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quitealotofsodapop · 6 days ago

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Lmk au idea.

Wukong isn't MK's teacher. At least, not in the same way he is in the show.

In this idea I had randomly pop into my head I'm thinking that Wukong had gone above and beyond simply vanishing for 500 years and hiding out on FFM. He straight up changed his identity and went into hiding as a mortal. He says fuck off to being a demon god, fuck off to all the gods and celestials and all his titles. He retires, fully and completely, passing his crown off to his Stalwarts and just becomes a wanderer traveling around, doing odd jobs and never staying in one place too long.

At some point over the centuries he ends up back in the village that he left his staff in, or rather, whay it became. A sprawling metropolis of a city that a person trying to disappear can easily do so. He set up shop, having had many hats over the years he's able to easily pick up a humble job nobody would blink twice at. Mechanics are always sorely needed in large cities after all.

One day at his shop a hauntingly familiar fave appears at his doorstep. Pigsy's truck had broken down while he was out with baby MK on a supply run and Wukong's shop had been the closest mechanic they could find. Wukong could sense something was special about MK, but not what or why and after he fixed up the truck he spent the next hour or so reminding himself that he is not Sun Wukong anymore, he is not part of that life anymore. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Wukong's mechanic work was something Pigsy liked, a lot. The truck was running smoother than if ever did before and the price was a steal! Wukong quickly became the favorite mechanic shop for Pigsy's Noodles and MK began to show up more often at the mechanic shop (he crashed a lot of stuff ok). Wukong ends up becoming the cool mechanic dude who helped teach MK how to mod his hoverboard and would often drop cryptic but helpful advice to the kid, Wukong having settled with the idea that he can look after the kid at least since it doesn't look like Zu Baijie's decendant or the kid were going to go away anytime soon. This led to meeting Tang and Mei, which were... experiences. And Wukong just ends up being a family friend to the Noodle Gang who likes cold vegetarian noodles.

Then a Hero is Born happens. Wukong hadn't been there for that experience. He was "on a supply run" when DBK was freed, he was in a different town entirely. So he wasnt physically present when MK became the Monkie Kid. It doesn't mean he wasn't completely uninvolved, though. Wukong isn't stupid, he knows DBK would eventually be freed, and he also knew it was possible someone else would pick up his staff. Afterall the staff had chosen him, not the other way around. It isn't unfeasable to imagine it'd pick another now that it's owner has put it down. Plus it isn't entirely impossible to imagine whoever it is would seek him out, he was the last known person to wield the Ruyi Jingu Bang after all.

He left a series of visions and astral projected recordings in his cave. The first being triggered should anyone breach his cave, the vision MK first sees when he enters Water Curtain Cave, only it doesn't stop at Wukong just running off. The projection speaks.

Wukong's recording. Looking as laid back and amused as can be: If you're seeing this, congrats! You got past my unstoppable barrier! Unfortunately I'm afraid that you won't be able to find me, as I would have been long gone from this place and am retired! So if your here for an autograph I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave.

MK: WHAT!?

Wukong's recording, becoming serious and almost sad: If you are a friend, however. I want to say I'm sorry, but please don't go seeking me out. I am hanging up my crown and title as the Great Sage and the Monkey King, and I don't not wish to be disturbed. Over the centuries I've come to realize my whole life I've done nothing but hurt the people I care about, so... for everyone's sake... I'm disappearing so that I can't hurt anyone again. Ever. And if you find my staff, I'm sorry I can't be there to help you. But I'll give you a piece of advice I learned, believe in yourself. Even just a smidge can make all the difference.

MK is gobsmacked at the thought that Sun Wukong had just up and left like that, that he's been gone for a long time and won't be able to help. He decides if Wukong wasn't there to be a hero anymore, he'd do it for him. Just a smidge makes a difference, right?

And so the Monkie Kid becomes the Monkie Kid. Over the next season or so he struggles a lot with his powers, not having a proper mentor. See, unlike the rest of the Noodle Gang, since Wukong wasn't physically present when MK became the town hero he isn't ever explicitly told it's MK. MK literally just forgets to mention it to him, but he does his best to help where he can. Giving advice where he can.

Most everything else was done without his input, altho MK did find it weird that the Calabash seemed to think his mechanic friend was the Monkey King. It's the first hint he ever has that Wukong was not as he seemed, but he write it off as him simply thinking of Wukong as a mentor figure since he's always been supportive and gave helpful advice and the Calabash substituting the Monkey King for Wukong.

Even the Macaque episode was done mostly without his input, altho a certain black furred monkey was not happy that his attempt to lure Wukong out didn't work at all. Wukong had been busy with renovations to expand the shop at the time, thus where the "step into the strike" advice came from since MK had been helping Wukong with tearing down the wall.

The big reveal about Wukong being the Monkey King only happens during Revenge of the Spider Queen, when Wukong has no choice but to step in as the Monkey King. And believe me, he is absolutely not happy about the matter. He doesn't run away once everything is done and over, but it's very clear that he is upset by the way he avoids everyone and jsut sits curled up on the rooftop. When asked why he never told them, especially knowing MK was using his staff, he first points out MK had never explicitly told him about the whole Monkie Kid business so he had no reason to "know" anything about it. Then he jsut points to the destroyed city.

Wukong: This is what happens everytime the Monkey King appears. Destruction, death, and chaos. I didn't want to be that anymore.

This spun off from a convo on how Wukong likely felt abandoned by his mentor(s), beginning with Subodhi, the allies he made in Heaven before the war, Guanyin, and even Tripitaka when the monk passed.

Wukong, going by just "Wu", drifting along the centuries living a mortal life. Packs up and leaves whenever conflict or war breaks out, or when people start to get suspicious.

His number one rule? Never get attached. Never again...

He becomes a mechanic (a real "grease monkey" if you will). Although he loves medicine and herbalism, it simply has too many paper trails. Also cars are fun to tinker with and don't talk back most of the time. Less likely to make a connection.

He eventually returns to the village where he lay his Staff down for good. Just seemed right coming up to the 500 year anniversary of one of his biggest regrets. The village has since become a sprawling mega-city, open to humans and demons alike. There he plants his roots.

The biggest shock of his life comes when he sees his brothers faces and souls all over again. Three in new bodies, and one in the same. A certain fish demon had pretended he didnt recognise him, and Wu returned the courtesy - seems he wasn't the only one from the old days to retire.

He wonders if it was the right decision to settle in Megapolis...

Until the day Pigsy knocks on Wu's shop, breathless and carrying a wiggly baby human (?). His food truck had given up the ghost and the cook desperately needed repairs asap! Wu simply couldn't turn him away.

Through the conversation and the repair process, the wiggly baby maybe-human had stared at the monkey demon with absolute wonder. Wu isn't sure why until he overhears the cub blabble something into his father's ear.

MK: "Mon-ken." Pigsy, fond sigh: "No MK, that's not the Monkey King. He just looks like the drawing in your Baba's book." Wu, nearly drops the truck on himself: "Eh?" Pigsy, little embarassed: "Oh! Sorry. The piglet is convinced that you're the Monkey King. My partner researches mythology and stuff, and he fills the kid's head with all sorts of ideas." Wu, rolls out from under the truck with a cheeky smile: "It's no problem. You'd be surprised how often I get mistaken for him! Think its the fur." (*Wu shares a glance at MK, the baby human is still staring at him unconvinced. Wukong makes a unsubtle shush motion and winks - causing the little human to wiggle once more with joy. Pigsy sighs fondly once more, knowing that the boy will most definitely hold this moment dear throughout his childhood*)

With that one chance meeting, Wukong breaks his number one rule; Never get attached.

It's not his fault he fixed the truck so good that Pigsy became a loyal customer! And the pig demon began tipping him with free cold vegetarian noodles. And that the scholar at the shop and him started info-dumping together! And that the little human began seeing him as a beloved uncle...

Oh yeah. Wu is in too deep. Hopefully nothing too chaotic happens within the next few years or so >:3

You can say a certain monkey demon nearly had a heart attack when he learned that someone had finally taken up his Staff - and that it was his little buddy!! Also Sandy is back in the gang, so they can't pretend that they dont know each other for long.

Wu would *like* to step up and reveal himself as the Monkey King to MK - but he feels that would just make things so much worse. The kid's trust in him would shatter immediately. So it's better to leave his projections on FFM to do the physical training, and for Uncle Wu to provide him with much-needed emotional guidance.

Sharing this dm you sent in particular based on the "Macaque" episode cus it's a tasty piece of dialogue:

MK: "Is it really better to focus your power into every attack?" Wu: "Hm, that's a lonely way of thinking. And dangerous. Look at this hammer I use for example, it's strong but if I'm not careful an just bang away at metal, it'd hit hard but it'd cause more damage to myself and the people around me. But if I were to... step into the swing so to speak and not depend on the hammer but rather my own strength, it's easier to control and has less risk of hurting myself."

He had been doing renovations on the wall to expand his business at the time, thus why he was banging at the wall with a hammer.

Eventually the episode ends with Macaque calling desperately out to the battlefield - almost begging for his king to reappear. The shadow monkey is so occupied in his despair and anger that MK manages to slip free and reclaim his power.

MK promptly bullies Macaque into actually mentoring him. Macaque chuckles at the nerve of this kid, and agrees - but only as a truce until Wukong returns. After that, Macaque expects a rematch.

Unironically loving this AU

#lmk grease monkey au #sun wukong #lmk mk #qi xiaotian #lmk pigsy #lmk aus #lmk #lego monkie kid

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hyuuukais · 4 months ago

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⋆₊‧⁺˖⋆˚.⋆ ͙͘͡★ LOOK UP TO THE STARS

pairing ▪︎ han jisung x fem reader

synopsis ▪︎ sent out on a mission to a neighbouring QZ that's gone radio silent, y/n falls into the hands of a post-rebellion group after things go terribly wrong. giving up on rejoining her squad, she joins the group on a trek to find a missing member, the group leader's sister. what's supposed to be a not-so-simple trip out and back to their base becomes a one-way ticket to the end of everything they know.

warnings ▪︎ general (on ml)

MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS | NEXT

CHAPTER FOUR ▪︎ ALL BEDS ARE FULL, SORRY (6.9k)

Long grass tickles your knees through the holes in your jeans. Turns out, people don't mow their lawns anymore once the world has turned to shit, meaning you have to suffer from itchy knees when occasionally walking through someone's yard. Basic apocalypse problems. That and, you know, infected zombies who want to eat you. Very comparable issues in your opinion.

The city neighbourhoods are overgrown and broken in several ways, ranging from small potholes to entire streets caved in. Evidently, this has made your trek to the hospital nearly impossible. More than once have you slipped on, tripped over, or ran into something. Spatial awareness does not appear to be your strong suit, but hey, at least you have good aim. That's gotta count for something.

"Hold on, I have to check the map..." Chan slows down, swinging his bag off his shoulder.

The street you're on is bigger, shops lined up and down the long road. Most have been broken into, windows shattered and things tossed over inside. Few remain somewhat untouched, ones that look like they were abandoned long before the apocalypse hit, with wooden boards where doors or glass should be. Up ahead is a small music store, or at least you assume it is based on the hanging sign of a guitar. While Chan looks over the map with Jeongin, you wander to the storefront.

Through still intact windows, you can see a few open instrument cases lying around, big and small. There are racks of CD's and vinyl records, some displayed on the back wall above the counter. The door opens with a slight touch, dust invading your senses as you walk in. By the counter is a jukebox, but when you try and use it, it doesn't work.

"Obviously, it's dead," You say to yourself. "It's been too long."

On the opposite side is a beaten up piano, keys yellowed but none missing. Scratches line the side facing the front, and you notice they aren't regular scratches, they're tally marks. You don't stop to wonder who put them there or why, shoving it to the back of your mind. Pressing down on a key, it makes a sad noise, but noise nonetheless. You smile, playing around with the piano, bringing a finger to one end and brushing it over to the other end. The noise is makes isn't pretty; it isn't like a symphony or any kind of trained musician, but a way to say I'm still here.

Loud banging comes from above you, like someone punching a door over and over again. You're quick to leave the store, not wanting to stick around and find out what, or who, it is. You imagine it's the same person who left the marks on the piano.

You rejoin the others on the other side of the street, stopped in front of a small café. Chan has outlined a route in red, running a finger down it when he explains to the others how this'll go.

"We're here, okay?" He points to a red dot on a long street. "We need to get here," He points to a blue dot, "Jeongin helped me make a route, but it's gonna be hard. Really, we should be able to head straight then down this side street onto the next main road where the hospital will be down just a bit, but that-" He gestures to a large truck on its side down the road, blocking your way, "-creates an issue. As you can see, there's another side street we passed a while back we can get through."

"Doesn't that bring us closer too?" Han steps in. "Look, the hospital is here. Now we don't need to backtrack, right?"

"No," Chan shakes his head. "There's a blockage there too, conveniently. But going down this alley leads to another neighbourhood we can cut through, then backtrack to the hospital since it opens up to the main road over here."

"Honestly, you lost me at the truck," Hyunjin admits. "Lead the way and we'll follow."

Chaeryeong laughs, holding onto his shoulder. Her laugh is contagious, and soon enough everyone is shaking.

"Okay, it wasn't that funny," Hyunjin chuckles.

The walk back to the side street doesn't take long. Half-way down is some sort of barricade, similar to ones you've seen in diagrams in your QZ. Although it looks old, there's a truck parked by it that looks too clean to belong there. No people hang around, so you ignore it, following the group through the alley.

It opens up to a cul-de-sac, and an eerie feeling falls over you as you walk the road leading out to where the hospital should be. It's too quiet, and you realize how long it's been since you've seen any infected. You slow down, turning in a slow circle to take in the surrounding houses. Something isn't right, but you can't place what it is.

"Everything okay?" Felix puts a hand on your shoulder, noting your expression.

"When was the last time we saw any infected?" You ask, but he doesn't answer. "Felix, when?"

"Um, right when we entered the city, I think," He answers. "Why?"

"Isn't that weird?"

He has no chance to respond, a loud boom setting off in the distance. The ground underneath you shakes, and you can see a cloud of smoke in the distance rising over the rooftops. Chan steps forward, hands on his hips.

"I think we know where the hospital is."

Squads occupy the outside of the hospital, and you have no idea how you're getting in. You watch the patrolling soldiers walk their routes, memorizing where they go and when from behind an abandoned car. The plan is for you and Seungmin to gain entry using your QZ knowledge as access, having taken out two soldiers further away from the hospital and stealing their uniforms. They fit well enough and you hope no one will notice the way you had to cuff the pant legs or the way the arms of Seungmin's shirt were just too short.

Strolling out from behind the car, you take the lead and make your way to the hospital entrance. Passing the first few soldiers is easy, nodding a greeting as you walk. Your palms sweat and your heartbeat quickens as you get closer and closer to the doors. For a moment you think you'll make it undetected.

"You two, stop right there." Your feet are glued to the ground, Seungmin stopping beside you.

When the soldier walks around, you keep your eyes forward and put on your best salute. He's taller than you, and you can smell his cologne when he gets closer to you, examining every inch of your body. In the corner of your eye, Seungmin tenses when the soldier places a hand on your waist.

"Feel like I'd have remembered a pretty thing like you walking around here," He smirks. "Say, what's your squad? You apart of fourteen-four?"

Fourteen-four is here?

"Yes sir," You respond, voice steady.

"So why are you here?" He lets go of you, detaching the walkie-talkie from his hip. "Let me get in contact with Squad Leader Seo, sort this out."

"No!" You panic, and his eyebrows raise at your outburst. "Sorry, sir. There's really no need to do that, she actually sent us over to ask about any progress."

"Progress?" He questions.

"Yes sir." You think he's caught your bluff until he stands back, hands on his hips and looking up to the clouds.

"Why didn't she just radio? Would've been easier, ah, well, you're here now." He motions you forward. "C'mon."

Instead of heading straight to the front doors, he makes a right and leads you to the side of the hospital where a hole is blown through the wall. You look at Seungmin, silently agreeing that must have been what you heard earlier as the smoke still lingers around the edges. Stepping over the broken wall, you enter the hospital where there are soldiers everywhere.

"We've cleared out this half of the main floor so far and sent Squad Twelve-Oh-Seven upstairs, but haven't heard back yet." He leads you through the rubble, greeting fellow soldiers as he goes. "As you can see, we haven't found them yet, otherwise we'd be gone by now. Another squad is being sent out and should be here within the hour to check out the lower levels. We think they may be somewhere in operating rooms or emerge, but we haven't gotten that far.

"That enough for Seo?" He turns to face you. "I know she likes to be thorough with these kinds of things. Too thorough sometimes, but you didn't hear that from me."

"Should be enough, sir," Seungmin answers. "Mind if we take a vehicle back with us? We didn't have enough to spare for just two soldiers."

"Sure, of course." The man leads you back out. "Don't know why Squad Leader Seo would make you walk out this far without one, even with limited resources. How long it take you?"

"We had someone drive most of the way, so not long," Seungmin answers when you fail to think of something. "Thank you, sir."

Taking the keys, he salutes again and you do the same. You get into the passenger's side, sighing heavily when Seungmin starts driving away.

"What the fuck!" You exclaim. "What the actual fuck? We are literally going the opposite direction we need to go now. How is this supposed to help us get into the hospital? What, are we gonna drive straight through?" You see Seungmin shrug in the corner of your eye. "No, no, stop it. That's not happening."

"It's not a bad idea-"

"Yeah, it's a terrible idea! Aren't you supposed to be the smart and logical one in this friendship?" You cross your arms; he makes a left turn. "The one who stopped me from breaking into Minho's office, for example? In case you need a reminder?"

"Still the smart and logical one, but now the frustrated one." He parks the car outside of a hotel. "This plan was fool-proof and we managed to mess it up. If we go back, they'll know something's up with us and contact Seo. That is, if they haven't already."

You sigh. "So what now- oh, damn it."

Shrinking down in your seat with the stolen cap pushed over your eyes, you hear a knock on Seungmin's window. Glancing over, you see Chan standing with a stern look on his face. Disappointment is radiating off of him in waves and your stomach churns. Before, you'd been okay with this, the look in his eyes when you messed up with the gas; now that you've spent more time with him and have been on the receiving end of his love, you can't stand it.

"What is this?" Chan motions down the vehicle, another pickup truck replacing the one you had to give up much earlier in this journey. "Very nice, but how is this helping?"

"That's what I said," You mumble before you can stop yourself and Chan directs his attention to you.

"Would you like to answer?"

Seungmin steps in. "They thought we were there to check in and were already suspicious of us. I figured the least we could do is take something useful we can use."

"Okay," Chan rubs his forehead. "Here's what we're gonna do. Get out of the truck and come inside."

Stepping out, you follow Chan into the hotel lobby. He does a series of knocks on the boarded-up door and it opens seconds later, Chaeryeong greeting you as you walk in. The others are sitting around cleaning weapons and preparing to take on what lies in the hospital, Han and Jeongin standing immediately as you and Seungmin enter the building behind Chan. You hang your head low, avoiding eye contact.

"So, no access to the inside, but we have a truck again." Chan claps his hands together. "The occupants were suspicious of these two, so we can't use them again."

"Why were they suspicious?" Han asks, crossing his arms.

"We had to pretend to be a part of another squad in order to stay under the radar, but it was clear the guy in charge didn't fully believe us at points," Seungmin starts. "There's a ton of soldiers on the inside searching for people, I'm guessing the same ones we're here for. Another squad is being sent out to aid them."

"As if there aren't enough of them," Hyunjin scoffs. "Can't we just sneak in through a side they're not on?"

"Yes," Chan says slowly. "However, we don't know what's in there. The whole point of this deception was to get in the safest way possible, searching the area in plain sight. Using a different entrance means not knowing what we'll walk into, and we don't know how much ground they've already covered-"

"We do," You interrupt. "Sorry, um, we do. They mentioned most of the main floor is done, but they haven't touched any operating rooms or emergency, which should be on the other side."

You can see Chan taking in this information and thinking of a new plan, his eyes unfocused just a bit when he looks away from you. He turns and walks around in a slow circle, stopping when Felix speaks.

"What if we used ourselves as bait?" He proposes, gaining everyone's attention. "Listen, we have great snipers who can keep an eye on us from here since we're not too far from the hospital. The rest of us can pretend Y/n and Seungmin found us getting ready to storm the building on their way back to the squad. When they take us away, and hopefully Y/n and Seungmin with us, we can take out the guards and make our way through."

"That's a good idea," You say, nudging Seungmin with an elbow.

No one speaks after you for a good minute and you start to sweat. With a sigh, Chan starts nodding.

"We can try that, but we need to be very careful," He says. "Han, Chae, try to get a few floors up if you can and keep an eye out from there in case things go wrong. Stay on the same floor, but take different rooms."

They agree in sync, grabbing their weapons and heading toward the stairwell.

"Wait," Seungmin takes a small device out of his pocket. "This was in the back of the truck, brand new. Or at least, not used yet, so they won't pick us up over them hopefully. Let us know when you're in position and we'll move out."

"Most likely, we'll be coming out from the other side of the hospital, so we'll also call to let you know when we vacate so you know to bring the truck around." Chan accepts the other walkie-talkie from Seungmin, lifting it to his lips while pressing the button on the side. "Got it?"

"Loud and clear," Han answers into the device. "Over and out!"

He salutes as he walks backward to the door where Chaeryeong is waiting for him. You look at your team; you, Seungmin, Chan, Felix, Jeongin, and Hyunjin. A good team, you think, a very good team.

Getting back to the hospital takes a bit longer walking, leaving the truck behind for the two to come get you after. There's no need to rough up the four men you hold onto, hands bound by rope behind them. Chan took the wrapping off his arm to reveal a nasty cut left by an infected, but it looks enough like it was created by a weapon to pass. Jeongin dramatizes his limp, Felix has a bruise left on his cheek from a previous night, and Hyunjin wears a shirt with old blood and holes on the side. Once the soldiers realize the injuries are old or fake, you won't have much time to execute your plan.

"Back so soon?" The soldier who took notice of you earlier calls out.

You wait until you get closer to reply. "Found these guys on our way back not too far out arming what looked to be homemade bombs. Managed to get some info out, claiming they're part of the rebellion." You push Chan and Hyunjin forward. "Not that it exists anymore."

"Funny you say that." The soldier gets closer and you catch a glimpse of his nametag this time; Officer Song. "Wanna know what, or maybe I should say who, also doesn't exist?"

Sweat beads on your forehead, a chill running down your spine. "What- er, who?"

"You two," He says, pointing his fun directly at your chest. "Grab them."

Another soldier comes out from behind him and you try to protest, but with a swift kick to the back of your knees, you're down, and so is Seungmin, another soldier pinning him down fully. You're yanked back up by your hair, hands instinctively reaching up, and he grabs your wrists, bringing them behind you roughly. Crying out in pain as you feel the twist, he binds your wrists together with real handcuffs, not like the rope you used for your own group. Soldiers descend on the other four, taking hold of them. You're lifted up from your underarms, a hand coming out to grab your upper arm tightly and you wince; he grabs at the same place you got stitches, and Jeongin narrows his eyes.

"Story time." Officer Song leads the group of soldiers through the hole in the wall, bringing you down a long hallway as he speaks. "I touched base with Squad Leader Seo, letting her know her soldiers were on their way back. Funny thing is, she had no idea what I was talking about. So I described you." He turns a corner, opening a door. "Took her a second, but she said she didn't have anyone in her squad who looked like either of you, and her squad isn't big so I know she's not lying."

As you enter a room, the soldier holding you tosses you to the ground like you weigh nothing, sliding over the linoleum floor on your side. You flip onto your back, trying to maneuver to an upright position.

"Stop squirming." A boot lands in your stomach and you yelp, but the message is recieved and you stop moving, lying on your side and watching the others get tossed beside you through your hair.

Only Hyunjin and Felix are tossed beside you, the other three being brought to another room, separating you. Officer Song stays behind with a select few soldiers, the door locking when the others are gone.

"What exactly was your plan? Come in here right under our noses and steal our supplies?" Officer Song crouches down in front of you, face close enough to feel his breath on your cheek. "Or was it information you were after?"

You don't answer.

"Considering our chat and your silence, I'll assume the latter." His fingers gingerly brush hair out of your face and you shudder. "Your plan would have worked if not for Seo, or the evidence you left behind." At your confusion, he continues. "Maybe don't leave the bodies you stripped on their patrol route."

Realization dawns on you, but you know he's right, that was stupid of you.

"Still not speaking?" Officer Song gets up, strolling away with his hands on his hips. "Maybe one of them?"

He eyes Felix, but the younger man refuses to make eye contact. The bruise on his cheek is slightly worse now and your heart aches at the sight.

"No?" He grips the back of Felix's head by the hair, Felix's mouth falling open with a sharp inhale. "Okay. Then you, pretty boy?"

He looks over at Hyunjin, who stares daggers at the man. Officer Song laughs, letting go of Felix to stand in front of Hyunjin, not bothering to crouch this time. In an instant, his gun is pointed at you.

"Don't think I haven't noticed the way you're looking at her." He clicks the safety off. "Answer me, or I'll shoot."

"You wouldn't," Hyunjin speaks through gritted teeth.

"Try me."

A bullet pierces the wall beside your head and your ears ring, breath temporarily snatched from your lungs. Through the ringing, you can hear Hyunjin panicking, calling out your name. You can't make out many words, but you see Officer Song smack Hyunjin across the face, leaving the room with one soldier to watch over you. The soldier does nothing when Hyunjin shuffles over to you.

"Y/n?" The ringing is starting to subside. "Say something."

"Hyunjin," You don't know how loud you're speaking.

"You're okay," He says. "We'll get out of here, okay? Somehow, we'll get out."

It feels like forever, waiting for Officer Song to come back. No one enters or exits your room for a long time, and when they do, it's only to switch shifts watching over you. At some point, you managed to sit up against the wall behind you.

The room you're in isn't big, assuming it was once a private room for a patient. Several beds are stacked and shoved to the right side of the room, a couple of side tables piled in the corner. IV drips are thrown in the general direction of the furniture, landed on top and around things, some still leaning upright. A window stretches from the door to the end of the wall, but the blinds are drawn and dirty.

"Hey," You call out to the soldier standing guard, a plan forming in your head. "Any way I could use the washroom?" No response. "Please? Pretty please?"

"Fine, if it'll shut you up." The soldier leaves his post, leaning down to pick you up from the armpit.

Your timing is a little off, but you fling your body forward and bite him in the leg. His shout is cut off, tripping over your body with a thud. Rolling out from under him, you move your body on top of his, back to back. He's squirming under you, but you're quicker than him, twisting your arms up and around his head. Pain shoots up into your shoulders as you lift yourself up hard, handcuffs cutting into the man's neck. Under you, he gasps for air and you pull harder, feet braced on either side of his body. You see his hand moving to find his fun, so you step on his fingers with your heel. Soon enough, his movement lessens, and then stops altogether.

"That was weirdly hot," Hyunjin's voice brings you back.

"Come here and take his gun," You order. "We're lucky he has a silencer, cause we need to shoot these things off."

You get off the body, lifting your arms up to show off the metal binding you. Hyunjin uses his foot to carefully knock the gun out of the holster, turning around to grab it with his hands.

"Felix, can you be my eyes?" Hyunjin asks as you turn your back to him, moving your hands as far away from you as you can. "Guide my aim so I don't shoot her in the back."

"Wouldn't want that happening." You see Felix move between you in the corner of your eye. "Down a bit, no, too down. Okay, to the left slightly or you'll shoot her hand off instead- good! Stop! Okay, and go."

A smothered shot sounds, and your wrists are free from one another. One side is longer than the other, but at least you still have both hands. Taking the gun from Hyunjin's hands, you shoot the cuffs off of him and Felix. All three of you are stuck with metal bracelets for now, not daring to shoot too close to the skin. Moving to the window, you squint through the blinds and into the dim hallway.

Night must have moved in, only a lantern seated on top of a bed in the hall providing light. You can see two shadows, two people having a conversation, but they're stretched out as if they aren't standing too close to the lantern. Opening the door enough to stick your head out, you don't see any others. The two nearby are in the room next to you, door wide open, and on the other side are double doors blocked by upturned tables. Directly in front of you are windows mimicking the ones in your room, a door further down falling across from the soldiers. You close the door.

"I might be wrong, but I think the others are in the room across from us, but we need to be careful getting inside. Beside us are some soldiers, so either we take them out or we sneak inside," You tell Hyunjin and Felix. "The door isn't exactly aligned with theirs, so we might be good to sneak, but there's a lantern that'll cast our shadows if we get too close. It looks far enough down as to not cause issue, but we need to pay attention to distance, okay?"

"I like it when you're in leader mode," Hyunjin sighs.

"Flirt later," Felix rolls his eyes, but his mouth betrays him, pursing his lips to suppress a smile. "Let's do this before they try and check on us."

"We also need to keep in mind they probably have a guard watching over them," Hyunjin points out and you nod. "So whoever goes in first needs to be ready to take them out. I think Felix should lead, even though it's your plan Y/n. He's the stealthiest out of us."

"I'm good with that as long as he is." You nod.

"Sure, sure," Felix agrees. "You don't happen to have your knives, do you?"

"Afraid not," You say unhappily. "Chan only let me carry one, and they took it off me. He was supposed to bring me my others when Seungmin and I found a secure way in, and when the plan changed I guess I forgot to grab them."

He's not happy with your answer, but neither are you. Retrieving your knives should have been your number one priority, but you suppose you're lucky in a way because at least this means they didn't confiscate all your weapons for when you finally escape. Felix crouches down as he opens the door, taking a few steps then pausing. His hand flies behind him when you try to join, telling you to keep your distance. After a beat, he moves again, motioning you forward when he's about halfway to the door. His body is pressed against the wall, eyes darting between the lively room and down the dark hallway.

Voices get louder and you see the shadows on the floor get bigger. When one of the soldiers emerges from the room, you drop down and shuffle backward until you lightly touch the leg of the table blocking the double doors. You stay in that position, watching Hyunjin shut the door of your room quietly, and observe the soldier. No one breaths as the soldier strides up to the lantern, and you have no idea how Felix hasn't been spotted considering how close to the door he is now. The soldier picks up the lantern and twists it out, darkening your surroundings further. He waves goodnight to his fellow man, taking the lantern as he goes in the opposite direction of your crew.

As you move back to where you were before, you knock lightly on the door to let Hyunjin know he's okay to move out now. When you get closer to Felix, he places a hand on the doorknob and waits for Hyunjin to join you. Once he's by your side, Felix is quick to open the door and get up into a fighting stance, you and Hyunjin following close behind. The door shuts behind you and you brace for a fight, but nothing happens, the scene in front of you seizing your lungs.

Nothing could have prepared you for seeing the man in front of you again. Standing behind Chan, he freezes like a deer in headlights as you make eye contact, dropping the keys in his hands onto the floor. Chan rubs his wrists where the handcuffs were just seconds ago, stepping out of the way, the only boundary between you and him. Seungmin and Jeongin are off to the side, red marks visible where their handcuffs used to be as well, and the metal still dangling off your wrists feels heavier than ever. You force air into your lungs, swallowing roughly. There's a sting behind your eyes that you've become an expert at ignoring.

"Why are you here?" You ask, keeping your voice as steady as possible.

"I could ask the same thing." Minho is over in three long strides, arms wrapping tightly around your shoulders. "Thought I didn't believe in ghosts, yet here you are."

Emotion strangles you as you reciprocate the hug. So, he did think you were dead after all. This brings you little comfort, imagining his nights after what took place. Did he get nightmares? Did he dream of you dying over and over again like you dreamed of him leaving over and over again? Did he blame himself? Does he blame himself?

"This is a nice reunion and all," Jeongin starts. "But can we get this show on the road? We don't have all day."

"Hold on," You say. "Why are you even here? And why are you helping us?"

"Seo contacted me after your cover got busted, and I was on my way here anyway as support." Minho detaches from you, nodding his head toward a bag on the floor next to the door. A body lays on the other side of it overturned, unclear if they're dead or unconscious. "It was easy enough finding out where you were, a bit harder to get a big bag of weapons in here undetected. I lied and said it was for Song."

"Have I ever told you I love you?"

"No," He smiles, bunny teeth on display. "And don't you start now."

"Wasn't going to," You punch him lightly in the shoulder, dropping in front of the bag. There wasn't a huge selection, but you already had the gun. You grab the two knives and strap one to your waist and one to your thigh, grabbing an empty holster for your new gun. "All set."

"Did you see the doors at the end?" Minho asks, you and the others nod. "Go through there and run. Don't stop until you've gotten to the other side. I wasn't able to grab it, but Song has a map of this place. There should be a stairwell on the other side behind another set of doors, get down to the parking levels and out."

"We're not leaving here," Chan steps in. "There's a reason we came here, and I intend to stick it through."

"Do you not understand the risk you're taking right now?" Minho looks at Chan like he's crazy. "You're going to get yourself, or one of your crew, killed. I'm assuming you're after the same people we are?" Chan nods stiffly. "As far as we know, they're located in the emergency wing, but it's riddled with infected from the outbreak. They've been trapped here for god knows how long. Do you really think they'll show mercy? Those people are probably dead anyway."

"Those people have someone important to me," Chan says, taking a handgun from the bag.

"And you'll risk it all for them? You'll risk your people?"

"Anyone who doesn't want to come can leave instead." He checks his ammo, shoves it in his belt. "You know where to go if you want out."

No one moves, no one says a thing, all in silent agreement: we are not leaving you. Minho turns to you, putting a hand on your shoulder.

"You don't have to do this," He's all but pleading. "Come with me. Lie, say they took you hostage."

"I... I can't," You stand your ground. "I can't do that Minho, not after everything."

"Please, Y/n, consider it for a moment-"

"I had months to consider going back! Months, and you didn't even come looking for me. Months where all I could do was sit with a broken leg and wonder how you could leave me like that. Months replaying that moment in my head where you made the decision to leave." The sting behind your eyes is back, your throat raw. "Months trying to feel at home again, months that you were no longer it."

Your words hit Minho and you see his throat bob when he looks away from you, hand sliding away. "I made a promise not to let you die."

"You already broke it when you left."

Shaking his head, he steps past you and opens the door. "Get ready. Be careful with the table, it's squeaky, and move quietly."

Exiting the room, he strides over to where the soldiers are, and you can see now it isn't actually a room but a counter wrapping around the corner. The soldier starts to swing around in the chair he's in, but Minho places a hand firmly on the back and stands to block you from view. Your heart aches as you look away, focusing on the task at hand. The table isn't heavy, but it takes most of you to move it in a way that doesn't create noise, angling enough to nudge the door open and get through one side. You're about to go through when you pause, looking back to the room you were kept in.

"Hold on," You say to Chan, who's holding the door open.

"We don't have time-"

"I need to check something." You hope the importance translates into your tone. It must because, after a long look, Chan sighs and nods you off. You backtrack, opening the door with care and closing it behind you.

The man lies still on the other side of the room, head facing away from you. Already, purple bruises have formed on his neck, cutting off behind his ears where you see a small tattoo of someone's name. Getting closer, you can see a heart beside it and your stomach drops, hand hesitantly pressing at the hollow of his neck under his jaw. Nothing, no beat, and you fight the sick feeling rising up your throat. He was human. He had loved ones. He is dead, and you killed him.

Unable to stand being so close to his body any longer, you leave and hurry out of the double doors where Chan waits for you. The others aren't there, and you assume Chan instructed them to get to the other side in case something happens. It won't be long until a soldier notices the table has been moved, so you take Minho's advice and run.

More rooms with patient beds occupy this area, debris and old, used medical supplies strewn across your path. You slip once on a discarded needle, but Hyunjin catches you before you hit the ground. The door on the other side takes some effort to get through, Chan and Seungmin using their full body weight against it. On the other side, you can see part of the ascending stairway has collapsed, covering one side of the door. You go down, Chan leading the way to the parking garage, and you're only a little bit confused.

"Why are we leaving?" You ask, staying close to Chan.

"We aren't, but it'll be easier to get into emerge this way rather than through the hospital since we can circle around to the back door." He pulls open a heavy, metal door and lets the others walk through before him. "Keep an eye out for infected."

"Always," You say, voice echoing.

A creaking noise is heard from your left, a groan right after, and you already know the challenge ahead. The way out is in the same direction as the inhuman noises, the only way out. The path ahead is clear of obstructions, but stepping down from the door, your feet are met with shallow water, enough to cause issue when you continue to walk slowly. The water comes up to your ankles, sloshing with every move you make. Sounds of groaning and croaking get closer, and you fear they've heard you. Dim lighting gives you an advantage, but you still stay low, using the broken down cars as cover. In front of you, Jeongin stops suddenly causing you to bump into his back, but he doesn't stumble.

Water sloshes noisily between the cars in front of you and you just barely spot the head of a zombie emerging from the narrow passage. Its body twitches in various spots, the shoulder, the neck, each finger on the left hand. You hold your breath as it walks across the open area, hitting a car on the other side straight on. You almost laugh, almost. Jeongin waits until the infected has successfully moved past the car before continuing the journey. The exit seems so far, yet so close as you crawl painstakingly slow.

Finally, you cross onto dry land as the ground begins to ascend. Up ahead is the garage door, light seeping through the open half. Jeongin crawls under, barely managing to squeeze through, holding it on the other side for you to join him. Once with him, you grab the other end and lift it for the others to fit through. The garage door creaks loudly and you hear the cry of an infected from inside.

"Hurry!" You whisper shout to Felix, Chan, and Seungmin as they join you, Hyunjin quick to follow after you.

Right as Seungmin is crawling under, he's jerked back, hands grabbing the air for something to hold onto. The door is getting heavier in your arms, and you can't reach out for him in fear of it dropping and shutting him in completely. Chan turns around quickly, taking hold of his arm and pulling forward until Seungmin lands a kick to the zombie's face, leaving it stumbling backward down the incline, a splash indicating its failure. You and Jeongin drop the door with a loud thump, arms aching.

"Let me check that," Felix instructs him to sit on the curb of the driveway you're now in. Seungmin hisses as his pant leg is shifted up to reveal a nasty gash running the lower half of his calf, a smaller scrape parallel to it. "Shit, we need to stitch this up. Jeongin?"

"You've got it." Jeongin hands Felix a small pouch with medical supplies out of the waistline of his pants, snug between his skin and belt. "I don't know how they didn't find this on me."

"Hey, did Jisung ever call on the walkie-talkie?" You hear Hyunjin ask Chan in a low voice, standing a bit further from the group.

"Yeah, luckily it was right when, ah, Minho?" Hyunjin nods. "Right, okay. He called when Minho arrived and I haven't had the chance to call back, I should now actually."

Chan walks away and you bring your eyes back to Seungmin, his face contorted in pain as Felix stitches him up. It isn't as clean as the ones Jeongin did on you, but not bad either. Hyunjin joins you, arms coming around your front as he stands against your back. You can hear Chan conversing with Han, but he's wandered too far for you to make out any words.

"Feeling okay?" Hyunjin asks, directly in your ear.

"Huh?" He must be referring to the encounter with Minho. "Oh, yeah, I guess so. It... it felt kind of good to tell him all that. I can't help but think that's going to be the last time I see him though, and it hurts."

"You've got us now, you'll be okay without him." You want to argue that, tell him how a piece of your heart will always be missing without him. It's not as simple as who you have with you currently or not. He took care of you when you had no one, and you chose to leave him as he did you. Instead, you slide away from Hyunjin and sit next to your best friend on the curb where he's rubbing his now clothed leg.

"Stop trying to die on me." You flick him in the shoulder.

"I should be saying that to you," He replies, sticking out his tongue. "So, Minho-"

"We are not talking about him right now," You cut him off. "I literally just escaped that conversation with Hyunjin."

He hums in response, amused. Chan comes back into view, explaining that Han and Chaeryeong have left the hotel after spotting a group of soldiers heading in their direction and you ignore the way your chest tightens. "They've gathered any items we left in the lobby and will be taking a long circle to meet us back here since it's pretty closed off. We clear?" Everyone nonverbally agrees. "Good. Now, someone help me with these doors."

He moves to the emergency room doors where it's clear somebody has tried to pry their way in before, leaving one door open on an angle. Jeongin steps up, taking hold of the other door and pulling, Chan doing the same. The door Chan pulls barely budges, the angle jamming it in place, but Jeongin's opens with surprising ease. You're all about to move in, but Jeongin sticks a hand out to block the entrance. He lifts a finger to his lips, moving down to his knees.

"Look inside," He whispers.

So you do, and you see more infected than you've ever seen in an enclosed space. Most are standing up completely still, body parts twitching in places like the infected that pulled Seungmin down. All the beds are full, infected left to fester after the hospital closed its doors to new patients. How the fuck were you supposed to get through now?

---

notes ▪︎ not looking good!!! and ouch, poor seung... at least he isn't dead tho !

─── taglist : @chaeryred @toplinelix @channie-143 @staysinbloom @manuosorioh @hanjisunglover @xxstrayland @puppyminnnie @hanjsquokka @kpopsstuff @ot8girlfie @quokkabite @linoslawayslinos @reapers-lover @hannieslittlerockstar @kiki0113 @nishiriks @nxtt2-u @moonlightjam

reply or send an ask to be added ^ 18+ only. green means i can't tag you

#⋆₊‧⁺˖⋆˚.⋆ ͙͘͡★ LOOK UP TO THE STARS #skz #stray kids #han jisung x reader #han jisung x fem reader #han jisung #skz x reader #stray kids x reader #zombie au #zombie apocalypse au #skz zombie au #han jisung fanfic #skz fanfic #stray kids fanfic #skz series #han jisung series

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lvrsparadise · 1 year ago

Note

hii! can you do matt sturniolo x reader where reader has a bad day and just breaks down in matts arms and he comforts reader?

Hii lovely anon!! Of course! ♡

I'LL ALWAY BE HERE - M.S

Synopsis - Request!

Warnings! - Anxiety, some weirdo, crying, kissing, sad R, we love a supporting boyfriend, fluff.

A/N - I love this request! See I love people who can just write straight to the point, but I have to explain and add the details because I feel like everyone needs to know what's happened in the background, to lead up to the starring moment. I don't know why my brain works that way but, I hope you like it anon!! ♡♡

Why did today have to be so stressful?

First, I was late to work. Then, while at work, some drunk guy outside kept hitting on me and multiple other females. Also, I dropped an entire tray of drinks, all over myself.

Oh, and don't even get me started on what happened before work!

My roommates dog pissed all over my room and took a shit next to my bed. Leaving me to step in it when I woke up. And I ran out of shampoo as well. Also, my professor for my English lit class is failing me because I didn't use proper punctuation in my essay. Pretty petty if you ask me.

My phone wouldn't charge. My laptop wouldn't turn on. And I'm pretty sure my TV's broken as well. So fun! Not.

I decide to forgo heading back to my place, and drive straight to my boyfriend's house, in desperate need of... I don't even know.

I pull into the driveway and get out of my car in record time, making it to their door quickly.

I fumble with my keys trying to find the spare they gave me when they first moved into their house.

Finally, I find the key and unlock the door. I sigh in relief at the comforting smell of my best friend's house. I kick my shoes off and start my ascent up the stairs to the living room.

"Honey! I'm home!!" I say in a funny voice as I walk into the living room, where only one of the three are. The person I'm looking for, not in sight.

"Oh, hey. I thought you were closing tonight?"

"I did. My manager told me to close early because no one was coming in."

"Fair point." As if Nick can sense my anxiety and stress, which is probably radiating off of me like a beacon, he points to Matt's room.

"He's streaming right now."

"Thank you thank you thank you." I say as I throw my keys onto the table and walk to Matt's room, knocking on the door before cracking it open and peaking my head inside.

He snaps his head in my direction, having heard me opening his door. I smile sheepishly at him as I walk in and shut the door behind me.

He slides his headphones off his head and swivels his chair to face me.

"Hey. I thought you were closing tonight?"

"I did. I just closed up early because no one was coming in."

"Oh okay. I'm streaming, do you want to say hi?"

I nod with the best smile I can muster. I lean into the cameras frame smiling at the viewers.

"Hey guys!" I wave to the camera with one hand while the other hold onto the back of Matt's chair like a lifeline.

Chat's going a thousand miles per hour at the sight of me. Most of them commenting on how Matt was looking at me.

"I think I'm going to end stream here guys. Bye chat. Love you guys."

He quickly ends the stream and turns his monitor and PC off before turning his chair back to me.

"Is everything okay? You look... stressed."

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a rough day."

"Are you sure?"

"What do you-?"

Matt stands up and places one hand on my cheek, wiping away a tear I didn't know fell.

"Baby, are you okay?"

I deflate. Like a balloon, at his question. Whatever barrier was holding back the water works, fell. And I can feel the tears falling from my eyes.

"No." The word came out in a sob but was still depictable.

"Come here." Matt mumbles as he wraps his arms around my neck, pulling me closer to him. I wrap my own arms around his torso, balling my hands into the fabric of his hoodie as I sob into his chest.

His chin is resting on top of my head, and occasionally he'll press a kiss to my head as a reminder that he's there.

We stand there, swaying back and forth, for maybe eternity.

"Here's what's going to happen, you're going to shower, get comfy, and I'm going to order food then we'll watch whatever you want. That sound good?"

I nod my head against his chest.

"Yeah."

"Good." We pull back and he wipes away my tears with his thumbs and presses a kiss to my forehead, cheeks, nose, then lips.

He hands me a pair of his sweats, one of his hoodies, and some boxers before ushering me to his bathroom.

As I shower, Matt sits on the floor against the sink, talking to me as I do so. Keeping me company.

After I'm clean and have changed into much comfier clothes, we head back to his room where he turns off the lights and gets the bed set up so that we can cuddle.

Once we're settled in his bed, he turns the TV on and looks down at me.

"What do you want to watch pretty girl?"

"Hmmm. Sing 2."

I nuzzle back into his neck comfortably as he opens Netflix and turns the movie on.

It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, the scene near the end where they start the show when the whole theatre becomes the star background, will always amaze me. It's just such a great scene. And the entire show is just amazing.

By the end of the movie, I'm a little tired.

As if on cue,

"You tired?" I hear Matt chuckle and the sensation of it makes me even more tired.

I just nod and almost koala bear around him, earning another chuckle as he slides our bodies down to a laying position and under his comforter.

"I love you."

"I love you too sweet girl." He presses a kiss to my head before wrapping his arms around my waist and I drift off peacefully, feeling more secure in the arms of the one I love most.

Tags ! ✮

@dwntwn-strnlo ✮ @ssturniolo ✮ @strniolo ✮ @20nugs ✮ @prettysturniolo ✮

If you want to be added to the list, all you have to do is ask !! ✮

I love all of you guys !

And I hope you all have a wonderful day and / or night ✮

#l writes!#matt sturniolo #sturniolo triplets #matt sturniolo imagine #matt sturniolo x reader #matthew sturniolo #matt sturniolo x you #♡#days on endd #make sure yall dont overwork yourselves

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luvistqrzzz · 1 year ago

Text

August slipped away into a moment in time 'cause you were never mine

the summer i loved you — jake x f.reader wc — 3.3K

summary — where August was the month of new beginnings and first loves but mostly, heartbreak.

genre — friends to not lovers, second lead syndrome, angst, fluff, summer au, august inspired

warnings — sad ending, jake is a huge dee eye see kay (🤢🤢), profranity, heartbreak, not proofread

an — um guys haha def dont come at me for the ending 😊😊 but omg this had been in my drafts for a while now n im glad im able to release this in august ✌🏽😈 have fun reading pookies (1 fucking am rn imma die help)

ps — ☆ a visualizer cuz why tf am i extra ?!

August is a weird month. It seemed to rush by you like a dream and yet at the same time it felt like the last period of every Friday, not finishing fast enough. You'd prefer the former.

August reminded you of memories— pretty but mostly ugly ones or maybe when the hurt in your heart ran so deep, even the happy memories turned ugly, didn't they?

It was not a month you enjoyed, you didn't like summers, you didn't like feeling like new beginnings and first love.

August reminded you of it all... It reminded you of Jake.

It was 1st of August when you realized what those weird feelings were.

‘Y/N!’ You opened the door to the sound of your name, only to be met with a tired and almost teary eyed Jake. He looked up at you, mustering a small smile as you stood before him your mouth agape.

‘A-are you okay?!’ you asked, pulling him into your house.

‘Um. Not… really’, your friend replied, scratching his neck nervously. ‘It’s just… she kinda broke up with me.’

She. he didn’t even need to mention her name and yet you let the word pierce your heart, a little. Kang Eunji. Jake’s girlfriend, well, ex girlfriend.

It was her, always her. It wasn’t unusual for you to hear that they both had a fight but you never thought they'd break up. ‘What? Are you being for real?!’ You were shocked to say the least. Jake and Eunji were what people deemed to be the “power couple” at school. They wouldn’t break up, or could they?

He nodded and sat on the couch, ‘We were fighting over one of those petty matters again, she was angry why I was so busy. It was about soccer practice of course! And when I kind of lost it, she said we were over.’ His voice caught in his throat before he let out a small sob.

Your heart sank as you patted his back and pulled him close into an embrace, ‘Ssh, it’s okay’, you ran small circles on his, ignoring the butterflies set free in your stomach at the close contact.

You could never understand what went on in their relationship. This may have been the first time they broke up but it surely wasn’t the first time Jake came to your house on the verge of tears.

You hated seeing him this way, like a broken record.

‘What will I do now, Y/N?’ ‘You just broke up, it’s not the end of the world. Plus, you have the entire summer before you, right? We’ll figure a way out,’ You broke the hug, looking straight into his eyes, trying to reassure him.

But they all meant nothing. Getting reassured of a broken heart didn’t mend the damage, you knew better than him. Jake nodded nonetheless, wiping away the stray tears, ‘Goodness, I feel so dumb for just crying like this.’ ‘don’t be. You are allowed to feel your emotions.’

He gave a small smile in your direction and your heart skipped a beat.

‘So’, you turned towards the television, searching for a distraction. ‘You wanna binge watch something? Or maybe some Doraemon?’

Jake grinned, ‘I’d love that! What would I do without you, Y/N?’

You let out an almost sad chuckle, ‘I am the coolest best friend ain’t I?’ The word best friend left a bad taste in your mouth.

4th August was when Jake realized the bookstore was his safe place.

Clink! The door to the bookstore opened with a small chime. You looked up from your position at the counter only to find Jake walk into the shop.

He smiled before taking a seat beside you, much to your surprise. It wasn't unusual for him to drop by the store. But mostly he came for borrowing a book or having a quick chat with you.

But never like this.

'So, how are you doing?' You asked, turning towards where he sat, fidgeting with a pen. It was a slow lazy afternoon with barely any customers.

'Oh, uh, I'm fine. At least I'm trying to be. We had so many things planned and like, it feels weird. We were good for each other…' he kept on rambling about his latest break up.

You could feel your heart clench a litte. You understood why Jake was doing so but it didn't help. It didn't help that there were two broken hearts in the same room. It was always you and the second lead syndrome against the world.

Sometimes you really wondered what you had done to be stuck in the loophole of falling for a friend.

You had been friends with Jake since middle school, always finding yourself blush whenever he was around.

The first time you tried confessing to him during Valentine's Day in freshman year, your hand baked cake (which you had prepared for hours) got destroyed. You kind of gave up on him, treating him as a friend.

Well, that was until Eunji came along last year. Seeing Jake with her brought about a fresh wave of emotions you think your heart had forgotten.

It hadn't.

The bookstore was Jake's hideaway from the world. He loved everything about it. Loved how calming it was and the people who came in always greeted him with a smile. He was a quaint place, maybe mysterious in a sense that Jake didn't want to uncover the secrets it hid.

He liked how you let him sit there for the entirety of your shift. But mostly he loved the conversations.

Throughout the summer, Jake couldn't remember the number of times he found you sitting with him, flipping through some book as you both chatted away, be it in the lazy afternoon or under the evening sky, where the buzz of the grasshopper was the only thing he could hear. They felt weirdly intimate, like the secrets he used to keep as a kid. He almost wanted to gatekeep them.

'Sorry do I bore you here?' You asked one day. It was a question bothering you for a while.

Jake frowned, 'What? No. Of course not, Y/N. You could never bore me.' But you were unconvinced, 'No, like, who spends their summer sitting in a small little barely functioning bookstore except maybe be. You must have a lot of plans, right?'

'I wouldn't lie. I haven't ever spent such a quiet summer but turns out, I like a lot. Too much for my own sake. The bookstore isn't boring. Rather, it gives me a sense of escape from reality.' He gave you a reassuring smile.

'Also', Jake added as a second thought. 'You aren't boring Y/N. You just make it all loads better.'

Your phone went off with a sharp ring. Your alarm wasn’t set to ring today. Who could it be? You groaned as you sleepily grabbed it from the nightstand. Without even checking the name, you picked up the call, ‘Hello? Who?’ ‘It’s me Jake, you dummy!’ His excited voice came from the other side.

You yawned, ‘What do you want?’ you checked the time, ‘It’s literal fucking half past four.’ ‘More reason to wake up, right?!’

‘Shut up, I’m hanging up and-’ ‘No no! I really did plan a surprise. Get ready, please, just for today. Please’, he begged from the other side.

Now, you were definitely wide awake, upon hearing his voice. He had planned what…? ‘Okay but the surprise better be good.’ ‘Also! Keep your bicycle ready.’

‘There you are!’ Jake greeted you with a wide smile as you grumbled and walked down the road with your bike where he stood. ‘You don’t get to smile like that after pulling me up from sleep’, you muttered angrily.

But really who were you to complain? It was Jake and you couldn’t deny the fact that you were genuinely excited for what was coming. It was always an adventure when it came to him.

‘You won’t be disappointed, trust me’, he said, boarding his bike and motioning for you to do the same.

You breathed out a calming sigh, looking ahead at the empty road. Thanks to summer, the sun was already somewhere there on the horizon, spreading a fuzzy glow around you. Everything looked simpler, softer. In the light of the dawn, your thoughts felt less complicated, you almost felt it would be easy to sort out your feelings. Would it?

You turned to look at Jake, cycling in peace, a small grin on his face, ‘Told you! I sometimes go out on early morning rides, especially if I have a lot on my mind.’

‘So, why are you taking me then?’ ‘I don’t know. I just have a feeling you’ll like this place’, he shrugged. ‘Plus, I like spending time with you’, Jake added as an afterthought.’

A blush crept into your cheeks at his words. Stop over thinking you scolded yourself. But you couldn’t help the hope blossom in you. False hope.

‘Here we are’, Jake spread his arms wide, showing you the view. After half an hour of cycling through empty streets and quiet places, you found yourself on a small hill. It was pretty abandoned, the only sounds that reached your ears were the chirping of birds and the whistling of trees in the cool summer morning.

In front of you lay your town and the forests beyond it. Those familiar buildings looked all new when you saw them from top of a hill. It radiated calmth… and comfort.

Or was the latter because of the person beside you?

‘Thanks’, you spoke in a soft whisper but then you felt a hand tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. Your heart stopped as you turned towards Jake looking at you with a fond smile and slowly pulled you closer, resting his head on your shoulder.

You couldn't process what he was doing. Was it all intentional? No, it was the usual playful Jake you knew, right? But the usual playful Jake wasn't like this. He had pulled you into a hug several times but never like this.

Never so tender in his actions that it made you think otherwise.

'I like the view so much. I hope you do too. It's just… very special, I had never shown it to Eunji either. People ruin things', he sighed, looking ahead.

You scoffed as an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, 'So, I'm not a person?' 'No, you're Y/N. It's an entire special thing to be in itself.'

You didn't know what it meant anymore. The secret smiles, the small actions. You weren't oblivious, you saw it all but your face masked it behind the friendship.

But was it even friendship? You hoped it wasn't. You hoped you both had crossed the line of being "just friends".

It was the 20th of August when Jake liked mint chocolate ice cream.

He touched his cheek as a familiar warmth flooded in at the sight of you. What was happening to him? Ever since the day on the hill, he had been feeling weird. Be it when he visited the bookstore or when you both hung out during the day (or night).

The way your laugh sounded in his ears, when you smiled, he noticed the way his heart skipped a beat. But he loved the most when through the afternoons you talked. Just talk, nothing and everything.

Jake had never felt so connected to anyone. You both had always been friends but seeing a friends standing before him, two ice creams in hand shouldn't make Jake blush.

But it did.

'Hey Mr.Zoned out!' You snapped your fingers before him, pulling him away from his thoughts. You handed him his ice cream while joining him on the curb.

He made a disgusted face at the cone you were holding, 'Ugh. Mint chocolate.' You slapped his shoulder playfully, 'Yah! You are a person with zero taste.'

'Oh really? Lemme try it then', Jake replied, challenging you. He scooped a bit with the plastic spoon before closing his eyes and tasting it.

'Ew', he gagged. 'This tastes like fucking toothpaste', he wiped his mouth in disgust.

'Shut up, no need to be so over dramatic about it all', you chuckled and rolled your eyes.

Jake looked at you as you continued eating and looking at the street in front. It was almost 5 in the evening, the kids were out playing but their shouts were only distant noise because all he could hear was your voice. All he could see was you. You weren't bright like the background but in his eyes, you were glowing. The sun falling on your face, as if highlighting only you in his eyes.

Almost as if on instinct, his hand slowly reached out to your free one, his fingers finding yours and intertwining them together.

You stopped, your heart beating way too fast, you could almost feel the redness of your cheeks.

What was happening? What was Jake doing? Why was he doing this?

It felt wrong, you knew it. Your intuition could tell it. This was something you had waited forever to happen, but you knew this couldn't be.

Let go of his hand, Y/N. Let go let go let go let go… don't let go.

You didn't, too foolish and in love to walk away. And maybe that was the first mistake you had made.

The first rain of August came on the 25th.

Why was rain often associated with sadness? No, rain didn't mean sadness.

Because on that one day of August, you stood outside the bookstore looking at the dark clouds, the rain gave you hope.

You sighed, no wonder your mother kept on insisting you to take an umbrella. Now, there you were, standing in front of the closed shop.

But a bright yellow thing caught your eye, standing out in the dull gray background. You squinted your eyes as the figure came closer.

Jake.

Your stomach jumped. Had he come for you?

He ran through the rain, his bright smile evident as you stared at him in wonder.

'What?' He asked. You shook your head, 'You…?' 'I came for you. You always forget your umbrella.' He completed the sentence for you.

Your mouth formed an "O" but a soft smile spread across your lips.

'Here', he handed you the spare umbrella in hand and took hold of your wrist, pulling you into the rain.

You shrieked, 'At least let me open mine first.' He laughed at your sight, moving closer and holding his umbrella over you.

You noticed every single thing, the things you had noticed a hundred times before. But mostly you noticed his little actions.

The ones that made you fall for him all over again.

'Fuck, if I catch a cold, it'll be your fault, Sim Jake', you threatened the boy standing in front of your porch, grinning. You both had recklessly ran in the rain as a result the umbrellas had been pretty useless… but it was fun.

'Don't worry', he stepped forward, a certain fondness flickering in his eyes. 'I'll be there to bring you the meds.'

It happened in a fraction of a second, swiftly, Jake bent down and gave a sudden kiss on your cheek. It was soft as a feather, almost like it didn't happen.

But you felt it. You almost felt dizzy, her cheeks heating you. You brought your hands to where he had just kissed you. It had happened, hadn't it?

But before you could say anything, Jake turned around, his head hung low in embarrassment but his stomach full of butterflies and sprinted in the opposite direction.

Had he meant it?

As Jake walked his way back home, his head filled with thoughts of you, a sudden buzz of his phone. He took it out, expecting a text from you.

But no… It was someone else.

His heart dropped. A contact that hadn't been there since 1st of August.

Eunji.

"jake, im so sorry."

But what followed after that day was something you had always feared.

He ignored you. Every text, every call, no reply. Did he just get awkward? But even an awkward Jake wouldn't be this rude. Or was he angry with you? You didn't even do anything.

The next time you saw Jake, three days later, was when you went on a grocery run.

You could spot him anywhere. 'Jake! Wait', you called out to him. He didn't stop. 'Omg, stop being a shit head would you?! Stop fucking ignoring me!' You huffed, annoyed.

That's when you saw his figure slowly turn towards you. 'Sorry', he muttered. You ran a hand through your hair. sorry? That's all he had to say?

'Look, if it's about that day then forget it. You-you never kissed me.' 'What? Of course not, it isn't about that day', he replied.

You looked at him confusedly, 'Huh? Then why, Jake? I had tried calling and texting you so many times but you couldn't bother to reply to me.'Your voice slowly rose.

'I was busy catching up with Eunji okay?!' his tone matching yours.

There came that name. Her name. Did you hear it correctly? What was she doing in this conversation?

'E-eunji…?' you looked at him, at loss of words. 'I thought yo-you were over her?'

He gave you a look of disbelief, 'No. That day she sent me a text and I realised… I wasn't.'

Why did the crack in your heart deepen? Why was it always you who got hurt?

And you couldn't help but ask, knowing the answer would make you feel worse, 'What about us then, Jake?'

'Us? Y/N what are you talking about? We are friends, we always have been. There is no us.'

There, the final blow. 'Why did you make me feel so special then? All for nothing? You know how much I like you, so much that everytime we spent time together this summer, I got my hopes up. I was so foolish, because of you Sim fucking Jaeyun. And that day you kissed me, I thought, finally you'll realize but no. It's always her, isnt it?', you didn't scream but the crack in your voice said it all.

And Jake remained silent through it all. because he knew he deserved 'So, this summer meant nothing to you?' You sniffed, a single tear rolling down your cheek.

'Nothing.' But you missed the flicker in his eyes. The flicker that said otherwise.

That it wasn't nothing, it was his eveything.

August 31st was when you lost it finally.

‘It was just a summer thing’, the words rang in your ear, loud and clear. They drowned the voices of all the chatter of classmates. ‘y/n? y/n? Are you okay?’ Lily asked beside you, furrowing her eyebrows in worry.

But you couldn’t respond to her, at that very moment, you thought you couldn’t do pretty much anything except look. Or rather stare at the sight unfolding before you. Before you knew it, the plastic cup fell from your hands, the beer splashing all over the floor and getting the attention of the people in the room, the attention of them.

In the haze, you met your eyes with his, the soft brown ones that you had fallen in love with, the one which enveloped you in warmth. But now they felt like they were hurting you, the annoyance in them.

A tear rolled down your cheek as you turned around. The room suddenly felt too small, the stares of the people felt accusing. You let go of Lily’s hand that gripped your wrist and ran in the opposite direction.

Did you hear footsteps behind you? Were they Jake’s? You hated to admit it but you wished they were. You wished that he was the one following you, the one who'd hold you back.

For once, prove it to you that you weren’t the second lead.

But he wasn’t there.

You found yourself rushing to the porch, the sounds fading out. But you could hear the blood pumping in your ears, the sound of your shallow breath that you had been holding for so long.

He wasn’t there. What did you even expect?

You were a summer thing for him… but he was your summer love.

permanent taglist open- send an ask- @rikizm @str0l0gy @yenqa @heetoldme @crxzs @s00buwu @nhularin

nets- @en-web @k-films @enhanet @hyfenet

#enhypen imagines #jake imagines #— works !#enhypen x reader #enhypen angst #enhypen fanfiction #jake x reader #jake sim #enhypen jake #enhypen fanfics #enhypen au #enhypen scenarios #jake fanfic #enha fics #enha jake #enhypen oneshots

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mangomagiii · 1 year ago

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gojo satoru x oc (himetsuru ichimonji)

a/n: will be made as multichapter. title and succeeding chapters work in progress. tagged with xreader (pls just remove the OC's name/features if you want to self-insert). pls see end notes for other info

tags: cheating, eventual angst, eventual romance, different lifetimes, reincarnation (some tags will be added depending on chapters)

»»————-　　————-««

“I am not mad, Gojo-san. In fact, I am not concerned about your affairs with other women.”

An invisible yet heavy force seemed to take over the atmosphere at a particular booth as the woman opposite him calmly sipped on her tea. Her well-cared hands moved with grace in each motion she made. The man opposite her was frozen as he processed what she had just said. The almost-empty lavishly-decorated restaurant usually encourages a festive mood in contrast with the two people engaged in a long silence.

Ichimonji Himetsuru finished sipping on her cup, fully savoring the warmth and sweet taste of Chrysanthemum. She gently laid the half-full cup, the cup clacked upon contact with the oak table. Folding her hands on her lap, she continued. “There is no problem at all. I assure you of that, Gojo-san.”

Satoru got out of his stupor and tried to reason. “Himetsuru, listen to me. I’m your fiancé, you should be–”

Himetsuru stood up from her seat, the sudden difference in height made her look down on him. Contrary to Satoru’s expectation, her eyes held no anger nor sadness. Only tranquillity, as if they’re currently not talking about his cheating. “You are free to do whatever you want, Gojo-san. It’s not like I wasn’t completely aware. I understand that this marriage was arranged between our families and both of us never had a say on this.” She whipped out several amounts of cash and slid it on the table. Getting out of the booth, she bowed to him who still had his jaw slack. “You do not have to worry about me telling my family. I fully consent to your arrangement. We are not married yet.”

“This is not a joke, Himetsuru. You should be mad at me. I am sorry for not being faithful to our arrangement, for not fulfilling my part. I…”

“To which I already replied that I am not angry at all. Must I repeat what I have said already? I don’t really want to sound like a broken record.” She sighed, her hand already massaging a forming headache.

“I simply do not care what you do in your own time. As long as we both do our duties as husband and wife after the marriage then that’s all that matters. We are not married yet, that's why I am still compliant with your whims. Just don’t cause anything that will jeopardise both families’ reputation. That’s all I ask.”

She left the area, not even bothering to check him for the last time. Gojo was still in pure shock, not wanting to believe what he had just heard from her. He was fully expecting her to lash out on him, scream, slap his face, humiliate him in public. But all he got was a calm and straight response. It was so cool that it was also terrifying.

“What on earth just happened..?” his body sank on the plush seat, all the tension left his body, but inside was still in turmoil.

She doesn't care? He was her fiancé, he cheated on her and ignored their arrangement for ten years!

The arrangement had been decided since their teens, during his second year as a Jujutsu student. He came home after school, entered the estate after a long day of fooling around with Geto and Shoko, and suddenly he was bombarded with congratulations as news broke out that the Ichimonji and Gojo decided on their union. He looked around the main hall, and his eyes met with his betrothed. His Six Eyes fully-focused at her, critically analysing her features and every actions. Did they at least assessed his betrothed thoroughly? Apparently, yes. She was beautiful, deduced that she is a graceful person despite not moving on her seat. Elegance seemed to emit from her, making her a fitting candidate as his wife. Her eyes in a colour of jade did the same, studying her betrothed. Silky violet hair were adorned in kanzashi. She also happened to have a cursed energy, however, small and probably good enough to only assist just like what auxiliary managers do. He blocked out all the chattering, only waiting for her reaction. She nodded at him, and then went on to talk to someone, leaving him to deal with the annoying noises.

Despite her neat and refined appearance, it did not make him excited at the arrangement and instead anger started to form. He was furious, not only because he was paired with someone that he was not familiar with, but also for the fact that he does not get a say at all. Did they even care about their son? Not at all, as it was for the sake of the clan and prestige.

This particular memory in his life led to him ignoring her completely, also starting a bad habit of flirting and later on engaging in intimate acts with other women. He knows he will be found out, but he never really cared, at least at that time. This behavior intensified after Geto’s defection, sadness consuming him as he lost his only friend. His family became aware of his affairs, and noticed how evasive he was when it involved the Ichimonjis, particularly their daughter. Countless arguments spurred, asking him to be considerate and get along with Himetsuru. All fell on deaf ears. He hoped that by eliciting such reactions from both families and her would end up dissolving their engagement. But now, he was not sure. She was being compliant with him, as if she doesn't care about him at all. He also realized that no matter what he does, both families will not budge and will continue with their plans.

He’s already 26, already teaching for a few years, even taking care of late Fushiguro Toji’s son Megumi and his sister Tsumiki. The countless flirting with women continued despite not motivated anymore to break his engagement, and almost everyone in the Jujutsu society was aware of his flings. He would even engage with other school personnel, from auxiliary managers to even windows, earning the ire of his former teacher Yaga and an exasperated sigh from Shoko. Ijichi decided to not meddle, afraid of consequences from Gojo.

Today’s conversation between Himetsuru and Satoru happened because he was caught flirting with one of the windows. The halls that were usually silent and void of any people were occupied by Gojo and a female window. Smacking of lips and rustles of clothes filled the hallway as they descended deeper into lust.

Several meters, he already felt a faint cursed energy. Being the troublemaker he is, he paid it no mind and continued on his conquest. Despite his Six Eyes ability, he cannot figure out whose cursed energy it belonged to. Odd, but he’s occupied with another thing to even care about the person who will witness such debauchery.

The footsteps halted, and a voice that he had not heard for so long snapped him out of his lust-driven state.

“I’m afraid to interrupt your intimate time, but I need to get through the Principal’s office.”

Both Gojo and the window looked at the person who witnessed their affair. There she is, his fiancée with a jaded look on her face.

Oh, he was doomed.

»»————-　　————-««

a/n: inspired from a novel/manhwa "This Marriage Is Bound To Sink Anyway". Canon-compliant-ish(?). I originally wanted this to be an xReader hence the tag but I've planned so much about the appearance, personality, and features of the reader so i ended up making it as an xOC. but pls do remove my OCs features/name if you want to self-insert!

side note: some info such as timelines and ages were taken from various sources (reddit, blogs). it may or may not be accurate from canon so pls keep in mind that these ages/timeline was written for the fanfic plot's sake. this fanfic starts before he started teaching maki/toge/panda/yuta and he's 26 years old here.

gojo's start as a teacher: source

gojo's ages: when he met megumi, jjk 0

feedbacks are greatly appreciated, it helps me to improve my writing!

#gojo angst #jjk satoru #jujutsu kaisen gojo #gojo x you #gojo satoru x oc #gojo x oc #satoru x oc #satoru gojo x reader #jjk fanfic #jujutsu kaisen x reader

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morsartis · 2 years ago

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Compliment Part 2

Peter Maximoff x Reader

Tagged: @floraroselaughter

It’d been weeks since your rather awkward encounter with Peter, well maybe awkward wasn’t the right word for it. Hindsight had been a bit of an eye opener for you after that day and you had spent that time growing more and more embarrassed with yourself. It wasn’t that you were ashamed of it, not at all, in fact it was more the urge to keep doing it that had caught you off guard. Watching Peter the way you liked to do had revealed he didn’t have many friends and certainly even less compliments. Your one off handed compliment had seemed to brighten his week and as you watched him revert back to his old self you couldn’t help but feel… Sad. Everyone deserved compliments. While you yourself hadn’t been on the receiving end of many compliments that didn’t mean others weren’t deserving of them. Your mother had drilled into your head to be the change you wanted to see in the world and mostly you just wished people were kinder to each other. Especially with all this mutant nonsense that seemed to be cropping up. Perhaps you were tenderhearted with your belief that one should do unto others as they’d wish others would do unto them, perhaps you were overly optimistic in the hope that humans and mutants could coexist. You weren’t sure.

But you did know that you liked seeing others happy.

After having worked yourself into an embarrassed mess over the compliment a few weeks ago it took you some time to work up the courage to try it again. This time however you took your time formulating the compliment you wanted to give. It’d be something small, insignificant to most, but something only someone who was watching might think to give. Arguably you knew he was self conscious of certain things. It was quite obvious in the way he acted what made him jittery. So there you were in your shared class with your chin in your palm as the teacher droned on in the background. Peter seemed to be developing heterochromia in his eyes, that pale blue ring to them more visible now than before. But you had already complimented them. You didn’t want to come off as a broken record. Instead you had zeroed in on his hair. Years of watching your mother straighten her own hair had given you a clue what natural straight hair and ironed straight hair looked like. As track season had begun and Peter had taken to it you’d noticed that his hair had gotten almost curly at the roots. Why he’d hide such a thing didn’t make sense to you but you figured that was just something he did. His eyes darted to your own and he tensed clearly not expecting you to be watching, giving him a warm smile you hummed to yourself in thought. The smile was what made him pause. His lips parted to speak and you were reminded that he also had nice lips. They looked soft despite most likely being chapped. Kissable. That particular thought was set aside for later.

“You’d look nice with curly hair.” You spoke, interrupting him before he could speak himself. The soft incessant tapping of his foot paused. For a moment he merely stared back at you. He blinked the words setting in slowly. But just like the last time you complimented him that barely there blush threatened to rise to his cheeks. His face was more round than other boys, betraying a youth that hadn’t yet left him in favor of puberty. He cleared his throat after a moment, eyes darting nervously around the room to see if anyone had heard or was paying any attention. Or perhaps he was looking to see if you’d been set up by someone. That thought rather hurt.

“I look weird with curly hair.” He mumbled after a moment. His hand scrubbed over his face and you couldn’t help but smile a little more.

“I think you’d look handsome.” You shrugged. To your fascination that blush deepened, his face reddened in such a way that you could clearly see the pink. Those interesting eyes darted between you and somewhere off to the side as if trying to think of something to say. Something to refute your claim. But you continued to gaze at him with a warm smile.

“You have nice lips.” He blurted out your eyes widened the same time his did. That blush now a bright flaming unmistakable red as he ducked his head. “Fuck.” He hissed to himself.

Huh. You thought past the embarrassment. You tried not to immediately deny the compliment as sudden as it was. Had he been staring too? Your face felt warm as your smile curled a little at the edges with the heat. Going more crooked as the embarrassment set in. Taking a steady breath you willed your voice not to crack.

“Thanks.” Your voice swelled with that bashful feeling threatening to overwhelm you. Gnawing on your cheek you glanced away. When you glanced back you found him staring right at you, some strange expression on his face you couldn’t place. Unsure of yourself you shuffled nervously in your seat. Strangely enough you could have sworn you saw his pupils dilate but that was silly.

He cleared his throat suddenly and flipped erratically through the book you were supposed to be reading for your class. Taking that as your cue you opened your own book and flipped to where you’d marked the pages. Self consciously your fingers trailed to your lips. You couldn’t help but let out a silent huff of amusement at what an awkward pair the two of you must have made. As the teacher continued to talk you glanced shyly back up at him and found his eyes.

“I like your jacket too. It’s cute.”

He shuffled around in his seat, teeth digging into his lower lip. A pretty deer in headlights.

“I like the little hearts you doodle in your notebook.” He blurted and then flushed red yet again. It was clear he hadn’t meant to say that either. The confession caught you off guard, you didn’t think anyone noticed the little absentminded doodles you drew when you were struggling to focus. Much less noticed enough to realize what they were. Which meant that somehow Peter had been watching you like you had been watching him. All without you having noticed at all. The heat in your face returned but you couldn’t help the smile that tugged at your lips.

“You do?” You asked, unable to hide the bashful tone of your voice. Those wide eyes skittered across your face and you wondered what he could possibly be thinking.

“Yeah.” He answered plainly. “They, uh, they’re cute. I mean…” He trailed off clearly trying to think of something to say and grasping at straws. Taking pity on him and on yourself you found yourself stretching your leg out to rest your ankle against his. The featherlight touch had his foot immediately stilling, freezing him momentarily in place before he swallowed so hard his adam’s apple visibly jumped.

“Thank you.” You told him genuinely. It was strange how that was the compliment that caught you the most. An unwitting admittance to being perceived by someone else. You had gone to pull your leg from his when his leg suddenly twisted to lock yours into place. Shifting so that the back of your ankle was pressed against the front of his. A new, surprising, development. Did Peter… Like touch? Did he want it? In all your time observing him you hadn’t noticed a preference for or against it. But if he wanted touch… You forced your leg to relax against his. Letting it rest there as if it were the most natural thing in the world as you turned back to your book. For the rest of the class period the two of you stayed like that. Ankles locked together harmlessly under your desks.

#peter maximoff x reader #peter maximoff #quicksilver x reader #Its just fluffy guys #I wanted to write something soft and this is what happened #I thought it could use a part two #reader insert #if anyone wants to be tagged in anything then please let me know!#I also finally figured out how to do the read more thing #I am seriously not very good with tech lol #I hope this lives up to expectations #I thought it was cute at least #xmen

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wherejoshwent · 2 years ago

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In the past month or so I have been feeling happy, making a special effort to not take the things and people in my life for granted. This was triggered by a conversation with a friend, which made me realise that the things we think will be our problems never turn out to be the saddest things in our lives. Now, if I am getting hung up on some work issue or worrying about the logistics of my relationship, for example, I think to myself, I should be so lucky that these are the only things I have to worry about. I know there will likely be times ahead where I will have real, deep sadnesses, simply because they are a part of life, and I’ll look back on all the fretting I experience now and see it as trivial.

Today I went to see my Dad. I haven’t been to see him in months, so I was surprised when the receptionist at his home did not ask who I was there to see when I came in, only got someone to take me up straight away. I did not have to give his name, and then when they didn’t recognise who I was referring to, to clarify I meant Horse, which is the name he asks people there to call him. This was a relief.

When I knocked on his door he asked who was there. When I said my name he told me to come in but then looked warily at me from his chair. ‘Is it really you, Is?’ I noticed that he had torn out of the wall the neat unit installed there for him to buzz for help from the nurses, its wires dangling behind him. His guitar had been snapped at the neck and lay broken alongside one of the walls.

He was less talkative than usual. He was experiencing great tooth pain; when I said he ought to ask for a dentist he said there was nothing wrong with his teeth. He told me the problem was his mouth had been filled with metal fillings, which ‘they’ were using to administer electric shocks to him. He kept opening his mouth wide, pulling it wider with his fingers for me to see, his eyes furious. I was surprised that when I told him that the people in the home were there to care for him and help him, he calmly told me it was simply the way he saw it. He wasn’t willing to debate.

We talked about the nice things about where he lived. I told him I thought it was glamorous to have an ensuite bathroom, and he told me what he’d like to get an interior designer to do with the place. He’d have a chaise longue by the door, and some sort of wall or screen so people couldn’t see his bed as soon as they opened the door. He thought he might find a lamp for his bedside at the car boot sale. ‘When I was there the other day, I was looking for… what was I looking for?’ he said. We looked out his window, across the allotments there. ‘It would be nice if I could just take a walk, but there’s only a lift to get down, which would be great if it works, but it doesn’t work, does it?’

I felt guilty when I realised the lie the nurses must have told him; more so that I didn’t correct him. My dad lives on the 3rd floor of a home for adults with complex needs. Nobody may leave or enter without a nurse’s pass. As far as I am aware, my dad has not left that corridor since he came to live in the home about a year and half ago.

There had been a question I wanted to ask him. It was something I had been wondering about recently. I knew I could ask him with the safety that he would not remember me having asked after I said it. My parents married when they were 23 years old after having known each other for 6 months. It was my mother’s second marriage. My father left 11 days after they were wed, but my mother was able to persuade him to come back to her. But he always had a bag packed under the bed. So I wanted to ask him, if you could go back and do your life again, would you still get married and have children?

He paused and considered the question. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘Not necessarily in that order, but I would.’ This was a great relief to me. That my dad did not regret having had us as part of his life. I had, despite my guilt and sense of betrayal at doing so, recorded this conversation on my phone. When I listened to it back when I got home, I could hear another patient sobbing loudly from another room.

My Dad is only 57 years old. When I look at this photograph, which is in his room, of him and his mother with my sisters and me, it gives me real bodily pain. To look at us all there, oblivious of what was to come. His paranoia, his addictions, the physical harm that would come to his body as a result of his psychotic episodes. I can’t help but just feel so unbearably sad.

I never imagined then what my parents’ involvement in my life would be when I was older. All my dreams were about myself, some including my sisters. My parents had split up long before I was old enough to consider them as people in their own right, and the futures they might have when taking care of my sisters and me was no longer their main priority. So I never imagined how he might be as a grandfather, for example. And by the time I would be old enough to consider this, I would already know that the care my father needed would be equal to or greater than the care a child needs. That makes me sad too, now — that even in my imagination there has never been a future with him in it participating as a father normally might. I feel so much grief tonight for that. For what I’ll never even be able to imagine.

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lindsaywesker · 2 years ago

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Good morning! I hope you slept well and feel rested? Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in my blue towelling robe, enjoying my first cuppa of the day. Happy Hump Day!

My favourite track of 2022 was ‘People’ by Libianca. Played it on my show a few months ago when I got to The Letter L. Last year, on this very page, I said it was a future No. 1 record. So glad to see it finally climbing up the UK Singles chart. Today, it’s at No. 7, up from No. 8. Nine weeks on the chart to date. Best song I’ve heard in ages and an important song about mental health! The first verse reads, “I've been drinking more alcohol for the past five days. Did you check on me? Now, did you look for me? I walked in the room, eyes are red and I don't smoke banga. Did you check on me? Now, did you notice me?”

Very interesting comments on Twitter from UK hip hop artist, Hardy Caprio, regarding problems he’s having with his record company. He was getting no joy from them, so he felt he had to go public. He’s now been contacted directly by EMI and they’ve said they’ll deal with his grievances “ethically”. Naturally, if you sign a bad recording contract, who’s fault is it? Yours! A good manager and/or music industry lawyer will steer you straight. There’s no need to sign a bad deal. In negotiations, you won’t get everything you want but, if you prioritise your deal-breakers, you’ll get most of what you want. If a record label want you badly enough, you can negotiate. If you’re on your knees begging someone for a record deal, the record label are under no obligation to offer you a good deal. They’ve got 20 kids waiting in reception who’ll sign anything to get signed. The thing is: it seems like Hardy’s label didn’t think he knew the terms of his own contract. Like he’s too dim to know the difference. So, they’re doing dodgy dealings and didn’t expect him to notice and/or complain. Hmm … not cool!

As you may have heard about or read about, Baroness Louise Casey conducted a year-long review of the Metropolitan Police, and her findings have been released this week. She has concluded that the Met is institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic and said the force may need to be broken up to "fix" it. Tell us something we don’t know, love! Amazingly, Cruella The Not-Very-Brave stood up in Parliament yesterday and said that ‘institutional racism’ is a politically charged term and she refuses to accept the report. What a very sad woman! We all know what she is. We all know what she wants to be. Once she’s finished in political life and written her autobiography, she can then get a non-executive job on some company board, and her kids will be set-up for life. It’s a fairly standard career plan.

Naturally, the worst part about going on a holiday or short break is coming home. Packing up your suitcase, saying goodbye to your hotel room and handing back your key is heart breaking! Nevertheless, you know me, I have a diary full of fun and things to look forward to. I’ve got so many beautiful people I want to see but I have to be careful about my planning. My work schedule is crazy and The Trouble has just started a new job, so I can’t go filling the diary with dinners or she’ll give me earache! Nevertheless, we’re almost at April and I can’t go a whole year without seeing my favourite people, so I need to get my organising hat on! You know what it’s like, vague plans don’t become actual arrangements unless you put a date and time on them!

Have a wonderful and well-endowed Wednesday. I love you all. Yes, a crazy, bald man loves and cares about you.

#mixcloud #mi soul #dj #music #new blog #lockdown #coronavirus #books #weekend #democracy #brexit #cronyism #election #radio

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allthemusic · 12 days ago

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Week ending: 5th April

April already, and we've got a geography class, apparently, with two unnecessarily dramatic songs that run us through the full water cycle - albeit with quite different overall vibes.

And the Heavens Cried - Anthony Newley (peaked at Number 6)

This track has a really big, extravagant opening. I mean, there's a timpani roll, and then straight away, these dramatic, shrill strings, a chorus of backing singers accompanying them. It's kind of naff, and honestly, I think if you didn't have them, this would still work quite well as a quieter number. I mean, you've got the blesy chord progression, the stabby piano triplets, the hangdog lyrics. Under the hood, it's a perfectly serviceable rock and roll track. And yet, here we are.

I shouldn't be surprised, really. Anthony, so far, has been nothing if not an old-school showman, with a background primarily in musical theatre and also regular theatre theatre. So he's not a pop singer by any stretch of the imagination. Heck, you can tell that from the careful way he enunciates every word, here, the mannered delivery - it's very clear, and very British. Compare to Cliff, or even more strikingly, to Adam Faith, and you hear a huge difference - there's not a trace of Elvis here, or of Buddy or the Everlys, and it's honestly kind of refreshing.

Or it would be if the lyrics to this song weren't so very cheesy. The central idea is that Anthony's girl has left him, and the whole world's crying about it. Hence lines about how the heavens cried / And the tears filled the stream / And the stream filled the river / The river filled the sea / All because she took her love away from meeeeeeeee. Very melodramatic. That said, I kind of do appreciate that it's the whole natural world that's mourning Anthony's breakup. It would have been easy to lean on the "my tears are like rivers" metaphor, and make it Anthony's tears that are flowing down into the sea. But instead, by showing how even the heavens are crying, you get the sense that this isn't just a personal set-back for Anthony, it's something more akin to a fundamental disordering of the world. Anthony's girl's left him, and it's literally broken the sky. Powerful stuff.

In all this, the best bit is absolutely the way that Anthony's voice slides down chromatically on the end of half the chorus lines. It creates this sad, wailing kind of sound that also makes me think of rain running down a window, or a stream flowing down a slope, somehow. It feels slinky and fluid and properly sad - music for moping to!

Lazy River - Bobby Darin (2)

And then, like that, we're getting jazzy with it! Lazy River is a proper standard, originally published in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and one Sidney Arodin. A pair of Tin Pan Alley songwriters, the song does have that kind of swinging, jazz sound that Bobby's been trying for, recently, so I can see why he went for it. Plus, it's been done by just about everyone who is everyone. Seriosuly, scan the list of people who've done a version, and you'll find Acker Bilk, Adam Faith, Bing Crosby, Cliff Richard, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, the Platters... and that's just the ones that have come up on this blog already!

So yeah, I shouldn't be hugely surprised that Bobby's recorded a version of Lazy River, or that it's actually pretty good. There's a sort of quiet, laid-back coolness to it, especially at the start, where you've just got Bobby, a guitar and a double bass. Add in lyrics about sailing up a lazy river, and you've got a super chill vibe. Up a lazy river, by the old mill stream, he sings, lazy river in the noonday sun / Linger a while in the shade of a tree / Throw away your troubles, dream with me. I don't mind if I do, Bobby, that sounds idyllic!

Of course, this being Bobby Darin, things do then get a bit more energetic, with parping horns, stabbing brass and his usual assortment of vocal acrobatics, lots of hup sounds, whoahs, vocal wobbles and moans and even little interjections - my favourite here has to be the bit just past the song's halfway mark where Bobby straight up tells us we're at the halfway mark, which is gloriously pointless. And then, we're ramping up for a big old ending. Bobby actually comes off weirdly aggressive here, I think, with two slightly mystifying lines thrown in about how I ain't goin' your way / Get outta my way. Who's in Bobby's way? And why the attitude about it, all of a sudden? I can't work it out just from listening to the song, but in a way it hardly matters, beacuse by the next line we're back to our lazy river, and then the song's done, with one huge note from Bobby and a big old trumpet flourish. Up a lazy river with meeeeeeeeeeeee!

Both of today's singers actually feel like they're courting a similar audience, and probably a slightly older one than, say, Neil Sedaka or the Everlys. While these youngsters shill pop and doo-wop to the teenaged masses, Bobby and Anthony are trying to put something classier out, you get the feeling, something swinging, something more theatrical, that feels like it's drawing more from old-school standards and Tin Pan Alley songwriting. Add in some exaggerated, defiantly British enunciation, or some energetic jazz touches, and you've got something that's got definite hit potential - but that sounds nothing like what you'd probably think of, if I asked you to picture "the sound of 1961".

Favourite song of the bunch: Lazy River

#uk charts #1961 #anthony newley #bobby darin

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dailyaudiobiblechronological · 1 year ago

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9/16/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Daniel 7-9

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological. I'm China. Today is the 16th day of September. Welcome. So glad you are here with us today. And I'm excited to get to read, to continue on reading the book of Daniel. I'm really enjoying it and feeling sad about it being the last day reading together until the next week. So we are in Daniel 7 through 9 with the New International version this week.

Commentary:

The part of today's reading where it says that Daniel is so exhausted that he just laid there for days, I'm like, I relate to that not only in pregnancy but then also like, try to imagine you're the one who sees these things. You're trying to record it. You're trying to make sense of it. You're like, wait, what was what was that that I saw? And like, this is how I feel after reading the the prophetic books because I'm like I don't even know what just happened, so I'm just going to lay here exhausted. I'm like, I love this stuff, like this is in the Bible because this is relatable.

Prayer:

But Lord, I thank you for the book of Daniel that we got to read this week. And I thank you that Daniel was a man after your heart- he really cared about the things that you were about and the things that you cared about. And I thank you, Lord, that we see that all throughout these past few days of scripture reading. And what I just am so grateful that we have people's testimonies like Daniels, that we get to read and elevates and encourages our faith and our hearts and challenges us in the areas of you know, when we follow the Lord, no matter what it costs. Would we be people who seek out to hear his word, and to interpret dreams or to um, have specific gifts that may really lead us into some places, that we find ourselves in uncomfortable positions, but that we know, we know, we know, we know that you are with us and that you will never forsake us nor leave us. And I, God, I just thank you for- I thank you for this week. And so in your name we pray. Amen.

Announcements:

Well, this is where I leave you for this week and we will pick up together this next week and we will actually finish off the Old Testament the next time that we read together. And so, wow, that is surreal to think about. We are. We are almost there friends. That is all for today. I'm China. I love you. And I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer Line:

Hello my DABC this is Vinita. First of all, thank you Jill for announcing Max's birthday. And second of all, I just want to wish him a happy birthday. And yes, I'm one of them that bought his music. Yes and I love it and I I look forward to listening to it all the time, every especially on Christmas time. I just love it. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Jill, for your smile. Yes, I can tell you smiling just just like you tell. You can tell I'm smiley. Yes, it's true. When I call my sister and she's not having a good day. She's like, hello. I'm like, she's not smiling. So at the end of the day, I make her day because I'm always smiling. I'm always smiling. You know, sometimes I have my days, but yeah, that means that I'm human. But yeah, I love it. I love it. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for for reading equal to us. It has hit home. Like I said, God just has set me straight, you know. I feel like when he speaks to to to Israel like that and so rough. I feel like you know I need to cover my head and mouth down feel like he's talking to me, to to all of us, you know because we are living in this horrible world that is just oh this world is broken. It just reminds me of of of even the Christians that are living a life that that he is not happy with. You know our phones are things can be. No other gods for us. Thank you. I love you.

This is September the 8th and this is Candy Unraveled by God's Grace. I just got done listening to yesterday's Umm call so um, Carrie AKA Jesus girl, thank you for calling in. Thank you for that testimony of encouragement to those who are afraid to call and press that red button. I hope that that helps others who are needing to call in and request prayer to just go ahead and do it. Get on there, give us your name and what you're expecting God to do for you. And we'll stand behind you and pray with you. And if you're wanting to call in and just pray for someone, hit that red button and do it. Because even the simplest of prayers is honored by God and we will stand behind you on that and just pray with you. So call. And for Simone- girl, I love hearing your testimony, so don't ever stop calling and giving your testimonies or whatever it is that you're needing. And I am so thankful that you have restored your relationship with your mom. I too had something similar going on, but I was given away to my grandma from even before I was conceived. So long story, but I am just thankful that you are there celebrating with your mom. Y'all have a beautiful day. God bless you all. Love you all. Bye DABC family.

This is Diana from Florida and can I just praise the Lord. Oh. Our Jesus. He is so awesome. He is so awesome. I am praising God because Kingdom Seeker Daniel called in and said that his bride LOV got an extension to be able to finish her PhD, I mean God always comes through one way or another. Isn't it amazing? Isn't it amazing how God will answer our prayers? How God will hear the cries of his people? And how beautiful it is that we get to see him come through yet again. I am just so ecstatic. I am over the moon excited for you. I love you and I wanna pray for you now, Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up LOV right now and I pray, Lord God, that now that she's gotten this extension, that you would help her to conclude her studies to do well and not only completing all of the work but also if she needs to defend her PhD, if she needs to do anything like that, that you would give for the wisdom that you would give her the authority and the command to be able to defend and showcase the study and research that she has conducted over the past several years as a PhD student. May God's favor rest upon LOV and Kingdom Seeker Daniel in Jesus name. Amen.

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casspurrjoybell-18 · 2 years ago

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Mutual Desire - Chapter 80

*Warning - Adult Content*

As soon as Nicolas D'Alonzo abandoned Damien Clarke's apartment, Craig entered, closing the door behind him.

He had with him a big black gym bag hanging over his shoulder.

As his ex moved closer to him, Damien realized that he was now alone with him, which was something he wanted to avoid.

Standing still in front of Damien, Craig analyzed him attentively, looking all over his face with worried and puzzled eyes.

Unable to bear his ex's intrusive gaze, Damien dodged it, looking everywhere except in front of him.

"You look awful, Damien," Craig commented without judgment in his tone, his blue eyes focused on Damien's face.

"What's wrong?"

His features becoming tense, Damien lowered his head and sighed in annoyance.

How many times was he going to hear the same broken record over and over again?

He himself was aware that from what little he had seen of his reflection in the mirror he could scare a few people off if he went outside.

He didn't need to hear aloud what he already knew.

"I'm fine, Craig," Damien said firmly, his eyes on the floor.

By the way he physically looked, Damien knew his words lost all credibility.

He could barely stand and if it hadn't been for the wall helping him standing somewhat straight, he would've stumbled a long time ago.

Damien had this illusion that he still had the chance to keep appearances a little, though his physical condition betrayed him completely.

The fact that Craig seemed careless regarding him made Damien want to look good and well even more.

"Okay. You'll need to explain to me why you didn't answer any of my texts and calls then."

Damien lifted his head and observed Craig with a slight expression of annoyance on his face.

He remembered that the only reason he hadn't asked Craig to leave was because he was curious as to why he had shown up in the first place.

"Why are you here?" Damien asked coldly, deliberately ignoring the question.

Damien tried to not reveal that Craig's earlier indifference hadn't affected him but just like with Nabokov, he was hurt, and he was unable to hide it.

"I'm here to pick up the rest of my things and give you back the copy of your key," Craig replied, continuing to stare at Damien worriedly.

Craig reached into his pocket and took out a key which he offered to Damien who took it.

"Sure, go ahead," Damien said, his voice breaking up, his eyes finding the floor.

Damien didn't have the courage to look at Craig in the eye for fear he would notice the water rising in his eyes.

The fact that Craig had handed over the key officially marked the end of their relationship in Damien's eyes who was suddenly overcome with stifling emotions.

He did everything to swallow his tears so that it wouldn't fall but it was a losing battle.

‘So, it was really over?’

"Damien," Craig whispered tenderly.

"Seriously, what's wrong?"

Damien sniffed and weakly pinched his nose.

He kept his head tilted and ran his hand over his closed eyelids which caused his tears to flow.

"We broke up not even a month ago, Craig," he explained, his tone cracking completely.

"I think I have the right to be a little depressed."

Craig gently laid a hand on Damien's shoulder and it only made the tears flowing worse.

Without even seeing it, Damien was willing to bet that Craig was watching him with pity in his eyes and it was a huge blow to Damien's ego who absolutely couldn't bear inspiring pity to others.

"I didn't say the opposite but it's not because your reasons for being sad are valid that all the actions you take that are motivated by this sadness are just as valid and good for you, Damien."

Damien snorted in contempt and he finally gathered the courage to fix his gaze on Craig's concerned eyes.

"I don't take any action that isn't good for me," Damien bitterly defended himself.

"I just need some time alone and soon I'll get better. Promise."

Craig scrutinized him carefully, clearly not convinced but before his ex-boyfriend got a little intrusive, Damien deflected the conversation.

"I have to go take a piss," he announced. "Make yourself at home."

Not expecting a response from Craig, Damien turned his back and walked slowly to the bathroom.

When he arrived, Damien expected to see Craig behind him but he wasn't there when Damien halfway turned to close the door behind him.

Damien turned on the light and leaned on the counter, deliberately forbidden himself from looking at his reflection in the mirror above the sink.

He walked to the toilet where he relieved himself by emptying his bladder.

When he washed his hands, Damien was unable to save himself from his own reflection.

He gazed into the mirror and was flabbergasted by what he saw.

It was worse than he had imagined.

A homeless man looked better than him.

His reddish eyes, his unkempt beard for several days, his completely disarray hair and just the exhausting expression on his face frightened even himself.

Craig's coming to the bathroom stopped Damien in the fearful observation of his reflection in the mirror.

The head nurse moved closer to Damien, barely a few millimetres between them, his hand gently touching Damien's cheek.

"You've been drinking," Craig said worriedly, his gaze soft and showing concern.

It wasn't a question, but Damien answered like it was.

"Yes, a little," he admitted.

"I could smell the alcohol coming from you a mile away," Craig contradicted him.

Damien was far too busy being baffled by Craig's abrupt change in attitude to argue with him about how many liters of alcohol were in his system.

Damien blinked, as he struggled to understand why his ex-had gone from being totally indifferent towards him to being worried in the space of a few minutes.

"Did you take drugs," Craig said, gently stroking Damien's cheek.

This time, Damien didn't take long to react.

He shook his head sharply but looked aside.

What Damien dreaded had finally happened.

He was aware that his ex had some pretty big change to easily tell by a quick glance that he had relapsed since Craig worked in health care.

"No," Damien contested all the same.

Craig wasn't fooled but he didn't say anything for a few seconds, leaving the silence speak for him.

When Damien clung to his ex's gaze, he realized that he hadn't believed a single word of what he had said.

Damien had once confided in Craig about his bleak past as their relationship started to get serious.

Back then, Damien knew if he wanted his relationship to last, he needed to have no skeleton in his closet that would later bite him in the ass, hence why he had shared his secrets.

Now he regretted that he had done that, because there was something about being accused of taking drugs, ‘whether it was true or not’ that made Damien's blood boil.

No one liked to be reminded of their weaknesses and Damien was no exception.

"You're lying to me," Craig said softly.

"I'm not lying," Damien said, maintaining his position.

"I didn't take any drugs."

Damien didn't understand why he was lying as he was fully aware that Craig had hit the nail on the head and didn't seem to believe him anyway.

Damien was simply pointlessly putting effort by lying and he knew it.

He just couldn't help it, almost as if Craig was some kind of undercover cop.

"Swear it," Craig demanded.

With his mouth sealed and his jaw tensing, Damien looked away.

He had had enough of this conversation already.

He understood that Craig knew about his relapse, so he couldn't comprehend why his ex was so insistent about him admitting it.

"That's what I thought."

Damien lowered his head, ashamed of himself.

He felt dirty, judged and all alone in the world.

A dangerous idea occurred to him and he did everything to erase it completely from his head but didn't succeed.

Damien was planning to see Elijah again after Craig's departure.

He felt like he was going to need to dose up if he wanted to get through the night.

"I just took a little," Damien muttered, seeming to want to justify his act.

"Fuck. That doesn't matter, Damien," Craig said, his tone high, his hand leaving Damien's cheek.

Damien was startled at Craig's unexpected outburst and he abruptly lifted his head.

"It's the fact that you've relapsed that matters," Craig added, his tone much lower.

"I don't even consider it a relapse, okay?" Damien defended himself.

"I just finished it and I don't feel like taking any more. I swear, Craig."

Craig gazed at Damien for a moment before sighing.

"You're going to spend the night at my place."

Damien's eyes widened as he tried to take in what he had heard.

"What?" he exclaimed, furrowing.

"Actually, you're going to stay with me for the next few days,” Craig corrected.

“I refuse to leave you by yourself."

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