#then i click and i realize they meant australia and even more panic sets in because i realize they meant 68° celsius

[meatcrimes]

using both fahrenheit and celsius to determine temperature is wild because you’ll be thinking in one measurement unit and someone will say some alarming number and then you calm down when you realize they meant they’re baking their recipe at 350° fahrenheit

[miastideclock]

Stray Kids Reaction To Their Relationships Accidentally Going Public

@babybouille​ asked

Hi there ~ ! I saw that your request are open ? If possible can I please have a skz reaction for when their relationship with their s/o accidently goes public ? Thanks :)

-

Can do, love!

Word Count: 4,6k Warnings: sorry this took so long, not really a warning bUT YOU GET IT

Bang Chan

“What kind of spoiler? You will see it later. Recently what has everyone been up to these days? I’ve been working out a lot. Like, I’ve been eating salads. I want to build up my body-” Chan answered as he read the questions out loud.

Chan and Felix were sat on each their chair in Chan’s studio, talking to the fans via Chan’s weekly livestream. However, you had completely forgotten this. As you and Chan had been dating for almost six months, you probably should know this by now, but what can you do. 

You knocked gently before opening the door, instantly closing it back up when you saw what they were doing. Luckily, the camera was at such an angle that you couldn’t see the door. 

Chan jumped in his seat, as did Felix. “Hold on one moment you guys, I just need to mute our mic for a second.” The older Aussie spoke into the camera before clicking a few buttons. Chan then got out halfway out of frame, to the point where you could just see from the waist down on the left side of his body. From where he was standing, he could reach the door, so he opened it back up to find you standing there with a sheepish smile on your face. 

“I am so sorry! I completely forgot!” You instantly apologized to both your boyfriend and your friend. As you leaned gently to the side to see past Chan, Felix chuckled, waving it off saying it was an honest mistake. “Did anyone see me?”

Even though you and Chan had dated as long as you had, the public had yet to find out. Originally, Chan was under a strict dating-ban, but after a few weeks of convincing, the management agreed to let you date, but only if you kept it a secret, and if you worked at the company. That way no one would be suspicious of you entered and left the building at free will. 

“No, no one saw you babe- we’re good.” Chan chuckled and leaned forward to kiss you, jokingly making kissy noises as he came closer, mostly to gross out Felix, but also because the two of you genuinely found it funny to act like those super-gross couples. 

“I just wanted to let you know that I’m headed to the store, you boys want anything?” You asked, but as both the boys said no, their phones started vibrating like crazy. Felix grabbed his from the table they were sitting at, his face first confused, then a look of panic struck him. He instantly motioned for you and your boyfriend to be quiet as he grabbed the mouse and started clicking around the screen. He ended the live. 

“Mate. You didn’t mute yourself.” Felix breathed once Chan asked what all the commotion was about. Chan’s blood ran cold as he realized what that meant. You instantly pulled out your phone and went to the VLIVE app to see the ending of their stream, and sure enough. Kissy sounds, loving nicknames, Felix saying you were cute together. It was all there. 

“I guess we’re official then?” Chan sighed as he looked at you, scared of how you would react.

“Oh thank god!”

Lee Know

“You excited for the set tonight?” You asked softly as you sat on your boyfriends lap. He gently brushed his hands through your hair as he hummed a reply. 

“Yeah, it has been so long it feels like. But when you really do the math it really isn’t that bad.” Minho replied, the playing of your hair never stopping. You had enjoyed having your boyfriend to yourself for a while, but you knew how much he loved working and being on stage, so you didn’t mind giving him up to his members for a while.

You and Minho had been dating for about a year at this point, but you had yet to go public. The only people who knew were his members, and their management team. Or so you thought.

“Hyung, don’t kill me!” Seungmin ran over to the couch you were sat on in the greenroom, his make-up perfectly done and his outfit matching Minho’s. Minho sat up straighter, making you look up from where you had your face nuzzled into his chest. 

“Then don’t give me a reason?” Minho spoke, asking more than anything. Seungmin looked genuinely panicked, and you soon grew concerned for the boy. You had seen him get worried over dumb things before, but never like this. 

“I posted on Instagram. I didn’t see until I read the comments, but by then it was too late- I deleted it, but the fans are too fast.” He stumbled over his words and stuttered, almost as if he had just ran a marathon. 

“Seungmin, calm down. What was it about the picture?” Minho was now also concerned for the well-being of his member, genuinely worried he would have an anxiety attack. 

“You and Y/N are in it.” He breathed and showed you his phone. The screen showed his selfie, very cute picture. But if you zoomed in, you could see you and your boyfriend, cuddling, being mid-kiss. Unluckily for you, the quality was good enough to where you could definitely tell it was Minho. 

You inhaled a sharp breath of air, and instinctively looked to see Minho’s reactions- but it was impossible to read him. Was he happy? Stressed? Angry? Sad? Even with a gun to your head, you couldn’t give an answer. 

“I mean..” He started, not sounding very upset. “If it’s already out there, management can’t really force us to keep it a secret anymore, right?” He asked Seungmin what his opinion on the matter was, but he was at a loss for words. You had to side with Seungmin on this one, as it was a thing anyone would be angry at. 

When all Seungmin could do was stutter out inaudible sounds, Minho turned to one of the managers that had just entered the room. “Am I in trouble?” He asked calmly, and much to everyone's surprise, the manager shook his head. 

“No, but just meet with us in the conference room when we get back, so we can talk about where you can go and stuff.” He said, making you and Minho nod.

“That went well.”

Changbin

You smiled slightly as you smelled the freshly popped popcorn, the salty and buttery smell filling your nose. While humming gently to yourself as you poured the snacks out of the bag and into a bowl, bopping your head to the beat you heard in your head. “Blurry lines, yeah-yeah. So many, so many-” But you cut yourself off as you heard your show begin in the living room. You softly squealed and ran with the popcorn and your drink.

Your boyfriend Changbin and his group was going on a talk show, and you were so excited to see it. You always loved their live interviews as they always felt more charismatic when nothing was edited out.

“Tonight on Late Later Latest with Bentley™, Stray Kids! Welcome!” The host greeted the boys. They did their intro and got started. The host asked her usual questions, how promotion was going, how it felt being such an up-and-coming group etc etc. After the general questions, she asked more individual question, asking Minho about his dancing (Nat Geo), Felix and Chan about their life in Australia and so on. When she finally went to Changbin, you felt your heart beat proudly. 

You had originally asked management if you could come to the audience of the talk-show and watch, but they sadly denied your request as people might get suspicious. You and Changbin had been dating since forever, but the public didn’t know yet. Management had agreed to let you keep dating, but only if they could expose your relationship at any given moment for promotion purposes. At first you were disgusted with their demands, but you soon understood where they came from, and agreed. 

“So Changbin, what would you say motivates your writing the most?” The host asked, giving him a smile as she did so. 

Changbin nodded and answered, not giving his answer enough thought. “Well, mostly my girlf-” but he cut himself off. “uuh- my members? Maybe my fans?” He stumbled over his words, trying to hide his original answer, but it was too late.

“Were you gonna say girlfriend?” The host asked him in kind of a humoring tone. Changbin then sighed and nodded, this making you choke on your popcorn, sending a few pieces flying as you coughed. You did not expect him to expose your relationship for the whole world to see, this fine Thursday afternoon. 

“Yeah. I guess I have to come clean now, don’t I? Y/N, please don’t kill me.” He sheepishly smiled into the camera and gave you a slight wave, causing you to smile back at him and wave gently, not realizing he couldn’t see you. You then let your and fall into your lap as you giggled at your now public boyfriend.

Hyunjin

While almost skipping, you made your way down the hallway. Taking turn after turn and up and down hallways and staircases, you finally found what you had been looking for. The loud music gave it away instantly as you entered the room.

in the middle of the floor, looking at himself dancing in the mirror, stood your boyfriend Hyunjin. “Hi baby!” He grinned when he saw you stood there by the door. He stopped dancing and hurried over to you and picked you up to spin you around. “I missed you!”

You had been out of town for about three weeks, so it was with good reason he said what he did. 

“Am I interrupting anything?” You quickly asked, praying that he would say no. He shook his head while copying your grin, finally placing you back on the ground. You took that opportunity to get on your tippy-toes and give him a kiss.

You and Hyunjin had been dating for just under nine months at this point, and your relationship was still as blooming as if was only a few weeks ago you went on your first date. 

At first, you had been forbidden to date, as his idol-contract came with pretty serious and strict rules, but after sneaking around for about half a year, the company finally gave up and let you do whatever you wanted. Hyunjin’s managers were all surprised when you let them know that neither of you wanted to take the relationship public, at least not to begin with. So all the secrecy was completely your own ideas. Hyunjin’s members also agreed to keep you a secret for now, respecting you and Hyunjin’s decisions.

“Would they mind if I stole you for a day date? I was thinking maybe taking you on a picnic right now, and then after we could go to the fair?” You suggested, already having the picnic basket ready in your car parked outside.

“I already told them I would be occupied the day you came home. I just gotta send this to our editor, and he can work his magic or something!” Hyunjin let you know, letting go of your waist to run over to the camera propped up on a tripod. He had been filming a dance practise, something he did every once in a while. 

He clicked the camera and then sat down on the floor next to the laptop the camera was wired to, clicking a few more buttons. After that he cleared out the room, and you were on your way. 

The date was nice, you and Hyunjin catching up, even though you had spoken on the phone every single night while you were away. However, mid-date, Hyunjin got a phone call from his leader. As it was just Chan, he put it on speaker so you could listen in too.

“Hyung! What’s up?” He asked casually, after he had placed the phone back down on the blanket. 

“Hyunjin- did you mean to post that? Cause if yes- hella cute. If not? I’m so sorry, mate.” Bang Chan’s voice was slightly static as he was talking through a phone after all, but that wasn’t what made his statement confusing. 

“What are you talking about?” Both you and Hyunjin said at the same time.

“Oh, Y/N, fitting that you’re here too. But you posted the uncut version of your dance practice to our VLIVE instead of sending it to the editor. Everything is there.. Everything.” He spoke slowly, trying to make sure you and your boyfriend truly understood the consequences.

You looked over at Hyunjin for a second, him being just as confused as you were- all before he looked like he had touched a hot plate, his face lighting up in a grimace. 

“You! You’re in the video! We kiss! And say dating! sHIT-” He started panicking. 

“Baby- slow down. I don’t care if you don’t. Maybe it was time for us to go public anyways- we couldn’t have kept it a secret the rest of our lives, right? I love you, you love me- we can do this.” You spoke in a tone to try to calm him down.

“Yeah, I do love you. We’ll figure it out.” He replied after letting out a sigh of relief. You then leaned in to kiss him but was cut off by someone you had forgotten long ago.

“Awwww, you guys! That was so cu-” BEEP. Hyunjin quickly hung up on Chan even though he was mid-sentence, going back to kissing you.

Han

“Please don’t ever get a mustache.” You chuckled as you gently stroked the fake beard glued to your boyfriends upper lip. He chuckled as he returned the favor, gently pulling on your fake grandma-glasses.

“I would say the same about your outfit, but I don’t know. This whole grandma look is growing on me.” He joked, you swatting away his hand as he did so. 

“You’re weird.” You laughed at him.

You were currently sat in a boot at a restaurant, trying to enjoy a good meal with your boyfriend. As you still weren’t known to the public yet, despite having dated for almost a year- you had to play dress up. 

You were sat in a dated dress you could find in any grandmother's closet, matched with a shawl draped over your head and granny glasses, covering as much of your face as possible. Your other half was in a suit, distorting his true body-type, a fake mustache and a hat. 

“I don’t know, I preferred the costume where you dressed as a woman.” You snickered, making Jisung roll his eyes and chuckle with you. 

This was in no way shape or form the first time you had dressed up to go out, but it had been some time since the last time you did it. His company didn’t necessarily have anything against your dating, as long as you kept it lowkey. You could go public if you so wished, but if you did- you couldn’t go on dates on massively crowded spots. 

“I liked the one where you were not only a man, but a biker!” Jisung cackled at that one. But before he could say anything else, you both noticed a flash of light in the distance. Your first thought was lightning, but as you were inside a shopping centre, you doubted it.

As you both turned to the source of the light, you saw not only one, but two paparazzis standing by the entrance of the restaurant, taking your pictures.

You then quickly looked up at each other, and then making a run for the door, trying to hide your faces as much as you could. 

Once you made it outside, Jisung grabbed your hand as you still ran, trying to drag you after him. You couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, as it would have to look ridiculous to anyone else. An old couple running at full speed down the shopping mall, as if they were being chased by the police? Iconic. 

Your laugh soon infected Jisung causing him to laugh too, one hand on his hat, the other in yours.

Felix

“Okay, so- No! I’m not impostor- I’m down by electrical!” Felix defended himself as he spoke into the mic, discussing with the other players on Discord.

Felix was twitch streaming as he and some of his personal friends played Among Us. They also opted to use Discord rather than the chat that came with the game, when they were discussing. 

“Nah, Felix sus! You know you can vent from electrical to medbay, and then you’re in cafeteria in two seconds, giving you plenty of time to kill cyan, and then leave!” One of his friends argued, prompting you to say something. 

“No, I saw Felix do a garbage-task earlier, he safe.” You backed him. You hadn’t actually seen him to a task, but he seemed like he needed some help. 

You loved playing with Felix and his friends, but you preferred it when they weren’t Twitch streaming. You were always scared to mess up, or let words slip. Words like babe, honey, or boyfriend. As you and your boyfriend Felix had decided to let the world think you were only friends, it made things a bit more difficult, gaming wise. 

You had been dating for just over half a year at this point. His idol-company had asked you to date in secret for a while, just to see if it would work out before you announced it to the world- something you completely understood, as it was quite a mess to clean if you had a nasty break.

However, the past few weeks, you and Felix found yourself catching yourself almost revealing it by accident. At this point, you found it tiresome to keep the secret, wanting to spread it to the world so you could adore your boyfriend in public. 

“Oh damn. Unless Felix and Y/N are impostor together!” Felix’s friend tried once again, but just as you had done previously you defended both you and your boyfriend.

“Eject confirmations are on. Danny was clearly the other impostor you dimwit.” You chuckled into your mic, making him groan.

“No, sorry- you’re right. Sorry Felix.” He apologized, prompting Felix to thank you for backing him, but along those lines, a certain word accidentally slipped his lips.

“Thanks, babe.” 

As soon as the words had left his lips, the chat grew quiet, no one knowing if they were allowed to speak, or if Felix wanted to try and save his mistake. One of your monitors showed Felix’s stream which also happened to show his stream-chat, it going completely nuts.

xxemogirlxx: DID HE SAY BABE?

changbinishawt: IS Y/N HIS GIRLFRIEND?

falixlaa: omg i knew they were dating

And so on, and so forth. You found yourself in complete shock as you leaned back in your chair, your mouth wide open. 

“Oh, screw it. Yes, Y/N is my girlfriend, and we’ve been together for a while. I’m also impostor while we’re at it.” He said, the relief in his voice prominent. As he spoke the last words, he ran over to his friend in MedBay and killed him, finishing the game.

The discord went crazy, all eight of Felix and you’s friends rioting.

“How does it feel being completely out to the world, Y/N?” You were asked by Danny.

“Feels great.”

Seungmin

“I’m really sorry, I’m already late for the meeting!” Your boyfriend, Seungmin apologized as he repeatedly kissed your cheeks, nose and forehead, finally landing on your lips. 

“Go on! Have fun, and say hi to the boys from me would you?” You giggled and tried to squirm your way out of his hug. He finally released you, but not fully as he slid his hands down your arms and intertwined your fingers, slowly stepping away as he did so. 

“Of course! Love you.” He smiled as he finally let go of your hand, but kept his walk backwards. 

You were inside the company building at this point, so you didn’t need to worry if anyone saw you. You smiled at him and waved slightly until he turned a corner and was out of sight. 

You and Seungmin had been dating for exactly six months, it being the reason for your date- to celebrate your anniversary. The company did have some words to say about your relationship in the beginning, but after a while they backed off and let you have your fun. 

Once you were sure he was gone, you made your way out of the building and down to the bus-stop waiting for the next scheduled bus. Two girls were sat at the bus-stop already, waiting for the same bus as you probably. They seemed to have a weird look at you, but you ignored it 

Maybe they had seen you and Seungmin enter the building! or maybe you just had gum on your pants? You decided to not give it too much thought. It was only a two minute wait, so before you knew it, you had your headphones plugged in and your phone in your hand. You were about to press the Spotify app, but soon noticed you had received a notification from VLIVE a few minutes ago.

You grew confused as the title didn’t mention any specific members hosting the live, but you clicked it nonetheless. 

Your headphones were soon filled with the cheers and rioting of your boyfriends band members, having the time of their lives as some sat on the couch, and some on the floor. You did however fail to spot Seungmin in the crowd, making you a tad bit confused, but reckoned there was a reason for it. A reason you and about 1.2 million others soon found out.

Just as the boys calmed down and Minho opened his mouth to talk, the door at the very left of the screen opened and revealed a distressed Seungmin. 

“Sorry I’m late, I was on my anniversary date with Y/N-” He started, not realizing the live had already started. The boys tried to save him as they started yelling once they saw where the sentence was going, but it was too late.

You felt your heart drop as you moved faster than lightning to tap the screen so you could see the comments. They were going crazy, everyone trying to figure out who you were, and if they had seen you before. 

“Damn it. Well, sorry STAY- I do in fact have a girlfriend, and we would much appreciate it if you didn’t go trying to look for her, or harass her in any comment section. Thank you.” Seungmin asked directly to the camera, the comments instantly flooding with nothing but love and support for their faves and their significant others. 

After the live was over, you found yourself smiling to yourself, happy that no one came with any mean comments. 

As you were on your way to collect your bag and push the stop button on the bus, you accidentally made eye-contact with the two girls who were sharing headphones. They looked you up and down once more before their eyes lit up, almost if they realized. 

Fear instantly washed over you, but it was soon gone as they raised their hands and waved and sent you little finger hearts, showing that they supported you. You softly waved back and stepped off the bus.

I.N

You were walking around a store downtown, minding your own business, having taken yourself out on a date. Your boyfriend, Jeongin was unable to join you as he had an early morning practice. You didn’t mind though, it had been a while since you got some time to yourself.

You and Jeongin had officially been dating for ten months circa, meaning you were already well into the relationship. His managers never really had anything against it as you seemed to follow all the company rules anyways. 

Looking at the items in the thrift-shop you were in, a ring caught your eye, instantly making you think of Jeongin. You decided to give him a call to see if the ring was something he liked, and if you should bring it home for him. 

The ringing of the FaceTime was short before he picked up, lighting up the whole screen with his massive smile. “Hi babe!” He beamed. You quickly greeted him and asked if he was busy. When he revealed he had a few minutes to spare, you flipped the camera so he could see what you were looking at.

“I saw this ring and thought it would suit you so well! It’s not too bold, and just large enough to make a statement. Would you wear it if I bought it for you?” You asked him as you showed him every angle of the ring, even how it looked on you. 

“Oh I love it! It would go well with so many outfits too. You really know your stuff.” He complimented and chuckled. You spoke for a few more minutes before you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Excuse me?” You whipped around as they spoke to you, the voice belonging to a girl around maybe fourteen years old. You gently placed the screen of your phone against your stomach, not necessarily to hide your boyfriends face, but to be respectful towards the person you spoke to.

“Can I help you?” You asked as politely as you could. The girl soon waved over her friends who were scattered around the store, making them all step over to you.

“How do you know our oppa?” The first girl asked, almost sounding angry as she spoke. You shot her a confused glance, genuinely not knowing what she was talking about.

“I’m sorry- do I know you?” You asked, in case it was the little sister of one of your friends.

“No, you don’t. But I saw your phone and you are talking to our I.N-oppa!” She was almost throwing a tantrum at this point, and you had no idea what to say or do. You tried stuttering out a reply, but you found your mouth gaping and closing, like the one of a fish. 

Muffles sounds suddenly came from your stomach, making both you and the girl look to your phone. You gently pulled it back out so you could see the screen. “Y/N, babe! Let me talk to them okay?” He suggested, having heard the entire conversation. You turned your phone around, but you didn’t let the girl hold it on her own, scared that she would run off with it. 

“Hi! Nice to meet you! I’m Jeongin, and this lovely girl you are talking to is a good friend of mine, so I would really love it if you stopped being upset with her, and rather left her alone, okay?” Jeongin spoke to the girls, trying his best to come across as kind and sweet, even though he hated how they had treated you. 

“Of course! But.. Is she your girlfriend?” The main girl asked, causing you to shake your head no, at the same time Jeongin sighed and confirmed you were. You felt your breath hitch and a smile creep up on your face.

“She is, but since we’re best friends now, you guys won’t tell anyone right?” He continued in the same baby-ing voice. Almost all of the girls agreed. All but one.

“Too late? I am so sorry!” She started sheepish, and ended in a panic. Apparently she had been filming the conversation and instead of stopping the filming when Jeongin asked them to keep it a secret, she had stumbled and uploaded it to twitter istead. Posting it to her hundreds and thousands of followers already. 

Both you and Jeongin stood there silently for a second before you flipped the phone around and agreed that you should stop by the company building to do some damage control.

“I’ll see you there. Love you, bye.” You said and hung up. You gave the girls a half-assed smile and picked up the ring to go pay.

That took so long I am genuinely so so so so so sorry x

I hope you liked it tho!

-Bentley

[chickensarentcheap]

I Found - Chapter 18

Warnings: none really

Tagging: @alievans007  @c-a-v-a-l-r-y @hemmyworthy

They take advantage of a mix up at shift change and sneak out of the house. Unseen by the guards who were gathered in the kitchen arguing about placements and switching schedules and by Tyler who'd been holed up in Mahajan Senior's office for a half an hour, getting briefings from Nik and the others who had remained behind in Australia.  Ovi had been reluctant; the unknown threat still lingering out there somewhere,  and although quiet and motionless for the last three days, could strike at any moment. Without Tyler by his side he was nervous, on edge, and hated the idea of leaving the sanctity of the walls surrounding him.

“We're not going far,” Esme had assured him, as she'd shoved her feet into a pair of flip flops.  It had felt as if there was someone else saying those words and she was powerless to stop them as they poured from her lips.  A year ago she would have been cautious. The very real dangers of the job keeping her hunkered down and expecting the unexpected.  Always on high alert, ready to defend herself and those in her care. But she'd grown tired of being stuck in that enormous house; with nothing to do fret about but the future and wonder when Jason's text from Dhaka would arrive.  

“Out the door is too far,” he'd nervously retorted.

“Just a couple of blocks.  Just for some fresh air. Hurry up. Get your shoes on.”

“This is a bad idea,”  they'd been in the front foyer, whispering, as if plotting the 'great escape'.  “We can go into the courtyard for fresh air.  Or for a swim.”

“Put your shoes on. It's fine. Just a couple blocks. I promise. And we can talk without your father's people hearing us. About Colorado.”

It was those final two words that had him complying, muttering worries about getting into trouble and he slid into a pair of sneakers.

“You need to relax,” Esme says now, as they stroll side by side, Ovi pushing the baby in her stroller. “Things have been quiet. You haven't received any letters or pictures and no one has been calling the house.  They won't escalate into anything worse right now. It's probably going to take them a while to figure out where to go next. The stakes have been raised. They probably aren't smart enough to figure out their next move.”

“I hope so,” he sighs, looking over his shoulder. The fourth time in less than a block. “I shouldn't have let you talk me into this.”

“It's a walk, Ovi. We're only going a couple of blocks. To that park you mentioned. Then we'll turn around and go home.”

“A lot can happen in two blocks.”

She grins.  “You're starting to sound like Tyler.”

“That's not a bad thing. He's very smart.  And very strong.  And brave. I wish I could be even a little bit brave like that.”

“You're a lot stronger and braver than you think. You're not the same kid you were when we met you a year ago. You went through a lot. Things that no kid should ever have to see.  A lot of people would have cracked. I've seen adults crack under less pressure.  You've got a good head on your shoulders, Ovi.. You're more like Tyler than you realize.”

He smiles at that. A broad, brilliant grin that lights up his entire face.  To him it's a huge honour; being compared to the man that he idolizes.

“Will we get in trouble?” he asks.  “When they find out we're gone? Will Tyler be mad?”

“We'll be back home before anyone even realizes that we're gone.  Relax, okay? Isn't it beautiful out right now? I love when the humidity breaks.  When there's a bit of breeze in the air and everything isn't so still.  When everything is...”  her voice trails away, hands shoving into the pockets of her hoodie, eyes narrowing.

“What it is?” she can hear the panic in his voice.  “What's wrong?”

She waits, eyes following a black sedan as it slowly passes them. Watching over her shoulder as it continues down the street and hangs a left.

 “Nothing,” she shoots him a reassuring smile, and hooks her arm through one of his as they continue on their stroll.  “Sometimes I think I hear or see things.  You can take the girl out of the job, but not the job out of the girl, I guess.   So Colorado? Tyler talked to you about it?”

“After school today.  I was honoured. That you guys would want me as part of your family.”

“You already are part of our family.  Just because we were thousands of miles away, didn't mean that you weren't always with us. It's meant a lot to Tyler, you know. That you've kept in touch with him.”

“Why wouldn't I? He rescued me. He killed those guys in the apartment so he could get me out of there.  He went through a lot to get me home. When things went bad, he could have just left me in the street like your boss told him to. But he didn't. He didn't care there was no money. He still didn't abandon me. Sometimes I wonder why he did that. Why he didn't leave me.  It would have been easier on him if he did.”

“There's a lot of layers to Tyler,” she reasons.  “And he doesn't let many people see them. You're one of the fortunate ones. He doesn't worry about being transparent with you. And that's something he's struggled with his entire life.”

“Because of his family? He told me. About his dad.”

“His dad. A failed first marriage. His son. Other mistakes he'd made that he hates himself for.  He cares about you, Ovi. He doesn't get personally involved with the people he helps. He sees them as a pay check and nothing more. You're different. He was looking for absolution, and you were the one that gave it to him.”

“Absolution? For his son?”

“He carries a lot of guilt over the choice he made. He hides it well. But it's there. And some days it is merciless. He's a good man, Ovi. A good man that made bad choices. And you were the chance to make a right choice. A chance to do something good after all the bad. In many ways, you rescued him.”

“Really?” tears sparkle in his eyes, the words humbling.  It was overwhelming enough to know that someone had sacrificed themselves, that they very nearly died for you.

“Don't ever doubt the impact that you have on his life. On both of our lives. It's enormous. Why else would we ask you to come with us? We want you to have a life, Ovi. A real life. In a house where people love you and want what's best for you. That's all we want. But it's what you want that matters. I know how hard it is to leave home. Even if things aren't the best. Home is home, you know?”

He nods.

“We can't give you what you have now. But we can give you a roof over your head and food in your belly and clothes on your back. And love. We can give you love.”

“It sounds like paradise,” he breathes, and she smiles and now wraps both arms around his one.  “What is it like?” he asks. “Colorado? Is it cold? Does it snow all the time? Tyler says it doesn't, but...”

“We have normal seasons like everyone else. Spring, winter, summer, fall. It tends to stay colder for longer and the snow does linger well into mid to late April sometimes.  But it's beautiful.  The town where I'm from, where we are thinking of going to, is small and quaint. The type where everyone knows each other and they talk in the street instead of  avoiding eye contact.  We don't even have a proper grocery store. You have to go into one of the bigger towns for that. But we do have a corner store and a butcher and a really nice cafe. It's my parents'. My mom's baby since she retired. Well, other than riding her Harley and visiting Graceland.”

His eyes widen. “Your mom has a motorcycle? Does she wear leather? And have tattoos?”

“Well she does have a leather jacket and pants. But no tattoos. She could have one now though. I haven't been home in a long time. I think you'd like it there.  It's quiet and cute and people are friendly and there's none of the bullshit that comes with bigger places. It comes with its own bullshit, but nothing serious. Maybe a neighbour snooping through mail or complaining about the colour someone used to paint their fence. But that's about it.”

“It sounds nice. I would very much like to go there.”

“It's one of the options. Tyler really wants to go there. He seems to have his heart set on it.”

'But you don't?”  

“I don't know,” she admits, and issues a heavy sigh. “I don't know if that's where I'm meant to be any more.  He thinks that's where I should be. That I need to reconnect with my family. With my roots. And that they deserve to have Amelia in their lives. And I get that. I understand his reasoning. He feels that I gave up everything for him. Which I did. But I think he thinks that I did it out of some feeling of obligation. That I did it because he didn't have anyone else who would.”

“So why did you? Do it? Stay in Australia when your whole life is somewhere else?”

“Because I was in love with him.  Because I wanted to have a future with him. Or at least try and have a future with him.  Our plan after Dhaka was to travel together. He was going to come to Colorado and spend some time there and then we were just going to pack up and see where things took us. Just spend time really getting to know one another.  Not just the getting to know each other that we did in Dhaka.  There was some emotional connection but it was purely physical for the most part. And we both wanted more than that.  We both wanted to see if we'd work outside of the job.  If we'd click.”

“And you did. Click.”

“Maybe not right away because of the situation, but yeah. We did. And it was a pleasant surprise and it was a relief knowing that it wasn't just some passing thing. And then we found out we were having a baby and that was quite the surprise. But we adapted. We always do.”

“Well I'm glad,”  Ovi says. “That you clicked. I could tell you know. In that warehouse. That you weren't just friends. It was the way he looked at you. The way his whole voice changed when he talked to you. It's the same way now.”

“He's the love of my life,” she readily admits. “I was married before. I thought that was the person I'd spend the rest of my life with. And things started out great. They really did. But the corps changed him. Especially when he got a promotion.  He became a different person. A horrible person. So I had to walk away. From him and the corps. I told myself I'd never get married again. That I'd never make the same mistake of giving my heart to someone. And...well...here I am. Someone's wife. Someone's mother.”

“I truly think that everything in life serves a purpose,” Ovi muses. “That things always happen for a reason, If your first husband didn't turn out bad, you wouldn't have left the Marines and gotten your other job. And if you hadn't have gotten the other job, you would have never met Tyler.  And with no Tyler, there's no Amelia. And it's a good thing that she's here.  I love her. It's like having a baby sister. Even if we're not wrapped in the same colour packaging.”

“She's a baby. None of that matters to her. Or us. And we'd be honoured if you would come with us. Like I said, we can't give you a lot and we can't...”

Her voice once again trails off.  Watching as the black sedan passes them. This time slowing down and nearly coming to a stop at the curb only a few feet away.  Two occupants. Indian. A male driver and a female passenger.  No discretion as they observe them.

“Do you have your phone?” Esme asks, voice low.

“No. It's charging. I left it at the house. You didn't bring yours?”

“Shit! I forgot it in the office. Tyler was in there with Nik and the others on conference call and I didn't want to disturb them. Shit...okay...”

Think, Esme. Think. This isn't as hard as you're making it.  You've been in situations like this numerous times. Having to rely on your instincts and minimal materials to work with.

Damn mom brain!

“Is there another way back to your place?” she inquires.

“Just through the park,” he's starting to panic.  Eyes wide with terror. Sweat beading on his brow and his upper lip. His entire body visibly trembling.

“Okay, just calm down. It could be nothing. Just try and relax. Don't panic. So we go through the park?”

“If we cut through there we get to the next street over. There's an alley. It passes by the back of my house.”

“How far? How far is it through the park and to the other street? Are there any other roads that lead that way? Think  Ovi. I need you to think. I need you to help me out here.”

“No other roads.  Two blocks. Maybe three.”

Shit. A lot further than she'd expected.

“That's what we'll do,” she decides, and tightens the hold on his arm. “Let's go. Walk. Don't run. Just walk like everything is fine. If you freak out, they know they have you. It drives them. Gives them power.  Gives them confidence to amp things up. So just stay calm and breathe. Look at me, Ovi. Look at me.”

He obeys.

“Do you trust me?”

He nods, a spark of confidence in his eyes.

“Good,” she tugs on his arm to get him moving. “Let's go.”

***

Calm has settled in by the time they reach the alley.  The car was unable to follow them through the park, and with no other roads to use aside from the ones that boarded each side of the  Mahajan home,  it had slowed them down considerably.   She was unsure if there was ever actually a threat or if it had just been an average couple out for a twilight drivel, curious about the mismatched couple on the sidewalk.

But it had felt real.  Threatening. And even if her instincts were wrong and she took things too seriously, it was better to have nothing happen than the worst happen.

But now there's another dilemma.

“Shit! Fuck!” she curses, when she reaches through the wrought iron gate to unlock it. Only to find a large, heavy padlock fastened securely to the hinge. “Are you serious right now?”

Ovi looks sheepish. Apologetic.  “I forgot to to tell you it was locked.”

“Well there's no way we are going back down the alley, looping back around, and going to the front of the house. That's too much time for someone to see us and make their move. If there's actually any move to make.”

She places her hands on her hips, surveying the gaps in the gate. Way too narrow for either her or Ovi to slip through.  A brick wall bordering the backyard. At least six feet. High enough to keep away nosy eyes and most predators.

“Have you ever climbed this wall?” she asks. “What's on the other side?”

“Just gardens. Flowers. Some roses. Nothing else.”

“So I'm not going to land on something that's going to kill me, right? I'm trusting you here. Don't throw me to the wolves”

“Nothing that could hurt you. No. What...?”

She kicks of her flip flops. “Kneel down. Put your hands together like this...” she locks her fingers together, palms up.  “...you're going to help get me up there.”

“Esme...I don't know...I...”

“Just do it,” she snaps.  “Work with me here. I'm lighter. I can get up there better. I wouldn't be able to push you up.  Ready...”

“I don't know. I think...”

“Kneel down and get your hands together. Now. The longer you wait, the better chance they have of catching up. Come on, kid. We don't have all night.”

He reluctantly drops to one knee and laces his fingers together. Waiting until she has her foot firmly planted in his palms before slowly standing, effectively helping her scale the brick.

The rough material bites and digs into her bare skin with each movement. Exhaling sharply with her hands lose their grip and she slips; painfully scraping both legs from the knees to the tops of her feet. But she makes it; straddling the wall with one leg on either side of it, cleaning dirt and blood from the palms of her hands and fingers on the thighs of her shorts.

“Where's the key?” she asks.  “Somewhere I can find it on my own?”

“In the kitchen. The cupboard by the patio door.”

“Wait here,” she commands. “Stay here with the baby. Don't move an inch. Got it?”

He opens his mouth to speak but she's gone.  Making the drop from the top of the fence and into the garden.

“Sonofabitch!” she hisses, when she lands directly into a rose bush.  The thorns immediately tearing clothing, puncturing clothing.  “It is all roses, Ovi! What the hell?!”

“Sorry,” comes the sheepish reply. “Are you okay?”

“I've had worse. Now stay there and keep your eyes open. Got it?”

“Got it.”

She hurries for the house.  The soles of her feet burning from the friction caused by the bricks. Clothing ripped from the contact with the thorns. The skin on her legs and palms scrapped; small trickles of blood sliding down the skin.  There's no one in the kitchen; the house quiet. And she's able to slip through the patio door and snag the key from the drawer just before she hears two of the guards speaking and their footsteps in the hallway.

Palming the key, she slips through the patio door and closes it quietly behind her as to not attract any attention.  Then rushes back to where Ovi is waiting at the gate. Wide eyed and panicky yet again.

“They were here!” he cries, as she fumbles with the key and finally gets the heavy lock open. “They sat the end of the alley. Just watching me.”

“Everything's fine now,” she assures him, and pushes the gate open to allow him and the baby entrance. “We're home. Safe and sound.”

He frowns, regarding her from head to toe.  “You're bleeding.”

“I just fell into the rose bush from hell. Let's go,” she grabs him by the upper arm and pulls him into the backyard. Quietly shutting the gate and locking it back up.

He finally lets out a shaky sigh of relief.  Close to tears. Sweating profusely.

“We are never doing that again”

****

“That was really fucking stupid,” Tyler fumes an hour later as he paces the master bedroom, watching as his wife sits in the window seat, using peroxide and cotton balls to clean the wounds on her legs. “Like really fucking stupid. Epically fucking stupid.”

Incensed doesn't even begin to properly describe what he feels.  The panic that had set in when she'd casually wandered into the office announcing that there'd been an 'issue'; clothing torn and dirty, blood streaking her legs and the palms of her hands. Some smeared across her forehead.  Hair dishevelled,  mud and grass covering nearly every inch of her.  When it became apparent that she wasn't seriously injured yet more embarrassed and ashamed that she couldn't hide her escape from the house, he'd lost it.

“I have to go,” he'd said into the phone, voice low and menacing.

A tone that means trouble.

The fight that ensued was epic. Almost surpassing the one they'd had in Dhaka a year ago. The one that had ended up with them in bed together, naked and spent.  This battle had been mostly one sided. Esme choosing to keep her mouth shut when she realized that her feeble excuses and her explanations and her 'everything turned out fine' was only making the situation worse.  His temper was legendary. It took a while for him to explode but when he did...well it wasn't pretty.

“Which part?” she asks now. “The one where I snuck out of the house or when I scaled the brick wall? Because that was actually quiet impressive.”

“Do you think this is a joke? That this is some kind of game? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“We just went for a walk. I didn't think there would be anything to worry about.”

“There's always something to worry about on the job. Always someone to worry about. You fucking know that. I don't understand how you, of all people, could be so bloody stupid. You were in the job. You know the things that can happen. Yet you still went out there. You still dragged Ovi along with you. And believe me, I'll be on his ass next. The fact he actually let you talk him into this shit.”

“He's just a kid. Leave him alone. I shouldn't have pushed him into it like I did. He's just trying to make everyone happy.”

“I can't even believe we're having this conversation. That you would do something like this. You don't go off by yourself. Ever.”  Shades of the conversation in that hotel room a year ago. When he'd been furious that she'd slipped away in the market and he couldn't find her.  “What is wrong with you? You have some kind of death wish?”

“Oh that's rich coming from you, Tyler. When I met you, you were the one taking jobs in hopes they'd kill you. So let's not go there.”

His eyes narrow. Fists clenching at his sides. Jaw tight.  “You really did not say that.”

“When we met you were just about ready to put a gun to your head. Remember? You were the one that was hoping something...or someone...would take you out. And you accuse me of having a death wish?”

“That was a long time ago. Before I met you. Before I had a reason to not do it.  Maybe you don't want to stick around for me, but we have a kid. She needs you. She needs her mother.  And you even drag her off on your bullshit! Our fucking kid! If you want to kill yourself, go ahead. But don't take her with you. What the hell is wrong with you?”

She doesn't respond.  Tears threatening as she tends to the wounds of her calves and shins.

Sighing, he plops down onto the edge of the bed and rakes his hands through his hair.  Then sits with his elbows on his knees, face in his palms. Trying desperately to calm himself down.  And when he hears her sniffling, he removes his face from his hands and looks over. Frowning at the side of those huge, silent tears that slip down her dirty cheeks.

His knees crack as he stands, approaching slowly, carefully.  Then crouches down in front of her and reaches for the bottle of peroxide and some fresh cotton balls. She tries to slap his hands away, relenting when he glares up at her.

“I'm sorry,” he says, as he soaks a cotton ball with peroxide and begins cleaning the wounds. Large, strong hands surprisingly tender. “I shouldn't have said some of those things. I didn't mean for it to sound like I wouldn't care if you killed yourself or that it wouldn't matter if you were around or not. Because it matters. It matters a hell of a lot.”

“I know,” she sniffles, and uses the back of her hand to clear away the tears. Effectively smudging the dirt and grim even more.

“I just can't believe you would do something like that. You of all people. You're usually so much smarter than that, Esme. What the fuck? What is going on with you?”

She pushes a hand through his hair, fingers gripping the longer strands, pulling at them and forcing him to look up at her.  Those dark eyes searching his, burrowing to his very soul.

“I think  I'm pregnant.”

[katsitting]

Secret Admirer

Rating: T

Ships: Tomione/Volmione

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Story Set in the United States, Creepy, Unhealthy Behavior, Disturbing Themes, I like Lawyer Hermione so bite me.

Link: (x)

The first time Hermione received a letter, she hadn’t thought much of it. If anything, she’d been flattered.

In her hands, the parchment had been thick and textured. Unlike all the cheap paper she used on a consistent basis at her shite office job. It was refined and expensive, oozed an elegance that she’d been rueful at having to tear it open and read its contents.

Of course, she hadn’t been surprised to receive something like it. She’d been expecting a letter, more than a little familiar with the practice of federal judges when approving or denying law interns for a given term in their chambers. It was what every doe-eyed first-year law student sought, desired.

It looked amazing on one’s resume. Opened up doors to places one couldn’t even begin to explain. It was her dream to become a top corporate lawyer, after all, and what better way to do it than nailing a sought-after internship with a federal judge?

So when she did finally open the envelope, she did so without taking note of the missing sender line, eager and full of excitement at potentially getting the internship she’d been applying for.

It almost made her laugh now that she’d been a total fool.

Because, rather of a letter greeting her with the perfunctory Dear Ms. Granger from the very first line, what she found instead had her nearly dropping the letter in surprise.

It didn’t tell her she had or had not been accepted for an interview.

No.

It had been a poem. 

Handwritten and scrawled in such beautiful cursive that she’d spent a solid minute admiring it. Eyeing with burning curiosity and awe how the lines looped and thinned out. The words were written with such precision that Hermione couldn’t help but wonder just who it could be.  So unlike her own writing that she had followed along the letters with her fingers--memorizing the rigid lines and careful curls of each “o” and “e”.

She’d immediately assumed, once her shock had dissipated, that the letter had been mistakenly addressed to her. That this letter, though bearing her name on the front with her address scrawled onto the envelope, hadn’t really been for her. 

She remembered all of the excuses she’d made, and she wanted to laugh at just how absurd those excuses had been. Naivety had never been a trait she’d assumed she had, but thinking back on it now, that was what she’d been.

Naive.

It was a mistake to think that this letter hadn’t been for her. Everything about the letter screamed it, from the first line of that poem to the last line where the sender had inlaid his or her name.

I’ve counted each freckle on your cheeks, memorized the shape of your chapped lips and broken skin, carded my fingers through your wild curls and sealed eyelids, all from the distance of crystal and stained glass.

I’ve heard you. tasted you on the back of my tongue; lifting answers from behind honeysuckle eyes, from dark skin,  calloused fingers,  and parted lips.

I’ve watched you, touched the slumber caked on your eyelids, sucked on the saliva coating your bottom lip. Waiting.

A precious stone, a boulder standing firm against the ravages of time. But even rock erodes. It is no match for the rain, for the flood. But still, you stand.

You do not see me, hear me, taste me. but I recognize you. --L.V.

How silly she’d been to not read between the lines. It had sounded like a bit of love poetry an anonymous admirer would write to his or her beloved. She’d been too busy with her shock, too flattered by the words, to decipher their true meaning.

She knew better now.

Though, in retrospect, how was she to know that the sender was more than a mere admirer? That they were obsessed with her, watched her, stalked her, no less?

If she’d foreseen this, had known from the first letter, she would have behaved differently, would not have tossed the letter after the interest had passed, and went about her day.

She’d have taken it immediately to the police rather than lose it in her move from her old flat to the next. 

But she hadn’t. Her realization had come too late. 

It was only in the darkness of her bedroom, weeks after several more letters along the same lines, with the sunlight fading to darkness, that everything had finally clicked. The chaos had melted into order. Ignorance had unraveled into an epiphany. 

Her name. That was where all the significance lied. That was what the writer had fixated on, where the sender had woven his or her message, expecting her to understand. They had intentionally buried a kernel of knowledge into the poem itself, a test.

Hermione. Her name came from a Shakespearean play. Her name was derived from Greek mythology. It meant stone.

A precious stone, a boulder standing firm against the ravages of time. But even rock erodes.

It’d sounded poetic. Beautiful, even. Something a hopeless romantic would be besotted by. 

It was so bloody clever. 

From the start, it hadn’t been a love letter. It hadn’t been a confession--a boy or girl too nervous to express their feelings, mailing a note to their chosen crush. A letter from a stranger that wanted to force his or her unwanted advances on another through the illusion of propriety.

No.

It had been a threat. A promise dressed in the sweet packaging of metaphor and simile. A writing that deceived, that had been meant to deceive, if the way it was structured indicated.

In just under a hundred words, the writer had told her that he or she was watching her. Told her that he or she thought about her often, that he or she knew things about her that no one else knew. It was an intimacy that she hadn’t experienced with anyone since she’d moved...

This writer, whoever it could possibly be, was watching her from in the shadows. Caught somewhere between night and day, between each vertebra, and rib bone, like enamel on iron teeth.

She’d wanted to forget that she’d ever gotten it. That she hadn’t learned for herself that this letter was not just a letter, but a warning. She didn’t want to deal with this, she didn’t want to face the prospect of being targeted by someone unknown. 

So she did, in fact, try to ignore it. It was only a few letters. Nothing more and nothing less. It was already gone. What more could she do without physical evidence? 

That had all been true until she received the next letter.

Then another, and another. Each one more detailed and quickly than the last. All of the notes filled with words of prose, until those too, were no longer just metaphors. 

The words had been replaced with drawings of her face in different stages of slumber. Varying from peaceful to angry, from exhausted to exuberant. All of them unnervingly detailed.

She’d wanted it to be over, but this was a stalker that refused to let her go. She couldn’t ignore this, couldn’t shove it aside when these drawings took note of even the smallest detail on her face, of the bedsheets she slept on, and the clothing she wore.

And now, sitting with her knees tucked beneath her chin, there was another letter from the unknown sender. The parchment was still expensive. The texture was still abrasive. Her name scrawled in immaculate cursive, as it always was, except now she was nowhere near as confused or excited as she’d been the first day.

She stared at the letter for some time, reliving same rush and anxiety only this sender could inspire in her. Burning from the inside out, in all senses of the term, because this was the second one this week.

They’d never done that before. The quickest they’d ever sent one was one every two weeks.

That inspired all sorts of mixed emotions Hermione tried to bury. That was never a good sign. The stalker was escalating. She knew enough from her brief exploration of legal psychology in her undergraduate studies to know what that meant.

Hermione didn’t know how long she stared at the envelope before she willed herself to grab and tear over the fold where the letter had been sealed. Curious, always too bloody intrigued, to simply leave them unopened and unread.

She already knew what they would contain, and yet--

The paper gave easily under her relentless grip, and Hermione, against her better judgment, peered inside. Bypassing the ink drawing of her face staring off through the window before she forced herself to read.

“You’ve warned them and they’ve ignored your plights, called you mad, called you wicked in your demands for protection. But do not fret, dear Hermione. I am here. Always.

--L.V.”

Dread curled in her stomach, the sound of the paper crumbling in her hands went entirely ignored.

They knew.

She’d gone to the police earlier that week. She’d begged them to let an officer watch her apartment. They’d laughed in her face after she’d shown them the letters, and had left both humiliated and ashamed at the ridicule.

They hadn’t believed her. 

And now, here, with this blasted letter in her hand, she knew more than ever that she was alone in this. The realization made acid burn in her stomach.

She would have to deal with it on her own.

They knew.

Hermione was at a loss, swallowing back the panic that lodged itself in her throat. 

Whatever this was, had become, was beyond her. There was no one to turn to. Her friends were all back in Britain. Her parents were in Australia. The police didn’t bloody believe her.

Frustration pressed against her ribcage, threatening to shatter her bones into millions of tiny pieces.

How the fuck was she supposed to fight someone that she couldn’t see?

Hermione hadn’t a clue, but she’d think of something.

She always did.