#there were already spots open and now that i've updated it it feels really bare lol

[pasteleclectic]

hii, I've been reading your fanfic the lawyer's secretary for a while now, and I was just wondering if you were planning to keep writing it or not. I don't want this to sound demanding I'm just curious because I reaaally llike the story. Sorry for bothering you :)) 💗💗

Hii! No I appreciate you checking in on it🤍

I feel bad bc I know some people have been waiting on an update. I have been working on it slowly but I sometimes get insecure with my stories and feel like I’ve taken on too much. Like I know I left y’all on a big cliff hanger and I still really wanna finish the story as a whole but sometimes I’m like “is this stupid? Too melodramatic? Are people gonna be disappointed with the ending?”

I did need a break after writing over 80k words for this story but I never intended on it being this long. It’s also hard bc gege hates us and has barely given us anymore higu in over a year now 😭 it goes back to my insecurities cuz what if we learn more about him in the manga and I completely mischaracterized him? Idk I just get in my head too often. BUT I do have about 10k words down for this chapter already (it’s probably gonna be close to 20 by the end😩) but since you’ve been so patient and kind I will add a snippet of the beginning of chapter 11 here. I hope it will help for now!

———-

Tw: physical assault, guns, kidnapping

The sound of your rapid pulse was drumming in your ears, nearly drowning out all your other senses until the phone in the stranger's hand rang again. He groaned before leaning over to press the button on the door handle right beside you, the tinted window rolling down to reveal the city streets. They were completely desolate at this hour, giving the man across from you the perfect opportunity to chuck the phone out the window without any hesitation. The vehicle was moving too fast for you to hear it, but based on the sheer power he put behind his throw, you knew that the phone was as good as gone. Watching him rolling up the window right after felt like your last tie to Hiromi being severed - along with your freedom.

You could’ve tried screaming while the window was open, but there was no point when Toji was casually holding a gun behind your head. Instead of pressing the end of the barrel against you like he had in the parking lot behind the temple, he leaned back in his seat lazily with an arm outstretched over the bench seat, the gun resting somewhere close behind your head. He couldn’t be bothered putting up a defense towards you, that's how weak you were to him.

And he wasn’t necessarily wrong. Like many other women, you’ve imagined before what you would do in tense situations like this. You always thought that you’d might be braver, fighting till the bitter end in hopes of making it out alive. But it was easy to feel a sense of control when it was only ever a fantasy. Here in the real world, you knew that any fight you put up would probably come back to you tenfold. They haven't hurt you yet, but that only made you more nervous for what's to come.

“Switch seats with me.”

The man across from you was speaking to Toji, and the taller man stood as far as the vehicle's roof would let him before the other man slipped in his place. Now he was right beside you, much closer than Toji had been. And though you couldn’t see him brandishing a weapon like his now seated partner was, that didn’t mean you weren’t any less terrified of him. You pressed your back up against the car door as you looked him up and down with frightened eyes. In the absence of words that couldn’t escape your dry throat, you used your body language to signal to him to not come any closer. Yet something to that lit a fire behind his eyes, like he had spotted a long awaited prey he was hunting for sport.

All the sudden he grabbed your face roughly in one hand, pulling it forward till your hands had to grip the leather seat between you just so you wouldn’t fall over. He turned your face from side to side, inspecting you closely. Any attempt to pull away from his grasp only made his grip grow tighter. He only let go after he squeezed your cheeks together till your lips were scrunched up, chuckling deeply at how humiliated you looked. It was so dehumanizing that you didn’t even want to give him the satisfaction of another reaction, returning his sharp grin with a blank stare. That seemed to only amuse him more, a laugh falling from his lips as he said, “Oh you’re fun, aren’t you?”

From this up close, you could see the ink lines traced all over his face. They gave him an even scarier disposition, but there was also something familiar about him. It was hard to tell what shade his hair truly was under the car’s dim interior lights, but flashes of streetlamps showed shades of dusty rose over a dark undercut. Either than that, everything about this man was new to you. You tried to think back if maybe he was a client of Hiromi’s in the past, but nothing came to light. He had a smaller stature than Toji but was far from frail. You could see the outlines of his veins beneath his skin from where the sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up. But before you could look at him any further, the car pulled up to the front of a tall gate. It seemed to border some kind of private property, and your anxiety only got worse as you watched the gates close behind you once the car drove past a group of security guards operating the gate.

When it finally came to a stop, it was within seconds that the door opened up beside you and you were greeted with the sight of an unfriendly face that belonged to what had to be another one of this guy's henchmen. Without a single word, he grabbed you roughly by your forearm and yanked you out of the car so hard that you nearly fell on your knees. He pulled you up before they could hit the ground, but you winced as a shooting pain went up your arm, his blunt nails digging into your flesh. You turned your head back to shoot him a look from over your shoulder, but just when you had, you felt the man’s hand slip away as a loud thud sound could be heard against the side of the car. Your eyes widened as you turned to see the tattooed man holding up the offender by the neck, his elbow digging into his jugular. The man gave desperate apologies through thick coughs, but that was all ignored as the other said, “Remind me when I said you could touch her?”

The man was incapable of responding, gargling getting progressively worse as his face turned bright red. Though you hadn’t appreciated what he’d done, you didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of you. Finally finding your voice, you were about to speak up when a large form stood between you and the two men, nearly obstructing your entire view.

“It’s nearly daybreak. We should get her inside.”

It was Toji, and though his back was turned to you, you got the sense that he was trying to diffuse the situation. Though you couldn’t see his face from where you were standing, the angry man loosened his grip just enough for the man’s feet to touch the ground again. Without ever taking his eyes off the man - who was now taking in gulps of precious air - he addressed Toji in a hauntingly apathetic tone, “You know where to take her.”

And with that, you were being escorted by your once friendly acquaintance towards a large building. You didn’t want to follow him per se, but you also didn’t want to be near this maniac any longer. It was still dark out, but even now you could tell that this place was massive. The bordering gates that surrounded the place were so long that they disappeared past your line of sight. Not knowing what was inside the house felt almost as intimidating as not knowing what lay outside. How big was this place exactly? Were all the fences spiked? Did your capture own all of it? These thoughts and more flooded your brain at lightning speed till they were interrupted by the sounds of fists meeting flesh.

It was all happening behind you, right where you and Toji had left the two men. You stopped in your tracks but a hand on your back guided you to move forward. Over and over the man’s coughs and pleas were cut short by the sound of connecting flesh. There was a crunching noise that sent a shiver up your spine, and you shut your eyes tightly as tears started to well in them. With Toji now a few steps ahead of you, you started to pick up your pace just to get away from the scene sooner. Once you were beside him, you almost ventured a look behind you, but he must’ve noticed your watery eyes and said with a straight face, “It’s better if you don’t look.”

Taking his advice, you silently plead for anything out there to stop what was happening. But the nightmare persisted till a loud, wet thud sound rang out before the sound of a weight falling to the ground could be heard. Grave silence followed, and you held back a sob as you reluctantly stepped inside the house.

[panic-at-the-fiction]

1983 pt3

Summary: Ten years later (y/n) is now earning her PhD at Oxford, when she is called home in a emergency involving another telepathic student, Jean Grey and the nightmares she’s been having.

Warnings: just following the movies plot right now.

A/N: I’ve had some bad luck recently and let’s just go with writing isn’t the most important thing on my mind. I’ll try to keep it weekly tho. @whyiswhatahow @willalaufeyson @flowersfrom197o @neenieweenie @laic2299

My father was alive. Probably being held against his will, but alive. “We have to find him.”

“I know that voice is Xavier. Where is he?” The military guy's voice says.

“We don’t know,” most of us shout back.

Peter, who seems a little lost, pipes up a few seconds short of everyone else. “Yeah, bro, we don’t know!”

I can hear an alarm from over the microphone before he shuts it off. He and the other men take off to investigate. I sit down on the ground and try to focus.

“Whatcha doing?”

“I’m trying to focus, so I can find my dad.”

“Oh yeah, yeah… but how are you going to do that, you're just an empath.”

“Mutants can unlock so much untapped power through the unconscious mind. I’ve barely scratched the surface, and I've unlocked so much already. Even with all that, I can still find him without it. He spoke to me during his message. He wanted me to come find him, so his mind was open to me. Like a back door, I just need to retrace his steps. If I can just focus,” I close my eyes and hope he takes the hint to leave me alone.

He didn’t. “Ok, you just let me know if I can help with that. I'm super good at focusing. I can focus on Pac-Man and play all day. Though I did have trouble focusing on school, so maybe I'm not as good at it…”

“Peter! Please just be quiet and leave me alone.” He shuts up and I take a deep breath. When I close my eyes and replay my father's message in my head, it’s like I can see him. He’s sitting on some rocks with Eric and some other mutants behind him. I try to look for landmarks or placements, but I don’t even know where I am. How can I figure out where he is?

“Uh (y/n)” I try to tune out Peter. “(Y/n).”

“Peter, please, I'm trying to focus.”

“No (y/n) I mean look out!” Opening my eyes, I see the bright red laser coming at me. I go to move out of the way, but someone’s grabs me and I feel a gush of wind. There’s a loud boom and some falling debris, but when I look around, I’m several feet away from where I had been sitting. Peter had grabbed me before I could run and was now crouched with me, using himself to shield from the debris.

I blink a few times to process, “thank you.”

His face turns all nervous and embarrassed and steps back and helps me up. He tries to play it with his usual charms. “Oh yeah, no big deal, just doing my running thing.” It just comes out dorky.

Jean and some other students stand at the blown away wall. “Come on, guys, we know a way out.” They rush down the hall and soon a blue mutant poofs beside us of smoke.

We stopped at a hangar with a small jet in it. “Hank, you think you can fly this thing?”

He laughed, “Yeah, it shouldn't be that hard.”

“Good because I know where the professor is.” Jean adds.

I smile at her and give her a pat on the shoulder. “When did you get to be so smart?”

“Not a little girl anymore (y/n)”

“I know, I know.”

“Hey everybody, look at this, flight suits.” The student with the glasses opened the locker doors to show us.

“Guess it’s time to suit up.”

My dad was all the way in Egypt. We, on the other hand, we’re in Canada. We were lucky that Hank could fly this thing, otherwise we may never get there in time for a commercial plane.

We hit a spot of turbulence and the jet began to rattle a bit. I could feel the students were getting tense.

“Were you scared? That day in D. C?” Jean asked Raven.

“No.” The others looked worried at that answer, but Raven had more to her pep talk. “But I was scared on my first mission. “I was on a plane like this with my friends. About your age. We called ourselves the X-men. Your brother Alex was there. He was a real handful”

I looked over at the student with the glasses, “Your Alex’s little brother?” He nodded. “He used to talk about you like you were the moon. Scott did this today or when I went home, I got to see Scott. He thought you were the greatest.” He seemed to be processing this.

“What happened to the other kids on that plane? The X-men?” Kurt asked.

Raven frowned, “Hank and I are the only ones left. I couldn’t save them. I told you I’m not a hero.”

“Well, you're a hero to us. Seeing you that day in DC changed my life.”

“Mine too,” added Scott.

“Mine too,” Peter said. I looked at him strangely. Finding that all hard to believe. He shrugged, “I mean, I still live in my mom's basement. I met my dream girl once, but I messed that up too. Too afraid of commitment, you know the usual stuff.” He huffed, “But yeah, everything else is… well, the exact same.” He smirked, “I’m a total loser.”

We all laughed at him, and suddenly no one was tense or nervous anymore. Leave it to Peter to lighten the mood.

I tapped him on the shoulder. “You really still live in your mom's basement?” I laughed,

“Oh yeah, but you’d love it. I got it all set up, I got the latest game console, a new Mrs Pac-Man machine. It’s totally updated.” He paused for a second and scratched his head. “If we get through this… maybe you would want to come and check it out?”

“You really meant that about meeting your dream girl?”

He laughed, “oh yeah she was super hot, you would have loved to meet her too.”

I slapped him lightly in the chest. “Oh shut it Maximoff. You just had to ruin the moment.” But I couldn’t help but laugh at him for it.

[thedevilliers]

Hey, I've been reading your story for a while, and I'm enjoying it very much. Following the De Villiers has been so fun, and you've inspired me to create my own royal Simblr!

Can you maybe share some tips about what to do with your royals? I'll be posting my family within the next few weeks, and I have already planned out several engagements + events, including visits to parks/schools/hospitals, parties, and news surrounding a royal pregnancy. I've also planned out the first arc. I don't know what else to do, and I've barely started! If you have any tips related to the beginning of your Simblr that you didn't cover in your other post, I would so appreciate them. I want to get all this nailed down *before* posting, so my blog is the best that it can be.

Also, if you have any advice on how to make things as efficient as possible (especially regarding posing sims, editing/writing posts, etc.), I would love that! I want to cut down on time wasted wherever I can.

Thank you!! :-)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 me?!!?!?! ME ??????? omg 🧍‍♀️ thank u for reading my story 🥺 and AAAAAAAAAAAA your own royal simblr !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ill answer everythin under the cut !!!!! spoilers: it got long sorry

first of all, remember we ALL started somewhere. you can look at my first like... fifteen and even MORE posts and they are BAD. oh my gawd idk why i thought they were good, but hey! i learned things from them. you will more than likely change your mind about certain things from the beginning of your blog to who knows, four months from now. don’t focus and worry a lot on ‘perfection’ and setting up ‘high standards’ from the beginning. treat it like a learning curve! this is something we all do for fun, so don’t get stressed a lot on it. you can always change and adapt things and that’s no problem!

i love lists, so im gonna list a few things of advice/tips basing myself on what you said!!!

i personally don't do engagements anymore, so i can't really help you in this regard of even more activities you could do 🧍‍♀️ what i could recommend for people to get to know your characters' personalities and private lives and grow attached to them, add in BTS posts.

continuing on my BTS’ post thing, they are a GREAT way to show more than what the public sees for your royals. because from a press and public point of view, you don't really know 'what goes on behind closed doors'. they could be all happy in public, but in privatE??!??!!?!?

as i said in my starting out guide, i did have around ~15 drafts done before i started posting. just so i could not stress about “oh my god i dont have any posts for tomorrow”. a LOT of ppl do posts and queue them as they go, and they have MANY posts done and usually they start accumulating and they are MONTHS in advance compared to what they’re currently posting. if this method works for you, you can definitely use it!

please, please please read your dialogue OUT loud. is it possible to say a 2093023902 word sentence without a singular use of punctuation? do people in this age and era really talk this way? also please if possible use correct grammar. just a little pet peeve, it can take a reader out of the immersion your story gives them.

we all have our lil dialogue habits. mine is starting sentences with “oh” and the infamous dash “—”. others use ellipses. just make sure you aren’t overdoing it. for example, doing a sentence like “oh— there you are. i was uhm— looking for you. how—how are you? its—i mean where have you uhm— been? yes—ive—ive been fine. you? i mean— your mom” ....just no 😔 it doesnt read well at ALL

you can always do lil filler posts, dont tell anyone tell you otherwise. post a little simstagram post, a little family portrait, updated portraits post, family hanging out, kids hanging out, etc.

for posing sims, i do try and remember where MOST of my poses are in the ingame list. usually creators’ correctly naming the poses helps a lot. for example i need a Mel Bennet pose; hers are usually ALL in the same spot and have the same lil aqua bg so i can easily find them. sometimes, i dl pose packs VERY specifically for a certain scene. am i gonna use them again? no. so i open the .package file in sims4studio and rename them to “00 for emi scene [rest of the og name” so when i open my game, they are around the top of the list! no more scrolling and i easily know what i need it for.

dont be scared to plan things that are happening MONTHS from now or anything in detail. some ppl dont like planning things in detail, or even dont like planning things AT ALL or things that arent happening say, in over 2 weeks because idk, they get bored. i recommend at LEAST having a list of things that HAVE to happen so you have ‘goals’ and you slowly plan out how you’re gonna get there. at LEAST theres some level of planning there. if you’re posting and PLANNING as you go, there’s gonna be holes. and it’s gonna be obvious.

editing wise, i don’t do much. my reshade does most of the work, i just add in my psd, add text and done! this is easily the fastest thing you will ever do.

if you get inspired by someone else doing, idk, a certain layout for the portraits, them adding little things to their captions, a certain edit, etc. if you want to do something similar and you ARE very much aware you were inspired by them, credit them in the caption. i beg. its free, its the nice thing to do, bc if not its rude.

if you get inspired by a certain storyline someone else did and you notice yours is gonna be similar, go ahead and send them a message to let them know and if they have any tips or feel uncomfortable with you doing this. simply put, if you don’t, you’re gonna look bad. we are all bound to do same storylines, such as assassinations, shooty shooty’s, stalkers, first loves, accidental babies, etc. but what changes is how each person approaches it. no ones gonna do it the same way as you and others. if you CONSCIOUSLY start copying else, stop it. and you could even be unconsciously be inspired by someone else too. it happens! just make sure you are able to look at the bigger picture and realize “hey, i’m doing something wrong”

same thing with dialogue. you like a line someone else said in their story? don’t just... steal it and incorporate it into yours word BY WORD

OVERALL: you can be inspired. give credit where it’s due. and don’t copy because someone else is doing ‘something others like’ and you want others to like your story. no no no !

im adding this AFTER i posted it but, be yourself. in the way you interact with others and send questions, etc. don’t try and copy someone else’s personality because they are liked and essentially absorb them. be yourself and i’m sure a lot of ppl will like you the way you are : D

for my writing dialogue etc, this goes back to my point 8. i use milanote, its free and you get 200 free thingies to use, and i plan out how every single one of my posts is gonna go. so i just have to go ingame and i already know what im gonna do. no thoughts, just taking screenshots. for example, this is how a part of my part 2, chapter 3 posts layout looks like. every square is a post that has what is happening, who is in it, what is gonna be said very vaguely, etc:

11. and the most important tip! don’t compare yourself to others. i did it at the beginning. i think we all did at one point. its not good for you at all. please always remember we all are here for share our lil stories with each other and it’s not easy get a following. you’ll get there and its gonna take time. be patient, be nice!!! and i cant wait to see your story!!!!!!!!!!

[multifandom-world8]

SECRET OBSESSION-CHAPTER 5

We had a few more days in London before we fly to San Diego for the comic con.

Henry texted me that he wants to take me to breakfast and that whenever I’m ready he’s waiting at the lobby.

I put on a wintry outfit since and it was a bit chilly outside and left my room.

“Good morning love” Henry smiled when he saw me “good morning” I smile and kiss his cheek.

He took me to a restaurant called

‘Victory garden cafe’, it was style like an old Greek place, vintage.

“Good morning and welcome Mr.cavill and Ms.heard follow me”

The hostess said as she gestured us to follow her causing me to frown

“I’m a regular here” Henry shrugged

and I chuckled.

After we both ordered our food we shared some experiences from past movies we filmed.

That is until my dog sitter called

“Oh I've gif to take that one in sorry” I quickly apologized to Henry Henry before I picked up

“Lea, is everything alright?” I asked her

“She has stomach aches y/n what do I do?” Lea asked me in a panicked tone

“Okay give her the special dog food and rub her belly until it passes, she’s joining me soon tell her that she’ll calm down” I instructed her “okay I’ll keep you updated on her condition” Lea said before she hung up.

“You have a dog?” Henry asked me

“Yes, a Siberian husky, her name is Isabel but I call her Izzy all the time” I smile as I show him a picture of me and her that’s also my Lock Screen.

“She’s so beautiful, almost as big as my dog” Henry chuckled

“Yeah Kal is HUGE” I chuckled too

“He’s coming to San Diego too, maybe they’ll keep each other company” henry suggested

“Sounds good but can your dog sitter handle both of them? Because I won’t have mine” I chuckled

“Yeah that’s no problem” Henry shrugged.

We both enjoyed an amazing breakfast before we went to have a little tour. Henry was here before so he took me to all of the beautiful and time-worthy places.

Back at the hotel, I thanked him for the amazing tour and we had dinner together too before going to sleep.

The next few days we spent by interviewing local news and signing autographs before we finally headed to San Diego for the comic con.

I was beyond excited to fly to San Diego, not only because it’s my first time there, but also because it’s my first comic con.

When we landed at the airport I saw Lea with Isabel, my dog,

And immediately ran to her, not caring than I just abandoned Henry with my suitcase.

“Oh I missed you so much” I hugged Isabel tight While she licked my face “did she behave?”

I asked lea

“She was amazing as usual. But she got a stomach ache again on the way here so I stopped giving her her sweets for a while” Lea said as she handed me Isabel’s bag

“Thank you so much, Lea, enjoy your vacation” I hugged her and when we broke she ran to her gate to catch her flight.

“She’s so cute” Henry said once he catches up to us

“Omg hen I’m so sorry I abandoned you with my stuff” I apologize

“It’s alright I would’ve done the same for Kal” Henry chuckled

“Well then you’d have to kiss your suitcase goodbye because not all of us have crazy muscles as you do”

Isabel licked my face again before she ran and started jumping on Henry, trying to get to his face

“Traitor” I muttered and Henry chuckled “she’s so cute” he said as let go of the suitcases and bent down to pet her.

Seeing Henry so sweet and caring with Isabel made my heart swell with happiness.

I no longer saw him as Henry that was had a dark side, but Henry the giant softy.

This time henry and I decided to share a room at the hotel with princess and Kal.

Kal was waiting for us at the lobby with Henry’s dog sitter and surprisingly, Isabel liked him immediately too.

The two just jumped around each other excitedly.

“They are so adorable!” Gal said as she joined Henry and I

“Just like their owners” Jason smirked

“Oh shush you” I blushed deeply.

Jason, gal and Henry kept talking about something while I noticed Ben glaring at me from the reception area.

“Hen I’ll be right back, keep an eye on her for me?” “Is everything okay?” He asked me “yeah yeah just need to talk to Ben for a second” I reassured him before I handed him Isabel’s leash.

“Okay, what’s with the glares? You’ve been giving me the stinky eye ever since we left London” I asked Ben

“Is everything a game to you?” He spat

“What are you talking about?” I frowned

“Did you use me to get a reaction from him? Huh? I thought you said he was mean to you and had a thing with amy” Ben growled

“Woah take a chill pill man. I was not using you, we went out for a drink, I thought it was a friendly hangout. And he wasn’t mean on purpose amy was blackmailing him” I explained even though I didn’t think I had to justify my actions to him.

“You’re lying. Amy may be crazy but she would never do such a thing” Ben scoffed

“she’s a class a psycho ben, You know what if you don’t believe me ask Henry I’m fed up with all of these accusations” I told him angrily before I stormed off back to henry.

“Hey what’s wrong?” Henry asked me once he noticed my angry expression

“I’m not in the mood to talk about it” I said as I felt tears threatening to fall.

I took my room key and went up to the room with Isabel and hugged her as I cried.

I guess I cried so hard because I didn’t hear Henry walk in until I felt Kal licking my cheek.

“Y/n please tell me what’s wrong”

Henry said as he sat next to me on the floor

“I’m so fed up with all the criticism” I sobbed

“What did Ben tell you?” Henry asked, a hit of anger in his tone

“He thought I was using him to provoke you, that I’m a liar” I whimpered.

Henry pulled me into a hug and brushed my hair with hands softly

“I’ll talk to him later, you’re amazing y/n, you saved me from Amy, I don’t know what I would do without you” he muttered and I felt myself smiling as I lean into him more.

“Thank you hen, I needed it”

“No problem love” he kissed my head.

We stayed like this a little more until it was time to get ready for an interview we had with all of the cast(except for Amy thank goodness).

I was seated between Henry and Jason, making me feel like a complete short ass next to these two giants.

“Guys welcome! So nice to see you all together. Are you feeling like a proper family?” Jamie, the interviewer asked us

“It’s like a family reunion every time you know” Ray chuckled

“So, like if you were a family, who’s got the worst habit?” Jamie asked

“I think Ezra” I said “I chew my nails a lot, and it’s apparently bad for your nails in a long term, is it really bad or is y/n just messing with me again?” Ezra asked

“I don’t think” Gal shook her head

“Jason has a habit of taking our clothes off all the time” Ben said and Jason raised his hand proudly while saying guilty making us all laugh

“Henry in this film has a habit of being dead so you’re gonna see him” ray shrugged “yeah I’m the dead uncle” “that’s right ” ray chuckled

“It’s nice to see the ghostly figure. Spotting some nice facial fluff” Jamie said, referring to Henry’s mustache

“He had it before” I said “really?”

“Yeah” Henry chuckled

“Well I wanted to talk to you about something and it’s beardy Batman” Jamie said as he looked at Ben

“Beardy Batman, yes. At the beginning of the movie you get to see bearded Batman which we haven’t done on screen before and uh I thought it was kind of cool and just so you know they added in the white streaks in the beard, those were not present before” Ben explained

“Well obviously with all of you in together you get to see your very cool costumes, was there any costume envy?” Jamie asked

“I was jealous of Gal’s costume because Unlike mine hers is not tight” I said causing her to laugh

“I could barely breath in it”

“Yeah I was kind of envious of ray because he didn’t have a costume” Ben said “I had an onesie, I was calm cool and collected. I did have a muscle suit that I wore sometimes with like the hoodie and sweatpants and I got the feel of what it's like to be them on a certain level. But I envy their costume because they actually exist you know?” Ray smiled

“What’s the costume like at the end of the day?” Jamie asked

“Sweaty” Ben and I said at the same time

“Smells like a foot” Ezra added

“Yeah even mine” ray chuckled

“Costume people on this movie earned their money” Ben said

“Re you guys ready for the world of the dc family? A few of us have done a few of these films now. They’re absolutely obsessed aren’t they?” Jamie asked

“Passionate for sure, I wouldn’t say obsessive but we all are we love our characters” I said and everyone nodded in agreement

“You’re doing these movies knowing there’s going to be expectations from the fans, they’re going to pay a lot of attention to the details and everything that comes out to the internet,even the minor nonsense turns into a big story” Ben explained

“Gal you tweeted yesterday and already have 46,000 likes “ Jamie said

“How much?” She gasped with a smile

“46,000 likes” Jamie said again

“look at her- how many likes?” I asked as I intimated Gal’s voice

Causing everyone to laugh

“I think that the fact that people care so much about these characters is pretty amazing because I think that there is this amazing device of universe that we can tell stories with and so many people are interested in hearing what we have to say. It’s an amazing thing and it’s not to be taken for granted and this is the reason why we keep on making these movies...because people care so much” Gal told Jamie

“Okay thank you guys so much for coming, it was fun” Jamie said and the interview was over.

Henry and I returned to the hotel to have dinner together before we headed to bed.

“You were quiet today during the interview” I told Henry “well most of the questions were not directed to me so but I did talk” Henry shrugged

“It was fun to be with all of the crew” I smiled

“I’m glad you had fun love, now rest up, we had a long day” Henry kissed my head before he turned off the light and we fell asleep.

A/n-I’m opening a tag list for my stories, comment if you’re interested to be in it!💕

[stefciastark]

Worthy ~Webpril Day 8

A/N: At almost my 4a.m, here it is! The concluding part to yesterday's little 'hidden injury' combined prompt fill. For some reason, these last two were harder for me to write, and I couldn't quite get this one to sound the way I wanted it to in my head (being sleep deprived probably hasn't helped haha). The struggles of writing sometimes - some ideas are just stubborn and don't always come out how you want them to haha Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

~Read it on AO3

~Read it on FFN

“I’m good, just a bit tired...had a big week of homework and helping Aunt May with the charity stuff y’know.”

Tony’s eyes narrowed from behind the suit’s helmet, his gaze a level of intensity usually only directed to dealing with complicated circuitry, mathematics, or playing the intimidation game with Nick Fury. Now that was some bullshit. Tony had known Peter for long enough to know that the more excuses the kid gave, the more likely it was that he was lying. Tony could practically taste the blood that Peter kept trying to subtly spit onto the pavement when he thought he wasn’t looking.

Above all, however, Tony wasn’t sure whether to be angry that Peter was trying to lie about how he was feeling and thought his biometrics weren’t being transmitted to Tony’s HUD at all times (it’s Stark technology, of course it would be), or whether he should be concerned about some form of brain damage because it didn’t seem to cross Peter’s usually so sharp and quick mind at all that his biometrics would be transmitted.

Tony decided he couldn’t watch Peter struggle with moving what were some of the lightest pieces of rubble anymore. Cutting the power to the repulsors, he landed next to where Peter was trying and failing to nonchalantly lean against the tower of debris they had begun to stack, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You’re done, kiddo. I’ve got it from here.”

The HUD inside the suit displayed an increase in blood pressure, which F.R.I.D.A.Y informed him was likely a result of ‘the human body’s response to acute pain.’ Tony knew Peter was a tough kid, but the way Peter moved looked stiffer than the Doombot metal corpses that were now strewn about the streets of Manhattan.

“No no, I’m good, see?” Peter returned to shifting the (smaller) pieces of rubble onto the pile. Tony had a feeling he was only continuing to wear his mask to prevent the undoubtedly pained expression on his face from telling Tony all he needed to know.

If Tony could pinch the bridge of his nose through his helmet at that moment, he would. He knew a compassionate and understanding approach should be the first port of call, but it would take the strength of a god like Thor himself to summon the patience he needed to deal with the situation at hand. He was tired, possibly mildly concussed after his skull had repeatedly hit the inside of his helmet at least eighteen times that afternoon, and he couldn’t wait for the day to be over so he could hit ‘reset’ on life and enter into the welcoming void of sleep.

Peter would have five minutes to come clean. Five minutes was about as long as Tony gave himself before his celestially bestowed patience wore out. Tony gave Peter a once-over once more as he continued to collect the smaller pieces of fragmented concrete. Tony returned to scanning the surrounding buildings for any hidden damages to the infrastructure, still making sure to keep Peter in his peripheral, his biometric data continuously updating on the top left of the suit’s inner display.

After five agonising minutes and another spike in Peter’s heart rate, Tony sighed in resignation and approached Peter. “Kid. Stop.”

Peter looked up, having taken his mask off moments before, happy to feel fresh air on his face for the first time since the fight began. Moreso, Peter was happy to have anything that felt like it restricted his already strained breathing off of his face. Tony could empathise with the feeling - experiencing an elephant sitting on your chest didn’t make the job of breathing any easier.

Peter’s expression to his instruction was one he’d seen too frequently; it was the one that bled with innocence, accompanied by the wide-eyed stare of a young Labrador puppy. “Yeah, Mr Stark?”

The helmet receded from Tony’s face so Peter was able to take in his blended countenance; it was something hovering between disappointment and barely concealed concern.

“Is there anything you’d like to tell me? Maybe...I don’t know, an injury?” Peter blanched as he felt Tony’s probing eyes drilling into his own before clearing his throat.

He began to return to cleanup duties, hoping that if he ignored the situation for long enough, it’d go away. “No, Mr Stark, everything is -” Big mistake.

Another round of Peter’s half-baked excuses and deflection were cut off as Tony interrupted. “Zip it, you’re busted. You can try to hide it from me all you want, but F.R.I.D.A.Y knows better.”

Peter cursed under his breath. Even after spending considerable time in Tony’s Spider-Suits, he still sometimes forgot about the extent of the capabilities of the technology and AI programming that came with the package. While there was no point in hiding it anymore, Peter couldn’t stop himself before he insisted, “really, it’s okay.”

“It obviously isn’t,” Tony said, unable to prevent his tone from taking on a scathing and acerbic quality. Dragging his hand down his face, he paused and took a deep breath, seeing the way Peter’s features were pinched with hurt he was trying so hard to hide. Tony had a feeling that that hurt extended beyond just the physical; it was just wrong. “Look, kid, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to hide your injuries. I mean not like it’s possible anyway, you’re wearing my suit, for one. You should’ve known better.”

Tony supposed his frustration stemmed from the fact that he felt like he was looking into a mirror. He had wanted for Peter to find that little grey area to operate in in more than one capacity, yet instead Peter was currently taking a page out of Tony’s book, and not one of the good ones. ‘Don’t do anything I would do’. Well, attempting - poorly - to conceal any and all injuries unfortunately fit the profile. ‘Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do’. Tony had to give Peter credit; that book hadn’t been opened.

“I just didn’t want to disappoint you again.” Peter saw the way Tony almost imperceptibly flinched as soon as the word ‘again’ left his lips. Chewing on his bottom lip momentarily and stopping when he tasted blood, Peter waited for Tony’s response. The silence persevered and Tony didn’t offer one.

Peter couldn’t quite tell what was going on beneath the surface with his mentor. At times, Tony was able to make himself so unreadable that it made Peter both envious and afraid. Envious, because Peter hated the way he was such an open, easily read book at times, and afraid for the aftermath of whatever Tony kept repressed under the surface. It was like a game of Russian Roulette, except Peter sometimes wondered which he’d really prefer; Tony’s disapproval or the actual bullet.

“I…” Peter continued, fixing his eyes on one particular pigeon feather that was floating in circles just in front of his left foot. He found himself pouring out his latest insecurities against his own will; at least he told himself it was against his will and that it was the pain’s fault. “I don’t feel like I belong with you guys. You’re all older, you’ve seen more stuff, battled more aliens and wizards. You all know what you’re doing and here I am, the young kid from Queens who doesn’t really deserve his place next to the Avengers.”

Silence.

Before Peter could react to the shadow that started to loom over him, he felt himself being pulled into a not-too-tight embrace that managed to expertly avoid his sore spots. He couldn’t help the tears that prickled at the corners of his eyes and fought to keep them from flowing over.

“Just so we’re clear on a couple of things. First, none of us know what we’re doing, get that out of your head. Second, you’re every bit worthy of being here.”

The sound of propellers were suddenly very close, and Peter wondered how on earth he’d missed them altogether.

“Third, get in the helicopter. I don’t want to hear a single complaint about it, kapeesh? We’re taking you to medical.”

A/N: Tomorrow's prompt is going to be quite an interesting one to fill. Tomorrow's prompt fill might also be a little bit later than usual. I've got quite a lot on my plate approaching the weekend, so worst-case scenario, I'll update twice in one day ;) Definitely going to try not to let that be the case though :) x Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

[one-spidey-boii]

BUMMER SUMMER || peter parker; ch nine

read ch eight here

masterlist

an; i’ve really struggled with juggling all my responsibilities lately so please forgive me. i just ate questionable fried rice and i’m feeling mediocre at best. have a great day you guys.

warnings; mentions of battle wounds (i.e. blood/scars/etc), smut, mature language, fluff, angst, both peter and oc are 18+!!

word count; 3.1k+

edie's pov

i take in a deep breath and click the call button on my phone after hovering over it with my thumb for a few long and painful seconds. i slowly bring it up to my ear. on the third ring, a small click sounds on the other end.

"ah! you're still alive. yippee!" tony's voice chirps jokingly at me from wherever he and the rest of the avengers were staying. i sit up in my bed and play with the end seam of my shorts.

"i am..." i trail off awkwardly, not entirely sure what to say to the man. he's making me call him everyday, and i don't know how long it's going to last, but i'm already running out of things to tell him at this point. i'm healing, my bruises are fading, the pain is subsiding.

"is peter treating you right?" he asks. i gulp at his question, remembering the moments peter and i shared only a day ago.

"u-uh yeah, wait- um what do you mean?" i stutter out, mentally kicking myself.

"i mean, is he taking care of you? yanno, making you chicken noodle soup or hot chocolate and giving you back massages- actually scratch that last one, i don't wanna think about that." he rambles on, my face flushes and i pull loose pieces of fabric off of my shorts completely in panic. no way can mr. stark find out about peter and i...whatever we are.

"hey! it's not like that." i mumble, doing my best to cover my nerves.

"yeah, sure it's not." tony retorts back with a snort, his voice just above a whisper. i'm at a loss for words, "uh, pfft, yeah, it's not."

"i don't care either way- well, that's a lie, i care a little bit. just keep healing and make sure peter stays sharp out there." i squirm in my spot and continue to update mr. stark on my condition, eager to get off of the phone.

with a final 'goodbye' and 'don't do anything stupid'- he ends the call and i flop back down on my bed. my side only slightly aches when i move now, becoming less of an annoyance and more of a numbing feeling.

i glance around my room at my fresh yellow walls. the color brightens the space and brings a warm feeling to the pit of my stomach. but my bed is still in the middle of the room, making me feel open and vulnerable on all sides. with one big huff i roll out of bed and plant my feet at the end of the frame. i give one push with both hands and the bed goes skidding back to the wall. in the process, my side cramps up and a burning sensation pushes its way through my body, making me wince.

"you okay there?" a soft, yet teasing voice speaks up from behind me. i dip my head down between my arms still placed on the bed and peek at the intruder through my legs from upside down. peter stands there, a lazy smirk spread across his lips. i roll my eyes and flip my head back up to turn around and face the boy.

"absolutely. i don't always need your help, parker." i reply and lean against the end of my bed. after the alarm went off last night, peter and i spent our time making food until he had to go out on patrol, more hesitant that ever to leave. none of us said a word about the disturbance, despite my suspicions. he returned late in the morning, later than his usual schedule. and when he did get back, he went straight to sleep, not even making it to his room. he stayed fast asleep on the couch until late afternoon. i guess he came straight to me after he woke up.

it's only been two days since i've been out, but my body is growing restless at the lack of adventure. jealousy poked at heart knowing that he would be the one seeing and protecting the city until mr. stark deemed me ready to get back out there.

i push the feeling away, not wanting to focus on things i have no control over.

peter takes a few steps closer to me, speaking playfully, "so, mr. stark gave me a call today. he wanted to know if i was taking care of you." once his body reaches mine, his fingertips immediately move to trail along my hips, "what do you think, wolfie? am i taking good care of you?" his voice lowers the closer he leans in.

i gulp audibly at his question, thinking back to my own conversation with mr. stark. my eyes meet his and i can’t t form any words under his gaze. so i just nod sheepishly at him, it seems to be the only thing i can do lately. peter's mouth curls into a satisfied smirk and it makes my stomach drop into my feet. an overwhelming surge of heat passes through my body and i have to lean back farther into the mattress for support.

peter and i didn't really talk about what had happened yesterday. at the time, it didn't seem weird or out of the ordinary. it felt natural, good. now that we've—i've—had time to think about it, well, i don't know what to think. i don't even know what to say to him. it's embarrassing how much control he seems to have over me, after so many years of being able to joke around as friends.

now his closeness makes my heart squeeze both in adoration and frustration. i'm angry at how fast he's able to make me melt into his hands. i used to tease and make him blush, now he somehow turned the tables. just add that to the list of things i can't control.

peter leans in, close enough to pepper a soft kiss to the corner of my lips, "i gotta head out, but i'll be around." he pulls away and points to his ear, where his comm rests.

"see you around." i say with a level voice, now too focused on gaining a hold of myself to be sweet with him. he drops his remaining hand from my hip, choosing to ignore my change in demeanor. with a small wave that reminds me of the nervous boy he used to be, he turns the corner and i'm alone again.

my skin is buzzing. the feeling is mostly concentrated on where peter's fingers had been, but it's spreading quick. needing a distraction from the feeling, i change out of my comfy clothes into something a little more suited for action. i rumble through my luggage and pull out a black sports bra with leggings to match. before i leave, i shove my own comm in my ear.

after making my way to the training room, i set up a few different targets. the first one is a simple circle with three red rings spaced around a red center, i place it firmly on the ground. the next one is the same, except this time i suspend it into the air, letting it sway back and forth. the last one is a little different. it's human shaped. as a fighter who refrains from hurting people as much as possible, i'm hesitant to set this one up. but after what i went through, i need the practice on a human target.

i flip through my phone and search for some music to get my energy up, i connect to the speakers that run throughout the house and crank up the volume. the bass of the music cancels out the continuous buzzing through my body, allowing me to shake the tension away. i stretch in front of the mirror before pulling a table to the far side of the room, opposite the targets.

on the table i set out an array of throwing knives, each one reflecting the fluorescent light from the high ceilings. i run my hand over the edge of one knife in particular before grabbing the handle and nailing the middle of the hanging target in one fluent motion. the knife sticks out from the center as the momentum violently swings the target in the air.

i take in a deep breath and pick up two more, one in each hand. i throw both at the same time, hitting the grounded target side by side with barely an inch between them. i continue to practice on the two targets, using up all the knives on the table in the process. i'm sweating and panting as i go to collect them and start again. i let my eyes pass over the human shaped target, but i quickly look away and focus on the other two once again.

after ignoring the last target for what seems like forever, i stop myself mid throw as i notice how shredded the others have become. i drop my arm to my side and use my other hand to turn off the music.

the silence of the room makes the pounding in my ears almost unbearable as i scope out my last challenge of the night. the lifeless figure has no face. it's only the silhouette of a head and torso, a simple shape. despite the fact, i can still see the features of one person in particular.

i raise my hand and ready myself to throw the potentially deadly weapon held in my grasp. i can feel my heart rate pick up and i stare down the figure before me.

a female, seemingly innocent.

my breathing grows heavier as i fall back on the memories of that night, only a few days ago.

she looked scared, all i wanted to do was help.

my stance falters at the thought. my eyes clouding over as i grit my teeth and shake my head to snap myself out of it.

"see what happens when you try and help people?"

with a grunt, i charge at the inanimate target before me. my legs cross the floor in three simple strides as i jump up to plunge the knife into the head of the target. i slide down and i hold the knife tighter in my grasp, letting it slice all the way down the figure, nearly severing it in two. i drop the weapon.

with heavy breaths, i turn to grab another human shaped target. i kick the other one out of the way, replacing it with the new one.

i try different attacks, needing to set up a new target every time i 'kill' the last one. i do it again, and again, and again- picturing the same face every time.

peter's pov

i can't just come out and tell edie i'm searching for the people that attacked her. but i can't come up with any explanation as to why i'm staying out so late—err, early? i don't know. i do know that every second i'm not out here looking, it's becoming more and more dangerous for her. it scares me.

the sun is peaking out from behind the tall buildings of the city. i spent the entire night staking out two people specifically, but no such luck. now i'm sat atop a building, hesitant to call it a day and go back to edie. but, oh boy, i want to see her. thinking about her makes my heart swell, and now that i'm finally able to show her how i feel, it seems like the whole world let out of sigh of relief for me.

i like the way she reacts to me. it being a huge contrast to the playful, witty banter that we used to share exclusively. now, when we get close- i'm the one who takes control. it's a weird change of pace between the both of us, but i don't mind it one bit. it’s almost like i crave it.

once making the decision to go back to the compound, i swing myself across the city, eager to see edie. i get to the door and press a suit covered thumb over the touch screen. the glass door slides open and i slip into the cold air of the compound, making sure the glass shuts and locks behind me before i go any further.

i pull the mask off my head and stumble into the living room, hoping edie is somewhere close. when i don't see her, my face drops and i turn to jog down the hall towards her bedroom. not finding her again, i raise my hand to the comm in my ear and speak.

"e, you there? where've you run off to?" i turn on my heel again to step into my room down the hall. as i do so, her voice floods through my head.

"training room." she utters, her usual soft voice sounding hardened and cold. i quirk an eyebrow up as i change into more comfortable clothes, confused by the girls tone. nevertheless, i finish up and trot over to her.

as i round the corner, my eyes settle on her standing in the middle of the room, rolling her shoulders back with a knife in her hand. i stand quietly and watch her movements, hesitant to step in and become an accidental target. edie raises her arm to throw and adjusts her feet into a low stance. so quickly, i almost miss it, the knife flies through the air towards a human shaped figure. to my surprise- it clatters against the target and falls to the floor.

she lets out a groan and pulls at her hair, muttering profanities under her breath as she turns to see me staring. her body stiffens under my gaze and slowly she lowers her arms to her side, a doe-eyed expression on her face.

"you're back." she mutters. i take a few steps into the room and gulp at what i see. targets similar to the one she just attacked are shredded and thrown across the room in piles. there must have been fifty of them, each one damaged in a different way.

looking back at her, i force a smile on my face, "you've been busy, yeah?"

her eyes follow the path mine took and she shrugs, indifferent, "mhm. training." i nod hesitantly.

"have you slept at all?" i pipe up, curious at how long she has been here.

"not really, no."

another nod, and i shuffle over to the table that holds her collection of weapons. i'm impressed with her skills, seeing as she has no 'super powers'. but damn, she could take anyone down in seconds. i admire the girl in front of me, hoping she knows just how much i do. not long after, a bug of curiosity wiggles around my stomach.

"do...you think you could teach me?" the words slip out of my mouth before i can think of the consequences. edie looks at me with a stoney expression that makes my heart jump. i regret my words immediately, afraid that i offended her or something.

i try to take it back, "i mean- only if you want! i know it's stupid so you don't..."

the devilish smile that creeps along her face shuts me up, "i'll teach you."

i let out a small breath, "o-okay. i should probably go change." i say as i look down at my baggy clothes and compare them to her tight fitted ones. edie shakes her head and waltzes up to me, the smug smile still gracing her lips. i grow nervous, realizing i'm in her territory now. this is her thing, so i force myself to hand over the reigns.

she gestures to the rows of knives on the table, "take you pick, parker." her cool and confident voice sends a small shiver down my spine. i look closer at the table and gingerly run my fingers along each sharp edge. i stop at a knife with a shiny black blade and red handle and i pick it up to feel the weight of it in my hand. the blade isn't metal or steel and it has small ridges on the surface. i bring it closer to examine it even further.

"that's obsidian, black volcanic glass. it was used a lot in the stone ages," edie takes the knife from my hands and twirls the point on the tip of her finger, "it's sharper than steel, and nowadays surgeons use it in their scalpels...good choice, peter." she smiles up at me. i can feel my cheeks flush. she places it back in my palm and struts to the center of the mat, "we'll start close, hopefully you can hit the target. how's your aim?"

i roll my eyes at her taunting words and walk over to her place on the mat. edie strolls around me in circles, observing my body language- which is less confident than i'd like to admit. she stands in front of me and plants her hands firmly on my hips, twisting them into a desired position. next, she does the same with my shoulders, all the while sticking her tongue out in concentration.

then she comes to the knife in my hand and pulls it away, only to place it back and wrap my fingers around it one by one. it immediately feels more comfortable in my hand. she circles me one more time and hums in satisfaction at her work.

"now, obsidian is brittle, so it's really important to make your shot count or else you risk breaking the blade," edie comes back around my front and leans in close, her finger resting under my chin, "don't break my blade." she threatens with a smug smile curling at the edge of her lips. i can't stop my eyes from dropping down to look at them, and she notices.

edie traces her finger along my jaw line, making me shiver once again. i groan at the lack of control over my body and my eyes widen at the sound. she just smiles and lets her hand fall down my chest to finally rest at her side before taking a step back. she points behind her to a circular target a few yards away.

"give it a go." her voice grows softer, encouraging me to make a move. i tighten my grip around the knife and raise my arm to chuck it at the target. i stop short.

"could you...maybe show me first?"

|| taglist; @my-patronus-is-mabel-pines @whycantileaveyou @lovewolfspirit @kitykatnumber @franksholland @goddamnit5sos @thehugslut

[neoarchipelago]

Lisbon Lights (part 4) (John Wick x Assassin!reader)

AN: so things aren't going great in my life right now so I'll update very slowly probably… I hope you enjoy this piece of work from the depths of my depressed mind!

Word count : 2517 

Warnings: torture, blood, cursing, kidnapping.

----

Standing in the elevator you stared as the doors closed. You took a deep breath. You weren't sure exactly what you were feeling. Was it pain? Sadness? Anger? Pride. For sure. Closing your eyes and leaning against the elevator's wall you sighed. How could you have been so stupid? What happened exactly that made you crave this man so much? You barely knew him. You couldn't deny the attraction you felt towards him. Not only physically but mentally as well. You enjoyed the attention he was giving you and the way he seemed to handle your bullshit so well. 

The bell of the elevator rang and you shot your eyes open. Watching as people flooded in and you folded your arms on your chest. You frowned in your corner, keeping any staring person from even trying to speak to you. Looking down at your heels you pushed away that feeling of being scrutinized. You needed a drink. And fast. The bell rang again as the doors opened and you walked out to the lobby, pushing away a few people in your movement. You couldn't care less of the reproachful looks you earned. What? Got a problem? Come and try to fix it, see what you'll get. 

Heading to the bar you sat in one of the bar stools. The bartender gave you a gentle nod that you answered equally. Your gaze caught Amalia sitting at a table nearby and as she spotted you, she stood up. 

"Great…" you groaned looking at the bartender who smirked at you. "A strawberry mojito please." 

Nodding away he walked away as you felt a presence to your left, a worried Amalia now staring right through you. 

"Is everything alright?" She asked, in a serious tone. 

You looked at her and sighed. Where to even start? You shook your head, but didn't find the words to explain. 

"What happened? I thought your plan had gone well? Everyone is already in touch with what happened at the docks and Luana is furious." She added. 

"That's why everyone's been staring at me… talk about secrets in this industry…" you groaned lowly in your corner while your frown deepened. 

Amalia clicked her tongue in a disapproving melody. It would have made you chuckle in any other situation but not now. 

"What happened minha querida* (my darling)?" She questioned, this time a worried look on her face. 

"I fought with Mr Wick. It has been clearly shown what he thinks of me and… I think our cooperation ends here." You spoke in what you wanted to be a cold and decisive tone. 

"What do you mean, what happened?" She sounded confused.

The soft fado playing around the room was calming, but also quite saddening. You looked at the bartender as he was preparing your so awaited drink and you sighed. 

"After our job was done we fought and it was revealed to him how much of a, and I quote, 'Cold hearted bitch' I am…" you let out a bit angrily.

"Alright, that's not the first time I've heard that about you, what's the matter, why do you care?" Her heavy accent was almost annoying at this point. Not that you were starting to hate you friend but because she was making you say things out loud you wished you never did. 

"That's the thing! Why do I care what he thinks right?" You let out through gritted teeth, this time anger rushing through you. 

Amalia seemed surprised, much more by your words than by your anger. You closed your eyes for a second, trying to recompose yourself. 

"Are you in L-?" 

"I care. That's all. And it's already too much." You cut her off. In love? Let's not go that far. At least you didn't want to go that far. 

The memory of his regretful look as you walked out on him a few moments ago was overwhelming. It was hopelessly interrupted by you drink being served. You nodded a thanks as you siped on it, the alcohol not numbing your senses enough to your own taste. Maybe straight vodka was necessary at this point. 

"What are you going to do? Luana is still after you." Amalia remembered.  Feeling the need of a vodka growing stronger.

"I don't know. We'll see. Alea Jacta est. (The die is cast)" You answered, taking another sip at your drink. 

Amalia groaned and rolled her eyes. Her attention was taken by one of her employees and she stood, giving you a last glance as she walked away. You didn't know what to do anymore. Your cup was coming to an end much too fast and you could feel piercing eyes staring at you. Straightening your back you let a coin drop next to your drink and you stood, walking out of the continental. Amalia's worried look lost in all of those that stared at the one who caused such a fuss in the city. 

---- 

The bell of the elevator rang and the doors of the elevator opened. John walked out into the lobby, annoyed by the intense stares he had been receiving since he decided to go to the bar to soften his guilt. He took two steps before being confronted with the Continental's director. What was her name again? 

"Mr Wick." Her heavy accent and the harsh tone mixed well with the character. "Follow me."

John frowned, he just wanted to enjoy his drink and then maybe end that stupid job and go back to New York. However the woman did not leave any room for discussion as she spun around and walked to one of the tables in the far back of the restaurant area. John clenched his fist but followed in anyway. He sat down in front of her and she spoke. 

"I know what happened between you and my dear (y/n)." Her tone wasn't exactly reproachful but she definitely wasn't happy. John cleared his throat but Amalia spoke once more. 

"It doesn't really matter what happened. What matters is what you both decide to do now." 

John's full attention was caught, and he looked at her and nodded for her to continue. 

"(Y/n) is prideful and she will never tell you what I'm going to tell you now. But you need to hear it. She's not someone who cares for people easily, let's not even talk about love. She lacks of trust, she's afraid of being abused the way she has been before." 

John seemed to take it in, a confused look on his face. 

"But she cares about you." 

John glanced up at the woman who's saddeness could not be hidden.

"And whatever you think she might have done to you, think twice before assuming. She has put herself in this mess because of you. She helped you." Amalia added.

John sighed. 

"Tell me. What made you say those awful things?" She asked, her frown back on her features.

John cleared his throat once more. 

"She… she seduced the guards, back at the docks…" john let out in a hoarse voice.

"Jealousy?!" Amalia half-yelled. 

John glared at the woman.

"No." John's deep voice answered.

It was only met with a perfect eye roll from the woman. She stood up surprising John as she spoke one last time, seriousness back in her voice. 

"You care for her. I know you do. And she left. She's in the city. On her own." 

John watched as she walked away. What did that mean? John frowned. She left? On her own? It took a second to tilt, but once it did. John stood in a hurry and walked out of the continental. After all, they are still on a job. 

----

You walked around the city, cursing yourself on the stupid idea to go out in this bloody city in heels. Yes you were furious and at this point you'd kill even a pigeon for trying to get near you. The streets weren't empty but you had to admit being in the desert zone of the city. You cursed once more at yourself for not thinking before going out of the continental. 

You sighed, the late afternoon sun made your skin glisten a bit and you hated yourself at the moment. Your mind kept racing over John FUCKING WICK. You wanted to go apologise, and tell him you'd be his perfect kitten but hell no. Pride was online and it made you roam the city on your own instead of just going back to your hotel room and take a nap or something. 

Lost in your own thoughts you failed to notice the two men following you. Raging over the little birds and couples you had almost forgotten how much you had angered Luana. There was no actual possibility to sneak up on you. You could almost feel the hair on your neck rising from being stared at. But you should have been much more careful, because your reaction time was, much smaller. 

The harsh grasp on your arm wasn't hard to expect, spinning around and quickly kicking the guy on his knee, making sure your heels would hit the spot, you managed to get free pretty quickly. Grabbing the dagger strapped at your thigh you stood waiting for a new attack. The second one tried to grab your hair but the blade quickly reached his hands that you made sure to cut deep. It was followed by the first one trying to grab you once more, and a high kick to his head made the trick. Your mind was running on full speed as you were trying to evaluate the situation, a hard blow to your head unfortunately made you lose all grip on reality, as you slowly fell into unconsciousness.

----

You groaned as you opened your eyes. The back of your head hurt like hell. You quickly realized where you were and how exactly you were. Sitting on chair, your ankles tied to it and your hands behind your back also tied together. You cursed under your breath as you took in your surroundings. You were in your old boss's hotel room. The same one he died in. You groaned as you closed your eyes. The sound of heels echoed and you quickly open them again. As you glanced on who just joined you in your little hell you rolled your eyes. 

"Luana…" you almost wanted to slap yourself.

She smirked. Her blond curly hair falling over her shoulders. She looked really pretty, almost innocent with her soft ocean eyes. If you didn't knew what kind of bitch she was you'd probably be fooled by her act. 

"(Y/n)." She spoke, as she sat on the red velvet couch in front of you. Of course she's going to want to watch and enjoy the show. 

"Did you think after all that you've done I wouldn't catch you?" She asked in a joyful tone. 

You smirked sarcastically at her. 

"I honestly didn't think you'd bother yourself to do so." You spoke looking around the room. 

"I don't understand (y/n)." She said leaning closer. 

"Yeah I realized that happened quite often with you." You let out absentmindedly.  

She chuckled. Grabbing your attention. 

"Joke all you want. You won't for long." She threatened. 

You narrowed your eyes at her. 

"Why would you betray my family like this? You weren't even the one with a contract." She asked. 

"If I knew myself I'd maybe tell you…" you let out, looking away, visibly annoyed. "Without sounding like a bitch.." you spoke "like one apparently thinks that i am.." you added under your breath, "why am I the only one being hunted down?" You finished looking at her a soft frown on your face. 

Luana laughed loudly as she answered you. 

"You think I'd go hunting the Baba Yaga?" She looked at you as if you were the stupidest person on earth. 

You felt exactly like that. Stupid. Obviously she wasn't going to hunt John. She needed someone to blame, someone to torture and you made yourself the perfect target to do so without putting her into actual danger. You pursed your lips. This was, by far, your worst vacation ever. 

"What makes you think he won't come to help me?" You spoke again, playing some kind of manoeuvre to see if you could at least make it out alive. 

"Oh. But a little bird told me he heard you say that your… collaboration was over." She answered, the most annoying grin you've ever seen on someone. 

She was right. He wasn't coming for you. He hated you. He thought you were a cold hearted bitch. No. You were on your own again. 

Luana's laugh echoed through the room. You groaned. 

"Why are you laughing for you psycho?!" You let out angrily. 

"I'm laughing at you!" She said as she stood. "You look absolutely pathetic. And I'm truly about to make you regret ever going against my family." 

You frowned as she picked up something from the table that you didn't quite managed to see. The sound of steel made you freeze. You were quite in trouble yes. 

You watched as Luana spun around, a shiny scalpel in hand. You tried your best to hide the sudden anxiety creeping over you. You had been tortured before and it wasn't going to be pleasing. As she slowly stepped closer, you kept an annoyed frown, your pride being the last barrier between you and this predator. You weren't used being chased down and played with. But now you could only shut up and endure. The cold feeling of the object against your skin made you shiver. 

"You could have at least heated them. They're fucking cold." You sarcastically let out. 

You felt the blade pierce the skin, right on your collarbone. You clenched your jaw. Not letting a sound out as she kept going, a small trail of blood behind the sharp steel. It wasn't deep. No. It was painful more than it was ever life threatening. She smiled, the most fucked up smile you'd seen on someone's face as she looked at the red drops dripping on your pretty white top. Wait. That thought was recurrent with her now wasn't it? She was after all… entirely fucked up. You knew you could handle torture, but not how long. And right now, you needed a way to get out. 

"This-" Luana spoke, right before being cut out by the phone of the hotel room. 

She looked furious as she looked at one of her guys, that you were only now noticing, gesturing for him to answer. He walked over to the phone, picked it up, and turned on the high speaker. 

"Hello? Who's this?" Luana asked obviously annoyed. 

"It seems… you have my kitten"

You gasped as the voice answered and echoed in the room, you truly did. You looked even more pitiful now, a sorrowful frown on your pretty face, tugging at your ropes. The hoarse voice and the words echoed again and again through your head. And the only word escaping your mouth before the sound of gunshots were heard.

"John…"

---

Tags: @cap-just-said-language @linbrw @crystalcrysalis19 @thatbemyhouse @magdazwolska @coloursunlimited @baphtometwolf666 @tomhardy41 @92lnbr @moonlit-raven-haven @siren-queen03 @paanchu786 @wickedbarnes

[hoopdiddies]

I'm Not Over You // Ben Hardy x Reader (Part 7)

A/N: This is probably the longest I've written in this series. Again guys, thank you for the support, your comments and likes mean so much! My tag list is always open so feel free to ask. And on a slightly heavy note: the next chapter could be really angsty. Just a heads up right there uwu

Summary: You had always loved Ben ever since you two met in university and became the best of friends. That feeling went out like a candle flame when the two of you parted ways until he re-entered your life...but this time with someone who has already occupied his heart.

Warnings: Angst, slight drinking, slight swearing, (yeah the fluff is still present)

W/C: 5k-ish

Tags: @haendel-me-with-care

@mrsdoradominguez-barnes

@mickmoon

@lakef

@mrsmazzello

@valeriecarolinaw

@queen-turtle-boiii

Edited// I forgot to link the previous parts

Parts: 6 5 4 3 2 1

(Got the pic from Pinterest hhh-)

Storing the luggage bag you've purchased for a fair price in the spare room, you come across a small box of sundries tucked in one corner with cobwebs clinging to the sides. Your eyes light up with curiosity spiking within you, you pick it up and dust the webs off, blowing the particles away from the top. You squat on the floor and open the flaps, discovering small yet familiar items that had been lost in time– one of them being a sepia-toned polaroid of you and Ben posing dramatically with hilarious doodles drawn on your faces. You forgot about this, feeling a little guilty that you had hidden it away in a drafty box without remembering doing anything of the sort. You flip the picture over and spot a date and an unfinished sentence written in faded ink on the bottom left part. This was taken on Homecoming night.

'I'm not going-' it says, clearly discontinued next to the date. Silly to think that the picture somehow represents a puzzle piece torn away from its board.

You were bound to graduate the week after and barely a day after, not see each other for several years due to your career paths and post-college choices.

You pull on the hem of your shirt, clearing the picture of dust and any more impurities, finally fitting it into your back pocket to finally treasure it the way it was always meant to be treasured.

The door clicks as you bring it close, your eyes gluing themselves at the hardwood floor seconds to having self-pity billow over you at how quickly your tears surface in the corner of your eyes from the memory of Ben spinning Rosy around - the exact way he did with you -and kissing her like she's a pouch full of life.

You clamp down on your bottom lip, trying your hardest not to stain your cheeks with your pooling tears. "Jeez, you just-" you pace back and forth in frustration, balling your fists as you gesticulate lazily, "you just don't get it, Y/N! Ugh, you're so- fuck, just get over it..." Knowing your harsh soliloquy would be getting you nowhere, you snarl strongly at yourself and roughly wipe your tears away with the back of your hand.

"He loves Rosy. F-freaking deal with it!" The reminder takes a hiss from your quivering lips for it to sink in; you have your own place in his life– a place behind the line you'd drawn in the years prior. The friend zone couldn't be any more hollow and cold than it already is.

And a polaroid pic is the only remnant left of how inseparable you and Ben were in the early days.

At the same time you're feeling your heart tear itself apart, Ben pulls out a picture - similar to what you've found - from the inner pocket of his old varsity jacket in the middle of rummaging through his wardrobe. He leaves his room in his pajamas and tosses himself on the couch next to a sleeping Frankie, softly apologizing to the little beagle for disturbing her cat-like nap. As he cuddles Frankie close, he scrutinizes the picture and it's also from Homecoming, but in it both of you are beaming widely with your arms slung around one another– the doodles ever-so-present on your faces. Behind it, the date and the continuation of the trailed-off sentence written at the back of your share of the memory.

'-anywhere at all.'- it ends in Ben's part of the duality. He grins fondly at the long lost picture, feeling twice as guilty for not keeping it safe and...close to his heart, just as he had promised you that night.

- - - - - - - -

In the convenience of Lucy needing some company to shop with for awards season just as she had returned from her get-away with Rami, she drags you along happily, having to pass through you insisting that you stay at home and study but purposefully ending up under her mercy anyway. You couldn't say no to her, she's basically your sparkly, glam counterpart and you're in need of her life-altering sparkles as of now. Especially since you're going to be tagging along with them, mainly as Joe's date cause you know, you're his 'girlfriend' and all.

You're at the mall, in a stylish boutique full of lines of voguish clothing and shoes that could span miles if not compressed together. For once in the hours you've spent scampering around the mall with Lucy to hoard dresses, skin products and make up, you admit that this is the most aesthetically pleasing space in the entire building.

You traipse along a section with black dresses fashioned into different forms, silently praying that what you have with you will amount to at least one of the varying prices.

Lucy's on the opposite side, ogling at the most colorful section in the boutique for a piece to wear. She peers over at you to make sure you've chosen your 'fighter'. A few swishes of the dresses lined up and you do, holding it up high to evaluate the appropriateness.

It's a sleeveless, halter neck satin that's just a few inches above the knee. Utterly backless but it ends right up the small of your back. The fabric is stretchy enough to move around and breathe in as it simultaneously hugs your shape. You love it but gulp as you prepare yourself for the price. Flipping the tag over, you suddenly wish you could let out the biggest, girlish squeal the human race has ever heard with how surprisingly affordable it is.

"Finally picked out yours?" Lucy pokes her head up playfully and you nod, quite speechless but giddy. She makes a grabby hand at your dress to examine it for herself.

Well she's the fashion guru so why not? You hand her the dress and as she trails her eyes from top to bottom, her mouth falls at the simple yet elegant details. "This is perfect! I highly doubt that it's not going to catch every exposed eye present at the event."

Your flush profusely at her comment. "Thanks but I'll be bringing a coat with me."

That triggered her, but of course you're only teasing. "You better effing not." She warns you and you chuckle, taking the dress from her and evenly brushing the skirt.

"I won't, you can sleep soundly tonight."

You assure her of the possibility. As you exit the boutique with a few bags you're not used to holding, Lucy takes out her phone and gasps, her face contorting with a little disbelief. "Uh oh, this might ruin your mood." She hands you the phone and you gape at her confusingly before taking a quick look.

Ben's posted some updates on his wedding preparations, shockingly tagging you, Joe, Gwil and Lucy in one photo. He's pretty busy alright; unable to text or call you for days but miraculously tagging you out of nowhere.

You come to disregard it until you notice one minute but important detail hidden in plain sight in all of his posts– there isn't a single one with him and Rosy together alone. None of such as well on his new ones.

The only post he's had with a close girl is the one with you, which is at the very bottom of his Instagram feed. You won't admit it but it warms your heart a little. Actually, a whole lot despite wondering why there's none of him and his fiancee. You hand Lucy her phone back and tilt your head to one side, suddenly finding the eagerness to go on shopping. "Let's go."

The following week comes as a radial blur contrasted to the slightly moderate one you just woke up from; your manager phoning you up to take the earliest shift you've had in years at the expense of your allotted time to rest, the heavy workload and rush hours in the upcoming hours followed by the slowest progress of filing your travel documents and visa needed for your departure on the 26th. You've got tons of missed calls from your parents and Joe, who's requested for you to pack up early since you'll be leaving for LA with Lucy on the day of the awards but earlier.

Also noting that you still need to double check the costs for flying to LA and back, ruling out the one exclusive for your flight on the 26th.

For mere days you feel as if you could lose your sanity as your life spirals into madness with everything you're required to do– whether or not you're obliged to do it.

But they are effective distractions for that problem you are still very much preoccupied with. That's a matter noteworthy of later discussion. Amidst all the chaos happening, part of you wishes for Ben to reply to your messages or even talk to you in the slightest. You never bothered to call this week since he's tied up but the least he could do is let you know how he's doing, if he's thinking of you once in a thousand passing seconds.

You give up for a day waiting on him and drown yourself in work.

- - - - - - -

Securing your phone between your tilted head and your shoulder as you indulge in your talk with Joe through the line, you crouch and zip your luggage bag close. Your eyes fixating themselves on two, separate luggage bags for two, separate travels.

"Was that all of it?" Joe's disembodied voice asks. You spring up and take your phone between your fingers. "Pretty much. I better have a kick out of something by the time we touchdown tomorrow– it's my first visit to the US." You inform him, leaping into your bed and landing comfortably.

He chortles softly and ensures you. "I know and you can be sure to expect a good par- ow! Bad kitty!" His smooth transition to a yelp amuses you for split second.

"Are you alright? "

"No. I'm finally feline food to my kid." He refers to his pet cat that has taken a small nibble on his finger, in which Joe returns with a light ruffle to its fur. You can't help but giggle heartily at him.

"Anyway, I'm picking you and Lucy up from LAX tomorrow." He gives you that heads up and you bring your hand up to your forehead. "Where will we be staying?"

"I've booked a hotel earlier so you've got nothing to worry about the moment you land." A faint crunch can be heard from your end and you mind to ask Joe about it. "Are you- are you eating?"

To answer your question, he bites down on his food sloppily and guarantees you of what you heard. You smack your lips together as your eyes narrow in bewilderment.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Sometimes you make it easier for me to hit you with a pillow."

"Is that how you treat your boyfriend?" He taunts at you and cackles, his distorted voice bouncing off of the walls of your room. You sigh, defeated by the fact that this charade is still going on. It's silly and immature yet you and Joe somehow managed to stick to the act.

"Speaking of boyfriend though– would he be furious if I told him that I couldn't be there on his wedding day?" Since you're rested and got nothing else to distract you, you pop the question to Joe.

"Ben?"

You hum softly.

"There are two scenarios that we need to consider," on his end, Joe taps his finger on his lips as he thinks of said scenarios, "Best case scenario- he would get discouraged and slightly unmotivated, and obviously sad, but he'd still support you cause that's your dream."

You sit up and twirl the ends of your hair around your finger, swallowing. "And worst case scenario?"

Joe falls silent before exhaling harshly. "You'd crush his soul, heart, everything ranging from physical to spiritual and it would take a toll– and I mean a substantial toll on your friendship."

"Joe, don't make it sound like a prospect! "

"That is, " he adds strongly, "if he finds out that you had meant for him to be oblivious to it." And he's right. But you had a reason. You still do. Even if you do end up telling him and he supports you, you need a great deal of space to move on.

As long as he's committed to Rosy and you're in the sidelines still in love with him, it's just something toxic. You couldn't love anybody they way you do Ben and you feel like you'll never love someone like him ever again. Albeit how clueless he is sometimes and clumsy, you both had survived every storm and wave. So sticking around to witness him give his hand and heart to someone else is torture for you.

"I'm gonna be direct and say-" just as you begin talking, your phone shrills to another caller, cutting you off from Joe.

One look at the screen and your heart begins racing. Speak of the devil. You reserve an explanation for cutting off and answer Ben, clearing your throat. "You're late."

Ben's gruff chuckle welcomes you back. "I know, I'm so sorry. Busiest week I've had and the lady at Starbucks signed my cup like a snail."

"What are you doing tonight that requires coffee?"

"Call me dramatic- or do so, given that I'm an actor- but I just want to stargaze right now." You hear a light rustle coming from his end, like he's seated out on his lawn.

Silently giving him the 'oh really' look, you spread one side of the curtain to let some moon light in. "Ben, you're leaving early tomorrow."

He hums, seemingly enjoying himself. "But that's not an excuse to not enjoy the night." This boy can not get any cornier. You cast your gaze upon the moon, sighing profoundly. "How did the wedding planning go? Good?"

"Hm, yeah. Church wedding, big reception. Whole lot of booze binging planned out. And a killer bachelor party the day after the awards. " He jokes through the line and you tell him off in a playful chide. "Benjamin Jones, you better-"

"I won't. I won't." You sense his gentle smile from your end, checking the time and reluctantly coming to the decision to hit the hay since you'll be leaving early as well. As much as you want to recreate those late night conversations you once had with him, you can't.

"Hey?" You coo somehow.

"Yeah?"

"I gotta sleep. I have to meet Lucy at the airport at 5."

He gives out a throaty grunt as if he's pulling himself up. "Tragic. I'll see you in LA then, love."

Your lips curl up into the gentlest smile with the moonlight blessing it from the window. "You too. Tell yourself and the rest- especially Brian and Roger- that I'm gonna be rooting for you guys to get up on that stage."

"I will. Thanks for the motivation, Y/N. All the words coming from you just mean so much to me. To all of us." And in his voice, you can hear his utmost sincerity and fondness just highlighting his tone.

"Anytime. Now let me sleep, you bloke. "

"Haha, alright. Love you tons, love."

Shifting your eyes to the sky once more, you reply, allowing the words you're about to say to mean more.

"I love you too, Ben. Good night."

- - - - - - -

24th

You had promised Lucy you'd arrive 10 minutes earlier than her and you really didn't hold on to that promise. As soon as you arrive at the airport nearly bathing in sweat and deaf from the multiple rings Lucy has given you, you both take off to the waiting area with your heavy luggage where you spend an hour and a half waiting for your flight to board. Joe has sent two texts telling you that he's still in the middle of having coffee and it's a questionable action since he's 8 hours behind you and is expected to be asleep by now.

You reply with a simple, "See you there" before heeding to the call of your flight number from the speakers.

All the rushing and you haven't had a bite of breakfast yet. An eleven hour flight doesn't sound so bad, as long as you make sure you don't reel everytime you get up to use the bathroom and acquire jet lag the moment you land from a direct flight without any pit stops. The flight is long as you are awake but by the time you fall asleep in between hours, it shortens the duration. The pilot announcing your arrival wakes you and Lucy from the latest nap you've had on the plane. After gathering your luggage and answering a couple of phone calls on you way down the plane, the arrival area is where you spy Joe behind the red tapes, a scarf around his neck and an eager look plastered on his pale skin, just waiting for you and Lucy to step in. His eyes crinkle as he sees you both treading towards him with a handful of luggage. He greets you both with a tight hug and ushers you to his car, assisting with the transport of your things.

He's booked you in the hotel he's staying in to, of course, avoid some minor inconveniences especially since the awards start at 7 pm and you drastically need Lucy to help you prepare. Upon reaching the hotel, he leads the both of you up the second floor and into the hall for your rooms.

Apparently you and Lucy will be sharing which is the great and Joe will be staying in the room right across yours.

After giving yourselves a brief tour of the room, you settle in and unpack your essentials.

"Y/N, bring out your fighter!" Lucy declares with a giggle, pulling the dress she's chosen from her suitcase. It's a purple, off-the-shoulder, crepe satin and black velvet gown that cascades gracefully against the stable air.

Your eyes widen in awe at how it looks against the light. "No need for a match, Luce. You win," you raise your hands up in surrender, "that's- that's catching more eyes. From Rami of course."

"Oh shut it. You'll look smooth in black." She clicks her tongue and smoothens it at the edge of the bed. You whip out yours and hold it up high, wavering a little at how you'll look like in it tonight. How fortunate you were to find 3-inch, black pumps closeted when you were 'panic packing' the night before. You take it out from your suitcase and set it aside before striding towards the blinds, pulling it up and beholding the breathtaking view of Hollywood before you.

Your first visit to the US and you're already headed to the Oscars. This isn't the real life. This is just fantasy.

- - - - - - - -

"We're having a dinner party afterwards, I don't see any reason for two sandwiches before the ceremony." Staring blankly at how Joe's handling waiting for you and Lucy to emerge from your room, Rami purses his lips quizzically– he's come by to pick up his girl as well. The two men look dashingly handsome in their black tuxes and slick hairstyles– their individual charm strong as they highly anticipate for your appearances.

Joe swallows the chunk in his mouth before speaking. "I'm stressed."

"About what?"

He bites down on his last sandwich, dusting his hands off crumbs as he reasons out. "It's the Oscars. Biggest ceremony of the year."

With a shake of his head, Rami opens his mouth to protest but pauses as the creak of the door behind them butts in their conversation. Lucy - exquisite in her cascading satin gown and look dotted in light to moderate make up - emerges with her purse in hand and eyes heady on Rami.

Joe wishes he could loosen some hinges in Rami's jaw since the latter has got his mouth agape at her girlfriend's evening look. To him, she is his ultimate award and he wouldn't have it in any other way.

"Hey, babe." Lucy smiles delicately and kisses Rami's cheek, to which he responds with a breathless, "Luce, you look..." His starstruck silence finishing his compliment for her. Joe hums, agreeing with crossed arms. "I wish I was as pretty as you, Boynton."

"You boys look handsome, too." Lucy giggles softly and Joe begins to wonder. "Where's Y/N?"

"She'll be out in three...two..." As Lucy deliberately pauses her countdown, you come out of the room, head down as you feel a bit hesitant to continue but you regain your confidence and look up timidly– your appearance putting Joe in the same position Rami was just in with Lucy. The dress really agrees to your form, contouring every curve of your body in a semi-sensual way, guaranteeing that you'll be snagging some looks tonight. Your (H/C) hair frames your face intricately with your light make-up emphasizing the color of your eyes and lips. The light brush of air against the skin of your exposed back makes you clutch your purse tighter, deeming it uncomfortable.

Lucy smiles proudly at her work and that is you. "Well, how does she look Joe?"

Joe lets out a hitched exhale, hazel eyes wide as a sinkhole and a slacked jaw struggling to budge. "Like my girlfriend."

"You wish." You can't help but retort playfully and he brings his finger up to his lips, hushing you. Rami compliments you as well and you thank him as the four of you make your way to the elevator– your arm on Joe's and Lucy's on Rami's.

You've taken a limo for the sake of convenience, since Joe and Rami wanted to propose a pre-toast - with the champagne present in the vehicle - to their successes and hard work in the past year. You have faith they'd bring home an Oscar; considering how spectacular their work was portraying the members of Queen. You're also thrilled that you're about to meet Brian and Roger.

The limo parks just across Dolby Theatre and the four of you climb out, making your way arms-in-arms into the place crowded with paparazzi and attendees. You see yourself as a small fish swimming in a sea full of majestic dolphins. This is the big leagues right here and you're not even one bit of a celebrity– at least you feel like you aren't one. After a couple of shoulder brushes with either familiar and unfamiliar faces and escaping the blinding flashes of the cameras, the four of you reunite with Gwilym who has Roger and Brian present by his side. You are introduced to the two Queen members by Joe and you couldn't be any more happier to meet them in person. A couple of moments of interacting with the rest of the crew and cast, Ben joins the 'party' looking sharp and admittedly drop-dead gorgeous in his white tuxedo blazer and slicked back hair with Rosy by his side.

Before he could even reply to the greetings of his friends, he lays his eyes on you and for a while– his pupils dilate and his expression flits faster than he can command it to. He can't believe what or who he is seeing before him amidst all the glam. Letting go of Rosy's hand for a minute, he steps close to you, indescribably captivated. "Y/N...h-hey."

You keep your composure, musing back. "Hey. You look left out, outfit-wise, and a like a million bucks."

It takes him nearly five seconds to reply with the way hes has his eyes transfixed on you. It's like he's seeing you for the first time. Your evening look setting him back to Homecoming night and something inside him just tweaks. You avoid his mindless gaze and break the silence, trying your hardest not to flush. "Ben, please talk. It's just really-"

"You look...beautiful." He breathes out like he had just gotten up from under water.

[kmelanin]

Permanent Ink \ 2 // kth

a/n: Im now on spring break!!! Well it technically starts on march 4th and ends the 10th, but anywayssss that means more updates. This is a little shorter than the first part, but id call this a filler! I hope you enjoy!

I RECOMMEND LISTENING TO THE SONGS I SAY IN THE STORY FOR FULL EFFECT!

Main Masterlist~

( Permanent Ink ) masterlist~

WARNING- um sensual dancing

word count: 3k+

__________________________________

Taehyung unlocks his front door and enters his apartment. It was the smallest thing he has ever lived in. But he didn't mind it at all, in fact, he loved it. It was easy to clean, and it was only him, so he didn't feel as alone. He went into the bathroom, wanting to take a shower and go to bed.

As he was towel drying his hair, he quickly pulled on some underwear and some sweats. He went to his fridge for some water and he sits down on his bed so he could roll up a joint before he went to bed.

As he finished licking the paper, there was a quick knock at the door. Taehyung sighed and set his rolling tray down next to him and get up. He looks down at himself noticing that he was shirtless. But at this point he could care less. He wents to the door and opens it up. When he sees who it was, his face dropped even more than it already was.

“Sinsi? Why are you here?” He asks, his voice was laced with irritation. She rolls her eyes at his attitude and pushes her way inside.

“You could at least try to sound excited to see me.” She says setting her purse down on the bed.

“How can I, when you literally annoy the hell out of me.” He says shutting his door and finds his spot on the bed again.

“Shut up.” She frowns and sits down next to him.

“Like I said, why are you here?” He grabs his lighter and sparks the joint up.

“Why do I always come here?” She says in a duh tone and looks around his home. “I mean come on, I wouldn't come to this shoe box for anything.” She stands up and starts to take her jacket off. Taehyung just laughs at her sass, more like scoff and smile at the same time.

“I like you better when I've fucked you speechless.” He mutters and hits the joint. “Speaking of fucking you, how’s the fiance?” He asks sarcastically. He always mentions him when she comes around. After all she left Taehyung for him. BoGum.

After her family found out that she was dating a ‘poor artist that lives on the street’, they made her choose. Taehyung or to continue to be supported. Which meant to continue to spend her parents money. She come to Taehyung one day, he thought she chose him. But instead she was there to say that, even though she loved him, she can't give it up.

But that was two years ago. It was a year ago when she was forced to marry Bogum. She came running to Taehyung, not wanting to marry him. Next thing they knew, it was morning and they were both naked. The next day she found out that if she and Bogum got married then she will be the co-owner of a high end fashion line. She then knew she couldn't leave Bogum. In fact she fell in love with him, but she was still stuck on Taehyung's dick.

“He thinks I'm at the shop right now. I have a hour.” She says. Taehyung nods taking another hit and then putting the joint out.

“Alright, lets go.” He says standing up. She comes right up to him trying to connect their lips. But he tenses up and doges it.

“You know I only kiss the girl I love.” He whispers, a frown settling on his face.

“I miss your kisses Tae.” Sinsi pouts and tries again, but Taehyung just shoves her down making her laugh as he crawls on top.

Your launch was a success. You've never thought about what the outcome would really be like other than a total fail. You didn't think that two hours into the clothing drop everything would be sold out. Only so much was made, but you of course had more coming. It was only available online, but you soon hoped to have your own stores.

Rowan was currently working on planning a party for you. It was going to be tonight, and instead of thinking about what you will be wearing, you were focused on inviting Taehyung. You go to his instagram page and click on the number options. You knew that it was to make a appointment, but you were lowkey desperate. You couldn't get him out of your mind, and it was your mission to at least kiss him.

“Vante’s Tat Shop, How many I help you today?” A deep voice enters your ear. Your heart started beating really fast when you recognize who it was.

“Taehyung?” You ask, really hoping it was him.

“Um yea, do we have a appointment?” He says confused.

“Uh no actually. This is YN.” You say, “ I was wondering if you wanted to come to my party tonight. I just recently dropped a clothing line, and it did really good, so we are throwing a celebration.” You say quickly. You cross your fingers hoping he would say yes.

“Where is it?” He asks after a slight pause.

“The club two doors down from your shop. I rented it out for the night. I just posted something about it, so it should be like a normal night at the club.” You say over explaining, you were so nervous. You had mixed feelings about this whole situation. You hated the nervous feeling he gave you. You wanted to never talk to him again but yet marry the man.

“Are there free drinks?” He asks after you were done. Actually it wasn't, it was still the bars price.

“For you, sure.” You say. You quickly put the phone on speaker and text Rowan to put him on the list of VIP, which include free drinks. You then take him off and continue speaking.

“I just put you on the VIP list. Come if you want. I'm sure there will be weed as well.” You say. Your heart was beating in your ears. But you felt relief when he spoke.

“I guess it will be a surprise.” He says then he hangs up. To say you were worried was a understatement. But you take a deep breath and focus on getting ready, because you didn't want to focus on him the whole night, just for him not to show up.

You look at the time and see that you have three hours until you had to arrive. You then wondered if he knew what time it started. But then again his shop was only a few doors down, i'm sure he will know.

You quickly got into the shower and you washed your body and brushed your teeth. You got out and put your lotion on. You put on a all black bra and underwear set. Then you braid in some weave to your hair, creating two long braids. You then did your makeup, and put on your outfit.

After you finished getting ready. You take some picture in your full body mirror and you make sure they were cute before posting it to instagram. After you did, you got a text from your driver that he was out front. You quickly put some sneakers on since you were going to a club and you grab your phone and wallet and then you left.

You met up with Rowan at the back entrance. You were immediately taken to the VIP section, it looked over the whole club, giving your perfect view of the DJ, and whoever was performing.

You walked over to the balcony, watching as everyone was dancing to the music, drunk out of their mind. The DJ, did his thing, and started talking.

“And, the amazing YN YLN. Let's give her a loud cheer, congratulating her on her success!” The DJ yells and points up to you causing the crowd to erupt in cheerings, and going even crazier when they seen you. You couldn't really see everyone, but you could tell some of them have some of your clothes on. You wave back down with a huge smile on your face.

You go back into the VIP area and people one by one came up to you, congratulating you and wanting to take pictures. Most likely to post later.

“YN.” Rowan runs over to you. You quickly hug her since this was the first time seeing her tonight.

“Hey, this party is awesome, I'm happy you could get it together in such a short time.” You say looking around. She smiles.

“Yes, I know right. When i mentioned your name to the club owner, they were excited because the knew you would bring customers. There's a huge line outside still.” She says pointing towards the normal club area.

“Are you serious? It's literally packed though.” You say shocked. She laughs.

“Exactly! But anyways, they need you out there.” She says grabbing you hand and pulling you along.

You were so confused until the security guard opened the door and you seen Taehyung standing there with a irritated look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” You look between the security guard that was letting people in and Taehyung.

“I understand that Mr. Kim is on the VIP list, but his other two friends are not.” The guard says. You look back and see Soobin from the shop and other girl behind Taehyung.

“Hi YN! I'm Sinsi, i'm Taes friend.” Her hand slipping into Taehyung's didn't go unnoticed. “I'm a really big fan of yours. When Tae said he was invited to your party, I just had to come.” Her voice was filled with excitement, but you couldn't help but to cringe.

“You just had to, huh?” You ask raising a eyebrow. She looked confused. But Taehyung quickly pulled you to the side.

“Hey, she's just wanting to have a good time. I didn't think it would be a problem.” He shrugs.

“What do you mean not a problem? Do you not see the line outside of the door? The club is packed Taehyung. The VIP are my close friends and the people I work with. A place where we can enjoy ourselves, and walk around without worrying about bumping into someone we don't know. I don't know this girl. That's the problem.” You say crossing your arms.

“You barely know me.” He explains. He was getting more and more annoyed, he should’ve known not to bring Sinsi, but then again he doesn't understand the problem of one person.

“That's different, and you know that. I literally trusted you to put a tattoo of your choice on my body.” You sighed. You weren’t going to get anywhere with him acting like this. “I can get her into the actual club and she can get free drinks.” You turn to walk away, not wanting to ruin any actual chance you had with him with your loud mouth. But he grabs your arm again and pulls you back. He itched his neck and sighed once again.

“Fine, Ill tell her she can't come.” He says and walks away back to his friends. You roll your eyes and watch as Sinsi pulls Taehyung away with Soobin behind.

“Hey Soobin!” Rowan yells out. He stops and looks back. She waves him over and he smiles slightly telling Taehyung something and running up to us.

“Yes?” “Tonight, you are mine!” She giggles and she pulls him inside.

You eventually had few drinks, not really drunk, but buzzed enough to want to dance. It seemed like everyone around you had someone else. Rowan had Soobin, they were now dancing together. Your other friends had their boyfriends or just found someone period.

But you, you sat in a booth, with a glass of brown liquid. You couldn't stop thinking about Taehyung. You wished he was ugly so you wouldn't think of him. But since Sinsi couldn't come in, he wouldn't either. You weren't used to not getting someone you wanted, so now you really wanted him. He clearly knew you wanted him, and he hasn’t completely rejected you, which gave you a little hope.

“Come on, why are you sitting here upset. Let’s dance.” A voice says, your head shoots up to see a good friend.

“Where’s your boyfriend Jinnie.” You smile at him. Kim Seokjin and his boyfriend Kim Namjoon where wonderful makeup artists. They both have worked with you a couple of times.

“He’s at the bar getting us drinks. He told me to come over to get you up and dancing until someone wants to take over. You look distracted, when you shouldn’t be. Come on!” He grabs your hand and pulls you over to where the crowd of dancing bodies were. Right now, the song that was playing was quite a hype one. You both went over and started dancing. You were laughing at how Jin was dancing, it didn't match the beat at all.  You could feel the alcohol race through your body making it easier to let loose with him.

You heard another song slowly turn on as the one before slowly turned off. Jin laughs it off and he leans into you.

“Stay calm, everything will be okay.” He whispers into your ear then he backs away. You were confused to what he was talking about, until hands came up and around your waist. Your heart started to beat so fast and your hands came up to the strangers. You tried to turn around to see who it was, but his hands turned you back around. You looked down at his hands and you noticed how big and beautiful they were. You know everyone who is in the VIP area, so it wouldn't be a complete stranger, so why not just dance along.

You noticed that the song was Thirsty by Taemin. So you smirked knowing that you were going to torture whoever was behind you. Your hips started moving, you leaned your body into theirs more. They moved their hips more into yours, letting the friction increase. His right hand started getting higher and higher on your body, not bothering to just trail, but to feel every inch until he was reached your neck. You raised your right hand up and wrapped it around his neck. He wrapped his hand around your neck as his other hand pushed your lower abdomen into him as his hip came up and moved against your. He had you caged in, moving your body along with his. His hand around your neck squeezed as he got closer and closer to the side of your head. His hand helped move your head to the side, letting his lips graze your neck. You felt goosebumps raise on the back of your neck.

His left hand wrapped around your whole waist, pulling you closer. As he did, your pushed your ass harder on his, making him tense up a little. He surprises you by biting down on you neck, closer to the meeting of your collar bone. You continue swaying your hips, and pushing your butt into him. His hand tightens even more around your neck, but not actually choking you. You couldn't help but let out a slight moan, near his ear.

Suddenly his hands move and he spins you around, you look up to see who it was. Your breath caught in your throat when you see Taehyung looking down at you. His eyes were low and darker, the horrible lighting in the club not helping much.

He pulls you back into his grasp, the song going hard as it reaches the peak. Your hands wrap around his neck. You bite your lip not sure of what to say or what to think. His eye twitches a little and he looks at if he wanted to say something. But instead he leans in, tucking his head into your neck, making you sway against him. His warmth was all around you, making your body hot. His hands grabbed and kneaded at you, you hoped it meant he never wanted to let go.

You looked down a little and noticed how easily and open his neck was. You didn't know if it was the alcohol running in your body or the heat that is making you extra hot and bothered. Maybe you should’ve thought about it beforehand, but you didn't, you couldn't let this opportunity go.

Your lips latched onto his skin, the spot right between his collarbone and neck. Right where he bite you at. You sucked and nibbled at his skin, only slightly. You felt his hands tighten on your body and you could’ve sworn that you heard a little groan. But before you could confirm it, he yanked himself away.

“Congrats on your line.” He mutters and walks away, leaving you with swollen lips and confused.

Taehyung walked away from you, wanting to go to the bathroom. As soon as he was approaching the door he was pulled back and pushed against the wall.

“Yah!” Jin stood across from Taehyung with his arms crossed and a deep frown settling in his face. Taehyung rolled his eyes, already knowing what was happening.

The other day, after you left, he remembered that Seokjin, his older step brother has worked with you before. He texted him mentioning how you were interested in him. Of course he knew.

He was so used to girls throwing themselves at him, so even though you were quite subtle than most girls, he could still tell.

When you called him, inviting him to your party, Jin was standing right in front of him. Jin of course knew about it from Rowan, so when he found out that you invited Taehyung yourself, he knew that he was going to make Taehyung go. Jin wanted him to tell you congrats himself, to make you happy. He didn't expect you both to be so close.

“What? I said congratulations.” Taehyung sighs and leans against the wall.

“And when was that, when your hand was around her neck, or when you were giving each other hickies?” Jin was surprised that Taehyung even got that close to you, he's only ever had one girlfriend, to whom he was close to. But Jin stopped counted his bodies after it hit ten.

Seokjin was there for Taehyung when Sinsi family found out about how poor they both grew up. He was there when they forced them to break up, he was there when she chose money over him. He was there through everything. So when he was so close to you, someone who wasn't afraid to drop 100k a day, he was nervous. He doesn't want Taehyung to get hurt again. But then again, Jin knew you. He knew you wanted nothing but relationships and that you weren't really into hooking up unless you knew it was going to lead somewhere. He wasn't really sure how Taehyung's closed off personality will clash with your careless and free one. He isn't afraid to admit that he was afraid.

The crazy thing is that Taehyung was afraid. The whole time he was close to you, dancing with you, his heart was beating like crazy. When he hands first came around your waist and he molded himself into you, when he turned you around, when your lips touched his skin...his heart went faster, and faster. But it was when your lips touched and his skin turned into flames was when he was ticked off.

The last time lips made his skin feel the slightest bit hot was with Sinsi. So when he felt like he was standing next to a active hot volcano, just when your lips touched, it triggered him. It closed everything down. He wanted to get away. He didn't get far though, clearly.

“After.” Taehyung says, his smirk that was sitting on his face didn't help Jin much. In fact it worried him.

“Don't mess with her. You treat the girls you hook up with like trash.” Jin says seriously. Taehyung just rolled his eyes. When Seokjin spoke ‘seriously’ to him it always annoyed him. Because that's when he knows he can’t cross him, and that's just Taehyung being his respectful self, to his family.

“Why would I hook up with her, she's not my type.” Taehyung was already bored with this conversation. Only because he knew he messed up by saying that.

“OooOooOohHhhHhh.” Jins faces changed from serious to surprised and in disbelief. He was bent over laughing his ass off as Taehyung stood there, his cheeks burning a little. He put his head down as a couple of people passed by to go to the bathroom, Jin had no problem with laughing still as they passed for a more dramatic effect.

“I remember when we traveled to Europe-” Jin started to say as he calmed down, but Taehyung instantly cut him off by raising his hands up, making Jin start to laugh again. “You seen this women there. It was like you fell in love!” Jin continued.

“Shushh!” Taehyung was trying to cover his mouth up, but Jin was too fast.

“She turned you down and you tried to find her everyday until it was time to leave. You told me she was you dream girl!” Jin couldn't stop. He loved fucking with him.

“Yea?! What's your point?” Taehyung gives up and backs off.

“The point is, that women has the exact same skin tone as YN, the same body type as her. You are attracted to her, don't lie.”

“Okay? Sure i'm attracted to her, but she's a spoiled daddy's girl, and I can't deal with that.” Taehyung was getting irritated again. Now that he actually admitted it, it was weird. He felt weird, and he hated that you already made him feel like this.

“Sure her dad spoils her, but I know her dad. I had to go through him most of the time I've worked with her. He's only that way until someone comes by and takes over.” Seokjin was now leaning against the wall across from Tae.

“I still don't see what you are getting at, I can't spoil her.” Taehyung scoffs.

“Money wise maybe not. But you can spoil her in many other ways. She's not the person to show off her money, she just lives her life. I believe that her personality would be the exact same if she didn't have all of her money, her taste would just be cheaper.”

“So what are you trying to say? You want me to marry her or something?” Taehyung says standing up straight and sticking his hands in his pocket.

“No, I'm just saying that Yn isn't a bad girl. I can tell she likes you, so don't be so rough on her. Try to give her a chance? It will never hurt. You need a girl to make you soft again, I hate this hard ass Tae.” Jin jokes around chuckling making Taehyung roll his eyes once again.

“Whatever.”

___________

Don’t forget to REBLOG or HEART if you enjoyed when you read! 

[valenjuls]

Oh! I forgot one thing! I was talking to one of my readers and suddenly she said, I'm giving up on valenjuls' fic because I've had it with good fics that are updated so irregularly. I told her to be more patient. So yeah I'm not the only breaking people's hearts.

….I apologize daenrz’s reader. I have been busy with shit but I am working on it! It’ll just take a little longer than I planned and it’s not on a cliffhanger. But here’s a little thing to tide you over?

Valentina gestures for Juliana to climb into the treehouse first, hitching the tote bag filled with soda higher on her shoulder. “After you.”

“Thank you, princess,” Juliana responds, laughing when Valentina tries to swat at her butt. She climbs the ladder faster. When she gets to the landing, she kneels, ducking her head to avoid the branch that seems to be positioned with the intent of just hitting her face when she was younger. She scoots to the side to wait for Valentina to unlock the door. “Hey, watch out for the-”

“OW!” She hears Valentina behind her.

Juliana laughs, holding onto the railing on the side to keep her balance. She scoots a bit to make room as Valentina comes up next to her.

“I keep forgetting to get that trimmed,” Valentina says, rubbing her forehead.

Juliana turns to Valentina, stifling her laugh at the red mark on her forehead. “Aw the poor Princess.”

“Juliana,” Valentina says, threateningly, glaring at her. The effect was there but all Juliana could do was laugh because it wasn’t exactly threatening. It was more cute than anything. She opens the door, still on her knees.

“Never gonna get rid of that nickname,” Juliana teases as she follows Valentina into the small treehouse. She stops at the entrance, confused at the new everything in the room. “You renovated?”

Valentina plops on the small beanbag in the corner of the room. She shrugs. “Yeah, a little project. Got bored.”

‘How long did it take?“ Juliana asks. Her heart was beating unnecessarily loud, almost in fear, as she walks towards at one corner of the room.

“I don’t remember,” Valentina says. “Maybe three weeks? It was three years ago, at least.” She was unpacking the meal that Juliana bought carefully laying it out on the small, short table that was more than big enough for when they were little girls, but now they barely can put their knees underneath it.

She looks up after setting up their meal to see Juliana still at the far side of the room, inspecting part of the wall. Her face as close to it as possible, scratching one spot with her finger.

Valentina smiles, already knowing what she’s looking for. “I saved it.”

Juliana looks over her shoulder, relief clear on her face. “You did?”

Valentina nods towards by the door.

Juliana looks by the door, squinting before crawling over there. “You renovated, moved walls but you couldn’t make the roof higher?” Juliana grumbles.

“I thought college makes you tolerant of things, but all you’ve done is complain,” Valentina teases.

Juliana reaches up and takes down the wooden panel that was hanging right above the doorway. She was surprised she didn’t hit it with her forehead as she was entering the small space. Her fingers trace the words that 6-year-old Juliana had diligently and painstakingly carved with a butter knife that she snuck out from under Chivis’ nose.

Sorry, mi vida. Love, Juliana.

She carved it right after their first fight. It was something she’s heard Valentina’s father call Valentina’s mother and Chivis and Tiberio. And she really thought she It was a silly fight that only 6-year-olds can hold a grunge on. Juliana doesn’t even remember the actual reason for the fight, but she does remember that overwhelming feeling of wanting to make something right. It wasn’t unfamiliar, but the intensity of it was. She doesn’t remember when she carved it. Probably in between Valentina stomping off and Chivis calling them for dinner, less than a 3-hour span.

“I didn’t even know you knew it was there,” Juliana comments as she carefully hangs it back up. She doesn’t remember Valentina even acknowledging her well-intentioned vandalism project. She joins Valentina at the small table, carefully folding her legs to be more comfortable.She looks across from her Valentina’s, her lanky waif like figure scrunched up, knees against her chest. Juliana couldn’t stop the loud laugh from escaping her lips.

Valentina glares at her, throwing a utensil at her. “Stop laughing!” She complains, her lips trying to twitch into a smile.

“I can’t!” Juliana cries as collapses against the table, laughing harder at Valentina’s current position.

[namjoonbby1]

Betrayal

Pairing - Hoseok x Reader

Genre - Murder AU

Word Count - 2.5k

Part 5/?

Synopsis - When y/n’s husband is accused of murder she’s sure he’s innocent. But as detectives find clues that point to him as the perpetrator, will she stand for her husband or against him?

A/n - I took me forever to update this. But I finally graduated college and now I’m free to write so I am already working on the sixth part and ohmygosh guys it’s going to be crazy!

Preview Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four

Masterlist

re·al·i·za·tion

an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact.

I woke up feeling empty. I was empty and alone. I rolled over in bed to stare at the empty space there that was usually occupied by Hoseok, my husband. The man that I had single-handedly turned over to the police, the love of my life.

I looked at the empty spot thinking about Hoseok and how he was such a kind and caring person. He was so nurturing and always took care of me. He genuinely felt remorse when he had chested on me with Mina and I believed that feeling. I believed that he wouldn't ever hurt me again. I trusted in him.

Not only as my best friend and husband but also as a person. I trusted that he was a good person who showed acts of loving kindness to not only me but those around him. Now he was going to be charged with murder. Not only did he kill Mina he killed her unborn child. I couldn't believe that I had been living with such a monster.

A noticed a tear drop onto sheets of our bed and realized that I had been crying again, an action that was I was doing far too often. It just felt like my heart was being torn open again, as if I was finding out about Hoseok's infidelity for the first time.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard the doorbell ring. Assuming it was one of the detectives stopping by with more questions I hauled myself out of bed wiping the tears off of my face and slipping on a cardigan. As I made my way downstairs I noticed a women standing in the living room. She spun around as she heard my footsteps and I realized it was Krystal.

"Krystal?" I said making my way towards her. She looked so concerned for me. But as I stepped nearer to her I realized something more was wrong. She looked almost as if she had seen a ghost.

"Y/n, oh god you look awful." She said englufing me into a hug and squeezing my arms tight as she released me.

My initial reaction was to say "of course, my husband is a cheating murderer." But instead I just gave her a weak smile.

"Hoseok called Seokjin from jail. I cant not believe this is happening." She spoke.

"Neither can I." I said sitting down on the couch with Krystal following suit. "I thought I knew him Krystal. I thought he was this sweet, caring person. How could I be so wrong about someone that I'vs known for so long?" I asked.

Krystal placed a hand on my shoulder giving me a sympathetic look. "There was no way for you to know y/n. He fooled us all and he will pay for this." She said.

"That's the horrible part about this entire situation. I know I should want my husband to receive the worst possible punishment for what he did to Seokjin's family. But I can't - I don't."

"I understand how you could feel that way y/n but you have to think about the brutal crime he committed." She replied.

"I am, or I have been. Which is why I don't regret turning him in. It's just really hard for me to come to terms with what is going on. I just feel so alone Krystal."

"I know sweetie. You aren't alone you have Seokjin and I. We will always be here for you." She spoke smiling at me softly.

Seokjin. I hadn't talked to him since what happened at his house the other day. I hadn't thought of him and how he tried to warn me about Hoseok. I didn't believe him but in the end he was right, I should have listened to him. I needed to call him, to apologize on Hoseok's behalf. But I felt too ashamed to, I felt so guilty towards him. I didn't know when I'd be able to gather up the courage to call him.

"How is... he doing..." I asked and Krystal knew immediately that I was referring to Seokjin.

"He's doing as best as he can. I think he just feels relieved that he knows who is responsible for this. He's trying to do anything he can to help the detectives out as well."

"Me too, that's why when I found out about Hoseok and Mina's continued affair. I contacted the police. God poor Mina, all she wanted to do was to end things with Hoseok and she lost her life because of it."

Krystal looked at me with confusion evident by her expression. "I'm sorry did you just say she wanted to end things with him?"

"Yes that's why he killed her." I stated also confused as I thought Krystal was aware of the entire situation.

As we were speaking, Mari entered the room carrying a tray of drinks for Krystal and I. "Y/n Mina wasn't trying to end things with Hoseok, why would she do that? She was in love with him. She told me that the last time I talked to her."

Before I could reply to Krystal I felt the sensation of cold liquid pouring into lap. I jumped up immediately trying to wipe the liquid off.

"Oh my, I'm extremely sorry Mrs. Jung." Mari said as she took a towel and tried to help me clean up the mess on myself.

"Let me change briefly Krystal." I said before turning around to go upstairs and put on some dry clothes. When I came back downstairs I found the mess had been cleaned up but no sign of Mari.

"Oh, she said she wasn't feeling well and so she went home." Krystal said referring to Mari.

"Oh. Anyways what all did you know about Hoseok and Mina's relationship?" I asked desperate to get back to the conversation we had been having before we were interrupted.

"I knew that Mina was in love with Hoseok. She was devastated when Hoseok stopped the affair after they were caught. She wanted to leave my brother, to leave him and be with Hoseok but he didn't want to. He wanted to restore his relationship with you." She stated.

"What?" I said in a dumbfounded tone. Things just kept getting more outrageous and hard for me to understand. Did Seokjin know about this?"

"Yes, I thought everyone knew."

"I had no clue." I said realizing there was so much that I didn't know about this entire situation. It seemed as if everyone knew everything except for me. Krystal and I continued our conversation until she decided it was late and that it was time to leave.  Leaving me to think about everything I had learned and try to deal with it all.

The next day I received a call from jail, it was Hoseok but I refused to answer it. I wasn't ready to speak with him, to hear his voice because I was worried it would break me. I declined the call and her the doorbell ring so I went to answer it. As soon as I did a nervous looking Krystal spoke.

"Y/n there's something you need to know."

"Krystal is everything alright?" I said stepping aside to let her into the house. I lead her into the living room and we both sat down on the couch.

"Well after we talked earlier I started to think. About everything with Hoseok and..." She spoke hesitantly as if she was afraid to continue. I waiting for her to gather her words, nervousness building up inside of me. Since she had left last night something just hadn't felt right.

"I had to lie for Seokjin. He called me the night of Mina's murder. He was hysterical, he had just lost his wife and had been questioned by the police. He told me that he told the police he was with me at the time of Mina's murder, but he really wasn't."

"Krystal, are you telling me that Seokjin lied about his alibi? Why would he do that?" I asked.

"He told me that he was actually at a really important business meeting and that he wasn't allowed to discuss it at the time, he was so nervous and upset that he told the cops he was with me. But yesterday, with how weird your maid was being I began to think. And it's all started to scare me. I trusted my brother fully but now - now I'm not so sure." She spoke.

"You need to tell me everything." I said placing my hand on her shoulder to try and calm her.

"He used to meet with her, with your maid. I've seen her at his house at least twice." She spoke fear evident in her eyes.

"My maid, what does Mari have to do with any of this?" I asked now genuinely confused.

"I saw him give her a check. When I confronted him about it he said he was giving her money to help her out with her children. It was a lot of money y/n. Why would he randomly give your maid money? I wasn't sure until yesterday when she started acting strange around us. When you went to clean yourself up after she dropped your drink, she made a call. She sounded really worried and then she just left, saying that she wasn't feeling well but I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about this." She told me.

My heart dropped at her sudden confession. My world was spinning and I couldn't believe this was happening. Seokjin lying about his alibi, paying my maid for God knows what reason. This was almost too much for me to handle.

"And then I remembered that you told me your maid was the one who told you everything about Hoseok, about his relationship with Mina and how he argued with her. It's just not adding up. I think your maid is up to something. Maybe your maid was in cahoots with Hoseok,or she had something personal against Mina.

"What, she barely even knew Mina, why would she kill her?" I asked. Krystal wasn't making any sense to me at this point. She was rambling on and now I was becoming more and more confused.

"I don't know, but I think we need to -" Krystal started and as I stood up trying process everything that she was saying I felt lightheaded and before I knew it I had hit the ground.

I woke up, in a very bright room sitting up slowly I realized I was in a hospital room. I rubbed my head slightly groaning from the headache I had probably from hitting the floor as I passed out.

"You're awake." Krystal said and I turned so that I could look at her smiling softly at her, I could tell she was worried.

"Are you alright? Do I need to get your doctor. She said you hit your head pretty hard when you feel. You seemed to be under intense emotional distress, that's why you passed out."

"I'm fine just a little tired." I replied.

"Y/n, I regret saying anything about this whole situation. I didn't want to stress you out more than you already are. I was just being paranoid."

"No, don't be sorry. I appreciate your honesty. Can you do me a favor?" I said turning around to try and get out of the bed.

"Anything." She replied.

"I need you to go with me to Mari's house. I need to talk with her. I need answers, I need to be certain that I made the right decision when I called the police.

"I - I can't." She stuttered out her face going pale.

"What? Why?"

"My brother told me that in confidence. About him lying about his alibi and about him paying your maid. I can't turn against him. I couldn't possible do that y/n."

"We aren't turning against him. We are simply getting more information about murder case that involves people very close to us." I said.

"We are not the police. We shouldn't be getting involved, we need to let them do their job. I can't lose my brother's trust he's the only person I have."

"Krystal, I turned in my husband, he is going to be charged with two counts of murder in the first degree and I put him behind bars. I have to make sure that he is actually guilty. Do you not understand that?" I said begging for her sympathy.

"I understand that, I just can't help you. I'm sorry." She said standing up to leave.

I called after her but she kept walking leaving me alone. I sat back down on the hospital bed and I was alone, alone once again. With no one to turn to. All I could think about was my husband. Since I had talked to Mari there was no doubt in my mind that Hoseok was 100% guilty for the murder of Mina and her child, but now I was unsure. Why did Seokjin lie about his alibi, why was he making deals with my maid. I needed answers. I thought for a little longer before my phone started to ring.

Looking down at my phone I felt a small wave of relief wash over me. "Namjoon?" I said as I answered the phone.

"Hi Y/n, I was calling to check on you. Are you feeling any better?"

"I'm actually in the hospital right now."

"What happened are you okay?" He asked.

"I fine, I just passed out. But Namjoon, there's something I need to tell you."

I sat in the car with Namjoon outside of a house in Mari's neighborhood. I was steadying my thoughts. Trying to think of the best thing to say when we confronted Mari. I didn't want to scare her but we need to know the truth about everything.

"Are you ready?" Namjoon said looking over at me.

"Yes I'm ready." I said unbuckling my seat belt. Just as I was going to get out my phone rung and Namjoon told me to take it and that he would wait for me outside of the car. He got out and I answered the phone.

"Miss Jung? This is a pharmacist from Lee Pharmacy. I was calling you to let you know that your prescription is ready."

"Prescription?"

"Yes your doctor called in your prenatal vitamins from earlier today." She spoke.

Prenatal vitamins? Why would my doctor call in those unless. Unless I was pregnant. I had left discharged myself from the hospital before I even had a chance to speak to the doctor. A pregnancy, something I had been wanting was to have a child with Hoseok but right now was obviously the worst possible time. My stomach churned as I hung up the phone. I took a deep breath and knew I needed to handle this situation.

"Everything alright?" Namjoon asked as I got out of the car.

"Yes everything is alright. I'm ready." I said walking around the car to follow Namjoon. We walked to the front door and rang the bell, waiting for Mari to answer. She wasn't coming to the door and I was starting to get worried. I hadn't been able to contact her since the other day and she wasn't the type to not answer my calls.

Namjoon knocked louder this time and when no one answered, he started to get suspicious as well. "Something isn't right." I said pacing back in forth. I walked over to Namjoon trying to get his attention. "We need to get into that house." I said.

"Okay. Stand back." Namjoon said as he used all of his strength to break the door down. He pulled out his gun and told me to get behind him as we slowly walked into the house. As soon as we walked in the scent hit us loud and clear and we both knew exactly what is was.

"Oh my god!" I screamed looking down at the bloody body before me.

[johnblaylock]

She looks on, timid at first, afraid that she has angered John. "I've missed you baby... I'm sorry that I was gone for so long..." she whimpers. Amzy yearns to curl up next to him but stands inches away, searching in his dark eyes, bracing for a reaction.

Lost. Bewildered. Fallen and sunken further into his mattress than he had ever been capable. His once energetic, full of life, bubbly characteristics all stubbed out. Gone with the wind. Wherever that particularly bitter, winter vortex may’ve drifted, it took a part of him with it. One of the only parts he could make sense of.

Every morning, every evening, he didn’t talk much. Didn’t move until he was too incomprehendably hungry to remain there staring into the silence any longer. Being all alone in that double bed again. It reminded him of just how empty it had been. Just how empty he had been before he met her. She was one that filled with him that lust for life, that graciousness towards life itself, thankful for the chance he was given. Resilient. Able to continue with a smile on his face. He didn’t just feel as though he had began to live. To actually live. But he had thrived.

Who knows. Maybe he was being a drama queen. Maybe he had let too much of his soft underbelly show, only for it to feel as though a metaphorical sword had been shoved straight through and impaled him. But his feelings were intense. Inflamed. Alight like he’d never felt them before. He could actually feel. He didn’t have to sit there and listen to his instincts. To appease an audience. To fit in with the crowd and pretend he wanted to smile. Or that he felt pleased, or affectionate, or anything, that he could never really claim to have experienced quite like a majority of this planet had. She had waltzed into his life by pure coincidence and seemingly, already had the key to his heart, to unlocking him and exposing him. She was in so much danger, playing with fire quite literally, in enticing and entertaining a vampire’s presence but she did just that. That and beyond. John had felt for the first time, many doors open before him, rather than plenty shutting in his face. He could do anything, he could be anything, he was free when he had his Amzy.

John didn’t blame her for disappearing on him. Getting up one morning and obviously seeing some sense. He was dangerous. He could get her killed. He could’ve even been the one to take her life if they had ever found themselves in a dire situation. For a mortal mixing with an immortal, it was always going to be a rather volcanic combo. He didn’t have worry about getting roughed up, or finding himself in situations, he could be sliced in two and get up from it. Humans could hardly survive a papercut. He should’ve listened to his instincts. Where had they vacated to when he met her? He was all of sudden, spontaneous, and impulsive, and everything he had never been. Not to say it was a terrible change for John. It was a needed change. He was stuck in such a linear, and old operating system, far too many updates behind the rest of society. He needed to keep up with them. Amzy had flashed a light in his darkness truly, in all manners of the term, double edged. He had felt alive.

It had been him who had been the fool. Amzy never did anything wrong. She never once wronged him. She never once made him feel on edge. She rather had the opposite effect on him. He relaxed in her company, he had truly, thrived in her company. Maybe that’s what made it so hard to digest. He had to truly, and properly think about what had happened. He knew there was something, but he was still so new to the idea of love, to the idea of belonging and all that affection, god that affection he so basked in, the revelation that it was to him, that he had realised just how hard he fallen for her. He had realised he had been in love, he had truly experienced it, and now he had to sit there and lick his wounds, he knew that was probably meant to be otherside of the high that he’d felt at the time. He shouldn’t have pretended to himself that it would last forever, and ever. It couldn’t. She was no immortal, he’d have to live on someday anyway. It would’ve been so much harder to have spent the rest of her life with her, to only watch her go, knowing he had to continue without her.

Stood by the window, open just ajar, to let the cool breeze settle upon his skin, cigarette in hand, bottle in the other, his mind drifting to all kinds of nonsensical worlds. Anywhere that wasn’t Planet Earth. Right now he could barely stand to even look himself in the eye, look at his own reflection, he was so torn up about it all. Which is why, his reaction, to a sudden familiar voice, and turning, a familiar sight, was all too nonchalant. If he could bring himself to believe she was actually stood there, talking to him, returned, then he wouldn’t have kept his distance, or silence. He hadn’t let go, he’d just continued to try and pick up the pieces of his shattered heart. “I wish you were real…” He sighed as he looked over at what he thought, a hallucination of what he wanted to see, of what he wanted to hear, Amzy haunted him constantly, he heard her, he craved her, he wanted her back in his arms so desperately, but he had already accepted the daunting reality, that she wasn’t coming back.

The pain in his eyes, as he continued to look, but acknowledge nothing of her actual presence. His anger merged in, anger in himself really, he could never be angry at her for any of this. But the rage he felt towards himself, was beyond helping. He wanted to disintegrate in the very spot he stood. He had sunk back into the depressing crevice he came from, the one he had been so used to, before love found him. He took a strong, bitter gulp of his drink; alcohol, strong alcohol. He had almost gotten over that he thought, he had been so close to dropping that terrible habit. He had been sober. But he would sooner die if he didn’t return to the bottle, then dealing with this sober, it just wasn’t in his nature, it had been something he had always turned to when he was overwhelmed, when he could handle something, when it didn’t register quite right. Amzy had been the turning point. He had grown so much stronger, as an individual, the desire to drink leaving him, slowly but surely as time flew on between them, feeling so safe in her arms, so capable, that he kicked his habit entirely, stood on his own two feet.

“I wish I could… just.. just hold you in my arms again..” John trembled in place, stumbling a little, he was already far out of his depths, drowning in liquor, his room back to his it’s old, familar ways, and not in a good way. Bottles everywhere, scattered, debris of glass smashed, from when he had grown too angry, and incapcitated and thrown a tantrum at himself. The burnt notepads and sheets in his fireplace told the story really. “I want you back Amzy, wherever you are, I-I need you…” He whispered the last few words, it was a guilty confession, one he probably would never make to another soul, not even to her, he was so used to being a lone wolf, he had never been in a position where he depended on someone else.