#so now we're watching it from the beginning

[district4loading]

Under My Spell

Kiss of Life Belle x Male Reader

5K Words

Content Warning: smut, hypnosis, use of handcuffs, praise, a little bit of degrading

Minors DNI

A/N: I got the request to do this almost a month ago but back then I was really busy and I had other requests to get to first. Now that my writers block is partially gone, I'm ready to write and work on everything else I've been requested. This was supposed to come out two days ago but I ended up getting sick and I couldn't finish it lmao.

This is my first time writing something like this, I know I probably got some aspects of it wrong so just vibe yeah? Hope you guys enjoy this one!!

The request: "would you be open to writing a smut about hypnosis? like where the reader and idol decide to try out hypnosis?"

-

Maybe hypnosis is real

-

You're laying in bed when she brings it up.

She just came back from the nail salon, her purse slides off of her arm and onto the dresser when she asks you "Babe, what's the kinkiest thing you've ever done?" She peels herself out of her denim jacket, the one you bought her recently that she called 'ugly.' You fail to mention it though because you begin to question the context of her inquiry.

"Probably like... bondage stuff" You look up from your phone, "Where's this coming from?"

Belle only begins to strip herself of the remainder of her clothing before muttering "I'll get to that." You watch as she throws the worn garments to the side before digging through the dresser for something more comfortable "Wouldn't you find it hot to have complete and utter control over someone, tell them to do something and they're on it with no hesitation or thought behind it" She steps into a pair of shorts "No matter what you ask, they do it mindlessly"

You tilt your head, trying to follow wherever she's going with this. There's a smile on her face but it's not just any smile, it tells you that she's testing the waters, trying to gauge whether or not you were into whatever the hell she was getting at now. "I mean... I guess? I'm not sure"

"You guess?" She gives you a look before pulling an old, loose black t-shirt over her head. She then crawls into bed and you're not surprised when you find her straddling your waist with her hands snaking underneath your shirt. "So... you wouldn't mind putting me under your spell so you could get me to do whatever sick shit you want me to?"

"That sounds like some weird MK-Ultra mind control shit" You chuckle, then wince after she pinches your abs with her sharp nails.

Belle hums "Yeah that's exactly what I mean..." You watch as she backs up a bit, then she begins to think, "well actually I was talking about hypnosis but you get the idea... kinda sorta"

"You want me to hypnotize you?" She nods and now you're confused "You can't actually believe that works babe..."

"It works" She insists, then slaps your chest when she sees the unconvinced and almost judging look on your face.

That's when you realize she's dead serious about it "What makes you want to try hypnosis all of a sudden?"

"Well" She begins tugging at the hem of your shirt "A friend of mine told me about how she and her boyfriend tried it and it sort of inspired me"

You stay silent for a bit, reminding yourself not to say anything slick so she doesn't get upset with you. "So how does it work? Do I get a pocket watch and swing it in front of your face or something?" You end up snickering a bit, still finding this conversation to be more humorous than serious.

Belle gives you a look, trying to hold in her own laugh "No, you idiot! I'll send you some videos later and.." She smiles mischievously before sliding off of you then she goes over to the dresser and digs her hand into her purse. You quirk your eyebrow and sit up to better see what she's doing. The moment she pulls a pair of hand-cuffs out, your eyes widen.

"We're gonna need these too"

-

So after watching countless videos, you finally think you've mastered the art of hypnosis.

Maybe not "mastered" but you got the gist of it. You've got no clue why you agreed to this in the first place because there was still something in the back of your mind telling you that this would never work and if it somehow did, she'd only be pretending. It's probably the boring pessimist in you that makes you think that way but this seemed interesting. So you keep your questioning thoughts to yourself as you reach into your drawer for the handcuffs.

Belle smiles at you in your dark bedroom, the warm light from the lamp on your nightstand is on the dimmest setting. It makes her naked body look so perfect, highlighting each and every one of her beautiful curves. You walk over to her, putting the cuffs on the bed before you take your hands in hers. "Ready?" She hums and nods her head.

"Now, I want you close your eyes to take a deep breath" She does as you say and you can hear the sharp sound of her nostrils taking in the cool conditioned air, her chest rises with it. "Now slowly exhale" and her chest falls gently "Now breathe as you listen to my voice, focus on it and allow everything else to fade away"

You keep your tone gentle and soft to put her at ease "The faint hum of the air conditioner, the rain outside, the cars passing by, block it all out" You notice that she's still taking those deep breaths, then exhaling them with soft grace. "Just focus on me, allow that tension and stress to melt away. No work, no schedules, just you and I"

"Now listen to my words" You pause for a moment "You'll do as I say, be subservient to me" You begin pulling her into a mindset crafted and molded by you "You want me to handcuff you" At this point, Belle holds a straight face, she doesn't even flinch or cringe at your words. Not even a smirk or a giggle, like you've actually got her in some sort of trance. "You feel the urge to do anything to get me off" and "You will not want us to stop until I say we do"

"Keep your breathing steady and at the snap of my fingers you will awaken with all of these desires"

You raise your hand and put your thumb against your middle finger, then *snap* and her eyes immediately open. There's something about her gaze that you immediately observe, it's kind of dark and empty and she's got a completely blank expression on her face. "What do you want?" You question her softly.

Belle looks over to the handcuffs and picks them up, then she holds them in front of you "Please" She says it with her voice just above a whisper "Please cuff me"

You swallow, not at all recognizing the tone in her voice. It has a chill running down your spine because it sounds almost desperate, like she's really begging for it. You begin to think that maybe this hypnosis shit is actually real and it scares you a bit. But you still take the handcuffs out of her hands as she puts her hands out for you.

It takes you a moment cause you're not used to this but you manage to get them on her. "Knees, princess" You order and just like that, she's dropping to her knees in front of you "Good girl" You mutter under your breath as you look down at her with nothing but lust in your eyes.

It's weird, this was actually turning you on more than you thought it would. Having so much control over her without a fight for dominance or her usual bratty attitude.

No doubt it already has your blood rushing.

So you don't waste any time to pull off your shirt then you unbuckle your belt and you take your jeans off. You take your hard cock into your hand and you pump it slowly "Open" Her lips part and her tongue pokes out "Suck" Is the next thing you say as you guide the head into her mouth.

Almost immediately, she begins bobbing her head mindlessly. Her warm mouth is so wet and welcoming and the feel of her fleshy, slippery inner cheeks and her smooth velvety tongue has your nerves so sensitive. You groan deeply as you allow your hands to run through her scalp then your hips start thrusting forwards because she's beginning to swirl her tongue and it feels incredible. She doesn't even need her hands, so much control, so disciplined and obedient for you. Belle takes your cock like a pro, sucking and slurping it tightly to provide the utmost pleasure and its fucking perfect.

She makes enthusiastic noises as she sucks your cock, like she's been starving for it, like your pre-cum is the best thing she's ever tasted.

You stop for a moment and hold her head still, then you push all the way in so her nose is pressed up against your base. Almost like you're a sadist, you hold her there, watching the way her eyes well up with tears. "So beautiful" You compliment, admiring the look of her glossy eyes. Her throat squeezes you as she gags "Ah fuck" You moan, pushing your hips just a bit deeper and Belle swallows, nearly making you dizzy. So you loosen your grip on her head and she continues to bob her head wildly.

It's like she has no gag reflex with how fast she's going and how deep she's taking you. Each drag of her mouth has you stuck just staring into her eyes, those dutiful brown orbs that tell you she's not going to stop until your cum is shooting down her throat. At this rate, it may not be too far away. "Oh—fucking god" You bite your lip, muscles clenching as she continues to suck you off.

All she can really do is hum and moan with her mouth stuffed full with your cock, the sticky noises only adding to your arousal. You can feel it coming already. She's ruthless with it, flicking her tongue in ways she never has before. "I'm going to fucking—" You can't even finish your sentence because she has your needy cock throbbing in her perfect mouth.

It's muffled, but you can hear it when she moans and starts bobbing her head quicker, like she wants nothing more than to get you off. You don't even realize it when you grip her hair tighter because you're too focused on being at the edge. Usually, when Belle would do this, she'd stop at the last second just to tease because like the brat she is, she enjoyed seeing you squirm. However, it didn't seem like she'd be doing that now. By the look in her eye, you can tell she's going to fucking milk you for all you've got.

Now you're starting to really get the idea of this whole hypnosis thing, even if she's just faking it. You place your hands on her head because even though you know she won't go anywhere, it feels right. You take a deep breath and then "I'm cumming" you announce with a low and long groan escaping your lips. Your eyes shut so tight you can see spots behind your eyelids and in a flash Belle's taking it all down her perfect throat.

It's almost like she can't get enough of you, the way she keeps on sucking she pulls out any bit of semen you have left. She swallows it all and you pull your hips back weakly when she tries to get you back in her mouth "Okay, thats enough" You chuckle tiredly and then she sits back on her heels.

Now the deadpan expression on her face is gone and it's replaced with an eager smile. There's still something off about it but you can't exactly pinpoint what "Did I do good?" She asks, waiting for your response with some drool at the corner of her mouth.

"Yeah, baby" You sigh "On the bed, on your back, now" Another order comes out of your mouth, and you sound more natural about it.

Belle licks her lips then stands up, it takes a little more effort for her to climb onto the bed because of the handcuffs but she does it eventually. "What do you want, princess?" You ask the question again, because you're intrigued about what she'll answer.

"Use my body, please sir I want it so fucking bad—I need it. Need you to use me until you're finished I won't be satisfied until you're done with me" There's this genuine yearning in her tone, something that you almost don't recognize at all.

You go with it though "Lift your arms until they're above your head" A smirk grows on your face as you get a perfect view of her tits. You climb onto the bed and you get on top of her, positioned so that you're almost sitting on her stomach "You gonna let me use these perfect tits?" You ask as if she has any choice in the matter.

Still, she nods her head frantically "Anything" She whines as you grab a hold of her breasts in your big hands. You cup and squeeze them, like always, they're better than fucking pillows, so soft and squishy. You place your cock in between them and press them together on it, you groan immediately when your feel the perfect warmth.

"Fuck yeah" You groan as you begin to move your hips back and forth. She only looks up at you with that lustful look in her eyes. You gather some saliva in your mouth, then you lean over and spit it out. It lands on her boob, then it trickles downwards and you spread it around as you keep fucking her tits.

It was always something you wanted to try out, but you hadn't gotten the chance to ask yet. You were kind of afraid she'd laugh at the idea and you didn't exactly know how she'd take it. Belle would probably be down for literally anything you wanted to try out and it was the same for you—which is why you agreed to do this hypnosis thing in the first place—but you could still do without the teasing that'd come with it.

Your cock slides between her breasts without any resistance whatsoever, it's all smooth and slick and it feels so fucking good. With her hands over her head she just lets it happen because she's fucking loving it. The almost harsh grip you have on her tits has her squirming because she wants to be touched and used in other places, obviously.

You keep the pace though, wanting to stay in this moment for just a little bit more before you move on. "How does it feel baby?" She gives you those expecting eyes, like she yearns for your approval.

So you don't hold back your praises "Incredible, your tits are fucking amazing Belle... I could do this forever" You sigh, listening to the slick sound each of your movements make.

"Why don't you do it forever then? I wouldn't mind" She teases but her tone tells you that she's not really joking.

Maybe hypnosis is real

A small chuckle escapes your lips as you stop your movements "If I did that, I wouldn't be able to get to the best part"

"Which is?" She figures she can let her hands rest on her belly.

You reposition yourself so that you're in between Belle's legs at this point "Right here, princess" She hums when you place your palm on her soaked cunt. It's all slippery and slick with her arousal, she's been absolutely aching to have you inside of her. Your cock throbs at the mere thought of it.

"Please sir"

The way her voice sounds in your hears has you smirking, so fucking desperate. Normally, Belle had far too much pride to beg like this but now that she's under your control things are different.

You might actually prefer it this way

"Please what darling? You want my cock or what?" You mock, wrapping your fingers around your cock so you can nudge it against her entrance. You don't put it in though, you merely slide it up and down her slit slowly, lathering your swollen cock head up with her wetness.

A choked moan forces its way through her throat "Yes! I fucking need your cock—fuck—just inside please just...use me, fucking own me"

"Jesus, you're a fucking slut" You bite your lip, slapping your tip against her needy cunt just to get her that much more riled up before you begin.

"Your slut" Belle corrects, bucking her hips up like she really needs you.

So you stop messing around and you slide your thick cock into her hot entrance. Her walls pull you in immediately, hugging your cock so tightly that you have to stifle a moan "Fucking hell" you whisper instead. Belle exhales softly as you make eye contact with her then you slide yourself in all the way until you reach the hilt.

The look on her face is pure content as you begin to move inside of her. She watches you, not missing the subtle ways your facial features contort from the pleasure. "Fuck me" She begins to pull at the cuffs, fingers trying to grasp at anything while you pick up the pace.

If she wants to get fucked, I'll fuck her—is what you think to yourself as you lean over.

You're moving faster now, hearing a jumbled up mess of words that escape her lips as you do. She's saying your name like its a prayer, begging for it deeper, faster, harder all at once because she wants you to give her everything. "Fucking—please!! more..more..more" It sounds like she just might die if you don't. So that's exactly what you do, you give her probably more than she can handle.

The quiet bedroom now has the sound of your skin slapping against each other echoing throughout it, then there's that filthy sound coming from between your legs—her arousal is audible especially when you bottom out. It's almost like a splashing sound over and over again occurring fast with your punishing thrusts.

"You feel so fucking good, so fucking tight and wet for me" You spit, watching in real time as you dumb her down with your cock. She's blabbering about something, something about how your cock is too good, how she can't get enough of it. That's about all you're able to make out because she's cutting of her own sentences with loud moans then seemingly forgetting whatever she was going to say next.

You smirk a little because you've whittled her down to this complete and utter embarrassing mess. She wants to touch you—to feel your body and you can tell by the frantic way her hands are moving. You almost snicker at how pathetic she looks right now. "What's wrong? Gonna cum already?" Is the question you ask upon noticing that familiar breathing pattern "Go ahead, do it" you grit through your teeth.

She's gasping for air deliberately, like she has to remind herself to breathe. Still she's able to chant "yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes" right before the poor girl stops breathing all together. You keep it hard and deep as she goes silent, your grunts being the only other noise that can be heard over the filthy noises of your sex.

Her body stiffens, only moving from the impact of each of your thrusts. Then finally she exhales, legs shaking as she cums all over your cock like she's been longing to. Her cunt clenches around you so tight that it has you not too far behind her. You let your body fall onto hers so she can feel you close as you ride her body through her orgasm, your hips rolling forwards all slow and calculated. "Good fucking girl" 

When she's finished you pull your hips back to slip your cock out of her. She whines, not liking the feeling of being empty but she doesn't say anything about it. "Where should I finish?" You question her, lifting your body off of hers. You get off of the bed and reach for the nightstand where the keys to the handcuffs are.

You grab them, then you un-cuff her "I'll be happy with whatever you choose, sir" she whimpers, breathing heavily as you move to flip her over.

It's a bit difficult to get a good grip on her sleek skin, but you're able to do it so she's flat on her stomach "Hands and knees." Belle immediately finds the strength to do so, pulling her body up so that she's in the position you've asked her to be in. You get behind her and your hands find her waist "I think I wanna cum in this tight pussy" You mutter, guiding your sensitive tip to her stretched cunt. 

It's begging to be filled again, to be pumped full of your seed.

"Then breed me babe" She breathes, pushing her ass back in an attempt to get you inside when she notices that you're teasing. You only smirk, then you part her lips with your tip, gathering up all the clear slick between her legs. "Come on" Belle moves her hips side to side.

First you run your palm over her soft, round ass and then you slap it harshly. She lets out a pleasureful shriek as you watch the red shape of your hand form on the pale skin. You run the same hand up her hips and stop at her waist which you grip tightly before slip your cock back into her needy cunt.

You put your other hand on her waist, holding her in place while you push your hips forwards. "Christ" You groan because she's way tighter in this position. Starting off slow seems like the right move at first because she's whimpering, so you do.

Until she lets the side of her head rest on the mattress, so she can look at you the best she can in this position. "Don't be afraid to get rough with me babe, I can handle it" She bites her bottom lip so hard you fear she might draw blood. "Use me" She begs you for the nth time with that perfectly seductive voice of hers, making it so hard for you to hold back. You weren't even sure what you were even holding back for anyways.

So while keeping a good grip on her waist, you begin to jackhammer your cock into that wet warmth. "Fuck!" A broken scream tears through her lips and it almost worries you but the lust takes over. You keep hearing it in the back of your mind. use her, use her, use her. So much that you don't care if you're going too hard "Yes! you're fucking me so... fucking good sir!" She keens.

You lean over and reach your hand to find a grip on her hair. She gasps at the sweet pain that comes with the rough pull of your fingers and she's forced to hold herself up with her arms again—which she can barely do. "You're fucking dripping baby" You grunt, getting off on the sharp crack that booms each time your hips come in contact with her round ass. "Such a good slut... taking it so well for me"

"Please" She whines, and you're not entirely sure what she's begging for "Please"

"Please what princess?" You almost growl, feeling your abs begin to burn.

She swallows thickly, moaning like she can't control herself. "f-f-fill me up.. I fucking—God—I fucking need it" 

It's coming, you can feel it in your balls. Her cunt is gripping you so perfectly, so smooth and slick that every drag has your jaw clenching and your mind going blank. You're so unbelievably close to stuffing her full of it--it's the only thing you can think about right now. "Yeah... Belle, gonna fucking... cum in you" Your breaths are labored now because the force you're fucking her with is tiring you out.

"God I'm gonna fucking-" Belle squeals, then a rush of clear liquid begins to spill out from between her legs and her mouth hangs open. The pressure almost kills you right then and there but you keep moving, you can't get enough of her. Even when another—more powerful—burst comes out you only grunt as it runs down her legs and stains the sheets.

"Ah...look at you—squirting for me" You'd chuckle if you weren't so close right now. You end up slowing it down, thrusting hard and deep into her cunt slowly. One. Belle shrieks. Two. She moans deeply.  Three. She bites her lip. Then four and your cock is pulsing and throbbing wildly inside of her the second you bury it inside of her on the fourth thrust. You moan loudly as you fill her needy cunt with your seed. There's so much that it's dripping down the side.

You can only sigh the little bit of breath you have left as it continues, your voice too broken and fucked up to do anything more. She only hums sweetly, giggling as you let go of your grip on her hair and your body collapses onto hers so you lay flat on the bed.

"Holy shit" You swallow, then you gather up the strength to sit yourself up and you put your hand on her now red ass, rubbing the cheek as you catch your breath. "Good girl" Then you remember that you should probably pull her out of her hypnotized state. "Sit up and close your eyes" You breathe. It takes her a moment, you watch as she sort of struggles to do as you say but eventually she does. "At the snap of my fingers, you will wake up"

You snap your fingers and her eyes open "Oh my God" is the only thing that comes out of her mouth. Her expression is unreadable and you're not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing for a second. Then Belle smiles and she climbs on top of you. You're surprised, but you allow it because the second she leans in to kiss you it just feels right. She pulls away "What the fuck? That was so hot" It's like she herself is surprised that it worked too.

"You remember?" You ask, knowing that sometimes people lose memory after they've been hypnotized, but it seems like Belle didn't.

Belle nods her head "Every second" Then she kisses you again "Especially when you fucked my tits, you could've told me you were into that" she teases, taking her bottom lip in between her teeth.

"I know you, you would've laughed at me"

"But I still would've let you do it" She nods

You tilt your head playfully doubting her words "Sure" Is all you say before she pushes you back so that you're laying down.

"Shut up" She mutters before putting her lips on yours again and you're both smiling into the passionate kiss, feeling that familiar fluttering feeling in your stomach. "Thank you for trying this out with me" She seems genuine about it.

You shake your head "I'll try any kinky shit you throw at me"

and there's no doubt you would

[kimkat0500]

Alvar and Sasha (and Natalie) when they're in jail

They are passing through the Fire Nation capital when Sasha is identified as being a wanted criminal. In trying to resist arrest, Siral interferes and brings them down to the cells.

Alvar, fed up with how everything seems to have gone wrong so far, finally snaps when Sasha doesn't seem to care.

She sits back on the cell bed and shrugs, "At least it can't get worse, right?"

Alvar shakes the cell door before spinning around and glaring. "Stop asking if things can get worse! I'm tired of being jinxed!"

Natalie has backed against the wall and is watching the two. Siral warns from the end of the room to not shake the bars.

Alvar moves closer to Sasha so he's standing over her. She looks up without expression. "It's not a jinx. The universe just hates me personally. You know I don't want to be here either."

"It doesn't matter. We're here now. And what are we going to do about it?" Alvar throws his hands up and looks between Sasha and Natalie. "I have no weapons, Natalie can only barely control her powers, and I'm honestly not sure what Sasha can do besides look emo and get us arrested!"

"Shh, don't say that so loud-" Natalie starts but she's interrupted by a new voice from the cell next door.

"Hey, you sound like you could use some help. Want to join my escape later?"

The group exchanges looks between themselves before coming to a silent agreement. Alvar cautiously replies, "Who are you?"

A soft chuckle echoes into the room. "They call me Rowen. I'm a regular in here but don't let that fool you, I never get caught if I don't have something to gain from it."

"... Alright." Alvar continues, "So this escape plan of yours, do you have some secret passage or an extra set of cell keys laying around?"

"Something like that," Rowen laughs again and an orange light begins to glow from their cell. A moment later their door swings open and they walk out into the passageway. From their cell the group can see a glowing ball of flame hovering above one of Rowen's hands. They look in at the group and grin, "I'm on fire today!"

AN: I could literally write this whole scene, it is literally the past of the story I am the most hyped about at any given point but that's more than enough for a single Tumblr post. :)

"Stop asking if things can get worse. I'm tired of being jinxed."

"It's not a jinx. The universe just hates me personally."

[woozinhos]

i'm still in christmas spirit hehehe. can i request making out with wonwoo under the mistletoe?

It's Christmas Eve, and the group is gathered in the living room of their shared apartment, sipping hot cocoa and admiring the twinkling lights on the tree. There's a sense of festive cheer in the air, with laughter and music filling the room. You're standing by the fireplace, admiring the decorations when you hear a loud commotion from across the room. You turn to see Wonwoo pointing up at the ceiling, a sly grin on his face.

"Looks like we're under the mistletoe," he says, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

You look up and sure enough, there's a sprig of mistletoe hanging above your heads. The rest of the group notices and begins to whoop and cheer, egging you on. You feel your cheeks flush with heat as you realize what's about to happen. Wonwoo is still grinning at you, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"You know the rules," he says, stepping closer to you. "You can't back out now."

The group continues to hoot and holler, clearly enjoying the show. You feel a flutter of excitement in your stomach as Wonwoo moves even closer, his body just inches away from yours.

"Come on," he whispers, his voice low and husky. "Don't leave me hanging."

You take a deep breath and look up at Wonwoo, your heart pounding in your chest. He's so close now, his body radiating heat and his eyes locked on yours. Without another word, he leans in and captures your lips in a soft kiss. His lips are warm and gentle, and you can feel the strength of his arms as he pulls you closer to him.

The rest of the group cheers and whistles, but you barely notice. All you can focus on is the feeling of Wonwoo's lips against yours, the way his hands slide around your waist and hold you close. The kiss deepens, and you feel a shiver run down your spine as Wonwoo's tongue gently teases your lower lip. You part your lips slightly, allowing him to deepen the kiss even further.

Your arms wrap around his neck, pulling him even closer to you. You can feel the heat of his body pressed against yours, and you melt into the kiss, lost in the sensation of his lips on yours. After what feels like an eternity, Wonwoo pulls away, his breathing ragged and his eyes dark with desire. He rests his forehead against yours, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Merry Christmas," he whispers, his voice rough with emotion.

You smile back at him, your heart still racing from the kiss. The rest of the group has gone silent, watching the two of you with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"Damn, that was hot," Mingyu pipes up, breaking the silence.

Wonwoo grins and wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you close to his side. "I'd say it was a very Merry Christmas indeed," he says, winking at you.

The rest of the group begins to chatter again, making jokes and teasing you both about the kiss. But you barely hear them, too caught up in the moment to pay attention. Wonwoo keeps his arm around your waist, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your hip. He glances down at you, a soft smile on his face.

"You're pretty good at that," he says quietly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

You blush and look up at him, feeling a flutter of butterflies in your stomach. "You're not so bad yourself," you reply, giving him a shy smile.

Wonwoo's smirk widens as he leans in to whisper in your ear. "You know, I think I saw some more mistletoe hanging around here somewhere," he says, his breath warm against your skin. You shiver at the feeling of his lips so close to your ear, and a thrill of excitement runs through you. "Oh really?" you ask, trying to sound casual despite the way your heart is racing.

Wonwoo nods, his hand tightening around your waist. "Yeah, I think I know exactly where it is," he says, his voice low and husky.

Wonwoo takes your hand and leads you out of the living room, expertly dodging the others who are still engrossed in their conversations. He leads you down a dimly lit hallway, away from prying eyes. As soon as you're alone, he presses you against the wall, his body trapping you in place. His eyes are dark with desire as he looks down at you, his gaze raking over your body.

"I've been wanting to get you alone all night," he murmurs, his hands roaming over your hips.

Wonwoo's lips are hungry and demanding as he kisses you, his tongue plundering your mouth with an intensity that leaves you breathless. He presses his body against yours, pinning you against the wall as he deepens the kiss. You moan into his mouth, your hands gripping his shirt as you try to keep up with his fervent pace. The heat between you is almost unbearable, and you can feel the tension building between your bodies.

Wonwoo's hands roam over your body, his touch sending shivers down your spine. He runs his fingers along the curve of your hips, his thumbs tracing circles on your skin. As the kiss grows more passionate, he breaks away to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down your neck. You gasp as his lips graze over your pulse point, your head falling back against the wall.

"You taste so good," he murmurs against your skin, his voice rough with desire. "I could kiss you forever."

Wonwoo's hands continue to explore your body as he kisses and nips at your neck. He bites down gently on your earlobe, causing you to gasp in pleasure.

"I can't get enough of you," he whispers, his breath hot against your ear. "You're driving me crazy."

He moves his lips back to yours, capturing them in another deep, passionate kiss. His hands slide under your shirt, his fingers tracing patterns on your skin as he pulls you even closer to him. You can feel Wonwoo's arousal pressing against you, hard and insistent. He moans into your mouth, his hips grinding against yours in a desperate attempt to get closer.

"God, I want you," he groans, breaking the kiss to nuzzle against your neck. "I want you so bad."

You feel a surge of desire at his words, your body responding to his touch and his heated gaze. You wrap your arms around his neck, holding him close as he continues to explore your body with his hands and lips. Wonwoo finally pulls away, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. He looks at you with a mixture of desire and satisfaction, a smile playing on his lips.

"Merry Christmas," he says, his voice rough with desire. "That was a very, very Merry Christmas."

[just-some-random-blogger]

OK. WE have to start with the fact that your summary is 🫵THAT🫵 WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT I THOUGHT I WAS HERE FOR CUTE FUN TIMES WITH CREGAN WHAT IS HAPPENING WHY IS HE IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE HELLO??????

YOU CRUMPLE THE letter in your fist, hearing the parchment wrinkle with a satisfying sound. Then, you throw it into the flames, watching as the fire grows slightly bigger, and the ball uncurls, alight for a second, before it is fully consumed.

..... I'm not gonna lie to you... I don't remember what I meant to say ...... I THINK ITS JUST ME PANICKING THAT WERE STARTING OFF LIKE THIS WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SIT CRISTI WHERES THE FUN TIMES NO IM SCARED

You had not realized you had started to measure time like this. Before and After Luke’s death, as people did with Before and After the Conquest.

Horrible reality but beautifully put my gosh I just ate chocolate pudding or something YUMMM

Whatever he is doing, hunched over his desk, is interrupted. “You cannot do this to me! Mother will not allow it.”

PFFFT IM SO SORRY HUNCHED OVER HAS ME GAGGED IDC IDC IF IM WASTING MY MEME REACTIONS ON THIS BUT ITS GIVING VERY MUCH THE POSTURE MEME

EXPECTATION VS REALITY

Also I get it now. I get why we're starting like this damn I was scared you made cregan into a cheater

But grief has made you into live lighting, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

UGHHHHHH WHAT THE HECK THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL I KEEP SAYING IMMA STEAL YOUR WORDS BECAUSE DAMN BUT ALAS I CANT REMEMBER TO DO IT COS IM NOT BUILT LIKE THAT WTFFFFF

“He has put a wife in the grave already.”

🧍‍♀️ OH. OK. I GET IT NOW FR FR

[...] You know the dangers of childbirth. Perhaps even better than I.”

😀 I love how he thinks this would comfort her

You hated being second in anything.

❤️‍🩹 I felt that

Being a twin meant having to share everything, including the love of those around you.

THEYRE TWINS? I FEEL LIKE I DIDNT COPY IT BUT RHAENA AND BAELA ARE TWINS TOO???? WHATTTT IM GAGGED I FEEL LIKE IM ALWAYS FINDING OUT PPL ARE TWINS IN YOUR FICS

When you married, you had hoped to be the only woman in your husband’s life, not to be compared to a ghost. You had seen exactly how that went. King Viserys had never forgotten his first wife, [...]

This is the part where we say together 🗣️FUCK🗣️YOU🗣️VISERYS🗣️ AND YAH IDK IF I COPIED IT OR NOT BUT THE PART WHERE YOU SAID HE CHOSE ALICENT MARRIED HER OUT OF LOVE 🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕 THATS WHY YOU ROTTED WHILE STILL ALIVE FUCK YOU IM SPITTING AT YOUR GRAVE

“You said you were afraid of childbirth, and he already has an heir. There is no better solution.”

CAN HE SHUT THE FUCK UP

As Jace prepares a scathing comeback, face scrunched up in mirrored displeasure to your own, [...]

They're so siblings™

“Why can the whole castle hear your quarrel?”

🤣🤣🤣 LIKE I SAID SO SIBLINGS

“My fault?!” He says, placing his hands on his hips. “Apologies, I think they didn’t hear your screeching about Lord Stark in Driftmark!”

NEJDJKDJ LOL THEYRE SO SIBLINGGGS ME TO MY SISTER

“I did. I think it is for the best. You will be safer next to Cregan Stark, in Winterfell, than you could ever be here.”

I HATE HER

[...] her mind is already made.

I understand her. I hate her

“You did because I have no dragon. I bet you are scheming to send Rhaena away too!”

💔💔💔💔💔 she knows her all too well

“I had to find out from a letter from fucking Cregan Stark. I am not leaving. You cannot make me. ”

I HATE THAT FOR HER. 🫵SAY🫵IT🫵TO🫵 MY 🫵FACE🫵

“Listen to me!” She says, shaking you hard. Tears begin to fall from her eyes, but she doesn’t seem to register them. “Listen to me! Luke is dead. He is dead, and you will obey me because I cannot bear to lose any more of my children. You are going North. Your Queen commands it.”

I understand her 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️😞😞😞😞😞 I hate her

He didn’t care if he appeared too eager, his usual stoicism was failing him in the face of his nerves.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER HUSBAND IM SO CONFUSED???? THIS GOT ME GIGGLING EVEN THO I WAS LIKE WHY HE EXCITED (spoiler he wasn't)

[...] playing Come-into-my-castle and Bears-and-maids. Cregan had unfortunately been the maid many more times than he preferred.

A naive little princess would never survive in the North.

??????????????? OH OK I GET IT BUT HELLO YOU HAVENT EVEN MET HER???

The Lady of Winterfell couldn’t be some frail little thing, she had to be strong. Strong enough to hold Winterfell in his absence if needed, were the threat from beyond the Wall come to pass.

YoU HAVENT EVEN MET HER MY BROTHER IN CHRIST CHILL

If he had to remarry and choose a southron, Cregan would have preferred a stronger one.

To receive the toothless dragon in his home and keep it safe. A favor, from an older brother to another. The Gods knew if Sara was near war at all, Cregan would do everything in his power to send her somewhere safe. He would be forever indebted to the man who aided him to do so.

I get you but also like ???? What are you going on about you haven't met her. ASUMERA

A true alliance. A Pact of Ice and Fire, to bound their bloodlines and keep the beloved, but defenseless sister safe.

Ok cool. Nice. This was cool but I'm mildly annoyed by cregan

Jacaerys was a serious man, no matter his dubious parentage.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💀💀💀💀✋✋✋✋✋ MAN REALLY SAID 🫵BASTARD🫵 AND I RESPECT HIM FOR IT AHHSHAH

Cregan had offered to have his men meet you halfway, but his letter doing so had gone unanswered.

I'm pretty sure I felt bad for him but now I think deserve

The wheelhouse and the men carried so many packages that Cregan would have known you were a Princess even without expecting you. Anyone would have known.

🤨 you have a problem with her dresses country bumpkin. So what shes a city girl. Shut yo ugly trap

You were… Pitiful. Cregan understood now why Prince Jacaerys was so desperate to protect you.

I hate that for her. I hate that men around her are like sad woman come hither 👎👎👎death by being fried alive

“She brought less of a procession than you did. And less luggage.”

BROOOOOOOOOOO HES STILL GOING

“She was. By far a more practical woman.” He smiles at you, teasingly. “But if the fuss makes you happy…”

❓❓❓❓❓❓❓ NO CUZ IM GLAD SHE FOUND THE HUMOR IN THA BECAUSE I WOULD HAE BODY SLAMMED HIM LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING ME

Your obsession with Valyrian history and traditions had been carefully nurtured by your stepfather, Daemon.

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😫😫😫😫😫😫😫 MY MAN MY MY MAN MY MAN BEING A GOOD DAD????????? (BARE MINIMUM MOMENT)

When you had turned four and ten, Daemon had gifted you your very own book with Valyrian tales, a beautifully bound and illustrated edition that had followed you in your journey North.

“For you to read to your future children.”

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 DAEMON MAKING ME CRY AND BECOME SO SOFT AND NSNSSJMSSMMS

He had said, back then. You had barely flowered, so you had laughed. “I mean it, Princess. Out of my three girls, you are the only one I envision doing so.”

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

Brb giving him 1000 daughters 🏃‍♀️💨💨💨

The man you had married didn’t love you. He had only done so to secure an alliance. And the man already had a child of his own, an heir.

Robbed twice is crazy. Sorrows sorrows prayers

They would have learned High Valyrian, and spoke it as beautifully as your mother and stepfather did.

🥺���💔💔💔💔 MY LOVEEEEE

You had seen enough of your mother and Daemon to know bedding someone can be pleasing.

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN SEEN *ROLLS MAGAZINE* GET OFF THE FUCKING FURNITURE YOU FUCKING HORN DOGS

“It is not a sin. But why would you..?” You question, but your Lord Husband is getting up already, huffing. He seems angered that you are unable to understand his message, whatever it might be. He storms off, leaving you confused over his behaviour.

❓❓❓❓❓❓ WHAT IS HIS PROBLEM SANA NAGSALITA DIBA OA AMP

I fear I fear I fear I need to boil him in oil.this was nawwwwt where I thought this was going but I am EAGERRRRRR to know what it's headed UGHHHHHH loveeeeeeeee

Autumn (Cregan Stark x Reader)

Summary: As a Princess, you aren’t used to rejection. But Cregan, your husband, has vowed to only ever love one woman, and it isn't you. Right?

Warnings: Unreliable narrator!!!! Mature language. Descriptions of grief.

A/N: I was not expecting the response my silly little idea has gotten. I am very thankful for all of you who decide to read it, and would love to hear what you think of this chapter. Series masterlist here.

YOU CRUMPLE THE letter in your fist, hearing the parchment wrinkle with a satisfying sound. Then, you throw it into the flames, watching as the fire grows slightly bigger, and the ball uncurls, alight for a second, before it is fully consumed.

It doesn’t soothe you as you thought it would. The odious parchment offering you an honor guard from your future husband might be gone, but you still have to journey North before a moon since Luke’s funeral has passed.

At the thought of your brother, a sharp, stabbing pain, manifests in your chest. You choke down a sob. You had not realized you had started to measure time like this. Before and After Luke’s death, as people did with Before and After the Conquest.

Your grief only serves to fuel your rage, though. How could he? How could he demand you be wed when you were still in mourning? When you were still thinking of your sweet brother, not of keeps, and lords, and men?

“You dare!” You screech, barging inside Jacaerys’ rooms. Whatever he is doing, hunched over his desk, is interrupted. “You cannot do this to me! Mother will not allow it.”

Jace sets down his quill. He turns to look at you, his expression calm. You would think him indifferent, were it not for the fact that there is the slightest furrow of his brows.

“We need men.” He states, simply, and when you are about to interrupt him to say there are many more in the realm, he keeps speaking. “We need his men. The North is the largest kingdom, you know this as well as I. And when a Stark calls the banners, they are the only ones who respond in full.”

Your hands ball into fists. You hate that he is acting so composed, so rational. After Luke died, you felt like a chained dragon, roaring your grief and wishing to be freed to set ablaze those that had wronged you. Once, you had been as gracious as him and mother, composed even in the height of emotion. But grief has made you into live lighting, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

Your emotions are out of control. You know this. You get angered at the barest hint of an insult, you cry as easily as a newborn babe. Knowing it doesn’t stop you from lashing out, though. It only makes you regret it later.

“Our mother promised I was to have my pick of suitors, not that I would be sold like a cow!” You point an accusing finger to his chest. Jace sighs and gets up, surrounding the desk.

“I understand you are upset.” He tries offering you a hug, but you jerk away. His face hardens slightly. “But this is war.”

As if you do not know. As if you haven’t lost a sibling, too. Your face crumbles, and Jace calls your name, but hearing his voice, how similar Luke and him sound, only makes you cry harder.

“Hey, hey, it’s not so bad.” He hugs you, pressing your face against his doublet. The material is soft against your skin, and you feel tempted to let go of your rage against him and sink into his arms. Jace is barely a man, too, just as you are barely a woman. He is doing as best as he can, spread too thin by the weight of responsibility that comes with being heir. “Cregan is a good man. I got to know him during the time…”

Yes, he was doing as best as he could. But it hadn’t been his own hand that he had bartered away, had it? The insidious voice in your head asks. It isn’t him who is making a sacrifice. And such a hollow one. He claims to need men, but he won’t be getting even the full northern army.

“You sold me for a few Greybeards! Not even a proper army! Good Gods, you are a fool.” You cry out.

“Lord Stark assures me…” Jace starts, with the tone of someone who has already had this same argument. Were you thinking clearly, you would pause and realize why. Instead...

“He has put a wife in the grave already.” It is the only thing you know about him. Not much is whispered about Cregan Stark, at least, nothing concerning. You would remember it. The only thing that you know, though, is that he is a Stark and his wife is dead.

“You make it sound as if he killed her himself with his bare hands.” Jace scoffs. “I assure you, he dearly loved Arra Norrey and would have never harmed her. You know the dangers of childbirth. Perhaps even better than I.”

Perfect. He hadn’t killed the damn woman, he was just still in love with her. By the Seven, Jace was a fool. You hated being second in anything. Here, at home, you were already second to Jace, and you resented it. Being a twin meant having to share everything, including the love of those around you.

When you married, you had hoped to be the only woman in your husband’s life, not to be compared to a ghost. You had seen exactly how that went. King Viserys had never forgotten his first wife, calling for her years after her death, even as Alicent was the one to nurse him during his illness.

“He is still a widower.” You repeat, stubbornly.

Jace pinches the bride of his nose, before letting out a deep exhale. His next words are spoken extremely slowly, as if talking to a child. It makes you bristle.

“You said you were afraid of childbirth, and he already has an heir. There is no better solution.”

It would be thoughtful, were it not for the fact that:

“His first wife died in childbirth!”

As Jace prepares a scathing comeback, face scrunched up in mirrored displeasure to your own, the voice of your mother startles you both.

“What is going on here?” She asks, mouth pursed in an expression identical to Jace. The Queen looks as regal as ever, and it only serves to make you feel a tad embarrassed. With wild hair and eyes, face flushed from rage, you are sure that next to her, you must look like a wilding. “Why can the whole castle hear your quarrel?”

“It’s his fault.” You accuse, pointing at Jace.

“My fault?!” He says, placing his hands on his hips. “Apologies, I think they didn’t hear your screeching about Lord Stark in Driftmark!”

“So you informed her?” Your mother asks, calmly. Too calmly for someone who has just found out. Had it been her plan all along?

“Did you knew all along?” You whisper.

Rhaenyra turns to look at you. As always, your mother has a smile ready for you, but as of late, they are laced with sadness. This one is no exception.

“I did. I think it is for the best. You will be safer next to Cregan Stark, in Winterfell, than you could ever be here.”

You examine her expression. Her eyes are swollen and red rimmed, grief clouding her regal face. There is a certain determination in her features, a calm acceptance in her eyes, that tells you that her mind is already made.

Her face is not one of a distraught mother who will soon give her daughter away. You know her too well to mistake it for that.

“You hoped for this.” You keep your voice dangerously low, your anger threatening to bubble up in your throat. “You did because I have no dragon. I bet you are scheming to send Rhaena away too!”

Your mother doesn’t answer.

Her silence is damming. You turn to look at Jace, disbelieving. Of course the two of them had been scheming behind your back. Your brother had always been the closest one to your mother.

“And neither of you could tell me to my face?” You ask, letting out a hysterical laugh. “I had to find out from a letter from fucking Cregan Stark. I am not leaving. You cannot make me. ”

Suddenly, your mother grabs you by the shoulders. Her face is frightening, like an avenging goddess of Old Valyria. Her lips are curled back, teeth bared, and her eyes are as wild as yours.

“Listen to me!” She says, shaking you hard. Tears begin to fall from her eyes, but she doesn’t seem to register them. “Listen to me! Luke is dead. He is dead, and you will obey me because I cannot bear to lose any more of my children. You are going North. Your Queen commands it.”

She turns on her heel and leaves, leaving you standing on still shaking legs.

CREGAN HAD BEEN lingering near the entrance of Winterfell ever since his men had spotted the Queen’s banner on the horizon. Back then, they had expected the party to arrive in half a day. He didn’t care if he appeared too eager, his usual stoicism was failing him in the face of his nerves.

The first time Cregan had married, he had known the bride for a long time. Arra had been his childhood companion, and they had spent many moons together, playing Come-into-my-castle and Bears-and-maids. Cregan had unfortunately been the maid many more times than he preferred.

He had not feared marriage then. Spending forever chained to another person wouldn’t be so bad if that person was Arra.

Now, he did. Cregan had been content on his own, and had no desire to remarry. Even if he had, a southron princess wouldn’t have been his first choice. Though Prince Jacaerys had been honorable and dutiful, he was still naive. They were nearly of an age, but when Cregan had stood next to him, he had felt as old as his Greybeards.

A naive little princess would never survive in the North. His lords would eat her alive. The Lady of Winterfell couldn’t be some frail little thing, she had to be strong. Strong enough to hold Winterfell in his absence if needed, were the threat from beyond the Wall come to pass.

Arra had been the only woman he had thought of marrying because she had been the only woman he had thought fit to the task. She had been of the North, as he was, and it had helped him envision a future together where they ruled over the very same land that had birthed both of them.

It was only adequate that the Lady of Winterfell was a woman of the North. Southron Princesses, especially those who had been groomed to marry inside the family, could be of little help running a keep. If he had to remarry and choose a southron, Cregan would have preferred a stronger one.

Yet if wishes were dragons, beggars would soar through the skies. Prince Jacaerys had seemed a bit insulted at his offer of Greybeards, but with winter coming, it was all Cregan could spare. He was no stranger to political games, though, and knew he had to smooth down the feathers his offer had ruffled.

Hence, the offer. To receive the toothless dragon in his home and keep it safe. A favor, from an older brother to another. The Gods knew if Sara was near war at all, Cregan would do everything in his power to send her somewhere safe. He would be forever indebted to the man who aided him to do so.

And Prince Jacaerys, showing himself to be the dutiful prince and brother he was, had understood the offer for what it was. A true alliance. A Pact of Ice and Fire, to bound their bloodlines and keep the beloved, but defenseless sister safe.

It had impressed Cregan. Jacaerys was a serious man, no matter his dubious parentage. He could picture himself following him. After all, his Targaryen blood and character were the important part. That was what made him a worthy King.

Without a dragon of your own, your journey had been perilous. He knew you had ridden without banners until you had safely arrived into northern territory, a feat that had taken you a whole moon. Cregan had offered to have his men meet you halfway, but his letter doing so had gone unanswered. It had only prompted new anxieties for him.

What if he failed to fulfill his promise because you were abducted or harmed in the journey? What if the people riding with Black banners weren’t truly your honor guard, but an ambush prepared by the enemy?

Cregan doubted he would be at ease until he saw you emerge out of your wheelhouse, whole and unscathed. Hence, his waiting by the door. He would not be nervous a moment longer than he needed to.

The first thing Cregan saw was that your honor guard was smaller than he expected. He had known you would travel with a sparse escort, as to not attract undue attention. It was a miracle you had made it here with only ten guards, though. The wheelhouse and the men carried so many packages that Cregan would have known you were a Princess even without expecting you. Anyone would have known.

In contrast, the woman who stepped out of the wheelhouse wasn’t miraculous nor was she what Cregan envisioned when thinking of a Princess.

You were… Pitiful. Cregan understood now why Prince Jacaerys was so desperate to protect you. You wouldn’t survive a winter in the North, hells, it looked like a strong breeze would blow you away.

Your hair and eyes were as dark as the ones of your brother. You wore a pretty wool dress, in mourning black. The lacings on the back were done too tightly, a lot of the ribbon hanging limply, and the dress was loose around your chest and hips. It was clear you had recently lost weight, probably during the journey because the gown hadn’t been altered to fit you.

There were dark circles under your eyes, which were also red rimmed. Your skin was pale, your dark hair braided back in a severe style. Grief didn’t suit you. You looked small and sad, despite having a pleasing figure.

It didn’t help that the dress you had chosen was one far too thin for a sensible northern woman to wear. The day wasn’t even that cold, but you were already shivering. It was barely snowing, for the Gods’s sake!

Cregan approached you and gave you a bow.

“Princess.” He extended his arm to you. You took it, shivering. “I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“Pleasant enough.” At least your voice isn’t frail. The last thing Cregan needed was a soft-spoken southron lady. You even manage to smile at him, which makes you look considerably more attractive.

Cregan would admit one thing, and one thing only: Queen Rhaenyra made pretty children. Both you and Jacaerys had sinful mouths and bewitching dark eyes, though he found yours far more pleasing.

“I am sorry for your loss.” He says, as he escorts you inside Winterfell. Your trembling intensifies, instead of subsiding in the warmth of his hall. You say nothing.

When he risks a glance at your face, your eyes are suspiciously wet. You avoid meeting his eyes, even as he offers you the customary salt and bread.

“I remember when Arra got here.” Cregan offers, awkwardly. He isn’t quite sure of what to say to a grieving Princess, so he decides to share something about himself in hopes that you will open up too. He desperately needs to change the subject. Or to start a subject. He is not picky, anything that keeps you from crying will do. “She brought less of a procession than you did. And less luggage.”

“She was quite closer to home than I.” You reply, and your tone has regained strength. You no longer shake, body stiffer. Cregan decides to take it as a good sign. You are clearly struggling to get a hold of yourself, which is why you turn so tense, so he decides to keep speaking to give you some more time.

“She was. By far a more practical woman.” He smiles at you, teasingly. “But if the fuss makes you happy…”

You laugh. When he gets to know you better, Cregan will realize that your laughter wasn’t genuine.

He will also realize this had been the moment your heart iced over.

YOU PAGE THROUGH your book, in silence. Winterfell doesn’t have court musicians, and for that, you are thankful. Silence has always been your preferred companion right before bed. That, and a good book.

Your obsession with Valyrian history and traditions had been carefully nurtured by your stepfather, Daemon. Neither your mother nor siblings had much interest in your shared heritage, beyond the ability it gave them to ride dragons.

While Baela and Rhaena spoke fluid High Valyrian, the same could not be said for your brothers. As the only girl in the household, your lessons had been spent with the former and not the latter, forcing you to improve. Once you did, you had found reading the tales of old was a pleasant pastime.

You enjoyed laying in bed and imagining all the stories about magic, dragons, and empresses. When you had turned four and ten, Daemon had gifted you your very own book with Valyrian tales, a beautifully bound and illustrated edition that had followed you in your journey North.

“For you to read to your future children.” He had said, back then. You had barely flowered, so you had laughed. “I mean it, Princess. Out of my three girls, you are the only one I envision doing so.”

The day he had acknowledged you as one of his daughters, even if you didn’t share blood, was the happiest nameday you had had. He was right, too. As much as you loved the twins, you couldn’t picture them being motherly. Baela would have to have a son, to inherit after Jace, but you believed that it would be him who took charge of the more fatherly duties while she dedicated herself to statecraft. Rhaena, instead, had a thirst for adventure, to travel and know the world. Her ambition wasn’t conducive to motherhood either.

You, instead, had always dreamed of marrying a man who loved you and starting a family of your own. You envisioned yourself as the lady of a great keep, where you would rule fairly, and raise your children without wet nurses.

Those dreams had already been shattered. The man you had married didn’t love you. He had only done so to secure an alliance. And the man already had a child of his own, an heir. There was no need for you to be a mother anymore.

You turned another page of your book, watching the beautiful illustrations. You had dreamed of reading this to a little girl who looked like you, or perhaps a boy that would have looked like the man of your dreams. They would have learned High Valyrian, and spoke it as beautifully as your mother and stepfather did.

It would not come to pass. Not any longer.

A soft knock on your door makes you set down your book, closing it with great care. Then, you get up and put on your robe over your sleeping shift.

“You may enter.”

Your husband steps in, dressed for bed already. He is a handsome man, you think, biting your lower lip. Tall, dark and handsome, Cregan is the sort of man your childhood self would have pictured marrying.

He could have been the perfect man to fall in love with, were it not for the fact that he would never love you back. He already loved someone else, someone who you could never aspire to match. His first wife, Lady Arra.

As Alicent had learned, it was impossible to overshadow a ghost. Dead as she was, she could never make mistakes. He would forget all her imperfections.

She gave him a child, she was the wife he chose. The one he married for love, not duty. A practical, northern woman his bannermen had surely liked far more as a match to him than a soft southron princess who didn’t even have a dragon.

“I was wondering if you would welcome my company tonight, Princess.” Your husband says, voice emotionless. He is only here because of duty, it seems. “We could share the bed.”

“You said we could wait to consummate our union.” You keep your voice firm. It is not a task you anticipate eagerly, but you are not afraid of it either. You had seen enough of your mother and Daemon to know bedding someone can be pleasing. It is only the awkwardness of doing so with a stranger that puts you off.

“I was not referring to that.” Your husband says, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “The nights are cold in Winterfell. Is it wrong for a man to seek closeness to his wife?”

You frown. His behavior is most puzzling. He intends to share your bed… To sleep? Your mother shared her bed with Daemon, but she also bedded him. It makes no sense to you that he wants to sleep next to you without touching you. Most marriages don’t do that. Much less if they are political matches.

“It is not a sin. But why would you..?” You question, but your Lord Husband is getting up already, huffing. He seems angered that you are unable to understand his message, whatever it might be. He storms off, leaving you confused over his behaviour.

That night, Cregan dreams of running. Of having a snout covered in blood, of jumping into the river, trying to trap a seahorse.

He never manages to. Wolves aren’t meant to hunt seahorses.

[obito-in-disguise]

| 100 million |

Husband Megumi x germaphobe reader.

Megumi glances down at your hands, cold from your shower. He takes one of them in his own, interlocking his fingers with yours and slowly rubbing them between his palms to warm them up.

“Why do you always take so long in there...and you always have the water freezing cold too” he grumbles, his warm hands working against yours.

You smile at his sweet gesture, ignoring the sass in his tone. "Thank you gumi"

He gives you a stern look before ultimately cracking a small smile back.

Raising your hand to his lips, he blows warm air onto your skin, rubbing gently to bring some life back into them. He knows you’re a germaphobe, and using his mouth probably isn’t your idea of hygienic, but he doesn’t really care in the moment.

You watch him blow air from his mouth unto your hands, making a face subconsciously.

He sees the scrunched up look on your face and chuckles, knowing exactly why you're doing that.

“What? worried I’m gonna infect you with my cooties? You do know we're married right? we're enshrined into each other now, I kiss you all the time, I've been inside y-”

"Christ gumi!" you cut him off, mortified. He was so reserved in public, but in private? had no inhibitions when it came to saying the wildest things.

He laughs, your reaction so entertaining to him. You still got so embarrassed, despite how long you’d been together. He releases your hands, crossing his over his chest.

“What? I’m just saying what’s true. I do all of those things to you and you’re worried about me breathing on your hand? Come on”

You huff, unclenching and clenching your now warmed hands. "I know, I know...it's more of a psychological thing"

He hums in mock understanding, letting his mind wander to all the silly rules you'd set throughout the course of your relationship.

No eating from the same silverware. No drinking from the same cup. No putting of eachother's dirty clothes together. He hadn’t seen someone so adamant about not sharing anything with anyone before.

“We’re supposed to be sharing everything. You’re just ridiculous. Why the hell can’t you eat with the same fork I just ate off of?”

You take a deep breath, bracing yourself before shouting at the top of your lungs. "A MILLIMETER OF SALIVA CONTAINS A 100 MILLION BACTERIA"

He doesn’t miss a beat, mirroring your volume. "WE GO TO POUNDTOWN EVERYNIGHT, THAT IS THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES"

You can't stop the giggles that escape your lips as you immediately jump to slap a hand over his mouth, you had neighbours.

He chuckles too, prying your hand off to continue embarrassing you. "We do far worse things than sharing silverware!"

You laugh harder "That's different!"

He rolls his eyes, deciding to humor you. "Pray tell, how is it different?"

"Going to poundtown is an in the moment thing..." you explains ridiculously.

Megumi doubles over with laughter, the sheer absurdity of your logic breaking him completely. He can never handle the things that come out of your mouth sometimes. They're just so bizarre.

“What the hell, I can’t even argue with that”

"That's right" you grin triumphantly. You hold up your finger as you begin to lecture him.

"You see Fushiguro, when we...get down, I don't have time to think about how much bacteria we're swapping." You shudder "but when we're eating?!! there's all the time in the world!"

He scoffs, shaking his head. He found your reaction to the very thought of sharing silverware with him, your husband, completely baffling.

“What a load of bullshit" he deadpans.

His eyes are filled with fondness as he watches you throw your head back and laugh at that, with that smile that always sends his heart racing.

Your germaphobe shenanigans were the bane of his existence but there was no one he would rather share the rest of his life with, your silly quirks and all.

oh how I love to daydream about married life, don't disappoint me universe 🤞🏻

Check out more of my jjk fics and other stories!

like, comment or reblog! ♡

[shieldofiron]

“Watch it not snow at all,” Steve says with a cackle.

“I don’t know they said 6-9 inches-“ Robin shakes her head when she sees the look on his face. “Quit it.”

“You just want another snow day.”

“Of course I do,” she scoffs.

“Oh, look,” Steve is looking up. They’re at a stoplight and there are indeed flurries slowly coming down.

Robin giggles, “You were saying?”

As they drive (slowly) towards the diner it starts coming down harder and harder until Steve pulls over.

“You don’t think we’ll be trapped here?” Robin says anxiously.

“We can just walk to-“

“Who is that?” Robin stops him.

Steve turns. He has to squint a little but there’s a figure coming out of the snow. They’re limping, and then as the person gets closer they stumble and fall into a dirty snowbank.

“Hello?” Robin calls out.

There’s no reply.

Steve slowly reaches into the car and grabs the hard ice scraper, just in case.

They approach together slowly.

The person isn’t wearing enough clothes at all, and they’re just a peach heap. Steve looks down and sees that there’s a trail of blood in the snow.

Robin gasps. “Hargrove?”

They dash over awkwardly through the snow drifts. He’s breathing lightly, wearing a now wet undershirt and jeans without shoes.

Old blood is dripping down his face from his nose which looks broken. There's bruising in a sickening ring around his neck and purpling bruises under both eyes. Steve reaches down without thinking about it and brushes his cheek gently. Billy flinches hard, eyes opening.

Ignoring his weak protests, they manage between the two of them to get him up and out of the dirty snow and up onto Steve's shoulder so they can begin hobbling back towards the car at a snail's pace. The wind and falling snow cuts at Steve's face but he ignores that too.

"Robin, drive," Steve tosses her the keys and she squacks, fumbling as the keys almost slip out of her grip.

"He found out, baby," Billy whispers weakly into Steve's ear.

"We'll figure it out at home, Billy, just hang on."

Billy's making slight wheezing noises as Steve helps him into the backseat, climbing in with him.

Robin hops in the front and pulls a very illegal U-turn, which luckily no one is on the road to witness.

"You're ok, baby," Steve pulls Billy close, forcing himself to believe it's true. "We're going home."

[saoirseyun]

⁀➴ ━━━━FIGHT OR FLIGHT prt. one

BSD MEN when you find out their affair. RANPO, CHUUYA, AKUTAGAWA, MORI VER. COMING SOON

━━FEATURING D. OSAMU

—"Was it true?" After you watched the new supposed perfect pair of Dazai and another someone with darting sweet pupils; they've got... eyes like yours, a pretty smile, and crying of laughter for a while with his bandaged arm folds in itself to hold them close embrace chastise delicate and warmth for the while. It sickens you to death at a mere thought of that encounter, that day, that memory. Explicit when you're unable to stare at Dazai the same way since then, long gone that mutual pinning and distant words of living through a better life with your beloved Dazai. "You're seeing someone else—that there's another person in the picture, 'Samu?" You never saw that wrenched guilt face he attempt to hide away, his lips tremble and a rather dull look to his eyes right now. Dazai's dimples wrinkle. Feign relaxed, "Of course not, never. I'm a good man, belladonna. The person you're referring to is a close colleague, nothing more."

But whatever does define that? Certain, Dazai isn't one to begin with. He can utter the same line without mention of close touches from the shoulders and waist. You knew better.

"If you were, you wouldn't have to act so lovestruck with them instead of your own significant other, right?"

"There's... Difference between acting kind and being in love."

"What, next you're telling me that they're just a friend to you, Osamu? Your eyes lit up when you burst into laughter with them. Hardly you can do the same anymore with me! Why... Why do you have to leave me for someone else without telling first that you can't bear to love me any longer!" Why? You don't get it. You get anything. Was all he could think about after a listen to your irresistible cries for Dazai in hopes to return.

"I love you both." Is a pretty lie two-timers like Dazai Osamu adore using on there tongues, admire their significant other's reaction fall into piece and breakdown—in this case, your fallen face. "You're everything I needed in this treacherous life I've been through. Them... They're just what I want," Dazai could go on ramble to his heart's content until he sees fit—Your response. "Honestly, I knew it's unnecessarily... Cruel to heart even knowing with what you've been through."

"...You don't mean it." Neither do you, act frantic at the sound of his voice telling each and every word a false in every sense you weren't so sure no more on what was the truth Dazai speaking. "You knew what were you doing to start with, Osamu. I don't want to hear a single thing of it! We're... We're done. I'm getting sick just from listening to you explaining." Expect to believe that he had no intent to cheat from behind...

...There was no simple answer to all of that: if Dazai didn't mean it, why do it regardless?

[geebritt]

Birds of a Feather - Chapter 1

Prologue [x] AO3 [x]

The rare feeling of direct sunlight beating down on your skin had your cheeks widening into a large smile as you raised your arms towards the sky in a deep stretch.

“One day, I'm gonna ride in one of those things.” Powder announced in awe from behind you, marvelling at the airship travelling overhead. You turned to grin at the small girl.

“I'd put money on that.” You laughed, ruffling her pretty blue hair. She returned your grin with one of her own, practically bouncing with energy.

“And one day,” Mylo's snide tone had your smile quickly dropping. “I'm gonna shoot one of ‘em down.” He quipped, aiming a finger gun to the ship and mimicking pulling the trigger.

Your eyes rolled in exasperation. “Now that - that's not a bet that I would waste my coin on.” Powder snickered a laugh when Mylo shoved your shoulder, which you quickly returned with extra force.

“Are you sure about this, Vi?” Claggor. Poor, sweet, naive Claggor. As if this was something that Vi could be talked out of. “Look, if we get caught, we're…” Like clockwork, Vi cut off his sentence.

“We're not gonna get caught.” She said with all the confidence that you're sure Vander carried at her age. Claggor looked over to you, as if expecting you to intervene - you instead offered him a shrug of indifference. “We'll be in and out before anyone even notices.”

It was exhilarating. The feeling of sunshine on your face, and wisps of wind running through your dark, shaggy hair, as you leapt from rooftop to rooftop. If it were up to you - you'd spend every day of your life flying from roof to roof. It was the only time that you felt untouchable… truly free.

Following Vi and the boys, you landed, light-footed, on the roof - having launched over from a small balcony homing a plate of pink-frosted cupcakes.

The sight of the sweet treats sitting abandoned had your mouth forming into a sneer. The Pilties were afforded so much privilege that they had no qualms about leaving food out to rot or be eaten by birds - while Zaunites in the Fissures had to fight tooth and nail for what the Topsiders would consider scraps. It wasn't fair.

“Couldn't we have at least just walked there?” Claggor asked Vi.

You clapped a hand on his back with a laugh. “Where's the fun in that, Clag?” He huffed a small laugh in reluctant agreement.

“Gotta stay outta sight for this one.” Vi told him in a serious tone. You considered telling the pink-haired girl to lighten up a little, and take a moment to enjoy the journey there. But you knew that she wouldn't want to hear it, so instead, you kept the thought to yourself and stayed quiet.

Vi suddenly looked away from Claggor. You followed her line of sight with your own eyes to see Powder still on the roof across the divide. Fear was evident in her big, blue eyes.

“Called it.” Mylo announced smugly, causing you to look over in his direction with narrowed eyes. “This is on you, Vi.”

“Does your trap ever shut, Mylo?” You called to him, receiving a glare of daggers from him in response.

“I'll get her.” Claggor said, beginning to stand from his crouched position.

“No!” Vi stopped him - looking to Powder with determination. “Powder, look at me.” You looked back to Powder to see the nerves still evident on her face. “What did I tell you?”

“That…” She took a deep breath, and when her eyes opened, the fear had been replaced with a bravery that had you smiling proudly. “That I'm ready.” She declared.

“That's right. So?” 

You whooped loudly, calling out in encouragement, “Go Pow-Pow. You've got this!”

Powder managed the complex manoeuvre just barely. The jump ended with her hanging off the edge of the roof, with Vi holding onto her hand securely - a proud smile adorning her face. Your heart would have been warmed if it weren't currently in your throat, having jumped up in fear while watching the little girl nearly fall to her demise.

“Phew.” Powder breathed. “Thanks.” And you had to fight the urge to thank Vi for catching her too - though you knew that there was no way in the world that she would have let her little sister fall.

The panic in you slowly dissipated, and pride took its place. You laughed as you high-fived powder - congratulating her on a job well done, while she smiled in delight.

Your eyes followed another airship flying overhead as your small group scooted alongside a narrow edge of the penthouse's roof.

“What if Vander finds out we're all the way up here?” Oh Gods, don't even say that, you thought with a grimace. You couldn't bear putting up with another one of Vander's infamous ‘I'm disappointed in you’ lectures. Sure, you were older than the others, but that didn't mean you could control them. If they were going to be out pulling off dangerous jobs, you'd rather be out with them watching their backs than trying fruitlessly to talk them out of it.

“Look around you.” Violet gestured to the lavish city below you. “You think anyone Topside's going hungry?” The answer was obvious. “And besides, this is exactly the type of job that Vander would have pulled when he was our age.”

She wasn't wrong. The stories that Felicia shared with you about their ‘wild escapades’ while growing up always had you giggling - that was before Vander had caught wind of it.

‘And that's about enough of those stories.’ Vander had said one evening, as you and Felicia sat gossiping at the bar. ‘The last thing that we need is another me running around causing trouble.’ The words had been said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, but under his amused tone, you'd been able to sense the seriousness to his words.

Felicia had tried to spiritedly argue back that you would find out one way or another, but Vander had pointed a finger at her and playfully accused her of trying to corrupt you.

After that, though, the stories of their ‘Wild Child’ days became fewer and far between - much to your disappointment.

“I'm going. Are you with me or not?” Vi already knew that you had her back, and obviously Powder would follow her to the ends of the Runeterra - this question was clearly for the boys.

Clagger's loud sigh gave his answer before his words. “Vander's gonna kill us.”

Before you could agree with him, Vi retorted, “Yeah, only if we screw up. So don't screw up.”

Expertly, Vi swung down from the roof, and once she called the all clear, you were all quickly following down onto a rather spacious balcony. Oh yeah, this belonged to a rich Piltie - that's for sure. You just hoped that the loot from this job would be enough to satiate the girl for a while.

“Remember, guys.” You did your best to put your ‘Big Sister Pants’ on and set the ground rules. “Twenty minutes - in and out. Any - and I mean any signs of someone coming, and we're out. I don't care if it's been two minutes. No loot is worth getting arrested. No man left behind.” You knew that the only person truly taking your words on board was little Powder. Smiling as you pinched her cheek - you were grateful that she hadn't reached her rebellious teenage years yet.

The door was quickly opened - thanks to Vi’s boot, and not Mylo's lock-picking skills. Much to his annoyance - which he voiced by calling the rest of you ‘animals’ - earning him an amused snort from you as you brushed past him.

Your jaw dropped as you entered the large room - you span on your heels to grasp the full extent of it. The room was jam-packed with books, gadgets, and trinkets - oh yeah, you had definitely hit the jackpot here. 

As the others began ransacking the room and filling the rucksack with loot, your eyes were drawn to a small connecting walkway. “Hey, I think there's another room. I'll go check it out.” You announced.

At the end of the small corridor was a closed door. Approaching it quietly, you pushed your ear to the surface, listening intently to be sure that no one was on the other side. Once you were satisfied by the silence, you quietly pushed it open and stepped inside.

“Whoa.” You muttered, stepping further into the small room and admiring the trinkets lining the shelves. A couple of shining, gilded objects caught your eye, and you quickly scooped them up, admiring the weight before stashing them safely in your pockets.

“Find anything good?” A small voice chirped, and you nearly jumped out of your skin, whirling around quickly to see Powder in the doorway.

“I don't know. Could be trash, could be treasure.” You grinned as she entered the room. A quiet whoop left her mouth when she discovered two sandwiches sitting on top of a large blueprint. Quickly, she rushed over, picking one up and taking a large bite out of it, sighing deeply at the taste.

“What sort of heathen abandons a perfectly good sandwich?” You muttered, picking up the second sandwich and biting into it. You had to admit - it was one damn good sandwich. While you chewed the food, you lifted up the blueprint off the table; eyes squinting, trying to decipher it. If engineering was your strong suit as opposed to physics, maybe you'd be able to decode what this person was trying to build.

“Huh?” At the sound of Powder's voice, you dropped the parchment and followed her gaze to a large chest sitting on the table. You almost laughed when she tried to drag the chest from the table - letting out a punched out sound of strain at the effort.

“Pow-Pow.” You giggled. “What have I told you? Work smarter, not harder.” Your deft fingers scanned the chest for a latch before feeling a small ‘click’ on the side. Both your and Powder's eyes widened as you watched the chest open. Contained inside, glowing ominously, were six electric-blue crystals.

“Whoa.” You both breathed simultaneously in awe. Inquisitive as always, Powder reached in and plucked one of the crystals from its cradle, lifting it up to her eye to inspect it closely.

Curiously, you reached into the chest to pluck one of the remaining gemstones from their cradle, only to let out a yelp at the shock of an electric zap to your finger when it made contact with the blue stone.

“Ouch.” You mumbled, sticking the affected finger in your mouth, causing Powder to giggle.

Suddenly, your heart stopped as you heard a rattling at the door to the entryway, and Vi's desperate instructions of, “Guys, we gotta go!”

“Hello?” You could hear the concerned voice of a man through the door - the handle rattling as he tried to open the barricaded entryway. “Is someone in there?” The rattling grew more forceful as the voice morphed into a panicked yell. “Hey, open up!”

Powder's nimble fingers quickly collected the six stones, jamming them into her pouch as you pulled her towards Vi at the doorway.

“Wait!” She gasped, and your eyes followed hers, watching as one of the gemstones fell to the floor and began to roll away.

“Go. I've got it.” You told her as you passed her to Vi's arms. There was no telling how much these stones were worth - you'd bet they were worth more than any of the trinkets lining the shelves. “I'll be right there.” You assured Vi, seeing the worried look in her eyes. She nodded and turned, dragging Powder with her - the younger girl looking back with unbridled anxiety in her watery eyes.

You quickly turned on your heel, running back into the room to retrieve the crystal that was rapidly rolling away. Hastily, you dropped to your knees and scrambled towards the stone as it rolled under the bed, before…

-

-

You don't know what it was that your brain comprehended first. The blinding flash of light filling your vision. The weightlessness of being thrown like a ragdoll through the air. The unnatural feeling of a foreign, unfamiliar electrical current pulsing through your veins. Or, possibly, the agonising pain coursing through the back of your skull, emanating from where it had made impact with the wall.

The room was silent - save for the static buzzing in your ears - and you had to blink a few times to clear the spots from your vision.

You felt light and fuzzy all over, boneless, almost as if you were in a dream. Your pounding head unwillingly lolled to the side, and you winced in pain as you felt the hot, sticky, uncomfortable sensation of blood running down the back of your neck. 

A large hole was now in the door - drawing your eyes through to meet a pair of hazel hues. The dark brows above said eyes furrowed, as the man slumped against the wall looked at you in shock and confusion. It was only a moment or two of staring - but it felt like much longer - before his eyes began to roll back, and he collapsed to the side, unconscious.

You barely registered yourself being tugged to your feet by two sets of hands, and the cottony static in your ears dissolved away until you could hear the sound of your siblings shouting your name. The look of fear in Vi's eyes was palpable as she held your cheeks in her hands, lightly slapping the skin in an attempt to break through your shock. A few more blinks of your eyes, and suddenly - as if being plunged into cold water - you came back to yourself.

“Come on. You're okay.” Vi was muttering, looking over your body, checking for any injuries that would prove otherwise. The words were directed at you, but you could tell that she was subconsciously trying to reassure herself that you indeed were okay. You nodded to her - quelling her fears. “We gotta go.” She told you with a sharp intensity.

You nodded but didn't answer - allowing yourself to be pulled out by Vi and Claggor to the balcony.

“Shit!” You heard Vi hiss as she looked down at the Enforcers below, peering up at you all and shouting. Turning to you, she grasped your shoulders tightly. “Are you going to be able to run?” She asked you frantically.

You nodded, then grimaced at the responding pain from your neck. “Y-yeah. I'm good.” Vi swallowed and nodded back at you.

You honestly don't know how you had all managed to escape Piltover - relatively unscathed. Never would you have thought that you'd be so happy to be laying in a heap of garbage in a landfill, covered in filthy sludge - but evidently, there was a first for everything. 

You honestly don't know how some of the Enforcers’ Bolas hadn't captured at least one of you. The precision they'd been thrown was immaculate. You'd had to thank your lucky stars each time the contraptions had veered off course at the last moments.

“Your nose is bleeding.” Powder muttered, crawling over the filthy rubbish to reach you. You reached up to touch the blood leaking from your right nostril. “Oh, I didn't even notice.” You replied with a small laugh, grateful that it had seemingly stopped of its own accord.

Powder gently reached out to wipe away the blood with her fabric arm bracers; nodding to herself when she was satisfied that she'd sufficiently cleaned you up. You smiled softly and ruffled her hair fondly.

“Thought last time was the last time we were gonna do this.” Mylo grumbled from his place in the litter, and you had to roll your eyes. Of course he would find something to complain about after pulling off the heist of the century.

“Well, this time's the last time.” Vi affirmed. You had your doubts.

“Guys, what was that? What the hell happened back there?” Claggor stammered, obviously still shaken by the whole ordeal. You really couldn't blame him - your whole body still trembled from the adrenaline. Both boys turned, looking accusingly at Powder, causing your brows to furrow deeply.

“I don't know. I didn't do anything.” She retorted, looking as offended as you felt for her.

“You could fill a damn library with all the things you didn't do.” Mylo shot back with a tone of annoyance.

“Hey, Mylo. Shut the fuck up, okay? You're making my headache worse.” You groaned, flopping back to lie against the trash. The skin on the back of your neck stretched uncomfortably, the dried blood beginning to flake off.

“Oh, I'll really make your headache worse if you’re not careful.” He snarked back, causing you to snort and hold up a middle finger towards him. That boy was all bark and no bite.

“Guys,” Vi leapt in to diffuse the tension. “We just emptied a Piltover penthouse right under the enforcers' noses.” Heist of the century. “So, if you're done beating yourselves up, let's get this home.” She announced proudly.

As you made your way back to the Undercity, you silently mourned at the fact that you would soon be apart from the sun once more. You loved your home - you really did - but a part of your soul always longed to be above the world, basking in the soft, warm rays of light. 

Trailing behind your four siblings, you couldn't help but smile as Claggor slung an arm playfully across Mylo's shoulders. Your family was your entire world. You'd sooner snuff out the sun than ever leave them behind.

“Nice haul?” A smug voice drawled as your group walked past. You turned to see that the source of the voice was a young, blonde thug lazing on a wooden box. His eyes locked onto the bag on Vi's back with a slimy grin. As your eyes narrowed, you felt the hairs on the back of your neck begin to stand on end.

“You could say that.” Your stare snapped to Mylo, and you had to suppress your immediate urge to punch him. Idiot.

“C’mon, let's go.” You muttered, ushering the rest of the group to keep moving forward.

“I heard there was some action across the river.” You all froze at the boy’s words. News had travelled quickly. This wasn't good. Your eyes shifted to him again, narrowing sharply as he nonchalantly flipped a coin over each of his knuckles. “Someone really kicked the nest, huh?” He mused with a dangerous smirk in your direction.

“Is that so?” Vi responded coolly - her poker-face was something to be admired. Turning to brush him off, she hesitated, and you looked up to see that two more youths had moved to block the path. A dark chuckle had you clenching your fists.

“But now, you're tracking this mess of yours through my streets.” You scoffed, cracking your knuckles.

“Your streets? What makes you think-” Vi started incredulously, before Claggor quickly cut her off, trying to defuse the situation.

“Listen, we don't want any trouble, okay?” He stated, but a laugh from behind you had you gritting your teeth.

“Hear that, Deckard? They don't want any trouble.” As a new voice spoke, your eyes flicked over the approaching miscreants, silently counting their number. Your mind raced, calculating the odds - would your group walk away unscathed if this turned violent?

“You know,” Deckard drawled. “In my experience, trouble finds you. There's no reason this has to get ugly.” He lilted. Your nose crinkled into a sneer when he sent a smirk your way before turning to address Vi. “How about you share a little taste of your treasure there, and we'll call it even?”

“No, no, no,” Mylo spoke up. “We worked too hard to-” He was cut short by Violet grabbing his shoulder as she stepped past him.

“Just a taste?” She asked Deckard softly with feigned innocence.

Oh, this was happening. You cracked your sore, stiff neck, readying yourself for the inevitable brawl. Some warning so you could limber up would have been nice, you thought with an amused huff.

“Just a ta-” Deckard didn't even get to finish the words before Vi had swung the heavy bag of loot to crash against the side of his face, effectively knocking him to the ground. Said bag was quickly launched into Powder's arms as the rest of you raised your fists, ready for the incoming onslaught.

Hearing heavy footfall behind you, you spun around just in time to dodge a fist aimed at your head. Ducking, you moved quickly and fluidly - the punch sailing over your head. With a sharp pivot, you spun on your heel, using the momentum to bring your knee up into your attacker's stomach. He doubled over, coughing, but recovered faster than you expected. Before you could move out of the way, the heavy fist of your attacker was ploughing into your cheekbone painfully.

You stumbled back, hand over your cheek, and steeled yourself to attack again, when a flash of blue caught your attention. Powder was running away through the street - bag of loot secured on her back - being quickly pursued by one of Deckard's gang members.

“Pow!” You yelled, side stepping your assailant to run after them. You didn't get more than five steps away when arms wrapped around you from behind, pinning your arms to your side and tackling you to the ground. A loud groan of pain sounded from you as your chin smacked the rough surface of the pavement.

“We're not done here.” A gravelly voice growled from behind you. An enraged scream tore through your lips as you kicked and squirmed, trying fruitlessly to knock the weight off your back, pinning you down. A breath tickled the back of your ear as the boy holding you down spoke, “Not so tough now, hmm?”

Taking a deep breath in through your nose, you quickly snapped your head back, effectively ramming the back of your already-abused skull into his nose. You both simultaneously let out a roar of pain, and you felt the wound on your scalp open back up, allowing fresh blood to run freely to the ground.

With a loud grunt, you pulled yourself to your feet - hands holding the back of your head in pain.

“Fuck you, you motherfucker.” You screeched ferally. The thug kneeled on the ground, bent down almost as if in prayer - howling in pain and cupping his obviously broken nose. Raising your leg as high as your tendons would allow, you screamed in effort as you snapped it down with force, bringing the heel of your heavy boot down onto the back of his head. The pained howling stopped as his head cracked into the pavement below.

Not wasting any more precious moments, you took off running in the direction that you had seen Powder heading only minutes ago.

Following the path, you continued to run while yelling out to Powder - your anxiety increasing with each step. As you ran, a large plank of loose wood perched against the wall of the alley - as if sent by the Gods - caught your eye. Your hand closed around it without breaking your stride, and it was quickly slung over your shoulder as you broke through to the docks - just in time to see Powder tossing the heavy bag of treasures into the lake. You let out a loud battle-cry as you launched yourself towards the teen boy who was leaning over the railing, desperately trying to spot the heavy bag sinking into the murky waters below. Swinging the plank with all your might, you couldn't help but grin maliciously as it collided with his head, and he collapsed to the ground.

“You okay?” You asked Powder after a moment of silence, panting heavily with exhaustion.

“Yeah.” She replied sadly, her big eyes beginning to well with tears. “But, I threw the bag. I-I didn't know what to do.” You dropped the wood next to the unconscious boy and wrapped your arms around the sniffling girl.

“It's okay, Baby Blue.” You soothed, rubbing her back - trying to ignore the feeling of your stomach sinking faster than the bag in the water. “There's always plenty more where that came from. We only have one Powder.” She nuzzled her face into your chest. “You made the right decision. You're worth more than any treasure.”

Her arms tightened around you. “The others will be so mad with me. Mylo-”

You cut her off. “Just leave Mylo to me. It'll be okay.” She looked up at you, and you smiled. “Come on, we'd better get back to the others.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, you began to walk back to your siblings together - stepping over some scrap metal that you recognised as a detonated Mouser. 

By the time you reached the others, the sun had begun to set. Vi had run to you both, thoroughly checking over Powder for any injuries.

“I'm fine.” Powder assured her, wrapping her arms around her big sister's waist as Vi hugged her tightly.

“Where's the loot?” Mylo immediately jumped into interrogation, noticing the bag was missing.

“I-” Powder started, but you quickly cut her off.

“I lost it.” Mylo's jaw dropped, and he looked at you incredulously. “Tried to wrestle it off one of those thugs, but it fell into the harbour.” You explained it matter-of-factly. There was no changing the situation, so no use arguing over it.

“You think I believe that?” He yelled, and you felt Powder grab your hand. “You don't make mistakes like that.” He pointed aggressively at Powder. “That jinx does.” He spat venomously.

“Give it a rest, Mylo.” You sneered tiredly. “Unless you feel like going for a swim in the harbour too.”

“I tried to fight him off with Mouser, but... she didn't work.” Powder muttered, half-heartedly trying to defend herself.

“Yeah, who saw that coming?” Mylo sneered, raising his hand in answer to his own question. You rolled your eyes.

“Ugh, We never should have gone over there.” Glaggor groaned, and you couldn't help but silently agree.

Vi spoke up from beside Powder. “Doesn't matter. The stuff's gone.” She pats her little sister on the shoulder. “It's all right, Powder. At least you're okay.

Vi opened the door to the housed elevator - the entrance to the Undercity - and you all piled in.

“Okay? What about us?” That grating voice again. “I get my face bashed in, and she just gets a pass?”

You dug in your pockets for the two small, yet heavy trinkets that you had stashed from the penthouse. “Here.” You pegged them hard at him. “For your troubles.” Mylo yelped, ducking at the last second to dodge them as they flew directly at his forehead - but quickly bent down to collect them as they clattered to the floor.

The five of you piled into the elevator, shuffling awkwardly to get comfortable, before it began to descend, and the dank smell of the Lanes filled your nose.

The door to The Last Drop had an infuriating knack for squeaking at the worst times, always betraying your attempts to sneak out - or back in - much to your frustration. Tonight was no exception. Your eyes scanned the pub briefly before locking onto Vander - who was seated with Huck at a table, opposite two shady seeming characters. Though in Zaun, shady characters were the opposite of far and few between. Vander’s eyes suddenly locking onto yours had your face morphing into a grimace as you averted your gaze to the back of Vi’s head, following her to the basement.

Once you'd safely arrived at the basement, you all immediately flopped onto the couches - all absolutely exhausted from your escapades.

You closed your eyes and tried to ignore the thumping in your head, made only worse by the sound of your siblings bickering.

“Guys.” You moaned. “Can we just relax? It's been an intense day and-” Your voice trailed off as the basement door opened. Vander stood at the top of the stairs, calmer than you'd expected. Maybe he hadn't heard about the explosion in Piltover.

“Everyone alright?” He asked softly, looking over you all - assessing your injuries.

“Never better.” Mylo answered for you all with a sigh.

“Good.” Oh, you'd know that tone anywhere. “I don't suppose you can explain why it is that I'm hearing about an explosion and a foot chase Topside? Five children fleeing the scene.” And there it was. You could never be so lucky. He stopped to look at Vi. “What the hell were you thinking?” You didn't know if you should be relieved that he wasn't addressing you, or be jumping in to defend your sister. 

You opened your mouth to speak, but before you could let loose any words, Vander stopped you with hand. “Uht, don't you even think about speaking right now.” At the words, your mouth immediately closed, and you held up your hands in surrender. Vi was on her own with this one.

“I was thinking that we can handle a real job.” She responded stubbornly.

“A real job?”

“We got our own tip. Planned a route. Nobody even saw.” Digging your grave, Vi. Stop while you're ahead. You'd played this game enough to know that it never ends in your favour.

“You blew up a building.”

“It wasn't the whole building.” You interjected, receiving a glare from Vander. “Okay, yep, shutting up.”

Vander turned back to Vi. “Did you even stop to think about what could have happened to you?” He gestured to the rest of you. “Eh? To them?” Oh, she was getting the whole ‘Vander Guilt Trip Special’ today. He sighed deeply, rubbing his eyes with malaise. “Where did you even get this tip?”

“We just heard it at Benzo's shop.” Powder answered with a squeak - obviously trying to take some of the weight off Vi.

“From?” He looked at you, and you looked away.

“Little man.” Powder answered. Vander sighed again, and you had to wonder how he had any breath left in his body at this point.

Vi stood abruptly. “I took us there. If you wanna be mad, be mad at me. But you're the one who always says we have to earn our place in this world.” Oh, you really didn't have the energy for the conversation right now. Your skull throbbed violently as if agreeing with you.

“I also told you time and time again, the Northside's off-limits.” He's not wrong. Piltover being off-limits was a near daily discussion in the household - a rule that was quite often broken without Vander's knowledge. “We stay out of Piltover's business.”

This had your head snapping over. “When have they ever stayed out of ours?” You snarked. The tone in which Vander growled your name had you sinking back into the couch with an irritated pout, your arms crossed over your body displaying your annoyance.

“Why? They've got plenty, while we're down here scraping together coins.” Vi asked with vitriol. The thought made your blood boil. “When did you get so comfortable living in someone else's shadow?”

Vi's words caused a hiss of air to rush through your teeth as you grimaced. That was a step too far. A low blow. You could tell everyone else in the room had the same thoughts, judging from the shocked expressions on their faces.

“Everyone out.” Vander muttered coolly, though he may as well have screamed it with the speed that everyone got up to evacuate the room.

“Gladly.” You scoffed, sliding off the couch. You spared Vi a sympathetic look before you left the room with the rest of your siblings.

Powder had quickly made herself scarce, announcing to you that she was going to scavenge for more scrap metal. You'd told her to be careful before sitting next to Claggor on the steps outside the basement, to wait for your sister.

“Got a good shiner there.” You grinned at him, leaning over to playfully poke at his swelling eye. He hissed in pain and slapped your hand away before letting out an amused laugh.

“Yours isn't too bad either.” He mused, quickly bringing up his other hand to poke your darkening cheekbone before you could react. You'd yelped at the sudden pain, but it quickly turned to a laugh.

“Shh, I'm trying to listen.” Mylo hissed, and you looked over to see him holding a listening device to the door. You rolled your eyes.

“You guys did good today.” You told them earnestly. Mylo looked at you with surprise at the unexpected praise. “You looked out for each other. Today could have gone a very different way if you hadn't.” Claggor wrapped a big arm around your shoulder and pulled you into his side.

“How are you holding up?” He asked with a smile, but his tone was one of concern. “You had a pretty nasty collision with that wall.”

You snorted. “I'm fine. Had a worse headache from a hangover.” You lied through your teeth. Your skull was screaming in pain, and the uncomfortable electrical pulse lingered behind your eyes and in your teeth. You felt like you were going to vibrate out of your skin. Claggor nodded, but didn't look convinced.

Suddenly hearing Vander's heavy footsteps coming up the stairs in the basement, Mylo nearly jumped out of his skin, quickly moving to act (unconvincingly) like he'd been leaning against the wall the whole time.

The door opened, and Vander emerged carrying a large sack over his shoulder. “Get up, Claggor. We're going out.” He announced

“What, now?” He asked in dismay, clearly exhausted. You patted him on the back in sympathy. Vander ripped the metal contraption out of Mylo's hand and stuffed it in the sack.

“Hey, hey. That's mine.” He protested. You couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. In the Undercity, it was rare to have your own possessions - especially if you were a kid. Losing an item, even one as trivial as that, stung.

“You wanna be treated like adults, right?” He threw the heavy bag into Claggor's arms - the boy staggering at the unexpected weight. You threw a frown at Vander. “Then you should know better than to come back from a job empty-handed.” You stepped out of the way, glaring as Vander walked past you - he saw the glare but ignored it. “I'm gonna have a little word with your informant.” He told you all in a ‘don't try me’ tone.

You moved to sit back down, but Vander stopped you. “You're coming with us.” You could have screamed with frustration but knew better to argue. All you wanted to do was sleep, but of course, you weren't that lucky.

The trip to Benzo's was mostly silent after Claggor had explained what had happened Topside. Vander had looked at you from the corner of his eye when Clag got to the part about the explosion, but remained quiet.

When you arrived at Benzo's, Vander had instructed you both to stand guard outside the front door.

“No one comes in.” He'd told you both, giving you one last pointed look before entering the shop and closing the door behind him.

“Ugh. I can feel a lecture approaching.” You groaned, and Claggor huffed a laugh. A large hand patted your shoulder comfortingly.

“I'd offer to take your place, but I don't want to.” He told you with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood. You rolled your eyes and knocked his hand off your shoulder.

“Can't say I blame you.” You said with a toothy grin, moving the lean against the building.

The door to Benzo’s swung open, and Ekko stumbled out, his arms full of boxes.

“Hey, Claggor.” He exclaimed excitedly.

“Hey, Little Man!” Clag replied with enthusiasm. You pushed yourself off the wall, and Ekko noticed your presence - exclaiming your name happily.

“Hey Bug!” You greeted, walking over to the little boy, ruffling his short cropped hair, and lifting the top box from his arms.

“I was hoping you'd be working today.” Claggor mused, but Ekko quickly changed the subject.

“Did you guys go?” He asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Sure did.” Clag replied. “Hey, listen, how did you find that place?” You listened intently, interested in this piece of information yourself. The answer was quickly lost, though, when Claggor slipped his goggles off, allowing Ekko to spot his rapidly blackening eye.

“Whoa! Did you fight the enforcers?” He asked excitedly, earning a snort from you.

“I wish.” You laughed. “Though I think we'd be a little worse for wear if we did.”

“No, just some bums.”

“That's what they smelled like, at least.” You grinned at Ekko, causing him to cackle.

“Did Vi kick their asses?” He asked, grinning widely. You should have known that would be the next question. Ekko absolutely idolised Vi, and you couldn't blame him - your little sister was a badass.

“Yeah, we wouldn't be here otherwise-”

“Oh, she showed me a couple of moves to practice. Look!” Ekko practically threw the remaining box in his arms into Claggor's hands. With his own hands now free, he bounced on his feet, energetically throwing uncoordinated kicks and punches, finishing with a karate chop and a ‘yah!’ that had your dimples deepening with a giggle.

“Yeah. It's- it's coming along.” Claggor offered, and you punched him lightly in the shoulder.

“You're doing great, Bug. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll be kicking asses with Vi in no time.” Ekko smiled wildly, no doubt imagining himself knocking down enforcers and thugs one by one.

“Hey, so how'd you find that place anyway?” Claggor tried again.

“Oh, this weirdo came into the shop.” This caught your attention. “Bought a whole bunch of stuff that Benzo only keeps there for display.” You looked at Claggor and quirked an eyebrow. “He paid in gold and didn't even haggle.” Suspicious. “I charged him double the price. Sucker.” You openly laughed at this. At least someone got something good out of the deal - you only ended up with a busted cheek and chin, and a headache.

“But, how did you know where he lived?” Clag asked.

“Uh, followed him. How else?” You helped Ekko carry the box to his bike.

“You shouldn't be going Topside alone, Ekko. What if something happened to you?” You admonished him, and he snorted.

“You're starting to sound like Vander.” Ekko snarked, and you lightly clipped him upside the head with an open palm. He laughed before his eyes widened, looking into the smog down the road, as two silhouettes approached.

“Shit.” You hissed as your eyes made out the unmistakable blue of the Enforcer's uniform. Your eyes darted wildly from the Enforcers to Claggor, to the door inside which Vander was.

“They'll be fine. Go” Ekko whispered frantically as he pushed you and Claggor in the opposite direction.

“Go back to the others.” You told Claggor quietly, but urgently. “I'll be back soon, I promise. I've gotta make sure they're okay.” He looked like he wanted to argue, but the look in your eyes stopped him in his tracks.

“Okay.” He whispered. “Be careful.”

“You know I will.” With the words, he was sprinting back to the pub as you slipped into the alleyway beside Benzo’s shop. 

You leapt onto the discarded crates, using the extra height to grip onto the thin piece of wood lining the window, and climb onto the awning of the building - stifling a snort after hearing Ekko's ‘suave’ greeting to the officers.

A few minutes after the Enforcers entered the store, you heard the tell-tale sound of the door opening once again. Shimmying yourself forward to check if it was Vander leaving, you inhaled sharply and quickly ducked down, seeing that it was one of the Enforcers, grumpily reapplying his gas mask. You sneered. You wanted to rip that mask right off his stupid face and force him to breathe in the same putrid air that you and your people had to breathe every day of your life. Pig.

“Psst.” You almost missed the soft sound, but looked up to see Ekko standing on the roof above you, eagerly gesturing you to follow.

Nimble as a mouse, you climbed the wall, using every tiny nook and crack to your advantage, till you reached the boy. “This way.” He whispered, signalling you to follow him. After a moment of scurrying along the side of the building, he pushed a loose plank aside and motioned for you to enter.

You whistled lowly as you entered the room above the shop. “What is this? You little Peeping Tom.” You poked him in the ribs as you looked at the large panes of glass hovering over the lower floor's ceiling.

Ekko shushed you, rushing over to a large, mismatched device that seemed to be an ‘Ekko-original’. A large looking-glass rested on the top of the metal, as he tinkered, it slowly adjusted correctly, so you could both see Vander and Benzo, sitting next to one of the Enforcers. A warbling, distorted sound emanated from a metal funnel near Ekko's head, and he gave it a smack, causing the sound to morph into words.

“Don't mind the kid.” A rough, yet feminine voice said calmly. “Doesn't know when to pipe down.”

“Some things are the same Topside and Bottom.” Vander replied casually. It shocked you that he was speaking so informally with the officer and not just sending her away. Your brows furrowed as you continued to listen.

“You know this crossed a line upstairs.” You felt your stomach sink. This was supposed to be an easy job - in and out - but the consequences were quickly mounting up, each one more dire than the last.

“Was anyone hurt?”

“A building was blown to bits. What do you think?” Sure, but if it had been a building blown to bits in the Undercity caused by Topsiders, no Piltie would so much as blink an eye. 

Vander sighed. “Those who did this will be dealt with.” You didn't question that for a moment. After this effort, you were pretty sure that you'd never be allowed Topside again, not that it would stop you.

“That workshop belonged to the Kirrammans.” You didn't know the name, but by the look on Vander's face, this was very bad news. “You know the kind of stuff they had in there? Makes this place look like a candy shop.” That explained the ‘sucker’ that had come into Benzo's and been swindled by Ekko. Rich Pilties with more gold than they know what to do with. “The council needs someone to make an example of.” 

This had your stomach plummeting - nausea swelling in your panic. This was serious. If the Council had ordered this. It wasn't going to be able to be swept under the rug.

“People need to feel safe.” You ground your teeth at the statement. Most of your people hadn't felt safe a day in their lives - yet that was just considered the status quo in their eyes. It was disgusting.

“Yeah, Topside people.” Vander scoffed, and you felt a surge of pride in him.

“We had a deal, Vander. You keep your people off my streets, and I stay out of your business.” You felt your blood run cold with betrayal. How could he be making dealings with the Enforcers? Knowing full well what they've done to the people of the Undercity. The thought of it made you sick, and you had to blink back tears of anger. 

“Give me a name, and we'll do things quiet.” She said, and you felt the urge to scream in rage. “No one will know you're involved.” A lump was quickly forming in your throat, and it took a lot of strain to swallow it down. You knew that he would never give any of you up, but the knowledge that you'd been kept in the dark hurt - almost physically.

“I can't do that.” Vander replied with a tone of resignation. Another pain in your chest. You had caused this. You had hurt him too.

“You don't seem to grasp how serious this is.” The woman said - you could tell she was growing frustrated. “If I don't put someone behind bars tonight, the next time I come down here, I'll have an army of enforcers with me. We both know how that will go.” Ekko looked up with fearful eyes that matched your own, and you wrapped an arm around his shoulders comfortingly. Your own heart was pounding as you tried to think of ways to fix the situation, but coming up blank.

“I'm sorry, Grayson, but I can't offer up my own people.” Vander told her resolutely.

The woman - Grayson - sighed. She remained silent for a moment, before producing a gilded pneumatic tube. “If you change your mind, this will reach me.” She handed it to him. “And only me.” And with that, she was walking away - leaving Vander to sigh in worry, and you to bite your nails with anxiety.

After waiting a few minutes to be sure that the Enforcers were indeed gone, you'd scaled back down the building and trekked home. The door to The Last Drop squeaked loudly as you entered, a dejected look adorning your face.

You only got a few steps in before a booming voice behind you had your heart leaping into your throat. “Pub’s closed for the night. Everyone out!” Vander. Wow, that man could be silent as a ghost when he wanted to be, which was incredibly surprising for a man of his stature.

A chorus of groans and protests rang out at the announcement, but, surprisingly respectfully, the patrons began to file out. Hiding amongst the incoming crowd, you began to sneak back to the basement, but were quickly stopped in your tracks by a large hand grabbing you by the bloodied scruff of the back of your shirt.

“Not you.” Your eyes screwed shut, and shoulders raised defensively. “Bar. Now.” Vander’s voice was calm but firm, and you knew not to argue. You let out a deep sigh and moved to the bar, sitting down heavily in the wooden stool. It was a few minutes before the pub was cleared, but soon, there was the comforting sound of silence - interrupted only by your own pounding heart.

Vander was silent as he locked the door and walked slowly behind the bar. You waited with baited breath for him to speak, and when it didn't come, you quickly broke the silence.

“Come on then, out with it.” You urged with a false air of confidence. “I know you want to yell at me.”

Vander paused, sighing, before fetching two glasses from under the bar. He remained quiet as he poured a generous helping of whiskey into each glass and slid one towards you. You caught the glass with ease and returned the sigh, tapping the bartop three times with two of your fingers.

Vander huffed with amusement. “How could I forget?” He asked with a small grin, reaching back under the bar to retrieve a small jar of honey and a spoon, before sliding it over to you. You unscrewed the lid to the jar and used the spoon to scoop out a small amount of the rare golden treat, drizzling it into your liquor.

“How much did you hear?” Vander asked, leaning against the bar, taking a sip of his drink. Oh, this isn't how you had expected this conversation to go.

“Enough.” You muttered in response, refusing to look him in the eye.

“Then you know how serious this situation is.” You nodded. You didn't think that your stomach could sink any lower, but apparently, it could. “I thought you were smarter than this.” Offence at his words hit you harder than you thought it would.

You scoffed into your glass as you took a sip, appreciating the burn on your tongue - the smoothness of the honey quickly bringing the burn to a smoulder as it ran down your throat. “Yeah, and I thought you were smarter than making deals with Enforcers. Guess we're even.”

The words made him flinch - his hands balling into fists. You could tell that he was fighting to keep himself composed.

“That deal is what keeps you and your siblings safe.” He countered roughly. “Every damn thing I do is to keep you lot safe, and it feels like you're all fighting me every step of the way.” Worrying your bottom lip with your teeth, you took another sip from the glass. You wanted to be angry with him, you really did, but it hurt you seeing him in pain. “Sometimes I need someone on my side. I thought you'd be the one to keep them grounded.” His voice raised, and you knew that his anger stemmed from his disappointment in you.

“Why, because I'm older? That's bullshit.” You were caught between immense guilt, and feeling the need to defend yourself. “Have you met Vi? You know once she's decided to do something that it's impossible to talk her out of it.”

“Did you even try?” He asked pointedly, sounding exhausted - a man beyond his years.

“Well, no-”

“And why’s that?” Vander cutting you off sent a flash of rage through you, tipping you over your boiling point.

“Because I can't lose them, okay?” You yelled at him, jumping at your own volume, and it was then that you realised that it wasn't Vander that you felt anger towards. It was yourself. “If I let them go out there without me and something happens, I'd- I'd never be able to forgive myself.” The words came out harsh, angry, and with a frown, but your dark eyes told a different story, welling with tears. “I can't lose any more people.” Your voice cracked, and fat tears began to run down your cheeks. “I just can't.”

“Oh.” Vander muttered quietly, his tone now rang with sympathy. Quickly, he moved around the long wooden surface to spin your stool around and stand in front of you. You refused to make eye contact with him; hands balled into fists as you angrily wiped away the tears with your forearm - embarrassed and frustrated with yourself.

Vander said your name quietly, tenderly, before gently cupping the back of your neck and guiding you in for a hug.

Your silent tears turned to sobs as your arms tightened around him - the weight of the day finally taking its toll on you.

“I know.” Vander whispered, his hands rubbing soothing circles into your back. “You've had to deal with so much death already, and it's not fair.” He didn't let go, instead he squeezed you tighter - and though you couldn't remember it well - the caring hug, and grounding scent of Vander brought you back to the day you'd first met him, just over fourteen years ago. “But I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. They're not going anywhere.” You could hear his voice wobble. “I'm sorry that I wasn't there for your mum - that I couldn't save her. But I promise you, we'll figure this out. I'll protect you all. You're not going to lose anyone else.”

By this point, your sobs had subsided, and you reluctantly removed your face from Vander's shirt, instead tilting up your head to look him in the eyes. His large palm came to rest on your cheek, thumb brushing against the dark purple bruise marring your cheekbone.

“You know, you look more and more like her every day.” His eyes were misty, but he gave you a soft smile that you returned. “She'd be proud of you, you know that?” His words caused another tear to slip down your cheek.

When he was sure that your tears had fully subsided, he spoke up again. “Let me take a look at that,” Vander said, nodding toward the back of your head as he stepped back behind the bar. He returned with a rag, a small bottle of alcohol. You'd almost asked him how he knew of the wound on the back of your scalp, before remembering that the upper back of your shirt was stained with dried blood.

“I'm fine.” You tried to convince him, before he spun your stool again and dropped himself in the stool behind you. You couldn't help but flinch when he parted the black hair at the back of your head - the matted hair caked in dried blood pulling at the wound.

Vander tsked at the sight, using his teeth to uncork the bottle of alcohol, before pouring a generous helping on the cloth. “Hold still.” Was the only warning he gave before gently pressing the rag to the wound. You hissed through your teeth at the sting, but let him continue without complaint.

“You're lucky. This won't need sutures.” He muttered after a while, the white rag now stained red and pink. 

“I told you, I'm fine.” You repeated yourself.

“You know, you don't have to be so tough all the time.” Vander mused.

“What can I say? I learn from the best.” You replied cheekily, earning a snort.

“Alright, tough guy, time for you to get some rest.” Oh, sleep sounded heavenly right now. You downed the last of your drink before standing up.

“Good night, Vander.” You paused, putting a hand on his shoulder. “And- thanks.”

Vander smiled, covering your hand with his own. “Any time. Have a good sleep.” You dropped your hand and began to head downstairs to the basement, pausing only when your name was called once more.

“This doesn't mean I'm not angry with you. You'll be punished, same as your brothers and sisters.” The words seemed harsh, but you could tell they'd been said with a grin. You kept walking, pretending you hadn't heard it.

After washing up, you'd crept into the room of sleeping kids and climbed into your own cot. Exhaustion burned your eyes and sank you into your hard mattress - though as much as you longed for it - sleep evaded you. Instead, you stared at the ceiling, biting your nails - anxiety bubbling over at the thought of what tomorrow would bring. The electric pulse hovering below your skin seemed to grow more incessant, feeling although it wanted to burst through. 

Today would have consequences, but whatever tomorrow brought, you'd face it head-on. You had to. You didn't have a choice - the curse of being born in the Undercity. As the faint hum of Zaun's undercity buzzed outside, a thought continued to play on your mind, keeping you awake. How much more could you lose before it broke you? Could Vander really keep his promise?

————————————————————————

Jesus Titty Fucking Christ! 9k words for chapter one?! Who the hell saw that one coming? Certainly not me! Sorry it took so long - it takes me FOREVER to write. 😭

Some things I want to say before the story goes on. I'm trying to stay away from using '(y/n)' because I feel like it can drag you out of the story sometimes. Also, this is a reader story, but as you've probably read, I do use some appearance descriptors. These are part of the story, but if it bothers you, please feel free to disregard them. 💛

Also, going on in the story, more specifically, post episode 3. Things are gonna get D A R K. There will be a lot of triggering topics covered - so please be aware. There will be trigger warnings at the beginning of the chapters, but I don't want anyone to get their hopes up in the first 3 chapters, and have to abandon it after that. This poor gurl is going to be SUFFERING.

Also, I will try to cross post this to AO3, and properly format these Tumblr posts asap. Please hold tight, and I'll update them when I get the chance. 🥰

Thank you so much for the love. I've never stuck with writing a fanfic like this before - and all your love has helped immensely. Nothing has ever stuck with me like Arcane either, so that also definitely helps, haha.

Again, sorry for my shit grammar. Ehehehe.

Love you all to bits. 💛

[beef-brisket]

Adam sighed and sat at his desk, pinching the bridge of his nose. Lucifer stood in silence, Ozzie's words echoing in his mind.

Adam: ...Lucifer. can I ask you a question?

Lucifer looked up at Adam: Yes, my king.

Adam: Do you know how old I am?

Lucifer: Well... if Ozzie's nine and a half thousand years.... then, you would be... I'm not sure.

Adam smirked, his golden eyes staring into Lucifer's: I'm nearly 108,000 years old. Humanity is really nothing but a blink to me. Michael and Samael are the oldest archangels. Humans can even begin to comprehend their age.

Lucifer had to sit down. Adam wasn't wrong about the competition part. Lucifer didn't even know how to imagine that length of time. He couldn't fathom what living to that age would be like.

Adam: Ozzie's... lived through a lot of my... partnerships. And by my poor judgement, I allowed him to get close to a lot of them. Making their absence a lot harder than it needed to be. Lucifer. You're different. I can tell that, and you fought my influence for so long, that is one thing that caught my eye. But... Ozzie's not wrong. To an extent. He could have worded it much, much better. But he chose not to, most likely for personal reasons.

Looking down, Lucifer felt the energy shift around him. Within a second, his head was being lifted by Adam's finger. He had such a warm smile that it melted nearly all of Lucifer's dought. Nearly.

Adam: Things aren't meant to last forever. Humanity, Eden, Earth, souls. Love. That's what makes these things special. I adore you, Lucifer. And I've adored others. As you have, I'm sure. There's nothing to feel worried or panicked about. Even angels aren't meant to live forever. One day, the end catches us all. That's why each day should be celebrated. This child-.

Lucifer's eyes went to Adam's stomach, and soon, they were followed by his hand.

Adam: Is a creation of both of us. Once our love dies, this one will go on. And I'm not saying we're over. I could be talking about next week, or thousands of years from now. I don't expect you to stay with me forever, Luci. Nor Charlie. You two are humans. No matter what forms you take here, that's what your souls are. Humans live fast and die faster. You're allowed to leave and discover your place here. I don't expect you to stay in my palace for eons. Or the Lust Ring, for that matter. So, in saying that. I want to devour you, while you're mine~.

Blushing madly, Lucifer didn't know where to look. At their child, who was loving so much under his hand, or the sinful look in Adam's eyes.

Adam: But! That'll have to happen after I catch up on some work~. So, make yourself at home!

Lucifer watched as Adam walked back to his desk and snapped his fingers. A good three stacks of paperwork appeared on his desk.

Lucifer: ...Adam?

Looking up, Adam smiled at Lucifer: Yes, pet?

Lucifer: ...I love you.

Adam: And I love you~.

I am CRAVING some demon nun!Adam right now!

Help me, Things! 😫😫😫

Okay, I can help you.

*Cracks knuckles*

What about Demon Nun Adam x Human Priest Lucifer. Like maybe he's losing his faith a bit but is sticking with it for his father.

And Adam is the new "nun"

[kneazle]

For @911-rarepair-week prompt 1: beginnings/endings ✨️

Pairing: Eddie/Taylor

Rated M for some smut

Read on ao3 or under the cut!

Eddie was...confused. For many reasons.

When Buck told him he and Tommy were back together he was ecstatic for him, the obsessive baking had stopped and that genuine smile returned– and then she was suddenly around. Not during any time he hung out with Tommy or them both together, but Eddie would pull up to Tommy's to see her leaving, or try to make plans and sometimes get told he already had plans with her.

He reformed his friendship with Tommy two months before he and Buck reconciled, but had no idea that Taylor fucking Kelly somehow wormed her way into Tommy's life until then.

Eddie nearly crashed his car into Tommy's mailbox when he saw her walk out of the house for the first time, wearing a sweater that was way too big to be hers and what looked like an overnight bag.

Then nearly died choking on his beer when Tommy informed him he and Taylor were friends.

"I won't make you hang out with her Eddie, but she's not going anywhere either just so you know."

So Eddie did the logical thing–he drove straight to Buck's after.

"Yeah, I know they're friends now," Buck looked at Eddie pacing his loft with clear amusement. "They ran into each other not too long after our breakup."

"I just-" He stopped pacing and turned, placing his hands on the table leaning forward. "How?! And why aren't you weirded out by your boyfriend and ex-girlfriend being good friends!"

Buck shrugged from where he was leaning against the island. "She's rarely around when I'm with Tommy, we've talked sure but at this point she's more his friend then my ex. As for how...I don't know what to tell you Eddie, Tommy didn't go into details and I was just happy someone was there for him."

Eddie flinched at the words. Buck never told him to stop talking to Tommy yet he did so anyway, and so did everyone else. It wasn't until he came back from a trip to Texas and a scolding by Chris that he called. "But does it have to be her?" He huffed.

"She's not some demon Eddie," Buck laughed.

"A witch then," He grumbled. "She put a damn spell on Tommy."

Buck shook his head, chuckling. "Is this you hating Taylor or you being annoyed that she's stealing time with Tommy?" He said, a teasing glint in his eye that had Eddie refusing to answer.

It's about hating the she-devil, obviously.

It was a Friday night when Eddie actually spoke to Taylor for the first time. 

Having missed Tommy's birthday while they were broken up Buck insisted on a late celebration, and Tommy despite not seeming too excited for it, couldn't say no when hit with a pleading pouting Buck. 

Eddie realizes how worth it it is when he sees the look on Tommy's face walking over to the section of the karaoke bar they were at, seeing everyone who came to a late celebration for him.

Tommy deserves it, even if he did take a large swig of his beer to cover his scowl when Taylor hugged him, kissing his cheek after they pulled away. He glanced at Hen and Chimney to see their reactions, but there was nothing and as the night went on he saw them be polite with her anytime they interacted– in fact everyone but him seemed to be fine with her. 

Eddie kept drinking, eventually finding himself leaning against the bar, watching a tipsy Tommy and Chimney belt out some song from a movie half of them probably didn't know but everyone was enjoying. 

It was then that Taylor walked up to him.

"Eddie."

He glanced at her quickly before turning back to the stage.  "Taylor."

"Okay, what's your issue with me?" She sighed, sitting on the stool closest to him, her knee brushing against him making his body tense for a second. "I know I needed to apologize to the others, so I did and we're on okay ground, but I don't recall doing anything to make you hate me this much." Taylor glanced over at Buck where he sat with Maddie hollering towards their men on stage. "Is it because I was a crappy girlfriend to Buck or-"

"You're selfish. You only care about yourself and your career and you'll throw anyone under the bus if need be," Eddie snapped at her, frustration and something else he couldn't place rising.

"I admit that was me, but do you really think Tommy would have become my friend like he has if that was still me?"

"Oh you suddenly changed into a better person huh?" 

She frowned, and crossed her arms over her chest. Eddie averted his gaze and shfited on his feet, not looking at the dip of her shirt. "People can change Eddie, it's been two years."

He said nothing and took another sip of his drink. He didn't want to admit she was right, people can change– and deep down he knew he was holding onto his dislike because hating her was easier than dealing with the opposite. 

Taylor nodded her head, accepting his silence as she got up and left.

His eyes were glued to her walking away even as Buck suddenly was at his side, throwing an arm over Eddie's shoulders.

"Man, Tommy is hot." Buck said beaming, gaze locked on Tommy who was playfully bowing on stage as the song ended. 

Eddie watched Taylor step onto it, genuinely laughing at something Tommy told her, his next words slipping out of his mouth before he registered them. "Taylor's hot."

Buck's eyes snapped to him, wide and shocked. "What?"

"I need another beer," Eddie groaned, shoving Buck away to get another. 

"Wait wait! Taylor's what-"

"I didn't say anything!"

"That's why you hate her so much!" Buck bounced next to him, grinning, tipping slightly with his own drinks getting to him. "You like her!"

"I don't like her man!"

"Okay fine you think she's hot."

"Go away Buck." Eddie practically whined, cradling his beer to him and dropping his head against the bar a little too hard. "I'm not into the she-devil. I had too many beers that's all!"

"Whatever you say!" Buck said with a laugh, ruffling Eddie's hair like he was a child much to his displeasure before running off, yelling for Tommy and tackling him the second he walked off the steps.

His gaze went back to Taylor. Her eyes met his as she finished singing her line and the song ended. He didn't look away until she walked off the stage.

Eddie would take the information to his grave, but he had one or two dreams about Taylor in the past. At least one while she was with Buck that left him making an excuse to not hang out when they were off shift, terrified of running into her and too guilty to look at his best friend.

None of it compared to the real Taylor who laid naked in bed beside him as thoughts of last night filtered in through the haze of alcohol.

Eddie let his eyes and hands wander over her, a little obsessed with the way she moved her hips to match his thrusts, with the way her body was flushed from her first orgasm, and the look of pleasure he was causing.

"Eddie.." She moaned out, nails digging into his back "Get on your back." The words sounded breathless, but the demand behind them was clear. Eddie groaned and wrapped his arm around her, flipping them so she was on top. 

Taylor sat up, and Eddie wished he could take a mental picture. Her sitting on his cock, body flushed with a slight sheen of sweat, hair a mess...–damn he was screwed wasn't he?

She grabbed for his wrists, his eyebrows raising as she pinned them above his head. Her eyes locked with his as she started riding him. Eddie moaned when she sunk back down on him the first time and the feeling of her holding his wrists down, both of them knowing full well he could easily move them.

Eddie kept them there. It was the first time in this position for him–and he couldn't deny how much he was liking it.

"Next time I'll have to tie them up," Taylor told him, mouth inches from his. Eddie's hips thrust up at her words making her chuckle.

Eddie dragged a hand down his face. Fuck.

Beside him Taylor shifted making him tense up.

"Stop thinking so much," Taylor huffed. "We had sex, so what?"

"You're my best friend's ex, that's what! And we hate each other!" 

Taylor shifted up, the sheet falling more off her body. Eddie inhaled sharply and looked away, missing her amused smirk and wandering eyes. "You hate me Eddie, remember, I have no issue with you."

"That's not- I mean-" He swallowed roughly, mind halting as his eyes trailed downwards.

Half of him wanted to wipe that smirk off her lips...the other flashed back to the night before when those same lips were wrapped around him.

Taylor shifted onto her side, pulling the sheet off her body. He felt annoyance spike at the knowing glint, but it did nothing to dim the desire coursing through him. Eddie cursed under his breath before rolling on top of her as she grinned.

Oh yeah he was so completely fucked.

[beesantennas]

finished wfc

[melodiafunfacts]

Welcome to Melodia Fun Facts, where we do, in fact, share fun facts about HarmoKnight! From stuff that's easily overlooked, to things you need to search the game files for, we have it all! And we're accepting submissions for things that even I might have looked over! Expect fun facts every now and then!

Stuff to know!!!

This blog is run by @phioneplatinum! If you want to see what I do outside talking about HarmoKnight facts, then feel free to see!

I go with She/Her pronouns!

These facts are all either in game, or mentioned by Game Freak themselves! [mostly in-game facts though, but do expect some outside of the game!]

This blog is not affiliated with Game Freak or All Possible Futures. This is a blog for fun!!

Want to submit a fact? Send it via the submissions box or send it in my Discord DMs! (phioneplatinum)

I have some understanding of Japanese, so expect some language difference facts too!

Fact Submission Rules! [don't worry, it's not too strict!]

All fact submissions must be things either official or seen in game.

Fact submissions must be mentioned as a fact. [ex: Fun HarmoKnight fact! (insert fact here)] If it's not a fact, please specify so I don't get confused!

Actually yeah that's it, if there's more, I'll update it.

With all that said, please enjoy the facts! :D

[encyclopediamorbidica]

my living situation is actively deteriorating. we can't afford trash pickup and the neighbor's dogs keep tearing open the bags no matter where we put them. we're out of propane to keep the heater on with. my doctor wants me to watch my cholesterol intake which means buying expensive whole grain and high fiber food and i've already been the only one buying groceries for the house on borrowed money from miso or my credit card. i can't even afford my internet bill right now. i sleep on a futon couch in the living room with no privacy. plans to spend time with miso got cancelled and i had to eat the cost on my bus tickets. i get 10 hours on this paycheck and 9 hours on the next one. my only means of communication with the people i love is through my phone, which is beginning to malfunction regularly. anything helps. at this point it's a matter of life or death because i just. cannot see anything worth living for that isn't months to years into the future. i have no license or car so i can't even get out of the house without having to plan to bum a ride ahead of time. taking care of myself feels like a burden. i have maybe 4.50 to my name right now.

Me and my best friend @geddyleeofficial are in pretty dire financial straits and need community support to survive. We're both disabled transmascs and I live in an insanely rural area of Missouri, a rather notorious red state that famously banned gender-affirming care for minors last year and is steadily approaching banning it outright. Things are going to get way, way fucking worse in the next four years, and we're both desperately clinging to each other to stay sane.

Living in separate states is literally driving both of us insane while we fight tooth and nail for the barest bits of time together. I've tried several times before to try and raise money that's consistently been eaten through by the cost of living. Anything anyone can spare is keeping the two of us going, trying to get ahead enough to get a place together. We've been at it for two years, now, and being no closer to our goal has been so deeply, deeply demoralizing.

Anything helps. Resources, donations, anything. If nothing else I'd like to not be worried where my next meal is coming from while we keep trying to make something work.

Please. I know personally how hard things are getting out here and I can't express enough how grateful I am to have even had this post read.

Feel free to reach out to either of us. We can direct you to other people who can vouch for our legitimacy if needed, and if you don't feel comfortable donating without proof of need I have more than enough information to give you. Please.

$app

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DO NOT TAG AS DONO POST, PLEASE

TUMBLR HIDES DONATION POSTS

[airenyah]

maybe i'm about to have a change of plans. maybe i won't be making my mother watch last twilight and only friends this semester break, maybe instead i'll go for a star in my mind rewatch and will also sit her down in front of mafia the series

[my-thoughts-and-junk]

literally any romance trope is made better with monsters but unrequited romance specifically... gets me

[charmedimsure]

We're Okay

pairing: Kang Dae-ho x f!reader

summary: Things go wrong during the third game

word count: 2.1k

warnings: mingle game, character death, blood, squid game stuff

A/N: this man is the only thing in my head rn. posted this before when tags weren't updating so reposting now. also this is only sorta proofread so if you see any mistakes no you didn't <3 **this is sorta a p2 to "a welcome distraction" but can be read as standalone**

We will go hand in hand

And have fun jumping around

Round and round

The platform stops turning suddenly, and you grab onto Dae-ho to stop yourself from falling over.

"Eleven"

You and Dae-ho lock eyes for a split second before you both start looking around for more players. Together you were six, meaning you needed four more.

Gi-hun turns to a player behind him. "How many are you?"

"Four," the woman replies.

"That makes us ten!" Jung-bae whimpers.

A man from another group comes running over. "Are you five? We need five!"

Before any of you can answer, another player yells back. "We have five people! Come with us!"

The two groups go running off towards a door.

"We have to hurry!" Gi-hun says.

"There's no time, Gi-hun!" Young-il tells him.

"We need one more!" the tall woman yells. She spots someone by herself near the center of the platform and grabs her. "We have eleven now!"

"To the green door over there! Hurry!" Young-il yells, already running off in the direction of the door.

Before you know what's happening, Dae-ho grabs you and pulls you along after him. You rush after him into the room, pushing yourself against the wall to make room for everyone else to get inside. You look up at the man next to you before turning your head towards the beeping sound coming from the back of the room. The clock runs out, and the lock clicks on the door.

You breathe out a sigh of relief that you made it in time, but jump and yelp when you hear the screams coming from outside the door, along with the gunshots. Looking towards the door, you watch Gi-hun's reactions as he watches the people outside. The sounds of gunshots are soon replaced with the sounds of the forklifts coming in with the coffins.

Your heart begins to race. If Dae-ho had not taken you back to his friends and added you to his team, you surely would be one of those bodies out there. You look up at Dae-ho to see him already looking down at you. He saved your life.

Dae-ho looks you over to make sure you're okay before you both look around at the others in the room with you. You smile a bit when you see the nice lady and her son with you, as well as players 120 and 095. You had watched them during the six-legged race and watching them cross the finish line had filled you with hope that you could do it too.

"You're alive thanks to me!" a voice yells from inside your room, making you and everyone else jump. You turn and see the creepy lady standing in the middle of the green room, looking you all over one by one. She speaks to Gi-hun, making everyone look at each other with a mix of fear and confusion. This lady doesn't seem to understand that it is not the time for this.

The eliminated players are announced and you are let out of the rooms. The floors are already covered in blood. Red is splattered all over the walls as a morbid reminder of what will happen to you if you lose.

Everyone steps onto the platform and it starts moving again as the music starts up. Looking around, you see that weird purple-haired guy and his friend dancing together. You don't know whether to smile that people can find happiness even in a moment like this, or to be horrified that they can dance in the blood of all those people.

The platform stops again and you are shot back into the game.

"Four"

Your team looks around at each other. Just as you're about to volunteer to find others, Young-il and Jung-bae separate, shouting about needing two more people.

The rest of you run towards an open room with a purple door, taking deep breaths. Gi-hun keeps the door open and looks outside to make sure that the others found another room in time. Right before time runs out, Dae-ho pulls Gi-hun into the room and closes the door, hearing the lock turn immediately after.

The room is tense with none of you knowing whether your friends made it in time. You look at Dae-ho, seeing the worry on his face, and gently take his hand. He looks towards you and squeezes your hand, not letting go even when the doors unlock and you are let out.

Dae-ho starts yelling for Young-il and Jung-bae before a voice calling Gi-hun's name grabs your attention. You look over with relief to see that both of them are alive.

Young-il turns to Jun-hee, asking her if she is alright.

"Wait a minute," Young-il says, "if the next number is seven, we won't need anyone else, will we?"

You all smile as you understand what he's saying, and Jun-hee holds her swelling stomach, a warm smile on her face.

The number for the next round is three, making it easy for your team to split up into two groups and get into rooms with time to spare. You nearly cry as the mother and son are reunited after the round ends, and Dae-ho pulls you towards him, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and rubbing his hand up and down your arm.

Your team grows after that, quietly adding the old lady and her son and players 120 and 095.

The platform starts to spin again as the next round starts.

"I hate this fucking song," you mumble under your breath.

The platform stops as the voice announces the next group size.

"Seven"

"Two men and five women! Go!" Gi-hun yells to the team.

"Which two men?" Jung-bae asks.

"I'm going with my mom!" Yong-sik says, holding onto his mother tightly.

Dae-ho holds up your joined hands. "I'm coming." You're dragged in the direction of the group as you run along. Dae-ho opens an orange door, but stops seeing that it's full.

The old man from before pushes Dae-ho out of the doorway before shutting the door. You keep Dae-ho from falling and instead pull him in the direction of an open room that player 120 found. As you run, you can hear the voice counting down. You make it with just a few seconds to spare.

You sigh in relief, but freeze once you turn around. Instead of two men and five women, the room contains two men and four women. Player 120 is standing near the door, ready to run outside when a man pushes her into the room and closes the door just in time for them to lock.

The crying eyes of player 095 look through the slot in the door.

"Young-mi!" Player 120 screams, running towards the door and desperately trying to open it.

The girl outside continues crying until a gunshot is heard and she slides down the door.

Player 120 screams as the woman cries with her son over their lost friend. Dae-ho pulls you close to him as player 120 starts screaming at the man who came in. As sad as his is to see the girl die, he's relieved that it wasn't you out there looking at him through the slot.

The doors unlock and you walk out silently. The others smile when they find you, but immediately notice the missing girl and frown. Without a word, you all step up onto the platform once more as the voice announces that this will be the last round and the music starts up again.

"What do you think it'll be this time?" Jung-bae asks Gi-hun.

"Two," Young-il answers, getting our attention.

"Why?"

"There are 126 people left, and there are 50 rooms. So there won't be enough rooms for everyone, only 100."

You and Dae-ho look at each other. He tightens his grip on your hand, silently telling you that he will bring be with you. You nod at him and get ready to run.

"Two"

Everyone immediately starts running towards the doors in a mad sprint. You stay with Dae-ho, keeping your hands together so you don't get separated.

Dae-ho opens a red door, but you're pushed aside before you can get in with him. You look up as another man pushes inside the room and closes him and Dae-ho in.

Fear like you've never known before takes over your body. You're about to die. Dae-ho can be heard inside the room, screaming your name and trying to open the door, but the man keeps him from getting out. The voice starts to count down from ten. As you accept you're fate, a pair of hands grab you and drag you into a yellow room, throwing you in before throwing the lone person inside out and closing the door.

You gasp for air as you pull yourself off the floor, staying on your hands and knees as you try to get a grasp of what just happened. Someone had saved your life.

Turning to see who your savior is, your eyes grow wide when you read the '246' on his chest.

He kneels beside you, putting a hand on your shoulder. "Are you alright?"

You nod frantically. "Thanks to you."

The gunshots begin outside and you throw your arms around the man in front of you. You'd be one of them if it weren't for him.

"Thank you," you cry into his shoulder as he hugs you back.

"There was enough time. I watched you get pushed and I just had to do something," he says.

You want to say thank him a million times, but words won't come out as you just stay in each others arms.

Two rooms over, Dae-ho's knuckles are stained red with blood as he punches the door over and over. There's no way that you made it in time, he knows that. He turns and screams at the other player in his room for pushing you, attempting to hit him before his cries take over and he falls into the corner of the room, sobbing into his sleeve.

The doors are eventually unlocked and everyone makes their way out. Dae-ho walks out slowly, looking at the floor and feeling empty. He couldn't save you.

The others run over to him, but they all frown and let out a few gasps when they see that the other person coming out of his room isn't you.

Dae-ho finally looks up at his team, though they all look blurry from the tears in his eyes. He must look like a wreck, but he can't even bring himself to care about that.

Jung-bae walks up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder, and Dae-ho breaks down again, sobbing into the shoulder of his fellow ex-marine. The area around them is silent except for Dae-ho's cries. That is until door opens behind them and a small gasp is heard in front of him. Dae-ho looks up at the woman holding her son and sees her looking past him.

"Dae-ho."

Dae-ho freezes when he hears the voice. He slowly turns around, not wanting to get his hopes up and believe that it's you. But there you, alive and standing in front of him. You look at each other for a few seconds before Dae-ho rushes towards you, throwing his arms around you as you do the same.

The man breaks down again as he hugs you. "I thought you were dead. I'm so sorry."

You rub his back as he cries, quietly telling him that it's okay.

He pulls back and cups your face with his hands, making sure to look you over. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, Dae-ho, it wasn't your fault," you reassure him. "And I'm okay. Everything is alright."

He nods, though tears continue to fall down his cheeks. "How did you find a room?"

You smile and look behind you at the man walking towards your group. "This man here picked me up off the floor and saved me at the last moment."

Player 246 just smiles. Dae-ho pulls you back into a hug as he thanks the man over and over for saving your life.

The other players start filtering out of the room. You break away from Dae-ho and pull him along with you towards the door.

As you're walking, he throws an arm around you and pulls you against him, placing a desperate kiss on your forehead that makes you blush. "I can't believe you're alive," he whispers against your skin.

You smile at him and take his hand, squeezing it. "You said it yourself, we're going to get out of here. Together."

Dae-ho keeps you close to him as you walk, the others from your team patting you on the shoulder as they tell you they're happy you made it. Dae-ho keeps his eyes on you the whole time, determined to get the both of you out of here. Today.

~

Dae-ho tags: @gudfornuthin