#or ''do you think it'd be easier if you texted him instead of talking face to face?''

[mrschwartz]

i've never been to therapy but i have a friend who goes every week and has done it for years now and every time we get together and catch up and i start opening up about my problems she puts on a therapist persona and it's adorable. like it's subconscious on her part but it's hilarious to me how fluent she is on expressing her feelings and tackling problems and i'm just a huge repressed dumb dumb

[coconut-dreamz]

you're losing me

'how long can we be a sad song' || tom blyth x reader

part two

a/n: i felt angsty and i love this song so i wanted to write something based off of it

you say, "i don't understand, " and i say, "i know you don't" we thought a cure would come through in time, now i fear it won't

the fights felt as if they were never ending lately. it hadn't always been this way, but that felt like a lifetime ago. the problems had started when tom began filming for tbosas but they had ceased when filming for it wrapped. but your relationship wasn't the same as it was before. now it was time for promotions and the fights had started up once again.

"i don't understand! why do we keep having to have this fight over and over again!" tom shouted. you scoff in disbelief at his outburst. he didn't know why you felt so insecure and jealous? it wasn't like you had told him at least a dozen times before.

"you know what, just go on your tour alone. i don't want to ruin it with our fighting." you resign, taking your already packed suitcase back into the apartment, away from the door. "you should go, the cab's waiting." you tell him quietly, unable to look up from the ground.

he just sighs, "alright, i'll see you in a few weeks." staring at you, waiting for you to look up at him. " have a safe flight," you look up at him, but refuse to meet his eyes. he just thanks you and heads out the door.

remember lookin' at this room, we loved it 'cause of the light now, I just sit in the dark and wonder if it's time do I throw out everything we built or keep it?

you sat in the dark room of your shared apartment with tom. you had picked it because of the view of the city lights, but now it just felt cold and desolate, like nobody lived here. in all honesty, it hadn't been lived in for awhile. with tom gone for movie promotions, you hadn't been able to be here alone, opting to stay with a friend instead.

you don't know where to go from here. should you salvage what remained of your relationship with tom? or should you scrap everything and start new?

the latter choice had been seeming more and more appealing as of late. you hadn't heard from tom in days. at first you chalked it up to him being busy and the time difference, but you saw he posted a new croissant review and realized he was ignoring you. where had it all gone wrong?

i'm getting tired even for a phoenix always risin' from the ashes mendin' all her gashes you might just have dealt the final blow

you had made the mistake of watching one of tom's latest interviews with his costar rachel. you watched it because you'd missed him, but now that you'd watched it, you wished you just stayed missing him. you didn't miss the way they looked at each other. it'd been so long since you'd looked at each other like that. your eyes were always filled with rage or tears whenever you saw him lately.

you were just so tired of it all. you contemplated texting him and breaking things off. it'd be a whole lot easier that way. maybe the weight on your chest would be lifted. but a part of you didn't want to let go of him. he'd been your everything once.

stop, you're losin' me i can't find a pulse my heart won't start anymore for you 'cause you're losin' me

"how are you baby?" tom asks, his voice cutting through the silence, breaking you out of your reverie. he managed to find some time to call you while on his press tour. "huh? oh, i'm fine. how are you? how's press tour going?" you ask absentmindedly, hearing you ask about tour sparked a light in tom's eyes. he started rambling about the antics he and his cast mates had been up to.

you smiled fondly hearing him talk, until he mentioned rachel. she'd been a sore spot in your relationship lately. the mere mention of her name left a sour taste in your mouth. the grin on your face immediately swept off.

"it's getting late, i think i'm gonna go to bed. i hope the rest of your tour goes well," you fake a smile, trying to hurry to end the facetime call. "oh, i guess it is late over there. i love you, sleep well.” he bids you a goodnight. "love you," you reply and end the call. you bury yourself in your blankets, tired of the emotional turmoil that was caused by your relationship lately.

every mornin', i glared at you with storms in my eyes how can you say that you love someone you can't tell is dyin'? i sent you signals and bit my nails down to the quick my face was gray, but you wouldn't admit that we were sick

you'd lost the glow your skin once had. it'd became increasingly noticeable to those around you. your makeup artist had to try harder to make it less noticeable on red carpets and photo shoots. but it was all in vain, everyone noticed how you'd looked sickly lately, everyone but tom.

or, if he did, he didn't mention anything about it. "you look great." he complimented as you two climbed into the car that was to take you to the premiere of his film. it had taken your makeup artist a lot longer than usual to do your makeup, having to cover up the blemishes and gray tone of your skin from the lack of care you'd given yourself lately. you’d been opting to lay around in bed, moping.

"thanks," you mutter as the car begins to move. you picked at your nails, something you'd picked up lately to help deal with your nerves. you no longer could have any type of nails, you'd bit them down to nubs lately. but tom didn't seem to have noticed. he didn't seem to notice anything about you lately.

and the air is thick with loss and indecision i know my pain is such an imposition now, you're runnin' down the hallway and you know what they all say you don't know what you got until it's gone

"stop! where are you going?" shit. you stop dead in your tracks, tom was home early for once. you'd thought he wouldn't back for another day or two. "did you hear me?" he makes his way in front of you. you try avoiding his gaze, but it was difficult when his icy blue eyes stared into your soul.

you tried to formulate the words to tell him it was over. "i'm leaving." you finally managed to say. his concerned eyes turn frantic at your words. "what?" he whispers out, grabbing your hand. "you're leaving? why?" you take a breath, you tried leaving when he was gone because you couldn't face him. "things haven't been the same lately. i think we need a break. i'm going to stay with a friend. i'll come back for the rest of my things later. i think it's best if we don't talk for awhile." you manage out, finally meeting his eyes.

what a mistake. his previously concerned eyes were now filled with sadness. you tried moving past him to your car. he grabs your hand one more time, "can you at least tell me what's wrong?" you sigh hearing this, "i think you know why, tom." is all you answer, dragging your suitcase behind you.

how long could we be a sad song 'til we were too far gone to bring back to life? i gave you all my best me's, my endless empathy and all i did was bleed as i tried to be the bravest soldier fighting in only your army frontlines , don't you ignore me

it'd been a few weeks since you'd moved out of your shared apartment with tom. you felt relieved when you had finally walked out of the apartment. it had been feeling less like a home and more like a prison lately. you felt stuck in time in there. everyone around you was moving forward their lives, your friends, family and especially tom, but there you were. stuck waiting around for tom to give you the time of day.

you'd spend too long waiting around for your relationship to go back to how it once was. you'd given that relationship your all but got the bare minimum back in return. you should've called time of death on it months ago, but a big part of you wasn't ready to let go. you had spent your best years with him after all.

and i wouldn't marry me either a pathological people pleaser who only wanted you to see her

you and tom used to talk about the future all the time. laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and giggling about your thoughts on what the future had in store. you told him about your dream wedding and he told you about how he wanted a cozy home with a big yard for your future children.

but that seemed so far in the past. you suppose he changed his mind. who'd want to marry a person who'd give every piece of themselves for someone who won't even bat an eye at them? you'd given him your all in the last year of your relationship, but had gotten nothing in return. all in an attempt to bring back what you both once had.

and i'm fadin', thinkin' "do something, babe, say something" "lose something, babe, risk something" "choose something, babe, i got nothing to believe unless you're choosin' me"

you laid in the makeshift bed of your friend’s studio apartment waiting for tom to reach out. you were aware of what you had told him, but you wanted to see if he truly did care about your relationship.

it hurt to see him happy on set of billy the kid. you followed his castmates and it hurt to see the snippets of him on their stories. he looked so happy and carefree. the exact opposite of how you were feeling and probably looked.

you hoped he was just respecting your wishes of having no contact for a few weeks, but the small voice in the back of your mind was screaming that he didn't care. that he was happier without you, that he was better off now that you were gone.

you're losin' me stop, you're losin' me stop, you're losin' me i can't find a pulse my heart won't start anymore

a constant buzzing woke you up from your deep sleep. you blindly search for your phone. when you find it, the clock shows that it's exactly 12 in the morning. you hit answer without looking at the contact. "hello?" you answer, your voice raspy from lack of use.

"love? it's me, tom. it's been exactly 6 weeks like you said. can we finally talk?"

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Absolute Submission to the Queen

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors.

Silvio used to be a tyrant.

------------Flashback------------

Silvio: "Entertain me. Your duty is to serve me and make me happy."

Emma: "I don't like this kind of entertainment."

Silvio: "How many times do I have to tell you not to talk back to a guest?"

Silvio: "Stop making that unattractive face and pour the damn wine already!"

(Why is he like this?)

---------Flashback Ends---------

Silvio: "Listen, you absolutely cannot move for the next few days."

Silvio: "Instead, I'll do everything. I'll especially be your servant."

(Why did he become so overprotective?!)

Silvio was kneeling in front of me as I sat on the bed.

It was a scene that would definitely lead to misunderstandings if anyone else saw it.

However, he seemed completely unconcerned.

(He wasn't the type to kneel so easily.)

Emma: "I'm telling you, it's okay."

Silvio: "Ha? Can you really say that with your leg in this condition?"

He lifted one of my legs with a touch as gentle as handling delicate glasswork.

My leg, peeking out from the hem of the nightgown, was meticulously wrapped in white bandages.

Emma: "I just twisted my foot a little. It's not so serious that I can't walk."

(I just tripped and fell while wearing an unfamiliar dress.)

(I didn't want to worry him, so I kept it a secret. I shouldn't have underestimated his information network.)

Silvio: "You were walking quite recklessly considering that."

Emma: "It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Silvio: "That's why I told you not to move."

Emma: "But the doctor said it shouldn't be a problem to walk."

As I spoke, he lowered his gaze and brought his lips to my toes.

(WHAT!?)

I tried to pull my foot away from the vivid sensation, but he held me back with an exquisite amount of force.

Emma: "W-W-What the hell!?"

Silvio: "This is the quickest way to silence a cheeky woman who doesn't listen."

Emma: "I'm not being cheeky today!"

Silvio: "Defying my wishes is enough to be considered cheeky."

The overprotective tyrant showed no intention of stopping his kisses.

(I don't want this, it's embarrassing!)

The moment his tongue traced my toes, I reached my limit.

Emma: "Fine! I won't move, I promise!"

Silvio: "You should've said that from the start."

(I feel like I've been tricked.)

Silvio smiled smugly and let go of my foot.

Emma: "But isn't it inconvenient?"

Silvio: "Do I look like a man who would do something I dislike?"

Emma: "No, a tyrant wouldn't do that."

Silvio: "That's right."

Silvio: "So?"

Emma: "Hm?"

Silvio: "If you have something you want, just say it. I'll let you feel like a queen once in a while."

(Is it really okay to ask him anything?)

Using the prince of Benitoite and the future king in this way felt a little awkward but, at the same time, intriguing.

(That tyrant is saying he'll do anything, so there's no way I'm not happy about this.)

(I'll rely on him wholeheartedly since it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.)

Silvio: "I'll tell you this in advance, if I think it's a worthless request, I'll ignore it."

Emma: "But you said you'd listen to anything!"

Silvio: "If you want me to listen, then tame me. Can you do that?"

(He's so overprotective and yet so mean.)

Emma: "Alright, I understand."

Emma: "Then, for my first request, please take me to my room."

Silvio: "I refuse."

Emma: "Huh? Why not?"

(It's such a simple request.)

Silvio: "It'd be easier for me if you stayed here in my room."

Emma: "I'm just going to sleep."

Silvio: "You might get thirsty in the middle of the night and need to go get water, among other things."

(He's tougher than I thought.)

Suddenly, I noticed a large stack of documents on a desk in the corner.

I could tell that these were related to his business negotiations, and they should've already been sorted out if I hadn't gotten in the way.

Silvio: "It has nothing to do with you."

He seemed to notice my gaze as he playfully ruffled my hair.

Silvio: "Don't overthink things."

Emma: "But..."

Silvio: "Just go to sleep."

My words disappear in a tender kiss.

(It's so unfair. I can't resist this side of him.)

Emma: "No! Absolutely not!"

Silvio: "You're being stubborn."

The next morning, I firmly rejected him with all my might.

(This is not the time to say, "I can't resist him"!)

I grabbed my half-removed nightgown and glared at him.

Emma: "I can at least change my clothes by myself!"

Silvio: "If you change them yourself, you'll have to put your feet on the floor."

Emma: "You're worrying too much!"

Silvio: "Why are you getting embarrassed now?"

Silvio: "There are plenty of things more embarrassing than this."

I instinctively grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at him.

However, for a seasoned sailor with many experiences from long voyages, it wasn't much of an attack, as he easily caught it.

Silvio: "Hey."

Emma: "If you're willing to listen to me, turn around and close your eyes right now!"

Silvio: "I can't hear you."

Emma: "You said you'd let me feel like a queen!"

Silvio: "Queens usually have someone else help them change."

(If I say this, he'll say that.)

Emma: "Then I have an idea."

------------Flashback------------

Silvio: "If you want me to listen, then tame me. Can you do that?"

---------Flashback Ends---------

(To tame him and make him obey...)

Emma: *cough, cough*

Silvio: "Hey, what's wrong!?"

Part 2╎Premium╎Epilogue╎Special Story

[eleni-cherie]

a thief's origin✨ || bts • kth - chapter 1.1

"you're afraid I won't wait." "I'm afraid you will."

a criminal and a doctor should be as different as the sun and the moon - but unexpected things happened every day. like him finding his safe haven in her.

© 2024 | eleni_cherie

»»»

masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers s2f2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

14th February

Barcelona, Spain

Cassandra never had a reason to pay attention to any holidays or celebrations which didn't concern her. Valentine's Day being one of them. She was so used not to pay attention to it or not think too deeply about all the commercials, that when she spotted a package at her return from work, her first thought was that it was for her next door neighbour. Mistakenly placed at her doormat instead. Only when reading her name in a familiar messy handwriting, she realised it was for her. Excitement filling every fibre of her as she carried it to her living room.

Inside, the package contained a blue rose along with a velvet box and a card.

"For my favourite sweet tooth :) 

Wished I could be there.

- Love, T"

Giggling softly, she opened her locket. Eyes lingering on his photo smiling back at her. She made a mental note to text him later, letting him know it'd arrived before proceeding with opening the box. Finding it filled to the brim with different kinds of chocolate. Her eyes instantly lit up and she tried one. And another. And another. Happily humming and smiling to herself while losing count of how many pieces she ate that evening.

For the first time, she cared about this day.

»»»

28 // 4th year - assistant physician

13th June

interpol branch office Madrid, Spain

"So Miss -"

"Cassandra is enough."

The interpol agent arched a brow at her before laughing under his breath.

"Sure, Cassandra then," he nodded with a bright grin, "I'm agent Kim Seokjin. These are agents Kim Namjoon and Jeon Jungkook." He gestured to his colleagues.

"Should I get a lawyer?" she asked. Her tone flat and nonchalant.

"Do you need one?" the other Kim shot with a curious brow to which she straightened again. Her inner tension returning.

"I haven't done anything illegal, if that's what you imply."

The tall man gave her a dimpled smile at that, holding some kind of irony which only hightened her suspicion. "Good. You know why we wanted to talk to you then?"

With a quick shrug of her shoulders, she sat back in her uncomfortable chair. "I can think of a reason or two.."

"Or three?" Namjoon countered, making her fold her lips.

"Or three."

"Very well then," Seokjin nodded, taking the lead back in the questioning, "Makes it easier for us, right, JK?"

Her eyes followed his gaze that was directed to the young colleague who had remained quiet all this time, currently busy browsing through a file. Hearing his nickname, however, he stirred and looked up like a deer caught in headlights. "Huh? Uh, yeah, yes." His round eyes found hers and she mimicked them.

Her tense shoulders relaxed at their subtle but warm demeanor. Frankly, she couldn't imagine those three in intimidating situations despite their profession. Perhaps that was their secrete though, lulling suspects into comfort to get them spilling all their secrets. So Cassandra stayed on guard, not falling for their friendly eyes. Even if many years had passed, she did recognise Seokjin and Namjoon from that night back in Cologne after all. Despite not catching any glimpse of their faces, she was certain from their tall statures and voices that it'd been them at the reception the night she'd met Taehyung and the guys. 

"So-" agent Jeon - or otherwise known as 'JK' - cleared his throat, "You know you're here for your connections to Park Jimin and his gang."

The young physician sighed, gathering an attitude of calm. "Yeah, wasn't hard to guess since my only other illegal activity would be downloading mp3's as a teenager. And I doubt interpol cares about that."

At this Seokjin bursted out laughing, being genuinely amused by her put-on confidence. He could tell she was nervous, of course she was. Everyone who wasn't used to getting interrogated by police let alone interpol, would be - whether innocent or guilty. However, he definitely had to give her credit for not only acting confident, like many others did as well, but also being comedic while doing so.

"You're right, we don't," he grinned then, folding his hands in front of him on the cold table top, "We'd much rather want to know what exactly is going on between you and the guys."

Her brows rose. "What do you mean?"

Namjoon flashed her a sarcastic grin. "I think you know what he means."

"No, please enlighten me," she retorted instead with her most innocent smile.

Seokjin scoffed, nudging Jungkook then. "Yah, we got a sneaky one here."

The younger agent only hummed with a light scowl, visibly less entertained by Cassandra acting dumb than his older colleagues.

The file in front of him contained photos collected from around the world over the years. While majority were grainy and shot from further away with less quality, taken by some cheap security cameras of neighbouring buildings or traffic cameras, one was clearly showing Cassandra and Taehyung together. And considering the gunman and / or his accomplices had been identified on majority of the others, it wasn't unreasonable to assume the photos with the shorter feminine figure that wasn't Arabella Valentine, was her. Perhaps not in all situations, but at some at least.

"You and Kim Taehyung.. He spends an awful lot time with you," Seokjin pointed out then. But Cassandra remained unimpressed.

"Oh really, is that so?"

Jungkook frowned beside him. "You're together, aren't you?"

The two older agents shot him a surprised glance at his unexpected conclusion.

"And if so?" she deadpanned, feeling their eyes shifting to her now. It felt like watching a tennis match.

"You know he's a criminal."

"His friend is a thief and he helps him."

"That still makes him a criminal though."

Cassandra, however, remained quite unfazed by that, much to Jungkook's lasting irritation. 

"I'm not willing to discuss my personal or love life with you," she countered then. A bit of an edge in her voice and Seokjin felt the need to quickly step in before they upset her and she closed off completely.

"That's understandable and we don't want that either," he assured her with a cheery smile, "We're just here to do our job, you know? Our job is to catch these guys and to do so, we also need to gather information and follow every clue. And, unfortunately, that involves having to talk to you as a person so close them."

Folding her lips, she nodded. She knew she had to remain calm and collected in order not to mess anything up and get her boyfriend in any trouble. So she swallowed down her ego.

"I understand," she slowly said.

"Look," Namjoon spoke up then, trying a more diplomatic stance, "We get it. They're not crude jackasses like other offenders. We know that ourselves. And certainly, they're not as bad as drug dealers or commit atrocious crimes. But, they're armed criminals, nonetheless. The number of crimes go from robbery on a grand scale, to identity theft, to unauthorised hacking, to-" His listing of criminal records was abruptly interrupted by the pen he was holding, slipping from his fingers due to his animated hand gestures. Flying across the table to which Cassandra flinched in fright, causing her knee to hit the table. And she winced in pain. 

"Oh, no - Sorry, I'm sorry," he was fast to reach out with an apologetic look, only to hit his elbow against the table and wince as well. Both sitting there groaning in unison. She surely hadn't expected to meet someone as clumsy as her there.

"It's alright. Co-continue," she assured eventually, the short pain having subdued by now. 

And Namjoon cleared his throat with burning cheeks, pretending as nothing had happened and continued. "Like.. like I said, they've committed numerous crimes all over the world. As well-behaved and genteel they might be to you, they need to face consequences for their actions."

Jungkook stared at him in complete awe and Cassandra was certain they all agreed with him. Catching Seokjin also adding a quick nod.

She was the only unimpressed one.

"I genuinely don't believe I could be of much help though," she simply countered, seeing them perk up and facing the person of interest in front of them again. "See, Tae would never tell me any details of their heists or any plans. Purposely so for, I guess, situations like this one right now. He -" She abruptly paused, realising that mentioning her not even knowing when he'd visit her next would be too much information. They might not even know that he kept visiting her regularly. "He really doesn't tell me anything," she finished instead, not to raise any suspicion of her cut off sentence, "So if you hoped for any insider info, I must disappoint you."

Three pairs of bewildered eyes stared back at her and she purposely held their gazes to ensure they would believe her. She wasn't lying after all, it was facts but she couldn't risk her nervousness making her look like a storyteller. Because in a sense, she was guilty after all. 

And if she wasn't guilty of committing a crime, she was guilty of loving a criminal at least.

"So you don't know where exactly they're located right now or what their next coup is," Jungkook confirmed, even more taken aback when seeing her shake her head. His lips shaping a small 'o' when mumbling something inaudible and taking notes before raising another suspecting brow at her. "And you're not lying?" he pressed, just to be sure.

"Nope," she confidently said, "You can search my apartment or wire me to a polygraph or whatever. I don't know anything about what they're up to."

"That's fine," Seokjin ensured, looking way more perky than Jungkook or Namjoon. Latter hiding his pensiveness behind his folded hands. "Never had Taehyung for a big secrets-spiller anyway. Although.. quite disappointing that he won't even tell you, his girlfriend, where in the world he is right now. Isn't it?" He paused for dramatic effects, eyebrows furrowing in fake empathy. "Must be.. sad, I imagine. Are you never worried?" 

Her jaw clenched unintentionally. She instantly knew what the lead agent was trying to do and she wouldn't let him succeed. "N-no." Dammit, she stuttered. She swallowed, her voice becoming firmer. "No. It's okay, he only does it to keep me safe."

He nodded and his lips pressed into a straight line, pondering. "Is he though?"

Taken aback by his rhetorical question, she blinked. Unsure of what he was implying. "What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing, nothing. Forget it," he only waved her off and Cassandra felt validating in her gut-feeling of not underestimating their friendly nature because right now, she could feel their interrogative glares piercing through her soul.

After a dragged out moment of silence, Seokjin averted his eyes from hers to take out a note and Cassandra unintentionally exhaled in relief. "Could you perhaps do us a favour then?" He eyed her briefly before scribbling down on the note with a shiny pen.

"If you want me to rat them out, no."

"Hmpf, please," he said dismissingly with an offended huff, "I'd never try such cheap tricks." He held the piece of paper out for her then, a wide smile returning to his attractive features, "I just want you to hand this to Taehyung the next time you see him. That's all."

Her eyes narrowed at his request, eyeing the note for a second before accepting it and shoving it into her bag.

"You're free to go."

After hesitating for a moment, she eventually stood up. Bidding goodbye to the three agents and walked out.

A tired sigh left Seokjin's lips then when facing Namjoon. "I believe her, she doesn't know. None of them is the type to drag an innocent person into it by letting them know too much."

Namjoon hummed. He might've been eyeing the position for department manager of special victims, but after spending years chasing after those thieves alongside Seokjin and Jungkook's predecessor, Hoseok, it had become a personal matter in some sense. 

"Perhaps, but he already got her more involved than he should have."

"Mh, let's hope we'll be the only ones she'll meet from this part of his life."

"Aish," Jungkook exclaimed then when abruptly snapping the file shut, catching their attention, "But we know she must've been involved more, don't we? Even if we can't proof anything besides that she knows Taehyung."

"Yah, Jungkookie, don't be mad." Seokjin nudged his younger colleague who was pulling a harried face. "Just keep an eye on her from now on. Okay?"

To this, Jungkook's face instantly found its colour back. Giving his supervisor a confident nod. "Will do."

»»»

Cassandra wasn't naive, she always knew there was a risk when being around people like Taehyung. Even if he tried his best to shield her from his world, she knew something like that interrogation would inevitably happen sooner or later. Still, she wanted to believe she'd managed going through with it quite gracefully. As gracefully as she was able to for an unexperienced person.

Leaving the airconditioned interpol offices and entering the afternoon heat, she made her way towards the bus stop. Ensuring to walk down the street as casual and nonchalant as possible, while occasionally looking behing her in case someone was following. She couldn't let her guard down just because she left.

The bus ride didn't last long before she got off and took a look around again. The streets were empty except for two teenagers sitting at a kerbside outside of a convenience store. The sun standing high, the concrete burning. When deaming the coast clear, she walked straight to the car with the tinted windows parked away under an oak three. Sliding into the passenger's seat, she dragged out a breath when feeling the soothing coolness inside. A smirk spreading onto her lips then at the sight of the mop of honey-coloured waves beside her.

"This long hair suits you." Her delicate fingers lightly tugged at the strands at the back of his neck then and leaned in, pecking Taehyung's cheek. She'd only seen him with blond hair once, years back, but it was a different shade back then - cool ash-blond, if she remembered correctly. Quite different from the warm brown-blond that adored his head now. "Makes you look quite dangerous and wild."

His lips parted with an amused scoff. "Am I not dangerous and wild enough for being a criminal?" And the way his almond eyes went round made her stifle a laugh.

"Mh, maybe a little," she smiled and planted another peck on his cheek before sitting back. Recalling the piece of paper Seokjin gave her then, he observed her rummaging it out of her handbag.

"What's this?" Arching a brow when she held it out for him, he took it from her grip and began reading it carefully. His fingers unintentionally crumbling its edges. He didn't even notice how his jaw briefly clenched, before loosening again as he mused over the handwriting with a hum.

It was a riddle clearly meant for Jimin.

With a sigh, he folded the note and stoved it into his pocket. He sat there in silence then, causing Cassandra to wonder why he wouldn't drive off. She could tell by the way his bottom lip was slightly pulled out and his brows set in a mild frown that something was occupying his mind. And she was about to inquire when his lips eventually parted.

"Cas, what are we doing?"

His voice was unusually hoarse. His throat felt dry. 

"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

Heaving a sigh, he locked gazes with her. "You just came back from an interpol interrogation. Because of me," he began, shaking his head. And she started to understand what he meant. "Tae-" 

"I should've known you'd get on their radar sooner or later," he interrupted her, his palm hitting the steering wheel in sudden frustration, "I should've known.. No matter how hard I try to keep you away from it all, it'd never be enough." 

The last sentence breaking by his cracking voice and Cassandra couldn't help but swallow. She hated how he blamed himself. Always blaming himself. She touched the heart-shaped pendant around her neck, a habit she'd picked up over the months, before her hand embraced his. And she intervined their fingers, squeezing it.

"I'm not naive," she quietly began, her voice gaining confidence then,"I knew what I was getting myself into when letting you into my life. And I don't regret it."

The ghost of a smile crossed his lips when he glanced at her fierce eyes, only to shake his head. "Not yet," he breathed then with a sad smile.

However, Cassandra only scoffed. "Why would I? And as long as I don't do anything illegal myself, they can't do anything anyway. Because as far as I know, it's not against the law to be in love with a thief."

The corner of his lip twisted into a cheeky smirk. "In love, huh?"

Her eyes widened for a moment before laughing. "Don't act like you didn't know."

"I just like hearing you say it." His fingers squeezed her hand back and he placed them both in his lap. Looking at them quietly while deliberating before speaking up again. "But you forget you helped us. Helping a criminal is against the law just as much as breaking it yourself is."

Cassandra contemplated his words. It was true, she hadn't thought about her assistance in some cases. And Jungkook had implied something like that. She sat up straighter. "But if they could prove that, they'd have said or done something by now, right? And if it comes to the worst, I could still say you coerced me and I didn't have a choice. They can't prove me otherwise." 

She was grinning smugly and Taehyung laughed under his breath, stunned by her unshakable and almost cocky faith and confidence. It seemed like her guilty plessure of being a fan of the crime genre was paying off, she'd picked up a thing or two. Still, he wasn't convinced it was indeed so easily. He decided to know better and not argue with her about it though. At least not now.

"You know I love you, Cas. That's why I'm worried and regretting getting you in this situation."

"I know," she eventually sighed, "But you need to accept that it was also my decision. You didn't force me to be with you. I'm here because I want to."

"And I don't get why, " he mumbled. Brown irises wandering out at the sunlit buildings. He knew he didn't deserve someone like Cassandra in any way, she was way too good for his sorry self. And he knew bubbles were meant to burst sooner or later.

An annoyed groan left her lips and she frowned at him. "I told you to stop that. I'm not a saint. And you're not a demon."

He smiled. "You're an angel to me, though."

She huffed and looked away, masking her blushing cheeks. "S-still," she mumbled bashfully.

"But even if my profession wasn't the problem, I'm not a great boyfriend anyway.."

At this she shot him a puzzled glare. "How so?"

"I mean.." he swallowed. "I'm never there when you need me, am I? I'm all around the globe. You could've someone better, someone who can always be there for you. You'd deserve that."

He felt her fingers clutching more around his hand, nails digging harshly into his skin before unclenching. "You are there for me though, despite travelling the word you're always there for me." Her hand let go and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "And I don't want anyone else but you. So why do you make everything we have sound bad and meaningless now?" 

Her sudden change of tone startled him and he looked at her with wide eyes. "Cas-"

"No, I won't just sit here and let you talk about yourself or our relationship like this." She was clearly upset now. "It hurts me hearing you say all this, don't you get it? It sounds like you're questioning my judgement. Like I was a naive kid."

"You're the smartest person I know, you know that," he said calmly, "I just fear.. your love for me might blind you."

She pressed her jaw together. Cassandra was too agitated to even form any more coherent sentences in her mind. Seconds passed before she calmed herself enough not to snap at him. "Look," she began slowly, "If you're willing to just throw everything between us away because of a simple questioning - then fine. Go ahead. But stop saying you'd be doing it for my sake. I can make my own decisions."

Silence settled between them once again. Taehyung was unsure what to counter to her words.

Part of him, the rational one, warned him not to become the one blinded by love and reminded him that he was just endangering her. That interpol might not be a threat right now, but they could turn into one later, along with other things. The part which always kept telling him that a criminal and a doctor could simply never work out on the long run, got louder. They were both just deluding themselves.

However, the other part in him, the selfish part, agreed with her. Of course he'd never want to lose her. He was too madly in love with her to imagine a life without her. And he knew if Seokjin had anything against her, they wouldn't have waited for so long and already arrested her. No, they didn't need to be concerned about interpol. For now at least. Maybe she was right, maybe he was just looking for excuses because he was scared. Even though, if he was scared, it was for her.

He knew, though, that she was stubborn. More than anything else. No one could force her into doing something she didn't want to. She always stood her ground, which was one of the things he loved about her. She'd always call him out, whether it was him being a coward or him patronising her.

"You're right," he eventually said then and leaned towards her. Gently capturing her chin between his thumb and index finger, urging her to look at him. "You're more than capable of making decisions yourself. And I trust your decisions, I always do. So if.. if you're certain -"

"I am," she said. And Taehyung nodded when seeing the determination and certainty in her lovely brown eyes. 

He wanted to believe her. He needed to believe her. He wasn't ready yet. His selfish side wasn't ready to give up on her or their relationship. She was the only good thing in his life besides his friends and he wanted to cling to her as much as he could.

"If you are, then so am I."

»»»

next chapter: 1.2 here

Don't forget to like, comment & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

taglist: @lilanyxta @naoolammao345 @memna234 @tetehion @myblacklilame

[matrixxsystem]

Terrapin Soup Part 4 (1/3)

After a bit more time at the park Usagi packed his things and took Leos hand as he led him towards his house, "Y'know. I'd been thinking, about out chat the other night." He started as Leo used his free hand to text his brothers that he'd be out late again tonight. To no ones surprise. "Oh? Which part were you thinking about." "Us being boyfriends. Of course, I know you'd meant it more in a.. Pretend situation." "Right.. I mean, it'd be a little weird to date someone you just met that day. I mean we'd been talking for a while but I couldn't just ask you something like that forward as soon as we met and-" "You're rambling." "Hm? O-Oh.. Sorry I uh.." "It's alright, I find it kind of.. Endearing."

"Is.. That a good thing?" Usagi chuckled giving his hand a little squeeze, "Yes Leo, it's a good thing. Endearing means to inspire affection. I like listening to you. Which brings me back to what I was saying. If you'd like, I think it would be beneficial for us to date. But as an honest couple rather then a mask to deter suspicion." "Beneficial..?" He asked, raising a brow and hoping his face markings would be enough to hide any blushing. "Yes. On each of our ends we'd be supplied with plenty of alibis, someone to collaborate with, and a real relationship with someone who shares many of the same preferences. Seems like a fair deal, seeing as neither of us mentioned having feelings for someone else prior to this agreement. And seeing how your family already has a good impression of me it'd be easier for us to stick with each other for a while instead of trying to find someone else, and slowly trying to ease them into these kind of.. Dietary preferences. And... You aren't exactly awful to look at so, that would be a plus as well.." Leo laughed a bit hearing the last bit, his eyes scanned over Usagi, having already called him hot it wasn't a lie to say something similar.. And they already had quite a bit in common. Who else would like him as he was? Who else would treat him as kindly as Usagi had? Probably no one.. "Well you make a solid argument, but I would've said yes if you asked me out normally too y'know~"

"Well, far from normal seems to be our thing. Why bother with it?" "I love how you think.."

-_-_-_-

Once the brothers set foot on the other side of the portal they headed off to do their own thing, doing their daily training exercises then right to goofing off as usual till later that day when Leo finally texted letting them know he wouldn't be home till later that night. [R (Raph) D (Donnie) M (Mikey) for texting]

R; 'Hey what are you all up too'

M; 'I'm writing down the pizza puff recipe for the next time we see Leos boyfriend'

D; 'At the moment I'm doing some upgrades, why do you need something?'

R; 'I mean, it's not like important or anything. I just. So what did you think of Usagi?' D; 'You wanna gossip about Leos boyfriend? I mean hey I'm all for it I love drama but it's kinda random' 

M; 'Yeah I thought he was great! Oh! And he's soooo fluffy too! Did anyone else get to touch his fur I'm so jealous we aren't mammals :C'

R; 'I don't wanna gossip! I was just wondering.. If anyone else got like... A weird feeling' D; 'I mean he didn't like. Impress me, but he was better then most guys Leo's been fanning over lately, and he's real so I can't ask for much else. And he did bring us food, that was an unnecessary kindness. Why? Did you get a weird vibe?' R; 'I dunno.. I mean not really I just.. Raph's brain is thinking a lot right now.' M; 'Well tell Raph that Dr. Feelings says it's okay to be conflicted, just don't overthink it okay? He's our brother so it's normal to feel a little uneasy about him going off with someone else, but you can't let that feeling interfere with something that makes him happy if there's no tangible sign of danger' R; 'I guess you're right.. It's just weird. He's not here that often anymore and I mean he's here for missions and stuff but don't you guys miss him?' D; 'I don't usually interject when emotions are involved but I think I have something to contribute, this once.'

D; 'When we were younger me and Leo made a promise, an oath if you would. To always be there for each other, no matter how mad we were or how far away, we'd always be brothers and always have each others shells. Even to this day that idiot still stands behind me when we get attacked as if its second nature to cover me even I wear my battle shell. Despite his absence from recent activities, I don't feel like he's MIA in our lives, because I know that if I need him he'll be there, in the most flashy and annoying way mind you, but still.'

M; 'Awww Dee :'3c ' R; 'That was.. Surprisingly heartfelt. Thanks Dee.' D; 'Mhmm are we done here I need to keep this core stabilized or it could blow up so Imma brb'  R; 'I'm sorry what-?' -_-_-_-

Usagi led Leo into his house, not far from the garden they'd had lunch in. It looked surprisingly normal, its was a mix of a modern New York style house and a Japanese apartment. Leo smiled a little as he was led in, he wasn't sure why but his mind had made up this dark and ominous house he thought Usagi would've lived in that sort of unnerved him, but this of course was the much more realistic place. "Please make yourself comfortable, my teacher is the houses owner but he is not here often, and will not mind if I have guests. He is a tall lion yokai, which may look a bit intimidating but he's harmless." Leo nodded, glancing towards the kitchen as he listened. "You can look around if you'd like?" "Hm? O-Oh, no it's alright. I was just.. Curious." Usagi chuckled and took Leos hand again leading him into the kitchen, it was surprisingly clean- Well.. Usagi did say he liked to be organized. He mentally cursed himself out for thinking such harsh things about Usagi and what kind of things he might do in his own time. "I like that you're curious." He said with a little smile, letting go of his hand to show him around, "It's no fun to sit in silence. Ask anything you want, and I will answer." "..You will, no matter what it is hm?" "Correct, as long as I'm comfortable doing so of course." Leo nodded, leaning against the island counter in the kitchen, "Do you cook regular stuff and.. Other stuff, in a separate place?" Usagi went to the other side of the counter  leaning forward, "That would waste time, I do all food prep here. And in the basement where we have a bigger freezer, but it's also very well kept down there." "Oh? What kind of prep do you need to do there?" Part 4.2 Part 1

TS Master Post

[webbedphantom]

Well... can't say he was surprised by that response.

🕷️📲 Probably Not

🕷️📲 I'll get Futaba and Yuuki on it tomorrow

He wanted to send something more positive, a "We'll find him" or something, but... well, he knew better than that. Akechi was smart, he'd know better than to return to his home, or to be seen in public at all. A task made all the easier by his costume, which could change into whatever outfit he wanted.

He'd held out hope that they could find some trace of him since it was so recent, but if they both came up empty handed, it was unlikely they'd find him until he was ready to strike again.

🕷️📲 We should both get some rest

🕷️📲 Good night, Koto

He set his phone on the windowsill by his bed, and turned over. He knew he should probably change out of his uniform, but after the night he'd had, he didn't really have the energy for that.

So he just slipped under the covers, and did his best to get some sleep. ________________________________

Though it was not a peaceful one.

His mind kept going back to that moment, when Akechi had grabbed Makoto from the school. She'd looked so terrified, and he could do nothing to save her. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how fast he went, his rival always stayed ahead of him.

And then it'd jump ahead to the moment Akechi had injected her with the serum, watching the color drain from her face as she fell to floor.

She could've died. She nearly did.

And again, he was powerless to save her.

His mind replayed the scene over and over, the details eventually changing into everything he had feared in that moment, first she never stood back up, then instead of injecting the serum, Akechi just slit her throat. Each sequence afterwards got more and more gruesome, as his mind thought over all the ways he could've killed her.

Again

And again

And again

All while he just laughed. That sadistic, demented laugh.

"You could've saved her-" he taunted. "-if only you weren't so slow. So weak. So pathetic."

He fell to his knees, the scenes of death still playing out around him, over and over again.

"Some hero. You can't save her. You can't save anyone."

Her screams rang out in his ears, almost deafening... yet he still heard her killer as clear as day.

"YOU LET THIS HAPPEN!! DO YOU HEAR ME, AARON!?"

He clutched his head.

"Stop... please-" He spoke, but his voice was drowned out by the chaos around him.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!! ____________________________

"STOP!!"

He awoke with a start, jolting upright and panting heavily. His heart was still racing in his chest.

It was all a dream... just a dream...

Yet, he couldn't shake it from his mind. The things he saw.

Are you alright? His Persona asked from his mind. Given their bond, and the fact that he could literally read his mind, Arséne was well aware of the dream and what it contained. Do you want to talk about it?

He'd say he was fine, try to brush off his concerns as he would in most cases. But that wouldn't work on Arsene, not when he could easily peer a little deeper and learn the truth.

"... No."

... to which question are you referring to?

"Both."

He got out of bed, his hands shaking slightly as he pulled the covers off himself.

It's not good to push these things down, Aaron.

"Yeah, well you're not exactly a therapist. I'll- I'll be fine..."

... I don't think-

"I'll be fine." He insisted.

Arsene didn't push any further. _______________________________

After he'd gotten dressed and had breakfast (and explained to a very worried Sojiro that he was okay, and had just had a nightmare), he went back upstairs as, just as they'd suspected, classes were cancelled today due to the damage to the school.

He sent a couple texts, first a simple "Good morning" text to Makoto, and then a few to Futaba and Yuuki Mishima explaining the situation and asking them to send him any leads they could find on Akechi.

Then he just... paced around his bedroom for a bit, trying to think. What could he have done differently? How could he prevent something like this from happening again?

And while he didn't come up with much in the way of prevention... he did find a different solution-

Akechi could fly, that's why he'd been able to stay ahead of him. And while Aaron couldn't fly, nor did he have any means of creating something to let him fly (as cool as that would be), he could build something that let him glide.

After all, there were wingsuits already out on the market for that exact purpose. He just needed a way to integrate one into his costume.

And with that, he got to work, sitting at his desk to draw up some plans, and checking local stores on his phone for the materials he needed.

'I won't fail her again.' he thought to himself. 'I can't.'

Makoto glanced at her phone as the screen lit up with Aaron's texts. She was so exhausted and frustrated that she thought about just ignoring the texts and throwing her phone at the wall. But she knew damn well Sae would have a fit if there were any dents in the walls of her apartment. It wasn't worth the accompanying argument.

Instead, she tapped out a half-hearted reply:

🐼📲 Nothing

🐼📲 Not even in the news.

🐼📲 I'm going to try again tomorrow after classes.

🐼📲 I guess we won't have classes tomorrow considering the damage to the school...

She set her phone back on its charger and stared up at her bedroom ceiling. She felt empty inside. She badly wanted to prove herself. Her father had died in the line of action and her sister now used her position as prosecutor to bring criminals to justice. Makoto knew she could do that too and now she had the power to do it.

She continued to stare up at the ceiling well into the early morning.

[tk-productions]

Mystic Sisters- Ch.18 On the Run

Materlist🌙🌹

Hikari's Pov

I sat next to Yua on the train headed towards Yokohama. We left the church early this morning. Neither one of us knew where we were going. We decided to go somewhere so we can figure out what to do. We just had to be away from our parents. That night after everything that happened Yua still tried to reason with Dad.

"Dad" Yua pleaded, grabbing his shirt sleeve. "I just want you to listen to me for once. There's weird things happening to Hikari and I-."

'Go to bed. I'm too tired to deal with this." He deadpanned, snatching his shirt from Yua's grip. There was no emotion on his face and no sincerity in his voice.  I watched him walk past her up to his bedroom.

"Too tired to care about your kids huh? It's like you don't want us here." Yua whispered.

"It'd be easier wouldn't it?" He snapped from the top of the stairs. Maybe things would be easier if we didn't adopt you two. You were suspicious about living her since day one. If it wasn't for you mom I would have given you back."

I shook Yua, waking her up from her slumber. She opened her eyes and yawned. The train stopped and we quickly got off the train. We found a small hotel nearby that was next to a convenience store. We stopped there first to stock up on food and water. Getting back to our room I plopped down on the bed. I took my phone out and stared at the wallpaper. There were no new messages or missed

"No calls or texts?" Yua asked, laying down next to me. I shook my head tossing my phone beside me.

"We left yesterday and our so-called parents don't even care. I would say I'm shocked but I'm really not."

Yua and I ate breakfast that consisted of juice and pancakes. After we ate I took a shower. I took off my jacket and shivered because of how cold the room was. I pulled off my beanie and tossed it in the pile of my clothes on the bathroom floor. Something about it felt off. I quickly turned back and picked the beanie up. This wasn't mine. It was Akio's. I guess when I was packing I grabbed his hat and not mine. I shook my head, placing Akio's beanie on the bathroom counter. Yua isnt gonna let me hear the end of this is she?  When I came out of the shower Yua was under the blankets snoring loudly. There was a chair by the window so I decided to sit there and read for awhile. Well attempt to read over my sister's snoring. The sky was gray and cloudy. It looked like it could rain or maybe even snow. A few minutes later it started to rain. I watched the rain fall down and leave droplets on the window. I ran my fingers over the cold glass turning the water into frozen ice. Placing my palm on the window it started to heat up and immediately melt. The window turned hot making me move my hand back. What don't tell me I have fire powers now? The room was cold so I grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped myself in it. Before I knew it I had fallen asleep.

Yua's pov

I sat at the edge of the lake watching the ducks take a late night swim. The moonlight beamed down on the water beautifully.

"Yua you're gonna freeze" Haru said from behind me, making me jump. He wrapped his jacket around me and sat beside me. He was still dressed in his training gear meaning he must have just gotten back.

"What are you doing out here anyways? It's late."

"Feeding the ducks."  I told him handing him the bag of bread crumbs. He tossed a hand full and the ducks gathered around. It was silent between us but it was a comfortable silence. The only sound came from the ducks happily eating.

"Still thinking about what your mom said?" Haru finally said. I nodded bringing my knees to my chest.

"It's a lot of responsibility. Taking care of my sister and one day taking over the kingdom. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet.

"Well I know once you fully turn you'll be ready. I can already see it when we train?

"Yeah?" I questioned turning to look at him. He nodded. "Your parent's see it too. You've already learned so much. Don't stress about it. When it's time you'll do fine. Plus you have Hikari and I." He smiled.

"Yeah but you're the only one that Will remember any of this" I laughed. "Even when I do see you again I won't know who you are."

"You'll remember one day too. Once you get your memories back you'll remember everything. Including this moment now.  that part was true. One day we'll all be able to come back to the castle. There won't be people coming after Hikari and I. Well if they do we'll be ready for them.

I woke up to the sound of rain hitting the window. It was pouring rain. Checking the time on my phone it was 4:52pm. I closed my eyes trying to process the dream I just had.

"Hikari?" I called out. She didn't respond so I sat up and noticed she wasn't in bed with me. I saw her sleep in the chair with the blanket falling off. I picked the blanket off the floor and wrapped her in it. She stirred a little in her sleep mumbling something.

"Hm?" I asked.

"Akio..." she mumbled again.

"So first you steal his hat and now you're having dreams about him" I smirked.

I laid back in the bed starving up at the ceiling. This dream was just like the last one. This time everything was more clear. Maybe what I was seeing was a memory. Everything about it seemed real. Plus Haru and I talked about me not being able to remember. What wouldn't I remember? That night? Or was there more? The last time I tried to talk to Haru about it he got defensive. Maybe that's why. He mentioned that I would start to remember. Did he not want me to? I knew then but now I know he's not telling me something. It would make sense with the way he's been acting lately.

"I knew he was lying."

"Who?" Hikari asked. I opened my eyes and she was standing over me. I grabbed the pillow next to me hitting her in the head with it.

"Why are you watching me sleep?"

"Why'd you hit me?" She pouted.

"Why are you having dreams about Akio?" I shot back.

"What?"

I cocked my head to the side grinning at her, she rolled her eyes and picked up the pillow hitting me with it. After hitting me she sat down across from me. I sat up while Hikari stared at me.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"I'm hungry" I signed, grabbing my phone. "You're always hungry

"Sushi"? She nodded smiling happily.

Riyoshi Pov

"Where the hell are they?!" Haru growled giving Akio and I a death glare. He tried his best to be intimidating but he wasn't. Honestly I don't know what Yua sees in this guy.

"We told you we don't have them.'' I said, stepping closer.

"I don't believe you. Now tell me or get your ass beat."

I chuckled and looked back at Akio. "Do you hear this guy."

"Yea he's pretty delusional and persistent." The younger one said in an annoyed tone.

"Aye! I'm right here and I can hear you." Haru walked up to me grabbing my collar. "Tell me where they are." he demanded.

"So you're like the bodyguard? You suck man, Like legit who trained you?"

I must have pissed him off as his face scrunched up and he launched me as far as he could but his throw had no aggression whatsoever. I landed on my two feet easily. "Now you pissed me off."

"Yo Riyoshi we are really wasting our time on this dude. I kicked his ass like a week and a half ago so imagine what you could do."

I sighed in irritation. "Don't ruin this man I need to let off a little steam anyway." Akio put his hands up and backed up as if I needed more space.

"Ahh lil tough guy huh. Your mommy teach you that?" Haru taunted.

"What are you 11." I said as I pulled at least 5 daggers out of my weapons belt "Any Last words buddy?"

"Yea. I'm not your buddy" Haru spat.

"That attitude makes me wanna shoot you instead but I have no wooden bullets for you today."I sucked my teeth mad at myself. "Too bad you'll die slower I guess." I shrugged then launched all 5 daggers at him.  He dodged a couple of them but since I'm savage I threw a few extra that he didn't see. Hitting him in both legs,his Right ankle, his chest and face.

These hits weren't fatal but he won't realize that till later. I ran up and kicked the dagged further into his chest and watched him fall to the ground groaning in pain and eventually passing out. "Damn that was quick"

"He might get back up, he had more fight in him when I was up against him."

"You didn't launch 5 daggers into his pressure points though. And the one in his face will definitely leave a scar.

"Did that one for fun."

"You really scare me sometimes man." Akio said with a straight face "he's not dead tho. I thought you were gonna kill him."

"Nah I really wanna shoot him so he'll have to wait till I finish carving bullets for that."

"Why do you wanna use weapons so bad?"

"Because I cant use them on Levi and I really wanna shoot him."

"Makes sense." Akio nodded in understanding and turned his attention to the knocked out vampire.

"That is just sad. Imagine being that weak Amelia would have our head for a failure this bad."

"You're thinking about Amelia, I'm thinking about our big boss, imagine that."

"You're right. That's worse."

"Let's go find those girls. It's about time we get your favorite hat back." I told him in a stern voice.

"Why is your anger suddenly directed at me?"

"No reason. But if you fuck this up just remember." I motioned my arms as if they were around his neck. "Remember this?"

Akio gulped "That's not right."

I tapped him on his shoulder. "You make the final decision so don't be scared yet." before walking away like I didn't just threaten to put him in a death hold while he stared at me in disbelief.

[myvelouri]

Have I really changed that much? I thought I did, physically, but just thought it was noticeable only to me because it was all subtle.

All I can think of his how positive everyone treated me back then versus how terrible I'm being treated now, including some of the people who treated me well back then who treat me extremely poorly now.

I just remember my family, cousins, would reply to my selfies on my story and be like "hey stunner." I remember my cousin, she'd do that, she stopped caring about me or talking to me... Idk why... We were close and suddenly I'm just crap. The other cousin, she'd be like "yeah he was handsome before, but NOW look at him" and I felt sort of surprised but elated that I looked good to everyone.

One thing that breaks my heart is that friend I had, she was so, she liked me a whole lot. She'd message me randomly saying she thought she ran into me but it turned out to be someone else. Ya, she thought it was me and surprise-hugged the dude. That's how much she liked me that she's hug me. I used to text her a lot. She used to send me heart eye emojis on my Snapchat stories, my selfies. She used to give heart emojis. She thought I was hot af. I remember a post in a suit for a wedding and she just said "omg kill me, end my life" haha. I remember she'd be like "omg selfie of the year keep this one" to other ones. I remember texting her and I'd tell her I've got to go to work and she'd be like awww okay. I remember some funny crazy huge coincidence type shit happening and we'd flip out! We were friends man. I loved her. She was hilarious. Yeah well, suddenly she became extremely mean and she out of nowhere responded to me in a very crude and degrading way with f bombs and all. I haven't talked to her since then. It was weird. Like a different person. She's a total bitch. And I'm thinking she was only ever nice to me because she thought I was hot, and now that I'm apparently not, she treats me like subhuman crap. I guess.

I feel so much suffering from my bad health, bad luck and the scars I've mentioned, the situations I've mentioned. It's all serious. But this relationship and friendships issue is killing my mental health too. When did I become so ugly all of a sudden. I've been rejected by 900 girls, that doesn't happen if you're cute. You'd get a few girls. But I get 0. It shows that I'm not cute anymore. I feel conflicted. All that is putting me into a deep suicidal depression because of itself and all the extremely bad luck, bad health, freak accident-level type bullshit I'm going through. Nothing is normal. I have no one. No one talks to me. Like, not for real. I'm left ghosted. Girls leave me immediately. They only pity-add me on social media.

What is it about me physically now that makes me so atrocious that I didn't have just 3 years ago when so many girls hit on me. I remember working and all the girls wanted me. Some were open about it. I remember one, she was like, "look at his face, look at that beautiful face" and she'd say my GF was lucky. She'd be sweet to me. Cause I was pretty. Uh. Other girls would ask me if I had a brother because they wanted me but knew I had a GF and they couldn't. Customers would glare at me and girls would just say shit. Like, "mmm I like your beard" "it's so dark" and straight up tell me I'm hot.

There was such a big contrast from then to now. Like, how could I be hit on so much every where I went, and then suddenly in 3 years become so insanely ugly and atrocious that every single girl rejects me? Wtf?

I liked it better back then because I didn't have a lot of the health problems I have now. All I had back then was my irritation at my dick not fully getting hard, my issue with it's size, and the very real but bizarre condition in which sex and masturbation would cause break outs that in turn would leave permanent scars on my face. Hard to deal with, really hard, mentally, especially when you're just a 18 year old. But yeah. I mean I ain't counting my face being damaged via my condition, that's real too but, yeah. And I'm not counting my loose skin from fat loss, as well as not counting my depression. I was better off back then by a long shot. I've become awful now.

I wasn't really suicidal back then. But I am now. Hell I was even better at guitar back then but I can't muster up the will to play now and I'm losing my skill... But..

I'm so very unhappy. If maybe people still treated me kindly, lovingly, acceptingly, and thought I was cute as well as funny... Then it'd be much easier. I was funny too, I was fighting my depression. It was better back then.

Um

Wow yeah I can't believe I've got scars on my dick from a freak accident virus. Nor can I believe I've got hsv-1 out of nowhere. And I can't believe I keep getting sick over and over again. My chronic back pain is brutal too. My depression is worse. My life at home situation, financial situation is terrible too. All stability is gone.

I'm teetering

It's not looking good

I don't want this

Yo I'm still in shock that my dick is scarred, I'm shocked I got a virus there to begin with, and then shocked that a virus known to not scar ACTUALLY scarred my dick brutally. It makes me want to cry. I already did cry. But wow. This is all overkill. I'm cursed I swear.

I called out of work today. I'm still sick. I gave my shift to kassie. She's chill.

I um

I'm confused about what people see me as

I'm still acting like my goofy funny self. But

But no one is responding like they used to... I'm being rejected friendship as well as hookups. And I see my buddies getting hit on and laid constantly every week... So I'm the odd man out... I'm the ugly shit. And all the girls who rejected me. 900 isn't an exaggerating. That's literally how many girls rejected me in the past months. Hurt my ego. Whoever says I did it to myself is kind of ridiculous. I mean... You're not entirely wrong, but... Why the fuck would I stop hitting on girls if I haven't gotten one? Like, wtf, it's at 900 because I'm apparently UNLUCKY or ugly or BOTH. clearly it wouldn't be such a high number if I was actually cute and I'd be getting women like everyone else and therefore never bitching about being rejected. I'd not be saying my ego hurts and shit. What I'm saying is, is that it's not my fucking fault I got rejected that many times... Most guys aren't rejected that many times. It's not me hurting my own self by getting rejected so much because I keep hitting on girls. Why aren't we focused on what is actually wrong with me that's causing me to be rejected so much, cause that's not exactly normal. Instead of telling me to "just stop hitting on girls." Um yeah. Ok. And just be lonely while I watch all my friends fucking and getting into relationships and shit everyday as if I don't want the same things, and so you just want me to stop? It's annoying cause I actually did stop for a long time, half a year or more. But yeah. I don't know what is wrong.

[alexkingx]

This encounter, standing face to - er back he supposed as Steven had his back to him while staring out at the sea, had to have been one of the hardest things that Alexander had ever done in his life. These two had been through so much together, they were always at each others sides through thick and thin, and hell they were set to be married - to spend the rest of their lives alongside one another, or at least that had been the plan before Alexander had completely derailed it. He had never even given Steven a reason either, instead just dropping from the face of the earth as though their time together had meant nothing to him. That was the last thing he had wanted, but he had to, once Steven knew the reason it'd become more clear (not that it would make him any less aggravated or heartbroken). Alexander wasn't even sure if he was ever going to tell him the actual reason either, perhaps it was just easier for him to have Steven thinking he did it as nothing more than to make him look like a fool. He hated him already, did it honestly matter the motive behind what he'd done?

Both men were so prideful that it was hard to even talk between the both of them. Alexander was standing there remembering what his brother had text him the night before - that maybe he should have listened and just disappeared for a while. Steven would have ultimately gotten bored not having Alexander around to pester, and then when he left the island Alexander could return as though nothing had happened. That wasn't who he was though, Alexander didn't run when things got hard - well aside from running away from the biggest moment of his life, but that wasn't his usual motivation. He couldn't help it as he made the biting remarks, trying to avoid the topic of the two of them by instead throwing out their families names, though it was obvious that Steven wasn't going to fall for that bait. Of course not, he knew his reasons behind coming to the island and there wasn't going to be any chance in Alexander messing any of those reasons up. Hearing that damn nickname though, fuck he had loved it all those years ago, but the venom behind it now, how laced with hatred it had been - Alexander just stood there for honestly there was nothing else that he could do in the moment. Steven had him dead to rights, and Alexander wasn't stupid in the least - he knew the reason why he was there, or at least knew that it had something to do with him specifically.

He never once took his eyes off the other, well except for the moments when Steven walked behind him while circling, though soon the two were face to face and Alexander just remained as stoic as he possibly could, not eliciting any emotion knowing that Steven could read him like a damn book. To have him so close to him again, something that hadn't happened for so long, Alexander couldn't even begin to express what was going through his mind. All sorts of emotions, feelings that he had suppressed, the anger and the void that he'd been left with after their day to be married. EVERYTHING came flooding in and Alexander had all he could do to not let the other see it in his eyes. "You've wanted nothing from me in the last five years," he shook his head still unable to break the eye contact, so lost like he'd been in a damn trance having the other standing before him like that, "why all of a sudden now? It's personal, I get it, by why now?" What the hell had given Steven the green light to come to the island, to threaten everything that Alexander had built up since he left him. "What do you want from me, Steven?" He had most all that he could ever need from Alexander, he still captivated most of his thoughts, kept him awake on nights when Patrick wasn't there to silence his memories, invading his mind each and every time he felt true happiness - reminding him that it could all be taken away with so much as a single flip of a switch, a damn blink of an eye. He had been the best thing that'd ever happened to him, and now he was a nightmare that Alexander couldn't move past.

That familiar voice. It surely left a sour taste on the back of his throat as he heard his name being spoken by those particular lips. There had been a time when hearing his name come from Alexander’s lips had been nothing but bliss – but now… that little shit was not even worthy of speaking his name without Steven wanting to pounce on him and punch his face until he completely re-arranged the other’s bone structure. But physical conflicts were methods of barbarians. He had years to move past the urge to bash Alexander’s head against sharp corners, moving past the need to let out his frustrations in a more violent degree. But he was a Blackwell. They didn’t resort to violence to get shit done. They were prone to underhanded tactics that would always hit below the belt. And the fact that he and Alexander had been together for so long and knew each other like the back of their own hands made it so much easier to pinpoint one’s weaknesses and exploit them without remorse. With his hands on his pockets, Steven made no attempt to reach out or even move closer to the man who had broken his heart. He merely allowed Alex to walk past him and guide him to the outside of the cave – giving him a quick second to glance toward a memento of their past together. It was such a bittersweet memory. They were so happy back then. Even when they started dating – no matter how many times they would clash regarding how to get things done – they would always find a middle ground that would make them both happy. Alex challenged him and he challenged the King in return. Never a dull moment in their lives. They had been so incredibly happy and then all of that was taken away like nothing. All those happy memories and dreams just… gone. As he stepped outside, Steven made sure to keep his back turned to Alex as he glanced toward the sea. He could hear the question – What he was doing there. The pointless taunt regarding their family feud almost made him laugh ( for the King's empire was built on something that didn’t belong to them in the first place ) and neither of those things actually made Steven want to say a word. It was far more entertaining to remain silent and watch Alex sweat, wondering why the actual fuck he was there. It was only when he mentioned that he wanted to be kept out of whatever Steven had in mind that the Blackwell reacted. His head turned over to look over his shoulder – his lips curling into a rather mocking snarl. “Keep you out of it? I’m afraid that’s not possible – Lex.” If they were both predators, they would be staring right into the other’s eyes – seeking a moment of weakness to go for the jugular. “I thought you were smarter. Why do you really think I am here, huh?” Walking in circles around the other man, Steven inhaled sharply until he finally came to a halt, face-to-face with the man who had destroyed his life all those years ago. Why was he there, really? What purpose could have brought him there? Maybe to know why. Maybe to find some closure in order to move on with his life. Maybe revenge or maybe to see if there was still something there. Not even Steven could answer that question but it was funny as fuck to let Alex sweat it out.

“Why do YOU think I’m here, Lex? I can give you a hint… It’s not to congratulate you in bringing the Haus here.”