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maybege · 3 years ago

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Booth Jazz

Summary: You and Boba explore a little fantasy – as a treat. (Part 4 of Midnight Special)

Pairing: hot dad!Boba Fett x fem!Reader

Wordcount: 4.0k

Rating: E (18+ only!)

Warnings: explicit sexual content, dom/sub relationship, exhibitionism, almost getting caught, vaginal fingering, dirty talk, consensual degradation and namecalling, multiple orgasms, creampie, car sex, mention of somnophilia, also these two idiots have feelings

I know it’s been a while but I hope that some of you are still interested in this little project. Updates will remain irregular for a while but you can look up the most recent posting schedule here. As always, big shout out to @ayybtch for enduring my thirsting for hot dad!Boba. I hope you all have an amazing start into the week and let me know what you think of this chapter!

masterlist | crossposted on AO3

“Back again, huh?” the man behind the counter greeted you, “And on a Thursday no less.”

“Yeah,” you smiled sheepishly, nervously motioning to the menu, “Could I get a cider please?”

“Sure thing, sweetheart,” he nodded, wiping it one more time before grabbing a glass from behind him. You waited patiently, looking around the room and finding that while it was a little more crowded than last time you had been here, you recognized none of the people which was a good thing.

The last time you had been here, it was a weekend with live music. Now it was a Thursday evening which meant that there was a sports game of some sort playing on the large TVs, the centre of attention of the patrons that were there.

It did not escape you that the bartender looked you over, no doubt noticing your very fancy outfit for a Thursday night. Then again, he had never seen you wear anything else.

“Here you go,” the full glass slid towards you, leaving a wet trail on the polished wood, he nodded towards the end of the room, “Should I put it on his tab?”

“That would be great, thanks,” you smiled, taking your glass in hand before making your way to the direction he had nodded towards.

No one paid you any mind, the game being a finale of some sort. Still, you felt as though everybody. You were wearing a dark green cocktail dress, the fabric shiny in the low light and the neckline lower than what you usually wore. And, when the light shone just right, revealing the texture f the lace of your bra underneath. The fabric felt cool and smooth against your hot skin you felt as if everybody could see up your skirt even though the hem hit your knees with every step.

Your steps quickened when you spotted a single man occupying one of the booths at the very end of the room. He was looking down at his phone, intentionally paying you no mind and a coy smile slipped on your lips.

Without stopping, you raised your legs, making to climb over his lap as he was blocking one entry to the bench. Boba’s hand shot up, gripping your hip and keeping you standing over him while his eyes roamed over your figure.

You bit your lip, seeing how his eyes darkened when they landed on your chest, your nipples already pebbled and visibly through the fabric.

“Is this seat taken?” you asked teasingly, shivering when his hand left your hip, trailing down your legs until it simply fell to his side.

“Not at all,” he rasped, motioning to the free space next to him, “Feel free.”

You settled down next to him in the booth, Boba’s arm immediately coming to rest around your shoulders.

“Hello there, little one,” he rumbled, turning his face to press a kiss against your mouth. It already made you clench your thighs, your anticipation building a thick knot in your lower belly.

He groaned, his tongue dipping inside your mouth to taste you and you thanked the stars that the lights were dimmed in the room or else everybody would see you getting in a heated make-out session with him. His other hand went to your bare thigh, big fingers splaying over the soft flesh as he gripped it and patted your legs.

Your breathing came heavy as his mouth wandered to your jaw and behind your ear. “Sorry, I’m late,” you breathed out, leaning your head back against the plush leather of the booth, “Work ran later than I wanted it to. How can I make it up to you?”

Boba chuckled into your ear, the sound low and gravelly and sending a rush of wetness between your thighs. You already knew he had the filthiest thing in mind and you were so here for it. Your walls fluttered around nothing. All day you had been looking forward to tonight, barely able to focus on work, and now that you were here, it was as if you were already on the edge.

“I want you to take off your panties for me, little one,” he instructed hoarsely, pulling your legs open even further, “I want to finger you right here in the pub and I want you to stay good and quiet for me. Can you do that for me, princess?”

You grinned widely, putting your hand on his and pulling it in between your thighs. “I’m not wearing any … sir,” you bit your bottom lip, suppressing a gasp when you felt his middle finger swipe through your already wet folds, “you can do whatever you want with me. I’m all yours.”

“That’s what I want to hear,” he praised you, his thumb circling your clit and you felt heat rise to your cheeks at the wet sounds that came from between your legs.

“Stars, you’re wet for me,” he praised you, “Good girl. Gripping my fingers real tight, hm?”

The bar erupted in cheers at the game, chairs scraping on the floor as some stood up, calling for new rounds of beer and high fiving each other.

You whimpered, breath catching in your throat as Boba used the cover of their noise to speed up his movements. Your legs shook and you weakly tried to put your hand on his, pulling them away from your cunt as the knot in your belly tightened. Everything felt warm – hot– and tight and you felt yourself clamp around him, your feet trembling in the heels you were wearing.

Boba mumbled something you did not understand and suddenly his hand was gone and you whined at the loss, arching your hips. But then his hand came back, slapping your pussy and your hand flew to your mouth, biting into your palm as he pulled an orgasm out of you so strongly you were surprised you did not leave an entire wet patch on the floor.

Leaning back against the bench, you felt dizzy and sweaty and

Boba had sat up slightly, his body covering you from anyone who might decide to look into your general direction. He was looking over you, his face dark as his fingers lipped back inside you. Immediately your walls clamped around the digits again and bit your lip, doing your best to remain quiet.

There was the tell-tale bulge in his jeans and you weakly raised your hand to touch him. Even through the thick fabric of his jeans, you could feel the heat of him and your mouth watered at the thought of getting him into your mouth. Of licking the precoma from his tip before having him push his cock so far down your throat it would make tears appear in the corner of your eyes.

“Fuck I want to sit you on my cock so bad,” he cursed under his breath, his fingers not ceasing their movements and you whimpered, “but that would be a little too obvious, wouldn’t it? You’re too much of a cock slut to stay quiet.“

Boba curled his fingers inside you, slowly rubbing his long fingers against that spongy spot inside you while his thumb swiped over your clit and you bit into his shoulder, feeling slightly sorry for the nice shirt he was wearing as you tried to muffle your sounds. How had you just come and still craved his touch?

Your walls clenched around him. The sounds of the bar echoed in your ears, seemingly getting louder with every thrust of Boba’s fingers inside you. There were people everywhere. And here you were creaming around Boba’s thick fingers as he whispered pure filth into your ear.

“Need you to be quiet for me, little one,” he reminded you with a chuckle, completely pressed up against you, “unless you want everyone to know what a good girl you are for me.”

You nodded frantically, trying your best to keep quiet. But then you saw him look down and you followed his line of sight and the whole staying quiet thing became much more difficult. Because with how you had spread your legs, your dress had ridden up, revealing his thick fingers pumping in and out of your pussy, glistening from your juices.

A quiet moan left you. one that Boba immediately swallowed up with a heated kiss. His thumb

“If you keep this up you’re going to have to let them watch.”

You knew he did not really mean the second one. Early on in your text messages, he had told you he was not one to share – “And certainly not you, little one” – but his words still flustered you and you squeezed around his fingers.

“Have I told you how much I love this?” he whispered into your ear, clearly trying to coax another orgasm out of you and with the way your pussy got even wetter at his deep voice, it was clearly working.

You shook your head breathlessly, feeling your cheeks heat with anticipation as his teeth grazed your earlobe.

“All we said to each other today was hello before I had my fingers buried in this tight cunt of yours,” he revealed, “You did not even ear any panties, you’re that much of a slut for me. Letting me fuck you right in the booth where we first met.”

You whimpered, thankful for the loud cheers of the other patrons, and bit your lips, trying to ignore how good his degrading words made you feel. But Boba knew you and he could read your body like an open book.

With a teasing smirk on his lips, his other hand came up to your neckline, pushing it to the side and when his thumb caught the lace edge of your bra he just pulled it with him. And suddenly not only were you getting fingered undeath the table but one of your tits was bared to the warm air of the bar.

You gaped at Boba’s confidence before your mouth clamped shut trying to keep your sounds in when he started to play with your nipple. “One more,” he encouraged you, “one more time around my fingers and then we can do whatever we want,” he promised you hotly, his fingers pinching and pulling your nipple.

From the corner of your eyes, you spotted someone making their way to the washrooms. Which meant that had to pass by you. Your heart jumped in your throat and your limbs locked up, the pleasure threatening to become too much while the fear of being discovered rendered you silent.

Boba seemed to notice it too, a dark look forming in his eyes as his fingers sped up. He shifted, his body now completely covering yours in the dark booth. “C’mon,” he growled, his thumb flicking over the bundle of nerves, “Either you come right now or you don’t come at all.”

The drunken man stumbled a little, clearly intoxicated, as he supported himself on a table on the other side of the aisle. Boba made a sound at the back of his throat, forcing you to look at him and your breath caught in your throat, walls rhythmically clenching around your fingers.

There was a determination in his eyes and suddenly your entire chest was bared and Boba leant down, biting into the soft flesh of your left breast and you came.

It took everything in you to not slump forward and be seen by everyone in the bar but sideways into Boba’s body, every muscle in your body tensing before relaxing into what felt like melted butter as wetness coated Boba’s fingers.

You closed your eyes, completely out of breath, uncaring that your tits were still very much out in the open.

“Good girl,” Boba mumbled against your temple, pressing a kiss against your cheek as his fingers slowed their thrusts until he pulled them entirely from you, “My goof fucking girl.”

You smiled dreamily, pushing your face into the crook of his neck, “Thank you for making me come, Boba.”

He chuckled and you felt his chest move with the sound. “You’re very welcome, little one,” he rumbled, “How are you feeling?”

Shifting in your seat you grimaced as you felt the wat patch between and under your thighs. The leather was slippery and your skin felt like it was glued to it.

“Sticky,” you answered truthfully, heat shooting into your cheeks, “Stars, I am so embarrassed, I – it feels like I left a puddle. They will know what we did and –“

“Let me worry about that okay?” he interrupted you gently and you watched with wide eyes as he slipped his fingers into his mouth, making a show of sucking and licking your juices from his skin. His dark eyes kept looking at you and you felt your lower belly clench with want.

Stars knew you would not be able to come again so easily but you needed him.

“Let’s go to your car,” you breathed, your hands falling to his thighs, “I – I need you.”

“But you haven’t even finished your drink, little one,” the older man teased you, his lips dragging over your shoulder as he helped you to straighten out your dress. The soft fabric felt cold against your heated skin and you were glad that you had chosen a dark colour because you were sure otherwise everybody would be able to see the stains on it as it plastered to your wet skin.

“I don’t care, I don’t want it,” you pouted, one hand rubbing him through his jeans and you noted with a hint of satisfaction that his jaw tensed as he tried to keep it together, “I only want you.”

“Good, then promise me you won’t get angry with me, princess.”

Your frowned, “What-“

Something wet and cold spilled over both of you – but mainly you. You gasped at the shock, the cider immediately soaking through the fabric of your dress and you scooted away from him, quickly making a grab for some napkins that you pressed on your lap.

“Oh no,” Boba said drily, wiping his hands on a dark patch on his jeans, “I better go ask the bartender for something to clean up this mess with.”

Only now did you realize what exactly Boba had done. Because with you scooting away, the glass had not stopped spilling – it simply spilled on the already wet leather now. Which meant Boba had the perfect cover to wipe down the table and the bench and no one would be the wiser.

Well, except for you.

He came back a moment later with a rag and motioned for you to stand up which you did readily, grimacing at the sticky feeling. You watched as Boba bent over the bench, thoroughly wiping everything away and making sure not a trace of your activities was left before he stood up again.

“There we go,” he mumbled, eyes roaming over your form and his lips quirked up, “And I am sure you don’t want to stay here in these wet clothes, little one. I think I might have a shirt back in the car that you could borrow. Sound good?”

You smiled, “very good.”

Boba smiled, one arm wrapping around your waist as he guided you out of the bar. The other patrons were so busy with the game they did not even notice you leave.

The front of the bar was completely abandoned and you smiled when he led you into an all-familiar alley. “Keep it in your pants, little one,” Boba joked, passing the spot where he had first thrust inside you, “I’m not gonna fuck you against this brick wall again.”

Your shoulders fell, “Why not?”

“Because there are so many other places I want to fuck you first.”

“Oh?”

But Boba ignored your very obvious interest in that line of conversation as he led you to the parking lot at the back of the building. Much like the bar, there were a few cars there but it was not too crowded which meant that you recognized Boba’s truck immediately, your steps speeding up the closer you got.

The headlights lit up as he unlocked it and you smiled when he passed the driver’s door and instead opened the back door.

“Not to forget the secret wish a little birdie told me,” he smiled, settling himself in the back seat, already fiddling with his belt.

You hiked your dress up, “Which is?”

Boba grinned wolfishly, clearly happy with how the evening had progressed and his warm hands found your hips, pulling you on top of him. You looked down to where he was freeing himself from his briefs, thick and heavy and already leaking precome.

“That someone would very much like to be fucked in her sleep,” he revealed, a knowing look in his eyes and once again Boba Fett managed to fluster you, “but you did not expect me to say that now did you?”

“How did you know?” you asked, softly gasping when his hands once again pushed the neckline of your dress out of the way before pulling down the soft cups from your bra, revealing your tits to the cold night air.

“A hunch,” he shrugged, “That and the fact that you were begging me to fuck you by the time you were half asleep,” his fingers rolled your nipples between them, “I believe your exact words were I don’t mind if I wake up with your cock inside me, Sir.”

Both embarrassment and pleasure coursed through and you threw your head back, “Oh stars.”

A loud groan left him when your wet folds rubbed up against his shaft. “Fuck, little one, don’t think I will last long tonight. Not like that.”

But you did not let him deteriorate from your mission. With one hand supporting yourself on his shoulder, the other pumped his cock, keeping him steady so that you could sink down in him in one go. You wanted all of him and you wanted it fast and hard.

“I don’t need to come, Boba,” you replied breathlessly, working yourself onto him, “I – I just want you to come inside me, please. W-Want you to fill me up again so I can feel you tomorrow.”

The sound he let out was beautiful and you let your hands drift over his shoulders down to the fabric that was covering him. You lifted yourself up in the process, relishing in how thick he was inside you, how he seemed to rub against your walls in only the best way, before sinking down again, the sudden movement causing a slapping sound.

Quickly unbuttoning his shirt, your hands roamed over his chest and belly, exploring his tattoos. Boba moaned, his hand squeezing your tits and massaging them roughly, sometimes venturing to circle your nipples and pull them just how you liked it.

“Feel so good,” he brought out, his hips starting to meet yours and you lost your rhythm, simply letting him fuck up into you, “Tightest little pussy just for me.”

You buried your face in his neck, whining at the way he kept using you to get off. Shit, you knew you would not come again and yet there was something so very hot about Boba for once only being concerned with his pleasure.

A broad hand wrapped around the back of your neck, pulling you away from him until you were face to face. “Look at me,” he ordered breathlessly, his eyes glassy and you leant forward, kissing him as hard you could. With every thrust, his cock seemed to reach deeper inside you and your clit rubbed against his belly, more or less accidentally stimulating you.

“You really just want me to come inside you, huh?”

“Uh-huh.”

His hand tightened, teeth nipping at your bottom lip. “Say it.”

“I just want you to come inside me,” you squeaked out, your “Please, I just want you to come inside me. Just use me. Please use me. Pleasepleasepleaseplease –“

He surged forward, teeth clashing against yours and his hips snapped up even harder. He was close, you could feel it in the way he hardened inside you, how his hand tightened around your neck and how his breathing became shallow, dark eyes locking with yours.

And then he came.

The car windows were foggy and your eyes rolled back in your head when the feeling of his seed spilling inside you triggered the surprising third orgasm of the night. You felt warm and full, Boba’s solid body underneath yours the one thing that grounded you in reality.

Catching your breath, you cuddled into his chest, ignoring how his come started to trickle out of you around his cock while Boba gently brushed your back, his lip pressing soft kisses wherever he could reach.

“Thank you for coming inside me,” you mumbled sweetly and grinned when you felt him twitch inside you again.

“Stars, woman,” he groaned, running his hand over his face, “You are really going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”

You laughed, “I hope not.”

It was silent for a moment before both of became aware that you were indeed very much in public and that it only needed one patron to come out to notice what you had done. Which meant that, as slowly as possible, you pulled away from each other.

“Here,” he whispered, reaching behind him and handing you a dark t-shirt, “This might be more comfortable.”

“Thank you,” you smiled, pecking his lips before quickly changing in front of him, “So what do we do now?”

Boba looked down, focussing on re-buttoning his shirt. “I have an idea.”

For a moment, you had feared that he would drive you home already.

But that fear dissipated quickly when he turned into the local fast food’s drive-in.

He got each of you a burger and a milkshake and some fries to share, depositing them between your seats. Still parked behind the neon sign of the drive-in, you mostly ate in silence, quickly devouring your food and drinks while smiling and looking warmly at each other.

Neither one of you wanted to address the elephant in the room.

Only when the music on the radio changed from Electro House something to Calm Country go home music did Boba start the car again, taking the route to get you home.

“When’s your flight?” you asked into the quiet, pressing a kiss against his neck. Your heart was still racing in your chest and with the slight sheen of sweat on your skin, you shivered from the cool night air that came through the window you had cracked open.

“Four a.m.” he replied, a large truck passing you, “A buddy of mine is going to drive me to the airport.”

You hummed, looking out the window. You had been so excited for tonight, for good reason too, but now you felt as if the little time you had, had passed way too quickly. You wanted to hold on to him, this, for just a few hours longer but a look at the dashboards clock – 2:30 am – told you there was no that was going to happen.

“Two weeks,” you sighed, slumping against his side, “I’m going to miss you.”

Boba’s hand slipped from the gearshift to your thigh, lightly squeezing your knee, “I will miss you too, little one. Did not think an all-inclusive business trip to Hawaii would have me this hesitant.”

Neither one of you said anything as he kept driving, the city sights soon turning into familiar streets and your heart ached as he pulled into the parking lot in front of your apartment complex. It was completely abandoned and only the street lamp Boba had parked in front offered a little light.

Both of you remained sitting in the car and it calmed you somewhat that Boba seemed as reluctant to let you go as you were.

“Will – will you text?” you asked, turning to the side to face him while your hand already rested on the doorknob.

He looked serious, then, nodding slowly as if getting used to the thought. “Yeah, little one,” he whispered, “I will.”

As you hurried up the stairs to your apartment, confident that none of your neighbours would be awake to see you only in a slightly too long shirt, you wondered if this something between you could be more than a booty call.

#maybege writes #boba fett x fem!reader #boba fett x reader #smut #boba fett smut

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army-author · 4 years ago

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jungkook scenario | the alchemy of amor

❝ jungkook is the arrogant son of the duke. you’re a humble alchemist just trying to make a living. unfortunately for you, jungkook seems to have taken a strange interest in you. when a dangerous wager involving a love potion spirals out of control, you find yourself flung into the deep end of emotion, and it becomes difficult to decipher genuine attraction from magical aftereffect... ❞

➝ prompt: i’m a witch who’s been experimenting with love-potion formulas, but there’s been a bit of a mix-up, and now the love-potion has somehow ended up in your hands, and you’re drinking it, and - no, please stop!

➝ pairing: jungkook x female reader

➝ genre: fluff, fantasy au, enemies to lovers

➝ requested by anon | 15.5k words

➝ warnings: profanity, mild injury, implied smut, some characters express misogynist sentiments

➝ author’s note: i hope you enjoy it! i had a lot of fun writing it. as you can see from the word count, i got a bit carried away. i can’t help it, i love enemies to lovers!

Oh goddess above, please not this. Anything but this.

You are not wont to pray, but in circumstances such as this, with your life unravelling before you in tattered ribbons, your mind recalls the goddess you so often forget. Watching in horror, your supplications come thick and fast, as Jeon Jungkook downs the phial of rose-gold potion, and with it, swallows the hours of work you had invested into those shimmering contents.

Normally, you would not be so perturbed by the wasting of a potion, even one as rare as Impetus Amor. Ingredients can always be re-bought, potions can always be re-brewed. But something about Jungkook’s cocky expression as he sets down the vial, and raises a brow at you, overwhelms you with the heat of irrational fury.

“Mighty goddess above, what is wrong with you?” you spit venom more potent than your potions. “You know very well how long that took to brew!”

Jungkook shrugs his shoulders, “Tough.” He smacks his lips together, “Looks like the potion doesn’t work anyway. And on top of that, it tastes bad. Like dried roses and soap.”

How does he know what dried roses and soap taste like?

“It wasn’t intended for you,” you retort through gritted teeth.

You know that the potion does work. After all the work you invested - collecting rose-petals, gold shavings, and pegasus feathers, all to be brewed on a blue moon, and then carefully distilled – there was no way that the batch of Impetus Amor was unsuccessful. But every alchemist worth their gold knows that the finicky love potion takes a few minutes to take effect after ingestion.

Which means that in a few minutes Jeon Jungkook, the man you hate most, will involuntarily fall in love with you.

How could I let this happen? You cast your mind over the unfortunate events that had led you to this low point, while you stifle a scream.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Several days ago]

It starts when one of your customers steps into your potions shop, in the town of Sientha, with a peculiar order.

She wears a red hood that covers most of her face, and clutches a purse tightly in her gloved hand. Glancing furtively around the shop, she walks over to your counter, and slips a note between the demijohns and ampuls that crowd the area where you work.

Upon unfolding her note, your eyes widen. The note reads: ‘One vial of Impetus Amor’. You focus your eyes on the client, who keeps her head down. You can just make out shapely lips and a dainty chin below the lowered hood.

“I know it’s a difficult potion to make,” she says in a hushed tone, “But I’m willing to pay whatever you need for it.”

You study her intently. Below the cloak, you can see an expensive dress, and jewellery sparkling at her neck. It’s clear that she has the means to pay. In most circumstances, you would object to the use of Impetus Amor, but it is not your responsibility to tell your customers how to use your potions. You simply get on with brewing, and ask no questions. That’s how you make a living. This case wouldn’t be any different.

“Okay,” you say, “I must warn you that it will take quite a while to make, and most of the ingredients are quite rare, so the wait may be long.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

You nod, leaning against the counter, as you tally up how much the potion will cost in ingredients and labour. When you finally name your price, the woman is silent for a moment, contemplating, before she nods, and rummages in her purse. She takes out a small brown sack, heavy with coin, which she places in front of you. Counting up the money, you nod in satisfaction. “You’re in luck. There’s a blue moon soon, and the potion should be ready not long after. Roughly five weeks,” you advise, “Come by to collect it when you’re able.”

Satisfied, the woman leaves the shop, while you gape at the sack of coins on your counter top. You hadn’t had that much money to your name in a long time.

Impetus Amor – the potion is infamously difficult to create, but you’re ready for a challenge. Spinning around to the shelf of tomes behind you, you scour the tittles until you find the one you need. You pull the tome down from its shelf, holding your breath as a fog of dust descents around you. So it begins.

✽ ✽ ✽

The first mistake you make is accepting the request from the mysterious woman who came into your shop.

Your second mistake is letting Jungkook into your shop. Or letting Jungkook anywhere near you at all.

Jungkook is the only son of the duke of Braewyth, the duchy you reside in - a hobbyist alchemist and your tormentor in his spare time. When he had first barged into your potion shop, and declared that he wanted to learn the art of alchemy, you were led to the conclusion that he was a pretentious prick. This suspicion proved to be correct, as after a few lessons from you – out of the goodness of your heart, and the impossibility of saying ‘No’ to the heir of the duchy – Jungkook believed himself to be better than you with your fifteen years of experience. He was now convinced that the two of you were rivals, and you were convinced that he was a pain in the arse.

As you work on crushing down dried rose petals for your new project, Jungkook barges into your shop once more. He doesn’t seem to know of any other way to make an entrance into your tiny business. He leans over the counter, his eyes burning on your skin as you work.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Preparing ingredients for Impetus Amor.”

His nose wrinkles as he leans back on the counter, crossing his arms over his overcoat, embroidered with the emblem of the duchy, a snow white stag on a blue shield. “Ah, the potion of love,” he muses, “I’ve heard that one’s incredibly difficult to make.”

“I know,” you grimace, as you continue to grind rose petals to a fine red dust in your stone mortar. “What of it, Mr. Jeon?”

The duke’s son gives an impartial shrug. “I’m merely stating that it’s a laborious potion to perfect. I’m surprised you’re attempting it.”

You bite down on your cheek to stop yourself from speaking indecently to Braewyth’s heir. “My customers respect me, and know that I’ll carry out any requests with the utmost care,” you cut back with thinly veiled anger.

Jungkook leans back lazily, his elbow brushing dangerously close to a decanter filled with Verum Serum, a silver truth potion you’ve been working on. “Well then, my little apothecary, why don’t we make a wager?”

You raise an eyebrow, setting down your mortar, and waiting for him to continue.

“I’m willing to bet that you won’t be able to finish the potion,” Jungkook says, “In fact, if you finish it, and it works, I’ll pay you in gold.” He grins.

“And if I can’t?” you enquire. It’s an unlikely option, but you need to know what you are dealing with. You find it difficult to refuse the offer of money, especially if it’s a loss for Jungkook, but you’re wary of the consequences on the (very low) chance that you are unsuccessful.

“Don’t worry,” Jungkook raises a hand, “I know you can’t pay much gold.” Your cheeks heat up. “But if you lose, then I demand a kiss from you.”

Biting down a retort, you take a deep breath, and remind yourself that it is unacceptable to call the son of the duke a ‘Bastard’, no matter how much you want to. Instead, with your fists balling, you reply, “Very well, Mr. Jeon. But please be prepared to lose.”

His eyes glitter under your gaze, “Okay.”

You know that there is no way you can lose. Still, the very thought of admitting defeat and letting him kiss you has your blood boiling as it churns through your heart. You ought to show more respect to the son of the duke - to most a kiss from him would be an honour - but your find respect hard to muster when he does nothing but flirt with the ladies about the town of Sientha, strutting arrogantly down the streets with a different girl handing off his arm each night.

It’s Jungkook’s loss for certain. You’ll make sure of that.

✽ ✽ ✽

Despite your confidence, Jungkook does everything he can to get in your way.

The next morning you raise yourself early from your bed to head into the mountains in search of pegasus feathers. Jungkook catches you on your walk between your shop and the stables, with your satchel slung across your back, and a grenadine-coloured cloak covering your riding boots and trousers. He saunters across the cobbled street to greet you. “Look at you. Out and about. It’s not often I see you step out of the comforts of your shop.”

“Perhaps if you were up earlier, it wouldn’t be such an irregular occurrence for you,” you chide, as you make for the bridge to the east, leading out of Sientha, “I often go out in the morning to track down ingredients.”

“My apologies that I don’t know your schedule by heart, little alchemist,” Jungkook ripostes, keeping pace with you, short steps for his longer legs, “I’ll have you know that I have many duties that keep me in the Braewyth manor until later in the day.”

Uninterested, you reach the stables where your ebony mare waits, whickering in recognition when you reach her stall. You begin saddling up, annoyed by the presence of Jungkook behind you, which you try to ignore – but like a fly buzzing around an empty room, it gets too irritating too quickly. “Are you planning on following me around all day like a cur in heat?” you ask, and Jungkook smirks, clearly amused to have scratched at some deep seated vexation inside you.

“That’s no way to talk to me, little alchemist,” he reminds you, waggling a taunting finger.

You sigh, adjusting the bridle on your mare. “Please excuse me, my good sir,” you lace your voice with sarcasm, “It wan’t my intention to offend. I was simply surprised to see someone like you showing an interest in my humble activities.” You offer him a sickly sweet smile, before hoisting yourself up into your saddle.

Ignoring your mockery, Jungkook looks up at you from under your dark lashes, “Well, where are you headed today?”

You bite down on your instinctual reply, thinking better of telling him it’s none of his business. “I’m going to the mouth of the River Waye. It’s rumoured that a pegasus has nested there, and I need its feathers.”

“For the Impetus Amor?” Jungkook’s eyes gleam.

You bow your head in a nod.

“Excellent. I’d love to come with you,” Jungkook sates, “I’ve never seen a real pegasus.”

As you open your mouth, ready to deny him, he interrupts, “You offered to tutor me on alchemy after all. Ingredient collection is a vital part of the hobby.”

I never offered to tutor you, you simply thrust your cumbersome presence upon me. Before you can say any of this out loud, Jungkook is calling for one of the stable hands to saddle up one of their horses. “Mr. Jeon, need I remind you that this hobby is a source of income for some,” you’re left to respond, somewhat hopelessly, as Jungkook stares up at you in your saddle.

Your mare shifts restless, unsure why she’s still cooped in her stable.

“If it’s such a burden to earn a livelihood, then I’m sure you could find some kind husband who’d be more than happy to take care of you,” Jungkook responds, “With looks like yours, you’d never have to work another day in your life.”

Your blood boils in frustration. You bite down on your lip, watching in cold silence as the stable hand brings a chestnut stallion over to Jungkook, handing him the reins. Your horse senses your unease, and with a prick of your heels in her side, she’s all too happy to trot out of the stable and into the harsh sunshine of the winter morning.

Jungkook follows behind, his stallion’s horseshoes clacking on the cobblestones.

“I’ll have you know, Mr. Jeon,” you say, controlling your tone as best you can, “I’m perfectly content making a living for myself, and am in no need of a husband.”

“And what of it?” Jungkook spurs on his horse, overtaking you as you reach the bridge out of Sientha, where the town guards immediately part, recognising the duchy crest on Jungkook’s overcoat.

As you follow over the bridge, Jungkook casts a look over his shoulder at you, “You wish to spend your whole life brewing potions, and die an old maid?”

“I know of worse fates,” you say, “I would rather live as a lowly alchemist than the chattel of some rich cretin such as yourself.”

Jungkook falls into silence, face frosty, and you wonder if your pushed things too far.

As you continue down the road, the quality of the surface worsens, with more potholes appearing the further you travel from Sientha. Fallen mute, you and Jungkook pass fields, appearing empty after the harvests of autumn.

It’s a long way to the mouth of the River Waye, which lies in the valley between two mountains, Mount Cantre and Ayn Blanch. The two peaks rise above you in the distance. As you branch off the main road onto a dirt track, you allow your mare to break into a gallop, and Jungkook urges his horse on to keep up with yours. You cast a glance over to him as he keeps stride beside you, his jaw set and his brows furrowed over dark eyes. With your gaze fixed, you almost miss the shouting, until the ruckus is directly behind you. Snapping your neck around, you see a group of Braewyth soldiers approaching on horseback. You pull on your mare’s reigns, attempting to bring her to a halt, but the soldiers are already upon you, passing by on the narrow track. Your skittish mare rears as the soldiers rush past, and you find your view turned upside down. Thrown from the saddle, you land on your rear in a soft pile of moss. You’re lucky to have nothing but your pride bruised.

Jungkook brings his horse to a halt next to you, and leaps down from his saddle, catching your spooked mare’s reigns, before she makes to bolt. Soothing the black horse with hushed murmurs, Jungkook leads her to a nearby tree, where he ties the reigns to a low hanging branch. “Are you alright?” he turns his attention back to you.

You wince, and take his hand, allowing him to pull you up. “Yes, I’m okay. Just a little shaken.”

“Good.” His voice is gruff, “Those bloody soldiers. I wonder if they realise who they just overtook. I’ve a mind to report them to my father.”

“Don’t bother,” you dust down your cape, “Everyone knows the Braewyth soldiers are bloated with pride after the last success in war.”

Jungkook snorts. “That war was three years ago. Their only responsibility now is to protect the people of the duchy, and they can’t even do that!” He heaves a sigh, eyes cast to the sky, where the harsh sun shines down from an empty winter sky. “No matter, we’re wasting time here. If you’re sure you’re alright, then we should crack on.”

You walk over to untie your mare, who has now calmed down and is happily grazing on some grass by the side of the road. Hoisting yourself into your saddle, you edge her on with a soft nudge of your heels. Ahead of you, Jungkook has already mounted his ride, patting the neck of his stallion. You’re almost in a mind to apologise to Jungkook for calling him a “cretin” earlier, but you bite back the words, pride getting in the way.

You continue the journey in silence. The path is long, and as your altitude increases, the temperature plummets. Shivering, you pull your cloak closer around you. Your mare huffs out puffs of warm breath as she trots down the winding track, weaving between the smaller hills that spread towards the Braewyth mountains. Further ahead, Jungkook is hunched down in his saddle, looking cold, but staying stubbornly silent.

At last, you come to the edge of the valley, and begin to follow the track next to the shallow section of the River Waye. The banks are padded with moss, and you spot the sleek shining bodies of carp flickering in the crystalline water.

Slowing your mare, you slip off your mount, and tie her to a barren tree at the edge of the water. Ahead of you, Jungkook, having noticed you have stopped, dismounts as well. “Are we there?” he asks.

You nod, putting a finger to your lips. With a hushed voice, you respond: “Nearly. But we need to proceed on foot. Pegasus are incredibly skittish. We’ll be quieter without the horses.”

Passing Jungkook, you follow the winding path next to the Waye, stepping on the spongy moss to silence your footsteps. The two mountains rise up on either side of you – on the left, Ayn Blanche, its peak capped with snow, and on the right, Mount Cantre, sitting squat in Ayn Blanche’s shadow. The valley in between is adorned with scree; clumps of heather dot the otherwise drab landscape.

You slow to a stop when your sharp eyes catch sight of what you were hoping for – hoof prints and loose white hairs caught on a bramble. Leaning down, you pick up a strand of hair, running your fingers over it. Course and thick, there’s no denying it. The hair from a pegasus’ mane.

“There’s a pegasus somewhere around here,” you inform Jungkook in a hushed tone, pointing out the hoof prints to him.

Staying silent, oddly obedient, Jungkook nods, eyes scanning the area.

Carefully, you make your way along the trail of hoof prints. Ahead of you, you spot an opening on the steep flank of Ayn Blanche, a few meters from the base. It appears to be the perfect spot for a pegasus nest, tucked away from the wind that normally sweeps through the valley. Walking to the base, you search for a good foothold, and begin to hoist yourself up the craggy slope to the opening.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Jungkook breaks his unofficial vow of silence.

“Isn’t it obvious?” you huff, “I’m getting up to the pegasus’ nest.”

“Isn’t that dangerous work for… well...” Jungkook trails off. Probably for the best.

“I’ve climbed my fair share of rock faces,” you assure him, “Alchemy isn’t just about sitting daintily at a table stirring tiny beakers and keeping one’s hands soft and free of callouses.”

“But won’t the pegasus be angered if you enter its nest?” Jungkook worries from below.

As you stretch to reach for a rock that juts out above you, you grunt, “You know, Mr. Jeon, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were concerned for my wellbeing.”

You’re disappointed that you cannot look down to see the pout that is so evident in his voice as he retorts, “Well it wouldn’t look good if I were to go out with a young maiden, and return back with her maimed. People might talk.”

“People will always talk, regardless,” you say, pulling yourself up to the ledge at the front of the opening. “Don’t fear, Pegasus are only aggressive to those they deem to have a wicked soul. Which means I’ll be fine. But you might need to watch out.”

Before Jungkook can shoot back a reply, you turn your attention to the opening that houses the nest. The space is large, big enough for a pegasus. Peering in, you see that the nest is empty of any life, but the small cave is filled with exactly what you need – feathers caught on the rocky outcroppings. Pulling out a bottle from your satchel, you scoop up a few feathers, and preserved them in your glass. The feathers sparkle slightly in the sunshine that throws slanted rays into the cave. Satisfied with your find, you get ready to climb back down.

Just then, you hear a shout, and peer down to see Jungkook waving his hands at you from the bottom of the steep rock face. He gesticulates wildly, pointing downstream. You look in that direction, a spot the white shape of a pegasus, just before it plummets down with a splash into the Waye.

Quickly, you scramble down the rocks, and sprint to the river, where you see the water running red. An arrow is sticking from the flank of the pegasus, which raises its head above the water, straining to get up, before it flops down again. Horrified, you scan the area, trying to figure out where the arrow was fired from. It doesn’t take you long. Two poachers approach, a net swinging from their hands.

“Oi, get away from that creature,” one of them shouts upon spotting you.

“What are you going to do with it?” you ask, moving your body to block the pegasus.

“We’re going to make a fortune peddling off it’s body parts to alchemists,” the shorter of the two informs you, “Those occultists pay a hefty price for hair and feathers you know, not to mention a fresh heart, or a vial of blood.”

You grit your teeth, standing up straighter, “It’s a negative stereotype that alchemists use blood and hearts in their potions. And the hair and feathers are only useful if they’ve come from a living creature. You’re wasting your time if you think you’ll make money killing and harvesting this animal.”

The taller one laughs – an ugly sound that sends a shudder through you. “And what would you know about alchemy, wench? If I have questions about my cooking, or my laundry I’ll come to you. So how about you keep your mouth shut on things you know nothing about?”

Stifling your rage, your bite back, “I’m not letting you near this creature. Not one step further.”

“Oh, well, aren’t you just a darling bloody saint. Protecting the innocent fauna of the land. I don’t remember asking for a sermon on the morality of killing dumb animals.” Your eye catches the movement of the taller man’s hand to the hilt of his sword. “Now, I would suggest you get out of the way, before I make you get out of the way.”

You size the two men up, and swallow. You have a small dagger on your hip, usually used for cutting plant shoots. Not much use against two swords. Still, you bring your hand to your hip in anticipation, unwilling to back down.

“I order you to stop!”

You glance towards the source of the voice. Jungkook is standing behind you with his rapier raised, his stance indicating years of training in fencing. With two calculated blows he could puncture the stomachs of both poachers. The two men blanche.

Nonetheless, the shorter of the two poachers blusters on, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I’m Jeon Jungkook, son of the duke of Braewyth. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you two gentlemen that pegasus are considered an endangered species, and it’s a criminal offence to poach them, punishable by a good flogging in Sientha square.”

The shorter poacher swallows, his hand wavering.

The taller of the two is only all the more incited. “I don’t give a fuck. You’re not a king. Not even a prince. Just some lesser noble with a silver spoon shoved up your arse. What are you going to do, report me? We’re out in the middle of fuck-knows where, and you’re outnumbered, two to one.” He raises his sword.

“Actually, it’s two against two,” you correct him, unsheathing your dagger.

“Well that seems fair then, doesn’t it,” Jungkook purrs, “Fine, I suppose I’ll just have to punish you myself, seeing as we’re in the middle of “fuck-knows where”, as you so eloquently put it.”

The shorter of the two gulps audibly, and then turns tail and begins running in the opposite direction, slipping over the mossy rocks by the Waye’s bank.

A wiser man would have retreated, but it appears that the taller poacher is somewhat lacking in cognitive ability. With a roar, he lunges at Jungkook, who easily pirouettes out of reach, leaving the lanky man to swipe at thin air. Growling, the man rights himself, and launches at Jungkook, but the duke��s son easily parries the blow with his blade, a metallic clang echoing in the valley. The poacher stumbles back, grimacing. Seeing that he has underestimated the “lesser noble”, the poacher makes a grab for you instead.

You attempt to duck out of the way, but slip on the wet rocks, and feel a clammy hand grab around your wrist, pulling you into the hard body of the poacher. Up close, he smells of onions and beer. You struggle against him, but upon feeling cold steel at your throat, you freeze.

“Not another move,” the poacher growls, “Or this wench gets it.”

You glance at Jungkook, who stands poised, with rapier raised. An expression of fear flashes across his face, like a fleeting cloud on a sunny day, passing so fast, you could convince yourself you imagined it.

The poacher’s plot could have worked out for him, had he not underestimated your strength.

As he leers at Jungkook, you grasp at the advantage of surprise. With a sudden twist, like a striking viper, your hand – still holding the dagger - snaps up, and strikes the man on the side of the head with the hard wooden hilt. The man crumples with a screech.

You leap away. At the exact same instant, Jungkook jumps forward. You turn to see the son of the duke standing over the poacher, his rapier raised to the tall man’s stubbly throat. The poacher whimpers, with one hand clutching his face where you struck him. A trickle of blood trails down the wrinkles of his face.

“Now listen carefully,” Jungkook says, his voice low and dangerous, “I could kill you right here. But I’m choosing to spare you. I would suggest you get off your sorry arse, get up, and run away. Take your possessions, your wife and children – if you have any – and flee this duchy. Because know that you are a wanted man while you remain in the borders of Braewyth. I know your face, and soon ever guard in our troops will know it too. The punishment for poaching endangered creatures is flogging. The punishment for an attempt on the heir of the duchy’s life is the gallows. There will not be mercy the second time. Do I make myself clear?”

The man nods, slowly and carefully, his throat strained below the point of Jungkook’s rapier.

Jungkook lifts the blade. “Go.”

The poacher does not need any more prodding. Scrambling to his feet, he flees, glancing behind him every so often, as if he is scared that Jungkook will change his mind and follow after him.

Jungkook breathes a sigh, sheathing his rapier. The sweat on his neck is the only indication that he was at all shaken by the encounter. Your return your dagger to the holster on your hip, and turn your attention to the pegasus which still lies in the shallow portion of the river, breathing heavily. You carefully walk over, and inspect the damage.

There’s one arrow lodged in its side, but from the other gashes on its white coat, it appears that several other arrows hit, but subsequently fell out, leaving the creature to bleed from multiple open wounds. The pegasus lets out a distressed whinny as you approach, and makes an attempt to get up. Its legs shake, and it collapses back with a splash, too weak to run away. It has already lost a lot of blood.

“Shh, it’s okay,” you murmur, “I’m not going to hurt you.” You know the creature can’t understand you, but you hope your tone is at least soothing. The pegasus thrashes in the shallow water, but realising it is too weak to move, it resolves itself to its fate, and lays its head down.

You crouch next to it, ignoring the cold water that soaks into your boots and riding trousers. Carefully, you pull a bottle from your satchel, and uncork it. You are thankful that you often carry first aid potions around. Wafting the bottle under the pegasus’ nose, you watch as it inhales the scent of your soothing potion and relaxes. With the creature sedated, you pull the arrow from the skin, and apply pressure to staunch the flow of blood that follows. Hunting in your satchel, you pull out a second potion, filled with healing balm. Pouring the thick green liquid onto your palms, you begin massaging it onto the pegasus’ open wounds. The smell of lavender and sage emanates from the balm, covering up the bitter metallic smell of blood.

Straightening up, you back away from the pegasus. The creature tentatively stands up, taking a few hesitant steps forward. Strengthened and emboldened, the pegasus canters forward with a whicker, its large wings ruffling as it takes flight.

“What did you give it?” Jungkook asks, watching the pegasus soar towards its nest.

“A simple Salutare Decoction,” you tell him, “Made to soothe and heal wounds, and-”

“And restore vitality. Yes, I know the one,” Jungkook interrupts, “I’ve never seen it used in practice.”

You flash him a cocky smile. “There’s no shame in admitting you’re impressed by my talents, Mr. Jeon.”

The heir of the duchy grimaces, “I’ll be impressed if you can actually make the Impetus Amor.”

“Oh, you of little faith. Are you allergic to admiring anyone who isn’t yourself?”

“Don’t get too arrogant, little alchemist.” Jungkook tramps back to his horse, his back a silhouette of irritation with shoulders hunched and head lowered. “Don’t forget who saved you from those poachers, you ungrateful wench.”

You snort, walking back to your mare, “Some help you were when I had a blade held to my throat...”

“If you had been alone, you would have been slashed to ribbons,” Jungkook parries, hoisting himself into his saddle. With a dig of his heels, his stallion canters forward before you can get another word in.

By the time you’ve swung yourself into your saddle, Jungkook is far ahead, and you know there’s no way your mare can catch up with Jungkook’s brawny stallion.

Clucking at your ebony horse, you encourage her into a trot, muttering insults that Jungkook will never hear while you weave down the path back to Sientha.

✽ ✽ ✽

With the necessary ingredients, you’re finally able to start work on the Impetus Amor once you return to your shop. There’s no sign of Jungkook as you work throughout the rest of the day, and of that you are glad.

If you never see his cocky face again, it’ll be too soon for you. Yet, as you crush down thin sheets of gold into fine dust, his visage clouds your vision. Even as you watch the pegasus feathers steep in rose water, the shimmering sheen slowing leeching from the feather into the liquid, you cannot shake his sure smile and steadfast gaze from your clouded thoughts.

Dazed, you extract the feather from the liquid, leaving behind the opalescent rose water. The ingredients are ready. You simply have to wait. The next blue moon will be soon – a lucky coincidence.

Your luck is sure to run out eventually.

✽ ✽ ✽

On the night of the blue moon, once your shop is closed for the evening, you begin to prepare for the brewing of the potion. You start by getting your ingredients together, setting them up in a semicircle around your caldron. While you may have no control over your own life, you can easily command ingredients to do your bidding, controlling the brewing process and modifying as you go. The whole process is a soothing ritual for you.

At least it would be, if it weren’t for an irksome knocking coming from your door.

Sighing, you leave your ingredients by the caldron, and go to the door. You slide back the wooden latch, and outside you see -

“Jungkook?”

He stands, illuminated in a halo from the lanterns outside.

You wrinkle your nose. “What do you want?”

“Is that any way to greet the heir of the duchy?”

Rolling your eyes, you open the door to him, “Mr. Jeon, what an honour to see you at the threshold of my humble shop. Please make yourself at home. Is that any better?”

“A little,” Jungkook steps inside your shop.

You’re already seething, and he hasn’t even been in your presence for more than a minute. “What are you doing here at this hour?”

“I needed your expertise on something,” Jungkook says, sauntering over to your counter, and leaning against it.

You snort. “I find it hard to believe you think anyone besides yourself has any expertise.”

“Your words sting, little alchemist,” his eyes drag across the supplies lined on the shelves of your shop, before finally coming to rest on you. “I came here for some advice. Yes, yes, take time to gloat if it makes you feel better.” He waves a dismissive hand.

The gloating wouldn’t feel so good with his dark eyes piercing yours. You swallow, and stay silent.

“I need a potion to help me stay awake,” Jungkook admits.

You raise your brows. “It’s not healthy to stay awake for long periods of time, Mr. Jeon.”

“Well of course. It’s a one-off, naturally,” he shrugs at your concerns, “I’m just a little tied up you see. I promised a lovely lady that I’d take her dancing this evening, but I also have a commitment to the duchy, and that means being in attendance at an early morning meeting tomorrow. I was quite hoping to spend some quality time with the lady tonight, if you understand my meaning.”

“Are you sure it’s not an aphrodisiac you’re after instead?” you quip.

Jungkook raises his brows in feigned surprise. “What do you take me for? Some kind of cad?”

“Are you not a cad?” You examine him skeptically, “I see you around town with a different lady each day. What conclusions am I supposed to draw?”

“Well, perhaps you’re not so wrong,” Jungkook grins, “Just don’t tell the ladies that.”

“Don’t worry. They’re all too posh to speak to me, let alone believe my accusations that Jeon Jungkook is a good for nothing bounder who only cares about the delicacies that hide beneath their petticoats and pantaloons.”

“Can you help with the potion or not?” Jungkook has grown bored of your jokes.

Stepping behind your counter, you begin to rummage around the shelves. “Luckily for you, Vigil Concoction only takes a few minutes to brew.” You grab a jar of rhodiola rosea, along with a fine iron powder, and the scales of a mermaid. Crushing the aquamarine scales to a fine dust, you mix the ingredients together with a drop of lime juice. Jungkook watches, fascinated, as you pour the ingredients into a clean caldron, and bring the concoction to a boil. The smell of brine mixed with lime cuts through the air.

Jungkook's eyes wander over to the ingredients set aside for the Impetus Amor. “I see you’re finally going to be brewing it tonight,” he nods at the ingredients.

“Yes, I was about to before you interrupted,” you say, stirring the Vigil Concoction.

“So if it’s brewed tonight, it should be ready in a few days, correct?”

You sigh, and affirm, “Correct.”

“Well, I suppose we’ll just have to wait until then to see if you were actually successful.”

You wince. You had been hoping that Jungkook would forget your wager. Instead of continuing that train of thought, you change the subject. “If you don’t mind me asking, why not cancel your plans with this maiden, and attend the meeting. Any lady would be more than willing to change her plans for you.”

Jungkook sighs, “Actually, meeting with her was my father’s idea.”

You pause stirring the concoction to eye Jungkook with curiosity. “I didn’t take the duke to be the type to encourage copulation with fair damsels.”

“Wether I have sexual relations with the women does not matter,” Jungkook blushes, “My father is insistent that I find a wife.”

You splutter, and his dark eyes flash.

“Did I say something that amused you?”

“No, sorry,” you focus your attention on the potion, “It’s simply difficult to imagine you settling down with a woman.”

“What can I say. Most of the women I meet are a bore. Perfectly satisfactory in the bedroom, but useless outside of it. I struggle to hold a conversation with any of them. I need a lady with more substance if I am to wed her, not just bed her.”

“It must be such a chore being forced to spend time with all those beautiful women,” you tease, decanting the potion into a vial and corking it. Handing it across the counter to Jungkook, you warn, “Wait until it cools down before you consume it.” Your hand brushes against his as he takes the vial.

“Listen,” his voice is quieter, and despite yourself, you find you are trapped in his gaze, “I do not want you to think less of me for this conversation. When I find the right lady, I’ll settle down. I won’t be a cad. I..” he trails off, pocketing the vial. “I… well. Thank you for your help.”

You nod, unsure how to interpret his words. Taking on a professional tone, you say, “The concoction will work for about twelve hours, and will keep you alert and sleepless in that time. Once the twelve hours are up, you may find yourself dozing off quickly, so do be mindful of that.”

“Thank you.” With that, Jungkook leaves your shop. You stand in your empty store, thrown off by the unexpected distraction he caused.

Shaking your head from your hazy thoughts, you get back to the business of brewing Impetus Amor. You sit down in front of the cauldron, with enough ingredients to make several batches. You carefully measure each ingredient out, pouring them into the caldron’s black maw, while the light from the blue moon shines in through the shop window. You murmur a few words as smoke begins to rise from the caldron. The words come from an ancient civilisation, now long dead. The accent is strange and heavy on your tongue. It is the words that are the most demanding part. One wrong inflection, one stutter, and the potion’s strength will wane, or even fade completely. You’ve practiced each phrase thoroughly, just to be safe. As you stir, the liquid in the potion changes from pale translucent to an opaque pearlescent pink. A success. Working quickly, you pour the mixture into an alembic to distill.

Now all that’s left to do is wait.

✽ ✽ ✽

The days pass quicker than you expect, with nothing much to note, apart from the weekend, when a young lady wanders into your shop with a tear stained face, asking for a potion to mend a broken heart. You could have sworn you had seen the lady with her arm strung through Jungkook’s the previous day. You do not comment as you hand her a bottle of Cor Integro.

At last, the Impetus Amor is ready, and right on cue, so is Jungkook. He walks into the shop as you are bottling the love potion.

“Is that it?” His eyes flash over the contents of the glass bottle.

You nod.

“May I?” He holds out a hand, and you hesitate, before relinquishing the bottle to him.

And so concludes the list of bad decisions you made concerning Impetus Amor.

He holds it up to the light, inspecting intently. “Well, it certainly looks convincing. But I suppose we won’t actually know if it works unless we test it.”

The bad feeling forming in your stomach has arrived too late to warn you. Jungkook is already pulling out the cork, and downing the contents of the bottle.

This is how you end up with Jungkook, the one man you cannot stand, drinking your love potion. The first person he looks at will be the one he falls for. He’s looking at you.

Oh goddess above, please not this. Anything but this.

“Mighty gods above, what is wrong with you? You know very well how long that took to brew!” Your attempt to restrain your tone is unsuccessful. Anger pours freely from your words.

Jungkook shrugs his shoulders, “Tough. Looks like the potion doesn’t even work anyway. And on top of that, it tasted bad. Like dried roses and soap.”

“It wasn’t intended for you,” you remind him. “In one hour, it will begin to take effect, and you will be reduced to a fawning dolt, drooling over my every move.”

“That will only happen if the potion actually works. Which it may not.” Jungkook cocks an eyebrow at you, so sure of himself it makes you want to scream. “I cannot have you selling snake oil to the people of Braewyth.”

You are physically trembling with anger. “That potion is incredibly expensive. You’ll have to pay for it.”

“Fret not, you’ll get your money… if it works.” He swivels around, and is about to make for the door, but you dash in from of him, blocking off his means of escape. “I won’t allow you to leave,” you say, “You’ll make a complete fool of yourself if you’re free to roam the streets under the influence of a love potion.”

Jungkook blinks – innocent – and then laughs, “Come now. It won’t be that bad.”

“Yes. Yes, it will be that bad,” you insist, “I’m keeping you here until I can cure you. The last thing we want is for you to cause a scandal.”

Jungkook’s Adam’s apple bobs, finally realising that you’re being serious. “What will the potion do to me?”

“You should have asked before you drank the potion.”

“Perhaps,” he concedes, “It might not work. We still don’t know.” His eyes are wide, like a deer that’s spotted a hunter with an arrow aimed at its heart. “What will it do?”

“It will make you fall in love with me,” you say, “Of course. On top of that, it will cause you great physical pain any time you are not close to me. It will make you desperate for physical contact.”

Jungkook swallows thickly. “Well… let’s… uh… hope you got it wrong then, hmm?”

You frown. “I’ve half a mind to throw you out into the street to make a complete fool of yourself, screaming your love for all bystanders to hear.”

“Surely you’ve got a cure,” Jungkook pleads.

You grit your teeth. “You can’t expect me to simply fix every problem with a magical potion, Mr. Jeon. Alchemy doesn’t always work like that.”

“I’m sorry!” Jungkook blurts, “There, I said it. I’m sorry! I know I’ve cocked up. And I know I take your abilities for granted. I underestimate you all the time. I’m sorry, alright? But you have had it out for me from the moment you met me. You hated me before you even knew me. I don’t know why, but I’m sorry for that too. Now can you please stop piling on the blame and help me?” He holds up his hands, plaintive, “Please. I can’t do this by myself.”

Your shoulders slump. You want to be angry. All you feel is pity.

“Aright, Jungkook,” you concede, “I’ll help you.”

“Thank you,” his voice is soft.

You set the sign on your shop door to ‘Closed’, and bolt it. Then, you move across to your shelf of books. You know that one of these tomes must contain an antidote for a love potion. It’s not something you’ve made before, and you cannot remember which volume it is in, but you know it must be there. You scan the indexes, the pile of rejected tomes towering taller as you search through each book for any help it may provide.

Meanwhile, Jungkook sits on a stool by the counter, fidgeting awkwardly.

At last, in your copy of Payne and Nash’s Antidotes for Advanced Alchemy, you find a potion called Aphrodite’s Cure – an antidote for love potions and aphrodisiacs.

Your finger mechanically runs down the list, checking off each one.

Extract from a siren’s tongue

Sap from a cherry tree

Crushed topaz

You have all those items in your shop. If you believed in the goddess, you would be praising her now. Your finger stops, hovering over the brewing time, spelled out in black ink. Two hours.

“Well, Jungkook...” The duke’s son looks up at the sound of your voice. “I’ve found a cure I can brew, but it will take two hours.”

Jungkook’s hopeful expression falls. “Well, I suppose I can bear being in love with a pain in the arse like you for two hours. Even if you are… the most… the most... beautiful maiden I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He leaps up from his stool.

Your heart pounds, animalistic instincts telling you to run far away.

Still you remain frozen to the spot, while Jungkook makes his way around the counter to grab at you, pulling you close. Your chest presses against his, while his hands grip your waist.

“You’re gorgeous,” Jungkook murmurs, “Forgive me for not telling you earlier.”

Your curse silently, caught in Jungkook’s ardent gaze. Your potion had worked wonders... unfortunately. “Does this drivel normally work on the maidens you woo?” you ask, pushing him away.

He winces as you part. “Please, my dear, it hurts when you force us apart.”

You remember the side effect of Impetus Amor embodies itself as physical pain when a couple is not close to one another. Despite your disdain for Jungkook, you feel a pang of pity for him. “Okay,’ you say, “You may stay near my side. But you can’t get in my way while I work on an antidote for you.”

“But I don’t want to be cured,” Jungkook retorts, “I’m in love with you, and it feels wonderful. I never realised how good it would feel to experience true love. You truly wish to part me from this happiness?”

“Yes. You asked for this. Remember that.”

Jungkook shakes his head. “My past self did not know what he was talking about. I wish to stay by your side, forever..”

“No matter what I do,” you say, “The effects will wear off in a week. I’m merely expediting the process to save you the embarrassment that will follow.”

Firmly, you move away from Jungkook, fetching a bottle of siren’s tongue extract from the top shelf behind your counter, before you dig out your crushed topaz and cherry tree sap from a cupboard. You sit down in front of your caldron and let Jungkook take a seat beside you. His hand comes to rest on your knee. You startle at his touch.

“You said I could stay close to you,” he says, “Sorry, is this too much?”

You shrug. “Do what you need to. Just don’t get in my way.” As you pour the potions into the caldron and begin stirring over a low flame, you try to ignore the heat in your body, shooting up from the spot on your leg where Jungkook’s palm rests. The ingredients begin to bubble in the caldron. You watch carefully, smelling the steam that rises, hoping to discern clues on the quality of the brew. When the scent of caramel begins to waft from the caldron, you remove it from the heat, and allow it to sit for a few minutes before you transfer it to a flask where if will sit for two hours, allowing the ingredients to cool and fully incorporate into Aphrodite’s Cure.

“Well, Jungkook, now we wait.”

He huffs, “I already told you, I don’t want to be cured.”

“Tough,” you tell him. “Eventually you will be, whether you like it or not. Then you’ll be on your own to deal with the shame that follows. I’m not helping you with that.”

He bristles. “I don’t find being in love with you shameful. Not at all. After all, you’re strong-willed, and intelligent, not to mention beautiful! You have more wit and personality than most other women I have wooed. If I were to be embarrassed at the idea of loving you, I ought to cringe at the idea of having bedded the other women.”

“Well, you shan’t be ‘bedding’ me,” you say, “You can’t get between my legs just by flashing me a favourable look.”

Jungkook’s face falls, “You wound me, my dear. You truly believe I only have carnal pleasures on my mind. Do not worry. I know you need respect and commitment before you would allow a man to crawl between the sheets with you.”

You feel your cheeks burning with a blush. “Let me guess – you wish to be the man who will show me that respect and commitment, and will crawl between the sheets with me?”

“Listen,” Jungkook diverges from your pointed question, “I know I need time to prove myself to you. I haven’t shown you my best side while I’ve been around you. I can only ask that you forgive me, and let me show you how much better I can be.”

“I’m used to the way you treat me.” You move away from Jungkook, but he grabs onto you, hands desperate.

“Please don’t leave.”

“I’m not leaving. I just need to get on with work. You may have forced me to close my shop, but that doesn’t mean I can sit and twiddle my thumbs for two hours until you’re cured.”

“But I want to sit here with you,” Jungkook whines. The potion doesn’t seem to have just struck him down with love, but also to have turned him into a pouty brat with the attitude of a spoiled toddler.

Give me strength. “Let me guess,” you say, “You want to hold me, and kiss me? Am I right?”

Jungkook’s face turns red. “You shame me my dear, for it seems you have been reading my thoughts. Forgive me, but how can I help but dream of such things, when you are so comely.”

You try not to roll your eyes. Men under the influence of Impetus Amor are intolerable.

You catch a hold of his hand, which is grabbing your right wrist, and wrench him off you. “Jungkook, I am refusing you for your own good.”

“I do not believe that to be true,” Jungkook says as you pry yourself from him, and begin to scour your shelves for any bottles that appear to be running low. The duke’s son follows you around like a lovesick puppy while you pull out a piece of parchment and begin walking along the shelves taking note of vials and containers that are running empty, so you can get fresh ingredients at the next opportunity. Your hands need to be busy. You feel hapless otherwise.

“I truly believe,” Jungkook pipes up behind you, “That even when this potion wears off, I will still be in love with you. I believe that I have been in love with you for a while.”

You snort a laugh, “You truly do amuse me, Jungkook.”

“Is it so hard to believe I could fall for you?”

You spin around to face Jungkook. He is much closer than you anticipated. A gasp breaks your lips.

“Listen, little alchemist,” his eyes bore into yours, as you step back, your spine pressing against the shelf behind you, “I’ve been trying to fight these feelings, for I know my father would not approve of a woman who is not noble-born, yet I still find myself drawn to you. I wander aimlessly to your shop, just to catch a glimpse of you, just to feel the warmth of your company. And you would scoff at this?”

Your mouth goes dry, tongue feeling heavy in your mouth. The words are difficult to get past your teeth. “You’re lying. It’s just the potion talking.”

“Why would I lie?” Jungkook’s eyes are troubled, “I’ve been falling slowly, ever since I met you. I tried to push off the feelings by treating you harshly. I tried to forget them in the arms of another lover. But still… I always find myself coming back to you.” He lifts a hand, fingers gentle against your cheek. You shiver at his touch. “It’s always you, little alchemist.”

Your lips curl in amusement. “You almost convinced me Jungkook. You speak so earnestly…” You take his hand in your own, pull it away from your face, and let it drop to his side.

His eyes cloud over. “Being unable to touch you, it hurts me physically, you know.”

“I know.” A shard of sympathy embeds in your chest. “It won’t last long though, I promise. I’ll cure you soon.”

“While we wait,” Jungkook’s eyes are dark, “Could you spare me one kiss? Just to ease the pain?”

“Jungkook,” your hand goes to his chest, rising up to rest on his shoulder, “The potion worked. You lost the wager. You were only to get a kiss if you won.”

“Please,” the word falls soft from his mouth.

You stand transfixed, stuck between your shelf of potions, and Jungkook’s body. His face is mere inches from your own. A dreadful curiosity sweeps over you, one that you know you should ignore. Yet, Jungkook is here before you, eyes urgent, and you are tired of fighting him.

“One kiss,” you murmur, “That’s all I’ll allow.”

His hands find purchase on your waist as he moves closer. Your eyelids flutter shut as his breath fans your cheeks, smelling of rose and gold dust. His lips are warm as they settle on your own, mapping out your mouth. You fall captive to the sensation, and suddenly, you understand the appeal that draws countless women to Jungkook’s side. He may be a pain in the arse, but he is wonderfully skilled when it comes to kissing.

Pressed against the shelf, you give in to the affections from a man you were sure you hated. You promise yourself, as his lips part from yours, that you will wipe this feeling from your memory. Yet, even as Jungkook draws back, the ghost of his warmth haunts you.

Lost for words, you blink in the dim light of your shop, suddenly too bright after the dark of closed eyelids. Jungkook leans back against the counter, eyes fixed on you. You struggle, unsure what to say. Instead of saying anything, you simply return to the chores you had assigned yourself, mechanically checking off ingredients on your piece of parchment.

At the counter, Jungkook is suspiciously silent. After a long pause, he finally asks, “What will happen to me when the effects of the potion are cured?”

You turn back to him. “You will forget most of this. It will all feel hazy, like a dream. And you’ll feel a little unwell. Headaches are normal after such strong potions take effect. Some people also suffer nausea, but that depends on one’s constitution. You’ll only suffer for an hour or so, then it should wear off.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Jungkook says gently.

You swallow, understanding, “Your feelings will depart. Whatever you are feeling for me now will be replaced with your genuine feelings, so you’ll go back to hating me I suspect.”

Jungkook’s face falls, “I don’t hate you.”

“Well then you’ll go back to mild indifference,” you say, turning back to your shelf to continue working, while Jungkook sits down at the counter, silent.

The hours drag on, with Jungkook’s eyes following your every move. Occasionally, he expresses a desire for physical contact to stop the pain. When he does so, you return to his side, and gently press your palm to his. The action seems to be enough for him.

At last, the hour glass has run through twice, and the potion is ready. You carefully decant it into a vial, and set it in front of Jungkook.

He catches your gaze, “I… I don’t want this.”

“Jungkook, please,” you press your hand to his one last time, “You need to. No matter what, the Impetus Amor will wear off. I’ll still be here when you’re cured.”

His face firms into an expression your don’t recognise, and with a resolute, swift motion, he tips the contents of the vial into his mouth in one go, swallowing with a groan. “You did not warn me that it would taste repulsive.”

“You were already reluctant to take it.”

Jungkook groans again, lowering his head so that his forehead rests on the wooden counter top, “By the goddess, I feel like death. Do you have a potion for a headache?”

“Not one caused by the after effects of Impetus Amor,” you say, “But I do have herbal tea.”

“Yes please.”

Glad to have a task to distract you, you busy yourself with boiling the water and fetching tea leaves.

From his spot at the counter, Jungkook moans, “I embarrassed myself greatly, didn’t I?”

Watching a pleasing golden red spread out from the tea leaves into the boiled water, you reply, “That depends on what you deem to be embarrassing.”

Jungkook grimaces as he lifts his head slightly, then, upon reconsideration, lowers his head again. The colour has drained from his face.

“I imagine you were acting the way you normally would around any fair lady you intended to woo. You were fine. Quite respectful, actually.”

“Please, I don’t wish to remember,” Jungkook moves his head so that his cheek now rests on the counter.

You pass a cup of fresh tea across to him, ‘That should make you feel a little better,” you say.

“I owe you a ‘thank you’,” Jungkook raises his head to blow on the steam rising from the tea cup, “And an apology as well, I fancy.”

You pause, not expecting to hear those words from him.

“I’ve been an arse,” Jungkook says.

“It’s not often you and I agree on something, Jungkook.”

He laughs wryly. “Well, I can’t deny it, can I? I wasted your time and energy today, and for that, I am sorry. From, Jeon Jungkook, son of the duke of Braewyth, to you, master alchemist and potions-brewer extraordinaire, as my equal, please accept my sincere apologies, and my humble gratitude.” He bows his head.

You are unsure how to react, throat tight. All you can muster is an insincere chuckle, and a feeble “No need to be so formal... If you really want to apologise you can give me the gold you promised since it would appear I won this wager.”

“Oh, right!” Jungkook digs in his pockets.

Suddenly, strangely, you feel unsure of yourself. “Listen, I was just joking. I don’t need the money. Really...”

“Nonsense,” Jungkook dumps a sack of coin on the table. “It’s yours, fair and square.” He grins at you and takes a sip of his tea. “This brew really seems to be helping.” As he downs the rest f the cup, you busy your hands with the bottles on your shelf, straightening them so they stand in a tidy row. Jungkook glances through the window of your shop, where the sky above the roofs of the town is turning gold with the setting of the sun. “I’d better head off,” he says, “My father arranged a ball for the eligible women of Braewyth to attend, and he’s hoping I’ll meet someone there. And by someone, I mean specifically Lady Antille from the province of Armestice.” He grimaces. “I’ve heard she’s a dreadful bore. Not to mention there’ll be lots of business men at the dance, hoping to make a good impression, and get funding from my father’s treasury. So overall, I have a very pleasant evening ahead of me.”

“Do you think you’ll ever find a woman you’re happy with?” you ask.

Jungkook wavers on the question, “I’m… not sure. I think I’m cursed by the fact that most noble women are not at all appealing to me.”

You shrug, “It’s all just a pantomime isn’t it? Performing the proper etiquette. Perhaps once the women have a chance to drop the pretence of politeness, you’ll get to know them for who they truly are, and you’ll realise they aren’t as bad as you think.”

“Perhaps,” he looks unconvinced, “But I doubt I’ll have the time for that. My father is hoping I’ll drop down to one knee and propose as soon as I lock eyes with the right woman.”

“Maybe Lady Antille will be the lucky one,” you say.

“The longer this goes on, the more I worry my father will simply pick a lady for me, and force me to marry.”

“I hope not.”

He nods, “Yes. So do I.” He turns for the door.

“Enjoy your evening, Jungkook.”

He pauses at the door, and turns back to look at you, with a gentle smile. “You’ve started calling me Jungkook instead of Mr. Jeon,” he notes.

“Oh, sorry,” your hand springs to your mouth, “Is it improper?”

“A little bit improper,” He smiles, “I like it.”

“Goodbye, Jungkook.”

“Goodbye...” He looks into your eyes, sunshine bathing him from the windows, and your name is soft on his lips. Not ‘little alchemist’. Not ‘wench’. Not ‘my dear’. Just your name. A warmth spreads from your stomach through the rest of your body.

You smile as he closes the door behind him, leaving you alone with the smell of herbal tea filling the shop.

✽ ✽ ✽

As darkness descends on your shop, the sun sinking lower, a lady enters. You recognise the red hood, lowered over her eyes and nose.

“Good evening,” you welcome her as you would all other customers.

Rather than greeting you, she simply asks, “Is the Impetus Amor ready?” Her tone is hushed, despite being the sole customer in your store.

Thankful that you had the foresight to create more than one batch of the potion, you fetch it from your cupboard and place the vial on the counter top in front of her. The potion shines, pearlescent in the fading sunshine.

The lady pushes back a blonde lock from her face, and her shapely lips smile below her hood. “Wonderful. Thank you.” She tales the vial, and places it into her purse. You notice her splendid gown beneath the folds of her red cloak. Only a rich lady could afford such a potion. And such expensive silk. You sigh, despite yourself.

The lady tosses another pouch of gold onto the counter top. “I trust that you will not tell anyone of this exchange.”

You pause, wondering what she means. “All my customer’s orders are confidential,” you assure her.

She nods, satisfied, and swivels on her heel, exiting the shop. As she leaves, she bumps into an older lady who is making her way into your shop. You recognise the older lady, Myrrh, who is one of your regulars. The younger lady’s red hood slips down as she passes Myrrh, revealing a head of golden curls.

“Oh, sorry dear,” Myrrh says.

The golden haired lady bows her head, quickly pulling up her hood again. “Think nothing of it.” With that, she slips into the darkening evening.

Myrrh approaches your counter, while you retrieve her order from the shelf behind you – Fons Iuventae, for aches and pains afflicting old joints. “Well, I never realised you got such fancy clientele in your store, dear,” Myrrh observes, as she counts out her silver coins for you.

You smile, “Her appearance here surprised me as much as it did you, Myrrh.”

The older lady chuckles, ‘Imagine! Lady Antille, in this shop! The store will be the talk of the town soon, I’m sure.”

“Lady Antille?”

Myrrh gives you a strange look as she hands her coins across to you. “You didn’t recognise the Lady of Armestice?”

You shake your head.

“Ah, well now you know,” Myrrh says, “Imagine, me bumping into her like that.” She takes her bottle of Fons Iuventae and heads for the door. You follow behind her, and flip over your store sign to ‘Closed’ once she leaves. The last dregs of sunlight seep through the window. With the shop shut for the night, you go and sit behind the counter, thoughts running at a thousand miles a minute. You know that you should not concern yourself with your customer’s potion usage. After all, you simply provide. You are not responsible for the actions that follow. Yet, you cannot help but have your suspicions.

Before you realise what you are doing, you pick up a vial of Aphrodite’s Cure from yoru counter. Your body leads you to the door, grabbing your satchel, and your cloak, pulling it around you before you step out onto the cobbled street. Your feet lead you to the stable, where you quickly saddle up your mare, and spur her into the dark of night.

The road that leads out of Sientha winds down towards the large mansion where the duke of Braewyth resides. Everyone in Braewyth is familiar with the sugar white house that stands tall, behind a maze of rose bushes. As you ride towards the mansion, rain begins to pelt down, stinging at your cheeks. You continue regardless, pressing your heels into your mare’s side, encouraging her on. You push her harder than you’ve pushed her before, hurtling down the road at a frantic gallop. The mare’s breathing is hard, foam flies from her mouth. Dirt flies from her hooves, kicking up the mud washed onto the road.

Ahead of you, past the sheets of rain, you spot the lights of the Braewyth mansion. Reigning in your mare, you stop her a few paces before the gate, and tie her by one of the trees. She’s breathing heavily, and you give her a reassuring pat before you make for the gates.

A guard, who was leaning lazily against the gate, stands to attention when you approach, raising his spear. “Halt.”

“Please,” you hold up your hands to him, showing that you are unarmed, “I wish to speak with Jeon Jungkook.”

The guard squints at you through the rain. “And who might you be?”

You hesitate. “I’m his alchemy tutor.” Technically not a lie.

“I wasn’t told you would be arriving,” the guard says, “Do you have an invitation to the ball that you can show me?” He sweeps a skeptical gaze over your trousers, flecked with mud, and your fur hood, soaked with rain.

“Please, it’s urgent,” you say.

In the gloom, you see the guard raise his eyebrows.

You wrack your brain, “I have a potion for Jeon Jungkook. He asked me to deliver it to him personally before the ball began.”

“He never told me of this plan.”

Just then, by the mercy of the universe – or perhaps the goddess – Jungkook appears at the other side of the gate.

“Ah, Mr. Jeon,” the guard smiles at you gleefully, hoping to have caught you in a lie, “Have you met this wench before?”

Jungkook walks up to the gate, “Of course. Let her in at once.”

The guard’s mouth hangs open for a slit second, before he quickly corrects his expression, and bows to the heir of Braewyth. “Yes. Right away!” He opens the gate, and scurries to get out of your way.

You hurry over the threshold, and begin walking with Jungkook towards the Braewyth mansion.

“What are you doing here?” Jungkook asks, once you are out of earshot of the guard.

“What about you?” you say, “Do you make it a habit to walk around the garden while it’s tipping it down with rain?”

“I needed some fresh air, and I heard a commotion from the gate,” Jungkook explains, “But I really think you’re the one who ought to be explaining yourself.”

“I...” you’re unsure where to begin, “Has Lady Antille arrived yet?”

“Not yet,” Jungkook says, “Now, will you please stop answering my question with more questions.”

“Sorry,” you swallow, suddenly realising how silly your reasoning will sound.

Jungkook waits, while you remain silent, walking down the path through the rose bushes.

You take a deep breath, “This may sound mad, but I have reason to believe that Lady Antille plans to use Impetus Amor on your tonight.”

Jungkook’s expression turns frosty. “You’re not jesting?”

You nod. “I could be wrong. But the lady who purchased Impetus Amor was Antille. I did not recognise her at first. I suppose it could merely be coincidence, and she is using it for someone else, but I wanted to warn you, just in case.”

Jungkook is grave. “I suppose it would make sense. After all, a marriage into the Braewyth duchy would be beneficial for the province of Armestice. The province is too small to defend itself, so would be willing to seek the protection of a more powerful duchy.” He turns his eyes to you. “Will you be able to stay here with me tonight? I must be in attendance at the ball, and avoiding Lady Antille there is out of the question. If she does try anything, will you be ready to help me?”

You nod, “I have the cure in my satchel, just in case.”

Jungkook nods, taking your hand, and leading you up the marble steps to the mansion door. “Alright, if you’re staying, then you need to get changed.”

“Excuse me?”

“I do not mean to offend, but your trousers won’t be acceptable attire for the ball.”

You swallow as you step into the house. The hallways are greater – both wider and taller - than you had anticipated, with lush white carpets that your feet sink into. You wince at the mud trailed in by your boots.

“Whyn!” Jungkook calls, and a flushed looking maid appears on cue, bowing before him.

“Yes, Mr. Jeon?”

“Can you help my lady friend? She needs to be cleaned up, and needs more appropriate attire for the ball.”

“Of course, Mr. Jeon.”

Before you can even get a word in, you are being herded down the corridor by Whyn, who appears overly eager to do Jungkook’s bidding. You’re pushed into the bathroom, and the last you see of Jungkook is his smile as Whyn closes the door on him.

The bathroom is lavish, tiled with white marble. Ornate sculptures depicting gryphons stand at each corner of the room. Steps lead down to a pool of warm water, from which steam rises, smelling of lavendar. A statue of a stag stands proudly at the centre of the water, with a beautiful woman depicted standing beside him, naked. She holds an urn above the pool, and water pours from the urn into the large bath.

Without any warning, or any chance to protest, Whyn strips you down, and pushes you to the water’s edge. “Quickly, m’am,” she urges, “The ball will be starting soon.”

Grumbling, you step down into the water. However, it’s impossible to continue complaining as the warmth envelops you, easing all the aches in your body. You sink down with a sigh, dipping your head under, and letting your hair become fully soaked.

However relaxing the bathing experience is, you know you need to get back to Jungkook quickly, so after a quick once over with soap, you reluctantly leave the embrace of the sweet smelling water.

Whyn is ready and waiting with a warm towel. She starts drying you off, and you complain that you can dry yourself, but she shushes you stubbornly. “Please, ma’m, let me do my job!”

Once your hair and body are towelled dry, Whyn helps you into the ornate dress she has picked for you. You’ve never worn a dress this fancy before, and until this point, you never understood why ladies needed maids to help them get dressed. Now, as Whyn scurries around you, lacing up your corset, and adjusting your petticoat, you understand. The dress has so many buttons, clasps, and ribbons, that it would take an eternity to dress yourself.

The maid finally helps you pull back your hair, pinning it off your face, so it curls elegantly to frame your cheeks. She steps back to admire her handiwork, allowing you to take in your full reflection in the mirror beside the bath. It’s surprising what a maid’s touch can do. You barely recognise yourself. A regal lady stares back at you from the mirror in a shimmering sapphire-coloured dress, with golden stitching around the bodice, detailing embroidered roses.

“Is it alright, m’am?” Whyn asks, “If you don’t like it, I can find another dress.”

“No, thank you, Whyn,” you smile at her, “It’s perfect.”

The girl flushes and bows her head.

You find your original clothes folded neatly in the corner of the room. You rummage in your satchel, and find your vial of Aphrodite’s Cure, tucking it under your corset for safe-keeping. You turn back to Whyn. “I’m ready.”

The maid leads you out of the bathroom down a snaking maze of corridors, until you reach a set of grand mahogany doors. She pushes the doors open for you, and indicates that you should go in.

You whisper your thanks to her again, and then walk into the ballroom. Inside, the dancing has not yet started, and the room is filled with groups of people, conversing with one another. You spot Jungkook at the far corner, by a set of wide windows that look out onto the garden, which is illuminated by lanterns. You walk over, and a smile erupts on Jungkook’s face as soon as he spots you. He steps forward to greet you.

“Whyn has done a fine job,” he says, casting an admiring glance over you.

You feel you face heat up, unsure how to respond.

“If anyone asks,” Jungkook continues, in a low voice, linking his arm through yours and leading you along the ballroom floor, “You are my personal friend. You needn’t give any more information than that.”

You nod, glancing around nervously, “Has Antille arrived?”

“I haven’t seen her yet,” Jungkook says. “I truly hope your fears are unjustified. But if they’re true, I want you by my side, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on wandering off alone.” Looking around the room, you notice many of the people staring at you. “Why are they looking at us?”

“Well, you are walking arm in arm with the heir of Braewyth, who’s rumoured to be in the market for a wife. People are going to be gossiping about our betrothal as we speak.”

You blush at the thought, allowing Jungkook to lead you around the room, stopping every so often to speak with groups of important sounding people.

Every so often, the door will open and someone will announce the name of the eligible young lady who has entered. The lady will smile and curtsey, and then everyone will go on about their business.

You find yourself stuck in an arduous conversion with an old noble, named Lord Chaperlet, about the effects of increased wheat tax, when the doors to the ballroom open once more, and the announcer cries, “Presenting to you, the Lady of Armestice, the honourable Antille.”

You raise onto your tiptoes to catch a glance at the lady over the heads of the crowd that has gathered.

She’s wearing a gold dress that trails across the floor like spilled champagne , her hair curled perfectly around her face. Lord Chaperlet stops wittering on about wheat tax to stare at the young Lady. “Antille truly is a beauty, is she not?” He winks at Jungkook, who gives a diplomatic chuckle, and says, “Now, now, Lord Chaperlet, what would your wife say if she overheard you?”

The older man gives a hearty laugh. Jungkook’s arm remains interlocked with yours, and shows no sign of budging. You swallow your nerves as Lady Antille approaches.

The lady pauses momentarily upon seeing you by Jungkook’s side, and a flash of ice glazes her gaze before she corrects her expression to a polite smile, and makes her way forward.

“Jeon Jungkook,” she coos, “How are you? It’s a pleasure to meet you. You look as handsome as your portraits portray you.”

Jungkook gives a courteous smile, “I’m wonderful thank you.” He takes the hand she proffers him, kissing her fingers, as is the custom when greeting noble women. “And how are you?”

“Fantastic,” Antille smiles, “Although the coach journey here was frightful! The rain was atrocious. Hence my late arrival, you see.”

“Fashionably late, I would say,” Jungkook replies, and Antille giggles behind her white-gloved hand.

You are out of your depth, silently observing this display of courtly manners.

Antille finally glances your way, in the manner one might glance across at an old dog scratching its fleas in the corner. “And who is this?”

You swallow. You may look different in your gown, but you know she has recognised you from your potions store.

Jungkook answers in your silence. “This is my personal friend.” His arm is still slung through yours. His reassuring fingers squeeze you.

“Is that so?” Antille worries her crimson bottom lip with her teeth for a second, her gaze lingering on you, sizing you up.

It’s a relief when Whyn passes with a tray of glasses filled with champagne, moving between you and Antille. “Would you like a drink?” The maid keeps her head bowed.

Antille takes a glass, and hands it to Jungkook, before taking one for herself, “Might as well enjoy oneself.” She raises her glass to Jungkook.

Jungkook brings the glass to his lips. A flash of worry sparks in your head – the only reason you are here is to stop Jungkook from ingesting any potion. Yet, Antille seems happy to drink the champagne...

Instinctively, your fingers tighten around Jungkook’s arm.

A vague scent of rose water and crushed gold floats towards you.

Jungkook glances at you, confused, before understanding floods into his eyes.

Wracking your brain for a good excuse to leave, your hand springs to your neck, feigning surprise. “Oh, I’ve just noticed! My necklace is gone. I was wearing it when I arrived here, but now it’s gone.”

Jungkook picks up on your cue. “Perhaps it fell off in the hallway by the entrance when you took off your cloak. I’ll help you search.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Antille chimes in. “Your friend can manage by herself. After all, everyone in this ballroom is here to speak with you personally, Jungkook. People might talk if you were to leave.”

Seeing Jungkook struggling, you begin sniffing, forcing your eyes to water. “The necklace belonged to my late mother. I can’t believe I was so careless...”

Jungkook hands you a handkerchief so you can dab at your fake tears, and before Antille can say anything else, he escorts you out of the room.

Once the doors of the the ballroom close behind you, you give up your act, following Jungkook down the twisting hallways.

“This is bad,” he mutters, “I should have been more careful. And after your warned me as well!” His hand is firm on your wrist, leading you up a set of stairs, before he slips into a room and quickly bolts the door shut behind him.

You find yourself in a lavish bathroom, this one different from the one you bathed in. Cherub angels are carved into the white frosting-coloured ceiling.

“You need to stay calm,” you tell Jungkook. “It’s going to be okay.”

Jungkook grimaces, “Don’t you understand? That glass came from Whyn’s tray. Antille must have specifically asked her to spike the glass that she would then give me.”

“Maybe Whyn didn’t know what it was,” you suggest.

“Even if she didn’t, a maid shouldn’t put anything into a drink they serve. She’ll loose her job. It’s a shame, I liked her.”

“That’s not the main issue right now,” you remind him, rummaging in the folds of your dress for the vial of Aphrodite’s Cure, “You need to take this.” You hold up the glass to him.

Jungkook smiles, “I’m glad you’re so reliable.”

“I do my best.”

Jungkook makes to take the vial from you, but you pull back, “Wait. You need to take the antidote after the potion actually kicks in.”

“How will I know when that is?” Jungkook asks.

“Even if you don’t notice, I will,” you say, “You’ll start talking gibberish about how in love you are. And you’ll feel a sudden rush of emotion for the first person you looked at after you drank the potion… which was me, I think.”

“Right, of course. A rush of emotions.” He presses his lips together. “Perhaps, for the sake of clarity, I should confess something in that case...”

You furrow your brows. “What do you mean?”

“The trouble is,” Jungkook continues “I believe I have already developed feelings for you.”

When you open your mouth, he holds up a hand to stop you. “Before you say anything – no, the potion hasn’t kicked in yet. I’ve felt this way for a while. I just didn’t know how to deal with these feelings, so I’ve repressed them.”

Your heart rises in a flurry of childish giddiness. You don’t know where the feelings come from, but are surprised to find that you desperately hope he is telling the truth. “Perhaps we should wait until you take the antidote, and then we’ll talk about this...”

His eyes glaze over, strange and distant, “My dear, these feelings will remain unwavering, I promise.”

You press the potion into his hands. “Drink,” you command.

He nods, uncorking the vial, and tipping the contents into his mouth. “Goddess, that tastes vile,” he groans. He sucks a breath through his teeth. With his head lowered, he takes a few seconds to recover, before he murmurs, “Thank you.”

You remain silent, not sure what to say. Your mind is still racing over Jungkook’s earlier confession. He said it wasn’t the potion causing the words to fall from his mouth. Yet, you cannot be sure. A part of you is unexpectedly sad at the though that his profession of love was simply the potion speaking.

Somehow, despite your determination to hate him, you are surprised to find that you love him.

Jungkook raises his head, eyes fixed on yours, “Without you I would have made a complete fool of myself. Not to mention, I probably would have ended up betrothed to Antille, which...” he blows out a sigh. “Let’s not dwell on that. Thank you for all your help. I know I’ve treated you poorly in the past, but you’ve still helped me regardless. That’s the sign of a good person.”

You bite down on your cheek, “Jungkook?”

“Yes?”

“What you said...” Once you start, the words keep spilling, “Before the potion kicked in. About being in love with me. Did you mean that?”

“Sorry, it was improper of me to simply dump that upon you all of a sudden,” Jungkook says, “I suppose I should have kept that to myself. I’ve tried to ignore these feelings, since my father would not approve of someone who is not noble-born. I tried to push the feelings away by treating you brusquely, by distracting myself with other women, but none of it worked.”

“So you mean?”

His gaze is inescapable, “I love you.”

Your breath catches in your throat.

Jungkook chuckles, but his tone is earnest, “Sorry, you look like a startled deer. I know it’s improper to confess without suitable courtship first, but our relationship has always been a little unconventional. Spending my time with you, I was fascinated by you. And that fascination turned into something I’ve never felt before. I’ve never been so open or honest with anyone else. You’ve seen the worst parts of me, and you’ve stuck around despite all that.” His cheeks colour, “I truly am just rambling now, please feel free to tell me to shut up.”

You’re still waiting for the part where Jungkook suddenly says, “It’s merely a jape!” His face is serious.

“Jungkook, I… I don’t know what to say...”

“Then don’t say anything, you don’t have to.”

“No, I want to, I just… the words evade me...” you bite your lip, “Your confession certainly came as a surprise, although not an unwelcome one...”

Jungkook’s eyes shine.

“I’m very happy,” you say, “I would be lying if I said I do not have similar feelings for you. I never thought it would be okay to fall in love with a noble, so I never allowed myself the liberty of even thinking...” You hesitate, “Is it really okay for me to love you?”

Jungkook nods, “Nothing would make me happier.”

“But your father?”

“It’s okay. We’ll make it work. The tradition of nobles courting nobles is ver old-fashioned anyway. I never liked it. Eventually, my father will accept whom I choose. And I choose you.”

He takes your hand, delicately bringing your fingers to his lips. The action is so simple, so gentle – a far cry from the kiss you had shared earlier – yet it feels so strangely intimate with his eyes drinking you in, while his warm mouth caresses your skin.

His lips work their way up to your wrist, then your forearm, then your shoulder, then your cheek, then grazing the side of your mouth. You let him kiss you properly, melting into his warmth, while the carved cherubs smile down at you from above.

Parting, Jungkook sighs, “I wish I could enjoy this without the after effects of Impetus Amor... My head’s killing me...”

You smile, “Don’t worry. There’ll be time for all of this later. I’m not planning on leaving your side.” You hold his hand tight in your own. “For now, let’s go to the kitchen, and see if we can find some herbal tea for you.”

✽ ✽ ✽

After a cup of strong tea, Jungkook has perked up, ready to return to the ballroom. He holds your hand in his own as you make your way down to the main hallway. You can hear string instruments harmonising to a waltz from the ballroom. The dancing seems to have started in your absence.

“I hope you’ll dance with me tonight,” Jungkook says.

“Won’t people talk if they see us together?” you ask.

“Let them,” Jungkook says. “I’ll announce our relationship when you feel ready, and not a second before.”

You smile, “In that case, I’d love to dance with you.”

As you enter the ballroom, Antille glances over at the two of you and blanches. Jungkook lets go of your hand, and walks over to her, asking if she is willing to speak with him.

Antille looks around, as if considering her escape routes, but agrees to go with Jungkook – with obvious reluctance. Jungkook draws her to the edge of the room, away from the dancing couples that glide around the ballroom floor. Where the two of them stand, you can hear their conversation well, although they are tucked away from the rest of the ball guests.

“Antille,” Jungkook says, “I know what you have attempted to do.”

Antille glowers, “Attempted to do? What are you talking about?”

Jungkook continues, “I have enough proof to have you publicly disgraced, but I am willing to let you leave with your dignity intact, so long as you never set foot in this house again.”

“Threaten me all you want,” Antille hisses, “But know that you have made an enemy of Armestice today.”

Jungkook’s face twists into a frown, “That’s not a game you want to play, Lady Antille, believe me. The duchy of Braewyth is not one to be messed with.”

Antille is pale. Her eyes fall to you, and anger flashes vividly in her irises. “I thought I made it clear that my purchase was to be kept a secret.”

Jungkook steps closer to you, “Don’t, Antille,” he warns, “Your quarrel isn’t with her.”

The lady, visibly flustered, turns on her heel towards the door. You watch as she leaves the room.

Jungkook turns his attention to you. “Please don’t worry about her. I know what Armestice is capable of, and it isn’t much. Her threats are simply to stir up fear, but she won’t act on them.”

You smile as he threads his fingers through yours, “Now, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

You are aware of the eyes boring into you from all sides as you step onto the dance floor with Jungkook, but in that instant, you don’t care. Jungkook is beside you, his eyes on your face, and a smile on his lips.

For now, that’s enough.

✽ ✽ ✽

It’s a cold morning, but the early spring sunshine is shining stubbornly despite the chill as you walk back to your shop. You have a basket of fresh herbs in your hand, picked from the mountain side.

As you turn the corner onto your street, a smile breaks across your face, recognising a familiar figure standing by your door.

You run over to Jungkook, setting down your basket of herbs, so you can freely fling both arms around him.

He grins, planting a kiss on your forehead. “Good morning.”

You unlock the shop door, and let him enter. It’s still an hour until your shop will open for business.

“How has your morning been so far?” you ask Jungkook, throwing off your cloak, and hanging it by the door.

“Good,” Jungkook says, “The new maid prepared a wonderful breakfast. Eggs and bacon and fresh bread.”

“Sounds much better than the oatmeal I had,” you say.

“Once our relationship is officially made public, you can move into the mansion with me,” Jungkook says, “Then you can have all the eggs and bacon and fresh bread you want.”

You begin sorting the freshly picked herbs into piles on the counter, while Jungkook runs an eye over the potions you have sitting out from brewing last night.

“That will be nice,” you say, “Although I will miss this old shop.”

“I’m sure we can set up a room in the mansion where you can have a workshop to continue brewing potions. People would pay well for potions brewed by the heir of Braewyth’s wife.”

You blush at the word ‘wife’, a thrill travelling through you.

Jungkook eyes some of your older equipment, “We can even get you some new tools. Some of these seem a little… rusty.”

“They’ve served me well, I’ll have you know.”

“Just a suggestion.” He sticks his tongue out at you.

You grin at him, “So what did you want from me this morning? We could continue your alchemy lessons… or...”

Jungkook moves around the counter to be by your side. His hands find your waist, pulling you closer. “Well I had a few plans of my own.”

Your fingers curl through his charcoal hair. “I’m listening.”

Jungkook ducks his head down, his breath ghosting against your ear as he whispers his plan with words that make you blush scarlet. Desire pools inside you as his lips trace a path down your neck to your collar bone, “Don’t think you’re getting out of your alchemy lesson later.”

“Yes, m’am,” he grins, taking your hand in his own.

You let him lead you from your shop up the creaky stairs to your living quarters. You are happy to forget all responsibilities for the next hour, completely lost in Jungkook. You never believed a love potion could lead to true love – yet here you are, completely enveloped in Jungkook, overwhelmed by feeling. You don’t believe in the goddess but you thank her now, thank her that she decided to ruin your life by thrusting Jungkook into it.

The man you hated more than anything in the world has now become the man you love more than anything, and you couldn’t be happier for it.

- THE END -

➝ author’s note: thank you so much for reading! i hope you enjoyed it.

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batmanisagatewaydrug · 3 years ago

Note

hey sex witch, ive been thinking about it for a while and im wondering what my options are for getting rid of my period? im a trans dude w no desire for kids and bottom surgery isn't an option atm. my irregular work hours make scheduling hard for the pill and I keep missing days by accident

hi anon,

there are relatively few ways to reliably stop a period, because having a period is a thing that your body unfortunately REALLY wants to do and will try very hard to keep doing.

bottom surgery is a pretty surefire way, because the entire vagina is removed during phalloplasty. a hysterectomy without the intent of gaining a penis will likewise be a pretty guaranteed period-ender. but since you've already said surgery isn't on the table, let's move on.

taking testosterone is also pretty likely to stop your period sooner or later, but I don't want to assume that's something you have access to. also, since you've already indicated that taking something on a set schedule isn't something particularly easy for you, that might not be the best bet.

if you want to stick with the birth control option, you might be able to kill several birds with one stone by getting a hormonal IUD. it's placed inside your uterus so that you don't have to worry about remembering to take it, it can last for years at a time, and it's the most likely form of birth control to stop a period entirely. obviously this is the kind of thing you'd need to consult a healthcare provider about, but a significant portion of people with IUDs find that they stop having periods within the first 12 months of use.

worth noting, though, that no form of birth control is 100% guaranteed to stop your period entirely, and there are some that can actually make your menstrual bleeding more irregular, heavier, and more painful. IUDs in particular can have some BUCKWILD unintended effects; I have a dearly beloved friend who spent something like 9 months bleeding pretty much continuously after getting theirs inserted.

tl;dr: difficult to say what will work best for you, which is why it's best to discuss options with a healthcare provider who can learn more about your body and offer more personalized advice.

#sex edventures 2021

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aomineavenue · 4 years ago

Text

Homesick (Miya Atsumu x f!Reader) | 001. the unexpected.

Summary: Six years ago, L/N Y/N wouldn’t exactly say that she loves her life. It had always been problematic but her best friend, Miya Atsumu, since she was eight when she moved to Hyōgo, has always been there for her, and she wouldn’t change it for the world. However, things would always fall apart for her ever since, so she should have expected of such. Running away from her problems seemed like the easiest route to take at the time, so what happens when the past comes barging back into her life demanding answers? Will she be able to confront her demons?

Pairings: Miya Atsumu x f!Reader

Updates: irregular.

Genre: Angst, ANGST I LOVE ANGST, a lil bit of fluff here and there.

Warnings: Language, etc. (Will be mentioned once posted because I don’t want spoilers huehue)

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters except for the reader and my ideas. I do not claim any images used for content in this fic, everything goes out to their respective creators unless it is mentioned that it is mine.

Status: ongoing. | series masterlist

↩ intro | the unexpected | a mother’s nightmare ↪

mia’s speaks:

Okay, so before we start the story. I’d just like to explain that this may be a slow burn kinda thing because I fully want everyone to understand yn’s point of view after she ran away six years ago. We will eventually enter Atsumu’s point of view along the story, but for now, I hope you guys like this! Let me know what you guys think!

It had been six years and to this day, it still haunts you. Well, what they say is true anyway. Everything you run away from will eventually continue to haunt you until you decide to face it head-on. Needless to say, you were feeling pretty pathetic. Six years later, and that is still what you felt to this day. Pathetically sad.

The cool air emitting from the air conditioner set up in the living room, mixed with the early morning cold winter atmosphere that engulfed most of Japan with its beautiful white coat, brushes against the patches of exposed skin causing you to shiver slightly, silently cursing to yourself for forgetting to turn the appliance off during the night before. You had awoken too early for your liking, the sun barely peeking as you left the comforts of your bed to grab a cup of coffee. You were never a morning person, only because it was the time where you were often left with your thoughts as the time slot was usually unproductive.

During such unproductive hours, your thoughts usually consumed you. If it weren't about work or the handful of people you hold close to your heart, it often leads you to thoughts of your life six years ago. You wondered what it would be like if you hadn't opted to run away from reality a few years back during your high school years. Your train of thought often wandered to countless possibilities if you had faced your problems earlier on. To you now, running away seemed almost petty. Well, sorta.

Would you have been happy? Would they have accepted things? Would you have grown apart? Would they have pushed you away?

Sadly, you'd never know. This is only because you fear the truth so you refuse to return and seek certain answers that no doubt will only lead to ultimate disaster. You fear the consequences of your actions. To simply put, you were a coward.

You move your gaze away from the hot cup of coffee on the kitchen counter over to glance out of the window from your apartment, watching the dark skies slowly fade away to signal a brand new day on the horizon, the sun painting the sky a bright calming hue. Any minute now, your friends that had decided to crash at your place during the previous night are bound to wake up. Your tiny space had become some sort of safe haven for when they needed to hide away from their own problems, or when they needed you to nurse their drunken states.

Despite it sparking irritation within yourself, you could never bring yourself to deny them. The group had been nothing but a solid help for you the past six years when you fled from Hyōgo and where you settled yourself in the comforts of your late father's best friend back in Kanagawa, Suwa Riku, reconnecting with one of your childhood friends, Suwa Reiji. The loving Suwa family accepted you with open arms, practically calling you their own despite the situation you dug yourself in. Honestly, if they had turned you away, you would have probably ended up in the gutter somewhere in Japan as you had no other place to go. It wouldn't have even shocked you if they were to turn their backs at you when you had first came knocking on their front door, practically drenched from the pouring rain, it was barely enough to conceal the tears.

However, despite the past they barely knew, they accepted you with open arms without an ounce of judgment. If they were curious, they asked politely, and if certain questions were too difficult for you to answer, they respected your need for privacy.

When you had left everything behind in Hyōgo, you wanted to forget. You had deleted your previous profiles from any sort of social media platform that you had and changed your number when you had the chance. To everyone in Hyōgo, you completely disappeared, a mere ghost that residents either often gossiped about or have completely forgotten, it wasn't as if you were well known within the community, but—still, your disappearance had quite the impact. However, since no one has found you yet in the past six years, it probably meant that your mother didn't care. You assumed the same for your handful of friends. You stayed with the Suwa Family in Kanagawa for at least a year and a half, time for yourself and to get adjusted to your new life before you convinced yourself to get a job that will lead you to a somewhat peaceful life, you needed it for support, now more so than ever. Once again, you are in debt when your childhood friend Reiji offered you a job as a manager for their group. Of course, how could you say no? Despite the busy schedule, you managed enough, sometimes giving you the ability to be flexible.

Ah, yes. Suwa Reiji, the lead singer for the famous boy band, Galaxy Standard. The two of you had been friends before you had moved to Hyōgo when you were eight years old. Despite the distance between the two of you, when your father was still around since your fathers were close friends, the two of you did keep in touch. However, as you grew older and found new friends in Hyōgo, the need to keep in touch disappeared almost instantly. Thankfully, despite years of not having any contact with each other, the two of you reconnected, happy to be back in each other's lives.

The past six years, as you tried to find yourself and finally settle independently, Reiji was there.

And despite the exhausting job of managing a boy band, you adored it. It kept you occupied. Despite the boys being famous, you opted to keep your social media platforms private, or rather secret, only your friends and a few of Galaxy Standard's fans knew of it. Although the fans knew of your existence, you wanted your personal life private and thankfully, the management and fans respected that with the help from your friends who are aware of your situation. You wanted to stay hidden. Accompanying the boys in certain events, despite being a girl where it was typical for fangirls to grow upset because of the close contact with their idols, the fans respected you and often held polite conversations with you.

Yes, despite the troubles you have, you wouldn't deny the fact that you were indeed happy, but lately, something in the back of your mind has been irking you, making you feel extremely uneasy for not knowing what it could be. It frustrated you to no end.

"Someone looks like a vein in their head might pop," you hear Reiji tease as he approached. You roll your eyes before turning your attention over to the man that intruded your thoughts. Bless him, you were slowly becoming crazy with all the thinking. However, you weren't going to praise him or anything, despite Reiji's calm and humble personality towards others, he was a completely different person towards you; often teasing, most days very playful.

You snap back playfully, "Good morning to you, too." He occupies the seat across from you, despite stumbling to your apartment the previous night completely drunk from a party, the man before you showed no sign of a hungover, you were used to it by now. "Seriously, you and Shizuma need to find some other place to crash. I don't even know how you roped him into drinking, he was absolutely thrashed when the two of you arrived. Normally, he'd be the responsible one."

"Yeah, but once he starts drinking, there's no stopping him. And Nah," he chuckles as he leans against the counter, a yawn escaping his lips as he spoke midway, "Your place is comfy but also because I get to see the cute faces of my favourite nephews almost instantly, it's a bonus."

"Uncle Reiji!"

"Where's Uncle 'zuma?"

Speaking of the little devils. Both of your attentions snaps at the two identical figures that stepped out of their shared room and into the vicinity that you and Reiji occupied.

The sight of their sleepy states warmed your heart at just how cute they have grown. Ah, yes. Your two boys. One of the two reasons why you preferred to keep your personal life, private. Of course, there was also Atsuhiko and Atsuhiro to think about. Your precious boys, your utmost priority. Everything you could ever want and more. They were the two that you could finally call home. As much as you know that your existence wouldn't be much of a big deal to the fans since you weren't entirely famous, you refused to let your boys get caught into any unnecessary drama that your friends have often got themselves into, so despite having famous uncles, you kept them shielded whenever you can. Of course, the fans of Galaxy Standard were aware of the existence of your little boys, often swooning when one of their idols were photographed with one of the twins. Needless to say, it always made the fans crazy, but you were grateful that the fans were respectful and never crossed the line whenever your boys were included.

Of course, the main reason why you wanted everything to be kept private was that you didn't want certain people to know the secret you've worked hard to stay hidden, but Japan was big, wasn't it? You often reassured yourself that it was impossible for paths to cross.

"Why are you looking for your Uncle Shizuma when I'm here?" Reiji asks, feigning hurt in his expression as both six-year-old boys approach, yawning and sleepily rubbing their eyes.

Atsuhiro, or rather Hiro, as he liked to be called sighs as he shakes his head at his uncle, "But Uncle 'zuma is the best."

"Now you take that back young man!" He scoffs as he playfully places his hands on his hips, "Who do you think raised you?"

The little boy tilts his head to the side as he watches his uncle in amusement of his antics, "Uncle 'zuma helped too! Mommy says he even helped out changing diapers which you didn't do!"

"But Uncle Reiji's the best! He always plays with us!" Atsuhiko, Hiko, retorts as he rushes over to his uncle to give him a high five, "Mommy, Uncle Rei said he's going to teach us some tricks like he did back then in Stride! Isn’t that cool?"

You send a glare towards the man that was mentioned by your son, who only avoided your gaze as he ruffles your son's hair, "Maybe something else. You can ask your uncles to teach you how to sing and dance like they always do, just not that dangerous sport."

Atsuhiko groans in protest while the other twin approaches you, wrapping his short arms around your leg, "Do you think they can teach us volleyball?"

"Oh yes!" Atsuhiko yells out happily agreeing with his twin, his dismay for his mother's earlier disapproval flying out the window as he looks at you with hope in his eyes, "Volleyball is so cool! Can we mommy?"

Almost instantly, a lump formed in the back of your throat at the mention of the mere sport, a reminder. It wasn't as if you were against the sport, but what caught you off guard was the interests your boys clearly showed. How ironic.

As you raised the two, whether at times you were alone or had help, you often pushed the twins away from certain reminders of your past. What was that? Anything that reminded you of your past in Hyōgo was pushed aside. It was rather petty, you knew that yourself but as the twin boys grew throughout the years, it didn't get unnoticed how their features screamed of the one and only Miya Atsumu. Well, you expected that—he is the father of your twin boys, but you silently prayed during your pregnancy and as you raised them that their features would come from your side of the family instead of his.

But of course, somehow you've upset the Gods for your pettiness. This was your consequence. A daily reminder. There's no denying of your love for your boys. They were your life and you wouldn't change anything because then they wouldn't exist. However, you've grown hateful of your past as years gone by. Your hatred for the awful memories had made it more difficult to forget.

You expected the interest in volleyball before they even mentioned it to you today. The clues in their shared room were enough for you to pick up that they were most likely to take after their father in a sense, not that they know of such.

Earlier, about two years prior when they first started in kindergarten, it was inevitable for such to talk about your families, you remember experiencing such back then despite it being foggy. They returned home, despite being young, they were smart for their age and bombarded you with questions without holding back; wondering about who was their father and where he was, or if Uncle Reiji or Uncle Shizuma were their fathers. Back then, you couldn't bring yourself to tell them the truth or even utter a single word about the man missing in their lives.

You experienced a whole week of silent treatment from your two boys because you refused to answer, their stubbornness hard as a rock. You refuse to answer their questions? Well, they, of course, fight back by refusing to talk to you. Oh, children, right? Of course, Reiji and Shizuma were a big help because to the twins, the two of your friends were practically the only father figures that they had. Since Atsuhiko and Atsuhiro refused to utter a word to you, they tried their best to talk to the twins, avoiding certain parts that they were too young to know about, and explained that when they grew up and they were ready to know, you would eventually let them know.

Bless the heavens because, after that, your two boys returned to their loving yet sneaky nature, never asking or mentioning about their father again. However, the majority of the conversations about their father were kept in secret between the two. Atsuhiro wanting to know more while Atsuhiko pushing the idea away, but not wanting to upset his brother, he keeps his dismay of their missing father from Atsuhiro, who grew more eager to find his father as years go by.

"What's with all the excitement at such an early hour? You two always have so much energy. What's this I hear about wanting to play volleyball?" Shizuma saves you from answering and you share a silent communication to send your gratitude for the interference.

Atsuhiro breaks out into a grin at the sight of his favourite uncle and immediately approaches him, "Uncle 'zuma, do you know how to play volleyball? Can you teach me and Hiko? Please?"

Shizuma chuckles in response, ruffling the little boy's messy locks, "I'm not that good but if you and your brother are serious about wanting to learn volleyball, I know a friend that may be of help."

"You do?" Atsuhiko asks, excitement in his voice.

You repeat, arching a brow in curiosity, "You do?"

"Well he's more of Asuma's friend than mine but we're good acquaintances," he answers with a shrug of his shoulders, "I'll see what I can do for my two favourite nephews."

"Yes!" The twins exclaim happily at the same time before running towards each other to share their routine handshake.

"Now that's settled," Reiji starts, clapping his hands together to grab the attention from everyone in the room, "Aren't you two supposed to be getting ready for your day with Grandpapa and Grandmama Suwa? You wouldn't want to keep those two waiting, I heard they have a really big day planned ahead for the two of you."

Ah, Grandpapa and Grandmama Suwa. Reiji's parents, and well—your substitute parents and the twins' substitute grandparents. Despite not being biologically related, they treated the three of you like a real family. They helped you throughout your pregnancy and at the same time raising your two boys. They did what any grandparent would do, discipline and spoil them. You wouldn't change it for the world. The love they had for your boys was overwhelming, and Atsuhiko and Atsuhiro completely adored their substitute grandparents just the same.

Atsuhiro releases a gasp from his lips at the realization of the big day, he had been excited, to say the least, rushing to get prepared whilst Atsuhiko frowns and stays rooted in where he stood, "But today's Uncle Asuma's birthday! I want to go too!"

"No can do, kiddo." Shizuma shakes his head, crossing his arms across his chest; an indication the twins are familiar with that meant it was not up for any negotiation. "You know this party isn't for little boys, your Uncle Asuma already told you this, but he promised to take both of you out tomorrow to make up for it. You and Hiro can celebrate his birthday tomorrow, I promise."

Atsuhiko releases a dramatic sigh, throwing his little hands in the air as he stomps his way to get ready, knowing that if he were to argue, he would inevitably lose. Oh well, he thought to himself, Grandpapa and Grandmama are the best anyway.

"I don't know how you do it, 'zuma." You let out a laugh, shaking your head. "Those two have become spoiled to the core because of all of us, yet when it comes to you and their Grandpapa Riku, they suddenly become little angelic-slash-monsters who obey every command."

Shizuma lets a grin spread on his lips, "Some things can't be taught. Anyway, I'll get going. I have to help prep Asuma's party. I'll see you guys there."

"I'll get going too," Reiji declares as he stands up from his seat, "Don't back out of the party, I'll drag you there if I have to, I swear."

You roll your eyes at them, more so at Reiji than Shizuma, shooing them with your hands as you follow them to the front door, "Yeah, whatever. I'll be there. Stop worrying."

Dropping the twins at the Suwa Residence after eating lunch together was often smooth sailing as the twins always adored spending the day with their substitute grandparents. However, Atsuhiko expressed his dismay of being left behind once again insisting of wanting to attend his Uncle Asuma's birthday party, you had to pry his hands away from his grip on your leg. Thankfully, you had help from his Grandpapa Riku, and after waving goodbye to a smiling Atsuhiro and a scowling Atsuhiko, you were off to get a few errands done before heading to Asuma's apartment to celebrate his birthday, taking your sweet time to avoid your favourite, yet rowdy bunch of friends, only because they probably wanted you to help them set up the party, which you didn't want to take part in.

Honestly, you could have chosen otherwise but decided against skipping the errands that would most probably pile up despite the break Galaxy Standard was having. Plus, you may or may not have, forgotten to get a gift for Asuma and if you showed up empty-handed, well, you weren't going to hear the end of it.

Hours went by as you got through your list of errands, you were left with messages and certain phone calls that you ignored throughout the day, you were finally able to buy a suitable gift for your friend. All there was left to do was show up to the party that was apparently already in full swing. Thankfully, your friend's lavish apartment was around the corner.

You waited for the traffic lights to signal the safe journey across the busy streets, your grip on the neatly wrapped gift on one hand slightly tightening against you as you shiver from Japan's cool winter breeze bustling through the air, something you're still obviously not very fond of. For as long as you can remember, you hated the cold. It was a bitter reminder of the times you were utterly alone. You always preferred the warm temperature, whether it was from a fireplace or someone else, it kept you from going numb, made to remind you of reality.

The sound of your phone ringing startles you from your thoughts and you pull the device from one of your pockets, Reiji's name flashing across the screen. You grumble to yourself of his impatience before answering the call, bringing the device up to press against your ear. Before you could utter a word, he beats you to it in a demanding tone, "Where are you? You're late."

"Hold your horses, Rei." You answer in irritation as you look up ahead to check the traffic lights that still had the signal to stay where you were, "I'm almost there. Be patient." However, you couldn't process the words Reiji muttered next from the other line. Someone calling out your name catching your attention, your eyes widening slightly at the realization of who it was. Immediately, you cut off Reiji's rambling from the other line and ended the call, slipping the phone back into your pocket as you feel your shoulder tense at his presence standing next to you. "Osamu."

"So it is you," he blinks in disbelief, his eyes drinking your features bit by bit to check if he was dreaming or not, "You look different, I barely recognized you if it weren't for your voice, but it really is you."

You nod stiffly, "I suppose I would since it has been six years and all. What are you doing all the way here in Kanagawa?"

Suddenly, a memory flashes across your mind. A memory of earlier in your apartment, Shizuma mentioning a friend who knew how to play volleyball. No, it couldn't be, right?

"Ah, I'm actually checking a few spots around here for my business," he lifts his shoulders in a shrug, "So Kanagawa, huh? This is where you've been hiding all this time?"

Your lips press into a thin line, feeling uneasy under his gaze. Of course, you would, you're practically hiding a really big secret. "I'm sorry, I don't have time to chat. I have plans and my friends are already egging me on for being late."

The traffic lights save you from a painful conversation, signalling that it was safe to cross but before you could take a step away, you feel him grasp onto your shoulder to pull you back. You turned your head to face him, ready to fight him off but you halted your actions at the sign of sadness his features displayed. You took the time to examine his features, your heart practically leaping as you were able to take in everything unlike seconds ago where you were purposely trying to leave. Of course, back then when you were friends, you considered Osamu as handsome. I mean, why wouldn't you? You were practically in love with his twin brother who you found extremely handsome at the time. However, that wasn't what ran through your mind. You began thinking that Atsumu probably looked just as good, and suddenly you felt a shitload of bricks slamming right down on your shoulders, the feeling of panic surging through your veins, wondering if Atsumu was around too that you failed to notice Osamu pull out a small card from his wallet, holding it out for you to take. He seemed to read your thoughts as he spoke to reassure you, "Don't worry. He's not here, but..." He trails off, looking at you with hope in his eyes, "take this, it has my number on it. When you're ready, I'm here to listen. I always have been. I want to know what you've been up to. I want to catch up."

At Osamu's reassurance, you feel your shoulders slowly relax as you take the card from him, your eyes scanning the printed numbers and words, Ongiri Miya, making you realize that he hadn't pursued Volleyball like his twin often rambled on. You flicker your gaze up to meet his once more and he gives you a small smile. You slowly nod as you slip the card into one of your back pockets, "I have to go."

He watches you leave, the smile he had instantly morphed into a frown as he watches you walk away once more and eventually disappear from his line of sight. He silently prayed that you would contact him when you could, wanting to reconnect with you after all these years, to know why you left. He promises to himself that when you do decide to reach out, that you wouldn't mention anything to his idiot brother.

He noted the shift of your body, how your shoulders relaxed at the mention of someone not being around, he knew that you had thought about his brother. And it only confirmed his suspicion of you leaving because of what his brother had done six years ago, the last day people saw you in Hyōgo. However, something still was missing, he still craved an answer. You couldn't have left just because of Atsumu's actions. So what was it?

Either way, he was determined to find out. You may have not known it then, but Osamu cared about you a lot. However, due to you being blinded by his twin brother's light, you failed to notice. He wasn't going to let you go this time, he'll find a way to get you back in his life. His phone blares his ringtone, snapping him out of his thoughts. As he brings his phone up, he grumbles underneath his breath at the sight of his brother's incoming call. Speak of the devil.

"What is it?"

He hears his brother whine from the other line, "Can't I just call my brother once in a while?"

"You only ever do that when you're in trouble or need something," he retorts with a roll of his eyes.

Atsumu laughs in response, "How'd the shop searching go? Anything interesting so far? When you coming back?"

"Hold up, what's with the questions?" He laughs at the sound of his brother's enthusiasm. It's true, they often disagreed with each other but when it came to supporting each other's passion, they were always there for the other. He shifts his gaze over to where you stood moments ago, a smile ghosting his lips at the memory of the brief conversation the two of you shared. "Yeah, maybe something interesting here in Kanagawa after all." He listens to his brother speak excitedly over the phone causing him to shake his head at the ridiculous tone. "Oh? He's here? Maybe I can hit him up..."

After the encounter with Osamu, you practically quickened your pace to Asuma's apartment, your heart beating erratically. You hadn't even realized you were holding your breath until you were gasping for air. Luckily, the majority of Asuma's guests were preoccupied that they hadn't noticed your entrance. You were sure you looked embarrassing looking extremely flustered.

You hear your name being called and as soon as you caught your breath, you notice Shizuma calling you over, Asuma and Reiji along with someone you seem to recognize but can’t seem place in your mind. Walking over, your lips curl up to a small smile as you extend your arm to hand over Asuma's gift, "Happy Birthday, 'suma. Here's my gift."

Asuma's eyes instantly light up, retrieving the gift from you, "I was going to get mad at you for being late but since you have a gift for me, I'll let it slide. Did the boys pick this for me?"

"Gee, aren't I lucky." You drawl sarcastically, a laugh being shared within the group as you shake your head, "No, you think those two would let me give them your gift? They said they'll give it to you tomorrow when you take them out. Hiko was upset when I left him with his Grandpapa Riku, though. He had this cute little scowl." Your three friends laugh, imagining their nephew in their heads. You flicker your attention over to the person who was watching you interact with the others with amusement, you smile at him politely. "I'm sorry. How rude of me."

"Oh, right!" Shizuma speaks as soon as your name slips out of your mouth to introduce yourself, holding out your hand for a shake which he grabs, "This is the friend I was talking about that can teach the boys volleyball."

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" He starts with a grin as he shakes your hand firmly, his enthusiasm infectious. Releasing his grip on your hand, he sends a little wave, "Bokuto Koutarou I'm a friend of Asuma's. Shizuma here was just telling me about your boys and how they were interested in volleyball and I wouldn't mind helping them out."

Asuma adds, "He's a professional volleyball player for Japan's V.League in Division 1. MSBY Black Jackals was it?"

You watch as the man who you thought kind of resembled a horned owl nod his head towards Asuma's direction, something about him oddly familiar. You hum along, eyes widening slightly at the information. "Professional? Wow, colour me impressed. Wouldn't you be too busy to train two six-year-olds, then?"

"I'll speak for everyone who knows her two boys that they're absolute devils," Reiji chuckles with a shake of his head, "Fast learners though. We'd teach them how to run like in Stride if we could but their mother over here refuses."

You scoff, "Because that sport can be dangerous!"

"Stride, huh?" Bokuto butts in, interested. "But yes, I have some time to teach. I'm sure they'll be okay. I owe Asuma anyway. I don't mind."

The corners of your mouth twitch to an unsure smile. You didn't know if you were going to go through with this if you were honest, but it isn't exactly something you can reject as your three other friends were present, and they would do anything for their favourite set of twins, spoiled rotten those two were.

"Don't worry," Shizuma claims, nudging you with his elbow as he gives you a reassuring smile, "They'll be in good hands, one of us will find the time to attend their little training. We're not as busy lately due to our little holiday anyway."

You hum softly as you continue to examine Bokuto under your gaze before something in your mind clicks, eyes widening ever so slightly. “I think I know you! Weren’t you at the Christmas Party last year that Reiji held?”

He nods with a grin, “I was actually. Asuma invited me and I went along with a couple of friends. Funny how we’ve crossed paths before and yet we’re only meeting now, ay?”

“Ah, yeah. I think I remember now, sort of.” you laugh, nodding your head in agreement, “That party was crazy anyway. I don’t think anyone wants to remember that crazy night. Especially Reiji.”

The man mentioned scoffs, rolling his eyes. “That’s why whenever I plan parties it’s never at my place anymore.” He shudders at the memory, “Drunk bastards doing the nasty at my place. And that model’s awful moaning could be heard even when the music was blasting.”

You scrunch up your face in disgust, “Thankfully I left early then,”

An awkward laugh escapes Bokuto’s lips as he scratches the back of his neck sheepishly, “Yeah about that...”

“That was you?” you and Asuma let out a gasp, eyes widening while Shizuma bursts out laughing. Reiji on the other hand, obviously not amused at the information.

“Dude, what the heck!” Reiji exclaims, brows furrowing, “The least you could have done was choose a guest bedroom rather than on my own bed!”

“Oy!” he laughs, holding his hands out, “I didn’t say it was me. I was just saying I know who it was. It was one of my friends, but I’d rather not say who.”

Asuma joins his older brother Shizuma in laughing at the side while you try your best to calm down Reiji by tugging on his arm. “Anyway, Bokuto. I think we should talk about the schedule of your training with my boys. I’m sure they’ll be excited when they find out someone will be training them volleyball.”

Somehow, a part of you was screaming at you, telling you that this wasn't going to end well. Of course, you didn't realize at the time that you would come to regret such a decision, not like you had any say against it either. Your little boys were spoiled rotten and often got their way whether through innocent means or their sneaky tactics. It didn't help that their group of uncles were wrapped around their little fingers.

Ah, yes. You hadn't realized it yet, but it was the start of a roller coaster ride.

#atsumu x reader #atsumu x you #atsumu imagine #atsumu imagines #haikyuu #hq #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu imagines #atsumu miya x reader #miya x reader #miya imagine #miya imagines

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uncloseted · 3 years ago

Note

I’m planning to get an IUD , but i’m still has concerns tbh i’m lit a bit scared at the same time . I’m a regular smoker , i have very irregular schedule and I don’t want to take hormones either, so pills and other implants is not my option. The thing with IUD is that it’s says that it’s 99% effective , but i had not that “rare cases” when women with IUD get pregnant had a baby or had a ectopic pregnancy and almost survived from death. Also i know that the procedure is most likely very painful , but it’s not what concerns me , rather would i feel comfortable with it inside of me for a long term , esp during sex .

P/s I would highly appreciate if even followers who do has an experience with IUD share their thoughts about it here too . Thank you .

First of all, it's great that you're taking care of your reproductive health! That's super important to do.

IUDs are broken into two categories: hormonal IUDs (US brand names include Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla) and copper IUDs (US brand name is Paragard). Hormonal IUDs use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy, while copper IUDs prevent the sperm from getting to the egg by changing their movement patterns. Depending on the type of IUD you get, it can work for between 3-12 years, but they're not permanent- you can remove them at any time. Since you mentioned that you don't want to take hormones, I'm guessing you're planning on opting for a copper IUD instead of a hormonal one, so I'm going to focus on that for the rest of this post, although most of this information is true of all IUDs.

The copper IUD is the most effective method of birth control available at about 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that about 1 in every 1000 people with a copper IUD will get pregnant each year. They're nice because unlike with the hormonal birth control pill, there's no chance of making a mistake. You can't forget to take it or use it incorrectly. The copper IUD should be replaced after 12 years of having it.

At the appointment where you get your IUD, your nurse or doctor will start by asking you some questions about your medical history. They'll do an exam, and they may test you for STDs. Many doctors offer medicine to help numb the cervix before the IUD is put in, since some people feel cramping or pain when they're getting the IUD placed. Even without anesthetic, the process of getting an IUD is painless for some people. For people who do experience pain, it's usually comparable to strong period cramps and lasts only one or two minutes. The entire process takes about five minutes. Most people feel perfectly fine after they get an IUD, but some people do experience cramping or backaches similar to period pain after getting an IUD.

IUDs are typically very safe. If you have certain STDs or a pelvic infection, think you may be pregnant, or have cervical or uterine cancer, you may not be able to get an IUD. If you have a copper allergy, Wilson's Disease, or a bleeding disorder that makes it difficult for your blood to clot, you should avoid the copper IUD specifically. The most common risks of an IUD are that the IUD can slip out of your uterus (meaning that you can get pregnant) or a bacterial infection when the IUD is put in.

If you experience cramping, pain, or soreness in your lower belly or stomach, there's pain or bleeding during sex, you get unexpected fever, chills, or have trouble breathing, your discharge is different than normal, or you have bleeding that is heavier than usual, you want to call your doctor or nurse right away.

The IUD is very small, so you shouldn't be able to feel the IUD inside of you and your partner shouldn't be able to feel it during sex. If you or your partner can feel the IUD, you want to check with your doctor, as it may have dislodged from your uterus.

Of the pregnancies that occur in people using IUDs, an estimated 3-4% of them are ectopic. That's roughly 3 or 4 people in every 100,000 people who have an IUD (I think, if I did my math right). Fewer people with an IUD have ectopic pregnancies than people who are not using a form of birth control at all. For people living in developed countries, the risk of death from an ectopic pregnancy is between 0.1 and 0.3%. So the number of people who have an IUD that failed, leading to an ectopic pregnancy that caused their death is around 3 in 1,000,000 (again, if I'm doing the math correctly). That's incredibly rare. For reference, in the UK, the UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths found that ectopic pregnancy was the cause of only 6 maternal deaths total between 2006 and 2008. Between 2006 and 2008, about 261 women in the UK died directly or indirectly related to pregnancy total.

So you're actually significantly more likely to die from pregnancy if you don't take birth control than if you get an IUD. And you're way more likely to die from more mundane things, such as suicide, drug-related, alcohol-related, or smoking-related causes, a car accident, drowning, or a fall.

Ultimately, an IUD may or may not be the right option for you. But generally, it is a safe procedure that's not too painful and that is very effective without many downsides.

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melanielocke · 3 years ago

Text

Lost in the Shadows - Chapter 24

AO3

Taglist: @nott-the-best @foxglove-airmid @alastair-esfandiyar-carstairs1 @justanormaldemon @styxdrawings @ipromiseiwillwrite @a-dream-dirty-and-bruised@alastair-appreciation-month

Previous Chapter: Chapter 23

Next Chapter: Chapter 25

Lucie was exhausted. She’d used more magic today than she had in her entire life and when they were finished eating Thomas’ admittedly very good shepherd’s pie, she was so tired she wanted to go to bed. She usually had a bit of an irregular sleeping schedule, you never knew when inspiration might hit, but right now she needed sleep more than anything. She suspected no one else would want to go to sleep yet. Thomas and Alastair had curled up on the couch, cuddling while watching a movie. They both seemed to really like touch, Lucie noticed, which was something she’d expected from Thomas, but not Alastair. Cordelia had always described him as having difficulty showing physical affection, but perhaps it was different with Thomas. Cordelia was on the other couch, reading a book she’d borrowed from her.

‘Can I talk to you?’ she asked her mother.

‘Of course, Lu,’ her mother said. ‘Where did you want to go?’

She and her mother went upstairs to Lucie’s bedroom. She didn’t think Alastair had the energy required for messing with someone’s memory right now, so she left him. Perhaps he could help tomorrow, or whenever he felt like it. Restoring years of memories had to be hard.

‘Alright, so we freed Grace,’ Lucie said. ‘And she had some information. Including a story about a witch with powers similar to mine, who sealed the thief away in his realm and then fell asleep in the land in between for a 130 years.’

Tessa tilted her head. ‘Like sleeping beauty?’

‘I think she woke up by herself,’ Lucie said. ‘With the strange way time moves there, she could have just passed out for a little while, but woken up 130 years later. Anyway, according to Grace this woman’s name was Theresa Gray and she was the thief’s daughter. And she woke up about twenty years ago. The thief took her memories and replaced them with false ones.’

Tessa frowned. ‘And you think I was that witch in a past life? You know I have no powers, right? Nothing like what you can do.’

‘According to Grace, the thief took your powers.’

Jessamine walked into the room, through the wall as she so often did. Jessamine, who’d met a miss Gray who was a witch around the same time period…

‘Show yourself, Jess,’ Lucie said. ‘Come here.’

Jessamine sat down on her bed next to her.

‘Do you recognize my mother?’ Lucie asked.

Jessamine frowned. ‘She’s come here regularly for the past twenty years or so,’ she said.

‘No, I mean before that. What did Mr. Gray’s sister look like, the other one who could see you?’

‘Your mother looks a lot like her, Lucie. But she lived 150 years ago.’

‘But could they be the same person?’ Lucie asked.

Jessamine tilted her head. ‘It’s been a long time… But yes. It could have been her, if it weren’t for the time passed.’

‘See!’ Lucie said triumphantly. ‘It was you. You’ve been here after Jessamine died to offer condolences, because she was to be married to your brother.’

‘My brother died in a car accident,’ Tessa said. ‘In the 1990s.’

Lucie didn’t know much about this uncle, her mother barely talked about him and she didn’t even know his name. Now she began to suspect these false memories of everyone around her dying were the only way such a fake past could make sense. Because she’d woken up in this century alone, everyone she knew had died.

‘Alastair could help you,’ Lucie said. ‘To remember. It could be important. Besides, it must suck not knowing who you are.’

Tessa put her hand on Lucie’s shoulder. ‘I know who I am, Lu. I have a PhD and do medical research. I am your mother. But if in the past I was someone else, I am willing to find out.’

Lucie wanted to finish some writing but her eyes were falling shut, there was no point.

She slept restlessly that night. She dreamt of an old fashioned stone castle, a man on a throne decorated with bones. She only got glimpses of him. Of the horns on his head. No, they weren’t horns, they were antlers. A pair of red eyes. Not just the iris was red, the entire eye was, shining in the dark.

‘I know what you did, Lucie Herondale. I know what you are. And I will make you pay.’

Lucie shot up, drenched in sweat. Was it a nightmare, or a warning? Lucie couldn’t be sure. All she could see where those horrible eyes, burning red. She changed into a clean pajama, but at least the bed seemed clean enough. Lucie just wasn’t sure if she would fall back asleep. Her heart was still racing, and it was worse knowing that the monster might be real. Could that be him, the thief of souls? Grace had said he’d been human once, and beyond the antlers and the eyes he had been human in appearance, even if Lucie had only seen flashes. Had he found out she’d stolen Barbara from him? It seemed like an obvious explanation. Did he know about her mother? Barbara was still around here, Lucie wasn’t sure how or when she’d move on and neither was Barbara herself. She’d be safer when she wasn’t here as a ghost anymore, but perhaps she’d want a chance to talk to uncle Gabriel as well. Lucie imagined it would be harder for him though. Uncle Gabriel did not remember his mother at all, she wasn’t sure what it’d be like, to be confronted with a mother who’d died so long ago you didn’t remember her. But perhaps it was still nice to at least be given a chance to meet her, even if only once.

Lucie decided she could not go back to sleep and checked the time. It was around ten, she’d gone to bed very early. She suspected Cordelia might be going to bed right now. She usually went to bed around ten and considering it had been an exhausting day for her as well she didn’t think Cordelia would be up much later.

Lucie left her room, plushie sparrow in her arms, sprinting to where she knew the light switch was until she could turn it on. It was stupid and irrational, she knew, but part of her expected to see a pair of red glowing eyes any moment. Not that turning the light on would protect her but at least she felt safer. She walked over to Cordelia’s bedroom and knocked on the door.

Cordelia opened, wearing her pajama top but the jean shorts she’d changed into after showering.

‘Are you alright, Lu?’ she asked.

‘Nightmare,’ she said. ‘Can I come in?’

Cordelia gestured for her to come in and Lucie did, sitting down on Cordelia’s bed with her plushie sparrow. Cordelia had her redhead Persian cat plushie on the bed. Lucie knew Cordelia wanted to get a Persian cat for a pet when she lived on her own. Uncle Jem had one, although that little beast hated everyone except uncle Jem, her father in particular. Cordelia quickly changed into her pajama bottoms and sat down on the bed next to Lucie. Fortunately, there was enough space for the two of them.

‘What did you dream of?’ Cordelia asked, putting her arms around Lucie.

It was comforting, to be touched on her own terms, to be touched by Cordelia. It wasn’t always easy, but Cordelia would always be an exception. Her fingers were soft and send sparks down Lucie’s spine. Her arms were firm and applied just enough pressure for it to be comforting but not painful. Cordelia was both chubby and muscular, and it felt nice.

‘I think it might have been the thief of souls,’ Lucie admitted. ‘He said that he knew what I’d done and I’d pay the price. I don’t know, it could have been an ordinary nightmare. There’s no way to tell, is there?’

‘I don’t know,’ Cordelia said. ‘But I have cortana right here. If he so much as dares come close to you, I’ll stab him with my sword. I don’t care if he’s some all powerful immortal being. Cortana can kill anything.’

Lucie curled up against Cordelia. ‘That’s comforting. But I don’t know what to do. We’ve set Grace free, but now what? Even stopping Tatiana’s plans won’t be enough, not if the creature she works for is after me regardless of what she does.’

‘We’ll destroy it,’ Cordelia promised. ‘We’ll find a way. I won’t let anything hurt you.’

Cordelia kissed her forehead, gently running her fingers through her hair and Lucie felt herself burn up. Cordelia had no idea how she felt about her, did she? Lucie felt a little guilty about not telling her, but what if Cordelia didn’t feel the same way? She surely wouldn’t want to hold Lucie like this if she knew?

So instead she remained silent, both of them falling asleep like this. It worked, Lucie didn’t have any other nightmares. She slept until late the next morning, and only woke when Cordelia wanted to get out of bed and started moving. She felt rested again, as if she’d slept for a week.

After breakfast, Cordelia decided to help her and Thomas with wielding the dagger Alastair had given them. Lucie guessed when necessary she might stab something, but it was just as likely someone could disarm her and use the weapon against her. She didn’t want to rely on magic alone, she still hadn’t realized its full potential and it tired her too much. At least Thomas had some natural talent with the dagger.

Alastair was in conversation with Lucie’s mother, helping her with her memory Lucie guessed. It was difficult for Alastair because he had no starting point, but they’d taken Jessamine as a start and worked through association. Alastair had explained that he usually worked through timeline, but in this case association would be an easier way in. Lucie knew it had to be confusing for her mother. She couldn’t imagine finding out she was really a Victorian lady who’d travelled through time and forgotten all about it.

Her father helped out here and there as well. It was easy to forget he’d learnt all of this too, training with uncle Jem, but even after all these years he knew what he was doing.

‘I used to wield throwing knives,’ her father said. ‘I don’t think this dagger is balanced enough for throwing though. Excellent for stabbing. I must admit it looks very familiar, I think I used to have a dagger that looks just like this.’

Her father turned Lucie’s dagger around in his hand. ‘Even the jewels and the inscription matches. Where did you get this?’

‘Alastair gave it to me,’ Lucie said. ‘Not sure where he got it.’

‘It was a gift,’ Alastair clarified, who’d just came to join them. ‘Tessa is starting to remember, but I think it’s best to take it slowly. It’ll be easier now that the first memories came back.’

Will gazed up thoughtfully. ‘A gift, huh? Oh, of course, I gave the dagger away. A long time ago, to Charlotte Fairchild. Some monsters were after her, we later learned those were Benedict Lightwood’s as he held a grudge against her family or something, and Jem and I killed the beasts. I gave her a dagger that looked just like this one.’

***

Alastair didn’t know Charlotte Fairchild personally. He’d never met any of Charles’ family, aside from Matthew whom he knew from school. Charles had never wanted him to and Alastair had thought it was best at the time. He knew Charlotte was a member of the parliament for labour, and she was probably a much better politician than her son would ever be, but apart from that he didn’t know much about her. He certainly didn’t know she had once been involved in the supernatural as well.

‘Perhaps it’s a different dagger,’ Will mused. ‘Or Charlotte sold it or gave it away, I don’t think I ever asked what she did with it.’

‘Didn’t you say this one was a gift from your ex?’ Lucie asked.

Alastair stiffened. He hadn’t realized at all, but if Will knew Charlotte, did he also know Charles? It made sense, of course. His son James was best friends with Matthew Fairchild. But Charles had always seemed a bit like an isolated person to Alastair. Not in the sense that he had no friends or family, but Alastair didn’t know anyone Charles spent time with, and therefore it had never occurred to him that other people might know Charles.

‘Yes, I did. Charles never told me where he’d gotten it, I’d assumed he’d bought it.’

Perhaps Charles had found it among his mother’s old things and asked if he could have it, so he could give it to Alastair? Charles had never said it had belonged to his mother, he’d never said anything about where he’d gotten it and Alastair had assumed he must have bought it, although he’d never asked. He’d assumed the dagger must have been expensive considering the jewels. Charles was rich and had not shied away from giving him expensive gifts Alastair never could have bought on his own. Those gifts had made him feel so special, had made him forget about all the times Charles had dismissed him or pressured him into doing something. Had convinced him the pain didn’t matter because Charles loved him.

Of course, Alastair didn’t care much about how much money someone was spending on him, and he would have liked it if someone found him such a gift among his mother’s things, but not telling about it and letting Alastair believe he’d bought it was weird, right?

‘You mean you got it from Charles Fairchild? Charles was your ex?’

Alastair could easily read the shock on Thomas’ face. ‘I didn’t realize you knew him.’

‘I always saw him as Matthew’s annoying older brother, but I did know him. He used to be friends with my sisters. My parents have been very close with Charlotte and Henry for as long as I can remember, I’ve come there since I was a child. I never realized he might be someone I knew.’

Stupid, Alastair thought. Of course they knew Charles. Charles might have kept him away from his family and friends, but Matthew was Charles’ younger brother and Matthew and Thomas had been friends since they were little, before Charles had moved out. Did everyone here know him?

‘Charles Fairchild is your ex?’ Lucie’s eyes were wide with shock, but she also seemed intrigued.

Alastair stepped back. He knew what would happen, of course, he wasn’t stupid. Some unnamed man they had never heard of they could vilify. Someone they didn’t know could have been an abuser. But if they knew Charles, they would believe him over Alastair, wouldn’t they? They’d know him as he presented himself to the world, charming and hardworking and considerate, and would question Alastair’s story. Was he really that bad? Hadn’t he just asked for it?

He hadn’t told Will and Tessa the details about his relationship, of course, only Cordelia, Thomas and Gideon knew more than that he had broken up with someone some months ago. Now he couldn’t tell anyone else, couldn’t count on them to believe him. Not that he’d intended to necessarily, but he wished he could have.

‘Yes,’ Alastair said stiffly. ‘He gave me that dagger when I turned seventeen. I didn’t know it belonged to his mother before I got it. I didn’t want to return it after the break up, so that’s why I gave it to Lucie.’

Will didn’t seem to have any additional questions, but Alastair wasn’t so sure what he thought of the story. Even without any information, he had to be able to figure out Alastair had been a minor at the time of their relationship and Charles was not. Of course, not everyone thought that was wrong.

Alastair retreated inside, just as Tessa came outside. Looking for him? She’d just remembered visiting Jessamine in this house, the easiest entry to her old memory and had to be very overwhelmed. Not sure what to do now, the only distraction offered by the ringing of a doorbell. He guessed that would be Thomas’ parents, so Alastair went to open the door. Gideon would find out Charles had been his ex, right? Someone he’d known since he was a child. Alastair was a little overwhelmed from the discovery, scared what everyone would think. He opened the door expecting Thomas’ parents. Instead, it was his cousin Jem.

‘What are you doing here?’ Alastair realized that sounded rather rude. He’d been working at being nicer lately. Only for people who deserved it, of course, but Jem was one of those people. ‘Sorry. I mean, I wasn’t expecting you here.’

‘That’s alright. I came because I was worried.’

Alastair frowned. ‘Why?’

Had Will told Jem of what was happening here? Considering how close they were, he probably would have.

‘I haven’t heard a thing from Will and Tessa in some time,’ Jem said. ‘Nor has your mother heard anything from you or your sister.’

‘I’ve texted her every single day. She hasn’t read anything though.’

He and Thomas had speculated something like this might be going on, something blocking their lines of communication. He guessed that must be true. He led Jem to the living room.

‘I suspected something like this could happen. Will did mention something of the supernatural being active here, and sometimes that interferes with communication. I have not been able to reach any of you, nor did Gabriel and Cecily.’

‘Gideon said he couldn’t reach Gabriel, but apparently it was not unusual for Gabriel to disappear like that,’ Alastair said.

In this age of phones and technology, Alastair couldn’t imagine not responding to anything for several days.

‘That’s because back when he and Cecily still investigated the supernatural, phones tended to go haywire when they were deep in the middle of something. It’s something they got used to.’

The idea of his mother not sending a reply at all because she didn’t receive anything was certainly better than her purposely ignoring him, especially after Alastair had sent her a picture of him and Thomas.

‘And now it’s happening here.’

‘Yes,’ Jem said. ‘Your enemy wants to isolate you. That’s why I came here, I knew something was going on and you might need help.’

‘Well, you’re not wrong,’ Alastair said. ‘How is my mother?’

‘She is a bit worried, but I assured her there was no need for her to come here, that I would check in. I told her there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to reach her either. There’s something else she’s been wanting to tell you and your sister, but since she’s been unable to contact either of you, she’s asked me to tell you.’

Alastair was instantly sick with worry. ‘She’s not going back to Father, is she?’

‘No, that’s not it. Do you still not wish to know how your father has been doing? Otherwise I could give you some more information.’

Alastair considered his options. ‘I just want to know that my mother is safe from him,’ he said.

‘He’s at a clinic,’ Jem said. ‘Your mother has not visited. She is trying to find a way to get the house back after the divorce, but is currently still staying with Risa.’

Alastair was not sure what to think of that. Alastair had lived the first few years of his life in the old Carstairs manor, but his father had been forced to sell it because of financial problems. Jem had bought it back some years later, as a doctor he had the income to afford it. Not to mention he probably had saved his inheritance instead of spending it on alcohol. They’d moved into a smaller but honestly still bigger than average house, which had been paid for at least partially with his mother’s money. Who would get the house after the divorce was a bit tricky. While it would be convenient for them to have the house, Alastair feared there were too many bad memories attached to it. He didn’t want to go back to living there, even without his father.

‘You know, my offer still stands. You can come live with me,’ Jem added. ‘I have plenty of space.’

Alastair knew moving in with Jem was probably more practical than living with Risa. She didn’t really have the space to accommodate an entire family since she’d always lived on her own and didn’t have a high income like Jem did. The main reason he’d turned down the offer was because he didn’t know Jem all that well. Father had always done the best he could to keep him away from their family, and he was this distant relative he vaguely knew of. But after sharing a room with Cordelia for some time, he guessed perhaps moving in with Jem was a better idea. He’d even considered moving out altogether like many students did, but he didn’t think that was feasible with the money he had, not without getting roommates who were likely going to be messy and consumers of alcohol like students often were. Not to mention people often chose their new roommates and Alastair knew realistically, no one would choose him. Even if he didn’t know Jem all that well, living with him would probably be preferable.

‘I’ll think on it,’ Alastair said. ‘At this point it might be the only feasible idea. I don’t think it would be right to impose on Risa for much longer.’

‘You and your mother and sister will always be welcome with me,’ Jem said. ‘Now, how are you? With everything that’s been happening, I imagine this summer was not the escape you’d hoped it would be.’

‘Not really,’ Alastair said. ‘But it’s not all bad. I’ve grown closer to Thomas. We’re in a relationship now. It’s all very new though, and I find it difficult to open myself again, or to accept that he cares. He keeps saying he does, but this voice in my head tells me he couldn’t possibly care about me.’

‘It’s hard, to accept that you are loved after everything you’ve been through,’ Jem said. ‘To believe it, really.’

Alastair felt a bit embarrassed by it all, as he often did. Both Jem and his therapist had often assured him having a mental disorder was nothing to be ashamed of, but that didn’t stop Alastair from feeling weak and broken.

‘I will think about moving in with you at the end of the summer,’ Alastair decided, if only because it was the least bad option he had. He didn’t want to make a permanent decision yet, but it was a good option. He knew few people had the luxury of having a cousin he could just move in with. ‘But on one condition. I do get to keep my dagger collection.’

‘You still have those, then?’

‘They’re important to me,’ Alastair insisted. ‘Right now, we use them in case we need to defend ourselves, but beyond that they’re decorative.’

‘I don’t mind them,’ Jem said. ‘I’m just concerned that you’ll hurt yourself.’

‘I could also hurt myself with razor blades and kitchen knives. But I don’t. I’ve never cut myself, and I don’t intend to start,’ Alastair said.

To be honest, he did understand why some people did. Some had said that cutting made the pain go away for a moment and Alastair could understand doing anything to make the pain go away. Alastair had been more prone to hurting others than himself though, lashing out as a way of coping. Both were quite maladaptive coping methods, but fortunately Alastair had at least learnt to stop lashing out.

‘I trust you,’ Jem said. ‘Are you getting along with the others here? You always struggled socially.’

Some time ago Jem had considered that like Lucie, he might be autistic, but Alastair wasn’t sure. His issues with social interaction could also be due to trauma. It was always frustrating, how people around him worried about his lack of friends. He was still considering getting tested for it, but waiting lists for autism assessment, especially in adulthood, were endless and the longer he postponed making a decision, the longer it would take.

‘I am,’ Alastair said. ‘Mostly with Thomas.’

‘Yes, you mentioned you were in a relationship with him. Is he treating you well? Better than the last one, I hope,’ Jem said.

‘Yes he is. He is sweet. Speaking of the last one, do you know Charles Fairchild? I just discovered that everyone else here knows him.’

Alastair figured it anyone would be on his side, it would be Jem, so perhaps it was best to hear how well everyone knew Charles from Jem. He very much did not want to talk about Charles, but he also knew he should be prepared.

‘I knew him well when he was a child. Lately, not so much. I still see Henry and Charlotte, but Charles doesn’t live with them anymore, so I haven’t seen him in a while. You don’t mean to say he is your ex boyfriend?’

‘Everyone knows him apparently. I didn’t realize. And I told Thomas and Gideon the whole story without mentioning his name. But now Thomas knows it was him because of the goddamn dagger and why would they believe me over someone they knew since he was a child?’

‘Alastair, I believe you,’ Jem said. ‘That I did not expect such a thing from Charles only tells me I did not know him at all. Some people are simply good at hiding what they’re really like.’

Alastair guessed he was such a person too. He spent so much time hiding how broken and awful he really was.

‘I do not think knowing the person who hurt you will make them stop believing you,’ Jem added. ‘They might be shocked to know Charles was capable of such a thing, and I understand you might prefer not to discuss it, but they will still believe you.’

‘How can you know?’

‘Because Will and Tessa and Gideon and Sophie are my friends, and I trust them. Now, where are Will and Tessa? I would like to greet them.’

‘They’re just outside,’ Alastair said, leading Jem into the garden where Cordelia and Will were still helping Thomas and Lucie wield their daggers properly.

Truly becoming skilled with them would take years, but they would have to make do with the time they had.

‘Jem, I didn’t know you were coming!’ Tessa said.

‘I had become worried,’ Jem said. ‘And I missed you.’

Jem hugged Tessa, and then Will. Alastair envied their close friendship sometimes, one that had endured over the years even after Will and Jem had stopped training to fight together. Perhaps he really did lack the social skills to build such a friendship.

‘I think we all missed you,’ Will said. ‘I didn’t realize you’d be coming.’

‘You’ve been cut off from communicating with people outside,’ Jem said. ‘I realized when none of you responded to me, or Gabriel, or Sona. I thought it would be best to come here and see for myself. Gabriel and Cecily would have come, but they couldn’t find a babysitter.’

‘Of course. You’re always welcome here,’ Tessa said.

‘Now I do have to deliver a message to Cordelia and Alastair,’ Jem said.

Alastair and Cordelia followed Jem back inside. He was still worried, scared something was not right. All he knew was his mother was not going back to his father.

‘What is it?’ Cordelia asked. ‘Nothing bad, I hope?’

‘No, nothing bad. She really wanted to tell you this herself, but considering the circumstances she gave me permission to tell you. She is expecting a child.’

‘Wait, what? And how?’ Cordelia asked.

‘She likely got pregnant shortly before leaving Elias,’ Jem said. ‘And didn’t realize until after you two left. Despite the circumstances she is very happy about it and excited to meet her new baby. She hopes you are as well.’

‘Yes, of course,’ Cordelia said. ‘But wow, I really did not expect a baby sibling,’ Cordelia said.

‘Me neither,’ Alastair said. ‘But the baby will have everything they need. They won’t be burdened by Father.’

Alastair could never have guessed he’d have another baby sibling, but even now, not knowing them at all, he knew he’d do anything for the baby. He knew he could not quite be a father, but he could be a good older brother, a better one than he’d been to Cordelia at least. He could make sure the baby wouldn’t have to grow up like he had, and would always have someone to tell them they were loved and perfect and enough as they were. Although Alastair could never have anticipated this news, he was happy.

#Lucie Herondale #Cordelia Carstairs #Alastair Carstairs #Thomas Lightwood #Lucelia #Thomastair #the last hours #tlh #fanfiction

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kristenbrady · 11 months ago

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Want a Job As An Emoji Translator?

I found 12 entry-level remote jobs that don’t require a college degree and I can almost guarantee that you haven’t seen these before. So, if you appreciate me doing all of this research about these types of job opportunities and you want to see more articles like this, go ahead and click here to catch every story when I publish!

Emoji Translator

I thought I’d start off with a funny one. You’ve probably never heard of this one before and basically what they do is translate Emoji strings into comprehensible language. Yes this is a thing. There’s even an article on CNBC about a guy who makes a living doing this. Not only do they make a living, but they actually make pretty good money. On average, Emoji Translators make $61,000 a year. Really! The pros of this one are it’s flexible, it can definitely be fun, and it’s a field with growing demand. The cons of this one are it’s highly niche, so it may not be around forever, and there’s a lot of risk of misinterpretation.

Virtual Property Manager

This is someone who acts as an essential connector between landlords and tenants and essentially, they manage daily tasks related to rental properties. So many aspects of a property manager’s job can be done remotely, and so this is a job that’s sought after by property managers, real estate companies, and landlords. Virtual property managers make about $83,000 a year, so there’s really good money here.

Jobs Available:

Story Real Estate, LLC (Apply via Indeed)

Bizva (Apply via JobTogether)

The pros of this one are flexible work schedule, potential for high earnings, and it’s one of the best industries that you can work in. The cons of this one are potentially irregular hours, legal compliance, as well as liability issues, plus, there may be challenges with customer service if you have some really annoying tenants.

This is a job in which you meticulously scrutinize culinary recipes to ensure the instructions are clear, the ingredients are logical, and the quantities are reliable. This is a job that is typically going to be hired by food magazines, cookbook publishers, and online culinary sites. Recipe editors do make $58,000 a year, so pretty good money, especially for an entry-level job.

The pros of this one are going to be a flexible and remote schedule, you get exposure in the cooking and food industry, and there’s room for constant learning and development. Some of the cons of this one are the pressure of maintaining accuracy, it can be very tedious, and it requires continuous learning and adaptation to new culinary trends. So you might have some kind of recipe and then you need to figure out how to edit it and convert it into a keto-friendly recipe or a gluten-friendly recipe.

Jobs Available:

Static Media (Apply via Media Bistro)

Check out job boards like Upwork

Wellness Coordinator

What they do is promote wellness programs, ensuring people meet their health and wellness goals. Wellness coordinators make a very healthy $56,000 a year. Some of the pros of this one are it can be very rewarding helping people with their health, you are preventing health issues rather than having to help them once they already have the health issues, and it’s very flexible. Some of the cons of this one are you have to be able to motivate clients, which can be difficult, and it can be quite stressful to manage a large amount of people.

Jobs Available:

My Travel Connection (Apply via LinkedIn)

Paradise Caribbean Getaways (Apply via LinkedIn)

This is essentially someone who is an expert who enlightens households on the wonders of solar energy. To be honest with you, this is a little bit more of a sales position, even though it’s called a solar consultant, but this is still really good. In fact in 2022, it was named one of the top 10 best jobs. There’s other names for this one like “Solar Representative” or “Solar Sales,” etc. Solar Consultants make $165,000 a year. So, this is just another example of how you can learn sales skills and you can make a ton of money in so many different Industries as long as you have that skill set down.

Tarot Reader

This is where people use tarot cards to gain insight into their past, as well as their future. You might be laughing right now, but tarot readers make $88,000 a year. The pros here are going to be a flexible schedule, and it’s a pretty fun and relaxing job. The cons here are your income may be unpredictable, you may face skepticism, and it probably takes time for you to build a client base.

Jobs Available:

Silver Owl — Phoenix (Apply via LinkedIn)

The Psychics Connection Inc. (Apply via Bebee)

Buckwood Communications (Apply via ZipRecruiter)

Tax Preparer

We do have taxes coming up here pretty soon, unfortunately, and tax preparers are the crafters of accurate and compliant tax returns. A lot of the time you’re going to get hired by accounting firms, tax firms, as well as corporations. This is a super easy one to get into, but it doesn’t pay all that well. You make about $41,000 a year.

The pros here are a flexible schedule, lots of remote work options, and there is a seasonal surge in demand, which I guess could be a pro or a con depending on what you want. The cons here are that tax season can sometimes feel like being stuck in a hurricane, managing client’s financial expectations can be difficult, and it can be a stressful job, overall, especially during tax season.

Jobs Available:

Wrightway Financial Services (Apply via SimplyHired)

Intuit (Apply via Intuit)

This one is also a consultant, which is kind of a salesperson, but it’s a little bit more on the consultant side. They specialize in home automation and technology. For instance, there’s a lot of people out there who can just say the word and their air conditioner comes on, or they say the word and their shower, or their fireplace comes on, etc.

In this role you make about $81,000 a year, so it’s still really good money. Some of the pros of this one are you get to learn about cutting-edge technology, there’s high demand in the growing smart home industry, and you have a variety of different types of daily tasks because everybody’s home and their home needs are going to be different. Some of the cons of this one are the field is evolving rapidly so you have to stay up to date on the latest technology, and it may involve dealing with intricate systems so you have to be very tech-savvy.

Jobs Available:

ADT Security Services (Apply via ZipRecruiter)

Check out possible freelance jobs from Upwork

Conversation Designer

This is someone who crafts dialogue for AI assistance and this is done to make interactions feel more natural and realistic. This is an entry-level job, very easy to get into, and they make about $52,000 a year. Some of the pros of this one are you get to work in an emerging field, it’s a pretty fun job, and it’s also flexible and available remotely. Some of the cons of this one are you constantly have to upskill, it can be challenging, and you do have to be somewhat tech savvy.

Jobs Available:

Live Person (Apply via ConversationDesignerJobs.com)

MotionRecruitment (Apply via Talent)

Documentation Specialist

You’re going to be like a guardian of a company’s documents, making sure that they’re securely stored, but they’re also easily accessible for the right person. A lot of the time you’ll be working in either the finance industry, maybe legal, healthcare, etc., basically industries where it’s very important that you keep accurate documentation.

You’ll keep those documents safe. This is an entry-level job, relatively easy to get into, and on average, they make about $42,000 a year. Some of the pros of this one are there are lots of entry-level remote opportunities available, there’s different industries that you can choose from, and it’s extremely independent, meaning you don’t have to work with a lot of other people. Some of the cons are it can be relatively boring and monotonous, and you need to have incredibly good attention to detail.

Jobs Available:

Bankers Financial Corp (Apply via Indeed)

California Creative Solutions (Apply via Monster)

Xoriant Corporation (Apply via Dice)

If you’re someone who really likes working with animals, this could be a great one for you. In this position you are essentially the backbone of any veterinary practice. You’ll be doing exactly what the title suggests. You are assisting the veterinarian. This is an entry-level job, relatively easy to get into, and yes, there are actually remote positions available.

Typically, these would be fielding questions from people who are bringing their pets in. You could make about $44,000 a year. Some of the pros of this one are there are work from home opportunities, believe it or not, you’ll have a diverse set of daily tasks, and you get to help animals. Some of the cons of this one are emotional stress, you may be required to work on call, and salaries may be lower, compared to in-clinic positions.

Jobs Available:

Chewy (Apply via HireSolutions)

Whiskers Worldwide LLC (Apply via ZipRecruiter)

Alliance Animal Health (Apply via Learn4Good)

Localization Specialist

This is an interesting position where you adapt text and graphics from one language into another, ensuring that the product appears native to its target audience. Typically, you’d get hired by IT, manufacturing, and other types of businesses, and it’s kind of like being a translator for a book, but instead of just translating words, you’re translating the entire essence of the book from one culture to another.

Jobs Available:

Cella (Apply via JobTogether)

JobzMall (Apply directly to JobzMall)

Kristen is a contributor on Medium. Sign up here to catch every story when she publishes.

Grab my audiobook on Audible: How to Productize Your Services: How to Make Money While You’re Sleeping or on paperback through Amazon here .

Follow Me on Substack: https://substack.com/@kristenb. Start monetizing your newsletter today through Beehiiv.

Note: This story includes affiliate links. I earn income from purchases through this link.

Originally posted on Medium

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not-majestic-bluenicorn · 4 years ago

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Crescent || Chapter 9

Fandom(s): ATEEZ

AU: Treasure Hunters

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Relationship: Everyone x Everyone, Established Hongjoong x Yunho

Language: English

Status: Ongoing

Chapter WC: 4,590 words

Warnings: Character Death, Stabbing, Fighting, Blood, Aliens, War, Funerals, Kidnapping, Attempted Kidnapping, Mentions of Child Abuse / Child Work, Explosions, Murder Attempt, Robbery, Homeless/Runaway Character, more will be added.

Chapter Warnings: Blood, mentions of amputation.

Summary:

"I want to help Hongjoong with the map," he declared as he stood in front of Yunho, stopping him from walking away.

"That is not part of your duties, also, he is Captain to you," Yunho replied, looking down at Yeosang. "Limit yourself to doing your duties, that's it." Yunho stepped aside to continue walking but Yeosang stepped aside too, blocking him again. He put his hands up to keep Yunho from stumbling on him, and then looked up at him.

"I learned everything there was to learn from my father, who was the best Space Artist in Tebos," Yeosang's eyes were fierce. "I want to help the Captain."

AO3

<< Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Next Chapter >>

Tagged: @angel0taiyo

A few days after the whole incident with Yeosang, Wooyoung found himself in Umeri. Obviously The Crescent wasn't there anymore, but at least Wooyoung was able to keep track of them that way. He had continued visiting Yeosang in his dreams, using the opportunity to learn more about the other crew members.

Yeosang especially liked to talk about Mingi and Jongho, whom he had become close with. Wooyoung liked to hear him talk about them, since he had never seen him act brighter than when he was telling Wooyoung something new he had learned about them. It was endearing, and it also gave him hope that things would go as they were supposed to.

That night, however, Wooyoung decided to visit someone other than Yeosang. Choosing between Mingi and Jongho had been difficult, but in the end he had opted to introduce himself to Mingi first, since he seemed to be the most welcoming out of the two and the less likely to ask questions Wooyoung wasn't ready to answer. It wasn't too difficult to find Mingi's dreams.

The necklace seemed to be especially tuned to the people that formed part of his destiny in a more direct way. Plus, with all the practice he had gotten with Yeosang, he was already learning to identify which 'path', so to speak, led to the dreams of which person. He had also gotten used to sleeping at irregular times, adapting to the schedule of the crew he was following instead, so it wasn't especially hard to find Mingi.

When he entered the dream, Wooyoung found himself in a cozy underground home, which formed part of a larger network of interconnected caves that made up what Wooyoung assumed to be Mingi's hometown. Wooyoung navigated along the corridors following his instinct. Naturally, he had never been there, but he had gotten so much better at connecting with the owners of the dreams that he was able to find his way easily.

He found Mingi sitting with a bunch of kids surrounding him, some half asleep while others followed his hands enthusiastically as he told them a story. Wooyoung quickly realized that this was some sort of nursery, as the floor was covered with thick blankets that served as the kids' beds. He stopped at the entrance of the room and listened in silence to Mingi's story, not wanting to disrupt him.

"And then what did you do?!" One of the kids asked, the excitement making him jump up and down.

"I ran back into the cave, of course!" Mingi laughed, trying to calm the kid down at the same time. "What if someone was hurt and needed help? I couldn't leave them behind."

"Mingi is a hero!" A little girl exclaimed, accidentally waking up one of the other kids that had already fallen asleep. Mingi was quick to soothe the kid back to sleep as he chuckled, prompting the two excited kids to sit back down so he could finish telling his story. The two kids finally sat down, looking up at Mingi with wide eyes and expressions of pure awe. Wooyoung had to keep himself from chuckling since he didn't want to get the other's attention just yet, but it was endearing to see him like that, surrounded by kids.

"What happened next then?" A kid asked, impatient because they wanted to hear the rest of the story.

"So I went back into the mine, right?" Mingi continued, and the kids nodded enthusiastically. "I heard someone crying for help, so I ran to them. A rock had hit their head and they couldn't see because it was dark and they were bleeding!"

All of the kids gasped, and Wooyoung was so absorbed by the story that he couldn't help his own gasp. He covered his mouth quickly, panicking for a moment until he realized Mingi hadn't noticed him just yet. He sighed softly and put his hands down, focusing back on the story.

"It was Lily, as you might remember," Mingi told the kids, who nodded enthusiastically. "I helped her out, but right as we were going to leave the mine, we heard a very loud cracking sound."

Wooyoung leaned closer much like the kids, completely lost in the emotions Mingi portrayed through his voice. For a moment, he forgot this was nothing more than a dream made out of Mingi's memories and he found himself present in his reality, on his home planet, listening to a bedtime story with the rest of the kids. For a moment, he forgot why he was there in the first place and just listened.

"When we looked up, we saw this big boulder breaking off of the mountain and falling towards us!" Mingi made a big gesture with his hands, imitating the sounds of the boulder falling down. "We ran, but we didn't have enough time, so I pushed Lily away from the impact zone with all the force that I had!" Mingi folded his leg and showed his wooden prosthetic to the kids. "The rock fell on my leg and trapped it, so I lost it, but it's okay because me and Lily are alive, and I get to tell this story to you."

Mingi smiled as he was enveloped in hugs by the kids that were still awake. They all told him he was like a superhero and that he was so cool and so brave and Mingi just chuckled, nodding at them and patting their heads. It didn't take long before the kids began asking him to tell them another story, but Mingi shook his head instead.

"You have to sleep, it's late already." He stood up and began tucking the kids in.

Wooyoung was focused observing Mingi's leg, wondering how much it must have hurt him to lose it, and if it still hurt. He didn't realize Mingi was looking at him until he stopped listening to the incessant chatter of the kids and looked up. The kids, the room, everything around them had disappeared and Mingi was just staring at him with a mix of confusion and distrust.

His pose was defensive, and Wooyoung immediately cursed himself for slipping like that. He hadn't meant to disturb Mingi's dream and ruin it for him. The other had seemed to be happy playing and talking to the kids, and Wooyoung wanted to see more of that, but he had been careless and Mingi had discovered him.

"I'm so sorry, I-" Wooyoung began apologizing. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop like that, I didn't know you were talking about-" Wooyoung looked towards Mingi's leg for a moment and Mingi stepped away, trying to hide it with the rest of his body.

"Who are you? What is this?" Mingi asked. He seemed ashamed and confused, hurt. Wooyoung felt horrible.

"I'm Wooyoung, and we are inside your dream," Wooyoung went straight to the point, feeling bad enough for Mingi and not wanting to confuse him more.

"That would explain why I was with the kids and not..." Mingi looked around, wary of the darkness that surrounded them. Wooyoung extended a hand and, with some effort, materialized The Crescent how he remembered it.

"And not on Captain Hongjoong's ship?" Wooyoung offered

"H-How do you know?" Mingi asked, visibly surprised.

"I know a lot of things..." Wooyoung sighed. "I uhm... You could say the Universe sent me here on a mission?" It was getting harder and harder to come up with explanations to hide his identity, and he was beginning to get a bit tired of it.

"So you are like... A messenger from the future?" Mingi asked, not convinced. Wooyoung grimaced but nodded anyway.

"Let's leave it at that for now," He decided, not wanting to make things more complicated. "I'm really sorry, though."

"It's fine..." Mingi looked at his leg. "It's not like I can hide the fact that I'm missing half a leg that easily."

"Yes but it's your story, you should be able to choose who to tell it to," Wooyoung sighed. "I shouldn't have eavesdropped into your story, I should have 'awoken' you as soon as I got here."

Mingi considered Wooyoung for a moment. He understood where his curiosity had come from, since most people asked him how he had lost his leg almost immediately after meeting him, even some of the crew members aboard The Crescent had done it. He didn't like it when people asked him like that, it made him feel like some sort of circus, and a lot of them also pitied him.

Sure, the kids considered him a hero, and even some of the adults at his town had thought of him as one for a while. But after losing his leg he had become basically useless to the community. He was still one of the best at managing explosives, but due to his injury he couldn't work with as much efficiency as before, and the attitude of others towards him had changed because of that.

Still, Wooyoung seemed to understand why it was important to him, and looked truly apologetic. Mingi didn't have the heart to stay mad at this stranger that had found his way into his dream. He sighed and shrugged, deciding it was best to just put this situation behind him. He couldn't be any more self conscious about it than he was already.

"It's fine, don't worry about it anymore," Mingi smiled. "Thanks for apologizing, though."

"It's the least I can do, since I can't undo what I've heard..." Wooyoung mumbled, turning around and observing the rest of the deck. "Is my imitation of the ship good enough?"

"There's a couple of things off," Mingi pointed out, looking around as well. "But it's pretty close, how did you know what it looks like?"

"I told you, I know a lot of stuff," Wooyoung smiled mischievously. "I won't deny I had some help, but you'll figure that out later."

"Why are you visiting my dreams?" Mingi asked instead, not really one to insist over secrets.

"Well, you're part of a very important mission that you and me, and a few others, must carry out!" Wooyoung explained, happy that they were moving past the awkwardness from before.

"And what is that mission? Who are the others?" Mingi felt his interest peak. How could someone like him be part of an important mission in any way? That didn't make much sense. "Are you sure you have the right person?"

"Of course I have the right person!" Wooyoung seemed surprised at this question. "Are you implying the Universe is wrong?" He frowned.

"Well, no, but..." Mingi lowered his eyes, looking at the polished floor of the deck. "Someone like me isn't suited for great things."

"I'm not letting you say that in front of me," Wooyoung grumbled, grabbing Mingi's hands. "The Universe never lies, and I'm a messenger of the Universe, so you're gonna have to stop that train of thought and get off of it."

Mingi looked up at him and blushed, he hadn't expected Wooyoung to be so bold when he had looked so apologetic and small before. Despite their height difference, Mingi couldn't help but feel so small in front of his presence. Wooyoung was looking at him with such an intensity that Mingi felt truly looked at for the first time, and it made his heartbeat pick up.

"Okay..." He nodded, because he simply didn't know how else to answer to something like that. "Won't you tell me what this is about, though?"

"I can't yet," Wooyoung shook his head. He smiled at him right after and gave a soft squeeze to Mingi's hands. "I'll tell you more when the time is right, but for now just believe in me, okay?"

"Okay..." Mingi whispered.

"I have to go, we'll see each other again!" Wooyoung smiled, giving one last squeeze before disappearing. It took a while before Mingi was able to look away from where he had been standing.

Yeosang had been briefed on their mission after a couple of days in the ship, and while he had been assigned to more menial tasks aboard the vessel, he had been itching to talk with Hongjoong and offer him his help. As he had told Wooyoung, he felt indebted to their Captain, who had not only saved his life but also offered him a way out of Tebos. Now Yeosang wanted to repay him doing what he knew best: sailing.

He was helping clean the deck when he saw Yunho pass by and immediately approached him. Yunho was a bit intimidating, and Yeosang was conscious about the fact that, at first, the First Mate hadn't wanted him aboard the ship. But he couldn't just barge into Hongjoong's quarters without permission, and the only one who could give him permission other than the Captain was, for some reason, Yunho.

"I want to help Hongjoong with the map," he declared as he stood in front of Yunho, stopping him from walking away.

"I learned everything there was to learn from my father, who was the best Space Artist in Tebos," Yeosang's eyes were fierce. "I want to help the Captain."

Yunho raised an eyebrow and held Yeosang's stare until he eventually closed his eyes and sighed. It was easy to tell that Yeosang was determined to do something more than menial tasks. Yunho could understand, of course, but that didn't mean he liked it. Still, Yeosang had been eyeing him and Hongjoong nonstop since he had joined as an official crew member and it didn't seem like he was going to let it go.

"Fine, I'll take you to talk to him," Yunho conceded, smirking when he saw the smile of victory on Yeosang's lips. "But if the Captain says no, it's no, and you'll go back to fulfill the rest of your tasks."

"Deal," Yeosang nodded, stepping away from Yunho's personal space. "Can I go meet him now?"

"Sure, the sooner he rejects you, the sooner I get my peace back," Yunho couldn't help but smile when he saw Yeosang's offended face turn back at him.

Yunho guided him towards the quarters and knocked twice before opening the door. Hongjoong was slumped on the table muttering something to himself while San paid attention to one of the map segments reflected on the wall. Yeosang gasped. He attempted to walk off and examine the map himself, but Yunho stopped him by grabbing onto the back of his shirt.

"Captain, Yeosang wants to talk with you," Yunho said, ignoring the glare Yeosang was directing at him before letting him go.

Hongjoong sat straight up on his chair and sighed, nodding to signal they could come in. He looked absolutely exhausted, Yeosang noted. From what he had heard from the rest of the crew, they hadn't been able to progress much in their search for the Treasure of the Seven Galaxies. Yeosang couldn't blame them though, that treasure had been looked for for years upon years, and no one had found it yet.

"What is it?" Hongjoong asked, gathering San's attention as well.

"I want to help you decipher the map," Yeosang pointed to the projection box that rested on the table. "I learned everything there is to know about navigation and maps from my father, he liked to go looking after treasures in his free time, I'm sure I can help."

"At this point, I'm willing to accept help from anyone," Hongjoong rubbed his face, frustrated. "We haven't made much progress, I don't know how San isn't going crazy." San just shrugged in response, paying close attention to Yeosang instead.

"So you'll give him a chance?" Yunho asked, masterfully ignoring Yeosang's pretentious stare.

"Sure, why not? Maybe what we need is some fresh input." Hongjoong gestured towards the map. "It's all yours."

Yunho shook his head and sighed in defeat, bidding his farewell before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Yeosang immediately took to pacing around the room, observing the map carefully. The map itself was divided in a grid, but most of the squares were obscured, and when touched, they asked for a password. It was like a puzzle, but instead of placing the pieces, you needed to unlock them.

"Do you know the poem to decoding the passwords?" Yeosang asked. "I know there is one, but I haven't heard it since I was a kid, so I don't remember it well."

"Yes," San nodded. He was still following Yeosang with his eyes when he recited the poem.

I left my mark everywhere,

grotesque monsters of jagged teeth.

Under their watchful gaze

the stone-made guardians

protect the steps

that lead the way to the end.

Yeosang repeated the poem in his head, remembering what his father had told him about the treasure when he was a kid. He remembered then traveling to another town in Tebos, in a completely different continent. It was the place where Thisa had initiated the revolution in his planet many decades ago. His father had taken him to see the statue that had been raised in their honor.

His father had explained that Thisa had hidden clues in these statues, and that he had figured it out after doing research for many years. It wasn't known by many people, and since the map had been lost a long time ago, no one had cared to decipher what the poem meant anymore. But Yeosang remembered, and now he had the map in front of him.

"That's it," Yeosang grinned. "Honestly, it's very simple."

"What is?" Hongjoong asked, perking up at the change in Yeosang's tone.

Yeosang looked for the square that should belong to the code on his planet and touched it once he found it. The panel that gave him the clue and asked for the password popped up. He carefully typed out what he remembered from his visit to the statue as a child, and then hit enter. Nothing happened for a moment, and then the square cleared up, revealing a part of the map that hadn't been there before.

"Fuck!" Hongjoong yelled, standing up and walking towards Yeosang. "How did you do that?!"

San also walked towards them. He seemed genuinely surprised, a look no one had seen on him since their voyage had begun. Yeosang smiled widely, unable to believe it had actually worked. He didn't think he remembered the code so well, but he was glad he did, because now he had proven that he could be useful to Hongjoong.

"The stone-made guardians refer to the statues that were built in every planet where Thisa lead a revolution before collecting their treasure," Yeosang explained, feeling very excited. "I just happened to remember the code hidden in my planet's statue, so I wanted to try."

"You're brilliant!" Hongjoong grabbed him from the shoulders and shook him around before hugging him and then hugging San, who looked positively startled from the reaction. "Finally we're getting somewhere!"

Yeosang blushed at the praise. It was exactly what he had wanted, but somehow it was really embarrassing to actually hear it come out from Hongjoong's mouth. He tried to brush it off nonchalantly, but Hongjoong continued praising him as he went around the quarters, bubbling with excitement. Yeosang's eyes met with San, who looked as confused as he felt, and Yeosang couldn't help but break out in laughter.

"Our next move is to research and make a list of every planet where Thisa led a revolution." Hongjoong immediately started planning. "We should be able to find pictures of most statues in the interspace, but we might still need to make stops on a few planets to get them ourselves"

"Roger that, Captain." Yeosang nodded, beyond ecstatic that he was being of help.

"Let's do this."

They worked for hours just researching all of the locations where Thisa had led a revolution. There were so many of them that, in the end, Yeosang had to suggest they take a break and eat something, because it seemed like neither Hongjoong nor San were going to call for a break. Eventually, he managed to force them to leave the quarters and get something to eat.

When they went down to the kitchen to eat, Hongjoong asked them to sit with him since they were the only ones there and he didn't want to be alone. They both complied, feeling a little stiff around Hongjoong since he was their Captain, but he quickly got them to relax as he began to talk. San eventually finished eating and excused himself, leaving Hongjoong and Yeosang alone.

"Captain, can I ask you something?" Yeosang began, looking at this plate instead of at Hongjoong's eyes.

"Sure, what is it?" Hongjoong nodded, paying all his attention to Yeosang.

"Well... Why did you decide to give me that chance to talk and earn my freedom?" Yeosang pushed his food around the plate with the fork. He felt bad for asking this to Hongjoong, but he wanted to know if Wooyoung had really been in someone else's dream. He wanted to make sure that he was real. "Most people wouldn't have done that."

"Well, the good thing is I'm not most people," Hongjoong chuckled, trying to make the atmosphere a little less tense. "Will you believe me if I tell you? There's a really weird reasoning behind it."

"I don't think my life can get any weirder, so shoot." Yeosang nodded. This time he did look at Hongjoong, now that he knew he wasn't angry for questioning him.

"Well, my dream told me to give you a chance." Hongjoong shrugged. He still couldn't explain to himself why he had decided to trust a man in his dreams that was more than likely not even real, but he didn't regret it. Yeosang had helped them progress in a day more than they had in weeks.

"Was your dream about this tall," Yeosang hovered his hand next to himself, "curly brown hair and awfully convincing?" Hongjoong's eyes widened comically, and Yeosang couldn't help a smile. "Seems like Wooyoung did go into your dreams to save me, huh."

"Have you met him?" Hongjoong asked with a bit of a hurry, leaning closer to Yeosang.

"Yes, he visits my dreams a lot." Yeosang nodded. "Well, he's been doing it less these days, I guess he's visiting some of the others that are supposed to be part of this mission he's been talking about."

"Mission? What mission?" Hongjoong asked, his thoughts running a mile a minute.

"I don't know for sure yet, he hasn't told me... How much has he told you? I don't want to ruin it for him." Yeosang narrowed his eyes, looking at Hongjoong suspiciously.

"Nothing much," Hongjoong sighed, slumping down on his place in defeat. "He promised he would visit me again and explain, but he hasn't." Hongjoong looked at Yeosang and smirked. "I guess he's been busy."

"Stop looking at me like that," Yeosang huffed, pushing his plate away. He wasn't hungry anymore. He had spent days on the streets not eating much and now he just didn't feel as hungry as he probably should.

"Were things really bad in Tebos?" Hongjoong asked, observing Yeosang's half full dish.

"I wish I could say no, but based on the global news, it wasn't just my town undergoing the economical issues," Yeosang nodded, feeling his stomach twist as he thought of his mother.

He regretted leaving without her. He repeated to himself constantly that maybe he could've brought her with him, attempt to give her a better life. But he also knew that as long as he looked like his father, that woman would never truly heal with Yeosang by her side. He missed her dearly, though, even just a few days into this voyage.

"And what about the royal guards? They didn't intervene when the people were trying to mob you." Hongjoong pressed further, eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Because they don't get paid enough," Yeosang chuckled. "They're as underpaid as everyone else, it's just that they have a fancy uniform and weapons, and since they don't get paid enough to bother, they just don't."

"That is fucked up," Hongjoong sighed. He felt nauseous just from thinking about how he had lived back in the palace while the people in Tebos struggled to make end's meet. It sickened him.

"It's how things usually are," Yeosang shrugged. "Oh, hello!" Yeosang perked up as he saw Yunho over Hongjoong's shoulder, walking towards them. "Care to join us for supper?"

Yunho eyed him suspiciously before shaking his head. He still didn't trust Yeosang, but he couldn't deny that the man had fulfilled his promise and helped them make progress with the treasure. Still, that didn't mean he wanted to be friendly with Yeosang, who was trying to approach him nonetheless.

"Good, because I'm actually full and don't want to eat anymore." Yeosang pushed his food even further away and stood up. Hongjoong looked at him, amused, as he chuckled at Yeosang's failed attempt to be friendly with his boyfriend. "I'm going to leave now, would like to get a bit of a walk before our Captain pulls us back to work."

"You can take the rest of the day off," Hongjoong decided. "You're still recovering from the beat up at Tebos, just rest."

"Thank you, Captain," Yeosang smiled. "I'll do just that."

When Yeosang left it became only Yunho and Hongjoong in the little dining area. Yunho sat next to Hongjoong on the table and pressed his head to Hongjoong's shoulder, rubbing it lightly. Hongjoong chukled and patted his head softly, letting him act out before asking what was wrong.

"There's nothing wrong, I'm just recharging." Yunho mumbled, sighing softly. "Spending so much time sailing is way more exhausting than spending it in the battlefield."

"I agree, I guess it's cause the space in the ship is much more limited than a battleground." Hongjoong nodded, still carding his hands through Yunho's hair. "But we should be making a stop somewhere soon, to look for more codes and buy more supplies. You'll get to rest then."

"Alright," Yunho nodded, eyes closed as he continued to press his head to Hongjoong's shoulder.

Hongjoong caressed his hair for a little while before softly pulling on it, asking Yunho to look at him. Yunho groaned, not wanting to move from his resting place even if his neck was starting to feel a little stiff, but eventually he complied and looked up at Hongjoong. With a smile, Honjoong kissed his forehead, then the tip of his nose, and then his lips.

"There, recharged." Hongjoong chuckled, pressing Yunho's cheeks with both hands.

Yunho groaned before wrapping his arms around Hongjoong and hugging him tightly, almost knocking all of the air out of him. Hongjoong erupted in laughter as he tried to push Yunho away just enough to move, but Yunho held him tight by the waist and buried his face on the crook of Hongjoong's neck, breathing in deeply. Eventually, Hongjoong settled and stopped trying to push him away, hugging him back instead and rocking him softly. They stayed like that for a moment, just the two of them, in their little world.

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