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sanjoongie · 8 months ago

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༊·˚to my @starlitmark's, how to thank you for the laughs, the memories, and the good feels? you are the idea factory that keeps going, and keeping me fed! I'm thankful countless times for you being my fellow collaborator but more importantly a friend who always feels safe and comfortable. here's to your day 💞

༊·˚Pairings: strength supe! Jung Yunho x named! Winged! Reader (f) Angel, golden boy! Choi Jongho x named! Winged! Reader (f) Angel, elastic body! Song Mingi x named! Winged! Reader (f) Angel, sex change at will! Choi San x named! Winged! Reader (f) Angel, portal creator! Park Seonghwa x intuitive aptitude! Roommate! Nari(oc)

༊·˚Genre: suggestive, thriller

༊·˚Au: college au, super hero au, Gen V au

༊·˚Trope: fwb, one night stand, s2l

༊·˚Rating: 18+, MDNI

༊·˚Warnings: blood, death, superhero accidents, smoking, drugs, alcohol, club scene, partying, suggestions of sexual relationships, kinks

༊·˚Word Count: 2,319

༊·˚Summary: When you suddenly go from a lower ranking student at Hala College to one of the top five supe's, suspicion lays upon you like a heavy blanket. But you can't reveal the truth to your ascension, even to your roommate, without the risk of ruining lives, including your own

༊·˚Author's Note: I know we said we'd keep an idea like this on the back burner but i really wanted to gift this to you 🥺

༊·˚divider by @cafekitsune

“So, you're coming to the Grinder, tonight, right?” Mingi takes a long drag of his vape pen and blows ridiculous shapes with his lips being able to adapt shapes no human could actually manage.

You watch as somehow an apple with a worm floats by. “I dunno, Mingi, Nari is in her avoiding Seonghwa phase so--”

Mingi rolls his eyes and exhales a vanilla scented cloud. “For once, can you not cater to your roommate and let me f--”

Your wings ruffle slightly and you jump up to clamp a hand over Mingi's lips. “Let's not announce that to the world, please.”

Mingi’s lips circumvent your hand comedically, extended towards his ear. “We're on the roof of a four story historical building, Angel.”

You sit back, eyes searching the ground below. “Yeah, well in a college full of supe's, there's probably someone with super hearing.”

Mingi glances at his smart watch. “Shit, I’ve got class. Text me if you’re going.” And with that, the elastic body college student extended his leg and safely deposited his body to the green grass of the quad.

You had some studying to do. If you were going to become a superhero in another country, there were a few languages you had to wrangle. Perhaps taking on more than one language class hadn't been the best idea but it was too late in the semester to drop one now. You spread your wings and take off towards your dorm building.

You were momentarily distracted flying over the track and field expanse from cheering. You swoop downwards to find Yunho was lifting an extended cab truck with one hand. You had a brief stint with Yunho during your freshman year, unlocking a strength kink, but also realizing you couldn't handle a supe with jealousy issues. Not towards yourself, no. In the school rankings, Yunho was always second to Jongho.

Speak of the devil, the school’s golden boy and top student, was drawing an even bigger crowd. He was using his laser sight to destroy targets and winked gratuitously at a gaggle of junior girls. You squeak when you have to avoid some of his freeze breath as he blew a kiss as well. Damn Jongho.

You finally land in front of your dorm building when a broad-shoulder student cuts off your pathway inside. “Angel, you have a moment for me?”

You bit down on your lip nervously. San was always looking for an inside scoop as the editor of the Hala Gazette. You had nothing for him. “San, I’ve got to study!” You protest.

San’s broad shoulders morph, his hair lengthens to a bob, and now she leans forward with her ample cleavage. Didn’t matter what sex San was, his waist was still itty bitty, however. San also knew to play to your bi-weakness, which leaned towards the feminine body a lot. “Please?” she pouts.

Shit shit shit. Luckily, you’re saved by the roommate. “San, fuck off or I’ll report you to the Dean again! You know you can’t harass the students!”

San morphs back into his male body and sticks his tongue childishly at Nari. “I’ll find out eventually!”

Your head moves back and forth between the exchange of your roommate and your one night fling when you had drunk waaaaaay too many margaritas during post-finals. What the hell was going on?

“Angel, get up here before someone else harrasses you!” Nari shouts and then closes the window of your shared dorm space.

You ironically take the stairs, somehow wanting to delay the passing of news. You had a gut feeling this wasn’t good. You pull your wings tight to your body so you can enter the door. “I’m not going to get any time to study, am I?” You ask your roommate.

Your roommate, with her ability of intuitive aptitude, aka she learns everything incredibly fast immediately, studies you intensely. “Have you looked at the rankings recently?”

You wince. “Did I drop again? They’re gonna kick me out, aren’t they?”

Nari looks delighted suddenly and your stomach dips. Without another word, she whips out her phone, taps the screen and then turns it towards you. Your eyes quickly scan the list: Jongho as number one, Yunho as number two, Mingi as number three, Nari as number four and then…

“I’m number five?” You gasp.

Nari tucks her phone into her back pocket. “Who did you blow recently?”

“No one,” You deny a little too quickly.

Nari eyes you for a moment and then shrugs. “ ‘kay well, I can only protect you for so long. If you go to the Grinder and San gets her nails in you, you’re a goner.”

You grasp Nari’s small shoulders in your hands. “Please go with me tonight. I need you, bestie.”

“I'll go with you if you tell me what the hell is going on, Angel. Otherwise, I'm not risking Seonghwa portaling me into his bedroom tonight.”

His blunt nails dig into your forearm. "Please, you can't tell anyone. Especially Nari! She can't lie for shit.”

You avoid your roommate’s eyes completely. “It's nothing. I must have nailed my finals. You know how they like to randomly promote studies over physical or social achievements.”

Nari sighs loudly. “Alright, fine, I'll go with you tonight. You know I've always got your back, Angel.”

“I know,” You whisper, guilt squeezing your heart.

The Grinder, the aptly named college On-campus bar, was throwing a bikinis and beanies party. It was hard to dress around your wings but bikinis were easy for you.

“Please tell me how bikinis and beanies are even fair to theme together. I’ve gotta be practically naked and guys get away with throwing a hat on?” Nari grumbles beside you as you both teeter on heels down the stairs to the basement club’s entrance.

You gently nudge your roommate in the ribs. “The guys could be wearing bikinis too, you know.”

Nari pauses at the bottom of the stairs, shock written all over her face. “Oh.” You have to giggle at her.

The party is in full force by the time you two squeeze through the crowd and order drinks. Nari wants to dance first but you have a feeling if you don’t spot San first, he’d get to you.

“I’m going to the balcony!” You shout.

Nari nods, getting into her groove and sipping her neon-green beverage. You keep an eye on the crowd, looking for the particular set of broad shoulders--or bob, but your eyes are drawn to the one student that always sticks out in a crowd.

Jongho raises a golden mug of beer, roars some kinda cheer and then chugs the entire thing like a viking reborn. He spots you across the room and his eyes widen. He smiles and claps others around him on the back and makes his way towards you. He doesn’t speak with you, however. With a sharp jerk of his head, he motions to the emergency exit. The alarm had long ago been disabled, the dark stairs to the rooftop being a perfect place to have clandestine affairs.

You had a feeling, however, Jongho wasn’t looking for a hook-up.

Jongho’s back was to you by the time you had climbed the stairs. His hands were shoved into his pockets and he was staring up at the sky. “Avoid Nari’s questions? Jongho asks, seemingly nonchalant.

“Yeah,” You mumbled, rubbing the back of your neck, “But Jongho…”

“Angel, you have to keep your promise. I know it’ll be hard but you know what’ll happen if the news hits. I’ll lose everything,” Jongho replies hoarsely.

Your throat tightens, struggling with your memories. It was all covered under a haze of drinking and drugs. Your friends with benefits relationship with Mingi pulled you into the scene of the top three. Jongho, Yunho and Mingi were quite popular, spots given to the top students of course. You were privy to their private parties and adventures, but this time it wasn’t all fun and games.

Jongho’s look of horror as you were covered in shards of red-ice. Yunho’s suppressed anger. Mingi’s pancake state as his usually elastic body gave way to the lethargic drugs he had consumed. It had been a night…

“I’ll keep my mouth shut, Jongho, don’t worry about it.”

Jongho’s golden-boy smile is plastered across his face again, gums flashing and eyes disappearing. “Good. That’s all I need to hear.”

“Well well well, what do we have here? What’s number one and number five doing up here?”

You whirl around to see San in a bikini top with a fishnet cover-up and beanie. Most likely to make it easy for him to shift if he felt like it. He had on his signature smirk, but his eyes were burning with anger. It was well known that despite his hard work, San never broke the top five, and he resented anyone who did so with seemingly ease. It was obvious he now added you to that list.

“Fuck off, San,” Jongho growls.

San laughs, high pitched as if he’s simply delighted to be told off. “Language, Golden Boy. What’s wrong? Got something to hide?”

“San, now’s not a good time,” You hiss, gripping his upper arm through his fish-net top.

San morphs, ignoring you. “Is this form more appealing to the two of you? If I fuck you both, could I knock Nari off her forth place?” she says with a saccharine-sarcastic tone.

Jongho’s fists curl at his side and his breath comes out in cold-wisps. “I’ll only tell you once more,” he snarls, “Fuck. Off.”

“San, please!” You plead with her. “Don’t push this. Not tonight.”

San stage-sighs, her high voice making your legs clench. “Fine. But I’m not the only one that knows you two are up here.” San yanks her arm out of your grip and stomps down the stairs.

You and Jongho both exchange looks. If Yunho saw you two exit together…

“Shit. Fuck. Christ,” Jongho rushes to the door. You almost follow him before he throws up a hand. “Fly down. I’ll send Mingi out. Yunho will cool down if he thinks you two are hooking up again. He can’t be angry at his bestie.”

You jump off the rooftop a second time today, wings spread to slow your descent. It doesn’t take long before Mingi’s wound his body around yours, and just in time too, as Yunho’s head can be seen peeking over the lip of the rooftop. Mingi’s high already, so it’s not hard for him to wander his hands--and lips--over your body, encouraged by his heightened senses. When Yunho’s head disappears, you gently pry Mingi from your body.

Mingi whines in protest. “C’mon Angel.”

“Not tonight, Mingi, please,” You ask, tiredness coating your tongue. “It’s been a day.”

“You should celebrate,” Mingi sighs, knowing a no when he hears it. He pulls back but his eyes are still begging.

“I don’t need any Happy Dust, sir,” You gently scold him. “Let's go back in. I probably need to rescue Nari by now.”

“Fucking Nari,” Mingi growls good naturedly and you giggle.

Unsurprisingly, Nari is on Seonghwa’s lap on the unused stage located at the front of the club. He uses his portal powers to call in his electric guitar and his hands are showing her some cords, his finger pushing on hers, and it’s suggestive as fuck. Your eyes meet across the room, like you two have some best friend psychic connection and Nari mouths “S.O.S” to you.

You were about to sweep in and call it a night, when Yunho finally intercepts you. “Angel!”

“Yunho, if I don’t save Nari, I’ll never hear the end of it,” You try to deflect.

“Like you saved me?” Yunho says bluntly.

Your lips twitch in an attempt to not grimace. “Is now really the right time for this?”

“My father never should have--” Yunho blows some air out of his mouth, ruffling his fringe. “Listen, Angel, I appreciate you but everyone has so many questions. Maybe--”

You shake your head. “It’s done, Yunho. It’s been covered up. I don’t like it anymore than you do--”

Yunho laughs and it’s slightly bitter. “Don’t like being the new number five without having done truly anything? You’re so fucking like him, it hurts.”

Your back goes ramrod straight. “You know what? Fuck you, Yunho.” All this secrecy and for what? For Yunho to make you feel like shit? This wasn’t it.

Yunho rubs a hand over his face. “Shit. Sorry, Angel, I just--”

“Forget it, Yunho. Just get lost.” You shoulder past him, unapologetically letting him get a faceful of your wings.

You climb onto the stage and throw your wings out to full span. “I know I’m supposed to be your guardian angel tonight, but do you think we could get out of here?” You plead to Nari.

Nari takes two seconds to absorb all the emotions written across your face and she nods resolutely. “Hwa, another night.”

Seonghwa looks disappointed but he’s not without some empathy. So he lets go of Nari, not without a soft pat to her ass, but he opens a portal. “Straight to your dorm room,” he sends you an award winning smile.

You both step through and Nari immediately grabs your blanket and carefully, but thoughtfully wraps it around your body. “For what it’s worth, Angel,” she says through a yawn, “Jongho isn't that bad of a choi--”

The both of you flinch as a huge boom echoes through the campus. The two of you run to your window and red flames reflect from the distance on your faces.

“Is that the…” It couldn't be coming from the club you two had just left.

“Fuck,” You curse for the umpteenth time this evening.

A huge chunk gets thrown through the air and laser’s destroy it.

“Double fuck,” Nari echoes you.

All's fair in love and war, except when you’re a supe.

Bonus content: Nari x Seonghwa

#cultofdionysusnet #pirateeznet #kvanity #kwritersworldnet #ateez scenarios #choi san scenarios #choi jongho scenarios #jeong yunho scenarios #jasper 🌼#topaz's work #recent #ღatz #topaz's birthday bash 24 🎂

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the-firebird69 · 8 months ago

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Kasap Et Derdinde #koksalbaba

This guy Johnny remillard is this size a lot of times his little bigger than that but not much about half a foot and he's a little s*** head and this is not smart he is he's trying to get the dog to attack me like getting hit I hate that piece of s*** the dog was humping me not attacking me and for Christ's sake it happens all the time and you look so stupid and you look so weird this is a perfect analogy to what you're doing our son here are my grand nephew hates you one day he's going to pop you and your character will be gone and the Brain attached to it and that's yours we can't wait for that day we're going to come in here and take your people away until you're gone tonight is going to be a great night we're going to watch so many of you die we're never going to want to stop

Mac daddy

They just don't know how to do it at all it's going to motivate you to go around blabbing and it's awesome

Olympus

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andweiiia · 2 years ago

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how does it feel losing someone to death?

------i.e., family member...

some say that "losing a family member is like living with a brick in your pocket; the weight never goes away; you just get used to carrying it around." I agreed, but for me, the brick became a big structure that weighs more than the bigger unit for weight, and it is more likely to change from brick to structure when I'm at rest, when laying down in bed, when I'm alone, when I'm eating foods that used to be the favorites of the person I have lost, when it's my birthday, when it's Christmas or New Year, or when I notice that I became too happy that day------FFFFFVVvvCCCCKkkkKKkK!!!! and also---while writing this blog. I became paranoid, overthinker, traumatized---basta ayon. Alam mo yung feeling na may magandang nangyari sayo, like okay yung nakuha mong score sa exam or quiz, o kaya yung nararamdaman mo na malapit ka nang gumraduate, or nagkaroon ka ng malaking pera, or kumain kayo sa labas kasama yung mga favorite mong tao, mga ganon ba tapos out of nowhere matutulala ka o kung hindi man, magbabago nalang bigla yung mood mo, basta may something na mangyayari sa current hype mo. Yung bigla mong maiisip na "hala ang saya ko naman" "ba't ako masaya? dasurb ko ba 'to?" ganooooon! basta ang point ko is parang kahit dapat icelebrate ko talaga yung kung ano man yung milestone na 'yon, parang hindi ko deserve kase wala doon yung tatay at kapatid ko. Hindi nila nawiwitness yung moment na 'yon. Minsan pinipilit ko yung sarili ko na "sige lang maging masaya ka lang, icelebrate mo lang yung success mo na yan" kaso kingina wala talaga. Once na pumitik na yung time na magsisink-in sakin na wala silang dalawa, boom! wala na, pplastikin ko nalang yung sarili ko for the rest of the day. Pakiramdam ko, hindi ako doon na sasaktan sa "goodbye phase" eh. Hindi doon sa cause ng pagkawala nila o doon mismo sa thought na wala na sila. Dun ako nasasaktan sa thought na wala akong magawa, na walang akong choice kundi mag move forward ng wala sila, gumising/mabuhay ng wala sila. Lalo na, isa sila sa mga dahilan ba't mo ginagawa kung ano yung ginagawa mo ngayon. Pero ano----shyet wtf ngayon ko natutunan na mas higpitan pa yung grip ko sa linchak na layp na 'to kase dito ko mas natutunan na ivalue yung kung ano and sino nalang yung meron ako. Ba't ba kailangan may mawala para mas magpahalaga? Di ba pwedeng pagsabihan nalang? Susunod naman ako. Emzzz. PNASL

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pokenimagines · 3 years ago

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SFW - Guzma - Just like,,,, anything w sub guzma and a smol gentle dom please? 😳

-So didn't really do the whole sub/dom dynamic so much since it's a SFW kinda deal, but def has softness in it. Just fluffy all around. Hope you enjoy it!-

Discord (16+) - Request Information

SFW Guzma: Waking Up Softly

"Come on Guzma, it's time to go." You said, gently trying to shake him awake. He groaned into the pillow, looking up at you with those puppy dog eyes. How a man who towered over most people, ran a gang, and overall looked about as cuddly as a cacturne could look so adorable was beyond you.

"Five more minutes..." He said as you gently ran your fingers through his hair. You let out a small huffy breath as you tried to get his attention.

"You said that an hour ago, baby boy. Come on." You urged, putting your hands under his body now to try and lift him up. He groaned louder in the pillow like the brat he was and you huffed at him.

"Guzma...I need you to get up. Come on. Let's go." You cooed, trying your gentle approach. He always responded way better to gentle coaxing rather than violent bursts to get him going.

"Why? It's too early." He grumbled as he slowly sat up. His hair was an even bigger mess than usual as you chuckled. You sat down on his lap and began messing with his hair, getting it to stay in proper place by combing it with your fingers.

"It's almost ten in the morning." granted that was early for Guzma, "And we promised Kukui that we'd show up for the new trainer's ceremony party thing." You said, "And that we'd help set up."

"Why did we promise him that again?" Guzma asked, grumpy at the early start.

"Because a certain someone caused a lot of havoc for the last challenger and now you're making it up and becoming a good citizen." You were quick to remind him.

"I caused havoc for you, and you've already forgiven me." He said, a small smile playing on his lips. You leaned over and kissed him softly and pulled back before he could deepen it.

"Yes I did, but Kukui really could use the helping hands with Hala going off and speaking with the Tapu." You said and he finally gave in.

"Fine...can we stop somewhere to get breakfast though?" He asked, pouting again. You chuckled, kissing his forehead again.

"Of course, honey, anything for my boy."

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quokkacore · 4 years ago

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son of wolves I [park chanyeol & byun baekhyun]

for @imsoba, who asked for an angsty, fluffy enemies to lovers au. merry christmas from your secret santa! written for the @exolssecretsanta gift exhange.

summary: your entire life, you've fought bravely to defend the walls of your home from the evil forest spirits of the spearwood trying to destroy it, alongside your family, friends, and your betrothed, baekhyun. until you're infected by the evil that resides in one of these spirits, and you run away from home, before it can spread to those around you. it's in your exile, wandering through the spearwood that you meet the wolf prince, a tall man of hardened eyes, few words, and a fiery temperament, raised by these spirits you've so grown to resent. it's here that you begin to question everything you've ever known, and wonder whether the evil was out here, in the forest, or inside the walls of a place you once called home.

pairings: hunter!baekhyun x reader, wolfprince!chanyeol x reader

genre: reverse princessmononoke!au, angst, fluff, slow burn, enemies to lovers, fantasy epic, slow burn, war au, wolf!au

warnings for this chapter: violence, animal attacks, mild descriptions of gore, mild body horror(?), can you tell i did my best to avoid calling them tentacles but there are only so many times i can use the words “coils” and “tendrils”, language, subtle emotional manipulation, reader feels VERY violent urges but they’re not too descriptive, hypothermia maybe?, intentional starvation for purposes of wilderness survival, chanyeol is kind of aggressive and intimidating, SO MUCH worldbuilding im srry, VERY precarious (and probably inaccurate) medical procedures performed by the reader, chanyeol is a slob but hes literally feral so??

song recs: ateez - hala hala // stevie nicks - rooms on fire // the weeknd - until i bleed out // joe hisaishi - departure (to the west) // howard shore & billy boyd - the sacrifice of faramir + to the edge of night // jorja smith - i am

word count: 11.5k

a/n: first of all, i want to apologize a little bit to the person this was meant for. i meant to write this in two parts, but due to external factors, i’m going to have to split it into three. i hope you like it <3 second of all, i think i strayed a bit from the original source material, but i hope u guys can enjoy it regardless!! merry christmas to everyone, this is a gift to my followers as well.

main masterlist // story masterlist

chapter one: the bite

It was supposed to be a routine patrol just outside the perimeter of Ironbend. You hadn’t been expecting the beasts and the rider to ambush the two of you in such a way. One moment you and Baekhyun were eyeing the treeline, the next the wolves were running up on you, and your reindeers were taking off, attempting to lead them away from the village.

“Get the others!” Baekhyun called to you, running between the trees, “I’ll lead them away from the wall!”

You nodded, directing the reindeer to veer away from the chase. You looked back, eyeing Baekhyun warily before he and his reindeer disappeared further into the trees, the sound of howling getting further and further away.

But the sound of large paws against the forest floor did not. Knowing what was coming, you turned, aiming the arrow you’d nocked earlier in your bow, and met eyes with the beast that had been chasing you.

Immediately, you knew that this beast was different. Its running pattern was erratic, as if it were tired but still euphoric, and you could see a wound on its neck, staining its fur a dark color. Not red, but almost black. You let the arrow fly at it, grazing its side, but it didn’t growl. Its sneer grew bigger, but no growl or snarl left its mouth. You faced frontwards again, watching as you came closer to the treeline, the wall of Ironbend coming into view.

“THE WOLVES!” You shouted towards the men on the parapets, standing guard, “GET THE RIDERS, THE WOLVES ARE—!”

The bite came both expectedly and unexpectedly, the wolf pouncing on you and knocking you off of your reindeer. You tumbled onto the ground, pinned down by the white wolf, feral and mad. The way your head fell against the ground, plus the cold snow left you disoriented and dizzy. Expectedly and unexpectedly, because in a fight like this, you always expect there to be injuries, maybe even casualties. But deep down, on a subconscious level, you never really expect it to be you.

Humans cling to hope, and sometimes end up having it pried from their cold, dead hands. No matter how hopeless things become, everyone always has a “maybe”, or a “what if”. And today, your “maybe” had turned sour. Out of nowhere, the white beast had locked its maw around your arm, and was thrashing you back and forth. You could feel an intense pain in your arm as its teeth broke your skin and attempted to rip off your limb. In your disorientation, you began to panic, your other arm trying to beat the animal off of you. You pulled at its fur, and threw punches, but what seemed to distract it enough was when you tugged at the wound, and managed to stick a few fingers inside, gripping whatever was in the wound.

The beast reared back as it let out a pained cry and then a ferocious snarl. You managed to scoot back at least a little bit, putting some distance between you and the wolf, and grabbed the bow, which you had dropped as you fell.

Blood was dripping down your marred arm, and in those seconds that seemed to pass like an eternity, you realized that the wolf’s saliva was, for some reason, a thick, semi translucent black color.

I’m going to die, I’m going to die, I’m going to die.

The scent of the beast’s rancid blood pierced your nose and the sound of other men shouting were the sensations you could feel around you, but not before you felt something inside of you, a deep, masculine voice echoing in your head.

Your hate infected me, the voice growled, now my hate will infect you, and you will die the same way I will: slowly, painfully and overtaken by rage.

Then the voice was ripped from your head, the same way the beast was ripped away from you as the other riders came to your rescue. You were picked up by one of them, thrown onto his reindeer behind him, and you gripped on tightly to his shirt with your uninjured arm as he turned his reindeer sharply to follow after the wolf, which was most likely returning to its pack, towards the sounds of shouting, howling, and gunshots.

“Are you okay?” He asked loudly, and you recognized the voice instantly.

“I think so,” You answered Jongdae over the wind, “I’m hurt pretty badly, but nothing Yixing can’t fix.”

With some difficulty, huffing in pain as you did so, you reached for another arrow, nocking it into your bow in preparation to let it fly at another wolf. Jongdae’s reindeer followed the wolf in its tracks, and stopped when you ran through the trees and stumbled across the fight. The wolves were incessant in their snarling and attempts to trample the riders and their reindeers, but your eyes ignored them despite the chaos, falling to Baekhyun, who was now off of his reindeer, his sword pulled out, dodging the rider’s dagger. You could see the anger on Baekhyun’s face, his chest heaving.

You couldn’t see the rider’s face. You never could whenever they attacked. All you knew was that he was significantly taller than Baekhyun, and that his hands were tanned and littered with scars. His face was covered by a red mask, back covered by the pelt of a white wolf, neck accented by a necklace of sharp teeth from different animals. His simple clothes were black, hiding the rest of his body. The man moved aggressively, grunting as he played the offense, repeatedly trying to stab your lover.

You sneered and let your arrow fly, catching him right in his right shoulder blade, piercing through his clothes. The man stopped, groaning in pain, back arching in pain. He was barely able to dodge Baekhyun, who had taken the hit as an opening for him to strike with his sword. The rider stepped back, letting out a loud whistle before getting onto the largest wolf. He whistled again, and the other wolves began to retreat, dodging the large metal bullets that rained down on them from the guns of the other soldiers.

When the silence settled, Baekhyun’s eyes settled on you, and then he was running towards you and Jongdae, eyes flashing in alarm as he saw the mangled flesh of your arm.

“What happened to you?” He asked, voice loud and concerned.

“The wolf that came after me knocked me off my reindeer,” You replied, suddenly feeling lightheaded as the adrenaline began to wear off, “Bit me pretty bad.”

He looked up at you, then to Jongdae.

“Get her to Yixing. Now.”

“The bite left her cursed.”

Murmurs broke out amongst the council of leaders, and you felt your eyes flutter shut at Yixing’s tone. Normally soft and gentle, now his tone was loud as he spoke to the ten members of the council, and you could tell he was angry.

“What do you mean cursed?” Your father, head of the council, asked.

“The beast was infected with hatred,” The healer explained, “Hatred of that kind stems from war and festers in ways we mortals cannot comprehend. As he’s a demigod, one of the sons of Selyne, it will most likely turn him into a demon.”

“One of our finest female warriors cursed by a descendant of that wretched she-wolf,” The head of war huffed, her eyes settled on the bandages of your injured arm. “How will the curse work on Y/N?”

“It will manifest as dark magic.” Yixing’s voice was low, and you felt Baekhyun’s hand tighten around your own uninjured one. “It will harm her and those around her when it does, and it will slowly spread through her body. It will kill her when it reaches her heart, or her brain—whichever it reaches first.”

You looked up. “But there has to be a cure,” You quipped, “I can’t die. I refuse to.”

“Y/N.” Yixing’s eyes were sympathetic. “There isn’t. I hate to say this to you, but this is a death sentence. By my estimates you have at best, a month and a half.”

“Can we at least slow it down, hyung?” Baekhyun asked, voice pained. Your eyes squeezed shut at the slight desperation in his voice. “Make it less painful?” “Make it less painful, maybe. Slow it down… I don’t think I can, Baek. I’m sorry.”

You watched him nod, jaw clenching, the hand atop yours clenching slightly. “There has to be something,” You insisted. “What about the story of the wounded warrior—”

“Y/N, that’s a myth.” Your father’s tone was both sympathetic at your insistence, but also angered by your refusal to accept the truth. “And besides, that myth originated centuries ago, before we took hold of our destinies and left The Spearwood to build Ironbend.”

“Do you really think the Pillars of the Forest—do you think Emyr, the proud fool that he is, would heal you as he did the wounded warrior, after three centuries of war against his kingdom? After all of the weapons we’ve created, all the soldiers of his we’ve gotten rid of, ”

“Emyr asked the warrior for a sacrifice, then. I could negotiate something with him, and—”

“And what? What if he asks to give up our weapons, to leave The Spearwood be after everything it’s done to us, so that we may be overrun? Y/N, you may be one of our finest warriors, and you may be my daughter, but I refuse to sacrifice one life over all of Ironbend.”

“Send me on my own, then, papa, but I can’t just—”

“Enough.” His tone was final, and you inhaled sharply as you attempted to control the shaking in your arms.

“You will stay here. And I promise we will do our best to make the rest of your life something for you to look fondly upon when you pass.”

“It’s bullshit,” You growled, blinking back tears as you sat on the bed in the cabin you shared with Baekhyun. “There’s a perfectly good possibility and they won’t even let me try.”

“Y/N, my love,” Baekhyun whispered, coming to kneel between your legs so he could cup your face, “It’s a suicide mission. Going into The Spearwood, of all places, in the dead of winter, to find those four gods and ask them to heal one of their enemies, I… you have to admit, it doesn’t sound logical. If the cold doesn’t kill you, then Selyne and her children certainly will.”

His hand came to rub at your cheek, nose nuzzling against yours, and you knew he was right.

In the beginning, when man was just another animal, the ancestors of Ironbend lived in The Spearwood, ruled over by the four Pillars of the Forest: Selyne, the wolf goddess, warden of the forest, Beval, the eagle god, keeper of the weather, Mirren, the bear goddess, guardian of families, and Emyr, the deer god, king of the gods, and ruler of the forest. Over time, humans became smarter: they realized they could build things with their hands that animals could not, and they grew proud enough to rally together and leave The Spearwood and the kingdom of the gods to build something permanent: Ironbend.

The forest exodus triggered a seemingly endless war, which had been going on for over three hundred years. For three hundred years, your ancestors had attempted to destroy the gods’ uncivilized way of life, to end Emyr’s tyranny and extend Ironbend across all of the Spearwood, so that it would finally be gone.

If the gods were as ruthless as they said, Emyr would never heal you when you were a part of the threat to their archaic way of life.

“Baek, I…” You whispered shakily, eyes fluttering shut. “I can’t die like this. I-I can’t. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. W-we were supposed to get married, and we were going to lead the council, and have children, and raise them to end the war, and then… Baekhyun, do you really want to give that up?”

“You think I want to give that up?” Baekhyun snapped, leaning away from you. “What, you think I want to watch you die a slow and painful death, and not do a thing about it? I—”

He caught himself when he saw the tears streaming down your face, and your injured arm shaking. You couldn’t explain the despair, the anger that washed over you, but you could see the injured skin warping and growing beneath the bandages. You felt the bandages tighten against your skin as it grew, and you grasped your injured forearm with your other hand to hold it back, because all you felt was the urge to hurt, and you wouldn’t live with yourself if you ended up hurting Baekhyun, the man who made you laugh and feel emotions you had never felt before, who had persisted to push himself up the class ladder because he wanted to be with you and help those around him.

Not him, not your Baek.

He stepped back cautiously as you took deep breaths, trying to ignore the sudden black liquid oozing slowly out from underneath the bandages, staining them dark and dirty. You began to count, and counted for an eternity, only stopping at 136 before you felt the urge dissipate, burrowing back beneath the skin it had attempted to break free from.

“Are you alright?” Baekhyun’s tone was cautious, and you opened your eyes to find that he was eyeing your arm warily. You nodded. “Better. I just… need to remain calm.”

He groaned and ran a hand over his face before pushing his hair back. “Shit, my love, I… I would march into that forest right now if I knew for sure that it would save you. But the truth of the matter is I don’t know, and neither do you, and chances are that it wouldn’t. No one has seen Emyr in a hundred years, and even if he showed himself to you, he would likely have you executed for treason.”

When you didn’t respond, his hands fell to yours, bringing them to his chest. You spread out your fingers, feeling the fabric of his cream drawstring shirt and the firm muscle beneath it.

Your eyes fell on the pendant he’d always worn: a small opal on a gold chain, which had been his father’s. Noticing your gaze, he reached behind his neck, unclasping it and placing it around your neck.

His eyes were desperate, voice breathless and slightly panicky. “Stay here, with me, Y/N. Where it’s warm, and y-you’re surrounded by people who love you, and we can be happy before you die. We can rush the wedding, I don’t care if it’s a big affair or not. If it means you spend the rest of your life with me, it would make me the happiest man in the world, and I promise I would make you feel loved until the end of your days.”

Your forehead fell against his, and his eyes fluttered shut. “I’m already on my knees, my love. Please don’t make me beg any further.”

“Baek…” You whispered, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath your fingertips. “Hold me, please.”

He nodded, quickly making his way onto the bed, ready to console you, not despite what just happened but in spite of it—he knew you were just as frightened as he was, because he knew you like the back of his hand. The argument was forgotten, and suddenly you were resting on Baekhyun’s chest, listening to him hum a lullaby to you. You let your tears stain his shirt, and he pressed kisses to your hair between beats, until the soft melody lulled you to sleep, dreaming of nothing, basking in the warmth of the arms of your betrothed.

When you awoke, you found that Baekhyun had blown out the candle on your nightstand, because your room was now dark. He was asleep beneath you, snoring softly. He looked so relaxed now that he was resting. During most of the day, his face was pulled into a grim frown, as the council met to discuss serious strategies and the needs of the people of Ironbend.

He hadn't always been that way. Even now, occasionally bits and pieces of who he was when you had first fallen in love—the brightest, funniest boy you had ever met—shone through. He could still make you and your friends laugh until your stomachs ached, but now that you were all adults, and it was time to take the war from your parents' hands, all of you had grown more serious, and pushed aside the time to simply enjoy life and each other.

You were 11 when you met Baekhyun, himself 13. You met at the training academy in the town, meant to teach children the basics: how to read and do math, the history of Ironbend and the war, . He had been a year older, and wont to make everyone laugh.

He helped you with your sword fighting skills, and in return, you helped him with his archery skills. A steady friendship bloomed, despite the fact that you were the head councilman's daughter, and Baekhyun was the child of a woman who ran away when he was a baby to be with her lover, and the town drunk. Baekhyun was crafty, however, and as he grew into a young man, he used his wits, natural charm and skill to climb the ranks.

It also helped that he invented the first prototype for the shoulder guns.

He had always been good at making things, and his prototype for the shoulder guns, small cannons loaded with large iron bullets made from the metal extracted in the mines, were what began to give the town an upper hand against the ambushes the creatures of the forests made. And for him, it was what landed him in junior council, along with all of his other abilities.

You thought of Baekhyun, and the look in his eyes when the curse kicked in. The quake in his voice when he begged you to stay. How much it was hurting him to see you like this, to know you would die. Your hand drifted to the necklace he had placed around your neck, a silent promise.

What, you think I want to watch you die a slow and painful death, and not do a thing about it?

Except there was a thing to do about it.

The wounded warrior was a story your grandmother had told you as a child—everyone knew the story as a testament to Emyr’s cruelty. The wounded warrior had gone to the deer god as he began to die from an infected wound, and begged him for a cure, so he could live to see his children and his wife. And while Emyr took pity on him, he asked him for something in return: fifteen years of loyalty, of servitude.

True to his word, the warrior did as he asked—he tended to the god’s every whim and desire, for fifteen long, grueling years. Fifteen years that, for an immortal, passed by in the blink of an eye, but for a human, were, well… fifteen years. When the warrior finally returned home, he found his wife had died believing he had died after disappearing for so long, and his children, now grown, were resentful of having grown up without a father. The warrior lived a full life, to a ripe old age, but it was a lonely one, for he had no wife or children to take care of him or keep him company.

And finally, you thought of the rider, of the odd red and gold mask that haunted both your dreams and Baekhyun’s. There were no towns around for miles, not unless you passed through the mountains, in the opposite direction of the Spearwood, and no child in Ironbend had gone missing and remained unfound for over eighty years. The man looked too young and had moved with too much energy to be 90 years old.

Your puffy eyes fluttered shut, listening to Baekhyun’s steady heartbeat.

...And not do a thing about it?

Except there was something to do about it. And while your chances were slim, there was always a chance.

Slowly, you lifted yourself off of Baekhyun’s chest and sat next to him on the bed, admiring his features as he slept. The bridge of his round nose, the moles on his face, the apples of his cheeks.

Oh, how you would miss him.

Baekhyun was a pretty heavy sleeper, but you still took great care to dress quietly, pulling on a warm shirt, thick pants and a cloak, along with a pair of winter gloves. You grimaced pulling them on, as you used your injured hand, the skin swollen and irritated, pain prickling every time you flexed your fingers or your wrist. Your heart never ceased pounding.

Next, you grabbed a satchel and went to the kitchen, packing a loaf of bread, some jam, a few strips of dried meats, and some fruit. You could find water in the streams, you figured.

Quietly, you set your bow and quiver next to the satchel on the floor, and hurried to find some ink and a scroll of paper. As you looked, a glint of silver out of the corner of your eye caught your attention.

It was one of Baekhyun’s many swords, still partially sheathed, propped up against the wall. Smaller, a bit more lightweight. He didn’t use it much precisely because of that—he preferred something heavier, that could bring down more force. You thought of the rider and his knife, and how you would most likely end up injured if he came close to you; a bow and arrow is only so good up close. You swallowed a lump in your throat, quietly picking it up. Glancing at the bedroom doorway, where you could still see Baekhyun asleep on the bed, dark hair tousled, you took a deep breath, before tying the sheath’s leather band around your waist, securing it tightly.

Blinking back tears, hands shaking, you wrote down a brief letter.

Baekhyun, my love,

Please forgive me for what I'm about to do. I can't sit here and die when I know there's at least a chance. Life will find a way. Love will find a way. I will find a way. I will do everything possible to find my way back to you, safe and sound. Don't look for me. It's dangerous enough as it is in The Spearwood, and now with the chance that I might hurt you as well… If these truly are my final days, I want you to remember as I am, and not as what the curse will turn me into.

You shine brighter than the stars, Baek. Please don't stop doing so, ever. That shine will lead me back to you even on the darkest of nights.

Forever yours,

Y/N

Tiptoeing, you set down the weathered paper on your side of the bed, before looking at Baekhyun one last time. Carefully, you leaned over him, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“No matter what happens, we’ll see each other again,” You whispered against his skin, “And after you're done yelling at me, I’ll kiss you the way you deserve.”

Escaping was an easy feat when you knew the standard night patrol route—even easier when you were the one who wrote them. Carrying all of your things, you made your way to the stables, the moon your only source of light.

There was no one in the stables, which made saddling up Ivan, your reindeer, easier. In the silence as you worked hastily, you began to doubt your actions. Go back, a voice whispered somewhere in the back of your mind, stay with your family, stay with Baekhyun. Hold him tight and don't let go until you die. Kiss him like it will free you from the curse, even though it won't. Be happy. Make them happy.

Your eyes drifted down to the bandage, which you had changed right before leaving, feeling the slight throb of your skin. You were reminded of the things that hung in the balance—or rather, imbalance. The unfairness of it all. Yes, life was unfair, but here you had a chance to take at least something back.

And so you didn’t go back. You continued to saddle up the reindeer, slinging the bag over its side, and finally, you left the stable, and quietly made your way towards one of the side gates. You knew the main gate was the one most heavily guarded, and that the side gates were generally more lax. Given the position of the moon in the sky, which was slowly being covered by clouds, you could also tell that the guards’ shift would be ending, and there would be a brief period where the gate was left unattended.

With baited breath, you waited, holding the large creature’s harness in your uninjured hand, watching from behind a corner as the guards stood at their posts. For about ten minutes, your heart pounding in your chest the entire time, you watched the parapets, and then turned to look at the alleyway you were hiding in. You did your best to hold your breath when you peeked around the corner, knowing that the condensation could give you away if they happened to look your way.

Finally, the two guards walked away, mumbling to each other as they did, and you took this as your cue. You led your reindeer to the gate, and pulled off the thick iron plank that locked the gate, careful to not make a noise.

When it was open, you hopped onto the reindeer, nudged him slightly, and he slowly walked into the treeline. You looked down at the snow, and hoped that the dark would hide the trail until it started to snow.

You rode on Ivan’s back for hours, until the darkness started to slowly fade. Somewhere during that time, it had started to snow. Now, the forest floor was covered with a fresh sheet of snow, that looked a shade of light blue rather than white, now during the twilight. During that span of time, as you rode on deeper and deeper into the forest, you realized the sheer magnitude of it. The stories the village elders had told you and the other children to keep away from the woods, and stay inside of the walls: that the servants of the gods were large creatures with sharp white teeth and long nasty claws, that the Spearwood was alive, and knew that humans had abandoned it, so it tricked travelers into going in circles—no matter how close the treeline seemed to be, you could walk for hours and never cross it because of the Spearwood’s magic, playing tricks on your eyes until you succumbed to the cold, or dehydration, or hunger.

Paranoia was trickling its way into your head, albeit slowly. As you stopped to let Ivan rest, you pulled out a piece of cured meat, chewing it until your jaw was sore as Ivan dug his hooves into the snow, only stopping when he found a patch of grass to chew on. You looked up at the sky, and then in all four directions. You knew that the mountains opposite the Spearwood were towards the north, and by going north you would eventually leave the forest and find Ironbend, but currently, with the snowfall and the clouds, you had no idea which way that was.

But you didn’t plan on returning until you knew for sure the gods would listen to you.

Apparently, the gods weren’t very keen on listening.

Onward you went for days, panic slowly kicking in as you realized that you had no way of actually knowing in which direction you were headed. You seemed to be riding Ivan in circles, and the silence of the forest, save for the sound of Ivan’s hooves against the snow, was beginning to drive you to madness. Every few hours you switched between walking on him and riding, taking quick breaks every time you decided to switch. The isolation was quickly becoming too much to handle.

You thought of your friends, of your family, of Baekhyun, of everything said that night before you left. You didn’t want to imagine what was happening back home, but you couldn’t help it, what with walking around all day and not having anything to do.

You knew that your parents must have been heartbroken, and that your friends would likely be losing their minds. But you knew that you were doing what felt right.

You had packed enough small snacks to last you about three weeks if you rationed correctly, but you felt as though you were constantly running on empty, never fully satisfied. You drank water every time you came past streams or snowmelts, because you didn’t know when you would find one again, cupping your hands together and drinking until you were practically full, fingers pained from the freezing water and your throat sore.

The falling snow would stop periodically, and then start up again. Not very heavy, but not precisely light either. Your face became perpetually cold, your fingers cramped harshly to the point when you would wince in pain when you needed to change your bandages.

The wound was getting worse. The curse was beginning to spread. Initially, while it had started at the bite mark in the middle of your forearm, it was now making its way to your elbow and wrist. The tissue seemed to be turning necrotic as well, secreting a sort of mucous substance that was black. The smell was bearable when you had the bandage on, but every time you took them off to change them your eyes watered and you had to hold back the urge to gag.

When night fell, you slept on Ivan, who was pretty comfortable in the cold, laying down in it and laying against the trees. You had never realized just how dark the world could be without lanterns to light your way, and your small oil lantern barely illuminated anything. It did well warming your hands though, which would cramp when they felt the heat.

Worst of all, the deeper you went into the forest, the more it felt like you were being watched. Which was odd, because you saw no animals. None at all, which only served to put you on edge more.

The first two days it seemed fine, but after that, it changed. Now that you knew that you were well and truly on your own, the crisp winter air felt tense. Even Ivan became a bit skittish, and you felt bad for bringing your innocent reindeer into such a stressful situation. You were on edge all hours of the day now, eyes darting from side to side always, ears straining as you listened for something, anything. It was as if the whole forest was holding its breath, waiting to release its wrath on you.

Three more days passed before it finally did.

They came when you came across a lake in the middle of the afternoon, seemingly unfrozen. You got off of Ivan, an odd sensation pooling in your gut as you approached the crystal clear body of water. Oddly enough, you felt at peace, and for the first time in days, the striking silence was comforting. Now, instead of feeling like the forest was holding its breath anxiously, almost angrily, it felt as if it was holding its breath in anticipation.

The water was clear as day and seemed to span for miles. Trees grew out of the depths, and in the center, a small island emerged out of it. When you focused on the island, you felt your eyes widen—there was no snow on it at all. Quite the contrary, actually. It was a lush, beautiful green, with a blossoming tree smack in the middle of it. For such a small island, you were certain it was the brightest green you’d ever seen.

Your dry throat almost burned in anticipation as you kneeled. At this point, it had been about a day since you had last come across water, and your head was starting to ache. When you dipped your fingers in, you gasped. The water wasn’t freezing like it had been in the other streams you came across, nor was it cold. It was tepid, bordering on lukewarm. It felt kind, it felt welcoming, and while the setting lured you into a sense of security, you couldn’t help but feel as if this was wrong, because it was a lake, in a dangerous forest. It couldn’t welcome you, not at all.

That snapped you out of your trance, and you turned just in time to face the rider as he tackled you to the ground, pinning you down against the snow, the sudden cold causing your back to arch. You were vaguely aware of Ivan being startled, and the sound of growling somewhere off to your left, but you were more preoccupied by the red mask hovering above you, and the dagger about to come down on your face. You grabbed the man by his wrists, arms straining with effort as your injured arm flared in pain, wrenching a guttural cry from your lips.

You pulled him forward, causing him to lose his balance and topple next to you. You took your chance, straddling his chest and knocking the dagger out of his hand with a kick. You pinned his arms down, before pulling off the mask swiftly, sneering at him.

But you stopped when you saw his face.

Somehow, you found yourself entranced; for his features were contorted into rage and pain but you had never seen such a beautiful person. His eyes were large and round, a deep dark brown. His plump lips were curled into a harsh sneer. He had painted three long triangles across his face with what appeared to be dried blood: one below each of his eyes, the third one in the middle of his forehead, ending beneath his eyebrows.

His large ears, hidden beneath black, shaggy hair, gave him an elfish look. He was wearing large, white, circular earrings.. Beneath you, you could tell he was pure muscle, large and beefy to the point where it left you reeling because, oh, gods, how can one man be so big?

He took the chance and flipped you over, a groan leaving your throat when your head hit the ground hard, but saw an opening quickly and lifted your leg to knee him in the groin. He toppled over, groaning in pain, and for one final time, you found the roles reversed. On top of him, you unsheathed Baekhyun’s sword, ready to subdue the rider. You pressed the blade to his neck, poising yourself to speak—

When one of the wolves grabbed you by the collar of your cloak, dragging you away from him. The wolf stilled even though you continued to struggle against it. You could feel your injured arm bleeding beneath the bandages, and the subtle tremors riding throughout it as you watched the rider stumble to his knees, picking up the sword, and crawling towards you.

He did the same you had done and pressed the blade to your neck, breath heaving from his chest, air puffing into the cold. If he had been angry before, now he was furious, and while a small side of you felt the urge to cower back in fear, you could feel one side of your body heating up slowly, a sensation you hadn’t felt in over a week slowly making its way back into your system.

“Why are you here?” His deep, menacing tone didn’t sound like much of a question, but rather an accusation.

“Take me to Emyr,” You demanded immediately. “I need to speak with him.”

He blinked. For a second, he seemed taken aback, almost offended. But then his features hardened again, and he pressed the iron even further into your neck. It didn’t break the skin but you felt a sting against your windpipe, grimacing at the sensation. Your fingers curled into fists, your entire body trembling now as you felt something moving underneath the bandages, beneath your very flesh.

“Don’t tell me what to do, human,” He spat, “This is not your forest.”

The wolf behind you growled, and you felt it one last time: the urge to hurt, the urge to kill, a feeling of absolute hatred. This time, as opposed to the first time, you didn’t hold it in, and you didn’t count. When the black goo oozed from your skin, turning the air rancid, you didn’t gag, but rather embraced it.

And a split second later, just as the man had lowered his gaze to where the smell was coming from, his eyes widening at the bandages stained black, it was too late.

This being only the second time you had felt it, and this being the first time you didn’t restrain it, you weren’t fully sure what you were expecting. But you most certainly weren’t expecting your arm to bend into a shape it wasn’t supposed to bend into, in a direction it wasn’t supposed to go. And you definitely weren’t expecting black, slimy tendrils to break your skin, pushing the man away with so much force that his back pushed itself into a tree. He yelled out in pain, clutching at his right shoulder.

The violent coils did the same to the wolf, pushing it off to the side. And while momentarily, you rejoiced in the lack of restraint, it was taken over almost immediately by panic, because you just didn’t know how to make it stop. What frightened you even more was that a part of you didn’t want it to stop. As the tendrils flailed angrily, attempting to reach the man and the wolves as well, you felt the need to let it consume you, and then let it consume the man, and the wolves, and eventually, the entire forest. You wanted them dead, gone, burned to the ground, because none of this would have happened had it been for this disgusting fucking forest.

But you knew that wasn’t the way.

Fury coursed through your veins, and your eyesight blurred, quite literally blinded by anger. Clinging to your logic, you pushed yourself onto your front, pressing all of your weight onto the monstrosity that had once been your arm. The adrenaline had stopped you from feeling it before, but now, as you pressed your mangled arm into the ground, you could feel how broken it was, how the skin ached where the coils had broken through. You cried out in pain, in anger, in sheer terror, praying for it to stop. But it simply wouldn’t, and you wondered if you had come all this way to die because you had pushed the curse too much.

Your mind went to Baekhyun as you screamed, of the way his eyes sparkled when the sunlight filtered in through the window in the mornings, when you woke up next to him. You started to believe you would never see them again. How you had broken his trust for an irrational decision you had made because of your stubbornness and pride, and how now you would never see the man you loved again, all because you believed you were right when you were so very, very wrong.

But somehow, the thought of him grounded you, and you felt the curse weaken. Still, it was something, and you squeezed your eyes shut, sobbing as you conjured up mental images of Baekhyun making you laugh, and recalled the sensation of his lips softly kissing yours. You remembered the time he had first held your hand, at fourteen, right after an intense sparring session, and how at fifteen, you had been the one to kiss him, even though he was the one who asked you, because he was too nervous and unsure of what to do.

The black appendages finally retreated back beneath your skin when you remembered how he had held you that last night before you fell asleep, and only when your free hand found its way to the pendant around your neck did your bones snap forcefully back into place. You were left hyperventilating, struggling to catch your breath as you buried your face into the snow, attempting to hide your weakness from your enemies. You heard footsteps crunching in the snow, coming closer and closer, but they froze when another rush of footsteps came from another direction.

Even though you weren’t looking, you knew it was a large party. There was simply too much thumping for it to be one person… or whatever they were. All sound stopped, save for your panting, before you heard scrambling, and you lifted your gaze in time to watch the man drop to one knee, bowing his head in submission.

“My king,” He murmured, and you turned your head ever so slightly to the direction in which he was leaning. Your heart was pounding in your chest, blood roaring in your ears, and your teary eyes widened as you saw what you saw.

The giant deer walked poised mere feet away from you commanded a presence over all of the other animals that had just arrived with him. You saw other deer, more reindeer, foxes, wolves, bears. In the trees all kinds of birds were perched, an eagle resting on a branch almost directly above the large creature.

Its antlers were large, larger than you had ever seen, branching out in all directions, almost forming a sort of crown. When it took a step forward, you watched in awe as flowers and grass began to bloom where he stepped, peeking out from beneath the snow.

Emyr, you realized with a chill, the deer god. King of the gods, ruler of the forest.

So, the god rumbled, without truly speaking, voice echoing through your mind, what is the meaning of all of this?

Come to find out, Emyr wasn’t the only spirit you were in the presence of. Your weapons were confiscated. As the wolf dragged your body—weak from what just happened—through the snow, you realized that the four Pillars of the Forest were all around you. Emyr was leading the animals ahead of you, but the man walked next to the wolf as it dragged you, and next to him, walked the other wolves. The biggest one eyed you with burning distrust, and wisdom beyond your years, and when you locked eyes with her, something within you knew that this was Selyne, warden of the forest and goddess of the hunt. She growled softly, and the man’s eyes snapped to her, ready to listen to what she had to say.

Disgusting, she growled, the nerve you have, little girl, to march all the way into this forest and injure my sons even more than you already have. I should rip your throat out right now—

Selyne. A giant brown bear lumbered up next to her, speaking gently but cautiously, she came here for a reason. The least we could do is listen before you do so, sister.

Your eyes widened, realizing this was Mirren, the bear goddess of family, matron of the forest. The wolf goddess let out something akin to a scoff, and before they could continue their discussion, Emyr stopped at a clearing not far off from the lake, where it seemed winter hadn’t touched down, grass green beneath you. The sun shone through a hole in the clouds, warming up the atmosphere, and your body shivered as you felt its heat pour over your body. In the center of the clearing, a large rock had three ledges, and a hole in the very bottom.

The Pillars of the Forest settled into the great stone. Mirren walked into the hole, Selyne hopped onto the lowest ledge, Emyr onto the middle ledge. Moments later, the eagle you had seen resting above Emyr’s head earlier flew onto the highest ledge, and you realized that this was Beval, the eagle god.

The animals around you chittered anxiously. The wolf set you down onto your knees, but did not step back. The rider stepped forward, however. He had picked up his dagger after you had been dragged away by the brown wolf, and now he held it forward to your neck once more. A silent threat.

Silence, Emyr said, and the animals obeyed. You could hear a pin drop.

State your name, child, the bear ordered, and you cleared your throat.

“Y/N,” You answered, voice raspy and gruff after not having spoken, “Y/N L/N.”

State your purpose in this forest. Selyne’s anger was barely contained, you could tell, but you refused to back down. Taking a deep breath, you steeled yourself, and flexed your free arm.

“I was cursed, great goddess,” You stated, “Cursed by one of your sons. I came to plead forgiveness, and ask to be healed.”

Forgiveness? Beval huffed, Healed? After everything your people have done to this forest? Burning your fires, taking our resources, and repeatedly trying to destroy our homes?

You looked down, before meeting the eagle’s strict gaze again. “I understand, my lord, that your kind and mine have been at war for hundreds of years. But I don’t wish to bring any of you harm, not right now into—”

Not now that you need us, Emyr deduced, and you bit your lip.

“I don’t intend to use you for your powers, great king. I offer my service in return.”

If you don’t wish to harm us, why attack my son? Your eyes turned to the wolf goddess, trying to think of how to answer without angering her further. How do we know you’re even telling the truth?

“I was surprised,” You said after a few seconds of mulling over your answer, “His ambush caused me to panic, and defend myself. I understand why he’d do so if he didn’t know my intentions.”

“Even knowing your intentions, I’d have done it,” The man grumbled, “You’re a fool.”

You glared at him, but didn’t retaliate. You didn’t need to make yourself look worse.

What is this curse you speak of, Y/N? Mirren asked, And what do you mean it was one of Selyne’s sons who cursed you?

You told the story, choosing your words cautiously. Describing the attack, you watched as Selyne’s ears picked up, and she sat up straight, lifting her head. You described the tendrils, the black substance that secreted from your arm, the anger and hatred you felt when it controlled you. And you described remembering the story of the wounded warrior, how the curiosity drove you to leave home and wander for days until you came here.

Ah, the warrior, Emyr murmured warmly, Doyoung. What a fine young man. Of course, the circumstances were different then. His kind—your kind—was still a part of this kingdom, and he came to me looking to cheat death when he was wounded while he defended the Spearwood.

“I understand, great king,” You answered, “But my plea still stands. Free me from this curse, and I will work as the warrior did.”

Resilient, determined. Mirren sounded amused. She’s not going to give up, brother.

And what after you finish your years of service? Obviously, Selyne couldn’t be swayed, You return to your little Irontown, and continue to plot our downfall?

“Ironbend, and no, great goddess. You see, I am the leader’s only daughter. Next in line to inherit his place.”

You had your trump card, you realized, as the four gods took notice, all four of them exchanging glances, leaning forward. You could work around the original terms.

"My kind are tired of this war," You explained, growing more and more confident, "As I expect your kind are as well. It's all I've known, all my father's known, and all his father has known. If I can offer my people a stop to this war, I am willing to negotiate a truce of some sort.”

A truce… Beval mused, What are your conditions?

“I can’t stay as long as the warrior did. They’ll move on from me and pass my claim to the next person in line. Let me go back as soon as I am healed, and when I take my father’s place, I shall return, and we can negotiate a truce.”

Let you go, as soon as you are healed… The deer god repeated. I see what you are trying to do, girl. Don’t think you can fool a god.

“No, great king, I don’t intend to—”

I am thousands of years old. You think you can fool me? My terms for healing are simple, service and loyalty to my kingdom. You are neither loyal to my kingdom, nor are you willing to serve me.

You forced yourself to take deep breaths, attempting to remain calm. This had come so close to the way you had wanted it to.

You are too proud and too stubborn. You think that your status will help you now. No. I will heal not heal you… but you will remain in this forest. Learn a thing or two, and maybe then we can negotiate this again.

"Stay in the forest? I… For how long? My healer told me I only had a month and a half to live. I—"

For as long as is needed. You do this on my terms, or not at all. If you wish to go, then do so at any moment. The war will continue and you will still be cursed. If you wish to be healed, you will stay until you earn your freedom from this curse.

You swallowed a growing lump in your throat, meeting the god's eyes. "Very well, great king. I accept your terms."

Very well... But you will not serve me. You will serve Selyne and her sons.

Your eyes widened, darting nervous to the white wolf. She looked displeased with the situation, but said nothing.

He's doing this on purpose, you thought, he knows Selyne wants me dead so he's making it harder for me.

Selyne spoke again. Serve me? Well, then. My sons will work with you. Her eyes looked at the wolf behind you and at the rider. As punishment.

The wolf behind you huffed, and the rider tensed. "Mother, I—"

Quiet, both of you. My orders were simple. You were forbidden from leaving the inner circle of the forest without me, and forbidden from instigating the humans. You did both. You could have been killed, or injured as your brother is now. You deliberately disobeyed me and now because of your foolish actions, we have a human who has seen the inner circle, and knows where the most important part of the forest is.

As insolent as she is, she has come for a purpose. She is to fulfill that purpose, and you will help her do so. Am I understood?

"Mother, she's—"

Chanyeol, the she-wolf growled, don't test me.

Chanyeol. So that was his name.

The princes of the forest, working with a human, Mirren said, this should be interesting.

You could tell that Chanyeol was not pleased with the situation. The other wolves of his pack as well. After the meeting was adjourned, and the other animals dispersed, Chanyeol pushed you to your knees, and he growled at you, "Follow me."

You obeyed wordlessly, taking note of his temperament. You walked aimlessly, for about twenty minutes. Surprisingly, Ivan, ever faithful, walked behind you, but you could sense some apprehension from him. Your eyes looked at Chanyeol's back, covered by the pelt of a white wolf, serving the same purpose as your cloak.

Your cloak, which had been dragged through the snow, and was now wet. You did your best to hide your shivering. You could deal with that later.

To distract yourself, you let your eyes stray to the wolves. There were three of them, all smaller than Selyne but bigger than the average wolf. One, the brown wolf who had dragged you along. The second one, black, the third one a classic timber gray.

You realized that the white wolf who had bitten you wasn't there.

"Where's the white one?" You asked, voice quiet and curious. Chanyeol and the three wolves stopped walking, and turned to look at you.

"Resting," Chanyeol answered. You nodded, not answering, and they continued on, trailing behind them. You walked a little longer until you stumbled across a cave. Their den, you realized. You stopped, and so did Ivan behind you. You watched as Chanyeol and the other three wolves made their way into the den, but you couldn’t find the courage to enter. You almost felt as if you were trespassing.

You turned to your reindeer, skittish and eyeing the den, and walked towards him, caressing the side of his head. “You’ll be okay, big guy,” You murmured, “I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

Your stomach rumbled, and you sighed softly, pulling out your loaf of bread and the little remaining jam there was.

It was a miracle you’d managed to make the bread last this long, you mused to yourself as you spread the jam onto it.

“What is that?”

You jumped, letting out a soft squeak. You turned to Chanyeol, who had creeped up on you while his brothers remained in the den. His face remained stoic and bordering on annoyed. “Stop fucking doing that,” You snapped, “It’s bread and jam.”

He tilted his head, and you blinked. “Do… I’m guessing that isn’t a thing here?”

Chanyeol shook his head, his earrings swinging as he did so. You pursed your lips, before breaking the slice in half. Slowly, you offered him one. Eyeing it with curiosity, and slight disdain, he grabbed his half. Then his dark gaze met yours. “You first.”

You furrowed your eyebrows. “What?”

“This. You eat it first.”

Raising your eyebrows, you wondered if he thought it was poisoned. As if you would be stupid enough to poison the son of the goddess who hated you most, in front of all of his brothers. “Fine,” You huffed, and took a bite, eyes widening and shaking your head at him challengingly. He narrowed his eyes at you, studying your appearance.

His eyes stopped for a moment when they landed on Baekhyun’s necklace. But a second later, he looked back up at you, and took a bite once he saw you swallow, before making his way back to the den. Shivering, you finished your jam before taking over your wet cloak. It was even heavier now that it was wet.

Here, in what the gods called the inner circle of The Spearwood, it wasn’t as cold, so you hung your cloak over a low hanging branch and hoped it would dry soon. Now, you were unsure what to do. Chanyeol had gone to lay down with the wolves, presumably, and you stood awkwardly as you were left unsure what to do. You were tired after everything that had happened in the past hour or so—the attack, your meeting with the gods, now this—but you weren’t sure where you would sleep for now. You weren’t sure if you were welcomed in the den.

So you made your way over to a rock opposite the den, sitting on it and resting your head against a tree stump growing right next to it. You thought over everything that had happened, but mainly, how you had handled the curse. Your hand gripped the opal with your free hand, staring off into the trees.

The curse is fueled by hatred, you surmised, love is what will ground you.

You wondered what Baekhyun was doing right now, as you watched the forest grow darker slowly. For a horrifying thought, you wondered what could have happened to him that night if you hadn’t managed to control yourself. You quickly pushed it away, not willing to get caught up on what could have happened, but didn’t Your eyes grew heavier and heavier as you thought of home, and beneath your eyelids, the images danced so vividly…

“Wake up.” The voice was gruff, calloused hands shaking you haphazardly. You furrowed your eyebrows, humming softly as your eyes adjusted to the darkness. It had grown colder, and you found that you actually had managed to fall asleep. The sky had finally cleared up, the moon high up in the sky.

“What’s going on?” You asked, rubbing your eyes, trying to ignore the pain in your lower back. You looked up at Chanyeol, who had pulled his mask back onto his face.

“We’re patrolling the border between the inner circle and the outer one. You’re coming with us.” His voice was muffled from behind the mask.

“Oh,” You answered, “Okay.”

You stood, arching your back to stretch out the kinks. The other wolves were standing behind Chanyeol, and he pointed at each one.

“Junmyeon,” He said at the brown wolf.

“Kyungsoo.” The black wolf.

“Jongin.” The gray wolf.

You nodded at all of them awkwardly, unsure how to address them. They eyed you with disdain, Kyungsoo pulling off the first ever eye roll you’d seen on a wolf. Junmyeon huffed at him, and Chanyeol shook his head. “Whatever,” He grumbled, “Let’s go.”

The night was rough. Ivan was asleep, so all you had were your feet to trudge through the snow. For hours, you walked through trees and over rocks.

You were trailing through the snow with Chanyeol, having pulled on your cloak again. He was riding Junmyeon, who was walking slower than the others. The brown wolf seemed to be the most gentle of the three—four? You had yet to see the fourth—wolves, watching you with more indifference than dislike.

Kyungsoo and Jongin trailed ahead, seemingly content ignoring you.

“You do this every night?” You asked Chanyeol. He nodded. “Our mother is the warden of the Spearwood. It’s only natural that we take after her.”

You nodded in understanding. “Will I be coming with you every—”

“Yes. Stop talking.” His head turned to face forward again, back on alert.

The night was incredibly awkward and tense. You were unsure if the tension was due to the alertness of the wolves on patrol or because of you.

A few minutes later, you spoke again. “Will I meet your other brother?”

Everyone stopped, slowly turning to face you. The three wolves’ eyes were narrowed at you, and you immediately knew that you had said the wrong thing. Kyungsoo took a step forward with a growl, but Junmyeon growled back at him, and he backed off.

“He’s injured.” Chanyeol’s voice was clipped. “He was injured by people like you with those—those things.”

“Why can’t Emyr heal him?” You asked, tilting your head. “If he’s powerful enough to heal me, then why can’t he heal—”

“Because we don’t understand his injury,” Chanyeol snapped, getting off of Junmyeon. He began to approach you. “We understand the curse, but not the injury. If we can’t heal the injury, we can’t stop the curse. We understand your injury and your curse. It’s different. You wouldn’t understand. Now—”

“But I want to understand—”

“You could never understand,” Chanyeol snarled, making his way into your personal space, “Your kind never do, the vermin that you are.”

You glared up at the unwavering red mask, even harsher in the moonlight, inches away from your face. “Now stop talking,” Chanyeol demanded, poking you square in your upper chest, “And don’t talk about my brothers as if you deserve to.”

He made his way back up onto Junmyeon, and the foursome continued, not even watching to see if you walked to keep up.

Junmyeon stopped walking at your speed for the rest of the long, cold night.

When you made your way back to the den, the sun was beginning to rise. As Chanyeol got off of Junmyeon, and shooed his brother away, you approached him.

“Why can’t I hear your conversations?”

You’d realized they were having a conversation pretty early on after your little spat, but didn’t comment on it, mainly because Chanyeol decided to whisper to his brothers so as to leave you out. You found it petty. But now, your curiosity got the best of you.

Chanyeol pulled back the hood of his pelt and took off his mask, scowling at you.“Why does it matter?”

“Because I might never understand, but I can try.”

Chanyeol scoffed at you, pushing past you. You’d had enough. Your feet were aching, your fingers and the tip of your nose were numb, your lips were close to breaking because of how chapped you were, and you were hungry and dehydrated.

So yes, you gripped his shoulder roughly, and pulled him back. You weren’t expecting him to let out a pained cry, and you didn’t expect to feel something hard beneath the cloak.

Immediately, the three wolves stood from where they had gone to lay down, snarling angrily, but he waved them away. They stopped snarling, but didn’t sit.

“What is—”

“Don’t touch me,” He said, swatting your hand away.

“Let me help you,” You countered earnestly. “Please.”

“Why should I?”

You made a face. “Because I might be able to figure out what’s hurting you?”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes. “I already know what’s hurting me.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Then why haven’t you been able to stop it? It’s a shoulder injury, it’s not that h—”

You stopped midway, when your eyes drifted to his injured shoulder, hidden beneath his clothes, his right shoulder.

The very one you had shot the day you got bitten.

“I did that,” You mumbled, gears turning in your head “...And you can’t have one of Emyr’s healers treat you because… up until yesterday, no one knew you had left the inner circle of the forest.”

A smug grin spread across your face. “Scared of mommy finding out, huh?”

Oh, if looks could kill.

You shook your head, your smile leaving your face. “Really. Let me help, Chanyeol. Let me right a wrong of my own doing.”

Chanyeol’s eyes looked you up and down, eyeing you suspiciously. Finally, he grunted out softly, before nodding his head in your direction once. “What are you gonna do?”

You had him lead you to the nearest body of water, a small stream about ten minutes from the den. You sat him down on the banks of the stream, where there was no snow. You set down what you had brought: his knife, plus your bandages and a small jar of ointment Yixing had given you for your cut.

It wasn’t working on you, but you had a feeling it was more due to the fact that you were cursed by ancient dark magic.

“Take off your clothes.” You pulled off your cloak and rolled up your sleeves. He made a perplexed face. “What are you—”

“Keep your pants on,” You added hastily, “I need to see the injury.”

After a few seconds of hesitation, he pulled off the pelt, and set it down gently next to where he was sitting. His tattered black shirt was also removed, and set down on top of it, but he left his necklace of animal teeth on. Kneeling behind him, your eyes settled on the tan skin of his back, before spotting the wound.

He must have broken the wooden shaft of the arrow as he tried to remove it, because the edge was splintered and the arrowhead was lodged in his skin. The skin around the wound was an angry red, swollen. You could even see a bit of pus caking in the crevice of the cut.

You picked up the knife, mentally noting where you would cut around to pull the arrowhead out. Your other hand rested on his other. “This is gonna hurt,” You told him, voice soft, “I’m sorry.”

You pressed down around the wound gently at first, feeling him tense up beneath you. Then, when you pressed down with more force, he hissed in pain. Finally, when you plunged the knife into the wound, he groaned out.

His breathing turned heavy as you tried to work quickly, but not too hastily as to butcher your work. You used the knife as a sort of separation between the arrowhead and his skin, trying gently to pull it out.

When you finally did, he let out a harsh, shaky breath, fists balled.

You led him to the stream, using your hands to wash out the wound. It wasn’t hot at all, and it probably wasn’t the cleanest, but it was the next best thing. Trying to remember how Yixing had done it that time you Jongdae accidentally shot Minseok with his bow, and you rinsed out the pus eventually.

You slathered on the ointment a bit more generously than you probably should have, trying your best to not hurt him too much, before dressing the wound with some of your gauze. You ripped off a bit of fabric from your pant leg, before looping it below his arm and tying it taut, so the bandage wouldn’t slip free.

“Better?” You asked when you were finished.

“I suppose,” He answered, moving his shoulder to test it out, “...Yes.”

You smiled, even though he wasn’t facing you. “You go back. I need to change my own bandages.”

“You know which way to go?” He asked, pulling on his shirt, and then his pelt.

“Yes,” You answered, watching as he picked up his knife before he stalked off.

He didn’t even thank you. You wondered vaguely if he knew how.

When you returned, now with fresh bandages, Chanyeol had curled up in the den with his brothers, and you went over to Ivan, who was chewing on some grass he’d found to put away your bandages and the ointment. Wordlessly, you flexed your fingers, watching how the skin had turned a black, necrotic color that would look unnatural on any skin tone. You wondered vaguely how much longer you had, before shaking your head.

You fell asleep again on the hard, uncomfortable rock, sleeping for hours upon hours.

You woke again in the late afternoon, around the same time you had first been attacked by Chanyeol and his brothers. The wolves were awake, some milling around the den and the others sitting in a circle. You could smell blood, and you perked up, figuring it must have been a catch.

Slowly, you made your way over to them. Jongin noticed you first, gaze hardening. His snout was stained red, and you looked down between his paws to see a piece of red meat. Chanyeol turned around when he realized Jongin was looking at you, looking you up and down before turning again. You pursed your lips at his face, the skin around his mouth stained with blood—he'd obviously been eating the meat raw like the others.

"Can I…?"

"You have your own food."

You sighed. "Not really. Not enough to satisfy myself for a whole day."

Chanyeol stared at you for a few moments, looking disinterested, before sighing. He pulled out his knife, before cutting off a sizable chunk of meat from the deer. He handed it to you, and you nodded. "Thanks," you mumbled, before walking off, sitting on your designated rock.

You needed to figure out how to cook this thing.

Thankfully, they hadn't taken your oil lantern, which you quickly uncapped and lit, before breaking a small branch off of the tree. You used the branch to pierce the meat, before letting it hover over the flame.

The flame was a bit small, but you knew it would cook eventually. At least until the exterior was cooked.

While you'd been working, you didn't realize that Junmyeon had made his way over to the circle, all of the wolves watching you.

What is she doing? Jongin asked, perplexed. She looks insane.

"I don't know," Chanyeol answered, leaning over to the gray wolf, "Maybe it's a human thing."

She's gonna burn it, Kyungsoo huffed, before spitting out a bone. If she doesn't burn down the entire forest first.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes. Yes, you were foolish, but he doubted you were incompetent enough to burn down an entire forest.

No, he's got a point. Junmyeon's tone was serious. Yeol, go see what she's doing. It could be dangerous.

Chanyeol set down his chunk of deer, wiping his hands off and making his way to you. Your eyes met his once he was standing in front of you. “Can I help y—”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m cooking my meat.” You sounded matter-of-fact. “I don’t want to get sick by eating it raw.”

Chanyeol tilted his head, frowning. “We’ve never gotten sick like that.”

“You’re used to raw meat, and they’re wolves. I am neither. So I have to.”

He pointed at the lantern, eyeing it warily. “What’s that?”

You stared at him for a second, before realizing just how isolated he had been from the human world. He didn’t know what bread or jam was, nor did he know about lanterns. He called guns those things, and he eyed you like you were other, as if you didn’t have the same shape of limbs, the same joints, ligaments and bones.

“I-it’s a lantern,” You explained, snapping out of your thoughts. You explained how it worked, how it was lit, and how you had to wait for it to cook the fire before you could eat it.

You didn’t notice how your bodies scooted closer every few seconds.

Neither did Chanyeol.

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lokiondisneyplus · 3 years ago

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KINGSPORT — Kingsport, Tennessee. The Model City. My hometown is now officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Pretty awesome I must say.

How Kingsport made its way into the MCU is with an Easter egg found in episode one of “Loki” — Disney Plus’ most recent live- action series on the God of Mischief and his adventures following the events of “Avengers Endgame.”

I’m not going to explain the entire backstory of the series (for that you’ll have to watch all six episodes), but in episode one, Sylvie (a Loki variant) attacks the Sacred Timeline by setting off a bunch of reset grenades in various locations throughout the multiverse, including Vormir, Asgard, Hala and Xandar. A couple of other locations shown on a monitor include two Tennessee cities: Cookeville and Kingsport.

As to how those cities made their way into the show, I think I’ve got the answer to that question. Maybe. Possibly. There’s a better than 50% chance I do.

In the first episode of ‘Loki,’ the name ‘Kingsport’ can be seen on one of the computer monitors. But how did it make its way into the show?

Turns out one of the actors on the show hails from Kingsport, and I recently had the opportunity to talk to him about his appearance on “Loki.” His name is Eric Jepson. Born in Iowa and raised in Tennessee, Jepson went to Sullivan Central High School, Middle Tennessee State, and after schooling moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.

He spent a couple of years living in the City of Angels, booked some credits here and there (“Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Nashville” and “Lovecraft Country”), but then the industry brought him to Atlanta, which is where he’s been for the past three years.

“I auditioned for (‘Loki’) just like any other audition. I came in and didn’t really know what I was auditioning for at the time. I did know several (Marvel) shows were coming through Atlanta,” Jepson said. “Originally I thought I was auditioning for ‘WandaVision.’ The script didn’t have character names and they wrote a script that actually wasn’t going to be in the show. They just wrote it to watch you play this character.”

Jepson didn’t hear from the studio for about two months, but then one day he got the call about the part. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta and Jepson played a Minuteman in episode one — the TVA officer who pruned a guy in the lobby with Tom Hiddleston watching.

Marvel Studios is extremely protective of its movies and shows and goes to great lengths to keep any information — not just spoilers — from leaking out. Jepson had to sign three non-disclosure agreements before he filmed his scene, and he didn’t even see his script until a few hours before filming.

“I started seeing some of the costumes and once I started emailing production back and forth on logistics, I started to connect the dots. A couple of weeks out I figured out (I was in ‘Loki’),” Jepson said. “Every time we walked out of our trailer to set, they had us cover our costume up with these big robes. They try and tie up all of their loose ends as much as they can and go from there.”

So how did Kingsport make its way into the show? I asked Jepson that very question. Here’s his answer.

“That had nothing to do with me,” Jepson explained. “The only thing I can think of is my phone number has a Kingsport area code and maybe they knew I was from Kingsport.”

At any rate, between Kingsport and Cookeville being mentioned in “Loki,” East Tennessee was represented well in the series. And if you’re wondering why it took so long for me to interview Jepson, that’s a Marvel thing. He wasn’t allowed to speak to me until after the series ended and only after getting permission from the studio, his agent and probably a room full of lawyers.

Thankfully, everyone signed off on the interview, and I had a chance to chat with Jepson about his time on “Loki,” whether he is a Marvel fan and what’s next on his acting palette.

“I’m a huge Marvel fan. Who hasn’t watched every single Marvel movie? It was surreal being in that moment, being able to work with (Tom Hiddleston), but at the same time, I’m an actor, hired to do a job and at the end of the day you’re showing up and going to work,” Jepson said. “Your geek-out moment only lasts a few minutes and then you’ve got to get it together.”

Jepson said he would love to work on future Marvel projects, pointing out that his character is still technically alive within the MCU. Until then, he’s in this gray area of success, he says, which is where he wants to be in this stage of his career.

“I can’t legally talk about it, but I’m at place where I’m starting to get bigger auditions and bigger projects ... the final rounds of booking bigger roles and projects,” Jepson said. “It’s a rung on the ladder where you want to be. It’s not a matter of if you get the part, but a matter of when.”

Congratulations, Eric, and let’s hope that ladder includes a rung set aside for “Loki” season two.

#Eric Jepson #Loki #Minuteman #episode 1

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canyouhearthevoices · 3 years ago

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‘ILLUSION’ Lyric Analysis

Released with the One to All album, June 2019.

Definitely one of ATEEZ’s most important songs from a pure storyline standpoint.

The MV was a nice contrast to ‘WAVE’, showing the duality of being awake and asleep. The lyrics mirror this contrast as well - while ‘WAVE’ has mostly bright and summery lyrics, ‘ILLUSION’ creates a fully Gothic duality of par3tying while knowing that at the back of your mind that something, although you can’t place it, is wrong. The lyrics are a perfect blend of carefree and sinister, mysterious and explicit.

In my storyline playlist, I have the song placed after ‘UTOPIA’ and before ‘HALA HALA’, however, it’s place is very complicated. On one hand, it could be happening at the same time as ‘WAVE’, or slightly before or after. On the other hand, it could happen before ‘HALA HALA’, and everything that happened in ‘HALA HALA’ (possession and such) was an illusion - literally. Both interpretations have evidence to support them and both are interesting, but in the case of the second, I do wonder - how did the boys enter their dream state to begin with? Was it something to do with the Cromer and the phases of the moon? Did they just lose steam and fall asleep?

‘ILLUSION’ uses many interesting and unique techniques to convey its story, especially to create a sense of wrong. It uses antithetical language, duality, and some emphasis on not only which members say what, but also the various ways in which they say it - alternate translations place emphasis on different parts of the line, which gives the song several layers of meaning.

All in all, it’s very interesting, and is brilliant at fulfilling its particular role in the story. More than worthy of being a title track!

Full lyric analysis below the line.

ILLUSION

The first two lines of Wooyoung’s verse also translate as ‘there’s a voice from somewhere telling me,’ which is a more explicit version of the same line.

Hongjoong’s first two lines are also; ‘it feels like a lie, a scene taht feels unreal,’ which, again, is just a more explicit explanation of what they are feeling.

Now, this verse has a lot in it. But first, an alternate translation for lines 2-4;

‘A night with lots of frogs and turtles, / red forsythias and sunflowers, / what’s going on?’

‘What’s going on?’ is better, I think, because, again, it is more explicit in meaning, which is important here. The two translations of most lines in this song go hand-in-hand - while the alternate gives the meaning of the line, the original gives a poetic/story-like version, allowing us to become immersed in the characters and their lethargic, dream state.

So, what does it mean?

As usual, Hongjoong’s verse has a host of interesting references. Of course, there is Columbus, who is a well-known explorer.

The reference to the turtle and frog makes me think of myths. The only story I could find on it is one about a turtle, who comes across a frog in a well. The frog boasts that he is the lord of all of the water in the well, but is amazed when the turtle tells him about the vastness of the ocean. It is an allegory for being short-sighted and focused on smaller concerns, rather than the bigger picture.

Additionally, the turtle and frog themselves have particular meaning. Turtles are associated with long life and knowing the future, and there is little information on frogs in Korea, other than that they are involved in some myths and folk tales, and that they are sometimes associated with the spirit of the moon. Universally, however, they are associated with potential, transformation, and good luck. The meaning of the story, the turtle, and the frog all fit with the themes of ATEEZ’s storyline, as well as Hongjoong’s particular arc of being trapped in time by his own ambitions.

Additionally, forsythias are a symbol of the warm sun and anticipaton, fitting for the illusion of a tropical island, and very similar to sunflowers, which also symbolise loyalty (another important quality in the story).

Yeah, he packed all of that in to one.

Also to note that Seonghwa is the one who sings all of the very high ‘oh’ notes. He stands in the centre of a circle created by the other members and bends in half, singing his soul out. Very fitting for his position in the story as someone who is using his entire spirit and willpower to keep everything together.

Seonghwa’s second line is also translated as, ‘It’s my first time feeling like this,’ and the section of Hongjoong’s part; ‘This is paradise, I don’t know’ is also, ‘Right here is my paradise. Whatever for now,’ which is more explicit - he knows it’s not actually paradise, it just feels like it, but he will ignore that and continue to party anyway.

I didn’t annotate it, but the ‘let me free’ is pretty clear - it is both Halateez fighting to be free, and Treasureteez fighting to escape the dream state. Seonghwa can’t hear it, but his body is calling for him, desperately.

The transation I used was interesting - for this particular instance, it translated Seonghwa’s part as, ‘again, a voice’, yet translated it as ‘somebody’s talking somewhere’ at all other instances. I am unsure why this was - did he sing something slightly different? Were they just including both meanings for the sake of completeness? Either way, it was only translated this way for this particular verse, which is interesting and unusual.

Similarly, they translated Hongjoong’s part as, ‘’Till we spend the night, hurry and party all night long,’ for this instance only.

The first San line here is also, ‘oh, will you follow me?’

The first two lines of this Mingi verse also translate as, ‘above that I follow the light, and go around and around and around.’

The first two lines are are also, ‘dying and living it keep on repeating, but no one’s forced to make sense of it all.’ This is even more metafictive than the original translation - he literally describes the storyline and the problems surrounding ATEEZ in one go. I do wonder, however, if this is ‘no one’s forced to make sense of it all,’ ‘no one wants to make sense of it all,’ or even ‘no one can make sense of it all.’

Yeosang and Yunho’s part is; ‘One the pink grain of sand, on the iridescent ocean, should I draw a more fantastic dream?’ The differnce between the inclusive ‘we’ and exclusive ‘I’ is interesting here, as is the idea that the group members seem to have some vague memory of how they have a dream - they still don’t know what it is, though.

The last three lines of this are also; ‘on the iridescent ocean we hold hands and dance like mad night and day.’

Conclusions

Interesting and important, for sure. It could reveal something, too - Hongjoong knows what is happening, Seonghwa, Yeosang, and Yunho are receiving different hints that ae leading them to the answer, and Wooyoung is getting a little of this too (we always knew that he had a vague idea of what was happening), Mingi has reached a new stage of metafictive enlightenment (goodness knows how), San and Jongho are confused, and Jongho is a slave to the high notes of EDENARY.

#ateez #atiny #ateez theories #treasure #ep 3 #one to all #treasure ep 3 #treasure ep 3: one to all #lyric analysis #illusion #team illusion

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mchiti · 7 months ago

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Hala may Allah reward you greatly for serving your parents and looking after them in their times of illness. I'm sure you did your best at the time of your mother's illness, you were very young then and you are young now too but you are doing amazingly I'm sure and it's not just the physical work but also the mental and emotional hardship of seeing someone you love in pain, especially when you are the only other person in the house and there isn't a third person to comfort you. But from how you talk about your parents it's clear you are full of love for them and most importantly you show that love in your acts of service to them

this made me cry anon not gonna lie. you're so sweet honestly, I thank you greatly. Allah yhefdk my friend may you be rewarded with the same goodness you show people. ❤️❤️❤️ we need to try our best for the people we love, there's no bigger privilege than this in life. have a superb day ❤️❤️

#asks

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mingishoe · 5 years ago

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Who is Ateez do you think is a dom/switch/sub?

Okay so if you’re not new to my blog we all know I’m a sub!ateez enthusiast and I think like half the members are major switches so here you go:

Seonghwa: Okay so Seonghwa, he’s a dom but a soft!dom at that. Seonghwa to me is so endearing from like the little things that he does. One of the things he does is spin the members, and I think that’s the cutest thing ever just to know he’d take you in his arms and spin you🥺

Hongjoong: I think hongjoong is a dom but he can have his moments where he’s a little bit subby but mostly he’ll stay the dom. I think hongjoong would be more of a hard!dom compared to Seonghwa and would maybe be the kinkiest out of the members or san

Yunho: sub. Have y’all seen that man? He may look all hard n scary when he performs but don’t let that fool you. The members and even yunho call him puppy and if that doesn’t say something i dunno what does. Yunho is big but he likes the way your smaller body sits on top of him as you control him.

Yeosang: Yeosang to me looks and acts like a dom but I think he’s a switch that leans more on the sub side. We all see how Yeosang acts but we also know how shy he is so I think he’s really into praise and teasing.

San: Switch. San I think is the biggest switch in the group able to do a full 360 in the blink of an eye. There’s nights where the both of you would wrestle to be the dom and it would end up with the both of you teasing each other until there’s tears. San I think is a brat- like a major brat because we all see how he treats the other members. Also san is a fuckiNg lOUD bitch. Everyone talks about Wooyoung being loud but San moans and whimpers so much and very loudly.

Mingi: Mingi is also a switch that‘s pretty 50/50. Mingi has his moments where he gets really shy and wants you to just praise him and mark him and take over. I think maybe it would be when he’s tired and after he performs. If you’ve seen that video of Mingi that was I think during the part in Hala hala where they fall to the ground, the way he puts his arms up, screams sub. Mingi also said he likes to be called princess so use that information as you wish.

Wooyoung: Also a switch but I think maybe more on the sub side. Wooyoung is a cocky little shit and sometimes he just needs to be put in his place. Wooyoung is probably an even bigger brat than San (which is why they get along so well bc they’re both cocky brats) but opposite to Mingi I think Wooyoung would wanna dom when he’s tired and after performances because he’s got himself so hyped up and is in the mood if yk what I mean

Jongho: Once again... a switch and I’d say maybe 50/50 kinda like Mingi. Jongho acts like two different ways, a hard bitch or a soft baby. Jongho is lowkey kinda scary and intimidating whenever he wants to be so in that sense he would make a really good dom to have you withering underneath him. Whenever he’s in one of his soft moods he’s so pretty and shy and he would look so good underneath you.

This was a mess and all over the place but yehajdhsjw

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queercapwriting · 6 years ago

Text

Remembering Us

Carol meeting Maria and Monica again, piecing together her life from before the Kree abducted her. Ft. a very, very Soft™ reunion kiss (I cried).

She remembers bits and pieces. Karaoke, and pinball, and laughter. So, so much laughter. So much laughter, even though it doesn’t seem like her life on Earth - she’s still getting her mind around that, that she had an entire life on Earth, in addition to her rebirth on Hala - was particularly easy.

Because she also has flashes of a man - Dad, she knows - who berates her for trying, berates her for doing what he encourages her brothers to do. Who, she thinks, never hits her but always looks like he wants to: who’s never proud of her, who punishes her when she’s hurt the most, who tells her she was asking for it when her lips and knees and hands and face are bleeding.

But the laughter. With a woman. Maria. Higher, further, faster. And a baby. A little girl. Lieutenant Trouble.

She doesn’t remember that little blonde girl - that little blonde girl that she knows is herself - ever really laughing. Unless it was out of spite, out of protection for herself.

But most of her memory flashes of her as an adult are of laughter. With a woman. And her daughter. Their daughter? It feels like that. The little girl that she used to teach about the stars and fly around before a dinner Maria made them all - like a family, one she didn’t seem to have, not really, when she was herself a little girl - feels like hers, too. Somehow.

And then she goes to that makeshift garage of a flight hangar in Louisiana, and she sees that woman. Maria Rambeau. She has a last name, now, in Carol’s mind, thanks to the files she and Fury dug up.

Maria Rambeau. Deep in thought, at work. The sight feels more familiar to Carol than anything ever had on Hala, and she’s grateful that this Maria woman doesn’t see her at first. It gives her a few moments to calibrate, to buffer, to process.

But then another voice - one she also recognizes, one that also stirs her heart in ways she hasn’t felt in an entire lifetime (and apparently, she’s lived two) - bursts out of the cockpit, along with a little ball of a body, running into her arms, calling her Auntie Carol (is that a typical C-53 name?) and telling her that she and her mother always knew she wasn’t dead, always knew they were lying.

Lying. It stirs something in her, and even as this little girl hugs her, she wants to pull away. And she wants to drop to her knees and hold the little girl back, and never, ever let go, because it feels right. It feels family.

But she chooses to pull away, because this is too much, too terrifying, too confusing, and she’ll just disappoint the girl anyway. Because she’s Vers, not… she doesn’t even know what.

And she pulls away, gently, gently - the Kree never taught her to be gentle, so where the hell did she get that? - because now, the woman has turned around, is staring at her, is looking at her like she’s seeing an apparition, a comrade back from being a prisoner of the Skrulls, wondering how she could have possibly escaped.

This look, at least, Carol recognizes. This woman in front of her, stepping toward her with her lips parted, is a fellow soldier. With, as Fury pointed out earlier, a personal stake in whatever war she’s been fighting.

Whatever war they used to be fighting together. Apparently. But all she remembers of this woman is a solid jawline, showing the boys how they do it, and laughter, laughter, laughter. So much laughter on a planet where that seems like a limited resource. Laughter with this woman, and with the little girl who thinks she knows her, who’s trying to hug her, who wants to be hugged back.

Her heart, somehow, is broken. And hopeful.

Even though she doesn’t know what it’s breaking for, or what it’s hopeful about.

This woman, this Maria, is quieter, more restrained, than her daughter. She is with her body, anyway. She doesn’t hug Carol, doesn’t touch her. Though her hands keep opening and closing at her sides, and her eyes won’t leave Carol’s face, her body. She’s never felt more exposed, more naked, even receiving orders from the Supreme Intelligence with the face of another woman that she’d never seen before, but who somehow felt familiar.

But not quite like this woman feels familiar.

It’s that familiarity - that look in the woman’s eyes, the insistence of the child that she stay, that she hear everything, because she was mostly a baby when Auntie Carol got taken away, and she doesn’t want to leave her, not again, and her mother’s eyes flood with tears, but only for a moment, before she agrees that the little girl can stay and listen - that makes Carol talk.

Despite Fury’s objections that you don’t just go telling people about aliens and shape-shifters and whatnot.

The little girl laughs - Monica, that’s right, that feels right, even though by rights everything on this planet should feel unfamiliar and more than a little inferior - and Carol finds herself smiling back.

She finds herself wanting to impress her. And her mother. And she’s not quite sure where that’s coming from, but she thinks the laughter from the memories - from whatever Talos put in her head - has something to do with it. That feeling of safety, of intimacy, of family. Of us against the world.

The life she’s been living, on Hala, has only ever been her against the world. Alone. And no one would tell her why, not really.

Because back there, she’d been respected. Revered, even. But she was always kept at a distance, separate, somehow, from the camaraderie she saw elsewhere, between people who weren’t her.

Not like with these people that she’s never met, but keep looking at her like they know her. Like they love her. Even though she’s talking about aliens and wars they’ve never heard of, and, apparently, calling herself by a name this woman has never known.

But her heart leaps when Lieutenant Trouble gives her photon blast her seal of approval - when she makes water boil with just a simple touch of her hand.

And she laughs, her eyes getting squinty in a way that doesn’t feel like it fits her face, but that also feels like it fits perfectly - that laughter, all that laughter - when she falls into a banter with Maria that feels like it’s been there for years. Never gone, never suspended, never taken from her.

She wonders vaguely what Fury sees, seeing her laughing with Maria like this. She wonders what Monica thinks. She wonders what’s behind the grief in Maria’s eyes.

She wonders what it would be like to laugh that much with someone, to love a child so much with someone, and then for them to be gone, reported dead, for six years. And then for them to stroll back up to your home with only disjointed memories of nights at a bar and early morning walks through base.

“Where’s your head at?” Maria had asked her in one of the flashes she’d gotten.

In the clouds, still. Scraping for more memories.

Because she can’t quite see the vehicles Maria is describing, their race to base the morning of the crash. But she can totally see herself violating the agreed upon rules of engagement, and she can definitely see why she used to laugh so much with this woman.

Because whatever Talos did to violate her mind, maybe there was some truth underneath it, after all.

And when she realizes who Talos is, who Yon-Rogg is - who actually murdered Lawson and abducted her and rewrote her entire life and stripped this, this laughter and this family and this… love… away from her, because that’s what it was, not some benevolent rescue and gift from the Supreme Intelligence - she still doesn’t remember, but it starts to make even more sense.

The way she feels when Maria hugs her. Not just overwhelmed from the weight of everything she’s learned. Not just catharsis and reassurance from being called a best friend, a pain in the ass, and something that fits, so, so well - Carol Danvers - but something in her body.

Because when Maria tells her to come here, that she’s got her, and when their bodies touch, it’s… perfect.

It’s home and it’s right and it’s… it’s everything.

Monica comes up to her, a few nights later, after they’ve found Talos’s family, after she’s found which side she needs to be on, as she’s sitting on the couch with Talos and Maria.

Uncharacteristically quiet, Monica stands there, in front of Carol, bouncing softly back and forth on the balls of her feet.

“What do you need, baby?” Maria wants to know. But Carol squints. Monica doesn’t need anything from Maria, just now. It’s her that Monica needs something from. And she thinks Maria knows that. And she’s grateful that Maria is trying to make this as gentle as possible for her.

“Come here, Lieutenant Trouble,” she gestures, opening up her lap to the child. Her… child. Because what was a vague impression before is now something she’s pretty certain of.

Watching Talos reunite with his family made her realize that, beyond a shadow of residual doubt. The integrity of her memories. Of herself.

Monica smiles like Carol just changed her entire world - and maybe she had - and scrambles into her lap.

“I’m bigger than I used to be. Sorry,” she murmurs, but Carol shushes her and kisses her face.

“No apologies for growing, Lieutenant Trouble.” She tickles her belly slightly, and Monica squirms and giggles.

“I missed you,” Monica says, and Carol feels Talos and Maria’s eyes on her.

“I know I didn’t remember,” she chooses her words carefully, wanting to be as truthful, as accurate, as possible. “But I think my heart knew I was missing something. You and your mom.”

“I knew you’d come back,” she burrows deeper into Carol’s chest until her breathing evens out and she falls asleep, like she used to all those years ago.

“I’ll -” Maria starts, almost apologetic.

“No, stay. I’ll put her to bed. I’ll be right back.”

And Monica in her arms - bigger, now, than she was then - feels right. Feels perfect.

“Auntie Carol?” Monica murmurs as Carol wriggles her under the covers and tucks the child in, Talos’s child already fast asleep on the rollout mattress next to them.

“Yeah, Monica?” she asks, with another kiss to her forehead.

“We never gave up on you.”

Tears sting Carol’s eyes, and her body shudders with the force of it, even as she kisses Monica’s forehead, lifting her head to tie her scarf around her hair. Her fingers remember how to do it, even if her brain doesn’t, yet.

“That’s because we’re family,” Carol promises, because her heart remembers how to do it, even if her brain doesn’t yet.

Monica falls back to sleep with a smile on her face, and Carol lets a few silent tears fall before she unravels herself from her crouch and tiptoes to the door.

Talos is in the hallway, watching her with his head cocked, his eyes gentle.

“I can help give you back the rest of your memories, you know. If you want them right away. But they will come back on their own, if you give them time.”

Carol just nods, shutting Monica’s bedroom door softly, turning the handle so the click won’t wake the sleeping children inside.

“Two lives, floating around in one head. I’m sorry for what they’ve done to you.”

Carol shakes her head, this time, fire crossing over her eyes. “It’s nothing to what they’ve done to you and your people.”

Talos puts his hand out, and Carol surprises herself slightly by taking it. He covers her hand with both of his own. “Both of our wives, and both of our children,” he tells her, his eyes wide and sincere. “Thank you for helping both of us find them again.”

He leans down and presses a kiss to her hand before heading back to the living room.

Carol’s head spins, and she tries to breathe. The wall holds her up, and she lets tears fall.

“Where’s your head at?” Maria’s voice is soft and there’s a hitch to it, like she could cry at any moment, too.

“Did you hear? What Talos said to me?”

Maria shakes her head. “No. He wanted to check on you, after you went to tuck Monica in. And I came to check on you after he came back.” She smiles, soft and tentative.

Carol doesn’t bother wiping her tears before she turns around. She knows that Maria would know, anyway.

“I…” she tries to start, but she doesn’t have the words. She doesn’t think any words will ever be enough.

The things she’s done. The atrocities she’s committed.

She’s not whole anymore. If she ever was.

This time, it’s Maria stepping forward, and Maria taking her hands. It’s different than when Talos did it: for one thing, Maria’s thumb swipes across Carol’s knuckles, and Carol’s do the same, like instinct. For another, Talos felt like a companion. Maria feels like…

Maria feels like everything.

“I…” Carol tries again, but words fail again.

Maria takes a step closer.

Carol takes a step closer.

They let their foreheads touch, their noses. They breathe each other’s breath and they cry each other’s tears. Soft, quiet. No words. No sounds.

Just breath, and trembling, and the most intimate touch Carol’s felt in an entire lifetime.

“What do you remember?” Maria asks after what feels like years, standing in this hallway outside the bedroom that their child is happily sharing with an alien refugee child. Her new best friend.

“Only what I’ve told you. The bar, the karaoke.”

“So, the good stuff.” Maria chuckles, and Carol lets out a sigh of laughter into Maria’s lips.

Their foreheads are still touching, their hands still together. Their bodies, too, now, have barely any gaps between them.

“Did we… were we…” Carol knows Maria knows. She can feel it in her breath.

“I don’t feel right telling you if you still can’t remember. I don’t want you to do anything because you think you should.”

“And I don’t want you to feel like you have to stop your entire world because I came back.”

Maria laughs again, but this time it’s bitter. Like if Carol weren’t holding her up, she’d be destroying Yon-Rogg and the Supreme Intelligence with her bare hands.

“Our entire world stopped when they took you from me. From us.”

“So we were…”

“Carol.” Maria’s voice cracks, and Carol nuzzles closer, Maria’s forehead against hers making her forget whose tears are whose.

“I don’t remember yet, Maria, but Talos promises it’ll come back. And I… I know this feels right. This is the only thing that’s felt right in an entire lifetime. Does it feel right to you?”

Her lips graze Maria’s, but only just. Only almost accidentally. Maria doesn’t pull away. Not a kiss. Just a touch.

A touch that makes them both tremble and shake and shed more tears.

“Touching you has always felt right to me, Carol. You’ve always felt right to me.” It’s a whisper, and Carol’s sure that if their entire bodies weren’t touching, she wouldn’t have been able to hear it.

“Maria,” she murmurs, and this time, it’s Maria’s lips that touch hers. Not a kiss. Not yet. Just a touch.

“May I?”

“Do you want this?”

They ask at the same time, and they both blink out tears at the same time as they sigh out laughter.

“Yes,” they whisper into each other’s mouths, just before their lips meet in earnest. More than a touch. A kiss.

And it’s absolutely, perfectly right.

#carol x maria #captain marvel #danbeau #carolmaria #carol x maria fic

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moonlightxarcher · 5 years ago

Text

Selene’s Log, Day Two (Part Two)

Update, 7:15 pm.

“Bzzzzzt, Roto Dex here!” The Dex triumphantly croons into the twilight sky, the early rays of moonlight illuminating Selene in an almost ethereal glow. Her lips are curled in the slightest hint of a smile as she rests against a tree, lazily feeding berries to the Yungoos wrapped around her neck and the Rowlet flapping next to her.

“Starting a bit early, Roto-san? The tournament battles are not supposed to begin for another fifteen minutes.” Her voice is light, completing her research duties for the day seems to have put her in a good mood. Though spoiling her Pokemon with food might also have an effect on that.

“I wazz thinking about interviewing you before the battle! You know, like one of those battle documentariezz,” he answered, question marks flashing on his viewscreen. He was met with a small nod from his partner.

“Alright, that is acceptable. Ask your questions, Roto-san.”

“What made you want to join the tournament, Selene?” The Dex chuckles. It seems a silly question, but it was one worth asking.

“There is... someone I’m trying to reach,” she starts, her smile thinning into an almost somber frown. “Someone I cannot stand alongside. Someone I admire, someone who I want to help. But I cannot do that without becoming stronger. This tournament is a stepping stone toward that goal.” She clenches her fist, her ocean blue eyes narrow in determination.

“Ohhhh, and who’zz this mystery perzzon? Someone important to you?” Roto-san prods, playfully poking at her with his arm. “You don’t need to answer that. What do you think about your opponent?” He angles his body to the side, capturing the image of a small boy in shorts playing with his Grubbin.

“Youngster Timmy may be several years younger than me, but he does not seem to be a slouch in the battle department. His bond with Grubbin is strong. He will be a good test for Inche, I think.” The Dex is redirected toward her, watching as she scritch-scratches the Yungoos under her chin, to the Normal Type’s great pleasure.

“And the others?”

“I am curious as to how much Hau-san has improved. Of the other five, I do not know enough about them to make any judgment calls. However, from what I see here,” Her eyes dart to the side, and Roto follows, his camera capturing footage of more young trainers getting in some last-minute practice. “Their bonds are all quite strong. It must be a thing in Alola... more data is needed. We will see if that bond fully translates to battle strength in due time.”

It is then that Kahuna Hala’s voice rings out clear and proud, announcing that the first battle of the tournament was to start.

Dr. Selene Berlitz vs Youngster Timmy, Begin!

Roto zooms in on the trainers as they approach the stage, the boy with his Grubbin and Selene with her Yungoos. Without skipping a beat, Hala calls the battle start, and the Pokemon hanging on them jump into the fray.

The Youngster is the first to call out, his voice cheery and loud. “Alright, Grubbin! Hit her with a Vice Grip!” He seems more than ecstatic to get to battle during such an important festival. The little grub growls out and charges forward, but finds his opponent all too slippery and evasive. Selene had not needed to speak at all, her Yungoos merely dodged through instinct.

“Excellent work, Ichne,” Selene calmly praises her, the grin on the Normal Type’s face growing larger in response. “Now show him your Tackle.” With little wasted movement and barely an acknowledgement that she heard her, the Yungoos darts off, slamming herself into the Grubbin with enough force to knock it back five feet, nearly sending it careening off the stage.

Timmy looks astonished, his arms flying up frantically. “No! Grubbin! You gotta get back up! We won’t be taken down so easily!” Responding to his cries, the little bug surges back, through its movements seem slower than before. That one attack seemed to have taken a lot out of it. “Another Vice Grip!” His enthusiasm seems to have infected the crowd, the sounds of cheering rising up from the festival-goers.

Selene merely closes her eyes. “I have seen enough. Ichne, your opponent is an honorable fighter. Weather its attack, then finish it off.” And she does just that, allowing the bug to latch onto the lower half of her body before she spins around, hurling the creature with surprising strength right off the stage and into the ground below, where it falls motionless.

Hala calls out in his rumbling bass, “And the winner is Dr. Berlitz! She will face the winner of the third round! Now, will Trainer Hau and Rising Star Tatiana come to the stage!”

---

“Wow, Selene’s a little scary in battle, isn’t she?” Roto replays the clip of Ichneumon defeating the boy’s Grubbin before moving on to a scene of Strix blowing away a male Rising Star’s Alolan Meowth with a well-placed Leafage. “She took out her second opponent with one shot! Wonder how her battle with Hau’s gonna go.” The Dex snickers, reveling in the joys of battle. “Man, makes me wish I was battling again. But I like this job too. I get to watch so many cool fights! Speakin’ of which, I think I heard the old Kahuna calling out, Hau and Selene are next!”

The Dex pulls back, drawing his focus up on the stage once more. Now lit with three torches on either side, Kahuna Hala calls out to the crowd, “And now the final battle in the Iki Town Festival Tournament. This most sacred of battles is the pinnacle of what we offer to Island Guardian Tapu Koko tonight. Tapu Koko!” he roars, “Can you feel our strength? have you accepted our offering?”

Roto catches some mutterings from the crowd on film, some seem unsure of whether Tapu Koko will show up, as he doesn’t always appear in person, much less respond verbally. Some have said that he personally appeared twenty years ago, but few believe it. To their surprise, the unmistakable cry of the black and yellow guardian rings out as clear as the moon hanging in the sky.

And the air feels charged with ozone.

“Yes!” Hala laughs, “Our Guardian accepts our offering with gusto! Now, Young Hau, Young Selene, give our Guardian a battle to remember!”

Dr. Selene Berlitz vs Trainer Hau, Begin!

Even Selene can’t hold back a small grin. She holds out her arm so that Inche can leap off it just as Hau flips his Pokeball in his hands and calls out his own new teammate, a grinning little Pichu the two clash at the center of the stage, trading blows for a moment while each trainer looks for an opening. It seems as though Selene is the first to catch one, though, as she calmly orders, “Ichne, Sand Attack into a Tackle, please.” The mongoos darts out, kicking up some of the dust from the previous battle to blind the rodent for a brief moment, creating a window more than wide enough to slam a devastating blow into the Electric Type’s back, knocking it out in one fell blow.

Hau returns his fainted Pichu and sighs, muttering just loud enough for Roto to catch it, “I’m sorry buddy... we’ll do better next time.” And was that a the barest hint of a frown? Must’ve been a trick of the light, because the boy’s lips are curled in a bright grin the next millisecond. “Awww man, an’ I was hopin’ to surprise you with my new partner! I guess we need to train up more, hehe.” It truly seemed impossible to put this guy in a bad mood. Even after his Pokemon was defeated so easily, he still seems cheery as ever.

Though the Yungoos didn’t exist the battle unscathed. Roto captures the sparks around the Normal Type’s body just as Selene closes in to pick the mongoose up, scratching her atop her head. “Pichu’s Static,” Selene clarifies, “It must have paralyzed Ichne. A rather impressive Ability your partner has there, Hau-san.” She calmly offers her own partner a Cheri Berry and sets her off to the side with Lillie, wordlessly asking the other girl to keep an eye on her.

“Looks like our battle will end just as our first one started, Hau-san.” Is that a grin on her face as well? Roto thinks so, and he’s definitely snapping a few extra shots of that to tease her with later. It might’ve even been a bigger smile than the one he saw when she caught Ichneumon!

At once, they call out the Pokemon they had received from Professor Kukui, Selen her Rowlet and Hau his Popplio.

And the two call out their moves at the same time, the meeting of leaves and water causing a small explosion, its roar dwarfed only by the caw of the Island Guardian rising up above them.

In the end, Selene and Strix rise victorious surrounded by applause.

---

Update, 9:07 pm.

“Bzzzzzt, Roto Dex here... yaaawn, I didn’t even fight and I feel exhauzzted,” the Dex groans, absently floating beside Selene, capturing footage of her writing in a notebook before she closes it.

“I did not know you had the capacity to yawn,” she mutters, moreso in jest than in true disbelief. “But I admit it was all a bit of a blur after that fight.”

“Yeah!” Roto calls out, chuckling mechanically, “But it was awezzome. Hala gave you that ZZe-Ring thing ya got on your arm there.” A jet black bracelet hangs around her wrist, which she stares at briefly before nodding.

“Yes, Kahuna Hala-san made it from that Sparkling Stone. It is a sign, he says, that Tapu Koko approves of me and wishes to see me grow stronger. That is also why he suggested I take the Island Challenge.” Roto pans to the side, zooming in on the small amulet with layered stained glass hanging from the leather bag resting against the side of her desk.

“Kukui-san agree with me that taking this challenge would be a good way to not only study the Pokemon of Alola, but also increase my battling power. If I want to reach her someday, my partners and I will need to grow much, much stronger.” She seems to stare off into the distance for a moment, and is only ragged back to reality by the Dex clearing his throat.

“Ahem. Looked a little dazzed there. Who is this her anyway?” Question marks dance around his viewscreen.

She leaves the question unanswered for a solid minute.

“My sister,” she starts, taking a deep breath, almost in awe of the name, “... Sinnohan Champion Dawn Berlitz.”

End Day Two.

#[Selene's Log]#[Day Two]

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bluerosesburnblue · 5 years ago

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MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm I’ve been rewatching a playthrough of Pokemon Sun and one of Ultra Sun back-to-back (just to try and gather my thoughts about what went wrong with Sword and Shield’s writing) and hitting the end of Ula’ula Island and the mini-arc after that just made me mad again about how the Ultra versions just completely butchered the emotional core of the original Sun and Moon’s plot and also how poorly the Ultra Recon Squad were implemented (which sucks because I like all of the URS members as characters, but the plot does them no justice)

Edited with two points that I forgot to include last night

So, alright. In the original Sun and Moon you have our lovely villain, Lusamine. She’s an awful human being. She acts sweet, but the second you don’t conform to her standards of beauty and perfection, you’re worth nothing more than utter disgust. Those standards? How willing you are to conform to her control and let her decide everything

Her goal? Open up an Ultra Wormhole and go to the world populated by the Ultra Beast Nihilego, the subject of her affections. This is worth enough to her that she’s willing to torture and kill an innocent baby Pokemon to do it. A Pokemon that her own daughter has bonded with, while said daughter screams at her to stop. But because Lillie stole that Pokemon in the first place and ran away, defying Lusamine’s control, then she’s ugly and not worth listening to

Everything makes sense and is treated with appropriate tone. Lusamine doesn’t care about getting back to her original world, so Cosmog dying while she summons a wormhole? Way more wormholes opening up than she intends? Not her problem.

The player and Lillie having to gather information on other ways to traverse worlds by summoning the Legendary Pokemon? Lillie’s primarily doing it for her own sense of closure. She’s choosing to be a bigger person than her mother by trying to save her from being stranded in another universe, but she also needs to air her grievances for everything her mother’s done to hurt her. And there’s also the matter of Guzma, who went in with Lusamine out of a manipulated sense of loyalty. While he’s a troublemaker and a jackass, he doesn’t deserve to be trapped in a dimension with hell jellyfish for the rest of his existence. So Team Skull begging you to save him? Warranted

And the postgame reveals that Nihilego venom make people act out their natural desires uninhibited in an effort to protect their species. They’re parasites. Lusamine was always a controlling, beauty-obsessed perfectionist (though these traits may not have started manifesting until she lost her husband to a wormhole), but her obsession with interdimensional jellyfish and the lengths she was willing to go for them was induced. The ending makes it obvious that she doesn’t think she was wrong, but she may be able to be rehabilitated

The game never tries to force Lillie or Gladion to forgive their mother for the abuse they suffered at her hands. Gladion pointedly never calls her “mother,” always “Lusamine” or “the president” and he still doesn’t later on. Lillie wants to rehabilitate her mother, but after the whole scene where she calls Lusamine out on her bullshit it comes across more as Lillie trying to be a good person by helping an obviously sick person and it still leaves open the possibility that if the rehab fails, Lillie may just leave. No matter what, their family will never go back to what it was. It can’t, because they’re all different people. But Gladion and Lillie now have Hau, Hala, the Player, Kukui, and Burnet as family to fall back on. People who care about them for who they are, unconditionally

And then...

There’s Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

And I was honestly enjoying watching that playthrough up until the Aether arc hit. It was interesting to see how the trials were changed up and weigh the two versions against each other. I liked seeing the added dialogue for my boy Hau that really fleshed out his character. But the Aether arc...

So, alright. We have our lovely villain, Lusamine. She’s an awful human being. She acts sweet, but the second you don’t conform to her standards of beauty and perfection, you’re worth nothing more than utter disgust. Those standards? How willing you are to conform to her control and let her decide everything

Heard this before, haven’t we?

Except now the Nihilego venom is gone from the equation. Lusamine, in no uncertain terms, still tells Lillie that she has no children, “certainly not any wretched children who would run off and reject my love!” And then mocks her own daughter for wanting to save Cosmog while stating that she’s too worthless to even hang around the player character

And the game plays it off like she’s still a good person because her motivations have changed from “I wanna live with the toxic space jellyfish” to “yo if a light-eating inderdimensional monster destroys the world then it’ll fuck up my collection of cryogenically frozen Pokemon so I’m gonna kill it”

No, seriously. Lusamine’s now a good person because her daughter will be tangentially saved due to her trying to protect things she actually values

All plausible deniability she had is gone because there is no Nihilego venom in this version. Lusamine really is just that abusive and there’s no real possibility that she might’ve just had bad tendencies that she was keeping in check that got overridden by venom. She’s an abusive mother and there’s no getting around it. She still forced Lillie to dress like a Nihilego, except this time it was entirely about the control and not because she was being influenced by a glass parasite. Gladion still felt the need to run away with Type: Null because she was going too far, Lillie still felt the need to run away with Cosmog for the same reasons

The scene in the cryo-room just pisses me off so, SO much. Gladion calling her “mother” and begging her to let him take her place? And yet he still calls her selfish and still has his line about how “she’s real nice... as long as you mean nothing to her,” but also I guess loves her and wanted to protect her this whole time and that’s why he left? Fucking what? And it’s not like she didn’t show herself to be just as abusive as in Sun and Moon where he never forgave her! They’re forcing Gladion to excuse her abuse because she missed their dad I guess

Even if she calls them “good kids” in the very next scene, it still comes off of the heels of her verbally abusing her timid daughter for trying to stand up for herself! It just comes across like they’re only “good kids” because she expects them to go back to how they were before they left. She doesn’t care about who they’ve become at all

EDIT: And I forgot to bring up how stupid the thing with Cosmog is in that scene! Last time we got the impression that Nebby nearly died and was forced to evolve because Lusamine overtaxed them and forced them to open up way too many wormholes, because as long as she had one that went to the world of the Nihilego, she didn’t care what happened to the Pokemon world. Now she opens up one to a specific place... but still feels the need to torture Nebby to do it? And despite opening way less wormholes, Nebby’s still overtaxed and evolves? And Lusamine doesn’t bring Nebby with her, why??? Before, she didn’t care if she came back, but this time her goal is “beat Necrozma and come back to my collection.” So why does she jump through the wormhole with no way to get back? After intentionally screwing over the baby Pokemon that she would have needed to get back home???

And that’s not even the complete... just... dumbassery of the “we have to track Lusamine down” stuff. Because now instead of going to a world inhabited by only parasitic jellyfish and opening extra wormholes in the process, she and Guzma open one wormhole and go to a highly populated interdimensional city to piss off the local god, intentionally. And at that point, it’s less of a matter of saving them and more of a matter of cleaning up their mess

So you’d think the Ultra Recon Squad, interdimensional travelers who came to Alola because a hungry, furious legendary being was about to escape its prison and they didn’t have a way to stop it, would want us to get down to their homeworld as fast as possible to stop the local god from getting pissed off by two overconfident dumbasses. And what do they do?

“Yeah, if you play a flute you can summon a legendary Pokemon. We rode one here. Should be fine. What, no, we won’t help you look for the flutes.” But also, ten minutes later, “Stop! It’s our job to save our world, not yours! Lusamine betrayed us how can we ever trust you to help???”

The writing can’t keep straight throughout the game whether they just want to find strong trainers to take out their local deity before it goes on a cross-dimensional rampage or if they want to train themselves to be strong enough to take on the local god. But beyond that!

What’s the point of going through all this trouble to summon the legendary Pokemon when the URS already befriended the opposite version legendary and can just call it whenever? Especially since they do just that when Necrozma immediately absorbs the one you just awakened

No, seriously? What? We lose Nebby, who we have an emotional attachment to, immediately and have to rely on this other legendary that’s just... here??? I guess????????

One of the only things we know about the world of Ultra Megalopolis is that they don’t do the Pokemon thing, they just compensate for everything with extremely advanced technology! So why the fuck are they pals with a legendary Pokemon? Especially one that has lore in Alola, but not in Ultra Megalopolis?

And how the fuck do they know about the Alolan legend of summoning the legendary Pokemon, which they would never need to research because they have one already?

Literally why does Necrozma open like ten extra wormholes when it shows up. There’s no reason other than to have the extended “fighting Ultra Beasts” cutscene that no longer works because the Ultra Beasts aren’t important anymore now that they cut their postgame story out. And I know they go “Ah, Necrozma pulled in the villains from other universes! That’s why Rainbow Rocket...” Rainbow Rocket was just shallow pandering with no substance and wasn’t particularly fun to play. It wasn’t worth making the main plot nonsensical to have it in there. I would’ve much rather had a rewritten International Police postgame that includes the Ultra Recon Squad and has you traveling to the new Ultra Space areas to either return them to their natural habitats or just learn more about them to take care of them

EDIT: And why does Lusamine need Nebby at all, when the Ultra Recon Squad just had a legendary that they were gonna bring the strongest trainers to Ultra Megalopolis with? What makes her think they wouldn’t take her, their closest ally at the time? In the original, Nebby was the only way to get to other worlds. But they’re not in this version, so why does she go and hunt Nebby down instead of working with the URS or trying to steal their fully evolved world-hopping beast?

The whole climax is just tied together by utter nonsense. And it’s such a shame because I legitimately love the concept of the URS and Ultra Megalopolis and the general personalities of the four characters in it. It’s such a wasted opportunity because I guess they felt obligated to hit the same basic plot beats? Even at the detriment of their new characters?

And it’s such an easy fix, too. Just have the two URS members in the game be stranded on Alola. Their technology for dimension-hopping was experimental and based on their studies of Necrozma, who can hop worlds and who they have easy access to. But the inaugural trial is rushed because Necrozma’s looking to break free. Two members stay behind to monitor, two end up stranded in Alola with broken tech desperately looking for a way to get home in time to stop Necrozma

And that’s how they end up partnered with Aether, who have the most advanced tech in the region. It’s something they trust and understand, and Aether has the resources to help and a president who seems very interested in ways to get to other worlds. She’s even performing experiments already!

Unbeknownst to them, though, Lusamine’s only looking for ways to get to Nihilego as she still came into contact with their neurotoxin during experiments trying to find Mohn. Nebby’s kidnapped, several wormholes opened, Lusamine jumps into the Ultra Deep Sea to be with the Nihilego. Except this time, a wormhole opens up to Ultra Megalopolis where Necrozma is. It’s not long enough for Necrozma to get through, but long enough that it sees the light of Alola and knows exactly where to go when it breaks free...

You awaken Nebby and save Lusamine as in vanilla Sun and Moon. Then Necrozma breaks free, chases Nebby’s light through Ultra Space back to Alola, steals the light, bam. Back to where Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon kick off the climax. Maybe add in a section where you have to get the Dimensional Research Lab and Aether to work together to fix the Recon Squad’s dimension-hopping gear to break up the pacing. Save Ultra Megalopolis and Nebby. Now you’ve got something a little closer to Platinum’s additions to Diamond and Pearl instead of the butchering we actually got, complete with two climactic moments. One for Lillie, one for protag

Everything about and surrounding Necrozma’s addition was just so sloppily done, which is such a shame with how good both the base game and the ideas for expansion were

Also, move Mina’s trial and put Hapu’s back in its spot. I like having a trial for Mina, but why place two trials after the Necrozma climax? We just beat a god and you expect me to do trials? The original Sun and Moon understood that at that point you’re at the falling action of the story, may as well keep it succinct and only have it be the Pokemon League. And also, the Dragon trial is supposed to be this big, ancient final trial. Oldest of them all, the final task before being allowed to the Altar, Alola’s most sacred point. But now we have another trial and a Grand Trial after it?

Just have Mina’s trial as soon as you hit Poni Island and have the justification be that her trial takes you to the sacred sites of Alola where you can gather info on the legendary Pokemon. Bam. Lore opportunity. And if her trial’s also necessary for getting into the Dragon trial in a “you must prove your worth to the captains in a gauntlet for permission to enter the sacred final trial site” way, then even better. And Necrozma likes Z-Crystals, so you’d have even more stockpiled, further justifying its interest in you

And with Hapu’s Grand Trial back where it was, Lillie can have her Exeggutor Island fun. Which she could’ve had anyway and seriously why did you replace her with a nameless NPC in USUM?

I’ve had way too long to think about all of the ways I’d fix USUM’s story. And the sad thing is, if the story was better it’d be my favorite Pokemon game because the gameplay additions, new locations, and the fact that the game has sidequests make it near perfect otherwise and are the reason I always come back to Ultra Sun over Sun. But the abysmal climax to the story just doesn’t offer any incentive to replay the game at all

#liz's shenanigans #i think i planned to do a post like this back when the games first came out but fuck it i'll do it now #hau was literally the only character to be better written in usum over sumo and that's a travesty even though i love him #they could've ALL been good #and instead only my sunshine boy was

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atinytokki · 5 years ago

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Here’s my first impressions.

Warning! a loooong post, squealing, incoherent thoughts smashed together, and crying ahead. A lot of crying.

OH NO. They really started it like this. I’m shivering in bed rn. It’s haunting and beautiful and too short. Is that marching?? That’s marching, are they going to war now omg hold on—

[I didn’t include the audio for Wonderland because I hit the limit and ALSO you should go stream it on the KQ channel instead ;) hehe]

The transition into this was spectacular. The marching just became the beat wooooah! HONGJOONG AHJFKSL YES that’s how you start a song. Seonghwa and Yunho, beautiful. Wooyoung!! sounds amazing!! Seonghwa’s low voice o I was not prepared. San helloooo I love the instrumentation at this part. Jongho, as expected with the high note. Oh OH KAJA!! oooooohhhhh man the chorus goes hard I can’t wait to see the choreo. The production on this is spectacular. FiX oN MiNgiiiiii go off oml 🔥 YEOSANG 👏🏻 GET 👏🏻 THOSE 👏🏻 LINES 👏🏻 this is a head banging song I’m head banging rn. The way they bring it back right before the chorus *chef’s kiss* This is overwhelming man. Jongho with the bridge yussss he and San sound amazing. Wait they were right it is like Hala Hala they added both parts of the chorus together!! It’s almost over isn’t it. Yeah it’s over. Ok I need to breathe,,,

It’s starting kinda like a sad song this isn’t a sad song is it?? SANIIIIEEE! Aw this is cute I like it. Hongjoooooooong! I love this rap it reminds me of something. Ooh prechorus?? It’s so pretty oh No here’s the chorus— oh EDM?!!? OKAY!! Wait do I bop or cry 🙊omg Yeosang!!!! oh my baby you sound amazing. Harmonies 😭 harmonies omg there are harmonies... Mingi! He didn’t say fix on :(( short but slick rap as always. I’m still trying to figure out what they’re saying in this chorus I don’t wanna blast it too loud everyone else is asleep I think... hhhhhh!! Mingi and Hongjoong SINGING IN THE BRIDGE holy cow im gonna lose it they sound beautiful YES THANK U THIS IS WHAT I WANTED. Wowwwww high note 🙌There’s something really really nostalgic about this song,, I am undone. The harmonies omg I can’t take this it’s like they know how much I love harmonies, unfair.

OMG— throwback???????? This sounds so 80s YEEEESSSS ! San!! New beginning fairy?? He sounds heavenly I can’t. Mingi, he’s singing again I can’t stop smiling this is my new fave thing. This prechorus, idk what to say it’s amazing. WOOYOUNG JUNG WOOYOUNG NO NO NO NO HES SINGING THE CHORUS AFHSJLSLE Jongho ur vocals are sweet honey please have mercy it’s only like the 4th song and I’m crying already. Hongjoong my boy, this style of rap holy cow. Did someone tell him this is my fave style of rap, because— oh, he’s still going?? Ah this is going on repeat the rest of today 🥰 Yeosang I couldn’t be happier you sound gorgeous and Yunho woah their voices match well. WOOYOUNG AGAIN!! This part was made for him it has to be. JONGHO! SO PLEASE!! This bridge I’m just a mess of tears now they are really singing their hearts out. Is it too early to have a favourite?

Ugh all these songs are ending so abruptly I’m never ready for the next one. Oh I’ve heard his.. aHA AHAAAAA I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT this is from the teasers. I had the teasers on repeat this bgm alone is. so. cool. Yes the Mingi rap aaaaaaaaahdhsjkdflsl but we can hear it this time lol. woah it’s not over yet. The beginning of Treasure! Hongjoong singing the beginning of Treasure again but different lyrics?? I need to look them up later oh what if it’s like they found their treasure,, no I can’t take it where are the tissues the ending is so sad whyyyyuyyy

Yay there is already a fun flavour in this song! Hongjoong your voice is so rich in the low register daaaaang I need more of this. Seonghwa is that you? I feel like I haven’t heard his voice since Wonderland I’m sorry seonghwa my bff I’m getting whiplash trying to hear everyone’s parts but you killed it. These lyrics!! This is a hype song fs. THE BEAT DROP AAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAH!! “Ayyy we are gonna win” YES YOU ARE BOYS! Oh shoot I said that out loud I hope no one heard. Okay yes this is my new hype song no one is allowed to be discouraged listening to this. Oop “aha” Hongjoong hakdlaplajql I squealed again. Aw the rap verses were short but still slayed. This song is so fast I can’t keep up but I love it I am feeling this. The low voices and then the beat drop I can’t FUNCTION THIS IS SPECTACULAR !!!!! You are gonna wiiiiiin. This reminds me of Pirate King the altered voice and then adding a harmony the second time, anyone feel me? Mingi singing in the bridge again yes I love this. Ooo EDM break aaaahhah go crazy go stupidddd! I want a choreo for this, I need a choreo for this. Woah the instrumental is very unusual here. And it ended like that with the piano, deconstructing the elements of the song. Oh I need a second listen for musical reasons but we gotta move on.

This album is moving way too quickly we’re halfway done ripppp. I love the instrumental here it’s super slick. I’m already enjoying this very much. Oh high notes San!! Vocal line has popped off, exceeds expectations 100% Aww hi Mingi. Ah thank God the chorus is sweet and full of riffs wowowow this is a sharp contrast from last song. YEOSANG!!! My heart jumps every time I hear him, you don’t know how hard I prayed for him to have more lines. Hongjoong! What are these voices in the background?. Adorable, this is adorable aaaaahaha!! Oh it’s “we are one, we stay one” that they spoiled in ANEWZ I seeeee. This chorus ugh this whole song I love I just have the biggest smile on my face while also sobbing yall don’t understand. The bridge ahh idek what to say I’m so happy with this. You boys make me so proud I hope you know that 😭 !! The voices are back! This is literally so cute hELP

Here comes THANK U I’m not ready ok deep breaths. Whaaaa? I’ve never been more caught off guard in my life that guitar... Yeehaw? Is this a yeehaw song what-? Hongjoong’s singing wait I have to go back I missed it. His voice I— digging my grave. Wait why does this sound lowkey country ohhh dear say sike ah no alright the CHORUS mmm I knew it would be a feel good song. That echoing thing after the chorus is cool. Mingiiii! Did he not say fix on again?? This rap is too cute noooooo oml why Mingi why my jaw is on the floor I can’t believe he’s capable of this.. Ok I like it I’ve decided I like this. I was surprised at first bc I’m not a country fan and it sounded like it was about to be a country song 😂 but this is a bop!! “Gomawo” 😭 no gomawo yourself. Thank you for being on my side 🥺 It’s a hands clapping song. Yes Jongho go off!!! Oh I just gasped the biggest gasp the ending riff was beautiful

Sunrise. Okay deep breaths. I’m gonna just listen and try to not think about the fact Hongjoong cried writing this song. Let’s go. .... oh. OH. Oh it’s soft. I’m soft 🥺 ahhh man they sound so good. This— the background music... it’s doing me in. Aww Mingi. Ahh no this sounds sad whyyy I’m afraid to see the lyrics dangit. (0:41) I just dropped my phone. K that scared me but the lyrics just shot me in the heart. !!!!! I gasped again and now I’m coughing hang on I gotta pause. Just keep it up... boys you outdid yourselves. This GUITAR HOLY CHEESE AND CRACKERS ITS AMAZING. *stomp stomp clap* Hongjoong hiiiii wow this rap right here, I only caught half the lyrics but I know exactly what he is saying ah man. We’ve added instruments in the back. Oh Jongho that was such a clear note the vowel was perfect there. This chorus I can’t. Yeah ok I’m crying again something about the guitar I . Cant type. Oh man. Oh OH OH the bridge the BRIDGE THE BRIDGE everything the vocals the background music. Okay here’s our real stomp stomp clap moment. Ah ok wiping the tears now. They sound great. Hongjoong aaaahh what a way to end the song.

That was an experience I hope I get to breathe during this but I already know I won’t. Um.. it’s piano... for like a solid 20 seconds and it’s slightly jazzy are we getting a ballad?? Our first real ballad!! Eeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Seonghwa yessss 🥰 Oh you guys I’ve wanted to hear a ballad from him for so long you don’t even know. Wait everyone sounds so perfect I can’t even describe this. Yunho baby yesss your voice. Wooyoung oml SAN ahhh San your transitions are stunning. Jongho our ballad king it’s like he’s barely even trying and it sounds amazing. Lovely lovely lovely. Mingiiiii he’s singing yet again. Hongjoong too!! Yes oh yes this is it. Their voices all being showcased so perfectly. I’m amazed how well they can all fit this style just as well as they can fit a song like Win. I have one criticism only so far and yall already know what it is. Yeosang still could’ve gotten more lines in this one :_( This is the last song before Beginning of the End oh no. Nooooo I don’t want it to be over. Oh? OH? Yeosang! Yeosangggggg!! Omg I have goosebumps he said NO IM TAKING OVER it’s MY SONG NOW! Wow amazing. The structure of this has been so so interesting I’m definitely going back to analyse. No it’s over...

I’m scared. I’m crying again noo it hasn’t even started jeez pull yourself together. Ok but before I start I really don’t want it to be over and not in a way that implies I want more songs just thinking about how... this is Ep Fin right? The end. Obviously not of ATEEZ (God forbid) it’s only been a year and they’re slaying it I mean absolutely knocking it out of the park each Ep bigger and bolder than the last, they aren’t afraid to try things and when they do they hit the nail on the head. But still this is the end of an era, a storyline too if I’m correct. And it’s just a surreal experience to see it come to a close. ATEEZ, I don’t know where you’re taking us next but I trust you guys and I know it’s going to be amazing.

Ok anyway let’s start the song 🤣 crackling noise? Fire? Ok it’s orchestral. VERY orchestral. “Open your eyes” I felt that San. They were open but I just opened them again. This orchestra is really really moving and cinematic I love it. I see what this is, we’re going Intro: Long Journey except Outro version which is fuller, richer, even more epic and emotional. Oh boy I’m really crying now. Idek what to say again I’m speechless. Oh it swells just like Intro!! Is it the end? Woah???????? What is this? .....SAN?? Wait wait wait it’s over? Like that? No hang on. Waaaait what was that? Seriously that was very strange. I’m not imagining things am I? No does this have something to do with upcoming albums? I’m so confused 😭 it sounded rly cool and spooky whatever it was. Well. Okay! Yeah I guess that’s it. That was the last straw. I should really try to go back to sleep I only have a few hours till I have to get up. But now I’m probably going to go write something, that music was really inspiring. Yeah I think I said what I wanted to honestly! Again I just want to reiterate how proud I am, and remind you to go stream!!!!

KAJAAAAA!

#i queued this because i wanted to sleep on it and then proofread lol #thanks for reading if you got this far #reblog and tell me your thoughts #i’m interested!#ateez #ateez wonderland #ateez all to action #all to action #ateez comeback #first impressions #music #analysis but not really #mostly screaming and crying #tokki needs sleep #tokki writes at night #tokki.txt

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treasure-my-aurora · 5 years ago

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One More Night. Pt 2

A/n: Link to that thing (tm) that Joong does with his brows, https://twitter.com/hongtopia/status/1170371146790817794 Fattest shout out to @Hongtopia for killing me in the best way possible.

Pairing: Kim Hongjoong / fem!Reader

Chapter: 2/14

Genre: Mutual pining, canon compliant, fluffy af, angsty af, suggestive, teasing and filled with that good shit that everyone loves

Words in this chapter: 6115

January and my schedule was busy again. I’d celebrated Christmas with my family, and I was happy to be back with things to do once again. I’d followed Eunji like a lost puppy throughout the end of December and it didn’t stop after New Years as I listened and executed her every command while I finished the last pieces for Hongjoong’s wardrobe at the same time, making sure to stay out of his way for as long as I could. His voice from that day in December when he wanted me to stay still resonated within me, but I was hellbent on not letting it cloud my judgement.

It was the 4th and time for them to take their concept photos. I was there early, the sun not even up yet, my car full of clothes and accessories and I started to load out, found my way to the waiting room where I started to unpack. The only people present were some tech guys that prepared the lights and cameras and two people from a catering company that lined up one of the tables with fruits, drinks and snacks. Loud noises an hour later interrupted my peaceful mind and I stood aside as Mingi walked through the door, large confident steps while leading the group with boasting energy and what resembled the sort of chanting, you’d do at a game of sport to cheer the supporters on. Arms outstretched like he wanted to give the whole world a good morning hug, only to basically jump into Yunho’s arms when he saw me standing in the corner. Looking at me like he’d just seen a ghost,

“Noona, you scared me. All of the others won’t be here for another hour” he exclaimed slightly offended and very embarrassed that I’d seen him, usually so cool and chill (at least around us noonas, his members was another story) curled up with his over 1,8 cm tall body, completely prepared to meet his maker. He detached himself from Yunho who was not even trying to hold his laughter and the other members pushed through the door to see what was so funny. I met Hongjoong’s surprised eyes where he stood, half hidden behind Seonghwa and I wet my lips when my breath hitched from not having seen him for close to two weeks. They all bowed slightly as they welcomed me back together with them and I bowed back, smiling. I’d missed their energy, their boyish humour and bouncing laughter.

We chit chatted about what they’d done over Christmas and New Year’s and soon enough Eunji arrived. She gave me a look of appreciation when she noticed that I was there already and prepared to start the day and I felt my heart swell with pride when she looked over Hongjoong’s clothes and gave me a smile that gleamed with satisfaction.

“Well, you know what to do… let’s get started” she said and motioned for Hongjoong to separate himself from his members.

He nodded shortly, his tongue flicked out between his lips and my heart flipped in my chest when he met my eyes under long eyelashes. I grabbed the clothing rack without a word, steered past the boys and wheeled it out of the room, knowing without looking that he followed in my steps towards a dressing room a few doors down. It was a plain room, mirrors and chairs on one side of it and a sofa with a table on the other and I placed the rack between them, inhaled sharply when the door shut and the clicking noise of the lock echoed between us. I turned around, the nervous butterflies in my belly made me feel slightly sick and I swallowed deeply when I finally met his eyes again. He’d held his promise with the mullet, the straightened hair reached past his shoulders. I recognized the shirt he was wearing. It was one of his favourite private ones and my stitches could be seen at a place where it always seemed to unravel. This time it wasn’t any difference and I made a mental note to use my sewing machine the next time, hopefully but not likely extending its life expectancy for a few more months. My eyes lingered at his chest. It was puffier since the last time I'd seen him, his shoulders bigger and arms filled out the shirt better… had he been working out since I last saw him?

“I missed you…” he exhaled and pushed me out of my distraction. Voice deeper than normal, like he was unsure of how I'd react. Maybe he thought that I was going to walk away again, and for a second I wanted to, almost stumbled from the impact as the gentle words pierced my heart like an arrow and I bit my lip, holding in a sigh at his words. I contained myself, refused to tip over an edge that could ruin me. My head cocked to the side slightly when I looked at him and I didn’t know if it was because I hadn’t seen him in a while or because I felt more comfortable in my job, knowing what to do and say by now to keep the well-oiled machine of management rolling, but damn… he looked good. Had he always looked this good? It was as if I hadn’t let my eyes linger for more than a few seconds these past months and now, I was clearly checking him out, noticing small details that I’d never seen before.

“I missed you too... “I started and tore my eyes away from his body, “I’ve missed all of you” I added quickly, and he nodded slowly, a disappointed look shadowed his face when I included his members.

I bit down on my lip and tried to get back to the point of why we were standing in front of each other, “Let’s get started, undress for me please” I said and fought to keep my voice as natural and normal as I could when I could see his Adam’s apple bop from gulping and he paused his movements for a second or two before he reached back to pull his turtleneck over his head and I bit my tongue to prevent a gasp from escaping.

I’d worked with people for years now, and naked bodies wasn’t something that made me blush any longer. They were a canvas, my clothes were the paint, and together they created a masterpiece but somehow, this time, it was different, and I felt my cheeks flush. I’d never actually seen him like this, I started working specifically for him after their wardrobe for the first era was finished and since I was more in the last department of touching up rather than the preparations, make-up, dress up and styling, a situation like this one had never been close to occurring.

“Noona?” His voice broke through and my breath hitched when I realized that I’d been staring.

I focused on the first piece of clothing on the rack and gave it to him without meeting his eyes.

“Aren’t I supposed to take off my pants as well?” he asked and I swallowed, suddenly nervous at his confidence and I hoped that he didn’t notice my awkwardness too much,

“Yeah, of course, sorry” I mumbled, my gaze strained at the floor and I fought the feeling of wanting to run away.

“I know you’re quite shy noona… but I would’ve never guessed you to be this prude” He chuckled and my brows furrowed as I looked up again, my mouth opened to protest and I paused, manually shutting my mouth again because I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of my surprise.

He looked like a dream, standing there in just his underwear. Body thin but strong with lean muscles and I swallowed hard, my mouth dry, butterflies exploding in my stomach and my heart racing as I took a shaky inhale before meeting his amused eyes.

“I… I’m not prude… it’s just… it’s been a long time since… “I trailed off, embarrassed but didn’t had to finish my sentence.

He gulped, nodded slightly like he knew what I talked about but couldn’t relate much and I wondered if the “no-dating” policy involved sexual encounters as well because if that was the case… I felt my stomach jump with excitement as the sudden familiar feeling of arousal pooled into my core and I felt my heart skip, hoping that he wouldn’t notice the blush that crept down my neck. He shamelessly revelled in my attention though, body flushed red from my intense stare but he held his stance and I wet my lips, seeing how his eyes flicked down to look at them when I did so and my stomach did somersaults as he looked away just as quickly, a blush covering his cheeks. The air surrounding us suffocated me and I remembered what the man had said during my interview three and a half months ago; ‘any sort of involvement, be it romantically or sexually with your designated clients will lead to your immediate termination’

I swallowed, broke his gaze and threw a pair of pants in his direction, “Put on your clothes, we don’t have all day”

He caught them and his face fell, a blow to his ego when I didn’t react as he hoped. He looked away as the feeling of failure made his cocky attitude shed its layers and he almost became embarrassed as he buttoned up the pants, and I felt a sting regret, but I had to ignore it. The feeling between us, what’d just happened, was dangerous and it shouldn’t happen again.

It couldn’t happen again.

The location for ‘HALA HALA’ was cold and uninviting. I stood in the warehouse with a big fluffy jacket, a sweater underneath but still shuttered slightly in the early morning. The hour lingering on the edge of still being night-time.

“How do I look?” Hongjoong asked and did a small twirl. The dark clothes and chains clashed with his sweet smile and I shook my head,

“Terrifying” I tried to say with a blank face but his aegyo made a smile tug at the corners of my mouth anyway.

He wiggled his brows, the sweet smile turned playful and he raised his hands, curled his fingers into claws and growled, but it sounded more like an angry kitten than a ferocious beast. A look that quickly changed the moment the music started and he turned into another person, not the cute and gentle Joong, but Hongjoong, the leader, musician and performer and my breath hitched and I actually took a step backwards when he came staggering towards me afterwards, hot breath coming out in white puffs of cold crystallized steam. I swallowed, almost intimidated when the large presence he emitted didn’t match his body. That was of course until he removed the facemask and let out a small “I’m cold” While curling up on himself and huddled close to the person who immediately rushed forward with hot packs.

Days passed and me and Hongjoong hung out like we usually did, in his studio or in my office. Not exactly talking but just enjoyed each other's company, the other usually on their phone answering emails and interacting with fans. I avoided what had happened a few days ago in the dressing room like the plague and he didn’t bring up anything either. I felt awkward, not knowing if he’d felt the same as I’d done or if he just found my sudden distance from him to be weird and to be honest, I dreaded both possibilities equally. The time for their comeback stage came and the procedure repeated except I held up a shield of professionalism this time, not even staggering every time he had to change an outfit, kept eye contact with me as he pulled his shirt over his head and let his pants pool at his ankles. I fixed his clothes without a word, added the accessories to his body with him looking at me from underneath his straightened fringe. Didn’t react when his body flinched with surprise as I rolled the lint remover over his chest and stomach, coming dangerously close to his crotch. His hand grazed over mine at one point and it was an innocent gesture, we’d known each other for three months now, basically working on top of each other, having had meetings with the CEO in our finest costumes and also chatting together in the studio, watching pirated movies on his computer in basic soft oversized clothes and talking about new concepts, our hopes and dreams.

I could see him hurting, wondering what he’d done wrong, but I couldn’t answer him, couldn’t explain that the reason why I was keeping him at bay was because I could feel myself falling for him, maybe not necessarily in love but falling in affection non the less, for his charm, his sweet words… and I couldn’t allow that to happen. I lived my dream, working with a company and a group that, according to the numbers, would be the next big thing. Thousands upon thousands of fans was going to look upon them, look upon their leader and it was my job to make sure that he’d not only look good, but strikingly gorgeous. Unreachable, absolutely stunning and perfect, like a God.

The rest of January flashed passed in a blink of an eye, time moved quicker now when every minute counted as we flew back and forth, made sure that everything ran smoothly.

I slept and ate when I could, broke down for thirty seconds alone by myself when the stress that abused my body became too much and cursed myself daily when I stabbed myself with a needle or I accidentally broke an accessory when putting it in place on Hongjoong’s clothes because I was shaking too much from anxiety and lack of sleep. He often took my hands in his then, my breath hitched every time he did so and told me to breathe with him, that I was doing an amazing job and I felt my jaw tensing when I met his eyes. Sometimes with the beautiful natural brown I was used to and sometimes I would feel my heart skip, when lenses clouded them, and a soft grey would be there instead.

I hated the stress, the pain and the misery but at the same time I lived for the moment when it all calmed down and the fans screamed as the boys went on stage. Taking deep breaths in rhythm of the music, feeling how my heart swelled with pride as Hongjoongs rapping flooded the stage, endorphins spreading the serotonin in my brain like a drug when I met his hooded eyes after the performance, tongue flicking out to wet his dry lips as his hair stuck to his forehead and sweat dripped from his chin.

…….

Stages, fan signs and interviews filled the first two weeks of February as well and it wasn’t until the 13th that I felt like I could take a breather. They recorded a log and me and the other styling noonas sat huddled together on a large sofa at the other side of the room, all with our phones in our hands, writing out schedules, mind maps, creating outfit changes and answered emails.

The boys made chocolate and the sweet smell of it filled the room, making our stomachs grumble. I looked up from my phone, distracted as Wooyoung started to talk with great compassion about how Valentine’s Day originated, my eyes flicked involuntarily over at Hongjoong, and I felt how my heart skipped a beat when he met my eyes, hands resting on the chocolate bar moulds in front of him and eyes twinkling behind the translucent glasses. He gave me a small smile, barely noticeable behind the face mask and I smiled back before going back to my phone, hoping that no one had seen the interaction and read anything else behind it than just a friendly exchange.

He stopped me with a hand on my shoulder when they were finished with the chocolate and the log wrapped up and the styling noonas quickly left, their schedule slightly different from mine, and I turned around surprised.

“Can I talk to you later noona? It’s about one of my outfits”

I nodded, a bit unsure of why he couldn’t just speak to me about it right now so that I had more time to fix an eventual problem but I complied and answered, “I’ll be in my office all afternoon” and he gave me a smile that reached his eyes, teeth pearly white and I turned on my heel to quickly walk out as my heart beat hard in my chest.

He showed up an hour later, and I stood up, ready to receive the clothing item but his hands were empty, and I must’ve looked surprised because he locked the door behind him, the clicking sound of it made me flinch.

“I just needed an excuse to talk to you” He said, not looking at me and talking with a pout on his lips.

My eyebrows rose and I crossed my arms over my chest, slightly pissed that I took time out of my schedule to fix something that apparently wasn’t broken and he pushed himself off the door he’d been leaning on, making me inadvertently take a step back as he got closer.

“I wanted to apologize. I don’t know what I’ve done and, to be honest, I’ve been too busy to even ponder on it but you’ve been acting strange for a month now, not even talking to me over the holidays and I didn’t want to bother you because I didn’t even know if you wanted to talk to me and I just…“ He paused, pouted, not knowing how to proceed and scratched his forehead, eyes scrunching, and I sighed as I suppressed the warm feeling that spread in my chest when I watched him. He reached into the jacket he wore and pulled out a bar of chocolate, one that he’d made earlier with the members, the edges were slightly melted from being hidden next to his body heat. He grabbed my hand and placed it there, knowing that I wouldn’t accept anything if he just reached it out for me to take, “I want you back, I want the noona I knew before Christmas. The noona I could kid around with. Who laughed so wonderfully at my jokes and scolded me when I messed up my clothes… I can’t stand the person you are now, you’re like a statue, emotionless when you’re next to me. I… “ He sighed, frustrated and I could feel his hands tremble slightly in mine, “I know that I’ve done something wrong and you don’t have to tell me” I opened my mouth to protest but he only grabbed my hand harder, repeating himself “You don’t have to tell me, you are different with the other members, laughing and being touchy touchy with them. I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry” He swallowed hard and let me go, turned on his heel and walked out before I had the chance to explain myself. Normally I’d let him go, it would be easier that way, but I could feel the seriousness of the situation. Hongjoong was hurt and it reached further than just him being hurt because I acted a certain way at work, it was affecting our personal lives at this point as well and I feared that I’d not only lose the wonderful friendship that had developed between us but perhaps also my chances to keep working for him if I continued to act like I didn’t even care about him. So, I ran after him, and he turned around, surprised when I almost crashed into him, stumbling as he caught me in his arms, and I gulped when his fingertips seemed to burn against the naked skin of my arms. I dragged him into a dim corridor on our left, away from a few prying eyes that watched the spectacle play out.

“I should be the one apologizing. You’re right, I’ve been a selfish idiot” He opened his mouth to protest at my choice of words, but I placed my hand over his lips to silence him. I couldn’t tell him everything I felt, not even knowing exactly how I felt because I’d never taken the time to reflect over it. So, I decided on a half-truth, “Ok, here’s the deal… You look good…” His eyebrows rose like he thought I was kidding, my statement bold but somewhat stiff and I rolled my eyes, “Ok, more than good. You’re hot as hell and I’m incredibly and almost unbearably attracted to you, so much that it makes me ashamed. That’s why I’ve been having difficulties working with you”

I removed my hand from his mouth, and he let out a small laugh, “That’s it? You’re attracted to me?” He shook his head, like he couldn’t believe what I just said before he added, “And here I was worried that you’d fallen in love with me or something”

I sighed, a tense smile on my lips as I cocked my head like I couldn’t believe what he was saying, my heart bursting into flames, burning it into crispy ash that filled my lungs and made it hard to breathe, “No, that would be ridiculous, why would I do that?” I said and bit back any sort of reaction that wanted to show up on my face because I absolutely did felt something for him… something more than just attraction. But the lie was smooth as rippling water and he bit his tongue, nodding slightly, the moment quickly turned from jokingly to awkward and I inhaled sharply, “So, now you know… let’s just… never mention this again… I mean, the fact that you look good isn’t really a surprise, but it definitely shouldn’t affect our working relationship so… “

“Of course,” He nodded again, a confident smile on his lips as he bid his goodbye. But I didn’t believe the confidence, mostly because I felt like I was going to be the one fucking it up.

I got my act together again after our small talk, our relationship improved slightly, and I tried to be more open to hang out with Hongjoong instead of just hiding away as soon as we had one minute over. The chocolate laid untouched in my fridge though, and I stared at it angrily every time I opened the door when we had two days off at the end of February. I paced back and forth in my apartment but didn’t do anything to break my nervous walking pattern as my head was up in the clouds with thoughts and ideas, going from my computer to the tv to the fridge and the drawing board before starting over again.

I decided to take a walk, hoped that fresh air would help clear my mind. It was a nice day, the air crisp and I could already see how winter took its last heavy breaths, birds chirping, and a soft glowing sun warmed my cold cheeks. Snowdrops were growing in the flowerbeds outside my apartment and I watched them with glee, happy to see the sign of spring. I started to walk, seemingly without a goal but my subconscious mind apparently wanted to fuck with me harder than normal when I realized that the house, I’d stopped at about half an hour later, was the boy’s dorm. Hongjoong seemed to be stuck like a leech on my brain and I knew that it probably shouldn’t bother me as much as it did. I shook my head and was just about to turn back, angry with myself when I suddenly heard someone familiar,

“Noona? Good morning, are you here to collect something?” Yeosang’s low but happy voice made me turn around and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. He was carrying two shopping bags, his manager quick on his heels, carrying two shopping bags as well and he bowed slightly when they walked up to me, bidding me a good morning as well. I swallowed, “No... I was just out for a walk, to grab some lunch…” I trailed off, not really knowing what to say to explain myself. I must’ve looked like a creep, staring up at their dorm without a plan in mind but Yeosang didn’t seem to think about it, happily inviting me to join them for a brunch instead. I figured, why not, I was already there, and I didn’t mind the company. The manager wished us a good day, knowing that Yeosang was back in the safety of his home and I reached out to take the bags he’d carried. I took off my shoes and hung my coat, already impressed with the space, excited to see the rest of the place and traced in Yeosang’s footsteps as we made it into the kitchen. I’d only seen it from the outside when I delivered packages or getting clothes that needed alterations. Yeosang gave me a small tour and Mingi and San soon joined us, happily showing off the large dorm and I giggled softly when San introduced me to his plushie dog, Shiber who he took with him every time they would go to a place that they had to spend the night. The food was already finished, brought from a take-away restaurant nearby and I helped to set the table. They all gathered around it and I was just about to sit down when I realized that we were one man short,

“Where’s Hongjoong?” I asked and the members exchanged a look among them, already digging into the food like they were used to him being excluded from group activities.

“Still working, as usual” Seonghwa answered, a mixture of pride and sadness in his voice and I stood up, abruptly and the boys looked at me confused, “It’s the one with the closed door” Seonghwa added quickly, bringing soup to his mouth and looked away like he knew that he shouldn’t intervene.

I basically jumped off the sofa, walked down the corridor with angry steps, enraged at the way Hongjoong was constantly acting against his members, more than often being so captivated in being a good leader that he sometimes forgot how to be a good hyung. I ripped the door open, stormed in and Hongjoong clutched his laptop tightly against his chest as if it was a baby he needed to protect, a small yelp escaped his lips when I glared daggers into him where he sat on the lower bunk bed. He swallowed when he realized that he wasn’t under attack and removed his headphones,

“Noona? You surprised me… what are you doing here?” He said, face flushed, and I tensed my jaw, not knowing how to respond, taken aback when I looked at him. His hair was a mess, large glasses covered almost half his face, lips dry and slightly cracked, pink from his constant chewing on them, like he always did when he concentrated on something. He let out a small gasp when he noticed my eyes on his body and he tried to cover himself up with his pillow, hugging it against his chest, only dressed in boxer shorts and an oversized top. The fact that he just sat there, looking so effortlessly good, having spent the entire night in front of his computer, eyes glazed with exhaustion, thighs red where the underside of the laptop burned on them, the room smelled of musky sweat and cologne and I wanted to scream at him, angry that he was constantly pressing on my every button. Pissed off beyond belief when my riled-up body pushed on the feelings I had for him, furious that I couldn’t tell him how much it hurt when he was picking away at my heart, making me more and more delusional every time I saw him, and just so, so tired of the way he was treating the people around him that it made me want to cry. He was selfless but, in a way, that he’d rather put others on pedestals because he didn’t want to stand there himself and therefore hiding away when others wanted to spend time with him. Not understanding how much people actually enjoyed his company.

“If you don’t get up and join the others, your members... the people you call family and have the meal that they’ve prepared for us, I will take your laptop with me, walk out the front door and you’ll never see it again, do you understand?” My voice was pleasantly calm, and I gave him a smile.

I would never take his laptop, of course. I knew how much it meant to him and how much it would hurt if he lost the contents on it, but the seriousness of my voice made him nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. Five seconds passed and then ten and he still held the laptop in a tight grip, his knuckles white.

“So, what are you waiting for?” I said, getting more and more impatient and he took a shaky breath.

“I’ll… join you soon… I just need to change my clothes” he said, and I squinted my eyes at him but didn’t feel the need to stay if he understood that I was serious so I left and joined the others who avoided my eyes, probably scared that they’d get into trouble as well when my emotions already ran high.

Hongjoong joined us a few minutes later, smiling when the members shouted out a big welcome to him, they all scooted to the side and served him some food as well. I met his eyes, but he quickly looked away again, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips and I tensed my jaw, feeling my mouth go dry.

…….

It was March and the last stage of promotion for the second era. I was attaching Hongjoong’s jewellery and tried my utmost not to drool over his red costume. He looked unbelievably good and I had to bite my tongue when he let out a small gasp as I pulled on his belt, his body flushed close against mine with the movement and I fastened it, my fingers so dangerously close to where I wanted to place my hand that I felt myself sweating. The thought of just giving in to my desire and palm him right then and there in the waiting room with at least ten other people around us, made my cheeks flush and I avoided his eyes when they curiously searched for mine.

“You’re done” I said shortly and took a step back, but he gripped my wrist like he didn’t want me to leave yet. He'd been doing that more often these last days as we worked endless hours close together. His fingertips often reached out to softly touch my arm or hand without a clear reason as to why or gently twirl a lock of my hair when I worked on his clothes. I always avoided his eyes, scared that I'd give in and press my lips against his if I met them, feeling how my face flushed red every time.

I gave him a meaningful look to remind him that we weren’t alone, my eyes flicked out over the room. He followed my line of sight and quickly released me again, straightened out his clothes, gave me a final look under his fringe and then left me to rush out on stage, the fan chanting could be heard through the wall and I sat down with a sigh. I took out my phone, took a sip of my americano while I answered emails and tried my hardest to shake the suffocating feeling that weighed on my heart. A TV in the room showed a live feed of what the camera’s recorded and I couldn’t help myself as my line of sight moved up on reflex when the song started, my eyes not leaving Hongjoong for a second and I chewed on the side of my cheek as his part of the chorus started, him dropping his body before the iconic dance move with swinging legs and thrusting hips started and I quickly looked down at my phone again, flustered. I sighed and cursed at him for being such an ass.

“What was that earlier?” Eunji peered down at me with slightly upset eyes and I felt my heart skip a beat, scared that she'd read something into our interactions.

“What was what?” I asked, my voice almost failing me, and she motioned at the TV with her head.

“What he did before. He grabbed you… does he hurt you?” her concerned voice reminded me of my mother and I quickly shook my head while taking another sip of my americano.

“Nononono, he just… he’s fine, I mean, I’m fine… we’re both fine, we’re friends” I stumbled over my own nervous words and Eunji looked at me like she didn’t believe me but it would threaten our work relationship if she dug deeper into what I was saying so she just gave me a scoff and walked away.

The boys finished, jogged down the hallway back towards us and I stood up again, ready to help. They stumbled through the door, sweat on their brows and I congratulated them on a well-executed performance. I handled Hongjoong a mini fan and a bottle of water and he took it with a smile, his eyes rolling back slightly and his eyebrows did that thing I’d grown to love, but couldn’t describe to save my life when the cold air fanned his face and I swallowed hard to suppress a gasp at the lovely expression. He gulped down the water, some of it dripped down his chin and landed on his clothes and I tensed my jaw and gave him a look that spoke of my disapproval. One brow rose when he met my eyes again and he stuck out his tongue at me, knowing that water wasn’t worse than sweat and that my reaction was more based on his recklessness. He went to sit down with his members in a sofa at the other side of the room and Seonghwa soon asked for a video camera so that they could record a log. They talked about how much they’d enjoyed this era and was looking forward to have a break but that they obviously were going to miss Atiny as well, their fake crying made me giggle softly and it was as if Hongjoong had sonar hearing because he met my eyes and smiled brightly and I couldn’t help but smile back as my heart flipped in my chest. Seonghwa recorded Yeosang for a bit, praised him and I couldn’t help but snicker as they talked about the stage. Hongjoong rushed over to me and I felt my breath hitch in my throat when he came so close to me. His cologne hitting me in the face and making me dizzy.

“Are you finished with this?” He asked and placed his hand over mine, taking my americano away from me when my flustered state let it go and I was just about to open my mouth to protest when he interrupted me, “You’ll get it back” before he laid down on the sofa, a book that he’d been reading whenever he had the time, in his hands and he gleefully called for his hyung to record him as well.

I shook my head to their shenanigans and opened a bag of snacks instead while I waited for my coffee to come back. San joined with some beef jerky at the end of Hongjoongs talking, half joking and half bullshitting to the camera and I chuckled softly when he raised a piece of jerky over his head, flinging it back and forth like a 1800th century merchant who tried to earn a living. Hongjoong jumped up again and rushed towards me, just as Seonghwa moved the camera over to Mingi, dipped his hand into my bag of snacks, stuck out his tongue at me when I protested and then dove back into the sofa, earning a laughter from the styling noonas standing at the make-up table on the side and my heart swelled as he laid down on the book, using it as a pillow, my americano cold and forgotten on the floor underneath him.

#kim hongjoong smut #kim hongjoong/reader #kim hongjoong #ateez kim hongjoong #part 2

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