#the feeling of entering a room you've entered a thousand times and knowing deep down that everything has been moved slightly to the left

[lilacerull0]

lilaelenanino a body horror concept to me personally

[webslingingslasher]

how would telling nerdy!peter you’re pregnant go

i feel like he would know before you do. *cleaning out my inbox*

peter's ears are ringing when you enter the kitchen. a paper bag is tucked into your arm while you juggle a water bottle and car keys. something about you has the hair raising on the back of his neck.

'are you okay?'

you blink up at him, you glance down to the groceries, nothing spilled. 'i'm okay, are you okay?'

peter pushes past that, it doesn't feel right. there's something he can't sense out and it wasn't there this morning. 'no, seriously, are you okay? do you feel okay?'

your eyebrows furrow as you set everything down. 'yeah, why?' peter watches you closely, his eyes trailing after you as you moved around the kitchen. 'i don't know. something feels off, are you sure you're okay?'

you laugh with your head in the fridge, it's cute when he's worrisome. 'i promise i'm fine!'

peter lays off, but something is different about you and he can't place it.

---

peter swears something is wrong, he's had an odd buzzing feeling that keeps him tethered to your side and reaching out every thirty minutes when you're not around him.

you kept telling him you were fine and peter thought it would even out eventually but it's been two weeks and it's gotten worse. it's gotten so bad he doesn't want you leaving his sight.

like this morning, you gagged around your toothbrush and scraped your tongue clean with your teeth, your face went sour as you looked at peter.

'that tastes rotten.' the toothpaste went bad. you have no idea how, or if it's possible, but your mouth tasted like you just gargled with orange juice and made out with a mint.

peter tried it out for himself and told you it was how it's always been, but you made him promise he'd buy a new tube anyway. he agreed but had something tugging at his stomach, this wasn't normal.

the final straw was a few days later and you approached him with your head in your hands and a wince. peter almost jumped up from the couch, his movements panicked but touch soft as he cradled your face.

'talk to me, what's wrong?'

you suck in a deep breath, it makes your pain amplify. for the first time ever, a headache as you wanting to faint into peter's chest. 'sweetheart?'

your voice cracks, it's never been this bad before in your life. 'my head really hurts, petey.' it's all you needed to say, peter kissed your forehead and started nudging you towards the bedroom.

'go lay down, i'm going to get you some advil, alright?' you nod, it's weak, it feels like your head is a thousand pounds. you feel useless while you sink into the mattress, the first thing peter does is rip the curtains closed, it's almost pitch black and you've never been more grateful.

'pills.' they're deposited into your hand. 'water.' you take a small sip, peter tilts the cup back up when you lower it, you take a larger gulp. 'down.' you follow his direction and melt into your pillow.

'close your eyes.' you do. peter presses a kiss to your forehead, another on your cheek. 'i want you to take a nap.' you can't bring yourself to open your eyes and instead pat his hand instead as a response.

peter thinks you're asleep before he's out of the room.

you think you've been down between two and three hours and you could use another four. the past week you've been as good as dead, work must have exhausted you. it would explain the sudden sore feet and urge to constantly nap.

but more than sleep is the deep pit of hunger you have. peter's cooking dinner and it woke you from a good slumber. you doubled up on lunch today and you're thinking of doing the same with dinner.

as you roll out of bed you're happy to report there's no more migraine. you repeat this to peter the second he asks how you're feeling as he's plating your dinner. 'good.'

you lick your lips at the ceramic peter sets in front of you, he sits next to you and as you grab your fork, he stops you. for a moment you think about crying.

'i need to talk to you, we need to talk.'

every bit of you shrivels up. you think you might actually start crying. 'okay.' it's as timid as you feel, peter's eyes soften immediately, he's not mad, he's just serious.

'i'm talking to you as your husband right now, not your friend. i know you feel fine, you've been telling me that for three weeks. i don't feel fine. i'm anxious over you and it's starting to tear me apart. i need you to go to the doctor's, i need them to tell me you're okay.'

you feel your heart crumble a little, you never meant to make him so upset. 'peter, i know you're worried but i promise i'm okay.' peter really doesn't want to scare you but he's unsure of how to get you to listen.

'it feels like there's something wrong with you, alright? something i can't see or diagnosis. so i need you to go to a doctor, okay?'

you've never seen peter so freaked out and his sixth sense has you a little scared because if he can sense things before you can but he can't place it, that means it has to be bad.

you nod fast, you'll do anything to bring him a peace of mind. 'okay. i'll make an appointment and you can come with me. then we can squash this together, right?'

he hates to admit it, but peter doesn't feel any better when you agree. he's going to be biting his nails and pulling his hair until you're sitting in the doctor's office with a green screen and a thumbs up.

----

'they're making me pee in a cup, peter.'

'that's normal. they're screening you.'

'because of you! they asked why i wanted an appointment and i had to tell them 'my husband has a bad feeling.' i've never pissed in a cup before and now they probably think you're poisoning me.'

'something's poisoning you.' you rest your hand on his arm, you've never seen peter so worked up. 'is it really that bad?' it has to be, the week before your appointment he refused to let you out of his sight. he wouldn't tell you anything beyond a tugging feeling in his gut.

and if you're being honest, you're not complaining. because there's something about peter that's had you clinging to him and begging for him at every waking moment because everytime he touches you, there's a whole new wave of sensation and pleasure that wasn't there before.

'i haven't slept the last three nights because i'm scared i'll wake up but you won't.'

'oh, petey. i promise i'm okay. there's been nothing wrong beyond that one headache, i promise. but look, we're at the doctors and i'll get a clean bill of health and we can have a nap when we get home?'

he doesn't seem satisfied with the answer. 'okay.' it makes you anxiously chew on your bottom lip, you're not peter, but you've known him long enough that this isn't normal. it makes your heart hurt because he's been in a panic for over a month now and you keep shrugging him off.

'i'm sorry i didn't take you seriously, peter. i'm sorry i made it get to this point, i promise you in the future i won't wait so long.' except peter doesn't know if you waited too long and there won't be a next time.

'i'm gonna go pee in this and then i'll be the next one up.'

if you thought peter was nervous before, he's now one breath away from a panic attack, shaking his knee and chewing on his thumbnail before you're back to sitting with him and then bouncing up to tug you with him the second your name is called.

----

even your doctor was slightly puzzled at your claim. you'd answered normally to every question. no sudden changes, no balance issues, no blurry vision, no stomach pains, nothing.

'sexually active?'

'yes.'

'are you using protection?'

'no. we stopped a little over a year ago.'

'date of your last period?'

you look at peter for help, he shrugs, you think back. 'i haven't gotten it this month yet. so i think last month?' she scribbles quickly, then double checks.

'headaches?' you shake your head, your husband clears his throat. you want to roll your eyes, instead you remind yourself this is for peter's sanity.

'i had one last week. that's it.'

'breast tenderness?' you cup them, nothing. 'no.'

'you did a urine sample at check in?'

'yes.'

her small chair spins when she stands, 'let me check on it. i'll be right back.' peter opens his mouth the second the door shuts behind her.

'i don't care what you say, if it comes back clean, we're getting a second opinion.' then, 'actually, i'm going to insist on a blood test.'

'peter,' he holds up his hand. 'i'm serious. there are things that your pee won't tell them, there are so many things that could be floating around your bloodstream.'

you're doing this for him. you're doing this for his peace of mind. you need to keep telling yourself that this isn't peter, this isn't normal. you trust him more than anything and if he's saying something is wrong, something's wrong.

'okay. we'll get a second opinion, or a specialist, or a blood test, or whatever you need me to do.'

that's all you needed to say, he finally somewhat relaxes, but stiffens right back up at a knock on the door. you lightly kick your feet on the bench and smile politely when the doctor reenters. there's a nod at your smile, you stop your movements, it feels serious.

this time, she doesn't sit down. this time, she has a file in her hold and only looks at you. 'so, i have your results here, but before i continue, would you like your husband to be in the room with you?'

your heart sinks and your face drops, they found something. peter was right. something was wrong. but how did you not know? how did you feel totally fine? if anything you kept telling him that you've never felt better and you've never been so energetic.

you reach for peter without thinking, he squeezes your hand tighter than you are. 'yes. i need him here.' when peter's standing next to you, the doctor looks at both of you and clears her throat.

'you're pregnant. i'd say somewhere from four to six weeks estimated by your last period date.'

you don't say a word, neither does peter.

'i'll give you two a moment alone and come back in... lets say ten minutes? then we can talk about your options moving forward.'

silence. you don't move a muscle. the door is shut and you're staring at empty space, you can hear the clock ticking on the wall behind you, peter's chest brushes your back.

'baby?'

'yeah?'

'did you hear what she said?'

'yeah.'

your eyes close at a soft kiss to your head. 'are we happy?' your heart clenches, your hand rests over your stomach and your mind starts to catch up.

'pregnant.' it's all that will come out. peter gives you another kiss, it's just as delicate as the first one. 'you are.' your hand washes over your tummy, you don't feel pregnant.

'you did this to me.' peter nudges your hand away and moves his own in the same circle, you think he's looking for the same thing. 'a little bit.' he's holding back any excitement until you make a call but you see the way his eyes are shining.

you exhale until your stomach puffs out, it's a mimic for what's to come. 'you're gonna make me look like this.' peter smiles, he likes what he's hearing.

'so are we happy?'

pregnant. pregnant. you're pregnant. you have a baby in your stomach. you have peter's baby in your stomach. you're pregnant.

you're pregnant and you're so damn happy.

in a second you're tugging at peter for a crushing hug. 'we're pregnant. we're gonna have a baby and we are so fucking happy.' you didn't think it was possible. peter's kissing where he can reach, you pull back to look at him, both of you teary eyed.

it'd been a year and you thought kids weren't in the cards. you weren't actively trying but you both agreed to stop preventing too. and each month when you got your period, you didn't mind, you loved peter and if it was just you and him for the rest of your lives you'd be more than okay with that.

but this? having a baby with the person you love most in the world? it's a token of your love, something that would be both him and you forever.

'i really hope they have your eyes.' peter shakes his head, 'no way. for their sake, i hope they get all your genes.' you feel your lower lip tremble, there's finally an explanation for all the tears you've shed over the past week.

it didn't even have to be sad. everything was accompanied by tears and this is no exception. peter doesn't care, hormonal or not, tears are tears and he's causing them. 'what did i do?' his thumbs brush under your eyes, on guard for any wetness that dare pass them.

your voice is watery when you answer, you know it's silly but holy shit, this feels serious and you'll die on this hill for whatever reason. 'i really want...' you blink, big drops are caught in a second.

'i really want them to have your eyes and you don't want that.' peter moves fast and you exhale a shaky sob into his chest. peter is in the process of damage control recon.

'i was making a joke, honey. a really bad, terrible joke. i'm so so glad you want them to have my eyes, i'm super honored, sweetheart. of course i'd love it if they did.'

you sniff into his shirt, 'do you mean it?' there's a sprinkling of kisses over your hairline. 'of course. you want our baby to look like me, how could i be offended?'

it's enough to have you relaxing, you wipe your own eyes clear before clearing your throat and scooting away from peter. 'i'm sorry, i don't know why that was so important to me. i think you'll have to deal with this a lot.' you feel shy, all of a sudden you think you're asking for too much.

'i'm gonna be so annoying peter. i'm gonna cry and puke and hate things one second and love them the next, i'll get grouchy and miserable and sore and by the time i go to pop this kid out you'll hate me.'

'hey, shhh, you're doing that thing where you think too far ahead. one problem at a time, right? crying isn't an issue, we've been together long enough i know how to navigate that. puke? um, babe, i hate to remind you, but this little gold band on my finger tells me in sickness and in health.'

you feel your pout slowly lift up, he always has an answer.

'as long as it's not me you're hating, i'll manage. i've dealt with your grouchy mornings for years, and i still look forward to every one. if you're miserable and sore, i'll give you a massage. and by the time you pop that kid out, i'll be so damn excited to have them meet my favorite person ever. my wife.'

peter releases a quick breath. 'how'd i do?' you chose the right person to do this with. you really did.

'i'm so excited to do this with you.' your husband beams, he made you feel better, you're worrying over nothing. peter has this handled.

'i am too. we need to get you some vitamins and i should start emptying out the second bedroom. we should also look into some books and maybe some classes, may said my mom took lamaze classes and it saved her during labor.'

'and a doctor! we need to schedule with your OBGYN, and i need to clean out the fridge. i don't think you can eat deli meat, maybe i'll start looking at some-'

'peter, we're having a baby.'

it stops him from his tirade, he hasn't been able to stop smiling. 'we are.'

'and you were right, something was wrong! you're like one of those cancer sniffer-outer- dogs.' peter tilts his hand back and forth. 'i mean, that's not cancer,' a point to your soon-to-be bump. 'and i'm not a dog, but i know when something isn't normal.'

'do you think you sniffed it out the second you knocked me up?' peter holds a straight face, you bite back a grin and whisper out to him.

'peter?'

'yeah?' he's just as quiet.

'we're having a baby.'

peter can't stop his coos, your face cradled in his hands while he presses tiny kisses over your cheeks. you don't feel as robbed from a home test, you always figured you'd have the moment where you're in the bathroom with shaky hands but instead you're in a doctor's office and you realize the setting doesn't matter, it's the person you're doing it with.

the celebration halts when there's another knock on the door, when the doctor sees the blinding smile on both your faces she shares her own. 'i assume this is good news then?'

you both answer at the same time. 'really good.'

she looks even happier and gently bows before taking a seat and grabbing a few squirts of hand sanitizer. 'then let me be the first to congratulate the both of you.' you both say thank you and your heart elevates ten levels when she addresses you as what you're about to be.

'so, mom, i assume you have an OB established?'

mom. mom. mom. you're going to be a mom. your head spaces while you nod, your doctor seems relieved at the answer. 'great. i want you to reach out and schedule an appointment, they'll be able to tell you a little bit more about what to expect and the next steps. depending on how far along you are, you and dad might be able to hear some heart tones. in the meantime, i recommend you get on some prenatals and limit your caffeine intake.'

mom and dad. you think you like the sound of it.

'any questions?' peter looks at you, then the wall. he's got one but he's scared to ask, your doctor senses this. 'dad? the floor is open to you, too.' you fawn at his pink cheeks, he loves the new name like you do.

'um, are there... limitations on what she can do? physically?'

a small grin, she knows what he's asking. 'honestly, mom should keep doing her day to day like normal, things will start to get hard when she gets bigger. if you're asking if there's any limitations on sex, no, it's just all based on mom's comfort.'

'mom's been very comfortable.' you speak from the corner of your mouth but she hears you and she's got a gleam in her eye. 'those extra hormones can be fun. any more questions?'

you're sure you'll have a thousand but right now all you want to do is lay in peter's arms and talk about who your baby will eventually be. you shake your head, peter says no for the both of you.

your doctor stands and warmly grabs your hand, then peter's and smiles once more. 'again, i congratulate you both. you're in for some of the best times in your life, and some of the hardest, but i promise you, that smile on your baby's face at six in the morning while you're exhausted will make it all seem worth it.'

carrying peter's child already makes it all worth it. he would've been as happy and content as you would've without kids, but you know how much he's always wanted them and this feels like the most ultimate act of love you could give him.

'thank you. we're really excited.' because you are. you both are.

---

the second peter opens the car door for you, you squeal and hold him close to you. 'you're gonna be a frickin dad. that's so hot.' you giggle at tender pokes at your side. 'you said the same thing when i proposed.'

'commitment makes you sexy, parker.'

'ditto, mrs. parker.'

[yan-lorkai]

Hello! How would yandere twst react to the fact that reader cannot get pregnant in any way, and thinks that she has infertility, but how did it turn out later that it was yandere who suffer from infertility? How hurt will they be by the fact that they will not be able to give what reader wants, who is now demanding an end to their marriage due to their infertility and has already found herself a new candidate by making contact with him?

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ A/N: Hii anonie! I wasn't sure if you wanted all the characters from the babytrap hcs so I just picked Malleus and Leona, but let me know if you wanted the others too I'm more than happy to write them! :D

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Warnings: Yandere content, Infertility and talk about pregnancy/children, imprisonment, possessiveness, malleus using his UM

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Malleus is determined to try a thousand times if need be, the thought of building a family still circling his mind as he hopes to get you pregnant this time. Several factors may be preventing you from getting pregnant such as stress, lack of vitamins or health problems, so Malleus changes your routine to a calmer one and brings the royal doctors to you to find out what the problem is.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Even though he's a little delusional, Malleus can see that maybe there's a problem he didn't foresee: you're infertile. But even if you're infertile he still loves you dearly, if you can't have kids biologically then he's sure maybe you could adopt.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ But when does he find out you're not infertile? Malleus doesn't quite know how to feel, he knows that it only means one thing and that the problem is him. And the world trembles under his feet, the sky is swept clean of any sign of the sun as thunder crashes to the earth, Malleus hadn't considered the hypothesis that he might be infertile and even though royal doctors talk about this or that, he doesn't catch a single word. He can't, he can't give you what you want, he can't fulfill his role as a husband and he fears your reaction to his hypothesis.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ That night he comes to lie beside you, quiet, and he holds you tenderly against his chest, stroking your sides and looking at you like it's the first time he's really seen you. And he shares his suspicions about his infertility with you, watching each expression pass over your face, expecting you to yell at him and storm out of the room, but you don't. You stay there and you both tremble in each other's embrace, and Malleus thinks for a second that maybe you don't care either and that maybe nothing will change in your relationship.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ But as time goes by he realizes that this is not the case. And one day he enters your shared room to notice that your bags are packed and that you intend to leave, Malleus doesn't need you to tell him why, he knows, deep down he knows why you're leaving him. And he feels a terrible pain go through him, especially when you tell him how you've been exchanging letters with another man and that you didn't want to be with him anymore. And if Malleus were just a little less selfish, maybe he would have let you go and live your dream of having a child, but he can't think of that and he loves you too much to give you up, so he puts you to sleep with his magic, trapped forever inside your own body.

⠀⠀⠀

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Leona feels that he has failed you and him, especially if you have high expectations of having a child with him. No matter how many times you try, none of the attempts are fruitful and he can hear the servants' mean comments in the corridors, he can see what those whispers and giggles do to you. Until one day, his mother suggests that one of the two of you may have some problem that prevents you from conceiving and Leona is terrified of the thought. He could grunt and murmur that Cheka bothers him, but he wanted a child and when you married him Leona imagined what that child would be like, would they have your eyes or your smile? Would they be as beautiful and graceful as you?

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Knowing that maybe they can't be born because one of you is infertile breaks his heart as much as yours, but he stands strong to support you during this delicate time as you visit the medical wing.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ And honestly, the confirmation that he was infertile leaves him stunned and afraid, as if he were just going to be a hated boy again and that no one believed he was worth anything. And he knows well the look of disappointment that passes over your face and it hurts him more than he lets on, he would expect this from anyone but you, this is not something he can control but maybe there is a treatment or something he can do. And he starts to plan as the two of you return to your room.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ He knows as he watches you spend time with Cheka or other kids that this is something you wanted to experience and something you won't be able to have if you stay with him, he knows that at some point you'll leave or maybe stay long enough until your relationship deteriorates. He just didn't expect it to hurt so much when it happened, with you throwing divorce papers in his face while announcing loud and clear that you're leaving, that there is another man in your heart who can give you what you want and how you've been exchanging letters with him this whole time. But he can't let you go, no matter how much you scream or cry or how much you run from him, you're his and there's nothing you can do or anyone to turn to for help.

[yesbutmakeitgay]

The Anesthetic Never Set In

GIF by femaledaily

Carol Danvers x Reader

We’ve Loved A Thousand Lives

Same beginning, different story every time.

Part 5

Angst with a happy ending, Injuries, Exes. Beta'd by @cordeliasdarling 💜

Word count: 1.6k

Masterlist | This collection | AO3

Captain Marvel walks back into her ship after another successful mission wanting for nothing more than to relax and rest until she senses someone else’s presence in her space home.

She walks slowly, pointing one of her lit up fists in a general forward direction, "I know you’re in here, who are you? Who sent you?" she warns the intruder.

She turns the lights on to find you, supporting all your weight on the kitchen counter. Her brows furrow in confusion, "You?" Her tone is displeased, but not quite angry.

"I didn't know where else to go," you mumble back, she feels a little embarrassed she felt threatened by her ex, "trust me, I would rather die than ask for help," you say through gritted teeth, trying to keep the pain from taking over you.

She remains standing by the doorway as she takes in your state, your whole body is scattered with bruises and cuts, and you are clearly bleeding out of somewhere, "So you came to me?"

"Thought I'd let you kill me instead, I know you've been waiting a long time to do that," you joke.

"That's a lot of blood." She quickly walks over to help you.

"I was thinking the same thing, but then, I wasn't sure if it's mine," you slur in your loopy state, suddenly feeling lightheaded, and letting your body fall onto Carol.

"It is definitely yours, come on," she assures as she takes you to the small medical room Fury forced her to set up if she ever wanted to have Kamala on board again.

She lays you down on the bed and begins patching you up, "What happened to you?"

"Nothing, I’m fine," you quickly bite back.

 "Wanna try that again?" she coaxes as she wraps up a deep cut in your forearm.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Later, then." The atmosphere isn't awkward or bitter, she's just trying to help you like she would any of her teammates.

She finally lifts your shirt to address the source of your heavy bleeding, after disinfecting it, she realizes you're gonna need stitches, "I don't have any anesthesia, sorry." She does the job as fast and careful as she can to minimize your discomfort, but maybe she enjoys inflicting pain on you a little, if only because it's necessary.

She finishes cleaning up the rest of your wounds and lets you rest for the night, though you find it difficult to sleep in the dismal room.

The next morning, she comes to you at 6:30, and you're already awake, "Missed me?" you snark, feeling slightly better.

Carol gives you an eye roll, it seems her kind energy was all spent the day before and she has no more left, "I need to know where to drop you off."

To be honest, you hadn't thought this far ahead, "I don't know, where are you going?"

"On my way to New Asgard."

"I'll come with," you respond without even considering it.

She crosses her arms, "Aren't you banned from entering?"

You had forgotten about that small detail, "That's none of your business." Turns out if you ghost a King, they don't like it when you try to visit their land again, you learned that the hard way.

She puts her arms up in fake surrender, "Fine, we land in 10 hours, you'd better be able to walk by then." This isn't how she imagined reuniting with you would be, but alas, she begins to leave.

"Hey," you blurt out making her turn on her feet, there's a sparkle in her eyes that you're too drowsy to notice, "do you have, like, food?"

She sighs, "Sure, I'll bring something down for you."

After a few minutes she brings your favorite, you don't know if it was on purpose, or if she even remembers, but it makes you all fuzzy inside.

Hours later you hear the ship's voice announce the prompt arrival to New Asgard, so you make your way to the entrance, groaning and limping with every step. Carol is already there, all suited up and ready to go.

She gives you a once over, you're bleeding through your bandages, and her dubious stitch work is showing under your shirt, "You don't have to come, I can take you to the Avengers compound later, I’m sure Fury will let you back in," she hesitates, feeling somewhat responsible for you now.

"I would rather die twice than go to the Avengers," you groan.

"Yeah, well, Valkyrie is not gonna let you set foot in New Asgard, and I’m not letting you die on my ship, so just wait a few hours, then you can be Fury's problem." You deflate slightly, accepting defeat, "There’s more food in the fridge if you can make it to the kitchen," she snarks.

"Thanks." It's not just about the food, she's gone out of her way to help you, to care for you, you didn't expect even a fraction of what she's doing when you first arrived.

You watch Carol exit and wait for the door to close before dropping on the couch, succumbing to the pain, eventually drifting off to sleep.

You wake up to Carol cursing from the control panel, "Keep it down," you mumble instinctively.

She comes out to stand in front of you, "The engine isn't starting, we're stranded."

"We're not stranded, this is basically your second home."

"You're right, I’m not stranded, you are," she asserts with a cocky smirk, you look up at her with exhausted eyes.

She takes some pity on you, knowing you aren't in a position to be of use. She goes back down to get help, and re enters with The King of New Asgard following her closely while you remain rotting on the couch.

Valkyrie glances at you from the corner of her eye, and her features immediately turn to disgust as she tries her best to ignore you. She tails Carol down to the engine to see what the problem is.

The next time you wake up, you're cruising somewhere in space, it looks like they fixed the ship, and you didn't have to piss Valkyrie off by existing near her any longer.

Your body feels different, so you try to figure out why. All of your bandages are a lot cleaner than you remember, seems Carol took advantage of your nap to change them.

Upon noticing you're awake, The Captain brings breakfast to the couch, she sets a tray on the coffee table as you fight for your life to sit up.

"Didn't you also date Valkyrie?" you ask, breaking the silence.

Carol chuckles, "I wouldn't call what you did 'dating,' but yes, briefly."

"Twinsiesss," you exclaim out of nowhere, making Carol scrunch up her nose.

"Don't use that word, only Kamala can speak to me like that."

"When did you become such a hard ass?"

"That's not it, I just don't like young people lingo."

"How old do you think I am?"

"I know how old you are!" The playful banter helps you both feel a lot more at ease with each other.

"What happened to us? We were so good together," you muse in a more serious tone.

"We were terrible together," she counters, still with a smile on her face.

"That is not true, we had fun!" you bargain.

"Not everything is about fun."

You take a sip of your coffee, "Come on, you never miss me?"

"Nope."

"Never ever?"

She bites her lip, "Maybe sometimes it gets lonely up here."

"Would you say you get bored?"

She scoffs, "My job is way too interesting,"

"Your job of punching bad guys?"

"My job of saving galaxies!"

You side eye her with a grin, "Is that on your resume?"

"Perhaps." She returns your cocky look.

"Right next to 'great strap game'?" you tease, she playfully elbows you right on your stitches, "Ow, what the hell!" you scream in real pain.

She covers her gasp with her hand, "I’m so sorry!"

"Are you trying to make it look like an accident?" you snark through the discomfort.

"It's your fault, don't make sex jokes."

"What a prude, it's not even a joke, I could ask Valkyrie, and we could take a vote."

"Oh, please, you'd be toast before you even set both feet on the ground," Carol changes the subject, "what did you do to her, anyway?"

"Nothing!"

"She can't even bare the sight of you because you did 'nothing'?"

Suddenly, you shrink, "She wanted things to get serious and I didn't," you clear your throat, Carol raises her eyebrows prompting you to continue, "so I stopped picking up her calls," you slur.

"Why on Earth would you do that?" she scolds you.

"Because I couldn't get over you." It comes out as a whisper.

After a moment, Carol gets up to put the dirty dishes on the sink. You slowly follow to help her, you're more than struggling, but you feel like you must give back in some way.

"I really didn't want to come to you, there's just something comforting about your ship. I mean, I'd rather not be bleeding out of multiple parts of my body, but if I have to, this is a nice place to do it."

"I’m sure your blood is scattered on every surface of this place," Carol smiles, reminiscing about all your past missions together.

"Sorry."

"Don't be." She knows it’s not your fault being human.

"I was reckless, but I’m not anymore," you assure her.

"So, what exactly happened to you?"

You suck on your teeth, avoiding eye contact, "I was reckless." She decides not to push the subject further.

"Did you?" she pries, turning around after she finishes doing the dishes, "Get over me?"

"I—no," you admit bashfully.

"I don't want to kill you, you know?" she hesitates, "I don’t blame you for what happened to us."

"That's nice to hear." You hope deep in your heart that she means it.

She gently holds your hand, "It just wasn't the right time, but maybe it is now."

[hd-junglebook]

Neutral

Part 1 : In the Shadow of Greatness

word count - 3,813

You stand in your mother's room, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort as you contemplate your future. Your eyes roaming over the family mementos lining the shelves - relics of a simpler past.

The weight of her expectations hangs heavy in the air, a suffocating reminder of the greatness you're expected to live up to.

You're tempted to change your mind, to refuse the mission and defy your mother's wishes. But before you can voice your doubts, she interrupts your thoughts with a sharp command.

"You have no choice but to go," she declares, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Our people need you. You must do this for them."

Her words strike a chord deep within you, stirring a sense of duty that you can't ignore. Despite your reservations, you know she's right. You may have doubts, but you also have a responsibility to your mother.

You drew in a shaky breath, gathering what courage was left in your body. "I just don't know if I'm ready for this..."

Before she can respond, the door swings open, and a guard enters the room, their presence a reminder of the reality of your situation.

"It's time," they announce, their voice devoid of emotion.

With a heavy heart, you follow the guard out of the room, your mother trailing behind you. As you make your way through the corridors of the Ark, you can't help but feel a sense of finality settling over you.

Outside the drop ship, the guard motions for you to board, their expression unreadable. You hesitate for a moment, a thousand thoughts racing through your mind.

A flicker of movement catches your eye, and you turn just in time to see a curly-haired guard slip onto the drop ship in front of you, but before you can react, they vanish into the shadows of the ship's interior.

Ignoring the nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach, you push the unsettling sight to the back of your mind as you glance back at your mother, her eyes filled with determination, you know there's no turning back.

With a resigned sigh, you step onto the drop ship.

You may be Diana Sydney's daughter, but you're also so much more. You vow to make your mark on the world, to carve out a legacy of your own, one that shines as brightly as the stars themselves.

---

The drop ship shuddered as you and the other prisoners were herded aboard. The floor trembled beneath your feet as you were strapped into your seat, the metallic clang of restraints echoing through the cramped compartment. You were the last one to board the ship.

The hatch closing behind the guard echoing in the cramped space. You found yourself seated beside Clarke and Wells, their expressions mirroring your own mix of apprehension and determination.

Chancellor Jaha's voice boomed over the intercom, his words heavy with gravitas as he addressed the assembled prisoners.

"Prisoners of The Ark, hear me now. You've been given a second chance, and as your Chancellor, it is my hope that you see this as not just a chance for you, but a chance for all of us, indeed for mankind itself.," he declared, his tone solemn.

“We have no idea what is waiting for you down there If the odds of survival were better, we would've sent others. Frankly, we're sending you because your crimes have made you expendable."

The significance of his words hung heavy in the air as the drop ship's engines roared to life, drowning out any further explanation. With a lurch, the ship lifted off from the Ark, hurtling towards the distant planet below.

Clarke leaned in closer, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Return to Earth? But how?"

Jaha's voice swept over the group once more. " The drop site has been chosen carefully. Before the last war, Mount Weather was a military base built within a mountain. It was to be stocked with enough non-perishables to sustain three hundred people for up to two years. But make no mistake, this is a one-way trip. There will be no return journey."

The turbulence of re-entry rattled the shuttle around you, sending a jolt of fear through your body. Shocks from the atmosphere shook through the vessel as it descended through Earth's atmosphere, jostling you and your fellow prisoners in your seats.

Clarke gripped the armrests tightly, her knuckles white with tension, while Wells tried to maintain a facade of calm despite the worry etched into his features.

Abruptly Wells broke the silence speaking to Clarke as the ship continued its descent, “Clarke, there's something I have to tell you. I'm sorry I got your father arrested.”

Just as turbulence around you reached its peak, Clarke's voice cut through the ship, sharp and accusing. "Don't you talk about my father, Wells!" she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. "If it weren't for you, my father would still be alive!"

Wells flinched at her words, his expression pained. "Please, I can't die knowing that you hate me," he shot back, his voice tinged with regret. "You know that."

Their argument filled the compartment, adding to the already palpable discomfort as the drop ship hurtled towards its destination.

Despite the chaos around you, you couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of the challenges you would face on Earth.

Wells reached out and squeezed your hand, his eyes locking with yours in silent reassurance. "We can do this," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around you.

And as the drop ship hurtled towards the surface of Earth, you couldn't help but wonder what awaited you below.

With a final jolt that sent a shockwave through your body, the drop ship touched down on the planet's surface, kicking up a cloud of dirt that enveloped the vessel in the patch valley on earth.

---

**On the Ark**

The sterile walls of your mother's room felt suffocating as she laid out her plan, her expression grave and determined. She spoke with a fervent intensity, her eyes shining with determination as she sat in front of you.

"Our society is facing a crisis unlike any we have seen before,” she began, her voice echoing off the metal walls of the cramped quarters. "The Ark can't sustain us much longer. We need to find a solution, and we need to find it now."

You listened in silence, your heart pounding in your chest as you tried to comprehend the magnitude of what she was proposing. To be sent to Earth, the very planet that had been deemed uninhabitable for generations, was a death sentence. And yet, there was a glimmer of hope in your mother's eyes,

“We have no choice," she Diana declared, her steely gaze boring into yours. "You must be the one to lead this mission. To sacrifice yourself for the greater good."

You shook your head weakly, "You're asking too much. I can't...”

“I know it's a lot to ask, but you are the only one who can do this for me. You must get arrested and be sent to Earth.”

Her words hung heavy in the air, and you felt the weight of your mother's expectations bearing down on you. To be the one to leave the safety of the Ark, to journey to Earth.

“I can't”

She gripped your shoulders firmly , her nails digging into your shoulders. “You can, and you will. Think of the legacy you will leave behind, the hero who saved humanity from extinction.”

You jerked away from her. "I don't care about glory, Mom! I care about..." you faltered, emotions choking your voice.

Her eyes darkened. “About what y/n? About your own selfish desires? This is bigger than you. This is about the future of our people, about ensuring that generations to come will have a chance to live.”

You stared at the floor, despair and frustration simmering within your body. "There must be another way..."

"There is no other way," she interjected harshly. "Either you accept this mission, or you condemn us all to oblivion."

You finally met her piercing gaze again, anger inside your chest. "And if I refuse? What then? Will you cast your only daughter out like garbage?"

“Refusal is not an option y/n.” she snapped at you, struck by your defiance.

"But why me?" you finally managed to ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

Diana's expression softened, a mixture of pride and sadness crossing her features. "Because you're the bravest person I know," she replied, her voice catching in her throat.

"Because you have the strength and the intelligence to succeed where others have failed.” She lifted your chin gently. “Because... because I believe in you."

Her words stirred something deep within your soul. Despite the fear and uncertainty gnawing at your insides, you knew that your mother was right.

“You don't have a choice, my dear. You are my daughter, and you will do as I say. You will accept this mission, or you will be condemning our family to death.”

"I'll do it," you said, your voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside you. "I'll go to Earth."

Diana reached out, taking your hand in hers, her grip tight with determination. "Thank you, my child," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're the best hope we have."

Squaring your jaw, you gave her a single firm nod.

---

Consciousness slowly seeps back into your mind, you find yourself disoriented, the lingering effects of the drop ship's bumpy descent still echoing in your senses.

Blinking away the haze, you realize you're still strapped into your seat, the unfamiliar restraints digging into your skin.

Pushing yourself upright, you glance around the compartment, noting the absence of your fellow travelers. Panic grips your chest as you realize they must have already disembarked, leaving you behind.

With a sense of urgency, you unstrap yourself and stumble to your feet, swaying slightly as you brace yourself against the nearest surface. The drop ship is eerily quiet now, the only sound the faint hum of the engines as they slowly wind down.

Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you make your way to the ladder that leads down to the first floor. The sound of your rings clanging off the metal of the bars.

You jump off the ladder searching the crowd for any familiar faces when your eyes catch sight of someone unexpected—a guard stationed at the door, his gaze fixed on the approaching delinquents.

Despite the disorder unfolding around him, he remains calm and composed, a striking figure amidst the turmoil.

For a moment, time seems to stand still as you lock eyes with the guard, his presence commanding your attention in a way you can't quite explain. There's something magnetic about him, something that draws you in despite never seeing him.

You begin to push through the crowd, your eyes catch sight of the guard speaking to a raven-haired girl by the doors. Their exchange is terse, tension simmering just beneath the surface as they trade words.

Clarke's voice rang out in warning from her place in the crowd, her concern evident as she spoke. "No, we can’t just open the doors.” She continues, “stop! The air could be toxic."

The guard dismissed her concerns breezily, his confidence unwavering, “If the air is toxic, we’re all dead anyway.”

“Do you mind? I haven’t seen my brother in a year.” The raven-haired girl snaps back at Clarke, her words sharp with frustration

A ripple of dissent passes through the crowd as the delinquents anonymously challenge her claim, “No one has a brother!”

“That’s Octavia Blake, the girl they found hidden in the floor," someone explained.

The pressure threatens to escalate as the delinquents continue to pitch in, but the guard intervenes, his authoritative voice cutting through the chaos,

“Octavia. Octavia no. Let’s give them something else to remember you by,” he says as he smiles at his younger sister.

Reluctantly, the raven-haired girl nods, her defiance tempered by the realization that she has little choice but to comply. “Yeah, like what?” she bites back.

The guard's voice swelled with pride. “Like being the first person on the ground in a hundred years.”

Octavia considered this for a second, the gears turning in her head as she headed to the door with a determined stride, her hand outstretched as she prepares to step onto the unknown surface below.

The crowd watches in silence, holding their breath, the girl's boots makes contact with the ground. For a moment, nothing happens, the world holding its breath in anticipation.

“We’re back bitches!” Octavia exclaims, sending a ripple of relief through the crowd.

You're greeted by the sight of your fellow delinquents racing ahead as your feet touch solid ground, their figures disappearing into the distance.

---

You and Wells climb down from the top of the dropship while you both discuss the concerning state of the wires atop the Ark, Clarke approaches with urgency etched into her features.

“We got problems. The communications system is dead. We went to the roof. A dozen panels are missing. Heat fried the wires.” You remark, voice tinged with worry.

Clarke wastes no time in redirecting the focus to their immediate priority. "Well, all that matters right now is getting to Mount Weather," she asserts, her voice resolute as she gestures to the map spread out before them.

"See? Look. This is us. This is where we need to get to if we want to survive."

You exchange a glance with Wells, a knot of worry tightening in your stomach at Clarke's words.

Wells, though concerned about the malfunctioning communications system, is quick to acknowledge the urgency of Clarke's point. "Where'd you learn to do that? Your father," he muses.

Jasper, ever the optimist, interjects with a lighthearted remark, eager to lighten the mood despite the gravity of their situation. "Ah, cool, a map. They got a bar in this town? I'll buy you a beer," he quips, a hint of humor in his voice.

"It's not about beers, Jasper," you say with a wry smile, trying to inject some levity into the conversation. "It's about survival." You admired his positive attitude in such unfortunate circumstances.

Wells, however, remains focused on the task at hand, his expression serious as he turns back to Clarke. "You mind?" he asks, seeking permission to take a closer look at the map and join in the planning for their journey to Mount Weather.

Before you can respond, Bellamy Blake inserts himself into the conversation with his characteristic rudeness. "We're on the ground. That not good enough for you?" he challenges, his tone dripping with skepticism.

Wells, undeterred by Bellamy's hostility, presses on. "We need to find Mount Weather. You heard my father's message. That has to be our first priority."

Clarke, however, refuses to be drawn into their petty squabbles, ending their fight.

"Do you think we care who's in charge?" she retorts, her voice cutting through the tension. "We need to get to Mount Weather because the longer we wait, the hungrier we'll get and the harder this'll be."

Bellamy, ever the provocateur, offers his own suggestion with a sneer. "I got a better idea. You three go, find it for us. Let the privileged do the hard work for a change."

Without a second thought, you step forward, closing the distance between you and Bellamy until you're mere inches from his face.

"Privileged? You think we're privileged?" you shoot back, your voice sharp with indignation. "We're all in this together, Bellamy. Every single one of us has to do our part if we want to survive."

Bellamy's sneer only fuels your anger. "We're alive. That’s what matters, that not good enough for you?" he retorts, his tone dripping with disdain.

"You have a better idea, Bellamy? Or are you just too afraid to get your hands dirty?" you retort, your voice laced with equal parts anger and defiance.

The tension between you crackles like electricity, the heat of your argument fueling an unexpected and undeniable attraction.

In spite of the gravity of your situation, there's a palpable energy between you that neither of you can ignore.

Bellamy's jaw tightens, his gaze challenging. "You think you know what's necessary? You think you're the one in charge here?" he scoffs.

Before your argument can escalate further, a voice interrupts from above. "Enough!" Finn's commanding tone cuts off your voice as he jumps down from the dropship, his presence immediately shifting the dynamic.

Clarke steps in, her voice firm. "We don't have time for this, Bellamy. Finn's y/n's right. We need to focus on finding Mount Weather."

Wells nods in agreement. "Let's get moving. The longer we wait, the harder this'll be."

Jasper, ever the optimist, chimes in. "I'm with you guys. Let's find that place and get some answers."

---

Your group ventured deeper into the unfamiliar woods, you couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer vastness of nature surrounding you.

Towering trees stretched their branches towards the sky, their leaves filtering the sunlight to create dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of earth and pine, and the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves filled your ears.

Clarke led the way, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any signs of danger as finn followed closely behind. Jasper and Octavia walked side by side, their laughter and banter breaking the quiet of the forest.

"You know, I've never seen anything like this," you remark, taking in the scenery with wide eyes. "It's like something out of a storybook."

Monty nods in agreement, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's amazing, isn't it? I never thought I'd get to see something like this."

As you continue along the winding path, you stumble upon a picturesque lake nestled among the trees. Its surface glimmered in the sunlight, inviting and serene.

Octavia's eyes light up at the sight, and before anyone can stop her, she's stripping off her clothes and diving into the cool, clear water.

“Octavia what the hell are you doing?”

You watch in awe as Octavia swims gracefully through the lake, her movements fluid and effortless. She's like a mermaid, ethereal and otherworldly in her beauty.

The water around her glistened in the sunlight as she continued to glide in the Lake.

But your admiration is short-lived as a sudden commotion erupts from the water. “Oh… Octavia, get out of the water! Get out of the water now!” Jasper screams from beside you, you run towards the edge contemplating jumping in. Octavia's joyful laughter turns to screams of terror as a snake slithers out from the underbrush and strikes at her.

Without hesitation, Jasper springs into action, leaping down the rocks to reach Octavia's side. You watch in horror as he runs to save Octavia from its grasp.

"Jasper, be careful!" you shout, your heart pounding in your chest as you scramble down the rocks to join them.

Jasper focused solely on the task at hand, his face a mask of determination. With a final, desperate push, the group manages to push a boulder into the other side of the clear water, sending the serpent away from Octavia, it’s large figure slithering back into the water.

You rush to Octavia's side, helping Jasper pull her out of the lake and checking her for injuries. She's shaken but barely harmed, thanks to Jasper's quick thinking and bravery.

"Thank you, Jasper," Octavia says, her voice trembling with emotion. "You saved my life."

Jasper smiles weakly, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Just doing what anyone would do," he replies, his gaze never leaving Octavia's face.

"Note to self, next time, save the girl."

---

** On the Ark**

The air in your room on the Ark feels heavy with tension as you watch your mother enter. Without a word, she fixates on you with a piercing intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

Diana's expression is dark as she strides towards you, her movements calculated and precise.

There's a fire in her eyes, a dangerous spark that sends a shiver down your spine. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The daughter who thinks she knows better than her own mother."

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you here?"

"Why am I here? Why do you think y/n? Because of you, that's why."

You recoiled at the venom in her words, the accusation hanging heavy in the air between you. "Because of me? What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. It's because of you that I've been removed from the council." She continues.

“It's because of your disobedience, your insolence, that I've been removed from the Council."

"Mom, please, you know I would never intentionally hurt you," you plead, your voice trembling with emotion. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

Her voice rises with each word, a crescendo of rage and frustration that threatens to consume you whole. You shrink back, feeling like a small, insignificant creature in the face of her wrath.

"Oh, I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses. You think you're so clever, so independent, but you're nothing but a fool. A foolish child who thinks she knows better than her own mother."

You feel the sting of tears prickling at the corners of your eyes, but you refuse to let them fall. You refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing you break.

“You've always resented me, haven't you? Resented the fact that. I'm more powerful, more influential than you could ever hope to be." Her words cut through the silence like a knife, each syllable dripping with scorn and resentment.

"That's not true!” You feel frustration and anger bubbling up inside you. "I'm not responsible for your mistakes, Mom. You brought this upon yourself."

"Don't make me laugh. You've always been jealous of me, jealous of my success, my power. And now you've finally gotten what you wanted, haven't you? You've finally managed to bring me down. Just like your father."

The mention of your father's name sends a pang of sadness through you as Diana's jaw clenches, her fists tightening at her sides. "You've always been so quick to shift the blame onto others. "

Her accusations hung in the air, poisoning the space between you as you struggled to find the words to defend yourself.

"He would never have wanted things to end up like this," you retort, your voice tinged with sorrow.

Diana's expression softens for a moment, a flicker of regret crossing her features. But then, just as quickly, it's replaced by a steely resolve. "It doesn't matter now.”

---

[edelweissbarnes]

THE BALL

DemonPrinceStolaxf!reader

Tw:a little angst, dom vibes, submission, very light hint of smut.

(ok...I'll admit it, this is mostly "fluff" but it serves me to continue the story...hope you like it anyway)

You take a deep breath before exiting the chambers of the great Prince, you nervously smooth with your finger the soft fabric of your ball gown.

It's an unusual dress for you and you care not to ruin it so you lightly lift two spots of the wide skirt to avoid tripping while you're walking direct to your old room, where there are still all of your things.

You sigh once outside your room and with you right hand you turn the knob entering the quiet space. You try to keep you mind focused elsewhere so he couldn't know what you are searching.

"Here you are..." you whisper finding your black tourmaline necklace. You unclasp the closure and wear it. You're using the knowledge he gave you against him. You shudder, knowing that this stunt will surely have consequences, but now you need to think straight, without anyone right there in the corner of your mind who can see or hear your thoughts.

You take both of your hands at your chest, over your heart and then you exhale deeply. You adjust the mask that covers your face above your nose.

*you can do it.* you murmur to yourself heading now to the great Hall. Thousands of times you have walked past the closed doors of the banquet hall, imagining the lavish feasts of the Goetia aristocracy but never imagining one day that you could enter there, let alone participate in one of those parties.

You arrive at the grand staircase and descend slowly, with a soft step, and a few steps from the end you find him waiting for you. He's breathtaking in his princely uniform. His icy eyes scan you, a flash of malice flashes through them, you notice it even if his face is covered by an elegant black mask with a blue feather. He offers you his hand and you place yours in his open palm.

"My lord" you murmur in a hushed voice bowing gently before him.

"Y/n" he responds algidly tightening his grip on your hand and accompanying you down the last few steps before entering the great hall.

He barely leans towards you before whispering in your ear "I don't know whether to be proud of your use of the knowledge I imparted you or to be enraged enough to bend you over and spank you until you won't sit down again indefinitely, for the way you challenge me..."

You feel a shiver of fear run down your spine and you glance a him with wide eyes.

"My lord..I..." you try to justify yoursef but you're interrupt by the page who loudly announces your entrance. Suddenly the great din in the hall quiets down and you feel the gaze of those present upon you. Your breath catches in your throat.

You notice that everyone is in their human form but you assume that you're the only real human in the hall.

"Well, well, well..." you hear a deep voice murmurs at your side. It gives you chills but at the same time it's strangely caressing, mellifluous.

"So it's true you've taken a favorite, Stolas..." he continues as now he moves himself in front of both of you.

"Yes, your Majesty..." the owl demon replies bowing his head. " His infernal Majesty, king Lucifer, may I present you my protégé: Y/N..." you hear the words fall down the lips of the great Prince with an icy composure.

As soon as you understand that you're in front of the King of Hell himself, you graciously bow down.

"Your Majesty" you whisper, your head down, your eyes on his polished shoes.

"Such a beauty, indeed..."he replies pinching your chin to look you in the face. You carefully glance at him, his eyes are like raging fires, his features are sharp as his cheekbones could cut glass, his platinum hair is straighten back. He's wearing an imperial white and gold uniform that accentuates his pale skin and seems to complement well with your golden gown.He isn't wearing any mask.

He moves his hand in front of you and you pose your trembling hand in his as he help you rise on your feet.

"May I ask a dance with you, milady?" He asks politely. You turn to look to the great prince and he nods. You can feel his coldness but no-one could deny this kind of request made by the infernal King.

"It would be a pleasure, my king" you murmur softly before he moves you both to the center of the hall.

He distance lightly himself before you to bow elegantly to you and you do the same with a deep curtsy before the orchestra start to play. He places his right hand on your hip, sliding it viciously to the lower of your back while you pose your right on his shoulder and your left picks up your skirt to the side, lifting it just slightly off the ground so as not to get in your way. His other hand is behind his back, giving him a royal stance.

With expert step he leads the dance and you follow effortlessly.

"You are not only beautiful, but you also have the grace of a swan...you are full of surprises..." he compliments, bending just slightly towards your face.

"I thank you, my lord... I am only human... I possess only that which is humble and destined for mortals..." you reply softly.

Suddenly, following the music, he moves both hands to your hips, effortlessly lifting you up and then moving in a circle on his feet before sliding you against his body, putting your feet back on the ground. You gasp quietly at the sudden gesture, he's glancing at you with a proud grin.

His left hand now is moving to catch yours to make you twirl so your back is against his chest.

"Oh, little sparrow, if you want I can make you immortal...save your beauty from decay...I can grant you this much and more..." he murmurs slyly tightening his grip on your hip against him. He smell like cloves and sandalwood with a deep hint of leather.

"I ask just one thing from you...join me...be my concubine...and I'll bend the universe at your feet..." he whispers in the shell of your ear. You felt a shiver of fear and despair running down your spine. His presence start to make you feel uncomfortable.

With your eyes you're searching for the owl demon prince who's following every movement of your dance. You're cursing yourself for your bad idea to wear your tourmaline necklace who cuts your thoughts from him. In this precise moment you would scream to him that he has to be sure of your devotion, of your love and he must never doubt that even if the King of hell is trying to make you one of his concubines.

You turn back in front of King Lucifer, following his lead you both twirl through the hall.

"My lord...my king...I shall thank you for your gracious offer, but I must deny your request. I'm a simple woman, I already have everything that I want and need. I'm a humble servant of your majesty but I already belong with your great prince...." you mutter with your heart in your throat as you are denying the infernal King, you're terrified of the consequences. You honeyed you words but still speak your truth.

As you end your sentence the music come to an end and you bow again in front of him, waiting for your fate. A sudden laugh bursts loudly in the hall.

"Even brave and clever..." - he murmurs - " you educated her well Stolas..." he concludes in the direction of the great prince. As that was a signal to the party to start, the room went full of chat again and you feel steps around you as other couples start to crowd the hall to dance. You sigh on relief as you haven't loose your neck or life for your stubborness, but you dare to move if not instructed.

Suddenly you could sense the presence of your dark prince near you.

"May I have back my guest then, Your Majesty?" He murmurs in an icy tone. You couldn't see that but the king gesture him to go on and now you see his hand coming into your view, you raise your eyes to meet his, posing your little hand into his.

As you take his hand and he yanks you gently against him, he lean closer.

"Dance with me" he whispers and you notice a kind of desperation in his tone.

You nod quietly and as the music starts you take a couple of steps back, you swirl before bowing gently turning softly your right arm to the left, you raise and do the same movement to your right before raising again and with a little pirouette you swirl near him and you take the hand he offers you, guiding you to dance, circling him.

While you dance with him you can feel your entire body rejoice, relax and become more aware in every contact, recognising his presence. You feel yourself lighter, as you're flying from the hard marble floor.

"You did good with King Lucifer..." he murmurs fondly, praising you.

"I could not belong to anyone else...I'm yours..." you answer searching for his eyes.

He chuckles darkly.

"Mine" he whispers lowering even more his voice while the music dies sweetly and he bend you gently into a casque.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

He keeps you near him for the entire evening, pampering you with food, drink and making sure everyone in the hall know well that you are his, so anyone could try to touch you or treats you in an unkind manner.

You lean lightly against his arm as you start to feel your tiredness wash over you. The confrontation with the infernal majesty himself has almost completely drained you. He has noticed your exhaustion and he excuses himself with the others with whom he's talking and he takes you in his arms.

"I can walk.."you try to protest blushing of embarrassment but he glance at you in a warning and you lean against his chest while he's taking you out of the great hall.

Once in his chambers, he leans you down on the bed and he sits at you feet. He removes his mask before moving his hands to your shoes.

"My lord..." you murmur retracting your feet, blushing furiously and leveraging yourself on your elbows.

"Let me take care of you..." he whispers and your heart drop.

You nod quietly and he removes your shoes. You can feel his fingers tracing your foot with a feathered touch. You giggle lightly retracting your feet trying to hide them under your skirt.

"I didn't know you were so sensible..." he murmurs chucking.

"It tingles.." you answer biting your lower lip.

He looks at you with gentle eyes. "Come here...let me free you from this dress..." he says patting his tight gently.

You swallow and you do as he ask, sitting in his lap, giving him access to your back. He moves your hair on your shoulder and then you feel his nimble fingers opening the back of the dress. Soon after you feel the soft but heavy fabric graze you skin as he guide it down your arms to pool at your waist. He leans over you kissing your other shoulder.

"I'm sorry..."you whisper demure peaking lightly at him, behind you. He's watching you with a questioning look.

"For this..." you answer his unapoken question showing him your black tourmaline pendant that shield your mind. With a gentle tug you unclasp your necklace, freeing your mind again for him.

He gently grabs your chin, forcing you to look him in the eye.

"Little one, if you need your space, talk to me. Don't shut me out like you did today... I'm a patient demon but I can't understand what you need if you don't talk to me about it" he mutters serious but with gentleness in his tone.

"I'm so sorry" you repeat meekly leaning against him and savouring the sudden heat that emanates his chest.

He poses his hand over you belly to keep you against him and he moves you slightly to free you from the dress, leaving you in your dark corset and panties. He snaps his fingers and the dress disappears then he moves you against the pillows as he rise and start to undress.

He unbutton his uniform jacket and take it down, leaving it on a chair, he undo his lace tie and removes his onyx cufflinks, then he start to unbutton his white shirt.

"Please...let me..." you murmur rising on your knees on the bed. He turn to face you and you pose both your hand on his chest picking up where he stops. You start slowly, descending until the shirt sink into his trousers. You stop, posing both your hands on the buckle of his belt and he brings his left hand to your face, letting his open palm caress your cheek reverently.

"You surprised me tonight..." he whispers softly and you lean into his touch.

"You did so good...and I'm proud of you..." he continue as his thumb grazes lightly your lower lip. You close your eyes and let his words sinking deep inside you. You can feel his other hand grazing the hem of your corset and suddenly your free of the constriction.

"C'mere" he murmurs inviting you to close completely the distance. You climb onto him, both your arms at his neck, his right hand moves between your hair, making you still as he invades your mouth, his left hand slide onto your back until it grasp your arse.

You moan into his mouth as his tongue explores you, intertwining with yours.

You managed to break the kiss just to catch your breath.

"I need you..."you whisper shyly.

"As you should..." he murmurs in response crashing you onto the bed.

"I can assure you that the only words that tonight will leave your mouth will be my name and 'more' " he pronunce with a wicked grin to adorn his lips.

[countenanceblog]

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Raj Dubey awoke in his bed in his apartment home. "Oh thank God," he intoned. "It was a dream." He was a lithe junior, with small features and a relatively small head. He glanced around his small yet cozy apartment, taking in the familiar surroundings that grounded him in reality. The walls were adorned with posters of his favorite bands, and a worn-out blue couch sat in the living room, where he and his friends spent countless hours laughing and sharing stories. Raj scratched his soul patch.

As the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, Raj's thoughts drifted to his mother, who lived with him in the same apartment. He found comfort in her presence and caring nature. With a deep breath, he got out of bed and made his way to the kitchen.

There, he found his mother, a white woman with warm brown hair and caring eyes, preparing breakfast. She turned to him with a smile as he entered the room.

"Good morning, Raj. Did you sleep well?" she asked, pouring him a cup of coffee.

Raj nodded, sipping the coffee and feeling the warmth spread through him. "Yeah, I'm good, Mom. Just had a weird dream, that's all. It felt so real."

His mother looked concerned. "Oh, I hope it wasn't a bad dream, sweetheart. You know I'm here if you want to talk about it."

Raj smiled, appreciating her motherly concern. "Nah, it's okay, Mom. It was just one of those crazy dreams. Anyway, I wanted to tell you about the party last night. It was insane! The whole gang was there."

His mother chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "As long as you had fun and stayed safe, that's all that matters. But you know I'm going to ask, did you drink responsibly?"

Raj rolled his eyes playfully. "Yes, Mom, I did. I know the drill. No driving under the influence and all that."

His mother gave him a playful tap on the shoulder. "I'm serious, Raj. You're growing up, and I want to make sure you're making responsible choices."

"I know, I know," he replied, smiling. "You've told me a thousand times."

His mother's expression softened, and she reached out to touch his cheek affectionately. "I just worry about you, that's all. You're my only son, and I want you to be happy and safe."

Raj's heart warmed at her words. "I know, Mom, and I appreciate it. I'm lucky to have you."

As they finished breakfast and chatted about other things, his mother eventually brought up another topic. "And how are your grades going, Raj? You know your studies are important too."

Raj sighed, knowing this was a topic they couldn't avoid. "They're okay, Mom. I'm doing my best. College can be tough, but I'm managing."

His mother looked at him with a mix of concern and encouragement. "I believe in you, Raj. You're smart and capable. Just remember to stay focused and seek help if you need it. Your future is important, and I want to see you succeed."

"I know, Mom," Raj replied sincerely. "I'll keep trying my best. Thanks for always being there for me."

His mother smiled warmly, hugging him tightly. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Now, go out there and conquer the day, my dear."

Raj felt a surge of love for his mother as he hugged her back. With a sense of reassurance, he headed towards the front door, ready to face the day ahead. He knew that no matter what challenges he encountered, he had his caring mother's support to carry him through. With a newfound determination, he stepped outside, grateful for the love and home he had. He pulled a Red Apple cigarette out of his light flannel's chest pocket.

With a practiced hand, he lit his cigarette on the doorstep. Raj moseyed around his apartment complex, the morning air brisk and refreshing. The complex was a quaint collection of buildings nestled atop a hill, offering a picturesque view of West Air below. As he made his way down the winding path, he exchanged nods with a few familiar faces and offered a warm smile to the elderly lady who always sat on her porch with her cats.

Reaching the bottom of the hill, Raj arrived at the small commercial plaza that housed a handful of shops and cafes. He stopped by a bench near the entrance, taking out another cigarette and lighting it up.

Just as he took a drag from his cigarette, a strange man emerged from the shadows. He wore all black. A bone necklace adorned his neck. Raj felt a chill run down his spine as the man approached him with an enigmatic smile.

"Care for another cigarette?" the man asked, holding out a pack of cigarettes. He nodded reassuringly.

Raj raised an eyebrow, curious about this mysterious stranger. "Sure, thanks," he replied, taking one.

The stranger introduced himself as Sadananda. His voice had a haunting quality to it, sending shivers down Raj's spine. "Pleasure to meet you, son. What would you sell your soul for?"

Raj nearly choked on his cigarette, caught off guard by the peculiar question. He regarded Sadananda with a mix of intrigue and suspicion. "Sell my soul?"

Sadananda's eyes seemed to pierce through Raj's soul, causing him to feel a sense of vulnerability he couldn't explain. "It's a simple question! No harm done."

Raj's mind raced, unsure if this was some elaborate prank or a surreal encounter. "Alright, let's entertain the idea. If I were to make such a deal, it would be for the love of a woman named Beth."

A knowing smile crept across Sadananda's face. "Very well. Consider it done."

Raj blinked, not quite sure what to make of Sadananda's response. "Wait, what do you mean 'done'? Are you saying you'll make Beth love me?"

Sadananda's shrill laughter sent chills down Raj's spine. "Oh no, my dear Raj. I can't make someone love you. But I can set events in motion that may lead to the possibility of love. Whether it happens or not is up to fate."

Feeling a mix of fascination and apprehension, Raj stubbed out his cigarette on the curb and looked at Sadananda with a newfound intensity. "Are you some kind of mystical being or a con artist?"

Sadananda merely shrugged, his enigmatic smile never fading. "Call me what you will."

Before Raj could respond, Sadananda disappeared into the shadows, leaving him standing there in a state of bewilderment. He couldn't shake off the strange encounter as he continued on his way, pondering the implications of his conversation with the mysterious man in black. Dubey sat down at a boxy bus stop. Alone.

Eventually Raj boarded the bus, still lost in thought after his encounter with Sadananda. As he walked down the aisle, he noticed a striking figure sitting at the back. It was Beth, with her long silvery hair cascading down her shoulders, her pale blue eyes like distant stars, and her nearly translucent skin giving her an ethereal aura. She was dressed in an immaculate gothic dress, with fishnets peeking out from underneath.

Feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement, Raj made his way to the back and took a seat next to her. "Hey, Beth," he greeted, trying to sound casual.

Beth turned to him, her lips curving into a subtle smile. "Hey, Raj," she replied in her soft yet mysterious tone.

"You know, I had the weirdest encounter just now," Raj began, hoping to distract himself from the swirling emotions inside him. "There was this strange man named Sadananda. He offered me a cigarette and asked what I'd sell my soul for. Can you believe that?"

Beth's pale blue eyes seemed to flicker with intrigue. "That sounds like something straight out of a horror novel. What did you say?"

Raj hesitated for a moment before deciding to share his innermost thoughts with Beth. "I told him I'd sell my soul for love, specifically the love of someone named Beth," he admitted, nervously fidgeting with the edge of his jacket.

Beth's expression remained enigmatic, but there was a hint of something more in her eyes. "Love, huh? It's a powerful desire, one that can lead us down dark paths."

Raj nodded, appreciating the depth of her response. "Yeah, I know it's not something you can force on someone. It's just... I've always admired you, Beth. You're so unique and unapologetically yourself. I've never met anyone like you."

Beth's smile grew slightly, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath her almost frighteningly cold exterior. "You're not so bad yourself, Raj. You have this way of making people feel comfortable, like they can be themselves around you."

Feeling a warmth in his chest, Raj couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, that means a lot to me."

They continued to talk as the bus journeyed through the city, discussing their mutual friend Rufus, who was known for his caustic wit and sarcasm. Beth revealed that she and Rufus had a unique bond, understanding each other's sharp humor and enjoying intellectual banter.

"You know, I can see why Rufus is drawn to you," Beth said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You have a sharp mind and a quick wit, even if you don't always show it."

Raj chuckled, appreciating the compliment. "I guess I can hold my own with Rufus when it comes to sarcasm."

As the bus approached their stop, Raj felt a sense of reluctance to part ways with Beth. He wanted to stay in her presence, to know more about her and the feelings she was slowly revealing. But he knew that relationships took time and that the connection between two people couldn't be forced.

As they stepped off the bus, Raj turned to Beth with a genuine smile. "Why don't you come by my house later?," Beth suddenly asked him. Coffee-colored eyes widened.

"W-what?," Raj stammered. "Y-your house?"

"Look, it's only a few blocks away. Why don't you come with me? You can be my big strong bodyguard."

▲

"Is it working?," the man in the suit asked the man in the lab-coat. "We need results on this ASAP."

The man in the lab-coat yawned. "Oh, it's working." Behind them, Raj was strapped into a dental chair. His freshly shaved head was covered with wires, some of which were dug in beneath the skin. Like long locks, the wires fell to the floor and led to a supercomputer. "He's fully immersed. He's already becoming dependent on the program, based on these readings here."

The suited man followed the scientist's index finger to an array of numbers labeled 'Engagement Index' on one of the many screens flashing with data. Raj twitched.

[lovesickfoolwp]

right where you left me — jj maybank

part 2

pairing : reader x jj maybank x kiara carrera

summary : after a few weeks since jj broke up with you, saying that he met someone else, you see him bringing kiara to a date at the restaurant you worked at.

maybe taking a job at the restaurant where your ex took you on your last date to break up with you wasn't your best decision. but in a strange way, you felt a certain connection with that place.

the restaurant being located close to the seashore, you always took advantage of the lunch break to sit on the seashore and, looking at the blue sea, to think of jj and his blue eyes. the eyes that usually calmed you down were dark and hollow, making it hard for you to read them and staying deep in your memory, in the moment when he told you "i met someone".

but this time, being close to closing and having no customers, you allowed yourself to sit at the table and daydream about the happy moments you used to have with jj. that table. the one where you were staying at that day.

the front doorbell rang and for a second you allowed yourself to remember that on that day you arrived first and waited there for jj. and when he walked into the room, you felt a thousand butterflies in your stomach. you were ready to tell him you love him that day. and yet, when you turned to look at the door, you weren't in that moment when you were still together, you were back in the present. and he was not alone.

he had opened the door and made room for kiara, a girl you knew was part of his group of friends, to enter. they were laughing at something only they knew and seemed a lot closer than you would have thought. and, when jj pulled her chair out and helped her sit down, you felt your heart break into a thousand pieces.

the smile on jj's face evaporated as he wanted to call the waiter over and instead made eye contact with you, standing right where he left you. and you, being so damn professional, swallowed your feelings and got up from the table to go and take their order.

"good evening, lovebirds!" you gave them a fake smile and kiara genuinely smiled back at you, not knowing the situation she was in. "what would you like to order?"

when she turned her gaze from you to him, she noticed that he was about to run out of breath so she placed her palm over his hand that was lazily resting on the wooden surface. "are you ok, j?"

he first nodded only using his head, before clearing his throat and adding. "yeah, yeah, i'm good." he withdrew his hand, lowering it on his knee and swallowing hard. "don't worry." he smiled at kiara.

the girl believed him and they started saying what they wanted to order, jj letting kiara order for him.

when you finished writing down their order, you turned to pass the order on to the kitchen staff. and then your co-worker noticed you and carefully approached you. "hey, y/n, how are you feeling?"

she was at work when the whole breakup thing happened and was able to recognize jj and connect the puzzle pieces.

"everything's alright, bea, don't worry. i will be alright." even though you said it with a smile, you didn't believe it either. you were sure you would cry and scream into your pillow when you will get home.

"i hope you're right." she replied and smiled in return, patting you on the shoulder and going back to her work.

i am.

you weren't.

you've always been the kind of dreamy person who lives off the scenarios you make up at night before you go to sleep and the beautiful memories replaying in your mind. but now what kind of scenarios could you possibly make when you had the truth in front of you? could you keep lying to yourself that jj was going to come back to you when it was so clear that he was in love with his girl best friend?

their order was placed in front of you and the chef's assistant rang the bell to let you know it was ready. you took a few deep breaths in and out, took the plates in both hands and put a smile on your face, gracefully slipping through the tables to their table.

you placed their plates nicely on the table and only smiled at kiara, because it was hard for you to look into those blue eyes. "i'll bring you the drinks right away."

kiara smiled at you, but when you pulled away she asked jj "what kind of restaurant serves the food first and then the drinks?", chuckling lightly. because she knew things like that because her family owned their own restaurant and she helped them serve quite a few times when they had too many customers.

"maybe it was just a moment of carelessness?" muttered jj uncertainly, watching you take the drinks they ordered out of the fridge.

the girl raised an eyebrow, not knowing why she was being taken so seriously and when she turned to look in your direction, where jj was also looking, she couldn't resist and asked what she wanted to ask from the first moment she saw the way where you looked when you saw each other. "you know her?"

he looked back at her, answering quickly. "you don't? she's a pogue."

"that's not what i mean." she sighed and poked her fork in her plate, just as you appeared with the drinks.

you placed their drinks on the table, wished them "bon appetit!" and you returned to your seat behind the counter.

jj had started to eat, but kiara took a sip of her juice and went back to the previous discussion. "j, before us being a couple, we are best friends and i want more than anything for you to be honest with me."

"am i not honest?" he asked, setting his fork down on the table and looking at her intently.

"i asked you something and you avoided the question, answering me immediately with another question!" she raised her voice at him a little.

"that's not true—"

"see?" she fake laughed. "you just proved my point!"

he rolled his eyes.

he knew kiara was right, but refused to accept it and admit it out loud. however, taking into account that he did not want to upset her over such a minor matter, he chose to answer her first question. maybe that woul've satisfied her.

his answer did not fully satisfy her. "but you told me that you liked me too. how could you have liked me too, if you were with her?"

"her and i used to be together before you told me you had feelings for me."

jj sighed, "i liked you before i was with her, but when you told me you liked me too, my feelings for you resurfaced and i knew that was the time to leave y/n. i didn't want to go on and end up doing something wrong and hurting her. i had to be honest with her."

she showed signs of understanding, but at the same time she asked "did you have feelings for her too?"

"i sure did." he was quick to say and smiled sadly as he noticed you staring listlessly out the window at the sea. "i wouldn't have been with her if i didn't feel anything, but–" he shrugged, looking at kiara again. "it seems that my feelings for you are stronger."

then she understood the situation and even though she had no reason, it was like she felt a little guilty that your relationship with jj hadn't worked out because of her. she felt like she had robbed you of your happiness, even though it clearly wasn't her fault. nobody's fault, really.

"can we stop talking about this and finish our food?" jj asks her with a little hope in his voice, smiling at her tenderly.

she approved.

it wasn't easy for you to see him in the presence of another girl, but if he was happy, you were also happy for him in a deep corner of your soul. because you couldn't hate him. you had no specific reason.

feelings change, people drift away. this was something normal.

maybe one day, you too will find a person and get over it. until then, you will continue to be drunk with memories because for you, the time was frozen in the moment when jj used to only smiled at you and when his hugs still felt like home.

[bubblegumbi0tch]

The Workout

Trainer iwa x reader

Why do you continue to do this to yourself?" Your best friend asked from beside you.

"What do you mean? I'm going to the gym." You said, laughing as she pulled up to your gym.

"Yeah exactly, we could be getting ready to go out right now, you know?" She said, giving you puppy dog eyes.

"You mean we could be getting all dressed up to go out with your boyfriend while I'll awkwardly be the third wheel?" You corrected, opening the car door.

"You make a fair point." She laughed. "Besides, I think I know why you come here now." She said, looking out her windscreen.

"And why is that?" You said, hopping out of the car but bending down so you could still talk to her.

"Him." She stated, pointing at the man in the doorway of the gym.

"Oh yeah, that's my trainer, Iwaizumi." You winked at her before shutting the door and walking over to him.

You greeted  

 and went inside to put your stuff away before going into the weights room to see Iwaizumi.

"I thought you weren't going to show up; it's almost eight," Iwaizumi said as you walked over to him.

"I was debating whether or not to show up. My friend was tempting me with a night out of drinking instead of a night of aching muscles." You laughed while drinking some water. "And you chose me. I'm touched, Y/N." Iwaizumi said, smiling wide, placing his hand on your shoulder.

"Yeah, well, I'm just hoping you can go easy on me tonight." You replied. "Not exactly; we're going to do a more intense workout tonight." He said, moving closer to you.

"Yay." You sighed, pushing him back and heading towards the pull-up bars.

You and Iwaizumi worked out for about 80 minutes when you finally decided that you needed a break.

"Why are you stopping?" Iwaizumi said, catching his breath.

"You weren't joking when you said this was going to be more intense than our other sessions Iwaizumi." 

You said, collapsing onto the ground. Iwaizumi just stared and snickered at you. "You're mean Iwaizumi, I don't think I can move." You breathed, looking at the ceiling.

"Here." Iwaizumi said, sitting beside you to give you some water. "Tonight's workout wasn't even that intense. It's like a walk in the park." He said, suddenly making you choke on your water.

"Are you insane a walk in the park?" You asked, shocked. "Not even Satan wouldn't have made me do anything that you've made me do tonight." You said, grabbing onto Iwaizumi's shoulder.

"That's a tiny overreaction (y/n)." Iwaizumi laughed, following you out of the room.

"No, you're wrong. I'm one thousand percent certain that right now I'm a ghost, and my corpse is back in there." You said, pointing to the room, trying to conceal your smile.

"Oh really (y/n)?" He asked as you stood outside the women's changing rooms. You nodded, and he shook his head. "So I take it we're done for tonight." He said as he looked around the empty gym.

You two usually worked out late when the gym was basically empty, you didn't like to work out in front of many people, and he preferred to just focus on you.

"Don't expect to see me for a month; I need to relax." You laughed, opening the changing room door.

"Good. That means no more late nights." Iwaizumi laughed; you pushed him slightly, not finding his joke funny. "Are you going to belong? I have to lock up." Izumi smiled sweetly at you.

"I'm going to take my time ok. I need to wash all this sweat off me".You said, smiling sweetly back at him.

"I happen to think it looks great on you." Iwazumisaid winking. "You're the only one that gets to see me like this." You said, winking back before going into the changing room.

Once you grabbed your bag from your locker, you undressed and put a towel around your body. You headed to the shower, making sure it was warm enough for you.

All you wanted to do was have a bath when you get home, but you couldn't wait that long feeling as gross as you do.

While you were in the shower, Iwazumi went back into the room you two were working out in. He packed some things away and noticed your sports jacket that you took off because you were too hot.

He picked it up so he could give it to you when your phone fell out of the pocket, the screen lit up, and a message from your best friend appeared. Actually, a few did.

F/N: Hey, what time are you finishing? Do you want me to pick you up?

F/N: I'm assuming by your lack of response, you're still working out.

F/N: Or is handsome taking you home? God, he's gorgeous.

F/N: Your workout can't be keeping you this busy.

F/N: Or is he keeping you busy?

F/N: Are you two doing it? You can tell me. You know I won't judge; you know sex is classed as work out.

F/N: You're a terrible friend for not replying. I'm just going to have to assume you're banging him. Call me later. I want some details later.

Iwaizumi laughed to himself after briefly looking at the messages and decided to go and give it to you.

He knocked on the changing room door and didn't get a reply, so he just assumed you were either changing or in the shower; he quietly opened the door and walked into the room.

He saw your bag lying out with your workout clothes next to it and placed your phone on them. As he went to leave, he heard you singing softly in the shower.

"You know (y/n) I like the song when the actual artist sings it," Iwaizumi said, startling you. 

"Iwaizumi, what the hell are you doing?" You shouted, looking around.

"Don't worry, I'm not staring (y/n)." He said, calming you slightly, not that it helped in any way.

"I meant what the hell are you doing in here." You said sternly.

"I was giving you your phone." He stated. "Do you want a lift home?" He asked out of the blue.

"Yes, please, after I've gotten dressed." You said as you started to turn the shower off.

"Clothing isn't optional." He said, and you could practically see his smirk.

"I'll follow your lead." You said, smirking to yourself as you grabbed the towel. You didn't hear Iwaizumi's reply, but you did hear some shuffling.

A few moments later, you saw a silhouette come through the steamed room.

"Iwaizumi, what are you doing?" You asked, walking towards him. You both stopped a few centimeters from each other, and Iwaizumi lifted his hand, turning the shower on.

Having a shower." He stated obviously.

"But I-Iwaizumi, this is the women's locker room." You said, trying to keep your eyes on him and nowhere else.

"You're the only woman in here, and you don't seem to mind." He said, whispering. You stared at him, trying to decide what to do. "Your towel is wet. You should probably get a clean one." He said lowly. You nodded in agreement and went to walk around him. "Later, though." He said, pulling you towards him.

You’re lips crashed in an instant; you didn't know whether to kiss back or pull away. No warnings were going off in your head, so you kissed him back. Your hands went to his neck, one of his went to your back, the other your front when he untied the towel from your body, letting it fall to the floor.

You both pulled away, staring at each other with intensity. You moved forward, putting your hands back around his neck, pulling him to your level where you kissed him. One of his went to the back of your head, the other your ass as he squeezed roughly.

Iwaizumi smacked your ass, making you moan, giving his tongue a perfect chance to explore your mouth.

You stayed like this for a while, your wet naked bodies tangled up, hair sticking everywhere, tongues battling for dominance, hands now wondering every inch of each other. You loved every second, and so was he.

Both of Iwaizumi 's hands found their way to your ass as he squeezed tightly; you jumped up, wrapping your legs around his waist, one hand in his hair, the other on his face as you pulled him close into the kiss.

He spun you around so your back was against the wall; his kisses moved to your jaw and neck as he made his way to your breast.

He pulled the nipple with his teeth before sucking on it. He removed his mouth and blew gently; the feeling of the cool air on your erect numb felt terrific against the steam-filled room. He did this to your other nipple, then all over your torso. Sucking on the skin then blowing.

His face was level with yours once again, and you continued to kiss some more.

Izumi's hands still rested on your plump ass; he moved one hand under you. So he could access where you needed him; he played with your clit first, rubbing it gently before taking two fingers and entering them inside you.

You moaned, pulling away from his lips and arching your back as he continued to move in and out of your core; your legs tightened around his waist, and he moved his other hand to the wall beside you while he continued with his other hand.

You were close, the warm feeling starting up in your stomach, but you knew you weren't there yet. Iwaizumi then added another finger, going even harder and deeper, showing no sign of slowing down.

His movements were destroying you, but he wasn't done as he started to rub his calloused thumb against your clit, determination, and lust in his eyes as he stared deeply into yours.

"Iwaizumi ." You moaned, getting closer. His moves were now quickening. "Iwaizumi !" You moaned even louder, his actions getting deeper. "Iwa-oh my god!" You screamed, shuddering beneath him.

He held you tight, still keeping his fingers within you as you rode out your high; your mouth was open as he started to pepper kisses all over your face.

"Woah." You said, catching your breath looking at him.

"We're not done yet (y/n); this is part of your workout." He said, taking his fingers out of you and putting them in his mouth. He tasted you, his eyes still on you; he slowly took his fingers out of his mouth and pulled you into a deep kiss, it was gentler, but you could still feel the need in it.

He removed his hand from the back of your head and put it under you, this time grabbing his rigid member and rubbing the tip against you. He looked at you for reassurance as you nodded your head, and he slowly entered you; you started to sink down on him, so you were meeting him halfway.

Iwaizumi stilled, waiting for you to adjust; when you had, he placed one hand on your back, the other on the wall beside your head and pulled back, slowly moving around in.

He kept at this pace for a while until you started to moan; he then moved faster, moaning as well.

Your moans got louder as his hips snapped faster, going deeper.

Iwaizumi moved you from the wall, carefully placing you onto the floor as he filled you again;. However, the ground was slippery; it didn't seem to bother him as he began pounding into you again.

He found your g-spot and decided to not leave it as he continued at the same pace and depth, being sure to hit it every time.

As he continued this, your moans turned to screams that then became deep breaths as you could no longer make a noise.

Your back arched, and Iwaizumi moved down to put your nipple in his mouth once again. You pulled on his hair as one of his hands moved between you both so he could rub your clit.

He hit deeper and deeper, and you were starting to feel your second orgasm of the night.

With each hit came a new feeling of euphoria. You started to clench around him; your nails found his back making sure to mark it as he continued to pleasure you.

Iwaizumi lifted his head from your breast, and he captured your lips in his silencing you as you came; soon after you came, he came as well, slowing his movements but not completely stopping, not until your breathing was restored.

When you both could breathe adequately, Iwaizumi got up and helped you up too. You both stood under the shower and cleaned yourselves up. Iwaizumi turned to help you because you were sore, then he guided you over to your clothes.

You got changed into some clean joggers and a hoodie, and he changed into what he was wearing earlier.

"That was some workout." You said, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah." Iwaizumi chuckled, staring at you. "We could do that instead if you want to." He suggested walking over to you so he could help tie your shoes.

"It's way better than what you had me doing earlier." You laughed as you filled your bag.

"Tell me about it." He said, getting up from tying your shoe. "Do you still need a lift home?" He asked.

"Yes, please." You smiled. He smiled back, placing an arm over your shoulder as you both walked out of the changing room.

Requests are open ᡕᠵ᠊ᡃ່࡚ࠢ࠘ ⸝່ࠡࠣ᠊߯᠆ࠣ࠘ᡁࠣ࠘᠊᠊ࠢ࠘𐡏⊹ ♥︎

[peachyysugaa]

gravity

– nasa operator!sim jaeyun x astronaut!gn! reader

miles of sky and space doesn't stop gravity from pulling him to you.

genre: strangers/coworkers to lovers, fluff

wc: 2.7k

warnings: 3rd person pov, probably inaccurate astronaut/nasa lingo sorry i'm a chemistry major LOL, one curse word, couple of time skips, food cw

a/n: yea it's another fluff one-shot 😎 finally a jake one-shot! i hope y'all enjoy this i took a while to write this but i'm p proud of how it turned out despite no proofread.

♞──────────────────────────♞

time on earth: 3:43 am

one of nasa's star rookies sits inside the mission room, monitoring the ISS diligently. today, sim jaeyun was assigned to keep watch on their astronauts as well as the station itself. it's supposed to be a reward for performing well on the latest calculations, but he can't help but find it a little boring. he flips through the cameras quickly, as if trying to find something new.

'yeah right, like anything happens in space,' he mumbles in his head. adjusting his thin glasses and stretching his chair to feel just a tad bit more alive, jake takes a look at one of the three astronauts on board as they float to the window. it seems to be l/n y/n, a rookie who excelled at their simulation tests and the one they say has stars in their eyes themselves.

the astronaut peeks over their shoulder surprised. they make swimming motions to reach over the intercom, which makes jake laugh a little. finally, they push the button and make a reply. "yes houston, this is l/n. is something wrong?"

the astronaut peeks over their shoulder surprised. they make swimming motions to reach over the intercom, which makes jake laugh a little. finally, they push the button and make a reply. "yes houston, this is l/n. is something wrong?"

the astronaut peeks over their shoulder surprised. they make swimming motions to reach over the intercom, which makes jake laugh a little. finally, they push the button and make a reply. "yes houston, this is l/n. is something wrong?"

now jake hadn't planned this far, but since he was already doing it, he might as well go through with it. "do you miss earth?"

he can see through the cameras that y/n wasn't expecting that question as their eyes widen. someway somehow, jaeyun was able to see the stars in their eyes everyone gushed about. maybe it was even better because they were actually living with the stars in space at the time.

"i-i don't know if we should be talking about this, but yea, i do miss earth," they finally reply. "not that being in space isn't fun! i just can't help myself especially since i can see the planet spinning in front of my eyes..."

it's silent for a bit, making the astronaut worry. "h-hello? houston?"

jake blinks before shaking his head and hurried to reply. "y-yes! sorry, i was just caught up in how lonely you sound?"

again, an awkward silence stills. the nasa operator curses to himself, realizing how awkward he must have made it and scrambling to fix the mistake. "i'm really sorry i didn't mean to overstep my boundaries!" he rushes. "my name's sim jaeyun, by the way. people know me better as jake."

"sim jaeyun? rising star sim jaeyun?" they owlishly repeat.

"that's me," he states back, rubbing the back of his neck. "i guess you've heard my name."

he sees the astronaut nod in camera before they're absentmindedly spinning circles midair. "you're my age, and you're already working in nasa headquarters. quite a feat would spread around, you know?"

jake laughs and shakes his head at their comment. "you say that like you're not star rookie l/n y/n."

at the sound of their twinkling laugh, jake's eyes perk up to capture the joyful astronaut holding their stomach on the cameras. "i can tell we're a lot alike, jake," you say with a smile stretching across your face.

it turns out he likes hearing his name off their lips albeit via nasa intercoms. calming down the beating of his heart, jake starts off the first of many late night conversations. "so would you like to hear what's happening on earth?"

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 2:26 am

"—and layla was having such a good time meeting other puppies at the park this morning!" jake laughs out with the rookie astronaut laughing with them on the other side of the intercom, separated by thousands of miles in between them. they've been talking like this over the system for weeks now, practically a little over a month. safe to say, the nasa operator was developing feelings for them, perhaps already smitten. sunghoon in the other unit said something about being whipped?

"i wonder how she would react seeing my puppy," they reply.

"when you come back to earth, the first thing we'll do is have them meet on a puppy playdate," he tells them earnestly.

"just layla and rosie on a date? what about us?" he could hear the smirk in their voice even though they weren't next to him.

"i-i-huh? what?" jake stammers. he heard the smirk, but did he hear the words properly? for one, he's not sure they know what he looks like. does that matter to them? without realizing it, his hands are taking off his glasses and fiddling with them.

"are you nervous?"

"hah, what makes you think that?" jake asks nervously.

"jake, i can hear you playing with your glasses."

"shit," he curses, and an endearing giggle is heard on the other side.

"i like you, let's make it a date between us too," he hears, his face gradually becoming hotter.

the chance to confess to his crush is literally handed to him on a silver platter, but he's too busy acting like a middle schooler trying to give chocolates to the person he likes. it's unusual for him to feel like this, his heart's beating way too fast for him to think, and he has to cough to calm down.

"it's a date then." a happy hum is the response he gets, which does nothing to calm the beating of his heart but ignites a new warmth in him. "hey, wait a minute, do you even know what i look like?"

"i kinda remember, but does that even matter?"

"i don't know what if you don't like my face?"

"please, my roommate told me you're on par with that sunghoon guy, and he's known as the prince of his division."

"yeah, but-"

"don't take this the wrong way, jake, but shush." he's sure that if they were here in person, they would put a finger on his lips. it seemed like a(n) y/n thing to do based on the time they've gotten to know each other. "i don't care what you look like. the connection we have together is enough, don't you think?"

he knows they're right, but it doesn't stop the sassy compliment from tumbling out of his mouth. "well, we have a connection and i know you're pretty and smart and funny."

perhaps it's just the color of the screen, but jake swears he saw a blush on their face. it makes him proud after he had somewhat embarrassed himself earlier.

"good night, jake," y/n playfully scoffs at him.

"good night, y/n."

'what a night,' jake thinks to himself with a stupid grin spreading across his face as he prepares the systems for the person on the next shift.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 9:18 am

today is the day. today the pod that stayed at the ISS for 3 months was coming back to earth, and everyone was on their toes. jake was currently scanning the computer calculations from any errors, clutching the paper and burning holes in it with his eyes.

"you good there, bro?" he doesn't need to lift up his head to know that it's sunghoon.

"i have to make sure these are perfect," jake replies in a tone that screamed don't-bother-me.

he feels his coworker's hand pat his shoulder in reassurance. "relax, jake. they'll get here just fine."

jake's whole body sighs when he takes a deep breath. "yeah, i know. i'll just check one more."

his friend offers a comforting smile and one more pat before leaving him to perform his own duties for the landing.

for this last check, jake takes it upon himself to calculate the angle in which the pod enters the earth's atmosphere by hand as a safety precaution. his head jumbles with all the physics equations necessary as his hand complains by cramping from how fast he's calculating.

upon finishing, he looks at the two final numbers side by side. "same to the 5th decimal place," jake affirms to himself.

"great, does that mean you're ready to turn it in, mr. sim?"

turning around abruptly to the sound of the voice, jake finds his supervisor and rushes to grab all the papers for presentation. "yes, ma'am!"

a smile graces her face as she takes the materials from him and flips through the calculations. "good work," she finally says. "our astronauts will get home safely thanks to you."

it's like a weight lifted off his shoulders when he hears those words. jake lets out a sigh of relief once his supervisor walks away and tells him to wait for further instruction. he folds into his chair, thinking about how soon he'll finally be able to see y/n in person.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 9:45 am

"everyone, standby!" jake's supervisor announced. the whole command center took a deep breath as they tuned into the astronauts, soon to be leaving the ISS via pod.

"l/n, song, johnson, do you read me?"

"loud and clear, houston," y/n l/n replies in crisp audio.

"get ready to launch then, atlantis ii."

"copy that, houston." the sounds of buckling and buttons flicking can be heard on the other end as jake's palms sweat.

"3... 2... 1... launch!" and they're detached from the ISS, launched into the endless ocean of stars and dust that is space.

"coordinates and angles, houston?"

"atlantis ii, the speed, angle, and coordinates at which you are to enter..." and jake hears his checked numbers be repeated to them. "...you'll be dropping in the gulf of mexico."

"copy that, houston. ready to enter earth's atmosphere in 3... 2... 1... entering!"

the audio delivers the rough shaking as the temperature regulation beeps steadily.

"your temperatures are in the right range, atlantis ii."

it's a rough 5 or something minutes, jake's not sure of the time. he just knows his armchair is having a field day with all the gripping he's doing. he can hear the shaking of the pod driven by the weight and the acceleration of gravity once it takes its pull on the astronauts' pod.

"prepare for impact, atlantis ii!"

everyone is rising up to see the camera pan to the oceanview team who waits for the pod to enter.

"initiating parachute!" and there! the pod appears on the command center's screen in high definition, the mic picking up some of the breeze of the mexican gulf. it enters the ocean with a large plop! and everyone is standing up and cheering.

"successful landing, everyone! congratulations!!"

sunghoon is coming to jake and lifting him out of the chair, engulfing him in the joy that comes from returning the astronauts home. he didn't realize he was staring stupidly at the screen with a blank look and still sitting.

"dude, we did it!" at the sound of his friend's voice, jake mirrors his friend's smile and they embrace each other.

"we did it!" jake replies. soon, he'll finally be able to see y/n in person.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 8:04 am

the next day when he clocks in for work, it's calmer and more exciting. jake can feel it in the atmosphere as the nasa operator walks through headquarters.

he makes his way towards the rehabilitation center for their astronauts, his heart unable to calm down the rapid rate of beating. he hears it before he sees it: the bell-like laughter jake was so familiar with, the one he associated with late nights. his feet is pulled towards the sound like gravity, his strides getting longer and his steps having a bounce to it.

jake hears his name being called happily, and he turns to face the voice with an unstoppable grin before taking steps towards the astronaut going through rehabilitation.

"hey, gravity got you bad, i see."

they laugh joyfully. "i'll be good in about a month or 2—i'm pretty quick at this."

"i have no doubt about that."

the two are silent for a bit as they do a few more crunches, jake crouching down in front of their feet to meet them. it's nice and comfortable between the two as he helps them go through their exercises.

"so about that date..." he starts off, watching as their eyes sparkle like stars upon hearing his phrase. his mouth starts to hang a little, loosening up to have words spilling out without his complete knowledge. "wow... your eyes really do have stars in them..."

they stop as they finish a crunch and reaches out to close his mouth with an eye roll. "close your mouth first, sim jaeyun."

"okay, but what about that date?"

"we're getting it. just wait a week or so when i can walk properly," they say with a teasing smile. jake can't help but to smile back.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 2:57 pm

the only thing keeping his nerves calm is layla. the golden retriever was far from nervous as she sat wagging her tail happily with her tongue out.

"jake!!" he hears from the voice he's come to love listening to over the past few months. looking up from layla while holding her leash tightly, he spots the person he's been waiting for and he's mesmerized, left breathless by what he sees.

a light summery fit adorns their figure as they dash towards him with a puffy pomsky dog equally excited. their smiles are bright and sparkles adorn their eyes as usual, but it doesn't make the effect any less beautiful. they slow down, owner and dog panting a little.

immediately, layla gets up from her sitting position to greet the new guests, starting to sniff the two of them.

y/n laughs as they squat down and let the golden sniff them and their hand before giving her warm pets. "hi layla! i'm y/n, and this is rosie."

the two dogs sniff each other in circles, but soon enough they're bouncing and pouncing each other as if they've been best friends since litter days.

"they're getting along so well, and we haven't even gotten to the park yet," y/n comments with a giggle.

"should we get going?" jake offers. they reply with a nod and holds their leash in one hand, grabbing jake's with the other.

if he's taken by surprise, he doesn't show it, but inside, his heart is pounding more than ever before and his head is screaming in joy. the pair walk together hand-in-hand towards the park with two even happier pups prancing ahead of them.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ゜・・゜゜・*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

time on earth: 4:31 pm

the two dogs are getting a bit tired, it seems, as they walk back to jake and y/n who were talking comfortably, y/n's head rested on his shoulder.

"look who's back from playing," y/n says as they ruffle rosie and layla's head, jake following suit.

"let's go get some ice cream for us and puppucinos for them?" jake suggests.

"ooh! that sounds good!" the pups seem to like the idea too, wagging their tails once more and looking at their owners with puppy eyes. jake thinks he's surrounded by three pairs of puppy eyes as he shakes his head in endearing disbelief.

"let's go then."

once they get to the shops, order, and receive their foods, the four of them sit down and enjoy their treats. the owners laugh at their dogs when they see them lap up their puppucinos with so much excitement and vigor, getting the cream all over their faces.

as the sun sets, it casts its glowing light onto the astronaut-in-rehabilitation, making jake's eyes move onto them. he notices a smudge of ice cream at the corner of their lips and without thinking moves in to kiss it off. y/n blinks their starry eyes at him, reminding him of their first "meeting" over intercom and camera screens.

"i like you," he blurts out. "can i... kiss you?"

"i thought you would never ask," they reply with a wide grin, leaning in to press their lips together before he does.

it's like gravity pulls them towards each other because they can't ever seem to get enough of one another, no matter how far apart they are.

[slashbitch2]

Extra Complications PT3

Previous Chapter

"Don't bother coming back into work tomorrow."

Her words had been replaying in your mind since the final encounter, bouncing round like a taunting echo. It'd only been a week since you'd stopped working at Alchemex, yet had felt like a lifetime of boredom and fatigue. With no job or persistent villain to chase after, if you could even call Liv a villain anymore, there was no reason to get out of bed in the morning, nothing to stop you from moping around your apartment. The days blended into what felt like one long sick day, disregarding the occasional break to rescue a cat stuck in a tree.

Although, your only sickness was of the mind. Whenever you attempted to get some rest, your thoughts would inevitably drift to Liv; the cold, distanced tone to her voice, the look of betrayal in her eyes, how empty the week had felt without her. By the third night plagued with insomnia, you were starting to accept that your feelings towards her may be more than a simple crush. On the eighth night, you decided you ought to do something about it and began to formulate a plan.

Entering the building like you were still an employee would be almost impossible since anyone who left their job was rarely welcomed back with open arms. It'd also be better to avoid the security and CCTV cameras, which you'd learnt used face recognition technology. And finally, locating a security card would pose a potential problem, as walking round the facility until you happened to stumble across a janitor to steal from was unfortunately no longer a possibility. So, what was the solution to all your problems? Vents.

Which is how you found yourself scouring over blueprints like a cliched protagonist from a bygone age movie, but at least the irony hadn't escaped you, and thankfully laboratories generally required a great deal of ventilation, so you had multiple routes memorised by the time the bus had arrived at Alchemex. You'd spent the entire journey on edge, fearful that any fellow passenger might accost you for looking so suspicious. But apparently an agitated figure buried beneath a pile of blueprints wearing a spider-suit underneath a jumper was normal enough to be ignored.

Nonetheless, stepping onto the concrete ground of the car park was a relief which inspired a tad more optimism. Moreover, leaving the burdening stacks of blueprints behind further alleviated some of your anxiety. It felt like a final confirmation that this was your one and only chance, and you weren't about to mess it up. Even as the building loomed over you casting a shadow of uncertainty, nothing could discourage your determination.

There was the remarkable sense that you didn't belong here, though it was a familiar sensation. One that persuaded you to tug the mask over your head before darting toward the edge of the car park. It was your belief that as long as you stuck to the outskirts of the facility, few would pay you any attention while you were out in the open. Therefore allowing you to manoeuvre into position and take the quickest passage straight to Liv's office. Which is exactly what you did.

The first stretch of the vent system was a straight drop, a narrow plunge that went on for longer than anticipated. Like a slide with no angle of inclination and a lot less fun. You hit the metal base with an ungraceful clang, certain that your legs would've buckled upon impact had it not been for the lack of space to do so. Overall an uncomfortable start. The remainder of the journey was a lot of crawling and muscle cramps, your only incentive being the occasional grate to peer down which reassured you that your destination was drawing nearer. Everything was going to plan.

Until you heard her.

Olivia's voice rung clear as if from a dream. It stood out from the general ruckus, initially leading you to believe you were hallucinating, that it was some kind of audible mirage. Yet you refocused your senses and it didn't go away. She was almost directly below you, separated simply by a thin layer of metal. With renewed ambition, you crawled toward the nearest grate as quickly and quietly as possible, frantically lowering your head to find the perfect angle, all just to catch a glimpse of her.

"What do you mean the program hasn't worked?" Liv pinched the bridge of her nose, her words laced with an an uncharacteristic anger. You'd never known her to be an irritable person, she loved her job and every challenge that came with it. Was she uptight? Sure. Passionate? Undeniably. But never angry.

"I've tried rerunning and rewriting parts of the code. And it just doesn't work!" Some poor employee (Mark, if you remembered correctly) was fighting for his dignity below. You could see he was flushing, wildly flailing his hands around as he tried to justify his mistake.

"You've rewritten part of it?!" She repeated, volume rising in frustration.

"I- I thought I knew how to fix it."

"I told you not to mess with my work." She growled, stepping closer.

"With all due respect," He didn't back down, clearly caught off guard and unsure how to deal with an irritated Liv. "it's actually Y/N's work."

Upon hearing your name, you ducked out of view as if you'd been seen. Although, it was evident that this was not the case, so slowly you edged forward to peer down at them once more.

Liv's face had dropped at the mention of your name. But by the time you'd settled back in place, anger was already seeping into her expression, then was suddenly smoothed into disturbingly sweet smile. "Well, Y/N isn't here anymore. So I suggest you keep your incompetent hands off of things you don't understand."

Judging by her vague wording, you guessed she hadn't told anyone the real reason you'd been fired. A fond appreciation flooded your mind. Despite everything that had happened, she still respected your secret enough to keep it. You begun to consider that maybe Liv cared about you as much as you did her. Why else would she lie on your behalf?

Mark muttered an ashamed. "Ok." Then left to try and atone for his mistake.

Liv stayed where she was for another minute before taking a deep breath, shaking off her annoyance, and setting a determined path. You assumed she was heading for her office and were about to follow, but then paused. Was this really the best time for a reunion? She obviously wasn't in the best mood, and if you had to guess, it was likely due to your betrayal. Was it too soon to reappear in her life? You'd arrived here with the intention to apologise and make amends, however, you had no idea how Liv would react or what would happen after. If there would even be an after. She could attack you on first sight for all you knew.

No. You'd come too far to turn around now. You continued along the vent before you could overthink the decision. It would be foolish to turn around now: the end was in sight, and rapidly growing closer.

Reaching the final grate, you were greeted with the familiar yet new aerial view of Liv's office. It'd remained mainly the same since your departure. She hadn't even bothered to remove your lab coat, which was still carelessly thrown over the chair you'd frequented everyday. And Liv herself hadn't changed much either, disregarding the seemingly permanent anger lines upon her face. She was sitting at her desk, head in hand, mindlessly flipping through a folder. It occurred to you at that moment that she didn't look irritated, rather sad. Another unexpected emotion for her to display.

After a minute, she sighed, tossing the papers to one side and bringing her other hand up to crash forward into. She looked defeated, seeing her this way felt wrong. You honestly preferred the anger because it showed she'd maintained at least some of her usual intensity.

You sighed. It was time to fix this. With unsteady hands you delicately unscrewed the bolts holding the grate in place, careful to make as little noise as possible. It was as you were removing the final screw that you realised something: you had no idea what to say to her. No planned speech or prepared apology, you'd resigned to hoping for a spontaneous burst of thoughtfulness in the moment. You sat there for a minute, fidgeting with one of the screws while attempting to come up with what you would say. Should you start by apologising for breaking in, or for lying to her, or for applying to the job in the first place? You had a lot of things to apologise for.

And unfortunately, the chance to think it through any further was taken from you as the screw slipped out of your hand. You gasped watching it fall, hitting the ground with an faint thud. Although quiet enough for most people to ignore, you knew Liv was too thorough to not investigate. And as expected, following your sharp intake of breath was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, then footsteps gradually approaching.

Liv appeared below you, bending down to inspect the screw before glancing up. Her eyes locked with yours through the mask and widened in shock.

"Hey." The casual tone to your voice sounded forced and you grimaced. But rather than dwelling on it, you dropped from the exposed hiding place and pulled off your mask. You smiled awkwardly, eyes scanning and overanalysing her reaction.

Liv stepped back to lean on the desk for support. Her mouth was agape, but otherwise her face was worryingly blank.

"If this is a bad time I can come back later."

Still no response. The room was drowning in a tense silence.

"Well, actually I probably can't come back." With no social cues to interact with, you began to ramble aimlessly. "I'm guessing you'll find a way to patch that particular security breach." You gestured up to the gap in the ceiling and laughed lightly. "Sorry about that. I didn't know how else to-"

You're cut off as Liv moves impossibly fast, grabbing your shoulders and shoving you backwards against the wall. A thousand different thoughts run through your mind at once, all wondering what she's about to do. The majority are focused on the possibility that she's going to hurt you in some way, although, even if she did have the intention to cause harm, you wouldn't fight back. You were tired of conflict, especially when it involved Liv.

She was standing close, breathing heavily and saying nothing. You couldn't help but let your eyes flicker down to her lips, the temptation to kiss her becoming increasingly vehement. So instead you forced your attention up to her eyes, which held an air of confusion.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was deep, full of unvoiced emotions.

You licked your lips, glancing at her mouth one last time. "I came here to apologise. I didn't mean for any of this to go so far."

"You're lying." She backed away slightly and you immediately missed the proximity.

"I'm not! I just-" You stuttered, then admitted in a quieter voice. "I never meant to hurt you."

She inhaled shakily and swallowed, your eyes tracing the movement of her throat. "And?"

"And because I care about you too much to let you think I did any of this on purpose." You lowered your head, her invasive glare becoming overwhelming.

Soft fingers firmly gripped your chin, compelling you to look up. Her eyes displayed distrust, confusion which you suddenly feel the need to wipe away. You wanted to make your affection for her clear, but found yourself annoyingly speechless. All the recurring thoughts and confined confessions that had been plaguing you for a week suddenly gone from your mind. You were infuriatingly at a loss for words. Although, the warmth of her fingers against your skin reminded you that actions speak louder than words.

You leant in slowly, giving her sufficient time to stop you. She didn't move so you kissed her lightly at first, searingly next. Your arm shifted to wrap around her back tentatively and she moaned faintly in response. Although, it wasn't until you allowed her to take control that any remaining anger dissipated. At that point the kiss became bruising, her hold on you tightening as a wave of shared desperation rolled over the both of you. Before the desperation could reach its peak, however, you separated from her.

Liv was almost panting, her cheeks tinged pink and hair a mess. She promptly attempted to kiss you again, though you dodged the advance and she whined. Her mouth latched onto your neck, sucking at the skin there.

Your head fell back against the wall, dizzy from lust. "Does this mean I can have my job back?" You quipped, running a hand through your hair.

"Depends." She murmured in between kisses. "Do you have anymore secrets?"

"None that I can think of." You smiled, the prospect of returning to what you'd come to consider as normality was an appealing one. Of course there were things you would need to work through with Liv, and many, many extra complications alongside having a relationship with your boss. But nothing easy was ever worthwhile, and Liv was living proof of that.

"Alright. You're hired."

[btsficsforthehumble]

adj.: 1. Modern, unfamiliar, or different

2. Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed

pairing: reader x ot7

genre: college au; angst, fluff, smut, poly, ot7

Summary: You begin your first year at a prestigious university, set out on achieving your academic goals when a series of men step into your life that change the way you view the definition of love.

A/N: Thank you to the glorious minjoonalist for this banner! Everyone give her some love <3

Part One

Warnings: none in this chapter

Word count: 2k

It’s your first day.

First day entering the world of higher education, on the path to betterment (or whatever the dean said in his boring introductory presentation). To tell the truth, you were pretty zoned out as various speakers talked to the thousands of students that would now become your peers. Those hard ass plastic seats were NOT conducive for attentive listening.

Regardless, you pushed through, and here you are, Monday morning, at 8:45 sharp, sitting in yet another hard ass plastic seat. This time however, you had a small wooden desk in front of you, in line with about a couple dozen others. This was your first class --- Calculus.

You were always good at math compared to the average student, however, being placed with the super smart kids all the time made you self conscience and at worst, made you feel stupid. You were too good at math for the standard curriculum, but felt too dumb for the advanced one. It’s no surprise that math quickly became your least favorite subject.

That hadn’t changed. You were dreading this class, even though you took calculus already in high school --- theoretically, it shouldn’t be that difficult. You knew however, that you had absolutely no willpower when it came to studying math. And considering the fact that you are now attending a prestigious university, one known for their STEM programs, you felt adequately nervous.

You glanced around the classroom, baron except for the desks and the large whiteboard covering the expanse of the front wall. A few other students showed up early as well, mostly looking either as nervous as you felt, or tired like they had just enjoyed their first weekend at college perhaps a little too much.

You yourself hadn’t gone too crazy, going to a single party on Saturday where you only had one drink --- lame even by your own standards. However, you were just getting to know your roommates, and felt it best to remain sober enough to keep an eye out on them or manage any situation this new environment would throw you.

You weren’t close with any of your peers from your high school that also attended your university, and it seemed your roommates were in the same boat. So, naturally, you all decided to go out together as new friends. They all seemed to be nice, and you got along well with everyone so far. You hoped that wouldn’t change.

You sigh gently to yourself while reflecting upon your less than thrilling weekend. You hope that one day you’d let yourself experience the wild college parties that you've heard about. You want to know what it felt like to get properly drunk and dance with a cute stranger without any worries in the back of your head.

Speaking of cute strangers, you take a glance around the classroom, steadily filling up with students. You might as well see if there were any hotties in the class that you knew you’d rather daydream about than pay attention to exponent integrations.

You spotted a boy sitting a ways away from you that caught your attention. His legs were stretched out in front of his desk, in a way that screamed “I don’t care if you trip over me, in fact, I dare you.”

His attention was glued to his phone, as he appeared to be taking snapchats --- probably for some obnoxiously beautiful girls, you thought to yourself, eyes rolling slightly. You had to admit though, he was quite attractive. He had dark brown hair, covering his forehead and slightly swept to the side. His eyes were a dark brown to match, and were quite cute. He had a nice nose and clear skin. His most striking feature was his lips however. He had lips that were larger than the average guy and they looked very kissable. And his frame was decently large, his shoulders wide and masculine, juxtaposing his cute eyes and lips.

You blushed at your own thoughts about the stranger across the room, knowing you were getting entirely carried away in your state of boredom. You still had five minutes until class was supposed to begin. You put away your own phone, which you were holding in your hands as some sort of social protection, in your backpack. You then pulled out your fresh new binder with graph paper, lined paper, tabs, dividers, the whole nine yards. You may not enjoy math, but organization always brought you some level of mental tranquility.

You pull out a pen just as you glance up to see a boy standing in front of you, with the brightest, thousand watt smile on his face. His backpack was slung over one shoulder, his hand in his jeans pocket. He had on a loose tee-shirt that somehow flattered his slim frame. You could tell that he wasn’t a meek first year still finding his bearings. He must be at least a second year. You feel your face heat up as you make eye contact, seeing that he’s looking directly at you.

“Hi there! Is this seat taken?” His eyes widen almost comically as he points to the seat directly in front of you.

“Ah no, no it’s empty.” You cringe internally as you notice your less than relaxed delivery.

He gives you another dazzling smile as he plops in the seat in front of you, pulling out his own simple notebook and pencil.

You rub your forehead trying to get yourself to calm down. You need to not turn red every time a cute boy talks to you, let alone look in your direction. This is so not like you.

You manage to calm yourself down, ready to begin your first class so your attention is off the boy sitting in front of you.

Your professor must have walked in as you were mentally reprimanding yourself, because you hear an authoritative man's voice come from the front of the room when 9 o’clock hits. You immediately began trying to pay attention, writing down all of the information he put on the board even though it’s stuff already in the syllabus. The truth was that you simply needed to throw yourself into a task to keep your mind from straying back onto the boy in front of you.

About seven minutes later, the door to the classroom swings open and another boy walks through, giving the prof a quick salute and grin in apology. You, as well as the rest of the class, had naturally turned your eyes towards the distraction. As soon as it was found to just be a straggler, everyone’s attention quickly shifted back to the professor in front. Your curiosity was piqued by his confident, goofy nature, however.

You couldn’t help but keep your eyes on him a moment longer. He had shaggy dark hair, tanned skin, and a smile that was strikingly unique as it was a little bit of a square shape. He was devastatingly handsome, and you had a feeling he knew it too. Your hypothesis was instantly supported as he made eye contact with you, noticing you looking at him longer than your peers. He flashes a smirk your way that you’re pretty sure could knock anyone’s panties off.

You mentally start screaming and feel yourself turning the color of a freaking fire truck. You quickly jerk your head back down to your notes and refuse to look back up to meet his eyes.

It appears he wasn’t going to give you a break though. You felt the air woosh past you as he walks down your aisle and stops immediately behind you, taking the empty seat.

Great.

Now, you were sandwiched between two guys that you're pretty sure were the most attractive you’d seen in a long while. Not to mention the guy several rows over that you were ogling before they even arrived. You quickly realized that there wasn’t a chance in hell your full attention was going to be on the lecture during this class.

Your entire body sagged with relief when your fifty minute class was up and the professor released everyone. Noticing, the boy behind you leaned forward and huskily whispered, “You’re not a morning person either, huh?”

You froze for half a second at the sound of his voice. It was deep and silky, and my god was it sexy. And he was talking to you.

“You could say that.” You were shocked at his attention but somehow managed to pull out a response that didn’t make you look like an idiot. You didn’t bother turning around to look at him as you answered, deciding not to let him see how pink your cheeks were as you returned your items to your bag.

He let out a little chuckle and stood up.

“I’m Taehyung. And you, my little night owl, are?” He drew out the are waiting for your response.

You too stood up, putting your backpack on.

“I, Taehyung, am off to my next class.” You were annoyed that he seemed to take notice of your attention on him in the beginning of the class and thought that you were a fun little target to flirt with. You knew he wasn’t interested, but merely found it fun to take advantage of his good looks. This allowed you to get over your schoolgirl crush behavior and return to your normal self, which you knew had more of a bite than necessary at times. You had developed a tough edge at a young age and you think that it has protected you a lot already in your short life.

He raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of sass and gave you another grin. You simply rolled your eyes and turned on your heel to march yourself out of the classroom, joining the other students that were filtering out. By the time you had turned around, the cute guy with the smile that made your heart melt had already left. You were slightly disappointed to your own chagrin. Why on Earth are you paying attention to boys when you knew you had other priorities? It’s not like anything would come of it anyway.

Throughout high school, you steered away from boys in a romantic sense and they more than happily did the same. You knew you were intimidating, as you had a sharp mouth and quick wit. No one messed with you and you liked it that way. You had kept to yourself, and kept your grades high. You just didn’t have any interest in the boys you’ve known since you were a kid.

As you walked to your next class, you silently cursed yourself for not being cool and collected the entire period. Where was that icy exterior that you had curated for years? How did a simple smile from the boy in front of you turn you into a puddle? How did that annoyingly hot guy behind you manage to blindside you at first?

You nearly stopped in your tracks and groaned when you realized that you had that class every. single. day. It was five credits, so that meant Monday through Friday, you’d be there 9 in the morning, attempting to not think about the cute boys around you.

You were giddy deep, deep down that such cute guys were in your class but the more level headed side of you knew it was in vain. It’s not like they’d go for you or anything. And besides, they would only distract you from the class that you already knew was going to be a struggle.

You pinched your eyes shut when you slid into your seat in your next class.

You had a feeling it was going to be a long semester.

[dumb-dotcom]

night sky | rewrite

pairing: Sam Holland x reader Harry Holland x reader

Summary: tonight is the night where you tell your friend how you've felt all this time.

word count: 2.4k

a/n: I wrote the first draft of this years ago, the original version is shorter and has less emphasis on Harry's feeling for the reader, but I like this version much better. Still if you guys want I can post the original.

“When do you think you’ll tell him” Harrison and you sat on the front yard of Tom’s parents, the chill night of September night was young and the noise from the small gathering hosted by his parents seemed to agree, the whole family and closest friends were in town so it was the perfect occasion to a get together

“I don’t know mate... maybe today? I’m not sure“ A heavy breath left your lips as your shoulders dropped, maybe telling him wasn’t the brightest thing to do, but you trusted him, he had your back almost as a big brother would.

It was no surprise after practically being raised together thanks to your moms being friends and so you grew being really close to each other. But people grow and change, the years flew by and Harrison started hanging out with Tom which led to you finding out that the twins you’re your classmates. School could seem hard but it became so much easier with friends there for you and as Harrison became best mates with Tom so did you with Sam and Harry, distancing myself from Harrison.

“Are you telling Tom? I think he should know” you felt him staring which didn’t calm your nerves about the uncertainty of what was to come; your fingers ran my through your hair to keep it away from your face.

“No... I don’t- I don’t know Harrison!!” you laid on the grass closing your eyes, trying to avoid thinking about him, but no matter how hard the thought of him just came back, your nose was cold and so were your hands but you can bet he would still hold them without caring one bit.

The first time that you notice your feelings towards him was one day after school, no matter how much time it had been you still remember it clearly, Every day you would take a ride from them back to your home, even if your house was pass his, they still took the time so you didn’t have to go all the way there by yourself, but today Harry wanted to take some pictures before your daily routine continued so you and Sam decided to buy ice-cream while waiting for him, after a while of walking from the ice-cream place and eating a small rock made you trip, you’ve never felt more embarrassed as you wiped out the ice-cream from your face while Sam laughed, you were fuming at the universe for making you seem like a clown in front of your best friend so you jokingly pushed him

“Auch Y/N!” he said still laughing faking being actually hurt “Here, we can share mine” he handed you his ice-cream while holding your gaze, he cleaned a bit of ice-cream from your cheek “You missed a spot”

You weren’t sure if it was his charming smile or the way he said your name, but you knew you were head over heels for him

“Y/N!” Harry yelled from the front door, you turned to see him “Sam is looking for you, I think he’s in the music room”

Your heart skipped a beat to the mention of his name and the nerves rushed back, you sat again and felt Harrison’s hand on my back as he did when trying ease the bad thoughts

“Now or never” he said and he helped you get on your feet.

Truth is, even though you’ve known Harrison for all your life, you grew fond of the twins and the friendship became stronger a lot quicker, being almost bound to the hip. You all hung out whenever you could to the point of you staying over multiple times a week in their place when summer break came around, or travelling together on New Year.

You went up to Harry to say thank you and went in looking for Sam, the chattering from the families getting to catch up got louder as you entered the living room followed by Him and Harrison who went searching for Tom. You walked to the music room, you felt the cold sweat rushing through your back and tried to convince yourself that everything was going to be alright, hell you didn’t even know if you would actually tell him! But you couldn’t avoid thinking on all the stuff that could go wrong. You took a deep breath before walking into the empty room, to your surprise he wasn’t there, but the calm was short.

He entered the room with a glass of what seemed as red wine and smiled when he saw you there, you couldn’t help yourself but to smile as a fool and he knew it, he knew you thought he had a pretty smile but he didn’t know to what extent that was

“Y/N! truth or dare” you were there, at a classmates party that the twins invited you to, Harry was the one so insistent that you had to go, day and night trying to convince you that it would be fun, going to the extent of talking with mom so you would attend, they knew you weren’t a big fan of partying but honestly you wouldn’t miss out an opportunity to spend some time with them.

After hours of hanging out you ended up playing truth or Dare with a bunch of teenagers

“Truth” after seeing what they were daring each other that was the least thing you would want to choose, leaving you with the scary truth as your final option.

“What’s your... favourite thing about everyone playing?” that was an odd question coming from the most sober person around, if you recall correctly you knew this girl, she was nice and seemed to be having even less fun that you were.

“Well, you are really good at reading in front of the class” you smiled and proceeded to compliment complete strangers “... that’s a really cool shirt” after saying that to the last person that you didn’t know you stopped for a second, glancing at Sam and Harry, they were the last people that you had to compliment, and if it weren’t for the fact that they were slightly tipsy, you wouldn’t be able to even look at their faces “Harry I love your freckles and your hair is gorgeous.. And Sam, I love your smile”

He instinctually smiled, he made some space besides him for you to sit down on and so you did.

“I found you” he closed the door and left the glass on the nearest table, he hugged you, your heart felt like it was about to melt and you were sure your cheeks were bright red, he left you go “Do you remember when we watched the greatest showman for the first time?”

“How could I forget? Tom wouldn’t shut up about Zendaya and Harry almost choked on popcorn” you laughed just as the thought of Harrison trying to help Harry while the rest of us where laughing our asses off

“And you wouldn’t stop singing certain song for the rest of the month” He chuckled

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that” you shrugged and tried to avoid his gaze, you were nervous because when he saw him again, you knew today was the day “Sam I-“

“So I had to show you something” he rushed to the piano and he left a place for you to sit as he always did, so you followed him.

He started playing and the room was flood with the melody, a sense of nostalgia, longing for the years where he hadn’t to travel as much as he did and you could all hang out together, you saw his fingers run across the piano and you were certain everything was going to be alright. Your head rested on his shoulder and you closed your eyes starting to sing under your breath.

I'm trying to hold my breath

Let it stay this way

can’t let this moment end

You could hear your heart pounding against your chest, Why are you so nervous for? It’s not like your actually going to do it, are you?

You set off a dream with me

Getting louder now

Can you hear it echoing?

If it weren’t for the people from the other room and the sound of him playing he would be able to hear your heart almost bursting through your chest, and for a split second you think of all the good things that would happen if you tell him.

Take my hand

Will you share this with me?

'Cause darling without you

But it didn’t last long as you started to get nervous again, you could feel your hands sweating and really didn’t know where to put them, finally decided to play with the hem of your shirt.

All the shine of a thousand spotlights

all the stars we steal from the night sky

will never be enough

You opened your eyes and took a deep breath.

Never be enough

“I like you”

He missed a key and stopped playing all together.

You looked at him, searching for that sweet smile that would make all the fear and doubt disappear, but what you found instead helped me realize the huge mistake you just made, he was pale as a ghost and his eyes where avoiding meeting yours. Your bottom lip was shaking as you tried to find a way to get out of this situation; maybe say that it was a joke? No, both of you knew each other too well for that and he knows you wouldn’t lie about something like this.

“I- I’m sorry” he said as he stood up, even if you wanted to run from this he seemed much eager to get away and avoid this conversation.

You impulsively reached out for his hand, trying to stop him in his steps. He could feel your shaky hand, you knew it; he looked at it and then looked back at you, the sweet night that you expected seemed to turn bittersweet as the time went on.

“Sam, what are you sorry for” your voice was almost a whisper and it took all of you not to break in front of him.

“I met someone… I was learning that song for her”

And with that your heart broke completely, the tears started to fall down your face and before you knew it you were out of that room searching for your mom, after some minutes of searching you realized that she already left without you and started to look for your second best option, Harrison.

You turned around crashing into someone, after cleaning your face trying to hold back the tears, you gave him a quick apology and tried to move on but his hand on yours kept you from moving and there is when you saw his face.

“Harry, Can you take me with Haz?” that’s what you intended to say but the pressure in your chest was not helping. His arms wrapped around you tightly as you continued sobbing after he took you to the backyard where no one would see the mess that you were at the moment, his left hand played with your hair knowing it would calm you down.

“What happened love?” he gently rubbed his thumb on the back of your hand, your eyes met; those eyes that looked so similar to the eyes of the person who broke your heart, they seemed hesitant, maybe you were too focused on the bad things or maybe the tears were blocking your sight, but if you took a moment to look at him you would’ve noticed how your y/e/c eyes captivated him

If he had to pick what he loved about you he wouldn’t know what to choose, he loved your smile, the way you spoke and knew about so many topics, even if he didn’t understand all of them, he loved how much you motivated him and asked him to show you the photos he took whenever him as his family travelled, but one of the things that he loved the most about you were your eyes, those full of happiness and excitement, the way they would almost close whenever you smiled. But he hated to see you like this, sad and scared; the only thing he wanted to do was help you make everything better but didn’t know how.

“I don’t want to talk about it” you bit your lip trying to push back that thing in your head that made the memory of what just happened, his scared eyes, the <<I met some else>>, the way he preferred to run away than look at you come back again and again. “Where’s Haz? I want to leave”

“He left early with Tom” he looked around and looked back at you “But if I can take you home”

After everything that went down tonight, all you wanted was to get to your flat, take a shower and rest; but the coldness of your bed was the only thing waiting for you back there, and going to your parent’s house as you originally planned meant having to explain to your mum why your eyes are all red and puffy, maybe staying was the only thing left to do or maybe..

“Yes please”

In the ride back your place he listened patiently to what went down and every time you seemed about to start crying again he placed his hand on yours rubbing it, letting you know he was there for you; he tried not to think about Elysia and how he knew about her and his brother. Maybe he would’ve warned you having he known your feelings for Sam, even if it meant seeing your heart breaking apart first hand. You tested your mum letting her know the change of plans and reassuring her that everything was okay.

When you arrived at your flat, harry gave you a one last hug before going back to the party.

“Wait” you said hugging him tighter when you felt him trying to pull away “could you please stay?”

He showed you a peaceful smile, one that you knew too well and one that seemed like home. He brushed your hair away from your face and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“Of course darling”

You two stepped inside and while you took a shower he made himself comfortable on the couch, when you saw him you couldn’t help but smile for a bit; you felt really tired after crying and he seemed just as tired as you were,

“Harry, come get in bed you twat” you sighed and rubbed your eyes “I don’t want to be alone tonight”

[o-neillwith2ls]

That's what I'm known for!

Orginal/Fanfiction: Fanfiction

Fandom: Stargate SG-1

Rating: General Auidences

Warning/Triggers: None

From the observation window of her office that looked into the meeting room, Sam watched as the new recruits were being shown around. Folding her arms across her chest, she remembered the times she had been by Jack's side as he scared (or was that sworn in) the latest batch of recruits. Of course, back then he was just a Colonel, now she was a General, only watching the action.

She sighed heavily, then turned back into her office and sat at her desk, looking at the framed picture of her family that sat on the corner

She smiled faintly and picked up the phone and pressed the first speed dial number and waited for the response.

"Yah." Jack answered the phone, clearly distracted by something on the other end.

"Hey, it's me." She says.

"Hey, me. It's only been a couple of hours since you left. Is everything okay?" He asked concerned, knowing what a worry off-world teams could be.

"Yah," she nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine." She said quietly.

When the line went quiet, he asked gently. "Sam?"

"Do you ever miss it?" She asked him suddenly. "Those days, when it was me, you, Teal’c, Daniel, SG-1 whole and complete, and going through the gate?"

He paused, realising the sombre tone in her voice. "Sometimes, yeah." He admitted. "It was especially hard after, being in your chair, and watching the love of my life go through without me there to watch her six." He told her.

"You were worried about me?" She asked, knowing the answer, but needed the reassurance that even the great Jack O’Neill worried about her.

"I'd rather die than see you hurting." He re-affirmed. "What's got you like this?"

"Just Major Grogan is showing round the new recruits before they start the assessment." She said with a sigh.

"You mean Major Target?" He said sarcastically.

Sam chuckled. "He made it to Major."

"Amazingly, he has more lives than Daniel." Jack growled.

Sam laughed again and shook her head "I was remembering when we did Grogan's assessment and it just hit me." She told him.

"It's harder than a staff weapon, isn't it?"

"Yeah." She nodded, feeling the prickles of water behind her eyes.

"Oh, Sam!" He said soothingly. "Come on, no, Carter, look at all you've achieved. Look at how far we've come."

"I wouldn't give you up," she croaked, trying not to cry. "It hurt having to hide how I felt for so long, I loved being close to you back then, still do."

"But SG-1," Jack told her, “We were something special."

"Yeah." She nodded.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"You're still the best damn officer I've ever met."

"Thanks, sir."

"Sir?" He growled playfully. "Are we doing that later?"

She giggled and wiped the tears away. "Only if you're lucky."

"Oh that, I know I am. I married you."

She looked out to the conference room and saw Grogan and the new recruits enter the room, waiting for her arrival. "Duty calls." She told him.

"Go show ‘em who's boss Carter." He encouraged her.

"That's what I'm known for." She said as she hung up, her feeling of deflation obvious in the inflection in her voice, he knew, that was at least something.

Closing her eyes, she took a few minutes to recover herself. She took a deep breath, braced her shoulders in her ‘General’ mode, and walked out of her office to greet the potential new team members.

The four recruits snapped to attention when she entered the conference room. “At ease, people.” She sat down in her chair and waited as the recruits and Grogan took their seats.

"This is General Samantha Carter." Grogan smiled and waited for their response.

"The Samantha Carter, as in original SG-1 member, Samantha Carter?" One of them asked, obviously star struck. "You programmed the dialling computer."

"You blew up a star."

"You built a particle beam generator." Another said.

"You still have the highest score on the field tests."

"Not to mention a thousand badass stuff in-between!" Grogan added.

Sam tried to dampen down her smile when she replied, "Yeah, those sound familiar."

"After your introduction, we’ll get started on their field tests, sir." Grogan told her.

"Ah, then good luck, only a 250 to beat." She joked of her own score. "I'll catch up with you all after the test."

Grogan guided them back across the meeting room and Sam watched them go.

She smiled proudly. "That's what I'm known for!" She whispered to herself. "Still known as a bad ass." She said proudly. "Jack's going to love this."

[nctworststuff]

Pairing- Boyfriend!Renjun x nospecific!reader

Warning-Death,Cancer

Genre: Angst

a/n: Here what you guys got after a months I’m not post anything. Also Thank you my friend,Lucy because helping me a lot :). Hope you guys like it

He always with you

He avoided meeting with you lately. You missed to spend time with him so much. You missed his scent, his hugs, his kisses, his presence, but most importantly, you missed him.

You recently spent a lot of time in your apartment, all by yourself. Watching movies, drinking hot chocolate and staying under your fluffy blanket. Sometimes you went to hangout with your friends, but not as often as you used to. However, today you couldn't take it anymore. I have to visit him, now!

Deep inside you knew that he would never cheat on you. What if something bad had happen to him? Maybe he got sick or maybe something in his family came up? You didn't know. Helplessly you scrolled through your media social. Usually, he would be active on Instagram. Always adding things to his story or at least posting the pictures he made. But ever since 3 weeks ago, you haven't seen him post a single thing. As if he vanished.

You took a look at your photo gallery on your phone. It's filled with pictures of you and Renjun. Everytime the two of you had met in the past months, you had taken at least one picture. Are you okay, renjun?

You didn't want to waste your time anymore, so you walked into your bedroom to change your outfit. You arrived at his house that felt like a second home to you. Big dark clouds covered the sky and sun. It may rain soon. You slowly walked to the door and opened it with the spare key Renjun gave you not so long ago.

You couldn't see him when you entered. Maybe he is in his bedroom? You steped further into his apartment. It was a big mess. You tried to comprehend what could've happened here. The TV was on, adding some noise to the otherwise quiet space. Some old snacks that have neither been fully eaten nor thrown away, covered the floor. It surely wasn't healthy for him to life in all this trash.

You finally went upstairs and pressed the door handle down slowly after knocking and getting no reply. Who knows, maybe he's sleeping? However  you suddenly heard a faint crying sound instead of the silence. What's happening to him? Thousands of thoughts were running in your head, creating one scenario worse than the other. "Renjun?" You softly called out his name and fully opened the door. He turned his head and body to look at you, surprised by your arrival. His eyes were more red than white and his face looked as white as freshly fallen snow did.

"Y/n? W-what are you doing here?" He looked at you with what you could only assume was an angered expression. You slowly approached him and sat down on his mattress beside him. You hesitantly leaned your head on his shoulder and put your hand on his thigh, joining his own one. Oh, how often you had fiddled with his slender fingers before. They were just as beautiful as the art they created, but now they were just dried skin and bone. You were convinced, something bad happen to him!

"And why are you crying?", you asked him in return, probably a bit too late, but not that it matered anyways. He kept quiet for about a minute, before taking a deep breath and forcing those awful words out of his mouth. "I have a disease! I-I have cancer..." He closed his eyes tightly to hold himself back from sobbing. The fear that lived within him ever since the doctor told him he was going to die earlier than expected, suddenly skyrocket in your presence.

Shutting you out in the hope of making you forget him, had been so much easier than seeing your heart break right in front of him. You didn't deserve the pain he caused you, so why...? Why are you still here y/n? Why couldn't you stay away from me? "So that's the reason why you pushed me away? The reason you avoided me? Why didn't you tell me? Renjun? Explain it to me. Please explain everything." you looked at his eyes that beared so many emotions, while he bit his chapped lips.

"I-I don't know. I... I was just so, so scared. Actually, I-I knew I had cancer... It... They told me a year ago."

His confession was interrupted by a hiccup. He started crying again and put his hand on his face. You've been together for 3 years and he kept this a secret for all the time, telling you just now? "I-I'm only going to live for one more week. My doctor said there is no other way for me." Why? Why did he need to leave like this? Couldn't he be healthy and grow old with me? Searching in your confused and helpless mind you looked for a solution.

"Hey, i-it's okay. Its not your fault! I-I could spend all my money for your surge-", but he cut you off with a harsh movement by his hand. "You heard what I said. There's no chance, y/n!" Now your eyes were filling with tears, blurring your sight. This can't be true! "You said you would never leave me. You- You promised." The tears poured out of their home, painting a wet line down your cheeks until they dropped down your chin, falling. You too, felt like falling. You were so angry, but not at him, no, he didn't wanted this either. You were angry at the situation. At the fact that you couldn't do Anything.

Watching your little emotional breakdown, Renjun stayed quiet. After he had avoided meeting you for so long, seeing you come back to him, crying with him, still caring for him, there was only one thing he wanted. "Y/n? Can I ask for one last thing, before death is taking me?" He moved his hand to your shoulder, pressing it softly. "Anything for you, Renjun!" You desperately looked into his eyes, meeting his softened expression. "I just want to spend my last week with you. Please. One last time?"

Day 2

Standing in the kitchen for about half an hour, you had made a healthy breakfast for the two of you, since he loved your cooking. You poured some hot porridge into his favourite bowl and placed it on the tray. Walking slowly to not drop anything you brought the food to his bedroom. He was still asleep, looking utterly peaceful.

While you put the tray on a near small table, you called his name softly, to wake him up. Upon hearing his name, his eyelids fluttered open. Still a bit sleepy, he rubbed his eyes and gave you a questioning look. "I made some porridge for you. Should I... feed you?" You smiled at him shyly. He could just nod his head, feeling exhausted even after taking such a long nap.

You sat down beside him and took the spoon to feed him. He followed your every move as you put the still warm porridge in his mouth. A big smile suddenly stretched across his cheeks. "I knew your cooking would never disappoint me!", he complimented, making you giggle. Yet, you couldn't ignore the sad feeling in your chest, knowing you had to accept the fact that he was going to die soon. Only five days would be left after today.

Of course Renjun noticed the way your expression changed. “I dont like to see you sad. Please smile for me” He grabbed your other hand too, making you smile. The smile only he got to see. You don't even know if the sweet smile you were currently wearing on your face would show up for another guy, but for now it seems like it is just for Renjun, who finally noticed the bracelet on your wrist.

"You still wear that bracelet?” His eyes fixated on your wrist. You just watched him with sparkling eyes, while thinking back to how you got that gift.  “Of course! It looks so pretty and it bears a lot of memories for me!” He smiled at you with just the same sparkles glowing in his eyes, making your heart beat unbelievable fast in your chest. You didn't knew why, but the comforting feeling of love, the love created between the two of you, filled your now shared room. Softly touching your own cheeks you felt how they heated up.

“It's- wait... I gave you the bracelet 5 years ago, when it was your birthday? A-and we still didn't turn into lovers that day, did we?”, his eyes widened. You simply nodded and started chuckling, him joining not much later. Of course you could still remember the day he gave you the precious bracelet. He was being so shy back then, when he planned to give it to you. Haechan, Mark and all the other dreamies kept hyping him up, after he gave it to you.

“You know what? I really can't believe our relationship will just end soon. I really thought we would last longer. I'm sorry!” He smiled at you again, but this time it was a sad smile. You sighed, closing your eyes in agony. “It's not your fault, it never was, Renjun! After all, these moments are the most precious ones that we have. Trust me, I will love and remember you until I take my last breath!” I'll really do! Besides bringing it up first, you hated talking about his disease so much.

Not because you blamed it on him. Not because you couldn't believe, he was going to die soon, no. You hated talking about it because you feared being left behind. You hated the fact that you'll eventually forget about him. That you'll forget how he smelled, how his hands felt, how his hugs felt. And the worst thing was, that you'll forget how it felt to be loved by him. When did all your laughter turn into cries?

Day 4

"Look! It's your favourite flower!” Renjun points his finger to a small bunch of flowers in the middle of the park. You loved going to this park with him before and today wasn't any different. Softly swining your linked hands back and forth and slowly walking near your favourite flower felt like one of those cliché moments from a drama. Especially when you kneeled down to smell on it.

The heavy, but lively smell of the rose lingered in your nose, bringing up even more memories. Renjun gave you one of those exact roses, when he had confessed that he liked you. A small grin made it's way to your lips. “It looks so pretty.”, Renjun said while putting his arm around your shoulders, “Pretty like you!” You couldn't help, but roll your eyes. This was typically him. Renjun loved to compliment and tease you at the same time

You loved the moments when he was simply being himself. He was acting different. Usually he would be rather harsh, or how people liked to put it, ignorant towards other people’s feelings. But he always cared for you. You were his soft spot. It was only normal that couples had little fights from time to time, but renjun never let the two of you be angry at each other for a long time.

He always was the first one to apologize, or if it wasn’t his mistake, he would still want to make up, inviting you to do something that you liked. His classic line which always worked was weather you would want to eat some food ugh him. It was one of the many personality traits that you liked about him

“Ah! I really want to draw the pond and swan over there! It’s unbelievable pretty!” He excitedly took out his paintings tools and moved the stuff around until it stood perfectly within his reach while drawing. You just followed him and tried to not get in his way.

Tipping the smallest brush into the water glass, he started to draw the perfect scenery in front of you. He truly was talented at this. You couldn’t help but admire the way he let the colors dance on the Canva “Your drawing is so unbelievable. It really does look like it’s real”

His face lit up,once the words left your mouth “This is the last painting I”ll before I’m gone. I want it to be perfect!”he still smiled at you, but his eyes showed how he truly felt. The sadness dominating any other feels. Once again, you sighed. It has been almost 3 years, since you’ve been a couple and now you two just stood there, waiting for him to leave

Quickly noticed How your mood shifted towards a bad one, you tried to change the topic

There will be enough time for me to sad once he left

“Do you remember that this place is the first place we met and-“ “The place where I confessed my feelings for you?” He finished your sentence with a smirk. Chuckling you nodded at the statement

That day he called you and asked you to meet him at the park “ can you cell me?” was that he said, when he actually was going to confess to you. You can’t forget that day. You never will. It’s a very precious moment to you, even if he stuttered a lot and the confession felt really awkward too

“Your birthday is this week, isn’t it?” Renjun suddenly asked. You stopping your thoughts. Right, you totally forgot about your birthday. Surprised you just hummed and nodded. “What do you want for your birthday?” You didn’t need to think twice “I just want you stay alive and healthy. I wish you could always be my side” you smile confidently

That will never happen

It was obvious to renjun, but to avoid you sadder he just smile sweetly at you instead of responding “Can we go somewhere after this? Maybe the shopping mall?” You asked him. He looked at you and hugged you close to his chest “Of course!”

He would spend his time with you wisely and make sure that every precious and special moment will never be forgotten

Day 7

I can't lose him! Please!

You buried your face into his shoulder and grabbed his sweater like your own life depended on holding it. You couldn't believe he was going to die in less than a day. He couldn't... Your fragile, pathetic hope only faded more when he started coughing. In the last few days his condition extremely worsened and you tried to understand why people needed to suffer before dying so much. Isn't death enough?

“It's your birthday tomorrow, isn't it?”, he quietly asked while stroking your back.  “Yes” Your answer was barely loud enough to hear, being muffled by his neck. Still, you hugged him only tighter, afraid of finally losing him. “Y/n, I'm so sorry if I'm not able to be with you tomorrow to celebrate your birthday.” You knew what’s he meant. No, this couldn't be happening! Why were you suddenly to dumb to accept it?

“Please find a better guy than me. A guy who will make you happy, who will stay loyal to you and only loves you. Find a guy who will stay by your side forever. Don't find another guy who'll make you feel dissapointed.” You wanted to tell him, that he never disappointed you, but he already pulled you into a sweet kiss. His lips felt so soft. Soft but rough. It was like your first kiss with him. It was like your first night with him. But in reality, it was your last kiss with him. Yet you saw it as another moment that had been created in this special time.

“You know... I am never going to stop loving you!” You said and looked at him. His face was so pale, you could see the soft blue shining through it. “Me too, honey. There are 7 billion people on this earth but I fell in love with you. We have been a long journey together. Everyone can fall in love but not everyone has a happy ending with it. I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise, Y/n!” I know, Renjun.

The worst part for you was that it all happened so fast. But somehow you still hoped this was only a dream. That you would wake up to a healthy Renjun wishing you a happy birthday. Finally the clock was showing 12 AM. It was your birthday. Sounding just as sleepy as you felt he whispered a soft “Happy birthday, Y/n!” He stroked your hair while looking at you with loving eyes, a smile on his lips for the last time, before you both fall asleep under your shared blanket.

Not knowing, that they were his last words.

Day 8

You woke up from a deep slumber and moved your blanket. You saw that Renjun was still ‘sleeping’. Softly you shaked him to wake him up, with no sign of success. He didn't response in any way. After a few more times of you trying to wake him up and him still not moving an inch, you tried to recall which date it was today.

No, it can't be.

Yesterday was the last day you would spend with him. One week. Seven days. All moved by faster than you could remember. In your final hope you searched for his heartbeat, but you didn't hear anything. You couldn't. Now you would need to accept the fact that he was gone. Forever.

You start sobbing. "Renjun, please wake up. Please!" Despite your wobbly arms, you shook his body, screaming so uncontrollably loud that it even hurt your ears. It's my birthday. Today is supposed to be a happy day. This has to be a nightmare. I'll always be by your side. Resonating in your mind you hear a faint voice, but you just ignore it. Renjun was right. Not everyone has a happy ending. And you were certainly one of them.

I'm sorry for breaking our promise

©ɴᴄᴛᴡᴏʀsᴛsᴛᴜғғ@/ᴛᴜᴍʙʟʀ

[liibrii]

Kita Shinsuke x gn!Reader

Synopsis: Hitchhiking through the countryside you catch a ride from a handsome stranger, which just might turn out to be the greatest decision of your life – or your greatest mistake.

wc: 2k || thriller-ish, mystery-ish

a/n: heavily inspired by one of my all time favourite songs; The Count of Tuscany. tbh this fic was just an excuse for me to listen to it on repeat for several hours :P as always feedback is greatly appreciated!

In the bathroom of the roadside gas station you change into your best clothes and brush through the tangles in your hair, wash your face, scrub your hands to make sure there's no dirt beneath your nails. No one in their right mind would pick up a scruffy looking hitchhiker.

You decide to stand outside where everyone who drives in to fill their gas tanks will notice you. On a small chalkboard you bought for a few hundred yen in a convenience store you write the name of your destination with the prettiest writing you manage and even add a smiley face. That should do the trick of gaining attention.

You've almost reached your destination already. The western sea of Japan. Being born on the eastern coast you have watched the sun rise above the ocean your entire life. At least once in your life you want to see it sink in the vastness of the sea hugging your homeland.

Would a train or a bus bring you to your destination faster? They would, sadly your wallet disagreed with that option. Hitchhiking really was the best option even if you often waited for hours with no luck. Still it wasn't all bad; one time an elderly lady stoped to give you a lift. You sat in the back as the front sit was occupied by her dog who excitedly turned to sniffle and lick your face, begging for scratches. She made you stay for dinner and even prepared a futon for you to sleep. “All my children and grandchildren moved to the big cities.“ She scratched behind the ears of her dozing four legged companion as you drank tea while sun slowly set behind the hilltops. “Slowly but surely we are bein' left behind. Seein' someone so young come 'round makes these old bones incredibly happy.“

Following morning she wished you good luck on your journey. Her name and address are written in your dairy. When new year comes in a few months you mustn't forget to send her a gift. You watched her stroll away, one slow step after another, dog trailing behind, her back bent under the weight of years. Is that what the future holds for you?

You try to keep a positive outlook, at least you get to see the beauty of the countryside. The green hills and vast fields of rice swaying in the wind are a sight that takes your breath away. Summer's coming to an end. It will soon be harvest season.

Your legs are starting to hurt. Hours have passed and nobody pays you even a second glance. Under the hat your hair sticks to your skin, droplets of sweat trickle down your back. You're all but ready to give up and start looking for a place to stay the night when a man about your age approaches.

He has caught your eye before. Something about his overalls and silvery hair glimmering in the sun made him stand out from the others. He kept glancing over at you while filling his tank.

“I'm not goin' as far as ya want,“ his eyes glance over the chalkboard you're holding. “But if ya want I can give ya a ride to the next town over.“

You eagerly nod. “That would be great!“ You offer him a hand. “You can call me y/n!“

His hand is calloused. Hand of someone working outside. “Kita.“

Ride is comfortable. Kita is more on the quiet side but once you mention how pretty the landscape looks with all the swaying fields he laughs . It's a bright sound that makes your heart skip a beat. He tells you he works the fields, not all you see, but many of them. Talking to him quickly becomes easy. To your surprise you find you have a lot in common. When you arrive to the town and he stops by a small inn offering rooms you're almost reluctant to leave his company. He hesitates when taking your backpack from the back seats. “I know we just met,“ he softly says, “but could I take you out for dinner? Maybe tonight?“

How could you possibly say no? You've been travelling on your own for the past two weeks and the loneliness is starting to get to you. And he's cute.

When he picks you up a few hours later he's wearing a nice button down. He combed his hair though you preferred it when it was all messy. “I'm not late am I?“

“No, I'm just a bit early.“

“Here,“ he shyly averts his eyes when he hands you a small bouquet of spider lilies that have yet to open in full bloom.

Your cheeks flush. It has been a long time since anyone gifted you flowers. “Thank you,“ you say, sincerely.

Kita takes you to a small family owned restaurant down the street. He opens the door for you and pours you tea while you skim through the menu. Talking to him is so easy. He mentions he used to play volleyball back in high school, that many of his old teammates went on to play professionally. Embarrassed you have to tell him you know very little about volleyball. As you speak his eyes linger on your face. Sports have never been your strong suit, you admit.

“Don't feel bad over it,“ he reassuringly smiles. “So how come yer travellin' these parts?“

Your dream of seeing the sunset over the sea seems so simple when you tell him but Kita nods. There's wisdom in his eyes you don't usually see in your peers. Why are you so relieved he doesn't find your dream childish? “I just want to see the country, get to know the land and the history,“ you eagerly continue.

“There's an old castle ruin not far from the town. Tourists often visit it. If ya want I can show ya 'round,“ he offers.

A trip to ruins does sound nice. Even a little bit romantic. One more day staying around couldn't hurt, right?

Kita's smile widens when you agree. “I'll pick ya up tomorrow. Would around midday be alright?“

For the rest of the night you're all giddy on the inside. You can't wait for tomorrow to arrive. Kita walks you back to the inn and waits till you're inside before heading his own way. What a gentleman, you think to yourself. Meeting someone like him was the last thing you expected.

Whatever road lead to the castle in its days of glory has long since been claimed by the nature. Kita walks with steps of someone who has walked this path a thousand times before. You trail behind him, your clothes getting caught in branches all the time. When he sees you struggling he slows down and even offers to carry your small backpack for you.

“This castle used to be really important back in the days,“ he explains while you catch your breath. “It's strategic position is really important. There's a legend my grannie used to tell me. Durin' the Sengoku period the youngest son of a shogun fortified himself in this castle and defended it for months. Then his enemies dug tunnels beneath.“ He offers you a hand to help you climb over a pile of rubble marking what once were the castle walls. “Filled them with wood soaked in fat and set it aflame. Castle crumbled and buried hundreds of soldiers beneath it. Some say the son of the shogun still haunts this place.“

“An interesting story,“ you say, ignoring how every hair on your body stands up.

By the time you reach the ruins you're drenched in sweat and yet once the view of the valley beneath opens up you forget all about the fatigue. You step closer to the ledge and peek over it. The side of the hill plunges straight down. Deep below you see tree tops. If you slipped -

A hand grabs your shoulder. “Careful. The stones 'round here often crumble.“

You murmur an apology. Kita's hand lingers on yours, his eyes following when you walk away to have a closer look at the ruins. They're covered with grass and small trees sprouting from the crack between stones. Funny, you can't see any tables with information about this place. Having a map would surely help with orientation. You can't be the only tourist with a knack of getting lost.

Kita approaches you with a smile. “Wanna see somethin' really cool?“

You follow him inside the ruins. “Watch yer step,“ he holds the branches of a lonely tree so they don't smack you as you walk by, “it's easy to trip 'round here.“

Walls here are better preserved, higher. The shadows they cast seem longer. You follow Kita inside the labyrinth of crumbled stone. An uneasy feeling of being watched grows inside you as your approach scares off a flock of birds.

Kita pushes away a curtain of poison ivy to reveal a gaping hole where the walls lean on the cliff towering above. Cold gust of wind makes you shudder. “Here,“ Kita offers you a torchlight. Your hands are cold. Fingers barely capable of wrapping around the black plastic.

He turns to you, his eyes carefully examining your face before he enters. “Ya comin'? Be careful where ya step, the stairs are slippery.“ He offers you his hand. It's warm.

“There's a natural cave beneath the castle.“ His calm voice echoes through the winding staircase. “Apparently it used to have a small pool for the nobles to cool in durin' summer. It's filled with rubble now.“

Light of the torches casts eerie shadows on the walls. Stone surface under your fingers is cold and damp. You follow Kita through a narrow hallway and soon enough you reach a small cave. It probably used to be bigger but a part of the ceiling caved in.

Rubble crunches under the soles of your shoes. In the eerie silence all you hear is your breathing and unsteady thumping in your chest. Somewhere in the distance perhaps a ghost of a long deceased soldier- you curse yourself in your head. Why are you trying to scare yourself?

You look up to see stalactites growing from the ceiling. How many thousands of years old must they be?

“They only grow about a millimetre per year. Must be tens of thousands of years old.“ Kita's voice makes you jump. How did he know exactly what you were thinking?

Only now you notice he's standing between you and the exit to the hallway. His eyes are fixed on you. He's closing off the only exit. Pounding in your chest quickens. This place is starting to suffocate you. 

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.

You really did follow a complete stranger into a cave beneath an abandoned castle. What an idiot. Naive, trusting idiot.

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.

Slowly, like water dripping from the ceiling it sinks in you may not make it out of here.

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.

Ah, don't be stupid! You still have years to live! A boring office job to take on! When was the last time you spoke to your friends?

Kita's eyes never leave yours as he steps closer. In the dim light it all seems so- Kita wouldn't- But you don't know him, do you? Torch rolls from your shaking fingers.

Is this really how it ends? Hidden from the sunlight, caught like a mouse in a trap of stone and cold cutting to your bones? You can't breathe. Will they ever find you? Tears well up in your eyes. Why? What have you done to deserve this?

You're shaking. Will you ever see the sunset over the vastness of the sea? Will you lay beside the unfortunate soldiers from centuries ago till you become only clean, nameless bones?

A shaky plea for your life is all you manage to stammer. Through the tears his face is just muddled colours. Is this really how you die?

Warm touch of his hands cupping your face, thumbs wiping away tears, his soft, gentle voice, paralyse you. “Hey, why are ya cryin'?“