#no but seriously i hope they answer the necklace question because i want to understand whyyyyy

[hotwaterandmilk]

Questions are being taken until after episode 8 airs!

Thank goodness someone already asked about the necklace so I don't have to do it myself. I enjoyed all the questions about Kongming's headwear logistics and Maezono Keiji's shorts too.

A+ great show, great fandom, great thighs on Sekiguchi Mandy.

[emotionallyattachednerd]

His Princess Part 2 ❙ EP Swindle x f!human reader ❙ NSFW 18+

Word count: 3000+ 😲

Warnings: Smut ( tocuhing, fingering, oral and spike penatration all nearing the end ) possessive behaviour, some angst and size difference. NSFW 18+.

Notes: So this happened. Why the hell do I get carried away with these? I don't know how to write a short story lol. I would like to thank @strawverrysweet for their request, and hope you don't mind it being long. I turned it into a part 2 from the first one I did here. There's smut, there's angst, read on to find out how it ends. 😅

Tips☕

It's been days since you last saw Swindle. You both had your first fight, or argument, you weren't very sure what to call it, but it happened and now you are riddled with sadness and guilt.

On each visit he would get you gifts. First it starts small, to the point he got you an actual diamond necklace. That's how the fight started. You questioned and he bluntly admitted he stole it for his princess. You didn't like the fact he was stealing and he didn't understand why you were upset about it.

He left in annoyance, leaving you to drown in misery. You missed him and desperately wanted to see him.

It wasn't right though and he shouldn't have done that.

Back at your home you look out your window with the view of the thick trees surrounding the area. You were blessed to have a place outside the city and to settle in nature.

You just finished washing up when you hear the familiar transformation sound from outside. You hurry outside the door where you find Swindle.

You honestly had no idea what to say or if he wanted to speak first, but you did move forward and hug him around his giant leg. You missed the big dummy.

It seems he approves because he ends up letting out a soft cackle and picking you up under his servo, making you hug his digit next as he brings you up to his optic level.

"Hi princess." He smiles while bringing you closer. "Miss me?"

"Yeah." You admit through a defeated groan. "I was worried about you. I'm sorry we fought, it's just..." You go quiet as you think over your words.

Swindle seems quiet as well. His optics were shifted around, as if he was nervous, but you weren't quite sure what he was thinking. Before you could ask anything you felt his large digit move towards your neck where you are wearing the diamond necklace he stole for you.

"You're wearing it." He smiles broadly. "Looks so pretty on you."

As much as you don't like that he stole it, you love how it looks on you, and you've been wearing it since he left those days before.

"It does look pretty." You admit through another defeated huff through a smile. "Just...promise, no more stealing. I don't need luxury things, all I want is you." You admit warmly as you press a tender kiss against the padding of his digit.

He seems surprised to hear you say this, then conflicted, worried. Seriously, what is the big guy thinking? Maybe you are saying too much?

"Swindle? Listen, I get if this is too much, or weird for you. You're a giant robot and I'm a human, but we already live in a weird universe, right? Things happen for a reason. I need you. I've been a depressive mess while you were gone, made me realise just how much I want to be with you."

Your words seem to hit him differently, a feeling he's probably not really felt much in his long lifetime.

"Princess, I care about you too." Hearing his confession must've not been easy for him. "I want you to be safe. Which is why I need to go."

Go?

"Why?" You manage to ask through the lump forming in your throat and eyes glazing over.

"Because it's not safe. It won't be forever, I'll come back again, but I do need to disappear for a bit until things settle."

"Take me with you." You suddenly say to him, clinging onto his digit refusing to let go. "I can handle it. Swindle," you stare up at him, concerned filling your eyes, "is someone after you?"

The answer is in his face, you see it. Yes, someone is after him.

Suddenly, a bright blue rope shoots out and wraps tightly around Swindle's arm, yanking him back forcefully. You gasp at the sudden movement while he brings you closer against his chassis with his free servo to prevent you from falling.

You have no idea what's going on but you suddenly find your home surrounded by dark dressed people, large vehicles and weapons drawn towards Swindle, more electrified ropes being shot out at his legs to prevent him from escaping, than his other was yanked out, the one you sat in and held on to prevent yourself from being tossed onto the ground.

"NO!" You scream as you cling into Swindle's digits tightly. "STOP IT! Leave him alone!"

"Drop the girl!" You hear one of the men speak through a megaphone.

"I ain't dropping her stupid human!" Swindle shouts back as he tries to get free from the ropes. If he did drop you, it'll be a hard landing.

"Swindle." You hear another deep voice and look over Swindle's digit to see a bright blue and red robot approach. You knew then that they were still around after all those years ago, and this is Optimus Prime. "It's over. Surrender yourself and come quietly. Let the human go, please."

"Unless you want her to have a rough landing, I suggest one of you catch her." Swindle glares back. He was fighting it, the concern for you. He fears to show he cares about you and you know it's not meant to be in a hurtful way but to put you out of danger.

Some people slowly approach below with what looks like a safety blanket to catch you. Your reaction is dumb, but you can't help yourself as you remove one of your slippers and peg it at one of their heads, catching them off guard a little.

"Screw you and go to hell."

It's Swindle that moves his servo, forcing you to slip from him. You look up as you fall and see his faint smile, a smile of sympathy. He cares, you know this and he'll keep you out of danger as best he could.

Once you're caught you don't make it very easy for them as they end up putting you into a van with guards. You look out the tinted window at Swindle as he's being arrested, your heart breaking yet again as you're taken away.

They took you somewhere, a building, or bunker, you weren't quite sure, but you gave them the silent treatment. You refused to answer any of their questions or reveal anything about Swindle. They call themselve GHOST but you hardly care. You were forced to hear them speak, about any involvement with a decepticon and how she knew him, but you didn't crack.

A part of you wanted to scream at them and demand to see Swindle, but you also knew that wouldn't be very smart. If they are to find out anything going on between the two of you, you didn't know what they might do next and you didn't really want to find out either.

But you are worried for Swindle. What are they going to do to him? Where are they taking him? Were you ever going to see him again?

You're held there for a time, you couldn't be too sure how long but eventually you were allowed to go home. You have no doubt that you'll be watched but you don't care about that. 

Back at your home you try to distract yourself from recent events and it doesn't take long for you to cry into your pillow, letting out hitched sobs feeling more alone than ever before.

Your hand comes up to your necklace, fingers tracing over the diamonds before clutching them. It is all you have that reminds you of him, and you never wanted to forget him.

As the days turn into months, just when you thought things couldn't get worse they did. Something weird was happening in Witwicky, and everyone was forced to evacuate.

You honestly didn't know what was happening as everyone was forced to leave and take shelter, and you doubt anyone knew what was happening. But after a long night it was over? You were allowed to return back home then, but you knew something went down.

Whatever it was, you hope it is gone for good.

As you returned back to your home you were glad everything looked the same, but there was one of those GHOST vans parked out front, and a man standing near your front door.

"Can I help you? Not that I want to help you at all..." You say as you approach, arms crossed and without a care. He ignores what you say.

"It's good you got out when you could. My name is Agent-I mean, just call me John." You did sort of recognize him when Swindle was arrested, had a much more serious tone than, but now he sounds lost, defeated. "As you can see a lot happened but I'm not going into detail, I'm here for something else."

You narrow your eyes at the man, unsure what that means.

"Do you trust Swindle?" Now that was a question you weren't expecting.

"Yeah...I do." You answer, trying to sound convincing. "Why do you ask?"

There is a long pause before he exhales. "Alright! Fine...come on out."

From behind your home you see Swindle come out of hiding and your breath hitches. He's here!

Dropping your bag you run over and leap into his open servo as he kneels down, holding you close against him as you embrace the big bot.

"Hey princess." He says as you kiss the corner of his lips through your beaming smile.

"I missed you." You truly did miss your robot boyfriend.

It's John that clears his throat. "Alright, so, whatever you two have going on here it's none of my business. I will say though you'll both be watched, carefully, and Swindle you're not allowed to cause trouble or run off. You're to stay put!"

"Don't talk to me as if I'm a bad pet!" Swindle snaps at the man, but his attention is brought back to you when you caress his cheek plating.

"Stay with me, please." You wanted him to stay, forever.

Swindle looks at you, optics slowly softening before he finally nods with a sigh. "Alright, but only for you, not him." He sends a glare to John.

He keeps his promise and stays. Turns out the decepticons all helped save the world and were given a third chance to redeem themselves, and they finally accepted. Of course they were to work together with the autobots but you were just happy to have Swindle back in your life.

You even got to meet his brother who he spoke about. He knew about the two of you, and he seems fine with it. You think others know as well but none are going to question it, ever.

You did question Swindle if they hurt him while he was in prison. He didn't want to talk about it. Something happened, but you didn't want to push it out of him. If he wants to talk about it he will when he's ready you told yourself. But you knew that whatever happened, he got hurt. You didn't want him getting hurt ever again.

One night he had a surprise for you, one you've been wanting for a long time and he is finally going to give it to you, literally.

In your barn you lay naked on the bales of hay covered by a soft blanket for yourself. You only wear the diamond necklace, a gentle request by Swindle.

"Oh I've missed this." He purrs in delight as his digits gently run over your naked form.

In the position you laid you are in perfect level with him. You both want this to be as pleasant as possible without any struggles. As excited as you are, you are also nervous.

He seems to notice this. "You alright princess?" His digit is gently rubbing against your inner thigh as he leans closer.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just been a while since we've had any fun." You answer through a heated sigh as he touches you in the right spots. He never forgets and always knows your sweet spots.

"If you want to wait-" You cut him off.

"No, please. I've waited. I want to try. I'll let you know if it becomes too much, but I want to try." You say fondly, running you hand over one of his servo against you.

He smiles and leans closer, sharing a kiss with you as you hold his face and kiss him back tenderly. You gasp into his lips when you feel his digit stretch your core, slowly pumping as you use your hand to rub at your clit to build up your arousal more.

You want to be so ready for him.

He adds a second digit making your back arch and mewl out and clench on on him, hearing him hiss as he did this to his digits gets him all heated and aroused himself.

"Oh sweet spark, I love your reactions. So lively!" You hear him say with a smug look on his face.

"Only for you!" You know he loves that, to praise him and let him know who you belong to.

"That's right, all mine. You're my beautiful princess."

He removes his digits from your core leaving you wet and empty, then you hear the familiar sound of his panel shifting and throbbing cable emerging.

Glancing down you see it. Standing tall and tarped tip leaking fluids, using his servos to spread your thighs wider and tugging you to the edge of the covered bales right at his level.

It is without a doubt you knew you won't be able to take all of him. He laid himself across your core and belly, the tip ending right between your breasts. Yeah, not all will fit, but some will.

Slowly he rubs himself against you, drawing out heated gasp from you as he lets out short grunts, fluids leaking out and coating against your skin. The sight of you makes Swindle moan in delight.

"Here we go." He says, as if to warn you while he grabs himself and moves himself lower, pressing against you.

You are so wet already so the tarp tip of his cable slid in with ease, but the more he pushed forward the bigger he got and the tighter you became.

You can't help the moans and gasps that leave your plump lips. Feeling yourself stretch so much was something you've never felt before, and it really gets your heart pumping.

Swindle isn't dumb and knows to be careful. He was surprised you managed to take the first bit of him, watching on as he sank inch by inch, a bulge forming at your belly before stopping himself. He isn't even half way, but this is all you can take of him.

"Fuck..." You whimper out as you squeeze your eyes closed, choked groans leaving you. You felt so full, letting out surprising gasps from the twitching coming from his cable buried deep in you.

"You doing alright?" He asks from above you as he stays still, violet optics illuminating across your naked quivering body.

"Y-yeah." You manage to answer, moving your hand down across the bulge that has formed making your breath hitch. "Holy shit...you fill me so much. I can feel everything!"

"You feel very snug, princess, it feels so good. I promise to be careful." Swindle assures you before you feel him slowly moving out from you, only to give a short and slow thrust back forward again, causing both him to grunt and you to moan loudly.

He was huge! Of course you already knew this, but now experiencing it is a whole new feeling. You feel every slow movement he gives, every ridge rubbing against your inner walls, and every push his tarp tip pressed up against your belly. The pain wasn't bad, if you want to call it that, but the pleasure is burning through every inch of you like wildfire, and you love every moment of it.

Swindle makes sure to keep himself steady and not lose control of himself. His instincts were telling him to bury himself fully but that isn't going to happen. He's enjoying himself very much, and is proud to see you are loving this as well.

Soft mewls left you with each movement he gives, thrusting himself into you gently as you grip into the blanket under you, feeling the rocking motion both from him and the bales you laid upon.

Moving your hand again to your clit you rub yourself in circular motions and your other lays across where you feel Swindle's cable pressing up against your belly over again, and bringing you closer to your orgasim.

"Oh princess, so fragging good." You hear Swindle say above you before you open your eyes, smiling through the blooming pleasure about to erupt through you.

His grip on you tightens as he lets out a long strained groan, movements becoming shorter and firmer as his cable throbs, surrounded by your clenching tight depths.

"Swindle...fuck...I'm about ot cum!" You warn, seeking that approval from him, but it seems he isn't far off either.

"Do it! Frag!" He curses out before his thrusts turn jerky and you feel a sudden burst of warmth filling you deeply.

You cum with arched hips and a loud cry, whimpering as you feel his fluids filling you so much that it expands against your belly and out around his cable inside you still.

You both remain like this for a time, heavy breaths and venting filling the barn, before eventually Swindle slowly removes himself. You feel his cable retreat, followed by his fluids that your body isn't able to hold onto and lay there in a tired and blissful mess.

Swindle leans down and touches your face tenderly through a proud smile. "You did so nicely, so proud of you."

"Thank you...you were amazing." You answer back fondly.

He shares a kiss with you. You never want to let him go again, and you think he felt the same way about you.

[respectthepetty]

Please share your favorite gmmtv actor ships - they do not need to be a fixed couple, if you have those (because i do). Also, this is not meant to be an ask for real people shipping, if you are uncomfortable with that. Just your favorites maybe in terms of on-screen dynamics or any other criteria. Sorry if this is so vague 😭

Anon, serious questions before I begin - Can First and Water be a favorite pair because the amount he cries in each series, I need my babygirl to stay hydrated?

Or can one of my favorite pairs be Sing & a suit/necklace combo with the shirt unbuttoned and his man bitties out?

No? Not what you are looking for? Well, then, let me redirect to my favorite people ships rather than shipping people with inanimate objects.

So . . . before I jump in, just remember that all of these HAVE happened, so I'm not crazy:

Gun x Gun?

Hold on before you think I'm not taking this seriously! I already stated I think Gun is one of the best actors on GMMTV's roster (if not the best), so understand that if GMMTV won't let him make out with Sing when both of them were giving us sexual tension as ToddBlack, or give Tor a little kissy kissy in Midnight Museum because they were brothers or whatever, at least let the man play against himself more. It could be like the Barbie movie, but with Gun being everything. It'd be fun to see, and if GMMTV wanted to go dark sci-fi, he could answer that age-old question: Would you have sex with your clone?

Neo x Phuwin

We had this. They were paired together in Cause You're My Boy. Then they were hinted at in Dark Blue Kiss. But then, they were made into brothers in Fish Upon the Sky, so Phuwin now has Pond, and Neo got Louis. But why though? Why were we denied another adventure of these two being paired up together?! I had them down on my hopes for a 2023 offering, and I'll have them down every year from now on. I want them back! NOW!

Earth x Papang

Aof was crazy for pulling this off in Moonlight Chicken, but now that I've seen it, I can't unsee it. And even more, I WANT IT! I have never seen Earth kiss like that, and he has had several partners. Did Aof strike a goldmine with this pairing? Papang has always done his job, but these scenes, which lasted no more than eight minutes, gave me an alternate timeline that I must see play out on my screen. Immediately.

Pond x Nanon

If Aof was crazy for Earth x Papang then Jojo was batshit insane for Pond x Nanon in Dirty Laundry. These two had a strip-off pole dance in a club called Boys Next Door, Nanon twisted Pond's nipples for information, then Pond's character had sex with a client with Nanon and Film's character in the car. This shit was wild, but that was only 15% of the hijinks between these two. I need them to recreate this creepy magic, and I need it to be twelve episodes long with at least 52 minutes runtime per episode.

Gigie x Fah

Since I mentioned Jojo, The Warp Effect is queer. QUEER! It gave use Fluke with Thor, Jan with Silvy (oh, my God that magical being could choke me!), and Mark with Best, yet, it toyed with us by suggesting the possibility of Gigie with Fah. Be brave about it, GMMTV! More than one wlw couple can exist in a show. Give me a redo, and this time, give me these two picking each other again, and again, and again regardless of what Alex (New) does with those Polaroids.

New x Sing x Fluke

Mentioning The Warp Effect reminded me that these three could out beat any historical trio including Destiny's Child, The Jonas Brothers, AND Charlie's Angels! Sing and New have been around for a bit, so I'm surprised they haven't acted in more together, but throw Fluke in there, and they had the perfect dynamic: Gay pretty boy and former bully with kinky puppy and space enthusiast trying to help out their bi idiot friend (it's canon to me). Sing and New will be in the Thai remake of Cherry Magic, so I'm sure Fluke could fit in there somewhere somehow. Make it happen, GMMTV!

First x Khaotung x Sea

And on the topic of throuples, this one hasn't happened, but by golly do I want it! Whoever paired First and Khaotung together deserves a Noble Peace Prize, but whoever thought of interviewing them with Sea deserves the Library of Congress Living Legend award and to be the Grand Marshall at the NYC Pride Parade. That person gets it. I'm not shipping them as actual people together. I want whatever chemistry they had in that interview to be transferred onto the screen and brought to me in 2024 because only a Year of the Dragon can handle the fire they would deliver.

Pawin x Satang

GMMTV, you know what you did in that Star in My Mind x Our Skyy 2 episode was effed up. I don't care how many times you pair Pawin up with other boys. You know what you did, and I'm taking this grudge to the grave.

Ohm x Perth

The fact that Double Savage cast them as brothers instead of a one-sided love affair was in the words of the most beautiful Raye a "DUMB DECISION!" Then to have them color coded?! THE AUDACITY! And no, I will not be writing about the colors because unless these two get paired again, as LOVERS, I will rewire this story in my head of what it should have been to deserve these two amazing actors partnered up with each other rather than the poop pile I got. I wrote what I wrote.

Joong x Dunk

If you know anything about me, know that I'm a JoongDunk fan first, and a human second. It has absolutely nothing to do with their acting even though that's what you asked for. It has everything to do with them. Much like the interview with First, Khaotung, and Sea, Joong and Dunk in their interviews are ridiculous. They resort to tomfoolery and instead of answering the questions, they start arguing about the most trivial details. ForceBook and GeminiFourth do this, but add in JoongDunk's live streams and Safe House footage, and I don't know how they get anything done when filming because they are either arguing, dancing, napping, or giggling. Hidden Agenda yesterday, please!

Bonus: Since this was exclusive to GMMTV, I couldn't include who my ultimate acting pair is, but if you know me, then you already know, so without further ado

MAXTUL DOMINATION!

[flying-nimbus-cloud]

Aight Peter Maximoff stans, I want to point out some plot holes and unanswered questions about "Ralph Bohner"

WandaVision Spoilers:

(I am in currently listening to Sweet Dreams/80s music while writing this very drunk, determined and in immense denial. 😁🤘)

(Pls read, my drunk smol brain worked hard on dis 😘👉👈)

Ralphs name. Why doesn't Ralph Bohner have a hex name and a real name? Unless "Pietro" was essentially his hex name. But I truly believe that Wanda unintentionally or otherwise wouldn't name some random civilian "Pietro", right? Like how Sarah was named Dottie at random, wouldn't that be the case for Ralph also? From what was shown it made it out to seem he's called Ralph Bohner in and out of the hex.

From episode 1-5 Agatha spoke about Ralph like he was her husband for some reason. Why did he only appear in episode 5 if she had Ralph under her control to use to her benefit from the very beginning? It's just odd.

Agatha's abilities. Agataha had shown Wanda that can perform illusions(like how she turned a bug into a bird). So... why didn't she make Ralph look like Wandas brother if she can make illusions? Especially after going through the trouble of picking a guy that acts nothing like Wandas brother and giving him powers? Agathas power scale confuses me so much.

Why did Wanda recognize Ralph Bohner when he showed up at her door? The explanation "Cause magic" would feel so cheap. I seriously don't understand this. Wanda despite her fragile mindset would be like, "Who are you? You don't look like my brother. You don't act like him. He's dead(Wanda definitely knows that internally.) The only thing you both have in common is the superpowers. Y'all move fast." Now if it was Peter Maximoff from another universe I'd assume that Wanda can sense he's her sort-of brother but not really. Almost like somethings a little off....at least that's what I thought, but nope. He's a random person apparently, so there isn't that instinctual connection. So then why the recognition at all?

The alarm. In episode 5 right when Ralph appears at Wandas door some random ass alarm goes off at Swords base outside the hex. Why?? Peter Maximoff fans and myself thought that was him possibly entering the hex somehow. But apparently not...so what was that exactly?? Of course that was never explained.

Ralphs superspeed. So, y'all telling me that Agatha had not only forcibly put a necklace on Ralph to control him to be her "eyes and ears" BUT ALSO gave him LITERAL superpowers?? All of that is completely glossed over. Mf at Marvel will probably say, "Cause Magic" smh.

Jimmys missing guy. There's unfortunately a lot to debunk this theory, but I could still see it being a possibility. Jimmy along with Monica and Darcy all saw the TV when Ralph was on it, but Jimmy never said a word. An interesting point though is the fact that this witness protection person was never brought up again, which is really fucking weird. More shit left unanswered. Could it be "Ralph"? We don't know.

The house. Ralph Bohner is supposedly a struggling actor. At least that's the explanation many have said is the reason as to why he has a random headshot of himself laying about his man cave. But then how does he live in that big ass family home? Plus that house ain't actually Agathas, she came into WestView looking for Wanda to find answers about the hex. That wasn't originally her house. With Ralph looking like the broke ass himbo he is...how could he afford to live there if he supposedly lived as a civilian in that town to begin with??? Make this make sense lol.

Ralph chuckled at his name. Aight aight I know this is a stretch, but hear me out; If you had a dumbass name that sounded weird, you'd probably be used to people making fun of it or saying it wrong, right? You'd maybe even get tired of hearing the silly name your entire life. But when Monica said Ralphs name, he chuckled like one would at their silly fake name and not their real name. That's at least how my dumbass would react to someone saying a funny name I choose for myself. And honestly "Ralph Bohner" truly sounds like a name that Peter would choose lol. Unless WandaVisions writing team said, "Evan, we want you to laugh at your name like you've never heard anyone pronounce Bohner like Boner before." Or maybe Ralph didn't know his own name because he was under Agathas control still...or something.

Why "Ralph Bohner"? K so lets just say we all accept that they stunt casted Evan Peters and he is and always will be a nobody named Ralph Bohner. Marvel knew- no, knows that fans of Evan Peters Quicksilver and the X-Men would get hyped up bout him when they made that glorious reveal in episode 5. So they really dragged that expectation out for 3 weeks, to leave it off on a dick joke? Nah, Marvel/Disney can't be that stupid right?....right?

They gave us some hope and hefty amount of evidence(that isn't listed all here) that Ralph could be Peter Maximoff because of some Multiverse shenanigans....

But then they left it like...this?

Tis very strange of Marvel to think people wouldn't notice how they kinda, sorta baited fans if left like this.

I literally had no crazy theories for this entire show, everything Marvel I take with stride with almost zero expectations...then my boy Evan Peters showed up and my ass finally had some hope to see my comfort character make an appearance in the MCU...which ironically ended in a dick joke. The universe said, "Nah fam, you can't hope for shit lol 🤡"

Anyways, I'd like if this could give some evidence to those still willing to believe that Ralph Bohner is Peter Maximoff. With so many unanswered questions and plot holes with his character, it just feels wrong for him to be nobody...y'know?

Also I'm sorry if this gives you false hope lol.

Love y'all, Peter Maximoff stans are sweet as heck. 💕

[majesticarlette]

Gang of Secrets

Miraculous Ladybug + Reader | ONE SHOT

"Marinette, are you okay?" You touched Marinette's shoulder and looked at her. She turned to you and gave you a forced smile. "Yeah! I am! Just currently so busy with what I'm working on. Yeah! I'm alright!" She rambles as she finds a way to say her excuses. "Are you sure--" "Yes! I am!" She yelled interrupting you, you were surprised at the sudden outburst which Marinette noticed and drop her apologies.

As you were going to say your response, screams and loud disturbance were heard. "It's an akuma attack! We have to hide!" You yelled taking her hand but she quickly retracts it. "(Y/n), wait, I-I think we should split up, so that the villain won't catch us both." Marinette voiced and sprints her way out of the school building.

'Oh right, superhero duties, how could I forget.'

You hid inside the bathroom and waited for Ladybug and Cat Noir to defeat the villain on your phone screen. You sighed in relief when they finally defeated the villain, you got out of your hiding spot and started looking for Marinette before she gets away.

As Chat Noir's about to trick Ladybug to go with him to watch a movie, your voiced were heard searching for Marinette. The troubled and distracted Ladybug came to her senses, she told Chat Noir her excuses and flee the scene. She transforms back and looked for you as well, pretending she has been looking for you everywhere. Little did she know about your awareness of her secret identity.

"Marinette! There you are I've been looking for you. Are you alright?" You asked concerned about her, your question seemed like you're referring to the akuma attack earlier but the truth is that you're worried about her the entire time. Ever since Queen Wasp was defeated, you witnessed the scene where Ladybug became the new Guardian of the Miraculous. You knew how stressful it was to Marinette to have a double life being Ladybug, despite knowing all of this: you never confessed being aware of who she is. "Yes, I am fine! I'm glad Ladybug and Chat Noir defeated the villain." She puts on a smile and was quickly replaced with a frown as she remembered something. "I have to go! I forgot I have something to do--" As she was going to chant her excuses, you interrupted her. "Marinette, calm down." "I'm sorry! I really need to do something!" She's really stressed and troubled from what was all happening. Being a hero is never easy, now that she's looking after the Miraculouses; many danger lurks from Shadow Moth that made her so paranoid. This made you leave no choice, you have to tell her what you know to let her know that someone understands her.

"Look, I'm going to confess something and it's very important." You looked at her seriously as she was stunned by your statement, she was hesitant at first but she gave in. "Can we go to your house, it's really confidential." You added and she agreed.

You're both at her patio leaning on the railings. "Look, I know why you broke up with Luka." You spoke, Marinette was surprised with what you said as she was about to speak, you interrupted her. "I am serious Marinette, I know who you are." You added, and before you let her freak-out you continued what you were saying. "Don't freak out, it's not your fault. No, I didn't see you detransform nor transform into your other business. If you noticed, I'm always wearing this charm." You held your charm attached to a necklace. "May it be as a necklace, earring or anything. This charm somewhat nullifies miraculous magic." Marinette was speechless with what you said. "H-how? That's impossible." "It isn't, this charm was made centuries ago and was passed down to my family to protect us from dangers when a miraculous is in the wrong hands. It's the only charm, I think." You answered.

"If that charm may nullify miraculous magic, then all this time..." "Yes, I was able to see through what's beneath the mask little by little. It took sometime, but there were hints. I could only see you from afar as LB so I couldn't really distinguish who you are, but when I saw you a couple inches away the charm worked it's way and slowly nullified the magic of the miraculous which hides your identity. A simple mask and a suit won't protect your identity, silly. It's the magic of the miraculous." Marinette was shocked. "Then, you could also see Shadow Moth's real identity." She looked at you with hope. "That's the problem, it's hazy. I can't fully see who he is, I haven't met him yet. The charm can't give us what we want right away, it took more than a month to know who you are you know, and maybe it's because I also knew you personally which made it pretty easier to decipher." You answered.

Marinette was about to utter her reply when she heard voices inside her room. She went down and saw Rose about to see inside her dollhouse. She quickly went down and blocked Rose from seeing it. "Don't touch that, move away!" She pushed Rose, which made the cheery girl drop the roof of the dollhouse and broke it. Everyone gasps which made you peek from the patio, 'It's our girl friends'. You refuse to reveal yourself, it might make the girls sulk. "I'm sorry, Marinette." Rose kneels to pick up the broken roof. "Will you please leave my room?" Marinette declares as she showed annoyance to the group. "Chill out, Marinette. It's just a dollhouse, we'll totally help." Alya responded. "No you won't! Please go!"

As the group tries to help Marinette to voice out her problems, the dark haired girl lashes out on them and told them that she doesn't want to be friends with them and told them out. The saddened group left and you finally went down in her room to accompany Marinette. The kwamis were surprised by your appearance and tries to hide but Marinette assured them you're aware. "I had no choice, I had to do it." Her eyes are swollen, she really tried her best to keep her loved ones safe. "We know, Marinette. Someday, they'll understand why you had to do it, but lashing out on them wasn't the best thing to do." "At least now I won't have to lie anymore--" She voiced out between her cries and you cut her off. "No, Marinette. You mustn't think about that." You hugged her and let her cry.

When talking to Marinette about her issues, the both of you were interrupted by your phone, it was your mother telling you to go home. You bid each other goodbye which leaves Marinette into working on the Miracle Box's safe.

At home, you were browsing through channels when the news came up and reports a strange phenomenon about the Eiffel tower. "What happened?" You looked outside from your window and saw what was happening: it was the girls, they were akumatized by Shadow Moth. "Oh no, they must be after Mari." You closed the curtains and called Marinette but she wasn't picking up, you left a text and continued watching the news to have updates on what was happening.

After some time when the villains were defeated, you received a text from Marinette. She was asking you to visit her in their house. You prepared your things and went on your way. You climbed up, knocked, and opened the door to Marinette's room. You saw Alya and the kwamis which made you smile. "You finally told her, huh? I'm happy for you." "Thank you, (Y/n)." She hugged you. "Wait, (Y/n) knew?" Alya crosses her arms. You explained to Alya how it happened and what happened earlier at the patio which she understood and cleared things up.

"So, that's why you haven't gotten akumatized yet." Alya realizes. "That's cool! Then, you also know Chat Noir." She added. "I-I dont! Yet.." You quickly answered. "Mm-hm. Then it's pretty risky for you, huh? Keeping LB's secret identity to the public." Alya said. "It is, there were times where I had to take off my charm and I'm afraid someone will get akumatized and get me, like Truth or Queen Wasp." Alya hugged you and told you that you are a true friend, the both of you noticed Marinette in deep thought. "Hmm... The charm protects you from being akumatized." "What is it, girl?" Alya asked.

"I think I know what we should do next."

[nhlandotherimagines]

Since When? -Matthew Tkachuk X Fem!Reader

This is approximately 11.2k words of a friends-to-lovers rollercoaster of emotions! I hope you all enjoy! I hope you all enjoy it! @anastasiyaigorevnadobrodevskaya @jonnytoews19 @puckbitchesgetmoney @glassdanse @suzukick

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of nudity, implied sexual acts, angst, negative self talk, “unrequited” love, drinking, also some fluff as well. Please let me know if I missed anything!

In case you don’t know: Y/n: your name, Y/l/n: your last name, and Y/n/n: your nickname (can be replaced with your name if you do not have a nickname of course)

flashbacks are in italics :)

———

“Y/n, this is Macy. Macy, this is Y/n.” Matthew introduces you to the blonde girl he’s been talking about for weeks. She is so much prettier than you could have ever imagined. Beautiful blonde hair, flawless tanned skin, and her legs went on for miles. You shake the thoughts from your head a large grin taking over your own face.

“Oh how formal of you Matthew,” you say mockingly. “Please call me Y/n/n, and despite how Matty here is acting you have no reasons to be nervous. He talks about you all the time, I like you already!” You beam with a wink. Matt’s ears and neck burn red in embarrassment, as you and Macy giggle.

“I could say the same about you y/n/n!” Your stomach twists a little at that, what could Matthew possibly have told her? You and him have been friends for years. Best friends. You live across the hall from him now. When you moved to Calgary he insisted you moved into his apartment, but you know he would never take a girl home with you around all the time. If you are being truly honest with yourself, it has more to do with the fact that you don’t want to think about Matthew with other girls.

Yet here you are, standing in front of his new girlfriend, who could be supermodel. “Would you like to get a drink Macy? Let Matthew go talk boring old sports stuff with his jock friends.” Macy giggles at your request, but agrees quickly placing a kiss on Matthew’s cheek.

————

“Thank you for this. Matt’s been really weird about me meeting you, and I was worried you were going to hate me.” Macy’s smile falters a little when she says this, causing you to choke a little on your drink.

“Wow! He must have made me seem like a total bitch! Sounds like him really. I guess he knows I want whoever he’s with to be perfect for him, but he doesn’t understand that as long as he’s happy and that girl isn’t just a gold digger than I’m happy too.” You knock her shoulder playfully with yours, “He seems very happy with you, and for the record I think you’re really cool.”

The two of you sit in silence for a moment, before Macy speaks again. “So how did you and Matt become friends?”

“It’s a long story, are you sure you want to hear it?” You chuckle, as she nods excitedly.

“Y/n l/n?” The teacher reads out your name.

“Present!” You beam from your spot at the front of the class hand in the air. You hear a few chuckles from behind you, and lower your hand slowly slumping into your chair.

“Matthew Tkachuk?” The teacher continues, after giving you a sympathetic smile.

“That would be me!” His voice causes your eyes to snap to the door. He’s beautiful and chaotic. Bright blue eyes, messy curls, a little smirk, and a cute little dimple to tie it all together.

“Mr. Tkachuk, being late on the first day isn’t the best first impression. Please don’t make a habit of it.” The teacher scolds lightly.

“Sorry, I won’t.” He smiles sheepishly, as he places his backpack on the chair beside yours. “Okay if I sit here?” He looks at you expectantly.

Unable to find your words you nod. He sits down, and smiles at you. “I’m Matthew.” He adds sticking his hand out for you. You take it, face burning red.

“Uh- I’m y/n.” You stutter out. More snickers coming from the seats behind you. Immediately you pull your hand away and stare down at your lap, tears burning your eyes. It was your first day of highschool, and already you weren’t fitting in.

“Well y/n, can I call you y/n/n?” He asks quickly, but doesn’t bother to wait for a response, “Want to eat lunch with me? It being the first day and all I’m trying to make friends. What do you say?”

“Okay.” You reply, and smile up at him. No longer feeling as shy.

So you did eat lunch together that day. And every day after that. You became best friends almost immediately. After a couple weeks, you met his family and fit in well with all of them. Matthew fit just as perfectly in your life. You studied together, you went and watched his games, you did everything together.

It was so easy to be with Matthew, so when he got drafted to the Flames your decision was easy. You immediately applied to the University of Calgary.

“And we’ve been friends forever it feels like.” You smile at her.

“So you guys dated in highschool?” She asks, but it sounds more like a statement than a question. Your eyes nearly popped out of your skull at that.

“No way! Matt and I are only friends, that’s all we’ve ever been, and we are both VERY okay with that.” You cringe to yourself at how awkward you sound, trying to convince her what you were saying was true. And it mostly was, aside from the fact that part of you wanted more, and still do.

“Seriously? Not even like one date?” You shake your head, “not one awkward game of spin the bottle?” Again you shake your head, “not even a drunk hookup?” At that you laugh, and take another swig of your drink.

“I’m being honest Macy. The closest to any of that Matt and I ever had was my seventeenth birthday.” You shudder at the memory, “Neither of us enjoyed that.”

Macy’s face lit up at that. “Well now you have to tell me!”

You are standing in front of your bedroom mirror getting ready for your birthday party. People would be showing up in about an hour, your mom is in the kitchen finishing the cake, your dad cleaning the barbecue, your siblings at friends houses, and here you are standing mostly naked in front of the mirror. Admiring the brand new navy blue lingerie set you just bought, your very first set. You feel really sexy, for the first time ever, which at seventeen is a big deal.

You aren’t sure how long you’ve been standing there, when the door opens, but you are too zoned out to even notice as you run your fingers along the lace resting on your hips. “Oh fuck!”

As soon as you hear his voice you turn towards the door and do your best to cover your exposed body.

“MATTHEW JESUS CHRIST GET OUT!” You scream at him, tears blurring your vision. He mutters an apology as he quickly exits your room.

You cry for awhile, the embarrassment making you not want to get off your floor. However, you do eventually, and change into the dress your mother bought specifically for your party. It was black, and much more mature than your mother would have ever let you wear before, or maybe it’s because you yourself look more mature. Who knows? All you know is that you don’t want to face Matthew.

It turns out that you don’t have to. Matthew doesn’t show up for the party. Brady does though, telling you he isn’t sure what happened, but Matthew isn’t feeling well. You know why though. He was repulsed.

You cry yourself to sleep after everyone leaves. Even going as far as throwing out the set of lingerie, unable to look at it anymore.

You thought you lost him that day. Thankfully though, the following Monday it was like nothing happened. Neither of you bring it up again.

“Wow! He never mentioned it?” She laughs in astonishment.

“Not once! I think he’s forgotten really. It’s not like there was really much to see anyway.” You go back and forth like that all night, sharing stories, buying each other drinks, dancing together. It is perfect.

Across the bar Matthew smiles to himself, watching the two of you getting along so well.

“Dude I told you they’d get along!” Noah Hanifin says slapping a hand over Matthew’s shoulder. He doesn’t hear him come over to where he stood leaning against the bar watching you and Macy dancing together, so it startled him at first.

“I knew they probably would, it’s just if they didn’t,” Matthew stops for a moment staring down at his drink. “I wouldn’t be able to choose.”

“Why would you have to choose?” Noah doesn’t get it, and Matthew isn’t sure the answer really.

“Every time I’ve been seeing a girl they always get weird once they finally meet y/n. Most of them just can’t handle the fact I’m so close to a girl.” He shrugs, and Noah sends him a knowing smile.

“So you’ve never told me, were the two of you ever a thing?” Noah asks, taking a drink of the beer in his hand.

Matthew throws his head back laughing loudly. “Seriously Hanifin? You’ve met the two of us right? We have been friends forever. Nothing else.”

“You’ve never even just hooked up? I don’t know, you two just fit so well together I assumed you would have tried it out at least once.” Noah shrugs.

“No way!” Matthew chuckles awkwardly, wanting the conversation to end.

As the two friends lean against the bar in silence, his eyes fall on you. You’re wearing a cute little black dress similar to the one you’d worn the day he thought he’d lost you.

It is your birthday, and Matthew can’t wait to give you the present he bought you weeks ago. It is a miracle he kept it a secret this long. Sure your party isn’t for another hour or so, but he can at least help everyone get ready. That way he can give you your present sooner, and without the prying eyes of your mutual friends.

So here he was walking up to your front door, the little velvet box tucked inside his backpack. Inside it a beautiful gold necklace, the pendant a simple letter ‘M’. Sure, maybe it was cheesy, but you love cheesy. As for Matthew he loves seeing you happy, and he loves you.

“Hey Matthew honey! Y/n is in her room.” Your mother greets him as he comes through the front door. He exchanges a quick hello and starts up the stairs to your room.

Matthew takes a shaky breath, trying to steady his breathing. His heart is racing, why is he so nervous? He tries to convince himself it is just because he wants you to like the gift and not because he has feelings for you. When he finally pushes open your door though, all of the air he had just tried to hold onto, leaves his body immediately. There you are. Standing in front of your mirror, back to him. Your hair curled loosely, and wearing nothing but a set of navy blue lingerie. Matthew is frozen, unable to speak. His eyes rake over your body, even though he knows it is wrong. You look good. So good in fact, Matthew’s pants have tightened considerably since he stepped through your door.

“Oh fuck!” He groans, eyes widening as he finally realizes the gravity of the situation. He watches you spin around, horror and embarrassment clear on your face.

“MATTHEW JESUS CHRIST GET OUT!” You yell, you sound so angry to Matthew. He is immediately embarrassed. Embarrassed to be caught, but mostly embarrassed by the affect you have on him.

Matthew runs home. He pleads with Brady to just put his name on the gift he is bringing, and to let you know he isn’t feeling well. The truth is, he doesn’t feel well. He is scared. Scared everything has to change. The two of you don’t talk all weekend, but maybe Matthew stalks your Instagram to make sure you have a good birthday.

However, the following Monday the two of you fall back into your normal routine. The incident is never brought up again, aside from in Matthew’s dreams that is.

Matthew shakes his head, trying to physically rid it of the memory. He smiles sadly down at his drink knowing that the necklace he bought you that year now sits safely in a box on the top shelf of his closet. He never got to give it to you.

“What ‘cha thinkin’ ‘bout space cadet?” You grin up at him. He smiles back at you, and throws his arm around your shoulder. Subconsciously he scans the room for Macy. “Chill out Matty she’s in the bathroom. You looking to dip on me already? I mean how can I blame you? If I got to go home with someone THAT hot I’d be leaving as soon as I could.”

“I’m not trying to dip!” He shoots back in defence.

“Okay! Okay! Cool it Chucky! I’m just teasing. I like her a lot! Why were you so worried?” You wrap an arm around his waist as he pulls you tighter into his side.

“Dunno. I guess your opinion is kind of important to me. Wouldn’t wanna displease my sidekick.” He smirks down at you.

“Oh please! If anyone is the sidekick here it’s you Tkachuk! Know your place.” You tease, as Macy finds her way over to the two of you. “He’s getting on my nerves! He’s your problem now. Have fun lovebirds!” You wink at them as you slip away. You need another drink, something hard. You also need someone to take home tonight. So you wouldn’t have to think about Matthew and Macy.

You like her. She is perfect for him, and she makes him happy. That’s what you want. It doesn’t mean you don’t wish it was you.

————

The next morning Matthew makes his way back to his own apartment. He had spent the night at Macy’s, but decides to get home early as his parents and siblings are going to be in town later in the day. When he turns down the hall, he notices the guy leaning against your doorframe. He can’t see you, but he can hear your laugh. “I’ll see you later yeah?” Nathan says leaning in to press a kiss to your lips.

“Um sure. Yeah.” You immediately start beating yourself up internally for how awkward that sounded. Sure Nathan is sweet, and last night was great! He just doesn’t feel right.

You say your final goodbyes, and promise to text him later before you close your door. Little do you know, your best friend is waiting in the hallway to greet your new friend. “Fun night fella?” Matthew smirks at him.

His eyes go wide as he realized who exactly it is standing in front of him. Matthew’s ego inflates significantly at how terrified this guy seems. “Uh yeah it was alright.” Nathan manages to stammer out.

“She’s something isn’t she? I’m Matthew.” Matt sticks his hand out for the stranger.

“Nathan, and uh yeah she’s great.” The two continue awkward small talk for a couple seconds longer before Matthew lets himself into your apartment.

“So Michael huh?” Matthew grins over at you. You roll your eyes, taking a long drink of your coffee from where you stand leaning against the counter.

“It’s Nathan, but you knew that smart ass. What about him?” You challenge, slightly annoyed that he had to show up and give you a hard time. Matthew just shrugs walking over to you, pushing himself up onto the counter beside you.

“He just doesn’t seem like your type.”

“Matty, how the hell would you even know what my type is?” You cross your arms glaring at him.

“He’s skinny, and he is definitely vanilla as all hell. Sure those aren’t bad things, but you and I both know you want a strong man to be in control. Only in the bedroom of course.” He adds with a wink. Your cheeks flame in response, shoving him. He’s exactly right. Nathan was a little scrawny, and not overly confident in the bedroom. Sure he was great, but he wasn’t Matthew. You curse yourself for even thinking about your friend that way. Your best friend that’s all he is.

“Matthew, get out of my apartment. Your family will be here soon, and I need to get ready to see my favourite Tkachuk.” You tease back. He rolls his eyes, but says nothing as he slips from the counter making his way out of your apartment.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding as the door shuts behind him. You need to start distancing yourself from him before things get out of hand.

————

“Y/N!!!” Brady gathers you up in a hug before you even have the chance to close Matthew’s door.

“Hey Brady” you giggle into his hair. He sets you down after giving you a quick spin, pressing a soft kiss to your hairline.

“How’ve you been bug?” He asks, throwing an arm over your shoulder after you finally shut the door. Him and Matthew have called you the dumb nickname for a long time, and at this point it hardly bothers you. You and Brady were always really close, but it was never the same as you and Matthew. He was more like a brother for you, one you annoy, share all your secrets with (especially if they involved boys), and also gave him a hard time. With Matthew, sure you annoy each other, and share secrets, but you and Matthew were a team. Inseparable. It doesn’t make sense, even to you, but you did love them both.

“Not too bad, trying to keep Mr. Hotshot in check. The usual. Though I’ve had some help recently, so honestly I’ve been a little bored.” You quip loud enough for Matthew to hear. Judging by the look on Matthews face though, he hadn’t missed any of the interaction.

“Oh get a room already would you!” He grumbles rolling his eyes and walking away. You and Brady share a look, and he shrugs to signal he’s just as confused as you.

Brady leads you to the couch, and you sit down. The two of you already deep in conversation, catching up on your lives. Taryn finds her way to the couch soon after joining in on your conversation. “So what’s she like?” Taryn asks after awhile.

“Macy?” You ask, and the two siblings nod at you expectantly. “She’s really great! She’s kind, smart, and not to mention a total bombshell! She is perfect for Matthew, I’m happy for them.” Brady just looks at you with a sad smile.

You want to tell him that it’s the truth, that you actually love her to death. Something stops you though, you’re not sure why, but you stay quiet.

Soon after Macy knocks on the door. Matthew runs to answer it before either of his siblings can even react. When you see her, your heart nearly stops. Once again you are in awe of just how beautiful she is. You stay rooted in your spot on the couch as the Tkachuk family takes turns fawning over her. For the first time ever, you felt out of place. You’ve spent the better part of a decade being that girl, the one the whole family raves about. The family chirping Matthew about what a miracle it was you stuck around. Sure it got old fast, but you loved it. Now you can’t help the jealousy that spreads it’s roots through your heart.

After the dinner, if you could even call delivered Chinese food that, you pull Matthew aside after the others make their way to the living room. “Hey Matt, I’m gonna head home I’m kinda tired.”

“String bean do that much damage Y/n/n?” He smirks down at you, and your face twists a little unable to find the humour in his friendly chirp. Matthew’s smirk quickly falls from his face. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah ‘m fine Matty. I’m just gonna go okay? I’ll talk to you tomorrow yeah? Tell everyone I’m glad I got to see them.” You muster a small smile as you turn towards the door. “You’re not gonna say bye yourself?”

“They’re having fun Matt.” You send him a better smile at that, trying to let him know everything is okay. You feel far from okay though, and you can’t even explain why. “And you should be too! Now get in there before Brady talks Macy into finding someone better!” You give him a playful shove towards the chatter in the living room. Thankfully Matthew chuckles at that, and let’s you go.

He watches you closely as you leave, and he feels guilty. Running through his mind everything that might have made you want to leave. Was it Brady? Was it him?

God it was killing him, and that was evident on his face as he walks into the living room. Brady catching his eye as soon as he did, noticing the frown that Matthew quickly covers with a smile. “Y/n told me to let you know she was heading home for the night, and she was so happy to see you all. Except Brady of course.”

“Awe well I wish you let us know before she left Matt, we hardly see that girl anymore.” Chantal spoke, but Matthew barely heard her. All he could focus on was the glare Brady was sending him. Matthew just shrugs at his brother, his form of silent communication to let Brady know he doesn’t know what he was upset about. Brady responded with his own silent gesture, a head nod in the direction of the kitchen.

As he peels himself from the chair he was seated in, Brady makes his way silently to the kitchen. Matthew follows, hand rubbing at the back of his neck awkwardly once the two brothers are finally alone. “Why did she really leave? What did you say to her?” Brady was quick to jump on Matthew with questions, that if he were honest, Matthew was not expecting.

“What the fuck are you talking about? She was tired so she went home.” Matthew throws back, already angry his brother assumes it was his fault.

“It’s Y/n we are talking about! That girl has been around for years, I’ve seen her pass out at our kitchen table on family game night. She’d sooner fall asleep on the couch and spend as much time with us as she could than to just leave. And without saying good bye? Seriously dude what the hell did you say?” Brady was trying to keep his voice down, but he was upset. You were his friend too.

“Nothing! And how could I? She spent all night talking to you! She’s probably just going home to sleep with that idiot Nathan anyway.” Matthew grumbles. Brady freezes at his brothers statement. “Nathan?”

“Yeah some guy she took home from the bar last night.” Matthew explains like it was common knowledge, “he seems like an idiot.”

“Matt are you jealous?” Brady asks, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. Matthew rolls his eyes and groans out loud. “Brady are you stupid? No wait don’t answer that, you are. Y/n is my best friend. She can sleep with whoever she wants whenever she wants. I have a girlfriend.” Matthew’s fists clench at his sides, and Brady’s eyes flicker down to them briefly.

“Well the two of you need to figure your shit out.” Brady adds, turning on his heels and heading back to his spot in the living room. Matthew unclenches his fists, and takes a deep breath before joining the rest of his family again.

———

You sit on your bed, legs tucked under you, leaning back against the headboard. You press Brady’s contact, and watch as the phone rings. You didn’t FaceTime Brady often, but this was necessary. “What’s up bug?” Brady’s smile immediately makes you feel less anxious.

“Well it’s kind of a long story, I’ve been seeing this guy for a couple months now. He’s great, but I don’t really know how to introduce him to Matt without him being weird about it.” You chew your bottom lip anxiously, cheeks warm with embarrassment. It sounds so stupid to say it out loud. Brady’s laughing pulls you out of your spiral. “What’s so funny? Brady I’m serious Matthew makes everything so awkward!”

Finally Brady manages to catch his breath. “Y/n I had basically this exact same conversation about four months ago with Matt. You two are literally impossible! You’re best friends, you just want each other to be happy. As for Nathan-“

“How do you know his name? I never told you that?” Your dumbfounded expression has Brady in hysterics once again. “Matthew.” You groan, finally having pieced it all together. You mumble something about having to go before you end the conversation with Brady. You pull on an old hoodie of Matthew’s that’s slightly too big for you, and quickly make your way to Matthew’s apartment.

You let yourself in, like you always have. Instead of being met by Matt playing video games like you expected, you’re met with a much more horrifying image. Matt has Macy pinned to the couch, and let’s just say they aren’t having a wrestling match. The noise of shock that escapes you alerts the couple of your presence. “Y/n!” Matthew exclaimes quickly crawling off of Macy. He grabs the nearest throw pillow covering his junk with it awkwardly.

After far too long of gaping at the couple you manage to snap out of it, turning back to head for the door again. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry! I didn’t- oh Jesus! Pretend I was never here I’m sorry!” You’re out of his apartment in record time. Collapsing just inside your apartment door, tears stinging your eyes. The embarrassment was overwhelming, how were you supposed to face either of them ever again?

———

“Well fuck!” Matthew groans after the door slams shut behind you. Macy starts giggling from her place on the couch, and Matthew sends her a glare.

“Oh loosen up tough guy! At least you’re even now!” She shoots back wiggling her eyebrows at him. Matthew stands frozen in his place. “What are you talking about?”

“Her 17th birthday Matthew, do you actually not remember that?” Macy let’s out an awkward laugh, as she watches the pain on Matt’s face. “She told you that?” Matthew is angry, and he knows he shouldn’t be. Why would you tell his girlfriend about that when you have never even talked to him about it? He’s your best friend.

Macy just nods, slightly scared to actually admit it out loud. Matthew lets out a small ‘oh.’ before leaving the room. He emerges a few minutes later fully clothed to find Macy gathering her things to leave.

“I’m sorry you don’t have to leave.” Matthew mumbles, but he only half means it. Sure he doesn’t want her to leave, but he needs to talk to you. Needs to make this right.

“Go talk to her Matty, seriously. Figure it out, I’m not sure why it made you so upset that she just walked in here. What did you expect? She always does. Set some boundaries maybe? You’re a grown man Matthew, it’s not my job to play the parent and fix whatever is happening here.” Macy huffs, slamming the door just as hard as you had not long before. Why was everyone so upset with him? First Brady, then you, now Macy too? What was he doing wrong? And why did the get so upset about Macy bringing up your 17th birthday?

Matthew tries not to get caught up in his mind too long. Instead he roots through his closet shelves looking for your birthday present. Sure maybe it was 6 years late, but how else could he make up for the awkward night?

———

You are laying on your living room floor when Matthew lets himself into your apartment. “What are you doing on the floor?” Matthew chuckles, leaning against the wall closest to you.

“‘M not sure.” You mumble, unable to look at him. Instead you study a paint chip directly above you. You hear Matthew set something down before he pushes your coffee table a few feet away. He then drops himself next to you rather ungracefully, tucking an arm behind his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t knock.” You say quietly, so quietly in fact Matthew almost doesn’t hear it. He does though and he turns his head to face you.

You turn towards him, taking in his features for the first time since he entered your apartment. The sad smile on his face knocks the wind out of you for a moment, as you get lost in his blue eyes. “When have you and I ever knocked? I should’ve put a sock on the door handle.” He chirps back, sealing it with a wink. You laugh lightly at his comment, and turn your gaze back to the paint chip.

The two of you stay like that for awhile. Staring at a paint chip, in total silence. Your thoughts consuming you, as the tension seems to grow thicker by the second. You’re not sure how long passed before Matthew breaks the silence, but it was long enough that it startled you when he does. “At least we are even now. Though I’m pretty sure you got to see a lot more than I did.”

Lifting yourself up onto your forearms you turn to him again, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I thought you’d forgotten. Or maybe you just didn’t want to talk about it with me because you were so angry. I just can’t believe you talked about it with Macy and not me.” He rambles on, but now it was him refusing to look at you. He looks hurt, and your mind races trying to put the pieces together. Then it hits you.

“My birthday.” You say, more to yourself than Matthew, but he nods finally meeting your gaze. “I’m sorry Matt, I just thought if I told her that story it would ease her mind about us. I was too scared to bring it up to you, and then so much time had passed it felt wrong to even talk about it.” Your confession causes Matthew to look even more confused. “Ease her mind? How would that story ease her mind?”

So you tell him. You tell him about how, like everyone else who has met the two of you, Macy assumed something had happened between you. A kiss. A relationship. A hookup. Something. “So I told her the story so she’d understand that even at 17 you were appalled by the sight of me, and how embarrassed I had been. And I told her that was our one and only ‘intimate’ experience.” You make sure to throw air quotes around the term intimate. Your explanation however, did not seem to make Matthew feel better.

“Are you serious? Not once in my life have I ever been ‘appalled’ by your appearance.” He looks extremely offended as he uses air quotes in the most mocking way possible. “Why would you even think that?” You laugh at that, though there is very little humour behind it.

“Matthew, we were 17. I’m not much to look at now, and back then?” You wince at the mere thought of your 17 year old body. “I certainly never had anything like the girls you were into Matty. I’m not stupid it’s okay.” He stares at you now. Mouth open slightly, eyes scanning your face. Waiting, hoping you’d say you were joking. Admit you didn’t see yourself as less than any girl Matthew had ever been with, but you don’t. Instead you stare right back at him, an emotion swimming in your eyes Matthew can’t quite place.

“You really think I ran away because I was grossed out by that whole encounter?” He askes, and you nod. Your eyes dropping to the floor. Matthew lets out a deep laugh, and falls back against the floor again. “Y/n. That is so incredibly far from the truth! I was embarrassed, so embarrassed that I ran the whole way home and locked myself in my room. I then pleaded with Brady to just go without me, and put my name on his gift because I thought you were mad at me. I thought you looked incredible, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever sprung a boner so fast in my life.” Your stomach flutters at his confession. The thought of Matthew thinking about you like that made the want you’d been pushing down for years start to bubble up again. You can’t bring yourself to respond, instead you pick absentmindedly at a loose thread on your shorts. Matthew lets out a loud groan, pulling himself up off the floor entirely.

“Sorry if that made this weird. I hope you understand that you shouldn’t ever compare yourself to any girl. You’re amazing y/n.” You smile up at him and mumble a thank you. It takes everything in you to will away the tears that begin to form in your eyes. “If you don’t believe my story,” Matthew nods to a small box sitting on the coffee table he’d moved earlier. “that is the birthday present I planned to give you that day. It’s the whole reason I walked into your room that day, I wanted you to have it before everyone else showed up.”

With that, Matthew is gone again. A single tear rolls down your cheek as you take in the small box, wrapped in pink wrapping paper. Poorly wrapped you might add. You stand up grabbing the box and a blanket. Wrapping yourself tightly in the blanket, you fall back against the couch examining the package closely.

After twenty minutes of staring at it, you peel away the pink paper with trembling fingers. The dark velvet box, has a sticky note stuck to the top. As you read it, the tears start to fall steadily.

Happy Birthday! I hope you know just how much you mean to me. Hopefully this gift will mean that you never forget me. Love you bug xx-Matty

The little heart he drew at the end pulls a sob out of you. Contrary to the sobs now wracking your body, a smile forms on your face. Slowly, you flip open the small box. Gasping loudly, the box slips from your grasp as both hands come to your face. Although moments ago you wouldn’t have thought it possible, you cry harder now. The necklace is simply beautiful. The small golden ‘M’ makes your heart soar, and break simultaneously.

Your mind runs in circles now. Had you received the gift on the day you were intended to, would things be different? The gift seems more than platonic. You need to confide in someone. You had no idea who to call. You can’t call Brady, he wouldn’t understand. You most definitely can’t call Macy.

Without even thinking you pick up your phone and press on one contact. The phone rings as you press it to your ear. “Hello?”

“It’s beautiful Matt, but it’s too much I can’t take this.” Your voice is shaking and you hope he can’t hear it. Your heart is racing, mind spinning, and nausea swirls through you.

“Y/n/n, keep it please. I bought it years ago, I can’t return it. You’re still my best friend and I want you to have it. We are still friends...” Matthew pauses for a moment, “right?”

“Of course!” You say trying to fight off the urge to tell him you aren’t. You of course would always be friends, but you don’t want that anymore. You can’t continue being a third wheel. “Actually that’s why I went over earlier. I wanted to invite you and Macy out to dinner. Tomorrow night. With me and my boyfriend. If you’re free of course!”

You couldn’t sound more awkward if you tried, but Matthew agrees. You make plans to meet at your favourite diner the following evening, and then say goodnight.

Matthew doesn’t need to know that you slipped the gold chain on after hanging up. Just like you don’t need to know Matthew was currently canceling plans he had previously made with Macy.

———

“Matthew this is-“ You start to introduce the two men standing in front of you, but Matthew quickly interrupts.

“Nathan I know. Nice to uh- see you again I guess?” Nathan let’s out an awkward chuckle as he shakes Matthews hand. “Anyways!” You say breaking the awkward silence that fills the space around you. “Where is Macy anyway?” You ask, taking your seat at the table. Both guys follow suit, and Matthews gaze finally falls to you.

“She sends her apologies, something came up with work. You’re stuck with just me tonight.” He says, sending a wink in Nathan’s direction.

“Tkachuk I swear to god. Be a pest on the ice all you want, but can we for once have a civil meal?” You glare at him across the table, and Nathan sets a hand gently on your shoulder.

“Don’t worry babe, he’s just having some fun.” Nathan says reassuringly. You smile at him, but the smile quickly fades when Matthew speaks up again. “Yeah babe, we’re just having fun.” He laughs mockingly.

Dinner continues a lot like that. Back and forth, both men trying to prove something. Nathan trying to prove to Matthew that he isn’t temporary. Matthew trying to prove to Nathan, that Matthew is a constant in your life and can end this in a second if he wanted. Whatever this was. The pair even argue over who would pay the bill. You end up paying it yourself, as you leave the testosterone at the table to battle it out.

Nathan has to get home, as he has work early tomorrow. So of course Matthew takes it upon himself the drive you back home. The ride is silent, and you fiddle with the chain around your neck the whole way. No words are spoken until Matthew puts the car in park. “String bean know you’re wearing my initial?” He smirks, eyes falling to where your hands still tug at the chain.

“What’s your issue with him?” You spit, anger getting the better of you. “I was nothing but accepting of Macy. I befriended her for you Matthew! Why can you not for once just be nice and do this one thing for me?” You don’t wait for his response, instead you throw yourself out of the vehicle. You forego the elevator, choosing instead to take the stairs to get to your apartment as fast as you can. Once there you slam your door, and bang your forehead against the back of the door.

After a moment of just leaning against the inside of the door a small knock sounds from the other side. “Go away.” You grumble, knowing exactly who is on the other side.

“Bug. Please just listen.” He pauses for a moment and you just let out a shaky breath. “I’m scared you’re settling. I want you to be happy, but I get the feeling he’s not it. I’m sorry I was rude, that was a dick move. I just really care about you, and just because I know I could totally take string bean in a fight, doesn’t mean I want to. I know you’re lonely, and you’re feeling like a third wheel. You’re allowed to date Bug, but I want you to be happy and loved. If it’s really string be- Nathan.” He corrects himself, “If it’s really Nathan you want, then great! I’ll apologize to him, and we can move on. But Y/n, I think you and I both know he’s not. Find what you want and go get it. You deserve it.” Tears are flowing silently down your cheeks. Matt is right. Nathan is not what you want, he never will be. It’s Matt, it’s always been Matt.

After a minute or two of trying to compose yourself, you really think about Matthew’s words. Find what you want and go get it. He’s right, how can you ever be happy if you don’t at least try to chase what you want? So with that you fling open your door, ready to run into Matthew’s arms. To tell him how you feel, to tell him that it’s him you want.

As if the world was trying to play a cruel trick on you, it’s not Matt’s arms you’re greeted with. Instead of being held tightly in his warm embrace, you find yourself surrounded by a cold and empty hallway. It’s so quiet, you can practically hear the sound of your heart breaking all over again. You laugh humourlessly at how stupid you feel. You had hoped Matt’s words of encouragement were a sign. A sign that he could see your harboured feelings, and wanted nothing more than for you to act on them.

Matt watches you through the peephole in his apartment door, heart shattering as you shrink back into your apartment. Nothing was fixed. Macy had told him to fix this, but he’d only manage to make it worse.

———

“Why’d you call her that?” Macy presses, moments after her and Matt walk into his apartment. Matthew shrugs, which is not helping the situation. He could just be honest, and tell Macy that he and Brady had always called you bug.

It all started one summer afternoon when you had thrown a total fit after Brady had pointed out a bug had landed in your hair. For months Brady and Matthew would randomly yell ‘BUG!’ while pointing at you to get a reaction. At some point they just started calling you bug. It was stupid and platonic. At least it was for Brady. The way Matthew said it was always different. It gave you butterflies, and Matthew would be lying if he said he didn’t love the pet name.

“It’s just a nickname.” He defends, walking to the kitchen. She follows closely behind him, watching closely as he grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. He leans against the counter taking a long drink, as Macy stands with her arms crossed waiting for more. Matthew was getting frustrated with the whole situation. “Are you seriously upset about me calling her bug?” He asks in disbelief.

Macy shakes her head, laughing humourlessly with a roll of her eyes. “No Matthew. I’m not. It’s a cute little nickname and that’s absolutely fine. It’s the fact that when she’s around you’re different. It’s like you’re scared to stand too close to me, like she might be upset about it. You tiptoe around her, you didn’t even want to tell her about me Matt. Are you ashamed of me?” The emotion evident in Macy’s eyes, is something Matt hasn’t seen from her before. Something he wasn’t expecting.

“Macy, I am not ashamed of you at all. I-it’s just that Y/n has no one in Calgary, and I’ve always been her bestfriend. When I started seeing you I was scared she’d cling to whoever she felt could fill the spot I had to step back from. And she did, and she isn’t happy with him. I’m sorry that you suffered because of it.” He tries to explain, walking to the girl standing in front of him. He grabs her hips and places a kiss to her temple as tears threate to slip down her cheeks.

“I’m your girlfriend Matt. Start acting like it.”

———

“How did it go?” Brady asks, his goofy smile way too close to the screen. He FaceTimed you a few times a month usually. Checking in, on you and Matt both. He knows you had gone to dinner with Matt and Nathan two nights ago now. You know he called looking to say ‘I told you so’, but you know he won’t be able to. This was one time you truly wish he could.

“Uh it. Well, it wasn’t great.” You frown, and Brady’s smile quickly falls as well. “Nathan and I broke up.”

“WHAT!? Do I have to fight a man, because I have done it before and I’ll do it again?” He jokes to lighten the mood that quickly shifted.

“I actually broke up with him...” Brady’s face twists in confusion. Trying to piece together what he’s missing. A week ago you were so stressed out about Matthew not liking this guy, that you didn’t even want them to meet. Now you had broken up with him? Needless to say Brady was baffled. “He wasn’t what I wanted, I was settling.” You mumble a little embarrassed, as you fiddle with the chain that hasn’t left your neck.

“Y/n... you have to move on.” Brady says gently. Certainly not the reaction you were expecting.

“Brady, I’m fine. I broke up with him. I’m over Nathan, honestly there was nothing to get over.” You shake your head, bringing a smile to your face to emphasize the fact you are okay.

“Not Nathan.” Brady sighs shaking his head. It doesn’t make sense, but judging by the serious tone of his voice and the gentle smile. You aren’t going to like where this was going. “You need to get over Matthew.”

The minute the words leave his mouth you want to scream and cry. Tell him he’s wrong, and an asshole for even assuming that. You want to tell him he’s right. To ask him for help. You want to ask him why you have to get over him, and explain that you can’t. You want to ask him so many questions, but only one comes out; “Why have I never been good enough for him Brady?” You’re crying now. No actually, you’re sobbing. You’re inconsolable, and Brady is in Ottawa.

“Y/n it’s not like that.” He doesn’t know how to let you down easy. How can he explain that Matthew loves everything about you, but would never love you the way you love him? How can someone explain that you were exactly what Matthew wants, and that’s why you’ll never be his. Matthew can’t lose you. He can’t wreck what you have. Brady doesn’t know that Matthew used to want you that way. All he knows is that anytime he, Chantal, Taryn, or Keith brought it up Matthew would laugh and say he could never date you. You are his bestfriend. The truth is, Matthew knows he isn’t good enough. Not for you. No one ever will be. You are perfect to him.

“Forget it.” You bark, more aggressively than Brady deserves, but you are hurt. You have never talked to anyone about how you feel about Matthew. Having Brady call you out like that terrifies you. Who else knows? Taryn? Chantal? Does Matthew know? Just the thought of it makes your stomach churn. You immediately end the FaceTime call, not allowing Brady to say anything else.

He tries calling back. You ignore him, just like you ignore the constant stream of texts. He even has Taryn trying to get ahold of you. Of course he does. You shut off your phone, and curl up on your couch. The bad reality tv show playing softly in the background can’t even keep your attention. You instead, stare at the coffee table. It’s still pushed farther to one side of your living room, right where Matt left it. You continue to stare at it, your whole body feeling numb, until finally sleep takes over.

———

Matthew knows something is up as soon as Brady calls him. “What happened Brady?” Matthew asks, concern for you beating out any rational thoughts. He knows how pathetic he sounds, and prays his brother doesn’t pick up on it. As soon as Brady mentions your name, Matthew demands more information, but Brady won’t tell him what happened.

“I’m sure she’s fine Matt, I just upset her and now she won’t answer my calls. Please just check on her and tell her I’m sorry.” Brady says, before abruptly being hung up on. Again.

Matthew quickly makes his way to your door, and lets himself in. Sure he should knock, but he knows if you are upset you likely won’t answer anyway. The sight that meets Matthew when he enters your apartment makes his heart burst. There you are, curled up in a blanket fast asleep, hand clutching the pendant around your neck. He tries his best to stop the feeling in his gut as he realizes how domestic this moment feels.

Matthew gathers you in his arms as gently as he can, and carries you to your bedroom. As he lays you down, you adjust yourself slightly, but it is clear you are out like a light. “You’ll find him bug.” Matt whispers as he places a gentle kiss to your hairline. “The perfect guy is going to come along and sweep you off your feet. You’ll have that big wedding you’ve always wanted, a couple beautiful little babies, and I’ll be there cheering you on. You’re perfect bug, never settle.” Matthew fights back the lump that forms in his throat, as he pushes the hair gently from your face. “I wish it could’ve been me.” He says it so quietly that if you had been awake you still may not have heard him. So he leaves, pushing all those thoughts away and trying to remember that you’ll always be his best friend. Just his best friend.

———

“Well if it isn’t Matthew’s better half!” Mark greets you as you find your way into the backyard. You somehow got an invite to the teams’ end of the season BBQ, and now here you are already getting chirped by the captain.

“Easy there Gio, Matt has a girlfriend now remember?” You joke back with a wink, but you feel a twinge of sadness. You don’t have much time to think about it though, as the captain throws his arm over your shoulder and leans down to whisper in your ear. “I’ve always liked you better though, not sure why he’d pass up on you.” The blush that floods your cheeks makes your whole body feel hot with embarrassment. You know he’s joking, but it does feel good to hear it.

Mark leads you deeper into the yard, as you say hi to everyone. “There she is!” Your head snaps around quickly as you hear Matt’s voice. As soon as your eyes land on him, you notice his are already on you. “Hey Matty!” You greet with a smile as he wraps you in his arms. He smells like sweat and beer, and he refuses to let you out of his grasp. That is until you hear someone clear their throat, and he pulls away awkwardly.

“Macy! How’ve you been?” You greet her with a big smile and pull her into a hug. She responds quietly, and soon after excuses herself to get a drink. You send Matt a questioning look, but he only shrugs and drags you to the beer pong table announcing you are his partner.

That’s how your afternoon goes, beating everyone in beer pong with Matt as your partner. You’re slowly getting tipsy, and subsequently warmer. Peeling your top off, Johnny Gaudreau whistles loudly from across the table. You are wearing a pretty revealing red bikini top, but given the fact you are slightly intoxicated Johnny’s reaction doesn’t bother you. In fact it is welcomed as you send him a wink.

“Hey Gaudreau! How about you stop staring at my friends chest and throw the damn ball?” Matt growls beside you. You bump your hip with his, and furrow your brows at him silently asking if he’s okay. He shakes his head gently in dismissal as he smiles at you.

Macy sits quietly to your left, watching you all play. She watches the way Matt places his hands on your hips to help you get in position. Watches as he lifts you into the air spinning you around after you win a round. Watches as Matthew tries to advert his gaze as you peel your shirt off, his neck turning red, and not because of the hot sun. The straw for Macy was when she seew the emotions on Matt’s face as Johnny hits on you. His entire body tensing, as he grips the edge of the table. Why was he so protective of you? Would Matthew not be happy if two of his best friends dated? It is in that moment that it becomes clear to her. It has nothing to do with him not wanting you to be with Johnny. He wants you to be with him.

———

“Everything okay? You’ve barely said a thing to me all day.” Matt asks when he and Macy finally make it back to his apartment. She sighs loudly, starting to gather anything of hers laying around the apartment.

“You were busy having fun Matt, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that. Or anything for that matter.” She responds, though her words only confuse him more. She just sends a soft smile in his direction as she shoves more things into her bag.

“Aren’t you staying?” He asks, a small pout forming on his face. Macy shakes her head, turning toward Matt. Her face is apologetic, but mostly unreadable to Matthew.

“You know you’re in love with her right?” Macy blurts out, and quickly clarifies. “Y/n, you love her.”

“Since when?” Matthew shoots back, way too defensively.

“Since pretty much always. That’s why I’m breaking up with you.” She smiles sadly closing the distance between the two. Placing a small kiss to his cheek, she whispers a small apology.

Matthew opens his mouth to protest, ask her to stay. Tell her she’s wrong, and that he loves her, not you. He can’t though, because it would be a lie. She knows it, and so does he. So he watches as she leaves, an uneasy feeling in his stomach as a single tear falls down his face. What has he done?

———

You decide to take a few summer classes to help make your work load for the upcoming school year a little more manageable. Choosing to stay in Calgary for the summer, instead of traveling back to St. Louis with Matthew to see your family. Matthew tries to convince you to go, but you tell him you can’t. You need some distance from him anyway.

———

It was distance you got. You barely talk to him all summer, and tonight will be the first time you’ve seen him since that night at the BBQ.

“How is Matthew doing?” Elias’ girlfriend Annica asks you, as the two of you take your seats at the home opener. You shrug and sigh taking a sip of your drink. “I don’t know, I’ve barely spoken to him since the BBQ at Gio’s.” You admit, a small frown on your face.

“Wait? Did he not tell you!?” She practically shrieks in your ear. You just give her a confused look, a wide smile stretching across her face. “About him and Macy!”

Immediately your stomach drops. You brace yourself for the announcement. Maybe they’ve moved in together? Got engaged? Having a baby? All of the thoughts make you feel sick, but you smile over at Annica trying to hide your emotions. “No I haven’t spoken to either of them really. What are they finally tying the knot?” You try and joke, but really you’re terrified of the answer. Annica’s face falls slightly. Confusion written all over her face.

“They broke up.” Annica explains in a light tone. Almost as if she was explaining it to a child. “Oh.” Was all you manage to choke out, as Annica watches you. She’s waiting for more of a reaction, but you can only sit in shock. What happened? Why didn’t he tell you? Why did no one tell you?

You can barely sit still through the game, you’re mind is running wild. Why had Matt not talked to you about this? Why had he barely spoken to you at all? Was he okay? Who broke up with who? Why do you care so much? Soon enough though all of your questions will be answered. You are standing next to Annica outside the locker rooms, tapping your foot nervously. She asks if you are okay, and all you can do is nod. Elias makes his way out of the dressing room and over to you. He gives you both a quick hug and you congratulate him on their win. “Matt will be out in a few minutes.” He smiles at you, and you tell the couple to have a good night as they leave. Gio and Johnny both stop to talk to you on their way out.

Johnny hangs back and waits with you. “How was your summer? Finally got a break from the pest I hear.” He teases, leaning against the wall beside you. You smirk up at him, “My summer was great! Significantly quieter than I’m used to, but I enjoyed it. It’s nice to see you again though, how was your summer?” He smiles brightly down at you as he launches into some long story about how crazy his training was. You try to listen, and seem interested, but that becomes significantly harder as Matthew finally comes out of the dressing room.

He is wearing a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt. The top three buttons undone, and his tie just draping loosely around his neck. His hair is damp and falls across his forehead, he is staring at his phone still not having noticed you. He almost walks right past you, but you speak up grabbing his attention. “Any time for your biggest fan hotshot?” His eyes snap up from his phone, a grin replacing his previously shocked expression.

“My biggest fan huh?” He smirks pulling you into a tight hug. You grip onto his suit jacket tightly not wanting to let go as you hum into his chest. “That why you’re wearing that necklace?” He teases and you blush trying to hide your face even further in his chest. “Shut up,” You mumble, “I missed you.” He kisses the top of your head mumbling about missing you too. Johnny clears his throat awkwardly, as you quickly pull away from Matthew.

“Well I’m going to head out now, goodnight you two.” Johnny winks at you as he walks away. You turn back towards Matthew to see him smiling down at you, and your stomach drops. A small frown makes its way onto your face as you remember exactly what you came to talk to Matthew about. “Matt, we need to talk.” His face falls a little bit, but he nods and grabs your hand in his. He starts walking further into the building, and you follow. Eyes trained on your hand in his, heart beating rapidly in your chest. You’re so nervous, that you hardly even realize Matthew is leading you up the steps and into two seats in the top row of the arena. As the two of you sit down, you don’t look at him. Instead you stare down at the ice, now only lit by the emergency lights causing a strange glow. You’ve never seen the arena like this, so quiet and lifeless. Your internal thoughts seem amplified in the silence, but you can’t seem to find the words to say what you’re thinking.

You’re not sure how long the two of you sit in silence before Matthew let’s out a sigh, turning towards you. “St. Louis isn’t the same without you.” He says quietly, a sad smile on his face as you finally meet his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Macy?” You blurt out, face heating up in embarrassment once again. Matt stares at you for a moment, before dropping his eyes to his hands that are now fidgeting in his lap.

“I didn’t know what to say.” He mumbles out, playing with his fingers. You shake your head and sigh, pulling your eyes away from the distracting movements of his hands. You decide to examine the ice once again, wrapping your arms across your chest. You’re trying to brace yourself for how badly this might end.

“You didn’t know how to tell your best friend you broke up with your first really serious girlfriend?” Your voice is probably too accusatory, but you’re hurt. How can he keep so much of his life from you? Your mind is running in circles as you wait for a response, attempting to hold yourself tighter.

“Yeah like it’s that easy!” Matthew’s voice is significantly more angry than you are expecting, and your heart rate increases immediately. “I say ‘We broke up.’ And then you ask a million questions about what happened and why, I didn’t know how to say it!”

You look at him now. His eyes are glossy, and his face is red. In anger or embarrassment? Who knows, maybe both. “Matty, I know you really cared about her. It’s not easy to talk about, but if you’re going to move on you have to talk to someone.” You make sure to keep your voice gentle as you speak, “I want to be that person for you Matt, but if I’m not that’s okay. Just please talk to someone, you can’t stay broken forever.”

Matthew laughs at you, but it doesn’t make you feel better. The laugh is humourless, and you can hear the lack of emotion behind it. “That’s the part I can’t explain Y/n, you don’t get it! I’m not broken about it, and I should be! I was in love!” He’s frustrated now, as he runs his hands over his face and through his hair.

“Matthew, it’s okay. People fall out of love all the time!” You place a hand on his bicep to try and sooth him. It seems to work as you feel his muscles relax under your touch. He sighs softly beside you, as he lifts his eyes to meet yours once again.

“I didn’t fall out of love, I’m still in love.” Your brows furrow in confusion, as you search his eyes for any clue about what could be going on inside his head. “Just not with Macy.”

“T-there’s someone else?” You are taken aback, and now your mind is spinning. Did he cheat on Macy? Who is she? Matthew just nods in response. “Have I met her? Oh my god please don’t tell me it’s like one of the WAGs or something!” You are rambling uncontrollably, unable to comprehend what Matthew is trying to say. “Matthew did you cheat on Mac-“ Thankfully he was quick to cut you off.

“It’s you.”

You freeze. Eyes practically popping out of your skull, you open and close your mouth repeatedly. Sure you might look like a fish out of water, but that’s exactly how you feel. You must have misheard what he is saying. Right? The ‘you’ had to be someone else. The look Matthew is giving you right now though, a look of total honesty, a look that is teetering on the edge of disappointment. That look tells you all you need to know. He means you. He is in love with you.

“Since when?” You croak out. Your entire body is trembling with nerves, still terrified he will take it back. Maybe you’re being punked.

Matthew leans closer to you, uncrossing your arms that were still wrapped tightly across your chest. You can feel your heartbeat in your throat as he takes your trembling hands in his. His hands feel different now, softer. They are so much bigger than your own, and you’ve never noticed until now just how right they felt wrapped around your own.

Matthew releases on of your hands, as he brings one to your chin. He tilts your head so you’re looking into his eyes again. “Since always.” He smiles, pressing his forehead to yours. You subconsciously lick your lips, and Matthew takes that as a sign to lean in. His lips hover just above yours, but he doesn’t close the gap.

“Matty-“ you whine quietly, and he smirks in response.

“What’s wrong bug?” He’s teasing you now, and he knows it.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since the tenth grade, please just kiss me!” Your pleads are finally answered as Matthew finally presses his lips to yours. It’s firm and certain, and intoxicating. Gripping his suit jacket, you pull him closer deepening the kiss even more. Matthew groans against your lips, one hand cradling your neck, the other gripping your hip tightly.

The kiss starts getting more intense, the years of built up tension and pining being shared in this one kiss. Matthew, despite not wanting to stop, pulls away first. Your lips chase his, not wanting the moment to end. Scared that when it does, you’ll wake up. Like this is all a dream. Or even worse, it’ll end, and Matthew tells you he was wrong.

“Easy tiger!” He chuckles, tucking some hair behind your ear. Matthew is positive you’ve never looked so beautiful. You’re lips are pink and swollen, face flushed lightly, and your eyes are big and bright as they look into his.

“Did you mean it?” You ask quietly, “When you said that you loved me, because Matty I can’t do this if you aren’t in. I can’t lose you.” Tears are stinging your eyes now, as your voice cracks with emotion. You can’t lose your best friend, and that has become more clear to you after not being with him all summer.

“I’m not going anywhere, if that’s what you want.” He looks at you hopefully. Your heart is beating so loudly in your chest, you’re almost positive he can hear it.

“Matthew of course this is what I want. I’ve always wanted you.” You pause momentarily, as you see a small smile spread across his face. His dimples now on full display. “I love you Tkachuk. I always have.”

He wastes no time kissing you again. Your hands tangle in his hair that’s still slightly damp, and his hands cup both of your cheeks. “I’m sorry.” He mumbles against your lips. You push him back, so you can look at him.

“Why are you apologizing?” You’re confused now, as you immediately begin building your walls back up. You’re waiting now, waiting for the other shoe to drop. You know this felt too perfect.

“Because,” he sighs, shoulders slumping under your gaze. “I should have done that so long ago. Instead I let you think you weren’t good enough. I let you go on believing that I didn’t love you. Brady told me about what you said, about not being good enough. I hope you know now that it was never like that. You are, if anything, too good for me. I was scared, and stupid, and I’m sorry I hurt you.”

Your heart breaks a little for him. You can see the remorse and guilt written all over his face. “Well Matthew. I can accept that apology under one condition.” You say teasingly, running your hand over his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You take me out on a date.”

Matthew smiles brightly down at you, and places a soft kiss to your forehead. “On one condition.” He whispers, lips still pressed against your skin. “You let me take you out as my girlfriend.”

“Anyone ever told you that you’re just a big sap Tkachuk?” You smirk. You don’t think you’ve ever felt so happy.

“Actually my girlfriend has, just now. She’s kinda cute.” You slap his chest playfully and roll your eyes.

“Take me home Tkachuk.” You announce, pushing yourself to your feet. Matthew copies your actions, adding a little salute to make you laugh. It does the job, and Matthew has you laughing the whole way to his car. As he opens the door for you, you lean into his chest pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

“You’re perfect.” Matthew says after the two of you are finally settled in to your respective seats in his car.

“Since when?” You scoff, rolling your eyes playfully.

“Always.”

[atlabeth]

everything happens for a reason part 4 - zuko x fem!reader

The night was full of terrors and your eyes were full of tears

part 3 | masterlist | part 5

a/n: i told you this was where everything starts to go downhill !! throw one out for my girl kura though water tribe mothers stay winnin

i had this scheduled for next week but elle wanted angst so it’s out today😁😁

wc: 2.9k

warning(s): threats/talks of killing and violence, lots of stress, ozai being the worst (and racist), basically just. angst

chapter title comes from the night we met by lord huron + phoebe bridgers!

The blood in her veins turned to ice as she shot a panicked look at Zuko.

“What?” A frown was already forming on Zuko’s face despite his efforts to remain impassive. “Why?”

“I’m unaware of the reason, my prince. All I know is that I am supposed to escort you to the throne room, then once you are finished to deliver the servant. Another guard will be here shortly for her.” A pregnant pause hung in the air as the two children met each other’s eyes, the fear obvious in Y/N’s.

“I’m sure you know that the Fire Lord does not like to be kept waiting, Prince Zuko.” The guard’s voice brought them back to reality and Zuko nodded unsteadily as he began to walk with the guard, shooting a look that he hoped was reassuring back at Y/N.

She couldn’t even return the sentiment — she was completely frozen in place despite the age old urge to run shooting through her body. Servants didn’t meet with the Fire Lord in any sort of formal way — Spirits, they barely even talked to the royal family as a whole unless it was for some kind of business reason; even then they were at risk of their infamous explosive tempers.

Y/N might’ve been young, but she understood just as much — she was as good as dead the moment that guard arrived.

What was she supposed to do? Y/N was a child, a servant — if the Fire Lord wanted to see her, she had no choice but to follow along with it. But she knew that nothing good was going to come out of this. She cherished her friendship with Zuko more than anything but she hadn’t been treating it as seriously as she should’ve.

Her mother was right. She couldn’t imagine her life without Zuko now, but Y/N knew now that she never should’ve attempted anything more than professionalism. The Fire Nation was a cruel place, the Fire Lord was a cruel man, and she was going to pay the price for trying to go against it.

As if summoned by her thoughts, her mother came storming around the corner with an unusual haste in her step, the fire blazing in her eyes only offset by the pure horror.

“Y/N, what did you do?” Her mother’s frenzied voice went in one ear and out the other as she just stared at her wide eyed, mouth opening and closing but nothing coming out. “Why did I hear the Fire Lord’s personal servants talking about meeting with a servant girl?”

“I— I—” The stammered syllable was all that she could get out, but Kura didn’t wait for an answer. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and began to run, constantly looking behind her as they darted through the hallways towards the servants’ quarters. Once they had arrived, she slammed the door shut behind them and immediately got to work.

“I’m sorry!” she cried, finally managing to form a sentence. “I— I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking about—”

“You weren’t thinking about anything!” Kura flew around the room, shoving various items into a satchel and all but clearing out Y/N’s area of the quarters. “I told you to be careful just talking to him, and now— now this?”

“I’m sorry!” Y/N repeated, her words coming out in between choked sobs. Her head was spinning and she could barely breathe — no more than twenty minutes ago everything was perfect, how did it go so wrong so quickly? “I thought we were safe, I thought that they wouldn’t know—”

“The Fire Lord will always find out,” Kura muttered, still a whirlwind around the room as she tried to think of anything her daughter could need. “I was too lenient. I should have never let you get close to him.”

“I don’t know how it happened, but I started liking him and he started liking me and we went out into the city even though I knew we shouldn’t have and he told me he liked me and I like him even more now but now I’ve ruined everything!” Y/N heaved another shaky breath, the words flowing out of her like water as tremors ran through her whole body. “And now the Fire Lord is going to kill me!” she sobbed.

“Nothing is going to happen to you, baby. Okay? Not as long as I’m here.” Kura threw a cloak behind her at Y/N. “Put that on.”

“Why?” She began to do what her mother asked, but questioned it anyway.

“Because I’m going to get you out of here.” She dug through a parcel of coins and after a quick count, threw it into the bag as well. “The Fire Lord wants to mess with my daughter?” she muttered to herself. “He’s going to have to go through me first.”

“How?” Y/N asked yet again, her voice just as uncertain as she felt — it was like she was incapable of anything other than one word responses.

Satisfied with the contents of the satchel, she put the strap over Y/N’s shoulder. She then knelt on the ground in front of her and adjusted her cloak, carefully pulling the hood over her head to conceal any distinguishing features. “I want you to listen to me, and I want you to memorize every word I say. Is that clear?”

Y/N nodded and Kura cast another glance at the door, as if expecting the Fire Lord himself to burst through the door at any moment, before turning back to her daughter. “Alright. You are going to leave the palace through the servant door near the infirmary. You’re lucky — the guards should be changing shifts around this time, so if you move quickly you’ll be able to make it past the walls without getting caught. Do not stop running until you reach Harbor City — I don't care how tired you get or how much your legs ache, do not stop. Ask around for Eisuke, but be careful; the place is brewing with criminals. Once you find him, tell him you are Kura’s daughter. He’ll be able to get you out of the city; if he wants coin, give it to him. From there—”

The door burst open all of a sudden and Kura shot up, instinctively hiding Y/N behind her. She relaxed when she saw it was only Aiko, but the somber look on her face told her all she needed to know.

“There’s a guard looking around for Y/N,” she warned. “I managed to throw him off the path for now, but it’s not going to last. If you’re going to get her out, you need to do it now.”

Kura turned back to her daughter, once again kneeling in front of her. “From there, do whatever you can to get to the Earth Kingdom. You’ll have far more allies there than anywhere in the Fire Nation. Once you get far enough north, you’ll be able to find a boat to take you to the Northern Water Tribe. Tell them that you are Kura’s daughter, and show them this.”

She ripped her necklace off from around her neck and tucked it into Y/N’s hand — a simple band with a blue stone carved in the shape of a flower — and closed her fingers around it. “They’ll recognize it from my time in the tribe, and they will help you. Do you understand?”

Y/N swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, her eyes already shimmering with tears. “I’m so sorry, mother. I’m so sorry.”

She shushed her and embraced Y/N in a tight hug, trying to soothe her as much as she could. “It’s alright, darling. You shouldn’t have to apologize for being a child.”

“Why can’t you come with me?” she asked desperately. “You’ll be safe too.”

“I have to stay back to make sure that you’re safe on the other side as well,” Kura reassured. She knew that if her daughter disappeared right before she was supposed to be punished, it would only serve to anger Ozai more. If she left alongside her, Kura was almost certain that all of the servants would be punished; if she stayed then she would be able to take full responsibility — as long as she knew her daughter was safe, Kura could weather anything.

“But I can’t do this alone,” Y/N pleaded, the tears now falling freely. “Please, mother.”

“You can, my little otter penguin. You’re braver than you even know. “ Kura pressed a kiss to her forehead and smiled faintly at her before looking back at Aiko. “Can you make sure she gets out of the palace safely?”

“Of course.”

Kura embraced her once more, squeezing so tightly that Y/N couldn’t breathe, but it was a welcome sensation this time. “I love you, Y/N. Always remember that, no matter what happens.”

Y/N nodded and shouldered her satchel, biting down on her lip hard to keep herself from shedding any more tears. “I love you too, mother. I swear, I’ll find my way back to you. I don’t care how long it takes.”

Aiko took Y/N’s hand and began urging her towards the door, looking back at her mother with nothing but pure sympathy. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Kura.”

“So do I,” she whispered.

-

Zuko knelt in front of his father, willing himself to keep his eyes on the floor as well as stop the tremors running through his body. He was in trouble, he had to be for a meeting like this, but all he could think about was Y/N and how much trouble she would be in. He had to figure out some way to save her—

“Prince Zuko.” Ozai’s voice boomed throughout the hall, and he worked to maintain the mask of stoicism. It was near impossible with the countless thoughts bouncing around in his head, but he somehow managed. “I’m sure you know why I have called you in here tonight.”

He counted in his head the seconds passed for an appropriate pause before answering cautiously. “No, father. I’m not aware of the reason for this.”

“Don’t lie so blatantly to my face,” he spat. “I have eyes everywhere, and I know you were in the city without permission. Am I correct?”

Zuko swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and nodded shakily. “Yes, father, you are. I went into the city today with—”

“With a servant girl?” The flames on either side of him flared up as a result of his growing anger. “I would ask what was going through your head when you decided to do something so stupid, but it doesn’t seem like anything is going on up there.”

“She needed silks for a project she was working on,” he said, trying in vain to defend himself. “She didn’t have the materials that she needed so I thought I would take her out into the city to help her.” It was so much more than that, but Zuko feared for what would happen if his father knew the feelings he harbored for her.

“You are the crown prince,” Ozai growled. “It is not your job to help servants. You should know better than to go prancing around with Water Tribe savages, but I suppose I have to teach you a lesson.”

“Please, don’t—“ Zuko began, but he was cut off yet again.

“You will speak when spoken to,” he interrupted through gritted teeth. “If you won’t take such a coveted position seriously, then I will take it into my own hands. I will not have your feelings ruining the image of this family after how hard I have worked. The Water Tribe peasant will suffer severe consequences, and it will be your fault. This will be your lesson to remember just who you are. Nothing in this world comes without a cost."

Zuko felt his heart stop for just a moment as his father’s golden eyes bore into his own, and he dug his nails into the flesh of his palm in a half-hearted attempt to stay calm. “Father, is this really necessary?”

“The mere fact that you are questioning my decision proves that it is,” Ozai seethed. “This is not your choice to make, and every attempt in undermining my authority will make her suffer more. Do you understand?”

He found himself unable to speak, the horror of the situation still processing in his head. Y/N was going to get hurt, possibly killed, and it was all his fault. He should’ve been more careful, he shouldn’t have been around her at all, he was being completely selfish by wanting her company and now his father was going to—

“I will not repeat myself again; do you understand?”

Zuko inhaled sharply and nodded, his vision coming back into focus as he croaked out a “yes”.

Ozai appeared less than satisfied, but it seemed the extended company of his son was not worth worming a better answer out of him. He directed his attention to the guard waiting by the door. “Take him back to his quarters — station two guards outside to ensure that he stays put. Once you are done, find the savage and throw her in a cell. A night in the cold will loosen her tongue. You are dismissed.”

Zuko felt numb as he pulled himself up from the floor, bowed, and walked out of the throne room with the guard. Every fibre of his being screamed at him to break away from the guard, to run and find Y/N, and take her away from this dreaded place before any harm could come to her.

But he didn’t. He remained in place, following the guard silently to his room as a storm brewed in his mind.

What in Agni’s name had he pulled her into?

-

Prince Zuko doesn’t sleep a wink that night, spending every moment staring out the window with wide eyes and a petrified heart. He has no idea how Y/N is going to get out of this, and he feels like a coward for not being able to protect her. What good is any kind of honor if this was the cost?

The next day, he is forced to be with a guard at all times — he doesn’t catch a single glimpse of the waterbender.

The next day, the rest of the week, a month — no sign of her. He tries to find Kura, but is met with the same result. He manages to sneak his way into the prison, but he can’t even find her there. None of the other servants will tell him anything about their whereabouts, either out of fear that the same will happen to them or direct orders from his father.

He feels like he’s tainted, like he only brings pain to those around him. His mother gone, his love missing, dead, or worse, and the same for her mother. The effortless cruelty his father shows to everyone around him — it makes him wonder if that’s what will become of him when he eventually takes the throne.

It makes Zuko sick, to think of what she went through and that he was the cause of it. It takes everything in him to hold the tears back, but the floodgates open at night when he is alone — with Y/N gone, he feels that way more often than not.

Every sign points to her being dead, but Zuko prays to every spirit he knows that she somehow found a way out.

-

Y/N doesn’t sleep either that night, every breath and every step dedicated to getting farther away from the palace. Every sound she hears sends tremors through her body, expecting every cracked branch or bump in the night to be someone coming to finish the job. More than once she questions what in Tui’s name is she doing, and Y/N knows that her mother’s final words are the only reason she is able to get through this.

She feels like a coward for leaving. Her mother is going to bear the consequences, and it’s more than likely other servants will suffer because of her too. And Zuko — she has no idea what is going to happen to him. He may be the crown prince, but title has never stopped Ozai before. She doubts it will stop him now. Knowing that it won’t last is the only comfort — she’s just a servant; punishment will only be inflicted to make an example out of the situation and then it will be left alone.

At least, that’s what she hopes for.

Y/N tells herself that she will reunite with Zuko no matter the cost. No matter how long it takes, how much she has to go through, even if she has to break into the damn palace — she knows that her story with the prince is not over, even if she has to keep writing it herself.

She will see him again. Y/N knows that much.

-

oops²

perm tag list: @dv0412 @siriuslyslyslytherin @maruchan77

ehfar: @chandies-sideblog @persica27 @anzanity

atla: @marianne1806

[logicalstansadvice]

"Clearly none of the people who are complaining about him being in the thunderbolts ever read the comics lol just because he joins a team of anti heros or redeemed villains doesn’t mean he’s a bad person or a villain… [...] an anti hero is one that does good things but not by the book. [...] Bucky is not steve or sam he’s him and he does things differently because the world will forever treat him differently"

👆👆👆 ALL OF THIS!! How can people not be excited for Bucky in Thunderbolts is honestly beyond me. He and Seb are finally getting the attention they deserve in the MCU. I know he was a co-lead in TFATWS, but the show was mostly about Sam becoming Captain America. But now, being the co-lead in Thunderbolts, I think Seb/Bucky will finally have the opportunity to shine! ✨

Anon 2: Is Florence Pugh’s character the leader of the thunderbolts? Based on the poster it looks like it but it could also be for aesthetic reason seeing as she’s the shorted in the group. Wish Zemo was a member but maybe he will show up in this or another movie, I enjoyed his charisma

Anon 3: He couldn't be in Cap 4, they've been announcing a big cast for the movie, and Sam has a new sidekick the new Falcon, Sam's family is going to be in the movie. Cap 4 will try to follow in Black Panther's footsteps (without a talent team behind it lol). Bucky doesn't fit in this movie, he would be overshadow and you all would complain a lot. Also, he can't show his full potential as a Super Soldier, one of the complaints from fans of the comics. Two less movies to watch.

Anon 4: Eric Pearson, the writer for Thunderbolts, also wrote Black Widow, Thor: Ragnarok and the Agent Carter TV series. Bodes well for Thunderbolts having a combination of badass action, humor and sparkling dialogue. 🤞

Anon 5: Seriously…. People complain about wanting more Bucky and that FATWS wasn’t good, now they are complaining about Bucky coming back without even knowing anything about the movie 🙄. Why can’t people just be happy with more Seb content. And the ask about the necklace …. We’ve seen him with necklaces before and there’s zero pics of him wearing one on the trip. It could likely be one he’s had for a while. There’s no point in thinking that deep on anything with no proof. And honestly I’m kinda confused by Annabelle’s response to being asked if she’s dating Sebastian. I know she’s not ever gonna outright answer the question, but her laughter reaction just struck me as odd (and no, I’m not delusional, just pointing out that her response was a bit confusing from my perspective)

Anon 6: As a fan who has not read the comics, it can be hard for me to understand the antihero aspect. What I've seen presented of Bucky in the MCU is that he is a good man who was not corrupted by the serum because there was nothing to corrupt. His actions in releasing Zemo in TFATWS seemed out of character. That said, I'm excited to see whatever it is he does in Thunderbolts. I'm not going to let my confusion ruin my excitement.

Anon 7: BUT Val is a villain, Bucky will partner with a bad woman it's not ok. See, that's not Bucky. Our Bucky died at the end of Avengers Endgame, since then they've mischaracterized him for a version I don't even know what he is now, but it's not Bucky. Well, I hope everything flops, every movie continues to be poorly received.

Anon 8: It seems to me that Thunderbolts is a win for both Seb and Bucky no matter what. Seb will get to show Bucky with an actual personality to the MCU audience. This is a big deal and will help continue to get him the roles he wants. And Bucky in the MCU will get a story, however small or big it is, that isn't him being a foil to make someone else look good. That's a lot more than we've ever gotten.

The good/evil divide isn’t so black and white. Every single one of the characters has had either some kind of redemption at the end of their respective films/shows but they are willing to bend the rules/play in the gray area.

And if that isn’t your thing, oh well!

💄

[peaceisadirtyword]

Heathen V (Ivar/Edlynn)

A/N: Hello! I might have gotten a bit carried away with this(?) Sorry😅 I hope it’s not too boring though🥺 I was just going to rewrite the ending and suddenly... I had 1000 more words💀 anyway, I hope you like it!♥️ In this chapter I talk about norse mythology and christianity, and even if I’ve read about it (norse mythology, at least) I’m by no means an expert, so I had to consult some friends and people I know that are professionals. In any case, I’m sorry if I wrote anything wrong, please tell and forgive me.

Btw, thank you so much for your messages! I’m feeling better now🥰 I watched some videos of Alex and Marco and I calmed down a bit! I suppose I just need to relax a bit, it’s okay, but seriously thank you for your messages and for always being so understanding with me💞🙏🏻

Warnings: talk about religion, mentions of violence, war and all that sh1t... Ivar is too perfect I’d like to marry him but, unfortunately, I can't 

Words: don’t hate me but there’s 5492 words under this... I hope it’s worth it (?)

Heathen Masterlist

gif belongs to @therealcalicali​

For Edlynn, it was both scary and hypnotizing to see Ivar learning how to read. He seemed to understand things quickly and even if they didn't really have any materials for him to practice writing, Edlynn saw him carving letters on wood more than once, like he did with the runes. In a few days, Ivar could understand some parts of the books, even if he still needed help, and Edlynn remembered bitterly how much time it took for her to learn basic words and how many times the priest that taught her and her siblings scolded her.

In return, Ivar agreed to tell her a bit more about his culture. He talked about the Gods, even showed some runes to her, she asked him to show her their longships, and was amazed by the carvings and the designs. Sometimes, she'd ask him to translate some words from English to Norse, and soon became obsessed with his language, trying to memorize everything she could for when she went back home. Mildrith would love it. 

"Can we go back to reading?" Ivar sighed, raising an eyebrow when Edlynn asked him to translate a few words more. He had spent the entire day with Hvitserk and was on a good mood, but he was also tired. 

"Yes, sorry" she blushed a bit, realizing her eagerness was probably improper "Just one more, please" 

Ivar nodded slowly. He found her excitement adorable, and he had to hold back a smile more than once when she tried to repeat some words with a soft voice. 

"How do you say sun and moon?" she tilted her head, curiously "It's true that they are Gods for you?" 

Mildrith had told her once that the northman she had been with had told her that they worshipped the sun and the moon, as if they were Saints or Gods. And, for some reason, Edlynn became obsessed with it. 

"Those are two words" Ivar smirked "But they are Sól and Máni, and they are Gods, yes, but slightly different from the Aesir and the Vanir" he shrugged "It's a long story"

Edlynn waited a few more seconds, maybe expecting for him to keep telling the story. 

"So the moon is a Goddess?"

Ivar hummed, nodding. 

"She's a woman, sister to Sól, the sun" he shrugged.

"That makes sense" Edlynn bit her lip, interested "But, how can you say they are a man and a woman? They're not humans" she smiled softly, amused "They can't be man and woman" 

"But they are" Ivar frowned "It's like that story of yours about the Virgin, I've heard that one before, how can you tell she was a virgin?" he shrugged. 

"Because God chose her to carry his son, the one who would bring His word to us"

"You christians are too obsessed with virginity" Ivar rolled his eyes. Edlynn felt her cheeks burn, and cleared her throat. 

"It's a sin not to be a virgin when you get married"

"Yes, I've heard a lot about those sins" Ivar nodded "And I still think it's ridiculous, why would your God demand that you deny the pleasure of having sex to yourselves?"

"It's an act of purity, of faith" Edlynn narrowed her eyes. She knew the northmen were much less... Traditional, with these things, and sometimes she felt somehow curious. It wasn't a topic that was very discussed at the court, and much less at home with her father... Once, Edlynn and Mildrith saw a couple on the stables and asked Hilda about it. The nun was so angry at them that she made them pray for hours, and then made them promise they wouldn't go around talking about it.

"It's stupid" Ivar shrugged "You would be much happier if you forgot about that"

The girl pressed her lips together, a bit bothered. Ivar's smirk showed he was trying to get a reaction from her, but Edlynn wouldn't start arguing. 

"I didn't expect a heathen to understand it" she shrugged.

Ivar chuckled, shaking his head. 

"I've spent maybe too much time around christians to understand many things, but I still believe your God is weak" he licked his lips "Compared to Odin and Thor, he's weak and demanding"

She ignored him, looking back at the books and parchments they were studying. Finally, Ivar stood up, making Edlynn raise her head as he walked over to the bed, and sat down to take his braces off. She watched as his fingers worked quickly on them, freeing his legs. When Ivar started taking his clothes, she stiffened, blushing again, and stood up to tidy the books and avoid looking at him. If she had looked, she would have seen Ivar's amused smile. 

"The day and the night are also man and a woman" he continued, startling Edlynn. She turned to look at him, curious, but turned around when she realized he was shirtless "What? Are you also not allowed to look at me?"

"It's not proper" she muttered, looking down. During the nights she had been sharing his tent, she always slept with her back turned to him, and usually she would already be asleep when he went to bed. 

"Do you want to hear the rest of the story or not?" 

Edlynn hesitated, but finally turned around. He was doing it to bother her, and wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing it was working. The sight left her breathless. Ivar was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, but not only his face was beautiful; he was strong, she had already noticed it when he grabbed her for the first time. Edlynn tried her best to avoid staring at his beautiful hair, collected in braids and tied that fell down his back and shoulder. 

"Dagr is the day, and he's the son of Nótt, the night, Odin gave each of them a chariot that they can ride on the sky... And two horses, Skinfaxi and Hrímfaxi" his own finger pointed at his chest, which was crossed by dark lines. Those strange drawings on his skin were normal among the northmen; she had seen those on their arms, necks, faces... It was weird but she had to bite her tongue more than once to avoid asking about them. 

Ivar had also another one on his back. Edlynn couldn't see much, but from the few glimpses she had caught, it looked like a snake. The ones he showed now had an intricate pattern, and she frowned softly while looking at them. 

"They don't look like horses" 

That made Ivar chuckle, but he didn't say anything else as she approached him, her eyes still fixed on his chest. When she was close enough, she raised her hand slowly. 

"Can I?" 

Ivar tensed, but finally nodded softly. Edlynn didn't know what to expect when her fingers touched the dark ink, but was somewhat surprised by the feeling of his skin. It was warm and his muscles tensed under her touch when her finger roamed around his chest following the lines. It was hypnotizing, and she couldn't feel anything else that wasn't Ivar. 

She found his necklace. It was always hidden under his clothes, so it caught her attention. The question was written all over her face when she looked at his eyes again. 

"Mjölnir" he answered quietly "Thor's hammer" 

Edlynn nodded. She had heard about that, and thought it would be something like the cross that hang from her own neck. 

Finally, she moved her hand backwards, almost like she just realized what she was doing and was suddenly too shy to keep touching him. Ivar's eyes were still fixed on Edlynn as she turned around, getting away from him faster than he would have liked, and soon she was laying on her side of the bed, with her back turned to him and her body tense and stiff, not bothering to cover herself. 

______________________________

Edlynn was amazed by the shieldmaidens. She had heard about them more than once, since she was a kid, and sometimes imagined herself with a sword when she watched her brother, Edward, train with their father. But when she said it once, during dinner, everyone turned to look at her with widened eyes. Both her father and her sister reprimanded her; the battlefield is no place for women, you're needed at home, praying and taking care of the children. 

Since then, the thought hadn't crossed her mind again. 

She also saw the two viking women training when they were staying with King Alfred. They moved gracefully, and easily defeated male warriors, it was entertaining and interesting to see, and Mildrith and her would always sit and watch her, but always under the stern gaze of their fathers. Once, the blonde woman she had often seen with Bishop Heahmund offered them to try. Edlynn remembered the soft smile and how she approached them. She was sure her face lightened up, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Lord Eldred was behind her, he gripped her shoulder with maybe too much force. His daughter wouldn't go near a sword, he had said sternly. And the viking woman sighed, shooting her a sad smile before leaving. 

But in that camp, even with her wrists tied and three northmen around her, she was free to watch as much as she wanted. 

There was a group of many women, training with her swords, axes and shields. They fought fiercely, but laughing and hugging each other, and Edlynn was amazed. She barely blinked and didn't know how much time she had been there watching them. The women didn't seem to care, and she felt more at ease around them than around the men. 

But when she turned her head, startled by some other sounds coming from her right, something else caught her attention. The first thing she saw was Hvitserk dodging a dagger as he trained with another viking. She knew that dagger, and soon her eyes fixed on Ivar, who was leant on a tree and smirked softly. He had a horn on his hand, and his eyes shone as they only did when he was around his brother. Next to him, Edlynn saw some arrows and a wooden bow, an axe and another sword.

He hadn't seen her, and she stayed silent and still, watching. He was relaxed, laughing and had a playful smirk on his lips. In some way, he was even more handsome. Soon, he got tired of just watching and grabbed the bow and arrows, tensing it slowly. His gaze was fixed on the tree in front of him, and Edlynn couldn't help but stare at him as his whole body tensed. She remembered when her brother learnt archery, when his arms were always shaking. Ivar didn't move a single muscle until he shoot the arrow. 

"Don't miss, brother, you have an audience" Hvitserk's voice startled both Ivar and Edlynn, and when his eyes finally landed on her, his expression changed. She wasn't able to point exactly what changed, but Ivar barely looked at her. 

"See something you like, princess?" 

Edlynn felt her cheeks burn, and pressed her lips together when she heard the guards and some other men chuckling behind her, refusing to let them see her. Ivar also smirked, leaning to grab another arrow. 

"I was just watching" she muttered. Ivar looked amused when he turned his head to look at her. 

"Want to try?" he pointed at the tree. Edlynn hesitated, knowing that grabbing a bow and shooting arrows wasn't proper. But then again... There was no one there to scold her, right? And probably, if King Alfred reached an agreement with them, she wouldn't have to see any of them again. 

She nodded softly, feeling a strange rush of excitement like the ones she used to feel when she was little and did something that was strictly forbidden. Ivar nodded at the guards and they let her go after untying her wrists. 

"I don't think you have done this before, am I right?"

Edlynn narrowed her eyes at him and snatched the bow from his hands, making him laugh. It was heavier than she ever thought, and nearly let it fall to the ground. But she could already imagine how much the men would laugh if she dropped the bow. 

"Turn around" Ivar ordered, and Edlynn obeyed slowly, still hesitating and nervous because of all those pairs of eyes fixed on her, studying her every move. She wasn't a warrior, but a noble lady that lived  in a castle, so her movements were clumsy and not graceful at all. 

She startled and nearly jumped when Ivar's hands touched her waist. 

"What are you doing?" she whispered, widening her eyes. 

"Don't you want to learn?" Ivar shrugged, an innocent tone on his voice that Edlynn didn't believe. 

His strong hands moved her effortlessly, and she tried not to blush even more when she felt Ivar's body closer to hers. She could even feel his breathing behind her neck. 

Ivar worked in silence, making sure she was on the right position before taking a new arrow. Edlynn frowned when she tensed the bow and her arms started shaking, even if Ivar was the one that practically held it behind her. 

"Stop shaking" he scolded her, and Edlynn could hear some chuckles around her. Some of the shieldmaidens had stopped training and came to watch. The saxon girl making a fool of herself, how amusing. 

Ivar's closeness, his scent and his body practically wrapped around her weren't helping. Edlynn felt her heart beating faster and faster as his fingers touched hers to position them around the arrow. 

"Now" he muttered into her ear when he was finally satisfied "Loose"

Edlynn tried her best to point at the tree, but the arrow flew next to it and got lost into one of the bushes. 

Everyone laughed. She could even hear Ivar chuckling next to her ear, and her cheeks reddened again. She glared at them and scoffed. 

"It's fine, you'll get better if you practice" Ivar had a smile on his lips, but Edlynn couldn't say if he was mocking her or actually being nice. 

One of the northmen said something loudly in their language, making everyone laugh even harder. Ivar sighed and shook his head, but had that small smirk on his face. 

Narrowing her eyes, Edlynn reached for another arrow, making everyone stop laughing and look at her with an eyebrow raised. Ivar had an even bigger smile on his face when she turned to look at him. 

"I want to try again"

_______________________________

Mildrith was furious. She couldn't understand why they kept discussing God knows what in that tent when Edlynn was held as a prisoner in the enemies' camp. It was true that she was more calmed now that the scout came back and assured she was well and unharmed. Mildrith always knew her friend would survive; Edlynn was strong and smart, but she also knew they could have hurt her in many ways. Especially Ivar the Boneless. 

She almost shivered when she thought about him. Mildrith had always wanted to see Ivar at least once, to see if what they said was true, but to be captured by him? Her mind had replayed every single story she had heard about that heathen from the women of York. 

Even that young viking she had had a quick affair with had talked about him; he was the most letal of the sons of Ragnar, a monster. 

And King Alfred knew it! He had met him more than once, he had been fighting in York after the Great Heathen Army killed both his grandfathers. How he had allowed them to keep Edlynn for so long was a mystery to her. 

Hilda kept praying, kneeled at the feet of what one day was Edlynn's bed with a cross between her hands. Mildrith didn't understand what praying would do, God didn't help her before and it seemed he wouldn't help her now. She was also angry at Him. 

More than once, she had wished she could use a sword so she could enter the northmen's camp and free her. 

"Mildrith" the nun sighed. She had dark circles under her eyes and her voice sounded weak. Hilda had barely slept or ate since Edlynn, the little girl she had raised almost as if she was her own, had been taken. She prayed day and night, hoping she would be well and no one would hurt her in any way "Please, stop pacing around the tent, sit here with me and let's pray"

"I don't want to pray" the young, raven-haired girl, clenched her fists, glaring at her "I want them to get out of that tent and go find Edlynn"

"They can't do that" Hilda sighed, her trembling hands rubbing her own face "The king is doing everything he can, Mildrith, and you know it, he appreciates Edlynn a lot, but they're asking for a high price, and he must think about the rest of the country too"

Mildrith scoffed. She hated it, she hated politics, war and negotiations. She couldn't understand it. They were in their own country! They were stronger! Why couldn't they just raise a bigger army to go and free her?

"We have do something" 

"We can't" the nun shook her head "You know we can't, we can only have faith and hope she will be returned to us soon"

The young girl sighed, sitting down on the bed. She didn't want to have faith nor pray, she wanted her friend back. Her only comfort was to know that Edlynn would have many stories to tell, when she came back. 

___________________________________

"They're asking for all of that, for a young woman?" 

Alfred raised his head, narrowing his eyes at the man who just spoke. 

"They're not asking anything, my lord, they demand all of this" he explained, slowly "And Edlynn isn't just a young woman, she is a dear friend, the daughter of one of my most trusted advisors and the sister to one of the men that I trust with my life every day"

"They want gold" Lord Eldred sighed. He was pale and had lost weight, Alfred hadn't seen him sleep nor eat for days "A lot of gold... And land, more land?" he sounded desperate. 

"Yes, but separated from the land I gave to Björn and Ubbe Ragnarsson" the king rubbed his face "They also want a truce, some time to settle on our lands" 

"That's the part that worries me" Lord Eldred shook his head "Why do they want time to settle? Do I have to choose between my daughter's death and a possible invasion?"

"We don't know if they plan an invasion, my lord" Alfred shrugged "For now, I am trying to save your daughter's life before anything else" 

"She must be so scared" her father rubbed his eyes "All alone, surrounded by barbarians, God knows what they are doing to her"

"Our scout assured she was unharmed, Lord Eldred, I believe him" the king softened his tone "Ivar won't hurt her for as long as we don't anger him" 

"I will pay as much as I can" Lord Edmund spoke for the first time since the reunion started "To ensure my lady's safe return"

Her father looked at her with a sad smile. 

"Thank you, my lord" Alfred nodded "The messenger is out there, ready to leave for their camp to give them our reply"

"What do you say, my king?" Queen Elsewith put a hand on his shoulder. Alfred took her hand softly and sighed, looking down at the table. For days, he had been thinking about his decision, trying to find the best solution for all of them. If he agreed, there would be consequences, Ivar would know he had an advantage, many of his lords wouldn't agree with him. If he refused, Edlynn would suffer things worse than death before her head was sent to them, he was nearly sure of that. 

Edlynn was a good girl. Responsible, obedient and polite. They had played together when they were children, and he couldn't stop thinking that it was Elsewith whom they wanted. Would they have so many doubts about saving her or not if it had been his queen?

He sighed. 

"I say we agree" he nodded "And that we will meet them in the forest to give them what they want in exchange for Lady Edlynn"

____________________________________

Ivar's arms hurt. It had been a while since he practiced so much archery, and the muscles of his back and arms were already sore when he retired to the tent. His face also hurt from laughing so much, and he didn't remember when was the last time he had laughed so much, probably it was when he was still with Igor. He couldn't help but smile softly remembering the kid he had learnt to love as if he was his own son. 

Before entering the tent, he could hear Edlynn whispering some words in English. He supposed she'd be reading, as she used to do since he let her read the books freely. He had to wait outside to force himself to stop smiling like an idiot before entering. 

Edlynn raised her head and smiled softly when he entered the tent. In part, it was because of her he had had so much fun that day, he never guessed that teaching archery to a saxon girl could be that entertaining.

She was also tired. Her arms hurt and she only wanted to get into bed and sleep, but at the same time every time she closed her eyes, with her head leant on the soft pillows and inhaled Ivar's scent her mind went back to his hands around her waist, his breath on her neck and the soft whispers with which he had guided her. She even remembered the small smile she had seen on his face when she had finally managed to struck the tree and her cheeks would redden. Now, seeing him entering the tent leant onto his crutch with clouded eyes from drinking so much mead, laughing with his brother and even letting himself take a nap next to the fire, made her heart beat faster again. 

"How are you, princess?" the playful tone made her nearly sigh in relief. He was still in a good mood.

"Tired" she muttered "But fine, it was... Interesting, to use a bow" 

Ivar hummed softly, sitting down on the bed as Edlynn closed the huge book she had on the bed, leaning to leave it on the floor, next to the bed, she kneeled behind him and watching him as he fiddled with the braces. She bit her lip, not knowing what to say but wanting to keep talking to him. 

"The men were quite impressed with you" he said, not looking at her "A shame we don't have time, I'm sure we could turn you into a fine shieldmaiden" 

Edlynn tried to hide her excited smile. 

"Really?" 

This time Ivar turned around a bit. His amazing eyes fixed on her curving lips before landing on her eyes. 

"Yes, I think you have potential, it would be though, we'd have to work a lot with those little arms and small hands, but we could do something" he shrugged "But we can't, you're too eager to go back to your castle, your husband and your dresses"

Her smiled faded slowly as he turned away once again. It was true she really wanted to see and hug Mildrith, Hilda, Edward and her father, but at the same time, she didn't want to say goodbye to Ivar. 

At first, she had been scared, even tried to run thinking those heathens would torture and kill her, remembering all those stories she had heard about the ruthless Ivar the Boneless. But that playful, blue-eyed northman that she had seen giggling with his brother, telling stories about his Gods and who had guided her until she had finally succeeded with the bow didn't look like the monster they described on their stories. It was almost human; a human with his own beliefs and ambitions that wasn't so different from all those men she had met in England. 

"Lord Edmund is not..."

"Not your husband yet, I know, princess" he chuckled "But he will be soon, right? Even if I would advise you to reconsider that marriage, taking in consideration that he didn't came to this camp to cut my head off for taking his woman" 

Edlynn chuckled. She knew Lord Edmund couldn't really make that decision, besides, she didn't expect him to risk his life for a woman he just met. 

"I can't reconsider anything, actually" she smiled sadly "It wasn't my decision" 

Ivar raised his eyebrows, nodding slowly. Then he moved to take off his clothes, and Edlynn looked away with her cheeks flushed. 

"If I was your father, then, I wouldn't give my daughter to a man that wouldn't die for her" 

"I can't ask him that" she smiled, his words warmed her heart "He barely knows me" 

"Wouldn't you prefer to marry someone you loved?" Ivar got rid of his shirt, and Edlynn couldn't help but take a look of the dark lines of his back, shaped like a snake. 

"I..." she frowned "I will learn to love him, he's... He's good, a good man, he's nice and handsome and... I'm lucky that he chose me, I know many women that had to marry old men that didn't treat them well... Also, I don't know anyone who married for love" she chuckled. With time, she convinced herself that love was built, not found. All those tales Hilda had told her when she was little were fantasy. 

"I married for love" Ivar muttered, almost like he didn't mean for Edlynn to hear "I did love the woman I married"

She felt as if someone had kicked her chest. Suddenly, she stopped looking at him and felt stupid for even feeling sad about the fact that he had a wife. Of course he had a wife. 

Ivar groaned as he laid on the bed, covering his legs with the furs and closing his eyes as he relaxed against the pillows. 

"I didn't know you were married"

Ivar opened his eyes, looking up with what she could describe as a heartbroken expression. 

"I was" he muttered "Some time ago" 

Edlynn tilted her head with curiosity. 

"What happened to her?" she almost felt bad for asking, but Ivar didn't seem to mind. 

"She died" his jaw clenched "She betrayed me and she died"

"And... how was she?" 

"She was... Beautiful" he almost smiled, and Edlynn bit her lip, looking down "She looked like Freyja, she was blonde and had blue eyes" 

The opposite of me, she thought, and immediately felt stupid for even thinking it. 

"She sounds pretty" she smiled softly, hating that sad look on his eyes. Ivar then turned his head to look at her, and blinked slowly, almost like he was realizing something. 

"I've only loved three women in my life" he shrugged "And one of them was my mother" 

His face contorted again, almost like it pained him to think about her. 

"And who was the other one?" 

Ivar's lips curved on a smile. 

"The mother of my child" he muttered "She was a princess, like you, but she was mysterious while you are not" he chuckled. Edlynn glared at him, but ignored his comment once again. 

"I'm not a princess, though" 

"Because you don't want to" he shrugged "You could be a princess, even a queen, if you wanted to, you are pretty enough to conquer a king" 

"Me?" Edlynn giggled, blushing softly "No, I don't think so" 

"You would be a good queen" he insisted "You're strong and smart, you respect people" Ivar nodded.

"I still need to find a king" she shrugged "Still pretty impossible" 

"Lord Edmund could be your king" Ivar pronounced her betrothed's name mockingly, as always. 

"No" Edlynn shook her head "He's handsome, brave and good, but he couldn't be my king, nor my prince, I'd have to find another" 

The intensity of Ivar's gaze burned her skin. Edlynn looked away, and moved to lay down and rest her head on the pillows, sticking to her side of the bed as she always did. 

"I never knew my mother" she muttered, changing the topic before the tension on the tent escalated too much "She died not long after I was born... She was from Ireland, from a place called Dubh Linn, have you heard about it?" 

Ivar nodded slowly. His people had raided that place more than once.

"So she wasn't a saxon?" 

Edlynn shook her head. 

"Her father brought her here when his lands were taken from him, trying to procure a good future for her and marry her to a lord, my father asked for her hand... At least, that's what they always told me" she shrugged "Father always said I have her hair, and that I look like her... I think that's why he didn't want to raise me when she died, I think it was painful for him... But I can't complain, Hilda is great" Edlynn groaned and rubbed her eyes when she realized she was talking a lot "Please, forgive me, I talk too much" 

"No, it's fine" Ivar shook his head with a soft voice, he had turned to look at her, and he felt like he was looking at a goddess. Maybe it was the mead, maybe the exhaustion, but he couldn't help but move a bit closer to her. 

"My mother died too" he added "She was killed" he clenched his fists in rage "She always cared for me, she always protected me, even when my father wasn't there" he had a small, sad smile on his lips as he remembered the, sometimes suffocating, love his mother had showed him "And I miss her everyday" 

Edlynn nodded. Even if she didn't remember her mother, she also missed her. And in some way she wished she could have had such a relationship with her, maybe she would have been able to explain to her what was that thing she felt, laying down on a northmen's bed and looking at him closely. 

"You and I aren't so different, then" she pointed out, smiling softly. Was it her or they were closer now?

"I suppose we are not" the thought seemed to amuse him "Even if we worship different Gods and speak different languages" 

When Ivar turned his head again, Edlynn was so close he could feel her quick breathing on his lips. It was nearly as intoxicating as the mead he had drank. 

Ivar's hand reached to caress her hair, making Edlynn shudder and gasp, almost like she realized what she was doing. 

"Is it not... Inappropriate to be so close to a heathen, princess?" he teased a bit, enjoying the way her cheeks turned red once again. 

"At this point..." she sighed, barely able to think about anything that wasn't Ivar "I don't really care" 

That made him laugh and his grip on her hair tightened. Edlynn wasn't lying, she couldn't think about God or anything that weren't his blue eyes and his lips parted. Without even thinking about it, she leant in while closing her eyes, and didn't stop until she felt his warm lips against hers. 

Edlynn had never kissed anyone, unlike Mildrith and some of the girls at the court, that were stolen a kiss or two in the stables or in a hidden corner of the castle. She never looked at the boys, too occupied with her books, her prayers and other important things. But she could understand now what the priests meant when they talked about temptation. Ivar's lips were addictive, better than anything she had ever tasted, and ignited something inside her that she couldn't recognize. 

The kiss was slow, passionate but also shy. They stopped kissing for a moment, but she had barely opened her eyes when Ivar's hand cupped her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek softly before he leant in again. And Edlynn had to put her hand on his warm chest to balance herself, moving her lips against his and leaning more and more into him, feeling like she would die if she wasn’t as close to him as possible. 

When they finally broke the kiss, none of them opened their eyes. Ivar was panting, one hand secured against her neck, to keep her lips close to his, and the other one had landed on her waist when she had leant into him almost straddling his waist, and his heart was beating so fast it was almost scary. Her forehead leant into his and Ivar sighed. It had been a long time since he had felt that warmth inside him. 

________________________________________

Tags:  @mblaqgi​ @alicedopey​ @lol-haha-joke​ @hallowed-heathen​ @naaladareia​ @tephi101​ @captstefanbrandt​ @love-hate-love​ @titty-teetee​ @readsalot73​ @moondustmemories​ @therealcalicali​ @blushingskywalker​ @gruffle1​ @justacripple​ @heartbeats-wildly​ @letsrunawaytotomorrow​ @inforapound​ @sallydelys​ @hellogabysblog​ @winchesterwife27​ @hecohansen31​ @youbloodymadgenius​ @xinyourdreamsx​ @funmadnessandbadassvikings​ @tgrrose​ @lovessce​ @tootie-fruity​ @didiintheblog​ @alexhandersenx​ @belovedcherry​ @fantasydevil2002​ @xceafh​ @astrape-the-weatherwitch​ @destynelseclipsa​ @momowhoo​ @mcrmarvelloki​ @nanahachikyuu​ @valopz​ @mrsalwayswrite​ @poisonous00​ @whenimaunicorn​ @heavenly1927​ @seeking-a-great--perhaps​ @nukyster-blog​ @alexhandersenblog​ @synnersaint​​ @yummycastiel​ 

[btsqualityy]

Assuage: Chapter 14

Yoongi x Reader

Genre: ABO (Alpha/Beta/Omega) dynamics, angst, fluff, smut, enemies to lovers

Warnings: An instance of violence (someone gets punched), brief mentions of war, and symptoms of pre-heat (which is somewhat similar to PMS but still, I felt the need to mention it lol)

A week later, you were absolutely fucking miserable. 

It seemed like you hadn’t had a second to breathe unless you were asleep because you had been so busy at the infirmary, treating a multitude of colds since it was due to snow any day now and even delivering the babies of two Omegas and making sure that they were recovering well after giving birth. Because of your busy schedule, you hadn’t been able to see Yoongi much because he had to work and was now also helping with patrol duty and you missed him a lot. On top of all of that, your pre-heat started so everything you had been feeling only seemed to be magnified by ten.

So in short, you were extremely fucking miserable. 

“You know, I’m gonna need you to hurry the fuck up and get some heat knots because you’re a bitch during pre-heat,” Taehyung laughed as he sat in your chair in your office, making you roll your eyes as you cleaned off some equipment. 

“Bold of you to assume that I’m gonna get some knots during my heat,” you huffed.

“Oh please, judging from the way that you just stopped smelling overwhelmingly like Yoongi and it’s been over a week since you said the two of you spent any significant amount of time together, he’s definitely not gonna be able to resist your scent during your heat,” Taehyung said. “And that’ll be a good thing because you’re hella cranky.”

“You know, everyone doesn’t get their attitude magically fixed when they get a knot like you do,” you pointed out with a smirk. 

“If they were getting a knot like Jungkook’s, they definitely would,” Taehyung laughed, which made you gag from the mental image that you got. 

“Did you come see me to keep me company or just to fucking annoy me?” You wondered as you finished with your equipment, turning around to face him afterwards. “And get the hell out of my chair!”

“Yeah, someone needs to call Yoongi hyung right now to come get you,” Taehyung giggled as he stood up from the chair and stepped around your desk.

“No need to call him, I’m meeting up with him right now actually,” you smiled as you glanced at the clock on the wall, seeing that it was finally the end of your shift for the day. 

“Is this your last shift before your heat?” Taehyung wondered and you nodded as you grabbed your jacket, pulling it on and zipping it up. 

“Yep. I’m not exactly sure when my heat is gonna hit but it’s soon and I’d rather it not happen here at work,” you grimaced as you motioned for Taehyung to follow you, taking a second to turn off the lights before shutting and locking the door to your office. “And being around Yoongi isn’t gonna help it either.”

“Are you gonna ask Yoongi hyung to spend your heat with you?” Taehyung questioned as the two of you walked down the hallway to the entrance of the infirmary.

“Damn, you’re so nosy,” you huffed out a laugh, waiting for Taehyung to push the doors open for you and let you walk out first before following behind you. “But yes, I am.”

“Hey, I got that from Mom so it’s not my fault,” he shrugged, making you smile because you could remember when your mom used to have Taehyung sneak around and gather gossip for her. 

“I’m gonna tell him about me too,” you revealed, and Taehyung’s eyes widened.

“Seriously?” He gaped.

“Yeah. I wanna tell him before my heat because he’ll probably be able to notice something off by my scent when it starts,” you told him.

“True,” Taehyung nodded. “It’ll be good for him to finally know, though.” Just as the two of you walked down the steps of the infirmary, you were surprised to see Sehun walking up to the two of you. 

“Hello Taehyung,” he greeted him before turning to you. “Hi Y/N-ah.”

“Hey,” Taehyung smiled lightly.

“Hi,” you mumbled.

“I was hoping to catch you,” Sehun began. “I heard some rumors and I was hoping that you could shed some light on them for me.”

“Rumors?” You repeated and Sehun nodded.

“It’s been going around that you’re dating the Prime Alpha, and I just couldn’t believe that given that you accepted my gift a few weeks ago,” Sehun explained.

“Accepted it?” You laughed in disbelief.

“What gift Y/N-ah?” Taehyung asked quietly.

“Sehun here tried to give me a bracelet but instead of actually waiting for me to verbally accept it, he just put it on me and scented me without permission in the process,” you told him.

“You what?” Taehyung grumbled, whipping his head back to look at Sehun. 

“Are you seeing the Prime Alpha?” Sehun demanded to know, completely ignoring Taehyung. 

“Not that it’s any of your business or concern, but yes I am,” you spat, reaching up and pulling the collar of your coat down a little so that Sehun could see the necklace hanging around your neck. 

“You really accepted that gift over mines?” Sehun rasped. “Mines was obviously more well-made.”

“You could’ve given me a fucking diamond for all I care, it wouldn’t change the fact that you basically forced it on me,” you fumed. “And I’d never accept a gift from a misogynistic alpha like you anyways!”

“Now you listen to me, you ungrateful little,-” Sehun sneered as he wrapped his hand around your wrist, starting to move towards you but he didn’t get far because there suddenly was a firm body standing in front of you.

“Get the fuck away from her!” Yoongi growled as he pushed Sehun away, causing him to stumble backwards a few steps. Your eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Yoongi to swoop in like that. 

“You think you’re hot shit just because you’re Prime, asshole?” Sehun chuckled darkly as he straightened up. As he did, you realized that he was getting into position to fight and you knew that Yoongi would rip him to shreds if that happened. 

“I’m not the one who’s going around trying to push up on an Omega that’s clearly taken,” Yoongi shot back. “You see who’s necklace she’s wearing and who’s scent is on her, idiot.”

“You just got here, you don’t get your pick of our women and Omegas,” Sehun complained.

“And that logic is probably why she accepted my gift and not yours, huh?” Yoongi smirked and you couldn’t help the small smile that came onto your face because that was the exact reason why you accepted Yoongi’s gift and not Sehun’s.

“I’m gonna kick your ass Min!” Sehun exploded but before you or Yoongi could say anything, Taehyung stepped forwards and stood in between the two of them.

“Sehun, don’t be a knot head,” Taehyung chastised him. “Yoongi’s Prime, he’ll kill you with very little effort.”

“You better listen to the kid,” Yoongi grumbled. 

“I don’t give a fuck! He thinks he can just come in here and steal the attention of all the Omegas and end up with one of the most desired ones?! It’s bullshit!” Sehun exclaimed.

“Y/N made her choice and that has nothing to do with Yoongi. You know that but you’re just misdirecting your anger,” Taehyung told him. “You’ve been trying to get with Y/N for years now so trust me when I say that if she really wanted to be with you, then she would’ve accepted you a long time ago.” Sehun then looked at you for confirmation and you just shrugged before nodding your head.

“Fine,” Sehun relented, sending a harsh glare in Yoongi’s direction before turning to walk away. Before he could though, Yoongi placed his hand on his shoulder and forced him to turn around before landing a solid punch right against his jaw.

“Yoongi!” You gasped, immediately reaching forward and pulling him away from Sehun, who had fallen onto the ground from the force of the blow.

“If you ever touch her again,” Yoongi began in a dark voice. “I will literally break every single one of your fingers so that you can never touch anyone again. You understand that?” Sehun just glared up at Yoongi without answering him, which only served to further irritate Yoongi. “I really suggest that you fucking answer me because I’m two seconds away from strangling you, dumb ass.”

“Understood,” Sehun finally uttered, and you could see the tension leave Yoongi’s shoulders as he relaxed. Sehun managed to stumble to his feet and stagger away, while both you and Taehyung turned to look at Yoongi with matching looks of amazement. 

“What?” Yoongi shrugged.

“Is it bad that I kind of wanted to see you kill him?” Taehyung chuckled.

“Trust me, I wanted to but not in front of Y/N-ah,” Yoongi admitted. He turned to face you completely, reaching out and taking ahold of both of your hands. “You’re ok right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” you assured him. “He was just being a fucking knot head. How’d you swoop in like that?”

“I was on my way here to meet you like we agreed, and I saw that dumbass,” Yoongi huffed. “I recognized his scent from that fucking bracelet so I figured that he was probably bothering you and he only confirmed it when he fucking grabbed you.”

“My hero,” you cooed with a smile as you moved closer to him, rubbing your nose along the scent gland on his neck. 

“Well, I’m gonna go before the pheromones' that Y/N-ah is emitting make me choke,” Taehyung gagged. “See you two in a few days.”

“Bye,” Yoongi said and you just threw your hand up at Taehyung, too focused on trying to cover Yoongi in your scent. “Baby? You alright?”

“I’m in pre-heat,” you admitted. 

“Ah, that’s why you’re so touchy,” Yoongi laughed. “You wanna go to my place or yours?”

“Uh, yours,” you said. “Wanna smell like you.”

“Ok, let’s go,” Yoongi said, chuckling when you wouldn’t let go of him even when he began to walk.

......................................

“I have a surprise for you,” Yoongi said as he led you down the hallway to his bedroom. After getting to his cabin and allowing him to feed you some dinner, he managed to get you to pull your nose out of his neck in order to show you something.

“What is it?” You wondered. Instead of answering you, he just opened his bedroom door and your mouth dropped open a little because sitting on his bed were two large piles of multiple blankets.

“You bought these for me?” You asked as you walked over to the bed, reaching out and letting your hands run over the material and your Omega preened when you felt how soft they were.

“Well, you said that you wanted them and I wanted you to be able to build a nest here,” he told you as he walked over to stand next to you. You then turned to him, setting your hands on his cheeks before pressing a firm kiss against this lips.

“Thank you,” you smiled. “I love them.”

“Wanna make your nest?” Yoongi suggested and you nodded immediately before setting to work. Embarrassingly enough, it took you way longer than it usually did to make the nest because you couldn’t stop yourself from pausing every so often and just enjoying how soft the material of the blankets was against your hands. Once you were finally done though, you didn’t hesitate to climb onto the bed, making yourself comfortable as you laid back against the headboard.

“Come get in,” you whined as you extended your arms, making Yoongi laugh as he climbed onto the bed as well, settling his body down next to yours.

“You know, I think I like you more during pre-heat,” Yoongi murmured, watching as you snuggled into his side. “You’re so cute.”

“I’ll still kick your ass Yoongi, don’t tempt me,” you warned him, rolling your eyes when he just laughed out loud. “But speaking of my heat, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to spend it with me?”

“I’d be honored baby,” he smiled which made you smile as well. “I was hoping that you’d ask.”

“Before that though, I have some things that I need to be honest with you about,” you said as you sat up a little, and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion because he could sense how serious you had gotten.

“Ok, go ahead,” he said.

“Well, you know that I’m an Omega,” you began and Yoongi nodded. “But I’m, uh, I’m Prime.”

“Wait, what?” Yoongi chuckled in disbelief. “No you’re not.”

“I definitely am,” you insisted. 

“But Prime Omegas are rare.”

“Rare doesn’t mean obsolete,” you giggled and Yoongi took a second to think about it. Remembering back to how you took that deer down, how strong you are and how you’ve been stubborn as hell since the day that he met you, it all actually made sense.

“That’s what the book meant by your presentation being special,” Yoongi whispered to himself as the pieces all came together.

“My presentation?” You echoed. “What do you know about my presentation?”

“That day that you and Hyorin came into the hardware shop to put in the order for her crib and you told me that I should brush up on the pack history, I had Taehyung show me later that night,” Yoongi revealed. “I read about your parents getting together and having you and Namjoon and adopting Taehyung, and Namjoon’s presentation but when I got to yours, Taehyung stopped me from reading any further.”

“He stopped you because me being Prime isn’t common knowledge to anyone that was born outside of the pack,” you told him.

“Why?”

“For a few different reasons,” you shrugged. “Mostly though, I didn't want anyone coming into the pack and trying to stage a coup just to get me to mate with them because I’m Prime and they think that I’ll be able to have good pups because of it.”

“But biologically, any pups that you have will be stronger and healthier than a pup born to non Prime parents,” Yoongi chuckled.

“I’m a doctor so I do know that,” you replied while rolling your eyes. “But that’s not all I am and it’s not all I want to be.”

“That’s understandable,” he agreed, his eyes widening immediately after when he realized something else. “Wait, you’re supposed to be Pack Omega!” 

In most families, if one of their children presented as Prime, the Prime child often automatically became the next leader of the pack whenever their parents died or retired. This was because it was well known that the Prime child would most likely end up seriously injuring and/or killing their siblings. 

“I was wondering how long it was gonna take you to put that together,” you giggled.

“Why aren’t you?” He questioned. “Did you lose in ritual combat?”

“Yoongi, look at me,” you deadpanned. “Do you really think I lost? And to Namjoon and Tae, of all people?”

“Well, it was the only thing I could guess,” Yoongi shrugged. 

“I didn’t lose, I gave the position to Namjoon willingly,” you revealed. “We didn’t even have the fight.”

“Why did you do that?” Yoongi gasped. “That was your birthright.”

“Ok, so I’m gonna have to go back a little to explain this. In the book that Taehyung showed you, did you read about how my dad beat his sister in ritual combat way back in the early 90s?” You asked and Yoongi nodded in affirmation. “My dad was a Prime Alpha but he still fought his sister, who is Jin’s mom by the way, because he wanted to show the pack that he could earn the position of being the leader. He didn’t want to have the position of being Pack Alpha just because he was born Prime, and he taught that to us as well.”

“So, does that mean that you didn’t want it?” 

“The opposite, actually,” you smiled. “I had always looked up to my dad so I wanted to become the leader of the pack just like he was and then when I presented as Prime Omega, I was so excited. My dad and mom used to always say that they didn’t play favorites but they would take me on treaty trips to other packs with them and they were basically grooming me to take over.”

“What about Taehyung and Namjoon?” Yoongi wondered. “How did they feel about you presenting as Prime?”

“Their reaction was mixed,” you shrugged. “Tae never really wanted to lead the pack anyways, so he didn’t care. Namjoon did though, but I think for him, it was more about him being an Alpha and not wanting to lose the position to his little sister but he still knew that he was going to lose regardless. Despite that, we had all agreed that even though I was Prime, we were still going to fight for the position,” you explained. 

“So, what changed?”

“Our parents getting killed is what changed,” you told him. “The Great Pack War started literally right after that and there just was no time for a ritual combat ceremony to be held the way that it should be, not when the pack was just trying to survive. Namjoon fought for the full two years that the war happened, I fought for a little less than a year, and Taehyung stayed here to try and help guide the pack. I didn’t want to go but when it started to look like the pack was going to lose, everyone strongly suggested that I could be of major help because I’m Prime.”

“That explains why you hate the war so much,” Yoongi murmured. “You didn’t feel like you had a choice.”

“Exactly,” you confirmed. “Once the war was over, I was still so angry and hurt about my parents and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to be the great leader that my dad was while I was like that so I told Namjoon that he could have the position.”

“And he just accepted it?” Yoongi chuckled. “He doesn’t seem like the type to easily give in.”

“He’s not and he did try to fight me about it,” you giggled. “But I told him that either he could take it or I was going to give it to Tae and we all know that Tae does whatever the hell he wants so Joon wasn’t going to let that happen.”

“I’m surprised that Taehyung didn’t have anything to say about that, even though he didn’t want it,” Yoongi muttered as he reached over and grabbing your hands, intertwining your fingers with his. 

“He bitched about it for a while but only because I went to Joon first and not him. We all knew it was the best choice though,” you shrugged. “Joon’s extremely smart, caring and kind hearted almost to a fault, he loves the pack as much as I do, and he was the oldest anyways so it made sense.”

“Wow,” Yoongi huffed in amazement as the weight of everything you had told him really began to settle in. 

“Yoongi, I know it’s a lot to take in but I really need to know that you’re ok with this,” you told him. 

“What, with you being Prime?” He scoffed. “I don’t care about that.”

“Not just that, but also with the fact that I’m never going to be Pack Omega,” you said. “I’ve dated guys before, mostly from outside of the pack, who would get upset when they realized that I don’t have any intention of ever trying to take the position back from Namjoon.”

“Hey, that’s just fine with me,” Yoongi promised. “My old pack was full of power hungry knot heads and I’ve seen how that can change people and tear apart relationships and that’s not me, ok? That’s not what I want.”

“Are you sure?

“More than,” he swore, leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. “After all the shit I’ve been through over the years, I just want peace and I’ve found that here, with you so I’m more than happy.”

“Me too,” you smiled, moving forward and kissing him again. After a few seconds, the both of you pulled away and Yoongi looked at you quizzically. “What?”

“I just can’t believe that I couldn’t tell from your scent that you were Prime,” he sighed. “I feel a little stupid.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” you laughed. “It can be hard to tell if you’ve never met a Prime Omega before, because you don’t have anything to compare the scent to.”

“It makes sense though, especially as to why you smell so fucking good,” he smirked as he leaned forward, pressing a few open mouthed kisses along your scent gland. Your eyes fluttered shut and you almost let out a moan because of how good it felt, but you knew that was only because you were in pre-heat and sensitive as all hell.

“That could just be the pre-heat,” you breathlessly pointed out.

“Nah, you always smell this good,” he muttered and you just rolled your eyes in response. 

“I’m in pre-heat, so you don’t have to butter me up,” you grumbled. He pulled away from your neck then, looking down at you with a soft smile.

“You gonna let me take care of you?” He hummed, letting his nose rub against yours. “Gonna let me help you through your heat?”

“Please,” you whispered.

“I got you baby,” he promised before smashing his lips onto yours. 

......................................

Tag List:  @jikook-enthusiasts @veryuniquenamegoeshere @seolarsyj @littlrmills14-blog @preciouschimine @kt-rny @copenhagenspirit

[wrienne]

My Cheating, Amnesic Fiancé

Chapter 8: Wrath

It was your parents.

“Sweetie? We’re sorry we haven’t been able to call you back until now - Jungkook’s parents have been in an uproar ever since noon, trying to find a cheap ticket back to Seoul. We didn’t make you worried, right?”

Your father’s soft, low, humming voice comforted your ear. You had admittedly been slightly concerned when they hadn’t answered even at lunchtime. You had left a voicemail that you had something important to tell them, but not had the time to consider it any longer due to school and battle planning.

“Did you know their boy was in an accident yesterday night?”

Your mother’s sharp voice pierced through the line, making you grimace. She was a lovely woman, strong, determined and the female you admired the most in the whole world, but her voice could seriously cut diamonds.

“Yes,” you said, holding the phone slightly away from your ear as you lowered the volume. “I was with him at AMC and he’s--”

“Good Lord,” your mother exclaimed, interrupting you. You could already see her shocked expression and her clutching her cross necklace. “Was it so bad he had to go to the hospital? What happened?”

“Well, he--”

“I thought he was supposed to be performing with his band yesterday.” your father added.

You sighed. Whenever you spoke with your parents, they were like this. Stuck by the heads, knowing the other so well they could complement as well as end each others’ sentences. They were even equally skilled at interrupting you.

“Hush, darling,” your mother said. “She’s trying to explain. As you were, (Y/N),” she prompted you.

“As I was just about to say before both of you interrupted me,” you began, stepping aside to let an old woman past, “he somehow miraculously survived being hit by a car and only broke his arm. However--”

“There, I told you,” your mother said to presumably your father. “That boy has more vigor than a cat with ninety-nine lives and more luck than is humanly possible. He must have an angel guarding him.”

“Stop dad,” you said before he could voice his input. “Jungkook is alright physically. It’s just that--”

“Did he scratch that handsome face of his?” your mother asked. “Or did he get any other unsightly marring on his body?”

Her tone made it sound like you had told her the Louvre had been set ablaze. She loved expensive art and was particularly fond of old European artistry. The burning of the Louvre would have broken her.

“No, mom,” you said wearily. “But he’s gotten amnesia.”

“What is that?” your father asked after both of them had paused for a beat.

“It means he cannot remember the most recent years of his life.”

“So...?”

“He doesn’t know anything about his company or his members. He is kind of skittish also, and has a hard time trusting people, even the doctors.”

“But he’s quite fine? You’ve met and spoken with him?”

You nodded, even though you knew they couldn’t see you. “Yes, he still knows and trusts me.”

“What about his career?” your mother asked.

“That’s the trickiest part,” you told them, feeling strangely relieved to have someone to share your concerns with. Even if these someones were your parents. “There was a specialist at the hospital who spoke with his manager, who in turn told me. There is a kind of unconventional way to get his memories back, but there’s no guarantee it’ll work. I am going to try and make him remember the past five or so years through...” You hesitated, not really certain what you should call the sloppily written list you had tucked into your back pocket. “...various techniques,” you decided finally.

“I see,” your father said. “I don’t understand why they’re in such a rush back home then.”

“Well, he did get hit by a car,” your mother said pointedly.

“Very well. Now, (Y/N), what was it you just had to tell us?”

You stiffened. It was time for you to tell them you had broken the engagement. You opened your mouth to speak, but found your throat constricted. You swallowed hard, then tried again. To your parents' credit, they didn’t try to push you. Perhaps they had heard the tension in your mere gulp.

“Jungkook…” you began slowly. “He has a girlfriend.”

Your voice broke. Your chest ached. You hated it, but the image of Jungkook and Park Yi-Jae resurfaced in your mind for what felt like the hundredth time. Even though it felt like your heart was threatening to break out of your body, you couldn’t lie and pretend everything was alright. You wouldn’t intercept their love.

Silence. Deafening silence.

“Are you certain?” your mother suddenly asked.

Surprisingly, your father didn’t step in to add something to the conversation.

“I saw them yesterday, before the accident,” you answered. “They looked very happy together.”

“Is it someone you know? Do you know her name?”

“Does he remember her?”

“Park Yi-Jae,” you managed, even as you frowned at the third question. “No,” you told your mother.

“That Park Yi-Jae?” Your father almost raised his voice. He never raised his voice. “The girl always prancing around on TV?”

“Shush, you hypocrite. You always watch her shows."

“I do not!”

“So that’s why they’re in such a hurry back home,” your mother muttered, ignoring your father. “They’re probably going to try and do some damage control and get you back with Jungkook. I told you I didn’t hear it wrong.”

“Wait, you knew?” you wondered incredulously. You felt your fingers tighten around your phone. “Still you wanted me to tell you?”

“We didn’t know what to believe until we had heard it from you, sweetie,” your father said in an attempt to calm you down. “Your mother heard it only faintly. She’s grown so old, we can no longer rely on her magical ears solely.”

Your mother did have eerily good hearing. Not necessarily when she and you argued over some petty things or whenever you told her you needed to bring food for an outdoor trek or something as a child, though that could have been because she stubbornly refused to listen or was too busy working. But she could hear gossip from the other side of a fully sat and vibrantly busy restaurant and hear the first few drops of water before a rainfall.

“You need to get back together with that boy, (Y/N).”

“No,” you said automatically, woken out of your brief reverie.

“Yes you do and you will. It is absolutely imperative.”

“He loves her,” you said stiffly. “Even though he can’t remember, I know he does. The way they were, just, it was--”

“It doesn’t matter, (Y/N). You and Jungkook have to marry.”

“Perhaps,” you said sharply, getting ever angrier. “But not to one another, we don’t.”

“Don’t be childish, of course you two will marry each other. You’re perfect for him and he’s perfect for you. There’s no question you will make a beautiful couple.”

“We don’t want to,” you said coolly. “I don’t want to marry him.”

“Darling, perhaps--” your father began.

“No, don’t you try,” your mother snapped at your father. “(Y/N), this marriage was decided the year the two of you were born. You will not undo it just because Jungkook hurt your feelings by sleeping with another woman.”

“No!” you shouted suddenly. Your eyes stung and your voice sounded wrong, harsh, and the bleak interior of the hallway made for awful acoustics. “It’s nothing like that, don’t you get it? Don’t answer it, by the way, I have homework and other stuff to do, so I can’t talk anymore.”

“We will talk about this when we get back, (Y/F/N).”

Without exchanging goodbyes, you ended the call abruptly. Still, you heard your mother’s voice, as if on repeat inside your skull. The words coiled around you and cut into your skin, like cold metal wire, and you seriously considered punching one of the mailboxes. Deciding that it would cause ten times more harm to you than you could ever hope to inflict on it, you leaned your forehead against the cool, concrete wall and tried your best not to scream in fury, frustration or whatever else the enormous swirl of emotions stewing about in your stomach could be called.

You heard the double glass doors open behind you and two or three pairs of feet hurry inside, probably eager to get in from the cold. You didn’t consider the vague familiarity of their voices as they immediately began whispering loudly. You didn’t even notice someone approaching you until they touched your shoulder lightly.

“Excuse me?” asked a light male voice. “Is everything alright?”

You spun about as you wiped your eyes. The guy recoiled sharply, his eyes widening first in surprise then in something else. He was shorter than the other two guys standing by the elevator with grocery bags in each of their hands, both at a safe running distance toward the entrance doors should you have shown yourself to be some weirdo. All three were dressed casually, like typical guys about your age, and with their faces and hair covered, you almost didn’t recognize them.

But they recognized you.

“(Y/F/N)!”

It was V, or perhaps more accurately: Kim Taehyung. You recognized him for his low voice now and because he was Se-Eun’s favorite member after Jungkook, something she had reprimanded you very heavily about during lunch when you had guessed her “list” completely wrong.

“What is she doing here?” The guy who had approached you on his own looked from his friends to you, obviously confused. You were fairly sure he was Park Jimin.

“Don’t ask me, ask her,” mumbled the third one. He hadn’t taken off his mouth mask so you couldn’t see anything except his eyes. You couldn’t tell who he was, but he was shorter than Taehyung yet taller than Jimin.

Taehyung caught you off guard by approaching you with solid determination, passing Jimin, who had backed a few additional steps, without even a glance. He stopped almost directly in front of you, his eyes hard, his eyebrows knitted tightly together.

“What did you do to Jungkook?” he demanded.

“I--” Your voice broke, and you cleared your throat. “I did nothing to him.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Taehyung strained to lift the hand he held the drooping grocery bag with and pointed a surprisingly long, elegant finger at you. He didn’t touch you, merely hovered it in front of your chest, yet you could feel the tension in the room suddenly skyrocket. “You told him something or did something that made him... angry like that. It’s your fault he can’t remember any one of us and might never be able to perform again. Don’t you get it? It’s your fault!”

It was as if his words breached the dam of guilt you had felt growing larger ever since you got the first call from Kim Sejin. Now, you weren’t about to cry in front of people you barely knew, at least because of the absurdity in the whole situation. Your second way of dealing with emotions seemed much better however, since, unlike the mailboxes, Taehyung’s jaw or nose probably could break without you breaking, too.

“Damn it, Taehyung!”

The guy you hadn’t been able to identify dropped his grocery bags and stormed toward you. He stepped in between the two of you as he firmly pushed Taehyung away, then tore off his mouth mask. Though, from this angle, you could still not see much else than the back of his head and his shoulders.

“It’s nobody’s fault!” he barked. “It was an accident. Jungkook was drunk and wandered a bit off the pavement, while the driver was tired and perhaps shouldn’t have driven. This isn’t really anyone’s fault, least of all (Y/N), who wasn’t even there!”

“Hoseok-hyung is right,” said Jimin quietly. “We can’t just put the blame on something or someone because it’s easy. It’s not right.”

Hoseok. Jung Hoseok. J-Hope. Now, you knew who Taehyung’s nose or jaw savior was.

Taehyung didn’t even seem like he had heard what the other two guys had said. He glared at you, ostensibly furious, and you suddenly wondered what would have happened if Hoseok wouldn’t have stepped in. You doubted an idol would have the folly to harm a civilian, but one never knew.

Then finally, Taehyung broke away from your gaze and went surly toward the elevator. There, he leaned against the wall beside the buttons and checked his phone after placing the grocery bags on the floor.

Hoseok turned around and, noticing how close you two stood together, quickly took a step back. He gave you a friendly smile.

“Sejin-manager told me you slept at the hospital with him,” he said carefully, like he was worried you would snap. “I presume he recognizes you?”

You nodded. You didn’t trust your voice just yet.

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Hoseok, genuine relief filling his eyes and smile. “How is he?”

“He’s annoying,” you couldn't help but say, and was glad to find your tone steady. “He won’t eat, wear the hospital gowns or obey the professionals. I was practically forced to stay there over the night.”

Hoseok chuckled almost hesitantly, as if he didn’t know whether you were kidding or not. “Ah, well, he’s always been a proud kid.”

“Too proud,” you agreed.

“What are you doing here?” asked Jimin. He crouched by the grocery bags Hoseok had dropped and carefully put back the items that had spilled out.

“I came here to pick up some of Jungkook’s clothes.” You held up the largest duffel bag you had found at home, which, if not for the brand name plastered all over it, would have looked like a body bag. You couldn’t wrap your head around why people found stuff like that fashionable. But then, perhaps only morbid people had the means to spend thousands on something as ugly as that bag. Your mother had bought it years ago. “I was just about to call one of you and ask which floor you live on.”

“Sejin gave you our numbers, huh?” Hoseok curled a finger around his chin. “I’m not sure about how I feel with our manager giving our numbers to an unknown girl.”

“I did consider auctioning them out,” you admitted. “Not for the money, but merely to see which type of people believed me and how much they would be willing to spend.”

He frowned, again a bit suspicious about the nature of your words, before he laughed. “Not exactly what I would have done if I were in your shoes, but that’s interesting to hear. Jungkook never told us about you, so I had no idea you had humor like this. Actually… have you eaten dinner yet?”

“No,” you replied before you realized what you had said.

“Great. Eat with us.”

[hateswifi]

I Only Have Eyes for You

A quick Daminette blind!Mari Au with a twist at the end. I hope you enjoy! Go check out my other stories after you finish reading.

------------------------------------------

"I'm so sorry," Marinette said, brushing herself off as she stood up.

"Watch where you are going next time!" a  deep voice angrily exclaimed before she heard his footsteps rush off in front of her.

"Marinette! That was so rude why would you draw attention to yourself like that!" Alya exclaimed.

"Well I'm sorry that you all didn't want me to draw attention to my cane, none of you warned me!" Marinette said back. (Ok quick explanation, needed a reason why Marinette didn't have her cane out.)

"Whatever, pay more attention next time," Alya muttered.

"How would you like me to do that?" Marinette asked, leaning to one side.

"I had a friend who overcame her blindness, they did a transplant on her eyes," Lila spoke up, 'attempting' to break the tension.

"Ya because that sounds realistic," Marinette mummers to herself.

"Because it's not realistic," Chloe said, rejoining the group, she had gone to grab Marinette's cane from the bus.

"You've just never heard of it, the doctors probably never told your parents so you wouldn't get your hopes up. I mean you're not too rich," Lila pointed out.

"Girls calm down, it's time to begin our tour," Ms. Bustier said, walking back from the front desk.

"Hello, Francis DuPont, welcome to Wayne Enterprises. I'm your tour guide, Richard," The tour guide greets. *Insert Lila lying and normal field trip shenanigans here (if requested will write later) * "I hope to see you all at the celebratory gala at the end of the week, please enjoy your stay here in Gotham."

She was tired of her class, she convinced Chloe to take her to the nearest park so she could hear the sounds to hopefully inspire her in her next song. She has been practicing with the help of Uncle Jagged with writing, well someone writing down, songs and singing them. Uncle Jagged thinks she has potential.

Chloe had left Marinette for a couple of minutes to grab ice-cream, they both deserve it after putting up with Lila and her sheep. She hears footsteps approaching her that sounding similar to Chloe's when she wears shoes, not high heels like today, (she's not very used to Chloe's footstep when there not in heels, sue her). 

"Hey, Chloe what ice-cream did you end up getting?" She asked, facing the footsteps.

"Wait you're blind! Why didn't you have your cane earlier?" The voice, definitely not Chloe's, asked approaching her.

"Are you the guy from earlier, the one I ran into?" Marinette asks, avoiding his question.

"Ahh... Yes. Sorry about the 'watch where you're going' that was incredibly insensitive, even for me," he responded.

"Don't worry about," Marinette says, nonchalantly. "I'm Marinette."

"Hi, Marinette, my name is Damian," he responds. "So why are you alone in the park in the most crime-ridden city in America."

"Why? You trying to kidnap me?" Marinette answers with a giggle. "I'm waiting for my friend to get back."

"What have I told you about not talking to strangers, especially ones that look dark and angsty," Chloe says, walking up with two ice-creams in her hands.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Chloe. I forgot to ask, 'hey, Person, I've never met before, are you dark and angsty? If so by my dear friend Chloe's rules, I'm not allowed to speak with you' because I can totally trust someone's answer," Marinette says sarcastically.

"I'm the sarcastic one! You're supposed to be the sweet angel, who is sometimes terrifying," Chloe wines, placing Mari's cone in her hand.

"Whatever you say, Bee. Damian this is Chloe, Chloe this is Damian. Ya know the person I supposedly 'made a scene over'." Marinette said.

"Nice to meet you, Chloe, I should be off, I don't want to disturb you both anymore and my father will call me soon for a meeting," Damian says, standing. He turns to Marinette and says. "I hope to meet you again." Before he exited the park. 

"How... you can't even see how hot he is," Chloe complains, slouching beside Marinette. 

"Chloe, ya know looks don't matter to me because it's what's on the inside that counts," Marinette says a smile on her face, already knowing how Chloe would respond.

"Plus you're blind so you don't have to worry about how they look," Chloe snickers before checking her watch. "If you want time to walk around the store a bit before dinner, we should get ready to go."

"Cool, let's go then, I promised Mama something I need your eyes to help me," Marinette said, standing up. She tucked her cane away and let Chloe lead her to the shopping district.

The finished shopping, Marinette got her Mama some homemade tea from one of the small business, and a fun new apron. (I'm not funny, so I'm not going to attempt to come up with something clever.) They got back to the hotel with enough time to get ready for dinner. Marinette put on an outfit, with the help of Chloe, high waisted black ripped jeans, a white lace tank crop top, and a pink mid-thigh cardigan, paired together with a silver moon necklace. (idk, it be 1:30). The bus surprisingly didn't leave without her, which she was happy about. The dinner was phenomenal and she has hopes for a good rest of her night, that was until she went to the bathroom and found out her group left without her. She sighs, pulls out her flip phone (I'm like 98.9% sure blind people can't use smartphones.) and dials Chloe's number.

"I tried to get Bustier to wait for you, but little miss liar lied and said you were already on the bus," Chloe explained.

"It's fine... I need a walk anyways, see you later," Marinette said, hanging and putting her phone on silent and exits the restaurant. Not too long after she hears light footsteps touch the ground.

"Miss do you need help getting back to where you are staying? You know this is the most crime-ridden city in the world," A somewhat familiar voice comes from behind her.

"Seriously Damian we're back to Miss?" Marinette laughs.

"Robin, I told you to stay on the roof," another voice comes from landing beside them.

"Damian, you're friends with Richard? He was my tour guide earlier," Marinette adds.

"Umm yes, I'm Damian's brother," Dick said. "You can call me Dick though."

"Hi, Dick, my name is Marinette," She says, holding out her hand in his voice's direction, which he grabs and shakes. She scrunches her nose at the feeling of leather. "Why are you wearing gloves? It's not that cold out."

"Oh I'm a germaphobe," Dick answered quickly.

"Oh I'm sorry, I should be getting back to the hotel," Marinette said, turning her back ti were their voices where.

"Let me walk you ok? Where's your cane?" Damian asks.

"Well Chloe was here with me earlier, so I had put it away in her purse. The class left me behind though, so I was just going to walk home," 

"Wait you're blind? You didn't have a cane earlier as well," Dick asks.

"Oh, that is literally nothing. People think I use it to seek attention," Marinette said. "Damian, can you help me find my hotel?"

"Yea, sure, umm... what hotel are you staying at?" Damian asks. "You can hold on to my arm if it would help you."

"Ok, thank you, I'm staying at Wayne Hotel," Marinette said, grabbing the crook of his elbow.

"See you later, you guys. Call me when you're down, I'll let Brucie know what's happening," Dick said his voice trailing off as they walk off in opposite directions. They walk in silence and when they get to the hotel Marinette squeezes his hand.

"Thanks for walking me, Damian," Marinette said, smiling while looking in where she thinks his face is.

"Bye Marinette, don't be left alone again, people aren't always as nice as me," He snickers. "Good night."

"Night, Dami," Marinette says. as the door opens.

"Marinette! I'm so happy you're ok!" Chloe said, hugging Marinette. She then smacked her arm. "Don't hang up on me again!"

"I'm fine Chloe," Marinette said.

"Thank you so much, Robin! I didn't know how she was going to get back without her cane," Chloe exclaimed. "What have I told you about talking to strangers, even heroes."

"Heroes?" Marinette mutters to herself. "I'm sorry Chloe. I didn't realize that I wouldn't be safe with one of Gotham's heroes."

"I'm messing, come on," Chloe says, grabbing Marinette's arm. "Night Robin."

"Ya night Robin," Marinette says confused. When Marinette gets to her and Chloe's room, she sits on the balcony with hopes of Da-- Robin dropping by. Not too long after she stood outside she heard someone land being her. "Chloe, I'm going to be writing, you can go to bed, I'll be in a bit later." She heard Chloe confirm. "So you're Damian and Robin."

"And you figured it with only meeting me three times, you figured out Grayson with only two times. You know you can't tell anyone," Robin said.

"Well I don't see the difference between you guys, I can only hear the similarities in your voices," Marinette explained. "I wouldn't tell anyone, I understand to have secrets."

"What do you mean?" Robin asks.

"Well for the past couple of years, there had been an akuma problem in Paris," Marinette said.

"What's an akuma and how were they a problem?"

"A villain named Hawkmoth terrorized the city by using their negative emotions against, a hero team named Ladybug and Chat Noir rose to meet the terrorist," Marinette sighed.

"How come no one had mentioned this?" Robin asks,  leaning on the railing beside her.

"Tourists weren't allowed to enter Paris as much and no international news was allowed to do reports. The mayor wanted to keep the whole thing under wraps and we didn't include the Justice League because we realized that people with extra training and sometimes powers would be too hard to take down," Marinette explained.

"What do you mean 'we'?" Robin asks, studying Marinette's face the moonlight highlighting her hair making it more blue than normal along with accenting her cheekbones. 

"My partner, Chat Noir, and I, well just me now," Marinette said, putting her head in hands. 

"You were Ladybug?" Robin asks in disbelief. "Not to sound rude, but how did you manage to do that with your condition."

"While being Ladybug, the magic let me see. They were the best times of my life besides the fact of Hawkmoth. But because of being Ladybug, I was able to see my parents' faces and see the beautiful world. All good things come to an end though, Master Fu took my earrings and Chat Noir's ring and ran away," Marinette accounted a tear slipping down her cheek. "Now I know what I'm missing out on, and there is almost nothing I wouldn't give to see again."

"Why are you telling me this?" Robin asks, looking out over the city.

"Because no one will believe you and I needed someone to talk to who would understand."

"What about Chat Noir?" 

"He's gone, his father killed him and there was nothing I could do," Marinette responding full-on tears streaming down her face now.

"Alfred told me the best way to comfort someone, who is distressed, is to hug them. Do you need a hug?" Robin said, standing up straight.

"Please, he promised he would have my back, but he left me here to deal with the aftermath of Hawkmoth and my class," Marinette said into his shoulder

"Does it have anything to do with your class leaving you behind?" Robin asks, rubbing small circles into her back.

"One girl turned them all against me Adrien tried to help me but her lies were just too convincing. They say I bully her and I lie about everything. They took my cane earlier because they didn't want me to draw attention to myself, that's why I ran into you earlier."

"I was rude earlier which was bad in my part especially since you fell," he said quietly.

"No it was my fault for running into you, I'm just happy we're both ok," Marinette smiled, breaking the hug. She leans against the railing again with Robin following not too long after.

"You said something about writing earlier, what was that about?" Robin asks.

"I write and sing songs," Marinette says.

"Any songs I would know?"

"I don't know, but I sing and write with my uncle Jagged a lot."

"Would you sing?" he whispers almost inaudibly.

"I haven't sung in front of many people, and Chloe is right you're still a stranger," Marinette says with a giggle.

"I bet you have a lovely voice," Robin says. "But you don't have to, I won't force you to do anything that would make you uncomfortable."

"I will but give me a moment, I want you to be brutally honest because no matter how I love my family and friends they won't tell me if I'm bad," Marinette whispers. "I'm only going to sing the chorus I haven't figured out the rest." (not my song In My Head by the Bedroom. Highly recommend, underrated song.)

It consumes my mind

It consumes my soul

It wants my life it wants complete control

Somebody help me before it's bad

Somebody help me before I end up dead

I feel alone, all of the time

It's still quite, lurking inside

"I was right, the voice of an Angel," he says, breathlessly.

"Robin, time to go, have a good night Miss," Dick says, dropping onto the balcony.

"Night Damian, Dick," Marinette says, walking towards the door.

Now Dick and Damian stood on the rood of the hotel. "So you want to explain how she knows who both of our identities?" Dick asked his arms crossed across his chest.

"She recognizes our voices after her friend pointed out that I was Robin she put two and two together," Damian says uninterested.

"Besides knowing your name and that you are Robin, does she know that you are Damian Wayne," Dick asks. 

"No, I don't think she does," Damian answer. "Now that we're done gossiping, can we go back to the manor?"

"You gonna tell Brucie," Dick asks, standing.

"I mean it is kinda important," Damian shrugs before running in the direction of the manor.

At the end of the week at the gala, Marinette wore a floor-length off the shoulder red dress the skirt of the dress looks like a flower. She loved the feel of the smooth fabric, Chloe said that the color complimented her skin. She was sitting at a table with Chloe when she heard the almost familiar footstep of Damian. 

"Nice try Damian, I can tell you are there," Marinette smiled.

"Well, I wasn't trying to sneak up on you, because if I was trying you wouldn't have heard me," Damian says quietly."I was coming to see if you wanted to dance."

"That would be lovely, I'm not too good at dancing," Marinette says.

"I'll lead, I'll make sure that you are comfortable," Damian reassures.

"I trust you," Marinette says, letting herself be lead out to the middle of the floor. "So tell me more about you, all I know is that you have a night job. How old are you because you sound on the younger side to me."

"I'm about to turn twenty in the upcoming month," Damian says.

"I just turned eighteen. What do you want to do in the future?"

"I help run my father's company, I know you want to be a singer," Damian asks, spinning her.

"That's true. What company does your father run?"

"He owns and runs Wayne Enterprises."

"That means you're a Wayne? Is it your choice that you want to work at WE or is it being forced onto you?"

"It's my choice."

"Does it bring you happiness?"

"Yes," Damian says pressing his forehead to hers as the song ends.

"Then that's all that matters then," Marinette says,

"Oh my god! Dick wasn't lying!" A voice screams with fast-approaching footsteps following. Marinette turns to the voice's direction. "How'd you get someone so adorable?"

"Jason! I told you to-- he wasn't lying!?" another voice says, coming from the same direction.

"Marinette, meet my other two of my adopted brothers," Damian said. "The first one is Jason and the second one is Tim."

"We're numbers now? What happened to us being people?" Jason whines.

"You're bothering me," Damian said.

"Damian, be nice to your sibling, I bet they're lovely to have around," Marinette says, playfully smacking his arm.

"Well, then I would win that bet," Damian snickers.

"Well it's nice to meet someone that can stand being around Demon Spawn," Jason says.

"Are you guys dating? Dick said you guys were and that Damian calls you Angel," Tim asks.

"We're not dating," Damian says.

"He has not called me Angel, but he compared my singing voice to one," Marinette responds.

"I forgot to tell you that there was no way the Jagged was complimenting you to be nice. You have a heavenly voice," Damian says, kissing her hand.

"Jagged... like Jagged Stone, Jagged?" Tim asked, squeezing in between her and Damian.

"There are a lot of people with Jagged in the world, what makes you think I'm talking about Jagged Stone?" Marinette asks, speaking towards the spot where Tim had been standing.

"Well, is it him?" 

"Yes, it is him, but--" Marinette said now looking on Tim's direction. 

Tim screams. "Seriously! You're his prodigy?"

"More like his niece but prodigy works," Marinette explains.

"That's awesome, can I have an autograph?"

"I don't know when I'll see Uncle Jagged again, but--" Marinette starts.

"No from you, your voice is calming and helps me focus on my work," Tim says.

"Umm, sure!" 

"After she signs it, will you leave us alone?"

"Yes, we'll leave you two love birds alone," Jason said, grabbing Tim's arm.

"They seem nice," Marinette said. 

"They can be but they are a bit overbearing," Damian said, pulling her into another dance.

"It's nice to have people support you in their own unique ways," Marinette said. They dance in silence at one point Marinette almost falls Damian pull her close.

"You're adorable when you blush," Damian says, lifting her chin so he could get a good view of her face.

"That's not fair, I can't see if you're blushing," Marinette pouts. "Can I feel face?"

"Why?"

"You don't have to, but feeling is like seeing for me along with other blind people," Marinette said, quickly.

"Umm... do you want to go out to the garden so it's quieter?"

"Ummm ok," Marinette said, letting Damian take her to the garden. Damian leads her to the nearest bench. Marinette puts her hands in his. "I don't want to jab your face can you?" Before she finishes, he takes her hands and places them on his face. "Don't worry I recently washed my hands."  Damian chuckles. She runs her fingers over his jaw and cheekbone. "What color are your eyes?"

"Jade green, I also have black hair, and tan skin," Damian says.

"You're handsome... umm I mean you have strong facial features...?" Marinettes stutters.

"You're beautiful as well. Thank you, Angel," Damian says, kissing her forehead. “Will you come to dinner at the Manor tomorrow night?”

“That would be lovely, but I can’t be out too late, we are leaving the day after tomorrow,” Marinette said.

The next day leading up to dinner with the Waynes was uneventful besides some of Lila’s normal lies about Marinette and fabulous stories about her old famous friends that she ran into without anyone else around. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of seeing Damian again. Sure she had been less willing to let herself be open ever since Lila and the loss of Adrien, who had stood with her. 

She got dressed in a white tank crop top with a pink floral pattern, a high waisted skater skirt, and paired with white converse. Chloe helped her, obviously, she said that Marinette looked appropriately dressed. 

“Thanks, Chloe, I’m going to head downstairs. Damian said he would be here at 5:30,” Marinette said, hugging her. 

“Well it’s 5:25 you should hurry,” Chloe said pushing her out the door. 

“Oh crap! Bye Chloe!” Marinette said, rushing down the hall to the elevator. As she ran out of the elevator she heard the lobby doors open. 

“Marinette, did you just run down here? Where’s your cane?” Damian asks, approaching the girl. 

“Hey aren’t you the boy that danced with Marinette yesterday?” Lila’s voice came from what Marinette remembers to be the sitting area. 

“If I am, why does it matter to you?” Damian growls. 

“Because she’s a bully,” Alya’s voice came from near where she heard Lila. 

“I don’t what you’re talking about, she’s sweet, kind, even after I was rude to her and incredibly strong,” Damian said, taking Marinette’s hand. 

“She forgets her cane on purpose for attention,” Lila states. 

“No, from what I was told, you complained that her cane was bringing her too much attention. The cane is what helps her see,” Damian says. “Come on, Angel, Alfred is waiting.”

“Thanks, Dami,” Marinette says. As they get into the back of the car Marinette says. “You know you didn’t have to do that, they stopped affecting me months ago.”

“Just because I didn’t have to doesn’t mean I didn’t want to,” Damian says, kissing her hand. 

“Thank you Dami,” Marinette said, a pink blush spreading across her cheeks. 

“You’re adorable,” Damian said. 

“Now Master Damian, I know I raised you better than that,” Alfred said from the front. 

“Pennyworth, this is Marinette, Marinette this is Alfred our butler and unofficial official grandfather,” Damian said. 

“It’s nice to meet you Monsieur!” Marinette says enthusiastically. 

“Miss Marinette, if I may be so bold, where is your cane?” Alfred asks. 

“Ummm I didn’t realize you knew, but I ran out of the hotel room without it,” Marinette said. 

“Hey, Mari I don’t think I ever got your number. May I have it so we can stay in touch once you leave?” Damian asks, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Oh yeah!” Marinette says, taking out her phone. “Sorry I can text because they haven’t exactly made a smartphone for blind people yet.”

“We can skype,” Damian offers, putting his number in her phone. Before she recites her to him and he names her contact Angel. 

“Of course!” Marinette says as they pull up to the Manor. 

“There are seven steps coming up, I’ll let you know when there are left by squeezing your hand,” Damian says quietly, respecting her wishes to not use her cane. As they get close to the top, as Damian promised, he squeezed her hand. Alfred opened the door to reveal the rest of the Wayne family. 

“This is Marinette,” Damian says. “Marinette this is my family”

“My father, Dick, Tim, Jason, and you already met Alfred,” Damian said, pausing for each of them to say hi in between each introduction. 

“Well dinner is ready if you would like to follow me to the dining room,” Alfred said. 

“Alfred made Shepherd's Pie,” Damian said, pulling Marinette’s seat out for her. 

“That’s lovely, thank you for having me by the way Mr. Wayne,” Marinette said, picking up her fork. 

“It’s my pleasure, please call me Bruce,” he said. 

Dinner went on fine until Jason realized something, Marinette never looked directly at anyone she always looked slightly to the side or a bit above whoever was speaking. 

“Marinette, are you blind?” Jason asks. 

“Jason! That’s very rude,” Dick says. 

“No it’s a valid question, I am in fact blind,” Marinette said.

“You’re very independent,” Bruce notes.

“Well I don't like being seen just for my disability or for being weak because of my blindness,” Marinette explains.

“Angel, no one would think that,” Damian said. “You’re incredible.”

“Thanks, Dami.”

“So Marinette you know our identities, do you plan to keep them?” Tim says.

“Of course,” Marinette answered.

“She used to be a hero,” Damian said. “Ladybug, the hero of Paris.”

“I saw a video of a battle, how were you able to defeat the akuma?” Dick asks.

“Well, I used to have a kwami, her name is Tikki, she gave me sight while I was transformed,” Marinette explained. “But sadly, Master Fu took back my earrings along with Chat’s ring and disappeared.”

“How do we know you're telling the truth?” Jason asked, receiving a smack from Damian. “Hey! It’s a valid question!”

“I’ve seen the footage, they look the same,” Dick says.

“From what I’ve heard, I have scars up and down my back from the countless akuma attacks,” Marinette explained. “And because I was supposed to become the next guardian and I was the holder of the ladybug miraculi, I have with the Miraculi mark.” She then bent her leg to show the mark on her ankle. 

“Ms. Marinette speaks the truth, I have the mark of the peacock miraculi,” Alfred said.

“Adri-- Chat Noir had the same mark.”

“Before he went missing you mean,” Dick cuts in.

“Not missing, Gabriel, his father, and Hawkmoth, killed him before he realized it was his son,” Marinette explained.

The conversation moved into a brighter topic after that. When it was time to leave Damian decided to drive her back to her hotel. He walked her to the lobby. 

“Be my girlfriend?” Damian asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I would love to!” Marinette said, hugging him. She went up on tip-toes and kissed his cheek. “Bye Damian, I’ll count the minutes till I see you again.”

“I’ll see you off to the airport tomorrow,” Damian said, kissing the crown of her head.

(Sorry for the skips, I just wanna get to the part that the whole story has been building to.) Their relationship didn’t falter with distance after Marinette graduated, she moved to the states to attend Gotham Academy. Uncle Jagged promised her parent to check up on her him being in America for recording and shows. Not too long after they graduated college Marinette became a hit as Nettie. Damian proposed to her on the date of her debut. They got married on their fifth anniversary of dating. A year later they had their first son Thomas Adrien Wayne-Dupain. 

On Thomas’ second birthday, Damian prepared a surprise.  “Not too much longer Angel, just a couple more steps.”

“Today on the show we have Marinette Dupain-Cheng-Wayne or as most of you know her as Nettie,” the hostess says. “What most of you all don’t know is that she is blind. Nettie, will you give a wave to the crowd?”

She waves and whispers to Damian. “I might murder you, why are we here?”

Damian just chuckles, kisses her head, and says “Don't worry it’s about to get better.”

“So not too long ago, I reached out to Damian Wayne, her husband, to bring her onto the show so we can we have her reaction for a first time using E-Sight.” At that Marinette hugs Damian, and whispers graciously.

“So today is our son’s second birthday and I know it’s not a gift him, but it will be the first time she sees us for the first time,” Damian says.

“So we have an E-Sight technician here today to help her with the glasses, which she’ll be able to keep,” the hostess says.

 “So I’m going to slide this on your head,” the technician says, placing it over her eyes. “Can you give a look around for me? Can you see?”

“Yes! Yes! I can see,” Marinette exclaims, turning to look at the two most important people in her life. “You guys! You’re both as beautiful as I imagine.” Marinette cries, tears streaming down her face. 

“Come on, Angel, don’t cry,” Damian says, wiping her tears away before pulling her into a hug.

“Thomas, honey, you’re so cute…. I can’t believe it! I can see you both!” Marinette says, taking Thomas. “Hi honey, Mama can see you!”

“Nettie, we brought the rest of your family here so you can see them as well,” the hostess says, welcoming her family to the stage.

“Guys! Mama! Papa! You guys!” Marinette says, letting herself be enveloped in a hug.

“We’re so happy for you, Pixie-Pop!” 

She couldn’t be happier, she was happy before but now she can see the beauty of the world once again. She loved her family more than words can explain and now she didn’t have to just picture them, she can see them for real.

[emmies-archives]

The Misadventures of Secret Santa

Kirishima Eijiro X Reader (Did I mention I reallly love to write for Kirishima…)

 Warnings: None

 Genre: Pure Fluff, soo much cute fluff. There is literally one line of veryyyyyyyy mild Angst, that is all then straight back to fluff.

 Summary: You bought Kirishima two gifts for Christmas, one genuine one for class 1a’s Secret Santa because you pulled his name. And the other a gag gift that was part of an inside joke between the two of you. You realized you brought the wrong one to the Christmas party at the exact moment you gave it to him, and it was a very embarrassing gift.

 A/N: I had an increasing amount of wine while writing this, please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors.

         You swept open the heavy curtain for what seemed like the millionth time. You and the girls from your class had planned to spend the day Christmas shopping. What you didn’t expect was Mina making you try on every single item of clothing that caught your eye. Even though you were going to buy yourself something new to wear for the Christmas party your class was holding, you weren’t exactly excited to spend hours trying on outfits.

 “Y/n! This looks so cute on you!!” Mina squealed, excitedly jumping up and down next to you.

 “It is a very beautiful dress,” Momo said.

 You looked at yourself in the mirror and you couldn’t disagree. It was a mid-length black dress, that flared out slightly at your waist. The top was fitted and sleeveless with a mock neck. The dress was simple but very flattering on you. “I think you guys are right,” You said turning to them, “I’m going get this one.”

 “Are you going to wear it for the party? It would look so classy I think” Momo spoke again with a finger on her chin. “I saw some simple necklaces that would pair well with it near the front of the store too.”

 “Yeah, I am planning on wearing it for the party. We’ll see though because I always seem to change my mind right before.” You said moving back into the dressing room to change into your clothing.

 “Did you find a gift for your secret Santa yet?” Mina asked once you pulled the curtain back again.

 You shook your head and laughed, that was the whole purpose of the day and you forgot.

 “Shoot, not yet. I completely forgot because someone started shoving me into every item of clothing they found.”

 “I wonder who that could be.” Mina grinned and you shoved her laughing again. “Okay, I’ll help you look around.”

 “Whose name did you pull?” Momo asked, “Mine is Sato, and I know exactly what I’m looking for. A nice white tea variety that pairs well with his baked goods!”

 “That’s perfect Momo,” Mina said and started to dig through the basket in her hands. She looked around for a second then pulled out a light purple record player. “I got Jirou, doesn’t this fit her so well. I think I am going to get her a couple of records too. What about you, Y/n?”

 Both girls’ gifts were picked so well for their Secret Santas, you didn’t know if you could top

it.

 “I pulled Kirishima.” You said quietly, blushing slightly when they gasped. Just a couple of weeks ago you had spilled your secret crush on Kirishima to the girls in a game of never have I ever.

 “Ooooh, Y/n this is going to be so exciting!”

Momo had offered the idea of a girl’s night one Friday after classes had ended. Of course, everyone had agreed right away, it had been a while since you all had hung out without the boys in your class. It wasn’t like the boys were annoying or not fun to spend time with, it was just sometimes it was nice to get away from all the testosterone and have a night to gossip without fear of any of the boys hearing juicy secrets.

 The night started with Mina begging Ochako to let her do her makeup. It didn’t take that much convincing; Mina was good at doing other’s makeup. Everyone was crammed into

Mina’s dorm room; she had insisted it everyone stay the night in hers.

 It wasn’t long before someone had thrown out the idea to play never have I ever. You guys played a different version of the game though. One person would say something they’d never done, and then the whole group would vote on one person out of everyone who had done the thing to do a dare.

 “Hmmm never have I ever…… gave myself a haircut,” Tsu said. Only Ochako and Hagakure spoke out that they had given themselves a haircut.

 “Wait, Hagakure how did you give yourself a haircut? You’re invisible.” You deadpanned at her, confused. She just laughed at your question.

 “I can see myself, it’s just that others can’t see me.” You always forgot that part of her quirk.

 “Alright, guys, who vote that Ochako should get a dare?” Tsu asked the group, getting everyone’s attention. All but Ochako raised their hands and she groaned. 

 “Ughhh come on, I was on a no dare streak,” Ochako whined. “Okay, what do I have to do?’

 “Ooh! I got one.” Mina said clapping her hands excitedly. “I dare you to text Midoriya goodnight!”

 “What?!” Ochako broke out in a bright blush. “Really?”

 “It’ll be so cute, Ochako!” You said nudging her arm with your elbow, her blush didn’t waver, but she pulled her phone out of her pocket. Her hands were shaking slightly but she had a smile on her face. You couldn’t help but wonder if Midoriya would match her blush when he received the text.

 “Okay, it's done.” She said and it seemed like her smile was a little bigger than before. “Now please someone else go, I need a distraction from my phone.”

 “I will go.” Momo set down her teacup and squinted for a second in thought. “Never have I ever had a crush one someone in our class.”

 Your heart jumped. So far, all the never have I ever were not juicy, the dares were a little bit, but you had been safe. Silence fell in the room and everyone just looked at each other. Ochako sighed again and shook her head.

 “This isn’t fair.” She said and raised her hand to say she had done it. Nobody was surprised at that one.

 Jirou raised her hand slowly too, “You guys already know, I don’t know why I’m so nervous still.”

 Hagakure jumped up and squealed. “I don’t know if I have a crush on anyone but all the boys are just so handsome! Does that count?”

 “No, I don’t think so.” Momo shook her head. “I hope you don’t count Mineta in that one.”

 “No, definitely not Momo.” Hagakure said seriously and sat down.

 You sighed; you had no more time to stall. Putting up your hand slowly trying to not get attention on it, but it failed. It was like all the girls had a radar on you because they all saw you at once.

 “Y/N!” Mina squealed.

 “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting this,” Momo said with her hand to her mouth.

 “You have to tell us who.” Tsu smiled at you.

 “No. I can’t.” You shook your head and picked at your fingernails trying to get them to change the subject.

 “Okay then, I dare you Y/n. Tell us who you like!” Ochako said abruptly.

 “Hey! This is not how the game works.” You said back to her.

 “Does everyone agree on this dare?” Ochako asked looking around gaining a nod from all the girls. You groaned and laid down onto your back grabbing the pillow neck to you covering your face. “C’mon Y/n! You have to.”

 You mumbled into your pillow hoping they would take it as the answer.

 “Nope, not gonna work. You’ve got tell us outright.” Hagakure reached over and tugged on the pillow. Tsu also poked your side to get you to sit up, you yelped and sat up shoving her hands away.

 “Okay fineee. It’s Kirishima.” You mumbled grabbing onto your knees and pulling them close.

 “Did you hear what she said?” Mina asked Ochako, and she shook her head.

 “I didn’t either, Mina.” Momo agreed with them. They all stared at you waiting.

  “Kirishima.” You said louder this time. Just like Ochako, your face erupted in a blush.

“WHAT!?” Mina was the first one to scream.

 It was no doubt everyone was shocked. The two of you were really good friends, he was one of the first ones you had made in the class. He was hilarious and caring the two of you always had fun when you were together. You could say he was nearly your closest friend out of everyone in your class.

        Almost every weeknight you and Kirishima did your homework together, mostly it was you answering his questions and helping him with anything he didn’t understand. You would take breaks periodically, eating dinner together when the class didn’t make a big one, playing video games if you were in his dorm.

 Sometimes others would join your studying and you would take it to one of the common rooms in the building. A lot of times after both of you finished your homework, you’d watch Netflix or a movie, occasionally you’d play board games. It was some of your favorite times to spend with him.

 Kirishima told you one time after finishing your homework pretty late when you were watching his favorite Anime together that he loved to cuddle. You could tell that he was getting very tired, and so were you.

 “I didn’t want to say anything too soon because I didn’t know if you liked that. But I love to cuddle. Especially when I get really tired, it's my favorite thing to do.” He told you and yawned.

 “What do you do when you can’t cuddle with anyone? Do you spoon your pillows?” You laughed when he shoved your shoulder slightly.

 “Actually yes, I do.” You burst out laughing at his answer, he started laughing too. “Hey, don’t knock it till you try it Y/n.” He defended himself and pointed at his pillows. “It's comfortable snuggling into them.”

 “Okay, I trust you.” You said after shaking your head, and you noticed him staring at you with literally almost puppy dog eyes. “Do you want to cuddle, Kiri?” 

 “Oh my gosh, yes. I thought you’d never ask.” He immediately wrapped his arms around you and pulled you to him, leaning back into the wall behind you. You wrapped your arms around his waist and laid your head on his shoulder. Kirishima was right, it was very comfortable. Especially he was, you had thought that he’d be kind of hard considering his quirk and his muscles, but he was incredibly good at cuddling.

 “Kiri, you’re so comfy.” You said after a few minutes, and you felt his arms squeeze you closer.

 “So are you. It’s so nice to have someone to cuddle with that’s not a pillow.” You laughed again and he rested his chin on your head lightly, “You think we could work this into our

homework routine?”

 “Yes. Every night.”

 “What if we’re studying with someone else?” He asked and you moved to look up at him.

 “Hmmm, pretend we’ve never studied before so then we can just cuddle instead.” You said and cuddled back into him.

 You could feel his chest vibrate when he laughed at your answer, “Okay, that works for me.”

      The girls made you spill everything after your dare. They completely ditched the game and started asking you questions. You told them about the cuddling and the homework nights. About the times Kirishima had helped you train your quirk. The girls didn’t spare any questions at all.

 “So when did you realize you had a crush on him?” Momo asked.

 You had to think for a second. “Maybe it first happened when we started to cuddle, but I don’t think I realized it until a little bit ago. I started to get excited to study or train with him. Or spend time with him at all, but then I started feeling nervous too. I think it was butterflies, and one weekend we went shopping together, I don’t know what for but I remember in one of the stores looking at him and I could hear my heartbeat. Kirishima was so cute, he was looking at Crimson Riot merch and he was so excited about finding something new. I’d say I realized that day, that I liked him.”

 “Oh my god. Y/n that is so cute I could die!” Hagakure squealed and Ochako hugged you laughing. Soon after that everyone decided to go to sleep for the night, the excitement had worn everyone down and it had gotten very late, it was past midnight.

 You curled up in your sleeping bag and picked up your phone. You had put it on silent so it wouldn’t annoy any of the girls during the games you played. A few notifications were on the screen, and you saw Kirishima texted you.

 The first one said, “Hey! A new season of my favorite Anime was just released!”

 Almost immediately after that a second one he sent read, “Whoops I forgot you’re having a girls night. Sorry! Have fun.”

 A couple of hours later he sent a final one, it was a picture of his pillows along with a text, “I miss cuddling with you, my pillows don’t laugh at my jokes :( Goodnight y/n, see you tomorrow!”

 He was so cute you thought you were going to melt.

       The night of the Christmas party came faster than you expected, your last present for Kirishima finally arrived that morning and you barely had any time to pick it up after classes ended. The whole day went by in a blur, and you were left with just enough time to get ready and wrap the presents. You had gotten Kirishima two because you couldn’t resist once you saw the second one.

 The gift for the Secret Santa was a nice gift, and you were excited to give it to him. The other one you were going to hold off until after the party, it was a little bit out there, but you knew he’d find it hilarious.

 After wrapping the gifts, you got ready. It didn’t take long until you did the finishing touches to your hair and makeup, then you put on the dress you bought with Mina and Momo. Then you thought maybe you wanted to wear something else. That caused you to change in and out of four different outfits several times, it was almost time to go down for the party.

 Kirishima had texted you before you got ready if you wanted to go down to it with him since both of your dorms were luckily on the same floor. Of course, you said yes, you were excited. But because of your rushed idea to change outfits at the last second, you missed his text saying he was outside your door, and you also didn’t hear him knock on it either. You finally picked the first dress you put on and as you started to pull it up, your door opened. You froze when you locked eyes with Kirishima as he stepped into the room. After a second of staring his brain registered what he saw, and his hands flew up to cover his face.

 “Oh my god, I am so sorry!” He exclaimed, turning around and you yanked the dress up, trying to zip it in the process. “I texted you and knocked, but I got no answer, so I got worried!”

 “No! It’s okay! It’s my fault I missed it.” You tugged at your zipper again, but it stuck in place. You paused for a second and kicked yourself, if you hadn’t switched your dress a thousand times you wouldn’t be in this, and Kirishima wouldn’t feel guilty. “Um, Kirishima?” Your voice cracked at your nervousness.

 “Yeah?” He said, still facing the other way.

 “Can you help me with my zipper, I got it stuck.” You could feel your face burning as you asked him.

 “Oh, um, yeah.” He stood facing the wall for a second, “Can I turn around now?”

“Mhmm.”

  “Okay, let me help you.” He took his hands away from his face and turned around. You spun around once he got to you, you didn’t want him to see your face flushed. The warmth of his hands went through the thin fabric at your waist and you shivered at it. He was so gentle pulling the zipper loose from where it was stuck and pulling it up all the way, being careful to move your hair out of the way. “All done.”

 You smiled and turned to face him; the blush felt less than before. Hopefully, he didn’t hear your heart racing now though. “Thank you. I’m sorry for before, I should’ve looked at my phone. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

 “Hey,” Kirishima grabbed your tense shoulders and smiled softly, “It’s not your fault, it was mine.” He pulled into him and wrapped his arms around you. All the awkwardness drained

from your body at the hug. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

 You laughed and hugged him back, “You didn’t, Kiri don’t worry.”

He squeezed your shoulders and brought his head close to your ear and whispered. “Good,

because you looked really good, Y/n. So beautiful.”

 Chills went down your body and you felt your blush come back. Kirishima pulled back like it was nothing and walked to the door. He opened it and held out his hand towards you.

 “Wanna go to the party now that we’re all dressed?”

 You couldn’t believe what just happened, but Kirishima’s grin towards you caused you to giggle. “Okay, yeah let’s go.” Grabbing his hand, you began to leave your dorm. At the last second, you remembered the gift you were supposed to bring and you quickly grabbed it before you left.

     The party went by very smoothly, the food was so good, and the decorations were fantastic. Bakugo and Sato prepared dinner along with a few other classmates. Momo, Jirou, and Sero had put up the decorations. Everyone went through a game of Candy Cane Olympics, Bakugo was the winner and he had nearly trampled Midoriya for the title. Kaminari and Jirou won the Karaoke competition. It was nearly time for everyone to pass out presents.

 You were so excited to give Kirishima his gift. You had been getting butterflies the entire time, especially every time you caught him staring at you and then one time that he winked while smirking. It was a good thing you were sitting down for that one, it hit you hard. You were not expecting it, but it was a good surprise.

 After a bit you sat on one of the couches by the tree with a few of your classmates, setting your gift on the table next to you. Not long after you did, Kirishima came up and plopped onto the couch next to you. Immediately he put his arm around your shoulders and squeezed you close to him.

 “You’re so warm, did you swap quirks with Todoroki?” You asked quietly, nestling into his side.

 “Hah, maybe I did on accident.” Kirishima laughed.

 “Good, I like it warm.” You said.

 “Oh, you like his quirk? Are you cuddling with someone else?” He pretended to be shocked.

 “Maybe… You didn’t know?” You feigned innocence, “Dang, I thought this was a multi-person cuddle thing. My bad.”

 Kirishima moved his mouth close to your ear, whispering deeply “Well, we’ll have to change that, won't we? I don’t like to share.”

 Before you could say anything back to him you caught Mina staring at you grinning and nudging Jirou. That couldn’t be good.

 “Okay, everyone! It’s time for Secret Santa exchange!” All your classmates started moving excitedly, and you were confused when Kirishima didn’t move.

 “Don’t you have a gift for someone?” You asked him.

 “Oh, yeah I had Tsu. I gave her my gift for her earlier this week. It was a couple of really cool wool sweaters I found, and it got really cold this week I figured she could use them.”

 “Awe, you are such a sweetheart. Who would’ve known Kiri.” You laughed at his fake offended face.

 “I am hurt that you think so little of me, Y/n.” Kirishima laughed.

 “I’m just kidding, you’re the nicest person I know.” You said and his expression softened.

 “Shouldn’t you give your gift out? I don’t want to be keeping you stuck here.” He started to get off the couch. You grabbed his arm, stopping him from moving.

 “I got you for Secret Santa.” You grabbed the present from the table beside you and handed it to him.

 “Awe really?! That’s so cool, y/n.” He smiled at you and looked down to the present in his hands, then it hit you, you grabbed the wrong gift. The one that was meant for him to open in front of everyone during the party was up in your dorm still. The present he was holding was bigger and more square than the actual gift. You had given him the gag gift, the inside joke one. Your stomach dropped to the floor. You must’ve grabbed the wrong one when you hurried out of the door.

 “Wait! Kirishima, don’t open that.”

 “What do you mean, of course I’m going to open it.” He didn’t waste a second and tore into the green wrapping paper. This was going to be embarrassing. It didn’t take long at all for him to open the gift at all. Your nerves were soaring when he finally turned it over to the front side.

 “Oh my god, Y/n…..” Kirishima said staring at the gift. It was a pillow. You wished that was the only thing, but the pillowcase over it was the best part of the gift. It was black, and a picture of you in the middle of it. You held up peace signs and your tongue stuck out. The words ‘hug me’ under the picture of you. He was so quiet, you realized he probably hated it.

 “I’m so sorry! That wasn’t the right gift… I-“

 Kirishima cut you off, with a loud bark of laughter. “Holy crap this is amazing! How did you even do this?”

 You looked at him in shock. “What?”

 “Y/n this is so fricking cool, now I can sleep with you every night!” He said very excitedly. That gained your classmate's attention. Mina stared at you with wide eyes and your cheeks flamed. You jumped up and grabbed his hand pulling him up.

 “Follow me.” You said quickly and rushed towards the elevators.

 “Where are we going?” Kirishima laughed trying to keep up with you.

 Once you made it to the floor of your dorms, you went straight to yours. “When we had our little incident earlier I grabbed the wrong gift. I got you that one to give to you in private.”

 “Oh, you don’t want others to know about our cuddle sessions.” He said smirking.

 “That’s not it at all,” You spoke coming to your door and going it. Kirishima followed you, still holding onto the pillow. You were glad that he didn’t leave it on the couch next to him.

 “When I pulled your name for the Secret Santa I was a little disappointed.” His smile faltered a bit, “No! Not like that, I just was excited to get you something special for Christmas. I wanted you to open that in private because it is really special to me. The time you spend with me.”

 “Y/n,” He said softly and walked closer toward you. “I know, it is really special to me too.”

Your chest warmed when he said that. You reached to grab his other gift. “This was the one I wanted you to open for the Secret Santa. I think you’ll really like it, but I didn’t want you to think I just got you something because I pulled your name, Kiri.”

 He took the gift from your hands, looking at you before opening it. His hands were so gentle pulling apart the wrapping paper, very different than downstairs. The first thing he saw was the manga set of his favorite anime the two of you had watched every night together.

 “Wow, thank you.” He said smiling up at you.

 “There’s something else, open the little box.” You said the butterflies in your stomach had flown to your heart now. Kirishima slowly took the lid off the white box. You heard him gasp slightly when he saw what it was. Inside the box were two things, a necklace, and a small keychain. “The keychain is the first-ever merch for Red Riot.”

 He looked stunned. “How did you get this?” His voice was so soft, and quiet.

 “A few months ago right after your first patrol with Fatgum that went viral, I looked up to see if you had merch. There was a preorder for a small company that produces Fatgum’s and Suneater’s merch. It was this keychain, I bought it right away.”

 The key chain was the R from his hero costume. It was red, there was a thin outline of black and an outline of white around the R. Inside the R was his name and hero name.

 “I didn’t know if you’d be interested in it, but there are matching keychains of Fatgum and Suneater. I got them too for you if you want them.’

 Kirishima ran his hand around the R, admiring the keychain. “Y/n. This is perfect. I can't even tell you how much I love it. What’s the necklace? Is it merch too?”

 “Oh. No, I made that one. My mom helped me with it, she makes jewelry.” You said you could feel tears pricking the back of your eyes at his reaction. “I, um. It’s made out of ruby beads, and black chain.”

 It was a necklace with a black chain, in the middle was a red RR pendant, on each side of it were three glass black beads.

 “I wanted you to have something else that no one would have. Something only from me. Because both you and Red Riot are one of the most important people in my life.” You whispered; your hands were starting to shake from the butterflies fluttering wildly inside you. “I have a matching one too. It’s a bracelet though, so it’s not the exact same.”

 You took the bracelet out of the bowl on your nightstand, showing him.

Kirishima was completely quiet for a moment, just staring at the necklace. You began to get worried.

 “Kiri? Do you like it?” He didn’t answer your questions. “You don’t have to keep it! I can take it back if you don’t like it. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t-“

 You were interrupted when his hands softly grabbed your face. Then he kissed you. It was slow at first, you were caught off guard. When you realized what was happening you kissed him back. His arms moved to wrap around your waist, and he deepened the kiss. You could feel your flush. Your arms moved on their own and wrapped around his neck, once buried in his hair, the Santa hat on his head fell to the floor.

 He pulled back very slightly for a breath and went back in for a kiss again. It was breathtaking and you felt like you were floating. After a few more seconds you pulled back to breathe. Kirishima rested his head against your forehead. His red eyes staring into yours, the butterflies in your bodies felt like they were breaking free.

 “Y/n. Don’t ever apologize for a gift again.” He said pulling you to sit on the edge of your bed.

 “Do you like it?” You asked hopefully.

 “I am not kidding when I say this is the best gift I have ever gotten in my life. I can’t even believe you got all this for me. There are so many meanings within these few things. I love them.” He cupped your face again and reached for something in his pocket. It was a small white box with your initials on the left corner of it.

 You took it from him when he held it out to you. “What is this?”

 “So, I don’t have the skills to make you something special, and also you don’t have any merch out yet. Sorry, this is awkward…” He laughed and rubbed his neck.

 “Hey, no it’s okay.” You said, moving your free hand and placing it on his cheek. You opened the box, inside was a ring. In the middle of it was a small gemstone of your birth month, on each side was a small clear crystal. Tears pricked your eyes once again, “Kiri..” You whispered you took it out of the box and it was a perfect fit. You looked up at him once again, “I love it. Thank you!”

 “Y/n, you are so welcome. You deserve so much more than I can give you right now.” You leaned in to hug him and he returned it immediately. His large arms wrapping around you, warming your whole body. When you both pulled away he grinned at you, “I also got you a year membership for your favorite café, it’s one drink or food item free a day but I think it’s worth it.” He laughed and laced his fingers through your hand. “I want to take you there for the first day though.”

 You waited a second before you got the courage, “Kiri?”

 “Yeah?”

 “Do you want to go there as a date?” You could practically see the butterflies from your stomach in the room now.

 “I was just about to ask that,” He said grinning again, “Are you psychic, y/n.”

 “I am actually, I didn’t think you’d ever find out!” You gasped, Kirishima laughed at your response.

 “I may not be book smart, but I can read you like a book.” He said, “Wait, don’t say anything that didn’t make sense.”

 “I like you so much Kiri, I wanted to tell you for a bit but I didn’t know if you liked me back.” You said looking down at your hands, when he squeezed your hand you looked up again. “But I don’t know how I didn’t see it this whole time, how much you meant to me, and how you feel about me too.”

 “Y/n, I have never felt so many feelings for someone before,” Kirishima said, his eyes seemed to sparkle when you met them. “I care so much about you, more than anyone.”

A huge yawn ripped from your throat breaking the trance the two of you were in. You laughed and stood up, pulling Kirishima along with you. “I’m really happy that you liked my gifts.”

 “I loved them; they were all so special to me in a different way.” He said looking softly at you, “Just like you, y/n. The pillow though was so great where did you even find it?” You just grinned and shrugged at him. He shook his head leaning down to the floor, he grabbed the pillow you gave him. “Can you stay in my room tonight? I really want to cuddle with you right now, more than ever.”

 “Let me change first.” You said smiling at him.

 Without missing a beat, he leaned in placing a kiss on your lips again. You deepened it, grabbing his shirt pulling him closer. After a second, he grabbed your hand and pulled you to the door. “You can wear my clothes, I can’t help myself you’re too cute. He then pulled you out of your room. You left the butterflies behind in your room, no longer nervous just very excited to wake up in his arms, not having to pull yourself from his grasp at the end of the night like before.

[turinn]

Naive

Ray Blackwell x M!Reader

Summary: An invitation at a party reveals that Luka had no idea you’re gay, and brings up a concern you hadn’t had before. Tags: Crack, fluff, secret relationship, mention of homophobia, alcohol consumption A/N: This is based on a dream I had where Luka and I had this exact conversation and when I woke up and remembered it I nearly threw up laughing. I did actual research for the girls outfit and hair bc im a fashion history nerd. the pocket watch i just thought was cute. Fenrir calls the reader fruity but its okay bc hes gay too god bless Word Count: 1.5k

The party was the usual affair expected of the Godspeed's, an air of elegance- present but not too overbearing- hanging over the large hall. Music drifted gently to your ears as you took everything in, a small smile settling on your face.

You couldn't help but feel a little underdressed. The officers had, of course, kept their uniforms on, but everyone else present was dressed to the nines. You'd thought the suit you wore was lovely when you and Seth had seen it last week, dark blue with a white trim, paired with a pale cyan tie and pocket square. The gold watch that settled comfortably in your pocket had been a gift from Blanc, supposedly made by Oliver to look similar to his own, to commemorate your decision to stay in Cradle. Compared to everyone else, it felt rather simple now, but you pushed the thought aside. Nobody was judging what you were wearing, they were here to enjoy themselves same as you.

"Would you like a drink?" Ray asked, voice soft enough not to startle you too much. This wasn't too effective, as you'd gotten lost in your thoughts, and sort of forgotten there were people around you, but it was kind of him to try. "Oh, yes, please." You smiled at him and a moment later he'd walked off, talking to Sirius about something, leaving you alone with Luka. Fenrir had disappeared to greet his family when you'd first arrived, and Seth was who knows where, but you didn't mind it being just the two of you. Luka rarely came to these, in fact this was the first he'd been to since you'd arrived in Cradle, despite it being your fifth, and you decided someone should stick with him so he didn't feel quite as nervous.

As you turned to say something to him, you noticed a lady making her way over to the both of you, looking rather flustered. Her fists were clenched at her sides, and she seemed to be muttering something to herself, but it was clear she had intent to speak to one of you. Perhaps she wanted to talk to Luka? He was cute, it wouldn't surprise you. What did surprise you, however, was when she walked up to you instead.

"Um, excuse me if this is far too forward, but... would you be interested in dancing with me?" She sounded so nervous, and you almost wanted to say yes. Any other man would have been lucky to get such an invitation- she looked stunning. She wore her hair in curls, gathered at the back of her neck, with a hairpiece of pale blue flowers was pinned at the front, a necklace donning the same type of flower hanging just above the neckline of her gown. The gown in question matched the colour of the flowers well, though the width of the crinoline supported skirt would have made you concerned about the logistics of dancing with her- if you'd had any intention of saying yes. Her cheeks were tinted pink as she chewed her bottom lip and waited for your answer, avoiding your gaze. A hand on your chest and a sincerely apologetic look on your face, you began to respond. "Oh dear. I'm terribly sorry, but you seem to have gotten the wrong end of the stick. You're a very attractive young lady but I'm afraid... how should I put this," You glanced at Luka for help, but he seemed to have no idea what you were trying to tell her, "I'm afraid I don't tend to set my eye on the ladies, so to speak." "You're... gay?" A sympathetic nod. "That's the ticket. Sorry, love." "Oh, it's not a problem! I'm really sorry to have bothered you!" She suddenly looked much less nervous, though a little embarrassed, and scurried off. You sighed. "I feel a little bad. I really hope she finds someone to dance with." Luka looked at you quizzically. "Why did you lie to her?" A confused laugh escaped you. "I'm sorry?" "You told her you were into guys. Why lie?" As he said this, Seth and Fenrir came up behind him, and hearing his question their eyebrows shot up. So did yours. Was he kidding? "Luka, sweetie, you have got to tell me what part of my personality made you think I was heterosexual, so I can set about changing it immediately." Seth choked on his drink, and though you flashed him a grin, you weren't entirely kidding. Going from Victorian London to a world where being gay was perfectly acceptable had been quite the change, but you'd been certain all of your friends had known. It's not like you were quiet about it, and sure, Luka was naive but... come on, now. "Wait are you... you were being honest?" "Yes?" "Luka," Fenrir began, stepping next to you and resting an elbow on your shoulder, "How have you seriously not noticed that he's gay yet?" "Well- there was no reason for me to assume!" "You watched me drunk make out with at least 2 different Black Army soldiers in my first month here!" Luka looked flustered, and utterly dumbfounded. The expression was one he wore often, usually when people insinuated that someone was in love- but somehow about five times more confused. He was unfortunate enough that Ray and Sirius returned at this moment, just in time to hear both your last remark, and his next one.

"I thought that was just something you did when you were drunk?" In another moment you were on your knees, legs shaking so much from laughter that you couldn't hold yourself up any longer. Fenrir was right there beside you, practically convulsing. Everyone else was laughing too- except poor Luka. You felt a little bad, truly you did, but this had to be the funniest thing you had ever heard. "He's completely straight, but watch out! Get a couple drinks in him and he turns fruity!" Fenrir managed to get out between cackles, and Ray was glad to have put your drinks down when Luka had last spoken, because he too nearly fell to the ground at this.

"Luka- Luka I'm sorry." You pulled yourself to your feet, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "We aren't laughing at you." Another fit of giggles overcame you. "Okay we kind of are, but it's not malicious or anything. That was just... hands down the funniest thing you've ever said." It took most of you 5 or so minutes to fully calm down from what he'd said, and anything that jogged your memories of it would bring you back to a state of uncontrollable laughter for the rest of the night. Luka came round to it being pretty funny after you talked him through the dozens of times you'd mentioned your sexuality to him since you'd met- every one of which had gone over his head.

Hours after the party had worn down and you'd all made your way home, you lay in bed, your head pressed against a familiar chest, and sighed. "What's up?" "I just... D'you think anyone else just hasn't realised?" Ray cocked his head, confused. "I'm gonna need a little more info than that, kitten." "I suppose I just... Back in London, it's not even legal to be gay, and I don't know if it ever will be. When I first came out to Fen, he told me that it was fine here, accepted and even celebrated. So, I guess I just thought that people wouldn't make the automatic assumption that I'm straight, y'know? I mean I talk about it a lot among you guys but- when I’m out and about... where do people think my final destination is? When I pick up a silly cat themed gift for you does the shopkeep think I’m buying it for my wife? It shouldn't be a big deal, I guess, but I'd never been able to be myself until I came here, and now it's like I can be me but... people will still only see who I am if I tell them. It's just weird is all. I dunno. Maybe I'm drunk." "You're not drunk. It's an understandable concern. I guess I've never thought about it, because whether or not people would accept that part of me has never been an issue, but the fact that you've had to hide it for so long and now that you're able to be open people still aren't seeing it must be hard. If you want we could... come out, so to speak?" Your eyebrows raised, and you moved back, propping yourself up on your arm so you could look your partner in the eyes.

It had been decided at the very start of your relationship, which had officially begun a few months after you'd made the choice to stay in Cradle, that the two of you would keep it under wraps for a while. Being from the Land of Reason was more than enough reason for people to take an unwanted interest in you, and you didn't need the extra attention being the King of Spades' partner would garner. Plus, anyone with a grudge against Ray would see you as a target the second you announced it. It had been a sensible suggestion on his part, one you hadn't hesitated to agree to, and as far as you knew only Sirius and Fenrir knew about your relationship. Fenrir because he had walked in on you sitting in Ray's lap while he worked late one night, and Sirius because- well, can anything get past that guy? And now, Ray was offering to tell the entirety of Cradle you were his, just so that you didn't feel like you were hiding your identity anymore? You could feel your eyes starting to burn, and you cursed the late hour and the alcohol in your system for making you cry so easily, but... "I don't think we need to be that drastic. You were right when you said it would keep me safe for us to not be in the public eye, at least for now. I'm sure Seth can come up with some better way for me to tell the whole world I'm gay." "I don't doubt that at all." Ray grinned, placing a gentle kiss on first your forehead, then your nose, and finally on your lips. "Tomorrow, though. You need your beauty sleep." "Ah, yeah, can't risk getting ugly. My boyfriend might not want me anymore." You quipped. "Exactly." He smirked at you, turning out the light and pulling you into his arms.

[seb-owns-these-tatas]

Witcher of the Night (Chapter 19) (With visuals included 😉)

THIS IS MODERN ERA READER WHO WOKE UP IN THE DIMENSION OF THE WITCHER.

UPDATES FOR WITCHER OF THE NIGHT WILL BE PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY NOW IN MY TIME (GMT +8) (Posted earlier today, thank you very much for my thirst! Heehee!)

CHAPTER 18

WOTN MASTERLIST

Characters: Geralt of Rivia x small!Naive!Reader

Summary: Evil is evil. People and abomination may be the reason why the world can't be a better place especially in the continent.

Warnings: Blood. The 'Kikker' mentioned here ain't a real monster in the witcher. I just made it up. A bloody, thrashed reader. A maddened, feral, tired witcher. Degrading names. People being assholes. With Geralt’s visuals included but I don’t know how this is a warning?

Words: 5.6k

A/N: A story cannot consist of only glitters and rainbows. Sometimes, it's better to add darkness in it and a ton shit of angst. Heh. I’m cackling with the Geralt GIF’s I’ve included. It’s like he’s so bored and done af while talking to anyone. 😭😂😂😂 GERALT, OH GERALT. I DESERVE A KISS GERALT FROM HOW DEDICATED I AM TO YOU! Please appreciate my effort, people! LMAO 😭😂💗 ENJOY AND HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!

TAGLIST IS STILL OPEN FOR THIS ONE! Heehee! Don’t forget to REBLOG, COMMENT OR GIVE FEEDBACK IF YOU DID LOVE THIS CHAPTER! IT’LL MAKE ME SMILE! Sorry for the grammatical errors and such because English isn’t my mother tongue! PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER READING, BB! This is kinda a rough draft. I apologize for many errors.

Disclaimer: PNG’s and pictures used in edits are not mine even the GIF’s too. However, the edits and this fanfic is definitely from moi. Character development and personalities are based from my understanding and how I want them to be.(Credits to those who made the GIF’s. Some don’t have their watermarks included. I don’t remember where I’ve saved the others from)

MY WORKS ARE NOT NOT NOT NOT NOOOOOOT TO BE POSTED ON ANY OTHER WEBSITES. My official username in Wattpad is “TATATHEPOTATO” and that’s the only other site I have for writing aside from Tumblr. Thank you, Tater tots!

It was at around nightfall when Geralt of Rivia has arrived at the foot of the castle's barbican, his swords lunched on his back with bags in his hand and a sour expression written on his picturesque face that screams he wasn't there for a peaceful negotiation.

He'd calmly walked along the aqueduct, his footsteps heavy and impatient as he dropped his bags on the ground, familiarizing over the enormous castle that stood before him and he couldn't help but sigh, atopic of the whole vibe that every castle has given the white wolf. He really didn't want to cross paths with the royals ever again after that show he had by helping Jaskier and he hoped that his help for you didn't include another child of surprise that can happen.

Group of cavaliers shielded the gates with their swords on their hands. Geralt kept silent with a stern purse of his lips and a tightened jaw, he heavily sighed another one and continued to be uncommunicative when one equestrian audibly nagged for what the butcher of Blaviken needed.

Geralt deliberately rolled his eyes as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, giving them a scowl in which they've didn't took it very nicely as they began to draw their swords.

The witcher has heard footfalls echoing from the castle, hasty and restive and it didn't take a second for Geralt to see the king's close friend and an advisor for the royal family emerge from the gates.

Eanraig came forth out of the port; one of Caed Myrkvid's druids and someone whom Geralt has been talking to since decades ago where he has visited Caed Dhu and having their first meeting in the black forest.

The scholar wore a brown long, surcoat as he step foot out of the gates, his white long beard and wild, unwashed gray wavy hair stopping on the tips of his shoulders. Thin lines of wrinkles crafted his face which has given him the look that he was nearly old. His grey colored eyes wholly jiggered to see the white wolf in the foot of their fortress and with an expression that simply tells him that he was pissed.

He always does look like it but the druid knew that Geralt was truly feeling that way and it wasn't just his normal face that you see everyday.

"Yield your swords this instance!"

Geralt gave him a nonchalant flicker of his eyes, opening his mouth to gruffly speak, "Eanraig." his face remained stoic, his timbre sounding utterly lackadaisical when he addressed the scholar.

Eanraig trudged his way to where he was. The soldiers immediately surrendering their weapons down as they firmly stood from side to side, watching the two acquaintances converse in a quiet and calm talk. The druid was cordial as he gave a smile, "Geralt of Rivia. They have been expecting you,"

"Hmm." the latter hummed out of nowhere, narrowing his golden amber eyes at the Elder Druid in acrimony, "---they've taken what's mine. I've been told to never step foot within the berm of eminent citadels,"

Sardonically speaking, Earnraig tilted his head to the side. The flicker in his eyes humorous and mocking, "Yet, here you are, witcher." he throatily chuckled and croaked, his voice sounding drier than usual due to being long in the tooth, "---I shall guess, you are here to save a lover?"

Geralt kept his mouth in a tight thin line, shifting his eyes away from the druid with his question unanswered by the witcher.

"What unlucky fate you have, Geralt. Your lovers always bring out the worst in you---because you don't appear to be in the greatest and friendliest condition,"

"When did I ever?" the white wolf hoarsely mumbled beneath his breath, sighing in the process of it all as he frowned, taking heed of the feeble man before him. His tone was derisive and saturnine for what caustic comment he curtly claimed, "---How are you keeping up with their scoundrel works of art?"

Eanraig smiled; though, Geralt read that it wasn't meant to say he was jovial over the regime and changes he has noticed when the world began to change. His smile was brittle and unconvincing, "I never did. Since Tybalt arrived and has been taken as the crown for our army of gallants, destitution has taken its place. Heedless for the Kaedwenians because of how the vampire is capturing women for safe keeping, greasing his own palms by selling them to anyone who will want them,"

The witcher expected that answer before even asking. He nodded back at the druid, completely austere and phlegmatic as he kept silent; not letting the scholar know what he was thinking. Eanraig lifted a hand to give Geralt a pat on his burly, armored shoulder.

"King Veduka and Queen Makeda will speak to you once we get there," pause. "---And I doubt they'll be happy to see a witcher who has rejected their favor after two years. Come,"

As that has been said, the gatekeepers unbolted the entryway; given the approval from the king's advisor as Geralt grabbed his belongings, stringing along with him as they walked the route towards where the gatehouse is. The earth toned portcullis at its full defense as he sees it from far north.

"I wouldn't be helping their beloved cursed prince when they haven't coerced me into complying, Eanraig."

The druid strolled objectively alongside Geralt, continuously discoursing in the subject about who made him adhere to the king's favors---taking one person for abduction and he was already showing himself to them with no begging included unlike staying thoroughly surreptitious in the deepest parts of Kaedwen's forest. Only one woman was needed for him to accept such.

"If only you would've seen how they saw this as an opportunity to benefit them. I know your woman doesn't belong to this world. They knew your weakness, Witcher."

Eanraig has heard him hum, lower than his usual habit of susurration and it sounded like a sound of disapproval, "The sorceress has plans for her. Tybalt has hunted down a woman who exactly looks and sounds like her. But, exactly the opposite from her characteristics. She was one of Kaedwenians sly thieves."

Savia. He suddenly remembered out of the blue as he kept tacit. She was the woman who looked exactly like you despite of having the contrary of her traits over yours. Geralt pondered over the thought, finding it difficult to decipher how there was another person like you in his universe, a doppleganger of some sort that was entirety a clone of your genetics. Maybe Savia was a doppler or his midget? No. You were teleported to their dimension with no magic nor strength to do so.

What was seriously happening in the continent?

Eanraig saw how Geralt was in deep thought for what was shared; never one to beat around the bush; he enunciated straight to the point, "The king has been convinced that she's her twin. Howbeit, I never believed it nor did Ingrith or Tybalt. It was the queen's manipulation because her double has taken one of her favorite Cobalt necklaces that was given by the king,"

"---and now, they are starving her to death. Even walloped with a stick on her back till she was bleeding and wounded,"

The sentence has given Geralt a whiplash. He ceased from walking alongside Eanraig, his stature turning rigid and immobile with his jaw clenching for what was heard. Did he heard him right?

You are being aggressed in the hands of another when he does not lay a single hand on you; being battered by humans who didn't know exactly who you are nor do they have proof that you are the person who has stolen items from the queen.

"What?"

Eanraig's fair share of talk explains why his chest felt suffocating and utterly uneasy. They were hurting you till the heart of the sorceress was content enough.

The druid continued his blabbers, heedful of Geralt's stiff stance and his sudden reclusive mood, "---Ingrith told the queen that she was somehow cursed with a fate just like you,"

It wasn't a second of waiting till Geralt hoarsely mumbled his feelings out in the open and only for the scholar to hear, "Fuck." he raved, the witcher's thick eyebrows in a tight twist. His forehead creasing with deep wrinkles for his blood to boil even faster. He turned his head to the side, his teeth tightly gritted together as he went livid.

"That doesn't sound quite nice," Eanraig shifted his attention towards the raging white wolf who was glaring at the tall castlewalls in front of them, shooting daggers after daggers with his fists tightly clenched on his sides. A predatory glaze in his glowing eyes that stood under the pale moonlight, the ferocity bouncing back as he tried to calm him down. He reached out a hand to palm Geralt's tense shoulder, giving him a pat.  

"Now, now, now, Weccan. Do not let your anger control you."

"How can I?!" Geralt spat in his utmost feral tone; fierce and aggressive for thinking how you were drowning in your own blood right at this moment.

The witcher was growling beneath Eanraig's touch; his anger felt through his body as Geralt was breathing in deep slow breaths, trying to control how his mind instantly went straight into knowing who has given orders to hurt you. There was an ample amount of the fact that you could be cut off a limb over stealing something you surely have been accused of. The Druid stepped in front of him, clasping both his fingers on his shoulders to break whatever thoughts he was thinking as he stared straight into his wrath-filled eyes.

"I've already treated her wounds---But, I think it isn't enough for how she's raining on their blows. You should have just accepted the first time they've asked a favor before it even ended up this way,"

Geralt's upper lip twitched from how he was silently basking in his displeasure and rue; never wanting to open his mouth at the moment for fire might escape his mouth with how maddened he was feeling. The tight stones topping off his chest and making him more uneasy than he can ever get.

"Vesemir has taught you to never uphold the law," Eanraig added as a matter of fact, pursing his lip as he continued, the look in his eyes utterly amused for how Geralt's destiny was falling in the wrong places, but emotionally feeling as if it was right because you came along, "---but, you are here to save such love that will never overcome the law that people have been following,"

The Druid has heard him huff from the choices of his words, looking away to stare at the castlewalls, digging up holes that he had been gathering since the moment he arrived, "You are saving the love of your life,---" he paused, a smile forming on Eanraig's decrepit face; his deep wrinkles forming as his face contorted in sheer entertainment.

"---and the woman who shall make miracles come true,"

Geralt was immediately taken to the abandoned round tower; where Prince Althalos has been staying since he has been cursed---bullish that they could keep him there and away from people. The prince has not been damned as a beast just like Nivellen. The prince has been cursed as a Kikker. A harmless monster in their world that only kills his own kind as well. They were found in the caves, masking in their solidarity until the full moon comes out and their hunger will be very much triggered to find something to munch on.

When they could not find their own kind to devour, they somehow manage to eat others instead.

Geralt couldn't help but snicker to his own at that, maybe the prince was kind of harmful instead of harmless that Sorceress Ingrith might have described him, peppering her words with pleasant lines that the witcher was highly disappointed of because she sounded as if she was in favor for what was happening.

He walked along the doors in an unfettered march of his feet, humming in displeasure with a scowl twisting his features that turned into tiny smirk; noting the buffet of abundant food that was left unfinished due to reasons he didn't know about as it happened before he arrived.

The tight grimace written on his face was enough for the king to know that he has not seen you yet since the moment you've arrived. Ingrith has probably prohibited him to as she has lead him to the prince.

King Viduka sat on his chair; proud and virtuous in the middle of a long table where he was left alone. The witcher has never seen the king up until today and one thing's for sure as he noticed the pale, horrid color of his skin. Just as much as how his have been, tinted in the lightest color that can be considered as if the king has no blood to function properly like how a king should have been.

His eyes were almond shaped, but with a nebulous glow swimming in the hazel color---appearing to be like he was being cast in a deathless spell or such poison that had a long term effect.

But, Geralt mindlessly shook his worries away from the people who have given you pain. The queen has probably been giving King Viduka such concoctions that could make him submit to her on whatever she wanted---with the help of the sorceress of course.

"He needs help," he bluntly started before he was even asked to speak, raising both brows for wanting to tell the king that he also needed help for whatever Queen Makeda has been giving him. Howbeit, Geralt has shut his mouth tight and hardly tried to become forth with respect amongst the king.

The king audibly sipped on his wine, casting him a glance under the antique glass he has chugged on. His expressions incomprehensible for the white wolf because of how horrid and disheveled his beard and mustache is. Though, his response made Geralt know he was giving him a lour, "This is why you've been dragged here to serve your purpose,---" pause. "---The only thing that can get your mutations quite useful for our world besides butchering my people. I've heard you've slaughtered my men,"

Geralt's mouth formed a tight thin line from the king's bald comment, his jaw set to create a grouch that the king has expected from his kind---the lack of emotion thereof and also the bluntness that the witcher may cannot control no matter if the person in front of was highly or not.

"Because your beloved army leader has been forcing women held captive," the white wolf stated as a matter of fact, cocking his head to the side as if it was a cocky comment.

King Viduka scoffed from his sheer honesty; skipping the dillydally that most men have been giving him due to being royal, "---and what has saving people benefit to you, witcher? must I say, you have not receive coins from it, correct? or was it because of the little woman? you are killing off my kind to save yours,"

Between them both was an understanding of protection from Geralt. He stood before him with a will that he had back in the marketplace. The white haired witcher was standing inside his castle with a purpose that he surely deciphered from using you as a bait to comply.

You were too important for him that the king could feel that Geralt will be begging for more than just your safeguard.

"Your way of asking favors can be quite disappointing for a king,"

Out of the blue, he's heard metal slice through its own accord; both knights who stood beside King Viduka unraveled their weapons, pointing them at Geralt who stood with a nonchalant expression on his face, thoroughly not moved nor impressed by their reactions---perhaps, also in a shitty mood for ruining his week by kidnapping you in the comfort of his home.

"Sheathe your swords," the king commanded to the hostile cavaliers; not taking a second to drop their weapons as they were told.

Geralt continued to educate the king in his perspective and comprehension over his cursed son; remembering how his school has taught him countless of monsters he could never forget.

"Call your son 'the frog prince' or some hideous sort," his eyebrows jutted closer as he sternly explained, "---but, this work is not made by a monster for me to hunt,"

King Viduka couldn't help but lean away from the back of his throne, his eyes adamant that he was not serious over telling him that his son may not be assisted by the Witcher

"---He is cursed by a witch. I do not butcher people for the sake of someone else's life,"

The words that left Geralt's mouth felt like a rejection or an offense that King Viduka has never experienced from anyone else. He couldn't believe what he was hearing---he couldn't accept such abnegation over a mutant who was crude and utterly unaccepted by humanity. His highness has quickly stood from his seat, throwing his glass on the floor which has shattered but has not surprised Geralt nor have receive a jerk of his body from his sudden anger---the antagonism coming was a result of a witcher that they have tried contacting or following around for two years; begging help for the future of Kaedwen.

Yet, he came to the palace with his foot up his mouth. Straightaway, sounding like he was declining the proposal.

The king was entirely disappointed by how useless he was being.

"---you are good-for-nothing! A hypocrite who says he does not kill another to save someone else's!" King Viduka has spat completely enraged, "---Yet, you have saved your tiny whore by killing mine!"

The white wolf couldn't help but clench his fists on his sides, clenching his teeth behind his closed mouth; his golden peepers glaring before the dependable king who kisses whatever Queen Makeda has been walking upon---a king who does not care for the people as long as he saves his.

Irritation was written all over Geralt's face, hearing what King Viduka has described you for what purpose you have in his life. Being nothing but a woman who could cater to his lechery when you had not been at all.

His midget was more than that. Definitely not his whore that people has been accusing you of.

Geralt's selfishness for rejecting the king's offers right on his face was like asking to be beheaded. He does not want to be involved by such ever again when he has no idea who this witch may have been. If being frank over the king was like asking to be beheaded, then a search for a witch that does not want to be found was waiting for a monster to put him into demise.

"I do not regret what the queen has done for punishing. Your tiny harlot has taken something valuable from her and corporal punishment was the answer that we all see fit---seeing that she might have sold the necklace for the sake of you wanting more coins,"

He subtly shook his head from the king's indefinite accusation, verbally fighting for your safety and for the truth that may set you free, "She is not the thief you have been accusing her about."

Yet, the king was determined of his opinions---the queen's opinions over you; seeming to be brainwashed by both women who was a shadow of his reign. One greedy sorceress and the other was his cunning beloved that no matter what other people say, he shall not believe because only his trusted people were right.

Geralt heavily sighed, seeing King Viduka shooting daggers towards him. His eyes wild and disappointed, utterly vexed for what he has heard.

"The world may say that you own two swords. One for killing humans and the other for slaughtering beasts," he deadpanned, bane spitting out of his mouth as he sharply stared at Geralt who sighed for his resoluted perception.

"---but, I doubt you do not know the differences of each as of now,"

After minutes of his silence, Geralt may have not realized that from the moment he opened his mouth, his teeth was barred, fangs overlooked by the king because of his unspoken thoughts; by not being heard by a person who had his mind closed for whatever he has to say and so, the butcher of Blaviken breathed a few heavy sighs, promptly shutting his eyes closed before he spoke through gritted teeth.

"Let me see her. I need...to see her, your highness."

He was stunned to hear himself plead before a disagreeable human. A selfish entitled man who knew nothing how to raise a kingdom. The rebellious son of the previous king has been forced into this madness and manipulation from everyone that he does not see.

The latter waited for any oracular answer. They've shared stares and huffs of breath before Geralt shook his head, turning on his heel to leave immediately because he knew that his request for seeing you will never be given. Might search for you instead, he silently thought to himself with a tight scowl on his face.

"Bring her in,"

He stopped short from hearing the king's words. Ceasing himself in the midst of marching off, his back towards the king when it has not taken the horsemen a minute to drag you to where he was.

Dragging was the correct term for your feeble, shaky demurrals out of the door. Your voice echoing from a far distance and Geralt couldn't help but shot a glance over the locked wooden doors, his amber eyes turning wider as your voice became clearer when each second passed by, hinting your status that you were not feeling well by the breathless, hoarse begging you've managed to beseech.

The doors opened to release two vulnerable knights wearing their commoner clothing and a small, fragile woman who was mistreated from her limbs; dragging you by your battered arms. Patches of blue and mauve painted your skin as if they were trying to beat you to death, a law back in the historical era where it was used for criminals or sinners to speak the truth or punished for their faults.

Your other cheek was swollen, vermillion owning a cut as if somebody has slapped you---also dehydrated from starving you for a day and a half, receiving no liquid to drink or anything besides their endless wallops.

The witcher was beyond shocked to even comprehend what he was seeing, his breath stopping from the moment he has seen you enter the room; utterly downtrodden, helpless and wounded.

"S-Stop...I-I don't...I don't need any more beating. I told you, I don't have your necklace. This amulet I have is mine. I didn't steal anything. Please---please tell me Geralt's here,"   King Viduka has gestured towards the horsemen; bringing up a finger to tell that they should show the witcher what you looked like to be hit in endless battering and how they've treated you before he even came around.

The knights tightened their hold against a mahogany, wooden stick. Hard enough to fracture your bones if it was given more power; but, Geralt knew what they were ordered to do before they can even move and he was quick enough to march towards where they were; graving and in distraught for what he felt. His chest suffocating and tight---anguished to see and desperate to keep you close in his arms.

He rushed to where you were hunched down and bleeding to death, shielding you from their assaults as the witcher draw out his metal sword from his back, angling the newly sharpened blade on one of the knight's jugular; golden eyes burning with betrayal and desolation for what they have done, for what power do people with royal blood have to hurt his person this way. They've treated you like a rag doll or a monster for making you bleed and even plan to starve you to death.

Their actions has made Geralt's blood boil in extremity.

"Do not dare---," he breathed fire, fuming as he warned. His words said with a fiery emphasis, "---touch or lay your hands on her,"

The smaller knight whom Geralt has pointed his sword upon growled in the back of his throat, a signal which has made him aim the tip of his sword against the vulnerable part---unbending and purposive for what he wanted them to apprehend that he was not flippant for unsheathing his steel sword.

"---people who knew better of my kind are heedful that I will not bat an eye to slit down your throats with my weapon,"

Geralt has heard you call out for him in a sapless shake of your voice and the simple acknowledgement has taken his attention away from the royal guards as he slightly turned his head behind---seeing you lay on the cold hard ground that made his mouth twitch, teeth barred and gritted and he couldn't help but emit a rough huff of his breath; sounding like a growl of his frustrations for letting this happen to his family.

King Viduka spoke in command, hiding the smile beneath his unkempt beard.

"Lay down your sword, Witcher. I do not plan to create bloodshed over the mutant who will help my son,"

Geralt avoided looking into their eyes and set his focus on the battered woman behind him who was coughing out her pain. You've used all your strength to pull yourself from the floors, your vision blurry and unclear for the tears you've shed all night, finding it hard to register that your witcher was finally within your reach. You thought it was all in the sense of hallucination until he'd hastily whispered the endearment that he had for you---the nickname you've hated prior of meeting him the first time, yet ending up missing the word when he doesn't use it for you.

His appearance was making your heart cry and eventually, you did after realizing a bunch of sobs escaping your lips when he has hauled you up in his arms; crouching before you and pulling your beaten body to his, aware from the pained whimper that followed suit and he was suddenly aware of using such strength with you---immediately turning gentle from your response.

"Midget?"

"G...Geralt? you're here..." you hiccuped from the cries, feeling the sting from the salt of your tears. Lately discovering the numb, sore feeling on your left eye and Geralt has eyed it with such animosity because it was a swollen wound.

Your vision turned clear after a languid blink of your eyes, welcoming his warmth that you've missed after being hurt by people who surrounded you who'd done it by physically doing so. The information you have gathered from the four corners of the cell you were in repeatedly replaying inside your mind; not bothering to forget to tell it to him besides your other secret that you ought not to tell yet.

"Don't...Don't find the witch..I-I've heard from the person with me---he's an elf. He said that this witch can never be found---it may be just a trap or an endless hunt for you,"

The latter was stone-deaf from your wounded image; his golden eyes large as if he couldn't believe what he was witnessing. Geralt didn't acknowledged your message and continued to state his own instead.

"They've hurt you."

He uttered in disbelief, intently examining your face near his. Your fingers were shaky as you reached up to touch his face. But, Geralt has beat you to it and grabbed yours instead, subtly shaking his head to silently tell you not to move for the pain it can cost. His rough hand was warm and comforting, giving solace in the midst of how being cold you were treated by their world. The only thing that was warm is Geralt and his family.

They were the only thing benevolent compared to their outskirts.

"They don't believe me. I--I never stole the queen's necklace. I--I have never left your home,"

"I know you didn't." Geralt gruffly muttered with a cordial, soft tone that made you sob more than ever---how nice it felt to have someone who actually believed you was like hopping in the shower after a summery day; refreshing to be hearing another person to fight for your truth rather than being forced to tell lies.

"You'll never get to find the witch, Geralt. Y-You'll never get to lift the curse because...because---"

The stammers you've emitted, how crucial it was to feel you in pain---finding ache in his chest from the moment he'd seen you in that status; painted like a rainbow shown after a heavy rain but drafted to show the suffering you've experienced in the castles of Kaedwen. His glowing golden eyes turned a shade darker, filling with sudden torment and affliction as you laid in his arms.

You've slightly turned your head, nuzzling to be shielded by Geralt's armored, hirsute chest that made you sigh after hours of trying to sleep on stones, finding home just by staying close to the white wolf.

"Your highness," Geralt abruptly spoke, making you shut your eyes open to hear what he needed to say. Based on how he set his mouth in a tight, straight line. Your witcher was setting down his bargains and favors that he certainly does not do for people of royal.

"I will seek for your witch," he stated with determination, his back towards the king; not taking the risk to let him see the ire pooling in his eyes as he continued.

"---in exchange for your people not to touch mine and if your sorceress, precious vampire or horsemen lay a single hand on her again, I will never hesitate to kill the witch and let your son die with his curse forever,"

Perturbed by his sudden declaration; stubborn to even listen for what he was about to expect by searching apparitions of a witch out in the woods. You've desperately called out his name in endless croaks, hopelessly pulling at his armor yet Geralt was having rigid opinions especially having you wounded in his arms.

"Cease her punishment. I will not save yours if I know that you are punishing my..."

Golden eyes keenly landed on yours, thoroughly protecting you in his sinewy limbs before he seriously and firmly declared another that has made your breath hitch for what he has said.

"---my betrothed,"

King Viduka briskly nodded for his request; badly in need of his aid for his son to live. There was an understanding that he will still keep you within the castle unless Geralt brings him the witch and reverse the curse. He'd kept his eyes on the witcher's back, sitting back on his throne with a smile on his face.

"You have my word, Geralt of Rivia."

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[namjooningelsewhere]

Hello, Leah 🥺😅 It's literally been so long since I made an appearance over here but I'm gald to see you doing better! I hope you are taking better care of yourself and are staying healthy!

Anyways, since I was away.. I noticed we are in chapter 13?! And I haven't read it since the 8th chapter, so I binged again and sent in one massive ask!

I think the whole threatening yn chapter really brought the boys to their senses, because I think now they won't be looking at haeun as this great person, but someone who has her flaws —not like outright dislike but with more caution.

I agree with Namjoon, yn is too nice for this world but I think if I was in her place, I would kinda forgive haeun too.. not to be understanding or anything but more like let's-get-over-with-this-bullshit kind of forgiving. I think yn would probably find it within her to hope for the boys' happiness which they claim Haeun gives them 🤡 she's too nice for them seriously!

Yn's answer to Haeun is a little heart-wrenching, I mean I wish the boys get to read it.. from the screenshots Harun sent or did she not send that part 🤔😢

Oh wait, she did send her reply! Wonder what the boys were thinking when they read it? Yes, tae —the duality is both terrifying and irritating!

I loved joon's over-cautious side that's finally reawakened after Haeun's entry! So now, won't the lease happen or is it like both the NDA and lease papers are mixed together to get her signature? It's super hot and bold of joon to place a 20 billion restitution, is that the word if she breaks contract! The woman could afford 20 Million apartment, you think she'll be able to pay 140 billion in her dreams even?

If you feel like you need to have an NDA for your current relationship, you might just want to call it quits. I'm glad yoongi gound it, because I was kinda wondering what's up with him.. I want to know more of his and the others thoughts.

Don't you think we are transitioning to grade a assholes🙄 Great question, guys 🤩 You became the assholes the minute you decided to not-literally cheat on yn with Haeun 😂

Yes, babies! Yn deserves some grand good time with her friends 🥺🥺 baby's been working so hard, she deserves a great holiday 🥰 Does Haeun know of the boys' twitter accounts? I don't think she does but wouldn't it be fun? With how open and kinda vulnerable they seem on there.

I wish I could get friends like dan and jiah! Flying from another country to spend time with me, I'd probably cry myself dry!

So, I think I kinda saw the let's-get-prod.suga-to-produce-for-you coming! I mean it's about time they start taking advantage of him properly, you know. I love how brazen and open they are about the boys just being their one-way ticket to the superstars league.. a little bit of shame would look good on them really but I think that's too much to expect from them..

I love that hobi and tae are a little unit now. I imagine if this was being shot for bangtan-bomb or something, there might just be tons of vhope moments —without Haeun of course.

I can only imagine the one-sided tension going on in their dorm 😂 they seriously brought this upon themselves 🤣 they could've just let her stay in her own place away from their home but no, move in with her, let's come home to each other and now you have no peace in your own home 😂😅 I wish I felt bad for you, but I don't, hobi and his bandwagon of idiots 😂🤡

I love tae 🥺 boy truly has the strangest plans to combat Haeun! First the necklace, then this drama deal and the dinner. I think it really shows how desperate he is at this point to just rid of her from his life. I wouldn't go around recommending friends I can't vouch for, let alone someone I don't like to great people. Also, it kinda does capture his whole deal —you know in run bts how he almost seems to shoot himself in the foot nearly always outrightly being honest, but the boys don't believe him and he just wins in the end 🤣 this drama deal seems like it. Haeun and everyone probably thinks she's got him all under her grasp but really this boy is just trying to be petty and get rid of her 😂 I wonder why he didn't just say he was the one behind the opportunity, surely that'd made him an instant favorite of Haeun's 🤮 or maybe that's why he hid it 😂 the-dark-night-singer-who-worked-with-suga, if this is how you are known in your industry, your name piggybacked onto a successful person's name, yeah —either do better and prove yourself or just quit because this really isn't it for you.

Not tae saying she's a good friend 🤔 is she though baby bear? Is she a good friend or the woman you cheated on your bubbles with? I'm still very pissed at the boys.. trust me, if I was their friend and was in the know of this bullshit —i'll be taunting and mocking them so much, they'll want a restraining order against me 🙄 but then again if I was yn's friend, I'll be the president of yn protection and keep the exes away squad.

I like Jinwoo and for some reason, I think he'll be more important in the future chapters? Or maybe not, it's just a thought. Tae saying his love interest is a talented cinematographer who's works speaks for herself 🥺 I would've gushed normally, but your pride is misplaced sweetie 🙄 you aren't in a position to be this proud of her. I'm sure he's realized what a huge downgrade he has been on, like from a woman whose works and talents are her biggest asset to a woman whose biggest achievement is getting men who can help her to the ✨superstars league✨

Again, Haeun's confidence is something we all should strive for —like really, I mean it. The sheer self-confidence this woman has, without any actual evidence to her potential talent and skills is just wow 🤩 yes, Haeun those idiots are lucky for you, only that they can't say the same for you 🤡

Not Jinwoo saying Haeun's mediocre at best! Yes, she's truly mediocre at best, not only in acting but in life, in general! Yeah, thank you for the heads-up, sir but no one cares! She can get lit on verbal fire and no one will give a shit! Oh, the sarcasm in tae's oh yeah? The second-hand embarrassment I felt! I love how everyone of the boys know that tae's not really being honest and nice, just very shady but Haeun's blind as a bat 😂🤡

Congratulations to our baby yn for her awards! I want to read her interview though, I literally know nothing about cinematographers, if she was a real personality, I'd love to know more about her! So, her mother doesn't know she broke up with the boys? Have they met before? I wonder how that's gonna go now?

Jinwoo, my dear sir, I like him! The mental cartwheels he might've done to match yn to BTS, with the itty bitty clues tae gave him! A true talent indeed ☺️ Why does he want to meet her? Work with her maybe 🤔

The sheer difference in the response of the boys to yn's success and Haeun's success is a little much for me to physically handle 🥴 I'm glad the tae and hobi are aware they fucked up massively and are willing to beg and grovel for forgiveness! But I want the same reaction from the others, until then they are all assholes to me!

Yes, yes, the dinner is in your honor, Haeun 🤡 yes, the world does revolve around you 🤡 oh my god, knowing that the boys know the truth behind this dinner, the embarrassment I feel for Haeun 😖

So, everyone lurks on Twitter to find out about yn, not creepy behaviour at all 🤭

Yep! Danny's truly a star! Their pride is so misplaced —like you truly aren't in a position to celebrate yn's success! Dan's my favourite character, if anyone didn't know! She will remain my fave, till the end!

I can't wait for the next chapters! My god! I can taste the drama and angst at the back of my throat! I'm too excited! Anyways, I hope you are doing well, take care and lots of love, aksh 💕

Hello Aksh

been a while isn't it? I missed your appearance in my inbox. This ask is so interesting btw and I love for the fact that it's pretty long.

Yes the whole thing with threatening came up as a reality check and the boys aren't sure anymore about Ha-eun anymore. Everybody is having their own doubts about her now except for Hobi and Tae who are already making plans.

Tae's duality is very amusing, he wants her out now by hook or crook and he's got very little patience now for Ha-eun.

He hid the fact that he was responsible for her cast in drama because for one she would suck it up to him and he would hate it , at this point he just wants to get rid of her so he can talk it out with the guys.

And yes, Ha-eun isn't established yet, she is still running on her Collab with Suga and thats why this entire sham dating one of the biggest names so she can get a push.

Yeah she is completely deluded thinking she got it because of her talents and all the guys know Tae's being fishy and they're not sure why.

The guys have met Y/Ns mom and she doesn't know they broke up yet . Jinwoo is a genius and I'm still outlining his part a bit but he is a intersting character.

And yeah she is indirectly celebrating her success, and the best part is the guys are willingly celebrating.

The drama is going to amp up in the next part and I hope you like it. Please take care ;)