#on rika’s BROKEN LEG

[divorcedyaoi]

I am so fucking tired I stayed home so I could hopefully nap but I forgot that Doug is a fucking asshole and Rika does not shut up so I’m furious and exhausted I want them to be quiet so fucking bad I’m going to lose it

[dittos-everywhere]

Well! Things are certainly happening today! At least on my dashboard here on rotomblr! I'm nice and cozy here in los platos but I thought I'd share some good news to cut through the chaos.

I let Gardenia come with me to the battle club today, and surprisingly he threw himself headfirst into the first challenger he saw! I switched out Blaze for a hot second (no pun intended) and let Gardenia battle for a bit. I didn't even have to switch out pokemon save for the occasional priority move, he just kept on fighting and fighting.

Honestly I'm glad to see him battling again. I don't think I've ever seen Gardenia so happy. I'm not sure what came over him but it's nice to see him in good spirits.

[quinnyundertow]

Ahhhhh the commission I ordered for “When I catch you Gege” Chapter 6 was just completed! So excited! Yuta and Junpei ❤️❤️ Art done by the amazing @elsartzz

Excerpt from Chapter 6

It took every fiber of your being to not follow him the last twenty feet to the shed. You doubled over gasping heavily trying to catch your breath from the long sprint. You could hear the sounds of Junpei being beaten as the door to the shed was ripped from the sliding track it was on. Your eyes were wide in shock as the metal doorway was thrown through the air like a scrap of paper in the wind. The weight of it only showed when it crashed to the ground and impaled itself into the mud of the grass field.

Various yells of surprise were heard at the dramatic opening of the supply building before the sheer chaos of hell itself devolved in front of you. Hellish screams escaped through the now gaping maw of the open entry. Pure unbridled fear escaped the men who had beat Junpei as Rika laughed hysterically. You heard the crunch of bones and the squelch of flesh being pounded into the ground. One of the men tried to make a break for it. He appeared from the shed in an attempt to escape retribution. He had almost made it into the light of the outside world when a massive white hand reached out of the dark and clasped itself around the man's leg. Black nails punctured into the fat of the bully’s calves as the special grade curse Rika dragged him back into the interior darkness screaming. His face twisted in terror as his hands scrabbled against the dirt uselessly before he disappeared back into the shed.

A moment later, from the darkness emerged another form. Junpei came flying out of the pitch black, his outfit damaged and his face bloodied from the beat down the bullies had given him before Rika and Yuta emerged into the dark. Upon seeing him you started crying, calling out his name. His eyes met yours as he startled at you being here. You rushed into him throwing your arms around his neck before burying your face into his shoulder. He looked down at you. The fear he felt mixing with new concern and confusion, “Y/n? What are you doing here?! We need to get out of here!”

Junpei’s arms wrapped tight around you as you sobbed into him, “It’s okay Junpei, that’s my friend Yuta. I’m so sorry we were late, I almost failed you again.” Junpei froze his face in an expression of awe as he looked back towards the small shack.

Only silence was heard from the shed now. It was broken by Yuta in a cold and remorseless tone, “If you or anyone else so much as looks at Junpei the wrong way again you won’t escape with your lives.” There were some noises of understanding in the form of moans before Yuta emerged from the shed back into the light. A smattering of blood was on his white school shirt and on his cheek, his clothing only slightly ruffled.

Junpei stared wide eyed at the newcomer as you turned your crying face from where it hid in Junpei’s shoulder to look where Yuta stood. “That’s…your friend?” Junpei asked speechlessly.

You nodded into his chest, your arms letting go from around his neck to wrap around Junpei’s middle tightly. “Junpei, are you okay? I was so scared, did they hurt you badly?”

You and Junpei had your eyes on Yuta who stood somewhat awkwardly in the background. Yuta tried to make his expression disarming with a small smile, his eyes closed. It didn’t really work considering the blood covering him and Rika’s ominous presence; but Yuta couldn’t look more beautiful to you than he did in this moment.

Junpei returned his gaze to your tear stained face. He flushed hard at the concern for him he saw there. A heat went through him as your body pressed tightly up against his own. “Y/n, listen, don’t cry, I'm okay. They’ve done way worse before. Besides, your friend made sure that won’t happen again…”

You nodded, sniffling, letting Junpei go reluctantly before you moved towards where Yuta stood. Rika lurked behind him a wide grin on her face as she examined her claws sprayed with blood. You looked at Rika first knowing she had done the brute force of the job, “Thank you Rika.” You bowed to her in gratitude. You turned to Yuta now, fresh tears starting to fall at his kind expression, “Thank you Yuta.”

He smiled down at you before putting a hand on the top of your head, “Hey, everything is okay now. Please don’t cry.” He lifted his other hand to your cheek to use his thumb to wipe the remaining tears off your face. “You did a great job Y/n we made it just in time.” the hand on your head stroked your hair lightly in reassurance.

You nodded, turning slightly to include Junpei, “Junpei this is Yuta, the friend I wanted you to meet.”

Junpei nodded behind you before bowing in gratitude as well, “Thanks..”, the fear from earlier was no longer in his expression, just a deep curiosity. This shouldn’t surprise you given Junpei had a similar reaction to Mahito killing his bullies in the theater in a much more violent way. Junpei looked down at his feet before continuing, “Can you teach me how to do that?”

Yuta blinked in surprise, shocked that the new boy wasn’t terrified of him. He barked out a laugh in response before saying, “No clue, but I guess we can find out together.”

[just-jordie-things]

hellooo!! prompt 11 (i almost lost you) kiss with inumaki ^^

the way u write him is literally amazing 🙏🙏

11: "I Almost Lost You" Kiss ___

when gojo sent you, inumaki, and panda back to jujutsu tech, you weren't sure what to expect. but you didn't think twice before agreeing. if yuuta and maki need help, you'd be there without question- and you were.

you probably should have given it a second thought- geto suguru was a special grade sorcerer after all, and he alone took on the five of you with ease.

maki was badly beaten, and it had taken a great deal of strength for you to move her somewhere you hoped she would be safe until the situation was handled. your heart was beating in your ears with a the fear of uncertainty of her well being, but you knew your friends still needed you to fight.

when you returned to the fight, your heart shattered. much of the courtyard and nearby buildings had been destroyed, and it was obvious by who as rika and another large curse you didn't recognize were throwing each other around like toys. the high pitched screech of the queen of curses sent a chill in your bones that made you grateful she was on your side.

you tried to aid yuuta and toge- you weren't sure where panda had gone- to the best of your ability. but you'd already exerted so much energy in downtown tokyo, and the again when you'd rushed maki to safety. with every step you took, every swing of your blade, you found your vision blurring, and your heart pounding in your head.

if you weren't careful, you were going to get yourself hurt. but it was hard to be careful when you were hardly even thinking before welding your weapon. there was simply no time.

red clouds your vision, and it feels as though you're out of body as you swing at geto again, again, and again- your cursed energy buzzing through your veins being the only thing you could feel besides anger.

this must be what runners feel, you think distantly. all you know is exhaustion, you've never pushed yourself so hard that you think your entire body could crumple to the ground at any moment and yet your attacks remain ferocious and unrelenting.

it even hurts to breathe, you think you may have broken a rib, and you're sure you've sustained other injuries, but you don't rest. you don't even catch your breath.

it's not until you watch the curse in geto's control strike at toge and send him flying some thirty feet behind you that your animosity falters. your blade almost falls from your hand as you watch the way his body flies through the air. the cry you let out is guttural, and you pay no attention to anything else around you as you take off in the direction he's falling.

there's not a chance you could ever make it there in time before he hits the ground, but still you're pushing your aching legs as hard as you can to try and reach him.

that unsettling fear that had nestled into your chest earlier is presenting itself again, sending a drop to your stomach that would have made you throw up had you any energy to do so. your throat is dry and and burning as it tightens, your breaths quick an uneven. there's not nearly enough oxygen in your lungs to even keep you upright let alone conscious- yet here you were sprinting at full speed.

yuuta's a special grade, too, you try to remind yourself of your more-than capable classmate's abilities. him and rika can certainly defeat geto. they have to. and so they will.

when toge hits the ground it's just a few feet ahead of you. he doesn't make a sound as he crashes, and you're certain he's already lost consciousness. he probably plummeted fifteen feet, he'll be lucky if he gets up with only a broken arm. when you finally approach him, you can see it's much, much worse.

there's dried blood caking his jaw, from the overuse of his cursed speech, no doubt. and that doesn't seem to be the worst of it. every tear in his uniform displays blue and purple bruising. his arm is twisted behind him in an unnatural bend, and worse, there's blood pooling underneath him.

your feet trip over rubble as you near him, sending you crashing down beside him, but even as your knees are bruised and bloodied you don't care. your hands are grabbing toge by his shoulders, your chest heaving as you gasp and choke for air- something that's becoming even harder the more you try to do.

breathing is the least of your concerns.

"t-toge," you shake his shoulders, gently at first as you're worried about his injuries, but when he doesn't immediately react, you're shovinghim roughly against the ground, hard enough you're certainly leaving bruises of your own. "toge-!"

you can hardly speak, your empt lungs finally catching up to you. one of your hands grabs the collar that's hung around his neck, and you try to wipe some of the blood from his face. it stains the blue material.

but if he wakes up you'll buy him a new one. you'll buy him a hundred new scarves if he'd just wake up.

you can't bear the thought of him not waking up. you don't know what you'd do. you'd probably die by his side, failing to pay attention to the surrounding threats. it was a foolish way to go, but you couldn't bring yourself to move. you remained glued beside him, almost overtop of him as you kept your grip glued to his shoulders. you tried to pay attention to what was happening around you, desperate to protect him, but you didn't exactly feel equipped for the job.

you couldn't move, you could barely breathe, and you weren't even sure how much longer you'd stay conscious, but you vowed right there that you'd fight till your dying breath to make sure no harm came to the boy you cared for so deeply again.

you can't quite see what happened, due to your dwindling focus, but there was a bright flash of light, so bright that it blinded you, and you brought your hand to your eyes to shield them while you tried to make out what was happening.

who's power was this? you wondered, before the light ceased, replaced by a gentler glow of pink and purple hues. was this yuuta's doing? or was it geto's?

just as you're trying to blink your eyes enough to steady your focus, you feel something wrap around your wrist, tugging in a weak motion.

your head whips around so fast you feel the sore muscles in your neck burn, but you brush off the pain when you see Togo's eyelashes briefly flicker, before his eyes squeeze shut.

"toge- toge?" you're breathless, your lungs finally ready to give out from the leap of excitment in your breathing.

you're ignoring the fireworks show behind you, not caring how this whole ordeal is going to come to it's end, as long as the boy you love opens his eyes and can tell you he's okay, then you'll accept whatever fate is about to come.

he coughs, wheezes, and then let's out a sigh. you can't tell if he feels any pain or if he's just trying to catch up with being awake, but you grab his hand from his wrist and hold it between yours as firmly as you can.

hell, even your fingers are weak, they tremble under the light weight of his arm, but you just grasp onto him tighter as tears cloud your vision.

"toge, can you hear me?"

you're whimpering, although you're trying not to. you want to remain strong for him, you want to sound clear and concise, so that you can be what he leans on for support. but your heart is beating erratically and you can't help the emotion that overcomes you.

especially ones his eyes peek open with the rasp of his voice.

"salmon"

a choked laugh of relief claws it's way out of your throat, and you think that the lavender hues in his irises is prettier than you've ever seen before.

you're overwhelmed, and you know you can't afford to gasp for air, and so to hold onto the oxygen in your lungs you let your relief take over as you lean over him, and kiss him.

you hold your breath as your lips to his as softly as you can, afraid that even an ounce of pain would be too much for his body to bear. he seems to have the same worry, as you both remain as frozen as you can, letting your mouths brush over one another in a kiss so gentle it's featherlight-ness could easily be mistaken for a mirage drawn up by your subconscious.

when your tears fall onto his cheek, toge knows it's very real. you're right there. and when you pull away from him and his eyes finally focus on you, you're the most beautiful sight he'd ever laid eyes on. the sky is painted in bright colors from rika's departure, but none as bright as the look of utter relief and adoration on your face.

___

xoxo ~ jordie

[marshmallowprotection]

"I wish it didn't hurt so much, Saeran."

You couldn't hide the truth from him even if you wanted to, but it was strange to adjust to someone who listened to your needs instead of... well, actively ignoring them. It wasn't nice to be ignored when all you wanted was some sympathy, not even a fix or a comfort, but it was a lot better to be ignored than it was to be judged, you learned.

Before you met him, you'd grown all too familiar with the pattern that never went away. You would confess how horrible you felt to another person, they would offer you their best wishes and perhaps a sincere suggestion on how to cut through the pain, and they would consider that to be a localized event.

Most people didn't have to deal with the pain you did on a daily basis, and for them, a little headache occurred once in a blue moon, but for you?

It was an everyday occurrence. You wouldn't be able to go one day without a migraine, and even if you did have a good day, it always... ended the same way. You ended up laying somewhere in a dark part of the house, praying to whatever God might've pitied you just enough to make the pain go from a seven to a three. You couldn't do all the things you needed to do when the pain took all of the energy you might've had otherwise.

Most people knew how to extend sympathy to another person on a bad day. But, they ran out of ways to offer comfort to someone who would never get better, likely only worse from that day forward. You weren't angry that people didn't know what to say, but... you felt so... isolated knowing that people stopped considering empathy towards you once they realized you had limitations that wouldn't heal the way a broken leg could in six to eight weeks.

But, with Saeran?

You didn't have to be afraid of being misunderstood. He knew what you meant when you said how bad it felt three days in a row. He was compassionate to a fault, always doing his best to understand more about other people, especially you. His health wasn't always the best, either, but he hadn't realized just how much he'd normalized that was not the typical experience of the average person.

For once in your life, you had someone in your corner who thought it was typical to be in this much pain all the time, and as relieving as it was to have someone who understood, you wished Saeran never had to experience the pain he did because of what the elixir did to him. It hadn't caused long-lasting damage, fortunately, but the doctors were honest in telling him that it'd take him months to come clean of what it did to his system.

He'd looked so mystified when he spoke to Yoosung and Zen in the chatroom the other day when the conversation of pain came up, too. He didn't realize that they didn't live their daily lives in pain like he had in Mint Eye or like you did in your day-to-day life. It wasn't average for them.

That perspective of theirs that contrasted against what he knew to be true? It truly shifted his understanding of how frustrated you felt when you had to stop what you were doing to escape the brunt of your pain. You could recall how clearly Ray spoke of his horrible pain, and how he ignored it until his vision was so spotty he had no choice but to lay his head down.

You stopped what you were doing because you couldn't push forward to the next task, but unlike Ray, you could stop. There was always the tiniest part of your heart that worried if he was envious of that, of the fact that you could slow down and close your eyes when he couldn't... when he wasn't ALLOWED to do the same.

But, Ray wasn't that kind of man, and neither was your Saeran. Just because you had a moment to breathe didn't mean they needed to be envious. The only person to blame for their worsened conditions had been Rika, after all.

As you rolled onto your side and buried your face in your hands, you couldn't hold back your tears. It wasn't bad enough that you couldn't muster the strength to say something, but it was bad enough that it felt impossible to hold your eyes open for longer than a second. That tension in your brow felt like it could burst at any moment. It was the kind of pain that festered for a while... rather than a type of pain that stayed for a few minutes and then disappeared.

A clenching, burning, and aching feeling in the back of your eyes that wouldn't go away.

You wanted it to go away so, so bad.

You were helpless to stop it. No amount of medication had cut into the pain before and the most you could do to help yourself was what you'd already done. The worst part about the migraine was that it cut into the date night you'd planned with Saeran a week ago. Instead of enjoying a nice dinner in the garden, you were huddled underneath a few blankets to block out as much light as humanly possible while he sat nearby.

Saeran didn't mind when you had to make a change of plans, but it didn't change the fact that you were frustrated with the pain. It was out of your hands, and yet, you wished it was in your hands. He had spent a good part of the afternoon putting together dinner, and you feared it might go to waste because of your headache. You were the one who wanted a special night, and now you couldn't make good on it.

You sniffled, huddling your face deeper into the blankets in the hopes that Saeran wouldn't notice.

He always did, though.

You felt his hand glide down your back. "My love, I know you're in a lot of pain tonight. I could tell you were uncomfortable earlier... But, most of all... I'm glad you were honest with me and said you couldn't sit up before you tried overdoing it."

You couldn't hold your head up when he tried talking to you from his spot in front of the stove. You folded your head into your arms while he told you about what he did when he ran errands. You tried so hard to listen to him, but when you stopped replying to him with the same gusto you normally did, he knew something wasn't right. You couldn't hide it.

There always came a point where you couldn't fake it until you made it.

"It's better we have a night-in tonight so you can rest. I may not be able to take the pain away, but I can surely make sure you don't feel alone."

That's what you'd told Ray once before.

He needed to hear it because he couldn't believe it. He always felt so bad when he couldn't make good on a promise because of his health. You hated to see him destroy himself just to make you happy. It was... it was hard to be happy when you knew he was tearing himself apart for your sake. You had the same bad habit, but it was something you were working on.

It just wasn't always easy when you felt this bad on a day when you made plans.

Twisting and fumbling around underneath the blankets with your hand, you sought out the comfort of his embrace, and before you had to strain your arm to find his hand, he interlaced your fingers together and brought your knuckles to his lips. "We can have date night any time, my love. Your comfort matters to me more than a meal. So, try not to beat yourself up, okay?"

He knew you too well.

The pain might not have gone away but at least you had Saeran to call your own.

"I'll try," you whispered.

[brighteststar707]

Telepathy

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about V and Jumin’s friendship in the context of Seven’s route and the Secret Endings. I really enjoyed writing this and I’m excited to finally share it.

✦ Words:  2.19k

✦ Genre: angst

✦  Warnings: alcohol, death, vague mention of drug use

Throughout Jumin and Jihyun’s friendship, they always shared a mutual fascination for magic. Their young childhood was spent discussing the supernatural, making potions out of the contents of fancy bottles borrowed from home and singing chants they had memorized on the way home from choir.

Jumin can’t say where this fascination started from, only that it became an intrinsic part of the way they viewed the world.

They didn’t lose this fascination as they grew older. Instead, it grew alongside them. They started seeking out new experiences in the hope of experiencing ‘true magic’. Drinking for the first time, staying out all night to watch the sun rise (none of the books they read could agree on a definitive ‘witching hour’) and consuming strange herbs that promised a mind altering state. They’d stay out late in the garden, under the same trees they played under as children and watch the stars, and that in itself was a form of magic. 

As adults, they like to reminisce about their childhood. Memories of old notebooks filled with runes and candlewax, stained fingertips still smelling of perfume, doodles in the margins of textbooks. It’s like a language of their own. Then, over drinks later in the night, their conversations become reverent. Jihyun talks about the things he has seen while travelling, beauty beyond any rational explanation. He speaks so passionately that his cheeks turn pink, and Jumin can’t help but smile.

Even though they talk about it all in the past tense, Jumin is not convinced that they weren’t touched by magic somehow. He doesn’t ever share this, either out of self-consciousness or just because it feels too personal to explain.

It was Jihyun who had come up with the idea of telepathy. It was after they were both let off their punishments for stealing expensive perfumes from home, and they decided it was better if they gave up potion-making for the time being. He had found it somewhere in a book, and Jumin was intrigued by the idea of being able to communicate even when they were apart (he would never admit it, but being alone in his house could get quite lonely).

They spent the next few weeks reading up on the art of telepathy. They sat outside in the garden opposite each other and tried to sending telepathic messages (and more often than not Jihyun would burst into a fit of giggles).

They tried rituals, chanting, drawing matching patterns over their hands, but their heads remained silent. They eventually gave up and decided to move onto magical creatures (their hours sitting on the grass had made them curious about what secrets nature could hold).

It’s easy to write that time off as childhood games, them just playing pretend for a few weeks. Jumin definitely saw it that way for a long time. However, a string of coincidences throughout his life have made him question just how legitimate their rituals were.

Each one of these events went the same way: Jumin feeling a strange sense of anticipation, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, a bubble of excitement in his chest. All feelings that he was certain weren’t natural reactions to his environment.

Then, he would talk to Jihyun some time later and find out that something had happened (he had broken his leg while out taking photos, he had proposed to Rika, he had gotten into a car crash).

Call it a best friend’s intuition. Call it a sixth sense.

He calls it telepathy.

Over the years, he has grown accustomed to this sequence of events. Strange, unexplained feelings accompanied by a call from Jihyun detailing something that had happened in his life. He just accepts it as something they share, another aspect that makes their friendship unique.

At least, that’s how it used to be. He cannot pinpoint the exact moment when things changed, but there is one event that he considers the turning point.

It went the same way it always did. He was sitting in on a very boring meeting, trying his best to look immersed instead of bored, and already anticipating lunch with his father. Out of nowhere, he was hit with a strong wave of fear. His heart started pounding like he had just been running for the past half hour instead of sitting in the conference room. His stomach started doing backflips, and he suddenly lost his appetite.

The feeling had disturbed him so much that he left the meeting early to go and phone Jihyun. He knew with absolute certainty that something bad had happened, and he needed to know how to make it better.

All his calls went to voicemail, and when he finally got through, it was Rika who picked up.  He couldn’t get a clear response from her as to what happened, just empty words meant to pacify him. 

It was a week later when he found out about V’s eyes.

Despite how many times Jumin asked, he refused to speak about the incident and insisted that he was fine. It frustrated Jumin to no end that his friend couldn’t see just now not fine everything was. Despite all his resources and power, he had never felt so useless in his life.

V started to become more secretive, disappearing for long periods of time without any concrete explanation. Jumin’s questions were dodged, and their conversations rarely went beyond surface-level pleasantries.

Despite the growing distance between them, Jumin was still hit with the occasional flashes of telepathy. These days, he considered them more of a nuisance than a gift. They served as nothing more than a disruption to his day, and no matter how many times he tried to reach out, V refused to admit that anything was wrong.

He filled in the space V left in his life by returning to his love for the supernatural. He met strange new contacts through C&R who claimed to partake in the occult. He talked to Elizabeth (and he looked into her eyes and believed she understood him better than anybody else). He sourced rare books from questionable second-hand dealers.

The nostalgia that came with uncovering new information was almost enough to distract from the fear that he was losing his best friend.

It was uncomfortably quiet when Rika died. He had just settled down to enjoy his evening when V called him with the news. He felt his whole body freeze up and go cold as the realization hit him. It only took him a few hours to realize that he hadn’t felt anything at the time he was told she died. His telepathy had failed him when he needed it most.

His grief was compounded by the fear that he and Jihyun had drifted so far apart that he had lost his telepathy all together. He couldn’t handle the idea of losing them both at once.

✧✦✧ ✧✦✧ ✧✦✧

The next two years slip by in a blur of mourning and monotony. Work goes on, and the world keeps turning. Sometimes, he gets goosebumps on a warm day or feels himself growing anxious over dinner, but he writes them off as freak occurrences (and ignores the voice in the back of his head telling him that something’s wrong).

Then, the monotony is disturbed. A stranger appears in the chatroom, causing it to dissolve into chaos. If it wasn’t such a worrying security breach, Jumin would find it amusing.

As if that wasn’t enough, he is hit with a second disturbance, this one more jarring than the last. Like a dulled sense coming back to life, he feels a spark of hope flaring up in his chest. A warmth towards this stranger that is completely foreign to him.

A message.

This is the first real thing V (and by extension Jumin) has felt in a while, and he refuses to let it slip away unnoticed. He knows that this person is important somehow, and so, against his better judgement, he decides to trust them.

V decides to hold a new party, and it feels like the whole RFA has come alive again at the mere thought of holding a party again.

Jumin can’t help but get caught up in the excitement too. His mind is already running through all the possibilities this party will bring. A chance to honour Rika’s memory and to bring everyone together again. An opportunity to see V in person, and for them to patch up the cracks in their friendship. It’s a chance to set everything right again.

The warmth that floods his chest this time is entirely his own. He will do anything possible to make this party a success. For the RFA’s sake. For V’s sake.

It’s a pleasant surprise when V starts appearing in the chatrooms more frequently, another indicator that things are slowly healing. They talk comfortably in the chatrooms without any uncomfortable formality. They poke fun at each other and they even talk about the past. He never realized how much he has missed these moments.

However, his happiness is disturbed by uncomfortable revelations over the next few days. The bomb, the documents, the secrets that still follow V wherever he goes. He hates to admit it, but he feels like he is out of his depth.

He continues to trust V. All they need to do is make it to the party, and then he’ll explain everything. Why can’t anyone else see that? He needs to believe that there is a rational explanation for all of this.

Even when everybody else has lost faith, he will not.

V’s last string of messages in the chat shouldn’t surprise him as much as they do. He should have known better.

There has been a dull pain thumping in his chest since the last message was sent. He’s not sure if it’s V’s or his own. Their pain has become one combined entity, and it’s threatening to consume him completely.

He ignores all of Jaehee’s calls, turns off his phone and digs out a bottle of wine he had been saving to share. 

When he has drunk enough to dull his senses, he lets his mind wander back to his childhood (he always ends up here somehow). He squeezes his eyes shut and conjures up the memory of the garden at his childhood home. Jihyun sitting opposite him, his face still round and boyish. He can almost hear his laugh.

He remembers that feeling of concentration, his entire being focused on sending a message from his mind to Jihyun’s.

It’s a last-ditch, childish attempt, but he tries it anyway.

Can you hear me? I am trying to reach you. Where are you?

Of course, just like all those times before, he is greeted only by silence. He falls into a fitful sleep that night and dreams of sunny back gardens, strong perfume and childhood giggles. 

He loses himself in party planning in the next few days. He only checks the chatroom for updates from Luciel. He is still hopeful that they’ll be able to bring V home, and that he’ll get the chance to make it all right again.

Until it turns to silence.

✧✦✧ ✧✦✧ ✧✦✧

A string of coordinates. Unfinished. No matter, Jumin will find them, one way or another.

*

A message from V (?!). The rest of the coordinates. SOS.

He has never needed a clearer call for help.

*

He remembers ordering Jaehee to call for flight permits. He remembers pacing around his house until it was finally time to leave. He remembers snatches of conversation on the helicopter, only parts of the bumpy flight through the mountains before-

The rest, he cannot (will not) remember.

✧✦✧ ✧✦✧ ✧✦✧

It haunts him in quiet moments. How painless the cut was. One moment he was listening to the security team’s plans, and the next he was aware of a gaping hole in his chest. Like some vital organ had not just shut down, but disappeared all together, leaving an uncomfortable gap in its place.

Even before the helicopter landed, he knew it was all over.

It was cruel, just how quietly V left him. He wishes that it hurt. He doesn’t know what to do with all this emptiness.

He still finds himself searching for that feeling. That part of him that was subconsciously aware of what Jihyun was up to. He brushes against the emptiness expecting to find that familiar feeling and instead finds himself falling, falling...

He doesn’t speak much unless it’s about work. He mostly just drinks instead.

✧✦✧ ✧✦✧ ✧✦✧

Jumin and Jihyun’s friendship was always rooted in a mutual fascination for magic.

He used to value his gift over everything else. Even when it did nothing but frustrate him, he was still thankful for the connection.

He has started giving away the occultist books that used to sit on his desk. He can’t bear to look at the covers and the spells that promise a wide array of powers.

What was the use of him being given this touch of magic just for it to fail him when he needed it most?

[sevens-binarycode]

Ray x Reader Comfort

As I mentioned before I have started to play mystic messenger again again, and this time I am taking the V/Ray route and Ray is just a broken boy wanting love, my favorite *-*

Now, Seven will always have my heart but his brother needs love as well!! I have not finished the route and there will be some spoilers in this, I also am on V’s route and do not know the end to Rays route so that may show in the writing but I just wanted to self indulge for a second.

Context: Ray has left Mint Eye and is living with you but he is experiencing withdrawal from the Elixir and anxiety from leaving Rika so you try to comfort him.

Ray x Reader (gender not specified)

Comfort: Lots of cuddles, 840 words

No proof reading as usual, sorry for any mistakes!

He was quiet for the most part, his breathing deep and far apart. His hair was so soft, the roots that bright fiery red that always appeared in his baby photos. He decided to grow out his natural color after dating you, wanting to forget about Mint Eye. You massaged his head, occasionally playing with his hair and rubbing it between your fingers. Your arm had started to fall asleep from the weight of his head but you didn’t dare move. Ray has always had issues sleeping, night terrors visiting him every night and keeping him awake, but this was the first time in a long time he was able to sleep without interruption for an hour. After leaving Rika, his thoughts of worthlessness and anxiety plagued his heads, the side effects of not taking the elixir worsening his thoughts. He spent a lot of his days crying, he mentioned even darker thoughts, thoughts that would cause harm to himself. You decided to stay home with him until he was able to overcome these. He felt bad when he learned you were staying home from work and friends because of him, but telling him that as long as he would make you coffee in the morning you would forgive him. You didn’t really care for coffee, but the thoughts of being helpful filled Ray with happiness. He felt that by making you coffee in the morning and being useful in any way would keep you happy with him. And because of this, you became a regular coffee drinker.

Suddenly, Ray started to stir in his sleep. He became twitchy, his legs resembling faintly of running motions, a quiet whine coming from his throat. You made sure to pull him in tighter, restricting his movements, like a swaddle for a baby. Moving your hand to his back, you slowly rubbed it up and down, his shirt feeling slightly damp from the sweat accumulating on his body, you presumed from the nightmare he was having. Softly humming to create a soothing vibration in his head, you felt him slightly relax again, his head falling up and down on your chest, his hair ticking your chin. You were becoming tired, but you didn’t want to sleep. If you were asleep you couldn’t monitor his sleep, you couldn’t see if he was having one of those night terrors again. One side effect of the elixir for Ray, both on and off it, is pouding, agonizing headaches. This also stopped him from sleeping for hours, his body being resistant to pain meds after using them so often for so long. Something that sort of calmed them was warm showers and head massages. The water and strategic pressure helped his muscles relax. He felt terrible at first, not wanting you to service him in such ways, but after pretending to be incredibly hurt by his actions, he finally let you pamper him every night before bed. Of course, seeing him in pain hurt you. Anyone would agree, seeing your partner in pain and not being able to do anything is one of the most painful things in the world, so it wasn't really an act when he refused your help. Just as much as he wanted to be helpful to you, you wanted to be helpful to him. Hearing Ray’s soft breathing, the occasional twitch of his arms, the warmth of his body pressed on yours, you felt yourself start to slip away into your own dreamland. You willed yourself to stay awake, to stay with him a little longer. Eventually, you couldn’t stay awake anymore without moving. As your eyes started to shut, your arms relaxing, the last thing you remember was Ray’s head pressed against your chest and his arms wrapped loosely around your waist.

The sound of birds chirping, the light in your eyes, and the smell of coffee woke you up. The bed felt strangely cold, your arms empty, and your chest oddly light. You heard Ray’s light footsteps as he approached the shared bedroom. He quietly opened the door, testing to see if you were awake. When he saw your eyes open and looking out the window, sleep still written all over your face, he offered a soft “good morning” as he approached your side, coffee cup in hand. He gently placed it on the nightstand beside you, waiting for you to respond, a ‘good morning’ or a ‘command’, anything just to hear your voice. Instead, you looked at his face, his eye bags still as prominent as before, but his skin looking so soft and flawless, a slight smile and an expectant look in his eyes. You reached your arms out for him, first confused, but soon understanding the meaning, he crawled into bed with you. He laid his head on your chest, arms wrapped loosely around your waist, breathing slow and deep. This was the paradise that Ray was truly looking for, and the same for you. This was right, beautiful, and pure bliss.

This was your elixir.

[enokvirkow]

It had been a couple days since they arrived back in Lestallum. Vergil had come in their parents car — a fact that hadn't gone unnoticed. Lazentis grounded the twins for the rest of the year for what they had done. Recklessly putting themselves in danger with these secret day trips.

That was how Ariadne had broken her leg and the Nihilis family had an extra guest. The twins had been tight lipped, but the boy less-so. A former slave of Niflheim on the run, though the story was a mess. The boy blamed their daughter and their daughter blamed the boy.

Regardless, Lazentis couldn't turn the boy out to the streets in good conscience. He was of similar age to his twins... and though he didn't speak in great detail, it was clear that he hadn't lived a kind life. He only knew cruelty. Trust still had to be earned, but basic hospitality came free of charge.

It would be a great disappointment when he learned all three teenagers had snuck out not one week into their grounding.

"There, up ahead." Ariadne nodded, leaning on her crutches as she came to a stop. "That's the stall. And that's the Virkow we spoke about."

"Oi, you lot. Can't ye read? Kitchen's closed for cookin' — ah. Fuck it. I know yer order, silver-haired shits for kids. Yer friend'll be gettin' the same, an' no complainin'." It was all leftovers anyway. Not fit to be served up to customers the following day, Bo might grouch about a missed hot breakfast but he could suck it up.

Enok was... reserved. This was strange. He had wanted to hate that girl - she had fucked up his life. His chances to find his family via the Empire's knowledge. Maybe his only chance... but she also had not intended that. And she had helped him. Taking him to her home. Her family.

That was a lot more trust and good treatment than anyone else had given him these past ten years.

And then she mentioned that girl. Or rather woman.

A Virkow.

There were so many of that name. But that one ran a stall with her family. A food stall. And she had a loose mouth. Beads and braids down the left side of her head. And there was a scarily big dark skinned guy at her side with eerie grey eyes.

He had to check that out.

No grounding could even try to matter in that.

Enok tried to not get his hopes up at all. Because he had gotten them beat down so often in the past. It was better to not feel the pain of another disappointment. Just shrug it off. This wouldn't be her. This wouldn't be them.

He trailed behind the twins. Hood shoved into his face. He didn't want to see that woman really. A glance was all he needed. And then he could hide his face better and they could leave again.

That voice though - no, more her use of words, her tone. It had Enok look up a little more. Sidestep the twins a little.

There stood a woman. Brown hair in beads and with beads showering her side and shoulder. Enok could recognize some. How often had he tugged on them or gently tried helping braid them into her hair? She had explained the meaning of them.

'This I got for my bravery - of course lookin after a lil shit like you!'

'This one for winning races against the other kids in sailin - I'll teach you one day!'

'This one? My Ma gave it to me, it's my fave…' 'I made that one - and I made you one, too. Here, lemme help you put it on.'

And her eyes were the same colour as his. The one their family shared. Eyes like the sea. Not the sky. Because that's where they belonged.

Ariadne truly was lucky that Enok had half a mind to turn to the side to get past her. Otherwise he would have steamrolled her. There were no other thoughts in his head anymore.

This couldn't be. Rika. It was her. Rika!

"Rika...", he couldn't yell her name, even though he wanted to. It felt like his throat was strung shut by a rope trying to choke him. Dizzy and lightheaded. With shaking hands that reached for her, clung to her jacket.

His eyes scanned over her features again. Her face. Her hair. The way her eyebrows creased in anger at being grabbed by a seemingly stranger. The way her nose scrunched. The way there was fire in blue irises. He could see her smile, though. Last time she had looked down onto him. Now he was the taller one.

"Rika...?"

He wanted to say more, explain it to her.

I found you! I finally found you! It's you! I'm Enok! Remember me? Rika! I missed you...

But nothing came over his lips apart from choked sobbing. A howl that sounded like a wounded animal as he clung to that poor confused Galahdan. Enok felt so weak. As if the weight of all his fears and worries the past decade were lifted... and yet that took his strength away, too. Never had he shown many emotions in public regarding this. Because it made you a target. But now? Now he could be vulnerable. He was home again. He had Rika.

And Enok could only bury his fingers deep in her clothes as he sank to his knees, crying into her.

I'm home.

@rebelichor @rikavirkow

[chounaifu]

Kiss Roulette @monterraverde

30. A kiss to the palm of the hand

♫♬

There's a relieved sigh as the two of them crash onto the futon, Rika's legs flopped over his own, reclined against the back of the furniture. With every treacherous trip that Rika takes with the others, there's always a debriefing, and a recovery period; this time, Proton convinces her to ground and stay for a little while longer. Running on full power for a year shouldn't be shocking-- it's the mania in the system, the desire to make up for lost time, the urge to be free, to do everything that she couldn't while she was firmly pressed under the thumb of the Paldean government.

" I thought this was gonna be the one that got ya sent back to me with a few broken bones, " Proton groans with exhaustion, and flops against her, tugging her closely, and threading his fingers through her hair. He takes a moment to adjust their bodies until her chin is propped against his shoulder, and he's able to take one of her hands into his own.

" Hate when you're gone for so long, " he admits with a grumble, glancing away, cheeks flushed, mildly embarrassed to admit such things out loud, " but I hated seein' you tied up in a place that ya hated. Makes the wait worth it each time. "

And he brings her hand closer, pressing his lips to her open palm, and presses it to the side of his face. Proton smiles, chuckling quietly, and leans into her hand.

" -- I'm sorry I can't go with ya on these adventures, " he apologizes.

He laces his fingers with hers, and reclines all the way back until she's laying on top of him. Behind worn out eyes and razors for teeth, there's an expression of care.

" You always make your way back to me though. "

[divorcedyaoi]

OH yeah rika may not need to be amputated??? One of her bones is healing rly well but we had the cast removed and she’s on bed/kennel rest. STILL wish we knew our surgery options when she first broke her leg but at least! She will probably keep all 4, even if the broken one may never heal right

[bullet-rebuttle]

Executions part..3 I think idk. Now I just know I have made one for everyone.

Mizumi Akemi’s execution: Lost at Sea

Mizumis hands are tied to a pirate ships wheel. She is forced to steer throughout large groups of water. Monokuma soon appears dressed as a siren singing..poorly. Despite that; Mizumi is forced to follow it and the ship pounds against the rock Monokuma is on. The ship carries TNT and explodes with Mizumi still on it. Soon a Monokuma pirate in a scuba diver outfit goes under the water finding below her skeleton below with Monokuma raising her skull in celebration for finding the ‘treasure’.

Sumiko Honda’s execution: Those you can’t save.

Sumiko is on top of a large building. She turns around to see a line of patients she has helped in a line behind her. One by one the patients walk beginning to jump off the building, Sumiko tries to talk them out of it and stop them however is unable to. The final person on the building before jumping grabs her wrists, someone who looks like her former friends, drags her down with her. Sumiko falls dying from the great height.

Shigure Futaba: Red String of Fate.

Shigure’s hands are tied by simple red strings by his wrists. His body is forced to be hung up still by the wrists. He is shown what he loves most, he gets shown love in all forms. Love between a parent and child, love between siblings, love between friends, all of it. However it ends with showing him a mirror of his reflection to taunt him showing how he has never truly had or even understood true love despite his talent. A new red string ties around his neck and the ones on his wrists are cut leading him to be hung. Finally, Monokuma dressing as Cupid shoots a large arrow through his heart.

Rika Ikari’s execution: “Hey waiter!”

Rika is given plates of food along a long hallway and is told to give the food to the customer. As she skates over to the customer something is revealed behind her. Her entire group of siblings are there, Monokuma next to them holding a massive meat slicer. This causes Rika to stop and rush back to her sibling in terror as the customer yells at her. Despite that, she is too late as she watches her entire group of siblings get slashed and die. Rika falls to her knees in broken defeat ignoring the customers anger. It ends with her being quickly sliced as well in defeat no longer trying to get away at all.

Yamane’s execution: “Ick, so last season!”

Yamane is laid down on a large piece of fabric. Above her is a massive sewing machine and Monokuma designing a dress of some kind. He starts the sewing machine stitching her to the fabric below her starting with her arms and legs before ending with her stomach. It ends with Monokuma looking at his outfit in disgust and throwing it away, dooming it and Yamane herself to be forgotten.

Hayato’s execution: Follow the assignment

Hayato is surrounded by skilled fighters and is tasked with protecting someone in a Monokuma suit. He despite his fear of the execution does exactly that fighting off the best he can, but soon gets overwhelmed and is surprised to see the one in the Monokuma suit trying to stop the attackers as well despite Hayato telling it to stop. Soon a attack hits the suit and the mask comes off to reveal Giichi. Hayato runs to protect him losing focus and is soon killed by the fighters.

Akihito’s execution. ‘Words like Knives.”

Akihito sits down at his desk, A bunch of eyes surround him watching him work. He is forced to draw a next manga but each decision he makes gets the audience angry as they slash him with knives demanding him to make it the way they want. Determined to make everyone happy, Akihito keeps trying despite all the slashes even as he begins to grow dizzy from bloodloss. The manga is soon finished and it goes out to the audience, a group of Monokumas who angrily rip it up unsatisfied. It ends with them all stabbing him until he dies from bloodloss, the last thing he hears is hatred to him.

[monterraverde]

🤨 sit down across from my [rika] muse.

She's so zoned out when he does, Koraidon doing his best impression of a loaf beside her, her eyes closed and legs crossed, hands resting on her thighs... And then his gaze on her finally catches her attention, drawing her out of the meditative state she had found herself in.

Her eyes open, the sclera a golden yellow, emulating Koraidons own- She'd managed to sync with the creature for once! But it vanishes as quickly as her focus is broken, and she looks almost defeated when she feels that connection break.

"Dammit- Had something there. Where'd you come from? Hard to meditate when you're staring at me."

[natasha-in-space]

The Beginning of the End

Series: 'A Wilted Daffodil' (AO3 link): Ch. 1 (you are here!), Ch. 2;

Characters/pairing: Rika/cmc Chaewon Lee, Jihyun Kim;

Summary: Everyone experiences grief differently. The loss of a loved one can be both debilitating and overwhelming, leaving you with no idea how to continue living without them. Chaewon is familiar with the grieving process of families and loved ones. Unfortunately, working as a nurse comes with the responsibility of bearing witness to some very tragic events. But she never thought she would have to see her own dear friend crushed by a sudden loss nobody has ever seen coming.

CW for: pet loss, grief;

Credits: picrew by wagirain, dividers by @/saradika-graphics.

"-She got run over, Chaewon, she's dead, and it's all my fault. I knew it. I knew I should've listened to Jumin! Why did I ever think that I knew better what she truly needed...? She must've suffered so much... And I couldn't do anything for her, I couldn't save her...!"

Chaewon felt a terrible chill run down her spine as she held the phone up to her ear nimbly. Rika's voice sounded so utterly broken and anguished that she could practically feel her dear friend's breath getting caught in her throat as she stumbled over her words in hysterics. A heavy lump of dread suddenly blocked her airways, taking her voice away from her. She felt her entire body freezing up completely as all that she could do in the moment was just stand there, not knowing what to do or what to say.

Sally meant everything to Rika. Chaewon understood that Sally was not just a beloved dog, she was much more than that. Before herself, RFA, or even Jihyun, Sally was Rika's loyal companion and first source of comfort when she needed it most. She knew that much from the many conversations her and Rika had shared. To lose someone like that... in such a horrendous and abrupt way nonetheless...

Oh God, she was starting to get really scared for Rika now. Who knew what she would do in such a vulnerable state of mind?

She clenched her free hand into a tight fist, her fingernails digging into the skin of her palm, until she had to hold herself back from wincing. At the very least, this enabled her to keep her head above water and avoid complete freeze-up. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she pushed through the paralyzing unease snaking its invisible tendrils around her body and mind, and spoke up, sounding uncharacteristically stuttery and high-pitched for her usual tone of voice. She would feel embarrassed about it, if not for the horrible situation at hand keeping all of her focus away.

"...Rika, listen to me, just- stay on the phone with me, alright? Are you at home? I'm coming right over. Just- Hold on for me, okay? I... I'll be right there. It'll be okay. I promise," Chaewon muttered hurriedly into the phone as she sprinted off from the supply closet she had tucked herself into to take this call as fast as her legs could carry her. Her heart was pounding in her chest with so much force, she was afraid it might just stop beating altogether. And, she couldn't allow that. Not right now. The words she spoke sounded extremely foolish. Of course it won't be okay. It won't ever be okay. But, she didn't know what else to say. She needed time to think, but she didn't have that luxury right now.

So, she ran.

Everything else was lost in the haze of panic, confusion, and frustration. It was probably incredibly reckless and irresponsible of her to just abandon her nursing post like this, especially right at the beginning of her night shift. But she barely gave a single thought about that right now, however selfish it was on her part. Nothing was more important than getting to Rika's side as fast as humanely possible. Before something bad could happen. Before she becomes even more afflicted than she already is, in any way or another. Chaewon was always a self-centered person, in the end. She accepted that. But Rika... Rika gave so much of herself away in order to help others, to make people smile, to give them hope for a better future.

Rika was not even comparable to Chaewon, and consequently, she did not deserve to experience such a terrible loss alone.

It was truly a miracle that she didn't get hit on her way there. Her driving was extremely erratic and dangerous. She won't be at all surprised to find a notification about a fine or two for exceeding the speed limit once this all blows over. Even if she knew, deep down, that it won't. And that was scary to think about. She told herself that she was just panicking, and that's why this harrowing feeling was scratching at her insides like a caged wild animal. The feeling of something going horribly wrong. The feeling of things collapsing and never being the same again.

Chaewon ignored it.

She was able to reach Jihyun's secluded home safely and with her car intact, thanks to pure luck. Feeling relieved wasn't possible for her, however. None of it truly mattered once she saw Rika's small trembling frame sitting all alone at the front porch, her head tucked tightly into her knees, almost like she was trying to curl herself up into the tiniest human ball imaginable. It looked painful. Chaewon was sure her back must have hurt from staying in such an unnatural position. How long had she even been like that? Seeing Rika like this broke her heart. Usually, she'd get greeted by cheerful barking and her friend's soft giggling, as she stepped through the front gate to usher her inside for a cup of fresh pomegranate tea. Now, Chaewon heard nothing but the heartbreaking sounds of hoarse sobs and labored breathing. It all felt like a big, horrible nightmare she would wake up from any minute now. Her only wish was to wake up. Oh, how she wished for this to be nothing but a cruel trick of the mind.

However, this was a reality. She had no choice but to confront it head on.

Chaewon rushed towards Rika, clumsily squatting on her knees in front of her on the pavement, her hands stopping only inches from touching her. It didn't matter that her pants were now soiled from the damp ground from the rain. It didn't matter that she accidentally grazed her hand against the edge of the wooden door that hung right open - another thing that was horribly out of place. It was as if the entire world has faded from existence, leaving only her suffering friend and the deafening sound of her own blood pumping in her temples, making it very hard to focus. She was genuinely beginning to suspect that she was on the brink of a panic attack, and she had the urge to curse outloud at the realization. Of all the times she could loose her cool, this one just had to happen.

But... She was scared.

Chaewon was incapable of providing comfort to others. She could treat a nasty-looking physical wound and not bat an eye at the blood and gore, she could fight off a bully just fine, or she come to someone's defense with a strong word or two without a second thought. But... such fragile and emotionally driven ordeals? Rika's forte was always those things. Or Jihyun's, for that matter, as much as she hated to admit that. Yet another reason why that man would always be better than her in one way or another. But, this was not the occasion for her pity party. Rika, she needs her right now. And any comfort would still be better than no comfort at all. At least, she hoped so. She didn't come here for no reason.

Don't worry about it, just do it.

"...Rika? We should-"

She failed to finish her sentence.

"-She's gone forever now, Chaewon, and it's all my fault! I'm never going to see her again. I didn't even... I didn't even get to give her any proper goodbye. She must have died in so much pain, so scared, feeling so betrayed and alone... I can't... I can't handle this. Not without her. Oh, Sally... My Sally..." Rika sobbed, choking on every painful word crawling up from her raw throat, almost like it was her own words tearing at her trachea, rather than the globus sensation that appears during emotionally vexing situations. Some part of Chaewon felt gross that she was applying her medical knowledge even in such an emotional situation. She felt like it was wrong of her. Still, Rika's breathing was growing more and more ragged with every passing second, and she needed to try and fix that. Or, at the very least, mitigate. She was aware that this was bad. This was very bad. She never saw Rika like this before. So vulnerable, so... so hurt.

She tried to tame her voice by swallowing shakily. This isn't good enough. She needed to ask: "Does V-"

Once more, Chaewon was interrupted. She was beginning to believe that she would not be able to achieve anything at this rate.

"-I thought she would be fine on her own. I thought I was doing the right thing... I swear, I-I took my eyes off of her for just a moment! I never imagined... Oh God, I couldn't do anything. Not a single thing!"

"Rika, please, you need to listen to-"

"-I wish... I-I wish it was me who got hit by that car instead! She was so much more deserving of a chance to live! She was good! Not me! I killed her! I... I hate myself. I hate myself for letting her die-!"

"-Rika! Stop it!"

As if she was on impulse, she darted close and tightened her grip on Rika's shoulders, feeling her heart dropping all the way into her stomach at such frightful words. She was experiencing pure panic at this point. Her hands were trembling. Her hands never trembled like this before. What is her responsibility here? What should she say?

Her voice was breaking, every word slipping off her tongue before she could even process them. She couldn't think straight. This was not good. She didn't act rationally whenever she got like this. She would just make everything worse, "Don't you ever say such things again! This is not your fault! These sorts of things happen all the time! Please, you had no play in any of this!"

"How can you even say that!? You weren't there!" Rika shouted back, but it sounded more like a broken wail than an angry scream. Despite everything, Chaewon's heart still hurt, "You don't know how much she suffered, you don't know what pain she was in! If I had just given her that surgery, none of this would have happened!"

Chaewon tried to calm her racing mind by running a hand through her messy black locks, which have gotten damp from the light rain trickling down on them from above. This wasn't good. She was handling this poorly, as expected. She needed to get herself together, think of something, anything. Screaming and arguing won't get her anywhere. This isn't a debate.

"...Sally wouldn't have wanted to see you blaming yourself like this, Rika," in a hushed voice, she murmured, releasing a soft sigh to calm her nerves before continuing, "She was loved by you. More than I've ever seen anyone love their pet before. And you were loved by her, too. You are still loved by her."

The tiny little sound almost that came from Rika as a response almost made Chaewon cry herself, as her friend whimpered. Rika appeared like a small helpless child, feeling scared, lost, and confused after losing something she had never expected to lose. It was absolutely heartwrenching to see.

"...I don't deserve her love. It all feels so empty. Like a part of me was ripped away, and it hurts. It hurts so much, Chaewon. I thought I was used to this pain, but... but it's too much."

She had a desire to have a separate conversation with Rika about that. There was always a part of her that knew there was more to the lighthearted beautiful woman she fell in love with a year ago. Some part of her that felt concerned about all the tiny signs she pretended not to notice, since Rika never brought them up. Some part of her that longed to be the one to ease Rika's wounded heart. But... Wouldn't that be selfish of her? Feeling wanted by someone who had only seen her as a close friend was all she wanted. It wasn't right for her to be greedy. Especially right now. Rika had Jihyun. Jihyun brought her happiness. Jihyun was supposed to make her happy.

Otherwise... what point was there in her just standing by all this time?

Without pause, Chaewon gently stroked the side of Rika's face with her fingers, discovering her skin to be damp and cold. As if the misery she was experiencing on the inside was slowly evolving and transforming what was on the outside to match its cruel image. It hurt her heart to see.

"Please don't say that..." What else could she possibly say? She couldn't bring Sally back. She couldn't ask her not to cry. She was incapable of making it all right. She felt so frustrated and helpless. If only she could take away even the smallest portion of this pain Rika was feeling and redirect it onto herself instead, she would've done so without a second thought.

"I hate this... Why did she have to suffer like this...? Why couldn't she just live a peaceful and happy life? She was good... She was pure. Not like me. What did she ever do to deserve such a horrible death? Why does God always hurt those that are innocent in such cruel ways!?"

Chaewon was uncertain about what to say to that. Rika didn't seem to be listening to her at this point. She just breathed out shakily, pulling herself up to sit beside her and carefully rest her chin atop of Rika's head, once she knew she wouldn't push her away. If only her embrace could protect her from all the pain in this world.

If only it was that simple.

"She's not in pain anymore... I promise," that was all she could muster up, however clumsy it was. In a somewhat awkward embrace, she gently held Rika's small trembling frame close. She did not compel her to release her knees or raise her head. She just wanted to make her feel that she wasn't alone right now. A small sigh escaped her, as she could feel a small damp spot slowly forming in her shirt, where Rika buried her face in, her entire body wracked with painful sobs. She wished their first embrace had not occurred under such heartbreaking circumstances, "...It wasn't your fault."

It might be more effective to be truthful instead of improvising. Rika's head was now being carefully caressed by her, and Chaewon noticed that her normally soft and beautiful golden locks were tangled and rough to the touch. It made her purse her lips tightly in displeasure: "Rika... I want to help you. In any way I can. Please... tell me what should I do. I... I don't know. I need you to tell me."

"J-Just stay. Don't leave. Please," Although Rika's voice was barely audible, she still managed to hear what she was saying. The sensation of her fingers digging into her shoulders was intense, almost to the point of being painful. She didn't care, "I'm scared..."

"Don't be. I'm here. I'm right here," Chaewon mumbled, pulled her friend close, and just let her cry. Maybe there wasn't any need for words right now. She didn't know. She just knew that she wouldn't leave her alone in such a state, "I'll be here for as long as you need me to be."

After an hour had passed, Chaewon heard a car screeching to halt near the front entrance of the house, followed by hurried footsteps. She wasn't at all surprised to see the tall man with messy mint hair once she lifted her head up from where it had loyally remained on Rika's for the past hour. A silent moment of sorrow and mutual understanding passed between the two, nothing but the sound of Jihyun's ragged breaths and the quiet pitter-patter of rain filling the air around them.

It looks like she's not the only one who dropped everything to come as soon as possible.

"...Is she...?"

"I think she fell asleep," Chaewon quietly responded, not even bothering to listen to the entire question. Rika was probably exhausted, both physically and mentally, from the immense stress she had to go through in the past few hours. No wonder she eventually just drifted off to sleep. Perhaps, it was better for her to just not think about anything for a while and sleep.

Jihyun sighed, his hands shaking noticeably while he fumbled with the corners of his jacket. Chaewon felt comforted to know that she wasn't the only one feeling overwhelmed by this situation, in an ironic sense. Finally, he spoke up again, carefully sitting down on the same porch her and Rika were nestled upon, his hand carefully brushing a strand of his fiance's hair behind her ear. There was genuine heartache in his eyes, and she had to look away from the scene dejectedly: "I came as soon as I heard. I... Is she okay? Did she..."

Chaewon believed that his question had a greater significance than simply expressing concern for his lover's well-being. She tried to get rid of that strange thought, but it persisted in the back of her mind, like a parasite slowly extending its tentacles into her mind.

It appeared that he was asking if Rika had done anything. She was unaware of whether that was to herself or someone else. But, it alarmed her nonetheless.

To avoid disturbing her unconscious friend, Chaewon shook her head slightly: "She's alright. I think. Aside from... possible raw throat, tense back and headache, she should be fine. Physically."

She was certain that she would have noticed any wounds right away.

Jihyun sighed with relief, but no joy was present. Chaewon couldn't hold him accountable for it: "Thank you... For being with her when I couldn't. I am... ever so grateful she had you by her side right now."

She felt like screaming when she saw the small smile of gratitude he gave her. Him being genuine was the most unfair aspect of it all. Jihyun was a good and caring man. Although, she had more in common with his friend Jumin, rather than the photographer himself. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hate him. And her feeling so disgusted with herself was caused by the ugly feelings of jealousy and envy that were eating away at her from the inside. Jihyun considered her a dear friend, and here she was, getting all worked up over him rightfully caring and worrying over his fiance.

It's a shame that she's so selfish.

Chaewon bit the inside of her cheek in a mixture of frustration and pain, feeling the slight taste of copper on her tongue. Right. She was merely a friend. To Jihyun and Rika all the same. A close friend. Nothing more. Jihyun was the one Rika trusted the most. He knew the parts of her that she was never allowed to see.

What's the worst aspect of it all? It's that Jihyun was a better match for Rika, as she was aware. He was kind, gentle, artistic, loving. He was everything that Rika valued in a person. Chaewon's behavior was characterized by bluntness, forcefulness, and practicality. She was incapable of competing with this man for her heart. And did she even want to do that? It's not like she ever tried. She just sat back without doing or saying anything.

It seemed like there was a pattern in her life.

Agh, take a look at yourself. You're too busy feeling sorry for yourself about some stupid crush, even though your friend just lost her beloved companion. Get a grip. Chaewon quickly chastised herself as she tried to redirect her attention back to what was truly important right now, rather than her pitiful lovesickness.

"We should... probably carry her in. You should have her take a warm bath once she wakes up. Or give her a warm beverage. She might get sick after staying out in the rain like this," she mumbled quietly while untangling a few of Rika's golden curls to distract herself from something else. She certainly did not want to imagine Jihyun taking care of Rika like that. But... She wasn't one to be petty. At least not outwardly. She could be petty, angry, and upset all she wanted once she gets home, where her selfish outbursts won't harm anyone.

Jihyun carefully stood up from his spot while nodding: "Yes, you're right. I'll keep in contact with you. She might need her friend by her side once she wakes up."

"...Right."

Her friend. Chaewon prayed that she did not sound too bitter. She wished to avoid being perceived as an asshole. She made sure to help Jihyun carry Rika back into the house, offering a few more tips out of what little she knew. Of course, those were all health-related. Not much she could advise on emotions.

After drinking her stress away for a few hours that night, she sunk into bed with a bad feeling that kept her awake until early morning. A sensation of horror, disgust, and chilliness. The same one that she felt back in her car. It never left. It just faded onto the background. However, it was ever present. Demanding to be listened to. The feeling of things never being the same again. The feeling of something horrible lurking just around the corner. Something that would forever alter everything.

A point of no return. The beginning of the end.

Chaewon ignored it, just like she had done before.

[abovexhorizons]

Isa'd begun to turn around, lips curled in frustration - he was like her older brother, always stepping in to sort out her problems - but he promptly left, just as she'd asked.

A sigh escaped dried lips, shaking her head and shrugging.

"I'm sorry about him; please, forgive us. But..."

She'd at least not rebut what he'd said, agreeing that she did want the best that she could get; they didn't disappoint, either; using part of the hilt from her broken sword they forged it anew, apologizing that it was going to take them at least 24 hours to get ready.

She didn't mind; they'd gotten here way ahead of schedule, and thus, had time to wait. Plus, Ragna was treating them to the VIP experience, wasn't he?

A girl could enjoy herself, even a little bit, in hard times.

Stepping outside, however, she'd instantly smack him on the shoulder, wordlessly leaving with a hand-wave to signal "let's go". Rika stood up, brushing herself off before trotting away, keeping up before relaxing her stride next to her human companion.

When they finally got to the inn, the room was offered free of charge; a premium suite for the three of them, though on Isa's request, Ragna was to get his own room.

She still paid the innkeep some silver, expecting Ragna to reimburse her later.

Letting weary legs crumble as she sat atop a fluffy feather duvet, she couldn't but groan out her exhaustion, turning to the only male in the room.

"What was that about, Ragna? You said you'd pay him for his services, not intimidate them! The town's petrified now. Jeez! And I didn't--"

She'd stand up - not happily, either, with how her legs groaned in response - and stride towards the taller man, poking him in the chest. He intimidated her, sure, but her problems right now outweighed that fear.

"-- Need your help with bartering, either! I had it under control, and you came barging in after I told you to wait outside."

Isa could only huff out her frustrations, hand running along the back of her neck; a small tick of anxiety, nothing more for her. She was used to keeping disorderly men in line.

"Please; I appreciate having you here. You've already made mine - our - lives so much easier. I'd hate to feel like I regret that; you're a wanted man after all. Let me handle the talking; you handle the rest, got it?"

She didn't want to seem too pushy, letting a small, awkward smile cross her lips as she'd sit back down, head rested against the wall behind her.

"Well, we're here now, that's what matters; I am shattered (and not because of my earlier vomiting, thank you!), but a good soak and some food would probably go a long way. What's your thoughts, big guy?"

They could easily unlink from him, as nobody had really seen them together extensively yet, but on one part if he could help them, he'd very much prefer that but at least he was able to get them out of danger and this far, and he hoped for more.

That said, if he really wanted to buy their friendship? Isa couldn't be more wrong. If anything, he wasn't expecting either of them to consider him a friend, not even anything remotely positive, no matter if he was doing so much for them.

What was all this? Well... Simply doing things he felt right to do. It was literally that. Nothing else.

"...Do you really think I have a use for money? And I don't mean to say that to show off." He rose yet another good point, "Of course, I still carry it around for when I need to use it and I have it to spare, I find it better to use it this way then letting the higher ups just 'reclaim it' as much as I could otherwise, from potentially dirty hands to others." Revealing the expected truth about authorities, at least sometimes and depending who went to pick up after his messes.

Sharing that as they walked along, once they spotted the smoke, sticking out among other related businesses, that had to be their clear destination right there.

"Oh, let me go in with you still, as long as Rika doesn't mind waiting? If not I'll help you place your order in and come right out." Offering, he stepped right up, and as soon as she did, when the first men inside noticed him? The entire area went silent, everyone was in disbelief, they couldn't begin to grasp the Grim Reaper had stopped by here out of nowhere, and he waved at everyone as if he was the most friendly man in the world, smiling softly...

Of course, again, if she still wanted him to wait outside, he'd only make sure of one thing.

"Give her the best damn service, yeah? That's all I want." And asking politely, everyone was on edge and ready as he was pointing to his new acquaintance.

Why did he offer to help them? She could just ask directly soon when they were at their lodgings later.

[ir-dr]

Day 3022 - 1 February 2021

I believe what you said

.//projectTiGER

[yuuhta]

pairing: okkotsu yuuta/reader

genre: fluff

short description: okkotsu yuuta as a boyfriend hcs (contains spoilers)

warnings: none, just slight cursing

ok first of all, oh my fucking gosh...... he is very very VERY sweet and caring, sometimes you get worried you might just melt with the amount of love he gives you!!!

boy loves you a LOT

AND yes our shy boy yuuta can sometimes be unknowingly very clingy!!

sometimes when you're both just chilling on the stairs beside the school's track field, he'll pull you by the waist and then lean his head on top of yours as he rub random circles with his other hand on your palm.

or when u two r just chilling on his/your bed, he'll play with ur hair or he'll wrap his legs around yours to lock your body with his and he loves staying in that position!!!!!

he loves feeling ur breath on his skin whenever u're wrapped around each other, it never failed to comfort him/put a gentle and soft smile on his face :""")

YES YES HE LOVES CUDDLES OH MY GOSH

IS HE CUTE OR IS HE CUTE????

and when the other three r there seeing u both flirt, they’re like 😳🤮😦 what is this soft pda we r witnessing here rn

k i might have overused the word "sometimes" there but it's true, he's not rlly clingy all the time!!!!!

HE'S V THOUGHTFUL UGHHH (yuuta is setting the standard here ok!! strong and powerful sorcerer but really sweet and kind boyfriend shfsjjffGjK BITCH WHO WOULDN'T WANT HIM!!!!)

he would often bring you your favorite food, esp when u say u're hungry!!!! he'll definitely rush to your fave restaurant right away just to get you some food ❤❤ :((

and like, b4 u two had ur first kiss, OF COURSE he asked u first if's ok with u!!!! he didn’t just uncontrollably launched himself to u (which was totally OKAY with u even if he did lmaoo he’s just too precious pls) (honestly u’re the more aggressive one in here....)

he’s submissive in general BUT NGL if u want him to take control of things HE WOULD TAKE CONTROL I'M TELLING U

ok but tbh he's actually very clueless when it comes to romance..... he might have made promises to marry a childhood friend back then when they were KIDS but honestly, other than that, he's got no other experience with dating.... or romance, in general.

speaking about childhood friends, he would often reassure you that he's over rika!!! you don't really bring it up but he KNOWS it would sometimes cross your mind (esp when he still wore the ring rika gave him, even after you two started dating (u only started dating yuuta after the curse was broken !!!) ...... the amount of reassurance he gave you just to make sure u aren't bothered by it is just :_) ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤)

ok it's not like you're some v possessive bitch who thinks rika, who has already passed away, can still steal yuuta from you. u know v well that yuuta has moved on already.

it's just that the bond they shared over the couple of years, before the curse has been broken, is different. it's definitely not your typical childhood friends kinda trope.

the circumstances here r totally different !! if it was just a normal childhood friends trope, it would've been a bit easier to weave though. BUT yeah, after what happened and all, ofc it's impossible for him to just suddenly erase rika in his brain. it's not like u’re forcing him to do that, u don’t even bring the topic up but yeah

he just simply reassures u that he is over rika and that's that.

he tells u that even if rika was still alive, and then he met you, he would choose you, and that he was sure of it.

u wanted to tell him that it was unnecessary for him to tell u that but if u were being honest, that really did cross ur mind. u thought that if rika was still alive, maybe ur relationship with yuuta would turn out differently.

u didn't really feel v bothered by the thought bcs it was pointless to think abt that now, but still, the thought still came to your mind and yuuta just made sure that u know he loves u so much.

ANYWAY ur relationship is very healthy!!!! the two of u have a rule to always communicate if something's bothering the other.

IN THIS RELATIONSHIP the fear of speaking out doesn't exist OK!!!!

yes the TRUST u both have on each other is just very big!!

so yea yuuta going abroad doesn't mean y'all r going to break up!!!!! it's not even permanently, just for a short amount of time. u miss him a lot and he misses u too but him going abroad temporarily doesn't rlly mean u'll both lose feelings bcs of the distance!!!!

as for u two, the heart just grew fonder :")

so anyways as mentioned above, HE IS CLUELESS ABT DATING!!!!!

he's really just so sweet and IS A BIG GENTLEMAN so he seems like he's v knowledgeable about dating bcs of that

but yea whew.... he knows u love him a lot but he DOES NOT realize the things that he can make u feel......

LIKE HE ABSOLUTELY HAS NO IDEA ABT THE POWER HE HAS OVER U

HE CAN LITERALLY ASK FOR THE WORLD AND U'LL TRY TO GIVE IT TO HIM !!!

ok big simp alert big simp alert 🚨🚨🚨🚨

shjdjshh DAMN THIS PRECIOUS BOY

he seems like a quiet and timid person, but when hanging out with you, he actually talks A LOT!!!

and is super enthusiastic abt it !!!! LIKE when a person really seems interested in a conversation ???? IYKYK

he's definitely the opposite of a dry texter

sometimes he can unintentionally reply v late bcs he's not really someone who checks his phone much but when u actually send him a chat and he's holding his phone, the two of you can go on hours just chatting about random topics!!!!

and y'all know that the students stay in a dorm, right????

yuuta would greet u good morning and good night in person !!!!!

if he can't say it in person (like, if you or him went out on a mission early), he would just text u or call u :")

ALSO HE SAYS “I LOVE YOU” A LOT

AAHHHHHHH PRECIOUS BOY INDEED INDEED!!!

my heart????? yes yuuta maybe u can take it ???

he was v shy at first and even struggled at pronouncing the three words but now that he's way more comfortable with u,, HE SAYS I LOVE YOU EVEN AT RANDOM TIMES

AND IT CAN CATCH U OFF GUARD !!!!! DAMN U'RE ONLY HUMAN OK U GET WEAK SOMETIMES TOO

he will randomly knock at ur door around 2am, still groggy from just waking up, just to tell u to go to sleep !!

he knows when u're still awake!!!! bcs u often stay up late just to watch or read some stuff, he just knows if u’re still at it

he says sleeping late isn't good for u

and since u're a gOoD girl, u try to go to sleep, but now you're on bed with your eyes wide opened, thinking abt yuuta.....

i mean who wouldn't think abt him after he just made u go to sleep bcs he thinks it's not healthy for u

the concern makes u feel GIDDY every damn time

lucky HOE

so anw u would sometimes go to his room just to give him some food or some sweets, or to just hang out tbh

and every time he would open the door and see u, his face would TOTALLY LIGHT UP !!

honestly simple basic stuff like this definitely warms his heart!!!!

LOVES HUGS :”) bYE

whenever u play with his hair or scratch on his scalp lightly, he would MELT

this guy is such a sucker for affection u have no idea

you're such an intoxicating presence for him and he loves u so much

SO ofc ofc u give him all the love and affection !!!!

yuuta wasn't really as confident as he is now compared to the the start of ur relationship

he just got bolder as time passed but he used to be such a shy boy

as i said he can be v clingy!! but sometimes, he would still get flustered when u would suddenly hold his hand or peck him on the cheek or lips !!!!

ok so in general, he would get flustered whenever he's not the one initiating the affection.... such a cutie oh my beloved

he doesn’t really use endearing nicknames a lot and prefers to call u by ur name BUT U DON’T CARE

THE WAY UR NAME WOULD ROLL OUT OF HIS LIPS IS JUST......... HEART EYES

on the other hand, u would sometimes use some really sweet nickname for him like "beloved" or "sweetheart" and tbh yuuta gets flustered when u do so dhkshdskjd but YEA y'all both just call each other by the name usually bcs it just hits different IYKYK OK

OTL IS HE THE MOST PRECIOUS BOYFRIEND EVER OR IS HE THE MOST PRECIOUS BOYFRIEND EVER

overall, u're in a very healthy, genuine, and wholesome relationship with okkotsu yuuta!!! he’s a very adorable, gentle, loving and caring boyfriend <3 pls protecc at all cost (even if he doesn’t rlly need protection ksdfjskj)