we moved in together on our first anniversary and you were complaining about your cd's not being organized. It was so mundane and normal, but it was so you a-and I just...knew. No matter what happens it'll be okay, because I will always love you. I've never been good at this; loving openly." One of Kyungsoo's hands slid up to the side of your face. His dark brown eyes starting to shimmer with building tears. Voice tight. "But I've always known I was meant to love you for the rest of my life." Your emotions lodged in your throat. Finding it hard to hold back your own tears. The corners of his mouth fought to keep from grinning so wide his face would crack. Twitching and tightening in that adorable way you admired whenever he got bashful. "You once said you'd prove I'm the only one you want to be with however many times it took. Now it's my turn. I will choose you. With every morning waking up beside you. With every minute I'm away. With every touch and 'I love you'. With every breath. I will always choose you. I know...usually the speech comes before the question..." You both chuckled faintly. When you blinked a tear fell out and he brushed it away with his thumb. "But you did promise I would be part of one of your stories where something catches on fire." You choked out a laugh and rolled your eyes, smiling.

"So that's why this moment is perfect? I almost burned down the apartment?"

"Things kept getting in the way before." It was so absurd, his reasoning. So much like Kyungsoo's thinking. It was perfect. You wrapped your arms around his neck and crashed your lips to his. Feeling them give as his eyes slid closed and his other hand went around your waist on your back. Holding you closer. You barely broke from his mouth. Only enough to speak.

"I love you." Another kiss. "I love you so much. Yes." Another.

"Yes?" Kyungsoo opened his eyes to stare at you in wonder. Wet streaks on his cheeks from where his emotions had spilled over. Past the exhaustion and past the stress you saw his nerves begin to shift and calm. Face glowing. One last affirmation and it was done. He could cross off the last line on the paper scrunched in your hand. You would have a new vow attributed to your promise ring. You'd be with your best friend forever. A new adventure. A new beginning. With infinite more stories to tell. You couldn't be happier.

"Yes."