#there's literally no kite kid tag

[ilikefrogsss]

"I'm just a boy with his kite."

[mulloey]

ill-fated • yunho

in some kind of cruel trick, the universe has fated you to the person who hates you most.

an ateez werewolf au.

word count: 8.7k

tags: werewolf!au, soulmate!au, alpha!yunho, omega!reader, inaccurate depiction of omegaverse as i’m not familiar with the genre. warnings under the cut

warnings: dom!yunho, sub!reader, mentions of coercion, grooming and segregation, discrimination (none of those by yunho), unequal power dynamics, mentioned punishment. MASSIVE dick!yunho, slight corruption, BITING, pet names, titles (alpha/omega. sorry). rude yunho at first. not proof read

—————

You are fucking irritating.

Yunho doesn’t know much. As an alpha since birth he was raised separately from the omegas — fragile little bunnies who could so easily have been ripped apart if he’d been having a bad day — and given very limited access to the outside world. “The people out there,” his father had told him, “could do as much damage to you as you could to them.” As such, he’d been entirely sheltered and shielded, separate from everything he could threaten or be threatened by. So no, Yunho doesn’t know much. Not about omegas, anyway. But what he does know is that you are fucking irritating.

He’s never even met you, never been given the chance, yet he knows this. He sees you from across the grounds, through the fence neither of you have ever crossed; sees your annoying face, scrunched up in a pout or a huff whenever something doesn’t go your way. He hears your whines and pleads and that irritating giggle when a weaker wolf than he gives into your antics and gives you what you want. Even from across the grounds he hears it all and he wants nothing more than to shut you up. He stays up at night picturing it — finally putting you in your place, showing you how a stupid little omega is supposed to behave. Showing you that despite the alphas you’ve encountered who bend and cater to your every whim just because you’re cute, there are some out there with a stronger will than that. There are some who’d be all too happy to set you straight, to keep you in line and teach you to behave the way your teachers clearly failed to. God, he wants to be the one to do it.

He watches you today with a scowl. You’re giggling and jeering with your friends, skipping happily around the garden with some kind of kite. How juvenile, he thinks. His lip curls at the sight. You’re only a few years younger than him; you must be in your early twenties by now — you have no reason to be so childish, so immature and… cute. He hates that word. Hates using it on you. Fuck, he could just—

“Christ, Yunho.”

He looks up, thoughts interrupted by his best friend, sitting next to him with a half-amused, half-concerned expression. “What, Mingi?” He huffs.

“Are you still watching that little omega?”

He shrugs, muttering to himself and Mingi laughs. “You are. Jesus, dude, it’s been years. Why are you so obsessed with her?”

“I’m not obsessed,” Yunho snaps far too quickly. Mingi raises an eyebrow. “I’m not obsessed,” he repeats, more slowly. “She’s just annoying. She needs to grow up. She’s so childish.”

“They’re all childish, Yunho, they’re omegas. That’s what they’re like. And yet she bothers out of all of them. That seems like obsession to me.”

“Well it’s not,” Yunho says, irritated. His gaze still follows you, now sat with your friends in a circle and listening to one of the others tell some kind of story. You watch her intently, eyebrows scrunched in concentration. You look interested, thoughtful. He scoffs, shaking his head. He hates how every single emotion shows on your face, hates how he knows exactly what’s going on in your stupid little head just by watching the way your nose scrunches and your lips twitch. He hates it. At least you’re listening well, he thinks.

“You’re kidding,” Mingi says. “You’re literally watching her right now. Fuck man, you’re practically studying her and you’re not obsessed?”

“Who’s obsessed?”

They both turn to see their friend and the heir to the pack, Hongjoong, approaching with drinks in his hands. He sits down next to Mingi, handing each of them a drink which they accept. He stares at Yunho for a second, noticing the irritated expression on his face, and locks eyes with Mingi, looking confused.

“Yunho,” Mingi explains, “is staring at that little omega again. He fucking hates her, man. It’s not healthy”

Hongjoong snorts. “It’s not hate.”

The other two whip their heads to face him, Mingi looking confused and Yunho irate. “What?” They both ask.

Hongjoong chuckles, taking a sip before he speaks. “It’s not hate,” he repeats. “It’s been what, years, right?”

“His whole life more like,” Mingi mutters. Yunho elbows him and he yelps. Hongjoong shakes his head.

“Yeah, years he’s been obsessing over how much he hates her. Do you even know her name?”

Yunho shrugs, irritated and Hongjoong laughs. “Yeah. You will one day, though. Because you don’t hate her.”

“Of course I hate her, Hongjoong!” Yunho protests, trying to keep it down so the nearby alphas don’t intercept the conversation. “She’s fucking annoying, dude. Look at her. Can you really say you don’t hate her?”

Hongjoong shares a look, knowing and exasperated, with Mingi and places a hand on Yunho’s shoulder, squeezing it gently before walking off. Yunho turns back to Mingi, confused expression on his face and Mingi sighs before speaking.

“We can’t even see her from this far, Yunho.”

—————

You’ve been noticing it for a while. Your friend was the first one to point it out; a kind, temperate beta named Alexa. “Over there,” she’d said. “By the fence. There’s an alpha that’s been staring at you for a while.”

You’d followed her gaze to see two figures on the other side of the fence, one of them staring intently over at you. The other man, almost as tall as him, seemed to be attempting some kind of conversation, but to no avail; his friend’s entire attention was set on you, on staring you down with a scowl. He looked displeased, irritated as he glared at you and it was intimidating. You felt yourself shrink slightly under his gaze, feeling small and vulnerable and almost scolded.

Put out, you’d turned back to Alexa worriedly. “Why is he doing that?”

“I don’t know,” she’d sighed. “But don’t worry. Just stay away from the fence, yeah?”

“Yeah,” you breathed. “As always.”

So you did. You stayed away from the fence — though it wasn’t a big ask as that was what the rules bid you do anyway — and pretended not to see his eyes on you, to hear the whispers from the other omegas about that alpha that keeps staring at the girl over there. It wasn’t unusual to have an alpha stare over, of course; after all, the people on each side of the fence would of course one day be matched with each other. But it was weird for an alpha to be so fixated and so… angry at one omega in particular, especially one they haven’t made a single move to approach. And it worried you. You wondered if you were doing something wrong, if there was something wrong with you that made you so unappealing to this alpha and, God forbid, may turn the other alphas off you too, when it came to the day when you’d be matched with one. And you didn’t even know what it was!

But there was nothing you could do, of course, without actually approaching the fence which would risk your life, so you ignored it, trying to enjoy your days the way you normally did. But it lingered in the back of your mind, always hovering there, bothering and worrying you. Why did he hate you so much? And why you?

You find out a few weeks later. It’s the day of the mating ceremony — to the town, the most important day of the year, and to you the most important day of your life. Because this year, among the hundreds of alphas and omegas due to be matched is you.

The procedure is simple, and you’ve rehearsed it enough at school to know it like the back of your hand; in your nicest, whitest dress, you’ll walk gracefully down to the stage, a low wooden platform surrounded by towering rows of seats. The head of the pack, some man you’ve never met and yet have spent your entire life swearing loyalty to, will select for you a mate — one of the many alphas vying for an omega, under whose control you’ll spend the rest of your life. It’s a crucial, irreversible moment; the chief’s decision is final, because he has the experience and the instincts to know who ought to be paired with who, which pairings will further the pack’s prosperity. It’s an ancient, foolproof system, so you tell yourself. No matter how many times you say it it doesn’t quite resonate.

The walk to the town hall is nerve wracking; you cling to the hand of the omega beside you, an equally nervous boy named Zhou. Knowing you’re being watched on your journey by the hundreds, even thousands of people who line the streets each year to witness it, you keep your eyes fixed on the ground, trying to focus on each slow step, each tap of your white ballet shoes against the cobbled streets. It’s eerily silent; a funeral more than a celebration.

When the town hall comes into view you feel yourself shudder; like everything on this side of the fence, it’s large and imposing and much grander than you’re used to. You shrink into yourself slightly but don’t allow yourself to stop; you have to make a good impression.

You’re guided to your seat, just above the stage and sink into it with a sigh of relief. You’re in the clear until your name is called — and that could take hours. You close your eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh air wafting through the open window near to your block of seats. It’s rich and earthy and strangely… homely. You’ve never smelled something quite like this before.

On the other side of the stage, Yunho and his friends sit slouched in the alphas section of the seats. They’re a little bored, to no one’s surprise — like many alphas they’ve been to several of these ceremonies; it’s common for an alpha to take several years to finally be matched, there’s no shame in it. Often it’s simply a matter of waiting for the right omega to come of age. And it’s not up to them, anyway — the chief is the one who knows who belongs with who.

He cranes his neck, turning to look over at Hongjoong, who stares straight ahead with a severe expression. No wonder he looks so serious, Yunho thinks; one day this ancient ceremony, and the sacred matching of everyone in this town, will be down to him. It must weigh on him. He wonders if those instincts — instincts that will make or break the future of the pack — have begun to show yet. He shrugs, slouching back. Not his problem. Craning his neck to try to get a glimpse of the blurry selection of omegas this year, he figures he has his own things to worry about.

The ceremony starts slowly and typically; an endless, droning speech by the pack leader, before the first, tense matches get underway. They seem decent this year, he has to admit; a few of the alphas he knows decently well are matched, each with their own beautiful, well-trained omega, who greets their new master with practised grace. He feels a twinge of jealousy. He’s by no means too old to be matched, and certainly isn’t the oldest alpha in the section, but he’s just a man. Just an alpha. He may not need, but he wants an omega of his own, a pretty, obedient little thing to spoil and care for and mould into the perfect life partner for him. He wants… well, he’s not sure what exactly. He can’t see past the annoying, ever-present image of you in his mind. Sneering at him, tormenting him.

When they read your name, he knows it’s you. It’s a name he’s never heard and yet when the syllables leave the announcer’s mouth, he knows who’s about to stand up before you do. He perks up, surprised to see you making your way down the stairs; he hadn’t known you were being matched this year. He should have, he supposes; from your looks and the people you hang around with he figured you’d be about 21 by now, but to actually see you, knowing you’re about to be given away, is an odd, conflicting feeling.

He watches as you bid your friends goodbye before walking slowly towards the centre of the hall. You take a brief look around at the audience, at the hundreds, even thousands of pairs of eyes on you, before your gaze reverts to the ground. You’re shy and more demure than he’s ever seen you. If only you were like this all the time, he thinks, he’d feel a little less sorry for the poor alpha who you’re about to be given to. He looks around at the other alphas, wondering who you’ll get. They all watch you intently, apparently quite enamoured by you and he scoffs. They have no idea what you’re like. They don’t know what it would take to tame you; he doubts any of them, even Hongjoong, would be up to the task. He wonders who is. He slumps back in his seat, waiting to find out.

“Omega,” the announcer says. “You are already soul-tied to an alpha in this pack.”

He sits up, more interested now, as do the rest of the audience. A soul-bond is quite rare, and he’s never seen one in person; far beyond even the pack leader’s control, it’s an ancient, mythical bonding ritual that until now, he wasn’t even entirely convinced was real. The others are surprised too; he hears whispers of who it will be, who it is that’s been destined for you from the beginning, and listens eagerly as the announcer opens a sheet of paper, bringing the microphone to her lips and reading out two short words.

“Jeong Yunho.”

He baulks. His jaw drops and he stands up indignantly, swearing he’d heard it wrong. Jeong Yunho. That’s his name. Theres no fucking way. He turns outraged to the men beside him who look entirely unsurprised. He growls, remembering what they’d told him weeks ago. Curse them. Curse them for being right.

The announcer repeats his name, waiting for him to go down to greet you and Mingi nudges him forward. “Well, Yunho,” he grins. “Looks like you’ll get to put her in her place after all.”

————

After the ceremony you’re led to another room, with a small table and couch. In it is a beta you faintly recognise, a kind and unassuming looking woman but for the fact that she’s holding a pair of handcuffs.

“Will you come willingly, omega?” She asks.

“Yes,” you say, “I will.”

Not that you have a choice — you know what happens to omegas who resist their matches; and though you knew straight away this Yunho was the man who’s been glaring at and bothering you so much, having seen him a little closer now, you figure you’re lucky to have at least gotten an attractive alpha. And you couldn’t stand the humiliation of being dragged across the grounds in handcuffs anyway.

“Good,” the woman smiles. She pockets the handcuffs, in case you change your mind, you assume, and takes your hand. “I’ll take you to your alpha, then.”

The walk to your alpha’s house is short; he lives right next to the town hall. He must be important, you think, and the size of his house certainly suggests that. You swallow thickly as you stare up at it and the woman squeezes your hand. “Nothing to worry about, omega,” she smiles. “Yunho’s a lovely young man. Just be good and obey him and you’ll have a wonderful life with him, okay?”

You nod shyly and she pinches your cheek. The skirt of the dress you’d been given for the ceremony catches on your shoes as you make your way up the stairs of his house and she reaches down to untangle it, keeping you steady and graceful as you wait by the door.

A few seconds after the doorbell rings, the large oak door creaks open, revealing the stern-looking man from earlier. As close as you’ve ever been, you grasp for the first time how tall and how handsome he really is. You blush, looking down. He bids the women goodbye, as do you, before beckoning you inside. The door slams shut behind you, making you jump a little. He studies your reaction, watching your carefully before he comes to stand in front of you.

“Omega.”

You shuffle in place, gazing intently at the ground — anywhere but at him. He shakes his head. “Look at me and greet me properly, omega,” he says, a little more sternly.

Shyly you lift your head, staring up at him with hooded eyes. They’re almost… doe-ish, he thinks. More like prey than another wolf. “Alpha,” you whisper.

He nods. “Introduce yourself.”

Shyly you start to whisper your name, but he stops you. “The surname is wrong,” he says. “It’ll be Jeong now. Omegas take the alpha’s name.”

You sigh nervously, nodding. You feel stupid to have forgotten that and he clearly already thinks that you are stupid; you want to kick yourself for proving him right so quickly. “Yes, alpha,” you whisper.

“Introduce yourself,” he repeats. “And this time get it right.”

You try it again, using his surname this name and he nods, satisfied but unsmiling. “Good,” he says. “Now, omega. I doubt you were expecting to be given in a soul-tie like that, and neither was I. But the fact remains that you are my omega now, and you will act like it. That means following the rules and standards I give. Got it?”

Unsure but hoping to please him, you agree. He stares at you as though he’s scrutinising you — which he probably is. “I understand, alpha.”

“I don’t expect you to meet my standards right away,” he continues. He speaks coolly, casually but you can tell this is serious. “You’re just an omega, after all. And I’ve been watching you for a while and I can see that even for an omega, you’re quite a brat.”

You don’t know if you’re supposed to reply — to protest or dispute him or agree with his insults, so you just stare at him, letting him continue. That seems to please him at least.

“I know you have the betas under your thumb,” he says with almost a sneer. “Even some of the alphas, too. But you won’t have me. I’ve been waiting a long time to put you in your place and by some miracle the Gods have dropped you right into my lap to do so.”

You gulp. You wonder what he’s going to do to you — you know as his God-given omega he has the right to do anything he likes, so long as you aren’t killed or ‘severely and permanently injured’. In this pack, at least, there are slightly higher standards for the conduct of alphas towards their omegas, but they’re still low. And now that you’ve been given to him, he has the right to control, care for and discipline you however he chooses.

“What are you going to do?” You whisper.

“Well, I assume you’re aware of what I can do,” he says. You nod. “But unlike some of the alphas here, I have a personal policy that I intend to stick to.”

“What’s that?”

“Other than your brand—” you gulp at the mention of the large, obvious mating mark he’s probably going to be giving you shortly “—I will never permanently mark you in any way. Not from sex, not from punishment, nothing. Understand?”

You nod, feeling relieved. You know the law and you know that, if he wanted to, he’d be perfectly entitled to cover your entire body in deep, lasting marks — so long as they don’t cause actual damage. But he doesn’t want to do that, for some reason. Maybe he’s not scary after all; although the mention of punishment, though expected, sends a small shiver down your spine.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

He hums. “As for your question…”

You tilt your head, looking confused. “About what?”

He lifts an eyebrow — surprised, apparently. “About what I’m going to do to you.”

“Oh.” You forgot you’d asked that. Stupid omega, you can almost hear him thinking.

“Yes, about that. The simple answer is, I’m going to treat you like an omega should be treated.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning I’ll take care of you,” he says. “In all ways. By looking after you, guiding you, comforting you, and of course, disciplining you when I see fit.”

His words dizzy you slightly, affecting you in more ways than one. You find yourself picturing all the ways he’ll fulfil that promise; everything he might do to you. Everything he could do. You swallow, voice thick. “Discipline me how?”

He cocks an eyebrow, unimpressed but amused. “It shouldn’t be a mystery,” he says. “There aren’t as many ways to get through to omega like you as there are of getting through to, say, a beta. You’re wired to require a more…” He tuts, shaking his head, “…hands on approach.”

Oh. Visions of him towering over you, wielding a stick or a whip or any one of the multitudes of weapons you’ve heard are frequently used on omegas, fill your head. Your heart races again, fearful and you instinctively back off a bit. He seems to know exactly what you’re thinking because he sighs, shaking his head. “I’m not going to beat you, omega,” he says.

You blink, surprised and not quite believing. “You’re not?”

“No,” he says. “Why did you think I was? Is that the only way to get through to you?”

“No,” you whisper. “I just heard…”

“Well you heard wrong,” he says, tone final. You nod demurely, no more will to argue. “I’m not some feral wolf chasing lost omegas through the forest. I have more control than that.”

“I’m sorry,” you say. He nods, jaw tense.

“Listen to me,” he continues, voice firm. “I’m never going to beat you with a stick, or whip you, or any of that.” Your eyes widen slightly; that’s exactly what you were thinking. Can he actually read your mind? You stay silent, letting him continue. “I’ll never strike you in anger, either. Now that you’re mine, you are — whether I like it or not — precious to me. I intend to take good care to keep you safe and unsullied.”

“But you will… strike me,” you say softly. You can’t say you’re surprised — or even disappointed. You ignore the way your heart speeds up slightly at the thought of him hitting you — his wide palm clapping against your skin again and again.

“If I have to,” he says. “But we’ll talk about that later.” For the first time he offers what you could almost fool yourself into thinking is a reassuring smile. “For now we have the most important part.”

Your heart starts to race at his words. You know exactly what he’s referring to — you’ve been told of this moment since childhood, both through textbooks at school and scary stories told around the campfire just on the edge of the woods that is completely off limits for omegas. The mating, they call it, is the most important moment of an omega’s life; however long you’ve been with an alpha, you’re not truly their omega until they’ve left that deep, permanent mark on you — the branding. And as scared as you still are of Yunho you know there are far worse alphas to be paired with, so as terrifying at the words mating and branding sound to you, you’re eager to get it over with — to be bonded to Yunho for life, officially claimed. You can deal with Yunho, you think, not least because he’s apparently been literally created by the Gods to be yours. You do not want to deal with the other alphas you see prowling about. This will protect you from that if nothing else.

“Okay,” you say. “I’m ready.”

He looks almost surprised at your obedience and smiles, a little wider this time. “Good,” he says. “I’m glad. I’ll take good care of you.”

You look up, still surprised that a man who’d for so long looked at you with such…vitriol, who’d looked so horrified at being matched with you, would have a single ounce of desire to be nice to you. Certainly not during the first time he takes you. “Really?” You ask.

“Yes,” he says. “A soul bond is rare and if something happens to you, I won’t get another. Plus—” he pauses, sighing like he can’t believe what he’s about to say “—if the Gods put you with me themselves, they must have seen your potential to be the kind of omega I like. So deep down, there probably is some part of you that wants to obey me. I just have to drag it out of you, I think.”

You bite your lip, shivering slightly. For some reason you kind of like that idea; the image of being forced to obey. Physically compelled to listen and revere him. “Yes, alpha.”

“Well,” he says. For once he looks a little unsure. “I guess there’s no point delaying it any further, is there?”

You swallow, understanding immediately what it is. “No, alpha.”

He nods almost grimly, tapping his foot against the wooden floor. “Alright then. We’re going to go to my bedroom now.”

You blink. “We don’t share one?”

His eyes narrow slightly, lips pursing and you instinctively bow your head. “No,” he says. “Not yet. You’ll have your own room until you earn the privilege to sleep with me.”

You nod — you’d heard that before. It’s a common practice for new mates, particularly… unwilling ones, which you suppose he is at least, as admittedly crushing as that is to think.

It’s a crucial rule, your teacher had told you; an easy and blatant mark of who is above and who is beneath. Doesn’t make it very nice to hear though.

“Follow me,” he says.

He starts to walk and, lost in your thoughts, it takes you a second to realise. By the time you scurry after him he’s already noticed and regards you with a stern, but slightly amused expression. “You’re in a daze, omega,” he says. “Try to get out of your head now. Focus on my commands. Let’s go.”

He starts to walk again and this time there’s no delay in your obedience; you start to walk beside him, matching his pace until he stops you, looking irritated. You wonder what you’ve done wrong now — or if you could ever do anything right.

“Did no one teach you about walking with your alpha?” He asks, frowning.

You shrug, shaking your head. “I don’t think so, alpha.”

He sighs. “I will, then,” he says. “When I walk you are to walk half a step behind me. Even if we’re holding hands I will not be seen to allow an omega — my omega, at that — to walk in front of me. Got that?”

You nod, flushing — you’ve never heard that rule, though it’s not entirely foreign to you. Maybe you’d been zoned out when your teacher had gone over it. It wouldn’t be surprising; but in any case you’ve been taught it now so you may as well obey it — and if it makes Yunho like you a little bit more, that’s a bonus. You shuffle behind him, careful never to quite catch up with him and he keeps a close eye on your efforts. You see him nod in satisfaction and allow yourself a small smile. You can do this — you’ve been trained for this. You’re a born and bred omega, and a well-trained one at that. You can obey your alpha with your eyes closed.

Arriving outside the tall oak door, he pauses, turning to you. He lifts a strong, large hand to cup your cheek and you feel a slight jolt when he makes contact. Based on the look on his face, you know he felt it too. He stares at you, eyes narrowed before he exhales. “Soul-tied indeed,” he mutters. “There’s no escape now, then. For either of us.”

“I’ll be good,” you say; the words leave your mouth of their own accord, almost automatically. Yunho is silent for a moment, lips parted in surprise before he chuckles slightly.

“Perhaps training you up won’t be as monumental a task as I’d thought,” he says. “You just need a firm hand, I think.”

You say nothing, unsure how to reply and by now incredibly on-edge.

“Come in.”

He opens the door to reveal his room and you bite back a noise of surprise. You figured his room would be specious, well decorated; this is another level. The only way you could describe it is lavish. Thick, embroidered drapes hang from windows that reach from floor-to-ceiling; meeting the thick, warm carpets that cover the floors. A crackling fire burns on one side of the room, next to an open door leading to a bathroom; on the other side, a king-size bed, richly decorated and surrounded by four intricately carved posters holding up a canopy. After he enters you take a step inside, slightly dazed. Having spent the past few years of your life in the omega dormitories, you’ve never seen anything like this; you’re not sure if this is just the way alphas live or if Yunho is particularly important — either way, this is overwhelming. He watches your reaction with a slight smirk. “What do you think?” He asks.

You nod, swallowing thickly. “I— it’s wonderful, alpha. I’ve never seen something like this.”

“Ah yes,” he says, nodding like he’s just realised. “You’ll have been in the omega dormitories, won’t you? This must be quite the shock.”

“Yeah,” you breathe, still staring open-mouthed around the room.

He chuckles, taking your hand again. “You have plenty of time to admire it later. For now…” He looks you up and down again — he keeps doing that, you think. It’s a little unnerving.

You nod demurely, knowing and accepting the fate on the tip of his tongue. “I’m ready.”

The low sounds of the fire is all that’s audible for a few moments before Yunho nods; as he does, shoulders tensing and untensing slightly, a foreign look crosses his eyes — a darkness; a glint. You gulp, understanding it; not necessarily recognising it consciously, but feeling it in your bones, your veins, the deepest parts of your DNA — the parts that make you an omega. His omega.

“Take off your clothes,” he says, voice dropping. “Let me see you.”

You hurry to obey, pulling off your thin shawl and shimmying out of the sleeves of your dress. At the bodice you falter; hindered slightly by the tight and complex fastenings of your corset. You huff a little, slightly vindicated; you’d told your matron this was too difficult, warmed her it may prove a problem for the alpha you were matched with but she’d slapped you, as hard as someone is legally allowed to slap an omega that’s not theirs, before fastening it tighter as some kind of petty revenge. Trying to get it undone, you look up at Yunho with pleading eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, confused.

“My corset, alpha,” you whisper.

He sighs, biting back a chuckle before rounding you to inspect the fastenings running down your back. “Oh dear,” he says. “They really packed you in there, didn’t they? I feel quite useless at this.”

“You just need to untie it,” you whisper.

He clears his throat, resting two large hands on your delicate hips — you’ve never felt as small as you do now. Even in that massive auditorium. “I can try,” he says quietly.

He sets to work and, to both of your surprise, seems to get the hang of it quickly; skilled fingers undo each fastening with careful efficiency and soon the dress falls off of you entirely, pooling at your feet and leaving you in your underwear. You feel his eyes on you, practically staring a hole through you with the intensity of his gaze. You flush, turning to face him. “Alpha…” you whisper, eyes cast downwards.

You hear him exhale — deep and relieved as if he’d been holding his breath. When you look up you see his eyes are wide, pupils dilated. “You look… exquisite, omega.”

In the dim light of his room, illuminated by the crackling fire, you see him in a way you haven’t before. He almost looks… golden. Your reservations about Yunho aside, you see now why your match with him was created by the Gods — it’s clear that when it comes to this man, everything was. There’s nothing secular about him; not a single hair or pore untouched by divinity. You gulp, stepping forward, heart pounding. “Will you kiss me, alpha?” You ask.

He doesn’t waste a second; he pounces on you quickly and without restraint, attacking your mouth with his, emanating sounds you can only describe as feral. He nips and bites at your lips, running his hands across your partially nude body with growing hunger. You moan into his mouth, breathing in and gasping slightly when his hand closes around your neck, stilling you. He backs up a bit, staring you down with eyes that are now entirely dark.

“Listen to me,” he growls. “You’re my omega and I’m going to make you a good one. You’re going to do everything I say, when I say it. Do you understand?”

You nod, dazed. “Yes, alpha.”

He releases you, sending you staggering backwards and he watches you with an amused smile. You stand still for a second, waiting for his command and he tilts his head. You try not to let your reaction show, but you know what he’s doing. He’s playing with his food.

“Come here.”

You take another hesitant step towards him. He stares deeply into your eyes for a second before a strong hand on your shoulder forces you to your knees. Your head bows instinctively and you rest your hands in your lap like you’ve been taught. From lowered eyes you look up and see him nod in satisfaction. “Very good, omega,” he smiles. “I’m pleased to see you’ve already mastered this position. It will be a familiar one for you.”

You nod, trying to sit a little more straight; with such a… distraction in front of you, staring you down, it could be easy to lose focus, so you make a conscious effort to keep the position — back straightened, head bowed and legs together. He walks a slow circle around you, inspecting your efforts. From his slight nod you guess he’s pleased with them. “Spread your legs a little,” he says softly.

“Yes, alpha.” You shift your knees ever so slightly, creating a slight gap between your legs. He watches you closely as he rounds back to face your front. Taking a step towards you he places his foot between your parted thighs — not kicking or shoving them apart any further, just sitting there, noting the gap between them.

“Good,” he says. “This is the position I want you to remember. The same one you’ve been taught but with your legs spread just enough for me to do this. Do you understand?”

You nod, swallowing thickly. He shakes his head. “Tell me you understand.”

“I understand,” you whisper. At his arched brow you add a hurried “alpha” and he smiles.

“When I tell you to get in position, I want you to do this,” he says. “When I come home from work each day, I want you waiting by the door like this. Alright?”

“Alright,” you whisper.

He stares at you for a moment, face blank but eyes focused, fixed. You’re not sure what he’s doing — examining you? Appreciating you? Planning, maybe? You shift a little, feeling awkward. “Be still,” he says. You whisper an apology and he smiles, holding out his hand.

You take it nervously, allowing him to pull you to your feet with ease. You seem to weigh nothing to him, you think. He leads you carefully to the bed, his grip strong on your hand, and pats the thick blanket folded neatly into each corner. “Come,” he commands softly.

Moving to obey, you find the bed is a little too high — makes sense, you suppose, considering it was built for an alpha. He chuckles, recognising your predicament and grabs you gently, lifting you up and carefully placing you atop the blankets. You blush. “Sorry,” you mutter.

He laughs, shaking his head. “No need to be sorry, sweetheart,” he smiles. He clicks his tongue, thoughtful. “Besides… it’s a pleasant surprise just how light you are.”

“Light?” You repeat.

He hums. “Delicate.”

You bite your lip — a little too hard, apparently, because you soon taste blood. His eyes widen slightly at the sight, flooded with hunger but you know he can control himself — you thank the Gods you’re wolves and not vampires. He clears his throat, looking a little dazed and you smile to yourself. You’re doing that.

“Lie back on the pillow,” he says. “It’s time, omega.”

Ignoring the speeding of your heart, you shuffle back, situating yourself in front of the pillow and slowly lying down. You feel yourself become a little lightheaded as you do; excited and terrified all at once. This is the moment you’ve waited for all your life. To be marked, to be claimed, to be mated. Bound forever. Closing your eyes, you try to steady your breathing — in, out, in, out, you chant to yourself over and over. As you do you feel a large, warm hand place itself gently on your shoulder. You don’t need to open his eyes to see, feel his presence inches from your face. “Keep breathing, omega,” he mutters. His voice is low, deep, alpha.

You lift a shaking hand to place it atop of his — even with your eyes closed you can tell he’s impossibly bigger than you. You nod. “I’m ready.”

It’s silent for a moment before a low, soft growl starts to fill the room. It’s barely audible — you wonder if anyone else would even hear it, or if it’s part of your connection with Yunho you’re just beginning to discover. You open your eyes, adjusting to the sight of him hovering above you. He looks unsure but focused, brimming with strength and desire he’s waiting to unleash. Waiting for what?

You reach a hand out, touching his face; it’s impossibly warm and drenched with sweat. Your voice almost gets caught in your throat but you push it out. “Take me,” you whisper. “Take me, alpha.”

It’s immediately clear that was all he needed; the moment you utter those last two fated syllables, a permission, command and plea at the same time, he pounces, diving into you to take you for his own. Your bra comes off easily, ripped off with his teeth. As they move towards your panties they graze against your skin, leaving a thin trail of blood and you can tell these are not his human teeth. No, Yunho isn’t human right now, but nor is he a wolf — he’s right in the sweet spot where he’s as dominant, controlled and calculated as he is when human, but at the same time sharp, sadistic and utterly feral. The perfect mix; the perfect place. You arch your body up off the bed, offering yourself to him, pulling yourself closer. He digs his teeth into the thin band of your panties, ripping them off and discarding them without a word before his hands grab your hips, shoving them back into the mattress. “Down,” he growls, and his voice is unlike you’ve ever heard it.

Wet, desperate kisses attack every inch of your now entirely bare skin, peppering the light, superficial bites he leaves; enough to hurt and enough to bleed but not enough to count. Not enough to brand you. No, that bite is special, anticipated, sacred — he can’t do it yet. You both know it and he holds himself back with the knowledge.

“Spread your legs,” he orders. “Nice and wide for me.”

Your breath hitches, catching in your throat. Slowly you start to part your legs, dragging them apart nervously. You’re nervous, hesitant; he still hasn’t seen your pussy yet, your most intimate and sacred area that he’s shortly going to claim in its entirety.

You’re terrified; terrified he won’t like it, he’ll think it’s ugly, he’ll think it’s not as good as the omegas he’s fucked before. You know that’s not true, realistically; mated by the gods, he’s wired to want you, need you in every way, every part of you. But no one’s ever seen you like that before — seen you there.

Yunho snarls, not fooled by your efforts to delay it. “Too slow,” he says. He grabs your legs, yanking them apart painfully and you yelp, slipping backwards again.

“Yunho…” you start — then stop. When you look up, Yunho is staring directly at your heat, eyes wide and ablaze, practically salivating. A low growl emanates from his throat, making your hairs stand on end. You shiver.

“Baby,” he says. “You’re perfect. I’m gonna fuck you so hard.”

A whine slips from your mouth, nervous and aroused and he shushes you. “You’ll be fine,” he whispers.

He sits back up, eyes growing dark by the minute as he hurriedly stands, allowing him to remove his pants and underwear. When he gets to the thin white dress shirt, fastened with what, in this daze of need, seems to be hundreds of buttons, he seems to grow impatient — with a low growl he easily rips it open, buttons flying everywhere. He hurriedly discards it, leaving him nude and allowing you to see him fully for the first time. You bite back a moan — he’s beautiful. Every inch of his torso is toned and perfected, skin glistening with sweat; strong, muscular thighs support his weight and as he walks back towards the bed, you see the thick muscles tensing and untensing in his arms. But that’s not where your eyes are drawn; it’s a beautiful sight, but you’re still an omega — a hungry, desperate omega at that, so your gaze is fixed a little lower. His dick is long and impossibly thick, pulsating with desire and already leaking slightly from the angry red tip. It looks painful. Delicious. You inhale sharply, willing it towards you. “Yunho…”

“I’m here,” he mutters, he clambers back onto the bed, hovering on top of you and this time wastes little time. Holding his shaft in his hand, he pumps it once, twice, getting it ready. His eyes are fixed on your entrance, entirely black and you know if this wasn’t your alpha, the one bound to protect and care for you, you’d be utterly terrified. He’s massive and powerful and dwarfs you in every way. He could rip you apart.

“I’m scared,” you whisper. It slips out without your permission but he doesn’t mind. He squeezes your thigh, comforting and possessive.

“I know.” He lines his dick up to your entrance, teasing it with the tip and you jump. You’ve never been touched there before. Not even by yourself. He chuckles, reaching to stroke your hair. “Keep breathing,” he says. “Focus on my voice.”

When he finally pushes in, you feel the true scale of his size for the first time. It forces and stretches you open and you feel like you’re going to burst, come undone at the seams or collapse into yourself entirely. But the same stretch, the same burning feeling is insanely, viscerally pleasurable. It’s unlike anything you’ve felt before, anything you’ve dreamed of — or feared. It’s new and divine and just feels… right. He really was made for you.

He’s taking it slow, you can tell; you feel the way he’s holding himself back, forcing himself to be gentle, and you know that’s probably as painful for him as for you. You see the way his limbs shake as he pushes in, struggling to hold themselves back from pinning you down and splitting you open me you bite your lip. “You can move now,” you say softly, invitingly.

He looks at you quizzically for a moment, brows furrowed, before his lips bloom into an amused, knowing smile. “Omega,” he chuckles. “I’m only halfway in.”

You can’t help it; your jaw drops, falling open in shock. That can’t be right. He can’t be— oh. You look down, seeing the truth of his words. He’s halfway inside and you already feel like this. What the fuck will it feel like when he’s actually, properly in?

You soft whine sounds from the bottom of your throat, a million emotions behind it; fear, desperation, a visceral arousal. “Keep going,” you urge, though half of your brain is screaming at you not to.

Something flashes across his eyes and he shakes his head, squeezing your thigh again a little more harshly. “I’ll decide, omega,” he says. You nod, muttering an apology and he groans. “Fuck, omega. I swear I’m gonna teach you some fuckin’ manners.”

“Alpha—”

“No, not now,” he chuckles, knowing what you were going to ask. “I have a long, long time to do that. But stop trying to tell me what to do. I can control myself but not if you provoke me.”

You gulp, nodding dizzily and lying back. You don’t want to provoke him — not now, anyway. There are other, less dangerous times to piss Yunho off than when he’s about to brand you. He chuckles, pressing a kiss to your lower stomach; it tickles, and you can’t help the giggle that slips out. “Cute,” he says. “I’m gonna get this all the way in now, baby. Hold my hand.”

You hear your heart pounding as he grabs your hand, lacing his fingers through yours. He gives it a comforting, immobilising squeeze before he finally pushes himself in fully. Having already been halfway in, you’d gotten used to the pain, but you can’t help the scream that comes out. Yunho is unreal. Without even moving he’s pressed up hard against your cervix, pushing the limits of what you can take, how far your walls can stretch before breaking. You know it’s close; a wrong or sloppy movement on either of your parts could seriously cut or damage you, and the adrenaline is dizzying. And yet like this — in Yunho’s hold, holding his hand, under his care — you’ve never felt so safe. So secure. So destined.

You’ve known you were an omega since you knew what an omega was — you’d presented as a baby, and spent every moment since then being told and reminded of what you are, what you were bound to be. But you admit there’s been times, moments where you’ve wondered; wondered if this is all you were meant for, wondered if you really had a mate out there — if you even wanted one.

Now though, as Yunho slowly starts to move, stretching and pushing you to the limit yet at the same time producing feelings and sensations you didn’t know were possible; as he moves in and out of you perfectly at ease, as if you were made and moulded for him, the doubt is gone. It’s real. It’s true. You’re the perfect omega, his omega, and you were made for Yunho as much as he was made for you.

Tears prickle at the corners of your eyes, pained by the stretch as much as pleasured. Yunho, now speeding up to almost a rut, coos at you, kissing your tears as they slide down your cheeks. “Good girl,” he breathes. “Fuck, you’re taking me so well. No one’s ever taken me like this.”

You groan, mouth wide open and he roughly presses his lips to yours, effectively silencing you; now each sound you make goes directly into him, each scream released against his lips, into his mouth. You can’t think of any way you could possibly be closer to him. Except…

“It’s almost time,” he grunts. By now his thrusts are hard and relentless, lifting your body from the bed and slamming it back down with ruthless proficiency. You’re on a high; impossibly stretched and unbelievably pleasured, and so is he. He lifts himself up, detaching his mouth from yours and you watch his eyes fix on your bare shoulder. Fear trickles into you, diluted by the mountain of emotions and sensations surrounding it. He’s going to do it now. He’s going to mark you and you’re going to be his. Forever.

“Tell me I can brand you, omega,” he says. “Tell me I can or I won’t be able to do it.”

“You can brand me,” you gasp. “Please, alpha. Make me yours. Mark me.”

He opens his mouth and you see his sharp canines more prominent than ever. He moves to take each of your hands in his, holding you down before he dives in, sinking his teeth into your supple, delicate flesh.

The pain is… unexpected. It hurts, undeniably so, but not in the way you’d expected. It doesn’t feel like you’re being bitten, not exactly; it’s a dull yet piercing pain that perforates and warms you at the same time. It’s not pleasurable or pleasant in any way; it’s just natural. Safe. It almost feels like home.

You close your eyes, riding it out; Yunho keeps fucking you through it, which certainly makes it easier, even as his grip on your delicate wrist turns almost bruising. You’re not sure how long he’s biting you for, how long you stay like this; seconds or minutes baby, but you know better than to interrupt him. This is a delicate, ancient process that he knows more about than you do. You just have to take it.

He comes up eventually, eyes wild with desire and blood coating his lips — your blood. You know he’s close to wolf now; he’s only refraining from transforming because he’s still inside you, still fucking you and mating you for the first time. He keeps going, strangled, feral sounds accompanying every rough movement until he comes with a yell, unloading in you, but you’re so dizzy from the bite, from the feeling of blood trickling down your shoulder, that you barely notice until he pulls out, gathering you into his arms. He runs a finger across the mark in your shoulder, inspecting the wound. It’s already healing slightly. The scar will be beautiful.

“My baby,” he mutters. “My mate. Thank you.”

“Yunho,” you whisper. Your voice is hoarse, throat scratchy and painful from the screams and cries you’d let out as he fuck you and he notices, shushing you softly.

“Don’t try to talk yet,” he says, chuckling slightly. “I have a loud one, don’t I?”

You flush, bowing your head. “Sorry.”

“Baby, no,” he laughs. “It’s a good thing. The best, actually. Makes me feel good.”

It’s silent for a moment; a warm and comfortable silence, before you speak. “I didn’t think we’d be bonded,” you admit. “I thought you hated me.”

He hums, thinking for a moment. His hand runs up and down your back in soothing motions as he holds you. “I thought so too,” he says. “But I can see now that I… could never have hated you. Soul ties are just misunderstood. They’re so rare that not much is known about them and they’re not taught, so I… I felt that powerful feeling for you and mistook it for hate.”

“So it wasn’t hate,” you say.

“Of course it wasn’t,” he chuckles. “You’re my omega. Not just because the pack leader said so or anything, but because the Gods said so. That’s everything. And as much as I might want to set you straight a bit—” he pauses, tapping a finger against your cheek lightly, “—and believe me, I will set you straight. The feeling I felt wasn’t love. It was need.”

You nod, humming in content. Your eyes close for a second, heavy with exhaustion from your exertions before they open again. “Shouldn’t I go back to my room now?”

He hesitates, thinking. He’d been the one to insist on that rule earlier, but now… “According to the rules you should,” he says. He pauses, pondering for a moment and sighs, shaking his head like he can’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. “But I want you to stay. Will you stay?”

You smile, nuzzling into his chest happily. He runs a hand through your hair, damp with sweat. You hear the steady beat of his heart and feel the rise and fall of his chest, lifting you up and setting you down with each breath.

“Yes, Yunho,” you whisper. “I’ll stay.”

—————

thank you for reading! again, this isn’t proof read so please forgive errors. i’ve also never written werewolf/omegaverse fics so forgive me if there’s inaccuracies. please reblog and comment if you enjoyed. requests are OPEN. love🖤🖤🖤

[kindred-spirit-93]

spooky stuff

howdy yall im back on my bs (biscuit soliloquy) and idk what im doing with my life any more. bold of me to assume that i ever did. in other news:

my latest hyperfixation so to speak is watching daz play through horror games lol i have no idea why its so entertaining but it is. the jumpscares be jumpscaring and i dont have to do any of the work to play so its a win win!

im currently sick to my stomach after watching one lol buuuuuuut i also have a new short story idea hehe!! is more comedic, and honestly seems to me more doable than the falcon & flower.

f&f really deserves better writing lol and ive been thinking how to make it a sensible length without cutting out too much lore that it gets watered down, but at the same time i cant afford the time or braincells to mentally write and im kinda stuck. so idk maybe ill work on chapters that eventually lead somehwere? ill get back to it as soon as my latest batch of braincells hatch 👍

--

til then lol this new idea is still halfbaked but it made me laugh so here yall go: broke uni student moves to be closer to campus. finds super cheap place to rent and its literally the perfect fit. knowing her luck all too well mc goes and checks the place out, bc surely theres something amiss.

nope! everything as far as her untrained eye can tell is normal and accurate to the advertising, its just that someone died there and lots of people werent comfortable with that. and its no problem for her so she takes it.

after a lil housewarming party consisting of her and her parents lol, some thrifted furniture and an unholy amount of rugs and blankets, mc begins to settle in and all that jazz. her marks are going up, shes sleeping better, its all great. until it isnt

weird stuff keep happening around the property and shes like oh. okay? and moves on. (unbothered queen. we stan)

quick detour; idk how well id be able to write considering this may be my first project, but it would be hilarious i think if shit got progressively weirder and more insane and shes like: *sips apple juice* welp. ive got a quiz tomorrow aint got time for this. or eh that kid had it coming or better yet: is that kite just suspended there? oh would you look at that it caught fire in mid air. cool. i honestly dont know which is funnier

boom the house is haunted. something, or rather someone, has been leaving her signs in the bathroom using the soap, moving around the plates and cutlery, ruining perfectly good upholstery (THAT WAS 73% OFF). its a huge invasion of her privacy and shes having none of it. also she doesnt believe in paranormal nonsense. this is more of an inconvenience to her than anything else. she yells at whatever the fuck is in her walls to show themselves before she contacts HOA >:(

with a pop a very pissed off ghost materialises muttering something about no need for escalations and that bitch gwennifer. she makes the ghost clean up the stuff they knocked over and what have u. and then shenanigans ensue i guess lol

--

this whole story started with me coming up with a scene where mc makes like direct eye contact with the ghost and plays ayat al kursi. it was significantly funnier in my head but the mental image stuck.

also just for kicks she throws (half assedly) some zamzam water at the ghost and it goes right through them. guys do you see my vision?

--

"i am here to make your life a living hell.

so not halal mode

one to match the gruesome horrors that lead to my demise...

brotha eugh

...so that my soul can finally be laid t- are you even listening to me??"

authubillah we have seen the evidence

"??????"

--

memes for the soul. ill get back to this maybe perhaps one day. goodnight its one am lol and i have a long day ahead of me tmrw :')

the post from the tags lol >:]

[rottenpumpkin13]

What does the gang get up to when they take a vacation to Costa del Sol?

AT THE HOTEL

_They arrive pretty late at night. Zack and Cloud want to room together. Cloud, who's never been to the beach before, tags along on Zack's insistence.

_Angeal does not under any circumstance want Sephiroth and Genesis in the same room together. "Genesis will set the hotel on fire and Sephiroth will smother Genesis to death in his sleep." Sephiroth and Genesis want to share a room because they want to prove that they're both mature and responsible.

_With enough begging and insistence, Angeal concedes. Maybe this time he'll get some peace and quiet in his own room. Sadly it takes -20 minutes for him to be dragged out of his room by screams, the sound of something breaking and the fire alarm going off.

_Zack and Cloud took their room service cart on a joyride around the hallway and it crashed into another guest. Sephiroth and Genesis got into a row over who gets a specific bed. It resulted in Genesis being petty and setting the bed on fire, to which Sephiroth responded by throwing Genesis off of the hotel balcony.

_Angeal goes on a "THAT'S IT! FUN'S OVER!" rant, forces Sephiroth and Cloud to trade roommates and finishes with "IF I HEAR ANOTHER PEEP OUT OF YOU FOUR WE'RE GOING HOME."

BY THE POOL

_The trio + Cloud have to manhandle Zack, pin him down and apply sunscreen on him after he refuses—"I'm not a little kid! I don't need sunscreen!"

_Then Angeal and Zack have a pool noodle battle by the poolside. Genesis lounges in the shade with a book, then proceeds to flirt with the nearest pretty thing in sight. Sephiroth teaches Cloud how to swim better.

_They find out Sephiroth's never played marco polo before so they do that afterwards :)

AT THE BEACH

_Zack buys a treasure map at the gift shop after Genesis convinces him it's legitimate (Angeal lectures him for an hour after it). Him and Cloud disappear on a treasure hunt.

_Sephiroth has never built a sandcastle as a child :( so Angeal and Genesis build one with him and end up playing in the sand and flying a kite :)

_This is of course BEFORE Sephiroth and Genesis decide to go surfing, which Angeal is opposed to because "NEITHER OF YOU HAVE EVER TOUCHED A SURF BOARD BEFORE. YOU'RE GOING TO DROWN."

_Sephiroth insists that it can't be anything too difficult for him *side eyes Genesis* and this results in him and Genesis having a surfing competition.

_It doesn't go well. They can't surf. Angeal has to swim out and grab the two before they're washed away by a wave, all while Genesis and Sephiroth squabble because "Sephiroth kept getting in my way!" and "Genesis is immature."

_Zack and Cloud appear two hours later with a shady duffle bag full of gil—"We found the treasure!" Cloud is literally shaking in fear.

_The Turks show up because a federal investigation in launched on the mysterious duffle bag. Apparently it's money stolen from ShinRa. Tseng in particular wants to know "HOW are YOU *points at Zack* involved in THIS???"

[merinsedai]

For @dreamlingbingo

(also, for @zigzag-wanderer I intended to post this for your birthday but I ran a leeetle bit late (unless I had a fever dream and your bday is actually in March, in which case, it's a bit early)

Square/Prompt: C2 You've Got to be Kidding me (replacing BDSM)

Title: The Rooftops of London

Rating: T

Ship(s): Dream of the Endless/Hob Gadling

Warnings: n/a

Additional Tags: Second Chance, Mary Poppins AU, yes you read that correctly, Dream is Mary Poppins, Hob is Bert, Dream of the Endless | Morpheus is Good with Kids, popping in and out of paintings, teaparties on the ceiling, Developing Relationships, potential flying of kites, Will Roderick Burgess be redeemed? Is it possible? Who knows, read on and find out, fat pigeons

Summary: In 2025, Dream awaits Death as the Kindly Ones ravage the Dreaming.

In 1910, two young boys send out an advertisement for their perfect nanny.

or, the tale of Dream attempting to Mary Poppins his way out of his 20th century nightmare

Link, if full work is posted elsewhere: Read on AO3 here:

Chapter 1: The Letter

Chapter Text

The Dreaming is dying and so is he. 

Alone, and dying, and feeling the death of all his creations, Dream of the Endless waits.

He waits for his sister.

He has been waiting a long time, in truth. Preparing, though he had not let himself think that, for this ending. He is so tired: worn thin and scraped bare. He has neither the energy nor the will to keep going. It has been a life of many regrets, many mistakes. A few put right; some left to fester; the most important rectified, perhaps, at last. Though it is far too little and far too late. A reckoning is due. 

He stands on the edge of a precipice- one both metaphorical and literal- whilst the Dreaming shrieks its agony around him. The wind howls, the earth trembles and the lightning lays further devastation upon his lands. Fire and thunder, doom and destruction, and no relief. Not yet. 

He stares into the chaos, alone, and waits. 

There is a shift in the air, and Dream tenses briefly then relaxes. She is here and he does not fear her. It is The End.

“Brother Dream,” the voice is unexpected, the words spoken not in the warm tones of Death but with the calm assurance of Destiny. Dream wheels around to face his eldest sibling, who stands implacable and inscrutable before him, somehow untouched by the  torment of the Dreaming.

“Destiny,” Dream says. “I did not look for your coming.”

“You await Death,” Destiny pronounces, folding both hands over the great book held to his chest. “And she nears. You think you are ready to go with her, but you are not.”

Dream makes a disbelieving sound in his throat. His brother is mistaken in this. Dream is ready to take his sister’s hand, to finally rest .

 “Events are moving apace.” Destiny continues. “You know this; you set the pieces in motion yourself. Though I fear that events have outpaced even your design, and you face your end prematurely. The Dreaming is destabilising and your successor is not ready. He is not yet equal to the task of safeguarding the future of this realm. To allow this to play out as you now intend could invite doom upon us all.” 

This arrests Dream. “Could?” he says sharply. This is unusual. Destiny is not prone to ambiguity when he speaks; he is always unequivocal in his pronouncements. “You are not certain?”

“The future is in flux,”Destiny replies mildly.  “It may be that the child, Daniel Hall will survive the transfer of power, emerging complete as the new Dream of the Endless and all will continue as it should. Or it may destroy him and the consequences of that even I cannot see. The first outcome is the more likely by far but,” he fixes Dream with his all-seeing sightless gaze. “It is not certain, brother. Disaster may prevail.  Therefore I am here to offer you a choice.” He holds up a hand, and around them everything stops. The sudden silence is ringing and Dream draws a reflexive breath. Time is not Destiny’s domain: there is a more powerful force even than he at work here.

“A choice,” he says flatly. Not a question.

“A choice,” Destiny confirms. “A chance, if you wish to take it.”  He opens his great book and withdraws from it a piece of paper- crumpled and torn and singed at the edges, as if it had been balled in anger then rescued from a fiery fate- which he hands wordlessly to Dream.

Nonplussed, Dream takes the sheet and scans the first few lines of writing. It appears to be a handwritten advertisement for- a nanny ? Written in the overly neat hand of a school child trying their hardest to to show off perfect penmanship. 

Wanted: a nanny for a well-behaved and adorable young boy, located in London. 

Must be kind and cheery ( here ‘ have rosy cheeks’ has been added in a much younger and messier hand)  and enjoy playing all sorts of games…-

Dream looks up, utterly bewildered. “I do not understand. What is this?”

Destiny taps his fingers upon the open page of his book. His gaze flicks down, briefly, before returning to Dream. “In 1910,” he intones. “Two young boys were living in London with their widowed father. The father was cold and distant. He loved his sons but grief was setting him on a path to darkness. The sons loved their father but they could not reach him, not on their own. The gulf was too wide and they had no one to help them bridge it. This letter,” he indicates the paper clutched in Dream’s hand still. “Should have been received by someone who could have helped. Who could have changed the course of this small family’s history…

“But the letter was burned. It never found its intended recipient. The position was filled by one heartless, distant nanny after another. None stayed and none cared for their charges as a caregiver should. Resentment reigned in that house.The boys grew stunted, the father more aloof, more prideful. The eldest always striving to meet standards too exacting, the youngest never outgrowing his fear of a father who deemed him beneath his notice. Never nurtured, never cherished, never knowing the magic of existence or the spark of imagination.”

“Such is the fate of many,” Dream says dismissively. “Humans live and die in misery and joy. Why do you tell me this?”

“Read the letter, Dream,” Destiny gives a non-answer in reply.

Dream narrows his eyes but does as bid, scanning the letter quickly. It is a list of qualities and duties requested and required of an Edwardian nanny. Quite banal and clearly written by someone with an idealised and naive view of what being a perfect caregiver entails. It is nothing special, countless children had letters just like this-unwritten, unread, but dreamed up just the same- in his library. Why is Destiny wasting his time with this…?

Dream flips the paper and almost drops it. 

Yours sincerely, 

Randall and Alexander Burgess.

He had thought himself past anger, but seeing those names here at the time of his death, sends heatwaves of rage flaring through him, burning the apathy from his veins.

“What is the meaning of this?” he demands, hand clenching tightly around the paper, crumpling it even more, though it does not tear. 

“It is as you see. An invitation from Randall and Alexander Burgess, for someone ‘wonderful’ to join their household and care for them. To inspire joy, creativity and love in them.” 

“Randall Burgess has lain dead a century or more,” Dream snarls. “And Alexander, ” he spits that name with all the contempt and hatred within him, “is yet within my grasp, paying penance for his crimes against me-”

“In 1910,” Destiny interrupts before Dream can get up a head of steam. “All that yet lies before them. They are children of 12 and 5 years of age, and their futures are not yet fixed. That letter could be a turning point: for them, for their father and for you. Perhaps for the entire universe.”

Though he does not need to, Dream finds he is taking deep ragged breaths while his mind spins. “How so?” he grits out.

“There is another way. Another path you may seek. If you choose to. Take my hand and try again. Return to 1910 and answer their call.”

Dream stares at his brother in disbelief. “And what? Play nursemaid to the Burgess boys?” he sneers, incredulity overcoming his anger momentarily. “You jest, surely?”

“In all our long history, when have you ever known me to make a joke?” Destiny replies, placid yet implacable. His gaze does not waver under the intensity of Dream’s stare and he snaps the book shut, holding it once again to his chest. 

Dream spins away, stalking back to the very edge of the precipice and glaring out at his decimated realm before swinging back around. He paces the ledge, fingers twitching with a nervous energy he cannot dispel. Destiny watches in silence. 

“And you believe me capable of such a thing? That I can put aside the century of torture and torment for the sake of what? ‘Making merry’ with my captors? For you are sorely mistaken in your estimation of my capacity for forgiveness if so. I will not countenance such a course.”

“Not even for your own salvation?”

“Roderick Burgess-,” Dream is unhearing as he continues his pacing, briefly lost in his own head as his mind conjures up memories of his time as a prisoner beneath Fawney Rig. Memories he had long thought suppressed. “That talentless pretender, that egoist knave… he escaped my justice once and now you wish me to face him again and not seek vengeance ?” he seethes.  “And his son …Alexander Burgess is a coward and a wretch. He murdered my raven, kept me powerless and caged out of fear for his own miserable existence. Not a care for damage he was wreaking upon the world, upon my realm . Ten thousand years of their suffering would not be enough to rid me of my enmity towards them. And you ask me to care for them? I cannot do such a thing. I. Will. Not.”

“Even though Alexander will be but a child? And not yet the man who will commit these crimes against you?” Destiny presses, ever calm.  “Indeed, with your guidance, he may never be. It is within you to turn them all down different paths.”

Dream scoffs at that, shaking his head. “I am not minded to be forgiving, and I am tired,” he says quietly as he comes to a halt before his brother. “You- or is it our father holding the puppet’s strings?- no matter… you may send me back to 1910, but know that this ridiculous plan of yours will not work. I will not look upon these mortals with kindness, I would not consider this… ‘proposition’ of theirs acceptable. Even if I did, even if I convinced myself to try , for the sake of the Dreaming, I cannot change the course of a man already so corrupted, or find it within me to show love for his progeny. All will end in disaster.”

“That may be,” Destiny says, inclining his head slightly. “Perhaps nothing will change. Perhaps you will fail. Perhaps all will play out again just as it did this time and you will return to meet your end here. But before you make your decision, Dream, know this: If you return to 1910, it will be without your memories of the past century. You will know these humans without prejudice and you will remember none of what has since come to pass: your capture, your realm’s decay, the death of your son. You will return to your past with only the certainty that this” he indicates the letter still crumpled in Dream’s fist.  “Is something you must attend to.” 

Dream is silent. He looks down at the letter and smooths it over, rereading the words again: …. interesting outings required daily, in addition to the supply of sweets…. Bedtime stories each night (and no castor oil!).... Do not be cross or cruel… Do not scold or dominate….- such simple but telling wants. He starts when Destiny speaks again, quiet and oddly gentle.

“I would also have you know this: there is not a one amongst us who would truly wish you gone from us, Dream. Myself least of all… Now” his voice firms back up. “There is no more time. She comes.”

And with another lifting of Destiny’s hand, the tumult returns and with it, Death.

In a flutter of wings, she appears beside Destiny, casting her sibling a curious look before looking to Dream with her warm smile and understanding eyes.

“Heya, little brother,” she says quietly. “Whatcha doing up here?”

They stand side by side, both impervious to the fury raging around them, his unknowable brother and his compassionate sister. Truly, Dream longs for her warm embrace and the peace of the sunless lands, but a chance to truly spare the Dreaming-and himself- from the horrors of the past century, and the threat of its complete destruction… his gaze slides between them.

Two siblings. 

Two hands. 

Two choices. 

He is so tired…

“I am making a choice, dear sister” he says, finally, in answer to her question..

And he reaches out, and grasps.

[gretelfrei]

YTTD X OMORI (CANNA) AU

putting stuff under cut cause it's a bit long !

OKAY SO SOME CONTEXT so you actually know what im going on about

the au is basically just me shoving yttd characters into the storyline of omori if you don't remember

the main characters are as follows:

kanna = sunny/omori

shin = basil

kugie = mari

ryoko = hero

joe = kel

sara = aubrey

and some things to note: ryoko and kugie were dating, the same as hero and mari. ryoko and joe are not siblings in this au!!! because. that feels icky considering they literally date in yttd. they just share a close friendship instead. also shin is still an adult in this au so.... go away weirdos please.

the official name for this au is canna (i think... LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS) because it's like kanna obviously but it's a flower, and flowers will be a main theme in this au (she is a human flower after all.... :)) but i'll also refer to it as kanna goes outside which i have affectionately dubbed it also :3

some more characters (ive posted some of these before. might reblog them or retag them so they're together with this post) :

REAL WORLD

dummies(-mai) = the hooligans

HEADSPACE

pluto = alice

captain spaceboy = reko

sweetheart = mai

king crawler = teki (THIS SOUNDS SO UNHINGED BUT TRUST ME IT'LL WORK)

rococo = nao

mr jawsum = meister (midori is involved here too)

slime girls = miley, safalin and ranger

humphrey = IDK i was thinking mew chan OR not a penguin but still kinda undecided

roboheart = think maple 2.0

mutantheart = maple but with an EXCESSIVE amount of syrup

perfectheart = maple

unbread twins = kai and sei (still a bit unsure here but i think it could work)

kite kid = gin (his kite is mew-chan but a kite)

I THINK that's all if not most of the character i have sorted so far. SO YEAH that'll give some further context for my ramblings and this au if you're interested. I'll be tagging it with "kanna goes outside" for now

[yes-i-am-happyaspie]

peter finds a monkey loose in queens and brings it to tony just as the news starts talking about the missing monkey (loosely inspired by that situation with the dallas zoo a bit ago!)

Excellent prompt, my friend. This mini turned out to be completely chaotic and I love that for all of us. Haha

This one is also cutting it close to the 1k limit at 971 words.

[Side note: Thank you to everyone who has sent prompts in. I have at least two more I plan to write over the next couple of days, so be sure to check out the tag #happyaspie mini fic. For those who are new, all mini fics are eventually added AO3 but they are always posted here first!]

Literal Monkey Business

As Peter was zipping through the city, a sight that wasn’t terribly unusual caught his eye. At the edge of Central Park, below a vast tree, was a child standing on his toes with his arms stretched upward. As he swooped toward the ground, he wondered if he’d be saving a stranded cat or kite.

“Hey, kiddo,” he greeted, then happily narrowed the eyes of the spider-man mask. “What up?”

“A monkey,” the little boy giggled while trying to grab the lower branches. “There’s a monkey up there!”

Peter canted his head to the side and gave the child a contemplative look. He appeared to be no older than six with his brightly colored school bag. He wondered if the boy was simply playing; something to entertain himself on his way home from school. Although the kid was being rather persistent for an innocent game of pretend.

Cautiously, he looked through the leaves, and sure enough, sat right at the top of the tree was a decent-sized light grayish-brown monkey. “There really is a monkey,” he mused aloud. “I wonder where it came from.”

“Can you catch him?” the boy pleaded. “Please, Spider-man? I want to take him home with me!”

Peter took a deep breath and swayed his head. “I’ll catch him,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to take him home. He’s not a pet. I need to figure out where he belongs, so he can go back to his family, okay?”

“You’ll take him back to his family?” The boy asked.

“That’s what would be best for him,” Peter said, then looked down an adjacent street lined with colorful rowhouses. “And you too. I bet there’s someone waiting for you at home.”

“Yeah,” the child sighed, Then with a small wave, he ran toward the sidewalk shouting, “Bye Spider-Man!” as he went.

Satisfied that the kid was back on track to get home, Peter focused on the animal that was eyeing warily from above. He wasn’t exactly sure how he was supposed to go about catching him. Literal monkey business simply wasn’t in his usual repertoire.

“Hi there, Mr. Monkey,” he whispered as he began ascending the tree. “Wanna home? I can help you.”

However, the monkey didn’t seem to understand or care about his intentions. The moment Peter was within arms reach the creature squeaked indignantly and took off into another tree. “Ah, come on, George! Can I call you George? You look like a George,” Peter rambled as he shot a web onto a lamp post and pulled himself in the monkey’s direction. However, the monkey was quick to abandon his new location in favor of another.

“George, please!” he shouted as followed behind the leaping monkey. What Peter had hoped would be a simple task was turning into a wild monkey chase. Every time he’d gained an edge, the animal would abruptly change directions causing him to fall slightly behind.

“You know,” Peter groused, mid-turn. “If you don’t stop running from me, I’m going to have to change your name from George to Mojo Jojo. Is that what you want? You want this to be your villain origin story?”

It took a while but eventually, Peter was able to strategically get ahead of the illusive monkey and nab him from behind. Things didn’t get easier from there. The monkey strained and wriggled with all his might trying to get out of Peter’s sticky grasp.

“Calm down, Georgie Jojo,” Peter hissed, while expertly dodging the paws that were slapping up against this mask. “I’m trying to help you!”

The monkey did not calm down.

Peter sighed as he kept the squirming animal at arm's length. “Sorry, little guy. But I can’t wing with you moving around like this. We’re going to have to-” he said, pausing as he shot a few webs and hurriedly fashioned them into what amounted to an infant front carrier.

“There. You can ride here while I swing,” he said, already aiming his webs at the closest building. “I don’t know where you came from, but I know who to ask.”

“Hey, Mr. Stark!” Peter said as walked into the lab, sans mask and with a finally semi-calm monkey attached to his chest. “Do you know where-” he began, but Tony appeared and instantly started talking over him.

“Why do you have that monkey?”

“Uh, I found him?” Peter replied.

“Where?” Tony asked, an unreadable expression crossing his face.

“In Central Park. And I thought that was kind of an odd place to find a monkey so I brought him here. I thought you might be able to help me figure out where he came from.”

Tony huffed an amused laugh, gestured towards the television, and signaled for FRIDAY to raise the volume. The newscaster was standing just outside the Central Park Zoo discussing the escape of the park’s youngest Snow Monkey.

“Oh,” Peter said, feeling a little silly for not even considering the monkey may have come from the very local zoo. Especially since it was no more than a mile from where the boy had found him.

“Yeah, oh” Tony gleefully repeated. “You up for swinging him all the way back, or should I make a call?”

Peter looked down at the monkey, who was just starting to become restless again and shook his head. If he was being honest, the animal was starting to grow on him. “I’ll take him,” he decided but made a point of having FRIDAY snap a few pictures of his new friend before leaving.

Later, photographs and videos of Peter’s monkey chase went viral. Mostly the ones of him with the animal safely strapped to his chest. Because of that, no one was surprised when the snow monkey exhibit became one of Spider-Man’s favorite places to hang out.

[drag0nagedatingsim]

Two of Isseth Lavellan's best friends are Lavellans! I still haven't fleshed out names for them (it took me literal Years to choose 'Isseth' so.) so I'll use Mahanon and Ellana as placeholder names. Isseth was originally from Ferelden and moved to the Free Marches with 5th Blight refugees. He was pretty young and it was Mahanon specifically who found him and took him into the fold. Their meeting went something like:

Isseth: Oh hey a berry bush!

Mahanon: Oh hey a berry bush!

Both In Tandem: *shrieks when they unexpectedly touch a living thing*

Keeper Deshanna is his teacher, they get together frequently. Keeper Deshanna (in my headcanons) is the kind of person to keep a special brew for 50 years and never crack it open because "It's just not the right time." Surely ending the Breach and Corypheus and the Evanuris and the world ending would be the Right Time, yes? Don't be too hasty though. A better, even more right, time MIGHT come up. (Legend says that bottle will never be opened.)

A world state I'm playing with are that several Clan Lavellan elves remain in Wycome on the city council with other Wycome resident elves while the rest of Clan Lavellan continues to travel the Free Marches under Keeper Deshanna's care.

Isseth pretty much did his job as Inquisitor and went home, LOL. He keeps in-touch with Inquisition members thru letters and occasionally meets up with them. He and Vivienne planned a "party crash" that was the talk of the year at one point.

Additionally, Isseth has a series of academic papers he's published on magic. He's not involved in the Circle but his papers get passed around there frequently. A lot of his research is specific to Veil magic though I swear this isn't about Solas, it's actually because he's friends with my Warden (Léanlun Surana) who specializes in (hyperfixates on) barrier magics and at one point they basically did a "Dorian and Alexius invent time travel" and while high as kites came up with the hypothesis that the Veil is an artificial construct. It's just really funny to imagine Isseth yapping about his wild quirky theory that "absolutely can't be true but it's fun to imagine" about the Veil while Solas is sweating bullets on the sidelines.

Isseth's other hobbies include making jewelry and preening over his hair.

He brings gifts for the kids at Arlathvhen too so he's like that one really loaded family member that always spoils you during the holidays.

Annnnd I noticed you said tags aksjdhdjakd I hope it's okay I added on as a regular reblog! Thanks for the opportunity to yap about my Lavellan.

I’m kinda tired of the fanon interpretation of lavellan with no family or friends or meaning outside their LI so if you have a lavellan who still has a family and friends and hobbies please take this as a opportunity to talk about them in the tags of this post <3

[johnbottoms]

I posted 11,688 times in 2022

5,125 posts created (44%)

6,563 posts reblogged (56%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@jeezllouise

@robobee

@nightwashh

@thedreamthieves

@lizzibennet

I tagged 11,341 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of my posts had no tags

#blabs - 5,421 posts

#fave - 3,174 posts

#trc - 1,316 posts

#bridgerton - 766 posts

#dc - 746 posts

#sr - 699 posts

#queue - 533 posts

#videos - 414 posts

#asks - 401 posts

#batman - 379 posts

Longest Tag: 60 characters

#girl!!!!! ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️❗❗❗❗‼️‼️❗‼️❗‼️❗‼️‼️❗‼️❗❕❕‼️‼️‼️❗‼️❗‼️❗‼️

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

top 10 posts from ur mutuals u ignore that u would block someone else for .

6,471 notes - Posted January 23, 2022

#4

children’s book illustrators r literally the cornerstone of society im not kidding. where would we be w/o that little business worm in the apple car or the brambly hedge animals making their feasts and flying their kites like literally WHERE  . do not even get me started on frog and toad 

21,165 notes - Posted August 27, 2022

#3

the bravest thing a girl could ever do is resist the urge to stir while cooking food that shouldn't be stirred lest it ruin it

25,172 notes - Posted May 31, 2022

#2

thinking long and hard abt doing things is not the same as doing them ive found. which is really horrible for me

29,193 notes - Posted September 14, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

gansey

36,836 notes - Posted May 12, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[leviackermansbrat]

Hi! :D Hope you’re having a nice day/night- but Are your requests still open for hxh? If so- I’d love to see fluffy headcanons of Kite in a relationship- if not, understandable :3

I am having....a night lol. My requests aren't open currently but I'm responding to the requests that are in my inbox now! So here we go

Kite in a Relationship Headcanons

this man is one of the best hunter x hunter men like he is top tier I love him so much.

Anyways, Kite isn't necessarily shy but he's not going to be super open with his feelings like Leorio or Gon. Instead he would show his love for you through small acts of service (his love language) and quality time (when he's not busy as a hunter)

He enjoys soft and tender moments where it's just the two of you and he can let his guard down completely

Isn't one for pet names but will occasionally call you "Love"

Not super big on PDA but that doesn't mean he doesn't like affection in general. Will absolutely melt if it's just the two of you and you wrap your arms around his torso.

Will give you piggyback rides, but is more fond of you sitting on his shoulders (you don't complain since you wanna know what it's like to be a literal giant anyways)

Doesn't show his emotions on his face but he does worry about you quite a bit, especially when he's on a separate mission and he can't check in with you constantly

Absolutely refused to let you go with him for the Chimera ant extermination, but you argued that if two 12 year old kids could tag along then so could you

It's not that he thinks you're weak, he just doesn't like the thought of you getting hurt if he can't watch over you 24/7

Will let you braid his hair and do his eyeliner. If you poke him in the eye he will glare at you for the rest of the day and you will lose eyeliner privileges for a long while until he trusts you again (newsflash, you blew your one and only chance)

actually likes it quite a bit when you brush or braid his hair. he finds it super soothing and that's one of the only times he feels completely relaxed

a relationship with Kite is pretty calm. he's not one for a whole lot of drama and he definitely isn't explosive with his emotions unless you're in a lot of danger

[misslavenderlady]

I posted 881 times in 2022

That's 881 more posts than 2021!

70 posts created (8%)

811 posts reblogged (92%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@arwyn-the-cyrptic-bisexural

@cherry-vamps

@legal-lost-boy

@auntvamp

@oceansrose2002

I tagged 444 of my posts in 2022

Only 50% of my posts had no tags

#the lost boys - 286 posts

#tlb - 242 posts

#david the lost boys - 86 posts

#marko the lost boys - 77 posts

#dwayne the lost boys - 74 posts

#paul the lost boys - 71 posts

#tlb 1987 - 64 posts

#michael emerson - 47 posts

#lavender lady rambles - 42 posts

#my fic - 30 posts

Longest Tag: 106 characters

#it's about a kid who finds a dog and it turns out dogs are actually aliens that came to earth to take over

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

You know what I love about the hotel/cave the boys live in?

It's the perfect tool to use when writing fics. Like, you can write about the boys having anything they want or need and it'll be because it was leftover from when the hotel was still standing.

They have beds lying around? Oh, it's from the hotel rooms that survived the fall.

They all have a bunch of clothes and accessories? Oh, they're from the luggage of guests staying in the hotel.

There just so happens to be a perfectly preserved fireplace with excellent craftsmanship and a romantic appearance to use as background while you kiss your vampire lover? Part of the hotel, babyyyyyy!!

254 notes - Posted October 26, 2022

#4

I love the fact that even though Star's the one that takes care of Laddie the most, we've all collectively agreed that Dwayne is his "parent"

Like she works hard to keep him human and safe the whole movie, but one motorcycle ride on the back of Dwayne's bike has us all saying "ah yes, that's clearly his father. Hello, DILF"

278 notes - Posted October 16, 2022

#3

I don't really like the idea of making a reboot of The Lost Boys.

HOWEVER

I would pay a stupidly high amount of money to see a reboot IF they got Kiefer Sutherland to play Max. Just bring it back full circle.

It's not just the callback that I like, I think Kiefer would be really good as Max after the acting experience he's built up since 1987.

I especially want to see him do the line "don't ever invite a vampire into your house, you silly boy. It renders you powerless!"

283 notes - Posted October 14, 2022

#2

You know what's something in TLB that we don't talk about enough?

THIS GOOFY-LOOKING KITE

Like

These bloodthirsty, killer vampires/biker gang members are pulling this silly prank on their sire for literally no reason

"Yeah, we'll get him with this KITE! That'll show him!"

How am I supposed to take them seriously when they're just doing stuff like this? They're not monsters, they're playful scamps

Yet another reason why I love the boys. They're such dorks 💕

332 notes - Posted October 27, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Marko, Dwayne, and Paul: *wears revealing crop tops, mesh shirts or just no shirt at all*

David, covered collar to toe with two jackets in the middle of summer: YOU CAN'T GO OUT SHOWING ELBOWS, EVERYONE WILL THINK YOU'RE A WHORE!!

587 notes - Posted October 17, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[judjira]

hi joo (if it’s ok to call you joo), so tell me a lil more about all your future wips. i’m blown away bc 14?! 🙃

yes absolutely call me joo !!

so yeah, aside from the seven plot bunnies you can see in my pinned post, i have seven more wips that ive basically conceptualized and outlines (a lil)

1. 3mix/dahyun band au - this one's basically a spiritual successor to "pretentious" in that it's a trio plus dahyun, except it's angstier ! it also talks about another type of poly relationship that i don't really write too much about, but is interesting nonetheless (shoutout to my (not real) mom for inspiring this part of the fic ily)

2. dubchaeng actors au - this one is a self indulgent acting au bc i study acting techniques as a theater major wahaha so basically dahyun and chaeyoung are actors that learn two different acting techniques, the adler technique and the strasberg technique, and they become rivals bc they don't like each other's techniques (i suggest u look them up, the original people who made these techniques also had a rivalry ! its pretty cool, although stanislavski/meisner is my preferred technique)

3. dahyo demigod au - this one's a doozy and bc i love writing mythology, if you're familiar with the ulster cycle of irish mythology, there's a hero named cu chulainn who's the son of a sun god who gets taught the ways of war by scathach, a sort of immortal witch/warrior maiden who teaches heroes (if u play fgo u're probably familiar with them) in this au, dahyun is cu chulainn and jihyo is scathach, im tryna do research for this one cus im not too familiar with irish mythology, but i'm probably not gonna stick too close to the actual mythology cus vibes HAHA

4. dahmo genie au - this au is a very neat one, it's based off of a short film i watched many years ago called "friend like me" (2016) its on youtube i suggest u watch it ! basically, momo's a kid who found a genie lamp when she was young, and asked for a best friend. out comes dahyun, a genie who becomes her best friend (lowkey inspired by dahyun with the genie costume HAHA)

5. dajeong serial killer au - ahhh this is a really good one and the subject of so many conversations with my (not real) mom that it literally has an au of itself. basically, dahyun's the heir of a mafia gang who's attracted the attention of jeongyeon, who's a serial killer. they elope and go on the run from rival gangs that hate dahyun's family and dahyun's own family (ive written the ending to this but barely the beginning HAHAHA)

6. dayeon artist au - this one's still in the conceptual stages of writing (as in i have nothing on it yet and it exists solely in my mind palace) but basically it's a dystopian au with the upper class bourgeois people and poor lower class people. nayeon's a well-esteemed, rich artist that does works for other rich people, while dahyun's a rebel and a revolutionary artist who tags buildings and makes protest art (this will hopefully come in time for me to take my art of protest class huhu)

7. dayeon magical realism au - this one's,,,a little hard to explain, because it's based off of a filipino short story called "the kite of stars" (its in english, so i suggest u search it up and read it !) basically its the story of a rich noble girl who wants to create a kite that can carry her into the sky so she can be seen by a stargazer she's fallen in love with, so she goes on a journey to gather all the parts of the kite, joined by a butcher's boy who's fallen in love with her. in this au, nayeon's the rich noble girl, mina's the stargazer, and dahyun's the butcher's boy (yes unrequited love wahaha)

THOSE are my future wips, i ALSO have three aus that im working on that honestly may never see the light of day if i dont finish my current wips HAHAHA these are vaguer, more universe style instead of a single fic, so these will probably consist of multiple oneshots and drabbles !

1. darkest dungeon 2 au - alright COMPLETELY self indulgent holy shit i just love darkest dungeon. if you haven't played, it's basically a grim, eldritch horror vibe game where you take heroes on expeditions to destroy evil creatures and monsters. the second game focuses on the heroes traveling a world plunged into insanity and darkness to try and destroy the root of evil at the base of a mountain (its super fucking cool) anyway, yeah each member of twice would be a hero here, trying to balance saving the world, dealing with emotional trauma, and loving each other all at the same time (tbh dont expect much from this, its super self indulgent and it might not make sense to anyone HAHA)

2. magic school au - am also super excited for this one !! now u may think this is hogwarts but no ! it is actually a full magic school au that i've created from the ground up (kind of, its based on dnd magic HAHA) this was originally made for a world that i created for dnd (yes im a nerd ok) basically each member of twice is a student that's part of a special fancy organization that takes care of student and faculty requests ! yes its cute some of them are elves, theres lots of magic and monsters, but most of all, it's basically magic college HAHA my (not real) mom requested a fic, and i kinda got ahead of myself and made a whole ass au with like three or four oneshots planned !!! (this one's for u mom ily)

3. my apartment au ! this one's KIND OF based off of supernatural (the show) except a lot more lighthearted HAHA, basically dahyun is the landlord of an apartment that only houses supernatural and mythological creatures ! so each member of twice (besides dahyun) is a creature of mythology that stays in the apartment. this au is special cus its my first attempt at an OT9 ! just one big poly soup of everyone loving each other (but still dahyun-centric mostly hue)

so yes, these are my aus and wips, if u want a more in depth explanation of these plots (or the plots in my pinned post) feel free to send another ask !

thank u for letting me ramble hue

[wrightaboutthat]

I was tagged by @thetimewar! Thank you so much, m’darlin; first tag on this blog first tag on this blog 🥺

THE RULES: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Anyone can send me an ask afterwards (or a comment in this post) with a title that most intrigues/interests you, and I’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it if it's an art piece!

I don’t know too many folks around here yet, so if you’re seeing this and you’d like to participate, tell ‘em I sent you lol! <3

Also bold of you to assume I’m not entirely unhinged and actually TITLE THINGS LOL. So I might just have to give whack descriptions of all the WIPS I’ve technically got going-

Miles needs a bit of Collegial Support™ (and it might also be neck kiss o’clock)

He has nightmares too- time to quite LITERALLY unlock some trauma

fellas is it gay to want to see the chief prosecutor in his elegant office

what’s a christmas present if not slightly traumatic and INSANELY emotional

sometimes afterglow is 24 hours long

hahahaha what if we kissed just kidding,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,unless?

New Fangled Technology Date™

There’s a first time for everything

Back at it again in the Closet™

You don’t exactly have a good track record with that mODE OF TRANSPORTATION SIR

sometimes you just have to get high as a kite on medication and accidentally say a little too much

He broke a little bit more than his ankle this time

[preathtimeline]

Mobile Preath Timeline

It’s here, and it’s a lot.

The following is originally from skatertobin's blog:

Ok so here’s what we think went down:

2015

August to I wanna say November? They get close during the victory tour, Chris being the only other person aside from Alex to be invited to Tobin’s 100th cap dinner and all and them sharing a seat at the White House. Basic stuff.

December Christen tags along with Tobin on her Hawaii strolls (especially since both Cheney and ARod aren’t around for the Hawaii game). Wander around Waikiki Beach and hang out with Friends with Flowers in their hair and other fun things like that. Maybe Christen watches Tobin surf at some point and maybe Tobin teaches her how as well. 👀 Idk. But I’m positive swimming happens in cute bikinis because I mean.... it’s Hawaii!! 🙄 They they fly to NOLA for the last VT game. And Press is probs like “hey so where ya staying at after this (the China game)?” like while they’re walking along Bourbon Street where the Leather Jacket™ makes its first appearance. Then tobs is probs like “maybe Portland?” Then Chris is all “well that’s just a state away from where I’m headed wanna crash for a bit?” Then tobs, being the homeless little shit that she is, is maybe like “sweet can we go to the beach” then Christen is all “literally everyday” and then done deal. That’s that. So from there they take the same flight to LA from the NOLA airport. Why? Who knows but tbh Tobs maybe (definitely) stays in PV with Pressy and maybe (definitely) is the reason why Christen’s late to that boat parade at Newport with ARod and Whit cos you know... busy being a good host and such. But then it’s the holidays so we know Tobs would go home to her fam in the east coast for Christmas like the good daughter she’s supposed to be so she does, but she goes right back to LA to maaaaaybe celebrate Chris’ birthday. Boop. And you know since she’s already there they’re probably like, “why not spend New Year’s Eve together and train together at the TOCA center while we’re at it???” Like it’s the most obvious thing because I mean maybe they realize they’d be playing more together with Christen nally being close to a starting spot. Hawink!!!! Work on their chemistry as the kids call it because ya know... First Touch Is Everything™.

2016

January So maybe Tobs flies back to spend New Years with fam again because Chris can’t have her forever. But also maybe not because that would have been very convinient since they get called in to camp in Cali shortly after. But I mean you know, who knows. But wtvr. So there they spend a lot of time together like going to the beach together and getting coffee together and entering and exiting the locker rooms and US soccer vans together. You know. Fun stuff. Then the SD game happens and then they all fly to their respective homes but Tobin doesn’t have a home remember so she invites Press to go to Portland with her and they hold hands at the airport while Press is wearing the Purple Hat™ and maybe they go to the Nike HQ together and go furniture shopping and then they have dinner at a fancy restaurant and Tobs shows Chris around her soon to be new home like a local. Then they fly back to LA because beastmode soccer is a thing and they wanna train and be beasts. And then in between they share sunsets together and play with Morena and Khaleesi and Tobin is snookums.

February It’s Olympic Qualifiers in Texas and well what do you know??? The little shits score a goal together, and then steal the van keys so they can go out on Valentine’s Day. There’s a monkey stuffed toy involved and I hate my life basically because @ god, why. 🔥 They go back to LA together after celebrating their Olympic qualifying win to watch the Arsenal vs Barça game in Santa Monica and have sushi together and also crash the u16 camp. Then they go back to PV and Fly Away™ because All We Need Is Love™. Also because christen has a fUCKING BODY ISSUE PHOTOSHOOT that they’re tOTALLY NOT SUBTLE ABOUT. Ok maybe they’re totally subtle. Kind of.

March They go into the SheBelieves Cup in Florida and go Raw Juicin’ and jewelry shopping because that’s what gal pals do obviously. Chris probs tags along when Tobin hangs out with her French friends and they fly back together to NJ to meet Christen’s fam (who would have thought?!) and to NYC to Find Neverland. And then I mean imagine the goodbye for when they go their separate ways for the NWSL preseason and if you’re wondering how they’d cope, the answer is: Not well.

April They meet again for the Orlando camp and they all gotta be lowkey and concentrate on the training but then the OCSC vs PTFC game happens and they’re not so slick and get accidentally recorded and Tobin’s like 🙅🙅🙅... So they train in Orlando and Colorado and win in Connecticut and Philly vs Colombia and then they play chess in between and have coffee. Turns out they’re new bus buddies too now Allie’s in camp. And maybe (definitely), Jill Ellis is a fangirl and ships the little shits together because suddenly Press is a right middy and Tobs is a right back. If not for the sole purpose of Foudy saying on live television that Tobin would be watching Christen’s ass the entire game, basically. Anyway. CAPTAIN Tobs gets some winking action caught on camera and we’re all just gone. Adios. Goodbye.

May NWSL starts back up and we’re all excited but also sad because preath but they’re fine and we’re being dramatic but not as dramatic as them because apparently they desperately miss one another??????.... So like, when Chicago plays in Seattle the same weekend Portland plays at home, what else would Tobs do right? Would she drive four hours to watch the game? The answer is yes. But why right???? WHYYYYY???? Because obviously, Press in the west coast means some much needed quality time in Portland i.e. a double date at a fancy vineyard with a view and some tacos.

June The games vs. Japan happen in Denver and happen in Cleveland and that’s apparently not enough for them because Tobin tags along with Press and the Chicago girls to watch the MehNT and the Jumbotron loves them just as much as they do each other. The two part series of a battle of the baes in the CHIvsPOR NWSL games starts in Chicago and ends in Portland so naturally (duh) Press stays in Portland so the little shits could have private training sessions together before flying to Chicago again. Fuckers. (Honestly it’s not practical but thEY INSIST)

July The game vs South Africa happens after which they conveniently skedaddle ahead of everyone else in a separate car because of dinner reservations at yet another fancy restaurant. They both make it to the Olympic 18 and they “celebrate” it by going on a not-so romantic getaway to the ESPYS in LA and then they have dinner with Alex and Allie because like, Press probably (I’m sensing a theme, are you?) gotta have an initiation of sorts because things bout to get serious. 💁 But well Tobin gets an initiation of her own too so they’re even. 😅 But well, Tobin gets They head into camp in KC then win their Olympic send off game against CRC 👀 and fly again to camp in DC with the NJ crew and chill before flying aGAIN for the Olympic Games !!!

August They get to Brazil and have a killer Olympics .............Can you believe the Olympics got cancelled this year?????? Amazing. Anyway. That’s irrelevant. What’s not irrelevant though!!!!!! is them coming back to the states!!!! But instead of going straight home, the little shits get a connecting flight from Chicago (to probably get stuff??) to Portland together to get away from it all. Some good music, good coffee, a little kite flying and some R & R with good company and suddenly all is right in the world again. 👍 NWSL regular season to look forward to.

September So like, the NWSL starts up again right and they go their separate ways and you’d think they’d calm down a bit but BITCH YOU THOUGHT because they secretly meet up again because Press is Tobin’s plus one at her sister’s wedding in Rhode Island and she’s even invited to the rehearsal dinner which is “for immediate family and the bridal party only”. Cyb Press is considered immediate family?????? I can’t TBH. Anyway. That’s only for the weekend though because they gotta get back to their teams to play and try and get berths to the playoffs.... which they boTH DO!! Nice. NT training camp follows and it’s in Columbus so oBVIOUSLY Ms. Portland’s gotta fly in a day early to the east coast to meet up with Captain Chicago & Co. and we find out that Tobin’s tired af and that JJ is a shipper. 😌 Then Columbus happens where we finally get the goal celebration we truly deserve and where the whole stadium empathizes with two college dudes who are like “damn bro, number 12 ain’t straight”. And we can’t forget the regular coffee date . I swear to god it’s an addiction at this point. The game in Georgia isn’t as eventful as the last time we played the Netherlands but I guess it isn’t short of hearteyes. 😍

October So anyway. Can you believe the NWSL gets canceled after the Thorns win the shield???????? This “playoff match” doesn’t actually happen. It’s true. Press just visits Portland to go mermaiding with Tobin. (Euphemism? We may never know) So after then they fly to LA for a Sia concert because they can. But anyway, remember when we thought we got the goal celebration we deserved during that Thailand game? WRONG. Apparently the Swiss have other ideas because we’re all blessed and I’ve never felt more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life in this moment. And we almost get a repeat performance but I mean I guess it’s true lighting doesn’t strike the same place twice. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ̄ or something like that. La Blanquita goes Batista a few days later and Tobin has been established as a pretty useless maid of honor but I mean, she looks cute and her outfit repeater of a plus one (who is yet again invited to the rehearsal dinner!!!!!) looks cute too.

November At this rate is it even still surprising they’re practically living together? Portland Preath gets a part /something/ (because honestly who the fuck is still keeping track? Hint: not me) So Press Painting rainbows in an oversized, expensive ass Pride shirt in Tobin’s Portland kitchen is a thing thanks to Tobin’s (not Kling’s. Gotta make that clear.) very distinguishable floorboards and countertops. And apparently Press is practically a Thorn at this point, too, what with all that ball-kicking and strength training in Providence Park? Yeah. Ikr. Gross. They come to NorCal (to have coffee with a baby for practice) for the first Romania game and CYB they have chemistry on the field????? Like who woulda thunk?!?!?!?!? Also Press gets a hatty because she’s???? good???? at????? soccer????? (Also Christen brings herself sandwiches during games. Tobin doesn’t but CP ain’t selfish. If yanamsayin. Also, they’re literally married. Just thought you’d like to know.) K so anyway, boop boop, ROU part 2 aka the SoCal game becomes the perfect finish to the USWNT calendar year eSPECIALLY for the little shits because not only do we all get Blessed™ with another Preath goal, but basically Preath saves 2016 via great passes, bedroom eyes and hand holding. (PRESS SCORING AND ASSISTING IN EVERY GAME SINCE SWITZERLAND BTW????? Like, thank you, Tobin.) So no more games for the rest of the year, but that will not stop them from doing couple things because!!! They!!!! Are!!!!! Little!!!! Shits!!!!! The zenpups think so too. But anyway! It’s the return of Sunsets and Snookums in LA can you believe!!!!! There’s a romantic museum trip somewhere in the mix and some soccer on the beach too! Chris realizes then that her true passion is to be part of the circus and it’s all because of Circuit Bouldering in Portland (read: their home). Or I guess a second home because looks like Chris finally gets settled into her new house by the beach for a hot minute to enjoy rainbows before jetting off again. ✈

December Right so Grassroot Soccer holds a gala and Christen is the guest of honor also it’s Tobin’s turn to be a plus one (and to a red carpet event at that!) in frEAKING LONDON and they’re both beautiful and I’m dead. I’m also thinking Chris is the one that scored them tickets to the Arsenal game the night before the gala because she is whipped and In LoveTM. Gross. They don’t stop there though because they think they’re sneaky Pete about watching El Clasico with the fam (aka Allie & Bati) BUT NO!!!! You caught muthafuckas! There’s dancing in alleyways and reconnecting with old Spanish friends, too. Gross x 2 Euro trip continues in Sweden and Tobin and Christen literally sit on a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G and it’s all so scenic and romantic. Gross x 3 Well, I didn’t think they’d ever come back from their European bae-cation, but they do and it’s straight to Portland for some Christmas decorating and Tobin wins POTY to make up for this shitty year so they celebrate by getting some coffee and tacos and training - their faves. Duh. It’s kind of a quiet Christmas, celebrating with their own friends and family but I mean, it’s Pressy’s birthday. So they reunite and go hiking in LA and Christen gets a new name. Hi Kristen! 🖐

2017

January After ringing in the New Year with skiing and kisses (probably), Chris spends time in Portland, having shakes and breakfast with the bae. They go back to LA coming out of their own little bubble because it’s January training camp season and I’m having major flashbacks with them riding together to training and being locker room buddies! Their off day is as glorious as we’d expect, with some beach time and fun. (Thanks to JJ for being a shipper.) And we’re also blessed with Allie Long and a Harry Video. After camp, they’ve got a ton of down time so it’s the perfect opportunity to go chilling by their beach house. I say “their” because there’s a stray surfboard lying around and I’m sure as hell it ain’t Christen’s. 💁

February The next camp for SheBelieves isn’t til later on in the month so they fly back to home number 2 aka Portland to chill and be low key, watching Tove Lo on their date night. Tobin has a little photoshoot where she's in all her sweaty glory and itty bitty shorts and Christen flies off on her own for a bit for an appearance then it’s back to Portland for a low key vday. And then camp starts up and it feels like a drought but really, we’ll take what we can get. And what we get are matching backpacks and Harry.

March The SheBelieves Cup starts really well with an Allie IG takeover (which is always gold js) and we’re blessed with cameos of the lovers slash bus buddies!! And we see that age old Preath Connection that we know and love. We even get a possible date night in between!!!! The second game is a doozy but the most important takeaway is that they’re literally married. From the bus to the locker rooms, from the bench all the way to the sidelines. Married. Wives. For life. Fact. Even the Press Pack is supportive. Last game of the tourney and it was a loss. Lol. Anyway. They were trying to be sneaky and we learn that the fams are at the games together to support them. That’s it. Next. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not Tobin calls Christen “babe” because we’re all thirsty but there’s also the thing about helping Chris move to her new Chicago apartment so insert Oprah what’s the truth gif here. And then before the month ends, there’s a perfectly planned preseason tournament in Portland. Right before which Press kidnaps Tobin and escapes to LA for some hula dancing and pineapples, and then brings her back because plus ones at weddings are overrated (not). But the tourney goes on and Tobin’s not playing but she’s enjoying her box in the stands. Meanwhile, Christen just wants to say hi.

April Not much really happens because they’ve suddenly gone 100% stealth mode, with Tobin injured and not able to travel and all, but thanks to a little tweet we see that on NWSL opening day there was still some sort of support aka Tobin watching the Chicago game while on the stands for the Portland home opener. It’s better than nothing right? Oh and when Chicago visits PDX for the 3rd game, Chris gets taken down and Tobin looks away because she probably can’t watch it without going apeshit idk. Same. Anyway, Chris sends smiles towards the box and I guess I’m okay with that.

May “what injury?!” Tobin then says as she boards a flight to Chicago after the Thorns game to bear witness to/be the reason behind the end of the drought (goals & content tbh thank you). Cyb her back died so CRS could rise? Meanwhile to pass the time though Tobs becomes Asst Director for the Thorns youth program and paints for bae. And right after their respective weekend home games, Press ies out to PDX for Tobin’s birthday shebang. Tobin picks her up from the airport and takes her to her party and everything!

June A couple of friendlies abroad happen but since Tobs is injured she’s off the roster but she does some housewarming for Chris til she gets back from practicing on babysitting Cash. So after that, getting back into the swing of things in the NWSL is easy for Chris but unfortunately Tobin still can’t play so the next best thing is staying together in ChiTown to keep the blues away for like.... 2 weeks.

July ...Tobin’s still injured. But at least she has some fresh shoes (and expensive sliders)! And Press spends some time in LA to keep her company at rehab. Some people thought July was gonna be the first month we don’t get any content and Press personally makes sure it isn’t during the Chi vs Orl game on lifetime.

August We have a weird Tournament of Nations and it’s probably because Tobin’s back hasn’t resurrected yet but in the last game in LA, we get a rare sighting of a stud at training so maybe we’ve still got a shot. I mean i guess 2nd place in our own tournament isn’t so bad? Kinda? But whatever. What’s important is the roller blading that happens the days after. And then it’s time for CHIvsPOR. And after that, Tobin’s back in LA hanging out with Chris’ sister and bro-in-law at a bar because you know, they’re close or whatever.

September Ok so it’s been quiet but it’s not because of anything crazy. They’ve just done better at the privacy thing. Good on them you know ? But anyway. They reunite in Colorado and Cincinnati.

October The final regular season match is conveniently in Portland and unfortunately, they end up not playing each other in the semis so Chicago has to book a flight to NC but Chris still makes sure to enjoy her time. So after the uswnt game that Tobs has to sit out, the only time we have proof that Tobin is still alive is the Century 21 event in Arizona. Meanwhile Chris is back home with her pups in LA. But Tobs flies to get in on the puppy love but we only know through her shadow and when they turn into wine moms for a night.

November Fall this year is coming along quite nicely but not as nice as it is in Portland, probably, because there are Trainbows, says Chris! In Canada Chris serves some gross hearteyes despite the fact that Tobin’s been sidelined due to injury. They have the last game of the year in Cali and it kickstarts the swaggin they do together. And then November ends with a bang with them posting about flying to london for a red carpet event!

December Said red carpet event is the annual Grassroot Soccer Gala. (And this time Tobin doesn’t go ghost!) And they just wander around taking good pictures and visiting friends and watching football! Thanks HAO! Thanks Crystal! And then they’re back to being Domestic!Preath canoodling in their LA loft by the beach, chilling and hangin out with friends and being Christmassy and such.

The following is from Preath-Things

December (cont.) Christmas rolls around, and they end up going back to their respective fams, meeting back up in Portland some days later. They spend New Years eve snowboarding and just chilling in the snow with their friends. 👌

2018

January New Years is spent in Portland going sledding, but they eventually head back down to California so Tobin can get her ankle fixed. January camp happens without Tobin. But it's fine because Christen and Tobin spend every other moment together, watching sunsets in the rain and Tobin's having a super duper good recovery. Christen finds a new club in the NWSL, surprise! After the friendly against Denmark, they're back to spending all their time together, holding water bottles and attending conferences.

February Tobin has a new job ! Modelling for the new Mercurials in London, whilst also showing off her piano skills, which Christen's obviously heard before with there being a keyboard and all hanging around at their places. Tobin continues her modelling career in LA because the shoes are orange so of course she would. Christen on the other-hand pays a quick visit to houston then reports to camp. Tobin's still out and not playing soccer because remember she's still trying out her modelling career.

March The SheBelieves Cup happens. Or maybe it doesn't. Debatable, considering Christen is bascially nowhere to be found on the pitch, and there's little evidence of her even being at camp. Tobin's also too busy moving from her modelling career to her acting career to be there and play. The uswnt wins the cup somehow anyway. Christen goes back to Portland after the cup and it's a bit quiet but Tobin and Christen are spending some quality time together so isn't that really all that matters? Another surprise ! Christen doesn't want to be with her new NWSL club. So she's heading to Sweden to relive some good times instead, but not before flying kites with Tobin. Tobin also paints a few things inlcuing a 9 post equality sign because she's just that extra.

April Christen returns to her happy place. 🇸🇪 She signs with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and scores goals, lots of them. To the absolute surprise of everyone (read: no one) she's named April player of the month in the Damallsvenskan! Tobin decides to put both her modelling and acting careers on hold in an attempt to try her luck at the soccer thing again. Also, being the supportive gal pals that they are, and separated by an ocean, they get into the habit of liking each others instagram posts every so often.

May There are pool parties, sea dips and visits to Norway for Christen, during all of which she proves she did in fact pack Tobin's entire closet, accessories and style before she left PDX. Still separated by an ocean, not really too much happens, other than each of them continuing to practice the liking option on each others instagram posts.

June It's Pride Month 🌈 and Pride Month Delivers. Tobin is called up to national team camp for the first time since forever because her ankle seems to be a-okay, and Jill remembers Christen exists all of a sudden and also calls her up. Which means the two lovebirds finally get to reunite in Utah after months of being super long distance. This officially kicks off Pride month celebrations across the globe. Tobin feels 'tight' prior to the game and decides not to join in on the first Pride month celebration of the USWNT aka the first game against China, instead opting to chill and watch the game from the stands. After Tobin sees the Utah Royals owner get down on one knee in front of her girl, she decides it's time to remind the world that Christen is her's by posting a selfie with her and her gal pal. Christen seems to like the photo too and decides to also repost it because it's pride month after all and you gotta spread the love or something. And that's not the only thing she seems to like, deciding to swap clothes with her girl for their date to the Cavs game. Chris wears Tobin's Cavs jersey, like the traitor she is because apparently whilst it might be the wrong team, it's the right number (in other words words.. the things you do for love, and to wear something with the #23). Pride month continues to deliver with the second game against China and what better way to celebrate pride month by marking the game as Christen's 100th cap?!! Oh there are better ways, says the universe or something because Christen assists a goal in the first half, Tobin enters the match in the second half, and we are blessed with a pREATH GOALl!!! or alternatively a small game of keepy uppy between the two lovebirds which ends up with a ball at the back of the net and a Preath celebration we deserve, whichever you prefer to call it. Pride camp ends, but not before Chris makes sure to just leave one last mark on her time in Cleveland. After flying off together to Chi town, they go their separate ways and Chris returns to Sweden. But it seems that Pride month has one last piece of magic to make happen, and Christen's caught up in another big tangle of a messy trade within the NWSL, which lands her in Utah. A trade she accepts. She is now officially royalty. A queen. 👑 Soon after Chris arrives at her new club, Tobin takes a quick pit stop there on her way back from Houston, because obviously she gotta help her girl settle in to her new home away from home.

July So it’s the Fourth of July and the new royalty/royals, Chris and Sam decide it’s a great idea to celebrate it by buying food to grill even when neither of them know how to turn on a girl grill! Stuck on how to turn on the offending cooking appliance, Chris uses a lifeline and chooses to phone a (girl)friend. Grill Master Tobin pulls through and saves the day. Not that Christen wants anyone to know that Tobin did (gotta mute those instastories, you know?), but Sam does (thanks Sam!). At the same time, Laura decides to inform the world that Christen lives in Portland (thanks Laura!). The Battle of the Baes returns to Portland for 2018 and it ends with a hug and a kiss drinks back at home. Then it's back to Utah for Chris. The Tournament of Nations happens again and it’s not as weird as the previous year’s (probably because Tobin decides to join in this time around). To prepare for the games, Christen returns home to Portland so the two lovers can visit the Nike HQ, go berry picking and dream about pies. Gotta have that pre-camp preparation and relaxation at home with your SO, you know?! The first game of the tourney is against Japan, and it ends with a W and has Tobin subbing on for Christen. There’s shoulder rubs and hip taps and some airport shenanigans. Remember how Tobin was subbed on for Chris? Chris is subbed on for Tobin in the next game against Australia! It’s now completely apparent that Jill deems having both of them playing at the same time to be just Too Dangerous for opposing teams due to their ridiculous on and off the pitch chemistry. She’s clearly just sparing the opposition from a super embarrassing defeat. Good tactic. Chris’ fam comes to say hi in Connecticut 🖐️

August The tourney continues and there’s some team pictionary bonding prior to their final ToN game against Brazil. The Brazil game ends with a Tobin goal and assist, a win and a trophy, as the uswnt finally win the tourney!!!! Also, at this stage it's questionable whether the two are trying to be sneaky or not anymore with Chris throwing literal heart eyes at Tobin at the start of the game, and Tobin putting her arm around Chris' shoulder at the end. 🤷 After the ToN it’s back to their clubs and it’s a bit quiet, but I mean as to be expected. What’s not expected however is the shenanigans that happen prior to the NT's first Chile game back in Christen’s hometown. It’s CP's 100th cap celebration, and Tobin pOSTS her girl a congratulatory post ??? Picture, profile tag, emojis and all?? If you thought the girl would stop there with her public celebration of her bae's 100th cap celebration, you'd be d e a d w r o n g. Tobito also proudly wears Christen’s name on her back ??? somewhat earlier than anyone's anticipated ??? Chris has her ceremony, and Tobin literally has the proudest smile, which you could probably see from space— and it’s debatable whether a tear escapes her eyes during the ceremony, but who could blame her if one did?? So it’s game time and we finally get the long-awaited Captain Press, and it’s everything we could’ve dreamed of!!!! Truly spectacular. Tobin gifts Christen with a PK, which she perfectly finishes because she’s Chris. But there’s a big commotion and suddenly the goal doesn’t count???? Because the ref is apparently trying to ruin Chris’s day ??? and doesn’t know the rules of soccer like at all??? Tobin won’t hear of it obvs— leading the rest of the team as they storm up towards the ref with wagging fingers and pitchforks at halftime, whilst at the same time the Press Pack is up in arms. But it’s (semi) fine in the end because Chris gets another goal anyway (it's beautiful)— capping off the perfect night and a perfect victory in the most perfect place. ❤️❤️ Talking about perfect, both Chris and Tobs are also the most perfect human beings, donating their jerseys from the game to TWLOHA.

September The second game against Chile only features Tobin, but before and after the game she’s wearing a t-shirt that looks strangely like a Supreme-branded shirt with the letters P R E S S spelled out ?? Anyways it's another victory for the team, and everyone eventually heads back to their clubs for the final week of regular season. Then it's postseason time, and Chris returns to Portland to train alone 👎, whilst Tobs is off training with her club. The Thorns play their semifinal game and get the W, obvs cheered on by Chris in the stands. Weirdly enough though, the NWSL championship game for 2k18 just..... never happens ????? Super strange. (Although if it did, Chris was once again there, cheering her girl on) Anyways the season's over, and another season begins— the offseason (aka the best season) where the love birds stroll the streets of Portland (probably holding hands or something cute) and get ready for camp. Although it looks like they might've received the wrong memo about what kind of camp they had coming up— as they end up in the wilderness of Oregon.. camping? And debatably skinny dipping? Who knows?! Is there actually a bikini strap around Tobs's neck? Who knows?! What we do know is that they only packed one suitcase, Christen's gone granola, and the two eventually head on out of there once they realize they're most definitely at the wrong camp— heading off to NC for the camp they were actually meant to be at.

October It's World Cup Qualifiers time, and Chris and Tobs score some goals, Chris has suddenly grown a dragonfly on her arm, and sometime between their last uswnt game and the qualifiers, the two nerds have created their own little handshake— because Chris wanted in on the whole handshake club (who could blame her tbh). So the uswnt qualify for the world cup (!!!!!), and the love birds go and celebrate by showing off their Spanish 101 knowledge in Mexico, and literally murdering everyone by posting photos from their beach and infinity pool photoshoots ??? Like cool, it's not like we were trying to live or anything, right ?? Nah. Oh yeah they're also not being subtle about the fact they're in literally the same place either. But you know what, subtle schmutle thinks Chris, as she posts a boomerang of Tobs and her at tees + jeans like it's like no big deal you know like, whatever. They head to pdx to stand in the fall leaves and take more photos of each other.

November

So there’s a couple USWNT friendlies abroad which Tobs and Chris don’t join in on due to personal and family commitments (respectively), but it's okay (kinda) because they instead

visit an art museum

together— fitting right in as the works of art that they are. Oh yeah Tobin seems to be the

newest Royals signing

? and she's also number 21. Tobs and Chris have a

New York minute week

— jumping into ball pits and casually posting an instastory of themselves together, because obvs it's nbd. They also spend some quality time around thanksgiving with Tobin's fam.

December

The two head back west and drop by stubhub to give some inspirational pep talk to some young athletes at Nike’s,

Play Like a Pro thing

and also so Pressy can

grand marshal

the PV Christmas lights parade ! They also do some

toca training

,

lab visiting

,

sunset watching, more training/testing and family photo taking

. So they basically spend a whole lotta time together— training and being cute and shit ❤️️❤️. They might've headed to Florida also during this time but no one's 100% sure, and it's all a bit of guesswork and squinting. Whatever the case, they were together during most of month because offseason means, barely leaving the bae's side season, until Christmas that is— where they go their separate ways for a couple days. But then it’s Pressy’s birthday aka Christmas 2.0, so Tobs jets back to the west coast to join in on the celebrations, because obviously the best/most important present is Tobin's presence, duh. So they're finally back together in the west coast for the remaining days of 2018, and they finish the year by watching sunsets off rooftops, and preparing to see in the new year together. 💕

The following is when Preathbar took over.

2019

January It’s 2019! Tobin and Christen ring in the new year much like they ended the last one. They play some beach volleyball, To(es)bin watches some premier league, they continue training, Chris gets lost in LA, makes sure we know she’s feeding Tobin, and finally, they watch the last sunset in LA for two weeks😂 lol. Before the fun of camp can start, they get delayed at the airport AND TOBIN ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGES CHRISTEN’S EXISTENCE. It’s fine. We’re all okay from that. (Also Tobin has some Tibetan prayer beads on?) Christen tells us you can’t mess with her zen and they eventually make it to January Camp in Portugal. Because they can’t live without a sunset, they find some (arguably better) ones on a beach in Portugal. Jan Camp finishes up and as luck would have it the whole team gets delayed this time and Tobin passes the time by playing Mario Kart. The orange and pink Kånken bags make a reappearance and of course, Tobes and Chris are airplane buddies. They arrive in Le Havre, France and everyone is still blissfully ignorant about the future events. Apparently, Tobin took a knock during camp and is held out of the first game on precaution so it is CP vs France. Literally and figuratively. The game against France goes very well, and we’re all so glad THAT game was the one on the weekend. After that *ahem* rough, game it’s time to move on and the team makes their way to Alicante, Spain where Tobes and Chris enjoy a day out and about. Tobin seems to have recovered and gets a start against Spain, CP doesn’t, but after a 0-0 first half, Jill decides to sub her in and SHE SCORES A FREAKING (GAMEWINNING) GOAL. The wives only get to play together for 20ish minutes, but we are treated to plenty of Preath content during and after the game. First, there’s the goal celebration that includes a Tobes head pat and a wink from the one and only Christen Press 😉. At halftime, there’s some hand holding glove holding, but after the game we witnessed a to a PreathTackle™ via Tobin Heath. She’s just so proud of her girl she can hardly contain her emotions (and we can’t either 😭). They return to LA after the madness in Europe just in time to catch a sunrise.

February So very early on into the month, Tobin literally comes out of the blue with her “The Ones” interview while promoting the new Air Jordans, and let me tell you, the photos were anything but chill. The go on a little daytime date 💙 and Christen shows off her many rings. After that, Christen decides to prove that Tobin’s not the only model in the family and hits us with the behind-the-scenes of her photoshoot with localemagazine. Stay tuned until May for our Covergirl. Shortly, our family of models decides to return to their day jobs and attend camp in Tampa, FL for the She Believes Cup. They can’t help but be attached at the hip while they’re there (and we’re not complaining). The team makes their way to Philly and Tobin, Chris, and Ash go on a little stroll where Preath proves, yet again, that they exist in the same universe. USWNT vs Japan is first up and again, Christen comes off the bench and makes an immediate impact with an assist, giving the US the lead. She also gets smacked in the face but its okay because Tobes makes sure to check up on her. We also definitely win the game and don’t waste all that work CP did by letting them tie it up.

March After the performance against Japan, the team sets their sights to England at camp. To celebrate the “SheBelieves spirit” they all wear the name of an inspirational woman of their choosing on their backs. Christen chooses the unproblematic fave of Sojourner Truth and Tobin chooses Doris Burke, who was very moved by the gesture. Before the game, Christen gives Tobin her stick of gum bc CP still isn’t starting. Unfortunately, the team seems to play as if they are the names on their back and tie. AGAIN. Maybe it was just the cold because Tobes and Chris almost miss the plane back to sunny Florida, but after quickly boarding the gayng gets to sit together. With one more game left, it looks almost impossible for the US to win the tournament, and we don’t, but we manage to win our last game 1-0 with a goal by the one and only Tobin Heath. Unfortunately, it’s now Chris’ turn to make sure Tobin is okay after a hard foul. Before we take a break from the USWNT for a little while, the World Cup kits are announced with a plethora of promotion. Tobin and Christen both return to their club teams and Tobin does some more promotion for the Thorn’s new kits and sixstar. Christen returns to LA to play some preseason games with Utah and while she’s there she is reunited with Morena and Khalessi. CP is announced as the honorary falconer for the LAFC game and reminds us that if the animal isn’t a dog, she’s slightly intimidated. Tobin also plays a preseason game for Portland and apparently tears it up, but her time with the Thorns is cut short when they both re-port for camp and are re-united for the April Friendlies.

April Camp slowly starts to wind down as the upcoming friendlies draw closer, but not before some exciting news. LUNA Bar announces that they will cover the World Cup roster bonus pay gap for the entire US Women’s National Team! It is revealed that Christen was one of the “chief architects of the team’s current collective bargaining agreement” and she reminds us how smart and beautiful she is in several different interviews. Then, we are provided with an incredible picture that only confirms that Tobin and Christen are bus buddies (in case we somehow forgot). Press is not only smart and beautiful, but she’s also talented at this game of soccer and helps the team win over Australia in an overly dramatic sort-of way. Tobin notches a goal over Australia, but she doesn’t get any minutes against Belgium. CP, however, plays a full 90 minutes and provides 3 assists off of set pieces!!! Nobody seems to notice though. After two successful friendlies with the National Team, they return to play their first (and last for awhile) games for their NWSL teams. Tobin earns POTY with the Portland Thorns and later, an absolutely wild game is played against Chicago. Meanwhile, Press proves what a class act she is in Utah and notches an assist in her first game and then a goal in the second. Just as they start to settle in, we all sadly realize they have to leave their club teams, even though we STILL don’t have a WC roster, but we do get a bunch of amazing gifs. After her game in Orlando, Christen stays a while in Miami where she shows us her coconuts and does lots of promo before we finally get the announcement we were all patiently waiting for. HuLU hAS LivE spOrTS!

May On the first of the month, Tobes and Chris are spotted at the Hulu Upfronts with several other players, looking as gorgeous as ever. Eventually, after virtually the entire roster being known beforehand, USsoccer drops the 2019 Women’s World Cup Roster and Tobin Heath is going to her third World Cup while Christen Press is going to her second, but they’re doing it together this time. With the announcement of the roster, everyone heads to camp before the last of the send-off series games. (Oh and also there’s an incident with Tobin in a button up and her shoulder but whatever. It’s fine.) Remember that “re-” thing Tobin, Christen, Pinoe, and Kling kept teasing/we thought it was an inside joke? Well, it turns Rɘ-inc is an entire company the ladies are starting and they strive to rɘ-imagine rɘ-invent rɘ-configure, and rɘ-volt (to name a few). They are set to launch June 2017 2019 and we can only hope to be blessed with more photos of Tobin wearing... boxers? The first friendly is played against South Africa, and Tobin and Chris actually get to start together, but still, a preath-goal alluded them the entire game. Do you remember back in February when we saw the behind-the-scenes of CP’s shoot with localemagzine? Well now it’s May and Christen is officially a cover girl and I swear they’re all trying to kill us before the World Cup because no one should be allowed to look that hot, but it's Christen so why are we surprised? The penultimate send-off game against New Zealand goes off with little fan-fare (but the girls do notch goals and/or assists). The team seems to have the weekend off before playing their last game and of course, Tobin and Christen return to Portland and decide to watch the Blazers play the Warriors in the Conference finals. How do we know they were at the game? I mean, other than the fact the CP posted a story on Instagram about Nike making Tobes’ dreams come true you could LITERALLY SEE THEM ON LIVE TV BC THEY HAD SECOND ROW FLOOR SEATS BEHIND THE BENCH. Let’s just say we all suddenly cared a lot about basketball that night. A few days later the USWNT heads to New York, is surprised in time square (where T&C are bus buddies, duh), attends GMA, and has Media Day at Twitter’s headquarters. It was a content overload. We never get a break either because few days after that they play their last send-off series game against Mexico and guess what; Tobin and Christen BOTH SCORE (goals)!!! Most would think that having an afternoon game means that the rest of the day is for relaxing and recovery… well, you’d be wrong. Apparently, it’s time for the launch party of Rɘ-Inc and Christen is wearing a Suit. I repeat a Suit at the party and Tobin is wearing a black dress. They both looked absolutely incredible. Rɘ-inc provides us with a lot of amazing content throughout the month. It’s a quick turn around again and the NT now makes their way to London for their final training before the World Cup starts. It’s also Tobin’s 31st birthday and we all hoped and prayed that Christen would post something for it and luckily, she didn’t disappoint.

June It’s officially World Cup Time, but not before a little camp and because the US plays last there’s still time for them to release their 23 stories even after the tournament has officially started. And since we’ve got the time, ESPN announces that Tobin Heath will be profiled on their next E60 special. Tobin finally opens up about… playing soccer… and also her family. In the end, the whole interview makes us love Aunty To-To even more (if that’s even possible) and the unredacted interviews in a podcast are definitely worth the listen. As the last game of the first round of group stage games commences, the USA finally gets their chance to shine, and in a historic 13-0 win against Thailand, boy do they make a controversial statement. Christen notches an assist after she’s subbed in for Tobin because they would be too powerful together on the field. After a few days of rest (and being caught on a live stream with their arms around each other), they play their next game against Chile and while they don’t win 13-0 (which is mostly because Christen gets denied so many times) 3-0 qualifies them for the round of 16. Next up is Sweden and they win 2-0 where Tobin even scores a goal! (Fifa says it’s an own goal but there are lots of things we don’t like about Fifa). Getting first in the group means Spain is our Round of 16 opponent and after a bit of suffering, and Christen’s 2 whole minutes of play time, we win 2-1. Then, it was time for the most anticipated match of the World Cup. A quarterfinal between the USA and France in Paris. Spoiler Alert: WE WON MOTHERFUCKERS and we even got an adorable hug afterward. Tobin scored ANOTHER GOAL but Fifa is plotting against her and it was called offsides. Now a semifinal versus England awaits.

July So… I don’t even know where to begin with this absolutely crazy month. All I can say is... you’re not ready. Guess what! Christen got the start against England and silenced all her skeptics in the 10th minute when she scored a beautiful header! After falling to the ground in pure emotion, Tobin basically nuzzled her head into Chris’s neck in celebration and it was an absolutely beautiful moment for many reasons. The US went on to win and the final would be the USWNT vs the Netherlands. After waiting a little longer to score than usual, THE UNITED STATES WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WAS BACK TO BACK, 4-TIME, WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! TOBIN HEATH AND CHRISTEN PRESS ARE TWO TIME WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS! Tobin ran straight to Christen after the final whistle because they did it together this time. That’s not all though, during the trophy presentation, in the midst of everyone else’s celebration, Tobin looked and Christen and Christen looked at Tobin and they hugged and basically recreated the iconic photo from 4 years ago and I’M STILL NOT OVER IT AND I WILL NEVER BE AND YOU SHOULDN’T BE EITHER. THEN, after ALL of that, T&C decided to go lay in the confetti together and Christen adorably let Tobin throw confetti all over her and I STILL CAN’T. Not to even MENTION the baby Tobin collected and showed to Chris because they’re so domestic™ before Chris decided to adjust Tobin’s medal because they’re also soft™. The real celebration began afterward in the locker room and a lot of alcohol was consumed, but all Chris was worried about was keeping her hair dry with a little blue towel. The next day, after a transatlantic flight and us wondering how they’re going to survive, the team arrived in New York City and the party's just getting started because the day after that the entire team is a guest on Good Morning America. We’re not done yet because the NEXT morning a ticker tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes awaits them (don’t worry, they were on the same float) before a cross-continental flight to LA just in time for the ESPYS (Tobin is apparently dragged, but it was fun). Tobin looks way too damn good in christen’s her v-neck suit, even though her shoe/sunglasses choice was questionable. Christen blessed us with a yellow v-neck suit and both girls were truly “stuntin” on us. THEN THE DAY WE F U C K I N G DIED!!! I’m not even joking. It started out innocent enough (which it really wasn’t but whatever). Christen posted of photo of JUST them together on the float and captioned it “blissful and grateful”. It was already more than we asked for but THEN she started posting pictures of JUST them at the ESPYS on her story and by this point we were already not OKAY. THEN Tobin decided she wasn’t PLAYING AROUND and posted pictures of JUST them on the red carpet and THEN THAT FUCKING VIDEO. T H E STORY TO END ALL INSTA STORIES. What was the video, you ask? Well, what are the New Chicago Bulls Fire J1s… from Travis Scott? Did you see them? How did she get those they’re not even released yet? Watch at your own risk. Finally, both girls decide to decompress and took mini vacay to Los Cabos because why not, you’re world cup champions, and after re-freshing they both fly home to Portland. Of course, their first game back in the NWSL is against each other because only the most chaotic energy is allowed this month. Christen scores the eventual GOTW but the game ends in a tie. Not to worry though because the next week Tobin notches two beautiful assists in the homecoming game against Houston and Christen produces another beautiful GOTW in a game that Tobin attends wearing while wearing a #23 snapback. They really refuse to be separated for more than a few days. Then, as it turns out, they both head back to Portland proving that Tobin’s excursion to Utah really was extra™ and we can only hope we’ll never come down from this content high.

August Just when we thought we were spoiled by world cup content, the girls decided they’re not done yet and we’re blessed with a TC goal during the first of the Victory Tour games versus Republic of Ireland (foreshadowing: it’s not the first of the month). Christen serves a lovely ball right to Tobin’s head and they were sure to hug adorably in celebration. Before heading back to their clubs, Re-inc hosts an event called ResetTheTable, which is basically a dinner party filled with beautiful people (in body and mind). After returning to Utah Christen scores a brace in a midweek game and helps win another so NWSL rightfully makes her Player of the Week. Then, CP heads to NYC to appear on morning talk shows to educate us about the USWNT lawsuit while looking absolutely stunning. In their last club games before international break, Christen gets another goal, and wins GOTW for the third time, and Tobin’s assists continue to grow (it probably helps that Chris goes to watch her). Their travel has been extra™ this month but it’s what you do for love. Finally, they both head to Philly for camp before playing against Portugal and we get ANOTHER TC GOAL. Christen is getting really good at assisting Tobes.

September The second round of victory tour games conclude at the beginning of the month, but Tobes and Chris are pretty adorable at open training before their second win over Portugal. Oh, Christen gets another assist so her total for 2019 is up to… 11! (that’s the leader of the national team). Then, it’s time for Battle of the Baes 2.0 and this time Christen comes out on top. Tobin ends up winning GOTW on week 23… hmm… and the Thorns clinch a playoff spot. Unfortunately, even with Christen’s header, Utah misses out again.

October After celebrating their 2019 Women’s World Cup win one more time, the victory tour games conclude in with a pair of games against South Korea. The first one is pretty uneventful, and so is the second (except for the sendoff). Tobin and Chris return to their clubs to play their last nwsl games of the season and the Thorns move on to the postseason. They face Chicago first and find themselves out of the championship game. However, Chris doesn’t seem to mind and makes her way to Portland pretty soon after. Something with re-inc seems to be brewing, but the end of the month marks the beginning of the offseason (after they play two friendlies in November, of course).

November The girls report to camp for the final time this year and everyone seems to be ready for the end of quite an incredible year but also new beginnings with a new coach. Christen and Tobin get a start against Sweden and Christen records another assist and her 50TH INTERNATIONAL GOAL!!! (Tobin may or may not fall to her knees again but that’s not important). Then, we get a TC hug and Tobin gets an assist of her own. Even after playing a game in freezing temperatures they still manage to both look adorably bundled after. The next game is even more fun than the first because Christen scores ANOTHER GOAL and we get ANOTHER TC HUG and to cap it all off we get CAPTAIN TOBIN. That’s right, CAPTAIN TOBIN (we almost got captain Christen but it’s okay). We were just barely coming down from that emotional high when the next night Pinoe brings the entire Gayng to the Glamour Awards. Tobin and Christen had a black and white moment and all I’m saying is they looked the best dressed. Re-inc launched their RWB collection and Tobin was the designer while Christen was a model. Then, Tobin decided to also be a model but in… Africa? That’s right, T and C went to South Africa for Grass Roots Soccer and they also enjoyed a safari or two before heading to London for the GRS Gala. Christen looked absolutely stunning (as always) at the event and there was no doubt that Tobin was there to support her. The holiday season has begun and at the end of the month, the girls went their separate ways to spend Thanksgiving with their families. The break was much needed and I’m sure they’re looking forward to an entire month off.

December Tobin and Christen enjoyed their month off by staying pretty quiet, but they did enjoy a snowy vacation towards the end of the month. Then, it was Christmas time and it seemed like a lot of gifts were from Tobin + Christen. Before CP’s bday could happen, they had to attend the WoSo Royal Wedding. They both looked stunning and it was just an unbelievable night in general. Finally, Christen celebrated her 31st birthday right before the decade came to an end. What a truly amazing year.

2020

January It’s the beginning of a new year and the end of the offseason, but it was still pretty quiet until the very end of the month. January Camp in Florida began in the middle of the month and didn’t stop for the 20 players named to the Olympic Qualifying roster. Obviously Tobin and Christen were and the team relocated to Texas to prepare for their group stage games of Olympic Qualifying. (Also re inc had another reset the table event). Christen started the first game against Haiti and scored a goal in the 2nd minute… talk about starting the year off with a bang. CP was also named the player of the match and she honestly seemed like she was the only one who wasn’t shaking off the rust. Unfortunately, Tobin missed out on the first game due to a slight strain but she was back in action against Panama. She even scored a no-look goal and didn’t think we would notice. Christen also added to her goal total and has now scored in 4 straight games. With two wins in their group, the USWNT has secured their spot in the semifinals and are one step closer to qualifying for the Olympics.

February Olympic Qualifying carried over into February and so did Christen’s goal scoring. CP scored two goals in the USWNT’s last group stage game against Costa Rica. The first goal she scored that game was an absolute banger and was eventually named the goal of the tournament. Also, Christen was named player of the match for the SECOND TIME of the tournament. The goal scoring didn’t stop because she scored another banger against Mexico after jumping on her own rebound. There was no way that ball wasn’t going in the back of the net. After all of this scoring and player of the match wins Christen was rightfully named best player of the entire CONCACAF tournament. She was absolutely glowing with her golden ball trophy before she gave it to her father (who was more than appreciative). Tobin was also feeling generous and gave her first place medal to a fan in the crowd (I guess that’s allowed?). After successfully qualifying for the olympics and remaining reigning CONCACAF champions, everyone had a slight break before training for the She Believes Cup began. Tobin and Christen were named to the roster, but before training could begin the gals had a photoshoot in the brand new olympic kits. I’m not saying Christen decided to debut her new engaygment ring at said photoshoot but I’m not not saying that. (Good job Tobin ;) ) It’s definitely not the offseason anymore and on February 29th, we were all leaping for joy that training camp had resumed in Florida.

March The whole gayng got to be aunties to Cassius in Florida during camp and apparently it was good luck because the USWNT won their first game in the She Believes Cup against England. It was definitely thanks to Christen’s absolute GOLAZO (the only thing she’s allowed to score against England). CHRISTEN PRESS what have you DONE. The USWNT didn’t stop and neither did Christen because in the next gain against Spain she assisted the winning goal in the 86th minute off a free kick. Christen and Tobin BOTH started against Japan and Christen was even at the number nine spot. Brownsuganumba9 lives on. It must’ve been an amazing position for her (who knew) because she scored another GOLAZO against Japan. It chipped the keeper and it was honestly filthy. CHRISTEN PRESS what did you DO. The USWNT won the She Believes Cup, but are still fighting the equal pay lawsuit against ussoccer. During the warm up of the final game of the tournament they all wore jerseys inside out to display the now iconic symbol of four stars with a blank crest. They’re in this together. Just as the USWNT played their last game, the entire world entered a quarantine. Everyone went home and it’s unclear when anyone will return to the field for club or country. However, in the midst of quarantine, there was a Surprise: Snow Storm! and Re-inc launched their posters. It has also allowed CEO Christen and the rest of the Re-inc team to start doing instagram lives in order to interact with fans. We’re in this together.

April This month began like the last one ended, still in quarantine, but that didn’t stop Re-inc from launching their BW capsule collection, but before that an absolutely INCREDIBLE photo was taken and it's pretty much the only major thing that happened this month. Thank you Miss Tobin Heath. However, all of the re-inc founders have been a lot more active on the account (probably because soccer is momentarily paused for right now). Christen found a Stacy plant and remembrance candle along with other plants for the rest of her fam. Tobin and Christen are most definitely quarantining in Portland together and will be for a while.

The following is when superdupergust took over.

May With quarantine still underway, May was all about the social media (which Christen used to flash that engaygement ring a few more times). Tobin took over re-inc's insta for a day, during which she got up surprisingly early, listened to jazz music, and killed us all with her thighs. Had you forgotten that Preath were living together? No? Well, they decided to bless us with a reminder anyway, in the form of a Zoom snippet in which T&C were adorably domestic. Then Christen surprised us with the a super gay picture of Tobin underneath a rainbow, thus winning Tobin Tuesday forever.

June Bigger and more important things were happening in June, but there were a few Preath happenings to note. Christen appeared on sportscenter and proved that she is queen of the nose boop. She was also interviewed on Load Management. Tobin debuted her ugly af new glasses, which sparked The Great Glasses Debate of 2020, and she also modeled the new Thorns kit, even though she won't be playing in it this year. We got lots of artist!Tobin content with the release of proxɘmics, and one photo was Super Extra Gay with the fridge in the background featuring not only gay art by Tobin, but a print out of a love poem Christen had posted on Insta several months before.

July July started off pretty quietly. Christen did another Instagram live - this time with chopra. re-inc teased and released the popsicle drop, but that was pretty much it. Until...THE DAY WE FUCKING DIED, PART TWO. Thanks to newly appointed gay icon Stacy's Pita Chips, we were suddenly inundated with a year's worth of content in a single day. Podcasts, pictures of T&C in the same frame, touching and looking absolutely smitten, videos where they both used terrible Zoom backgrounds to avoid giving the impression that they were in the same apartment...honestly, it was like something from a dream. Go buy some of their slightly overpriced but delicious chips right now, tbh. We owe them one. Alas, much as we would have liked July 16th to go on forever, it had to end. But the month still had one surprise up its sleeve, and it went out with a bang when Tobin decided to casually drop a pic featuring a very large new ring on a Very Important Finger. An engagement ring? A wedding ring? DEFINITELY one or the other, but no conclusive evidence as of yet. Everyone say a prayer for C to drop a pic in August...

August Alas, Christen did not provide any wedding ring evidence, but she did call Tobin her sun (if you squint a little). More cute popsicle pics dropped, and Tobin tried to murder us with her biceps. Christen did us another solid and confirmed herself as an Oregonian - we love to see it! The weeks passed, and it looked like nothing much was going to happen in August, and we were beginning to cry for content. But behold, the gods of football heard us, and we were surprised by unofficial news of T&C being loaned to Manchester United for the season...TOGETHER? Amazing. Incredible. Legendary. (Still waiting on that confirmation, though.)

September Stacy's Pita Chips is the gift that keeps on giving, and their gift this month was the first mentorship session. But it's time to get back to football, because on the tenth, it became official: Tobin and Christen would be finishing out the season at Manchester United...together. Cue screaming as Preath fans around the world suddenly began dreaming dreams of seeing them playing side-by-side once more! But football wasn't the only thing they were getting up to this month. Re-inc continued to be amazing, and teamed up with Michelle Obama and others for when we all vote. Fun side development: USWNT PA revealed that they ship Preath. How, you ask? They rolled out nothing other than a legit Preath shirt. Yes, for real. And they're not the only ones. Bless whatever Preath shipper secretly runs Manchester United's socials, because the content abounded throughout the month.

October Christen and Tobin made their debut for the Red Devils against Brighton & HA, during which Tobin got her first assist for United! Then they walked out barefoot onto the pitch together, like the marrieds they are. On the 7th, they played against Liverpool, then again on the 10th, against the Spurs. But the most exciting moment on the 10th happened just after the game...when Preath met baby Charlie (and Christen couldn't seem to keep her hands off of Tobin). Then came the 18th, vs West Ham, when Preath decided to pull off the Ultimate Football Wives move: they scored their first goals for United in the same game. In the next few days, they did some interviews together. Christen made the most adorable instagram post of all time, ostensibly as a promotion for the new re- source collection.

November November arrived, and the first game of the month was against Arsenal. Alas, neither of them scored, though Tobin did manage to get a nutmeg in under 50 seconds, because of course she did. A few days later, the expansion draft happened, and all hell broke loose when Louisville acquired the rights to both Tobin and Christen. They both stayed quiet about the change, though Tobin did not adhere to these same guidelines when she threw down some some fighting words in an interview about the upcoming Manchester Derby. Christen, meanwhile, monologued about the weather, and we loved her anyway. Then the Derby happened, and Tobin rocketed in an absolute beauty of a goal of the sort that begs to be watched on repeat. Soon, T&C were off to the Netherlands for the first USWNT camp in close to a year. In the showdown featuring the final two teams from the 2019 World Cup, Christen was starting #9, and she notched an assist just before halftime.

December We aren't the only Tobin fans, Barclays reveals when they name Tobin Player of the Month. The refs, however, aren't as convinced, and one gives her a yellow five minutes into extra time during the game versus Reading. That same day, Tobin's jawline alone converts thousands of TikTok users into woso fans (or at least causes them to briefly question their sexuality). Christen isn't playing, due to illness - non-COVID-related, thank goodness - but that doesn't stop her from being nominated for the USWNT 2020 Player of the Year. Three days later, she's doing well enough to be spotted in the stands at the game versus Everton. The game, sadly, ends in a loss, but it clearly serves as some hella good motivation. They emerge from the game versus Bristol City with a 6-1 victory, two of which are Tobin goals. The games are over for the year, but it's never been a better time to be a Preath fan, because in addition to posting several throwback pictures with Tobin on her social media over the month, Christen wishes us all a Merry Christmas (& you're welcome) by posting a picture of her and Tobin together. Interestingly, it's the same tree from Tobin's post earlier in the month. Almost like they're always in the same apartment or something. Crazy!

2021

January Sharing continues to be caring, because in addition to the Christmas tree, they also happen to share a cute lil plant. They're not always inside, though, because they go for a walk in the snow, and Christen makes some bigtime heart eyes. When the first game of the year rolls around, Tobin and Christen are both there, rather than at National Team camp, as when invitations went out, Christen was still sick, and Tobin chose to stay to help United in the January FA Women's Super League fixtures. Things take a turn, however, because Christen is the starting #9 against Chelsea, while Tobin stays on the bench all game, wearing trainers instead of boots. It's announced later that Tobin has an ankle injury, which will keep her off the field for the next 10-12 weeks, taking her out of commission for Manchester United but also ensuring she won't be competing in SheBelieves. Neither of them play in the next game, but on the last day of the month, Christen scores an absolute beauty of a goal against Everton. We can't wait to see what she has in store for February!

February It's February, and you know what that means: She Believes Cup time!! No Tobin, due to injury, but Christen is ready to rock! Things open up with a close game, as the USWNT squeaks by with a 1-0 victory against Canada. Christen scores in the 11th minute of the next game against Brazil and follows it up with an beauty of a goal in the 88th minute in the game against Argentina. With that, the US solidifies their spot as the winners of the 2021 She Believes Cup! Tobin, left behind in Manchester with nothing to do but post orange hearts on Instagram and root for her favorite girl, actually decides to join the UTD podcast and bless us with her smile as she talks about being the oldest person on the Manchester United squad.

March It turns out, Tobin did have some things keeping her busy in February - secret re-inc projects! Tobin reveals her new art, ADA (ADA as in Ada Lovelace, creator of the first computer algorithm, not as in the Americans with Disabilities Act, much to this author's initial confusion), a painting featuring binary code. CP is a proud wifey, as always. On the pitch, United plays against Aston Villa with no TC on the field, but Christen does show up looking all adorable with her beloved hot water bottle in tow. She plays in the following game against Arsenal, as well as the game against West Ham, where she scores a gorgeous goal! Back off the pitch, TC co-gift the world's largest and most expensive stuffed dog for Krashlyn's new baby daughter, Sloane, who dubs them aunties. (Take a moment to recover from the sheer cuteness.) They also *gasp* share a screen when joining in the background of the Equal Pay Day press conference at the White House, which is honestly enough to hold us over until July.

April April starts off with a bang that none of us could possibly have expected: Tobin tells Christen she loves her in a public forum, in the most adorkable way possible, causing a fandom-wide meltdown. Nothing else much happens on the Preath front this month, but this will honestly feed us for a year. With Tobin still working on recovery, Christen goes to national team camp solo, then starts against Sweden (1-1 draw) and France (2-0 USA). Back at Manchester, Christen scores a goal against Tottenham. Meanwhile, re-inc drops the Gamer Collection, and honestly no one besides Christen Press could make sweatpants look this good.

May May continues the quiet streak, but one high point is Christen becoming an ambassador for Goody hair products, which means lots of new pictures to make us (and also Tobin, probably) fall even more in love with her. She also plays her last game with Manchester United against Everton, during which she notches an assist. Once she is back stateside, she gets vaccinated. She also posts an adorable picture with her dogs, whom she has obviously missed, followed by a very LA-themed set of photos (which just might be some great foreshadowing for an event a few months following...). Tobin's radio silence is finally broken at the end of the month when she posts for her birthday, which she spends with her brother.

June June starts out on a Wild note when T&C lowkey get outed in a Pride Month Instagram story from the cake company they used for Tobin's birthday cake. The next day is Christen's sister's wedding, and Tobin is barefoot because of course she is. They add another piece of jewelry to their shared jewelry box. We also have another instance of our favorite Tobographer. Then it's time for soccer, and our favorite couple heads to Texas for camp, followed by the Summer Series. The first game is against Portugal, during which Christen gets her 40th career assist with the national team. Christen and Tobin can't wink or flirt, but they're still adorable. Next up is Jamaica, and Christen gets Woman of the Match. After that is Nigeria, and Christen scores the opening goal! We FINALLY get a look at the Olympics roster, including both T&C. Then, because June still has more to give, Christen takes over the re-inc insta for a day. As the saying goes, but wait, there's more! Christen and Tobin host a party for the reunite re-inc line. They look entirely too cute eating fruit together.

July July begins with the Send-Off Series, a two-game series against Mexico. AND BOY IS GAME ONE A GOOD ONE. Christen scores twice, and Tobin makes her grand return to football with an absolute banger basically two seconds after being subbed in. AND THERE ARE HUGS. SO MANY HUGS. IN THE RAIN. At one point they basically audition for the cover of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Then comes the second game, featuring the most ridiculous ref ever to ref, when an accidental whistle blow that players clearly didn't hear winds up disallowing an absolutely stunning Preath goal. But not to worry! We still win, and Tobin scores for the second game in a row (featuring another hug and an incredibly dorky celebration). (We're still salty, though.) Then it's officially Tokyo time! The 2021 "2020" Olympics begin with a game against Sweden that all of us would just very much like to forget. Next up is The One with All the Offsides Calls New Zealand. Both our gals get an assist, and Christen gets her first ever Olympic goal!! During practice, they're showing off some pretty out of control grounding heart eyes. Then history is made when Tobin and Christen actually post a re-inc video where they're in the same frame. And guess what? The world doesn't implode! The next game is against Australia, which ends in a nil-nil draw. But the important thing is that there's Preath hug, and in certain angles, it looks like a kiss (even though it isn't, alas). Then comes the game against the Netherlands, which is a 2-2 tie that goes to penalties. Christen is up, and every single person in the fandom collectively holds their breath, the 2016 Olympics running through our brains. But she makes it, and the camera immediately cuts to Tobin screaming her head off for her *cough*wife*cough* teammate. The US wins!

August The game against Canada sadly ends in a 0-1 loss. It takes away our chance for gold, but the silver lining (see what I did there?) is that the game is Tobin's 176th cap, officially moving her up to third place for most Olympic appearances in USWNT history. The US still has a chance for the bronze, and they play Australia for it...and emerge victorious! Christen finally has her Olympic medal!! In fact, she strangely seems to have two of them...wonder where she got the second...? The next day, the Olympic Village is the scene of some cute Preath moments, official and unofficial. Then Tobin gets on Instagram and ends the entire fandom with the absolute cutest post ever. The rest of the month is eventful: re-inc drops the Field of Flowers collection. There's a fan sighting in Jersey. And most importantly, CP to LA comes true! Angel City announces Christen as their first signing!

September The signing news doesn't end with Christen, though. Only a few days later, it's announced that Tobin is heading to Arsenal, her lifelong favorite team! LA continues to provide lots of Christen content. Which is nice, because Christen announces she's taking a short break from football to focus on herself. Therefore, Tobin is the only one at camp later in the month. The US plays Paraguay for back-to-back games, and sadly the Paraguayan national team doesn't let this author sneak aboard their plane to see the game in person. Still, the US wins decidedly with a final score of 9-0 on the first night and 8-0 on the second, with one of the goals in Game #1 coming from Tobin. Then Tobin is off to England. Christen also declares she'll be going on a journey...which also strangely happens to lead her to Tobin's first Arsenal game...and her second, where they share a hug after the game, despite not even being on the field together. We love to see it. :')

October In progress

[neonbutchery]

TRILOGY APPRECIATION WEEK — day three and a half: kai, sokara, and benji

i realized my current posting schedule for this week wasn't enough to cover all my ocs, so have this tiny interlude talking about some lesser developed ocs who i'm still trying to figure out what they do.

kai'nalak kethar, mostly known as kai, is a batarian biotic freelancer who specializes in grenade use. they were born in kar'shan to a family of government workers and started manifesting their abilities around eleven or twelve, which made their family enroll them in sort of military training program. when the reaper war came, eighteen-year-old kai and their siblings fled the kite's nest—leaving their parents behind and never seeing them again—and spend the war as refugees in the citadel. after a brief time in c-sec, kai decided to become a merc and go freelance. they're sunshine's roommate, best friend and (platonic) soulmate and like spicy chips and playing air hockey. (they're mainly based on my me3mp character, so you might notice some similarities!)

you can read more about kai in their oc tag or in ashes, where they make an appearance as a side character!

doksan sokara is a four hundred something year old krogan doctor who grew up in a small clan somewhere in the wastelands of tuchanka. due to the unstable situation her clan was in and fights with their rivals, she had to learn how to clean up messes as soon as she got out of her teenage years. while physically strong and a formidable fighter—she’s a krogan, what did you expect?—, she prefers using her resilience to heal those in need. she started learning medicine by herself diy-style (don’t do this at home, kids) while patching up fellow clan members, and later, went off-world sometimes to learn more about it. by the end of the reaper war and the cure of the genophage, her partner was killed and, wanting to turn over a new leaf, she moved to omega and opened a clinic.

she’s also got a son, who i have to draw. his name is vur, he’s ten year old and asks you if you have games on your omni-tool.

and the last oc is benji knight, who hasn’t even got concept art (yet) because i literally came up with her yesterday. she’s probably in her twenties, works at a mortuary at day as vitium’s apprentice (i’ll get to him tomorrow) and does skycar racing by night. she probably has really cool hair.

[crystaljins]

River lead me home | 02

Characters: Seokjin x Reader

Word count: 5.2k

Synopsis:  Ever since coming to the human realm when you were child, nothing seems to fit, and this was just supposed to be a simple roadtrip to help you find yourself.

Is that too much to ask for?

Spin-off to A long journey home

Rating: Teens

Notes: I’ve gotten such a fantastic response to this!!! You guys have been so supportive and so thoughtful about my fic and I’m honestly so grateful! This chapter is a bit sad and angsty, but it’s necessary to launch into the adventure bit.

I hope continue to live up to expectations!!

Tags: @blue1928​

Masterlist

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 FINAL

The portal to the other realm is located in a far, dark corner of the city you now call home. It is the only way between realms. No human technically knows about it (although you are aware of the incident about a month ago with Taehyung’s new girlfriend) and it’s in a shady enough corner of town that no one really stumbles upon it. The few that do are written off as high as a kite and probably hallucinating. And so the entrance remains unguarded and hidden in plain sight- a fake bathroom door in the back of an alley between a brothel and an antique store with creepy dolls in the window- literally the last public bathroom anyone would use even in emergencies. You tighten your backpack straps and hope the hello kitty on the front doesn’t look too out of place as you step into the alleyway.

Jungkook sits on your shoulders, kicking his legs idly. They bounce against the bright pink straps of your backpack as he glances around the dinghy alleyway. Even in the daytime, the place is a bit eerie and uncomfortable, like at any moment a rogue gang member may leap out and knife you. 

“Scared?” Jungkook questions when the silence begins to stretch out between you for an uncomfortably long moment. You swallow past the dryness in your throat. 

“N-no.” You say, but the stutter gives you away. You had snuck out of the house that morning under the guise of going to the part time job that you’d been fired from and your mother still felt too guilty about last night’s dinner fiasco to stop you. It’s only a five-day hike. There and back would only take two hours in this world. No one, not even Jin, would be able to work out that you’d ever gone over to the other world. But that’s only if you make it out alive. It’s been thirteen years since you crossed over to this world but as many fond memories as you have of your home realm, you have not forgotten the dangers it held. 

Jungkook sighs in annoyance. 

“Don’t tell me you’re backing out after thirteen years of angst-ing and being annoying.” He complains. He straights and launches himself off your shoulder to hover in front of you. “Shall I help you?” He asks, hands shoved in the pockets of his little jeans. You have a collection of naked dolls at home as you buy a doll whenever you see a cute outfit for him, and no one wants a doll without the accessories. This particular doll’s outfits consist of a fake blazer, a pair of jeans and a little white tshirt. 

“How can you help?” You question, your voice as cautious as warranted when offered aid by a creature small enough to crush in your hand. Jungkook quirks a tiny brow and grins, fluttering closer.

“An old pixie charm for protection and luck.” He says and you miss the slight tick to his jaw as he mutters the words. He flies in close enough to press both hands to the space between your eyebrows. “Close your eyes.” He murmurs. 

You follow his request, letting your lids flutter shut and inhaling deeply. 

“You need an eyebrow wax. There are a lot of hairs here.” Jungkook mutters. 

“Jungkook.” You grit out warningly. You feel his hands flinch in the slightest tickle. 

“I’m just saying....” he defends himself before taking a deep breath. A little song that he sings fills your ears. You’ve heard Jungkook singing before- he likes to sing along to whatever comes on the old radio you keep on the roof and sometimes he comes across small mice or moths that are injured and he’ll sing them back to health. This song is different though- darker, and heavier. His voice is normally sweet, but this has an unusual edge to it- it doesn’t sound like a good luck charm. But honestly, you trust Jungkook with your life and so your eyes remain closed until the time peters out. Your eyes open as silence falls and the last of a faint glow to Jungkook’s form fades. 

“There.” He says cheerfully. “Now you’ll see the river no matter what!”

You stare at Jungkook for a long moment and gather your courage. It’s stupid but a part of you knows that you won’t ever truly be happy if you don’t do this. It’s a lot to put on seeing a dumb river but as long as you cling to your home realm you will never truly feel settled here. You need a proper goodbye. 

“Let’s go.” You say, clutching once more at the bright pink straps of your backpack and moving towards the dingy bathroom door that marks the entrance to a magical world. Jungkook nods and settles back on his favourite perch on your shoulder. 

“Where are we going?” A familiar voice sounds from behind you.

If you’re being honest, you’re pretty sure your heart displaces from your chest to the base of your tongue for a moment. You blame being on edge in a dodgy part of town and nerves about travelling to a dangerous realm for the terrified screech you release. 

By the time you recover, Jin has a hand clasped over his chest, also recovering from a terrified scream. 

“I nearly had a heart attack!” He cries in outrage. Your eyes nearly bug out of your head. 

“YOU NEARLY HAD A HEART ATTACK?!” You question incredulously. “What are you doing here?”

Jin blinks and glances around the alley in surprise as if he himself is only just registering where he is. 

“I rang your boss.” He admits, folding his arms and leaning against the brick wall. He looks like a model, with the way he artfully deposits himself across the grimy red brick. “And she had some interesting news- that you had been fired almost two weeks ago. Which is weird, because I seem to remember you going to work every day this week. And when I called your mother, she said you had left early for work this morning without talking to her. Imagine my surprise and shock at hearing that!”

You swallow nervously, aware of the way Jin casually eyes you. His stance is relaxed and at ease, but his pose is deceptive. There is a slight tick to his jaw and an unamused glint to his eyes like at any moment he may grab you and launch into his most powerful Jant (Jin rant) yet. 

“Oh, funny, that.” You say hesitantly, scrambling for an excuse. “You see, I-“

“You lied to me.” Jin cuts you off. The excuses die in your throat at the hurt in his voice. This... isn’t a Jant. With Jants, Jin’s anger boils over and you can’t get a word in edgewise. Instead, his voice wobbles and his words are slow and meaningful. Like the precise jabs of a needle. “I’ve been sitting here, feeling terrible for you, but this whole time you’ve been lying to me.” 

“Jin, I-“ you say, finding your voice in an attempt to defend yourself, but he cuts you off.

“Save the excuses!” He practically snarls. “That’s how you always are! Always making excuses for your behaviour- you never take responsibility for the things you do! It’s like you’re not even trying.” 

He kicks off the wall and strides towards you. 

“And now? Now what? You were going to run away without telling any of us? None of us would have ever known what happened to you. All your mum would know was that you ran away after a fight with her and disappeared- did you really want that to be her last memory of you? How selfish can you be!” He scolds. 

All the desperation to defend yourself drains out of you as the weight of Jin’s words hit you. That really had been what you were about to do. You feel Jungkook stiffen on his perch upon your shoulder and you drop your eyes in shame. He’s… he’s right.

“I’ve made excuses for you.” Jin is not finished. His voice cracks as he says the word. “Every time. Since coming here. I’ve always justified every stupid thing you’ve done- every mess you’ve made. ‘Her dad died, Jin. Of course she’s struggling to settle in.’ I’ve helped you every time because I felt bad for you. I could never stop you because I felt so guilty that my family was whole but yours was broken. And so, I’ve let you step all over me our whole lives, but this is enough. You’ve gone too far today. I’m not going to justify your immature and selfish behaviour anymore.”

Tears well up in your eyes at the mention of your father. You’ve never thought about how your actions may have affected Jin. But in hindsight you can see what it must have been like- having dates interrupted with calls from the hospital. Having to cancel plans with friends to pick you up from job interviews. Coming home from a long day at the hospital and being forced to make you a meal. You’ve been so preoccupied with how inadequate you feel next to him that you’d never considered how hard you were making his life. 

“I’m sorry.” You say softly. Jin pauses, and the hard look in his eyes softens and he looks away. 

“Look, don’t worry about it. Let’s just go home.” He tells you wearily. You nod meekly, with every intention of following him and putting this whole episode behind you like it’s nothing more than a delirious fever dream. But then something strange happens. Every muscle in your body locks up. 

Panic races through you- you’re paralysed. Jin has already turned and is making his way back up towards the entrance to the alleyway, but your body won’t follow despite your desperate attempts to move. 

“(Y/N),” Jungkook says urgently from your shoulder. “I have something to tell you-“ 

Jin interrupts him. 

“What are you doing?” He demands. “Let’s go!”

“I can’t.” Is all you manage to choke out. There’s a weird tugging sensation in your body, like every molecule within you is being pulled. Jin’s eyes widen with anger. 

“You’re kidding me!” He cries. “You mean after all of this, you’re still thinking of yourself?”

“It’s not that.” You protest pathetically. “Jin, I can’t move-“

“Save it!” Jin snaps. “For a moment I fooled myself again- I thought maybe you could be mature and I was almost ready to apologise, but as usual, I overestimated you. You really are the selfish brat I’ve always thought you were. Fine. Go to your stupid realm.”

Your eyes widen. Up until this point, you couldn’t get a word in to defend yourself because Jin was painfully right in everything he said. But... his final words are like a punch to your gut. Because, as much of a pain as you are, Jin has never given up on you before. Even the times where he would have been justified in doing so like the time you crashed his car trying to save a kitten on the side of the road. And even that day, back in highschool… that hadn’t been him giving up on you. But this time… all the warmth is gone from his eyes. He’s never looked at you quite like this before. The feeling is strange- like he’s torn open your rib cage with his hands and is snickering at your bruised heart. Until this moment you didn’t even know Jin had the power to hurt you in the way that he has. 

“Jin.” You say softly. Tears stream down your face and you never get the chance to explain yourself. 

“(Y/N)!” Jungkook cries again. “About the charm I just cast-“

A loud, eerie creaking cuts him off. Both you and Jin shift your gazes- the decrepit fake bathroom door slowly opens. The poorly oiled hinges release pained screeches as the darkness behind the door reveals itself. You both stare in confusion- the door doesn’t have the ability to open itself. One has to open it to be able to cross over into the other world. And though you’ve only seen the portal once before, you know it shouldn’t be black like that. 

“What-“ Jin begins to ask, and then something horrible happens. A tendril of darkness shoots out like a whip and wraps around your wrist. You stare down in horror, but your body still will not obey- it does not allow you to attempt to wrench your hand free. Jin looks from you to the door, connected by the dark, rope like substance, and all the colour drains from his face. 

Another whip like movement follows and suddenly your wrists and ankles are encircled by the same odd tendrils. You feel a powerful tug and your arms and legs are pulled backwards towards the portal. 

“What’s going on?” Jin demands. Jungkook has been thrown off balance by the pull- he grips onto the material of your shirt and flaps his wings in an attempt to stay balanced.

“She has to see the river!” It’s Jungkook that calls, his voice high with distress. Jin turns a horrified look to the small pixie. Another yank has you stumbling backwards and then a steady pull slowly drags you to the door. “I... I put a spell on her!” He confesses.

Your heart drops in the same moment that Jin’s expression changes. You’ve never seen such an expression on his face. You’ve known him all your life, even when you lived in the other realm, and you thought you had seen every expression he had to give. But you have never seen such a look of pure, unadulterated fear on his handsome face before. You are a mere metre from the door now, still being dragged backwards and your body does not allow you to fight it. 

“She has to see the river- the realm will not let her go until she does.” Jungkook cries, and Jin’s horrified expression changes. It sets with determination as he processes Jungkook’s words, like lava cooling into hard rock. 

With long, sure strides, he turns back around and marches up the alley way, away from you. You are moved back, centimetre by centimetre and more tendrils snake out of the portal, wrapping around your arms, your torso, your legs, your throat. Gradually as you move closer the shadow seems to absorb your body into it. He’s… he’s leaving you, to get dragged forcefully into the other realm. To a place you could lose your life and he would never know. Panic fills you in a way it never has before- Jin has really, genuinely given up on you.

In your life, despite its ups and downs, there has always been one constant. And as much as you loathe to admit it, that constant has been Kim Seokjin. Even as a child, Jin was the one you’d drag along on adventures. He was the one you turned to when human children bullied you at school or when ex boyfriends dumped you. He was the one who held you in his arms every year on the anniversary of your father’s death. He drove you to school every day when he got his licence before you; he helped you move into your apartment when you were living away from home for college. Every step of your entire life, you’ve always had Jin there to support you. And you realise, for the first time, that he may not always be there- that Jin, just like anyone else out there, can and will give up on you.

But the day that he does that isn’t today, for right as he is about to step out of the alleyway, he pauses.

And then, in a burst of inhuman speed you’ve never seen him use in the thirteen years since coming to the human realm, he is before you. You are no more than a centimetre from the portal. but Jin does not hesitate as he wraps his arms around you. He pulls you in close and tight and his hands curve protectively around the back of your skull. 

The last sensation you are aware of before the darkness envelops you is the steady rise and fall of his broad shoulders as he squeezes his eyes shut and falls into the darkness with you in his arms. 

++++

When you finally rouse, it is to the distant sound of birdsong and the soft, earthy smell of a forest floor. As you blearily open your eyes, you find you are lying on your back, gazing at the way sunlight is filtered to emerald green through the luscious canopy above. The air is thick with a sensation you haven’t felt rush against your skin for thirteen years. The air writhes with the painfully familiar sensation of magic. It leaves you feeling more alive then you’ve felt in a long time. 

Only, when you attempt to sit up, you find your body weighed down. Surprised, you gaze down as your midsection to find a masculine arm curled protectively over it. And your head does not press into the hard forest floor- instead it rests against the careful cushion of someone’s palm. You trace the arm thrown over your stomach with your eyes back up to its owner and register the broad shoulders. They slope towards a pale throat, a sharp jawline, familiar, full lips. Something molten bursts in your chest as you take in Jin’s face. It is similar to relief, but it burns hotter and more intensely. He didn’t leave you- he stayed with you. Despite how mad he was, despite your fight... Jin has chosen you. You swallow deeply and take a moment to soak in his features. It is rare that you get to study his features with such intensity- if he ever caught you staring, he would scowl. Jin loves when everyone except you appreciates his face. He lives for the ego boost other people can provide him but with you, your admiration has always been a burden to him. 

He looks so peaceful, with his lashes fluttering gently against defined cheekbones, his face free of any scowl or frown. He looks young like this, and smaller than he is in your head. You’ve always thought of the three years between you as a huge amount- his personality is so big and so is his presence in your life. But seeing him small and vulnerable like this, you realise with a pang that Jin was only fourteen when you first arrived in the human realm. He was little more than a child as well yet since such a young age he’s had to play the role of mature adult for your sake. Your expression crumples with guilt. Have you really been that blind to how you were affecting him?

Jin’s lashes begin to flutter more, and you are seized with fear- you are not prepared to face him, after the things he has said to you. How can you be? Your heart throbs with shame and you are about to pull away from the safe embrace of his arms but as he rouses his arms tighten around you. 

“Where’s the mosquito?” He groans. His eyes aren’t open, so you’re left staring in confusion. 

“Huh?” You answer dumbly. He blinks one eye open and somehow, he manages to glare at you with just one eye. He seems completely unfazed by the way he holds you tightly in his arms.

“The. Mosquito.” He repeats darkly. A familiar fluttering sounds behind you and Jin’s hand shoots out using his enhanced-guardian reaction time. 

“Ouch!” Jungkook cries and you crane your head to find Jin has easily seized the pixie in his fist. He yanks his arm out from underneath you and sits up, holding Jungkook before him. You wince when your head bangs against the ground, before following suit and sitting up. The forest air is oddly cool without his arms around you. 

“You have five seconds to explain before I pull out the bug spray.” Jin snarls at the small creature. Jungkook struggles uselessly against Jin’s fist, pounding tiny hands against his knuckles. 

“Let me go!” Jungkook cries. “You stupid big oaf! You’re going to crush me!”

You are about to rush to Jungkook’s aid but a firm glare from Jin has you freezing in your spot like a chastened puppy. You hang your head while Jungkook continues to attempt to squirm free. 

“What did you do to her? So help me, you stupid cricket, tell me right now or I’m finding the nearest fly swatter.” Jin questions and there is a lethal fury to his tone that has never been there before. 

“I already told you! I thought guardians were supposed to have good memory.” Jungkook whines, his wings flapping faster and faster until they are just a shimmering blur. Jin’s fist tightens just a fraction and Jungkook squeaks with pain.

“Jungkook.” Jin calls warning. Jungkook sighs and slumps defeatedly against the fist that holds him.  His arms fall limply against Jin’s knuckles, which loosen at Jungkook’s defeat.

“A promise spell.” He finally says. “So that she can’t back out of seeing the river.”

“What river?” Jin demands. He whirls on you for explanation and you flinch. 

“The Dancing River!” You confess fearfully. Jin glares for a moment longer- you briefly consider that maybe instead of being a doctor he should be a detective since he seems to be so good at getting confessions from people. Jin blinks in confusion and his expression fogs slightly as he struggles to recall the significance and existence of such a river.

“The… ‘the river loves those who take the plunge’.” He recalls. He frowns. “Why there?”

You flush and look away.

“He… he wanted me to see it.” You admit. Jin is silent- he does not need to ask who the ‘he’ is that you’re talking about. He bites his lip and scrubs a hand over his face. It is the hand that had been holding the back of your head when you fell. The knuckles of said hand are now scraped and bleeding- rivulets of blood trace paths over the back of his hand. It is already starting to heal, but the dried blood remains. Your heart squeezes in your chest at the sight- you did that to him. He is hurt because of your actions. It’s just another painful reminder of who you’ve been to Jin all these years.

“Why the hell would you cast a spell like that on her?” Jin finally asks, unable to face you. Instead he turns the force of his anger on the tiny pixie who has once again started attempting to break free from Jin’s iron hold.

“So that she would have to see the river. Obviously.” Jungkook spits at his captor. Jin’s eyes bug out of his head.

“YOU NINNY!” He shouts and both you and Jungkook flinch at the sudden boom of his voice cutting through the faint forest sounds. The birdsong goes eerily quiet in answer, but Jin does not notice. “DO YOU REALISE WHAT YOU’VE DONE? SHE CAN’T GO BACK HOME UNTIL SHE SEES THE RIVER NOW!”

“I mean… obviously I realise what I’ve done.” Jungkook sulks. He looks at Jin like Jin is stupid. “That’s why I put the spell on her. So that she couldn’t go home until she saw it.”

“Why?” Jin cries. “Why would you force her to see some stupid river?”

Jungkook pauses to consider why he would do such a strange thing, before pointing accusingly at you. You blink, staring in confusion at the tip of his tiny index finger.

“Because she won’t shut up until she does.” Jungkook says. “She’s going to keep being miserable and sulky and annoying until she gets what she wants- do you really want to put up with that for the rest of your life?”

Both Jin and Jungkook turn their heads in eerie unison to stare contemplatively at you. You shrink under their gaze. Jin sighs in defeat and releases Jungkook from his clutches. Jungkook crows in delight and darts away, flapping his wings cheerfully. Jin just continues to stare at you.

“Why didn’t you say something?” He asks quietly, almost drowned out beneath the sound of Jungkook celebrating his freedom. “If you were upset and you just wanted to come here for a quick trip, we could have told your mother and gone together. Instead, you lied to us and snuck off so that we’d never have known what happened to you! And I… I thought you were leaving forever. That you were running off without saying goodbye. I wouldn’t have… I wouldn’t have been as mad if I’d known it was just a quick trip.”

Jin’s heartfelt confession has you choked up and you duck your head to hide the guilty tears that well up in your eyes. In all honesty… You don’t really deserve a friend like him. The fact that he is here, with you, in this realm, is testament to the kind of person he is. He couldn’t leave you, even when you’d hurt him and that makes you feel sick to your stomach. Your eyes flick to where his hand rests at his side. It is completely healed now but the dried blood remains. Jin does not seem to have noticed he’s even injured.

“Well then let’s go!” Jungkook says, finally stilling from his excited zooming through the air. “Let’s see that river and get this over and done with!”

You nod, and get to your feet, dusting the dirt off your pants and stretching your hand out, towards Jin.

“Let’s go.” You tell him. Instead of accepting it and letting you pull him to his feet, however, Jin just stares at your hand in confusion. He gazes up at you and you don’t understand the expression on his face. He glances down at his apple watch, which has somehow survived the transition between realms unscathed. It lights up with the time back in the human realm. He swallows nervously.

“I… I actually had plans, (Y/N). In the other realm.” He says softly. You drop your hand when he gets to his feet himself and awkwardly dusts himself off. He spots the blood and winces, grabbing at the hem of his shirt in an attempt to wipe it off. He shoots a furtive look at you. “I… You didn’t even plan to have me along for this trip.” He points out. The blood smears across his shirt. Wordlessly, you pull off your backpack and pull out a bottle of water and a small towel. You dampen the towel and grab his hand, gently wiping off the dried blood without looking at him.

“Yeah.” You admit softly. “I was supposed to only be gone for two hours.” He nods and bites his lip as he watches you clean the last of the blood off.

“I’m not bound to this realm.” He says. “I can go back and wait for you. And if you… if you don’t come back, I can tell Auntie where you’ve gone.”

“You could.” You say softly. Jungkook has gone quiet, watching the exchange between the two of you. His wings hold him aloft in the air as he wisely chooses not to interfere. You release Jin’s hand, now clean of the blood. The skin under it is already fully healed- no one would ever know he had hurt himself in the first place apart from a faint discolouration.

“Then… it’s settled? You two can finish your journey and I can go back home?” He asks. You don’t respond for a moment, still scrutinising the faint, discoloured mark on the back of his hand. Finally, you look up and you can’t really explain the expression on his face. His eyes are sad, resigned. But he almost looks like he’s in pain- like he’s doing something that is hurting him. You suppose it’s always been like that for him- you, at the expense of himself. And you can’t keep asking him to do that anymore. Because Jin is just as important to you as you are to him, and for too long you’ve allowed your relationship to be too one-sided. It is well past the time Jin should have been allowed to live his own life, with his own friends. You shouldn’t have dragged him backwards while clinging as desperately to the past as you did.

“It’s settled.” You finally say. It’s weird- you don’t know why you just expected that he would come along with you. But obviously, if he’s not stuck here like you are, and if he has commitment back home… why would he come with you? He has far better things to do, and this can be your first step in being less selfish towards him. Letting him live his life. “Have fun with your plans.”

Jin nods, seeming mildly surprised, glancing over his shoulder where the portal back to the human realm is a few metres behind him. His eyebrows both fly up. It’s almost like he expected you to protest. He clears his throat awkwardly.

“Good! Good. I will. I’ll… I’ll have fun. So then… I’ll see you off and then I’ll go back.” He says quickly. You nod and glance at Jungkook, who continues to watch the two of you. He’s almost curious, in the way he watches the interaction between the two of you.

“Let’s go then.” You tell the pixie, who nods and lands on your shoulder, his favourite seat.

“See ya, Mr. Guardian.” He says, as a farewell to Jin. Jin squints at him and offers him an acknowledging nod.

“If anything happens to her, I’m tying you to a bug-zapper.” He tells Jungkook, almost cheerfully. He turns and regards you, with a half-smile. “And don’t think I won’t find out if you do anything stupid. Taehyung knows this realm very well and can definitely find your body.”

Despite the dark humour, you find yourself smiling. You shake your head.

“Just go, already.” You urge him. You hesitate for a moment, before stepping in close and pulling him into a hug. Jin smells familiar and warm- like the scent of home mixed with expensive cologne. You don’t know how long it will be before you see him again, but you don’t like leaving things between you on this note. Jungkook makes a noise of annoyance, launching himself backwards off your shoulder to avoid the hug. “I’m sorry. For everything.”

It takes Jin a moment, before he snakes his arms around your waist and pulls you in tightly. He tucks his face into the crook of your neck and shoulder.

“I know.” He answers, before pulling away. “Now hurry up. You’ve got to get back and apologise to your mother asap, you hear me?”

You nod, before retrieving your hello kitty backpack and slinging it once more over your shoulders. Jin watches the two of you with an unreadable expression as you finally turn away and begin to march eastwards, where you know you’ll find the first landmark on your hike.

He watches until you are both gone from view before turning back towards the portal.

After all, you both have separate paths to take.