#thank god he's one foot in the grave last i heard he is Not treating his diabetes properly.

[bootlegdvdmenu]

God it's so weird to think about how the last I heard about my mom's ex boyfriend it was that he had started volunteering as a substitute teacher. If I've learned anything about that man in the 18 months living with him it's that he should not be around kids.

[stenka-razin]

Thanks to the magic of hyper localized Maryland storm patterns, we were able to see Beck, Phoenix, and Weyes Blood without being hit by a drop. For context, we could see the storm that was apparently unleashing a torrential downpour twenty minutes away during the show. Lightning in the sky! Last year at MPP Halsey got washed out cuz of that shit. Gods were smiling last night.

Weyes Blood were cool. I know people love them, but I hadn't heard a note. It was nice, but I think they suffered from the unenviable spot of second out of four (oh yeah there was another opener, Sir Chloe that we completely missed) and playing when it was very thoroughly daylight still. Her music and set looked like it would be better night music. She had one tune that was really cool though, and the consensus was her bassist looked like if someone from L7 was playing in Twin Peaks.

I had no real expectations for Phoenix considering I've listened to them like twice, both times in my thirties, but they were honestly incredible. They did a bunch of classic Phoenix which was what I more or less knew, then pulled out some New Order shit. Plus the visuals were incredible. During Love Like a Sunset they had a visual where it was like inside of a cell and pulled out to the scale of the viewable Universe. Crazy shit! Then Johnny Phoenix had an awkward tight 5 about how Weyes Blood were at January 6th. Funny stuff! But yeah, never thought Phoenix would give me that strong of a reaction.

Beck was pretty much everything we were hoping for. Four Midnite Vultures tracks (incl. Debra), three Odelays, three Gueros, Loser. All boxes ticked. He did a couple of his poppier new tunes which worked nice. Our friend was unfamiliar with WOW (frequently cited as Beck's worst song ever) so that was a treat. Even the tracks from the album he did with Danger Mouse which I think is kinda boring sounded wild live. He did Golden Age pretty straight for the real mellow number, but then he did Lost Cause with Phoenix and Weyes Blood and it sounded like a Phoenix track. We even got One Foot in the Grave! Likewise, Beck also delivered on the visual front. Goood shit.

Oh and apparently they've revamped Merriweather Post Pavillion considerably since the last time I went. I was dreading getting in and out but it was extremely easy. Plus the layout had a lot of cool getaways and whatnot so it felt oddly smaller and larger. I definitely dig.

[five-rivers]

Beltane

Written for Ectober 2021 Day 1: Trick vs Treat. This is part of the Exhumed series.

.

Danny Fenton walked into the precinct. As often happened when he did this, all attention slowly turned to him. “Hi, Detective Patterson. Have you ever heard of Beltane?”

Patterson took a long swig of coffee through the plastic stir straw, because she felt the need to be at least a little drugged before dealing with whatever this was, and then said, “Is this the kind of thing the whole precinct needs to know about, or is it more specific to me?”

“Mm, not specific to you, but I’m not sure if everyone needs to know about it, yet.”

Despite only select members of the Amity Park police force knowing Danny Fenton had another identity, he’d become a sort of ��ghost liaison’ for the precinct. Better him than the adult Fentons, who tended to break things even (especially) when they were being careful.

“Actually,” continued Danny, “you might have already noticed some things about it. I mean, it’s seasonal, and Mom and Dad were detecting ectoenergy and ghost activity spikes for events like this before they got the portal up and running. Although, the portal was supposed to stabilize and reduce those spikes… I guess reducing one isn’t bad?”

“Okay,” said Patterson. “I don’t really know what you’re talking about. Do you want me to go find Collins?”

“Oh, that might be a good idea.”

“Great,” said Patterson. She turned her head to shout across the room. “McGee. Go find Collins.”

“Still the new guy?” asked Danny, sympathetically.

“It isn’t like we’re a popular posting,” said Patterson, “and, thanks to the ghosts, we don’t really need new people.”

Danny nodded placidly. “I know. But it must be hard for him, don’t you think?”

.

McGee had done his job. He’d discovered the corruption in the Amity Park Police Department and plumbed its depths. The problem was that he could never, ever, report it. Even if they didn’t have a perfectly good cause for it all, what they were ‘hiding’ (and they were only barely doing that) was so ridiculous that McGee had thought he’d gone crazy at first.

Ghosts.

The whole of Amity Park was haunted. Just like it said in those touristy brochures at the front of the local diners.

He stuck his head into the break room. “Collins, Patterson and Fenton want you,” he said.

“In the normal room?” Collins asked, shoving a sugary monstrosity of a donut into his mouth.

“I have no idea. She didn’t say.”

“Normal room then. Great job, McGee.”

McGee rolled his eyes. Great job, he said. As if he’d done anything.

God. What would Halloween be like?

.

“So, it’s like, reverse Halloween?” asked Patterson.

“Well, not exactly,” said Danny. He patted Daisy, the department mascot slash corpse sniffing dog who had followed them into the small interview room, gently on the head. “Actually, there are more similarities than differences. Basically, like Halloween, we’re going to get a spike in ectoenergy. Maybe even some ectoplasmic storms. More portals. That kind of thing.” He shrugged. “Most holidays and seasonal divisions have them, you know.”

“So… we’re getting Halloween round two?” asked Collins.

“What do you bet that this is what gets McGee to snap?”

“He’s been here since December,” said Collins. “I think he’s too stubborn to leave.”

“Is he still spying?” asked Danny.

“No,” said Patterson, waving a hand. “He gave up on that, after a while. But there’s a new office bet about whether or not he’ll stay stay, or if he’ll decide to quit. We’re not allowed to join in because we know him too well.”

“Mm,” said Danny.

“I don’t actually know if I feel like I know him that well,” said Collins.

“Well,” said Danny, “it shouldn’t be as extreme as Halloween. Since, I mean, there aren’t as many religious holidays directly associated with death and stuff happening on or around May first. So. Yeah. But the thing is, there are some traditional, er, activities. Spirited activities.”

Collins suppressed a groan, and was glad that Captain Jones wasn’t available today. He and Danny could sling puns at each other for obscenely long periods of time.

“I’ve never noticed ghosts doing anything on May Day,” said Patterson.

“This is only the third year anyone’s even acknowledged that ghosts exist,” said Danny, “so I’m not really all that surprised. But the reason that I came to talk to you guys is that some of the ghosts want to do Beltane stuff. Like the fire blessings. Also, I’ve been told that some of the trees in town are secretly ghost trees, and if we don’t want to deal with another tree army, we need to do some stuff to appease them.”

“Secret ghost trees.”

“My source is very reliable,” said Danny. “Also, while I say ‘we don’t want to deal with it,’ I think we all know who’d be dealing with most of it.”

“You would,” said Patterson.

“Got it in one. Like, I can convince most of the ghosts to either do their Beltane stuff in the Ghost Zone, or somewhere out of the way. They’ll be disappointed, but I can do it. The ghost tree thing, though…”

“Can’t we just, I don’t know,” said Collins, “get rid of the ghost trees?”

“Well, they aren’t really evil ghost trees. Or even really ghost trees. They’re more… ghosts that live in trees?”

“What, like dryads?” asked Collins, raising his eyebrows.

“That’s what I said, but they’re different species, apparently.”

“Okay,” said Patterson, “so. Appeasing the trees. How many trees are we talking about here, and how are we going to appease them?”

.

“Okay, so, this is definitely a whole precinct kind of thing,” said Patterson.

“And possibly an ‘all civil servants’ type of thing,” added Collins. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Where are we going to get the funding for this?”

“Oh, don’t worry about money,” said Danny. “I’ll just blackmail Vlad, and if that doesn’t work, I can get Mom and Dad to pay for it.”

“What,” said Collins.

“I think this might be a bit beyond your parents’ budget,” said Patterson, “but knock yourself out as far as Masters goes.”

“Well, I guess if it is,” he allowed, dubiously, “I could get the cults to pitch in?”

.

“This is nice,” said Danny. The sky was a bit overcast, which was a shame, but the hundreds of bright flowers and cheerful music more than made up for that.

The May Day celebration was, in Danny’s opinion, a success. At least, this half of it was turning out to be. He’d have to wait and see how the Spirit Bonfires went tonight before he could really make a judgement.

He’d only had to blackmail Vlad a little, too. It turned out that the ‘ruthless businessman’ in Vlad was ludicrously easy to manipulate, and once Danny brought up how a celebration like this one could revitalize local businesses and bring in tourism, he’d caved.

Although, that might have been the threat of an angry tree army. Vlad had definitely come off worse for wear in the last one, on all fronts.

Then, publically putting the Phantom Stamp of Approval (and Necessity Given The Potential Angry Tree Army) on the event had gotten buy-in from his fans and (sigh) the cults. The cults were, in fact, very enthusiastic about their new Holy Day. Danny had made a map of all the places they’d set up booths, and was studiously avoiding them.

Sam and Tucker were doing a walkthrough of that area, now, to check for problems and unadorned thorn trees. They’d arranged to meet up soon.

So, Amity Park was decked out in ribbons and flowers. All of the schools had gotten Maypoles and the day off of classes. Several bands, both human and ghostly, were playing in different parts of town.

It was chaotic, but great.

Danny briefly cut into the street to dodge a pair of college-age men play-fighting with tree branches (a genuinely important tradition symbolizing the battle between winter and summer), then walked through a wall to avoid two ghosts doing the same thing.

Finally, he reached Madame Babazita’s table.

“Hi,” he said, “three readings, please.”

“Three?” she asked. “Just for you?”

“My friends should get here before mine’s done,” said Danny. Was he channeling some predictive powers? Maybe. Holidays did make his powers weird.

.

“I have no idea what your reading is saying,” said Madame Babazita, after fifteen full minutes. “The cards simply aren’t speaking to me today. Also,” she held up an Uno card, “I’m not sure how this even got here.”

“That’s okay,” said Danny, “I just wanted to make sure it was the same as last time.”

.

“Hey! Phantom!” called Ember across the crowd of ghosts that had gathered in the cemetery. Most of them were fire or nature themed. “You’re in for a treat!”

Danny, who had been examining the flowers left on his grave, looked up. “I am?”

Ember draped her arm around Danny’s shoulder. She’d been a lot more friendly with him since the corpse incident. “Sure are.” She stepped up onto the surface of his memorial, pulling him up behind her. Danny shook off a brief chill and looked around.

Ghosts were streaming into the cemetery from various directions, bringing armfuls of flowers with them. Danny could see two, huge bonfire piles of flowers growing near the cemetery gates.

“Are there going to be cows?” asked Danny, who was still fuzzy on the details of the ghostly side of the celebrations.

“I don’t know,” said Ember. “When I’ve seen this done in the GZ there are. Here? Who knows. Maybe we’ll just walk through.”

Danny nodded, unworried. Beltane sure was an interesting holiday.

The last armful of flowers was placed, and every flower in the cemetery caught on fire at once. Including the ones on Danny’s grave. Danny yelped, jumping into flight. As an ice core ghost, he vastly preferred cold to heat.

This went without saying, but fire was very hot.

Ember grabbed his foot, and he almost kicked her. “You knew that was going to happen,” he accused.

“Sure did, babypop,” said Ember, grinning. “Come on, don’t you want to pass through the bonfires?”

Danny eyed the very large bonfires on either side of the cemetery gates. They were lit up with sparks like fireworks, shifting like flowers blooming and withering and blooming again. They were beautiful and impressive, and Danny felt like melting just by looking at them.

“I don’t know…” He wanted to, but… melting…

“Well, if you want to go out the other way and be horribly unlucky for the next year…”

Danny narrowed his eyes. “Is that another trick?” he asked.

Ember’s grin grew wider, and she took off towards the gates. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Danny sighed and followed her.

.

“Unbelievable,” said McGee. “Absolutely unbelievable.” He gave the elderly cultist a boost into the wagon.

“I know, right?” said Patterson. “All this property damage and a low-key kidnapping,” she gestured to the hapless late night partier who had called the police when the cult got too insistent about their message, “and they didn’t even have the good drugs?” She shook her head. “Not that we ever arrest anyone just for drugs in this town.”

“I did not just hear you say that,” muttered McGee.

“We’ll make an Amity Parker out of you yet,” said Collins, heartily, slamming the back door of the wagon. He thumbed the button on his radio. “Any other disturbances?” he asked.

“No, you’re good to come back,” said the dispatcher.

“What I don’t get,” said McGee, leaning against a nearby wall in a moment of weakness, “is why we aren’t breaking up whatever cult thing is happening in the cemetery.” They’d seen it quite clearly on their way here.

“Because those are ghosts,” said Patterson.

McGee took a deep breath. “The ghosts are having some kind of ritual in the cemetery, and you aren’t worried.”

“Not really, no.”

“I hate it here,” said McGee.

“Do you, though?” asked Collins, sounding genuinely interested in the answer.

McGee opened his mouth to snap back that, yes, he did. But…

Hm. Huh.

Collins patted him on the back.

[we-dragons]

I'm from a different dimension actually Chapter 8 Damian x reader

The school is shut down for a week ironically because of an attack by The Joker and Two-Face, that Robin and his team took down. The teachers sent out a notice with homework attached and told us to stay inside. Nightmare came back somewhere in the morning I couldn't tell the time because I apparently fell asleep along with Boy Wonder before the end of season 1 of The Highlander. I gently placed him down on the couch, gotten dressed, and made some breakfast, I only had eggs so I made some scrambled and put them on a plate for him and me. Nightmare got the last of the bacon. I put a plate over Robins while I ate mine sitting at the small table in the kitchen going over my homework. Sadly I finished my homework before my eggs and they have gone cold. I silently morn my eggs eating the cold carcass. "You stare any harder at that screen and you might break it." I jump, my head shoots upwards and I sigh, but then my eyes drop on my cat. My jaw drops the furball is purring in the arms of a masked stranger who is petting his head. Robin was petting my cat holding him like a baby and the demon is purring. Robin still had his eyes, and limbs not even a bite mark was seen on his skin.

"You traitor, you barely know him." I playful scold the feline, he meows nuzzling his face in Robin's chest.

"Your monster seems friendly."

"Nightmare looks like he's been introduced to catnip."

"Just a few scratches here and there." He smirks taking a seat next to me."Thank you for breakfast."

"Mhm." I turn back to the screen, "Will you be going back today Robin?"

"I might."

"Hmm." I finish the last problem for today closing the device, "Well I have to go to work, your welcome to stay if you want." I smooth out my clothes tossing one last look at the melting ball of fur. I quirk an eyebrow but move out to the door. I stop Halfway through the doorway and look back putting on my meanest face. "If you break a single window in my home I will find where ever you are and break you. Bye Nightmare, love you, I'll be back in a few hours."

_____________________________________________________________

"Nightmare! I'm back!" my keys skitter across the floor but no black fur is seen. He's still in the arms of Robin though it's not Robin, Green eyes. My stomach sinks and my mouth goes dry. "Damian?" His is just as much shock as me, he puts down Nightmare and rushes to me the door slams behind me. And I'm being dragged then forced to sit, his hands grip my shoulders. "Your early, why did you arrive early, you not supposed to be back for another half hour." I hardly heard him, I scold myself now realizing the obvious. Why else would Nightmare feel comfortable around him he had been here before multiple times noticed how I treated Damian and that's why he was a purring mess in his arms. I said be nice to him when he was over not Robin, but of course, they smell the same Nightmare associated with both people. I should have spotted it sooner, the voice, the height, the tone of his speech. Dear God, I can mom telling how oblivious, like she did when she won Clue. It was right there, he asked the right question and baited me for answers. I don't know why this is a shock to me. Now that I think of it I have to stop myself from laughing

"What the hell," my voice quivers. "Damian, Damian Wayne. You help Gotham." I start snickering, pulling my hand over my face. I throw my head back laughing then fall over to the side. "Nightmare you knew didn't you! Haha, that's why you were you were melting like butter."

"Your laughing!"

"Did you assume I wouldn't!" I wheeze, my breath nearly coming out to form words. "I can imagine you fighting, but saving people that's something else entirely."

"Do you think so little of me?" He sounds disappointed.

"I don't mean it to offend you but what else can I say. I didn't expect this." I sit up, clearing my throat and looking him dead in the eye. "Can I just call you Damian now, or do I still have to you different names."

"Why aren't you more surprised?"I Smile sadly.

"I thought you would have read up on me, do you know who killed my parents that day at home." He stiffens, he opens his mouth but continues. "My Father's sister, my aunt, killed them both during dinner. All because my mother wouldn't let her see those journals you asked about. After that it many people took off their masks."

"That's all it took?"

"What should it take, she killed her own brother because she didn't get confidential knowledge. To be honest, I don't really care anymore."

"You need professional help." I shrug.

"Probably, but getting sessions is expensive and I don't enjoy answering "and how are you feeling?" questions. I had enough of that already from everyone else."

"Where's your brother, Emil?" I feel myself frown.

"He's with someone I trust, I can't tell you who, sorry."

"The file says you died, you also made a miraculous recovery, recovery from what?"

"I prefer not to answer that question, It's rather personal." I don't want to explain that either, I know the doctor was shocked to see me come back. They had to call the professor to have him take me and my brother. After that this entire fiasco.

"You know I'll find out either way."

"Listen, I don't know how I made it, I was tortured by my she who will not be named and left for dead. I prayed for anyone and everyone who would hear me, someone did, the police found me and I was rushed to the hospital. I decided to take a nap, and I woke up to the sound of Emil crying. He cried, even more, when I woke up, screaming even, the good doctor nearly fainted. I was plugged into wires of all sorts, and my uncle was holding a plug, I assume he pulled, tackled me. My body lit up in pain and felt like I was run over, the next I am separated from my family and rushed into a place where they check on me every three months. At least I got to choose the place, they pay for the school, and I cover everything else." I give in, it feels nice to tell someone, something even if it's not the whole truth. But it seems to shut him up. "Please don't go looking for Emil, they haven't caught my aunt yet. I don't know if she's looking for them next, I would prefer not to stand over another grave knowing she got them too." I stare at him gauging his reaction, his face is still stone, unmoving in the uncomfortable silence. I pick up Nightmare, who has been rubbing against my leg for a bit, and scratch his head as he wants.

"Fine, I won't push further but I have terms."

"Really?" What would he need terms for?

"1, you don't reveal my identity to anyone. 2, you will not acknowledge that you know my family’s identities. 3, I come whenever I like as Robin or as Damian. 4, I add terms whenever I please."

"Why would I agree to any of that? I'm the one who has your identity." He smiles.

"Because I will tell Batman this information, and he doesn't talk as kindly to people hiding something. You obviously still are, but for now, I'll let it slide I'm sure by now you've decided to watch the news, so you know what he does." I gulp, I did see his more recent victim and he looked traumatized.

"Alright fine, but I binge so if you fall asleep tough luck, I'm not going back."

"Fine," he reaches back and pulls out his mask which he puts back on, walking out to the kitchen. "I back in a bit, pull out your couch bed while I'm gone. I will be staying here a while." I get up after him.

"Hey, that offer is for when I thought you were some homeless bums who fights crime, gets money from villain's wallets. You have a perfectly good bed at home!" He turns back one foot on the railing and a grappling hook in hand. "Term 6, I will stay as long as I like." he jumps off like before, not giving me a chance to speak.

"Bastard! I need my alone time!" He's gone I don't even know if he heard me. I grumble pulling out the spare sheets and blankets to set up the bed. "He better be paying rent, smug rich kid."

"Meow." Nightmare looks over at the window Robin left of.

"Yes, he's coming back."

"Meow"

"No, I'm not going tell him, not until I have to."

"Merrow"

"Shut up." I kick the side of the couch holding the two large cushions that lay on it, the bed springs out and makes a satisfying thud on the floor. "Go and see if the data has finished downloading, then put it back in the box I'll make you something in a how you feel about tuna our downstairs grandparents gave me a can."

_____________________________________________________________

The sheets are made, the cat is fed and now I am going over how I was going to cover for another person. How much would he eat, can he survive on pastries, ramen, and eggs. How long was he staying, would his family come asking about him seeing as he was here before. At both times, when he broke my window, and when they came for coffee.

"Hey, open the door." The voice is cold but still recognizable. I get up slowly taking my time getting there along with opening the door. He hurries in, dressed in some normal-ish clothes that still look expensive, but he still dressed like he came out of a photo shoot. He not only has a suitcase but some grocery bags, I frown at those. He seems to notice because he forgets his suitcase and charges into the kitchen. "Hey!"

"Y/N I am not eating ramen and eggs for god knows how long. I will cook a decent meal and you will have something healthy."

"How did you know I only had eggs and ramen?"

"I went through your fridge," He places a bag of tomatoes in the bottom drawer where I see green onions and various other veggies.

"I make stir-fry once a month, you have bought enough greens and reds to make that for two weeks. I don't even have rice."

"You don't like it when people spend money on you, do you?"

"I don't need other people's money," He opens his mouth, but I stop him raising a finger cutting him off. "And before you mention Molly, she remains the exception. Not that me telling her not to stops her."

"And why is that." He stops putting the food in the fridge.

"Because I've been friends with her longer," I look back at his bags and frown. "How long do you plan on staying again."

"For as long as I please."

"Won't they come looking for you? Your family I mean, the Detective stops by almost every day."

"Grayson won't be a problem, I left them a trail that leads to several other places." He stuffs the last of the food in the fridge, getting up and looking out the balcony window. "Should take a long while." I can hear the smugness in his voice.

"Your happy you tricked your brothers aren't you." He turns around forcing himself to frown but the corners of his lips twitch.

"Ho, you're a bastard Wayne."

"You're really gonna curse me?"

"You didn't tell me I couldn't Damian." I grab my computer and open Hulu putting on Star Trek; Next-generation where I left off. "Hope you enjoy space adventure, because I'm not starting this over its seven seasons and 4 movies. I'm halfway through season 3, if you want context just ask." I glance up signaling that I am waiting for a response, he leans on the wall in front of my kitchen. I can't read his face, but his face of neutral displeasure wasn't much better. "So, your done feeling good about yourself, or is there something else you need."

"It's been something I've been wondering for a while now, those iridescent pieces you fed me."

"Part of my mother's work." Not a complete lie,

"Was that what those missing journals about?"

"No." More of a lie but not wrong. He groans anyway, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Man, you really like to cut in deep and waste time. Just come here and watch some Star Trek with me I need someone else to groan in pain about Counselor Troy's and Will Riker's on and off slow burn romance." Begrudgingly he walks over plopping down next to me.

"Your tastes in tv are odd."

"You have no idea, my tastes in something go everywhere, after this and Highlander I have several old cartoons next. First, I might have to gather what you know about the Quack pack, Goof troop, Ducktales, and all that pizazz. Though I have a feeling that you would like Darkwing Duck more, or it could possibly be too relatable." He gives me a look.

"How could I relate to a duck?"

"We are a long way from that now, at the moment we must bear witness to Captain Picard and his adventures commanding the USS Enterprise."

"Has anyone told you how unbelievably weird you are?"

"Sir, you have entered my life for what looks to be the long run. You will experience the kind of weirdness only Molly has ever seen. But now that you are basically my roommate you might see more." I pat his shoulder. "So, buckle up, because this is now you've got a seat on this roller-coaster, and you can't get off till the car reaches a complete stop. Now can we please get back to the show I want to see some cosmic action?"

_____________________________________________________________

"Was that a statement or a question?"

"He can achieve the perception of feeling with a chip that goes into his hyper-advanced brain, lets his brother take it but can't make his own."

"I lent you my computer to catch up to where I left off for one night and that's what you're hung upon."

"Yes," his eyes look serious while he shoves some oatmeal in his mouth. "You are the one who can't stand the slow burn."

"Touche."

Before we got to the last season, Damian had asked he could see the rest of the show before the finally. I didn't expect that he would binge because it was a weekend, he even made extensive notes on character weakness. He still went out on patrol every night but came back with no one tailing him. That's what he says at least. He looks tired, with bags under his eyes and just lacking energy altogether.

"While I'm at work please go to sleep, you look like you fought an energy vampire and lost."

"I wouldn’t have lost to a vampire, they’re not that hard to kill.”

“But they drink blood they need to get close; energy vampires are more psychic they don’t even have to be a real monster.” He stops eating/

“How so?”

“They could be emotionally, physically, and mentally draining people. You know like Deity Skimmer, the girl in our science class. You can’t kill the energy-sucking vibes she gives off, can you.” He snorts behind his hand.” I mean it, even creatures of the night need sleep.” I drop my dishes off in the sink. I walk off to the door putting on my boots, I hear the chair slide and I feel his judging eyes digging holes in the back of my skull.

“Once again your conditions said nothing about teasing you, suck it up.” He scoffs. “I’ll be back around 5, don’t break any more windows while I’m gone.” I close the door before I hear any remarks once more about the incident. Though I laugh to myself, I straighten out my outfit and head down to the wonderful smells of the coffee shop. I walk slowly down the stairs looking out to the crowd that had been seated in the lounge. My managers were out by the couches talking to one of the regulars. Pull me behind the counter and relieve my coworker Meg, she looks exhausted and excuses herself. She takes what I assume is her coffee and puts away her apron and rushes out the door. I finish out what she didn’t clean and wait for anyone to come up to the counter. *Ring* though it is loud I hear the bell for the door ring.

“I’ll be with you in just a moment, I need to clean the nozzle here.”

“That’s fine, I can wait.” I flinch but catch myself, so it looks like I flicked something. I turn around with the best smile I can pull off. The sleep-deprived brother of Damian, peers at me from under his hair a frown tugging on his face.

“Oh hey! You came here with detective Grayson last time. Is there anything you would like?”

“Coffee.”

“Any particular kind?”

“Anything that will keep me from sleeping on this counter.” He knocks on the surface twice.

“I Can recommend our D&D potion bottle, it’s a personal favorite of the owners.”

“Why not, how much?” He fumbles around for his pockets, I stop him.

“How about, I make get it for you, and then you pay.” He brings his hands back on the counter and nods.

“I will only be a few minutes, please make yourself comfortable.” I pull out the ingredients for our powerful concoction, the pho fried ice cream, a large potion bottle with a straw, and 20-sided dice. I place the potion bottle in front of him and the ice cream but hand him the dice. He stares at the shiny plastic unmoving.

“I would roll that.” He does what I say and lands on a nine. “Well, sir after this one you can either have another potion or chose two desserts of any kind from our display or menu.” He takes a sip from the straw rather slow; his eyes perk up a bit.

“How Much did you say this was?”

“Oh! That will be $9.23?” He pulls out the exact amount, and I put it away in the register, placing it in the compartment marked D&D.

“And I would like another one of these to go.”

“Sure, would you like it now or before you go?”

“Well now should be nice, I’m leaving in just a bit.” I pull out a cup that is relatively the same size as the potion bottle. I go to give him his cup and notice that he finished the bottle and ice cream. Confusion hits me, but I don’t stare too long to turn to clean the mess. “Have you seen Damian at all?” And there it was.

“No, not since the Gala? Did something happen?”

“There was a…disagreement so he ran out, but if you see him,” He handed me a piece of paper with a string of numbers and an email. “Tell me. That is my number and email.” He does not say anymore and walks out the door, the bell signaling his departure.

_____________________________________________________________

When I got back, I told Damian what happened, he isn’t pleased and is currently pacing the floor.

“My guess is that he knows.” I sigh over my tea and stare sadly at the replaced window.

“No doubt.”

“You know I was rather hoping not to be having another visit from the Batman. What will happen when they find out that I know about the caped crusader thing.”

“He’ll either force into secrecy, turn you into a child crusader, or confine you to the manor.”

“So in other words no privacy.”

“None.”

“As lovely as that would be you told me this was temporary, so why can’t you go back?”

“At the Gala I was supposed to keep you entertained at the table so that we could trap you into to talking about those journals.” I knew it.

“So, you lied to me.” I look at him, faking shock and betrayal.

“It was for the sake of the investigation; I didn’t think that I would end up-.” He examines my expression and face palms. “What’s wrong with you.”

“I like to call it “I laugh in the face of danger” Syndrome, in a moment of despair I crave comedy.”

“You're worse than Grayson.”

“I like him, so I’ll let this one slide.” I sip the warm liquid feeling soothed at the pumpkin spice. “What are you going to do now?” Nightmare jumps on the table noticing my concern and waiting for his answer from me. He walks to the corner where he put his bag then went to the closet pulling out my suitcase. He then grabs his outfit Robin outfit from the coat rack and his other materials. “Get packed, we’re leaving. I’ll grab Nightmare’s things gab whatever you need. And I mean need, don’t pick it up unless it’s necessary.”

“What? I can’t just leave, what about my job? School?!” He Pulls out my backpack and puts some food in it. “Damian!”

“Just trust me, I’ll take care of it! I don’t want you tangled up in my family’s nonsense.” He looks at me something odd swirling in his eyes. “Please.”

“Fine,” I grab my suitcase and pack my box and my compiece which hasn’t gotten back to me on its progress. I throw a few sets of clothes. I open the box to make sure the journals, the scales, and everything else, then I hide it under the clothing and my laptop in the front pocket. I thank myself for making sure to get a suitcase that has a double use as a backpack. In the living room, Damian is all packed the bag is strapped across his chest and he’s holding Nightmare.

“Let’s go.” He hands me Nightmare and pulls me to the balcony. He pulls out and belts with a ring pultruded out on one side swiftly put it around me connecting the loop to his belt. “Hold on tight, and don’t let go till I tell you.” I Sling an arm around him and grip on to Nightmare, he doesn’t hesitate and shoots across the balcony with his grappling gun. I screw my eyes shut. And wait to stop, my heart beats wildly in my chest Nightmare begins purring maybe in hopes to soothe me. I feel something wrong, but it would mean I was away from the Crows. I’m running again, even if it’s not me who chose this it still feels wrong. Because in the direction he’s going it seems that we were leaving Gotham. And for some reason, I feel like it would be a while before I returned.

[aliendes]

Namjoon Drabble #18 + #36

From the ask: Hello! For the angst drabbles, 18 + 36 with Namjoon! I hope you’re having a lovely day/night

18. Please, just let me carry you. & 36. How much do you remember? + Namjoon

Thank you for your request! This turned into something I wasn’t expecting… it got real angsty for a minute & there might be slight Jimin x reader undertones, but it’s not meant to be that way, but I still hope you enjoy lol. It’s unedited sorry for mistakes!

Pairing: Namjoon x reader

Warnings: werewolf!au, mentions of blood and violence, language

Word count: 1.3k ~

“Damnit,” you groaned, rolling over onto your side. You felt the leaves crunching under your weight on the forest floor. You really didn’t expect to find yourself in this position on a Friday night, but here you were. Your hand quickly came to hold your side as a sharp pain shot through your body and your movement. 

Just a few hours ago you had been at a house party with your best friend and pack member, Jimin. He had talked you into going because he knew your crush, Namjoon, would be there. Namjoon was also part of your pack, but he was an alpha. You and Jimin were omegas and didn’t really interact with many alphas. You were a little worried about coming tonight, but your best friend promised he wouldn’t leave your side, so you agreed.

Surprisingly, despite your earlier worries, you were both having a great time together, and after a couple drinks you decided to head out back where a few others were gathered around a bonfire. Jimin had his fingers intertwined with yours. What you didn’t notice was another omega, laying on the ground near the fire, betas and alphas surrounding him, throwing punches and kicks to the poor boy’s side. Despite your usual timid tendencies, you felt a sudden burst of anger at the way one of your own was being treated. You let go of Jimin’s hand despite his protest, and ran over to the young werewolf. 

“Hey!” You yelled, catching the betas and alphas attention, “Leave him alone!”

You ran right up to a beta who had just landed a kick to the omegas sternum, giving him a hard shove to the chest. You were really digging your own grave right now. Jimin watched on in horror at what was about to happen to his best friend. 

“Get off of him!” Another hard shove. 

A strong hand reached out and grabbed your wrist as you were about to shove him again, “You better watch that mouth of yours, bitch,” he growled, eyes flashing red as his pupils shrunk. He gave you a harsh shove, letting go of your wrist as you fell backwards onto the grass. You looked over at the other omega, clutching his side, spitting blood out onto the ground. He was looking at you in horror, fear in his eyes. You mouthed the word “run” at him and he quickly scrambled to his feet and took off. The others barely paid him any attention as they focused on you. 

“YN!” You heard Jimin shout, but he was quickly restrained by other betas surrounding the fire. “Leave her alone you assholes!”

 “Well, well,” another alpha walked up to you, now crawling backwards until your back hit another pair of legs, “what do we have here?” His voice was low and it sent shivers down your spine. As you looked up to meet his eyes, you noticed it was an alpha of a neighboring pack, Mark. He had dark slicked back hair and wore a devilish expression, “Little omega want to play?” 

You shook your head back and forth, opening your mouth to say something, but he was quick to cut you off, “All you had to do was ask, princess,” his tone was dripping with venom, “right boys?” You heard cheers and claps from the rest of the men surrounding you. In the distance you head Jimin still yelling obscenities at the wolves. Your heart was racing, fear taking over your body as you turned onto your hands and knees, ready to run, but you felt a hard blow to your back, knocking you onto your stomach. One of the other wolves foot still firmly held onto your lower back, preventing you from moving. 

The next few kicks you tried your best to block, but it was no use. You laid there and let it happen, knowing they wouldn’t kill you, just injure you enough. They couldn’t risk getting into trouble with their pack elders. After a few minutes of abuse, you rolled onto your back, only to find Mark standing above you again, “I’ll give you a 30 second head start,” he growled.

Your fight or flight instinct kicked in immediately. Scrambling to your feet you took off into the woods. You didn’t know where you were going but you didn’t care. Being an omega, you weren’t able to shift unless there was a full moon, which unfortunately for you, wasn’t until next week. You feet carried you as fast as they could, trees blurring past you as you sprinted. That was, until your foot caught a tree root and you were sent flying through the air and onto your stomach, the wind knocked out of you. That was how you ended up in your current position, laying on your side in the middle of the forest, with likely broken ribs, struggling for air.

You coughed a few times, trying to ease the pain in your chest, but it only makes it worse. Your head is spinning, and you just want to give into the dizziness. You try to even out your breaths through your nose, letting your eyes slip closed. The last thing you remember is footsteps nearing you before you submit to the darkness.

--

The next time you open your eyes, you’re being carried by strong arms. You startle in the person’s hold, nearly making them drop you. Once they get their grip back on you, you look up to find the last person you expected to see, eyes widening as they met Namjoon’s.

“Shh,” he shushed you, still looking at you as he walked, “Please, just let me carry you.” You were shocked into silence, not sure where you were, or how Namjoon had found you. The last thing you remember you were laying on the forest floor. 

“What happened,” you rasped out, wincing at the pain in your side as Namjoon jostled you slightly. 

“I’m not sure,” he said, furrowing his brow, “I heard Jimin yelling in the backyard and came out to him screaming at Mark’s pack. Said something about finding you.  How much do you remember?”

“I just remember them kicking and hitting me, and then he told me to run,” you whisper as Namjoon slows down a bit, approaching the back of a house, “I think I fell when I was running.”

Namjoon ascended a few stairs of a deck, going through a sliding glass door, to be met with the worried eyes of your best friend Jimin, and a few others you recognized as other members of your pack, Jungkook and Jin. Jimin quickly rushed to your side, pushing your messy hair from your face, “Oh my god, are you okay YN!?” You could see the dried tear tracks on his puffy cheeks and you remembered how worried he was when you let go of his hand at the party.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes, “I just wanted to help.”

Jimin shook his head frantically, sniffling to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. “I know sweetie, I know.”

Namjoon walked over to the couch across from where Jungkook and Jin were sitting, both looking equally as worried about you, despite not really knowing you. It made you feel safe here, like you could trust them. Instead of setting you down on the couch like you expected him to, Namjoon sat down with you in his arms and propped you up a bit. He let out a sigh, motioning for Jin to come closer and look at your wounds. “Jin is going to make sure you’re okay,” he said softly, golden eyes boring into your wide ones, “are you okay with that? I’ll be right here the whole time.”

You blinked owlishly at him for a moment before nodding slightly. Jimin came around the back of the couch and kneeled next to your head, placing his forehead against yours in a comforting way. Namjoon’s hand came up and pushed the hair out of your face, thumb coming up to wipe away a few stray tears. “You’ll be safe here, YN,” Namjoon whispered, “I’ll protect you.”

[petewentztiddies]

The Laws Of Attraction | Chapter Three - Ain’t No Sunshine

prev chapter | ao3

Today was Steve and Peggy’s (hopefully) last interview with the twins. Peggy couldn’t help it; but she was, admittedly, drawn to watching Steve’s hands. They were just so...big, and veiny, and frankly, it was oddly fascinating. 

They were supposed to be talking to the twins. Instead, Peggy was drawn to something that literally didn’t matter at all. 

And yet, his hands were so pretty.

“Carter, you have anything to add?” Steve asks, hands moving to grip his pen. 

Peggy mentally kicks hersef for not listening instead of staring at Steve Rogers’ fucking hands. “No, I think you covered that quite well,” Peggy replies smoothly, clasping her hands together on the table. 

If anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything.  

Peggy clears her throat, gathering her thoughts. “I do have a separate question for you two, though, if you will...”

Hearing rustling in her room, eight-year-old Wanda wakes up fearfully. She knees Pietro to wake him up too.

Someone is rifling through one of their drawers, and the sound of moving coins can be heard.

Pietro grabs the flashlight on the nightstand, shining it at the figure.

"...Mama?" Wanda asks, her voice shaky.

"Wanda, Pietro, go back to sleep. I just needed to borrow some cash." Their mother’s usually soft, dulcet voice was tremulous and wavering.

"You...you said we could save the money, Mama. You said we could keep it this time." Pietro says in disbelief. She said they could save up their money to buy another bed instead of having to share one. 

Their mother sits on the edge of their shared bed. "Listen, listen. I know...I know what I said. But if I don't get this money, some very bad things will happen to you two. I need you to make sure all the doors and windows are locked. Don't go outside, and there's enough food around the house to last you two at least a week."

"Mama," Wanda cries. "Please don't leave us again. Please!" 

"I have to, I have to." She whispers, giving them both a kiss and a brief hug. "You'll be okay, I promise. I know you two can be brave for me." 

Pietro blinks furiously while Wanda clings on to her mother's arm. "Don't leave, please, please!" Wanda sobs.

Their mother wrenches herself from Wanda's grip, stuffing Pietro and Wanda's money in a Ziploc bag.

"W-when will you be back?" Pietro asks shakily, tears running down his face. "You said you wouldn't l-leave us again, Mama!" 

Their mother runs a hand through her tangled brunette hair. "I don't know, Honey. I'll call as soon as I can, okay? I promise." She gives them a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Be good, I love you." She says as she shuts their door hurriedly. 

"No!" Wanda howls, rushing out of bed, Pietro in tow. "Mama, please!" She nearly trips on the dirty hallway rug. By the time Pietro helps her up, their mother is out the door already. The twins climb up to the back of the couch, looking out the window and watching their mother get in her car. 

She looks at them sympathetically before putting the car in reverse and leaving.

And just like that, she was gone.

---

After work, Angie had convinced Peggy to go to a relatively new steakhouse in the area with her. Peggy wasn’t much a fan of that type of food but she was so hungry and exhausted she could probably eat an entire cow.

“I dunno, I might get the chicken burger,” Angie sighs contemplatively. “What about you, English?” 

Peggy shrugs, reading through the menu for what felt like the thousandth time to find something that sounded appealing at the moment - similar to checking the refrigerator over and over to see if you missed anything appetizing. “The names of some of these are so nondescript. What even is a “Rowdy Rod” sandwich supposed to be?” Peggy asks.

Angie snorts. “It’s supposedly a classic. I’m too scared to try it, though.” She flips the page of the menu, “Ooh, they have a rib-wich.” 

“You should get it. It’d be like a McRib, but actually good.” Peggy replies, taking a sip of her rum and coke.

Angie’s mouth goes agape. “You did not just call the McRib bad!” she exclaims, as if Peggy just insulted her entire family.

“I stand firmly by the idea that the McRib is overrated.” Peggy shrugs unapologetically.

“Peggy, we might have to stop being friends over this.” Angie says gravely, though the grin on her face betrays any credibility she might’ve had.

“We live together, Angie. We see each other every day.”

The two remain silent for another minute or two after that. Peggy was strongly considering getting a steak - or perhaps something else filling and heavy; she was starving. 

Angie’s voice pulls Peggy out of her musings. “Hey…! Speaking of working together, guess who just walked in?”

Peggy looks up from her menu, and who does she see but Steve. Fucking. Rogers. 

And oh god, now they were sharing eye contact. She prays he would pretend to not know her and hang back with his two other friends (who happened to be another fellow attorney, she believed his last name was Dugan, the other one was his associate, Bucky). Instead, he excuses himself as he starts walking toward Peggy and Angie’s table.

Let’s go to that steakhouse, Angie had said. It’ll be fun, she said.

“Hiya!” Angie says before Steve can say anything to Peggy. “You must be Steve Rogers, I’ve heard so much about you.” she says, shaking his hand with a forced enthusiasm. 

“Nice to meet you, Angie. I’ve heard a bit about you, too.” 

“Steve, tell me, when can I connect with your associate? I need his number for business purposes.” Little did Steve know, Angie only wanted his number for purely selfish reasons. 

Steve chuckles, stuffing both of his hands in his pockets. “Feel free to go ask him. He needs to get better at keeping contacts, anyway.” 

Angie quickly excuses herself, subtly winking at Peggy whilst Steve’s back is turned. 

Peggy fights the urge to roll her eyes. This was going to be a very, very, long night. She takes a long swig of her rum and coke.

“Mind if I sit?”

Peggy shrugs. “Considering Angie has run off on me, feel free.”  

There was something...refreshing, to see Steve not at work, in a casual setting. Admittedly, he looked more...natural, so to speak, in a business suit, but seeing him in jeans and a brown leather jacket was certainly not unwelcome, either. 

“You ever been here before?” “What?” 

“This restaurant. Have you ever eaten here?” he clarifies.

Peggy shakes her head. “No. I have no idea what to get,” she laughs lightly. “Angie said this place had really good reviews on Google, and frankly, I was tired of takeout.”

Steve nods. “Same here. It’s takeout all the time at my place. It gets real old real fast.” 

Peggy doesn’t have much else to say. She merely lets herself take in this entire situation, absentmindedly mouthing the lyrics to the music playing.

Signed with a home tattoo

"Happy birthday to you" was created for you

“You like Duran Duran?” Steve asks, right as she notices he’s tapping his foot. So, he likes one of Peggy’s favorite bands - how interesting.

“Don’t insult me, Rogers. Of course I like Duran Duran.”

Might take a little crime to come undone

Now we'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside

“Fair enough,” Steve replies. “Do you think your friend will be coming back?”

“With as long as she’s taking? She’ll probably be eating with them,” Peggy jokes. 

Steve laughs at that. “Well, I was just asking because, hey, opportunity arises. I think it’d be good for us to get to know each other outside of work.” 

Peggy leans forward, gazing at him intently. Her elbows are on the table now, but she doesn’t quite care. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you ask me beforehand?” she asks with a quirk of her eyebrow.

Words, playing me deja vu

Like a radio tune, I swear I've heard before

“Didn’t think you’d say yeah,” Steve replies, and there’s almost something akin to a challenge in there.

“Oh, really?” she asks.

Lost, in a snow filled sky

We'll make it alright to come undone

“Well, would you say no?” Steve asks.

Peggy purses her lips. He was entirely correct in this situation - she probably would have found an excuse to not be around him post- work hours. 

However, Peggy would rather die than letting Steve know he was correct. “I guess you’ll never know, will you?” She replies playfully, taking another sip of her drink. 

“Well, you know how I’ll figure it out?” He asks, leaning in closer.

“Pray tell.” Peggy responds. This ought to be good.

“Let’s go to lunch tomorrow. My treat.” He says.

Steve Rogers, One. Peggy Carter, Zero. Peggy had to admit that was fairly smooth. “I’d be an idiot to turn down a free lunch, Rogers. You should know I expect lobster, though,” Peggy half-jokes (she definitely wouldn’t be opposed to having lobster).

Steve laughs at that. “Fine, fine, Carter. I suppose I won’t get away with taking you to Sbarro or something. How does City Vineyard sound?” 

“I’m not opposed,” Peggy replies. “Meet you there at one?” 

Steve smiles. “See you there, Carter.” She was honestly surprised he didn’t say It’s a date. 

---

thanks to @notanotherpeggycarterblog for beta-ing!

[2-cute-4-school]

Fatum

Group : NCT

Pairing : Park Jisung x gn!Reader

Genre : fluff, a bit of angst in the beginning

Word count : 2K words | M.list

‘A fire that could burn down the entire world, but could never touch you.’

Before finally asking you out, you and Jisung had been friends for years. You always concluded that the time you’ve spent together was when you felt most alive, feeling your erratic heartbeat against your rib cage or the heat rising to your cheeks and forming a pink hue that spread across your face. Your bond with Jisung was so pure, like a modern fairy tale, a budding love story blossoming shyly under the soothing moonlight.

You told each other everything, every secret, every hidden truth you were too scared to reveal to the rest of the world. You trusted Jisung with your heart and in turn, he gifted you his on a silver plate. Despite the years spent attached at the hip, you still cherished every moment spent together, relishing in the other’s presence. So when you didn’t turn up at school one day, without a word to him or any of your other friends, he had every right to boil with worry.

“Look, I’m worried too, Jisung, but if you don’t stop bouncing your leg I’ll cut it off, don’t try me.”

Jisung forced himself to stop at Chenle’s hissed demand, but not even a minute later it resumed its action. Chenle sighed gravely beside him.

“We’ll go over after school, just stop already.”

“I just don’t get it. We always tell each other if something comes up.”

“I’m sure you’re thinking too much, it’s not good for your brain, you’re using it too much at a time.”

Chenle’s joke didn’t seem to light up his friend’s mood as he continued to stare blankly at the messy notes scribbled across the pages of his notebook. The doodles on the desks, made with your Sharpie seemed to glare back at Jisung, burning holes through the worn-out wood they decorated.

“Try to survive a few more hours without your sweetie pie, honeybunch, sugar plum.” Chenle’s tone was sickeningly sweet and Jisung couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Shut up, Chenle, not my fault your love life is drier than my grandma’s skin.”

Chenle gasped dramatically before slapping Jisung’s shoulder in fake hurt.

School hours seemed to drag on for longer than usual without your presence. Jisung dragged himself through class after class, his mind wandering the entire day to the visit he owed you as soon as school finished. Jisung swore the moment the bell rang, signifying the end of his last period, he bolted from his seat so fast the room spun for a few seconds. He barely had it in himself to wait for Chenle in front of the gate, shifting his weight anxiously from one foot to the other as he waited for his friend. He had to admit that patience wasn’t one of his virtues, but Chenle should have known that already when he decided to make him wait in such a situation. As soon as he was close enough, Jisung grabbed him, dragging him through the sea of tired teenagers, cursing at their teachers and homework.

“Slow down, slow down, Jisung.”

Of course his words fell on deaf ears as Jisung only seemed to speed up his pace and by the time they arrived in front of your house Chenle was already panting, leaning his hands on his knees, but Jisung didn’t spare him a single glance as he approached the door and rand the bell, hoping to see your face as soon as the door cracked open.

“So much for keeping fit.” Chenle grunted out before moving to stand by Jisung’s side.

They heard shuffling from inside and the doorknob turned downwards a moment later, allowing them to come face to face with your mother, whose tired features morphed into a soft smile at the sight of the boys. They both greeted her politely and before Jisung could ask about you, your mother beat him to it.

“Hello, kids, come in, I thought you might come around.”

She moved away from the entryway, allowing them to step inside the familiar house and take their shoes off before following your mother in your living room and sitting down on one of the sofas. Jisung pursed his lips, used to you skipping cheerfully as soon as you heard the door opening, knowing that it could only be them coming over. Instead, he was met with silence this time which unnerved him even further.

“Y/N hasn’t been feeling well.”

The boys’ heads snapped towards your mom, concern washing over their features. Their eyes ran over her stance, slouched over with dark bags under her eyes, they could tell she probably wasn’t sleeping well and stayed up to watch over you.

“I thought it would be better by now, but the fever isn’t going away. They’ve been in and out of it for a while. A doctor came over earlier and assured us that we can treat it from home, but if things don’t go well soon, we should go to the hospital.”

“Since when?”

Jisung’s voice wavered, worry settling deep down in his chest. You hadn’t told him anything about not feeling well so a twinge of hurt swiveled around, tickling his wavering heart.

“The fever appeared yesterday evening, but it was mild. It progressed overnight.”

Jisung fiddled with his fingers, torn by the desire to see you, to put out the fire in his soul, soothe the storm in his soul with just the sight of you. Chenle looked over at Jisung who was lost deep in between his jumbled thoughts and spoke up on account of both himself and his friend.

“Can we please go in?” He motioned towards your door, enlarging his eyes and jutting out his bottom lip at the sight of your mother considering his ask. The question seemed to also snap Jisung out of his frenzy.

“Please, we won’t take long.”

Your mother still hesitated, worried about the boys also getting sick, but once she met their pleading gazes she could only let out a sigh.

“Alright, I guess a quick visit won’t hurt.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

They both jumped up from their seats, turning towards the hallway leading to your room with rushed steps.

“And Jisung!”

Said boy stopped in his tracks at the mention of his name, craning his neck to look back at your mom who regarded his with a playful smile.

“No smooches today.”

His face heated up faster than he could turn back around as he stumbled over his words in an attempt to mumble out a reply. His ears were bright red, forming a contrast with Chenle’s hand that reached out to grip at them gently as the older boy let out a snort.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Y/L/N, not on my watch.”

Your mother let out a quiet chuckle as she retreated back into the kitchen, leaving the boys to their business. Jisung didn’t hesitate to twist the knob of your door and push it open, but he almost regretted it when his eyes landed on you. It wasn’t the first time he had seen you sick, of course not, but never to this extent. His heart fell and it felt as if he stepped on it with every stride he took forward. As he neared your bed, he felt all of his happiness drained from him. You looked so frail, paler than your usual healthy skin tone. You seemed to be sleeping, but it was anything but peaceful, a frown furrowing your eyebrows together, your fingers twitching from time to time.

Jisung shakily sat down on the edge of your bed, afraid that if he jostled you too much you would break into pieces right under his fingertips. He brushed his hand against yours, curling protectively around your freezing own, despite the sweat shining on your forehead. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Jisung was scared out of his mind seeing you like that.

The light of the sun shimming its way through the clouds seemed to fade even further away and the colors splayed around your room didn’t seem nearly as bright in Jisung’s eyes. The world looked duller from his point of view, paling at the same time as you, leaving him behind with a stuttering heart.

He barely acknowledged Chenle striding up to you too, his eyes fixed on your frame, too scared that if he dared to move away his eyes, you would vanish right before him like sand in the wind. Chenle threaded his fingers slowly through your hair, pushing away the loose strands covering your face and regarded you with soft eyes. Your frown seemed to diminish as you recognized the presence of your boys even while buried deep in your fever dream.

“Their lips are dried, where’s the water bottle?”

Chenle shuffled around for a bit, one of his hands never leaving your head as he stroked your hair gently in an unconscious attempt to lessen your pain. He bent down to pick the bottle once he located it but sighed at the sight of it almost empty.

“I’ll go fill it up, stay here.”

Jisung merely nodded at his words, his full attention never leaving you. His thumb caressed the skin of your knuckles, trying to somehow show you he was there, right beside you, loving you unconditionally and waiting for you just like a puppy waits for its owner with nothing but loyalty and unadulterated fondness. 

He sighed and attempted to sit up and bring your chair in order to rather sit down on it than supposedly squeeze in beside you on the side of your bed, but he froze as he felt your shaky but firm grip on his index finger. He stared in awe at the way your fist curled around his large finger, his hand dwarfing yours, reminding him of the way a baby holds onto their parent when unsettled.

His once faltering heart burst with overwhelming affection for you at your small action. The way you held onto him as if he was your lifeline, as if his presence could cure everything and shoo your pain away. Jisung let a grin spread across his face for the first time since he had arrived at school that day, lowering his forehead bashfully to rest atop your intertwined hands. as he cradled them with his other one, engulfing them.

“Oh my God.”

He couldn’t even put into words how much you affected him, the way you could play him on your little finger and he would be too caught up with loving you to ever complain. Warmth spread into his whole body, sparkles running across his skin delightfully and lighting up another fire in his heart. A fire that could burn down the entire world, but could never touch you, just the way he would stand through anything as long as he had you. He let out a breathy chuckle, in disbelief at himself for only realizing now just how whipped he was for you.

“Oh my God, Y/N, you can’t do this to me now when you’re sick.”

He littered kisses anywhere in his reach, soft like a butterfly brushed against your exposed skin. Jisung nuzzled his nose in your crooked palm, seeking out the familiar feeling of your skin pressed against his. He needed you the way he needed oxygen, the way a swallow needs its wings to feel the wind threading through its feathers and leading it to freedom. He needed you unconditionally, not even a breath in between the two of you.

“Get better soon, baby. Come back to me so I can love you properly.”

Jisung pressed a long kiss to the back of your hand, still gripping his finger firmly, grounding yourself. His lips lingered over the cold skin that slowly warmed up due to his touch, brushing it as he spoke to you in hushed tones, promising you the moon and the stars as nothing mattered to him other than having you back in his arms, healthy and smiling. 

And in that moment, with your fates knotted together, Jisung swore he would hold onto you until his last breath.

[thecasperanfamily]

Ficlet with Archie getting into a fight with the neighbour's dog to protect Bebe Lin?

The gratingly cheerful ringing of the doorbell slammed into Douxie’s ears and bounced around in his skull like a hyperactive gnome. He snorted as his head jerked up off of his pillow, crusty eyes blinking owlishly against the morning light. He pawed at his nightstand for his phone. 9:14 am. He groaned as he dropped the device back onto the nightstand.

“No civilized human being should be going around banging down doors at this ungodly hour...” he grumbled, pulling himself out of bed and heading for the front door with all the grace and energy of a zombie emerging from its tomb. He quickly changed his mind on the matter when he discovered that the person banging down his door was Claire Nuñez, and that she was holding a casserole dish.

“Hi, Teach!” she beamed. “Sorry, it’s a little early. Jim and I were going to have brunch in the park, and since your place is kind of on my way, I thought I’d drop off these enchiladas. Mama and I made them for you. Figured you probably don’t have much time to cook with a baby around.” It was at this point that she finally noticed his disheveled appearance. “...Did I wake you up?”

“No, no, I’ve been up for hours!” Douxie lied. “Come on in.” He stepped aside to let her in, and took the dish from her. The brightly-patterned kitchen towel wrapped around it did very little to conceal the heavenly smell of its contents. “...You’re an angel, Ms. Nuñez,” he sighed. “And your mum, too. I’ve just recently discovered a man can only subsist on frozen lasagna alone for so long before he starts losing his sense of taste.”

“Honestly, I’m surprised it took you this long,” Claire replied, settling down on the sofa while Douxie took the enchiladas to the kitchen.

“Can I get you anything?” he called. “I was just going to brew myself a cuppa.”

“Tea would be great, thank you. I won’t stay too long. I just wanted to check on you.”

“Probably wise,” Douxie admitted. There were a few minutes of comfortable silence as the wizard bustled about, bringing the water to a boil and setting up the tea tray. He brought it out to the living room and, after shoving a plush toy off of the coffee table with his foot, set the tray down with a flourish. He then immediately collapsed into the nearest armchair, thoroughly exhausted.

“It’s been a week now,” Claire began, politely ignoring the way Douxie was gulping his tea like his life depended on it. “How’s everything going with Samuel?”

“So far so good,” he answered, emerging from his cup with a sigh of relief. “We’ve taken to calling him Little Merlin--Zoe made us shorten it to Lin. He was uneasy the first few days, but he seems happy now.”

“What about his powers?”

“Highly unusual, to be sure,” Douxie mused, staring into his teacup thoughtfully. “But nothing dangerous so far. I can understand why his fosters were scared, though. It’s unsettling even for me. I’ve never heard of magic surfacing at such a young age, and when he’s upset, it’s like the whole room goes cold all of a sudden.”

“Where is he now?”

Douxie choked on his tea and bolted out of his chair. “Oh gods I don’t even know--!”

“He is with Archie in my garden,” a soft voice interrupted. Nari had evidently crept inside while they were conversing, and was now helping herself to one of the biscuits on the tray. She gave Claire a polite nod while Douxie fell back into his chair with a groan. “He awoke quite early this morning. Archie and I thought it would be best if we looked after him, since you were up so late last night.”

“Archie knows how to babysit?” Claire put in.

“Surprisingly, yes,” Douxie answered. “I mean, he did practically raise me, but I wasn’t expecting him to take to a baby this much. I can hardly tear him away from Lin’s side.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet, though!” Claire gushed. “I mean, I never would have guessed--” She stopped short, distracted by a movement outside the front window. Douxie looked up from the biscuit he was dunking and followed her line of sight. A cloud of golden-brown fluff was shuffling around the front yard, nose to the ground and tail swishing happily from side to side.

“Oh, that’s Cooper, the neighbor’s dog. He keeps getting out of his yard, but nobody really minds because he’s the sweetest thing on four legs. No offense to Archie.”

“He has a gentle soul,” Nari agreed, brushing biscuit crumbs off of her shirt. “I have spoken to him a few times. He reminds me quite a bit of Douxie. They have similar values.” She smiled coyly at the sound of Douxie’s indignant sputter.

“Yeah, I can see the resemblance,” Claire snickered. Cooper went out of sight around the side of the house, and the conversation resumed. “Do you have any potential guardians for Lin in mind, or are you still looking?”

“I have one or two old wizarding friends I can try,” Douxie said. “But getting their current contact information is a bit of a hassle. And anyways, right now I think the most important thing is figuring out exactly what Lin is and why his magic is manifesting like this. I was thinking about calling Blinky, ask him if he’s read anything about--” The discussion was once again stopped short, this time by ruckus coming from the back yard--a cacophony of plaintive yelps and draconic snarls. Douxie, Nari, and Claire all bolted out of their seats and raced for the back door. Douxie wrenched it open and dove outside, magic already gathering in his palms, only to find Lin sitting perfectly safe in a patch of clover, looking very confused but otherwise unharmed.

Archie, on the other hand, was about as far from calm as Douxie had ever seen him. His back was arched, spines standing up straight and sharp, the fur on his tail puffed out like a bottlebrush. He was glaring daggers at Cooper, who was curled against the back of the house, quivering and whimpering and rubbing at his snout with one of his paws.

“Archie, what the hell?!” Douxie burst out, trying to scoop his Familiar up before he caused any more damage.

“Unhand me at once!” the cat-dragon yowled. “If it wasn’t for me, your human kitten would have been swallowed by this brute!”

“He's a golden retriever, Arch! The only things he wants to swallow are dog treats and tennis balls!” Douxie shouted, struggling to hold the writhing mass of black fur and scales in his arms. Lin, obviously upset by the commotion, started to cry. Claire inhaled sharply. Douxie hadn't been exaggerating. She could feel the weight of Lin’s unease pressing down on her. Nari slipped around Douxie and approached Cooper, taking his face between her hands and whispering words of healing and reassurance. Archie finally stopped flailing and settled for simply glaring at the dog while hanging upside-down in Douxie’s grasp. Lin, becoming more upset the longer he was ignored, wailed all the louder.

“Claire, could you--?” Douxie grunted, unwilling to risk setting Archie down.

“Yeah, I got him.” The young witch scooped Lin up in her arms and bounced him gently. He settled down almost at once, staring up at Claire with large, curious eyes. “Hi there, Lin,” she cooed. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“As far as first meetings go, I feel like that could’ve been a bit smoother,” Douxie grumbled. Archie kicked him in the chin with his back paw.

“Cooper did not suffer any grave injuries, but he does wish to go home now,” Nari reported.

“Good. And don’t come back,” Archie snarled.

“Your instincts are admirable, Archie, but they are misplaced,” Nari replied as she coaxed Cooper away from the wall and ushered him on his way. He eyed Archie for a moment, then bolted away, tail tucked between his legs.

“Better to be safe than sorry,” the Familiar spat. “You can’t trust dogs.”

“Arch, we haven’t been chased by any dogs since the 1910s,” Douxie groaned. “You need to lighten up.”

“...Fine. Now put me down.” Douxie dropped him unceremoniously, and he landed on the grass with a draconic snort. He shifted back into his feline form and curled around Claire’s legs, beaming up at the baby in her arms proudly. A very long and awkward silence followed.

“Uh...” Claire glanced nervously between Archie, Lin, and Douxie, before finally landing on Nari, who gave her an encouraging nod. “...A-anybody want some enchiladas?”

Thanks so much for reading! ✨

[rosyk]

Devil’s Waltz

pairing: hwang hyunjin x reader

genre: romance, enemies to lovers, royalty setting

warnings: very uncomfortable moments, mentions of dagger and idea of r*pe or untolerable behaviors

word count: 2.4k

a/n: This was meant to be posted on valentines day but it took longer than I thought because this royal set up was new to me. Have fun reading! (I’d also like to thank you for the 42 likes I’ve gotten on my previous story, ily<3)

“Now’s the time,” I thought as I looked at the sparkly red wine placed on my right hand. I raised an eyebrow and half-smiled at the red ruby jewel on my finger, given by marquis Augustus as a sign of my royalty.

I was wearing a sheer lace flutter sleeve evening gown in shades and tints of plain red. The design only appears at the bottom of its sleeve as the rest goes plain. Unnoticeably, the dark portion of red is found at the bottom line of the dress. The high heels were plain black and I wore little earrings so it wouldn’t stand out as much. This might not be the best dress I could find but I do know it matches me like heaven. My curly messy bun with wavy strands of dark chestnut hair on each side complements the overall outfit.

As soon as I stepped into the grand palace, it was indeed remarkably exquisite. As expected of the Prince who holds precedence above all mankind and even other dukes. How marvelous for an irksome sophomaniac.

I started walking away from people but made sure I was meters near my target. My current target was an overly authoritative noble. This was the very first time I loathed a target. He acted so manly and fine during the day but he was nowhere near there. A hypocrite, to hit girls and threaten them until they agree. A man of immoral character.

I’ve heard rumors of his contradictory personality, but not a single thought had crossed my mind for him to be like that. After all, he was this charming tall guy who’d make you blush as soon as your eyes managed to fall on his. His gentle but respectful touches would make you feel so safe, wrapped in his arms. Sincere words that pique your interest and eyes, as described by innocent maidens, were unique and shimmers even in your darkest hours. It does match his name duke Pisén which is derived from Pissenlit, a french term for dandelions. He was known for having eyes, that show dandelions dancing in the night sky.

However, his worshippers were too incautious to leave with a man-too-good despite no one being around. In fact, dandelions never open at night.

I wore a sweet smile as I walked his way. The other nobles he’s been talking to had noticed me as they signaled him. He turned around, eyes slightly widened, and looked at me in awe.

“The Marchioness of Auclair, here you are!” he chuckled lowly and smiled as he opened his arms as a sign of welcome. He was indeed a duke but treated me so highly as if he won a jackpot. What a dullard.

“Your grace” I showed a smile exact to his liking, innocent and delicate. Now, do I look exactly just like your victims, Pisén? Don’t get too ahead of yourself.

“Great timing, I was just talking to the dukes about you” I felt his lewd eyes staring at me from top to bottom and I swore I saw him pressing his lips. I was taken aback by how he went steps closer to me and held my upper arm, caressing it gently. I wasn’t able to move for a second. Usually, he would give girls the space to show his sincerity but his patience ran out this time. I coughed to clear out my thoughts and continued the plan.

“You look lovely and nice” He spoke out as if it was the best pick-up line he gave. I pressed my lips together to hold out my laughter. Seriously? Was that all he got?

“You too, your grace” I complimented for the sake of respect and that’s just it.

We talked after a few minutes until he let his guard down and drank the wine I held. It was poison, as usual. It wasn’t thrilling but he wasn’t even worth holding my blade. He walked out as he was starting to get dizzy. Oh, how boring. I thought of leaving but a man called out to me with a voice unexpectedly attractive. I turned around and saw a heavenly duke in front of me. Now, he was the real deal.

“What a dainty figure for a dauntless marchioness” the sophomaniac spoke

Arriving at the palace of the duc (duke) is something I have to look out for. He was my target a year ago but I wasn’t able to draw out my blade in his room for he was called out. I still believe he has some suspicions after I had disappeared that night. Though, I had no grudges against him.

My job is simply to kill every noble who has a position greater than mines. My goal? It is to be the duchess of all and the only obstacle I would face would obviously be this guy in front of me. After all, he got the highest position. My mother would say the easiest thing to kill a man is to marry him, either break his heart or legally assassinate him. Honestly, I’ve thought of it as well. But why marry someone I hate? He was born with a silver spoon and had no problems as deeply comparable as mine. He is an egoistic, conceited, and enchanting god, Samuel Hwang.

As I bowed for respect, the music played. It was time for the dance and this was what I was trying to avoid. I looked around people who picked up their partners but most were staring at the figure in front of me.

Although I understand why. No words could describe the ethereal beauty of this blonde duke in a suit.

“A lot of your admirers are staring, so could you please get out of my way and ask-“I cut my sentence off as I was trying to process his doing. He showed his hand in front of me and looked at me in the eye. Oh dear, please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.

“Don’t you think the music played at such a good timing?” He raised an eyebrow and wore a smile. Yes, it was the perfect timing, I rolled my eyes mentally.

“Oh, you do know I’d hate to take this dance” He tilted his chin sideways, silently signaling me a lot of people are watching. I sighed and wore a sarcastic smile. “I feel honored you always love to embarrass me in front of people” I added and took his hand as he led me in the middle.

I know how to dance. In fact, that was a necessity before having a royal title. I also have manners, but he doesn’t deserve to be shown some.

I hate how he was genuinely enjoying it as he loved seeing me look so angry. Ah, how annoying. If it weren’t for the audience, I’d gladly draw my dagger out of my dress and murder this man. We were doing a few waltz steps and turns until I stepped on his shoes.

“You did that with pure will, didn’t you?” His eyes slightly widened and narrowed soon after as he slightly tightened the grip on my back, causing both of us to get a step closer.

“If you gave me enough space and didn’t go beyond the boundaries, I wouldn’t have done that, your grace” I mimicked his smile minutes ago and he was clearly ticked off.

“As they all say, keep your friends close, but enemies closer” The crowd starts to fall out and away from us two dancing, after seeing how close we were. Great, was he trying to make me have more girls holding grudges and death wills on me?

“You’re hurting me” I simply stated to let him know I was desperately wishing to blow this palace up and never see him again.

He acted as if he was thinking and sarcastically remarked “Did I complain when you were trying to kill me in my room for the past year?” He smiled as he knew he made a point. How I wish I could wipe it out and never see it in my life once again. If that happened, that could’ve been the best blessing.

“So you knew?” I questioned as he turned me gracefully around the center while the people watching were in awe. They loved the view, unfortunately not knowing the words spoken with nothing but contrasting emotions.

“How couldn’t I, darling?” the duke replied with a smug look. ”you were as transparent as an open book. Even right now, I could say you’re enjoying this dance with me.” He looked at me, acting so all-knowing as if he had known me for years.

“How flattering for a duke to assume that fast. Just because a girl smiles at you doesn’t mean she’s not planning to visit your grave”

“My, my, how unfortunate for a magnificent lady to have quite an indecent mouth” He lowered his head and chuckled in slightly deep and seductive voice girls would swoon over.

“So you do think I’m magnificent?” I backfired and went closer to him, wearing a smug look.

“Oh, I’ve always told you how much I find you beautiful, darling” He went closer until our faces were inches apart. I froze for a few seconds and stared at his eyes, a pity for him to be such a beauty. I found a smirk in his face and that like-what-you-see look which made me go back to earth seconds later.

“Your cocky smirk makes me want to pass away and never see you again, your grace” I smiled sarcastically for only god knows how many times in this day, as I sighed, trying to calm myself down.

“Be my guest then” I rolled my eyes and purposely stepped on his foot once again. “I’m sorry, I’m not used to dancing with someone who’s self-centered and conceited” I emphasized the last 3 words and told him in a low volume, whispering.

“How offensive,” he was simply entertained seeing me so irritated.

“Pardon me once again, I wasn’t aware you were offended by facts. Who wouldn’t want to jump off a cliff after seeing you?”

“But what’s the hold up for, darling? Why wouldn’t you jump off? Do you want me to be the one who will have to push you? I would be pleased to do so”

“If only you knew your grace Hwang, before you could even manage to push me off a high building, I would be the first who’ll come at you”

“Oh really? Because as what I knew, you weren’t able to kill a target last year”

“Someone called you out so you were really lucky” I gripped his hand to calm myself down and to know how much he had pissed me off. In return, he just shot an amusing smile as he looked at both of our hands.

“Just admit that you enjoy dancing with me. In fact, you love the view you’re seeing right now.” I rolled my eyes with a smile after his statement.

“Who would love dancing with the devil? I don’t but I do love having your throat slit and body 6 feet below the ground”

“Brutally fierce, I like that” he winked at me as I stared at him in confusion. Is he mentally unstable? What the hell do I do if I was actually dancing with a lunatic duke?

“But we both know you couldn’t seriously do that” he replied as he held my hand and twirled me around “because why so didn’t you kill me beforehand when we spent several hours in the room? My servant arrived very late in fact. You could’ve had lots of time with no worries. ”he held my back, causing our bodies to press together after the turn. The audience’s eyes had widened and most of them clapped.

My sarcastic smile faded and shifted into a frown. He was surprised by how serious I was with just a statement that he assumed I would take as a joke. I was about to leave the ball but he held my wrist with a startled look. It just took seconds but staring into his eyes made it feel like forever. I stared at him with pure anger and hatred. Something in what he said triggered me.

The facts he spoke infuriated me. Why didn’t I kill him right after the moment? Was it pity? Guilt? I was raised to kill people higher than me so why should I feel guilty? Or was I indeed pity of him when he trusted me? Trust doesn’t belong between enemies.

He got the hint and smiled like he knew everything. “With the way you’re behaving, I would assume you’re madly in love with me” He held his grip on my hand tighter but in a way that it doesn’t hurt.

I tried to clear out my expressions and anything I’m thinking about because he knew me so well even after just little late-night talks. “With the way you’re talking I could assume it was you, with me. But I do know that you’re not, aren’t you, your grace?” I raised my eyebrow and smiled. Though the way I spoke came out as if I was trying to defend myself from the way he’s making me feel and reassured myself nothing’s going to happen.

I recognized the music playing and it was near the last part of Old Russian waltz Sorrow, the last song. It means I had unknowingly been dancing with him for already more than 30 minutes. To think I wasn’t fond of dancing around people, why did I lose track of time?

He led and twirled me around as he smiled “who says I’m not, darling?” I stopped breathing for a second and instinctively held the dagger attached to my leg near the slit. Except, the dagger wasn’t there anymore.

He took me before I could even comprehend the situation. Have I lost it while I was busy talking to Pisén? Or was I waltzing? But I remembered I brought it. Panic arose me and my mind stopped working. Or what if-

We danced a few steps of the fast waltz and he turned me around. He lifted my leg slightly aligned below his hip, making me hold onto his neck and lay on his large hands supporting my back as soon as the last music stopped. He showed me the dagger, making sure others didn’t see him.

“Looking for this?” I was left shocked and as I was about to explain myself, he grinned like a cute kid to make people unsuspicious of all that’s happening. As soon as he leaned and whispered in my ear, his aura changed and I felt the goosebumps. I could feel how cold yet playful he was. He smirked mischievously as he spoke with a deep voice,

“I’m not letting you off this time, milady”

[etlunainmorte]

☕ New Face ☕

***

I

***

"There's no turning back!" You uttered to yourself as you opened the door to your new apartment, ready to face the new and exciting life ahead of you,...

... only to see the numerous boxes scattered all over the floor where the people from the moving company placed them, waiting to be sorted and put away.

Wiping away the non existent sweat off your face with your outstretched right hand, you entered your apartment, closed the door, and started sorting the contents of your boxes, aiming to finish with the unpacking before six in the evening.

And a few hours later, at approximately half past six in the evening, you found yourself in a pizzeria just three blocks away from your apartment, grumbling and waiting for your dinner to arrive. You've almost forgotten about the new volumes of your favorite manga and art books you bought online the other day, which you stuffed in one of the boxes. And when you opened the box and took out one volume, you couldn't stop yourself from reading, until you've entirely forgotten you have more important things to do.

You flinched at the horrible thought. Your work starts tomorrow, and you have only unpacked one box. One box! Which contained the brand new manga and art books you bought. And which were scattered all over the floor as of the moment, making your apartment a complete chaos.

"Oh, God,... " You muttered helplessly as you buried your face with your hands. 

Leaning your elbows on the table, you dropped your hands and looked up at the little television perched near the ceiling and watched the news, instead. Apparently, there's an upcoming annual city - wide event, a very popular one, and the people of Red Grave were already preparing for it, buying costumes, building props, decorating their homes, and purchasing all kinds of sweets and treats they could hoard from the local market.

"Halloween, huh?" You whispered as you watched the news. "Must be a real blast,... "

"One order of medium pepperoni for, uhh,... (Y/N)." A lanky waiter, who just arrived straight from the kitchen, drawled lazily as he carefully placed your order on the table. "And one order of, uhh,... strawberry shake, large." He added as he placed the treat in front of you without even blinking.

"Uhh, thanks, I guess?" You answered as politely as you could as you watched the retreating form of the stressed and very tired - looking waiter, who didn't even wait for your reply, or ask you if you needed something else. "So cheerful,... "

You spent the next hour munching on your dinner, watching game tutorials on your phone and forgetting the mess of your apartment for a while, and as you sipped the remains of your strawberry shake, you called the same gloomy waiter and asked for your bill. Without so much as a single blink ( how the heck is he doing that?! ), the waiter padded towards your table, stopped about three feet away from you, and started rummaging his pockets for his book. 

With a suspicious and worried look on your face, you received the book from the waiter a few moments later and reached for your wallet in your hand bag for the payment,...

... only to find out that your wallet was nowhere to be found.

"What,... " You muttered nervously under your breath as you rummaged through your hand bag, taking out your hand sanitizer, your business journal, three volumes of the manga you were reading on your way to Red Grave city, a poetry reading event brochure you received from a gentle old lady on your way to the pizzeria, a bottle of perfume you ordered from EBag, a black sign pen, and a lipstick but, still no wallet. " ... the hell?!"

"Uhh,... are you, like,... gonna pay for what you ate?" The waiter drawled monotonously as he watched you frantically upend your bag. And the guy was actually super close to running back to the kitchen, probably to alert his manager of an eat and run!

"WAIT! Don't you dare tell your manager!" You blurted out in panic as you pointed at the waiter, whose eyes bulged the moment you raised your voice.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

All of a sudden, you heard a cheerful male voice just behind you. You turned around and saw an unbelievably tall and handsome man with silver, shoulder - length wavy hair standing behind you, his muscular - looking arms ( or, at least that's what they looked like beneath the sleeves of his worn, leather maroon coat ) crossed, and his light - colored eyes dancing with mirth.

"Well?" The man asked as he showed a flashy smile.

"This woman doesn't have money and I'm gonna tell my manager." The waiter answered as his foot inched closer and closer towards the kitchen, ready to run off.

"Wait, I said don't tell your manager!" You argued helplessly. "I can pay! I - i think I forgot my wallet at home,... "

"Oh! Is that the issue?" The man answered with much confidence. "Well, why didn't you say so?" He took out his own wallet from his pockets and started getting bills from it.

The man was actually going to pay for your meal!

"Oh, you don't have to. I just - "

"Nah, I don't mind." The man cut you off mid - sentence as he handed the payment. He waited for the waiter to vanish, and with a wink, he said, "Don't see new faces around here that often."

"I just moved here." You answered.

"Is that so?" The man nodded in understanding. "Care to share more, if you don't mind?"

It's probably the least you could do for him for saving your butt. You decided to trust him with bits of information about you, why you ditched your old job and moved to Red Grave in the first place. There really was something in the man that made you feel comfortable. At ease. And because of that, you actually allowed the man to walk you back home. Which was really something, considering your quite aloof personality ( you have a few close friends but, that's it ).

However, by the time you reached the building of your apartment, the man's eyes widened as he stepped back a bit. It seemed as if he was both surprised and startled of what he just saw, and it both irked and confused you.

"Come on! I still have to pay you." You told him as you watched him with suspicion.

"Nah, don’t worry about it. You can pay me whenever you like." The man answered. And with another flashy smile, he saluted and turned away from you. "¡Adios! See ya tomorrow."

"Wait! We'll see each other tomorrow?"

"Yeah!" The man said, his back already turned away from you, ready to leave. "You said you're now an official employee of Devil May Care, right?" The man gave you one last look, and with another wink, he added. "I work there, too!"

"Aha,... " You said as you watched the retreating form of the man who graciously helped you earlier. "Now, I see - "

" ... just like your mysterious neighbor."

Wait, what was that again? You thought, wondering whether what you heard from the man was correct.

You pressed your lips in deep thought, shook your head, and entered the building, the image of your messy apartment going back to haunt your tired mind.

Well, there's no use overthinking about what he just said. You have other things to take care of before your big day tomorrow. And you have to really start cleaning now.

***

☕ Once again tagging @dreaming-gamer . ☕

***

☕☕☕

***

[inforapound]

Ease The Dawn Pt.2 Ch.15

A/N - Sorry to those whose tag didn't work last chapter. Previous Chapter 14 here incase. This was a tricky chapter to write. Thanks for reading. 

Pairing - Ivar and Aethelswith   Words - 2,100     

Warnings - Angst, human sacrifice, death, sorrow, mentions of rape.

"That girl," Brana clucked her tongue, "I am afraid that I am siding with Ivar on this."

Murmuring, Aethelswith's face flinched, her eyelids fluttering open, attempting but unable to focus. Reaching forward, Brana touched her thin arm, letting her know she was near.

"You must always take care of him," Aethelswith whispered, her voice raspy from lack of use.

"Ivar?"

She did not reply.

"I have seen nothing but improvement in you over the last few days. You, my friend, can care for him yourself."

The slightest shift of Aethelswith's features, a sliver of brightness told Brana that she was amused.

Leaning closer, Brana studied her gaunt face, her skin still a pale shade of yellow, "I will admit, only to you, that I questioned what you saw in him. I feared for you even." Straightening her back, she gazed down, her thumb rubbing circles on Aethelswith's tiny wrists. "What was it, in the end, that made you run through a field of swinging swords for him?"

Sighing, Aethelswith shifted her head, letting her eyelids close. "Different things..," she breathed. "I suppose I had felt too much of his heart to be able to return to my life." Flicking open her eyes, she stared up as if looking at the ceiling. "He had become a part of me."

"There is not a person in all of Kattegat who does not know the bond you two share."

"Hmm," she hummed quietly.

"Were you afraid to leave your family?"

"Yes," she replied clearly. "But not as afraid of never seeing him again." Laying still for a moment, she tried with difficulty to clear her throat. "Will you marry Loni?"

"At some point, yes," Brana smiled.

"You love each other very much too."

"We do," Brana nodded. "He is a good man. He eats anything I cook, brings wood in without asking, holds me at night. Easy on the eyes," she lifted her dark brows, laughing lightly. "It's a quiet love, not what you are used to. No impassioned fights followed by wild love-making and bleeding-heart ultimatums but..."

"So, it is a healthy union," Aethelswith whispered, her dry lips pulling back into a smile.

"Aethelswith, is that wit I detect? You are feeling better. It is so good to talk with you. Ivar rarely gives me the chance."

"Where is Ivar?" she looked in the direction of Brana's voice.

"In the hall, alone. Hopefully eating. He has barely left your side. He wants so badly to protect you."

"Hmm," she hummed again, "Before me, his mother was the only person he felt ever cared for him and he left her after she begged him not to. He returned to find that she had been shot in the back and he felt it was because he had not been there. He may not think of it when he is being demanding and unreasonable, but it has shaped his entire way of being. It is fear and under it all, he just loves me," her eyes closed again and she sighed, visibly tiring. "He may not move in a straight line but he always comes back to center...my Ivar," her voice drifted off.

"Aethelswith? Aethelswith?" Frowning, Brana swallowed back the tears pricking the corners of her eyes. Staring down, she watched Aethelswith slip back into sleep, unable to shake the memory of her mother's words, describing the burst of clarity that often came to those in their final days. Picking up Aethelswith's slight hand, Brana kissed the back, "Please sweet one, wake up."

Eyelashes fluttering again, Aethelswith fought her way up from rest, her eyes straining to open.

"That's it. Let us try and get something into your tummy before all this conversation knocks you out."

----

Sitting on the floor, Ivar's unbound legs stretched out in front, his back and head rested against the side of the bed and in his hand, he held a stack of envelopes bundled with twine. Not bothering to dress, he sat in his sleeping clothes, the early morning air biting at his skin through the light linen. He needed to feel the chill, the cool air on his flesh, temper the burn he felt scorching his mind.

Daybreak was approaching and all was quiet; no steps could be heard in the corridor or commotion from the kitchen. No loud voices or wagons passing outside in the streets. Closing his eyes, he listened to her shallow, steady breathing as she lay behind him, tucked in under the covers. The hours had passed, and he had watched the darkness evaporate, slits of light beginning to illuminate the cracks in the closed shutters. Tomorrow would be the same and the day after that, the sun would rise, with one less pair of eyes as its witness.

So many lives he had taken and pain inflicted, so many families left behind broken. All in the name of victory and glory, and here he sat on the hard floor, on the last day of his life, resigned to his fate. Too small and too powerless to force death into retreat.

Shuddering, his stomach tightened, making him feel sick. Unable to find the words, he would stay there, on the cold ground, until he knew how to say goodbye to his beautiful Aethelswith. The agony of such a charge, at least, quelling any fear of his own end.

"Ivar?" her weak voice, rasped.

"I am here." Scrambling up, he pulled himself onto the bed, crawling to her side. "Right here, my sweet."

Shifting, he nestled in close, kissing her high on the temple. Sliding his hand under the cover, his fingers swept over her every pronounced rib. She did not turn to look at him, just stared up, blinking toward a ceiling still veiled in darkness from the illness.

Sighing at the feel of his embrace, she pressed her face against him, his nose rubbing along her cheek and breath loud in her ear. Inhaling as deeply as her lungs would allow, she breathed in again, silently praying that when God took her, he would allow her to keep the memory of his scent.

"Ivar?"

"Yes."

"There are things we need to say....while I am able."

Tensing, he lifted his head from the pillow, looking down at the sharp features of her face.

"Why do you say that?" he whispered.

"I feel like we must... prepare."

"You are talking about farewells."

"Yes..." she waited as if expecting him to object. "I have a journey to make."

Resting his head back to the pillow, he closed his eyes, attempting to hold back his tears. Even in death, he thought, his beloved, his princess and queen would be the one holding strong, helping him find his way. Reaching down, he took her small hand in his, the feel of it like parchment draped over bones.

"I have an admission to make," he said quietly. "I kept letters from you...from your brother, this entire time and I need you to know."

Tilting her face toward him, she said nothing, just listened.

"I had them translated every time one arrived. Five in total. I scrutinized every word, every detail, searching for any phrase that might convince you to return. I never did send a reply."

"What did Alfred say?"

"He expressed his grave concern for your safety and the soundness of your mind and decision. Suggested that I preyed on your vulnerability as my captive and your good nature, perhaps even placed you under some pagan spell."

"Sounds like Alfred," she whispered, her expression not changing.

"He questioned himself and if he had treated you as you deserved or ever properly acknowledged you as the remarkable person that you are. Spoke about mistakes he felt he had made, not putting his foot down with your mother. And...he was distressed by his decision to not send an army to bring you home. Worried it would haunt him until the end of his life. In every letter, he signed off by writing that he loved you, or missed you and that you always had a place at his side."

"I see," she said softly, laying still. "Thank you for telling me."

"I am sorry for keeping them from you; it was selfish and dishonest. I was so afraid you would leave."

"I know..." she exhaled, "I forgive you."

"You do?"

"Yes... After I am gone, please write to him...to Alfred. Tell him all the things you loved about me and what I meant to you. And please... tell him that in my final moments that I regretted nothing and I was always glad I followed you here. Please tell him that. It will ease his mind."

Knowing he could make no such promise, he said nothing, kissing the side of her cheek, hoping soon she would be well enough to make the voyage back to him.

Her eyes fell closed and her brows pinched together. "My love, your heart is racing. Here," she pressed closer to him, "hold me tighter, I will not break."

Hugging her carefully to him, he could feel the point of her hip bone, her stomach so flat, he imagined it rested on her spine. The condition of her body only pushed him, helped his resolve stay steady.

"You must find solace in your people," she continued quietly. "Do not lock yourself in this hall or sail away looking for blood. Share your pain with them, Ivar. They want to love you; I can feel it. You have been told all your life that your strength comes from your legs and your brutality, but that is wrong. Those people did not know you. Your strength comes from your heart. From your immense ability to feel. If you share that with your people, they will love you as I do. This, I promise."

The tears streaked down the sides of his eyes and he gasped trying not to sob. "You have taught me so much Aethelswith," he struggled, forcing out the words. "You, even more than my family taught me what it is to be Viking; to have courage, to be strong and that I was worthy of love. You are the greatest thing to have ever happened to me."

"Listen to me," she squeezed his hand. "Not once in my life did I think I could escape death and you need to know that I am not afraid. I will be brave, Ivar and only because you taught me how. And you, my love, are the greatest thing to have ever happened to me, and I pray that heaven feels as glorious as being with you."

"But I am afraid," he choked, his tears running and settling in the crease where their faces met, "afraid of being without you. You are the very heart that beats in my chest now and I am so grateful you kept us together. You gave me this life. You were all that ever mattered."

"Death will not part us. You told me that. We are forever altered because of each other. Stronger, wiser, softer and you now understand the vastness of your devotion. You will be left with all of that, and it will change everything."

"I cannot breathe without you."

"I know," she squeezed her eyes closed. "But I am tired and I need to go. You will keep me in your heart and that is where I will stay, inside of you. Breathing the air in your lungs, running in your thoughts. I will be there. You will see..."

"I am so sorry that you lived with my spite. It was all so meaningless. My selfishness and.... all the arguments. If I could go back..."

"Ivar, I always felt, always, that you simply wanted me close and that I was important. There is meaning in that."

"Gods," he looked up to the ceiling, shaking his head, "I cannot do this," he cried, his chest beginning to shake.

"You must Ivar and you will. You are the greatest man I have ever known and I would choose you all over again."

Pushing air out of his mouth, he fought to steady his voice, "I love you, Aethelswith, I love you."

"And I love you, Ivar. Forever."

Dawn broke as they lay still wrapped in each other's arms, casting reflections of light across the bed. His breathing began to settle, and as he held his beloved for the very last time, he knew by answering the call of the Gods, her strength was already returning.

"I need to sleep now...all this talking," she murmured. "Stay with me for a while and then go and get some fresh air. Yes?"

Lifting his head, he kissed the side of her forehead. "Of course, my sweet. I will stay until you fall asleep."

.

@youbloodymadgenius​​  @whenimaunicorn​​ @ceridwenofwales​​  @jaydelesley4​​  @sweeneythots​​ @funmadnessandbadassvikings​​ ​ @redama​​ @mdredwine​ @didiintheblog​​   @londongal2810​​ @fields-and-fields-of-poppies​​  @littlecarolina94​​ @oddsnendsfanfics​​  @youbelongeverywhere @blonddnamedhandz​​ @hecohansen31​

[chelsfic]

Chapter 5/18 - Safety - Bucky Barnes x OC Soulmate AU

Masterlist

Summary: Soulmate AU! Bucky/OC. Our soulmarks appear at the moment of our soulmate’s birth. The Asset’s mark appears in the Spring of 1987. The words imprinted into the skin of his forearm. “Please! Don’t hurt me…”

A/N: I wrote this fic over the course of 2017-2018 and it was originally published on AO3. Recently, I decided to do some light revisions in order to fix inconsistencies in the POV, some awkward diction and typos. Please note–I’m aware that a lot of people love this fic just as it is. This is not a rewrite, I won’t be changing major plot points and I’m purposely leaving most of the writing alone. Just sprucing it up. Since I wrote this before I started posting fic to Tumblr, I decided to take the opportunity of posting the revised chapters here as I edit them. If you got to the end of this A/N: thank you!!!

Warnings: Kidnapping, Angst, Violence, Eventual happy ending

The next morning, SHIELD HQ, Washington D.C.

Director Fury sat behind a desk, fingers steepled, watching as Steve Rogers absorbed the information on the tablet in his hands. Natasha Romanoff sat beside the Captain, glancing at the screen over his shoulder, face impassive as always. 

Steve’s eyebrows knit together in confusion, “I don’t understand what I’m seeing here. This is…”

“James Buchanon Barnes,” Fury finished the sentence. “Alive and apparently untouched by time, if nothing else.”

“But how?” Steve looked even more like a golden retriever puppy than usual as he sat there in confusion and sorrow, his eyes shining with the sting of unspent tears.

Fury sucked in a short breath, “The short answer is...science. SHIELD has kept files on the assassin known as the Winter Soldier for about sixty years. Many good agents have died trying to gather intel on him. A lot of people in the intelligence community think he’s a ghost. Well, I can assure you, as can Ms. Sophie Reynolds, he is most definitely flesh and blood...and metal.”

Natasha spoke up, “The girl, where does she fit in?”

The images on the tablet showed grainy surveillance footage of James Barnes, the Winter Soldier, exiting an apartment building via a fire escape with a woman thrown over his shoulder. 

Fury looked uncomfortable for the first time, “She was a mistake. We never should have let her leave the Tower, even with a tail. They met two days ago....she’s his soulmate.” 

“WHAT?” Steve almost shouted. “He...Bucky’s soulmate? But he never had a mark…” 

Steve’s words drifted off as he realized the reality of the situation. Natasha spoke, picking up the thin file on Sophie Reynolds, “Well, no, he wouldn’t have. Says she was born in 1987.”

“That’s right,” Fury responded, “and she was our best bet at a capture until he made off with her in the middle of the night. Cap, you’re the closest thing we have to a connection to this guy, where would he take her?”

Steve Rogers shook his head. He didn’t have the answer. The Bucky he knew wouldn’t kidnap a young woman out of her home. Or murder intelligence agents. Or launch an assault against SHIELD in the middle of downtown Manhattan. He didn’t know this person at all.

Natasha glanced between Steve and Fury before speaking up, “I have some ideas.”

---

Sophie was awake and pretending to be asleep. She’d conked out almost as soon as they entered the hotel room last night and hadn’t had a chance to reflect on...everything. But one thing was becoming very clear to her: she could not trust this man. She could feel that he was close. ‘God,’ she thought, ‘this soulbond thing is weird. Also the whole not having a name to call my new soulmate...weird as well.’ 

She kept her eyes carefully closed and tried to regulate her breathing as thoughts crashed through her head. ‘So, the number one rule about this kind of situation was that you were NOT supposed to allow your kidnapper to take you to a second location. So, obviously failed on that.’ But she knew where she was. So the big thing now would be to absolutely under no circumstances allow him to take her wherever the hell he thought they were going. 

She felt a stab of guilt thinking these things. Her rational self was screaming at her to escape this crazy person. But her very soul was singing out that he was the missing piece she’d searched for and he would never harm her and they should just hurry up with the whole happily ever after thing. She felt the urge to cry again but she didn’t have it in her. Why would she be fated for someone who treated her this way?

“Get up, we’re leaving.”

‘How romantic, I feel like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. The beginning part where Darcy is still an asshole.’

Sophie stretched her limbs under the thin hotel blanket and cracked her eyes open. The man was sitting in the same chair he’d sat in when they arrived last night. 

“Did you sleep?” she asked incredulously.

He narrowed his eyes at her and grumbled, “We’re on a deadline, let’s go.” 

She took a deep breath before responding. She felt a little ridiculous having this standoff with him while laying in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. “No. I can’t go with you!”

There was a long moment of cold silence. Sophie felt her stomach drop and for the first time since they’d met, she felt truly afraid of him. Up until this moment the warm blossom of their soul bond had been a continual comfort. But when she’d directly refused to go along with his orders she felt the bond constrict, almost as if it was shrinking in her chest. It hurt. 

The man, her soulmate, stood up and slowly stalked to her bedside using all his height to loom over her. His face looked like a thunderstorm.  

“Get. Up. Now.” He ripped the blanket away from her and pulled her out of bed by her arm, wrenching it painfully. She felt the skin pinch where his metal fingers met. 

“Ouch! Stop it, let go of me! Please!” He dropped his arm abruptly away from her as if he’d been scalded by the contact. She staggered several steps away from him, backing into a corner in fright. She felt the aching constriction in her chest ease a little and the twang of his emotions just barely reaching through. She watched him standing still in the middle of the room, chest heaving, staring down at his own hand as if it were a foreign object. 

He turned toward her without meeting her eyes, “I’m...get ready we’re leaving in five minutes.”

With that he turned and started to re-equip himself with the dozen or so weapons he’d apparently been categorizing, or cleaning, or whatever you do with weapons, while she’d slept. They were arrayed on the small kitchenette table. Knives, guns...grenades? Sophie was in way, way...way over her head. She cursed herself for ignoring the grave warnings her SHIELD interrogators had given her about this man. She’d been so blinded by the newly formed bond. 

A minute passed with Sophie staring, mesmerized, at the astonishing assortment of weaponry this man apparently found necessary to bring along on a trip to visit his soulmate. She spoke, her voice coming out thin and small, “I can’t go with you. I won’t.”

He straightened his back and sighed. “What did they tell you about me? When they interrogated you?”

She spoke to his back, “You’re...a spy or something.”

“Wrong,” he said, turning to face her, “I’m not a spy. I’m a weapon. I’ve been trained to do one thing very, very well. I hurt people. Most of the time I cross them off entirely. I...I don’t want to hurt you. But it won’t be difficult for me to subdue one small, weak girl who’s being stupidly defiant. Time’s up. Let’s go.”

Ouch. When Sophie was a little girl she imagined her soul mate as this knight in shining armor character. He would save her from some nondescript danger and carry her in his arms to safety. Never, ever had she imagined that her soulmate--the one person in the whole world who was meant to love her unconditionally--could be so...mean. She felt stricken . Her face contorted in pain but still...she had to resist. 

There was nowhere for her to run. He stood between her and the door. She was literally backed into a corner. But she was also feeling increasingly desperate. The adrenaline of last night was gone and now all that was left was the cold, plain observation that this man did not have her interests at heart. He was clearly following orders to bring her some place. And she would bet her last dollar it was some place...unpleasant. Sophie had never been in a fight in her life. Never even taken a kickboxing or self defense class. So...she fled. Or tried to.

It was almost comically pathetic how quickly the man responded to her attempt to dart out around him. He simply put out his arm to block her. He was so solid she would have fallen right over if he hadn’t caught her. As soon as his arms closed around her she began to struggle, screeching, scratching, hitting and bucking. The only good it did was to at least assure Sophie that she was doing her damnedest to fight him. It just wasn’t enough. By a lot.

When she’d exhausted herself she fell limp in his hold and--again--started to cry. He tightened his hold on her and growled, “Are you going to walk out of this hotel room with me or do I need to incapacitate you?”

Even if Sophie was in a calm state of mind she wouldn’t have known how to respond to such a question. Instead she let out a keening sort of wail and slumped over, trying to move as far away from him as his grip would allow. Slowly, he let her go and stood as she sagged onto the floor. She heard a metal clicking noise before she felt him take hold of her wrist and lock a handcuff around it. She barely reacted as she watched him attach her to the foot of the bed. She watched him stand up and walk to the door of the motel room. When he opened it she could see the sunlight flooding the parking lot outside. He paused for a second, “I’ll be right back.”

Oh, good.

@watsonwise​

[gyeommark]

vagary . ii

Chanyeol x Reader Genre: Angst. Fluff. Smut in future parts. Words: 5.5k Warnings: Strong language, mentions of alcohol use. A/N: Now, I’m deeply sorry for the delay, as some might know, I was having some issues but part two is finally here. Didn’t proof read but hope you enjoy (or not hate it, at least)!  A/N2: Since tumblr is a b*tch with the links, you can find Vagary’s mini masterlist on my blog along with links to my other works .x

The heaviness in your chest when you woke up threw you off onto an uncertain abyss. A feeling you hadn’t had in a long time. A fluttering nothingness.

You cursed to yourself, knowing very well that you had found yourself at the start of yet another rocky, dark, tormenting path and the welcoming sign had his name and face and, above all else, his endearing smile, all over it.

You judged yourself, trying to comprehend how it was humanly possible to dream of someone you had met only a limited amount of times through out the last month and yet he still haunted every nook and crevice of your mind.

“You’re doing it again…” Baekhyun huffed as he made you trip with his own foot as you two walked down the street after your lessons had ended, later than usual as the starry night looked out over you. You were thankful the day after was your day off.

“I’m doing what again?” You asked, clearly annoyed as you regained your balance and shot him the death glare.

“That thing you do when you’re daydreaming about something. I think they call it ‘smiling stupidly like a puppy begging for treats’… Just that puppies aren’t stupid but you, on the other hand…” Baekhyun laughed at his own joke as he tried to avoid the pinches and jabs you were throwing his way.

“I swear on everything that’s holy that I have no idea what you’re talking about right now”. You tried to shrug it off, sighing. Yes, you knew what he meant but did that mean you were going to admit you were thinking of a man continuously because it made you feel happy; or at least, less miserable, and that said man happened to be that friend of his he had been teasing you with continuously since you met him?

Hell, no. If needed be, you were willing to hold that secret close to your heart until the day you died, take it to your grave and up to heaven or down to hell, whichever way you would go after your passing, that didn’t really matter.

“Mhm… My dashing eyes may be on the smaller side but I’m not blind”. You laughed at Baekhyun’s comment. His confidence and self-esteem was something you strived to and one of the main reasons he was your best friend.

“Maybe not blind, just delusional”. You cackled as you struggled to open the door to your small apartment, hissing curse words under your breath. You made a mental note to call the locksmith to take a look at your front door.

“Hey!” He half yelled, half groaned as he smashed his hand onto the doorframe, blocking your way as he looked intently at you with furrowed brows and pursed lips. “Is it too much to ask to not have you insult me at any chance you get? I was just making an observation”.

As much as you wanted to maintain your offended expression, it was nearly impossible to do so with Baekhyun sporting his guilt-inducing pout. Not that it worked when it came to make you felt guilty, really, but the image of a grown man pouting was ridiculous so, to you, it was kind of funny.

“Well, I mean, delusional is not an insult but rather an adjective as I see it…” You tried to hold back your laugh as you pushed his extended arm out of your way.

“Oh, smarty-pants, I hope you drop your attitude before my showcase or I might as well take you off of my guest list and deprive you of a night filled with free drinks”. He threatened you with a finger pointing at you, dangerously close to your eyes.

“How could I survive?” You cackled as you replied sarcastically at him. “If only I worked as a bartender… Oh, wait”.

Baekhyun’s pout kept getting bigger, the more you talked back at him.

“Continue doing that. You wont get to see your precious Chanyeol boy until god-knows when”.

You wished, at that time, you had more self-control. You wished you could think before feeling and therefore before reacting. But you were either too dumb or too sentimental and, to your dismay, Baekhyun was too perceptive when he put his mind to it.

Maybe he had x-ray vision and he could see your stomach dropping to the ground at the mention of him; maybe he could see the hoards of whatever insect that were flying around your thorax, throwing themselves on to your ribcage, trying to escape. Maybe he could see you biting on the inside of your cheek and, maybe, he could see your heart beating with a fickle pace.

Maybe you were just too blunt. You probably had to work on that.

“Shut up. As far as I’m concerned, he’s your friend, not mine”. You shook your head before turning away from him and threw your bag someone behind your couch, trying to calm yourself down as you felt your hands start to tickle at the mere mention of a man you barely knew.

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, you have far more interest in him than me but whatever…” Baekhyun scoffed and shrugged and you could still feel his eyes glued to your back; somehow, you knew he was smirking but you couldn’t brace yourself to turn around and smack him because you were far too focused on calming yourself down.

“Anyhow… I’ll let you to deal your mushy feelings by yourself”. As soon as you heard the door click closed, you groaned and threw yourself onto your sofa.

You had no idea how much time it had passed, since the lack of light indicated nothing whatsoever. It could either be 10 p.m. or two in the morning. Your sleep scheduled was already messed up so who gave a fuck?

Footsteps from around the corner startled you, yet not enough as to make you stand up.

“What the hell are you still doing here? I heard you come in like three hours ago”. You looked at your roommate, from the corner of your eye as you huffed.

“Too tired to move, Deb”. Besides Baekhyun, your roommate was probably the one who knew you the best, it was a shame they didn’t really get along… Or maybe it was for the best, if they united forces it would be the end for you and, honestly speaking, you weren’t really ready to deal with that.

“Tired from what?” She groaned as she poured herself a glass of water from the sink. “Arguing with your annoying friend over what’s-his-face?”

At her words, you immediately sat up straight, with a deep frown that was almost hurting your face muscles. Once she came back into your field of vision she swallowed her water and looked at you with a confused expression mixed with her remaining sleepiness.

Opposite from you, she had quite the organized life. Going to sleep early, taking morning classes and working part time on the afternoon, five days a week. You somewhat envied her determination and that, somehow, complimented your mess of a life, driven by pure dreams and desires.

“Did you hear that?” You questioned her, almost choking on your own saliva as you wiped your sweaty hands on your jean-covered legs.

“Well, I mean, your friend yells instead of talking, how did you expect me not to hear that?” You huffed, praying that she wouldn’t question you on Chanyeol. “And did you also expect me not to notice how out of it you’ve been? More than usual, I mean. I know its kind of like an artist’s trait but you suddenly started listening to corny songs while taking a shower? It’s kind of annoying but I mean, it’s none of my business”.

You pursed your lips into a hopeless smile, her words a confirmation that you weren’t as discrete as you thought you were and a strong motive for you to stay as far away from Chanyeol as possible.

It shouldn’t be that hard, you thought, he was just a fairly good-looking, charming acquaintance, that was it.

Park Chanyeol might as well become yet another meaningless crush. Like the ones you get when you’re riding the bus or the subway, or when you’re in line to check-out at the grocery store. He might as well be forgotten after a couple days, then again, why was he so rooted into your head after almost a month?

-

“Are you nervous?” You chuckled as you watched Baekhyun pace around the small excuse of a waiting room that the fancy bar had provided for him. You sipped on a beer, crossing your legs as you followed his restless figure as it moved from one end of the room to the other.

“Me? Nervous? Please, I was born for this” Baekhyun scoffed as he stole a daring glance from you. Where was Mr. Confidence when needed? You laughed at your own thought.

A knock on the door finally made Baekhyun stop on his tracks, you looked at the clock hanging on the wall, wondering if it was one of the staffs coming to tell him that it was his time to go onto the small, questionably stable stage.

You stood up, ready to leave when you saw a head peek from behind the door and immediately, your heart skipped a beat, quickly followed by a self scolding.

“Hey” Chanyeol smiled, messy hair almost covering his eyes, making you tingle all over. You hated the feeling, yet it felt nice at the same time. Bittersweet. “I just wanted to say hi before you went up and tell you to break a leg”. He smiled as he entered the room completely and your heart continued to not listen to your orders.

Baekhyun smiled brightly at him before stealing a glance in your direction.

“Remember my friend?” Baekhyun said, basically pulling you towards Chanyeol, you pursed your lips. “You could keep her company tonight, she’s bitter and doesn’t really talk to a lot of people unless forced to”.

Chanyeol chuckled and you wanted to look away from the dimple on his cheek but it was almost hypnotizing, drawing you in, making you angry at yourself for falling down that spiraling tunnel.

“How could I forget?” Chanyeol looked at you with his warm eyes and you had to remember how to smile but not too much at the same time. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe”. Chanyeol chuckled as he extended an arm in your direction and grabbed you by your shoulder, pulling you closer to him.

You wanted to sneak a peek but then again, that might make you stare. It was dangerous to do anything when it was around him. You were starting to think that even the most mundane of things, like opening your mouth would end up on you doing something idiotic, like forgetting how to close your jack back up and then finding yourself with a damp spot on your shirt.

Yes, it was stupid but you couldn’t deny the possibility of it happening, unfortunately.

Breathing was, also, something so foreign to you at that moment; it was ridiculous that some man could have that effect on you.

Baekhyun’s eyes flickered between you and his giant friend and you could see that glint of mischievousness on his eyes, knowing that he’d tease you even more after tonight yet, Chanyeol’s gentle touch on your shoulder made you push that annoyance to the back of your head, getting lost in the tingling sensation that started at the pit of your stomach and threatened to invade the rest of your body in slow, torturously bubbly tides.

They started joking carelessly after that, as if nothing happened, as if you weren’t basically running out of oxygen and turning blue, as if Chanyeol’s hand wasn’t still lying on your shoulder carelessly.

A man’s voice called Baekhyun out a few minutes after and you three walked out the room and you managed to shrug off Chanyeol’s hand, not because you wanted to loose contact but because you didn’t want to die, not yet, at least.

Two months. Almost two months was all it took for you to realize you were fucked. Close to sixty days was all you needed to develop some sort of ‘feeling’ towards Chanyeol. You didn’t know if it was just the excitement of having someone new in your life, someone who shared some of your ideas, some of your points of view; someone whose presence felt like a cozy blanket around you and a cup of warm chocolate between your hands.

Chanyeol felt comfortable and a simple graze of his hand on your shoulder was all it took for you to realize that your mind couldn’t escape Park Chanyeol.

You sat opposite from him on the small table, trying to keep as much distance from him as possible. A part of you wanted to be close to him though, brush your knee against his accidentally and just live off of that because that was probably as much as you could get and you would be fine with that, but you also didn’t want to seem desperate.

You picket at the skin around your nails, trying to ignore the silence that fell upon you in, even in the moderately loud ambience, trying to ignore his eyes practically burning a hole on your cheek as you scanned the stage, waiting for Baekhyun to appear.

Another bottle of beer suddenly appearing before your eyes surprised you, you looked at the waiter with confusion painted over your face yet you still mouthed a polite thank you before looking at Chanyeol, questioning him silently.

“Wouldn’t want to mix alcohols tonight, would we?” Chanyeol chuckled, half yelling at you. Such a simple action, him noticing how you were drinking beer at the waiting room was all it took for your heart to fly away to another dimension. You cursed under your breath, and even then, you couldn’t suppress the smile on your lips.

“Thank you”. You yelled back, struggling to catch your breath. Chanyeol smiled back and you wanted to tell him to not do that, that it was hard enough for you to just have him there but, of course, that wouldn’t be appropriate of you.

“You and Baekhyun seem quite close”. Chanyeol said after a couple minutes, leaning over the table. Your legs trembled seeing how his body got closer to you.

“He’s like an annoying brother, you could say” You laughed, looking at the stage once more, forcing your eyes away from Chanyeol’s face, flawlessly illuminated by the blue and pink lights, making him look even more endearing.

“He’s always had a pretty good taste when it comes to his friends, if I do say so myself”. Chanyeol chuckled and raised his eyebrows at you as he saw you gulping down on your beer, little did he know you were just doing that to avoid yourself from giggling like a dumbass, in reality, the alcohol consumption would only make things worse, but it was the only solution you could come up with at the moment.

“We’ll see… I’m still unsure about that”. That was what riled you up about yourself, how sometimes you couldn’t just stay quiet and couldn’t filter your thoughts. You weren’t sure if you said that to appear cold hearted or if you were saying it to sound flirty but Chanyeol’s eyebrows shooting upwards for a millisecond and him smirking as he leaned in even closer to you made you think it probably sounded like the latter.

“Oh, a doubtful one”. He chuckled, sipping on his beer before smiling widely at you. “I see how it is, then”. By that moment, you had already grown accustomed to the non-stop pounding coming from inside your chest, making your ribcage tremble with anticipation.

“You see, I barely know you, so…” You squinted your eyes at him before shrugging and mirrored his position as you leaned your elbows on the table, reducing the distance between you. A dangerous decision, indeed.

“Maybe you should get to know me better, then, and I will gladly prove you wrong”. Speechless due to his smooth answer, you refrained yourself and just smiled.

The lights dimmed right in that moment, something you didn’t know if you were grateful for or angry at, but then you saw Baekhyun taking his place in the middle of the small stage and you clapped and yelled loudly, remembering that the reason you were here was because of your friend and not because of Chanyeol, although your mind and heart still had a bit of trouble figuring that out.

“To Baekhyun”. Chanyeol said as he scooted his stool closer to you and tipped his beer bottle in your direction. You smiled, clinking your bottle to his before taking a sip and even then, the corners of your mouth were never able to return to their normal position.

Baekhyun’s voice took over the atmosphere at the crowded bar, it even muffled the murmur of people talking over the sound of the loud music, his voice was the type that was strong yet sweet at the same time, and you smiled even wider than you were doing before.

In the sense that you were happy and proud of him, not that it was that important, because who were you to have an important opinion anyways? But you still felt happy and proud of your friend’s accomplishments, and most of all, his happiness was contagious so, if Baekhyun was happy, so were you and if he was not… Well, if that was the case, he only turned into an annoying human being, period.

“He’s killing it”. You mumbled, realizing a little too late that you were thinking out loud and that there was still a certain presence next to you. Your eyes widened for a split second before giggling nervously as you drank yet another sip of your beer as you stole some looks form the corner of your eye.

Chanyeol laughed silently, as his shoulders moved up and down a little bit, just accentuating the fact that he, apparently, had a thing for working out and wearing tight black shirts.

“You have a nice smile”. You almost choked, putting down the bottle and looking at him with squinted eyes.

“And you have a loose mouth”. You scoffed, standing up and patting his shoulder unceremoniously. “I will need more alcohol for this”. You blurted out as you stepped away and practically rushed to the busy bar, too nervous to wait for a waiter to come around and take your order.

It was like having your body, mind and heart divided into two in the most obvious annoying manner. Chanyeol wasn’t making things easier on you, if anything, every single one of your inner issues had been enhanced ever since you realized you might have developed some sort of chemical reaction called ‘attraction’ towards him.

One half of your whole being was set on acting cold and quick-witted towards him, maybe that way he’d step away before it got too much to handle, yet the other part was almost falling apart at the mere thought of being close to him, seeing him smile or laugh at whatever you said, telling you sweet nothings that most likely meant nothing.

So, your response, -or getaway if you may- to all this was that of every responsible adult out there: alcohol. Curse your sarcastic, yet overly attached nature.

Well into Baekhyun’s second song, you were still standing at the bar waiting for your next round of beer. You locked eyes with your friend as he smiled widely while singing, earning an exaggerated thumbs up from your part. It was okay, it felt nice to forget the frenzy of his presence even if it was for just a couple minutes.

You turned around when you heard the mature looking bartender call you to hand you your two bottles of beer but then, when you turned around again, ready to head back to your torture spot, you felt something falling with a thud inside of your chest; nothing hurt, not really, there was just a hint of heaviness inside of you when you saw a new person sitting on the chair that used to be yours until just a few minutes ago.

But what enhanced the feeling wasn’t the new companionship but the fact that he seemed to be acting exactly the same towards her than he was doing with you before. Then again, who were you to feel special?

That’s when everything started to go downhill, more so than before. That’s when you realized you heart was starting to feel something towards someone you barely knew. That’s when you realized you were fucked up. If Chanyeol was truly insignificant for you, you wouldn’t have felt the thud when you saw him smiling and laughing with his glistening, round, puppy eyes and prominent dimple over something another woman was saying.

If Chanyeol was truly no one, you wouldn’t have cared, you would’ve just walked back to him and greeted the new acquaintance with a smile. But that wasn’t the case, your whole weight fell to your ankles and you hesitated on your spot.

Would you put yourself out there to potentially get your little, naïve heart broken or just leave and pretend nothing happened? Would you leave Baekhyun alone when he counted on you just because things didn’t turn out the way you were expecting with a man you could only, foolishly, crush on?

Hell no, but were you about to endure all that with a sober body? Again, hell no.

“You know what, give me a shot”. You said as you waved to the bartender, who only laughed a little before pouring you your clear looking and who stared at you with pursed lips as you downed it in one go, without a single flinch.

You took a deep breath, holding a bottle in each hand as you walked back to the table, trying your very best to maintain a poker face as got nearer and nearer to the pair who had made you take a stupid tequila shot.

Whether you liked to admit it or not, whoever the female was, she was good looking yet too petite for your taste, specially sitting next to Chanyeol. She raised her eyebrows at you, probably wondering who you were and what the hell you were doing there, interrupting their deep conversation. Hence the sarcasm, you were feeling bitter, so much it even translated onto your thoughts and probably your uncontrollable facial expressions, as well.

Chanyeol followed his friend’s stare until his eyes fell upon you again, maybe he had forgotten you were there and you wouldn’t be surprised, if you were being honest.

“Ah…”. He stuttered as he stood up, almost jumping and knocking down his stool in the process. His eyes frantically traveling from you to the other female. You tried to put the best, fakest smile you could. Not that you cared anymore, but you had to be polite, for Baekhyun’s sake. “Jiae, this is Baekhyun’s friend I was telling you about”. Chanyeol said with a smile as he introduced you two.

Maybe it was what the call the female sixth sense, or maybe you were too sensitive, or maybe it was that shot already having its scary effect on you, but you were convinced she already hated you.

Was that a reflection of what you were feeling, though? No, of course, you had barely met her, hate was a strong word. Dislike, on the other hand…

“Nice to meet you”. You pursed your lips onto a smile as you sat at the other side of the table, facing her as you pushed one of your beer bottles towards her. “Here, you can have it”. She gave you a small smile as she took the bottle in her hand.

Could that have been considered hypocrisy? You weren’t sure. You just didn’t want to make it obvious that you weren’t comfortable anymore, maybe your actions would backfire, then again, you didn’t give a single shit anymore.

After another ten minutes or so, as Baekhyun was taking a break somewhere backstage and you were almost finished with your second beer, you felt her eyes on you. You turned to see her with your eyebrows raised, trying your best not to appear arrogant.

“How long have you known Baekhyun?” She asked, smile not quite reaching her eyes. You cleared your throat as you leaned back. Her presence repelled you, exactly the opposite of how you felt when it was only Chanyeol and you alone. Chanyeol who had been far too quiet since you came back to the table.

“Couple years or so, I’m not sure”. You mumbled, hoping she wouldn’t hear you and she’d just let the forced conversation die without much effort.

“Funny, I haven’t met you before”. You had to take a deep, discrete, breath in order to maintain the rest of your questionably sober sanity in place and not let it disappear in resentment’s hands.

“Baekhyun doesn’t really introduces me to his friends, he fears they might like me better”. You said, almost chuckling when you heard the distant sound of Chanyeol’s stifling a laugh. Whether that was a good or a bad sign, you weren’t sure.

Once Baekhyun’s presentation was done and the loudness of the bar hit your ears at full volume once again, you felt like it was too much to handle so when you caught your friend walking over in your direction, you stood up once again, with the excuse of getting more drinks.

Chanyeol looked at you with wide eyes, mirroring your actions.

“Please, let me, you should keep her company”. You smiled, probably pouring too much bile on to your words, probably not. However he might interpret them was clearly not up to you anymore.

Baekhyun stopped on his tracks as he was just a less than a meter away from you and followed you suit once you were halfway to the counter, yet again.

“I see you’ve met Jiae”. Baekhyun chuckled, leaning his elbows on the slightly wet surface as you silently asked for another round of beers to the bartender, putting up four fingers in the process. “Isn’t she lovely?”

“If this is you trying to be funny, I’m sorry to disappoint but I’m not picking up on your humor right now”. You scoffed, trying to avoid eye contact as you also tried to avoid the painful rumbling in your chest.

Jealousy was a scary, funny thing, especially when you were too stubborn to acknowledge it in the first place.

“Okay, so the bitter evil twin is out to play now, I get it”. Baekhyun chuckled, emotionlessly as he copied your stance. “Should I have mentioned her existence before to spare me the burning and scarring your words are causing on my skin and soul?” Baekhyun raised his eyebrows as he took a hand to his chest, mocking an inexistent pain.

“Why would you? It’s not like I should be interested on your friend’s life, anyways”. You mumbled, and even with the loud music and ambiance, Baekhyun was able to hear you perfectly fine, to your disgrace.

“Listen, you can pretend all you want with everyone else, act like the Ice Queen or whatever, but you’re never going to fool me. So what’s the deal if you admit you like someone? It’s not like the world’s going to end because of that, it’s a human thing… You meet someone, you like someone, maybe you date, maybe you don’t; maybe you just become fuck buddies, what’s the big deal”.

Baekhyun shrugged, stealing a glance from you, probably scared you would jump on his throat due to his accusing comments.

“The human reasonable thing to do here would be stepping away when someone you like, likes someone else, and actually has someone else. Chanyeol is a platonic crush and I won’t interfere with whatever he has going on with that Jiae girl; I don’t have the time nor the patience for that kind of drama”.

It was Baekhyun’s turn to scoff as he shook his head in either annoyance or disbelief.

“Here’s a friendly comment from your most professional, caring advisor. Chanyeol is a peculiar man with peculiar taste, a peculiar man who rarely opens up with anyone. If he, for whatever reason, chooses to talk to someone and get to know them is because that someone has sparked something in him… Then again, the relationship between him and Jiae is still a mystery to everyone because, like I said, he has like a phobia to opening up… Take that as you wish, it was just a comment”.

You looked at him with a slight frown and pursed lips as your beers appeared before you along with another shot, a glass you didn’t ask for but apparently there was an unspoken of, bartender psychic ability to spot an annoyed person.

“Please keep your friendly comments at bay when you know they won’t help and will just make things worse”. You huffed, turning around with Baekhyun trailing close behind you.

“So… Does that mean you like like Chanyeol?” You groaned, downing the shot and leaving the empty glass on an empty table that came across your way.

“Let’s act like I don’t, for everyone’s sake”. You shook your head as you looked down at your feet, trying not to trip over someone else’s feet, or your own, for that matter. The mixing of beer and tequila was something you weren’t approving of, then again, it was the best to drown your sorrows on. Unless they were too unbearable and then you had to add vodka to the mix.

Thankfully you weren’t there yet.  

Yet.

You were a martyr but not a drunken one, thankfully. Or maybe you just loved to play the victim role.

You saw Chanyeol looking over his shoulder, he seemed quieter than before. Jiae had her arms crossed over her chest as she analyzed the now empty stage. Maybe she should’ve done that when Baekhyun was on, instead of having her eyes fixed on you, trying to burn a hole through your throat.

Meeting eyes with someone was a dangerous thing, regardless of the situation. Words were less than needed when two pairs of eyes met and, in this case, you wished you could’ve avoided Chanyeol’s gaze because it only made your chest feel heavier than it already was and it made your legs tremble more than they were already doing; no amount of alcohol could even come close to the effect Chanyeol’s dark eyes had on you and you wanted to reboot yourself, put a chip in your system that would prevent you from liking a man you’ve met less than five times before.

Chanyeol pursed his lips onto a thin, undecipherable smile as he stepped aside from his chair, extending an arm on the inanimate object’s direction.

“Take a seat, we’re short on seats”. His voice was low, raspier than usual. You cleared your throat before shaking your head a couple times and placing the two bottles you were holding on the table, a bit too strongly than necessary.

“I will share with Baekhyun”. You said back, an emotionless façade taking over your expressions.

It was easier keeping your distance than dealing with the overflowing, confusing emotions.

Once Baekhyun caught up to your comment, he nodded quickly, awkwardly sitting on one half of the stool as you took your place next to him.

Chanyeol was a tornado, your heart and mind were a house with a weak foundation and a lack of insurance. He had swap you off your feet only to drag you back down a bit too harshly to your liking, then again, there was nothing that needed to be said when you knew you had been the one to make a mistake.

The mistake of idealizing someone you only knew the name of but you couldn’t help the gravitational pull he seemed to have on you.

It would’ve been easier if you had never met his eyes. It would have been easier if you wouldn’t have gotten lost on his charming smile and sweet, smart speech.

It would’ve been easier if there was no Jiae but you knew there was a code. Whatever relationship they had, it was none of your business and you knew you shouldn’t interfere so you just smiled, a forced, surrendered smile.

You didn’t expect Chanyeol to notice, at that point you had forced yourself to admit that he would be the epitome of platonic in your life and that you had to be okay with it. You didn’t expect him to smile back at you with the same smile, he looked defeated and apologetic but you forced yourself to disregard him.

It was the logical, reasonable thing to do but Chanyeol’s mere presence made you question every decision and thought that ever crossed your mind and apparently, everyone in that table noticed it as well.

-

[tallat-of-thralls]

My deity(ies) experience

Part 1: Childhood and teenagehood story of conflict.

I may or may not type part 2; we will see

***trigger warning: talking about blood and bleeding disorders in detail***

Im going to speak on something personal and is not meant to show any kind of disrespect to any of the deities I have interacted with in the past.

This isn't a "how to" but more of a chronicled transitional life events from the time i was a child up to the present as an adult.

As a child, like most US Americans, i grew up in a (nondenominational) Christian household celebrating and paying respects to that ideal. It was hard for me to clearly connect with the Christ Lord and in fact as a juvenile (6/7 yr old) the greek and egyptian pantheons made more sense to me.

I dont know if it was that the greek gods intermingling and then the showing of great petty and occasionally destructive behavior with their own worshippers and each other or the certain charm that came with how egyptian gods had interacted with the judeo-christian islamic pantheon as described in the old testament. But it was those two pagan pantheons that i had more exposure to in my home and it was their names i learned first.

One thing i knew as a child, despite my fascination with the psycophants and the lords messengers the angels of jci books, i could not accept the Christ Lord and His Father as my Shepherd. I didn't feel His love, His love seemed to have left me as a severely chronically ill child that spent most of my time alone and in pain.

Perhaps my straying was influenced by the sheer amount of rejection i had received at school, my community church, and some family. In any regard, by 11 or 12 i had decided that i would switch Gods and honor a different pantheon.

Repeatedly, through out my feeble life, i had been told by doctors and by the authority around me that i was dying. If i dont take my medicine, dont eat correctly, limit my activity, and so forth, that i was going to die bloated, blue, and alone in the hospital.

As a tween, i became morbid and obsessed with that idea of death especially since i had been recitated a couple times before i understood the concept of an after life. (My poor mother.) As a result of my upbringing, i have been accused of being sullen and dark by those around me due this constant memento mori.

Despite my ever decimating health problems and the threat of their festering dominion it was still my fault for being macabre. I digress.

Christ Lord and i had ceased our estranged communications after one very serious hemorrhage that landed me in the hospital as an 8yrold despite my prayers to stop it or relieve me from the coil. And insult to injury, was assured by a well intentioned nurse that it was within His plan. I no longer believed i could be heard or if i was heard obviously it was within His plan that i suffered thusly. I was disciplined by my catholic grandmother for having this faltering faith once i recovered enough to leave the hospital.

Always on my death bed and with one deformed foot in the grave, using my morbidity and macabre mind i had beseeched my first pagan god and renounced my affiliation with that of christian naysaying. In return, I had been received by a very sympathetic Anubis.

At eleven or twelves years old constantly on the brink of death, i called to the egyptian underworld one evening as blood poured from my face into the porcelain bowl of my downstairs toilet, "please make it stop. I cant take it this anymore."

Slowly becoming a trickle, for the first time in a very long time, years maybe, my facial hemorrhaging did not result in an emergency hospital stay and for once fully clotted. Yes the blood clot was like a foot (12in or 36 cm) long when i pulled it from my sinus cavity but it was better than bleeding out. Clotting is better than bleeding particularly when your disorder prevents you from clotting properly.

It was the first time i had actively received an answer to my prayers in a moment of crisis and weakness. Recalling the name i invoked, the name that spun and created comfort was He, Anubis, who made death his duty and chose to pick my foot out of the early grave.

(I cannot attest my recovery to medical miracles. My doctors had struggled with figuring out why i had these and how treat me to no end. I have had very bad interactions with many specialists as a result. So, it was fairly defeating when i suffered and it was equally mysterious to them when I began to recover.)

Since invoking Anubis the first time in ire of suffering and under the derision of fear, was the last time i agonized with my facial stigmata to the brink of unconsciousness. I still struggle with it like all my illnesses but that was the final time i had to loom over a bowl to properly gauge how much blood i was losing.

I still honor and thank my old friend to this day but as i slowly crept from the edge of the grave, i eventually had to talk to my good god and inform him that i feel i no longer struggled with imminent death and it was time for me, a 15/16 year old teen girl, to seek out another god or goddess that would bring growth in my life. Though Anubis was a great and wonderful god to have worked with for years since i was a child, i was no longer as concerned with the nearness of my death bed and no longer required such intense treatment from a manager of death.

Invocation of his name became less and less until we had mutually agreed that it was time for me to move on.

Which name was next? i had wondered. Would i ever have such a connection with another god or goddess as i did with Anubis?

Though i knew of other names and they had lingered on my tongue since i was a girl, the answer was No. I could not find another deity for years.

My health regressed but it still posed no lethal threat. I was bed ridden but not with fear of dying.

Hope escaped me. And for a solid 5 or 6 years, i was a godless heathen.

Doesn't mean i had lost practice. I just no longer involved the name of a deity and instead worked with minor or lesser beings like fairfolk, angels, daemons, etc.

Alas! A name will come to you once you start craving for the chant.

That is what had happened to me in my adult life.

I was 23/24 before another name, one that i have been familiar with throughout my late childhood and teenhood, rung out over the others. However, I did not realize that they were volunteering to be my next invocation and my next ethereal guide.

Twas an ancient deity of many pantheons of many names that was demonized during a time of philosophical growth with minimal success.

Working with them has been, i would say, mostly rewarding. Since i am still working with this very ancient presence and still learning about their nature, i am still building my relationship with them even though i have known many of their aspects from the interaction within the last few years.

So, i show reluctance in talking about this deity and their nature on the prospect that they are a complicated being that is not as straightforward as my relationship with Anubis had been. Nor does my knowledge of them suffice for me to say that i can teach you about them.

But hot damn, do they know how to push progress in such a cataclysmic way and with superior power moves. Not a gentle hand but certainly a firm one.

[aliendes]

Hello! For the angst drabbles, 18 + 36 with Namjoon! I hope you’re having a lovely day/night

18. Please, just let me carry you. & 36. How much do you remember? + Namjoon

Thank you for your request! This turned into something I wasn’t expecting… it got real angsty for a minute & there might be slight Jimin x reader undertones, but it’s not meant to be that way, but I still hope you enjoy lol. It’s unedited sorry for mistakes!

Pairing: Namjoon x reader

Warnings: werewolf!au, mentions of blood and violence, language

Word count: 1.3k ~

“Damnit,” you groaned, rolling over onto your side. You felt the leaves crunching under your weight on the forest floor. You really didn’t expect to find yourself in this position on a Friday night, but here you were. Your hand quickly came to hold your side as a sharp pain shot through your body and your movement.

Just a few hours ago you had been at a house party with your best friend and pack member, Jimin. He had talked you into going because he knew your crush, Namjoon, would be there. Namjoon was also part of your pack, but he was an alpha. You and Jimin were omegas and didn’t really interact with many alphas. You were a little worried about coming tonight, but your best friend promised he wouldn’t leave your side, so you agreed.

Surprisingly, despite your earlier worries, you were both having a great time together, and after a couple drinks you decided to head out back where a few others were gathered around a bonfire. Jimin had his fingers intertwined with yours. What you didn’t notice was another omega, laying on the ground near the fire, betas and alphas surrounding him, throwing punches and kicks to the poor boy’s side. Despite your usual timid tendencies, you felt a sudden burst of anger at the way one of your own was being treated. You let go of Jimin’s hand despite his protest, and ran over to the young werewolf.

“Hey!” You yelled, catching the betas and alphas attention, “Leave him alone!”

You ran right up to a beta who had just landed a kick to the omegas sternum, giving him a hard shove to the chest. You were really digging your own grave right now. Jimin watched on in horror at what was about to happen to his best friend.

“Get off of him!” Another hard shove.

A strong hand reached out and grabbed your wrist as you were about to shove him again, “You better watch that mouth of yours, bitch,” he growled, eyes flashing red as his pupils shrunk. He gave you a harsh shove, letting go of your wrist as you fell backwards onto the grass. You looked over at the other omega, clutching his side, spitting blood out onto the ground. He was looking at you in horror, fear in his eyes. You mouthed the word “run” at him and he quickly scrambled to his feet and took off. The others barely paid him any attention as they focused on you.

“YN!” You heard Jimin shout, but he was quickly restrained by other betas surrounding the fire. “Leave her alone you assholes!”

“Well, well,” another alpha walked up to you, now crawling backwards until your back hit another pair of legs, “what do we have here?” His voice was low and it sent shivers down your spine. As you looked up to meet his eyes, you noticed it was an alpha of a neighboring pack, Mark. He had dark slicked back hair and wore a devilish expression, “Little omega want to play?”

You shook your head back and forth, opening your mouth to say something, but he was quick to cut you off, “All you had to do was ask, princess,” his tone was dripping with venom, “right boys?” You heard cheers and claps from the rest of the men surrounding you. In the distance you head Jimin still yelling obscenities at the wolves. Your heart was racing, fear taking over your body as you turned onto your hands and knees, ready to run, but you felt a hard blow to your back, knocking you onto your stomach. One of the other wolves foot still firmly held onto your lower back, preventing you from moving.

The next few kicks you tried your best to block, but it was no use. You laid there and let it happen, knowing they wouldn’t kill you, just injure you enough. They couldn’t risk getting into trouble with their pack elders. After a few minutes of abuse, you rolled onto your back, only to find Mark standing above you again, “I’ll give you a 30 second head start,” he growled.

Your fight or flight instinct kicked in immediately. Scrambling to your feet you took off into the woods. You didn’t know where you were going but you didn’t care. Being an omega, you weren’t able to shift unless there was a full moon, which unfortunately for you, wasn’t until next week. You feet carried you as fast as they could, trees blurring past you as you sprinted. That was, until your foot caught a tree root and you were sent flying through the air and onto your stomach, the wind knocked out of you. That was how you ended up in your current position, laying on your side in the middle of the forest, with likely broken ribs, struggling for air.

You coughed a few times, trying to ease the pain in your chest, but it only makes it worse. Your head is spinning, and you just want to give into the dizziness. You try to even out your breaths through your nose, letting your eyes slip closed. The last thing you remember is footsteps nearing you before you submit to the darkness.

--

The next time you open your eyes, you’re being carried by strong arms. You startle in the person’s hold, nearly making them drop you. Once they get their grip back on you, you look up to find the last person you expected to see, eyes widening as they met Namjoon’s.

“Shh,” he shushed you, still looking at you as he walked, “Please, just let me carry you.” You were shocked into silence, not sure where you were, or how Namjoon had found you. The last thing you remember you were laying on the forest floor.

“What happened,” you rasped out, wincing at the pain in your side as Namjoon jostled you slightly.

“I’m not sure,” he said, furrowing his brow, “I heard Jimin yelling in the backyard and came out to him screaming at Mark’s pack. Said something about finding you.  How much do you remember?”

“I just remember them kicking and hitting me, and then he told me to run,” you whisper as Namjoon slows down a bit, approaching the back of a house, “I think I fell when I was running.”

Namjoon ascended a few stairs of a deck, going through a sliding glass door, to be met with the worried eyes of your best friend Jimin, and a few others you recognized as other members of your pack, Jungkook and Jin. Jimin quickly rushed to your side, pushing your messy hair from your face, “Oh my god, are you okay YN!?” You could see the dried tear tracks on his puffy cheeks and you remembered how worried he was when you let go of his hand at the party.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes, “I just wanted to help.”

Jimin shook his head frantically, sniffling to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. “I know sweetie, I know.”

Namjoon walked over to the couch across from where Jungkook and Jin were sitting, both looking equally as worried about you, despite not really knowing you. It made you feel safe here, like you could trust them. Instead of setting you down on the couch like you expected him to, Namjoon sat down with you in his arms and propped you up a bit. He let out a sigh, motioning for Jin to come closer and look at your wounds. “Jin is going to make sure you’re okay,” he said softly, golden eyes boring into your wide ones, “are you okay with that? I’ll be right here the whole time.”

You blinked owlishly at him for a moment before nodding slightly. Jimin came around the back of the couch and kneeled next to your head, placing his forehead against yours in a comforting way. Namjoon’s hand came up and pushed the hair out of your face, thumb coming up to wipe away a few stray tears. “You’ll be safe here, YN,” Namjoon whispered, “I’ll protect you.”

[littlebitoffanfic]

Trust

Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Characters: Leonardo, Raph Relationship: Leo/reader Request: Hi! Could you write an imagine where Leonardo is trying to ignore his feelings for Y/N but he gets jealous when his brothers spend time with her and he gets mad and leads to some fluff with Y/N? Thanks! He knew you were upset that he had cancelled his training session with you again, but he couldn’t be that close to you. Not right now. Maybe in a little while, when he had found a way to stifle his growing feelings for you. He couldn’t understand why they seemed to have flared up after years. Sure, when he first met you, he had fallen in love with you, but knew nothing could happen. He had pushed those feeling deep down, ignoring them whenever you were close by. Sometimes he would allow himself to indulge in the odd fantasy, normally during dreams or even meditation. But that was it. Now, however, he was struggling even more to ignore the pull towards you. God knows he was trying. the two of you were close and had a very deep friendship. You turned to him in times of need and he turned to you in times of self doubt. Perhaps it was because he allowed himself to get too close and comfortable with you. Even though he knew he shouldn’t, he allowed you to fall asleep on him when watching a movie, he allowed himself to stay over at your house just to feel close to you. You were his first and last thought of the day and it was driving him insane. So he distanced himself, making esuces as to why he couldn’t train with you or come over to yours to watch a movie. He ignored some of your calls/texts and often when he did respond, it was to the bare minimum. It was hard for both of you, because you were both use to spending so much time with each other that he found himself with exsorbiant amounts of free time. But his biggest problem was what you had done with so much free time. Having known his family for years, meant that you were already good freidns with his brothers and so, when he cut you out, you sought out his sibling. Mikey adored you because you would sit and play video game with him (and sometimes Donnie) for hours on end. Donnie dragged you to his lab, wanting your help on some algarhythems which you were known to be knowledgeable about. Thanks to your training with Leo, it meant you could put up a good fight against Raph. Training was something you, Donnie, Raph and Mikey would do together. Because they were so use to fighting each other, having someone who was smaller and human helped them prepare for any issues or fights they will take on while defending the city. He would watch from afar so you didn’t see him. He could see how well you had improved and how well you were pushing his brothers to be better as well. but he couldn’t help but feel the blood boil in his skin when Mikey would pick you up so easily and playfully. He hated and loved how much you smiled when you were with them, because he barley saw you any more so he could hear your laughter bouncing off the walls. But it wasn’t for him. Nothing was anymore. He had cut you out. You brought baked good along often, but never his favourite. You would order pizza in, but wouldn’t ask if he wanted. You used to, but when he gave one word response, you had stopped. You would bring movies over and have little showing at yours but you had stopped inviting Leo for the same reason as before. It drove him insane because he hated this. But one night, he gave in after hearing Raph talking about how he was going to take you up to the top of one of the building so you could watch the sun rise one morning. He couldn’t stop from picturing you, sitting in the glowing light of the rising sun, as beautiful as even, but then he saw his brother then, looking at you the way Leo looked at you. He was driven mad by the thought of a shared kiss, and what it might lead to. In reality, he knew Raph didn’t have those sorts of feeling for you, but what if you fell in love with Raph. All because Leo had pushed you out he picked up the phone, his hands shaking slightly as he opened Messenger and spent close to an hour composing a text. Eventually, he settled on: ‘could we meet on the top of your building and talk?’. his finger hovered over the send button before quickly pressing down before Leo could chicken out. and all he could do was wait. he saw the message mark as ‘delivered’ then as ‘read’. It sat on ‘read’ for 25 minutes before his phone buzzed. ‘okay’ you replied. One word. Leo felt his heart sink. He had only replied to you with one word, and now he knew how it must have felt. Had he pushed you too far? Perhaps passed the point of being able to even have a friendship, never mind anything more. But it wasn’t a ‘no’, so at least he would be able to defend his actions, if he even could defend them. The only way was to confess, to tell you he was in love with you and hope you could understand. He didn’t expect a return of affections, especially after the way he treated you. He dropped the phone on his bed and left without saying anything to his brothers. You flat was only about a 5 minute journey, but it seemed to drag until he was climbing the side of the fire escape to the top of your apartment building. He saw you first. You were sitting on the floor by the entrance to the roof. There was a 4 foot wall around the top but he knew you didn’t like leaning or sitting on that. pulling himself up and over the wall, the sound of his feet landing on the ground caught your attention and you looked at him, immediately meeting his eyes. He felt himself freeze for a moment, suddenly realising what he was finally about do. “Hi.” He breathed, pushing himself close to you till he could sit opposite you. “Hi.” You returned, dropping his gaze with sad eyes and looking away from him. Leo hadn’t spent much time with you on your own recently, so an awkward silence filled the air making you shift uncomfortably. He felt himself shifting a little, unable to sit still. Guilt was eating away at his inside and he knew he was about to burst. “Why did you want to meet?” you asked, refusing to meet his eyes as you stared to the side. Leo saw the way your bottom lip seemed to tremble as you spoke, he also saw pooling in the corner of your eyes. “Because I wanted to see you.” He breathes, regretting not coming here with a clear cut plan on what he was going to say to you. “You’ve cancelled every meeting we’ve arranged for the last 2 months. I was sure you weren’t going to even turn up.” You say, sounding both hurt and angry. Leo flinched slightly because he knew it was true. But he needed to be truthful with you. “I nearly didn’t.” Leo watches your face closely, seeing the smallest tweak in your muscles that showed you were hurting deeply. “Then why did you come?” You couldn’t hid the tremble in your voice as your tears got harder and harder to hold back. “I need to tell you something.” Leo said, silently cursing himself for his reluctance to come out and say it. “and what if I don’t want to hear it?” You looked at him, your meaning behind your words obvious. “I would understand.” Leo replies calmly. “I know my actions have hurt you. And I would understand if you never wanted to see me again.” “Hurt me?” You snapped, tears streaming down your cheeks. “You broke my heart, Leo!” leo flinched, unable to bare hearing his name fall from your lips with such hate. “I know. I… I wasn’t thinking about your heart. Only my own.” Leos words catch you off guard. “What are you talking about?” You shake your head, completely confused. Leo knew it was now or never, no going back. “I love you.” He looks up, meeting your eyes. “I know it doesn’t seem like it over the last few months. It was a stupid, misguided attempt to stifle feelings ive had since we met. But it didn’t work. And whats worse is Ive hurt you. That was never my intention.” You stare at him with wide, tear filled eyes as he spoke, barley able to take in what he was saying. You had spent the last 2 months wondering what you had done wrong. His brother could offer no explanation for his actions and even took offence. You thought he hated you. It didn’t make sense. “Love? That’s not love.” You sneered, offended by his answer to your unanswered question as you stood up, prepared to storm away, but Leo was quick. He bolted up and, as you got to the door to lead back into the building, he grabbed your forearm to hold you back. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt and you knew if you slightly yanked your arm away it would work, but you couldn’t. Skin on skin contact with Leo had been little and far between. “you’re right, its not love. I didn’t act on love, it was on the fear of losing you because of that. I know I pushed you away, but that seemed easier than being rejected.” He spoke quickly, his voice shaking as you turned your head towards him but not looking at his directly, just seeing him in your perifiral vision. “Then why tell me now?” You asked, a soft sob escaping your throat as you speak. “Another act of love?” “No, jealously.” He closed his eyes, embarrassed the word fell from his lips but he couldn’t lie to you. The prospect of a relationship might have been in its grave a long time ago, but perhaps a small part of a friendship is still saveable. “what have you to be jealous of?” You twisted right around, his hands dropping from your arm as he opened his eyes. “My brother.” He confessed, angry at himself until he heard you laugh. A soft laugh, one that he hadn’t heard in a while. His eyes found you and saw you were shaking your head laughing. You were still crying, yes, but it seemed what he had said had taken you by surprise. “ive never had anything close to romantic feeling for your brothers.” You laughed, the thought making funny little scenarios in your head. “What about me?” leo found himself asking without thinking. You had said brothers, not him and his family. Your laughter stopped, fading out into the night as you looked away from him, wrapping your arms around yourself. “I-I… It doesn’t matter now. I cant trust you.” You shake your head, eyes closed to stop any more tears but failing miserably. “it does. It matters.” Leo moved forward, closing the space between you both, desperately clutching at the small sting of hope. “I did. I loved you so much. But now, I-I don’t know any more.” You open your eyes and look up him. “is there anything I can do?” He pleaded with you, tears starting to appear in his eyes as his voice moved from hopelessness to desperation. The thought of you not loving him back, he could handle. But knowing he had destroyed his own chance with the one he loved, that would kill him. “I-I don’t think so.” You looked down at the ground between you both. “you hurt me, Leo. A lot.” “I know. I know I did. I am so sorry.” Leo tried to hid his breaking voice, but was unsuccessful as tripped over his own words slightly. This caught your attention, making you look up. Leo wasn’t one to fall into stuttering messes. He was calm, collected, even in the face of danger. But now, he was desperate. All at the thought of losing you. You had lied slightly, your heart still belonged to him but you just didn’t know if you could trust him again. but you wanted to. Stepping forward, you closed the gap between you and Leo. Reaching up, you cupped his cheek before leaning and pressing your lips to his. Leos whole body froze before quickly respond, hoping this was some test. His arms wrapped around you, pulling you tight against his chest as he kissed you back, trying to pour every ounce of love he felt for you into that kiss, hoping it might be enough to persuade you. your free hand settled on his shoulder, feeling how the muscles tightened under your touch. Leo moved you so you were pressed against the wall, wanting to get the most out of the kiss. On the one hand, it might be the only kiss we will have from you but on the other, it might change your mind. You were first to pull away, gasping for air as you looked up at him with foggy eyes. No one hand ever kissed you like that before. “Can I trust you?” You breathed, your voice practically non-existent as your hand dropped from his cheek to his chest. “I couldn’t hurt you again, never.” Leo answered, his words exactly what you needed. that night, Leo stayed with you. You both talked about everything, understanding his actions though no necessarily forgiving him straight away. Leo vowed to make up for it, unable to believe his luck as you sat by his side, your head on his shoulder. It was late, so you started drifting off. He pulled a blanket you kept on your sofa to cover the both of you, grateful for the moment he had long underappreciated before. Now, he knew it was so much more and that chance you were giving him, he swore not to take for granted.