#obey me chapter 74

[devildomwriter]

“I figured you’d dream that you lived inside Anidaemon, or that you were hanging out with Ruri-chan or something…”

“…Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. I lost my save data, you know? From the VERY END of my game!”

“Yeah, we heard about that.”

“Crying isn’t enough. NOTHING is enough! It’s too sad for that. So I thought I’d transform myself into a club-hopping party demon, but it didn’t help at all! Now I just want to crawl in a hole and die… I’m just so tired…I’ve had enough.”

— Belphegor and Leviathan (Chapter 74-11)

[lu-dao-writes]

So I got Yuwu (Remnants of Filth/ Stains of Filth) vol. 3 and like… Chapters 73 & 74…

Idk y’all but I kinda ship Gu Mang and Murong Chuyi??? Spoilers but, that moment when Gu Mang was complimenting Chuyi was adorable, and I know Chuyi slapped him moments before (I don’t condone that) but ignoring it for this moment! After Gu Mang helped him out Chuyi was actually decent to him and helped him with fishing and gave him the Voice-Obeying Arrows.

I wanna write a small blurb where I might recreate it since currently I’m a little tired for my bigger works.

Edit: 08/10/2024: I retract my statement because I now know the truth🤣. I accidentally discovered it. Thank god i didn’t write anything. That person that reblogged this tried to warn me subtly LMAOOO.

[rafor]

Chapter 74 - Kryo - The Glitch

As I opened my eyes, a faint glow seeped through the cracks in the wall. I nudged Raphael, who was still asleep beside me. He groaned and turned away, reluctant to leave the warmth of our makeshift bed. “Do you see that?” I whispered, pointing at the light. He mumbled something unintelligible and said, “Yeah, I see.” I strained my ears and noticed something else. “Do you hear that?” I asked him. He frowned and looked at me with suspicion. “I can’t hear anything. What’s wrong?” he said. I smiled and said, “The silence. The storm is over.” His eyes widened, and he sprang to his feet. “Great, then we can get moving,” he said, still keeping the blanket. We climbed to the top of the tower outside and scanned the horizon. I said, “We came from that direction. Maybe we could move that way.” But then I stopped. There was something in the distance that caught my attention. Raphael followed my gaze and gasped. “Is that another building?” he said. I squinted and saw a faint outline of spires and walls. “It looks like a kingdom,” I said. He said, “Should we try to reach it?” I thought about that for a moment, then shook my head. I looked at myself and felt a pang of sadness. “They don’t know me. They’re going to think that I’m a Shadow dragon. We can’t,” I said. He was about to say something, but then we heard a sound. Someone opened the door downstairs. I said in a low tone, “Someone is here. We must leave.” He nodded and climbed on my back. I glided down the tower, hoping to escape unnoticed. As I did so, I tried to flap my wings, but something was still wrong with them. I landed softly, not even fifty meters away. But we were too late. The visitor had reached the top and spotted us. “Hey you! Stop right there!” he shouted. I cursed under my breath. This was the last thing we needed. Raphael was still weak and vulnerable, and I shielded him with my body, ready to face our pursuer. A blast of cold air hit us, and I saw an Ice dragon flying towards us. An Ice dragon that I had believed I would never see again. It was Kryo.

He caught sight of Raphael behind me, and his eyes widened in recognition. “Get away from the human! Shadow dragon!” he commanded. I obeyed without hesitation and whispered to Raphael, “You’ll be fine. Do what he says. His name is Kryo.” Raphael nodded and waited nervously. Kryo landed in front of him and said, “Let me touch you. I can’t believe my eyes.” He reached out a claw and gently stroked Raphael’s face. “Good day, Kryo. I’m glad to see you,” Raphael said politely.

Kryo’s voice rose in volume as he asked, “Where are your wings? Oh, sorry, where have you been all these years?” Raphael told him what he knew about me. I tried to sneak away quietly, but Kryo noticed and snapped, “Don’t move. I’m not done with you.” I said, “I’m not a threat, Guardian Kryo. Please.” He said, “How do you know my name? Did he tell you?” I said, “It’s complicated. I know you won’t believe this, but we’re the same person, I think.” He said, “No, Raphael is not a dragon. You are not.” I didn’t reply but hung my head in shame.

He turned to Raphael and said, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He walked towards me and summoned ice from the ground, trapping my legs. I struggled to break free, but it was useless. I shouted, “Wait, I swear, I’m Raphael too. Please let me explain.” He conjured a spear of ice like the ones I used to wield. I said, “Maybe you know me by another name. What about Nox?” He said, “You’re in the wrong place. Shut up, liar.” Raphael came to my defense and said, “Please, Kryo, he isn’t lying. He is Raphael too.” Kryo accused me, “Are you controlling his mind or something?” I said, “I’m not controlling his mind. My powers are frozen.” He paused and then said, “Oh, now I understand why you didn’t turn into a shadow. Well, too bad.” He pointed the spear at my head and asked, “So, let’s see, how did you get here?” I said, “I have no idea.” Then Raphael said, “I brought him here by accident. Please don’t harm him. He saved my life during the storm.” He considered that and said, “Did you really help a human?” I said, “Yeah, what else could I do? Let my twin freeze to death? Anyway, I’m happy to see you again, Kryo.” He said, “Stop talking to me like that. I don’t know you.”

“I repeat to you that I’m Raphael and also King Nox. How can I prove that to you?” I challenged him.

He smirked and said, “Let’s see about that. If you answer correctly, maybe I’ll believe you. If you don’t, I’ll use this.” He flashed his ice spear like the prized weapon of an executioner.

I swallowed hard and said, “Okay, I’m in. Even if it has been decades ago, let’s see what I remember.”

He began his interrogation. “What’s the name of the governor of the kingdom where Raphael appeared?”

“Aura Aetherius, a pink dragon,” I answered without hesitation.

He nodded and asked, “What’s the name of the Light dragon, if there’s one?”

“The name of the Light dragon is Akira. And she was also my mentor. Did you know that she also visited my kingdom? She has a son now and lives with Fyrenthos. They’re so happy together.” I added with a smile.

He widened his eyes and said, “I didn’t know that. Anyway, correct. I believe you, hi Raphael.”

I sighed in relief and said, “Thank you, finally! Hi Kryo. Now, could you please unfreeze my legs? The ice is burning me.”

He snapped his fingers, and the ice shattered. He looked at me and the other Raphael with curiosity and said, “How the hell are there two of you now? I don’t understand.”

I shrugged and said, “I don’t know. We met recently. I didn’t know there were two of us until now. Anyway, I’m the Raphael that you know better. He is me, but like this.” I gestured to his human form.

We walked in silence for a while, and then the other Raphael said, “It’s better if we don’t talk about my previous job. Anyway, I’m still freezing. Could we move back to the tower or somewhere warmer, please?”

Kryo ignored his request and said, “I heard of a king by the name of Nox, so it was you all this time?”

I nodded and said, “I was, and I’m proud of it.”

He sighed and said with a sad tone, “King Nox disappeared a decade ago.”

I frowned and said, “Maybe you’re confusing me with another Nox. I didn’t leave the kingdom for even a month.” But he asked, “Are you King Nox from the kingdom of the Whispering Wind?”

I confirmed, “Correct, I am.”

He shook his head and said, “Then I wasn’t mistaken. You’ve disappeared for years. About ten years, I think.”

Then the other Raphael gasped and said with wide open eyes and a trembling voice, “Damnit, I made a mess.”

I asked him, “What do you mean?”

He explained, “I think that I may have brought us ten years ahead of time. We’ve been dead for a decade. That’d explain the time gap he is talking about.”

I stared at them in disbelief and said, “Is this a joke? Right? Right?”

Kryo looked surprised, and the other Raphael hung his head and said, “No, it isn’t. Sorry.”

I felt a surge of panic and said, “Oh no. Ten years? How?” I paused and then added in a whisper, “No, no, no! It can’t be. I need to get back! Even if… I’m not sure if I should. Freya is going to kill me.”

Kryo spoke in a grave tone. “Some say that a band of Water dragons is still searching for you. And Queen Freya... she has never left the palace since her king vanished.” His words pierced my heart like icicles. I broke down in tears and sobbed. “Oh, how I miss them all. My daughters, my son, everyone. I failed to keep my promise.” Kryo looked at me with curiosity. “What promise?” he asked. I felt a surge of embarrassment and wiped my eyes. “It’s nothing, really. I just told my son I would be back in a few months. I think he wanted to introduce me to his soulmate.” Kryo nodded. “I heard that Prince Zephyrion has formed a bond with an Ice wyvern,” he said. I stared at him in disbelief. “How do you know that? How can you know so much about my kingdom yet not recognize its king and attack me?” He chuckled and shook his head. “I never met the king. You were a stranger to me. I’m sorry.” I sighed and looked away. I was ashamed of myself. I had been too reckless. Then I asked him, “Can you take us back home?” He shook his head again. “Not now, but I’ll try to help you with that. In the meantime, would you like to visit our kingdom?” He pointed to the horizon, where a glittering city of ice and snow stood. I asked him, “That’s the kingdom of the Frozen Crystal?” He nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the name. Why do you ask?” Raphael, who had been silent until then, spoke up. “Is it true that there’s a magic crystal there with the power of a thousand ice dragons and multiple elements?” He sounded eager and hopeful. Kryo hesitated and said, “I can’t confirm or deny that.” He glanced at Raphael and said, “Come on, let’s go to the kingdom. We’ll talk more there.” Then he turned to me and asked, “Can you carry Raphael there?” I nodded and said, “Sure, we’ll be there soon.” Kryo smiled and said, “See you at the gates.” He flew away, announcing our arrival at the gates. We followed him on foot, with Raphael riding on my back like a lazy passenger. I was glad to help him, but damn, he felt heavy. And I was still weak. And my wings were useless. I wished they would heal soon.

[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

8/18/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Jeremiah 38-40, Psalm 74 and Psalm 79

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological. I'm Jill. Today is the 18th day of August and this week is winding down and we are in the thick of the book of Jeremiah. And hearing this story as we've turned the page and the story of our lives and in the story of the word of God today, in chronological order, the story of Jeremiah, the prophet sent by God to speak on behalf of God. And we are watching the effects of what happens when people do not want to hear the voice of God and just to continue in our ways. So we'll pick right up where we left off yesterday and read Jeremiah chapters 38 through 40. And just a couple days left in the New English translation. We will also jump over to Psalm; read Psalm 74 and Psalm 79 today. Jeremiah, chapter 38.

Commentary:

There's a great summarization in the God of Your Story, page 305 for those of you that have it, that bring us up to speed to where we're at today. But instead of reading that, let's just talk about a lot of things that happened today. We mentioned yesterday that Jeremiah is a prophet who continuously asks God why? Why are you sending me? Why do I have to be the one? Because who wants to be the person that's like return or there will be destruction? We like prophetic words to come all in the positive form of how it will benefit our life, how it will add to our life. Is there love? Is their fortune? Is there more? For Jeremiah to be the guy that is delivering this message of return, return to God or there will be consequences which is thematic throughout all of the Old Testament prophecies. And so he's captured, he's put in a cistern, he is charged with treason. And then he's rescued. But not without the wall being destroyed, without the city being destroyed, the temple being burned down, the temple of the Lord destroyed and death. And even after the fact the Lord comes to Jeremiah while he's confined, gives him another message to tell ebed Melek the nebulin, I will carry out against the city what I promised. It will mean disaster and not good fortune for it. When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it- that good fortune for it. When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it, but I will rescue you when it happens. I, the Lord, affirm it. You will not be handed over to those whom you fear. I will certainly save you. You will not fall victim to violence. You will escape with your life because you trust in me. I, the Lord, affirm it. I think my point is simply this today, may we not miss the warning signs in our lives from the voices of trusted sources. From the people who fear God. Know God. Love God. Trust God. And hear from God. Because it's not a whole good fortune. And here the message of hope that comes from obedience. And may we be a people who obey.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for your word today. Thank you for meeting with us here again. Thank you that your warnings have been gracious. You are gracious to warn us for destruction ahead. And I pray that we would be people that would heed the warning while we have time so that we do not have to live in the ruins of destruction- that we do not have to live in the junk of our consequences for a rebellious spirit, for complete disobedience. We thank you. We praise you. We pray this now in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Announcements:

Look forward to turning the page with you together tomorrow. Until then, I'm Jill. Love one another. 

Community Prayer Line:

Good morning DAB. This is Tonya calling from Suffolk. Today is Friday, August the 11th. I wanted to lift up Nadine from Dubai and also Simone from Texas. Heavenly Father want to thank you for being the Almighty God that you are. I want to thank you for Simone allowing her to give us a call and update us. Lord, we know that life happens, Lord God, we want to continue to trust you and put you first, Lord God, in the forefront of all things. And I want to thank you, Lord God, for just allowing someone, Lord God, to be on her new job, on her new journey and just allow her to continue to put you first, regardless of the things that may happen in our lives...I'm asking you just touch Nadine's heart. Unhardened heart. Heart Lord God. Give her heart a good heart posture, Father. Allow her her mom to come together on one accord as they both draw near to you. Lord God draw them near to each other. Lord God I'm asking. Lord God you just open up her heart. You'll all have grace and mercy on us and just allow her to have that mercy for her mom. Lord God, just remove any and everything that is not of you. In the mighty name of Jesus, I'm asking Lord God that you just just be that that pillar of comfort, that pillar of support while she's going through. God allow her to have more of you and less of herself, and that will allow her to cling to you father, which would draw her near to her mom and I'm just believing right now in the mighty name of Jesus because she loves her mom unconditionally, Father. And you know, Lord God, their love is most important that we can have in our relationship and have a loyalty and just learning to lean on each other and trust. Lord, I'm just believing in that relationship for her mom right now. In the mighty name of Jesus. This is my prayer to you. Amen. DABC as always, I love you guys. Continue to be encouraged.

Good morning, DABC families, Carrie, AKA Jesus Girl. I have a praise report. I am a grandma again. Praise the Lord. The real praise to this my granddaughter Cree was born with...she was, uh, seriously struggling to breathe on her own and I quickly put her on the prayer wall. I thank you to those that monitor that and we're praying...It's so nice and so blessed to have a family of believers that we can promptly send the word out to. And I praise God, within a couple hours she was out of the NICU and is doing wonderfully. Inge from Denmark, thank you so much my sister, for praying over Ariel. Thank you for those that have prayed at home, those recordings that may yet still come in. I so appreciate it and and God love your take on God's presence being there, regardless of whether we personally know him and know it or not. Tanya from Suffolk. Lord, I love Tanya. Hope and I just thank you for our faithful, faithful prayer, warrior. I asked. Lord, that you just bless her for her faithfulness, bless her family, Lord, continue to bless her marriage, her children. Just let her know that we love her equal to as much as she loves us. We are so grateful for her continuous calling and praying over each and every one of us. Tanya, just as you were praying for protection, I was literally just minutes away from getting on the Expressway for my the start of my road trip. So I thank you and I praise God for you. You'll be blessed. Have an amazing day. I love you bunches. Bye.  Daily Audio Bible. I would like for you to please pray for my son Joseph. He's in need of a liver transplant and it's it's pretty urgent. The doctors are saying that he doesn't have much time, but I know God is greater and God is the ultimate doctor. So I pray that he would get the liver and everything would go smoothly and that he would just have favor and grace with everyone at the hospital in Denver, CO. And also I want to pray for my daughter. She's undergoing a mammogram and I just pray that there wouldn't be any tumors or anything in her body Lord. Also I wanna ask you to pray for my granddaughter, she's facing a possible thyroid cancer diagnosis. She's only 20. I pray that you would ask for God to heal her and that she wouldn't have any cancer. She goes for her final checkup and evaluation in a month. And also I want you to pray for my son's fiancee's mother. She's undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer and she needs a whole complete healing also. And I just want to thank you guys for for all the prayers in the past and the present and the future. And also I wanna thank all the people that pray every day for for everyone and Victoria Soldier and blind Tony's poems and the Hardin family and the staff. God bless you for all that you do. And we love you and God bless you all. 

I would like to request prayer for a friend of mine. Her name is Shay and her son's name is Cannon. He has autism. He is 11 years old and have begun a new therapy called spelling. He's 12. He's begun to become increasingly aggressive and possibly due to puberty. She is in her 50s and so is her husband, so they desperately want to keep him at home and with them. 

Hi, this is Joyfully Joe and I'm calling out to my sister Naveen from Dubai. I heard you, sister, and I've prayed for you before in the past couple of years. I've heard you more than one time talking about your mom and your relationship and sister, I totally get it. I'm kind of in the same boat as you, my mom says and does mean things to me, too. And I understand. Oh gosh how hard it is to forgive sometimes. But forgiveness is absolutely what we have to do. And forgiveness is not for them, although they will benefit from it. Praise God. But the forgiveness is for our own hearts because when we hold unforgiveness in our hearts we can't experience the presence and the joy of our God. So, Lord, Father, I lift up my sister to you, Father God, pour out your spirit to her supernaturally, Lord God, and enable her to forgive Lord God. And flood her heart with joy and peace and rest, Lord God. And Lord Father, I pray for this upcoming trip. Lord God, surely her mom may say things again, Lord God, but I pray that you supernaturally enable my sister to find ways to cope Lord God through the power of your holy.

[lilacmoon83]

Lightning in a Bottle

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 74: Unaccompanied Minors, Pt 1

Emma sighed, as she looked at her brother with incredulity in the garage. It had been a few weeks since they had arrested George, his wife, and several x'ers. The case was still ongoing and all of them were turning on each other for deals. It would work its way through the court system and she hoped they would throw the book at all of them.

In the meantime, Neal had been getting worse, but there was joy, as they welcomed Eden into their lives. Though Henry's nightmares since the night of her birth added a new layer of concern and sent her brother back to his boards to try to solve this latest puzzle. And his latest theory clearly meant he was on the brink of losing it.

"Okay…that's it. I'm telling MM, because she's the only one that can talk you back from going off the deep end," Emma said.

"Just hear me out," David requested.

"What? That we're false prophets that have come back from the dead? I thought you got off Samdi's theory months ago after a Calling saved MM and the baby," she replied.

"Yes���but pretty much since then, Henry's been plagued with nightmares of those three looming shadows," David said.

"That doesn't mean it's us. It means there's an evil out there, but it's not us, David. We just arrested some of that evil a few weeks ago, namely your boss," Emma replied. He sighed.

"I know…and I'm not saying that we're here to do evil. Just listen to this. I found it in Revelation," he said, as he held his copy of the Bible. It was one of many that had belonged to their mother.

"It echoes Samdi's apocalypse theory," he added, as he began to read.

"I saw three spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, out of the mouth of the false prophet." David said.

"Creepy…but the Callings have done so much good and you know MM would agree," Emma replied.

"And I do too…I just hope that we're not doing good for bad reasons. When Samdi says that we might be lulled into obeying the Callings without question…what if he's not

wrong?" David asked.

"Okay…but it's not like we're going to go kill if a Calling says to," Emma argued.

"Maybe not us…but others aren't so noble. If we're being used for good…others could be used for evil," David argued. She sighed.

"Griffin…but he was punished for it," she said.

"No…he wasn't. His time was up…his Death Date came and he expired," he reminded her, which made her think of Neal. His date was approaching with frightening speed and

he quickly realized it.

"I'm sorry…I should have asked. How is Neal?" he asked. She shrugged.

"It's hard to tell. He never complains and goes through Regina's treatments, no matter what she tries. It's not working though," she replied. He sighed and hugged her.

"I'm sorry Em…" he said, in a soothing manner.

"He's running out of time," she replied.

"Neal isn't Griffin though. If anyone deserves to be saved, it's him. We'll figure this out," he promised, hoping it was one he could keep.

~*~

Gold put a cup of coffee down for him, as they sat at the kitchen table. Belle was living with them now and his father was genuinely happy. He was glad for that, because he

knew it was looking grim for him, even though he tried to keep up a hopeful appearance.

"Neal…talk to me," Gold requested.

"It's just…it's hard not to want to use, you know? I feel like I don't have a lot to lose and at least drugs would ease the pain," Neal said.

"You know that's not true. Even if…even if you are in your last days, you should be spending it with those you love," Belle said. He nodded.

"I know…and I am. I just feel like the hospital isn't doing any good and I should be out living while I can instead of spending it there," he replied.

"Emma won't take that well," Gold said and though he didn't say it, he wasn't sure how he felt about him giving up on the treatment either.

"I know…I need to get going. Regina will be wondering where I am," Neal said, as he got his coat and left the house. Belle hugged Gold to give him the comfort she knew he

needed in these times.

~*~

Emma pulled up in her car and parked along the curb. She was going to grab a few snacks from the bodega, before heading to the hospital to be with Neal during his

treatments today. But first, she felt the need to talk and hope that, whatever the Callings were, chose to listen to her.

"Okay. I...still don't know who or what you are exactly, other than a voice in my head. But enough is enough. Since the plane came back, you have called on me, relentlessly,

and I've listened. I have literally done everything that you wanted... because I believe that what you're asking us to do is for a purpose. I mean, it has to be," she said,

pausing for a moment.

"So why, after all that I've done, am I watching the man I love freeze to death?" she asked.

"A good, kind man who also listens to you, who has worked so hard to redeem himself. He doesn't deserve this. How am I supposed to know that this is for some greater good

if you just let him die? How am I supposed to keep listening?" she questioned.

"I need to understand. I don't wanna lose faith. Don't make me," she said, as she got out of the car and walked toward the bodega.

As she entered, a teenager dashed out and the clerk called after him.

"Hey…stop! Stop! Thief!" he cried, in which Emma leapt into action and gave chase.

"STOP! NYPD! Stop!" she called, as she chased him and caught up to him, before tackling him to the ground.

"It's your lucky day, kid…I'm a cop," she said, as she cuffed him.

"Please ma'am…it's just a candy bar," he pleaded.

"Sorry kid…" she replied.

"Please…my mom is gonna kill me. It's the first time I've ever done this," he begged.

"You should have thought about that before you took it," Emma replied, as she started taking him toward her car, when she heard her own voice in her head.

"Let him go…LET HIM GO…" it called to her. She paused for a moment and looked at the kid and he looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Okay…I'm going to let you off with a warning. But don't be stupid and make a habit of this, because you're not getting off next time," she said, as she took the merchandise

and released him.

"Thank you," he said, as he ran off and she returned to the bodega and placed the bars on the counter.

"What's this?" the clerk asked.

"What the kid stole," she replied. He scoffed.

"No, it isn't," he said, as he motioned to the pallet of cold tablets he was stocking.

"I turned my back for a minute and he made off with them, maybe twenty boxes. The bodega down the way got hit last week for the same thing," he said. Emma felt stupid.

She had been duped by a doe eyed kid, who was stealing cold tablets, probably for whoever he was working for, likely to cook meth. She apologized to the clerk and promised

she'd get him, before leaving the bodega and heading to the station. There, she found Killian at his desk and she approached.

"Can I run something by you?" she asked.

"Sure," he answered.

"I caught a kid stealing a candy bar and then I got a Calling telling me to let him go. So I did," she said.

"And?" he asked.

"Turns out the candy bar was a decoy and he swiped a case of cold tablets instead," she replied.

"So you think candy bar lad is cooking meth?" he asked.

"I don't know. The bodega owner said the one down the street got hit too for the same thing a week ago," she answered.

"Maybe the Calling told you to let him go so we could catch the bigger fish," he suggested.

"That's a terrible plan," she said.

"It would have been more helpful to bring him and interrogate him to find the bigger fish," she added.

"Em…why are you always trying to justify the Callings?" he questioned.

"Because I have to believe they're good, Killian," she answered.

"Well, I should probably help you track this kid down. Unless you wanna let her in on your gift?" he asked, referring to Ruby. She turned to her new partner.

"Hey, I'm probably gonna peel off with Rogers today," she said.

"Really?" Ruby asked. She nodded.

"Yeah. I witnessed a crime. He thinks it could be related to a bunch of robberies he's tracking," she fibbed.

"Yeah. You sure he's not just trying to get back in your pants?" Ruby asked bluntly, making Emma blanch.

"Um, no. I asked him to help," the blonde replied.

"Okay, all right. Well, if you're good, I'm good. It'll give me a chance to catch up on some paperwork," she said, as she looked at Killian when he approached.

"Hey Rogers. This is just a loaner, okay?" she questioned. He smiled.

"Yeah," he answered, as the two of them left the station.

~*~

David rocked the baby, as she cried and he tried to get her to calm down with the stuffed toy in his free hand.

"Oh…come on, Eden, give Daddy a smile," he cooed, as Margaret got them some coffee in the kitchen and smiled at him. David the husband was amazing, attentive, and

always romantic. It had been that way from the beginning and never faded. But David the father was a sight she'd never tire. Now that they had a baby again, she was

reliving those days from when the twins were little and it made her heart practically burst.

"Don't worry Daddy…you're not going to miss anything, because she's going to have so many smiles and you'll be here for all of them," she said, as she sat beside him and

they shared a smile.

"I hope so," he said, though it was on all their minds. Neal was approaching his death date and if he didn't survive, he knew their hope that he or any of the other passengers

could survive would take a huge hit.

"I have faith…" she said, as she gazed deeply into his eyes and he leaned over and kissed her tenderly. Eden fussed more so Margaret began humming to her.

"I like that…where's it from?" he asked.

"I don't know…just something that came to me. I started humming it to her just before she was born," she replied.

"It's very romantic…like us," she added. He smiled in agreement, just as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," she said, as she stood up and answered it. But she almost immediately slammed the door closed.

"Margaret, wait…" Leopold pleaded.

"You are NOT welcome here," she said, with vehemence. David was instantly by her side with a stern look for this man.

"Please Margaret…this strife has gone on between us long enough. Cora is gone…" he said.

"Did you know that she killed Mother?" Margaret asked bluntly.

"Of course not," he answered and she glared at him, trying to decide whether she could believe him or not.

"Please…I just want to talk and clear the air. I've made many mistakes. I'd like to atone for them," Leopold pleaded.

"Why should we believe you?" David questioned.

"You have no reason to…but I know you are both wonderful people. Ten minutes of your time is all I am asking for," he replied.

"Fine…we'll hear what you have to say and then you'll leave," Margaret said shortly, as she allowed him inside and shut the door behind him.

~*~

Neal sat on the exam table, as Regina conducted today's experimental treatment.

"I'm gonna do a little more debridement of the dead skin later, okay?" she asked. He nodded.

"Oh, joy," he deadpanned.

"I know it's painful. We're trying to slow the migration. The MRI will tell us if there's been any deterioration since your last scan. I need to replace your warm fluids with some

cold Dye," she said. He nodded again.

"You love torturing me, don't you?" he joked. She gave him a chiding look.

"Not even a little," she replied.

"What else is going on with you?" she asked.

"At my meeting today, my sponsor said I should be finding closure, so I'm ready to move on. It kind of made me mad, 'cause I'm not ready," he replied.

"There's no reason you should be. It's not fair, what's happening to you," she said.

"More painful than the treatment, is how it's affecting Emma. She really is my soulmate," he replied. She smiled.

"I know how you feel," she mentioned.

"I mean, it's not the same, but, yeah," she added.

"Of course…Robin," he recalled. She nodded.

"Mmm-hmm," she acknowledged.

"Hey, at least there's hope for you. I have faith in my retrovirus. We just have to... keep the frostbite in check until I fine-tune the formula," she replied.

"Though it would go faster if I tested on myself," she added.

"No…you're not doing that. Remember what David said about the Alzarus journal. If you cure yourself of the Callings, it could doom you of any hope of beating the death date.

Just like the sailors in the journal," he reminded.

"I know…I promised not to and I won't," she replied, as they continued.

~*~

Emma and Killian arrived at the main bus station hub and approached the lead dispatcher, showing their badges.

"What can I do for you, Detectives?" she asked.

"We're trying to track down one of your riders," Killian said.

"Happy to help, any way I can," she replied.

"He got on at 156th and Hewitt, a little after 9:00," Emma said, as she checked her system.

"You know what, right on time," she replied, as she found the bus in question.

"Do you mind if we talk to the driver?" Killian asked.

"Um, that'd be...Kory. I'll see if he's here," she replied, as she went to look.

"Thanks," Killian said, as he pulled up something on his phone to show her.

"I had Diaz put together a map of robberies similar to yours. It's all across the boroughs. If this is all the same operation, then it's huge," he said, as an African American man

approached.

"You're looking for one of my riders?" he asked.

"Hey, yeah. He's about 17, brown hair, backpack, got on after 9:00," Emma replied, but he shrugged.

"Lot of kids get on my bus around that time," Kory replied.

"Guy was shoplifting, probably got on last minute, definitely winded," Emma said, trying to jog his memory.

"Look, no disrespect, but if I remembered everyone got on my bus, I'd quit and go to Atlantic City," he said.

"Does your bus have security cameras? We wanna see the tapes," Killian said. He nodded.

"Sure. Just flash your badges at Sonia. She'll get you what you need," he replied, gesturing to the woman in the glass booth nearby.

"Thanks," Emma replied. He nodded and went back to his bus.

"Guess your calling's trying to send us on a wild goose chase," Killian mentioned.

"There's always a reason, Killian," she replied.

"Look, you don't have to help if you don't want to," she added.

"Now I'm curious," he replied.

"So, those shadows Henry sees…" he mentioned.

"What about them?" Emma asked.

"What if they're not supposed to make us doubt the callings? What if they're another warning, like the fire?" he asked. She looked at him and sighed.

"Yeah…I guess it could mean that something terrible is coming," she admitted.

~*~

"She's beautiful…" Leopold mentioned, as Margaret held their infant daughter.

"Her name is Eden," she replied.

"That's a beautiful name," he said.

"I loved your mother, Margaret…and I love you. I just became lost in the world of high finance. Losing your soul to money and greed is something that can happen so easily.

Your mother tethered me…but when she died, Cora helped lead me further down that path," he admitted.

"And I'm supposed to believe you just woke up one day and realized this?" she asked.

"The arrest…and the revelation of what Cora did was jarring, to say the least," he replied.

"The scandal of the whole thing…the company tanked and I was forced out of my own company," he added. They were surprised by that.

"The news of it will break this evening," he added. Margaret scoffed.

"So that's why you're here…your money is gone and they'll soon start seizing your assets," she hissed.

"I'm not here for sympathy…really I'm not. I had enough of my own personal wealth left to purchase a house upstate. It's in a very small and quiet town. I'll be there,

hopefully to do a little soul searching. I just wanted you to know where I am and that if you ever need somewhere to…lay low, all of you, there will be a place," he replied, as he stood up.

"Okay…well, good luck," Margaret said. She wasn't sure how to react to all of this. He left and she shut the door.

"I didn't know what to say…" she said.

"And no one can blame you for that. He was absent at best most of your life and then when he did try to be a part of your life, he tried to control you and separate us," he

replied. She nodded.

"I hope he's sincere…but I can't trust him yet," she said.

"Nor should you. No one is going to blame you if you still want nothing to do with him," he said, as he kissed her forehead. She smiled and they continued to dote on their little one.

"Come on…let's get this one ready for her checkup this afternoon," she said, as they got up and went to get ready for their appointment.

~*~

"Hey, you find something?" Emma asked Ruby, as she helped search through the surveillance footage.

"Yeah, I'm never sitting on a bus again. People are disgusting," Ruby replied.

"Thanks for the PSA. Any leads on the shoplifter?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, we have three kids who match your description of the runner," Ruby responded, as she pulled up the youths in question.

"Yeah, that's him," Emma pointed out and Ruby zoomed in.

"All right. He got off at...Franklin High," she said.

"Forward me a screenshot," Emma requested.

"Done. I'll call the principal and send it over for an ID," she said, before looking at her.

"So, how was your little walk down memory lane?" Ruby asked.

"It's good to be friends again, thank you for asking," Emma replied.

"I don't have many friends who would infiltrate a hate group for me," Ruby said.

"No, he's a cop. He's just doing his job," Emma refuted.

"Yeah, well, that maybe explains the undercover part, but that awful haircut, that's true love," Ruby teased. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Okay…just call the Principal. I'm heading over there," the blonde replied, as her partner smirked and picked up the phone.

[lixnininotnay]

Hey do u think you could just do some yan hank x reader :) thank u :)

Hello, and thank you for being the first one to send me a request! And sorry for making you wait for so long, first I thought doing a few headcanons, but soon my ideia became an one-shot, and then it turned out in a full story (sort of, lol). Let's start this tragedy! I hope you enjoy it.

Warning: this story contains a lot murder, description of death, blood, emotional, psychological and physical abuse, kidnapping, unhealthy relationships and behavior, yandere, obsession and others topics. It's not recommended to read it if you are uncomfortable with any of those.

P.s.: if I forgot to put some warning or if you spot any grammatical error, please tell me! I would be thankful.

All the mistakes you made (A Yandere!Hank x reader story)

Chapter I. - Your first mistake.

You kicked and squirmed against the man who held you in a grip that felt like steel, but even though you were giving it your all, your resistance was showing no result. In fact, it looked to him like you were just a rag doll that he was carrying on his shoulder, but it was also because you were weak and heavily injured.

"Let me go, your fucking bastard!" You hissed. No answer. He just continued walking stilly, like if it was the most ordinary thing that ever happened.

But to be truthful, that wasn't the most eccentric thing he'd ever done. Hank was famous for causing large-scale massacres, but you didn't believe in it before, after all, how could a single person destroy entire units by himself and without leaving any witnesses?

You thought it was all a farce, that in reality it was a group that was after all this killing, and they pretended to be only one person to strike fear so nobody would try to counter them. So you ended up accepting the mission to go after that guy called "Hank" in order to investigate further and see if your theory was correct, you were curious to see the truth. That was your first mistake. You were in an arsenal of the A.A.H.W. with other mercenaries and agency members, they apparently managed to locate approximately where his base is and planned to attack in a large number, and they also talked about the possiblity of having a pizza party that might happen after, but you didn't mind too much.

While everyone was getting ready and arming themselves to the teeth, you could hear an explosion noise, followed by gunfire and screams filled of agony. Everything happened so fast that you couldn't ratiocinate correctly.

You quickly obeyed your senses and threw yourself behind a pillar, thus protecting yourself from the barrage of gunfire that followed right after, that covered the entire room in red and yellow. After everyone realized that the enemy had finally run out of ammo, the ones who survived came out of their hiding places and started trying to fight back, but were quickly killed one by one. Picking up an AK-74, you tried to get as far away as possible, knowing that facing danger head-on would be futile.

Going up a staircase and reaching a higher landing, you got behind a container and peeked out to see who the enemies were. As a consequence, taking a fright when realizing that it was just one person, not a group, easily killing several with just a katana in hand. You tried to ignore this fact and focus on the battle, firing and managing to land two shots on him.

Hank rapidly became annoyed, and started to ignore the agents that were going at him and changed his direction to you and the other two snipers who were on your side. For a split second, as he lifted his head to see where the shots were coming from, you could see bloodlust in his eyes, similar to a malicious and hungry animal, it was terrifying.

And then he began to move in a fierce way, brutally slicing anyone on his path to you. You were trying to reload your gun and to back away even more, but he had already gone up the stairs, kicked the closest sniper in the face causing them to hit their head against the wall, instantly killing them. He tried to cut you in half with his katana right away, but you managed to hold the blow using the AK-74 and kicked him in the stomach, pushing him away.

The second sniper tried to shoot him, but Hank managed to ricochet two bullets, hitting them back and in the meantime you bolted behind a wall, he took the gun from the first one he killed, and you started exchanging shots. You got hit twice, once in the shoulder and once in the abdomen, and you ran out of bullets, when he realized that, he went straight towards you and tucked the gun behind his back. You tried to run away, but he had already reached and started to strangle you, he wanted to have the satisfaction of killing you with his bare hands.

You struggled for air, but his grip was stronger, you could see the sadistic urge to kill in him, without showing an ounce of pity.

Just when you thought it was your end, the second soldier shot Hank, before they took their last breath and died in their own blood trail made after they crawled close enough to aim. In the second he momentarily loosened his grip, even though you were still dizzy from the lack of air, you managed to grab the gun from Hank's back after the shot, struck him with it, taking him off you and getting up quickly with the help of the the wall, trying to hold the gun and aim it, shivering from the adrenaline, bruises and out of breath.

"It's over. Just give up already." You demanded.

"You're a really annoying bitch." Hank hissed, still on the floor and with one hand on the left side of his face, where you hit him and cracked the glass of his goggles.

And all of a sudden, just when you thought Hank was finished, he got up, you tried to react but your movements were still slow. He grabbed the gun from your hands, caught you around the neck with his other hand, making you bang your head against the wall and then knocking you to the ground. The impact was so bad that you felt blood seeping from your lips and a tremendous headache, making you whimper in pain. Hank just chuckled at your state.

"Goin' down that easily? You're pathetic." Hank mocked you as he approximated. You tried to creep away but he stepped on your back, stopping you once more. He bent down to look at you closely, your eyes still had the slendor of the desire to fight and survive, an expression on the face from someone that wouldn't give up yet, he loved it. He stopped for a second to think, then continued. "Y'know what? I liked you, just love your type." You tried to process what he told you, but nothing made sense. "I'm keepin' you with me. Stay here." He said as he got off from you, but before shooting one of your legs. What made you scream out loud in pain, the adrenaline of the moment passed causing all the pain to hit you at once, while Hank came down from the platform to kill the rest of the agents, and the A.T.P. soldiers and mags that just arrived.

Everything in you hurts, even breathing, it was hard to relax. You spent a few minutes lying on the floor listening to the gunshots and screams in the background that haunted your ears, sounds that were becoming more muffled as the time passed, and trying to somehow control the pain, however your efforts did not yield results, the burning sensation of your wounds remained and you were struggling to not faint. When your vision started to get blurry, you heard something:

"Hello? Anyone's listening? Hello?" You turned your head to the voice, it was coming from the room that had the radio. "I repeat, anyone's listening?"

Clinging to what you thought was a glimmer of hope, you rise up with difficulty from the ground and began to stumble to the station, almost slipping in your own puddle of blood. After arriving with difficulty in the chamber, you answered. "Yes, (Y/N) talking, it's an emergency." You battled to say, your throat felt like it was on fire.

"What happened?"

"Hank invaded the base, we need units, NOW!" You tried to demand, your voice was still weak.

"It will take some time, we don't have any available next to your location." That irritated you.

"For the fuck sakes, we don't have time--" They hung up, wich made you rage and question if all your efforts were in vain.

You tried to keep your composure, after stopping for a few seconds to calm down, you rummaged around and found some bandages and an adrenaline shot in one of the lockers, which you used to cover the wounds and applied to yourself, now managing to stand up and even walk. And digging a little further you found a knife bag with a knife inside, which you decided to hide in one of your boots, and a pistol that you kept in your hands.

When you left the room, you decided that you were going to run away without anyone noticing, to hell the reward money. Watching your surroundings and hiding behind the containers, you saw that Hank was no longer in sight which made you panic, but you also saw the body of the guy who saved you, you tried to check their pulse, but they were gone.

"Thank you. Rest in peace, my man." You said in respect, while closing their eyes, knowing that if they didn't help, you would be dead. Before getting up and leaving you saw that in their pocket there was a grenade, which you decided to take.

You rushed down the stairs and walked down one of the long corridors for what felt like hours, the place looked like a maze full of corpses, making it obvious that Hank has been through here. Entering and turning in several corridors, trying to remember where is the exit, made you regret to not paying attention and memorize the place, this base was gigantic.

Hearing heavy footsteps approaching you, you entered a room that looked like a dormitory and hid under a bunk bed, carrying the pistol. You heard the door open again.

"You really don't obey when someone says to, do you?" You can feel the irritation in his speech, sounded like Hank was searching for you for some time already.

He began looking around the room for you, kicking and knocking over some furniture in the process, you started crawling under the beds trying to make as much silence as possible and get next to the door. For a moment he stopped and was silent, a sudden movement that made you uneasy. He was trying to hear you. After what seemed an eternity of silence, he turned his head towards the bed you were hiding underneath.

Fuck it.

You abruptly ran to the door for your life, and before he could do anything, you took aim and started shooting towards him to keep your distance and threw the grenade at him, closing the entrance as you left. Even though, he protected himself with using the beds, leaving no major injuries on him, it really took him by surprise. Hank didn't expect that you could do all of this for your bruises, you sure were an interesting person. Now he really wants you.

You sprinted as fast as you could, your movements becoming more clumsy as the pain returned, but it didn't stop you. Finally finding the exit, you spotted a vehicle that could easily get in and hot-wire it, but wasn't able to, despair making it even harder. In this short meantime, you felt a pair of hands pulling you by the collar of your shirt and pulling you out of the vehicle.

"You really know how to get under my skin." he admitted, both out of admiration and irritation in a threatening way, looking directly in your eyes. And he threw you over his shoulder, hurting you and making you drop your pistol in the process. He couldn't be gentle even if his life depended on it. "I'd have drive us both to the base, but you are such a fucking annoyance that makes it impossible." And then he started walking with you on his shoulder.

What he said made you shiver, what was he planning to do with you? You started to struggle, waiting for him to let go of you, but he just held you tighter. You soon ran out of strength and gave up, getting more tired and weaker by every minute, all this agitation was too much for you, so eventually, you end up passing out from exhaustion.

Hank still couldn't figure out what he found so fascinating about you, maybe because you, a nobody, managed to survive him for so long, few did, or because of your determination and how you surprised him, or even the way you looked at him, he loved to see that mixture of fear, hate and will to live in your face, it was so intriguing.

Whatever it was, he wouldn't be worrying and questioning himself nonstop right now, he didn't need to. Because he would have all the time he wanted to discover now.

[verycharismaticdragon]

When this man came out from inside, he had been wearing a bright red robe. At that moment, no one could tell whether it had been red to begin with, or had been dyed with fresh blood. His face, forever wooden and placid, had shown a smile for the first time before all.

“He’s dead. I got rid of him,” they had heard him say. “Anyone unconvinced can come fight me, but otherwise, be good and obey from here on out.”

( chapter 74 )

ascendant Valley Master

- tyk art masterpost -

[ariana-senpai]

I just noticed that Obey Me! Was in your watch list. I love the hell out of that game cause it’s pretty interesting and I like the characters. Don’t worry about “This chapter is out now!!” Cause uh there’s a lot and I’m in lesson 35 and I think there at 74 now??? There’s a lot of people that are still behind either cause they just started or don’t spend money on the game. I usually never spend money on mobile games so I’m pretty behind. So if you do put it in the request section, don’t worry about finishing the game cause it is updated a lot. As long as you think you got the feel of the characters down and what you know, you’ll be fine. If it helps, if you feel like you do need to go up to a certain point, the ending of the “first section or season” is in lesson 20-21.

Because I’m slow with the story right now, I usually end up doing the pop quiz stories when they come up or go back to former pop quizzes in lonely devil to try and work my way up to earn cards. (My favorites are the Alice In Wonderland and both the Halloween stories.) Also, if you’re gone for a while, the game does this “Welcome Back” check and it gives you stuff which is nice and sometimes I purposely stop playing for a while cause I know it does that

Yesss I love otome games! I was on a kick for a while and downloaded a bunch. I only actually played a few, though.

I OPENED IT TO CHECK AND MY PROGRESS IS GONE

NOOOOOO

Man come on. Fully making me start over. Son of a bitch lmao.

I know I hadn't actually met all the characters yet. Like Belphy was still just a voice for me. RIP. It's good to know I don't need to go super far to have a good jumping off point to start writing for it, though!

Which one of the brothers is your favorite? So far, mine's Asmodeus.

[lu-undy]

Chapter 74 - SBT (Spicy, kids, stay away!)

Here it is!

"So, gonna tell me what you have for me that's better than dinner?" 

"I will, be patient." 

Lucien straddled his lover's lap and smiled. He held both his hands and laced his fingers between the Aussie's. 

"Alright, how long before you tell me?" 

"We will get our dinner delivered, then, we can sleep - or not, as you wish - and tomorrow, you shall enjoy your surprise."

"Sounds like I already have one for tonight, eh?" Mundy put his hands on Lucien's waist. 

"You might." 

Suddenly both men heard a cry for help outside of the van. Lucien jumped out of Mundy's lap and both leapt at the door and opened it. 

"I-I'm sorry!" The poor man said. "I-I'm the delivery bloke, I just have your order!"

Mundy and Lucien looked between themselves and the delivery man. The herd of fluff was hissing, showing their needle-like teeth at the intruder. 

"Cats, calm down, he's ok." Mundy said as he walked to the poor, scared man. 

"Sit." Lucien said and all the cats obeyed. "Good boys and girls." He crouched to pet them. "We do apologise for the trouble, they are not usually outside without us to look after them." 

"It's fine. A hell of a family of cats you have, eh?" 

"Yeah… Here's for your tip and thanks mate. Sorry again." 

"No worries, bye!"

Mundy and Lucien slipped in the van again. 

"Wanna get in?" Mundy asked the cats. 

"Meow." Soot spooned his companion and started to bathe Perle. 

"Alright, fine, try and not make other babies especially not in front of these ones…"

Perle hissed. 

"Mundy, they know what they are doing, come inside, please."

The Aussie chuckled. 

"Fair enough."

He slipped in and they sat down. 

"What did you get us?" 

"Some chinese, I hope you will like it." Lucien answered. 

"Prefer French, but it's fine." He winked at Lucien who smiled. 

Each took their box and started eating their noodles. 

"Mh, could have taken it more spicy than that, eh?" Mundy said. 

"I have very low tolerance for hot food, and I didn't know for you so I played it safe." Lucien answered. "If the lack of hotness is unbearable, I can correct for that after dinner." 

"Well now, you have to, eh? Can't promise me things like that and not deliver." Mundy answered. 

"Then let it be so. But before I forget, tomorrow I shall arrange a few things, I don't need you to be here so you can stay home and sleep for a bit longer."

"Alright, that's nice." 

"Are you not curious as to where I am going?"

"As long as you come back and still love me, I trust you, love." 

Lucien smiled. 

"And I value it pricelessly, mon loup." 

They went on having their dinner.

"So, how d'you feel about Victoria's weddin'? You nervous?" Mundy asked. 

"Quite so, oui. I never imagined walking someone down the aisle in a church for their wedding, especially not like that…" 

"What d'you mean, like that?" 

"Victoria is not my daughter."

"She feels like she is though. And I saw you with her, luv', you really behave like you're her dad." 

"Hm. Maybe."

"For sure!" Mundy said before slurping more noodles. "The way you held her and comforted her in the diner… I was starin' at you and was thinking to myself that your son was mighty lucky to have you as his dad." 

Lucien's eyes snapped wide. 

"I'm serious, love. You're… very different from my dad, for example." 

"How so?" Lucien asked. 

"Dad wasn't very… Uh… He wouldn't show that he loved me much. Not that he didn't, I think he really did love me but he just never said it or showed it. But you, hell, that hug you gave her was more than I ever got from my Dad."

"I see… Same for me technically." Lucien answered. "I never knew my father, never met him. I only saw one picture of him which is now under the ground in Paris."

"D'you ever… regret doin’ that?" Mundy asked. 

"Doing what?"

"Buryin' all your personal stuff?"

"I am not sure. Part of me doesn't want to look back and just wants to focus on this new life I am leading here."

"But the other half wants that stuff back?"

"Not so much for my own." Lucien answered. "But rather, for you."

"Me?"

"Oui. I would like to show you Marie and Jérémy, I would like to show you so many things so that you understand me better…"

"Hey, love…" Mundy tightened his embrace. "I get you, ok? I understand you and respect you."

"Thank you." 

Lucien raised his lips and they exchanged a kiss. He then straddled his lover's lap without his lips disconnecting from the Aussie's. 

"Mmh… Yer lips taste amazin'..." 

"So do yours…" 

The kisses became wet and sloppy while hands touched, grabbed, explored and Lucien seemed particularly eager that evening…

"Gosh, y-your hips, Lu'..." 

Mundy felt his lover was rolling them against his. He put his hands on Lucien's waist and indeed his palms rolled, following the Frenchman's pelvis. 

"Bugger, Lu', wait, let's get to bed…"

"Oui." 

They both slipped in the bed and their clothes were thrown left and right, carelessly, until they ended up naked. 

"L-Lu'... You really are doin' things to me right now…"

"I can feel it, mon loup…" Lucien answered. He was on top of Mundy, kissing his neck and going down to his chest. 

"What put you in the mood? You went from normal to this in a flash?!" Mundy asked. 

"You, your lips, your touch, your eyes…" Lucien punctuated his sentences with kisses and licks, to which Mundy closed his eyes and whimpered. His hips started to react on their own. "I also have taken the liberty to buy something for tonight…" The Frenchman added as he was biting the Aussie's hip. 

"Oof-! W-what is it?"

"This here." Lucien put it on Mundy's chest and the Aussie squinted. Not a split second later, his eyes snapped wide as he understood what that little plastic bottle contained. 

"Oh… Y-you wanna-?"

"Oui." Lucien cut him. He laced his fingers through Mundy's and went to his lips.

"N-now?" 

Their lips lapped and sucked at each other's, filling the van with sounds that made them both warmer. 

"If you so wish, mon loup, I am yours." Lucien almost whispered in Mundy's ears, with his velvet voice.

"Bloody hell… Y-your voice…"

"What about it, hm?" Lucien went on. 

"You know… Perfectly… But what's the plan, hm? Turn me on like there's no tomorrow and then what?" Mundy asked.

Lucien went to his ear and put his hands on Mundy's cheeks. 

"Use that bottle… and me." 

Mundy's eyes snapped wide and his pupils shrank. He grabbed Lucien by his lips and flipped him to be the one on top. He then turned the Frenchman on his stomach with raging lust. 

"Gosh, Lu'..." Mundy laid on top of Lucien, flush against him on his back and started lazily grinding as he bit and kissed his shoulder and his back. "I… I don't wanna hurt you but…"

"Please, I know you won't hurt me… Just have fun… Argh-!" Lucien felt Mundy's teeth dig deeper on his shoulder, his pointy canines would leave a mark, for sure. 

"Want you…" Mundy growled.

"Take me…" Lucien answered before another bite made the sweat break everywhere and the heat between his legs coiled more.

Mundy went down, leaving marks of teeth and such all along his lover's back until he arrived where he wanted. 

"Gosh you look like a porcelain doll…" His hands grasped Lucien's soft flesh left and right and kneaded it like a priceless dough. Lucien whimpered and propped himself up on his elbows. "You look so good I could bloody eat you…" 

"Be my guest - argh!" 

Mundy growled as his hungry teeth dug in the flesh. 

"Mon Dieu!" 

Lucien arched his back as he felt his lover's tongue closing in on his vulnerability. He grabbed a pillow and dug his nails in it as he moaned.

"Look at all this…" Mundy lapped where the Frenchman had been craving some attention and Lucien moaned loud. The Aussie let his tongue paint the tight ring of muscles as his hands pulled left and right to reveal the Frenchman's secrets better. 

"Mon Dieu, Mundy… Aargh!" 

"You're bloody delicious… and so fuckin' soft…" 

"Argh! Please!" 

"What d'you want, hm?" Mundy lapped and the Frenchman's hips jerked on their own. 

"Please… The bottle…" Lucien's eyes were shut, he couldn't see anything anymore. 

"Right, here comes." 

Lucien heard the plastic cap pop open and Mundy coated his finger generously. 

"C'mere." Mundy flipped Lucien on his back again and went straight for a sloppy kiss. Lucien wrapped his arms around his lover and kept his legs open. "Breathe slowly and relax, ok? I got you, luv'..." 

"Oooh… Hah… Slowly… Please…" He hissed.

Mundy held him with one arm while his finger worked gently on his lover. 

"See…? I'm goin' very slowly, it's all fine… Relax, luv', I've got you here… You're with me…" 

"Aaah… Mundy…"

"Sssh, save your strength, just enjoy." Mundy added a kiss to Lucien's lips before sitting between his open legs. He took the bottle and squirted more of its content on his finger before going at it again. 

"Aah… P-please, Mundy…?" Lucien's eyebrows were arched high up. 

"Yeah?" 

"More…" 

"Okay. Here… I'll go slow as always, ok…?"

"O-oui… Oh… Oui… mmmh…" 

Mundy worked him up in slow, gentle movements and Lucien discovered feelings he thought he never would.

"Mundy, please… Your lips…"

"Sure, luv'." Mundy laid on top of Lucien's slim body and held him close as he kissed him. He got surprised by how much Lucien needed it. "You ok, darl'? You feel different."

"Please hold me." 

"Course." Mundy let his whole weight fall on Lucien and held him close and tight. "Talk to me, what is it?"

"It is… My first time doing this… I need you to be slow… I apologise but-"

"No, don't apologise, we'll take our time, ok? And if you want to stop here, we'll stop here, ok?"

"I am sorry." Lucien screwed his eyes shut in shame. 

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with wantin' to go slow, ok?"

"Oui but a minute ago I was so sure of myself but now I don't know anymore." 

"It's ok, it's fine, you can change your mind." 

"But Mundy I put you in this state and now I'm backing away… It's…"

"It's fine is what it is. There is no problem whatsoever, ok, Lu'?" Mundy put his hands left and right on his lover's cheeks. "Love? Open your eyes, just a second." 

"I can't. I'm ashamed." 

"Hm." Mundy thought fast. He put the blanket over them both, they were now both underneath it. "Here, now, nothing will get to you. Please, Lu', look at me, I need to see your beautiful eyes…?" 

Lucien frowned. 

"Love…?" Mundy kissed his closed eyelids gently. "Please, gorgeous?" 

Lucien blinked a couple of times and opened his eyes. He looked up at Mundy and quickly averted his gaze. 

"Hey… Don't feel weird about it." 

"I am sorry." 

"No, don't be, there's nothin' to be sorry about." He kissed his bearded cheek. 

"Yes, there is. Look at me, a man older than you and I behave like a teenage girl…"

"No." Mundy answered. "I couldn't give a shit how you behave like. You have your limits and I have mine, if we get close to these limits, you have to tell me and I'll gladly stop, ok?"

"At my age, Mundy, at my God-forsaken age…!"

"Who gives a shit?!" Mundy asked. "I don't! It's your first time and I'm so bloody happy it's with me and… Gosh, this whole thing just makes me love you more…!"

"You say this to comfort me." Lucien was still not looking his lover in the eye. 

"No, I don't. I just think it's beautiful of you to react this way… It feels like…" Mundy brushed his lover's upper cheeks with his thumbs and Lucien finally met his eyes. "Feels like a first time to me too, eh?" He smiled softly. 

"I love you, Mundy…" Those round, light blue eyes were something to behold. Lucien's eyebrows were arched up in a pleading way and the Aussie couldn't help but just smile and try and remember that instant, that face, the long silver hair all around it like the beams of a masculine sun… 

"I love you too, sweetheart, ok?" Mundy continued brushing Lucien's cheeks. 

"Oui." 

"And I'm proud of you."

"Really?" 

"Yeah, you took more than I ever did in my life. You're a bloody hero, y-you're my everythin'. I love you so much." Mundy kissed Lucien's cheek again and the Frenchman pulled him closer. 

"I cannot ever recall a man as gentle as you are, Mundy." 

"Never seen anyone as gorgeous as you eh." 

"Pfff…" 

"What? It's true." He chuckled.

"I can believe it." Lucien arrogantly answered. 

"Love ya." Mundy buried his head in Lucien's neck and peppered kisses from time to time. "Love ya like you have no idea." 

"Me too." Lucien wrapped his arms around Mundy's head. "Me too, mon amour, but please…?"

"What?" 

"I think I am ready for more." 

"You sure? We can stop it here if you want." 

"Non, please… I want you." Lucien pulled him closer and grinded his hips.

Mundy left a final kiss. 

"Should I continue or…?" 

"Oui, please."

"Anythin' for you, love." Mundy coated his fingers again. "You really sure though? Oh…"

Lucien took his lover's hand and guided him down where he wanted it to be. 

"Alright, here we go…"

"Ahaa…. Hah…" 

"Breathe slowly and relax. It's much easier than earlier, I can feel it."

"More, please." Lucien closed his eyes to focus on what was happening down there.

"Right… Here… How does that feel?" 

"Orh… Oui… A-another finger, please, I want to feel you more." 

"Okay, luv', take a slow, deep breath." 

"Oh-oui… Oui, Mundy…" Lucien hissed and arched his back. "Oh!" Mundy started moving his fingers and Lucien's hips moved slowly. 

"That's it, Lu'... You're doin' amazing, you're great." 

"Please, your lips." 

Mundy bent down and Lucien pulled him closer when their lips collided. 

"Mmh, how d'you feel, love?"

"I will be better in a minute."

"Oh, bugger, am I hurting you?" 

"Non," Lucien smiled. "I mean when you will truly make love to me." 

Mundy felt a rush of blood to his head. The way that Lucien gazed at him, lovingly, and those words… Poetry. 

"Y-you're… the best." Mundy laid on his lover and kissed him again, more and more. He was past the shy stage now and felt comfortable enough to stick his tongue out himself and start the French kiss. Lucien moaned under him and wrapped his legs around the Aussie's back. 

"Mundy…" 

"Oh! Gosh…!"

Lucien had grasped both their masculinities in one hand and stroked them in unison. Mundy groaned and buried his head deep in Lucien's shoulder. He started grinding against his member and in his warm palm. 

"Gosh, Lu'... Yeah… Yeah…" Mundy added his hand on top of Lucien's and both rolled their hips in rhythm. One groaned and the other whimpered. A concert of lust in delight major. 

"M-Mundy… Please… Do it…" 

"You sure, luv'?"

"Oui… I want you… in me." 

Mundy's eyes rolled back in bliss and his member gave a twitch. 

"I want you too… You're so bloody sexy…" 

"I do my best." 

"You don't need to." 

Mundy grabbed the bottle and popped the cap open again. 

"Non!" Lucien snatched it off his hands and poured some of it in his palm. "Let me please…"

"Course." 

They sat on their knees, face to face. Lucien sank down on all four and grabbed Mundy's member in his hand. 

"What are you - oh? Yeah… Please… Gnh…" 

Lucien took it between his lips and tasted it. Annoyingly enough, his long hair was flowing everywhere and it wasn't practical at all. He swooshed his head left and right to throw it out of the way.

"Let me help ya…"

Mundy took Lucien's hair and held it away from his face. The Frenchman hummed in thanks and sucked just a bit harder. 

"You're welc-oh!-me" Mundy's hips jerked forward on their own.

Lucien chuckled as he pulled back and generously slicked his lover's member with the content of the bottle he had bought. 

"There… Keep the bottle near, we might need more, mon amour."

"Sure." 

"How do you want me?"

"On your belly, luv'." 

Lucien did as he was told. Mundy lay on top of him and kissed the back of his neck. 

"You ready, Lu'?"

"I have been waiting for too long, Mundy, please…"

Mundy took the matter in his own hand and positioned himself. 

"Breathe deep, Lu'." 

Lucien closed his eyes and he felt it. 

"Oh… Oui… Doucement… Oui… Orh - Mundy…!"

[Softly]

"You're doin' great…" Mundy groaned. "Just tell me if it's too much or anythin'..."

"More, please…!" 

Mundy lay down again on top of his lover and bit his shoulder gently as he pushed his hips deeper. 

And then, he stopped. He was entirely in the safety of his lover's body. 

"Gosh… You alright?" 

"O-oui… Don't move, please, hold on…" 

"Course." 

Lucien turned his head and Mundy kissed his bearded cheek and his lips. The Frenchman was barely kissing back. He was focusing on the new sensations. It was hurting, obviously, but knowing that it was his lover's member that was pulling his body at its limits made it all worthwhile. 

"You're gorgeous…  And brave… I love you… And you feel so… so…" 

"Say it." Lucien asked. 

"So bloody tight, argh…" Mundy's member was aching with anticipation as he felt Lucien's walls closely wrapping him all around. 

"Move, gently please…" 

Mundy pulled his hips back slowly, not all the way, and pushed in again. He maintained the excrutiatingly slow rhythm for entire minutes. 

"Mmmh, Lu', you sure you're relaxed…?"

"Oui, as much as I can be…"

"Gosh you're so tight… I'm so scared to hurt you…" 

"You won't, continue gently for a bit more, please…"

Mundy's hands were wrapped around his lover's torso as he rolled his hips slowly still. He felt his lover's body get used to it as it relaxed little by little. 

"Mundy…?"

"Yeah?"

"Faster, please."

"Ok." 

Mundy picked up the pace only slightly, still afraid that it would go pear-shaped. But soon he felt Lucien raise his own hips to meet him. And the Frenchman started moaning louder as Mundy's hips matched Lucien's eager ones. 

The Frenchman buried his head in the pillow to smother his obscene song of pleasure but Mundy wanted to hear him, he slipped the pillow off of him away and held his body between his strong arms. 

"Bloody hell you sound and feel amazin'..." 

Both were in a pool of sweat and the van's temperature had dramatically risen. The bed started creaking under them both and they moaned, hissed, growled and groaned louder still. 

"M-Mundy… Ahaa…"

"Nnh-! Yeah…?"

"Hold me close, please…!" 

Mundy instinctively put a hand on Lucien's, pinning his wrist to the bed and sliding his fingers in between the Frenchman. His other hand went underneath Lucien, he wanted to hold him somewhere and couldn't find where until his hand grasped wherever it was and Lucien let a powerful and high-pitched moan out. He rolled his eyes up in bliss. Mundy had wrapped his fingers around his throat… 

The Aussie bent down again to push his hips deeper and he bit Lucien's ear. He grunted at each push of his hips. 

"You're - bloody - amazin'... You feel - so - bloody - good… gnnh! Y-you're gettin' me close…"

Lucien was moaning with an open mouth and as Mundy kissed his cheek and now the corner of his mouth, he realised that the poor Frenchman was drooling on the mattress, he had lost all sense of control of his body. 

"Lu'...? Lu'... What you said about the bottle and stuff… D'you mean it…? You said to use the bottle and… you?"

Lucien painfully nodded. 

"Fuck…!"

"Nnnh?!" 

Mundy tightened his grip on Lucien's throat slightly and grabbed his shoulder for leverage. His thrusts were now utterly controlled by his hips. He ran after his satisfaction, chasing it as he flared his nostrils, moving as fast and deep as he possibly could. Lucien opened his legs slightly more and Mundy stopped. 

"Bugger… Are you alright?" 

Lucien was sobbing. 

"Hey, luv', darlin', Lu', talk to me…" 

Lucien panted to catch his breath and he answered, his eyes still closed. 

"Please take me… to the end… with you… Don't stop… again… Before… the end…" 

Mundy frowned. 

"Anythin' for you." 

He put a hand back on Lucien's throat while the other was now on the Frenchman's member. Mundy's hips started anew and he felt it. Lucien's masculinity had been out of patience and Mundy's fingers were coated in its eagerness. 

"Gosh, you've been on the edge for far too long… I'm sorry, luv', we'll do it together, I'm takin' you to the end, I promise…!" 

Mundy's body was melting in a pool of sweet as he picked up the pace on his pelvis and his hand. 

"L-Lu'! Lu'', I'm so close-!" 

Lucien groaned louder as he thrusted his hips into Mundy's hand…!

In a concerto, both yelling their satisfaction as if they were alone in the world, they arrived where they had aimed to be. Mundy bit Lucien's neck at the back as he sheathed himself as deep as he could. At the same time, he felt Lucien's pleasure burst out on his fingers.

They panted and breathed heavily, Mundy freed Lucien's throat and kissed him wherever his mouth could reach, namely, on the top of his back and the back of his neck. 

"I love you… I love you… I love you… You're the best, I've never loved anyone else like you before, you just… You make everything make so much sense… You… You're everythin' I never could dream of… Y-you're the stuff of books and movies… You're amazing…" 

Lucien sniffed and Mundy's eyes snapped wide open. 

"Lu'? Love, tell me, what's wrong?" He hugged his lover tight. 

"P-please… Can you…?" Lucien moved his hips and Mundy gasped. 

"Oh, bugger, sure…" He withdrew gently and Lucien curled in a ball. He continued to sniff. 

"Lucien, please, talk to me? Did I go too far? Did you want me to stop but you couldn't say? Oh, Gosh, I-I'm so sorry, I… Argh…" Mundy gagged and Lucien flipped on the bed. 

"'Scuse me…" 

Mundy put on his underwear and slipped out of the van. 

"M-Mundy?" 

[lovelycoralmentality]

Manhwa

Who made me a princess -> chapter 89

Devil wants to hug -> chapter 49

To Be or Not to Be -> Chapter 63

The reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion -> chapter 147 (fin)

Shadow queen -> chapter 38

The justice of villainous woman -> chapter 113

Silent lover -> chapter 19

The Villainess reverses the hourglass -> chapter 45

Charlotte Has Five Disciples -> chapter 43

The grandmaster of demonic cultivation -> chapter 175

Beware of the villainess -> chapter 58

I became the villain's mother -> chapter 36

The Twin Siblings’ New Life -> chapter 39

Death Is The Only Ending For The Villainess -> chapter 44

Actually, I Was the Real One -> chapter 32

Am I the daughter? -> chapter 47

I Want to Be You, Just For A Day -> chapter 44

Please Throw Me Away -> chapter 40

The Villainess Lives Twice -> Chapter 38

Youngest Princess -> chapter 44

Daughter of the Emperor -> chapter 207

Virtues of the Villainess -> Chapter 34

When the Villainess Loves -> Chapter 38

saving the Villain Who was Abandoned by the Female Lead -> chapter 21

The Antagonist's Pet ( The Pet of the Villainess ) -> Chapter 56

The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess Manhwa -> Chapter 74

The Newly-wed Life Of A Witch and A Dragon -> Chapter 17

My Husband Hides His Beauty -> chapter 32

I'm the Ex-Girlfriend of a Soldier -> Chapter 21

This Girl is a Little Wild -> Chapter 50

 I don't want to be Empress! -> Chapter 58

This Villainess Wants a Divorce! / survive as the hero's wife-> Chapter 87

A Villain Is A Good Match For A Tyrant -> Chapter 38

The Garden of Red Flowers -> Chapter 28

Is It a Fortune or Is It a Woe? -> Chapter 30

The Young Lady I Served Became a Young Master -> Chapter 23

Seduce the Villain's Father -> Chapter 43

Blinded by the Setting Sun -> Chapter 21

The Duchess with an Empty Soul -> Chapter 63

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp -> Chapter 126

I Raised Cinderella Preciously -> Chapter 37

Once more -> Chapter 27.5

Your Majesty, Please Don't Kill Me Again -> Chapter 23

My Sister Picked Up the Male Lead -> Chapter 37

Beware of the Brothers! -> Chapter 45

the lady and the beast -> chapter 39

Everything was a Mistake -> Chapter 32

A false confession -> Chapter 45

Elskar -> Chapter 32

The Detective Of Muiella -> Chapter 104

This Is An Obvious Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 59

Daisy: How to Become the Duke’s Fiancée - Chapter 35

I Became the Ugly Lady -> Chapter 5

The Lady's Butler - Chapter 25

Royal Shop of Young Lady - Chapter 34

Choose Your Real Daddy Tyrant - Chapter 11

The Sunny Lead was Raised as the Villainess - Chapter 1

Princess is a Bloodthirsty Surgeon - Chapter 58

Guide to a Male God Chasing his Wife - Chapter 21

Princess Tomboy & Prince Grumpy - Chapter 90

Living As The Emperor's Fiancé -> Chapter 28

The Foodie Next Door - Chapter 47

I Raised the Beast Well - Chapter 14

The villianous queen wants to level up - Chapter 0

National School Prince Is A Girl -> Chapter 83

Wendy the Florist -> Vol. 2 Ch. 1

What Kind of Empress is This? - Chapter 42

Revenge Wedding -> Chapter 36

I Gave Birth To A Murderer’s Child -> chapter 15

The Black Haired Princess - Chapter 39

Perfect Adaptation Chapter 2

Uniquely You - Chapter 11

Too Close - Chapter 88

Limited Time Princess - Chapter 27

She's my type - chapter 31

Lady Beast - Chapter 77

Read The Tyrant Falls In Love (Can Can) -> Chapter 56 

Mismatched Love - Chapter 15

Happy Ending for the Time-Limited Villainess - Chapter 9

I'll Do That Marriage - Chapter 21

Don't Provoke The Crazy, Dumb and Villainous Consort - Chapter 23

The Daughter of the Elemental King - Chapter 45

The Golden Haired Elementalist - Chapter 38

I Became the Hero's Mom - Chapter 26

Beatrice - Chapter 49

The Stereotypical Life of a Reincarnated Lady - Chapter 51

Cheerful Countess Sisters - Chapter 24

It Looks Like I've Fallen into the World of a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 32

I'm Stanning The Prince -> Chapter 42

Flowers Dance and Wind Sings -> Chapter 25

The Tyrant’s Guardian is an Evil Witch -> Chapter 23

The Goal is to Become a Gold Spoon so I need to be Completely Invulnerable - Chapter 27

The Villain's Savior - Chapter 74

The Princess in the Dumpster - Chapter 31

I Gave Birth to the Tyrant's Child -> Chapter 10

I'm the Male Lead's Female Friend -> Chapter 12

Villainess Maker -> Chapter 11

I Became a Maid in a TL Novel -> Chapter 36

I tamed the wild duke -> Chapter 4.1

The Viridescent Crown -> Chapter 33

A Night With The Emperor -> Chapter 7

The Villain Discovered My Identity -> Chapter 39

I Tamed a Tyrant and Ran Away -> Chapter 21

Charming and the Beast -> Chapter 4

The Emperor's Companion -> Chapter 72

I Saved The Cursed Duke -> Chapter 5

The King’s Beloved Daughter -> Chapter 6

The Precious Sister of the Villainous Grand Duke -> Chapter 11

The Way to Protect the Female Lead's Older Brother -> Chapter 20

Undercover Empress -> Chapter 35

The Flower That Was Bloomed By A Cloud -> Chapter 27

The Villainess Is a Marionette -> Chapter 21

Obey me -> Chapter 8

Stop Bothering Me, Emperor! -> Chapter 3

I'm a Martial Art Villainess but I'm the Strongest! -> Chapter 27

Angelic Lady -> Chapter 22

I'll Become the Tyrant's Tutor -> Chapter 6

Truly Refuse to Be a Witch -> Chapter 3

Father, I Don’t Want to Get Married! -> Chapter 15

I’ll Just Live on as a Villainess -> Chapter 3

Crimson Karma -> Chapter 82

The Fake Princess' OP Bunny -> Chapter 6

Reminiscence adonis -> Chapter 129

Not Just Anyone Can Become a Villainess -> Chapter 12

Lady Baby -> Chapter 125

[wardenrainwall]

Ficback Friday

I’m always a day late and a dollar short ....

But I absolutely love this idea!

Tagged by @khajiithasnowares

Take an older fic (or art for our artist friends) from about a year ago or older even and talk about it, show it off and hype it up.

lets see, a year ago I was working on Little Explosions of Hope, a fic that turned into something incredibly long (for me). Most often I have a vague idea, or a specific scene in mind and then I start writing at a completely different point to reach that idea, and this one was no different. The scene that spawned the entire fic didn’t happen until chapter 40.

It starts in Kirkwall, Wren, a woman who worked many years at the Blooming Rose has her own place where she makes tonics and medicines for the people of Darktown. Upon meeting Cullen, she hates him from the start because she hates all Templars, but slowly as time goes on they grow closer and despite everything going on (Templars generally up to no good/the Qunari/Meredith) in Kirkwall they fall in love. And then it gets really angsty, and they end up in Skyhold and the Inquisitor and the Companions(mainly the inquisitor, blackwall and rylen) come into play.

I spent a little over a year working on this fic, and I am quite proud of what I accomplished.

Little Explosions of Hope

Rating : Explicit (for violence and smut)

Words: 168,721 (74 chapters)

a small snippet

Wren ducked her head, withdrawing she walked around to sit back down in her usual spot at the table. Cullen sat as well and for a few moments, they sat in silence, sipping their wine. “You don’t have to keep buying me things. That isn’t why… that isn’t why I keep letting you come around. You’re my friend, too. As much as it pains me to admit that I might actually like a Templar,” she smiled a little, reached her hand across the table to run her fingertip along the knuckles of Cullen’s hand that was curled around his mug. “When Rory-” she pursed her lips together. They hadn’t talked about him. “It broke my heart to think you were like them. That you would be so cruel. I-”

She sunk her teeth into her lower lip and Cullen wasn’t sure what to say, so he turned his hand, curled his fingers around hers. She held his gaze for a long time and then she pulled her hand back, stood and came around the table. Cullen watched her, his brow knit together. “Scoot back,” Wren said, pushing at his shoulder and Cullen obeyed. Then she was standing there between his legs.

Delicate fingertips touched his stubbled jaw, and he stared up into her eyes. The deep turquoise darker than usual. He found it hard to breathe with her so close. The heat of her body warm through their thin clothing. Surely, she didn’t mean to- Wren leaned closer, their breath mingled, but she never broke their gaze. “I’m glad you’re here,” she murmured.

“Wren-” his voice was barely a breath of sound. He wanted to reach for her, drag her closer and push her away.

“Happy birthday, Cullen,” she spoke the words quietly, her lips almost on his. Cullen held his breath, one of her hands slid into his hair, cupping the back of his head and then soft as a down feather, her lips brushed against the corner of his mouth. Then the other side. Then her eyes slid shut and the world fell away as Wren pressed her mouth to his.

He didn’t know what to do, where to put his hands that were now clenched into fists on his thighs. Her lips were so gentle and full against his. Her hands small and fragile. Wren pulled back, just a fraction, their lips still touching as her eyes fluttered open. “Aren’t you going to kiss me back, Knight-Captain?”

“I-I don’t know-I’ve never- Wren,” her name came out a desperate sound and she smiled so tenderly that Cullen’s heart ached.

“I suspected,” she murmured, tilted her head and rubbed the tip of her nose against his. “Kiss me,” she breathed, her lips against his again and he obeyed. It was slow and sweet and heat built inside of Cullen’s chest. He heard her moan quietly, realized he’d gripped her hips, one hand twisting into a fist around the cotton of her chemise.

[devildomwriter]

“What’s wrong, Belphie? What are you doing standing over there? Come here. You’ve been wanting to go to the Celestial Realm, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, it really is nice here. It’s so warm and comfortable…”

“That reminds me, Michael said he’d like to have tea up in the observatory after this. You’ll be joining us, right?”

“Us? Well, um…”

— Raphael trying to get Belphegor to stay in his ideal reality (Chapter 74-14)

[dailyaudiobible]

10/02/2020 DAB Transcript

Isaiah 66:1-24, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalms 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

Today is October 2nd welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I'm Brian it’s great to be here with you today as we move forward and take the next step through the Scriptures, and yeah we’re at the beginning of a new month and a new quarter. And, so, we’re just getting oved in and an understanding of where we are and doing what we talked about yesterday, thinking about finishing well, finishing strong in a…in a year that has done a lot to challenge us. So, let's dive in. And we’re working our way through the book of Isaiah, and we've actually reached the conclusion. Today will be our final day in the book of Isaiah for this year. We’re reading from the Lexham English Bible this week. Isaiah chapter 66.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in Philippians today we kinda dropped into the middle of something that was being said that we had finished up with yesterday. And, so, we see Paul kind of doing the boasting thing again where he’s like…he’s kinda forced to boast in order to defend himself from things that people are saying. So, he’d rather not be doing this at all, but he has to do it. And, so, he's saying what he's done. Like, “I was circumcised on the eighth day. I…I’m from…I’m an Israeli. Like, I’m a natural born Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin. I was a Pharisee. I was so zealous about it I persecuted the church. I was blameless in keeping the law trying to be righteous before God.” And then Pals says, “but all the stuff that I did, it doesn't mean anything to me. It…it's…it's a loss. Like, I count it as a loss because of what I have gained in Christ.” And that juxtaposition is Paul again saying what he has always said in his letters. “I was trying to obey the rules. I threw myself at it wholeheartedly. I wanted to be able to be righteous before God, so that I could one day be welcomed by God, so that one day I would be righteous before God. And, so, I did all the right stuff, but it wasn't going to me there. So, now I realize it was a loss, like I count it as a loss because of what Jesus has shown me since I've met the Lord.” And once again this is Paul trying to say, “the rules are not the relationship. The rules do not come before the relationship to gauge whether there is a relationship.” For Paul that's like backwards, for Jesus as well. The spirit of the whole thing had been lost and so all that was left were rules when the rules were actually a byproduct of a relationship. And basically…I means…here's a way of looking at it. If you're married…even if you're not married you’re gonna understand this…if you're married you don't…you don't dig out your marriage covenant and read it every time you have a fight, right? Every time you have a disagreement you don’t dig out your marriage license and begin reading and say, “wait a minute. These were our vows. This is what we said.” I mean there are times that this needs to happen, but this isn’t what defines the relationship. Love defines the relationship. And when two people are in love than the rules become apparent and you don’t have to like study and ritualize and try to make the relationship work by the rules. If there’s no love there it's going to be pretty tough to do. And this is what Paul is trying to argue. Like he had tried to do this, always knowing his failures because the law showed him his failures, always having an understanding of God being displeased because of his failures. Everybody felt that way. Like nobody could live up to the law. Everybody felt that way on a continual basis just looking for the other shoe to drop. And that's what Paul is trying to say. Like that's not freedom, that's not freedom. Christ came, fulfilled the law, God began a new thing by raising Him from the dead, faith in Jesus makes us righteous before God, fulfills all of those requirements that we think we have to live up to. We are free to be in love with God, free to be in love with God as He is in love with us. Rather than understanding him as an angry deity we now see Him as Father as our Papa as a loving child would refer to their parents. That’s what Paul has been after today. And, so, he says something very famous. “I haven’t achieved that. That's where this is going. We are all on that path. Why would you want to turn from that path and go back into bondage because somebody's telling you something different than what I've been telling you. Let me tell you my credentials.” And then he goes through his credentials. “I have done this.” That’s his point. “I have done this with all of my heart, and it cannot be achieved, but Jesus came and revealed Himself to me and revealed how this actually works. It's a leap of faith and I have not achieved this. I can't achieve this, it can only be achieved inside me by God”, which is the same for all of us. We can't achieve anything. Everything that we have is a gift from God. “So, I haven't achieved it” Paul says, “but I am trying. Like I am doing one thing. I am forgetting the things that have gone behind me and I am pressing toward the things that are ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And that should do for us what it would've done for the Philippians and what it did for the Philippians. And it encouraged to them. It reminded them. And, so, yeah most of what we just talked about are things we have talked about before, but Paul repeats these things in the letters and the letters got passed around from church to church so people were being continually reminded in those early days, just like we are continually being reminded now because we forget. And in the same way we get back to the rules. We know our failures. We know we can go to the Father and ask forgiveness but we know our failures. And, so, we live sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop. We live feeling as if we don't keep our act together something bad's going to happen when that's simply…at least according to Paul, at least according to Jesus, that's not how this works. And, so, once again we are reminded of God's mercy and grace and we need to press forward because of the deep and growing love of the relationship that we have with God. The rules become apparent. There are things we wouldn't do against our spouse because we love them, and we wouldn't want to break their heart and we wouldn’t want to cause them pain and suffering. There are things that we wouldn't or shouldn't do in our relationship with God for the same reasons because we are committed in a covenantal relationship and in love. Let's remember that as we head into the end of the week.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You. We thank You that You loved us first. There is nothing we can do. There is nothing we have done to earn that. You have loved us and come for us. And this salvation that we are working out in fear and trembling isn't about how often we step out of line. It's about us being aware of what we will not do because we are committed to You, because we are in love with the creator of our souls, with the lover of our souls. So, Holy Spirit come. Make this a reality. May we live into this fully in the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it’s the website, it’s where you find out what's going on around here.

Still reeling, not reeling, just still kind of floating from the announcement we made yesterday about China and Ben expecting their first child, their first baby. And the outpouring of love and good wishes and prayers is so encouraging. It’s like a lifting…lifting spirit and we need that. We need…we need our spirits lifted in these days. And, so, thank you for…for that. And thank you for your continued prayers and…and…and just joy we go through this process and through…then through the winter months and into the spring and then as spring brings new life and this spring will bring really new life into our family and so we’re very excited. And thank you. Thank you for your…your love and being a part of life here in community as…as we move forward.

I remind you that the website is home base. And, so, and it's not very complicated. It's actually made to be pretty simple.

There’s a Community section, that’s where you can get connected on social media and that's where the Prayer Wall is. There is a Shop full of resources for the journey through the Bible in a year. And there's Initiatives, things that are going on around here. So, be…be aware. Check it out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, I can't thank you enough because the reality is if we didn't do this together, we wouldn’t be doing this at all. And, so, so grateful, so humbled that we can take this journey, day by day step-by-step fresh every day moving forward in life together in community. Like this is really happening, we’re really doing this together. And what a joy that is but it wouldn’t happen if we didn't do it together. So, thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a Give button in the Daily Audio Bible app in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement 877-942-4253 is the number to dial or if you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app…and if you’re not you should…you should be…this is the portal into community, there’s a Hotline button in the app, the little red button at the top, No matter where you are in the world you can…I mean that's sittin’ in your pocket. You got a Hotline, you got a way to reach out at any point when your shouldering things that you just can't carry anymore or when you're so full of joy that you just have to tell somebody because that's community. That’s the friendships that we have forged as we've just gone verse by verse page by page, chapter by chapter book by book all the way to here in the Bible. So, you can always reach out there.

And that is it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hello this is Lacey from Cape Cod Massachusetts I’m an elderly woman alone in the world with no family. It’s just me and my precious dog and Jesus and I’ve had some serious serious health issues with my back and I’m severely arthritic but my dear precious dog has been very sick and I beg your prayers that…for healing for her and mercy for me because I just cannot imagine life without her. The loneliness and isolation is just so painful. And before Covid…but now with Covid it’s 10 times worse. She’s my baby and my precious companion and I need her, and I love her. Please pray for mercy. Thank you in Jesus’ name. God bless you all. Thank you. I’ve been listening for over a year…about a year. Bye-bye.

It is September 26th this is joyful Jay from the Everglades. I just want to say thank you DABbers. Thank you, Brian, Jill, China and all who make this daily campfire happen. I’m a longtime listener and very rare caller. Change is coming. My fear of saying the wrong thing is less than my fear of not being known by a community of believers who live fearlessly in loving each other and want to be known by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh Lord to let people in, to let people know me, you know this is my struggle. Thank you for opening my year and opening my heart. Thank you to all of those who call in on a regular basis. Your voices, your accents, the cadence in your speech. This is how I’m getting to know you. I will not know you because I can see you, but I will know you because I know your voice. Your words bring me joy and at times lay a heaviness on my heart. Just hearing the different tones, the tunes of all your voices and songs. I am crying as I listen to people saying they prayers. Hearing the songs, hearing the prayers, hearing the encouragement is nourishing to my spirit, leaving me wanting more of this community and a desire to change and desire to be known by you. Thank you, Lord Jesus. This is JB saying thank you for all of you calling in and setting an example of caring for each other in prayer. Have a great day. Blessings in the Lord Jesus. Bye.

Good morning DAB family this is Dawn of a New Day from California calling to lift up our sister Tammy from Canada. Tammy God has you in the palm of His hand as your reaching out, your crying out, your trusting and believing even in the face of not feeling like you can still hold on and trust God. In the name of Jesus, you will not crack, you will not fold, you will not lose your mind. You will get the best sleep you have ever received ever. And Father we give You praise, we give You glory, and we give You honor right here and right now not just for Tammy’s sweet sleep but for every person that has insomnia for every person that feels as if their sleep deprivation is cracking their life God. We trust You are Lord. We lift this ministry up to You God. We lift up every prayer request. We lift up our sister who was invited by her two brothers who is excited to be a part of our DAB family God. We lift up each and every heart the grows in Your word that loves Your word. We lift up every single person that listens and absolutely believes and trusts You more God. I pray that we will spread this word of this ministry, that we would then learn and grow and serve, believe God that we would reach out and reach in and…and absolutely not give up. We love You like never before, and we thank You now for loving us back. We love you Tammy. Your DAB family is calling out your name and glory not just this day but in all the days to come and we will hear your testimony of your breakthrough and sweet sleep. God bless you sister. Thank you for calling in for the first time. DAB family sew a seed of support today. God bless you all.

Good afternoon DAB family this is Lady of Victory on Monday, the 28th of September calling in for Jody who called in for prayer for Desiree, a 15-year-old, I believe, who has been diagnosed with cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and other parts of her body. So, we want to lift her up in prayer. God, we thank You, we glorify You, we magnify You because You alone are worthy to be praised. God what a report to have said about someone so Young who is dealing with all that she’s dealing with God. And yet according to Jodi she is not lost for Jesus joy. Some of us have been diagnosed with a lot less God and we have turned our backs on You. And, so, God we thank You for the joy that Desiree has in You in spite of God the diagnosis. Now God our prayer is that You would heal her on this side of every disease God. We recognize that cancer is a name and You said that at the name of Jesus every knee is going to bow. And, so, God we tell cancer to bow in the name of Jesus. God, and we lift her up before You. We ask that a miracle will be performed for Your daughter. God but if that is not Your perfect will for Desiree’s life God it sounds like she’s ready to meet You and to hear those words good and faithful servant well done. And that’s not what we want God while ultimately that’s all of our desires. God but we want her healed on this side, but we also want Your perfect will to be done and established. Comfort the hearts of those around her God who are lifting her up who have to see her suffer. Do it for Your glory.

Hi, DABbers I may first time call inner just started listening to the Daily Audio Bible this January, it is an answer to prayer, truly. I just wanted to call in because after five years of having Ménière’s disease, it’s a…a vestibular disorder a balance disorder, I was able to, little by little, build up an art business but I got very used to working alone, as hard as it was. And since social distancing has occurred, I’m just having a really hard time I find now connecting with people and I’ve always been so gregarious. And there’s so many winds of doctrine out there I…I don’t feel like I fit anywhere anymore. And I…I know that that’s not God’s will for me, that His will is that I live in community but I’m very, very, very confused and I feel very lost and in a real desert place. Not depressed but lonely but yet I feel that there’s this glass around me that I can’t cross over. Also, if you’ll pray for my son. He’s been an addict for 10 years. He’s living in Philly now in a sober home but he’s…he’s using when he can and just so afraid of him dying. God has kept him for 10 years even as a homeless person and he’s had many, many maybe over 40 rehabs. But I really hope that you hold Jesse up in prayer and for his complete deliverance…

Hi family is Purely Pampered of main. I have an answered prayer praise report to call in. Yesterday we helped my son and his fiancée move into a new apartment about an hour away. My future daughter-in-law found a full-time job and today my son started a two-month temporary job. Right before we left their apartment for the last time, I asked them to indulge me and I thanked God for all the wisdom they gained through the challenges they’ve had these past 2 ½ years living there more than I could never go onto and I prayed that as they closed and locked the door they could let go and leave behind all of the pain and look forward to their new beginning. I told them that hundreds of thousands would be rejoicing with them when I called in this praise report. Thanks to each of you prayed for them and thanks to each of you that took the time to call in and pray for them. I won’t list your names, but you know who you are. I so appreciate you. There’s just no explaining how it feels, for others lifting up my family’s needs. Thank you. Please continue to pray for all of us dealing with transgender pansexual and gender spectrum issues in our families. We so need those prayers. I love you family. Bye for now.

[imitranslates]

Fukigen na Mononokean Ch. 74

Abeno and Ashiya’s meeting with the Underworld Princess continues!

Please remember to check out the official English release when it comes out, preferably on Crunchyroll if you’re able to!

The newest chapter can be read on the official website by clicking the yellow button labeled 読む!

Fukigen na Mononokean Chapter 74 - Supporting Promise

Page 2

Ashiya: Go look for

Aoi-san in the...

Page 3

Ashiya: .......

[There's zero chance of them being alive.]

[...But there isn't any proof that they died.

It might be a ridiculous bet, but there's enough reason to try looking for them...!]

Princess: Cough.

Ashiya: (I want to look for Aoi-san!)

[Abeno-san is definitely interested,

so he'll listen to the Princess's wishes--]

Princess: (coughing).

Page 4

Princess: Cough.

(But... there's zero chance of them being alive.)

(Parasitic shrub is an incurable illness.)

(Once cursed, its roots infest the body until it drains all of the victim's power.)

Ashiya: ......

[I want to believe that they're alive, but... If I think about it realistically under those circumstances,

The scene we'll surely lay our eyes on is...]

Page 5

[If we go into the forest, we have to be properly prepared for that...]

Princess: (coughing)

Abeno: ...I accept.

Abeno: I shall travel to the forest to look for Aoi.

Page 6

Abeno: ...However.

I have one condition for conducting the search.

Abeno: I want you to consider this the first and final search for Aoi.

Ashiya: !?

Princess: ...Eh?

Princess: Why...?

Page 7

Abeno: That's...

Abeno: !?

Ashiya: UWAH?!

Fox: Kon!

Ashiya: The Princess's medicine!

Page 8

Fox: Konkon!

Fox: !?

Fox: Kon!?

Abeno&Ashiya: !?

Page 9

Fox: Kon!

Kon!

Abeno: Princess, is there something wrong?

Princess: I... I'm fine. I'll make a full recovery soon, so there's nothing to worry...

Cough, cough...

Fox: Kon...

Fox: Konkon!

Abeno: ......

Ashiya: She sounds pretty disturbed... I wonder if she's really okay?

Ashiya: Maybe her condition worsened while she was talking to us...

Abeno: .......

Page 10

Ashiya: !

Fox: Kon!

Princess: (coughing)

Abeno: Forgive me for my rudeness, but

Please allow me to confirm your condition with my own eyes.

Princess: !

Princess: There is no need for that. There's nothing wrong with my condition....

Abeno: Speaking as your subordinate, Princess, that doesn't appear to be true.

If you would rather refuse, I will go retrieve Koura with the Mononokean.

Page 11

Princess: ...Cough...

Princess: ...I understand.

Princess: Raise the curtain.

Fox: Kon!

Page 12

Ashiya: !?

Page 13

Fox: Kon...

Abeno: !

Ashiya: Wh!

Ashiya: She's crying!?

Abeno: Where are you in pain...?

Princess: No, it's not that...

Ashiya: Were you scared when Abeno-san forcefully demanded to examine you?

Princess: It's not that either...

Page 14

Princess: Up until now... I've never spoken my true feelings about Aoi's situation.

I'm simply overcome with emotion now that I've finally spoken it out loud.

Ashiya: .....!

Princess: Normally I would consult with the three officials about my concerns.

Princess: But they don't think that Aoi is still alive.

Page 15

Princess: I couldn't bear to cause dissent among the officials and I, so I acted as though I agreed with them.

Because of that, it's difficult to express my wish to search for Aoi in front of them...

Ashiya: So that's why you had the Justice leave.

Princess: Yes...

Princess: ...But, when I heard that there was someone who also believed in Aoi's survival, I wanted to meet them.

And moreover, that person had a deep connection to Aoi and became the second master of the Mononokean...

Princess: I thought I might be able to expose my true feelings without lying to you.

Page 16

(...It looks like you're also holding on to lingering hope,

(So I don't want to give in just to seem reasonable right now...!)

Princess: I don't want to give up on searching for Aoi until we find them.

Princess: Please let me hear why you want it to be the first and final search.

Page 17

Abeno: I've already thoroughly searched all the places I can.

Princess: !?

Abeno: In the end, I haven't been able to find Aoi's remains, nor any clues to where they were.

The forest is vast, so I can't claim with certainty that I didn't miss anything. That's the reason why I will conduct another search.

Page 18

Abeno: However, whatever outcome I reach at the end of my search will surely be final. No matter how many dozens of times I scour the area afterward, I believe the results will remain the same.

Abeno: ...Besides, if they're unharmed and alive, they would have come back on their own.

Princess: ...If you believe Aoi is alive, that means you're waiting for them to return, rather than searching for them...

Page 19

Fox: Kon!

Page 20

Princess: What you're saying is probably correct.

Searching until we find them was a reckless and poorly planned suggestion...

Princess: And conducting the search while maintaining the Mononokean's primary duty of coexistence would be difficult as well...

Princess: ......

Princess: ...But I can't accept this as the first and last search!

Princess: I don't want to give up until we find Aoi!!

Page 21

Abeno&Ashiya: !?

Abeno: I understand your feelings, but you should reconsider...

Princess: I don't want to!

Abeno: Even given your position, I can't promise something I cannot do...

Princess: I don't want to!

Abeno: Then, I have to refuse this request.

Princess: No way!

Ashiya: ("No way"!?)

Ashiya: (The Underworld Princess... Is this her last attempt at resistance? She's kicking up a fuss...)

(Ashiya: Her way of rebelling is just like Yahiko's... They really are siblings.)

Abeno: .....

Ashiya: (And I can feel a silent pressure on my back!!)

Ashiya: (I hear a threatening voice saying, "Don't just sit there, convince her! You're the babysitter!" Is it an auditory hallucination...?!)

Page 22

Ashiya: ...Please.

Ashiya: I want to search for Aoi as well, so

Could you accept that condition?

Princess: !

Page 23

Ashiya: Abeno-san really will refuse your request if you don't agree to those terms.

If that happens, I'll have to obey Abeno-san as the Mononokean's employee.

(And that would be disappointing...)

Ashiya: You don't want that either, right, Underworld Princess?

Princess: ......

Princess: Will this really be the first and last, no matter what?

Ashiya: No matter what... Princess.

Page 24

Ashiya: If you don't limit the search like that,

Abeno-san won't have any confidence in himself.

Abeno: !

Abeno: ......

Princess: !?

Princess: ......

...I see.

Princess: I was merely insisting things on my own without being considerate of him.

Page 25

[If that condition isn't to make me give up,

but a limit meant to restrict himself instead]

[Then I suppose my selfishness won't be allowed...]

[I was able to freely to express my feelings about Aoi that have been swirling in my heart for years... That's enough for me...

No matter the result, I should entrust it to these two.]

Page 26

Princess: I heard something from Aoi a long time ago.

When you make a promise in the Mundane world, you "pinky swear," correct?

Ashiya: !

Princess: I promise.

Princess: My request will be the first and last.

Page 27

Princess: Please go to the forest to search for that child.

Page 28

Abeno: Very well.

Page 29

Abeno: I humbly accept your request, Princess.

Page 30

Princess: Take care during your journey.

Princess: I shall leave Aoi to you.

[k-popscenxrios]

Didn’t Ask For This Pt 12 (Roomate!JK x OC)

A/N: Sorry for the longer period between updates! I had to rewrite a good portion of the next few chapters since I felt it was taking a stupid turn. I’ve fixed it to make it better, so don’t worry! It’ll be worth your time, I promise. Enjoy~

Summary: “I didn’t know you hated me so much,” he spoke as he grabbed my wrist and once again turned me around to face him, “and quite honestly, I don’t think I’ve done anything horrible enough for you to hate me to the degree that you do.” “You say that like the hate isn’t mutual,” I remarked as he shook his head. There was a bitter smile on his face as he took a deep breath, “I think you are quite honestly one of the worst human beings I’ve had to come in contact with.”

4.5k words | drama ✞ | fluff ♡

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Finale

⇨ Masterlist ⇦

I felt like I was dying when I opened my eyes, rolling around in bed. I was completely and utterly miserable, and I could feel the heat radiating off of my body. I laid in bed, the chills rushing through my body every time I so much as felt any air against my skin that was supposed to be protected by my comforter.

I laid in bed, feeling miserable for about an hour before I finally willed myself to get up. I slipped a sweatshirt and sweatpants on to keep me from freezing as I pushed my bedroom door open.

I hurried into the bathroom to get ready before either of the guys saw me. I was in and out as fast as possible, and to my dismay, Taehyung was waiting outside the door to talk to me.

“Jesus, Tae,” I spoke, his appearance scaring me breathless. Then again, even the simple act of brushing my teeth made me breathless.

“Hey,” he spoke, his eyebrows furrowed in worry, “Why on earth are you wearing sweats? It’s like 74 degrees in this apartment.”

I felt my hands start shaking, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the fact that Taehyung scared me or not, “I don’t know. My room is fairly cold I guess.”

Taehyung wasn’t convinced as his eyes started to narrow. He pushed his body off of the wall and pressed his hand to my forehead. I silently cursed as Taehyung’s eyes widened, his hand pulling away after realizing just how hot my forehead was.

“God, I don’t know whether to be mad at you or worried about you,” Taehyung mumbled as he rushed to the kitchen to grab the materials that he needed, “I need you to get out of those sweats and into your tank top and shorts. Now.”

I obeyed him as I noticed Taehyung’s scolding has caught Jungkook’s attention. He walked out of his room and looked in between the two of us with confusion.

“What’s going on?” he asked, concern evident as I noticed Taehyung grow tense. I caught sight of his gaze as my eyes widened. I hurried to close my door so that I could change, leaving Jungkook to fend for himself. I felt myself sigh with relief, more than relieved that I remembered to cover the hickeys this morning.

“Okay, I don’t feel like I should question a sick girl, but I won’t feel guilty for scolding you,” I heard Taehyung say as I rushed to change. I stumbled all around, losing my balance several times, landing on the bed behind me to cushion my falls.

I felt my body become uncomfortably cold as I grabbed one of my blankets off my bed.

“Why the hell does my sister have a fever the day after you had one?” Taehyung snapped as I felt paranoia grow within me.

“It’s probably that she got too close to me when taking care of me, man. I don’t know,” Jungkook played if off well as I wrapped the blanket tighter around me. Should I go out there? I probably should, otherwise he might sense something was up…

I opened the door and spotted Taehyung’s glare very quickly. His gaze softened as he looked over at me, seeing me and my pathetic stature.

“Taehyung, don’t yell at Jungkook,” I spoke with a weak voice that I noticed didn’t just make Taehyung melt, but Jungkook as well. The two of them gave me the same look of worry as Jungkook started to guide me into the living room.

“You need to lay down. Taehyung’s getting you some medicine,” Jungkook spoke softly. I couldn’t help but sense Taehyung’s confusion at Jungkook’s actions, but he didn’t voice anything. I just nodded pitifully as I slowly lowered myself to the couch, wincing at my body’s aching.

Jungkook knelt down next to me as Taehyung entered the living room with the medicine I needed to take. He walked up to the two of us and handed me the cup that he had poured the medicine into.

“What flavor is this?” I asked as Taehyung shrugged and shook his head.

“Does it matter? You’re the one that bought it in the first place. Shouldn’t you know?” he asked as I frowned, glancing down at the cup.

“I can’t remember…”

Taehyung swallowed and looked at Jungkook who was still down beside be with concern burned into his features. He was not doing a good job hiding his sudden affection for me.

“Alright, Kook. I’ll take care of her from here,” Taehyung spoke as Jungkook looked up at him. I could sense hesitation in him, but something seemed to click as he was about to get up.

“Doesn’t it make more sense for me to take care of her?” Jungkook asked as Taehyung’s expression morphed into complete shock, “I mean, I was the one that got her sick. And I wouldn’t want for her to get you sick.”

“Yeah, Jungkook has a point,” I nodded, feeling butterflies in my stomach at the prospect of Jungkook taking care of me for the rest of the day. Or, at least until he has to go in to work. Speaking of work, I need to call out sick for my shift.

Taehyung looked really reluctant to nod and give in to the two of us. I didn’t blame him for his paranoia, but I was relieved that he didn’t fight us too hard.

“So you actually want to take care of her?” Taehyung asked Jungkook as he took a couple steps backwards. Jungkook looked back down at me, the smallest smile showing in his features. He looked back up at Taehyung, smile turning into a serious gaze.

“It’s the least I could do. I caused this, after all,” his voice made it sound like he was only doing this out of obligation, but the look in his eyes told me another story.

“Alright. I give in,” Taehyung lifted his hands into the air before he turned on his heels, walking away from us down the hallway. “Don’t kill each other.”

That was the furthest of my concern at the moment.

…

“Jungkook,” I called from the living room as I heard Jungkook shuffling in the kitchen. He’d been gone for a good forty minutes just in the shower, and I was getting really shaky. I thought about bothering Taehyung, but I couldn’t get over how much I loved seeing Jungkook go soft for me.

“Hm?” He responded as he peaked his head into the living room to lock his eyes on mine.

My first instinct was to say something sappy to him, but I closed my mouth before I did. It wasn’t that I cared about Taehyung hearing me, but I just didn’t want to seem as pitiful as I felt.

“You were gone for nearly an hour,” I simply observed as he raised an eyebrow. His expression softened the longer he looked at me, but when I heard footsteps coming down the hall, his expression shifted.

“I’m not your butler,” Jungkook sassed as he spun around and walked back into the kitchen, “Only call me if you need me. If you get lonely, I’m sure Taehyung would love to give you company.”

I pursed my lips at his comments, but I didn’t take them personally. As Taehyung walked into the kitchen, I just pouted his way.

“How are you feeling?” He asked as I shifted my position from laying down to sitting up.

“Like I’m sitting in the middle of a snowstorm taking place on the sun’s surface,” I responded as he let out a soft chuckle.

“Do you want to watch a few episodes of our show?” Taehyung asks as he plopped down on the loveseat.

I smiled at him before my eyes glanced over at Jungkook’s figure. He walked back in from the kitchen with a sandwich in hand as I suddenly had a slightly devious idea pop into my head.

“You didn’t make me a sandwich?” I let out the softest, most pathetic pout I could manage as Taehyung glanced back at Jungkook. He froze mid-chew as he looked at me, studying me carefully.

“You didn’t mention that you wanted one.” he defended with a neutral tone. He finished chewing and swallowed the bite he had taken as I leaned my head back.

“You didn’t offer to make me one,” I countered as Taehyung looked away from the TV and drew his attention to the two of us.

“As I mentioned before, I’m not your butler,” he rolled his eyes as I huffed.

“I can make you one,” Taehyung interfered as I glanced his way. I was about to just nod, because quite honestly, I don’t care who makes me a sandwich as long as I have food in my stomach.

“No, I’ll get it.”

Both Taehyung and I looked Jungkook’s way in surprise as he dipped out of the room, entering the kitchen with his sandwich abandoned on the dining table.

…

Taehyung and I had just gotten through with a few episodes of our favorite show when his phone started blowing up in his pocket. His eyebrows raised when he looked at the name on the screen.

“Hello? Hana?”

I felt my interest peak as I sat up, pulling my blanket around me to ensure that I would stay warm.

“Right now? I mean I… I might have time. My sister’s sick and I hate to leave her here. I already have to leave for work later tonight.”

I frowned and snapped at Taehyung, grabbing his attention, “Tae, I’ll be okay without you. If Hana wants you to do something with her, please go.”

His eyebrows knit in worry as I just continued to nod in reassurance.

“I’ll force Jungkook to take care of me until he leaves. I don’t want to ruin a potential date for you two.”

Taehyung sighed and stared at me blankly for several seconds before looking up at the clock above our TV.

“...Alright. I can go,” he spoke into his phone as I smiled. I felt my smile grow as Taehyung’s face softened while listening to Hana. The softest little smile appeared as he stayed silent while she rambled on.

“Okay. I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.”

The call soon ended as Taehyung looked over at me with an almost sorry gaze.

“I hate to leave…”

“No,” I cut him off before he could say much else, “I told you it was okay. Don’t you try and apologize to me.”

Taehyung just let out a soft laugh as he stood up and walked over to me. My face twisted in annoyance as he ruffled the hair on my head. I let out a few whines as he did so, reaching up to fix the mess that he had just made.

“Thanks, Ari. You’re the best.”

...

The day was flying by up until it was time for Jungkook to leave for work. My fever was almost completely gone, and I could actually move around without feeling every bone in my body aching.

“Call me if you start to feel bad again,” Jungkook spoke as I just nodded obediently.

“I’ll be fine, Jungkook,” I reassured as he knelt down beside me with a slightly worried look. I was about to open my mouth to reassure him once again, but he spoke before I did.

“If you hear from Hoseok, try to let him down easy,” Jungkook swallowed as I felt my face morph into surprise. Hoseok hadn’t come up all day, yet he still ended up on Jungkook’s mind?

“I’m going to need more time than that, Jungkook,” I spoke calmly, thinking back to the sweet man that had taken me on a fantastic date yesterday, “I would feel so horrible if I let him down right after how much fun we both had yesterday.”

Jungkook couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth. His reaction was all that I needed to see to know that we were about to argue again. Well, the peace was fun while it lasted.

“You wanna know what you actually did after going on such a “great” date with him? You slept with me. We’re, you know, dating each other now. You’re my girlfriend, and that means you can’t go on anymore dates with Hoseok,” Jungkook rambled in anger. I tried to keep calm as I felt myself shaking yet again. To say that I was stressed was an understatement.

“I’m not saying that I’m going to go on another date with him! If he asks to go on another date with me, I’ll just use that “date” as a way to let him down easy. After all, I already feel like a scumbag for reassuring him that there’s nothing going on between me and you, only to turn around and reject him because we’re together.”

“I don’t see why his feelings should matter,” Jungkook glared, his voice slightly raising, “You’re never going to talk to him after you tell him that you’re dating me.”

“How do you know that?” I sat up, fumbling slightly because of how weak some of my muscles felt, “What if I want to stay friends after this? He seems like a really cool guy-”

“Hell no,” Jungkook laughed and shook his head, “You can’t stay friends with a guy who’s obviously into you!”

I narrowed my eyes at his words, feeling my emotions trying to get the best of me. I tried to keep my voice calm, but he was making it incredibly hard… “Jungkook… you knew this whole time that he actually was interested in me? You said so many things about how he’d never be into me, yet you knew that he already was!”

“Why does that come as a surprise to you?” he snapped, his glare slightly faltering when he realized how hurt I really seemed, “I didn’t want you to try and pursue a relationship because I know Hoseok really liked you. I also knew that Yoongi didn’t have an interest in you this whole time.”

I felt my blood boiling both from the fever and from just how infuriated I was. He was trying to sabotage my love life…

Tears that I didn’t even realize were building up began to fall as I started to wave Jungkook away from me. I didn’t want to see him anymore. I needed time to calm down over all of this.

And I sure as hell am going on another date with Hoseok after learning all of this information.

“Go away, Jungkook,” I spoke, his harsh exterior crumbling as my voice shook. He started to move closer to me, but I used all the strength in me to push him away, “Don’t touch me. I need you to leave me alone.”

Jungkook swallowed and watched me with worried eyes. I wrapped my arms around my legs in a fetal position as I used my knees to wipe my tears away. I heard Jungkook reluctantly shuffle away from me, and I felt a stab to my heart when the apartment door closed without him saying another word.

I hated how much this situation was getting to me. It shouldn’t matter than Jungkook was sabotaging my potential relationship with Hoseok because we both ended up confessing to each other… but if he’s willing to do something like that, it makes me worry about what else he might try to manipulate...

::

My night was agonizing to say the least. There wasn’t a moment that went by where I wasn’t thinking about Jungkook and our argument. I was so upset with him, but I hated how horrible I felt over it all. I just wanted to pull out my phone and call Jungkook to try and work it all out.

My fever was fighting me back as I could feel my body growing really weak once again. I cursed as I tried to move around the apartment to take some more medicine, struggling with the child proof lid. I hate these stupid lids!

I mumbled a few swears before I finally got the bottle open to take the stupid medication. I swallowed the substance as fast as I could manage, struggling to put the bottle back away.

I finally finished struggling when I realized my phone was buzzing from the living room. I shuffled into the living room to look at my phone, surprised to see that Hoseok’s name was on my screen.

I reluctantly answered the call, putting my phone on speaker as I slowly settled back in to the couch.

“Hello?” I asked as I heard various noises from his end.

“Ari! Sorry if this seems weird, but Taehyung told me that you were sick and home alone. I just wanted to check and make sure that you’re okay.” he sounded nervous as I felt my guilt eating me alive. How could I turn down this guy? This was going to suck…

“I’m completely fine!” I tried to sound genuine and I was pretty convincing. I could hear him sigh on his end as I swallowed, trying to push away all the thoughts of Jungkook and I’s conversation out of my head. “Hey, Hoseok. I was wondering if you would like to come over soon. I just really need to talk to you about something.”

“Oh,” Hoseok sounded surprised, but it wasn’t a bad surprised, “Of course. When were you thinking? ‘Cause I could even stop by tonight, tomorrow, or later this week if you were thinking further down.”

I felt my heart squeeze as I grabbed my phone and started pulling up a picture of my schedule, “Well it really needs to be a time when neither Taehyung or Jungkook are home…”

I felt the words coming out of my mouth like word vomit as I felt my body freeze. I could only hope that Hoseok didn’t think anything of my words, but I could only assume that he’d hit his limit with my slip ups.

“I don’t mean to pry…” It sounded like Hoseok had moved into a different room because all the noise that I heard before was now missing, “But Jungkook seems to be over there a whole lot… Taehyung almost makes it sound like he lives there.”

I just tried to laugh it off, which quickly turned into nervous laughter, “He’s just over here all the time. He and Taehyung are college roommates, you know.”

“I know… It just seems like he literally lives there. I just think it’s kinda strange that you and Taehyung would lie to me about something like that.” Hoseok sounded calm, but I felt frantic. Do I continue to lie or do I give in?

I didn’t think too hard before I swallowed and continued denying everything. I am horrible, really.

“No, he doesn’t live here. He does stay the night sometimes, though,” I felt my guilt weighing down on me as Hoseok just laughed off the words.

“Alright. You don’t have any reason to lie about something like this, so I’ll let it go. Back to when you want me to come over to talk, though.”

Shoot, I almost forgot that I said that, I shook my head as I tried to get back on track.

“Do you get off before Taehyung tonight?” I asked as Hoseok sighed.

“Afraid not. What about tomorrow?”

I looked at Jungkook’s schedule for tomorrow. Off.

“That won’t work,” I shook my head as if he could see me. I looked at Jungkook’s schedule for Wednesday, “Does Taehyung work the morning shift on Wednesday?”

“Yeah,” Hoseok responded, “But so do I. Would this work out better if we met somewhere in public?”

I looked up in thought for a couple seconds before an idea popped into my head, “You could come talk to me at work tomorrow! ...That is, if I’m better tomorrow. I work the night shift.”

Hoseok seemed pleased with that proposal, “I work a mid, so I guess I could drop by on my way home. Sound good to you?”

“Sounds awesome,” I smiled as I sat up, “I’ll be in contact with you about tomorrow. If I don’t go in tomorrow, maybe I can convince Jungkook to cover for me to ensure that he won’t be here.”

The air was silent for several seconds before my mind clicked. Good God am I horrible at this! I just keep thinking out loud.

“He comes over even when Taehyung’s not there?” I could sense the tension in his voice in that statement as I felt panic fill my shaky being. “Ari, seriously.”

“Okay,” I sighed and closed my eyes, “Okay, I’m sorry. Jungkook lives here. Taehyung didn’t want me to tell you, but that was the only reason I was lying about it. I’m sorry.”

Even in my honesty I was still lying.

“I’m not mad,” Hoseok spoke, but his voice was not nearly as bright as before. He sounded a whole lot more tense than I’d ever heard him. “I’m glad you told me. I wonder why Taehyung didn’t want me to know?” “No idea,” I answered fairly quickly as I ran a finger through my hair, grabbing at the roots in frustration. This phone call was a disaster.

“I guess I should let you go,” I could tell that he could hear my stressed out tone, but he didn’t voice his observation, “I’m going to try and sleep this fever away.”

“Alright,” Hoseok’s voice was back to being soft as he let out a soft laugh, “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Yeah,” I let a small smile appear on my face as I took a deep breath, “Bye, Hoseok.”

“Bye, Ari.”

…

I woke up to the sound of the front door opening as I slowly opened my eyes and spotted a blurry figure walking into the apartment. I assumed it was Taehyung since he was supposed to come home before Jungkook.

I closed my eyes again to try and fall back asleep, but I jumped when I felt a pair of lips against my forehead. I was about to smack Taehyung away from me for it, but I jumped awake when I felt a familiar hand holding mine.

“Hey, babe,” Jungkook’s figure was blurry to my eyes as I looked at him with confusion. He titled his head to the side as I felt my hand grab on to his. I missed him… “I got to come home early. I asked them to send me home if it was slow so that I could be with you. I know I left with us both in bad moods, but I can’t stay mad at you…”

I didn’t say anything as I let my eyes close again. I was just content with his presence next to me as I rested. I felt his hand nearly pull out of mine, but as I opened my eyes to watch what he was doing, I realized he was just moving to sit down in front of the couch.

“What turned you into such a mushy boyfriend?” I asked with tired eyes as Jungkook just smiled and let out a small laugh.

“I might be an ass, but I take my relationships seriously.”

I felt a shiver run through my body at his words. The more that we talk about how we’re in a relationship, the harder it is to believe. I actually fell in love with Jeon Jungkook, and he’s not all that bad…

“I’m sorry for all that I said to you about Jennie,” I spoke, the words seemingly coming out of left field. The thought had been lingering in the back of my mind since our fight, and I wasn’t intending to voice it. The words just slipped out as I felt myself slip in and out of consciousness, “It’s her loss and my gain for breaking up with you.”

Jungkook softly chuckled and laid his face dangerously close to mine. I felt his breath on my lips, but he didn’t press a kiss to my lips. I would have been mad if he did since I still wasn’t completely over my fever.

“I’m sorry about everything with Yoongi and Hoseok. At the time I thought that I was doing it because I couldn’t stand you… but after I saw you hugging Yoongi’s arm the other night on our way out to our cars… I realized that I wanted you to be leaning against me.”

I smiled and pulled his hand up to my mouth for me to give a soft kiss, “I like this Jungkook. I really like how honest and open you are with me. Even if you can be a tad harsh with your honesty.”

Jungkook didn’t say anything to that as I swallowed and opened my eyes to look at him. I nearly jumped when I saw how close his face was to mine, but the surprise quickly turned into a smile. He had closed his eyes…

“You can’t sleep here,” I spoke softly, shaking him so that he opened his eyes, “I would love for you to stay right here with me, but Taehyung will most certainly walk in on the two of us. He comes home any minute now, right?”

Jungkook groaned as his face twisted in annoyance, “Why does Taehyung have to be so defensive over you? I don’t like being restricted from touching you. And it’s not like I can tease you like before.”

“Sorry?” I asked quickly after he paused, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jungkook stood up and plopped down on the love seat that was catty cornered from me. I was afraid that he was going to just ignore what I had said to him, but he wasn’t going to leave me wondering.

“Before I realized that I liked you, I knew I really liked teasing you. Seeing you confused and flustered under me was so… satisfying.”

“But why can’t you tease me like before?” I asked as Jungkook just laughed through his nose.

“Because I was using it as an excuse to be close to you. I don’t need an excuse now.”

I felt my face burn at his words, but I didn’t push the conversation much further. I was embarrassed enough with what he had already said.

“Jerk,” I commented as he just chuckled, glancing back at me from the couch he was on. I closed my eyes yet again, feeling my exhaustion hitting me. “Oh, Kookie?” I had no idea where the nickname came from, probably my half-conscious brain trying to keep me awake, but neither of us commented it.

“Hm?” “If I’m not feeling good again tomorrow, would you mind taking my shift?”

It was silent for a couple seconds as I felt worry fill my mind. I shouldn’t have assumed that he would be willing to take my hours.

“You don’t want me here taking care of you?” he actually sounded hurt as I opened my eyes, meeting his sad ones almost immediately.

“I don’t mean it like that,” I reached out toward him, but quickly dropped my hand as I realized how heavy my arm felt right now. “If no one else will take it, could you?”

“Of course,” Jungkook nodded and looked away from me, “But only if no one else can.”

I couldn’t help but smile as his words, nodding to myself, “Okay, Kook.”

::

A/N: Is it bad that my own portrayal of Jungkook has me so soft? x3

⇨ Masterlist ⇦

[rumpikerzzzworld]

[I’M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A BOOK REVIEW]

Finally, I finished reading this book after I got my mood to read books again. Actually, I’ve read some chapter of the book in November 2018, then I had my holiday for a week. I brought the book during the trip, but I couldn’t find the time to read as my schedule was very tight moving here and there. lol. After going home from the trip, I still had this holiday-fever until the New Year of 2019. I was even lazy to come to work, but of course, work is a compulsory so I keep doing it because I need money. lol.

Okay, that’s the intro. Let’s talk about the book! Before knowing this book, I saw some people said the book called 21 lessons for the 21st century is an interesting book. So, I googled it, saw the review, saw the author’s background. And here you are, I found the author was Yuval Noah Harari which I had seen his videos on youtube a few years ago, but I didn’t really pay attention to his books. I learned that 21 lessons for the 21st century is the third series of the previous books named Sapiens, and Homo Deus. So, I think in order to understand as a whole, I need to read it from the first book. Here it comes, Sapiens! Good that the book has been translated into my first language which is Bahasa. I do read English books, but never read for the book that have very formal language which have a lot of science terms or such things. And plus, the English one is expensive in my country. (funny that I think i’m going to buy the English version one for the third book).

Reading a lot of famous and clever people such as Obama, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg giving the words as they also read this book made me enthusiast. Like, wow even those brainy people read the book and gave amazing review, it means this book is no joke. And they were right, as I read the first few sub-chapter, it’s indeed a very mind-blowing book. Let’s be honest, this book might not be accepted by most of people in my country as most of the things were so based on science. The people in my country are so into religious thingy, especially at this very moment. They’re offended easily if something kinda touching their religious belief which a lot of things here are served based on science and history, not involving what most religious people believe, which is God. Adding to that, the author’s background is a Jewish and an atheist (?), the two things that most muslim hate. Funnily, if the book was published about 10 years ago, i’d probably one of the people I mentioned above. 

This book really freshens me up because I’ve been in journey to seek about the things that I’ve been wondering about but never found the answers or a satisfying and make sense answers. I’ve been raised by dogma, most Indonesians are. When parents and teachers don’t know the answers about the question of history and science, they would just brush it off and say we shouldn’t ask that, let it be the God’s secret, if we keep asking it that and couldn’t find the answer, we would get lost. Somehow I obeyed it, but still my curiousty wouldn’t disappear. I read a lot of books that full of conspiracy theories about this and that, and I somehow believed it. As I’m getting older, i’m kind of tired reading those because those people didn’t give a satisfying answer. I stopped searching it and just facing life like what my parents and teachers said that our life started from Adam and Eve. There’s no human being before them. I’m sorry, but the answer could be no.

I was one of the people who against Charles Darwin and his Evolution Theory. History teachers in school taught about the theory, it’s also in school books. But when my teachers told about it, they would add this words “but as we trust in our religion, this person (darwin) just made it up. We believe Adam and Eve were the first human, so this theory is just for you to know, not to believe”. I took my teachers’ words as I was still having the same paradigm like them. Sorry to say, now I think they just couldn’t explain it better or didn’t learn well about the theory. Now, through the Sapiens book, thanks to Yuval, I understand it better. I used to brush it off, and now I have some faith in the theory. Sadly, I couldn’t witness darwin’s words about the next evolution as it will happen in the future which I won’t be here anymore.

I’ve been watching a lot of animation videos that explained how this universe was born, and I could picture it better when reading Sapiens. It was really mind-blowing how, we, human being have been on this earth in a very short period of time compare to the age of the earth and universe have been living. I have this love-hate relationship towards homo sapiens when reading the book. I can say that Yuval hate sapiens a lot as Human have been destroying nature and creature a lot since they evoluted and changed the game. It took millions of years for earth to have such a brilliant and also destructive creature called Homo Sapiens. 

First of all, let me say, Sapiens, you are truly amazing for ruling the world with your tiny body. How amazing we’re to build the world because we have different thought than any other animals, we make community and make it bigger to fill our interests and need. I think about it again, in this era I meet a lot of people online, I don’t know about their identity, never met them in real life, but I can talk and discuss with them about anything. We even held an event, collecting money, giving things for the celebrity we stan. We organized things from our own countries, and it works. Amazing. The thing that no one of animals can beat our ability [as of now]. That’s why, we’re so cocky that we don’t want to mention ourselves as animal. We made the term for ourselves as Human which is different creature than animals. We have a higher level and can’t be compare to them. That’s what we believe.

It’s just almost 74 years since the homo sapiens world have been changing so fast into (I wish) a better world. I don't know if I should thank Albert Einstein for releasing my country from the imperialist in 1945 or not. Yeah, at that time my country was colonized by Japan, and they were very cruel to my people. The time when the US defeated Japan by bombing the two region called Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and finally they backed off and abandoned the countries they colonized, a lot of countries could get their independence, including mine. The world moves into a faster change. No more major war around the world, eventhough it still happens, mainly in the middle eastern. But, still the world is way better compare to in the past. 

I can’t explain everything what I read in the book, because so many things were told and explained. Try to read it yourself with an open-mind then you can absorb the knowledge and you can decide either you want to accept it or not. As for me, it doesn’t make me change into an atheist person nor totally ignoring the religious belief I have. I still trust in the God I worship. But a lot of things were not told in the holy books, human have been trying to find the answers, and it’s fine. The book has a good structure of history. You can connect it based on the period of time since the pre-history era until now so that everything makes sense. Kuddos to Yuval for wording the book so well, so that it is not boring to read. I can say, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. If i’m allowed to give ratings for this book, I would probably give it 8.5/10. I’m currently reading the second book called Homo Deus, i’m hooked already. I just can’t wait to finish it then purchase the third book, 21 lessons for the 21st century. I’m going to post my short-review again after I read those books. See you in the next book!

-mels-