#this is me trying to make an au with my ocs that have gold eyes btw

[bb-enablefreebuild]

Does anyone else think it’s possible there’s other necromancers that have golden eyes? Corona and Ianthe have purple eyes (at least Ianthe did pre soul cannibalism). If they do I don’t think the Lyctors would really Know about it or care since they believe Alecto is dead. They also haven’t returned to the Nine Houses in thousands of years. Maybe there’s a couple of guys in the Cohort that have gold eyes and Mercy FREAKS OUT then realizes “oh it’s just recessive haha”, then she gets the idea for Dios Apate Major bc of that??? Idk dog.

[bobfloydsbabe]

burning flames | eccentric professor!bob floyd x oc

a gold rush fic

SUMMARY: A heated argument reaches a fever pitch for Bob and his TA.

WARNINGS: academia au, enemies to lovers (if you squint), age gap (mid-to-late 20s/late 30s), power imbalance, mutual jealousy, SMUT (fingering), bob being grumpy and rude. strictly 18+/minors dni.

WORD COUNT: 2.3k

GOLD RUSH MASTERLIST

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SPECIAL THANKS to @cherrycola27 for letting me rant about professor bob and for sending thots when i ask for them. you're a real one.

A/N: very loosely inspired by the song style by taylor swift for the wonderful @laracrofted's 1989TGM writing celebration. this was supposed to be a mob boss bob fic, but that made me cry, so i switched gears and now here we are. i'm sorry this is so late, ames. enjoy!

“That’s all we have time for today. You’re dismissed.” He closes his book and listens to the sound of laptop lids being shut, chairs scraping against the old wooden floor, and chatter amongst his students. It’s a sound he’ll never tire of, no matter how long he teaches.

One sound is distinctly different, though. The sound of her voice. Sweet and soft. Lifting his eyes, he sees her talking to one of his students. Mike something. He can’t quite remember, but she laughs and puts her hand on his arm, making Bob clench his jaw.

Another student, Alicia, comes to his desk to talk about the upcoming assignment and what she can do to improve her grade. Normally, he would tell her to make an appointment at his office, but then Imogen laughs again, making heady eyes at that Mike guy, and he decides he has all the time in the world to talk to Alicia.

He tries to pay attention to his student, to answer her questions, and even tries to smile, but he can feel Imogen looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Her dark gaze is intense and sets his skin on fire in a way he’s been trying to ignore for weeks.

“So,” he hears Mike say. “What are your plans this weekend?”

Bob freezes. He lets his eyes wander over to Imogen, who’s still smiling. Next to him, Alicia is still talking, but her voice is far away and barely audible as he focuses on his assistant.

“I’m revising my dissertation proposal,” she tells him. “They rejected the last one for being too broad, so I have to narrow it down.”

Bob’s on that committee and strongly disagreed, but other members outnumbered him and he was forced to dissent. Dr. Kazansky had given her the news, and Bob remembers the heartbroken look in her eyes when she came to his office afterward. He’d wanted to comfort her then.

“Too busy to have dinner with me?”

Bob straightens his back, eyes still trained on Imogen as he dismisses Alicia, telling her to make an appointment if she wishes to discuss things further.

She mutters a thank you and scurries away. Imogen opens her mouth to answer, but Bob interrupts, certain he doesn’t want to hear the answer she’ll likely provide to this Mike character.

“Miss Van Doren,” he says, barely recognizing the hardness in his own voice. “My office. Now.”

He doesn’t wait for her to respond, but gathers his books and leaves the lecture hall without a glance back to see if she’s following. It doesn’t take long for him to hear her marching footsteps behind him, so he leaves the door open for her.

She slams it shut, so it rattles on the hinges.

“What is your problem?”

She’s furious. Nostrils flared, heavy breathing, and a delicious flush paints her cheeks pink.

“My problem?” he asks, placing the books on his desk. “What’s your problem?”

She drops her bag to the floor and crosses her arms in front of her chest. The gold necklace with her initial catches in the light, drawing his eyes down.

“I don’t have a problem,” she insists, taking a step toward him. “But you constantly berating me is getting old.”

He says nothing. He can’t. Not when she’s looking at him like she wants to wring his neck. Not when all the blood in his body is racing south, and he’s trying not to look at her legs, but they are on full display in that tight little skirt she’s wearing. Again.

He swears she’s doing it on purpose to rile him up.

He hates that it’s working.

She takes a deep breath, pushing her shoulders back, and looks up into his eyes. He’s always found hers unsettling, like she sees the parts of him he’s been hiding for decades.

“I know you don’t want me here, Dr. Floyd,” she says, gesturing around his office, making her short skirt even shorter, revealing more of her supple thighs. “You’ve made that abundantly clear, but you could at least show me the courtesy of not undermining me every time I talk to students.”

He frowns. “I don’t undermine you.”

She scoffs, gaze leaving him as her frustration fills the room. “You interrupted my conversation with Michael not five minutes ago,” she argues as her eyes find his again. Dark brown meeting ocean blue.

He steps forward, eyes wandering over every inch of her exposed skin, making his head spin with barely contained desire. “It was an inappropriate conversation.”

“He asked about my dissertation.”

Bob shakes his head. “No, he asked you out.”

“So what?” she throws her hands out to the side, exasperation turning into full-blown anger now. “He’s been trying to ask me out for weeks, but you always manage to interrupt. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you do it on purpose.”

He freezes. His heart’s beating painfully in his chest and his face feels like it’s on fire. There may even be steam coming out of his ears.

He watches Imogen run her hands through her hair, pulling at the roots, and he truly wishes she wouldn’t. It’s conjuring up very vivid images in his head that he shouldn’t have of his teaching assistant.

She looks at him expectantly, thinking an answer is going to come, but it doesn’t. He doesn’t know how to respond to that in a way that’ll make sense to her. It barely even makes sense to himself.

“He doesn’t deserve you,” Bob says finally.

She scoffs. “Yeah, well, he treats me better than you do, and I know that’s a really low bar, but it’s better than—”

Bob crashes his lips against hers, swallowing the gasp she emits. For a moment nothing happens, and for a second he thinks he’s made a grave mistake, but then Imogen’s arms circle around his waist and she sighs against his mouth. 

He walks her backward until her back hits the wall behind his desk, and he presses her against it, trying to get closer.

He pulls away a few inches to look at her. Cheeks flushed, hair a little out of place, and pupils dilated. She’s never looked more delectable, and he knows she can feel his hard cock against her hip. He doesn’t care.

Taking a deep breath, her eyes search his face for something, but it’s unclear whether she finds it. “Why did you do that?”

Her voice is barely above a whisper. There’s no hint of regret, but the rational part of him knows this is a bad idea. He’s her superior, after all.

“You wouldn’t shut up.”

“So you kissed me?” she asks with an adorable wrinkle between her brows.

He frowns. Now sure he’s misjudged the situation, Bob leans back and squares his shoulders, letting his hands fall away from her neck.

“Oh no,” she tuts and grabs a handful of his sweater, pulling him back in. “Get back here.” She stands on her tiptoes and captures his mouth with her own, tongue dancing at the seam of his lips for entry.

He doesn’t have to be told twice. He leans his weight against her, pushing her against the wall, and groans into her mouth when she tugs on his hair.

His hands travel down her body. Grazing across the swell of her breasts, into the dip of her waist, the hips that have occupied his thoughts for weeks, and finally, her thighs. His lips never leave hers, and his tongue explores her mouth and the taste of mint that lingers from her toothpaste.

Imogen shudders as his fingertips tickle the back of her knees, whimpering at the touch.

His hands slide up the back of her bare thighs, feeling her soft skin under his palms. She moans into his mouth and it’s the most arousing sound he’s ever heard. He can’t help the roll of his hips, desperate for friction, for relief, for something warmer than his own hand.

His hands travel up under her skirt, feeling the plumpness of her ass in his hands make him push against her again and she’s meeting him with her own movement.

“Professor,” she moans, as he trails wet kisses along her throat, running his tongue over the skin afterward.

He hums, kneading her ass-cheeks, growing harder as he rocks against her. Even separated by layers of fabric, the friction is enough to drive him mad.

“Dr. Floyd,” she says, pulling his hair hard enough that his lips detach from her throat. Her pupils are wide and hungry, mirroring his own, and their heavy breaths mix in arousing unison. “I’m still mad at you.”

A smug smirk spreads across his face. “I know,” he says and removes one hand from her ass. He uses it to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Don’t go out with him.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

The words hang in the air. Bob keeps one hand on the side of her neck while the other remains under her skirt, playing with the edge of her panties. He holds her gaze, waiting for her to make the next move. To tell him where she stands, what she wants.

He sees the moment she decides, the corner of her mouth turning upward just enough to be a smile.

“Show me.”

Yanking her panties to the side, his fingertips glide along her folds, feeling her already soaking for him. Her mouth forms a perfect o as she gasps, and he wonders what else that pretty and vicious mouth can do.

Her fingers curl into the hair at his nape, gasping when he finds her clit. “So pretty like this,” he whispers, kissing the underside of her jaw.

“Professor,” she whimpers. “Please.”

“Come on,” he says, leaning back to watch her. Her brown doe eyes have gone dark with hunger and desire, arousal clear from the bead of sweat on her temple, and his cock is so hard he’s about to go insane. Yet, he still leans in close, his lips featherlight against her ear and whispers “moan for me.”

He leans back just in time to catch the look in her eyes when he presses his thumb against her clit and she lets herself moan. Louder than he expected, so his hand flies over her mouth, keeping her quiet, but feeling her smile beneath his palm.

His thumb massages her clit while his index finger finds her entrance, warmth begging him to enter. Bob meets Imogen’s eyes, asking without saying the words because he doesn’t trust either of them to keep their voices down.

Her nod sends him to heaven.

She moans into his hand as his finger slides inside her. He’s hot all over, groaning into her neck at the sensation of her. “So fucking tight,” he mumbles against her skin, making her clench around him.

Tightening her arms around his shoulders, she whimpers against his palm, and her hips meet his motions as he pumps his finger inside her. Her juices spread across his hand, and before long, he adds a second finger.

His office fills with the sounds of heavy breathing, muffled moans from Imogen, and barely contained groans from himself. He can feel her getting close, her legs trembling, struggling to stay upright. Leaning his forehead against hers, he removes his hand from her mouth. “Quiet,” he mutters against her lips.

She nods as she kisses him, open-mouthed and desperate, and his thumb draws tight circles on her clit as he angles his fingers against that spot inside her. She’s there. He knows it. “Good girl,” he whispers. “Cum for me.”

She does. Gushes around his fingers, writhing in his arms. He guides her through her high, holding her against the wood-paneled wall behind her. Her head falls against his shoulder as she comes down, and a long whine escapes her throat as he withdraws his fingers.

Leaning back to give her a little space, he takes in her unkempt hair, swollen lips, and the breathtaking pink flush in her cheeks. Her eyes flick down to his hand, then turn to the very obvious bulge in his slacks.

“I–”

She takes his hand, the one with fingers covered in her cum, and brings it to her lips. Keeping her eyes locked on his, she closes her mouth around his digits, swirling her tongue around them, tasting herself. He’s entranced, can’t stop watching her when she hums as if it’s the most delicious meal she’s ever had.

She withdraws his fingers with a pop, letting his hand fall back at his side. They stay there, looking at each other, processing what just happened between them. Not only is she his teaching assistant, but he’s on her dissertation committee. He has power and influence, and while she’s not his student, he is her superior.

“I…” he tries again, but trails off.

She smirks, squaring her shoulders. “Close your mouth, Dr. Floyd,” she says and sidesteps him, adjusting her skirt. “You’re too smart to be a mouth breather.”

She crosses the office, gathering her bag from the floor where she dropped it, and he gets a peek at her panties as she bends over. White lace. His slacks have never felt tighter.

Unsure what to say or do, he stands there watching while Imogen tries to make her hair look presentable. “Alright,” she mumbles after a minute. “See you tomorrow.”

The door closes behind her, leaving Bob in his office, surrounded by books, paper, a chessboard, a laptop he’s forced to own, and the memory of his TA coming undone on his fingers.

There’s only one word to describe the situation he now finds himself in.

“Fuck.”

likes are nice, but reblogs and comments are golden

TAGLIST: @roosterforme, @kmc1989, @bradshawsbaby, @cherrycola27, @wkndwlff, @yanna-banana, @bluezraven, @fandom-princess-forevermore, @hangmandruigandmav, @keyrani, @just-in-case-iloveyou, @solo-pitstop-vibes, @yuckosworld, @have-a-nice-day-k, @writingshae, @the-whitegirl-is-back, @dizzydisaster, @floydsmuse

[thescarletnargacuga]

I AM SEEN

PART 5 OF THE UNSEEN SERIES: A HARLEQUIN AU FANFICTION

AU credit @iamespecter @tadc-harlequin-au

Shadowblade is my OC and NOT CANON

MOTSI by @paper-fowl

WARNING: some angst, swearing

~~~

"Welcome back." Caine smiled at the slowly waking Shadowblade. "And congratulations. I saw you break free."

Shadowblade lowly rumbled and leaned into his kind touch, still feeling the stressing fear of her dreamlike experience. For the first time, she noticed the warmth of his hand. It was so subtle, barely noticeable against her thick hide, but there. Comfort.

Caine was slid sideways from Shadowblade nuzzling against him. He steadied himself and gave her an empathetic look. "I'm sorry. For everything I ever said about your creators. I never realized... I should have been more thorough when we first brought you back, I was so wrapped up in how different you were that I didn't stop to ask why. Can you ever forgive me?" He looks directly into Shadowblade's bright gold eyes, seeing vines of black on the edges. A large dark spot formed a slitted pupil, the illusion of a real eye.

Shadowblade closed her eyes and nuzzled against Caine a little harder. He had no way of knowing who she was, she barely understood it now with all the memories swimming around in her head.

Caine laughed, trying to push back against the overpowering affection. "Okay, okay, thank you for being so underst-"

Shadowblade opened her maw and a large black tongue dragged up Caine's front, leaving a trail of strangely yellow saliva. She shook her head happily, flopping her tongue all over the place. There was a sense of taste again. Her own mouth tastes of metal and grime but it was nice to have the sensation back.

Caine stood stunned by the unexpected tongue attack. "Well, uh, I'm glad you're excited." He wiped his face.

Pomni stood watch outside with Jax, Gangle and their newest marionette addition: MOTSI, the snake-like bullet train. The train sat coiled around a smaller building across the street, waiting patiently for instructions on it's next destination. Pomni kept a vigilante eye out for hostile marionettes but the area was as quiet as ever. The charm on her right hand came to life with a soft glow, mixed feelings of fear and relief growing into happiness. "Shadowblade!" She gasped and rushed inside.

Pomni walked in on Caine being nearly slurped off his feet by Shadowblade. "Woah! Since when have you had one of those?" Pointing to the tongue lolling out the side of Shadowblade's maw. She barely had time to react as Shadowblade lunged at her. "Hey! No! Shadowblade! Down!" But it was too late, she got tongued. Her hair stuck out sideways from the thick saliva. "....thanks." She grumbled, but couldn't hold her sour face with Shadowblade nuzzling against her aggressively. "Good to see you too."

Shadowblade calmed and rumbled against Pomni, who leaned her forehead against Shadowblade's face in return.

Caine held out a handkerchief to Pomni. "I did what I could to get Shadowblade walking again, but there's nothing I can do for the wing until we get back to the manor."

Pomni accepted the handkerchief and wiped her face. "Good thing we have another mode of transportation waiting outside. The center cars of the MOTSI are quite large. I think we could make Shadowblade fit."

"I'm ready to get out of here if you are. This place gives me the creeps." Caine shuddered dramatically.

"And you didn't even see the basement."

"The what now?"

"It wasn't this warehouse, but we found the basement Shadowblade came from. We think. We were attacked before we could really make heads or tails of the place."

"Show me."

~

Shadowblade followed Caine and Pomni to the warehouse where the showdown with the silver beast began. The roof was completely collapsed, but Shadowblade made short work of the debris blocking the basement. Unhindered by confusing memories, she marched ahead of Caine and Pomni into the depths.

The wide spiralling stairs led down to a decrepit laboratory. Much of the equipment was destroyed beyond recognition. Shrapnel of multi colored crystals littered the floor. The dark, lonely basement was lit my Shadowblade's blazing eyes scanning the surroundings.

Caine whistles lowly. "The son did a number on this place."

"That's the second time you've mentions a son. What are you talking about?" Pomni asked.

"Back at the manor, I tapped into the void and found the soul responsible for all of this. He mentioned one other like Shadowblade. Called him the 'traitorous son'. I can only assume, but the Master- Don't give me that look. His words, not mine. Anyway, after the success of Shadowblade, the Master used his own son to create another, but somehow lost control."

"The silver beast."

"Yep."

"That thing was insane. Shots energy beams and everything."

"Energy beams? ....if the Master wasn't such a raging piece of shit, I'd say he was a man after my own heart."

"Don't get any ideas. Shadowblade needs time away from cutting tools and invasive procedures."

"I wasn't. Besides, I don't think there anything salvageable down here." Caine kicked a small piece of debris.

Shadowblade moved slowly through the lab. The place looked entirely different but it felt the same: claustrophobic, violating, painful. Towards the back, there were two excessively large rooms with thick metal doors. A name plate was on each: Silverwind and Warshroud.

The name Warshroud brought back the memories of the lab. Being trapped, torn apart, disoriented and isolated. The undeniable directive to obey.

Shadowblade bared her blades on her undamaged wing and lashed at the door. In a shower of sparks, a huge slash mark crossed out the name of Warshroud.

~

The MOTSI train slithered towards the City of Circuits at top speed. It's belly was nearly frictionless against the ground as energy surged with it's movements. Jax rode atop the train's head, thoroughly enjoying himself. Gangle preferred to stay in the control car, she could see the world zipping by just fine through the window.

Caine and Pomni rode in one of the cargo cars with Shadowblade. The dragonesque puppet was a tight fit, but they made it work.

"Jax says we could be back in the City of Circuits in as little as an hour. Man, we should've grabbed one of these snake trains sooner." Caine leaned against the wall, crossing his legs.

Pomni gave a non-committal hum to Caine's comment. She was focused on Shadowblade, reaching out through the connection. "What's your real name?"

Shadowblade didn't have an answer. She shook her head.

"Do you remember everything about your last life?"

Shadowblade titled their head side to side in an unsure gesture.

Caine added his own question. "So you want to remain a dragon? I'm quite the puppet builder. I could make you a new body."

Shadowblade looked down, eyes moving with thought. She shook.

"Really?" Caine said, somewhat surprised. "I mean, I respect your decision, but can I ask why?"

Shadowblade thought again, then shook.

Pomni smiled. "She says you're rude for asking."

"She did not." Caine huffed defensively. "It was a legitimate question. Communication is pretty limited like this."

"Seems to be working so far." Pomni shrugged. "Maybe you're not listening enough."

"Like you would know anything about that." Caine muttered under his breath.

"Oh, I listen. I just don't care."

"Dismissing what other people have to say is just as bad." Caine argued.

"Doing my own thing has gotten me this far. It'll keep getting me where I need to be." Pomni moved closer to Caine.

"I had hoped you'd understand the meaning of teamwork at this point. I'm sorry to say I'm sorely disappointed." Caine didn't budge, not letting the Harlequin intimidate him.

"I'm not here for your approval." Pomni would've turned away, but she stumbled right into Caine. Sharowblade had batted her from behind. Feelings of smug satisfaction came through the connection.

Caine caught Pomni as she fell into him. Their faces close, Caine smirks. "We really should stop meeting like this."

Pomni stood up straight with a flustered huff. "I'm going to check on Gangle." She slid open the door leading to the forward car and left.

"Thanks." Caine rubbed his neck. "Sometimes we get caught up in our own egos, but there's rarely any real malice behind it all."

Shadowblade sent a feeling through the connection with Pomni that could be summed up as "I know your secrets."

~

The MOTSI parked itself around the border wall of the manor. Their long body easily goes around the entire property, their head and tail almost touching near the gate. The train doors open to let out the passengers, but Shadowblade's struggles to get out as much as they did to get it.

She claws at the ground, metal grinding against metal as she slowly squeezes out. With a thunk, she flies forward and scorpions on the ground outside the train.

Caine walks out behind her, chuckling. "Smooth."

Shadowblade snorts at him as she gets up.

Jax slides off MOTSI's head. "This is your new station. Stay here." The snake powered down it's eyes, going into sleep mode until another trip was required.

Gangle gracefully exited the train, happy to be in safer territory again. "You simply must tell me how you learned to operate these, Sir Jax."

"Not like it hard." He shrugged. "Most of it's voice command. Say, why don't you come with me," He put an arm over her shoulders. "And I'll teach you."

"Just me?" Gangle asked shyly.

"Well, I'm not inviting Pomni. She doesn't take commands very well." He led her off towards the manor, but called out to Caine as they passed. "Hey, I'll be expecting my payment soon."

Caine rolled his eyes. He'd actually almost forgotten. Of course Jax wouldn't.

Pomni joined Caine with Shadowblade to the barn. He looked around, it wasn't a bad place but it wasn't befitting a person. "I'll talk to Z about getting this place upgraded. You may have to sleep in specialized quarters, but that doesn't mean you should be stuck with the dirt. Yet another thing I feel inclined to apologize for."

Pomni avoided eye contact with Shadowblade, but the emotion came through loud and clear in the connection. Guilt. She's treated Shadowblade like an animal at best, a tool at worst. Regret stabbed at the back of her mind.

Shadowblade looked from one to the other, and using a single claw, wrote in the dirt. "F-R-I-E-N-D"

"I'm glad you consider us friends, even after everything." Caine felt like he could breathe easier. "You've been through so much to get to this point. You know what that calls for? A celebration!"

"A party? Now?" Pomni and the others had been up for over twenty four hours. There was no way anyone was in the mood to party.

"No, no, tomorrow! It should be a whole day dedicated to celebrating the enlightenment of our newest member. Especially since we didn't even know it was possible."

"....you just want to drink all day."

"No! I-"

Shadowblade gave him the same look as Pomni.

Caine sighed, defeated. "I just want to drink. Can you blame me? I have some new guilt to suppress. And who knows, maybe Shadowblade can drink too. Worth a try, I'd say. Anyway, you should rest, Shadowblade. I'll be out to fix your wing later. Pomni, a word?"

Pomni gave Shadowblade's one last look before leaving with Caine. A feeling of calm resolve sent through. She followed Caine as he walked out of earshot of everyone, towards the edge of the woods filling the manor grounds.

"Pomni, are you alright? You mentioned encountering HIM."

"I'm fine... He didn't touch me." She remembered the oppressive force of the Patriarch's soul. The fear it instilled in her was unmatched and unnatural. She hated herself for being such a coward in his presence.

"I know, but he doesn't need to in order to affect you."

Pomni crossed her arms in an attempt to appear stoic, but the subconscious self soothing motion made it obvious she was uncomfortable. "He took the core of the silver beast and the journal of information connected to project Warshroud. He's planning something. Something big. We need to be more careful going forward."

Caine was shocked. "Be more careful? From you?"

"Yeah....well, he could've killed me or taken Shadowblade or both, but he didn't. Maybe he thought that would be too easy. Look, I've met death a lot over in my time with you, and I've never feared it, but being around the Patriarch...makes me afraid. I don't know what he's capable of, but something tells me I wouldn't even see the void if he ended me."

Caine gently took Pomni's hands, uncrossing them from her chest. His thumbs caressed her knuckles soothingly. "That won't happen."

Pomni didn't have the energy to argue or pull away, not that she wanted to. Not this time. She quietly reveled in his comfort. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I won't let him take you away from me."

"You're such a sap." Pomni tried to sound harsh but her voice carried no such tone.

"You have no idea." He said quietly. "No plans for tomorrow aside from getting drunk. Rest as much as you need."

"You really care, don't you?" Her gaze softened.

"I do." His hands gently squeezed hers.

"Simp."

Caine snorted and bust out laughing, Pomni with him.

~

Shadowblade sat in the barn entrance, gazing at the stars. Their wings in one piece, freshly mended by Caine, she flexed them while taking in the night sky. The memories were still a lot to take in. Coming to the forefront of her mind in bursts. Sometimes she was a child. Sometimes an adult. Sometimes joyous. Sometimes afraid. Sometimes full of sorrow. A lifetime condensed into one D.I.E. How did it ever hold it all?

Lights from the manor gradually dimmed as the residents went to bed. Even Kingr retreated to his single quarters next to the barn for the night. The only one that remained was Z. They never slept.

Shadowblade wasn't tired in the slightest. In fact, she had energy. She wanted to go somewhere. She stepped fully out of the barn and stretched her wings. The night was young, the air was fresh and the wind was calm. Perfect conditions. She jumped up into the air and beat her wings for a vertical launch. The oversized manor below became small as she gained more and more altitude quickly, reaching for the stars themselves.

She grazed the underside of a thin cloud before changing to an outward glide. She flew high over the City of Circuits. The dark city is illuminated by only the moonlight. The rush of the wind washed away all that plagued her below. Up here, she was truly free. No Masters. No cages. No saddles.

Shadowblade roared with elation. The buildings below echo back the joyous noise. She flew higher. Tucking her wings in as she punched through the clouds, coming face to face with the moon. She reached out, as though to touch it, and fell back first through the clouds again. She turned to nose dive at the ground. Air rushing past faster, and faster. The City beckoned to her, but she denied it. She opens her wings and swooped over the highest building by mere feet. She weaved between and around the taller structures, and under a wide bridge. She couldn't be stopped. She was free!

She flew all the way out of the city limits, to the rocky formations that lay in the lands between cities. Shadowblade landed gracefully on the highest point, only slipping a little as she settled. Her systems vented hard from the flight as she surveyed her surroundings. The world was still beautiful in its own way. Quiet. Peaceful.

Her mind wandered to the plethora of unprocessed memories. A repeated word came to her in many of them.

Badorman.

Miss Badorman.

People with faces she did not know said that name over and over, until the woman she met in her dream came to mind. Mother did not call her Badorman. In memories of simple joy and harshest sorrow, she heard "Scarlet."

"My beautiful Scarlet."

Shadowblade whimpered. A tear of black fluid escaped her mechanical eye.

"I wish we had more time."

Shadowblade tried to speak, but her unfamiliar tongue lulled weirdly in her inhuman mouth. All that came out was mechanical whirring and screeching from the shredder in the back of her throat. She stomped, quaking the rock she sat upon and growled.

"Scarlet...be good for me."

Shadowblade kept hearing the voice of her mother. Memories playing in her head like a broken film. She was in a room that smelled of medicine and flowers, holding mother's hand. Mother was in bed. She was frail, but not from age. Disease had ravaged her body.

"I wish there was more I could leave you, but the war has taken everything...at least you found yourself a good station. I will rest well knowing my daughter is not on the street."

Shadowblade whined and screeched, more black tears fell.

"I love you."

Shadowblade went still. Mother's hand went limp; gone silently into that good night. The last person to love her was gone. Black tears stained the stone below.

The following memories rushed by in a blur. Servitude. Forced obedience. War. The blood of hundreds. Silence. Left in the dark. Suspended alone. Eternal. Then a break in the stone that held. A voice that demanded battle.

"Take THAT! Some creature of legend you were! I've had worse fights with Bubble!" The woman's voice taunted.

Shadowblade looked in the direction of the manor, seeing a few pin prick lights still lit.

"You can't just give up!" "Get up! I know there's more in you than that!!" "Come on!"

Pomni the combat harlequin spoke truth, even to her enemies. There was more in Shadowblade, and Pomni saw it from the beginning. She broke the bonds. She opened the cage. Shadowblade just had to be brave enough to step through. No, not Shadowblade.

Scarlet Badorman. Born a servant, remade a weapon, reborn a puppet. More powerful than she's ever been.

Scarlet raised her wings high, gold energy surging through the blades. She roared triumphant to the sky, gold energy mixing with streaks of dark mist in her maw. The ball of energy released like a firework high into the sky and exploded with the percussive force of a large bomb. Gold sparks rained down and disappeared into the night.

Scarlet felt more connected to herself than ever before. She knew who she was. She could accept what she became. No matter what name the world tried to put on her, she was Scarlet.

She took off into the night, taking a few more laps around the city to the manor. She landed as quietly as she could outside the walls, entering the gated property by Z's post.

"Have a nice flight?" Z asked, with light interest edging their voice.

Scarlet nodded and held out her front paw. Between her toes she held a smooth rock she found on the cliff she sat on to do her thinking. She wanted to give it to Z, as they were always one to sit back and think about life.

"Uh..?" Z said as they took the smooth stone.

Scarlet scratched into the earth next to Z. G-I-F-T. She sat up proudly and rumbled.

"I see. Thanks." Z held the stone in one of their smaller hands, saving it for display in their home later, and rolling with the fact that "Shadowblade" was communicating like a coherent person.

Scarlet scratched another message: J-O-I-N-?

"Yeah, sure. You can stay out here if you want. I can't tell you what to do."

Scarlet shuffled her feet excitedly and settled next to Z. They sat in silence, listening to the night.

~

Morning rolled in slowly. The crisp late autumn air left a light layer of frost on the grass. Scarlet and Z's large cores kept them warm, their metal frames steaming lightly. Kingr was first up to jovially wish the night insects a good rest.

"Good morning, you two." Kingr pat Scarlet on the head.

Scarlet accepted the pat. Even if he knew she was human, she would still appreciate the affection.

"Anything to report?" Kinger asked.

"Nope. Another quiet night." Z drolled.

"Probably because you had this one standing guard with you. No one would want to mess with a duo like you two. Well, I'm off to study my strategies. Do let me know if I'm needed." Kingr slid away towards the woods.

A few hours later, Caine came out with Bubble. The butler blimp set up chairs in the garden as Caine laid out small crates of bottles full of what could only be assumed at liquor. Scarlet came over, careful not to step on any of the delicate plant life and greeted him with a chuff.

"Morning! Hope last night wasn't too cold for you."

Scarlet gestured towards the barn.

"I'll talk to Z about renovations today and get the ball rolling, don't worry-"

Scarlet gripped his sleeve with her maw and pulled him along gently.

"Oh-! You want to show me something?"

In the packed dirt of the barn Scarlet scratched: S-C-A-R-L-E-T B-A-D-O-R-M-A-N

Caine's eyes widened. "SB...You remember?"

Scarlet nodded.

"Incredible....and somewhat tragic. Reliving everything. How do you feel about being called Shadowblade?"

N-I-C-K-N-A-M-E

"That's a pretty badass nickname, but I'd understand if you wouldn't be comfortable with Pomni continuing to be your rider."

F-U-N

"Heh, depends on your definition of fun. I'll have to see if I can come up with a new way of communication for you. Because of your unique construction, I'm not sure where I'd even install a voice box." Caine tapped his chin.

Scarlet shrugged. She was still getting used to the very concept of regaining her humanity, and it was already overwhelming. So many emotions and sensations and memories to process.

"But we don't have to worry about all that today. Today, is about you being fully introduced to everyone as a puppet. Not just some stray marionette."

Scarlet bumped her maw against Caine's arm. Grateful that he was so supportive.

Caine rested a hand on her face the way he always did. "You're awfully affectionate. That's a refreshing change of pace. Many puppets are adverse to touch when they first start enlightening. The new sensations are quite scary and overstimulating. Maybe your size works in your favor here. Kingr's probably the only one that could give you a proper hug."

Scarlet snuggled against him, scooping him up and sliding him down her neck to her unsaddled back.

"Woah! Haha! Playful too. Looking back on your behavior patterns, It's a wonder I didn't see this sooner."

~

Everyone else eventually made their way outside to enjoy the nice weather and join Caine for his announcement. He filled everyone in on who Shadowblade really was, including her real name. He raised a taste for her and immediately got to drinking. Scarlet tried to join, awkwardly picking up a bottle and pouring it over her new flesh. The earthy bitterness of the liquor made her cringe. Her whole body shuddered and some black mist involuntarily puffed out of her vents.

Ragatha was the closest she's ever been to Scarlet. She's always been too nervous of the beastial puppet. Even with everything she knew now, it was still hard for her to not be intimidated. "Hello, I'm Ragatha. Nice to meet you, properly." She moved away as Scarlet tried to interact. "Sorry, I-"

Scarlet backed off. Trying not to make things awkward. It was too late.

Gangle saved the moment by bringing out the charm formerly used to control Scarlet. "Caine had to remake it for a ritual, but it's useless now. You deserve the honor of breaking it permanently, Miss Scarlet."

Scarlet looked closely at the cursed charm. A familiar energy radiated from it, making her spikes raise defensively. She opened her mouth and her tongue grabbed the charm. With an unceremonious crack, the stone was destroyed by her shredder. Then she washed down the dusty taste with more earthy liquor.

"Do you want to destroy this one too?" Pomni held up the connection charm attached to her right hand.

Scarlet could feel Pomni's trepidation to even ask. She didn't want the connection to be lost. Neither did Scarlet. Scarlet shook her head before affectionately rubbing against Pomni's face.

Pomni pushed away the large maw. "Yeah, yeah, not in front of everyone." She grumbled.

Scarlet narrowed her eyes mischievously and brought her whole open maw down on Pomni. The harlequin fit inside up to her knees without getting too close to the inactive shredder. She picked up Pomni, holding the small puppet in her mouth smugly.

"WHAT THE FUCK!? LET GO! PUT ME DOWN!" Pomni struggled, unable to unsheathe her sword.

Scarlet's antics got a few laughs, which was enough for her. She was about to put Pomni down gently when the sound of a charging gun came from inside.

"Put. Me. Down." Pomni had transformed her mechanical arm and had it aimed down Scarlet's throat. "Or you're about to have the worst case of indigestion."

Scarlet released Pomni immediately from her sitting height, roughly twelve feet, back into her chair.

Pomni was visibly annoyed, but she always sort of looked like that.

"You okay?" Ragatha tries to hold in a laugh, failing miserably.

"I'm fine. This bitch needs a reminder who she's messing with, apparently." Pomni transformed her hand back.

Scarlet huffed challengingly. Feeling the playful edge to Pomni's words.

"Oh, you want round two? I cracked you open like a walnut the first time we met, have you forgotten that?"

Scarlet took a playful stance, snapping her maw at Pomni, but not too close.

Pomni downed her drink and unsheathed her sword. "LETS GO!" She charged Scarlet, who ran out onto the lawn where they had plenty of open space to spare.

Jax went to bother Caine again about his payment, but a small item flew at his face before he said anything. He caught it, finding it to be a skeleton key of some kind. "What's this?"

"That is a Universal Key. It's a specialized lock pick that should work on just about anything, EXCEPT my workshop door. Don't even try."

"You're no fun, but thanks anyway. I can make use of this." Jax spun the key around a few times before pocketing it.

~

As the day went on; spares where matched, drinks were had, questions were answered. Gangle was especially helpful, being able to see into Scarlet's core and have more visual reference to the limited yes or no answers. Scarlet was surrounded by those who would accept her as she was. Friends. Or frenemies, in Jax's case. Regardless, she felt...happy.

It was almost too much. Black tears teasing the edges of her eyes. She tried to wipe them away but only smacked herself in the face with her paw.

"Ha! Have too much to drink? Bit of a lightweight for your size." Jax teased.

Scarlet snorted at him. She had felt the slightest tingle from the crate of alcohol she consumed, she was nowhere near intoxicated. Not like Caine and Pomni, who couldn't even stand straight anymore.

"Hey! Scarlet-blade!" Pomni slurred out. "Slack jaw over here thinks you can't do a backflip! Prove him wronged!" She tried to push Caine to the side, but he grabbed her arm and they both stumbled over each other. Caine held on to a small tree to steady them both.

"I only said I've never sheen them do it!" Caine giggled back, still holding on to Pomni. "Sheeeee's capabitable, I'm sure."

Scarlet had never thought about it. Maybe she's done one once, but couldn't really recall. Willing to try, she stepped away from the others for space and crouched. She adjusted her stance and pushed hard off the ground. She rotated backwards, landing on her front paws again, but she didn't have enough momentum and he heavy tail dragged her back to the ground. She flopped down on her back with a thud that shook the grounds, earning a chorus of laughter from everyone.

Pomni laughed so hard, she forgot who she was against and held to Caine's chest with uproarious glee.

Scarlet rolled over to right herself, wanting to try again. Zooble stopped her. "You'll have to try that elsewhere or you'll shake the structural integrity out of every building on the property."

Scarlet huffed indignantly, but didn't try again. A strange feeling came through the connection as Scarlet shook the dirt from her body. Desire. She looked over to Pomni, seeing her face to face with Caine. Scarlet didn't want to interrupt their moment, but also didn't know how to shut out the connection and this felt...private.

Scarlet tried to push her embarrassment through and get Pomni's attention, but the alcohol seemed to have done its job and numbed the harlequin to the world around her. The others seemed preoccupied with conversation, paying to mind Caine and Pomni. Ruining the moment it was.

Scarlet went to the fountain in front of the manor and scooped up a mouthful of water. She stomped over to Pomni and dumped the load on both her and Caine. The force of the water knocked them both off their feet.

Pomni unleashed a string of angry, incoherent curses at Scarlet. Caine stayed down, still glowing at the very idea of Pomni being that willingly close to him. Scarlet was relieved the connection felt normal again.

"Seems a bit much." Ragatha commented.

Scarlet nodded. It was much, but MUCH was what was often needed when dealing with Pomni.

With the early setting sun bringing colder air again, the soaked duo retreated inside. They were followed gradually by the others. Kingr wished Scarlet a goodnight and went on his humble abode. Z went to their typical sentry post.

Scarlet nodded a goodnight to Z and went to her barn. With the door closed, she felt cozy and safe. Caine may have felt bad about leaving her in the dirt, but she found it rather comfortable. A few digging scratches to upturn it a bit, few circled paces and she's curled up in a tight ball. Comfy.

While her face wasn't quite capable of smiling, she was certainly smiling on the inside. To be found by this rag tag group of puppets and welcomed by them made her feel so very lucky. Pomni broke her bonds, Caine gave her wings, Kingr showed her there's beauty in all things, Ragatha helped her discover her past, Jax saved her life at great risk to his own, Gangle told her story, and Zooble showed her subtle respect in silence.

One more tear was shed that night. This one she let flow. She has not just found friends...but family.

~

Far away, deep in the heart of the City of Power, machines hummed and hiss. The active factory thrummed with red energy, powered by the one rolling a large D.I.E in his fingers. A crystal was being shaped before him, cut to his specifications.

The Patriarch flipped through the journal pages idly. The cypher was far too easy to crack. Humans were never as clever as they made themselves out to be. Especially those as arrogant as this self proclaimed "Master". How laughable.

He snapped the journal shut as the crystal cutter completed. The bright red crystal stood nine in feet in height and nearly as around. It was ready for implantation. He held the D.I.E against the crystal and surged his energy into it. Flames billowed from his hand, melting the crystal as he forced the D.I.E inside.

He could feel the soul in his hand crying out in agony. Good. Pain was necessary for this to work. He pushed the D.I.E into the center, liquified crystal burning his arm and suit. Once it was in place, the Patriarch pulled his arm free quickly. The imbued energy resolidified the crystal, sealing the D.I.E inside.

The Patriarch shook his hand lightly, shards of crystal rained down from his ruined sleeve. He turned to the mostly constructed, gargantuan beast hanging from thick chains. "Almost ready."

~~~

To be continued...

[lowkeychenle]

See My Sea [ZCL] (M) Teaser

Description: You never expected your lab partner to be the captain of the basketball team...or a decent human being, but you get proved wrong twice. Despite a rocky past of your own, you find yourself falling for him faster than you thought. Maybe, with his help, you can finally find your way home and see your sea.

A/N: this is inspired by Marine Turtle sort of ??? it just gave me these vibes oops.

Genre: Fluff/Smut/Angst (there is no smut in the teaser) (College AU where Chenle is captain of the basketball team like he DESERVES)

Content Warnings: SLOW BURN! Drinking, alcohol, intoxication, some instances of friends being shitty, verbally abusive ex-boyfriend appearances, mentions/instances of anxiety and insecurity, a panic attack Smut warnings: This might be some of my mildest smut omg, usage of pet names 'baby' and 'sunshine,' oral (f receiving), slight dirty talk? there's not much rip

Expected Word Count: 15-20k

Release Date: 6pm EST 2023.12.31

Pairing: Zhong Chenle x fem!Reader (feat. Mark & Jisung, a male OC named Woojin, and three female OCs, Soobin, Jiyoon, & Heewon)

Juliet's Masterlist | Tell me what you think? :)

When Chenle makes it out on the court, the wide smile on his face takes you off-guard. There’s no denying the truth—he’s attractive. That’s the extent of what you know about him at this point, but you see plenty of attractive men every day. It’s not like they’ve ever garnered your attention in a way that made you want to watch them.

Unlike earlier, his hair is part down the middle now, probably from running around in practice and preparing for the game. He runs his fingers through it as he walks up to Jisung. The taller man was already standing with their other friend, who you can only assume is Mark. Chenle’s jersey has his last name printed in big letters on the back, along with the number 30.

You try not to study him, but somehow he’s like a damn magnet. No wonder he said he was used to people staring at him.

Jisung glances once in your direction, and then he nudges Chenle and gives him a nearly non-existent nod. He turns, and the second he sees you, his brows jump up in some sort of surprise. Then he grins at you.

“You’re being weird,” Jiyoon mentions, breaking you out of your trance.

“Huh? How am I being weird? He looked at me.”

“Yeah…because he invited you. And you’re here.” She snorts, running her fingers through her hair. “Speaking of which, I think he’s coming over here.”

Your eyes widen, and your head shoots up just in time to see Chenle jogging over to you. You have to crane your neck upward to look at him when he’s right in front of you, and you’re sure the shock on your face is what causes laughter to drop past his lips.

He pulls a simple bracelet off his wrist—one made with blue and gold thread—and holds it out to you. “Wear this for me?”

You blink up at him. “Why?”

“If you wear it and we win, you’re our good luck charm,” he states simply.

Your cheeks burn (hopefully unnoticeably) as you gently take it out of his palm. Your fingertips brush against his skin despite how hard you tried to avoid touching him, and once it’s completely in your hand, he backs away from you as Jiyoon helps you tighten it around your wrist.

“Are we gonna—” Jiyoon starts.

“Say nothing,” you cut her off. “Not a single word about that.”

She giggles to herself. When the game is about to begin, Jiyoon leans forward, hyperfocused on Jisung and the way he carries himself. You want to make fun of her for it, but you know she’ll come back tenfold with jokes about Chenle.

“Also,” Jiyoon whispers, getting closer to you without removing her gaze from the court. “He was totally fucking with you. He just wanted you to wear it. They haven’t lost a game this entire season, so.”

“Why would he do that?” you ask.

This time, she does look at you. She clasps her hands together and stares expectantly.

[asilentandkindersea]

beautiful stranger — c. berzatto

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬) : carmen ‘carmy’ berzatto x blackf¡reader

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬) : needle, blood, kind of ooc carmy.

(+𝟏𝟖) bear and berry au, where carmen get a tattoo on a whim, only to develop a precious friendship with his tattoo artist.

hi, welcome in the land of imagination and alternative universe. today, you are going to explore the stupidity of my brain and my overwhelming load of ideas. i’m very new in the xreader writing lore, first time i’m not writing an oc story so have as much fun as possible, like and reblog, it means a lot to me. kisses on the nose. <3

tw : not proofread, written at 2 am and clearly sleep deprived, appends a few years before the tv show, when carmen was being treated like shit in new york, english isn’t my first language !

the art of eye contact was something you mastered at. the depth of your irises staring down your interlocutors’ eyes for the time being. at first, carmen thought it was intimidating, and with time, while his cerulean eyes no longer fled from the hold yours had, he found out. noticing at first when the light of this small studio hit your irises that they held an hint of gold inside of them. it was more apparent during sunny days, when the ball of flame carefully lightened up your face.

your dark lashes battled softly every two seconds when you were focused, maybe more if he dared to look away for the spit of a moment. darting his eyes from your lashes to your nose, drawing the curves of your face, memorizing each of these part only to doodle them later on when shame was no longer in order. maybe it was the pinkness of your lips that captivated his sense, or it was probably the way you bit your bottom lips trying to focus when there was no sound other than your beating heart and his ragged breathing.

it was most definitely the way your nose crunched when you were showing a proud expression, seeing as the drawing on his skin only looked like you imagined it. he had to fight the urge to press a soft kiss on the wrinkles of your nose more than once, during the first few months. probably coming back at the studio was the worst idea, considering he was no longer focused on his cooking but mostly on the lock falling in front of your face. he might have pushed it a few times behind your ear while you where so focused drawing your next flashes.

was he always this pathetic before ? or was it the first time his focus had shift so intensively?

the first time he came at the tattoo shop was months after coming back from noma, and working in new york. he don’t really know how he managed to find the shop, to be honest, maybe it was while looking online, or while walking home after a boring day off. yet, even tho he never truly cared in the higher power, not once hadn’t he thanked the universe for making him walk into the shop.

new york always felt like home to you, only when it came to tattoos and illegal drawings at night in those dark alleys you so often found yourself in. maybe if you hadn’t taken a break from college after an injury you wouldn’t have met his ocean eyes, the kind of blue you only see in summer when you are in your hometown. nonetheless, you loved new york for the small aspects, and he was one of those.

it was a saturday, usually you were off the weekend, but the quietest of your apartment was driving you insane, and the walk from your place to the shop was short. your very much used converse on and a redbull in your hand, you found place in that room you secluded yourself most of the time. the light pink color emitting from your neons, the oh so many plants hanging around and an old frank sinatra vinyl playing, you were drawing a new flash.

something you loved doing, doodling tattoos no matter how silly they could be. fingers moving across the screen, feet tapping in rhythm to the music, and eyes focused on the drawing, nothing could’ve made you look up from that piece of art you were making. and yet, the ding of the bell announcing a new client made you jolt from your red seat, closing the ipad in a second before walking out of the small room you found comfort in.

a not-so-tall man was standing in front of the counter, a jacket thrown over his white t-shirt, and his curls disheveled — had he messed with it ? — his eyes beamed upon seeing you.

“hi. . . sorry. i—“

he was shuttering like a pre schooler, — that was cute— his hand moving to his curls only to nervously mess them.

“hello, do you have an appointment ?”

in his ears, your voice sounded sweet like honey. entrancing like the sea monster, the sirens pulling him towards the depths, enchanting him in a way that caused the tip of his hears to flush pink for a second. you were showing this infamous smile people would go to war for, and carmen berzatto was a goner.

“i don’t— sorry i saw the sight ‘bout the non appointment thingy and. . . i can come back another time or—“

“no it’s okay, my colleague is busy, and i’m not, what are you here for? a tattoo. . . a piercing perhaps?”

your irises staring down his cerulean one, he almost felt like drowning only to be trapped in the depths of your eyes.

“a tattoo, if possible.”

“m’okay pretty boy, i’m gonna need you to sign the consent form and then we’ll talk in my studio.”

his fingers lingered a second too long on yours, while grabbing the pen you were giving him. an electric shock went through your body, making your eyes go wide, only to bend over, searching for the consent form. the paper on the counter, only the sound of the pen scribbling down his information was heard. usually, you weren’t that shy, and yet… there was something this man had that made your heart run a marathon.

“alright, do you have an idea or something you wanna do?”

once again, your voice made his entire world shatter.

the studio was small, a faint smell of cigarette lingering the fake leather seats, covered with thrown pillows. posters, canvas, were on the wall, many were signed with your name, while others had name he couldn’t make out from where he was seating. carmy admires the decoration, in all honesty, he thought the room would look completely different, and yet…

“i got some you might like, but if you have an idea you can doodle it or describe it to me and we’ll go from there.”

it took you at least half an hour to decide on the tattoo. his shoulder falling in a relaxed manner each passing second, while his eyes wondered on the screen you were making what he had in mind, real. he noticed the way your eyebrows furrowed in focused, your feet bouncing in rhythm with the single playing over and over again, before you lifted your head with a soft smile filled with pride.

looking back at the drawing, he felt understood in an odd way. perhaps it was how you made his thoughts appear on the screen, or probably the way you were explaining the reasoning behind your choices. he clearly wasn’t paying attention to this part yet, far too focused on the black design to say anything.

lifting his head only when the vinyl was heard and your voice had disappeared, he finally snapped out of his daze, he found the strength to answer this silent question your eyes were asking him.

“i like it, yeah.. it.. yeah. that’s what i had in mind. can we.. like do it on my arm, right here?”

showing the top of his forearm, and the empty space, you nodded.

to be honest, the time to prep felt like a blur, as the conversation flew awkwardly at first, before the cooking subject came by. the fact that your parents had a cabaret intrigued carmen, and made him ask so many questions all at once. if there was one thing that never changed about him, was his insatiable curiosity, and knowledge. new kitchen, new food, new restaurant. always the first thing on his mind, and as you were moving toward the leathery table, the tray with your torture equipment (he clearly didn’t know the names of every stuff present on it) moving along.

he knew it was also time for the permanent drawing. from the moment the frank sinatra vinyl was changed for a the weeknd one — making your shoulders move at the first few notes while putting on the latex red gloves.

“why red ?”

he asked, the last time he had a tattoo done, the artist had black one.

“why not ? red is my favorite color.”

your chuckles made his shoulder drop, relaxed in this unfamiliar and warm room. his arms shaved, cleaned, the needle was right above his skin. your face close to his skin, dreadlocks pulled in a high ponytail, glasses on your nose and that little wrinkle of focus, he felt a pinch in his skin.

“hey, stand still pretty boy, m’kay ?”

and he did, ignoring the way his skin turned red each time the needle was piercing his flesh, only nodding and chuckling as the conversation goes on. surprisingly, he felt at ease under the sharp machine, and your — very — shitty jokes. he noticed the tissue used to clean up the tony drop of blood that left the open wound, noticing how you asked him if he was in pain each passing minute. even once you finished the masterpiece, he stayed on the table laughing at your stupid attempt to make him laugh — which worked because he was complaining of tummy aches with a smile on his lips —, you stayed in your studios even after closing hour, forgetting the existence of your colleague in the room next door, his cerulean irises fixated in your comforting eyes.

he didn’t know that entering this shop with the idea of marking his skin permanently with two angels and a sun, would give him someone to talk to for hours without catching a break.

© 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚

[fanaticsnail]

I have no words because I have been thinking about an Anastasia Au with one piece for so long. It's literally the perfect movie for it. This is courtesy of one of my favorite scenes from Anastasia.

Shanks: Stop fiddling with that thing. Sit up straight. Remember you're a grand duchess.

Y/N: *slouches and crosses arms* How is it that you know what grand Duchess' do or don't do?

Shanks: I make it my business to know. 😏

Y/N: Oh..😒

Shanks: Look, I'm just trying to help, alright?

Beckmann: *rolls eyes*

Y/N: Shanks, Do you really think I'm Royalty?

Shanks: You know I do

Y/N: Then stop bossing me around.

Beckman: *smirks* She certainly has a mind of her own.

Shanks: *jokingly* Yeah. I hate that in a woman.

Y/N: *sticks out tongue*

Beckmann: *slyly takes out paper and gives Y/N two tally marks*

Shank Y/N

IIIII II IIIII IIIII

IIIII II

(Sidenote: I'm sorry I have written that Beckmann fic I told you about, I've been so busy. 🥲~🌈🎶)

The way I am desperate to write this scene in particular 🥹👌.

There are a couple of things holding me back from deep diving into this concept:

Finishing Sapsorrow for Mihawk, starting Sands of Time for Sir Crocodile and Forge in Gold for the Donquixote Brothers. I have written a little bit for the latter two - but I really wanna finish the first one before I fall down the rabbit hole of a new series. Because, lets face it, this is gonna be a series.

Naming a Reader: considering the concept has a named princess in mind, I would have to give them a name to aim for. The way I'd go about it is giving them an incredibly long, titled name that they believe themselves is too obnoxious to refer to themselves that way. I don't write "y/n" or "name" or "reader" for the insert to refer to themselves as their working station title (boatswain, counsellor, chronicler) or a pet name. I dunno why, but I do. Not sure how to go about it. Might have Shanks call her "Brat" or "Bossy", and have Beckman call her "Princess" or "Ms Royalty" - I dunno, I'm open to suggestions!!

Shanks is an enigma. He's not one of the main ones I write for, mostly because of my love for his first mate. I need to really focus on his character to get a grasp on him. I feel like he's suited best for this concept, so I'll be running with him. Just gotta think real hard.

The Villain: I need Buggy to be Bartok so bad. So, so bad. But I don't want to villainize Sir Crocodile, which could make the most sense as a scheming advisor. I would have to make them an OC, and that will take a little bit of time. Smol-Snail (@since-im-already-here) might have some thoughts, huh sis? (Help me, bestie. You have the best ideas for concepts. See "WhEn aRe YoU gOnnA WriTe THe SapSoRRoW FIc")

My WIP list is expanding with an insane amount of requests being chucked in my ask box. I feel like I should close requests for now so I can get through those. It's getting a little overwhelming, truthfully.

BUT I WILL WRITE THIS! Fairytale Aus and romance are my thing, and I love them. Sappy romance, twists and turns, dialogue banter - I love it.

@since-im-already-here, @writingmysanity & @lightningstriker deserve a Shanks series, especially with a childhood favourite.

[emjiroki]

Okay I might have written a smutty snack for my Elden Ring character.... 18+

Not expecting this to go much of anywhere but I wrote it for me and wanted share. I made it into a queen reader and her sworn protector au

Knight Gremin (my character) x queen reader (both characters in their mid to late 20s)

oc description: 6'5, dark red hair, gold yellow eyes, and a big scar

Link to Part 2

“I-I wanted you to be my first” you said, your voice a soft whimper as Grimin removed his gloves and arm guards,his full chest plate already gone, before pulling you to him.

“Would've given my soul for the privilege,” he all but growled, his filed canines nipping against your lips, “it's better we did it this way, let him have you first then I can have you forever”. 

You encircled your arms around his neck, pulling him in closer to smother your lips against his, a deep groan rumbled from his chest. Though it had only been a week, it seemed like an eternity waiting to kiss him again, feel his hard body against yours and you realized just how much you had missed his touch.

The squeak that escaped you when he picked you up under your thighs and pressed your back against the stone wall had him chuckling, such a dark sound it had goosebumps rising on your skin.

“Sound like you're still a virgin making noises like that” he hummed with a devilish smirk nipping his teeth against your jaw and huffing at the thought of having to hold back. Not allowed to leave a mark on your skin.

“But he didn't-” you trailed off at the feeling of the maroon haired man's tongue against the hot skin of your throat. 

“Didn't what love?” He asked, squeezing your ass through your thin nightgown as he huffed the scent of your perfume across your collarbones.

“Didn't- make me cum,” you whined as he adjusted his hold to one arm as he swiped two fingers of his free hand up your wet folds “not like you do”.

A harsh snarl escaped his lips as he fixed you with his piercing gaze, bright gold irises glowing like sunlight around blown pupils.

“That coward gets the honor of marrying you and can't even make you cum?” He hissed, his voice low in candle lit room, his thumb rough against your clit to draw more wetness, watching your face closer as you winced when his fingers prodded your entrance, “made you sore though”. 

“Very” you winced again, taking a deep breath when he switched to only pushing one finger in, knowing you'll need a little prep to take him. Having had him in your throat and grinding on his lap enough that you knew just how big he was. 

“I'll go easy on you,” he said, his lips hovering within inches of yours, “this time”. 

Grimin muffled your cry with his lips as his finger sank in to the second knuckle, your walls squeezing around his thick finger as it curled into your soft spot. His sharp teeth grazed against your lips as you pressed against him, his head low to kiss you as licked into his mouth with a soft moan. His big arm squeezed tight around your waist as you tried to buck your hips, whining as he began to pump his finger in and out, your wetness began to leak down to his palm as he resumed rubbing circles on your clit. You could feel your cheeks begin heating at the growls of restraint huffing from his nose, your orgasm twisting in your stomach as your cries rose in pitch. You whined pitifully when he retracted his hand, another dark chuckle gracing your ears. 

“easy now, takin’ you to your bed brat” He gruffed, pulling you away from the wall and carrying you over, dropping you against the mattress and then stripping himself of the rest of his armor and under clothes until he completely bare before you, his cock hard and heavy as it sagged away from his toned stomach. 

You removed your nightgown and tossed it somewhere behind you, leaning forward to try and take him into your mouth before his massive hand went to your hair and tugged lightly, stopping you as he leaned you back against your pillows, moving up between your legs. 

“No patience for that, need you,” he growled, nuzzling his face against your throat as he hiked one of your legs up over his shoulder, “waited long enough”.

[casp1an-sea]

I LIKE SHARKS

100 Follower Event

Hi, MY name is Caspian Re (Re pronounced Rey) You can call me either of my first names or alternate! I also go by Cas for short. I also like weird, silly, or comfort character related nicknames and I sometimes go by Armie online

I primarily post about Twisted Wonderland, Star Wars, Marvel, and 2000s kids shows like Octonauts

Age: 19

Birthday: 10/13 

Gender: it fluctuates between trans masc and trans Male, so I typically just shorten it to trans (pls only masc terms) 

Pronouns: He/Him, Ey/Em/Eir/Eirs/Emself

Sexuality: ✨I’m Gay✨

Zodiac: Libra Star, Pieces Moon, Aquarius Rising 

Personality type: ENFJ

If you send me an ask or msg pls feel free to mention your pronouns 

WE SUPPORT PALESTINE HERE 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

Hotlines to call Incase of emergency

Master List:

I have a dating sim rp blog that is kinda popular :P

Pls check out my OCs, as well as my AUs, and my fics located in my writing post :)

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commissions: Closed

requests: open!

EVENTS: KYLUX WRITING AND ART EVENT (Ongoing), May 4th Event, Twst OC Colab Event , 100 follower event

(I’ll do short writings, picrews, and possibly art if I’m in the mood. I’ll totally do my doodle style of you or a character.)

Fandoms, Writing, Moots and Tags, OCs, Comfort Characters, Just a list of Monsters I associate with myself, Moot Trail Mix Recipe, ART, Gender Envy >:(

Side blogs: @hux-and-gay (mostly Kylux, 18+), @ramblingsofamadblob (OC and world building posts to complex for my main)

rp accounts: @robinbanks-accidentally (TWST), @spring-chicken (OC), @brooklynscamp (Newsies), @hollowsdill-manor (Vampire/Werewolf dating sim), @angry-space-ginger (Hux), @rouge-space-dad (Han), @thisiswerethefunbegins (Star Wars OCs)

@thenewhestia (my mc to rp with @kal0psiapanesthesia)

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Likes: Star Wars, Kylux, Marvel, Twisted Wonderland, the Life Series SMP, RPs, Random Generators (its an addiction), 2000s Kids shows, Doll customization, folklore, cats, singing, art, musicals, being in musicals, and weird sea creatures especially sharks :)

Dislikes: Sweets, Rey/Reylo (if you are a Star Wars fan and you like her respectfully pls do not talk to me about her you will get your feeling hurt), Religious Topics (pls do not talk to me about Christianity or Catholicism it makes me uncomfortable), gruesome animal facts they are triggering please keep them to yourself, TOXIC ACOLYTE HATERS, Mean people that disrespect me or my friends, Racists, Homophobes, Transphobes, Ablests, Sexists, etc. 

Fun Facts: 

I am Left Handed 

I am Hungarian and I love talking about my culture or my grandfather’s story if you want to ask

I am single sadly

I’m a Hufflepuff my Petronas is a field mouse and my wand is Willow wood with a Phoenix core

My favorite color is green 

My favorite food is Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers or Chinese food  

I am going to be a film major in the fall

I have two cats named Lilo and Stitch (both girls), and I also have multiple fish. My snail passed away :(

I REALLY WANT CRESTED GECKOS!

I was in my schools broadcasting class

I’ve performed in Willy Wonka, Newsies,  Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, Christmas Carol, and Shrek, and played the roles of James (James and the giant peach cameo), Arista (Ariel’s sister), Young Fiona, and the bird that sings in that one song in Shrek . I’ve also had solos in Try Everything, American Tears, Fields of Gold, an Mo Town Medley 

I Did competitive gymnastics for 13 years starting when I was 3, before I retired I was in XL level gold. 

I played Violin in elementary school and during Covid in freshman year I played chimes cause that was the choir alternative 

I watch lots of weird 1990s to early 2000s sci-fi shows typically from Australia, there’s suprisingly a lot of them 

I play Minecraft but I am bad at it lol

I play DND 

Where else to find me?

YouTube: @antosaurusrex3752

AO3: ArmieVampire

Pinterest:

Star Wars Force Alignment Quiz:

TWST OC CHALLENGE

My Change.Org petitions:

[jaladwolf]

Bratty Bunny (Crossover fic)

Alright, let’s do this. With a request from @drechastory herself, I am finally writing a fic featuring everybody’s favorite bunnybitch, AGATD!Bonnie!

CW: Swearing, AGATD!Bonnie being a jealous and somewhat bratty bitch (obviously), attempted manipulation, slight angst, threats and of course tickling! If you don’t like it, then don’t read (IDK what else to tell you). Also, DNI if you are N$FW/F€stish, Pro/Comship!

Cast: AGATD!Bonnie (Gonna try and give him a nickname to avoid confusion), Pete and Goldie(My AU), Rosey(OC)

Summary: Boe(AGATD!Bonnie’s nickname as suggested by @drechastory) thought that he could get away with anything due to his “popularity”, but the others quickly prove him wrong with a simple yet effective method.

Boe is an attention seeker. No doubt about it. He was the most popular animatronic in his dimension and he thought it would be the same in this one. He also heard that the Pete there was a bit of a hothead, something he thought he could use against him like he did with his Pete.

Oh how wrong he was…

It hadn’t even been 30 minutes and Boe was already causing problems. His first mistake was attempting to befriend Goldie, despite him knowing the golden bear was made aware of his manipulative tactics.

“Come on Golds, I’m not that bad.”

Goldie just turned his back to him, trying his best to ignore him, but it was clear he was having trouble.

“No. You’re a bad person and I don’t make friends with bad people. So go away…”

Boe was starting to get a bit irritated. You see, he didn’t like being ignored, especially by those who he saw as beneath him. So upon hearing that, he decided to do something… a bit drastic.

“What makes you any better?”

Goldie’s ears perked up when he heard that. He turned to look at Boe, slightly confused.

“What are you talking about?”

Boe smirked, a sinister glint in his eye. Now he had his attention, there was no way he was gonna stop now.

“I think you know exactly what I mean. How you constantly try to usurp Freddy, how you push other’s buttons for your entertainment. In a way, you’re just as bad as me. You’re just denying i-“

Before he could finish his sentence however, he was suddenly tackled to the ground. Goldie was surprisingly strong for his size, as he managed to pin him underneath. It was clear that Boe had probably, no definitely crossed a line.

As he struggled underneath the golden bear’s weight, it was only then that he noticed how upset Goldie looked. He smirked, knowing that he had managed to push one too many of his buttons in a matter of minutes. But it wasn’t like he cared.

“Heh, wow you’re quick to anger. Who would’ve thought?”

Goldie just rolled his eyes and looked at the alternate version of his friend.

“Nope, just needed you to shut up for a second. Oh and also…”

Without warning, Goldie began tickling Boe’s sides, causing the rabbit animatronic to tense almost instantly before he dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“Don’t ever try to relate me to you again…”

Boe immediately began trying to squirm out from underneath him, but he was having trouble due to how much he was laughing.

“Hehehe-hey! No fair!”

Goldie just chuckled as he continued moved his hands up and down his sides, scratching from his underarms all the way down to his waist.

“No fair? What do you mean, this is perfectly fair.”

Boe let out a small wheeze as he try to push the golden bear’s hands away from his sides, which he did… only to begin targeting his stomach, a confirmed weak point for the rabbit.

“Kehehahaha! Nahaahaha- f*ck!”

“Well excuse you. Didn’t expect such a potty mouth from someone like you-”

”Knock it off!”

After some struggles, Boe managed to push him off, knocking him over before standing up. Goldie was a bit stunned but looked up at him with a smirk.

“So, are you sorry?”

Boe scoffed as he looked at Goldie with an annoyed glare.

“Wha- why do I have to apologize? You’re the one who tackled me to the ground, I should be the one getting an apology!”

Goldie rolled his eyes as he chuckled a bit at Boe’s face. Just because he was an alternate version of his friend didn’t mean he was anything like him, so he wasn’t gonna give in and feed his stupid ego.

“Well too bad, you don’t deserve one! So… bye!~

With that, he teleported away with a pop, annoying Boe even further. But it wasn’t like he could do anything, so in the meantime he would just find someone else to degrade instead.

.

.

.

About 30 minutes passed and Boe was starting to get annoyed. Every time he tried to poke fun at someone or befriend someone using their own insecurities, they either ignored him or used his own tactics against him. But despite this, he still didn’t seem to learn his lesson.

This time he decided to target Pete, like he did almost all the time in his AU. He walked up to the rat animatronic with a smug smirk, trying to see how far he could push him.

“I believe you must be Pete.”

Pete, who was on the main stage reading a book, turned to look at him. However, instead of saying anything, he just rolled his eyes and went back to his book.

Boe smirked at Pete’s attempt to ignore, but deep down he was starting to get annoyed.

“What, got nothing to say? Good, it suits you.”

Again, Pete ignored him. Though he averted his gaze to him at times, he continued to ignore him as he read his book. Boe didn’t like this one bit, as began to grow even more pissed. But he tried to keep it cool in order to hide his intentions.

“Oh come on, at least say something. It’s not nice to ignore guests like tha-“

“HIIII PETE!”

Boe’s sentence was cut off by Rosey hugging Pete out of nowhere, causing the rabbit to stumble backwards and fall tush first on the floor. Meanwhile Pete jumped a bit, almost accidentally punching them which the eccentric animatronic was oblivious to.

Pete let out a sigh as he put his book down before looking at Rosey, a bit annoyed but not angry.

“What is it Rosey?”

Rosey just chuckled as his annoyed expression.

“Oh nothing big. I just wanted to see my BEST FRIEND!”

Boe was initially shocked by the sudden appearance of Rosey, but he brushed it off as he saw this as an opportunity to belittle Rosey as well.

“Well ain’t this a surprise? Big bad Pete has a joker as a friend…”

This time, Pete looked at him with an annoyed glare. Rosey, confused, looked at Boe with a curious gaze.

“What do you want, Boe?”

Pete spoke in a somewhat irritated tone. As annoyed as he was, he couldn’t get too mad due to Rosey’s presence. He was well aware of Boe’s antics and knew that he had to be careful. Rosey on the other hand, was oblivious to Boe’s true intentions.

“What? Not happy to see me?”

Pete scoffed as he rolled his eyes. Despite Boe being Bonnie from a different AU, that doesn’t mean he’s gonna let him off the hook for what he did to the Pete in the other world.

”Why should I be?”

Boe smirked as he extended his hand in a fake, friendly gesture to Rosey.

“Come on, don’t be like that. I’m sure me and the joker girl can be good friends…”

Rosey looks at his hand before looking at him, then back at his hand. They gently take his hand to shake it, but instead of a simple handshake, Boe felt a sharp shock from his hand to the rest of his body. He lets go and looks at Rosey, who was now laughing at the buzzer prank they had just pulled.

“Hahaha! Ihi- I can’t believe you fell for it!”

Boe’s face turned red with anger and embarrassment as he looked at Rosey with a pissed off face before suddenly changing to a grin.

“Oh I get it now…”

Rosey stopped laughing as they looked at Boe confused, tilting their head.

“What are you talking about?”

Pete, who also confused, quirked an eyebrow as he spoke. He did not like the grin on his face, and if anything, it meant bad news.

“Isn’t it obvious? You, the tough, stoic, no-games man friends with the crazy, prankster, out of control jester? You’re just asking to be called an embarrassment!”

Pete scowled at the sudden insult, trying his best to ignore it. But Boe wasn’t backing down, and he didn’t seem to care…

“But honestly, what was I expecting? You’re honestly nothing more than an embarrassment. Both as a performer and a brother, hell I bet even Finn-“

“Shut. The f*ck. Up.”

Pete’s tone was firm and threatening as he stood up, clearly pissed. It was clear that once again, Boe had crossed a line.

“Let me make one thing very clear…”

Without thinking, Pete picked Boe up by his shirt collar.

“I don’t care if you’re from another world, you have no right to just put neither my friends or my siblings’ names in your mouth! Do you understand?“

“Okay okay, I-I won’t do it again! Just… please put me down-!”

Boe put his hand up in a placating gesture, showing that he had surrendered. But deep down, he was secretly pissed. As Pete set him back down, he decided to try and shoot one last insult towards Rosey. However, before he could, Rosey was suddenly gone.

“What- where’d they go- ACK!”

Boe was suddenly cut off by Rosey grabbing his wrists, pinning them above his head.

“H-Hey! Let me go of me- this- instan- eek!”

He suddenly felt a pair of hands squeeze his sides. But how? Pete was over there and Rosey was holding his wrists. So who-

“Ehehek! He-hehey, what the f*ck!”

Rosey used their second pair of arms to wrap around his waist as began tickling his sides, like how Goldie did to him earlier.

“Sorry sir, but bad attitudes are not allowed at Fazbear’s!”

Pete chuckled a bit as Rosey playfully lectured Boe on his sh*tty ego. But it was true. Inflated egos and bad attitudes were a BIG no in this universe. And should someone test this too many times… well, let’s just say there’s a bit of a penalty to pay.

Boe tried to pull his wrists out of Rosey’s grasp, but to no avail. He looked at Pete as he called out to him. Well, at least tried to anyway due to how much he was laughing.

“Kehehahaahaha! Yo-you idiot! Help me-HEEEE-hahahaha!

Pete pondered a bit before smirking.

“Hmm… nah.”

He then closed his book before stepping off the stage and beginning to leave. Before he did leave, he turned back to Boe with a sly grin.

“Besides, I’m sure you and Rosey will “get along” just fine…”

With that, he left the bunnyb*cth to Rosey’s mercy, ignoring the several screams of mirth he was letting out.

He eventually found a place where he could read his book, but still had a view of the absolute chaos that was going on with those two.

“Hopefully this should teach him a lesson…” He thought to himself.

Whew, finally done! This took me way too long, but it is complete! Also sorry if it seems a bit lazy and/or rushed…

Again, thank you @drechastory for the lovely request. I hope you like it!

AGATD!Bonnie aka Boe belongs to @drechastory

[atinyjules]

FLAMING HEARTS FT. LEE JENO

A/n: Yayy, My Hero Academia au with NCT DREAM! MHA is my whole literal childhood and teenage years, and so are the Dreamies! So what better way to pay homage than by mixing both together?!

Here it iss

The mini-masterlist for this series can be found here

Genre: Fantasy, mha au, hero au, fluff, romance

Pairings: Lee Jeno x Na Eunbi (fem oc)

Warnings: Strong language

Lee Jeno. UA's most promising student.

There really was no one like him. The teachers knew they found gold when he first entered the doors of UA. Jeno showcased excellent talent and determination since his first year up until now. Already in his final year at UA, Jeno was the man that everyone looked up to, especially the first years.

All the teachers were certain that he would have a bright future as a hero after his departure from UA. Everyone imagined Jeno's mind to be... well... Amazing. He was the top student, after all. But those were just a maybe. In reality, no one knew what went through his head. Did he think about grades and training every second? Or did he think about his future? Or did he think about absolutely nothing?

Everyone was curious what the top student, the ace of UA thought about.

Jeno thought about none of those things mentioned. At first, though... his mind was filled with grades, trying and expectations, and then it switched to something completely different. There was only one person who had been always running through his mind since his first year at UA.

Who was it, you ask?

It was the dark purple haired girl who was currently squabbling with her twin brother, two seats in front of Jeno.

Na Eunbi, class 3 A's princess who comes in first in terms of smartness and strength among the girls and the 4th in the whole class.

Jeno has liked her from the start. At first, he was academics and performance oriented until he met Eunbi, and suddenly, he wanted her to be in his life as a pivotal character. It was obvious why he liked her. She was just perfectand her flaws made her even more perfect in his eyes. She was kind-hearted but not naive. She knew how to differentiate right from wrong and respected everyone.

Jeno is a top student, but he set his goals straight. He wanted to become an amazing hero and a symbol of peace like All Might, but he wanted to do those things with Eunbi by his side.

"Jen, are you attending the party?" Jeno pulled himself out of his thoughts to look up at Eunbi, who shone like the sun.

"Which party?" He asked as she showed him the flier.

Class 3A's Slumber Party!

"The dorm party-of course you're attending, you're in the dorms as well." Eunbi said before pulling her hair in embarrassment making Jeno chuckle.

"It doesn't seem interesting, though..." Jeno trailed, making Jaemin push his sister aside and gasp before giving him an offended look.

"It is gonna be the PARTY OF THE SUMMER! Why, you ask? Because I'm planning the whole party and whether you like it or not, you're participating as well!" Jaemin exclaimed making him groan.

"No.." Jeno trailed before Eunbi smacked his arm.

"You have tooooo! It's our last year! Who knows, we might not even see each other after we all graduate! Let's make the best out of the remaining time we have left!" Eunbi exclaimed and gave Jeno a hopeful look.

Our last year...

"I guess I can make an exception.."

×××

Jeno's

It's our last year!

It was indeed our last year... and yet I couldn't bring myself to ask her out...

How is it that beating villains is easy, but asking out the girl I like is impossible? Why is it so hard? Why is expressing my feelings so hard?

Eunbi plans to go back to her hometown and start her own hero agency there, so there's no way we'll be meeting anytime soon...

"This is so frustrating!" I exclaimed before being hit by an eraser. Annoyed, I turned to look at Renjun who just chuckled.

"Just because I let you hang out in my bedroom doesn't mean I gave you the authority to attack me." I said making Renjun scoff.

"You're the one who called me to your bedroom. So... when are you asking her out on the date you planned two years ago?" Renjun asked making me groan.

"It's hard okay?" I said making him tsk.

"Keep using the same excuse, and 6 months will just fly away like a feather. You'll probably never see her again. Go ask her out before it's too late. Now is definitely not the time to say you're scared." Renjun said, making me look down. Although what he said was harsh... it's the truth... if I keep pushing it back, I might never get the chance to tell her my true feelings.

"What if she doesn't feel the same? She's... Eunbi. I'm way out of her league." I said, making Renjun sigh.

"You're not. You're perfect for her. How about you try to impress her?" Renjun said, making me scoff.

"How?" I asked.

"Do that thing you always do... but make it a heart." Renjun said, making me groan.

"Stupid floating flame hearts aren't good enough to impress Eunbi." I said, referring to the floating flame hearts I can make with the help of a fire lit glass of beer.

"Eunbi... you must think she wants extravagant gifts and big actions of love, but she's like any other girl. Give her a small flower, and she'll cherish it forever." Renjun said, making me look at my reflection in the mirror.

After a while, it was time for the dorm party or slumber party or whatever it was. While everyone was having fun, I looked around to find Eunbi, but when I couldn't I frowned a little.

Eunbi's

While everyone was having fun, I went out to get some snacks and ended up sitting outside the door to look at the stars. The stars were all visible today, so it caught my eye, and I ended up getting lost in the beauty of the night sky.

"The one who forced me ended up being the one not attending the party." I flinched and gasped before turning to see Jeno.

"Lee Jeno! Don't just creep up on me like that!" I said while clutching my chest, making him chuckle before sitting next to me amd looking at the sky.

"Too busy looking at the stars again?" He asked, making chuckle and nod.

"You know me too well." I said as we looked at the sky.

"Of course I do." Jeno said before I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Last year... time flies so fast, doesn't it?" I said, making Jeno look towards me.

"Too fast. But I'm sure we'll all cross paths... one day or the other..." Jeno said, making me look down.

"To be honest... it's sad. Sad to say goodbye and sad to leave UA. I didn't think I'd like it here at first, but then I met you and then the rest of our classmates and then suddenly... I wanted to see everyone every day." I said as a hand came up to hold mine.

"It's totally fine to not want to say goodbye. It's natural, but don't worry too much. Cause no matter how busy we might get... we're all gonna see each other again, eventually. We've been training and studying to become heroes together since the first year.

We fought together, we laughed together and we cried together... we did all those together as students and one day... we'll all do it again, but as pro heroes. So don't think too much about it." Jeno said, making my eyes glisten with tears as I pulled him in for a hug.

"Whenever I had a problem in life, I'd always lean towards my brother for support, but then I met you, and my whole life completely changed. Thank you for everything." I whispered, making him chuckle as he gave me a tight squeeze.

"Crying again? Classic Eunbi." He said, making me chuckle.

"Crying again? Classic Eunbi." Jeno said to me after we went to meet Jaemin in the hospital.

"I don't always cry!" I said even though tears were threatening to fall.

"I could show you a video of a puppy playing, and it'd make you cry-ha! You're already crying!" He laughed, pointing at me as I covered my face.

"I'm nott! I'm just! Emotional!" I sobbed making him laugh more.

Back then, and even now, Lee Jeno was someone I could be myself around Jaemin.

As I wiped my tears, I saw our surroundings light up , making me look up only to gasp at the sight in front of me. Flame hearts were floating around us. I turned to see Jeno producing the flame hearts from his lips.

"How?" I asked, totally surprised as he chuckled and blew a flame heart towards me.

"You like it?" He asked, making me nod and get up, looking at my surroundings in awe.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed as he made another big one.

One thing about Jeno is that he has actually learned how to control the intensity of his fire, so even if it makes contact with my face or any part of my body, it wouldn't hurt. That's how amazing he is.

Months went on, and soon enough, we had reached our graduation day. As my brother straightened my graduation cap for me, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. Even after three years, at last, I didn't have the courage to confess my feelings to Jeno. The past six months were... hectic. The fight with the League of Villains caused me to injure my arm... which was why I was attending my graduation with a fracture. Jaemin fractured his leg, and Jeno?

He was the one who sustained the most injuries and had been in a coma for 2 months. He's awake now, but he still needed to heal, so he wasn't attending today's program. What a bummer...

"There you are!" Me and Jaemin turned to see Renjun standing with crutches with his girlfriend Yuri from Class 3B supporting him slightly , greeting us with a bright smile.

"Renjun! Yuri!" I exclaimed as I hugged the two, Jaemin doing the same.

"How the fuck did you get here?" Jaemin asked making Renjun roll his eyes.

"I thought you weren't coming?" I said making him chuckle.

"You think I would finish 3 long years of studying and training without attending my own graduation?" He questioned, making us laugh as Yuri nodded.

"Exactly, and we aren't the only ones." Yuri said before looking behind me, making me widen my eyes as a flame heart floated in the air.

I turned around to see.

He sat on a wheelchair that was being pushed by Thirteen. My breathing quickened as tears dripped down my face. Still frozen in place, Jaemin pushed me slightly.

"Go to him." He said with a smile as my feet started moving.

With a chuckle, he stood up from the wheelchair, arms spread out as if, welcoming me towards his embrace.

"Jeno..." I trailed as I ran into his arms, his hands immediately wrapping around my body as I sobbed.

"I thought you weren't gonna make it..." I sobbed as he simply chuckled.

"And miss this special day? Never. Besides, I promised you, didn't I?" He said, making me nod as my tears dripped down my face.

"You can't die now! We haven't even graduated yet, idiot!" I cried as I sat on the battlefield by the bloodied Jeno's side.

"Why w-would I? L-Let's graduate together... after... a-all this is over..." He stuttered before coughing up blood as I held his hand.

"You better!" I exclaimed and sobbed, making him chuckle softly.

"I promise.."

Chuckling at the memory, I broke the hug to look at his face. His eyes were glistening as he pushed my cap up a little to press a kiss to my forehead.

"I hope you still remember the promise you made to me." Jeno said, making wipe my tears and chuckle before giving him a peck on the cheek.

"After you're healed! You're going out on a date with me!" I exclaimed while crying.

"Only if I remember." Jeno joked before making a pained expression after chuckling.

"Took you long enough."

I knoww 😭 it's a little confusing! But I'll upload more fics on them so that you can have can understand this more.

So, I plan on making this nct dream mha au into a little mini series. Each member gets their own fics (it could be multiple, definitely not gonna be just one for each member), its all connected somehow, but every fic is/can be a stand-alone.

I am probably not making any sense right now, but you'll see.

I hope y'all liked it, though! 🥹✨️

Likes and rebloggs are appreciated 💖 ✨️

[bobfloydsbabe]

the holiday truce | eccentric professor!bob floyd x oc | sneak peek

a gold rush fic

SUMMARY: Bob and Imogen call a truce and spend the holidays together.

WARNINGS: academia au, enemies to lovers, age gap (mid 20s/late 30s), power imbalance, smut (not in sneak peek), christmas. strictly 18+/minors dni.

A/N: inspired by a conversation with @joaquinwhorres. bob and imogen celebrate christmas, but i've done my best to limit the references to it. i'm aiming to post sometime in december, but i hope this sneak peek will get you excited for it. let me know what you want to see in this fic. enjoy!

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She stands on the street, looking up at the Boston brownstone. Around her, thick fluffy snowflakes fall to the ground. Not enough to cover the sidewalk in a blanket of white, at least not yet. One falls against her cheek and melts on contact, and she’s sure her hair’s littered with them.

She feels a bit like a pig at the entrance to a slaughterhouse. Certain doom on the other side of that front door in the shape of Dr. Robert Floyd. Known to friends as Bob, apparently. She didn’t know he had friends, and certainly not that they call him anything other than Robert until she overheard Dr. Kazansky talking about him.

Drawing in a deep breath and releasing it into a misty cloud, she squares her shoulders and walks up the steps to the front door. The black paint is peeling off and the knocker could use a good clean, but Imogen knows the professor well enough to know he won’t prioritize it. She’s seen his office, and it’s not a pretty sight.

The door swings open, letting warm yellow light spill into the street. Silhouetted by the glow, Dr. Floyd looks as if he’s wearing a halo, like an angel descended from heaven.

“Miss Van Doren,” he says, and as her eyes adjust to the sudden light, she notices a faint smile on his face. “Glad you could make it.”

He steps aside, hand still on the doorknob, allowing her to walk past him and inside the entrance hall. She catches a whiff of his cologne as he closes the door behind her. Spices and ink. Him.

A coat rack hangs on the wall with three coats evenly spaced out. Underneath it is a small bench and next to it are the professor’s shoes. The classic brown oxfords he wears to work and a pair of sensible winter boots. Both are spotless. 

Unlike his office, the house appears perfectly tidy. Her mouth hangs open as she takes in the elaborate light fixtures, wood paneling, framed artwork on the opposite wall to the coat rack depicting a nye of pheasants. Not the type of art she expected, but it feels like him somehow.

She can feel his eyes trained on her as he steps up behind her. “Let me take your coat,” he says, voice deep and gravelly. She nods, slipping her purse off her shoulder and placing it on the bench.

His fingertips graze her neck, sending a shiver down her spine when he grasps the collar and slides the wool off her shoulders and down her arms. Stepping around her, he puts the coat on the rack for her.

“Come on,” he says once she’s toed her boots off and placed them haphazardly next to his own. “Dinner’s almost done.”

Imogen frowns, grabbing her purse and following him down the narrow entryway and into the open-plan kitchen. “You cook?”

Throwing a glance over his shoulder, she catches the smile on his handsome features. “I do,” he tells her, rounding the large island and reaching for an empty wine glass. “Red or white?”

She blinks at him, not sure how to feel about him being nice and personable. They may have agreed to bury the hatchet for a few days, but this is beyond unsettling. His light blue shirt has the top buttons undone, giving her a view of his collarbones and a thin silver chain around his neck.

“Red,” she says finally, trying to shake off the weird sensation of being in his home and watching him do normal things like pour a glass of wine.

He hands her the glass, raising his own and clinks them together. “Happy holidays, miss Van Doren.”

“Imogen,” she corrects him and takes a long sip, tasting the tannins on her tongue. “Is there anything I can help with?”

He trains his blue eyes on her. They appear darker than usual, maybe from the wine in his system or the tension cackling between them. His lips turn up at the corner. “Now you want to be helpful?”

Heart pounding in her chest, her cheeks warm under the intensity of his gaze. She wants to say something back, a witty remark, a counterpoint, a quip, but she can’t think of anything. Instead, she nods dumbly.

He smirks, the crinkles around his eyes deepening. “No,” he says at last, coming up in front of her, leaning down until his lips are a hair’s breadth away from her earlobe. “But you can sit that pretty little ass down and look sexy for me.”

TAGLIST: @roosterforme, @bradshawsbaby, @kmc1989, @cherrycola27, @yanna-banana, @bluezraven, @fandom-princess-forevermore, @hangmandruigandmav, @keyrani, @just-in-case-iloveyou, @solo-pitstop-vibes, @sweetwhispersofchaos, @attapullman, @bcarolinablr, @lewmagoo, @floydsmuse, @lyn-js, @briseisgone, @ryebecca, @auroralightsthesky

[thescarletnargacuga]

UNSEEN FRAGMENTS

PART 3 OF THE UNSEEN SERIES: A HARLEQUIN AU FANFICTION

Harlequin AU credit: @tadc-harlequin-au @iamespecter

Shadowblade is my OC and is NOT CANON

WARNING: intense violence, mechanical gore, swearing, long read

~~~

"Fascinating, aren't they?" Thousands of small neon green-yellow butterflies swarmed the manor forest. Kingr was covered in the fluttering friends, looking like someone took a highlighter and dotted all over him. "They're migrating south, and since this is the only bastion of green for quite a ways, they all flock here for a respite. We're so fortunate the manor grounds is on their marching order." He held his butterfly covered hand close to his face.

Shadowblade laid on the grassy ground next to him, taking in the nature around them. They watched the tiny specs of color flying around in the cooling breeze. The seasons were changing, it's the first they ever noticed. Has the world done this before? They could feel the crisp air against their armor, sending a chill through their body, making the metal creak.

Shadowblade listened to Kingr as still and as quiet as possible, not wanting to scare the precious insects. Many landed on them, their butterfly light touches adding to the new experience. Shadowblade went crosseyed trying to see the ones that landed on their snoot. To see such small delicate lives exist beyond the war torn past was... comforting.

Kingr took his attention away from his hand to see Shadowblade being so attentive and a smile reached his eyes. He gently shook the butterflies from his hand and gave Shadowblade a pat on the head. "You may be a war machine, but that doesn't define who you are. Trust me, I would know."

Shadowblade rumbled against his touch, lowly vibrating the ground. It was nice to experience so many kind hands. Not just from Kingr, but Caine and even Pomni. They loved the positive attention, it made them feel...it made them feel.

"Sorry, to interrupt..." Caine joined them on the edge of the forest. "But could I borrow Shadowblade? I have something new to show them." Excitement laced his voice. His white shirt was covered in grease and smoke stains.

Kingr got one last pat in before Shadowblade stood, scattering the butterflies. Shadowblade followed Caine, who had a bit of a skip in his step, to the barn. "You're going to love this! I've been working on a few redesigns for you! You're already spectacular but there's always room for improvement! Your wings for example..." He uprighted an apparatus on the barn floor. "How would you like to be capable of actual flight!? It would mean removing all the blades except your outermost, and making some adjustments to your armor weight, but it's possible!"

Shadowblade examines the wing apparatus curiously. It was huge, they flexed their current wing-like blades in comparison.

"I know, it'll take some getting used to, but it'll be worth it! And don't worry about the amount of noise on landing, I have some improvement ideas for your paw pads too. A genius like me doesn't just think of one thing at once." He chuckled and wiped his stained glove against his shirt. "Anywho, this will take awhile, so get comfortable."

Shadowblade settled and quietly powered down. As much as they felt like they needed to see Caine work, if this was going to be as invasive as it seemed, they didn't want to be awake. They'd experience plenty of positive touch today and Caine was trustworthy, so they finally decided to take a nap instead of endure the pain.

Caine did a double take when he heard Shadowblade's systems powering down. They'd always stayed awake, no matter what sort of repairs had ever been done. He grinned and spoke softly. "You're in good hands. Rest well."

He got work right away, disassembling and rebuilding Shadowblade's entire wing structure. As he was installing the right wing, he had to take off part of the side of Shadowblade's chest. The molten gold core shined before him like a beacon, beckoning to be studied. Caine leaned over to see Shadowblade still completely off, fast asleep.

"One little peak wouldn't hurt." He carefully reached inside and felt the core for opening points. There were cracks all over the core's protective case, years of wear and tear evident of a long hard existence. His fingers found a latch and the core opened. Shattered remains of something fell out and he cursed to himself as he caught them. He checked Shadowblade again, still asleep.

Inside the core was a glowing, amber gold crystal. Fluid pumped into a chamber the crystal covered and flowed out to the body. He leaned in as close as he could, squinting to see black spidering cracks spread across the crystal. Being this close, he could feel a soft radiant hum emanating from the epicenter of the core.

"Beautiful. A crystalline core with energized fluid distribution. I've always theorized this was possible, but never seen it done practically. How was your crystal charged? How has it stayed charged?" He, very carefully, took a scraper from his pocket and shaved off a micro sample of the crystal. Shadowblade didn't even twitch, much to his relief. He closed the core's case and backed out of Shadowblade's chest to examine the bits that fell out.

Three crumbled purple stone pieces with strange markings sat in his palm. He immediately recognized them as parts of what was once a charm. He turned them over to examine all the markings, he recognized only a few. His own charm knowledge was not as extensive as Ragatha's, and would have to get her to look this over more thoroughly. He paused when he saw markings that weren't runic in nature, they were english letters. SB

"Huh...never seen someone sign their work this way. Maybe..." He trailed off and pocketed the charm shards. He could think on it later. He resumed his work on the upgrades.

~

"Hey, have you seen Caine?" Pomni inquired to Gangle as they passed in the hall.

"No, Miss Pomni. I have not seen him all day. I assume he is in his workshop?" Gangle answered in a soft voice, lowering her gaze submissively despite being much taller than the Harlequin.

"I just came from there. Fucker's probably out. Why didn't he think to take me with him? I'm bored as hell!" Pomni crossed her arms in a disappointed huff.

"I'm sure he had his reasons. Maybe it would've been dangerous and he didn't want you to get hurt."

"Bitch, please. I eat danger for breakfast. Then I top my salmon burger with it for lunch. THEN I-"

BOOM!!

The whole mansion shook. Pomni unsheathed her sword and rushed to a window. She saw no immediate threat, her eyes landing on Shadowblade. The beast leapt into the air, flapped huge wings and landed back down with another heavy boom. Caine was outside waving his arms and dancing around.

Pomni threw open the window, jumped out and put her sword away. "What the fuck is going on out here!?"

"Pomni!! You're just in time! Shadowblade has wings now! Look!! They can really fly!!" He held his hands out towards Shadowblade with pride.

Shadowblade tried to take off again, awkwardly flapped like a baby bird and fell back to earth. They vented air hard, their systems not used to the strain on their front limbs. They flexed their new wings at Pomni, Caine's excitement was infectious.

Pomni blinked, trying to process what was happening. "...uh-"

"BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING! It will take some time for Shadowblade to get the hang of it, as flying was never part of their original design, and I have no idea how to program the directive. Honestly, I would be hesitant to even try. So this will be a learning experience for the both of you. Machine learning at it's finest. Oh! And look!!" Caine pulled at one of Shadowblade's front paws, signaling them to lift. "I improved their pads too!" He squished his face against the paw the size of his torso. "They're thicker! Should help soften the landing a bit and be a bonus for stealth."

"....still shook the whole house."

"Well, yeah. We're right next to it, and Shadowblade easily weighs several tons. They're never going to be perfectly silent, but it's an improvement! So, what do you think?" He let go of Shadowblade's paw and clasped his filthy hands together.

"Uh, neat, I guess. Not super thrilled about the idea of being high off the ground."

"But you've been doing so well, I was starting to think your acrophobia-"

"IT WAS NEVER A PHOBIA!" Pomni exploded unexpectedly. She looked away and spoke quieter. "But yeah, I've been handling heights better lately."

"Progress. That's what's important." Caine sighed. "I should get cleaned up. You and Shadowblade can experiment with the wings, if you want." Before he could walk away, he felt Shadowblade's maw against his back. He pet Shadowblade as they pressed against him and rumbled their low mechanical purr. He smiled a little. "Nice to know someone around here appreciates what I do." He didn't look at Pomni as he left.

Pomni watched Caine leave without a word. Her insides twisted a bit with guilt. A chuff from Shadowblade got her attention. The beast lowered themself to the ground, offering the saddle to her. The crystal charm on her right hand glowed softly. "Yeah, I could use some fresh air." She mounted up and they took off out of the city.

~

The shower was more of a phycologcal need than a physical one, sometimes it felt good to literally wash the day off. Caine stood under the hot stream, trying to relax his mind. "Why can't anything I do just be enough?" He let his mind wander. A dangerous thing, but it needed the freedom to process his thoughts before he stamped the emotions back in place. He stayed until the hot water ran out, shots of icy water bringing him back to reality.

He wrapped himself in a towel and went through the pockets of his dirty pants before he forgot what was in there. He didn't want his tools going through the laundry again by mistake. He found the pieces of the charm he discovered inside Shadowblade as well as the core sample. "Hm...I've had suspicions since day one that Shadowblade isn't a true marionette. Maybe this is my answer." He closed his fist around the pieces and got dressed to see Ragatha.

~

Shadowblade stood on a high rocky outcropping, judging the distance to the ground and feeling the direction of the wind. They could feel Pomni's nerves through the connection. This was dangerous. Maybe, just a tiny bit, TOO dangerous. Maybe they should climb back down. Maybe they should hop along the ground some more. Maybe....they should just go for it.

Shadowblade looked over their shoulder to Pomni. "Don't look at me, I'll never be ready. Jump when you want." Her grip on the saddle left permanent indents in the leather.

Shadowblade adjusted their stance and unfolded their wings. The wind caught enough that they could stand on their hind legs. For what it was worth, the view was rather nice. They flapped and lifted from the rock. The strong wind carried them up and away. They steadied themselves in the draft, they could feel Pomni's heart racing.

"Okay, okay, okay, this is okay. We're in the air. Oh my fucking god, we're in the air." Pomni refused to look down.

Shadowblade tried to send reassuring vibes back, but they were too nervous themselves. They've never been this high up.

Then, the draft died. Shadowblade lost altitude rapidly. They tried flapping, it wasn't helping much, just made the turbulent descent all the more bumpy.

BAM!!

Shadowblade bellyflopped to the ground. They moaned as Pomni slid off and puked. She braced herself on her knees and horked up everything her system. "Ugh...this isn't going to be a fun learning curve."

Shadowblade groaned back.

~

"So, what do you think?" Caine sipped a glass of brandy as he poured over books and old maps in the library.

Ragatha cross references symbols on the charm pieces with ones in her book. "Well, I can tell you for certain that it is some sort of suppression charm. The stone itself is fluorite based, which isn't local to our area. As for the writing, I don't know. I've never seen a charm with english letters. I'm surprised doing that wouldn't interfere with the charms purpose. Unless it's part of it, but I don't know of any ritual that would use initials."

"Suppression..." Caine muttered to himself, looking at the charm around Ragatha's neck. "Why would a marionette need suppressing?"

"They wouldn't. They have no emotions or will to suppress. ...are you thinking what I am?"

"Yes, and I don't like it. I had my entire head inside their core. I didn't see a D.I.E. It doesn't make sense. They're powered by some crystal. I have to run more tests, but if I find presence of a soul... I don't even know what to think." Caine set his drink down.

"We don't know for certain. We shouldn't jump to conclusions. I said it was a type of suppression charm, it doesn't necessarily mean that it was being used to suppress free will. It could have been used to suppress the amount of power in the core. Maybe Shadowblade was too strong and... needed to be tamed."

"I'm willing to bet my last bottle that the charm broke when pomni shot Shadowblade in the chest when they first encountered each other. That's when I met them. That's when they were acting weird. That's what gave me the suspicions that they weren't normal. I should have seen it when I first gave Shadowblade the choice to stay."

"Maybe the crystal itself is a D.I.E?"

"If it is, It's the most unusual way to contain a soul."

"I mean, think about how big they are. Could a single puppet soul pilot an entire war machine without help?"

"Maybe? Maybe not? Take Z, for example. Many her size required the use of multiple souls. A lot of constructor puppets suffered that fate." Caine looks over the map on the table. "You said the stone has fluorite in it?"

"Yes, It's what gives it it's purple color."

"I think I have an idea where it came from." He pointed to a spot far east of the City of Circuits. "The City of Gears was one of the largest industrial cities in the world during the war. Fluorite is used in smelting."

"I don't think I've ever been there."

"The only thing your missing out on is a marionette infestation and bad investments."

"What..?"

"Nevermind. Pomni and Shadowblade could check it out but I want them to take backup."

"I'm not going anywhere near that place."

"I wasn't going to suggest it, I need you here. Z and Kingr are too big to ride on Shadowblade's back, and walking would make it a three day one-way trip. No, they need to fly."

"Gangle wouldn't want to go either."

"That just leaves...oh boy. Pomni's gonna kill me." Caine sighed and downed his brandy.

~

WHAM!!

Shadowblade goes headfirst into a cliff, just missing the top by feet. They dig their claws into he clifface to stop from free falling again. Pomni popped her dislocated shoulder back into place. "Fuck these stupid FUCKING winds!! Why do they keep changing??"

Shadowblade struggled against the crumbling cliff as they climbed to the top. They repositioned themselves to try again, looking back to check on Pomni.

"Just go, before I change my mind. LIKE THE WIND!!" She shouted angrily into the air.

Shadowblade dove over the edge. The momentum carries to their wings and they rose back into the air. With a smoother take off, they settled into a flight pattern around the wasteland. Shadowblade felt more comfident with every wing beat. They went even higher, to the clouds.

Pomni felt oddly at ease when she could no longer see the ground. The mist of the clouds felt cool against her face. When Shadowblade breaches the top, the vibrant colors of the waning sun were all around them. The connection felt calm and happy and excited. This was truly beautiful. The ultimate escape from the world.

Pomni raised her arms up in a shout of elation. Shadowblade roared with her as they soared across the sky.

~

Caine checked his W.A.C.K.Y watch for Shadowblade's position. They would be returning any moment. He left Ragatha to the research and found Jax on the roof.

Jax laid against the slanted roof, watching the stars slowly appear. He heard Caine's blink and internally rolled his eyes. "What is it?"

"I have a mission for you." Caine leaned against an adjacent roof section.

"Joy of joys." Jax said sarcastically. "Where am I headed?"

"The City of Gears...with Pomni and Shadowblade."

"Why-"

"Because I need you two to do some investigating. It's about Shadowblade. I'll spare you the details, but I think that's where they came from and it could lead to answers about their origin. I don't expect, nor really care, if you care about Shadowblade. All I need you to do is help Pomni. The city is swarming with marionettes. Who knows what you'll face."

"Hm...sounds dangerous."

"It will be."

"I'll need something in exchange for my services."

"That can be arranged."

"Your watch is quite fancy."

"Off the table." Caine narrowed his eyes.

Jax smirked. "Then I'll have to take a peak in your workshop, do a little...shopping."

"Off. Limits." Caine said sternly.

"Hm, then I guess Pomni's on her own." Jax shrugged.

"I can offer upgrades, charms, hell- new clothes, better accommodations...?"

"Nah, I like your fancy gadgets. They look fun to play with."

Caine grunted. "I'll see what I can come up with, but you an Pomni leave tomorrow."

"Fine. I'll go with piranha teeth to the city of whatever. What exactly are we looking for anyway?"

"....I don't know."

Jax laughed. "Seriously?"

Caine flustered a bit with embarrassment. "Like I said, I just need you to be Pomni's backup. Leave the rest of her and Shadowblade." Caine blinked away.

Jax kept chuckling to himself. "What a maroon."

~

Shadowblade glided down into the city and attempted to land on a long straight stretch of road. They came down a bit fast and stumbled. Pomni barely kept her grip as she was thrown forward ass over teakettle over the handles of the saddle. She hung awkwardly next to Shadowblade's neck until the beast stopped for her to let go.

"That wasn't the worst landing of the day. The fact we're in one piece of good enough for me." Pomni decided to walk the rest of the way to the manor.

Shadowblade was sore all over. Their armor felt overly sensitive to every cut and dent, a few spots bled. A small whine came from them as they walked.

Pomni felt the pain in the connection. "I'm sore too. I'm lucky I could hold on through most of that." She didn't realize the extent of the pain Shadowblade was in. This wasn't just them complaining about being over worked. They felt beaten and battered and bruised for the first time. They weren't used to this level of pain just from getting thrown around. Pomni shooting them and stabbing out their eye hurt less.

They go through the gate and nod to Z. "Yeesh, What happened to you two?"

"The wind." Pomni groaned.

Shadowblade grunted in agreement.

"The...wind?"

"Yes, the fucking WIND. It is an EVIL force of nature. Tossed us like a salad all over the wasteland."

Z sniggered.

Pomni went into the mansion, Shadowblade followed her through the windows. They made a habit of it. It was interesting to see the others interact in this large dollhouse. Not far inside, they see Caine appear in front of Pomni. They spoke. Pomni yelled. He looked exhausted. They half shouted more at each other. They came to an agreement. Pomni stormed away. Caine dragged his hands down the front of his face. Shadowblade had felt mixed emotions through the connection. Frustration, but not anger. Respect, but not fondness. It was interesting and confusing.

Caine caught sight of Shadowblade's golden stare through the dark windows. He waved. Shadowblade slow blinked in return. They moved on the the next floor to find Pomni. They came face to face with Gangle. She screamed. Shadowblade should've seen that coming. They moved down the side of the building.

They spied Ragatha in the library, reading and examining something on the table in from of them. Their optics zoomed in. Pieces of purple stone...markings...SB...

Shadowblade felt like they were hit by a charging drill worm. The letters burn in their mind. Flashes of unknown faces fly through their vision. Gold light. A woman's scream.

Shadowblade topples over and scrambles to their barn. They hid inside, producing a copious amount of mist. Their mind races. Their body shakes. They couldn't hear their core cracking over their hyperventilating.

Pomni would have felt the intense fear and anxiety too, if she hadn't just taken off the charm in preparation to go to bed...

~

Jax was the first out that morning. His hammer collapsed and compacted against his back for travel. He wasn't alone long, the combat harlequin was an early riser when it came to missions. He pointed to the barn. "Is your beast sleeping in or what?"

Pomni hadn't put the charm on yet. She saw black mist pouring out of every crack and crevice like it was a hot box. "...what the hell?" She put on her mask and opened the doors. "Shadowblade! Why are wasting all your mist!? Have you been doing this all night!?"

No response.

"Shadowblade?" Pomni put on the charm. She felt immediate emotional whiplash. Dread. So much dread. Bad people. Enemies. Can't fight. Hide.

Pomni walked through the darkness, finding Shadowblade trembling against the back wall. "What's gotten into you? There are no enemies. We need to go. Knock it off with the mist."

Shadowblade obeyed, finding this feeling easy to ignore under orders. The mist stopped and they followed Pomni out.

Pomni mounted up and cringed as Jax climbed aboard. "God, I can't believe he's making us do this." She grumbles and has Shadowblade start walking out of the city.

"I'm not thrilled about it either, shark tooth, but your hubby promised me something nice in return for babysitting you."

"I don't need babysitting! And he's not my husband! I can barely stand him!"

Jax extended his neck to give her a mischievous grin face to face. "That's not what I saw on my way out the door. Oh, Pomni, Do Be Safe. You'll Be Out Of Radio Range, But You Know I'll Come Running If You Need Me." He mockingly fluttered his eyes at her.

She elbowed him hard in the gut. "If you don't want me shoving you off when we get airborne, you'll shut the fuck up."

"Fine, he's smitten and you're a bitch. Is that more accurate?" Jax rubbed his abdomen.

Pomni growled and had Shadowblade take off. She does her best to ignore the ick she felt as Jax reached around her with his extendable arms to hold onto the saddle handles.

The City of Circuits became a model of itself as they flew high into the air. The winds were calmer today, making things far smoother as Shadowblade found an air current to glide due east.

Jax silently admired the view. Flying was a new experience for him too. He shuddered just a little, looking down, and gripped the saddle tighter.

Pomni mentally reaches out to Shadowblade. There was still an underlying feeling of unease in the connection. She tried to push her own battle ready calm through. Shadowblade was resistant. She out her hand on Shadowblade's back. The physical touch warmed the connection. The feeling of calm was more accepted.

Barely an hour passed before Jax needed to talk again. The splendor of flight wore off fast. "Do you know what we're looking for? Your hubby couldn't say."

"HE'S NOT MY-ugh!! I don't know either. He just said there was something significant to Shadowblade at the City of Gears."

"We're doing all of this on a hunch?"

"Pretty much."

"Tap-dancing Christ."

"Shut the hell up, it's not like you had anything better to do."

"That's not the point. If we don't know what we're doing, and the city's as large as he says, we could be there for days. Sounds boring as fuck."

"He did mention to marionette infestation..."

"So we're either going to be bored to death or be torn apart by marionettes, what fun." Jax rolled his eyes so hard, they nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Welcome to my world."

~

Caine triangulated Shadowblade's position in his watch to the map. If they minimized any stops, they would be in the City of Gears after dusk. Not the best time to be arriving, but the fastest. He pocketed his watch and looked to Ragatha, who was nose deep in a book. "They're making good progress. And it doesn't look like Pomni has left Jax anywhere, so that's a good sign that they haven't killed each other yet."

Ragatha put her book down. "How do you keep track of us..?"

"Let me put it to you this way. If I've made something, I know where it is."

"Oh..." She didn't ask further. "I've been able to decipher some of the less common symbols used on the charm. While I was correct in saying that it was a suppression charm, it's a very particular suppression charm."

"Aren't they all?"

"Yes, every charm is unique, but when I say this one is very particular, I mean that it was assigned to a particular person. Those letters, the initials, I don't think those are someone's signature. I think those are related to the person the charm was meant to control."

"You're confident in saying a person? A soul?" Caine felt his stomach drop.

"Yes. The way the symbols are assorted on the charm, it's a contract. Whoever put their initials on the charm agreed to the terms of the person who created it. Though I can't say if it was done so willingly. My....the one whom I served before...used similar methods." Ragatha shifted in her chair and looked away.

"You needn't explain." Caine reassures. He takes our the core sample and hands it to her. "Give your thoughts on this when you have a chance. I need those charm shards back." He turns to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"To test a theory."

~

Pomni focused silently ahead. If she stayed calm, Shadowblade would be calm. It would make the travel that much more bearable. Jax, on the other hand, was bored out of his mind and couldn't stand the silence.

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

He waits only a second to ask again. "...how about now?" He smiled.

Pomni's grip tightened. "No."

"Are we there....yet?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"NO!!"

Jax held back a laugh. "You're too easy. Maybe that's why Caine likes you so much. Didn't take him for the type, but whatever floats his boat."

"What the FUCK are you implying??" She turned to glare at Jax.

"Wow, really gotta spell it out for you, huh? I'm calling you a wh-"

Pomni punched him so hard, he tumbled backwards off of Shadowblade. Shadowblade felt something grab their foot. They look down and back to see Jax hanging by one hand. They look back up at Pomni.

"Keep flying. If he falls, he's no longer our problem."

Shadowblade snorted, feeling Pomni's rage.

Jax extended his arms to reach up and grab into the seams of Shadowblade's armor. He hoisted himself back up to the saddle and settled behind Pomni. "I can add sensitive to the list." He called it quits for the time being, she definitely dented a few of his ribs with that hit. He took steady breaths through the pain.

~

Caine locked himself in his workshop and set the charm pieces on a small table with a sigil. He lights the half melted candles and puts both hands on symbols on either side of the sigil. He takes a deep breath and focuses.

Blue energy travels from his heart, down his arms, and to the table. The sigil lights up and the pieces of the charm hover an inch off the table. He mutters ritualisticly under his breath, willing the pieces to be whole again. The electric blue energy shocks the pieces one by one, heating and melting the jagged edges. The pieces fit together and seal the cracks. The reformed charm clatters to the table as he releases it, feeling a little light headed.

"Okay...step one wasn't too hard." He braced himself. "Now....who made you?" He focused again, using his soul energy to tap into the void. He heard faint whispers all around him. The symbols on the charm glow. One whispered voice stands out. A middle aged male voice comes from the charm.

"I....am the Master...."

Caine rolled his eyes. Of course someone who made this kind of charm would call themselves that. He has to stay focused, he could only hold this for so long. "What is the purpose of your charm?"

".... control...."

Fuck. He already knew that. Sweat rolled down his head as he concentrated. "Who is SB?"

"....my greatest creation..."

"No, WHO is SB? Is it a name?"

"...yes, the one who served me..."

"Vague bastard." Caine could barely hold the connection. "Is SB a puppet?"

"...my perfect puppet...obedient and powerful...the soul served without question..."

Caine could feel his hold on the voice slipping. He forced himself to keep going. "HOW? Where is the D.I.E??"

"...within..."

Caine vision blurred with exhaustion. "Are there...others...?"

"...yes...my traitorous son..."

"Where....where...." Caine collapsed. The Master's voice whispered as darkness took him.

"...where it all began..."

~

The sun shone its last as the City of Gears was finally in sight. Massive warehouses and factories towered over all other buildings. The city was ravaged by time and being reclaimed by nature, as the forest on the south side slowly intruded more than half the city.

Shadowblade flew low and made a better landing this time. At least they didn't fall forward on their face. Shadowblade and their passengers stayed alert as they entered the city. It was quiet. Despite being surrounded by trees, no birds sang. The wind was still. They wandered the silent streets aimlessly.

"I think Caine's info is a bit out of date. There's no one here." Jax said.

"Keep your voice down. This place shouldn't be this quiet with the amount of nature here." Pomni's whole body prickled on high alert. Her instincts told her to look up. She did just in time to see a wolf like pouncing from the second story of a broken building. She didn't have time to warn the others. She rolled and slid off Shadowblade as the wolf landed where she had been.

Jax jumped back and slid off the other side. Shadowblade felt the claws of the wolf in their back and bucked it off. More wolves attacked. Pomni dodged one and drew her blade. Jax activated his hammer and swung at a charging wolf, sending it into a wall.

They were surrounded by a dozen wolf sized and shaped marionettes snarling at them.

"Seekers!" Pomni shouted. Seekers were used to track and kill puppets. They tore their prey apart without mercy. As it was getting dark, Pomni put on her mask. Her eyes glowed with Shadowblade's as they stared down their opponents. Shadowblade roared, shaking dust from the ruined buildings. The ungraded blades on their wings and Pomni's sword glowed with energy.

The seekers weren't intimidated and attacked. Pomni put her sword through the mouth of one and she avoided another. She rolled over the back of the one she killed and kicked the next seeker that lunged. Shadowblade sliced two seekers in half with one swipe and whipped ther tail around to the ones behind them.

Jax limbo-ed under the swinging spiked tail and sprang himself into the air to bring his hammer down on one seeker, caving it's body in. He moved quickly to the next, spinning his hammer and launching a seeker into a ruined building.

Pomni got pinned by a seeker, she held it back with her sword in it's maw. It snapped and clawed wildly until Shadowblade chomped down on it's body and threw it away from her. She got to her feet and ran under Shadowblade to get to the seeks attacking on the other side by Jax. She cut through one that was about to pounce.

Jax swung around, saw Pomni and changed trajectory at the last second. He threw his hammer, crushing a seeker's face in.

Shadowblade brought their heavy tail down on one seeker and swung at another. Two jumped on Shadowblade's back and they reared.

"Shadowblade! Roll over!!" Pomni commanded.

Shadowblade did so, crushing the seekers under their bodyweight. Jax laughed, grabbed his hammer and killed another seeker. "Play dead!" He couldn't help himself.

The one remaining aimed for Pomni. It tried fainting left but Pomni was too quick. She decapitated it as it lunged. No other marionettes in sight, they caught their breath.

Jax was in a fit of giggles. "Roll over? Really?"

"What else was I going to say?? Stand there a take it!?"

Jax howled with laughter. "No...no, it isn't that. It's the basic bitch pet command shout during battle. You couldn't call it something else?"

"Like what, smartass?"

"Kill the passenger?" He really didn't have a clever retort, he just thought it was funny.

"God, you're insufferable."

Shadowblade was looking all around for any more signs of danger when they spotted a street corner with small shops. Windows ruined and signs faded, they were still recognizable as a market. Another flash. Shadowblade was short, maybe Pomni's height, walking down the street. The market was alive with people going to a fro. The scent of fresh bread and gardens flowers filled the air.

Shadowblade walked away from Pomni and Jax, following the vision. They were looking through windows at beautifully crafted jewelry and dresses but moving on. The went to a book shop on the corner. The vision fades to reveal a destroyed corner building. The books long destroyed.

"Hey...your beast is walking away."

"Huh? Shadowblade, where are you going? Get back here, we need to stick together." Pomni commanded but Shadowblade didn't obey. They kept walking down the ruins market street. "What the..?"

"Pffff, even your pet if sick of you."

"Fuck off." She moves to follow Shadowblade. "They've never ignored an order before."

Jax followed behind, keeping an eye out for more seekers. His own eyes glowed softly in the unlit city. He didn't need goggles to see in the dark.

Shadowblade looked down a desolate street past the market. A poster on the wall of a business stood out to them. It was barely legible, but it was an ad for a circus. A vision showed the poster it's full glory, they've walked by it many times. It was a landmark for their commute. Moving on, the businesses gave way to town houses and suburban homes. Once large and beautiful homes reduced to rubble.

~

A polite knock rattled Caine's workshop door. "Caine? I have some information on those crystal shards you gave me. ...Caine?"

"Oh dear, maybe he fell asleep. Here, let me help." One of Gangle's ribbons slithered under the door and reached the lock on the inside.

The ladies see Caine on his side in front of his charm table and rush to him. "Caine??" Ragatha checked his heart, he was still alive. "Caine!"

He stirred a a little. "Rag...the..." He lifted his hand to point at the charm on the table and passed back out.

"Oh my god, what did you do to yourself? Gangle?"

"On it." She wrapped her ribbons around Caine, easily lifting and carrying him out of the room.

Ragatha grabbed the charm, impressed to find it in one piece, and followed Gangle. "This must have been an incredibly powerful charm for him to use so much energy to pass out."

"Will he be okay?" Gangle asked worriedly.

"He'll be fine, he just needs rest. Take him to his room." Ragatha went back to the library to study the reformed charm in greater detail.

~

Shadowblade stopped in front of a half collapsed mansion. They stared as a vision of walking through gate entered their mind. They couldn't walk on the grass, no matter how much they wanted to feel it between their toes. They had to take the groceries to the kitchen so the cooks could ready supper for ....for someone. Someone powerful.

"Shadowblade?" Pomni asked quietly. She could feel confusion and deja vu through the connection. "Is this what we came for?" She pointed to the large ruined house.

Shadowblade didn't answer. They didn't know. They stepped over the low ruined wall and inspected the house closer. Three floors of grandeur, once upon a time, now a darkened shell. They could see the grand stairway through the huge hole in the wall, spiraling up all three floors. They went up and down those stairs many times. Lots of work to do. Always an errand. Always a chore.

Jax and Pomni climbed through the rubble to investigate the first floor. Jax aimlessly milled about for any interesting trinkets, but Pomni made a b-line for any intact rooms. She searched for evidence of who once lived here but the ravages of time and war took most everything that once existed in the homestead.

Jax stepped on a losse floorboard and fell through. Shadowblade's bright eyes found the hole he made a peered down. Pomni heard the crash and rushed over. "Hey! You alive?"

"Yes." Jax rubbed his ass. It wasn't a far fall, but it still hurt.

"Shit. I mean, good." Pomni smirked.

"Fuck you."

"Get in line. What's down there?"

"Uh...a basement? Old storage. A few wine racks. Ooh, some of them still have full bottles. Lucky day!"

"You're sharing that!"

"Then get down here and collect your own, lazy ass!"

Pomni jumped down and Shadowblade demolished the part of the house blocking them from entering. They clawed and chewed at the floor to expose a large portion of the basement. As Pomni and Jax bickered over bottles, Shadowblade focused on one corner in particular. A vision showed them being down in the basement to put away some preserved food. A figure in the dark was in the corner reaching for something in the ground. Something heavy closed shut. The figure yelled at them.

Shadowblade clawed the ground and they came in contact with something heavy and metal. They dug up a large ancient safe.

"OH SHIT! Now we're talking!" Jax excitedly examines the safe. He figures the locking mechanism is far rusted in place and the only way into it, is with a really big hammer. He brings his hammer down several times until the safe warped and the door didn't fit in the frame. Much to his disappointment, there were no treasures inside. Only papers. He goes back to the wine racks.

Pomni sifted through the papers. There was a lot of boring stuff, banknotes and contracts and deeds and bills of sale, but... There was also a journal. She opened it to find it full of gibberish. Backwards and mixed writing that made no sense.

Shadowblade could just make out the tiny writing. It didn't make sense to them either, but the journal itself looked important. They leaned their head down to press the journal towards Pomni, encouraging her to keep it.

Pomni looked up with an arched brow. "This? ...alright."

She dug around a bit more and an envelope marked "confidential" piqued her interest. Inside was a letter, addressed to no one.

Sir,

The project has proven successful.

The subject is integrated.

On your order, activation protocol Warshroud is a go.

"War shroud?" Pomni said our loud and Shadowblade froze.

Visions of being taken. Beaten. Hurt. Scared. Men talking. WARSHROUD.

Pomni felt all of it. This was the right path. There was no address but their was a symbol of a hammer and pickaxe on the stationary. She recognized that symbol from one of the factories they passed on their way in. "Hey, numbnuts, we're moving on." She climbed up Shadowblade's head and laid a comforting hand on them as Jax finished stuffing wine bottles into his bag. He extended his arm to grab shadowblade's shoulder and hoisted himself up.

Pomni steered Shadowblade to the factory. Massive bay doors laid on the ground, leaving an entrance large enough for Shadowblade. The inside was as ruined as the rest of the city. Nothing of interest remained intact.

Shadowblade spotted another set of large doors. These, they recognize. A vision of being barely conscious. Restrained. Helpless. The heavy metal doors sealed any escape. Shadowblade trembled. They didn't want to take another step.

"What is this place?" Jax asked, looking around.

"I'm not sure. Shadowblade, we're here because Caine believes there are answers to what- er, who? You are. He's a crackpot, but a smart crackpot. Can you keep going?"

Shadowblade shook in place, refusing to move.

"... alright." Pomni slid off and went to the doors herself. "Come on, Jax. We'll have a look around ourselves. Shadowblade can wait up here."

Jax left his bag hooked to the saddle and dismounted to go with Pomni. "Another dusty old basement, this place is just full of wonder." He sighed.

Down below was more destroyed than above. Hardly anything was recognizable as equipment. Giant smashed tubes held remnants of crystals of various colors. Claw marks and old burns charged the walls and floor.

"Looks like one of their projects backfired." Pomni commented as she stepped over some rubble.

"Shadowblade?"

"I don't know. There's a lot i don't know, but....looking at all of this, this isn't a normal marionette production facility. That's for damn sure."

~

Shadowblade felt a crack. A glacial popping sound from within. The crystal within their core broke further. More visions came. War was declared! Puppet uprising! A mother's touch. A handsome stranger. Debt. Famine. Disease. Death. Work in the city. Suffering. Gold light. Blinding. Obey. OBEY! Shadowblade roared in confusion and pain. Their cries echoed through the factory.

Jax and Pomni stiffened as they heard Shadowblade above. A loud mechanical whirring in the rubble beside them signaled something was powering on. Two intensely bright purple lights shone and rose high above them. In the dark, both could just make out the silhouette of a beast. A beast twice the size of Shadowblade.

Pomni and Jax bolted for the exit, sprinting back out through the facility doors. The purple lights finding them as they run. Monstrous booming announced the creature's pursuit.

Shadowblade felt the floor quake and got their senses about them as Pomni and Jax came running out, purple light right behind them.

Jax gave Pomni a boost throw onto Shadowblade and grabbed onto the saddle himself. Pomni whistled for Shadowblade to run.

Shadowblade got just a glimpse of the beast after them. A huge break-like maw snapping at them. They got outside and made for wider streets to attempt take off.

The roof to the factory exploded. Enormous silver wings lifted the beast into the air as it urgently broke free to pursue its prey. It's body gleamed in the moonlight, this beast was never meant to hide. It dove as Shadowblade finally found enough space to spread their own wings.

Without enough forward momentum to get away, Pomni whistled for Shadowblade to halt. They dropped to the ground and skidded as the silver beast landed hard in front of them, demolishing several buildings. Outside and up close they could see that this creature was also quadrupedal. It's silver steel body glowed with purple energy from every crack in the armor. The wings were on its back, giving it all four legs to fight with in the air. The head and front legs were bird-like and heavily armored, talons as long as Pomni was tall. The back end of the body was like a lion, the tail long and thin with a bladed end.

For the half second the creature was down Pomni mentally steeled herself for battle. Shadowblade, confused and scared, found comfort in Pomni's resolve. Shadowblade lunged, doing for the beast's neck. Pomni jumped from Shadowblade to the silver beast and clamped her mechanical hand onto it's face plates. Jax also jumped, going as high as he could and activating the spikes to bring his hammer down hard on the beast's head.

Shadowblade tried to hold the beast in place, clawing at it's chest and holding tight to it's neck. Jax's hammer comes down and barely makes a dent. He practically bounces off and lands hard below the brawling beasts. Pomni tried jamming her sword into the beast's eye but her sword doesn't pierce the optic at all, she just annoys it.

The beast shoves back against Shadowblade, pushing them away and shaking off Pomni. The beast's claws left deep marks in Shadowblade's shoulders. Shadowblade roared and the beast roared back. The talons and beak of the beast glowed purple, like Shadowblade's wing blades. Shadowblade was already glowing and went for the slash attack. The beast whipped it's tail, having farther reach, forcing Shadowblade to doge and abandon their attack.

Pomni's blade glowed brightly and she went for a back leg. The energy from her blade made a small cut into the heel. "JAX!! USE ENERGY!!"

Jax was way ahead of her. As the beast turned to attack Pomni, his hammer lit up with green energy. He ran up Shadowblade's tail and back to spring himself up and come down between the beast's shoulder blades. His hammer did damage this time. A lot of it. The silver armor split and broke around the wing joints. The beast roared and reared to remove Jax. Shadowblade slashed a deep cut along the side of the beast as it went up. Shadowblade kept themself between the beast and Pomni.

Pomni wasn't having that. She used her grapple to grab the beast and reel herself to it's back, where she dragged her energized sword up the beast's front leg. Shadowblade tore at the beast's throat again, removing armor by the mouthful. Jax dodged the beast's blades tail and smashed at the beast's spine.

The beast's purple eyes brightened and it tore it's claws into Shadowblade, it lifted them off the ground and suplexed the lot of them into a row of buildings. Pomni's and Jax barely got off the back in time as everything came crashing down.

Finally being free of the 3v1, the beast took off for the arial advantage. It circled around and aimed for the largest target, diving for Shadowblade's exposed belly.

Shadowblade was discombobulated. They lost track of Pomni. Their large wings were stuck under rubble. All they could do was roar in defense as the beast came down.

But the beast never came. A wall of green ice flew up out of the ground and blocked the attack. The wall crumbled but the beast was taken off guard and missed, giving Shadowblade enough time to get up.

Jax huffed against a brick wall with his hand out. He hadn't had to make something that big in a long time, it took a bit out of him. Pomni patted Jax on the shoulder as she sprinted passed to get to Shadowblade. "You owe me!!" He shouted after her.

Pomni mounted as Shadowblade righted themself. "Come on!! Let's show this mother fucker exactly who he's dealing with!!"

Shadowblade roared and took off as fast as they could. Finally airborne, they circled with the beast. Back and gold streaked across the sky opposing silver and purple. Shadowblade went on the offensive, aiming to slash at the beast as they flew by at top speed. The beast rolled and slashed them instead, with it's talons. Shadowblade want deterred. They went again, this time making the slash. Them again. And again. Being lighter and faster, Shadowblade made several successful attacks.

The beast roared with fury and opened its maw wide. Purple energy gathered between its jaws.

"What the fuck..?" Pomni muttered.

A wide beam of energy blasted out from the beast. Shadowblade narrowly escaped it hitting their body, but one of their wings was partially clipped.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?!?" Pomni steered Shadowblade away, dodging another fly by. "We need to disappear!" She pulled up and Shadowblade flew into the clouds, mist pouring from their body.

The beast followed, being blinded the moment they flew into the thick shroud. For a moment, the beast hovered in place. Then, a slicing blade cut them from the dark. Their tail fell to the city below. The beast roared and charged their energy weapon again, but before they could fire, a golden razor X flew at them and they had to abort. The beast flew above the clouds and mist, circling and searching.

Shadowblade came flying straight up, and sliced one of it's wings in half. The beast plummeted. It smacked into a factory chimney before crashing through an warehouse roof and to the ground.

Jax saw the fall and ran to catch up, his quick feet moving even faster with green energy.

Shadowblade didn't give the best the chance to get up. They came barreling down through the broken roof and slammed the beast with their powerful front claws. Purple fluid went flying. The silver beast thrashed wildly, trying to take off on one wing. Shadowblade couldn't keep it down, the larger beast kicked them off and charged. Shadowblade barely got Pomni out do the way before the beast slammed into them. Pomni was thrown, recovered and transformed their hand to fire at the open wounds on the beast's body. The gapping wounds proved to be easy targets, every shot found in opening and blew them even wider.

The beast ignores Pomni, focusing all of its hatred onto Shadowblade. It's talon's cut and slash into the armor, getting deep and breaking vital systems. Shadowblade fought back, using their tail to stab the beast, but it was unrelenting. That it opened it's maw again. A terrible buildup of purple energy formed right in front of Shadowblade's face.

"NO!!!" Pomni ran out of shots and hacked at the beast's back leg. She wasn't doing anywhere near as much damage as she wanted to, not deterring the beast in the slightest. "FUCK YOU!! OVER HERE!!" She stabbed it full on in the leg, no reaction.

As the beast was about to fire, Jax comes in out of nowhere, his hammer encased in green ice, and slams the beast right in the back of the mouth. The collision of the green and purple energy causes a massive explosion in the beast's throat.

There is a hush as the smoke clears. Everyone is down. The silver beast no longer had a head. It's body torn, purple blood soaking the floor. Pomni, the furthest from the explosion, rises first. She limps over to Shadowblade, whose eyes are inactive. "Hey...wake up. We won..." She put her hand on Shadowblade's face.

She looked around. "Jax..?" She sees him on his side, facing away from her. She limps to him and carefully rolls him on his back. She puts her hand over his heart, he's still active. A sigh of real relief escapes her.

Shadowblade stirs. Heavy damaged but alive. They slowly crawl over to the two smaller puppets and curl their big body protectively around them.

"It's okay...it's dead. You did good." Pomni gave a small smile and Shadowblade blinked slowly back.

Jax woke with a loud groan. "God...damn! This is why I hate using energy. Gives me an awful fucking headache."

Pomni slapped Jax on the chest. "You crazy bastard! You could have died!"

Jax groaned and laughed. "But it was awesome, wasn't it?"

"...yeah, it was." She checked her saddle bag for supplies and saw wine leaking from Jax's bag. She peeked inside to see only one surviving bottle. She took it and handed it to him as she performed some basic puppet first aid. "You've earned that."

Jax broke the neck of the bottle and poured some in his mouth before offering to Pomni.

Pomni accepted and saluted Jax.

Shadowblade watched as long as they could before exhaustion claimed them. As they powered down, the darkness that would normally greet them became bright and other worldy. For the first time in their mechanical life, Shadowblade dreamed.

~~~

To be continued...

[flowerwrites06]

lion and the fox V — jjk

Plot: In a turbulent world of crime and intrigue, a fiery journalist makes an unlikely alliance with one of the country’s most notorious bosses.

Pairing(s): Mafia Boss!Jungkook x Journalist!OC (Name: Belle)

Rating: G | PG | M | R 18+

Type: Drabble | Oneshot | Two Parter | Series

Word Count: 5k+ 

Genre: Mafia AU | Vintage (1940′s vibes) AU

Tags & Warnings: crime, violence, sexual content, forced prostitution, mild scenes of harassment, some misogynistic behaviour, mentions of war, heavy mentions of drug use, infidelity.

Authors Note: oh boy it’s been a while, folks hahah I have been buried in some other stuff for a WHILE. I still can’t promise anything for regular updates but I am trying my best and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: Please note that while some historical research has been done for this story, the MAJORITY of it has been altered in some way with creative liberties to match the themes and motifs of the plot.

June 14th 1936

Jungkook and Gaia sat on their marital bed, covered by transparent curtains that was scented with violet powder. It was thick in Jungkook’s throat. He preferred warmer and deep smells that went through him smoothly. Gaia wore a thin nightgown and played with her fingers.

They weren’t expected to do anything with their young age but there was a still a level of awkwardness. A sort of existential moment, realizing that they were now married. The same kind of married their parents were. Granted, their parents’ marriages also weren’t the same kind of married as other people. Normal people who didn’t have an heir to make.

“It’s kind of relieving in a way,” said Gaia, breaking their silence.

“How do you mean?”

“I don’t have to work to find someone now. I just have you.” She stared up at him with her bright, almost transparent green eyes.

Jungkook smiled, his cheeks still puffy and shining. “I guess that’s comforting.” With that, he had relaxed into the headboard and the new chapter of his life.

Present Day

The quiet sunset painted the Jeon-Takahashi household in a gentle gold. During this time, Gaia was in one of the private rooms, wearing her finest silk nightgowns and drinking her favourite whiskey. Her hair wasn’t curled and her eyes looked less like a gem, more like the venom of a serpent.

Gaia would never call Jungkook into this private room and rarely during this hour. The sleeve of her robe and nightdress fell over her shoulder.

Jungkook wore the same shirt he did for work, rolled up to his elbows. He closed the door behind him. “This is most unusual.”

Gaia narrowed her gaze but gave a faint smile. “I just wanted to see you.” Her voice was low. “I had this strong feeling that you might miss me.”

Jungkook chuckled, digging his hands into his pants. “Are you sure you don’t want a favor?”

“Can’t a wife just try to spend some time with her husband? A little closeness in the hours of a pretty sunset?” Gaia sauntered over Jungkook and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her nose against his. “Kiss me.”

Jungkook blinked in slight confusion but abided regardless, kissing her softly.

“Do you remember the night we married? Little, fat children placed on the altar.” Gaia held onto his hand and led him over to the table, an array of crystal decanters filled with variations of liquid gold. “We were lucky to have each other. Our marriage turned out more stable than others, considering the circumstances.”

Jungkook wasn’t sure how to respond. He could only stand there stupidly as Gaia sat on the table, pulling him closer so he was perched between her legs.

“You agree, don’t you?” Gaia stared at him with glazed eyes, reaching down to cup his bulge. “That we’re a stable marriage.”

“Of course,” Jungkook whispered it so easily.

Gaia scoffed as she squeezed. Squeezed until it became painful. “Then why…why did you send a spy to watch me?” She unlatched her hand as Jungkook let out a pained breath. Gaia expected him to have a shocked reaction, to defend himself. To do something that stupid people did. Break, crack, something. Anything.

Jungkook did none of that. There was a knowing behind his soft eyes. Desperation to hesitate. “Your lover. We found something on him.”

Jungkook explained it to her.

He spoke his name. Jimin’s name, resounded in the walls of her reality.

The walls of the home her parents made them build.

Jimin was no longer in the bubble Gaia created, no longer the symbol of her freedom. A veil ripped from her eyes.

Tears formed thick. Ugly and naïve. “You’re lying.” Gaia shook her head. “I would know. I would know! I’m not stupid!” She shrieked, gripping onto the first decanter and throwing it across the room, just missing Jungkook’s head.

The thick glass crashed against the wooden walls, darkening it with the new glisten to liquid. “You’re the one who sent the spy on me, how do I know you’re not lying?”

“I didn’t believe it either, okay? It’s not like I had big plans on ruining your affair.” Jungkook gestured to the window. “It was a serious breach on the empire with our rival no less.”

Gaia wanted to argue but even she knew there would still be a risk. A risk for a spy because of course there would be. The only person who wasn’t intimidated enough of her turned out to someone who was extracting information from her. Oh, and the things she told him in the heat of the moment. In the comfortable bubble that she thought she could trust because it was under her control. “I hate you,” she muttered.

Jungkook’s shoulders slumped, not from sadness or shock but a melancholic understanding. This marriage was a mess and it was here, splayed between them in ripped veils, tears and alcohol seeping into the wooden floors. “I have the files for proof—” Another decanter flew near his face, smashing against the door.

“Fuck your proof!” Gaia’s chest rose and fell. “I don’t want any proof. It doesn’t matter, just kill him.” She turned on her heel, desperately swallowing the bitter bile on her tongue. “He’s just one more body in the rivers. You’re good at that, aren’t you, boss?”

Jungkook tried to reach out to touch her shoulder but feared that it may lead to another decanter thrown his way. With a defeated pull in his belly, he curled his fingers into fists and walked out of the room.

Gaia couldn’t do anything but tremble in the coming sobs, scratching deep into the wood of the table before gripping onto the edge and throwing it over. Screams scarred her throat.

-

“In most cases, lovers aren’t suspected,” said Jimin. A part of his composure had broken. Birds blowing their covers was akin to losing a wing. “I don’t even know how I became a connection, Master.” He shook his head.

Peace and Honey was a much better establishment when reporting. Instead, in an emergency situation, Jimin had to stand in the dead center of Master Seokjin’s penthouse apartment in Busan. The cold gust of the air conditioner was rough on his skin but Seokjin seemed to drink it in like summer sun with his loose silk robe.

Seokjin’s face was painfully neutral, too calm for Jimin’s comfort.

From his training days, Jimin had prepared himself for death upon mistakes. If his cover was blown, there was no one to blame but him. It had to be. He just wished the death would be quick.

“This will be a shock to our plans,” said Seokjin. Still holding that terrible neutrality. “But Akira has received her web on Saja Ilbo. The best thing we can do now is spread the word of your exposure to the underground.”

Jimin’s eyes widened. “What?”

Seokjin then smiled and Jimin wanted nothing but to melt into it. A comforting father’s smile, protecting him from judgement. “If we send your cover blown through the underground letters, Akira will thicken it up so it can’t be traced back to Holangi Pa. Even if it does, we have another target. I fear this new mind behind Yeou Pa is out to scare us off but we are an elegant bunch. We’ll keep to our silence and continue on.” Seokjin persisted with his smile. “Enjoy your new vacation, little bird.”

-

Belle’s thigh kept prickling again, yearning for another dose of the painkillers but pushing it down with other thoughts. Reading a book, writing more notes and speculations on the investigation. Anything to keep her mind off it. It had only been an hour since Hoseok had given her a dose. That was enough. The thigh had numbed, it was just her imagination. Her mind tricking her into falling in that hole once more.

She sat on her living room, scratching at her fluffy mat, too on edge to sit on the couch. One knee curled up to her chest while the other injured one was left down. Belle wore her favourite cotton attire too as the night was hotter than usual. Or it was just her.

Either way, Belle stared back at her open book. The words nothing but a jumble in her clouded mind.

A knock resounded in the door, heavy handed and rough.

Belle paused for a moment before standing up, she grabbed onto one of the steel rods near the fireplace. Hoseok wouldn’t have knocked on her door and neither of them had friends that would come this late at night. It didn’t help that they were in the midst of a tension between two very dangerous syndicates.

She padded to the door and opened the slit until the chain forced it to halt. Her heart jumped and relaxed when Belle saw Jungkook’s face. Sad and weary. His black hair was matted and messy, his lips red and glossed much like his eyes. Two crystal glasses and fine whiskey was haphazardly held in his hand.

“I’m not sure if you drink but—” Jungkook hiccupped.

Belle quickly opened the door, pulling him inside and looking out into the streets to check if anyone saw them. His black car was parked outside with three bodyguards who were barely wearing their uniform suits. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here?”

Jungkook hummed, stumbling across the hallway and just closely tripping onto her kitchen counter. He placed the two crystal glasses and bottle of whiskey. “Didn’t want to be at the house.” His gaze flickered to her, eyes glossing up and down her body. “Were you sleeping?” His shirt was buttoned down to his torso and his tie still dangled around his neck helplessly.

“No, I was just—reading.”

Jungkook hummed as he set the two glasses and poured whiskey right up to the brim, spilling some on the surface. “I told Gaia everything. She took it—” He jutted his lips out before chugging half of the glass of the whiskey. “—the way she takes most things.”

“She deserved the truth.”

Jungkook scoffed. “We rarely tell each other the truth.”

“Yes, but this involves your gangs. Your business.”

“I thought you hated my business. Suddenly, you’re all arms in helping and defending it?” Jungkook raised a brow.

“You’re in my house, you don’t get to question me like some big boss.” Belle stomped over and grabbed onto his glass and whiskey bottle. “This house isn’t a bar either.”

“That’s really expensive.”

“Really?” Belle stared at the bottle. “I wonder how many people died frothing at the mouth just so you could get the money for this.” Was it the same money his father got when those soldiers were drugged? She stared at him, hazel eyes darkened to a deep brown.

“I’m warning you, that stuff costs more than your house.”

“Drunk Jungkook comes out with bitter truths, doesn’t he?” Belle opened the bottle of whiskey and poured it down the sink. Her cheap sink.

Jungkook’s eyes flared with frustration as he stomped over to her. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Don’t insult my house again.” Her only place of comfort. Where she didn’t have to work or keep a shielded knowingness. Where she could feel the unbearable itch of her thigh without needing to look decent and strong. It angered her to see him in this very place. “Unlike your material things, my house was bought with honest-earned money and love.”

“Oh, you think your money is honest-earned?” Jungkook laughed. “Said the reporter who’s currently milking a criminal gang for her own gain.”

Belle slammed the empty bottle against his chest and walked to the counter, wiping the spill, wincing at the scent of alcohol. “If you don’t want me milking your gang then take your fucking typewriter…but I’m not your subordinate nor will I be treated like one. Others might bow down at your visits but I’d rather die than have you think, even for a second, that I’ve pledged some allegiance to you.” She could taste the venom on her own tongue. To some extent, Belle wasn’t so angry at his behaviour but moreso that she didn’t mind it that much. Except he didn’t need to know that.

Jungkook blinked into a quiet realization. “You think that’s why I’m here?”

“This is my life…outside.” The words came out far too vulnerable for her liking. “Outside of everything. You can’t come barging to my neighborhood.” Belle gripped the edge of the counter. “It messes things.”

Jungkook stepped forward. “I just—I wanted to see you. Listen, I don’t want you to be a subordinate, it’s the only reason I came to you.” He touched her shoulder before pulling away. “You’re not part of the gang…and I like that. I like—you.”

Belle hated feeling something other than anger. A strong, warm feeling in her stomach hearing those words.

“Please don’t be angry with me. I’m sorry I came like this, I wanted—I wanted to come sober.” The more Jungkook grew desperate to explain, the more slurred his speech became. He stared down at his shoes and began to push them out, kicking them gently aside. Before that, he rubbed his face in frustration. “I don’t know what to do, Belle. I thought I’d be prepared for this.”

Belle watched his helpless face, not looking like the boss of Yeou Pa but a simple young man who was lost and drowning in his troubles. Her thigh prickled again. When Belle tried to resist comforting Jungkook any further, the pain increased. All her energy was being used pushing herself away from this man. Not falling into the same pool he was drowning in. Jungkook had his soft spots but this was too intimate.

Despite all this, Belle couldn’t help but reach out and touch his hand. She saw his glossed eyes, brown and sweet, stare up at her. “You pretend as if you’re the only one who’s shouldering this. You have a whole operation with you. And I’m not letting someone like Seokjin get away with what he’s done.”

Regardless of what Seokjin’s intentions were, he put real people in real danger. Horrible, irreparable danger. Children who couldn’t be traced back to their parents anymore, innocent people who were left to be used just so Seokjin could tarnish Jungkook’s name. Belle would see him destroyed.

Jungkook’s eyes glazed over her face, down to her lips. He leaned in, gentle and waiting for Belle to back away before he moved any further.

Belle grabbed onto his chin. “Don’t guilt-trip me into comforting you again. If you want to kiss and fuck me, you’ll do it sober. I don’t want a sad man’s pity cum inside me.” She let go of him and padded over to the couch.

“You’re whiplash in a woman’s body, you know that?” Jungkook raised a brow.

“That’s the goal.” Belle draped some blankets on the surface of the couch, stacked pillows on the side. “Sleep here. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

Jungkook sighed. “Fine.” He dragged his socked feet and slumped onto the couch, waiting a few minutes before lifting his legs, which barely hung over the edge. “This is too small.”

“There’s worse places to fall asleep.” Belle placed a blanket over him, desperately trying not to do it too affectionately.

-

“How could you let this happen?!” Don Takahashi, Gaia’s father, had stomped his fat body to the Jeon-Takahashi household in order to scold Gaia on her blunder.

Gaia had already a few drinks in her, making conversations with Father a little easier to bear. They sat in the living room where the fireplace roared to prepare for the chilly winter days and nights. “It was inevitable.”

“No, it was your own stupidity.” He pointed a stumpy finger her way, his dumb face reddened from fury. “Trying to play harem in this important political marriage.”

“You’ve had mistresses, Father, let’s not play morality here.”

Takahashi spluttered. “I did no such thing, I loved your mother.”

“Perhaps. But that didn’t stop you from fucking her friends, or her sisters, or her maids, or anyone you could see walking and talking.”

“You—”

“What? Didn’t think I noticed all that?” Gaia tilted his head. “You don’t get to teach or lecture me of the mistakes made here.”

Takahashi let out a shaking breath. “Even so, you fornicated with a spy. That I was never guilty of.”

“Well done.” Gaia laughed. “Would you like a biscuit for your efforts?”

“That underboss wants me to have a meeting with Jeon. I’ll be damned to bear the humiliation you gave me but I can’t back down either.” Takahashi played with his wedding ring. “You will come back home and hide out until everything blows over.”

Gaia didn’t disagree. She never felt like this was her home anyway. Nor was her childhood home any better but it was a change of scenery. There was a part of her, drowning in alcohol, that wanted to cry. But she wouldn’t do it in front of Father. “You began this.” Gaia narrowed her gaze. “Remember that.”

“I didn’t ask you to cheat on your husband.”

“But you gave me one against my will. I was fifteen, younger than you and Mother when you married. Even younger than Grandmother and Grandfather. You have no right to shame me for what I did to make that bearable.” Her eyes were dry, steamed away from old anger that was long dormant. Jimin was one of the few people who kept it calm and now he was gone.

All she had left was this unchecked fury.

-

The meeting between Hebi and Yeou Pa began in morning. Underground at a local bar where the noise was minimal. It smelled of old wine and aging wood.

Jungkook sat at the table, his back aching from the precarious location of his slumber but his stomach was warm. He slept well somehow and hearing Belle’s quiet preparations for the morning brought a strange elation in his body, boosting his energy for the day.

Don Takahashi sat with the haughtiest of expressions. As if he sniffed something particularly acrid and his face grew stuck that way.

The man was ready for a fight. That wasn’t good.

“Let’s get this over with quickly, Jeon,” Takahashi said.

“With pleasure,” Jungkook replied curtly.

Yoongi let out a sigh, giving a small glance to Rosyne who had her files and contracts ready if things did go well. “Keep it civil.” His tone firm. “Remember, we’ve both been breached.”

Takahashi stayed silent at this.

“Underground letters are circulating already about the spy,” Rosyne explained. “As far as we know, he’s in hiding. Likely the letters were made to clutter up tracking. Unfortunately, Seokjin isn’t stupid and he may well keep it very low and quiet for a few weeks.”

“It’ll be good for us to regroup and figure out how to best protect ourselves,” Yoongi said.

“Perhaps if Don Jeon had kept my daughter happy enough.” Takahashi scoffed. “I should’ve expected people like you wouldn’t be able to handle a Japanese wife. Let alone an heiress.”

Jungkook narrowed his gaze, jaw tightened.

“Civil, Don Takahashi,” Yoongi emphasized.

“You know I’m right. This affair must’ve began because you pulled something.” Takahashi tapped the surface of the table.

“Our marriage was your decision, not ours.” Jungkook shook his head. “The repercussions of that forced decision is on no one’s shoulders but yours and my parents.”

“I married for an alliance. Your parents married for an alliance. It is the way for our syndicates to do this, to ensure peace!” Takahashi looked tight and red. “You can’t go around complaining about love and not enough affection. Now your gang will be in ruin.” He pointed his fat finger at Jungkook. “And that girl of yours.”

Dark and rotten anger peered through Jungkook, so thick that it turned bitter on his tongue. “Excuse me?”

Victory glimmered in Takahashi’s eyes as he gave a slimy smile. “We’ve heard about her. The journalist pet you’ve been keeping. I better hope you haven’t given up this marriage to covet her.”

“The journalist isn’t a spy,” Rosyne said.

“She might as well be. Her family’s not from this country. A gang from somewhere else.”

Jungkook knew that he didn’t know a lot about Belle but he also knew Belle never wanted to get into his good graces. It was him who allowed her into his home. Cracked his skin and ripped it open for her to see. And yet Jungkook barely knew anything about her. He couldn’t show that to Takahashi though. “We know her background and that’s not our concern here.” A half lie but enough to shut him up.

“No, it isn’t. Because if this marriage is to be broken then it’s only you who will suffer the brunt, not my gang.” Takahashi smirked. “This alliance was more a favor than anything else. And I’m willing to be kind and reconsider any divorce.”

“But?” Jungkook asked.

“Get rid of the whore and we can call it an even scandal.”

Oh, Jungkook hadn’t felt anger like this in a long time. A truly long time. His vision blurred, wishing to see nothing but Takahashi’s soft face ripping under his knuckles. “While it may seem like we’re a smaller bunch compared to the grand Hebi Pa, I’d reconsider this self-righteousness, Takahashi.” It took everything in his power not to sputter out those words in growls and grunts but he was no animal. Takahashi always saw him as one but he would not be proven right. Ever.

“Yeou Pa has grown in the past few years and frankly, your syndicate seems to have become more of a nuisance than a help.” He leaned in. Eyes burning with fury but also a sense of adrenaline. Perhaps Seokjin got one thing right. Some of these gangs need to be taken down a peg.

Takahashi’s lips twitched. “You’d be making a big mistake.”

“You’ve already made it,” Jungkook said as he stood to his feet. “We’ll sign the divorce papers at my estate.”

-

Afternoon bloomed in his estate. Hebi Pa’s roaches scattered the entrance but not the perimeter. It was all Jungkook’s people now. People he had carefully built to outmatch Hebi Pa. Yet his confidence wouldn’t last long when he saw Gaia.

They were in his office. The divorce papers rested on a small table. A breakfast table they once sat together at. It wasn’t the most fond of memories but more comfortable. An emptiness that will now be long gone.

Gaia wore a yellow dress fit to the sleeves and a white hat. Gloves on. Shielded.

Rosyne hired a lawyer to confirm the dealings. Gaia was to go back to her home and wished not to take any money from Jungkook despite Takahashi’s insistence that they take something.

Gaia had no intentions to take revenge on Jungkook.

The lawyer shifted the paper to him. Gaia’s signature already etched there. His heart didn’t twist nor did his stomach sink. But still that emptiness overwhelmed him. Something Jungkook had leaned on for years. He hesitated for a moment only. Then signed.

“It’s done, sir,” the lawyer said. “I wish you both good luck.”

As the lawyer left, Rosyne emptied the room of people and closed the doors behind them. Without a word, she knew what needed to be done. Not needed rather wanted. A bow to tie off this thing they had.

“You know I wouldn’t risk it like that,” Gaia said. Business talk first.

“I know.”

“Good. Cause my father doesn’t believe me. He thinks it was a tantrum for being married to you.” Hatred dripped from her tone. “I never hated being married to you.” Still firm and formal but soft. Soft like their mornings.

“Neither did I.” A truth of some kind. Perhaps one that was carefully constructed from their routines but Jungkook resorted to believing it regardless.

“But.”

“But?”

“That isn’t quite enough, is it? Marriage needs a little more than convenience. Whether we like it or not.” For just a split second, Jungkook caught the lull of sadness behind Gaia’s gaze. Whatever this affair with Jimin was, it wasn’t small and it wasn’t just for enjoyment necessarily. Jungkook could see that truth bleed even when Gaia seemed to shut it tight like a holed bandage.

“Sincerely, I hope you find one like that.” Jungkook’s voice couldn’t go any higher. It didn’t want to. “Even if it sounds impossible with all this.”

Gaia gave a flicker of a smile. Sad but a true one, not calculated. “Thank you. I hope you find it too.”

With that, it was done. Jungkook and Gaia were free and unsettled.

-

Evening arrived in dark blooms of blue and black. Jungkook reclused himself in his office, burying himself in papers of regular work. Nothing to do with Seokjin or this mess of an operation. It kept him distracted well enough to gain some courage.

The door clicked open to Belle. She still wore her work dress, pale blue and prim. Fingers intertwined in front of her. “You wanted to see me?”

Jungkook hesitated on the question for a moment. He’d never admit it to Takahashi but part of him was right. He had to be sure. “I want to learn about your history.”

Something flickered in her. “What?”

He had touched a nerve but it wasn’t the quivering fear of a spy’s cover blown. No, it was much worse and Jungkook felt it looming like a dark cloud. Keep going. “It seems the Hebi Pa boss Takahashi believes you’re my lover and he might have some dirt on you. So it’s best you tell me before he uses it against us.” Jungkook kept a formal tone to all his ability despite his stomach wrenching at how Belle’s expression darkened.

“Takahashi wouldn’t know anything about me, he was just trying to scare you.” Belle’s voice turned firm but soft. Eerily soft.

“Humour me.”

Belle scoffed. “First you enter my house and now an interrogation?”

Jungkook tightened his jaw, forced himself not to twitch. “Just answer the question.”

She raised her chin. “You already know about my drug addiction. I’ve slept with married men, been beaten up by their wives. Been in the hospital. . .and the sanitarium for my condition.”

“Were you purchasing our products?” he asked.

“No.” Frustration flickered across her expression again.

“What about further?”

“Further.” Belle raised a brow.

“Your parents, anything that could be taken as dirt.”

Parents. That was it. That was the word that turn her eyes to flame. Jungkook felt the room burn. “You really want to know what happened to my parents?”

Jungkook shifted, struggling to keep her gaze. “Yes.”

“Seokjin and I have a loss in common. Your father ordered pills to be stuffed down my father’s throat so he’d be a better soldier.” Belle looked like a stranger once more as she spoke. “By the time the war was over, he still kept thinking that he had to fight. He couldn’t recognize me or my mother.” He saw her picking at the skin of her palm. “Out of desperation, he went back to you and your gang for more of the pills. When he claimed he didn’t have any money—” she let out a shaky sigh. “—your father’s men beat him.”

Jungkook knew the answer was going to be bad. Knew it was going to open old, terrible wounds that his father dug. Ones that he had to bear after his death. But seeing her stare at him with such deep hatred and disgust made his heart clench. This wasn’t what he wanted.

“Is that good enough? Or do you want more?” Belle asked. Tilted her head in challenge to pry further. She forced him now to look into her eyes and see the person made from his family’s machinations. “Do you want to know that my mother hasn’t left her chair for years? That my grandmother has to pry open her jaw to feed her.”

“Belle—”

“That I’ve had to smile and listen to reprehensible people gush about how much money they made from the widowed and orphaned of the war. Just to get information so one, at least one of them, could escape.” Belle pursed her shaking lips together and took a deep breath.

Jungkook reached out, thumb just barely brushed against her cheek before Belle pushed him away rough enough for him to knock at the edge of the table. His pens crashed to the floor. A ghostly bruised pain on his chest.

Belle stared at him, a raw and broken anger as she began to heave. Tears thick in her eyes but they evaporated and burned. “I’m not here to be your friend. I hate everything you do, everything you remind and represent.” She seethed. “I’m only here because this is the best way to protect as many people from Seokjin and you have no choice but to use my information.”

Jungkook wished it wasn’t the only reason but she was hardened. Whatever softness created between them was burning and pained. “I wish I wasn’t his son.”

“What?” Belle whispered.

“Sometimes, I wish I wasn’t his son.” A raw truth for her raw anger. “Perhaps not sometimes but always. I don’t like this life, Belle. I find no pleasure in it.”

Belle scoffed, disbelieving.

“You don’t have to believe me. But if you can help me take down Seokjin then maybe—” More truths. Belle had to rip her own skin to him, expose every detail. Perhaps Jungkook could do the same. “—we could burn Yeou Pa with it.”

Belle’s brows furrowed. The room stopped burning, just for a moment, for her to think. “Burn Yeou Pa?”

“Not all of it.” Jungkook shook his head. “But enough.”

“What the hell are you on about?”

“I will not ask you to be my friend or my allegiant. I’m simply asking for your help. As an equal.” Jungkook held out his hand. “Help me. And I will get you your promise of destruction.”

Belle still looked suspicious but there was a thoughtfulness behind her gaze. “If this is a trick—”

“—you can freely stab me in the throat.” It was terrifying how easy it was to make that a promise. How Jungkook wasn’t even the slightest bit fearful of it.

Blinking slowly, she stared down at his hand. Paused. Then held onto it. “An empire for an empire.”  

| @sweettaeguk | @kimlineownsme | @outrofenty | if you’d like to added, please read the guide! 

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[karahalloway]

Sleepless in New York: Epilogue - Into The Night

Series: TRR

Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC (Harper Gale)

Synopsis: What if Drake met Harper on the first night of Prince Christian’s New York bachelor party? A stand-alone AU written from Drake's POV.

Masterlist: Sleepless in New York

Chapter Summary: On the long-dreaded night of the Masquerade Ball, Drake has a revelation...

Word Count: 4,600

Rating/Warnings: M (angst, way too many f-bombs, drinking, references to drug-use, fluffy fluff fluff)

Chapter theme song:

A/N1: This is my slightly belated submission for @choicesprompts Flufftober 2023 event I got this out as fast as I could! The prompt that this fits is '31 - You don’t know me and I promise I’m not a creepy stalker but...' and possibly this one:

A/N2: I have no clue how many people actually listen to the chapter theme songs for these fics, but if you have time, I highly encourage you to listen to this one! I dredged it from the depths of my Middle School memories because I realised that it was perfect for this chapter (in my head, if Sleepless were a movie/TV show, this is the song that would play as the end credits song).

Epilogue - Into The Night

"You okay?"

I shoot a scoff across the room. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"You could," Chris concedes, meeting my eye through the full-length mirror as he adjusts a cuff. "But I am not the one who has been staring into that whiskey glass for the past ten minutes."

"Speak for yourself," I reply, quickly draining what's left of my drink. "You've been eyeing up your reflection for the past fifteen."

"I just want to make a good first impression, is all..." he admits while obsessing over the gold aiguillette draped across his jacket.

"Isn't that what the job of the so-called ladies?" I ask dryly, dropping the now empty glass back onto the bar cart.

"I am certain they will be pulling out all the stops," he sighs, smoothing his already immaculate hair down. "But, given the occasion, it is only fair that I reciprocate."

"Well, short of emergency Botox, I think you've more than crossed that T."

Chris snaps his head around in bewilderment. "Pardon me?"

I shrug apathetically. "You're fast approaching thirty, buddy. And those crow's feet aren't doing you any favours."

He quirks a brow at me. "I think you'll find that they are laugh lines..."

"Now you're just splitting grey hairs, old man..."

Chris bursts out laughing. "Speak for yourself, Drake! You were born three months before me!"

"True," I concede. "But unlike you, I ain't got no wrinkles."

His mouth pulls into a knowing smirk. "Only because you hide them under all that unkept facial hair!"

"You should try it sometime," I riposte, running my hand suggestively over the bristles on my jaw.

Chris shakes his head with a wry grin. "I must've done something very wrong at some point for you to be my best friend..."

I spread my arms. "Hey. I'm just here to keep you humble."

Chris scoffs. "Yes. By reminding me that I'm fast approaching middle age..."

"It took your mind off the Ball, didn't it?"

"Yes," he concedes after a pause. "I suppose it did."

"Not just a hat rack, my friend," I grin with a tap on my temple. "But seriously. You look great. Warts and all."

A wan smile ghosts his lips. "Thanks, mate. You don't look too shabby yourself."

I glance down at the black tux that I'm wearing. "Yeah. Well... Given the occasion, I figured I should make some kind of effort as well."

"You know you don't have to dress up on my account... I know how much you dislike donning evening wear."

"Tell that to the prick who put 'black tie' on the invite..."

Chris chuckles. "That would be my father."

"Figures..." I say with a roll of my eyes. "He's got more dinner jackets than you can shake a stick at."

"A necessity when you are a king, I'm afraid..." Chris reminds me. "But at least it isn't a white tie 'do."

"Oh, sweet Jesus..." I groan, remembering the last royal event that I had to subject myself to in a bow tie and matching waistcoat. "I was sweating like a priest in a brothel strapped up in that monkey suit."

"It certainly did not help that the air conditioning system had been broken..."

"In the middle of a heatwave..." I add. "With five hundred people packed into a room."

"Yes, that Venice trip certainly was memorable."

"For all the wrong reasons," I grunt sourly. "I somehow managed to get food poisoning as well."

"I remember," nods Chris sympathetically. "But at least you missed the terrible opera."

"Honestly, I would've traded that hellhole of a night for an entire week's worth of bad arias..." I grumble. "I definitely got the short end of the stick in that trade."

"You only say that because you do not know what it is to sit through four hours of off-key yodelling," Chris says with grimace.

"No," I admit solemnly. "Because I always bring earplugs."

Chris' eyes widen. "And you never thought to share them?"

"Doesn't really work if you only block one ear..."

Chris rewards my factual clap-back with a shove. "You are a sod, you know that right?"

"Thought that was old news," I reply with a grin, dodging out of the way.

"And yet you nevertheless continue to raise the bar..."

"Hey," I wink as I reverse my way back to the bar cart. "I have high standards."

Chris shakes his head with a wry grin. "You're impossible."

"Thought I was a sod," I quip over my shoulder as I refill both our glasses.

"An impossible sod," accedes Chris wryly as he slips on his monogrammed Breitling.

"Just so we're clear..." I smirk as I retrace my steps to offer him one of the tumblers.

"Thanks," he acknowledges, taking the heavy crystal. "What shall we toast to?"

I think for a second. "How 'bout blind, dumb luck?"

Chris lifts a brow. "That's a new one."

"Seems to be in short supply of late," I tell him, raising my glass.

"Very true," he agrees. "To Lady Luck, then! May she bestow her golden smile upon us once again!"

"'Cause we could all do with a fuckin' break," I add dryly, clinking my glass against his.

Chris brings the gin to his mouth with a laugh. "Did we not just have one?"

"Not all of us," I remind him, throwing my refill back.

"Well, we'll need to make sure you take some time in lieu, then."

"I'll be fine," I assure him. "I'll just chalk it up as overtime."

Chris chuckles. "At the rate you're going, you'll soon have more overtime on the books than regular time."

"Yeah, well..." I shrug. "Shit needs doing. But I'm planning on dropping off the grid for a couple of weeks once the Bash is behind us."

"Take a whole month," Chris advises, clapping a hand onto my shoulder. "You will have more than earned it by then."

I scoff. "I can't just—"

He firms up his grip. "I insist."

Lifting my gaze, I find his clear, emerald eyes locking me down.

I huff out a low breath. "Fine. I'll think about it."

"That is the best I'm going to get out of you, isn't it?"

"Yep," I tell him with a slap on his arm. "Now, hop to it, Cinderella — your ball awaits."

"Yes, I suppose we best get on," he concedes, depositing his empty glass on a side table. "Would be rude to turn up late for my own party..."

Turning on his heel, he strides determinedly towards the door of his suite. The footman stationed by the wall quickly grabs the latch and pulls the door back.

"Here we go..." I mutter under my breath as I drop my tumbler off as well and follow after him.

This is it. The start of the slow, downward skid towards the inevitable. The beginning of the end.

Because tonight's ball kicks off not just the months-long circus that is the social season, but the countdown to Chris' coronation as well.

As despite all the official interviews and press releases, it's no secret within the Palace that Constantine is living on borrowed time. His pancreatic cancer had been diagnosed too late, and even with vigorous treatment, it had spread. And even based on the most optimistic outlook, chances are good that he won't make it to Christmas.

Which is why New York — by necessity — had been such a whirlwind tour. Because any day could end up being the old bastard's last, and Chris has to be ready to step up to the plate at a moment's notice. Not that he isn't already running the country in all but name... It just isn't official yet.

But that's why the race to find the next Queen is exactly that — a high-stakes time-trial where the clock is against everyone.

Especially Chris.

Because if Constantine's condition takes a sudden turn for the worse, Chris may not get the luxury of choice. As some dumbass had had the bright idea a few centuries ago to enact a law that states that Cordonian monarchs must be married or engaged at the time of their coronation. Which means that Chris' hand could end up being forced by circumstances — and selfish interests — outside his control.

So, we better pray that he finds someone, and fast. Or that the doctors are wrong. Ideally both.

Otherwise, we're gonna be up the proverbial creek without a paddle, hurtling down the rapids of a constitutional crisis that could very literally tear the kingdom apart.

"Well... This is it," declares Chris as we arrive at the doors of the ballroom.

"Yep," I agree over the soft hubbub of gossip and classical music that's seeping out into the ante-room we're standing in. "Last chance to cut and a run."

"I am honestly considering it," he admits with a shaky laugh as the footmen prepare to open the double-height doors.

"Hey," I say, stepping in front of him. "If you need a time out—"

He shakes his head. "I'll be fine."

"You sure?" I ask, fixing him with a critical eye as I wave at the staff to hold their horses.

"Yes," he nods determinedly. "Just... Just some last-minute nerves, is all."

"Understandable," I concede. "There are only about a dozen girls on the other side of that door waiting to throw themselves at you."

He eyes the barrier uneasily. "I suppose I should feel flattered..."

"...but you're seriously thinking about jumping off the balcony."

He bites out a strangled laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

"You never could beat me at poker."

"Shit..." he mutters, running an agitated hand down his face.

"Hey," I say, clamping my hands onto his shoulders to make him look at me. "It's a fucked up situation. I get it. Your dad's got one foot in the grave, you're trying to run a country, and the last thing you want to do is play Royal Bachelor in front of all these tossers. But you need a Queen. And the season's your best bet at finding one."

"But how will I know which is the one?"

"You won't," I admit. "Until you do."

Christ knows Gale struck me like white lightning out of the blue...

His lips curve into a ghost of a smile. "Blind, dumb luck..."

"Blind, dumb luck," I confirm, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Chris heaves a low exhale. "Here's to chance, then."

"Knock 'em dead, buddy," I say with a grin as I step back.

Chris lines himself up in front of the entranceway again. The footmen reach for the handles as the herald takes his position.

I give everyone the go.

The double doors swing open, and the herald clears his voice.

The music and the hubbub come to an abrupt halt as every neck in the room cranes around with unfettered interest.

"Preeesenting His Royal Highness, the Duke of Applewood!"

Chris squares his shoulders and lifts his head. And just like that, the man disappears and in his place stands the Prince — cool, composed, collected — any wayward reservations masked behind the diplomatic smile he's been practising since the age of three.

The crowd parts...

...and with one final inhale, Chris steps over the threshold and the doors close behind him.

A breath that I didn't realise I'd been holding explodes out of me.

Phase 1 — check.

Now to try and get through the remainder of the ball without any front-page scandals, culinary clusterfucks, or assassination attempts upsetting the carefully staged high-society apple cart.

Because I hadn't been joking earlier when I'd said we could all do with a fuckin' break. The media storm kicked up by Leo's abdication was still raging in full force through the pages of the tabloids, and it's only gonna be a matter of time before the paps get wind of Constantine's condition.

Which is why it's so critical that tonight's event goes off without a hitch. As the royal family — Chris especially — is in desperate need of a publicity uplift before the coronation... and the funeral.

And it's my job to quarterback while Bastien coordinates from the command centre.

So, I need to be especially on it tonight. As we can't afford any cock-ups.

Spinning on my heel, I make my way towards the closest side-door as I activate the hidden mic clipped to my jacket. "Falcon has flown, over."

"Confirmed," comes the crackled sound of Bastien's voice over the comms. "Blue Team — do you have eyes on Falcon?"

"We have eyes on Falcon, over," affirms Marquez.

"Walker, you're clear to take up secondary position, over."

"Roger that, over."

I feel my shoulders relax slightly as I reach the end of the service corridor.

So far, so good.

Just need to stay focused for the next six-or-so hours, and make sure that nothing goes sideways.

Opening the white-washed door in front of me, I slip into the ballroom near the back of the royal dais. Clicking the latch closed softly behind me, I catch sight of Constantine.

He's dressed to the nines in full royal regalia, patent oxfords polished to within an inch of their life. But the carefully coordinated window dressing can't hide the fact that the old man is a shadow of his former self.

His cheeks are sunken, his greying hair is sparse, and despite the carefully applied make-up, his skin lacks the usual vigour of health.

But I gotta hand it to the man. Despite his failing health, he's out here tonight. Putting on a united front for the sake of the kingdom — for the sake of his son — to make sure that the royal show goes on. Even if it fucking kills him.

Because that's the price of duty.

And regardless of his other failings — of which there are many — you have to respect him for that, if nothing else.

He spots me out of the corner of his periphery. "Drake..."

"Sir," I acknowledge with a respectful nod, coming to a stop.

"I trust everything is under control?"

"Yessir."

He eyes me for a moment before leaning back into his upholstered chair. "Let's ensure that it stays that way."

Knowing a dismissal when I hear one, I resume my path around the perimeter, scanning the crowd as I walk, always keeping at least one eye on Chris.

Because Constantine's direction had been clear.

Don't fuck up.

Not that I plan to.

I learnt my lesson the hard way in New York about taking my eyes off the ball. And like hell am I gonna—

"Managed to find a new shirt, I see..."

I freeze. No fuckin' way.

I must've imagined it. A trick of the space... A wayward echo... An auditory illusion.

But if that's true, then who the hell is standing behind me? Eyes locked onto my back like a laser-sight? Their familiar scent tickling my nose?

Camomile with a hint of honey.

I shake my head, trying to rejig my senses.

It doesn't work.

Which leaves me with just one option.

Steeling myself, I turn slowly around, part of me convinced that I've well and truly lost the plot, part of me 'bout ready to believe in miracles.

Because that voice... Here? That's just not possible. Unless there was something in that whiskey and I'm tripping major ballsacks right now.

Wouldn't be the first time Max pulled a stunt like that...

But as I complete the about-face, it quickly becomes clear that I ain't just obviously high — I've lost my motherfuckin' mind completely.

That, or a bomb has just gone off in the ballroom and I'm now stood at the Gates of Heaven, about to receive final judgement.

Because I can think of no other scenario that would explain why she's here, in front of me, wrapped in a shimmering, floor-length white dress that clings to her curves like wisps of a dream, a coy smile playing at her lips.

"But I guess you can't show up at a place like this in cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans, huh?"

The soft lilt of her voice slices through me like a boot knife. "Harp—"

I make the mistake of catching her eye.

And whatever semblance of rationale thought I may have had left dissolves instantly in the sparkle of her hazel-green gaze.

The crowd... The Schubert... The entire fucking kingdom crashes into inconsequence as I feel my already tenuous grip on reality slip, leaving me stranded on the twilight edge of reason, struggling for breath.

How—?

I have no clue how long I stand there, rooted to the spot like a vegetate stoner as I try — and fail — to make sense of what the actual fuck is happening.

Because this shit? It sure as hell ain't real.

"...Drake?"

The sound of her voice finally unglitches my brain.

I blink.

But she's still there. Staring at me. Like an unabating hallucination with a bad sense of humour.

With concerted effort, I force myself to choke out the only salient question. "The hell are you doing here?"

"Looking for you."

"Why?"

"You left your jackets behind and—"

My jaw drops. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Who — in their right mind — chases someone halfway around the world? Because of a goddamn jacket?

Nobody. That's who.

The girl's obviously crazy.

Her smile falters slightly. "I thought I'd surprise you..."

"Yeah. Well, I hate surprises," I cut in acerbically, still trying to process this shitshow.

"Yes," she snips, hazel eyes hardening. "That much is becoming clear!"

"What the fuck did you expect, Gale?" I hit back. "That I'd just—?"

"I don't know what I was expecting!" she snaps, the force of her annoyance propelling her forward as she flings an arm out. "But it sure as hell wasn't this!"

"Well, that makes two of us," I bite out, suddenly finding myself nose-to-nose with her. "Because I would've expected a fucking heads-up!"

Her eyes narrow. "Do you know how many Drake Walkers there are online?"

I feel my jaw clench. "What the hell does that—?"

"Over a hundred!" she shouts into my face... loud enough for a few nearby aristos to turn their heads. "And none of them are you!"

I grab her by the arm. "So, you just decide to jump on a plane and—?"

"Yes! Because it's not like I had your number, either, Walker," she continues forcefully, jabbing me in the chest. "Because you just left and—"

"You fucking think I don't know that!" I yell back, the inherent accusation of her words ripping away the last vestiges of my sanity.

Several more heads to turn.

But I don't give a shit.

Because I can't seem to think straight around this girl on the best of days. Let alone when she springs herself on me like some damn jack-in-the-box — for the third fuckin' time just as many days — leaving me slap-faced and scrambling, and then accuses me of being an asshole?

Like fuck am I gonna act rational...

...also, why the hell does she have to look so damn good in that dress?

She's glaring up at me, chest heaving. "This was obviously a bad idea..."

I scoff humourlessly, her face inches from mine. "No fucking shit."

Her body tenses... but in the next instant the fight goes out of her just as fast as it ignited. Dropping her gaze, she mutters, "Glad we got that cleared up..."

There's something in her tone that I can't quite place.

But my burnt-out brain is too slow at cottoning on, and before I have a chance to figure it out, she's spun out of my grasp and I'm left holding nothing but air...

"Harp—"

...but by the time I look up, she's already turned and vanished into the crush.

Shit.

That obviously came out wrong.

But what the fuck had she been thinking? For me to just throw my hat over the moon like some star-struck moron? To sweep her off her feet and kiss her like we were in a goddamn rom-com?

I catch sight of the flash of her honey-caramel hair halfway across the room.

Crap.

That's exactly what I should've done.

Ignoring every single warning light going off in my head — she's not been vetted, she didn't have an invite, how the fuck did she even find me? — I throw myself after her.

Because as pissed off as I am that she was able to get the jump on me like she did — someone's sure as shit getting fired for that — I can't deny the fact that I'm still a complete and utter fool for her.

And the thought of her walking out on me — like I'd walked out on her — hits worse than a bullet to the gut.

"Harper!" I shout, pushing through the crowd of beady-eyed onlookers to try and get to her, much to their undisguised disgust.

"Oi, watch it, you!"

"C'est intolérable!"

"Do you know who I am!"

But if she hears me over the growing furore, she doesn't stop.

"For fuck's sake..." I grunt under my breath as I momentarily lose sight of her in the sea of heads.

This girl's going to be the death of me.

But if I'm going to have any chance of catching her, I know I need a change of strategy.

Spinning on my heel, I cut a hard and fast path back to the edge of the ballroom, spilling more than a few fancy drinks in the process as I knock aristos out of the way like bowling pins.

Heedless of the chaos left in my wake, I burst out onto the periphery of the crush. Throwing myself into a sprint back towards the tail end of the room, I bump off anyone stupid enough to get in my way.

I'm not losing her again.

Rushing past the raised dais, I see Constantine turn his head in my direction...

...but I've blown past him before he has a chance to open his mouth.

Sliding to a haphazard stop in front of the wall, I pause for just long enough to wrench the hidden door open before hurling myself down the service corridor.

Rushing past doors and junctions on my left and right, I pull up a mental blueprint of the Palace, trying to extrapolate her most likely position based on her speed and prior trajectory, and cross-reference that against how fast I'm going to determine the best option for an interception.

There. The main foyer.

Skidding around a corner, I double-time it down the narrow passageways, praying and hoping that I've been able to make up for time lost in the ballroom.

Arriving at the exit point, I throw myself against the door — nearly dislocating my shoulder in the process — and crash back out into the Palace-proper...

...but I can't see her anywhere.

"Fuck!" I cuss, running an agitated hand through my hair as I spin around.

Maybe I miscalculated. Maybe she's already gone. Maybe—

"Ooph!"

I collide bodily with someone speeding around the corner from the opposite direction, their head smacking into my jaw.

Agony shoots through my mouth as the unexpected impact causes me to bite down on my tongue.

Motherfucker!

But the sharp sting of the pain doesn't stop my body from reacting. If anything, it kicks my training into gear. Moving more on instinct than anything else, I execute a targeted sidestep to realign my centre as my hand snaps out to grab the other person by the arm to stop them from falling backwards.

Using their weight as a fulcrum, I redirect the force of our momentum into a spin to bring both of us to a stop next to the wall.

"You okay?" I ask, peering down at the panting, hot mess in my arms.

Gale snaps her head up so fast she nearly breaks my nose as well. "How the hell did you get in front of me?"

"Trade secret," I tell her.

She lays into me. On the exact same spot she hit me last night.

"Christ!" I exclaim, reeling back. "What the hell was that—?"

"For being an asshole!" she decries, hitting me again.

"Asshole?" I scoff. "You fucking ran into me!"

"Well, maybe I wouldn't have done if you hadn't been such a jerk, Walker!" she shouts, smacking me again.

"What do you want, then?" I demand, catching her wrist. "A goddamn apology?"

Her eyes blaze. "It would be a damn good st—"

Fuck it.

Giving her wrist a hard tug, I use the inherent resistance in her arm to yank her forward. And before she has a chance to object, I've crashed my lips against hers.

I hear her suck in a sharp breath of surprise before her body suddenly softens, melting against mine with a sigh as she gives into me.

The scent of her wildflower perfume subsumes me as she throws an arm around my neck, and I'm — at long last — home.

Because it's not until this moment that I realise how much I fucking missed her. Even though I barely know her, and I have no clue how... or even if we can make this — whatever this is — work, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was a monumental idiot for not going back to find her in New York...

...for the fact that I walked out on her in the first place.

Because this girl? She's unlike anything I've ever seen before.

The sheer fact that she's here — despite all the myriad-and-one ways in which I've screwed up with her — proves that.

And I'll be damned if I'll find another like her.

"Harper... I'm sorry," I pant between kisses, reaching up to cup her face in my palms. "For being an asshole... for being a jerk... for getting you fired... for hurting you... for—"

"I'm sorry, too..." she gasps, gripping my hair as my lips skate down her neck. "I didn't mean to... freak you out... like that... and I should've—"

"How did you even get here?" I ask, spinning her around to press her up against the wall behind me.

"Leo," she moans, arching up towards me as I drop a hand down to her ass, pulling her back into me. "He came to the apartment and—"

I scoff as I capture her mouth again. "Un-fuckin'-real..."

I'm gonna murder the bastard.

Because if this is his batshit way of saying 'thank you' for me being here for Chris instead of him, then he's definitely more than one brick shy of a load.

As regardless of whatever kind of happy reunion he'd cooked up in his mind, there's only one possible outcome to this royal SNAFU — me losing my job. Because there's no way in hell that Bast will be able to overlook the fact that I deserted my post to chase after a girl.

Again.

As unlike last time, there are a good two-dozen witnesses who can throw me under the bus. And they'll do so with impunity, given half a chance. Because one of those witnesses is Constantine. And no way is he gonna let such a flagrant dereliction of duty fly. Especially not after the very clear command he gave me.

Plus, it's not like I can justify my behaviour with any kind of rational argument. Or swear on a stack of Bibles that I won't do it again.

I'd tried that in New York.

It hadn't worked.

But as I glance down at Gale's flushed face, one thing is crystal clear.

I'll deal with that shit in the morning...

~ Fin ~

A/N: This is it! We have arrived at the end! 🤗 Thank you so much for bearing with me over the course of this fic, which has been 2 long years in the making! Hopefully, the journey was worth it! There will be some Extras in the near future (art, a bonus chapter), but no ETA on any of these yet (too many other WIPs I want/need to finish). Thank you to everyone who took the time to read, reblog, comment, emote, and generally encourage me through this project! I - for one! - have certainly grown to love Drake more as a result! 🥰 Hope you have too!

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Sleepless in New York only

@bebepac

Picture Credits: Harper - Cordonia - Drake - Constantine - Kiss - Christian

[cyndraws]

Reblogtober day 18

IM ALIVE. JUST SEM 2 AMBUSHING ME TO BEAT ME UP IN A BACK ALLEY HSGH

Exams and assignments coming up soon so wish me luck!

Here, I present my Kirby OC, Leif!

He belongs in my Kirby anime (krbay) au. He's part of the GSA. And Meta knight is his cute younger brother

Now here is my gushing about Leif below. I think way too much about him lol

Basic Info:

Name: Leif, Blade Knight / Leaf Knight

(Blade Knight was his first choice but is a common name, so everyone just agreed to call him Leaf Knight. He argues it's a good choice bc Blade is a pun on blade and leaf blades but... well still everyone disagreed)

Age: Young adult (an estimate, Hoshians have long lifespans in my au)

Gender: Demiboy Pronouns: he/they (equally)

Elements: Leaf (main), Cutter (main), Wing (minor)

Notable talents/powers: Summoning a near endless amount of blades, runes, self-healing

~many more thoughts about him below the cut~

Description:

Physical description: Primary colour is green. Orange-yellow eyes. Their mouth tends to make triangular shapes.

He has a wing cape that has golden buttons on the collar ends. Their wing form look like they are made out of leaves.

The most accurate armour colour is his flying art, which is silver with a hint of rose-gold. He usually wears his special blade-proof gloves and sabatons (feet armour), and mask on top of his head with his family. In more formal settings (includes around the public), he wears his pauldrons (shoulder armour), and mask on. He wears his wing armour too, but optional to draw because it's hard, even for me (lol).

He keeps his mask on because he feels like it makes him less vulnerable with expression covered up. He can take it off but it makes him a little embarrassed.

Personality:

Myers Briggs: ISFP (Introvert, Observant, Feeling, Prospective/perceiving)

Introvert: Well he's an introvert. Tends to be quiet and a good listener.

Observant: Is focused on present, practical and hands-on

Feeling: Makes lots of gut decisions, especially during battle. Makes him reckless, but he's very in-tune with his instincts. They haven't led him astray yet. His number 1 priority is his family above all, and he won't hesitate to put himself in harm's way for their safety. He also can get short tempered for their sake. They're very sensitive to others' feelings and is a natural listener. In general, they're a warm and caring person, and a natural leader.

Prospecting/perceiving: Spur of the moment, seizes opportunities, flexible

~

He's generally a little quiet, but combined with his caring personality makes him a trusted and charming person. He's a great leader, and gives off calm powerful and reliable brother/senior vibes. He's modest and underestimates himself despite his great capabilities. He's the definition of unreliable narrator haha.

They're a very curious person and is always trying new things. They've become somewhat of a jack of all trades because of this.

However, they can get very heated and short tempered, especially in regards to thier family. They get very embarrassed afterwards.

And during battle, it's like they become a different person. They get blood thirsty and wipe through the battlefield with their dual blades, heedless of injuries (they have an ability to self-heal). They don't talk much, but when they do, it give off power. He's very sharp and has top-notch instincts on the battlefield. His recklessness goes up to max though and he's not afraid to get dirty and on the frontlines, which worries his family to no end.

~

Other

Family: Kibble Blade, Sir Kibble (two are coparenting), Meta Knight (younger brother)

Story: Maybe another day, but for now this is set when Meta Knight is still in training in the GSA and Leif has made his name as a highly respected soldier

[storyofmychoices]

Drunk on Love

[Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 1 + Beyond] [Mal’s Orphanage] [Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 2 AU]

Pairings: Mal Volari x Daenarya (F!OC) Book: Blades of Light & Shadow (setting this in my book 1 AU) Word Count: ~850 Rating/Warnings: Teen, drunk characters Tagging: @choicesoctober; (favorite ship) @choicesprompts (Flufftober) ; @choicesficwriterscreations Prompts: ""I…I want to give you my heart. It belongs to… to you. How… how can I give it to you? I don’t want it anymore." from this drunken confessions list requested by me.

Synopsis: Mal is very drunk, but he is also very much in love with Daenarya.

The amber glow of the flickering candlelight danced on the walls of the old tavern. Mal and Daenarya found themselves at a table in the corner, their laughter mingling through the lively air. Neither noticed the occasional glance of nearby patrons, not that they would care even if they had. Their focus was entirely on each other, and in that moment, nothing else mattered to them.

His vision slightly blurred from the drinks, yet, Mal couldn't take his eyes off her. He leaned in closer, his voice hushed and filled with playful admiration. "Daenarya," he began, his brow furrowing as he tried to find the right comparison, "you're like... like a glittering gold coin sparkling in the torchlight... no, like a diamond—diamonds are prettier, right?"

Daenarya couldn't help but chuckle at his tipsy stumbling. "Diamonds are indeed prettier," she replied with a teasing grin.

"Yes, like a diamond—" he continued; his words trailed off again as he tried to focus on how she was like a diamond. "—Your eyes."

"Are brown," she giggled, enjoying his flustered state.

"Diamonds are not brown," he muttered, taking another swig of ale, hoping to find some inspiration at the bottom of the mug. "Mud is!"

"Don't even think about comparing my eyes to mud."

"I wasn't going to...." He offered her a lopsided grin. "How do you feel about owlbears?"

"No."

"Brown is hard!" Mal's arms folded across his chest in defeat.

Daenarya's face flushed as she stopped herself from making a suggestive comment in reply. Instead, she would prove him wrong. "No, it's not." She rested her elbows on the table, placing her chin on her hands. She leaned forward toward him, her gaze soft and adoring. "Mal Volari, you are the most handsome man in all the realms. Your brown eyes, like a bay horse running wildly in an open field, pull me in on the grandest adventures. Your brown hair is like cocoa, rich and inviting, a flavor of warmth and comfort; it's one of my favorite things in the world. And your smile, Mr. Magnificent, it's like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm, warming my heart."

Mal blinked in surprise, his drunken demeanor momentarily forgotten as he was captured by her words. He couldn't help but grin broadly at her, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the drinks.

"See," she leaned back, but not before bowing her head with a flourish of her hands. "Not hard. Now you!"

His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes widening in utter adoration. Rarely were there times in his life when he was at a loss for words, but there he was. There was nothing he could say in this state to truly capture her beauty and what she meant to him. He'd just have to show her. 

Mal slipped one of his ornate daggers from its sheath as he lifted it up. The blade glinted in the light as he held it in his grasp. "I…I want to give you my heart. It belongs to… to you. How… how can I give it to you? I don’t want it anymore." 

Her brow raised curiously as she offered a playful eye roll.

He pointed the tip of the blade toward his chest, trying to figure out the right angle and position. "Here?" he looked up to her for guidance.

"A little more toward the center," she offered, taking a sip of her ale. She watched in amusement as he placed his hand over his chest, trying to find his heartbeat. 

"Okay, here!" He decided firmly.

"That looks about right—" Daenarya slid beside him, pressing a kiss on his cheek, her hand laying over his atop the dagger. "—but, let's wait until tomorrow for the surgery."

"But I want to give you my heart. I don't need it anymore. You should have it. Then I can prove how much I love you," Mal pouted as she relieved him of his dagger.

"I already know," she whispered, placing her hand on his chest over his heart. "Your heart has always been mine, as mine has been yours."

"You're so smart and pretty," he marveled. "Will you marry me?"

She lifted her hand in front of his face, flashing the ring on her finger. "You're a little too late."

His eyes glistened in the low light, his lips turning down as he stared at the trinket. 

With a slight shake of her head, she lifted his hand up, revealing his own ring. "You're a little too late," she repeated, "because we already said I do."

"I do, too." The back of his hand caressed gently across her cheek before his fingers threaded through her hair, drawing her to him. "You're the best part of me. I'll always choose you."

"I'll always choose you, too," her reply was lost on his lips as he kissed her again and again. 

There was no one else in the world he'd choose than her, and he would spend every moment proving just that to her.

Not really edited so forgive any mistakes, I really just wanted to write really drunk Mal offering to cut his heart out for Daenarya because it definitely seemed like him. They're idiots, but they mean well.

Thank you for reading ❤️❤️❤️