#these were so easy to translate I worry I got something horribly wrong

[turtleations]

HIDE Inspiration Talk 50 (# 16 - 18) - Translation

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

I don’t sweat a lot. So, out of these three, what flows most for me are the tears. I’m a crybaby. Blood doesn’t flow much for me either, because I am not a woman (laughs). I don’t sweat much. Even when I am on stage, there is hardly any sweat on my face, so my make-up doesn’t run. For the rest of my body, on the other hand, it’s terrible. When I am wearing closed clothes that don’t show a lot of skin, it feels like the Kegon Falls [famous waterfall near Nikko] inside (laughs). Eh, is it a requirement for idols that their faces don’t sweat? Well, I’m not a born idol (laughs). I’m crying for all sorts of reasons. Movies like “Ai to Shishun no Tabi” [transl. “A Journey of Love and Youth”] usually make my cry. When I watch a so-called tearjerker, I simply start crying at once. I get emotional just talking about it and have to cry, even if it’s not particularly sad. So, I cry a lot. If it’s especially sad, or happy, if the tension rises, my tear glands just let loose against my will.

Foreign Countries and Japan

If we’re talking about foreign countries, the first one that comes to my mind is, of course, America [US]. My hometown of Yokosuka is full of foreigners, and since I saw drunk foreigners around ever since I was a child, I didn’t particularly like them. If anything, you could say I hated them. But I liked western music. In my mind, the drunk foreigners in Yokosuka and the foreigners who made rock music are two different things altogether. Because now, I have the opportunity to meet foreigners who are experts in my line of work. Back in the day, being able to work with the foreigners in the world of rock music that I was drawn to simply made me happy.  Because it left a deep impression and was stimulating for me. Yet in contrast, working with those foreigners made me feel strongly that “I am Japanese”. Because at the end of the day, I carry the Japanese spirit after all (laughs).

Tokyo Dome

The first time I saw it, it filled me with awe and made me nervous, but with every year going there, I feel like it is getting smaller. It makes me wonder if it really is getting smaller, otherwise it would have to be me getting bigger (laughs). The only bands I went to see there from the audience were BUCK-TICK and the Stones.

[yasashiiku]

@xstarlights sent a crow ;

⏰ that time shou got his burn scars and toichiro pulled a ma/kima

( tw: child violence, background character death, graphic description of burn injury, graphic description of blood, gore but not as graphic, gore-y metaphors, moral ambiguity. )

"You're impressive," you carefully watch them compliment you, "Your power sure is something," they say through vile smiles and twitching eyes.

"Maaan, the world sure has favorites. ...."

"Spoiled trash, do you know how much I went through to gain this power?"

"A natural, huh? Don't make me vomit."

"Don't tell me you think you're any better than us."

"What's with that look, brat?"

"You think you're all high and mighty? I'll wipe that spiteful look from your face -"

It was never your choice to fight. People like them could only see what they want to, whether they've mistaken the fear in your eyes for offense or took your entire existence for such. You could never understand them, and you hoped you never will, worried that you'd end up as brainless as they continue proving themselves to be.

It doesn't take long for a cold sweat to break. You were outnumbered, you were small, you weren't composed and you weren't ready. The outcome was already decided and clear long ago, but that didn't stop you from fighting back, and you decide that nothing ever would, despite your racing heart and the looming panic overtaking your senses, despite the aching in your body and the trembling of your hands. What would happen if you simply run away? You'd become an easy prey, and more and more delusional bastards would come running for your throat for no reason other than stroking their rotten ego.

Tears collect in the corner of your eyelids, another attack overwhelms your amateur defense, and you desperately want to take the tears back. What would anyone think have they seen you crying? Like a helpless child, a cowardly weakling. Crying is a weakness. Running away is a weakness. Weaknesses weren't affordable. You don't want to see the devastating end they would lead you to.

And you certainly don't want to get hurt any more, you're aware you're starting to collect bruises, standing on your feet becoming harder and harder with each second, your breathing is all sorts of wrong, your vision is doing funny things. Your heart stutters and sirens ring in your mind, begging for a chance, for a change, for help. But you had a feeling that no one would arrive to rescue someone like you.

The desperation within your emotions beats and pumps like a second heart, fueling your energy in ways you've never experienced before, but you didn't have it in your mind to actually process what was happening. It engulfs your tight fists, swirls feverishly in the hope for a release, and then it bursts when your barrier gets shattered.

Your strained gaze peeks over arms which are supposed to guard you, sweat making your forehead glisten. You register the view with difficulty, you've sent one of your opponents flying, a fresh chasm decorated the wall they've collided with, giving off cracks that trailed down to where they lay on the floor, motionless like a puppet without strings.

You ... did this?

Everything in and out of you freezes. If you were to check the others, you'd have found them gaping, faces drained of blood as fear and shock devour them whole. Eat them alive. But you don't look away, eyes uncomfortably glued on the aftermath of your power. Of course you did this, you were outnumbered, you were small and you weren't ready, but that didn't change how powerful you were, how dangerous you were. The realization is so relieving and so horrible that it forces your legs to give up under your weight.

But no one would be as forgiving to you as your body begging for rest. You can practically feel their anger build up around you, the venomous animosity translated from crippling fear, the innate need to destroy whatever makes itself a danger to the superiority of others like themselves. And you're helpless, tired, you've ran out of fight, you can't do a thing as they loom over you, you could swear their loud curses could puncture your eardrums, but unfortunately that would be the last of your worries.

One of them says something about real power, you don't get a chance to completely comprehend anything, a hand clasps your left shoulder, yanking you from the ground with freakish ease, you immediately hold it back, an attempt to tear it away from your person, and a rush of fear so fast and furious hits you when you realize how futile it is, when you realize that something is coming and it's coming to get you and you can't do a single thing to stop it.

For a second, you consider apologizing, pleading for your life, groveling on the ground - anything if it meant they would spare you from whatever punishment they intend to crush you with. But it was only a second. A second wasn't enough for you to react, and a second was enough to light a fire to your arm. It started like a miniature explosion, sounded like one, shined like one, like something you would see in chemistry labs and exciting experiments on TV shows, only now you were the lab rat, and a pyrokinetic psychic was testing how much heat your body could take before you became nothing but charred meat.

You struggle, short feet kicking at nothing, nails digging into the hand that mercilessly grips and continues to burn away at your flesh, your voice resounding in anguish fits as pain overtakes all of your senses, but you can still hear laughter, mocking, satisfied, sadistic. It irritates you, it terrifies you, it sickens you, but not as much as the smell of your own burning flesh or the sound of your own blood boiling and sizzling as it seeps through your own disfigured skin. Tears stream down your cheeks, and you can feel them vaporizing right away from the heat and the skin on your face starts to hurt just like your shoulder and arm and your ear and your back and everything hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts-

Kaa-chan... it hurts so much, Kaa-chan...

And that's when you feel it, a presence so smothering it numbs everything else, your heart almost stops as you register it, and the tortured part of your mind is somewhat disappointed when your heartbeat continues to beat like out of tune drums. That feeling scares you, but not as much as the aura that spread across the hallway, pressing on the air and making it even harder to breath, it's enormous, monstrous, and so very familiar.

"It's- it's the boss... "

"What is he doing here ... ?"

" S- sir we were just- "

The next thing you know, you're back on the ground with a thud and a yelp, and despite somehow breaking free from the burning grip, your shoulder still seethes of agonizing heat. Tears haven't dried from your eyes, dripping in the floor as you continue to cry. Your hand reaches up to hold the injury, a reflex without a thought, only to have invisible needles stabbing onto skin- flesh? you don't even know anymore - just when the tips of your fingertips make contact with it. A sob chokes the air within your throat, and you want to curl around the pain and cry until you can no longer feel a thing, but you freeze instead as a sound splits through the silence which you haven't noticed.

It's a squish and splatter, visceral and loud, reminds you of the way sponges get squeezed to drain extra liquid or the sound of water when you jump into a puddle after it rains. Truth is, it was way far from anything your childish imagination could compare with, so it simply gave up. In fact, a lot of you gives up the second something warm wets your skin with a splash, confusion drains your expression of life.

It drips from your face to your hands, you look down, only to realize it has already been there, and it's blood and warm and dark over your pale skin and seeping into the tiny lines of you palm. You look ahead, there is also blood, snaking down the floors in neat little lines, like several little streams breaking off from a lake, except the streams are made of blood and the lake is also made of blood and the blood is pouring from the bodies of the three psychics who decided to harass you not even ten minutes ago, and they aren't moving, and they aren't breathing, their eyes wide open with nothing but frozen terror shaping their expressions into something out of this world.

❝ Shou. ❞

That's when you look up, your eyes peeling wide at the sight of your father, clean and well-kept and not covered in blood, only then you realize that you've felt him earlier, his presence all too overwhelming, all too different. Tears mark clear paths across the blood smears on your face, something hot and painful bubbles within your core, pushing on your heart so much you feel it'd jump out of your throat at any second, you don't know if it's relieve or shock or the aftermath of fear or fear itself still simmering.

❝ Otou-san ... ❞

What happened? For how long have you been standing there? Why is there blood everywhere? Why are they not breathing? Did you do all of this? What have you done? What have you done? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE -

You can't help it, you scream - it's so premature, choked with tears and young hiccups - but you scream. An animal howl that echoes and comes back pounding on your head as you keep on shrieking, as you double over your tossing and turning stomach, as you bawl your eyes out until you pass out in subconscious hopes of erasing everything you've just witnessed, because your shoulder is still burning and blood is wetting your clothes and filling the whole place with an odor so raw and metalic in an organic and ugly way, because you're surrounded by dead bodies and because your father did it. Your father did this for you. Your father saved you. Your father killed people to save you.

-

And when you wake up in a clean, white, not covered in blood hospital room who-knows-how-long later, when you see the machines stabilizing your state and beeping properly in synchronization with your heartbeat, when your wounds were treated and patched and taken care of in a daily basis- that's when you're left with the wonderful, horrible realization that you're going to live through this; that you, in fact, already has.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers DARK FATE ー Kanato Maniac [Prologue]

ー The scene starts on the staircase in the Sakamaki’s castle

Laito: Nfu~ How are your injuries, Ayato-kun?

Ayato: Yeah! I’m back in tip-top shape as you can see. You better don’t underestimate Yours Truーー

Owow...

Laito: Ahーah, look at you acting all tough. Don’t you think it’d be in your best interest to take it easy for now?

Ayato: S-Shut up!

More importantly...Have you figured out where Kanato and Chichinashi went?

Laito: No, not at all. It honestly seems unlikely they’re in the Demon World...

Ayato: Geez. Causin’ us even more trouble at a time like this...

ー Reiji walks up to them

Reiji: Oh dear...Ayato, are you already capable of leaving the bed?

Personally, I very much enjoyed how peaceful and quiet things were while you were still asleep...

...Haah...

Ayato: ...What’s wrong, Reiji? Your frown’s even deeper than usual.

Laito: Ayato-kun’s right. The wrinkles between your eyebrows have doubled in number, you know?

Reiji: Unlike you carefree lot, I have a lot on my mind.

...What could those Founders be scheming...?

Laito: Founders?

Ayato: What happened with them?

Reiji: I received a message from our Familiars just now.

To inform us that a certain duo who had been imprisoned up till now have escaped the castle.

Laito: At this exact timing? Seems very fishy...

Ayato: Aah? Whatcha talkin’ ‘bout?

Reiji: The wolves’ assault, the lunar eclipse, those vanished Founders...I cannot believe none of those are related.

Ayato: Well, when you put it like that...Actually, we can just find out the truth if we catch those Founders real quick, right?

Reiji: I wouldn’t be suffering this much if that was a possibility. However, we are unaware of their whereabouts as of now.

They have most likely fled the Demon World. In which caseーー

Laito: The human world, huh...? I’m growing more and more worried about Kanato-kun and Bitch-chan.

Ayato: ...I’m sure it’s fine. It could just be a simple coincidence...

Reiji: ...I hope so...

ー The scene shifts to Carla’s room

Carla: ...Nn, haah...Phew...

Yui: Ah...N-No...

Carla: ...Nn...Hah...

...Hmph...

*Thud*

Yui: ...

Carla: I have continuously sucked your blood for days on end, yet your blood remains tainted...

ーー Shin. I am done. Take her back to her cell.

Shin: Yeah, yeah, I know.

ーー Come on, get up.

Yui: ...

Shin: Ahーah...Nii-san. Seems like she has lost all strength in her body and can’t move anymore.

Carla: Not my problem. Take her away already. She’s an eyesore.

ー Carla steps away

Shin: Hahー... Nii-san can be such a slavedriver at times.

Guess I’ve got no other choice...I’ll do you a favor and carry you back.

Heave-hoーー

Yui: ( Kanato-kun...I’m sorry... )

Monologue

While laying on the cold stone floor,

all by myself,

I kept on thinking.

What on earth should I do,

to prove that something or someone,

belongs to me?

Even if I try and keep them locked in my arms,

they always disappear right away.

I’ve had enough of that.

in that case.

Perhaps I should target,

those who try and take away what is mine ーー

ー The scene shifts to the prison cell

Kanato: ...Right. It’s so easy...

...Like this...Nobody will ever...steal from me again...

...For the sake...

*TIMESKIP*

Shin: Haah...I’ll come and get you again tomorrow at the same time. You better behave until then, okay?

Yui: ...

Shin: The silent treatment, huh? Oh well. So, where’s the other brat...?

Kanato: ...Uu.

...Uu...

Yui: ( Kanato-kun... )

Shin: ...? What? Are you crying?

Kanato: ...It hurts...It hurts...

Shin: Haah?

Yui: K-Kanato-kun, what’s wroーー

Aah...! Your arm’s bleeding...!? O-Oh no...How horrible...!! ...How did this happen...!? 

Kanato: Uu...Hic...It hurts...

Shin: Geez, what are you doing?

Vampire or not, it’s gonna bring more trouble in the future if we leave those injuries as is...

Kanato: ...

Yui: ( Huh...? Why is Kanato-kun hiding a rock behind his baーー )

ー Shin approaches

Shin: Guess it can’t be helped. You don’t seem like the most sturdy fellow in particular...Come on, come here for a secーー

*Rustle*

Kanato: ...Gotcha.

Shin: ...? Oi, what are youーー

Kanato: Aaaah!

Shin: Wha...!?

*THUD*

Shin: Y...You...!

Kanato: Haah, haah...Fufu...You may be a Founder...but I’m sure being stabbed through the heart is still lethal, isn’t it...?

Farewell.

*STAB*

Shin: ーー!

ー Shin collapses

Kanato: Haah, haah...

Yui: ( S-Shin-kun...died...? )

*STAB STAB STAB*

Yui: ( H-His head got...Aah... )

Kanato: ...Fufu...Perfect...

...Shin, how does it feel to be slaughtered by the same guy you mocked this whole time?

Frustrating? Painful? Agonizing? Or perhaps you can no longer feel anything at all?

...Goodbye forever...

Yui: K-Kanato...kun...

Kanato: ...Aah...Yui-san...

That’s one less pest who will never get in our way again. Now you can be mine again.

Come on...We can open the cell’s door now.

Let’s head to the Demon World. However, we won’t return to the castle...Let’s go someplace where it’s just the two of us.

This time...

I’ll make sure to protect you...

Yui: ( Kanato-kun... )

ー The two of them flee the manor

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the living room of the Tsukinami manor

*HOOOOOWL*

Carla: ...Shin was...?

...I have heard enough. Begone.

ー The wolves leave again

Carla: ...

...Shin...My younger brother...I did not fathom you would...

...Aah...

...Sakamaki Kanato!

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

<- [ Dark Epilogue ] [ Maniac 01 ] ->

[vivianweasley]

Pride and Prejudice (Chapter 3)

Summary: Your father is Lucius Malfoy’s cousin, and after the war, it was really difficult for you to find a job because of your last name. So your mother and Mrs. Weasley came up with a crazy idea. A fake marriage between you and Fred Weasley. 

In this chapter: There are some terrible gossips about your marriage with Fred in the office, but luckily Fred had an idea to cheer you up.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Malfoy!Fem!Reader

Warnings: workplace discrimination, gossip, slight mention of dinner

Word count: 2.2k

A/N: So they finally slept on the same bed asdffgjk also special thanks to @valwritesx for the idea of the wedding ring part! I just love this idea so much asdfjgk

disclaimer: all the pictures used in the header are from Pinterest. Credit goes to the original owners.

Please do NOT repost or translate my work on any platform! Thank you! Reblogs and comments are always welcome:)

Pride and Prejudice Masterlist

“What’s this?” You were trying to decide on the clothes you’re going to wear for the first day of work when Fred came home with a little box.

“Proof that I’m a thoughtful person, too,” Fred smiled, “Open it!”

You opened it, and there was a beautiful silver ring lying in the box. A small flower was blooming at the tip of the ring, and inside the flower, there’s a little diamond. It was simple, but exquisite.

When Fred was walking home tonight, a jewelry shop caught his attention. The wedding ring displayed in the shop window reminded him that you two weren’t even wearing a wedding ring to play the part. 

He didn’t want to get you something too luxurious because it was only a fake marriage, and he didn’t want you to feel pressured, but he also didn’t want to get you something too sketchy. And that little flower ring looked perfect. He knew it would look good on your hand.

You gasped when you saw the ring, and Fred raised his left hand to show you the matching ring on his finger, “Now it looks more convincing when you go to work tomorrow.”

You slid the little flower on your ring finger. It was strange having a wedding ring sitting there, but you were also surprised that it fits your finger perfectly as if it was just supposed to be there. A warm feeling spread through your body when you realized that he was also trying to help you and keeping this arrangement in his mind. “This is beautiful! Thank you, Fred!”

“See, I told you I’m a detail-oriented person, too,” Fred boasted. But watching you beaming at him and that wedding ring shinning on your finger, he wasn’t sure if he bought it because he wanted to play his part better or just wanted you to have that wedding ring.

~

Your first day of work went well. Most of the time, you were just thrilled that you finally got a job.

During the lunch break, the girl sitting next to you asked you to join them, and you happily went along. But as the conversation progressed, the topic started to move in a seemingly unavoidable direction.

“So, tell us, cause we’re all dying to know,” one of your colleagues started, “How did you and your husband meet?”

“Our parents are friends, so we met when we were little,” you replied, feeling nervous, even though you were telling the truth.

“Oh, really?” another colleague exclaimed, “Your parents were friends?”

Her reaction and tone stung you as she sounded like she was surprised that your families, the Malfoys and the Weasleys, could possibly be friends. You told yourself that you were too sensitive, that she could simply be surprised that your parents were already friends before you two got married.

But what you heard during lunch break a week later made your stomach sink. 

“I’m still finding it hard to believe that a Weasley would marry a Malfoy. What did he see in her, anyway?” You heard a woman’s voice.

“I bet she probably used amortentia on him.”

Then a man’s voice chimed in, “Oh come on! She’s a Malfoy! They can do better than amortentia. I bet she used an unforgivable curse on him.”

Their conversation ended in their laughter, but it struck you dumb. How blatantly and how easily they just assumed the worst of you only because of your last name. And the worst part was that you began to think maybe part of their accusation was actually correct? You did force Fred into this marriage, after all.

Your brain was clouded by disgust and self-doubt that the rest of the day seemed to be a blur. 

“Y/N? Earth to Y/N?” You and Fred were doing dishes together after dinner. He was cleaning the dishes with detergent, and you were supposed to rinse them. But Fred noticed that you were blanking out again when you didn’t take the plate he just handed to you.

“Yea? Oh, sorry,” you finally took the plate from his hand when his voice pulled you back to reality. 

“Y/N, what’s wrong? You seem off today.”

“Nothing,” you shook your head absent-mindedly, “I’m just thinking that...maybe we could get a divorce earlier.”

“What?” the plates clanked as one slipped from Fred’s hand, “Why?”

“It’s just that...I don’t see the point of faking it anymore. People already know the truth,” you sighed as you felt all of your emotions started pouring out, “No matter what I do, they will always assume the worst of me. So what’s the point? It never looked real, anyway.”

Fred remained silent for a few seconds, but his furrowed brows soon smoothed out as an idea came to him, “Well, then we just have to make it look more realistic!”

~

You went to work tomorrow, still having no idea what Fred was going to do. You were worried that he might do something crazy, but you also had to admit you were feeling rather excited.

The answer finally revealed itself when it’s almost the end of your work. The reception called you, saying that there’s a Mr. Weasley looking for you. 

You walked outside and saw Fred standing at the door, “Surprise, darling! Happy three years anniversary!”

You were confused at first, but you soon got his cue as you ran into his arms and exclaimed, “Merlin, Freddie! I can’t believe it’s already been three years since we started dating!”

“I’m thinking about going to your favorite restaurant tonight after you finish work. What do you say?” He said as he planted a kiss on your forehead. The kiss was so natural, and you knew it was just for show, but your face started heating up immediately.

“I-But I-I still need to finish editing this chapter that I’m working on,” you tried to act natural, but it couldn’t change the fact that a little kiss could leave you this flustered. 

Fred let out a silent laugh when he heard you stutter, “Oh, that’s okay, princess. I can wait in your office! if that’s alright?”

“Okay.” You had a feeling that this show wasn’t over yet, and you were dying to know what exactly did he have in store.

“No! I’m not doing that!” You were so glad now that your desk was in the corner, or else your coworkers would’ve heard Fred’s plan for them. “Fred, no offense, but don’t you think it’s a little bit immature?” The thought of teaching your colleagues a lesson has crossed your mind so many times. But as much as you wanted to just throw a dung bomb on them or turn them into canaries, you still wanted to approach things more maturely. 

“Oh c’mon, like those gits were mature when they made those horrible assumptions about you?”

You could tell from Fred’s tone that he was angry, and it made you feel slightly better knowing that someone actually cared, so you started caving in, “Fine. But why don’t you do it? You’re the pro.”

“Trust me. It would feel so much better if you did it yourself.” Fred could see that you’re still concerned, so he added, “Alright, how about this. For my second wish, I want you to prank those gits yourself.”

Your eyes widened. This was not how you thought he would spend his second wish. “You sure? But why?”

“Because they messed with my wife. That’s why,” he winked at you.

His expression looked playful, but his tone was serious. His words made your heart flutter and also helped you finally make up your mind.

You didn’t know how long you’ve waited to do this as you picked up your wand, pointed it at your target, and whispered, “Rictusempra.” You chose an easy, harmless tickling charm. It was simple, but it’s also embarrassing enough.

Just a few seconds later, you heard people screaming and laughing in the office. The three gossipers started scratching their bodies and jumping up and down like they were three monkeys. The office burst into laughter. 

One of them started yelling, claiming that someone has hexed them. Some people immediately turned to look at Fred since he has a notorious reputation for being a prankster. But Fred was now staring at you all lovingly as you focused on the chapter in front of you. This made the targets angrier because they knew it had something to do with you, but they just couldn’t find proof. 

The clock struck five, and you started packing up your bag unhurriedly. Fred took your bag and your hand, “Let’s go, darling.”

“Let's go, Freddie,” you smiled as you held his hand. You two walked out with your heads held high, leaving the gossipers still jumping around and having no evidence proving that you were behind this. 

When you were on your way home, your heart was still beating fast from the thrill and excitement. 

“It was fun, wasn’t it?” Fred noticed you were still very excited. 

“It was. I wish I could take a picture of their reactions and frame it,” you admitted, “Thank you, Freddie.”

“No need to thank me, love. You were the one who came up with that spell,” Fred smiled, “You are pretty good at this.”

You gasped dramatically as you put your hand on your chest, “Thank you! I’m honored.” 

Watching you laugh, Fred suddenly felt something tugging at his heartstrings. “But seriously, Y/N, are you sure you still want to work in this company?”

You paused for a few seconds, for you didn’t know how to answer this question. “Yea,” you looked down as you sighed, “where else can I go?”

“If you don’t mind, the joke shop is always looking for more staff, and I think you’re a perfect candidate.”

“I appreciate that, Fred, but I want to do this on my own.”

Fred nodded. If this were what you wanted, he’d respect that. He took your hand again. You were surprised how this simple yet intimate gesture became so natural between you two.

“What do you want for dinner?” He asked.

“Hmm...A simple home-cooked meal would be nice,” you answered. Home, a word that Fred loved hearing you say.

~

Before bed, you and Fred were brushing your teeth together. It was a simple and ordinary routine, but you were finding this moment magical. Watching your reflections in the mirror, you realized you two were moving in synch so easily and naturally. Since when did you get used to having him in your life? And since when did you start to have him on your mind? The whole day played on repeat in your mind, and all you could think about was how Fred encouraged you and lift your spirit when you needed it the most.

“Actually, you can have the bed tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch. I wanted to thank you for helping me today.” You always knew he was too tall for that couch to be comfortable, but your pride didn’t allow you to give up that bed until today when you finally found an excuse. 

“No, it’s fine. You did most of the work, anyway,” Fred shrugged.

“I have a better idea,” you heard George’s voice behind you, “How about you both sleep on the bed? It’s a very big and comfy bed if I remembered correctly.”

You felt the heat climbing up from your cheeks to the tips of your ears, but somehow you just didn’t want to let this pass. “I-I guess I’m fine with that.”

Fred’s expression froze for a moment, but a smile soon appeared on his lips, “Then I guess I’m fine with that, too.”

Sleeping next to Fred, you could hear your heart pounding in your chest. But this seemed so normal to him since you were pretty sure he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

This was probably the first time you got to stare at him at such a close distance and without anyone interrupting. You always knew he was good looking, but now you just found everything about him perfect. You adored how his eyes light up when he’s talking about new ideas and plans. You adored the angle of his lips when he’s smiling and when he’s saying your name. Or maybe, you just adored him.

Your eyes traced Fred’s eyes, nose, and lips, and stopped at the wedding ring sitting on his finger, stating that he’s your husband, at least just for now. Almost unknowingly, your hand reached for the ring on his hand but immediately pulled back when he let out a silent groan. 

Did he notice you staring at him? Was he awake this whole time? You buried your face in the blanket and tried to pretend you’re asleep while your heart was still beating loud in your chest. Maybe you were too good at pretending, or perhaps you were just too tired from your work and adventure today, but you soon fell asleep. 

Watching you sleeping peacefully and hearing you breathing evenly, Fred decided that this might be his favorite scene. Of course he was awake this whole time. How could he fall sleep so easily when you were lying right next to him? His left hand found yours as your wedding rings clicked together. He couldn’t help but pulled you closer and pressed a soft kiss on your forehead. 

Fred wondered, what would it feel like if you were really his wife? What would it feel like if you loved him too? But even if this was only for one year, even if this was only for one night, he felt happy and content enough just holding you like this.

(to be continued.)

Chapter 4

~

A/N: First fic of 2021! Next chapter is going to be Christmas at the Burrow!

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[januaryisnotanartist]

KanSang Week Day 05 Wang Clan! Liu Sang

Pairing: Kan Jian/Liu Sang (established, past, future)

Genre: Angst, sad boy hours, angst with a hopeful ending Trope: sad boys in bathrooms, letters from away, things get worse before they get better Author Notes: in my head as I wrote this there was far more ugly crying going on Word Count: 2,470 ish

-

Kan Jian and Wang Sang had been kinda-sorta dating for years. They'd met by chance while Wang Sang was in Hangzhou for an interpreter job, translating for a foreigner looking at a business merger or something. (Kan Jian had been listening when Wang Sang explained it, it's just that that level of business doesn't interest him enough to understand it.)

He'd talked about Wang Sang to his Laoban a lot, about how smart and funny and pretty Wang Sang is. It was his Laoban who helped him figure out that he was in love with Wang Sang, because everyone was just so easy to love, it took a more objective eye to realise there was a difference in the way he loved Wang Sang.

Their date tonight was an anniversary, Kan Jian was going to Wang Sang's for dinner. He didn't know if he'd be staying the night, he had clothes in Wang Sang's place but...

Kan Jian was going to ask, he was going to start the discussion, it was time. He was going to ask if Wang Sang wanted to move in together. Either of their apartments or a new one, Kan Jian hadn't really thought that far yet, but he knew Wang Sang was it for him. He was certain of it.

Or maybe it was just that the one year anniversary of defeating the Wang clan was coming up and everyone was feeling pretty pleased and positive.

-

The fact that Kan Jian had to knock on the door meant something was wrong. He didn't know how Wang Sang did it, but he'd always known when Kan Jian was there and opened the door before he could reach it.

“Wang Sang?” he called through the door, trying to hear any sound beyond, “Sang-ge? Are you there?”

Kan Jian was just about to use his own key when the door opened slowly.

Wang Sang didn't look date ready, he actually looked sort of awful. His pretty hair was lank and greasy like it hadn't been washed recently, Wang Sang's face had the shadows of sleep deprivation under his eyes.

Something from deep in the apartment smelt burnt.

“Babe?” Kan Jian reached for his boyfriend, but stopped when Wang Sang flinched. “What's wrong, are you hurt? Sick? Can I help?”

Wang Sang sniffled, and Kan Jian realised Wang Sang's eyes were bloodshot not just from lack of sleep, but because he'd been crying.

“Ca-” Wang Sang's words caught in his throat, he sounded like he was about to cry again. “Can you come in, I need to- I need to talk to you about something.”

Kan Jian nodded, because of course he'd go inside, of course he'd talk with Wang Sang. He followed through the familiar entryway, past the familiar kitchen, an unusual amount of mess on the stove, traces of smoke still wafting from one of the pots.

But Wang Sang didn't stop there, he lead Kan Jian all the way to the bathroom where a small hand-towel was sitting by the sink.

Wang Sang tipped it in over the edge and turned the tap on hot, letting it gush down onto the towel.

In the back of Kan Jian's mind, something started screaming. It was like a ringing in his ears so loud that between it and the running water, he almost couldn't hear Wang Sang.

“There is something about me that I need you to know," Wang Sang spoke with uncharacteristic hesitation, "because you can't not know, and I can't, I can't keep... I don't want to lie to you anymore, because I'm not even sure if it's real or not. If it's just a lie I've been telling myself since-”

The speed of the water was faster than the towel could take and the excess filled the sink, spilling over with a loud splash, startling them both. Wang Sang lunged for the tap and turned it off, and both of them stood there listening to the odd sounds of the water slowly draining through the towel and into the pipes below.

“I don't understand,” Kan Jian said, a hollow widening in his chest.

“Yes you do,” Wang Sang replied, his voice barely above a whisper, he sounded tired. “You aren't stupid Kan Jian.”

“What was the first lie you told me?” It wasn't the thing Kan Jian should have been asking, but it was what came out.

“I wasn't a freelancer when we met,” Wang Sang said as he picked up the towel to squeeze the excess water free.

'That made sense,' Kan Jian thought, because of course Wang Sang wouldn't have been a freelancer, but that was a lie he would have told anybody.

“Why me?” Kan Jian regretted asking, because he didn't want to know.

“Because we'd met,” Wang Sang flattened the towel and began taking off his shirt.

“What?”

“The first three times we met, I had no idea who you were in the grand scheme of things,” Wang Sang set his shirt down on the driest patch of sink he could find and picked up the towel, turning to Kan Jian. “I just thought you were cute and that I could get away with pretending my cover story was my real life for a few drinks. Then my handler saw you, and they figured, I already had an in, so you became a mission.”

Wang Sang's voice turned bitter towards then end, and he held out the towel with a shaking hand.

Kan Jian didn't want to take it, he wanted to pretend this was all just a joke gone horribly wrong. He took the towel, it was so hot it almost burned, and he pulled Wang Sang into a hug as he reached around to press the towel to Wang Sang's right shoulder.

He didn't know what to ask, what to say, but Kan Jian opened his mouth anyway and hoped something coherent came out.

“How much of you is real?”

“I don't know.”

If he waited until the towel turned cool, if he didn't see the tattoo, then it wasn't real. Kan Jian didn't want this to be real.

He couldn't let the lie linger, and peeled back the still warm cloth.

The Phoenix tattoo is a brilliant mark across Wang Sang's shoulder.

The world was gone from beneath his feet, Kan Jian didn't know how to breathe.

“Did you ever love me?” He didn't mean to ask it.

“It would have been easier if I hadn't, it would have been so easy to stay if it was just a role to play.”

Kan Jian's ears were ringing again as the implications seeped into his brain. He held Wang Sang tighter.

-

Wu Xie felt like an asshole. Something was wrong with Kan Jian and he hadn't noticed until he'd stuck his foot in it.

He'd been so happy to have Xiaoge back, that he hadn't even realised Kan Jian and his boyfriend had broken up.

“Everyone's coming to the 'we beat the Wang's' anniversary party,” Wu Xie had wrapped an arm around Kan Jian, full of jubilation, “even Li Cu and his friends are coming, this would be a great time to invite your mysterious Wang Sang, finally let everyone else meet him.”

Kan Jian had gone from fine to crying in the space of a breath.

Wu Xie learned, through ragged breaths and sobbing tears, that Kan Jian and Wang Sang had broken up. Kan Jian wouldn't say why, insisted that Wang Sang wasn't at fault. He got angry when Wu Xie offered to track Wang Sang down. Kan Jian had never been angry at Wu Xie before.

Wu Xie apologised and pulled Kan Jian in for a hug. Kan Jian continued to cry, his sobs and words muffled by Wu Xie's shoulder.

It was like a bucket of ice pouring down his spine when Wu Xie picked out the words “I don't care who he was, I just want him back.”

Wang Sang.

It was a coincidence. Surely. There'd never been an information leak that could be traced back to Kan Jian, Wang was an entirely common name.

Just to be safe, Wu Xie sent out a few enquiries looking for this Wang Sang, but who ever he'd been before, he was a ghost now.

-

The first letter came while Kan Jian was on a job. He'd been a little more vicious than normal, his heart was still hurting and he'd let that leak out. It always surprised people when he was violent, like they had no idea it was in him. Way down deep and sleeping, sure, but it was still there.

They forgot because he used a slingshot, but Kan Jian was still a sniper.

He almost did what the letter's opening line advised, heart-sore anger making him want to abide “you can burn these letters if you want.”

But he didn't, because he still missed Wang Sang.

Kan Jian had made his way through the emotional fall out, moved from anger to worry over whether it had been hard on Wang Sang to play the part of boyfriend. Had he secretly been repulsed every time Kan Jian had touched him? Kissed him? Kan Jian had moved back to anger, then to aggravation at the idea that nobody could have scripted all their interactions, had torn himself up trying to figure out what had been training and what had been real reactions.

Real feelings.

In the end it was mostly hollowness and aching that left him grumpy and sharper when his edges showed.

But he wanted to know, so he read the letters instead of burning them.

-

Wang Sang had always spelled his name as 王桑, with the Sang for mulberry.

The letters weren't signed at first, though Kan Jian knew who they were from. He learned a lot about the letters' author, because the author was learning a lot about himself as well. Kan Jian had no way to reply, but he kept every letter in the hope that one day, he could talk to the other man about his journey to figure out who he was when he wasn't being told who to be.

Kan Jian had known that Wang Sang had a brother, but it's not until the third letter, when Wang Can is mentioned, that Kan Jian understands what that means.

He wonders which of the dead had been Wang Can.

He wonders if he'd killed him.

-

The eighth letter is signed.

刘丧

Liu Sang.

Sang, for bereavement.

But the letter says it's the name he'd been born to, the one he'd chosen to take back, so Kan Jian is less worried about Wang... about Liu Sang's mental state, and more about the parents who'd named their son like an omen.

-

Kan Jian almost burned a letter.

“I kissed a boy.”

He shouldn't feel betrayed, but he does.

Until he managed to calm himself and read the following lines, because Liu Sang hadn't been able to do anything but compare this stranger to Kan Jian and find him lacking.

-

There's an excitement in Liu Sang's next letter, somehow contained in every character. Kan Jian doesn't understand exactly, but he feels excited too as he reads about the new teacher Liu Sang has found, how he's training his hearing.

Kan Jian remembers hours later, as he's lying in bed, the hearing servants of the Xin Yue hotel, and suddenly a whole lot of things start making sense.

-

Kan Jian's life didn't stop, didn't become nothing but heartache and waiting for each letter. They made it easier to crawl out of the empty place in his life where Wang Sang had been, they reminded him that he had things to figure out too.

He made new friends, he moved on.

(He kissed a stranger or two as well, but they don't make his soul fizz with excitement like Wang Sang had. Like Liu Sang's letters do.)

-

Years slipped by.

There was jobs and friends and parties, and the occasional hospital visit of varying degrees of seriousness because of jobs and friends and parties.

And then there was the Sea King tomb, and Kan Jian was sent to pick up some sonar mapping expert from the airport. He and two others waited on the hood of the truck, and Kan Jian was beginning to wonder if the master they were picking up had missed the plane when:

“Hey, look at that guy,” his friend said, and Kan Jian looked over.

His first thought was: “what kind of excavation master dresses like a real estate agent?”

His second thought was: “how the hell did I forget how attractive he is in person?” Because walking towards them with a rolling suit case in a well fitted suit, hair radiant in the sunlight, was Wang Liu Sang.

The suitcase was shoved towards one of Kan Jian's companions and Liu Sang's gaze is directed at him.

“Wu Erbai sent you to pick me up?”

Kan Jian managed to nod, and not say out loud 'your voice is amazing.' But then Liu Sang was frowning, and turning away and leaving. Kan Jian followed after him because he couldn't lose him again.

-

Kan Jian felt a little bad about stomping on an innocent man, but as they watched the car drive away, Kan Jian was more concerned about Liu Sang, who looked like he was dying inside.

And Kan Jian knew, from whispered words years ago in the dark, and from ink in letters more recent, he knew why Liu Sang had reacted that way.

“'It's better to be wrong like this,'” Kan Jian said, one hand reaching for Liu Sang but not making contact, “'than ignoring it and being wrong the other way.'”

Liu Sang looked at Kan Jian, scared and bare as he recognised his own words, “you could have burned them.”

Kan Jian shrugged, “well, I didn't. I kept every one I got.”

Liu Sang flushed, somehow even more embarrassed than he'd been a moment before. He was anxious, Kan Jian could see it, so Kan Jian took a gamble.

“We don't really know each other very well,” Kan Jian said, and Liu Sang looked startled, his eyebrows scrunching in confusion. “Since we'll be working together for a while, let me introduce myself. I'm Kan Jian, I like slingshots, and my laoban, and your hair and I'll be your driver today.”

Liu Sang pushed his glasses up his nose, but Kan Jian could see the smile he was clearly trying to hide.

“It's nice to meet you, I'm Liu Sang, I specialise in sonar cartography, I like meerkats, and your smile, and my ouxiang Zhang Qiling. I look forward to working with you.”

Kan Jian grinned... and lasted all of twenty seconds before he asked “wait, did you really get the tattoo?”

[mussthemoose]

.....drop the sunny meta.....plssssssss.....do it do it do it.....also what do you think about Sunnys mom? No one ever talks about her but I ahve feelings

Ps don’t leave me hanging!! o/

Hey there! Finally got around to giving this an answer because I’ve procrastinated on it enough! Here’s a few things I’m going to drop that’s personal headcanons and stuff from what I gathered from the game:

-People say Sunny is a good listener, and the reason for that isn’t just because he’s quiet, it’s because Sunny has a very active imagination and whenever he listens to someone talking, he seems to almost be making a whole little scene in his head -He doesn’t express a lot, but you can always tell he gets the meaning behind what you’re saying once you learn to read his expressions -It’s also a sign he really likes you, because the space inside Sunny’s head is very precious to him so him letting your words roam free there of his own choice is just a huge mark of trust for him -In order of people who can read Sunny: Basil, Mari, Kel, tie between Hero and Aubrey. -They can all actually ready him pretty damn well, it mostly comes down to who can notice the smaller signs. -Basil puts as much love and effort into noticing the little things for Sunny as he does for his most loved plants, and he has a lot of experience with noticing when something small is wrong in something that doesn’t give many signs about it -Mari is second, but it’s a very close second. She’s been with Sunny since he was a baby and puts so much love and effort into understanding him. The only reason she is slightly lower than Basil is, in part, because of how well she’s known Sunny in a paradoxical way. -Sunny is after all, at the end of the day, still someone who can be tricky to read, and sometimes it’s easy to look at past ways he’s acted and think it’s just a repeat of that instead of something new. Like a parent who doesn’t realize that they’re using personal knowledge that’s 7 years old to figure out what you like. -Hero and Aubrey can ready Sunny quite well, they just don’t notice the small signs as much. It doesn’t make them any worse friends for that, but Hero tends to take people on their word and Aubrey trusts her friends, and hopes they’d let her know if they needed help or were hurting. -Kel is...an interesting case. You’d think he’d be the densest for reading Sunny, and sometimes, in some ways, he is. But also I think he’d be one of the few to realize how much Sunny was hating the violin. -Everyone else I think, from what we see, seem to think that he’s just being Sunny, worried about doing something with these expectations but thinking that’s just how he normally acts, and he must obviously love getting to play with his sister Mari! -But Kel is so honest and straight forward that he’d put the pieces together, how Sunny has to be pushed to play for them, how sad he looks to have to leave to practice with the tutor, the look he gets sometimes staring at Mari. -He still doesn’t say anything because even though Sunny seems sad and upset, he knows what it’s like to feel like that to do something for an older sibling who’s just so much better, so for once he lets it slide because he also trusts that Mari is a good sibling and would stop him if something was seriously wrong, like when Kel almost got to the point of throwing up in the hotdog eating competition and Hero stopped him (but still managed to win...) -Later, realizing what happened later post-truth, Kel reaffirms to himself that he’s always going to be honest when he sees one of his friends hurting. Never again. -Sunny’s favourite breakfast is that oatmeal with the dinosaur eggs that melt to reveal dinosaurs when it’s warm and his absolute favourite thing is to pretend that he’s digging them up from a sand dune, hence the whole dino dig. -He does this well into his adult years still -Kel got him a pirate eyepatch after noticing this (Sunny makes sure to dig it out whenever Kel visits, it makes him happy...and maybe Sunny happy a bit too). To stop this post from getting too incredibly big, some Sunny’s Mom meta real quick: -I’ve read a lot of meta, and I personally think she didn’t know the truth. -Sunnysviolin did a really great few posts about autistic Sunny which I heavily agree with, and I heavily agree with the fact Sunny’s parents probably aren’t the best fit for the kids they got (it’s really easy to code them as Asian-American and there is a lot there when it comes to non-neurotypical kids) -And while there is a decently common consensus that Sunny’s dad has a lot of disappointment in Sunny for not being like Mari, I feel like Sunny’s mom was one of those ‘bless her heart she’s trying but she really does not understand at all’ -I feel like she’s tried, honestly tried, but didn’t have as much time to try to look into this stuff that Mari had, or the drive to think she needed to do so heavily in a sense. -Mari loved Sunny so much and seemed to want to do so much of the work anyways, and it’s so much effort to even get a proper idea of how Sunny’s mind works so, I think she’d end up being happy to have Mari be a sort of translator for her, more or less -She wouldn’t excessively baby him, though she’d likely act a bit much because she doesn’t really understand how his mind works so she goes with what she knows instead of what’s best -And at the point where we start the game, I think the whole ‘mommy’ thing where she seems to almost baby him comes after Mari is gone. -Her Husband is gone, Mari is gone, and her last son barely seems to be able to take care of himself unless she holds his hand to do it (not because he can’t do it, but Sunny seems to have trouble sometimes finding enough care to put in the bare minimum effort to survive). -It seems more likely to me that she, like some other people, tried to mentally distance herself from everything. -Her sun is all she has left and all he wants to do is sleep, she’s entirely out of her comfort zone and she doesn’t have any lifelines. -I think there’s a part of her that knows this too, that knows that this situation isn’t good, and isn’t fine, but what’s she even supposed to do? She doesn’t know, so she...just keeps going on. -It’s horrible, everything is wrong, she’s hurting and suppressing and she just wants Mari back so so much, she wants her husband back, she even wants Sunny back because at least back then he’d look at her when she said she loved him. -But they’re not coming back, Mari is never coming back and she knows that without her she has no chance in figuring out how to pull in the other two. -Sunny’s all she has left, and sometimes she doesn’t even known for certain if he counts at this point in the bad endings she gets an answer, he did. He counted for so much and now she has nothing

-Sunny’s mom once yelled “Ayo, the pizza is here!” and Mari almost tripped down the stairs with Sunny. They all had a laugh at it after a gentle scolding to be more careful. -Sunny always takes the steps extra carefully whenever he picks up food delivery with his friends post-true end, none of them say anything about the way he grips the handrails hard enough to leave a mark on the way down

[vnckocurzyca]

New chapter new analysis

I’m publishing it one more time because it didnt show in tags for some reason???

I put it under “read more” so maybe now.

I finally read translation so I can finally write something about the new chapter. I know people’s strong feelings towards it and I think it’s totally understandable huh

I, personally, liked this chapter even if I think it was creepy as fuck. But I know Jun’s work and how she writes her stories and I know that she purposely made it really uncomfortable. I think this chapter was made to be upsetting because what happened during it was kinda important?

Warning; LONG POST (contains spoilers to new chapter)

First thing - Noe was forced to see some Vanitas’s memories. Of course by Misha eyes, but still it’s Vanis past. And as we know already, Vanitas REALLY didn’t want Noe to know about anything his past-related. He even threated him that he would kill you if Noe would someday try to drink his blood. So it’s opening for totally new conflict. We have two options

Vanitas would come to place and see Noe drinking Mishas blood and it would be horrible

Vanitas wouldn’t see it and Noe would live in sting of remorse and we know how emotional Noe is and it would be also horrible. And this option also has 2 options

Noe would finally tell Vani that he drank Mishas blood and it would be horrible

Misha would tell Vanitas that Noe drank his blood and it also would be horrible

When Noe started drinking Mishas blood he walked into a trap and there is no escape now. Vanitas is going to KNOW this and its going to be a problem, because knowing Vanis past, memories and emotions was a borderline in their relationship - Noe didn’t get a permission to step over it. And now he just... steped, because of Mishas blackmail.

Also the whole scene was made to be creepy - we can clearly see that Noe is distraught and scared and uncomfortable. We can hear his thoughts, we can see his terrified face

He is terrified for A LOT of reasons. A lot.

He is scared of Domis life. He don’t know what is going on with her and she is unconscious and she can literally DIE. Domi is his best friend, his childhood friend and nearly all family he has left. Domi is the closest person to him and he can’t just lose her like he lost Louis.

He DON’T WANT to read Vanitas’s past without his permission and knowledge. Its awful, it’s non consensual and non-con it’s something Noe hates, because, even if he would like to know Vani’s past (what he said back before Gevaudan arc) he don’t want to know it without Vanis consenst and he didn’t push. And now he is forced to see them, to betray Vani’s trust.He, probably, hates himself thanks to it.

He is blackmailed, bullied and intimidated which is bad on it’s own. He has absolutely NO CONTROL over a situation, he is absolutely subordinated and can’t do anything to change his situation. It’s scary.

He is forced to drink blood, which is a really intimate and delicate activity for him. He hates being forced to drink blood and forcing to drink blood, and, additionaly, Misha is a kid. Or, at least, he look like a kid (it’s hard to say his age for sure and how many years their past with Moreau happened). It’s gross, creepy and weird and Noe feels it. We can see him backing away from a fucking kid.

Jun did it purposely. Combine all of it, to made the horror moment for him, probably to break him in front o Misha.

The running thing in Vanitas no Carte is motif of Noe not having any control over anything in his life (even without his noticing). Noe never had a control over anything.

He didn’t have a control over his life during childhood, ie when he was sold on auction

He didn’t have any control over Louis’s death and curse. He couldn’t do anything to save him or to save other kids back then. He could do nothing.

He don’t have any control in general - he was trained by the Teacher to be his pupil. Noe don’t even know how big control Grandpa de Sade has over him and his doings.

He didn’t have any control when Domi found him at Orloks. She just kidnapped him to Altus.

He don’t have any control over his relationship with Jeanne - anytime he wants to talk to her or about her he is interuptted.

He didn’t want his blood be sucked by Ruthven and he didn’t want to Swear.

He don’t have any control now. He didn’t wanted to know Vanis past non consensualy, he didn’t wanted to drink Mishad blood, he don’t want to see Domi in this situation.

It’s a writing continuity. We are being told how little control Noe has over his (and others) life. It’s becaming a plot point. MochiJun knows what she is doing. She purposely made the whole chapter creepy and unsettling. She need us to know that what is happening right now is wrong - not only drinking blood from a 1/4 naked kid, but also the rest. Everything. That this chapter is traumatic - we literally touched Noes trauma, Domis trauma and Mishas trauma over a few pages and panels:

Dominique - we can see how she reacted to Louis death, how she wanted to make Noe feels better, why she changed her hairstyle and outfit, how she hated herself because it was her brother who died, not her. We can see it now - she is depressed, she hatees herself and would prefer to die over Louis. She was easy to catch for Misha.

Noe - we can see that he can do anything for Domi because she is his last friend, his family, last thing (person) he has. He can’t lose her, he is desperate and traumatized over Louis death so he can do anything, even suck Mishas blood and know Vanis past even if he hates it and its wrong for him.

Misha - we can see thanks to his flashbacks that it was hinted he was (if I undertand english correctly, sorry, it’s not my first language) se*//ually abused as a child. He thought his mother was possesed by devil, it was traumatizing on it’s own, but he was also dressed as a girl, physically abused and hit by his mother and used during her “sessions” with clients. Then he was kidnapped by Moreau who, probably, was experimenting on him just like on Vanitas - so Misha was abused again. And later Vanitas killed “father” what also traumatized him. His behaviour towards Noe it’s not really that suprising - its horrible and sad and heartbreaking knowing why Misha is that way, but its logical. It has sense. It’s just how his trauma made him.

Sooo do I think what happened in the chapter was good or okay? No. It was creepy and made me feel sick. But do I think Jun is bad for making it this way? No. I think her work is great, because she actually did planned it logically. She delivered TONS OF INFORMATIONS by only one chapter. Tons, about a lot of characters - Misha, Vanitas, Noe, Dominique, even Roland (he know Misha is one thing, but, also, why he was so beaten up? What happened my man? Who hurted you?) It wasn’t just gross pedo-fanservice some people accused it to be. (even if it was gross anyway och my gos this scene with Misha standing over Noe was frightening, I was just as scared as Noe, I felt like I was in his place and I was looking at Misha)

Also! I’m pretty sure one of the reason for Misha undressing his collar a little bit was for us (and maybe Noe too) to see his possesion mark on his arm. For some reason we, as an audience, need to know this.

But! We also get a lot of different informations -

Domi is a royal guard and is working in castle, so she probably knew Luca before and had contact with him or some other royal people. i think it’s interesting that she worked at castleas a royal guard.

Luca probably likes Domi and was worried about her. Also after knowing she is missing he decided to took direct actions, he is not passive.

Misha has Vanitas of the Blue Moon’s possesion mark on his hand. It’s really interesting, especially when we know that its his prosthetic arm. Somebody tried to cut his arm with a possesion mark and I bet it was Vanitas or Misha himself. Yet it DIDN’T work, mark of possesion is still here, above his prosthetic.

Noe “don’t know anything about Vanitas”. It was an important sentence. It was something that Noe need to know narratively speaking. It’s pushing the story forward, because Noe’s and Vani’s relationship is the core of the story. It was literally told in the first chapter that it’s a story about their journey.

Misha had a lot of bruises on his whole body after he was rescued. We knew he was beaten, but we could also see it’s evidence.

Mishas face when Noe drank his blood was similar to his mother face when a vampire drank his blood. It wasn’t accidental, we were shown his trauma and how it’s affected him.

Next thing I noticed:

In this panel, Misha looks A LOT like Vanitas. Og course he has child features and chubbier face, he has white(?) hair and eyelashes ets, but his mimic, his gaze, how one of his eyes is covered by hair and his words. Its literally how Vanitas’s panel would be draw. It’s really Vanitaish.

We also got some questions, like:

What happened to Misha and how he lost his hand?

What Luca ordered Jeanne? (probably to check out real Paris and maybe find Domi or Noe)

Why Mishas mark of possesions was so important for us to know?

Is that Roland met Misha in the past important?

Why was Roland so beaten up?

There was also one more thing. Jun is operating in her story not only by making parallels betweend her characters (ie Teacher and VotBM, or Astolfo nad Vanitas, or Louis and Domi etc) but also contrasts. The biggest contrast motif on the story are probably Vanitas and Noe thanks to not only their history, but also their appearance, personality, design of their clothes, their height, their names (Vanitas being related to death and vanity, Noe being related to saving and something biblical etc). Their whole characters are made constrast. And so we got here:

Vanitas and Misha are not made parallels, theyre made contrast.

Misha is looking from the upside, Vanitas is looking from the above, Mishas hair is white, Vanitas hair is black, Vani has a shadow over his face, misha is lighted. Misha has white eyelashes, Vani has black. Misha looks calm an suprised, Vani looks stressed. Their whole “atmosphere” is different. Even if Misha is bruised in this panel he looks clean, even angelic, when Vanitas looks... bad, he has dark circles under eyes, wrinkled eyebrows, bandage etc. They’re made to contrast themselves, not to be compared to. It’s the next hint about their role in the story I suppose. That they’re not similar, they’re not the same and there is something basically different about their roles.

I would also like to write about shadow and light work in this chapter, but I’m just really tired right now, soo here it is! My analyze od the new chapter, or, at least, the most important parts of it (for me). I liked it in general, but it was... stressed and I was anxious about this chapter for the one whole day. But in general I think Jun did gods work with delivering informations she wanted to delivere.

[happy-beeeps]

IDDD 5:Flashback

A/N: HEY GUYS I’M BACK! I’ve missed writing so much and I am happy to pick up with this series! We are cooking and cruising through season one so I can start getting to season 2, I’ve already got so many good ideas. This takes place during episode 5, so content warnings! 

Warnings: violence (light I don’t write action well) references to guns, space slavery, kidnapping (flashback) brief suggestion of SA (never overtly mentioned but it is there if you squint so please be careful!), me divering from canon. Angst with a good chunk of fluff at the end also sorry there’s a few Y/N uses because I genuinely don’t know what to put in place of a name

Summary: A bounty on Tatooine goes horribly wrong, leaving Din and reader to talk about their feelings and fears. Part 5 of my series!

* * * You hated being back in Tatooine. The air, the sand, the suns, everything about this planet made your skin crawl. You hadn’t told Mando about your past, there had never really been a great moment too, and now you were really wishing you had. “We just need to stop here for a few days. Get some repairs, maybe do a job, nothing too long.” he said as the system came into view.

“Ok, can we just make it quick, I hate it here.” “Seems like you have a vendetta against all sand planets.” “Not all. Just this one.” You murmured as you chewed on the fat of your lip uncomfortably. Not even the baby’s tiny hands and smile could distract you from the sick feeling in your stomach. “If you need repairs, I know someone here who’ll do it cheap. Just trust me.” Mando glanced over at you for a moment, before reaching out and placing a hand on your thigh. You felt the weight of his touch burn through your clothes. “Something’s off with you. You talk about it when you wanna talk about it. Just give me the coordinates for your friend.” You smiled at the gesture, then cautiously placed a hand on top of his. “I will, you deserve my story too.” He reciprocated the gesture with a gentle squeeze, and headed towards the coordinates of your friend.

* * *

When you stepped off the ship into the blistering sunlight of Tatooine, the only face who could put you at ease was Peli Motto. The older woman’s curly hair practically bounced as she and her crew of pit droids ran towards the Razor Crest. “Y/N!” She yelled, grabbing your elbows before embracing you tightly. “Hi Peli, I’ve missed you.” You sighed into her shoulder. Meanwhile behind you, Mando was causing a ruckus trying to shake the droids away from his ship. “Hey! No droids!” He yelled, causing Peli to give an exasperated sigh. “It’ll take longer for me to do, which’ll cost you.”

“Hey I’m here too, there's no ship you and I can’t fix together.” You said, jostling her shoulder. 

“Aw honey, it’s good to have to have you back.”

When Mando had set off to the cantina to get some leads on some work, you, the baby and Peli were doing the smaller repairs that the Crest required, and taking turns sipping what water you could in the cooler shade of Peli’s work space. “So, how long have you been traveling with the Mando?”

“A few months, he found me on Coruscant, he needed a translator and realized I’m kinda good at a lot useful things, so I’ve just sorta stuck around.”

“Mmm…” she said, before turning her attention to the baby wrapped in a sling around your torso. “And are you two… together? Is this baby yours?”

“Peli!” “Look, kid, all I’m saying is you leave me a few years back, slum it on Coruscant, then some big soldier in shiny metal knocks on your door? I’d have his baby too by now if I were you.”

“No no it’s not like that… The baby was rescued. He saved it from some kind of awful fate, it was a bounty.” “A bounty? But it’s a baby?” “Exactly, and now we're kind of on the run. Mando saved him. He’s… different.” She smiled back at the two of you before grabbing your shoulder. “Different is good for you I think. I think he’s good for you. C’mon, lets get some food started, he should be back with a job soon.”

* * *

You didn’t trust that young bounty hunter farther than you could throw him, and Mando has teased you about your lousy arm before. The bikes Mando and he took off in are shabby and unkempt, but his clothes are flashy and new. He’s overconfident and too chummy with your Mando, and the look you shared with Peli at the hanger solidifies you have every right to be nervous, everything about him seems off. “I can tell he cares about you two, because no one is that desperate to work with that kid for no reason. He wants to take care of you.”

“He knows I’d forfeit my salary in a heartbeat to keep things going here. I’m just happy to be with him.” “So you admit it, you admit you like him?” “I mean… I figured it was kind of obvious?” “He’s a man, and even more so, a man bound by honor. He’s gonna need some bait and switch or something. But you mean a lot to him, that much is obvious.”

“I just feel so helpless and I hate it. I mean, he goes on these crazy hunts and I stay behind when he doesn’t need me to translate. He trusts me to fly and help with repairs but sitting waiting makes me so nervous. I need to do something.” “Well, doesn’t he know you can defend yourself? I mean, you had a very tactical combat education.” “I just haven’t really found an easy way to slide that into conversation I guess. It’s hard to talk about,” you snuggle the child closer as he sleeps, face illuminated by the work lights in the small quarters in Peli’s home. “Being here is hard enough. And he knows, but he doesn’t know why. He knows I’m from Naboo, but not much else.”

“Well, stop thinking about if he comes back, and start thinking about opening up to him when he does.” She turns over on her cot and turns the light off, leaving you alone with your thoughts on the threadbare blanket on the cool clay floor.

* * *

“Morning sweetheart.” Says a masculine voice you can place, though you’re not sure why. Your eyes flutter open to reveal the face of the bounty hunter from the previous evening, pointing a blaster both at you and Peli. The baby clings tightly to your tank top, and you pull the fabric sling around your chest as tight as you can. Everything about this makes you feel like you did last time you were in Tatooine, from the way he’s eyeing you to the barrel of the blaster in your face. “I’m going to get up, and pick up my baby, I have no weapon on me.” You say, as calm as you can. There’s a slip of the queen’s voice in there, something meant to give you peace in a threat, and you wish it worked for you now that you’re not a scared little girl in Naboo. “Just get up, both of you, and come with me. We’re gonna sit in that ship and have a little chat while we wait for Mando to show up. Funny, bounty never said anything about your pretty face in the listing.”

It feels like years before Mando arrives but you know it can’t be longer than a few hours. The sound of the speeder bike roars through the empty hanger and you can hear the heavy thud of his feet as he barrels in. “There we go ladies, nice and easy, just like we practiced.” Calican says as he shoves you and Peli to your feet, blasters pointed at both of your temples. “Took you long enough Mando!” He says as he grabs the child from your hands. “Looks like I’m calling the shots now.” You’ve managed to be strong for so long, channeled every bit of training you’ve had, every blow you’ve been dealt from your years in servitude on Tatooine, but the sight of him finally here, and there seems to be nothing he can do, pushes you to the brink. Silent tears spill over from your eyes and Calican takes notice of this, shoving Peli forward “Cuff him,” he says and she grumbles towards him, shaking with every step. “When I turn you and the kid in Mando, I’m thinking of keeping your girl for myself, she’s so very pretty, and so loyal too. What was it you said doll, you’d ‘rather die than give anything up about Mando?’ They don’t make girls like this on Tatooine anymore that's for sure.” With this statement, whatever Peli had just been whispering to him is forgotten, as he stares straight at Calican. “If you put a hand on her, there won’t be a single safe spot left for you in the galaxy.”

“Bringing you in won’t just make me a member of the guild buddy… it’ll make me legendary.” With this he raises his blaster square with Mando’s head, but a quick flashbulb is enough to throw him off. He shoots his blaster in every direction he can while you try and wrestle for the baby. Finally, Mando comes around a corner and lands a shot square in his chest. You grab the baby before he tumbles over and crouch on the ramp of the ship.

“Oh that must have been so loud for your big old years!” Peli says as she and Mando run towards you. “Are you alright he asks”, grabbing your arms and squeezing tight. “I’m-I’m fine Mando. Really.” “Yeah I had a gun to my head but no worries, I’m fine too.” Peli exclaims, and you stifle a laugh before walking up to hug her. “If I’m back on this planet, something is seriously wrong.” you say, and she sighs as she pulls away from the hug. “Well then, in that case, I hope I never see you again. Take care of yourself kid, ok?” “Yeah, you too Peli.”

* * *

The water of the refresher feels icy down your back, and stings on the cuts and bruises you didn’t realize Calican had left. Your skin feels foreign, weird, like it isn’t yours anymore, and you wish you could crawl out of it. You pull yourself out of it when there's a soft rap at the door of the fresher. You crack your head out and see a gloved hand holding a stack of clean clothes. “Hey uh, I grabbed you some clothes to change into, and the ship is in hyperspace. Maybe, if you’re up for it, I’d like to talk when you’re out?”

“Yeah, yeah I’ll be out in a second. Thank you for this.” You say with a soft smile, before shutting the door again. You pull on the pants, and the shirt which feels a bit too big and soft to be yours, and beam a little bit when you realize it’s one of his. You step out of the refresher and Mando is sitting on the floor, every blanket is pulled from his bed and the little cot you sleep on, and you clamber into the cocoon beside him. He reclines against the wall and you snuggle yourself into his arm, head on his chest, before sighing a bit of relief. “I’m gonna turn the lights in here off, because I want to talk to you with my real voice. Can I trust you to not look?” You murmur a yes and are greeted with that mechanical hiss that happens when he takes off his helmet, which is quickly becoming one of your favorite sounds. “It’s almost like that night on Sorgan,” you sigh thinking back to the starlit night and warm beds of Sorgan. Those stolen kisses and breathy touches seem like ages ago now. He laughs a little at this before pressing his cheek onto your head. “Yeah, just like Sorgan…. Listen, Y/N, I’m sorry for what happened there. I should’ve been there I could’ve,” “Mando, you did nothing wrong, it’s really okay-”

“No it isn’t, you don’t like Tatooine to begin with and I left you alone and defenseless.” “Listen Buckethead, I can take care of myself usually,” you say with a laugh, and it earns some kind of chuckle from him, “but sometimes stuff like this happens. It turned out okay today so don’t take it personally. I feel like I owe you an explanation on all this though,”

“You don’t owe me anything Y/N,”

“I know I know but you trust me everytime we kiss with your whole livelihood essentially, and I want you to feel safe in knowing I can protect myself too, ok? Do you mind if I talk about my past for a little bit?” “Only if you’re okay with it.”

“Okay…” you sigh, and are placed at ease by the feeling of his lips on your head. “I was born in Naboo, and from a young age parents can choose to send their daughter to the Handmaiden’s Academy. Very prestigious, fancy school where you train to be a Handmaiden for the Queen of Naboo. Of course, not everyone gets to be a Handmaiden, so we're trained in combat, makeup, dress, diplomacy, manners, and whatever else we may need, and are encouraged to specialize in a skill to make us marketable outside the academy. I chose language. After some time, when I was 12 I think, we were attacked by some pirates, who grabbed as many of us as they could and sold us into slavery. I was enslaved on Tatooine for nearly 10 years, before my master freed us all and fled the planet when his debt became too high. I was homeless and lost, hurting and ripped of my identity, and I found Peli. She trained me to be a mechanic and I worked with her, before Greef Karga found us. He was looking for someone to help with his final bounty before he oversaw the Guild, and needed a linguist. His price was cheap, help him and he would set me up nicely on Coruscant. And lo and behold, another guild hunter comes to my aid only a few years after that.”

The silence in the ship hangs there for a few minutes, and in this moment you’re appreciative that the Mandalorian let you monologue, you don’t know if you would get through it if you’d taken any longer. The first words that come out of his mouth are, “close your eyes.” You do as you’re told and greeted with the softest kiss he has ever given you, like he’s trying to kiss your pain away. His lips find themselves on your neck, cheek, forehead, collarbone, lips again, nose, anywhere he can. He kisses the tears away you didn’t realize were falling. 

“I never would have made you go back there I’m, I’m so sorry Y/N.”

“No, no Mando it’s alright it’s-”

“Din.” “What?” “It’s Din. My name. It’s Din Djarin. I want you to have it, you gave me a piece of you, so take this.” “I… I don’t know what to say? Thank you for trusting me, Din.” You say, swirling the name across your tongue. You like the way it tastes in your mouth, it’s short and sweet and to the point, like him. “Din,” you say again, before feeling your way to place a kiss on his cheek. “Din,” you whisper again before kissing his forehead. “Di-” you barely get out before he presses his lips to yours once more, and you’re smiling into the kiss. When you finally pull away, he smooths the sides of your hair down. You're grateful your eyes are shut, you're positive, you look a mess.

“Y/N, you mean more to me than you’ll ever know. I don't know what we're doing with the kid, or with any of this, but I’m glad to do it with you by my side.” You lay your head back on his chest at this, and sit like this for a while before the baby starts to shift in his sleep. Din places his helmet back on and the lights flicker on with it. “By the way, I have to say, I like you in my clothes.” He murmurs, before cupping your cheek and slowly making his way up to the cockpit.

Kriff, wherever he goes, you’re sure to follow.

[littlemoonchildbear]

That Night - Hvitserk x Reader

Author’s note: English is not my first language and this is the first time I write something entirely in English and not translated from Portuguese (my mother tongue). So, if there’s something Grammarly wrong or that doesn’t make sense, please tell me and I’ll do my best to correct it. This way you help me improve my skills. This is also the first time I write for Vikings, so maybe all of them are a little out of character. This scene just didn’t get out of my head and I really wanted to write it, then, I did it. I also love Hvitserk and I think there are not enough works for him out there and I wanted to leave my contribution.

Words: 1631

Warnings: brief mention of first time and light insinuation of sex

Gif’s credits: @timotay-chalamet​

You are like a sister to the Ragnarssons. Ragnar kind of adopted you when you were very young. You were one of the few victims that escaped the slaughter in the Viking settlement in England. For some reason, Ragnar didn’t kill you as he did with the old man, and because you were too young your memories of your real family and what happened in that horrible day got confused in your head and just get cleared when Ragnar came back and everybody in Kattegat discovered what their leader had been hiding from them.

           Now, here you were seated with your brothers Ivar and Hvitserk in the city of York. After the revenge of Ragnar’s death and your revenge against king Ecbert. After Ubbe tried to negociate with the Saxons and, obviously, he failed.

           While eating you could see that Hvitserk was restless. He wanted to say something to Ivar but needed to gain courage for that.

           You were very proud of him. Finally, for the first time in forever, he did something for himself and didn’t let Ubbe decide for both of them.

           Since you’re a child you loved all of the boys, you had a different love for each of them. If you were the mother that Sigurd needed when Aslaug was too busy with Ivar, Ubbe was like a father for them. You always saw Ubbe like a partner that you could always count on.

 Sigurd and Ivar were your babies. You always tried to make them be friendly with each other and for a long time you blamed yourself for the death of Sigurd. Until now this feeling didn’t vanish completed.

And Hvitserk… well… you have always felt different about him. You’ve always loved him more than a brother, but he’s always been Ubbe’s dog. You wanted a man that could make his own decisions. Maybe he was becoming this man now.

After playing with his hands he finally said what he was craving in his mind.

“So, the hunting party did not return today.”

Ivar ignored him and continued to eat. He tried again.

“I said, the hunting…”

“I heard what you said.” Ivar interrupted him

“We are almost out of food. And there is sickness in the town. What are we going to do? We have to do something. The Saxons are in their own country. They can be reinforced and grow stronger, while every day we just grow weaker...”

“What are you really saying, huh, brother?” said Ivar hitting the table “That I was wrong not to negotiate with the Saxons, and that Ubbe was right?”

You rolled your eyes.

“Here we go again...” you mumbled

“No.” said Hvitserk tired of Ivar’s assumptions

“No? Are you sure?”

“Ubbe was wrong. That’s why I didn’t sail with him.”

“Are you sure? Wasn’t it because of a certain fierce shieldmaiden?” Ivar provoked him glimpsing at you “Do you regret it?”

“I just told you no. Ubbe treated me like his little faithful dog. I am no one’s dog, Ivar.”

Ivar nods his head without saying anything. He gets the cup of ale from the table and brings closer to his mouth, but before he can drink it he lightly barks.

“Woof, woof.”

He tries to hold his laugh, but it doesn’t happen and then, all the men in the room are laughing too.

Hvitserk feels embarrassed. He stood up, got his sword on the table, and stormed away.

The men keep laughing even when he is already gone and at some point, you can’t hold it anymore.

“Shut up you all!” you scream angrily

In seconds everybody is quiet again, even Ivar don’t dare to say a thing.

“Why don’t you trust him Ivar?” you asked

“I trust him.”

“No, you don’t. And from what I can see you don’t trust me either, because you clearly have a plan and you are not telling neither Hvitserk nor me.”

Ivar stopped drinking and looked at you seriously. You stood up and walked until you were face to face with him. You put your hands on the table. Then, you whispered.

“I know you enough to know that you have a brilliant idea of how to defend this city. So, why you don’t tell me?” you got even closer and whispered in his ear “We are on the same side Grumpy Boy.”

You fixed your eyes on his. He didn’t turn his eyes away from yours. In a few seconds, he was smiling, really smiling not that malicious smile he used to give the others. At that moment you could see your Grumpy Boy was still there.

“I’ll tell you two soon, don’t worry. I just need a little more time.”

“You can always trust me, Ivar.” You put your hand on his “Everything I did and still do is for the best of our family.”

“I know. I’ve always trusted you. You’ve always been my sister.”

“And you’ve always been my Grumpy Boy.” you said caressing his cheek “Now” you held his chin with your fingers “stop teasing your brother. For the first time in his life, he decided something without Ubbe. He’s here because he believes and trusts on you.”

“I still think he stayed for you…” he said almost singing and resting on his chair looking at her behind his cup of ale.

You sighed and seated on the table crossing your arms.

“He didn’t.”

“Of course, he did! Weren’t you the first woman he bedded?”

“Ivar, this is none of your concern. How do you even know that?”

“Let’s just say that he let it slip from his lips when we, Ubbe and Sigurd were talking about Margrethe.”

“What this bitch has to do with me?” you said frowning your brow

“Nothing.”

“So…”

“What is important is” he interrupted “he likes you. I dare to say he even loves you. He’s always loved.”

“If you are so sure about it tell me, why he didn’t tell me anything in all these years?”

“You’ll have to ask him.”

“Right. Look Ivar. I’m going to find him and try to convince him to not leave us not because of the rubbish you said to me, but because of how stupid you were to him.”

“It’s alright. Keep lying to yourself. But I know what is going to happen tonight. You’ll be his Valkyrie while you ride him like a stallion.”

“Shut up Ivar…” you hissed

You left the hall hearing Ivar’s lightly laugh.

You searched for Hvitserk all evening and just found him late at night. You finally find him at the curtain wall looking at the sky. You climbed there quietly trying not to scare him and then you accidently heard his praying to Odin.

“Lord Odin, did I make the right choice? Give me a sign. Help me. What is my fate?” he pleaded

You didn’t have time to make a normal approach. You heard arrows coming his way. Before they could bury in his head you pushed him to the ground falling above him.

“That was close.” You locked eyes with him “What were you doing here? Want to kill yourself?”

“Thank you Y/N…” he said mesmerized by you

“What’re you doing?”

You rolled off of him and sited by his side bending your knees and leaning your arms on them.

Hvitserk was next to you with his legs stretched.

“I was talking to the Gods… asking them for a sign that I did the right choice…”

“And did you?”

He sighed, resting his head on the wall, before speaking.

“I’m not sure anymore… do you think you did the right thing?”

You rested your head on the wall as well and looked at the starless sky.

“I don’t think Ubbe did the right thing… I mean, they killed our people once, they killed our king and father… and we did the same… I don’t think they would give us land this easy… definitely not.”

“Do you still trust Ivar?”

“I know Ivar has an incredible mind, he’s really good with strategies and I know Ragnar saw that he could do much more then what everybody thinks of him, but… I feel this is turning his mind sick… I can’t leave him yet…”

“Because of this, you didn’t follow Ubbe.”

“Yeah… I feel I’m losing my Grumpy Boy…”

“I miss the time that my only concern was what I would eat at dinner.”

“You mean ‘what’ or ‘who’ you would eat?”

Hvitserk giggled.

“Maybe both…” he said licking his lips

“You’re unbelievable…” you gave him a light punch on his shoulder

“I learned with the best.”

“Speaking of which, you told your brothers I was the first woman you bedded?” you said looking at him and folding your arms

“Well…” he scratched his nape “I, accidently, let it slip when we were talking about Ivar bedding Margrethe… sorry.”

“It’s alright, you are forgiven.”

“I wish we could come back that night…” you two locked eyes “Everything was perfect…” he whispered looking at your lips

“Well… we can’t go back to that night…” you left your sit and straddled his lap. You put one hand on his shoulder and the other on the wall. You came closer to his face and before your lips touched you bring your lips to his ear and whispered.

“I heard you had practiced since then… why don’t you show what you’ve learned?”

You looked at him for the last time and before he could hold you and kiss you stood up from his lap and started climbing down the stair you used to get up there. Hvitserk ran right after you.

Ivar could be wrong letting Ubbe go like that, but in one thing he was more than right. This night, you’d be a Valkyrie again, and Hvitserk, wouldn’t mind being your stallion.

[chimswae]

BTS Caretaker CH29

Summary: She may think she has Bangtan Sonyeondan wrapped around her fingers. She may think it is easy to love the members equally without hurting any soul. She may think the boys wont fall head over heels for her. She assumes it is okay to show a little love and affection towards the boys, what if she gets it all wrong? What if it only brings more complication to her already complicated life? Can she survive their charms? Will she be able to resist them? What if they just wont let her go?

- Pairing: BTS x Oc ( Yoongi x OC, Jungkook x OC)

- Genre: Fluff, Slight Angst, Romance, Idol!au

- Word Count: 4,753

- Author Note: Mild smut ahead (more to heated makeout session though hahaha) so, you have been warned on my cliche smut writing, i really dont know how to write a proper smut.So sorry for that, u can skip that part :)

Previous | Next

Chapter 29

“Coming!” hurriedly, Hoseok ran to the front door and he’s welcomed by the stack of boxes in someone’s arm. And that someone’s arm happened to be Seul. He pressed his lips together while taking the view in front of him with questionable gaze “wow, someone is planning to move in today?” Seul leaned her body against the wall to stabilize herself.

“Jung Hoseok you better make way for me if you don’t have any intention to help!” her faint hollered was muffled behind the stack of boxes.

Hoseok snapped out of his daze and quickly apologized before lending his hand to help the small girl. “What are these Seul? Why are you carrying all of these by yourself?”

“Present from Armys. I claimed it from the management office” he lifted the first box from the pile, groaning at its weight as he carried it inside. Not even half of the burden were lifted off from her and it really annoyed Seul to the core.

“Unbelievable! Are you really going to take one box from…ugh.. Goodness, you are impossible Hobi!” she nagged. Seul struggled out of her converse and entered the place carefully. When she thought she’d been careful enough, her knees buckled due to the extreme loads which did not match her size.

Seul blamed Hoseok for leaving her with the remaining boxes and chose to pick only one from the piles. Ungrateful Sunshine! She mentally groaned in dissatisfaction. Easing the boxes down on the ground carefully, Seul made sure her lower body could withstand the weight for few more minutes.

Her movements grew sloppy and uncoordinated “Ouff…” without warning, she screeched loudly garnering everyone’s attention. Seul stumbled forward and crashed on top of pile of boxes. To make it sounded humiliating, her face was buried inside one of the boxes and she had to literally hold her breath from sniffing the goodie bags inside.

“Seul?” “Seul what happen!” “Seul-seul are you okay?!” heavy footsteps could be heard from every corner. It seemed like everyone was in rush to the crime scene. A hand reached out to her arms, pulling her from inside the box and examining her body to find scratches on her skin.

Jin patted her cheeks, looking frantic “Did you get hurt anywhere?” finding herself breathless due to the small accident, she finally expelled a soft sigh along with small chuckle.

“Sorry. I am okay, I didn’t mean to worry-Yah Kim Seokjin” she was pulled into Jin’s warm embrace baffling everyone in the room. The members were snickering sarcastically, judging dramatic Jin throwing shades on him.

She palmed his chest, pushing the latter away from her body to create some space for both of them to breathe. “Aren’t you being a little too dramatic?” Jin shot her a disapproval look and trailed her gaze to the rest of the members who had their usual bitch-hands-off-her look across their face.

He knocked the top of her head with his knuckle “ Yah Kim Seokjin? Where is your Jin Oppa? Aren’t you being too informal? ” her nose scrunched up in disgust and turned to others seeking for morale support. Namjoon opened his arm welcoming Seul in his embrace. He grinned widely until the dimple appeared. She rushed to his arms, as Namjoon enfolded his long arms around her earning low protest from the floor.

“Since when you are so touchy with Seul?” said the maknae bitterly.

Jimin shook his head frantically “I cant.. handle more competition. Don’t fall for hyunggie Seul-ah!” he snorted with his whiny voice. She refused to entertain the whiny baby and sealed her mouth until then. The more she showed her response, the longer she had to watch these boys irrelevant mouth fight.

Namjoon paid no attention to others and rubbed her arms urging Seul to come with him to his room “Where are you bringing her?!” Jin shouted from the living room watching their body slowly disappeared from his vicinity. Yoongi rolled his eyes, escaping the commotion to his room.

 -------------------

Seul spent two hours in Namjoon’s room watching English shows though she barely survived throughout the shows, Namjoon was kind and patient enough to translate some difficult terms for her. Hoseok and Jimin would come to check on them every five minutes until the couple had enough and decided to lock the door.

The first 10 minutes, Jin pounded on the door like a mad man demanding the leader to return Seul back to them or else they would call help to open the door. The guys seemed to have so much time in hand today that they chose to pick on Namjoon and Seul instead of minding their own business.

After wasting his energy in persuading Namjoon and Seul unlocking the door, Kim Seokjin gave up and finally they could find some peace.

Nibbling on her chips halfway, she dropped the remaining on her lap as she pointed at the screen with a soft gasp “ Is it even ethical to kill someone and get away from it?!” Namjoon chuckled softly and hummed a soft yes.

“This is so fucked up!” Seul threw her arms in the air and rubbed her pounding head. He flicked his eyes up and down before his left brows shot up in either surprise or disapproval of  Seul’s choice of words “Language. You have been spending too much time with Yoongi hyung” flicking her forehead lightly, the girl pouted in protest.

Namjoon’s forehead creased into a frown “ It is called ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ for this reason duh. The title itself already give away the idea of the story. You are being a drama queen” she curled up beside him and brought her attention back to the television screen.

“I know, but it doesn’t make any sense. If I were Wisse Gribbins, I would tell the police and leave his friends to deal with their own problem”

“It is Wes Gibbins. You sounded so Korean” he corrected and let out an amused laugh. She smacked his forehead softly, scowling in disapproval “The last time I checked, I am Korean, Rap Monster-ssi” he cringed at the way how she called him by his stage name. It was his first time to hear it from Seul and for some reason it created a huge gap in between those words. Unfriendly, yes that was it.

“That sounds even horrible. Just stick with Namjoon. Rap Monster-ssi doesn’t fit you” he glared down at her and ran his fingers in her hair out of habit.

“But, I meant to ask something… Just your view, tell me honestly alright? I have been thinking to change my stage name” he bit his lower lips as if in deep thought.

The corner of her lips pursed up as she nodded “To what? Joonie? O-ri?” he scoffed.

“Joonie is too cute! Stop bringing up O-ri, I am so over my Hiphop Monster figurine which resembles a duck, ugh now I have to live with that”

Seul tilted her head, thinking deeply before responding “ Jji-Mon! (RipMon)” clasping her hand together, her eyes twinkled in happiness as if she just won the big prize of the night.

Namjoon stared at her blankly trying to brain Seul’s words. He regained back his ability to talk not long after.

“What in the world? How did you know about that! It was long time ago, and I thought you weren’t a fan Seul. Or are you secretly my fan since start but you got to hide it because you are too shy to admit it?” he drew his own conclusion annoyed the hell out of her.

Sneering sarcastically, she poked his forehead returning Namjoon to his original position as he had moved a little too close to her “I saw the concept trailer, whereby you and Jimin had to rip off your shirt. You really are a true god of destruction; how could you rip it off at once when Jimin’s shirt was looking fine after the deed, unlike you. Tsk, Rap Monster-ssi” she teased.

“That was wardrobe malfunction. Stop using that against me. I won’t ask your opinion for my stage name anymore, you are a true Army, what do I expect? You will make me use those funny nicknames”

“Hey! I am not your Army. And those nicknames aren’t that bad. I found it is entertaining” he chuckled lightly.

“Alright you are not my Army. However, you are our girl. So, let’s get back to our main topic, shall we? About my stage name. I am thinking of making it official. Instead of using Rap Monster, I want to use RM. What do you think about it?”

Seul beamed “RM sounds professional and cool!”

“And, Rap Monster sounded unprofessional?” he scratched his head.

“I didn’t say that. Rap Monster is good but now that you are moving forward and become bigger, I think RM suits you better though I prefer Namjoon over anything, no offence. But, Rap Monster sounds too teenager-ish to me. I like RM. I am sure Armys will love it too” she patted his head with light giggle.

He chortled “Teenager-ish. That makes sense. I am no longer the Rap Monster who wrote childish lyrics, I wish to be better and thorough in producing music. Do you think Armys will be okay with RM?” he expressed his concern. In all honesty, Namjoon did not want to screw things up especially when it involved Armys. Every decision that he’s about to make, he would put Armys in his thought.

“Joon, your fans will love it. Remember they love you just as much as you love them. Trust them. You are worrying too much. Shall we just use Jji-Mon instead?”

“Absolutely no. You are not in charge in this” he pinched her nose, frowning at her small tease.

They jumped in surprised as a loud banging at the door drew their attention momentarily “Kim Namjoon! Ji Seul! Open the goddamn door now or I swear to god I will break it down in 10 seconds!”. Kim Seokjin was screaming at the top of his lungs threatening them once again.

Springing up, she smoothed back her tousled hair and rose from her feet “I will tame the whiny lioness, stop worrying over the stage name. Let Armys know how you feel, it will make you feel better”

“Thank you Seul..I will think about it” a slow smile worked its way across his face. Namjoon knew exactly what he felt right now. And, he made up his mind about the stage name.

“Kim to the Namjoon! Return Seul safely now!” he pounded loudly.

“Ugh Jin is so annoying. Give it a thought alright?” she winked as she hurriedly went to open the door “Coming! You can stop pounding the door now Jinnie!” Seul hollered in response to Jin’s wrath.

 ---------------------

The next day Seul arrived at the boys’ place to work a little later as she had to accompany Mrs Hwang for routine check-up. She went straight to tend her job as soon as she sent her mother back safely. Upon her arrival, the place was empty. They must be out somewhere or most probably at the company practicing for their next tour. In few days they will be leaving Korea and this time it’d be Wings Tour Japan Edition.

In the middle of preparation for their tour, the boys had started going in and out from the studio for their upcoming comeback which was expected to be in September. The second half of 2017 had already drained fifty percent of their energy. Hence, the thought of surviving the rest of the year until their comeback was torturing them.

Seul walked along the hallway, picking up dirty laundry in process while humming to some random songs. She stopped halfway in front of Yoongi’s private study room or more like his mini studio. He had one at the company as well as in their dorm. Yoongi would use either one of his genius lab depending on his mood. However, most of important and private stuffs would be secured in his main genius lab. The one that he had at home was a casual thing, he didn’t really put passwords to the door.

There was a small voice coming from the room, and out of curiosity she pushed the door slowly scanning the room in hope to find familiar faces like Min PD. Smiling to herself, she was over the moon to see Yoongi in his seat engrossed in his work. He didn’t even notice her presence there.

She took the chance to enter the room stealthily just to scare him a little. Chewing on her lower lips, she stifled her giggle settling the dirty laundry outside. Seul crept into Suga’s Genius Lab, shutting the door behind her silently. She stood behind him waiting to jump out or to creep up, startling him.

Seul chose the second options to appear more daring. It was Suga not Jungkook. This guy deserved a little scare just to tame him. To put it off this way made it sounded so wrong. She shook her head to get rid of the weird thought and getting ready to execute her so called guerrilla attack.

Before she could make a move, Yoongi swivelled his chair around facing the girl. Seul gawked in bafflement, giving Yoongi upper hand to pull her into his lap. “Got you” his low voice sounded awfully deep today, and it almost made Seul losing her shits.

“What are yo-“ she struggled to stand up but Yoongi tightened the grip around her torso, running his thumb in circular motion along her waist line.

“I miss you” he murmured.

She softened in his hold. “I miss you too” she encircled her arm around his neck. Seul looked startle by her own action but drawn as he inched close to her face. It was only a matter of time before their lips reunited again. Yoongi brushed his lips against her, holding her cheek in his hand drawing her closer.

He kissed her gently, cradling the back of her head, relishing the feel of her soft hair and delicate bones. Their lips moved in the same rhythm, ravishing each other lips. She stroked his chest, allowing the latter to push his tongue inside dominating this battle.

To be frank, she never expected kissing Min Yoongi would be this hot and it triggered her desire to feel more of it. He roamed his hand around her body, feeling every inch of her covered skin adding the fuel in their already heated moment. Aching for more, they pulled away from the kisses panting for clean air and before she could regain her normal breathing completely, Seul let out a small moan in his earlobe.

She clung to him, emitting a low groan as he sucked on the tender area at the base of her neck. Her voice encouraged him to explore her body further. Yoongi’s temperature rose and he went to kiss her again with so much passion. This time Seul responded to the kisses as passionate as his.

Carefully, he ran his hand to her buttocks switching her position. She straddled him on the seat, her knees on either side of his legs, wrapping herself deliciously close to his body. His fingers fiddle with the button of her blouse, when she made no move to stop him, he took the chance to unbutton them halfway down enough to reveal her chest.

Yoongi breathed softly against her lips and nuzzled her face. Their gaze met as they communicated silently with a single stare that they exchanged. Chewing her lower lips, Yoongi kissed her briefly before running his lips along her jaws. He slipped her hand under her blouse, feeling her tender skin against his hand.

Seul’s body went rigid with surprised as trembled shook her body. The euphoric warmth blossomed within her once more when she felt his hand caressing her chest inching close beneath her cleavage. His lips returned to ravage her neck knowing what it did to her. She arched towards him, holding back the moan in her throat. He nipped at her neck slowly getting harder and more insistent as time passed.

Her hand clutched onto his shoulder for support, as her free hand ran freely in his brown lock. Yoongi’s action rendered her breathless. She unconsciously moved a little creating small friction against the dangerous zone. It was supposed to be untouchable, yet as soon as she heard Yoongi deep groan. She knew she had done something inappropriate to it.

“Darn it Seul” he nibbled on her earlobe as he picked up the confuse girl, making his way to the couch behind them. He laid her down and found himself on top of her. Yoongi was not rushing into doing anything intimate with her, in fact he had been monitoring her response. If she didn’t push him away, meaning he got her permission. Up to this stage, Seul showed no sign of protest.

She slid her hands under his shirt, signalling him to take it off. His breath hitched at the sight of eager Seul beneath him making Yoongi wanted to take her right way. She took a moment to stare at his body without blinking. Seul pictured the image of shirtless Yoongi in her head, admiring his fine body that matched the perfectly milky skin. Yoongi looked effortlessly beautiful without his shirt on.

“You seem impressed baby girl” said Yoongi teasingly.

Her cheeks reddened realizing that she’d been taken a long time to admire the fine man on top of her. However, when Yoongi lips captured her once again in another long and endearing kiss, it washed off all the shyness in her.

She closed her eyes and felt the passion swelling in her. He broke the kisses and looked into her eyes “Baby, tell me when to stop” she was moved by his soft side. Despite in this situation Yoongi put her feelings above his raging hormone.

Nodding with a smile, Seul pulled his neck down and made the first move. She kissed him on the lips, using a little tongue before trailing the kisses to his neck. She knew what was she doing causing the older guy to emit a long moan while his hand gripping her hip.

Chills bumps across her body as Yoongi pressed against her, as he pinned one of her hands abover her head. He interlaced their hand together and he kissed his way down to her chest.  Reaching her back, he unclasped the fabric that had been hiding the beauties in front of him. Seeing Yoongi’s lustful stare, she blushed madly and threw one of her arms to cover the twins from his prying eyes.

Their eyes locked, as he removed her hand uncovering the two beauties. He breathed sharply and mumbled “You are beautiful baby girl. Too beautiful” she anticipated what he’s about to next. She chewed her lips nervously but soon the feeling was taken over by one of the greatest pleasure in her whole life. One at a time, he just kept on and on kissing and sucking on them turning Seul into a moaning mess.

Arching her back, she pushed her chest forward letting him to have them, giving into the pleasure that he gave her willingly. While he’s working on pleasuring her, he unbuttoned the remaining button of her blouse and slipped it off her.

Yoongi held both sides of her abdomen as he moved down, pushing her legs apart. Watching her hesitation, he took the cue to trail his kiss back to her stomach, kissing it all over. He was so gentle with her, every kiss that he showered were made of love.

“Yoongs…where is everyone” she bit her tongue from expelling another loud moan.

Stroking her hips deeply, Yoongi kissed her inner thigh playfully and mumbled against her skin “Out. They won’t be back until tonight” kissing and licking her, he teased her into a frenzy. Seul grabbed the sheets tight, grunting sexily which drove Yoongi mad.

The couple continue undressing each other skilfully.

Clothes scattered on the floor leaving her with only thin fabric covering her most fragile area and so did Yoongi. He glances at her once again seeking for permission. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, and that was enough to convince him that she’s alright with this level of intimacy.

She exhaled as if to steady her nerves when he finally freed her and continued to shower kisses there, earning a deep grunt from Seul. One of her hands was locking his hair, Yoongi worked his way in between with passion.

“Yoongi..” her breath hitched. Seul was reaching her peak and he knew it, just how he intended it to be. Still not stopping, he kept on with his skilful tongue. Her body tense up as she exhaled a deep breath feeling the ecstasy from his sinful tongue love making.

The sensation from his warm tongue drove her insane.

Only soft and erotic groans could be heard across the room. Just how much they longed for each other this way? They were drowned in a sea of lust and love.

 ------------------

Sitting in between Yoongi’s legs, he snuggled her closer to his body. “I want you to listen to this song. It is a demo for our new album” her eyes gleamed in excitement. “Is it alright to let me listen to it? I mean I am not a BTS member” she mumbled confusedly.

“No, it is alright. It is just a rough version of the song. We haven’t confirmed anything yet” Yoongi chuckled softly as he reached out the ipod on the glass table and adjusted the headphones over her ears.

“Ready? Tell me what do you think of it alright?” Seul nodded with a thumb up. His thumb glided over the screen, and the first strain of a smooth alternative hip hop with a light touch of jazz echoed through the headphones. She found herself enjoying the soft beat as her head tilted by its own to right and left in response.

There was not much lyric in it since they may need to come up with new changes now and then. However, she could catch small lines that they already included in the song. It was poetic and catchy.

All of my wonder You’re the answer I call you her, her Cause you’re my tear, tear

Yoong ran his thumb along the side of her waist anticipating Seul’s reaction. He had been working the songs with Namjoon and Hoseok, though the leader had already come up with the full lyrics of the outro, he still had to make sure the beat matched the lyric perfectly.

When the song ended, Seul removed the headphones and turned her head facing the handsome rapper. “That was beyond amazing Yoongi!” she grinned, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. He watched the girl cracking his gummy smile “Really? I wanted to submit this last touch to Joon, so he could record the rest of the lyrics” Seul tapped his small nose.

He scrunched his nose cutely “You did great! Can’t wait to hear the full version of the song. I can feel it in my bones that it is going to be my favourite songs from your new album” just by watching her giddiness boosted his confidence.

“Don’t decide that now. There are more cool songs in the album. Wait for it. It is going to be a new side of Bangtan Sonyeondan” he brought her to his arms again, resting his chin on the top of her head.

She nuzzled her face at the crook of his neck “I am with Bangtan till the end” he caressed her hair lovingly and placed a kiss on her head.

“Of course. You are our girl” he soothed her with a deep murmur.

Their girl. Namjoon said the same thing. Her feelings were a mixture of happiness and guilt. Sometimes she was scared of her future though she promised to live the present without worries.

She couldn’t simply wash off this insecurity in her, just because it was impossible to forget. Seul had to handle her present with confidence and face her future with no fear.

Just, never let your fear decide your future.

Yeah, she’s holding onto the principle.

-----------------

“Someone trashed our practice room!”

“The culprit tried to break into Hoseok’s hyung studio, but they didn’t get through it. I bet they or he or she whatever were in rush. They left right after they broke into Joon hyung and Yoongi hyung studios” Jungkook explained to Seul with heavy pant. He was just so mad that his veins started to appear on his skin.

Seul felt angry to hear the news, the girl clenched her teeth together “Did they take anything from the studios?” Yoongi pinched the bridge of his nose with a harsh grunt.

“My works were all gone. Those assholes! OUR HARDWORKS WERE ALL GONE! SCREW THIS” he yelled venting his frustration. Namjoon expelled a heavy sigh “They didn’t take anything from my studio, but the equipment was ruined. Ugh, I really want to kill the person who did this” his brow creased and he pressed his lips into a thin line.

“CCTV?” she inquired.

Shaking his head in defeat “Someone tampered with the surveillance camera. The footage was deleted. I had no idea how they entered the building” Seul frowned in disapproval.

“It was odd how they trashed Joon and Hoseok studios but wiped off Yoongi’s works. The furniture and equipment in his room are untouchable. There is no sign of robbery. Could they be after Yoongi?” the eldest of the group spoke up with a deep furrow.

She sent Yoongi a sympathy glance knowing all his hard works being erased overnight, that must be upsetting. Who would do such things to him? Yoongi might appear unfriendly but he would not hurt anyone. He could spit the nastiest remarks on others who provoked his anger, yet that only happened when you tick off the Min Yoongi.

“Did you make any enemy outside? Anyone that rings the bell?” Jimin shifted his gaze back and forth from Jin and Yoongi. Then he pursed his lips, feeling defeated.

Yoongi watched him, while he narrowed his eyes in a deep thought. To think of the possibility, Jin assumption could be right. However, he couldn’t think of any names that could possibly do this to him. After he became a trainee and debuted as BTS member, he rarely got the chance to meet someone new and make new friends.  

He dedicated his life for his work and Bangtan, not that he remembers making any enemy outside. Maybe few people who loathed him from choosing the easiest path to become artiste. It was a long time ago since he used to be an underground rapper. Namjoon and him were hated for being an idol so they had cut off their ties with them. That was the last time they ever met the crews and to think someone would do this to him after years sounded unreasonable.

“We found the culprit! Lets head to the company now!” their manager popped out from nowhere surprising everyone.

“What? How? Who?” Hoseok and Jungkook said in sync, as they were already on their feet.

The tall man nodded while grabbing the keys “He turned himself in. We will get our answers soon. So, let’s go now” Seul eyes widened at the revelation. If the person really turned himself in, then why would he waste his energy to commit those crime.

“Do you want to tag along?” Yoongi touched Seul shoulder “I can make use of your presence beside me, please” his eyes bore into her. Seul hesitated to know she was in no place to be around the boys publicly.

They heard their manager emitted a deep sigh, “Seul, come with us. You may need to stop someone from causing a scene” his eyes were fixated on Yoongi. He knew exactly how the guy would react, Yoongi’s anger was not a joke.

“Sure…” Yoongi grabbed his extra mask and helped to put it on her. It was needed to protect the girl from being exposed to medias or Armys. At least, they might see her as one of the staffs instead of spreading false rumours.

For an odd reason, she didn’t feel good about this. She just couldn’t rid this uneasiness in her. Was she overthinking about the whole thing?

  This work belongs to  Chimswae © 2020. All Rights Reserved

[atlasfreak]

hell is hot from your mistakes

chapter four; Tumblr edition

notes: song is ode to l'manburg by beetlebug, all rights to the song go to them

ArchiveOfOurOwn Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30073104/ or THIS

Wilbur names the strider Schrodinger's Strider - If we can't see it, we have no idea if it's dead or alive, he jokes.

"Schrodinger sounds like another word for dick."

I mean, yeah, but- y'know, shut up, Tommy.

Mama stays like she's always been; watching over Tommy like a nesting eagle. It's a miracle Schrodinger's Strider hasn't been killed by her hand. It sits where Tommy's brother used to and it crackles at him all day long, blinking slowly whenever he glances over.

He pats its head.

Mama Piglin has been trying to teach Tommy combat, desperately. She's so very, very hesitant to leave her little child alone and unguarded and vulnerable - it's her only solution. He's a little young for it, sure, but he more than makes up for it with past experience - the muscle memory of life before, of being a soldier of L'Manburg.

Is it a good thing that he was a skilled warrior at 16? No, it really wasn't. It has its benefits, though.

(Wilbur doesn't regret teaching Tommy to fight for his life. It's saved him more times than they can count.)

His mother swipes again - Tommy bobs, blade just almost grazing his little ears. He exhales and gets ready to avoid another slash.

Tommy hasn't been hit yet. He doesn't want to be hit yet. He's afraid to be hit. He won't be hit.

So he jumps and he weaves and he dodges, and he doesn't get hit. The sword flies over his head as he ducks. Mama Piglin purrs when Tommy falls to the floor, exhausted, not a scratch on him.

"You are a very very good fighter," she crows. "Especially for a child."

Tommy smiles.

You know what he's not very good at, though? Piglin. The language. His bane, the real challenge; it's learning to speak in Piglin.

They're in a small clearing, him and his mother. She stands in the center of the nycelium, eyes narrowed, trusty sword in her hands and a smaller blade slung across her back. Tommy doesn't wanna know where she got it from.

Isn't it morbid that she's so awfully protective of you guys - and so awfully sad now that one of you died - but she's fully willing to put another sow through that pain, without hesitation? Hypocrisy, I do say. Hypocrisy.

"Shut the fuck up, Wil." Tommy snorts. He jumps at the sound of a low rumble, glances up - his mother is glaring. She holds the small sword in her hands now, almost offering it to him.

"Repeat, child," she instructs. "'Give me the sword.'"

You'd think it'd be easy for Tommy to just do it- to just say "Give me the sword" and be done with it, but you'd be wrong. Very wrong.

Here's where the issue lies: phonetically, his mother's language is very, very, very different to English. It doesn't matter how similar a piglin's vocal system is to a human's if Tommy doesn't know how to pronounce piglin words. He doesn't know how to make the sounds he needs, and his mother is not very happy about it.

"Wilbur, help," he begs - in English, one might add -at the same time that his mother snaps, "Wrong! Try again!"

I don't know what you want from me, Tom.

"I- how do I make a fuckin' pig noise, huh?" Tommy turns back to his mother and squeaks, another damned attempt.

She huffs. "Wrong. Try again."

You're the piglin here, not me, Wilbur chuckles. His voice is distant today, but not horribly so. I can't help you.

Tommy hides his face in his hands. "Mama, please. I don't know how to make that noise."

"I need to understand you!" she growls back. "Try again or no sword. No sword, no fighting. No fighting, no going out."

(She's been almost as adamant as Wilbur - he can't die, he won't die. She's protective, now; even more so than before. Tommy rarely leaves her sight.)

Wilbur breaks into his thoughts. Tommy, translate.

"'I need to be able to understand you. Try again or you don't get the sword.' No sword, no fighting. No fighting, no going outside."

Ha.

"No, Wil, not ha! I need to be able to fight, remember? To go the fortress? I have to be able to fight as a stupid little pig, you said - that was your rule!"

I remember. That's why it's funny.

Tommy groans. "This is shit! It wasn't a problem before, why does she only care about me speaking fucking English now?"

Wilbur cackles at him. Tommy would flip him off, but he only has three fingers.

His mother narrows her eyes. "I will say it again. Child, repeat. 'Give me the sword.'"

"Why do I need to know Piglin?! I can understand you just fine, that's good enough!" Tommy groans.

Do you have a name? Wilbur asks suddenly.

"Wh- you were the one who named me, Wilbur! Yes, I have a bloody name!"

No, no, no- in Piglin. Do you have a piglin name?

"Child!"

Tommy sighs. He clears his throat and he decides, I'm just going to say oink, and he does just say "Oink", and his mother crosses her arms and he's ready for more disappointment.

But he doesn't get it. "You said a word.," his mother nods. "Wrong word, but a word. You have a very strong accent, child - you speak too much player! Say- say 'Mother'."

Tommy! Answer the question!

"I- uh, yeah, I do," Tommy mutters. He tries his best to copy the squeal, but his mother sighs. "What, did you think she just somwhow knows to call me Tommy?"

What is it? Is it like.. like Techno's? Two words stuck together?

"Uh, I can't pronounce it," Tommy is staring up at his mother, waiting for her next instruction. "It's like... she calls me 'child', but pronounced differently to how she said my brothers' name, which was also child."

Wilbur breaks out into laughter. Your name is child?!

"Child! Say mother. Easy- easy enough word for you."

Tommy exhales and he's ready to be scolded, but he does try. Again, to his complete surprise, his mother claps instead. The sound of hoof on hoof is almost jarring.

"Yes! Good child! You can speak Piglin! Good job, child. Say it again!"

Tommy is appalled, but he copies his own odd sound and his mother tosses him the little sword. "Good child! We will fight with swords now. You will learn to kill - then you will not die like your brother!"

What happened? Tommy, what happened?

"I said a word right," Tommy gasps. "I called her mother and she's very happy."

Wil cheers in his ear. Woooo! Good job Tommy, you can talk! You're officially at the same level as a piglin toddler!

Tommy ignores him and he holds the sword gingerly, examining it. It's very light compared to what he's used to - compared to iron or diamond or even Netherite. He swipes it around experimentally. His mother's eyes widen, but she rumbles in approval. Wilbur is quiet.

Tommy crouches. Finally, something familiar.

His mother unsheathes her own sword and she lunges.

That's what they do, now. In the mornings, whereas Tommy used to play with his brother, Tommy will now instead ride Schrodinger's Strider around the cave or talk with Wilbur. At noon, his mother will quiz him on Piglin words, and then they go out and train. When he gets tired, she tucks him into the rocks, hides him among the red, and she tells him to stay, and she goes out to get food for them. There's not a single day where Tommy doesn't worry she won't come back for him, that she met a hoglin too fierce for her blade, that he's alone and hungry with only a quiet voice for company.

But, despite his darkest worries and fears and thoughts, she always, always comes back. She always comes back and she always purrs when she comes and finds him, nestled softly exactly where she had hidden him, tail waving.

They eat, then sleep, then it starts again.

It's nice.

Tommy's heavy enough to leave tracks, now, and his mother shows him how to hide them. He has little tiny tusks, and Wilbur jokes that they'll be as small now as they'll be forever and that he'll look always like a child. Tommy's half the height of his mother and he's lost some of his fluff, soft down replaced with patches of slick, short fur.

"How many days has it been?" Tommy asks.

Wilbur smiles. In Overworld time, it's been two months.

"What, is Nether time different?"

No, but also yes. Piglins age faster and stay adolescent for longer. You're a few months old, sure, but it's the equivalent of roughly 16 months.

Tommy grumbles. "Piglins are complicated. How do you know? You're a little research boy?"

No, I just I asked Technoblade & Philza, Wilbur explains. You remember that Ghostbur exists at the same time as me? So I can track the days. I went to talk to the Arctic boys - Phil theorizes that aging is almost sped up here because Nether mobs typically don't live long, so they need to be fully grown sooner, and-

He pauses. Tommy turns to look for the source of his voice - he figures Wilbur is probably sitting on Schrodinger's Strider - and he tries his damndest to make eye contact with the invisible. "And what, Wil?"

..and, uh- and Techno is suspicious of me.

"They don't know I'm alive, right?"

They don't, no, but Techno doesn't- I think he knows that I'm not really Ghostbur. I think he recognizes me as- you know, me.

Tommy blinks. "That's not good, is it?"

It's not.

"...Do they miss me?"

Techno and Phil? They.. don't believe you're dead, really. They haven't seen your body or your ghost - they think Sam is lying. It's sad to watch.

"What about everyone else?" Tommy whispers. "Tubbo? Quackity? Sam Nook?"

There's silence. Tommy takes a sharp inhale. "Wilbur? Wilbur, what about Tubbo?"

Wilbur does not respond.

Of course, this fragile little peace, this tranquil calm - it can't last. No matter how powerful she is, Mama Piglin can't always be there to save the day.

And this is that day.

She's slinking through the forest brush, foraging for food. Tommy is watching her, laying up in a tree that he'd scrabbled up like a baby cat, and Wilbur is daring him to eat a shroomlight.

Come on, it'll probably taste like, fruity.

"Aren't you the one who always fucking says 'Tommy, you can't die. Tommy, it's super important you don't die'? Why are you trying to kill me?"

Wil laughs in his ears. It won't kill you! And it'll be funny. Phil will be proud.

"What, are you gonna tell him I somehow found a fuckin' shroomlight in the Aferlife, or...?"

.... ok, nevermind.

Tommy laughs. His mother casts a look back up at him from below, a quiet warning: Shh!

He shuts his mouth.

Wilbur is distant in his ear. He says he's still in the cave, hanging with Schrodinger's Strider, and Tommy groans. "Why can't you come hang with me? You can leave your little friend alone, it's ok. You have TommyInnit, you don't need a strider friend."

He'll- he'll get lonely without me.

"Ok, and?"

Hush your mouth. I'm allowed to get attached. Anywa, what's Mama up to out there?

Tommy peers through the red. "She found some hoglins. She's climbing up a tree so she can jump down on them - two, an adult and a baby."

Tasty.

"What. The fuck."

What?

"Why would you say that!?"

Well- you're gonna be eating them, aren't you?

"Actually," Tommy decides, "that's fair."

He watches with mellow interest as his mother drops down - her sword cuts right through the soft skin of the baby, it's dead in seconds. The mother roars and Tommy watches with wide eyes as Mama spins round and rakes her blade across the swine's great, ugly face. It rears with a scream, blood tripping down from its eyes and eyelids firmly shut tight. It warbles and snarls as Tommy's mother tries to jump onto its back.

Tommy grins. "Yeah! Good job, Mother!" he cheers. Piglin Mama glances up at him - at his Piglin - with wide eyes. The swine knocks her off with a grunt.

Tommy's smile falls. The hoglin sniffs at its dead child for just a moment while his mother blinks, dizzy. The hog turns to stare at her, almost if to shout, to accuse; You killed it!

His mother gets back up and crouches again, sword shining yellow and dripping red, ready for round two. The great beast narrows its eyes and runs the other way, towards Tommy. His mother yelps as its beady little eyes spot him on his perch in the rickety old branches and he sees the maniacal light in its eyes.

Revenge.

Tommy's mother screams.

Tommy gasps as the hoglin slams full force into the tree, powerful tusks tearing weak roots out of the ground. Wilbur screeches in Tommy's ears as he grabs onto his branch for dear life and the ground shakes but all of his attention is on the stinging, the humming pain, the wet red trickling from his nose, just like it did months ago, months ago; months ago, when Dream killed him.

He shuts his eyes tight and he prays to any god that'll listen.

Please, please don't make me go back to the void, please.

The thundering of the ground - of great angry hog hooves - stops suddenly with an awful, wet squelch. Tommy stays stock still among the red wart branches, hands over his ears and hoping desperately that he's hidden well. Light leaks through his eyelids but he still doesn't open them. He doesn't open them when he's lifted out of the tree wreckage, or when he's held close by wet, red hands, or when he feels warm breath checking for life.

"It's ok, little child. I have you, it's ok. No more hogs, no need for fighting or blood. Please do not cry. Never will hogs get to you again. Never, ever. I will never let it happen. I promise. I promise. Please do not cry."

So Tommy doesn't.

She doesn't really let him out of her sight anymore.

There's no more hunting, no more foraging - only patience, hunger. She sits by the entrance to the cave and she waits for something to pass by, something to kill. That's what they eat - anything unlucky enough to pass by their den.

Tommy eats more rotten flesh these days.

"I am sorry, child. But it is not safe for me to go away."

He doesn't reply.

Wilbur sings to him more, now. When he feels low, Wilbur will notice. Schrodinger's Strider will rub against his piglin cheek and Wilbur will hum to him, keep him company. He doesn't talk about the SMP anymore. Part of Tommy is grateful.

It's not bad. His mother still him trains to fight here, in the cave, and she's still kind. She'll always be kind, Tommy reminds himself. She's just been through a lot.

That's what happens when she tries to raise main character, Wilbur tries to joke. It falls flat.

His mother watches him so much more closely, if possible - he's not seen her sleep. He wakes up under her gaze and he falls asleep with her eyes boring into her back. Once upon a time, weeks ago, she wouldn't be caught dead letting him curl up to her.

Now, it's more common than not that he falls asleep with his face burrowed into her side.

They fight with their swords - his mother's hits are harder, faster, and Tommy bites down the memories every time he ducks a moment too late, swallows the panic. His mother remains on the offensive, insistent - "Get up! We'll go again!"

That's how it is now, really. Tommy wakes up, he trains, he sleeps and his mother waits, maybe he'll eat and then he trains, and when his muscles hurt or he has one blade's nick too many, he'll sleep. Then he opens his eyes to his mother's watch and it starts again.

It's only so long that the cycle can last.

And Wilbur ruins it.

It's an average day, really. Tommy lays in his soul soil patch, humming. He's had a shit morning - he woke up with Dream's burning green eyes boring into him, with the cackle of his voice in his ears. Wilbur notices immediately, of course. His mother doesn't. She went as hard as always in combat training, and Tommy still feels the awful, awful sting of the cut she left on his arm. The worst part is, it's a sting. A little tiny slash, already scabbed over, and he's overreacting. He can't blame his mother, really - she wants him to be safe. He understands that.

It still sucks his breath out when he shifts and bumps the wound against something.

Wilbur pities him. He hates it.

Theseus, do you need help?

"I don't need fuckin' pity, Wilbur. Leave me be."

He hears Schrodinger's Strider crackle, bump him gently. Fire shoots up his injury. Tommy snarls.

I'm sorry, Tommy, Wilbur murmurs.

"Good. Keep your pity to yourself and get this fuckin' strider away from me."

To his surprise, the strider backs up. Tommy huffs and goes back to laying in the dirt, staring at the red roof.

Wilbur's quiet voice fills his ears. He narrows his eyes, but doesn't comment.

It all started on a day like any other, Tommy hears. All the salmon had swum to the sea. But my lover she darted away down the stream, with the heart that she'd taken from me. Tommy, do you know this song?

Tommy doesn't respond, but Wilbur continues.

And my chest, though it ached, there was hope - a little beacon of light. Though my sunniest days are now stolen away, I still have our son by my side. You know, that's Fundy. Sally would've loved him, I think, if she'd bothered to stay and get to know him.

Tommy doesn't respond.

And as he looked up with me with those wondering eyes, I just knew that I must protect him with my life, Wilbur sings quietly, And make a land that is good and a land that is free, for the better of you and of me.

Tommy doesn't respond.

We'll build these walls with our own fair hands, through the wind and the rain and the snow-

"It never snowed in L'manburg, Wilbur," Tommy responds.

-and I swear by my life that I'll stay by your side, whatever the world has to throw.

"That aged well. When's the last time you even saw Fundy?"

So I summoned my men to my side, Wilbur hums, And we sung a familiar tune - as a final goodbye with our fists to the sky to our past as we started anew.

"I don't wanna hear this anymore, Wil."

We built these walls with our own fair hands, through the wind and the rain and the snow - and we swore that we'd keep an unwavering faith in the land that we carved for a home.

"Wil, quit it. I'm fucking serious. I don't wanna hear about L'manburg."

Oh, the thought of the day lit our country ablaze as the sun rose bloody and true, Wilbur's voice breaks. Arrows- arrows burned through the sky as we swallowed our pride, and we ran with our backs to the moon-

Tommy sits up. "Wilbur, shut up."

And Wilbur doesn't respond - he keeps singing. Tommy falls back with a thump.

-to our demise.

"From a friend full of lies," Tommy murmurs. He remembers it so clearly - he's there, almost. Staring. He hears the hiss of redstone, but no click of pistons, no crack of pearls. Instead he smells burnt flesh and sees a crater that was once his home, sees the bloodied body of a brother, sees hands strained gray in gunpowder.

Oh, the break of the day shed its light on our hearts, left battered and bruised.

"All the hopes that we'd made on the home that we made," Tommy sings with Wilbur now, "Torn to pieces and left in the blue."

Pain shoots through Tommy's ears - so many voices, so many, too many - but Wilbur leans against Schrodinger's Strider with fond, visible brown eyes.

"But my friend, with an angry cry, held the weight of our-"

And just like that, it's ruined. A sword swipes through an incorporeal body and Wilbur squeaks as it goes through his torso and nicks Schrodinger's Strider. It chitters in surprise as blood wells up on its side.

Wilbur is gone in an instant, and the voices quiet down, and his mother screams.

"A player! A human player! Oh, danger! You're not safe! Why are you not safe?! It's meant to be safe! It dug through the wall, it must've- it must've broken in! Child, you are ok, please tell me you are ok," Mother Piglin wails, sniffing at his head as always.

Tommy stares blankly at where Wilbur had just sat, eyes so kind, so very very kind - kinder than they'd been in months.

Wilbur's voice is quiet, but not distant. A nervous whisper. I'm so sorry, Tommy, I forgot.

Tommy swallows as his mother continues to ramble and hold him close.

"It's ok, Wil."

When Tommy is too quiet - when his eyes don't focus or he shakes or he wakes up breathing too quick - Wilbur would sing. He would sing and he would hum and Tommy would shut his eyes tight and he'd relax and Wilbur would always, always sing for him when the life was unkind.

He sings more often now.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers VANDEAD CARNIVAL ;; Sleeping Vampire ー Sakamaki Kanato

Source: Diabolik Lovers Vandead Carnival

Seiyuu: Kaji Yuki

Audio: Part 1 ll Part 2

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

*Rustle rustle*

“...Is something the matter? ...’That’s my line’? You are being rather cheeky today, don’t you think? I couldn’t seem to fall asleep for some reason, so I tried moving to a different place.”

You frown, asking why he chose your bed.

“That is up to me to decide, no...? ...Say, you think so too, don’t you, Teddy?”

*Rustle*

“...Well, there you have it. I will sleep here for tonight. Come on, move to the edge a little. When you’re lying there in the dead centre of the bed, there’s nowhere for me and Teddy to sleep, is there?”

*Creaaak*

“...Where are you going?”

You tell him you’ll sleep somewhere else.

“Hah...? You’re implying that you’ll move somewhere else if I’m going to sleep in your bed?”

*Rustle*

“...Wait. Where exactly would you go to sleep this late at night? Are you perhaps thinking of sleeping on the sofa in the living room...? ...Or perhaps...You can’t possibly be thinking of staying at one of the other guys’ rooms, are you...?”

Your eyes widen in surprise.

“...Unforgivable...How could you leave me here and go sleep with some other guy.”

You shake your head.

“I’m wrong? How exactly am I wrong? If it’s a misunderestanding, then lie down next to me right now. At once.”

*Rustle*

“Good grief...You’re hopeless...To think I was so kind to come all the way to your room...Let me tell you just in case, but I don’t believe a single word of what you just said. Right, Teddy? Will you keep a close eye on her tonight so she doesn’t do anything strange? ...Fufu. You’re such a good boy, Teddy. In comparison...You are...”

You sigh.

“...Say? Why have you been lying down there this whole time?”

You explain.

“...Yes, I know. You’re lying down in bed. Because I told you to do so...?”

You nod.

“I told you to lie down next to me earlier, didn’t I...? Yet...Why have you decided to lie down next to Teddy instead...?”

*Rustle*

“Unforgivable...You dislike the idea of sleeping next to me that much...?”

You try and defend yourself.

“Because Teddy was already lying down between the two of us...? What exactly is the problem there? You could have simply asked Teddy to move, no?”

You frown.

“...To think you couldn’t think of such an easy solution, you truly are a fool. Well then, now that you understand, hurry up and ask Teddy to swap places with you.”

You ask Teddy.

*Rustle*

"...I’m sorry, Teddy. But I’m sure you understand, don’t you?”

Teddy replies to Kanato.

“...It seems like Teddy is willing to move to the bedside. Good for you, Yui-san. Well then, Teddy you go here...”

*Rustle rustle*

“...Say, Yui-san? Are you really not gonna say a single thank-you after Teddy was so kind to move for you?”

You raise a brow.

“Isn’t that only obvious? ...You banished Teddy all the way to the bedside after all...”

You seem puzzled.

“What you should do? ...Please think of something yourself. There are plenty of ways to express your gratitude, no? For example, the ribbon on the nightgown you’re wearing...You could tie that around Teddy, no?”

*Rustle*

“Of course, there is no way that Teddy would be glad to receive your second-hand ribbon. However, I don’t see anything of worth around in this room, so it can’t be helped.”

*Rustle*

“...I’m sorry, Teddy. It’s all we have right now, so will you bear with it...?”

Teddy agrees.

“...Teddy says he’ll forgive you. Aren’t you glad? Well then, me too...”

*Rustle rustle*

“What are you dawdling for? Come on, hurry up and lie down as well.”

*Pat pat*

“...Right here, okay?”

You lie down.

*Creaaak*

"Haah...I think I’ll finally be able to sleep now. Well then, goodnight, Yui-san.”

You close your eyes.

*Creaaak*

“...”

*Creaaak*

“...Shut up...”

*Rustle rustle*

“Say...You’ve been tossing and turning this whole time, haven’t you? Are you having trouble falling asleep, perhaps...? ...I went out of my way to move rooms, yet when you behave that way, I won’t be able to get a wink of sleep either. ...I suppose I have no other choice. I shall do you one favor. I’ll go fetch the necessary tools right now, so please wait here for one second, okay?”

*TIMESKIP*

Kanato returns to the room.

*Thud*

“Here...Take a look at this, Yui-san.”

*Rustle*

“What do you mean? ...Can’t you tell? It’s a jar of cookies. I went and got them from my room for you.”

You seem confused.

“...What are you saying? I never spoke a single word about having you eat these, did I? Say, you? They say that humans grow drowsy when counting objects, no?”

You explain.

“Eh? ...It’s counting sheep? Does it really matter what it is though?”

*Thud*

“I’ll count the number of cookies right now. I’m sure you’ll become sleepy eventually, right? Well then, here I go. One cookie...”

*Thud*

“Two cookies.”

*Thud*

“Three cookies.”

*Rustle*

“Four cookies.”

*Thud*

“Five cookies. ...How do you feel? A little more sleepy?”

You shake your head.

“Hmm. Not yet? You are horribly slow-witted, so I suppose it can’t be helped. In that case, I’ll count many more. ...Six cookies.”

*Thud*

*TIMESKIP*

“ーー Thirsty-eight cookies...Hm...?”

*Rustle*

“I’ve...run out of cookies...I counted all the way to the very end...So why won’t you become sleepy at all?”

*THUD*

“...Now I feel even more awake myself...Because I did all of this for your sake. I’m already having trouble sleeping tonight...On top of that, when I look at these cookies on top of the tray...I get...very hungry...I doubt I’ll be able to sleep now. How will you make it up to me?”

You offer him a cookie.

“Hah? ‘Why don’t you have a cookie then’? What are you saying? Are you an actual idiot? These...These stupid cookies...would never satisfy me...!!”

*THUD*

“When it comes down to it...You’re to blame for everything. I came here to find some swift rest. Yet...You keep on getting in the way of my sleep...Make sure to take responsibility, okay?”

You frown, unsure what to do.

“Aah, right. In that case...”

Kanato moves closer.

“Can’t you simply allow me to suck your blood...?”

You seem surprised.

“If I fill my belly with plenty of your blood...I’m sure I’ll be able to sleep soundly...That’s what I believe. ーー Eh? What is it, Teddy...? Oh...I see...Teddy is telling me not to do that...But...I’m starving...I understand. I suppose it would be difficult to sleep with a full stomach as well...Today, I’ll only taste you a little bit. What do you say? ...That’s fine, right?”

He pins you down.

*Rustle*

*Thud*

“Well then. Please offer yourself to me. I mean, that’s only fair, right? You’re to blame for all of this after all. Where would you like me to suck? Your neck? Shoulder? Or perhaps...Well, any place works. I’ll taste you from your favorite spot...Well then...

You protest.

*Rustle rustle*

“Say? What are you playing at? ...Are you perhaps resisting me? ...Even though you’re at fault...You’re trying to defy me like that...? Do you truly believe you’ll get away with such a selfish act...?”

*Smack*

“Of course not! Hurry up and submit to me! ...I’ve been asking you this whole time, haven’t I!? Hurry...Let me taste you!!”

*Rustle rustle*

“...Nn...Nn...Aah...I knew it...Even just licking you is delicious...Nn...Haah...I can’t stop...This isn’t...half bad either...”

You whimper.

“Fufu...Look at that expression on your face...Does it feel good perhaps...? Then how do you explain those protests from earlier? This is exactly why I keep saying that I can’t trust you at all...Nn...”

*Creaaak*

“Haah...Where should I lick you next...?”

You seem worried.

“Fufu...Don’t worry. Rest assured. I’ll give you plenty more...Although this obviously won’t fill my belly...It is plenty...to distract me from the hunger...Nn...I have to do more and more...”

*TIMESKIP*

*Creaaak*

“Phew...I can finally sleep in peace now.”

*Rustle rustle*

“...What is the matter? You seem rather dazed, dare I say? Ah, have you perhaps...finally grown sleepy as well?”

You shake your head.

“Eh...? You haven’t? Despite saying that, you look rather exhausted. Well, at this point it no longer matters whether you are tired or not. As long as you behave and keep still like that, my sleep will no longer be interrupted by your vexing tossing and turning. I can finally sleep now. Please lie there still, okay? Next to me...”

You nod.

“Yui-san, goodnight for real this time.”

You close your eyes again.

“...”

*Creaaak*

“Nn...Hm...? ...!”

*Thud*

“...You! Wake up please!”

*Rustle rustle*

“Can you not tell I’m asking you to wake up at once!?”

*Rustle rustle*

You open your eyes again.

“What do you mean ‘what’s wrong’!? I don’t care if you were asleep...How dare you turn your back to me...Do you dislike sleeping by my side that much?”

You shake your head.

“...Then come here at once!”

Kanato pulls you close.

*Rustle*

“Say, you won’t go somewhere and leave me behind, right? You’ll stay by my side forever, right? Say, promise me, please? That you won’t leave me...That you will never stray away from my side again...Promise me!”

You try and calm him down.

“...How can I stay calm!? ...You’re...You’re to blame! Because you tried to get away from me like that...Even though I told you to sleep by my side so many times...Yet...Why can you never just listen to what I say...?”

You try and explain to him that you did it subconsciously in your sleep.

“Don’t lie! It’s obvious you were simply pretending to be asleep, looking for the right opportunity to sneak away! That’s why you turned your back to me...! ...Unforgiveable...”

You frown.

“Teddy...Teddy would never do that. Teddy always stayed right next to me until I open my eyes again...I actually had Teddy move to the side of the bed so you could sleep next to me instead, yet you choose to betray me? All those times you pretended to be obedient, was that all a lie as well? ...Answer me!”

You try and explain yourself.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses...I can’t sleep like this. It’s all your fault...How will you take responsibility for this?”

You shrug.

“...Aah, right. I just had a great idea. I should simply tie us together somehow so you can’t go anywhere while I’m asleep. With something...”

*Rustle rustle*

*Thud*

“Aah...There just so happens to be the perfect thing laying around over here. Say, Teddy. Would you please let me borrow the ribbon she tied around you earlier?”

Teddy agrees.

“Fufu. Thank you, Teddy...”

*Rustle*

“Well then, show me your hand please, Yui-san. I’ll use this ribbon...To tie our hands tightly together.”

*Rustle*

“...Hmm, it’s hard to tie with just one hand...Please help me as well. Come on, hurry.”

You attempt to help out.

“Such a loose knot obviously won’t do the trick. Please tie it a little tighter.”

*Rustle rustle*

“Phew. This should work. Well then, Yui-san. Let’s lie down together. ...Come on, this way.”

*Rustle*

*Thud*

“Fufu...Like this, I will be able to tell right away if you try and escape while I’m asleep...However, you might try and sneakily undo the ribbon, huh? I don’t trust you in the slightest after all...”

You try and convince him that you wouldn’t do that.

“Phew...I guess this is the only solution then...”

*Rustle*

“I usually sleep while holding Teddy in my arms...But tonight, I’ll sleep while holding onto you instead. With just the ribbon, you might still find a way to get away after all. However, while I’m embracing you with my other arm, I doubt you’ll be able to go anywhere, huh? You have to move a little closer...Or it tugs onto the hand we tied together earlier and hurts...”

*Rustle*

“...I suppose this is a little better.“

You grow flustered.

“That being said...Haah. Unlike Teddy, you don’t feel soft in my arms at all...On top of that, I can hear your annoying heartbeat which seems to thump even louder than usual. ‘Ba-dump, badump’, just like that...It really is noisy. 

However, it can’t be helped, so I’ll sleep with you tonight. Even though holding you close like this doesn’t benefit me in any way. If I had to name one thing, you are warm unlike Teddy, so it is a great way to combat the cold...”

*Rustle*

“Are you happy? To have me hold you in my arms instead of Teddy. However, please don’t let it get to your head, okay? I don’t mean to imply I would choose you over Teddy in the slightest. It’s simply that someone untrustworthy such as yourself is much more of a handful than my smart, obedient Teddy. Say, Yui-san? Look my way?”

*Rustle* 

“Fufu...You’re being awfully docile right now. I suppose you’ve finally become somewhat compliant? In that case...I suppose I have no other choice but to give you a reward. Nn...”

*Smooch*

“...You understand, don’t you? I have to keep a close eye on you. At all times...So you don’t get a chance at sneaking away from my side...You belong only to me after all. Isn’t that right?”

You nod.

“You actually admit it, huh? In that case...Please kiss me next. Come on, hurry...”

You kiss him.

“Nn...Haah. Good girl. As long as you behave like that, I’ll dote on you plenty. Can you promise that you belong to me, so you won’t try and leave me...?”

You promise.

“...I see. In that case, I’ll shower you in plenty more rewards. Are you happy when I kiss you...?”

You nod.

“I see. In that case...Nn...”

*Smooch*

“I can finally rest assured a little while you’re glued to me like this. The noisy beating of your heart...Feels almost comforting once you get used to it. Pwaah. ...I’ve grown a little sleepy for some reason...”

You agree.

“Fufu. Don’t you feel the same? Your eyes look a little more drowsy than earlier...Come on, just close your eyes...I’ll continue holding you in my arms like this until you wake up again, okay?”

You close your eyes.

“Goodnight, Yui-san. May you have a wonderful dream. The two of us will be together, forever and ever...”

ーー THE END ーー

[kyouxa]

Diabolik lovers Chaos Lineage: Kou Mukami (Story 05 + CG)

In terms of the gameplay: The black choices lead up to a bad ending, the white choices lead up to a good ending. Please no reposting onto other sites, ask me before translating this into another language too!♡

The Violet mansion suffered a considerable amount of damage from Orange’s attack.

Everyone was treating their injuries, respectively following Carla-san’s command to prepare themselves for another upcoming attack.

Kou-kun fainted right after that, probably because of his memories coming back to him all of the sudden.

He was immediately taken to his room, and I’m the one taking care of him now.

An entire day after the attack, Kou-kun still continued to sleep—

Place: Violet mansion — Kou‘s bedroom

Kou: …..

Yui: Kou-kun…

(When his memories returned yesterday, I was really happy about that…)

But it was probably hard for him to remember everything in that kind of way…

Kou: ...Nn…

Yui: Kou-kun!

Kou: ...Hm… Yui… ?

Yui: (He woke up, that’s good!)

Kou: Here… is this my room… ?

Yui: That‘s right. Subaru-kun was the one who carried you here. Kou-kun, you got unconsciousness after remembering everything.

Kou: I see… Ngh…

Yui: Are you okay? It would be better if you slept a little more…

Kou: ...I’ll be alright. Rather than sleeping, I want to talk to you.

Say, will you sit down next to me?

Choices

1) Yes (white)♡♡♡

2) Why? (black)

— Yes♡

Yui: Yes, if it’s okay with you.

*Yui sits down*

Kou: You’re pretty obedient. That‘s fine with me, but aren’t you too defenseless?

What if my memories still haven’t completely returned yet?

Yui: I wouldn’t care. Just staying by your side makes me more than happy anyway.

Kou: That‘s a great killing complaint. But don’t worry, I really remember everything.

Yui: Yes…

(He seriously regained all of his memories. That’s such a nice feeling…)

— Why?

Yui: Eh? Why… ?

Kou: That face… are you doubting me? Are you wondering what would happen if I’d attack you all of the sudden?

Yui: That’s not it! I didn’t think about that!

(I shouldn’t have asked that, I probably made Kou-kun anxious)

Okay, let me sit next to you.

end Choices

Kou: ...Um, listen. About the things I did to you, I’m sorry…

Yui: Eh?

Kou: I’ve done so many terrible things to you, just because of my memories not being the same as usual.

Yui: Despite that, I’m fine. I’m just happy that Kou-kun returned back to his normal state now.

Kou: Jeez, you’re forgiving me way too easily. You’re still as kind as always.

You’re always so affectionate, it didn’t change...

That’s why, at least I’ll be the one not forgiving myself.

Yui: Kou-kun…

Kou: You desperately tried to regain my memories all this time...

And all I did was constantly completely ignoring your feelings… Nn…

...All these horrible things I did to you aren‘t easy to forgive. That’s why… I want you to give me some punishment.

Yui: Punishment you say…

(...No. Without it, he might not consent anything I say from now on. So I need to—)

...Then, can I ask you for something?

Kou: Of course.

Yui: Um… I want you to hold me for a while, if possible.

Kou: Eh… hold you… ?

What‘s with that request?

Yui: Is that… not okay?

Kou: There’s nothing wrong with that. I just didn’t expect you’d say something like this.

*Kou hugs Yui*

Yui: Ah...

(I feel like it‘s been such a long time since he hugged me like that. It somehow tickles too)

Kou: We’ve been together all this time, but it feels as if we just met again.

*Kou hugs her tighter*

Yui: (Ah… the strength of his arms, it became tighter…)

I feel nostalgia coming up while hugging you too, Kou-kun. It feels kinda weird…

Kou: It‘s not weird at all. I’ll continue doing it until you’re fully satisfied…

Yui: Okay…

(He’s just started to touch me again, and I already feel relieved by it…)

(Kou-kun…)

*time passed*

Yui: Alright, the tea finished brewing.

*Yui places the cup*

Kou: Thank you. I wonder if I’m thirsty because I just woke up… Nn… Haa, I finally feel calm now.

...I‘m glad I came back to my sanity and all, but what exactly is going on with us here?

Yui: Hmm… I honestly don’t know who this property belongs to, neither what’s going on here either.

Do you remember anything about when you first came here, Kou-kun?

Kou: Hmm, even though you remembered before me, you didn’t notice anything?

When I came back to myself, I already remembered Carla-kun and the others being my brothers.

And because of that I couldn’t believe anything you said, no matter how much you told me about my true memories.

Yui: Is that so…

Kou: That‘s because not only the both of us, but everyone else has weird memories too.

I’m more than sure that there must be a reason for all of this happening to us…

Yui: The more I think about our situation, the less I understand it.

Kou: …..

Yui: Kou-kun?

Kou: Ah, hmm… I just remembered something that happened the other day.

Yui: What was it?

Kou: It was the moment Ruki-kun turned his sword towards me.

Yui: Ah…

Kou: There’s no way Ruki-kun would intend to murder anyone of us while having his real memories. But the look in his eyes was serious about killing us back then.

He was also really close to stab Azusa with his sword…

Yui: Yes… I was shocked about that too…

Kou: Yes, same. But without that shock, my memories wouldn’t have returned back to myself.

*someone knocks*

Azusa: Kou, Eve… right now, are you okay… ?

Kou: It’s Azusa-kun! Yes, you can come in, the door is open!

Azusa: I’m relieved… you finally woke up. Ah, but… is your physical condition really okay?

Kou: I’m doing perfectly fine! Isn’t Azusa-kun the one who got seriously injured?

Azusa: Yes… but luckily, I was just lightly touched from the sword…

Kou: I’m glad about that too then.

Azusa: By the way, I came here to ask you something important… is it… true that Kou remembers… ?

Kou: If I remember, you ask… could it be that, Azusa-kun remembers too!?

Azusa: Yes… Ruki and Yuma… besides, I also remembered the Sakamaki family, and everyone else as well…

If that’s how I feel, is it all the same… as Kou and Eve?

Yui: Y-Yes. Both of us, I and Kou-kun already managed to regain our memories. But how did you remember all of this, Azusa-kun?

Azusa: Uhh… it happened when Ruki cut my arm… I think...

The appearance Kou suddenly showed seemed strange to me, so I thought it was the same as mine…

Yui: Oh, I see. That’s good… !

Kou: That’s amazing. Both of us really woke up because of him, as expected from our Ruki-kun.

Azusa: Yes, Ruki is really amazing after all.

Yui: (Because Azusa-kun barely escaped from getting sliced in half, I don’t think he should be happy about this…)

(But did both of them really remember everything at the same time yesterday?)

(Does that mean that Ruki-kun triggered something in their memories, when he was close to kill Azusa-kun… ?)

Kou: Say Azusa-kun, do you have any idea of how we ended up here and why we’re doing all of this?

Azusa: Hmm… once I regained my consciousness, I woke up and all I remembered was that I’m one of Carla-san’s brothers…

Talking about it, I did remember that one of us is presumed to become the supreme ruler…

Yui: So it’s the exact same as Kou-kun.

Kou: Hmm, I know that M Neko-chan is supposed to be Eve, but what’s up with this entire becoming king thing?

Yui: Could it be that you’ve got these memories instilled without even knowing about it?

Kou: Hmm. I remember nothing about being brainwashed, even after only recalling the becoming king thing.

Thinking about it again now, this really gives off unnatural vibes. It feels like I was threatened to mainly aim for the seat of the king.

Yui: Threatened…

Azusa: Even though they didn’t say why, we were told to aim for this rank at all cost... this is what I remember.

But, I don’t remember being forced to do that… I think some people like me, aren’t interested in taking over the seat to begin with.

Kou: In fact, we all wanted Carla-kun to be the only one becoming the king.

Azusa: Hmm… but Ruki seems different. He’s seriously aiming for the title of the king…

Yui: Ah…

Kou: That just sounds exactly like Ruki-kun. If he got a mission to fulfill, he’s definitely going straight into it.

Eve is the only requirement to become the king. So if this continues to go on like this, we might have to fight against Ruki-kun again.

No, it’s not just about facing Ruki-kun again, we may need to fight against Yuma-kun too.

Yui: I’ll definitely try to avoid this from happening. I don’t want to see anyone fighting any longer…

Kou: Yes… that’s right.

Azusa: But… where should we even start now… ?

Kou: Hmm…

We’re still on a strange island where everyone’s memories are strange...

*someone knocks*

Kou: Besides, I don’t really know how we should continue our investments, neither do I know how we could wake up from this nightmare.

Hah… I’m already close to completely give in.

Subaru: What are you already giving up on?

Yui: Subaru-kun!?

Kou: How long have you been here already? I mean, why did you come in without asking for permission!?

Subaru: No matter how many times I knocked, you didn‘t give me an answer.

Yui: (We were discussing about this entire situation and didn’t even notice him because of that… !)

Um, did you listen to everything we talked about… ?

Subaru: I just heard the “completely giving up on something” part.

*everyone looks relieved*

Yui: (That‘s good, it seems as if he didn’t hear anything)

Subaru: Just what the hell is wrong with all of you. I was ordered to come here to call you all for dinner, nothing else.

Yui: Oh yes, that’s right. Thank you for calling us… but we’re coming a little later to finish our talk.

Subaru: Hmph. At least I tried called for you.

*Subaru leaves*

Kou: Haa, that scared me…

Yui: The next time we’re going to talk about all of this, we need to be more careful.

Azusa: Hmm…

Kou: Even so… I’m not used to think about this much yet, I’m kind of tired already.

But I’m also hungry, let’s go eat, sleep and then continue thinking about this.

Yui: You’re right. Once we all calmed down, we may be able to think of a way we can handle the situation with.

(Kou-kun also regained his memories just yesterday, so he obviously needs to take another rest before we’re starting for real)

*time skipped*

Kou: Haa, I’m full…

Yui: Isn’t it bad for you, if you immediately lie down after eating?

Kou: It’s fine to do so once in awhile. C’mon, lay down with me.

Yui: (Ah… if he says something like this to me, I can’t refuse him)

Sure…

*Yui lays down*

Kou: Hmm… after all I really do feel way better when I hug you.

Yui: Kou-kun, it’s getting a little painful…

Kou: Ehh, that‘s fine. Like this I’m able to feel M Neko-chan way more than usual.

Ah… the bite mark you have on your neck, is that something I put there? It must have hurt you…

Yui: The wound is already starting to close itself again, so it doesn’t hurt anymore.

Kou: You’re maybe right about it. But at the end, it was still painful when I bit you there, right?

I probably sucked it really forcibly too…

Hey, let me apologize for this… Nn…

*Kou kisses Yui*

Yui: Ah…

Yui: (His lips are touching my shoulder… and it’s tickling a lot too…)

I-I’m already fine by now…

*Yui tries resisting*

Kou: Come on, you shouldn’t run away from me. Let me treat you properly this time… Nn…

I don’t want to leave any scratches on your clear skin like that.

Yui: Nn… Ah…

(It’s gradually becoming more comfortable now…)

Kou: ...Hm? Your body is getting hotter…

Could it be, that you want my fangs to pierce your skin?

Yui: Nn…

Kou: ...Fufu, your face turned red. Do you really want them that much? If so, I’ll give them to you.

I’ll do it so it doesn’t hurt you.

Kou: ...Nn… Nn…

Yui: (Ah… he’s letting his fangs sink slowly into my upper arm…)

(Nn, my body is probably deeply devoted to him biting me so gently…)

Kou: Haa… Nn… say, does it feel good?

Yui: Nn… Ahh…

Kou: Fufu, you’re letting out your sweet voice. That must really mean it’s feeling good… Haa… Nn…

Yui: (Until just a while ago, it hurt so much when he was sucking my blood)

(Now it feels so good, that I can‘t even compare it to the situation I was put in before…)

Kou: ...Haa… I really want to have more of your blood, but you’re already getting anemic.

Should we sleep together like this then?

Yui: (I’m slightly disappointed that he stopped, but at least I’m able to sleep in Kou-kun’s arms like this)

Yes…

Kou: Good night, M Neko-chan.

Yui: Good night, Kou-kun...

[ludi-ling]

Romy Prompt #1

Fair & Square

               It’s still strange to kiss without being scared, without the crazy avalanche of memories.

               Hell, it’s just strange to be kissing at all.

               Especially now, here, with him.

               Don’t get me wrong – it isn’t like this is the first time we’ve kissed, or even the second or third… or maybe even the tenth, if I think about it.

               What’s strange is the both of us being absolutely powerless; and what’s even stranger is that only a couple of days ago I’d dragged him away from the pearly gates of heaven itself, and I could’a sworn ever since then he’s been angry with me.

               Nah – angry don’t even cut it. He’s been worse than angry – distant, stand-offish.

               I’d stolen his redemption from him, and now he’s powerless and vulnerable in a way he’s never been before. I know it don’t sit well with him – hell, it don’t sit well with me – but I did it because I love the man, and I don’t regret it for a moment.

               I have no idea what he’s been through, but the hell we shared with Vargas made me sure of one thing – I ain’t done with him, and I’m gonna fight tooth and nail to keep him till my dying breath. I want more, and for once, I ain’t afraid to tell him so.

               I want a lifetime, I’d said to him.

               I’d asked him for everything.

               And he hadn’t said no.

               He ain’t given an unequivocal ‘yes’ neither, but I’ll take what I can get from Remy LeBeau.

               Our kiss is over all too soon, and I don’t dare to press for more – I feel like I may be pushing for luck. For a moment we sway together in time to the band, neither of us saying a thing. It ain’t too often we get moments, let alone kisses, like these – the best we can do is savour it.

               “You wanna go back?” I finally ask him. “Join the others?”

               His swaying slows slightly.

               “Do you wanna?” he asks me instead. I barely need to think about my answer.

               “No,” I reply simply. “Not if you don’t wanna.” I raise my head and look at him, feeling the need to finally speak the unspoken.

               “Listen – sugar. I know what I took away from you, Remy. But I want ya to know I did what I did ‘cos I love ya. ‘Cos I ain’t ready to lose ya. And—”

               “Shh.” He places a forefinger against my lips, silencing me – the texture of his skin on mine still so wonderfully alien. “I know why you did it, Rogue,” he says. “You don’t need t’explain.”

               “Don’t I?” I say, doubtful.

               “Non.” His thumb caresses my lips softly. “I ain’t angry at you, chere. I may’ve been, a li’l bit. At first. Not anymore.”

               I slowly release a pent-up breath. Till this moment, it ain’t hit me how much I’ve needed him to give me that reassurance.

               “You sure?”

               “I’m sure.”

               Silence follows, interrupted by the sudden swell of laughter from the nearby party. He starts swaying again and I follow, our arms around one another.

               “You wanna head somewhere more private?” he asks, resting his chin in my hair.

               I lean back, press my hips against his, and quirk him a smirk.

               “Private, huh? Private as in what exactly, sugar?”

               He cocks a lazy smile.

               “Well, you got the best room in the house, cherie. Mind if I take a li’l peek?”

               I roll my eyes. When we’d first got here, in this incredible house Destiny had secretly bequeathed to me, right in the Garden Quarter of the Big Easy – Remy had been in terrible shape. He’d gotten his own room, and his own carer, in the person of our old friend, Beast – and, under doctor’s orders, I’d been careful not to ‘excite’ him. His brooding had made sure that wasn’t a problem.  The past few days he’s been up and about, almost like normal – as normal as he can be, after nearly losing his life – and while there have been touches and kisses, he’s still been holding something back. Which is why I’m kind surprised he’s choosing now to be flirty.

               “Remy LeBeau,” I scold him sarcastically, “you passed out on my bed last night – don’t pretend you ain’t seen inside my room!”

               “That was on top of your covers,” he drawls, “I was thinkin’ more inside o’them.”

               I slap his cheek playfully.

               “Are ya even sure ya even got the strength to go messin’ around, Cajun? I thought doctor’s orders were not to get over excited!”

               “Doc just gave me a clean bill o’ health,” he grins too smugly for my liking. “As good as I ever was, Hank says. Superb shape. So I think that’s permission for some ‘excitement’, neh?”

               Well, knock me down a feather! Seems like the boy might be recovered after all!

               And I can’t say I ain’t been anxious to try things out between us without anything but skin in the way… …

               “All right, sugar,” I say, half turning and drawing his arm firmly round my waist. “Lemme give ya that ‘sneak peek’ you’ve been waitin’ for.”

-oOo-

               I lead him up through gorgeously furnished and decorated corridors to my room.

               I’m on tenterhooks for this, like some kid in a candy shop.

               I love him, and he loves me – he told me so, at the gates of heaven no less. Doesn’t matter if we’re still too dumbfuck, even at this point, to translate that into anything more than ‘taking things day by day’ and ‘seeing where it leads’.

               Hey, you know what really sucks? I ain’t never had this boy fair and square. First time was in some godforsaken cave in the middle of Antarctica, fearing that either one or both of us would die the next day. And the second time was when his powers were at maximum control thanks to Sinny, and the static charges any contact created between us was, while fun while it lasted, hardly conducive to no-holds-barred fucking.

               I want him on my own terms.

               I’m about to.

               I can hardly contain myself, I’m so excited. Nervous too, but… …

               We’re kissing as we enter the bedroom; he kicks the door shut behind us, and we’re already undressing each other as he backs me up towards the dresser with this dominating masculinity that in normal circumstances would have me pushing back just by instinct, but right now is the sexiest damn thing he could be doing.

               As soon as my ass hits the dresser he hoists me up onto it, wedging up in the space between my legs as his mouth leaves mine and blazes an angry trail down my neck. I’m on horrible, all-consuming fire, a familiar hot wetness blooming up inside me. I fumble between us for his flies, and my fingers are shaking with impatience as I finally unzip him free… and suddenly, he’s in my hand.

               He moans.

               Lord, but you do not know what the sound of that does to me.

               Then he cusses through his teeth, backs away slightly, hooks my legs at the knees and lifts them. My feet slam noisily onto the dresser. I’m wide open to him, and he grabs at the waistline of my pants and underwear, yanking them roughly down past my ass and thighs, and I wriggle to accommodate him, eager to shake off my clothing.

               He’s impatient, animal almost, intimidating in a way that thrills me. I feel… weird, but not in an unpleasant way. This ain’t the first time we’ve done this, and it’s a long time since I’ve been a virgin, thanks to him. We’ve messed around as much as we’ve been able with my toxic skin, which has been… an education. But the power differential has always been lurking there between us. He knows I could kick his skinny Cajun ass into the middle of next week if I wanted to, and I’ve always wondered what it felt like for a man like him to acknowledge that his woman could physically beat him into a pulp if he tried anything funny.

               Hell, maybe it turns him on – maybe I should ask him.

               Not that it matters anymore. Now I’m just like any woman, and the weirdness I feel is from the thread of vulnerability not having my powers anymore gives me. It isn’t like the first time. The first time he was patient, tender, loving. Now he’s… something else.

               My pants are off.

               He reaches into the back pocket of his jeans and suddenly he’s slapping a condom into my hand.

               Gotta love this Cajun – he always comes prepared.

               This is something we’ve practiced scores of times before, and between him shucking off his pants and my quivering desire, I somehow get it on him. Ha – don’t have to worry about skin on skin contact this time round – he always swore the long drawn-out, uber-careful methods I’d had to take before were hot as fuck, but slow is not what we’re aiming for right now, not by any stretch of the imagination. We’re both as rabid as a couple of rabbits on heat, and as soon as he’s suited up, he grabs my ass, scoots me forward to the edge of the dresser and—

               He’s surging up inside me so hard and fast I’m crying out into his shoulder.

               Damn.

               My body is suddenly reminding me that I don’t have invulnerability anymore.

               He freezes right up there inside me, says shakily, breathlessly into my hair: “S-sorry.”

               I breathe in deep, sucking up the scent, the taste of his skin. The stars behind my eyes start to fade a bit.

               “I-I’m okay,” I whisper back hoarsely – my mouth is dry.

               He backs up a bit, kisses my forehead softly, looks into my eyes.

               “Don’t wanna hurt ya…” he says, and I grab his face, saying:

               “I’m fine. Don’t stop.”

               I pull his face down into another kiss.

               And neither of us stops, for a little while at least.

-oOo-

               We’re lying side by side, listening to the sounds of the party outside.

               My body is still a tingling fuzz of pleasure, swimming lazily in and out of the haze of exhaustion.

               “They’re probably wondering where we are,” I murmur aloud. Beside me, Remy chuckles softly.

               “No, chere. They ain’t.”

               I huff a lose strand of hair out of my face. No, they probably ain’t.

               “Speakin’ of the others,” I say after a moment. “What did ya think of Jean’s pitch about headin’ back to the mansion?”

               “Sounded good,” he answers drily, “but that pitch wasn’t aimed at me. It was aimed at you folks. And y’all know I ain’t part of your ‘X-Treme X-Men’ outfit.” He pauses, adds under his breath, “which is the dumbest team name of all time, by the way.”

               “Oh, quit bein’ a baby,” I nudge in the ribs with an elbow – I ain’t strong enough to even elicit an oof from him these days. “Ya know you’re one of us! And you know as well as I do that Jean was includin’ you in her invitation!”

               “I dunno,” he shrugs, staring at the ceiling. “I was havin’ fun wonderin’ round thievin’. Just like the ol’ days. Shame that Vargas fella had to come along and ruin it all.”

               He sighs, and I can read the unspoken easily – he’s missing his powers. I sure as hell ain’t.

               “Remy,” I roll onto my side and lean my head into my hand, “if you wanna talk about what happened with Vargas, I—”

               His eyes flash to mine and he silences me.

               “Hey, listen. Let’s not get back on this track again, Rogue. What’s done is done. I don’t regret it now. Honestly.”

               I’m still not sure I believe him.

               “You would’ve died,” I say quietly, averting my eyes and tracing the line of the already-fading scar marring his breast. “I couldn’t let you. Y’see, I realised somethin’,” and I raise my gaze to his again, ready to be honest. “I can’t live without you. So many times we’ve been apart, and you know what? Knowing you’re still out there keeps me going. I didn’t even realise it until I nearly lost you.”

               A slight smile curves his lips – he raises and hand and tucks a lock of white hair tenderly behind my ear.

               “Same,” he murmurs. He looks thoughtful for a moment, and the smile drops as he says: “What do you want, chere? Do you wanna head back to the mansion? Join back up with the X-Men?”

               I think about it. And all I can really say is that I want what I wanted before. Everything.

               “I want our lifetime,” I reply simply. “Even if it means havin’ t’ take things day by day.”

               This time his smile is kinda sad. I know he’s not the type to promise everything – he never has been. I don’t expect it from him. I guess I never really have.

               “Okay, well,” he finally says, “I got a better idea.”

               “Better than what?”

               “Better than goin’ back t’the mansion.”

               I raise an eyebrow.

               “Really? Okay, let’s hear it.”

               “Well,” he begins, massaging his fingers through my hair luxuriantly, “how ‘bout you and I take t’the road… see where it leads us? Just you, me and whatever we have with us right now.”

               I stare at him.

               I can’t get words out. I can’t tell whether he’s being serious or not.

               “What?” I finally blurt out.

               “You want more,” he replies, his eyes tracing my mouth, that oh-so-familiar cocky smile forming on his lips again. “I guess I do too.”

               “Oh,” I snit back at him pointedly. “Ya ‘guess’ ya do?”

               He stops massaging my hair, locks his eyes onto mine again, all trace of that smile gone.

               “Yeah,” he says. “I do. And we ain’t gonna go nowhere together bein’ back at that mansion. No offence to the Brady Bunch an’ all – I love ‘em to pieces, sure I do – but all they ever do is stick their noses in and stir shit. B’sides,” he addes nonchalantly, “we ain’t got no superhero powers no more. What good we gonna do the X-Men?”

               I pout, knowing they’d take us back anyway – but that’s not the point.

               “Listen, chere,” he continues, this time in a more pressing tone, “I wanna figure out what we got goin’ together. And we ain’t never gonna be able t’do that with the X-Men always in our lives. Now we have the chance t’be a normal couple – whatever ‘normal’ means. Hell, I don’t know what the hell it means, but I’m willin’ to find out. We hit the road, we get to find out what bein’ together means on our own terms – no pryin’ eyes. No distractions but each other. Whaddya say, Rogue?”

               I think about it. For a second I wonder whether he’s charming me, before I realise – he doesn’t have that power anymore. This is all just me.

               I can’t believe he’s offering this to me – I can’t believe I could say anything but yes.

               “Anna,” I say.

               “Huh?” He blinks.

               “My name is Anna. And yeah. I say we hit the road.”

               He smiles, slow and sexy.

               “Y’know somethin’?” he asks, his fingers kneading my scalp again, sending shivers down my spine.

               “What?”

               “Your hair. I miss also those sexy, wild curls o’ yours. You gonna grow it out again any time soon?”

               I scoff.

               “I’ll consider it, Cajun.”

               He laughs softly, teasing me back towards him.

               “All right, Anna.” He pauses a moment, adds, “I’m gonna haveta get used t’that.”

               “Ya don’t have to, sugar,” I assure him, leaning in closer. “I prefer Rogue.”

               “Me too,” he murmurs; and we seal our deal with a kiss.

-END-

[tisfan]

Lucky Buck’s Magical Coffee

Chapter Two - Working for a Living

Fantasy Bingo: Square Magical Exhaustion

link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24743212/chapters/60835351

Jarvis flapped Tony’s coat at him as he was ready to leave. “I have insider information that the weather ifrit’s had a fight with his spouse. It may rain later today.” It didn’t look like rain according to the screens that Tony had open that showed the outside world. It looked sunny and peaceful and lovely. But Jarvis was seldom wrong about these things.

The spirit of technology was still relatively young, compared with his brothers and sisters -- spirits of air, earth, fire, water, and void -- having only started coming into being about the mid seventeenth century, or so.

Jarvis himself had been formed in 1835, fathered, one might say, by the invention of the Analytical Engine, in the workshop of Charles Babbage. For a spirit, he was practically a baby. To Tony, he was impossibly old and wise. But then, Tony was a technomage, and spirits of the “natural world” didn’t tend to speak with him.

“Right, so I’ll want an umbrella,” Tony said, digging through the closet for one, “and to bump personal force fields up on my to-do list. And not to suggest a walk in the park for my date. Or maybe I should; Bucky’s a Natural Witch, maybe he’d enjoy getting caught in the rain.”

Tony was on his way to Buck’s Lucky Coffee as soon as he found a functional umbrella, to meet up for their third date, as soon as Bucky turned the afternoon shift over to Clint. He was somewhat unreasonably giddy about it; three was an important number in both the physical and magical worlds, and so three dates seemed... significant, somehow.

He wondered if, after three dates, he could call Bucky his boyfriend, instead of “this guy I’ve gone out with a couple of times.” And why in Turing’s name did he have a pink umbrella with flouncy little ruffles all around its edges? They looked like they’d hold onto water and dump it on you at exactly the wrong moment.

The line wasn’t quite out the door, but only until Tony got there. The next person would, in fact, be out the door. Although that might have been because Bucky had an actual troll as a customer, and he both took up a lot of space and people didn’t want to stand near him. Tony was pretty sure all the nonsense about trolls was just racist bullshit. They did a really good job building bridges, so what, exactly, was everyone’s problem? There hadn't been an incident involving trolls and children in at least a century. (well, sensationalist magazines and abusive parents dragged that story out all the time.)

And even as Tony was putting that together, three more people got into line behind him. The date was not going to start on time, because there was no way Bucky was walking away and dumping a rush like this on Clint to handle alone.

Which was fine, it actually, absolutely was, because Tony was a little overloaded with work, himself, so he could get his coffee and go stake out a table in the corner and knock out a little work on his tablet while he waited. They both worked in customer service; it was a thing you planned around.

Tony squinted up at the ceiling and huffed over the patchiness of the shop’s wards. Bucky was going to have another imp in his espresso machine if the building super didn’t get some fresh protections up soon.

The line inched forward. The troll spoke actual trollish, which Tony didn’t understand. Neither, apparently, did Bucky, but Bucky gestured to Clint, who made a few gestures. SSL -- Supernatural Sign Language, which was left over from when trolls and witches and dwarves all worked together on some of the city projects, and had to learn to effectively communicate. These days, almost everyone spoke English, which seemed very human-centric, come to think of it. Maybe Tony could get some mileage out of a translation app.

“Get me a bucket,” Clint said. “He wants a venti-venti-venti.” Clint signed again, and the troll dropped a gold coin on the counter about the size of a jar lid.

 A triple-venti was going to take a while to pull. Tony fished out his phone and started making notes. Translation app, personal force fields, the somewhat sticky problem of a cursed laptop that a college student had brought him that held the student’s only copy of their master’s thesis -- bad idea, that, always have multiple backups -- and thus couldn’t be de-cursed the quick and easy way, which had a tendency to leave a few memory sectors fragged.

The line kept growing behind Tony. But he’d finally gotten up to the second in line when the door pushed open and a tall, willowy woman came in with strawberry blond hair that was soaking wet and stuck to her face. “I don’t understand it,” she said. “It was sunny. The weather report said sunny all day--” She gasped a few times for breath -- if Tony had been running in those shoes, he’d have broken an ankle -- and gazed at the line in horror.

“Ifrit domestic trouble,” Tony volunteered. “Or so I heard.”

“You think I can send him my dry-cleaning bill?” She wrung out her hair and then took off her jacket, flapping water toward the door. Her shell top was sticking to her. “I’m soaking wet, I’m going to be late, I’ve been working the worst hours.”

“Hi Miss Potts,” Bucky yelled from the counter.

“Mr. Barnes,” she said. “Tell me you can save me.”

“I can save you.”

The troll collected his drink -- the repurposed ice-cream bucket still looked like an espresso cup in his huge hand -- and headed out into the weather. The door yawned and stretched around him to make room. That was a neat trick. Tony hadn’t seen it before; tech wizards said it was too hard, and so trolls and giants and some of the taller elven tribes complained about lack of access.

“Huh. I wonder when he had that installed,” Tony mused, eyeing the door, and then his attention snapped back to -- Miss Potts, apparently. “Does he save you on a regular basis? What’s your standard?”

“I’m probably only alive because of Mr. Barnes’ shop,” Miss Potts said. “Have you been here before? I love this place. I would live here, if they’d let me. Working for A Living. I think I might either die falling down the stairs in exhaustion, or actually push my boss down an elevator shaft without it.”

Tony let the two or three people between them skip ahead of him in the line -- he wasn’t going anywhere until the rush died down, anyway -- to make it easier to chat. “I only discovered it a couple of weeks ago,” Tony admitted. “Came in to exorcise the espresso machine -- it’s fine now, don’t worry -- and well, like you -- didn’t want to leave again.” He grinned. “Sounds like your boss needs to pause and have a cup, too. What do you do?”

“Personal Assistant,” Miss Potts said. “Pretty much whatever my boss says to do, all the way from taking notes at meetings to fetching his dry cleaning. Which wouldn’t be so bad, except they’re in the middle of a hostile takeover, and between angry dwarves and multiple on-site labor disputes, I’ve been putting in sixteen hours a day, six days a week, for almost a month.” She did look on the brink of falling over with exhaustion, her hands shaking.

“Yike,” Tony sympathized. “Is this his first hostile? I mean, someone with experience would have known to hire a temp for the duration or something.”

Up at the counter, Bucky was making two Money for Nothings, keeping up an easy patter with the customers about lottery tickets and checking their pockets. 

“He seems to think that I’m the only one who can keep this company going,” she muttered. She pulled a magical compact out of her purse and opened it. The compact spouted a few uplifting and cheerful advertising-disguised-as-pep-talk phrases, and then-- “damn.” The purple smoke drifted out of the back and pooled around their feet. “It got wet. I am going to complain to the weather guild about this.”

“Nah,” Tony said. “I mean, go ahead and do that, sure, but here, let me see--” He plucked the compact out of her hand and peered into it. It wasn’t very sophisticated tech, but it only took a little for Tony to be able to manipulate it. A locking clasp, a tiny speaker and some wires connected to a button battery for amplification, and boom, tech.

Tony balanced the little thing on the palm of his hand and let energy flow into his witchmarks, making them glow a bright blue. There were some who said it looked spooky, but Tony had always found the light comforting. He coaxed little wisps of magic up into the compact and swept out the water, reversing some corrosion and a little bit of normal wear-and-tear, and reinstalling the sprite software that had drifted loose.

He popped the lid open again.

“Oh, honey, that shirt with that jacket, really? We’ve got some work to do.”

Tony rolled his eyes at it and handed it back to Miss Potts. “Here you go, good as new.” Well, it might be a little bit sassier than it had been before. Semi-autonomous sprite technology seemed to do that whenever Tony put his hands on it. 

“How did you-- thank you,” Miss Potts said. “My name’s Pepper Potts, it’s nice to meet you.” She held out a hand for a professional shake, but when her fingertips touched Tony’s, he felt the brief surge of Empathic Magic. No wonder her boss wanted her on site all the time. Empaths could affect the moods and compliance of people around them with a simple touch.

“Tony Stark,” he said. He considered her briefly. “Want to quit your horrible job and come work for me?”

“Are you joking?”

The woman in front of Tony in line took so long deciding what pastry she wanted with her coffee, Tony was almost certain that her coffee was going to be cold by the time she actually took a sip. 

“Here,” Bucky said. “I got yours already, doll. And Miss Potts, I’ll have your life affirming moment ready in just two minutes.”

Bucky put a mug, rather than a to-go cup on the counter in front of Tony. The heart in the steamed milk on top was glittering red and gold at him.

Tony shot Bucky a warm smile and a thanks, and stepped aside with his mug so Pepper wouldn’t have to reach past him when Bucky finished hers. He turned the mug until the point of the heart was pointing straight at his chest -- sympathetic magics always worked better if you gave them a bit of a push -- and then tipped the froth into his mouth. Like it had the previous times he’d had Bucky’s Lucky in Love brew, everything felt extra-warm for a moment, and a little bit sparkly, and behind the counter, Bucky seemed glow, just the tiniest bit.

“I wasn’t joking,” he told Pepper, when he’d finished savoring that first sip. “My dad died a couple of years ago and failed to leave the business to me free and clear, and last year, almost on the anniversary of his death, his old business partner split the company and walked off with about two-thirds of the staff for his branch. I’ve been scrambling to keep up and looking for good people.”

Obie had done a little more than simply splitting the company, but the sob story wasn’t something Tony liked to wave around. Maybe, if she took him up on it, he’d tell her about it sometime.

Bucky, perhaps feeling something going on -- he seemed to have that sense -- put Pepper’s drink in a tall glass, complete with a bamboo recycled straw instead of in the to-go cup. “On the house,” he added, pushing an actual brownie-crafted brownie on a plate at her. “With a little extra daydreams.”

“I would live here,” Pepper repeated, taking a sip of the drink. “So, job. Details. Would you like to do an interview, I could do an interview. Right here. I even have my resume up to date.”

Tony glanced at the line behind the ordering counter, then shrugged. He wasn’t going anywhere soon. “Sure,” he said. “Let’s do that.” He pointed at a table.

It took barely a minute of scanning Pepper’s resume to know that she was vastly overqualified, and probably not getting paid anything like she was worth. She’d successfully negotiated a dozen contracts, as a personal assistant.

A little nudging and she didn’t quite admit to being sexually harassed by her boss, but Tony could sense that maybe that had happened, too.

When Bucky finally came out from behind the counter, leaving Clint to finish out his shift, Pepper was smiling, cheerful, and enthusiastic, and it probably wasn’t all entirely due to Bucky’s coffee.

“Hey, snowflake!” Tony greeted him cheerfully. “I’m going to steal Pepper from her obnoxious boss. I’d offer to pay her what she’s worth, but frankly, I’m not sure I can afford that, so I’ll have to settle for merely doubling her current salary.”

Bucky tapped the plate in front of her, where she’d eaten the entire brownie except for a few crumbs. “Opportunity Knocks brownie. Glad you enjoyed it.” He gave Pepper a wink. “But now, I am going to steal my boyfriend from you, since we have a date as soon as I’m off shift.”

Tony pulled just a little magic out of his phone and flipped it at Pepper’s. “That’s my number,” he told her. “I’ll call tomorrow, and we’re going to do this. Start writing your resignation letter. Hire some clowns to see you out. Or strippers. Stripper clowns?”

Bucky rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I know a clown dominatrix,” he volunteered. “She could always use extra work.”

“Perfect,” Tony declared. “Talk to you tomorrow, Pep!” He tucked his arm through Bucky’s and turned them toward the door.

Guess he could start calling Bucky his boyfriend, now. That was easier than he’d thought.

On the way through the door, Bucky offered his hand to the doorframe, cupping what looked like a thimbleful of honey and a tiny piece of bread. “Wood fairies,” he said. “She deserved a bonus after that trick with our Troll earlier.” He glanced up at the sky, which was still pouring rain, and the occasional spates of hail, in anger. “I don’t know if you had anything in mind, specifically, but there’s a traveling mystical petting zoo in the park. They probably have wind sprites to keep the weather off. I always wanted to see a unicorn up close.”

“I’m more of a wyvern man, myself,” Tony said, feeling the happy buzz of Bucky’s potion fizzing through him at Bucky’s closeness. “Yeah, let’s go to the zoo.” He held up the pink umbrella. “I can even keep us dry on the way, if you don’t mind walking close.”

[felix-eternal-sunshine-fanfic]

You can be my Fiona, I'll be your Shrek - a Changbin, Shrek Fanfiction

This is the final part! previous part: -here-

- no romance, no smut

In Shrek’s world:

‘Guys… something is definitely wrong with Alice’, Changbin began. ‘She’s-‘, he tried to continue, but Alice disappeared in front of him. ‘Where did she go?’ Donkey asked. ‘I don’t know….’ They heard a voice, suddenly. ‘I’m here now, finally. You shall visit me and meet your fate.’ ‘Is that Alice? Meet our fate?’ Changbin couldn’t figure out what was happening. ‘The voice is coming from the dimension-cut’, Shrek noticed. ‘I don’t think we’ve got any other choice than going…’ Changbin said and approached the glowing cut. ‘But isn’t it gonna turn us to dust?’ Donkey was worried. ‘It is save to pass now, trust me and don’t make me wait.’ The voice could be heard again. ‘We have to trust her’, Shrek said. Changbin touched the dimension-cut. His arm did not disintegrate, it just went into the cut. ‘Let’s go then’, Shrek said. They all went through the cut. On the other side was a wide space, filled with white light. There was a pedestal with a throne on it. ‘You’ve come. You’re here now and you will probably never leave again.’ The voice came from a tall figure, dressed in white with a lot of golden jewellery. They carried a long, slender sword and had golden shoulder plates. The dress that they were wearing was long, white and flowy. The face looked like Alice and their hair was long and black, as Alice’s once was. Those were the only factors that reminded of Alice though. ‘W-Who are you?’ Changbin asked confused. ‘You know it and yet you don’t’, answered the figure. Their voice was strong and echoing. ‘Are you Alice?’ Shrek asked. ‘No. Alice was merely a form I had taken. I was once called “Lux aeterna”₃₂ Eternal Light, by those who could once perceive me. That was a long time ago and those have vanished. You shall call me “Finis“ which could translate to “end”.’ ‘What? What are you?’ Changbin asked. ‘I’m nothing in particular, I’m not a human, but I don’t know if I could be called a god. But that is not of importance. You surely want to know what your fate is. I shall explain it, but let me talk about the origins first’, Finis began. Then they continued and told their story, ‘I used to be not alone. My sibling used to be here… but one day they disappeared. I was alone. I searched for a place to belong since then. I must admit, my methods were questionable. You might have guessed by now, but I used to trap people in the dimensions I watched over. I trapped them there and appeared in human form and approached them. I had to notice that none of them were right, so I left them trapped in the dimensions. I couldn’t have brought them back, even if I wanted to. I do not possess the power to bring them back on my own. Luckily, a few of my experiments didn’t end like that. There were people who could return to their own worlds. But enough talk for now’, after they were finished explaining they took out a second sword and said, ‘This is for you Changbin. We shall duel. If you win, I’ll try to send you back to your dimension. If I win however, you will stay with me here forever.’ Changbin went closer to Finis. He could now see a lot of details a lot clearer. Their nails were long and there was a ring on every finger. The rings were connected with chains. The most interesting thing was the belt: It was gold and there was a small clock and a small mirror hanging of it. Changbin now took the sword and said, ‘I’ve never fought with a sword before. And I’m not sure I agree to this.’ ‘You don’t have a choice. Now, I will not use my powers, this will be a battle with swords alone. Let us begin’, they answered. ‘I guess I really have no choice’, Changbin thought and hold onto his sword tightly. Finis stepped down from the pedestal and positioned themselves. ‘Shrek shall count down from 5. Our fight starts as soon as he says start “go”. The winner is, who can “checkmate” the opponent first. Start counting down now, Shrek’, they explained. ‘Well, seems like I am not forgotten after all. Good luck, Changbin’, Shrek said and started counting down. ‘5…4…3…2…1…Go!’ Finis dashed towards Changbin, who was barely able to dodge that attack. He raised

his sword and swung it at them. They dodged elegantly and said, ‘Fool! You refuse to use the power that you have!’ Changbin was confused and just thrusted his sword forward at them. They parried the attack easily and went, with full force, towards Changbin.

In the real world:

Felix woke up in a cold sweat. He had dreamed something horrible: The death of Changbin. Felix quickly went to the bathroom and threw up. Jeonghan woke up from the noises and checked on him, ‘Hey, are you alright there? Did something happen?’ Felix was done throwing up and washed his face, then he answered, ‘I had a horrible dream…’ ‘What was it about?’ ‘Changbin…. He was dead… pierced by a bunch of swords’, Felix was feeling sick again. ‘It’s alright Felix, everything’s alright’, Jeonghan went and calmed him down. He hugged him. ‘I’m lying… nothing is alright. This is a bad sign. He might be dead already, since Felix and he are closely connected through the dreams’, Jeonghan thought. ‘But here me out, go back to sleep or at least try to’, he advised him. Felix went to bed again and tried to sleep. He fell asleep surprisingly fast. Jeonghan stayed up and watched over him, just in case.

Felix’s dream:

‘Help me, please!’ Changbin’s voice pleaded. ‘How? What’s happening?’ ‘I’m losing a fight that’s deciding my fate. We’ll never see each other again if I lose.’ ‘A fight? How can I help you win a fight?’ ‘Just tell me that you believe in me. Just tell me that you’ll invite me with open arms once this is all over…’ ‘I believe in you. You’ve overcome so much already: Alone and with the rest of us. You will overcome this too. I’ll give you the biggest, nicest and warmest hug once you’re back!’ Felix cheered him on. ‘Thanks a lot, that really helps. If it weren’t for you, I would have given up long ago’, Changbin answered.

In Finis’s domain:

Changbin was lying. ‘I guess this means I won’, Finis said. ‘No…’ Changbin said. He was getting up again. ‘Oh, seems like this battle is not over yet. I hope you learned your lesson and use the skills that are given to you’, they said and raised their sword. They then turned to Shrek and demanded, ‘Count down one more time.’ So the battle started anew. Changbin could feel a new power inside him. He blocked Finis’s attack and followed up with a smooth sword swing. ‘You’ve improved’, they said and smiled a bit. The attack missed, unfortunately and Changbin held onto his sword with a firm grasp. ‘I won’t lose, you know’, he said. I know this is a very important fight right here but hold your horses. I, as the narrator, need to get some descriptive work done. I gotta earn money too, ya know. Surprisingly, Changbin was not in his Dwaekki form anymore. Finis had probably turned him to normal again, once he entered their domain. Why did they do that and why would they turn him into Dwaekki in the first place? I don’t know man, I’m just the narrator. Anyways, Changbin had gained a lot of power and he was in his human form again, so he could actually put up a decent fight!

They fought a bit, but no one seemed to be winning. Finis didn’t get exhausted of course, but Changbin did. ‘It can’t keep going like this. I have to put an end to this’, Changbin eventually thought. He threw his sword away. ‘Seems like you’ve lost your mind. Or are you just getting a little too confident?’ Finis asked. Changbin had to concentrate now, awaken his true power or something. He could hear Felix’s words in his head: ‘I believe in you’ ‘You can overcome this too’ ‘I’ll give you the biggest, nicest and warmest hugs once your back!’ Finis approached Changbin. ‘Do you intend to get up?’ They asked. Changbin was on his knees. He looked up at Finis and smiled. ‘I’m not alone, you know…’ Changbin answered. A warm glow surrounded him and faint freckles appeared on his cheeks. ‘So, you are capable of awakening a stronger power…’ Finis noted. They raised their sword and continued, ‘I will not go easy on you.’ They spread their wings and flew a bit of the ground. To his own surprise, Changbin grew shiny white angel wings too. He picked his sword up and took off. ‘This isn’t your weapon of choice, is it?’ Changbin could hear Felix’s voice in his head. As soon as he looked at his sword, it turned into a long, elegantly curved bow. ‘Just for your info: You won’t even need arrows for it!’ Felix communicated to him. ‘Come at me then!’ Finis yelled and flew towards Changbin, ready to win this right away. Changbin could dodge with ease now. He shot an arrow from a distance. The arrow was made of pure light and sparkles, it seemed. ‘Very fitting for Felix’, Changbin thought and smirked a bit. Finis was surprised, but they could fend the arrow of with their sword. Changbin didn’t hesitate any longer: He sent multiple arrows Finis’s way. Finis dodged and prepared themselves for a counterattack. ‘If I let them attack, I’m at a serious disadvantage! I’ll lose in close combat’, Changbin concluded and flew in circles around Finis. It was a bit nauseating, but Changbin had to deal with it, if he wanted to win. He shot arrows all around Finis now. ‘Dodge this!’, he yelled. Finis just flew higher and angrily threw their sword at Changbin. He wasn’t prepared for that, so he couldn’t dodge. The sword pierced one of his wings. Changbin didn’t feel the pain, but someone else did. ‘Argh!’ Felix let out a sharp cry. Changbin’s eyes widened. ‘Felix?’ He asked. ‘They’re more parts of me, than of you… So, it seems to hurt me instead of you. But I’m fine, trust me’ Felix let him know, still sounding a bit in pain. Changbin lost his temper. Finis was already approaching him, ready to put an end to this, when he screamed. Finis held on with a disgusted look on their face. Changbin clenched his fist and whispered, ‘No more. I won’t let you hurt Felix any further.’ He gathered all power he had left to him and shot a beaming ray of light at them. This knocked Finis unconscious, but Changbin fainted shortly after.

Shrek looked at Donkey and asked, ‘Well, who won?’ ‘I’d say Changbin’, Donkey answered. ‘Yeah, he knocked out Finis and fainted second anyway.’ They laid both Changbin and Finis in a more comfortable position, checked if they were injured and waited for them to wake up. ‘Ugh… what happened?’ Changbin’s head hurt terribly. ‘Your finally awake. You were trying to cross the border- Just kidding. You won, at least that’s what we think’, Shrek explained. ‘Wait, how do you know that meme… Anyways, Finis isn’t awake yet, are they?’ ‘Nah. Still unconscious, you knocked them out real hard.’ Changbin got up slowly. He was shaky on his legs. ‘I’m exhausted, I really wanna get over with this and go home’, he said and went over to Finis. ‘Wake up, I don’t have all day.’ Changbin flicked them against the forehead. ‘Huh?’ Finis awoke. ‘Ya lost by the way’, Changbin said and grinned. Finis was wide awake now. ‘I lost? Is that even possible?’ ‘Apparently it is. Now, fulfil your promise’, Changbin said, a little impatiently. ‘It appears I have lost. I will do my best to keep my promise’, Finis said and got up. ‘Like I mentioned: Some people were able to return to their home worlds. This is possible if they have a power like yours. In order for you to return to your home, the other side needs to help too.’ ‘The other side? Like Felix or something? What do they need to do?’ ‘They simply need to conduct a ritual at the time when we conduct one here. This needs to be perfectly timed and then a portal will open.’ ‘Well, tell me what kind of ritual it needs to be and I’ll communicate that all to Felix right away.’ ‘There is no specific right way. I hope they figured out something on their end.’

In Felix’s dream:

‘This is the final act if you will. We really shouldn’t mess this up, Felix’, Changbin said, dead serious. ‘I’m really not used to hearing you like that. But just know, I’ll give it all I’ve got! Just tell me what to do’, Felix answered. ‘Well, it’s a bit vague unfortunately. You need to conduct a ritual at the same time as us. We just don’t know what kind of ritual.’ ‘Well, we’ve been doing some rituals. None of them have been successful though.’ ‘They can’t succeed if we right here are not helping. It just needs to be timed perfectly.’ ‘Time moves differently though. That’s what Finis told me at least. We have to calculate it accordingly.’₃₂ ‘Thirteen days have passed here since you went missing.’ ‘Well, it’s been eight days for me.’ ‘Well, that’s almost a half. But just almost’, Felix was confused. ‘Wait a second… Finis has control over the dimensions, kind of at least. What if they can control time too? Or at least how fast time moves in each dimension?’ ‘You’re just guessing, aren’t you? Do you actually have proof that they can do it?’ ‘They wear a watch and a mirror on their belt. That’s why it seemed to make sense.’ ‘Hmm. Yeah, let’s trust that they are indeed that powerful. We are ready to conduct a ritual at 5 pm today. That’s two hours from now, so why don’t we conduct it at exactly 5 pm my time?’ Felix suggested. ‘Yeah, let’s do that!’

Changbin awoke. ‘Well, what’s the plan?’ Shrek asked. ‘They’re gonna conduct the ritual at 5 pm their time. We’ve got a problem though: Time moves differently in the different dimension. What are we gonna do about that?’ Changbin explained. ‘You knew it already, didn’t you? I can control the pace at which time moves here’, Finis said. ‘I honestly hoped you could.’ ‘I will match our time here with their time as soon as we are ready’, Finis explained. ‘Well then. What do we need to do? ‘It’s simple. You’ll lie down. Shrek, Donkey and I will stand around you. There’s a chant we need to do, I’ll tell that to Donkey and Shrek, you don’t need to do it. You just need to lie down and cultivate nice thoughts, like thinking about your home and friends. I’ll use my powers and if we did everything right, a portal will appear.’ ‘Alright then tell ‘em the chant and let them practice. We still have some time, right?’ ‘Yes.’ Changbin sat down and rested a bit, while Donkey and Shrek practiced the chant. Finis joined Changbin, ‘I’m sick of living like this. You’re the last person I’ll ever endanger like that’, they confessed. ‘I’m glad about it. I hope you find a way to not be lonely and not harm anyone at the same time, ya know. I’m not mad at you. You’re like a god, so your motives are difficult to grasp. It’s just a pity for everyone you couldn’t save, they’re dead now, aren’t they?’ ‘Yes. That was in the 18thand 19th Century, your time. They’re long dead now. And I will always carry the weight of being responsible for their deaths. But the time doesn’t stop. We must conduct the ritual now, so I can adjust the time without too much haste.’ This was the final moment. Everything relied on this. Finis held onto the little watch on their belt and concentrated. Donkey, Shrek and Changbin didn’t notice it, but the time changed to 4:55 PM. Finis ordered everyone to go to their places and she started the ritual. Changbin laid down and closed his eyes. He thought of Felix, Lino, Chan, Han, Seungmin, Hyunjin and Jeongin. He thought of the messy, but lovable dorm. He thought of many nice memories they shared with each other. He also thought of Stay, of crowds screaming his and his members names and of them showing their appreciation in so many wonderful ways: Fanart, little projects, all the posts and the praising. Changbin smiled. He couldn’t wait to get home and he couldn’t wait to perform for Stay at the upcoming concert. Finis had to concentrate and focus on their power. They would never forgive themselves if they messed this up. Donkey, Shrek and Finis chanted in unity and Finis gestured seemingly randomly. They went on like that for a few minutes before Finis suddenly opened their eyes and yelled something.

₃₂Author’s note: This is going to be interesting. I must go through the whole story and count the days that passed in the real world and in Shrek’s world. Then I have to construct a pattern around it. I have to construct a pattern around something I did pretty randomly…

In the real world:

Felix had told Jeonghan and Chan about what Changbin said to him. They had been preparing the ritual ever since then: making the ice cream, going through everything, researching some details etc. The rest of Stray Kids had noticed that of course. ‘Can you tell me what you’ve been doing?’ Han asked, visibly confused. ‘Yeah, I mean you’re allowed to do whatever you want of course, but it does interest me’, added Seungmin. ‘Well, it’s difficult to explain and I doubt you’d believe me’, Felix began. ‘Come on! Don’t start like that again. We’re family. I trusted you, so they should too’, Chan said and smiled. ‘Let me explain. Changbin has been missing, as you know. We found out that he is actual trapped in a different dimension, so we are doing our best to get him out of there. The preparations we have been doing are for the final ritual, which will be conducted at 5 pm. If we succeed, he will be here with us again’, Jeonghan said. Hyunjin, Jeongin and Minho had joined in and listened to what Jeonghan explained. ‘Wow… That sounds dumb’, Minho said. ‘I mean… it could be true?’ Han argued. ‘Chan-Hyung believes ‘em. So I’m gonna believe Jeonghan and Felix too’, Jeongin said. ‘Besides, Felix would never lie to us about something like that. I’m definitely going to believe him’, Seungmin said and smiled. ‘I’m gonna do what Minho does’, Han said. Minho sighed and said, ‘Stop. I don’t really care to be honest. Conduct your ritual if you want to.’ Hyunjin just shrugged and said, ‘Same here. I don’t really mind you doing stuff like that.’ ‘See? No one thinks your dumb or something. Of course not, you’re really too self-conscious sometimes’, Chan told Felix. ‘You’re probably right. So, everyone who wants to participate in the ritual can just turn to Jeonghan. He’ll explain everything you need to know’, Felix explained.

The preparation time went by. It was 4:50 pm now and Jeonghan, Chan, Felix, Seungmin and Jeongin were doing the final steps before the actual ritual: Ensuring the ice cream was nice and that they knew exactly what to do. Then the time came: Everyone was following Jeonghan’s instructions. Felix laid down on the floor, holding a bowl of ice cream. Everyone else kneeled around him. They all had a spoon, except Jeonghan, he had two. ‘My hands are getting kinda cold’, Felix said. ‘You don’t need to hold it for too long’, Jeonghan said. Everyone started scooping some ice cream on their spoons. Felix just closed his eyes and opened his mouth slightly. Jeonghan whispered something and they all ate some of the ice cream. Jeonghan had the extra spoon for Felix and fed him shortly after the rest had taken a bite simultaneously. The ritual was concluded, and everyone waited. Did they do it?

In Finis’s domain:

‘We- We did it!’ Donkey exclaimed after a while. Changbin sat up and Shrek opened his eyes. ‘Indeed’, Finis said. Changbin stood up and turned around. And there it was: It looked like the dimension-cut they used to get here, except it was blue. ‘That is the portal. You can return to your home world now. You will appear exactly where you disappeared’, Finis explained. ‘So, this is the goodbye, huh?’ Changbin said. He was feeling kind of sad. He had fun, despite everything. ‘Yeah’, Shrek said. ‘I’m thankful. I’m thankful towards you, Shrek. You supported me from the start, and I don’t think that they are words to truly express my gratitude. You, Donkey, lifted the mood every time we got a little sad or discouraged. I don’t know what we would have done without you. And finally, Finis or Alice, as I still would like to call you. You were full of surprises, but we couldn’t have done it without you. I’m not mad at you, you learned a life lesson through all of this, so I guess it was worth it’, Changbin said to them. He walked towards the portal. ‘I’ll miss you’, he continued, ‘Goodbye, I wish you all the best.’ Changbin walked through the portal.

In the real world:

Felix, Jeonghan, Chan, Seungmin and Jeongin stayed exactly where they are and hoped. ‘Did it not work? Did we fail?’ Felix thought. Nothing had happened. Jeonghan sighed, got up and said, ‘Well, not all hope is lost. I suggest you sleep and see if Changbin is trying to communicate with you, Felix.’ ‘Alright’, Felix said sadly. He got up and went to his room. He went to bed and fell asleep.

At the same time, Changbin appeared in the studio. Luckily, no one was there. It would have been very hard to explain. Changbin went to the door and opened it. The sun was slowly setting, but there were still a few people around. He looked for his jacket, but Chan and Han had obviously taken it home. He decided to just go to the dorm.

Jeonghan was still in the kitchen when he heard the doorbell ring. ‘Maybe I was right?’ He thought. He went to open the door. In front of him stood Changbin himself, looking a little rough: scratches, messy hair and eyebags. ‘You must be Changbin’, Jeonghan said, grinning. ‘Uh… Yeah. Have I seen you before? Why are you at our dorm anyways?’ ‘Huh… has Felix never told you about me? I’m Jeonghan, the psychic who has been helping him.’ ‘Now that you say it… he might have mentioned you.’ ‘It doesn’t really matter. Come in, there’s a bunch of people who missed you.’ Changbin went into the dorm. He was immediately greeted by Chan, Seungmin and Jeongin, who ran to the door as soon as the doorbell rang. All of them hugged Changbin. ‘I really missed you. I was worried I’d never see you again’, Chan said. ‘Man, I rarely see you like this’, Changbin joked. ‘Well, I’ll tell the rest and wake Felix up’, Jeonghan said. ‘Felix?’ Changbin asked and gently escaped from the hugs. ‘Yeah, he has been sleeping, trying to communicate with you’, Jeonghan explained. He left and Changbin went with him. They went to Han, Hyunjin and Minho first. ‘Guess who’s back?’ Jeonghan asked. Minho looked up from his phone and glared, then his eyes widened when he spotted Changbin. ‘Huh, guess you decided to come back. Neat, there’s a lot of dishes you need to wash’, Minho then said. Hyunjin and Han just looked at each other, shrugged and Hyunjin said, ‘Welcome back, I guess’, and Han added, ‘Disappearing before a concert, man… Glad you’re back though.’ Changbin answered, ‘I’m glad I’m back too.’ Jeonghan said, ‘Next is Felix. Go to look for him alone.’ Changbin nodded and went to Felix’s room. He knocked on the door. No one answered, so he opened it. ‘Felix?’ Changbin asked and went into the room. Felix was sleeping peacefully. Changbin was as quiet as possible and sat on Felix’s bed. ‘Hey, I’m back’, he said softly. Felix opened his eyes and asked, ‘Is this a dream?’ ‘No. It’s real. We did it, so now I’m back.’ Felix sat up and hugged Changbin. Changbin could feel a few bandages on Felix’s back, but that wasn’t important. It was indeed the biggest, warmest, and nicest hug Changbin had ever experienced.

The End

I had a lot of fun writing this, even tho it was kind of challenging sometimes. i'm always open towards criticism, so if there's anything on your mind, just tell me.