#mysteries and migraines part 3

[what-plant-metaphor-am-i]

Mysteries and Migraines, the Third (part)

A continuation of an AnS poll story where your votes influence what happens next!

✨Feel free to skip to the poll at the end of the chapter!✨ Even if you don't want to read the whole thing, I'd appreciate any votes to help the story move forward! <3

Part 1 , Part 2

After a far more sinister discussion than Shirayuki had been expecting, and in turn a far tamer one than Obi had been expecting they finally settle on...something of a collaboration.

---

It’s not been long since Rata’s opened the shop and it’s quiet, that peaceful time of morning when the streets are still smooth with a crystalline dusting of snow, before the many ignorant boots of Lilias have made their mark.

Although he is not one for gazing at picturesque scenery, Rata makes an exception for mornings such as these. He has a good view from the window by his desk. Something about the way the sunlight glints off each perfect crystal formation covering the ground casts a feeling of contentedness over him while he sips his coffee. Nothing quite compares to the world before people wake up.

Rata indulges in his usual morning fantasy of living in a mountain somewhere in complete isolation, surrounded by rocks to study and harness in various ways, inventing marvellous things and documenting it all in journals that are to be discovered after his death, when he will be revered posthumously as a misunderstood genius and his inventions used to make the world a better place, then he turns away from the window to put his mug down and hears a Thunk.

Rata turns sharply. There is now an arrow sticking out of the wall by the bookshelf opposite the window. 

“What the-?” A chill runs through him but it’s quickly replaced by hot rage. He thrusts his head out the window, glaring around for any signs of the culprit but finding only the scene from earlier, snow still undisturbed and bird song complementing the serene atmosphere.

“ALRIGHT COWARD,” he bellows, “EITHER YOU COME AND COLLECT YOUR ARROW OR THE GUARDS WILL BE COLLECTING YOU.” He slams the window shut.

There is a note attached to the arrow on a thin strip of paper. Rata has half a mind to ignore it and not play along with this ridiculousness, but in the end curiosity gets the  better of him.

“Enjoying that coffee, plant thief?”

A knock on the door interrupts his puzzling over the message and he goes to open it, wearing one of his fiercer expressions.

Shirayuki and Obi are standing on his doorstep. This is not an unusual occurrence, in fact they are pretty much the only people who ever visit him by choice apart from Suzu, but Rata had been expecting some foolish youth coming for their arrow so his guests get the full brunt of his death glare.

Shirayuki flinches slightly, her hands gripping the handle of her basket a little tighter. Obi is unaffected.

“Morning!” he sings, “Guess who brought breakfast~?”

Rata’s eyes scan behind Obi’s jazz hands but the street is still empty, save the usual vendors setting up their stalls and chatting.

His customary door slam is prevented by Obi’s quick foot work. Rata looks down, unimpressed, at the boot caught in his doorway. Obi’s face presses up to the remaining gap between door and wall.

“Freshly. Baked. Rock. Cakes.” Rata sighs.

“Get in here, don’t make a scene.”

---

They are ushered unceremoniously inside and Shirayuki places the basket on the counter. The scent of baked goods fills the air and, despite himself, Rata approaches to examine what they’d brought.

Shirayuki proudly folds back the cloth covering, revealing a treasure trove of breakfast delights. Breads, cakes, jars of jam, a selection of fruits, and containers holding a pat of butter, smoked meats and cheeses.

The fragrant steam caresses Rata’s face, filling him with a longing that could only be rivalled by the seductive call of an isolated mountain cabin.

10 minutes, two rock cakes, a slab of buttered bread slathered with raspberry jam and a wedge of cheese later, Rata finds himself explaining the strange arrow message to his companions.

“How peculiar,” Obi muses, reading the message and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“Whatever could you have done to provoke this?”

“I’ve done nothing, of course,” Rata scoffs, “This is just some punk pulling a prank.”

Obi shakes his head, sucking his teeth. “I dunno Rata, I’ve seen some threats in my time and this looks pretty threaten-y to me.”

“Threatening. The word is ‘threatening’,” Rata grunts.

“Well yeah, I’d say all the words here are threatening, Rata, not just the one,”

“Rata,” Shirayuki cuts in to prevent said man from lunging at Obi with the butter knife,

“’Plant thief’ sounds quite specific. Have you taken any plants, or something relating to plants, away from someone recently?”

Rata rolls his eyes “What interest have I in plants?! Damn the things! I had to hear enough about them last night from Yuzuri and now the nightmare continues-“

“What was that?” Obi interjects, “Yuzuri? Whatever are you talking about?”

“You know, you were there! Yuzuri and her damn precious plant sample-“

“Aha! So you took it did you?!”

Rata stares at the finger pointed in his face and slowly looks up to Obi’s triumphant expression, eyes narrowing.

“…why would I take something that I have negative interest in?”

“I-I’m sure Obi just means, if you really hated hearing about it so much, maybe you took it to stop the talk from…happening…?”

Shirayuki feels her face growing hotter under Rata’s flat, steady gaze. He leans one elbow on the arm of his chair and idly rests his chin in his hand as he studies her. The corner of his mouth quirks into something almost resembling a smile.

“I guess you were too…preoccupied last night to pay much attention to Yuzuri and her incessant rambling.”

Shirayuki blinks at him, all but cocking her head in confusion. Obi quick-steps between her and Rata.

“You’re avoiding the question, old man!” Rata’s face snaps back into his trademark scowl.

“Did you, or did you not take Yuzuri’s plant sample last night?”

“I did not take it!” Rata says hotly. “I merely deposited it in a nearby plant pot.”

The wall clock ticks loudly in the silence that follows.

“I just wanted some peace, don’t look at me like I killed someone,” Rata grumbles, getting to his feet. “Now, I’m opening shop, so either buy something or be on your merry way.”

“Ah - what did the plant pot look like? What plant was growing in it?” Shirayuki asks quickly as Rata passes her. He gives her a withering look that blatantly shames her for thinking he would possibly register such things.

Rata pulls out the arrow stuck in the wall and tosses it to Obi before heading to his counter.

“You’ve got three seconds to leave, else I’ll call the guards on you.”

Obi beams, giving Shirayuki a double thumbs up (a triple if you count the upward-pointing arrow clutched in one fist). Shirayuki’s returning smile turns to a wince as she moves into a patch of sunlight. She squeezes her eyes shut and raises a hand to shield them from the light. Ah...Obi had forgotten that she was dealing with a hangover throughout all of this.

He finds himself suddenly filled with emotion over it; how admirable, that Miss would spend her day off tracking something down for Yuzuri, all whilst her body was battling against her...the sight of her trying to give him an encouraging smile while actually looking like she's going to hurl fills him with...determination.

As Shirayuki leaves through the door, Obi, moved by her strength and persistence despite her current condition, decides the least he can do is provide her with some sort of aid to help her carry on.

[sleepyc63]

enot!!! the thingy!!! the girl or the guy!! that one :D

he's a peculiar guy. again basically no redesign from the last i just updated his story (which is under the cut if you didn't know)

Enot doesn't know much about his origin. His biological parents are assumed dead, and he was adopted at a very young age. He loves his parents, though, and is grateful to still live with them. One thing he does know about his origin, is that he is not a full slugcat, he's half Scavenger.

When Enot was a pup, she was white, cyan and red in color. However, a previously undiscovered illness made her bedridden for many cycles. It left her fur inverted and she still suffers from the effects of the illness into her adult life (ex: malnourishment). Her parents nicknamed her "Inv" as a way to make light of the situation.

Because he was so isolated as a pup, he never really made friends, and people often disliked him for being off-putting. He's always been a hopeless romantic, and had crushes on many of his classmates (Arti, Gourm, Spears, Watcher, to name a few).

Her favorite things to do are anything to do with video games. She gets constant migraines from staring at her computer constantly. She's even learned programming, and is planning on making a game of her own.

Recently, he's managed to make two new friends, the newcomers in town: Rivulet and Saint. After getting to know them better, Enot developed feelings for Saint. He's decided to not make a move, however. He's certain confessing will only get him hurt again. This doesn't stop his crush from being painfully obvious, though.

---

sorry if his backstory doesn't make much sense, I haven't done into detail with that part my AU yet. the "mysterious illness" is related to void fluid, and Enot is much more than just a Scug/Scav. not saying anything big though. thats what @ask-sleepys-slugs is for :3

@churrorat-art

[nuffintop]

Lost Chances

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader Synopsis: Unrequited love. Will they won't they? (they won't <3). A sprinkle of angst. WC: 853

Was it his smile that first caught your eye? Was it his mind, his constant need to know more, coupled with his joy to share that knowledge with others? Or was it when you finally realised your feelings for him, that you began noticing the little things; how your heart thundered in your chest whenever his face lit up. It’s not clear when your feelings for him changed, but you can trace how it grew stronger as the years passed. And while you can’t pinpoint the moment that your feelings for him grew, you can pinpoint the moment he, unknowingly, broke it.  

First there was Lila Archer. You’d noticed how she’d looked at him, how he looked at her. You were privy to the teasing remarks from Morgan, but you brushed it off, tuning it out, believing that nothing would happen – Spencer would never breach that line with a client after all, right? Then why were they in the pool together? Why were they out of breath? Why did he stay back to personally say goodbye, and oh, he kept her magazine cover. 

Then there was Austin, and his charm pulled her in, just like it did to you. And you can't blame any of them – Lila or Austin – for noticing him, for falling for him. He had a way of pulling you into his orbit. If only the force would weaken to ease the pain in your heart. You found yourself wishing you didn’t like him as much. 

But there was no need for it, luck seemed to be turning in your favour, and you believed for the first time, that just as you were being pulled into his orbit, that he was being pulled into yours. He began looking at you the way he looked at everyone that came before you. 

The lingering looks, hands brushing against each other (he’d pull away apologetically, a shy smile curving on his lips), but as it continued, he’d let the touch linger longer, before pulling away. Then came the soft whispers. He’d lean down, just to ask you normal questions about the case, then it was about a book you talked about days ago, then it was asking if you were free to accompany him home, or to dinner after a tough case. And with every smile, every look, every late night conversation, you were slowly building the nerve to confess.

The day finally came. You’d finally built up the nerve to confess and – he blew you off. You knew he didn't mean to, but he just had to go home that night, his migraines were getting worse. You understood, stumbling over your words, stepping back, letting him walk past you.

 Again and again he walked past you. There was always some interruption, his headaches, someone walking in, another case. You thought of sending a text, but there was too much that needed to be said that a text felt impersonal. 

But the reasons slowly died away. Spencer was getting better, his migraines did not bother him as much. Then why didn't you confess? Were you too late?

There was someone else. 

When a new obstacle breaks down, another emerges, and that emerged in the form of the mystery girl.

His once comforting voice now made you bolt and run, yet nowhere was far enough. The fondness in his voice followed you, reminding you that you weren’t his choice. His smiles, his laugh, his affection weren’t yours to claim. Besides you couldn't run very far, not when he’d find you after his phone calls to share his joy with you. How could you turn him away when he was so happy? When he chose you as his confidante, his closest friend, the person he chose to share his joys and sorrows with. Just not his love. 

Why couldn't it be you? You tried helping with his migraines, but Spencer brushed you away, saying he had tried the method before, but thanked you for trying to help. She was the one that helped. 

Maybe this was a sign. Maybe you’d lost your chance. Maybe you had cemented your part in his life, and you just had to accept it. You were his friend, you were thankful to be one of his closest. 

So when his world comes tumbling down, and he needs a shoulder to cry on, you’re there. You’ve always been there. 

He loved her after all, she was the one he chose, the one he wanted, so you stepped away. You accepted your fate, locking your feelings away because you knew if you opened up now, nothing would be the same between the two of you again. You lost your chance – if only you’d built up the nerve sooner. But you could move on from this, it may not be soon, but you could say goodbye to your feelings for Reid, and one day, your pain would lessen, because you finally accepted the truth, your role in his life. 

But just for this moment, you held him in your arms, his grief merging with yours, knowing that this is all you’ll ever be. 

[buckyshoneybunny]

The White Wolf (Part 5)

Wolf/Alpha!Bucky + Wildlifephotographer!curvy!reader   

W.C. 1564 

Warnings- Cursing, fluff, allusions to smut?? 

A/N- I am so sorry this took so long!!! I didn’t know how I wanted to end it. Yes, this is the end of this series, I may write little drabbles and oneshots for these two on how their future goes. But between classes, no motivation, and being tired I just haven’t had much time to write. I was gonna do this last week but I had a mysterious 4-day long headache that even migraine medicine couldn’t get rid of. Anyway I hope you enjoy!!! Any mistakes are mine. More stories will be coming soon!!  

Taglist- @blackbirdwitch22 @lesleurs @nelachu2423 @shadowzena43 @calwitch @laughterafter @sebastians-love @purplecolordeer

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Masterlist Series Masterlist

Over the next couple of weeks, you and Bucky discussed what your future would look like. You agreed to move in with him, as long as you could keep your job. He agreed begrudgingly.  

Bucky had been out with Steve doing whatever it is they did during the day, when your phone pinged with a notification. Period one-week late.  

Your blood ran cold. Were you, could you be, pregnant? A wave of nausea hits you. You and Bucky were still trying to settle into your new life together, you couldn’t possibly add a kid on top of that. Oh god, what would Bucky think? 

You grab your phone and keys, you run out the door, hoping Bucky wouldn’t smell you and come running. You made your way to Wanda’s cabin and pounded on the door. She lets you in, asking what’s wrong. 

“I think I might be pregnant,” you blurt out nervously.  

Her eyes widen. “Wow um, have you taken a test?” You shake your head. She offers to do some magic thingy to see if you’re pregnant. You are.  

“Oh god,” you groan and sit on her couch, face buried in your hands. “This can’t be happening.” 

She giggles. “What are you worried about? Everything will be fine, Y/N.” 

“Everything, Wanda! I’m still trying to come to terms with everything, I mean, I’m supposedly the mate to a half-man, half-werewolf! A month ago I didn’t even existed! And now I’m pregnant, this is ju-” 

“Y/N, calm down.” She sits next to you and rub your arm. “I know this must be scary, finding out what you thought was just fiction to be real. But Bucky will be there for you, he won’t let you go through this alone.”  

“But what if he gets bored of me? What if he’s not ready for this.” There’re tears in your eyes.  

“You’re his destined mate, Y/N. And the fact that you are pregnant with his child? He’ll be over the moon.”  

“But I’m not a werewolf, or an omega. Oh god, what will having a werewolf’s baby do to me?” You ask, panicked.  

“It doesn’t matter, you’re his mate, he’d never abandon you. I don’t know what it will do to your body, I’ve read that the side effects could be worse or you could have crazy different symptoms then what you’d have with a normal pregnancy.” You look even more worried.  

She thinks for a moment. “I haven’t tested it but I’ve been working on something.” She stands and walks to her desk. “If you and Bucky coat your teeth with this and claim each other, you should be able to feel the connection, and the more time goes on, the more your body will get omega features.”  

She hands you the bottle and touches your neck, something zaps you. 

“Ow! What the hell?” You ask, rubbing said spot. 

“There, you have the start of a scent gland, it could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to fully develop.” She snickers at the dirty look you send her. 

“So....with the scent gland and this, potion? I’ll slowly become an omega.” 

She nods. “Yes, but you won’t be a werewolf. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any magic that could turn into one.” You nod.  

You chat with Wanda for a little while longer before heading home. When you see Bucky isn’t back yet you grab your wallet and head into town. You head to the local supermarket, you grab a little gift bag, a newborn onesie that says ‘I love my Daddy’, and some tissue paper. You also grab some chocolate, munching on it to help calm your nerves.  

You get home and set the little bag up, then start on dinner. You use the fresh herbs and veggies from the pack garden, they have just about everything in there, even sugar canes! 

You get the fireplace going and put on some soft music, hooking your phone up to the speakers Bucky installed when he learned you loved music.  

Bucky trudges up the steps, his shoulders aching. He and the guys had been working on clearing land, they wanted to make their own shops and whatnot, to limit having to go into town. He leaves his muddy boots outside, not wanting to track it into the house.  

He walks in and is hit with the scent of a home cooked meal and you. He sighs at the warmth the fireplace is giving off and smiles when he hears you humming to the music. He stands there and watches you for a moment before coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist. 

You jump but relax when you realize it’s him. He buries his face into your neck and freezes.  

“Babydoll?” He asks, his voice gravelly. 

You turn in his arms to face him. “Yes?” You ask nervously.  

“What is this?” He cups the back of your neck, his thumb rubbing the spot in question.  

“A scent gland, Wanda gave me it. It’s surprise 1 of 3.”  

His face is unreadable for a moment before a groan rumbles through his chest and he leans down to nose at the scent gland. He nips it, causing you to shiver. 

“Tell me,” he licks your ear before nibbling on it. “Are you one of the surprises?” 

“No,” you giggle. “But I can be an add-on.” 

He hums and presses his nose to your hairline, taking a deep breath and closes his eyes. “I love you,” he says softly. 

At your whispered ‘I love you too’ he feels warmth spread through his chest. He nudges your nose with his. 

“When will I get these other surprises?” 

“After dinner.”  

He hums and gives you a loving kiss. He showers while you finish dinner.  

As you set the table, he comes out in those grey sweatpants you love so much hung low on his hips. His already half-hard cock visible, making it clear he has no underwear on. He’s shirtless, displaying those washboard abs you love so much. 

You both eat dinner in silence, he can sense you’re nervous. You both clean the dishes, while he finishes wiping the counters down you grab the gift bag.  

You sit on the couch and hand him the bag. He blindly reaches in and pulls out the potion first. 

“What’s this?” His brows furrow in confusion. 

“It’s a potion. Wanda said to both coat our teeth when we claim each other, it’ll help me feel the bond and feel it lock in place. I’d be one step closer to an actual omega and connected to you.”  

His eyes shine with excitement and lust. “You’d want to be an omega?” You can hear the joy in his voice. 

“Yeah,” you smile. “But I won’t become a werewolf.” He deflates a little but nods, the thought of running through the woods in y'all's wolf together running through his mind. 

“What made you want to become an omega?” 

“Well, I wanted to feel the connection that you’ll feel, feel even closer to you. Plus, it’ll also help my body with what’s to come.” He gives you a confused look and you nod to the bag. He pulls out the onesie. As he reads it, his heart stops and eyes widen.  

“Babydoll....are you.... pregnant?” 

You nod. “I know we haven’t been together long and we’re still adjusting. Bu-” 

He cuts you off with a kiss. He leans his forehead against yours. “I’m going to be a dad?” His steel blue eyes sparkle with unshed tears. 

You cup his stubbly cheeks. “You’re going to be a dad, Bucky,” you whisper. Your own eyes glisten with tears.  

He laughs and hugs you. His heart swells with pride. You, his mate, is going to have his pups. 

He makes love to you that night, whispering sweet nothings in your ear. He gushes excitedly to Steve the next day and rubs the news into Sams face. Everyone congratulates you over a barbeque. Bucky already has plans of how he wants to expand the cabin, add on for your future family. You’re already planning on how you want to decorate the nursery. 

Seven months later..... 

You sit in the rocking chair in your new nursery. You watch your husband with a fond smile as he puts the crib together, insisting he wanted to hand make everything. The pile of gifts from your baby shower sits in the corner, ready to be put away.  

You can feel Bucky’s excitement, the permanent bite mark on both yours and Bucky’s neck sealing the bond. You rub your swollen belly, the ring on your finger shines in the sunlight that streams through the window. 

You couldn’t wait to meet your baby girl, Winfred, Winnie for short, after Bucky’s mother. He talks about her all the time; you know he misses her and the fact you’re naming you guys first daughter after her means the world to him. You knew that’s what you wanted to name her the minute he said her name, he cried when you told him. 

As you rock and listen to the music playing softly in the background, you think of how grateful you are you went into the forest, choosing to not listen to the locals warnings.  

You may not know what the future hold next, but you do know one thing, you couldn’t wait to find out. 

[littlemisspascal]

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@absurdthirst @storiesofthefandomlovers Joel Halloween Cowboy + Shaving/ Frankie Sixty-Nine / Ezra Rough Sex / Whiskey Bruising or Bitemarks / Dieter Watersports / Pero A/B/O Heats or Ruts / Javier Cock Warming / Marcus M Anal / Dave Overstimulation + One Night Possession/ Max Breath Play

@arcanefox207 Joel The Golden Hour

@toomanystoriessolittletime Joel Swift Revenge / Frankie A Masked Surprise + “Uncle” Frankie

@mermaidgirl30 Joel On My Knees For You 

@clawdeewritesfanfic Joel Love Shack

@alltheirdamn Joel Diamond Dolls

@crowandmousewritingco Joel Quiet Mornings / Oberyn A/B/O / Dio Cover Ups & Turtlenecks + Razor Sharp/ Frankie Cock Warming + End of the Perfect Birthday / Whiskey Aftercare

@5oh5 Joel Sunset

@novemberrain-writes Javier “It’s not your fault” + “You look pretty pale”/ Joel Animal Bite / Marcus P Migraine / Frankie Running Out of Medical Supplies / Din “Can you feel me? I’m right here” 

@milla-frenchy Javier October

@604to647 Javier Dodge

@whocaresstillthelouvre Marcus P Do You Wanna Touch Me? / Dieter Close Encounters of the Corn Kind / Marcus A Dual

@criticallyacclaimedstranger Marcus P You Need Only Ask 

@ghostofaboy Marcus P + Dave Lingerie / Marcus P + Frankie Frottage / Maxwell Titfucking / Pero Hate Sex / Whiskey Fisting / Din Rimming + Sex Toys/ Javier Glory Hole

@tropes-and-tales Frankie Finally + Opportunities / Pero Of Every Kinnë Tre

@alwritey-aphrodite Frankie Fall Coffee House Challenge 

@inept-the-magnificent Frankie The Apple of His Eye

@flightlessangelwings Javi G FawKtober Part 1

@pedges-world Max Bloodsucking Witch 

@wardenparker @absurdthirst Oberyn Mysterious Masquerade

@nobedofroses Whiskey October 11 + October 5 / Din October 1 + October 7/ Pero October 2 + October 8 / Marcus M October 3 + October 9 / Joel October 4 + October 10

[ladykailitha]

Well Met By Moonlight Part 10

Hello! If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a set schedule for what story posts on what days now (as seen here) and this one as well as Icarus, Batshit Soulmates, and Never Hold Back Your Step... will still be posting just on rotation until I can finish some of my WIPs. (I may be stretching myself a bit thin having six going at the same time.)

In this chapter Steve gets a migraine dealing with his pack, Eddie and Wayne try to get a little deeper into the mystery of the town, and Robin has a big decision to make.

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @redfreckledwolf @emly03 @itsall-taken

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

****

While things were getting better outside the pack, things weren’t going as well inside the pack.

Someone was riling up the older pack members to fight Steve on every decision.

“Joyce,” Steve growled warningly. “I won’t tell you again. I’m not taking Nancy as bondmate. Nor do you want me to. Not unless your son has broken up with her recently. So recently I don’t know about it.”

Joyce rolled her eyes. “Of course not. But in the history of this pack, the alpha female has always been bonded to to the alpha male. It’s tradition.”

“Which pack are we talking about?” Steve snarled. “The one where Hopper was alpha and didn’t notice two families being abused by their father because he was drunk off his ass all the time? Or are we talking about the one that threatened to rape and kill my mother for accidentally walking into compound as a mortal woman and was only saved by Wayne Munson passing by? Or the one where Clarence Harrington founded the pack back in the 1800s?”

Joyce took a step back in the face of his rage.

“Maybe it’s time to see traditions aren’t working out for the pack and to move forward,” Steve said baring his teeth.

She looked him square in the eye, daring him to make a move.

“Submit,” he snarled, using his alpha voice. “Or be banished for this lack of respect you have shown me since I became alpha.”

There had been pack members milling around when they started arguing and more had gathered.

They all gasped when Steve threatened banishment.

“Do. You. Submit?”

She gulped and lowered her head for the first time in his presence. She kept her eyes on the ground and murmured, “Yes, alpha.”

He turned to the gathered pack. “Anyone who doesn’t respect my authority as alpha is free to go, no judgment. But I will not stand for willful and flagrant disobedience just because the person is older than me. Do I make myself clear?”

The assembled all nodded, making noises of affirmation.

“Good,” he said and then waved his arm. “Now scram!”

They all fled including Joyce.

Jonathan came up to him after everyone else had gone.

“You going to question my authority, too?” Steve snapped, a migraine starting pulse behind his eyes.

The other boy shook his head. “Nah, man. I know you’re cool. It’s just hard on my mom because Hopper would still be alpha if he hadn’t been kidnapped and she doesn’t know what to do with you being alpha so young.”

Steve sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. “Yeah, it’s not normal, but we have to change if we are to survive. The world is moving fast. Faster than anything this pack has ever dealt with and if we don’t move with it, it will kill us.”

Jonathan nodded. “I’ll talk to her. See if I can’t get her to be at least not as antagonistic toward you. Because since you’ve become alpha things are really starting to change around here, for the better, too. She just needs to acknowledge that.”

Steve clapped Jonathan on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. Because you can get her to calm down...”

“Then Hop will do the same...” Jonathan continued.

“And hopefully Murray will follow after,” Steve finished. “And while that won’t miraculously fix all the packs problems...”

“It make it easier for to focus on the things that still need fixing.”

He nodded. “Right in one.”

Jonathan gave his shoulder a squeeze and then walked away.

****

Steve lay on his bed as Robin stroked his hair gently.

“All I’m saying is that a lot problems would be solved if you became pack,” Steve mumbled into her side.

His migraine had taken control of his body and he was in agony. No one was sure why things like headaches, period cramps, and cancer were immune to the werewolf’s ability to super heal, but it really sucked that there were.

“And a whole lot more problems that would crop up if I did,” she reminded him.

He sighed deeply. At the moment he didn’t care about the problems, only the solutions and he told her so.

Robin sighed. “I want to. But I don’t want to alienate my family if I do, you know?”

Steve struggled to sit up. Robin protested his moving but was helpless to stop the much stronger alpha.

He tucked his knees under him and took her hands gently in hers. “This decision is only one you can make. But believe me when I say you have to make it for you. Not me, not your parents or friends. Not even that pretty siren girl you like. You. What do you want to do?”

Robin hung her head. “Can I think about it?”

He squeezed her hands. “Of course you can. I can’t do anything until you’re eighteen anyway and that’s a few months away. But I want you to make a choice that’s best for you.”

She nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”

****

It wasn’t like Gareth straight up laughed in Eddie’s face when he asked about moon days. But it was a near thing.

“I’m a gwyllgi,” he said. He pronounced it like g-with-gee. “It’s like the English Black Dogs, only cooler. I can transform at anytime or place, but my family tends to be groundskeepers for cemeteries and graveyards.”

He shook his head. “All these years playing together in a band and you never knew I was a supe.”

Jeff scoffed. “In all fairness, he was the only human for a number of those years.”

“That’s true,” Brian agreed, “and it’s not like gwyllgi have a scent to them the way werewolves do. Cut him some slack.”

Eddie cocked his head to the side as he scented the air. “I don’t think that’s quite true.”

The three other boys stood stock still as Jeff and Brian sniffed.

Jeff looked to Eddie. “Is that the smell of freshly overturned soil?”

Brian sniffed a little longer. “A bit of death, too.”

Gareth grinned, jumping up and down. “I was wondering when you guys were going to figure it out.”

They all turned to him and cocked their heads.

“Graveyards. You smell like a graveyard!” Brian said. “That’s I was having trouble placing it. Sirens bury their dead at sea.”

Gareth shuddered. “Sirens are weird.”

“How are you friends with two vampires?” Eddie asked. “Aren’t gwyllgi supposed to protect graveyards from entities like Jeff and me?”

Gareth tilted his head to the side and Eddie was struck by how dog-like his friend was.

He shrugged. “My parents vetted all of you before I was allowed to hang out with you guys. If my parents think you guys are cool, what the fuck do I care what you eat?”

Jeff and Eddie looked at each other and huffed out a laugh.

“Yeah, okay,” Eddie said ruffling Gareth’s hair. “Will you take notes during the next moon day and find out what they are teaching kids these days? Because Steve is really worried. Crosses and werewolves have never been a thing.”

Gareth nodded solemnly. “Yeah, even my parents are worried about what that might mean for the gwyllgi. They might decide we’re werewolves and come after us next.”

Eddie winced. That was a real possibility that he really didn’t want to think of right then. But he filed the thought away to talk to Wayne and Steve about later.

“What about you, Bri?” Jeff asked. “You hear anything in your neck of the woods?”

Brian shrugged. “People don’t like being friends with sirens so we tend to be shunned when they know what we are. It’s why I didn’t tell you guys for years.”

“It’s only when you sing though, right?” Eddie asked. “The compelling people to do shit, right?”

Brian shrugged again, fiddling with the tuning pegs on his base. “All sorts of rules to, too. But they don’t care. They think just talking to me will force them to do stuff.”

Eddie frowned. He knew he was new to the supernatural world being a bitten vampire, but there was so much bullshit that he wasn’t sure he could navigate through all of it.

“Well, siren or no,” he said fiercely. “You’re our friend and if anyone gives you hell, just point them me and Jeffey’s direction.”

Brian nodded still looking at the floor. All three other boys came over and hugged him.

“Thanks, guys.”

****

Wayne watched as Jason and Patrick toiled in the midday sun. The work was hard and more than a little tedious, but if they were working, they didn’t have the energy to cause trouble.

Patrick was already starting to shift his beliefs just from talking to Wayne and listening to his stories about fighting for the Union in the Civil War, about this town’s heritage.

Jason, he knew was going to be a tougher nut to crack. Jason was far too used to being spoiled and given everything he wanted when he wanted it to bend to Wayne’s will easily.

But Wayne had his ways and the first thing he needed to do was earn the boy’s trust.

“Did they kick you two off the team?” he rumbled.

Both boys looked up at him and then each other. They stopped what they were doing and leaned on their shovels.

Patrick snorted disdainfully. “They probably should have, but that would have meant removing their entire starting line and Principal Higgins wasn’t about to do that.”

“I got removed from being captain, though,” Jason said bitterly. He kicked at clod of dirt viciously with his foot to show his frustration.

“Who’s the new captain?” Wayne asked gently.

“Dirk Garroway,” Patrick said, glancing over at Jason. “He’s the younger brother of a former member of the team. A lot of the team isn’t happy about it.”

“That’s because he’s afraid of his own fucking shadow,” Jason sneered.

Patrick hid his wince well from Jason, but Wayne noticed nonetheless. “He’s always playing it safe. He doesn’t take risks. Which is great if you want a middle of the road team, but not one that’s going to win championships.”

“That’s certainly true,” Wayne said warmly. “Tell me what happened in the most recent game.”

Jason sneered. “Why would you care?”

Patrick looked panicked. He didn’t want to antagonize Wayne and was always afraid that if Jason mouthed off then Patrick would get the blow back.

“I’ve seen the rise of many a sport here in this country,” Wayne said with a smile. “But basketball and baseball are my favorites.”

That brought Jason up short. He straightened his spine and looked at Wayne with interest. “So you seen all the greats?”

Gotcha! Wayne thought with a grin.

“Sure have seen quite a few of them at any rate,” Wayne said sagely. “Who are your favorites?”

Jason launched into his inspirations and what his aspirations had been before he made the stupidest mistake of his life.

Wayne looked over at Patrick and winked. The other boy blushed, but was starting to finally relax.

It would take some time, but it was now only a matter of how long before Wayne got his answers on why they thought killing the Harrington Pack alpha would solve this town’s woes.

Because Steve was right.

There was something rotten in this town just below the surface. Below what he could see.

And wasn’t that just a terrifying thought.

****

Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @goodolefashionedloverboi @bookbinderbitch @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @bookworm0690 @tinyplanet95 @littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @just-a-tiny-void @potato-of-the-lord @goosesister @she-collects-smut @irregular-child @y4r3luv

[flowercrowngods]

dio. 🤍

ao3 • writing tag • time travel au tag (stories & snippets) steddie drabbles & microfics ☕️ ko-fi vibes only. mostly steddie, sometimes clarkson.

🌷 WIPs & multi-chaptered stories

➤ i’ll try. i’ll try. (but i couldn’t be better) WIP M | 74k | 12/? | time travel au, angst, steve whump Sent back to 1983, Steve tries to save his friends from everything that's coming and takes on the battle against the Upside Down alone with El by his side.

➤ nice to meet you, where you been? T | 12k | 3/3 | tattoo shop au, pure fluff, trans eddie Chrissy sends Eddie to check out a tattoo shop. Little does he know it belongs to Steve Harrington, or that they’ll both be falling for each other at lightning

➤ untitled knight!Steve / bard!Eddie WIP T | 10k | 2/? | tumblr: part 1 | part 2 | ... regency au (freeform), enemies to lovers Eddie is a bard of great renown who returns to Hawkins ready and willing to spite the people who cast him out all his life. He is in search of his muse: the knight Dustin has been writing to him about who has inspired his greatest ballads and poems. Dustin’s Sir Steve is nowhere to be found, but Lord Harrington seems to hold a grudge against Eddie and he wants to find out why.

➤ see the stars shining through the cracks of my broken heart | steddie week fic T | 14.7k | 3/3 | tumblr: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 in which Eddie and Chrissy get engaged and Steve is heartbroken. yearning ensues. a story about love requited and unrequited, breaking and healing, and hope (steddie & buckingham)

➤ shattered on the cliff’s edge, trapped by the tides WIP M | 5.8k | 2/7 | tumblr: part 1 | part 2 | ... A steddie ghost story. Steve Harrington, disgraced and disowned by his father for moral insanity, has been haunted by eerie dreams of a mysterious lighthouse ever since he was a little boy. His lighthouse quickly turns from recurring night terror to gruesome reality when his superior delegates him to fix the broken light and be the new keeper. But he soon finds out that it is he who is being kept.

➤ tales of blue | who did this to you? WIP M | 13k | 3/4 | tumblr: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | Eddie POV, pre-s4, injured Steve, hurt/comfort One summer's day in 1985, Eddie finds a very injured Steve in the boathouse, and even though he doesn't want the kind of trouble that this might bring, he can't just leave him there. So, scared though he is, he takes Steve to the one person he trusts to always make everything better.

➤ untitled kas!eddie / steve WIP M | 5.3k | 1/? | tumblr: part 1 | post-canon, hurt/comfort, enemies steddie The extent of his brain injuries and the intensity of his migraines is something Steve has been keeping secret from everyone. When he goes to Kas to let him feed, however, the sudden blood loss gives him a migraine. Kas decides to take care of him.

one shots & ficlets under the cut (ao3) -> ao3 link in the tumblr fic post

🌷 fluff & floaty

floor time fic (ao3) Eddie POV, falling in love, fluff, neurodivergent steddie

eddie likes Good Words (ao3) Steve POV, stablished relationship, neurodivergent steddie, echolalia

rambly Steve in love Eddie POV, established relationship, love confession

soft insomniacs (ao3) Eddie POV, short trans Eddie, soft Steve, bickering, established relationship

3 am phone call (ao3) Steve POV, soft, pre-relationship

car ride in love Eddie POV, floaty, boys in love, Andante, Andante

stargazing Steve POV, floaty & soft, boys in love

sick fic Eddie POV, domestic fluff & silliness, steve is sick, eddie is in love

first kiss Eddie POV, floaty, boys in love

loving eddie munson (is a full body experience) (ao3) Steve POV, floaty, boys in love, introspection, love confessions

floaty steddie date hours Eddie POV, established relationship, date night, marriage proposals, softness, dancing in the rain

sick fic 2 (woollen bat hat) Eddie POV, sick!Steve, soft boyfriends in love, cuddling, Eddie reads Momo to Steve

🌷 yearning

✨yearning hours (a-side) (ao3) Eddie POV, heart-wrenching yearning, light imagery, (mis)communication, vulnerability, first kiss

✨yearning hours (b-side) (ao3) Steve POV, insecurity, trauma, darkness imagery, vulnerability, first kiss

✨yearning hours (bonus track) (ao3) Eddie POV, light imagery, vulnerability, getting together

summer nights were made for steve (ao3) Eddie POV, yearning, getting together, the stars are pretty but steve is prettier

✨yearning hours (hidden track) (ao3) Steve POV, floaty music, getting together, sudden love confession, pining, A Flock of Seagulls

✨ high yearning make-out fic (smutty) (ao3) Eddie POV, recreational drug use, dry humping, coming in pants, so much yearning, so much kissing, spicy six as friends

🌷 hurt/comfort

insomniac eddie & human weighted blanket steve Eddie POV, developing relationship, comfort

Eddie being inexperienced at relationships Eddie POV, established relationship, dramatic eddie, boys in love, cuddles

spiralling writer eddie Eddie POV, established relationship, comfort, emotionally intelligent steve

‘You’d be a great dad’ Eddie POV, established relationship, insecure Eddie, comfort

steve has seizures (ao3) Steve POV, angst, self-isolation, seizures, post-s3, found family, background steddie

nonverbal steve gets a hug (ao3) Steve POV, established steddie, nonverbal steve, caring eddie, touch starved steve

sensory overload steddie Steve POV, soft boys, building relationship, nonverbal steve, touch-averse eddie, floor time as the cure

🌷 angst & hurt/no comfort

spiralling steve Steve POV, traumatised steve, nonverbal steve, established steddie, eventual comfort

breakup Steve POV, steve is not okay, breaking up

My Boy Steve POV, major character death, post-s4, inspired by My Girl funeral scene

memory wipe musings Steve POV, post-canon, established relationship, breakup-ish

post-breakup steddie Steve POV, a follow-up for @steddieas-shegoes prompt-fill | years after breaking up with steve eddie writes him a letter and they talk, mentions of drug abuse and rehab, starting over, 2nd chances (it's hopeful but it's kinda really sad)

knightmærs Eddie POV, prince!steve, traitor!eddie, lovers to enemies who are still lovers but it's intrigue, brainwashing, torture, eddie whump, manipulation, open ending, violence & threats of death

🌷 smut(ish)

steve wants to hear eddie Eddie POV, established relationship, anal sex

sexytimes in a tent Steve POV, trying not to get caught, established relationship, hand jobs

sub!kas eddie (drabble) (tag for more) Steve POV, good boy kas, soft dom steve

school reunion sex Eddie POV, chubby!steve, dom-ish top steve, belly kink, light degradation kink, multiple orgasms, semi-public sex, reunion sex, good boy eddie

misc. & gen

steve and nancy finally have A Talk Steve POV, apologies, communicating like adults, making up, platonic stancy

steve and mike coming out to each other (ao3) Steve POV, bisexual lighting, established background steddie, mike & steve sibling relationship

why'd you jump? (ao3) conversation at the quarry, coming out (kinda), working through trauma together, steve & mike sibling relationship, big brother Steve | cw: could read as suicidal tendencies or intrusive thoughts

a study in grief: steve and mike talking about barb (ao3) Steve POV, Barb's death anniversary, Barb was Mike's friend, grief, mourning, big brother Steve, Mike character study

stobin arsonist tendencies (drabble) Steve POV, robin wants to burn down steve's car and house, fucked up platonic besties, neurodivergent swag

🌷 i'll try-verse (time travel au) oneshots

steve takes el to see her first meteor shower

el calls steve magic

eddie finds nonverbal steve

tina's party steddie hug

steve meets wayne

clarkson fics

meet-sweet | kids duty (ao3) clarkson origin post with @unclewaynemunson. Wayne POV, first meeting, slow burn, pre-relationship, soft

coursework, caffeine and cuddles (ao3) teacher student!steve, domestic fluff, established clarkson & steddie, found family

if i fell in love with you (ao3) Scott POV, soft, established relationship, domestic fluff, If I Fell

home. (ao3) Scott POV, comfort, floaty, established relationship, after-school car ride, domesticity

quiet. (ao3) Scott POV, hurt/comfort, domesticity, established relationship, wayne doesn’t like how quiet scott’s house gets

don’t let go (i won’t) (ao3) Scott POV, hurt/comfort, found family, post-s4, shared trauma, steddie, established relationship, wayne gets a bad flashback and scott calls steddie for help

ronance fics

snow angels for @thefreakandthehair's spicy six winter fic challenge, Nancy POV, pining, first kiss, getting together

yearning hours (ao3) Nancy POV, pining, yearning, realisations, pre-relationship, semi-floaty

[liliansun]

FTWS: FIRST ANNIVERSARY | L. DONGHYUCK

synopsis: You and Haechan have been fighting lately and even though they were small arguments, it all got thrown into the same melting pot. To add onto the stress, your ex boyfriend shows up unannounced and his arrival causes things to stir up even worse than what they were before. (Note: this is a pt 2, check out pt1 here)

pairing: boyfriend!haechan x oc ft. mystery ex bc 🤭

wc: 7.7k

genre: fluff, comedy, slice of life au, angst, all that jazz

warnings: swearing, kissing, mentions of blood (just a small part where a wound is open but not anything graphic), lmk if I miss anything!

mentions of: 127, dream and wayv members, mention of aespa members

<3: did I write this all in one day—yea, do I regret it, no baby LMAO. also a special thanks to mako for getting me through these last few hours along w ash and briar for also just being some of the most amazing friends I could ask for. also thank YOU for giving all the love to fre trial wedding style and giving it 1k notes in just a little over a week, I hope this is just as good as the first and I love you all <33

Ever since you and Haechan started dating, it’s been interesting to say the least. He takes you on random dates throughout the city and almost always pays for each, you try to reason with him that you do have your own money to chip in, but he tells you chivalry isn’t dead and pays before you can get another word in. You know it’s sweet and he’s trying to be romantic, but somehow it also leads to small arguments. For example, the argument you’re both in as you pace the living room of your apartment happens to be based off the date you decided to cut short due to his lack of view from your standpoint.

“I don’t understand why you’re so mad, I’m your boyfriend and I want to be able to do things for you.” Frustrated, Haechan watches as you walk around your living room, running his hands through his hair.

“That’s because you don’t let me do anything, you don’t let me pay, you don’t let me have much say into where we go or what we do and you treat me like a baby when in fact I’m older than you.” After listening to the reasons off on your hand, you stand with your hands on your hip. He rolls his eyes, moving his entire body in the motion. “By a couple months—why are we even bringing age up, this isn’t about who is what, this is about—I don’t even know what this is about anymore.” You let out a heavy sigh, rubbing your temples to relax the migraine that was pounding against your skull.

Haechan moves across the room, grabbing both of your hands and bringing them to his lips. The soft kisses he places along your knuckles brings you back in as you meet his eyes. “Look, I’m sorry for making you upset.” You can tell how genuine his words are by the look he’s giving you. “I won’t plan everything without your input anymore, I promise.” He continues kissing your hand, moving his kisses down to your wrist. The feeling of his soft lips on your skin let's open the cage to the butterflies that flutter inside your chest. “I forgive you hyuck.” He smiles against your skin, moving his lips from your wrist to your lips.

You wrap your arms around his neck, grazing your fingers through the ends of his hair. As he pulls back from the short and sweet kiss, he rests his forehead against yours, taking in the moment while it lasts. “Are you staying over tonight?” You frown, shaking your head which is returned with a mirrored frown. “I got a meeting in the morning with Jungwoo and you know that he’ll chew my ass if I’m late by a second.”

“Why can’t you stay over then, I’ll get up and make you breakfast and even lay your clothes out for you.” Haechan moves his head into the crook of your neck, checking every box of his tactics to convince you to stay. You relish in the feeling of his worth, letting out what felt like the millionth sigh of the night. “That sounds like fun hyuckie, but last time you tried to make breakfast, you nearly burnt down your apartment.” He laughs against your shoulder, making you laugh in return by the tickling feeling of him giggling against your skin. “So does that mean I can stay over instead?” You pull back, eyeing Haechan as he gives you the same goofy smile he always has on. “Go home before I take my key back.”

Haechan continues laughing, pulling his keys from his front pocket. As he holds them up, you see the purple key with home written across the metal. “As if I’d ever let you take this back, this is my key to your heart baby and unfortunately for you, you’re stuck with me.” Rolling your eyes, you turn him around and start to push him towards the door. “Yeah yeah, better be glad I still like your crazy ass.” Haechan opens your front door, turning around to face you as you wait for him to initiate the goodnight kiss. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s almost become a tradition for you two to kiss before the other returns back to their apartment. Even though you’re right across from each other, to you it seals in everything that the day has brought and leads to a better night.

Haechan leans down, kissing you so gently that you can barely feel that he’s there and those are your favorite type of kisses with him. All of them are probably your favorite, but this one in particular tops the cake. As he pulls away, you almost don’t wanna see him go, but you need all the rest you can get before work in the morning. “Goodnight y/n.” Haechan’s voice sounds so bittersweet, walking backward to his door as you give him a small wave. “Goodnight hyuck.” He smiles at the nickname, turning to open his door and disappearing behind it once it’s shut.

Closing your door, you make your way down the hall and climb into bed to settle for the night. Just as you start to get comfortable, you hear your phone go off with notifications. Deciding not to ruin your comfort, you neglect your unread notifications and opt for sleep. By the morning, you still don’t have the energy to check your phone and instead skip breakfast and head straight to the office to get the day over with. The moment you step into the building, you’re greeted with Jaehyun who was standing by the front desk chatting it up with Winter. You notice two coffees in his hand and to much surprise, one of them is your usual order.

When Jaehyun notices you, he makes his way over and hands you your cup. “You’re in a surprisingly good mood today.” You scowl at him as you take a sip of your drink. “Says the one who took the time to order me a drink, I’m not gonna pass out am I?” He gives you an uneasy smile before stepping into the elevator with you. The weird sense of deja vu comes over you, sending a chill down your spine. “You haven’t checked your phone by chance, have you?” Looking up from practically spacing out, you give Jaehyun a weird look. “No, why, did I miss something?” He looks at you almost surprised, shrugging as he gets off a few floors before your stop.

“Good luck y/n.” Just as you’re about to ask him what his mood was about, he practically rushes away from the elevator, leaving you confused. When you get off on your floor, you see Taeyong and Doyoung standing nearby. You wave at them when they look your way, getting a smile in return. Something in your stomach tells you that things are going wrong when they immediately turn their backs to you and start moving in the opposite direction. You try to push the feeling down, continuing down to your office. When Karina sees you, she pulls you aside almost immediately. “Girl what the hell have you been doing?” You look at Karina with the same confusion you’ve been giving everyone, wondering what the hell you missed in the last twelve hours.

You crouch down to her level, rubbing your arm where she had pulled you aside. “What am I doing, what the hell is going on, everyone is acting like I got the plague or something.” She scans your expression with her eyes, realizing that you haven’t figured out what you’re about to. She sighs, slumping forward before looking up at you. “Okay, I guess you didn’t get my texts last night which by the way were important so don’t freak out or anything, but Xiaojun is back.” At the mention of his name, you can practically feel the color from your face leave you. The mention of ex makes you feel sick and you have to hold onto Karina to keep you from falling on your ass.

A little backstory into Xiaojun and your relationship explains your reaction and why you visibly look ill. Before the two of you became a couple, Xiaojun was an exchange student who went to your high school in hopes to get into the journaling club and that’s where you two met. He was tall, had a pretty smile and even prettier voice. Naturally, you two got close and even started to hang out after school and outside of club hours. It sounds like a typical high school romance and from the surface, it was. Until it was time for him to go back home and you were both left heartbroken and frustrated on how to resolve the underlying feelings between the two of you.

Somehow, the world kept working in your favor and Xiaojun ended up moving back once he graduated from his school back in China. The two of you went to the same university and even both got into similar classes to spend the most time together. All things were going great up until your senior year when you both applied to the job you work now. Tension started to build as you both wanted to get a spot as an intern in hopes to kickstart your career as a journalist. You knew how bad Xiaojun wanted it, but you didn’t know if you were willing to give up your dreams for your boyfriend. Yes, you did plan and hope to marry him one day and even in the toughest times, you’d still find yourself wanting to grow old with him, but when you got the spot and he didn’t, everything started to fall apart.

Both you and Xiaojun would get into fights after you got back from working all day and unknown to you, he applied as well for an actual job to the company. When he ended up getting the job, you didn’t know how to feel, I mean yes you were happy, but he also went behind your back and didn’t tell you about it until he was accepted. After all was said and done, you stuck through it and eventually was offered a job as well and to you, this was a great idea. You’d be working with your boyfriend who you loved dearly and you’d both be doing the thing you love. All was found great for about three weeks until he was offered a job at the sister company over in China.

When he brought up the offer to you, of course you were heartbroken, but you weren’t going to let him leave his dream behind to stay here with you and this somehow added more fuel to the fire. He started accusing you of wanting to take his position and even went as far to say you fell out of love with him which was far from the truth. In the end, he took the position and left overnight after a heated argument that caused you both to split. It took you years to move on from the first love of your life and when you did, you met Haechan who has been the absolute best boyfriend you could ever ask for. Sometime in the beginning, you did find yourself comparing him to your ex, but Haechan could never compare to Xiaojun because he treated you so much better.

Karina’s hand on your shoulder brought you back in, the concerned look in her eyes making you feel even worse. Everyone knew the messy breakup that happened between you and Xiaojun and everyone was sympathetic for you when you started putting all your focus into working. “Uhm, how-I mean when like what—why is this even happening?” Your voice was shaky, taking deep breaths in to calm yourself. Maybe it was the nerves that shook at the mention of his name, causing a chain reaction of old memories and emotions to resurface or maybe it was the sheer pain in your chest that drops down to your stomach when thinking of seeing him in front of you again.

“He’s supposed to come in today, but I heard from Doyoung that he’ll be in by the end of the week, I just thought I’d tell you in advance to prep you.” Immediately, you pull her into a hug to which she returns and the two of you hold one another on the floor in the back space of the office. “Keep strong, remember you have Haechan and all will be well, he doesn’t have a hold over you anymore.” Her words soothe you and she feels you relax in her embrace. You close your eyes, mentally thanking every star in the night sky for bringing you an amazing friend like Karina.

“C’mon, let’s go to my office so I can tell you about Yangyang and the shit he did last night.” Both of you get up from the floor, sitting in her office while she works on some reports and spills every little detail from her date with your boyfriend’s best friend. You thought it’d be weird going on double dates with Yangyang and Karina, but seeing as they’re not actually dating (yet), it all just feels like one big hangout amongst friends. You confide in her about your small arguments with Haechan and she now isn’t too happy with the boy of mention. “Seems to me like he’s ready to take the next big step.” You give her a look, flipping through her paper files as she types away on the computer. “And that is?”

“Moving in together, duh.” You snicker, trying to find any hint of her comment being a joke. When looking up to find her staring at you, you realize she’s joking. “Oh, you’re serious?” She shakes her head, pulling the files from you and setting them on her desk. “So you mean to tell me you haven’t thought about moving in with him at all, not even once?” Shrugging, your face scrunches up at her disappointing sigh. “L/n Y/n, you seriously haven’t thought about moving in with your boyfriend of nearly a year?”

“Not necessarily, I mean I’ve thought about it a couple times, but the thought of it always gave me stomach pains.”

“Are you sure that wasn’t just his cooking?” Jaehyun’s voice was recognizable from literally anywhere, making you whip your head around to throw up a finger at him. He smiles, slapping your hand away as you turn back to Karina. “Girl, this man is putting all the signs in front of you and you can’t even see them, see this is why you’re fighting.” She folds her arms over her chest, leaning back into her chair. “We’re not fighting, we’re simply arguing over the littlest shit which actually makes no sense in the end and we end up making up.”

“I hate to break this little counseling session, but you’re about to be late for your meeting.” You gasp, looking down at your watch to see you have barely three minutes to make it across the building. Pushing Jaehyun aside, you sprint as fast as you can through the building and bust through the doors just in time. Out of breath with your hair sticking to the light sweat that broke out on your forehead, you’re leaned over trying to catch your breath as you prop your hands on your knees. “Glad you can make it miss y/n.” The sound of Jungwoo’s voice makes you swallow thick, wiping your forehead with your sleeve as you move to grab a seat.

You can practically feel everyone’s eyes on you as you sit down, embarrassed at your unprofessional entrance. You look around the room, noticing the seat next to Jungwoo was empty. You’re about to ask Doyoung, who was sitting beside you who it belonged to before the door opened and caught everyone’s attention. “Sorry for being late everyone, I was caught up in traffic.” The familiar voice sends an uneasy chill down your spine, making your throat go dry and refusing to look in his direction. “No problem Xiaojun, please take a seat and let the meeting begin.” Jungwoo welcomed him, motioning him to the empty spot that was right across from yours.

You could feel his eyes on you, making you feel sick on the stomach. Instead of looking his way, you focused on the projector screen and tried to remain visibly calm and unaffected by his presence, but it was starting to get hard to maintain.

For the rest of the day, you stayed pretty silent and dodged every question that was being asked. You could tell people were worried and tried to be there for you, but the overwhelming shock of seeing him after nearly three years was still so fresh on your unhealed wound. Even Karina tried to keep people away from you just to let you have some space and give you time to collect your thoughts, knowing later on you’d fill her in, which you did. You called her after you left work, telling how uncomfortable it was with him staring you down and how tense the meeting was and how Doyoung pulled you aside and apologized for his unexpected announcement. Doyoung mentioned specifically he’d chew Jungwoo out for not giving him right information about his whereabouts for your sake.

“I can’t believe that happened, that’s something from like a movie.” You sigh, sticking your key into your door and pushing it open, nearly dropping your phone as you scream. Haechan, who you assumed wanted to surprise you, was standing in your living room with a plate that was covered with a metal lid. Taken aback by your reaction, he too screams and unexpectedly drops the plate which ultimately lands on his foot, furthering his scream. You throw your phone aside after telling Karina you’d call her back, scrambling down to a very much in pain Haechan. “Are you okay hyuckie, how bad does it hurt?”

Haechan moved his hands away from his bruised looking foot. You noticed the cut that was bleeding, frowning as you graze your fingers near his wound. “I’m sorry baby, I ruined your dinner.” When you looked up to meet his eyes, you immediately wanted to cry. He looked so soft and sad, like a puppy that was kicked and it broke your heart to see him apologizing over something so small. Okay, maybe it was just the weight of stress from the day that tipped the tears in your eyes to start spilling mixed in with your overly sweet boyfriend in pain apologizing for something that felt like your fault.

After you cleaned his wound up and had him propped up on the couch with a pillow under his foot, you cleaned up the mess it made and took a well-needed shower after. When you got back, you saw Haechan asleep on your couch, looking too peaceful to wake up. Grabbing the blanket from your closet, you gently drape it over him. He stirs a little, blinking up at you with a smile. “Baby, why didn’t you wake me up?” You shake your head, crouching down to hold his hand as you place a soft kiss onto his cheek. “You looked too peaceful to be woken up, plus you need to rest your foot.” He sits up a little, pushing the blanket off as he tries to get off the couch. “I can still walk, I’m not on crushes.”

You shake your head, helping him up and instead of guiding him to the door, you guide him to your room. “Why aren’t we going to my apartment?” He questions, letting you help him into bed. He knows far too well he can walk on his own, he just finds it too cute that you wanna help him around. “You’re staying with me tonight, duh.” After climbing into bed, you snuggle up to him and rest your head on his chest. His arm that you’re laying against is playing with your hair as you relax under his touch. “Wanna talk about it, your day I mean.” If you had a list of all the things you loved about him, near the top would be his attentiveness and how he seems to always know when something is troubling you.

“Maybe in the morning.” He nods, satisfied and way too tired to pry it out of you. Instead, he kisses the crown of your head and closes his eyes. His thoughts are turning and the sleepiness lets his tongue become a little unfiltered before thinking of his own words. “You know, maybe we can do this more if we lived together.” You could hear your heart beating out of your chest, only hoping that he didn’t hear it as well. You decide not to say anything, opting to go to sleep instead.

When morning comes, Haechan was still asleep and damn did he look so cute. You slowly and as quietly as you can get out of bed, get ready for work and leave your apartment with Haechan in it. You did write him a note and left it on the counter for when he wakes up before rushing out the door and praying your day would be better than yesterday. You genuinely had hopes it would, that is until you actually got to work and ran into the one person you were hoping to avoid. Xiaojun was walking just as you were, waving to you as you with return a nod. Trying to rush to the elevator, you’re starting to think the universe genuinely did enjoy shitting on you as Xiaojun made it just in time in the same elevator with you.

“What floor?” Practically spacing out, you didn’t realize he was talking to you until he got closer to you and started waving his hand in front of you. “I’m sorry, what?” For some ungodly reason, he smiles at you and repeats his question. Your tongue goes dry as you tell him and he clicks on it. You want to crawl into a hole and let the earth swallow you up when you see he only clicked on your floor, meaning he too had to get off on that floor. The rest of the ride up was tense and uncomfortably quiet.

Once the doors open, Xiaojun goes to say something and you can almost guess what he’s about to say before you run, literally run, out the elevator and run into your tiny office space and hide. As embarrassing as you probably look, you’re thankful you kept the conversation short and didn’t have to endure any more short talk with him. You pull your phone from your pocket as it starts buzzing, settling in your chair and logging into your computer. You immediately smile at the caller id, swiping right to answer and bring the phone to your ear. “Hi hyuckie.” You can practically hear his smile through the phone as he shifts around in the background. “Hi baby, i like the note you left me.” Smiling a little wider, you start to click open some unanswered emails.

“I’m glad you like it baby, I meant it too, especially the part about taking one of your toes if so much as lift a hand today.” He laughs, taking a bite of what you assume is the food you asked Yangyang to bring him for you. “Yeah yeah, don’t touch my money makers.” You snicker, holding the phone up with your shoulder as you start to reply to emails and sort through the ones that aren’t as urgent. “Anyway, have you thought of what I said last night?”

“Hm, last night?”

“Yeah, about moving in together and stuff.” The timing of his words and the email you just opened triggered a chain reaction to you feeling awfully sick. The email you received from Doyoung was his email that he got from Jungwoo, telling you that you’d have to work on a piece for an up and coming company with—you guessed it—your ex. “Baby? What’s wrong, you went super quiet.” You almost forgot you’re talking to Haechan, clearing your throat as you type a very infuriating reply to the email. “Uhm, sorry I just got distracted, can we maybe talk about this another time, I’m so sorry baby, but I just—I gotta take care of something real quick.”

You miss the defeated tone in Haechan’s voice when he bids you goodbye before hanging up the phone. As if on cue, Doyoung comes flying into your office, giving you the same sympathetic look he gave you just the day before. “Don’t do anything irrational before you send that email.” You push yourself back from your desk, swiveling your chair around to stare up at him furiously. “Are you kidding me, out of all the people in this building I just so happen to be paired up with him?”

“I know and I tried to fight Jungwoo on it, but he said what we were all thinking.” Doyoung threw his hands up in defense, trying to keep you from tearing him apart. “And that is?” You crossed your arms over your chest, waiting for something logical, anything that’ll make you believe there’s nothing to quit you from going to Jungwoo yourself. “You’re the best we have and he’s also very talented, think about it y/n, if you both work on this together—not even together, just you working on the draft and him finalizing it, it’ll give you so much light.” You hated it, you hated how right he was and how sick it made you feel. You hated that you now were forced to have contact with him and you absolutely hated how Haechan would react.

Just as you’re about to tell Doyoung you didn’t care and that there was no way in hell you’d work with Xiaojun, the man himself peaks into your office as Doyoung is leaving. “Hey y/n, can we talk?” You look to Doyoung for help, but instead he waves you goodbye and disappears amongst the crowd of your coworkers. “Uh, sure?” He leans against your desk, picking at his nails as you can only assume he’s trying to find his words. “I assume you got the email and I just wanna say I’m excited to work with you again.” You feel way too many emotions at once and it’s all overwhelming. Thankfully, he doesn’t look at you directly and can’t tell how close you are to crying.

“In celebration of being back, we’re all going out tonight and I wanted to know if you’re coming or not.” You want to say no, you want to scream it from the top of the building and tell him to eat shit for coming back into your life as if nothing happened, as if he didn’t break you, but you pull it together and shrug. “I guess, if Karina goes of course, don’t wanna be with you alone somewhere.” The last part comes out completely by accident and it throws Xiaojun off. He smiles, taking his leave, leaving you to try and filter your thoughts.

The rest of the day goes by relatively normal and you made sure to text Haechan that you were found out with work friends for dinner. To much surprise, he didn’t ask why and told you to have fun. You told him you’d be back not too late and somehow that was the opposite of how the night ended. When you all left work, everyone immediately wanted to get dinner and have a good time. You on the other hand kept close to Karina even though she invited Yangyang. Karina made the promise to stay by you regardless of her state, but two shots into the night and she was off somewhere dancing on tables with her (soon to be)boyfriend cheering her on.

Awkward tension was surrounding you and Xiaojun as people kept congratulating you both on getting such a big story to cover and to be honest, it didn’t feel like a real celebration. By the end of the night, Karina had lost your keys somewhere between the bathroom and the bar she was clinging to. Xiaojun of course had to be the first to offer you a ride home with the drunk (not yet)couple in his backseat and although you wanted to call Haechan, you felt bad if you got him out the comfort of his bed at this ungodly hour. The drive on the other hand was a breeze since Karina and Yangyang kept spewing nonsense and directly talking shit about Xiaojun.

When you pulled up to your apartment, Xiaojun got out of the car as you did, watching you walk towards your building. Turning around due to the feeling of being watched, you saw him leaning against his door. “Why are you watching me, it’s uncomfortable.” He smiled, shaking his head as reopened his door. “Just making sure you get inside safely.” You chose the safest option and turned back around without a word and went up to your apartment. The only thing you wanted right now was to crawl into your bed after an amazingly hot shower and sleep your worries away, instead you were met with a very upset looking Haechan standing at your front door.

“Hi baby.” You mumble, pushing your door open and walking past him. “Who was that?” His question threw you off, turning to him to see him standing in your doorway with furrowed brows. “Who are you talking about?”

“Pretty boy making heart eyes at my girlfriend, the one whose car you got out of?” You could see the hurt written across his face, making you frown. “Baby, he was no one, don’t worry about him.” He scoffs, dropping his crossed arms to run his fingers through his hair. “He’s not one of your coworkers I’ve seen before, so please y/n, just tell me who the hell was that guy.” You’ve never seen him so upset before, his eyes were glossy and yet there was a lingering anger that you could see in his eyes. “He’s my ex boyfriend—I know it looks bad I know, but I can explain perfectly.”

He looks down at his feet, silently waiting for you to give your explanation. “He used to work at the came company, but he ended up moving back home to work at the sister company and we broke up—I promise you hyuck there’s nothing going on between us, he just dropped me off because Karina lost my keys and they all wanted to celebrate him coming back and I didn’t have a ride ho-“

“Why didn’t you call me?” It was all too much, your senses overwhelmed. Both of you were a mess, crying as you each tried to keep it together. “It’s late and you’re hurt and I didn-“

He scoffed, taking a step back and out your front door. “So you take a ride with your ex instead of calling your boyfriend..is he the reason you don’t wanna move in with me?” Shaking your head, you try to reach out for him in hopes he’d let you in, instead he shuts you out and takes another step back. “Please hyuck, I do wanna move in with you, I just can’t.” Everything was happening too fast, Haechan silently went back to his apartment leaving you falling to your knees in tears with your door wide open.

That night, you felt empty inside. It seemed dramatic, but you truly never had such a bad fight with Haechan before. Sure, you two would have small petty fights, but this one ripped your heart right out your chest and all you could think of was how he might leave you. The next morning, you laid in your bed, crying on the pillow Haechan used each time he stayed over. You had already told Doyoung you’d be working from home for the rest of the week, making up an excuse that you were sick and didn’t feel like coming into work and risking everyone else getting it as well. Of course Doyoung wished you a good recovery and told you he’d email you everything you needed.

As the day passed, you laid dormant in your bed while watching the sun rise and fall from its shine through your window. A knock on your front door caught your attention, immediately rushing up from your bed and running through your apartment to answer it. When you opened the door, you were hoping to be met with Haechan, instead you saw Karina holding a duffel bag. “Don’t just stand there, lemme in, it’s cold.” You stepped aside, sniffling as she entered your apartment. You could hear shuffling coming from down the hall, watching Yangyang come up and to Haechan’s door along with Renjun and Mark. They all gave you a sympathetic smile when seeing you nearly break down, knocking on Haechan’s door.

You stood there, waiting for it to open just to get a glimpse. You needed to see him, almost desperate to see him and you wanted nothing more to have him back in your arms. Mark picked his phone from his pocket, answering it and nodding before hanging up his call. “He said it’s unlocked.” Both boys nodded at the other before giving you one last look before they all disappeared into Haechan’s apartment. Karina gently guided you from your door, holding you when you turned into her arms and let it all go.

Not exactly how long you stood by your door crying into her shirt, but being the amazing friend she is, she held you as you let it all out. The stress from work, the stress and pain from being forced to be around Xiaojun and the stress and pain of worrying of losing Haechan was all too much and you finally let it all out. Once you had calmed down, both you and Karina settled in your bed and watched your favorite moves for the rest of the night till you got hungry. “Go shower and I’ll order food.” You could only nod, imagining how bad you smelt from wallowing in your bed all day.

As you got in the shower, Karina ordered your favorite take out and waited till it was delivered. She went to get it from the delivery man when she spotted Haechan coming up to his apartment. Not knowing if she should say hello or not, she paid for the food and stood awkwardly in your doorway. From the looks of it, he looked just as bad as you did. Hair unkept to, clothes inside out and mismatching and he overall looked heartbroken. She started to think he didn’t notice her, until he finally made eye contact. “How..is she?” She too felt her eyes start to sting thinking about you and how softly you tried to cry in the shower when she passed by.

“She’s not herself, but I got her.” He simply nodded, standing in front of his door for a minute. “Karina, did the food come?” Your voice caught both of their attentions, making Karina turn around and shut the door before she caught sight of him. When the door shut, Haechan silently cried as he entered his apartment, being brought into a group hug with the three boys.

A few weeks had passed since your fight with Haechan and both of you were avoiding each other, despite how much you wanted to talk to one another. When he was coming in from work, you’d be opening the door for Karina or leaving to go meet up with Xiaojun for work. I know, meeting with your ex when you and your boyfriend aren’t talking isn’t ideal, but Jungwoo got down your throat about your project and wanted a final draft soon. Karina kept telling you to man up and text him first, be the bigger person and to ‘get it over with’ so she doesn’t have to see you mope around.

In your defense—you tried to text him and every time you did you could see the three little bubbles indicating he was too trying to text you. You always chickened out, waiting for him to finish his text, only to be saddened when the bubbles disappear and your heart breaks all over again. As you’re sitting on your couch binging It’s Okay To Not Be Okay for the fifth time this week, you hear a knock on your door and don’t think much of it. When you get off the couch and finally open the door, to much surprise you don’t see who you expect. Usually when you hear a knock, it’s typically Karina and if she can’t come, she’ll send Yangyang in her place. You were even hoping it’d be Haechan, instead you were met with a very smiley Xiaojun.

You notice the flowers—your favorite flowers in his hand and a bag of what smells like your favorite food. The old you probably would’ve swooned at him standing in front of you, but the person you are now is completely taken aback by his unannounced arrival, more importantly how did he remember where you lived. “What do you want?” Now he looks taken aback, not expecting your reaction. “I uh, can I come in, it’s kinda cold out here.” You relax, leaning against your door frame with arms crossed over your chest. “No, now answer my question.” He takes in a deep breath, swallowing thickly while trying to avoid your gaze.

“Well, it’s our anniver—“

“Was our anniversary, past tense.”

“Yeah, was, um, but I thought you’d like to come out with me, but judging by your absence at work I decided to come to you instead.” Your deadpan expression should give away how you feel, but you almost forget who you’re dealing with. He was the same way when you two dated, completely oblivious to your feelings despite your body language giving it away. “Xiaojun, I’m sorry if you got some mixed signals by me being in your general presence, but I have a boyfriend actually and I’m not really into the douchebag type anymore, sorry.”

He scoffs, dropping his hand that was holding the flowers. “You could’ve just said no, you don’t have to make up having a boyfriend.” You’re not exactly sure how the universe managed to pull this off, but just as Xiaojun was finishing his sentence, Haechan was walking up to his door with Yangyang and Mark. “Actually, that’s my boyfriend right there, wave hi.” You point to Haechan who was confused seeing you and your ex staring at him. “Who, the one with blonde hair?” You visibly gag, shaking your head while Mark snickers at the very offended Yangyang. “Ew, no, the brunette, that’s the boyfriend, so sorry, bye bye now.” You give Xiaojun a little shove away from your door, pushing him a little further before going back into your apartment.

You almost miss the look Haechan is giving you, making your stomach turn upside down with butterflies that cry out for him. Something inside tells you to stay, to hope he comes over and scoops you up and kisses you to make up for each kiss he missed out, but you choose to hold it together and shut your door before you completely break down all over again.

Another long week passed with no word from Haechan and you’re starting to think he’s never going to talk to you again. By the end of the week, you’re fed up with it all. You’re over the silence from his end and the avoided eye contact in the hall when passing one another, you’re especially over spending your first year anniversary alone in bed in the morning. Thankfully it was a weekend and you didn’t have to go into work with puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks, opting to finally confront Haechan and sort through the shit show your relationship has come to.

Sometime between crying to old Taylor Swift songs and brushing your teeth, you go over what you want to say to him in case he breaks up with you and the thought leaves a bitter taste on your tongue that the brush cannot get rid of. You finish getting ready for the day, taking your time to eat breakfast in hopes that it all goes well. Karina had called earlier, trying to give you a pep-talk and hype you up, but she only added fuel to your nervousness. Deciding to stop stalling anymore, you leave your apartment and stand frozen in front of Haechan’s door. The butterflies in your stomach are beating against you, rushing around to be set free.

With a deep breath, you knock on his door and await in the background noise of the city. After some shuffling, you see Haechan swing the door open and you feel your knees giving in just by the sight of him. His hair has been trimmed, combed nicely and parted even with what you assume is styling gel. He was wearing some of his nicer clothes in his closet, no suit and tie, but more of his favorite jeans and a shirt that complements both his shirt and skin tone. He has his shoes on, as if he was about leave and part of you is terrified to know where he was going. “Go back home, you’re not supposed to be here.”

Now you’re a little taken aback by him, furrowing your brows as he immediately realizes how harsh that sounds. “No, no not like that—I mean I had things planned and I was supposed to come to you and it was supposed to be roman—“ As expected, you completely melt as he tries to explain and instead of staring at him like he’s an idiot—(he is but he’s your idiot)—you pull on his collar and take him into a very awaited kiss. Haechan is just as surprised as you are, hesitating a little before wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you into his apartment to hold you closer.

The two of you share an intimate and very much missed kiss, holding one another until you’re both out of breath and pull back. “I missed you hyuck.” You couldn’t see the goofy boyish smile he had, his heart doing flips in his chest at the use of the nickname. “I missed you even more baby, I promise I’ll never go that long without you again, I mean it baby.” Letting out the breath of relief, you took this moment to re-familiarize yourself with Haechan. His touch was still the same, gentle yet firm when he held you. His lips were still as soft as ever, a little dry—but a few swipes of chapstick never hurt anyone.

“I think we should talk about this all, I really do—but I have a surprise first.” You look up at him, smiling as he grabs both of your hands and leads you out of his apartment. “Where are we going?” He shakes his head at you, wiggling his finger after making sure his door was locked. “It’s a surprise woman, don’t ask me questions I can’t answer.” You roll your eyes at him, sticking your tongue out to which he blows a kiss. Following him down to his car, you both get in and head out for whatever his surprise was. You start to look around, heading just a little further down in the city to an area that was somewhat familiar.

“Alright, we’re here.” Once he parked the car, both you and Haechan got out of the car and he took your hand into his. Giving his hand a squeeze, he returned the squeeze with a smile. “You look beautiful by the way, especially when you’re telling your ex off.” You snicker, rolling your eyes at him while following alongside. The two of you walk up to a cafe door, Haechan covering your eyes with one hand as he pulls the door open. “Okay, now take a couple steps forward—but be careful not to fall, I cannot afford to spend our first anniversary at the hospital.”

“And if I do, don’t judge me.” He only smiles, coming in behind you as he still holds his hands over your eyes. You can feel how close he’s gotten, his breath fanning your neck as he drops his hand and you finally take in everything. There were rose petals scattered all over the floor of the cafe that the two of you first met, all leading to the table you were seated that day and circling around it. On the table was your favorite dinner from a chain restaurant that you two ordered on your first official date and along the wall are polaroids you took at the reception of Johnny’s wedding.

Tears began to swell in your eyes, turning around to pull him close and peck small kisses all over his face. He holds your waist, taking in the affection he missed so much. “I know we have a lot to talk about and a lot of explaining to do for the distance between us these last few week, but right now I just want you to know I love you, I’m head over heels in love with you and I wouldn’t have asked for anyone else to want to spend my life with.”

“We’ll talk about that later, for now, I just wanna be with you.” Haechan didn’t have any problem with that, leading you over to the table where you two sat and ate and talked for hours. He told you about how the boys tried to cheer him up and even helped him rent the cafe out for the day—which was very expensive, he mentioned. You told him the full backstory about Xiaojun and Haechan fully understood why you didn’t want him around. Regardless of him being your ex, the two of you were just no good and created a bad environment for you to be in. For the rest of the night, you both danced around the cafe to music Haechan could sing on the spot and had the best night to end your perfectly imperfect first anniversary.

©︎𝐋𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐍., 2022

[mrsbuttergood]

[PAC] Pick Your SSO-Halloween Adventure!

I had originally done this on my main blog but I thought it would also be fun to do one Star Stable themed! And what perfect timing with the Halloween event starting soon. If you've never done a pick-a-card before, just look at the three images and choose which ever you feel called to the most then head over to the appropriate pile.

Disclaimers! as always, this is for fun and should not be taken serious. This is a fictional story/reading and should not be taken or be reflective of your actual life. This is more of a "choose-your-adventure" and I hope you guys like enjoy it! ;D

Now let's begin!

Hey welcome to my little shack! Since lil' old boy Ydris is away, I decided to take over for today! Isn't this place great! The smells, the fresh water, the— Oh. You just want to start the reading? Okay okay!

Now just go and grab one of three ingredient bags.

Don't mind the gaping hole of green despair underneath the huge cauldron. Isn't it sick? Don't tell anyone, but Kasper helped me sneak it in here, don't ask me how it fit, it just did, but I don't think Karin will mind me borrowing it for a second, so go on. Choose whichever ingredient you like the most and throw it into the pot to get your spook-tacular fortune!

(In order from 1, 2, 3.)

Now a sprinkle of horse hair, ash, and some soul shards.

Okay, not let's see what we-

Oug! Well isn't that peculiar, your cauldron shows to have a bit of a temper- well no. Actually, it seems hesitant more than anything, nothing wants to pop out. While that rumbling doesn't sound too good, no worries, it shouldn't be a problem… I think… I'll just place this over there…

But anyway, this could be because the future wants to stay a mystery or more so, it seems to be hesitance on your part? …Did Madison convince you into coming here? …Thought so…

Because from the cauldron, it seems like you don't want anything to happen during this Halloween. This restlessness is seen within the 5 of Hearts and the stubbornness is also reflected with The Fool in Reverse. And given that frown you big grumpy pants, you don't want to take part in any of the festivities… or is it because you don't want an adventurous hallows eve?

Well kiss your peaceful Halloween night goodbye because unfortunately for you, you're going on an adventure! :D

Now before you chuck that plastic bat at me, hear me out. This may seem like a bad thing at first, given you were expecting to take a break from your hectic adventurer life in Jorvik, this will benefit you later! Trust me— well okay, I'll zip it before you actually do chuck that thing at me, the edges are actually sharp I'll have you know, but if you don't trust me, then trust the cards!

The 4 of Spades guides you to get out of the house with it's message encouraging to have fun this Halloween year despite your wanting to stay indoors with your horse.

I know, I know, you're sick of how busy you are. Just recently finishing up a quest with Alex, you had to watch after those two mischievous Goldspur twins that always play tricks on you and had to solider through the migraine Gavin usually causes with his forgetfulness. So it would be nice to have a day off on this wonderfully spooky season.

You were probably expecting a cozy Halloween indoors with an holiday appropriate movie, with a big bucket of candy that you'd occasionally munch on while also giving away to the local kids who ring the door bell.

Sore luck for you, because of 6 of Spades hints at something accidentally going awry. Maybe you go out to investigate the weird noise you heard in the stable and then suddenly, you're packed up to go onto your next adventure, or maybe not packed at all as you rush out. This is also reflected with The Fool, showing that your Halloween will take on a complete 180 turn in comparison to your plans.

You could probably feel frustrated at first, especially as the cold night bites into your skin, probably regretting not taking that extra large coat Mrs. Holdsworth made for you before heading out, but you will learn from this experience. You're gonna be fine and it'll be a pivotal journey in your life.

I know, you're giving me a buggy eyes with a "What are you talking about" look plastered all over your face, but it's fine. The cards speak of it's truth. Unfortunately, none of us are escaping this Jorvik madness and you'll have a spectacular, wacky Halloween adventure—Okay! I'll quit, don't actually try to throw the cauldron at me, you'll loose the extra messages.

This adventure unfortunately won't end for a while, and as you can, the image of a "winter wonderland" comes up. This will probably last for a couple of months, probably not till the end of this year's winter where it'll end with a blast. But, the message of "take a deep breathe" is also coming out. I know it's stressful, but at the end of the day, you'll still be in shock. But at least the twins will have a new story to tell the other children next hallows eve.

…Now would you like a piece of candy before you throw me into the cauldron next or…?

Yes, brilliant technique, I can almost see the sinking gooey goop of ghost goo behind the abundant amount of cobwebs you chucked into the cauldron, unfortunately those spider eggs seem lost long to the gunk. But just beyond their stringy grasps, I can see the image of a castle on top of the hill, just past the stone walls with a dark sky above. Dark and ominous but for the best of reasons.

Now I know you're excited, I can practically see the Halloween spirit dancing around you, but the images are popping up one by one. Even your horse seems to be in festive wear despite there still being time till the big event, lovely skeleton costume by the way.

Perhaps you'll have an adventure at the old castle this Halloween?

Ohh~ Are you going to encounter a new companion at the castle? The 8 of Hearts in Reverse tells me that you will find enjoyment through this year. There's also a lot of hearts imagery coming pooping up, from the hearts in your eyes to the hearts in the cards. This joy you have of this season will be satisfied greatly as this will be a wonderfully dreadful spooky time, which is seen with the Jack of Hearts.

The towns are decorated from head to toe in pumpkins, bats, and ghouls alike and your heart thumps as you think you hear the moaning of a ghost. The taste of pumpkin juice is deliciously sweet on your tongue and you'll laugh as you dance around the pumpkin patch with your friends. Decorated from head to toe in holiday fright, your scared little heart will thump it's might.

Perhaps for this spooky season you will be celebrating with a friend, as you guys both explore the pumpkin patch or maze. But the height of your excitement will happen within the walls of the haunted castle. I did catch a brief glimpse of the 2 of Hearts which symbolizes a union, and while it can represent a romantic relationship, this feels more like a friendship. Or maybe within there, you will come across a wondering little fellow to introduce into your stable.

This is likely the case, as the 7 of Hearts hints at a new companion joining your stable! Oh how fun! It's a nervous little thing, jittery, but before you know it, it'll sneak itself into your stable, and your heart.

There will be an adjusting period with sudden expenses as seen with the 5 of Diamonds, as it's a decision you come to quickly, but a happy one that'll bring you great joy. There will be this refreshing feeling within the holiday, and especially after this little critter joining your stable, you'll feel like overall, this was a good hallows eve filled with laughter with friends, dancing, and spooky madness.

Now hold up there, I can see the crazy in your eyes so before you kidnap a wondering bunny in the Hollow Woods or try to lure in a fox pup with some kettle—don't even think about doing that—the cauldron show images of you relaxing. Yes, you, you anxious body filled with anxiety. I know you want to bring it home with you immediately, but the cards are telling you to "be patient".

What is meant to happen is meant to happen, whatever companion is meant to find you, whether it be person, critter, or horse, it will find you. Though whoever this is, especially if it's a critter, there's an additional message of "I believe that we're soul mates" - a new steed or furry companion? Whoever the case, you're going to have a good Halloween.

Now, do you want some candy or would you like a nap? There's a pile of moss in the corner that Ydris usually dozes off on. But maybe instead you should go home, or I'm worried you'll combust with giddy anxiousness.

Let's see what this hallows eve will bring to you…

Well… lovely explosion, I guess your concoction loves to be very active. Quite weird given chamomile is usually a calming ingredient, even when mixed with moss and a wiggly worm. Oh well, at least the only side effect is this green goop, here's a napkin, it's okay, it happens. Could be worse honestly, one time I almost blew up the whole tent, it was-Oh! I would really suggest not biting your nails unless you want to taste the bitterness of grass in your mouth. But well what a mess we have here, with all these cards scattered about.

Well first of all, are you good? There's this sense of rush with how quickly everything is popping up. Specifically with the even numbers 8, 6, 10 all popping up in-order and it seems to show a route to completion. And then 9 last, which usually hints to the completion in life, barely reaching the end point—Okay! Woah, what is with all of these 9s popping up?

The 9 of Spades talks about being the giver of givers, but here it feels like it's telling you to give to yourself, especially within closing this hectic chapter in your lifestyle.

You seem to be anxious, head filled with thoughts. Are the decorations set correctly? Is there enough candy? What happens if the twins visit and blow up your pumpkin like last year? Aye yi yi, relax my fellow horse lover. With all this stress, how can you even enjoy the spooky season to begin with? Halloween is supposed to be fun, not stressful!

Look, even your horse is giving you a look- wow wait, don't eat that! Oh not you, you can nibble on as much candy as your heart desires, I just need to get this sheet from your—well, I guess now I have a naked ghost made of sticks and your horse has a new costume now. Well, that matter aside, the 9 of Diamonds in Reverse tells you to give to yourself this holiday season, which is repeated with the Jack of Clubs which hints towards you not just taking a physical break, but also a mental one this Halloween season.

And enjoy it too, cause even Jorvik hero's deserve a break from time to time, especially if recent missions have been taking a toll on you. I'm sure the Soul Riders would understand. All of these messages are telling you to give to yourself this spooky season, treat yourself to a treat if you will.

For all your hard work, you'll be regarded with sweet relief. Go on a vacation. Indulge in an extra piece of pumpkin pie and a smoothie, maybe at Fort Pinta Beach, or maybe just munch on candy as you watch people get chased around by pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.

You're constantly running all around Jorvik but have you stopped to smell the roses? Or, I guess have you stopped to poke at the goo this Halloween?

I'm banned from touching Ydris's crystal ball, I have no clue why, but if I did, I'm sure it would reflect all your stress back at you if it could.

Have you ever heard of breathing? I know, wild concept, but close your eyes then taking in a deep breathe for 4 seconds. Hold it for 7, then let go for 8. Now open your eyes and breathe again. Do this for as long as you need.

You're probably a completionist, and you're buzzing with this mix of dread and excitement, but allow allow calmness to come into your life. Maybe cuddle your horse a little, sit on the hay barrel and just chat with them if it helps. Who cares, we're all mad in Jorvik, no one would bat an eye.

Now don't mind Lizzy, she judges everyone. Better yet, enjoy time around the campfire and just relax as they talk about Jorvik folktales. Maybe you can come join Madison, Mrs. Holdsworth, Scott, and I tell stories this year? Or you could just sit and listen as Rania recounts her adventures instead.

This anxiousness will go away, and just take the time to relax. The most scared you should be this season should be from the Goldspur twins tricks, not from the sweet relief which is the spooky season. Now, go ahead and grab as much candy as you want and enjoy the re—

…You didn't hear a thump in the closet, and no that isn't-

Ydris! Get back in the box!

Thank you for taking the time out of your lovely day to read this! Disclaimer as always, this is fictional and doesn't reflect anything real.

Hope you guys had some good Jorvik fun today and have a splendid spooky season!

[akystaracer22]

Infection AU HSR - Clock Strikes 12

Prompt: Race Against the Clock - Panic Attack + Alt Prompt - Communication Barrier

Synopsis: An infected Dan Feng, battling with his own body, attempts desperately to find a cure for the dangerous Howler Virus that is currently infecting Foxians and Vidyadhara on the Luofu. He's making progress, but is it already too late for him?

Aka: I hurt the lizard for 2092 words.

This is part of a greater AU I'm making, but this prompt was just too perfect. Here's to my first ever Whumptober submission!

Fic under cut!

Dan Feng swallowed for the fifth time that minute as he scratched a note down and shakily lined up the syringe to extract a vial of his blood. He was pressed between his bed and the wall, and had since migrated most of his workbench to the floor for easy access.

“Later stages of infection seemed to have a deteriorating effect on the vestibular system, resulting in a loss of balance. Furthermore, the dizziness combined with continued migraines result in difficulty thinking.”

He refused to acknowledge that the last time he tried to stand up resulted in him slicing his now bandaged arm. The day he lost control and access to his Cloudhymn was a frustrating one, especially since he had to take to hiding Cloudpiercer in his quarters after he was rendered unable to unsummon it.

He’d been tracking the stages of his infection the moment he caught notice of it, regular blood samples that were becoming harder to extract the more the muscles in his arm shifted and made it so much more difficult to exercise fine motor function.

The High Elder stopped caring about the legibility of his notes at around the same time that Xianzhou script became too time consuming to piece together, creating a different shorthand entirely so he could keep working towards a cure.

The Howler virus wasn’t just infective to Foxian’s, Dan Feng was proof of it. He needed to find a cure before it had a chance to reach and infect his people. Simply stalling the virus wasn’t enough, he needed to tear it apart with the force of a Lux Arrow-!

The Vidyadhara flinched and hissed in pain as another muscle spasm tore through his hand, jostling the syringe in his arm. Blood ran down Dan Feng’s arm and he jerked the limb awkwardly to the side to keep the blood away from his notes. It was darker in color from the last vial.

“The infection seems to have a visible color shift in the blood of the victims. The further the virus progresses, the darker the blood becomes. Stage five infected have distinctive black blood when injured.”

Dan Feng wrenched his attention away from the dark (Not black it wasn’t black the lighting was just too dim he still had time it wasn’t black-!) blood, wrapping the newly injured arm in gauze to stop the bleeding.

Imbibitor Lunae’s heart hammered in his chest as he began to check the blood. If his current hypothesis was right, then he’d have everything he’d need to start working on a cure. He tried to stem the rising panic in his heart as he examined the very dark (It cannot be black he still had time-) color of his blood. Dragging the microscope over to him, he put a droplet of the dark blood on a clean slide before starting to look at the blood cells.

He was right.

Entering Stage 3, even the most powerful antiviral medication begins proving less and less effective against the Howler virus. By the time the infected reach Stage 4, all known medication proves completely ineffective at stopping the virus. For the longest time, the question as to why medication proved so useless at these stages was a mystery.

Then again, getting a sample of a late stage victim hadn’t been achieved yet. The strength of the later stages and the unpredictability rendering it too much of a risk.

The cells were completely merged with the virus, that’s what was causing the mutations. It made sense, there were very few ways something could cause such drastic changes in the infected Foxians. It also explained why the virus was no longer responding to medication, it wasn’t just a virus at that point it was also affecting the very DNA of the victim. But still, Dan Feng couldn’t figure out what caused the virus. Or rather, which Aeon was behind it.

Lan, Nanook, Nous, Qlipoth, and IX were all out of the equation. Lan wouldn’t turn THEIR wrath on the Xianzhou like this, and this couldn’t be farther from THEIR domain. By that logic, this also wasn’t Nanook’s doing. The cells weren’t being destroyed, nor were the infected turning into members of the Antimatter Legion. Nous, Qlipoth, and IX all have no ties to the symptoms of the virus, so they were also not likely to be the culprit..

Then there were Ena, Mythos, Akivili, Terminus, and HooH. Also unlikely choices for the Aeon who’s domain this is. Again, not many strong ties to the Howler virus, and the few he could figure out were frayed and weak at best. Dan Feng isn’t entirely sure he wasn’t reaching for a few of those.

That left Idrila, Oroboros, Tazzyronth, Yaoshi, and Fuli.

Idrila and Fuli were questionable, but still worth looking into. Idrila was centered around beauty, and from some perspective, you could admire the stage 5 infected Foxian’s. Dan Feng grimaced and looked at the scales covering most of his body. The images, depictions, and Cloudhymn mimicry of the Vidyadhara’s ancestors could be considered beautiful. If that was what Idrila was aiming for with him however, THEY painfully failed.

Fuli on the other hand, well. Memory was Fuli’s domain, more so than Mythos’. The later stages all affected the memory of the victims (which is how he knows he’s not out of time because he’s still himself-) but then again, THEY were more concerned with the preservation and recording of memories, not the distortion and destruction of them.

After a moment of hesitation, Imbibitor Lunae slashed a line through the symbols for Fuli and Idrila. Idrila’s beauty would not take such a crude form, THEY would rather their blessing’s create beauty for all. This also doesn’t fit Fuli’s motivations.

Which left Tazzyronth, Oroboros, and Yaoshi.

Oroboros… THEY seem like a likely candidate. The Voracity, eternal hunger, eternal savagery and the desire to consume all. The feral and animalistic nature of Stage 5 infected (which Dan Feng wasn’t-) does fit it. However that doesn’t explain why they don’t just mindlessly devour, they attack others and devour the bodies should they succeed in killing, but they’re only violent against living things, not everything like those of the Voracity are.

Tazzyronth, with the excess saliva late stage infected produce -Dan Feng swallowed again, it meant nothing- and with bodily fluids being the main means of infection, it was close. The Propagation’s desire to spread was well known with the ongoing Swarm Disaster. Still, the cells didn’t duplicate in any rate different to a typical virus, and the High Elder could swear he detected no traces of the Propagation when he scoured the infected before he joined their ranks.

Dan Feng was sure it had to be Yaoshi, it had to be. THEY were the only Aeon he could think of with the motivation, and the means. These mutations were synonymous with mara or the monstrous forms of the Borisin. But if that were the case, then why was he infected? It should be impossible. Permanence and Abundance couldn’t affect one another, it was why the Vidyadhara never fell to mara, despite having such long lives and living amongst those that did. It was why they were tasked with guarding the Plague Marks.

Dan Feng growled low in his throat as his frustration mounted. It made no sense, he should have been immune! He was the High Elder of the Luofu Vidyadhara, Imbibitor Lunae. He shouldn’t have even been able to be infected. Yet here he is, his very blood a marker as well as the scales scarring his body. It was like some sick cosmic joke-!

The Vidyadhara froze.

He forgot about Aha.

Swiftly, Dan Feng circled the symbols for Elation and Abundance and scored a line between the symbols. It made perfect sense. That must be why he couldn’t detect any distinct path in the bodies of the sick, because there were two working together. The Howler Virus was only targeting those who already exhibited features outside of the galactic norm. The Foxian’s and the Vidyadhara were being targeted, where Xianzhou Natives and Outworlders were left unscathed so far. THEY were already known for playing cruel jokes on the universe like this.

Why not make the already ‘less human’ species more beasts than they used to be?

The Vidyadhara let out a strangled huff as he looked through his notes, his distress mounting as his heart began to race. He fought to keep the tears that were threatening to fall in place as despair worked its way into his heart. Two Aeons. Two Aeons were behind this. Destroying the work of one Aeon was almost impossible, Long knows the Xianzhou has demonstrated that time and time again. But two simultaneously?

His foot spasmed and the High Elder lunged forward, his claws crunching the outer shell of the microscope slightly as he kept it from tipping over. He sat frozen, paralyzed as he struggled to control his breathing.

How can he stop this, fix this? The infected have their entire being effectively overwritten by Abundance and Elation working in a cancerous tandem. Even if he, against the odds, found a way to preserve the sanity of the afflicted, he couldn’t undo the physical damage their bodies have sustained. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t do this!

What he would need to do would be impossible. He’d have to find a way to somehow harness the power of the Aeons and rewrite fate, alter someones very being in a way so complete that THEIR hold on the body was broken.

Dan Feng would need to essentially solve the problem that had been plaguing his species for millennia, and he needed to do it now.

“██████████?”

Imbibitor Lunae snapped his head towards the door, hearing the loud knocking combined with the distinctive sound of Jing Yuan’s voice. The knocking was rhythmic, balanced, and relatively soft while still making itself known.

“███ ████, ████ ██ ████ █████ █ ███████ ████ ██ ███ ███ ███ ████ ███ ██ ████ ████.”

Followed by the quick hammering of Yingxing knocking and his voice. The voice was sharp and harsh, as biting and fiery as the forge he worked in. It offset Jing Yuan’s softness in a typically pleasant way.

That usual joy at hearing their voices was snuffed out by the fact that Dan Feng couldn’t understand anything they said.

Logically, he knew this was going to happen. That’s why he stopped responding to their weekly check-ins. It was increasingly difficult to understand them by that point, even with the synesthesia beacons. He’d also been silent during those check-in’s, not trusting his voice to give out and reveal the state he was really in. Dan Feng would just smile and nod and wave off their concern silently before shutting off the call, letting them know he was fine without having to say a word.

“██████████? ███ ██████ ███ ████ █████ ██. ██ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ████ ███ ████ ████. ████████ ██ ███ ███████ ██████████ ████ ███ ███ █████ ████████ ██ ████ ████████ █████ █ █████, ██ ██ ████ ████.”

He couldn’t do that now. They’d want to talk to him, they’d want answers. Before, he’d be able to misdirect them by changing the topic, or getting them to start bickering. He couldn’t do that now. Dan Feng didn’t know how to get them to get away from his door.

“███████, ██ ██████ ████ ███████ ██ ████ ███ ████████, ████ ████ ██████ ███ ██████ ████ ██ █████ █████.”

Vidyadhara's heart raced and he struggled to breathe, clutching his chest as he gasped for breath. He didn’t know what to do. This was all too much at once.

“... ███ ████?”

The High Elder’s tail coiled close to his body as he drew his knees closer to himself, instinctively trying to make himself smaller. He was running out of time, he needed to figure out an answer now before-

“████ ██, ███ ███ ██ ███ ███ ████ ████.”

- Everything breaks apart.

Dan Feng screeched involuntarily as the door’s to his chambers burst inward as Yingxing busted the door down.

Caught in the damning gaze of two of his closest companions. The High Elder of the Lufou Vidyadhara could do nothing but stare in horror. The light from the hallway broke into the room, incriminating everything in its path.

From the corner of Dan Feng’s eye, he could see the way his blood glistened in the light from where it laid in its vial.

Black as the soulless night.

He was out of time.

[what-plant-metaphor-am-i]

Mysteries and Migraines, Part 2

Part 1 here~ A continuation of an AnS poll story where your votes influence what happens next! ;D This part is much longer than part 1. We are getting INTO IT now. Let's finally dive into part 2!

Charging around a corner she bumps into Obi, ricocheting backwards much like a ping-pong ball off an unmoved and bewildered paddle.

Bracing for the impact of the cold stone floor on her behind, she suddenly feels a firm grip around her wrist and her trajectory is cut short. They stand in what looks like an awkward dance flourish for a moment; Obi lunging forward to grab her arm and Shirayuki still leaning backwards but now stable. Some passers-by applaud.

“Obi! I’m so sorry!” Shirayuki gabbles breathlessly, straightening up, her head swimming slightly. The shock in Obi’s face gives way to mockingly raised eyebrows and he peers curiously behind her. Shirayuki turns to see what he’s peering at.

“Escaped your pursuers then?”

“Eh?”

“From the way you crashed into me I thought someone was hot on your heels – wait, don’t tell me – Kazaha’s moved on from arm-wrestling challenges to races now?”

“Obi,” She groans with a smile, barely keeping herself from jogging on the spot, “I’m late! For work!”

For the merest second he looks confused, but then he shakes his head wearily and folds his arms.

“Oh my lady,” He sighs, “What to do with you. Delinquency is no joke. Late every day, clearly hung-over again-”

“Obiiii,” Shirayuki edges by him, sneaking her toast (that he had also somehow managed to catch earlier??) from his grasp.

“I know a short-cut.”

She pauses and looks back at him, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“It involves climbing, doesn’t it,” She says warily.

He flashes her an angelic smile.

“Only if you don’t want a piggy-back ride~”

---

“How is this a short-cut??”

“Hold on!”

Shirayuki grips his shoulders as they drop from the tree, Obi landing as naturally as a cat.

“We have arrived!” He announces grandly, lowering her down by a window. Shirayuki pinches the bridge of her nose for a second, trying to shake the nausea and the headache still banging around her head. 

“Bagel?” Shirayuki opens her eyes a sliver to glare at the fresh bread, held directly under her nose so she could smell the salt and rosemary baked into it wafting up in the warm steam.

“Short-cuts shouldn’t include snack breaks Obi,” she mutters.

“Then the short-cuts you know are severely lacking.” Obi admonishes. “That bakery was on the way anyhow! And since you dropped your toast on that poor guys head-“

Shirayuki covers her face in her hands, an anguished noise escaping from behind them.

“Why were we so high up-“

“Hey, you’re here now! C’mon!” The window is open and Obi promptly lifts her up and plonks her onto it’s ledge.

“Delivery!!”

Shirayuki panics. “Wait, I’m a mess! Have I got leaves in my hair?!” Obi leans an elbow on the ledge next to her.

“You’re a regular bird’s-nest, my lady. It’s a good look on you.”

“Well, that makes two of us then,” she says, reaching down to pick out a couple of leaves that have nestled into the bristle of his hair.

“Is this a thing you two do now?” Obi and Shirayuki startle at the voice, whipping around to see Ryuu inside the room, watching them thoughtfully.

“Ryuu! Good morning! Ah, what do you mean?” Shirayuki asks as she swings her legs round, careful to avoid the potted plants that clutter the inside window sill. 

“You touching Obi’s hair. Is that a new…routine you’ve started? Like last ni-” 

“OH - no no no,” Obi’s laugh fills the air forcefully as he pulls himself up onto the windowsill after Shirayuki, ducking his head down so they only get a glimpse of his reddening cheeks. His boots thud onto the tiled floor of the room and he swipes a hand roughly through his hair to dislodge any remaining tree-matter.

“I’m just too messy for my own good, little Ryuu,” he grins. Ryuu blinks at them, processing something silently. He turns to Shirayuki, who has finished dusting herself off and is now leaning a hand on the wall, her face scrunched into a frown while she takes steady breaths.

“Shiryauki…why are you here?” Shirayuki seems to come-to and snaps upright.

“I’m so sorry I’m late! I’ll work through lunch and stay extra-”

“But it’s your day off.”

Shirayuki’s mouth hangs open.

“…My…” a memory begins to shine through the fuzz of her mind. She hears a snort and turns to find Obi clasping a hand over his mouth. Yes. She had booked today off. She had gone out with them last night because she had known she could rest today. Except she had woken up having completely forgotten that. Obi was shaking with laughter.

“Obi – you knew! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”

“Ah, my lady,” he wipes a tear from his eye. “I’m sorry. You were so sleepy and serious, I just had to play along.”

Shirayuki decides she’s too tired to care and slumps into a chair, relief flooding through her as she realises she has let no-one down and now she can finally sleep off this hangover. The bagel slides back into view. She accepts it from Obi’s hand and takes a massive bite.

A heavy sigh draws the attention of all three to the other side of the room. Yuzuri sits hunched over at a table, fiddling with some vials. Her chin sits squarely on the table-top, her face above it a picture of desolate defeat.

“Oh,” Ryuu starts to whisper, leaning towards Shirayuki and Obi. They mirror his movements and end up in a little huddle.

“Yuzuri is upset this morning. She explained it to us but I was, um, working at the time and only realised she was talking by the end of her story, so I’m not sure what the matter is.”

“MY PLANT SAMPLE” wails Yuzuri suddenly, causing the three to jump in unison, Shirayuki clutching her head.

“What about it?” Obi calls over. Yuzuri slumps further down onto the table than they thought possible, lying her head on one arm with a teary, wistful expression.

“It’s gone……”

“What happened?”

“….last night……” She takes a deep breath, shuddering under the threat of sobs, “…..I lost it…..when we were out…..my precious, rare plant sample……”

Shirayuki gasps, a hand raised to her mouth as she recalls Yuzuri showing everyone the sample so proudly the night before.

---

“Here it is, folks!” Yuzuri wobbles a little as she kneels up on the wooden stool, stretching her arm to wave the pouch above their heads.

“My prize specimen! My greatest achievement-” 

“My beer!” Suzu yelps, hugging the tankard to his chest as her arm swings the pouch dangerously close.

---

Shirayuki steps gingerly over to Yuzuri’s crumpled form and places a hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, since I don’t have anything on today I’ll look for it.”

Yuzuri peers up at her, hopeful.

“Really? But…how? We went all over the place yesterday, I don’t know where I lost it…”

“I’ll re-trace our steps, I’ll ask people. Don’t worry, I’m on it.”

“Me too,” Obi says, walking over, “No offence, my lady, but it might help to have my memory to fall back on.” It’s true, if anyone would remember specifics from last night, it would be Obi and his ridiculously high alcohol tolerance. Yuzuri shoots upright and crushes them both in a hug that feels more like a headlock.

“Thank you, thank you!! Find it and I’ll owe you guys big time!” 

---

“Lists!!”

Obi takes a notepad and pencil from a table they were passing; so nimbly Shirayuki barely sees it happen. The pencil has a chewed end. Obi wrinkles his nose and, without breaking his stride, deftly swaps it for a different one.

“I’ll write down the places we went to last night, and the people who were there. Basically, where to go and who to speak to.”

They discuss amongst themselves while walking through the corridors, Obi recording everything in the notebook. Altogether their group had been: Yuzuri, Shirayuki, Obi, Ryuu, Suzu, and Rata, who had left early.

They had all met at the tavern, then walked through the market while dropping Rata off at his place, and finally gone to the inn for tea (since, Obi recounts with bitter humour, the only ‘refreshment’ Rata had offered was the scattering of snow that fell on them from his door's lintel as he shut it in their faces).

They step out of the Pharmacy door into the brightening sunshine and Shirayuki shields her eyes with a grimace. She notices Obi watching her expectantly and quickly tries to turn the grimace into a look of determination.

"Right. It makes sense to check out the tavern, but Rata's shop is on the way there, so let's stop by and ask him about it first."

Obi nods, walking in step with her.

"Great idea - I have a hunch that Rata has some beans to spill about all this," Shirayuki blinks, wide-eyed at him.

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

He smiles slyly.

"See, when Yuzuri was waving that pouch around last night at the tavern she almost knocked Suzu's drink out of his hand, so Suzu jumped backwards and hit Rata, making him spill his drink. Needless to say, Rata was less than pleased." Obi leans towards Shirayuki conspiringly.

"And you know what that gives him, My Lady?"

She shakes her head, listening intently. Obi grins, tapping his pencil on the notepad.

"A Motive."

Shirayuki's step sways slightly, mouth agape, staggered by this revelation.

"Oh my goodness...he could have taken the plant?! But - he'll never open up to us, Obi! We have to figure out a way of getting him to talk before we go in!"

They stop to brainstorm, crouching by a building down the street from Rata's.

"Ok, how about this," Obi starts, "We shoot a threatening note attached to an arrow through his window - I know, I know, sorry My Lady but it has worked on people other than you in the past - and the note says something like: 'I know what you did last night, 'fess up or else.' And, I mean, it doesn't have to be written in blood, but-"

"Obi," Shirayuki cuts him off, placing a hand gently on his arm, "Let's...circle back to that one. I was thinking something more along the lines of taking him a...a very...lovely...breakfast?"

Obi raises an eyebrow.

"Is that code for, like a dead animal on his doorstep or...?"

"Wha-no!!! No, it's something to get him in a good mood so he's willing to talk to us!! Gods, Obi!"

He laughs at her aghast expression.

"Ok ok, oohh wait, I've got it! Disguises! Tavern Police Detectives investigating the disappearance of a plant sample from their premises!"

"Hmm, I see a lot of holes in that plan, Obi. What about we tell him we'll owe him a favour if he talks to us? He's always busy with stuff he needs to get done in town or in the shop..."

[emerald-notes]

Noona! Please! Help! - Part 1

Fandom: BTS Characters: Younger Brothers BTS and Elder Sister Narrator Genre: A Little Dramatic and A Little Comedic Word Count: 1.7K Words Warning: Mention of BTS crackhead behaviors (I mean, why not? We all love their crackheadness), sickness, economic crisis, broken family, mention of emotional abuse, characters death etc. Note: It’s a siblings AU story of BTS with the narrator as their elder sister. I tried to write something different from what I usually write about. I had fun making this. Hope it makes you feel good too. Happy Reading Everyone :)

Summary: Her little brothers can’t attend to a single task without her help. Be it a dance competition or asking out a girl for a date, they always seem to be finding everything too hard to go through without her by their side. ‘Our lucky charm’; that’s what they like to call her. But what if she turns out to be a misfortune in different situations in one single day?

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - More to come

Prologue:

I always wonder when Ma said that she wanted a big family the day Pa had asked her to marry him, if she had really meant it like a family of ten people. But one thing was clear. Pa took her words to his heart and fulfilled her dream without compromise.

The struggle of being the elder sister of seven messy and chaotic brothers can be something impossible to even imagine. Especially if you are growing up in a household where both your parents are too sweet to ever scold their children.

I wish I could be that person who can easily punish her younger siblings when they misbehave. But alas! God had other plans. He made sure that my seven precious brothers were treated kindly by my parents to the point of being spoiled.

Now don’t get the wrong idea. My brothers are not all spoiled brats. In fact, most of them grew up to be gentlemen. At least, in front of the people that matters. But when they are home together with no one to supervise them, they are the biggest crackheads to ever exist.

Even if they give me headaches that are almost similar to that of the migraine pain my best friend suffers from (I said ‘almost’ because no pain compares to her evil migraine, trust me!) the moment I look into their eyes, I can’t bring myself to be mean. I think they have somehow mastered the art of creating the most innocent puppy eyes that melts my heart within seconds.

I think I am giving you the wrong idea all along. It's actually because I can’t express my frustration with my naughty angels in real life. So, it is making me pour out all the complaints here in texts all at once. Maybe it's time for a proper chronological introduction of them. And I will not make you wait any longer.

Kim Seok Jin:

The eldest and the handsomest, as he likes to be called, is none other than our Kim Seok Jin. “Just call me Jin. It sounds cool.” as our prince had once said. So, it had been maintained by everyone without a word. After all, he’s the hyung of the pack.

Three years younger than me, acts like the maknae more than the maknae does himself, Jin never fails to crack a joke at every family event. His sense of humor is unlike any other. No one would agree that his dad jokes are ever really funny. But you would never catch them not laughing even whenever Jin made one of his lamest jokes. My personal belief is that the mystery lies within Jin’s own laughing sound.

Kim Yoon Gi:

The only one who dares not to laugh, when the others are ready to roll on the ground, is our second eldest hyung, Yoongi. He even managed to come into this world as early as possible after Jin so that only nine months is their age difference.

My grandma used to tell a touching story of how my mother had lost her beloved cat during her pregnancy when she carried Yoongi. That’s how he ended up getting her cat’s name. Yoongi lives up to his name too. He looks like a cat, acts like a cat and I feel that he even thinks like a cat.

Kim Ho Seok:

Oldest by only seven minutes among the first set of twins mother gave birth to, Hoseok is the sunshine of our family. His bright spirit and reckless laugh puts everyone at ease. It is as if he had taken the responsibility of always keeping the good vibes in the family.

However, his angry side is just as scary. Nobody wants to deal with an angry Hoseok. Nobody! Not Jin, not me, not even Ma and Pa.

Kim Nam Joon:

Hoseok’s twin Namjoon is the brain of the team. Who said that it is always the middle child who gets ignored all the time? Namjoon proves every single one of them wrong. It is always Namjoon who comes to the conversation first whenever a relative of ours asks about us.

With all that demeanor like an older child, both physically and mentally, Namjoon still has a very childish side of him. That child is the God of destruction who breaks everything it touches. These contradictory qualities had earned him his nickname, ‘Giant-baby’.

Kim Ji Min:

The second set of twins produced Jimin as the oldest. Jimin, the comforter. Jimin, the lovely. And definitely Jimin, the flirt.

If cringe could be a person, he would be Jimin. He never shies away from his emotions. “Did I mention that I love you?” is something you would often hear him say. Even though others pretend to throw up at his words of affirmations, they have to agree that they can’t help liking it secretly.

Kim Taehyung:

Jimin’s soulmate, born with a face of a Greek God, Kim Taehyung runs the fashion industry in our home. “That lipstick doesn’t suit your eye makeup” , “The shoes made your whole fit cheap”, “Try to wear that and everyone will think you’re going through a breakup.” Taehyung doesn’t care to point them out.

Taehyung lives in his own world. Not in his mind exactly. I think it is an invisible world that coexists with ours. Because most of the time, we question his behavior and sometimes his sanity too.

Kim Jungkook:

The golden maknae, also the only one having a two years age difference with his closest elder hyung, is our bunny boy Jungkook. At first sight, everyone would think he’s the high school heartthrob. But once you get to know him, you’ll know how shy he is in front of strangers.

Whatever shyness he has in him, he uses them all outside our home. Because inside it’s always, “Party! Party! Yeah!” And that party is always him alone in his room doing karaoke till it's 3 in the morning. But who’s to scold him for that?

The reason behind each of their varying personalities, I believe, is because we grew up in different households as children. Is it even surprising? Do you think it is really possible for two people to take care of eight kids without help? The answer to this question may be a little complicated.

But my parents were determined to raise their kids by themselves so that none of them ever feels left out. And they did it too, for almost 8 years. But Ma fell ill right after giving birth to Jungkook. And Pa was having some financial crisis at the same time. As it has been said 'Bad things come in threes', Jungkook was born with some complications.

So, Pa had to focus on him and him alone. It was still hard for Pa to do it without Ma by his side. That's when I decided to take charge of taking care of the youngest while Pa looked after Ma and his business. I know I was only 8 years old at the time, but our situation had forced me to be more mature than that.

After some discussions on our wellbeing and the family's economic condition, Ma and Pa decided to keep Jungkook and me only. They told me that it was only for the time being and that they would bring everyone together as soon as they could.

Poor Jimin and Taehyung had no idea when they were sent to live with Granma and Granpa. I learned later that little Tae had continually cried for days and Jimin had grown too quiet for a two year old.

Namjoon and Hoseok were sent to stay with Ma's elder sister, her husband and her little daughter who was just about the age of the twins. As far as the report went, I'm positive that among all my brothers they got to stay a little happier away from home.

The one who suffered the most was probably Yoongi. Being too innocent for this world, Pa had failed to recognise how cruel his brother's behavior could sometimes get. Maybe growing up with an emotionally unavailable adult made Yoongi the most outwardly cold. Mind you that I said 'outwardly' because I'm sure if you can see through his heart, you will find something quite the opposite.

Jin stayed with Pa's sister who had been raising kids her whole life. All of her kids were older than Jin. So I guess it's easier to understand why Jin acts like a maknae all the time.

The idea of bringing them home 'as soon as possible' remained an idea. Because by the time Pa had somehow managed to get into a reliable position with his business, Ma was gone. And Pa had no other choice but to follow her.

Since it would be impossible for a 13 year old to be taking care of her 5 year old brother on her own, Granma decided to take us to her as well. So, we were reunited with Tae and Jimin in her house.

One by one, my little brothers turned 18 and built their own life. Even though I am now a full grown 25 year old woman I still couldn't leave my granma's house. And it is because I couldn't give up on being a parent to the youngest who has still not crossed the line of 18.

"Just wait for one more year and I'll grow up and thrive in this world." Jungkook says that quite a lot lately. Even though it might sound a little selfish, I wish my Jungkookie never grew up. So that I could keep him all to myself like I had been doing for the past 17 years of my life.

But there is a bright side of them finally turning 18. One by one the hyung line among my brothers started to get in touch with me more and more frequently. Finally, after years of separation, I truly feel like I'm getting to be that older sister that I had to be. And I'm happy that they are allowing me to be just that.

You might get a little confused as to why I had complained about them in the beginning of this story as if they were little kids I have to look after when I didn't even get to live with them for that long. Let me get you out of this confusion. It's because now that I finally get to be close enough once again, I realized one very important fact that applies to them all. My brothers haven't really grown up.

Next >

My Masterlist

[shachaai]

[Hetalia Version] The Lindworm’s Lullaby

Chapters: 4/14 Rating: Explicit (For Gore) Main Relationships: Arthur Kirkland (England)/Gabriel Cardoso Fernandes (Portugal) Characters: Arthur Kirkland (England), Gabriel Cardoso Fernandes (Portugal), Original Child Character(s), Ludwig Beilschmidt (Germany), Julia Blumenschien (Fem Prussia), Kiku Honda (Japan), Lovino Vargas (South Italy), Assorted Others Other Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Human AU, FBI Murder Mystery/Thriller, Case Fic, Adapted from a Hannibal Fic, Baby Fic, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha Gabriel Fernandes, Omega Arthur Kirkland, Pre-Relationship, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Single Parent Arthur Kirkland, Violence and Gore Canon-Typical to Hannibal Levels, Cute Moments and Murder, Murder Scenes, Dead Bodies, Poisoning, Discussions about torture/infidelity/rape

The FBI is called in to investigate when a series of bodies shows up around Ohio: all of them alphas, and all of them skinned alive. With the killer’s motives a mystery, Ludwig Beilschmidt pulls Arthur Kirkland from the classroom and his vigil at the comatose Madeline Williams’ bedside once more to lend his insight to the case - with very little mind paid to the fact that the busy Arthur, omega and single mother to a six month-old daughter, might have some scheduling issues. Necessity - and pressure from Ludwig - drives Arthur into reluctantly asking Gabriel Fernandes for a favour at short notice. Gabriel is delighted to help Arthur with babysitting - once he has, of course, recovered from both the surprise of learning that Arthur Kirkland even has a baby to care for and, presented with the adorable armful that is a sleepy Lenore Kirkland, feeling a little skinned raw himself.

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CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3

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Chapter 4: fancy unto fancy

Arthur’s advice to Gabriel, mostly sent via text, is to take a longer and more circuitous route from Quantico to the Kirkland home in Wolf Trap rather than relying solely on the interstate highways. Fairfax County, where Wolf Trap is located, is part of the Washington metropolitan area and has the notorious achievement of being the third-worst area in the entirety of the United States of America for congested traffic. The effect is at its worst during rush hour, tired workers of the 9-to-5 regime making the commute to and from D.C., but the demands of the capital necessitate a workforce available at all hours of the day and night - and, thus, ascertain that the arteries which supply aforementioned workforce will never be clear.

Gabriel takes the - unavoidable - I-95 north from Quantico in Arthur’s thoroughly-used car, the faint odour of damp canine and baby shampoo in his nose. The olfactory mix is strange but infinitely preferable to the overpowering and abominably artificial pine of Arthur’s car freshener which had assaulted Gabriel as soon as he had gotten behind the wheel of Arthur’s Volvo, drilling something sharp, chemical and lime green straight through to the back of his skull with all the painful, migraine-inducing grace of an ice-pick. Snatching up the little tree dangling from the rearview mirror, Gabriel had (after reading the 100% biodegradable obnoxiously emblazoned across its chemical-soaked surface) thrown the freshener out of the driver-side window with extreme prejudice, wiping his befouled hand - somewhat - clean afterwards on the leg of his trousers.

Lenore Kirkland immediately demonstrates better taste than her mother by clapping her little starfish hands together and shrieking with glee as the little tree, caught at once by the wind, whips past her window, dropping her drool-wet stuffed dog toy from her mouth onto her lap.

The infant’s absolute delight at such a simple thing is a pleasure to witness, the joy of discovery suffusing Lenore’s little body entirely and rendering her a creation of pure and innocent grace. A spotless child of the biblical Garden, still unaware yet of the difference between the corrupt definitions of Good and Bad. Still unspoilt by either serpents or gods, untainted by the taste of bittersweet knowledge on the tongue.

Lenore all but glows and her sweetly childish jouissance draws the twitch of a smile from Gabriel when he glances at the infant every so often in the rearview mirror. Focusing on the night black of her curls when the memories of another happily shrieking little brunette girl threaten to rise up close to the forefront of his mind, distant days where it had been bubbles blown through golden baby bracelets entertaining the little one, Gabriel humming nursery rhymes himself rather than listening to the vibration of recorded strings on the radio.

For all she remains obstinately awake, Lenore is a pleasant enough companion on their hour-long journey through Virginia to her home. She ba ba bas her way through several Mozart suites on the radio and listens in rapt silence to Saint-Saëns’ The Swan. (Relative silence. There is something coloured neon yellow and green rolling around in the passenger-side footwell that rattles loudly every time it moves, which Gabriel strongly suspects is one of Lenore’s baby toys.) She coos in fascination at the bright yellow car in the lane beside them at one set of traffic lights, and makes a long drawn-out ohh of wonder when Gabriel points out a whale-shaped cloud to her on their right.

Gabriel turns off the interstate as they approach Wolf Trap, taking the smaller roads that twist and turn through affluent suburbia in an effort to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Multiple signs point to the way to the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and all its associated performance halls, to the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and countless parks and nature reserves full of winding trails and fishing spots. Woods and forests nestle leisure, culture and art in their bosom, and each turn in the road brings a new little patch of houses, a few shops, another sign pointing the way to another park - or a much less halcyonic Walmart.

Lenore is still quietly singing to herself (motivated, now, by Bach’s Air on a G String) as Gabriel makes the turn down the road that the sat-nav promises him will be the final one before the Kirkland home. The road is lined with trees. The red evening sun flashes down on Gabriel’s arms as he passes beneath the foliage, the asphalt ahead lined by the shadow bars of overhead branches and the speckled pattern of leaves swaying in the breeze. Here and there, between the trunks either side of the road, Gabriel catches glimpses of endless fields and scrubland, large individual homes at the end of long driveways. As fewer newer builds - McMansions - as older, more traditional ones.

Obviously - and more obviously by the second -, Arthur Kirkland lives as far away from other people as both convenience and suburbia will allow him to. Even though he’s still driving down the same road as before it has been some time since Gabriel last saw a patch of dwellings clustered close to one another, and the distance between mailboxes along the road is growing cumulatively longer and longer with each one passed. And yet. The turn-off to the home of Arthur’s nearest neighbour, the one Arthur had referred to as Nancy, is, truly, quite difficult to miss. One bright red mailbox thrusts itself prominently out into the road beside a well-kept and clean beige gravel drive, with multiple bright flower stickers covering the mailbox and multi-coloured yarn knitted around its pole. Someone has hung Chinese-style lanterns in the nearby trees - along with what looks like a giant knitted ladybird.

Gabriel ignores it. (Both the turn-off and the ladybird.) He had made up his mind about what he planned to do with Lenore that evening the moment he had laid eyes on the child, and none of it had ever involved foisting Lenore on the infamously be-permed Nancy.

Almost a full eight minute drive after Nancy’s mailbox, Gabriel’s sat-nav announces the turn-off to the Kirkland residence - apparently the last residential stop on the road for miles.

Gravel and dirt ping quietly off the body of the Volvo as Gabriel makes his way up the Kirklands’ drive, the vehicle's wheels crunching over dried leaves and browning sticks that have fallen onto the lane. The land around the drive - Arthur’s land - is still heavily wooded, obscuring the much-awaited sight of the FBI professor’s home until, quite abruptly, the treeline reaches its end and Gabriel is there.

In contrast to many of the large houses and mansions Gabriel had seen driving through the county, the house Arthur and Lenore Kirkland call home is a relatively normal-sized abode. Built farmhouse style, the house is a glimpse of rustic domesticity amidst fields of long, whispering grass, its clapboard walls painted a homely white in defiance of the not-too-distant shadowy woods. Ivy and honeysuckle climb the posts supporting the covered porch and local vegetation grows wild right up to the steps.

The front of the house is slipping into dark shadow as Gabriel inches up the gravel drive, the sun descending in the sky behind the building to the right, over what looks like a large barn or shed out in the nearby field. The sunset blazes some of its last glory even as Gabriel parks the Volvo and lets its engine die, a moment of perfect, still beauty hanging in the air like a teardrop from a phoenix’s eye.

Lenore Kirkland abruptly realises that the car’s radio has been switched off and starts shrieking in outrage, bursting apart the moment’s peace like a soap bubble in the sink.

Gabriel winces but leaves the infant to it. No doubt something else will take Lenore’s attention soon and the shrieking will stop, leaving Gabriel free to occupy himself with the other distractions Wolf Trap has to offer him. Just stepping out of the car he can hear multiple dogs barking inside the house - prompting the ruefully belated realisation in Gabriel that he had neglected to ask Arthur just how many dogs the professor actually owned. Too lost in his own starry-eyed wonder at the revelation of Lenore’s existence at the time, his thoughts sent in too many directions at once after only just learning about Arthur’s motherhood.

Some of Lenore’s charm begins to fade when the little girl, rather than quietening down, screams all the louder when Gabriel unbuckles her from her car seat, thoroughly upset now that music time is at an end. Even bringing her small body up against his shoulder does nothing; Lenore stubbornly refusing to be placated by her mother’s scent on the scarf that Arthur had loaned Gabriel, turning her face away from Gabriel’s throat and throwing a truly impressive baby temper tantrum with flailing hands and feet kicking against Gabriel’s chest. All the while shrieking. All furious infantile betrayal and upset. Endless wordless noise that makes Gabriel’s eardrums ring with Lenore so close to them in his arms.

With the infant protesting so much and so physically, Gabriel settles on taking just Lenore up from the car to the porch for now. Leaving their bags in the car, the tall grass parting around Gabriel’s ankles like Moses’ first faithful steps out into the waiting Red Sea. A divine miracle of timely seasonality.

Lenore rewards Gabriel’s focus on her care by kicking him rather hard - for a six month-old in soft footed pyjamas - in the ribs, prompting Gabriel to lift her teary scowling face up and away from his shoulder when they reach the cover of the porch. She throws Kitty behind them in the grass, and tears the clip of her pacifier from her cardigan when Gabriel tries to offer her the nub to chew on, flinging both pacifier and its beaded cord down in a melodramatic clatter on the porch’s planks. 

“That is hardly becoming behaviour for a little princess,” Gabriel firmly informs his charge, giving Lenore a gentle bounce in his arms. One, two: her mittens and the hood and little stubby tail on the back of her cardigan bounce as well. Her cheeks are red with fury. “Aren’t you going to welcome me to your home?”

Lenore yells even louder than before - directly into Gabriel’s ear. “Na! Nabayah!” And, louder and more defiantly to Gabriel’s third bounce - “NA!”

Her screeching has worked up the dogs inside the house even more. Judging by all the different barks, there has to be at least four canines in the pack; Gabriel can hear the thud of multiple heavy paws against the inside of the front door, the screen door rattling on the porch.

Inwardly, Gabriel sighs. It would be a bad idea to try and enter the house with Lenore in such a temper. Gabriel has some concern that Arthur’s dogs might actually attack him if they think he - a stranger - is endangering a member of their human family, so he takes a seat on the battered and creaking swing-seat nearby him on the porch instead. Rubbing soothingly against Lenore’s back even as the infant continues to scream, kick and flail at him, pushing his feet against the boards beneath them to set the swing-seat gently rocking.

If nothing else, Gabriel has to grudgingly admire the size of both Lenore Kirkland’s determinedly stubborn streak and her impressive lung capacity. Her passion for music. Perhaps Arthur has some fae banshee blood in him for his daughter to have inherited such a penchant for ear-splitting wailing, mother and daughter alike dark twin omens of imminent death and woe.

Gabriel will have to recommend Arthur get Lenore invested in swimming when she is a little older. With some training to accompany her natural ability, the child would be lethal underwater. Another Olympian for America or Great Britain’s swim-team - or a traditional ama of Japan, should the interest take her in that direction.

The wild grass in the fields continues to ripple and flow with the wind. In the distant trees, the shadows of birds take flight.

Gabriel begins to tell Lenore about ama as she continues to shriek against his shoulder and he continues to gently rock them both back and forth in Arthur’s creaking swing. Of the dwindling numbers of those freediving omega women of Japan who still dive without scuba gear or air tanks to bring up treasures from the deeps: seafood and abalones for shrines and the Japanese emperors. Shining sea pearls that had once birthed pearl aquaculture in Toba, Japan.

Ama begin their training in early adolescence, even before presentation of their secondary gender. Girls are favoured for the life due to the distribution of fat within their bodies, their perceived superior ability to hold their breath underwater for longer than boys. Of the secondary genders, omegas are preferred for their perceived purity. The touch of an omega is unable to taint the food or lustrous gems ama search for the way more carnal betas or alphas might do - but a truly talented beta or alpha could still, with enough persistence and patience for cleansing rituals, still be considered pure enough to remain an ama after presentation. The white uniforms - once, traditionally, only simple loincloths - worn by ama reflect their intensely honed skills and innate virtue, and their equally traditional headscarves are decorated with wards to bring them luck and protection whilst they dive.

Eventually, Lenore has to pause for breath. Eventually, Lenore has to pause for breath at a point when she is just too exhausted to pick up her wailing again afterwards, her small chest heaving against Gabriel’s larger one with tiredness. Sticky tears spot her cheeks like pearls and sea-spray.

“All finished?” Gabriel asks her then, his ears still ringing in the - relative - quiet.

Lenore hiccups back at him and burbles a long nonsense string of sad stuttering syllables, raising one of her hands to clumsily pat at Gabriel’s face again. Tug at one of his dangling curls. She smells like sour sweat and salt tears now over the creamy breastmilk note inherent to all infants, over the soft fruit and spice scents of her baby skin lotion and shampoo. Sadness and frustration.

“I know, ma boulette,” Gabriel comforts her, offering Lenore another gentle bounce when she hiccups wetly again, “I know. The universe is a large and uncaring place to exist within, and you are still so, so small. If God exists he answers prayers so rarely that to pray is to waste one’s breath, so scream as much as you feel the need to. If one cannot move Heaven, they must raise Hell instead.”

Lenore stares at him quizzically with her big, watery blue eyes, fat wobbling tears still clinging determinedly to her inky eyelashes. Gabriel brushes them away with the back of his knuckles before he lets Lenore snuggle-slump into the comfort of Arthur’s scarf again and all the scent trapped in its fibres, patting Lenore’s back with the slow and steady pace of a metronome to help her hiccups subside.

The sun has slipped well below the horizon now, somewhere behind the house, and long cool shadows snake their way up onto the covered porch where Gabriel sits with Lenore. It would hardly do for the infant to catch a chill so, after retrieving the abandoned Kitty and pacifier from the respective places Lenore had thrown them, Gabriel tries the door with the key Arthur had given him.

The dogs had stopped barking when Lenore stopped wailing, but they still rush out in an urgent wave of concern the moment the door swings open. And yes, dogs, plural: not two, not three, not even four but seven, a swirling maelstrom of wet noses and lashing tails that butt strongly against Gabriel’s ankles, knees and thighs. Two bark again at the sight of a stranger and one of the littlest - some terrier mix - growls, but all of them calm again when Lenore reaches down from her safe perch in Gabriel’s arms and babbles at them. Gives another little hiccup-hic, then giggles at herself.

Tails start tentatively wagging, and Kitty gets dropped again - bonking a momentarily confused border collie on the nose. Four of the seven dogs switch their priority from the stranger in their home to their need to go and relieve their bladders against a tree outside, leaving three - the terrier, an obviously elderly chihuahua mix with a tremendous underbite that may just be too tired to race off after the others, and a brindle-haired mutt with a sharp glint of intelligence in its eyes - to shadow Gabriel’s heels as he moves deeper into the Kirkland home, leaving the front door open behind him.

Even in the twilight gloom, Gabriel can see the continuous flow of being that moves through the Wolf Trap property, outside to inside to outside again. The interior’s colours are that of nature: that of stone and wood and foliage. The furniture is mismatched but alike in either deep orange, green, blue or brown, and the walls are painted a deep blue-green. Wide, open windows everywhere give sightlines to the fields everywhere around the main building, making the sky as much a backdrop of the rooms as the walls and ceilings are.

The front room - the living room - has a double-sized camp bed in it on one side. Arthur must use it as a daybed or casual nest for three sides of it have been piled high with overstuffed pillows, and the sheets in the soft basin that forms the middle of the nest are rumpled and unmade. It’s been recently used and smells strongly of both Arthur and Lenore from even a few metres away, a floating cloud of contentment that is drowsy with milk, with warm sunshine and sleep. The scent is as heavy in Gabriel’s nose as Lenore’s warm lulling weight is against his ribcage, a gentle tickling like featherdown at the back of Gabriel’s brain.

He turns his nose down into the collar of his shirt for a moment, breathing in the scent of his own cologne until his thoughts have lost some of their hazy edges.

The rest of the living room is dominated by bookshelves - packed tightly with a truly (fascinatingly) eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction -, a fireplace, a dusty piano covered in tchotchkes, and several chairs. A table covered in shadowy unidentifiable objects has been positioned just so beneath one window so that, during the day, it must catch a favourable amount of light, but Gabriel cannot figure out what it might be used for until he switches on the overhead lights and literally illuminates himself.

Fishing. The crafting of fishing lures to be precise, though a line of fishing rods stand sentry on the wall beside the table, just waiting to be used. Drawers of bright threads and birds’ feathers sit beside rows of gleaming hooks, scavenged deer velvet and rabbit hair, a magnifying glass set up at the front of the table to study a half-finished lure waiting in its clamp for Arthur to return to it.

Gabriel admires both it and the rack of finished lures sitting at the back of the table: from what he can see, the craftsmanship of each of the lures is exquisite, the hooks beautifully, deceitfully, hidden from the sight of unsuspecting fish by glimmering scales and bright sprays of feathers. Lure by name, lure by nature.

Arthur has made an art of a bloodsport. Fishing is a hobby for the patient - and for the productive, taking life to bring life to others through food.

“Your mother is quite a remarkable man,” Gabriel informs Lenore, hoisting the little girl up in his arms again after she reaches down to wiggle her fingers at the brindle-haired mutt still dogging his footsteps. (Seeing that Gabriel is doing nothing of particular interest, the other two have given up.) “Isn’t he?”

“Ah-burr,” says Lenore quite seriously, and decides to wiggle her hot little fingers against Gabriel's face again instead, clumsily tracing the ridge of his nearest cheekbone.

Gabriel chooses to take that as agreement, silently observing the way the child’s pupils widen in wonder when she discovers the softness of his eyelashes - and making her giggle again when he blinks deliberately for her and tickles those lashes against her fingertips.

Brave curiosity ought to be rewarded.

The Kirkland home is, of course, not all rural serenity. Though the house is generally clean and obviously well-maintained, it cannot be denied that all the signs are there that Arthur Kirkland is the single mother to an infant child, with seven dogs, a very demanding and time-intensive job, and very little in the way of a support network. There is no dog hair on the furniture but the floor near the fireplace could do with some work, and chewed-up rope toys and tennis balls have been pushed under several seats and the nest Gabriel doesn’t dare to get too close to lest he mark it with his own alpha scent. Nearly every surface - including the piano’s closed lid - has been conquered by the type of clutter that always accumulates when raising a young child, and used baby bottles and empty mugs have been abandoned here, there and everywhere where an exhausted Arthur had no doubt left them during long and sleepless nights feeding Lenore.

Setting off to find the kitchen, the floorboards creak welcomingly under Gabriel’s feet. The brindle-haired dog and Lenore’s babbling keeps him company: both seem in happier spirits now, both equally fascinated by Lenore’s attempts to stick out her little pink tongue and blow raspberries at herself.

Gabriel wipes away the accumulating drool on her chin with Arthur’s scarf.

Beyond the living room, a small hallway leads to the dining room. The dining room table itself and two of its seats are currently occupied with dirty laundry - pre-sorted for a dark wash, lighter colours and woollens still dumped together at one side. Arthur must keep on top of the laundry; the dark pile is not too large and its contents seem relatively fresh, muddy towels, a few plaid shirts and some plain, darkly-coloured baby onesies waiting to be loaded into the washing machine in the dark kitchen just a little further on.

To the left is an open doorway leading upstairs. To the right is a mudroom, leading to another doorway outside.

Decisions, decisions.

Gabriel returns to the front room, negotiating with Lenore for a few moments to, firstly, wipe away the sticky tracks of tears from her face with wet wipes he finds on the piano, secondly, remove her from her little panda/fox cardigan, and, thirdly, place her in the baby rocker he’d spotted down by Arthur’s daynest. It isn’t the electronic kind but Lenore is still able to bounce herself if she wishes to, and the baby-proofed arch that hangs over her head is decorated with dangling bells and plush stars to encourage her to reach up and grab at them. Retrieving Kitty, once again, from the floor and handing her it earns Gabriel another point in the youngest Kirkland’s books - and the brindle-haired dog’s, who sits itself patiently and protectively down beside Lenore’s rocker as Gabriel leaves the house to go and retrieve both his and Lenore’s belongings from where he’d left them in Arthur’s car.

(As a group, Arthur’s canine pack make terrible guard dogs, but one of them, at least, might make for a ferocious nanny.)

Lenore is still, stubbornly, not asleep when Gabriel whistles all the dogs inside and returns to her side, but she seems placid enough with one of Kitty’s ears in her mouth again and her guardian dog’s nose resting on one of her little feet. The picture of a darling cherub, still all pink cheeks and glossy curls.

(As dangerous and deceitful a lure as the ones on the table.)

Surprisingly, peace reigns.

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Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, is part of the Washington metropolis area: the third-worst congested traffic area in the USA, in terms of percentage of congested roadways and time spent in traffic. Of the lane miles in the region, 44 percent are rated "F" or worst for congestion. Northern Virginia residents spend an average of 46 hours a year stuck in traffic. (Fictional Special Agent Arthur Kirkland, dragged hither and thither at the behest of the FBI and with probably over a 100 hours stuck in traffic per annum with all his travelling to crime scenes, Baltimore and Quantico, is an outlier and should not have been counted.)

A little about ama. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ama_(diving)]

If I cannot move Heaven, I will raise Hell. - Virgil, Aeneid, Book VII.312

NEXT CHAPTER

[mysterious-corpse]

📚

📚 favorite book

how could you do this to me /lh

I could never choose so I’m just gonna list some that come to mind

Animorphs (special mention of the Ellimist Chronicles) by KA Applegate

I talk about this one a bunch on my fandom blog @dr-reids-fidget-toy . The author was inspired by Star Trek. Kids book. Child soldiers, war horror, body horror, existential horror, age-appropriate jokes, aliens. Set in the 90s. Series of 50+ books. Many were ghostwritten. POC characters.

All of Us Villains / All of Our Demise by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman

In this world, magick is real. However, all of the high magick was depleted long ago, except for a stash of it that only 7 families know about. Each generation, a teen from each family has to fight for their life in a Hunger Games-style tournament to determine which family gets control of the high magick for the next 20 years. An anonymous author has recently published a book about this barbaric practice, and this year is the first time the outside world will know about the tournament (media coverage galore!). LGBT+ characters (Queer romance). 2 books. POC characters.

Vicious by VE Schwab (the second book is also very good but the first is my personal fave)

Two college students decide to conduct an experiment after learning of mysterious abilities developed after near-death experiences. The participants? Themselves, of course. Shit goes down. They come back wrong. Has a sequel. LGBT+ character (ace rep!!).

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore

TW Sexual Assualt

A girl is sexually assaulted at a party, and returns home to find that her peculiar cooking abilities have vanished. Things around her start turning into mirror shards and breaking into dust. She meets a boy, and they realize they were assaulted at the same party. Buried memories threaten to surface as they become friends, and romance forms. A story about healing from trauma, with a touch of magical realism. (At least, I think it’s magical realism). Queer character. POC characters.

We Were Liars by E Lockhart

Great story with a huge twist. A rich family spends every summer on their private island. The main character is part of this family. After a terrible incident last summer, she cannot remember the event or anything her family has told her about it. She is also plagued by terrible migraines. Now, it’s summer again and her cousins are right where she expected, despite them not contacting her since the accident. POC character.

Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin

TW Sexual Assault

A girl goes to a party and is sexually assaulted by a group of boys. She plots with her 3 best friends and her parents to kill everyone involved. Short summary but trust me, read it. POC characters. LGBT+ characters.

The Gilded Wolves series by Roshani Chokshi

A group of thieves/found family are tricked into agreeing to a dangerous heist. Set in Paris, 1889. Magic is real in the form of Forging - the ability to create and imbue objects with special powers. I can’t say much without giving away the plot. POC characters. Queer characters (including a romance plot). Autistic character. 3 books.

I need to add one for Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Don’t let me forget

[terrahlee-cup]

I’m just slowly adding more chapters to each of these because otherwise the number of notifications would be a lot lol @raphaelesbian

Foive (The sleep deprivation is invading the main posts more and more teehee)

Aw Donnie no 🥹 I get migraines and owwww. Just wanna… toss pain meds at him. Bonk.

Ah of course Raph can’t relax our boy is so wound up at this point. I do wonder how long Karai messing with the Foot will work. Any time she’s physically present for one of these things she risks being recaptured.

“maybe she just deserved some time without someone trying to hunt her down, friend or foe.” That is very sweet actually. Like, yes she’s still in danger, but she’s getting a bit to do her own thing. 

“If he was pissy when Raph escaped he was livid now that Karai was gone, too.” Yeah that tracks lol. Oh and he’s doing shit himself now that’s… niiiiiiice? Raph is not going to be okay if they actually have to fight him is he.

These kids need somewhere safe to chill where they can get away from each other for a bit. All of them are on edge and stuck in the same space that is never going to go well. “The Lair had become a pressure cooker, and Raph was about ready to burst.” This is not going to be pretty is it.

Lmao how the turn tables— please be careful bud. Aw they’re bonding! They’re so sleep deprived which same, but they’re bonding! Making dark jokes back and forth is a glorious bonding activity.

“They have the self-preservation skills of a group of lemmings.” The jumping off cliffs thing is a myth but- wait Raph’s a fucking lemming. He is THE SAME. FU-

“What if you weren’t alone?” Oh these little shits. You ALL have the self-preservation skills of lemmings. Like these two totally deserve to blow off some steam but I am NOT excited to see them possibly get caught again… anyway BIG SISTER BONDING THROUGH CRIME FUCK YEAH.

“And here I was already planning out the colors for our friendship bracelets.” *stares at a certain piece of fanart and loudly sips drink*

Seex (Hey remember that discord typo-)

Raph being too excited about causing problems to fight with his brothers I can’t lol- these two should never be allowed to go on missions alone.

Bradford hurt Mikey and Raph shall never forget. Good. Karai really said “how in the fuck are you doing that.”

“launder, like laundry?” I mean… close enough? I guess they’re technically washing it? Of the crime? Just not… normally. Um. Yeah close enough.

CRIMES WITH BIG SISTER FUCK YEAH part 2. These two are menaces I am so happy for them. Cause chaos children, go forth. Also MORE BONDING! They’re having so much fun they deserve this.

Sparring instead of committing more crime— yeah a break’s probably a good idea at this point. These two have been through so much recently so seeing them sort of give each other some room to breathe is so nice. They both need it so badly.

Sevan~

Karai gets to be a bad influence the chapter. The teenagers have obtained alcohol everyone, you have been warned. Also Karai, hun, he’d probably have had less intense of a reaction if you’d said what the mystery liquid was before drinking it <3

Raph drank way too much immediately because of course he did lmao. Karai’s “oh dear” reaction— see what you’ve done to him ma’am? His brain is soup. Soup! Stands up and immediately nope HELP-

I really like how these two’s relationship has built up to this point. They’re both a lot more blunt than Raph’s brothers, and it seems to be working in their favor for once. They’ve done a bit of ‘casual’ hanging out, but they also kinda just skipped to having important conversations that they probably both need. Also, these two feel older than the other turtles after everything. Karai just *is*, but the way Raph acts with her is different. I don’t entirely know how to put words to it? They’re being rebellious and doing stupid shit, sure, but it also seems like they’re actually working through things a bit. It’s not just screwing around for the sake of it. I dunno, they have ‘older siblings that are starting to need more of their own space’ vibes.

[paingoes]

1, 2, 19 for delta and paris and lorelai :)

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOO

delta

1.) How did you choose their name?

oh finally i get a chance to talk about this. im actually SOOOO proud of these names like not cause they're ingenious or anything i just think they seem so fitting to me. like he looks like his name is delta. and i like how they sound when i say them.

as for how i chose it..... it's just a fun and common living weapon convention to only have a number or code for a name! empire is based on greco-roman traditions so Delta as a part of the greek alphabet seemed fun.

2.) Were they created for the story, or was the story created for them?

destroyer was created for delta :)

this is another thing i was waiting to talk about and im glad i finally have the chance. the original conception for this entire universe is actually centered around delta's GIRLFRIEND. who has not even appeared in the story yet and will likely have pretty minimal involvement when she does.

delta was originally conceived as one of several love interests for this girl. destroyer was literally just his mysterious and tragic backstory. he was a very minor character but one of my favorites and i had a lot of fun writing his backstory and i decided it'd be fun to actually explore it in depth. and here we are! lmfao

19.) Does your character having any health issues, whether they're aware of them or not?

oh this is a good question! he gets migraines a lot, that's permanent. i don't think there's much else surprisingly enough. probably some sleep issues and general symptoms of chronic stress and c-PTSD.

paris

1.) How did you choose their name?

again im super proud of this for no reason i just love how it sounds. he's named after paris of troy. part of that is deliberate coding with the illiad but the other part of it is just that it sounds nice. he's also named after the city because it has reputations for being simultaneously elegant and trashy <3

i also really like how theyre both kind of androgynous/slightly effeminate sounding names. they're both gendered pretty ambiguously imo.

2.) Were they created for the story, or was the story created for them?

paris, on the other hand, was created for the story. i definitely struggled more w him and i think that shows a bit in the earliest parts of destroyer, he was a pretty two-dimensional character who just needed to fulfill the role as "whumper". but i ended up getting very attached to him and i feel like he ended up being kind of a show stealer.

19.) Does your character having any health issues, whether they're aware of them or not?

yeah paris got hit in the chest with an arrow so he has some issues. he gets fatigued a lot quicker than he used to and he has some minor nerve damage. the drugs dont help.

lorelai

1.) How did you choose their name?

lorelaiiiiiii. it just sounds nice right? i wanted her to sound kind of folksy and cute and feminine. i think it was originally inspired by Laura Lee from yellowjackets. i mostly choose names just based off intangible vibes and how they sound when you say them. my brain conjures them up.

2.) Were they created for the story, or was the story created for them?

lorelai was also created for the story! she kinda snuck in there actually, i didn't expect her to become as important as she would be but i thought it'd be interesting for paris to have a crush on and admire someone who's such an unceasingly good person and better than him in every single way. she serves a really important role in destroyer cause she's the only one who will actually call paris out on his shit and the only one who will acknowledge how fucked up delta's situation is. she's the best girl in the world aaaaaaaaghhhhh.

i do worry about her coming across as just a love interest and that's something i want to avoid. but she was conceived as paris's foil so she kind of has to exist in relation to him. at the same time i want her to have her own personality and goals and destiny. so they were both created for destroyer, but crash out was created for them.

19.) Does your character having any health issues, whether they're aware of them or not?

no i think she's pretty healthy! i don't know anything about health but i think her lifestyle of like. rolling in dirt and picking up heavy things and eating a lot of fresh produce puts her on a pretty good path! she does do drugs and smokes cigarettes though lol im sure she has issues w shortness of breath and maybe heart palpitations.