#since both weather and time have overseers but the life gods don't

[timeskip]

Making a mental map of my OC universe's various gods is so fun. I have at least a rough idea for the roles and personalities of 13 active gods (ie not including Storm since they're a FORMER god) but there's definitely more than 13. How many? I have no idea. But ideally if I made this universe into any sort of real project it would leave enough room for people to make OC gods

[gatoru]

la santa || hawks x reader

summary: hawks has complicated feelings when it comes to you. the fact you're just like him, and nothing like him at all, doesn't seem to help. (cw: afab!reader, reader has wings, small age gap, reader is in college, hawks in his late 20s, smut, 18+. p in v, unprotected sex, creampie, dirty talk, wing play, squirting, hawks calls reader kid like twice.)

wc: 2K

tags: @jctaro @kicamiju

a/n: i had latina reader in mind when writing this. hawks loves us sorry i don't make the rules.

Keigo knows the way to your apartment like the back of his hand. 

For some unknown reason, you always end up finding each other – or, he finds himself knocking on your window far too often.

It’s raining outside. Not the soft kind of pouring, the one that collides gently against your windows. No, this feels like a storm – as if it’s a warning, as if God himself is mad at you. The power might run out at any moment, so you prepare yourself by placing a few candles throughout your apartment. It paints your tiny home in an orange light, contrasting with the current chill weather.  

Walking towards the kitchen, you come across a pair of crimson wings outside your balcony. Instantly, you open the glass doors – as if it’s rehearsed, like you’ve done many times before. 

See, you and Hawks have this routine, this dance that only you know the rhythm of. You can’t exactly recall when it started  – it’s funny how you can’t remember what your life used to look like before a certain winged hero accidentally came crashing through one of your windows during a fight. 

This time, there’s a bruise on his left eyebrow, although it doesn’t look fresh. He’s not looking for your help, that much you figure. 

Hawks silently thanks you for not making a comment about how his wings will get your floor wet, or how they might ruin your sofa’s cushion. Your home feels like his sanctuary – perhaps that’s why he always ends up here. 

You notice his hair looks shorter now, with a few strands falling just above his piercing hazel eyes. He’s changed since the last time you saw each other, and you fail to ignore the ache in your heart – it’s been, what, a couple of months?

“You could always use the door, you know?” You suggest, breaking the silence. He notices your hair is wet too, you might have just come out of the shower.

He smirks, lips curling upwards. He eyes you for a moment, watching your wings glow under the warm orange light that illuminates your apartment. 

Truth be told, your wings were the first thing Hawks noticed about you. Yours are so different from his: soft, delicate – the glowy bluish green makes it look like you’re some sort of faire. Later, he’d learn about your quirk, some sort of butterfly mutation. He notices how you cut holes in the oversized shirt you’re wearing, so your wings could comfortably go through them. 

“Now, that wouldn’t be as fun, would it?” His dry laugh holds no humor at all. 

You simply smile in return, the need to know why he’s standing in your living room dying behind your teeth. His eyes haven’t left your form since he entered your space. 

“Are you hurt?” You ask instead, hopefully subtly enough. 

He thinks for a moment, considering where he wants this night to go. It doesn’t matter, however, it always ends up in the same way. 

“Nah.” He answers, surprisingly telling the truth. 

Despite the kind words and gestures, the both of you have a dynamic that seems like a sword fight. Blades out, quietly waiting for the other to make the first attack. The violence never seems to come, however. 

“I’m on sabbatical.” He confesses, avoiding eye contact. Instead, he looks at your coffee table, with textbooks splattered on top of it – your laptop is closed, but you haven't turned it off yet. Perhaps he interrupted your study session. “Forced sabbatical.”

“Ah” 

“Yeah.” He continues, wings trembling a bit – probably from the cold water drops. “Still trying to figure out what to do with my free time.”

You let out a chuckle. It’s almost comical, really, this game of cat and mouse. 

“And you end up here?” You ask, not expecting an answer. “Hawks, I’m honored you’re looking for entertainment and found me, but it’s a weeknight. I have class tomorrow.”

You move towards the balcony’s glass door, and he notices how your bare legs look in the moonlight. A strong arm finds its way wrapped around your stomach, pulling your wings flush against his toned chest.

“I know.” He whispers, lips brushing against the shell of your ear. It sends a shiver down your spine, which makes Hawks smile to himself, at the effect he has on you. “Are you willing to skip class and let me spend the night here?”

You don’t answer, but it’s not like you have to. As soon as you turn around, your lips collide against his. 

-

The power has run out, but it doesn’t stop the winged number two hero from bending you over the couch. 

He’s already left a handful of love bites against your chest and stomach, leaving a trail of open mouthed kisses towards your pantyline. His sharp pearly whites graze against your soft skin, gently. It makes you gasp in anticipation, panties getting wetter by the minute. 

Hawks knows your body – knows it better than he knows himself, which might not be saying much. Strong, calloused hands remove the delicate material of your underwear, freeing your body, finally. He discards it near where your shirt lays on the ground. 

The fact you’re completely bare and at his mercy doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s still dressed, fully covered. His fingers explore the tip of your wings, which makes you moan – they’re sensitive, and he knows it too well. Perhaps that’s what makes this weird dynamic work so well: he understands you deeply, because you’re equals. 

You’re the same thing, in different shapes. 

“Y’like it when I play with your wings, huh?” He whispers, voice husky and dripping with lust. You simply moan, hips grinding against his crotch. A whine escapes your lips when his digits find their way towards the base of your wings. “I know baby, I know.”

It’s blissful, all of it. The lust dripping from his voice, his hazy eyes and needy touch. It feels like you’re the only people in the world right now: the city lights aren’t shining anymore, the storm is numbing and the bubble of warmth you’ve created for yourselves only grows bigger.

His lips don’t leave yours, his kiss is all teeth and tongue, all bite and no bark. Your hands grip on his honeyed locks, hard enough to earn a reaction from him – “ah, fuck” – but not hard enough to hurt him. 

He shifts, taking his shirt off. Your fingernails scratch his chest, leaving red marks on his soft skin. There’s a new scar near his collarbone, but you don’t ask – can’t bring yourself to do it. The light hair against his skin makes him look more real, more human than ever. 

Truth be told, Hawks is scared he might look so average you’ll end up losing interest in him. It still hasn’t happened, though. 

“Keigo…” You mewled against his lips, as his hips rut against yours. The friction of his soft sweatpants against your bare cunt makes you only want him more. The sound of his name sends a shiver down his wings. “Stop teasing.”

He laughs. An open mouthed, heartful laugh.

“Teasing? Sweetheart, I’ve barely even started.”

His fingers slowly – awfully slowly – explore your pussy, gently stroking your needy clit. Your hips move against his hand as if you’re some kind of bitch in heat. Well, perhaps you’re becoming one. 

Your hands move to his wings, fingertips traveling through red feathers. He chokes, letting out a strangled sound – it doesn’t distract him from fingering your pussy, though. Hawks’ fingers are rapid, experienced – he’s well aware boys your age wouldn’t dream of pleasuring you like this. 

He’s well aware he’s ruined other people for you. 

“Fuck, kid, straight for the wings huh?” 

The ridiculous nickname feels funny on his tongue, heavy with the need to call you something more than that. He wants to call you baby, his lover, his bitch–

“Two can play this game.” You tease, kissing his neck. You leave a mark, one that can be easily hidden but still a reminder of your sinful acts with him. 

At this point, you’re not quite sure where his body starts and yours ends. It’s too intimate, too passionate – it almost suffocates you. It feels like you’re drowning in him, losing yourself in his presence. It’s intoxicating, and you need more. 

Your hands slowly push his sweatpants down, along with his underwear, and he gets the message. Hawks frees his cock, letting it slap against his toned stomach. The tip is an angry red color, and his balls look heavy. 

Unconsciously, you wet your lips, salivating at the sight. You sit up, but he pushes you down, pinning you against the couch. 

“Not today, ‘kay?” He asks, and he smiles at the pout forming on your lips. “Just wanna feel your cunt, sweetheart.”

His tip bullies its way through your velvety walls, and you both sigh in relief. Despite his size and girth, the stretch doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Hawks, while playing and edging your pussy, got you ready to take him.

He hooks one of your legs on his shoulder, and your ankle brushes against his wings. The crimson feathers look bigger now, more intimidating. they almost reach the ceiling, creating a perfect barrier between you and the world. 

Hawks inches into you fully, balls softly slapping against your ass. You whine as he sets a steady pace, eyes rolling into your skull at the pleasure. His body almost goes numb from the feeling of your tight, warm walls gripping on him like your life depended on it. It almost sends him into sensory overload. 

“Who d’you belong to?” He asks, hips snapping against yours. His fingers are pressing harshly against your hips, dipping into the flesh. Hawks’ pupils look sharper and bigger, making his eyes look even more predatory. 

“You, fuck, y-you Keigo.” You breathe, soft doe eyes looking up at him like he’s the only thing you know. “Belong t’you.”

Despite the pretty tone in your voice, he doesn’t believe you for a second. He wants that to be a reality so bad, but he can’t bring himself to do it. There’s no way in hell an angel like you could belong to someone like him. 

You feel so full, so relaxed. There’s something unique about his touch, something so good about the way you become one. His cock reaches all the right places, the ones you can’t quite reach with your finger – or toys. 

Hawks’ body is warm, feverish. His palm finds your neck, slightly gripping it. He sighs, feeling your heartbeat on his fingertips, feeling your breath become slower. Your head feels dizzy, as you get lost in the warm haze of his touch. 

“M-more” You manage to mumble, rolling your hips against his, meeting his thrusts halfway. “Please.”

He continues moving against you, only this time it’s harder – faster, sloppier. Hawks brushes his lips against yours, eyes boring into yours. You hook your legs around his tiny waist, bringing him closer. 

“F-fuck, Jesus fucking Christ.” You’re both babbling nonsense, begging for each other's touch. “You still on birth control?”

You nod, unable to form a full sentence – or a simple yes. 

The Earth stutters on its axis as you cum, lightning traveling through your every vein, setting your nerves on fire. Your cunt grips harder on his cock, releasing your juices against his body.

“Ah, Keigo, please. Cum in me, cum f’me.” Your pleas feel like heaven on his ears, making Hawks shut his eyes and let himself release in you.

Everything becomes white noise as Hawks paints your insides white, strips of cum mixing with your juices. It’s messy, and so intimate. He lets his breathing come back to normal before leaving you empty, with a dirty slurp noise. 

Your eyes are closer, hair gluing against your sweaty forehead. He thinks you look like a painting, and he hopes he never forgets such an image. 

“Did so good f’me.” He mumbles, placing kisses on your cheek. You grin, hands cupping his cheeks. “Missed ya when I was away.”

“Did you now?”

“Yeah. ‘M not just saying that either.”

You smile, looking up at him with fucked out eyes.

“Good. Missed you too.”

He starts to get up, in order to clean the mess you made and take you to your bedroom. You stop him, delicate hands pulling on his strong arms. 

“Let’s stay like this for a while, please?”

Hawks considers for a few seconds, realizing there’s nothing on earth he could deny you.

“Sure, kid.”

[upsidehell]

🍁 MAPLE LEAF - what is their favourite season? why?

🍃 FALLING LEAF - do they enjoy being in nature? what is their favourite outdoor activity?

☀️ SUN - are they a morning person? what is the first thing they do in the morning?

🕷️ SPIDER - what is their biggest fear? do they have any irrational / mundane fears?

🌹 ROSE - do they like valentines day? have they been confessed to before? have they confessed to anyone before?

🙈 SEE-NO-EVIL - whats a side of your oc that they don't want to show other people?

🙊 SPEAK-NO-EVIL - what is something your oc will refuse to stay quiet about?

🙉 HEAR-NO-EVIL - what is the worse thing your oc could hear from someone?

🌱 SEEDLING - what is their most vivid memory from childhood?

🍁 MAPLE LEAF — Fall. Always. Vicky is a sucker for all things cosy, she loves the oversized jumpers, the curling up next to a fire/radiator with a hot chocolate & a blanket, but she also loves the unpredictability of the weather. She will sit for hours watching the rain pouring during fall while listening to whatever song her best friend is obsessed with at the time on repeat. 🍃 FALLING LEAF — Vicky loves being out in nature, she was raised on the edge of 'Lover's Lake' where the forest wraps around her & the heart-shaped lake in the middle, what isn't there to love about that. Her favourite outdoor activity is sitting out on the bank of the lake, in her & Eddie's fav spot skipping stones while the pair of them get high & giggle like crazy people when Eddie thinks for a second that he could catch a fish with his bare hands. He has yet to catch a fish with his bare hands, but will always try.

☀️ SUN — God no. Vicky hates being awake when the sun is out, just because it's a reminder that she either has work in a few hours or that she has school. The first thing she does in the morning is groan her way through her house. Without fail, she will groan with everything she does. Having her morning pee. Groan. Washing her hands. Groan. Walking down the stairs. Groan. Opening the blinds in her kitchen. Groan. Even preparing her coffee results in the lowest & overdramatic groan there is, all the way up until the piping hot coffee she makes is trickling down her throat, then & only then is she a morning person.

🕷️ SPIDER — The unknown. Vicky is terrified of anything she can't explain. Witnessing Chrissy's death was the first time this fear really came into play. The way she was there through it all & had no idea what was going on or why even in that state of mind, why she couldn't do anything to save her. As for mundane fears. Vicky is deathly afraid of spiders & cockroaches. If she even sees one in the corner of her eye you can bet, she is up on the highest surface screaming like a prissy for help.

🌹 ROSE — Vicky is a sucker for valentine's day, although she has yet to have experienced it for herself. Vicky has only ever dated one person in her life ( Jason Carver... blehh!!! ) & they didn't even make it to Valentine's day as a couple. However, she & Eddie have a tradition where they pig out on pizza, get high & watch cheesy old black & white horror films every Valentine's day. Nobody has confessed to her that she knows of, but she did confess in a drunken heated moment with Eddie that she loved him, but when morning came around both of them acted like it had never happened & haven't spoken about that night since.

🙈 SEE-NO-EVIL — Vicky will never show anyone that she's struggling. Whether it's financial or mental. She's a proud girl & will keep her vulnerabilities under lock & key.

🙊 SPEAK-NO-EVIL — Bullying. Vicky has spent years seeing how words can hurt someone she loves. So when it comes to anyone bullying another, she will stand up to them no matter who it is or the consequences that might come from it.

🙉 HEAR-NO-EVIL — "I can't do this anymore." Whatever the context, that is a sentence Vicky never wants to hear. Having heard it once in her life hours before her mother died, it's a sentence that cuts her so deep. 🌱 SEEDLING — Vicky for whatever reason always remembers going to the state fair every year with her mom & Rick. They would get there from the second the gates opened. Those days were the best, they would eat as much cotton candy & corn dogs as they could, & ride all the rides on repeat until it was closing time. After her mother died, they just stopped going. Vicky has since been there with her friends but tends to take herself off to the petting area, where she sits & plays with the lambs & piglets until Eddie drags her onto the rides. Whether by force or through persuasion. She's lost count of the number of times he's thrown her over his shoulder & carried her onto the Ferris wheel.

[haechanniesunflowers]

"I promise"

A Bang Chan scenario

A/N: mentions of pregnancy and labour, blood and childbirth, angst, fluff

After Stray Kids' contact expired with JYP, the boys went their separate ways but were still very close with one another. Minho became a choreographer, Felix, Hyunjin, Jeongin, and Seungmin signed with other companies for solo promotions. 3racha became full time producers under a different company, all 8 of them were doing very well.

Chan got married, the couple was living happily in an apartment. He set up a studio on one of the rooms so he could spend more time with her. Chan really did care about his wife but his 3racha signed a project with a sequel to a blockbuster movie and they were working on the songs for it.

"Chris I can't believe you forgot again!" y/n yelled at him. She was at her wit's end with him, she was eight months pregnant and wanted Chan to be a part of it for the final months, he promised he would take her to see her gynecologist two week ago but he was busy producing music and completely forgot. They rescheduled twice but he forgot both times. She called him several times, but he didn't hear it ringing. Now he came home, tired and upset that he completely forgot about his wife and unborn child, yet again.

"I'm not even going to say I'm sorry. I messed up big time and I'm embarrassed." he spoke.

"what do you want me to do about it?" she replied.

Chan didn't have the words to tell her how upset he was with himself. He let her down again and again and she had to go through the last months of her pregnancy alone.

"do you even know we’re having a child? I'm scared Christopher. Will you keep this up after the baby is born too? I can't have my child grow up longing for his father. I understand you love your work but if you love it to the extent you're forgetting about important things, why did you get me pregnant? Why did you want to bring a child in this world? For me to go through it alone? Will you even be there when I'm in labour?" y/n let her frustration out, with hot tears streaming down her face.

Chan came to hold her face but she backed away. He gave her space to cool down and opted to sleep on the couch.

For the next two weeks she she avoided him and did things in her own, she went to the gynecologist alone, and got food for herself from the store. Chan saw her entering the apartment with bags of food in her hand. It broke his heart that she was doing things for herself in the cold weather, and he wanted to make amends. He walked towards her and grabbed the bags from her hand, earning a warning glare from her.

"don't overburden yourself sweetheart" he said. She gave him the bags and went straight to their bedroom. He was right, she was overburdening herself but it was his fault. Coming out of the shower, she got into an oversized t shirt and pajama bottoms, and snuggled into the comforter. Chan stood at the threshold of the door, looking at her with soft eyes as she was facing away from him.

"can I lay beside you?" he began. Y/n missed him too much but he had to learn his lesson.

"no."

Chan felt helpless, he walked inside and knelt beside her side of the bed, facing her.

"I just want to say that I'm really sorry for being ignorant and making you go through these months alone but I promise you I will be there for you when you need me." he spoke and gently kissed her forehead, which she didn't back away from. Y/N closed her eyes, signalling Chan that she was about to sleep so he went out to sleep on the couch again.

At around 2 in the morning, y/n woke up to pain in her abdomen and lower back. It was intense and painful and she clutched the comforter. When it was over she was panting lightly. Her gynecologist told her about cramps near child birth. She got out of bed to drink a glass of cranberry juice. Looking around the house, there was no sign of her husband.

"where did he go?" she mumbled. Y/N went to check his studio and to her surprise he wasn't there either. She started to get annoyed and worried so she called Jisung to ask him if he knew.

"yeah noona he's in the company's studio with us, wait I'll pass him the phone." he answered and handed the phone to Chan, who didn't know how to explain himself.

"you're unbelievable" was all she said and hung up the phone. Chan gave the phone back to Jisung and excused himself saying y/n was asking him to come back home. The other two agreed to finish up with the lyrics.

Chan let himself in through the front door and saw y/n sitting on the couch, slightly bent forward and clutching the cushion. She looked towards him and her expression changed to an annoyed one. Getting up, she walked towards the bedroom but was stopped by Chan, who pulled her by her arm.

"what is your problem?" he inquired.

"nothing, let go of my arm."

"no, what are you trying to prove. You have been ignoring me for two weeks now, you don't even let me near you and you're doing things you're not allowed to do. Then when I'm not around, you suddenly have a problem and want me back, for what? When you're perfectly fine on your own and not speaking to me, what do you want me to do? Sit around all day? Doing what you want me to do? And be okay with with your attitude?" Chan blurted out in anger. Y/N pulled her arm out of his grip.

"I didn't call you back, I only asked Jisung where you were. And you're saying it like I made this child on my own against your will so I shouldn't expect anything for you. If that's how you felt then you should've told me from the start, I wouldn't have depended on you even in the slightest." she said and walked away, lying in bed and crying. Chan understood how hard it was for her but he had a huge thing going on and had to give time to that too. He put his headphones on and lied on the couch.

Y/n yelped in pain as she propped herself on one arm, the other one clutching her baby bump. The pain was excruciating and she couldn't even let out a scream. It was too much that tears welled up in her eyes. She looked around for her phone but she left it in the kitchen. Then she saw the time, it was 8:40 in the morning and Chan probably left for work. Squirming out of bed, she used the walls for support to walk out of the room and saw Chan sleeping on the couch with his headphones on.

"Ch-Chris" she breathed, he didn't seem to hear her since he didn't move.

"oh my God" she whined, clutching her abdomen, "Chris!" she cried. His eyes shot open and he looked to where she stood, bent forward.

"y/n? What's wrong?" he asked and hurriedly walked towards her, and saw her tear stained face, evidently in pain. He wasted no time and took her to the hospital.

The nurse told them she was going into labour and got everything ready. It was happening so fast, Chan stood there, watching his wife trying to push their child out, into the world. He was in awe of her. The scenario gave him goosebumps as we witnessed the moment. His whole world came crashing down, however, when the doctor revealed that y/n was losing blood and the baby wasn't coming out so they had to perform an emergency C-section. He was told to leave the operation theatre and wait outside.

So he stood outside and waited for any kind of news. In that mom he regretted how he treated y/n, for not spending more time with her, for letting her go through the pregnancy with him seldom by her side, for the argument he started the previous night. He was worried for her, he realized how important she was to him and he needed her. In a state of helplessness, he prayed for her wellbeing, for her to stay with him.

20 minutes later, the longest 20 minutes of his life, the nurse came out, holding a baby, wrapped in a small blanket.

"congratulations it's a healthy baby boy" she spoke and put the baby in his arms.

It felt unreal and surreal. He watched the baby, his baby, squirm in his arms, nuzzling towards his warm chest. His heart felt like iit would explode.

"how is my wife?" he immediately asked.

"she's unconscious from the anesthesia, we're shifting her to the ward, you can see her then." she answered and left.

Chan felt light headed. He didn't expect to become a father in the morning, when he went to sleep the previous night.

He went inside the room y/n was in, she laid there, little sedated but conscious. She looked towards Chan and smiled warmly. He walked to her and handed her their son for skin to skin. They looked at him with so much love in their eyes.

"our son, y/n" he spoke in a hushed voice, to not scare the child nuzzling himself into his mother's skin.

"I love him so much" y/n admitted.

"I'm so sorry. I don't have the words to express how sorry I am. You mean everything to me and I was wrong to not pay attention to you when you needed me. I won't let that happen again. I am going to protect you and our son, I promise." Chan stated.

"forget about that Chris, you promised me you would be there when I needed you and you were. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't home. I know you will keep your promise. I love you."

"I love you too."

[dontreadthistrashgarbage]

G O T 7 PT.6

A couple days passed and Guerin met JB for the open mic night. She was a good ten minutes early but he was already at the quaint coffee shop, seated in a hidden corner booth. As soon as he saw her, he beckoned her over, gesturing at the drinks he had already ordered.

"You didn't have to get me something." She said, wandering over to him.

He shrugged, and patted the seat next to him for her to slide in. She hesitated for a moment. "It's so we can both see the stage." He explained.

"We'll look like a couple..." Guerin said, uncharacteristically shy, but she still slid into the booth next to him.

He shrugged again, "So?"

She puffed her cheeks out slightly, feeling awkward before covering it up with a sip from the iced americano he had bought for her, "Thank you for the drink." She said, setting it down. She couldn't help but be hyper aware of him while he was so close to her, but it helped she didn't have to look directly at him. JB was easily one of the most beautiful people she had ever seen and today was like putting a magnifying glass on that fact. He was wearing a black dress shirt, more buttons than necessary undone under a stylishly patterned blazer. His hair looked freshly cut and styled. She felt even more strange appreciating this side of him after Jackson's confession and her promise to consider it.

"You look nice." He said after a few more moments of awkward silence and Guerin realized she had been looking at him despite being relieved she didn't need to. She started and looked straight ahead as though it would undo her being caught. "I like the orange lipstick." JB's voice gave away his smile of amusement.

Guerin chided herself for being so weird. There was no reason for her to feel conflicted. They were friends and had spent a lot of time together already. Why would this now feel like such a date? She inhaled and fell back on old habits.

"Thanks." She puckered her lips and poked her cheek with a wink. "It's one of my favorites, and it matches my sassy shirt and neon shoes." Guerin showed off her favorite shoes.

JB gave a close lipped smile at the dorky response, trying not to laugh outloud, "How old are you again?"

"Old enough that you better respect me." She bumped him with her shoulder making him laugh, "and here I was going to say how nice you looked too." Her sass turned to a small sulk.

"I'm sorry." He said respectfully and bowed as much as he could in the small space.

"Oh god no stop that." She laughed and pushed him again, wondering in the back of why she felt so aware of each time she made physical contact with him.

JB looked up at her with a smirk and amusement in his eyes before straightening up and dropping the gag.

"What are you singing tonight?" Guerin changed the subject, focusing her gaze back on her coffee as she took another sip from it.

"A couple new songs. Each performer can sing up to three. I actually just finished one today. It's called Rainy." He answered.

"Appropriate." She nodded, referencing the weather outside. Since her walk with Jackson it had been raining on and off for days now. JB nodded along with her. The two sank into a comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts. The booths at this particular shop were somewhat oversized and cushy, an oddity for Korea. It enabled Guerin to relax and cross her legs under her as she took in the decorations. JB was sitting in his signature slouch, one leg crossed over the other as he toyed with the straw in his drink.

The performances started, JB was much more critical and sparing of his responses but Guerin openly enjoyed most of the songs each artist played. She found something positive about each song, sharing with JB at the end and asking for his input. He couldn't help but appreciate her enthusiasm.

"I don't have any creative talent or skill of my own, but I am an avid consumer of art." Guerin explained between sets when he voiced his opinion on her perspective, "Each one of these people is working hard and improving. It does so much more to bolster creativity and exploration if they're encouraged rather than constantly corrected or told they're failing."

JB cocked his head, "Most successful artists I know where trained very harshly."

"Sure, there's people who survive the process but think of all the talented people who gave up because their learning style wasn't catered to. Just like the animal training we've talked about, you get more successes with patience and kindness than you do with punishment. The people who are successful are that way in spite of the harsh teaching methods, rather than because of them. In the meantime we lose out on so much potential art. So I just... do what I can to encourage it." She trailed off with a shrug realizing she was lecturing. JB was looking at her with a thoughtful tilt to his head.

"Sorry, I'm rambling." Guerin let out an embarrassed laugh and looked away self consciously. If JB was planning on saying anything he was unable to as the next artist started up. Finally JB was up as the last performer of the evening. Guerin let him out of the booth and he grabbed his keyboard case from the bench across the booth from them. As he set up Guerin checked her phone, responded to a couple texts from Charlie and Jackson. She felt a pang of guilt again thinking of Jackson but buried it quickly. -I have nothing to feel guilty about- she reminded herself as she put her phone away.

JB's two song set left her breathless. As he performed he rarely made eye contact with anyone, even closing his eyes for a good portion of the time. When he did look up it tended to be in her direction and those moments stopped her heart. Guerin had to physically stop herself from clutching the front of her shirt defensively. His first song was Be With You. Its sweet lyrics and melody made her smile without realizing. It was a direct contradiction to his second song, Rainy. The song was close to perfection and his performance clinched it. Guerin was fighting off tears, cursing her eye makeup silently as she dabbed at her eyes with a spare napkin.

"Why are you crying?" Asked a surprised JB. He had seen her and moved quickly to her side, squatting next to her at the end of the table.

Another embarrassed laugh escaped her, sounding a bit water logged this time, "I'm sorry, this is nothing. That was just a really good song." She took a shaky breath and straightened up, smiling through watery eyes, "They were both excellent, but Rainy got me good." She laughed again.

"Noona, don't cry." JB said serious but tinged with his natural cuteness as he appealed to her. He used the extra long sleeves of his shirt to dab at the neglected tears that threatened to spill.

She laughed again, shaking her head, "No it's a good thing. I really liked it." JB dropped his hand from her face as the tears slowed, still looking somewhat concerned as he stared at her. "You're drawing attention to me." Guerin scolded, covering half her face with the hand holding the napkin, "Go pack your stuff up and greet your fans." She insisted, pushing his shoulder lightly. He hesitated so she gestured again, "I'm fine I promise, hurry hurry."

JB did as she said, glancing over at her as he packed, catching her using her phone to check her appearance. He didn't realize she would cry and he felt bad. Guerin certainly emoted her way through life and he couldn't help but find it fascinating and endearing. He finished putting away his keyboard and stared down at it for a moment wondering what to do now. He needed the evening to continue.

The cafe staff was announcing closing and putting away the equipment around him. A few patrons and fellow performers, both familiar and new, came up to chat with him. He stayed as long as was polite before excusing himself back to the patiently waiting Guerin.

"I thought you'd still be crying." He teased.

"I'm soft and weak. I cry all the time. I exist in a perpetual state of holding back." She stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed.

"Let's go for a walk, since the rain stopped." JB suggested suddenly.

"Sure." Guerin agreed with minimal thought.

"I just need to drop this at my studio." JB hefted the keyboard case and Guerin nodded as the two headed out, thanking the staff as they left. JB was a regular, and even chose his personal studio location because it was just around the corner. Once empty handed, the two wandered aimlessly. They stopped at a convenience store and picked out a few beers to share.

"The lyrics you sing in english for Rainy I find incredible." Guerin gushed. The topic had turned back to his performance, "When you say 'I love you alone' it's such an interesting way to express one sided love, or a doomed love?" She mused, looking at him, expecting an answer.

"Thank you." JB responded simply instead, flattered with her praise but unfocused. Guerin pressed her lips together thoughtfully, watching him before her gaze caught something behind him.

"Oh, JB!" She was so excited she grabbed his long sleeve peaking out from under his blazer.

"What?" He asked, startled, eyes wide as he looked at her and looked around.

"Swings! Let's go!" She cut past him, still holding his sleeve and forcing him along with her.

"Seriously? How old are you?" He asked again, rolling his eyes.

"Depends on the situation." She quipped, not bothering with sass this time. "Right now I'm whatever age it is appropriate to be happy about swings."

"You startled me. I thought something bad happened." JB chastised her but still didn't pull out of her grasp.

"Aww, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." She looked back at him with an exaggerated apologetic expression. He sucked air through his teeth and cocked his head, making her giggle with his feigned disapproval, "I'll buy you a drink to make up for it." She promised as they reached the swings, only then releasing his sleeve as she sat on one of the two swings.

JB set their bag next to him, pulled out two beers and sank down on the second swing, handing one of the beers to Guerin who was already starting to swing gently.

"I wrote that lyric thinking I had to give up on a love." JB answered suddenly, cracking his beer open and taking a sip.

Guerin paused, taking a moment to piece together the sudden change in topic before figuring it out, "You mean from Rainy?"

JB nodded.

Guerin looked thoughtful, swinging gently again, this time from side to side, "Did you pair it with Be With You because you were telling a story?"

JB nodded again.

"Did someone hurt you? Do I need to fight someone?" She shook her fist and JB laughed at the unexpected mood shift.

"No, I wouldn't say someone hurt me. I think I did most of the hurting." His smile faded and became more forced.

Guerin let him have his thoughts for a few moments, drinking more of her beer before speaking again, "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.

JB hesitated then nodded a third time. She waited and the two continued drinking in silence.

"There's someone I like a lot. I wrote Be With You inspired by our time together. Then someone close and precious to me said that they liked her too." He started. Guerin nodded as he spoke, offering quiet sympathetic sounds as he continued, "I thought it would be best for everyone if I just let it go. No one knew my feelings except me." He sighed and stopped again, pressing his lips together and casting his gaze to the treetops.

"I thought I needed to withdraw and instead it made me seem distant which was hurtful, then it made me angry and I lashed out which was even worse."

Guerin had gone completely quiet and still as he told the story, convincing herself that this story was becoming more familiar by coincidence.

"I told my friend the truth. I told him I couldn't give up without trying, that I had to tell the truth. Even though I accidentally already did." JB looked sheepish, "I remember going to your house Guerin. I remember what I said. It was vague enough to play off. I let you believe I didn't remember. I'm sorry I deceived you. But I wanted to do this right." JB was looking at Guerin. Her gaze met his, still in disbelief as she switched her gaze between his eyes. Her face felt tingly and her chest tight, like she couldn't catch her breath.

"Do what?" She asked tightly.

"Those songs were inspired by you. By us. I like being with you, I want more. Rainy was me trying to deny my feelings and I don't want that song to be true."

JB stared into Guerin's eyes for a beat. His expression was genuine and serious. The only hint of nerves was the swallow he gave before licking his lips and saying the words he had been saving.

"Go Guerin, I like you."

Her mouth opened and closed as she blinked, eyes flicking around while she tried to process this unexpected turn of events. She managed a strangled laugh, "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just. I'm so surprised. And the timing?" She laughed the strange laugh again.

"Timing?" JB asked, curiously.

"Uh, is Jackson the friend you were talking about?" Guerin asked and JB nodded, "He also confessed before he left for China."

JB looked surprised, "I thought he would have said something if you two were dating."

"He probably would have. If we were dating." Guerin said somewhat guiltily.

"Did you reject him?" JB still sounded surprised but a little hope peeked through.

"No... he told me to think about it... he said I should answer him when he gets back." She exhaled, still feeling guilty.

"Good." JB said, Guerin glanced at him questioningly, "I mean... do you have an answer for me?" He asked.

Guerin felt bad, he must have been anxious that whole tangent but she still was processing the information, "I... I... JB..." Making words was suddenly the most difficult challenge to overcome. Of course she liked JB. He matched her introverted qualities, he was talented, funny, cute and sexy in the worst way. She also liked Jackson, despite her reservations, and it's not like she didn't have reservations for JB too. He was working on his anger and while he seemed to be doing well according to those who had known him a while, what would happen if they spent more time together?

Guerin must have been quiet longer than she intended because JB spoke up again, "You don't have to answer now. Take your time to think about it." JB shrugged, probably intending to seem nonchalant but looking stiff.

"Thank you." She said quietly. "I'm sorry to make you wait." She apologized as JB finished his drink and he shook his head.

"I got to take my time to figure out this. You should take your time to respond." He reassured her, "I'd be lying if I said I'm not disappointed it isn't an immediate yes." He shot her a wry smile.

Guerin stood, walking over and picking up their bag taking his empty can along with hers and switching them for full ones. "Come on, let's go get a late night snack." She handed him the new drink. He stood and walked along with her. Despite the silence neither of them felt awkward. The mood was pensive but a bit relieved. As they headed toward the busier city area JB took the bag Guerin was carrying between them. He bit his lip, looking straight ahead and trying to stay cool before clearing his throat and speaking.

"Would it be okay if I held your hand?"

Guerin fought back her grin at his adorable and respectful request that he very clearly was trying to maintain a chic demeanor for. Instead of answering verbally, she stepped in closer to him and took his hand in her own, lacing their fingers together. Both of them smiled without looking at each other.

"What do you want to eat?" JB asked after a few paces.

"Tteokbokki." Guerin answered decisively with a single big nod.

JB swung her hand back and forth with his gently, "Okay. I know a place nearby. My treat."

"No, you already got coffee." Guerin protested.

He shrugged and kept walking until she tugged his hand for attention and stopped in her tracks. JB faced her as she pouted at him and he laughed, "Fine, you can get drinks." He walked backwards, leading her along again.

"Deal." She tapped her beer against his, held in the same hand as their bag and took a deep pull, "But don't get drunk and confess again. Twice is enough for me to get the point." She avoided eye contact with him to prevent herself from bursting out into laughter.

"Ya..." He said in disbelief, now it was her turn to pull him along as he stopped and stared after her. Guerin's lack of poker face won out and she let out her typical loud laugh.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, I'm sorry. Come on let's go." She said between chuckles.

He feigned being hurt but fell into step beside her as the two continued their trek, still hand in hand.

Mark didn't look up from the computer screen when the seat next to him was pulled out and someone settled into it. He knew Jinyoung would be coming since they had texted earlier. Jinyoung wanted wanted to meet up and said he would go to Mark. He stayed focused on the game since, well, he WAS a gamer, but also partially because a part of him wanted to avoid the conversation. Too soon the round ended with him losing. He exhaled and leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes for a few moments before reaching up to remove his headphones and turning to Jinyoung patiently waiting next to him.

"Hi, Hyung." Jinyoung greeted the older man.

"Hi Jinyoung-ah." Mark greeted in return, "You distracted me so I lost."

Jinyoung looked amused, "You didn't look distracted. You didn't even seem to notice me arriving."

Mark shrugged, not really feeling the small talk. Jinyoung waited a few beats before changing the subject. "I'll get to the point. Charlie-ssi and I are dating now."

Mark glanced at his dongsaeng from the corner of his eye before looking straight ahead and nodded slowly a couple times. "Okay."

"I wanted to tell you in person." Jinyoung said seriously.

"Okay." Mark said again. His expression was masked but Jinyoung knew him well enough that he recognized the clear displeasure.

"I... suspected that you also had feelings for Charlie. That's why I wanted to tell you." He added.

"You know..." Mark started and tilted his head in annoyance, "You are making this gesture of kindness after you already disrespected me. I find it almost more annoying."

"You mean when I insisted on walking Charlie home." Jinyoung said. It wasn't a question.

Mark nodded.

"I'm sorry hyung." Jinyoung said genuinely.

"Bullshit." Mark verbally sniped the apology, "You admit you knew how I felt, you pushed me out and now you're here telling me that it all paid off and expect me to believe you're sorry?"

Jinyoung went quiet for a moment before speaking again, "I can see why it might be hard to believe... hyung please believe me, my intention wasn't to upset you. I insisted on walking her home because that had been my plan all along. I had made the decision to confess and I didn't want to have to stress over it again. I should have taken your feelings into consideration and I didn't. My thoughtlessness hurt you, but that wasn't what I wanted. I'm sorry."

Mark clicked through a few screens after Jinyoung finished talked, hitting the mouse and keyboard buttons a bit harder than necessary before sighing again and leaning back. "What's done is done." Mark said frankly, "I'll accept it. But for now I need to be mad. So go away or it'll just get worse."

Jinyoung hesitated, wanting more but knowing Mark well enough to not push him when he was so close to the brink of anger already. With a sigh he stood, adjusting his long tan coat back into place and turning to go.

"Jinyoungie." Mark said suddenly, "Don't give her a reason to leave, cause if she needs one I'll be there. You owe me that."

Jinyoung looked down at Mark, "If I give her a reason to leave I'd prefer that option over any other." He chafed at the idea of losing Charlie, but in that undesirable scenario at least Mark would be happy. Mark started to put his headphones back on but Jinyoung quickly spoke up again, "Hyung, will we be okay?"

Mark looked annoyed, glancing up at Jinyoung, "Of course."

Having turned back to the computer screen he missed Jinyoungs visible relief. For now, he would give Mark the space he requested, hopefully soon they could repair the damage he had carelessly caused in their friendship. He was grateful to learn that it wasn't the end of such a bond. On his way out he ordered some snacks to be delivered to Mark and paid before leaving to meet his new girlfriend for a date.

[maxheadley]

Part 1; The Fairy Lights

Autumn was welcomed for two reasons; the slight shift of the weather changing from heat to cold, and the long-awaited day where two beloved, infamous star-crossed lovers wedded. Everyone was on their toes, anticipating the grand union, and not a single soul stopped for a second.

As morning arrived, Sebastian woke to the patterns of footsteps, going back and forth in the hallway of Creedence's home. He sighed, wishing they'd stop for just a split second, and give him a minute of silence. The last fews days were busy preparing for his wedding and it almost seemed like the world would never halt. Silence was a wish he would fail to receive.

He kicked off the stark white comforter and turned on his side, sliding a muscular arm under his fluffy pillow. His dark hair dangling dangerously close to his eyes, he pushed them away. He stared at the bare walls of his old bedroom. He recently moved his items into the master bedroom of Ben and his's newly built cottage (courtesy of the Fey folk). He left one item on the nightstand. The one thing he cared enough to leave with him that night. A picture of him, his brothers and sisters and his grandmother. The family he hardly knew except Creedence and Julissa. The family he came to know, the family he would've never traded for the world despite any faults or any bad luck following them. Or the corruption that followed a couple of them.

He ran his fingertips across the nine faces of his family, erasing a film of gathered dust off the glass. Sebastian stood at Creedence's side, snugly in the middle of Creedence, and Ambrosia. His smile was as bright as the sun as were the others. He had never known happiness like he did and rekindling the broken parts of his family helped and finding the love of his life wasn't bad at all. It was great. Too bad not everyone could see Sebastian achieve his goal he dreamt of since he was twelve. He thought of Alura trapped in the confines of chains, deeply hidden among the cells of Glessica's Castle's personal prison. Probably half driven out of her mind having nothing to do and no one to speak to except the shadows across the walls. And then he thought of Alexander, his twin but drastically different brother, who walked the forests of the Dark Fey. He had become trapped in misery, grief, and turmoil and wondered off to the darkest place he could escape to. Like those who are like him, encased in darkness and unfaltering misery, slowly destroying whatever light and love that fought inside them.

Sebastian hadn't known Alexander very well or really been close to Alura, but nonetheless he wished they'd witness their brother marry. He did ask if Anazul would release Alura for the hour of his wedding but obviously to no avail and none of the Fey could track down Alexander. He suspected his twin brother wouldn't want to be found, so he cloaked himself to remain untraceable and among the shadows of what he loss. Sadly.

He jumped, straight out of his reverie, when a knock sounded on his door. He cleared his throat and yelled. "Yeah? Come in!"

The door opened, revealing his brother standing there, one hand snaked around the doorknob and one hand holding the head of his cane. Creedence looked older and younger at the same time. He suffered a loss of his own. His wife committed suicide not wanting to live without her husband and without knowing he'd be resurrected. Though, unlike Alexander, Creedence had children to stay for. He couldn't wander off and leave it all behind. That'd be a mistake.

His hair was wet, probably from his shower, and his unusually thin, body was draped in an oversized black bathrobe tied at his waist. "Hey, Bash." Creedence's pale face broke out into a radiant smile, one which reached his eyes. Sebastian noticed for the first time in an age.

It brought his own smile to play. "Hey, Dee. If you thought you were going to wake me up, you've mistaken. The footsteps of others woke me up." He joked, sitting up and stretching his back. A couple cracks later, he was standing up and striding over to his brother. "Although, I appreciate the gesture."

"You know just because it's your wedding day doesn't mean you-" Creedence began, but Sebastian enveloped him into a huge bear hug. Creedence's laugh erupted into his ear and Sebastian couldn't help the grin that flew onto his face when they broke apart. "I'm going to miss living with you, Dee."

"I can't say that I won't miss you living here either. I know Cres and Reli will be different, but sometimes change is inevitable." Creedence beckoned to the working servants preparing the last of the decorations and tailoring for the children's attire. Not one of the servants bothered to take a break to glance at Creedence and Sebastian. He didn't blame them. One misstep could poke Crescent's skin or cause an unnecessary rip in one of the papier mache balls (used to cover the lights). No one wanted anything to go wrong at this point and Crescent would probably lit the seamstress on fire if she stabbed him with a needle. He hated needles.

"How are you holding up?" Sebastian asked, leaning over the iron railing and watching the seamstress tailor the last bits of material for Crescent's silver blazer. Crescent was staring at the rain splattered window unregistering anything else around him. Sebastian would have to have a thorough talk to his nephew once he had the chance.

Creedence put his free hand on Sebastian's shoulder and squeezed. "I'm excited. Truly." He smiled at his little brother. "I can't believe my little brother, my Bash is getting married this evening!"

"It is a shock? Isn't it? I can hardly believe it myself." Sebastian smiled, putting one hand in his hair. "Do you think Ben is doing well? I mean he's probably still asleep, but I mean all the wedding events and preparations have been a bit stressful. Do you think he's okay?"

"Ben's a tough cookie. He's unapologetically unafraid."

"You know, sometimes you can be too."

Creedence shrugged, pressing off the railing and stepped back. "I think we all can be, Bash."

Ben tried on his suit a thousand and one times since Rhea finished up the last of the silver detailing on the cuffs and collar of his blazer. He admired the way the suit did not make him appear too large nor too scrawny. It was exactly the right fit and shape for someone with his condition. Later, he'd confidently stand on the dais, waiting for his beloved, and have his stolen little moments of glory finally. He now stood in front of the extremely large wall mirror of his bathroom. He ran his freshly cleaned hands across the top of the white, silky like fabric smoothing any riffs.

He smiled. "Damn, I look good."

"You are the definition of handsome!" said the soft voice of his best friend, Ambrosia. He saw her appear in the reflection of the mirror at his side. She stood about five inches shorter, barely reaching his shoulder. She had one hand over her protruding stomach. She was beginning to show. Her second pregnancy wasn't as fast paced as her first for some strange reason. He couldn't help but have his heterochromic eyes drawn to the small baby bump hidden beneath a deep maroon soft fabric. But he said nothing onto the contrary. Instead, focusing on her words.

"Ah! Don't let Michael hear you say that. You know how jealous he gets!" Ben grinned, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

"Oh. Whatever." Ambrosia chuckled, gently pushing him. He barely stumbled and laughed. "Are you ready to be officially united with Sebastian?" Ambrosia added, her emerald-gold cat slitted eyes gleaming deviously.

"It's been a longtime coming.." Ben began, but trailed off. He stared at the reflection of Ambrosia. Before Michael, before Magnus, before Sebastian, he'd thought he'd be married off to Ambrosia procreating and leading the Wolf Pack. But God and Legend had other plans apparently. His destiny taking a broad turn for the best. He picked up after a couple of seconds because Ambrosia inquired more. "I thought you were the one I'd be married to one day. I never expected to fall for your brother. I didn't know he existed til about two years ago before I found out our memories of anytime before that were erased. But I wouldn't change a thing between you and me, nor me and Sebastian. I am happy our lives worked out this way. We're both happy."

Ambrosia's lips spread into a smile. "It's no lie you are happiest at his side. I think that's most important."

Ben could only smile, too.