#things like ''anything could happen here... everyone be careful...''. maybe you shouldn't be too surprised if Things happen

[theophagie-remade]

I need to find myself locked in a room alone with Cicalone and a knife

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Heyaa dunno if u write NSFW so read no further if you don't!

May we get uhhh Franco Barbi having his... "Lupara" (wink wink nudge nudge) kissed by a reader who happens to be one of his working girls and him being surprised at how sweet and gentle she is with him pls? Also reader is very shy because she's a newbie

Thank uu 😇

Love can be gentle

Franco Barbi x fem!reader

warning : smut, gun play, getting oral m, fluff, comfort, kissing, no use of y/n, nicknames like ma'am and good boy

Summary : It wasn't easy to run a theater, prepare a show and above all be a good boy who would make his mother proud. But even Franco needs a moment of peace and one of his girls has a special eye on the gangster. Perhaps there will be a romance movie for a change instead of just porn on the big screen.

info : Of course you will get something like this dear anon thanks a lot for the request, i had a lot of fun writing it especially for the shy reader it was really sweet. I wish you a lot of fun reading ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In his area, his trial, he could do anything he wanted to sleep, drink milk, carve his ammunition from the most beautiful teeth or even turn to his victims who were all like playthings for the gangster whose lust is only surpassed by his love for violence.

Everyone knew Franco Barbi and his brutality but also his genius even down here in the hell of an asylum or wherever they were, nobody really knew and wouldn't think about it for long.

Because either you died in the first few days or you lost your mind trying to understand it...only the fewest still had something like emotions, morals or a mind.

A mind that still worked and a mind that could be used to give something to the more important experiments, like a wind-up toy that kept working instead of breaking.

,,You are his dolls, his girls so try to take it with a pinch of dignity, think of it as babysitting my dears” it was these words before the pills had taken effect and the new batch of prisoners was sent to Franco.

A couple of new pretty girls who would be Franco's poster children and decoys and weapons for his prey, they were bad kids who needed to be punished, he knew it, the dead knew it, they realized it too late and she knew it.

She knew it as well as the black patent stiletto heels on her feet as she made her rounds in the theater, her route now worn out for several minutes as they all did regardless of whether the game had begun or not, ,,Where are you?” she muttered, switching the revolver in her hand again to get her fingers moving again.

Franco had been gone for hours she had only seen him in the morning or however many o'clock it was when he disappeared with a few teeth, nervous and more excited than usual.

A thing she shouldn't really care about, no one should care about anyone here because their own survival was more important but Franco, her boss, her experiment, her sweet boy was something else to her since she met him which had almost resulted in the loss of her head if he hadn't pulled his lupara away when she had introduced herself to him.

This man the gangster psychopath with mother complex had just done it to her, he was cute and misunderstood and maybe it was the drugs, the pills, the gewlat or her lost hope for recovery but she had lost her heart a little to the man-baby.

Before her thoughts could go any further and she hoped that no one had seen her lost in thought look, she heard an unmistakable scream and wailing from afar.

Franco was back and seemed more stressed than usual, she immediately felt worried as she watched him come into the theater by the broken window and the ,,I hope for you dolls you're all on your fucking posts!” scream could be heard, something that seemed normal to the others put her on edge.

Was it normal? Did he want something? Should she go to him? Didn't someone have to calm him down because babysitting was her job, so to speak?

But the warmth on her cheeks and her heart now beating faster than it should didn't make things any better, despite everything she had seen, her nervousness didn't seem to have gone away, let alone her shyness.

Something that wasn't even bad Franco even seemed satisfied that she didn't talk so much because she was afraid to say the wrong thing and couldn't get anything out without dying of heat exhaustion...but now she finally had a chance.

Holstering her gun, she finally broke away from her route and walked down the stairs from the second floor as best the building would allow into the main hall where only he sat, each step making her more nervous, the questions and scenarios she imagined becoming more and more terrifying.

But her shoes betrayed her and the creaking of the old wood seemed to be a scream in the relatively quiet room, ,,What the fuck do you want?” the question from Franco, who had his gun pointed at her, was a shot and she put her hands up briefly, seeing how he seemed to relax as much as possible.

Her voice trailed off for a moment and she cleared her throat before coming to stand in front of him, looking down at him, ,,I...I saw you were nervous, do you need something?” she asked, her fingers clutching at the short skirt that exposed most of her legs to him.

An outfit not quite to her taste but it seemed to do something for Franco whose blue eyes were reluctant to leave her and smirked, ,,Do I fucking need anything? Doll, I don't think you can give me what I need, can you?” he asked, a challenging look in his eyes.

A look that she had often seen, especially when he had found a pretty, beautiful victim whose body he wanted to use for his personal collection, a look that not only made her nervous but also turned her on more than it should.

I'd give you anything Franco she would have liked to scream and get down on her knees in front of him but instead her gaze dropped nervously to the floor and she stammered around the right words, something that seemed to amuse the gangster greatly and he had forgotten his worries, at least for now.

She was new and he had been playing this game for as long as he had been here, it was a game of cat and mouse, a game of knowing and giving in but here she knew he only spoke the language of brutality...but in the few moments she had seen him for herself he was not only alone but also searching for love and gentleness.

Maybe as he didn't have to admit his side she just had to jump over her shadow and whether it was because of the gas and drugs or her love for him didn't matter as she carefully knelt down in front of him and Franco's gaze became curious.

The baby had become interested in what was happening in front of him, a beautiful woman, perfect shoes with heels that could and would surely hurt him, hands that would hit him if he leaned on them and a gun that would shoot if he pulled down her skirt.

Just as he reached his hand out to her, still feeling impatient and angry, she laid her cheek against his hand, her warm cheek seeming almost alien to him since every female body he played with was actually cold.

But this warmth was almost pleasant, so pleasant that he began to caress her cheek lightly, breaking their eye contact every now and then, both unsure if this was the right thing to do, ,,I can show you gentleness...if you like Franco” she began to find her voice seemed to be in the right place as she knelt between his legs looking at him a gentle look meeting his now uncertain one as he was not used to this new feeling.

Her hands moved from her skirt to his white-streaked suit pants, tracing the fabric, the skin underneath squeezing slightly with a pleasant tug, and she plucked up the courage to reach for his gun.

His most important possession, which he also clutched for fear she would take it away from him, ,,Gentleness can also be loving, caring and nurturing,” she continued to murmur, the words escaping her lips and a Franco unaware that such a thing even seemed possible.

But he hesitantly loosened his lupara and her lips kissed the wood and metal, the cold weapon giving her a goose bump that seemed to pass to Franco as he groaned at the sight.

How pretty she was, how gentle she was with such an ugly thing, how her lips kissed along the gun, how his mind interpreted the image into something ambiguous and he felt how he wanted her...but not rough and dead, he wanted that softness she gave him.

She ran her tongue over the barrel of the gun metal and blood tasted unpleasant but not strange and her fingers ran over his strokes, ,,Gentle-gentle is good, the baby will like it” she heard his rough voice as he kept his noises under control not wanting to interrupt her.

She didn't want to lose the idea that had rarely fascinated and above all aroused him so much, an arousal that pressed painfully against his pants and she had seen this long ago when she finished her little performance, encouraged by his reaction.

Encouraged by how he saw her, what he thought of her but most of all that he liked her gentleness was something that gave her the courage she needed as she placed her hands on his cheeks for a moment, ,,A good boy you are Franco, so good for your ma'am” she murmured with the same warm cheeks as she engaged him in a kiss. Franco felt her hold his hands gently on her hips, yet not letting go, he had taken a liking to the new feeling.

Something he'd never had and would now only get from her and he let her pull as her fingers traveled down his torso, running over his arousal, the deformed one whimpering as his fingers dug into the back of the seat instead of gripping her tightly.

The praise did wonders for him, along with the gentleness it was just something he'd never felt before, ,,Your reward baby...for behaving to take some of the stress off you,” she said, and he barely remembered in his fuzzy memory why he'd been so angry when he'd burst in here.

Undoing the button of his pants, she ran her tongue over the fabric of them first and was almost surprised at the hasty movement of his hips, he really was an impatient man.

But she didn't let herself be put off and licked once more over the fabric gently, teasing a little before she freed his cock from the fabric, the whimpering and pleading of the psychopath rewarding her with a kiss on the already dripping tip.

Spreading it a little with more kisses and licks, she was sure he could come from that alone.

He had held out so well for her, responded so well to her praise, ,,Be gentle and Mommy gives you everything,” she said, her hand gently stroking his and he held onto it as a breathless begging continued to come from his lips and she finally took his own 'lupara' in her mouth to show him how gentle and intimate something like this could be.

He just had to behave and be a good boy who simply had to accept the feeling of love and softness if he wanted to continue to feel it on him...because even love is soft.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@lovesick-on-the-loose , @millie-milkshake , @xgrisleyx , @trash-flowerss

[savannahsdeath]

hiii I love your work! could you pretty please do some toxic ellie? :)

TOXIC!ELLIE WILLIAMS X READER

mdni please<3

summary: a miserable attempt to leave your toxic girlfriend

warnings: preferably 18+, just lots of toxic shit, manipulating, reader is crying

writers note: probably the only toxic post you'll see on my profile. honestly, i dont even know why i wrote this and im posting it just for the anon. i dont support any toxic behavior, cuz even a simple fanfic can bring some harm. dont read it if youre sensitive to such topics and if you decide to read it, dont romanticize it and dont blame me for any bad feelings you felt while reading - youre responsible for your own media consumption, im not forcing anyone to read. as i said, i just post it for the anon and also because i dont want it to just sit in my drafts (i dont have the guts to delete it). ugh its kinda long but i just want to make sure everyones safe, please take care🩷

you were sitting in your bed with your head buried between your knees for half an hour now, ignoring the buzzing of your phone. you caught her with another girl. you should cry and feel miserable, and all you could think of was; 'finally! finally a reason to leave her!!'. all you could feel was happiness.

but leaving her wasn't easy. you tried a few times before.

'maybe it'll be different this time', you hoped. but the way you kept receiving notifications from her said otherwise. 'maybe if i ignore her for a few more minutes, she'll let me go.'

you tried to put your phone down, but your hands won't let you. your thumbs kept reaching for the screen in a desperate, involuntary action. you were powerless to stop it. you knew you shouldn't respond. you know you should walk away, but you couldn't. every time she messaged you, your heart beated faster and your breathing quickened. you knew this isn't the best thing for you, but a part of you was still clinging to hope.

'enough, stop it.' you ordered to yourself.

you picked up your phone, deciding to call your friend. she'll make you remember all the cruel things ellie did and leaving her will be easier.

your hands were shaking and you were truly scared of what's going to happen. you hestitated for too long before clicking on your friend's profile and.. lost your chance.

ellie was calling you. she wasn't giving up and she was probably pissed off by now.

you sighed and whispered; 'sorry' to your future self, before answering the call.

"why aren't you answering to my texts, huh?" she asked in an accusatory tone, as if you were the one who did something wrong.

your breath hitched as you heard her voice. there's no going back now. "i'm sorry, ellie, it's over." you mumbled and shook your head in disbelief. 'i'm sorry'?? for what? where was your confidence?

she took it from you, just like she's going to take anything she wants.

"i'll pick you up in a few minutes." she announced and you felt tears starting to well up in your eyes.

great. so she's on her way here.

you took a deep breath to stop your voice from quivering. "i'm not going anywhere- not with you."

ellie laughed, thinking it's all a joke. "you're funny, honey. you know you come crawling back to me everytime." she replies calmly. "so get ready. i'm coming to pick you up, and then we can talk about this. like grown-ups."

ellie was good at controlling you. she'll say she's coming to pick you up, and you'll be waiting on your porch when she arrives. she had a firm grip on you and she knew it.

not this time.

"like grown-ups?" you nervously laughed. "you cheated on me. again."

ellie didn't get angry. she wasn't even surprised.

"don't overreact, babe." she replied in an irritated tone. "it's not like it was anything serious. it's just some random girl. i'm still with you. you should know that."

you were stunned by her cavalier attitude. she really thought it's no big deal.

"leave me alone." if there was even a little bit of toughness in your voice before, it all left. now, you were just simply begging her to stop. "please."

ellie's confidence and her nonchalant attitude was getting to you. you felt angry, but at the same time, you were starting to doubt yourself.

you wanted to hang up, but you couldn't. you just waited for her reaction, praying this'll be the end. but you knew everything depended on what ellie wants, and for her, only her own good mattered.

ellie chuckled. "oh, sweetheart. you think you can just break up with me over the phone? we're not even having a fight here. come on, be reasonable. let's just talk this through. i'll be there soon."

you proudly raised your chin, even though she couldn't see that. the tears ruined your confident facade anyway. "i locked the door."

she stayed silent for a moment, not expecting that from you. but she always had a plan b, and you realised that as soon as you heard her laugh. "i'll check that myself."

you heard her car arrive outside your house, and an instant wave of regret washed over you.

she knocked on the front door. "i'm here, love. open up." her voice was gentle, with an apologetic tone.

you knew it was all a ploy to get you to open the door. you knew this was just another manipulative tactic she was using, but it was starting to work.

"come on, be a smart girl." she continued in a sweet voice. "or we'll do this the hard way."

you cursed yourself for how weak you felt, even though it wasn't your fault.

"ellie, please..." you begged, with as much authority as you could muster, but your pleads still sounded weak.

"what's that, babe? are you crying?" she responded in a mocking tone.

you felt powerless to resist her. your stomach twisted in knots, but your fingers reached for the knob. your other hand quickly wiped away your tears, though there were some visible smudges left. you stared at the doorknob in your hand, fighting every instinct in your body to open it and let her in. but you knew she'll get her way, sooner or later. you just wanted to get this over with.

with a shaking hand, you opened the door. you saw that ellie was holding a set of keys - there was definitely one to your house too. she could just unlock the door, but she wanted to check if you'll listen to her. you didn't even want to think about what would happen if you didn't give up.

she walked inside like she owned the place, and she didn't even look at you. she knew she's got you wrapped around her finger.

"good girl." she said, with the same mocking tone.

ellie's eyes darted around the room, and she walked over to take a closer look at a framed photo of the two of you on your shelf. she smirked, letting out a sarcastic 'hmph, so cute'.

you stood there, defeated, as she walked past you and paced around your home. she made herself comfortable, as if she belongs there. you tried to keep a brave face, but she could see right through it.

she sat down and turned to you. "tell me, why we ended up here?" she asked, her voice was cold and unforgiving, but it also sounded curious. "why are you trying to leave me? aren't you happy?"

you felt your lips tremble, as you parted them to speak. "you know damn well what you did."

she stood up and walked up to you, standing right in your face and leaning a little to match your eye level. "fucked another girl? huh? is that it?" she stroked your cheek with the back of her fingers, mocking your pout.

you flinched away from her touch, but she grabbed your face with both hands and pulled you towards her.

"i just had some fun." she said calmly. "besides, you can't blame me for wanting something different. just trying to make up for what you lack." she caressed your face, tracing your lips. it was almost gentle, as if she wasn't even trying to hurt you. but her words cut deep. "now, stop acting like a baby." she let go of your face. "i'm trying to have a mature conversation with you."

the obedient, scared side of you wiped your tears away and straightened up without thinking, but everytime you closed your eyes - everytime you blinked - another wave of salty liquid streamed down your cheeks.

you sniffled and tried to keep it together, but your body was shaking and feeling dizzy. still, you stood your ground.

"please, ellie... i can't do this anymore." you begged in a shaky voice.

"sh, shhh..." ellie wrapped her hands around you, rubbing your hair in a soothing motion. "don't say dumb things. i already know you can't live without me. you know that too." she grabbed you by the shoulders and forced you to look at her for a second. "don't you?"

her embrace felt somehow comforting, not matching the poisoning effect of her words. you clinged onto her, hoping to get as much from this rare moment as possible.

but you knew, deep down, that this is just another manipulation tactic. you shouldn't fall for her games.

"there, there." she whispered to you. she held you even tighter, as if she was trying to absorb every ounce of energy you had left.

she pulled back and looked you straight in the eyes. "do you see what happens when you try to leave me, babe?"

"i am leaving you." you said with as much conviction as you could muster. "i'm serious this time."

but ellie just smiled, treating your words like a joke. "that's funny, honey. this is just another one of your little tantrums. you're just upset because you haven't gotten enough attention these days. but you don't want to lose me." she ran her hands along your cheeks and caressed your hair. "you'll come back to me. you'll come crawling back, just like always. because you can't live without me."

you instantly buried your face in her chest, as she started stroking your back.

she sighed. "are you finished?"

you felt ashamed. you failed, once again. you let her win.

you lifted your head up so you could see her expression. her smile was even more mocking and cruel now that you've given in to her.

"that's more like it, babe." she said with that same condescending tone. she pulled you in for another hug, as if nothing happened. "now, let's forget all about today, okay?" she whispered in your ear. "my pretty girl."

[slaymitchabernathy]

The Witch

| "And I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out. I'm miles away, he's on my mind, I'm getting tired of crawling all the way. And I've had enough, it's obvious, and I'm getting tired of crawling all the way." |

Because Coriolanus Snow is a pessimist and not an optimist, he expects the worst to come from the people of District Twelve.

When he catches them stealing, he's not surprised.

When he listens to them lie, he's not surprised.

When he sees them cheat, he's not surprised.

But when he hears someone whispering about a witch in the woods, he's surprised. Even more so because it's one of his bunkmates, Smiley, telling the tall tale and dinner one night in the mess hall.

"She lives out by the lake," he hushes out, eyes scanning the table at the faces holding onto his every word, "rumor has it that if you give her your hand, she'll read your palm and tell you about your future."

Coriolanus snorts into his metal cup, drinking the last of his water, "A witch? Come on Smiley, we might be bored but we're not desperate fools, there's no such thing as witches."

Maybe if he were younger he would've believed Smiley, but there are little things to joke about when stuck in a wasteland like Twelve. Especially witches. He knew District people were crazy but not this crazy.

Smiley gives him a toothy grin, often known for causing trouble moments later, "Why don't we go see then? We have Saturday off, we could have a witch-hunting party in the woods." He makes it sound like big fun even though it's nothing of the sort. The last thing Coriolanus wants to do is spend his one day off galavanting in those godforsaken woods with his bunkmates.

But everyone else at the table starts speaking before he can get a word in, whispering about how exciting it will be to get their palms read. Coriolanus rolls his eyes while listening to them, so easy to corrode and lie to, no wonder they're in Twelve.

He's here for other, top-secret reasons, but he plans on getting the hell out of Twelve as soon as possible.

Witches be damned.

꧁ ꧂

When Saturday comes along, Coriolanus does his best to look busy.

He cleans up the area around his bunk, does his laundry, shaves his face, he even ventures into town. He's looking to buy a small, hand-held knife he can tuck into a pocket if need be, just in case something happens. He goes to the Hob, a shabby black market run out of an old mining warehouse. The old, rickety building often leads him to worry that it might all collapse one day, burying him inside of it, but it holds for the time being.

He strolls through the aisles, eyeing different things that vendors sell. Some people sell alcohol, others sell odd little trinkets that he doesn't care for. He spots one woman selling different herbs, she must be brave enough to venture into the woods to harvest them.

He goes to a small table tucked away in the corner, several knives lie on the table's surface and he picks one up, weighing it in his large hand. It feels good, natural. "How much?" He asks the wrinkled man selling the knives.

"It'll be 'bout ten," the man grumbles, hands in his pockets. Most people in Twelve aren't too keen on selling anything to Peacekeepers but it's not like they can turn him away either. It would be rude and it could get them arrested since the Hob shouldn't exist in the first place.

Coriolanus digs in his pocket and pulls out ten crisp bills, laying them on the table, "Thanks."

With a new knife, he strolls out of the Hob with a pleased expression. He might swing by the bakery before heading back to the base, get something sweet to eat on the walk back. So when he spots Smiley and his convoy of idiots, his cheerful demeanor quickly dissipates.

"Gent!" Smiley gave him that nickname when Coriolanus first arrived at the base and he hasn't been able to shake it since. He got that nickname due to his manners, his politeness, and his Capitol etiquette. It's easy to earn a nickname like that when everyone else here acts like wild animals.

But Coriolanus forces a smile onto his lips, meeting his friends halfway, "What're you all up to?" He asks, hoping they're on their way to the Hob or to deface public property like normal people. "We're going to the woods to look for the witch."

Ugh.

"Ah, well, good luck on your witch hunt," he says, determined to go back to the base and enjoy the rest of his day but Smiley is so damn persistent. "Join us, Gent! Not like you've got anything better to do."

Coriolanus wants to point out that he has many things he could be doing with his free time, such as sleeping, eating, anything but trekking through the woods really. But Smiley isn't easily deterred and Coriolanus is tragically roped into his little scheme. Everyone else seems to be in great spirits as they walk through the grassy meadow, straight towards the dark, mysterious woods.

Coriolanus trudges along, hands shoved in his pockets, determined to get this over with so he never has to hear about it again. He's already prepared for the theatrics, whispering about noises that were never made, claiming that someone saw something when it was really just a squirrel.

It's like he's stuck in school all over again, hearing rumors through a vine of sources, all skewing the information a little more before passing it on to the next person. By the time it reaches its destination, it's completely blown out of proportion.

Coriolanus decides to humor Smiley, mostly for the sake of making this trip go by faster, "So this witch, why is she allowed to live in the woods instead of with the rest of us?"

It's a valid question, no one is allowed to live outside the limits of the Capitol, not even witches. Smiley shrugs, clearly not seeing a flaw in his lie, "No one wants to tell a witch where she can or can't go, Gent, she lives in a different world than we do."

Coriolanus swats at a fly, these woods are filled with animals that have nothing better to do than bother him and make his life a living hell. Birds stirring up a racket, squirrels running around his feet, and the heat, he should've just stayed in town.

"Right," is all he says.

They walk for what feels like hours, to the point where Coriolanus wishes he brought something to eat and maybe some more comfortable shoes. He just wore his uniform, the blue pants, white shirt, he went without the heavy long-sleeved button-up for obvious reasons. He's only required to wear the full uniform when working.

Sweat beads on his brow and falls down the back of his neck, he runs his fingers through his buzzed hair, remembering how his curls looked falling to the ground when they clipped them off. But he's glad for the hairstyle at the moment, it allows him to feel lighter, less weight on his head.

A few of his other bunkmates stumble ahead of him and Smiley, laughing and pushing each other. Coriolanus sees them passing around a bottle, probably filled with moonshine or some other drink they bought from a vendor. He looks up at the sky and frowns when he sees that it's darkened since they left town, "Looks like rain," he notes.

Smiley looks up too, clearly not that bothered by the impending weather, "We'll be fine, it's not too far now."

Once again, Coriolanus doesn't believe Smiley, but he forges on and they come across a clearing, "Why don't we take a quick break?" Beanpole suggests, another bunkmate who's drunk out of his mind. Coriolanus can do little to protest, especially when everyone else sits on the ground or on a fallen tree.

The wind whips through the trees and through his white shirt, causing Coriolanus to shiver. It's been a hot August and under normal circumstances, he'd be glad for the rain but not if he's going to get caught in it.

No one makes any moves to get up and keep going, but Coriolanus is anxious to get this show on the road, "I'm just gonna keep going then," he decides, shoving his hands in his pockets. No one stops him and he gives Smiley an unsure look, "It's this way, right?" He points straight ahead and Smiley nods, "Yep, we'll catch up with you."

He grunts and starts towards the general direction of the lake, figuring it's big enough to spot. But the further he goes, the stronger the wind. Birds fly overhead, screeching out to their friends, warning them about the incoming storm. Coriolanus feels a chill go up his spine and rubs his arms, suddenly cold. He looks around for his friends but finds none, "Smiley?" He calls out, anxiety creeping into his voice, "Beanpole? Where are you guys?"

He hears nothing in response and his breaths start to grow sharp. Calm down, he tells himself, you're fine, it's fine.

Oh, but it's not fine. He's lost, no idea where to go. He's never been in these woods by himself. He stumbles in one direction only to fail at retracing his steps when it leads to nowhere. Rain starts to pelt against his skin, cold and hard.

"Fuck," he whispers, using his hand to shield his eyes.

He has limited options. He could stay here and wait for help, but the boys probably decided to head back, figuring he'd head back too.

Or he can find the lake and find this cabin, take shelter there until the rain lets up.

He goes with the latter.

By some miracle, he finds the lake. It's huge and probably beautiful under the right circumstances but not right now, not when it's pouring and he's freezing. Coriolanus desperately searches for the cabin, he should've asked more questions about it instead of moping. Maybe then he'd have some clue as to where to go.

His eyes are starting to grow heavy, he hasn't eaten in hours or had anything to drink. He starts thinking about the dinner he's going to miss back on the base, warm bread, pitchers of water. Oh, he's becoming delirious.

His eyes scan the bank of the water and he spots something growing along the edges. Maybe it's something he can eat. He walks towards it in almost a trance, kneeling down in the muddy grass, not caring about his pants getting dirty.

He grabs whatever plant is growing by the stem and rips it out of the ground, wincing when dirt flies into his face. He feels even more defeated when all he sees are roots, dirt-covered roots, nothing edible.

"Not time for katniss just yet."

He nearly topples into the lake when he hears a voice behind him.

Coriolanus slowly turns around, looking up at a girl dressed in all black, looking down at him like he's the biggest inconvenience she's ever come across. He opens his mouth to speak but fails to find the words, it's hard when he's cold, hungry, and lost.

But she seems to know that already.

"Come," is all she says before turning on her heel.

She walks towards the treeline, leaving him to contemplate whether or not to follow her. She could easily kill him, but then again, she seems harmless, smaller than him so he could easily overpower her if needed. He's also desperate for help and exhausted.

He follows her into the woods.

The rain isn't as bad under the canopy of the trees and they move in silence. He watches her walk over roots and branches with practiced ease, barely making a sound. Her blonde hair is tucked into her black coat but it's nearly white in the dim lighting, soaked with the rain. He wants to ask her why she's out here and where she's taking him but keeps his mouth shut.

Better to ask questions later.

They finally come to the edge of the forest and this time, he sees the infamous cabin in the woods. "Oh," he whispers, feeling like a fool for being unable to find this structure.

She leads him up a few rickety steps and pushes open the wooden door, walking right inside. Coriolanus cautiously steps into the small house, looking around to make sure this isn't some big trap or worse, a prank set up by Smiley and his bunkmates.

But the cabin is empty, quiet, and dry.

He closes the door behind him.

A sense of tiredness washes over him the second he sees a bed tucked into the far corner, it looks so warm and cozy, and then he sees a small stove burning wood in the other corner. He sees some framed things hung on the walls, maybe some plants, some pages from books. He pays them no mind and trudges over to the bed, not caring how strange or rude he must appear to this girl who he still hasn't said a word to.

He sighs, reaching out to touch the bedsheets and he feels a warm hand on the back of his rain-soaked shirt, "Sleep," she says and it feels like the lullaby his mother used to sing to him when she was alive. He swears he can smell the roses from her compact powder.

And the last thing he sees is the girl in the woods looking over him, "You're the witch," he whispers before closing his eyes.

꧁ ꧂

When Coriolanus wakes, it's dark outside and from what he can hear, it's still raining.

He sits up in the bed that's not his and finds that he's shirtless. He wishes that were the most alarming part of this situation, but he happens to be acutely aware that he's in a cabin in the middle of the woods, a cabin that belongs to a witch.

He looks around the small room. There's really not much, the stove still burning wood, a small table tucked away in the corner, lots of baskets with different plants in them. Maybe she is a witch.

His hands slide down his pants which are, thankfully, still on and he slips a hand into his pocket, wrapping it around the knife he bought earlier today. It brings him comfort to feel the weapon in his grasp and he carefully swings his feet over the side of the bed, resting them on the wooden floorboards. He feels strong enough to stand and the boards groan under his weight.

He starts looking for his shirt so he can get the hell out of here before she kills him. He opens a small armoire, tips the baskets to the side, even looks under the bed. He's about to see if any of the floor boards are loose when the door swings open, the white-haired girl stands with chopped-up wood in her hands.

She doesn't look surprised to see him rummaging through her home but he still feels caught.

"Sorry," he says, stepping back towards the bed.

She walks in and shuts the door behind her, setting down the wood first, "You slept for a while," she replies, dusting off her hands and wiping the rain off her coat, "thought you might never wake."

Coriolanus swallows, he's kind of thirsty, maybe she has some water. His stomach betrays him and growls, he's hungry too. "I have some tea," she tells him, nodding at her stove, "don't have much to eat, I'm afraid."

Coriolanus furrows his eyebrows, he thought the woods were full of animals you could hunt, "Nothing you'd like to eat," she corrects herself. From what he's seen, this girl lives off of twigs and plants, and he's a big boy who can't just 'live off the land' like other people in Twelve.

"Tea is fine."

She hums and busies herself with the tea, grabbing an old rusted kettle, putting some leaves into it before placing it on the stove top.

"Are you," he hesitates, "are you the witch?"

She looks at him from over her shoulder, lips twitching into what might be a smile, "What do you think?" She asks, ignoring his question, and he slouches, he really just wants his shirt back if he's being honest. But it would be interesting if he could go back to the base with a story to tell, about how he saw the witch of the woods.

"I think you're some outcast," he finally decides, an air of arrogance in his voice, "shunned from Twelve, living out here by yourself after you did something horrible to someone."

He can picture it now, her breaking some boy's heart or killing someone over something worthless. People in Twelve will turn on each other in the blink of an eye, he's seen it before.

She slides off her coat and he can see how long her hair is, all the way down to her waist. She's wearing a black dress and black boots, he can't imagine she has much of a wardrobe out here.

"Think I've been shunned huh?"

He can hear a distant southern twang in her voice, he's grown more than used to hearing it since he got here. Everyone here says things a little differently than in the Capitol.

He nods although he's not so sure now. She turns to face him and he can finally see how pretty she is in the dim candlelight. Her complexion is tan and her face covered in freckles. Her eyes nearly take his breath away, shades of a stormy sky, blue and gray.

If she is a witch, then she's the prettiest witch he's ever seen.

She tilts her head, studying him in his half-naked form, "I think you're a spoiled boy," she says, "rich and used to gettin' your way. You don't belong here the same way I don't belong here, only difference is I actually did somethin' about it."

Ouch.

Coriolanus puffs out his chest despite needing help when she first found him, pitifully lost and scared, "You don't know anything about me," he spits back, a slight tremble to his voice.

She raises her eyebrows as if used to hearing men like him talk to her like this.

"Let me see your palm."

Coriolanus immediately shoves his hands into his pockets, grabbing his knife in case she tries something, "I think I'll be going now," he tries, but she steps towards him, "thanks for letting me stay."

"You won't make it in those woods," she nods at the door that leads to rain and darkness. She's right, he'll get lost again and no pretty girls will come to find him.

The kettle begins to whistle, reminding them both about the tea she's making and she sighs, carding a hand through her long hair, "Sit at the table and drink some tea."

Even though everything inside of him is screaming at him to run, Coriolanus sits at the small rickety table tucked away in the corner of the cabin. He looks around the cabin once again, trying to see if she has any sort of weapons, but he sees nothing but candles, plants, and a few books that look quite worn down.

The girl takes the kettle off the stove and sets it down on the table, bringing two cups with her. He watches her pour some of the tea and it smells delicious. "What's in it?" He asks, wondering if maybe she poisoned it. She sits down across from him and grabs her cup, bringing it to her lips and he watches her swallow the drink.

"Mint leaves, water, bit of honey too, nothin' that'll kill you," she replies with a grin, "if I wanted to skin you then I would've done it already pretty boy."

Coriolanus feels his cheeks turn pink, this strange girl might be the prettiest girl he's ever seen, and her compliment reminds him of what's waiting for him back in the Capitol, attention from young women with prospects. But for the time being, this girl will do.

"What's your name?"

She sits up straighter in her chair, resting her forearms on the small table, "Soarynn." Coriolanus nods and brings the cup to his lips, taking small sips of the hot drink. It does wonders for his throat and instantly makes him feel warmer. "You live out here all by yourself?"

He can't imagine that a small thing like her would've managed to build this cabin by herself, but she could certainly fix it up, make it her own.

"I have a cat," she tells him, "she likes to go out at night."

A witch with a cat, this is too cliche for his liking. All she needs is a broom.

She holds out her small hand, reaching across the table, "Let me see your palm," she says again, gentler this time.

But Coriolanus still hesitates. What if she cuts off his hand? What if this is some sort of trap?

"No one comes all the way out here for no good reason," she tells him, "I know what you've heard, now give me your palm."

Slowly, Coriolanus places his hand on top of hers, palm facing the wooden ceiling. She leans forward, tea long forgotten, and her other hand begins to trace the lines on his palm, she mumbles a few things, entirely focused on his calloused hand from working hard on the base.

Coriolanus watches her with both fascination and fear. She has long lashes, and her lips are a rosy pink color. He wonders why she's really out here all by herself and why no one has brought her back to town.

She presses her finger against one line and looks up at him, "This line means an important bloodline, you come from an important legacy."

She touches another line, a shorter one, "This one means good fortune, you'll be richer than you can imagine."

Does she tell every poor soul this when they stumble upon her cabin?

She rests her finger on the last line, "This one means a long life, but....but it'll end badly," she whispers the last part, furrowing her brows in confusion, "can't see how but you'll die in some terrible way."

Coriolanus pulls his hand from hers, suddenly not so interested in her fortune-telling abilities, "Alright, well thanks for that, but I should get going. I believe I came here wearing a white shirt."

She doesn't look offended by his abrupt behavior, if anything she looks...hurt that he's leaving so soon. "You'll get lost," she tells him.

"I'll take my chances," he tells her.

Anything is better than being stuck with this crazy girl.

꧁ ꧂

Twenty minutes later, Coriolanus is once again, walking through the woods. Rain-soaked clothes weigh down on his skin but he persists. The witch or whatever she was gave him his shirt back and pointed in the general direction of town, warning him once again that he wouldn't make it far in this rain. Part of him felt like she wanted him to get lost so she could find him again, but he left either way.

Coriolanus shivers and almost stumbles over a fallen branch. Maybe he should've listened to her, heeded her advice, but she was starting to creep him out, talking about how he was going to die a terrible death.

Who the hell says that?

He shakes his head in frustration, dismissing her words as nonsense. She's probably gone nuts from living out here so long by herself. She probably drinks the lake water and eats poisoned berries.

Hopefully, she was telling the truth about what was in that tea though.

Coriolanus keeps forging forward, determined to get back to town by daybreak. He walks for what feels like hours, doing his best to stay on course. She could've lied about which direction town is, a terrible thought that pops into his head. But she doesn't seem like the type to lie. In fact, she seemed a little too comfortable being honest with him.

When the rain starts to let up and the sun starts to rise, he sees the edge of the forest. Coriolanus laughs, cold, tired, and delirious. And he thinks he can hear people shouting his name too.

He's so happy, so tired, so cold, he's starting to fall towards the ground.

Everything goes black and this time, he doesn't smell roses.

꧁ ꧂

"Wake up, Gent!"

Coriolanus gasps, eyes flying open at the sound of Smiley's voice. He's back on the base, he can see that clear as day he's somehow made it back in one piece, that witch of the woods be damned.

He looks to his left where Smiley is gazing down at him, concerned and relieved that he didn't kill his bunkmate over a stupid witch hunt. "Man, you sure had us scared," Smiley hushes out, glancing around what must be the infirmary, "it started raining and we couldn't find you, searched all over before we gave up and had to come back."

Coriolanus almost points out that none of them had to come back to the base, that they could've kept their little search party out a little longer, but after being stuck in that rain, he can't even blame them.

"What did Hoff say?" Is the first thing that leaves his dry mouth. Coriolanus could care less about Smiley or Beanpole or anyone really. What he cares about is what his Commander says, because Commander Hoff is his one ticket out of this dustbowl.

Coriolanus has spent days trying to get on Hoff's good side, but he's starting to think that he doesn't have one.

Smiley's eyes drop, a frown on his normally grinning face, "He uh, he wants to see you as soon as you're discharged from the infirmary. One of the guys let it slip that we went looking for the witch. He's not too happy with us right now."

Coriolanus bites back a groan. Not only did he get lost in the rainy woods that he didn't even want to enter in the first place, but now, he's going to get punished for it! He can picture it now, scrubbing the toilets with his very own toothbrush.

"Maybe he'll let you off easy since you got lost."

"How long was I missing for?"

Coriolanus wonders if maybe he was gone for longer than a night. Perhaps that witch brewed up all sorts of potions to trick his mind. Maybe he's not even here right now.

No, the infirmary smells like sweat and desperation, he's definitely here right now.

"Only a night, can't believe some animal didn't get to you before we did."

Coriolanus thinks about mentioning the witch, or well, the girl he met out by the lake, but for some reason, he chooses not to. This information is best kept out of the hands of someone like Smiley, someone who can't ever keep his mouth shut. If it weren't for Smiley, he wouldn't have been stumbling through those woods in the first place.

"Yeah," is all he mumbles, "can't believe it either."

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus sits on the edge of his seat, literally and figuratively.

Commander Hoff's office is clean and cool, he clearly has an air conditioning unit in here. It must be nice, it must be nice to be someone important instead of some fool getting lost in the woods.

Hoff finally walks into the office, brisk and determined in his steps. One glance around this room can tell you how important Hoff is with his medals and plaques hanging on the walls. Coriolanus sits up straighter in his seat, eager to get this beratement over with.

"Private Snow," the Commander greets him, standing behind his large desk, "glad to see you up and moving." Coriolanus nods, he left the infirmary a few hours after waking up. The nurse had him drink some water and eat some crackers before she felt that he was in good enough condition. Such great healthcare here in Twelve.

"Yessir, I'm glad I got the help I needed."

The Commander grunts, sitting down in a more impressive chair on the other side of the large desk, "Why were you in the woods, Snow? Don't you know it's against the law?" Well, shit.

Coriolanus was prepared to lie, well, not lie but bend the truth a little bit. But maybe he can benefit from this incident if he plays his cards right.

"I heard there was a witch in the woods," he answers, "and I wanted to find her and string her up, make an example of what happens when you try to live outside of the Capitol's laws."

Hoff raises an eyebrow, it's possible that he also knows about the witch but has chosen not to do anything about her. From what Coriolanus observed, she wasn't harming anybody, if anything she helped him, which confuses him further.

Why would she help a complete stranger?

"Yes, the locals say there's a witch in the woods," Hoff grumbles, waving his hand as to dismiss this entire false notion, "doesn't make much sense to me but I suppose it does a good job at warding people off from wandering into the woods. Well, most people." He gives Coriolanus a pointed look.

The witch had mentioned other people coming to her, to ask her to read their palms, so clearly not everyone thinks it's some urban legend. There is some truth to the lie. And there is some truth because there is a girl out there who has no issue being called a witch.

Which is why he can't stop himself from blurting out, "There is a witch out there, or well, a girl. There's a girl who lives in a cabin by the woods, she found me, helped me."

Hoff looks...impressed. Which cannot be a good thing considering he was summoned here to be ridiculed for reckless behavior and abandoning the Peacekeepers to go running through the woods for a night.

"So you've seen this witch? With your own two eyes?"

Coriolanus nods, unless it was a dream, a strange, strange dream. "I have sir, she's not too far out, apparently she can read your palm, she read mine but what she was saying...it, it didn't make much sense to me but she's out there."

Hoff drums his fingers on the surface of his desk, perhaps he doesn't see an issue with the witch if it discourages people from entering the woods. But at the same time, this could end badly, word could get back to the Capitol that he's not doing his job, that he lets a District Twelve citizen live freely in the woods.

If Coriolanus were in his Commander's boots, he'd have every available Peacekeeper searching the woods to hunt down this witch.

If not for the good of the Capitol, then for the good of his reputation.

"I want you to do some recon, learn about her, find out what she's really doing out there and then we'll bring her in."

Coriolanus did not think this was where their conversation would lead to. He was prepared for a scolding, a slap on the wrist. Not a mission, an assignment.

"You want me to do it?" He can't help but ask. He's still relatively new to the base, there must be someone more capable to carry out this job. Hoff nods, giving Coriolanus what must be a smile, "You're alert Snow, you managed to track down this witch faster than any of my other men and you weren't even trying."

"You've looked for her before?"

"Of course we have, can't have someone living outside of the Capitol's law. But she's a tricky one that witch, always evading us. And she hasn't stirred up any real trouble, but I'd like to get my hands on her so to speak before putting an end to these stories."

Coriolanus shivers at those words, "...get my hands on her..."

It feels like Hoff has a personal vendetta against this witch, against Soarynn, that is her name after all.

"Anyways, I want you to go out to her cabin today, befriend her if you must, get her to trust you so we can lure her out of the woods, it'll be much easier than the alternative."

Coriolanus doesn't know how he could get her to trust him, not when he doesn't trust her. But he can't back down now, this is too great an opportunity to pass up.

"What's the alternative sir?"

Hoff's lips curl up into a cruel smile.

"A witch hunt."

꧁ ꧂

Finding the cabin is much easier the second time around.

With a small pistol tucked into his waistband, he feels much more prepared than he did last time. Coriolanus approaches the cabin, admiring it in the daylight. It's small, with vines growing on the walls, and the windows are open. She clearly doesn't care too much about security.

He climbs the rickety steps and finds that the door is cracked open and no one is inside. She must be down at the lake. He saunters down to the blue water, it looks much prettier when it's not raining. He scans the water for a small boat but sees nothing. Maybe she's in the woods.

Before he can turn to go back to the cabin, he hears a yowl and feels claws sink into his calf. Coriolanus groans at the sharp feeling, he forgot all about these damn woodland creatures, he just didn't think one would be bold enough to attack him out in the open.

He reaches for his pistol and looks down, expecting some rabid squirrel or a fox but instead, finds a mangy-looking cat with white fur glaring up at him.

The cat shakes her head back and forth, clearly trying to kill him, which might work on a rat, but not his leg. He thinks about kicking her off but when he looks back over at the cabin, he has a spectator.

The witch.

With firewood in her hands and a curious look in her eyes.

"You wanna help me out here?" He asks, lifting his leg, and the cat stays attached to him, sinking her teeth further into his skin. Soarynn's lips twitch, almost a smile, "Petunia, come here."

Petunia, what a sweet name for an evil cat.

But Petunia, reluctantly, does as she's told, releasing his calf so she can trot back over to her owner.

Coriolanus rolls up his pants to assess the damage, only two tiny bite marks on his pale skin, a small price to pay. "I didn't know you had a vicious cat," he says, listening to Soarynn slowly approach him, "you should really train her to be nicer to people."

"Animals are excellent judges in character. They can sense bad intentions."

He swallows at those foreboding words, Petunia might be smarter than she looks. Coriolanus brushes the sick feeling off his shoulders and stands back up to his full height, immediately noticing how short Soarynn is compared to him. If it came down to a physical fight, he could easily take her.

"Well I just wanted to see you," he tells her, offering a boyish grin that always seems to charm the Capitol girls. Not the District ones apparently since she seems unaffected, "Why?"

Why? Why is she so apprehensive?

Coriolanus doubts she gets a lot of visitors out here, and if she does, it's because they want something from her. He's here with pure, good intentions.

You're here so you can watch Hoff hang her, the voice in his head reminds him and he quickly silences it. "I wanted to thank you," he lies, "and I brought you something, a gift."

Soarynn still looks doubtful, "A gift," she repeats. Coriolanus digs his hand into his pocket and pulls out a lighter, one normally used for smoking cigars, but he hasn't ever smoked. His father did, and for some reason, he thought packing this item would remind him of home. It hasn't yet.

"It'll help you start fires," he explains, "or light your candles."

The lighter is a silver color with his father's initials engraved on the side. Soarynn's eyes light up at the sight of it, the sight of something so fancy, so Capitol. Maybe she is just a girl after all.

"Gotta put away the firewood first."

Coriolanus offers to carry the lumber but she declines, letting him trail behind her instead. Petunia climbs the steps with quickness, slipping into the house with ease, "How old is she?"

"She's about five," Soarynn answers, nudging the door open with her hip, "found her when she was just a kitten, nearly drowned in the lake. Guess her momma didn't want her. She keeps the rats away, people too."

Well, after that rude introduction, he's not surprised that other people avoid Petunia. She's like a guard dog. A guard cat.

The inside of the cabin looks cozier during the daytime with the light shining through all the windows. A warm breeze wafts through the room and for once, Coriolanus doesn't mind being in the middle of the woods.

Soarynn sets down the firewood and dusts off her hands, wiping them on her dress which is blue today. The dress is a dark blue, almost black, but it's got thin straps and is fraying at the edges. He wonders if she's ever gotten something brand new, a new dress, new shoes.

She looks over at him, still unsure about this Peacekeeper in her house, "Let's go outside."

꧁ ꧂

"Why's it say 'C.X.S' on the side?"

Coriolanus studies her face, almost forgetting to answer the question. She is so pretty it's not even fair. He can hardly focus around this strange girl. He clears his throat when she looks up at him, catching him blatantly staring at her, "It was um, it was my father's," he explains, gazing out at the lake instead, "those were his initials, Crassus Xanthos Snow."

Soarynn rubs her thumb over the letters, the letters that tie Coriolanus to a great legacy, "I can't take it then, it's too fine, too special to you." Coriolanus shakes his head, sure it's sentimental, but not special. Special would be his mother's compact, and that's safety tucked away in his locker back on the base.

"Keep it," he insists, closing his hand around hers, "it's not a gift, think of it as a token, a token of my affection." He's laying it on thick.

But Soarynn doesn't seem to mind.

"I didn't mean to scare you off the other night, I've got a knack for makin' people nervous."

His curiosity gets the best of him, and besides, this all counts as recon. "How can you do that? How were you able to read my palm? Did your mother teach you?" That would be the most logical answer, Coriolanus learned lots from his mother, and his father.

"No, my momma died when I was small, my daddy did too, except he died in the mines. I've always been this way, had this, this gift. Makes some people nervous, and when people get nervous they get mean. So I hightailed it outta there as soon as I could, figured no one would be missin' me if I left."

Coriolanus knows what that's like, to know you don't belong. Even though he did belong with the Capitol elite, the war took that from him, from his family. Being out here with her is proof that he'll do whatever it takes to get it back.

"That's terrible," he lies, "but why didn't you keep going? I've heard people talk about going north, trying to find District Thirteen or something else." Coriolanus doesn't really believe those stories, that there's something out there but who knows? He won't be the one to find out.

Soarynn shrugs, flicking the lighter so the flame appears, "Didn't wanna get too far from town, in case I needed somethin', and there's nothin' up there, just pearly white bones."

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus visits Soarynn more and more as the weeks pass by. He learns more about her and in the process, finds himself actually caring about her, which is even worse. He didn't intend for this to happen, for him to get this deep, this involved.

It's dangerous.

He plays it cool in front of the others though, acts tough and nonchalant. "I'm just doing my job," he had told Smiley the other day, shrugging off any insinuations that it might be something more, something worse.

Like love.

He's called in to see Hoff again, which is strange, normally he reports back to the Commander right when he gets back to the base. He keeps a neutral expression when entering the office, he's gotten more used to it over the weeks. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, close the door behind you, Private."

Coriolanus does as he's told, going over every single thing he's said and done in the past forty-eight hours that might be the cause of this sudden meeting. "Have a seat, Snow."

Coriolanus lowers himself into the chair, his knee bounces but he doesn't have the care to stop it, even if it is bad manners. "Now, I know you've been busy between this little witch hunt and doing your job, but my superiors and I felt that you could handle one more job, a task if you will."

Coriolanus sits up straighter, he never backs down from a challenge. Snow lands on top.

"Yes sir."

Hoff grins, sitting back in his chair, "You mentioned this witch was around your age, yes?" Coriolanus doesn't even remember mentioning this piece of information to Huff but he nods all the same, Soarynn is eighteen, one year younger than him.

"She is sir," he confirms, beginning to worry where this might be going.

"Ah, good. Well, before we bring her in so to speak, we wanted to ensure that we wouldn't be putting a child's life at risk."

Coriolanus is confused. So confused.

"A child, sir?"

Hoff clasps his hands, lacing his fingers together, a small smile growing on his lips, "She might be pregnant Private, goodness knows what she's gotten up to in those woods, and we both know that a girl like her would be more than willing to sleep with the first man she sees. Might even cast some sort of spell on him to trick him. Witches can't be trusted, you know. So, as a precaution, we want you to find out whether or not she is with child."

Hoff wants to know if she's ever had sex. He wants to know if when they drag Soarynn in, she'll be a virgin or not. Why he wants to know this, Coriolanus has no idea, but he can think of a few, sick and twisted reasons for this sudden and sick fascination.

"Go tonight," Hoff instructs, "supposed to be a full moon."

Coriolanus guesses that's supposed to mean something to him.

At the end of the day, he's a soldier, and a soldier always follows orders.

"Yes sir."

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

| Part 1. |

{ Part 2. }

| taglist: @lovelylove268 @kickmybark @iswearicanfixhim @wonderlandbound111 @melodyoflovee @thevoicesinmyprettylittlehead @erensrealgf @evilmenarehot @cervvsq @snowgirl12 @matcha-muses @anisangeldust @snowsgames |

[eddiesguitarskills]

It can’t all be bullshit Part 2

Read part 1 here

Eddie Munson x fem Reader x Steve Harrington (unfortunately no Steddie in this)

Summary: pinning after your best friend can be hard, especially when he doesn’t like you back. You were trying to get over a crush the last thing you needed was another.

AN: this is all I've written for the story, so I won't be as fast updating. Also, I'm sorry I write a lot for female-presenting readers it's just I find it easier to write it like that, especially with my dyslexia. However, if you guys want I can start reuploading the story with non-gender descriptions just might take it longer to edit it.

Warnings: Angst, use of Y/n, mention of break ups, miscommunication, sexual themes but no smut readers discretion is advised. Drug and alcohol use, and swearing.

word count 3.7kish

Monday morning came around quickly, which you were glad about. The sooner you could get away from that awful weekend, the better. Eddie hadn’t remembered anything from that night, or if he did, he didn't mention it. You were also glad that you didn’t want another argument, and you definitely didn’t want details on his love life. Not that you hadn’t thought about it, your brain was too cruel to not make you dwell on it, you also thought about Harrington was he okay? Not that you cared about him of course just one human looking out for another. If you happen to be looking around to see if he made it to school that would be out of curiosity not because you cared. Thankfully his locker was near to yours so you would eventually see how he was, to be honest with how the gossip spreads in this school you would hear about it eventually if the king and queen of Hawkins really had broken up. 

I don't hear anything about it until a week later at lunch. You were a little late as you had been stuck talking to your English teacher, Miss Plant, and you felt too rude to leave despite the rumbling in your stomach. As soon as you got to the table, a conversation began. “Do you reckon his head hurt?” Eddie joked. “Whose head?” you said while sitting in your seat beside Eddie. “The king when he fell from his throne”. You were beyond confused. Were they talking about a new campaign? You couldn't remember a king in your current D&D campaign. Maybe you had been too busy dazing at your leader at the meetings to notice if there was a new character. You didn't want to feel stupid, so you nodded like you understood. It wasn't until the conversation continued and you heard the mention of Nancy Wheeler you understood. You knew Eddie and Steve didn't like each other, but some of his words seemed too harsh. You saw what Harringtons' wrath could be like, and you didn't want Eddie on the receiving end. You picked at your peas, not daring to look up, and you knew how they would all tease you about nagging again. “Maybe we shouldn't talk about this”. Eddie raised his eyebrow, stopping his rant. “Why are you scared?” he challenged. You shrugged back.

Everyone was surprised. You hadn't nagged, you hadn't come back at him, you had stayed remarkably calm. Eddie wanted to see how long it would take you to snap, but he didn't have a chance when Chris, taking the hint, changed the subject. “So when’s the date, Eddie?” Not realising this would be the thing to make you snap. Since when did he have a date? Indeed it wasn't with what's her face from the party? You thought he didn't remember anything from that party, and if he did, why hadn't he apologised to you yet? “Well, she wanted to come over on Thursday, but I don't know” he looked at you to gauge a reaction; that was your weekly bowling night. Don't shout. It's okay. It's only the night you look forward to most, and you don't have much to look forward to. It doesn't matter. Well, maybe it does, but not to him anymore. “Have fun” you say standing to leave the table, dumping the food on your tray. Any hunger you had felt had gone and was replaced with nausea.

You needed somewhere to hide because you weren’t going to the next period. You needed someone to cry or scream or both. So you disappeared to Eddie’s spot in the woods. You hold onto yourself for warmth, looking down, trying to be careful not to trip on the twigs hidden in the mud. You finally make it to the table without an accident when you see out of the corner of your eye a guy. You pray it's not Eddie or someone here for a deal. It was the last thing you needed. You weren't sure if you would keep your cool this time round, especially with the stupid tears that kept lining your eyes.

“I didn't think anyone else would be here”, he spoke. It wasn't Eddie, but it was someone you also didn't want to bump into. You hoped after that night you would never have to come face to face with Harrington again. “Sorry, I can go,”you say, hoping to make a swift exit. “No, it's fine, I don't own the woods”.

There is an awkward silence. You debated getting up to leave, but you were stuck there frozen. “Looks like I’m not the only one having a shit day.” You don’t dare look up. Yeah, you were having a bad day, but it didn’t feel right to compare it to a breakup. “Mine nothing compare to yours”. You look up quickly. You didn’t mean it to sound that way. “No, I meant I’m fine. I’m sorry about what happened”. God, did you sound as dumb as you thought? “So I guess everyone knows now”. You shake your head “just because I know doesn’t mean everyone knows”.

He weakly chuckles, but there is no humour behind it: “It kind of does. It’s made its way down to the bottom of the food chain”. Steve’s eyes widened. Shit, he didn’t mean to sound like that. “No offence”. He couldn’t help being how he was. Having to put up an act for so long makes it hard to realise when he was being a dick. “None taken”. You shrug. You were used to the name-calling by jocks, so his words felt like nothing. “So what happened to you?” You twiddle with the ring Eddie gave you on a chain. “Don’t worry about me”. Steve smiles. “It’d be nice to worry about something else for a change. So is it a guy?” You laugh at him. “Do you think all girl's problems revolve around a guy?”. He nods.” Well, that is very guy-like of you, but yeah, you’re right. This time, it’s a guy.” Steve’s face lights up with a smirk. “I knew it! So what happened.” You go to speak but look up, realising it is not a friend you are talking to. It’s a popular kid. Even worse than that, it’s the king of Hawkins high. “Just typical guy stuff.”

Steve took the hint you didn’t want to get into it, so they changed the subject. “I know you don’t owe me anything, but Can you not tell anyone I was here? If Principal Coleman finds out I cut, I’m dead” You almost wanted to laugh; the Principal would find out, but looking at his face, you knew he was deadly serious. “who would I tell?” He shook his shoulders. “I don’t know”. You smiled. “Exactly. I’m gonna have to start charging you for all the secrets I keep”. He looked utterly lost. “Huh?”

Eddie sauntered over, his metal lunch box in hand. He could only see Harrington and the back of a girl’s head. So he didn’t know who it was. “My spots are popular today. I’ve even got King Steve, and I assume his new plaything here.” You turn around to face him. Now was not the time for his antics. “Leave it, Eddie” you sneered. The boy’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “Absolutely not” he grabbed your arm and pulled you out of the woods away from Steve.

After many tries, you finally got out of Eddie’s grasp. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”. The boy rolled his eyes, “saving you”. You repeated his facial expression, “I didn’t need saving”. He tutted and slung his arm around you. “You were about to be Harrington’s next prey; trust me, you needed saving.” You pushed him off. “We were just talking”. Eddie looked at you like he was telling off a child, not a friend and definitely not someone he fancied “That’s how it starts”. You hated that he treated you like you didn’t know how the world worked. “I don’t see why you care”. He shook his head. “I’m your best friend, of course I care”. There it was, the famous last words of any crush. You were officially friend-zoned, and you would never get out of that. You felt deflated, so you just nodded and followed him to his van and then trailer.

A month later you were going to another party this time it was your idea. Getting over this crush had been more challenging than you had planned, so you decided to do something the opposite of what you usually would. Tonight, you would act like all the other teenagers and drink till you forget. Or find someone to help you forget. When you told Eddie you were going, he insisted he took you despite your protests. How are you supposed to get over someone when he doesn't leave you alone? You had bought an outfit for tonight because your usual outfit of jeans and a tee didn’t feel fitting. So you bought a red tight spaghetti strap dress, you thought about wearing heels you put them on, but as soon as you wobbly stood up like Bambi on ice, you realised it wasn't the best idea, so you put on your black trusty Converse. It's nice to have familiarity and not feel like Bambi on ice when trying to catch someone up. You hear several impatient beeps outside; you would think you had made him wait for hours when he had only just arrived 30 minutes late, of course. Life is always on Eddie’s schedule. You just wanted to get to the party and out of his sight, so you grabbed your bag put on a layer of lipgloss and ran outside to Eddie’s van.

He had the window down. He looked at your outfit and shook his head. “You’re gonna freeze”. You were sick of his new habit of babying you; was this what you sounded like to him? Was this just him mocking you? The girl from the last party poked her head out. “I think you look hot. I’m Sasha (sorry if this is your name she is nice though) by the way”. You nod. “Y/n”, he brought her, of course he brought her. She was nice. Why did she have to be nice? It's easier to dislike someone when they are a bitch, not a beautiful soul like hers. You were even more jealous now you wish you could be more like her than you. You got into the back of the van as Eddie drove (over the speed limit) to the party. Sasha was super friendly along the way and kept asking you questions to get to know Eddie’s best friend more. The boy stayed quiet, in thought. He was struggling to keep his eyes on the road as he kept looking at you through the rearview mirror in disbelief. 

When you finally got to the party, you found your way to the punch bowl, the pair not leaving your side. You picked up a red cup, filling it with the content of the bowl, whenever that may be. Before you could even put it to your lips. Eddie took the cup from your hands, pouring it back into the bowl, Tutting at you. “Are you okay tonight? You’re acting weird”. God, you were sick of his stupid face and stupid comments, but then it struck you this was your way out from the couple, from him. “You know I’m feeling a little weird. I’m gonna go to the toilet… it’s probably because of my period”. It was a lie, but you knew it would stop him from following you.

You went up the stairs and poked your head into a room, hoping it would be the bathroom. Unfortunately for you, it wasn’t; Steve Harrington sat on a bed, his leg tapping anxiously and anxiously. why did you two seem to have a universal magnet. “Sorry”. He looked up at you. You went to leave but were stopped by his voice calling, “Wait, you’re the girl who ditched me”.

“The girl?” You repeated him. “I have a name. It’s y/n, and I wouldn’t exactly call it ditched.” He laughed, getting up and shutting the door behind you. “What would you call it? I know it’s not your fault, though, was your boyfriend jealous?”. You glare at the thought, “he’s not my boyfriend”. He laughs. “Does he know that?” You turn to leave. “I’m not in the mood for whatever this is”. He holds your hand not too tightly, so if you want to go, you can, bringing you to the bed to sit down. You are stocked by yourself that you don't push him away, but the gentleness of this action makes your heart flutter. Maybe Steve Harrington could help you forget. “So he’s the one that made you cry”. Maybe not. You put your hands on your face, embarrassed “Is it that obvious?”. He pulls your hands away from your face, shaking his head. “He’s an idiot if he doesn’t see how beautiful you are”. You want to smile at his words, but they make you cringe. “Is this how you get all the girls?” He sighs. God, he had just been broken up with; maybe it was too soon to mention girls. “I’m sor-“ he puts a finger to your lip. “You apologise far too much”. You nod. “I just don’t want you to bite my head off again”, you mumble, fiddling with the end of your dress.

“When did I do that?” He had no clue what you were talking about, so why did you even mention it? “It doesn’t matter” you keep your eyes down. He uses his hand to lift your chin so you’re looking at him. “When did I do that?” He says as genuinely as he can. He was trying to be better, a more likeable guy, and if he wanted to do that, he needed to right his wrongs. “It wasn’t your fault; it probably just seems worse in my head because I wasn’t enjoying myself…and Eddie was being a dick and-“ he puts his hand on yours to calm you. “It was Halloween; I think you and Nancy had just had an argument. I guess you needed someone to take your rage out on, and I just happened to be there”. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head. Annoyed at himself, he couldn’t look at you. “It’s fine; I swear it wasn’t that bad. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here. You just told me to fuck off and said bullshit a lot”. He looks over at you. “So you know what happened with Nancy?” you nodded “I got the gist”. He nudged your shoulder with his “thanks for not telling anything”. You laugh. “As you said in the wood, I’m the bottom of the food chain. I've got no one to tell.”

He wanted to beat himself up; he had fallen so far into the idea of popularity that he became what he swore he would never be a dick. “You aren’t, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like that.” You squeeze his hand. “Don’t go soft on me. I'm quite content being there . It means I can fade into the background”. He holds both of your hands and looks you up and down until his eyes land on yours. “Someone like you isn’t meant to fade into the background”. You don’t know what comes over you; maybe it’s how nice he’s being, that you had never been called pretty by a boy, or how handsome he looked, but you lean in and kiss him. Maybe it’s because you recognise the broken mess hidden behind his eyes. You instantly realise what you’ve done. You couldn’t blame alcohol for this. You had still never drank. You’re about to pull away when Steve brings his hands to your hips and pulls you onto his lap so you’re straddling him. “Where” kiss. “Do you” another peck “think” another “you’re going?” You giggle into his mouth and further the kiss. Your hips were rolling against his, which was out of your control, not that you or Steve minded. You were so lost in the moment that you didn’t taste the beer on his lips until he put his tongue in your mouth. You tried to ignore it, but after a few moments, that’s all-consuming your brain: the metallic taste of it. 

Steve could tell you wasn’t really into it anymore, so he pulled away. He started to feel insecure. He hadn’t kissed a girl since Nancy had. Had he already lost his touch? “are you okay? Didn’t you like-“ you shake your head animatedly. The action makes your whole body shake against him, making him moan. God, he was super embarrassed now. He moved you off him before anything got more awkward, especially if you were to feel the semi he was sporting. Jesus, why were you so in your head about everything you had a way to forget, and you ruined it? “I really liked it” he refused to look at you, too self-conscious about the situation. He kept his eyes on the ceiling fan above him. “It’s fine, y/n”- you feel awkward, too, so you keep your eyes on the door in front of you. “I just get so in my head sometimes, and I don’t drink, so I tasted alcohol and- I don’t know” You got frustrated at yourself not being able to find words. You sounded like a complete idiot. No wonder Eddie didn’t want you. 

Steve looked at you and started laughing, even though he thought you were stupid. “Wait, so the Alcohol is cock blocking me?” He wasn’t laughing at you. You felt a relief wash over you. He was laughing at the situation. His laugh was so contagious and charming you don’t think you’ve ever heard it. Before you know it, you can’t help but laugh too. “What did you think you were a bad kisser or something?”. He hit your shoulder playfully. “Of course not” He joked. 

There were suddenly loud moans from the room next door. You both look in that direction and laugh again. You do a silly impression of the moan. Steve stops laughing and stares at you, surprised at how good you are at making that sound. She must have had a lot of practice faking it to be that good, he thought. The moaning next door suddenly got louder. You raised your eyebrow at him “wanna play a game?”. You don't know what had come over you, but something about him relaxed you. You didn't feel the anxiety you would feel around your friends, making sure they were safe. You just wanted to have fun. You hadn’t been like that in so long.

Free to just be yourself. He raised his eyebrows back. “I'm listening”. You moan again, louder this time. He didn't expect that. He wanted to laugh because it came from nowhere, but it turned him on. “Come on then”. (totally inspired by Easy A here) You whisper. He got the hint and moaned, too, not as loudly, though. You kept doing this back and forth, both getting more exaggerated and louder. It was hard not to laugh at how ridiculous you sounded. Next door suddenly got very quiet. “I think we won”, he nudged your arm. You burst out laughing. He had never noticed you before, but he was glad he had you tonight. He needed a laugh. He doesn't remember the last time he had actually had fun with worrying about the consequences.

There was a bang on the door. “Are you in there, y/n!?” you suddenly stop laughing and roll your eyes upon hearing your best friend’s voice. “Looks like your boyfriend’s jealous again”, Steve joked without thinking. But he then started to panic that maybe you weren’t friends yet. Was it his place to jok- you smack his arm. “Shut it, bullshit boy” you tease back. He would have hated hearing that from anyone else. But from you, he didn't mind. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it's because there was no malice in your voice. Perhaps it's because you had made his awful night better. His week is better. There is another bang on the door “y/n!” you glare at the door. Of course, he had to ruin your fun.

Wasn't it bad enough that he was breaking your heart? “I should go before he bursts a vein or something”. You get up to leave despite the voice in your head telling you to stay.  “Thank you for tonight. I really need it”. You kiss his cheek. He smiles, feeling his cheek getting warmer and his heart beating faster. No, he wasn’t ready; he couldn't let this happen like this. “ I'm trying to be better, so I don’t want to lead you on. I don’t want a girlfriend”. You shake your head, going to leave the room, and scoff, “In your dreams, bullshit boy”. He shouts after you, hoping you can hear, “I'm not sure about this new nickname”. 

Outside the door, Eddie has his hands on his hips like a parent. “Were you just in there with Harrington?” he says the name like it’s venom. “Yeah, so” just because he was your best friend, he had no right to tell you who to hang out with. You used to think his protective side was endearing, but now it was annoying. You couldn’t say anything about who he hung out with, so he can’t say anything about who you choose to spend time with. Well, that’s what you thought, but Eddie had other ideas, “are you trying to kill me?” He asks like it’s a serious thing that could happen. “Oh yeah, top of my to-do list” There you were, the person Eddie loved, the one with a comeback for everything, but now wasn’t the time for him to bask in your teasing contest that he lived for. No, when there was only a door between you and Harrington, that was too close for comfort for Eddie. He wasn't sure what the new relationship between you and the ‘king’ was, but he didn't like it one bit. 

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[not-a-space-alien]

Desperate Daybreak Chapter 11

In this chapter: Valen and Tessie lay the groundwork for an impossible task. Also, vampire civics.

MMSS masterpost

DD masterpost

On AO3

***

“All right.” Tessie tapped on the diagram she'd drawn.  “To get a law passed, it has to go through four stages. The sponsor stage shouldn't be too hard. We just need to get one other member of the house of nobles on board.”

With a jolt at the phrase other member, Valen realized that yes, he would be considered a member of the house of nobles. It was much rarer for women to be members of parliament, but it was standard practice for situations where a widow was left to lead the family in the absence of an appropriate patriarchal figure.  Did he have duties for that he'd been neglecting? “Will we be able to do that?”

“I have a few candidates in mind for that. We'll discuss, but it should be doable. The next hurdle is going to be the house of commons. I think with the right arguments, we can get it to pass. There's a surprising amount of pro-human sentiment among the lower class. We just need to put the right spin on it.”

Valen had grown up among working class vampires. He knew Tessie was right. They would have to be very, very careful with the wording, but they could get it through. But then the next step would be…

“The house of nobles,” Tessie said mournfully. She collapsed the pointer and put it under her chin. “I'll admit, I have no clue how we could get it to pass the house of nobles. They'll never agree to give humans legal protections, not when they all have thralls and it's embedded in their way of life.”

“Maybe we can think of something,” Lex offered. “Maybe in the fight in the lower house, something will come to use.”

Tessie sighed, chewing on her nail. “Yes. Maybe. We're going to encounter the Landon family there, too. They're definitely going to have some things to say about it. And even if we can manage to get it passed, we still have to go through the Supreme.”

The head honcho of the entire country was the Vampire Supreme, a title currently held by a man named Petrichor Zephyr Obsidian Villarooke.  He was ancient and reclusive, even by vampire standards. He rarely made public appearances and seemed to care about very little at all. It was hard to even find records of how he'd voted in the past, or what his positions on the issues were. One thing was for certain, though: he was well over a thousand years old and certainly accustomed to a certain lifestyle and set of values, and Valen couldn't begin to imagine how he could convince someone like that of anything.  “We have to try, though. Right?”

“I don't see what else we can do.” Tessie sat down heavily between Valen and Lex. She was silent for a moment before admitting, “I'm scared.”

Valen put his hand on her arm.

“I've never done anything this public-facing before. I'm not even out. To anyone. We're going to be torn to shreds. My family is going to see it.”

Valen thought back to his attempts to get pregnant, his willingness to destroy himself if it meant saving everyone. “It's going to be hard.  I don't know what's going to happen to us.” He squeezed her hand. “But I'm glad we can do it together.”

“Yes.”  Tessie leaned her head onto Valen’s shoulder.  “I’m… glad we’re allies.”  Allies, is that what they were to each other?  “I thought I’d be harboring this tumultuous storm inside me till the day I died.”

“Hey.”  Ari got up and walked over, standing in front of them.  “I don't know anything about all this shit. But I've got your back. I'll be here to pick up the pieces. If anyone can do it, it's us.”

Valen leaned into her, inadvertently taking Tessie with him.  Ari petted his hair.  “And Tessie, I know we haven’t known each other that long, but we’re going to do our damnedest for you too.”

“Thank you,” Tessie said.  “That means more to me than you could ever know.”

Ari scowled.  “I feel so goddamn useless.”

“No,” Valen said.  “No, no, no.  Ari, I couldn’t do this without you.  Believe me, I couldn’t.”  He flushed red and averted his eyes.  Was there any way to truly make them understand the effect they had on him?  He would have crumbled into dust under all this pressure ages ago if not for them.  He couldn’t imagine what he’d do without them here.

Ari and Lex were thinking the same thing, but none of them verbalized it.  They just held each other, pulling Tessie into the group hug.  The burden of what they were about to attempt simply weighed on them in oppressive silence. 

***

The first step to codifying a new law passed was to introduce a bill sponsored by three members of the house of nobles. Tessie and Valen, despite their complete lack of inclination to use the privilege for much of anything, counted as members of the house of nobles and therefore eligible to sponsor, draft, and vote on legislation.  They would be the two authors of the bill, which would then require a third member to sponsor it–traditionally, this was a member of nobility higher up in the hierarchy than you, to show you were able to convince your betters of the merits of your ideas.

There were a few promising candidates for a noble who might be convinced to sponsor a bill. A man who claimed to be a pacifist and who said he wouldn't replace his thrall when they died.  A young man whose family has been embroiled in a scandal when he claimed he'd fallen in love with one of his family’s thralls.  A woman who'd recently lost her husband and two sons in sequence, and who'd started vocally opposing hunting on the human side of the border ever since. 

But the most promising one, and the one they decided to pursue first, was Davorian Trowlaine, a universally recognized stalwart conservative, family man, and bastion of traditional values who'd recently been spotted buying bulk quantities of ethical blood from the import shops, and who'd suddenly started refusing public appearances, citing family matters. Rumors had it he'd suddenly up and released the whole family's thralls and there was not a human on the premises of their cozy ancestral estate.  The Trowlaine family had always been mid-level nobles, fairly influential but having no interest in much beyond establishing a good quality of life for themselves and, to a lesser extent, the lower classes. They promoted abundance earned through hard work and were one of the more popular noble families among the common folks.

It was almost easy to forget that under the wholesome, folksy exterior, they'd been drinking gallons of blood from human prisoners for decades until now.

The Kithrara family was high enough on the social ladder that it would have been difficult to find someone above it to sponsor the bill, except that Davorian would be considered Valen’s social better in a lot of ways.

The Trowlaine estate was smaller than the Kithrara estate, a single mansion rather than a monstrosity of manicured lawns with far too many houses on it.  It had a nice yard with flowers and a quaint little wrought iron fence which was currently causing them a lot of trouble.

“Hello?”  Valen pressed the button on the intercom yet again.  “We’re here to see Mr. Trowlaine.  We spoke on the phone?”

No answer.

“We were scheduled to come down?”

No answer.

“Just jump over,” Ari said gruffly.

“Not a good way to make a first impression,” Tessie said.

“It was already impossible to get ahold of anyone to make an appointment,” Ari grumbled.  

Tessie paced around the perimeter of the property, arriving back at the front gate with a forlorn expression on her face.  “I don’t know what else to do.”

“Just jump over the gate.”

Valen hesitantly looked through the bars.

“If there’s no one around to answer the door, there’s no one around to see you do it.”

Before Valen could dally any further and question himself, he leapt over the gate, feeling very naughty.  He buzzed the button to open the gate to let Ari, Lex, and Tessie in.  They followed him as he scuttled up to the main entrance, trying to pretend like he hadn't just broken a major formality.

He knocked on the door.  It cracked open, and a single red eye peered out.

“Ah, hello!” Valen said with a polite wave. “We're here to see Mr. Trowlaine?”

The eye blinked. “The honorable Master Trowlaine is not taking visitors at this time.”

“Oh. But we spoke with him on the phone? He said to come over?”

The eye blinked. “He did?”

“Yes. Valen Kithrara?”

The door opened further, revealing a vampire in a servant's uniform. “Come sit in the parlor, then.” She beckoned them to follow. “I'll go see if he's available to meet you.”

She led them further in, to a small room with several high-backed chairs and loveseats. “Would you care for some refreshments while you wait?”

“No thank you,” Valen said, while Tessie said, “Nothing for me, thank you.”

“What about your thralls–I mean, your human guests, I mean–” She turned to Lex and Ari. “Would either of you care for some refreshments?”

Ari made a face. “... You know what, I am kind of hungry. Why not?”

“Sure!” Lex agreed.

The servant bowed and excused herself.

Valen watched her go. “Odd behavior. I never interacted much with the Trowlaines before this. I assume this is new?”

“Yes,” Tessie confirmed. “From what I know of them myself.”  She sat and leaned her head on her hand. “I suppose it should have been obvious from the conversation that Davorian was just trying to get us off the phone.  Either that or he's just so scatterbrained he forgot.”

“Or the household is in such disarray he has nobody to help with scheduling.” Valen slumped in his seat. “Something has definitely happened here. We-”

He stopped as the servant came back in with a tray, upon which was sitting a brown brick.

“Here you are,” she said, setting it on the end table next to Lex and Ari.

The two humans stared at it as the servant left again.  Ari reached out a hand with horrified fascination and touched it, discovering that it crumbled under her fingers.

“What…what on earth is this?” Lex said.

Valen shielded his face in embarrassment. “It's a nutrient pack. It's supposed to be a nutritionally complete diet staple for humans. More cost-effective than getting perishables and allowing the humans to prepare their own meals.”

“If there's no humans on the premises then it makes sense this is all they'd have left,” Tessie said. “Since their, uh, shelf life is longer.” It was a polite way of saying you could build a house out of the nutrient bricks and then start nibbling the walls when you got peckish.

“Well… I can’t imagine it’s the height of cuisine, but you’re welcome to-”  Valen's ears twitched at the sound of a faint whimper.  “Wait a minute.” He stood and leaned towards the edge of the room the sound was coming from, then caught the distinct smell of an unfamiliar human. “Hold on, I thought there were no humans here?”

Another sound came, a moan. Lex and Ari jumped up, hands on their weapons.

“It's coming from over here,” Tessie said, pointing to the next room.

Valen approached a door, hearing the sounds intensify. “Quiet,” said a voice, followed by another pitiful sound.

Lex and Ari instinctually took up position on either side of the door and then ripped it open.

It turned out to be a coat closet.  Under the row of jackets were a man and a woman–specifically, a human and a vampire.

Ari leapt forward and pulled the human man out of the closet, tossing him to safety before brandishing her weapon at the vampire.

“Wait!” the vampire shrieked, at the same time the human shouted, “No, no, no, stop!”

He scrambled to his feet, heroically and fruitlessly latching onto Ari in an attempt to block her weapon. Ari just stood there. “What's going on here?”

“You were-” Valen noticed the vampire’s smeared lipstick, which matched the kiss marks–not bite marks–all over the man's face and neck. Valen flushed deep red. “Oh. Oh my.”

“I'm not supposed to let guests see me,” said the human man. “I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Don't get Julia in trouble for it. She pulled me into the closet when she heard you coming.”

“Julia!” barked a voice, and a man came power-walking around the corner. Master Trowlaine himself, judging by the noble garb, self important stride, and the way the servants flocked behind him.  “Julia, I told you to be available to answer the door!”

Julia clasped her hands in front of her and looked at her feet.  “I’m sorry, Father.”

“You let guests just wander freely in the house.”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

Davorian sighed, then kissed her on top of the head.  “It’s all right.”  He turned to Valen and Tessie.  “Forgive me for the state of disarray of my household.  You have caught us at a most irregular time.  I mean.”  He turned so that he was also addressing Lex and Ari.  “Forgive me.  We had a… household-wide discussion recently about addressing humans directly rather than the nearest vampire.  This is still new to me.”

Valen’s heart soared.  Something had happened here, and it had radically overhauled this nobleman’s view on humans.  Judging by the fact that they’d caught his daughter making out with a human, Valen could guess.  “Of course,” he said graciously.  “Shall we make introductions?”

“Of course.”  Davorian shook Valen’s hand.  Too firmly, Valen noted.  “I am Davorian Xylathan Trowlaine.  This is my daughter Julia Lisanne Elyzabeth Trowlaine.”

Why did the nobility insist on having so many names?  “Charmed.”

“And-” Davorian rushed to add, as though scared he’d forget.  “This is Silas, my daughter’s… associate.”

The human man waved sheepishly.  “Hi.”

“It’s good to meet you, Silas.  I am Valen Octavia Kithrara-”  Best to be formal, as much as he loathed it- “Recent widow–spouse of the recently deceased Priscus Kithrara, son of the illustrious Xavier Bloodwood Kithrara, patriarch of the prestigious Kithrara line.”

“Cool.”  Silas clearly had no idea of the significance of any of that.  It seemed to satisfy Davorian, though.  Julia just looked a little embarrassed. 

“This is my associate-” he glanced at Tessie, unsure of how to best introduce her.

“Herod Marcus Joseph Tessandrax,” Tessie said.  With obvious distaste she was trying to mask.  At least Valen had the luck of a mostly gender-neutral name.  Tessie’s name sort of sounded like Mr. Masculine Man of Manhood.  “You can call me Tessie, though.”

“And these are my… associates,” Valen said, with a careful glance at Silas.

“Alexis Maryanne Lynn,” Lex said, with an exaggerated curtsy.  Valen had to stop himself from  mentally correcting her improper form.  “Of the, uh, Lynn family.”

“Ari,” Ari said.

“It’s wonderful to meet you all,” Julia said brightly.  

“Yes,” Davorian echoed.  “Well.  Shall we get down to business?”

He shooed Julia and Silas away, then led Valen, Tessie, Lex and Ari to an office.  He eyed the two humans like he was about to ask Valen to have them step out of the room, before he seemingly thought better of it.  Instead, he took a seat at the solid wooden conference table in the room.  “You have legislation you’re interested in having me sponsor, is that right?”

“Yes.”  Tessie took out a book of papers she’d produced on a typewriter and handbound and–holy shit, that must be hundreds of pages long, when had she written all that?  “This is the first draft of a document called the Human Welfare and Dignity Act.  Put plainly, the goal is to codify humans’ special legal status and grant them protections under enclave law.  It would make kidnapping them and holding them against their will illegal.”  She fanned the papers out and started flipping through them.  “The original version I wrote imposed a legal penalty on the same level as kidnapping and trapping a fellow vampire, but I thought that might be too radical of an overhaul to pass any lawmaking body.”

“Yes,” Davorian agreed instantly.  “Yes, it would be.”

“So the proposal is jail time and stripping of the right to cross the border.  It also legally designates the coordinates of the border of human territory and imposes the consequences assigned to poaching on anyone who goes there with the intent to capture a thrall.”

Davorian thought for a very, very long time.  His eyes went up to Tessie’s face.  “There’s no way this is going to pass.”

“We have to try,” Valen said.  “While we can.  We’re the only ones in a position to do it.”

“It may pass the house of commons, but the entire house of nobles all already have thralls. Are you proposing to make it illegal to keep the ones they already have?”

Tessie grimaced. “Well…. I expect we will have to make some edits to the bill as we go along. I've started out with strong language, so that by the time everyone picks away at it to strip the parts they dislike the most, we will still have something solid left.”

Davorian leaned back in his chair.  “So.  Let me tell you what happened to me. I'm sure you're all wondering.”

They all sat up straighter.

“A few months ago, my darling daughter Julia had her 18th birthday and went out to hunt for her first thrall.  She came back empty-handed. I was disappointed, of course, but I'm not one of those parents who forces their child to go back out right away. So I encouraged her to try again. And she did. And she came back empty-handed again. And again. And this started happening more and more, and eventually she started disappearing overday. Sneaking out, not telling me where she is, being evasive. Naturally my suspicions are raised.

“So I followed her one night. And what did I find?  That this whole time, my daughter has been sneaking out to fraternize with a human. Of course I was appropriately scandalized and set on killing this human, or bringing him back to finally be a proper thrall.  But when I went to do so, suddenly a group of humans came at me with silver knives and bullets, incapacitating me. Me! I'd thought myself invincible. And in that moment, I saw the futility of it all.

“My wife was killed over there many years ago, leaving me to raise my beautiful daughter alone, and I was going to meet the same fate. My daughter would be orphaned, and I would never get to see her blossom into a woman, just as her mother hadn't been able to. And for what? What was I giving up my life for? Nothing actually that important, I realized. It was foolishness. An elaborate show for nothing. It was a fatal error….Or would have been, had something remarkable not happened next. The young man I'd been about to condemn stepped in and convinced them to let me go.  Well, I pride myself on not being a hypocrite. And if one human can earn my respect, then by extension any human could theoretically be able to.  Which naturally led to some realizations on my part. And so the young man ends up in our home as an honored guest who has my daughter's heart, and whom I'm still trying to avoid anyone seeing as I figure out how to navigate this difficult social landscape.”

Julia had slowly crept into the room, silently poking her head around to eavesdrop.

“That’s quite a story, Mr. Trowlaine, sir,” Valen said.

Davorian tapped his fingers.  “The point I'm trying to make is this: That is what it took for me to change my mind.  I would have never considered it until my life was flashing before my eyes.  Nobody is going to care until it affects them. Nobody is going to have the same change of heart until they stare death in the face like I did, until they're forced to confront the reality, until they're forced to change their perspective. To experience it. You can't win this with well reasoned arguments. It goes deeper than that. It's in our very bones until we die.”

So are you saying you won’t sponsor the bill?  Valen had to bite back from saying it bluntly.

“Father.” Julia padded into the room, bowing politely.  “May I speak?”

Davorian groaned and slid down in his chair.  “Yes, Julia.  Go ahead and speak.”

“Change of heart isn’t easy, but it is possible.  I kept my affairs secret from you because you are the most stubborn man I know, and I knew you wouldn’t approve. I’d thought it was impossible, but you did change your mind.”

Davorian tried not to look embarrassed and leaned behind his hand to shield his eyes.

“And change need not come from fear alone.  When I changed my mind, all it took, was…” She blushed softly, glowing with happiness. “He didn't realize I was a vampire because he was too shy to look me in the eye. He offered to walk me home, saying it was dangerous to be outside at night.”

Lex put her hand on her mouth.  Valen could hear Silas choke back an embarrassed noise in the next room.

“My point is, change can come from love and wonder too.  And though we may encounter more people like you than like me… Isn’t it worth giving everyone the chance?  Isn’t it worth trying?”

Ari pointed to Julia, as though to say What she said.

Davorian took Julia's hand and kissed her on top of the head.  “You are going to be the death of me.”  He sighed once again, as though letting go of a heavy burden.  “Fine.  If I’m to listen to my conscience and maintain my pride, I suppose I’m obligated to throw myself behind this lunacy.  I look forward to partnering with you.”

***

Taglist

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@melodicnommer @thecyrulik @snake462 @gt-daboss @appelsiinilight

@star-rott @mottinthemainpot @corvidat @melancholy-in-the-morning @whumplr-reader

@honeycollectswhump @dragonqueenslayer6 @whumpycries @starfields08000 @scumashling

@demetercabingreen-thumb @bacillusinfection @currentlyinthesprial

[lovebeatriceplz]

✧ Late night conversations ✧

Finnick x Fem!reader

You twist and then turn, squeezing your eyes tighter. Maybe if you could fake it you'd eventually fall asleep. After adjusting your hard pillow again, and a few more twist and turns you jump out of the bed in frustration.

The quarter quell and the rebellion has been a big adjustment to you. District 13 being an even bigger one. Of course no one knew that. You had a reputation, always staying strong for everyone else, always quick thinking and on your feet, always solving problems... that's what people knew you as. There is always one person, just one person who can't seem to mind their own business, who always seems to know what's really going. And to be honest, you needed that right now. Someone who would allow you to rest for a moment and be vulnerable, someone like Finnick.

Finnick! Before your mind processes anything your feet are moving, walking with uncertainty at first, then a light jog, then your zipping through the doors, hallway to hallway. Where the hell is he? When you actually need him you can't find him. You stop running and you walk around aimlessly, restless. You come across a room that you don't remember seeing. You slowly peek your head through and a light chuckle catches your attention. "Don't princesses need their beauty sleep" Finnick says playfully, his voice filling up the empty room.

Your eyes dart across the room, it looks really old, but very spacious, like it used to have different levels. Finnicks eyes follow yours "it used to be a library". "A library?" You say as you sub - consciously walk towards him. "Yup" he replies, scooting over, giving you space to sit beside him. "So....what exactly are you doing here, so late" you ask him. "I could ask you the same thing" he says with a chuckle, though it lacked his usual humourous charm, he looks tired. You don't respond, you look anywhere but at him, scared that he might be able to tell what's going on in your head. "Look at me" the sudden urgency in his tone startles you and you refuse to comply. "I know why your here, can't sleep? Needed someone to talk to?" His speech goes back to the soft tone your used to. "Yeah.." you muster out. He shifts closer to you until he's satisfied with your proximity, your knees touching, directly infront of each other. "Me too" he says quietly. You're not surprised "nightmares?" Hoping that you weren't crossing any boundaries by asking. "No actually" he replies "just too much things to think about, my mind can't rest, so neither can i" he responds with a sigh. "I'm guessing that's happening to you too?" He says it like a statement and not a question which makes you feel the need to be guarded. "Um no...no no that's not why...not why I'm here i was just checking up on everyone" you reply, avoiding his gaze. What the hell were you doing? Didn't you want to be vulnerable? Isn't this why you came looking for him in the first place?.

The look that he gives you makes your heart skip a beat. "Don't you get tired of it" he says with unwavering eyes. You know you shouldn't answer, you know that once you acknowledge it there's no going back. "Tired of what?" You respond, trying to be as nonchalant as possible. His hand reaches out, fingers curling behind your ear and it sends shudder through your body. " Don't do that" your voice no more than a whisper, "don't you get tired of taking care of everyone" his fingers moves along you face, your eyes flutter close. "aren't you tired of pretending everything is fine when it's not?" His fingers now under your chin, your eyes aren't open but you can feel him moving closer. "Who are you hiding from?" A finger grazes over your lips which causes your heart to pound in your ears. You can't see but he's close, you can feel his breath and you almost believe that he's going to kiss you. "Look at me" his tone is laced with a hint of desperateness, but still, you just can't seem to do it, or face him. The warmth leaves your face as he pulls back with a sigh. You slowly open your eyes, looking over to the side. He's silent for a long time and you can't help but feel a bit guilty, wondering if you hurt his feelings. You feel his warm hand slip under yours and you look up. He's not looking at you but his fingers slowly interlock with yours and it makes you feel better.

You break the silence "do you think we'll get him back?" There it is, you're cracking, saying things you wouldn't dare allow to escape your mouth. He looks over to you. "Who?" He answers the question before you can respond "peeta?". You nod. His thumb runs over you knuckles in a comforting manner. "I mean- i hope we do" he pauses and looks at you with a slightly worried look "have you been thinking about it?" He asks. His eyes lock onto yours and you feel the walls cracking. How could you lie to this pretty face, if you weren't careful he would have you wrapped around his finger, spilling all of your little secrets to this man. "I've been thinking about everything Finnick" you admit "I'm fine though". That last part doesn't seem to reach him "thinking about everything yeah?" His gaze flickers back to your hands in his "what about me?" . You could have sworn that there was a slight waver to his voice, why was he looking down again?. A smile tugs at your lips "what? What about you?". He almost looked... offended?. "W-what about me? C'mon you know what I'm asking you, don't play dumb" his eyebrows furrowed and the frown playing on his face makes the situation funny. You shrug "i don't follow, i thought we were talking about peeta-"

He grabs you by your arms, causing a jolt of electricity to course through you. His lips are basically touching your ear and you can feel the warmth radiating off him. "You know what I'm talking about princess" his voice dropping to a low, husky sound "I'm talking about me, you said you've been thinking about everything....what about me?" His grip loosens and he pulls back to see you face. "Well have you?" This was so odd, he almost sounded like he was begging for your attention. You let out a shaky exhale "all the time" his lips curl up in smile but he quickly suppresses it. For the first time in a long time you felt open and vulnerable, but it didn't make scared. He felt it too, you could see, you could feel it. He reaches out a begins to caress your face again. He moves closer and closer, and closer. "Would you think I'm crazy...if i said i felt something for you". His voice is so raw with emotion, so unlike his cocky, teasing routine. You can't help but laugh and you bring your hands to your forehead "yes, I'd say your completely mad" leaning into his warmth until your noses are touching. He chuckles, hands sneaking around your waist "well...would you still think about me anyways?" His voice drops to a whisper. "Everyday" . His lips barely brush against yours, but none of you do anything. The tension in the room was so thick, what was he waiting for?. That's when you remember how vulnerable he's been, you can't help but feel that this finnick is the real Finnick, you can't help but wonder if he's scared. So you reassure him, moving an inch closer, and with that closing the small gap. His lips lock with yours. You feel your heart racing and blood running through your body but it felt good.He pulls you closer, until your bodies as pressed against each other. His hands interlock with you hair and your fingers curl against his chest. His lips and demeanor were gentle and slow , but the longing was there. It's crazy how this decides to happen when the world is literally at war. He breaks the kiss to catch his breath. His face flushed, and exact replica of your state.

"W-" you're cut off by him kissing you again, taking control this time. The kiss has more energy and he deepens it. You grip on to his shirt, wanting him closer. He starts to toy with the hem of your shirt as your lips move in unison. Cold fingertips slip under your shirt, tracing the skin of your bare back and giving you goosebumps all over. His tongue darts out, begging to get just a taste. And how could you refuse this Greek god of a man hm?. The kiss intensifies and you begin to feel lost in the feeling of his touch. You're the one that has to pull away this time. "What were you saying?" His breathing was heavy. "Don't leave" the only thing on your mind was him, and his lips. He smiles and pulls you into him to place a kiss on your nose. "You said you couldn't sleep right?" He says as he begins to stand up, taking you with him in the process. You nod "not a wink"

"Let's fix that"

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Give it to Me

Summary: In which Jonathan doesn't feel right taking the camera. Giving it back stirs something in Jonathan.

A/N: It could be a a one shot but if you guys wanted to leapfrog what you might think happens next in the reblogs, I wouldn't mind. Leapfrog: in which a person writes a little something off someone's story in a reblog for someone else to write a little something. I don't know if leapfrogging is a thing, but I would love it if it was. Would it be leapfrogging or leapreblogging?

Jonathan stared at the camera in Will's hand. He should feel happy that he was given a new one after Steve broke his other one. Steve had gone too far, hadn't he? He hadn't actually cared about Nancy or how she felt. All he wanted to do was to make Jonathan look and feel bad. He wanted to show everyone who was in charge. Jonathan shook his head. Maybe that's what he wanted to tell himself to make him feel better about what he did. It had been clear as day that Steve had been concerned about how Nancy would react, and he had gotten angry for her because she had been in shock. . .too stunned for words. It should have been Nancy to break his camera, and Nancy should have slapped him. No, Jonathan didn't deserve this camera. Not only did he betray Nancy in such an utterly fowl way, but he also betrayed his skills as a photographer.

"Jonathan?" Will asked.

"I need to go back in," Jonathan said and took the camera from Will. "Take this back. Come on."

"I can stay in the car for a few minutes, Jonathan," Will sighed.

"Will, please," Jonathan said softly.

"Fine," Will rolled his eyes.

He got out of the car with Jonathan and followed him back into the house. Jonathan could see Ted and Karen in the kitchen with Holly. Ted was holding her, and Karen was trying to get something out of her mouth. Holly was cackling. Apparently, she had eaten something she wasn't supposed to again. Will watched from the hallway, amused by the scene. While his brother was distracted, Jonathan slipped into the living room. Nancy was cuddled up next to Steve. Jonathan pushed away the jealous pang in his chest and stood in front of them.

"Oh, hey, Jonathan, did you forget something?" Nancy asked.

"Here," Jonathan said and handed her the camera.

"That's a gift," Nancy said in surprise.

"It's something I don't deserve," Jonathan said. "What I did. . .it was messed up, and I crossed a huge line. What's even worse is that I made up so many excuses and placed the blame on other people. . .but the truth is that I had plenty of time to stop and not do what I did. All I could see was you guys having fun when my brother was lost. . .It made me a little angry at first. . .then I realized that I was just jealous. . . I never had any friends or did anything like that. I suppose it was my fault because I pushed people away, and I used my camera to do it. I shouldn't have done it, and I want to earn it back. All of it," Jonathan said. "I'm apologizing to both of you, because you both deserve it."

Jonathan caught their eyes. Both of their looked at him softly and full of meaning. Nancy's eyes were a wide, beautiful blue that threw him off so much sometimes that he had to look anywhere else. He never noticed how beautiful Steve’s were until now. He always assumed that they were just brown but no. . .they were actually mostly a dark forest green with brown surrounding the iris. It reminded Jonathan strongly of the woods. Steve was looking at a curious realization as if he had just had a thought, and he wasn't sure why he did. Jonathan realized then that he wasn't that much different than Steve, and he wondered if Steve was thinking the same thing he was.

They both had fucked up. Steve, with his actions, or lack thereof, and words at the Hawk. He knew then why Steve had said those things. He had acted out of jealousy, out of hurt. . . Much like Jonathan did in the woods with Nancy. . . Jonathan had fucked up by taking those pictures, and he waited outside of Steve’s house for Nancy to come to her senses but there had been a part of him that wanted to follow her up the stairs. . . To watch or maybe, they'd let him be a part of whatever it was they were doing. When Nancy had told him that it wasn't okay what he had done, he wanted to continue to not take accountability for the photos because then it would mean something else. Instead, he yelled at Nancy and accused her of being like all the other girls Steve had dated. He had spent so long behind the camera that he had forgotten that people weren't just photographs. There's more to them than he had ever thought.

"I forgive you, Jonathan," Nancy said and pushed the camera back towards him. "You more than made up for it."

"I just - I haven't forgiven myself yet," Jonathan said and placed it on her lap.

Steve stood up, smiling at him. He held out his hand at Jonathan. He wanted to shake his hand. Jonathan stared at his hand longer than he should have. Steve cleared his throat, and Jonathan tentatively took his hand.

"Thank you, you saved my life. . .in more ways than one. I don't think I ever would have realized that there were more important things if it hadn't been for you and Nancy," Steve said. "And I forgive you, too."

"You give us too much credit," Jonathan blushed. "You made the choice to walk away from those assholes."

"It's not a big deal," Steve shrugged.

"Okay, now you're just fishing for a compliment," Jonathan said and Nancy laughed.

"Well," Steve said. "You know, you're welcome to hang out with us any time. . .could definitely use a friend like you."

Jonathan realized they were still shaking hands. . .well, they were holding hands. Steve had started rubbing circles into his skin with his thumb, and he made his eyes bigger, pleading with Jonathan.

"Why? So, I can sit around and watch you two makeout?" Jonathan asked.

"Well, if you're into that," Steve smirked. "You might want to ask Nancy if she'd be up for that."

"I am," Nancy smiled.

"Are you sure you don't want to take the camera?" Steve asked.

"Give it to me when I'm ready," Jonathan said.

"Give it to you when you're ready?" Steve asked, laughing.

"Yeah, what did I say that was so funny?" He asked as Nancy giggled. "Yes, give it to me when I'm ready."

"You're not hearing it, are you?" Steve laughed again.

"What's so funny about you giving it to me?" Jonathan asked.

Nancy bent over, laughing. Steve’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he gazed affectionately at him. He released Jonathan's hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek, much to Jonathan's surprise.

"Well, it looked fun when Nancy did it," Steve said. "And it was."

"I still don't get it," Jonathan muttered.

Suddenly, they heard a loud sound from the kitchen, Holly cackling, and Will bursting into laughter.

"HOLLY! THIS FIGURINE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU EAT!" Mike screamed. "DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO PAINT THIS?!"

"You should be more worried that your sister almost choked on it!" Ted yelled.

"Michael!" Karen scolded.

"If she wasn't so cute, I'd - !" Mike start to yell.

"Do nothing!" They heard Holly taunt.

"I think that's my que to leave," Jonathan said. "Will!"

Will came back into the living room, laughing.

"Mike had freaked out because he couldn't find his d&d figurine, and it turns out Holly was hiding it in her mouth," Will said.

"Wasn't gonna eat it, Mommy!" They heard Holly yell. "Just hide it!"

"Why?!" Mike asked.

"You are a meaniehead!" Holly said.

"Yeah, time to go," Jonathan said. "Good luck with that."

"Thanks," Nancy said laughing.

"Bye Steve, bye Nancy!" Will exclaimed.

Jonathan walked out of the living room towards the front door. Smiling, he could still feel Steve’s lips against his skin, as though it had left an imprint there. . .burning its way deep inside of him. He touched his cheek as though he was trying to touch Steve’s lips with his fingertips. Yeah, he and Steve weren't so different. They both strived to do better, not just for Nancy, but for each other as well. They both knew what it was like to be alone and to feel lonely all at the same time. In some ways, Steve kept people at arms length in the same way that Jonathan had done, except instead of a camera, it had been Tommy and Carol. Fuck. Goddamnit. Not only was he hopelessly in love with Nancy, but now it seemed like falling for Steve Harrington, too. Shit, maybe that had always been the case. . .maybe that's why he had been so deadset on admiting that Nancy actually wanted to sleep with Steve because he didn't want to be honest with himself about wanting to sleep with him too.

"Jonathan?" Will asked.

"Oh my god!" Jonathan exclaimed. "I just got it! Steve! Seriously?!"

He heard Steve and Nancy laughing loudly as he finally left the Wheelers. Assholes. He laughed all the way to his car.

[drama--universe]

Attack (Pt. 2)

Requested by anonymous: Greetings miss, I was the one who had requested for the story "Attack" and, it seriously was a nice one and I really am thankful for that tough, it had a cliffhanger so I wanted to ask that can you please make a part 2. Ignore it if it's not possible. Thank You.

Requested by anonymous: Hello, I actually read your recent work of Joon Woo Jang named Attack and, it really had a suspense kind of cliffhanger so, can you please do a part 2 of it??? I f no then it's completely fine.

Pairing: Jang Han-Seok/Jun-Woo x reader Word Count: 1.2k words Warnings: torture, description of mutilation, kidnapping, cursing, violence, none canon

Part 1

You couldn't believe what was happening at this point. One attack was enough, but another one only a week at the first was just annoying. You could only groan as you felt the rope digging into your skin as you tried to pull your hands out. The man around you didn't even pay attention to you or anything around them, something you could only roll your eyes at. If you kidnap someone, you could at least pay attention... Nonetheless, you were glad because it was the reason for you to be able to escape.

At least if you got the restraints off, that is...

"Those won't come off, I made sure." A voice pulled you from thoughts, looking up to see Myung-Hee before you with a smug look. She sat down opposite of you, leaning closer to you and never losing the smug look on her face. You glared at her before spitting at her, not caring how disgusting it was. You could only smirk when you saw it land on her face. She just wiped it off before raising her hand, letting it hit your face harshly and you almost fell down due to the force.

"Why are you doing this? Don't you work for Han-Seok?" You asked, spitting out the blood that formed in your mouth after that slap. The woman before you scoffed, getting up from her chair and moving closer to you. Then your hair was grabbed, your head pulled back harshly and making you gasp in pain. A sharp pain shot through your body, stemming from the new cut that formed on you neck and all too close to your main artery for your liking. Your hair was released, but you didn't get a chance to relax when a punch was thrown your way again. It hit you right in the face once more, you could practically feel the bruises forming on your face. Once again, you spat out the blood from your mouth and then you let out a groan. The pain wasn't that bad, you've had worse and the adrenaline in your veins kept the pain at bay.

"You shouldn't exist, you're just a bother to me and the chairman." She spoke and you laughed, not being able to hold in the chuckles as you realized what she said. Now, you knew well enough what Han-Seok did as a job as well as his plans for Babel and although you didn't agree with everything, you never stopped him. So why on earth would you be any bother to his plan?

"You're stupid to actually believe that. You just don't like me near him. Let me guess, you think he's too soft around me?" You asked, surprised at how hoarse your voice sounded, and Myung-Hee chuckled herself before motioning to one of the guards. She whispered something to him before giving you a smile, one that send shivers up your spine.

"Have fun." And with that she sauntered off and out of the warehouse, leaving you alone with the man that you believed to be your new torturer.

"Where is she?!" Han-Seok screamed at no one in particular, but still everyone tried to avoid being hit by the flying objects. The man had been yelling, cursing and throwing things for at least half an hour now and there was no one that could stop him from doing so. The only one who could, was kidnapped and thus not here.

"Maybe she left." Myung-Hee spoke and she visibly flinched when her eyes connected to his, the glare was obvious to say that she should shut up. She continued to hold her head up high, pretending like she wasn't almost shaking in her boots. The room became quiet as Han-Seok stepped closer to Myung-Hee, he didn't say a word until he stood right in front of her.

"Where is she?" He asked, trying to not stab the woman before him as he waited for an answer. Myung-Hee wanted to lie, but didn't and instead chose to answer him with the truth.

"I suppose she's in the sea already. At least a part of her should be." She answered and it then that Han-Seok sees red, grabbing the woman by her collar and lifting her up from the ground. He was red off rage, but decided to drop Myung-Hee for now. First he needed to know if you lived, then he'd decide her fate.

Right now, he had to find you.

"Don't you fu-" You stopped yourself with a loud scream as a knife was dug into your skin, both muscle and skin were torn as the torturer got ready to cut your arm off. At least that's what you believed what he was trying to do. Nonetheless, your screams didn't subside even when he pulled out the dagger. You hope, no wished, that someone would hear you.

"Shut up, you wench!" Another guard yelled out, making you only scream louder as a response. The guard beside you pulled back on your hair and held up a knife to your face.

"Maybe we should take her tongue." He spoke and you glared at him intensely before spitting again, a bit disappointed when it didn't reach him. Just when he was about to strike you again, the doors slamming open and a figure stood there.

"Get your hands off of my wife." Han-Seok's voice felt like music to your ears. The man besides you scoffed, thinking that it was not a serious treath. He'd soon find out that it wasn't a threat and rather a warning.

"Now!" He yelled again and two guards walked out to fight him, but they were dead only seconds later. If Han-Seok wasn't your husband, you would be terrified to see him getting closer. Luckily, you knew he wouldn't touch you right now. Not with the man besides you, who was still holding the dagger against your cheek.

"You might want to listen to him." You spoke, only to have the dagger being pushed into your skin and creating a soft blood flow. And that was the final straw for Han-Seok to remain civil, or at least what he believed to be civil. He lunged forward, stabbing the guard before beating his head down in the cement. You didn't watch to see what was happening, you already knew enough.

It was only when the sounds stopped that you dared to open your eyes, quickly being greeted by Han-Seok's eyes. Some concern and worry were visible in his eyes as was anger. Maybe at you for being captured or maybe still at the people that had kidnapped you. You didn't know, but you were just glad that your arms were finally out of the ropes. It was only when you hugged him that he relaxed, once again melting in your arms with a content sigh.

"Let's get you home." He picked you up and walked out, his gaze lingering on the river beside him. Most importantly, the spot where Myung-Hee's body sunk down into the river. No one was allowed to touch what was his.

No one.

[hcneygemini]

sentence starters from my wip fics, pt. II

please do not add to this list nor repost the list as your own. tw: mentions of murder, violence, manipulation

What do you even want with [ name ]?

It's been a year.

I'm afraid I couldn't tell you.

Don't take anything anyone asks you to do at face value.

You need to be careful, [ name ].

This is strictly professional.

I was told I would have a visitor today.

May I see your credentials?

But you're not here to discuss times long past, are you?

Memory is all I have.

Is this about the recent string of serial killings?

I was sent to learn from you.

We both have plenty of time.

To receive, you must also give.

I'll tell you about me, if you'll tell me about you.

Do you believe in fate?

You have a brilliant mind.

I studied psychology extensively.

Do you enjoy tormenting people?

I would not torment you.

Whoa, you sound stressed.

You know working into the night won't do you any good.

Shouldn't you be focused on your classes?

You'll be graduating soon.

[ They're / she's / he's ] a master manipulator.

You're realizing something, aren't you?

Multiple people are going missing.

So, [ she's / he's / they're ] escalating. Why?

I don't decide who lives or dies.

I'm not taking interviews.

Maybe we shouldn't talk about this right now.

You're staring.

I needed to stock up while I stay nearby for a few days.

Do you have dogs?

I can't help if I don't have the full picture.

I could give you the recipe for the sauce for the ribs. It really boosts the flavor.

Can't this wait until after dinner?

What's so funny?

I'm not here to discuss my mental state.

I'm afraid I've been too busy to catch up on news.

You're not what I expected.

Did you call only to accuse me of being manipulative?

You think I'm being paranoid.

It was a calculated risk, believe me.

I'm surprised you read the tabloids.

Being kind isn't always manipulation.

You're looking kinda queasy.

You didn't do anything wrong.

We both could be in danger.

Do you fear death?

That's what you want, isn't it? To be in control?

What do you gain by being here?

[ He's / they're / she's ] toying with you.

You're quite feisty.

Was it difficult to slip back into a fantasy? To return to playing a part?

To you, everyone is either a lamb doomed for slaughter or a play thing.

I'm going to get you out of here, okay?

You're tough as nails. You're going to be fine.

I told you not to do this alone.

Don't you think the hospital makes enough money without you buying their mediocre bouquets?

You saved my life.

I think we can be useful to each other.

You'll get a shiny new placard on your door to say that you faced down two serial killers and survived.

We're both haunted. I saw it the first time we met.

I'm not much the artistic type.

Every kill will cling to your mind. You just grow. . . accustomed.

Are you always this vague?

What's in it for you?

'Slaughter' is a strong word.

You're using yourself as bait.

It really claws its way into your brain.

You talk like I'm a burden.

My personal life isn't a story to be told.

I can have you out of here in minutes.

I can let you sink or swim.

You're not capable of that.

I can portray you as mysterious and intimidating or as charming and disarming.

That almost sounded like a compliment.

I haven't been getting much sleep.

Something's wrong here. This doesn't make sense.

You look like hell. What happened back there?

Some might say this is a conflict of interest.

I've been waiting so long.

How would you feel if I said your [ spouse / partner ] would be better off without you?

This is a trap.

What's the fun in that?

I've lived somewhere like this once.

How did you know that?

Your sense of justice has been warped.

It changed you, but you can still come back.

You're to be my masterpiece.

They don't understand me like you do.

I will be the perfect Psyche to your Cupid.

I can make it quick and painless.

Are you any good with stitches?

In this day and age, it's impossible to escape that kind of scrutiny.

I want to be witness to what comes from this.

How would your [ spouse ] feel about you feigning a marriage with someone else?

I can't tell in what way you're being rude, but I know it's rude.

I thought you of all people would be capable of improvising, [ name ].

You don't want to see me improvise, [ name ].

It seems you've been abandoned.

I would suggest keeping yours wits about you.

I let emotion get the better of me.

I can't just let you leave here.

I'm not easy to persuade. Apparently I'm stubborn.

I've never seen you bite your tongue before.

I always wanted to visit Berlin.

It's a lovely morning, isn't it?

Survival isn't what it's all cracked up to be.

[cirquedumoi]

Lo, another fanfic! Once again for a LU Discord prompt, this time for Legend Week. Proofread by Oh Sibling Dearest (@thorns-for-the-sake-of-flowers), who also pointed put that I was massively overthinking how to write the middle of the fic. Anyways, Legend & Wind get stuck in a cave, and neither have a particularly good time. (From Legend's P.O.V)

As a sidenote, I had their pronouns picked out before realising I'd never use Legend's, so have them anyways lol:

Legend: Ce/Cir/Cirs/Cirself (Genderqueer)

Wind: He/Him

Wild (mentioned): They/He (Genderfluid)

((Ao3 link))

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

Thank whatever deity was listening that neither of us got seriously hurt. However, it did mean that now we had no way of getting help from the others. I could only hope they heard the collapse.

“Fuckin’ hell that sucked,”

“Usually I’d tell you off for swearing, Sailor, but you’re not wrong. It’s also not like the others are here to tell you off,” Being honest, I never really cared about swearing, but it’s funny to see the reactions.

“As if yer ever serious about it,” Wind retorted, smirking. A frown soon overtook that, though. “I hope the others heard that. Not that I hate ya or anything, this is just…”

“Not ideal. I get it,” I sighed. “So much for ‘quality bonding time’,”

“Ha, yeah. Wonder what happened, though. Things don’t normally fall down on their own,”

“I can't feel any magical bullshit here, so it was probably going to happen regardless of who came in next.” I mean, something could've happened, but it was unlikely that it was anything against us.

“Sucks that it had to be us. Also, I'd be surprised if ya don't have something to help,” Wind's statement was fair enough, however I very much did not have anything we could use. That would've been due to Wind's (and Time's) insistence that we shouldn't need much. Just our luck.

“At least you have your necklace,” I hoped it'd work. He'd never let me have a look at it before, despite my curiosity.

“Ah, yeah!” He pulled his necklace out from under his shirt. A faint glow outlined his face as got to work on trying to get through to Wild. I also wasn’t sure why it could connect to Wild's slate, their magic was completely different to the Sailor's. After what I guessed were a few attempts, Wind sighed. The glow faded, darkness again swallowing the cave.

“He's not answering. I guess they don't have the slate with them,”

“Might be swimming. The gods know they wanted to,” From what Wind had said before we split off, the beach wasn't too far from here. Besides that, the Champion had a knack for finding new places.

“Yeah, maybe,” He sighed, a soft thump bouncing around the walls as he sat down. “Why did we have to go to this cave? We could've gone with everyone else, or at least found a better cave,”

“Well there were, and still are, lots of crystals in here, and I know you like them. Also, you wanted to ‘explore the wilderness’. And drag me along,” Could just be an effect of the collapse, but I was starting to get a headache.

“Ye wanted to come! It's also not like I overly wanted to look in here. For all I know, us just walking in here made it collapse!”

“I’m sorry, are you trying to imply that I caused this mess!?” How dare he, the idiot didn’t- no, couldn’t do anything to stop this either. That did not make it my-

“I didn’t really mean to, no.” I barely caught him staring at me through the darkness. I did miss him mumbling something else though. Which… Is fairly out of character for the one who likes to make his thoughts known.

“If you're going to say something, could you speak up?” That came out harsher than I meant. A sigh came in response.

“Are ye?” What did he-?

“Am I what?”

“I- I don’t think this was yer fault despite what I said, neither of us could’ve stopped it,” He started, seeming to catch himself before he started rambling. “But… do you?"

[aladaylessecondblog]

Faal Hah Wuld, ch. 11

Summary (I suck at these):

Sadrith stops at Heljarchen with Torovan. There is an argument over beds, and a fight with bandits.

"The Right Set Of Ears"

"So," Torovan said, looking at the lit, empty, blue-green crystal display, "This is where you found the Elder Scroll."

"It is, yes," Sadrith replied, "And you know what was strange...how light it was."

"I know. Sigurd tells me you sold it to the librarian at the College, and he keeps it along with the two others."

She looked over quickly. "Two others?"

"There was...an issue with some vampires attempting to make particular nuisances of themselves. Blotting out the sun...what a foolish notion. We found two more in the process of taking care of that issue. Seems we were quite lucky you sold him the Elder Scroll, as it turns out we needed that one too."

"Funny how I heard nothing of that. Certainly I noticed an uptick in vampire attacks, but..."

"It's no longer a problem," Torovan added after a moment's thought. "And the orc has now three Elder Scrolls over which he can exert the authority he seems so eager to throw around."

"SOMEONE has to make sure the books remain intact," she replied. There was the urge to go on about how it was important, entirely necessary for (gods, what was that orc's name?) to make sure that knowledge REMAINED as accessible as it was now. She managed to stop herself, though, and say only, "It's something to brag about, at least. How many places outside the Imperial City have more than one elder scroll just laying around?"

"The Imperial City is in shambles," Torovan said, as they headed for the lift, "And they're lucky to have much of anything still there, let alone the elder scrolls."

"If the Thalmor kept their noses out of everyone's affairs, then things would likely be better off. And not just for the Imperials."

Torovan made no reply.

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

Both of them were glad to step out of the lift at the Tower of Mzark, though for different reasons.

Torovan said something about having spent too much time underground already, and pulled his fur cloak more tightly around himself.

"We're not too far from Heljarchen," Sadrith replied, giving a gesture as she started off, "Bit of a walk, but it shouldn't take too terribly long. My steward'll give us a good welcome."

Still grumbling, Torovan followed along.

"I'll be glad to get out of this wretched cold. I'm surprised you aren't feeling it more yourself. Small as you are, you ought to have frozen over by now."

"I'm used to it," she shrugged, "Maybe you need to get out of the College more often...or, and I say this politely, go back to Morrowind."

"I would if I could." Torovan's voice was not angry as she half-expected it to be. "But Sigurd plans to stay here, so here I stay with him."

"How lucky you both are, to have a friend so loyal," she smiled briefly at the thought, an expression which quailed when Lydia came to mind again. "I'm sure he wanted to come on this journey, but they need the presence of an adult at the College to keep the peace."

That made Torovan laugh. "You are no stranger to their antics, then."

"Not at all. Most of them are tolerable, but...the pointless rivalries..." Sadrith shook her head. "And then there are the ones with outlandish research. Arniel Gane..."

"I don't recall that one."

"He was there before you and Sigurd, I believe. The first time I came to the College. I wasn't especially interested in his research but he paid decently, so I went along with it. Man vanished before my very eyes hitting some sort of warped soul gem with Keening."

"Keening, you say."

"He was researching what happened to the Dwemer, and thought he might be able to...simulate it again."

"That was foolish of him."

"I'm not even entirely certain that it didn't work," Sadrith shrugged. "He hit the soul gem twice with Keening, and nothing happened. Then a third time, but angry. Then he was just...poof. Gone. That part would be expected, maybe but..."

She gestured vaguely with both hands.

"The odd part is, I can summon him. He's ghostly and doesn't speak, but he's quite handy if I need someone around to help me clear out a bandit camp."

"Strange that no one has ever mentioned it at the College." Torovan said. "Do you still have Keening?"

"I honestly don't remember."

"How can you NOT remember?" His tone shifted instantly; there was now a definite edge in his voice, "One of the tools of Kagrenac, and you simply don't remember what happened to it?"

"I've--handled a lot of artifacts. I'm sure I've told you that already." Sadrith shrugged. "Nocturnal's Skeleton Key, the Wabbajack, the gray--the point is, it could be anywhere. It's not like it's good for anything now anyway."

Torovan said no more on the subject, and seemed to move faster once they were within sight of Heljarchen.

It had changed quite a bit since she had first had it finished. To one side was a proper stable. To another was a shack for breaking down animals, and a scorched bit of ground littered with unused bones.

"Gregor must've had a hunter over recently," Sadrith said.

"Poachers, you mean."

"Hunters," she corrected, "As long as they hand over a little of their kill I don't care if they hunt on my land. They get to keep doing what they do best, and I end up with a little more to go into my stores...and a few less deer to pick at my wheat."

"You? Farm?" Torovan laughed. "Now I've heard everything."

"Really, is it that hard to believe? It's easy enough to handle...good and..." Sadrith stopped, suddenly unable to find the word she'd meant to say. Easy, that wasn't it, she'd already said it. M...m, something. Mundane? No. No, that wasn't it. "I can't seem to please you at all. Hired sword, not enough. Farming, definitely not enough. Do you expect me to live on dragonslaying all by itself? Do you think hero types just vanish once the hero work is done?"

Again, silence. A long pause.

She was raising her hand to knock at the door when he finally answered again.

"I simply never thought of someone like you farming, is all. Others I know dedicated themselves to a cause rather than settle into such a...lackluster routine."

"I have a cause," Sadrith added, after she knocked.

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

Gregor gave a smile and then a bow when he opened the door.

"Thane! A surprise to see you, but a welcome one. Come in, come in, you look as though you've come quite a ways tonight."

"That I have," Sadrith replied, "And I've brought someone with me...we'll only be here for the night. I hope we're not imposing on any plans you might--"

"Bah, what plans do I ever have? Come in, come in."

He gestured and Sadrith walked in; Torovan ducked slightly and shut the door behind him.

"Has--trade with Dawnstar stayed good?"

"Good enough. We're making a small profit from that and from the caravans that stop here now and then on their way there." Gregor gestured vaguely. "One of the hunters dropped by a few days past, so we've got quite a good haunch of venison ready. And a black pudding, too...though I have to confess I've already had more than my share of it."

Sadrith gave a slight laugh. "That's no problem, so long as you've enough to share. Do you have enough blood to make any fresh?"

"Ah, sadly no."

The conversation stayed in a similar friendly vein through dinner, though Torovan (understandably, at least to Sadrith) claimed the lack of an appetite and ate nothing. He did take wine, but stay mostly quiet.

Until it was time to sleep, of course.

Sadrith steered him away from the door off the side of the main room. "Not there, that's Gregor's room. Upstairs."

She lead Torovan up the left stairs, and moved towards the two small beds.

"You've got to be kidding me," he said. "You expect me to sleep in one of these?"

"It's not just the one I expect you to sleep in, I was going to push them together. It's either this or my bed, which isn't--"

"I'd rather take yours, then." Torovan replied. "It's only one night but I do not intend to wrench myself like a contortionist and wake up feeling as though you had kept me in a trunk."

Sadrith huffed. "It's not my fault you're as tall as you are."

It was just easier to let him take her bed, she thought. It wasn't a big deal, he'd only be in it for a night. And she could manage just fine pushing these two beds together.

She lead him around the top floor and into her bedroom.

It looked the same as the last time she'd left it. A single candle and a mug on the bedtable, the wardrobe--slightly out of place, she thought, as she went to adjust it.

"One might almost think you don't want guests here, with the lack of suitable beds," Torovan said as he tucked his bags into the wardrobe. "Did you never expect to have any?"

"What would you say if I answered 'yes'?" she asked. He gave her a strange look as she shrugged and went on, "Most of those who do visit tend to sleep outdoors...the hunters, the khajiit. I suppose I just...never thought of it."

She paused, turning away when he sat down on the edge of the bed, but staying close enough he could hear her as she lowered her voice. "How is your supply looking?"

"Good enough," Torovan replied evenly, "But it would be best to replenish it, if you've a source."

"...if worst comes to worst, you can take mine. But the hunting is decent around here, so it shouldn't be necessary," Sadrith added.

She could almost feel his stare.

"You trust too easily," he added in a low tone soon after. "You would do well to fix that failing. Suppose I were of a mind to harm you?"

"If you were, you would have done it already. I'd have seen a look, or a sneer that wasn't just you being an utter snob." She turned back around to look at him as she headed for the door at the back of the room, gave him a grin, and an exaggerated bow. "I am the dragonborn, the favored fearless hero of Skyrim, and if I am afraid of anything, it is a battle made too easy."

"And you say I am too full of myself."

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

Sadrith could not sleep.

Blame it on the shadow man, or sleeping indoors after a long period spent outside, or not sleeping in her own bed--whatever the source of the problem, the end result was the same.

She tried reading, but the fatigue never strayed into her mind, which always presented her with the same strict and definite feeling of you are not going to sleep. After a lengthy period and more intimate book failed to do anything for her, she decided to look about in the basement. Perhaps some mindless arranging of weapons or organization of ingots might help.

She went down the stairs and took the trapdoor into the basement, shivering only slightly in her robe. She formed a ball of light in one hand, and noting the altar to the Nine, walked over towards it.

"I forget if I've prayed to you recently," she said, "I...tend to forget things like that. But I suppose I ought to do it now, while I have the chance."

She took a deep breath.

"Show me what to do. Give me some...some idea, something to go on. The Thalmor will take over, if they aren't stopped, and...well, there are others who would resist. But I have the strange feeling that if I don't, no one else will. Nonsense, I know. Arrogance. What right do I have to think such a thing, with my...with my failings? My unsteady mind?"

Perhaps it was hopeless, came the thought, to think that there might be an answer. To think that she should hear from Akatosh himself, despite the gift of the dragon soul she'd already received. Maybe he would think that that was enough.

"I just want to stop the high elves from obliterating us all," she said, "Will you not help me?"

There was no answer. No feeling of being watched. The shrine did not feel entirely empty, but it was still cold.

A similar prayer was offered to each of the other eight shrines, but there was no answer from any of them, either. Though from Talos's shrine she did feel something...some small inkling of pride.

He saw what I did to the Thalmor, with the Nord prisoner...of course he would look kindly on me after that.

She walked past the training dummy to get some mead, and then looked back at it once she'd finished her drink. Gregor had dressed it for some training apparently--she noticed some marks at its neck--in that strange Crusader armor she had found at Four Skull Lookout.

She remembered trying to wear them the first time she laid hands on them, and having a feeling of discomfort, of wrongness. That she was unfit to wear them, and had then taken them off. She had made the pilgrimage to the nine shrines, but then--had forgotten to come back to get the armor again. There were other things to wear, after all, and other things to do.

"What about you?" she said, "I've read in books you don't like to be prayed to, but that doesn't mean I can't speak to you. If you're there to listen. Would YOU like it if I strayed out, wearing your armor, slaying the Thalmor in defense of Skyrim?"

It was faint...very faint, but Sadrith felt something then.

(Maybe, she told herself, it was her own mind. Was it possible, certainly. But she wouldn't dismiss the idea of other things)

Eagerness.

"So you are...well--"

The trapdoor above opened suddenly, and Gregor's voice shouted down from it.

"Thane! Bandits are approaching, four of 'em!"

"It's fine, I'm coming!"

She cursed under her breath that she'd left Chillrend up in the bedroom. She knocked over the fighting dummy and dressed hastily in the armor, and not seeing its sword--grabbed for one that sat in the weapon rack. A two hander, a little much, but--

Her mind stilled, instantly.

The sword from the Solitude sewers, she realized halfway up the ladder.

That sword, she'd forgotten what it was, only where she'd found it. It was plain metal, unadorned, nothing to really crow about. Except for one thing that she found most valuable--that when her hand closed around its hilt, the chaos in her mind ceased entirely. It was a cold silence, almost frightening in its way.

She rushed out the front door, sword in hand.

Four bandits stood before her and Gregor. Four nords, one of which was wearing the expensive Nordic armor she'd come to expect from the bandit leaders.

I wonder if it's a set I've sold to Tonilia before...

Sadrith charged at the nearest bandit, which wasn't the leader. She saw him raising his own sword and swung her own low--it bit into his side, cutting cleanly through the leather armor he was wearing. He cried out in pain and she pulled it back, aiming a kick directly at his groin. He fell, and she turned to see Gregor taking on the leader. The two others approached her and she sidestepped, letting the sword drag along the ground for a moment.

She Shouted--"FUS!"

They didn't go flying, but they DID stumble, and that gave her the opportunity to raise the sword and bring it straight down on the head of one of them, splitting it halfway and staining the sword and his armor alike. Then the ground, when she pulled it back.

"Run," she growled at the other, "Run, and I'll let you live."

When he ran forward, mace raised in what would clearly be a wild swing, she smirked.

It seemed that she blinked and dodged his blow in that missing moment. Her sword was raised, and she brought it down, cleaving off his arm--

There was a sudden elation, a glory in defeating these miserable bandits. When she turned and saw Gregor falling back, though--the sensation died almost instantly, and turned to fury.

Again, she Shouted.

"IIZ SLEN NUS!"

Her breath crystallized to ice in the air as the Shout moved forward, striking the bandit chief--and turned him from a man of flesh and blood to solid ice. With an enraged growl, she strode forward, swung the sword--and shattered what had once been a man.

For a few moments she stood like that--arms sore, muscles complaining, breathing coming hard. Then she turned to Gregor.

"Are--are you alright?"

"I'm--" Gregor stumbled over his words and stood, clenching at the (ebony axe, she remembered giving him that some time ago) as he stood. "I'm fine. He moved quickly for one so heavily armored."

She felt the anger leaking away as she watched him dust himself off. There was a wound on his arm, which she came forward to heal.

"A pity I didn't think to leave the armor for you. You probably could have used it," she said, "It looked...very nice."

"I'm happy with what I have," he replied, waving dismissively with his free hand once its arm's wound was closed, "Truly, Thane. The fur in this armor is better against the cold, at any rate, and lets me stay mobile."

That made sense, she supposed. She thought for a moment, and then looking down at the bodies, something else came to mind.

"Let us burn the bodies," she replied, "Not knowing them, we don't know if they have...a family tomb, or anything of that sort. We can bury the bones tomorrow."

Gregor silently agreed, and helped her carry the bodies of the three remaining bandits to the blackened ground where he said the hunters had burned the remains of their kills. After stripping them of their weapons and gold their bodies were arranged on a small pyre.

It did not take long to finish the job, and perhaps half an hour later it was done. She headed back to the house, followed closely by Gregor.

The door opened just as she was about to open it; Torovan stood there, his fur robe loosely pulled on. She saw him look at her; a second later he drew back. Not afraid, surely, but definitely shocked or surprised.

"What's going on out there?" he asked, "I thought I heard weapons at first, but then there was the sound of a fire..."

"Bandits," Sadrith replied quickly, "We've taken care of them. You can go back to bed."

"You're sure there aren't more lurking to avenge their--"

She removed the helmet, and looked up at him. Gregor, muttering something about all the excitement, headed right for the kitchens.

"I'm sure. The leader is a pile of ice on the ground. Any bandit watching would have fled for the hills if he has any sense in his brain. There is NOTHING to worry about."

Torovan huffed, but not in an angry way--at least, not that she could tell.

"You're a cocky little bastard, aren't you?"

"And don't you forget it," she said.

Sadrith went to the basement, cleaned the armor, and returned it to the training dummy, now upright. The sword she kept when she went back upstairs, and then propped against the wall beside the bed.

Finally, finally, she slept.

[yaretziadzj]

Javy felt shy all of a sudden. Although she appreciated the gesture, she didn't feel like picking songs was worth a cake. "I was just kidding. You don't have to bake me another cake. The one you made for me today is more than enough," she responded, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "But, you know what would be a great idea? If we baked a cake together instead. I could be your assistant. Maybe when you're not too busy? I don't want to take up too much of your time." She suggested instead, not wanting Hart to feel like she was rejecting him and his cake. She wasn't. It just so happens Javy almost always felt like a burden to people, like she was taking up space when she shouldn't be.

A sad smile made its way to her lips upon hearing Hart's words, not that he said anything upsetting. It was more of Javy not knowing if she was ready for the world to hear and see that side of her. "I think the dilemma here is I don't know if I want anyone to know that part of me. I don't think it will be taken well. And, I know, I shouldn't care too much-- no, I shouldn't care at all about what people thought," she corrected herself before continuing. "I try to be, Hart. I really try. I probably try too hard. But, I do care a lot about the people who could identify themselves in the stories I tell with my songs. I don't want to hurt their feelings, make them think they didn't do enough when in reality, I'm the one with the issues."

The songs she made recently came from a place of anxiousness and hopelessness. The worst part was she didn't know if she even had the right to feel that way. It wasn't like they were anything. He was her best friend, and she was his. That was it. It wasn't his fault she caught feelings for him, and it's not his fault that he can't reciprocate that. It was normal. It happens to most people, but Javy just wasn't strong enough to have that conversation with him. "I've never really talked to anyone about this because I always feel like I just have to be grateful for everything, and I am. But, in all honesty, I feel sad about things I can't do anything about and I wish I didn't feel that way." She forced a laugh, not wanting to make the mood of the morning horrible for Hart.

The gentle squeeze Hart gave her was just the comfort she needed, and it did make her feel a bit better. That is until she heard familiar voices from the lobby of their home. She wasn't expecting more company, not that she minded. She just wasn't ready to face him yet, not after that wish and not after the emotional turmoil she placed on pause for the sake of not ruining everyone's day. Javy's eyes followed both Minnie and Sonny as they both took a seat.

"Hart surprised me with a cake," she explained to Minnie. Why did she even explain that? She didn't owe anyone an explanation, and yet she felt like she was somehow in the wrong. "Thanks, Soso. Please help yourselves," she avoided eye contact with him as she motioned to the food in front of them. She was too scared to look at anyone. She felt like they could all see right through her and she didn't like that. She could feel the tension in the air and something told her it wasn't over yet.

"You two didn't even bother to wait for me, hm?" Autumn stormed inside the dining room, panting. The three of them showing up at Javy's was supposed to be a surprise, but turns out, the one who will be surprised is them. "Oh, I see we've got company. Hi, Hart." She forced a smile, nudging Javy to move seats so she can sit next to the other guest. Personally, she had nothing against him. He was a good person, she could tell. But because he was getting in the way of things, she had an issue with that. "Happy birthday, by the way. I got you a gift but it's in the car. I'll just get it later." She scrunched her nose as she smiled at Javy who was making her way to sit next to Sonny. Just as planned.

"Oohh, champorado. My favorite." Autumn gasped, taking the bowl in front of Hart and scooping a serving for herself. "Have you tried this yet? Jaja's mom makes them the best." She smiled at Hart before giving Minnie the look.

hart beamed at the idea of baking another cake. it was therapeutic for him, even if it was a lot to clean up after. he would definitely be baking again soon. "how about, after you pick the songs, i bake you a smaller cake to celebrate the decision?"

hart wondered about his own inspiration for his music. he casually contributed to the band's lyrics, and he couldn't say whether his contributions were leaning on the sad or the not-sad. but he always thought they felt right in the moment he was writing them. "i think that whatever you choose, what's important is that you're choosing something honest to yourself."

her family was bigger than hart's, what with his parents being divorced and him living only with his mom, who was always either away or buried in work. he smiled at her mom, dad, and brother, even the staff who tended to the food. it was a nice atmosphere, a nice little celebration to start a day of celebration. he gave javy's hand a gentle squeeze, greeting her a happy birthday after she blew the candles. "thank you for having me, and it looks good already," he said, accepting the bowl gratefully.

he was ready to try the champorado when he heard voices from the hallway, the staff greeting the owners of the voices and guiding them into the kitchen. hart was only half surprised to see sonny and minnie arriving together, and the staff instantly knowing to prepare the table for more guests.

"well isn't this something," minnie was the first to speak, sitting beside javy's brother, her head resting on her hand and looking at javy, then hart.

sonny sat beside minnie, greeting javy's parents warmly. he turned to javy next, greeting her a happy birthday before smiling at hart. "i think I've stumbled upon the breakfast club," he said to no one in particular.

[peachyloveswriting]

And lastly for now, could I have prompt #s 30, 43, & 63 w/ Illinois? Thanks! ;w;

What a surprise (Illinois x reader)

Prompts:

#63 “You getting flustered is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.”

#43 “I’ll protect you, so don’t be afraid.”

#30 “Is this a date?”

Summary: you're an urban explorer much like Illinois. Funny as this is, you and him used to be colleagues. At least, until you split ways. Now you're stuck with him until you can escape.

Content: possessive Illinois, flirty doctor, fear, injury, slight angst in you squint, jealous Illinois, exploration gone wrong, post break up that wasn't actually a break up, hickeys, praise.

Taglist: @batty-the-red-koolaid-man @abbzzzzz @dragonangel201 @crustydustycowboi @crazy-obsessed-enby

As an explorer and a lover of the Winchester brothers, you travel to different states more often than not. As a kid you always proclaimed your love for debunking myths and exploring the wild, even if it was just a bush in the backyard. But being a kid, you didn't quite understand just what being an explorer meant. Late night, dangerous sights, near death experiences, and worst of all...exes. It's uncommon for most urban explorers to share a common interest with their lovers, so meeting Illinois out in the field worked wonders.

At first, it was just a partnership. Illinois would call if he thought he shouldn't go alone and vise versa. Eventually, it grew into something more. Every adventure he went on, you were by his side and he was with you every step of the way. Anything you did, you did it together. It would have only been a matter of time before someone caught feelings. You just so happened to be it. That was a mistake.

Illinois had been showing you that he cared, he was fully invested in your friendship and maybe even wanted more. Until one night, after another successful exploration you found yourself drinking with him late into the night. His flirty nature and inability to commit half the time caused some trouble. He started flirting with some girls and you got jealous. After confronting him he got mad at you for not saying anything to help him understand how you felt. After that, shit hit the fan. He left.

Ever since then you've 'hated' him. Though your heart will never admit to still having feelings. To only add insult to injury, there's an ancient temple in Illinois and you just so happened to run into the one and only explorer himself.

•••••••••••••••

"long time no see."

Looking up from your drink to see the tan-clad man, you groan. Illinois flashes you his signature smile; the one that screams mischief every time you see it, and pulls out the chair across from you. His eyes bore into yours as he settles into the seat. Leaning over, you scoop your bag into your hand and go to stand. His hand comes stretching across the table.

"Wait. Sit down, please." The once mischievous glare in his eyes is gone, filled with an empty guilt that begs for you to stay. "I just want to talk."

Your bag tells you to walk away but you're pulled back to him. With a sigh you pull the strap onto your shoulder. "Be quick."

Pulling his hand back he smiles, the corners of his eyes wrinkling. "Thanks."

You nod curtly. Your stoic face making his smile falter as you look at him. His wall, the wall of confidence that he always puts up as a front shies away for what seems to be a second. He looks vulnerable, naked, under your gaze.

"There's an artifact here that I need to get." Dread swallows you whole as you lean back into your seat, the strap on your shoulder slipping from it's secured spot.

"The ancient temple..." His eyes meet yours, wide with surprise. "You're going there too?" He asks. You let the bag settle back on the floor as you lean forward with your arms resting on the table. "Yeah. I am." You admit.

His sullen face lights up, that confidence putting it's front back on in the form of shining eyes and a toothy smile. "That's perfect!" He announces, leaning closer to you.

"Turns out everyone that's gone in hasn't come back out, at least not alone. That's why I need your help." Suddenly his excitement fades. "Usually people go in as pairs, only one comes back alive and if only one of us is going to make it out..." He sighs, looking up at you with wide doe like eyes. "...I'd rather it be you."

A fire lights within your chest and your breath catches in your throat. "You-" In this moment you can feel your feelings for him stir, like and old dusty blanket from childhood it dusts itself off and presents itself to you once more. It's tempting warmth pulling you in. "We...you want me...no. No. I'm not- I can't go with you." You wave your hands at him dismissively. You can see a smug smirk tugs at his lips.

"You getting flustered is one of the cutest things I've ever seen." His voice is sultry and low as he smiles up at you, the brim of his hat giving him that mysterious appeal. Swallowing harshly you take a deep breath and tug at the collar of your shirt. "Illinois. We... I can't, do this. I won't do this with you. Not again."

His smile fades again as he leans back into his chair. "You can! I know that I fucked up something we could have had then, but now. It's not the same. I'm not the same..."--he looks up at you with begging eyes--"I'm sorry about what I did. I should have known not to do that. I just want to fix it. Let me fix this."

The sudden awareness of the eyes around the room makes you shudder with realization. For such a personal situation, you find yourself reaching for your bag. "Wait!"

Standing you grab Illinois' arm and drag him out the coffee shop. You don't stop pulling him until you reach your car. Once you reach it and let go of him, you turn around to face him. "Illi, believe me. I want nothing more than to be with you, I really do. But I can't trust someone who's proved me otherwise." You step away to reach for your car door. As you do, a hand grabbing your wrist pulls you back.

Illinois traps you between your car and his body. He's so close you can hear his uneven breathing as he looks down at you with tears in his eyes. "Please. Let me prove myself. I'll fix this, I'll prove to you that you can trust me just please." His Shakey voice drops to just above a whisper. "Come with me."

Taking a Shakey breath you look away from him and to the side. A person walks past to their car, their eyes locked on you in confusion and judgement. Turning back to Illinois you let out a sigh. "I'll go with you and you can prove yourself but only this once."

A smile pulls at his lips as he pulls you into a hug, his arms holding you close to him. "Thank you, thank you so much." Pulling back from the hug he pats your shoulder. "I'll see you tonight then?" He asks.

You nod. "At around six."

Stepping back he gives you a small wave. "I'll see you then." Turning he jogs off to his truck.

Reaching for the door handle you open it and settle inside, closing the door behind you. Beating wildly in your chest is your heart. Sinking into the seat you find yourself releasing a breath you didn't know you were holding. The tension from it fades in your shoulders but you still white knuckle the steering wheel.

After all this time, and everything he did. Regret claws at the back of your mind. Your head screams at you in shame while your heart smiles with glee. Never once did you find yourself looking for another person, not someone else to fill his spot. Afterall, there's no one like him. And now getting to see him so desperate, how could you say no.

•••••••••••••••

Six had passed by you a while ago. Only now were you pulling up to the ancient temple, it was small on the outside. The rest of it was beneath the ground. It was in a forest, not a very big one but just big enough to keep it hidden from society for so long. As you pull up, the break lights of Illinois' jeep catch your attention. The butterflies in your stomach churn and stir as you come to a stop.

He stands at the back of the truck, your headlights illuminating him where he leans over. He's grabbing different things from the back of his truck as you turn the car off and take a deep breath. Pulling your bag from the passenger seat and tugging it onto your shoulders you push open the door and stand.

Illinois turns to see you walking towards him and his face lights up with a smile. "I thought you weren't going to come. You had me worried." He says as he grabs his own satchel to toss over his shoulder.

"Maybe I shouldn't have." You say with an unsure smile. Letting out a chuckle he shuts the trunk and turns to face you. One hand rests on his bag while the other holds his hat down. "Don't be like that. You know you miss this."

Shaking your head and grinning you push past him towards the entrance. It's farther than you thought when you pulled up. Sadly it creates time for Illinois to chat. It's like all the forces of the world decided to ruin everything just to make you miserable.

"Now that I think about it. Is this a date?" Illinois asks.

You turn to look at him with fury in your eyes. "No!" Crossing your arms back over your chest and looking forward you huff. "Let me see what you found on this place before we go in."

He stops as you reach the entrance and reaches for his bag. "Yeah this place is hella dangerous. Like I said, people only go in pairs and only one ever comes back out" he pulls out his journal and hands it to you. "Do you need a light?" He rummages through the bag again.

"Yeah. Thanks." He pulls a flash light from his bag and turns it on to illuminate the book in your hand. Opening it he reaches and begins to flip through the pages until he comes to the right one. "Here." He points to the page. "This is what I found."

"Apparently what's supposed to be inside is an ancient dialect from a dead civilization. Not like we could decipher it, I just think it's cool." Illinois says.

You look up at him, dissapointment lacing your gaze. "Really?"

"What?"

Shifting your weight from one leg to the other you put a hand on your hip. "You're going into a place thats notorious for killing people just because you think it's cool?" You shake your head. "This is dangerous."

Flashing you a smile and grabbing his book back he puts it away. "I'll protect you, so don't be afraid." His gaze lingers on you.

"You will?" You mumble. Butterflies battle their way around your stomach, ticking your insides. Just the way the hope swells in your chest leaves you with a bad after taste.

He looks down at you with confidence in his eyes and a knowing smile on his face. "Yes, always."

A smile breaks out on your face as you let out a chuckle. Heat is flooding your cheeks. You look away stepping back from him. "Let's just go inside and get this over with."

--

As you step inside, the scratches of roaches crawling along the walls fills the air. Before you can begin to traverse the staircase down the putrid smell of rolling flesh and dried blood fills your nose. Letting out a quiet gagging sound you turn your head to the side and cover your nose.

Illinois let's out a howl of disgust as he pulls his shirt over his nose. "We should go grab masks." He grabs the sleeve of your shirt and begins to tug you back out. "That's not going to stop the smell." You say as the Jeep comes closer.

Stopping at the back door, he pulls it open and reaches inside. "True." He says. "But at least it will keep us from getting sick when we go in."

Leaning back he presses the mask into your hands. It rather heavy in your hands as you check the filter before putting the respirator on. Illinois manages to finish putting his on first. Realizing that your struggling, he closes the door and turn you around so he can reach the back of your head. "I got it." He mumbles as he tightens the back of it for you.

"Thanks." Letting go of the back he grabs the light back from his bag and pushes you forward. "Let's go."

Reaching the entrance you begin your decent down the stairs, just before you reach the bottom there's a pull at the back of your shirt and your tugged back. Suddenly Illinois is pushing himself in front of you, using his body to shield you from whatever may come.

"Stay behind me." He says and he presses a hand on your stomach, softly keeping you behind him. Stalking forward wearily, he peers forth into the darkness.

"I can protect myself." You claim. Standing on your tip toes to peer over his shoulder at what's ahead. Suddenly there's a click and a whir. Something falls and Illinois spins on his heel, grabbing your shoulders and shoves you to the ground. He wraps himself around you. Frightened, you let out a yelp. Your heart is hammering in your chest as the release of numerous arrows fills the air.

"Just wait it out." Illinois says from above you. He sounds as calm and cool as ever. Completely unaffected by the arrows, completely unaffected by you. It's been so long since something like this has happened. The close proximity, the way he holds you.

The zip of arrows over head comes to a stop, after a short moment Illinois stands back to his full height. "Let's keep moving." He suggests.

As he turns to walk away you find yourself stuck, unable to move or stand. Even though this was just supposed to be a short trip, here he was risking his life for you, even after proving to you the first time that he didn't care.

"You coming?" He turns the flashlight onto you, squinting from the brightness you gather yourself and raise to your feet. "Yeah, sorry."

Hastily you make your way back over to him, it's hard to see his face with the bright light on you and the mask on but he's smiling ever so gently. "You get scared?" He asks. This time it doesn't sound witty and sarcastic, it's calm and sweet. Something you didn't expect from him.

"I'll live." You shoot back with a small nervous smile. Turning the flashlight to the ground he nods and turns to continue forward. "If you get scared and you want to leave let me know. Okay?"

The silence swallows you whole as he pushes forward, content to keep moving. The walls are slowly becoming more green, a more dank and earthy smell beginning to fill the air. Of course it's not much longer before you begin to come across red stained stone and signs of apparent struggle. The closer you get to whatever killed the others the tighter your throat feels.

Suddenly you bump into Illinois who abruptly stopped. His hand is behind him holding you back. Squinting into the dark ahead you lean forward to get a better grasp at what he's looking at. The flashlight only allows you to see so much. There's a shift in the air and Illinois presses in himself flat against the wall. Using his hand he shoves you against the wall beside him. From the corner of your eye you see a flash, there's a loud creak and then a large saw comes swinging down the corridor. Your heart lurches in your chest. It's like death is baring down on you as you clench your eyes shut.

"We need to keep moving." Illinois says. His hand is no longer pressing you against the wall but instead you are. Peeling open your eyes and turning your head to the side you look at him with wide eyes. "I can't believe I'm doing this." You remark.

Of all the places you went with or without him, this was by far the most dangerous you'd gone into. He's told you stories of worse but this. This was unlike any you've ever experienced.

"it's okay." Illinois reaches his hand down, feeling the wall for yours. His warm skin making contact with yours sets your hand on fire. Soon enough he's holding your hand tightly in his, a stern look in his eyes. "I'll keep you safe I swear."

Another loud creak splits through the air as the saw comes swinging back through. Looking at it in Terror, your chest heaving and legs aching, you cry out. "Just move already!"

Nodding curtly, he begins to pull you along the wall, soon enough the saw finds it's way back down the corridor, spiking your heart rate through the roof for a fourth time. At this point it feels like you might have a heart attack. But Illinois pushes you though. Eventually out of range of the giant murder machine you find yourself at a pile of mangled bodies. Each one rotting, bones, or freshly killed. The blood coats the walls as Illinois guide you through the pile to the other side.

There's a pang of guilt in your chest as you look back on the unfortunate pile of souls. Each one with their head intact looking you on with jealousy and terror in their slain eyes, watching you stride forward with better luck than they themselves have.

"You ok?" Illinois stopped to turn and face you, his eyes peering back down the corridor at the precariously swinging blade.

Looking up at him, you open your mouth to speak but shut it when you realize you don't have a good answer. Looking back at the bodies one last time you turn away in disgust. "Let's just move please?"

His eyes look back at you for a moment longer before he turns and moves onward, his hand still tugging you with.

Looking between his hand and his face you can't help but feel there's a difference reason why he asked you to come along. It's not surprising, he's always had ulterior motives.

"There's another trap up here." He breaks the silence, his hand slips from yours. "Stay here." As your hand falls back your your side you can feel a sliver of self respect abandon you where you stand. "Wait!" You find yourself calling out with no real reason.

Illinois stops to turn and look at you, his brows furrowed in confusion. At first the words dare not slip from your tongue, your mind running circles around an idea that serves no real purpose.

"Please be careful." You finally say.

"Of course." He reassures as he tosses you the flashlight to head forward. Catching it clumsily you point it forward to guide his way, your feet slowly sliding across the stone floor towards him, staying far enough behind that whatever trap awaits won't catch you too but just close enough to maybe help.

Opposite to you, however, Illinois strolls forward with ease, his shoulders relaxed, his hands not idly awaiting to grab something, nothing. It's like he's done this a thousand times before. He has, no doubt, but he's never acted so casual in a situation like this at least not around you.

The corridor lights up with a new light revealing a built in blowtorch in the wall. The wall opposite to it is stained black from the excessive heat and char left behind from being activated so many times. Illinois turns around to look back at it, his eyes glimmering.

"When it's done, run to me." He tells you.

Stepping closer to it, you begin to feel the heat radiating from the wall. The flame its bright and violent, it's tips daring those who willingly pass by to step closer.

You're plunged into darkness and the heat is stripped away.

"Now!" Illinois calls out.

Lurching forward you find yourself wishing you would have been paying attention. The pool the blood at your feet tugs your grip right from underneath you, unable to full move forward properly you call out.

There's a click and a hiss in your ear. Turning, you come face to face with the very spark that ignites the fire. It's deathly flickers prepare to roast you.

Reaching out, Illinois grasps your shirt, pulling you forward. His pull is so hard that he throws you against him, knocking him to the ground with a solid thud. You follow shortly after, your hands moving to brace you against the ground.

Opening your eyes, you look down to see Illinois sighing with relief. The both of you are out of the fire behind, a shadow is cast over him as you stare at him in shock. Your heart beats wildly in your chest, it even aches to breathe.

Realizing the position you find yourself in, you scramble to your feet. Heat blazes across your face. "I'm so sorry." You say as you extend a hand out to him.

Sitting up, Illinois happily takes your offer. "It's okay. I didn't mean to pull you that hard." He admits as you hoist him to his feet.

"No, it's fine. You saved my ass." You say as you look up at him. "Let's just keep moving."

Nodding curtly, Illinois takes the lead again. Silently, you follow behind him. The flash of flames is engrained in the back of your mind right alongside the look of terror on Illinois' face when he realized what was happening. He wasn't the only one who was terrified. Having your life flash before your eyes should have been enough excitement for today, but this was for him.

"There's a split." Illinois says as he comes to a stop.

Walking to his side you find yourself at a split path. On either side was an open corridor, each just as dark as the other. Swallowing harshly you look back at Illinois. Rummaging through his bag he pulls another flashlight out and looks at you.

"Please don't." You beg.

He frowns beneath the mask. "It's faster this way."

You shake your head. "No. Don't make me do this alone. We are not splitting paths."

Lifting a hand he grabs your shoulder firmly. "It's okay. Just call my name and I'll be right there. I swear."

Your heart is suddenly in your stomach as dread swallows you whole. "Illinois." You warn.

He gently squeezes your shoulder before letting his hand fall back to his side. "Just go. I'll be right here."

You stand firm looking up at him with fear swimming in your eyes. You can see that he's clearly not giving up any time soon. Sighing in defeat you turn and behind down the right corridor. As you walk you hear him call from behind you.

"Remember, just call for me!"

A beat of silence slips past before you yell back. "Fuck you!"

Rightfully so, you're utterly alone now. The only light is the one provided to you by the flashlight in your hands. Battery operated with a high chance of dying. Just the thought sends shivers through you.

Being in this kind of environment with Illinois again is fun but it's not the idea you had for seeing him again. Sure, near death experiences brings you closer. But is that really what you wanted?

To bond with him in a situation like this? No. Anything but this. Like a nice restaurant, a night at your house or even his. Now just to make matters worse you're completely alone in a death trap of a maze with no clue where so look for the prize.

Only moments after, the stale and stiff air shifts around you. Tingles wash over your body as every hair stands on end.

You're not alone.

A deep growl can be heard from within the darkness, cold claws against the stone coming closer to you. Soon enough, two reflective beady eyes stare back at you as you tremble in your steps. Slowly backing away as it steps closer. White shiney canines bare themselves to you as you whimper under broken breath.

Stalking just within the range of your light is a coyote. Foam bubbles around it's jaws as it growls at you incessantly. As you back away is grows closer it's teeth popping from nipping at you.

Opening your mouth to call out for Illinois you're interupted by a shrill bark as it charges at you. Letting out a scream, you turn on your heel and run the other way. Your chest aches as you glance back at it, you can't see it in the darkness behind you but you can hear is desperate animalistic breathing as it gains on you.

Tears form in your eyes as you run knowing that you have no chance of escape. Even if Illinois came in here to die, he would at least have a chance at survival if you were taken into the loving arms of death instead.

"Run Illinois!" Get out!" You shout into the expanding darkness as you bolt forth. You know he might not even hear you but the thought of him living keeps you going.

Nearing the hall you originally came from, you begin to see a flicker in the distance. It's bobbles and grows bigger.

There's no time to even process what's happening before it's done. The light grew closer and soon enough Illinois came from the darkness. With a sharp determined look in his eyes you watched him hit the ground, sliding past you and towards the coyote. Tripping over your own feet in surprise you land harshly on your shoulder.

From behind you there's a yelp that makes your heart jolt in your chest. Panic pulses through you. Scrambling to turn around you call out.

Leaning over the animal with a bloody knife in hand was Illinois, his chest heaving as he looks down at the coyote limp before him. Your flashlight long tumbled into the ground, your fall bringing with it sparks of shooting pain. Yet it still shines on the both of you from where it landed.

Staring at the sight, you opened your mouth to speak but closed it once you realized you were unsure of what to say. Surprise took you whole the moment you turned around to see him.

Turning to look at you, Illinois sheaths the knife and stands. Quickly he's by your side and helping you to your feet. Lifting your hand to your face you pull the mask off the let it dangle around your neck. Your lungs burn ferociously and a harsh pounding in the back of your head makes you feel faint. Illinois does the same with his mask, pulling if from his face to reveal a worried look.

"Are you hurt?" He asks as he looks you over.

You shake your head before leaning against the wall, exhausted.

Illinois reaches out to grab your shoulder and as he makes contact you shy away, hissing through clenched teeth. "Shit." You rasp.

His gaze hardens as you pull away in pain. Your eyes are clenched shut as you reach to grasp your shoulder. Grabbing your hand he pushes it back to your side.

"C'mon." He urges.

You don't say much as he pulls you along. Most of it is blur. Between the pain in your shoulder and the overwhelming anxiety its hard to really focus on anything. But when he gets you out and the night air hits you, you're collapsing onto your knees.

"Y/n!" Illinois calls out with worry as he kneels in front of you. "C'mon. Get up." His hands grab either side of your ribcage in an attempt to hoist you to your feet. Being so exhausted, you hardly move and instead look up at him with pleading eyes.

"I've got you." He says as he picks you up. Your legs are wrapped around his torso while one arm hangs limply by your side and the other wraps around the back of his neck. One arm supports your ass while he other presses against your back to keep you against him.

"You're over exaggerating." You state as he stops at the passenger side door of his truck. Illinois grunts in return. Moving the hand from your back to pull open the door.

"No I'm not." He says simply as he sets you down in the seat. Groaning in discomfort you manage to croak out a sentence.

"Yeah you are."

He shakes his head. "You probably broke your shoulder or something. We need to take care of it. Any injury no matter what requires immediate attention."

Stepping back and shutting the door he makes his way to the other side and climbs in. The truck starts soon after. It's bumpy at first but then the ride begins to smooth out.

"What about my car?" You ask.

Illinois glances at you with a soft gaze before looking ahead again. "We'll come back for it later. You're my main priority right now. I knew I shouldn't have brought you with."

You scoff. "I was going to do this either way. It was inevitable."

Illinois sighs in frustration. "Either way. I was the one who asked you to do this with me. I'm at fault. I'm sorry."

Not willing enough to speak again, silence falls over you. It stayed that way until the hospital came into view. You narrow your gaze.

"I hate this place." You grumble.

There's no comment from Illinois as he pulls into a parking spot. His face is stern as he unbuckles himself and climbs out the truck. The door shuts behind him and a sigh escapes you Looking off at the entrance you can feel your stomach churn. Pretty quickly, Illinois comes into view and pulls open your door.

Reaching over your legs he unbuckles you. Groaning quietly and turning to the side you slowly begin to slip from the seat. Illinois looks away from you as you do, his eyes on the doors as he taps his foot impatiently. Finally reaching the ground with a grunt you lean forward. Your head rests on Illinois' chest his smell tempting you to fall asleep.

Lifting a hand to wrap it around your back, he softly guides you out of the way to close the door.

"Why do you hate hospitals?" Removing the hat from his head he places it on you and presses his hand to the small of your back, guiding you to the entrance.

Softly, you hum. Your fading memories of the hospital coming back to light. "Dunno... Just never liked them." You confess.

He hums back in return. Nearing the sliding doors they open, revealing a halogen lit hell. Their sterile lighting and sanitized smell making you cringe. On either side of you splitting off into two separate area's are waiting rooms while in front of you is the front desk. An older lady sitting behind it looks up with a kind smile to greet the both of you.

"I'm here to get her arm checked for injuries." His hand rests on the counter idly. The woman begins to look back and forth from her screen to you before looking back again.

"What's your name sweetheart?"

"Y/n l/n" You state blandly.

A whole list of other questions comes rushing in afterwards before she releases you into the waiting room. Being later in the night, there's not many people inside. This you're thankful for. They're scattered about, an occasional cough making you stir in your seat.

Illinois looks over at you. Your knees pulled up to you chest and head leaned back in an attempt to sleep. It's clear you're uncomfortable. Lifting an arm, he's careful to avoid your shoulder while leaning your head onto his shoulder.

Removing the hat from your face you look up at him confused. Taking the hat from your hand he whispers to you. "Just lay back down."

You don't even try to fight against him as you allow yourself to relax against his shoulder. Watching you, Illinois smiles without realizing. Seeing you against him, content, tired, and trusting him to watch out for you makes him warm. Then again the guilt of bringing you with him tugs that away. You never should have been bothered in the first place.

Looking way from you, Illinois sighs and leans his head back.

"Sorry." He whispers again.

--

The evaluation nurse grabbed your wrist band and analyzed the what she could. From what she said it was nothing too horrible but that it shouldn't go unchecked just in case. It was more than likely just sprained. Still, even that could pose and issue if not treated properly. Once she was done, a doctor came to grab you from her room. Illinois follows in suit.

"From what I'm seeing you have a sprained shoulder?" He says as he looks down as his paper and pulls the curtains to your room open.

"That's what the nurse up front told us. Yes." You say as Illinois helps hoist you up onto the bed.

Pulling the curtain shut the doctor turns to face you, a bright sly smile on his face. "Alright. I'm going to be your doctor for today. My name is Riley. It's nice to meet you."

You nod with a small sparring smile while he walks up to inspect your shoulder himself. Illinois stands on the other side of you, his arms crossed in such a way that makes them look big.

A shooting pain pulls your attention away, snapping your head to look you see the doctor gently grasping your shoulder, prodding at it to get a feel for what's wrong. Writhing and squirming in pain, you let out a strained cry. It finally stops when he steps away to grab the clip board, his other hand resting on your thigh.

"Looks like it going to need X-rays. I can't tell just from the feeling alone. There's too much inflammation. You're okay with staying over night. Yes?" He gently squeezes your thigh with a charming smile.

Nervously you smile. "Fine by me."

Looking from you to Illinois and back he pats your thigh and moves towards the door. "I'll be back soon then." Shooting you a wink he disappears behind the curtain.

Purely by instinct, you rub the feeling of his touch on your leg away and onto the bed with a grimace of disgust. "Did you see that bullshit?" You say as you look up at Illinois.

The unusually brooding man towers above you, his eyes glaring daggers at the curtains where the doctor left. His eyes are dark and murky with the flames of hatred flickering inside. His jaw clenches as he looks back down at you.

"You did." You mutter.

Reaching back he pulls the chair forward to take a seat closer to you. Leaning forward before sitting completely you hear him speak. His voice is low and threatening.

"Keep the hat." He firmly preses it onto you, not even giving you the chance you properly grab it.

Until now you've never seen Illinois like this. Until now you've never been able to. He's like an overprotective dog. Overbearing in the sense that it makes your stomach flutter. No one's ever cared enough to get like this.

"I can't even wear it if I'm laying down." Clicking your tongue you leave it where he put it on your stomach.

"I don't care. He shouldn't be touching you like that." Illinois snaps, a growl lingering in his voice.

"we're not even-" he cuts you off. "Don't need to be. It doesn't matter what we are he shouldn't put his hands on anyone like that regardless. It's disgusting." He seethes.

--

Almost an hour later Riley returned with a bright smile to lead you to the x-ray room. Illinois was allowed in but he couldn't be anywhere near you because of the metal he was wearing. He and the doctor watched from the observation window and when it was done he beckoned you over to look.

Standing between the doctor and Illinois you watched as he pointed out the fractures in your shoulder and explained what he was going to do for it. As he did, you began to feel a hand slowly slip into the small of your back and hook it's way around your waist.

Briefly looking down you were horrified to find that it wasn't Illinois but instead was the doctor who all but smiled sweetly at you.

"We'll keep you overnight just to be on the safe side. There could be internal bleeding but that's it. You can change back into your shirt and head back to the room now. I'll wait for you out here" he gestures for you to go ahead while you hurriedly step away from him and into the undressing room.

Illinois follows close behind, shutting the door behind him as he does. When you first came in here the doctor had you change into a special shirt made specifically for X-rays. Problem was you can't take anything off or put anything on without help so Illinois volunteered. Thank goodness for that.

"I hate that guy." You mutter as you wait on Illinois to help you. Moments pass and he still hasn't done anything yet. Lifting you head to look at him you opened your mouth to speak. Very quickly you're cut short by his lips colliding with yours and his tongue making it's way into your mouth.

His hands roughly grabbed your waist as he backed you against the wall. You didn't resist, instead you lifted your only good arm to grasp his shirt, standing on your tip toes to deepen the kiss.

Your eyes fall shut as he pulls away, using his head to push your chin up your easier access to your jaw. "I should have done this sooner." He sloppily places kisses down your jaw and neck before eventually coming to stop at your collar bone. Baring his teeth he nips lightly at first, just testing the waters for a reaction.

Feeling the pinch roll over your sensitive skin you let out a whine. Immediately his hand comes up from your hip to cover your mouth while he smiles against your collarbone. Pulling away he moves his hands to the bottom of your shirt where he begins to tug it up.

"Don't make a sound." He orders as he gently pulls it over your head, revealing your bare chest.

Without hesitation he goes back to lapping at your collarbone, his teeth snagging at the skin before he finally latches in and sucks lightly, letting his tongue roll around your skin. Letting out a stifled cry you squirm beneath his hold, one of his hands eventually coming up to cover your mouth as he moves to another spot further up your neck to mark as well.

"He should keep his fucking hands to himself next time." Illinois growls against your skin as he leaves another mark just below your jaw. Heats gathered in your core from his mouth doing a number on your neck and psyche.

"I hope you're okay with this because I'm not apologizing now. Especially not to him if he steps out of line again." Illinois says as he stands to his full height again.

Biting your lip you open your eyes to look up at him, the trail of bite marks on your neck leaving your skin stinging in pain. Everything is suck a gaze in your mind from the arousal, all you can do is nod.

Illinois smiles devilishly. "Good girl."

Once he moves away to grab your actual shirt you find yourself reaching out for him to calm back. Upon seeing this, Illinois chuckles. "Glad to know you enjoyed it but we can finish later."

--

Coming back out of the bathroom with a sly grin was Illinois who proudly looked the doctor in the eyes as his smile faded and his eyes widened.

"You can...head back to...to the um...to the room." He stammered.

"Perfect." Chirps Illinois who guides you out the room and down the hall with pride.

ENDING NOTES ↓

My brain when I wrote this: her favorite thing to say is 'cuff me', slut me out, slut me out, slut me out....

[blog-name-idk]

Everything Falls (Into Place) | 27

*Banner by the incredible @bangtansmauyeondan

Pairing: OT7 x Fem Reader

Genre: College!AU, Roommate!AU, Fluff, Humor, Smut

Summary: Your new roommates are unbearably nice and unbearably hot. Good thing you're an adult who is fully capable of platonic friendships with the opposite sex, right?

Word Count: 3300

~~~~~

Jungkook was a mixture of pissed and depressed. Which was never a healthy emotional combination for anyone. Of course he would be the odd one out, the only one apparently excluded from your affections.

Was he too young? Or did you find him annoying? Had his accidental spank ruined your relationship?

He had already been fighting off annoyance at dinner last night, with Jimin and Taehyung shooting smug glances at each other. Hobi's demeanor had been too much of a one-eighty from earlier in the day, indicating something had happened between the two of you at lunch. And Jin had been way too relaxed and unbothered about everything, which also implied much more than the eldest realized.

Then this morning, Namjoon had come upstairs with an obvious "I just got laid" glow on his stupid face. He had looked surprised not to see you in the kitchen, and when Jin said neither you or Yoongi had appeared yet Jungkook already knew what that meant.

Sometimes Jungkook wished he didn't space out just to observe everyone's interactions so often. Then maybe he wouldn't have noticed. He didn't want to be petty or passive aggressive. But it hurt and he was mad and sad. There was some stupid term for that in a dumb show he had watched with you, but he didn't care to remember.

So he locked himself in his room to sulk facedown on his bed before any of the envy could bubble out of him in the form of something he would regret.

It wasn't working, though. Screaming into his pillow had helped for a second, but giving himself time and energy to wallow in self-pity was actually making it worse. He punched his mattress, then sighed, patting his duvet.

"I'm sorry bed, you've never been anything but good to me," he apologized. Then he realized he might be going crazy. He needed to get out of here. Maybe he could go to the gym and sweat out some of the anger roiling under his skin.

He slipped out of the house, almost snarling at Jimin when his hyung tried to stop him on the way. He would regret it later, but right now even the sight of his friend's cherubic face was too much to deal with.

~~~~~

Jimin [Y/n], where are you? I didn't see your cute face at breakfast :( Though Joon seemed VERY cheerful

You Hey Chim! I just woke up haha

Jimin With Yoongi-hyung?

You Guilty 😅

Jimin You work fast ;) Um Can I ask you a favor?

You Of course, what's up?

Jimin Kookie's really upset I think he noticed everything that's happened and is taking it the wrong way

You Oh no Did he talk to you about it? Is he angry?

Jimin No, he left for the gym with that face he makes when he's trying really hard not to be an asshole

You I'm sorry, I know this is serious but his angry face is too cute

Jimin Lol You're right though I tried to talk to him but he told me to leave him alone and left I couldn't even be upset because his cheeks were puffed out

You Do you think he's mad at me? Or like disgusted or something?

Jimin No!!! I think he's sad Maybe kind of mad, but at the situation, not at you

You Ah yes, smad I should go talk to him, huh

Jimin Yeah Please?

You Okay I will I'm scared though What if he hates me?

Jimin No one could hate you <3

You Haha thanks, but…

Jimin I shouldn't be telling you this

You But you're going to anyway

Jimin It's okay, Kookie will forgive me because I'm cute

You Unfortunately true

Jimin Anyway He's had a crush on you since like, your first tutoring session his freshman year

You Sorry what? That's like more than two years

Jimin It's true He's also the only one who realized we all had feelings for you

You Oh my god Well now I feel really bad for not talking to him yet

Jimin No don't feel bad! Things just kind of happened! I only told you so you'd know he definitely doesn't hate you It's probably just really tough on him right now because he doesn't know how you feel

You Get out of here with your emotional intelligence Do you think he'll still be at the gym after I shower?

Jimin Oh definitely He'll seriously be lifting weights for hours in that mood if no one stops him Go save him from himself!!

You Yes sir!

Jimin Save that for the bedroom

You Omg

~~~~~

You chewed your lip nervously as you peeked into the gym Jungkook had a membership to. The tall boy caught your eye almost immediately, from where he was pummeling the ever loving shit out of a punching bag in the corner. Shit, he was fast. Was it bad that you kind of wanted to see him punch out your ex?

You hadn't texted him, knowing that in his current state he would probably try to avoid you. Now that you were here, however, you also weren't sure how to approach him. You couldn't exactly go up to him and say, "Hey Kookie I know I've fucked basically all of your roommates but I'm also into you!"

Well you probably could, it would definitely get the point across, but that was a little too straightforward even for you. Plus you didn't like how it would imply you had purposely left him for last when you hadn't. Everything had just sort of fallen into place with the others with no real planning on anyone's part.

You were so caught up in your thoughts that you didn't notice Jungkook staring at you from across the gym floor. He had been taking a break from punching his frustrations away and glanced at the entrance by chance, only to be taken aback to see you hovering by the door.

What were you doing here? You had always avoided the gym with a passion, no matter how many times he had invited you to join him. And you definitely weren't wearing workout gear. You were actually in that buttery yellow dress he loved and it sent little butterflies fluttering in his chest despite the current state of his mind.

The sunlight shone through the windows behind you, illuminating your frame and making you look ethereal. His heart twisted in longing as he gazed at you. His schoolboy crush had turned into full blown love at some point and he had no idea how to handle himself now that his hopes were dashed.

He wondered if he should go talk to you. But what would he even say right now? He wasn't sure if had he calmed down enough not to immediately open his mouth and say something stupid or shitty.

Huh, what were you talking to the receptionist about? Wait, you were handing her a credit card. Were you actually here to get a membership? Jungkook's stomach coiled further in jealousy at the idea that you would do it for one of his hyungs, but not him.

Then you began walking directly towards him, and he panicked and stupidly tried to hide behind the punching bag.

"Uh, hi Kookie," you said in a confused voice as you poked your head around to look at him. He blushed and did his best to look nonchalant.

"Oh, hey! I didn't see you there." He spied what looked like a bruise on your neck and realized it was a hickey too dark to be completely covered by your makeup.

"Did you finally get a membership?" He asked, trying to ignore the tumultuous feelings battling inside of him. You gave a slightly resigned smile.

"Yeah, unfortunately," you confirmed, making a face. His stomach dropped a little further. Of course you would for one of his older, more mature friends who you actually liked.

"What caused the sudden change of heart?" Jungkook asked, because he was a masochist and wanted to know exactly who had convinced you. He managed to bite back a snide comment about your virtue that absolutely no one would appreciate, him included. To his surprise you suddenly grimaced and glared at the receptionist. Who was looking their way and glaring back.

"She wouldn't let me come in unless I was a member," you complained. "Even though I told her I just needed to talk to you for a second."

Jungkook blinked in confusion. The girl at the counter had always been incredibly nice to him, even letting him through when he forgot his keyfob. Then the second part of your statement caught his attention.

"Huh? Talk to me?" He asked in confusion. Your face went a little pink, but you nodded.

"I - fuck. Um."

Jungkook stared at you in amazement. He had never seen you so tongue tied around him. You gave a cute little exhale.

"Kookie," you took his hand and looked at him very seriously. "You're very important to me."

His heart began to sink like his relationship with you already had. One of his hyungs must have let slip he was in love with you and you had come all the way here to let him down gently. Whatever you had to say next was interrupted by a loud, somewhat grating voice.

"Hey, just because you bought a membership doesn't mean you can harass the other patrons."

The receptionist had come to his supposed rescue and was glaring at you. You gave her the fakest smile he had ever seen in his life.

"He's my friend, and we were having a private conversation," you said cheerfully through gritted teeth, your tone at complete odds with the hostility in your eyes. This was the first time he had seen you so clearly pissed off and was kind of turning him on. The receptionist rolled her eyes and turned to Jungkook with a syrupy smile.

"Is this girl bothering you?" she cooed, laying an overly familiar hand on his bicep. Ah, well that explained why she was always so nice to him. While he didn't necessarily appreciate the touch, in her defense you had clearly not come to the gym to do any actual exercise and for all she knew you were some crazy stalker. Hah. He wished.

Jungkook was acutely aware of the way you were staring daggers into the girl's back and a farfetched daydream took root in the back of his mind. He aimed his best smile at the girl and didn't shake her off the way he wanted to. Out of the corner of his eye he saw your expression go even more murderous.

"Thanks, but this is actually one of my roommates," he said sweetly, finally stepping away from her. When he did, your frame relaxed slightly. He was frankly shocked the girl hadn't bled out from the sharp edge of your gaze.

The receptionist's eyes flashed with disappointment but she nodded, eyeing you dubiously. When she walked away, you flipped her off behind her back and Jungkook burst out laughing.

"It's not funny!" You huffed, still glaring at the girl's retreating form. Jungkook laughed even harder, shoulders shaking in mirth. He couldn't help it, every time you did something immature like that it was so jarring and he loved it.

"What, are you jealous or something?" he joked, mostly to give some vocalization to his wistful fantasies. Unexpectedly, you turned bright red.

"W-what? Why would I be - I would never - not of some - I wouldn't -" You were babbling. He gaped at you, wide-eyed.

"I was joking," he said weakly, wondering what weird alternate reality he had found himself in. And if he could stay.

"Goddammit," you sighed, deflating visibly and closing your eyes for a moment. Then you looked straight into his soul and he felt all of the blood rush into his ears. "Okay, I was jealous."

"I'm sorry, what?" He asked, sure he must be interpreting your words incorrectly. You must've just meant you didn't like seeing that girl touch him because you were protective, right? The way your older brother was over you?

"Kookie, I like you. As more than a friend."

Oh. Jungkook looked around for a moment, waiting for the punchline. It never came. Oh.

"I'm sorry it took so long for me to tell you. I didn't mean to leave you out or anything, it all just sort of dominoed at random. But I swear you're just as special to me."

You were staring at him earnestly, and a bit of pleading and uncertainty had entered your lovely eyes. He stood there frozen as his one remaining brain cell processed your words. Oh god, it was happening. It was actually happening.

"You really mean it?" He asked, vibrating with the suppressed urge to run around the gym screaming at the top of his lungs. Your face broke into the most gorgeous smile he had ever seen and it sent him over the moon. He might actually have jumped for joy, but at least none of his hyungs were around to see.

When he finally physically and mentally came down to earth, you were giggling behind your hand and gazing at him with unabashed fondness. He blushed, realizing he had been acting like a little kid in his excitement. You just smiled and pulled him into a hug, burying your face in his chest.

"I'm sweaty," he protested, worried you'd be put off by his stickiness or his odor. But he didn't pull away to spare you because he was a weak man.

"Don't care," you said happily into his damp, probably gross shirt. "And you smell good."

Jungkook wondered if you could feel the way his heart jolted at your offhand compliment. He also surreptitiously gave his forearm a hard pinch before hugging you back just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. That only left the alternate reality theory, and he resolved that he was definitely staying in this one no matter how many multiverse police might come after him.

"Are you gonna stay here longer?" You asked, drawing back enough to look at face, but keeping your arms around him. He smiled, thrilled he could actually touch you like this without pretense.

"Nah, I'm pretty much done," he replied, not mentioning that he was only here on his rest day to get rid of his pent up stress. Another wonderful idea sparked in his head, and he put a pensive frown on his face. "Actually I think I need your help to close out my workout."

You looked at him, completely confused.

"Um, I can try, but if you're going to ask me to spot you you might actually die."

He snorted at your honesty and shook his head. He then shot his most convincing, wide-eyed smile (the one he had adapted from Jimin and Taehyung) at you.

"I think I need a kiss to really feel like I'm done here for the day."

It was your turn to snort, but you couldn't hide the smile that crept over your face at how cute he was with those wide, hopeful eyes. Still, that had been super cheesy and he deserved to be teased. So you took his hand and laid a chaste kiss to the back of it.

"There, all set!" You announced cheekily, holding in a giggle at the pout on his handsome face. Of course, you were unable to resist the sparkles in his eyes for long and you soon found yourself on your tippy toes, tilting your face up towards his.

He came down to meet you the rest of the way and your lips molded together perfectly. You could feel his body still quivering in excitement and had to smile against him as it hit you again just how lucky you were.

"Let's go home," he said happily when you finally dropped back onto your heels. You took great joy in waving vindictively at the receptionist as the two of you left, hand in hand.

~~~~~

Jungkook [Y/n]!!! I miss you

You Kookie we literally just got home You're so cute :)

Jungkook I'm also manly

You Oh trust me I'm very aware

Jungkook :) Are you doing anything tonight?

You I'm hanging out with Mina I'm free all day tomorrow, though What's up?

Jungkook Let me take you on a date Please?

You I would love that! I haven't been on an actual one since my ex

Jungkook Excuse me?

You I guess you could maybe count the times I was Jin's fake girlfriend? Read 4:15pm

~~~~~

Jungkook What the fuck hyungs

Taehyung You okay Kookie?

Jungkook You guys have some fucking nerve

Jimin Did [y/n] not find you at the gym?

Jungkook How dare you touch her with your disgusting, unworthy hands

Jin Aw are you jealous?

Jungkook When not ONE of you has taken her on a proper date

Namjoon Oh no

Hobi Oh my god We're the worst

Taehyung I got her cake…

Jimin You ate most of it

Jungkook I should tell her brother

Namjoon NO Kookie for the love of all that is holy Please don't

Jungkook The only holy thing in this house is [y/n] and her smile And Jin wtf I thought you called yourself a gentleman

Jin I haven't had sex with her yet Which I should honestly get a prize for, she's very hard to say no to Also I'm your elder show some respect

Jungkook I will when you deserve it

Jimin Is anyone else turned on by JK right now?

Yoongi lmao

~~~~~

You I have so much to tell you tonight

Mina Did you finally catch 'em all?

You I have less to tell you tonight

~~~~~

You Uh Kookie? You still there?

Jungkook Sorry! Had to take care of something Is there anything in particular you'd want to do tomorrow?

You Hmm not that I can think of It's honestly been so long we could even go to like mcdonalds and I'd be happy

Jungkook I'm going to fucking kill them

You ? You're going to kill mcdonalds?

Jungkook Nevermind Day date or evening date?

You Seriously Kookie, anything is fine I'm just happy we get to spend time together :)

Jungkook Me too :) But I still want it to be special! It's our first date

You Ugh you're so sweet

Jungkook Would all day be too much? Well, after lunch anyway

You Of course not Are you sure you won't get sick of me after that long though?

Jungkook Impossible

You When did you become such a charmer?

Jungkook You make it easy <3

You Oh my god stop

Jungkook Once again, impossible

You Kookie!!

Jungkook Yes baby?

You Omg

~~~~~

Namjoon Anyone know why [y/n] blanket burritoed herself on the couch?

Jimin No but it sounds adorable

Namjoon It is But also odd

Hobi Nooooo I wish I was home!

Taehyung Someone take pictures

Jungkook Heh

~~~~~

Jungkook Awww baby are you embarrassed?

You Jungkook!!!! Stop calling me that!

Jungkook Do you not like it?

You I mean

Jungkook Or is it that you like it a little too much?

You Ok gotta go to Mina's, I'll see you tomorrow!

~~~~~

Jackson Hey pipsqueak I forwarded you my flight info Can't wait to see you! Only a week left!

You Yay!!!! I'm so excited! I miss you so much

Jackson I miss you too!

You Also Mina says hi! Picture attached Read 9:23pm Bro?

Jackson You guys look like you're having a good time I'm also out having a good time myself Sorry if I took a bit to respond

You … Did you seriously wait 20 minutes to reply just so Mina would think you have a life

Jackson I'm sorry

You Lol nerd

~~~~~

Next | Masterlist

Tags: @singukieee @persphonesorchid @xmochiloverx @taestefully-in-luv @meavie @silscintilla @forpunishers @jnghs @avadakadabra93 @thesleepingmoonfox @readers-posts

[punkpandapatrixk]

Scale and variety of fame are unique to each individual~

[Back to Masterlist] [Part 1] [Part 3]

Pile 1 - Industriousness

Priestesses of Fertility & Innocence

2 of Cups & Gold Astrologer (Simon Forman)

If you're gonna get famous for anything, it will be your assiduousness. This is a quality that makes a person very careful and attentive towards their Art. Whether you end up doing business or pursuing an artistic passion, Creativity reigns at the core of your activity. Your Art will be recognised as having a pure, innocent, childlike quality, but at the same time, respectfully high-quality. You will surprise the world with your level of professionalism that doesn't give way to the sacrifice of your innocence!

You probably have a strong Aries energy mixed with Scorpio in your natal chart. Either those are placed in Houses relating to your creativity, public image, or... they could simply be squaring or sextile one another. It is this combination in your natal chart what will get you respect and recognition—if that is seriously what you want.

If being in a relationship happens to be your thing, you could also gain recognition from romantic escapades. Something like your romantic life being in the spotlight and, for better or worse, people are gonna be watching you—your marriage and/or family life, including your children. Your children, too, could grow up to become famous people in their own regards. It's like a legacy thingy.

I'm seeing really, really powerful people attracted to this pile. But whether or not you can harvest these high-quality apples already destined for you, it also rests on your earnest efforts from today. If there's anything you need to prepare from now... it's gonna sound weird, but... you need to make sure your spirit doesn't turn rotten on the way to the plateau of success and fame.

Small advice for a pure heart🔻❤️

Access full reading + cards on Patreon🌸

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

Pile 2 - Sawayaka na Personality

Priestesses of Healing & Patience

King of Wands Rx & Green Astrologer (Robert Fludd)

Okay, I couldn't find the super appropriate English word for sawayaka, so here goes. This Japanese word translates to fresh or refreshing, but what I truly mean is that you're going to be recognised for your aura and seemingly healing presence. It is because there's something exquisitely gentle about your Soul—this quality probably shines through your mannerism, too. You are a natural healer, whether you know it or not. You're gentle, but strong, and that's gonna draw people in.

In terms of career, I'm seeing you getting a lot of fans from doing something—anything—beautiful that has some healing quality to it. For example, PONY Syndrome creates makeup tutorial videos (girly beauty), and her quality and aesthetic are so top notch and watching her videos provide people with healing, inspiration and joy. -I can't be the only one feeling this, right??-🤣It's just one example, but I hope you get the picture, anyway.

Irrespective of your gender associations, this pile has a very sweet and feminine energy what will give rise to your becoming recognised and respected for your Art. Doesn't matter what variety of LGBTQ++++++++++++ you are, even if maybe you started from the bottom where everyone disrespected or underestimated or even bullied you, one day your undying, unfeigned kindness, sweetness and gentleness will show the entire world the true value of feminine power. It is not weak; it is patient and therefore it is healing. Same applies to those who don't resonate with being LGBTQ+++, by the way.

So anyway, a lot of the people attracted to this pile may be that type that finds it hard to express or channel anger in an honest and healthy way. Well, you are naturally patient and compassionate, so I'm also seeing you having empathy for even people who underestimate or treat you badly. Don't get me wrong, your empathy is your greatest asset, but you shouldn't allow that gentleness be your downfall. You can learn to not give in to other people's bullshit behaviours without losing the purity of your Soul.

Small advice for heart healing🔻🧡

Access full reading + cards on Patreon🌸

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

Pile 3 - Spiritual Magnetism——Magnetic Spiritualism

Priestesses of Faith & Opulence

XIV Temperance & Silver Magus (Merlin)

You may look or have a cute personality, but WOW are you Gandalf!! You have this softness about you that misleads people in perceiving your true capabilities. And with that, I'm sensing some of you—the bunch of you, actually—have felt disparagingly disrespected your entire life. Like, people haven't taken you for the serious magician that you inherently are.

When you're left to your own devices, you are more than capable of creating a magnificent Life that is just exactly what you envision for yourself. That's some crazy-ass manifesting power you have there. But the twist here is that you can't be selfish at all. Whatever variety and level of fame you're destined to achieve in this lifetime, you must get there with the sole intent (almost) of bringing some kind of healing, inspiration or motivation to other people.

I'm seeing here that your current incarnation is almost solely for the purpose of being of service to others. And the downside to this is that you may have had many experiences of people walking all over or taking advantage of you in really horrible ways. This is your Soul's challenge to strengthen your spiritual prowess, though—in this selfish world, whilst maintaining the balance of giving and receiving.

You are a giver, yes, and you're meant to continue to give and share until the day you leave this world. But at the same time, because the world is the way that it is, you also need to learn to guard yourself and not lose to parasites. Don't give or share too much with parasites who don't deserve your charity. Above all, learn to recognise causes that are worth helping~ Your energy is too precious.

No matter what line of career you choose, if you've been called by this pile, there's a certainty of your leaving a legacy for this world. You might even become something of a legend. Trust that! WOW.

Small advice for power generation🔻💗

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