#the thief who wore a crown

[icwasher]

Writing Journal: 1/28/25

I finished the first chapter of my newest WIP, and I'm really excited about this one. I outlined all of it except a good portion of the middle, which will be a problem for future me since I know what happens in at least the first two/three chapters, and I can write those while I try to figure out all the political machinations that need to go in the middle.

Anyways, here's a portion of the first chapter.

“So,” says the dark blue-wearing Minister to the Green Minister, “what is this plan of yours?” “It’s less of a plan,” says the Green Minister, and the others eye him tiredly. I get the sense that this sort of thing happens rather often, “than an idea.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes, his crows' feet wrinkling with amusement. He is my favorite of the Ministers, almost certainly. “What we need is a Prince Ciro. He is of the same height and build. With a little Weaving to his face, he would be the perfect replacement.” The Ministers look at him like he is out of his mind. I am merely confused. What on earth do they need another Prince Ciro for?  Finally, the Orange Minister speaks up. He says, “Have you gone mad?”  Because I do not know what they are talking about, I cannot echo the sentiment, but I am sure I would be able to had I paid closer attention to their whispered conversation in the hall. As it is, I only look back and forth between the Green and Orange Ministers, who are now staring at each other as if they are engaged in some silent battle. I find the entire thing entertaining, especially when I look over at the other Ministers, who are watching the contest with looks that range from bemused to amused.  The Orange Minister breaks away first and I see the Green Minister smile triumphantly. “You have to admit,” he says, turning to the Head Minister, “that it is at least a halfway decent plan.” “If you mean putting a common thief on the throne the night before the Prince is to be crowned, then I am afraid I must disagree,” says the Head Minister.

[forsaken-at-one]

Media: Adventure Time

Pairing: Finn Mertens/fem!Reader

TWs: Smut, altered state of mind, oral, p in v sex, outdoor sex, unprotected sex, getting caught naked, kinda implied pregnancy, usage of (Y/N), reader is explicitly called 'girl' in the story and referred to with feminine pronouns and has female anatomy.

Characters are meant to be around 20.

Pov second person

Summary: After accidentally dropping an important item into the pond by the tree fort (Y/N) dives in after it. Knowing the possible danger Finn comes to rescue her but both end up in the other dimension.

Minors DNI please and thank you!

You sat near the pond focused on your handy work. You were currently sewing a little costume for BMO who wanted to dress up as a princess. To make the little one happy you used some of your savings, probably more than you'd care to admit, on buying a little custom made crown for the small console.

Right now you studied the blue gem inlaid into the shiny metal frame to make sure the colors you chose for the dress were complementing it well. However the sky grew overcast and it got a bit windy. You decided to continue your work inside the Tree Fort where Finn and Jake were currently preparing food. 

You gathered the cloth and the little bag with your sewing supplies and got up. Almost forgetting your prized gift for BMO you bowed down to pick up the little crown. Before you reached it a sneaky magpie swooped down from the skies and stole the treasure from right under your nose.

Thinking quickly, or perhaps through sheer muscle memory, you threw your sewing kit at the thief. It hadn't gotten far and being hit by the bag made it drop the crown into the pond. The shiny sank like a stone while the magpie flew away. Your sewing kit floated on the water's surface. You could imagine BMOs distressed face and little tears when they heard that the crown they had been promised was lost and your heart couldn't take it.

You quickly took off your shoes and socks leaving you only in the summer dress you wore that day, and without a second thought you jumped into the unexpectantly deep pond and dove after the treasure.

Just then Finn had opened the window to call you inside for food. When he saw you diving into the waters he ran down to follow after you, knowing first hand what might happen if you got sucked into the whirlpool.

You emerged in the grotto, the nymphs were absent, perhaps hanging out elsewhere. You used your hands to feel for the crown on the ground of the water unaware that you were slowly dragged towards the vortex that lead to another dimension.

Finally you found it. Just then Finn emerged and you raised up the little crown triumphantly. "Almost lost it, but I got it back!" You called out, over the sound of rushing water while trying to swim toward Finn. The distance between you two only grew however no matter how strong you swam.

"(Y/N)! Look out, you're getting sucked into that whirlpool!" He swam towards you, hand stretched out to grab yours. But it was too late, you could only gasp in as much air as possible and then hold your breath.

Finn saw you disappear underwater and without as much as a second thought he dove in after you. Re-Experiencing the disorienting twists and turns the waters swept him up and out of the strange pink pond.

When he caught his bearings he knew he didn't have too much time before this dimension took its toll and distracted and confused you both to the point of no return. And this time there was no sea lard to save you.

He spotted you, already running away from the pond, the only exit Finn knew of, waving your arms around and cursing. When he reached you you were catching your breath doubled over. "Stupid bird thing! Not again!"

"Hey, (Y/N), what's going on?" Finn asked, concerned. "It's my gift for the costume party that BMO wants to do so badly, I got them this tiny replica of PBs crown, and it wasn't cheap. I already told them I'd have a great gift, I can't loose this thing!"

"And a bird grabbed it?" He asked a bit amused at the absurdity of the situation. "Two!" You cried, "Two different birds grabbed it!" Despite your anguish you had to laugh about it too. Such bad luck could only happen to you.

"Well we really should hurry then, Jake and I were here once and this place messes with your head majorly! Makes you forget stuff." He said walking in the direction the strange bird had flown off too. You nodded and followed him.

"And don't touch the pink stuff, that's really important." He said. "No, wait, purple stuff, yeah that's it. Okay we really better hurry!"

He offered his hand for you to take. With his gaze fixed forward he didn't see your blush as you took it. Neither could you see his, as you only saw the back of his familiar polar bear hat.

He picked up the pace soon tracking down the bird. Atop a sheer cliff it had a nest with many treasures inside. It rested shortly before taking off again leaving the nest unguarded. Finn inspected the rock to see if he'd be able to climb it. Not as physically fit as him, you just took a seat on a small rock, feeling quite useless. 

You picked pretty flowers from around you and began to intertwine them into a crown. Diligently you abstained from picking the blue flowers, like instructed. While some strange purple ones wound their way into your craft. Absentmindedly thinking about how you'd ever make it up to Finn. He always helped you out with anything, with no questions asked. You tried to do the same for him, but you weren't as strong or experienced as him when it came to this adventuring business.

You looked up, seeing Finn hadn't really left his spot. You made eye contact for a moment before he quickly turned away. "I uh, I don't think I can climb up here, we have to try to go around the cliff, or find a better spot for climbing." He finally concluded. You stood up and gave him a firm nod and you took off parallel to the cliff. "Thank you for helping me." You said, and although it wasn't much you reached up and carefully placed the colorful flower crown on his head.

Finn gave you a proud grin and you had a hearty laugh at his goofy face, alongside the fact he now had a crown on top of his usual hat. But it fit him somehow. And he joined in your laughter and your heart almost skipped a beat. You grabbed his hand again with less reservations, and you strolled along the cliff for a bit chatting about this and that.

Eventually you were tired of walking and the two of you sat down in a field of soft pink grass. The cliff side was long out of view as were your original goals. "- well anyways, then I said I'm… I'm …" He stumbled mid sentence and furrowed his brow. "You're… huh strange… no wait I got it: you're hero!" You mused while laying on your back watching the strange clouds. "No… I mean maybe? I feel like I'm man! No that's not quite right either… I'm boy, yeah that sounds right, I'm boy and you're princess, right?" He was laying sideways facing you, elbow on the ground and his palm supporting his head.

You closed your eyes for a moment deep in thought. Hero felt more correct to you, but if he felt like boy that's what he was. And though you didn't feel like princess fit you, it touched you that that was how he saw you. You just hummed approvingly. When opening your eyes again you saw a few unruly strands of hair had slid out of his bear hat. That beautiful, shiny hair, like gold. You reached for a strand and twirled it between your fingers. He just watched you curiously. It was so soft, you wanted more.

You scooted closer to him and tugged at the plush ear of his hat, removing it and freeing all of that amazing hair. It sprawled out and was a fascinating contrast against the dark pink grass you two laid in. You raked your fingers through his hair gently finding yourself almost unable to stop. It felt like you had wanted this for longer than you could remember. 

Eventually you found yourself massaging his scalp while he relaxed into your touch, closing his eyes. His head was on your lap now and your fingers traced through his hair, along his scalp and eventually you softly stroked along his cheek and jaw. His skin wasn't as soft as yours. He was quite a bit older than when you had first met. Although your memory was too fuzzy to realize at the moment. In reality you had known each other since you were tweens but by now you were both young adults.

You marveled at every micro expression he showed in reaction to your soft touch, despite being asleep your closeness made him smile. Alas your legs were falling asleep and you absolutely had to change your position, after having drawn out the serenity for as long as you could. Praying you wouldn't disturb him, you slowly moved, but luck was still not on your side.

"Hey…" He mumbled drowsily. You felt like you could get addicted to this side of him. Not yet quite awake, so soft, unlike the strong composed self you were usually privy to. You laid back down next to him, faces almost touching. "Hey." You replied, studying his features. A soft adoring smile, his clear sky blue eyes and this feeling in your core. This want to be as close as possible and never leave again. You closed your eyes and moved in for a kiss. 

At first the blond was confused. His memories were a bit jumbled. "Wh-what  are you doing?" He asked against our lips, with intrigue in his voice. "Dunno, but it feels good." Your hands found their way back into his hair, and he draped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer. "Yeah." He said breathlessly before kissing you back passionately.

Your soft lips eagerly explored his and your heart beat picked up its pace. This felt good, right, like something you should have done long ago. You couldn't even remember what had held you back until now. He tugged at your waist inviting you to climb on top of him and you complied.

You were straddling him, your hands steadying themselves on his chest. You broke the kiss to stare into each other's eyes for a moment. His sparkled like a lake glittering in the sunlight. His hands moved up your sides and toward your chest. You held your breath in anticipation but he waited for a signal from you. You eagerly nodded and finally he cupped your supple breasts.

If only it weren't for that annoying dress you wore. You started pulling it over your head, and always the hero Finn gladly helped you. He also made short work of your bra tossing the unnecessary clothes to the side. In turn you helped him rid himself of his blue shirt. Scars from his many adventures adorned his toned upper body. You let your fingers run across his chest delighting in how he felt under you, before being pulled into another deep kiss.

Your underpants started to soak in the testament to your desire as you instinctually ground your still clothed sex against his. You felt his hard length through his jeans and wanted to free it so badly. When the kiss naturally broke you moved downwards, despite Finns little noise of protest against loosing your warmth on his body. 

You undid the button swiftly and pulled his pants and undies down together. His cock slapped against his belly and you could finally see it in full. You eagerly wrapped your hand around it and hovering your mouth over the tip. Something told you to hold back though, and your gaze snapped up to meet his. "May I?" You inquired. "Yes, please!" There was a desperation in his voice you thought you never heard before.

You wet your lips with saliva before carefully engulfing his tip. You delighted in the sensation and explored as much of the delicate skin as could with your mouth. He hissed making you pull back in worry. "Did I hurt you?" You frowned. "No- no keep going, it's good!" You returned to your administrations and delicately drag your tongue along his length. From the base up to the tip. His natural smell and taste leaving you wanting more.  

You wrap your hand around his cock lazily stroking it while letting your tongue explore other sensitive areas. He winced when you started licking and lightly suckling his balls and you watched him tense up more and more. You found a good pace with your hand and eventually your tongue and lips found themselves back around his cock as well. Free hand fondling his balls tenderly. 

His breathing became more and more ragged and his muscles tensed up as curses and praises fell from his lips. His hands fisted into your hair desperate for something to ground him as his head was spinning. Suddenly he pulled on your hair, rougher than he wanted making you yelp. "Wait, not yet." He stammered, sitting himself up as his chest heaved. He caught his breath as his length twitched impatiently.

Swiftly he guided you to lay down on your back and freed you of your soaked panties. Intrigued by your lust he dragged his tongue through your folds tasting your slick. When he brushed up against your sensitive swollen nub you couldn't help a moan escaping your lips. He smiled against your skin, revelling in your lewd sound as much as you enjoyed his. Now that he found your apparent weak spot there was no holding back anymore. He experimented with the direction and intensity of his licks to find the combination that would make you fall apart.

Now it was you who desperately held onto him. Throwing your head back into the soft grass tinged purple by the Twilight. Desperation grew in your core and you arched your back and leaned into all touch he provided. Beyond the sensations and delight and bliss you felt your head was empty. Nothing beyond him, and you and the immediate surrounding. But what more should there be? This was all you needed.

Finally he pulled away leaving you shaking. You saw that he had been stroking his length with his free hand keeping it ready for you. He climbed on top of you, supporting himself on his elbows. His lips ghosted over yours as he eased himself into your core. You bit your lip at the amazing sensation of being filled up like that. Once he bottomed out he let out a quiet "Fuck, you're perfect." Before settling into a comfortable pace.

Every thrust tightened the knot in your belly, threatening to burst any minute. Your fate was sealed when his lips found yours again. He groaned into the kiss, clearly close too, making you wrap your legs around him, to allow for even deeper access. He picked up the pace in turn, breaking the kiss to instead explore your sensitive nipples with his tongue. Grazing over them with his teeth to test your reaction. Your whine and the tensing of your muscles were exactly what he was looking for.

Trailing kisses up from your breast to the side of your neck he first nibbled carefully before testing out a bit more force. Your hands pulled on his hair as tears started forming in the corners of your eyes. He paused for a moment before your eyes met and he knew those weren't the bad kinds of tears. Eagerly he made his way up and down your neck, biting, and then soothingly licking the affected area. All while keeping the pace that had you rushing toward your orgasm.

"Oh glob, please, please don't stop." You whined and with that and a few more thrusts your eyes were overflowing as you clung to him, your hero, for dear life. Too wrapped up in the blazing feeling you barely noticed his faltering breath. You held him close when he buried his face into the crook of your neck as he was riding his high praising and thanking you.

First you lay there just panting, in each other's embrace. Finally he pulled away and collapsed next to you. Both of you were lying on your sides, facing the other. His face was flushed and he looked somewhat drowsy. Then you noticed the flower crown haphazardly lying in the grass behind him. You stretch to pick it up and study it. It reminds you of something. "Hey, what did we want to do here again?" You wondered. "Maybe whatever we just did again, uh after a nap." He shrugged. "Yeah that'd be nice." 

Still the crown had your mind in a vice grip. Your serenity was rudely interrupted suddenly by a strange sight. A little old lady, clad in purple, somehow flying with her hair, emerged from the tree line. She freaked out when she saw you. She exaggerated disgust despite clearly peeking at your naked forms and implored you to get dressed again. Embarrassed, you quickly gathered your clothes back and dressed up. She wore a familiar object on her head. Something you thought you wanted to have. 

After thoroughly apologizing you offered her a trade. Your flower crown for the small golden one she had. To your surprise she was eager to trade, calling her current crown "trash she found in a birds nest".

You parted ways with her and you and Finn picked a random direction to walk towards. He wrapped his arm around you protectively and you rested your head on his shoulder. By now it was completely dark. Suddenly cries filled the night and you took off toward the disturbance. Little critters fled a clearing in the woods and you soon saw why. A sort of yellow snake, with a hand for a head was terrorizing the citizens. Picking them up, before dropping them again.

Finn held your hand tightly unsure of what to do without any weapons. The hand snake approached and despite Finns efforts it got a hold of his arm. It felt up his arm, all the way to his face, before grabbing both of you and dragging you through the woods. Through bushes, thorns, over rocks, to a clearing and into a pond.

As you were dragged through the water thoughts and memories flooded back into you. You both emerged with a gasp and coughing. It was Jake there in the grotto, with the concerned water nymphs. "What the heck you guys!?" The dog scolded. "You were gone for hours! I had to feel around for you for so long, glob, I don't even wanna know the sorts of stuff I touched before I FINALLY found you!"

But Jakes scolding and the water nymphs chatter fell on more or less deaf ears. You and Finn were quiet. When you emerged from the pond and saw the familiar tree fort again you felt a strange heaviness.

Jake went ahead inside as it had started to rain in the mean time. You and Finn stood there for a while, neither sure of what to say. You wanted to hold his hand again, be just as close as just an hour ago, but now you weren't sure anymore. Did he like you, or was it just that dimension breaking down your memories until you only act on base impulse. 

Finally you spoke. "Thank you for trying to save me." "Always." And that was true, he'd try to save you always. No questions asked. He touched your hand lightly, and you intertwined your fingers.

Until he broke the silence again. "Uh, (Y/N), a- are you on birth control?" 

You gulped.

~~~

AN: Any sort of engagement is very, very appreciated, especially comments and/or critiques as I'd love to improve. I wanted to leave the ending a bit open because I'm playing with the thought of a part two, but as it stands the reader can decide what to make of it.

[amonsteronmaplestreet]

Have I ever told y’all about the strangest job I ever did?

“Oh, here we go,” you’re thinking. “Some fella in a seedy bar in New Alms is wanting to tell me about a job he did. I’ve been here before and I know what’s coming. Whatever the job was, I’d bet all the water in the bayou it was something illegal.”

And of course you’d be right to think that. This city ain’t exactly known for its upstanding citizenry. New Alms is the ass-end of civilization, perched on the southernmost tip of the Peninsula, out of sight and out of mind for respectable folks. It’d be easier to list the jobs here that aren’t illegal, I should think.

But don’t you worry. I ain’t here to spin some sordid tale of murder or kidnappings or anything of that nature. No, my friends, those sorts of jobs were never very much my style.

Jackson Balor’s the name, and I was sitting not far from here when a man came strutting through that very door, marched right up to me, and said: “I’ve heard tell that you’re the finest thief in the city.”

Well it was a mighty flattering thing for him to call me that, but truth is I couldn’t say for certain if I actually was the finest thief in the city or not. New Alms is a city of thieves, ain’t it? I could’ve been the finest one, sure, or there could’ve been thieves finer still, and besides my Granny—rest her soul—always did tell me to never be too prideful. “Lord Cerenis frowns on the prideful,” she used to say.

Still, this man who’d come up to me? He was dressed in these cheap clothes that were too clean to have been anything but a recent purchase, and he had on a hooded cloak that was bundled tight round his head. My eyes dropped to his boots and sure enough, they was a bit too shiny and pristine for him to have spent any significant time in the Muck Quarter. So I reckoned that what I had here was a wealthy client—or at least a representative of one—who was trying hard to remain incognito.

My Granny might’ve raised me to be humble, but she also didn’t raise me to be a fool. And as far as I’m concerned, when a man dressed like that comes up to you in a bar and says he’s heard that you’re the finest thief in the city, there ain’t but one thing you should say to him in response:

“That I am.”

The confirmation that I was indeed Jackson Balor, allegedly the finest thief in the city, seemed to calm the man—which was peculiar cuz I hadn’t even noticed he was stressed in the first place. He’d hid it so well that it weren’t even noticeable til he relaxed a bit, and then the difference was so obvious you couldn’t help but wonder how you’d never seen it in the first place.

“I have a job for you,” the man told me, which I’d already figured out on account of his whole demeanor. While he took a seat for himself on the stool beside me, I studied him. His hair looked to be clean and well-cut, and it was that sort of sandy color where you’re not sure if you should call it brown or blond. And he had these gray eyes that kept darting all over the place like he expected to get jumped at any moment—rich folks always expect they’re about to be jumped whenever they come to slum it down here with the rest of us. He kept his hood bound around him, especially round his neck, and wore long loose sleeves and gloves. In fact, it looked like his head was the only part of him that wasn’t covered up.

“It’s a dangerous job,” the man went on after ordering a glass of whiskey. He held it in front of him but didn’t take a sip. “And it’s vital that I have your absolute discretion.”

“Of course,” I told him. “But I don’t work for cheap.”

“Naturally.” He relaxed a bit again, in that peculiar way of his where I didn’t even realize he was stiff til I saw the change. I guess talking money was familiar and comfortable territory for a rich fella like him. “I am prepared to offer you three thousand Crowns; half up front and half upon completion of the job.”

Now the first rule of negotiating is to never look too impressed by the first figure, but I don’t think it’d shock anyone to tell y’all how hard that was for me. By Perdition, my rent was fifty Crowns a month and that was most of my living expenses right there! This fella was offering me, frankly, more money than I knew what to do with, and it was a struggle not to just stare at him like an idiot when he said that.

But again, my Granny didn’t raise no fool. I stayed as cool as I could manage, and I decided to see how far I could push Mister Moneybags here. So I told him: “I’ll do it for five thousand.”

Honestly, I was half-expecting him to laugh in my face, or maybe to get all indignant and storm out, or maybe just call me an imbecile, or something. Instead, he simply smiled.

“Four thousand,” he said. “That’s my final offer.”

’Course I accepted. Haggling’s all fine and dandy, but you don’t want to push your luck too much when a man’s waving that kind of coin around. I was feeling pretty good about myself, but I was also starting to get a bit scared, because if a man’s willing to pay a thief four thousand Crowns for something, it’s because he either has one doozy of a job lined up for him or he’s just plain stupid—and neither of those is a great possibility to consider when you’re a professional filcher like myself.

A professional’s what I was though, and like a professional I kept my cool and heard him out. And so two nights later, I was quite a few Crowns richer and hanging by my fingers off the wall of Lady Imogen Lugh’s lavish manor grounds.

Lady Lugh was a relative newcomer to the city, having only moved in and established herself about five years previous. Her place wasn’t really in the best part of town for this sort of nocturnal work, neither. It was down near the West Docks, not far from the bayou, where the air gets thick with bugs and the cries and moans of the sundry beasts who make their homes out there in the wild. Those bug lamps they’ve installed every few feet down there help a bit with one of those problems, but the extra light creates a whole new problem for folks like myself.

But one thing I can say about New Alms is that it ain’t lacking in nooks and crannies to hide in. There was this little spot along the manor’s outer wall where the street got real thin because they’d built some big office building a bit too close to it. Really, it felt more like an alley than an actual street, and I can’t imagine carriage traffic ever passed through it. But the bug lamps was scarce along that little stretch, and it made for a great little pocket of darkness for me to ply my trade in.

I was there and climbing up the wall as soon as I figured the streets were clear, which didn’t take long at all at that time of night. It never ceases to amaze me just how few police patrols there are in the wealthier parts of the city. It’s like they think rich folks are never up to no good or something.

Shows what they know, right?

Now, when I’m out on the job, I always dress for the occasion. What you wanna do is wear dark colors—but keep actual black to a minimum, alright? Black stands out against all but the deepest shadows something fierce, and if you’re ever in the deepest shadows it ain’t gonna matter what you’re wearing anyhow. Personally I always preferred very dark grays and browns. They just blend in better with the natural shades and hues of the city, in my experience. I always keep my hood up, too, and I’ve got a scarf that goes over my nose and mouth so only my eyes are visible.

As for my gloves, I got myself this real nice pair. Paid decent coin to get them specially treated so they’d grip real good. Only drawback is that they’re black, but I suppose that was alright. I said you gotta keep blacks to a minimum, right, and the only black on my person being my gloves absolutely counted as a minimum, far as I was concerned. Man who did the chemical treatment was a real nice fella too, and his prices were more than reasonable. If any of y’all are interested in pair, I’d be happy to give you his address, though I can’t say for certain if he’s still there nowadays.

Anyway, where was I?

Oh, right.

So there I was, hanging off the wall surrounding Lady Imogen Lugh’s illustrious home. The perimeter of her grounds was marked by an eight-foot-tall brick barrier, so it weren’t too difficult to run and jump and grab onto the top. Climbing the rest of the way was also no issue, cuz the top of the wall was adorned with these evenly spaced iron spikes which I’m sure were meant to keep people like me out, but instead made for some right convenient handholds.

All I needed to do was grab and lift, and if I had any issues lifting myself I just needed to use my feet to walk my way up the wall. Soon enough I was all huddled up at the top of the structure, which I imagine would’ve looked mighty strange to anyone who happened to pass by. My hands were on the shafts of those spikes, and my boots was planted on the narrow ledge beside them. My knees were all bent and my back was arched forward in a sort of curled-up crouch, like I was doing my best impression of some manner of beetle.

This next part was a tricky bit. The spikes might’ve made for some lovely handholds, but they was also two feet long with points as sharp as the Wild God’s own horns, which made the prospect of getting over them without also losing my balance, falling down, and breaking my neck a bit difficult.

But I’m Jackson Balor, the finest thief in all of New Alms��according my client at least. And I wouldn’t’ve put myself in this position if I didn’t have a plan. See, the dark narrow street was but one benefit to my chosen point of entry. The other benefit was the cypress tree that grew on the other side of the wall, whose branches extended over the top of it and looked more than sturdy enough to support a grown man’s weight, at least for a moment or two.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the thought of someone passing by at that moment didn’t even bother me none. Odds were that I’d just blend in with the clumps of needles all around me.

One hand firmly on a spike, I grabbed the sturdiest branch in reach. I held it for balance as I stood, and then I grabbed another branch and lifted my feet over the spikes below me. Soon enough, I’d hooked myself over the branches, and I was climbing my way over to the center of the tree.

I reached the trunk, then paused. Our bodies are heavy things, and tree branches tend to bend and shake when heavy things are moving on them. I waited til it stopped shaking, then peaked out through the greenery to examine the manor grounds below.

Can’t say I was all that impressed. You seen one noble’s manor, you seen them all. They love their sloping roofs and their pillars along balconies. This particular manor had one or two flourishes that made it stand out, I suppose—I noticed a few towers, all classical and castle-like. But it was mostly just more of the same. I also didn’t notice any lights on in the windows, which was good news for me.

Less good though was the glow I could see coming round the corner. The wall was only a few feet from the manor itself, and the tree was almost up against the wall, leaving space for a narrow side path below its branches. If I’d wanted, I could’ve shimmied down a branch and gone through a window—but I didn’t. My client had been clear about where the loot was, and heading inside the manor at this point would’ve just complicated things.

I needed to stay still anyway. The glow coming round the corner of the manor was getting brighter, and as I watched it I saw three figures walk into sight. They were guards. Two carried lanterns in their hands, and they each had a sword hanging from their sides. That was all well and good and expected, but the third guard gave me pause. He had this funny looking stick in his hands. A crystal had been fitted on the end of it, and there were all these copper wires running down the sides. The end opposite the crystal was carved like the handle of a crossbow, with a trigger and everything.

Nowadays they ain’t such an unusual sight, but at the time I had never seen an arcblaster in person before. Sure, I’d heard of them—fancy new weapons cooked up by the Cerenites over in their viarc labs—but they was still pretty new, and Lady Imogen must’ve spent a small fortune outfitting even one of her guards with that sort of cutting edge equipment.

Faced with this threat, I did the only a thing a rational man could do in my situation: I held my breath and froze. I sat crouched in that tree as stiff and still as a board, doing my best to stay as calm and unobtrusive as possible. The human eye tends to be drawn to movement, if you didn’t know, so if you’re fixing to be all stealthy and sneaky-like, you need to learn to be patient and still.

And that’s what I was putting into practice. I was still as a statue up there in that tree, silently praying to the Civilized God himself that I’d blend into the shadows and the guards wouldn’t notice me. There was a small sword strapped to my side, but I’d never had cause to use it before, and I knew damn well that it wouldn’t protect me at all if that fella with the arcblaster starting shooting his weapon off.

But I had one more thing going for me: folks don’t usually go around looking up above them. If you’re hiding out above a man’s head, then nine times out of ten he’s gonna walk right on past without ever realizing you’re there.

That don’t apply if a man’s distant, of course. Cuz then the high up stuff is in his field of vision. So I had to stay still and hope the tree provided me enough cover. I watched the guards approach, and it was only when they was directly under me that I let myself relax a little.

“Quiet night,” one of the lantern-holding guards noted as they passed under the tree. They were all wearing leather coats and black boots, and they had black caps on their heads.

“It’s always a quiet night,” replied the guard with the arcblaster. “Don’t know why Miss Lugh bothered buying this thing.”

“If you don’t want it, we can trade,” said the other lantern-holder.

Mister Arcblaster scoffed at that. “By Perdition we will!”

By then they’d walked right on by me. I turned my head and peeked out around the tree trunk, waited til they was turning the next corner, and then hopped down into the grass below. I landed in a crouch, then crept on after them.

Most folks don’t usually have much reason to look behind themselves neither, unless you give them one. That’s why I figured it was safer for me to follow those fellas, rather than try creeping round the other way and risk getting caught by a different patrol. Well, that and the fact they was headed for the back of the manor, and that happened to be my destination as well. I followed them round the corner to the big garden back there.

Y’all ain’t never seen a garden til you seen a rich folk’s garden. I’ve pilfered from many a noble in my day, and I seen all sorts of gardens, each more elaborately arranged than the last, but let me just say that I ain’t never seen one quite like Lady Lugh’s. The ground was all carved up and filled with water, making all these little ponds and streams. Machinery was installed here and there to pump the water and keep it flowing, but it’d been covered up with sod and vines and flowers to disguise it. There was wooden bridges crisscrossing the waterways, and stone paths connecting the bridges, and all sorts of bushes and plants growing wild and free betwixt them.

’Tweren’t much like any other gardens I knew of. Rich folks—civilized folks—tend to like things to be orderly, with everything in a neat little row and not even a single leaf out of place. By contrast, Lady Lugh’s garden was this wild and chaotic mess of a thing, with all the plants growing about however which way they pleased. Even the pathways through the garden didn’t seem to follow any set pattern.

The guards didn’t bother with heading into that garden. Truth be told, they seemed to give the fixture as wide a berth as they could, like they was nervous about it. I suppose I can’t really blame them for that—I was pretty nervous too seeing that garden. My Granny raised me to respect Cerenis and treasure his gift of civilization, like any good god-fearing sort, and that crazy garden reminded me too much the dangerous wilds he lifted mankind out of for my comfort.

My trio of guards cut through the garden exactly once, when they crossed over the path connecting that greater wild thing to the manor’s solarium. There the plants were slightly more ordered, with little flower beds planted neatly beside the intersection of the pathways. That was a bit of a comforting sight for me, seeing as the solarium also happened to be my destination.

Pardon me. I don’t believe I’ve mentioned what it was I’d been hired to steal, have I? Please excuse my poor form, fellas. It’s been a right long day, and sometimes I have difficulty getting all my thoughts in order.

See, my client was interested in a very particular mask. He told me that it was an old relic—one of those really ancient pagan pieces from before Cerenis graced humanity with the light of order. Despite its age, the mask was well-preserved, and it was therefore worth quite a bit of coin to anyone who knew its true historic value.

He’d stressed that last bit a mite more than he strictly needed. I reckon he thought I’d be tempted to steal such a high-value item for myself, and figured I’d be smart enough to know that not a single fence in New Alms would have the know-how to recognize the mask’s true worth. But he didn’t need to worry about that. Like I been saying, I’m a professional, and even if I wasn’t, I sure would’ve been willing to be one for four-thousand Crowns.

So while the guards continued walking the manor’s perimeter and rounded the next corner out of sight, I crept my way over to the solarium’s back door and gave the handle a try. I wasn’t too surprised to find it locked, though I’d be lying if I said it weren’t a bit disappointing. My job would’ve been so much easier if folks forgot to lock their doors every now and then. But luckily situations like this were exactly why we invented lockpicks, and I pulled my set from my pouch and got to work.

Funny little things, locks. You just see a keyhole on the outside, but on the inside there’s all these itty-bitty pins, and how it’s supposed to work is that the key pushes those pins into their proper place and then a-click and you’re good. But when you ain’t got the key, and instead all you got is some picks, then what you instead gotta do is jiggle the little metal stick around in there and listen and feel for the little clicks the pins make when they slide into place. Then once they’re all lined up right and proper, you can apply a bit of pressure and turn the thing.

One last click, and the way is open.

Lady Lugh’s lock was a simple one to pick, but I reckon most locks seem simple when you’ve been picking them since you was a kid. I was just sliding the final pin into place when I saw something out of the corner of my eye—a glow of lantern light, coming round the side of the house.

Turns out there’d been a second patrol after all, and now they was making their way over to me. I probably had a few seconds at most before the guards’d be right on top of me, and I weren’t too eager to get myself all chopped to bits by swords or shot to pieces by an arcblaster—or even worse: removed from the premises, which would have been a right embarrassing thing to happen to a professional thief like yours truly.

But did I panic? No I did not. I’d been doing this far too long to panic just cuz some guard might see me. I kept myself calm and I kept my hand steady, and I turned that lock and opened up that door and slipped myself inside. Closing the door as gently as possible, I heard the soft click of the latch right as the lantern light was washing its way over the back garden and seeping in through the crack along the floor. I crouched down behind that door as quiet as a mouse, and I watched the light as it passed by the windows of the solarium.

There’s quite a lot of windows in a solarium, in case y’all didn’t know. Not sure how familiar y’all happen to be with upper class architecture, but having lots of windows is sort of the defining feature of solariums.

Once this second patrol had passed me by, I relaxed a bit and stood up. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness about as well as they could, and I could make out enough of what was in the room with me that all that relaxation I just did was immediately undone.

That garden outside was a wild thing, sure, but it weren’t nothing compared to the garden Lady Imogen Lugh was keeping inside her home.

First off, it was huge. I’d known it was big seeing it from the outside, but the inside was so big I had trouble wrapping my head around how it could fit. It was bigger than any solarium had any right to be, and the air was warm and thick with humidity.

There was another pond in here, and the surface of the water was covered in algae and lily pads and moss and all sorts of other kinds of green. The vegetation was so thick it took me a moment to even realize a pond was there at all. Thorny bushes lined the edges of the solarium, and leafy vines crept up from them along the walls and windows. More vines hung like snakes from above, and I thought I could catch glimpses of various critters moving up and down them, but it was too dark to be sure.

None of that was the first thing I noticed about that big glass room, though. No, the first thing I noticed was the fact that there was a great big tree in the center of it, growing straight out of a small island in the center of that pond and looming large over everything else. The vines were in fact hanging from its branches, and though I couldn’t tell what sorts of leaves it had, I was damn sure I could see movement up there in its foliage, and I shuddered to think of what sorts of creatures might make their nests there.

By this point I was wondering—hoping, really—that my client had some bad information. Aside from the door behind me and the glass of the windows, I saw nothing that looked manmade in that solarium. If someone had come along and told me that I’d crossed through some manner of portal and been magically transported to a strange and freaky forest, I reckon I would’ve fully believed them without a second thought. The idea that a valuable mask, or really even anything of value at all, might be somewhere in all this nature seemed ludicrous.

Still, I figured I might as well sweep through the place, just to be sure. I took a few steps forward, and received the shock of my life.

Golden light bloomed around me. The floor was covered in grass and soil, and all throughout that grass were these little yellow flower bulbs that bloomed open when I got close, and when they did soft light the same color as their petals emanated from their cores.

I froze, thinking at first that some unseen watchman had spotted me and illuminated my now-conspicuous form. Once I ascertained the true source of the light, however, that fear was replaced with a new one. I cast my eyes back at the windows, and took small comfort in the fact that they was all covered up in vines. Those would block a lot of things, but not light. After all, I’d been able to see the guards’ lanterns through them, hadn’t I?

With nowhere else to go, I sprinted forward, toward that pond and the big tree in the center of the room, and I was gratified to look over my shoulder and see the flowers closing back up and dimming as I drew away. ’Course my motion was also drawing me into the vicinity of more flowers, which bloomed and shone in my presence then folded and faded as I passed, but I figured that the further I could get from the windows the better, and the less likely any passing guard would be to spot the lights coming on and off within the solarium.

I made my way round the pond, hoping to use the big tree to block the flowerlights from view, and as I rounded the bend I stumbled onto the one piece of evidence of human hands in the whole place: a wooden bridge, extending in a lovely arch from the edge of the pond to the great tree in the center, lined with finely polished handrails and looking sturdy and new like it’d just been built yesterday.

There was more flowers on the other side of the bridge. A cluster of vines had grown up along the trunk, and blooming gold flowers lined them, illuminating the pale shape of a wood-carved mask nestled against the bark of the tree. But that ain’t all.

The vines beneath the mask were thin, and they’d grown in a peculiar and dare I say alarming fashion. They wove around each other in a shape that at first implied the form of a man, but which seemed less and less like one the longer I looked at it. Men, after all, do not possess claws or horns or a tail. The mask was perched on the shape’s head, and my blood ran cold when I realized exactly what sort of pagan business this old relic was truly connected to.

What I was standing in was none other than a shrine to Ferengris, the Wild God, wicked brother to the Civilized God Cerenis, and the Master of Chaos and Enemy of Civilization. I’d never been foolish enough to believe New Alms was a city of virtue—not even as a child; I got eyes and ears, don’t I?—but even so I was taken aback by the blasphemy before me, and in that moment I was struck with a terror such as I had never felt before as I realized that Lady Lugh was not simply some eccentric rich woman, but rather a heretic and a Wild cultist.

All at once the nature of her garden and her solarium made a sickening sort of sense to me. I was trespassing in her house or worship, walking among the fruits of the Wild God, and everything within me demanded that I flee now and return to the safe embrace of civilization, maybe run down to the Temple and tell the Cerenites all about what I’d seen.

But I did none of that. I’d come here for a job, after all. Sure, I was terrified, and sure, I wanted to wash myself in holy oil and beg the Civilized God for absolution, but there was four-thousand Crowns and my professional reputation on the line, and I weren’t about to leave here without my ticket to that big payout.

So I walked up to the bridge, ready to cross it and take the mask. But when I reached it, I realized I was not alone.

Curled up on the grass just before the wooden planks began was a black cat. It was a relatively big cat, I guess, but not outside the realm of what was normal for its kind, and it was lean and didn’t seem to resemble a wild beast at all. It was a normal house cat, curled up and asleep, snoozing away as content as could be.

Not wishing to disturb the rest of this fine feline, I stepped lightly, and I stepped over the sleeping creature and snuck my way over the bridge. The face carved into the mask seemed to be watching me as I drew closer.

I did not appreciate that face. It had a big grin carved into it, and that grin made it look like the shape of Ferengris in the vines was smiling at me, as though I were amusing him with my mortal antics, or as though he were inviting me to try and steal the mask away.

When I reached out and snatched the mask off that tree, a part of me expected something right awful to happen. Maybe a slavering beast would burst forth from the waters below and attack, or maybe the vines would spring to life and grab me. But nothing of the sort happened. Instead, I was left standing there with a wooden mask in my hands, looking at the vine-shape of the now-faceless Wild God.

It was warm, like skin is warm. And I thought I could feel a faint pulse in the wood, like a heartbeat. But I concentrated and felt nothing, so I figured—hoped—that I’d just been feeling my own racing bloodflow.

Enough was enough. My nerves were frayed and I wanted desperately to get out of this unholy place. I turned around just in time to see the cat stand up and stretch.

Its long body went taut, then relaxed. It shook itself in the way animals sometimes do when trying to shake that last bit of sleep away. Then it looked up at me with big green eyes.

It looked at me with three big green eyes.

Two of them were where you’d expect a cat’s eyes to be, and the third was smack-dab in the middle of its forehead. It cocked it head to the side like it was studying me, trying to figure out what this human was doing in its home, and then it sauntered off unhurriedly and disappeared somewhere into the myriad plants that filled the solarium. Its footsteps did not awaken the weird flowerlights.

Well if I thought I’d had enough before, I had definitely had enough now.

I made my way back to the door as quick as I could, crouched down behind and close to it, and waited for a guard patrol to pass by. Once it was gone, I opened the door up and fled back to the tree I’d used to sneak onto the grounds in the first place. A quick climb, and I was gone, with none but that freaky three-eyed cat aware that I had ever even been present at all.

Had I not been so shaken, had I had my full wits about me, then I like to think I would have noticed that the mask had grown cooler to the touch, or that the cat had followed me out and was watching me as I fled.

The Thief and the Wild will release on July 19th! Pre-order the ebook for $3.99 HERE: https://books2read.com/u/b5JRVR

[the-lonelybarricade]

Queen of Thieves - Chapter 1

Summary: A fulfillment of this prompt from @sjmkinkmeme. A Canon AU where half fae, con-artist Feyre makes an ill placed bet.

A contribution to @officialfeysandweek2023 Day 1: Night Triumphant and the Stars Eternal

Read on AO3・Masterlist

-

“The game is very simple.”

A crowd of males gathered around the long wooden table. Some were standing, gripping their large metal tankards as they stared on with wary curiosity. Others had sprawled themselves on the tavern’s benches or propped themselves against the wooden beams, occupying every empty space that offered a decent view, effectively boxing Feyre into the scent of stale sweat and ale. The smell burned her nostrils, but given that her family lived in one of the spare rooms above the seedy tavern, it was a scent she was used to ignoring.

Feyre pushed her deck of cards across the table, to the male that had originally piqued her interest. He was a sailor—and not the type that usually frequented these taverns. A merchant sailor, one who worked for the High Lord, if the Night Court emblem embossed into the buttons of his navy jacket was anything to go by.

His kind usually slipped past the docks and stayed at the inns on the other side of the Sidra, where the rooms were more expensive but were met with the promise that the sheets had been cleaned since their last use. Given that this tavern charged its spare rooms by the hour, and its occupants hardly stayed through the night, Feyre had a feeling he was here for something other than clean sheets.

And if she couldn’t win money off of him through cards, then she could always work for it the old fashioned way.

“Shuffle the deck, then cut it as many times as you want. Once you’re satisfied, pick a card from the top. I’ll tell you what it is.”

The sailor narrowed his eyes. “I suppose all the cards are identical.”

Around him, the drunken males shifted. Some of them had seen her play this game before, and wore smirks that said they were excited to see someone else lose their money—which they would later be heckling her for. Others looked disapproving, suspecting some trick. Sometimes, that disapproval was directed towards the male falling into her trap. Usually, it was directed towards her.

Feyre tipped her chin. “Have a look. They’re ordinary cards.”

With slow, methodical examination, the sailor spread the cards face up over the table, allowing the tavern to witness the numbers and symbols that were standard of any deck.

The sailor paused. “These are not ordinary cards.” He pressed a finger to one of the face cards, Night Triumphant, to admire the portrait of a male crowned in stars. “These are hand painted.”

“All card sets are hand painted,” Feyre countered.

“No,” he was frowning. “I mean, yes, they are. But these were painted by you, weren’t they?”

She straightened a bit. No one had ever noticed that much about her cards. “How could you tell?”

“There’s a smudge of paint on your cheek,” the sailor said with a soft laugh. “And I doubt a female reduced to these parlor tricks could afford a deck of such fine artistry, otherwise. You’re either a thief, or you’re very talented.”

Maybe she was a very talented thief.

Her cheeks were beginning to burn. “I may have painted the cards, but they’re identical at the back. I won’t be able to tell which is which.”

The sailor smirked. With a graceful swipe of his hand, he arranged the cards back into a pile and pushed them back across the table.

“For my peace of mind, allow us to play with my own deck.”

“Fine.”

She watched him draw a collection of cards from his breast pocket. Unlike her own deck, these cards were almost certainly rigged. Which meant that he would bet with greater confidence.

Feyre smiled. “Cut the deck, then.”

He arched his brow. “You don’t want to see my cards? They could be a different set than you’re used to.”

She studied the back of the cards, marking their glossy, onyx surface and the serpent that coiled around the border.

“I recognize a Night Court deck when I see one.”

Now, it was the sailor’s turn to smile. “Very impressive.”

The tavern went quiet as they watched the sailor slide his fingers along the edges of the cards. She could see his lips moving, counting some metric in his head, before he paused and lifted the deck at its midway point. He placed the lower pile of cards on the top of the stack, then cut it twice more, each move seemingly well-calculated.

Finally, he looked across at Feyre, and he lifted a card from the top.

“I’m feeling generous,” he said. “I’ll give you five marks if you can guess it in under three tries.”

“How about ten marks if I can guess it in one?”

He pitched his voice low, just like his eyes, which trailed from her face to her breasts, and lower. “And what do I get when you guess wrong?”

“Ten marks, the same from me.”

Feyre didn’t have ten marks to spare, and from the way the sailor laughed in response, she could tell he knew it. And that he would demand something different, if she couldn’t pay her debt.

“Let’s make it twenty, then.”

Maybe he was hoping she would lose and he could force her to go back with him on his ship. She almost didn’t hate the idea. Seeing the world outside of Velaris, never worrying where her next meal was coming from, chasing the sea and sky and never looking back. If that freedom could be gained from fucking a male a few times each night, she couldn’t imagine it would be any less pleasant than sharing a filthy matress on the floor with her two sisters.

“Deal.”

She could scent the magic before she felt the subtle tingle on her skin. A small, delicate whorl etched itself onto her forearm, connecting to the pattern of blue-black swirls that stretched to her fingers like an intricate lace glove. A tribute to the many, many bargains she had made under this very roof.

They were a permanent mark of her poverty, and the things she’d needed to sacrifice to keep her family alive. Feyre was almost—almost—tempted to guess wrong, if only so she could go with him on his ship and spare another bargain from ever marring her skin.

“The Cauldron of Fate,” Feyre said, sitting back proudly on the bench. “A rare card. I’ve heard they’re hardly ever used outside of the playing halls for High Lords and their sons.” She cocked her head. “Did you steal it?”

The sailor’s face had slackened. A drunk male clamped a hand onto his shoulder, leaning to see the card before he howled, “No fucking way!”

A murmur swept through the tavern, though very few people were celebrating on Feyre’s behalf. Most of them were now likely contemplating how they’d win, or steal, the money off her.

“20 marks, please,” Feyre said with a slow smile.

“You cheated.”

“How?” She crossed her arms. “I didn’t touch your cards. Though, if there’s an issue, I’m sure the High Lord would be plenty interested to know how you came about—”

He whipped the money onto the table as he abruptly stood up. There was a dark look on his face that made Feyre edge back in her seat, just a bit.

“Thieving halfbreed whore,” he spat, swiping his tankard from the table and storming towards the door.

It wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard before, though she could feel the smooth curve of her ears burning as the eyes of the tavern turned their attention to her, to the features that marked her as other, even among the lesser fae. Feyre quickly pocketed the money and rose from the bench, elbowing her way through the crowd. She grit her teeth as she shouldered their passing jeers.

“Not gonna stay for another game, sweetheart?”

“Looking for more coin? I’ll give you another 10 if you let me take you upstairs. I’ve never had a halfbreed before”

Someone groped at her, and she yelped as she stumbled forward, into a male who spilled his tankard all over the front of her shirt. The ale had left him swaying and he only grumbled some nonsense about Feyre buying him a new drink before she was able to sidestep him, too, and quickly disappear up the stairs.

Their room was at the very top of the tavern, in the cramped attic that was as far away from the drinking and fucking as they could possibly get. They paid a reduced fee, since this room was hardly big enough to rent to customers looking for a quick fuck, and had otherwise just been used for storage.

Elain and Nesta were nowhere to be seen, which was just as well since they would likely have something to say about the stench of ale. She’d bathe in the Sidra tomorrow. For now, Feyre just wanted to hide the coin she’d won and go to bed without thinking about the tavern-goers or the spiteful sailor.

-

The wind clashed heavily against the sea, scattering white-foam tips across the surface of the inky water. It chopped against the shoreline in persistent, arrhythmic assaults, occasionally crashing into the rocks so violently that it sent the salt water skywards. The mist rained down over Feyre, clinging to her skin, the salt beginning to sting—just slightly—as it was agitated by a cool, whipping gust of air.

Feyre wondered why she didn’t come to the shore more often, especially when it was storming. The world was so alive here. The churning water and the hissing wind and the screaming gulls. It all rushed past her, crisp against her cheeks, tangling in her hair. She could breathe up here. So far away from the cramped attic she had fallen asleep in, where the air was stale and leached with the scent of mold and alcohol.

By the sea, nothing could contain her.

She leapt from the cliff face, stretching her arms to feel the rushing air as the water surged towards her. She laughed, though the sound was quickly torn away before it reached her ears. Then, just as she was about to greet the roiling surface, large membranous wings snapped out from behind her back, pulling her upwards until she was soaring towards the gray sky.

A lock of blue-black hair fell into her eyes. She reached up with an unfamiliar brown hand to push it out of the way. Ferye jolted a bit, to realize that she wasn’t in her own body. This was someone else, flying over the ocean, and the joy she felt building in her chest was not her own. This was someone who was drawn to the sea. Someone who was sharing this moment with her, lending this feeling of freedom that she had never known existed until she tasted the skies.

Feyre wondered if she should have let the sailor win, afterall.

[longitudinalwaveme]

Fictober 2022

Day 4:

Prompt: No, We’re Not Doing That 

The Flash Rogues vs the Queen of Fables

When Sam Scudder had first discovered the land that lay beyond mirrors, he had been amazed by the vast dimension, with its millions of shimmering mirror portals. That astonishment had quickly turned into caution when he realized that it was inhabited by what he called mirror monsters—-creatures composed of shards of glass—--and then into a true fear of the place when he started to realize how easily it shifted, changed, and warped; how easy it would be to start following a path, only for it to disappear and leave you stranded, unable to ever find your way back. While he never stopped venturing through the Mirror Realm—it was far too convenient as a method of transporting himself and his partners in crime—-he never strayed far from the paths he had mapped out. He was much too wary of the place to wander through it randomly. 

Which was why Sam had never considered that being trapped inside the Mirror Realm for two weeks would be mind-numbingly boring .

He had been wrong. For all the parts of the Mirror Realm that were beautiful, wild, dangerous, and wonderful, there were also parts of it that were little more than an endless expanse of gray nothingness, with nothing but the distant twinkling of thousands of mirrors to indicate that the rest of the dimension existed at all. And it was in one of those gray voids that Sam had found himself trapped for the past two weeks—which meant two weeks with no physics textbooks, no notes, no TV, no music, none of his fellow Rogues, no way of contacting the real world, and, worst of all, no way to look at himself in the mirror. He could only imagine what sort of state his hair was in by now. 

Suddenly, a rectangle of bright white light, about as tall and wide as Sam himself, appeared in the expanse of the gray void. Sam sighed. After two weeks of this routine, he knew exactly what the rectangle’s appearance meant. 

After a few seconds, the glow of the rectangle faded, allowing Sam to see into an opulent throne room, made out of the debate chambers in what had once been City Hall. Standing in the middle of the room was a tall, graceful, and almost impossibly beautiful woman, with skin the color of paper, eyes like sapphires, and thick, wavy red hair. She was dressed in a long, elaborate purple gown, wore a mink stole around her neck, held an elaborate scepter, and was bedecked with diamond necklaces, emerald bracelets, and a gem-studded golden crown that would make the reputation of any thief who managed to steal it. 

Unfortunately, when it came to topics of conversation, she also had a seriously one-track mind. 

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who in this land is fairest of all?” 

“Hello to you, too, your highness,” Sam said. The woman narrowed her eyes. 

“The spirit in my last magic mirror was not nearly so insolent.” Sam had given up trying to convince the Queen—as she was insistent on being called—that he wasn’t some sort of ghost or something several days ago. 

“If I had to hazard a guess, your highness, that would be because you weren’t responsible for trapping your last spirit inside the mirror.” 

“Continue in that tone, spirit, and I shall use my arts to strip you of more than just your freedom,” the Queen replied. 

“My apologies, your highness,” Sam said quickly. While he wasn’t quite sure he believed the woman’s claims that she was a “mistress of the dark arts”, she had had the power to trap him in the Mirror Realm in the first place. He didn’t want to push his luck and find out what else her powers might let her do. 

“Then answer my question, spirit. Who is the fairest of all?” After two weeks, Sam still had no idea how to answer this question. It wasn’t like there was some objective measurement of how beautiful a person was. Was he supposed to answer based on his own personal preference? Poll everyone in the world and see which woman was mentioned most often? Guess? 

The one thing he couldn’t do was lie. The Queen had informed him immediately after she had trapped him in the Mirror Realm that he could only speak the truth so long as he was bound to her mirror—which was very inconvenient, because it meant that he couldn’t just tell her what she clearly wanted to hear and be done with it. 

“The answer hasn’t changed, your majesty. I don’t know who the fairest is, and I don’t know how to find out. You’re definitely the fairest woman I’ve seen in the past two weeks. Does that help?” The Queen frowned. 

“If you cannot find the answer yourself, I will have to provide you with the power to find the answer I seek,” she said. She waved her hand over her staff, and a wave of energy passed through the barrier and slammed into Sam’s chest, nearly knocking him off his feet. For a few seconds, nothing seemed to change, but then he felt a surge of power. A series of images flashed through his mind before settling on the face of a very attractive young woman with curly black hair and dark brown eyes. She looked vaguely familiar, but he was sure he didn’t know who she was—which made it all the more surprising when a name suddenly popped into his head. 

“You, my queen, are fair; it is true, but Lashawn Baez is still a thousand times fairer than you.” Sam could hardly believe what was coming out of his own mouth. Did using magic powers force you to talk in rhyme for some reason? 

“Where is this Lashawn Baez?” the Queen demanded. 

“Why do you want to know?” Sam replied. The Queen gave him a nasty little smile, and suddenly Sam realized that he already knew the answer. He wasn’t exactly a big reader of fairy tales, but as the Mirror Master, he was kind of obligated to know about the Evil Queen from Snow White. 

“So that I may put an end to this girl who is fairer than I am.” 

“In that case, you can find out where she is by yourself. Answering your stupid questions is one thing; helping you kill some random girl so you can win a beauty pageant that exists only in your head is another.” 

“That was not a request, spirit. Tell me where she resides.” Another image suddenly sprang into Sam’s mind, and, in spite of himself, he found himself answering the question. 

“Lashawn Baez, O queen, terries now in one of the local inns. ‘Tis there she can be found.” 

***************************************************************************

Evan McCulloch was alone in the bar—or tavern, rather, ever since that witch had turned Central City into a storybook come to life—-drinking a flask of ale. He had tried to get some of the other Rogues to come with him, but all of them had refused, saying that they weren’t stepping a foot outside of their safehouse until things went back to normal. 

Evan thought that they were overreacting. True, it was a bit weird to suddenly have your city and everything in it magically transformed into a medieval village, but that wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying a pint or two. After once having been lost in the Mirror Realm for weeks, strange happenings just didn’t bother him anymore.

Suddenly, a tall, cloaked woman, with skin as pale as snow and eyes as blue as the heather, walked into the tavern. Every person in the tavern—not that there were many; most of the civvies had been even more frightened by the sudden changes to the city than the other Rogues had been—-turned to stare at her as she made her way towards Evan. 

The woman moved gracefully—like a dancer, but somehow more—and Evan almost felt disappointed when she stopped and sat down in the chair beside him. 

“Can I help ye, hen?” The woman gave him a slight smile.

“That is no way to address your queen—but as I came here in disguise, I will forgive you your lapse in manners this once,” she said. Evan laughed. 

“Haw! Just like the storybooks! Well, your highness, if you’re wanting to know if you’re the fairest of the land and all, I’d have to tell ye truthfully I’ve seen bonnier lassies in my day.” The woman gave him a smile. 

“If I elevated you to some title—say, a dukedom—would you re-evaluate your position on my beauty?” Evan laughed. 

“A title’s naught but air—air that comes with obligations I dinnae want or need. I’ve naught to do with big castles or fine manners or ruling anyplace. Keep your titles—I’ll keep my opinions.”

“Then how about your weight in gold and jewels—paid to you once a day for the rest of your life? Would you change your opinion then?” Evan grinned.

“Aye, your highness, that I would. But I didn’t come up the Clyde on a banana boat, ken? You won’t give me so much dosh just for saying you’re the bonniest woman I’ve seen. What do you need me to do for you?” 

“My magic mirror has informed me that there is a woman in this kingdom who is fairer than I am. As such, I find myself in need of a new royal huntsman.” Evan laughed. 

“A huntsman! Haw! That’s pure deid brilliant, so it is!”

“Then you’ll do it?”

“Aye, aye. I’ll do it. For that kind of dosh, I’ll do anything.” 

“Excellent. Bring me the lungs and liver of Lashawn Baez, and you shall have your reward.” As the Queen handed him an elaborately-carved box, Evan grinned. Miss McCulloch had read him the story of Snow White hundreds of times when he was a wee lad, and he knew exactly what he needed to do to ensure that he got his payday. He didn’t kill bairns, and he didn’t kill women—but so long as the Queen thought that he had, she’d still give him his weight in gold. 

As soon as the Queen left the tavern, Evan slipped through the Mirror Realm to a local slaughterhouse, killed a pig, cut out its lungs and liver, and put them in the box before traveling by mirror back to the tavern. Then he began the arduous process of trying to find the Queen’s castle. As a relative newcomer to the twin cities, Evan wasn’t familiar enough to make his way around the city now that all the landmarks were transformed. 

After forty-five minutes and several wrong turns, he arrived, and was quickly ushered inside by the Queen, who had changed her cloak and simple clothes for the regalia of her title and was holding a scepter. 

“You work quickly. I’m impressed.” 

“I was worth the price, then, eh?”

“Give me her lungs and liver, and I’ll tell you.” Evan grinned and handed over the box. When the Queen opened it, she let out a triumphant cheer. 

“Lashawn Baez is dead! I am now the fairest in the land!” Then she smiled at Evan. 

“You have done me good service, my huntsman. Here is your reward.” She waved her hand over her scepter, and suddenly a wagon loaded high with gold and jewels appeared in front of Evan, who stared at it in shock. In spite of his extensive criminal career, he’d never seen so much wealth in his life. This plan had worked out even better than he’d expected!

“Thank you, your highness.” 

“Your work has earned your pay, and then some. Should I ever be in need of a huntsman’s services again, I will send for you.” 

As soon as he left the castle, Evan found a safe hiding spot for his newfound wealth, then went to warn Lashawn that she should probably find someplace to hide.

****************************************************************************

“I don’t know, Lashawn. I think I look pretty dashing in these new clothes,” Owen said as he looked at himself in the mirror. 

“You look like you should be greeting guests at Disney World. No real person has ever dressed like that,” Lashawn replied as she paced the floor of the room she and Owen had rented from a cheap motel, which had been transformed into a fantasy inn. 

“What, you mean you don’t think any real woman wore a gigantic princess hat in combination with a dress that looks like it came from the 1930s?” Owen asked with a smile. 

“How are you so casual about all this? Our entire city has been transformed into a Renaissance Festival, no one can enter or leave, we’ve been completely cut off from the rest of the world, some sort of evil queen has made herself the ruler of the city, and the Flashes can’t help us because they were off fighting an alien invasion in Rio de Janeiro when she showed up!” The smile slipped off Owen’s face. 

“I know, Lashawn. I’m worried, too. I mean, I’m used to weird stuff, but actual magic is a bit outside my wheelhouse,” he said. Lashawn continued to pace the floor nervously. 

“And since actual magic is real—I’m starting to think I really am cursed. I mean, Warden Wolfe is finally forced to acknowledge that I’ve served my time and that he has to let me go—and the second I’m free, a witch shows up and transforms the whole city into something out of a storybook,” she said.

“I’m just glad I was able to come and pick you up at Iron Heights before all the craziness started. I mean, I’m not glad you got pulled into all the weird fairy tale stuff, but if the witch had shown up and transformed the city a few hours earlier, you would’ve ended up stuck in the middle of nowhere outside of the prison,” Owen replied. 

“I still don’t understand why you volunteered to pick me up in the first place.” 

“Because I know a thing or two about making mistakes and then having to try to set things right. And, admittedly, because you’re beautiful.” Lashawn blushed furiously. Except for her father, no one had ever called her beautiful before. She’d been too busy with medical school to bother with romance before her father had gotten sick, and after she’d made the stupid, desperate decision to try to steal a kidney for him after months of him getting pushed back on the waiting list, boys weren’t exactly lining up around the block to date the latest “Rogue”. 

“You’re not bad-looking yourself,” Lashawn mumbled. That was an understatement. Owen was very handsome, with thick red hair and twinkling blue eyes. He must have gotten his looks—and his manners—- from his mother, because his father, Captain Boomerang, had early male pattern baldness, the manners of a dingo, and a face like a brick wall. 

Owen laughed. 

“I inherited my dad’s throwing arm, but I’ll admit, I’m glad I didn’t inherit his face. Or his apparent aversion to bathing.” And, in spite of the seriousness of the situation, Lashawan found herself laughing too. 

Then Evan McCulloch came through the mirror, and their laughter was stopped dead. 

“Stay behind me, Lashawn. I know this guy. He’s dangerous.” McCulloch laughed. 

“Aww, don’t get yer knickers in a twist, chief. If I wanted to hurt you or the bird, you’d both already be dead,” he said. Lashawn debated if she should grab Owen and teleport out of the room. She didn’t want to risk hurting anyone by the explosion her teleportation would create, but, at the same time, she and Owen were in very real danger. Even though she hadn’t personally interacted with the second Mirror Master the way that Owen apparently had, she had heard more than enough about him to know that he was powerful, violent, and completely unhinged.

“Then why are you here?” Owen asked. 

“Because your bonnie wee girlfriend made me a fortune, and I figured I owed it to her to tip her off that the Queen wants her dead.” 

“But I’ve never even met her!” Lashawn protested. 

“Don’t matter. She says her magic mirror declared you the fairest in the land—and that means she wants you dead.” 

“How did that help you?” Owen asked. 

“The queen offered me my weight in gold and jewels if I would kill the lassie and and bring her her lungs and liver. I said I would, then I killed a pig, cut out its guts, told her it was the lassie’s, and now I’m swimming in dosh.” 

“Why didn’t you just kill me, instead of going through all the trouble of tricking her?” 

“I may like dosh, but not eno to kill women or children for it. ‘Tis hoora bad business, so it is. So I tricked her instead.” Owen raised an eyebrow. 

“Don’t you think she might be angry when she asks her magic mirror if she’s the fairest of the land tomorrow and finds out that Lashawn isn’t dead?” 

“She won’t be mad—she’ll be furious. Which is why I’m here to tell you and the bird to clear out of here.” 

“And go where��?” 

“Follow the fairy tale, laddie, and you’ll know.”

“Care to translate for those of us who aren’t crazy Scotsmen?” Owen asked. Evan laughed again. 

“As I was going through the Mirror Realm, I spied a small house with seven wee men. If you go there, you should be safe, at least for a time.” 

“How do you know?” Owen asks.

“Come on, laddie. Didn’t anyone ever read you the tale of Snow White?” Evan asked. Lashawn groaned. She’d thought Evan’s description of the Queen sounded familiar… 

“Let me get this straight. You expect Lashawn—and me, since I’m not leaving her—to show up at the doorstep of some random people because a fairy tale is telling us to? ”

“Aye, laddie. That’s the general idea.” 

“No. We’re not doing that. Are you completely out of your mind?” 

“Aye. But I’m also right.” Lashawn sighed. 

“Owen, I don’t like this any more than you do, but given the fact that this witch or evil queen or whatever has turned the entire city into a fantasy kingdom, and is clearly reenacting Snow White, I think McCulloch might be right. Unless the Flashes manage to break through the barrier and save the day, the only way to put an end to this mess might be to let the fairy tale play out.” Evan nodded. 

“Aye. Ye see, that’s the problem with wicked witches—they’re bound tae the rules of their own stories.” 

“And you know this how , exactly?” Owen asked. 

“Easy. The Mirror Realm told me!” 

Lashawn couldn’t help but wonder: had McCulloch always been crazy, or was this a recent development? 

*************************************************************************

Four days after their flight to the house of the seven dwarves, who were surprisingly good hosts for a bunch of guys who had probably been created less than a month ago by the Queen, Owen was hunting in the woods that had mysteriously sprung up around the city with his dad’s trusty boomerangs. He had already brought down a few rabbits, but was hoping for a deer, since that would really impress his dad. And, if he was lucky, maybe Lashawn too. 

Crack! Owen turned in the direction of the sound, and, sure enough, there was his deer. It was a magnificent specimen—so much so that he almost hated to hurt it—but since all of the supermarkets and refrigerators had disappeared when the Queen had transformed the city, this was really the only way to get meat. Owen pulled his arm back and was about to release the boomerang when he heard a loud, cackling laugh coming from the dwarves’ cottage. 

Lashawn! 

In a panic, Owen dropped his rabbits and ran back to the cottage. He burst through the door—and found Lashawn lying on the floor in a heap. An apple was lying on the floor next to her, with one bite having been taken out of it, and an old woman was laughing triumphantly over her. 

“Lashawn Baez is dead! Now I am the fairest in the land!” Owen ran over to the old lady, who was obviously the Queen in disguise, and grabbed her by the cloak.

“What did you do to her?” 

“I gave her a poisoned apple, and she ate it—though it wasn’t as simple as it used to be. In the old days, the fairest would always be trusting enough to take a magic wishing apple from a kindly old lady, but this Lashawn—she wouldn’t let me in. I had to cast a spell on her and force her to eat the apple—but she’s out of my way all the same. She will spend the rest of her days in the sleep of living death, unable to be woken by anything but true love’s kiss—which is why I’ll need to get rid of you.” 

“Me? Why me?” 

“You’re the handsome prince. Your kiss will break the spell—and I’ve been foiled too many times to let that happen again.” Owen was about to protest that he wasn’t a prince, and that, while he liked Lashawn a lot, he wasn’t sure he was in love with her, but then the old hag cast a spell at him and he had to roll desperately out of the way. He threw the boomerang he had intended for the deer at her, but she simply disintegrated it with her magic, and then cast a spell that trapped him in a mass of magical chains. Owen struggled against the bonds, but to no avail. 

“Say good night, sweet prince.”

Suddenly, a red blur knocked the old hag off her feet and into a wall. The magic chains fell away just as the blur solidified into the Flash. 

“Deus ex machina, baby!” he exclaimed. 

“Thanks, Wally.” 

“No problem. Dealing with weirdos like the Queen of Fables is kind of in my job description.” 

“The…Queen of Fables?” 

“Yep. She’s a refugee from fairy tale land in another dimension, and she uses her magic powers to recreate stories. One time she trapped me in the story of Little Red Riding Hood, I guess because my costume is red, and I had to deliver food to my grandmother, who was Joan Garrick. That was a weird experience.” 

“Who was the Big Bad Wolf?” 

“Gorilla Grodd.” Owen shuddered. 

“Suddenly, being Lashawn’s Prince Charming doesn’t seem so bad.” 

Wally looked down at Lashawn’s body and gave Owen a weak smile. 

“I guess you’d better kiss her, then. It’s the only way to break the spell—both on her and on the city.” Owen blushed. He had been thinking a lot about how nice kissing Lashawn might be lately, but definitely not in this context. 

“I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like we’re dating or anything, and, well…she’s unconscious and—” 

“Yeah, I can see how that might be awkward. Maybe you could just kiss her on the cheek or something?” Owen took a deep breath. 

“Well, I guess if it’s the only way to save her, I can manage that.” 

Nervously, he knelt down to Lashawn’s body and pecked her on the cheek. For a few seconds, nothing happened, and he started to worry that he might have to kiss her on the lips, but then her eyes fluttered open and the dwarves’ cottage transformed into the postal office of all places. 

“Owen?”

“Good morning, princess. Your Prince Charming has broken the spell, and is here to carry you off to his castle, where you will live together forever and ever.” Lashawn rolled her eyes. 

“Don’t push your luck.” 

“Does this mean that you don’t want to go out with me this weekend?” Owen asked. Lashawn paused and seemed to think things over before responding. 

“That’s a happily ever after I think I can manage.” 

******************************************************************************

Evan McCulloch was busy sorting through his stack of gold and jewels in the Rogues’ current safehouse when an obviously irate Sam Scudder suddenly emerged through a nearby mirror. 

“YOU’RE the Mirror Master who’s freakishly obsessed with the Mirror Realm. Why weren’t YOU the one who got forced into playing “Magic Mirror on the Wall” for three weeks?” 

“Oh, so that’s where you went. I was sort of wondering about that,” Evan said as he held up a particularly nice jade necklace. 

“I was trapped in a void of empty gray nothingness, with no entertainment and no hair care products , for THREE WEEKS! Do you have any idea how boring it is to—where did all that gold come from?” 

“I tricked the evil Queen into paying me for a hit I didn’t actually carry out, and now I’ve got more dosh than I know what to do with. Hoora great, int it no?” 

“Let me get this straight. I got stuck in a gray void in the Mirror Realm for three weeks—and you got a hundred million’s worth of gold?” 

“Aye, that sounds about right.” 

“I. Am going. To kill you,” Sam said quietly. Normally, Evan would have laughed off a threat like that—he was stronger than Sam, and better at using the Mirror Realm to fight—but there was an intense look in the man’s eyes that actually made him nervous. He might not be able to take Evan in a straight fight, but Scudder was still a genius, and Evan didn’t want to find out what would happen if he decided to turn that genius against him. Besides, there was plenty of gold and jewelry to set them both for a very long time. 

“How about this, chief. I give you half of the shinies, and we both try to forget this ever happened.” Sam looked at the gold, then at Evan, then back to the gold. 

“If you also promise to stop showing up in my hideouts unannounced using the Mirror Realm, you’ve got yourself a deal.” 

“Fair eno. Deal.” The two of them shook hands, and Evan grinned. 

“See? Happy ending for everybody.” Two seconds later, the Weather Wizard came down the stairs . 

“Hey, where’d all that gold come from?”

“The Mirror Realm,” Evan said. 

“And you can’t have any of it. It’s ours,” Sam added. 

The resulting indoor thunderstorm blew out three windows, ruined the linoleum floor, destroyed three-quarters of the gold and jewelry, set fire to Mick’s favorite “Kiss the Cook” apron, which he had unwisely left in the middle of the living room, alerted the Flash, and resulted in Evan, Sam, and Mark all getting sent to jail, but over the course of their desperate attempts to survive their perhaps ill-advised decision to not share any of their loot with someone they knew was able to whip up storms, Sam and Evan actually buried the hatchet with each other and became, if not friends, at least capable of tolerating each other. So in a way, there was a happy ending after all.

[catchyhuh]

TOUCH O THE TISM

lupin’s brain is fucked up! let’s talk about it

and i mean TALK talk about it baby. everyone’s experience with their brain makeup shit is different, and there are many different “symptoms”/traits that tend to overlap between. are they still called mental illnesses. states of mind. conditions? awugh no that sounds even worse. WHATEVER THIS IS ME SAYING this is less about the medical diagnoses, this is just the manifestations of SOME type of neurodivergency that shine through in their weirdo behaviors, habits, and mindscapes. now let’s really go here:

lupin: 

we have discussed before his uncanny ability to shut down literally everything to hyperfixate on one task. sometimes for weeks at a time like IN canon, IN canon he will do this shit and not stop until a) he’s reached his goal/the endpoint, or b) he is physically forcibly removed from the subject in question

this will sound nuts to you but i think lupin is sound sensitive. yes i know but listen. he’s always the first to wince/recoil at a loud sound, even if he’s not TRULY bothered by it-- ex: zenigata shouts, lupin KNOWS he’s going to shout, anticipates the volume, even, but still tenses up, even though he’s grinning and actively enjoying the fact that he brought that upon himself. so, to balance that, lupin has decided he’s just going to be louder than whatever’s out there that could bother him. you may have noticed the company he shares hotel rooms with is almost always reserved and quiet unless he is the one instigating and encouraging the rowdiness. boom baby case and point.

all in all it’s surprisingly only something you notice if you spend a significant amount of time around him. he’s autistic i promise. its just. well. he’s hyperfixated on cash and his special interest is getting bitches

jigen:

jigen is very picky. and i mean cheers i’ll drink to that. nobody touch him. nobody speak too loud. nobody fuck with how he likes his drink. nobody touch his gun (you’ll mess it up) NOBODY DO ANYTHING. save for a very, very select few. 

light sensitive. not very shocking given the fact his hat is almost more of a signature item for him than his magnum but ANYWAY! it’s why he’s so particular that it must be HIS hat!! the thickness, the way it sits, the way it shadows his eyes especially, all of this is important. “but wait” you could hypothetically maybe be saying, “wouldn’t that extend to his bangs? in the whole shielding him from the light sense. wouldn’t it just make more sense if he always kept his bangs over his eyes like that?” yes! you’re so right if you were saying that! i don’t know why you would be but regardless. uh, yeah, it would make the most sense for him to ALWAYS have them pushed over his eyes, but. have you ever sacrificed comfort for fashion. that slicked back look is NICE dude

all n all jigen is the “‘Nobody had Autism until recently’ right cuz your grandpa who only wore the same type of shirt, took the same sandwich to work every day and knows everything about the inner workings of a 1979 Ferrari was SO neurotypical” meme. 

fujiko:

absolute. crown champ of masking. what the fuck. i don’t even think she herself has realized because all of it has been pushed down for so long. which part of this might just be, sorry if this is too realistic and boring but like. diagnosis sexism? people do not notice neurodivergent traits in girls as easily. or that’s what they SAY but they somehow schoolyard bullies can pick up on it very easily! point being, they say that with girls it tends to manifest as talkativeness in the right environments, but when suppressed in those formative years, those girls grow up into women who have a million things to say but only say two of them, meaning her mind is just SWIMMING with insane thoughts and shit. that’s how you get fujikos bro. you have to let that little girl be weird and explain spyro the dragon in exact detail to you or she’ll grow up to be a calculated murderer/world famous thief

now if you actually brought it up she would dismiss you and make some remark like “not wanting polyester to touch your skin isn’t a sensory issue, it’s a lifestyle choice” which. ok yeah haha good one fujicakes but i’ve noticed that you tend to favor dresses/shirts that leave your arms free without any fabric brushing on them, and for someone who’s so focused on the VALUE of fashion you’re cutting the insewn tags off these clothes..? what’s that about baby where did that come from? yeah the joke about “oh yes i totally wear heels because i hate my soles touching the ground, not because i just happen to love high fashion” was funny but you actually do tend to walk around on the balls of your feet barefoot too. that’s not good for you fujiko that can do damage to the nerves in your legs (yes really if you’re reading this and you do that it can cause permanent issues in your legs SO TRY TO BREAK THAT HABIT IF POSSIBLE)

also traces of hyperfixating, just not as obviously visible as it is with lupin. with fujiko it’s almost undercover. like, reading her phone under the table, just happening to suggest watching this one movie that happened to be praised for how accurately it replicates the layout of this one museum the gang has been thinking about infiltrating, a few hyperspecific books mixed in with standard romance schlock she’s most definitely not reading from the library just to pad out that receipt. it’s not so much a conscious choice to microdose feeding the beast so to speak, it’s more that she’s forced herself to commit more to her image than anything, so she’s accidentally pacing herself like that

goemon:

MENTIONED BEFORE BUT WE BELIEVE IN TOUCH AVERSE GOEMON IN THIS HOUSE! DO NOT BE BUGGING THIS GUY SLINGING YOUR ARM AROUND HIS SHOULDER OR YOU WILL GET CHOPPED IN THE GUT!! unless you are one of a select few (are you noticing a trend with the collection here) might also partially be a texture thing too, because i can’t think of another reason someone would subject themselves to the insanely uncomfortable plan of wearing your normal clothes UNDER a tuxedo despite the fact you have to squeeze that giant billowing fabric in there

“bbububut i thought autistic people struggled with eye contact” not goemon ishikawa the 13th bitch. you are getting intensely stared at like a claw machine just barely dangling the prize over the pit. he wants you to know he’s paying attention! he’s listening! sure he might be paying attention to see if he can pick up on nervous tics to tell if you’re lying, and maybe he’s listening that intently to catch you when you slip up, BUT HEY, we don’t know that! to his credit goemon only SOMETIMES realizes how intimidating this can be, and only SOMETIMES intentionally weaponizes it, but… still, very intense eye contact

hell man aside from his stubbornness and pride even his picky food taste might tie into this a bit. anybody who’s been hooked on one specific “safe food” for like two months gets it, especially the fact that goemon can instantly tell when the food is “wrong.” if you cooked this meat for two seconds too long, if you didn’t let the rice sit long enough, if you cheaped out and used some generic alternative-- well on that last one he might not blame you as much because this economy IS pretty rough, but the point is, he can immediately tell and WILL tell the chef to their face “you did this wrong. do better next time.” unfortunately most people don’t take kindly to that and because of goemon’s nature when he’s caught off guard he’ll go “sorry. sorry just let me… let me show you i suppose” and next thing he knows he’s teaching an impromptu cooking course. we went kinda off the rails on this one didn’t we. oops!

zenigata:

if monkey punch meant it when he said “zenigata can’t be stupid, because that would mean lupin is stupid,” then because lupin is insane, zenigata must also, naturally, be insane, in some of the same flavors

the main thing about him is that he’s so damn resilient he doesn’t actually SAY anything unless he really wants to complain. he might be thinking “god why is cottage cheese like this. this is kind of gross” but he’ll still EAT it, “the sun is WAY too bright and i lost my hat AGAIN this fucking SUCKS” but he’s stlil going to be outside because he knows he HAS to be out there. toughing it out and only SLIGHTLY whining about it. really the only time he makes it known outside of offhanded grumbly complaints is when lupin is the source of it. if lupin is like bouncing his leg in the passenger side of the cop car (because god forbid he stuff him in the backseat right) zenigata just grabs his knee and stares at him until lupin is like “oh oops! sorry. is that distracting?” and then 10 minutes later he starts it up again. the line between ‘this is driving my brain insane’ and ‘i just have beef with anything that brings you, personally, delight” is very thin

but ironically zenigata can’t stay still very long himself either. if he’s been stuck sitting for more than 25 minutes he can feel his insides shrinking up and withering away. maybe that’s why he chews on shit like a hyena gnawing off its own leg to escape predators. anything to get the zoomies out dude. 

i don’t have to tell you that this bitch is also dangerously intensely hyperfixating right. i don’t have to go into this? like you. we’re looking at the same guy here. right? okay. so long as this point is understood

[poe-tat]

``Yes, Your Highness`` Chapter 1: Pretend I'm good at coming up with chapter titles lmao

•Full chapter

•tag list of people who want to be apart of the tag list is at the bottom

++++++++++++++++++

King Paul Verlaine, but people just call him king Verlaine simply because it sounded better, was waiting upon the prince, who was notorious for being late for almost everything for one reason or another when it came to his parents, Prince Chuuya.

The king tapped his foot in impatience. 'there should be no reason as to why he is late-' he thought King Rimbaud placed his hand on Verlaine's arm "Patience dear he is a teenager and it is the morning" he said Verlaine nodded. "Will try my best" he replied.

meanwhile, Prince Chuuya was trying to stay asleep as one of the servants was trying to wake him up. "My Prince if you don't wake up and go to the throne room to meet your parents, king Verlaine will kill me" they said with panic. The redheaded prince let out a groan then sat up. "Fine" he grumbles and gets up, after stretching he gets ready for the day.

He puts on his princely attire as well as crown. After he heads straight to the thrown room where his parents are. Only stopping once to look at a portrait, his portrait. He loved it, but at the same time he hated it. In the portrait, he had medium length hair that went about half way down his neck, he wore no crown but had on fancy clothes. He hated that portrait, but couldn't help but love it. He then continued to walk to the throne room.

When he got there the king immediately stood. "Took you long enough" he said with an eye roll "what are you going to do when the castle is under attack? Go for a stroll? Smell the roses?" He asked rhetorically. Chuuya opens his mouth "don't think about answering those questions" he said

meanwhile not that far away was a thief. "I am NOT a pirate! I am a thief!!" yelled the figure with maroon eyes. "..that's the same thing..." said the figure in front of him wearing glasses "Yea Dazai I'm pretty sure they are the same thing.." said the figure with red hair next to the figure wearing glasses. The thief named Dazai had an appalled expression "Odasaku! My most trusted friend! Sides with a geek!" he said overdramatically "If that geek is my boyfriend named Ango certainly" said the figure named Oda. The figure wearing glasses speaks again "I am not a geek" they said Oda shrugs and Dazai nods "You're right Ango you are not a geek..." he starts to trail off and the figure named Ango looks at him sceptically  "You're a nerd!" Dazai states confidently, then dies of laughter. Oda puts a hand on Ango's shoulder attempting to comfort him "At least he called you smart... " he said with a smile Ango just gave a gesture with his head that said, 'it's whatever'.

The trio makes it back to their HQ because they had to talk to their boss about something. "You know this reminds me of the universe where Oda dies..." said Dazai Ango just face palms Oda sighs "you know that's not real...right?" Oda questions the 18 year old in front of him Dazai smiles "Of course but it feels the same somehow" he looks up and puts his finger against his chin. Ango finally looks up at Dazai "how is this similar?" He asked Dazai nodded "simply we all are going to see Mori" the only thing they did was nod.

When they get to the office they heard their boss talking to someone.

"I will attack the castle!!"

"Have fun dying... "

Before Oda opened the door a person who is definitely not important walks out whistling joyfully.

They shrugged the guy off and walked into the office. Mori yelled, which is out of character for their boss, "No you may not attack the Castle the Kings and prince that rule are not easy targets even though they seem as such!!" Oda and Ango cleared their throats meanwhile Dazai just spoke, "yea... No that's not what we're here for... Oda here wanted to know if we could keep watch while the royals are sleeping and he wants to force us to join him" Dazai said annoyed and completely bored. Mori exhales calming down it appears "I'll make a call" said Mori

After sometime, Mori hangs up the phone and looks at the trio, he crossed his hands on top of each other and placed his hands underneath his chin. "Both kings gave permission but the prince said no" he said closing his eyes "so here's what you do: DO NOT GO IN THEIR ROOMS. You may go in the castle but I recommend not doing so" Ango fixed his glasses "sir what do you mean about not going in their rooms?" He asked their boss "stay in the hallways" he said "you leave the castle when the prince wakes up" said Mori Oda nodded "that was the plan sir" Mori nodded "good"

The trio was sitting in a garden for the citizens outside the castle but no one surprisingly goes in the garden. "Why did you even want to do this Oda... " Dazai asked annoyed as usual "it's nice to switch things up a bit.. Y'know??" Oda said casually Dazai sighs in agreement "let me guess this situation reminds you of another universe?" Ango said rolling his eyes Dazai shakes his head slightly whilst chuckling "no not yet" he replied which confused Ango "not yet? What do you mean 'not yet'?" Ango asked and Dazai shrugged.

Meanwhile, in the castle the prince was getting his last few classes done. After these classes it'll be how to rule from his very own father until he gets crowned king one his 20th birthday. He was currently doing his Martial arts class. He was taking a break, by force of the teacher. "I can't believe you're 18! I remember when I was first teaching you!!" She smiled and then started laughing with Chuuya laughing with her. "Remember when I was supposed to do an air kick but I ended up flying out the window!" Chuuya said through laughter she nodded "luckily it was on the first floor. It took months to convince your father(Rimbaud) to let you continue doing the class" she said giggling. Chuuya nodded no longer laughing "I can't believe you won't be my teacher anymore" he said frowning she smiled "don't worry I work for your parents" she said.

After classes, Chuuya was told by the servants that he was needed in the garden. When he got to the garden, he only saw his parents. Verlaine sighed, "Chuuya you've been a good kid... Which is why..." Verlaine paused Rimbaud put his hands together and said "we invited your friends, the flags, was it? Over!!" Rimbaud said smiling. After he said that, as if on cue, the flags jumped out of nowhere and greeted Chuuya.

After he thanked his parents he had a good time with the flags.

+++++++++++++++

Chapter 2 will be out before I'm dead lmao

Remember that guy I said was totally not important... Forget that guy nothing bad is going to happen to him... (Foreshadowing, gaslighting, reverse psychology)

Tag list: @sonics-atelier

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[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Crown Princes and Butterfly Wings (13/?)

Chapter 12 : The Snake

—-

After what was supposed to be a stopover in a small village, the group gains an unexpected new member.

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----

HEY GUYS bet you didn't expect to see me again huh? Well here I am, a result of some requests here on tumblr from an anon asker and @cutebisexualmess, this is getting another chapter!

Yeah, I know it's over a year later, I honestly didn't expect to ever write more of this haha, but I wrote all of this in one day.

----

It was supposed to be an overnight stop.

A small village, in and out, one night in the inn and then onwards to Lymaine, Patton and Logan shared a room, so did Virgil and Roman. It was a nice night, a good change to spend the night in an inn rather than on the floor - not that Roman wasn’t used to that by now. 

Nothing was supposed to be significant about this particular stop, it was just a random village, not necessarily known for anything in particular, not significant in any way as far as Roman could tell. 

—

“Stop! Thief!”

Of course, on their walk out of the town, Roman’s attention was grabbed by the shout from a guard. He turned just in time to see a short figure stumble into an alleyway. 

“Roman - don’t-”

Logan’s warning was too late, because Roman was already gone, Virgil close behind him, chasing after the figure along with the hoard of guards - Virgil lost him in the crowd. 

“Hey wait!” Roman called, running after the person - it turned out to be unnecessary since the alley they had ducked into was a dead end. Roman found them cowered on the ground, curled around themself and clutching a bread roll to their chest with one hand and brandishing a shepherd's crook at him with the other, they looked terrified and exhausted. 

Roman thought they looked about their age, though they were thin to a worrying degree and looked like they’d been through a lot, the cloak they wore was torn and muddied and patched up in places, their trousers ripped and their feet were bare. Their yellow eyes - slit pupil, like a snake - tracked him in the few seconds they were in the alleyway they were alone. The look was what Roman could only describe as hopeful, begging him to help. Roman couldn’t help but think that this was a whole lot of fuss over one bread roll. 

A shout was heard as the guards caught up and Roman whipped around, placing himself in a defensive stance and staring down the knights of his kingdom. 

“Stand down,” He said calmly, one hand hovering over his sword and the other held out in hopes to placate.

One of the guards just looked at him funny, “And who are you to give us orders?” He asked, sword drawn, “This thief has been terrorising this village for weeks!”

“Oh what, stealing bread rolls so they can eat? How awful,” Roman says, rolling his eyes.

“Sure, and blankets, meat, eggs, all sorts!” The guard advanced on him, Roman glared. 

Suddenly, with a deep breath and a shimmer, his butterfly wings spread wide and the guards reeled back. 

“Let them go,” Roman says, just as Virgil pushed to the front of the crowd, “By order of your Prince.”

The guards stared, wide eyed. Roman didn’t back down even as Virgil walked past him to crouch down next to the person he was shielding. 

“Y-your highness!” One of the guards said, Roman glared, his wings were quivering with anger, “We didn’t mean any offence - we didn’t know it was you-”

“I am aware,” Roman said, “Now let this person go, we will deal with him - and tell no-one I was here.”

“Yes, your highness,” Said the guard, putting a fist over his chest in salute and waving with his hand to get the other men to back off. 

Roman sighed in relief as the guards cleared away, hiding his wings again and turning quickly to join Virgil in helping up the person they had helped, who was still staring in shock. 

“Come on,” Roman said, offering a hand. They were wearing gloves and Roman could see injuries too, a large scar on their face around the patch of greenish yellow scales there. Roman wondered if they had naga ancestors - residual snake traits. A full naga was incredibly rare now, “How in the world did you get into such a state?” He asked as he helped them stand. They leaned heavily on their crook, like their legs didn’t hold the strength needed to hold them up alone. 

They just shrugged. Looking at him as though daring him to press the issue. Roman decided that if he needed to know he’d know in time.

“Logan!” Roman called over his shoulder, “Come here please!”

“Roman,” Logan said as he walked over, his hooves clicking on the cobbled street, “What on earth was that about? Running off in such a way - who is this?”

“This is the guy they were after,” Roman explained, before looking at them, “Um - what’s your name?” 

They didn’t say anything.

“...Well - anyway, I’m pretty sure they were only stealing to survive - I couldn’t let them get hurt for that - it’s not fair.”

For a moment, Logan seemed to take in their appearance, before Patton appeared behind him.

“My goodness!” Patton explained, “Oh you look like your hurt, Lolo we have to help them!”

“Patton - this group is already big enough as is-”

“How long has it been since you ate a proper meal?” Virgil asked the person quietly. They were closest to them, with a hand on their arm to steady them. The person looked down and took a deep breath, before shaking his head and holding up two gloved fingers.

“Two days?” Virgil asked, tilting his head. They shook theirs in response, using both hands to motion ‘bigger’, “Two weeks?” 

They nodded, Roman felt his heart sink.

“How awful - come, Logan, do we have enough money for a meal?” He asked.

“I… suppose,” Logan said, frowning, “But it does mean that we will have to pick up jobs in Lymaine to make up for it, or we will not be able to afford to stay as long as we need to.”

Roman brightened, “Wonderful! That works, come, we must go back to the inn, we’ll get you a good meal, alright?”

Slowly, hesitantly, the person nodded and Roman brightened, beginning to lead the way back to the tavern they had just left, while Virgil and Patton stayed back to make sure the person was able to follow them. 

—-

“I have brought you a notepad and pen,” Logan said as he returned to the tavern. Roman and Virgil had stayed with the strange person they had rescued whilst Patton and Logan had left to gather a few things for the stranger Roman seemed intent on helping, “So that you are better able to communicate with us.”

The stranger looked up at him, fear clear on his face and Patton gently pulled him back, Logan took a deep breath, placing the items he had mentioned down on the table, on which four empty plates sat, Logan frowned.

“Did all three of you eat?” He asked, tilting his head a little. 

“No uh - he seems to have the appetite of a snake,” Roman said with an awkward chuckle, “A person sized snake.”

The person, at least, had the grace to look a little sheepish. Hesitant under Logan’s expectant gaze, they reached out to take the notebook and pen, checking every few moments for something. Logan wondered if they thought he was going to be mad at them for doing something Logan clearly wanted them to do - and that made him wonder just what this soul had been through.

On the first page, they scribbled a little, nothing coherent, before drawing a snake. Logan sighed softly - he had forgotten to ask whether this person could actually write. He wasn’t even entirely sure they understood them - clearly they couldn’t, or didn’t want to, speak.

“That’s a neat drawing there,” Patton said, leaning over to look and making the person jump a little and pull away, “Ah! Sorry! Didn’t mean to startle ya!”

“Can you write?” Logan asked, trying to soften the normally fairly harsh tone of his voice, since this person seemed incredibly jumpy at the moment. Slowly they shook their head. Logan sighed, “Well - hopefully we can find another way to make communication easier anyway.”

They sighed softly, before picking up the pad and showing them all the snake drawing, pointing to it and then himself.

“Yes, we are aware you have snake traits,” Logan said, frowning. They nodded and went back to drawing.

The next picture they held up was of a butterfly, with a crown, which he pointed at Roman and Virgil for. 

“Well - I’m a moth, but yeah, my name’s Virgil,” Virgil nodded, “We’re both - you know.”

Roman nodded, “My name’s Roman, though it’s supposed to be a secret in my case - so don’t tell anyone.”

The person gave a look that almost made Logan laugh, it seemed they were thinking the exact same thing.

“You did a good job of that,” Logan voiced the thought, they nodded, “With the guards.”

Roman spluttered.

“I had to! They were going to hurt you!” Roman said, looking upset. The person just shrugged. 

“You’re so calm about that,” Patton said softly, the person shrugged again, before going back to drawing. Patton and Logan exchanged a look - he didn’t like the picture that was being painted either. 

The next picture they showed was of goat horns, pointing at Logan, who nodded, “Yes, I have horns, though I am not a goat,” He pointed out, “I am a wizard, I do magic, my name is Logan.”

Nodding, they went back to the paper, the last picture they drew was of a happy face with rounded ears and glasses like Patton’s, which he showed him next. Patton grinned.

“Yeah! I’m human, my name’s Patton, I can’t do much - but I can make these little light orbs,” He said brightly, conjuring one in his hands to show to their new friends. 

“Do you have anything we could call you?” Roman asked, tilting his head. The thing thought for a moment, before taking the snake and drawing another head on it and showing them. Logan was glad everyone else seemed as confused as he did.

Well, this was quite clearly a guessing game, he might as well guess.

“Two faces?” He asked, “Two faced? Like - a liar?”

The person raised an eyebrow at him, “Of course, that’s not a name - uh…”

They gestured to him though, so he assumed he was on the right track, something that meant two-faced that could actually be a name…

“Your name is like ‘liar’?” Roman asked, they nodded, before widening their hands again - a bigger word, then, “How unfortunate - uh, fraud?”

“Disingenuous?” Logan tried, “Unscrupulous, mendacious?”

The person looked at him oddly, before making a ‘smaller’ motion with their hands.

“Less fancy, then… um,”

“Dishonest? Cheat?” Patton tried, looking worried about saying those kinds of things, they shook their head.

“Conniving - underhanded,” Virgil tried, “Uh - deceptive?”

The person brightens and points at him for that last one.

“Deceptive?” Logan repeats, “That’s your name?”

They shook their head, but pointed at Virgil again.

“Something like deceptive?” Virgil tried, looking like they were just about done with this game.

“Deceitful?” Logan tried, they pointed at him and nodded quickly, before making that same ‘smaller’ motion with their hands again.

“Deceit?” Roman tried, tilting his head and earning a quick nod and a thumbs up. 

“How in the world did you end up with such a name?” Patton asked, upset, “Isn’t it an insult?”

Deceit smiled and shook their head.

“Well, Deceit,” Roman said brightly, “It’s lovely to meet you - we need to continue on with our journey, though you are welcome to join us if you so wish?”

Slowly, once again hesitant, Deceit looked around the group, before looking back at Roman and giving him a nod. 

----

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur @oatmeal-stans-the-trash-rat @littlerat2 (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

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[sergeantrosabellaswan]

War Orphan, CHAPTER I KING STEVE & DEAF THIEF LITTLE SISTER OFC

SUMMARY: King Steven of Brooklyn discovers a secret that his gruff father kept from the world. Now with the older king long dead, Steve wants to introduce Johanna Swan to the royal court. What happens when spies, poison and secrets meets them at every turn?

CHAPTER WARNINGS:

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORESS: Whooee! What can I say? I caught a writing bug!

LINE BREAKS BY @firefly-graphics

CHAPTER WORD COUNT: 1375

“I’m sorry, your majesty, but I know nothing of her, if she even does exists.”

Steve huffed in annoyance as he walked around the city market, trying to scrounge up leads on Johanna, but people would clam up at the mention of her name.

It was as though she didn’t exist- or people were afraid of her- he didn’t know which it was, and it was driving him mad beyond words.

Steve smiled at a small collection of children who were running around the marketplace, acting rowdy but respectful of others. They accidently plowed into a little girl, a single tear running down her face at her scraped hands; one little boy helped her up while another dusted her off. The girl looked down at her doll, laying on the ground, and burst into a fresh spiral of tears at the sight of it’s arm, barely hanging on by a few meager threads.

And then he saw her.

His little sister.

Johanna.

Hair glinting a fiery red under the sun, she crossed the street, away from him, as she approached the children and took the doll from the bawling girl’s arm. She quickly located a little leather purse tucked inside one of her belt pouches and pulled out what looked to the young king to be a needle and spool of thread. She quickly fixed the doll and smiled down at the little girl, kneeling to present her with the now repaired toy. She was thanked with a joyous squeal of joy and arms thrown around her neck in a gleeful hug.

By the time Steve had crossed the street, she had vanished.

“Who was that girl? The one who fixed your little friend?” he asked the girl, who was busy hugging her doll close to her chest.

“Jojo,” she answered shyly. “She runs with the Den of Thieves most times- she’s nice and sometimes brings us little sweets to eat!”

“Other times, she plays with us!” interjected a lad of about eight or nine years of age. “She is so nice!”

“Yes, she is!” agreed another child, muddied to the point where it was impossible to tell their gender.

The Den of Thieves.

Steve felt a shiver run down his spine- the Den of Thieves was a group of freelance mercenaries for hire that did everything from pickpocketing to espionage. The only other group that made mothers pull their children inside and men to shield women as they passed by was the Court of Assassins; of course, due to their occupation, no one knew who the assassins were. Although technically, the two groups were the same, the Den of Thieves dealt of thieving and the Court of Assassins dealt with murder.

The king thanked the girl, giving her four coppers before rushing off to find his little sister. He found her soon enough- Johanna’s bright copper red colored curls made it easy to find her.

Steve found himself taking in her physical appearance- she was dressed in a faded, dusty blue lace up kirtle and wore her bright scarlet corkscrew curls in a severely tight braided crown. She was exiting the bakery with a loaf of bread, a wedge of cheese, and vegetables in a basket, swinging gently on her arm. Her petite body was wrapped in a charcoal grey cloak with the hood half concealing her face, keeping her warm and sheltered from the early October chill. She glanced over at the king, showing him a splotchy red and purple birthmark that covered most of the left side of her face.

One second, she was there in front of Steve, the next moment, she was gone, causing him to scowl before turning around to head back to the castle, giving up on his search- at least for today anyway.

He would try again tomorrow.

~xoXox~

My face was blank as I entered the Courtway, and I was immediately brought into another world- a world of crime, sex and espionage.

I ducked just as a throwing knife thudded into the wall directly behind me- had I been within four inches to the right, I would have been killed. I whipped around and glared at Hawkeye, the sharpshooter who had almost killed me.

Careful, I scolded him, my fingers flying fluently. You almost killed me!

Sorry, the deaf man apologized with an apologetic expression on his face. I wasn’t aiming for you- I was aiming for that fly!

He pointed and I followed his line, chuckling at the throwing knife pinning a fly to the wall by a wing.

Nice! I turned to take in the chaos around me- over to the side, Black Widow was swirling a bright green poison in a glass vial, an unreadable expression on her face. Wanda and Pietro came in just then, talking and giggling together as twins often did. Loki was playing with a snake he had tamed and speaking to it in a soft voice as it flicked it’s tongue in and out from it’s mouth. Drax and Groot were both in a playful arm wrestling match, Robert looking on with pride as his adopted son “won” the match. Quill, Gamora and Nebula were all playing a calming game of cards, the prize being four gold coins. Behind them all, little Peter had blended into the darkness, his soft brown eyes taking in the busy mayhem with a certain glee.

A nudge at my shoulder turned out to be Hawkeye, who sent me a crinkling grin.

What all did you find out about the royal family? he asked me next.

The same effect is still in place, I shrugged nonchalantly, picking up on everyone’s attention zinging over to me. The king’s wife is still pregnant, he still dotes over her, the queen is still gardening as a side hobby, the captain of the guard and the grand diplomat are still being incredibly petty towards one another and also apparently, the new king is set to lower taxes significantly.

Black Widow pushed herself off from the wall that she was leaning up against and came over to me, pocketing the vial that she had been handling previously.

Your left eye is twitching, she told me with a tiny smile. Are you okay?

I hesitated.

The king is looking into me for whatever reason. No one could ever lie to Black Widow and get away with it. from what I can tell, he has questions for me about my father.

Ah. Her green eyes crinkled in understandment to the touchy subject.

My father had been an unknown member of the royal family, and had let my mother die during the Great Grass Sickness, which had been coughed by an influx of mosquitoes that had fed off from dead animals the summer previously. I never forgave my father, even though he had gifted my mother with her house, the small herd of goats that I now kept for myself for milk and cheese to sell at market and the books that I kept up on neatly kept shelves.

I clenched my fists as I blinked away the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes.

Why didn’t he help my dying mother?

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If you liked this, then please consider buying me a coffee HERE It only costs $3!!!

[rosewendybros]

Mario and Luigi: OvenBreak Adventure

Chapter 7: To a New Adventure!

Meanwhile, back at the tent in the Cookie Kingdom, Wizard Cookie was giving two plumbers (you-know-who!) information on what was going on.

“So, Mario and Luigi, about that Warp Pipe I created to warp you guys here...” he asked them.

“Yes?” Mario asked. “Well, I may have appeared to have made a big mistake while doing so...” he regretted. “And why?” Luigi asked. “Well, you’re not going to like what I accidentally did...” Wizard Cookie said sheepishly. “I may have pulled in your main adversary: Bowser, King of the Koopas...” “WHAT?!” Mario snapped in disbelief. “HOW COULD-A YOU?!” “Look, it was an accident, okay?” Wizard Cookie said. “I didn’t realize that he’d be pulled in too!” Despite Wizard Cookie’s apology, Mario looked cross-eyed at Wizard Cookie, and he looked as if he wanted to throw punch him. GingerBrave saw this, however, and said, “Guys, guys, please!” before separating them. “Mario, I know what Wizard Cookie did was wrong, but you have to understand, what he did wrong was an accident!” “*sigh* Fine...” Mario calmed down. “I mean, to be honest, it could have been worse.” Luigi said. “And THAT’S the problem, it IS worse!” Wizard Cookie said. Mario, Luigi, and GingerBrave gulped. “You see, according to a report from Prophet Cookie, we have some terrible news.” “What is it?” Mario said. “The bad news is that... well... your main adversary, Bowser... he’s aligned with... *whisper* Dark Enchantress Cookie.” “Dark Enchantress who?” Mario asked. “She is the queen of the Darkness and wants nothing but to rid Earthbread of all Cookies... she recently made an alliance with your enemy!” “What does this mean?” Luigi asked. “Our kingdom is in terrible danger...” Wizard Cookie said. “The Cookies of Darkness took back what we got back, the Ancient Cookies are trapped once AGAIN, and Dark Enchantress Cookie became more powerful than ever, so powerful that, not even us alone can stop her, so that’s why we need you guys.” “Excuse me, but who are the Ancient Cookies?” Luigi asked. “The Ancient Cookies are five powerful cookies who have ruled their rightful kingdoms. Let me briefly list them, so you guys know. *ahem* “

Pure Vanilla Cookie

Dark Cacao Cookie

Hollyberry Cookie

Golden Cheese Cookie

And White Lily Cookie

“Ooh...” Luigi said. “That’s a lot.” “I know.” Wizard Cookie said. “It is a lot.” “We are so doomed...” Luigi said. “Don’t wallow like that, bro!” Mario snapped, before turning to Wizard Cookie. “Don’t worry, we’ll deal with this ‘Dark Enchantress Cookie’, and the Darkness.” “Thank you, Mario.” Wizard Cookie said. “However, not even four of us is enough to defeat her alone. You’ll need some allies along your journey.” “Allies?” Mario asked. “D-does that mean I have to go?” a shy, timid voice came from behind Wizard Cookie. “Of course, you gotta go!” a broad, more engaging voice came. “What are we? Cookies, or just flour?” “BAH! Too much yadida-yadida! I’m only coming for the treasures!” a snappy, more aggressive voice came. “Excuse me, who are those three?” Mario asked. “Oh, I’m very glad you asked!” Wizard Cookie said, before stepping aside to reveal three figures. One was short, wore a pink hoodie, and had a colossal lollipop on her back. The second had creamy skin, custard hair, a royal outfit, and a crown. The third had reddish chili skin, red hot hair with flakes, a brown thief vest, and a red bandana around her neck. Wizard Cookie walked to the first one in the pink hoodie. “This is Strawberry Cookie.” He spoke. “She’s very shy and sensitive, so be careful. She’s in our defense spot.” “H-hi guys.” Strawberry Cookie said, shyly. “Hello.” Luigi said. Wizard Cookie moved to the next one. “Greetings! I’m King Custard Cookie III, ruler of the Cookie Kingdom!” the second one said. “We don’t really have a king, by the way.” GingerBrave corrected. “HEY!” King Custard Cookie heard him.

“Sorry...” GingerBrave apologized.

“Moving on...” Wizard Cookie moved on to the third.

“What do you want?” the third figure snapped.

“Now, now, please be polite. We have company here.” Wizard Cookie said.

“Pfft! Who asked?” the figure said rudely.

“Please excuse me, this is Chili Pepper Cookie, she’s very rude.”

“Who are you calling rude?!” Chili Pepper Cookie blasted.

“Sorry...” Wizard Cookie said.

“That’s more like it.” Chili Pepper Cookie said in a sotto voice.

“As you can see,” Wizard Cookie said. “All four of us have agreed to align with you guys, so we can finally undo this mistake, and defeat Bowser and Dark Enchantress Cookie once and for all!”

“Perfect.” Mario said.

“But what about Princess Peach?!” Luigi said.

“Oh, Luigi,” Wizard Cookie said. “She’s safe here.”

“Where is she?” Mario asked.

“She’s right here.” Wizard Cookie stepped aside to reveal the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom.

“Mario!” Peach welcomed.

“PEACH!” Mario embraced her. “Oh, thank goodness you’re okay!”

“Heh heh.” Peach giggled.

“You stay here with the folks in the kingdom,” said Wizard Cookie. “Me, GingerBrave, and Strawberry Cookie will go with the Mario Bros. to take down Bowser and that mistress of evil.”

“Got it!” Peach said.

“Don’t forget about us!” King Custard Cookie III said.

“And ME!” Chili Pepper Cookie said.

“We all ready?” Luigi said.

“READY!” Everyone said.

“Let’s-a go!” Mario said.

“Oki-doki!” Luigi shouted.

“For the Cookie Kingdom and the biggest fight of our lives!” GingerBrave said.

And soon, a new adventure had begun, with Mario and Luigi, and a cookie brave for adventure, friends they’d make on the way, and face fearsome foes on the way, all to stop a diabolical turtle, and a mistress of darkness.

[jazmine-here]

Indentured ♕ (Union of the Crowns) 

Since "My Dearest Cousin" has been published in full, "Indentured (Union of the Crowns)" is now up as well. This particular tale was written in 2015 and is only for teens and up due to its heavy life themes and politics.

Chapter One (Sample):

It was not every sunrise that a notorious thief found himself tying the knot with a beloved princess, but the first blush of August 18th was dovetailed with connubial bliss in the Chapel of Corona. Ruddy cheeks and curly wigs swarmed the ribboned pews under the arcade. The sun grinned against plumed helmets that winked with its reflection from the nave. Eugene Fitzherbert stood on the altar with a nutcracker's fineness, nervous yet over the moon about ending his life to begin theirs. Daughters, young and old, ginger and brunette, some wearing wealth and others wearing hardship, flapped their mothers' skirts to get them to feast their eyes upon the narthex.

There, in the sunbathed entrance, smiled the equator of Eugene's world. He held back happy tears as adoration filled his chest with love anew. His soulmate was gowned in sunlight and silk as pure as her own heart, which was a raiment he loved more than silk itself. Her brave hands held a waterfall of Stargazer and Easter lilies. On her hazel head flashed the burnished fate that had brought them together.

Like the tiara of sunshine she always was in his blue sky, she curled her arm around her father's and floated down the aisle with grace, inspiriting the canaries in Eugene's rib cage to sing hymeneals. Never had she appeared more majestic than when she flowed from the vestibule and into the chapel's holy kernel; those who enskied her were amazed to watch her beauty shine outwards like the halo she wore. Upon her ascension to the altar, the princess turned and faced her best friend.

Eugene's heart sprouted wings. He had to readjust his grip on his wrist to stop both hands from flinging back her veil and drawing her into a kiss that said:

"From the very first moment that I laid eyes on you as you enchanted a whole kingdom with your magic, I knew that I had found my best friend and my new dream. I have fallen in love with you over, and over, and over since that moment. You're the strongest and most positive person I've ever met, if not the most noble person I've ever met. Even in the darkest times, you thrive like a magic golden flower. With you I feel appreciated and accepted for who I really am.

You've shown me what living really means and what type of man I can be, as well as the type of man I want to become for myself and our little us... or us-es. Your arms aren't just my favorite place to be on Earth, they're the warmest home I've never had. You're my better half, my hero, the very sunshine that feeds me Vitamin D and serotonin, and I still can't believe that I'm actually getting to marry you, Rapunzel. I promise to be loyal to you, to uplift and support you, to guide and challenge you, to protect and pamper you, to annoy and comfort you, and to love every inch of you with every inch of me."

A smile touched the lips behind the lace veil. Tears smiled behind Eugene's eyes. To keep the waterworks at bay, he rehearsed the vows in his head as he poured his love into her concealed countenance.

"Dearly Beloved," the bishop hummed, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Elsa and Eugene in marriage."

A dolly-zoom effect pulled the background away from Eugene and homed in on his face. His small pupils jumped to the bishop. "What?"

The bishop went on like the script for this scene had already been rewritten: "To Your feet thy fealty brings, redeemed, reborn, and transformed―"

Eugene breathlessly looked back at his wife-to-be. "Rapunzel...?!" The hands he had been fettering were freed from their clasp to ruck up her veil. "Ra-pun-zel―...!"

Underneath the lifted lace hung Queen Elsa's head.

"―two outlaws who have rinsed themselves of their crimes through their indentureship to Your kingdoms," the bishop finished.

Eugene's fingers fell open, staggering back, shaking. Elsa's eyelashes, which were glued together by tears, feathered cheeks that held the same hue rosing her lips and eyelids. Inch by inch, Rapunzel's impostor hoisted her chin with the bravery of a shipwrecked prisoner facing her punishment in the name of honor. Then she hoisted her lids at half-mast to bare her misery to Eugene.

(―Bah-dump ―)

...This isn't happening…

Oxygen stopped being pipelined to Eugene's brain. The voice trapped inside his skull told him to breathebreathebreathe youhavetobreatheeugene, to get―the―heck out of there and find Rapunzel, but his limbs didn't belong to him anymore. A power beyond his own authority in the kingdom of his bones had colonized them, and there was no escaping it.

(End of Sample)

Story Summary: "After a drumfire of unfortunate events, the Kingdom of Corona was ravaged by the Great Famine and the Bovi Fever in 1847. Henceforth, a union has been negotiated between the delegations of Corona and Arendelle to reinstate Corona and forestall enemy invasion from the Southern Isles." The widowed King Eugene must table a union with Arendelle to resuscitate Corona's economy. Despite discomfort, Queen Elsa must learn to make their marriage endurable. "I'm counting the minutes just as you are, Eugene…"

@aninkwellofnectar @miranova23 @betagyre-writes @butterflydreaming-writes-fic @big4girl

My Dearest Cousin (2016)

This 2016 AU storyboard of mine for the YA *category is back up on FanFiction.net, where it will live for the rest of its days. How it mirrored the Covid epoch so closely is still beyond me.

Art by jazmine-here*

Queen Elsa writes a collection of letters to Eugene after a tragedy in the Kingdom of Corona, as well as what to expect from the union their kingdoms have railroaded them into. "He realized ― with a renewed inkling of the worst ― that it didn't take long for her condolences to transition into negotiations."

@butterflydreaming-writes-fic @miranova23 @aninkwellofnectar @big4girl @outindaylight My gratitude goes out to @miranova23 and the famous @betagyre-writes for preserving its life.

[thatonethimbo]

Are you alive? It has been a while since you posted anything 🦧

yes, I'm still alive

motivation is not lookin good tho

(ramble in tags)

[cupofbrownsugar]

Jalim AU sneak peek

I asked if peeps wanted a snippet (a short sample) of the longer Jalim au fic I’ve been working on (it’s about 10k so far and I love how it’s going but I’M SO TIRED Y’ALL) and y’all said yes! So enjoy this sneak peak, babes! 💛

-

“If you wanted to meet death... there’s simpler ways, kid.”

The young god struggled in the King of the Underworld’s hold, his skin turning cold and gray under the tight grip as he was dragged across the familiar grass of his garden home as if he weighed nothing.

“Tozz Feek!” Zain cursed, unable to break the hold, “I wasn’t trying-!”

The grip around his forearm tightened as the God of the Dead snorted out black smoke, wisping out from under the shadow of his hooded cloak. 

His voice was a growl. “Don’t sell me those lies, you don’t just stumble into the Underworld, young god or not.”

“Look, I’m just-”

“A thief,” Jason snarled, eyes flashing amber, “I don’t know what you were tryin’ to take, but if I ever catch you in the Underworld again, it’ll be a one way trip, kid.”

Suddenly, the soil beneath them rolled and roots whipped out of the earth to snag and snare Jason’s ankles. The tall grass parted for another god that stormed towards him, eyes flashing gold with fury. 

“Ya Kalb, what are you doing?!” The other god looked enraged. “Let go of my son!”

Jason tugged his ankles to break free of the roots, to no success. He snorted out more black smoke to glare at the newcomer. “He trespassed into the Underworld to steal from me. Be happy I brought him back at all instead of throwin’ his ass to the bottom of the River Styx!”

He threw the young god to the earth, but soft wheat swiftly grew under him to cushion his fall at the other god’s beckoning. Jason’s mouth twitched. The other man was quick to kneel down to his son, laying a kiss on the gray skin of his arm until it bloomed back to full warmth and colour.

Jason reached down to tear off the roots around his ankles, and they withered away, but a wave of the other god’s hand made them regrow and tighten, climbing higher. 

The God of the Dead glared as he took him in; his skin was dark and his eyes were darker, with a crown of golden wheat laced through his hair. He wore cascading robes of gold, and he smelt of sweet pollen and sunshine. Jason grimaced as he put the details together. This was Salim, the God of Harvest and Agriculture, which meant that the thief was Zain, the young God of Spring, his own crown a thin wreath of Striped Squill.

“What were you doing?!” Salim questioned his son as he searched his form for any signs of harm. “I told you to never go to the Underworld.”

Zain’s gaze flicked past his father to look at the God of the Dead, who breathed out another puff of black smoke, waiting for his answer. The young god’s eyes shot back down quickly to the wheat beneath him, voice small.

“I just... wanted to try...” Zain whispered, “...rumaan.”

Salim cursed, turning frantic. “You have every fruit imaginable in this garden, but you had to… the one forbidden fruit, Zain!” 

Jason’s eyes widened in realization, glowing amber in rage from under the hood of his cloak, snarling, “No!”

He took out a black dagger from within his robes and sliced the roots away. They turned to ash as he tore forward and snatched Zain’s wrist to check his hands, but his hold was quickly ripped away by the other god. He grimaced as Salim frantically checked his son’s palm, fingers shaking as he counted out six small red stains. 

“Six…” Salim whispered, voice wavering, “...you ate six seeds…”

Six seeds of the pomegranate. Of the forbidden fruit. Of the fruit of the dead. The silence that fell on them was deafening, until the King of the Underworld finally breathed out in disbelief.

“Then… I am owed six months of the year,” Jason snarled, “Fuck!” 

The God of the Dead pounded his fist into a nearby tree, shattering a hole straight through it and its leaves withered. His eyes glowed amber and dark smoke spilled out of his mouth as he growled, “I don’t want some thievin’ brat bound to my domain!” 

Salim’s dark eyes looked venomous, his voice rough and wavering as he clutched his son. “Then do not take him.”

“I ain’t got a choice, he ate the damn seeds. The Underworld takes who it’s owed.” Jason’s rage turned into a simmering frustration, then cold acceptance. “You know as much as I do that’s how it’s gotta be.”

The gods’ eyes locked together in their gaze, both unmoving, until a small voice broke the silence.

“Baba…? Do I really have to go?”

The young god of Spring’s tears shone like morning dew, glistening as they fell to the earth, soft bluebells blooming where they fell. 

His father took his face into his hands gently, wiping the tears away.

“It will be alright,” Salim murmured softly, “Give me your hand, Zain.” 

Zain nodded, following his father’s words without question. He pressed their palms together. Salim whispered under his breath and a soft golden glow overtook the god’s eyes as he pressed their foreheads together.

“My child, my blood, let me take on the burden you carry.”

He slowly pulled his palm away to reveal that the red stains on the young god’s palm were now on his father’s palm instead. Jason’s eyes widened. 

Zain blinked away more tears. “Baba…”

Salim kissed him on the forehead before standing, and turned to the King of the Underworld. “His stains are my now stains, his misdoings now my misdoings, his curse now my curse,” He stepped in front of his son. “I will go in his place.”

-

End of the sneak peek! Hope y’all enjoyed~💛

Jason as Hades Salim as Demeter Zain as Persephone And yes, the rest of the gang are in the fic too!  I took parts I liked from different myths and then made up some other shit altogether lol (and no one is related despite what god title I gave them aight? just roll with me here lol)

[neptuneofthesky]

Empty Trash | Z.O.M.B.I.E. pt.2

Dream x reader x Technoblade

Featuring | Dream, Technoblade, Jschlatt, Tomminnit, Wilbur Soot, GeorgeNotFound, Quackity, Sapnap, Karl Jacobs, Tubbo, Philza Minecraft, Ranboo, Niki Nihachu

Masterlist | Previous part | Next part

"Evеn if I don’t make it back,"

"If you go I’ll follow you."

-Empty Trash by LØREN

----

[NEXT EVENING AT THE NEW BASE]

"Y/N LEAVE ME FUCKING ALONE!"

You raised a brow as you point your sword at Tommy's neck, who was huffing and panting, "Admit your defeat, and I'll leave you alone."

He snarled, "Never."

You tilted your head, "Then get up and fight back."

He tried to get up but your sword was blocking his way.

He looked at the sword, then at you, and rolled his eyes, "Fine, you win."

You smiled as you moved your sword away and helped him get up.

You turn to look at the others, "So, who's next?"

Tubbo and Ranboo looked at each other as they pointed at each other.

You chuckled, "Alright, how about you both at once?"

"We'll still lose!" Tubbo cried.

You laughed, "Don't underestimate yourselves. Come on."

"Leave them alone, they'll die."

Wilbur laughed as he gestured them to scatter, "Phil's calling all of you."

They all ran away happily as you laughed, "Training isn't over!"

Wilbur smiled at you, "Also, Schlatt's calling for you."

You nodded as you moved the sword in your inventory, "Did he mention why he needs-"

"Why does Schlatt want to come back to Dream SMP?"

You tilted your head as you bit back a smile, "Didn't he already told you why? That 'hungry for power' speech?"

He scoffed, "Do you really think I'd believe that?"

You sighed as you took a step closer towards him, "You believed the president when he told you that I'm a thief."

He opened his mouth to speak but you interrupted him, "I move on, but I don't forgive, and neither do I forget."

You stepped away from him as you went in the direction of your new base, "You're a smart man, Wilbur. You'll figure it out."

----

"Why didn't you guys tell me that Y/n is Dream's AND Techno's ex?"

Sapnap looked up from a map, "Did you know who Y/n was before yesterday?"

Quakcity paused, "......No."

Karl patted his shoulder as he bought the wood to the crafting table, "Exactly."

"But... why did they break up? And why was she exiled?"

Sapnap sighed, "It's a long story. I'll make it short for you, the crown of the first king was stolen from the vault, and it was blamed on Y/n. She didn't do it, but we didn't know that and we just believed that president. She was exiled and Dream and Techno broke up with her. But then they started an investigation and then they found out that it wasn't Y/n who stole it, but a bunch of pillagers. We tried to find Y/n but she was long gone, we searched the overworld, the nether, Dream, and Techno even prepared to go to the end, but the president forbade it."

"Oh... that was so intense."

----

"Schlatt? You needed me?"

Schlatt turned away from Techno as he smiled, "Sweetie, can you clear the trees for me, please?"

You blinked, "You have an axe. Do it yourself."

He clicked his tongue, "Don't be like that, pumpkin pie. And weren't you the one who said that 'Oh, I need more wood, but I want to go to nether for the warped stem instead-'"

You rolled your eyes, "Fine, but I don't talk like that."

He grinned, "Good. Techno, here, will help you."

You paused, ".....What?"

You turned to Techno as you both made eye contact.

So.

Basically.

You and Techno were having a staring contest before Schlatt clicked his fingers in front of you, making you blink.

You turn to look at Techno, who had a tiny proud smirk on his face.

You chuckled and shook your head, "Come on, let's go."

----

It actually went smoothly.

You just turned away every time he tried to talk to you.

Awesome.

"Y/n, I heard you needed the warped stems. Wanna go together?"

Freaking hell.

You turned to look at Dream, then at Schlatt, who was smirking, "Don't look at me. Go on."

You rolled your eyes as you gestured for Dream to lead the way.

----

You entered the portal as you wore a gold bracelet instead, not wanting to wear any piece of armor in the hot nether.

Waving at some baby piglins, you toss them some gold nuggets as they happily snorted in response, running up to their parents.

A baby piglin ran up to you, dropped something in your hand, whispered something in your ear, and ran away.

You laughed, "You too!"

Dream looked at you, "You know how to speak piglin?"

You both made eye contact as you shrugged, "I learned it for Techno."

You looked at your hand and smiled as you sa a gold ring, wearing it on your middle finger as you wiggled your fingers, attracting some baby piglins, again.

You chuckled, "You were the ones who gave me the ring. Do you want it back?"

----

You were in a warped forest as you were cutting down the stems and Dream was... well, he was doing nothing useful to you.

Killing the endermen, killing the hoglins, etc, etc.

"Why does Schlatt treat you like that?"

You paused as you glanced at him, "Treat me like what?"

He killed another enderman as he picked up the pearl, "So... rudely..."

You chuckled, going back to your work, "I don't have any problem with it. It makes me feel... normal."

He scoffed, "Normal? Are you serious? He-"

You looked at him and nodded, "Yes, I am serious. At least, it's better than being treated like a princess who can't even protect herself. He makes me feel like a princess, who can protect herself, kill the dragon, and go to the prince by herself."

He squinted his eyes, "We literally trained with you."

You tilted your head and shrugged, "You never let me put that training to use."

He chuckled to himself in disbelief as he turned to cut a stem as well, "He's manipulative-"

He shuts his mouth as he was met your sword at his throat, "Say another word, and I won't hesitate."

He raised his hands in surrender as you put the sword away and returned back to cutting, "Why do you even care? You jealous or something?"

His eyes widened, "M-me? Why would I be jealous?"

You let out a dry chuckle, "No need to be jealous or care about me. I can take care of myself, just like I took care of myself when you all exiled me."

He furrowed his brows, "I thought you moved on."

You gritted your teeth as you cut the stem more harshly, "I have moved on. From you. From Techno. And also from the fact that you exiled me for a thing I am not even responsible for."

He scoffed as he did the exact same thing, "I didn't exile you, the president did!"

Calm.

"Yeah, but you didn't stand up for me, which you should've."

"You are just trying to make me feel guilty."

Not calm.

You paused as you turned to him, "Are you not? Guilty?"

He sighed, "I... I am. Trust me. I am. Blaming you, letting you go, was the worst mistake of my life. And... I want to-"

Your axe disappeared in your inventory as you took a step closer to him, "Letting. Me. Go. You didn't let me go Dream, you kicked me out. Three years Dream. It has been three years. I am not that fragile, little girl anymore."

Your communicator beeped as you looked at it, "I have to go. Nice talk."

----

"He still loves you. And what about you? Do you still love them?"

You looked at him as you laid back on the soft grass, "It has been three years..."

Schlatt laid down beside you as you both stared at the starlit sky, "Well, you know what sappy shit they say, 'love never fades away.' "

You gave him a look, "It feels fake coming out of your mouth."

He rolled his eyes as he pointed at Niki, who was preparing her tent a bit far away, "Oi Niki! Can you say 'love never fades away'?!"

She had a confused look on her face, "Love never... fades away?"

He again rolled his eyes, "In an encouraging way!"

She cleared her throat as she stood up straight. "Love... never fades away."

You smiled at her as you got up, "Thank you, Niki. That actually helped."

And honestly, it did help, but you were still confused. And you know what you do when you're confused.

"I'm gonna sweep the area."

He looked up at you in confusion, "But aren't you tired from all the work?"

You chugged down a potion of night vision as you blinked a couple of times, "I have to train Tommy and Tubbo and Ranboo. Ugh, I can never get used to this. Everything is so bright. I like the dark more."

He closed his eyes as he sighed, "Well, clear your confusion, my pretty vampire, because if you don't, I'll snatch you away from them."

You rolled your eyes as you patted his shoulder, "I'll bring berries for you. If anything is wrong, you have ender pearls, and you know the drill. Keep your communicator on you all the time."

----

"Tommy, Tubbo, Ranboo, time to... go..."

You paused as you made eye contact with the blade himself.

"They are with Phil."

You nodded as you turned around to find Phil but he held your wrist, "Wait... can we talk? Please."

You sighed as you turned to face him as you folded your hands, "Not to sound like a narcissist, but are you still in love with me too?"

He rubbed his nape as he awkwardly chuckled, "Am I that obvious?"

Always straight to the point, no beating around the bush.

Typical Technoblade.

"You know, the voices miss you."

Did I say straight to the point?

You raised a brow, "Only the voices?"

He bit his lip and sighed, "No, they are not the only ones..."

You sighed, "Techno... I don't really know how to feel about this..."

He tilted his head, "Did Dream... talk to you?"

You sighed as you nodded, "He did, but zero points for the approach."

He also sighed, "He's just frustrated, you know how he gets- wait... are you wearing gold?"

You paused as you both look at your ring.

You shrugged, "A bunch of piglins gave it to me."

His eyes widened, "Really? Those greedy piglins gave you a thing made of gold? Hard to believe."

You laughed as you turned around to find Phil, "Well, let's just say you are not the only piglin who likes me."

----

You stared at the lava.

So much lava everywhere.

You gulped as you made sure there was a fire resistance potion in your hand.

You took a deep breath as you heard a loud cry of a ghast.

"Y/n? I think we have enough blaze rods."

Ranboo tapped your shoulder as you turned around and nodded, "Okay, I just need to do one last thing."

You chug on the potion before aiming at the ghast, pausing for a second.

Is a regeneration potion worth it?

Probably.

You release the arrow as the ghast lets out a last cry before fading away and dropping a tear.

Well, the tear was going to fall into the lava.

You ran as you dive in the air, picking up the tear, but falling in the lava.

Ranboo's jaw dropped as his eyes widened, "WHAT THE HELL?!"

You swam up to the surface as you threw an ender pearl next to Ranboo, appearing there in a millisecond, "Hi."

"HI?!"

----

"And then she directly jumped in the lava!! Honestly, it must've been cool, but I was too horrified to even acknowledge that."

You blinked as you slowly chewed on your pork chop, a familiar ache making its way to your head.

Schlatt frowned, "Hey, why did you jump in the lava?"

You show him the vial of the ghast tear as he rolled his eyes, "And was it worth it?"

You shrugged, "Probably."

His frown deepened as he placed his hand on your forehead, "It's warmer than it should be."

You swallow the last bite of your food and shrugged, "I'm fine-"

You let out a groan as you held your head in pain.

Schlatt held you by your arms as he looked at Tommy, "Do you have an ender chest?"

He placed an ender chest as Schlatt opened it and pulled out an unknown potion.

You looked at him and shook your head.

Schlatt sighed as he moved his hands on your shoulder, "Listen, you gotta do this for me, okay? If you don't, it's gonna hurt. A lot. We've done this before, Y/n. "

Your face scrunched up in pain, "But it makes me sleepy."

He nodded, "it's fine, just rest for the night, just drink this, okay?"

You paused for a second and drank the potion, your eyes turning reddish-brown as you closed them and rested your head on Schlatt's shoulder.

Schlatt rubbed your back as you fell into a deep sleep.

Everybody was looking at them as he sighed, "Listen if you're waiting for an explanation, you're not gonna get one."

"No, no, you both have been so discreet about everything. We need an explanation." Dream stood up as Techno placed a hand on his shoulder, "What potion did you give her?"

Schlatt sighed again, "It's not my place to tell you, and even if I did, she'd kill me."

Before he could say anything else, his communicator beeped loudly, "DAB ME UP, ONCE AGAIN!"

Without wasting any time, Schlatt picked it up, "Please, Charlie, tell me it's good news."

"Oh, it is! We just got a very promising lead!"

----

Happy.

You were happy.

Were.

"Free hugs?"

You just nodded and smiled as Techno read the sign you were holding.

Dream grinned as he crashed into you and wrapped his arms tightly around you, "I love you."

You grinned and gestured to Techno to join the hug, "I love you both too."

Techno rolled his eyes as he also joined the hug, "Love you."

Nothing lasts forever.

You didn't believe that.

Love does.

It lasts forever.

Dream was plucking on the flower petals with his eyes closed as his head on laying on your lap.

Techno's head was leaning on your shoulder as he was fiddling with the grass.

You finished your flower crown for him as you placed it on his head and continued to make another one for Dream.

Techno eyed his gold crown, which was on your head, and smiled, "I love you so much."

Dream cracked an eye open and fake pouted, "And what about me?"

Techno blinked, "You are homeless."

You burst out laughing as Dream's eyes widened as he scoffed, "WE LITERALLY LIVE TOGETHER-"

For you,

love was like diamonds.

Diamonds last forever.

Love does too.

But you were wrong.

"Why are you not believing me? I didn't do it!"

All of your friends and family just stared at you getting dragged away by the palace guards.

"Dream, Techno, please!"

"It's over."

Heartbreak.

This is how heartbreak feels like.

You stared at the lava.

So much lava everywhere.

So much pain.

Just end it.

"Y/n!"

"Y/n!"

Your eyes shot open as you immediately sat up, your trident appearing in your hand.

"Calm down. It's just me." Schlatt said as he placed a hand on your shoulder.

You groaned as you plopped back on the grass, quite literally throwing away your vibrating trident, "Shut up, my head still hurts."

He furrowed his brows, "Are you talking to the trident?"

Tommy poked to trident as you clicked your fingers, "Don't... don't touch it."

Schlatt shook his head, "Anyways, we got a lead! Charlie called after you fell asleep. Come on, he's gonna call us again."

----

"Okay, just to confirm, we have to raid a woodland mansion, where a party is taking place?"

You nodded as George squinted his eyes, "Why are they partying when there is an apocalypse going on?"

You chuckled as you shared a look with Schlatt, "They do a lot more than partying. So, Charlie told us that the owner of that mansion is a retired scientist, and we believe that he knows how to put an end to this apocalypse."

"So... what's the plan?" Phil asked.

"We are gonna make two teams, the first team is going to loot the mansion, and the second team is going to abduct the scientist," Schlatt answered.

Tubbo furrowed his brows, "Wait, why would we loot the mansion?"

You gave him a weird look, "Why would we not loot the mansion? The loot there is phenomenal."

Wilbur cleared his throat, "And how are we going to kidnap the scientist?"

"Seduction."

Schlatt laughed at your abruptness.

You chuckled, "I mean, I'm gonna seduce him."

Karl tilted his head, "You?"

You frowned, "Why? Am I not hot? Schlatt, am I not hot?"

He closed his eyes as he shook his head, "No babe, you're hotter than the blazes themselves."

You smiled, "Aw, thank you. So, it's final, I'm going undercover-"

"No!"

Two voices protested in chorus as everybody looked at Dream and Techno.

They both shared a look before Dream cleared his throat, "I mean, Niki will do it. Right?"

He gave a pleading look to Niki, who rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I'll do it."

"Okay, you are very hot too, Niki." [/p]

She smiled, "Thank you. You are hot too."

You grinned, "Not more than you-"

Schlatt rolled his eyes, "Okay, Ladies enough flirting, what are the teams?"

You nodded and pulled out a sheet.

"These are the teams-"

Techno frowned, "Wait... why is team two so... weak?"

You chuckled, "We are not playing a game. Team one is going to loot, that's why you guys are in it. And team 2 is going undercover. Schlatt has an invite, Wilbur is going to be his plus one. I have an invite, so Ranboo and Tommy are gonna play as my bodyguards and...."

Quackity tilted his head, "What about me and Niki?"

You thought for a second, "You own a casino, right? You're famous, and you have power to some extent, we'll get you an invite. Lemme just ask Charlie..."

Sapnap frowned, "How do you know that he owns a casino?"

You looked at Schlatt, then at him, "I know everything... That sounds very ominous. We like to keep a watch on our threats, and the biggest one we have are you guys."

He scoffed, "How are we a threat to you guys?"

You blinked, "You are really asking me that?"

Schlatt cleared his throat, "So, Quackity is going to get an invite and Niki is going to be his plus one. Niki is going to lure the scientist out of the mansion, and deep in the woods, where team two is going to interrogate him. Team one would have to loot the mansion before the interrogation is complete. Everything clear?"

tags!

@rexit-mo, @alex--awesome--22, @hi-imuwu, @the-official-memester, @beeissdead, @malfoysslutt, @beeseira, @incorrectquotesformyuse, @uselesssapphickitten, @ahmya-4, @penumbrasposts, @itsberrydreemurstuff, @xanadugoddess@the-crystalsara

[sehunniepotwrites]

AS YOU WISH | J.JH | ONE

cover by @seostudios

SYNOPSIS. He was a boy, she was a girl— can I make it any more obvious?

But actually, she was a cursed genie of two thousand years who longed to be freed of her gilded cage and he was a modern but lonely boy who hoped to free her. He just didn’t expect to fall in love with her in the process. 

GENRE. angst, slow burn, romance, genie!au, reincarnation!au, royal!au, thief!au  PAIRING. jeong jaehyun x female genie!reader MINOR CHARACTERS. mark lee, moon taeil, jeong sungchan WORD COUNT. 10.6k+

WARNINGS. stealing, mentions of cuts and wounds, blood, physical beating, derogatory name calling  

ONE: PAST | TWO: INTERLUDE | THREE: PRESENT 

2000 YEARS AGO, THE KINGDOM OF NEIHO

“Stop, street rat!”

Heavens, how you hated that name. You ached to yell a taunting insult back but you were afraid of the royal guards catching onto your identity by hearing the sound of your voice. 

“Grab that lousy thief!” 

The calls of the guards continued to sound throughout the pathway as you ran for your life. The heavy bag of riches slung along over your shoulder pounded against your upper back as you felt the wind in your hair. The extra weight was beginning to weigh you down but you did not falter. Your strained legs propelled you forward and you stole a quick glance behind you— the burly men with swords were gaining on you and you could not let them.

“Wait— there are two of them!”

You cursed when your partner was spotted. From the corner of your eye, you caught a flicker of his cape turning a corner. You were supposed to be the diversion. The blazing sun burned your skin through your hooded cloak but you had to keep pushing. For them.

You would do anything for them, even give your life for them, just as your mother did before you.

Apologizing as you passed, you threw down displays of fresh produce to throw the guards off. You would come back to help clean up later.

You pulled the cloak down to better conceal your face before sprinting into a hidden nook in the village center. The bolstering guards ran past your hiding spot moments later, their leader barking commands to his subordinates before they all went their separate ways. Peeking behind a wall, you watched as their backs grew smaller and smaller and let out an audible sigh. 

You made it another day. With a wide-eyed grin, you pushed yourself out of your hiding spot and walked an easy path to the outskirts of the kingdom where people were waiting for you.

If the guards were smart enough, they would have easily found you by they searched the outskirts of the kingdom’s stone walls. There was an opening in the walls, big enough for one person to fit through. You frequented that small hole often with a large sack hauled over your back. As soon as you passed that point in your path, you tossed your cloaked disguise into a nearby bush before trekking on to your final destination.

The path was lengthy but at least you were in the shade instead of under the blazing sun. The clanking of your stolen riches kept you company as you navigated through the many trees. It wasn’t long until you reached an open area filled with a variety of people. Lousy tents made of the thinnest cloth and held up by fallen branches surrounded the field and in the center was a large fire pit. There were clotheslines, cooking supplies, and a short supply of food scattered around the makeshift camp. 

The plentiful conversations hushed when you dropped the sack at the end of the path. A shuffling of footsteps and the tinkling sound of coins clanging against each other reached your ears before another figure plopped down beside you, his body falling splat onto the soft grass. 

“I refuse to do that again,” a boyish voice groaned beside you. It came from a boy around your age, give or take a few years, with messy brown hair and the cutest set of doe eyes. His thin face and sharp jawline were lined with dirt but he was still what you considered handsome. 

“Minhyung, stop your fusing,” you scolded as you ruffled his hair. The boy whined at your actions, moving away to escape your teasing. “You say the same thing every single time we do this, however, you keep coming back to help me.” 

“They almost caught me this time around,” he told you. “I barely escaped— one guard grabbed me by the ends of my cloak and almost saw my face! I thought you were the distraction!”

“I was,” you fired back. 

“And yet, they still found me,” Minhyung reported dramatically, swinging an arm over his eyes. There was a beat of comfortable silence as the breeze came rolling in. 

“But was it worth it?” you asked with a soft voice. 

A pair of dirtied feet appeared in your vision. You and Minhyung tilted your heads up to find a small child, not even five years of age gazing at you expectantly. The child’s body was extremely malnourished and their cheeks were horribly sunken in. They looked bashful as they outstretched an arm towards Minhyung. 

He sent the child a tiny smile, his mouth curving up at the ends, as he produced a small loaf of bread from beneath his cloak. The child’s eyes sparkled in delight as they snatched the piece of food from Minhyung’s hold and eagerly bit into it. You patted the child’s head lovingly as you hand them a grip of gold coins. They shuffled back to their family who gave their thanks. 

As the other people in the open field started to line up to receive their share, Minhyung simply replied: “Yes, yes it was.”

You grinned at your fellow thief— you thought it was worth it, too.

Your gaze shifts to the high towers of Neiho’s palace peeking from behind the treetops. But sometimes, you pondered over how effortless life must have been when living like royalty— was it easy when everything was provided for you?

Unlike what most people assumed, living the life of a royal was far from easy. 

Jeong Yuno, the Crown Prince of Neiho, had a sudden urge to bang his head against the library wall. He refrained from doing so, the action being far from princely. He looked up from his pile of parchment paper with glazed over eyes, the ink from his quill drying from the lack of writing. There were rows of untouched books lined up at his desk and none of them were of his interest. They skirted on the topics of Neiho’s history and politics; although it was something he was already versed in, he hated the subject unlike his younger brother, Chansung, who excelled and loved it. 

Yuno longed to touch the atlas that was stationed on his tutor’s desk. He wanted to study it, chart a course to another far off land, and mark it with ink as he visited place to place. But instead of traveling, the crown prince drowned  in his studies while his tutor looked down upon his distracted self.

“Prince Yuno, have you heard a single word that has left my lips or is your head still up in the clouds?” Moon Taeil, the kingdom’s main historian and tutor, scolded. His wooden stick struck the surface of Yuno’s desk and the shocked boy jumped. From his own desk, Chansung snickered behind his thin hand. 

“My apologies,” the crown prince bowed his head, his ears turning crimson from being caught by the snippy tutor. 

“Well, since I have gained you back from the skies, might you list Neiho’s past rulers and achievements in order?” 

Yuno bit back a loud groan. He was in desperate need of a sweet escape. His gaze floated out the window and onto the blooming marketplace below. It seemed like the liveliness was calling his name.

One of the things you loved about your mother was her storytelling. You heard stories of all kinds of love while growing up on the fly. She painted clear pictures of people falling at first sight, of hate turning to overflowing affection, and so much more. Your mother sold you tales of star-crossed lovers that found their happy endings before she passed; her fables of love sounded nothing more than poppycock and folly. 

That is, until it occurred to the unsuspecting you. 

It was a usual day for you in the city— hood up, cloak flowing in the wind with a sack beating your back as you were on the run from the royal guards stationed in the marketplace. You weaved in between the townsfolk, your nimble body easily pushing through nooks and crannies when you bumped into something— or rather, someone strong.

“Oof!”

“Oh!” 

The large sack you carried added some extra weight, leading you to topple over the stranger that ran into your smaller build. The stranger was about to mumble a quick apology before you heard the bellowing of the persistent guards.

You cursed. There was no room for hesitation when you were caught in a tight spot such as this. With staggering breaths and a pounding chest, you grabbed the man’s hand and navigated through endless alleyways and store fronts. You mastered the art of escaping at a young age while he had trouble keeping up with your speed.

And so, your first adventure with the man you would soon learn to love began.

Your hurried steps brought you to an unattended rooftop. You put one foot on the ledge and leaned your body over to glance at the commotion in the market. Down below, the guards were scrambling through the bustling crowds in a failed attempt to find you. Watching them struggle on their search sent you into a laughing fit that your then mysterious companion echoed. 

With a heaving chest and rushing heart, you finally looked up at him for the first time and saw the most beautiful man you had ever laid your eyes on. Despite only seeing him from his place on the balcony or painted portraits before, you immediately knew who he was: The Crown Prince of Neiho. He had deep chocolate eyes and jet-black hair that highlighted his sweat stained skin. His cheeks and ears were flushed with a rosy red as he gasped for air. He was dressed in a horrible excuse for a disguise; the high-end material he wore and golden shoes were purposefully stained. It was as if the prince wanted to be found. 

You quickly retracted your dirtied hand from his soft one and immediately dropped to your knees. “My sincerest apologies for placing my soiled hands on yours, Your Highness. I ask for your forgiveness,” you said with a bowed head, your disheveled hair covering your embarrassed face.

Yuno let out a hearty laugh, one that was deep but still sounded like the lightest bells in your ear. “Please, none of that,” he said, helping you to your feet. 

“If anything, you helped me escape from those wretched guards,” he sent you an angelic smile and you swore the heavens were smiling down on you at that moment. “I should thank you.” 

He placed a gentle hand on your shoulder as you felt your face flush with an unfamiliar heat. 

“May I know the name of my savior?” Yuno questioned teasingly, his eyes looking deep into yours. 

“Perhaps another time, Your Highness,” you said quite cheekily before running back into the crowd.

The second time you met Prince Yuno, you were both on the run once again. In a way similar to what you had done in the past, his hand slipped so fluidly into yours before you sprinted through the town square. You  knocked a fruit cart down as a diversion and the guards struggled making their way through the mess. Through your hooded cloak that flowed in the breeze, you turned over your shoulder to chuckle at how helpless the so-called protectors looked.

“We must stop meeting like this, Highness,” you breathed out as you kept up with his speed.

“Why? I quite enjoy meeting like this,” he threw back at you with a sheepish grin. There was a glimmer of adventure in his eyes and you chuckled. 

The hood of your cape fell back, revealing your face for a quick moment before you tugged it back up. It was too late, though, for he had seen your face. Having only heard your voice before, Yuno’s steps faltered at the sight of you. Taking charge at that moment, you overtook him and jerked him into an unpaved path.

You took him over and under until you found a safe haven on top of a building— your makeshift home. Ratty cotton sheets were tied to poles for shade and a pile of pillows was bunched together to make a bed. Random trinkets were scattered along the rooftop along with a scarce supply of food and sacks of stolen treasures leaning against a wall. You wordlessly made yourself comfortable, pouring yourself two cups of water from a jug and handed one to the stranger in your space. He took it graciously and gulped it down, his prominent Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he did so.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, my dear savior,” Yuno spoke to you for the second time that day.

“It was nothing, Your Highness,” you responded, waving him off as you sat at his feet. 

“I feel like this was fate or destiny calling,” Yuno suggested out of the blue.

“This?”

“Us, meeting again,” he answered smoothly, his voice as melodic as a mother’s lullaby. 

“I suppose it is.”

“Seeing as destiny brought us together, might I know your name?” 

Despite being of a higher status, he didn’t seem as selfish as you thought he would be—Yuno seemed kind and trustworthy. You let down your walls and stuttered out your name. The dark orbs that you got lost in flashed with recognition and you wondered if you made a wrong move by revealing your identity. 

“You!” he shouted, his voice booming loudly. “Yes, I have heard many things about you.”

You glared at him with panicked eyes and you rushed to cover his soft lips. “Are you insane, Highness? Speak like that and they will surely find us here!”

“My apologies,” he replied, tugging at his earlobe in embarrassment. “My excitement got the best of me.”

You snorted at his answer, “Excitement?” you probed. “What is there to be excited about?”

“It is not everyday you meet the infamous thief that steals from the rich to give back to the poor,” Yuno grinned with dimples sinking into his soft cheeks.

He was not wrong; you did steal for a living to help the less fortunate. Unlike many others your age, you were able-bodied and felt the mighty need to provide for others who needed extra support. This had been the fifth time the guards had almost caught you but it didn’t matter. As long as the children on the street did not starve, you would risk your life over and over again. 

Your mother, compassionate and altruistic as one could ever be, had done so in the past and you were determined to carry her legacy. You wanted to make her proud. 

“Are you going to arrest me then?” you challenged with a brow. You took a large step back, ready to be on the run if the situation called for it. “If that is your intention, Your Highness, it is in my best interest to leave you.” 

“Oh, no! If anything, I agree with your actions,” he relayed, arms shooting out to keep you in his reach. The Prince’s touch pierced your skin with comforting warmth and you shudder at the odd sensation. 

“The Royal Advisor, Rowena, insists on high taxes and taking from the poor while feeding the rich,” he started to explain, taking a seat on the dusty steps. 

You hummed, recalling the many times you had laid your eyes on the advisor— she held her head high and wore a permanent, almost sinister smirk on her gorgeous face. Her eyes were as red as blood and hair as black as night. She was beyond intimidating, more so than the Royal Family and their guards. 

“What she is doing to the people out here, it isn’t right,” Yuno added on. “They are suffering and I feel as if it is my duty to stop her.” 

“I feel as if it is mine as well,” you replied.

“I tried to tell the King of how Rowena’s suggestions have been affecting the community outside the palace walls but it is as if she has him under a spell. He hears not a thing I say,” he explained exasperatedly.

He let out a defeated sigh as you crouched next to him. You let him speak, seeing how distressed he was by the whole situation. “He only listens to her and my younger brother, Chansung; he is the smarter sibling. I am nothing but a pretty face that represents the kingdom,” the prince chuckled darkly. 

“Highness—” you tried to intervene, not enjoying how he was belittling himself. He stopped you before you could even begin with a mere glance. 

“It is not I who deserves the throne, it is Chansung. I can barely do a thing when my mind is elsewhere. How can I rule when my mind is not focused on the needs of my people?”

You place a tentative hand on his knee to ground him before his thoughts send him spiraling.

“I apologize,” the runaway prince blurted suddenly. “I do not know you and here I am, spilling out my innermost thoughts. You must think I am a fool.”

“No, it’s quite alright. I imagine you have no one to discuss this with within the palace,” you comforted him with a kind smile. You encouraged Yuno to continue, hands urging him on. “But if your mind is not here, then…”

Yuno shot you an empty grin, the upturns of his lips not meeting his reddening ears. “I have been trapped inside the palace since birth. Raised inside these walls all my life. I am safe and sound with a set future here and yet…” his voice trailed off, looking at the overview of the kingdom. His stare then gravitated beyond the kingdom walls. 

“And yet?”

“I want to go beyond our borders. I know there is more the world has to offer. I have read about it in books but I want to experience it in person, write it down, and bring back what I have learned to better Neiho.” There was a sense of longing in his voice and you could almost relate to his yearning. 

You took a seat next to him, your knees touching his. Your body turned towards him, torso leaning forward to give the prince your undivided attention. “What have you read about so far, Your Highness?”

“Please call me Yuno,” he said gently, clutching onto your hand. You tried to tug it away, flustered from the sudden contact, and he only tightened his clasp. 

“Yes, Your Highness,” you replied, “I mean, Y-Yuno.” 

The instant his name left your lips, he sent you the most dazzling smile, his pearly white teeth perfectly framed by the pink of his lips and the curve of his dimples. Whiskers appeared around his closed eyes and his nose scrunched up in the most adorable way and you found yourself falling down the rabbit hole one called love.

Ever since that fated day, you arranged countless meetings in random nooks and crannies of the marketplace. Yuno taught you the many things he had learned from his readings while you showed him places he had never been before. He brought you books and taught you how to read. You taught him how to fend for himself in the forest. 

You often found yourselves weaving through crowds as the guards attempted to follow your trails. Laughter bubbled through the prince’s chest as you tugged him along with intertwined fingers. Your heart leaped huge lengths across your chest every time he glanced your way through his fluttering eyelashes and you wondered if he felt the same.

Your days with Yuno always ended on that same rooftop, overlooking the beautiful sight that was Neiho, and you adored every second of it.

One night, you blurted out, “Do you ever wonder what life would be like if things were different?” Yuno glanced up at you from your lap, head tilting with curiosity. Your fingers were tangled in his soft, clean hair as his hand played with the ends of yours. 

“Do you?” he countered. The point of your elbow dug into his toned stomach and he winced.

“I asked first,” you said and he laughed at your argument.

“And I am the Crown Prince,” he threw back and you pouted at his response.

 You were quiet for a moment, gathering your thoughts together before answering your own question. “Yes.”

“And what do you wonder about?”

“There are times I wish for a life where I am comfortable, where I’m not breaking my back for someone else’s sake.” Feeling a bit vulnerable, you drew your hands away from his head and wrapped them around your waist— it was your first time to reveal this hidden thought of yours.

“It’s not that I want to stop helping them,” you explained tentatively, “I just wonder what it would be like to start living just for me, without the weight of the world on my shoulders.”

Yuno only hummed in reply. You shook your head, snapping yourself out of the daze you were in. “Your turn to answer,” you pushed the heavy question onto him.

“I suppose so, yes,” he mused simply. “I would like to be a traveling scholar, see the world through my own eyes. I often wonder about a life of travel, you know this.”

You did know this—Yuno told you this many times. 

“There’s another thing I wonder about, though,” he slipped in.

“And what is that?” 

“I often wonder what life would be like if I had you by my side.” 

You coughed at his sweet words, not at all expecting to hear a statement like that. He reached up to pat your back as you choked on air, giggling at your antics. Your breathing returned to normal and his fingers found their way to yours. With entwined fingers and hearts, he called your name endearingly as his head rested against your lap. You returned his earnest stare under the light of the moon with the same intensity, “Yes, my prince?”

He rolled his eyes at your response. 

Yuno, hidden in a ripped cloak, brought your hand against his plump lips and looked into your eyes as he kissed your knuckles. “I arose from bed this morning with a sudden realization.” 

“Have you come to the conclusion that Chansung is the better looking royal?” you poked. He gave you a look of betrayal and you giggled at his furrowed brows and flared nostrils.

“It was nothing but a joke, dear,” you laughed, running your fingers through his thick locks of hair. He huffed loudly, turning away from your playful gaze. 

“My attempt to confess my love and she makes a fool out of me,” he mumbled under his breath but you could not catch his words. 

“You would make a great jester,” Yuno added with another roll of his gorgeous eyes. 

“I don’t think I would enjoy being the laughing stock of nobility,” you answered, poking at his soft cheek. He swatted your hand away in annoyance but your fingers were persistent. You continued to sink your finger into the skin of his cheek until he caught it and nibbled on your fingertip. Yelping, you drew back your hand and narrowed your gaze at the prince. 

It was his turn to laugh at your reaction, blessing your ears with the sweetest melody. “My darling, you would never be a laughing stock to me.”

Although your finger throbbed, you were happy to see the playful side of the prince— he often had a stoic expression when addressing the people of Neiho from the palace balconies. The sight of his bright smile was enough to light the whole kingdom tenfold. 

“What would I be then?” you asked mockingly.

Yuno shifted to face you, his ethereal features glowing in the starlight and captivating you in ways you could not explain. There was a fluttering feeling in your stomach and an intense pounding in your chest as Yuno gave you the simplest answer, “The love of my life.”

His words sent your heart soaring to the highest of places.

In that moment, it mattered not who you were and where you were because you were the love of his life just as he was yours.

Arriving at the clearing deep in the forest, you released the bag of stolen goods from your hold. Panting out breaths, you did your best to steady your heartbeat. The racing palpitations of heart felt different somehow, maybe because for once, they were not caused by the adrenaline of running away but by the highs of being deeply in love.

A gorgeous smile broke out on your face and you hadn’t a care if you looked like a crazy loon. 

“Where have you been?” A familiar voice blasted from above you. Looking up, you saw Minhyung seated on a tree branch. He leaped down, landing directly on his feet with a playful smirk. 

You coughed the grin right off your face. “I had to take a little detour is all.”

“A detour?” Minhyung questioned.

“Yes, a detour.”

Your friend circled you, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “Quite unusual for your detours to last until sundown,” he teased, “and you look like you’re walking on air.” 

You tried to bite back your grin and you failed. You could never hide anything from Minhyung, he had seen you through it all. He was your brother after all— not by blood but nevertheless, he was family. 

“I met the Crown Prince,” you muttered under your breath.

“Do speak up, you know how I hate when you mumble,” Minhyung teased, using the words you often fired at him.

“I said, Minhyung, I met the Crown Prince,” you repeated with a louder voice.

You watched as Minhyung’s eyes widened like saucers and how they gleamed with intrigue as he squeezed you closer to him. “You met Prince Yuno?!” he gasped. “How— why? What?”

“Keep it down, will you please?” Clamping a dirtied hand over his mouth, you tried to shut him up. He simply licked your palm to which you smacked him across the head.

“Well, this isn’t our first time meeting. We’ve met many a time before,” you started off, going down your short history with the prince. Minhyung listened attentively— his admiration for the Royal Family, much like many of the other Neiho citizens, ran deep. 

“How is he in real life?” 

“Nothing short of wonderful,” you sighed, head turning back to face the city. You wondered how he was doing, if he made it back through the palace gates without any trouble from the guards he was escaping from. “He is like the brightest star I have ever seen, so beautiful and radiant but still so far out of my reach.”

Remembering the sound of his laughter and the look in his eyes, another soft smile appeared on your face. It was a smile Minhyung had never seen on your features. You appeared as if you were the star you just described, shining brightly for one person and one person alone. The light in your eyes was almost too blinding, he wanted to look away but Minhyung couldn’t. 

It had been so long since he had seen you this happy— the last time you smiled so cheerfully was with your mother so many years ago. You adopted a harsher look throughout the years that Minhyung was beyond ecstatic to see that happiness still existed within you. 

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” you answered gently. “He told me to call him Yuno.”

“And did you?”

“Of course, Minhyung,” you said with a chuckle, “it would be wrong to not obey royalty.”

“Yes, you’re quite right,” Minhyung hummed back.

“He is filled with kindness and loyalty to the kingdom, which is admirable.” 

“But?” 

Thinking back to the conversation you had with the prince, your eyebrows stitched together when recalling his dreams. “His heart aches for adventure and knowledge, things he cannot find here if he is to be King.”

Minhyung searched your face for a glimpse into your head. “Isn’t that what you’re looking for, too?”

Looking your best friend and fellow thief straight in the eyes, you were posed with a thought that hadn’t even crossed your scattered mind. “I suppose it is.”

Minhyung laughed as you came to the realization. The two of you sat in silence as you breathed everything in. 

“The Prince isn’t that far from your reach then,” Minhyung posed with a childlike grin. “He is much closer than you think.”

The first time Yuno kissed you was underneath the setting sun. Hidden behind the stone walls of the palace, he pressed you into a dark corner where no one could catch sight of your unlikely pairing.

It was a long day for the both of you— you had snuck into the houses of nobles, stealing their smallest treasures to sell in order to feed the hungry while he shadowed his father during his audiences with the people of Neiho. Your secret rendezvous started with exchanging stories about your eventful day with shared laughter and the sweetest of touches. Yuno’s smooth hands ghosted against your dry ones several times, each touch sending tingles down your spine. 

His arms caged you in between his strong body and the hard stone wall as his face hovered in front of your own. Your breath hitched as his intense stare shifted from your eyes to your parted lips. It was the dead of winter but you had never felt hotter under his fiery gaze.

“May I kiss you?” you found yourself asking as his plump bottom lip grazed against your own. You were shocked by your own bravery and you knew he was, too. Your heart pounded loudly like a beating drum and you swore the prince could hear it as well. 

“Do as you wish,” the prince replied almost breathlessly, captivated by the way your eyes kept flickering to the lack of space in between your bodies.

“But is that what you wish for, Yuno?” you countered with a sultry tone. He gulped loudly at how confident you were and nodded almost too eagerly, lips barely brushing against your dry ones. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

“Then, your wish is my command,” you smile before closing the distance between. A light press of your lips onto his was all it took to send your world spinning round. Yuno deepened it by leaning his body against your smaller build, a hand tilting your jaw up in a different angle. 

He held you so gently, making you feel as if you were royalty. Hands in his hair and his arms around your waist, his kiss made it seem like you had chased the blowing winds and touched the pastel sky. His love rose you to the heavens above and you soared with a rush of freedom you had never felt before.

You kissed as the sky cast a golden glow upon your bodies, too lost in each other to realize you were the focus of someone’s envious gaze.

While you flirted with the life of crime, Yuno made his way through the hallowed hallways of Neiho’s palace. His heavy steps echoed throughout the empty path but he couldn't even hear a thing— his mind was littered with scattered thoughts. He marched his way to his younger brother’s quarters, determined that would be the day he would reveal his heart to his kin. The crown prince groaned in frustration, decorated hands messing with his jet-black hair as he tried to piece what to say. 

How did one even start this conversation? Yuno never had a conversation as deep as this with his sibling before. The only person he poured his heart to was you. 

Does he start with not waiting to take the throne or with his dream of travel? Should he begin with his skepticism over Advisor Rowena and the poor conditions of their people? 

Yuno stopped in place— Rowena. He cringed at the thought of her. He heard the rumors swirling around the circle of nobility. The servants in the palace could never keep their mouth shut at the whispers. There were tales of the King making the advisor his betrothed for the sake of a flourishing kingdom. 

He couldn’t fathom how his father came to this as a viable option for the betterment of Neiho.

Yuno thought traveled back to you and what you stood for: how your gigantic heart only thought of others. He recalled how your body was drenched with wounds and scars and yet, you still kept going for the people that had everything to lose. He wanted to find ways to make your life easier but he knew he couldn’t find them inside Neiho’s borders. He had to leave in order to find that solution. 

Yuno had no idea how long he contemplated in front of Chansung’s room before the door burst open. Yuno let out a shocked yell as his brother cocked an eyebrow at his older sibling. 

“Brother, how long were you going to stand outside my door before simply coming in?” Chansung leaned against the wall as Yuno placed his hand over his rapid heart. He tried to catch his breath much to his brother’s amusement, but he was a bundle of nerves.

“Chansung,” he exhaled, still clutching his chest, “how did you know I was here?”

“It is impossible to not hear your stomps and groans through the wall,” the younger prince poked. “I imagine the townsfolk down below could hear your pacing.”

“Of course,” the older prince said with a roll of his eyes. His younger brother wordlessly invited him in by opening the door to his chambers wider and he breezed through, taking a seat on Chansung’s plush mattress. Chansung closed the door behind him to find his usually composed sibling with his head in his hands. A symphony of defeated sighs left Yuno’s lips and Chansung set a comforting hand on his brother’s back.

“What ails you, dear brother?” The younger implored.

“Chansung.”

“Yes, brother?”

“Have you ever felt like there was something more out there in the world, just waiting for you?” 

Chansung paused at Yuno’s question, retreating his hand from his brother’s body. A silence surrounded the room as the younger sat next to his sibling. 

“I suppose I haven’t,” Chansung answered with a hum. He turned to face his brother, finding the crown prince’s face contorted with furrowed brows and sucked in cheeks. “I knew that my place was always here in the castle and I have always taken that role seriously.” 

This was true. Chansung always buried himself in his studies, gathering enough knowledge to to soon overtake the place of Yuno’s future advisor. He studied religiously to not let his people down, just as his Father and Rowena currently were.

The older nodded silently, the black strands of his hair shifting to hide his eyes as he did so. He tugged on his earlobe, a habit he picked up when he was deep in thought or stressed beyond belief. Chansung caught sight of Yuno’s tell-tale and his lips pursed on trying to figure out as to why his brother was stressed.

“See, Chansung, that’s the difference between us,” Yuno broke the deafening silence. 

“What is?”

“You are the one who deserves the throne, not I.”

“Brother!” Chansung shouted in defiance. “Why would you say that? You would make a great king!” He pushed with such force. Yuno smiled, his brother always had seen the best in him.

“Chansung, one cannot deny the truth,” the crown prince smiled at his sibling. The upturns of his plump lip showed the prince’s fondness for his brother and a twinge of regret for not being the royal people expected him to be. 

“I have known what people have expected me to be and I have tried my best to live up to those expectations but...” Yuno began. He stood up and walked towards the open balcony, Chansung following in his wake. The elder leaned against the railings, hands resting on the cold stone as his sibling chose to press his back against it.

Townsfolk caught a glimpse of them from down below and enthusiastically yelled for the royal duo’s attention. The younger greeted them with matched excitement, bringing his hand up for a wave while the elder just nodded at them with a forlorn expression taking over his handsome face. He stared at the crowd a little longer than he should have, his mind wandering to the thief that stole his heart. His deep chocolate eyes traced the busy streets and alleyways, through the ways of the marketplace and the housing area until he could no longer see the outlines of the path.

“But you feel as if you belong down there,” Chansung finished for him with a hint of understanding. 

“Yes,” Yuno breathed out.

“Brother, you have always had a knack for escaping,” Chansung joked lightheartedly to ease his brother’s troubled heart. It was not everyday a royal revealed he wanted to be one of the people after all. 

A hearty, deep rumbling laugh escaped the crown prince’s lips. “I suppose I was not as discreet as I could have been,” he said with the shake of his head, “I was too busy running away from the guards to leave quietly.”

“I suppose not,” the younger chuckled along, the sounds of their laughter drifting with the winds.

“But Yuno,” Chansung’s voice called, “will you be alright?” His voice grew faint towards the end of the question and Yuno caught what his sibling was implying. Would the crown prince be alright after leaving a life of comfort?

“Yes,” Yuno smiled, his eyes shining in a way the second in line had never seen before, “for I will be happy.”

“Will you really be happy?” Chansung asked softly, his voice choking at the thought of his brother leaving him behind. He shook the sadness away and grinned widely at his sibling.

“You are leaving your favorite person behind after all,” he teased, barely dodging a playful punch to the chest. Yuno slung his arm over Chansung’s broad shoulder, bringing a hand to ruffle the other’s neatly styled hair.

“When have I ever called you that?” 

“Come, Yuno,” the younger man said with a proud smile, “we have much to discuss before we bring this to Father.” 

Yuno laughed once more, his heart bursting with an infinite amount of joy. He was one step closer to being free. 

Nothing could take away his happiness, or so he thought. Neither brother realized the person lurking in the shadows, hanging onto every word with disdain.

“He wants to abdicate the throne for a measly street rat? How could this be?” Rowena asked herself as she stormed into her secret hideaway within the palace walls after hearing the conversation between the siblings. The fabric of her robe flowed behind her and the mighty jeweled staff pounded against the floor as she rushed her way down steep steps. 

“All these years of scheming my way to the top will be wasted if he leaves with that peasant,” she spat harshly. Passing by the mirror hanging on her wall, Rowena paused in place to admire her looks. Running a hand through her shining black locks and stroking the sharp line of her jaw, she wondered what you had that she didn’t.

She had the looks, the intelligence, and the kingdom in the palm of her magic hand while you merely survived by committing to a life of crime. Why wasn’t the prince in love with her?

“Yuno and the position of queen was to be mine,” the advisor hissed, hazel eyes darkening with envy with each word she spoke. “I have not wasted my energy spelling the king only to settle for the second born.” 

Her reflection disappeared from her view, a bundle of smoke and clouds hiding her away before dispersing into a sweet image of you and the prince together. 

A terrifying shriek left her lips at the new reflection. Picking up the closest item within her reach, she hurled it into the mirror projecting that horrifyingly romantic image. The crack of the glass echoed in throughout the room and it fueled her bubbling ambition.

As her grip tightened against the length of her staff, she felt a new plan hatching in her head and dark magic coursing through her veins. “Prince Yuno and Neiho will be mine, make no mistake about that.”

You thought your love was too good to be true and he tried to convince you otherwise— you were a mere village thief and he was the Crown Prince. You came from practically nothing while he was of royal blood and yet, your fragile heart couldn’t help but fall for the lost man behind the crown and jewels. Your relationship was against the fates and the aligned stars but the prince had the strongest urge to rewrite them just to keep you by his side.

 “I have scheduled a private audience with the King tomorrow.” 

“And what will you discuss with him, love?” You stroked his fringe away from his forehead before cupping his cheek in your gentle hold. 

He nestled into your palm, sighing at your warmth. “Renouncing the throne,” Yuno announced casually.

“I beg your pardon?!” You almost screamed into the night.

The prince ignores your little outburst, continuing his explanation. “The life of a royal is not the life I wish to live. I want to live a life of travel and adventure.” He sat up to clutch your hands in his. “I want to live a life with you, if you will have me.”

“With me?” You managed to mutter. “Out of all people, why with me?”

“Because I’m in love with you. Any day with you would be an adventure.”

“But I don’t have anything— no riches, just rags,” you swallowed the lump in your throat. He took you in, dirt smeared face and ripped clothing, and still looked at you like you held the world in your hands. Yuno saw the stars, the sky, the whole entire universe in your eyes. He didn’t need anything else— he just needed you. 

“I love you more than anything else in this world but all I have to offer you is everything in me. I’m not sure if that is enough,” you bit your lip, teething gnawing down on your sensitive skin out of nervousness. He was the boy who had everything and he was willing to give everything up for a life with you. 

Yuno brought your injured knuckles to his lips. He kissed them gently, holding your gaze with a soft one of his own. “My love, that is more than enough. You are more than enough.”

“But what about the villagers? What will happen to them if I were to leave?” You sputtered out, worrying about others rather than yourself. 

He smiled at your selflessness. “I have already discussed this with Chansung. He is aware of the village’s situation and is willing to make changes to better their livelihood.”

“I can’t leave them behind,” you pulled your hands away. “They need me.” 

“He is willing to work with your partner, Minhyung, to reach out to our people. No man left behind,” he replied with a smile. “We thought of all the options.” 

You wanted to go with him but they were all you knew. Protecting the villagers and providing them with hope was always your number one priority— you had never thought of anything else. Would your mother be disappointed in you if you left them all behind or would she be happy to know that you have found a potential shot of happiness?  

“Please, just think about it, my darling.”

“And Minhyung, he asked me to think about it!” You shrieked while running through the trees, a sack of gold hitting the small of your back. You looked behind you to see your younger partner-in-crime giving you the smuggest smile.

“Well, are you thinking about it?” He questioned, curiosity burning in his doe eyes. He wiggled his brows to tease you and you wanted to slap him with your heavy sack.

“What is there to think about? I’m not leaving you behind.” 

“Why is that?” Your friend pushed.

“Because you need me, they need me.”

“Do we really need you or is it you that needs us?”

You frowned at him, not understanding his words. “What do you mean by that, Min?”

He laughed, nose coiling up cutely as he did so. “You have been stealing all your life, it’s all you know how to do. It’s familiar.”

“I do not see where you’re going with this.”

“You love him and you want to go with him but you’re scared.”

“Of what?”

“The unknown.” Minhyung gestured to all the riches you’ve stolen gathered by your feet. “This is all you’ve known but wouldn’t it be nice to do something more?” 

“But this is all you’ve known too, Min,” you countered defensively. 

“True, but by working with Prince Chansung, I can broaden my horizons.” There was this proud glint in his eye. “I can help more people. And you—”

“And me?”

“— you can finally be free to see what’s out there just like you’ve always dreamed of doing with nothing holding you back.” 

Your friend grabbed hold of your hand, his larger one clasping over your own. Minhyung’s grip tightened around your palm to reassure you. “You can be selfish for once, to think only of yourself, and it will be perfectly fine.”

“Min, I want to be selfish but I’m frightened of everything— life beyond the walls and forest. What if everything out there is not what I think it is? What if I’m not prepared to leave this familiarity?”

Minhyung whispered your name as you began to spiral down a road he could not follow. 

“And being in love with a prince for that matter! Love could be fleeting. Any given day after I leave with him, Yuno may not want me. He could turn his back on me and leave me to die. He has options, Min. I, for one, am not that lucky.”

Your friend squeezed firmly on your shoulder before reaching down to take hold of your hands. He crossed your arms over your chest and placed each hand on a shoulder, leading your fingers to tap against your skin. Minhyung encouraged you to follow along as he began to guide you through deep, calming breaths. 

As your heart rate and thoughts began to settle, you wondered when Minhyung grew up to be the strong boy who stood beside you. 

“Life is frightening. We know that more than anyone, flying by the seat of our pants,” Minhyung said with a chuckle of his own. “It’s alright to be scared of the unknown but it should not stop you from living your life the way you wish to live it.”

As you took another breath, you nodded to acknowledge his words. 

“Do you want to live a life with the Crown Prince?”

“More than anything in this world,” was your firm reply. 

Minhyung grinned at you, “Then that should be enough. Your love will be enough.”

Tugging him into a hug, you tucked your head into the crook of his neck. The act of affection was a “thank you” you cannot express with words. You only hoped your friend would understand the meaning behind the gesture. Luckily, with years of experience being your partner-in-crime, the young Minhyung was able to between the lines.

“Will you be alright?”

“Of course,” he said, placing a faint kiss against the crown of your head. “You’ve taught me everything I need to know.”

Minhyung, the younger and more energetic one of your thieving duo, ran ahead of you into the clearing to make the first drop of goods. You laughed at his excitable demeanor— you knew he would be the person you would miss most once you hightrailed out of the kingdom. He was the only family you had left but there he was, happy that you were finally setting yourself free.

The upward curve of your lips dropped when you heard his voice yell out for help. Heart racing, you let go of your sack, legs running faster than ever before to come to your best friend’s aid.

Once you caught a glimpse of him, your heart dropped to the floor, right by your soiled and tattered coverings you called shoes.

Minhyung was fighting against the hold of the strong guards that always chased your tail. His hands were handcuffed in chains and tears were running down his sunken cheeks as one guard repeatedly abused his small frame. You screeched at the vulgar sight unfolding before you— your little brother was being beaten to a pulp.

Three rough strikes to the stomach was all you could witness before you went flying towards him, hands outstretched to catch him as his body fell to the floor. You never reached him, another pair of guards preventing you from doing so. They immediately cuffed you and pulled your struggling frame towards them. Your shouts and frantic cries for the injured Minhyung were hushed when a restricting feeling took over your vocal chords.

Opening your mouth, you tried your best to make a sound but you found yourself mute. 

A horrifyingly disturbing laugh came from behind the trees and you scuffled to find the source through your tears. The tall and sleek figure, dressed far too nice to be caught in these parts, approached you with the most evil smirk. Her back was straightened, chest puffed out, and head held high with pride as she used the tip of her staff to lift your head.

“So you are the one who caught the crown prince’s eye,” the figure said, her voice as piercing as her glare. “The little thief.”

“You,” came your choked reply as she released the spell she casted on you.

“Oh, so you know of me?” she laughed haughtily. “Say my name then, child.”

Refusing to do what she said, you turned your head to look at the unconscious Minhyung who was slumped across the grass. 

“I said,” she hissed, using her hand to force your gaze back at her. “Say my name.” 

“Rowena,” you growled. “What do you want from me? I have nothing you want.” Her sharp nails dug into your skin and you winced at the pain. The royal advisor clearly did not appreciate your snark. 

“That is where you are wrong, my sweet child,” Rowena almost purred back. “You possess the thing I long for most.”

You scoffed at her answer. “And what would that be, witch?”

“Be careful with your words, street rat. I can end your friend’s life in an instant if you fail to hold your tongue,” a nail scratched your cheek, leaving you with a new cut. A thin stream of blood flowed down your face, dripping onto your tattered clothes as Rowena watched amusingly. “You are in possession of Prince Yuno’s heart when it was destined to be mine.”

You fought the urge to laugh, “You are doing this out of jealousy?”

“Hold your tongue, riff raff. You forget who is in control here, I can easily command my men to strike another blow on your poor fri—”

“No!” you yelled, cutting Rowena off, suddenly desperate to get on her good side. “Don’t hurt Minhyung; he has nothing to do with the situation!”

Minhyung weakly called your name and you ignored his cries. 

“But he is a thief and it is a great crime to steal in this kingdom,” Rowena drawled on teasingly, like a cat playing with a hopeless mouse.

“No, please,” you begged. “You mustn’t hurt him.”

“Then you must do something for me in return, peasant,” Rowena laughed at how easily she had you wrapped around her finger. You appeared to be strong, but your overly selfless heart was weak. 

“I will do anything you ask me to if you leave Minhyung alone,” you petitioned. You couldn’t let anything happen to Minhyung— he was the only family you had left. “He’s a brother to me.”

Minhyung’s head shot up at his new title while he gasped for air. Locking eyes with him, you smiled painfully. He was always at your side, protecting you when he could. Now, it was your time to protect him.

“I will let the boy live if you come with me without a fight,” Rowena schemed, grin growing wider by the second. She had you in the palm of her hands. “He is of no importance to me.”

“He is of the utmost importance to me,” you said, the familial love seeping through your veins. Though physically far apart from him, you hoped he could feel the love you had for him. Minhyung violently shook his head, as if to tell you not to go. He refused to let you sacrifice yourself to let him live, you had done enough for him as is.

“I will go with you, Rowena. Just allow me a moment to say my goodbyes.”

The guards holding you and Minhyung back looked at their commander for an order. With a roll of her eyes and a wave of her hand, you and your friend were freed of your confinement. You quickly shuffled to your feet and Minhyung fell into your arms as you sunk to the ground. 

“Oh my stars, Min,” you sniffled as you took him in. Sandwiching his fallen face in between your hands, you stroked his cheeks and pushed back the strands of hair that stuck to his sweaty forehead. “Please tell me you’re alright.”

“I’ll be alright if you stay here with me,” Minhyung replied with tears welling up in his soft brown eyes. Minhyung was always the crier between the two of you. He cried more at your mother’s death than you did but this time, you let your tears cascade down your cheeks, knowing this was the last time you would see your best friend. 

“You know I can’t do that. I can’t let anything happen to you, you have gotten yourself hurt because of me,” You gather enough strength in your shaking hands to squeeze his cheeks, something you always did to cheer him up. “I refuse to be the cause of your pain.”

“And I refuse to let you go,” Minhyung raised his hands to hold onto yours.

“I have made my choice,” you whispered harshly, “and that is to keep you and the others safe.”

You take a moment to hug the younger boy in your arms, trying to commit the feeling of Minhyung in your memory. Flashes of your best friend growing up by your side ran through your mind as your fingers stroked through his hair. Pressing a lingering kiss to the top of his head, you shut your eyes and bit back a sob. “Do me one favor? Find your happiness, wherever it may be and never let it go, alright?”

When you released him from your hold, Minhyung whined at the loss of warmth. 

“You’re my brother, Minhyung. I love you,” were your last words to your thieving partner before you turned away from him and his heart wrenching sobs and willingly stepped into your doom.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this. 

What started off as secret meetings and stolen kisses in alleyways was ending with you chained to the floor of the palace’s throne room while your lover watched helplessly from the side. He screamed your name and struggled against the hold of his guards but you shook his head to silence him.

Stop, you begged in your head, make it stop. 

The King and Prince Chansung did nothing to help you or their kin, only staring blankly at the chaotic scene unfolding in front of them. They had no choice; they were bewitched to be at the sorceress’ beck and call, just like the many guards that protected the kingdom. If only Prince Yuno had realized it sooner. 

“Why are you doing this?” Yuno yelled, his deep voice booming throughout the large room. His harsh glare, a look you had never seen on him, was focused on the lady seated on his father’s rightful throne. 

“Why?” Rowena echoed. “My darling prince, I did this because of you and your wish to renounce the throne for her.” Her extreme distaste for you was apparent as she hissed the last word. 

She left her seat, leisurely sauntering over to Yuno with a smile as if it was a casual meeting when the situation was far from it. Rowena squatted down to reach his level and Yuno hastily turned his head to the side, refusing to meet her eyes. His jaw tightened and his teeth grinded against each other as she forced him to look her directly in the eye. “Marry me and crown me as your Queen. Only then will I let her go.”

Instead of answering the witch with words, he chose to spit in her face instead. “Never, you hag. You are not worthy of ruling Neiho, nor will you ever be.” Yuno’s voice was ruthless and unwavering, just as a prince’s should be. Even in a moment like this, your heart swelled with pride at his bravery.

“Long live King Chansung,” he jeered, which only set Rowena off. “He is the next, rightful ruler of the kingdom.”

“If this is how you want to play, so be it, Prince,” Rowena laughed in his face. The sound of her cackles made shivers run down your spine and cold sweat broke out in a number of places. You were scared of what was to come. 

Using her staff to help her back up to a standing position, Rowena made her way towards you with a menacing stare. The curve of her lips grew wider as you flinched back in fear. You heard the clanking of metal chains as Yuno wrestled against the guard’s hold. “Don’t you dare do anything to her!”

“And what will you do, Yuno?” she threw back. “There is nothing you can do to help her now.”

Only a few steps from you, she points the end of her staff in your direction. A gleaming emerald jewel taunted you as you sucked in a breath. “You, peasant, have always given selflessly without expecting anything in return so selfless you will remain,” she started to say, a gust of wind bursted out the end of the jewel. It first surrounded her figure, then you, before spreading throughout the room. 

A golden lamp appeared out of thin air, floating in front of your face before you felt the spark of dark magic course within you. It released you from your physical binds only to leave you immobile. A pair of gold cuffs materialized on your wrists and tugged you closer to the lamp. 

“No longer will you be able to act selfishly for you are bound to this lamp and to these chains until a master wishes you free,” she explained. The taunting laughter that would soon haunt your memories echoed in your ears as ideas for a curse were thrown into the wind. “It will be at least two thousand years until you have the chance of seeing your precious prince again, that is, if Prince Yuno finds you first.” 

“What? No!” Yuno howled across the room as you were slowly consumed by a dark cloud. Calls of your name were heard but you could not respond as Rowena began to chant,

“Golden lamp of antique old, Bind her body, mind, and soul. May she obey her master’s whim, Turn her future dark and grim. Freedom comes with just one wish Unless it is a true love’s kiss.”

The smoke spread throughout the room, leaving the surroundings in a haze. As the evil enchantress concentrated on the curse, the hold on the others in the room fell through. The king and Chansung snapped out of their daze only to watch the horrific separation begin to take place. 

“Brother, what is the meaning of this?!” Chansung shouted to get his sibling’s attention, bringing an arm to shield his eyes from the powerful gusts. His father gripped at his youngest’s sleeve as the gale turned into a hurricane with you in the middle. 

Yuno failed to hear his brother’s questions, eyes zoned in on you as your freedom was slowly stripped away from you. The sight of you crushingly accepting your fate tugged on his heartstrings. This wasn’t the ending he wanted for you. This was far from it. 

"Remember me! You must remember me," he yelled over the commotion. You watched him struggle over the smoke as you cry out for him. 

"How could I ever forget you?" you reassured him with a broken smile. You felt the tail end of your body being pulled inside your new cage and tried to fight the unbreakable force. 

Yuno screamed your name once more. You locked eyes across the room, his dark orbs spinning with love and desperation. You wondered if your wet irises looked the same as his. 

"I will find you! I will search until the ends of the earth until you are by my side again.”

You wanted to laugh at his hopeful optimism— how did love get you into this situation? 

As much as you wanted to believe Yuno would find you, the situation was bleak. 

Rowena’s body rumbled with a laughter so sinister, so piercing that you flinched at the sound as her dark magic ran through your veins. “I would like to see you try, my prince, but until then, you and the throne belong to me,” she sneered. 

Ignoring the enchantress’ claims, his eyes continued to search for your disappearing figure. “I will come back to you, I promise!” Yuno’s deep voice rang into your ears. 

“I hope you will,” you whispered a defeated reply back. 

“If not in this life, then I will find you in the next! Mark my words!”

“Yuno…”

“In any version of reality, my darling, I will find you and I will choose you every single time. Do you hear me?” 

You nodded vigorously as you choked back your sobs. 

Just as the last bits of your being slipped through the spout of the lamp, Yuno broke free from the guards’ hold and rushed to your side. You reached out a hand and his fingertips grazed yours. 

“Don’t forget me,” he mumbled through choked up sobs. His shaking hands grabbed at the dreaded lamp, clutching it to his broad chest like it was the most precious thing on earth.

The sight of him so desperate before you was reminiscent of the star-crossed lovers you heard about during your younger years, the ones that ended in the worst of tragedies. You pondered  if this was your own personal tragedy, if this particular scene would haunt you for the rest of your cursed life. 

You exchanged one last glance. One last touch. 

Your hand clutched his cheek like it was made of the most fragile glass and the pad of your thumb stroked his soft skin. Yuno leaned into your touch, wanting to soak in his last moment with you. A spark flickered the place of contact, a sizzle of bright dust oozing from your fingers— your first dose of magic and you couldn’t even use it to keep him by your side. A glittering tear fell from your cheek and landed on his skin. 

It was then you muttered your last words to the man who claimed your heart before being completely tugged into your golden cage, “As you wish.” 

author’s note. hello, my darling readers! i know many of you have been waiting for this release for the longest time. this is the first of three (or four) parts. this part has been done for quite some time now; i’m just struggling to get the rest of it out.

but i thought it was too good of a story to just sit there in my google docs. i had this need to finally put part of it out into the world so here we are! i’ve been writing this since october and i would like to thank the many people who have helped me with the plot so far: kira, my chaotic gc, allex, and joyce!! ily all!! <3 this is for you!!!

part two is finished and i’m in the process of editing it! will it be out soon? who knows?

taglist. @rindomo @yshbaewenjun @hannie-dul-set @itsapapisongo @babyyynatty @notnctu @w0nni3wrld @yuta1forme @lucyinthesunshinee

i lost my original copy of the taglist so i’m sorry if i missed people! (especially since it’s been so long!) please let me know if you would like to be added to the list for future parts!

© sehunniepotwrites, 2020-2021

[myfriendsarerealidiots]

Hi! @meltedmush I was your secret santa for @dcmksecretsanta this year! I hope you enjoy this fic I wrote :) Merry Christmas!

By Each Other’s Side 

TW: historical inaccuracies, stealing, stabbing, swords, overview fic, brief gore, blood, brief mention of marriage WC: 1.6k 

I won’t include a synopsis mainly ‘cause I’m bad at those but also just wanna note a change I made which is that Shin and Kaito are older here (20+) and Toichi’s death isn’t way back in the past. Oh and they might be a bit ooc...I haven’t seen dcmk in a while 

(And no its not a cheesy romance fic...i just couldn’t come up with a better title)

There were once two counties who lived side by side. They openly traded with each other and didn’t compete for territory. All was peaceful until the sudden death of Emperor Toichi. Outside forces pressured their country, forcefully taking land and harming civilians. The newly crowned emperor, Kaito, was known by the masses as a puppet — unable to make his own decisions and unworthy of the throne. In the public eye, all the power belonged to Empress Dowager Chikage and perhaps in a sense, they were right. 

However, unbeknownst to those mocking him, Emperor Kaito was busy resolving the issues of his citizens who lived at the borders. He wore the clothes of the common people and investigated those areas in secret, finding many corrupt officials who have risen to power without his knowledge. They stole from the rations given by the court and took many of the harvests of the local areas for themselves — barely leaving anything for the farmers and craftsmen who lived there. 

How dare they. 

One night, against the advice of his personal assistant, Kaito donned a mask and snuck into the homes of the officials. It was past midnight. Many of the village’s people have fallen asleep. At most, a candle was still lit but that was nothing to Kaito as he snuck past guards who were on the verge of sleep. “This is nothing.” He thought with a hint of mischief that would’ve been scoffed at in court. He found his way to the office and unlocked a vault hidden behind a bookshelf. 

Inside were many piles of gold and silver taels. Several books worth double or triple the salaries of the official were also inside. Kaito let out a low whistle as he inspected the vault. He produced a small leather bag from his robes and scooped up a handful of gold. “These should go back to where they came from.” He whispered as he took one last lookover the vault before silently closing it and leaving. 

His assistant, Jii, looked like he was going to explode with worry when Kaito got back. Babbling over and over again about how it was inappropriate for an emperor to steal from his own citizens. Well. That scolding all went in one ear and out the other. 

Before the sun rose, Kaito left five taels of gold in front of each of the households. “It should be enough to last them a while.” He told Jii as they left for the capital. Unbeknownst to Kaito, that act of his would later encourage many others to don the mask of ‘Kid’ — an elusive thief who steals from corrupt officials and gives the wealth to the needy. 

Kaito reported everything he found to his Empress Mother and went to court the next day. As per usual, the officials had nothing new to say. One brings up the idea of sending an envoy to their ally country to ask for assistance. Kaito considered it for a moment before agreeing. “This one will go.” He declared right there and then.

A couple days later, he was back on the road with Jii at his side along with a carriage of offerings. “Your majesty, was it necessary for you to make this trip yourself?” 

“Not really but I’d rather go out than debate with those old men.” Kaito yawned as he loosened his posture on the horse. 

They arrived in the neighboring country with little fanfare yet much to Kaito’s surprise he would see a familiar face at the gate. “Prince Shinichi.” He bowed after getting off the horse. 

“No need for the formalities.” Shinichi waved him off. “I hope you had a good trip.” He smiled as he clasped his hands behind his back. “Let’s head to the palace before we talk more.” 

The corner of Kaito’s lip twitched before he really ignored all formalities and wrapped an arm around Shinichi’s shoulders. “I haven’t seen you in over five years and this is how you treat me?” 

Shinichi cleared his throat, covering his mouth with a hand. “We’re in public.” He snapped before walking off without waiting for Kaito. 

“Hey! Come on. You’re so cold.” He shouted as he quickly handed Jii the reins to his horse and chased after Shinichi. 

~

Kaito met with the emperor and empress. He asked for assistance in defending his territories while he was still establishing his reign. However, much to his surprise, they refused, stating that since Kaito’s country was under siege it was only a matter of time before it reached the borders of their own country. Kaito understood and thanked them regardless. He left the gifts he prepared for them and left the country that very same night. 

Shinichi’s heart flared with worry. Kaito never left before teasing him a good amount. He could only take a deep breath in and hope that nuisance was okay. 

Barely a month passed before the news of the fall of Kaito’s country made its way to court. Shinichi almost lost his footing after hearing it. He couldn’t help but ask if there was any news of the emperor. The informer could only nervously shake his head in refusal, probably afraid of what Shinichi might do to him if he spoke out of turn. 

“I thought so.” Were the only words Shinichi could say. His eyes were downcast and his tone was that of disappointment. 

The topic was quickly changed and they began discussing what to do with the refugees who have crossed the border. Shinichi tried to listen, knowing it was important for him to know something like this for when he eventually would become the emperor. However, the only thing he could hear was buzzing. It was like his brain was shutting down at the news that Kaito might’ve died. 

This thought of his was refuted long after it was made. 

Several years passed without a word about Kaito when on that fateful day, an army charged through the capital city with Kaito as their general. The useless emperor shed his mask and became the leader of an army with no losses. He stood at the gate of the palace and demanded that the royal couple come out and surrender. 

Shinichi prohibited his parents from leaving the palace and instead, went out himself. The corners of his eyes felt a little wet as he saw Kaito again in front of him, even if that said person held a sword to his throat. “You’re alive.” He said beneath his breath while a small smile came over his usually calm face. Shinichi schooled his expression back to how it normally is and fell to his knees. “We surrender. I am willing to do as you wish, just don’t harm the common folk.” He pressed his forehead to the ground. “And my parents.” 

“Take him back with us.” Kaito commanded, not sparing Shinichi another glance. Shinichi was roughly brought onto his feet. Soldiers stood to his left and right, dragging him towards a carriage and throwing him inside. After a while, the carriage began to move and the sights of the capital left his sights. He closed his eyes and took a nap. 

When he awoke, he was in front of court. His hair was taken out of its crown and was left loose. A guard to either side of him pushed him onto his knees. His gaze didn’t waver above the floor. Shinichi knew that if he looked up he wouldn’t be able to stop. 

“Your majesty, I propose we kill him.” 

“Your majesty, I propose we make him a prince.” 

Proposal, after proposal, they all flew over Shinichi’s head. He couldn’t be bothered to listen to their chatter. The officials argued amongst themselves for a while before they were silenced. 

“Give me your sword.” Kaito gestured an open hand to a guard at his side. They handed him the sword with no hesitation. He calmly walked towards Shinichi and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up. 

Shinichi’s eyes were cold yet red in the corners. He didn’t resist when Kaito forced his head up. “Do your worst.” He whispered between gritted teeth.

“This is going to hurt.” Kaito inhaled as he unsheathed the sword. In one swift move, he stabbed Shinichi through his midsection. “Sorry.” He whispered the moment he got close. 

Shinichi’s face paled. A pool of blood started to form around his knees. Kaito swiftly pulled out the sword and dismissed everyone with a wave. Within seconds they all left, cautious not to invoke the emperor’s rage. 

The moment the last person left, Kaito rushed to Shinichi’s side. “Are you okay?” 

“What do you think?” Shinichi scoffed, leaning his head against Kaito’s arm. 

“I’ll call the imperial doctor.” Kaito tried to stand up before being pulled back down by Shinichi. “But.” 

“I’m going to be fine.” Shinichi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Just take me to a room far away from people.” Later that day, Kaito told the court to announce the death of Prince Shinichi.

A month or two later, it was announced that Kaito would marry an empress. At the same time, chaos was bubbling in court as Kaito wanted to let the Emperor and Empress from Shinichi’s former country to serve under him. He fought hard and didn’t allow anyone to decline him. 

The marriage surprised the entire country. Everyone thought Kaito would be marrying a lady from a respectable family. However, on the day itself, the person at Kaito’s side was a man. They couldn’t see his face but the figure was definitely one of a man. Kaito announced that day that his bride was named ‘Edogawa Conan.’