#my high lord fell off 😔

[geniemillies]

went to safari, why is he lowkey giving tamlin post acowar

[hyuukais]

Swan Song

Jeongin lived his life freely, indulging in peasantry parties and reckless acts. However, after a confrontation and strange encounter, he realizes that maybe his freedom can only come from saving a swan.

word count: 6.2k

genres: Prince!Jeongin x Swan Prince(ss)!Reader, strangers to lovers, angst, fluff, swan lake au

warnings: alcohol consumption, swearing, drunk beomgyu, i fear i may have lost the plot a little,,,jeongin is ready to do anything for a stranger, villian jyp jumpscare, also the reader is called princess a few times by jyp while he’s being a creep but otherwise remains gn

author: heyyyy i’m so sorry it’s been like 8 months since my last post 😭 also i’m so so so so sorry that this request took so long 😔 i really hope you can still enjoy it 🙏

requested by @lwavander

Little can be heard over the masses filling the garden. Their chatter echoes off the tiered terraces. Jeers and cheers slur into the empty night sky, surrounding Jeongin in their halo of celebration. Friends and strangers alike have gathered in his honor. They’ve piled up in the fields of the castle to share their drinks and joy; cups clashing and always kept full. Merry music played and Jeongin’s companions pulled him through rounds of rigorous dancing. Song after song, Heeseung kept a hand glued to the young man, always pulling him back to the fray. It was truly a birthday fit for a prince, at least one like him.

Since he was young, Jeongin had heard all of the complaints. The disagreements of countless officials with the carefree outlook of the crowned prince. However, Jeongin had decided young that he would never let anyone else control his life; commonplace for those like him, those born and bred for societal perfection. In these moments, Jeongin relishes freedom’s delicious taste. The bittersweet burn of the finest wines settling on his tongue, the ache of his feet, and his heavy beating heart, he was never so alive. 

He found a small reprieve from his friend’s clutches, looking down from the veranda lining the grounds. Watching peasant and noble alike rub shoulders and hold hands as they danced. The view brought a smile to his face as he took a sip from his goblet. A harsh slap to his shoulder splashed some wine up his nose, causing a cough. Expelling the stray droplets, Jeongin found the tight-knuckle grip belonged to a drunken Beomgyu. The shaggy-haired man reeked of alcohol and was almost unable to stand straight, instead pulling down on Jeongin. Liquid sloshed in and out of his own cup as he waved his hands around.

“Jeong~in!” His words were slow and slurred. “Wha’ are you doin’ all alone, Innie-hic? You shoul’ be dancing!” Then he’s tugging even harder on Jeongin’s arm. Yanking on his undershirt and nearly tearing the sleeve.

“Wow, wow, wow, Beomgyu! Gyu! I think-” It was nearly impossible to pry the fingers from his arm. “P-perhaps you should take a break.” It’s even harder to pull the cup from his hand.

Gyu’s whining is harsh on the ears, “Nooooo! No! I’s a party! Have fun!” He tries hard to twist away from the prince, thrusting the hand holding his cup high in the air and loudly proclaiming. “I drink for the prince! Prin’ Jeongin!”

A roar rose from the lawn. Music fell beneath the masses’ clamor. Crowds follow suit of his friend’s cheer, raising their cups with a unanimous shout. “For Prince Jeongin!”

The man felt his face flushing red hot. There was certainly a difference between being amongst the crowd and standing away with all of their eyes on him, calling out his name. He was flattered if not slightly embarrassed, managing a flustered smile as the cheers melted back into the music.

 A very drunk lord still wobbling in his arms, Jeongin tried to steer him away from the railing. Instead, herding Beomgyu back into the castle. Walking along the terrace toward the doorway, the man whined and protested as best he could. His eyes couldn’t stay open and his boots skidded along the stones. Jeongin tried his best to keep Beomgyu upright as he led the way; his hands slipping under the weight. Finally squaring up to the grand wooden doors, he’s confronted with his next problem. How was he supposed to open them? Perhaps he could hunt down Heeseung to enlist his help. However, knowing the man, he was probably no better off than Beomgyu was. Suddenly, almost like a prayer was answered, the doors swung inward, scattering yellow shadows into the night. However, the illusion of a miracle quickly vanished as Jeongin came face-to-face with the Queen’s boiling stare.

His mother’s eyes bore down like hot coals, huffing smoke from her mouth with each seething breath. Jeongin felt his knees melting, withering in her stare. 

“H-hello, Mother.”

Beomgyu stirred in his hold, eyes lighting up, “Y-our ‘ighness!” Almost immediately after he made a horrible retching noise, nothing came up and he groaned painfully.

The Queen motioned her head to the pair of guards flanking her, never breaking eye contact with her son. “You two, please show Lord Choi to his room.” Her voice was dangerously steady.

Neither of them spoke, only nodding before collecting the man from Jeongin’s arms. The tension in the air seemed to multiply as they were left alone. The Queen’s breaths came faster and heavier, eyes hardening as they took in the man in front of her. Jeongin stood frozen, unable to even breathe. Any words would only make it worse for him. So there they stood, in suffocating silence, until his mother heaved a sigh, lowering her head in its weight.

“M-mom-”

“Jeongin,” She raised her hand, cutting him off. As she looked back up, the dark of her eyes had cooled. Red, hot anger solidified into something heavy in Jeongin’s chest. “I have a feeling you already know what I am going to say.”

He averted his eyes.

“You know that I want you to be happy, that I never want to force you into something you do not want. I understand you cherish your freedom, but-I…my son this is not freedom. This is chaos, irresponsibility. Like it or not, you are going to be king one day. You need to start behaving like it.”

“I-I am! I’m getting to know my subjects-”

“No, you are getting drunk. You are acting childish and-” Two fingers rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “I expect more from you, Jeongin. I need to know that I can trust you with this country. I am only getting older and I fear it may take an unwilling push to get you to understand.” The look in her eyes sank his heart further and further, her sigh sad and heavy. “Enjoy your birthday, son. We will continue this tomorrow.”

Turning her back, the Queen swept back inside, shutting the doors with her. For the first time in the night, Jeongin was left completely alone. Alone in bitter silence. Thoughts churned slowly around his head. A horrible burn settled deep in his chest. Sounds of celebration still filtered through the air, making the pain worse. Suddenly, Jeongin cared very little about continuing his birthday. Surrounded by drunken strangers and the hollowness of their well-wishes, he felt empty at the thought. The sun long gone, he should have retired to his room with it. Now, his mind was too full, too chaotic to rest. The castle walls were a prison in times like these. He needed a jailbreak if only for a moment, just to take in the impending collapse of his flimsy lifestyle.

Crisp moonlight scatters in the pine’s canopy. The towering woods echo Jeongin’s footsteps grinding up the dry brush. It breaks the silence of the cold night and punctuates his every move. This forest bordering the castle grounds was not unfamiliar to the prince, spending much of his youth traversing its scape. Even in the near darkness, he may safely make his way back home. However, amongst the barren trees, Jeongin feels lost within himself. He was no stranger to the disappointment of others, it was something he had long learned to ignore. Yet, he never knew how to endure the disappointment of his mother. Now, something in her chagrin felt resolute, like she’d hit her breaking point. All the man could do was stew over the ways he would be made to repent.

Leaf-litter cradles his heavy tread weighed down by his brooding. With a particularly loud crunch, a large rustling grew overhead. The familiar flap of feathers broke through the branches. A bevy of swans flies above the trees. Their pure white wings gleam, haloed in the full moonlight. Jeongin’s thoughts fall quiet. Enraptured in the birds’ majesty gliding through the air; his feet unconsciously followed their path along the ground. Walking a few feet beyond the clearing he’d been in, the birds disappeared in the flush canopy. Still, he keeps forward, looking as the trees thin out once again. No sight of their velvet down among the stars, however peeking between trunks, Jeongin catches sight of rippling water.

A great lake sits at the edge of the forest; water clear blue and twinkling. Drifting along its surface are many more swans than he’d originally seen. They pay the man no mind as he comes upon the bank. Instead, Jeongin watches a swan move along to the edge of the water, stretching its neck out on the grass. An odd light shifts across its feathers, glowing almost as if they were burning. He can’t focus on it for long when the light grows bright. In the second he blinked, where once was a beautiful swan, now sat a young human draped in the same pristine white. 

In shock, he stumbles back, feet catching on loose rocks and ultimately sending Jeongin crashing down. A gasp and splashes ring out at the sight of the intruder. Swans’ wings flap wildly and they scatter out across the water. The person crouched in the grass seems frozen, caught like cowering prey. Coated in the sweet moonlight, dipped in silver. Their eyes shine and quiver, unblinking. Jeongin feels frozen just the same. Scared to make a sound, to approach this angelic being born from the moon before his very eyes. Neither moves, sharing unending stares until Jeongin finally grasps at the words he was missing.

“Wh-what?” 

The realization is quiet, almost unnoticeable if not for the great release of tension in the air. He can see it in the droop of their shoulders and the slow blinking of their eyes. They stand from the dewy grass, revealing a long tunic woven with swan feathers and silver cord shimmering against their skin. Jeongin’s heart stutters at the sight of this stranger’s pure allure. It hammers hard on his ribs when they begin walking toward him.

“Are you okay?” A kind hand reaches for him but Jeongin can only focus on their face. The way their eyes glitter and wrinkle in a soft smile. Their skin folds like silk around pretty smile lines. As he takes their hand, their warmth is gracious like a starry summer night. 

“I apologize if I surprised you. I understand that it’s not something you see every day.” They help him to his feet.

He is at a complete loss for words, mouth agape like a floundering fish. “Wha-wh…who? Who are you?”

“Ah, yes,” The question seems to strike a nerve, their gaze downcast and hands detaching from his. They look to be thinking particularly hard. “I…My name is Y/n.”

A million more questions race around his head, yet the years of proper etiquette hammered into him take over. “I am Jeongin, Prince Jeongin.” He bows low which draws another smile from Y/n.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jeongin.”

He nods, “So, you-you’re a swan?”

Their laugh rings like bells in the snow, twinkling like constellations; a sound Jeongin wishes he could bottle and listen to forever. “By day, yes, I am only a swan. However, by night, I and my companions may become ourselves once again, by the lakeside.” They gaze back to the water where some of the other swans have returned to floating.

“But how?” Something rings in his mind that he is far too calm at the moment. He ignores the thought 

“I was cursed.” Their shoulders fall tense with an invisible struggle, “By a horrible man.”

“Who? Why would he do that to you?”

Y/n’s eyes are glassy as they take his hand again. They lead Jeongin to the lake’s edge, sitting down beside him. Their focus strays far away, traveling across the reflections dancing atop the water. 

“Lord Jinyoung was a family friend, the grand Sorcerer to the King, my father.”

The soft-spoken words send Jeongin’s heart to a stop. “Wait, King?!”

“Yes, a kingdom once stood tall along this disparaging land, small but mighty. My Togorum.” Their voice broke with a sniffle. “Until Lord Park betrayed us. He poisoned my father and tried to marry my mother. He wanted her power and-and when she denied him…He-he- '' Tears raced down Y/n’s cheeks, paired with intermittent sobs, “Sh-she was killed right in front of me and I-I was powerless to stop it. With my parents…gone, I, as the heir, was the next rightful ruler, so he forced me to marry him. Apparently, he was losing his magic, and the power of the crown would free him of his limits. So I-uh-I destroyed it and he was infuriated. With the last bits of his power, he destroyed the kingdom and he cursed me to become this.”

Solemnity settled in the air, a quiet understanding of an unknown pain. Jeongin was never one for physical comfort, yet he let his arm mingle along theirs, cradling their hand with a soft squeeze. Their eyes red and puffy and still the most beautiful Jeongin thinks he’s ever seen. Their gaze meets his, curling at the solace of a kind stranger. Perhaps a new friend, a new companion. A smile sits wonderfully on their lips; soft, pretty, so far away.

Jeongin snatches his eyes off Y/n’s face. The night chill cannot calm the heat pooling in his cheeks as he tugs at the grass. “I-um-I’ve never heard of Togorum. I always remembered these forests being a part of my kingdom.”

“Ah-yeah, I guess destroyed isn’t the best phrasing. More so, Jinyoung erased the kingdom. All memory of it, every last trace of what once was. Most of the subjects integrated into new countries believing they’d always been there. I am all that is left of my country, my family, my people, and no one will ever know I exist.”

“Is there no way to reverse the curse?”

Y/n’s head rests atop their knees, fingers skirting along the ground. “Actually, there is,” A bitter chuckle wisps through their teeth. “That worm, Park, in all his cruelty decided an eternity confined to my lonesome was not torture enough. No, he must dangle the intangible possibility of a free future before me like a dumb pet begging for an invisible treat, as well.”

“Oh…well, how can we reverse it?” He asks dumbly, though it stops Y/n in their tracks. Unabashed anger fades to a wide-eyed shock.

“W-we?”

“Oh.” The fire in his face burns hotter, “Um-yes, I-I want to help free you in any way I can, if that’s possible. Is-is that okay? I don’t mean to-”

“No, Jeongin, you-you are very kind. It’s just…” Their voice falls faint. “The only way I may be freed is if…someone, who has never loved before, promises their love to me, forever.”

He cannot be distracted by his name on their lips as the rest of the words come. The thoughts appear before he can stop them. And the feelings for this stranger; a kind and beautiful stranger, almost angelic. It’s sudden and mysterious, struck from his chest in an instant.

“I can do that.”

“Wha-what? Jeongin-no, I-I couldn’t-We’ve only just-I-”

“I know we’ve only just met.” His voice is unprecedentedly steady, yet his hands shake as they reach for Y/n’s, “I may not truly know you yet, but I think that, as I get to, it’d be impossible to not fall in love with you.”

The air settles hot between them, not a breath shared with the stillness. Y/n doesn’t respond, eyes trapped in Jeongin’s. Their gaze is heavy with brows drawn in and lips tight. They look from eye to eye, taking in his sweet, silver-dusted sincerity. In the low light, the red along his ears is still visible. Y/n’s fingertips brush over the skin making the flush worse. They trail over the soft hair hanging on his neck, circling back up to cradle his cheek.

“You mean that.” Not a question, a fact. Like they dove through his eyes down to his heart just to see the truth for themself. It’s shocking, words obscured by breath, bracketed with wide eyes. 

“I d-”

A shout tore through the peace. Y/n’s hand flew off Jeongin’s face with a jerk. In a flash, they were swept back. Everything happened so fast that it took a moment for Jeongin’s eyes to adjust. 

Y/n’s knees were painted in turned-up mud and grass. They keeled at the feet of a new shadow. The moonlight carves the sharp wrinkles rippling along the person’s face. Skin puckered as their high-angled brows drew in. Silver glinted off their teeth bared in a twisting grin. Gnarled fingers curled in the strands of Y/n’s hair, forcing their face up. When the figure spoke a deathly chill sunk in the air.

“Oh, silly princess. What do you think you’re doing?” The voice rattled deep, raking across the ears. Sardonic and sneering. 

Pain crested on Y/n’s face, fighting back with a scowl. “Let me go, you bastard.” 

Four long marks trail up his arm, nails tearing at the skin. Fingers digging into the skin and warning of puncture. Yet, the man remained unphased. His grip over their head grew ever tauter, pulling out a cry. 

Red filtered Jeongin’s vision. He rose to his feet, fueled with a renewed fire building in his veins. Lack of a plan wasn’t going to stop him as he readied to charge. Looking on at the torturous handling of his swan, the man’s cruel eye struck frost upon Jeongin’s feet. He paused and deflated, withered and useless to Y/n with a fresh dread that broke on his face. 

“Oh, look at that!”  A cold laugh coats his skin, “Your perfect little savior is just as weak as you are. ”

Every breath is a labor, forcing at that name draped in their blood, “Fuck you, Jinyoung.” The truth drags Jeongin’s heart into his stomach.

This was the man who had hurt Y/n. Who continues to hurt them. Coming in like he’s some sort of eternal watchguard from hell.

The hearth in his chest burned brighter yet. Chimneying up and out his ears in smoke. Clouds dull his sense of preservation. His calves thaw and scorch with curling fists. No weapon, terror-filled, he steeled his knuckles for pain. Feet braced hard on the ground like a quivering hunter.

“L-let go of them.”

For the second time, he meets Jinyoung’s iced gaze. He wants to curl up again, to cower beneath the fear, to run away and never return. Still, he held steady, looking right back into the all-absorbing, endless black. A twitch picked up on the old man’s lip. “Be careful, young prince. I’d advise you against doing anything unwise, unless you want to lose your pretty bird.”

With the threat his voice grew steadier still, “Let Y/n go.” 

A beat passed, he kept his gaze high. Silence overwhelmed the air. Y/n couldn’t hold in the soft whimpers drawn from their straining scalp. Specks of red broke out beneath their fingertips. Jinyoung didn’t bat an eye.

With almost a shove, he let Y/n crumple to the ground. They landed with a heavy grunt. Jeongin fell to their side. Any medicinal knowledge he might’ve had failed him, however upon a swift inspection, it seemed it probably wasn’t needed. Y/n’s hands rubbed at the sore spot on their head. Fingers twitching, dreadfully hesitant, searching for any disappearing damage. If he spoke too loud, they might wisp away. 

“Are you okay?”

Their eyes are wide and vaguely bloodshot, but their nod is resolute.

Looking back up, Jinyoung was scrutinizing the blood trailing down his arms. He seemed wholly disconcerted at the scarlet sight, throwing his arm back down after a quick moment. Eyes on the two figures cradled in the grass, the wrinkles seared on his face grew darker. Blizzard raging hard, hail builds up in Y/n’s stomach; a fear they could never accept, never escape. They held it down but their strength was always lacking. Jeongin’s soft hands lent an extra warmth to melt the pain but it wasn’t enough.

“What-what do you want, you monster?! Why did you come?!” Their voice shook, tremors racking their body.

“Princess, you know there is only one way I’d ever let you go free. You will never escape, at least not with this…fool.” 

His suggestion shot bile up Y/n’s throat, “You’ll have to kill me before I ever go to you willingly, Jinyoung.”

That sparked a swift downturn of his brow. The once icy darkness of his eyes blazed with an unprecedented heat. Flickering out to the sky, “The sun is rising, your time is up, birdie.”

“Wha-what?” Jeongin follows the warlock’s eyes. The horizon is tinted with soft wisps of orange, still low in the sky but swiftly approaching. “No-no, it was just-”

“Oh how much time talking takes.” He says smugly, turning his back on the two. “Until next time, and do not forget, I am always watching, Y/n.”

Jinyoung left just as he came, melting into the dark. Jeongin would’ve thought he had blinked as his vision went fuzzy.

“How is it already sunrise?”

Y/n leaned up in his hold. Their eyes were blown wide and very red. “I-I don’t-I don’t know, but…I fear he used magic somehow.”

“But I thought he used up the last of his power?”

“So did I. Perhaps it is returning to him.” The words were despondent, dropping off with a saddening expression. Their eyes moved up to his face, studying it for a long moment. He felt stripped bare, vulnerable, and yet wholly safe. Then, they looked on at the glowing sky.

“It…You must go now, Jeongin.”

“But…” Fingers grazed up the swell of his cheek, he wanted nothing more than to give himself to the feeling completely, “Can I see you again? Tonight?”

It was hesitant; their fingers coming to a stop, their breath hitching quietly. Sweet moonstruck face crested in confliction and mustering a smile. “May we meet again soon, my prince.”

Two soft lips brushed his overheating cheek. It’s too much and barely enough. Y/n’s touch is so fleeting, pushing him away to stand on their own. He doesn’t want to leave, he can’t. Jeongin must return to his deluded sense of liberty, to the ending of it all. What Y/n once had, what they desperately deserved, that was true freedom. It was the happiness of being yourself. Deep down he always knew that; he never really wanted this. Now, he’s found that, the thing he does want, a choice that is his. Some may still say his judgment was impaired, but he can’t let this go.

Y/n offered him a kind smile in parting. Jeongin turned away to walk into the blossoming horizon. A new burning desire tugging hard in his gut, he kept moving forward.

“Y/n!” Branches swing into his face. Sun beats down hard through the canopy, mixing atop his overheating skin. He sweats and pants and keeps pushing his legs harder. Feet crash down, overtaking the forest silence. Jeongin tries to recount the path he’d taken the previous night. Although, his mind is only taken up with expletives.

Crashing out from the dense tree line, he stumbles around. He lurches forward, too close to dropping head-first into a shimmering lake. The familiar clearing stretches out his vision. A terrible clamor had broken out on the still waters at his arrival. Waterfowl scattered above the trees. His heart, rocketing in his chest, dropped to his stomach. Catching sight of a flight of swans disappearing into the sky.

“No no no no, Y/n!” He twists himself around, shouting to the clouds. Adrenaline swims up through his body, fuzzing up his senses. He loses all focus on his supposed defeat that he misses the birds left on the lake surface. Instead, a rapid trill behind him jerks his head around. A swan, still perched on the waves, is looking right up at him; head cocked, like a confused dog. Two beady black eyes broken by a soft twinkle only found in stars.

He breathed out, “Y/n.”

The swan doesn’t respond, only looking at him with the same tilted expression. But it didn’t fly away and something swimming through those eyes melted with familiarity. Jeongin squatted down to its level, a thought fleeting about how stupid he must look.

“I…” His words were choppy with winded breaths, “I don’t have much time but I-I needed to come find you. My-my mom is making me get married. She wasn’t happy with me last night, especially after I disappeared until sunrise. Now, she’s throwing a ball for me to…find a partner. It’s tonight.” The swan stayed still. Jeongin’s heart wouldn’t slow down. “Y/n, I-I don’t know if you can understand me, or-or if this is even you, but, Y/n, you need to be there tonight. Maybe marriage is a bit too quick right now, but I’m going to save you and-and then we can rebuild a life for you. But you have to be there, otherwise…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see you again.”

Finally, the bird began to move. Its head pushed back up straight, taking in one last slow look at the boy. Then, it turned around and floated away. Jeongin’s stomach crumpled beneath the weight of his heart. He had no time to breathe in the heartache, the sudden notion of defeat, yet he couldn’t turn his eyes away from the bird. He’d already lost them, and he never even got to fall in love.

The music swelled, bursting out the opening doors. “Now presenting, His Royal Highness, Prince Jeongin.”

A great light broke out on his skin, momentarily blinding him. Applause erupted from beyond the white. He struck a feigned smile, grappling with the stair railing to keep him upright as he made his way to his mother’s side.

As his vision melted back in, he got a full scope of the crowded ballroom. So many faces, so many incredibly unfamiliar faces. He’d had more than a few hours to process his mom’s forced maturity in the form of a sudden marriage. However, looking upon all of these people, it must have been impossible for her to have arranged this in only one day. The small inkling of premeditation burrows beneath Jeongin’s festering displeasure. Truly, how much had changed in less than a day?

Reaching the tiled ballroom floor, he is immediately whisked away; arm after arm taking him along into conversation or dance. First his mother, then a hundred hopeful suitors. A kind smile engraved into his cheeks, so fake it tasted rotten on his tongue. He’d started to lose count of all the songs and dances and stale introductions; there was still no sign of Y/n’s presence.

Another song, another clammy, glammed-up hand filling his. Jeongin can’t stand the awkward small talk. This poor princess is truly quite cute and sweet, but she seems about as wholly disinterested as he is. They barely spare each other a glance as they spin around to the crescendoing music. And, as it comes to an end, they bow with strict formality. Once again, the woman is quickly replaced.

Knuckles brush softly, fingers sliding in between his. Warm hands undisturbed by the cool caress of gold and silver. The touch is familiar if only in the way Jeongin feels his heart burst as he turns to his new dance partner. Y/n’s smile is framed in a sweeping fluff of black downy feathers, tracing their sides in elegant steep lines, outlined in glittering gold. Air is knocked clean from his chest.

“You…You came, you’re here.” Every nerve in his brain jumped to push him into their arms, to press them tight to his chest. It was like fighting back a boulder, especially as their twinkling laughter split the air. 

A hand smoothed over his loose jaw, “I did, I am.”

The joy was overwhelming. He couldn’t keep himself from pulling them in closer and pressing a chaste kiss to their palm.

“Then, let us have one dance before I have to tell the whole kingdom that I love you.”

With that, Y/n’s smile grew even wider, feet scuffling faster along the floor to speed up their dance. “You truly wish to promise your love to me forever.”

“Well, I mean, yeah.” Jeongin felt his face flush in heat as the words came out.

They laugh at the red now blanketing his ears before continuing. “Y’know, you’ll need to say it to break the curse.”

“Oh, um-” He clears his throat, averting eye contact, “Y/n, I-”

“Don’t say my name.” Their voice takes on a sharp edge, smile stuttering. “Just repeat what I said.”

“Oh…okay. Well, um, I...” He fought himself to catch their eyes. Hands going clammy and squeezing theirs, “R-right now? We’re doing this now?”

Their eyebrow ticked, pleasant smile completely gone. “Yes, Jeongin? Why wouldn’t we?”

Why couldn’t he? Was his sanity finally catching back up to him?

It was like the words piled up in his throat. He had them ready, but something was stopping him. This heavy rock sat on his tongue, blocking up his mouth.

Five sharp nails dug into Jeongin’s hand. A tight gasp broke through the words. Where once was soft silver, something sinister glinted in Y/n’s eyes. 

“Say it. Do you not want to free me?”

“I-I do.”

“Then say it.”

“Y/n-” Their jaw twitched like a visage flickering over their face. Harsh dread settled in Jeongin’s stomach. “You’re not-”

Desperation set in, “Tell me you love me.” They clung to him, feet nearly trampling his as they kept up the dance.

He struggled to detach himself even when the music slowed. More and more eyes fell on the pair in the middle of the floor. “Let-let me-go.”

Small jewels clattered across the tiles, ripped off his suit by their grip. The stranger stumbled back. A circle cleared around them. Shallow breaths rattled the air. Shards of ice trickled inside the sleeves of Jeongin’s crisp suit. Those empty eyes are carved into Y/n’s face, boring down on him. This time Jeongin doesn’t cower.

“You! What did you do to Y/n?!”

“Stupid prince.” Jinyoung’s voice falls from foreign lips. His mask flickers once more before fading, revealing the old man. “You can’t do anything right, huh?”

Gasps ring out across the dance hall. Guests closest to the scene scatter, yet keep the prince in their sight. Jeongin moves before thinking. His hands reach to yank on the sorcerer's robe; they fall through the man’s skin instead. Shivers snap up his spine as the visage falls.

“Wh-what?”

Grating laughter echoes in the ceilings. “You really think I’d just waltz in here, disguised or not? I’m not an idiot. You, however-”

“Why did you come!?”

“Oh, this? Don’t worry. This was just plan A. Simple and easy. Though, it would seem time for plan B.” The ballroom devolves into a cacophony of squawking laughs and confused murmurs.

The Prince stays frozen, a spectacle to all eyes. He knows he must get back to that lake; that this is the duty he’s committed himself to. But, does he not have a duty here? One to his country, to take up a righteous ruling position? One to his people, to handle his power with grace and pointedness? One to his mother, to do all of this for her sake?

A hand turns him around. Face to face with his mother, her eyes wide and wild with confusion, he feels the turmoil bubbling up his throat.

“Jeongin, is this some kind of joke?”

“No, Mom, I-”

“I finally give you a chance to prove your loyalty to this kingdom and you pull this?” The anger is clear all over her, but there’s a tremble in her lip that breaks Jeongin’s heart. “I cannot believe you.”

He takes her hands. “Mom, I really don’t have the time to explain and I’m so sorry. But…there’s someone I’ve promised to help and if I don’t leave now, I may not be able to save them. I’m so sorry, Mom, I really am but-I-I need to do this. For them.”

He can hear her heart shatter as he pushes against the crowd towards the doors.

As Jeongin reaches the lake, an unsettling silence has fallen upon the forest. The pebbles skidding beneath him don’t make a sound. A whole ecosystem holding its breath, even as the wind whips furiously. The sky is strangely devoid of light, the wax-built moon gone. However, a soft white light pulsed against the foliage. Circling out like a shockwave from the center of the lakeside. Curled atop the grass, a great pearl of light, bursting like a star. With each strobe, heat rippled through the clearing; comfortable and calming.

An agonized scream shattered the feeling. A writhing shadow passed within the ball of light. Jeongin could immediately recognize the voice and he took off towards it. As he approached, the light appeared as less of a uniform sphere. It seemed to be pouring out of Y/n’s body.

“Y-Y/n!” Their skin was burning up, hot and fiery to the touch. They release another ear-splitting scream, trailing off into a cry. “Y/n-Y/n, please-oh god-“

An awful, broken sob tightens their chest as their hand wraps harder around his skin. It takes a life to heave their eyes open. Jeongin’s heart shutters. Their silver-speckled eyes have been fractured. Black smokey tendrils curl through the iris, draining its color.

“No! What-what is he doing to you?”

Y/n’s lips pry open, word flooding up into their throat. Another shriek rips out instead, cracking through their voice. This one too falls off into whimpers, though they restart their attempt to speak.

“J-jeongin,” Their voice is fuzzy, vocal cords fried, and words slurring. “You…”

A shaking hand reaches out for him, patting up his arm and chest in time. Fingers settle faintly on his cheek, still warm.

“You need to go.” A weak push barely turns his chin away. Steady fingers stop the action, squeezing Y/n’s hand.

“I’m not leaving you.”

“He’ll kill you, he’s-” Struggling against the fire dancing on their skin, they fight out their words. “He’s taking back his magic. I cannot be saved anymore.”

“No no no no,” Jeongin’s hand grapples with theirs panickedly. Keeping it pressed flush to his cheek, cradling their lolling head in his lap. “No, I-I promised, I'm gonna save you. Y/n, we’re-”

“Jeongin-”

“We’re going to grow together. You’ll be yourself again-“

“Jeongin-”

“I’ll learn everything about you and love all of it. Forever. All of my love, forever. I promise you.”

“Innie,” Like a hundred chimes, twinkling in unison. Dying off in the breeze. Their voice is fading, their fingers loosen on his cheek. But their eyes, filled with the adoration of the night sky, never leave his. “Thank you.”

Their body goes supernova. White blinds his eyes and the weight in his hands falls away.

Water lapped at the rocks. A soft, repetitive sound; an earthly lullaby whispered through the grasses. Clouds drift aimlessly past the sun. Low in the azure sky, birds whistle in disjoint harmony.  A single swan sits lonely atop crystal waters. 

The rhythmic thump of life, a heartbeat, plays beneath Jeongin’s fingers.

“We should leave soon.” They hum and lean further into his caress.

Jeongin stays transfixed. Tracing each jut and curve up their neck. The height of their cheeks and peek of their lips flushed with a sigh of warmth.

“Innie?”

Y/n’s eyes flutter open. Jeongin’s heart rockets through his chest. They lay stretched out over the lakeside, head perched in his sturdy lap. Midday sun blankets their skin with soothing comfort. They’ve stayed here, fading in and out of sleep for hours. Basking in the presence of each other away from the prying eyes of the castle. 

He hums absentmindedly in response, thumbing over their lip.

“I said,'' They sit up, twisting off his legs to look at him, chuckling at his small pout. “We should probably leave soon.” Fingers drift over Jeongin’s cheeks, wiping his frown with a fresh flush. “Your mother will be expecting us.”

He sighs and nods. It’d taken a lot to repair his mother’s trust over the past months: changing from his once reckless behavior and attitude had been a very important step. Although, Jeongin couldn’t resist the few opportunities to take advantage of Y/n’s new freedom. Every moment with them was a breath of fresh air Jeongin had never truly tasted before. Every touch felt like a live wire straight to his heart. He could say with a beautiful certainty, he’d never been more alive.

“I have another suit fitting, I guess I could try to make it in time.”

Y/n laughs, a sound he will never have enough of. “Your coronation only happens once. We can do this every day for the rest of our lives.”

The words kick up in the breeze, circling their chests. Beating in unison, an unspoken elation. The rest of their lives, together. Forever free at last.

© HYUUKAIS 2024

[natashasbitxh]

Finally got to see Peter Pan Goes Wrong in West End with Charlie Russell, Matthew Cavendish, Greg Tannahill, Matthew Howell, Harry Kershaw, Clark Devlin, Jamie Birkett, Chris Leask, Ellie Morris, and Jean-Luke Worrell! They were all amazing, I thought I'd share some of my fav bits! (Warning: There's a lot)

• Firstly, programme stuff: the note from the director basically just being Chris and Trevor arguing like a married couple. Chris being too scientific and Trevor having to remind him it's supposed to be festive.

● Them leaving a note asking if anybody was a flying operator as they didn't currently have one😭

• Robert leaving the children of the Cornley Youth Theatre abandoned in a forest with limited food and knives,to prepare for their performance of Lord of the Flies. NSPCC and police had to intervene, 2 of the children are still missing today (Ben McIntyre and Sarah Cordell)

• Jonathon's interview where's he's practically begging the interviewer to take note he was 'fashionably late', when he was actually waiting for 6 hours.

• Jonathon saying (in the interview), he's been focusing on humanitarian work, such as adopting a child from Ethiopia and a child from Vietnam. And then the interviewer just replied with "That is Brad Pitt. Everything you have just said is about Brad Pitt and not yourself."

• In the cast section, Chris Bean writing "I would like to remind my father that there is a spare ticket at the box office for him if he chooses to show up." That's so sad😭

• Trevor's section ended with "trevorzbeatz/YouTube.co.uk" 😭

• Pip (assistant stage manager) just says: "They call me Big Pip up north. Trevor's cousin. Out and about and that. Nice one." Like okay yh me too Big Pip

• They tried to feed the crocodile an alarm clock😭 (RIP Nadia tho😔)

• Annie left a little note saying she's "looking for a man" and then there's some description of what she's (not) looking for

• A page saying welcome to the theatre, but it is still very much in character😭 "Director Chris Bean always fulfils his promise of giving us a show we will remember for a very long time."

•Pre-show antics: one of the assistant stage managers (I'm gonna guess Pip? Not too sure tho) was walking around looking for a hammer. I noticed that he'd act like he was looking around and then when he spotted a child he'd go and ask them. I thought that was cute🥹

• I couldn't see the wires going through the audience cause I had seats up high, but I did see Robert pulling the end of the wire whilst on stage with the help of an audience member

• Dennis was late I think, ran across the stage from the audience with a bag on

• Lucy suddenly ran off stage, Robert not far behind shouting things like "You have to do it!" (And then later on she ran back on stage,but it seemed Robert got caught up in a convo)

• Now onto the actual show, I thought Dennis singing les mis due to his headgear was pretty funny seeing as les mis was about a door or 2 down

• At one point we were clapping for something (can't remember what, but it was during the beginning Darling Family scene), and Max joined in with the clapping. Sandra had to tell him to stop with a pointed glare and a lil hand gesture

• Every appearance with Robert as the shadow was amazing, I know it's simple but I'm always impressed with the rug pull and the way he lands

• During the bit where there's too much smoke and it engulfs the pirates, Trevor comes to the rescue but does hit Chris in the arse by accident, christrev anybody?

• I will forever love Robert trying to get Dennis to pick up the sword, Dennis picking up the boat paddle and Robert going on a rant about how he's been moving his arms for the past 5 mins why would he need the paddle

• During the interval the lights would still go out occasionally, fun touch

• As Jonathan flew up before crashing down, a banner fell down with Robert holding a bean, a reference of his show Jack and the bean

• Before this, I'd only seen the BBC recorded version of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, so I rlly enjoyed the changes. Such as the mermaids, but I RLLY laughed at Robert being the Mr Bumble in Oliver that killed a child. Especially when he went to be Peter Pan before starting to sing 'Food, Glorious Food"

• The whole poison bit was incredible, Harry's improv was on FIRE. We obvs did the traditional pantomime business which made Chris mad, he very much gave teacher vibes as he sat down on the set and said it was our own time we were wasting. He also complained that this was only the matinée and they still had an evening performance to get to. Then he pointed out how somebody in the audience was hissing, "Nobody goes to a show and says 'Yeah it was good but the person in the fourth row wouldn't stop hissing'" (this resulted in a lot of children hissing whenever he appeared on stage). Then when it got to the poison bit, a child was yelling at him to hurry up, causing Chris to go on a rant about how he didn't even want children there, sitting there on their booster seats. After the child yelled at him multiple times, Chris gave up and told the child to open it for him, which they did. Then as he was leaving, we were booing again and he was like "NO NO DONT BOO ME, IT WAS THE CHILD THAT POISIONED HIM." Then as he exited, he said something along the lines of "blame the child murderer." It was insane.

• Then, when Peter asked who would try to poison him, Tink/Annie pointed at the child that opened the bottle. I think Chris Leask actually had to turn his head downwards and to the side to hide his laughing.

• I've pointed this out before, but I'm so endeared with how worried Chris was when Annie was unconscious. HE KNEELED THERE HOVERING OVER HER BODY JUST LIKE TOUCHING HER FACE, NOT SPEAKING FOR AWHILE. Adorable. Every characters reaction was adorable...sorry Annie

• I just have to say Francis' Cabaret performance to distract us from Annie was amazing. Loved the audience clapping along as well and the rest of the cast looking absolutely shocked and confused

• I loved that we heard a whole marriage fall apart through Dennis' headgear. I want to know more abt them, the husband that took over to help Dennis sounded sweet

• When Lucy slid down the ship in her wheelchair she was flung out and then caught by Trevor in a sort of bear hug, Lucy's legs wrapped around his torso. Trevor was SEVERELY judging the cast HE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THEM. They're besties ur honour, I thought it was so cute

• Loved Francis' Cabaret performance again during the big fight scene with the set moving.

• Trevor saying something like "You've got to be joking" when Lucy picked up the book 😭

• I wanted to scream laugh at Chris lying in the bed like an ill victorian child as Lucy closed up the story, and then Dennis choosing to lie on the squished bottom bunk

• As Lucy continued to read, Chris, Sandra, Trevor, Dennis, and Max were all checking up on one another in the background. Hugs, shoulder grabs. Guys, I love Sandra and Chris' dynamic so much, Sandra was making sure he got off the bed alright and then gave him a hug

• Of course the whole end song, Max as the crocodile encouraging us to clap

It was so amazing, everybody was fantastic!! My jaw still aches from laughing so hard! Hope ppl found this interesting cause I always love when other ppl share what happened during their show😭

[kumaonna]

thoughts on collar x malice no one asked for

(in order of play):

okazaki:

my ride or die (literally)

very sweet

lovely cgs

i still got genuinely mad on my second play through when ichika realizes he wants to die for her, even after i knew it was coming 😭

second play through made everything he said and did make way more sense, and the whole time i was like… this mf….. YOU CANT FOOL ME

and then he promptly did, because i am a simp and the writing makes him very lovable

the whole “do you even know how angry I am rn” in the park after ichika leaves still made me 😳… very sweet moment

he was my first route accidentally when i initially played, so i didn’t really notice, but on the second time through after playing everyone’s route, i realized how isolated his route felt. which makes sense given the mandates of the situation

probably my favorite route of all, so im glad he was my first :)

enomoto:

he is genuinely such a fun character

i love his contrast to the other members, and the fact that you just become one half of a whole idiot in his route is very refreshing

his ending was a little weird? some of the pacing felt off, but i liked his character so much i didn’t rlly care

love my fake eyepatch boy

sasazuka:

this bitch

i love him and i hate it

which i think is probably the general consensus on him

his dialogue is seriously so funny sometimes

he’s just frustrating in general, but i can’t bring myself to hate him bc i know he’s good at heart

i also know this mf would deep dive my online history and clown me for an eternity

when he does the smile and eyebrow raise thing…. Yeah…..

shiraishi:

was NOT looking forward to his route

found myself genuinely enjoying it, surprisingly

and then he ruins everything :|

but then he fixes it :)

then ruins it again :|

continues ruining it

and then fixes it for good :)

honestly started liking him when i found out he played with stray cats…. Like he can’t be ALL bad, right…..

partially correct. but even now, still unsure how much of his interaction was real and how much was fake

which i guess is kinda the point bc it doesn’t really matter. what’s important was that he was doing it, not why (or so yanagi says 🤨)

anyway came to enjoy him and really feel for him in the ending ♥️💔

yanagi:

ngl i bought this game solely for yanagi initially

saw him in the trailer, was like DAMN, and then pressed purchase. dilf detector was off the charts

come to find out i had to do the rest of the routes first😑

but it really did make for a better playing experience, so i can respect it. loved having all my boys in the ending

knew i would like him, and was correct

just a comforting presence through and through

optimal malewife

was srsly hurt when he said “🙂time to shut you down completely🙂”

but it was short-lived, so the dilf is forgiven

when he ROLLS HIS R’s at the BAR WHEN YOU GET DRUNK??????? good lord, man. i needed a minute

was also feeling super embarrassed during that whole interaction. mega awkward and made me scrunch up when ichika leans her head on his shoulder and he is like?? you’re THAT drunk??? i mega cringed, but not in a bad way. just in the extremely embarrassed way😭

was happy to finally learn about his tragic past and all

his patience and kindness towards ichika is just….. so sweet…. ;; and when the kid comes crying to him in the park i went 😔yeah

his ending was very sweet. definitely in my top two

overall i fell in love with the way ichika’s character shifts depending on the route, and i was very happy to see it created tangible difference in her interactions with others and her decisions

the way ichika reacts to sasazuka while in yanagi’s route is different than the way she reacts when in sasazuka’s route, same with enomoto, etc.

ngl…. the intro about outro are kinda misses for me, but i appreciate them nonetheless😭

cgs are just. fantastic

at first when buying i thought $40 seemed kinda high, and even after a few routes (upon returning to the game months later) i still sort of felt that way, but now after doing all the routes and with everything wrapped up i can say it was well worth the money :)

which is precisely why i bought and am going to start collar x malice unlimited exactly rn 💀

♥️💔