#that the culprit was right there with him and his now kidnapping him | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mint-yooxgi · 1 year ago

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{2} - Lethal Protectors - Yandere!Vampire!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Vampire AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader

Words: 9,448

Warnings: Joong fucks up big time. Depiction of a panic attack. Violence and blood. Kidnapping (not the oc). Implied stalking. Past trauma and mentions of scars. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Welp, the first part was based off a dream, and subsequently, the second part is as well. (Well, the ending, mainly, but I digress lol). Anyways, I mentioned it briefly before, but this series is probably going to be more broken up into one shots than linear, but I'll see how that goes. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, seeing as this turned out much longer than I planned for it lol. Also, Joong is not a good boy in this part. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy~

Gentle reminder that I don't do tag lists

Mini Masterlist - Part One

“You’ve been avoiding us.”

A sudden voice off to your right has you practically dropping the small box in your hands. Luckily, whoever seems to have startled you moves quickly enough to prevent it from hitting the ground. Looking up reveals the culprit to be Yunho.

“I’ve been busy.” Comes your blunt answer, grabbing the box rather harshly out of his grip and packing it into the car with the others.

“Busy enough to rarely leave home, and then decide to move out the moment your parents go away on vacation?” He counters, a hint of hurt bleeding into his tone.

“How do you know if I’ve barely left my house or not?” Your brow furrows, the sound of the car door slamming shut resounding through the area. “Or if my parents have gone on vacation?”

“My point is,” he leans against the car, a subtle pout pulling at his lips, “we know you’ve been avoiding us.”

“You deflected.” You cross you arms over your chest.

“And you’re leaving us.” He mirrors your stance.

Your lips part in answer, only for the loud slamming of your front door to echo out, a happy yip soon to follow.

“Okay, so I think I’ve gotten everything- oh.” Your sister’s voice halts as soon as she sees who you’re talking to, the chipper patter of feet stopping dead in their tracks.

“It’s okay, Chloe,” you sigh. “Just get in the car. I’ll be done in a minute.”

“He’s not-“ Her eyes dart from between you and Yunho, “He’s not…”

“No, he’s not one of Ryder’s friends.” You confirm, and the way instant relief is seen in the way her shoulders deflate says it all.

“Okay,” she still eyes him a bit warily as she moves over to the passenger’s side.

The rear door is opened to let the dog into the car, and then not even a moment later, she closes it in favour of hopping into the front seat. You can feel her eyeing you through the window, despite how she takes out her phone to appear busy.

“It’s been over a month-“

“I recognize that.” You sigh once more.

“You said we would talk about things later.” Yunho’s voice is hushed, the hurt easily portrayed on his features.

“Yes, I did.” You blink at him, reaching to open the driver’s side door.

“Well?” His one brow quirks, a gleam of hope shining behind his eyes.

“Well, what?” You prop the door open, practically clinging to it for dear life.

“It’s later.” He states, blinking at you expectantly.

“Look, Yunho,” you grimace slightly, “I’m not talking about this now.”

“Then, when?” He takes a step towards you, and you shuffle the slightest bit backwards.

His expression falls, but he backs off. For now.

“Whenever I’m ready.” You say.

“And when will that be?” His fingers twitch at his sides.

“I don’t know, Yunho.” You shake your head, climbing into the car. “I don’t know.”

The sound of the door practically slamming in his face serves as a finality to the conversation. A fact of which is only furthered by the revving of the engine rumbling to life, the car backing out of the driveway without you so much as sparing another look in his direction.

You get about three minutes down the road before Chloe is looking at you expectantly. “Okay, spill.”

“Spill, what?” You scoff playfully.

“What was that all about?” She quirks a brow as you turn the corner, driving the car down the road that will lead to the major highway.

“Nothing important.” You reply.

“‘Nothing important’ my ass!” She rolls her eyes. “A super handsome guy comes over to talk to you, whom has nothing to do with Ryder, and you brush him off like he’s dust on your jacket?” A pointed look is sent your way. “Spill.”

“There’s nothing to talk about, Chlo.” You shake your head. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Then why-“

“Please, Chlo,” you spare a glance towards her out of the corner of your eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Talking about it means accepting what happened. Talking about it makes it real.

“Fine.” She grumbles, tapping away at her phone. “But I get to pick the music.”

Not even a moment later, one of her favourite songs at the moment begins blasting through the car radio. Loudly, she begins singing along, and although you know she’s doing it on purpose, it takes you no time at all to be smiling and singing along with her.

Two days ago, your parents left for a three month long vacation. Unfortunately, it coincided with the time that Chloe needed to be driven back to university for her second year. So, you being the responsible adult you are, offered to drive her yourself. She managed to find a place with her significant other, and today is the day she promised them that she would move in.

You’ve always been close with your sister, so it’s no big deal for you. Chloe and her dog, Raymond, are literally your little rascals. Sure, she can get on your nerves a lot, but what are sisters for? You’re sure she’d say the same for you.

You just weren’t expecting Yunho to show up outside your house.

It’s true. You have been avoiding them. Honestly, it’s been easier than you expected, but then again, your parents have been home to go out and buy groceries, and you’ve been able to work remotely for your job since you’ve gotten it.

No more coffee runs. No more spontaneous walks through the forest. Not even late night boba runs with Chloe, much to her disappointment. Of course, last night you caved, seeing as it had been the last time you would be able to do such a thing with her for a while. Luckily, you didn’t run into any of the guys then, like you so feared.

Fear. What a strange word.

A word that means so much, and affects even more. A word that, no matter how little it might seem to be, can rule your life.

It’s not that you’re terrified of them, no. It’s more like a caution. You know what they are. You know the lengths they are willing to go to protect you. Yet, despite it all, and your original feelings of safety, you cannot help but doubt their intentions. They say you’re their ‘mate’. So, is that the only reason they’re doing this for you? That they did this for you?

If you were anybody else, would they even have helped?

You seriously doubt that. Which is exactly why you’ve been avoiding them.

Perhaps if they don’t know what they’re missing, they can’t miss you in the first place. Not that they should, really. They hardly know you, and the whole reason you believe that they want to get to know you is because of some stupid fate bullshit.

Would they have even given you a second glance if not because of it? Would they have even cared?

Probably not, and that is what makes you so hesitant about them. You don’t know them, and you don’t know if you want to.

Five hours - and a few pit stops - later, you’re finally pulling into the parking lot of the new apartment building that Chloe will be living in. You’ve agreed to help her move in and unpack with her significant other, and they’ve both agreed to buy you dinner, and let you stay the night in return. After all, it is a lot of driving to do in one day.

Walking down the hallway once exiting the elevator, you already see Brent, Chloe’s significant waiting by the open door to their apartment. Nothing but excitement is on their face as Chloe bounds up to them with Raymond in tow, practically tackling Brent over in an embrace once she reaches them.

“I’ve missed you so much!” You overhear her say, bringing a smile to your face.

“I’ve missed you, too, Chlo.” Brent replies, rubbing a hand along her spine in comfort.

“Good to see you again, Bren.” You nod at them, that smile still present on your features.

“You too!” They grin, pulling away from Chloe as she moves into the apartment to get the dog settled. “Thanks for driving her, and helping us today.”

“It’s no problem.” You walk passed them into the apartment, dropping off the box in your hands on top of where Chloe has just placed her own. “I needed to get out of the house, anyways.”

Brent simply quirks a brow, only for Chloe to reappear a moment later and lean into them, “Guy trouble.”

Understanding flashes across Brent’s features.

“Chloe!” You shoot her an exasperated look. “That is not true!”

“Mmhmm,” Chloe hums skeptically. “And I’m a natural blonde.”

Your younger sister walks passed you, and your eyes cannot help but focus in on her dark roots growing in on the top of her head.

“Seriously, I don’t know how you put up with her,” you shake your head teasingly towards Brent as you both follow your younger sister back down the hallway after closing the door behind you.

“It’s a miracle,” Brent chuckles, “but I manage.”

“Hey!” Chloe whines as you all step into the elevator. “You two know I can hear you, right?”

“That’s the point, Chlo.” You giggle, ruffling her hair. “If you’re going to tell the world about my fictional problems, expect to be teased back.”

A grumble escapes her as she crosses her arms over her chest. Flicking the hair out of her face, she quickly exits the elevator once the doors open to the lobby.

“Come on, I still need to unpack.” She huffs, flicking some of her hair out of her face.

The two of you follow behind her, unloading the car and setting boxes around the apartment. Luckily, you all only have to take a few trips, as Chloe doesn’t have too much stuff with her. Her clothes and books are probably the biggest items, though.

By the time you finish helping her organize her stuff in their room, it’s well into the evening. Currently, she sits before the two bookcases, organizing her novels on the bottom shelves.

“Pizza’s here,” Brent pops their head in, drawing your attention.

“Thanks, Brennie,” Chloe smiles. “We’ll be right there.”

Folding up the final box, you place it to the side as Chloe stands from the floor.

“I think that’s everything.” She breathes a tremendous sigh of relief, wiping her hands together once back on her feet.

You smile at her. A tender, proud look on your features.

“How does it feel?” You ask as you follow her towards the living room.

“How does what feel?” Her brow furrows slightly as she glances back at you over her shoulder.

“To have your own place?” You quirk a brow.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet.” She replies honestly, sitting on the floor by the couch.

“Our apartment comes furnished with these beautiful couches, and you still choose to sit on the floor.” Brent shakes their head, taking a seat closest to Chloe on the sofa.

“You know my sister,” you chuckle, taking a seat on the closest armchair. Then, you’re turning to meet her gaze. “Yeah, it didn’t hit me the first time I fully moved out until the next day.”

“Living in a dorm is definitely different than living on your own for the first time.” Brent comments, to which you nod in agreement.

“But I’m serious, you two,” you look between them. “If you ever need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to call me. I’ll always get here as fast as I can.”

Chloe whines your name slightly while taking a slice of pizza. Then, she’s meeting your gaze. “Thank you, though. I appreciate it.”

“We appreciate it.” Brent corrects, nudging Chloe lightly with their knee.

Just as you go to take a slice of pizza, your phone rings. Your brow furrows, not recognizing the number, so you opt to let it ring out. Only, when you immediately get another call from the same number, you briefly excuse yourself before answering the call.

“Hello?” Your brow furrows as you step into the kitchen.

“Oh, thank fuck!” A relieved sigh is heard from the other end. “You actually answered this time.”

“Wait, Wooyoung?” Your frown deepens. “How did you get my number?”

“That’s not important right now.” His words are rushed. “What’s important is that you left.” A brief pause, before a small whimper is heard through the phone. “You left us.”

“Excuse me for being under the assumption that we’re not together.” You blink. “Ergo, it should not matter where I go, who I’m with, or how long I’m gone. It is none of your concern, or your business, what I do.”

“I can’t help it.” The pout in his voice is apparent. “You are my concern.”

You blink in shock, not quite sure how to take his words. Though, in your silence, you hear a smack resound on the other end.

“Wait, that came out wrong-“

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait-“

You disconnect the call.

Stepping out of the kitchen, you barely make it a foot before your phone starts ringing again. It’s the same number, but you choose to decline the call.

Then it rings again, and again, and again.

By the third time you have to deny the call, you block his number.

“Geez, you really seem to be having trouble in paradise,” Chloe jokes, attempting to ease the sudden tension she sees in your shoulders.

“I-“

Your phone rings. This time, with a new number that lights up the screen.

Standing to your feet with a sigh, you retreat into the bathroom this time. Hopefully, due to the room being further away, it’ll allow you a little more privacy.

“Look, Wooyoung-“

“Where are you?”

The intensity of the voice behind the inquiry catches you off guard. “Excuse me?”

“Where. Are. You.” Each word is emphasized slowly, and you can hear the barely restrained anger behind his tone.

“Frankly, that’s none of your business.” You reply smartly.

“You are our business.”

Your eyebrow quirks, irritation clear on your features as you catch your reflection in the mirror. “You want to try that again?”

You’re not putting up with this shit. Looks like a few weeks of not getting what they want is allowing for their true colours to show.

“Just tell us where you are before-“

“Or, what? You’ll track me again?” You cut him off.

“If we have to.” Comes his blunt response.

“Ah, yes, because this is making me certainly believe I have a choice in all of this.” Your words seem to shut him up momentarily. “Goodbye, Hongjoong.”

You don’t receive another call that night.

The next day, you stay at Chloe’s for as long as you can. You’re dreading the drive home, and just who might be waiting for you when you get back. Only, you have no other place to go for the moment, and you don’t want to impose for longer than you already have.

To make matters worse, it starts raining about halfway through your drive home. The clouds are dark, and the fact the sun is setting isn’t helping visibility at all. A storm even breaks out an hour before you’re due to arrive home, a torrential downpour impeding your drive. Luckily, it seems that you drive through it, and you manage to pull into your driveway while there’s a break in the rain. However, you know it’s only a matter of minutes before it’s opening back up again.

Quickly grabbing your things, you exit the car. The moment you hear the sound of it locking behind you, you lift your head. At the figure you see sitting on your front porch, you nearly drop your bag.

There, sitting hunched over with his elbows on his knees, is Wooyoung. His hands are clasped together, fingers worriedly threading through one another. His head is down, but you know he’s already heard you exit the car.

The second the sigh slips passed your lips, he looks up.

“You’re back.” The tension in his shoulders seems to ease slightly as he stands back to his feet.

“What are you doing here?” You move passed him to walk up the front steps.

“I was waiting for you.” He answers. “No matter how long it took, I was going to wait until you came home.”

You eye him warily. “Why?”

A moment where he simply blinks at you in response, as if his answer should already be obvious.

“I wanted to see you.” He says, earnestly.

“Wooyoung, you all hardly know me.” You sigh.

“We want to, though.” He takes a step towards you, and even though you take a step back, he stands his ground. “All we want is a chance to get to know you, and for you to know us. Is that too much to ask?”

You purse your lips, looking down and to the left as you avoid his gaze.

The soft patter of rain begins to dance against the awning above you.

In a voice no more than a whisper, you speak, “What if I don’t want that?”

He swallows thickly. “You don’t mean that."

“What if I just want you all to leave me alone?”

“No.” Wooyoung begins to shake his head, his lower lip wobbling as he falls to his knees. “You can’t mean that.”

Hesitantly, he reaches out for you, but you recoil back.

His hands fall limply to his sides.

“Please, don’t be scared of me.” His voice is but a mere whisper on the wind; weak, just like his demeanour as the first of his tears begin to trail down his cheeks.

You don’t respond, opting to turn around and unlock your front door. Maybe if he believes you are scared of them, he’ll leave you alone.

“I want you to leave, Wooyoung.” You keep your tone low, voice steady. “Leave, and then I never want to see any of you again.”

Just as you go to push the door open, you feel a weight press against your lower spine, hands coming to settle on your stomach.

“No! I- I- Can’t!” He sobs. “I won’t!”

The words hardly register in your mind before you begin hyperventilating. You drop your bags, desperately clawing at his arms around your waist as panic seizes your entire body.

“No!” You shriek, chest heaving. “Not again! Let me go! Not again!”

The grip around you tightens in shock, but you perceive it another way.

“Not again!” You’re yelling at this point, words beginning to slur as you attempt to catch your breath and get away from the person holding onto you. You choke on a sob. “Please.”

There’s some shuffling behind you, the sound of the pouring rain practically drowning out everything else. You faintly register a name being called, and then the feeling of those arms being pulled off of you.

You fall to your knees, collapsing onto the cold, hard ground. More sobs escapes you, your whole body shaking as you curl in on yourself, begging whoever it is to leave you alone.

A stern voice cuts through the rain, but you cannot make out any words. However, the raised tone has you trembling harder, violently sobbing as you protect your stomach as best as you can.

Still, you wait for the inevitable pain to come.

It doesn’t.

Instead, a gentle voice begins cooing at you. Softly, you are shushed, and encouraged to calm down, and you can feel your heartbeat finally settling in your chest. Breathing begins to become easier, and the heavy ringing in your ears lessens enough for you to hear your surroundings properly once more.

“That’s it, My Dove,” It’s a male’s voice. “You’re safe. I promise nothing will ever harm you again.”

You blink, more tears falling from your eyes as your whole body begins to relax.

“It’s alright now. You’re okay.” A figure is crouched right in front of you. “Just breathe.”

Gently, a hand reaches out to cradle the side of your face, wiping at your tears all the while.

“Everything will all be okay.”

Finally, your vision clears enough to take in the male before you.

“Seonghwa.” You manage to breathe out.

“Hello, My Dove.” He smiles faintly, worry soon creasing his brow as he watches you attempt to push yourself up into a sitting position. “Don’t strain yourself.”

You look around, noticing another figure standing beneath the pouring rain with his back turned to you. Your brow furrows, swearing that you can see his shoulders shaking with barely suppressed sobs of his own.

“Are you alright?” Seonghwa’s soft inquiry draws your attention to him once more.

You look down at yourself, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. Carefully, you raise your hands to your stomach, not feeling the warmth of fresh blood upon your skin as you do so.

You stare at your hands, touching your fingers to your thumbs to ground yourself.

Turning your head after a moment, you meet his gaze. Then, you’re nodding slowly.

A blink, and Wooyoung is kneeling beside Seonghwa, tears streaming down his face freely as he reaches for you.

“I’m so sorry-“

Seonghwa smacks his hands away. “I told you to wait for me.”

Wooyoung ignores him for the time being in order to reach for you again, choking on a sob.

You flinch, and his expression falls.

“Please,” his hands shake, water droplets endlessly falling from his soaked hair and onto the porch beneath all of you. “Please believe me.”

“Wooyoung-“ Seonghwa’s stern voice gets cut off.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Wooyoung’s voice cracks, and more sobs wrack his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

You can only stare down at your hands in response.

Seonghwa watches you carefully. You can feel his eyes on you as you steady your breathing, and Wooyoung continues to apologize profusely.

“Can you both please leave?” Your soft tone manages to catch their attention.

The way Wooyoung’s breath hitches does not go unnoticed by you.

“Do you need help-“

“No.” You cut Seonghwa off, squeezing your eyes shut as you curl in on yourself. “Please.”

The second you blink your eyes open, you’re greeted with an empty porch. The only sounds that surround you are the pouring rain, and your muffled sobs as you break down, cold and alone, just outside of your front door.

***

You manage to avoid them for three whole days. For three whole days, you see no sight, nor hear no sound of them, even when you pop out to the store for some groceries.

Gaby invites you out for coffee, and this time, you accept. Of course, you know it’s more likely that you’ll run into them while you’re with her, but the past three times she’s asked, you’ve declined her offer. She’s been nothing but kind since you bumped into her that fateful day, always messaging you to make sure you’re alight. She checks up on you, and you’ve found a good friend in her.

Ever since the town learned of the vicious animal attack that claimed the lives of Ryder and his gang of misfits, there’s almost been an air of ease that’s settled over the town. People are more talkative. His parents are moving away, meaning there’s going to be a change in the head officer running this division of law enforcers. Plus, it’s as if the sun is shining a little brighter without the fear of Ryder running rampant on unsuspecting townsfolk.

Which is why Gaby doesn’t understand why you’re cooped up inside all the time. A fact of which she expresses to you while sitting at the little table by the window.

“I’ve just been busy.” You brush the question off like usual, all too aware of the two sets of ears more than likely listening in on your conversation from across the shop.

Yeosang and Jongho haven’t bothered to approach you at all, but even you can feel the glances they keep sending your way out of the corner of their eyes. They’re respectful, but still aware of your every move despite acting as if your presence mere feet away doesn’t affect them.

You manage to survive the outing without a single word from them, and for that, you’re grateful. At least some of them seem to be attempting to respect your boundaries.

Then, on the fourth day, you get a surprise visitor.

It’s late at night when your phone pings with a new message. It’s your best, and closest, friend from university, Sungwoo, asking if you’re still up.

The moment you reply with a ‘yes’, a knock sounds at your front door.

Hesitantly, you walk over, peeking out of the little window to see your best friend with tears streaming down his face as he stands there. His car is parked in the driveway, and his sweater is on backwards, hair disheveled.

Immediately, you swing the door open, catching the sobbing man as he falls into your arms.

“He kicked me out.” He cries into your neck, holding onto your form for dear life. “After I confronted him about cheating, he kicked me out.”

“Oh, baby,” you gently card your fingers through his hair. “Let’s get you inside.”

Ten minutes later, and with warm mugs of tea in both of your hands, you’ve managed to calm him down enough to get him to tell you what’s going on. You listen intently, nodding along to his words and chiming in here and there. Apparently his partner, Jungwon, has been seeing other people the whole time they’ve been living together.

“Oh, Sunny,” your expression falls. “I’m so sorry. No one don’t deserves that.”

He shakes his head, taking another sip of his tea. “I’m sorry for intruding so late, I just didn’t know where else to go.”

His parents live out of town, and you’re the closest person he knows that lives nearby.

“I’m just glad my parents aren’t here.” You smile lightly. “My dad probably would not have been too happy about being woken up at one in the morning. You’re just lucky I usually stay up so late.”

“He wouldn’t be able to stay mad at his favourite person for long.” He cracks a smile.

“There he is,” you tilt your mug in acknowledgment. “There’s the Sungwoo I know and love.”

“Just a bit beaten down.” His gaze drops to the mug in his lap.

“Hey, it won’t always be like this.” You reach over to squeeze his arm gently.

“No.” He glances up at you. “It won’t.”

“So, obviously you’re staying for a couple days.” You say, standing from the couch. “I’ll go get the guest room ready.”

However, before you can exit the living room, his voice has you halting in your tracks.

“Do you remember that one night I snuck into your apartment after a bad date to find you crying?” His tone is soft, the inquiry nothing more than a gentle caress as he glances up into your eyes once more.

It was the night you told him about Ryder and everything that happened to you. The night your friendship truly became what it is today.

“You want to sleep with me in my room tonight?” The question you pose is tender, nothing but understanding in your tone.

You swear you hear the faintest of growls come from outside, but your brush it off as the wind. Besides, Sungwoo’s eager nod serves to distract you as you focus on making sure your best friend is taken care of for the time being.

Extending your arm out, you offer him your hand.

Carefully, he takes it in his own, allowing you to guide him upstairs after dropping off your mugs in the sink, and turning off all of the lights. You let him borrow a pair of your father’s sweats, grabbing him all he needs to get ready for bed. Ten minutes later, and you’re both crawling beneath your covers.

His head rests on your chest, listening to your heartbeat as you softly converse. Your fingers card gently through his hair, and before either of you two know it, you’re both out like lights, soft snores falling from Sungwoo’s lips.

The next day is spent driving back to Sungwoo’s place for him to grab most of his things. He drives, and you do your due diligence and stare scrutinizingly at his now ex-boyfriend the whole time.

You grab ice cream on your way home from the little corner store, eating it on the front porch while sitting on the swing. Sungwoo’s head rests on your shoulder as you gently rock yourselves back and forth, reminiscing about university and laughing together. Seems you both needed the distraction.

Two more days are spent helping Sungwoo through this rough patch, going so far as to help him start searching for places in the area he can move into. So far, there’s a few small apartments for rent, but the first place you checked out had a mold problem, and the other already had someone else interested in it first.

“Hey, what about this one? Until you can find something else?” You turn your laptop screen towards him.

Leaning over the kitchen table which you two just so happen to be sitting at, Sungwoo pulls your laptop closer to him. Carefully, he scrolls through the listing for a loft right above the town’s most popular bakery. It seems to be in good condition, and from how new the listing is, you know that it might go fast.

“Looks good,” he nods, clicking on the ‘more information’ tab. “Might go insane from the smell of bread, though.”

“Like you would be complaining.” You roll your eyes playfully.

“Complaining I can’t eat all of it, yeah.” He snorts while looking into booking a viewing. “Oh shit! There’s a time available for today!”

“Is there?” Your whole demeanour perks up.

“What time is it now?” His eyes flit around your screen.

You check your phone. “Just after five, why?”

“Okay, the viewing is for six. That gives me just enough time to shower and head over.” He nods to himself.

“I would come with you, but I’ve got to finish this report for my boss by tonight.” You sigh, leaning back in your chair.

“That’s okay! I’m a big boy, I can handle myself.” He puffs out his chest dramatically.

“Says the one terrified of butterflies.” You mutter.

“They drink tears straight out of live crocodiles and turtles.” He states, matter of factly. “And they drink blood, too. Tell me that’s not terrifying.”

You shrug, chuckling all the while. “Go get ready, Sun, before you’re too late.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” He playfully salutes you before running upstairs to take a shower.

Fifteen minutes later, and with his hair still damp, he’s running back into the kitchen. A tender kiss is placed onto your temple as you work, and you turn towards him just as he begins to walk back out of the kitchen.

“I’ll pick up something for us to eat for dinner on my way home, maybe stop off to get some groceries, too.” He tells you while slipping on his shoes. “I’ll text you after the viewing what I decide to do.”

“Okay,” you smile, waving him off. “See you later!”

“You’re the best!” You hear him call out.

“Yeah, yeah,” you laugh, waving him off. “Love you, too.”

The door falling shut is the last you hear from him.

In fact, it’s the last sound you hear from him for four hours.

So consumed by your work, you turned your phone on silent and hadn’t bothered to check it at all before submitting your report. Glancing at the time, you see it’s a little over nine-thirty in the evening. Sungwoo texted you earlier on, saying he really liked the place, and agreed to renting it for the next little bit. Afterwards, he told you that he’d be heading to the store, and should be back within an hour.

That was about three hours ago.

Fear spikes inside of you, and your first thought is that Ryder has done something to him to get to you.

Then, you remember: Ryder and his goons cannot hurt you anymore.

Your heart stops, thinking the worst.

Perhaps you’re just overreacting. Maybe Sungwoo ran into an old friend while at the grocery store and got to talking. Maybe they went out for drinks, or something.

So, you text him.

Five minutes go by with no answer, so you decide to call. It goes straight to voicemail.

Panic seizes you, your brow furrowed in worry as you begin to pace in front of the kitchen table.

Something is definitely wrong. It’s not like Sungwoo to ignore you, or turn his phone off. Something has definitely happened to him while he’s been out, and you haven’t the slightest clue what it could be.

A knock sounds at your door.

Your heart skips a beat as the noise startles you out of your thoughts. You hope beyond everything that it’s Sungwoo just trying to be an ass and scare you, but alas, you know that it’s probably too good to be true.

Three familiar faces greet you behind the door, looks of concern on all of them.

Your brow furrows, “Seonghwa, Yeosang, Jongho, what are you all doing here? I thought I told you to-“

“Hongjoong has Sungwoo.” Seonghwa cuts you off almost immediately.

“Excuse me?” You blink at him in mild shock.

“We need to hurry, there’s no time-“

“Will one of you please tell me what’s going on?” Your brow creases, arms crossing over your chest as you cut Jongho off.

“The others are with him.” Yeosang adds, shifting from foot to foot anxiously. “They helped him take Sungwoo.”

Your mind blanks, swallowing thickly. “What are they planning to do to him?”

“We can explain on the way.” Seonghwa motions to a black car parked alongside the curb with his head. “Mingi’s already attempting to stop them on his own.”

“Why should I trust you?” You meet his gaze, noticing how the other two behind him keep glancing between you and the back of Seonghwa’s head.

“Have we given you any reason not to?” He counters, a slight grimace to his features.

“If you don’t believe us, just call him.” Yeosang motions to your phone still held in your hand.

“I tried calling Sungwoo, but his phone is turned off.” You uncross your arms, looking down at your phone.

“Not Sungwoo,” Jongho shakes his head. “Hongjoong.”

Your eyes narrow the slightest bit at the three vampires before you.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Seonghwa pulls out his own phone, opening up the messages app to show you a series of text between him and Hongjoong.

Seems as if the eldest has been against this plan from the start, but the younger had been adamant on going through with it.

You whole body stills, and your hands begin to shake.

“What’s his number?” Your voice is low as you prepare to make the call.

“Don’t you have it?” Jongho’s brow furrows.

“I tend to delete call logs of numbers I don’t particularly like.” Your eyes dart to the youngest across from you.

A moment later, Seonghwa is clicking into Hongjoong’s contact information. Once his number is on the screen, he turns it back to face you.

You dial the number.

The sound of the call beginning to ring through is synonymous with you motioning to that black car with your chin. Luckily, they take the hint, and in two more rings, you’ve slipped outside after grabbing your keys and locking the front door.

You hear the ringing suddenly cut out, signifying someone has answered the call.

You hold your breath.

“Hello, My Treasure.” A pleasant hum is heard through the line. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Three vampires spare fleeting glances in your direction as you approach the car.

“What have you done with Sungwoo?” Surprisingly, your voice comes out much stronger than you thought it would.

“So, now you wish to speak with me?” His voice holds nothing but incredulous disbelief. “When the life of a useless, pathetic mortal is at risk?”

Your heart pangs as you slide into the backseat beside Jongho. Your assumptions about him seem to be correct.

“Careful with your words, asshole,” you spit, a frown marring your features. “I’m still human, too.”

“You know I never count you when I say things like that, right, Treasure?”

“Where’s Sungwoo?” You choose to ignore his claim for now. “What have you done to my best friend.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of your affections for him.” Hongjoong all but growls through the phone. “Are you quite sure he feels the same?”

“Enlighten me.” You hiss out through clenched teeth.

“You seem awfully attached to him.” Hongjoong hums. “Would be a shame if something awful happened to him.”

“I swear to god, Hongjoong, if you hurt him-“

“Oh, no, Treasure, God can’t save him now.”

The phone slips from your hand. Already, your mind is supplying you with the worst case scenarios, whole body beginning to shake as your throat tightens up.

You don’t even register how quickly Jongho reaches out to catch your phone, nor the way he seems to be cursing at the elder male through the line while sitting beside you. A blink, and your phone is in Yeosang’s hands as Seonghwa continues to speed down the streets, racing to a location unbeknownst to you.

Gently, Jongho reaches over to begin comforting you, attempting to calm you down while hesitating to touch you. Seonghwa told them all what happened when Wooyoung touched your stomach from behind, and now he’s scared touching anywhere on your body in this state might set you off again.

Then again, Yunho did cradle you in his arms that night all those weeks ago when they found your body on the side of the road.

It is with that thought that Jongho places a tender hand onto your shoulder.

“Why is he doing this?” Your voice is small as you stare at your hands, touching your fingers to your thumbs meticulously.

Glancing up, you see that Yeosang must have ended the call.

“He- they are all jealous.” Seonghwa briefly meets your gaze in the rearview mirror.

“Of Sungwoo?” Your brow furrows. Then, something is clicking in your mind as you see them all nod. “How do you all know about Sungwoo?”

The three of them stiffen.

Briefly, your eyes dart over each of them individually.

“Oh my god, you’ve been stalking me?” Again, your hands begin to shake.

“We prefer the term ‘watching over’.” Jongho mumbles, retracting his hand once you shrug it off of your shoulder.

Suddenly, you find the interior of the car to be stifling.

“How long?” Your hands ball into fists in your lap.

“I don’t think you want to know the answer to that right now.” Yeosang voices lowly, avoiding your gaze by staring straight forward.

Your phone rests on the console between the front two seats. Quickly, you grab it, holding onto it for dear life.

“This… bond we told you about,” Seonghwa begins, “it affects us all differently. Some of us have also been hoping for something like this to occur for so long, that the fear of rejection never really crossed our minds.”

“That’s not to mention our kind is fiercely protective over the things we care about without the bond enhancing those feelings towards you.” Yeosang adds, shifting slightly in the front seat.

“I believe the word you’re looking for is possessive.” Jongho sighs, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments.

You shift the slightest bit away from him, a fact which the two sitting in the front immediately notice.

“And you three are unaffected?” You inquire.

“We see reason.” Jongho’s eyes blink open, his expression falling as he sees you having shifted the slightest bit away from him.

“We won’t lie and say that we don’t care for you,” Yeosang says, a brief, tight upturn of his lips as he glances in your direction. “However, we understand that this is a lot for you, and that you don’t know us well. There are bound to be doubts and uncertainties that you have, and that’s not even taking into account what we are.”

“So, you’re all just better at hiding your jealousy.” A statement, not a question.

“We’re better at controlling it.” Seonghwa chimes in, turning down a dark stretch of road with trees surrounding either side.

“Hongjoong has been waiting and wishing for you probably the longest out of all of us. Well, probably besides Yunho.” Jongho tells you. “The bond is making him act on instinct; his darker impulses.”

You curl in on yourself more. “I don’t like the implications of that.”

“We’re normally pretty good at controlling ourselves.” Yeosang adds lowly. “It’s just you that makes us into anomalies.”

“Gee, that makes me feel loads better.” You nearly scoff.

“I don’t necessarily mean it in a bad way.” He turns his head to look at you.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” You sigh.

“You’re scared of us?” It’s Jongho’s timid voice that cuts through the sudden silence in the car like a knife.

You heave another tremendous sigh. “Not necessarily.”

“Then, why do you keep avoiding us?” There is pain held within Yeosang’s eyes. “Why do you keep pushing us away?”

You purse your lips. “Now is not the time for this.”

Sure enough, the car breaks through the trees, swerving on the path to reveal a small cemetery up ahead.

Seonghwa speeds up.

Through the darkness, you can just make out five figures milling about. As you get closer, you see a sixth one on his knees between them all.

The car comes to a screeching halt, and you practically fling yourself out of the backseat. A terrified shriek escapes you at the state you find Sungwoo to be in, his beaten and bloody body covered in gashes and dirt.

You spot the bat in Hongjoong’s hand, the metal iron pikes glinting in the moonlight as he rests it over his shoulder. You think you’d be less terrified if the bat housed spikes instead of those solid metal protrusions lining the sides. Hell only knows what Sungwoo has already suffered through this evening.

Tears line your eyes as you attempt to run over to Sungwoo, your heart pounding in your chest. Only, you don’t get very far, Mingi grabbing your arms and holding you back before you can get too close. Even Yeosang, Seonghwa, and Jongho get held back by the other three at Hongjoong’s command, curses flying between all of them as you scream for them to end this madness.

Sungwoo collapses on the ground.

“Pathetic.” Hongjoong clicks his tongue. “Weak ass human can’t even handle a few blows.”

“What have you done?” Your voice is frantic, tears spilling onto your cheeks as you look between him and Sungwoo’s tattered and bruised form.

“I’m simply teaching this rat a lesson for touching what isn’t his.” Hongjoong’s eyes flash maliciously beneath the light of the moon.

Your heart stops, dread flooding your veins. As you are being held back by Mingi, your whole body begins to shake.

“You think you own me.” Your words are but a whisper on the wind, but it causes the entire cemetery to suddenly become eerily quiet. “You believe I belong to you.”

Something in Hongjoong’s facade cracks, and his demeanour shifts only briefly. “No-“

“You just said it yourself.” Your hands are clenched into fists despite Mingi holding you back by your arms. “You don’t view me as a person. You view me as an object to be owned.”

The others remain deadly silent, watching this interaction with bated breath.

“That’s not true, and you know it.” He frowns.

“No. I don’t know.” You spit harshly. “That’s the whole fucking point! I don’t know you, and you don’t know me!”

“But, you love him.” Hongjoong’s eyes dart down to the male bleeding out at the ground at his feet.

A few displeased growls echo around the tombstones surrounding you.

“He is my best friend!” You’re near hysterics at this point. “Of fucking course I love him!”

More growls sound around you.

Hongjoong’s hand holding onto the bat begins to tremble. “I can’t let him live knowing he’s touched you.”

“You know?” Your head falls forward in disbelief. “You know?”

“Of course I know!” Hongjoong’s anger is barely contained, his own body beginning to shake in rage. “How could I not recognize when filth sleeps with My Treasure?”

You go silent, clamping your lips shut as you feel Mingi’s hands tighten around you from Hongjoong’s words. It’s starting to make sense to you.

“You think we’ve slept together.” You state.

“I know you have.” Hongjoong glares unforgivingly down at the man splayed out at his feet in the dirt.

“Right, because you’ve all been stalking me.” You nod your understanding. “But no, that’s not what I meant.”

Hongjoong lifts his gaze.

“You think we’ve fucked.”

His resounding growl, and the several others you hear around you, are answer enough.

“You haven’t?” It’s Wooyoung who asks, genuine surprise coating his words.

“Maybe we have, and maybe we haven’t.” You reply. “Either way, it is none of your goddamn business. I don’t owe you anything, and you don’t owe me anything.”

“You don’t understand-“ San begins to say, but you’re quick to cut him off.

“Then, help me to understand, because right now you are all breaking your promise to me.” Your pain filled eyes look around the small circle of gathered males. “I thought you said you would never hurt me.”

Wooyoung visibly flinches at your words, loosening his grip on Yeosang the slightest bit. Even Mingi’s grip no longer feels as tight against your own arms.

“I have to do this.” Hongjoong steels his resolve, despite the way his voice wavers. “I can’t let him interfere.”

“With what, Hongjoong?” You shout. “There is nothing between us. You doing this guarantees nothing will ever happen between us.”

“You don’t mean that.” It’s Mingi’s hurt tone that you hear softly from behind you.

“Are you going to hunt everyone I’ve ever slept with? Is that how this is going to work?” Your chest is heaving. “You don’t even know if I’ve slept with anyone, but you’re so adamant on killing my best friend simply off of a baseless claim. You might as well slaughter the entire town.”

“You already think us monsters anyways.” Hongjoong mutters, turning his head away from you.

“There is only one man I ever considered a monster.” Your voice is deadly calm. “I never thought you would stoop low enough to join him.”

“Then, why have you been avoiding us?” Hongjoong’s voice practically shakes the whole area as he rounds on you, the tip of the bat sinking into the mud as it falls from his shoulder.

“Because knowing the only reason you all started talking to me in the first place is due to some stupid magical bond that told you I’m your fated mate, or whatever, fucking hurts, okay?” Your tears have returned, falling freely down your cheeks as your chest heaves. “The only thing worse would be if you told me I was some reincarnation of your long lost love, or something ridiculous like that.”

The cemetery goes so silent, you swear the earth has stood still.

“You’ve been avoiding us this whole time because you think we wouldn’t want you if we weren’t fated to each other?” Yunho finally speaks, hands falling limply to his sides as Seonghwa, who he had been holding back, can only stand there, just as stunned as all of the rest of them.

“You only saved me that night because of the bond.” You attempt to swallow your building emotions, but you end up choking on a sob. “You all only care because of this stupid bond.”

“That’s not true, and you know it.” Yeosang shakes his head.

“It’s it, though?” You laugh bitterly. “Tell me, then. Honestly. If I were anyone else, and you had found me on the side of the road like that, bleeding out and on the brink of death, would you have stopped to help?”

If their silence didn’t already speak volumes, the way the majority of them avert their gazes says it all.

“All my life, I had hoped- I had dreamed of finding a soulmate, of them being real.” You voice falters as you bottom lip trembles. “After the shit I went through with Ryder, I just wanted someone to love me with all of my scars, unconditionally. Then I realized, it could never be real love if it was all based on some stupid bond, telling them that they had to love me. I don’t deserve to have that doubt always held within me. You don’t deserve that, either.”

You can tell a few of them have started crying along with you, tears streaming down Wooyoung’s, San’s, Jongho’s, and Seonghwa’s faces. Even both Yeosang and Hongjoong look close to breaking, and at the first drop of wetness you feel land on your arm, you know Mingi is faring no better.

“All of this for a bond that is telling you to want me.” You weep openly, the despair clear on your features. “How is that supposed to make me feel?”

“You-“ Wooyoung hiccups. “You think that we don’t want you?”

“Have you not been listening to a word I’ve just said?” Your voice cracks, turning your broken gaze towards Wooyoung.

“I thought we told you that despite us following the bond, we would never force it upon you.” Yunho reasons.

“Then, what do you call this?” You laugh bitterly once more. “An intervention?”

“We told you that we wanted to get to know you before anything.” Jongho’s voice is small, looking down at the ground as San continues to hold him back from reaching you or Sungwoo for the moment.

“But you insisted on avoiding us.” Hongjoong adds, somewhat bitterly.

“Because a fucking pull brought you to me!” You reply, clearly exasperated. “That’s not a choice, Hongjoong.”

“It was our choice to follow the pull.” Seonghwa surprises you by speaking, his words but a mere whisper on his lips.

“I’m sorry I’m not all I’ve been made out to be.” You say, somewhat bitterly as you look down at the ground.

“You’re better.” Immediately, your head is whipping upwards in Yeosang’s direction, catching his gaze. Your breath hitches as how earnest he looks, his eyes shining with the deepest form of sincerity you’ve ever seen another person give you. “You’re better than anything we could have ever imagined.”

You swallow thickly, your lower lip trembling with the weight of your emotions.

“I wish I could believe you.”

Something within Hongjoong snaps. You see it in the way his whole body twitches, his eyes flashing a deep red as black veins appear beneath them.

“It’s because of him.” That bat gets raised into the air. “He’s stolen you away from us.”

“No, Hongjoong-“ You begin thrashing in Mingi’s grip as you see the crazed gleam in the elder’s eyes.

“Hongjoong, stop this at once!” Seonghwa’s voice commands, ringing out loud and clear throughout the clearing.

Only, before the elder can take so much as a step towards Hongjoong, Yunho has him held back in his grip once more.

“Hongjoong.” Mingi warily calls the man’s name.

“You’re ours.” Hongjoong’s voice boarders on a feral snarl, his hands tightening methodically around the base of the bat as his lips pull back over sharp fangs.

Your eyes go wide as the reality of the situation washed over you: Hongjoong is going to smash Sungwoo’s head in no matter what you do.

Just as you watch the bat begin to swing downwards, you scream.

“No!”

It’s as if the world moves in slow motion. Somehow, you manage to tear free of Mingi’s hold which had grown quite loose, almost as if he had hesitated holding you back any longer. Still, you can feel your arms stinging, sure there are now cuts along your skin from his nails where he had been clinging onto you so desperately.

You throw yourself on top of Sungwoo, covering him with your body as that bat cuts through the air in an almost gentle, mocking arc. You squeeze your eyes shut.

Then, it’s as if the world resumes its normal speed.

You expect to feel pain. Nothing but hot, searing pain. Only, it never comes.

Blinking your eyes open, you look up to see Hongjoong staring down at you in horror. His wide eyes have no shortage of tears as he meets your gaze, standing frozen in his spot with the bat hovering right above your head.

A drop of blood lands on your face.

Shifting your gaze, you see Mingi holding that bat, a spire of iron mere millimetres from your face.

Tremendous roars reach your ears: some of pure fury, others of horror, and a few in desperation. The very resonance of such sounds causes the earth to tremble beneath you, a flock of birds taking off suddenly into the night sky.

A blink, and Hongjoong is being dragged back by five males, all of whom tear him away from you and that bat still held in Mingi’s grip. Snarls reach your ears as both Yeosang and Seonghwa pin him to the ground, Wooyoung, Jongho, and Yunho all standing over his trembling form.

Then, Yunho manages to calm himself enough to turn towards you.

He meets your gaze. “How did you do that?”

There’s a bitter furrow to your brow, “Do what?”

San is beside you in an instant, checking you over for injuries as Mingi tosses the bat to the side.

“Don’t help me, heal him.” You push the vampire off of you, motioning to Sungwoo with your chin.

You notice the way San hesitates.

Mingi doesn’t.

***

Gently, you cradle Sungwoo in your arms, brushing his hair back from his face after Mingi has fed him some of his blood. Slowly, you can already see some of Sungwoo’s injuries mending themselves, the cuts closing and bruises healing.

You turn your tearstained face towards the eight men now kneeling across from you.

“You’re going to listen to me, and you’re going to listen good and proper.” None of them have ever heard you use such a dark tone before, but from your expression alone, they can tell just how furious you are right now. “I don’t care who they are, but if you ever touch another person that I care about, if you ever hurt any of them, especially him,” you grip tightens around Sungwoo in your arms, “I will never forgive you, and you will never see me again. Do I make myself clear?”

A chorus of low ‘yes’s greet your ears.

“You want me to like you, but all this has done is make me despise the four of you.” You seethe, pure fury lighting behind your irises.

They all squirm beneath your intense gaze.

“Wait, four?” Wooyoung’s brow furrows.

You look from him, to Yunho, to San, and then finally, to Hongjoong, of whom you hold gazes with the longest.

“I don’t trust any of you after this.” Pointed glares are sent to the former four by the others you haven’t singled out. “And I don’t know if that can ever be rebuilt.”

“You weren’t going to give us a chance, anyways.” San grumbles, fingers sinking into the dirt by his legs.

You choose to not respond to his bitter comment right now.

“When he finally regains consciousness,” you motion down to Sungwoo with your head, “One of you is going to compel him to forget this ever happened. You are going to get your heads out of your fucking asses, pull up your big boy pants, and leave me the fuck alone. I want nothing to do with you after this. You may have saved my life once before, but all this has proven is that none of you are ready for a commitment like this.”

Hongjoong goes to protest.

“You let your insecurities and jealousy control you! How could I ever want that?” You round on him. “I’ve already dealt with one abusive asshole, I don’t need another.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, so am I.” You scoff, soon shifting your gaze to meet Seonghwa’s own. You stand back to your feet. “Now, Take me home.”

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uwuyangeppie · 5 months ago

Note

Do you think Geppie would love to have a s/o who knows how to cook and/or bake?

oh, he’d LOVE a s/o that knows how to cook/bake! in fact, that’s how he’d first fall in love.

eating your food would cause an odd feeling to well up inside him, but gepard could never realise what it is on his own, though. serval’s the one who has to drop that bomb on him, teasing him about it.

after all, you’ve gotta experience a FIRST crush at some point, right?

and with your food paired with smiles and words of encouragement, he only feels his crush grow. he's more and more eager to go to bed, excited to see you in his mind's eye, too. he dreams of a you that’s equally as in love with him as he is with you.

ah, yeah. at some point it turned into love. if only he could pinpoint when…

maybe it was when he found you, hurt? something dark curled inside his heart on that day, masked by anger and his role as captain. you’d leaned on him so easily, suddenly so frail in his eyes.

when he found the culprit, it was the most brutal punishment ever witnessed. in the end, they decided to strike it from the records. gepard was penalised for it- he should’ve known he was going too far.

really, though. too far? he got to live, didn’t he?

this information did not reach you, thankfully. he did start thinking about how you might not have been injured to start with had it been common knowledge that you were dating him. gepard braves his anxiety and asks you out.

and you turn him down.

his sisters try to comfort him, but he turns to burying himself in work and training, eager to escape the sting of rejection. it’s not until you visit serval with a box of his favourites tidbits, looking for him, that he realises there’s still hope. that you could fall for him.

he’d try manipulation first, of course. it would be easier to explain away, and so much easier for him to coax your heart into loving him. if that fails, though, then kidnapping is next.

and if you find it within yourself to cook/bake for him again, he’ll take it as an expression of your requited love. ecstatic to eat the next thing you make for him, gepard can only fall deeper, now convinced that you feel exactly the same as he.

#i know this didn't really focus on cooking or baking at all #sorry #but hopefully you liked it all the same!#fingers crossed haha #asked and answered #requests are open!#gepard landau x reader #gepard x reader #honkai star rail #honkai star rail x reader #hsr #hsr x reader #yandere gepard #yandere gepard x reader

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a-shoebox-named-meap · 1 year ago

Text

aight. have some nimona canon divergence AU fic ideas because i’m no writer but i AM going insane

as a huge fan of canon divergence AUs where One Small Decision Changes Everything™ i can’t stop thinking about little bits and pieces from the nimona movie like:

what if the squire had shown ambrosius the video (ohh a fic like this would be Delicious) (mm ambrosius x squire tag team) (ballister’s two biggest fans) (this might be one of my favorite ideas so far) (lots of potential here i feel like)

now there have been a lot of people asking “let’s feel some ANGST what if real ambrosius had walked into the director’s office before nimona” but i will take that and raise you: what if ambrosius had walked in while nimona was doing her thing in the director’s office. perhaps around the time when the director stabbed fake!ambrosius. please consider. may the chaos ensue

ballister had noticed his sword-laser-cannon powering up and moved it away from the queen but it hit something else! or someOne else! (or it killed the queen anyway but still hit somebody else in the process) (oh gods what if it took off his own arm) (or even ambrosius’s—) (can you imagine the kinda twist that would occur if he took off ambrosius’s arm by accident and ballister not resting until he found out who the real culprit is skdjdjdjdjddj) (oh but wait let me make this WORSE what if he hit ambrosius instead of the queen ((don’t worry ambrosius is wearing armor, he doesn’t die he’s just,,, gravely injured?)) and ballister, even if he still gets framed for it, will stop at nothing to find out who did this to ambrosius) (now incorporate nimona into that storyline and hoohoohoo) (i’m rubbing my hands together like a maniacal fruit fly right now)

what if they had uploaded the squire’s video when they got it huh. what then. back it up to the cloud. or just TEXT it to ambrosius you Fool. you absolute Buffoon. (but perhaps this seemingly obvious course of action results in some unexpectedly dire consequences oh no—)

“ooh… nemesis.” “nemesis?” at which point nimona and ballister get stuck in the closet, nimona reveals her shapeshifting abilities, and oh, screw it, if ballister’s situation with his arm-chopping nemesis is really so cOmPLiCAteD then maybe since they’re breaking out of jail anyway they might as well kidnap ambrosius while they’re at it. aka the au where nimona breaks ballister out of jail and she takes ambrosius with them. (i am FEASTING on the possibilities of this one)

let’s take todd’s suspicion and blame directed towards ambrosius (“why didn’t you tell us ballister was working with whales?”) and dial that up to 100. slowly, though, not too fast, it’s gotta build momentum. let’s breed some mistrust in ambrosius. let’s see people refusing to let ambrosius lead the manhunt for ballister on account of their close relationship. let’s see people turn their backs on him thinking he was a conspirator. let’s see ambrosius losing the public’s favor. let’s see ambrosius starting to feel some doubt when he’s alone in his room — let’s see ambrosius wondering what if people are actually as wrong about ballister as he knows they are about ambrosius himself. (what if everybody hates ambrosius too—)

this one is not nearly as straightforward a canon divergence but ponder this: the director noticed the squire was there in the locker room (?) that day and swapped out the swords after the squire had left. or maybe she swapped it out before the squire was ever there. the squire never knew the director had been there. there was no video evidence. now what? up to you >:)

ok hear me out. the squire is a #1 ballister fan right. the squire is probably very careful with the swords and armor he handles. the squire is probably intimately familiar with the swords and other various weaponry and armaments of the institution. the squire is probably very familiar with ballister’s in particular. when ballister first picked up his swapped-out sword he noticed something was off about it, but what if — WHAT IF — the squire had noticed something was off about it first. now of course there’s Possibility #1 where he sees the director swap the sword, and then he checks out the sword and feels that something is wrong with it etc etc (or maybe he mistakes the sword change for an equipment upgrade) BUT now let’s combine this with the previous bullet point for Possibility #2 where the squire DIDN’T see the director swap the sword but he DID notice something was off about the sword before ballister did and actually investigated it. would he discover the hidden weapon, or not? if he did would he bring it to ballister’s attention? ambrosius’s? the director’s? what if he caught the hidden weapon but didn’t mention it and then the queen died and the squire was left fully believing ballister killed the queen (ballister knows mechanics, you’ve seen his arm, it’s plausible he built the weapon into his sword himself) and then ballister and nimona kidnapped him and interrogated him and ballister and the squire were left spiderman meme-ing each other like *points* “i thought YOU were behind all this!” and now the squire is an unwilling sidekick dragged into this by nimona and ballister to figure out who the real culprit is and there’s ACTION and ADVENTURE and COMEDY and it’s absolutely metal—

the squire really feels like a lynchpin in this story is all i’m sayin

if you can’t tell i’m also a fan of happy endings. in my brain most of these canon divergences result in a similar happy ending as the movie. except maybe faster (not always). which i enjoy because i’m sappy and silly anyway thank you and goodnight

#nimona #nimona fanfic #nimona fic #nimona netflix #nimona au #ballister boldheart #ballister blackheart #ambrosius goldenloin #nimona spoilers #nimona squire #nimona director #i don’t write fic but for the fic writers out there (i appreciate you all dearly) pls accept my humble offerings #i’m sure i’ll have more ideas later #my head is spinning #meap posts #nimona stuff

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poppadom0912 · 1 year ago

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Together (VII)

Warnings: Mentions of violence, blood, injuries, abuse, kidnappings, shootings, swearing and scary men.

Summary: When Jay least expected it, he suddenly starts hearing things. And maybe, he's starting to hallucinate too.

A/N: Am I suddenly full of inspiration and writing in school when i should be doing my lab write up? Yes I am. This chapter has been changed many times but I finally finished editing. A little spoiler- maybe I’m being nicer to my babies 🙃

Previous Chapter / Series Masterlist / Next Chapter

Over the course of eating their very poorly put together ‘meal’, Will came to the conclusion that the food hadn’t been tampered with and so he was happy to continue feeding you.

You had to admit that you felt like a baby, your older adult brother feeding adult you. You tried insisting you could feed yourself but with the state of your shaking fingers, hands sore from the countless times they’d been tied back, Will denied you your request.

The man that had given the tray of food returned and this time, there was something rectangle like sticking out in one of his trouser pockets while what clearly sounded like keys was sticking out in the other.

Your heart skipped a beat, and you could feel Will’s heart rate increase from where his hand was positioned over yours. He must’ve noticed it too.

The Ezra's were so meticulous in their plans and their behaviour was always erratic and on another level of violence that it was impossible to believe one of their henchmen could even, for a second, have the thought of being nice to their victims.

But you were continuously surprised by them because as he took the empty tray, leaving behind the two waters and single juice, he ‘accidentally’ dropped the plastic rectangle and as he was walking away, his back turned to you both, a key fell and clanged against the ground, but he never looked back.

And just like that, the door slammed behind him, massively contrasting the immense kindness he showed mere seconds ago.

Holy friggin shit balls.

*****

Was Trudy worried? Yes, indeed she is. Was she going to show any concern? No, not unless she was left alone with her detective.

Ever since dispatch had forwarded her Jay’s call, she’d been on her feet and alert. And ever since she found out that Jackson and Ezra Murray were the culprits to blame, she was determined that they weren’t going to get away again.

Trudy knew all the Halstead siblings, but she knew Jay the best. Over the many years, not only herself but many, many others were forced to get used to not one but three Halstead's being in existence and working within less than fifteen minutes from each other.

Currently, Trudy and Jay were alone in the bullpen since the younger detective was barred from any field work unless they found Will and Y/N’s location but that was the only exception. Right now, her job was to keep Jay company, keep an eye on him and continue looking for any more clues or evidence that could be of any help.

Jay was very clearly still losing his mind and his mental and physical state deteriorated as time passed. At this point, Trudy couldn’t help but think the worst and fear for how her detective was going to fare as a result.

Currently, she was sat opposite him at Hailey's desk, doing her own bit by going through security footage that had too many hours of video on it. Usually, she would get bored doing this, but it was a little different this time because whenever she glanced up, she was faced with the struggling sight of your brother who never asked for too much.

All he wanted was to get his older brother and younger sister back.

Suddenly, the phone on Jay’s desk was ringing. Luckily for him, he had a second phone whenever he went undercover and since the first one had been taken and was likely smashed in an evidence bag somewhere, this was all he was relying on.

The sound was slightly jarring as it interrupted the pin drop silence they’d been in but neither of them showed any sign of discomfort. Instead, Jay went to answer the call, but his solemn mood didn’t change. It was evident that he wasn’t expecting much since it was his undercover phone that they’d been using two days ago on a case.

Just as the desk sergeant was about to go back to her CCTV footage, she felt the entire bullpen still. The tension so thick it was suffocating her veins restricting any blood flow, and as she looked up, it became dizzying.

His already pale face had nothing on Snow White and from where she sat, she could his heartbeat thundering out his chest, practically vibrating. All this could only mean one thing.

“Will?”

What the fuck

For a hot second, Trudy thought that Jay was in so much pain that he was transferring some of his hallucinations onto her to alleviate his symptoms but then he continued talking into the phone and reality sunk into her bones.

"Shit, Will wait slow down I can't- what?!"

Without prior warning, Jay shot out of his seat, wavering slightly on his feet causing the older woman to follow and stand by his side in any case he fell from the whiplash she's sure he gave himself.

"Knives- you've got keys?- Y/N's not unconscious- she's lost her voice- your bleeding?! When- Why are you talking about grape juice?!" Jay paused several times, his words repeatedly getting cut off by Will on the other side of the phone. The longer the call went on, the more confused Trudy became. Jay must've been thinking the same as her from the height his brows rose every time he spoke. They went from talking about knives and blood to grape juice.

The duality of the Halstead brothers.

"Wait so he gave you a knife and somehow you found a gun just casually lying around? Will, I swear to God if you-"

And when Jay screw his eyes shut, something in her mind told her the doctor was doing something stupid and very questionable, very in character even when in a life or death situation. It was nice to know people would never change.

Despite the anxiety growing in her chest, the call lasted longer than she expected. Will was being very efficient and careful for managing whatever he was doing and that put her at somewhat ease. Eventually, nothing physically tore them apart but it was poor internet or a lack of a connection that abruptly ended the call.

"Tell me you got a location?" Jay asked, hope drowning out any other emotion in his ever so expressive eyes. If it wasn't for lives being on the line then she would've scoffed and scolded him but a sarcastic remark would do for now.

"What do you take me for?" She asked incredulously as she glanced at the computer screen, almost immediately committing the address to her memory.

"I'll call Voight but get in the car first."

But Jay didn't need her permission, he was already moving.

*****

So much had unravelled in the last twenty minutes, you were still struggling to understand it all.

With all the uncertainty and determination in the world, you and Will had no other plan but to take they keys and the pocketknife and basically run as fast as you could. Well, run as much as Will could since he was carrying you on his back, very reminiscent of your childhood while he navigated the halls as best he could. You made a very pathetic argument that you could walk on your own but when you tried standing up, your legs gave in on themselves and Will gave you his motherly disappointed look that was very spot on; you and Jay had been on the receiving end of this look for way too long now that you should’ve been immune to it but here you were.

Opening the basement door, you both cringed at the loud sound it made. You guys hadn’t even left the basement yet and it was already going off to a great start.

As gently as he could, Will readjusted your position on his back, his arms moving to hold under your thighs more securely so that in a rush, you wouldn’t move. As he did so, you kept your arms around his neck, barely gripping him due to both a lack of strength and cautious to not strangle him.

Before leaving the room, you and Will sat and contemplated very long and hard about your escape plan. You were provided with very little by the mysterious man you were now deeming your saviour and maybe guardian angel depending on how successful the escape was.

Staring at the burner phone, you swore. You couldn’t remember anyone’s phone number for the life of you. Easily, you could’ve called 999 but the response much longer than calling someone either of you knew. It shocked you only a little when you couldn’t recollect a single person’s phone number, not even Kelly’s or Jay’s.

But like always, Will was there and knew exactly what to do. Maybe it was his doctor nature, but he had several numbers memorised and for some odd reason, he remembered Jay’s undercover phone number. You called him stupid, but he only laughed it off while he punched in the numbers.

You waited in anticipation, your nerves imitating Will’s as he held the phone to his ear, biting on the inside of his cheek as he waited for the phone to stop ringing. And when it did, Will audibly let out a sigh of relief, you felt like crying.

Will explained in half detail, leaving out a lot. It was obvious that Will was trying to relay the necessary details Jay needed to know about their current situation but then he decided to add in the random unnecessary fact that you drank grape juice. That totally threw you off, but Will kept talking as if nothing were wrong.

When Will eventually finished talking, he went silent and listened to what Jay was saying. For a minute, you couldn’t hear a voice on the other side of the phone but then you heard his muffled voice, and it brought you immediate ease knowing he was safe.

And before you knew it, the call ended, and you were out the dreaded basement.

Back to the present, Will was carefully cruising the empty corridors of the very nicely furnished warehouse. It made you question the desolate and dirty state the basement was in. At one point, you pointed out a gun lying on an ottoman; it was very suspiciously placed but when Will checked, it was very much real and very much loaded.

So here you were: a burner phone, pocketknife, gun, and sheer drive. You didn’t want to jinx it but… yes you weren’t going to jinx it.

The warehouse was ginormous. Every corridor was identical to the next and the furnishing was as though a professional interior designer had been inside. Luckily for you and Will, Jackson and Ezra’s lacky’s hadn’t been plastered all over the place, making your escape just a little more easier.

To remain as incognito as possible, Will only whispered to you when absolutely necessary, narrating to you what he was doing and what was going to happen. So far, so good. Will was slinking around, movements smooth and looking like a hair on his body had never been touched since being here. If you didn’t already know he was a doctor, then you would question his physical abilities and profession.

Each corner you turned, you felt your heart drop, your body anticipating disaster. The more time passed, the more you could feel Will sweat and struggle. He had begrudgingly admitted that he was hurt, going into slight detail that Ezra stabbed him, and he’d been hurt more throughout the several times you were passed out. You knew he was hurt and if you were to go in order of the most hurt to the least, the list would be: You, Will and then Jay. And considering the blood you saw covering Jay’s body the last time you saw him; God knows what went down between your oldest brother and your kidnappers.

“Will, if you’re tired, we can stop for a second.” You whispered into his ear but the only reply you got was him shaking his head. You knew his answer made sense, you needed to get out as soon as possible before you got caught but if Will took just one minute or two to recollect himself then maybe he’d feel better.

However, he decided that he was going to put himself last and everything else first because according to him, apparently you and getting out of this damned place took priority to his light-headedness and the blood that was only now slowly beginning to stop running like a river.

And so, without another word, he readjusted you one more time, his grip tightening around your thighs but not too much so it would hurt, and he continued walking.

Going downstairs was the hardest thing Will had to do by far. Yes, carrying you and maintaining your weight on his back was difficult but he could manage, and you felt much more lighter than what you should’ve been being a firefighter but that was a concern for later.

Staring down from the top of the staircase, Will calculated the descent. Yes, it would hurt a lot considering how much his legs shook as he merely stood but he was now starting to get worried but how little you were moving. Initially, you would move every now and then when your body felt stiff or to whisper under your breath so only he could hear you.

Now though, Will didn’t want to say it, you were deathly silent.

He shoved all his negative thoughts aside, deciding to deal with them later because the biggest problem he had was staring at him mockingly. How did his life come to such a point point that stairs scared him?

Luck must’ve decided to be nice to him all of a sudden because under five minutes, he safely delivered the two of you on the ground floor. Now, all that was left to do was find a back or front door and get the heck out of this place.

But obviously, fate was laughing down on the Halstead’s because luck ran as fast as she could, after only three minutes of doing her job because Will was facing down two familiar looking men decked out in all black.

Series Masterlist:

@mads-weasley @sowrongitslottie @elite4cekalyma @senjoritanana @hufflepuff-blackwidow @mrspeacem1nusone @kmc1989 @goth-cowgirl-03 @daggersquadphantom @photographerkaiya0306 @jamie0515 @samanthavitale @iamasimpingh0e

#one chicago x reader #one chicago imagine #jay halstead x reader #onechicago #chicago fire #chicago med #chicago pd #will halstead x reader #halstead sister #halstead brothers #kelly severide x reader #jay halstead x sister!reader #will halstead x sister!reader

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heartfullofleeches · 2 years ago

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Spill

Immortal Male Yan + G.N Criminal Reader

Summary: You kidnapped him to get some information about a shared friend, but he won't give in so easily

Warnings: Sadomasochism themes, violence, slightly suggestive scene

Good little Silas.

Always keeps every word someone says to him.

It's his job afterall - one no-one else in the entire world could full. You see, Silas knew the secrets of a lot of dangerous people. The type of series others would die, or even kill for. Why would these people trust a scrawny, pathetic looking guy like him? It's simple really. He has a bigger secret than all of them combined.

He couldn't die.

It was really hard to convince his boss of his usefulness at first. His buddies put a bullet through his skull and tossed him into the trash out back before he could demonstrate himself. Didn't even buy him dinner before hand. Assholes. Coming back after having his brains splattered on his soon to be employer's did wonders for his credibility. He was mostly used as a living meat shield early on, but with his resilience to wounds and the pain they may cause his boss become more relaxed around him. He had proven worth plus is anyone ever caught wind of their ties and kidnapped him Silas would never saw a thing. He was the perfect lapdog.

After that he pretty much became an outlet for everyone's tales. From little white lights to infidelity, murder, and every other sin in the book. Sweet Silas would do his to lean an ear and give input when requested. By the end of the year Silas had enough information to get everyone involved arrested, murdered, or whatever else might happen if he let any details slip. He could easily save the lives of innocent people, but he had a bigger prey to catch than the fleeting high of justice.

After all, a good boy might go to the police, and he was no good boy.

Silas greedily gulps down tablespoons of water as the glass clacks against his teeth.

"Feeling better?"

"Mhm..."

A backhand soars across his face.

"Good."

Silas' head hangs at an awkward angle from the force, red stained saliva dribbling down his lips. He bite into the lower one to avoid making a sound. Normally he'd hold his captor to the same standards as his friends in regards to filling his stomach with something other than water before smacking him around, but this was no ordinary kidnapper. They were intoxicating, threatening, the exact type of person he'd love to...

Ugh, he's getting carried away again.

Best not to do that while he's still playing an innocent victim, especially in front of his Doll. Just a single week before his employment, Silas fell in love. The culprit of his stolen heart was a crook committing another robbery that night, the two's paths crossed in an alley behind the bank. No questions asked, his future spouse stabbed him directly in his chest before they fled the scene. That boldness almost made them an optional playmate, but that hint of guilt in their eyes swept him off his feet. Researching them only made him fall madder in love. He would do anything to have them.

"I don't want to hurt you. Just tell me code to his safe and I'll let you go.

Facing away, Silas is fully able to roll his eyes. At least threaten his life if he speaks while you're at it.

"Please... I really don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a waiter!" He fights in his restraints and sobs with wide eyes, hoping to sell the act anc draw attention away from his lower body. Pitching a tent right in front of his doll on their first meeting was rather embarrassing. You snarl as you pick up your knife.

"Just tell me what I want to know!"

You're so pretty when you scream. Silas can't wait for his turn to play. He holds it isn't too long so he can take a picture of his wounds and mirror them on you so you'll have matching scars. Sure he'll have to redo his now and then, but the photos you take at your wedding won't know that.

You ghost the blade down along his neck. Silas swallows to feel its point and prevent himself from choking on the blood collecting in his mouth. He wants to act just a little longer - but you're making it so hard teasing him like that. He repeats his scripted moto in his head like a pray as you drag the knife down his chest.

Scream. Cry. Scream. Cry. Ah-

Your eyes grow to the size of dinner plates as the tiny moan sounds within the empty room. It's not a whimper you're used to, but one of pure unadulterated lust. "Did.. you just."

No going back now. So much for that.

"Guess I just can't help it, Dolly. You're too fucking irresponsible. I know you wanna hurt me, but since I love you so much I wanna let you in on a little secret. You can hurt me, but you can't kill me. Break me apart if you don't believe me. I'll be back tomorrow to take what's mine."

You step back as he erupts into a fit of shrill laughter. "That bastard- Always hiring the freaks. I can't believe he ditch me for someone like you."

His laughter stops. That's a secret his boss never shared with him. That old fuck would've been dead long before then if he had.

"Ohh, did he do something to hurt you? That changes everything. I'll give you whatever you want to know down to his house code if you let me have first cut."

"Why would you help me?"

"I already told you, Doll." Silas stands up and drops the cuffs to the ground, dislocated bones bopping back into place as he flexes. "I love ya, and I'm gonna make sure whoever's hurt you pays. Got this job just to help you out anyway. Issue is if you want me to spill the beans without a few dates first you gotta spilling my guts on the floor as my spit spills down your pretty throat."

#Silas my oc #yandere imagines #yandere x reader #yandere #yandere x you #yandere oc #yandere scenarios #male yandere #yandere blurb #yandere insert #yandere headcanons #yandere x y/n #yandere drabble

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yelenasfloppyhand · 8 months ago

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Spencer reid x gn!reader

Summary: Spencer is struggling with his addiction after being kidnapped by Tobias Hankel.

Warnings: indirect mentions of drug use and brief mentions of ptsd.

You had never imagined yourself here, pleading with Spencer Reid to open up to you. You knew of his discomfort with expressing emotions and being vulnerable around others, and you respected his boundaries. But now, Spencer’s concerns were the least of your worries. You felt guilty that you hadn't paid attention to the signs sooner. His mood swings, the dark purple bags under his bright eyes, his normally full of life gaze, now dull and lifeless.

But that was to be expected, right? Everyone had been there to witness Spencer's abduction, but it seemed that they decided to walk away as soon as he began to destroy himself. Perhaps it was a lack of care, but you liked to try and tell yourself that it was just that they couldn't stand to watch the young genius slowly kill himself.

"Spence..."

You take a moment to compose yourself, a steady breath and determined resolve pushing back against the weight of your trembling voice and misty eyes. You blink back tears that are dangerously close to falling.

"I know you think people don't care, but we do. I don't want to watch you destroy yourself anymore."

You turn your head to the side, determined not to let any tears fall. As you look back, Spencer looks particularly vulnerable this time, more so than you've seen in months. His gaze carries a hint of glassiness in his beautiful eyes, and his lips quiver as though he might speak, but he struggles to keep himself together. He almost appears to you like a little boy this moment, the sight almost enough to melt your heart.

"I know that at first it felt good, great even, you felt like you'd found a solution for the pain, a way to numb it to make it bearable... but then it stopped working, so you thought you'd up the dosage a little so it would have the same effect it did the first time, then you realised that you couldn't go more than a few hours without it, because after a while the feelings came back. I... I can't say I know how you feel because I don't, but I have seen what addiction does to people spence. And I am terrified, I am paralyzed by the though of you doing this to yourself. I know it's selfish to ask this but please! For me, stop."

There have been countless situations where you had to plead desperately with unruly culprits to give up their weapons and release their innocent captives. However, they were a walk in the park compared to begging the love of your life to surrender the very thing that was slowly killing him whilst simultaneously allowing him to stay afloat in the rampant storm of his thoughts.

"I’m struggling." The words barely escape his lips, almost a whisper as he keeps a stoic exterior. Yet, as he tugs at the sleeve of his blazer, you notice the subtle signs of inner torment. His body language says it all. He's barely holding himself together in this random hotel room, trying his best not to burst into tears.

"It's okay, it's okay to struggle. It's okay to ask for help. Please, let me help you." You beg, your voice laced with desperation as you make the request. You really, truly mean it; you've never felt as impassioned as you do right now about anything else in your life.

Note: this was just a super quick little one shot? (Can I even call it that?) I just wanted to share it because I love writing as well as Spencer Reid. I just wanted to say that if anyone is struggling with addiction of any kind that you are not alone, and that asking for help is the bravest thing you can do, it doesn't make you weak for wanting to get better.

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #spencer reid x gn reader #spencer reid angst #criminal minds x reader

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dark-night-hero · 9 days ago

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Teachers dilemma (Rowan Theodore)

⤷ One thing lead to another and you finally figure out the thing that he has been keeping from you for so long. In which you found yourself along with your students kidnapped only to wake up with a bunch of panicked kidnappers telling to you save them (??)

To be fair, your day was going really well it was so damn suspicious. The field trip with your advisering class was all and well until you and your students find yourselves getting kidnapped on your way back into the bus. It was pretty quick too, one moment you were talking to the three of your students whom was running late for the next destination, the next thing you knew you heard a muffled scream of one your students and as soon as you turn around, you felt an aching pain on the back of your head before eventually went black. The horrified look on your students eyes were the last thing that you saw.

When you woke up, you expected to be in a tight bond only to feel that you are in fact free. Although the back of your head is aching, the last thing you expeted when you open your eyes was to see your kidnappers in a midst of panic. You kids- students sitting on the floor right beside you as they form some sort of formation around you. Come to think of it, rather than hurt, they look calm and collected- maybe even annoyed at the current situation. Now that you think about it, being the leading teens in their generation, this doesn't seemed to be the first time they were kidnapped.

"Teacher, you're awake." One of your student, Alexander whispered in relief. "The back of your head won't stop bleeding earlier. We thought you're going to die." This time it was Andrei who spoke causing you to let out a chuckle. Right, you got smacked in the back of the head. Yeah, it would take you a lot for you to die just like that. "How long have they been like that?" You ask, shaking your head in the direction of the panicked kidnappers. "Ever since we got here." Answered Alexandra, twin of Alexander. Come to think of it, "Are the three of you okay?" "We're fine, we're not hurt. Just a bit out of it because of the drug but nothing we couldn't handle." "Alright- arghh my head hurts like shit." "Careful teach."

You look around, head throbbing, the back of your head aching. Your students were trying to block your sight, nevertheless you still try and as soon as you do, you made an eye contact with one of the armed man and without a missz he walked towards you. You felt your heart drop before it started racing. You tap your students gently and started moving forward, hoping to block your student away from the man's view. With the rest of the culprit now looking at you, and the man so close right in front of you. You curse on your head, recall all self defence your fiance made you go through. "Leave my stude-" "Please have mercy!" "???" What the fuck is happening?

"All you have to do is put up a word for your lover to leave us alone once he got in here. Yeah? Will you do that yeah?" What the fuck is he talking about? "I'm sure he'll back off nicely if you told him it was all an accident no? Will you do that for me? I'll make sure you and your students will be treated of nicely-" "what are you-" "Is that what you're expecting me to say?" Baffled, you can feel the way the mood shifted as your kidnapper started laughing like crazy. Maybe he had gone crazy by the way his people started sweating and looked even more frightened as their boss lost their mind. At the same time you can feel the hold of your students tighten around your shirt.

"No way in hell I'll miss this chance of messing with the big bad guy." "What the fuck-" "Enough with your nonsense, there is no way in hell you don't know what your lover was doing when he was going around taking down and taking over the mafias for the past few years. Come to think of it, you've been listed on top of the 'No touch' list. That's the reason why no orgs and groups have touch you so far. All in fear what the mighty phoenix would do once his beloved were to ever be harm." He then stood up before grabbing you around your collar and atarted dragging you away from your student who started shouting when you have them a warning glare. You need to be calm, it's not like you aren't drill when it comes to being kidnapped. At the same time even though your students have gone through a lot of kidnapping case. It seems like things aren't so simple anymore.

"Boss we really can't afford this- he's going to kill us!" "So what? The moment we laid hands on his fiance were doomed to die, so might as well take it all for its worth." You tried to be calm. Whatever the fuck they were talking about, you were having none of it. Mafia? Are they saying your best friend, your fiance, your childhood friend is a mafia? Who the fuck are they kidding? There is no way in hell that son of a lazy bitch is a mafia leader. At the same time, there is just this gut feeling on what they are telling you were real.

It did not take them too long to tie you in a chair, your student bound and gagged in the corner of the room. So there where you, tied on a chair aa you glare at the guy as he just finished putting on your gag. "I wonder what made him choose you of all people wanting to be his fiance. But looking at you like this, he sure has his taste." Grabbing you by your chin, you felt a shiver down your spine. And it did not stop their, he started caressing your cheeks and ehen you tried to pull away. "This goes on pretty simple gorgeous." Suddenly the way he was holding you tighten. "We do this my way with no complaints or you watch as we blow one of your students brain." You turned stiff, glancing your students on your peripheral vision so see the three shaking their heads furiously, as if telling you to stay still, they can handle it. And then there was a phone ringing.

"Finally the big bad wolf called." Letting go of your chin harshly, he marched towards the table and went off to grab the phone that kept on ringing. "Theodore! It's about time you pick up the phone for a call you know-" "Mon chère." It was him. Suddenly you felt like crying. You never thought that annoying pet name could bring you so much relief. "What the fu-" "Mon chère, can you close your eyes until I told you to open them again?" Without asking, you did as you are told. And as soon as you do, there was this sound of the glass breaking followed by a thud followed by another, and then another until there was nothing but silence.

You don't know for how long did you stay like that. But the moment someone touches your cheeks, you instantly relax upon feeling a familiar touch. Gently, someone untied the gag around your mouth as your hae could finally relax. "Open your eyes mon chère." There he was with an expression you never thought you would see in his face.

There he was, water and sweat rolling down his all soaked figure. "Where have you been?" Findig out you have been untied from the chair, you reach out to touch his blood stained cheeks, wiping off the blood in his face. "Looks like you run all the way from the other side of the globe to find me." You laugh, only for him to lean into the palm of your hand and hold it close to him. "I thought I won't make it in time." He said truthfully. "I'm sorry." You just smile at him as you reach out to run your hand through his hair and he lean down instantly. "I'm sorry."

The ride back home was pretty silent, mostly because you were asleep upon finding out your students were safe and sound. The last thing you remember was riding the helicopter to the airport upon finding out the four of you had been gone for almost 5 hours now. So when you woke up on a rather familiar limo, you knew you're on your way back home. "Wake up mon chère, were close back at your parents place." You felt him gently tap you in the cheeks, leaning against him. "My parents?" "Yeah, they wanted to check on you." "Hmm I see." Pulling away from him, you stare outside the window, fully aware of the change that was about to come.

"Were here." "Theo." "Yeah?" "Let's break up." In an instant there was silence. "Alright." Maybe it was because you were busy looking at the front door of your house, or maybe your own reflection on the window. But you failed to see the look of pain in his eyes that was instantly replaced with calmness as soon as you turn to look at him or perhaps you were too busy with the own ache in uour heart upon hearing how nonchalantly he agreed with the break up. "It was fun being engaged to you Theodore." You smile at him. "Have a good night, sorry for the trouble." "I'm used to cleaning your mess (First name)" He chuckles and messes with your hair causing you to groan and glare at him. "You should get going. Aunt and uncle is worried." "Okay."

Getting out of the limo, you catch a glimpse of your engagement ring. "Theo-" "Keep it." "I was used to wearing it anyway." You roll your eyes at him. Making sure you did not forget anything, you were on your way back when you heard him call after you. "Mon chère." "Did you forg-" "Ce n'est pas parce que je t'ai laissé partir que tu es libre de mon emprise" "???" "Enough of your bullshit Theo. See you on monday." "Alright. I'll leave when you reach the door step."

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2024°

Bonus:

Theo: Papa, I resign as the patronne.

Papa: What the fuck is that non- why are you crying?!

Theo: Mon chère doesn't like my affiliations with the mafia

#dark night hero #oc x reader #oc fanfic #oc fanfiction #oc character #oc #theodore x reader #rowan x reader #rowan theodore #x reader #x reader fanfiction

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respectthepetty · 2 months ago

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So Live in Love decided to go all the way left in the final episode and gave me unhinged madness for 90+ minutes starting with Red Rascal Amp leaning into his color coding and being a red flag.

And the person he was working with to sabotage Cake and Kla's relationship was even worse as she held a blue rose to show her commitment to getting Blue Boy Kla.

But I'm pissed because I went against what the colors were telling me and truly believed the red bathroom was a red herring and Red Rascal Amp was not behind the locked door, so even though this last episode was bananas, the colors were consistent and never lied! Amp was the culprit and the colors stated that from the start!

And I knew who his partner was before we even saw her face! Khing wants to be the Pink Person that Kla loves so badly that she is willing to fake her color and her personality.

So I was really worried that Red Rascal Amp was going to continue to be the worst of his color and do something horrible to Cake to make sure he could keep him all to himself.

Because I already knew this chick was not going to let up on her plan since she came this far.

Even when she was caught red-handed (hehe), she still put on an act (the pink) and only focused on getting the Blue Boy of her dreams.

KLA WAS PISSED! As he should have been!

He was tired of everyone coming between him and Cake, so standing in between the pink on the left and the blue on the right, Kla finally told Amp that he needed to quit his shit or suffer the consquences.

And now I'm seeing all the red flags I missed about Khing! The chick was crazy all along!

She leached onto Kla because he showed her the care she never got from her father, yet I ignored the clear warning signs that Khing was a little too passionate about Kla.

So I'm glad Amp dulled his red a bit and realized his mistakes while Gina decided to finally be true to herself (which is probably why she was wearing everyone else's colors all the time because she was trying to fit in!).

And even though Khing ended the first half of the finale in a pit of dark despair while holding Kla's blue sweater, the narrative decided to forgive everyone for their outlandish (and criminal) behavior, so she got to go abroad to sort herself out.

Pink Person Cake can now freely wear his Blue Boy's color without the threat of online harassment, kidnapping, and sexual assault lingering over his head.

Orange Oddity Pon also officially declares his love for his Cyan Cutie Gam via social media to announce they are boyfriends.

Good for them.

And Kla takes a page out of their love story to do the same (but why do they have to go live?!). Cake sits right next to him in both of their colors solidifying that they are in love and no one can tear them apart (not even the girl who decided kidnap and sexual assault was the answer).

So everyone ends up next to the one they love and in their color.

And when Pink Person Cake graduates, he still, somehow, has both his and Kla's colors on him to show they are stronger than ever.

Gina even joins the celebrations by acknowledging that Cake is the one Kla picked with her present of blue flowers.

Oh, yeah, and Khing is there too, in pink . . . which I still don't trust.

And the ship I have wanted to sail this entire series between Green Guy Tim and Red Rascal Amp finally leaves the harbor!

Now that everyone else is settled, Pink Person Cake and Blue Boy Kla can live happily ever after with their pink and blue sticky notes.

And their book of memories (that is not the same title as the show, and I'm slightly irked about it, but Thai and English and translations or something like that, so it is what it is).

In the end, everyone is happy and working together in color-coded bliss, so all is well that end's well.

(Except Khing truly thought sexual assault was the answer and this show really just glossed over that, pero . . . oookay)

#live in love #live in love the series #color coded boys in love #the colors mean things #the colors stayed coloring #so people earned their paychecks #episode five #I wanted Tim x Amp #but not at this cost #and I cannot believe I ignored the colors that much #all the signs were there for Amp and Khing #so many red flags and so much red #I ignored them all #am I losing my touch?#this series was color by numbers #and I still ignored the colors #this show humbled me out

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meyousing · 2 years ago

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𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨, 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 [𝟏]

𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭: chrollo + prompt 27 “you know that I’ll find you. I always find you.” + reincarnation(& or soulmate) au

𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: you meet and fall head over heels for chrollo after his act of kindness in what would have otherwise been an embarrassing moment for you. after a comfortable amount of time in a relationship together, chrollo decides that you are ready for the next step…whatever that may be.

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: this is PART 1 of a soulmate au where mates have a nen tattoo of the other's portrait on their hand. sfw, drugging + kidnapping, manipulation, gaslighting if you squint???

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐 is here!

Hesitance was so obvious across your face as you stared into your lap; your hand rested atop it as your eyes bore into the slip of paper floating in your palm. The name and phone number written on it stared right back at you, almost mockingly. You hadn’t noticed your knee bouncing, your other hand rushing to pin it down and make it stop. There really wasn’t anything to be nervous about. He gave me his phone number for a reason you told yourself, trying to let that fact ward off your growing insecurity.

It was a Monday morning and you had finished a night shift at the café you worked for, the night having been average overall. Despite that, you were more than looking forward to getting home in the early morning and unwinding before taking a nice, long sleep, and letting your woes of the day melt away.

“You lucky biatch” a coworker grumbled from behind your back, making you turn your head as you finished signing out for the day. You let out a laugh, feeling guilty when you caught sight of the bags under her eyes and the half-empty iced coffee in her hand.

“Good sleep?” you mused, knowing all too well how this coworker in particular always liked to spend her Sunday nights out late, partying. It became a weekly occurrence to have these interactions, you had started growing fond of them. You clock out, your coworker whines, then you remind her that she said she would rather “eat a peanut and throw her epipen on the freeway” than ever work a night shift. As you brought this up to her once again this time, she let her head droop and released a long, dramatic groan.

“Feels like I already did” she grumbled, trudging past you in defeat to sign in for the day. You patted her back sympathetically before wishing her well and heading off. Usually, you would just go straight home and start your wellness routine, though for some reason, you wanted to bring a beverage home with you. Any time you craved a tea or simple coffee you would just make one at home to save an extra few bucks. Today though, you wanted to treat yourself.

You ignored the skeptical glimpses of the morning workers as you slid back to the counter and quickly made some tea in a to-go cup, slipping back out silently and making your way to the doors.

Sweet freedom was only a few steps away, your other hand reached for the knob of the door when– suddenly it was hot. Not the door handle or your hand, but your torso. You cast your eyes down as the feeling set in, barely registering that your once hot cup of tea was now splattered all over your uniform, seeping through it and soaking into your skin. You heard a distant voice that sounded like it was apologizing, though your mind only screamed panic as the sensation hit you fully.

Then it was over in an instant; the door opened and the cool winter air blew in, chilling your shirt–the sopping material now weighing you down. As the culprit stood at your side, frantically shoving napkins in your hands and still profusely saying I’m so sorry! your attention had been caught by someone else.

A man who could only be described as beautiful stood in front of you, his expression passive aside from his dusky eyes that started to widen upon seeing the display in front of him. You were captivated and a bit flustered, he certainly differed from the usual townsfolk who stopped by the café. He was a lot younger–likely the same age as you–and his style was polished, even with the peculiar cloth wrapped around his forehead. Yet somehow it complemented his look as a whole, you found yourself staring. It took you a while to realize this, maybe due to so much happening in such a short amount of time. It wasn’t until he began to remove his jacket and step towards you that you came to.

You recalled then that your uniform shirt was white, and given the fact that it was now completely soaked through–you had a feeling that you were a bit more exposed than you would have liked. Your cheeks flushed hotter than the tea had been, a lump forming in your throat as the aforementioned beautiful man stood at your side and placed his jacket on your shoulders, helping your arms through the sleeves. You let him pull and place your limbs, too embarrassed to move them yourself and instead took these few seconds to breathe and ground yourself again.

He swiveled to stand in front of you, pulling the collar forward so he could seal the four buttons and cover you up. He met your eyes and smiled, the expression so soft and genuine that it made your heart skip a beat. Neither of you had spoken yet, instead just basking in each other for a moment. Something about this sudden meeting felt odd, different from any other. Was this what happened when people described…love at first sight? As you felt yourself gaining the confidence to speak up, to stop the damn staring and say something… he turned around and walked away. You blinked, frozen on the spot for a moment.

“Wait!” you yelled, ignoring the bothered eyes of other patrons from your outburst. The man stopped in his place and looked at you, his face curious. Curious, as if he didn’t know that what he had just done was one of the kindest gestures anyone could do in this instance, and was now leaving you…with his coat…his coat that felt expensive, you noted, now that it caressed your skin. You were reluctant as he watched you though, nerves present from his intense gaze.

“What about your coat?” you queried in a small voice, unsure of what else to say. Maybe you should have introduced yourself instead…or asked for his name.

He paused, expression unchanging before it morphed into something more amused.

“I’m sure you’ll find me again soon enough. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

If you didn’t know any better, you’d have thought that he left his number in the pocket of his coat for you on purpose, fatefully. Like he knew that he would find you today, and would have to leave but wanted to maintain contact, thus leaving the paper for you to find. But that only ever happened that way in movies, this was just a strange but wonderful coincidence. Perhaps he had made this to act as a makeshift business card for whatever well-paying business he must have run–something that could support so easily giving up a pricey coat such as his.

You inhaled sharply before finally acting, taking your phone and opening the keypad to type in his number. You were on autopilot as you hit the dial, listening to the first ring tensely. As it continued ringing you started to zone out, caught in your own head, anxious thoughts plaguing you as you wondered if this was a good idea after all, but you couldn’t just keep his coat! It wasn’t until you heard a distant “Hello?” that you noticed the phone was still in your lap, and not on speaker phone. You rushed to raise it to your ear.

“Hello! Um…this is Y/N from the café, earlier today…is this Chrollo?” you recalled the name written on the paper, hoping that you had pronounced it correctly.

A beat of silence…then an airy chuckle.

“Yes, it is. I’m happy we could reconnect so soon” he replied. You were sure you could hear the smile in his voice. The thought made your heart skip a beat.

From that point forward, you would call Chrollo every day. Sometimes he would call you. You’d spend your days talking, getting to know each other as best as you could through a phone. He learned your job schedule, knowing to call you in the early morning so you two could talk for as long as you pleased without work being in your way.

Sometimes if you had a particularly exhausting shift and he could hear the yawns that you tried to stifle, he would offer to stay on the line and read for you until you fell asleep. These days were your favourite; it felt like he really was there at your side, his soft voice being your own personal lullaby. You wished this could be your reality, to come home to Chrollo making you breakfast or resting in your bed with a book in one hand, a mug in the other, with yours at the bedside table that he kept warm with a sleeve.

The times where you’d elude to these wishes, and ask him about his work, he would explain that right now he was travelling a lot, and that it would be quite a while before you and him could have another in-person encounter. This disappointed you, but you were willing to wait for him. Aside from your job, you didn’t have much else to do outside of work…you could wait a bit longer if it meant having a companion.

But then it happened. A day came that initially felt like any other. You pulled your keys from your coat (Chrollo’s coat. It was a bit too big for you, but you liked wearing it, it was the closest you could get to actually being with him) to unlock the door to your apartment. Though when you grabbed onto the handle, it cracked the door open. Your feet felt heavy, you couldn’t move yet. Surely you locked the door before you left for work last night…

Before you could start a torturous mental cycle of didn't I lock the door? Was anything stolen? Is there an intruder in there right now? The door was opened from the inside, making your palms clam up, fingers starting to tremble.

There stood Chrollo, smiling sweetly at you.

“You shouldn’t keep your door unlocked” was all he said, but his chastising words went in one of your ears and out the other while you simply stared, your jaw dropping. Chrollo was really here?!

Your body acted before your mind could, arms flying out to wrap around his shoulders and throw yourself against him in what was a bodycheck of a hug. You’d have been embarrassed at the desperation this displayed, had you not been so happy to see him. Feeling him now, how his arms returned the embrace by wrapping around your waist, letting you know he was really here. That made any suspicions you had about your apartment dissipate, all you cared about now was how, what you expected to be a long wait of seeing the man you started to fall for, was no longer a wait at all. You felt tears of joy form in your eyes as his gentle laugh vibrated against you.

“I’m happy to see you too. Come inside, I made us some tea.”

That was one of the most memorable days of your life. You shared a morning tea, then he held you in his arms as you two slept for the day. When you woke up in the evening, he had prepared a candle-lit dinner and informed you that there was a rose-petaled bubble bath waiting for you when you were done with dessert. You had not expected him to join you in that bath, but what followed left you feeling soft and satisfied for the rest of the weekend, so you were more than happy with it.

He must have planned his arrival after you told him that you had the upcoming weekend off, the sly guy that he was. You were elated, he had been spending every day with you since and told you that you’d no longer have to worry about bills or rent as long as you had him with you. The generosity he continued to show you was unreal, hard to accept as reality–what kind of average person just comes into your life one day and suddenly becomes your provider, and enjoys doing it? You’d grown to accept this as a dog-eat-dog world, but Chrollo changed that for you.

After one particular night where your shift at the cafe was shorter, but more tiring, you arrived home to Chrollo rearranging the contents of the bookshelf that he bought for you. You smiled and returned his greeting before dropping your work purse beside your shoes, promptly flopping down onto the couch in exhaustion. You enjoyed the quiet, the only sound in the room being your soft breathing and the shuffling of Chrollo. The peace was disrupted for a moment, Chrollo unceremoniously shoved a book into the case a bit too harshly, making a loud thud that had you jolting in your spot, your weary eyes peering open. You thought nothing of it, though you figured he must have wanted your attention when he turned to look at you and began walking in your direction. You watched as he sat down next to you, gesturing to the tea tray on the coffee table that you hadn’t noticed when you walked in.

You thanked him with a smile, taking one of the mugs and leaning back as you took a slow sip. His eyes seemed to be lingering today, observing how you swallowed the first sip and took another, for what felt like longer than usual. He was back to normal in mere milliseconds, blinking once and sighing quietly. He didn’t have his usual soft grin of a resting face, which seemed off, so you let him prompt the conversation that was bound to come. Have you done something wrong?

“Y/N, can you see this?” he asked, raising his left hand with his knuckles facing you. You glanced at it, confusion starting to show itself on your face, your brows began knitting and lifting the longer you wondered what he meant by that.

“Your hand?” you questioned, head tilting slightly. Chrollo’s face fell for just a moment, making you swallow your next sip of tea a bit harshly.

“I had a feeling you couldn’t. Fate works in mysterious ways…” he mused on as he glanced away, leaving you unsure of what exactly he was talking about. He turned back to you, and you noticed that his face was a bit blurrier now. No, not just his face…everything. Your vision was grainy, your ears started to ring. Your hands trembled as you tried placing down your teacup while these feelings intensified, but you ended up dropping it on the floor in exchange for stability as you roughly gripped the arm of the couch. You tried to look at Chrollo for refuge, unsure of what exactly was going on. Though blurry, his face looked pleased, not even acknowledging the spilled beverage on the floor, in contrast to how it concerned you. He didn’t move to help you, or ask what was wrong. He looked too pleased, like he knew this would happen…

Did he… drug you?

Your vision began fading to black, the ringing in your ears so loud it nearly deafened you. You could make out one last string of words that came from Chrollo before fainting fully:

“You can always learn. We have all the time in the world.”

It felt like you’d been hit with a hammer. Your head was throbbing something fierce, and you were dizzy even when your eyes stayed shut. You forced yourself to open them, unsure of what happened last as you tried to remember. You were seated upright, head feeling extremely heavy as you lifted it. Your eyes squinted as if to remedy the pain, and you could tell that you were currently in an airship. You were aware of how pricey these rides could be, you had only ever been in one a single time before for a holiday party with your coworkers a few years back. What are you doing here now?

It wasn’t until you heard footsteps and saw Chrollo entering your section from behind a door that every memory of what happened prior rushed back to you, a stabbing sensation overwhelming your temples. You grimaced, and Chrollo was at your side in an instant, his soothing hand beginning to caress your hair, his other handing you a cup of water that began to condensate. You took it from him silently, ready to sip it, when the droplets wetting your hands kept you aware, grounded. You remembered what got you to this point: a beverage made by him.

Chrollo noticed your hesitation and chuckled, his fingers weaving into your roots to press against your scalp comfortingly.

“It’s just water this time, dear” he pacified, daringly resting his chin on top of your head as the motion pulled you closer into him. You were too fatigued to argue, your hand felt weak as you lifted the full glass to your lips, letting the water cool your insides as you took half of the entire quantity in a few sips. As he continued rubbing your head, you struggled to find any words that could express your anger at what he had done to you. Why had he done this?!

“Why?” you asked with as much firmness as you could muster. Given the state you were in, it came out quiet, making your shoulders tense in embarrassment. You didn’t need to elaborate further though, Chrollo hugged you closer as he answered.

“I could tell you, but you won’t be able to understand the full extent of it until I find the right time to actually show you.”

“Show me what?” you questioned desperately, finishing off your water and dropping the cup on the table before placing your wet hand on your cheek, trying to cool it off as your growing temper from the vagueness of his words made your body feel worse. His hands continued to lull you, upsetting you even further since you were much too weak to put up a fight. He sighed inaudibly, you felt it instead–what with being smothered by him right now and all. He finally let go of you in favour of seating himself beside you. You couldn’t fully get away from him, of course.

“You’ve never heard of nen, have you?”

You were familiar with it. A few of your coworkers had mentioned stories of their prodigy siblings or grandparents who were hunters, using this power called nen in their adventures.

“Yes I have” you murmured. You kept your eyes down, refusing to meet his out of spite. You could see in your periphery that he lit up very slightly, his lips upturning in what was surely the most charming of smiles as he grabbed your left hand with his own. He hooked his ring finger around yours, effectively grabbing your attention. You learned that Chrollo was a very poetic man, so a movement like that surely had a deeper meaning with him.

“You do not wield it, I know that now. And I don’t want to force you to learn it, either. Do you want to learn?”

“No.” you replied immediately. There was a reason that you were working at a cafe, and the overnight shifts, no less. You were very comfortable with your life right now; a stable job, a decent one-person apartment, and what you thought was a solid relationship.

“That’s fine, then” he replied just as quickly. “It just means that what I’m about to say will sound mad.”

You lifted a curious brow.

“You’re my soulmate, as I am yours.”

Yeah, he’s not all there. You scoffed, irritated at such a ridiculous claim. You did believe in soulmates before this in a different way. You thought that a soulmate was just the person you clicked with. That thought process always had you theorizing that Chrollo was yours, but what he just pulled had thrown all of that out of the window.

“A soulmate wouldn’t force a meeting through drugging and kidnapping. Where are we going, anyways?!” you were becoming more and more lucid as this conversation went on, perhaps due to how incredulous Chrollo’s words continued to be. You looked around more, noticing a window a bit further in front of you. All you could see was the sky, though you could definitely look down to the ground and get a decent idea of where you were now, if you scooted a bit closer–

“I told you that would make me sound mad. But I assure you, I’m sharing nothing but the truth.” He grabbed your hand as you started scooching away, keeping you in your place. You looked back at him in irritation, scowling as you tried pulling away once more, but his grip was unrelenting. You huffed in defeat and sat back once more, crossing your legs away from him as if to subconsciously distance yourself as much as possible. He used his right hand to hold yours and lifted his left again, reminding you of how he did the same thing…hours ago? Days ago? How long ago had he drugged you, exactly?

“You can’t see it, since you can’t use nen, but your face is on my hand here. Soulmates have nen tattoos of their partner’s portrait, you have one of me on your hand too.”

You instantly looked down at your appendage, obviously not seeing anything there, yet your mind was screaming get it off, get it off!!!

“The expression on the face is the one we are supposed to see the first time we meet. There isn’t any spilled tea in my portrait of you, but otherwise, mine was correct.” He laughed airily, as if he was sooo clever for saying that. Surely, if he had explained this to you normally in the comfort of your living room, and didn't kidnap you for absolutely no reason, you would have thought it was funny too. You probably would have laughed and even snorted, something only he could ever make you do.

You remained silent for a moment, still trying to figure out why exactly everything happened the way that it did. You thought about your next words carefully, not wanting to have an outburst since Chrollo could be very civil with you in the past, and you wanted to respect that now. After all, this situation only showed you what he was really capable of. Who knew what could happen if you had an outburst after he had shown you some of his worst?

“Why did you go to all of this trouble just to tell me that?”

Chrollo looked to the side for a moment, it was his turn to be silent. Had you stumped him? Did he actually realize that this was completely unnecessary? Surely that was it, now he would tell the pilot to turn around and take you home, right?

“Now that I’ve found you, I don’t plan on losing you any time soon. My work for the troupe is much more important than serving patrons at an overstaffed cafe. This was the only realistic solution.”

Realistic?!

“I understand if it will take you some time to come to terms with that, but I digress. We’re currently heading to Meteor City, there’s some work I must take care of there for a few weeks. I would like my soulmate to accompany me, now that we’re finally together. You’ll have to get used to this new lifestyle, anyways. Now is a good time to start.”

Before you could respond to any of his daft statements, or ask him what troupe job he was talking about, a ding followed by a calm voice overhead informed you (and the other passengers? Your section was completely private, isolated. How were you supposed to know?) that you had met your destination, making Chrollo perk up. You were still trying to process what he had just said to you, so when he squeezed your hand–your left hand, the one apparently adorning his face–you were flooded with anxiety at the thought of being rushed up and exiting an airship to somewhere you have never been, a place with a reputation, alongside someone who had gained and crushed your trust in such a short amount of time, pretending that the trust was still there and that you were excited to be going with him. Maybe if there were enough people around…

“Y/N” Chrollo called, holding his hand out for you as he stood by the door. His voice tore you out of the overbearing thoughts that were creating a racket in your head, which you were relieved to be done with, though the expectant look on his face diminished that relief in an instant.

You stood on shaky legs, forcing yourself to move towards him, a bit scared of what would happen if you didn’t; what else he would do. You tried to walk out simply at his side, ignoring his outstretched hand, as you were becoming very sick of the constant physical contact. No matter, Chrollo just linked his arm with yours and led you out. Surely your blood had to have been boiling by now.

As you exited your section, your blood went cold instead, as your entire body flushed with adrenaline, witnessing what had to have been hundreds of other passengers exiting the airship. You stopped in shock for a second, halting Chrollo as well. He turned to look at you, and you chose to ignore him and continue walking, hopefully playing your surprise off. You really hoped that hadn’t piqued his suspicions at all, but he said nothing, and allowed you to take a bit of a lead for the time being. Maybe you had convinced him that you were excited! Yes, you could work with that.

“I didn’t know so many people came here” you smiled, laying the sweetness on nice and thick with a sugary tone. You played off the scrunch of your nose with ease, pretending that it was from anticipation instead of the horrible stench in the air. “You should have said something sooner, is Meteor City more of a tourist spot than I thought?” Chrollo looked at you fondly.

“I wouldn’t say that, but it certainly has become more populated in recent years.”

Your grin went impossibly wide then, you were just so happy that he was playing right into your façade. You didn’t want it to be too obvious though, so you looked away from him. The high spirit you presented made it seem like you were eagerly looking around at the absolute wasteland in amazement, when you were actually trying to see what the easiest path to run through the crowd would be.

Unfortunately, your landing point had a lot of open space. The longer you waited, the quicker the crowd would dissipate into their own destinations; either leaving you and Chrollo alone with nowhere to hide, or indirectly allowing him to drag you away for good alongside the rest of them.

Your window of opportunity was dwindling quickly, if you went now you could–

“Hey boss, you’re back!” you whipped your head, seeing a crowd of people staring at Chrollo. The source of the call was a blond man of average height, standing in the middle of the crowd and waving his arm in the air to grab your attention. To say that the people surrounding him were intimidating, was an extreme understatement. A few of them were unrealistically tall, displaying freshly toned muscles. Some just had a flare of intelligence, like they could read your mind right now and knew exactly what you were planning.

You gulped audibly as all of them shifted their gaze to you at once, you having been so engrossed in analyzing each of their terrifying auras that the sudden attention made you jump. Was this that troupe he mentioned?

“That’s your soulmate, isn’t it?” a woman wearing large glasses inquired, her black bob bouncing as she angled her head at you. You looked up at Chrollo in horror, suddenly feeling very scared of this entourage that he was bringing you to, that seemed to already know who you are. If you melded into the group of them–if you allowed Chrollo to bring you the few steps that would essentially turn you over to them, you knew for certain that you would have no chance of escape.

You had to go, now.

Sure, you were curious to hear how Chrollo planned to introduce you; wondering if they were as crazy as he was, to see their reactions when he retold the story of how he brought you here, but you knew those few seconds would be desperate time wasted. You also knew that Chrollo was strong enough to hold you down if he felt you preparing to move; you would need to catch him off guard.

So you bolted. And it worked. It was as if time had stopped just for you, freezing everything else in the world for a split second so you could lunge away from him and sprint as far as your body would take you. You hadn’t a clue where you were running, but you would rather find that out for yourself than have Chrollo be the one to dictate it for you.

“There she goes,” Uvogin grumbled, crossing his arms, an inconvenienced expression stressing his face as everyone else turned their heads to watch you go.

“Should I go after her?” Nobunaga craned his neck lazily back to Chrollo, his tone bored as he waited for the command of his boss before taking any action.

“No, let her run.” Chrollo’s eyes remained on your ever-shrinking figure, allowing you to fade into the distance. “She knows how this will end. Best to let her get it out of her system before we get to that point.”

#✧meyou #✧musinghxhmasterlist #chrollo #yandere chrollo #chrollo x reader #chrollo lucilfer x reader #chrollo lucilfer #phantom troupe #hxh #hxh x reader #hunter x hunter #hxh chrollo #hunter x hunter x reader #chrollo x y/n #chrollo x you #soulmate au

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cantstoplovingjude · 4 months ago

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To Steal You Away: Elbert Greetia Ch.1

This is from Ikemen Villains EN, Cybird owns everything.

Kate: "-Wait!"

Elbert: "Stay back, Kate...!"

Man: "Get away from me!"

The man we'd been chasing ran across a bridge through the pouring rain.

The wooden beams were already slammed by the murky, swollen river and couldn't hold the man's weight.

Man: "Huh? N-noooo!"

The bridge snapped, sending the man plummeting to the raging current below - his shouts and his body swiftly swept away.

Kate: "I can't believe it..."

Elbert: "...Don't look."

I was stunned by what we'd just witnessed, but Lord Elbert pulled me protectively to his chest.

Elbert: "Don't worry. You didn't do anything wrong."

Elbert: "Forget everything you just saw..."

We'd gone to a remote estate that stood deep in the forest for our mission.

Normally I worked with William, but this time I was sent along with Lord Elbert.

We were in pursuit of a baron who was the suspected ringleader behind a number of kidnappings happening nearby.

-Flashback-

Victor: "The culprit seems to only target and kidnap couples."

Victor: "Our suspect, the baron, has an estate deep in the forest separate from his main residence. He won't even let servants go near it."

Victor: "That's where I'm sending you."

Victor: "We have information that he's secretly obtained sleeping pills, aphrodisiacs, restraints, and various other items."

Victor: "And I want you two to ensure there will be no more victims."

-Flashback Ends-

The estate had been completely vacant. But when we followed the footprints out the back door...

As Lord Elbert held me tightly, I peeked past him to look back at the muddy river.

Kate: "Why did he run away like that, before we even had the chance to talk to him?"

Elbert: "Perhaps he knew we were onto him. We asked about the estate back in the town at the foothills."

Kate: "This is the bridge we crossed to get here though, right? So..."

(That means we can't go back home, at least not easily.)

Elbert: "It's too dangerous here right now... Let's go back to the estate to get out of the rain. Once it stops, we will look for another route."

And that was how we ended up spending the night waiting out the rain in a vacant mansion deep in the forest.

It was just Lord Elbert and me... all alone together.

==========

Kate: "We're soaking wet... We need to dry off quickly."

As soon as we'd gotten back to the mansion, we looked around for firewood, but were only able to find a small amount that wasn't soaked.

(It won't last long if we make more than one fire. It could even run out overnight...)

Elbert: "Shall we stay in this room together while we're here?"

Lord Elbert must've been thinking the same thing. I nodded in response to his suggestion.

Working together, we struggled to light the fireplace. But once it was finally lit, he paused to look down at himself, then at me.

Elbert: "I think our clothes will dry faster if... we take them off."

Kate: "You're right. Leaving these wet clothes on will just chill us to the bone."

Elbert: "...All right. Let's undress, then."

Kate: "Ah, wait...!"

Lord Elbert began peeling off his heavy, waterlogged clothes without a moment's hesitation.

He looked so vulnerable in just his thin undershirt I couldn't help but avert my eyes.

Elbert: "I'll turn around, so you can undress now."

Kate: "Oh. Thank you."

Elbert: "Once you take off your clothes, wrap yourself in that blanket there to get warm... And then, you won't need to be so self-conscious."

Kate: "That's a good idea, thank you."

My cold, wet clothes clung to my skin, and I knew I couldn't stay in them all night.

I turned around and stripped down to my undergarments, then wrapped myself up in the blanket.

(William was the one who'd suggested I come along on this mission...)

(Although I have a feeling it's because he knows I've been wanting to get to know Lord Elbert better.)

The Cursed are destined to commit sins and meet a tragic end.

I'd braced myself for the worst when I first heard that.

But honestly, the members of Crown were just like everyone else, with their own feelings and desires.

(I want to know what drove Lord Elbert to join Crown and why he does these missions.)

(Out of everyone, he's the last person I expected to be a member of Crown. So, what's going on in that head of his?)

(William told me to be honest with my desires, and that's why I came along on this mission.)

(But I certainly never expected it to turn out like this.)

Elbert: "...Is something the matter, Kate?"

Kate: "N-no..."

Elbert: "...When you're done, come over here by the fireplace."

(I know I'm covered with a blanket so he can't see me, but being in my underwear makes me a little nervous.)

I carefully sat down next to Lord Elbert.

(I have to admit, staring into the crackling fire is really soothing, though.)

As we sat there in silence, my mind wandered to what happened earlier.

Kate: "Do you think he was really behind those kidnappings?"

Elbert: "I don't know yet."

(Whether he was the one responsible or not...)

(It was still very shocking to see someone fall to their death right in front of my eyes. And it was because we were chasing him.)

My heart still ached at the memory.

Elbert: "Kate... You didn't do anything wrong."

Elbert: "This happened on a Crown mission. You have no responsibility or blame for any of it."

Elbert: "So please... don't look so sad."

Lord Elbert reached out and lightly caressed my cheek, almost as if he were trying to wipe away my sadness.

He had a pained expression on his face, like he was being crushed by guilt.

(He's so kind... Kind and sensitive to other people's pain.)

(Earlier, he grabbed me and tried to shield me from the sight to save me from shock.)

A warm feeling welled up inside me.

I smiled through the turmoil in my head, wanting to show him I appreciated the gesture.

Kate: "Thank you, Lord Elbert."

Elbert: "...Of course."

Kate: "Tomorrow, let's search the mansion properly and see if we can find any information about the kidnappings."

I noticed he was staring at me without a word.

Kate: "...Lord Elbert?"

Elbert: "You..."

Just then, the sound of my stomach growling interrupted our conversation.

Kate: "Sorry..."

He blinked at me in mild surprise.

Kate: "Might... you be a little hungry, too?"

Elbert: "I apologize, but I don't really feel hungry often."

(Oh, right. He never has an appetite...)

(That just makes me feel super greedy though!)

Elbert: "...Haha."

Kate: "Huh?"

(D-did he just laugh?! It was so soft... and rather cute.)

Elbert: "I'll find us something to eat. Wait here."

Kate: "I-I'll come with you!"

(I'm not sure why, but...)

(For some reason, hearing him laugh made me feel happy.)

Luckily, the estate was well-stocked with lots of preserved food, probably because it was in such a remote location. It was enough to last a week.

Now my stomach was full, but my hair, undergarments, and of course my clothes were still wet.

Kate: "I want to get a bit of sleep... What should we do?"

(It would be rude to just wear clothes I found here without permission.)

(But if I go to sleep wearing just my undergarments, I might catch a cold.)

And if I was going to sleep, I'd at least like to sleep in a bed.

Elbert: "...Do you want to sleep together?"

(...Umm, what? Did I hear him correctly?)

Elbert: "If we lie close together, I don't think we'll get sick."

Kate: "But..."

(Lying against Lord Elbert in bed... in our underwear?)

My face burned just thinking about it.

Elbert: "Don't worry... I would never do anything that made you feel uncomfortable."

I could tell he was trying very hard to be considerate.

I remembered that time we were at a party a while back.

Everyone had been touching him, and the image of the color draining from his face came to mind.

I had a feeling he really disliked it when others touched him.

(Despite that, he made that suggestion for my sake.)

Elbert: "...Kate?"

Kate: "I don't want to make you uncomfortable in any way either, Lord Elbert."

Kate: "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Elbert: "Yes."

Elbert: "I think it'll be fine... as long as it's with you."

My heart skipped a beat. It sounded like he trusted me, and I dearly wanted to show him I felt the same way in return.

"Be honest with your feelings."

Those words William always whispered in my ear echoed through my head.

Kate: "Okay. Then... let's sleep together."

Elbert: "...Mm."

And so, we climbed into bed next to one another.

His beautiful face, so perfect it reminded me of a porcelain doll, was close enough to feel his breath against my skin.

Elbert: "Are you too cramped?"

Kate: "No, I'm fine."

(Should I have agreed to this?)

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might fly out of my chest.

Kate: "Um... how close do you think we should be?"

Elbert: "You can come closer."

Kate: "Okay..."

He pulled my body close, wrapping an arm around my waist, and held me against him.

I felt his warmth from every point of contact we shared, and it only made my pulse race faster.

(We're not doing anything wrong.)

(We're just sharing each other's warmth.)

I had to keep telling myself that so my thoughts wouldn't run wild.

Elbert: "Are you warm?"

Kate: "Yes. Are you?"

Elbert: "Yes... I'm very warm."

(That's good...)

Kate: "Good night, Lord Elbert."

Elbert: "Good night, Kate..."

Even though I didn't feel like I could fall asleep like this, my body was exhausted.

And before I knew it, drowsiness overcame me and I fell asleep in his arms.

Kate's hand rested on Elbert's chest as she slept.

Elbert: "Even when we're touching like this, it doesn't make me feel bad..."

Elbert: "It's so strange. Because when I was touched like this before, back at the manor..."

Elbert: "...It was so awful it made me sick to my stomach."

Elbert: "...I wonder what's different?"

End Ch.1

#ikemen villains #ikemen villains elbert #ikevil elbert #elbert greetia

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themiimagebehindfire · 29 days ago

Text

Theory Time:

So I've been thinking about this dream and what it means.

(Can't wait for this to get shot down in Episode 3, but whatever)

Why is Tom dreaming about the Cyan Team when All Stars didn't happen yet in the timeline? Is he just psychic?

NO.

I said dreams were often Ludacris, and I stand by that, but there's still a ROOT to the cause of the dream.

In this case, it's Tom's memory of the day he got tortured.

Which ALSO roots to Tom's fear and paranoia of getting hurt with Jake.

PTSD is a bitch.

Anyway, here's my theory:

This is a Ludacris retelling of his memory with Disventure Camp contestants reanacting certain roles BECAUSE of the trauma root being Disventure Camp deep down.

After all, Tom brings it all up again later in the episode:

"When I was a spy, I would get cut, maimed, bruised, you name it. All of that wouldn't compare to the hurt I'd go through if Jake and I failed again."

So my claim isn't too far out there I feel.

So what do I think happened?

1: Tom was NOT doing that mission alone.

He was with a team assigned to him. They were doing this mission together.

2: One of the spies he was working with on that mission was ALSO NAMED Aiden

Why would he dream of Aiden from Disventure Camp if they hadn't met yet?

Well here's my belief:

Yes, Tom did not meet Aiden till All Stars. BUT he knew Aiden existed because of Season 2.

"But doesn't Eagle Eye start directly after Season 1?"

No, actually. They never said that.

What they DID say was that Tom went through "Police Academy Training" for the job. So, like... what if Eagle Eye starts a month or two before Tom got the All Stars call?

So, yeah, Season 2 would've been aired if that's the case, and if Tom saw it, he would know there was a contestant named Aiden.

And the reason he dreams of Aiden is because he had a spy co-worker that went on that mission with him, and he was ALSO named Aiden.

Were they just co-workers? Acquaintances? Friends? Crushes? Idk. Point is they knew each other.

The dream also shows Aiden getting kidnapped by Jensen.

Those are 110% Jensen's arms that grab him here.

So, at some point in the mission, Spy Aiden got caught by the culprits they were after and was kidnapped. And Tom witnessed it happen.

3: Tom's Spy Code Name Was 'Eagle Eye'

I don't think I need to explain this one. It's the name of the episode. Gabby and Ellie, impersonating Tom's co-spies here, call him 'Eagle Eye'.

4: The reason Tom failed his mission and got caught by the culprits

In the dream, Tom tries to fight off the protests to "Go save Aiden"

Transition later, and he's tied up.

So:

Tom was on a mission with a team, and in the process of that mission, a co-spy named Aiden got caught and kidnapped.

Tom tried to go save Spy Aiden, but the others warned him not to because it was very obviously bait the culprits were using to lure them in a trap.

But Tom did not listen to reason. He went to save him anyway. He COULDN'T leave his co-worker for dead.

And... the others were right to warn him. Tom got captured as well.

Then you have the culprits, played by Jensen in the dream, who proceeded to torture the now kidnapped Tom for information.

Based on HOW MANY scars Tom got from that experience, there are two possibilities:

Either: He gave in and spilled at the very first threat of a blade to his face, but they sliced him up to permanent scars anyway (because BAD PEOPLE).

Or: He resisted and refused to talk, and allowed himself to be tortured by SEVERAL measures, but ended up giving the info they wanted when his body couldn't take it anymore.

EITHER ONE WOULD WORK.

In my opinion, I think the latter makes more sense.

He mentioned he got interrogated by mob bosses and waterboarded in All Stars.

But... he only went on two missions. The Disventure Camp mission, and the one he got his scars from.

So if it WASN'T Disventure Camp where this happened, it was DEFINATELY the other mission.

"But why would he immediately say he'd talk in the dream?"

If this IS reenacting the memory of his torture in his head, then this could be him wishing he HAD just given up and talked at the first threat of being harmed. Maybe then he wouldn't have gotten his scars...

It would have probably made no difference and hey probably would've cut him up anyway. BECAUSE BAD PEOPLE.

One more thing: Notice Aiden is NOT mentioned again after the kidnapping.

Jake shows up in the dream and CRIES FOR HELP, which Tom responds by struggling to break free from his ties and saying he's coming.

HM, SOMEONE HE CARED ABOUT DEARLY CRIED FOR HELP, BUT HE COULDN'T GET TO THEM BECAUSE HE WAS TRAPPED.

...see where I'm going with this?

And if that's true, then that makes Tom cowering away from Jake to protect both of them for two years HURT THAT MUCH MORE.

Tom spilling info was definitely why the mission failed. That, and engaging with the culprits in an obvious trap when they weren't supposed to. The boss wasn't happy.

Either: Spy Aiden was saved as well as Tom, but ended up despising Tom for his attempt at helping so much he ghosted Tom and never talked to him ever again.

Or: Spy Aiden didn't get out of there. People came to save them, and Tom survived the torture, but Aiden died from the torture. That, or the culprits killed Aiden because they got what they wanted from Tom and decided "Welp, no use keeping the other guy alive."

Again, BOTH COULD WORK.

The former would explain where Tom got the ghosting habit from, and where he'd get the self loathing from. It would also explain his intense reaction to Jake's behavior in his Season 1 elimination.

After all, Tom got all these scars and was tortured trying to save someone he could've considered a friend, only for him to HATE Tom for trying to do that for him?

Well shit, maybe it IS better to just not get close to anyone at all. What more scars are worth it if THAT'S the gratitude?

(Tom's POV, no Jake hate)

The latter would also explain why Tom felt the need to ghost people, because HIS OWN ACTIONS got the guy killed.

If you want to make it extra angsty, you could say they killed Spy Aiden right in front of Tom.

"Oh look what you've done, Eagle Eye. This guy's dead because of you being the fuck up you are. Being a crybaby and not being able to take the pain, not being able to give your own life to protect your work or the guy you came to save. What a failure. You deserve these scars."

So does that mean Tom thought being around Jake would KILL them? No. Not necessarily. It would just mean he'd think his own failures and his own setbacks would only make things worse, and Jake would be worse off if he was with Tom in any way.

So better to be hostile and not try at all.

Or else it would all happen again. And he'd never recover.

Tom also mentioned the boss wasn't happy. So not only was the boss very disappointed with Tom in the mission's failure, he was resented for everything that happened. All the blame went on him. And, by the sounds of it, nobody had sympathy towards him in his newly scarred state and found him hideous. And if they did have sympathy, they didn't express it to Tom and kept it to themselves.

Episode 3 of the Spin Off is about Tom's backstory it looks like, so CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO GET PROVEN INCORRECT.

#disventure camp #disventure camp tom

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judesmoonbeauty · 6 months ago

Text

Ellis Twilight Chapters 21-25 Blind Love Route Summaries 🗡

Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. This is an extremely pared down SUMMARY of each chapter. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do NOT post my translations elsewhere. The summaries will be uploaded in groups. ***Translation notes

Chapter 21

Kate is embraced by blood-soaked hands, “On the day that I kill you, I'm sure I will laugh”. Ellis wraps his arms around his treasure that he found inside the coffin and lifts her up out of it. Starting to carry her, Kate says that she's perfectly fine to walk on her own, but Ellis reminds her that he just said he'd never let her go again, so she let's him carry her.

On the way out, she sees grisly corpses everywhere from Ellis' kills, and he gently covers her eyes with his large hand and turns her towards his chest. Kate says to him that he has told her before that killing wasn't difficult for him, so was that really true? Ellis responds that he meant what he said that it was truly a sad thing when dies sad instead of their happiest moment. She realizes just how twisted his heart is now, but even so, she wants to love all of his broken and twisted heart.

She hugs him tightly, and he anxiously asks if she is afraid of him now, and she says that she isn't afraid of him at all(because she loves him). He gently kisses her neck and arms and tells her that he will protect her from now on. Back at the Castle, Roger tends to Kate's wounds, but Kate says that the wounds from the rope bindings are just scratches. Roger reprimands her to not take scratches lightly as it can lead to other things like tetanus and sepsis, Kate thinks about how she's heard those who've developed tetanus can end up acting like they're demon possessed, so she let's him tend to her all the while Ellis gawks at them, so she tells Ellis that he should go to his room and rest, but he refuses from several reasons:

He says that she's showing more bare skin than he's ever seen and it wouldn't be fair if Roger got to see it before him.

He says Rogers tends to be naughty and forceful, so he's there to guard her against him.

He also wants to see how Roger is treating her so he can treat her himself.

Roger asks if they're together and once Ellis confirms they are, Roger says that she's finally opened the secret box, and Ellis asks: What secret box? Roger smiles and says that Kate can explain it to him later, he then starts to tease them by asking how far they've gone. Ellis tells him they've kissed, and when Roger asks what he wants to do next, Ellis says that he wants to eat Kate – to her embarrassment.

Roger congratulates them and says that they make a good couple, and he then gives Kate the clear to leave the lab. Before they leave Ellis asks Roger of Jude's whereabouts, and Rogers says that after he got into a fight with William, he left the castle. Ellis asked why they had a fight, and Roger said it was because Jude got pissed with William for most likely knowing that Kate would be kidnapped, and allowing it to happen.

Roger he says Jude may be right, but he doesn't know if it's true or not. Knowing that Jude isn't one to act inefficiently on his emotions, and that he didn't accompany Ellis to rescue her, she reasons that he must've gone out to search for the culprit behind the abduction. She looks at Ellis, who smiles at her and says that by now Jude must've wrapped things up on his own.

Kate says that Jude is probably going to charge her a large amount of money for the inconvenience, and Ellis says that if that happens he'll help her pay it back because it's his fault too. Roger is clueless as to what they are laughing about, she thanks him for treating her and when they leave Roger calls her to comeback to him, but Ellis grabs her sleeve and says, “If you kiss me, then I'll wait for you.”

Chapter 22

Kate sees Roger gesturing her to come to him and when she tells Ellis that she'll be right back, he pulls her sleeve and tells her that if she kisses him, then he will wait for her. She looks up at Ellis an realizes how tall he is, so she struggles to kiss him. He somewhat teases her that she can't reach him and calls her hardworking face cute. She finally manages to kiss him, and after he leaves the lab she asks Roger what he didn't want Ellis to hear?

He tells her to come closer, but she's apprehensive, so he reassures her that he isn't going to do anything to her as Ellis is smitten with her and he's pretty much called Roger out. He tells her that since she's won Ellis' heart, he's going to tell her why he's so attached to Ellis as he previously mentioned. She tells him that he doesn't have to say anything because as she's learned with Ellis, there are somethings from the past that others don't want to reveal.

He persuades her to listen to him as a Fairytale Keeper because he views the past as the past, and what matters to him is what happens in the future. So, after Kate agrees to listen, Roger says that Ellis is not the first person he's met with the curse of the briar thorn, in fact, Roger committed a terrible betrayal to Ellis' predecessor, and because of this he wants Ellis to be happy. She asks what the fate of Ellis' curse and he says it's to be destroyed by the hands of justice, much like how the prince in Sleeping Beauty's fairytale hacked the thorn hedge away (Disney's Version of the story).

Turns out that Ellis' predecessor was shot to death. Kate thinks about Ellis' fate and how she wants to do whatever she can to protect the one she loves, and she wonders if that's wrong. Roger says that “fate” is predestined and it can not be changed, but Roger says, “nothing is impossible” (basically he says to hell with that). He tells her that they should overcome their destiny together, and she says that she wants to, so Roger says, “Let's see how you do.” She meets up with Ellis, and she thanks him for waiting, he hugs her tightly and asks what they were talking about, and she tells him they were discussing his fate. Ellis is like, “Oh, that's it?”

Kate asks him if it doesn't surprise him that they talked about it, and Ellis says that while he's talked to Roger a little bit about it himself, he doesn't really like to do it. She ask Ellis if he's scared about meeting his fate? He says he isn't afraid of it, and explains that he couldn't really put his finger on what his curse was. Kate says she wishes for nothing but the best for his final days, so Ellis ponders before telling her that he's never thought about what kind of end he's wanted for himself.

So, Kate tells him that they will find nothing but the best happiness for him, and he smiles at her saying, “Yeah, I'll find it with you Kate.” Then he says, “I think I've found something that'll make me happy right away”. Ellis brings his face close to hers and says that he wants a reward for waiting, but she says that she doesn't have anything to give him right now, he tells her he'll take whatever she can give like a kiss from earlier or something else. She kisses him gently like a light snowdrop that disappears instantly, and when she pulls away his arm wraps around her waist and pulls her back in and says, “Stay close.”

Chapter 23

He tells her to stay close and soon they're drowning in a deep kiss, it feels so sweet like she is being eaten by him, and she is so melted by his kiss that she literally loses strength in her body and he has to support her. He calls her cute for not being able to walk and she says she wishes she could make it to where he can't walk either. Ellis takes her to the bathroom and runs the water for her causing the maids to fuss when they see them both covered in blood, so he explains that they were attacked while at “work”.

He leaves Kate in their care while he goes to bathe elsewhere and hands them ointment to put on Kate's wound after she's finished bathing. In the bath, her fatigue melts away and she feels a bit guilty that she thought he was going to take her back to his room, and thinks that if the maids hadn't come he would've bathed her himself, but realizes that everything he's done for her was out of kindness.

After the bath, she drinks warm milk with Ellis and she tells him that from what she could hear from her abductor's, it appears they were after Crown, and Ellis says he believes it's the Privy Council. Kate is taken aback they Crown has to not only take up dark work, but has to deal with them too, and she wonders how she can save/help everyone at Crown.

When Ellis asks that if she is now worried about Crown, Kate says that it's because now she knows that there many saved by Ellis and Crown, in addition to it becoming important to her personally. Kate soon begins to doze off and Ellis rests her head on his chest. Ellis says it's up to them now to put an end to this, so he can continue to kiss Kate and be happy. Kate drowsily laughs that even though Ellis is finally acting selfish, he is still Ellis.

Ellis: “…...Such a happy sleeping face”

Ellis: “Hey, Kate...”

Ellis: “You'll be the happiest tomorrow.....or the day after tomorrow.”

Ellis: “Or.....now.”

Gently, Ellis' hand goes around Kate's neck.

Ellis: “You're neck is so thin.” If he were to wrap his large hand around it he could surely tighten his grip easily.

Ellis: “.....” He hesitates for a few seconds and then removes his hand from her neck.

He apologizes because he probably won't be able to keep his cool in front of those who hurt her.

Jude: “.....she's sleeping rather conveniently?”

Jude, who was leaning against the doorway of the common room watching the entire scene play out from around the time that Kate fell asleep, snickers at Ellis. Ellis smiles and admits that he slipped a little something into her milk to make her sleepy, and Jude watches Ellis as he picks Kate up gently like she were a broken piece of furniture, and Jude looks on in dismay. He tells Ellis that he will have to work hard to make up for their silly it quarrels, and of course Ellis fully intends to do so. A few hours later.....

A man from the Privy Council reports to the Queen that a civilian that had been involved with Crown's activities had been slaughtered, and as the man lectures how dangerous they Crown is to society, the Queen remains silent behind her veil, not replying once. Jude pops up and says, “You're the one who doesn't understand. We just learned that you paid bail in order to have her kidnapped by that gang. I've just reported it to her Majesty along with the evidence.”

The privy council member is like WHAT?! Jude continues that her Majesty is angered over his use of people in his political disputes, so Jude says that he requests his retirement from the council and that he go into hiding. Holding up a royal decree from the Queen, the council member gets upset and yells that she beg she change her mind about the unjust order due to how much work he's put in for England. Jude asks if the man shouldn't be the one to reconsider, the man calls out the Queen, but she doesn't respond.

After exiting the audience chamber, Jude purposefully dishevels his hair that had been fixed in place, and sighs that the Queen only ever shows up and gives orders through letters, hiding behind her veil.

Ellis shows up and said that he had permission from Victor, Jude said yea they need to make an example of them (privy council), and Ellis says that he wants to wait just a little longer and Jude says that he can do whatever he wants.

The end of the chapter opens to memory of the day he killed his brother on the hill, and he says that he remembers what he was thinking when he plunged the knife in his chest – that he and his brother resigned themselves to the fact that they could never have this happiness again. That's why he (his brother) wished it would end, and Ellis decided to end it, but as much as Ellis wanted to kill him, he wanted the rest of the story.

The scene cuts to the council member who abducted Kate vomiting blood, and crawling on the floor. Ellis thinks to himself, there's nothing you can do about it even if you run away. It should've been a sight that made him feel sorry for the poor guy, and want him to put an end to him as soon as possible, but it doesn't hurt Ellis to see it tonight. For him, killing people is like polishing shoes, like a fisherman catching fish for work, and most of the time this work is for someone else, and with that premise anything is possible.

This too was his job for the night, but he doesn't kill right away because he doesn't want to. (Basically, he wants him to suffer for trying to harm Kate.) Ellis uses his ability to bind his hands together as if in prayer, and he finally stops moving. Moody Jude shows up asking how long it takes to kill one person, and Ellis said he had permission to make it last a little longer.

Jude: “Haaaa, look at this shit. What are you doing?”

Ellis: “A poison that melts your insides.”

So, apparently,.......Ellis coated his knife in this poison and cut/stabbed the guy with it.

Ellis: Life is so fleeting.

Jude: Ha, is your conscience botherin' ya?

Ellis: No, it's not that. I thought that if Kate's and the happy time I spend with her were so fleeting, I would....I'm afraid that if I don't make us happy right away, they will blow out like smoke. I've got to kill her before that....I'm in a hurry.”

Chapter 24

Ellis and Jude are still speaking while in the room with the corpse…..

Jude: ……I feel sorry for the princess.

Ellis: ….I guess so.

Ellis: But, I can’t let go anymore…..

Ellis: …..I wish we could be happy every day.

Jude: …..Idiot.

Jude’s face is filled with dismay when he grabs Ellis by the chest and pulls him close to his displeased face.

Jude: Unlike in the past, where ya did what ya were told, and killed as many people as ya could like you were polishing shoes.

Jude: Ya got your hands dirty tonight because of that irrational desire of yours.

Ellis: …….yeah.

Jude: Even if ya take some one’s life away, you’re not willin’ to give up your worthless happy life.

Ellis: …..yeah.

Jude: Ya can’t get return the life that’s taken.

Jude: You’ve killed so many people, it’s absurd that only I and the ones you care for haven’t been killed by an unreasonable force.

Jude: There’s no one who’ll listen to your sweet talk.***

Jude: If that’s the case, then I guess I’ll just have grudgingly work twice as hard to protect what you’ve taken.***

Jude pushes Ellis away and he stumbles backwards.

Ellis: ……

Jude: …..say somethin’ ya creep.

Ellis: I’m sorry, Jude. I was surprised when you said, “I’ll protect your happiness.”

Ellis was surprised with Jude’s word’s, maybe since the very first time he told Ellis that he didn’t care if Ellis killed him.

Jude: Noisy. That’s not what I think.

Jude: You’re too crazy to understand yourself, so I explained it to you.

Ellis: Sure….that sounds right.

Ellis thinks about what Kate told him about wanting to bind the people he loves in their happiness and how it fits perfectly.

Ellis: …..This time I’m not giving up the rest of the story.

Jude: Ya can’t even take care of her that well.

Ellis: Oh, I haven’t forgotten my promise to you Jude.

Ellis: Jude, I’ll work with you until you’re at your happiest, don’t worry.

Jude: Of course not. If you abandon your duties, I’ll charge ya, even if you die.

Those caught up in the fate of the thorns have increased to two. (So, why is my chest so warm?)

Ellis: Oh, but I hope Jude will be happy before Kate.

Jude: Yea???

Ellis: I’m sure that when I kill Kate, I too will be the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. So, we’ll probably die together.

Ellis isn’t really interested in fate, but if he must meet it his end and be “destroyed by justice”…. He wants that be done by Kate.

Jude: ….You’re as crazy as ever.

Jude: Then I’ll bury ya both in a field of flowers.

Ellis: Thank you. I’ll see you then.

Ellis: Ah….bury us as closely as you can.

I smiled, happy to hear that, and Jude looked at me with a creeped out look on his face.

The next morning, Kate prepares breakfast for Ellis and Jude since she wants to make up for sleeping while Jude was out stopping the mastermind behind her abduction. Kate thanks Jude for taking care of things, and he says that she doesn’t have to thank him because he’s going to work her hard for it, and the “shitty” tea she was trying to serve him wouldn’t cut it.

Ellis says he’ll pay Jude back with her, and when she asks what Ellis was doing yesterday while she slept, he lies and says he was resting too. Jude essentially covers for him by calling him a useless assistant, and while Kate thought that Ellis would’ve been helping Jude, she let’s it go. Kate asks Jude what his work schedule is like and lists all the things she can assist him with, but he says she can write up the report about the incident because her month is almost up. Ellis says he will help her write the report since Jude relayed all the details to him.

Back in his room she types up her report, and Kate realizes that soon she will need to leave Crown soon, and with all the memories of Crown still vivid in her mind, she wonders if she could ever return to her normal life? While she did miss certain parts of her old life, she still wouldn’t be close to Ellis. Ellis interrupts her thoughts, and they take a break from typing while having tea together.

He asks Kate if she is happy living in the castle or does she want to go back to her peaceful life? She asks Ellis what would make him happy, knowing it’s a little mean of her to ask that question to him. He tells her, ‘whichever would make you happy’, or the old him would be saying that with a smile, but now he says to her with a smile, “I’ll make you happy…a hundred times more than you could be if you returned to your old life. Stay close to me.” Kate says that she wants to be with him.

Despite his tragic ending, she wants to love Ellis so he too can be happy. He asks her if he can touch her, and do more than that like kiss her, and she agrees. The tips of their noses touch, they smile and they lock lips kissing each other so sweetly that they feel debauched to the core.

Ellis: I want to make you feel good.……you may not have as much spare time as you think.

Premium Story: MDNI

Ellis: I want to make you feel good….you may not have as much spare time as you think.

Ellis urgently whispers behind Kate’s ear, tangles his arms around her and carries her to the bed, and strips her while kissing the back of her leg. His lips slowly climb up and touch inside her thigh which cause her to cry out. He says she has such a pretty voice as he kisses the same spot over and over again. His arms wrap around her back and he says that he can’t take it anymore, and asks her for permission, to which she says she wants to be loved more by him.

So, Ellis sinks himself into her and she cries out, and he apologizes if it hurts her and pulls his hips back, and pushes in again. Kate thinks this is what it means to be fulfilled. As Ellis thrusts his body, wet sounds overflow from the movement, and he calls Kate pretty because her face is bright red. Kate is a little made at Ellis because he is teasing her, and he comments that she’s cute when she’s sulky and angry, and that now they are together, he wants to see this face so many times.

He tells Kate to be more filled of him and he asks her if she feels so good that she could die? She hooks her hands around his waist and strokes his hip bones and tight flanks, his back is supple like a wild beast. He says that while touching Kate’s smooth skin feels good, it also feels good when he is touched. Still, he wants to bind his loved ones with happy times, by his own hands.

Ellis: “Maybe, that’s my desire from the curse of thorns.”

Their hands are still clasped together as they press against the sheets.

Ellis: Thus, I will bind you to me forever.

In the name of thorns, “happiness” entangles Kate.

Ellis: I love you, Kate.

Kate: You can tie me up if you want…..I don’t want to leave you either, Ellis.

Ellis: If I make you feel good enough, you won’t be able to stay away from me either, will you?

Her heart flutters as Ellis presses into even deeper layers of her body where their heat connects. His wet tongue digs into her ear as he thrusts into her body, leaving her with little option other than to moan into his strong chest. Kate wakes up in the middle of the night, the sheets are a complete mess with traces of their love making, finds Ellis getting something to drink. Ellis asks if she wants something to drink too, and when she says yes, he seals her lips with his and pours the water into her mouth, and asks if it’s tasty.

Kate is embarrassed and Ellis asks if she wants one more drink with a smile, which she can’t refuse. “One more,” she says. They discuss going on a picnic and Ellis says this time, he may not be able to resist kissing her, so Kate wonders if he wanted to kiss her the last time they went on a picnic and for just how long did Ellis contain his love for her in his secret box. She decides not to ask since she wants to get to know him more slowly, so she suggests they have a picnic in his room so he can kiss her as much as he wants, and he agrees to it.

Chapter 25

If life were a fairytale, it would be easy to be happy. You could truly be in love with some one. Most fairy tales conclude like this, “They lived happily ever after.” But the truth is, the story doesn’t end even if you love some one. Happiness is like the twilight that ever changes, you hold it in your heart forever and never let it go, but you never get the same moment back. That’s why -

At the dining table, Jude points his thumb at William and says he’s got a problem with him, because he used Kate as bait (Not me thinking back to that one first SE where you left her in the open as a target, but ok). Kate thinks about how Jude persistently thinks about something both Kate and Ellis have completely forgotten about, so Kate and Ellis say that somehow they get the feeling that William knew she would be safe, and Jude contorts his face and says: You guys really….. But doesn’t say anything more about it and William laughs saying he was prepared to be denounced or have a knife pointed at him.

There’s a discussion about Jude signing an employment contract with Kate, and Ellis offers to show her the ropes, to which Jude sighs. William says the couples conversation is like listening to a pair of lovely birds chirping, and asks Jude if he agrees? He doesn’t answer, but Liam and Harry show up, and Liam asks what’s up with the good mood, and Harry says that he’s up to no good. William says that he’s just watched how the plot ends, and he is glad that Ellis was able to pursue his true desires. Harry at looks at the couple with a silent “Ah-ha” look, and William says he thought that Harrison would disagree, but he says he’s not so wild as to interrupt some one’s love life.

In the evening, Kate visits the palace to submit her report to Victor while Ellis waited outside. Victor gives her the choice to stay or leave, but to gain something means to discard something, he says while smiling wistfully. Still, he will make sure he choice doesn’t cloud her smile, and of course she chooses to stay. Kate wants to ask Victor a question, and he says sure.

Kate: Didn’t you originally intend to kill me, Victor….?

In response, Victor laughs and shakes his head.

Victor: I’m not going to play the good guy by making excuses after the fact.

Victor: Only, now I want you to be free to do as you will and have your own happiness.

Victor: Just as the same way I feel about the other Crown members.

After explaining what happened to Ellis, she says that she’s kept one more promise to Ellis, and that was getting Victor’s secret recipe to his scones. (LUCKY!) Now, they can bake the scones for the picnic in Ellis’ bedroom. They hold hands and walk back to the castle. Kate says that she’ll make Ellis happy and when he asks how much, she says enough that she will always make him happier tomorrow, and Ellis agrees.

Kate fell in love with an assassin, and that person wishes to kill her so much in her happiest moment. It’s a very deep and heavy love. If someone read their love story, they’d think it was tragic, but for her it was a once-in-a-lifetime love that was precious to her and that she chose of her own volition….

Kate wakes up in the morning, she stares at Ellis who is still asleep on her arm, and she wonders if it will go numb, but soon he is awake. They greet each other, and he kisses her forehead, and she happily kisses him on the lips, and says that it’s picnic day. He wakes up further with a surprised face because he thought he’d been dreaming. Ellis spins her around to where he’s on top of her hugging her, she shivers as a large hand explores her naked body, he takes off his shirt and they laugh together with their bare bodies wrap around each other.

They laugh with each other like they’re children and enjoy their scones and jam in bread. Tasting the jam they made together:

Ellis: Mmm, delicious.

Kate: Really?

Ellis pulls her cheek to him.

Ellis: Look….

Kate: Ah….

Ellis presses the sweet simmered fruit to her lips with his tongue. The jam sweetly pours into her mouth and numbs her tongue.

Ellis: ….Well?

Kate: Delicious….

Just a few moments ago, they were playing with each other like children in grassy fields, but as their lips touch each others, Kate recalls how they made love the night before evoking a sweet sensation. This moment has made her very happy, and looking up at Ellis she could tell that he feels the same way.

Ellis: Maybe now….

Kate: Happiest moment?

Ellis looks at her and nods.

Ellis: You look the most beautiful and happiest you’ve ever looked.

Kate: ….hehe, maybe.

This happiness may soon fade away. Then I want to end up happy before everything fades on it’s own. If you truly love some one and wish for their happiness, it may be a very natural feeling that wells up in your heart.

Ellis: I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my life. Even…..

Kate: Even?

Still, you can’t give up the rest of the story. (Because I want to laugh with my Beloved for as long as I can.)

Ellis & Kate: Maybe, we’ll be even “happier tomorrow”……

As their voices overlap, a smile comes up on their lips, and they laugh.

Ellis: Someday, I will kill you.

Ellis: So….for now, let me kiss you.

-What is happiness? It is like a twilight sky that changes it’s color as soon as it’s seen. It holds onto your heart and never let’s go, yet you can never have the same thing again. So, tomorrow I will show you a more beautiful twilight. The day after tomorrow and the day after that.

So that eventually, when we’re assured of the greatest happiness, the two of use will stop time and become eternal together.

Until then…..happy days will fade and be repainted, with you.

Fin.

***Please take these two lines with a grain of salt. I didn't research them thoroughly, but the line about Jude protecting Ellis' and Kate, I believe is relatively accurate because Ellis' line confirms and interprets Jude's line as meaning that he will protect their happiness, and this in Jude's true nature - wanting to protect others.

[Master List] [Blind Love Epilogue]

#Ellis Twilight #ikevil ellis #ikemen ellis #ikevil translations #ikevil ellis translations #ellis twilight translations #cybird translations #ikevil spoilers #ikevil jp spoilers

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ofdragonsdeep · 2 months ago

Text

3: Tempest

The feelings roiled within him like a storm. But there was no right answer.

(In the aftermath of Ifrit, Ar'telan confronts his relationship with Thancred)

(There is no Thancred here to answer)

(CWs for assault via not revealing you are possessing a body. ARR, WoL/Thancred, WoL/Lahabrea)

Furious agitation, commotion, or tumult; an uproar.

The nerves in his stomach were normal, he thought, as he sat with the twisting ache. He had taken Horizon's chocobo porter so often now that they knew him on sight, and were always patient with him as he tried to remember which colours of coin were worth what. The bird regarded him with ill-disguised contempt as the porter helped him saddle up, but it seemed content enough once he was on his back.

It gave him time to think.

The Scions were still glad to have him in their number. At least, he thought they were. Ifrit had been a disaster, but they had helped him heal the wounds. The Eikon - the primal had fallen, and the culprit behind the kidnappings caught. And he was, somehow, still alive. Was that not good?

Thancred had been strange ever since. So many people were keen to put him to work that he had barely had a chance to speak to him since waking, sending him every which way and not giving him a moment to breathe. Thancred was always away when he returned. The excitement of anticipating speaking to him - the memory of their night by the lake - all of it twisted around in his head. He had lived. But was that enough? Was he a liability to them now?

Did Thancred regret it?

—

Thanalan's sun was scorching hot as he dismounted from the porter's bird, the masked porter at the Vesper Bay stop taking the reins from him with a nod of acknowledgement. Ar'telan knew he had to stink of sweat and dust and bird, although at least the last of those wouldn't bother the man so much. But it would hardly make a good impression on the others.

Carbuncle butted into his heel with a squeak, and he shook his head as if it would help to clear it. It focussed him, at least. He turned his eyes to the floor, away from the sun and the horrible cloudless sky it hung in like a threat, and walked towards his destination.

---

The Waking Sands was always a busy place, but Tataru always had time for a nod and a wave as he walked past her. His carbuncle squeaked at her in recognition, and he managed a smile.

It would be fine. It was fine. He was helping. For the first time in so many years, he could help, and that wasn't nothing. They wanted him here.

He was supposed to go straight to the Solar to report, but when he saw Thancred sat pensively on a bench, he diverted without even a moment of thought. The knot in his stomach tightened a little harder.

"Thancred," he tried, and the man looked up as if he had spoken aloud.

"Ar'telan," he replied, the frown on his face deepening for a second, before being replaced with a casual smile. "A rare boon for our busy paths to cross these days." The tension eased, just a little.

"Always another job," he agreed, forcing a smile onto his face. At his feet, his carbuncle pattered up to Thancred and stood up on its hind legs, paws on his knee. Thancred glanced down in surprise at the contact, then scratched behind its ears with a tinkle of magic.

"Minfilia will be expecting you, I'd wager," he said.

"Will… Will you be here when I am done with my report?" Ar'telan asked, swallowing back the nerves. He told himself that the tenseness in his shoulders was lingering pain from Ifrit's burns. Thancred chuckled.

"Well, I'm a busy man, but I can make some time for my favourite Scion," he said, a wink accompanying the final statement. Ar'telan felt the heat rise in his face.

"I'll tell Y'shtola you said that," he teased, and Thancred made an amused noise.

"I'd like to see it."

---

There was an intensity in his eyes that Ar'telan hadn't seen before, when Thancred pushed him against the wall of the empty storeroom and pressed their lips together. It was difficult to think that only that morning, he had worried that Thancred wanted nothing to do with him - that the night by the lake had been a regret come the morning. There was hunger in the rough grip of his fingers, so tight it felt like to bruise, and Ar'telan felt the knot of nerves loosen with every breath.

But why had he avoided him before?

He hadn't had his return announced this time, by another Scion arriving first. Yda had said it was strange how Thancred had all but vanished in the moments before Ar'telan had arrived back from the Sylphlands. There were other things Ar'telan should have focussed his attention on, but he had stayed in Thanalan this time in the hopes of catching him.

If he wanted this as much as Ar'telan himself did, why did he run from it?

---

"What's this?" Ar'telan asked, his fingers hooking around the purple crystal that rested around Thancred's neck. "It's new."

"I found it in the markets in Thanalan while I was working. It caught my eye," Thancred replied. "It suits me, wouldn't you say?"

"Most things do," Ar'telan replied, but he couldn't deny that the deep, dark colour sat well by his Archon tattoos. Thancred brushed his fingers behind Ar'telan's ear.

"Perhaps it would look fetching on you," he remarked, and Ar'telan almost missed the frown for closing his eyes at the sensation. Almost. "…No, perhaps not," Thancred said, and Ar'telan grabbed his hand as he pulled it back. "You've more than enough jewels in just the carbuncle, after all."

"I don't think I could cast a spell from a necklace," Ar'telan said, letting go of his arm to say it. "Thancred, will… will you be here next time I return?"

"I would race home at your word if you could but give it," he replied, gently moving his hand back. "Alas, I cannot promise my presence. The ramifications of Ifrit's summoning are still causing a great deal of disruption in Thanalan, and I'm best placed to deal with it." Ar'telan tried not to show on his face how much his heart sank at the statement.

"Then I shall cross my fingers," he decided.

If he was still here, still with him, why did he feel so distant?

---

He didn't think he was supposed to feel this nervous.

It felt like holding his breath to walk up to the Waking Sands, tension in every muscle until he saw Thancred sat there. He seemed so morose, every time - a pensive air to him that was broken only by seeing Ar'telan approach. The others said he was often out of the Waking Sands, but that wasn't unusual for him. He was their spy, after all - he was supposed to be unseen. But he only breathed out when he saw the smile tug at the corners of Thancred's mouth again.

When they kissed, Ar'telan couldn't smell the cologne any more. His fingernails dug into the skin of Ar'telan's arms just hard enough to make him gasp. He had been gentler, the night before Ifrit - but he did not talk about it. Did not talk about Ifrit. Neither of them had wanted to even when he had only just woken up.

They knew the fire was meant to claim him. That the only thing that had saved him was the strange blessing he had been given. Life not earned.

Had Thancred mourned him when they hadn't known if he would wake up?

Did he seize him so tightly now so it couldn't happen a second time?

If it hurt so much, why did he run away, content in his silence?

---

They did a great deal of talking, in the few moments they had. Y'shtola had warned him that Thancred liked the sound of his own voice, but he seemed happy to give Ar'telan the space to speak, as much as it could be called that. He tried not to talk about the events that loomed in the background of both of them, of how much it hurt. Of how they both seemed to be twisting themselves into knots to avoid facing it.

But he did speak about Meracydia. Even after the Echo had granted him something akin to a voice, he had been reluctant to do so. Eorzea didn't seem to remember it now, but he had seen the Tower on the horizon when he had passed through the Shroud. More than anywhere else, Eorzea had been the seat of Allag's power once. And they kept their silence so it was never repeated.

He had not expected Thancred to understand it. He knew a little of Thancred's history from speaking to the others - he had been taken in by Louisiox as a boy, and raised thereafter in Sharlayan. But more than anything else they talked about, Ar'telan believed him when he said he understood the bone-deep longing for home. The quiet realisation, sinking deeper every time, that he might never be able to go back. That the only reason he was here was a mistake, and the fear that leaving might take away the only thing that let him feel safe.

It felt strange, to be so vulnerable. To feel safe in doing so. He would have trusted his tribe with pieces of this, perhaps, but he had already caused too much damage to put more on them. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had people he could trust with the truth - or at least most of it.

All it had cost him. Home, to build a new life on the shores of what had destroyed so much of Meracydia. Family, to fit poorly with this new collection of people focussed only on trying to keep the realm from collapsing into chaos once more. Safety, to feel at once supported and not by Thancred's calloused fingers.

Health. And Thancred ran his fingers over the scars on his skin as if he could heal them, but he could not take back the fire, white-hot and remorseless, that had consumed what little stability he had found in Eorzea.

---

"Ar'telan! Just the man I was hoping to see." There was a smile on Thancred's face like there always was, but it seemed just a little more genuine today.

"Really? To hear the others talk you might flee at the sight of me," Ar'telan replied, smiling despite himself. Thancred put a hand to his breast as though he had been struck.

"Maligned for the rigours of work. I am cursed, truly," he said. "But I do not intend to keep you long. I've a gift for you."

"A gift?" Ar'telan repeated, surprised. Thancred did seem to like grand gestures, this he had seen, but he had thought it part of the mask. Certainly he had not pursued Ar'telan the way he might a pretty dancing girl in Ul'dah's markets.

He wondered if it was normal to be concerned about this sort of thing.

"Nothing fancy, I assure you," Thancred said. "Here." He took one of Ar'telan's hands in both of his, pressing something into his palm with the motion. He lingered for a moment, the briefest motion of hesitation, then let go. "Do enjoy your meeting." Ar'telan blinked in confusion, then looked down at what he had been given.

A tiny crystal of deepest purple, strung on a leather strap just a little too short to be worn as a necklace. It seemed so dark that it did not even glimmer in the light, but it had been lovingly polished all the same.

"Thank you," he started, but Thancred had already left when he lifted his head.

It seemed almost a sin to do so, but he slipped the crystal into one of the pockets of his robe. He would find a better way to wear it when he was not about to be sent who knows where.

---

It started the same way it always did. Why would he have suspected anything different?

He told Thancred he had been tasked with assisting Y'shtola with a possible summoning of Titan. It was the first time since Ifrit he seemed like to be sent into combat with another eikon, and though the thought terrified him, he kept it in. From Thancred there was another moment of hesitation, an act so familiar now that Ar'telan found it easy to dismiss.

"It seems like that you'll be away a while, then. Would you like to stay the night, before the duties of the hero call you away?"

Ar'telan didn't think himself a hero, but he only answered with a nod.

Thancred seemed fervoured. An intensity in his grip and his gaze that put even their previous encounters to shame. His breath was hot on Ar'telan's neck, and it licked against the scars uncomfortably akin to flame.

But he did not resist it.

He did not want to. The discomfort was fleeting compared to the feeling of surety - of knowing, to almost certainty, that he was wanted. He would have traded anything to not feel that roiling uncertainty again.

His name, whispered against his ear, so soft and whisper-thin it made them flicker at the sensation.

"Do you love me?"

He had not thought about it. Had not wanted to. Y'shtola had warned him that Thancred was not a man for attachments, and he had found that to be just fine. There was a difference, in the tribe, between a feeling in the heart and a feeling in the flesh, and yet…

A nod.

"Say it."

He sounded almost desperate. Ar'telan supposed it made sense to be afraid, given their respective trades.

"I love you."

Thancred kissed him before he could say his name, pulling them so close together it would have been impossible for Ar'telan to articulate a word even if he had still had his voice. What was he so afraid of?

---

The hardest part, in the days that followed, was knowing he had not lied about the feeling. As he held the crystal in his hand and wondered why Thancred had stopped listening. As he wondered if Thancred had even survived the attack on the Waking Sands. His thumb played over the facets of it, and it felt like there was the briefest piece of Thancred there with him.

It twisted his stomach. If he could only speak to him - if he could only understand. If he could just untangle all the clashing threads in his mind.

Every other time he had listened to him.

Every other time he had respected his distances.

Every other time…

But he had whispered I love you into Ar'telan's ears, and even though he had pinned his hands to the mattress, had stolen his voice from him with his will, Ar'telan had thought that he meant it.

Somehow, it made it worse.

Somehow, he could not let go of it.

---

There had been a worry in the back of his mind when they had stormed Castrum Centri. When every Scion but Thancred was on the Enterprise, and none of them had so much had seen him in the hours before the attack or the long days after, it seemed to tighten. If he was dead, there would not be any answers. If he was not, would Ar'telan even want them?

And in the moments after, the name Lahabrea would echo in his head. In the silence, when no-one was watching, he would run his fingers across the crystal and think about how certain he had been.

I love you.

Both of them had meant it. But the betrayal had been planned. Had his absence? How long had Thancred - how long had it been Lahabrea? When had been the last time he had heard Thancred speak, and not the man who wore his skin like a suit?

Little moments of hesitation. Avoidance becoming acceptance becoming more. A longing for a home that lay beyond reach.

I love you.

What did that make him, when he meant it?

---

The push into Castrum Meridianum felt like a nightmare. Ar'telan did not enjoy the prospect of killing people, even when they were dead-set on subjugation or annihilation with no room for nuance, but they gave them no choice. It was for a mercy that they did not have to slaughter their way through the entire Castrum, thanks to Cid's backup, but it was more bodies than Ar'telan could stomach.

And it played in the back of his head. Lahabrea. That all of this was because of two men - Gaius and his delusional dreams of empire, and Lahabrea. What drove Lahabrea?

He hadn't told any of them what had happened between him and Lahabrea. Even Y'shtola had only heard a measure of his troubles with Thancred shortly before his fight with Titan. How could he possibly tell them? He felt like a fool, for still feeling the sting of the betrayal.

He had been so sure that Thancred had meant it.

---

The Castrum stood in ruins. The wreckage still burned, ceruleum ignited by the raw force of the spell.

His party, not blessed by the Echo as he was, had stayed back for the fight with the Ultima Weapon, and so he had no way of knowing if they - or any of the Grand Company personelle who had been securing their retreat - had made it out alive. The Weapon itself lay ruined, a broken mass of magitek, its pilot disgraced. And what good had he been if he could not even prevent the machine from laying waste to his own position?

Lahabrea had not looked at him when he had made his proclamations. When he had reappeared, he had his back to Ar'telan, and he had only turned when it became apparent which of the two had been the victor.

He looked at him through the mask, and Ar'telan couldn't read his face. Even in the hour of victory, Lahabrea had run away from him. Had refused to face him. Had only shown up to speed the process along, and refused to be there for the inevitable conclusion.

But now it was only the two of them left.

Everything he did seemed purpose-built to hurt. Illusory copies of himself, making Ar'telan doubt his perception. Fire jumping eagerly to his fingertips to lick the burned-out shell of the Castrum, as if Ar'telan's robes weren't already smouldering from the vented ceruleum and the aftermath of Ultima. It had been Thancred, he hoped, who had sat vigil over his bedside while he recovered - but it had been Lahabrea who had been gentle with the scars.

If he hadn't meant it, why had he kept up the pretense?

If he had, why was he doing this now?

But there was only so much that the mortal form could take. Lahabrea looked down at him, prone on the floor, barely able to breathe, and sighed.

"A pity."

His hands wouldn't move. Of all the things he had feared, to die without knowing the answer seemed the cruellest option. But it hurt so much.

Gaius was dead. The weapon was in ruins, as was the Castrum. Eorzea was saved, wasn't it? Wasn't that what they had wanted?

Why was Lahabrea even here, now, when there was no campaign of terror left to save?

His fingers, stiff and unresponsive, managed the barest hint of motion.

"I loved you."

Though he had long since turned his face from Ar'telan's body, Lahabrea stiffened as though he had heard the words himself. The Echo - the Ascians possessed it too, just as Minfilia did. He heard his voice. That night, when he had pinned Ar'telan's hands as if to not listen - he had heard him.

Hesitance. Reticence. Was anything he had been even real? Was this?

Hear. Feel. Think.

His eyes, vision fading, suddenly sharpened. The pain, which had faded to dull nothingness, spun out into sharp relief, then pulled out like a knife. He gasped, aether forcing its way through his body, pulling broken pieces together with all the grace of a young kit with an unfortunate animal.

Lahabrea turned around.

He staggered to his feet. Picked up his grimoire and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. Everything felt like it was on fire, but it was not a novel sensation. He had survived the fire before. And even if this facsimile of life only lasted as long as Hydaelyn's power did - it was something.

Without the mask on his face, Lahabrea - Thancred - seemed shaken. The frown set in as the light sloughed from Ar'telan's wounds, and he muttered the crystal's name like a curse.

"Struggle all you will. Mortal as you are, you but delay the inevitable," he said. "Your precious Goddess cannot save you a second time."

"Why are you doing this?" Ar'telan demanded. "All that you did to me - why?"

"I do not owe you that answer."

"So it was a lie, just like everything else? You stole his body, my confidence, my trust - for a lie? To make it hurt all the more when you ripped away the mask?" He was only saved the indignity of tears by the damage the fire had already done to his face. "You never loved me."

Lahabrea flinched as though the words had struck him. Fire crackled to life around his hands once more, the centre of the flame a threatening pitch-dark that seemed to eat the light.

"You know nothing. You struggle against the inevitable for nothing," he snapped. "But in deference to your stubborn defiance, I will give you one last chance to run."

"Not without Thancred." The scowl deepened.

"Then perish along with your hope."

With a flick of his wrist, Ar'telan resummoned his carbuncle and stood his ground.

---

In the dark, he couldn't persuade himself that it was a lie.

In the dark, he held the tiny crystal close, and prayed that no-one would ever find it.

#I'm going to do short prompts this year I said #puts on my clown makeup #ffxivwrite2024 #warrior of light (solo story)#I've avoided the worst of the stuff that needs CWs here but it's heavily referenced #so do mind that tag

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