#reload baggage

[nausicaamusiclover20]

Hi, Nausicaa)) I think I have a request a bit on the darker side so I’m not sure if you write it but I’ll take a shot.

ex-boyfriend James whose idea it was to break cause the reader didn’t like his lifestyle desperate to get her back? But not in kinda toxic/ obsessive way? He keeps sending her flowers, if she goes up on a date he ruins it, he makes sure her boss makes her work with Metallica, etc, he just can’t let her go? So she finally gives up and the first thing he does when they get back together is switching her birth control pills with vitamins as a child would make her his forever? I feel like reload or SKOM era would work best?

Don’t worry, I’m a very open-minded person. For me, the important thing is that certain limits aren’t crossed. That said, I hope you like it ❤

Warnings: persistent/obsessive (not toxic) behavior, non-consensual tampering with birth control (addressed within the story), complex family and co-parenting dynamics.

Note: The story concludes character growth, healing, and apositive focus on co-parenting and family unity.

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Reckless love

I hadn’t seen James in six months when I started feeling his presence again. It was like he never really left, his memory haunting every corner of my life. It started subtly, just a single flower at my door, then another, then a card. 

I tried to ignore it. I tried to tell myself it didn’t matter. But deep down, I knew better. It was his way of trying to pull me back, to remind me of who we were. But I had already made the decision months ago. His lifestyle, his choices, they didn’t align with mine. I couldn’t be the woman he wanted me to be, not when I was suffocating under the weight of his selfishness.

He wasn’t toxic, not in the way people usually describe. He didn’t yell. He didn’t break things or make empty threats. He just needed. And I wasn’t enough anymore.

At least, that’s what I told myself as I threw another bouquet of roses into the trash. I wasn’t going back to him. I couldn’t. 

But James never took "no" for an answer. His love wasn’t a plea—it was a command wrapped in charm and regret. When I decided to go on a date with someone else, a quiet dinner at a local bistro, I didn’t expect to see him. I didn’t even see him at first, just a figure slipping into the corner of my peripheral vision. The date was going well. It was easy, simple, no heavy emotional baggage, just two people enjoying each other's company.

And then, out of nowhere, the glass of water I’d ordered exploded, shattering into pieces on the floor with a loud crash. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as everyone in the restaurant turned to look.

James was standing in the doorway, a smug grin on his face.

"Sorry," he said, eyes twinkling with that mix of arrogance and charm I’d once fallen for. "I didn’t realize you were already occupied." His voice was too loud, too insistent. It was like he’d been waiting for this moment, planning it with obsessive precision. His casual stance suggested this was all part of his grand design. 

My date, a good guy, looked uncomfortable but tried to brush it off. I couldn’t, though. I couldn’t look away from James as he strolled toward us, his eyes locked onto mine.

"James," I said, my voice steady but my hands shaking. "What are you doing here?"

"Just making sure you’re alright," he replied, his tone smooth and unbothered. "Seems like you were going to need more than water to wash that taste out of your mouth." He threw a glance at my date, who had awkwardly stood up, clearly trying to process what was happening. "Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to interrupt."

The smile that followed felt like a slap to my face. It was a smile that had once melted me, made me believe his words when he said things like, I can’t live without you or You’re the only thing that matters to me. Now, it was a weapon, a hollow gesture meant to make me feel small, to make me doubt my own decisions.

Before I could say another word, my date excused himself, quietly slipping out of the restaurant. James had already won. And once again, I was left standing with my heart twisted in my chest.

The flowers continued to come. Roses, lilies, daisies—each one a reminder that James wasn’t going to let me go without a fight. But there was something else he was doing, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Every time I went to work, it seemed like there was a new task assigned to me—things I’d never asked for, projects that kept me at the office late into the night. And then, one day, my boss dropped the bombshell.

"You’ll be working with Metallica on the upcoming project," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "James suggested it. He thinks you'd be perfect for the task."

I froze. Metallica? The band? No. No, it couldn’t be. But sure enough, when I walked into the office the next day, there he was, sitting in the corner with that goddamn smirk, pretending like everything was normal.

I wanted to scream, wanted to run. But I couldn’t. Not yet. He was everywhere now, like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

Time passed, and I began to wear down. Every part of me wanted to move on, to be free, but his persistence kept pulling me back. It was like trying to swim against a riptide. One day, after weeks of him subtly inserting himself into my life, I gave in. We met for coffee. It wasn’t a date. It was just a conversation, a chance to clear the air, to see if we could find some kind of common ground.

He was different, or so I told myself. Apologetic, regretful. There was no arrogance now, no charm. Just vulnerability and a plea for another chance.

"I can’t stop thinking about you," he said, voice raw, eyes pleading. "I’ve tried, believe me, I’ve tried. But every time I think about you, I know I’ve messed up, and I want to fix it. I want to make it right, for us.

I wanted to believe him. I really did. Maybe he had changed. Maybe he was the man I had once loved again. I wanted to forget the things I knew were wrong, to see only what I wanted to see.

And so, I did what I always did when I let him back in: I let him back into my life.

At first, it was slow. Small gestures. He would pick me up from work. He’d cook me dinner. We’d laugh together, reminisce about old memories. It felt like we were starting fresh.

But then, one evening, I started feeling a little off. A little more tired than usual. It had been a long week, sure, but something felt... wrong. My head was foggy, my stomach uneasy.

And then, I found it. In my purse, nestled between my wallet and the receipts, was a tiny bottle of vitamins. I frowned. I didn’t remember buying them, but I shrugged it off. I took one, trying to steady myself. The next morning, the fog hadn’t lifted. And the next, I began to notice a pattern. My birth control pills, the ones I had kept so carefully, so meticulously, were gone. Replaced with those stupid vitamins. 

I stared at the bottle, the weight of what he had done crashing down on me. James hadn’t just invaded my life again. He had crossed a line—a line that was not just about my autonomy, but my future. 

I had known, deep down, that he couldn’t let me go. But this? This was a new level of manipulation. He didn’t want to love me, not truly. He wanted to own me. And a child would ensure that I was his forever.

I confronted him that night. I didn’t shout. I didn’t cry. I simply stared at him, all the anger and hurt pouring into my eyes.

"What did you do?" I asked, my voice calm, almost too calm.

His eyes widened, but he didn’t deny it. "I... I didn’t want to lose you. I thought—"

"You thought what? That trapping me with a child would make me stay?" The words were sharper now, cutting through the fog of emotions I’d buried for months.

"I thought it was the only way. The only way to keep you with me," he whispered.

I could barely look at him. I had tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but this? This was beyond anything I could excuse.

"You’ve crossed a line, James," I said, the weight of finality in my voice. "I can’t be with someone who sees me as nothing more than a means to an end."

He didn’t argue. He didn’t try to justify himself anymore. He just stood there, watching me walk away, finally understanding that his desperation had cost him everything.

But as I stood at the door, about to leave him behind once more, something else hit me. There was a new weight in my chest, something more than just betrayal or hurt. Something that terrified me. 

"I’m pregnant," I whispered, the words barely a breath on the air between us.

His face went pale. The realization struck both of us like a thunderclap. For a moment, neither of us spoke. We stood there, the past hanging heavy between us, and the future now uncertain.

"James..." I said softly, the truth sinking in. "I can’t keep living like this. But I can’t do this alone either."

His eyes softened, a vulnerability I had never seen before filling them. "I know," he said quietly. "I’ll do whatever it takes. For the baby. For you. I’ll respect your space, your choices... but I’ll be there. I swear."

And in that moment, something changed.   We weren’t back together in the way we once had been, but we were something new. Something that, despite the messy history, could still be rebuilt—for the baby.

The next few months weren’t easy. Every conversation was laced with the tension of everything that had come before. But there was a shift in James, a sincerity that hadn't existed before. He didn’t push for anything more than what I was willing to give, and I respected that. His actions—more than his words—spoke volumes. He showed up for appointments, helped me when I needed it, and above all, he never once tried to pull me back into a relationship I wasn’t ready for.

We talked about co-parenting, about making sure our child knew that both of us would always be there, no matter what had happened between us. He apologized, truly apologized, for everything—his actions, his manipulation, his mistakes. And while it wasn’t a perfect apology, it was enough.

The day I found out I was having a boy, I couldn’t stop myself from crying. James was with me, holding my hand, and there was a moment, just a fleeting moment, when I thought—maybe this could work. Maybe we could be a family, in the truest sense of the word, even if it wasn’t the family we once imagined.

We didn’t rush back into anything. But we shared in the moments that mattered—the first kicks, the baby shower, setting up the nursery. It wasn’t about romance. It was about creating a safe, loving space for our child, one where they would never feel the weight of our past mistakes.

And when the baby was born, tiny and perfect, the first thing James did was hold him and whisper softly, “I’ll make it up to you. I swear I will.”

I didn’t know what the future would hold for us. I didn’t know if we would ever find our way back to the kind of love we once had—or if we were meant to stay apart. But for the sake of our son, we chose to stay in each other's lives. To raise him as best as we could, with all the care and respect we could offer, despite everything that had come before.

And maybe that was enough.

As I watched James with our son, I saw a man who had changed, not because of some grand gesture or manipulation, but because of the responsibility he now felt. He wasn’t perfect. Neither was I. But in that moment, holding our child between us, it didn’t matter. We weren’t a couple anymore—but we were something even more important.

We were a family.

And maybe that was all we could ask for.

[helix-enterprises117]

Some fun facts about Master Chief & the rest of the Spartans of Halo Reloaded

John is the most reclusive Spartan out of everyone; which wouldn't mean much in the main-canon, but it DOES mean a lot in THIS AU, since the other Spartans are far more well-adjusted here. He's not a bad person, but everyone tends to refer to him as "The Mean Spartan," since he's such a brusque, aloof and terse hardnosed-bruiser with a chip on his shoulder; he still demonstrates high levels of kindness, compassion and empathy, but he's not soft, not by any stretch of the imagination. While he's FAR MORE well-adjusted than his canon-self and his TV-self, in comparison to his brothers-&-sisters-in-arms in THIS AU? He's definitely the one with baggage, probably from being the youngest in the program, which sort of made him an easy target of ridicule.

Female Spartans eat a bunch. To put it all in Layman's Terms: Female Spartans need more food because their bodies are designed to build and maintain more muscle, thanks to higher levels of certain growth-promoting hormones. This means they eat more to keep up with their body’s demands for energy and muscle repair, especially after tough battles or training. Male Spartans, on the other hand, have bodies that are tweaked to be more efficient, using less energy and therefore needing less food. Their hormonal setup is adjusted to support long missions without the need for constant eating, focusing on endurance. Females likely eat a lot of protein (for muscle repair), carbs (for quick energy), and fats (for long-lasting energy and hormone health). Males eat a balanced diet too but in smaller quantities, making sure they get enough protein and healthy fats without overeating. In short: Female Spartans eat like Saiyans, Male Spartans eat like Kryptonians.

@ionlymadethissoicouldleaveanask

@mrtobenamedlater

@killer-orca-cosplay

@cheezbot

@biomecharnotaurus

@asimplesimpsimping

@authortobenamedlater

@makowrites

@empresskadia

[copperbadge]

So far this morning I have washed, folded, and put away three loads of laundry, sliced, marinated, and sous-vided a pound and a half of flank steak and put it in the dehydrator to make jerky, made beef stock with the scraps, run a full dishwasher then unloaded and reloaded it, wrapped all Christmas presents that needed wrapping, and packaged up the ones that need mailing for mailing. 

I do have to do a little bit of shopping and buy some more giftwrapping, plus a load of giftcards, but given that I’ve been dreading the Christmas Wrapping And Packaging project for a month now, it’s a huge relief to have it out of the way.

And all before 9am, so I get to watch the World Cup with a clean conscience. Much as I’m cheering for my boy Leo Messi, #freedybala is the hashtag of the day, but as long as the team gets the cup I’ll be satisfied.  

I love packing for travel, like genuinely and sincerely enjoy it, so my other reward is that later today I get to pack my suitcase for Texas. It’s especially exciting because these days I almost never check a bag, I just fly with a large carryon backpack, but I’m bringing my big checked-baggage-only suitcase to Texas in order to be able to carry some stuff back. And so I get to fill it with all the nonsense that I usually have to carry on my back. 

[askfallenroyalty]

I just read the surprise/early update and the sound I made followed by "Torielllll....! :(" after I finished... the anguish I felt is indescribable. This poor, poor woman, if only she knew why this feeling of not knowing what is "real" was because of the resets... You captured the feelings of terror, discombobulation, and bewilderment perfectly. A perfect punch in the gut!

oof yeah i feel in hindsight Toriel learning about the timelines was under-explored. ALSO SORRY IM RAMBLY TONIGHT LOL i just feel like talkin at lenght so apologies for all the long posts past midnight aslfkjasdlf. also THANK YOU for all ur kind asks i don't always answer cause when i get nice asks i like looking at them often but that means i don't respond ;o;

Her reaction is to care about how Asriel must of felt using the power (and granted, in the tumblr version she doesn't know/understand the fact that Asriel was Flowey for a long time before being revived as Asriel. Though in the redraw she's going to learn earlier.) anyway she's like, oh, that must been tough on Asriel ): how lonely

but like??? now i realize she'd have permanent deja vu from all the reloads that weren't erased with a true reset. (which, in AFR universe, isn't even a guarantee) she's suffered from this ability, more so than anyone else as she's the only one to truly know all the kids who've come through the Ruins. (Asgore is also the only other guaranteed one, but uh, we already know his... baggage... with the reloads...)

anyway when she finds out, she's going to go "ok? insane but you have scientific evidence let me adjust to this wild new information" to "wait wait were those unstable years when the kids fell REAL? my kids actually DID kill me? HELLO?" and that's going to be. interesting to explore!

i feel like it could even be an EARLY reveal! I feel like Hol specifically is going to want to apologize for what they did. And now that I have opportunity to explore how Asriel is going to explain the age-up is more than just "oh yeah i was a flower for a while" cause. Toriel KNOWS the amalgamate experiments are (vaguely) recent. She fired Dr.Alphys over it. She knows the details now. So Asriel's explanation of being a flower for years in secret makes no damn sense if they've grown to 16 years old when they died at 12.

So yeah, that's going to be something that'll be pushed to a boiling point in the next chapter(s). HOW exactly is she going to handle all this??? like obviously, she's not going to treat this the same if this were adults committing these horrible acts. they're children. Toriel will continue to love them and forgive them because it truly is not the same situation as it would be with, say, Asgore making the calcuatled decision to murder innocent people. like Hol thinking they're some adventurer badass and killing a monster is very much different from that. (and yeah Asgore is more complicated as it relates to war and the barrier and all that bla bla)

Anyway rambling aside i really really look forward to exploring this. cause like, frankly, toriel canonically has all that angsty bs that people put on sans (when he doesn't even remember reloads or gets killed except last minute in no mercy runs 🙄) like toriel had 6 human kids who canonically reloaded around her. give me THAT angst and exploration of that's consequences. I like getting the chance to explore more of Toriel's psychology, baggage and her journey to moving past that. i'm really sad we don't get to see how toriel improved as a mother and person in AFR but rather just that she did. now we get to!!! fuck yeah!

but yeah god what a horrifying, truly awful thing to experience. like on one hand, she must be relieved "oh so there's nothing actually wrong with my reality i don't have a life altering memory related mental illness (yet)" but also "oh so that was all real and i can never truly look at these kids without knowing they've done something truly, truly unforgivable to me. (but i will forgive them)"

AND NOW i'm thinking that toriel had to been told by flowey at some point what they've done to her too. in one of those reloads, flowey likely confessed to get a reaction from her. after the shock of it, she'd pretend it didn't bother her to forgive them. and that'd build up resentment because Flowey doesn't want to be forgiven, they want punishment and consequences and for it to have mattered.

just. AUGH. so many thoughts on this its killing me inside

[veebs-hates-video-games]

Time for another installment of a couple games that irritated me and a couple that are good actually. Or maybe it's the first installment of that? I'm not keeping track.

Ori and the Blind Forest went on sale incredibly cheap, and I had been meaning to try it out for a while, so I finally did. It looks great, it sounds great, and I was enjoying the exploration part of it, but the combat is meh at best. I could've gotten over that probably, but the checkpoint system where you have to manually make your own if you ever want to save just does not work for me. I'm either going to forget to make one forever because ADHD and then lose half an hour of progress or waste resources making them way too often, or what actually ended up happening was saving in a room with only one exit that was full of things that could kill me with a single hit, having to retry several times before finally making it through, and then just giving up when the next room needed some annoying timing for stuff and not wanting to reload over and over some more.

Shovel Knight also went on sale incredibly cheap, this time on the 3DS, which I didn't even know it existed on. I was Concerned because I've bounced off so many Critically Acclaimed 2D platformers and metroidvanias lately (aside from Ori there's also been stuff like Celeste and Hollow Knight and something else I'm forgetting), but it turns out it's great and I genuinely enjoy playing it. I'm not super far in it because I keep getting distracted by other stuff, but so far it's a lot of fun and clearly made by people who are intimately familiar with NES-era platformers and what made them look and feel the way they did...which everyone already knew several years ago, but I just got around to it now.

Diablo 3 is...frustrating in a way that is itself also frustrating. As someone who's spent over 2000 hours on Grim Dawn over the past several years, it's safe to say I can get really into ARPGs when they click for me, and people have been comparing Grim Dawn, Diablo 3, and Path of Exile for years. The general consensus I've picked up is that Diablo 3 has waaay less depth and build variety than the other two, but people seem to think it has the most polished gameplay. After playing it a bit I'm not sure why they think that, because it doesn't feel like a revolutionary new level of polish, just like Torchlight 2.5 if Runic had a bigger budget to work with. It does do some things well, but as someone who's never really liked any of the Diablo games, the baggage this carries with it from trying to be a followup to Diablo 2 is ultimately going to be what makes me stop playing, possibly very soon. I could go on at great length about every little thing that's annoyed me while playing (and I have on Discord), but the short version is that I understand why there are people who like it while also being completely unable to myself. I may complain in greater detail later (or just copy stuff from Discord with light editing), but for now I'll just leave it at this.

Diablo 2: Resurrected will be a very brief entry. It was significantly cheaper to get D3 bundled with D2R than it was to get D3 by itself, so I seem to have ended up with both. I was expecting to play it for a few hours and be reminded of why I kind of hated it when I was younger, but it was not to be. The opening cutscene is genuinely great and reminded me of why Blizzard used to be known for having particularly high quality pre-rendered cutscenes, but as soon as it got to the main menu it shat itself repeatedly and failed to connect to Battle.net. Which it needs to do to play offline. On the Switch. Well, at least I got a discount on D3 for failing to play D2R, and as a bonus I got to watch a good cutscene for a few minutes. And now I get to have that 8 GB of space on my SD card back.

Vampire Survivors gets to show up in another post, so that's nice. I'd been taking a break from it for a couple months, but this week I got inspired to go back and finish up some of the stuff I didn't do before. Still such a great game. I'm about 80% done now, and I keep finding new silly things I didn't expect or coming up with increasingly broken and/or nonsensical build ideas I haven't tried before. It's not always the kind of thing I'm in the mood for, but when it is it does what it does so well.

[limocloud9]

From Terminal to Town: Your Guide to Salt Lake City Airport Transportation

Introduction

Welcome to Salt Lake City, the gateway to the stunning landscapes of Utah. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, one of the first things you'll need to consider is how to get from the airport to your destination. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the various salt lake city airport transportation, ensuring that your journey from terminal to town is smooth and hassle-free.

Overview of Salt Lake City International Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a major transportation hub located just 4 miles west of downtown Salt Lake City. It serves as a gateway to numerous ski resorts, national parks, and outdoor recreational areas in Utah. The airport has a well-designed layout with two terminals, five concourses, and a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable travel experience.

Public Transportation Options

Trax Light Rail

One of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to travel from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City is by using the Trax light rail system. The Green Line connects the airport to downtown and various other destinations, including the University of Utah. Trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. The fare is affordable, and you can purchase tickets at the station using cash or credit cards.

Bus Services

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) operates several bus routes that serve Salt Lake City International Airport. Bus Route 551 provides direct service from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City, while other routes connect to nearby neighborhoods and suburbs. The UTA buses are equipped with luggage racks, making them a convenient option for travelers with baggage. Fare payment can be made with cash or a reloadable UTA FarePay card.

Ride-Sharing Services

Uber

Uber is a popular ride-sharing service available at Salt Lake City International Airport. Upon arrival, simply request a ride through the Uber app, and a driver will pick you up at the designated ride-share pickup area. Uber offers various vehicle options, including UberX, UberXL, and Uber Black, catering to different group sizes and preferences. The fare is determined by factors such as distance and demand.

Lyft

Similar to Uber, Lyft is another ride-sharing service that operates at Salt Lake City International Airport. Using the Lyft app, you can request a ride and be picked up at the designated ride-share pickup area. Lyft offers different ride options, such as Lyft, Lyft XL, and Lyft Lux, providing flexibility for your transportation needs. The fare is calculated based on factors like distance and time.

Taxis and Shuttles

If you prefer a more traditional mode of transportation, taxis and shuttles are readily available at Salt Lake City International Airport. Taxis can be found at the designated taxi stands outside each terminal, and they operate on a metered fare system. Shuttles, on the other hand, are a shared transportation option that can take you to various destinations in the city. You can book a shuttle service in advance or find one at the airport.

Car Rental Services

For those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of having their own vehicle, Salt Lake City International Airport offers a wide selection of car rental services. Several well-known rental companies have counters located in the airport's rental car center, conveniently accessible from both terminals. It is advisable to make a reservation in advance to secure the vehicle of your choice, especially during peak travel seasons.

Hotel Shuttles

Many hotels in Salt Lake City provide complimentary shuttle services for their guests. If you have booked accommodation at a hotel, it is worth checking if they offer airport transportation. Hotel shuttles can be a convenient option, as they will pick you up directly from the airport and take you to your hotel. Make sure to inquire about the shuttle schedule and any reservation requirements when making your hotel reservation.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: How long does it take to travel from Salt Lake City International Airport to downtown?

A1: The travel time from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City varies depending on the mode of transportation and traffic conditions. On average, it takes approximately 15-20 minutes by car, 30 minutes by Trax light rail, and 20-25 minutes by bus.

Q2: Are there any discounts available for public transportation fares?

A2: Yes, the Utah Transit Authority offers discounted fares for seniors, students, and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, theyprovide discounted fare options for multi-day passes, which can be a cost-effective choice for frequent travelers.

Q3: Can I rent a car at Salt Lake City International Airport without a reservation?

A3: While it is possible to rent a car without a reservation, it is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance. This ensures that you have a guaranteed vehicle and can save you time and potential inconvenience upon arrival.

Q4: Are there any alternative transportation options for larger groups?

A4: If you are traveling with a larger group, it may be more convenient to consider hiring a private shuttle or van service. These services can accommodate more passengers and provide direct transportation to your desired destination.

Q5: How do I find the designated ride-share pickup area at the airport?

A5: The designated ride-share pickup area at Salt Lake City International Airport is located outside the terminals. Look for signs or follow the instructions on the ride-share app to locate the designated pickup zone for Uber and Lyft.

Conclusion

Navigating transportation from Salt Lake City International Airport to your destination is a crucial aspect of your trip. By familiarizing yourself with the various transportation options available, such as Trax light rail, buses, ride-sharing services, taxis, shuttles, and car rentals, you can choose the most suitable mode of transportation based on your preferences, budget, and travel plans. Remember to plan ahead, make reservations when necessary, and enjoy your journey from terminal to town in beautiful Salt Lake City.

[silvermuffins]

Okay. Dammit, can't play Reload for all that long before trivia tonight, because I went downstairs to get food and people kept talking to me so it took two fucking hours to make and eat instant ramen, and now there's only four hours until trivia, this is why I keep skipping meals. Because if I go downstairs to get food, no matter what, someone starts fucking talking to me. ...I'm gonna play before I get caught up in The Baggage.

Nothing ever goes away.

[rajat32]

ICICI Bank Coral Prepaid Forex Card

The ICICI Bank Coral Prepaid Forex Card is a versatile financial instrument designed to satisfy the needs of international visitors. Whether you're a traveller seeing new locations or a business person who frequently travels overseas, this prepaid card offers a straightforward and secure way to manage your foreign exchange spending. The Coral Prepaid Forex Card allows you to load a variety of foreign currencies, eliminating the need to carry cash or traveler's checks. It provides users with access to a huge worldwide network of ATMs and retail establishments, making it the perfect travelling companion. Check

Main Points

Multi-Currency Load: You can load multiple foreign currencies onto a single card, allowing you to avoid the hassle of carrying different currencies or traveler's cheques.

Global Acceptance: The card is widely accepted at ATMs, merchant establishments, and online platforms around the world, providing you with easy access to your funds wherever you go.

Security: The card comes with a PIN-based security feature, ensuring that your funds are safe and protected from unauthorized use. In case of loss or theft, you can also report it and get a replacement card.

Emergency Assistance: Many Coral Prepaid Forex Cards offer emergency assistance services, including card replacement and emergency cash disbursement, in case you run into unforeseen financial troubles while abroad.

Travel Insurance: Some versions of this card offer complimentary travel insurance, covering aspects like medical emergencies, lost baggage, trip cancellations, and more, providing you with added peace of mind during your travels.

Exclusive Discounts: Cardholders often enjoy exclusive discounts and offers on dining, shopping, and travel-related services, helping you save money while abroad.

Online Access: You can easily track your transactions and manage your card online, allowing you to monitor your expenses and balance in real-time.

Reloadable: The card is reloadable, meaning you can add more funds to it as needed, making it a convenient and reusable financial tool for multiple trips.

Currency Conversion: The card typically offers competitive exchange rates, saving you money on currency conversion fees compared to exchanging cash at airports or currency exchange offices.

Customizable: Depending on your needs, you can choose the initial currencies you want to load onto the card. This customization ensures that you have the right mix of currencies for your travel destinations.

24/7 Customer Support: ICICI Bank usually provides round-the-clock customer support, so you can seek assistance or report issues at any time during your journey.

Cashless Transactions: Enjoy the convenience of cashless transactions, whether you're dining, shopping, or booking hotels and flights during your travels.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: With a prepaid forex card, you often avoid foreign transaction fees that are typically associated with using a regular credit or debit card abroad.

Conclusion

The ICICI Bank Coral Prepaid Forex Card, in conclusion, is an invaluable financial instrument for both business and leisure tourists abroad. It offers comfort and security while travelling due to its ability to load a variety of currencies, wide acceptance, and strong security measures. The added benefits, including emergency assistance, travel insurance, and exclusive discounts, make it more appealing to consumers who frequently go abroad. Whether you're a traveller exploring new locations or a business professional managing abroad spending, this card streamlines your financial transactions and ensures you make the most of your travels. Consider the ICICI Bank Coral Prepaid Forex Card if you're seeking for a quick and inexpensive way to send money abroad.

[airasiax18009556744]

Air Asia X

1.About Air Asia X

Air Asia X, also known as Air Asia X Berhad, is an affordable long-haul airline that is based in Malaysia. It is a sister airline of Air Asia. Air Asia X is a low-cost affiliate airline of Air Asia Group that flies in Asia Pacific.

Other subsidiaries of Air Asia include Air Asia Thailand, Indonesia Air Asia and Indonesia Air Asia.

Air Asia X was founded in 2001. It has hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Penan, Johor Bahru Penan and Kuching. Air Asia X has a core fleet that includes 29 A330 300 s. Each aircraft has a configuration of 12 Premium Flatbeds, or the 365 seats in Economy. The airline has carried over 15 million passengers since its beginnings of long-haul service. Premium Flatbeds were introduced by Air Asia X for low-fare long-haul carriers. They feature 20" width and 60" pitch and are able to be moved to a full recline.

2. Air Asia Bookings for X

a. Air Asia X Booking Number:

080 4666 2222

3. Air Asia X Facilities

On the plane: Air Asia X, or Air Asia X Berhad is a long-haul and short-haul airline.

Premium flatbeds have universal power sockets, as well as adjustable headrests. They also come with an integrated personal feature like a tray table and drink holder. Premium seating guests can receive premium complimentary products such as Pick-A-Seat and Priority Check-In. Priority Boarding as well as Priority Baggage.

Air Asia X provides a "Quiet Zone" cabin on all long-haul flights within its network. The service is offered only to those older than 12 years old. The new "Quiet Zone" cabin features light and soft lighting, and has a tranquil ambiance. This makes for a more enjoyable journey for guests. Air Asia X won the World's Best and Best Low-Cost Airline Premium Class titles, respectively at the 2015 Sky tax World Airline Awards. These awards were presented during the Paris Air show. At the 2015 Sky tax International Airline Awards, Air Asia Group was named Asia's Top and World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the seventh consecutive year. Air Asia X Group had 2,893 All-stars from 23 countries as of December 2015.

Malaysian sister airline to diet is based in Malaysia.

In-flight entertainment in-flight entertainment: The X cite Tab has hours of TV series, music videos movies, as well as magazines. Tablets reloaded with six hours of battery time, the X cite Tab can be used to pass the time during the Air Asia X flight. You can lease the X cite Tab on all Air Asia X flights, except flights that go to New Zealand and Nepal.

Food served in the plane: Air Asia X is known for its extensive selection of Asian and International meals. You can book your meal, or purchase it on the flight.

4. Air Asia X Popular Destinations and Hubs

Air Asia X(AAX) is the medium- to long-haul airline subsidiary of Air Asia Aviation Group. It announces new services for Melbourne (Ultramarine), Perth, Australia and Auckland in New Zealand. All flights will take place beginning on November 1, 2022.

These routes are a key an integral part of the airline's robust expansion plan. In the coming year the airline will run 13 routes, including Sydney, New Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo, and Sapporo.

AAX will resume services to Melbourne (Ultramarine), Perth, and Auckland (via Sydney) starting in November. The frequency of these flights will rise to daily flights by quarter 2023 to meet high demand.

Make a reservation on the Air asia Super App or website for cheap rates to Kuala Lumpur and all three new destinations. Prices begin at RM 499 to Perth, RM 699 in Melbourne, and RM 1,999 in Auckland. Economy is available starting at Economy. Guests can also enjoy the Award-winning Premium Flatbed starting at RM 1,999 in Perth, RM 2,999 in Melbourne, and RM 5,999 in Auckland one-way.

5. Air Asia X Boarding Pass and Check-in

You will need the following information to check in:

* Check-in at least 7 days prior to departure, and as early as 4 hours prior to departure.

If you are traveling to international destinations the Web/Kiosk passport must be valid at the Self Check-In counter. You can't use your ticket until you have stamped proof of validity.

* You must adhere to Article 6.6 (Document Advisory) as well as Article 6.5 ("Travel Documents") of AirAsia's Terms & Conditions of Travel.

* You are not a special-needs passenger. This includes passengers traveling with infants and expectant mothers.

Allow enough time for check-in at the airport, security screening and bag inspection.

6.Air Asia X Policies

a.Baggage Policy

For each passenger, one bag and one personal item may be carried. Personal items are not permitted to contain outerwear or assistive devices. All carry-on luggage should fit in the overhead bin, or under the seat.

* Maximum dimensions of carry-on luggage 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches/56 cm X 36 cm 23 cm (length wide.x width.x height).

* The maximum weight limit for carry-on luggage is 15 pounds/7kg

Note: Bulkhead seats do not have under seat storage for take-off or landing. Learn more about Bulkheads

b.Pet Policies

Air Asia X will not allow pets or animals to board. This includes guide dogs and assistance dogs.

[daisy-messenger]

[go-forth-and-live]

How do you need to be loved?

Carefully, like a gentle rain on dry Earth

You've been left beaten down and by someone you really trusted and loved, so now love doesn't come easy for you. You want it to. You want to love and be loved, but you're not sure you remember how. So you need someone else to take the lead. They have to be gentle and sweet and patient. They have to watch out for you, and make sure you’re doing okay, because most days you feel a little fragile, if not totally shattered. But someone will come along who will put those pieces back together again.

Tagged by Stolen from: @betterdcyz​ Tagging: Keep the cycle of theft going!

[honorhearted]

"Know I shall be very cross with you if you die. In fact, I forbid it."

It took Ben a moment to realize that Peggy was genuine -- wholly serious -- and unbidden, a slight ache formed at the back of his throat. How could she care? Why would she care?

After taking her hand, he pressed a wordless kiss to her knuckles and whispered a brief prayer against her skin, the ache in his throat worsening once she broke away and bustled out into the hall.

Exhaling, Ben retrieved his musket from his baggage by the bed and set to work. As quietly as possible, he pushed open his window and aimed the musket down below. Squinting so that he could perfect his aim, he appraised the group of shouting loyalists while they waved torches and various weaponry.

“Come on out, you cowards!” someone shouted. “You can’t hide in there forever!”

Steeling himself, Ben tilted his musket toward the heckler, took in a slow breath, then eased back on the trigger.

Bang!

The jeering loyalist jerked, stunned, before wavering in his stance and collapsing to the ground.

“Up there!” someone shouted. “They’ve got weapons!”

Quickly, the major dove aside just as the vengeful group opened fire. Glass shattered, and Ben swore while digging through his pocket for a paper cartridge.

Once the musket-fire died down, he took his chance and moved back in front of the window. Hands sure and steady, he pointed his weapon down below and fired into the crowd, his teeth gritting from the rough recoil. He heard someone in the group cry out, and then with a spark of relief in his eyes, Ben dove aside again in order to reload. That was when he heard it...

"Ben!"

Unnerved, his brow creased and he craned to listen. Had he truly...?

"Benjamin!"

Panic gripped him by the throat, and tasting bile, Ben abandoned his post and raced out into the hallway, his shoulder nearly clipping the neighboring wall as he followed the sound of Peggy's shouts. "Mrs. Shippen?" he called. "Margaret?"

Nearly out of breath, he found her doubled over and was quick to take her elbow, helping her upright. "What's wrong?" he demanded, fearful. "Are you injured?" Eyes scanning her in concern, he finally noted the gigantic puddle of slick around her feet and gawped. He was no physician, but the clear pain on her face coupled with her bracing hands against her stomach gave him immediate cause for alarm.

"We need to get you out of here," Ben entreated, taking her by the elbows. "Can you move for me?"

She listened carefully between the two men's exchange, wanting to be useful, to contribute to any strategy they might conjure, but how could she be? The layout of the inn was entirely foreign, having hadn't had the chance to so much as head from the entrance to their rented quarters. Disconcerted, her hands rose to her belly, suddenly fearful for the safety of her child. The fear rose into her throat and prickled her skin.

Ben's hands upon her shoulders commanded her attention and she did her best to not be troubled by their imminent separation, "Under the bed?" she echoed with a rueful scoff as she gestured to her quite noticeable width, "Surely you must be joking."

The thought of him at a higher vantage point rather than down below with the masses made her feel slightly less anxious and she responded with a firm nod, "I can find my way just fine."

He was utterly foolish if he thought the British soldiers would hesitate to hang every wife and daughter present in that tavern for treason should they win the battle, yet she found herself more concerned over the fact that should it come to that, he would either be dead or arrested to await execution. Dear God, she couldn't go through it, not again. The stress began to heighten again.

"Know I shall be very cross with you if you die," she warned with a tone of severity, eyes like daggers, "In fact, I forbid it."

The loud and blundering reverberations of a makeshift battering ram on the doors below prompted her to get moving, hands on either side of her skirts to allow her a swifter pace. There was shouting throughout the inn and the distant sounds of weapons firing as fighting ensued just outside. Washington's voice, though often weak and breathy, was suddenly booming with orders.

Another crash was followed by the high-pitched squealing of frightened women, indicating that they were being taken to the kitchen in the back, so Peggy made her way down the corridor and to the staircase. Halfway down, however, a searing pain stopped her, prompting her to lean against the railing as she tried to determine what was wrong. Her muscles contracted violently and she emitted a small cry that was snuffed out by the sudden agony.

Slowly, she tried to will herself to take deep breaths as Patriot soldiers raced passed her, but the pain would not cease. Something was wrong. Something was very very wrong. Another twinge and then something wet released between her thighs, soaking her legs. No. It was too soon for this. It was too soon!

She began to tear up, her lower lip quivering from the combination of fear and harsh discomfort, "Ben!" she called out as loudly as she could manage, her knees giving out as she struggled to hang onto the railing, pleading for him louder this time, "Benjamin!"

[redsoul-kris]

[hey, it's me. i feel like i should give yall an update]

[basically, uh... it's been a while! since i really did anything substantial with this blog. and things changed since i was last Super active, and i'm a bit busier with personal stuff, and like...]

[admittedly i very quickly lost track of where i wanted to go with some of the recent plot points. especially with like, flowey and all that, i feel like i rushed into it too quickly]

[and i want to get back to this blog, but i'll have to take it slow, probably keep it focused on cute slice-of-life, at least for now.]

[so what i'm saying is... would you all be okay if i hit a bit of a reset button? not resetting the whole story, but at least "reloading" back a bit. letting kris and red wake up on a new day, no big plot baggage attached, and just going from there and having fun.]

[sounds good?]

[incorrectsmashbrosquotes]

In new vegas there is this reload dash with the 357 revolver, the Courier with Aloy part 3?

*Aloy and the Courier fishing at Lake Mead, taking turns at the pole while the other monitors for cazadores and mirelurks.*

Aloy: So, do you have any hobbies beyond killing?

Courier, sniping a mirelurk: Sure. I'm great at drinking and crying.

Aloy: You know what I mean.

Courier: I dunno kid. I play cards, I fish, and I just try to keep myself entertained between things trying to eat me.

Aloy: No time for a real hobby?

Courier: I mean... I still play guitar.

Aloy: The guitar is an instrument, right?

Courier: Yeah. Weren't a lot of fun since I can't sing worth a shit. Cass has a pretty good voice, though, so she's fun to play with.

Aloy: Cass... she is the angry red-haired lady who smells of beer?

Courier: Eyup.

Aloy: ... ...Are you... in love with her.

*The Courier, who was in the middle of a deep drink from his canteen, spitakes at the question*

Courier: Jesus, kid. You know how to pick questions.

Aloy: It just seems that you two spend quite a bit of time together...

Courier: Nah, kid. Cass and I are purely friendly. and before you ask, I ain't that was with any of my companions.

Aloy: Truly?

Courier: Nah. Ronny's gay, I'm not Arcade's type, and Boone... well there' way too much baggage for anything healthy. Why'd ya ask, anyway? You got someone you're interested in?

Aloy: I'm... not sure.

Courier: Heh... how old are you kid?

Aloy: Twenty.

Courier: *gives a brief laugh* Hell, kid. You've got plenty of time to find someone. Don't go rushing into anything. You're too smart for crap like that.

Aloy, her shoulders slumping: Maybe...

Courier: Heh. Here. You're old enough for booze. Have some.

*He offers her a bottle of whiskey and she hesitantly takes a gulp. She immediately starts coughing and hacking*

Courier: SIP, KID! YOU'RE UPPOSED TO SIP!

[binniesthighs]

call me babydoll | reader x chan

a/n: ahhhhh holy holy heck this chapter is SO DAMN EXCITING hehehe I had sosososo much writing and doing all the research!! please let me know if there is anything factual/cultural that I need to fix! I tried the best I could although I most def am not an expert in Egyptian culture so I appreciate it a lot :) hehe i hope ya have fun reading this chapter teehee oh! also I love hearing what you thought of it too! :D 

Four 

Pairing: self insert, female reader x bang chan 

Genre: action, mystery and suspense, fluff, smut, angst 

Tags: (of this part) bodyguard au, secret agent au, royal au, moderndayprince!chan, secretagent!reader, secretagent!jeongin, secretagent!jisung, collegestudent!seungmin, royal!minho, skz side characters, adventure and mystery, action and peril, plot driven, running out of time, slow-ish burn, growing feelings, sexual tension, explicit language, several mentions of food and alcohol as well as getting tipsy/drunk that good, good making out, suggestive themes

CWs: mentions of guns, mentions of knives, themes of jealousy (expressed by the reader) 

Word count: 7.5k

Parts 

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE 

“Well, we’re in Cairo alright.” 

Two tugged the amazed young stow-away-student, Seungmin, by the hand of his backpack to keep him from running into one of the palm tree planters decorating the terminal. The young man had nearly slept the whole flight due to the length as well as the exasperation that he had just been through. While his eyes were still darkened from his nap, his glossy pupils still wondered all around him. 

“I take it back. I’m so glad that I almost died so I could end up here with you guys.” 

Jeongin slapped him from the backside of his head. “Never be thankful for almost dying. Life is a lot more fucking fragile than you think. This isn’t just some joyride--” 

“--Ease up F.” You interrupted your partner as you shouldered your bag. The kid had already been through enough already: he didn’t need accosting on top of it all. 

The dashing prince sighed out and stretched his arms. “Ahhhh Cairo. It’s been a while; too long actually.” 

The airport was humid: the kind of sticky warmth that dripped down your neck in a matter of seconds to then get caught above your lip. It wasn’t much help to the anxiety that already had seeped into your veins. The closer you got to a gun the more comfortable you would be. You and the other two guards created a formation around the prince with two in the front and the other in the flank. While each of you were dressed in regular street clothes, your responsibility of his detail still hung over your head with a severe air. 

Chan threw his arm over the young student with an obscene grin. His hair had become a little disheveled from the plane seat and his hoodie, but he didn’t appear to mind. Seeing him so normal was somewhat of an odd change to your previous unbreakable impression of him. 

“Seungmin my friend, you’ve never lived until you’ve been to Cairo. I’ve never seen another place so enriched in history in my whole life...it puts my kingdom to shame. It’s almost like...you can just feel the time here: hundreds of thousands of years...beauty, art, food, industry...I’ve got a thing or two to learn.” 

Seungmin nodded at the prince’s grandiose gestures in the terminal with an enamored smile. “I can’t wait to see it!” 

Your partner put a firm hand on the prince’s back to guide him to the baggage claim. “We won’t be here for long, so, don’t get too excited. We’ve come here for one reason and we shouldn’t dally otherwise.” 

The young boy appeared to frown, and Two bit his lip with a little chuckle. “Way to crush the kids dreams F.” 

“You know the mission, J.” Jeongin gritted his teeth with the words. “Everything is set, there will be a car waiting for us in the garage, and at the hotel we’ll have anything we need.” 

Prince Chan lulled his head back with heels clicking on the flooring. Rogue strands of his hair hung over his sunglasses where he threw a look back at you while pulling them down. 

“Don’t forget our little deal Bee? We’ll have time for a little pleasure.” 

The white haired agent rolled his eyes with gusto then adjusted the royal’s glasses over his face. “We’ve still got to be careful, you Highness. We never know where they could have eyes.” 

“I know where I’ve got mine...” He turned back once more to throw his cockiness in your general direction. 

“Listen to F, your Highness...if you want to live.” 

“Oooo. Feisty as ever, Bee. I love it when you bite back.” Chan turned to his new pet, Seungmin, “She’s really something isn’t she?”

The young man nodded, but not necessarily because he agreed, but it just seemed like it better to agree with a prince than to disagree with him. 

The air appeared to turn even thicker in the summery and arid city and your group approached the parking lot half shaded. Outside of the cement lot, iridescent waves of heat wiggled on the horizon, and further, the astonishing urban sprawl of Cairo, and just over it, the stretch of the Nile and Giza. Palms and other varieties of plants spotted the landscape and above it all, a perfectly crystal blue sky streaked with thin clouds. Had the circumstances been different, you really would have wished to have been there for pleasure. 

“This one. Right here.” Jeongin announced upon spotting the black armored sedan. It wasn’t the most inconspicuous vehicle, but you were prioritizing safety over aesthetics. Your partner touched his index fingerprint to the car door’s invisible panel, and it flashed blue just as the lock had at the safehouse with the ticking clock insignia. 

Two whipped his head around to make one last check of the surroundings before taking off his sunglasses and reddened eye. “Get in. Both of you.” He urged the prince and the student. He popped the drivers side open to find a different pair of glasses in the storage compartment: gold framed aviators. 

“Huh,” He said happily while putting them on. “This is more my style.” He rummaged around a bit more to find a new pair of black framed glasses there too. “Fox! Think fast!” He threw them over to your partner who sighed out with relief. 

“Thank god.” 

The trunk opened with a mechanical sounding creek, and you lifted up the trunk bed to find your whole arsenal: Heckler & Koch MP5′s submachines, Remington 870 shotguns, and Glocks complete with thigh holsters. Among the pile of metal, various knives and other weapons were held in foam holders. 

“They’ve got knives back there?” Two asked while pulling the rearview mirror to see. 

“Oh yeah. What? You more of a knife guy?” You teased while looping your thigh holster over your cargo pants. It fit just right. 

The illusive man popped his gum with a shiny smile. “‘Don’t ever have to reload them...that’s what I’m saying.” 

“Thank you Carroll.” Jeongin sighed upon seeing the thick laptop among the weapons. “Finally I can do some real work. That kid’s damn Chromebook was killing me. I nearly short circuited it trying to connect to our network.” 

“You what?!” Seungmin was suddenly much more interested. 

“Dont worry yourself too much, its still fine.” 

“Are there cameras in here?” You quickly asked your partner. 

“Agency should’ve fried them a long time ago. Why?” 

From the trunk bed you sized up the Glock to feel its weight and how cool it settled into your sweating hand. You unloaded the magazine to see that it had already been filled. 

“Carroll. She really is too kind to us.” You slid the magazine back in then, pulled back the slider to lock it once more, catching Chan’s adoring glance. 

“Something interesting pretty boy?” 

The prince appeared to shiver a little, but brushed it off sighing, “Oh, nothing.” 

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

Either it was Carroll or the King, but someone had spared no expense on the young prince. The sun set upon the sparking Nile where you had arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. 

Anything for His Royal Highness The Prince. 

The towering and gleaming building was a sight to behold in and of itself. It was nestled right into the riverside anchored with several leisurely sailboats bopping in the evening breeze. As day crept into night, the city grew with a swell of lights washing as far as you could see. Extensive bridges and roadways glowed with headlights and every building appeared to be illuminated along with more boats strolling down the river in a rainbow of colors and music. 

The prince craned his head as close to the window as he could and rubbed together his hands excitedly. He looked from you to your partners, finally making a disapproving scoff. 

“Come on. You’re not just a little excited to be here?” 

“We’re here on business, how many times do we have to explain?” Jeongin typed away at his computer from the front seat. 

“Bee?” He looked back to you with a hopeful little glint to his eye. 

“Like Fox said...tomorrow is our appointment with White Rabbit, then we’re on the first flight back home for you.” 

The young prince frowned, but this quickly faded once he had seen the golden brass doors to the magnificent hotel. Seeing the state that the four of you were in, it was a bit comical that you had rolled up to a place such as this. Immediately a valet and bellhop jogged up to the car wearing perfectly pressed uniforms and spotless shined shoes. Little did they know you had no belongings to your name...the rest was waiting in your suite: the royal kind. 

Seungmin cranked his neck to take in the scale of the building in all of it’s regal glory and let out an airy laugh his with his backpack straps snapped tight. 

“Holy shit.” He exclaimed with a giant smile 

Two rose a “no thank you” hand to the valet, and asked him where the garage was in perfect Arabic. The gesture surprised you...as many things did with that man. Jeongin gave a little nod in appreciation to the bellhop and expressed with his own broken version of Arabic that you group had no luggage. The young man was confused, but still gladly took the bills that Jeongin had slipped into his hand for the inconvenience. 

“We’re staying here?” Seungmin wondered while he followed you in. 

“When you travel with The Prince, it comes with some perks.” Chan tore off his glasses with a particularly prideful grin. 

“I feel like I need to pay for just...breathing in here.” 

Indeed, it was a luxurious and grand place. The atrium was patterned with various plush lounge chairs and benches and the path was made of emerald green marble tiles with swirling designs of beige loops. Thick, round columns also supported the ceilings in the lobby, and crystal glass chandeliers sparkled. On several tables, massive floral arrangements had been freshly placed, and you wondered how much the hotel must've paid for them to look that good just to have them replaced the next day. 

A couple formalities were exchanged with the worker at the front desk, and soon the keycards to the royal suite were placed into your hands. Seungmin held his piece of plastic as if it were a gold bar in his hands whereas Chan shoved it right into his front pocket. 

“Everything that we should need should be up in the room.” You told the group who were too distracted to hear what you had just said. 

Just before you had entered the elevator, a tug at your sleeve stopped you in your tracks. Jeongin pulled you back, nodding at Two to go with the others up first. 

“Remember what we talked about before?” He muttered in the hollow and stone corridor. “About the prince?” 

“I need to stay beside him?” 

Your partner nodded with a furrowing brow. “We’re out in the open here, it’s a big city...anyone could be watching us. No distractions, no messing around, no anything. We see White Rabbit and we leave. Hell, I’m even inclined to make sure he doesn’t leave the room...” 

“Jeongin...” You squeezed your partner’s shoulder which felt stringy and tense under your fingertips. “I got it. Trust me. He won’t leave my sight. I promise.” 

“..Okay.” He said with a nervous brush to his hair, then he pressed the elevator button with his knuckle. 

“You...okay?” 

The young man appeared to snap out of a trance. “What? ...Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m keeping it together fine. It’s just...there’s a lot riding on this mission. I don’t...” 

The gold and reflective elevator dinged to the ground floor. 

“We can’t disappoint Carroll with this one. There’s too much riding on it...I can’t disappoint Carroll.”      

You invited your partner into the marbled and mirrored interior of the small space. 

“Don’t worry, we won’t.”

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━ 

 Even without the help of his royal helpers, Chan managed to clean himself up nice...provided, only the finest clothes had been sent for him to wear. While they weren’t the usual designer labels that he was used to, it was clear that they had been picked out from the finest markets and boutiques in the area. Chan, as he always was, was a prince to the full extent of the word. After a shower and some perfume to his chest, he was the same man that you had been introduced to. 

A loose linen shirt swayed from his frame with little regard for the usage of buttons. He wore slacks that had been pressed made of a kind of fabric that you had never seen before, but looked airy and comfortable. As always, there was a small assortment of shoes for him to choose from as well. He picked brown leather loafers, then tucked up his sleeves to reveal his arms; scratched as they were, but still strong and spiderwebbed with thick veins. 

Arrangements had been made for you to share one of the bedrooms with him--as much as you had fought it at first. Chan was thrilled with the idea, and gladly let you settle into his room with your small assortment of sidepieces and modest set of clothes by regulation of The Agency. While it had mostly been denim button downs and several kinds of functional trousers, they had sent an evening gown. 

The silky white fabric was not unlike the dress that had worn for the gala, but it appeared to be even more sultry once you held it to your frame. The thin spaghetti straps barely held to your shoulders and the back dipped nearly halfway down your back. 

Knowing the man that you had an appointment with, you figured the dress would make it just a little bit easier to talk to him. Along with it, there was a matching set of diamond earrings and a necklace that glinted with the same sheen of the sea. 

“You’ll look gorgeous in that.” Chan said while slipping on a wristwatch. “I’m sure that it will suit you perfectly.” 

The wooden bedside nightstand creaked when you put your holster and Glock in with a matching matte black knife. You had to be careful with that one, as it had nearly cut your finger upon inspection earlier.         

“Hm. I think the both of us know that you’d prefer it on these lovely marble floors rather than on me. Correct?” 

The confident prince strode across the room in the dim lighting of a couple lamps with stained glass shades. Outside of the balcony attached to your room, the sheer curtains blew in the night air and distorted the city lights across the river. Further, Cairo Tower surged with a pink light wrapping around the length were the cylinder pierced the sky. 

“Maybe.” He tutted, then crinkled the king-sized bed where he sat. The prince’s disposition was alluring, there was no denying. He tiled his head to inspect you further, jaw clenching with a sharp angle and a testing glare to his brown pupils. The man smiled slightly while rubbing his index and ring finger down the sleeve of your considerably less scratchy blouse. 

“I hope that during our time here Bee, I’ll get to know you a little better. I’m...really looking forward to our drink later. I made reservations for us.” 

“Reservations? When did you do that?” 

“Oh. When you were showering.” He smirked at his sneaky plans unbeknownst to you. 

“If you think that I’m letting you go anywhere else besides this hotel--” 

“--Bee?” The young royal grew quieter, softer, careful even. His hand cascaded from your arm down to your waist where he tentatively went to grab at your hip and squeeze lightly there. 

While your first reaction was to swat him away, your second crept up on you unexpectedly, and swelled with a kind of confused euphoria feeling the pressure of him on your body. You let his hand linger there, thumb pressed into your hipbone. 

“You don’t need that dress to be beautiful.” 

His words snapped you back; sickly sweet, and sticky in your chest. You cast his hand off of you. 

“You’re crossing the line, your Highness. Don’t...don’t touch me again.” 

The royal sighed as he rose, then inspected his face in the sizeable mirror. Each of his cuts and scars had been skillfully covered with makeup the best he could manage.  

“Bee, I’d cross multiple lines for you. I thought you knew?”    

“THIS BED IS FUCKIN’ AMAZING!!” Seungmin called from the opposite of the suite. 

The prince smiled, then followed you to the door. 

“I’ve already got enough on my hands, your Highness. I ask that you not distract me.” 

“Distract you?” 

As soon as you had said it, regret bit at the tips of your ears. You couldn’t meet his teasing glances, but rather slid one of your more discrete sidepieces into your crossbody bag--as if guns as such could be such a thing. 

“I-I...I’ll sleep on the couch.” You then resolved out loud, however the prince chuckled at your sudden break. 

“As you wish Bee.” 

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

“I think that this is the best meal that I’ve ever eaten in my entire life!!” 

Seungmin kicked his legs under the table to the embarrassed glances of both Jeongin and Chan. Before you, the prince had ordered a variety of both cold and hot mezzah dishes with a couple main entrees for you to share. While he was the only one to drink, he indulged in the most expensive wine that the hotel had to offer. Granted, everything would be paid for in cash from The Agency, however the Prince swore up and down that anyone could order anything that they wanted and that The Agency would be paid back in full. You and your partners ate modestly, however the young student didn’t hold back. As the boy shoved his face, it appeared to make the prince happy to see him eating so well. 

You were still an odd group, and garnered curious glances from other restaurant guests. While they were only glances in passing, they still didn’t make you feel any better. You had already drawn enough attention to yourself with you being an odd mix of foreigners who each held themselves differently. You could sense that you partner felt it too while he sipped at his seasonal soup with eyes up to scan the room as he did so. 

Chan threw his arm behind your chair to take in the rest of the room: perfectly decorated with jade green chandeliers and perfectly symmetrical wallpaper and furnishings. It was as if he felt somehow content with your strange little group; like he was the ringleader of it all or some king of the round table. For a moment, he paused to watch the way that the boats passed by on the river from the window nearest to him and sighed. Knowing him, he was probably enjoying running for his life in this way. 

Two cleared his throat and unbuttoned his fashionable suit jacket as the waiters came to clear the table for dessert. 

“So. What are the specs for tomorrow?” 

Jeongin fiddled with his glasses, then dabbed away at the corners of his mouth. “He’s invited us to come around 11pm. He wants us to dress up too--as I’m sure you’ve all seen the clothes that have been provided for us. He apparently loves his formalities, but, anything to make him feel more comfortable I suppose. His men will meet us in the front and take us to him, then we try our best not to fuck it up.”

“--Which we won’t.” You soothed your partner. 

Seungmin perked up, “I’m coming too?” 

“How else are we going to look after ya, kid?” Two ruffled up the young man’s hair. 

“W-wait. Didn’t you say that it’s a club? Will they even let me in? I’m not like, 21 yet? I mean, I will be in a couple months--” 

“--Ahhh you’re so cute.” Chan beamed. “If you’re rolling with us that doesn’t matter.” 

Seungmin blushed and played with the condensation of his water glass. “Oh.” 

Your partner shifted in his seat. “Speaking of. Considering that you’re “one of us” now. We need to discuss something important with you. Your identity.” He looked over to you to finish the rest of the speech that had been pushed off for just a bit too long. 

“Your name...is your most valuable asset. It’s the only thing about yourself that you can keep for yourself. No one else should know it besides you...and, well, us. If they know your name, they know your family, they know where you live, where you go to school, even that girl that you had a crush on in the fourth grade. Got it?” 

Seungmin gulped dry with blown out eyes. “I-I think that I understand.” 

“What do you want us to call you from now on?” 

He paused, considering towards the ceiling. ”Well...if you’re B, and he’s F...and he’s J...I could be S? Simple enough right?” 

“S it is then.” 

The waiters arrived with every dessert possible: chocolate cake, Crème Brule, fruit cheesecake garnished with mint, as well as traditional desserts like Om Ali and Mehalabiya--a type of milk pudding dressed with delicate, pink, edible flowers. 

Seungmin--now dubbed S--made happy little eating sounds while he tried a little bit of everything. 

“Thank you.” You finally spoke to the prince, who now smelled strongly of Lotus and Jasmine. 

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind treating my friends.” 

The word hung in the air, and you didn’t quite know what to do with it. 

Friends. 

“Where is this reservation that you mentioned?” 

He took a swing from his crystal glass with finesse. “Hm. That’s for me to know and you to find out.” 

“Jeongin told me that I need to keep an eye on you, you know that? It would be best if we didn’t leave the hotel at all--” 

“--But what would be the fun in that?” The prince nearly pouted. 

From the others side of the table, Two in his aviators brushed off his lap before standing. “I’m going to get some sleep, if that’s alright with you? I’m feeling pretty jetlagged and I want to be prepared for tomorrow. Excuse me.” 

The slender man bowed to you at the table, then even deeper to the prince. 

“What was that about?” Jeongin muttered while he poked at the thin caramel layer of his French dessert. 

“Actually, I think I want to head to bed too, I’m stuffed.” Seungmin rubbed his belly in his contentment. “Also...I think I might have homework due...heh. I don’t know...I’ve got to figure out all these all these time differences and stuff.” He pushed in his chair then gave the prince a deep bow. “Thank you, your Highness.” 

“My pleasure.” Chan said with a tiny bow back. “Rest up, kid.” 

With the empty holes at the table, the silence was deafening. 

“And then there were three.” Jeongin yawned. “Bee? Wanna do some laps in the morning? I saw that they had a pool? Wanna see if you can beat my record...again?” 

“Psh. I was coming off that biochemical cocktail the last time we tired. You had an advantage.” 

“Then you’ll beat me? Hm! I look forward to that.” Your adorable partner flashed the first smile that you’d seen in a couple days. You missed it, you realized. 

“Sleep tight Bee. Goodnight your Highness.” 

“Thank you Fox.” The prince mirrored his warm smile. 

Knives and forks clinked on china in the dining room, and music softly payed the soundtrack of the evening. A low hum filled the space where the tourists and patrons chatted among themselves. It was peaceful and normal amidst everything that had been pricking your skin and plaguing worry over your mind. The prince merely sighed, sparking eyes reflecting the candles dying out on the table. 

“And now it’s just the two of us.” 

“Seems like it.” 

“Can I whisk you away now?” 

“Whisk? Who said that I would allow any whisking?” 

“Come on...Bee. Just this one time? I promise to be on my best behavior.” 

You laughed out incredulously at the comment. “You out of all people can’t promise something like that.” 

“I guess you’re right about that. But...still, I won’t try to make a scene or anything.” 

The royal placed his napkin on the table with his knife and fork respectfully tilted off the edge of his plate. 

“Follow me?” 

Chan held out his hand. It was pink with heat and scraped a little from the glass that had pierced the fragile flesh. In some way, you had felt a twinge of guilt seeing the small injury knowing that you couldn’t have protected him well enough then. You allowed him to lace your fingers with yours, and felt the rough cuts of his scars in your palm. 

You had promised to yourself that he would never know such pain again. 

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

“Annnd...this is it!” 

You had taken all of twenty paces outside of the hotel when Chan gestured with open arms to the riverfront. Just at the riverbank, a steamboat was anchored with open doors for hotel guests to enter. The massive, multideck, white steamboat shone like the moon peaking at the ocean’s horizon. Each of the semi-circle windows were lined with white lights and from the inside, the delightful sound of laugher and live music spilled out to the glossy water of the Nile. 

“W-what is this?” 

“Well…it’s a dinner cruise but I just signed us up for the bar part. Are you...surprised? I thought that it must be pretty safe considering that we’re on the water and no one can drive up and shoot at us.” 

“I mean...it’s a bit closed off, but nothing that I can’t handle.” 

The prince held out his arm for you to lead the way, then took your hand to help you watch your step down the stairs. Chan provided his name to the conductor in elegant sounding Arabic, leaving you shocked. 

“Y-you speak Arabic too?” 

Chan chuckled once more, taking your hand in his to bring you down the creaking wood deck with swinging with lanterns above your heads. 

“As a royal and diplomat, it’s best for me to know how to communicate if I might need to.” 

“I must say your Highness, I am definitely impressed.” 

“What? You thought I was just another pretty face?” The charming prince escorted you to a room within the steamboat that was lined with red velvet carpets and small bar tables with tea candles and water lilies floating in a shallow dish. He pulled out your chair before his own, then settled with hands folded in his lap. “I’m trained in hand-to-hand too, although I could use a refresher; that was so long ago, back when I went to school.” 

“Hand-to-hand? Well! You really are full of surprises.” 

The prince appeared smug and faintly amused by the compliment as he crossed his legs under the table and leaned in with his dizzying floral scent. 

The waitress appeared and Chan flexed his language skills once more while he ordered a Hemmingway Daiquiri for himself and a French 75 for you. Somewhere off in the distance or perhaps a different part of the boat, louder and more excitable music played along with the echoing claps of those who listened along. Here, it was much quieter, and the loud sound was replaced with a jazz song that you had heard before--likely from your more formative years. 

“It’s a beautiful night.” Chan began, “Thank you for agreeing to do this with me. I know that I’ve been a bit forward, but, I appreciate you entertaining me.” 

“If I had said no, what would’ve happened then?” 

“Well, maybe I would’ve dropped it, but...knowing you...I don’t think that I would’ve given up easily.” 

The waitress returned with the drinks on a silver platter: his grapefruit pink and yours the color of a lemon drop. 

The royal rose his glass for you to clink with yours, “To...adventures.” 

“To adventures.” 

With a resounding sound, the glasses met, and you watched the way that the shimmering liquid ripped across the prince’s nose. 

The two of you sat for several moments more, saying nothing, but sipping and soaking in the night breeze and the humidity that made your whole body feel blanketed with a sense of calm. You had felt this way before back at the safe house, and it snuck up on you once more. Simply exisiting with the prince provided you with a sense of solace that had long since faded from your life. The sense of responsibility that you felt for the man was noticeable, but you couldn’t help but notice how he provided for you the same sense of safety that you did for him. 

Perhaps it was the loneliness of the job and the solitude that came along with it. Was that you craved to be touched? Listened to? Admired? You had distanced yourself from irrational things such as love and other feelings of attachment. In your line of work, people died often, and you had to move on just as fast as their lives had been taken from them. You supposed that you had become unfeeling at this point...but this prince, so full of himself and focused on the material...there was something about him that reminded you how to feel. 

“Bee? What are you thinking about?” He asked carefully. 

“Oh...nothing.” 

“You looked kind of lost here.” 

“Was I?” 

“You okay?” 

“Yeah...yeah. I’m fine. Maybe the drink is just...getting to me.” 

“Just one drink?” Chan giggled a bit, “I didn’t take you for being a lightweight Bee. I thought that they gave you like, drinking lessons or something back at that agency of yours.” 

“I’m fine. I shouldn’t have more than one drink anyway.” 

The prince nodded, understanding. “So, what will you tell me about yourself? Is there anything that you’re allowed to tell me? Or...will you always be this mysterious, beautiful, enigma?” 

“Me? Enigmatic? Ha! Hardly.” 

“Well? What then?” The prince sucked at the lime garnishing his glass. “Since I don’t have the pleasure of knowing your real name, I’d love it if you could tell me something.” 

Over the stereo, the muted trumpet played along with the twang of thick upright bass strings,

“I suppose I could tell you how...” Chan leaned in, “I didn’t want to join The Agency. At first.” 

“Oh? Why’s that?” 

“It felt like a bit of a last resort and anything that is a last resort is something that can’t come easy.” 

Chan titled his head as if to say, I’m listening. 

“Life...fucking sucks sometimes. Sometimes...you’re left...living with your sleazy uncle with a letter addressed to you post mortem telling you to carry on the family name if you want to feel some connection to the parents that you never knew.” 

The royal cast his eyes down, “I-I’m so sorry.” 

“The Agency has been everything I’ve known since I was a teenager. This life...it’s everything. I think in a way I feel obligated to it...since it was what took my parents from me...I owe it to them to do a job that they spent so much energy on so that it wasn’t in vain.” 

You stopped, realizing the weight of your words in the air and how they cut like the blade of the knife that you kept tucked in your waistband sheathed in a leather cover. Once the sharp metal was taken from it’s confines, there was nothing to protect those from the damage it could do. 

“Bee...I don’t know what to say besides I’m sorry. That’s terrible. I can’t imagine what it must be like to loose your parents and have been thrown into this life...no one deserves that.” 

“Its okay.” You sighed. “I did it to myself. Now, it’s of no concern. I can take care of my own, and I have a new family. I try not to look back.” 

As he had done numerous times before that night, Chan’s hand reached out for yours under the table, brushing up against the white cloth. 

“I can’t say how much I appreciate you enough for what you do; risking your life for me...I owe you everything Bee.” The prince softened, rubbing his thumb against the back of your hand. 

The chug of the steamboat hissed softly behind you in that back bar room, and just through the windows, you could see the stars dotting the sky just as they did in any corner of the world. They were a reminder that while some things changed, others didn’t. 

The echo of footsteps on the deck clicked, causing you to turn a careful glance back to the direction of the sound. The man who entered was dressed in a casual cotton button up and navy slacks. On the white of his breast, he wore a pin holding the symbol of a crest.

“Lee Minho?” Chan gasped. 

“Your Highness!” The handsome man bowed immediately with a startled little smile. 

The friendly prince stood immediately upon seeing the other royal to shake his hand. “What a coincidence that we meet again!” 

Lee Minho shied with a polite smile while fiddling with his hair that looked to be masterfully styled. “Must be...fated. Or something like that.” 

“Are you alright? Last I saw you was at the shooting at the gala. I’m so glad to see that you’re safe. You didn’t get injured I hope?” 

This close, Lee Minho had oddly cat-like eyes that were as intense as they were alluring. He was just as you had remembered him to be--put together and polished like a true royal, dastardly handsome with all the right curves to his body, and just enough mystery to him to pique the interest of anyone who had sensed his air--just as the prince had. 

“What are you doing in Cairo?” Chan asked, gesturing for the stranger to pull up a chair. 

Lee Minho swatted away the question with an annoyed cringe. “Royal stuff, you know how it goes. Everyone is always trying to poke their noses in places where they shouldn’t be...unless they’re looking to get themselves killed. That's why they send me. I’m dispensable.” 

“Oh, I’d hardly say that.” 

In seconds the prince’s entire body had shifted towards the direction of the other man, and hung onto each of his words as if they were a siren song. 

“When you’re not as high up in the ranks as you are your Highness, royalty starts to feel more like servitude than a legitimate position.” 

“So, where are you poking your nose?” 

Lee Minho’s eyes nervously flicked to you, and Chan realized that he had skipped right over introductions. 

“Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce the two of you. Minho, this is Bee, my--” 

“--I’m a member of his detail.” You spoke for him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you formally Lee Minho. I recall seeing you at the gala.” 

Minho bowed slightly, “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” 

It was obvious that you had made the man uncomfortable, just as you had liked it to be. While you could see what the prince had seen in him, you had the disposition to be much less trusting than his Highness. 

“Which royals are employing you? I’d love to know! It’s always exciting for me to learn about who is plotting what. The royal drama keeps me really entertained.” 

Minho sat up straighter, then waved a hand for the waitress to come scuttling over. 

“Some of my family members. You wouldn’t know them, we’re all dreadfully insignificant to be honest. They heard all this business about those men with the red crests and they’re starting to get scared. After they targeted...you, they’re wondering which royal family might be next...if any. I’m here to find out who they are, their whereabouts, anything else.” 

“Wow! That’s actually what we--”

“--And where are you planning on getting this information if I may ask?” You hushed the prince’s loose lips as quickly as you could. 

Minho leaned in over the flickering candle to lower his tone, “I heard that there’s an informant here in the city who might now something about this group. They’ve been popping up on national news too as of late. I’m looking to talk to him tomorrow evening. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment but it was no small feat. I had to bribe him to high hell to get him to speak with me.” 

“Hm. Sounds familiar.” You mumbled. 

Chan’s eyes widened, then he looked back to you to ask for permission. You gave him a nod.

“It seems like we’re here for a common purpose my friend.” The prince leaned in to bridge the gap between them, his hand notably reaching to rest on the other man’s thigh below the table’s surface. “We’re seeking similar information and I think we might be speaking of the same informant.” 

“But your Highness, isn’t it dangerous it you to do something like this?” 

“Not when I’ve got her around.” Chan threw a sly grin to you across the table. “I’m well protected. And you? Where’s your detail?” 

“I’m afraid that I’m out here alone. Like I said, when you’re as low in the ranks as I am...” 

“What? That’s terrible!! They aren’t even protecting their own? Bee!!” 

“Yes, your Highness?” You already knew where this was going. 

“Let’s bring Minho along with us tomorrow! We know that there’s safety in numbers--” 

“Your Highness, in case you haven’t noticed, our hands are already a bit full...”

“I can fend for myself.” Lee Minho suddenly piped. “Travelling alone, I’ve picked up a few things about protecting myself. You don’t have to protect me, but, I appreciate the offer.” 

“Nonsense! You should come with us! I would feel more comfortable if you did rather than went by yourself.” 

Lee Minho gave the royal a smile in his thanks, it was pure and a little adorable you had considered...but that was likely the champagne going to your head. 

“Really? I appreciate it, your Highness.” 

While you were distanced, you nearly could’ve sworn that the prince had squeezed the other’s leg reassuringly, and you were willing to bet he had rubbed it with his thumb too just as he had done to you. 

After long, the waitress returned with Lee Minho’s drink, and the two men chatted like old college buddies while you slipped away at your drink in an attempt to make it last as long as you could. While Chan did try to engage you in conversation, it would never last for long until he would become puppy-eyed over the stranger again. In the end, you wondered if the tipsy prince would’ve also confessed to this man if he had one too many drinks. 

The table bumped with their jovial and restless legs, and you could only imagine what wandering hands sought to discover. 

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

The hotel was quiet save for the click of heels on the marble floors from ladies who had just gotten off the steamboat and clung to their husbands in their drunken stupor. They cackled in the empty and golden lobby, then pressed hasty kisses into the stuttering mouths of their husbands who’s mouths then smeared with hot pick lipstick. Chan giggled at the sight while he tripped over his own feet too. 

“Ahhhh. Being in love is so cute.” He adored them once you had entered the elevator. 

“You’re not going to throw up on me, are you?” 

The prince hiccupped, then shook his head. “Unlike you I know how to hold my liquor. I’m fine. Just a bit sleepy I think. Must be the jet lag.” 

The tones for each floor beeped in the compartment, and Chan lulled his head back and forth. 

“So. Lee Minho huh?” You said, not even able to help yourself. The alcohol had brought you a bit of an edge...so you thought. 

“Lee. Minho.” He sighed out dreamily. “What do you think of him?” 

“I think I can’t trust anyone as long as I haven’t ran at least three background checks on them.” 

“Awww, Bee, you’re so thoughtful of me.” 

In the empty hallway, the prince with squinting eyes leaned against the doorframe to the royal suite, reaching out to brush up against your blouse once more. You let him, excusing his drunken state. After he did so, his eyes hazed over with something much different, while he looked exhausted, it was laced with something else: something much more longing. 

“Bee...fuck, I really want to kiss you again.” 

“Hm. That’s ripe coming from you who was just viciously flirting with Lee Minho.” 

You could see his head spinning in his dilated pupils. “What?” 

The door clicked open and you less than gracefully lead the prince through the dark to your shared bedroom. 

“B-Bee, what are you talking about?” 

You scoffed, “I’m not blind, you know.” 

“A-are you...jealous?” 

“W-what? Fuck no. I’m just...you can’t just...toss people around thinking that they’ll all bend to you.” 

Chan sat at the edge of the bed and rubbed at his temples when you turned one of the lamps on. 

“I-I was doing that?” 

You tore a pillow from the bed as well as the throw blanket at the end. “I’m sleeping on the couch. Good evening, your Highness.” 

“Wait! Bee!” The young prince stumbled after you, stubbing his toe against the bedpost in the process. “Ah-FUCK!” He grunted. 

“What?” You growled back to him, half shrouded in the darkness of the suite living room. 

The royal stumbled out, eyes blank and backlit from the bedroom. While you couldn’t see him fully, you later could assume that there was something in him terribly torn and ripped in that moment that made little sense to him, as it did to you to. 

Arms reached out, bodies softly illuminated by the lights of the city, and the prince leaned himself fully into you, pressing bitter tasting lips to yours with a heat and desire that only seemed amplified the breather he had gotten. While he tasted of lime and grapefruits, with a twinge of alcohol. He was just as addictive as any vice. You wanted to feel him. As infuriating as he was, and oblivious, your abhorrence to him was just as strong as your attraction. 

“Mm, Bee--” He moaned directly into your mouth while shuffling both of you back to the bedroom. 

The prince’s trembling breath floated from his mouth to yours where he used both of his large hands to pull your face closer to his. You knew that in some way, there must have been something ingenuine about the whole scenario, but you didn’t care too much, not when kissing him felt like something. Maybe he had kissed you out of pity, or because he really had wanted to kiss you. You broke for seconds before both of your tangled limbs hit the bed. 

“Before...you said that you wouldn’t kiss me.” 

“I didn’t make any promises...but, how come...you said that you wouldn’t hesitate...? But you kissed ba--” 

You silenced the prince’s words with your own heated kisses that made little sense, only that kissing him as such felt good. You straddled the man while his hungry fingers traced all the way down your back. The prince’s hips sunk into the cushiony mattress, and you screwed him down even harder into it with your own heated hips grinding into him with as much pressure as you could muster. 

“This is what you want, right?” You pulled at his lip with your teeth to hear him groan from it. 

“Is it...what you want?” Chan got out between more kisses. 

You could blame it on loneliness or lack of touch all that you wanted, but it wasn’t even close. 

“Wait. Wait.” Chan suddenly interjected. 

“What? What is it?” 

The prince looked up at you, that haze in his eyes now fading to something much different that wasn’t covered in the lust that he held before. 

“Bee...I-I don’t know if I want it to happen this way. It feels...it’s not...” 

“Not what?” 

He brushed his hand upward now to caress your face, lingering on the side of the peach fuzz on your cheek. “You deserve better than whatever the hell this is.” 

“Oh, so when I finally want to fuck you, you’re saying it isn’t right?” 

“I’m saying, I’m drunk, it’s late, clearly there’s something that’s upsetting you, and I want to know what it is before we do anything else. Tell me, what’s wrong?”

It might’ve been Lee fucking Minho, or it might’ve been something else much stickier for you to admit, but seeing the prince like this, it was too much. He was gorgeous under you, practically angelic looking. 

“I-I’m...complicating things.” You whispered out, and the prince softened even further. 

“That’s what it is? Bee, I told that you don’t have to worry about--” 

“--Yes. Yes I do...your Highness. I-I can’t feel...” 

“Bee--let’s just talk about--” 

The prince might’ve said more, but his words faded into murmurs once you closed his door behind you, then crawled onto the couch in Jeongin and Seungmin’s room, locking their door too. 

~🌹~

Bunch of (Ro)ses!

@minaamhh @dazzlehoseok @synnocence @jjewibeans @hyunsluvv @unexceptional-h @bobawithchaitea @lechanters @sailorhyunjinz @silencefavarchive @eunaeiekim @lunarskzzz

[delusion-of-negation]

how come my witness by mindless self indulgence level of sheer unfathomable self-esteem doesn't translate to real life where an insignificant slight on my honour leaves me paralysed? maybe it really is just that i'm generally good at game and bad at life, so it doesn't matter if i lose one time in video game, but if i lose some bullshit life situation i have a million bad consequences to suffer, alongside all the other shit, and i can't just turn it off for a bit. um actually yeah that answers all my questions. if life had things like checkpoints, a pause button, and no baggage, i'd have an ego to honestly rival that of a greek god stepping on ants. puny mortals thought they could fuck me over, i'm reloading my last save with better insight into your attack patterns. git gud. i'd be awesome.

me, when i lose in super auto pets: 'tis really but a game of luck

me, when i win: 'tis because i'm skillful and perfect in every way