#pls can i go back to sleep please please please i only said nap jokingly please

[delusional-mishaps]

when i say i'm gonna take a nap at 8 pm, i actually mean im going to sleep through the night. my body seems to take it seriously, however, and will wake me up 3 hours later

[madmeridian]

hm, idk if this is exactly wild, but maybe an atla au?? for meronia??

ahahahahaha okay i was so fucking excited about this i accidentally wrote a 1,900ish word fic... oops. i hope you like it! i kinda just made it in the atla universe and not like a direct fusion bc i got this idea for it. also italics are flashbacks and non italics are present day! okay pls enjoy 

“Near? I’m heading out for work.” 

There was no response for a second and Mello nearly thought that Near wasn’t going to respond, but he rounded the corner just as Mello took a half-step out the door. The restless night had left Near exhausted and Mello hoped he’d at least go back to sleep after. 

“I’ll see you when you get home,” Near murmured, not quite looking at him. 

“Take it easy today.” Mello held his arms out, inviting, and Near stepped into them without hesitation. 

“I can’t,” Near said. Mello could practically hear the grimace in his voice. “I have orders to fill.” 

Near hadn’t been particularly interested in any of the work Ba Sing Se had to offer, considering most of it was either customer service or construction work. But people in the Middle Ring, as well as a few from the Upper Ring, had taken a liking to his craftwork, so he’d started his own little business. 

“At least get a nap in.” Mello kissed Near’s forehead. “Promise me.” 

“I’ll try,” was all Near offered before he walked away, leaving Mello in the doorway alone. 

The streets of the city were busy, as they usually were in the mornings, especially where they lived. Mello walked through them silently. The people who had come to know him greeted him cheerfully and asked after Near. 

When they’d first met him, Mello had been cold to them, suspicious. After all, he didn’t want them to know that there were two fugitives in their midst and he couldn’t give anything away. If they were found, they were dead. 

Though they were still on edge, Mello and Near had warmed up to the people, mainly after discovering they were mostly harmless. Not to mention, they hadn’t seen their own pictures in any of the wanted signs around Ba Sing Se. 

“Get some more sleep, you looked exhausted,” one of their neighbors called to him jokingly. Mello feigned a smile and nodded. Near had been struggling with nightmares since they’d arrived at Ba Sing Se and as long as he wasn’t sleeping, Mello wasn’t either. He couldn’t let him suffer alone, not when it was partially his fault. 

-----

Mello was certainly not a fan of the freezing temperatures, cold wind whipping against his face. Similarly, his fellow Fire Nation soldiers shivered and groaned, though all of them fell silent when their commander walked past. 

The Southern Water Tribe, diminished as it was, still had capable waterbenders, and it was their mission to capture or kill them. Mello had been on plenty of raids before, but never to either of the water tribes. He was interested to see how well they would fare against the Fire Nation. 

Judging by the mass scrambling that was going on when the ship came close enough to the Tribe, it didn’t seem like things were going to go all that well for them. 

Mello ignored the feeling of guilt that was creating a pit in his stomach. Part of him had always abhorred the raids, the pain they brought on others, but he was a soldier and pity had no place in him.

Screams began to rise up when the ship finally docked and a flood of soldiers descended on the Tribe. 

-----

Mello shook the memory away and focused on what he was doing. None of the retail jobs would hire him, apparently because he was too intimidating to work with anyone, so he’d settled for construction. Though, he would have to admit, there was something therapeutic about hammering a nail into place. 

“Hey, come eat lunch with us,” one of the other workers called to him. “It’s break time, man.” 

 Part of him wanted to tell them to fuck off and leave him alone. But, that wouldn’t bode well for his job, nor for blending in. Things weren’t the same in Ba Sing Se as he was used to. Adapting had taken some getting used to, but he’d gotten good at being less rude. 

“Sure thing,” Mello said, plastering on a fake, polite face. “Just give me a few minutes to finish this up.” 

The others nodded, smiling at him with approval. Whether or not they liked him wasn’t really a concern of his, but it was smart to stay on their good side. Blend in. 

The last thing he needed was to get on someone’s bad side and get ratted out because of it. 

-----

“Please,” the white-haired man had said, holding out his hands. “I’ll tell you where the waterbenders are if you let them go.” The children in the corner cowered away from Mello, from his flaming hand, and the other that held a sword. 

“If you’re lying, I’ll kill you,” Mello sneered. Still, he waved the kids out. They ran, crying and yelling. The pit in his stomach made itself known again. “So, where are they?” 

“I don’t know where the others are,” the man began, “but I’m one. I only didn’t tell you because I’d thought you’d kill them.” To prove his point, he directed an arc of water in the air. Mello grabbed his arm and dragged him out. 

“That’s all I need to know,” he said through gritted teeth, wishing that the man hadn’t just given himself up like that. He’d seen the prisons and knew what happened to waterbenders. The guy would be executed or kept in a cage. 

Either way, his end would be miserable. 

-----

“You’re home late,” Near noted. Mello grunted and flopped down in a kitchen chair. 

“I got kept up by my coworkers,” he said, watching as Near poured him a cup of tea. “They’re a talkative bunch and I’m trying not to be rude to them.” 

“You, trying not to be rude?” Near asked, raising an eyebrow. “Who are you and what have you done to my Mello?”

“Oh shut up,” Mello huffed. “I’d imagine if they liked me, they wouldn’t report me if they saw my face on a wanted poster.”

“That’s smart.” Near gave him the tiniest bit of a smirk. “And maybe if you’re less mean you’ll actually be able to get a job at a shop instead.”

“Please, as if you’d be able to. You’re just as bad as I am.” 

“Hardly. Now come on, you promised me a game of Pai Sho.” 

-----

“You’re telling me, out of all of you, only one waterbender was captured,” the commander shouted. “One! It’s pathetic. It’s a fucking disgrace. Keehl, you’re excused for now. Go guard your prisoner. The rest of you will stay here.” 

Mello was more than happy to escape the scene, the commander’s anger boiling in the air. It was all luck that he was the only one to have caught a waterbender. 

Said waterbender watched him with wide gray eyes as he approached the cell. He didn’t seem at all fazed by his capture, nor his captor standing in front of him. 

Mello turned his back once he got to the cell, standing there as he’d been taught, straight back and searching eyes. 

“My name is Near,” the prisoner spoke up. Some were more talkative and some didn’t try. Mello hated the talkative ones. He was always sad to see them go. “I think you should at least tell me yours.” 

“And why’s that?” Mello asked quietly. 

“So when I go to prison, I can tell everyone about the man who caught me, in case one of them escapes and finds you one day. So they can get revenge for me,” Near said dryly. 

“Very convincing.” Mello paused, before looking down at the man for a brief second. “It’s Mello.”

“Did you do that to yourself or was that someone else?” Near pointed to Mello’s scar. “It looks like it hurt a lot when it happened.”

“Someone else,” Mello said gruffly. “And yeah, it hurt.” 

“I appreciate you not doing it to me.” Near offered quietly, “you don’t seem very evil. I thought you’d be much harder to talk to.”

“Don’t get too comfortable.” 

-----

“I win, again,” Near said smugly. Mello crossed his arms, glowering. 

“I’m almost certain that the only reason you ask to play this is solely to piss me off.” 

“Then you’re wrong. I play with you because you’re the only one who gets close enough to beat me. Mind you, you have won a few times.” 

“Yeah, yeah. I know that. I fucking hate losing though and you know that,” Mello grumbled. Then he yawned, stretching. “I’m exhausted.” 

Near was quiet for a moment, looking at Mello blankly, then frowning. 

“You shouldn’t have stayed up with me last night. You need sleep.” 

“You need sleep too and you fall back asleep better when I’m up too,” Mello argued. “Not to mention, it’s my fault. I’m gonna keep staying up with you.” 

“You shouldn’t blame yourself,” Near shot back, crossing his arms. 

“Come on, let’s just get some sleep,” Mello said, getting up and heading to the bedroom.

-----

The commander had made a huge mistake. He’d constantly put Mello on guard duty for Near, since the rest of the soldiers were doing grunt work they normally wouldn’t as punishment. 

And Mello had gotten… attached. More so than he usually did with prisoners. 

So, on his next shift, he’d carefully snuck the keys to the cell away. When he got to the cell, he crouched down low. Near tipped his head in curiosity. He’d smiled a bit, but his face was much more thin and gaunt than it had been. 

It made Mello’s heart ache in a way he didn’t quite understand. 

“You don’t have family in your tribe, right?” Mello already knew the answer, from their talks, but had to make sure.

“I told you I was an orphan,” Near said, a little crease forming between his brows. “Why?” 

“How do you feel about Ba Sing Se?” Mello whispered, holding out the keys. Near leaned forwards, grabbing the bars. A twist of disbelief and relief made his eyes widen. 

“Can we get off safely?” Near asked, one hand trembling, reaching out. 

“We dock in an hour and I know every inch of this ship. They won’t know we’re gone until my shift is over. Three hours after we’ll leave here.” 

Four hours later, the alarm bells sounded on the ship for their escaped prisoner. Neither Mello or Near were there to hear it. They were on their way to Ba Sing Se.

To freedom. 

-----

Mello had never been Near’s night guard, but he’d never heard anything about him having nightmares from the man who was. He’s not sure the man would’ve been able to tell. Mello is a light sleeper, luckily, so when Near starts to gasp and whimper, he wakes immediately. 

It happens like clockwork. Near has a nightmare, Mello wakes up, then Near does too, and then they sit there. Mello just waits for Near to calm and talk to him. Near’s told him several times that’s all he needs to do, is just give him a minute, and Mello is glad to. 

Near’s nightmares vary. Sometimes it’s the raid, playing over again in his head, his people’s blood staining the snow of his home. Other times, it’s on the ship, and Mello dies. They aren’t free and Near is sent to his grave too. And sometimes it’s incomprehensible, just horrors over and over.

Mello waits for Near to talk, smoothing his unruly hair back and holding him close. 

“I’m sorry,” Near whispers. He always says that, and Mello always says the same thing back. 

“Nothing to be sorry about, Near.” 

Near is quiet for another moment, leaning against Mello’s side and blinking slowly in the moonlight. His eyes almost look silver and Mello has to sort of bite his tongue to compliment them because he’s not sure it’s the best time to flirt. 

“Thank you for staying up with me,” Near says slowly. “I know I said you shouldn’t but… it helps.” 

“It’s what I’m here for. We’re in this together, Near.” Mello kisses Near’s forehead and hugs him tight. 

Mello sees the tiny smile Near tries to hide and smiles too, genuine for what felt like the first time that day.

[jaeminlore]

Better Than Medicine // Na Jaemin

-

the prompt: Could I request something super fluffy and full of cuddles with NCT Dream Jaemin? Thank you!

words: 1097

category: fluff + kind of a best friend scenario?

author note: i have had this plot for jaemin in my head for months and now is the perfect time to bring it out. also i miss him so but he’s my lil honey bun and i hope he’s okay and healthy and living a unstressed life rn. ANYWAY hope this was up what you wanted! please enjoy!

- destinee

-

You took your books out of your locker and prepared to go home. Your day was pretty laggy, especially since your best friend and partner-in-crime, Na Jaemin, wasn’t present at school. You had collected his homework from the teachers and decided to give it to Jeno or Mark, who would without a doubt be going over to his house.

On your way out the building, you saw Jaemin’s regular crew and ran to them. You addressed Jeno first, “Why wasn’t Jaemin in school?”

Jeno frowned, “He’s at his house, sick in bed. His parents are on a business trip so Taeyong has been staying with him.”

“Really? He didn’t text me.” You pulled out your phone, only to see it on silent with fifteen missed texts from Jaemin.

Nana: Y/n~

Nana: I’m sick with a cold

Nana: Hyung said I had to stay home

Nana: pls bring me my homewook

Nana: homework*

Nana: and food pls

Nana: if i have to eat one more bowl of soup im going to cry

Nana: 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Nana: Y/n!!!!!!

Nana: pls answer me :(((

Nana: u always have ur phone on

Nana: r u ignoring me?

Nana: hyung is making me stop texting to get some sleep

Nana: pls come see me soon

Nana: i miss your face you dork

You smiled at the messages and tucked your phone away. “At least I already collected his homework. I’ll go see him myself then.”

You walked to Jaemin’s house, lugging your backpack behind you.

-

Taeyong met you at the door. Being Jaemin’s best friend, you knew every one of his other friends and vice versa. Taeyong was one of the mothers in the group, so you weren’t surprised to see the stress in his face.

Taeyong had figured you would come eventually. He sighed in relief, “Thank goodness you’re here.”

“Why?” You kicked off your shoes and shed your coat.

“He won’t take any of the medicine I’ve tried feeding to him and he won’t take a nap. Also, he’s all grumpy because you won’t text him back.” Taeyong rolled his eyes.

“Yeah…my phone was on silent,” you said apologetically.

“Well, get up there and try to get him to take his medicine. The boy hasn’t been able to sleep no matter how much I make him rest and the medicine might stop his cough enough to let him get a good nap in.”

“Alright,” you said as Taeyong practically pushed you down the hallway. “I’m going.”

When you entered Jaemin’s bedroom, you could see that he was bundled up under all of the covers, trying to sleep under a mountain of blankets.

“Hyung,” His voice sounded pitiful and tired, “I promise I’m trying to sleep but I can’t.”

“It’s not Taeyong,” you said as cheerily as you could, wishing to lift his spirits a bit.

Jaemin peeked out from behind his blankets, his hair messy and falling into his eyes. “Well look who finally decided to show u–” he choked on his words, coughing loudly.

You laughed and walked over to him, slapping his back to try and help him get rid of his cough. The two of you had been friends for a long time, so something like a fever and cough didn’t deter you from contact.

He glared at you as you slapped his back a little harder than necessary.

“Why didn’t you answer any of my texts?” He whined, flopping down onto his pillow and looking at you with sad eyes. “I was so bored.”

“My phone was on silent,” you said, averting your eyes so as not to see his pout. “Please forgive me.”

Jaemin pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, “You’re forgiven, I suppose.”

“Thanks,” you rolled your eyes. “Now are you going to take your medicine since I’m here?”

“No.”

“Then, are you going to go to sleep since I’m here?”

“No.”

You placed your hands on your hips. “Don’t be stubborn, Na Jaemin.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, L/n Y/n.”

You pointed to your backpack. “Fine. If you don’t need me, I’ll just leave your homework here and see you later.”

Of course your trick would work, since Jaemin always liked being at your side. Even sick, he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to be with you, and you knew it.

“No!” Jaemin protested. You stopped and smirked at him, since you had already predicted his answer.

“You want me to stay,” you teased in a song-song voice.

“Of course I do, you idiot. I just don’t want to take my medicine or sleep.” Jaemin retorted sassily.

“Well, you need to rest,” you argued. “So what do I have to do to make you sleep?”

Jaemin rose his eyebrow. “You could always cuddle with me.”

You looked at Jaemin. “Why would I cuddle with you?”

He sighed. “I just want to hold someone and you seem like a good candidate.”

As if that was a good reason, he pushed his covers to the side and patted the empty space beside him. “Please?”

“I can’t believe we’re best friends,” you said grumpily as you crawled in beside him.

“See, Y/n?” Jaemin gave you a genuine smile and immediately latched on to you. “This is nice.”

“Ah, yes.” You said, your arms restricted to your sides by Jaemin’s own lanky arm. “There is no nicer position than that of being held down against your will.”

At this, Jaemin released his hold, “Such a drama queen, Y/n.”

You turned onto your side and used Jaemin’s chest as a pillow, “Now this is much better.”

“I can’t disagree,” Jaemin said, wrapping his arm around your waist and pressing you even closer to him. “Why do you always get your way in this friendship?”

“Because my way is better,” You answered matter-of-factly. “So, you can sleep now?” You asked him, turning serious again.

You felt Jaemin’s heartbeat slowing down.

He yawned into your hair, “I think so.”

“Ew, get your germs away from me,” you said jokingly, feeling his breath on your forehead.

“Make me,” he mumbled sleepily. You could already feel him falling asleep, his grip loosening.

Eventually, he was quietly snoring into your hair, able to fall asleep with you by his side. His heartbeat slowly lulled you to sleep as well, so you didn’t notice when Taeyong peaked in to check on you two.

His face turned from worry to relief as he saw Jaemin finally sleeping soundly.

Then he saw the unopened medicine bottle on the nightstand and scowled. Those kids.

~the end~