#thank you so much for the prompt ria!!

[brisquad-unit-4402]

happy 100 followers! may i request 2,4, 27, and 38 as well as 2 and 14 of the mature prompts with mysta and luca?

thank you, it's been very happy! i've actually been sitting on this one for a while, and you might notice the mature stuff isn't there. you see, i got a bit itchy about putting only the mature stuff under the read more and forcing people to look at this lengthy af post above the cut, plus i felt bad about having the sfw requests done for so long while the mature ones weren't. so once i finished the mature requests, i updated this post with a link underneath. i appreciate the requests!

part 2 here. not intended for minors. ↣

tags: established relationship, fluff, slightly suggestive, gender neutral reader, kissing in the rain, cuddling,

⚠️ making out in mysta 27

⚠️ minor arachnophobia mention in mysta 38

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

🦊 Mysta Rias

2. surprise date

Mysta doesn’t need much to be happy. Don’t get him wrong, spending time with you in a shared space is a perfect routine. But he’s also spontaneous, and too much time in one location gets him stir crazy, even if it’s with someone he loves.

He gets home early one day, pecks you on the cheek, and tells you put on something pretty, we’re getting dinner. Then he’s out of the room just as quickly as he came, and when you step out ready to leave it’s like he’s been waiting for an eternity.

He takes your hand, and your arm slightly bounces from his grasp as you walk.

The scenery shifts from city to calm, until he leads you inside a restaurant, and it’s only when you’re seated on the patio that you realize it’s not a patio at all. Your feet rest on solid wood, but the sound of waves along the lakeside restaurant sets you at peace.

Your nose is buried in the menu until Mysta taps the corner of the laminated booklet. When you lower it, he gestures to where the sky meets the lake.

The world is glazed golden sunset. Rays of orange and red along the bleary sun as it sinks into glittering waters that reflect the sunset above.

"Cool," he says, as if the sparkling lemonade lake isn’t enough to take his breath away. He's more satisfied at your expression than the water. "I couldn’t remember if the sun was supposed to set now or an hour later."

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

4. surprise hug

With utmost care, you slip past the door silently and creep into Mysta’s streaming room.

His desk is at the corner, facing the wall and the monitors against it. One screen displays stream options and statistics, while the other flickers to Mysta’s ending screen just in time. He bobs side to side in his chair, even though his model is no longer on stream. “Koninnit! Bye-bye, everyone, until next stream!”

He continues swaying in his seat for a few more seconds while the Mystakes click off of his channel. You inch closer. The room is a standard-size office, but the distance has never felt so monumental before. Each step is muffled against the carpeting.

When the screen goes black, Mysta sits still for a moment. Then his shoulders sink. He lets out a sigh, as he always does, how he grounds himself out of his stream persona and back into the real world.

He stretches, long arms reaching up to the ceiling. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up from gaming, and the muscles along his forearm flex as he extends.

You take the opportunity to swivel his chair around.

Mysta’s eyes, previously closed, widen in a shock of electric blue and peach as he yelps in surprise—

—And you wrap yourself around him, buried in his collar and hands around his back.

His posture is straight from the shock. You nuzzle closer to his neck. Your lips skim along the bare skin, not so much to be a kiss but more than enough to suggest one.

"I missed you," you hum, quiet in the absence of the stream. All to yourself, you and Mysta alone.

Mysta's shoulders relax. His arms roll down under your grasp, and he lets out a breath again. This time it's deep enough that his chest brushes against yours before lowering with the exhale. His fingers curl between your shirt and the ends of your hair. “I’m here.”

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

27. kissing in the rain

On your free day, you and Mysta decided to take advantage of the nicely cloudy weather and go on a walk away from the sun.

“Oh, great, it’s raining!”

“Hang on, okay? We’re almost home!”

And what once seemed like a good idea was cut short by a sudden, steady rain.

To be fair, it should’ve been expected. You had a sinking feeling it was too dark to be a simple cloudy day.

Whether you expected it or not, the rain pattered along your back as you lowered your head and sped up your pace. You already feel a shiver coming on.

“Don’t get lost.” Mysta takes your hand in his, while the other pulls his cap down over his face. His sunglasses are splattered with water, and so is his shirt. The wet fabric follows the contours of his body.

Your cheeks puff with mock indignation. “I’m not going to get lost, Mysta, I just want to get home!”

“Just making sure, okay? Let’s get you there. Hop up.”

He approaches a curb, and his shoes splash at a forming puddle as he helps you up. Gentlemanly, but you don’t need him to guide you like a child, either.

As the steady rain turns to a downpour, you keep an eye out at the shops along the way to your home. You focus on the jutting architecture, and how well it covers the ground below.

It doesn’t take you long to find an awning sandwiched between two stores in a shallow alleyway. The ground below is speckled with raindrops, but there are still patches of dry pavement underneath.

“This way, Reader—“

“I don’t think so,” you say, and before Mysta can lead you away, you divert and bring him to the alley instead.

Water still peppers your shoulders as you duck under the awning, but it’s much less than the rain beyond. Mysta shakes himself off like a dog, and it does nothing but pop his open collar out more. Rain drops down his neck and to his freshly exposed chest. “Do you really think we can wait it out—mmph!”

You’re not sure. You didn’t think further than kissing him stupid. His lips are slick with rainwater, and your tongue mixes it into saliva as you pry him apart, a hammer’s end to a nail.

Each curl of your tongue is another moment savored. Mysta: gentlemanly, caring Mysta, who wants to get you home safe and leads you along his way; and seems to have forgotten that you know how to deviate from the path with him following.

Mysta remembers now, and explores your mouth with the same familiarity as the path home he was so intent on walking before you made your move. Whatever he wanted to say, it’s nothing important, and he forgets it in favor of your taste, rainwater, mouths connected, your hand on his waist, the breath cold against his wet skin right above the lip you seem so eager to tear open and devour—

A splash of water breaks you before he does.

Your eyes snap open just in time to see a downpour of collected rain crash right over your bodies. You hiss like a witch while he squeaks like a mouse, and the slope of the awning only makes it worse, like sitting under a blurred waterfall.

You both gasp out loud, breathless and shocked, totally soaked down to the bone. Your hair hangs over your face, and you part it out of your eyesight in time to see Mysta react. The ears of his hat point downwards as he struggles to catch his breath.

The corners of your mouth raise, and the rainwater washes your adventurousness into embarrassment instead. You clumsily catch your breath. “Maybe we should get back out there again…”

Mysta snatches you up instead.

One greedy hand presses your back close to him, while the other guide your chin to stay by his trembling mouth. His skin is so cold but he’s intent on you, you can see it in his reddened lips and his eyes so bright they could glow in the overcast, and, right, he wanted to lead you earlier.

The splattering rain pales in comparison as Mysta grumbles, “How much wetter can we get, anyways?”

His hand positions your head for a kiss of his own, and the water doesn’t cross past your lips this time.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

38. falling asleep while cuddling

Mysta fidgets often in his sleep, but he only thrashes around like this when he isn’t resting right. Usually after nights like these, he’s bleary and groggy in the morning, and adds another shot of espresso to his coffee.

Then you hear him whimper, and nights like these are even rarer. He’s having a nightmare.

"Mysta?" Careful not to startle him, you rest your hand on his arm and call his name. "Mysta, baby. Wake up."

He cries again as you whisper to him, and when you reach out to his shoulder he snaps back to life. The whimper turns to a sharp, sudden gasp as his eyes break open. Blue and pink colors the darkness, but they're filled with fear.

Then they go shut again, and Mysta drags his hands over his face as he groans.

It takes him a moment before he utters an exhausted but grateful "Thanks."

"No problem. Are you okay?"

"I don't know, is there a giant spider in the corner of the ceiling?"

“Nope. You’re clear.”

“That’s good then.” Mysta sighs. His eyes open through the cracks between his fingers. “That was fucking awful.”

You rub his arm in an attempt to soothe him. “You up for talking about it?”

“I guess? There isn’t much to talk about. I was trapped in this huge web, and this nasty-ass tarantula was just sat there staring at me.” His hands drag down to the edge of his chin as he frowns. "I don't know. The last thing I remember was the spider spitting a bunch of webbing all over me, and I couldn't move no matter what I did. And I couldn't see because of all the webs over my eyes."

You suck some air through your teeth. "That sounds horrible."

"I hope I don't dream about it again." Mysta looks dreary. Much better than he did while he was still asleep, but his expression is tense, and he focuses on the ceiling of the room. His breathing is audible, a quiet but slow cycle as he tries to calm himself down.

You shuffle closer to him, and as you do, you reach your hand to his face. He exhales as your fingers glide along his cheek. Soft skin rests along the cup of your palm as he nuzzles closer to you.

"Baby." You thumb over his milky-white skin. "Shh, it's okay. You're safe."

Your touch makes him produce a low, guttural hum, leftover from his exhaustion. He soaks it up like a plant to water. “Can you keep doing that?”

Of course you can. You murmur affirmations as Mysta’s eyelashes flutter. The pace gets slower the longer you go on, little whispers of safety and comfort, and pledges over how nothing can harm him, not while you’re beside him.

You brush a wisp of hair away from his eyes as he looks up at you. Still blue and pink, and still full of fear, but there is vulnerability, and the strength to be vulnerable.

Mysta averts his gaze. His breath hitches, and he hesitates to ask, but he musters up all his courage. The request is barely audible. “Can I… can I hold you?”

“Of course you can.”

You bring yourself closer to him, and before anything else Mysta sinks into your collar. Uneven breaths run along your neck and the beginnings of your chest. His arm comes next. The fingers along your back tentatively trail along the outline of your body, resting along your edges before continuing to roam, like he’s committing everything about you to memory.

A hand rises along your spine and down to your hips, before eventually resting at the space on your back underneath your shoulder. Small, broken circles press into your skin. He’s shaking. Every movement is conscientious, and he’s delicate as he takes you in, like one sudden movement would snap you in half.

So you close the distance. You feel the heat of Mysta’s body just next to yours, a reminder that you’ll always be here for him, which invites him to take a chance. The delicate circles go forgotten as he desperately and suddenly clings to you, his chest against yours, and his hand attached to the lifeline along your back. He buries his head even further into you, and his breathing is labored under trembling lips.

He embraces you as an extension of himself. The one that can keep him grounded. You caress his face in silent comfort as he holds onto you for dear life, even after his heartbeat slows and his breathing loses its sound, just puffs of air on your nape. His eyes close as you loosely scratch his head, like a puppy.

Mysta doesn’t let go of you for the rest of the night, even when his arm goes slack and his body matches the rise and fall of rest. When you wake up, it’s to his peaceful sleeping face.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

🦁 Luca Kaneshiro

2. surprise date

You probably should've been suspicious once Luca announced that he was taking you on a surprise date tomorrow, then told you to wear your shabbiest pair of jeans. And to bring a pair of sunglasses. And to wake up early in the morning.

No matter what you asked him, though, he would always evade your questions with a wink if you were lucky and a smirk if you weren't.

Luca woke you up so early the sun wasn't even up outside, but at least he helped you groggily get through your morning routine and guided you to the car. He took the wheel, and in a matter of minutes you were back to dreamland.

A bump in the road shook you awake again, and luckily this time you rubbed the sleepy out of your eyes much easier than that morning. Luca was still driving with no sign of stopping, but the sun was starting to rise now, a hazy orange glow over bumfuck, nowhere. All you could see for miles were green fields and glades, and the occasional farmhouse.

"Where are we?"

"In the Sugondese."

"Very funny, Luca." You stretched about as well as you could while still strapped in the seat. "Seriously, though, we're in the middle of nowhere. Are you about to tie up some loose ends?"

"You'll just have to wait and see!"

You slump over. "Great. My mafia boyfriend is about to leave me for dead in the middle of the wilderness where no one can find me." You looked at Luca. "You remember my final wish if I have to die by your hands, right? You have to deliver a monologue explaining your master plan like a B-list villain if you have to kill me."

Luca snorts. "Daddy, chill. I'm not going to kill you, Reader, just be patient a little while longer. We're almost there."

He asks you how you slept, and natural conversation flows from there. You get so immersed in talking that you barely even notice when the car slows and Luca pulls over. He hurries out so he can open the door for you, a habit he insists is gentlemanly but comes across more puppyish than anything.

You step out. "So where are we?"

"Follow me."

You take his hand as you do. The dirt road kicks up a little as you trod through in your sneakers, and grass threatens to overtake the edge of the road. Luca leads you ahead down a walking path between trees.

"Oh, woah..."

You try to say something, but your voice falls flat as the trees part and give way to a stretch of farmland. Ripe, red berries dot the prim rows of crops, adorned with healthy bushels of foliage and an occasional white bloom between the fruit. Morning dew sparkles along the berries, rubies under the sunrise.

You whisper, like speaking would wreck the farmland. "I mentioned the other day I was craving strawberries, didn't I?"

"You like it?"

"Luca, I love it. I can't believe you planned this even though I barely remembered that myself."

"I just wanted to do something nice for you. I got us a time slot to pick our own strawberries! So once we get down there, you can take as many as you can hold in a basket, just for us."

"You're such a sweetheart," you replied. Luca chuckles once before he looks away with a hand behind his neck. The sunrise casts a warm glow on his face.

He turns when he recomposes himself, and his strong features are outlined by the shadow of the sun. Even then, it still glints off the morning-dew strawberries and along his golden hair. "Only one way to get there. Take my hand?"

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

4. surprise hug

You look up from your phone periodically. You texted Luca that you got to the street corner earlier than expected for your date today, and he told you to stay put since he was nearly there. Even then, you stand by a bush of flowers along the sidewalk and a lamppost, looking around for your date to no avail.

You squint at the timestamps of your conversation. He should be here by now...

Surprise overtakes you as darkness clouds over your vision. Two warm hands clasp themselves over your eyes, a wall of inky black, and you yelp at the sudden blindness.

"Guess who?"

You already had an idea, but that vibrato confirmed it.

"Lucaaa!" You scold. "My heart nearly jumped out of my chest!"

"Sorry! I couldn't help myself."

"Don't worry about it. Just—can you let me see already—mmph."

Luca spins you around, and you get a glimpse of the street before the darkness swallows you up again. He hugs you.

You thought his hands were warm before, but that's nothing compared to how he holds you close to his heart. He rests his head, and the side of his face squishes as he presses one cheek to yours. Luca is big and strong, and the way that he holds you so tightly is only a reminder. His sleeves are rolled up, and his forearms flex along as he happily hums along with the hug.

He turns his head to peck you on the cheek. Then he pushes you back by the shoulders, and light floods your vision, and just like that, the hug is over.

Luca's hands are still on your shoulders. "I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?"

You can take in the world just fine, but you're having trouble processing. The hug was so sudden, but Luca's warmth still lingers over your skin and under your cheeks.

"I'm fine," you say in a vain attempt to recompose yourself.

"Really? You look kind of red. Were you out in the sun for a while?"

"It's not the sun." But it might as well be, considering how bright your man shines in your eyes. "Let's get going, okay?"

He nods, the moment already forgotten to him while it's all you can think about. When he places his arm at the small of your back to walk beside you, the ghost of the hug returns, and you lean in closer to him as the date begins.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

27. kissing in the rain

It was such a nice day out, you think. You stare through the window in the door to your yard. What happened?

The abrupt rain totally took you by surprise. The sun beat down your back all day today while you and Luca did some chores outside. It was so sunny, in fact, that Luca figured he would work out under the sun instead of at the gym. He hasn't come back inside, even after the rain began.

In fact, you watch him lay face-up in the grass as the rain continues to pour.

You throw on some rain boots and walked onto the porch. The roof of your home just barely covered your head, but the wind casts some of the rain along your clothes. "Luca? Are you okay?"

"Oh, Reader!" He pops up like a jack-in-the-box. His hair sticks to his forehead and frames his smile. "Come with me! It feels great!"

"Sounds like a great way to catch a cold, if you ask me."

"Just for a moment?"

You hesitate. Even though Luca loves the sun, the last few days have been unpleasantly hot for you, but the weather now is just the right temperature, and he looks so happy standing there in the rain...

You take a cautious step out from the roof's shelter, and flinch as beads of water meets your skin directly. Cold rain runs down your closed eyes. It thrums along the porch in steady waves, and the grass crunches under the drops.

The sound of the grass makes way to footsteps along your porch. Luca is by your side. "I've got you!" In a fluid motion, he sweeps you off your feet and into his arms like royalty. You throw your arms around his neck as he carries you, and holds you closer as he steps into the downpour with hearty laughter.

He covers you and takes the majority of the rain while you slowly adapt to the weather. "Not so bad, is it?"

"Okay, okay. I'll admit it." You can't help giggling. His laughter is infectious. "You're right."

Once you get used to the rain, he swirls you in a loose circle. A breeze kicks up from the momentum, cool along the beads of water on your skin, and you inch closer as the rainwater seeps into your clothes. Luca cradles you like a precious treasure. Even as his laughter patters out, his lavender eyes are trained on you.

His gaze falls down your face, and like the rain itself, his kiss is light but just enough to send shivers down your spine.

Your eyes flutter closed as you take in the kiss, slow and soft and so delicate it melts in your mouth. The fingers around Luca's nape rise into his wet hair. They pull him in closer, and savor the chill turning calm as the kiss tastes sweeter.

The rain nearly drowns out the sound when you part, but you catch the cute little chu as Luca's lips leave yours. You don't open your eyes. Rainwater trails down your skin, but the lower half of your face stays untouched. You know why: you can still feel the cool, crisp edge of Luca's breath along the margin of your lip.

You lean forward and pull him back in, and the weather is nothing compared to the way Luca warms your heart.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

38. falling asleep while cuddling

He's drifting off again. Luca's eyes haven't blinked open in a few minutes, and it's as adorable as it is funny. He insisted on watching a movie with you tonight, but rested his head on your chest as you cuddled on the couch instead of being the big spoon like you were so used to.

You connected the dots about twenty minutes into the movie after watching him slowly close his eyes and let his head roll, only to startle himself awake a few minutes later. This has been happening on repeat ever since the movie started.

Luca exhales, and his tattooed chest falls. Is he snoring?

"Luca?" You whisper. "You ready to go to bed?"

It takes a moment before he sleepily hums. It takes him even longer to remember how to speak with a low, grumbly voice. "...'M awake."

"Sure, sure." His eyes are still shut, so he doesn't notice how you look down at him with fondness. He's so cute nestled along your body like this. You're used to Luca being so energetic when you're all alone and the movie goes forgotten as white noise, he looks youthful and innocent. Calm.

A strand of blond hair lays over his eyelashes. You thumb it out of the way, so careful not to interrupt his sleepy face, but his head turns just in time to meet the palm of your hand.

"Seriously." Your heart melts. "So cute."

"Yeah, 'm awake..."

Clearly not awake enough to hear you correctly. Your thumb circles around where his head rests, small and subtle. Luca yawns and nuzzles closer into your hand as he repositions, your body as his pillow.

As boisterous as he is in action, it's these moments you appreciate the most, between the action and adventure and all the glamour that comes with being a mafia boss. He's your knight in shining armor that swears to protect you with his life, but he's so still in your arms, and there is so much trust in the way your fingers curl at his jawline.

He really is cute, but he wouldn't let anyone else in the world adore him as much as you do.

Luca lets out a tiny snore.

"Awake, my ass." The corners of your mouth curve upwards anyways. "Love you, silly."

The rise and fall of Luca's chest is rhythmic, and his warmth drags you down into comfort. You close your eyes, and the song of his light snores lulls you to sleep.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ event post ✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

[sugaredcranberry]

Sorry, it doesn't look like I can send an ask >.<

Anyways, for the prompt: Kyo Yamazaki

1, 2, 4, 6 please!

(Submitted by malignmuffin)

Me when I don't see this ask/submission for what I think has been a couple years

But thank you so so so so much for the ask!!!! Honestly, quite a bit has changed about Kyo and her dynamics since I've been working with my brother and throwing more magical girls into the mix, so I'll respond with how she is in her current iteration!

1) What Magia Record character would/could your OC be good friends with?

Kyo unfortunately is still not one to have super close friends, however I could definitely see her having mad respect for Karin (while she was still in her stealing grief seeds phase) since Kyo basically does the same thing lmao

As Kyo gets softer and more willing to accept that hey, maybe being friends with people isn't a super terrible thing and I don't have to hold my cards so close to my chest all the time she would probably have a soft spot for any of the younger magical girls. Nagisa, Riko, Yuma, etc. And because of Riko's proximity to Ashley, they'd probably get along too.

Also I'd like to mention here that I jokingly ship Kyo with Ria because I just think it would be very funny

2) What Magia Record character would your OC HATE?

I know I just said that Kyo has a soft spot for the younger magical girls, but she would probably hate Touka's guts lol

There's a character within the story I'm making with my brother that really reminds me of Touka too, super smart child prodigy who is insufferable because they know they're smarter than everyone else in the room. And Kyo hates her so that translates well to Touka lol

Probably wouldn't like Kanagi for a similar reason, she's not a fan of authority. Even though Kanagi most definitely is chill, Kyo would just be rubbed the wrong way knowing that she's such a big shot in the magical girl community. If they talked for a bit though they could probably come to an understanding.

4) Would your OC have joined the Wings of Magius if given the chance? Why or why not?

Oh, most definitely. Kyo hates authority, but loves taking the easy way out of situations more. I doubt she would ever meet the Magius face to face, so she's safe from the headache that would come from being in the same room as them lololololol

6) How does your OC feel about Mirrors? Do they avoid it, go there to practice, or want to solve its mysteries-- or do they have a different motivation?

Kyo would avoid Mirrors like the plague lmao

She'd go a couple times to get a feel for it, thinking maybe since she also has powers related to the distortion of perception (she just has illusion powers) she'd have a sense of understanding of how mirrors worked. That view quickly crumbled the first time she saw a clone of herself, and then left and never looked back.

Again, thank you so much for your submission!!!!!! ^-^

As a little bonus, here's Kyo's wip new outfit hehe

[late-nite-scholar]

Aug 13 (Day 2)- Secret/Golden

It’s a warm day in Whiterun, and especially for training at Jorrvaskr. Two of the women of the kitchen staff take the Companions out some refreshments, one of whom Farkas has a crush on. Cute fluff, a little angsty, ultimately adorable. Prompts by @tes-summer-fest

Nord/Altmer OC x Farkas 

Warnings- None

Wordcount- ~850

***

Farkas looked up at the sound of Torvar cheering, taking him out of the spar with his brother. A couple of the kitchen girls had come out with refreshments. Kynhild put out a tray of mugs and a couple bottles of mead while Fritha went around with a cup and bucket of water. She stopped at where Ria and Athis had paused their match, before heading to where Aela and Skjor waited. 

Finally, she made her way over. Farkas’ heart skipped. The sun shone brightly, turning her hair into a golden cloud that poked out from beneath her floral patterned kerchief. Even her skin had a golden glow, though her cheeks had reddened as she approached them. 

She went to Vilkas first and his heart sank. He and his brother had both stripped out of their shirts under the surprisingly warm sun, and Vilkas had always been the more handsome one. And why not? He was smarter, more articulate, and cut a flawlessly trim, muscular figure. And women loved how he carried himself in that aloof way. Farkas, even with his larger size, could hardly compete with that, though he didn't often begrudge his brother for it. But right now, it hurt to watch Fritha smile at Vilkas, knowing he couldn't compare. Why else would he be dead last for a water call? 

He tried to put those thoughts aside as Fritha turned toward him and all but ran over. Her face was so completely flushed it almost glowed with heat. He waited for her to exclaim something about Vilkas, as many did.  He gave her a smile, even as that arrow of thought thrust deeper into his heart.

“I'm sorry to interrupt, Sir Farkas, but Tilma didn't want anybody fainting from the heat, so we brought some water and drinks.” She smiled. “I'm sorry I didn't get over here sooner. And for interrupting your sparring.” 

“That's no problem at all. Can't complain about somethin’ to drink in this heat.” He took a deep gulp from the water she handed to him, still cold from the frost enchantment on the cup. 

“Do you and your brother always spar like this?” She asked, teeth delicately chewing at her bottom lip. 

Ah, there it was. The start of it. He shrugged. “Well, only when it's hot out.” 

“Perhaps I shall have to ask for jobs in the yard on hot days, then.” Her face immediately turned an even deeper crimson, and she shuffled her feet. “Bring water to keep you both hydrated.” 

“Well, you'll have plenty to look at while you're at it,” he waved his hand over at his brother. “I get it.” 

She raised a finely shaped eyebrow at him. “I suppose… but that wouldn’t be my first choice. I mean you’re... Maybe I shouldn't have said anything… oh, gods…” 

“Why would ya look at me when Vilkas is right there?” 

“Why wouldn't I?” 

Farkas looked at the cup in his hand and shrugged. “He's the smarter one, the handsomer one.” 

“Says who?” The indignation in her voice made him look up. Her pretty, green eyes were dark under her golden, furrowed brows. 

It caught him off guard. “Uh, everybody says that.” 

“Well, I'm glad I'm not ‘everybody’ then.” Her face softened. “I think you're much more handsome. And you've always been so kind. I…I don't think you should sell yourself short. Um, I should get this water over to the table, and get back to my duties. Again, sorry to bother you!” 

“You're never a bother.” He reached out, gently touching her shoulder. “Thank you, Fritha. I’ll watch for you, when you come round again. Maybe it'll stay warm for a little while longer.” 

She gave him a smile and fled, water bucket in hand. Vilkas came over as Farkas watched her go, the sun turning her hair into that golden halo again, barely contained by the kerchief. He found himself sighing. 

“She's beautiful.” He said it softly, reverently. 

“She likes you, too,” Vilkas nudged him with an elbow. “When she came over I've never seen someone blush that hard. She kept saying how she was going to make a fool of herself the minute she came over here.” 

“Why?” 

“I think she got a little flustered seeing you. I told her not to worry too much. That it would be fine. She thinks you’re gorgeous, by the way. Makes sense, since you’re the better looking one.”

“What? No, I’m not. You are. Women always look at you more than me.”

“Not at all! Do you not see how they stare at you in the market?”

“No way!”

“I see it every time!”

The brothers looked at each other for a moment before they both burst out laughing. Njada walked by, slowing and giving them both a look. 

“You two okay?”

“Well, it seems each of us thought the other was the better-looking one.” Vilkas wiped at the tears streaming down his face. 

She sighed, rolling her eyes. “You’re twins. You look almost the same. The pair of you are both handsome, which is good because neither of you is very smart.”

She scoffed as she left, but it only made them laugh harder.   

[mxanigel]

Gloria 'Ria' Hawke exists thanks to a gift exchange last winter which gave me glorious (pun intended) Hawke/Loghain brainrot. I fell so hard for this Hawke that I started a Dragon Age 2 playthrough to get to know her better.

But I wouldn't have been able to embark on this journey without @judithmactir's incredible prompts as inspiration. <3 The resulting fic depicts highlights across a decade of Ria's life from before Dragon Age 2 to during Inquisition.

Like a fire in my blood

Rating: T Word count: 2,358 [complete] Relationship: Female Hawke/Loghain Mac Tir Tags: POV Hawke, Blue Hawke, though she becomes less blue post-DA2, First Kiss, Implied/Referenced Grief, Romance, Age Difference

Warrior Gloria 'Ria' Hawke never asked for a lot of things thrown at her in this life. She doesn't like most of them. But meeting Loghain Mac Tir is one of the few for which she's grateful. And for the kinship with him that eventually becomes something more.

Lothering, 9:30 Dragon

Gloria. What were her parents thinking when they chose that for her? It was too fanciful compared to perfectly serviceable names like Bethany or even Carver. ‘Ria’ fit much better.

So of course Carver called her ‘Gloria’ anytime he found himself losing one of their sparring matches. It wasn’t her fault she could shield bash better than him.

But something felt different this time. More than bitterness laced his tone as he lashed out at her. Perhaps the rumors of a threat to their south—one unrelated to Orlais—had him on edge. Worse than usual, that is.

Thanks to an afternoon downpour preventing escape to the woods, Ria ends up seeking solace among the bookshelves in the Chantry. But not in the boring section where the sisters lurked, with their constant murmurings of Chant of Light this and Andraste that. No, in the realm of stories, stories that actually happened, stories of past Ages and battles and dragons.

Something about her argument with her brother drives her to a well-worn tome, the page edges wrinkled by the passage of time and touch of many fingers. Mostly her own. This book covers the tale of Loghain Mac Tir’s rise from humble birth as a farmer’s son to the Hero of River Dane, a trajectory that drove her swordplay, a trajectory she occasionally wishes she could follow—

“Ria. Knew I’d find you here.”

She glances up. Mud from their own battle still smears Carver’s left cheek despite the rain. “Why did you bother looking?” she snarls, her tone harsher than intended.

“I…” He visibly swallows. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For yelling at you. When I was mad at myself.”

She blinks. “You don’t usually apologize this quickly.”

“Well, I needed to say that before I shared the news.”

“News? What news?”

“The threat to the south is worse than we realized. King Cailan is mustering an army. I’m joining. I figured you’d be interested too.”

A chance to do something. Something that matters. Of course she’ll take it.

[Read the rest on AO3]

[phoenixradiant]

PTQ Tag Game

My thanks to @illarian-rambling for the tag!

My Prompt: A quote about a time you were hurt

Cellic: "Don't generally talk about injuries like that. It's a good way for Maiph to assign me three weeks of bedrest. Not that I mind the attention, I just can't hardly stay still for three zixed weeks."

Kar: "Broke my rib once. That has no reason to hurt as bad as it does. I've broken an arm before, and it's not that bad if you let it rest, but you can't even breathe without the rib hurting."

Narra: "Rai and Ria, depending on who you ask I'm technically dead. can't get much more hurt than that, right? Wrong. Punch me in the gut and I'm dead and it hurts like Chaos' pangs."

Lettic: "Got mauled once. Cel was exterminating a valrak nest and I asked to come along. The shells died quick enough, but got ambushed by a bear on the way back. Maiph was not happy."

Lutian: "Does like getting your feelings hurt count? The worst I've been like really hurt is just a stubbed toe."

Radiaten: "Didn't really dwell on the pain. Had bigger things to worry about. You can hardly tell I've been burned anymore, so long as I keep my arm covered."

NP tagging @tildeathiwillwrite, @willtheweaver, and @aalinaaaaaa!

Your prompt is: A quote about truth.

[lizard-on-a-window-pane]

hii, i'm ria ~ welcome! 🍂

🪶masterlist

⏳ current event: KINKTOBER 2024! 👻

⌛️past events

🦉 requests currently OPEN; characters i write for, guidelines (i really really appreciate all your requests and interactions and i'm sorry i can't write them all! i get a good amount and it really depends on how much time and energy i have, not even on how much i like the request)

🚪there is a lot of 18+ content on this blog, so please tread responsibly; MDNI with NSFW works, everything is always clearly marked; i'll only write nsfw prompts for characters of age / aged up and for requests from accounts marking you’re not a minor

🕰️ i have varying amounts of time to write on here so might be a bit of time between fics / to fill requests sometimes depending, but i’m still very much in the vibe of writing and posting soon!

🤎 reblogs very appreciated; please don't steal my work or post it anywhere else; i don’t own the characters; you are lovely, and thank you for reading!

[wangxian-stan]

Found You

Prompt by @differencesintheworld: Here's one I've been mulling over for a while - WangXian meeting their successors in the modern era. Imagine a great great great granddaughter with the grace and discipline of Wangji and yet a sly smirk and sneaky tactics of Wuxian, and all the same a strong sense of Justice and Fairness- How they got to meet them? Magic I dunno-

Hi differencesintheworld!

First of all, thanks for sending a prompt! I was pleasantly surprised by it, since I figured this side blog was too unknown to get any answers.

Secondly... this took me so long because instead of a mere one-shot, your prompt sent me into a rabbit hole and I emerged on the other side with the sketch of a modern cultivation AU where some of the cast are secret immortals, others have reincarnated, and cultivation is the norm.

I'm not sure if I will ever write the whole fic, developing this AU in its entirety. I'm good at writing short stories, not so much at multi-chaptered ones ^^' But I managed to get out a two-part story centered in your prompt (well, two-part.... maybe three-part. Or four. I guess, no more than five, depending on how the writing goes.)

So, here it is! This first part is in the POV of an OC that isn't the descendant, sadly, but the next part should be in her POV. And because I don't know if I will ever write more of this AU, as I've said, here are some background notes:

Takes place in a modern cultivation AU, where modern times have discovered a way for cultivation potential in kids. Those with low potential get treated badly.

People are divided by levels: 0- no cultivation potential to 5- outstanding potential. Zeros are nearly extinguished because with everyone having at least a weak core, viruses have evolved and become stronger. Those with no cores can now be at risk from illnesses like the flu.

Fives are also incredibly rare. The normal population varies between a high 1 and a low 3, meaning they can activate and create talismans and use low-level cultivation techniques

Cultivating to immortality is seen as a myth. Some of the cast are secret immortals, wangxian included

Anyway, read the fic below the cut or in in AO3. If you, or anyone else, is interested I can share my notes for this AU ^^

Warnings: implied child neglect. One of the kids is sick and the carers of the orphanage haven't been taking care of her.

-

For once, the rain was a blessing.

Normally, Aria hated rain. Who would like it? It made her room cold, she had to huddle to avoid the leaky part of the ceiling, and it kept the people at the orphanage inside. It also brought some bad memories that the rain made a struggle to keep locked at the back of her mind.

No, the rain wasn't usually something she liked, but this night she welcomed it. The potent sound of a storm muffled any sound she could make as she sneaked around the orphanage's medicinal cabinet, decreasing the chances of the matron hearing her. It also made it possible to take some food from the kitchen, not enough for the lack to be noticed, and sneak back into her room, avoiding the creaky parts of the floor with ease.

“I'm back, Zhu.” She whispered, closing the door with care. She then approached the bunk- bed where a girl with long black hair was laying down, her breath labored.

“A...ria...”

“Shh, don't talk. Here, drink a little.” She helped her friend to sit up and took the chipped mug, half filled with water, tilting it into the other's mouth and encouraging her to take small sips.

“I have some medicine,” she said when her friend signaled she'd had enough. “But you should eat something first. Here, I got you a yogurt. Try to eat a little.”

“And you?”

“I already ate, I promise Mingzhu. Now you.”

“Mn. Thanks.”

Waving her thanks, Aria fed Mingzhu little spoonfuls of the yogurt, then helped her take a pill and lay back down.

“You will be okay,” she whispered, holding her hand. “I promise, I'll do all I can to help you get better.” She took the blanket and tucked it a little more around her friend, trying to ward off the cold. A flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed by the sound of thunder, the sounds of the storm increasing.

It was because of this that Aria didn't hear the commotion, at first, until the door to their room was suddenly slammed open. Startled, she looked up, and when she found two- unfamiliar men staring at them, she instinctively moved protectively in front of her friend with a glare.

“Yes, I can see how you just adore children,” one of the men said in a sarcastic voice, his silver eyes glinting in what Aria could identify as fury. The man at his side was silent, his face blank, but she could detect anger in him despite the coldness emanating from his golden eyes.

“I- well, she's very sick, so we had her away from the rest to avoid the illness spreading...”

That voice. Aria's glare increased, and she could finally see the matron behind both men, only to blink in surprise. The matron, normally serious with an arrogant expression, was as white as snow, her hands wringing nervously in front of her.

“And why didn't you take her to a hospital?”

“We're a small orphanage, you see, we don't have enough money to cover the costs-”

“Oh?” The first man smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. Aria shivered but watched with glee as the matron paled even more. “That wasn't what you were bragging about earlier. What was it that you said? Oh, that's right-”

“Wei Ying.”

At the second man's words, the first man, Wei Ying it seemed, shut up and met the other's gaze.

“You're right, Lan Zhan, now's not the time.” He turned back towards the matron, gaze cold. “We're taking her now. We will be back to finish the paperwork once we're sure she's out of risk.”

“You're going to help?”

It wasn't until both men's eyes were on her that Aria realized she'd spoken. She still met their gazes, defiant, and watched as both men's eyes softened.

“We will help her,” the second man, Lan Zhan, confirmed in a soft voice that lacked the coldness of his earlier words. Aria stared, mistrustful of these two strangers who had suddenly barged in.

“Why?”

But before they could answer, the matron spoke up. “I'm afraid there isn't much you can do,” she said in that sickly fake understanding tone that Aria hated with passion. “You see, that girl. She's a zero. Normal medicines aren't-”

“Shut up,” interrupted Wei Ying, glaring so fiercely that what little color the matron had recovered she lost again. “We will help her,” he said, looking back at Aria, “because she's very sick and needs the help. Also,” he added when Aria's glare indicated that it wasn't enough, “she's a distant relative of ours. We've been looking for her for a while now.”

Aria's eyebrows rose in incredulity. Distant relatives appearing out of nowhere in the nick of time to save the life of a long-lost descendant? What was this now, a book?

“We're the only ones who can help,” Lan Zhan suddenly said, staring intently at Aria. “She will be fine. But.” Lan Zhan looked at Wei Ying and Aria had the impression they were having a secret conversation with their eyes. Her suspicions only increased when, out of nowhere, Wei Ying nodded and Lan Zhan's golden eyes were on her again as he continued. “You can come with us too if you'd like. Then you can make sure your friend will be safe.”

“She's a one-!”

“Haven't you noticed by now that we don't care?” Wei Ying snapped at the matron. “I hope you won't be this stupid when we come to do both sets of paperwork later.”

The matron colored and began to sputter something Aria didn't pay attention to, her eyes widening as she stared at both men.

“Come with you? Both sets?”

“Mn.” Those golden eyes were soft again. “If you want. This place is not good for you, too.” Aria blushed, suddenly feeling self-conscious of her ill-fitting clothes and her self-made haircut. She looked like a vagabond in comparison with these two men, who were dressed in what looked like expensive clothing.

But these men in expensive clothing wanted to adopt her, too.

It sounded too good to be true. But she also knew that the chances of her friend surviving were small, and she wanted to be with her for as long as she could. These men said they could help. Aria wanted to make sure they wouldn't hurt her more.

She decided to take the risk and nod. La Zhan's lips curved slightly, then turned back to the other man (what was their relationship, Aria wondered) and interrupted his conversation with the matron. A conversation, Aria suddenly realized, sounded a lot like this Wei Ying was blackmailing the matron into letting both of them leave with these men.

“We should go.”

“Sure. And you,” Wei Ying said, smiling scarily at the matron who once again was so white Aria wouldn't be surprised she fainted. “Remember what I said, okay? We'll be back in a week for the paperwork. Make sure you have it ready, 'kay?” The matron gave a mute nod.

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Wei Ying turned to Aria, holding out a hand while Lan Zhan took the unconscious Mingzhu and lifted her easily, cradling her in his arms.

“Let's go, little one.”

Aria took his hand.

-

The way to these men's house would be remembered by Aria in little flashes, in the future.

The men taking out swords and casually leaving them floating before them, making Aria realize that they must be level 5 cultivators because flying was something few people could do.

The rain-repelling paper talisman stuck to her shirt, instead of being the usual stamp in her hand, activated by a trickle of spiritual power that to Aria's little senses seemed to come from a vast ocean.

The way Wei Ying's arms felt so secure as she lifted and carried her the whole way. She was warm, whether from the talisman or those arms, she didn't know.

She fell asleep.

[i-luvsang]

ria!!!! congratulations on 1.2k bb!!!! <3

the idiots in love prompts are absolutely killing me; could irequest:

“how do i know if i have a crush on someone?” “well, you can’t stop thinking about them, you feel strange when they’re around, and then you want to— why are you looking at me like that.” & “this sounds like you’re flirting with me.” “...i have been trying to do that for three years now.”

with hongjoong please??

much love & so many congratulations!!! <3 ash

thank you so much lovie !!! <33 tysm for the request !! i loved writing this one it was truly truly idiots to lovers LMAO lots of love for you too !! <33 here it is !!

[hexiewrites]

✨ 2022 ao3 wrapped ✨

thanks @flashyysins for the tag!!! this is so fun!

Works Published: 8

Word Count: 178,948 [jesus, that's only since august!]

Hits: 50,379 [I'm literally! that's such a big number wow!!!]

Bookmarks: 1,829

Most popular by kudos: so, I don't want to repeat the same fic a ton on here. it's technically same as it ever was, but that's also my most hits. so my second most popular by kudos is: no telling where you might be swept off to - explicit, 5,908 words, basically PWP

Most hits: this one makes sense, since it was my first steddie fic and also my only multichap for a while! same as it ever was - explicit, 49,574 words, a story of losing each other and coming back together

Longest: shockingly, it's my newest! make this inn our own - mature, 65,162 words, my steddie hallmark au all about finding your way back to the path you should have taken in life

Shortest: another earlier fic, I love this one for being my first in Eddie's POV but it is less popular than my others. I thought I knew what love was (what did I know?) - teen, 4,893 words, eddie drooling over steve during a series of pool parties

Most comments: it's once again make this inn our own! (also i almost cry like every time i get a comment just so yall know, you make me SO happy)

Fic that made me cry: I'm not gonna lie, I wrote this one just to give Steve a chance to have a breakdown but I cried a lot in the process of it: i met your ghost (he followed me) - explicit, 30,267 words, Steve finds Eddie's ghost... except, maybe he isn't so much of a ghost after all?

Fic that made me smile: I'm not gonna lie, I had SUCH a blast writing this one. it was such a silly concept and every time I remembered what I was doing I chuckled about it, and the comments on it have truly made my LIFE: there'll be a riot (cause I know you) - explicit, 10,078 words, eddie as a rockstar who has some unhinged matty-healy vibes with steve as the fan who just really wants to bang him

Gifts: I haven't done any gifts for anyone yet (one is in the works, unsure if it'll be done pre-2023!) but I RECEIVED the best gift: save a horse, ride an ex-jock by @riality-check and if you read it you'll get a hint as to what my gift back will be ;)

Events: the only event I did this year was @thefreakandthehair's Spicy Six Winter Fic Challenge, but I had SO much fun! one prompt ("are you going to stand there, or are you going to help me?") inspired my longest steddie fic (the inn fic!) and my second longest fic EVER. I loved getting to do this event and I'm excited to read everyone elses entries now that mine's done!

tagging: (with absolutely NO pressue!) both ria and lex who have already been tagged, @reindeerrobin @maxinemaxmayfield @hotcocoaharrington @withacapitalp @horsegirleddiemunson @bonitabreezy @toburnup and anyone else who wants to join in! tag me back so I can see yours!

[luvryeo]

event take two:

can i request ❛  i feel so weak and turned on at the same time when i’m in your arms.  ❜ with our dear bb yeosang pls

and still MANY congrats to you ria my darling <3333

heyyyy thank you so much !! and thank you for being willing to change the prompt i appreciate it lots !! um but yeah like i dont love him way too much or anything. here it is !! pls enjoy <33

[brisquad-unit-4402]

Congratulations on the 100 followers, unit 4402! You've been working so hard. i'm proud of you and your writings are always beautiful!

As for the event, can i ask for pining prompt with the lovely sorcerer, shu yamino? Thank you so much!

-🍰

ah hello again 🍰! and thank you so much for the kind words, it really means a lot. i'm extremely proud of how much of myself i've been able to put into this blog and it only makes it all the sweeter when others think the same way of it

eeeek shu works so well with pining, it's kind of unreal. please enjoy

tags: pre-relationship, gender neutral reader, vtuber!reader, light angst, pining

cameos: ike eveland, luca kaneshiro, mysta rias, vox akuma

⚠ drinking

#100 followers for 4402 - 7. pining

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Shu wonders if he's too obvious. He probably is.

Your name appears often on his schedule. First it was a group collab with you and a few other newer Vtubers in your unit, then a duo collab two weeks later for a long game that needs at least two more streams to complete.

He enters VC daily, and when you join in after your work for the day, your voice colors his world brighter. No wonder you got hired; you sound just as pretty as you look. Hearing you laugh out loud is straight sugar, and your words relax him until you go on a passionate rant. He swears it's like sending his heart on a roller coaster.

Shu realizes that whenever you're on the line, he always hesitates to disconnect before leaving, just in case you say... something. He doesn't know what he wants. Anything. Just another word would be fine.

Three drinks in at a boys' night out with Luxiem, Vox bonks his head before ruffling his hair. "You've got it bad."

"I know," Shu says. He slumps over the table, phone in his hands and your last DM under his fingers. He's drunk on two things, and it shows through half-lidded amethyst in his eyes and rose quartz on his cheeks.

Ike watches on as Vox pats his back. "Have you ever thought about telling them?"

"Nooo..." Shu buries himself further into his own arms. "It's not a big deal."

"I'd argue otherwise."

"And I'm scared to ruin stuff," he continues. "Just talking to them is enough. I like them so much."

Luca laughs out loud. "You really have it bad. Want me to text them for you?"

Shu snatches his phone and holds it close to his chest. "No! It'll be fine, thank you!"

Mysta leans back in his chair, cocktail in hand and silly straw along his lips. "You're seriously hopeless, you know that, right? You gotta tell them at some point before it eats you alive. Or before they're unavailable."

Shu's eyes gloss over the table before he averts them. He should do something about it. The thought really does terrify him, though. Falling for a coworker is risky enough, but even if somehow you feel the same, he has no idea how open you would be to long distance.

Maybe it's the drinks hitting him, or how sleepy of a drunk he is, but the last time you met up he couldn't get the scent of your shampoo out of his mind. The memory is saccharine, and cuts through the boozy air. All this sweat in the bar. His folded arms become a pillow, yet he longs to wake up just about anywhere else as long as your shampoo lingers while you sleep next to him.

Under his arms, Shu pouts. The boys have a point. He really does have it bad.

Then he immediately denies that thought. It's just the drinks, that's all. Alcohol always makes emotions run wild. He'll pass today off as just that, alcohol and emotions, and when he recounts how yesterday he wanted to see your smile, and how he listened to you passionately talk the day before—that's the alcohol, too. Memories also feel more intense when he's drunk, and he'll go along with it even though he'll still think about you in the morning when he's nursing his hangover.

"I'll be fine," he lies. "I'm ordering more."

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ event post ✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

[bisexualbuck]

pauline my love!!! i'm in the mood for angsty buck x eddie, so i'll send you some numbers and see if any of them inspire you; 2, 31 & 92 😌

“You can’t keep ignoring this.” - Read on AO3

.

Buck is very fond of denial.

What a neat trick it is! He has a problem, then he won’t think about it until it either goes away on its own (it rarely does) or it comes back to bite him in the ass (it usually does).

Either way, denial is great.

Take for example his non-platonic, very romantic feelings for his best friend.

Buck could confess. He could also try to move on from this unrequited situation.

Instead of doing either of these things, he buries his head in the sand and pretends he has no problem breathing at all. No, he has no heavy weight sitting on his chest at all times, and maybe if he repeats if enough it will become true.

So what if he still overthinks every interaction he has with Eddie? That’s his business, no matter what his sister may think.

“You can’t keep ignoring this,” she says – again.

She says it a lot. His answer is pretty much always the same.

“Actually, I can. And I think I will. This is working great for me so far. It’s like Schrödinger’s confession, if I don’t say anything, Eddie can’t reject me.”

Maddie rolls her eyes with such force Buck expects them to fly out. Everyone tells him he is dramatic but if he is, it’s only because he grew up raised by one Maddie Buckley.

He is grateful for her being eight month pregnant, otherwise she would have already dragged him to Eddie and force him to confess.

Unaware that he is being bullied, the extended family of the 118 is talking and laughing excitedly in the other room. He longs to join them so that he can go back to ignoring his feelings.

“Don’t be daft,” she tells him.

“Eddie loves you.” “Yeah, he does – as a friend.” She goes to protest again but he presses on before she can. “Look, Maddie, I see what you’re trying to do and I know you worry about me but the truth is, I can’t risk this. Eddie and Christopher mean too much to me and I can’t risk losing them because of my big dumb messy feelings.”

Her face goes from annoyed to sad, almost pitiful.

“So, no. If Eddie feels the same way, he has to make the first move because I can’t.”

She sighs and for a moment, they bask in this tired silence.

Then, she says, “Your feelings aren’t dumb.”

Buck can’t help but snort at this and she smiles too though it’s shadowed by all that which they never mention.

They know that they did not grow up as children should, that their parents never showed them how to love and be loved and that both of them have searched for belonging and love in the wrong places. Maybe, if they had been taught the definition of love, Buck would have had a braver heart.

Guilt rears its head at seeing his sister’s dimmed smile knowing that he is the cause of it, and so he hurries to change the subject – anything to make her laugh freely again.

Soon, he forgets about this discussion. It’s one he has had many times with Maddie, and with Hen too, and with Bobby, awkwardly too, that one time.

He knows people think Eddie might love him back the way Buck wants to, but, if so, why isn’t he doing anything about it?

Eddie isn’t the one with everything to lose.

.

It’s not until three days later that Buck is reminded of the conversation.

Eddie and him are painting Christopher’s room as a surprise for his birthday.

It was actually Buck’s idea but Eddie loved it and the two of them spent several hours deciding on a new color scheme for the room.

Well, in truth, the whole team got involved and it was of course Hen’s pick that got chosen, at Chim’s good-natured protest, which made Buck very happy because Chim refused to listen to Buck’s input about his nephew’s room.

“I need to tell you something,” Eddie blurts out, stilling mid-movement in his painting.

Buck almost tells him to finish it or it’ll leave a trace but the seriousness on his best friend’s stop him.

“Okay?” And no, Buck isn’t worried all of the sudden. At all. “What is it? Wait, are you okay? Is Chris okay?”

“Yes. We’re fine. I just – listen, I love you.”

Buck beams though his heart clenches in yearning – Eddie doesn’t mean it like that.

“Aw, I love you too, man.”

Eddie shakes his head. He steps down from the stool he was perched on. Absentmindedly, Buck mourns the trace that will be left on the wall. This is the third coat, they won’t have enough paint to do a fourth one.

Maybe they can put a picture to hide it later on?

“No, Buck,” Eddie protests. “I love you. As in, I’m in love with you.”

Buck blinks. And then, for good measure, he blinks once more but the scene is still the same – Eddie, earnest, looking at him with soft, imploring eyes.

“You’re – what?” Buck can’t process this.

Is he in a coma and no one has had the decency to tell him? Has he been gravely injured on the job and this is is mind’s conjured wishful scenario right before he dies?

“I’m in love with you, Buck,” Eddie repeats breathlessly. “I am. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long but I never could bring myself to.”

“What changed?” he asks almost despite himself.

He can’t believe this is truly happening. It all feels so much like a dream that he is half expecting to wake up any minute now in his bed with his heart crushed.

“I couldn’t keep ignoring this.”

Something stirs in Buck’s memory that he can’t quite place but he is too busy staring with adoration at the love of his life to focus on it.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Eddie replies with a soft smile. “It was all so easy to live in denial because, if I never told you, I was safe. Like Schrödinger’s confession.”

Buck stills. The memory comes back to him and it all clicks.

His conversation with Maddie at the 118’s monthly barbecue.

“You heard?”

Eddie shrugs, sheepish. “In my defense, you were speaking really loud and I was just in the other room.”

“I – I don’t know what to say.”

“Maybe say you love me too? Just so that I know you weren’t joking around with Maddie.”

That’s when it hits him. Eddie is as nervous as Buck has always felt when thinking about confessing. He looks like a man who is scared he is about to lose everything.

“I love you,” he cries out hurriedly. “Of course I love you but you – you? Like, you have feelings for me? Romantic ones?”

Eddie laughs with such relief that Buck can’t help but laugh too.

“How could I not fall in love with you, Evan Buckley? You’re everything.”

And when they kiss, Buck can finally breathe again.

Maybe denial isn’t all that he’s made it out to be.

Being free and in love has its perks too.

[shuchu]

Can I get a 32 NSFW with Mysta for totally scientific sesio purposes?

'*•.¸♡ who’s the top now? ♡¸.•*'

shuchu’s 100 follower event ♡

prompt: “i don’t care if it takes all night, you will submit.”

character: mysta rias

warnings: NSFW, minors dni ; gn!reader ; choking ; bondage (handcuffs) ; toys

author notes: thank you for participating in the event anon!! ♡ this is piece is on the shorter side but i hope you enjoy it regardless! (∪ ◡ ∪) thank you all so much for your patience and support (´꒳`)♡ decorative divider: @/mykaesu on twt  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

enjoy lovelies! ♡

your arms were pinned above your head with mysta’s right hand wrapped around your wrists holding them down on the bed. you smirked to yourself, finding it cute that mysta was trying to top you. 

“what’re you smirking at huh?” mysta asks.

“nothing…nothing in particular.” you reply before chuckling softly. 

mysta’s left hand swiftly moves to wrap around your throat, gently squeezing the side of your neck. he leans in close to your face and whispers, “you don’t think i can do this can you? you think i’m incapable of being a top?”

your eyes flick from his lips to his eyes and you giggle, “yeah, i don’t think you’re capable.”

mysta sneers at you before capturing your lips in a heated kiss, his hand tightens around your neck, sending tingles to your brain. he knew you liked this, he was using his knowledge of you against you. 

you tried flipping the both of you around but you were unable to due to the strong grip mysta had on your wrists. mysta feels you struggling under him and pulled back, giving you a cocky grin, “oh? trying to escape huh? is this you admitting defeat already?”

“shut up, you haven’t even done anything yet and you think you’ve won. you need to try harder my love.”

at that, the cocky grin fell from mysta’s lips and he reached to the side to pull out handcuffs from the bedside table. he cuffed your hands to the headboard and leaned down so that he was face to face with you again. he presses a quick kiss to your lips and said, “i don’t care if it takes all night, you will submit.” 

mysta leaned over to the bedside table to pull out two more things, one being a blindfold and the other, a vibrating dildo. your eyes widened, when did he get all these things? the both of you have talked about experimenting in the bedroom but you didn’t think that it would be today. 

mysta saw your reaction and he smiled smugly, he puts the blindfold on, plunging you into darkness. suddenly, you feel a finger prodding at your hole, you clench your jaw, resisting the urge to make a sound. then, you feel mysta’s tongue slip in, making you gasp and groan softly. 

as his tongue flicked inside you, his hand moved up to your hardened nipple to toy with it — pulling it and rolling it between his fingers. fuck, it feels good. after giving your hole a soft kiss, mysta turns on the dildo and slowly inserts it into your sopping hole. 

you moan softly at the feeling of it entering you, your brain betraying you — wishing that it was mysta’s length instead. mysta then moves up to give you a peck on the lips, “you will beg for me to fuck you eventually, so for now, enjoy this lacklustre dildo in you.” 

you can sense him grinning triumphantly at you. you then hear him climb off the bed and his footsteps getting more and more distant. holy fuck, he was just going to leave you here. you hate to admit it but, fuck he’s good. 

[mxanigel]

Tag Some People You Want to Get to Know Better.

Thank you @judithmactir for the tag! No-pressure tagging @milesmentis @islanddryad @poetikat @socially-awkward-skeleton~

Blank prompts below, my answers under the cut.

Three ships: First ship ever: Last song: Last movie: Currently watching: Currently reading: Currently consuming: Currently craving:

Three ships: Yuri x Estelle from Tales of Vesperia, Kumiko x Reina from Hibike! Euphonium, Bethany x Isabela from Dragon Age (for fun, I picked a few I don't talk about as much)

First ship ever: The first one I understood as a ship when I started shipping them was Squall x Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII

Last song: "Old Soul" by Zola Simone (I'm obsessed with this track for myself and for Ria Hawke)

Last movie: Top Gun Maverick

Currently watching: The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady (excellent so far and reportedly follows through on the main f/f ship)

Currently reading: The Stolen Throne (but progress is slow because my hard copy has blurred text which is painful to read 😭)

Currently consuming: Coffee

Currently craving: The fics in my head to be written SO I CAN READ THEM

[justblades]

❏❜ ⋮ MAKE LOVE WITH ME ! MASTERLIST ♡

LUXIEM:

♡̶ SHU YAMINO

#1 : do i look like i'm messing around?

#16 : keep your eyes open, look at me baby.

#95 : quiet baby, the others will hear.

#86 : does it make you nervous when i stare?

#41 : what makes you think i'm going to fuck you?

♡̶ LUCA KANESHIRO

#6 : we're really going to fuck here? what if someone sees us?

♡̶ MYSTA RIAS

#100 : you're horny again? didn't i fuck you hard enough last night?

#16 : i won't apologize for marking you up, everyone should know you're taken.

♡̶ IKE EVELAND

#19 : keep your eyes open, look at me baby.

#81 : do you wonder what it is that makes me scream?

#76 : you know i'm holding back from fucking you over this kitchen counter, don't push your luck.

#41 : what makes you think i'm going to fuck you?

#6 : we're really going to fuck here? what if someone sees us?

NOCTYX:

♡̶ ALBAN KNOX

#58 : no one's ever touched me like this, fuck

A/N: thank you so much for participating! if you're wondering why your request wasn't accepted: you submitted a request when i've closed the event for reqs already or chose two or more prompts when the rules stated pick only one. anyway, there will be next time so stay tuned >;^) thank you once again <3

[deepseavibez]

Nerve_30 [N] || KNJ

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Nerve [Namjoon x Reader]

Prompt - @casnextdoor

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Part 29.5 - Retriggered

Part 30 - Finale [N]

Part 30 - Finale [E]

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Genre - cheating; aftermath; husband au;

Summary - You would never expect it really. He’s doting. He’s sweet. He’s hardworking. But he’s forgotten his morals. Suspecting it is one thing, but when he confirms it, will you stay or walk away.

Warning - Cheating(Aftermath); Angst; Fluff (if you squint);

Word Count - 7.7k

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A/N - Aaaah!! Finally the finale!! I am honestly so mad that this took so long to finalize, but officially, the five-parter Finale will start being posted from this week. Fair warning, I have had so many drafts for these updates and I had to settle on an ending for y/n that I felt would suit Nerve as a whole. And like I have stated many many times, the Nerve Universe is one of pain, of reality. So this is my first warning for future updates, updates [R] and [V] in particular... they are both very very triggering.

As for update [N]... [N] is my baby. This update is as happyending-y as it is going to get. So I hope it's adored as much as I loved writing it.

Once again thank you for being a part of the Nerve journey for Y/n and Namjoon's story.

xx Dee

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‘Why are we doing this again?’ Kenta shifted his shoulders as Yuna took individual pictures with Jia and her team. ‘I mean it’s outdated to have every individual follow a line to have their picture taken with the bride and groom.’ 

You sighed. ‘Well… only relevant people are present. And Yuna wanted it this way.’

Kenta’s lip curled. If you didn’t know any better, you would think he was annoyed. But as always his approach with Yuna was to contemplate, then give in anyway. 

‘Ken, time for a couples pic with the team.’ Yoongi motioned without looking away from the camera.

You watched as he took his place next to Yuna and her team, sporting a somewhat awkward smile. You internally laughed at his predicament – all the poor man wanted to do was get out of that suit.

‘I’m gonna head out.’  

‘Jeez, Ria.’ You clutched your heart involuntarily, at the sound of her voice so close to your ear. ‘Don’t sneak up on me like that.’

You recovered easily when she didn’t even acknowledge your whining. ‘You have everything required for the set up? Roses? Candles?’

‘Yep,’ she popped the ‘p’ as she pulled up a list used to help set up Yuna and Kenta’s room. ‘Jia is driving me and Ji-hyun will help out.’ She looked up at you and offered a tired smile. She’d been a big part of the wedding hype. 

You were about to express your gratitude when she straightened her spine, and her eyes giving off a warning glint. ‘Incoming,’ she whispered.

You didn’t need to look behind you to know who she was referring to. The prickling awareness at your nape, the swirling in your head, the tightness in your chest – you puffed out a shaky breath as Kwang brushed past you, and you tried to refocus on Ria. 

‘Thanks, Ri.’ You reached out for her, a selfish part of you needing the little comfort it would offer. ‘For helping with the wedding prep and the phone calls and the invites and still preparing for next year's start.’

She squeezed your hand before returning to the list on her phone screen. ‘This is Yuna we’re talking about, of course I was happy to help.’ You watched in silence as she meticulously struck off each item. Ria was conscientious, detail-oriented, and sometimes so closed off that her walls pissed you off, but it was soothing sometimes, to just watch her do her job. It reminded you a bit of Jin – sturdy and secure. She turned to look out at the waning reception when she was done. ‘We did pretty good, if I do say so myself.’ 

You hummed at the observation as some guests bid the newlyweds farewell after their pictures, and some were on the dance-floor. 

Your eyes swept the room, mentally counting all your family members and taking note of where they were when something caught your attention. 

Jinx and her mother Hee-Joo were at the bar, instinctively your eyes sought out Sylo and you watched in awe as Hee-Joo raised her glass, in what could only be labeled as a random gesture, if Sylo hadn’t tipped his toward his secret wife, not even glancing in her direction as he did so – from all the way on the other side of the hall. 

As far as anyone was concerned, Hee-Joo was Jinx’s mother, not Sylo’s wife. And for good reason since Sylo worked in a cutthroat business. 

But it did your heart good to see that they could make their lives work, albeit unconventional and hidden from prying eyes. 

‘Let me stand on this side.’ 

You heard rustling behind you and you unconsciously inched closer to Ria, not wanting to brush against Kwang even by accident when he moved around Yuna.

‘Are you gonna be okay?’ Ria leaned forward to whisper against your cheek. 

Something in you softened at the concern in her usually stoic gaze. 

You thought of lying to her, it wasn't personal and it would have been no effort of yours to put her mind at ease, but you were both past that point of friendship. 

Ria was there that day. She was the first person that saw you when you stormed out of your father’s office. Ria took one look at your distraught expression and hid you away from busybodies and known office gossips. It was Ria who listened to your incoherent string of words, combined with snot and saliva as you sobbed and felt sorry for yourself.  She sat with you in the storage closet on the topmost floor and watched you cry it all out.

It was Ria who helped you stay on top of your job, eat when you couldn’t be bothered to, reminded you that you were not alone when you couldn't confide in Yuna. She became your friend even when you didn’t have the capacity to return her friendship and she was your biggest ally next to your mom in outing the partners.

Ria could be civil, with both your father and Kwang, and she may seem so impassive and indifferent to anyone outside her close circle, but she had the biggest heart –  you had experienced it firsthand.

‘I wish he wasn’t here.’ The strangled confession did more harm than intended as a layer of your strength disintegrated in front of her. ‘I wish I didn’t have to feel so … dirty.’

‘Hey,’ Ria reprimanded you by pinching your arm.

‘Ow!’ You rubbed at the spot absently and shot her a warning glare. 

‘You were not at fault. You did nothing wrong, y/n.’ She dropped her voice, and the frost in it rivaled the winter snow outside. ‘You are the victim here. The one who had no support, no justice and no vindication. He knew what he was doing from the get-go. Don’t you dare carry the blame for something like that. The burden is his… not yours.’

You blinked at Ria’s impassioned rambling. Mild as it was, she was never one to discuss such things in public, let alone say all of that in one go. You were almost overcome with emotion at the protective gesture, but you had to hold it together. It was a different issue altogether, that you wanted to imagine Yoongi’s body stiffening visibly at Ria's words. 

The second-oldest had always been more perceptive than most, and he’d been hovering as much as the rest of the hyung line, even if he wasn’t sure what for. Well, what’s one more person? Add the soulmates and your maknae and let’s make it a party.

You internally cringed at the thought of Jungkook knowing. Taehyung knowing didn’t sit well with you either–he was too close to Yuna. It would be something to be angry about or better yet something he will have no choice but to keep from her. And Jimin... Park Jimin was emotionally safe. He radiated strength and respect and light, so much love and light… it wouldn’t be fair for him to know, it wouldn’t be fair for him to carry such a burden. As for the hyung line, you had to admit, they were a personal form of stability you relied on for support. You couldn’t help that Kenta and Ria were in the know. But Yuna? Yuna could never know…

‘He’s despicable.’ Ria shot him a hard look as she continued. ‘But you got this, y/n. The night’s almost over anyway.’ She frowned slightly. ‘You’d think he’d have enough shame to remain hidden away in whatever crevice he’s been in, all this time.’

It would have certainly made the night easy for you.

‘Fuck him,’ you dismissed him, doing your best to keep your voice down.

‘Yeahhh, no thank you.’ Ria snorted loud enough to have a few heads turning, but she ignored them. ‘Seriously though,’ she patted your hand, ‘just a few more hours.’

You hummed noncommittally. ‘Send me a pic when you’re done with the set up.’ You bit back your smile as you reminded her of her last task.

She met your eyes, gave you a blank stare and whispered the word. ‘Fuck.’ Her resigned expression afterward was too much for you to hold back your laugh.

‘Go on,’ you pushed her in the direction of the entrance. ‘Jia and JiJi should still be in the car waiting to use expletives on you.’

You blew out a puff of air as you took out your phone to absently scroll or act like you had something important to do. The tightness was back as soon as you lost sight of Ria.

It wasn’t about being alone, or standing aimlessly next to Yoongi, who you hadn’t confided in yet, that added onto the feeling of dread. In fact the only reason you weren’t a complete mess, was because you had had someone around you to keep it together – Yoongi helped in that department without actually using words.

But the pain in your back and the heaviness and your shoulders and the cloying in your throat was because of too much at one time. 

You could usually keep appearances –  you excelled at it. But the past few weeks were so draining. The tug-of-war with Namjoon took… well… almost everything from you. Your eyes sought out your husband, who looked to be in a serious conversation with your mother. She had her arms crossed and he bent his head in acquiescence, obviously accepting her reprove without protest.

Ra-Mi was not close to you or Namjoon. But she was polite. She was your mother and she acted as such these days. Your mother understood something your father hadn’t – it was too late to make amends for what was. In your mind, she may not be perfect, but she made it known she would be there for you, even now, in any way you preferred.

Now, according to Kenta, who you trusted more than your own self, your husband’s alleged affair seemed to lead a path to something deeper, darker, involving someone like Maiya who you had never known and whoever was the mastermind behind it all.

Let’s not forget that your safety blanket, your bodyguard, your head of security was leaving you for God knows how long. Yuna, who was some sort of extension of your whole existence, would not be easily accessible. Yes, marriage, though a legally binding process, was workable, as you had explained to Kenta, but it still changes things. 

But when you fall in love with someone you deem as ‘the one,’ you are giving a part of yourself to them, choosing them through all the good and the bad, and to put them first. And like it or not, that trumps all of the smaller parts you’d previously shared with others. You and Yuna would always be important to each other. But now, Yuna had Kenta. From this point forth, her relationship with him would take precedence over yours. It was bittersweet, but you had the solace of knowing she would never ever be alone.

You already had Namjoon. But back when you got married, Yuna and Kenta weren’t even a couple yet. If all of what you were feeling was a fraction of how she felt when you promised yourself to Namjoon, you couldn’t imagine how she’d handled coming second to him. The thought of her letting go of that part of you that she held so dear for a long time–and now you had to do the same. A selfish part of you wouldn’t want to share at all. Fuck men, who needs ‘em. 

You snorted at your childish thoughts. 

‘You good, y/n?’ Yoongi glanced at you wide-eyed and concerned.

His expression sent you into a fit of giggles and for a minute you considered you might actually be going insane from all the shit you had to deal with.

When you finally quieted down and breathed deeply to salvage a bit of calm, you reassured him that you were fine and just needed to get a drink. Yoongi wouldn’t push you to talk, not ever and he wouldn’t feel any offense at the lack of information either.

You took one step towards the bar, before you had to turn back to the sound of Yuna’s voice.

‘Y/n! Get in here!’ She motioned with her hand for you to join the photo, the happiness spilling out of her. 

You would, but you battled to keep the smile on your face as your heart rate picked-up and your legs threatened to stay frozen to the ground as you watched Kwang hold his hand out to pull you to stand next to him.

You didn’t know how to say ‘no’. The protests bubbled up and every fiber of your body screamed in revulsion but you couldn’t speak. You just stood there.

‘Sorry, Yuna.’ A new voice said from behind you, as you felt a tap on the side of your shoulder. ‘Y/n promised me a dance.’

The controversy surrounding Huru was enough for you to decline. It would upset almost every single band member, not to mention your husband. But at this moment, right now, he was saving you by being the lesser of two evils.

You shrugged and made a ‘what are ya gonna do’ face before taking Huru’s hand. Mentally batting away the disapproval in Yoongi’s menacing gaze, you called over your shoulder as you escaped. ‘We’ll do our pictures last.’ 

You noted that Huru’s hand was cold. Not nervous or clammy, not showing a hint of nervousness. If he really had a crush on you, he would have the opposite reaction right?

‘Lighten up, y/n,’  Huru whispered in your ear, as he led you through a makeshift version of the waltz. ‘It’s just one dance.’

‘I haven’t said anything yet.’ You rebuffed his comment, not wanting to admit that you were just using him to get away.

He did his version of a smile, something so small, barely a hint on his lips, that it wouldn’t be caught unless you really paid attention. 

‘Your body language tells me all I need to know.’ He led your body into a twirl, and loosened his hold on your arms after stabilizing you. ‘I just wanted to give you a quick save. You can leave when you want to.’

You looked up at him, his blank expression betraying nothing. Because you were nice, because you didn’t want to hurt him and because you didn’t want to seem unreasonable, you slid your hands around his neck. As a result he tucked you closer.

‘I take it,’ he started after a few seconds of silence,’ that you’re not very happy with me.’

Oh so he was going there. ‘That depends… are you going to confirm the rumors I’ve been hearing?’

‘That would depend on what you’ve heard… and from whom.’ 

His acerbic tone didn’t sit well with you. ‘Okay, cut it out.’ You said in the most polite tone you could muster. ‘Talking in riddles, reading between the lines, putting up a front…‘ you shook your head, ‘we don’t do that. So tell me what’s going on. Do you actually have a crush on me?’

It was hard to keep eye contact when you felt this much discomfort. And not in the sense that he could do something bad to you, more so the fact that if you said the wrong words or did the wrong thing, you didn’t want to be in a position where you would have led him on. Unintentionally or not.

‘Full disclosure?’ He looked down at you, his pace slow and his eyes hard, as if warning you that there was no going back after you made your choice.

You waited, as you both stared each other down in a way that would have your husband fuming, if he wasn’t already.

Huru sighed, finally giving in first. ‘Who wouldn’t be attracted to you, y/n?’

You swallowed against the distaste of his admission. ‘That’s not flattering.’ 

Huru’s eye twitched at your choice of words. ‘How is it not?’

‘It’s perturbing.’ You glared at him, willing yourself not to step out of his arms. Once you did, the matter would drag, escalate and just make it fucking awkward when he had to be with you almost all hours of the day until Yoshi was back.

‘What’s the big deal, y/n?’ He openly scowls. ‘You’re smart, beautiful. You have an infectious energy that introduces itself before you do. And to the people that truly know you, the y/n without her so called mask of ice…’ his brows pinched together as if he battled with the new development himself, ‘you’re quite… captivating.’

Beautiful and smart were common words. You could call a flower beautiful. You could call a monkey smart. It was words like ‘infectious energy’, and ‘captivating’ that caught your attention and penetrated your defenses. But you wouldn’t budge for measly words either. If he said it as a friend, as an acquaintance or even as an honest compliment with good intentions, it would have made all the difference. Because now, they felt wrong, such grand words made you want to cover your ears. ‘You’re making me uncomfortable.’ You admitted through clenched teeth.

‘You wanted me to be honest.’ He stares at you with a pinched expression. It was the first very real, very annoyed reaction that irked you. For once you wouldn’t mind if he kept his robot face on.

‘Yes, I know. Thank you.’ You rush out. ‘For your honesty.’ You dropped your gaze. ‘But now, the only way forward is to create a bit of distance so you can… work on those…’ you felt your brows furrow, the anxiety in the pit of your stomach bordering on overdrive, ‘feelings.’

His fingers clenched slightly on your arms. The hold wasn’t a painful one, so you let it slide. ‘What are you trying to say?’

You raised your head again to make eye contact. ‘Maybe it’s not such a good idea for you to take over Kenta’s position.’

‘I can handle myself.’ There was a hard finality in his tone. 

‘This isn’t high school, Huru. We don’t need to be friends and we don’t need to know each other.’ Definitely not at the expense of your family, not to mention your husband.

‘I haven’t asked you for anything.’ He looked at you incredulously. ‘I haven’t done anything to warrant your decision. And you do not have to trust me when I say I do not go after married women, but regardless of my line of work, I actually have some morals.’

‘I don’t want to lead you on.’ You gave him a pointed look, because such a thing was inevitable. ‘I don’t want to have to feel too conscious of myself around you, what I say, what I do…’ you huffed in exasperation. ‘You see the way I am around Kenta, Yoshi, even Zwahn, Yeon, Xan… we hug when we greet, and they have to hold onto me in crowds, steer me away, grab me when the situation requires it. Do you see why this will be hard for you?’ Do you understand how uncomfortable it would be for me?

He frowns and his tone is clipped when he finally lets loose on whatever he’d been holding back. ‘So Hoseok can get the benefit of the doubt, but I can’t?’

You had the sudden urge to slap him. Hobi was yours. No one, not even Namjoon, questioned your dynamic with Hobi. He cleared the air, sure, but he was never disrespectful enough to compare. ‘Do not compare yourself to anyone in my family.’ You stepped out of his grasp. ‘We’re done here.’

‘Wait, y/n. I was out of line.’ He held onto your elbow, just as you turned to walk away. ‘I apologize.’ He drops his head and his shoulders sag. ‘The last thing I want to do is upset you. I’m sorry.’ He searched your face. ‘But the issue remains that you need a head of security. Immediately.’

From the corner of your eye you could see both Namjoon and Jin converge. You held up your hand to both of them to imply you had it handled, but they didn’t stop their approach.

‘Mind if I cut in.’ Jungkook appeared out of nowhere and took the hand that Huru had in his grasp.

Jungkook easily got his way when he motioned to his hyungs with his eyes, effectively stopping them in their tracks and giving Huru the heads up.

Huru bowed out meekly to avoid an altercation when he glanced at them and back, but not before a few last words. ‘I will be here, y/n. Until Yoshi gets better. My contract is already in place. As for me, my feelings, though real, are mine to deal with. Don’t base my work ethic on my personal feelings. I certainly won’t let them get in the way.’ He offered a gracious nod to Jungkook and left the dance-floor without another word.

On another day, in another setting, more than a few words from Huru would be refreshing – you’d even take it in stride. But he was embarrassed and you felt bad that he was feeling embarrassed and the whole conversation paved a way to something unwelcome and unnecessary. It was a new set of balls to juggle and you were the clown stuck with the task. 

You went easily into Jungkook’s embrace. He tugged lightly at your hand, tucking you closer in an attempt to comfort you.  

‘Are they mad?’ You whispered into his shoulder, referring to Namjoon and Jin considering he had a clear view of the two. 

‘Absolutely pissed.’ You sighed and you felt his jawline against your forehead. ‘Figured I’d rather save you, before they got here.’

‘Thank you.’ 

‘Anytime.’ 

‘So… who’s got your camera?’ You attempted to fill the silence. 

‘Tae hyung. Although I have a feeling I might find more pictures of him within the time-frame that he has it.’

You chuckled lightly. That was true. Taehyung knew all too well how handsome he was. 

‘Are you okay? That seemed to be a pretty intense discussion.’ 

‘I am now.’ You closed your eyes and swayed to the slow music, and actually felt how much easier it was to breath when you were held by someone that knew their limitations and had no expectations and just fucking cared just because.  

You opened your eyes when a reiteration of the last few minutes reeled through your mind. ‘Kook,’ You pulled back and pinched your eyebrows together. ‘Why did you signal him about your hyungs coming over?’ 

His lip curled in a half-smile. ‘Executing the plan, Noona.’ 

‘Exactly, what… plan is that?’

Jungkook bent his head to whisper in your ear. ‘The one where we find out exactly what Huru wants from you.’

You gave him a look of utter confusion. 'What are you talking about?' 

'Think about it,' Jungkook matched the music and you followed his lead as he explained. 'He's known Ken for a long time now, and Yuna by association. And only now, you're coming face to face with him, when you've also been a better part of their lives.' He shrugged. 'It's just a bit weird that he'd put in the effort that he is. According to Kenta and Yeon he's a loner, always has been. He does a job and moves out when it's complete. But now he's here, he's actually staying in Seoul indefinitely. Then he wants to be closer to Kenta, tries to be nice to us but that backfired and now he wants in on whatever gig you have going on.' Jungkook bit at his piercing absently. 'I'm just saying, if you're such a recluse, and you want nothing to do with the drama of the world, why would you want any association with a high-profile idol’s wife, and by default, a band that's in the literal center of media attention.'

You followed his words and you couldn't deny that Jungkook was making sense. 'But this is all speculation.' Your halfhearted attempt to nip the situation in the bud went nowhere. 

'Exactly.' Jungkook nodded. 'It's speculation. And that's fair, if he wants to change his lifestyle, have a change of scenery, and all of those wonderfully human-like things, by all means it's possible. If that's the case, there's obviously nothing to worry about. But… ' His hold on your palm tightened a little to make you look up at him. 'If we're wrong about this, we'd rather be one step ahead of him.'

You arched an eyebrow. 'And you've taken it on yourself to do this.'

He shot you a cocky smirk. 'I'm the youngest, the most flexible one, I can look up at him like he lights up the sky with fireworks and he'd be none the wiser.'

‘So that was for show?’ You referred to when he got Huru to back off before his hyungs got involved. 

‘Uh huh.’ He agreed, his pride resonating through in the simple sound. ‘He needs to have an ally. I play nice. I make friends with him. And I help figure out his angle.’ He iterated his plan in a few short words, slapping on the end for good measure. ‘Kenta and I have an agreement.’ 

A sense of foreboding prickled at your neck. Sure, you and Huru played nice and you took pride in chiseling out his stoney features, until he started making it more… but you weren't naive. 

The PI was capable of who knows what, probably ruthless and unforgiving… you frowned at the idea of Jungkook playing games. 

‘That’s not comforting in the least. Kook-ah…’ you started and had to pause to find the right words. ‘The things they do, Kenta and the team… Huru for that matter… what they’ve seen…' You purse your lips, trying not to put a dent in Jungkook's confidence in his abilities, but still wanting to protect him. 'It’s dangerous to play games with someone like Huru. I mean, God knows what he’s done for Kenta of all people to be weary of him. We can’t risk you getting hurt.’ You especially couldn’t risk him getting hurt.

‘Relax. I won’t do anything reckless, I promise.’

Okay, Plan B. ‘Do your hyungs know about this?’

‘No,’ he remained surprisingly calm, ’and you can’t tell them either.’

You raised a brow at his tone, before he clarified further. ‘They need to believe it’s real. Huru is perceptive. And I think if they have genuine reactions, it would give him the right idea.’

Smart. ‘Your hyungs are going to have an aneurysm.’ The joke tumbled from your mouth before you could stop it. Too late you realized a joke would make what he was doing some version of ‘okay’ when it really wasn’t. ‘Don’t go through with it, Kook. It’s going to cause a rift between your hyungs and yourself.’

‘I’m doing it for our family. I’m just making friends with him, Noona. You matter. And Namjoon hyung matters.’ He clicks his tongue before a strangled sentence passes between his lips. ‘We cannot go through this shit again. Especially not because of another man.’

You wince at his words. Relax y/n,  he didn’t mean it like that. He was not questioning your loyalty or your morals. You understood what he was trying to say, but it still stung.  

His features softened. 'I don't mean it like that, Noona. I trust you. I do. But I need to do this.’ His eyes plead with you, and he adds to it with his next words. ‘I'm only going to get close to him. Texting. Maybe meet-ups at the gym. Asking for advice. Nothing over the top. Nothing unnecessary.' He blew out a puff of air. 'Please let me do this.’

It was a no-brainer. Your head didn’t even consider arguing with your heart. You were a sucker. The man in front of you could commit murder and you’d find a way to make it go away. 

‘Jungkook I swear,’ you pointed a finger at him, ‘if I find you scaling buildings or sneaking out or even remotely putting your freaking pinky finger in danger, I’ll –’ you stopped mid breath. What could you possibly threaten him with? ‘I’ll shave your head bald!’

Jungkook pursed his lips together to keep from laughing. 

‘I am so serious!’

He broke out into a bunny smile, his laugh following suit. ‘Okay. No recklessness. No unnecessary risks. And yes, whatever information I find, I’ll pass along to you as well.’  

You raise your pinky, wishing your resolve didn’t crumble, and hoping to all hell you weren’t making a mistake.

He folds his pinky around yours, his jaw set and his face a mask of seriousness. ‘I promise.’

You willed him to keep his promise. You needed him to keep his promise. Because if something, God forbid, happened to Jungkook, it wouldn’t be about Namjoon or the band being angry, it wouldn’t be about the betrayal of you knowing and giving the go ahead, it wouldn’t be about ever forgiving you for it either – it would be your guilt that would eat you alive, if Jungkook ever got hurt and you could have done something about it.

—-------

When you ended your dance with Jungkook, you were passed over to a very pissed off Seokjin, who, after a long and arduous lecture, handed you over to the open arms of your husband.

You didn’t like being scolded, even if you deserved it. But you hated making Namjoon upset all the more.

He hadn’t spoken a word to you yet and you were on the second song. His arms encased your body until your breasts were flush against him and you wrapped your hands around his neck, your fingers clutching to the hair on his nape.

‘Don’t be mad,’ you said so softly. His frustration was a stark thing that crackled between you and you had to wonder if he even heard you speak. 

It was anxiety inducing. Not in the sense that he would ever leave you over something so trivial, but to destabilize the bond you both had solidified not less than an hour ago, it made you feel like shit.

And it’s not like you meant to go off with Huru or have an intense argument or even push anyone's boundaries for the hell of it. It was either Kwang or Huru and at least Huru didn’t make you want to hide. That childish feeling to hide behind someone, make yourself look small and unseen, all but disappear from the one person you didn’t want to be reminded that you existed. All so as not to cause a ripple in the still waters you worked so hard to keep from high tide.

You hid your face in his shoulder. ‘Please don’t be mad at me.’

'You did exactly the opposite of what I told you to do!' You jumped slightly as Namjoon pulled back and glowered at you. He kept his voice down but it was no less forceful. 

'I didn't want to go stand next to Kwang for pictures.' You scrunch your face, wishing more than anything that Kwang would leave. 'He offered an opening and I took it.' You gnashed your teeth, as you felt a flicker of irritation from being startled. You consciously had to work to be calm and not snap at him. 'It was just a dance, Namjoon. And I had a chance to clarify a few things.'

'He touched you. He had no right to touch you or force you into any situation.' The bite in his tone was really starting to piss you off. 

'Kenta has also held me back to talk, so has Yeon, so has any of the guys, it wasn't hurtful, he wasn't trying to hurt me or force me.'

'I trust Kenta. I trust Yeon, Xan, Zwahn, my brothers, even Ji-ho I trust to some extent, but I do not fucking trust him! Just fucking get rid of him.'

You blinked up at him. 

‘Or do you want me to do it for you?’ 

You felt the stab of his anger, as your own threatened to lash out, but you bit the inside of your cheek. ‘Don’t talk to me like that.’ You said softly. ‘And don’t threaten me.’ You stuck your nose in the air. ‘The day you get to fire any individual working for me is the day I start making decisions for your music career.’

Namjoon glared at you, the implication of your choice of words resonating loud and clear. But you wouldn’t back down.

You let out a low sigh of relief when his tense shoulders relaxed slightly and he finally realized how illogical he was being. ‘I don’t like feeling like this, y/n.’ Namjoon's voice was taut as he leaned in to speak into your hair. ‘I know. I know you’re defiant and stubborn, but… you wouldn’t choose to hurt me.’ He pulled back so you looked up at him and touched his forehead to yours. ‘I just hate that he wants you. And don’t tell me he doesn’t want you.’ You could hear him mutter under his breath. ‘I fucking hate the idea of anyone falling for you the way I have. And I don't want him fucking touching you.'

You tightened your hold on him. ‘Namjoon… ’ you started, grasping blindly for words that could make this better. The very idea that he could lose you would be a living nightmare for the rest of his life if he didn’t get a handle on it.

‘What did the fucker even have to say?’ He spoke before you could even try to comfort him, effectively making you retreat into a shell you would usually never need to have around him.

'Baby, look at me,' you tilted your head to the side as your anger dissipated. The tumultuous emotion replaced itself with a sense of trepidation. 'He's not a threat to you, Namjoon. He never was. And he can't hurt me.' At least, after your discussion with Jungkook, you hoped he couldn't. 

Namjoon's jaw set. He saw straight through your ruse to reassure him. 'Tell me.'

You dropped your gaze. A sense of unease curled up your back, and crossed both your shoulders, for once you wished you could lie to Namjoon, just to keep the peace. But a bigger part of you knew it would haunt you, even if this was something you could handle, even if his fears were irrational. ‘He said I was captivating.’ 

Namjoon tensed up under your arms. ‘But he also said that I do need a head of security, and that he will behave.’ You sighed, the heaviness in your chest a bit too much to handle. ‘He wouldn’t let his personal feelings get in the way.’

When you looked up at Namjoon his face, he looked at you like you were stupid.

You glared back. ‘I already asked him to reconsider.’

Namjoon scoffed. ‘As if he would.’

‘No, but he’s right. And it will not be permanent. He’s being…’ you winced as you continued to defend a man you had no business defending, ‘... mature about it.’

‘Are you kidding me?’ His voice was deceptively soft, a dark glint in his eye every indication that he was everything but calm.

'His contract is already in place.'

Namjoon huffed, and the cold laugh that was very unlike him made your hair stand on end. 

‘Don't fuck with me, y/n. He’s admitted that he wants to get into your panties, in colorful words might I add, and you’re still going to employ him.’ Namjoon wasn’t attacking you. He was doing that logical, cold Namjoon thing, where his tone made you question your own choices and your own thinking and it hit too close to home with your father fresh at the back of your mind. 

‘Can you just fucking trust me?’ You hissed, not taking kindly to his crude words. ‘I’ll work on not visiting any bars, if that makes you feel any better.’ 

The words left your mouth as an outlet to a stream of pent up frustration. Despite your need to defend yourself, you regretted them instantly. You screwed your eyes shut and wished to take them back, but you couldn’t.

Blowing out a breath of air, you inhaled and exhaled twice, before you looked back up at Namjoon, who averted his eyes instantly. ‘I’m sorry.’ You licked your lip. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’

Your heart fell as he shook his head. ‘Not like I didn’t deserve it.’ You remained silent. You didn’t want him to think you would always bring it up and throw it in his face, you were not like that. You wouldn’t purposely hurt him. But the double standard was pissing you off, even if he was justified in being weary about the situation and the individual involved. Some part of you wanted to repeat the apology, reiterate that you didn’t mean it in the way it came out and beg to make it better so the renewed rift didn’t last, and another part of you wanted to hold your tongue, because what good would it do if he couldn’t see past his bout of jealousy. 

He huffed after a couple of seconds. ‘What are we doing? What am I doing?’ His face screwed up in distaste as he exclaimed. ‘Fuck!’ 

‘Hey, hey,’ you stood up on your tiptoes and cradled his face in your palms. ‘It’s okay.’ You couldn’t help comforting him – you loved him.

‘No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking to you like that.’ His voice was tight, his usually kept together facade crumbled in front of you. ‘I know you. I'd like to think I know you better than you know yourself.’ Heated whispers against your lips. ‘And yeah, I don’t trust him, and I know he’s good at his job. I know that, but I can’t stand him.' His expression hardened. 'Above all, I know you wouldn't… I know he doesn't have a chance, but I just… I don’t know,’ he motioned with his hand, grasping for the right words. ‘… I'd rather you not entertain his bullshit, and this probably isn't even the half of –,' 

‘It’s okay to be scared.’ You cut off his rant. 'While he's here those fears you feel are justified.’ You lifted yourself up to peck his jawline. ‘But you need to trust me to handle this. I will be safe and I will be vigilant and I will be cautious around him.'

Sometimes you could curse your ability to understand this beautiful man the way you did. Because your fears were on par with his, it was exactly what you were both afraid of – losing each other. To anyone. To anything. 

‘I’m yours, Namjoon.’ You let him feel the bite of your nails back at his nape. ‘Well and truly yours.’ You would repeat the words as many times as he needed you to. ‘Even if someone loves me, even if someone likes me, even if they have a crush on me, no matter who they are, they will never be Kim Namjoon.’ You caressed his bottom lip with yours. ‘I will never stop loving you, Namjoon.’ You shook your head against the ringing confession. ‘I know I will love you, with everything I have and all that I am, until there’s nothing left of me. No one changes that. No one.’

When you sit back on your heels, his eyes bore into yours. And something altogether different passed between you. Fears. Insecurities. Cheating. Obsessive fans. They didn’t hold a candle to this man, this moment, the emotions swirling between you two; a tender violence that both strangled and breathed life into the necessary longing that you needed each other, more than you would ever admit, and more than you could ever imagine.

Namjoon’s face ingrained in every thought, his name behind every word you spoke out loud, his existence in the air you breathed. He was yours. And you were his and denying it would be as futile as counting the drops of water in the Namsan river. 

He presses his lips together before he speaks again. ‘Will you ever forgive yourself?’ Your heart stops as his voice cracks on the raw sentence. ‘Can you forgive yourself for staying with a man that let you, for even one second believe, that you were not enough.’ His nostrils flared, as if the idea of it made him angry, but he couldn’t help himself or choose the alternative. ‘You have options, y/n. Asshole over there is one of them. But you stayed.' He brought your hand to his heart, and you felt the beat under your palm. 'You stayed for me.’

Your muscles lock at his words, not wanting to face the truth about yourself, but also knowing you were not coward enough to walk away from them. It was real, raw, something only Namjoon would dare ask you. 

‘You know you deserve better. You know you should have walked away.’ His jawline is more pronounced at his declaration, it makes him all the more handsome. He really was so sexy when he was mad. ‘You are strong, y/n, to give me a chance, to stay and rebuild us knowing it won’t be easy. You’re so fucking strong. ‘ His fingers hold onto you in a bruising grip, keeping you from any distraction, needing you to listen to him, also for him to be sure that he could still hold you, feel you there as he battled himself with the answer to a question he already knew. ‘And I know you say you will not have regrets… of course if you do, we can deal with it then. And so help me God, if another man tries, especially that prick. But as you choose to stay….’ His jaw ticks and he does that tongue in cheek thing you find so hot ‘… do you think… you can ever… forgive yourself?’ 

You blinked against the rush of emotion behind your eyes, willing yourself not to look away as you answered. ‘I will. Someday.’

You would not lie to him, it would be as unjust as lying to yourself.

‘But for now, I prefer to think that I was designed to love you.’ There’s a lump in your throat that doesn’t make it hard to speak, just… it was just… a lot. ‘Call me crazy, but I can’t get enough. I can’t stay mad.’ Your voice drops to a whisper. ‘I can’t give you up.’

A tear slides down your cheek, showing him exactly how deep it went. ‘Don’t do it again.’ The plea comes from a part of you, you wished to never see the light of day. But he opened the dam, so he would just have to deal with it.

How this conversation had taken a turn or how your anger and irritation turned into you being pliant and honest and open, you didn’t know –  but here you were, handing Namjoon your heart without reservation. ‘This second chance,’ you let him see your anger as well, ‘it’s not for the same mistake.’

He repeated the promise he’d made at least twice before. ‘Never,’ he touched his forehead to yours and you closed your eyes against the second set of tears that threatened  to spill over. ‘Never again.’

Namjoon’s arms cradled you against his chest and your hands wrapped around him instinctively. His scent, his warmth – all of it, so freaking Namjoon. ‘I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, y/n.’ His chin rests on your head and somehow you know he’s smiling, even if it's a sad one. ‘You’re still the biggest mystery of my life, y/n. A book full of words I want to read, a galaxy of stars I won’t  stop looking at. I want to find you when you are lost and figure you out and hold you. Dammit, I want to hold you and be your ground, so when you fall you know you can’t fall anymore. I’m going to do more. I’m going to be better. I promise.’

He hugged you to him. 'And I swear I will fucking punch him in the face as many times as I need to for him to get the message. I don't care what he does, who he is, which part of his body he hides his gun, I don't give a fuck, if he touches you again, if he even tries something –,'

You stood up on your tiptoes to kiss him. It was a light kiss, a little more than a peck, if anything it was a promise. 'Yours, Kim Namjoon.' You whispered against his lips and wrapped your arms around his waist. 

'Mine.' The declaration was a deep rumble from his chest. His nose danced across your cheek and you held back your smile. Your husband was a big goofball. 

As you found some sort of solace in his arms, you were hit with a stunning realization. Love wouldn't save you. Not always. When a bond was littered with everything real, two people that understood what it was, how much hurt it entailed, would have every reason to believe in love and know it wasn't everything… but still fight with everything they had.

Money wouldn't last. Pieces of paper, easily breakable, burnable, easy to use. 

Attention would fade. Even the best of people needed a break from each other, separate beds and separate lives. Looks weren't even in the running. They were an added bonus. But with time, they held nothing. 

If it were based solely on emotion… love was up and down, less and more, a rainy night now a sunny day tomorrow. Love colored a bond – it was between the two people it existed for, to uphold it. 

Yes, you felt… but it was also a choice. Namjoon was your love and your choice. 

And you chose as such, because you realized that you have to let the people that love you… love you – even if it provides an opportunity for the greatest of pains, even if parts of you were ripped away, parts that now belonged to him where you were more him than you, you had to love… even if it would devastate you beyond anything you could ever hope to recover from.

Taglist - @casnextdoor @jaysdimples @belliebelle @pinkcherrybombs @sweetjellyfishland @blushingatyou @jiminiesfavouritecolourisblue @somewhereinthestarss @k-brownsugar @namsona17 @taejinxkoya @notsooperfect @zae007live @its-hopes-world @shina913 @bri-mal @piecesofapril11 @kissme-ornot @toriluvsfics @agustdmwah @lochness-butmakeitsexy @petalsofink @definetlythinkimanalien @masterpiecejoonie @gcintia @danietoww04 @roguesthetic @rjsmochii @amymikaelson @hello-kittyy @mschievous247 @onlythehobi @deliciousdetectivestranger @daddypkj @callmemadhatter @rkivecenter @codeinebelle @creolesoul2seoul @nochelunaxx @serendididy [closed]

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Part 29.5 - Retriggered

Part 30 - Finale [N]

Part 30 - Finale [E]

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