#she probably hid his mask and she’s waiting for him to ask for it back

[just-a-tiny-goldfish]

I like to think even he got sick of her sometimes

[lovegasmic]

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊ 𝐌𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇 — ‘ preparing a birthday surprise for Sylus without him knowing turned harder than expected ’

  𖹭  Sylus x f!reader fluff ◞ thanksies to @ramonathinks for forcing me to write ily .

“do you seriously expect me to believe you are working today?” the amusement in Sylus voice could be caught miles away, the soft and rich chuckle followed just adding onto the situation where you had to bite your bottom lip so as not to laugh.

in return you huff, keeping the phone between your shoulder and cheek, “I’m telling the truth” trying to keep your voice as steady as possible as you carried a box in your hands, “I had told you there was a strange influx of wanderers we needed to investigate”

“... I suppose you did..., can’t I take you to work? my bike is right outside”

the way he tried, under any circumstances at least see you for a little warmed your heart, and crushed you at the same time as you had to reject him, why are surprises so hard?

“I’m already there, sorry” you drag the last word, the box in your hands now resting on the nearby table, allowing you to pick the phone on a hand and use the free one to instruct Luke and Kieran where to hang the large “Happy Birthday” paper banner you bought a week ago, right above the couch so it would be the first thing Sylus sees.

there is a moment of silence, and although it pained you to lie to him, especially on his birthday, you hoped he would like the surprise, “i will send Mephisto” he instead says a bit later.

even though he is not looking you still raise a brow, “send Mephisto where?”

“to your apartment”

“I told you I am at work”

“I don’t care, sweetie” there was that tone again, the one concealing a grin, “unless you are hiding something and don’t want Mephisto to see”

“tsk, of course not, do whatever you want” you sound nonchalant, mentally remembering where you hid some of those colored paper bags Mephisto loved and stole from you last time, that will be enough to distract him, “I have to admit it’s strange you told me, usually you just send him to—” suddenly a loud pop echoes behind you where the twins stay frozen as if you won’t see them standing with their hands on their back hiding a confeti popper and the whole floor covered in colored paper pieces, “talk to you later, Sylus!”

“wait—” and the line goes silent.

it’s as silent as his home, strange, by this time the twins would have been making ruckus outside with one of the many board games you introduced them to, but suspiciously they weren’t around.

Sylus was not stupid, neither were you good at keeping secrets, but something, an awful feeling at the bottom of his belly grew, truly you could not have forgotten his birthday, right?

that could not be, he trusted you, but also knew you were a little distracted due to the busy season at the hunters association. and he loved you enough to not let the fact that you probably forgot his birthday bother him in the slightest, but he did miss you badly.

an hour or so later and the place was still not ready, not with you being the only one inflating the balloons while Luke and Kieran fidgeting with the party hats and trying to get them to keep their shape, not to mention Mephisto was currently held hostage, cawing weakly —almost begging to be freed from the ‘prision’ of your apartment— atop the table with one of the messed up party hats on his head.

meanwhile Sylus was restless for a different reason, it’s 6 pm and you have not texted or called him, his phone felt heavy with the need to call you at least once, perhaps grab an early dinner together, unless you’re busy with some of your friends.

he did not like that thought, so pushing it away he fetches for his phone, but as soon as he is about to dial, the twins come rushing from the front door, expressions concealed behind those masks, but as soon as they repeat the words, “boss, she’s hurt!” followed by the missing crow’s loud caw, Sylus does not ask further, rushing outside to hop on his bike and drive to your apartment.

it’s almost a record how fast he drives there, the key you gave him burning on his hand as he is quick to almost run to your floor, and once he pushes into your apartment, his expression shifts.

“surprise!” there you are, in all your stunning glory, looking like a vision in the beautifully decorated room and a board of multiple snacks and wine suited to his taste gently placed on the table, but it’s you all he sees, his heartbeat erratic and the concerned look now turning into a full grin.

“I have to confess...” he starts, taking long strides until there is no distance between you both, his arms hook under your thighs and in a second is carrying you to the couch to place you on his lap, “... for once, you got me, sweetie”

“I thought you already guessed” you say soft, having an arm around his neck.

“not completely, no, you had me fooled” a hand of his come to gently trace the shape of your cheek and jaw, looking at you like the most precious thing in the world, “but next time, don’t worry me so much, you should know my only wish, is you”

he tastes like cherries when you kiss, sweet and tender, so him, not paying attention to the sound of his phone beeping with an incoming text that said:

“happy birthday, boss-man!” attached with a tiny emoji of himself and the picture of an embarrassed Mephisto in the party hat.

[syluvies]

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊ 𝐌𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇 — ‘ preparing a birthday surprise for Sylus without him knowing turned harder than expected ’

“do you seriously expect me to believe you are working today?” the amusement in Sylus voice could be caught miles away, the soft and rich chuckle followed just adding onto the situation where you had to bite your bottom lip so as not to laugh.

in return you huff, keeping the phone between your shoulder and cheek, “I’m telling the truth” trying to keep your voice as steady as possible as you carried a box in your hands, “I had told you there was a strange influx of wanderers we needed to investigate”

“... I suppose you did..., can’t I take you to work? my bike is right outside”

the way he tried, under any circumstances at least see you for a little warmed your heart, and crushed you at the same time as you had to reject him, why are surprises so hard?

“I’m already there, sorry” you drag the last word, the box in your hands now resting on the nearby table, allowing you to pick the phone on a hand and use the free one to instruct Luke and Kieran where to hang the large “Happy Birthday” paper banner you bought a week ago, right above the couch so it would be the first thing Sylus sees.

there is a moment of silence, and although it pained you to lie to him, especially on his birthday, you hoped he would like the surprise, “i will send Mephisto” he instead says a bit later.

even though he is not looking you still raise a brow, “send Mephisto where?”

“to your apartment”

“I told you I am at work”

“I don’t care, sweetie” there was that tone again, the one concealing a grin, “unless you are hiding something and don’t want Mephisto to see”

“tsk, of course not, do whatever you want” you sound nonchalant, mentally remembering where you hid some of those colored paper bags Mephisto loved and stole from you last time, that will be enough to distract him, “I have to admit it’s strange you told me, usually you just send him to—” suddenly a loud pop echoes behind you where the twins stay frozen as if you won’t see them standing with their hands on their back hiding a confeti popper and the whole floor covered in colored paper pieces, “talk to you later, Sylus!”

“wait—” and the line goes silent.

it’s as silent as his home, strange, by this time the twins would have been making ruckus outside with one of the many board games you introduced them to, but suspiciously they weren’t around.

Sylus was not stupid, neither were you good at keeping secrets, but something, an awful feeling at the bottom of his belly grew, truly you could not have forgotten his birthday, right?

that could not be, he trusted you, but also knew you were a little distracted due to the busy season at the hunters association. and he loved you enough to not let the fact that you probably forgot his birthday bother him in the slightest, but he did miss you badly.

an hour or so later and the place was still not ready, not with you being the only one inflating the balloons while Luke and Kieran fidgeting with the party hats and trying to get them to keep their shape, not to mention Mephisto was currently held hostage, cawing weakly —almost begging to be freed from the ‘prision’ of your apartment— atop the table with one of the messed up party hats on his head.

meanwhile Sylus was restless for a different reason, it’s 6 pm and you have not texted or called him, his phone felt heavy with the need to call you at least once, perhaps grab an early dinner together, unless you’re busy with some of your friends.

he did not like that thought, so pushing it away he fetches for his phone, but as soon as he is about to dial, the twins come rushing from the front door, expressions concealed behind those masks, but as soon as they repeat the words, “boss, she’s hurt!” followed by the missing crow’s loud caw, Sylus does not ask further, rushing outside to hop on his bike and drive to your apartment.

it’s almost a record how fast he drives there, the key you gave him burning on his hand as he is quick to almost run to your floor, and once he pushes into your apartment, his expression shifts.

“surprise!” there you are, in all your stunning glory, looking like a vision in the beautifully decorated room and a board of multiple snacks and wine suited to his taste gently placed on the table, but it’s you all he sees, his heartbeat erratic and the concerned look now turning into a full grin.

“I have to confess...” he starts, taking long strides until there is no distance between you both, his arms hook under your thighs and in a second is carrying you to the couch to place you on his lap, “... for once, you got me, sweetie”

“I thought you already guessed” you say soft, having an arm around his neck.

“not completely, no, you had me fooled” a hand of his come to gently trace the shape of your cheek and jaw, looking at you like the most precious thing in the world, “but next time, don’t worry me so much, you should know my only wish, is you”

he tastes like cherries when you kiss, sweet and tender, so him, not paying attention to the sound of his phone beeping with an incoming text that said:

“happy birthday, boss-man!” attached with a tiny emoji of himself and the picture of an embarrassed Mephisto in the party hat.

[1d1195]

Most VII

Read Most here | ~5.8k words

From me: Last part! (for now) I hope you like it. Thank you for sticking with it--I don't think it was very popular after all the additional parts, so I appreciate all of you for letting me finish it.

Warnings: angst but fluff. Probably need so suspend your belief a bit more (especially if you don't believe in soulmates)

Summary: She's safe. He's safe. There's nothing left to do but talk.

Harry didn’t let go of her when they put her in the ambulance. He held onto her hand the entire time. Nor when they put an oxygen mask on her beautiful face. He didn’t let go of her for one second when they arrived at the hospital.

Honestly, she couldn’t complain. She was tired. Exhausted, really. Her only other thought outside of her own traumatization of the day was that poor Harry had to be just as drained (or more) after being awake for over thirty-six hours—maybe even longer. But his hand squeezed hers while they looked her over. She held another oxygen mask over her mouth and inhaled deeply, repeatedly while Harry sat beside her on the little exam bed. It felt like she was breathing in the freshest air in the middle of the forest. But a huge part of her believed the same result would have been achieved if she hid her face in Harry’s shirt the way she wanted to and breathed in the same manner she was breathing with an oxygen mask.

“Are you feeling, okay?” The doctors asked her so many times while they ran tests and Harry seemed to hold his breath each time, like it would suddenly change.

“I’m really scared,” she admitted finally looking away from Harry’s worried eyes. “I’m so worried something’s wrong and I’m not going to notice,” her voice cracked. Harry squeezed her hand and watched her anxiously. Somehow, his smile was encouraging. But she wasn’t sure he fully believed it.

“You’re okay, baby,” he whispered quietly. But she saw it in his eyes. If he could swap places with her right then, he would have. After everything she put him through, he would still save her and take all the pain.

“I know,” the doctor looked her over sympathetically. “But I promise, I thoroughly checked everything. Your heart is strong. The oxygen is helping for sure. But to be sure, we want to keep you overnight for observation just to make sure... perhaps your boyfriend can grab you some of your belongings—”

“That’s okay,” she could see Harry was surprised to hear her say it and not himself. “I don’t want him to leave me.”

Harry thought his heart was going to break again. The word boyfriend didn’t deter her. It felt like part of his life snapped back into place. He thought the magnetic field had realigned the day he saw her in traffic, but it felt like the tilt of the earth finally righted itself to the correct position. This was it. Everything was back to normal.

At least as far as his heart was concerned.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Right,” the doctor smiled. Like she already knew of their love story by just looking at them. “Well... make yourselves comfortable, then.”

There was very little Harry could do about her fear. So if it was the only thing he could do, Harry was going to ensure she was comfortable.

*

He made her laugh like he used to. Part of him worried it wasn’t good for her achy, smoky lungs, but it didn’t matter. He loved to chat with her. Harry’s fingers never released hers. But to be fair, hers didn’t let go of his either. Not even though she was certain they were a bit cramped, and her mind worried that Harry was uncomfortable situated in the chair beside the bed. Their only reprieve was using the restroom. But then it was right back to interlocked fingers and the warmth of their palms slipping alongside one another.

He loved her so painfully much. He hoped it was enough.

The hours crept by. The fire, the waiting for an ambulance, their time in the ER, the admittance to a room, it all ticked by slowly and anxiously for the pair of them. But despite how it played out, she got her time after Harry’s shift to talk with him the way he wanted—the way she wanted. They talked for so long, the sun set across the room turning Harry’s skin into this beautiful golden shade that made him look utterly gorgeous. Like a painting in the finest museums in the world. But his eyes stayed on her the entire duration of the sunset.

Once the sun was down and the only light they had was from the bathroom, (because the fluorescents were so harsh and headache inducing for the two of them long term) Harry started to yawn and seemed to continue yawning for minutes on end.

That was when she finally remembered time existed. Time ceased to have meaning while she was with Harry. That time was spent putting their lives back together piece by piece; filling in gaps they didn’t know they were missing but belonged to the parts of each other they had shared with one another ages ago—before they even started dating. When fate decided they were soulmates and they didn’t have a choice in the matter.

By that time, the clock read just past nine when she noticed his yawns were becoming more frequent. She had been pulling the oxygen mask off and on for hours. Seeing his droopy eyes made her ache for something she hadn’t had in years. He was always beautiful and perfect, but something about sleepy, vulnerable Harry made her feel like she could protect him the way he always protected her.

“C’mere,” she wiggled backwards on the small twin hospital bed. She turned on her side to create more space for him. “I think I smell all smoky,” she warned.

Normally, Harry thought he would protest. She needed the rest. She was the one that inhaled all that smoke and Harry hogging her bed with his tall frame wasn’t needed. But his body ached to be closer to her. Closer than the space between her on the bed and him keeping vigil in the chair pulled close allowed. “Think I do too,” he shrugged. They both smelled like smoke. But Harry was certain if he could get close enough, she would smell like herself too; floral, warm, and just her. Like home.

Carefully, Harry slid onto the bed with her. Their legs touched. Thigh to thigh, knee to knee, foot to foot. He placed a hand on her hip pulling her lower half toward him and leaving a space between their torsos so he could look at her perfect, beautiful face.

They fit like puzzle pieces on her small mattress. The reasoning for her hospital visit wasn’t something he would want in a thousand years, but it was almost how he imagined sleeping on her bed in her dorm. Replacing a piece of something he missed out on.

She rested one hand on his ribs, right over his T-shirt. He thought he had died—the feel of her hand on his body was warm and overwhelming. For several moments, they just stared at each other. Like Harry was worried she would disappear again. “The doctor called me your boyfriend,” he whispered eventually.

She nodded. Her cheeks turned pink. “Sorry... I...” she swallowed. “I didn’t know what to say.”

It was starting to get quiet; hospital visiting hours were long over. There was no more chatter coming from other rooms. There was only the sound of beeping machines, the nurses, doctors, and others bustling outside her door. Their gentle breaths mixing together between them.

“Kitten,” he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Are y’going t’leave me again?” His voice was low, and he hated asking the question because he thought it would upset her. Though it pained him, he needed to know. It was a risk he had to take; making her feel bad. Even if it hurt both of them.

She shook her head immediately. She drew in a deep breath and dropped her forehead forward to his chest and released the air in her lungs. “I won’t live, Harry.”

His lips quirked up into a sympathetic smile. “Think y’would, kitten,” he remarked sadly. “Y’did before.”

She shook her head again. “That wasn’t living, baby,” she murmured.

He closed his eyes and brought her hand to his mouth. “I love you so much. When y’say baby, s’like m’home. I haven’t been home kitten, not without you. Feels like I’ve been nowhere.”

“I thought nowhere was home,” she whispered, a smile in her voice.

When he opened his eyes, she was watching him. She reached for the oxygen mask again, not wanting to interrupt their moment of quiet longing, but immediately he helped her with it. He cupped her cheek around the mask and brushed his thumb along her cheek. “Why would y’listen t’her?”

She dropped her gaze. She was ashamed of herself. Listening to someone who was supposed to be her friend instead of just asking Harry what he was feeling. “I don’t know... She made sense at the time. Sometimes I think she still does... I mean don’t you want more, Harry? What if there is more out there for you than what I can offer? I couldn’t have imagined you up if I tried... but you? You always deserved more than—”

“No,” he shook his head refusing to let her short herself any longer of all the beauty she possessed, all the love, and kindness that she exuded. His hand held her cheek and he skimmed his thumb along cheekbone. “There’s no more, kitten. You’re the most. You, m’love, you are the only thing that exists for me. I’m so sorry y’were alone and felt like y’weren’t enough. You have always been more than enough. The most I could ever need. I’ve… I’ve never been so lost; I can’t imagine how y’felt.”

She turned her face toward his hand, lifted the mask so she could kiss his palm. “Why did you wait for me?” She whispered.

“Because you’re m’soulmate, kitten.”

“But... you don’t believe in those,” she whispered repeating her same statement from last night. It wasn’t something she ever dwelled on. She understood why he didn’t believe in them. Even if it was silly. But maybe it was the little bit of water that dripped into her head and watered the seed that Lauren had planted in her head a few years ago. It wasn’t his fault. Realistically, plenty of people didn’t believe in soulmates.

He shook his head, shrugged. But his eyes didn’t move from hers. “I believe you’re mine, baby.”

Her lower lip wobbled, and tears filled her vision. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry Harry,” her voice broke on every syllable. “I thought if I told you... you would convince me to stay. Then I thought staying would just make you resent me because you never got a chance to... this way... I don’t know... it’s like I’m here now, yeah? And I know now—but I should have known then, right? God Harry, this is so fucked. I fucked up so bad and—” now her monitor displayed an increased heartrate, and her breath was shallow—like she was starting to hyperventilate. So much so that Harry put the mask back over her mouth and shushed her soothingly. He stroked the remainder of her face gently with the back of his hand while her eyes wildly flitted over his face.

“You’re here now,” he told her after the heart monitor read a normal level. “And I’m never letting you get away. Never ever again.” Sighing, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his chest once more. He kissed the top of her hair and just enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms. The way he dreamed of feeling her. “Gemma actually told me that—”

A spike in her monitor. “Oh my God, she’s going to hate me forever,” she cried, voice breaking. “I should have stayed away,” she moaned. He pulled the oxygen mask away and kissed her softly. It felt so normal. As everything he had felt since he started seeing her these last couple weeks. Touching her, seeing her, hearing her, all of it felt like no time had passed.

When he pulled away, his lips missing the way hers felt against his, her heart rate was steady again. Her cheeks flushed and Harry thought she tasted like smoke, but she still tasted like her too. “Baby, she does not hate you. No one hates you. I’ll make sure of it,” he assured her. “I wish y’told me, but s’not your fault.”

“You’re way too forgiving,” she grumbled.

“God, for you?” He chuckled and kissed the bridge of her nose. “I was going t’tell you that Gem won’t hate you. She said she knew y’were coming back.”

“How could she have possibly known that?”

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. “She said she felt it. She jus’ knew.” There was a prolonged moment of silence while she thought that over. While Harry continued to touch her face as if it was the only thing he was born to do.

“Wish she clued me in,” she grumbled.

He laughed quietly again.

*

When the clock read midnight, it was even quieter in the hospital room. The gentle beeping of machines started to sound like a lullaby. They had stopped talking a long time ago, but they didn’t fall asleep. It felt like making up for lost time. Harry was analyzing her face. Her pores were filled with smoke and Harry inspected the bits of glass that managed to cut her palms from her crawling to safety. He kissed her softly across her pretty face. Like a reminder to himself that she was real and tangible. His lips made a home against her temple. A spot he loved to leave his mouth pressed against—like it was home while her lips were busy.

She was weaning off the oxygen, letting a little under an hour pass in between her use of it. “Hi,” she whispered softly.

He smiled. “Hi,” he dragged his nose along her hairline and dropped a kiss to the crown of her head. She fiddled with the fabric of his shirt, right near his collar.

“What did you do while I was gone?” Her voice was quiet. Fading with sleepiness. Harry may have even blinked his eyes closed for a short nap a couple hours prior, but he was content to just stare at her. Ensure that she wasn’t going to leave again.

He trailed his fingers along the side of her face, through the bit of hair that rested against her head along the pillow. He smiled. Smiled more than he thought was possible because at the time he thought his hobby was so dumb. Felt like he was going to die most days without her because she was fresh air and his little ways of keeping himself entertained were hardly a replacement for how she would have fit into his life so effortlessly.

Now... now it seemed like the most important thing he had ever done, and it wasn’t that he had to tell her about it because she asked, he needed to tell her. “I... I got... really into carpentry.”

She snorted; a laugh followed immediately. Arguably the most beautiful sound Harry knew. “Shut up.”

“No... like...” he started to laugh with her. “Like... really into it. Made Mum a bit crazy at times, I think,” he tilted his head back. “Made tables, chairs... I fixed door frames and did trim...”

“Stop, I can’t breathe,” she laughed. The kind of laughter she felt with Addie that night they became best friends. Back when she thought she would never laugh again. “Why?” She covered her face with her hand to stifle her giggles. But Harry made her laugh like it was nothing. As if he made her laugh every day that he wasn’t around her.

He shook his head. “I don’t know...” her laugh was infectious. It made him happy to hear it and he had no choice but to laugh just as hard. “I really don’t. I feel like I should be sad telling y’about it. But I loved it. So, so much.”

“What was your favorite thing to make?”

“Chairs.”

“I think this might be worse than the smoke inhalation,” she laughed again, becoming breathless but Harry didn’t mind this kind of breathlessness. Plus, they still had her oxygen mask. Harry thought it might have been, in the very smallest of ways, good that she left if it made her laugh like this.

Eventually, her laughter died down. There was another bout of quiet for a few moments longer. Then finally Harry asked. “What did y’do?”

Harry was watching her, wiping the tears that came from her heavy laughter from the corners of her eyes. He kissed her forehead again. “I knitted.”

“What?”

“I knitted.”

“Knitted what?”

“Oh my God, Harry. Everything.” It was his turn to laugh, thinking of her surrounded with yarn, covered with yarn. Her bed and desk covered with needles, sweaters, hats, mittens.

“Y’jus’ turned into a little old grandma?” He snorted.

“Yeah, I guess,” she giggled. The clock read two in the morning. She tried to calculate it in her head, but Harry had to have been awake for nearly forty-eight hours at that point. He grabbed the oxygen mask and placed it over her mouth. They were quiet while she took in the pure air. Harry pushed her hair behind her head and trailed his fingers over her cheek.

“Do y’feel okay?” He asked.

She nodded. He put it aside again after a few moments and he kissed her forehead. “What did you miss most about me?” She whispered.

The feeling of longing overtook his body. It was so hard to imagine he had been without her for so long. When they fit together like they did on the little bed, when they sounded like happiness when they laughed together. It wasn’t just missing her. It was agony without her. Like she had taken his heart with her. “Everything, kitten,” he shook his head. “I missed everything ‘bout you.”

She sighed, looked at his chest, outlined the cross below his shirt. It was still covered in smoke and soot from carrying her out. “No, but...” she smiled softly. “Like materially—what did you miss?”

The air felt lighter and maybe she already knew he missed everything about her. The reprieve of seriousness felt a little better. There would be ample time to hash out details regarding how serious it was. How she was to never believe another person about his love for her that wasn’t him (or someone completely vetted like Louis or Sarah). “Oh,” he paused. “Those cheesy potatoes y’make for parties.”

Her laugh made him feel like he could do impossible things. It easily could have been the thing he missed most. “I’ll make them as soon as I get my hands on a kitchen.”

“Oh, baby, you are going t’make me cry,” he squeezed her and kissed the top of her head. “Did y’miss anything ‘bout me?” He asked.

“Harry,” she sighed, nosed at his chest. “Wasn’t just anything. It was everything.”

It felt like his heart was smiling. He tilted her head up and gazed into her eyes. “I meant materially,” he smirked taking her own joke.

Without hesitation, she answered. “I haven’t had my back properly cracked in three years.”

“God, I fucking love you,” he whispered.

She giggled. “I love you too,” she responded. She grabbed his cheeks, kissed his lips long enough to make him think his heart might stop, and then dropped her head back to his chest.

An undeterminable amount of time passed again. There was no more chatting or kissing. It was just nearly pathetic staring; gazing at one another waiting for the other to disappear like a mirage they didn’t know they were seeing. But her eyes drooped lower and Harry yawned. The clock read shortly after two thirty. “We should sleep.”

He shook his head, worry set deep in his eyes that she wished she could rip out and throw away. “M’afraid s’a dream.”

She frowned. “I really hope it’s not.”

He smiled, comforted by the fact the feeling was mutual. “If this is a dream,” he started. “Can y’do me a favor?” He asked. She nodded, waited. “Can y’come home t’me?”

“Yes,” she answered immediately then tucked herself further into his embrace. “As soon as I wake up,” she promised.

He smiled, kissed the top of her head again and gently rubbed a circle on her cheek with his thumb. “Hey, kitten?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you,” he reminded her.

“God Harry, I love you so much.”

Then, because there was truly nothing else that they could say of the last forty-eight hours, they fell asleep.

*

They woke up to the door slamming open against the hospital wall. Harry squeezed her protectively and her heart clenched at the motion. The clock read eleven AM exactly.

Which meant it was officially visiting hours and the first people in the room were Addie and Carter. “Move,” Addie physically pulled Harry off the bed. “You’ve had her long enough now,” she winked at her as she took his spot and kissed her forehead. Harry snorted and then laughed because Harry could never believe such a thing. He could have had her all those three years, every single day, and he would never have enough time with her. “You’re an idiot,” Addie whispered loudly so everyone could hear her say it.

Carter ignored Addie, leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Hey Gorgeous,” he smiled giving her shoulder a squeeze. “You didn’t need to do all this to get us to visit.”

She was groggy with sleep and anxiety. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Harry called us,” Addie wiped the soot from beneath her eyes because it was still caked into her pores. At the same time, the room filled with their remaining friends. There were balloons and flowers, a massive teddy bear.

“Aw, you didn’t bring coffee?” She frowned then winked in fake disappointment.

“Oh,” Harry cleared his throat. “We can’t go to the coffee shop on Main anymore.”

She frowned immediately. This one was not fake. “How come?”

Sarah made eye contact with Harry and had a whole conversation with him just using her eyes. “I knew it,” she mumbled.

Harry scuffed his foot along the floor ignoring Sarah’s quip. “The owners of the coffee shop own the apartment building. S’a whole scandal,” he explained. Which was in part truth. He took a phone call in the early morning from the fire chief while she was fast asleep against his chest. The building was condemned and everything inside it was lost. “Insurance fraud,” he explained simply.

“Jesus,” Niall blinked rubbing a hand over his face. “Bet you’re glad y’storage unit was delayed, now, huh princess?” He smiled sympathetically.

“Oh my God, your notebooks,” Addie whispered realizing how right Niall was.

The heart monitor betrayed her with a small spike and alarm. She swallowed nervously, blushed as everyone looked at her. “Burnt toast, I guess.”

“Grim, babe,” Louis snorted making everyone laugh.

“No, it’s a theory,” she rolled her eyes. “If you burn your toast, it means you have to make new toast. Saves you from a car accident or from being in a place you’re not supposed to be at a specific time. Or you’re the fifth person in line that morning and you get a free coffee.”

“Burnt toast,” he repeated. “Well, I have saved my own life a lot of times then,” he chuckled.

“I think the three toasters you’ve killed would disagree,” Eleanor smiled.

“Are you feeling okay?” Carter asked.

She bit her lip. “I think so... I’m pretty sure I’m going to be allowed to leave soon...but I really need a shower. I wish I had some clothes to—”

“Way ahead of you,” Sarah grabbed the duffle bag Mitch had on his shoulder. He gave her a wink. “Harry thought you might want to be rid of smoky clothes and hair.”

She thought it would be too much to say Harry was her hero in front of their friends. So she would tell him later. Repeatedly.

*

“What are you going to do?” Addie asked as she signed the discharge papers. Her hair was air drying; her skin was less smoky. She watched the black water swirl into the drain during her much-needed shower and with it rid herself of the traumatic day

“I don’t know,” she sighed, laying the pen flat on the clipboard. Addie was seated beside her, not an inch of space between them. “Any chance you and Carter wouldn’t mind your old roommate?” She asked with a smile.

“Oh, you’ve got to be joking,” Addie rolled her eyes. “You’re not seriously going to move back with us after all this?” She asked.

“Addie,” she whispered hoping no one heard her. It seemed they hadn’t as the rest of the group was gathering all the items they had lugged in only a couple hours prior. Harry was getting off the phone near the window. Carter was reentering the room with Mitch; carrying two trays of coffee and bags of food filled the room with the most enticing smells of breakfast sandwiches and espresso. “I don’t really know what else to—”

“Harry!” Addie smiled delightedly hopping off the bed and hurrying to Harry’s side. He was off the phone and in the middle of a conversation with Niall.

“Addison!” She shouted, voice breaching hysterical immediately. She hopped off the bed and yanked her back away from Harry as quickly as she could. “Don’t you dare,” she hissed.

“Ow!” Addie pulled her arm from her. “Harry, I hate to put you on the spot like this—”

“Addie, I swear to God!”

“—but I am rather enjoying walking around the apartment naked with my boyfriend and would love to continue such. Is there anyway—”

“Addison,” Carter chuckled, prying her fingertips from Addie’s arm. “She’s going to stop breathing if you—”

“—you have room in your house for a roommate?”

She slapped a hand over her eyes and felt embarrassment curl through her. “Your girlfriend is a pain in the ass,” she whispered to Carter.

“I know, it’s the best,” he winked even though she couldn’t see it.

“Oh... um... I jus’ got off the moving company t’move your storage pod t’my place,” Harry sounded a little uncomfortable. Awkward. “It’ll be a couple days, but they’ll do it,” she peeked from between her fingers at his face. It was slightly flushed, embarrassed. “If that’s too much though... Niall was jus’ saying y’could have his one-bedroom ‘til y’figure out—”

“She’ll stay with you!” Addie chirped excitedly.

Harry chuckled. “Addie,” he smiled appreciatively. “I want her t’be comfortable.”

She shoved her toward him with so much force Harry had to hold her to keep her from falling unsteadily. “I can’t imagine a place—no, an entire universe—where she would be more comfortable,” Addie assured him.

“That’s a lot to spring on someone, Addie,” she snapped, glaring at her; her face half covered from where she had buried it into Harry’s fresh T-shirt brought along with new belongings for her as well.

“I don’t mind, kitten,” he kissed the top of her head encouragingly. “Was going t’suggest it as we walked out.”

*

They all gathered in front of the hospital. Planning their next stop. “I uh...” she shook her head. “I gotta make a lot of phone calls.”

“Can we meet up for dinner?” Carter suggested.

Everyone nodded, full of smiles and excitement. “Do you guys need help back to your hotel?” Louis asked.

“You guys got a hotel? You should have stayed with us!” Sarah frowned.

As the plans were discussed, Addie gave her a huge hug, kissed the side of her head then pulled away and looked at her. She was tired, probably still filled with a bit of smoke, but Addie thought she looked more like the picture still on her fridge than she had the entire time she’d known her.

“I’m so proud of you for jumping,” Addie bloomed with pride which made her cheeks flush pink.

“Shut. Up,” Eleanor laughed.

“Of course you read that,” Sarah rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Oh man,” Niall groaned. “What was it? Three months?”

“That’s generous. Maybe one month,” Mitch was scrolling on his phone. “Last message I have about it is a month and a half ago,” he held it up for proof.

“It was extremely well written,” Harry grumbled bitterly.

“What was well written?” Carter asked winking at her. Addie for once was silent. Watching her carefully for her reaction which was currently stoically still.

“Harry, who has never picked up a magazine a day in his life,” Eleanor explained to Carter. “Was at the doctor’s office. Losing his mind as he always was and decided to leaf through one of the magazines on the coffee table in the waiting room.”

“He then proceeded to read us the article no less than twenty times in a row and explain everything he thought about it. How it reminded him of you. How he wanted to jump so badly and reset everything in his life,” Niall completed.

She turned to look at Harry; head tilted curiously. A pucker between her eyebrows as she examined him like she was seeing him for the first time.

“It sounded like you,” his cheeks turned pink. “M’sorry, kitten; it was jus’... so good. Sounded like something you would ramble about and then scribble down during a rainstorm. It reminded me so much of you... s’like I had something t’hold onto.”

Carter snickered watching the panic on her face ensue.

“Well, Harry. I’ll tell you why it reminded you so much of her. But you already figured it out.”

She looked at her feet, face burning with embarrassment that another six people knew some of her most inner thoughts. Her anonymity for something that broke her to write because she missed Harry wasn’t a full secret anymore.

The group remained quiet. Silent except for cars rolling through the parking lot as everyone processed what Addie said.

“You’re joking,” Eleanor whispered finally. “You... you wrote that?”

“She did,” Carter smiled. “In our English class. Addie insisted she publish it.”

“You used a pen name?” Niall asked. She nodded silently, embarrassed that they had read arguably one of her most personal ideas. “Wow,” he whispered. “What are the chances?”

“I told all of you,” Harry wrapped his arm around her tighter. Probably tighter than someone with worry about their lungs needed to be held, but he kissed the top of her hair once more. “I knew it was you,” he whispered in her ear.

“It’s framed in his house,” Louis said. “That is insane.”

“Soulmate stuff, I guess,” she shrugged, cheeks still tinted red. But the only person who heard was Harry. Which was really how she meant it to be anyway.

*A few days later*

“Jesus Christ,” she snapped and dropped the end of the couch to the storage pod floor again. Harry ran to her side and pulled her hand from her mouth to examine her injured index finger.

“I thought y’were kidding,” he smirked. “Some magnet y’got in there,” he pressed his lips against her digit and then her forehead.

She shook her head. “It’s ridiculous!” she frowned.

“I got it, love. You shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy anyway,” Mitch reminded her and put a hand on her shoulder as he gently nudged the pair of them out of the way. Niall winked at her as he lifted the other end while Harry examined the small puncture wound as seriously as if she had split her aorta right in front of him.

Quietly, they were alone while their friends moved all her stuff into Harry’s little house. Sarah and Eleanor distracted Mrs. Peterson while the boys moved the heavy stuff. And Harry just looked at her finger. “Are you sure about this?” She whispered.

“Please don’t make me beg,” he murmured. “I will,” he nodded. “I’ll beg and scream and fight if y’want me to,” he squeezed her hand and dropped it between them and smiled at her. “But I don’t want to.”

She smiled back, squeezed his hand, and stepped closer to him. He wrapped his arm around the top of her shoulders. Gently, she shook her head, dropped her head against the front of his shoulder. “No... I don’t want that. I’m just... it’s a lot. I’ve only been in town three weeks,” she reminded him.

“But baby,” he sighed, kissed her temple. The way he spoke made her sleepy. The way he held her made her feel so safe—like she could fall asleep standing right next to him.

It would take a bit of work. Reassurance that she was enough. Part of him felt guilty that he hadn’t clued her in on that fact long before. It seemed like it was known. The two of them fit so completely together he never thought he would need to remind her that she was enough. More than enough. More than he could ever dream of or want.

But he would do it. They were together. He would reassure her every day. He would try his hand at poetry if he needed to do it. If it meant that she would stay and not worry.

Harry met her gaze, held it for so long part of her really wondered if she had fallen asleep. “You’re home.”

And she saw it all. Always had. She saw their friends hosting or coming to cookouts with little ones that would expand their little friend circle. She saw Harry carrying her to bed because she refused to fall asleep in the bedroom without him while his shift wasn’t over. She saw the books and pens and notebooks that he would buy for her even though she was certain she wouldn’t fill them all (even if she did).  She saw the little ones that had Harry’s green eyes and his perfect curls. She hoped they’d get his dimples and his kindness. The world deserved more Harry. There would be too many wooden chairs that Harry would make, and she would help stain, for them to put in their yard. There was everything in her little vision. All centered around the most perfect person she knew. The person she was lucky to call her soulmate. Even after all that time.

If it all was a dream like Harry had suggested in the hospital, then it was worth it, because the moment she woke up she would run back to him. She would beg and scream and fight if she needed to.

Because this was everything. It was more than she could ever want.

“Do you mean, I’m home? Like I’m at home or I am home. Like home is me?” She asked.

“You already know the answer t’that, my love.”

It was the most she would ever need.

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @sunshinemoonsposts @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach

@straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals

@angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams

@summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland

@lovrave @st-ev-ie @pandeebearstyles @toosarcastic03 @luvonstyles

@tenaciousperfectionunknown @classychalamet @love-letters-to-uranus @emmaawbr @crossyourpeter

@kissinthekitchen @kittenhere @stylesfever @indierockgirrl @michellekstyles

@just-another-reader1098 @hermionelove @tiredinwinter @whimsy-willows @hannah9921

@fangirl7060 @triski73 @vikiii07 @prettygurl-2009 @madstyles3204

@angeldavis777

most: @harryspirate

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist here

[s0s1mple]

BLOSSOM — Yan!Idol!Enha x Reader

Part 6 — Visits

TW: Unhealthy fixation/dependance (reader is gendered and named)

Masterlist — Part 1 -- Next Part

“Jake! Hey! Good to see you!” Haneul grinned as Jake walked into the store, back straightening from its bored slouch. Jake matched the enthusiasm, smiling behind his mask. He practically bounced up to the counter. “Were you in the area?”

“Hm? Oh, no. I just had some free time and didn’t really have anything to do so I figured I’d take a walk over and say hi.” Jake explained, eager and strangely nervous at the same time. Psh, why was he nervous? It was Haneul, not some sunbaenim he had to present himself perfectly to. Yeah, just Haneul. She wouldn’t judge him for not being put together right now. A hoodie and jeans was just fine, perfectly inconspicuous like they were meant to be. His hair wasn’t too messy, and his mask hid his lack of makeup just fine. Which… now that he thought of it, he maybe should have worn makeup. His eyes were still visible, weren’t they? Didn’t he have a whitehead under his brow? Shit, Haneul was probably staring at it right now-

“Earth to Jake!” Haneul suddenly snapped her fingers. Jake rocketed back down to earth, flushing. Jeez, why was he so worried. Like he’d initially thought, Haneul probably didn’t care. She was nice like that. Super duper sweet.

“Huh?”

“Lost you there for a second. Was asking if you wanted to buy anything while you’re here? A snack maybe?” She grinned. “You should treat yourself, I’m sure you have some busy schedules coming up, don’t you?” Super duper, duper sweet. Jake grinned hard behind his mask and rocked back and forth a bit, suddenly happy all over again like he’d been on the walk over. It was an infectious feeling that seemed to erupt whenever he thought of the girl these days, an idea that would have surprised the him from a month ago.

Truthfully, Jake had originally been weary of the new girl that had Riki so enamoured with her after such a short meeting. It was a stupid crush, Jake thought, and one that he didn’t want to hurt Riki. The younger male was like his kid brother in a lot of ways, despite the goblin being taller than him these days, and Jake was naturally protective. So he’d leapt at the chance to meet her for a picnic, wanting to see what she was really like. And, to his surprise, she was better than he’d ever expected.

She could hold her own in teasing, but was kind and collected when listening to them. She didn’t get overly excited about them, didn’t fawn and gawk, and didn’t really seem to have much overall motive at all for hanging out with them. With him. And in her texts she was so attentive too, so open. An animal lover, like him! Jake swiftly found he genuinely enjoyed being around her, conversing with her, seeing new sides of Haneul whenever he could. The movie night just seemed to have brought out that fondness even more, if his sudden urge to visit her store was anything to go by.

“Yeah, a snack would be great actually. One second…” Jake wandered over to the refrigerated section, scanned the selection, and picked up a bag of candy. He hurried back over and scanned it. Then, before he could even grab his card, Haneul was swiping her own card. “Wait, hold on-!”

“No arguing! It’s rude to refuse a gift!” She shushed him immediately with an unserious grin. Jake floundered for a moment, unsure and a little guilty, before eventually relaxing as Haneul kept smiling that unbothered smile. He swiped up the gift and fiddled with the plastic wrap. His muscles tensed up with happiness, his smile wide.

“Thanks!”

“No problem. I drank your soda the other night, no big deal to pay it back a bit.” She shrugged. Jake rocked back on his heels, then forward again. He already knew she didn’t really care about their status, instead treating them as she would anyone, but this just drove it home. People he’d previously tried to make friends with outside of the industry had a habit of expecting he’d pay for things. Jake had money, sure, but it was kind of disrespectful and rubbed him the wrong way when it happened. So this? It was a nice surprise. “So how’s everyone? Doing ok, right? I heard something about a performance coming up soon, I think.”

“Yeah! You’ll never believe it though…” Jake leaned in conspiratorially, practically vibrating with excitement. “We’re going to Coachella!” Haneul’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock.

“What? For real?” Jake nodded vigorously, and Haneul was suddenly rounding the counter and holding her arms out. He blinked at her, confused. “Can I hug you? I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Yes! Uh, y-yeah!” Jake stammered. Immediately his body was moving forward before his brain caught up with the request, arms wrapping around the girl in reciprocation. He swayed them side to side, humming happily as he pressed his cheek to her temple. “I’m super excited…” he mumbled, inhaling happily. He got a whiff of perfume in the breath. Peach and vanilla, something a bit fruitier than he thought the calm girl might like. But pleasant nonetheless. He could breathe that scent in every day, easily.

Soon she was gently dislodging herself from his grasp. “Super proud of you guys. You’ve all worked so hard to get to somewhere like that.” As her warmth slid away, Jake tensed up all over again, his hands providing an outlet for his emotions in the form of that embarrassing arm flapping he was sure looked really stupid to the girl before him. But he couldn’t stop, instead just continuously smiling as he started to tell Haneul all about their upcoming set. Songs, the live band, the artists he wanted to see…

“Post Malone is going to be there! Do you know him?”

“Of course. Um, Circles, right?” Jake snapped his fingers at her excitedly.

“Yeah, that guy! I love his music. It’s going to be so cool seeing him perform!”

“And he’ll probably know your group too, won’t he? Since you’re also headlining?” Oh wow, Jake hadn’t even thought of that. The idea was incredible! It was like every moment he spent with Haneul was somehow raising the mood more and more, her mere presence soothing his equal level of anxiety about the event. Man, he’d never met someone who brought this sort of joy out of him. Jake was a cheerful guy, sure, but this? It almost made him feel like some teen with a crush all over again, the feeling pure and uncomplex. He should really find more time to text and meet with-

Wait, crush?

“I hope to see one of your performances someday. They keep getting hyped up to me by you guys, but I just never seem to have the time to come by and see one.” Haneul chuckled, resting her chin on her hand wistfully.

“You still haven’t watched one online?” Jake cocked his head. She shook hers.

“Like I said, I’m doing my best not to look anything up. Whatever you guys want to tell or show me, I’ll learn. If you can’t do the same process for me, I don’t want to do it to you.”

“You should come to our practice sometime!” The words bubbled out of him impulsively. Haneul seemed surprised by the notion.

“Me? I’m sure that would distract you guys… I don’t want to be the reason you mess up or something.” Her brows furrowed worriedly. “Not that I don’t want to see or anything, obviously, but…”

“No, no! You’d be fine! I mean, if anything you’d probably motivate us! None of us would want to mess up in front of you, hah.” Jake was surprising himself with how much he wanted her to accept his proposition, how much he wanted her to be there in their world. The thrum of music, the pounding of sneakers against the ground, the sound of her voice mixing with it all… “What if we make Thursday an all day event? Throw in some practice so you can see us in our element, then do movies after?”

God, why was he being like this all of a sudden? Somewhere deep inside himself he could feel the embarrassment from sounding so desperate.

Haneul stared, then huffed out a disbelieving but fond laugh. “And make you guys put in work hours on your day off? Nah, I’m not making you guys do that. It’s really sweet of you to offer, though.” She grinned at him. “I think we can just do some games and finish up that bargain bin movie. Or maybe something else. Something that won’t make you guys exhausted and gross and sweaty, preferably!” She reached up, gently flicking Jake’s forehead teasingly. Jake scrunched up his nose but chuckled back, head tilted in understanding.

“Ok, good point. Hanging out with a bunch of stinky guys probably isn’t the best time for you.” He relented. He decided to drop the subject, figuring he could just bring it up again another time. When performing was such a big part of their life and, slowly but surely, Haneul was also becoming a part of it, it only felt natural to want her to see them in that world at least once.

One day, maybe. Hopefully. Certainly.

The two chatted for longer than they imagined they would, Jake always quick to pretend he was looking through the store whenever someone came in. Then he’d rush back, eyes crinkled with the force of his smile as he eagerly began to talk about his favorite comic book cafes around Seoul. Really, it was only when Jake received a call that he realized the time. His eyes widened as Jungwon scolded him.

“Uh, where have I been?” He looked to Haneul, a little panicked. “Um, just out for a walk. Walking back right now!” Jake hung up, Haneul saluted the male like she was sending off a fallen soldier, and the male rushed out the door with a final shout over his shoulder.

“SeeyousoonHaneulbye!”

“What do we have here? Is that a stray idol I see?” Haneul squinted her eyes at him before smiling. He pulled down his mask. Sunoo returned the grin tenfold and happily waltzed up to the counter, looking just a tad mischievous as he did so. Haneul raised a brow at the bag he was carrying. “Out shopping?”

“Yup!” Sunoo chirped. He set the bag down, rummaged inside, and with a cheeky smile pulled out an item covered with orange fluff. He presented it with a shake and “Ta-da!”

“Oh, a fox! That’s so cute!” Haneul cooed at the little stuffed animal, reaching out to swat gently at its swishing brush-shaped tail. “Treating yourself? I’m glad. I could use a day to indulge myself too, honestly.” She mused. Sunoo just smiled wider and placed the fox before her, fingers spread to present the little guy. A split second later and Haneul processed. She pointed a finger at her chest, incredulous. “Wait a minute, for me?”

“Mmhmm!”

“But-“ Sunoo cut her off, not hearing out the protest. “I thought with how much we text while you’re at work you might want some company! And since I can’t be here with you all the time…” He motioned to the stuffie. He watched Haneul’s eyes dart between him and the gift a few times, simultaneously amused and a bit anxious. He’d spent a fair bit of time thinking of this gift, imagining how she might react to it and what it should even be. Clothes? He didn’t know her size. Food? She literally worked at a convenience store. An album? What music did she like? He hadn’t asked. Agh, he’d definitely ask that soon.

So Sunoo had settled on the idea of a stuffed animal. A fox, of course, because it represented him. Who better to keep her company in the long hours at her job? This way she’d never forget who gave it to her. Because honestly? Sunoo really, really wanted to stay at the forefront of Haneul’s mind.

He’d thought about this fact on the walk over, contemplating how he felt about his new friendship with the girl. Sunoo initially hadn’t been sure. He was a social person, always had been, so it was initially only natural to want to be close to the person friends with Riki. Then he’d gotten to chatting with her. A bunch of silly things, little jokes and gossip and tips for each other on clothing, and Sunoo all of a sudden found himself reaching for his phone whenever there was a break in the schedule.

He wasn’t sure what it was that got him so excited to know things about her, to share his own life, to compliment her and see her slightly awkward and, frankly, cute responses to them. Sunoo chalked it up to the fact that he loved cute things and the fact that, in his opinion, Haneul was adorable. From her love of Pokemon to her smile, her breathless laugh when something caught her off guard to her oversized clothes, her fond smile when she saw him, her gentle nature when they interacted… Sunoo could go on and on, a fact that caught him off guard.

“Obviously! You sent me a picture of your stuffed animal collection and I thought they could use an addition.” She seemed to give in, her lips curling as she picked it up and met its eyes.

“It’s awesome…” she mused, thumb tracing over its cheeks and snout. “Ah, I love it!”

Sunoo wondered how it would feel if she did that with him instead. Would she coo at him the same way? He was just so curious! What types of reactions would she give to certain things? To his words, his mannerisms, the world around her?

“I’m so glad!” He clapped his hands together.

“I’ll definitely take him to work with me like you suggested. I’ve been needing some company for sure.” Then a pause as she seemed to contemplate something. “What should I name him though? I’m so bad at naming things…”

“Me too…” Sunoo mimicked her expression, just as stumped. Ddeunoo? Hah, wishful thinking.

“Sunny!”

Sunoo perked up again, taken aback. She was staring right at him, gaze proud and kind, and Sunoo felt like levitating. “Yes?” He answered. A nickname? Just for him?

“His name will be Sunny.” She continued, smiling softly. Sunoo’s expression stayed the same, but something inside him wilted just a tad. Oh, for the fox. All of a sudden the gift he was so happy to give her didn’t feel so amazing. Maybe a snack would have been better after all…

“Ah, I see. That’s a great name!” Sunoo complimented regardless.

“This way it will always remind me of who gave it to me.” Then she leaned forward, ruffling his hair, and Sunoo was right back on cloud nine. Beyond cloud nine. His cheeks flushed with the force of his shy smile. “Now, don’t tell me you came all this way just to give me a gift! Come on, tell me what’s been going on. Who’s been embarrassing themselves lately?” Sunoo matched her by leaning in, the two whispering like there was someone to hide their discussion from. It felt close, intimate, enough to make Sunoo’s heart clench. He didn’t pull away though.

Why didn’t he want to pull away?

“Embarrassing themselves? Well, Sunghoon-hyung does that all the time, but the other day he-!”

“Don’t you guys have packed schedules? Or was that just a lie?”

“Huh? Of course we do.”

“Hm, well it’s a bit tough to tell considering this is the third day in a row I’m getting a visit and last time I checked we’re already scheduled to hang out this week.” Haneul fanned herself for show. “Ah, I must just be that irresistible, huh? Throwing away your jobs as idols just for little ol’ me. Maybe you’re the real sasaengs!”

“I was just looking for some groceries, Haneul.” Jay cocked a brow, amused by her dramatic rambling. Haneul paused, stared at him, and Jay watched as her ears slowly turned red in embarrassment.

“Yeah, duh. I knew that. Groceries. Just joking with you!” She chuckled. Another pause, the girl gnawing at her cheek, and then she was right back on her feet and confident once more. “So how can I help you today, customer-ssi?” The male grabbed a small basket.

“Was in the area since I was visiting my parents, plus I needed some fruit juices and some spices. Really wasn’t feeling like walking through an entire supermarket.” He explained, already scanning the various spices set up across from the ramyeon. He plucked one out and cast a sideways glance towards Haneul. The girl was standing stock still, ears still tinged a bit red, and looking a little bit more embarrassed than she’d originally showed. Jay cocked his head. Was she upset to have assumed his intentions? Hurt he hadn’t come here just for her? He supposed it was a fair assumption to make considering she had, like she said, had visitors three days in a row now. “Plus I knew you were working here today, so it was a win-win, otherwise I would have picked something more on my route.”

And there it was. Haneul brightened up almost imperceptibly, shoulders straightening and ears less red already. “Aha! So I was right! Glad to see you too, Jay.” Jay huffed out a silent chuckle and maneuvered himself to the juice boxes.

And really, he had been telling the truth. The first thought to cross his mind was that he needed groceries and he really, really didn’t feel like getting them tonight. The second was that Haneul happened to be in the area. All of a sudden, he felt a whole lot more motivated, and that was how he found himself here. Jay found that realization a bit interesting, to be honest.

When Jay had first heard of Haneul, he’d been concerned. Him and Jungwon and most of the hyungs had been worried, carefully checking around Riki to get more information about this mysterious girl. It was to protect him and their group, nothing personal of course, but it was hesitance. Then Jungwon had met her, Sunoo too, and all of a sudden the entire maknae line was all aboard the Haneul hype-train. While Heeseung, Sunghoon, and Jake were content that Jungwon knew what he was doing, Jay had decided to approach with more skepticism. Not out of distrust of their leader, obviously not, but Jay was cautious. Protective. When it came to being a caretaker for the others in both mood and wellbeing, he took his role seriously.

He’d met Haneul then. Been polite, had fun, but stayed at arms length. Sparse texts, no real interactions. Even then he couldn’t escape the girl, seeing as now even Heeseung and Sunghoon had started texting with her frequently and laughing about it with each other. Jake was friendly, but at least at the time he hadn’t had to hear him talk about her constantly. It was almost worrying, really, how many times the conversation would shift to “Hah, Haneul said something like that today!” But Jay couldn’t be on that level. He had to be sure she was the type of person they thought she was.

His confirmation of that fact arrived at their movie hang out. It was a simple thing that changed his mind, made him accept her as a suitable friend for their group.

Her gaze.

She’d looked over the group of rowdy guys with a look he recognized in himself. A calm, appreciative, fond look that said volumes about how she would treat them. Not a look of awe, or of irritation, or overwhelming love or even disgust. Just… fond.

And so Jay had accepted her. And so now he was here, deciding he might try to make a better effort to be friendly with the girl, even if that started with a grocery run of all things. “I’m trying my hand at baking soon, if you were wondering why I need the juice. I didn’t feel like juicing oranges myself, so…” He shook the box of juice for emphasis and began lining a few up in the basket.

“Oh really? Cool! What’re you gonna try to make?” Haneul leaned onto her elbows as she watched him drift between the small aisles.

“When I was younger, my mom made these things called thumbprint cookies every now and then. You know them?” He grabbed some pear juice too. He hadn’t made bulgogi in a while, now that he thought about it.

Haneul shook her head.

“Yeah, wasn’t sure if they were known in Korea. I’m from the U.S. originally, actually, if you didn’t know. They’re popular over there.” He mimed pressing his thumb into dough. “Shortbread with a thumbprint, then with jam in the divot. It’s really good.”

“Wait, you’re American?” Haneul’s eyes widened. “But you don’t even have an accent! I mean, Jake and Riki are easier to pick out, but you?” Jay chuckled.

“Well those two have been here about… six or seven years less than me. I moved here when I was ten or so, so I’ve lived most of my life here by now.”

“So you’re more Lee Minho than Leonardo DiCaprio.” She nodded in understanding, her pronunciation stumbling a bit over the foreign actor’s name. The statement made Jay laugh for real, the male turning fully to face her.

“More Lee Minho than-? Hah, yeah. More Lee Minho.” Jay swiped a few cartons of milk. “Funny you said Leonardo DiCaprio. Fans call me Jjongcaprio sometimes.”

“Jjongcaprio?”

“A cross of Jongseong and DiCaprio. Apparently I remind them of a young version of him. I don’t really see it though. He was much more handsome.”

“Yeah, he was.” She answered bluntly, lips curling. The male paused, a little surprised by the blunt answer. Haneul seemed to realize he might have gotten actually offended and quickly waved her hands. “I mean, you’re still really-!” Jay cut her off with an even louder laugh than before, his eyes crinkling as he leaned back a bit. Haneul trailed off.

“No, no, you’re right! He’s a Hollywood actor. I just wasn’t expecting you to say it was all! Ah, that’s funny.” He shook his head. Someone directly telling him he wasn’t the most attractive person on planet earth? Definitely the first in a long time, and more importantly truthful. Attractiveness was subjective, and the idea that everyone he ran into happened to say he was the finest thing god ever made? Bullshit. He knew they went right over and said the same thing to another member. “Don’t apologize for being honest.”

“It was more poking fun at you than being honest, but sure.” Haneul smiled tentatively, seeming glad he wasn’t upset. Ah, so she didn’t think DiCaprio was hotter? Still nice to know. “Also, you said the name Jongseong?”

“My Korean name. Park Jongseong.” Jay hauled his groceries up to the counter and watched as she began checking them out. “Don’t call me that though. I’m kind of used to the others just using it to tease me.”

“Ah, gotcha. Thanks for telling me, Jongseong.” Haneul’s eyes twinkled, the girl holding back a laugh at the immediate exasperation on his face.

“Not you too! Can I never get peace?” He groaned over exaggeratedly.

“Haha, sorry, sorry! Jay! I’ll stick with Jay.” She grinned. It seemed as their conversation went on, she was getting more comfortable around him. Less like friends through friends, and more like actual buddies. Internally Jay was grateful for that.

“Mmhmm.” He nodded back, eyes narrowed in false warning. Haneul slipped the items into bags. “Ah, wait. Let me…” Jay stopped her as she was slipping a gimbap into the bag. He grabbed the bags, shoved the rest of the items inside, and nodded to her. “Have a nice night, Haneul. Don’t go to bed hungry after the shift.”

Jay walked out, ignoring the stammered appreciation from behind him, and smiled as he headed home.

[vikkirosko]

ah uh i don't really send writing requests, but i think your writing is pretty nice and i like it so could i make a request for the The V's (separately) with a exterminator reader? im sorry if its vague or far-fetched, i don't do requests often !! ｡ﾟ･ (>﹏<) ･ﾟ｡

Headcanons Exterminator

💞 Valentino x Reader 🚬

Valentino often visited a variety of places and probably would have had a lot of problems if it wasn't for you. You accompanied Valentino and were often the one who solved conflicts. However, only Valentino knew your secret. You were an exterminator who decided to escape from Heaven and start a new life in Hell. You were great at it. You had a job and a man who, although far from perfect, was your man

Valentino liked it when you spent time together, and especially when you didn't hide your wings. He liked the fact that you listened to him and didn't pretend to listen, as Vox sometimes did. You gave Valentino a lot of your attention and he didn't bother to show you his feelings even if you weren't alone. Your relationship was not a secret and no one dared to say anything against it

Valentino knew that you could stand up for yourself, but still, every time someone insulted you, he got angry and was ready to start a fight. When someone threatened him, you became the one who solved the problem. It was enough for you to whisper a few frightening words to make the enemy afraid, and a frightening smile appeared on your lips

You and Valentino together were a frightening couple who could shake the peace in Hell. You were a fighter with a lot of experience and Valentino, being an overlord, had power. However, he was in no hurry to change anything. He was satisfied with what your life was like now, and if he was satisfied with everything, then so were you

❤ Velvette x Reader 🤍

You and Velvette met a few years after Alastor disappeared. During one of the days of extermination, she was attacked by several angels, but something happened that she did not expect. One of the exterminator attacked the others and killed them. You took off your mask, looking at her with a grin. However, you didn't attack her. When she asked what you needed, you told her you had a deal for her. You didn't want to go back to Heaven, and if she helps you start a life in Hell, then you will be her protector and help her

You and Velvette have made a deal. She even hid from Valentino and Vox who you were. To them, you were just a sinner who for some reason took a fancy to Velvette and now you often accompanied her. Velvette liked the way you looked and sometimes you tried on the outfits she created. She claimed that it was part of your deal, but in fact she just liked to see how the outfits she created matched your appearance

It was no secret that you and Velvette had a special relationship. She took a huge number of photos of you together and posted them online. You didn't mind it, watching with a grin the pleased expression on her face, realizing that your joint photos gave the effect she was waiting for. You liked the way you looked together and you didn't mind that you continued to be together

There was no way back to Heaven for you, but you didn't want to go back either. You liked how your life in Hell became and with the appearance of Velvette in your life. Even if your former colleagues find out about it and you become a traitor to them. You didn't care if they tried to kill you. You were willing to take the risk to stay together with Velvette

🖥 Vox x Reader 📱

Vox watched Pentagram City with cameras and drones. He had to know everything in advance to keep the situation in his hands. It was thanks to one of his drones that he saw you during the extermination day. He saw you take off your helmet and soon disappeared into the alley. It was the first time Vox saw exterminator's face, but he remembered that face, and immediately recognized it when he saw you on one of the streets of the city. He understood that either you were a deserter or a spy, and he was going to use the knowledge of your secret

Vox instructed to find you and soon you were in his office. You pretended to be a sinner and your face remained the same indifferent when he said that he knew your secret. Vox didn't hesitate to blackmail you with knowing the truth about you, and you knew that sinners would tear you to pieces if they found out the truth about you, so you agreed to work for him. It wasn't exactly what you expected, but maybe it wasn't such a bad option

Working with Vox wasn't as bad as you thought. You did not notice how the relationship between you has become much better. You sometimes told him about what life was like in Heaven. Now, being in Hell on a permanent basis, you saw that life in Hell, although it was different from the one you were used to, but not so much that your life changed dramatically. Vox liked your character, he liked how tough you could communicate with others. He liked you, even though you've been killing sinners for years

Vox was glad that you were on his side. You knew a lot about angels and it helped him. You were his valuable ally and a person close to him. He didn't know why you left Heaven, but even if he might be in danger, you were the one who wouldn't let him get hurt. You, overlord and exterminator, together were a strong alliance that could do a lot in Hell

[quietly-sleeping]

part 2

A week passed quickly, in the same fashion it usually does, but with the added chaos of increasingly elaborate stories about the history between Shen Qingqiu and his hunted martial sibling. Qi Qingqi conveniently forgot to bring the report to Yue Qingyuan, she swore to her wife that she meant to, but the newly accepted disciples made her forgetful.

Even the narrowed, knowing eyes of her wife couldn’t guilt her into handing the report to her martial brother. It was simply too juicy, too tempting. She simply had to send some letters to her lovely friends in the region to ask around. It took a few days, and she’d worried about not hearing anything before the Peak Lord meeting, but she got a few reports about a pair of cultivators making their way through the region and getting closer to Cang Qiong. 

They hadn’t made it very far, only a few towns over from where Liu Qingge originally hunted down a beast, but they were getting closer, and so long as nothing happened in the next week or so, their little Yuan-shidi would be back in the sect for Qi Qingqi to tease. 

So when the time rolled around for the usual Peak Lord meeting, it was very well attended. Ten peak lords were sitting around the table waiting for Yue Qingyuan to start the meeting, softly chatting with each other and pretending they weren’t constantly glancing at a scowling Shen Qingqiu. 

Yue Qingyuan cleared his throat, not flinching when all of the eyes in the room slid to him. “Let’s begin.” Yue Qingyuan’s voice was calm and steady, his eyes gentle and commanding as he looked around the room. 

Qi Qingqi fought the inappropriate smile that attempted to creep across her face. She needed to hold it in, the meeting had barely begun. Items such as their missing martial brother would likely be brought up at the end and Qi Qingqi didn’t want to let Shen Qingqiu get any hint about what would happen. Of course, knowing the man he probably planned for it. An absolute shame really, because it was truly a rare opportunity to see the mask on her martial sibling slip even a little. 

The meeting proceeded slowly, with reports changing hands, insults being traded, and of course, some not-so-subtle digs into Shen Qingqiu’s current goings-on. As the sun slowly made its way closer to its peak, Qi Qingqi swore she could see the degradation of Shen Qingqiu’s patience and Shang Qinghua’s sanity. Mu Qingfang was in attendance this week, a treat since his duties as a healer kept him busy, so hopefully, this reliable elder martial brother could prevent a murder if Wei Qingwei didn’t stop making jokes about Yuan-shidi and Shen Qingqiu. 

As the patience of Shen Qingqiu appeared to have reached its limit, Yue Qingyuan brought the current topic to a close. However, before any of them could leave he raised a hand, “As this shixiong is sure you’ve heard, the disciples of Qing Jing are searching for someone.” A chair creaked ominously in the silence that followed, no eyes strayed from the sect leader standing before them. “Yuan-shidi has been absent from Cang Qiong for over ten years now, leaving an empty seat during these meetings.” Qi Qingqi glanced over at the seat in question, at the very end of the table, seated next to the Chuang Zao and Zhi Ji peak lords. Yue Qingyuan looked at all of the peak lords, his usual smile having slipped into something more serious, “This shixiong believes it time for Yuan-shidi to join us and take up his duties once more.” 

Mu Qingfang spoke up quickly, “How are we to know where Yuan-shidi might be? Last time he hid from even tracking talismans and our Shizuns.” His calm voice settled the rising energy until Qi Qingqi decided to speak up, her wide grin unhidden this time. “This shimei seems to have read a report from Liu-shidi, who has come across a suspicious rouge cultivator that seems familiar.” 

Wei Qingwei’s hand thumped down onto the table as he laughed, “Of course, Liu-shidi has just the luck to run into him now.” Shang Qinghua glanced between the smug Qi Qingqi and the surprised look on Yue Qingyuan’s face with something like dread on his exhausted face. “Qi-shimei, you didn’t bring the report to Zhangmen-shixiong, did you?” He asked, his question dying as Qi Qingqi laughed with a shake of her head. 

Yue Qingyuan raised his voice over the excited whispers of his fellow peak lords, “The ascension ceremony will be held as soon as Yuan-shidi is within Cang Qiong once more.” Before he could continue Shen Qingqiu cut him off, “Do not approach him.” His voice was freezing as he glared over the top of his open fan, “You will summon this shixiong if you spot him.” His eyes turned to Qi Qingqi and the woman barely held back another round of laughter at the cold fury in his eyes. 

Seeing the brewing fight between their martial siblings, some of the peak lords smartly left, intent on disseminating the gossip. Soon only Yue Qingyuan, Shen Qingqiu, Qi Qingqi, and Shang Qinghua were left in the meeting room. Mu Qingfang looked like he wanted to stay, but as usual, an urgent talisman summoned him away. 

“Qi-shimei,” Yue Qingyuan began, a soft sigh as he frowned at her. However, Qi Qingqi always tended to resemble a smug cat, even during scoldings, and tended to abuse the lack of desire most of her martial siblings had to continue a losing battle with her. Yue Qingyuan recognized the futility of the scolding and simply left her off with a few words about not passing along a report.

Qi Qingqi felt no remorse; well, maybe a little for poor Shang Qinghua, who looked like he had aged a year or so during the meeting. Shen Qingqiu watched as Yue Qingyuan tried to talk to Qi Qingqi with narrowed eyes. He snapped his fan closed and stepped forward, “Where was Liu Qingge on a mission?” 

Qi Qingqi rolled her eyes at him, “This shimei has already sent letters around, they’ve long moved on from Shanlu village. Liu-shidi hasn’t returned to the sect either, and from the sounds of his report doesn’t intend to return soon.” Pulling a slip of paper from her sleeve she flicked it toward Shen Qingqiu, “This shimei suggests either waiting for Liu-shidi to return or tracking him down in the forest. Liu-shidi seems to be ignoring letters at the moment.” 

Shen Qingqiu snatched the paper from the air, and scanned over it, “Perhaps, Qi-shimei, he is only ignoring you.” Tucking the paper in his sleeve, Shen Qinqiu turns in a whirl of pale green robes and leaves the meeting room without another word. How rude, Qi Qingqi will certainly be speaking with Yuan-shidi about reigning in the utter terror that is his shixiong.

Yue Qingyuan sighed as he rubbed his forehead gently, “Qi-shimei, please return to your peak. This shixiong will visit later to speak with you about hiding reports and taking action without consulting the other peak lords.” Qi Qingqi snorted but nodded, “Be sure to bring by your Head Disciple, Mingyan would like to play with her.” 

With only Shang Qinghua and Yue Qingyuan in the meeting room, the sect leader turns to Shang Qinghua with a small but awkward smile, “Shidi wouldn’t happen to have a copy of that report?” Shang Qinghua stared up at his sect leader for a moment, “This shidi will attempt to copy down what he remembers.” 

Following Sha Yan through the forests of the Human realm was an interesting experience. The man meandered more than traveled. He would frequently change his direction randomly, nearly ending up back at the village they left from because he spotted a rare variant of mushroom. 

Sha Yan didn’t expect Liu Qingge to respond to his chattering, or even bring up his own topics. The man was content speaking to fill any silence Liu Qingge left. It was nice, a true change of pace from Liu Qingge’s usual traveling experiences with his martial siblings. 

Of course, there were some downsides to following the man around. For the past week, Liu Qingge has received more letters than usual from the sect. None of them bore Yue Qingyuan’s seal, so he didn’t bother to read them as he’d return to the sect soon enough to visit with Mingyan, however, the sheer number had caught even the brief attention of Sha Yan. 

“Do you need to respond to those?” He asked, gesturing to the small stack of letters Liu Qingge had just stuffed into his qiankun pouch. “No. Don’t seem important.” Sha Yan blinked at him for a moment before being distracted by a small nibble from the small fluffy creature he was petting. 

“Have you seen a large swarm of Earthen Wolves before?” The little creature wiggled a bit as Sha Yan moved his fingers down its back and scratched between its fluttering insect wings. Earthen Wolves were small canines, typically found deep in the woods and in large swarms. “I’ve only come across relatively young swarms, only a group of 20 or so. I heard there might be a large swarm nearby!” Sha Yan’s eyes were bright as if such a large swarm weren’t a cause for concern.

“Huan Hua Palace usually handles a large swarm before they can grow any larger than 30 members.” Liu Qingge replied. Swarms tended to leave villages destroyed in their wake, and as they grew larger their destruction would level crop fields. The creatures were delicate and it was the prolonged rainy season that allowed their immense growth. If there was truly a large swarm in the area, Liu Qingge would cut down their numbers before Cang Qiong was sent a request. Sha Yan frowned a bit but nodded, “They can be a bit destructive. Perhaps there is a better habitat for them somewhere else?” The topic of the letters was dropped, thankfully, as Liu Qingge was unsure how exactly to explain to the man that he simply didn’t want to reply to the return summons from his sect. 

They continued on without much trouble, only the increasing number of letters from the sect, even some bearing the seal of Shen Qingqiu, changed as they traveled. Sha Yan watched him stuff the letters into his qiankun pouch but never asked about them again. It wasn’t until Sha Yan himself received a letter of his own that they began to travel with a destination in mind.

Sha Yan didn’t tell Liu Qingge what the contents of the letter were, he simply asked “Would you mind if we went deeper into Huan Hua territory?” Liu Qingge agreed, of course, he didn’t mind heading into the other sect’s territory, as they never really respected Cang Qiong territory anyway. The pair avoided villages as they went, which Liu Qingge also didn’t mind, everything was easier when he didn’t have to keep track of how much he paid at every inn to report to An Ding once the mission was over. 

Eventually, as Bai Lu Mountain became more than just a landmark in the distance, Sha Yan began to fidget. It wasn’t much in the beginning, a shrug of his shoulders, a tug to a piece of hair that fell from his loose braid, but it soon became glances. Sha Yan restlessly glanced at Liu Qingge every time he thought Liu Qingge wouldn’t notice. 

It took perhaps a sichen for Liu Qingge to become annoyed with the increasing glances at him. “What.” Liu Qingge had stopped dead in front of Sha Yan, “You keep looking at me.” Sha Yan grimaced and his eyes flicked around Liu Qingge for a moment before blurting out, “Do you hate demons?”

Liu Qingge narrowed his eyes at the other man, Liu Qingge held a hatred for demons that killed without remorse for no reason. However, he knew that there had to be at least one demon that did not. Not to mention, despite the short time he had known the other cultivator, he had some sort of trust for the man. His taste in friends, though had yet to be seen. “Why?” 

Sha Yan grimaced briefly, “Well, I’m going to meet some friends of mine, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t immediately attempt to kill them?” Liu Qingge considered it for a moment, depending on the number of friends, even if this was an ambush they would struggle to subdue him. “I will not attack if they don’t attack me.” Sha Yan looked at him for a moment and Liu Qingge had the feeling that wasn’t what he was meant to say. 

The man sighed but led him further anyway. It was nearly dusk when they came across a clearing, they weren’t the first to arrive as Liu Qingge could hear voices from a ways away. As they got closer, Liu Qingge could make out a woman in gold, and two men standing in the clearing. Squinting at them, Liu Qingge was pretty sure he knew the woman in gold at the very least. 

Sha Yan grew more nervous as he waved to the trio as they entered the clearing. He kept glancing at Liu Qingge and glancing back at the pair of men. One of the men, in blacks and reds, brightened when he saw Sha Yan and went to say something. Sha Yan cut him off though, “Ah! Xiyan, Tianlang-jun, Zhuzhi-lang, this is Liu Qingge.” Sha Yan gestured to him with a smile. However, the man was staring down Tianlang-jun, his eyes pinning the demon lord in place until he raised his hands in surrender. 

“The Peak Lord of Bai Zhan, a pleasure to meet the lord again.” Su Xiyan stepped ahead of the demon beside her, nodding curtly at the other cultivator. Liu Qingge nodded back, after getting closer Liu Qingge recognized her sword, a finely crafted weapon that had conquered two Immortal Alliance Conferences in a row. The woman was highly respected, and one of the last Liu Qingge would expect to find wandering with two Heavenly Demons. 

“So where has Xiao-Yan been to bring back such a high-ranking cultivator?” Tianlang-jun wiggled his eyebrows as he slipped around Su Xiyan to throw an arm around Sha Yan’s shoulders. Sha Yan scowled at the demon but didn’t move to shove him off, “I was hunting down rumors of an Iron-Skinned Lizard, I didn’t find it, but I met Liu Qingge.” 

Tianlang-jun’s grin changed slightly as he exchanged looks with Su Xiyan. “Mmhm, and Xiao-Yan decided to keep him?” Sha Yan’s face pinked slightly at the tops of his cheeks as he turned to shove at Tianlang-jun, leaving Su Xiyan to tilt her head at Liu Qingge. “Would the peak lord like to spar? This one wants to see how much has changed since we last met.” 

Liu Qingge’s hand drifted to Cheng Luan as he nodded, the two cultivators moved away from the bickering Demon Lord and Sha Yan, with the strange snake demon watching over the pair shoving at each other. A corner of Su Xiyan’s lips twitched up as she looked back at the trio behind them, “Don’t mind them, it’s how they greet each other.” Liu Qingge followed her gaze and watched, amused as Sha Yan twisted Tianlang-jun’s cheek. 

“It’s fine,” He said. “It reminds me of disciplehood.” 

ao3

[starkool]

This is a part 2 to THIS post right here requested by: @sethmp3! Thank you for all the love on my last norton post :3

(EDIT: So i definitely forgotten what event happens when, so i'm terribly sorry if it's super off from canon, but if it is, ig this can count as an AU then or smth😭)

TW: Mention of blood, pickaxe (?? does this even need a tw), murder, death, gun... thats it i think

[--------------]

At first, no nobody pestered you about you and Norton's relationship, but soon enough, curiosity always kills the cat.

Comments about how close the two of you were, suggestive comments asking if theres something between the two of you... the list could go on forever.

But the 3 didn't have that many chances of actually investigating this matter, due to either you sticking by Norton, or vice versa.

Which you were lowkey thankful, actually. You didn’t like when people tried to get into your personal affairs, much less Norton's. That part always infuriated you, no matter how you look at it.

But when you were alone, walking towards your room which was the neighbouring room of Alice's room, someone grabbed your arm which made you freeze, as you were pulled inside a room, you out of insticnt hit the perpetrator, who turned out to be... Orpheus?

You questioned what was happening as he rubbed his face you just hit. Not so softly, might i add.

Alice, who was sitting on her bed looked over at you, and explained the situation, While Melly was looking over Orpheus, just watching to see if he got seriously injured.

Turns out, there was more to Kreiburg than you thought, which actually, made a lot of sense to you. Ever since he introduced himself, you knew he was probably a douchebag with intentions not so friendly.

And now knowing that it was confirmed that he was a fishy individual, you agreed to help investigate with the three.

Next morning, you woke up, had breakfast, and went to Alice's room.

What you noticed, was that Norton was nowhere to be found. Weird. He always waited for you before and after breakfast after you two reunited.

But you brushed it aside, thinking he just wanted space like he usually did at times, just a break from the world. So you didn’t think of on his door to check on him.

With Alice, the two of you went out of her room, chatting about a few things, before you both noticed Kreiburg... leaving the mansion.

You thought that leaving the mansion while waiting for the owner was... prohibited. Or something like that.

So what was Your and Alice's bright idea? Of course, go after Kreiburg and find out if he actually is hiding something behind that cold mask.

As the pair slowly stalked followed after the man, they noticed that Kreiburg stopped. The two of you quickly hid behind a tall bush, before glancing at eachother with unease as Kreiburg said that he knew someone was there, and he advises them to come out this instant.

His steps could be heard against the grass, drying leaves crunching against his boots that made a shiver run up both if your spines. It was either you two give yourselves up now... or you might never see the light of day again.

Before you could sacrifice yourself, Orpheus suddenly appeared, holding you back as he put a finger to his lips, shushing the both of you as he revealed himself.

Kreiburg seemed distracted enough. Having a chat Orpheus, telling him about some of his life, how this... horse racing place or whatever it was called was connected to his family — his past.

And the mention of a box. A box that was definitely hidden somewhere around these horse racing grounds, as Kreiburg said.

Alice glanced over at you, and nodded to the side as the pair of men went the other way, trying to look for this box that Kreiburg mentioned.

You nodded in response, as the two of you bolt to the other side, going to the three hills that seemed a bit awfully suspicious.

As Alice began digging up one of the hills, you watched as she worked the dirt with her hands, before she felt something hard against her palm.

Alice quickly started digging further, before she reached inside the small hole, and grabbed... a box. This was probably the box Kreiburg mentioned.

Before the two of you could open it though, you heard steps coming your way aswell as small talk you couldn't decipher.

The two of you quickly hid behind one of the hills and waited the outcome of what might happen.

As the men arrived, Kreiburg commented about how somebody was faster than them. Or should he say... somebodies were faster than him.

That's how every one of you knew you were busted. Accepting your fate, the two of you slowly revealed themselves, Alice holding the box.

After a bit of ranting from Kreiburg to which you in all honesty, did not focus in at all, he opened his cane to reveal... a gun.

You and Alice's eyes widened, aswell as Orpheus'.

Kreiburg instructed Alice to put the box infront of her, three steps onward.

Hesitantly, she did. She put down the box before stepping back beside you. Kreiburg immedieatly took that opprotunity to grab the box as fast as he could, but not before he threatend the three of you.

If any of you three decided to turn around before the gun shot, it would be the last thing you'd hear. Creepy, you admit it.

Neither of you three turn around. Waiting for the gunshot as you close your eyes shut. Counting mentally to yourself before you hear the loud gunshot go off.

As the three of you quickly turn around... you realized, Kreiburg ran away. Escaped.

Fuck! But no atleast you three knew he was as fishy as he looked since the start.

The three of you try to get out, but you see that the entrance gates... are locked? What?

They weren't locked when you three entered. This was weird. Probably Kreiburg trying to stall you.

Orpheus found a generator and said he's gonna try to decode it, while Alice and you find nearby ciphers to decode. Since somehow... Orpheus knew a lot about these.

When you asked him how he knows, he just replied with 'I am a writer, i do research of things i write.' Damn man.

You part ways, now jogging alone trough this nightmare maze-like place as you finally find a cipher, starting to decode it, which... somehow you actually knew how to do, even if you had 0 idea what this thing even did.

But as you decoded, your heart started thumping louder and louder inside your chest. Like a warning. You looked around, but saw nothing so you shrugged it off. Maybe it was the caffein and the nights you spent awake getting to you.

But the thumping didn't go away. It onky intensified, aswell as your gut began to churn. A cold shiver running down your spine as you felt like you were being watched. Stalked.

You started to turn left and right more frequently now, it was like something was nearby. Lurking. Maybe waiting. But you didn’t want to guess, as you suddenly made a dash for it.

And you were correct.

Loud thumping behind you could be heard. Someone or... something was chasing after you from behind. Their feet making louder noise than a regular humans would.

You took a sharp turn, and were met with a dead end. You pant, exhausted already from sprinting so much. As you tried to go forward the same path you went on, you felt a sudden pain in your back, letting out a shout as you suddenly got a speed boost, running to... whatever, at this point.

Your lungs felt like they could give out at any moment, you were holding onto your side in pain, you could also feel the bloody flesh of your back against the suddenly cool air of the race place.

You got more unnerved from the blood that you felt trickling down your back and stained your jacket you wore today. Aswell as your hands as you tried to wipe it away, trying to atleast get rid of the uncomfortable feeling if you were already running out of breath, quite literally.

Your body felt weak. It became more heavy then you felt it was before, your feet thumping harshly against the leaves, branches and many other things you stepped on while... running from god knows what.

As you reached a small barricade, you decided jumping over it would be a good way to give you some loop hole against your hunter—

Another sharp pain, but this time to your left side as you collapsed on the floor, writhing in pain as blood began to pool underneath your body from your open wounds.

You whined and whimpered, trying to crawl away before giving up. You couldn't do anything, your body was giving up on you. Your lungs were burning, the air was much, much more cooler than when you arrived.

You turned over on your back, to atleast see who or what was hunting you down like a bloodthirsty animal desperate for prey.

Your eyes widen. This... wasn't a person at all! It seemed like it's... body was...made out of stone? Or was it coal? You couldn't tell from your blurry vision. You could make out the big shadow of a pickaxe... If it even was a pickaxe in the first place.

But upon looking at it's face... it's face seemed very familiar. You just... Couldn't put your finger on it. The black hair, the scar over one if it's eye... the helmet? It all seemed so familiar yet you couldn't pin point why it so familiar.

But before you could think more about it, you saw the.. monster-human hybrid grab it's pickaxe harder, lifting it up over it's shoulder, getting ready to swing at you.

Before it smashed your head into a million different pieces, you whispered out your last words.

'I love you, Norton.'

[missmarveledsblog]

I'll show you different ( joel miller x reader) part one

Summary : y/n ( peach ) is learning to be free , learning to be her own woman again. Since life wasn't so easy for girl she ran from one monster into hands of another now back in her hometown back with her grandfather she learns being free is lot harder than she thought but lucky for her there's a couple of brothers help her along the way .

Warning : mentions and allusions to domestic violence and child abuse. Slightly angst but not much .

It’s funny when you hear thing repeated to you , that you begin to believe them and absence and time makes you take a step back and you realize how truly fuck it all is , when it takes an outside look to see the toxicity . y/n would always be indebted to her friends . she was a runaway , a product of a cycle that kept repeating from her mother to now her. She was afraid when she was younger no one would believe her so to escape her father she ran with the help of fake id , she crossed country ended up away from one monster to the hands of another . she thought he was one to save her , she should of seen the mask he held perfect man saving her like a damsel in distress . looking back it was stupid to believe it all but thank to good surprising people she was able to escape and only one place she could go that had family was austin texas , she was born and bred , only family consisted of her grandfather probably the only man in her life that didn’t hurt her , one that loved her no matter what . she felt guilty not seeing him in so long and yet when she showed up on his door step he said sorry , he apologized for not protecting her as if he was the one to let her down.

He set her up in one if his houses , his old home that he was going to rent out but couldn't due to it Being The one He shared with his wife. She spent many times in the confines of these walls Everytime her mother was in er or her father in jail . The house held the only happy memories from her broken past . She was happy to be home though this was always home whether it was just her or her grandparents This was her safe space , her breather The one place that didn't have fear laced In the foundations .

She Stood looking over the garden , knowing to sass her grandfather for its state . She checked the old shed door almost falling off The hinges But the things she needed taken care of pulling Them out And heading placing Them along the porch only thing she couldn't do was put on the gloves Those ones that kept her grandmother's hands safe tending to the once beautiful rose bushes. No those went into a draw In the house to be kept safe . She wrote list smiling at the freedom Of being just able to leave and come back without a fight Or more To ensue After . Checking the car she'd bought second hand , like it was second nature make sure nothing or none one was lurking Waiting . She watched the town passing By one she grew up in seeing the change and yet it was still the same . Few saying their hellos and what not she could tell it was to fish information out , the faux Friendly manners to fuel the gossip pressing at tip of their tongues . She and her grandfather even held A little bet on it one she was winner of the moment she got his text standing in hardware store .

Eyes scanning the aisle looking at the buckets of paint all looked the same and yet All claiming to be the best for this and that . She moved back trying to make out The buckets up higher only for her back to hid a solid Mass and clash of Metal making her tense up .

“ woah easy there darling” the voice rasped making her spin to see what or who she hit.

“ shit I am so sorry here let me help” she spun picking up the bit And bobs She knocked From his hands .

“ which one you need” he asked softly head nodding To the shelf .

“ white paint one up there says it weather bearing , I need like two cans “ she shrugged going to hand his thing only he Walked up effortlessly reaching for the ones she wanted . “ good brand actually does the job Too” he chuckled placing Them in her cart , glancing at other thing that sat there .

“ I hope so still getting used to the heat again it's something” she nodded finally handing His things to him. “ well thank you and sorry again for before” all she said heading off .

“ hey wait if you need help with anything build , repair heres my card” he smiled pulling it out and holding It out.

“ thanks … Joel but i got it covered” she glanced to the card.

“ actually I'm tommy work's my big brother , but we actually work in construction and since I'm guessing your new To town well handy man is handy to have right” he chuckled.

“ well thank you tommy but I'm Not new to town just back and I'll hold on to “ she sighed before completely leaving him standing there like a boy lost in dreamland.

“ tommy what you doing standing around, John's waiting” a gruff Snapped the man from his dreamy state.

“ met the hottest girl in town joel give a man a minute ” he smiled Brightly .

�� you said that Friday night too “ the older miller Rolled his eyes .

“ no this ones different I can feel it” he chuckled as two headed Get rest of their supplies.

The two brothers heading home for lunch Tommy miller non stop Chatting over the mystery Girl , while joel learned To drown his Little brother out knowing The man would move on , glance at the car cross the street wondering who the mystery tenant was knowing his boss wasn't In a rush to rent that property out at all. Seemed to special for him to do so but didn't question much when he did event catch the new car parked out there once no trouble was brought To the street well it was fine By joel .

Tommy eyes widened as He caught the person standing on the porch. “ that's her man that one from hardware Store” he clapped his brother excitedly On the shoulder.

Hell his brother was right she was beautiful, yet he even from where he stood he could tell she was way too young for him she barely looked mid twenties probably College kid needing place to stay he reckoned.

“ I should say hey welcome her to the neighborhood” tommy winked .

“ though it was her” the voice Of miss Benson taking A stand beside them sad look on her face. “ that boys is john granddaughter y/n, now don't Bother poor girl I'd say it hard being back here” her words more pointed to the younger of The two men.

“ hard, how ?”.

“ y'all not heard What happened surprised with the mouths Around here , her mama was killed By her daddy girl ran away when she was 16 all way across the country , think it was new York guess she finally came back “ she sighed remembering the little pick of a thing that used to stay in that very house.

“ shit That is ..” tommy voice dropped.

“ he got life and he should of gotten the needle” she scoffed. “ hey peach “ she called making girls head shoot over.

“ miss Benson you still here huh?” She smiled although staying away taking in the two men standing til gaze feel On one .

“ I ain't following you darling , that brother I was telling you about We live here” tommy chuckled as three headed over.

“ how you doing sweet girl , good to See you back” the elderly Woman smiled softly .

“ I Don't think all have those same feeling but you alway been Exception to most” peach shook her head shyly .

“ so your grandpa Is our boss and landlord” tommy smiled bright flashing his flirty grin only to return a head nod back .

“ you fixing up your grandmother's garden ,about time someone did I'm sick of giving out That stubborn man” miss Benson chuckled.

“ he got mouthful from me too , but he ain't got green thumb is his Excuse” She rolled her eyes.

“ well if you need anything you got our card” tommy winked again she didn't bat a lash at the action.

“ thank you again I don't think I do “ she smiled softly trying not to come off rude Or anything .

“ welcome party has arrived “ the cheery Voice called .

“ of course it has , although not happy I find out she here Days later “ miss Benson narrowed Her eyes.

“ letting girl settle In before you start with your casseroles is all Ellis “ he chuckled .

“ my fault miss Benson , just needed time to be back” she smiled Weakly it wasn't a lie but it wasn't the whole truth either.

“ I'll drop by Once your settle peach good Seeing you” the old woman smiled.

“ we best get our lunch but need anything darling” tommy smiled .

“ I got your card “.

“ come on , it was nice to meet you y/n” joel nodded.

“ you too , pop I got your Food ready come in when you finished” she smiled heading Into the house not Really used to the social Proprietary ties Being back .

“ hey boys y'all wouldn't mind keeping eye on her while she there , you know young girl living a lone and all that?” john Asked but felt their was more to his words .

“ course we don't not one bit” Joel called back something was different about the girl , he'd give that much to tommy but he couldn't place his finger On it. Something she was hiding. Some thing clouded over her like weight of world was on her Shoulder So to say joel was intrigued was understatement

Part two,

[xxlady-lunaxx]

askfmgf having an obamitsu brainrot now..

Obanai had never believed in love at first sight. He'd never believed in love, period. How could he? He had never had any reason to. There was no reason to start believing now. But when he had met Mitsuri... in retrospect, it wasn't a stretch to say that she had changed his life. Nearly every moment from that day forward he found that the happiest times had been spent with her. His usual doubtfulness on women seemed to dissipate at her nervous smile, asking him with an air of vulnerability where she might be. Though he wasn't sure what to think of her at first glance, he found that she interested him. The fear and urge to run away that usually accompanied any woman was barely a nudge in his mind and the comfort of it all made him relax slightly, guiding her through the Master's estate.

As they walked, she filled in the silence with lovely chatter. She seemed to skip from topic to topic like a child bounding from rock to rock that stretched over a creek. Her enthusiasm was palpable and it almost made him smile himself, though he found that her cascade of conversation was rather overwhelming for a bit. She thanked him for showing the way then went on talking about how she had gotten lost and then led the topic to her four cats and how they had gotten lost in her own house when they'd first arrived. She's explained every little detail about the devilish furballs, saying that they were like the cutest gremlins, shedding so much fur that they could make a whole fur coat out of a day's supply. It amused Obanai to hear her affection for what seemed like the incarnation of the devil himself, especially after she showed him one of the scratches her cats had given her a couple years back that had yet to fade.

As he dropped her off to Kagaya, he had thought he would be relieved to get out of her presence. Instead, he found himself disappointed. She would be at the Hashira meeting that he would attend in a bit, but overall the Hashira didn't make it much of a habit to seek each other out. She probably wouldn't talk to him anymore and had only stuck by because he was showing her the way. His own dismay surprised him and he brought a hand up to stroke Kaburamaru's head, trying to regain his senses. What was this?

Later, at the meeting, Obanai stood by a tree, speaking to Sanemi as they waited for the Master to arrive. When he did, the response was instantaneous as the Hashira bowed simultaneously, dropping to their knees and bowing their heads. Kagaya offered words of greeting and several Hashira returned them before he spoke about the new girl who would be joining the ranks. That was when Mitsuri stepped forward, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. Some of the Hashira gave her uniform curious glances but they welcomed her and she smiled nervously, introducing herself as Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira.

There was quiet titters to this and Obanai could understand. Love Hashira? It would have to do with her Breathing Technique's name—what, Love Breathing? It seemed almost ridiculous but as she made her way to kneel beside the other Hashira, she flashed Obanai a quick smile of recognition, a hint of relief in her eyes as she siddled next to him, offering a small "hello!" before she knelt. Suddenly, Obanai decided he could understand why she held her title. Love Hashira. It fit.

The thought instantly rose the temperature and he shifted, tugging on his bandages slightly as he felt his cheeks burn. No, what was he thinking? Such impure thoughts for his coworker... And yet, glancing at her nervous posture, he could understand himself, if only slightly. She was beautiful and so... normal, almost carefree despite her job. Really, he admired her ability to smile like this, to feel anxious even when she killed every day.

But then he noticed Sanemi giving him a judging look and he turned quickly away, hoping his hair and mask hid the worst of the blush as he refocused his attention on the Master.

It wasn't that other women weren't pretty or whatever. Certainly, people called Shinobu that many times. But Obanai never felt like this for any of them. They were simply more obstacles he'd have to run around, trying to figure them out. But Mitsuri's openness with him earlier and the way she easily sought him out as reassurance despite only having spoken to him once... Maybe other women were like this, but they were different. Mitsuri was different. Somehow, she was special. Somehow, she made Obanai feel like there was a chance he could trust her. Talk to her. Feel safe with her.

Besides, Shinobu was always so tense. She and Obanai got along fine, but he didn't suppose that he could stand being in the same room as her alone for too long. She was a bit scary, if he was being honest. He didn't understand her. But he felt like he could understand Mitsuri, somehow. With her open-book nature and just the way he could read her in a way that didn't seem as much vulnerable and weak than safe. Trustworthy, even.

He hadn't believed in love at first sight before, yes. He hadn't believed he could love either. But obviously, it took less than he'd thought to be proven wrong. Rollercoaster ride or not, he felt that this would all be worth it. He didn't know what it would be worth, yet, but he just knew. Mitsuri was going to be worth it.

[berenwrites]

Always and Forever - Stranger Things - Steddie - G

Rating: G | cw: none | tags: fluff, very light angst, Corroded Coffin, rockstars, touring

Prompt: Love is going out of your way to do something you know will make them happy (@forgottenkanji)

A/N: Written for @steddielovemonth day 29. Sorry I disappeared from this challenge halfway through. We lost one of our kitties (she was 14 ½) and I just kind of lost the impetus, but I figured I had to write something for the last day at least. No beta today because it was a last minute thing.

Also on AO3 soon | All My Other Stranger Things Fic

Always and Forever: Love Finds a Way

Steve stared at the phone for a long time after he put it down with the usual ‘I love you’. He spoke to Eddie every day after he got home and before Eddie was due on stage with the rest of Corroded Coffin. The three-month tour was nearly over, and it had done so much for the band’s popularity. Usually, Eddie sounded excited on the phone, even though he professed to miss Steve as much as Steve missed him.

Tonight, hadn’t been like that.

All Steve had been able to hear was the strain in Eddie’s voice. Oh, Eddie had tried to cover it with his usual exuberance, but Steve knew his boyfriend far too well. Something was wrong.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he picked up the phone again. He rang through to the band’s hotel, but this time he asked for a different room number.

“Hello,” came the rather disgruntled answer after a couple of rings.

“Gareth, what’s wrong with Eddie?” Steve asked without beating around the bus.

“Steve?” Gareth asked, although Steve was pretty sure it was just a stall.

“Gareth,” Steve said in a tone that usually had the not-kids-anymore kids jumping to do whatever he was telling them to.

There was a sigh from the other end.

“He’s having nightmares again,” Gareth finally said after a few moments silence.

“What? Why?” Steve asked.

“There was an incident at one of the venues,” Gareth revealed. “Nothing major, just some fans managed to get backstage and thought it would be hilarious to try and scare the big bad metal band. They had these demon masks and party poppers and hid in the green room. Security got rid of them, but it spooked all of us a bit.”

“If I ever get my hands on those assholes, I will fucking kill them,” Steve growled out, mind jumping to the nail bat he still kept under the bed.

The Upside Down was closed off, there hadn’t been any trouble for three years, but he could never quite shake the need to have a weapon to hand. He could only imagine what it was like for Eddie on tour in strange places. After all, Eddie had nearly died.

“They were just stupid kids,” Gareth did his best to sound soothing, but Steve was pretty sure they were actually in agreement.

“Why didn’t he mention it to me?” Steve asked.

“Probably because he didn’t want to worry you,” Gareth replied. “We’ll make sure he’s okay, Steve,” Gareth promised. “We love him too.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said, taking a deep breath. “Thanks. Don’t tell him I called, okay? He’ll only worry about me worrying.”

“No problem,” Gareth replied. “Sorry, I have to go, the van’s waiting downstairs.”

“Knock ‘em dead,” Steve replied, “and thanks again.”

“See you in a couple of weeks,” Gareth said, and the line clicked off.

Putting the receiver back in the cradle, Steve stared at the phone for a little while longer. It was as he picked it up for the third time, he realised he had made the decision before he had even put it down the first time.

He didn’t stop moving until he was in sitting on the plane. He’d let Robin and Dustin know he was going and asked them to pass on the information. Robin had told him to ‘go get his man’. He’d packed a bag and called a taxi to the airport, barely pausing to make sure he had anything but his wallet. Luckily the girl on the ticket desk had taken pity on him and found him a not completely terrible flight across the country. Staring out the window, all he could think about was Eddie.

By the time he reached the hotel it was the early hours of the morning. He didn’t need to ask reception because he already knew the room number, so he headed straight up. When he stepped out on the right floor a guy in a black suit lurking in the shadows gave him a look. Apparently, someone was taking security seriously now. Corroded Coffin was what some publications liked to call an over-night sensation, even though they had been working hard for several years that didn’t seem to count. You couldn’t turn on a rock station without them coming up. They deserved to be looked after.

Also apparently, someone had briefed the security guy well, because he glared at Steve for a few moments and then appeared to relax. How security knew what he looked like he decided not to ask.

Walking quickly along the hall he got to Eddie’s door. The first thing he noticed was the sound of an acoustic guitar. Not really a surprise after what Gareth had told him. When Eddie couldn’t sleep, he always retreated to his music.

Lifting his hand, Steve knocked.

The guitar playing stopped.

Steve knocked again when no one answered the door.

A second later, the door was yanked inwards, and Eddie was staring at him as if he didn’t quite believe what he was seeing.

“Steve,” Eddie said, eyes big and round.

“Hi,” he replied and gave Eddie a little wave.

“Am I dreaming?” Eddie asked and sounded just a little afraid Steve wasn’t real.

“Nope,” he said, reaching out and touching the side of Eddie’s face.

Eddie almost clocked himself on the side of the head with his guitar, clearly forgetting he was holding it as he tried to cover Steve’s hand with his own. At which point, Steve took the guitar and gently shepherded Eddie back into the room. Once the door was closed, he put the guitar down, dropped his own bag and crowded into Eddie’s personal space.

“Missed you,” he said, taking Eddie’s face in his hands.

The were dark circles under Eddie’s eyes and his skin was pale, but he was just a beautiful to Steve as always.

“Missed you too,” Eddie replied, a tiny smile quirking his lips as he drank Steve in with his eyes. “How?”

“Need you to be happy, Eds,” he said, leaning forward so their foreheads were touching. “That’s all that matters.”

“But…”

“No buts,” he interrupted. “Need to hold you and chase the nightmares away.”

“Who told you?” Eddie asked, but there was no heat to his tone even as he wound his arms around Steve.

“Twisted Gareth’s arm,” Steve confessed, wrapping Eddie in a tight embrace. “Knew something was wrong on the phone earlier.”

“Not as good an actor as I think I am, huh?” Eddie said into his shirt.

“Only to me,” Steve assured him, “and well probably Wayne.”

That startled a laugh out of Eddie, but he didn’t move from his position in Steve’s arms.

“God I love you,” Eddie said.

“Me too,” Steve replied, “always and forever.”

When Eddie had gone off on tour it had seemed like such a big thing, the first reality of the rockstar lifestyle. Steve had worried it would pull them apart, but what he’d realised during the earlier phone call, was it was all irrelevant. All the mattered to him was Eddie. Everything else was just details to be worked out.

He didn’t have a plan. Hadn’t had more than the sure and certain knowledge he needed to get to Eddie. He would work out what to do next when he woke up in the morning with Eddie in his arms. That was the important part.

All My Other Stranger Things Fic

[notablenotions]

Masks of Noblity Chapter 39: The Stew of Secrets

Henry’s POV

The tavern didn’t have a name.

That was probably for the best.

It was tucked into a crooked alley off Prague’s Old Town, wedged between a shuttered cobbler and something Henry strongly suspected was a front for fencing stolen relics. The sign above the door simply read “OPEN (probably)” in faded charcoal.

The air inside was thick with smoke, spilled beer, and the sort of silence people bought with coin and didn’t break unless someone bled.

They took a table in the darkest corner. Václav slouched across from them like royalty slumming it for sport.

A barmaid with more scars than fingers brought them three tankards of something that might once have been ale and three bowls of mystery stew. Václav sniffed his bowl, shrugged, and stirred it with a crust of bread.

“Probably rat,” he said cheerfully. “Tastes like ambition.”

Hans eyed his own bowl like it might bite back. “God, I miss Rattay.”

Henry had barely touched his drink. He was still thinking about Peaches—about Radzig’s eyes above the battlements, wild with grief and lace. About the way the word princess had cracked like a cry from someone drowning.

Václav waved the barmaid over. “Put it on Ziggy’s tab.”

She nodded without even blinking.

“That’s alarming,” Hans muttered.

Václav took a long drink. Then another. Then, abruptly, he said, “Before we steal the dog, you need to understand what we’re stealing him from.”

Henry blinked. “You mean Peaches.”

“No,” Václav said, serious now. “I mean Radzig. This isn’t about the dog.”

He leaned back, tankard in hand, and sighed through his nose. “I’ve known Ziggy since we were boys. Me, him, and Hynek—Jitka’s uncle—were all packed off to Erhart the Elder’s household to be ‘ironed into men.’ He was... well. If King Arthur crawled out of a mountain and decided to raise other people’s children, that’d be Erhart. Bloody terrifying. Always smelled of cold steel and pine.”

Václav paused, swirling the dregs of his drink.

“Didn’t really work out. I’m a drunk. Ziggy’s still stabby. Hynek’s a mad bastard who lives in a cave, possibly on purpose.”

Hans gave a snort. Václav ignored him.

“Radzig’s family was old—proper noble stock—but broke as a wine cart. So they got him engaged to Hynek’s little sister. Jitka the Elder. Yes, another Jitka. I know, it’s confusing. Erhart wasn’t a creative man. His son’s also called Erhart. That one stayed with the Kunštáts when things went sideways.”

Henry frowned. “Wait. She has a brother?”

Hans blinked. “Jitka never mentioned a brother.”

“She wouldn’t,” Václav said flatly. “The Kunštáts kept the boy. Used him as leverage. Same as they used her. I think she loved him once. I don’t know if she still does.”

The silence at the table shifted. Grew heavier.

Václav kept talking. His voice had dropped low—less theatrical now. More human.

“Radzig was meant to marry Jitka the Elder. The family needed it. But then he went out one night to rob some cavern—don’t ask—and on the way out, fleeing some furious priest or highwaymen or whatever, he meets a girl.”

He looked at Henry now. “Anna.”

Henry froze.

Václav smiled, gently. “And that’s where you begin.”

No one moved.

“He fell,” Václav said softly. “Head over heels. Gave up the engagement, gave up the family’s plan. His mother told him to end it. To get rid of her. And you. If you catch my meaning.”

He didn’t have to.

Henry couldn’t look up.

Hans, beside him, had gone very still.

“Ziggy refused,” Václav went on. “Tried to fight it. But then Jitka the Elder also derails the family plan by running off with Erhart the Elder. Who she met through Ziggy, mind you.”

A breath of laughter escaped him. “Not that he minded. She was like a sister to him. But after all that—no match, no money, no inheritance—his mother lost her mind. Tried to have Anna... removed. Jitka the Elder and Hynek got wind of it. Introduced Ziggy to Martin.”

Henry’s head snapped up.

Václav nodded. “The blacksmith. The best of us, probably. He agreed to hide Anna and raise you. To keep you safe. Ziggy gave you up because he had to. To protect you. He could’ve claimed you, but it would’ve put you both in a grave.”

Henry didn’t speak.

He couldn’t.

Václav’s eyes softened. “He’s not a good father. But he was one, in the way he knew how. He gave you safety. And when Skalitz burned... he took you back. Because he couldn’t let you vanish again.”

Henry felt his throat tighten. His hands curled on the table.

“And when Jitka the Elder died,” Václav said quietly, “and Erhart the Elder went mad with grief, Radzig... he saw through it. Saw the man couldn’t care for a child like himself so took her raised her as his own. From then on he had a little girl following him through his hall like a duckling. Silent. Just always there.”

He smiled faintly. “Christ, she dressed exactly like him till she was eleven. Doublet, hose, jerkin. I had to get my wife to explain to Ziggy that it was weird they matched. Nobles started asking if she was a boy. He panicked. Got a courtesan to teach her how to walk and flirt and sit like a girl. Gods the dresses he bought her. ”

Hans burst out laughing.

But Henry was still stuck on the word duckling.

“She called him Papa,” Václav finished. “And he called her his girl. That child saved Ziggy as much as he saved her. Pulled her out of a river and never let her go. Don’t hate her for that. Or him.”

The silence returned. Heavy. Sacred.

Then Václav downed his tankard.

“Anyway,” he said briskly, “Ziggy now believes both of his children have been stolen from him by the noble world. So he’s clinging to that dog like a shipwrecked sailor to a barrel of pickles.”

Hans blinked. “I’m sorry—did you just compare Peaches to a barrel of pickles?”

“Try taking her from him and tell me I’m wrong,” Václav said grimly. “He bites. The dog definitely bites.”

Henry exhaled.

His chest felt hollow and full at once.

He looked down at his hands, then across at Hans.

“I thought he just didn’t want me.”

Hans shook his head. “He wanted you alive.”

Henry nodded once.

Then Hans smirked faintly. “So what’s the plan? Bribe the dog with sausages? Fake a seizure and distract Radzig with military maps?”

Václav grinned. “Oh no, Capon. We’re not stealing the dog.”

Hans blinked. “We’re not?”

Václav winked. “We’re liberating a princess.”

[mafiasliege]

The Proposal, Part 1

(hey guys! So I randomly had this idea of the JamesonAvery proposal so I thought to share it here. This is my first time writing a fic btw. Let me know how you feel about it. Also, it's in 2 or maybe 3 parts.)

--------------------------------------------------

Present Day

Jameson Hawthorne never gets nervous.

Almost all the time.

Almost.

"What did you do now?" Nash said, walking the line between his usual drawl and slight accusation. Apparently, he was the first one to have gotten Jameson's 911 and come to the tree house.

"What makes you think I did anything?" Jameson replied, but he knew why Nash would say so.

"We know you, and right now you look like you haven't slept in days." Xander said as he climbed in from the window. His brothers knew him too well. Even from behind him, Nash could immediately tell something was going on. Xander too.

"That's because I haven't." It was true. He was too excited in the plane back from Paris to sleep. And scared. The world was changing.

"Did sun rise from the west today?" Grayson said. His carefully calculated mask fell, he seemed too puzzled by Jameson's expression and continued, "you look... nervous." Jameson didn't bother replying. Everyone was here now.

He was going to tell them. Now. It seemed simpler in his mind.

Clearly not.

"Before you say anything, Jamie, this time, whatever you're about to tell us is not something that's going to stay in the tree ho-" Xander came to a halt abruptly when Jameson plunked down a ring box on the wooden table. Simplest way of getting it done was to rip the bandaid.

Either Jameson's brother were too shocked or they'd died standing.

"Is-Is that what I think it is?" Grayson was not-yelling by the difference of a hair. Jameson just nodded.

"Oh my god. Oh my GOD!" Xander tackled Jameson. Soon Nash and Grayson joined. The tackle hugs never got old. And something told Jameson that some things would never change.

Like his brothers.

They'll be here forever.

"You haven't even seen the ring!" Jameson said as Grayson pulled him up. He opened the deep green velvet box. Inside was a beautiful oval-shaped Emerald- a shade of green so captivating, as though it was daring you to try to look away. They couldn't.

It looks like Jamie's eyes, Grayson thought suddenly. Something told him Avery would think so too, afterall she'd probably spent ages looking at his eyes.

"It's gorgeous, Jameson" Nash said. "But you know I have to ask, do you think you're ready to get married? You're 22."

"Who said anything about getting married? Avery and I could stay engaged till we're ready."

He shot back, and realised too late what Nash had meant to ask.

Are you sure she's the one?

But Nash was smiling. They all were, actually. He'd said it so easily. So easily, it was like breathing. That's how certain be was about Avery. Nash had gotten his answer.

"Jamie…" Xander was looking at the ring. The inside of the ring. "It's engraved-"

"I know."

Nash and Grayson moved to Xander's side to see the ring.

SMG • AKG

"Where'd you get the ring?"

--------------------------------------------------

The day before

It was 9 pm. Nine in the cold, cold night of Paris. Jameson had waited seven months for this. Seven months of secretly tracking one small ring- a ring more valuable to his beloved heiress more than almost anything. It was a miracle that he'd been able to hid all of it from Avery. Tracking and finding the ring was hard enough, let alone getting the owner to sell it to him. What if they didn't. Luckily, it had ended up in an auction house.

First it went to Layla's pawn shop in Connecticut, then to a buyer in Washington, whose wife sold the ring during their clearly shitty honeymoon in Italy. From there it moved all across Spain, Scotland and finally, an exclusive auction house in France.

He could still remember their conversation during their second vacation to Tahiti all those months ago, sitting near his heiress on Te Pari, a cliff jumping spot.

She'd told him about what she read in one of her mom's letters, about an emerald ring her mom gave her on her 15th birthday. With their initials engraved. Apparently Toby had given it to Sarah as a gift when Avery was just a baby. He'd asked her to give it to Avery when she was old enough.

Of course, when she was old enough, her mother was dying of a rare disease, one that required very expensive treatment. So, poor 15-year-old Avery had to sell the ring in a pawn shop.

He remembered feeling like someone had stabbed him in the heart with a dagger. Avery could practically bathe in emeralds now, she even owned diamond and emerald mines. But she'd never get that ring back.

That's what she thought.

"Mr. Hawthorne" a very French voice snapped Jameson or of his thoughts.

"Mr. Laurent" Jamie shook the middle-aged, suit-clad Frenchman's hand. He handed Jameson a green velvet box, and Jameson handed him a balck envelope with a cheque.

"I'm surprised you came all the way here to get the ring. We could have brought it to you" Mr Laurent said. But then Avery would've known. He'd told her he was taking her plane to Scotland to check in on the upkeep of Vantage- his paternal family's castle that he'd won. Jamie checked the inside of the ring.

SMG • AKG

Yes. Yes yes YES.

"Worry not. I'm just glad to have it."

And he was. So much, he could only imagine how happy Avery would be.

Now the hard parts.

-------------------------------------------------

Present day

Grayson was the first one to break the silence after Jameson finished telling his story.

"When are you going to do it?"

"The day she came here,"

Jameson shot his brother the most Jameson Winchester Hawthorne smile.

"Tomorrow"

--------------------------------------------------

(Part 2 will come up soon. Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks!! :))

[empressofthesunwriter]

Beauty Is A Curse

Queen B.

Beauty Queen.

Wear your mask, don't let them see.

The Girl underneath.

Hide, hide, hide under snide and pride.

Use a sharp tongue to make them bow.

You are the Queen of this school.

Beautiful, so beautiful, yet deep down, you feel so vacant.

You scream inside and no one hears.

They love your face, but what about your soul?

Beauty is a curse for sure.

Three

Paulina was ready to go to war.

Paulina was ready to fight the status quo.

Paulina...Paulina was scared.

Oh god, could she really do this?

Danny was worth it but for herself?

She lived her whole life in public as Queen B, could she put her real dorky self just out like this?

Nervous she bit her nails, while they waited for Manson to start her presentation in the school aula.

The Latina only took notice of what was happening when all started to laugh and she saw her Danny dressed in a costume from My Fair Lady.

How did this happen?

Was this a prank from Dash and his posy?

Whatever it was Paulina felt so sorry for Danny.

Later as her friends weren't looking she sent him a text message.

P. Sanchez: Danny are you alright?

D. Fenton: Besides my dignity, yeah I am okay, Paulina.

P. Sachez: Did Dash force you to dress like this?

D. Fenton: Not Dash but someone as annoying as him.

What did he mean by that?

Before she could ask, he sent a text message back.

D. Fenton: Say have you heard of the legend of locker 724?

P. Sanchez: The one about the cursed locker, yeah I have, why?

D. Fenton: Great, it's my locker now.

P. Sanchez: You never can catch a break, can you Danny?

D. Fenton: Seems like it.

P. Sanchez: Don't worry, it's probably just a tale.

Danny sent her a thumbs-up, which made her giggle.

She could feel the sarcasm radiant of it.

Star asked her then what she was laughing about and fast Paulina hid her phone.

The Latina stuttered something about a joke she remembered, then excused herself to the bathroom.

Yeah, changing, and showing her true self would be hard.

(*)

The next day in school...was freaky.

Everybody who pulled pranks on the nerds and losers of the school somehow got punished for it by an unseen force.

Paulina was happy, she had said no to Kwan helping him by a prank because now Star had to brush out extinguisher foam from her hair.

It did give her confidence that she was on the right track.

However, the day got weirder from that point on.

Suddenly Danny was giving free soda out to everyone even Dash and his posy treated him like a friend.

They even let him play football with them!

Frowning Paulina looked at how now Manson started to exploit Danny's new popularity for her save-the-frogs agenda.

Something was utterly wrong.

(*)

At night Paulina was back at her hideout.

Whatever had made Danny act this way to be popular ended at the end of the school day and he was now back to normal.

Still...Paulina couldn't shake the feeling she was missing something.

Why these strange unseen attacks on the bullies of Casper High?

Why did Danny act and speak like some 50s guy and then get back to normal?

No, there was more to all of this.

But what?

Then she remembered how Danny had for a while the cursed locker as his.

No...was the legend true that some poor guy from the 50s haunted the locker?

But again, what did it mean for this crazy day?

Frustrated Paulina gripped her hair.

She was missing pieces of the puzzle.

Could she even find an answer?

Done with this day, she decides to go home.

Maybe sleep would help.

(*)

The next few days were normal.

Her friends did wonder why she didn't want to play pranks on the losers, as they called them, anymore, but Paulina just said she found it uncool now.

That had shocked anyone, even herself.

Still didn't stop the others from being their bully-selfs.

Slow and steady won the race.

Paulina had to remind herself of that.

On the bright side, she texted and even talked with Danny over to phone any day.

In school they did like their friendship didn't exist, yet alone in their homes (or her hideout) they texted or talked for hours.

Paulina was fascinated by how Danny wanted to become an astronaut, but she still struggled with what to do with herself after High School.

He knew so much about stars, planets and anything space-related, that Paulina loved to listen to him.

His voice was so soothing and comforting.

Once he asked her if his rambling was annoying her and she told him that she just loved his voice.

The Latina could imagine the blush on Danny's handsome face.

This made her giggle, which in turn made him laugh too.

One day, Paulina hoped, she would be able to see Danny's blushing face and kiss his cheeks.

For now, she told her old friend the Moon how she was falling harder for the boy.

[moonbyulsstuff]

Hello!!! I was wondering if you could write Hanju Gu x Reader and Jeaha Han x Reader separately, where the reader is female but due to some traumatic experience Reader hides her face and acts like a guy, not knowing that the reader is female they befriend her, recruiting her into their gang, during a big fight between gangs her mask breaks off, and they find out that they are actually female, and if you can please make the reader badass.

I hope it is not too much and please do not mind my English it is not my first language.

Your A Girl?!

Female Reader

Requested

Request Rules

Masterlist.

TW: SEXUAL ASSAULT, IMPLIED EMOTIONAL ABUSE?

Hajun Gu:

Hajun should've known that she were a girl at first but he brushed it off, he always thought it was odd that her voice was slightly much higher than the other guys.

Or how there was a slight curve whenever she wore a shirt, how her chest seemed slightly round than the others guy who also had big chest. Everything about her basically screams girl.

But he ignored it.

She was good at fighting, flexible, fast and light in her feet. Much quicker than the fastest guy he see, especially Haru Seong. But it was probably because of how small and light that made it easier for her to navigate faster during fights.

But it was probably because of how she always had a hat and a mask on, basically hiding her identity.

So when the big fight happened between East and West, the reveal of her gender was shown.

The mask and hat being taken by some of the East members and Hajun was with [Name] when it happened, but Hajun noticed something when her gender identity was reveal. And that was fear.

She was quick to beat the members up before they even got the chance to fight.

And now, Hajun was standing as he stared at her back. She was slightly shaking and nervous and it made Hajun want to comfort her. "[Name]?" The girl flinched when he called out to her, she slowly turned and look at Hajun, and he could see it clearly. The fear in her eyes and Hajun wanted to comfort her. Reassure her that everything was alright.

The same she did when he got his ass kicked by Suhyeon, he slowly walked towards her but she took a step forward. Hajun knew she was going to run away after this. "Wait... don't go.." Hajun said as [Name] looked away and clenched her fist together. "... You're a girl? The entire time..?" Hajun said as [Name] looked down on the ground and nodded, she bit her bottom lip. "Yes... the entire time..." [Name] said as Hajun nodded.

The two were able to settle down, in a private area. She was wearing her cap as she adjusted her hair, she was fiddling with the mask. Hajun leaning against the wall as she was sitting down on the stairs.

His arms crossed as he stared down at her. "Why..? Why did you hide your identity? Specifically your gender identity?" He asked as [Name] looked down on the ground, Hajun could see that she was slightly shaking.

He sighed, maybe he shouldn't ask now especially since he had just found out [Name] was a girl.

"You know what... you can tell me some other ti-" "You won't tell the others if I do?" Hajun looked at her in confusion before he shook his head. "No, no... of course not. I won't tell the others if you don't want me too..." Hajun said as [Name] looked at him.

He could see the reassurance in her eyes, she was quiet before she quietly spoke. ".... I think... you should know... after all... we've known each other since middle school..." [Name] said as Hajun seem surprised.

"Are you sure?" "Yeah..." [Name] told Hajun everything, the reason on why she did her identity and hid it from everyone.

She was assaulted, when she was in middle school. Before she met Hajun, she went to a different school. She was assaulted by a bunch of guys one day and she was traumatized, she couldn't get the feeling away.

She was scared that if she sleeps, she'll woke up one day with the men standing by her bedside. It scared her, it scared her so much. She constantly walked around in edge after what happened, overthinking and being cautious.

[Name] eventually made the decision to hid her identity and learned on how to fight, she felt that if she hid her identity then she won't get assaulted and felt that if she fought then nobody would bother her ever.

She feels this was the only way for her to prevent from being assaulted once more, she didn't want to relive that experience once more. [Name] wanted to make sure that nobody would ever mess with her.

[Name] knew that if she fights with her gender identity revealed, she would still be constantly harassed by the men around her. That's why she also hid her gender identity.

After she finished telling her story, Hajun stared at her in shock. "So... that's why.." Hajun said as she nodded, her head put down. Hajun sighed and knelt in front of her and lightly ruffled her hair.

"I won't tell the others..." Hajun said as [Name] looked up at him. "Thank you..." She said as Hajun smiled. "I'll keep your secret, I promise. I'll make sure of it..." [Name] felt tears prickling in her eyes as Hajun wiped it away. "Don't worry... and I'll make sure no one touch you in that way ever again."

Jaeha Han:

Jaeha always had a inkling suspicions. I mean that man is smart as hell. Nothing could by pass him except for the betrayal of Sikyung.

Their eyes widened when the cap and mask fell down to the ground after Sikyung took it off her, it shocked them especially Jaeha. It confirmed his suspicious about [Name] genders.

"You... you were a girl the entire time...?" Sikyung said with his eyes widened but he dodged another kick from [Name], the anger and frustration in her eyes were obvious. The fact her gender identity was revealed, it frustrated her to no end.

Sikyung kept dodging her kicks and punch but it was slowly started to get overwhelming for Sikyung, she was fight. No doubt, flexible too. Since her body was small and light, she could move quicker.

As she raised her leg to kick him in his shoulders, he held her leg and was about to throw her before she spin her body and kicked him across the face.

Sikyung felt his face, the kick hurt a lot. He hasn't seen it before, but it was clear she had experience from fighting someone.

"That shit hurts... I never thought you would be a girl [Name]. Any reason why you hid it?" Sikyung said as [Name] only glared at him before he got a call.

He eventually left as it was quiet before everyone started to eventually got up and left, to get their injuries treated. Jaeha kept staring at [Name] even after they got into a meeting, and they left as Jaeha and [Name] walked down the same path as always.

...

"So, you're a girl." Jaeha said as [Name] looked up at him before she nodded. It was quiet for a moment before [Name] spoke out once more.

"... are you mad that I kept it as a secret?" She asked as Jaeha chuckled as he shook his head. "Nope, not made. Just curious.. on why you hid your gender identity..." Jaeha said as he blew a smoke.

[Name] hummed and nodded his head. "Can't blame you for getting curious..." She said as Jaeha looked down at her. It went back to being quiet once more.

Jaeha didn't want to pressure her on telling him, he'll wait. [Name] has always been by his side ever since she joined him, she was loyal and followed and didn't ask anything.

So, he'll wait until she tells him.

But for now, he'll just revel at the fact that his suspicions were correct that [Name] was indeed girl. He blew a smoke before he felt [Name] stopped walking, he turned around and stared at [Name]. "[Name]?" Jaeha called out. "Is something wrong?" ... "My father..." Jaeha tilted his head. "What about him?" He asked as he walked towards [Name] and stood in front of her, she frowned as she clenched her first. "He always wanted a boy... he forced me to be one..." She said as Jaeha seemed shock at the revelation.

"Even now that he's dead... I can't seem... to get away from this... being a boy... pretending to be one..." [Name] said as Jaeha frowned, he can feel the pain and desperation in her voice. "It's just that.... every time I act like a girl or... be a girl out in the public... I can hear his voice in the back of my mind... his words echoing... it haunts me..." She said as she held her arms.

"I... I just wan to live normally... but I just can't..." [Name] said as Jaehe frowned as he felt his heart tug at the sound of her voice, he walked towards her and pulled her into a hug. Catching [Name] off guard at what Jaeha just did, his hug tightened. "I'll be here for you.." Jaeha whispered against her ear as her eyes widened at his words. "Every step into the way... I'll make you'll feel comfortable being yourself... not hiding behind something you aren't.." Jaeha said as she felt her eyes watered, she buried her face against his shoulder. "I promise you..."

[alg1905]

2 Demons 1 Angel Ch4 Abigail: The Forgotten Past

Abigail

I knew both of their voices. The silly mask covering Damian’s eyes hid nothing from me. I just didn’t say anything about it yet because there were more important things to talk about. His rhythm thumped fast. His looks are similar to Daniel, but I am sure they are complete opposites. The large man next to him, I also knew. Hamia. I knew that this was my hamia. It was so long ago.

Damian asked, “What are you two talking about?” He was looking back and forth at me and Jason.

Jason was still staring at me.

I bit my lip. “It was a long time ago. I was a kid.  I was tortured by… him.”

Damian narrowed his eyes. “Who?”

I hesitated. I was looking at the floor biting my lip, I remembered what Daniel said to me. Damian cared about him.  He did right in Damian’s eyes. He treated Damian differently than us. I could never care about him, the one who caused so much pain.  The one who took… them.

Jason spoke for me “Your grandfather.”

I slowly nodded.  Damian looked utterly annoyed, but he was hiding his confusion well, I could still tell.  I mean I have been studying that face for the better part of my life. 

Damian’s voice turned cold.  “Explain.”

I took a deep breath. “The… the old man took me away and he hurt me … for a long time. At some point Jason found me chained next to the pit.” My voice trembled.

“You were probably three or four.  This was the time when I stayed with the league.  For years I didn’t remember much about my past, so Talia made me her personal babysitter for you Damian.”  This part sounded familiar to Damian as he was nodding to Jason. “You were about seven when my memory started to fully come back, I couldn’t leave as I was bound to serve Talia.  Once I had my memory back, I noticed Ras going down to the pits nearly every night, about every third night he would bring water.  After six months of this I decided to investigate. I waited and followed him down, hiding behind a bolder. What I saw … there are no words.” He said looking at me. “After Ras went back up, I went to get a closer look.  I saw you battered, scared, branded, and when you heard me-“

I cut him off “I thought it was him again. Before that night, I thought me and him were the only things that existed.  I knew nothing else. Then …” my voice trailed off; Jason picked back up.

“You were terrified, and I tried to calm you down.  I asked your name, and you hesitated and said ‘child’.” 

I flinched at the name. No at the brand, I was given that still haunts me till this day. Damian noticed but didn’t say anything, though I am sure he will ask later.  Damian’s face appeared to be stone, but I saw the tells.  ‘His left hand tensed around the table because of rage, the slight quivering of his lip not wanting to believe one thing out of our mouths’. He hid them well, but not enough for me not to notice. His rhythm pounding faster, as if he should be running.

Jason continued, “I knew she couldn’t live without a name, something to call her own. I thought and gave you the name Abigail. I told you my name was Jason, and I wasn’t there to hurt you. You were so scared. I quickly undid your chains and picked you up, I couldn’t… leave you there. When we came up, alarms went off and I tried to get you out of there. There were assassins on our tail, and they hit me with something.”

“Metal stars.” I whispered. “Many hit you, you were still running. Finally, he came and stabbed you before we could escape. There were others trapping us, he was… about to kill you when a woman came to us with a kid trailing behind.  She told him no, that she would decide your punishment.” Hot tears rushed down my face, “I thought he still took you and killed you. I don’t remember anything after that other than pain.”

They were both staring at me, Damian was visibly showing his shock. “I am going to check on Daniel”. I said, walking into the other room.  I had told them the first part of my story, I needed to breathe before I brought up anything else.