#this took longer than I expected to compile but worth it!

[tragicotps]

Asriel Belacqua + his biggest weakness aka Marisa Coulter

[wooahaeruby]

Chapter 2: Nothing is Easier Than I Thought

Chapter Word Count: 3,654

Anything in Bold Italics are Korean/Another language.

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September 2015

Why you took a 6:30 PM class your first semester, you will never understand. Some part of you said it was to cram as many classes into one day to maximize your time on other days for homework, studying, and your part time job, but your already tired brain protested. Linguistics was already a hard major to begin with, you were learning three languages; Spanish, Japanese, and Korean, but you debated Mandarin, each you knew to some capacity. 

The past couple days, you have been able to feel the anxious and restless feelings of your soulmate. Whoever they were, they haven’t let you have a single day of proper sleep in the past week and with it only being the second week on campus, you were already sick of it. You had hoped your soulmate was feeling your agitation and exhaustion. 

Halfway through your two hour long class, an unexpected wave of tiredness washed over you. All the energy you previously had from the energy drink earlier in the evening was wiped away in an instant. At the front of the room, the words coming from the professor were falling on deaf ears, barely able to keep your head up at this point. Your own exhaustion mixed with your soulmate’s feeling had brought you to the brink of passing out. The anxiety that once nestled beside your emotions had faded and yet a burst of joy and excitement filled its space with ease. 

For a moment, you rested your head down on your notebook, scoffing quietly to yourself at the odd mix of emotions. Whatever they were going through hopefully is worth it. Although agitation still rested under your skin, a sense of amusement came from your end. 

As the rest of class dragged on, you kept yourself awake and coherent enough to take notes and get back to your dorm. Bursts of energy and excitement were pushed through from the bond you shared, your limbs felt strained, on fire even, but the longer it went on the more you got used to the sensation of physical exertion. The walk back to your dorm hall was a feat, honestly you don’t know how you managed to get up three flights of stairs and unlock your door before falling face first onto your bed. Your roommate wasn’t home, she usually came back later after studying until the library closed, which gave you the peace to just take everything and hopefully let it lull you to sleep. 

In your semi-conscious state, you wondered who your soulmate was. All the emotional states they had placed you in the last couple months were not what you expected, but the curiosity was eating you up some inside. When there was a feeling of genuine joy that came amidst it all had you compiling a list of exactly what type of life they lived. Were they an adventurous person that explored things outside of their comfort zone? Were they a normal person with everyday anxiety that found happiness in overcoming their fears? Did they gain the physical strain from a demanding job? 

Honestly you couldn't tell what their schedule was either. They slept at random hours, and had sudden bursts of energy throughout the day. It confused you when you tried to think about the life they lead.

Slowly, your thoughts did lull you into a deep sleep knowing your alarm was already set for your afternoon shift at the bookstore on campus. 

Their first comeback was highly anticipated, but literally blood, sweat, and tears were shed to make it happen. For months on end, Jihoon had been working on compositions and lyrics, some songs even created before their debut. Sleepless nights, countless fights, and inevitable injuries from overworking themselves has led to this very moment. 

It was 5:30 in the morning and he couldn’t catch a wink of sleep. Now sitting in the greenroom, makeup artists, hair stylists, and one of their managers were calling out for members to get ready. The contagious yawns passed through the room ten times over, some younger members were asleep after getting ready, however Woozi wasn’t able to settle in for a short nap. His leg bounced with nervous fidgeting and he messed too much with his clothes to attempt to keep himself calm. Within the next hour the group was to have an easy run through on the stage prior to the pre-recorded video. In the later half of the day, the studio would gather fans and they would perform their newest song, Mansae .  

Truthfully, he felt bad for his soulmate. The bout of insomnia he had been experiencing was no doubt putting a damper on their mood, he definitely felt the discontentment and unrest through their bond. With staying up, he noticed how their mood shifted throughout the night for him. It at least gave him the solidified idea that they were from another area of the world. Pushing that aside, it seemed they were stressed as of recent. Nearly two weeks back, there was this underlying emotion of distress that was layered beneath anticipation and determination. 

Somewhere in the final rush of costumes, hair and makeup, Jihoon felt a firm pat to his back and that same arm wrapping around his shoulder as they walked down the hall to the elevators. 

“ Jihoon-ah! Let’s give it our best out there! ” The loud and energetic voice of Soonyoung rang loudly in his ear, making him wince slightly. 

“ I’m right next to you, why are you yelling? ” Jihoon’s nose scrunched up as he grimaced, rolling his shoulders to remove the other’s arm from his body. “ And don’t yell, you will hurt your throat. ” 

Soonyoung only laughed, a wide smile spreading on his face and he continued to walk beside his shorter friend. “ Energy needs to be up, I’m nervous as hell but I can’t let that stop me. ” 

With a roll of his eyes and a small shake of his head, Jihoon watched as Soonyoung walked off to throw himself over Seokmin’s back. Their practice run was simple enough, camera direction and mic checks came back positive. Stylists went around fixing any outfits, hair, or touching up spots in their make up before they were ready for the recording. 

Jihoon shook out his limbs before adjusting the mic in his hand. Taking his position on stage towards the back, he let the nerves drive him once the music started playing through his in-ear headset. No matter how fast the adrenaline made his heart race, no matter the difficulty in some of the choreography, he took the stage by storm with his members. It was one of the longest three minutes of his life up until now, sweat matted parts of his pink and blond hair, his feet hurt and his limbs were already growing sore from the tired strain. 

However, he felt happy, overjoyed even. As the production crew gave praise for their expressions, hard work, and perseverance, excitement bubbled in his chest at the thought of performing in front of their fans further into the day. Getting back into the greenroom was no different, words of praise came from Seungcheol, their managers and staff were proud. 

What he didn’t expect in the end was the outside feeling of amusement that wedged its way from the soulmate bond with fading agitation and fatigue. His heart grew a little bigger at that moment. 

2016

How could one person be so…focused? But happy about that focus. 

It was a question you asked yourself on a nearly constant basis the last few months. Back in September, there was a nearly month-long period of debilitating tiredness all hours of the day pushing through the bond. It made your ability to stay awake and attentive in class hard and by the end of the day, you were crashing while barely getting through your homework and work. Now, in your second semester of college and a more spread out schedule, the breaks you gave yourself seemed to help with your soulmates physical exertion. 

Spring break had brought you home to your maternal grandparents who had been begging you to come visit sooner. They had welcomed you into your childhood home, still the same old decorations that never truly passed the test of time. 

“Sweetheart, go freshen up upstairs, take a nap, you’ve been working so hard and you barely stayed too long during your winter time off.” Your grandmother ushered you off towards the stairs, taking your backpack and small suitcase. “And don’t come down until you at least get an hour or sleep, you hear me!?” 

A laugh bubbled out of your throat, rolling your eyes. “Yeah yeah, Mimi, just don’t start blasting your old lady music until I’m awake!” As you ascend up the stairs, you hear the huffing scoff and a muttering of your words in a mocking tone. 

It was early, close to mid-morning, and you had caught the first train that brought you close to your hometown. It was quiet between watching the scenery and feeling the rumble of the train as you sat. For the first time since the semester started, you felt at peace both mentally and physically. You knew once you got back to your dorm, you’d only have a month and a half before the semester was over., You had an amazing internship lined up at an international business that handles multiple different contracts and if you did well they’d be willing to help with your education and continue on your classes regarding business. 

The idea alone had put you at ease to say the least. It gave you hope for a brighter future compared to the treacherous childhood you had been through. 

To say practice was brutal was an understatement. With only a month left until their new album was to be released, the member’s schedule was packed and tension was high. The lack of sleep and diets have put people on edge, new choreography needed to be hammered out, and with it being a full album, they had a lot riding on their shoulders. 

“ Let’s run it from the top again.” Soonyoung called out, but five minutes after they finished their most recent run. 

“ Hyung, it hasn’t even been ten minutes, we are gonna wear ourselves out before we even get going again. ” Mingyu protested, lifting his shirt to wipe the beads of sweat that descended down his face from his hairline.  

Laying flat on the hard dance room floors to catch his breath, Jihoon let his eyes stay shut to regain any strength in his body. His legs felt like jello and a headache was starting to come on. Lifting his arm and cracking his eyes open, he groaned at the time on his watch: 4:49 PM. They still had over an hour to finish the rest of practice. The worst part? He knew Soonyoung would get annoyed and a fight – verbal one thankfully – would break out between some of the members, which would ruin practice. 

Jihoon was even starting to grow frustrated with the recent events. He hated the fighting and he hated seeing his friends – no, his family – suffering for the reality that was being an idol. It wasn’t fair, he knew that like the back of his hand, but this was the life he did sign on the dotted line for. 

“ If we get up and get it all done, maybe we can get out of here earlier, right? ” Dino spoke up, sitting beside Jeonghan and Seungkwan on the floor against the mirrors. 

Seungkwan leaned his head onto the youngest’s shoulder, speaking gently to him. “ You have wishful thinking, Hoshi-hyung is brutal, you know that. ” 

Still with some protests, practice went on, repeating the same dance over and over and over in mind numbing succession. By the time they had wrapped up and were ready to get home, many were close to falling asleep where they stood. The walk home was close, thankfully, yet getting inside and everyone taking showers was a feat still. No one truly had any sense of personal space or quiet with all thirteen sharing a dorm together. 

Crawling into bed, Jihoon let the weight of the day slowly slip from his limbs. The tense muscles, pounding headache, and frustration that presented itself to him sometimes were overwhelming, however tonight was different. 

Through the bond him and his soulmate shared, there was a creeping feeling of tranquility. It felt so…breathtaking, like fresh air was hitting his lungs for the first time. That peace was mixed with sleepiness, not the usual exhaustion that pushed through. A part of him would laugh if he wasn’t so tired, finding it comical that they were feeling completely opposite states of mind. 

“ Goodnight to whoever you are, Soulmate. ” 

2017

How could he describe the discomfort in his chest that was throwing him off his entire game? 

This year, Jihoon and the rest of his group had done so much. While last year only brought an Asia tour, they successfully finished their first world tour. Not long after settling at home, they released their second full album, Teen, Age, where the group recently finished album promotions. 

Sitting in his studio, Universe Factory he called it, Jihoon let the notes of his most recent composition soothe the discomfort that built up. Over the course of a few weeks, the bond had pushed an encroaching amount of hopelessness from his soulmate. It was eating him alive, keeping him awake when he needed the rest to recover from the year.  Eating became difficult, motivation was dwindling to even get out of bed even when the feeling wasn’t his own. He was lucky that he made it to the studio tonight. 

The members had been hounding him to leave his room, Mingyu specifically since they were sharing a room together in their new dorm. Seungcheol and Jeonghan had offered dinner, Soonyoung offered to go see a movie, and Joshua had suggested just going to the second dorm and watching anime. Each time, he declined, only wanting to stay in and ride through whatever depressive episode they were going through. 

Looking about the room now, he sunk back into his chair, contemplating some way to counterbalance this…dejection. It wasn’t easy to fix this, though he didn’t think there wasn’t a way to fix this. You were someone unknown to him, hell he had figured out you were most likely on the other side of the world. The time on his wrist taunted him with the knowledge that both of you had a lengthy time until you were to meet.

A huff left him, raising both hands to rub them over his face to clear his head. He couldn’t even be there to provide any comfort which for one reason or another made him feel immensely guilty. 

“ You look like you are going through every emotion at once.” The voice that called out had Jihoon jumping out of his skin. 

Meeting the other’s eye, his shoulders deflated at the sight of his leader, holding a bag of what he assumed was takeout food in hand. 

“ You know, for someone that tells the other’s to eat, sleep, and stay healthy, you are really bad at following your own advice.” Seungcheol snorted, taking a seat on the couch just behind Jihoon’s desk. He took the time to take the food containers out of the bag and set the spread out for both of them. 

With unseen weight pushing down on him, Jihoon trudged his way to the couch and barely managed to miss Seungcheol as he limply sat back on the couch. “ I’m trying to but every time I try to sleep, they are awake feeling so hopeless. I go to eat and I just lose my appetite. I want to be able to help them, I do, but I can’t because destiny says we can’t meet for like 5 more years.” 

Quietly, Seungcheol handed a pair of chopsticks to the younger man which were taken and with slight reluctance, Jihoon began eating. 

“ Sometimes we have to accept that there is nothing you can do, you realize that, correct? ” 

Jihoon hated how right he was, but he would never admit it. Well, maybe he would but not right now. Not while the irrational part of himself was still blaming himself for his soulmate's depression. 

In relative silence, the two ate. Beside him, Seungcheol was keeping a watchful eye to see if the other was truly eating and was satisfied he was able to feed the other without much of a fight. 

“ Think of it like this, ” Jihoon perked up, “ Channel it into your music, make something for them that makes you feel good. Maybe lifting your mood can help lift theirs?” 

Wracking his brain. Seungcheol swore he saw a light bulb appear above the shorter man’s head. Jihoon stood from his spot and hurried over to his computer, nearly smashing the keyboard for the screen to light up again. As soon as he could see, he was clicking around for a file, an unfinished composition that he didn’t know what to do with. The BMP was on the higher end, high energy. He played through it once, twice,  and behind him, his leader was already packing up any leftover food to bring back to the dorm at this point. 

Coming up behind him, Jihoon jumped when Seungcheol’s hand landed on his shoulder. 

“ I’m going to get out of your hair. Be back to the dorm before it gets too late or I’m having Soonyoung or Mingyu drag you back.” 

“ Mm, Bye hyung.”  

And with that, he began his work once more, a re-found feeling of inspiration and creativity. It took a few hours, much faster than some of the other times it took to refine a piece and perfect lyrics to convey what he wanted. The work flowed easily, a second natural at this point for the young producer. As he worked, Jihoon failed to notice the tiny smile that was spreading across his face. 

He let his hands dance across the keyboard, hitting enter as he finally named the file; Run To You . 

Pulling up his email, Jihoon sent it to his manager and a few of their album production staff, stating he needed it on the special album, no buts. It needed to be there; for himself and hopefully for his soulmate if they listened to his group. 

You felt like you were sinking. The more you attempted to swim up for air, the more you were dragged down by the heavy weights around your ankles that you called life. 

Back last month in November, only six or so months since you began your internship. They had offered you a full time job, willing to pay for the rest of your bachelors and fund your masters degree if you stuck with them. You made the agreement to go part time with schooling, exclusively online, 3 classes per spring and fall along with 1 per summer and winter semesters. You already did a decent amount of credits your first four semesters, so you weren’t too worried until the new fall semester hit. 

Ever since August, you felt the weight start to build up and push down on you.  At first, it was small. Your higher up gave you a lot of responsibility, a large role to fill – your boss said – explaining that your ability to translate and review documentation were exemplary. The fall semester brought your classes for both your majors in order to graduate on time. You were keeping up between lack of sleep and a, somewhat thankfully, eight to four job.

 Sure, it wasn’t ideal, you lost time with seeing your friends on campus, but you made just enough money to find a small studio apartment and your grandparents were willing to help with whatever you needed. You were learning to take care of yourself alone, albeit with financial help. With the months passing, you were growing tired, not of your job, honestly you enjoyed the work you were doing, but college was tiring mentally and it ate up any free time you thought you were going to have. Nonetheless, you were doing okay in your classes, As and Bs, you were proud of yourself. 

Though, as you sat in the silence of your apartment in the odd hours of the night due to insomnia, you felt so alone… 

Your grandparents lived upstate, your friends were on campus near there, everything you knew and found comfort in from your hometown was so…far. It was getting difficult to field your grandparents calls, you were telling the truth, you were working hard, you were doing great in your classes, but you withheld the truth about your mental state. 

Curled up under the covers, staring blankly at the yellowed paint of the wall opposite of the windows to your room, you couldn’t sleep. You have barely eaten recently, you know you lost some weight, and you haven’t slept properly in about a week but you were functioning somehow. 

A part of you felt guilty. Guilty that you were feeling this depressed over something you would consider so trivial and guilty that your inability to regulate your mental stability that your soulmate was most likely suffering as well. Another part of you wanted to curl up in a corner and just ride it out the best you could, but you knew you had responsibilities to yourself, to your family, and to your soulmate to stay around. 

Now in December, you already requested some time off around the holidays to see everyone. Deep down you were praying the time away from everything after finals would be able to help your melancholy mood.

[the-valiant-valkyrie]

fabby & solaris hcs but specifically centered around the strange relationship thing they have going on at zoraxis bc if i don't compile my thoughts somewhere i'm gonna forget

fabby has been working at zoraxis for far, far longer than solaris. most of the higher tier operatives have, barring maybe x-ray. but her impressive engineering work artificially pushed her up the ranks a lot during her time there

the fabricator wasn't solaris' first construction partner. she was actually passed back and forth between a lot of smaller crews, but was moved onto other projects for being too difficult to work with for one reason or another

fabby was solaris' last opportunity to prove herself. not that solaris knew that, but zor did. fabby was initially reluctant to work with someone… like solaris, but if anyone could keep her in line, it would be the engineer closest to the doctor

operation toxic rain was the first project they worked on together (the supervirus was nowhere close to finished at the time, but it didn't have to be for the shell to be worked on)

to say they got along would be the overstatement of a lifetime, but solaris was… pleasantly(?) surprised with how easy fabricator was to work with. comparatively, anyways

solaris' prior jobs didn't exactly paint the kindest picture of her future in the engineering industry. years of undermining and belittlement festered into something bitter and short fused. but one of the first things fabby did was notice her talents for what they were

fabby's not an idiot. she holds herself and her field in very high regard, and she knows a brilliant mind when she sees it. while solaris'… demeanor got under her skin with a practiced ease, her potential was indisputable. despite everything, she could appreciate having someone else at zoraxis who's talent was anywhere close to her own.

the only thing that really got in the way of them gelling any easier- beyond the water-and-oil nature of their personalities- was the visual design process of their inventions (as opposed to technical design)

it… took a while for solaris to get comfortable deferring to the fabricator. she was always rather quick to get defensive over being told just how bad she was at something like this

… but she got a little better at it once fabby started deferring to her in regards to the technical design process of some of their future projects. it took a lot of effort to swallow her pride and actually do so and solaris… saw that for what it was

they eventually carved out a rhythm for themselves, gravitating towards their niche and inadvertently maximizing their productivity in the process

in honesty? zor really did not like solaris. but, if the fact that she was working on the death engine wasn't enough to convince them to keep her, then fabby's increased output certainly was. so she's allowed to stay, but she's on really thin ice with them

speaking of zor, fabby figured that solaris' lack of respect for them would have surely blossomed some sort of hate between her and the other engineer… but it hasn't. she never quite knew what to make of that

over time, solaris has grown to appreciate fabby for being the coworker she never would have had anywhere else. someone who trusts her ability unquestioningly. someone who knows what she's worth

and on the other hand, fabby has grown to appreciate solaris' disregard towards status- her own or otherwise. of course, it drove her up the wall at first, but… it feels… nice to have someone respect her, and to know it has nothing to do with her closeness to zor.

solaris likes her as a person, not as a concept. she doesn't expect anything of her the same way the others' do. her demeanor as a high ranking operative means little to her… if she wanted to (although why would she ever want to) she could take the mask off around solaris. and it would be fine.

solaris is also very blunt. she says what she means, and rarely twists her words, if ever. and its strange for someone who lies so easily to find that comforting… but at zoraxis, you always have to stay alert for dangerous insinuations and unannounced tests of character. it's something she's been accounting for for years. but she doesn't have to with solaris. if she was truly mad- if she was truly out to get her- fabby would know from the start. and there's something… relieving about that.

their coworkers are under the impression that they get along about as poorly as they did when they first met. zor has a hunch elsewise, but doesn't comment on it much.

things were… really rough for the both of them after the death engine. it's the first time they really noticed that… they don't have great relationships with the rest of zoraxis staff

fabricator didn't hesitate to visit solaris at the hospital- though it was hard to wrap her mind around the fact that she… cared enough about solaris to do so. she wouldn't be doing that for anyone else.

solaris didn't question it… but she did appreciate it. it was a horrible stay- and a debilitatingly long one, at that- and she damn near would have lost her mind without fabby picking at it every now and again

i'm realizing how long i've been talking for so im cutitng this off but do you see this the vision from my twister mind

[raplinesmoon]

Hey, first of all can I say that you're one of the most phenomenal writers on here and I've literally been in heaven since I came across your classical literature series Undisclosed desires: An anthology. I think I've been to maybe 30 fic finding blogs trying to look for more bts au based on classic literature but couldn't find anymore. Do you have any fic recs based on this exact theme? I'm enjoying your fics and ideas so much!

OMFG STOP IM—🥺💕💜, this is so incredibly kind of you to say!! Thank you for loving the anthology, and I’m so sorry for not updating it with the second story yet! Life and graduation are kicking my butt rn, but it means so much to hear you loved Hoseok’s story! This is such a passion project of mine and I love talking literature so much!

And to answer your question, there isn’t a lot out there! I’m gonna link some recs below, most of which are general historical/fantasy recs that I think fit the vibe in terms of emulating the classic literature storylines or style! Hopefully you give these wonderful stories and authors a try, and find something new here (note: all of these are nsfw, so please heed the warnings and do not interact if you’re a minor!)

If anyone has anymore, drop them here!

✰ Matters of the Heart by @hobidreams

This fits the theme perfectly and is almost as much of a classic as the tale it’s inspired by: Jane Eyre! This Hoseok is so incredibly dashing and Rain captures the vibes of a period piece so well!

✰ The Crown by @sopewriters

There was a period of time where I was truly obsessed with the War of the Roses, so imagine my glee when I saw a Yoonkook AU with them as the dueling kings ahhh!

✰ Dynasty by @jimlingss

I’m cheating here because this is based on a very suggestive historical film called “The Treacherous”, but Jungkook and OC’s relationship was so sweet in this and the dynamics of the palace were full of intrigue!

✰ Oranges and Lemons by @fantasybangtan

HOT HOT HOT! Based on Greek mythology, you have Hoseok and a goddess of an OC alone in an orchard, and well, turns out his silver tongue is good for more than just talking...

✰ Counterfeit Culture by @ggukcangetit

AHHHH modern day Pride and Prejudice pls!! This Seokjin and OC had such fun banter, and i loved the unexpected circumstances that made them realize the way they felt about each other so much!

✰ Prima Nocta by @yoon2k

Fi is such a queen when it comes to depicting twisty relationships that are morally grey! This medieval AU was so hot, but also full of mystery because we don’t know the characters’ true feelings or motivations.

✰ Hysteria by @venusjeon

This one right here!! This absolutely and completely reads like something from a classic literature novel, from the plot to the characters to the writing style! Booking an appointment with Victorian doctor Yoongi ASAP!

✰ His Service by @venusjeon

This was an intriguing medieval AU - it deals with a relationship with a pretty big age gap, but was done so well from depicting the intense feelings to the guilt to the awkwardness of the relationship!

✰ Bewitched, Body & Soul by @kithtaehyung

Namjoon as Mr. Darcy!! I repeat, Namjoon as Mr. Darcy!! Ryen’s writing is so beautiful and captivating that you can’t help but fall so hard for this Namjoon - she captures the feeling of marital bliss perfectly!

✰ Once Upon a Bracelet by @ladyartemesia

I loved this because it read exactly like some of my favorite YA fantasy novels! The world-building was amazing, with both complex and also humourous elements, and Jungkook and OC were too cute with their bond!

✰ Kanalia by @xjoonchildx

I keep recommending medieval AUs, but this one is actually stunning. Ana pays so much attention to detail to write a story about a captivating woman and  her life (why do all the best historical fics feature a sexy Hoseok? lmk)

✰ Over Jeweled Hills by @taegularities

This was so interesting! I loved the Pied Piper and Snow White crossover, and Yoongi as the Huntsman is such a perfect fit because you know he’ll bring those brooding, angsty vibes to the fic!

✰ Moonlit Throne by @hobidreams

If you haven’t read this yet, stop, leave this post, and go read! This is one of, if not the most epic drabble series I’ve ever read! We live a whole lifetime with King Yoongi in the Joseon era with love, tears, and laughter along the way. Truly such a fine body of work I cannot recommend enough.

✰ The Taste of Longing by @thatlongspringnight

NO but why am I feeling so much in such few words?! Like I was in shock after reading this because it takes talent to tell such a complete, enriching story in a short span! Also, Prince Namjoon is IT.

✰ A Piece of the Moonlight by @jimlingss and Enouement by @littlemisskookie

I’m grouping these two Mulan retellings together because they’re both excellent but also each unique in their own way! Both of them though, have lots of heartbreak and such a moral dilemma for the characters involved!

✰ One Year, My Love by @hayjeon

Cheating again bc this is based on the k-drama 100 Days, My Prince but this Jungkook is soooo cuuuteee! Like this is an adorable love story with some great historical elements!

[howdoyousleep3]

where’s that hc about bucky learning to touch 🤲

I was hoping someone would notice that tag and hit me up. Thank you, sweet pea. This one is special to me, one of many. ❤

Bucky doesn’t say much about what happened to him after the fall and before Steve was miraculously given a second chance at a life with him. Steve is thankful for that. The details he does know come from Bucky’s therapist and from files that have been scrounged up over time, ones Steve can’t stomach through, ones he hands to Natasha and asks only for the information she finds pertinent.

Steve is sure he’d die of a goddamn broken heart if he knew every detail of Bucky’s 70+ years of brainwashed torture.

What he needs to know about Bucky is constant and will never change: this is James Barnes, the one in the same Steve spent his entire life falling in love with, Steve loves him now more than ever, and he is going to live every day he’s gifted with in this life for Bucky.

There are things Steve expects after Bucky joins him and the others back at the Tower, things Bruce has helped him comprehend in such a volatile predicament.

“It could take months, years even, for him to come back to you in full. And honestly, Steve...I would be ready for the possibility of him not returning to you in full. This may not end up being the Bucky you knew and grew up with. He needs therapy, needs patience, needs reminders of his life before, of who he was and is. This won’t be easy, Steve.”

Anything for Bucky.

There are things Bucky took to right away and other things that took much longer for him to enjoy or remember. Steve is with him every step of the way.

Sleep was one thing that Steve thought would be a struggle. After only one month of sleeping on the floor in the corner of his bedroom, Steve able to hear him tossing and turning and breathing heavily through his own bedroom wall, it took one afternoon nap on the couch to make him want to move to his new bed. While nightmares continued, Bucky slept albeit in small increments and sometimes through the day, but he slept.

Steve thought that would take years.

Crowds were another story. Crowds came with trust and Bucky rightfully didn’t trust others easily. He barely trusted Steve at first. It took time to get him out of the apartment, baby steps, one step forward and two steps back. They started with walks at dawn, fewer people, gave a shot at stopping for coffee on the way home a few times.

“It’s a Venti here, Buck,” Steve had tried to explain and Bucky huffed. “Why are things so goddamn complicated now? Just want a coffee, a—”

“I know— a black coffee with too much sugar. I got it.”

They’re working on interactions with others and the anxiety that comes with crowds. That one will take time.

What hadn’t taken time, and what startled everyone in the tower beyond belief, was Bucky and affection.

Steve may not know much of what Bucky has spent most of his life enduring but he at least had the assumption that what Bucky went through shouldn’t make him want any kind of touch from another person. Steve wrongfully assumed that any sort of gentle or soft touch wasn't something Bucky would like.

Bucky had spent the past 70+ years walking this earth as a killer, a robot, a machine, an assassin. He surely spent decades thinking he wasn’t worthy of anything, let alone love. He had been touch-starved, void of the tenderness and closeness Steve knows Bucky deserved and craved underneath the brainwashed parts of him.

It took time for Bucky to remember who Steve was to him. While he had recognized him immediately, remembering him but not how, it took months for Bucky to remembered the capacity in which he did so.

And Steve waited.

And waited.

Steve was gifted with small moments along the way, on this journey of Bucky remembering both himself and who Steve was to him:

“You...you were real small once,” Bucky said, factual with no trace of a question, hands in soapy water as he handed Steve a plate to dry. Steve had merely hummed. “Yeah, was...was maybe half the size I am now. Real small.”

“Could fit both’a my hands right around your middle…”

It had been a long while since Steve blushed like that.

Bucky standing over Steve’s sleeping form, heaving chest visible by only the filtered moonlight, Steve mumbling out a, “Buck, wha—?” before Bucky whispered, “You...you’ve been inside of me.” Steve sat up.

“I have,” Steve breathed, on cautious ground, shakier when Bucky then whispered, “But you like it better when I’m inside’a you.”

When Steve had swallowed audibly, nodded his head wordlessly, Bucky had turned and left the room.

It took months of moments like those to compile together, to form the picture of what Steve once was, what he yearned to continue to be, to Bucky. All of these moments, these memories, came to a head so unpredictably during yet another movie night. Knees knocking, fingers brushing, small touches that Steve absolutely soaked in, had gotten used to, had relearned.

When a glance towards Bucky had the wind knocking its way out of Steve’s chest, the familiarity of that look a bone-deep ache—

Bucky was going to kiss him.

A look full of determination and want, lips parted, eyes a bit glassy. Steve didn't dare move, had let Bucky come to him for fear of scaring him away. The moment their lips touched was the moment Bucky started crying. It had only been a short brush of their lips but Steve barely breathed, barely moved. Bucky had pulled back with wide, wet eyes, shaky breaths. “Buck, it’s okay. It’s okay. Everything’s alright, sweetheart,” are the words that easily slipped from his mouth, unable to stop them in a moment of progress that satiated his entire being.

That was the moment that changed everything. It was a startle to everyone involved. Steve had been ready to wait years, this entire life, for the moment he could touch Bucky again, could show him that physicality he knew his Buck craved. After that night on the couch it was as if the floodgates had opened—

Bucky remembered and wanted.

Regardless of where they were or what was happening, he wanted to be touching Steve: soft kisses on the cheek and lips, laying his head in Steve’s lap as he read, lacing his fingers between Steve’s during meetings, an arm wrapped around Steve’s waist between bouts of sparring. He’d trace patterns onto Steve’s thigh as he watched Steve draw, press against the line of his back while he cooked dinner.

Steve was floating on a cloud, was in heaven, never happier. It was perfection.

But what Bucky wanted, Steve couldn’t provide, couldn’t meet. Steve was only one man, couldn’t provide Bucky, whom touch had been stolen away from for decades, with everything he wanted. And that was okay, something Steve accepted, because there were other people Bucky could turn to that Steve trusted.

“I’m sure you all know why I asked you to meet with me,” Steve started, choosing a time Bucky was napping to meet with the rest of the group that either lived in or frequented the Tower. “Bucky has shown us a new side of him, has made some progress I think it’s worth discussing with everyone, since we’re all...we’ve all been affected...”

“Uhh, yeah— your Barnes-y boy has been all over me lately. I’m almost offended that everyone else is here to talk to Cap though. Thought he was just comin' onto me.”

“I have to tell you, I didn’t...I know we talked, Steve. But I’m honestly shocked at Bucky’s progress. It’s baffling.”

“I haven’t minded it. He lets me braid his hair.”

“Wait— y’all are getting touches?”

It was a group effort, supporting Bucky in this way. It was an adjustment, Bucky never prompting and questioning before touching or requesting touches— he just went for it. He was quiet still, not shy, merely observant. And just like he nudged at and leaned against Steve until his hands were on him, he did the same to others.

“I just ask that you show Bucky grace during this time. It’s a delicate situation. I need to know if you don’t want his touch or don’t wish to give him any kind of touch. I think it would be best if it came from me instead of from you in the moment.”

Natasha was who Bucky went to for scratches. Steve thinks it’s the nails. Steve also thinks Nat is Bucky’s favorite to go to for touches, even over him, but Bucky refuses to admit it.

When Bucky wants mindless touches, when he wants tickles and scratches, he goes to her. She naturally took to Bucky’s need for touches, the first occurrence one that came without hesitation. She’ll braid his hair, let him turn his head right where he wants her head scratches, naturally reaches for his back or shoulders to run her nails across when he saddles in close to her.

Thor is one of Bucky’s favorites too. Steve isn’t sure if it’s because of his strength or because of his warm and accepting demeanor but Bucky gravitates towards Thor often, mainly for neck and shoulder rubs. One, “James, my friend. You musn’t be afraid of asking for touch with me. I will always be willing to assist,” and that was all Bucky needed to feel comfortable walking over to Thor and nudging at his hands.

He puts his head on Bruce’s shoulder as soon as he can, likes sparring and playing hide and seek with Clint, enjoys putting his feet in Sam’s lap. Tony took some warming up to, but even then Bucky spent many hours in Tony’s lab, Tony guiding his hands, showing him what to do and how to work different machines, the two of them tinkering on his own arm.

Bucky kinda turns into the Tower kitty cat, wandering around quietly, napping in the sun, snacking, demanding affection from anyone he crosses paths with and trusts.

Everyone had their form of touch they shared with Bucky and Bucky absolutely blossomed under this form of support. Steve is forever grateful to be surrounded by a group of understanding individuals.

And every night when he lifts the comforter and feels the solid line of Bucky’s warm form against his side, the arm that now easily and inevitably slips around his waist, the familiar lips that always press against his temple, shoulder, and cheek, Steve is reminded this day was for Bucky and that the one they’ll wake up to will also be for him.

"I love you, Buck."

"Mhmm love you too, pal."

Steve doesn't even mind that Bucky spends his nights snoring in the crook of his neck, hot breath wafting over Steve's skin, hands grabby even as he dreams—

This is heaven.

[rcksmith]

The Agreement part.2 — Kaz Brekker

Resume/Masterlist

Couple: Kaz Brekker/ Fem!Reader.

Warnings of series: Convenience/arranged marriage, swearing, mention of fight, mention of death, mention of desire, fluff, sensual, mention of post-traumatic stress.

Warnings of chapter: swearing.

Word count: 4k

A/N: I hope you guys like.💖

English is not my first language, so I so sorry if have a mistake.

Requests are closet. Love you ❤️

— — — —

“What?!” Your exclamation came out louder than intended, and perhaps sharper than expected.

The salty sea breeze came through the window once more. The smell of salt and ocean invaded the room and for a second it felt like being in a ship's cabin at sea.

Kaz looked at you as if you were some child. Or someone deaf. But if he was swimming in acidic thoughts, he didn't say them.

"Think carefully." His voice was firm and explicit, the ones men use to convince women of something. “You want freedom, don't you? Live your life without having to fulfill a man's whims or your father's expectations. You wants to be able to snow on a ship without having a date to go back and make your own destiny. You want just needing to care what new adventure knocks on your door and what promise of wonders life awaits. It is not?"

How did he figure it out so well in such a short time? Was he too shrewd or were you too transparent?

You nodded, unable to say anything. Perhaps out of perplexity at how Kaz read you so easily. Or maybe the way he looked like an overpoweringly beautiful fallen angel in the moonlight.

“And the only way to do that is to get married.”

You frowned. “As I recall, Brekker, I came here just so I wouldn't have to get married.”

“And it's a stupid plan.” God, you wanted to kill him. “You asked me to have the Dregs take you to the harbor without your father's spies noticing. But it turns out your father's spies already know you're here.”

Your breath was lost somewhere between lungs and nose.

“Since you arrived, the noise from the Crow Club downstairs has become less shrill. And this is not typical criminal behavior. Either they have adopted good manners or someone they know they should fear has joined the Club.” Kaz sat more relaxed in the armchair behind his desk, his dark blue eyes locked on you. “I would bet on the second option.”

“So I came here for nothing?” You were starting to get angry at his beating around the bush. Because you knew it was manipulation. Brekker was laying the groundwork and you understood that.

“I did not say that. Turns out you can never get rid of your father. Not when he's a man with the purchasing power able to buy an entire country. There will always be someone who will recognize you, someone who will find you. And for the right price, the whole world is capable of being bribed. You would run away only to be chased by other spies, other people wanting the reward your father will give to whoever brings you back home.”

Very early on, you realized that Kaz Brekker was capable of crushing dreams as easily as crushing an insect. His destructive power was colossal and you saw all of your desires floating under his palm. Waiting just for him to brutally clench his fist and crush them.

But that's not what he did.

“You'll only get what you want if you follow his orders.” The breeze came through the window once more, ruffling her charcoal hair. “But if you can't defeat your enemies, change the rules of the game.”

“And is that where marriage to you comes in?”

“See it.” His body leaned very gently across the table towards you, it was a millimeter and ridiculous gesture, but it felt like him standing a breath away from you. “What you need is to get married. But marrying someone who doesn't give a damn about what you're going to do, and don’t have expectations of you. Someone who is not interested in home life, family life or Any other things you can offer other than money.”

Any other things you can offer. The night breeze this time was accompanied by an impure, almost obscene scene of the fallen angel in front of you on a bed of black duvets and caustic weather. A moment when the ends of his black hair brushed your forehead and your nose, moving back and forth as followed the rhythm of his hips and…

The sea breeze was gone, taking the obscene image with it and bringing back your common sense. For a second you wondered where that came from! You hadn't been in his presence for more than two hours and the entire compilation of what it was like Kaz Brekker, so far, had frightened you and attracted you in an absurdly dangerous way.

"And are that you came, I suppose." You hoped your voice couldn't give away your impure thoughts from seconds ago. “Do you want us to form an alliance where you receive my dowry and in return I am free from my father's demands and can do as I please with my freedom?"

“Alliance is a very strong term for what we are doing here.” He was succinct, “I would tell you to look at this as a business transaction. A marriage document is still just a piece of paper. And nothing else. Don't get carried away by sentimentalism. Things only have feelings if you want them to.”

Kaz was right, you knew that. For all your belief in true love and the many books romance novels you devoured, you still understood that a marriage could very well be seen as a business translation. It are a sad, cold way to see something so beautiful, but it still true.

“I have no interest in anything other than your dowry and you have no interest other than freedom. So what I'm proposing is something very sensible and objective. When we get married, your father will set you free, and you won't have any husband to please or any other crap. I don't want and don't expect anything from you, I don't care if you're sailing to Ravka or venturing on The Fold.”

“Do you want the money out of greed or despair?”

Kaz took a second to get a better look at you after that sneaky question. You had asked the correct question amid so many banalities and he realized that you were more cunning than you looked.

If he wanted to know your secrets, you also wanted to know his.

“A bit of both.” He was sincere.

“And what do you intend to do with my father's industries? Because you would win them too. And any misdirection could end up reducing my father's empire to nothing, and I don't want him to see the thing he loves most in ruins.”

Brekker heard the feelings in your voice. There was a hidden pang of hurt, but a lot of determination and honesty. You loved your father and understood him, even if you didn't agree with his principles. You had a fair and upright nature and were able to move mountains to get things done the way you thought was right. That was a red flag for Kaz. You were a good person. And he not.

He could never promise you things that go back to a good guy. But he could promise you honesty and justice. Kaz Brekker would never take something from someone the way it was taken from him so many years ago. He was a monster. But never in the same category as Pekka.

“I have no interest in having an empire doomed to fail.” His eyes were serious. “My motivation has always been greed. Why would I sink the company that is capable of making me such a rich man?”

He would have to be an idiot to let such a lucrative business go. And Kaz Brekker was anything but an idiot.

“Would you let me do anything I want?”

“I have no interest in what you don't or do.”

You hesitated for a second, as if remembering another detail. “My father doesn't believe in divorce, and even if he did, I would be pressured to remarry. Do you understand that we couldn't divorce?”

“I have no desire to marry again. And you might as well get other men you want without making a fuss, without your father finding out.” Always rational and objective. Without any inclination to the heart's desires. “There is no room in this world for feelings. Much less in this agreement. If you fall in love with someone you will have to be content with just relating to them, not getting married. And it seems like a small price to pay for so many benefits.”

It was the perfect plan. Did you know that. It was rational, objective and cunning. Something advantageous for both without costing too much. But why did you feel that something could go very wrong? You were a romantic person and you knew you could see things where they didn't exist. The truth was, you would have to leave your heart completely out of the picture.

Just a business transaction.

Brekker seemed to see a hint of hesitation in your eyes.

“It's very simple, Ms. Y/L/N.” That voice that gave you goose bumps hovered in front of you. “You marry me and you still have your freedom, because I don't give a damn about what you do after.”

“20 million from Kruges. Rich.” his eyes gleamed with a deep glow.

“And how do I know this isn't a trick?”

“I don't promise lies.” His firm face was serious “I won't give you happiness, Y/n. Much less love. Love doesn't exist in Kerch. But I will give you freedom, independence, a comfortable life that you are accustomed. And it seems to be much more than you have now.”

You knew you could be making a deal with the devil. Selling your soul to that man with the face of a fallen angel and the aura of Lucifer. But what choice did you have?

You couldn't go back if you sealed that deal. That man would be bound whit you, even by a piece of paper, for a lifetime. Was it worth the price? You didn't care for your father's press to want to be in the management and you had a lot more money than twenty million Kruges. What would you be missing? Your chance to marry one day whit someone you came to love? But if you came home without someone one day from now your father would marry you to a gargoyle. And the way out to flee no longer seemed a viable option.

Yes, it was worth it.

Seeming to see from the glint in your eyes that you've made a decision, Kaz Brekker, Bastard of the Barrel, reached out a leather-gloved hand toward you. His eyes sparkled with a mysterious spark, the scent of male cologne with a hint of danger lurking around the room. And for a moment, you felt a shiver go up your spine and the feeling that your life had just begun.

“Agree to marry me?” He said.

The feeling was that you were about to embark on the greatest adventure of your life. You didn't know what that little stunt with Kaz Brekker awaited you. But you would find out.

“Yes.” You took his hand in a firm, intense handshake that held a million secrets.

A satisfied, victorious smile came to his lips. And whenever Kaz gave him that expression, it felt like seeing the fallen angel that was the reason so many humans sinned. The clouds in the sky shifted, moving out of the moon's path and making the distilled rays of light shimmer more brightly. His black hair and white skin were graced with those bundles, and for a second his beauty was overwhelming.

You held your breath.

Brekker continued to say something, but you couldn't pay attention. Your heart began to race, the moonlight following in his footsteps as Kaz got up from his chair and went to fetch some papers from across the room. You couldn't tear your eyes away from him. His body was taller and thinner than you deduced when he was sitting down. Kaz had long, slender legs beneath black straight-cut pants, his chest was broad and his waist was narrow. For a second, you felt like running your hand over the contours of his body.

You shifted your attention forward abruptly. Focusing eyes on something else.

That was the curse of handsome men. They fooled women and made them daydream. With his underworld god beauty and mysterious aura with a touch of danger, Kaz Brekker was overwhelmingly attractive. And your blood reacted to that. Any woman would have reacted the same way.

“And we'll have to leave tomorrow morning…” he sat opposite you again.

“Sorry, what?”

You turned your attention to his words, not remembering half of what he said seconds ago. Kaz looked at you intently this time, squinting his eyes millimetrically, as if he was trying to guess which paths your mind had wandered in for the past two minutes.

“Your deadline is the day after tomorrow, isn't it?”

"Yes." You got back to the core of the problem once more. “The trip to my house takes a few hours. Half a day if it's raining.”

Kaz had his eyes on the papers in his hands, maybe they were maps or documents, but you didn't feel like craning your neck to see what it was. Leaning over to view the papers meant getting closer to Brekker, and two hours in his presence was enough for you to understand that nothing good would happen if you got any closer. Or maybe you didn't trust your own feelings and emotions.

“This will have to be done very discreetly.” He didn't look up from his papers. “If any rumors about our deal reach the wrong people, your father will hear about our plan. And that meant you will being forced to marry someone else, and me without my money. Does anyone know you're here because you planned to run away?”

You shook your head. “No. I didn't get to tell my friends. But now that the plan is different, I intend to tell a friend that…”

“You can't tell anyone.” Kaz lifted ocean blue eyes to you in an electrifying look that made you shiver.

“And what is supposed to say to my friends?” You felt a pang of indignation.

“That we are in love.”

This time, your breath was gone. The phrase was like pouring gasoline on an old, flammable woodpile. And you were afraid of what might be the match that would set off a fire.

Kaz noticed your reaction and was amused by it. “Just say some nonsense about falling in love with a criminal. It wouldn't be the first time a rich little girl has fallen in love with the bad guy, and I guarantee it won't be the last.”

“And you won't tell anyone about the truth too?” You wanted to change the focus you.

“I don't have to answer to anyone.”

This time you gave a smug smile and crossed your arms in an insolent gesture. “So everyone will think the infamous Kaz Brekker, Dirty Handes and Ketterdam's most dangerous gangster is in love with a rich little girl?”

Kaz narrowed his eyes at your teasing.

“It won't be the first time that the man with a bad temper and dangerous soul falls in love with the little girl. And I'm sure it won't be the last.” You said.

You were provocative, witty and stubborn. You would always hit at the same height and loved to show people that could very well play their game. Brekker unraveled this perfectly. You weren't the kind of woman who would be peaceful, serene, and calm. You wouldn't be like Inej. You would not take his orders and his taunts in silent, contained rage. You were intense. And that was a danger.

Why did he get the feeling you were so much more than he imagined?

“Let's go to your house tomorrow morning. Nine in the morning.” He changed the subject. “I'll go with you and we'll get married.”

"My father must be preparing everything by now." You sighed. “He takes his promises very seriously and I have no doubt that, when I returns, the ceremony scene will be set in the party garden.”

Partly you were relieved about it now. Planning a ceremony are intense and personal. You never really thought about getting married, but you always imagined that if one day it happened it would be the man of your dreams. And you didn't know if you would want to organize a fake wedding. There were certain things that were inevitable to keep the heart from breaking.

“Better yet, the faster the better.”

The two of you discussed some more details of the plan in the next few hours. It was agreed that Kaz would pick you up at nine from your hotel tomorrow, in an elegant hired carriage (which you obviously would be paying for) and the two of you would go to your house in Kerch. For all intents and for all people, the truth would be that the two of you were in love. It was such a typical cliché that it wouldn't be the least bit hard to believe.

And after a while, you two could already show yourself to the world as a couple who barely saw each other. Rich society was full of them: marriage with coldness and distance, where the man has his bets and lovers and the woman her travels and her jewelry. Your father would surely understand and leave you alone. After all, he had gotten a son-in-law to inherit his empire. A young son-in-law with blood for business who would make your father extremely satisfied. However, now the two of you had to look like a couple in love. And the reality of the situation was a secret that only the two of you would take with you to the tomb.

But, that night it was difficult for you to sleep. Anxiety, restlessness and fear gnawed at you like cunning mice, rolling you from side to side in bed, whispering in your ears millions of futures where everything could go wrong. Where not even Kaz Brekker's plans could free you from the clutches of one of your father's suitors.

When the clock struck seven in the morning, you jumped out of bed with unsettling, restless energy. You didn't like feeling helpless and waiting for Brekker to show up was exactly the definition of a princess in trouble. You had to do something.

- -

“What do you mean to get married?!” Jesper choked on his breakfast, and Nina nearly spit out all her orange juice.

Kaz rolled his eyes and continued sorting through the documents on the large round table. He was going to be gone for a few days at most and needed the people he trusted most to take care of business while he was gone. There were a lot of robberies to do and Kaz spent the night crafting and modifying plans for options where he wasn't involved. He had made a list of what needed to be checked at ports and what needed to be resupplied at Crow clube.

The plan was to marry you when they arrived in Kerch and return to Crow Club the next day. Kaz knew he would have to bring you, the two of you would have to stay together until your dowry was delivered to him. After that you could go on any adventure you wanted.

But dealing with the Crows was being more exasperating than Kaz could have expected.

"I didn't even know you had a girlfriend!" Wylan was in shock.

"Nobody knew!" Nina and Inej had their chins on the floor. Matthias was the only one who didn't seem to care so much.

"I didn't know the affairs of my private life were your business." Kaz didn't look up from the papers he kept in folders for the stupid ones.

"But you never said anything." Inej said.

"It was the intention."

"It's with Y/n, isn't it?" Jesper had bright eyes and a gleeful gambling smile stretched across his lips.

Kaz looked up at the boy with chocolate creamy skin, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

“She spent hours in yours office last night.”

"Oh my Santis!" Inej, Nina and Wylan exclaimed at once, eyes wide.

"The daughter of the richest man in Kerch." Wylan said.

"YOUR DOG!" Jesper clapped Kaz on the shoulder with an open palm, a loud laugh echoing and joy filling his voice.

Kaz suppressed the urge to look at the spot where Jesper had touched him. It had been years since he'd gotten over the most brutal aversion to touch, when the mere thought of getting close to someone made him tingle and dizzy with imminent fainting. At 28 years old, Kaz Brekker had proven to be greater than the demons and weaknesses that haunted him, wanting to see his downfall. A man who wanted to defeat Pekka could have no weaknesses. And he prided himself on almost have none of them.

However, offhand gestures made him look at the spot where he had been touched. The sensation brought was not unbearable or nauseating, but strange. And when the situation was skin to skin in a touch that caught him off guard, the feeling was unpleasant. Like a splinter under the skin.

It was easier with people Kaz felt comfortable with, but it wasn't something he cared about. He forced himself to overcome the most brutal aversion just to be a man without weaknesses, no chance of being defeated in a torture, no chance of being defeated by a faint. No for to touch someon.

“I thought you didn't know her in person when I warned you yesterday.” Inej tried to contain her little smile.

“It was the intention. You guys forgot the definition of secret…”

"Boss." One of the employees had entered that exclusive room. "There's someone here wanting to talk to you, Sir." He looked apprehensive.

Kaz frowned. The crow club had no movement at eight in the morning.

"Who is?"

"I think…"

"Will you please let me through!" The female voice sounded outside the room.

Jesper and the rest of the gang were wide-eyed, mouths opening in amusement and bewilderment. Kaz was catatonic. What the fucking hell were you doing there?!

"What do you mean I can't talk to your boss?!" And you continued. “I spoke to him yesterday...Don't give me these arguments, my dad tells his employees to tell people exactly that...I swear if you touch out about me again I will...”

"Fucking hell!" Kaz came out from behind the counter, crossing the living room and opening the door.

He came face to with that scene. A short girl who argued with a bouncer who was triple her height and size. Kaz knew the man was arrogant and macho, and had probably nudged your temper. He would have been amused by the scene if he wasn't abgry that you didn't follow his explicit rules.

“Ray.” Kaz glanced at the bouncer, a steady gaze that made the brute immediately back away from you.

You even gave the man an angry look before heading towards Kaz.

"What are you doing here?!" He whispered angrily.

"I couldn't wait." You wiggled your fingers, a tic of anxiety. “I could barely sleep. It was lucky I didn't show up at six in the morning.”

“That's not excuses. We have a schedule!"

“But I couldn't wait!" You whispered too. “It's visseral. I can't just sit there and wait!”

What an insufferable creature!

"Well, you'll have to learn because…!"

"What are you two whispering back there? “ Jesper's voice interrupted the discussion in whispers.

The two of you turned to the troupe standing in the doorway of the Crow room. Playful, mischievous smiles were plastered across their faces, and you felt your cheeks blush. Kaz and you looked at each other, and in that second of silent complicity, the two of you finally stepped into the roles of partners in crime.

Tagged: @aleksanderwh0r3 @thedelusionreaderbitch @hi-there-x @mell-bell @glowingatdawn @subjecta13-thefangirl @itsnotquimey @thatchampagnebitch @lamoursansfin @lostysworld @s3xymoonman @is-it-really-a-secret

[djarinsbeskar]

PREQUEL ARC: PART 3 - THE BOUNTY

A/N: Part 3 of Stitches has arrived! This chapter was difficult to write, I'll be honest. And I'd really appreciate any feedback if it doesn't read as well as the first two chapters or doesn't make sense or is boring etc. etc.

This is the penultimate prologue chapter, with the story very much shifting to surround the dynamic and growth of the readers relationship with Din so if you can hold out for me just a bit longer, I promise, I'll make it worth the wait. You know what I'm talking about friends.

Pairing: Din Djarin/Fem!Reader

Word Count: 7k

Rating: 18+ (NO Minors)

Warnings: None

Summary: You encounter Mando suffering one misfortune after another.

AO3 | Stitches Masterlist | Main Masterlist

9 ABY, on the Hydian Way.

Din prided himself on the strength of his principles. An unwavering certainty in everything he did that gave him a modicum of peace as he wandered throughout the galaxy amidst wars, rebellions and the chaos that ensued in their aftermath.

He was certain when he took the Creed, when he sacrificed a future for himself in service of the covert; something he had never regretted to this day. He had never regretted any bounty taken; unmoved by pleas, promises or threats. Neither tears nor anger could sway his resolve.

Truly, he could count on one hand the things he regretted in life; the job on Alzoc III, challenging a fully grown Mandalorian to a fight while still a hot blooded, angry teenager, and not trying to pull his parents into the bunker where they had hidden him from Separatist droids as Aq Vertina was invaded.

In his line of work, there was seldom room for self-doubt. Inner conflict led to hesitation, which could be a death sentence for a bounty hunter.

And yet, as he came out of hyperspace, that unfamiliar gnawing presence in the pit of his stomach began to rear its’ head again. The job he had accepted was… dubious, to say the least.

Din snorted in self-deprecation; most of his jobs were dubious in nature.

What brought on this unnatural doubt, however, was that this was a job for Imperial remnants. Din wasn’t a fool; he knew half the jobs he had taken in the past could have been traced to the Imps if he cared enough to look, but taking a job from them personally… well, he didn’t know how to feel about that just yet.

He pondered the feeling in his stomach again and frowned. Was it doubt… or instinct? Instinct was his most trusted companion as he travelled through space alone. A tickle at the back of his neck, a wary step forward, even a flash of electricity down his spine; those were only some of the ways that instinct spoke to him. And he always listened.

An uncomfortable feeling in his stomach though? Never that.

If it was instinct, then he was going against his very nature in ignoring it. If it was doubt, based on some misguided sense of morality in dealing with the empire… that he could deal with. He could smother doubt with control and consistency; going through the motions of a job brought security and familiarity. Sooner or later, that doubt would make way for a stoic acceptance, a state that had gotten Din through some of his roughest years.

His eyes were drawn to his shoulder, where the glint of newly crafted beskar shone in the gentle lights of the cockpit.

A down-payment…

“Makers Helmet…” he groaned, running a gloved thumb and forefinger across his tired eyes to pinch the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on as the pressure at the back of his skull increased due to the loop his thoughts were going in.

A job was a job. He circled back to his original thought that had led him to accept the clients offer. A job with a bounty greater than anything he could have ever hoped to receive in his lifetime, let alone in one go. It was mere sentimentality and conscience getting in the way of good business. That beskar could not only provide him with armor to reaffirm his loyalty to the covert, but assistance and support to the foundlings and those who raised them.

His resolved steeled. He had never regretted putting the covert before himself, and he wasn’t about to start now.

Turning his attention back to the navicomputer, he scanned the co-ordinates that his most recent lead had pointed to. He had hunted the trail of his latest bounty to the general direction of a vast area of space that straddled the outer reaches of the Outer Rim and halted as it reached Wild Space. There was nothing to stop the bounty from being in those unexplored parts of the galaxy, and if the tracking beacon led him that far, he would have to be ready. With no spaceport on any of the planets he had seen dotting the area on the navicomputer, he thought it wise to refuel and gather provisions should he be there for any prolonged period.

As he lazily assessed which planet to land on, his eyes were drawn to a familiar name. A memory brushed against his thoughts. Not necessarily a pleasant one, but not entirely unpleasant either. For the sake of fairness, Din scanned the planets surrounding the one he pondered; some were equally as well equipped for his needs but the majority he had not been on in years if ever. Somewhere he knew, even briefly, gave him more comfort than the unknown.

At least, that was what Din told himself as he punched in the co-ordinates of Dandoran, the flicker of warmth the memory brought him was something equally as unnatural as the doubt coiled in his stomach.

Bantha balls, maybe he had been poisoned again...

Din tossed a few credits to the human female who received the Razor Crest into the hanger she was managing.

“She needs to be refueled.” Was all he said as he made his way out of the hanger and into the not unfamiliar streets of Mynock. It didn’t look like much had changed in the several months since he was here last; the place was still crawling with a mixture of criminals, bounty hunters and people who just didn’t want to be found. All in all, a good example of most Outer Rim cities.

Mynock had two main pedestrian streets that ran for over two klicks and intersected at the middle. From what he could tell, all legitimate business ran from those two streets, the further into the alleyways and twisted lanes that branched off those two streets one ventured, the seedier the business.

From what he knew, the practice you worked at was on one of these main streets. He paused, causing a few disgruntled pedestrians to have to jerk to a halt and make their way around his imposing frame. He was not here socially. He was never anywhere socially. He shook his head; between self-doubt and sentimentality, the tight leash he usually kept himself on was looser than he remembered and he had no idea just when it had started to slack.

That could not continue. But being aware of a problem allowed him to deal with it. So, with a greater sense of fortitude, he mentally choked any distracting feelings beyond the determination to collect this bounty. That included the somewhat interesting possibility of seeing you again.

Thankfully, Din only needed to stick to the main streets. The road was flanked by stall upon stall of foodstuffs, clothing, trinkets, ammunition and what looked to be a husbandry of Massiff dogs. The large, reflective eyes turned to the Mandalorian; all bared fangs and hostile snarls. An understandable response by most non-sentients when a Mandalorian had no real physical cues they could read, being as covered as they were. Until he lifted his hand for the one closest to sniff, they could only assume he was a threat.

A sniff was usually all it took however, before the snarling stopped. Din brushed a hand over the scaly head as he continued on his way to collect what he came here for.

An hour later, and Din was feeling much more at ease as he picked up the last of the supplies he thought he may need; ration packs, bactapads, generic ammunition that he liked to keep well stocked on the ship and so on. He was once more mentally compiling the information he had gathered on the location of the bounty, running through various routes in his mind that would cover the most planets in the parsec in the shortest amount of time.

He nodded his thanks at the change the Rhodian merchant returned to him and began to make his way back to the Razor Crest. If it hadn’t been for the long flick of your hair in the tie you kept it up in when you turned your head to look at someone at a stall across the central walkway of the street, Din was certain he’d have walked on none the wiser. But alas, that same higher power that had gifted him with a keep perception of his surroundings cursed him in the same fell swoop as the movement attracted his attention.

He came up short, running a mental check on himself immediately. No, no injuries. His shoulder still ached on occasion from being dislocated six months earlier, but it was a phantom pain at most these days. He was fit as a mythosaur and he wasn’t about to have that good streak ruined by getting injured in your presence… again.

Din wondered if he could escape to his ship without you noticing; he didn’t want to tempt fate anymore than he already had. Plus, awkward interactions that left him feeling frustrated both mentally and physically were not high on the list of things he enjoyed, thank you very much.

As a Mandalorian, Din expected attention wherever he went. It was just something he chalked down to being a necessary evil to live by his Creed but he had never wanted to be more invisible than he did in that moment, thinking that at any moment he would be trip into a sarlacc pit or something equally unpleasant.

But you hadn’t seen him, thankfully; much more invested in the choices at the fishmonger’s stall.

Despite his better judgement however, he paused from slipping back to his ship silently.

He was taken by the slight pink flush that rose to your cheeks at something the woman behind the stall said, intrigued by the color and what caused it. Din tilted his head slightly. He had noticed you getting flushed in frustration or annoyance both times you had treated him. It was fascinating to see your cheeks flush for a reason other than irritation and anger.

That particular thought touched a dangerous part of Din’s mind, a part that made him wander into the realm of curiosity to ponder what else might make you blush like that.

Oh, but it was a delightful color on you, and he watched longer than he ought to, a small quirk lifting the corner of his lips. The image of domesticity as you adjusted the parcels of food already in your arms to accept the fish was so foreign to his eyes and certainly not one he ever associated with you until now. It spoke to a part of him that still slumbered but began to fidget in its sleep, on the verge of consciousness.

That tentative smile that he had unwittingly been giving into as he indulged his senses by watching you, dropped the moment three males approached you. The Twi’lek was standing too close for you to be comfortable and by the rigidity of your spine, he knew you were not.

You had taken a step away from the men easily, your body language read cautious but not fearful and he knew better than to underestimate your abilities to wrangle men into whatever position you wanted them in. He had first-hand experience in that department and honestly, it wasn’t nearly as fun as it sounded in his head.

Din relaxed the grip he had unknowingly tightened on the blaster at his hip when you made to leave the stall, away from the three. He shook his head at himself; you had lived here for years. You knew how to handle yourself perfectly fine.

Letting out a breath, he was about to continue back to the ship when that same cursed perception caught the Twi’leks arm shoot out to grip your upper arm tightly, preventing your exit.

Din was behind you before he even realized he had moved.

You examined the range of fish on offer, eyes skeptically crossing off anything that looked like it had been sitting out too long or anything with more than four eyes. You weren’t squeamish by nature, but the fewer dead eyes that were staring at you while you prepared dinner, the better.

One of the few perks of Mynock, was its proximity to the Great Basin of Dandoran that opened out to one of the many oceans to cover the planet. Fresh seafood was a staple in the city and after years of ration packs between the Rebellion and Klatooine, eating fresh was a luxury you would never take for granted again. Your own home planet was mostly covered in water too; the greater population spread over countless clusters of islands where seafood was also the meal of choice for most. It was a tenuous connection but being able to cook dishes somewhat like the ones your mother made when you and your brothers were younger made it feel like you weren’t so far away.

You smiled to yourself at the thought as you pointed to the light blue colored Berbersian crabs, knowing the trawlers had come in only this morning that carried them. The claws were meaty with the slightest sweetness to their flavor that complimented most dishes. Not to mention that when cooked, they turned the most vibrant blue that their shells alone could be used for decoration and craft.

You chatted aimlessly with the fishmonger as she cleaned and prepared the translucent peachy pink fish you had also chosen for good measure.

“Busy at Biran’s?”

“When are we not busy?”

“It’s all them fights between the gangs. Folk say since the Hutts were chased out that things are better but it’s even more dangerous with the others tryin’ to take their place.”

You only gave a non-committal hum to that; you didn’t get involved in politics of any kind. Gang or otherwise.

The mindless chatter continued on nonetheless to more safe topics.

“Did I tell ye, Drea had her baby not three days ago. Another girl.”

“Poor Nej will have his hands full when they all get older.”

“I’m sure they’re dying for a boy at this point. Great excuse to keep sowin’ the crops though, ain’t it?”

“I’m sure they don’t need any excu—”

“Ever think of havin’ any of yer own? Yer well into that time of yer life, I’d say no?”

You blinked, nearly missing the bag of produce as she handed it across the stall to you. You could feel your face heat up at the direction this conversation had turned, and you definitely never thought you would be discussing your biological clock with a fishmonger over Berbersian crab.

“Well I---”

Movement from the corner of your eye stole your attention from that progressively awkward conversation and the no doubt insufficient answer you would have given as three males came to stand at the same stall, facing you. Your eyes scanned the trio sideways, not prepared to give them your attention unless it became unavoidable. There were two humans and a Twi’lek and given the way the humans flanked the large blue male; you had a fair idea about who was in charge as he sneered at you in what you assumed was meant to be a disarming smile.

The blasters at each of their hips and the emerald green coloring on the right sleeve of their jackets told you they belonged to one of the gangs the fishmonger had been complaining about not a few minutes earlier. This gang in particular, the Quai-Kisu or Emerald Dagger in Basic, were a faction that splintered off from the main Hutt crime syndicate once their influence in Dandoran lessened. Their trademark was spice smuggling but anyone with two braincells knew that they accepted the lesser charge to hide the true wealth of their criminal activity, flesh trafficking.

Suffice to say, you didn’t want anything to do with them and you most certainly didn’t want them to want anything to do with you.

“Can I help you?” You kept your eyes on them as you handed the fishmonger what you owed her when it was clear they weren’t going to leave; the woman wisely remaining quiet as she accepted the credits.

None of them responded immediately, and you wondered if this was a new scare tactic they were employing to make people anxious. The crimson hue of the Twi’leks eyes glinted as he contemplated you, running down your figure lazily before meeting your eyes again when you frowned,

“Ol’ man Biran available for a house call?” He rumbled, the sun catching the points of the filed canines as he spoke.

“I’m afraid Biran doesn’t make house calls anymore. Besides, he’s been under the weather for the last few days unfortunately.”

You reeled the lie off effortlessly, having learned over the years who Biran would tend to and who he would rather see succumb to whatever ailed them. It was a steep and difficult learning curve for you, your initial training taught you that you must do your utmost to save every life. Biran had laughed in derision, saying that that mindset wouldn’t serve you well out here. These were gangs, not the flyboys of Corellia. Saving one of their lives might condemn countless others. So while you struggled, you accepted that it was his practice and he made the rules and after over two years on Dandoran, you had seen enough victims of the gang warfare to not feel any pity when one of them suffered an injury.

“C’mon beautiful. One of our pals was injured in a… terrible, terrible accident.” The taller of the two human males, a lanky man with a neck that looked much too long and eyes that took way too much liberty in running over your body.

“There are other doctors in Mynock.” You replied steadily, “I’m sure one of them can help.”

To humor them any longer would be to encourage trouble, so you cut the conversation short and turned quite deliberately to make the point that the conversation was over, flashing the fishmonger a wan smile before turning back the way you came.

“We weren’t done talkin’ to you.”

Your eyes widened marginally when an iron grip closed around your upper arm, your free hand dropping the items in your arm immediately to click the safety off your blaster and lift it in the time it took for the Twi’lek to yank you into facing him again.

“Did I say you could lay a hand on me?” You hissed, the blaster pointing upward from where you held it close to your body towards the underside of the Twi’lek’s chin.

“Quite the little spitfire, ain’t she lads?” He crowed, amused by your action. His laughter was like shattered glass on your ears, making you want to wince, but you kept your hand steady even as your heart pounded. You received as much training as anyone when they joined the Rebellion, but your experience in actual combat beyond treating people on the front line was limited. You knew your own limitations, and that there was no way you would be able to take on all three of them.

The hand around your arm squeezed painfully and you clocked the blaster, lifting it closer to sit under the Twi’lek’s chin, “Release me. Now.”

And like most men of his ilk, he ignored you in favor of his own voice,

“From what we’ve seen, you work with the good doctor. Shouldn’t be a bother for you to fix him up. Nicer to look at too, eh fellas?” He tossed over his shoulder to the snickers of his lackeys.

“Then you can go back to target practice with your toy gun.” He chuckled darkly, leaning in where the pungent smell of his breath made you turn your head away in distaste, “That is, if we let you go at all.”

You swallowed thickly at the threat, eyebrows furrowed in concentration as your mind scrambled to come up with a solution, a way out, something. You felt the familiar sting of tears at the back of your eyes when each avenue came up blank. You couldn’t think of anything and suddenly, you felt so terribly alone in this shithole of a town on a faraway planet far from anyone who gave a bantha crap who would actually be able to help you.

Their laughter only grated on your already frayed nerves and pissed you off even more. You had fought too hard and suffered too much to let these assholes take the one thing you owned, your freedom. Your eyes flashed with anger and snapped back to the Twi’lek, ready to pull the trigger because if you were going out, it would be on your terms.

Their laughter suddenly ceased then, and you blinked. Had they copped that you planned to take at least one, maybe two of them out with you? Before you could figure it out, your arm was shoved away. You raised your now free hand to steady the blaster as you aimed it at them, but they were backing away, eyes averted.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” You growled, hiding the waver in your voice.

They said nothing in reply as the Twi’lek bared his teeth and made towards you again. One of the humans grabbed his arm and hissed something to him. You couldn’t make it all out, but you swore you heard a name you never thought you’d hear again.

Teff.

With one last growl and glare, the Twi’lek conceded to the advice of the humans and all three of them melted back into the crowds of Mynock leaving you to release a heavy breath as you lowered your weapon, replacing the safety with ease as your eyes continued to scan the street. You wanted to be certain they had really left.

“Huh, maybe they were smart after all.” You muttered to yourself, proud that you had dealt with the situation somewhat and holstered your blaster against your hip again, “Still got it girl.” You commended yourself as you stooped to pick up your dropped groceries.

A snorted, “I beg to differ” had you blinking up over your shoulder at the familiar, cocksure figure of the Mandalorian; a hand only grazing the blaster at his hip as he stood casually behind you, his head tilted down to look at you and a resounding sigh leaving his helmet when you smiled.

“Mando?”

An incline of his head was the only greeting you received before he crossed his arms across the wise expanse of his armored chest.

“One sec.”

You got back to your feet and, as if by instinct, ran your eyes over his body, “You didn’t poison yourself again, did you?” You teased lightly, realizing that you were seeing him uninjured for the first time. Well, the second time. But walking into a cantina to do battle with a Houk didn’t could in your estimation.

It gave you pause to notice things about him that you didn’t usually; the way he stood, leaning his weight back on his left foot that gave him an air of lazy arrogance that wouldn’t be misplaced in a loth-wolf relaxing in the winter sun. The strength of his thighs seems to be accentuated by the posture; one hand placed securely at his blaster. If you didn’t know any better, his stance was like an open challenge to every male around him; submit or suffer. But you did know him somewhat, and you knew that he didn’t need to lay down any challenge. He had already won the second he stepped off his ship. The wide breadth of space given to him by passers-by only highlighted that fact.

Even with every patch of skin covered, you could feel the raw power rolling off of him, or was it testosterone? Whatever it was, it tugged at a more primal instinct and ignited a slow, steady heat inside of you that made you both embarrassed and intrigued.

Okay, so you were attracted to the way the man stood. That was fine, that was acceptable. You were a warm-blooded woman in her prime who knew her desires and embraced them. Finding how a Mandalorian… stood, was just another interesting thing to add to your list of things you found attractive.

Along with a raspy baritone and penchant for trouble…

You know what, it was probably just a fantastic indication that you hadn’t been laid in a while, so you made a mental note to deal with that particular issue later.

“I never poisoned myself.” That same low, gruff voice rose to your bait so easily and you had to bite your lip not to laugh, his hand fisting at his side before he unclenched it. Probably thinking about strangling you, honestly. Now there was a thought, for later. Nope, it was definitely the recent dry spell that had you like this. And the sun. The sun always had a part to play in these delusions.

Mando seemed to figure out your game of teasing him however, when you couldn’t fully mask your smile and responded in kind,

“You’re welcome, by the way.” His voice rumbled and you were certain that if you were only a few inches closer, you would be able to feel the vibrations brush against you.

“For what?” You laughed in disbelief, “I had everything under control before you decided to strut into the fray.”

You tried to prevent the frown from creasing between your brows when you thought a little more on the situation. You had a blaster literally pointed to the neck of one of those thugs and they didn’t care. It didn’t even seem like Mando had drawn his weapon and all three had scarpered? Was there any fairness in the galaxy? Obviously not.

The unpainted helmet tilted, the impassive T-visor giving away nothing of its wearers feelings beyond the sigh that left him, “What did you plan to do? Shoot the son of a mudscuffer and have an entire gang out for blood in less than an hour? Yeah, that’s smart.” He snorted.

Your mouth fell open in incredulity, “Talk about the Jawa calling the Ewok short, you’d have done the exact same thing!” You cursed your short temper, especially when it came to the stubborn mule of a man in front of you. The fact that his voice never once rose frustrated you. It remained gravelly but soft, like the sound of pebbles and stones being pushed and pulled by the ocean you could hear from your bedroom as a child.

You were a mature person; you were proud of how you dealt with most things. But in this instance, you allowed your immature side to rear her head momentarily as you began to stalk back to the practice. A piss poor option since the Mandalorian scoffed and kept up with you easily, obviously not content with you having the last word.

“But I wouldn’t be so reckless to not think it through before shooting them.” He tipped his helmet back a little, as if he dared to look down his nose at you. Frustration simmered in your blood as your eyes narrowed at him sideways.

“I was wrong, you obviously are injured. A blow to the head this time was it, Mando? Must be hidden under that kettle you call a helmet” You let out an exasperated breath, shaking your head, “I’ve no cure for that unfortunately.”

You could have sworn you heard a soft noise that sounded remarkably like a chuckle, but it was so quiet and the streets so noisy that you were certain you were wrong.

When the door to the practice-come-living quarters for yourself and Biran came into view, you stopped short. How did you get back here so quickly? Looking over your shoulder, you realized you had led the Mandalorian on a merry chase to nowhere he needed to be. He didn’t look particularly fazed, but the small voice of guilt that sounded an awful lot like your mother had you opening your mouth before you could think twice,

“Do you want to come in?”

What possessed you to invite him in?

It was obvious from both the stilted way you asked and the drawn out, deeply awkward silence that followed. You were about to tuck tail and run inside, slam the door, and pretend you weren’t as mortified as you knew you were when he cocked his head. The movement made you pause in your escape, opening your mouth to tell him to forget about it before the words got lodged in your throat.

“Sure.” Was all he said, and that was how you found yourself staring at a fully armed Mandalorian taking up two thirds of the small settee in the living room to the back of the practice, his hands placed on each thigh as they spread a bit when he sat.

Biran, bless him, took up the last third of the same settee, unfazed by the type of man in his living room and chatting merrily about the last Mandalorian he had met over fifteen years ago.

“And that wasn’t you?”

“No.”

“Ah maybe someone you know then!”

“Maybe.”

Mando’s conversation skills were abysmal.

You didn’t have very high expectations in the first place, but watching it without being a participant, was downright comical. You hid your smile behind the glass of water you had fetched for yourself but the slight tilt of his helmet in your direction told you he had caught your amusement. For someone whose face you couldn’t see, you could practically feel his eyes narrow at you. It made the giddiness from being equal parts anxious and entertained from watching Mando try make nice with the elderly Mirialan rise again and you had to physically bite your lip to stop.

Mando wasn’t listening to Biran anymore, that much was obvious. He wasn’t even looking in his direction, more comfortable blatantly glaring at you instead. Biran was unfazed. Truly, the Mirialan didn’t need a response to have a conversation. A listening ear was sometimes all he wanted. It was a characteristic that endeared you to the him in the first place. The elderly were so often overlooked and written off, but when one only cared enough to listen, they would find themselves enriched with experiences no history book could ever compete with.

“…So how do you two know each other?”

Your attention was dragged back into the conversation so fast you might have given yourself whiplash. You blinked a few times as the Mirialan watched Mando with a clueless smile on his face, completely ignorant to the stiff body beside him.

“Coercive medical attention.” You choked a bit on the sip of water you had taken to buy yourself some time to think; coercive? That rotten---

“Ah, you were a difficult patient, were you?” Biran chuckled, knowing your methods well, “Sweet as pie if you do as your told, but the minute you resist she’ll go for you like a sand panther. I can’t imagine there was much room for bedside manners in the Rebellion, but thankfully that attitude works well in cities like Mynock.” You spluttered again, putting the glass down since it was out to get you too apparently.

Of all the treacherous--, why were you so nice to this old sod again? You would show him a sand panther when you ‘forget’ to buy his favorite tea next time you went shopping.

You seethed to yourself, leaning back in the armchair you had perched yourself on earlier, flyaway hairs from the breeze outside falling into your face which you blew away with a frustrated breath.

“Hm, a panther?” Your eyes rose as the low baritone filled the air after Biran had finished having his laugh at your expense. Mando cocked his head pensively to the side as he looked at you briefly, “More like a kitten, I’d say.” And with that, he looked away.

He didn’t bother saying anything else after that, content with letting Biran’s laughter fill the room and smother the tense silence the two of you were sitting in.

You could feel your cheeks heating up once more as you glared daggers at the tin can in front of you. Why did it feel like you were being simultaneously insulted and flirted with? You couldn’t make the distinction, so you didn’t know how to respond.

Instead, you decided to poke at a different part of the conversation.

“For someone who was coerced, you sure do find yourself on my table quick enough when you need treatment.” Your eyes ran up and down the length of his body candidly when he looked back at you, “and when you don’t need treatment, evidently.”

You smirked when the Mandalorian clenched a fist on his thigh, the third occupant in the room seemingly forgotten as Mando hissed,

“I never asked for your help.”

You scoffed and decided not to deign that with a response.

“Besides, I only stopped over for supplies and fuel.” He admitted and a treacherous part of you sunk a bit at the honesty in his voice. Seeing you was just a coincidence, like always. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air and you fought the twinge of sadness that chased you because of them.

Biran looked between the two of you before standing shakily and patting the Mandalorian on the shoulder with no hesitation, “Allow us to provide you with something extra for your travels then.” He turned his wrinkled face towards you with a smile, the deep groves of his crow’s feet increasing as he nodded to the bags of forgotten groceries, “I think our guest should try the crab. Knowing you, you bought too much as usual.”

You flushed at being caught out, were you really that predicable?

“There’s no need. I got what I came for so, I’ll be going now.” Mando stood fluidly despite his armor, and you were once again struck with how different it was seeing him injured as opposed to healthy. You felt you needed to get used to his presence all over again, with how much it filled the room.

“Thank you, for your hospitality.” He tipped his helmet towards Biran, his voice still rather gruff but laced with a polite softness uncharacteristic to him. Biran waved him off and started making his way back out to the practice when he heard the binary from his medi-droid welcoming a new patient.

That left the two of you standing in a room that suddenly felt much too small for the tension that hung around you both like a blanket. You moved into the kitchen to separate the food you would keep and the food you would give to Mando on one of the countertops, tying the bag tightly by the straps so that it stayed clean and fresh when you were done. You couldn’t hear him move, but you could feel the slight disturbance of the air when he leaned his shoulder casually against the doorframe, arms crossed enticingly once more as he watched you.

“So… what did he call you again? A sand… kitten, was it?”

“Oh, shut up.” You growled over your shoulder at him before turning and shoving the bag with two of the Berbersian crabs and some herbs you knew went well with them, into his hands.

“I don’t need these.” He held the bag out, straightening his stance as he pushed himself from the doorframe. You wisely ignored him.

“All you need is a pan. And water. And heat. Boil them and actually give your body some proper nutrients, would you?”

You explained as you began leading him out towards the private entrance of the residence, through the small kitchen and out into an alleyway that gave you an immediate sense of déjà vu the moment Mando stepped outside. The sun was still beating down and it glinted across the helmet that was becoming as recognizable as a face to you.

“In case you didn’t realize, I’m perfectly healthy.” He replied smoothly, getting his bearings as he examined the alleyway and noted the sounds from the nearby street as the direction he needed to go.

“That’d be a first.” You griped at him, but there was no venom in your words, and he knew it.

You knew he was about to leave, and the suddenness of his departure was as jarring as his arrival. You didn’t know why you felt the need to stall, and you pushed that urge down rapidly in the face of the warrior when he looked back at you from assessing the street not a few feet away.

You sighed and let out a chuckle, wondering again how this man constantly came barreling into your life, disrupting the precarious peace you had brokered while here. You might have said it was a nuisance, but deep down, you knew that he brought a breath of life back into yours every time he crossed your path, reinvigorated the aimless routine you found yourself in. It was unsettling, the way this man had wormed his way into being such a… significant presence in your life. Even after only meeting him three times and always under less than pleasant circumstances.

Part of you wanted to tell him he could stay longer if he wanted; but you knew he would refuse.

Part of you wanted to tell him to be safe; but you knew he wouldn’t be.

Part of you wanted to tell him that you would see him around; but you knew that you probably wouldn’t.

So you settled on a lackluster, “good luck on your hunt” with a small smile as a peace offering for the fraught bickering you always seemed to fall into with him. A peace offering, he seemed to accept as he lifted the bag silently and looked inside,

“Pan. Water. Heat. Right?” His own attempt made your smile grow as you chuckled and nodded,

“You got it, sunshine.”

He nodded once in affirmation while you moved around him back towards the door of the practice. For some reason, you didn’t want to watch him walk away this time. It was easier for you to leave instead. A rumble of your name from the Mandalorian had you looking over your shoulder at him questioningly, the blush that had risen to your cheeks at the sound of your name on his lips not lost on Mando. He had turned back towards you when you moved and after a beat, spoke again.

“See you next time.”

And just like that, your chest hollowed, and a warmth filled you. The weight of his words were like an embrace, a reassurance you didn’t know you needed. Had needed, for longer than you probably knew. It was something secure and encouraging in these times of change and uncertainty, and you felt yourself cling to those words like a lifeline.

The placid nod you offered him with a gentle smile was all he stuck around for. Spinning on his heels, he took off towards the streets of Mynock once more, disappearing in a flash of beskar and steel and for once, you didn’t ponder about possibly seeing him again. You knew you would.

Din settled back into the pilots’ chair of the Razor Crest twenty minutes later, running through the familiar process of flying the ship out of the atmosphere and into the comfort of space, eager to escape into hyperdrive as soon as he was clear enough from Dandoran.

See you next time?

He groaned leaned his head back against the chair, staring up at the ceiling of the cockpit, his brows drawn low over his eyes as he frowned. What possessed him to offer that promise, he didn’t know. Maybe it was the way your eyes had dimmed slightly when he was about to leave, or when you had wished him luck on a job he was still so uncertain about. Maybe it was the way you blushed when he said your name.

Or maybe it was just because he wanted to see you again too.

And that was the most troubling reason of all.

Din didn’t do friends, he had acquaintances and colleagues even if the term was tenuous. He had the covert and the foundlings, but he didn’t have people he actually wished to see. Never trusted anyone beyond what they could each offer one another. You hadn’t looked for anything from him, and it was unsettling. He didn’t know if he could trust you, years of training and experience told him otherwise. But from the old memories of you pressing Raquor’daan poison from his wound to the teasing friendship you displayed with the old Mirialan, his resolve softened a little.

His eyes flicked to the rapidly shrinking planet he was leaving.

Trust was too strong a word right now, but respect… he could admit that he respected you. And that alone put you on a very short list of people, one he was sure you would never truly understand the importance of.

And he was right.

You would never know the significance of being on that very short list of people, but in that moment, Din’s grudging respect for you set both of your lives on a very different course than either of you ever anticipated; one that revolved around a very special, very small, green child.

Once Dandoran had faded sufficiently behind the Razor Crest, he keyed in the co-ordinates to the far reaches of the Outer Rim and entered hyperspace and after several days of travel, he finally struck beskar when the tracking fob starting beeping as he coasted through space. He smirked behind his helmet as he changed direction and noted the closest planet on his navicomputer where his bounty was hidden.

Arvala-7.

Gotcha.

Stitches Taglist:

@geannad @ayamenimthiriel​ @sarahjkl82-blog @gracie7209​ @nova646 @pychedelic-rainbow

[wish-i-wasnt-a-coward]

Books and Anxiety: Dating edition

a/n: sooo, I know this isn’t actually in the right order BUT. This story absolute slaps, like I’ve never been prouder of my writing. Historical AUs my beloved. If you enjoy this shit to give it some love folks, pls. 

Parings: analogical,  very background brotherly prinxiety and dukexiety as well as platonic logicality 

Warnings: a little bit of self deprecation, anxiety (this is Virgils pov), and one sex mention at the very end (just skip the bonus to avoid it) 

Word count: 1,260

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

Virgil tapped his foot. Why had he thought this was a good idea. Stupid. Too many things could go wrong, they could get kicked out of the Library, Logan could decide he wasn’t worth the energy, Logan might not even show up! Maybe he had already realized how awful Virgil was and never wanted to see him again.  

He glanced at his watch, 4:46. Okay, Logan was 15 minutes late, there are worse things to be. Plenty of things could have happened between the printing press and the downtown library. 

Virgil watched as the horses trotted happily down the cobblestone street. Oh to be a horse. Free of cute boys who make your heart feel like it's gonna explode and then stand you up. 

It was shocking that Logan even saw something in Vigil. He didn’t particularly like standing out. His dirty grey trench coat and cap helped him blend into the grimy shadows. He wasn’t good-looking or particularly smart and worked in a factory. Whereas Logan was a brilliant budding writer who was, to put it lightly, ridiculously gorgeous. Yet he had asked Virgil out.

Virgil rubbed his face, in his rush to get to the library he had forgotten to wash it (shut up, he was excited). He had used a ‘borrowed’ kerchief from his brother Roman but there was probably soot covering his entire body. If Logan was to show up who’s to say he wouldn’t take one look at Virgil and leave.

  The man leaned against the tree behind him. Nodding to passersby and trying to look like he wasn’t screaming inside. 

Few more minutes of torture later, Logan made an appearance. His worn brown jacket and blue tie flapped behind him as he sprinted across the street towards Virgil. He was missing his hat and his brown hair was disheveled. “I am so sorry” he panted. 

Virgil put a hand on his shoulder, “s’ fine, I wasn’t here long” he said softly. Logan smiled, catching his breath, “thank goodness, I- well, I got caught up in an article and time escaped me, again” Virgil chuckled gently, “I could tell” he said, pointing to Logan’s ink-stained hands. 

Logan flushed a little and accepted the offered kerchief, wiping his hands vigorously. “So uh, the library” Virgil nodded, “after you” he murmured and smiled down at Logan as the lovely man’s blush only deepened. 

The downtown library was much smaller than the uptown one. It housed more rebellious volumes and the librarians were far nicer. It was an old brownstone that had been sold to the town a few years ago. The once lovely building was sorely neglected and had fallen into disrepair. The town didn’t want to spend much money on it, so they stuck some books inside. 

All in all a perfect first date for two gay men in the early 1900’s.

The librarian waved happily at Logan as he entered the building, “well how do ya do Mr. Berry” Logan smiled “I’m quite well Mx. Heart, this is my um- this is Virgil Storm” Mx. Heat beamed. “Oh my! I heard so much about you, would it be alright if I hugged you. Ohhh” Virgil looked at Logan, baffled, who shrugged. Mx. Heart wrapped Virgil in an impressively strong hug before ushering the two away. After all, it was a date. 

Virgil carefully walked through the crowded rows of books. Books were placed haphazardly on every available surface, the few desks had piles of books on and/or underneath them. 

Despite the chaos, Logan seemed to know exactly where everything was. Virgil nervously looked away from his date towards one of the books on top of the pile. 

‘The wild olive; by the basil king,’ someone liked food, goodness. Virgil put down the book and continued his search. His attention was caught by a big black book ‘spiders’ which was printed on the back in spindly silver font. Virgil’s breath caught slightly, as he picked up the heavy volume. 

“Found something?” Logan asked, Virgil startled and nearly dropped the book, “sorry,” Logan said scratching his neck, Virgil shook his head, “It's fine, I did, uh- it’s a book on arachnids. When I lived in the country I had a pet spider but it was um- killed…” 

“I’m sorry,” Logan said touching Virgil’s arm softly, “s fine, I mean- I wasn’t fine then” Virgil laughed awkwardly, “but it’s fine now” he shrugged. “Are we gonna find a desk or..” Logan shook his head, “no, I want to show you something”. He held out his hand, Virgil took it without hesitation.

Logan led Virgil across the room and into a small corner blocked off by a shelf. With his free hand, he pushed on the panels and it swung open like a door. 

The stairs going down were broken and blocked off but those going up seemed sturdy. Virgil stayed alert and ready to grab Logan should something was to go wrong. That would be a great way to spend a date, falling through a staircase and dying. 

The two made it up the stairs without incident. The room the staircase led to was also in disrepair but it had been patched up enough that no-one would be falling through the floor, though you never could tell. Virgil's brother Remus had taught him that. 

There was a cracked stained glass window that let in shards of colored light illuminating the room with beautiful hues of blue and purple. Cushions lined the room as well as quite a few blankets. A coffee table pressed up against the wall held an assortment of pens and pads of paper all decorated with the same slanted handwriting. There were also quite a few cups of cold tea across the room which made Virgil smile. 

“Well?” Logan asked a little nervously. “It’s beautiful” Virgil beamed. Logan looked very pleased with himself and led the man to a well-worn spot directly beneath the window. 

Virgil followed dutifully sitting just close enough to Logan for it to be flirty without invading personal space. He was adamant about respecting boundaries and at this point, Logan hadn’t set quite enough for him to initiate anything, though he wanted to. 

Logan shifted towards him (yeeessss) opening his book, it was on psychology, one of Logan’s many interests. Virgil opened his book, and let himself relax a little. 

Virgil’s watch ticked past 12, Logan was fully seated on Virgil’s lap and was reading excerpts from his book out loud. Virgil was smiling like a fool, absentmindedly branding the longer parts of Logan’s unruly chestnut hair. 

“While dreams are the compilation of memories and fantasy when studied mean- meaning can be derived from them *yawn* furthermore” Logan mumbled sleepily. 

Virgil laughed lightly, “Lo?” Logan hummed, letting the book fall onto his lap. “You need to go home?” Logan shook his head, “not really I- *yawn* no one’s expecting me” he said grinning up at Virgil who smiled right back down, “no one’s expecting me either” Logan hummed happily and leaned back into Virgil’s chest. 

The added weight surprised Virgil. He held Logan tightly as he lost his balance. They slid down the wall and landed with an oof onto Virgil’s back. The two tired men dissolved into giggles. 

Logan flipped onto his stomach and tucked his head into Virgil’s chest. “Night verge” Virgil smiled, “good night” he pressed a kiss into Logan’s hair and closed his eyes. 

*Bonus

“hem-hem” Logan blearily opened his eyes and was met with an angry Patton Heart. “did you have sex in my library!!!!”

[moinstar]

Commissioned light_arin from Twitter a birthday fic I had in mind. And also commissioned a collab with Lemonatii again for the illustration. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Moin MC x Diavolo (self-indulgent fic)

A comfortable silence hung in the library, the quiet interrupted only by the sounds of pages turning as Satan and Moin studied together. A satisfied smile graced her features as she finally finished a troubling math problem on her homework. She looked up, pride swimming in her brown gaze, planning to show Satan the fruits of her efforts. Before she could call for his attention, her gaze dropped to the book that he was focused on.

Instead of a grimoire or an anthology that he usually read during their lunch study routine, he was looking intently at a book of cats. She held back a giggle of amusement, taking in how focused he was on the page that talked of house cats as she leaned against the desk.

“Is that a book about house cats, or cats in general?”

The Avatar of Wrath looked up in surprise, as if he had just remembered that he wasn’t alone before turning a page of the book. He gestured towards the newly visible pages, a picture of a tiger displayed along with a couple paragraphs that listed the facts and features of the large and powerful cat.

“It’s a compilation of all breeds that classify as a type of cat. I was reading it for… research purposes.”

He glances down at the book, turning back to the page of house cats. A closer look showed Moin the different breeds that were listed, along with common behaviors and biological factors that set the breeds apart.

She idly traced a figure of a white cat, tilting her head as she mulled over the subject.

“All breeds, huh? House cats are cute, but I personally like bigger cats. You know, like the tiger you just showed me, or lions, or leopards…”

Satan looked up when she paused, noticing the excited glint in her gaze as she seemed to get lost in her thoughts about the larger cats that ruled the wild. He lifted his hand to his chin with a thoughtful hum before flashing her a smile. The action brought her attention back to the present, and she gave the fourth born a questioning look. He held up a finger, silently asking her to wait, before he picked up the book once more. Moin watched curiously as Satan flipped through the pages, wondering what he was looking for.

“What are you looking for?”

“Ah! Here it is.”

In answer to her question, he handed her to the book that was now open to a page that showed a magnificent panther. It looked strong yet graceful, with a dark black coat and golden eyes that seemed to jump off the page. Her fingers traced the outline of the large cat, a small smile tugging at her lips as she whispered in amazement.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Humans sometimes call them the ghost of the jungle, claiming that there’s no concrete evidence of their existence. In reality, they’re just very rare, and tend to keep to themselves.”

“Have you ever seen one?”

“Not personally, but I have seen pictures.”

They continued to talk about the black panther, so focused on the picture in the book that they didn’t notice the presence of Diavolo and Lucifer walking by the library. The Demon Prince’s golden gaze lit up with interest at the sound of their voices, deciding to tune out Lucifer’s nagging about paperwork. A quick glance into the room allowed him to see Moin’s look of awe and interest as she spoke of the panthers.

As Diavolo continued to walk through the halls of RAD, he turned the snippet of the conversation over in his head. He knew Moin’s birthday was coming up, and he wanted to do something special for her. His golden gaze lit up as he remembered the excitement in her voice when she spoke about the panthers. With an idea of what to do, he sent a text to Moin, asking her to meet him in his garden the night before her birthday party.

In the library, the redhead was still looking at the panther, her attention shifted to the piercing golden gaze. It seemed so familiar, hypnotizing, just like… She was shaken out of her thoughts by the buzzing of her D.D.D., surprised to see a message from Diavolo.

Speak of the devil. He probably wants to have an early celebration before the brothers pull me every which way on my actual birthday. With one last glance at the black panther, she pushed the book back to Satan, sending a quick yes to Diavolo. She settled down to study once more as she tucked her D.D.D., the hypnotizing golden gaze still lingering in her mind.

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

The night before her birthday arrived quicker than she had expected, and before she knew it, she was walking through the halls of the palace with Lucifer and Barbatos. The Avatar of Pride had insisted on accompanying her when she told him plans, claiming that he had business to attend to anyways. The Demon Butler had greeted them upon arrival, with his usual polite demeanor before letting her know that Diavolo would meet her in the gardens. She followed the two demons, adjusting the large maroon scarf she wore to protect herself from the cold nights of Devildom.

Her gaze wandered around the gardens as they approached the gazebo, slightly confused when she realized that Diavolo was nowhere in sight. Noticing her confusion, Barbatos stopped and turned to her with his polite smile, his arm held in front of his torso, the image of a perfect butler.

“The Young Master will join you shortly, Moin. Lucifer, if you’d please come with me? There was an issue found in the paperwork that we looked over today. If you’ll excuse us.”

Moin nodded, half her face hidden by her large scarf, as Barbatos held his hand to his chest and gave Moin a bow before leading Lucifer away. It was unsurprising that they had work, the Royals and Lucifer always seemed to be taking care of one issue or another. She turned to face the water that reflected the night sky beneath the gazebo, settling down to wait for Diavolo’s arrival.

Moments later, Diavolo was leaving his office after speaking with Lucifer and Barbatos. His red coat was nowhere to be seen, leaving him in his collared shirt and slacks, his red tie contrasting with the overall dark shades of his outfit. His golden gaze glimmered with excitement as he hurried towards the garden, unwilling to keep Moin waiting for long.

When he finally reached the gardens, he paused, a smile tugging at his lips as he caught sight of Moin’s figure in the distance. Fortunately for the Demon Prince, her back was turned to him and he was able to hide in the shadows, preparing the surprise that he had planned for her.

Moin’s attention is drawn away from the glimmering body of water, the feeling that she was no longer alone washing over her. Assuming that Diavolo had arrived, she looked over her shoulder. Only to find something she had not expected.

Despite looking into a glowing golden gaze, it wasn’t the one that belonged to the Demon Prince. She turned around fully, watching in surprise as a large black panther padded out of the shadows. She tilted her head, wondering how a panther had ended up in the palace gardens as she took in the features. The graceful cat was standing still, as if waiting for a signal as its tail swished over the ground.

Is it… dangerous? She blinked a couple times as she mulled over the question, her brown hues never leaving the golden orbs that seemed to glow in the darkness. No. This is Diavolo’s garden. And he wouldn’t let in anything that would hurt me.

As she came to her conclusion, she let herself relax, smiling at the black panther. She reached out a hand towards the beautiful creature, crouching down so that she was at eye level with it. The panther blinked, as if in surprise, before slowly making its ways towards her.

With every step, its muscles rippled under the black pelt that shone in the moonlight. Yet, it moved with a sense of gentleness that further put the girl at ease. The panther’s whiskers twitched as the golden eyes shut, its head butting against her hand.

The feeling of soft fur against her palm brought a smile to her face, and she cautiously scratched behind the ears. A quiet woosh reached her ears as she pets the panther, and she looked up to see the tail swishing against the ground once more as it weaved around her, each step bringing it even closer to her. Its friendly advances made her smile grow, and when the large cat sat on its haunches, she wrapped her arms around it, fingers continuing to brush over the soft black coat. At this, a purr rumbles from the panther’s chest, obviously pleased as it rubbed its head against her cheek, making her giggle.

The panther blinks at her, and for a moment she swore it was smiling at her. Then the panther was giving her one final headbutt, still purring as it pulled away.

She watched as the panther started to leave, once more admiring the way its pelt gleamed beneath the night sky. When it reached the bushes that lined the area, it paused, one paw raised in the air as it looked back at Moin one last time.

The moment seemed to last forever, the golden orbs captivating her. Then with a flick of its ears, the panther disappeared into the shadows as easily as it had appeared.

It took a few moments for Moin to realize that the panther had really left, but before she could stand up again, she once again felt the presence of another. Glancing up, she found herself looking into the golden gaze she had originally been expecting. The Demon Prince was looking at her with surprise as he offered a hand to help her up.

“Moin? Why were you sitting on the ground?”

She accepted his hand, letting him pull her up as she smiled at the memory of the panther. Her brown hues were filled with excitement as she recounted her experience, starting with how she had been surprised to see a panther in the royal gardens.

The Demon Prince listened with a soft smile on his features, relief and happiness washing over him. She liked his gift. The effort of using transformation magic had been worth it. His gaze softened as he took in her awed smile, and the excitement that swam in her brown depths.

Yes. It had all been worth it.

[lunar-wandering]

Mountains, Caves, Who Cares?

@winterpower98 because a few months ago you asked for a fanfic of a scenario I created, and I am happy to oblige.

Summary: Through a series of events, Macaque, MK, and Wukong end up trapped in a cave again. This wouldn’t be much of a problem if it weren’t for the fact that Wukong is kind of claustrophobic.

Word Count: 1.4k

Read on Ao3

---

"Wukong, if you keep pacing like that, I will not hesitate to punch you." Macaque threatened. Wukong temporarily paused his pacing to turn and glare at him.

"Try me." He said. The two of them glowered at each other, until MK stepped between them, concerned.

"C'mon guys, we can't do this again." He said, "You two do still remember how we got trapped in here in the first place, right?"

You see, this had all started out as a simple training session between MK and Wukong, with Macaque watching on the sidelines, as he currently wasn't allowed to be out of either of MK or Wukong's sight. Thing had been going fine, that is, until Macaque chose to comment on Wukong's training style, saying that he was being 'too gentle'. Wukong, as one would expect, took offense to this, responding with something along the lines of Macaque's training just being 'too rough'. And then, before MK could even register what was happening, the two of them had started fighting again.

Now, at the start, MK wasn't all that concerned, as it wasn't that out of the ordinary for those two to fight. He did start to worry however, when he noticed bits of the mountain they had been training beside start to shake and crumble. It eventually got to the point where MK had to start dodging large pieces of rocks to avoid being crushed.

He must've miscalculated his dodge at some point, as Wukong and Macaque both shouted his name, before tackling him back into a small cave, just barely saving him by getting hit by a large boulder, at the expense of all 3 of them getting trapped in the cramped space. They quickly found that the area was too unstable for either Wukong or Macaque to get them out without the entire cave collapsing, and figured that it wasn't worth the risk of them not being fast enough to get MK out before the whole thing crumbled. Thankfully, thanks to the unlimited Wifi/Data plan Wukong had given to MK, he could easily text Mei and inform her of the problem, so now it was just a waiting game.

...A waiting game that was clearly starting to grate on Macaque and Wukong's nerves.

MK sighed, trying to think of something to defuse the tension, when his phone dinged with another message from Mei. Oh. That could work.

"Hey guys," He said, "Mei sent me some puppy videos and vines to watch while we wait, if you want to."

"...What's a vine?" Macaque asked. MK gasped in (partially faux) horror.

"How can you not know what a vine is?!" He asked.

"It's not my fault that I'm an immortal who barely interacts with modern tech." Macaque replied.

"Being immortal isn't an excuse, Monkey King is immortal too and he knows vines!" MK said, "Monkey King, quote a vine!"

"Freshavocado." Wukong deadpanned.

"See?"

"...That's just because he's an idiot with nothing better to do with his time." Macaque said.

"Hey! I take offense to that!" Wukong said, his tail fluffing up in irritation. Macaque smirked.

"Good, that's what I intended." He said. MK could sense that if he didn't interrupt, another fight would break out, so he did the first thing that came to mind.

He pushed Macaque to the ground, sat down beside him, and practically shoved his phone into his face.

"Wh- hey!"

"Stop arguing with Monkey King and learn some Internet Culture." MK said, "Monkey King, do you wanna watch too?"

"Uh..... no. I'm. Fine over here." Wukong said, before going back to his pacing. MK shrugged, and pressed play on the first vine compilation Mei sent him.

---

A few minutes later, and MK was starting to get concerned. He didn't think Macaque had noticed, considering how drawn in to watching the videos he'd become as soon as they had started, but Wukong's pacing had slowly but steadily been getting more frantic. His tail's movement had gone way past what MK had come to recognize as stimming and had landed somewhere much more... agitated, he'd say. He'd also started chewing on his nails.

Thinking about it for a moment, MK made his decision, and paused the video, bringing Macaque's attention back to the present as well.

"Uhh, Monkey King, are you alright?" MK asked, genuinely concerned. Wukong stopped pacing, turning to give MK a smile. It wasn't very convincing.

...Especially since, now that Wukong was no longer pacing, MK could see that he was trembling.

"I'm fiNe." Wukong said, then winced as his voice cracked in the middle of his sentence. Macaque snorted.

"Never thought I'd see the day when the mighty Monkey King would experience a voice crack- ow!" He said, cutting himself off when MK smacked his shoulder, glaring at him. Macaque glanced at MK's mad, but still incredibly concerned face, and then back at the still shaking Wukong, and then sighed, standing up and reaching out his hand.

"Alright, Wukong, you've got the kid all worked up, just come over here and tell us what's-"

"Don't touch me." Wukong hissed, and Macaque froze, watching as Wukong backed further away from him. "I'm fine, I just, give me a moment-"

Wukong's back made contact with the stone wall of the cave, and something in his mind seemed to snap, as he instinctively jumped away from it, shaking, hyperventilating, and, apparently no longer having the effort to keep up a calm and collected act, sat down on the ground, curling up a little. Macaque stood near him, close but not touching, not entirely sure what was going on or what he should do.

Looking at his mentor on the ground, MK mentally thought of all the stories he had learned about him, hoping to find something to explain what was going on. And then it clicked. MK hurriedly signaled to Macaque, catching his attention.

'Mountain'. He signed, grateful for the few sign language lessons Wukong had been giving him, in the case of an emergency.

'500 years. Mountain.'

Macaque seemed to understand what MK was implying, if his wince was anything to go by. Neither of them were really quite sure were they should go from here, now that they knew what the problem was. The best thing to do would be to get Wukong out of the cave, but MK's phone said they still had about 20 minutes before Mei would show up to get them out, so that option was currently off the list. So the next best thing would be to find a way to calm Wukong down, but, to be honest, neither Macaque or MK had much experience in this department.

Didn't mean they couldn't try.

MK scooted closer to Wukong, not too close though, not wanting Wukong to feel more trapped than he already clearly did.

"Hey, hey, Monkey King, it's uh. It's going to be fine. We're going to be fine." MK said.

"The kid's right, Peaches." Macaque said, sitting down on the ground on the other side of Wukong. "We won't be in here for much longer. That dragon girl's already on her way."

Wukong gave a shaky laugh.

"Heh. 'S been a long time since you've called me that." He mumbled.

"Called you what?" Macaque asked.

"Peaches."

"Oh." Macaque said, lightly blushing as he glanced away. "I didn't even notice I said that... sorry."

"It's fine." Wukong said, "....Keep talking, 's a good distraction."

MK glanced at the two of them, sensing that there was some history between them that he hadn't been told about. ...Now probably wouldn't be the best time to ask though, so instead he started rambling on about some of the weirder stories from his noodle delivery days, hoping that they'd cheer Wukong up a little as well as distracting him.

---

When Mei finally got the rocks out of the way, the first one out of the cave was Wukong, who shot out of there with an impressive speed, using his cloud to fly away and leaving the others far behind. Macaque and MK walked out of the cave soon after.

"Well that was rude." Mei said, "He didn't even say thank you."

"Just let him be for now, Mei." MK said, "Monkey King.... needs a bit of space right now."

Considering that Wukong had run off, Macaque guessed that it would be best for him to stay the night at MK's place instead, and leave Wukong to himself for a little.

...The next morning, MK awoke to a basket of peaches for him and Macaque on his doorstep.

[mysterytickingegos]

I’ve Created a Monster

Pairing: Darkiplier x Clairvoyant!Reader

Genre: Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 2,480

Summary: After a bad date, you made a rather interesting friend. But better yet, you discovered something just as interesting about yourself. This something leads to a very exhilarating part of your life, but you learn the hard way that it’s not quite as glamorous an adventure as it may seem. The last person you’d expect is the one to bring you back to reality.

Anonymous Request: If I may request! :) Can I have a darkiplier x fem!reader fic with the prompts 37, 44, 45? After the events of wkm? Just some hurt and comfort to give me dem feelz 😀👍 Maybe Dark is the one saying it please? Much thanks!

Authors Note: Probably not what you were going for with the prompts but I hope you still enjoy it!

Want to read more?

[Image Description: A Gif of Darkiplier from the “horror” branch of “A Date with Markiplier,” speaking to the viewer at a table, while another image of him leans away and yells. End Description]

Junk mail, bill, wrong address, junk mail...

The usual. You weren’t sure what ‘cool thing’ you were expecting to get in the mail in 2020 but the disappointment was there anyway. Just as you shut your mailbox you heard somebody coming down the stairs and cringed, bracing yourself as you hoped it wasn’t who you thought it was. But of course it was.

Your upstairs neighbor, AKA the worst date ever. “Ah, hey Y/n.”

“Hi Mark...” You gave him a sad attempt at a wave, and he gave you a nod, walking over to his own mailbox.

‘How’s it going?”

“Great, yeah...you?”

“Good.”

And with that the room dissolved into awkward silence, and you took your leave back up the stairs. Funny enough these moments used to be filled with dumb jokes and flirting, that was until he finally asked you out. You had been overjoyed, happy that someone had taken an interest in you and glad that something was breaking your dull everyday routine. Little did you know the highlight of the date would be the end. He had taken you to an expensive restaurant only to reveal that he had ‘forgotten’ his wallet (which ended up falling out of his pocket in front of you in the theater.) Then he had been upset with you for accidentally falling asleep to what must’ve the most boring Rom-com you had ever been subjected to. You both seemed to be in silent agreement that this should never, ever happen again.

But unbeknownst to you and Mark, somebody else had been lingering around. That was the first time that specific somebody had decided to visit you, making a sucky date the least of your concerns. You spent the rest of your night watching compilations on YouTube and eating chocolate Ice Cream. You kept going from sad to angry over your horrible day in your head.

Were you only worth asking out for a free meal? A meal that for you took about half your grocery budget. You should’ve given that ass a piece of your mind.

You sniffed, wiping your eyes and scarfing down even more ice cream. “Damn it.”

“Aw, don’t cry, darling. It wasn’t that bad.”

You screamed and nearly jumped out of your skin, scrambling away from the man now next to you on the couch. The moment your feet hit the ground you grabbed your phone and locked yourself in your bedroom. “Who the fuck are you?!”

“Let’s say I'm a... friend of a friend. I thought I’d check up on you after that train wreck.” He spoke through the door. You heard a laugh layer over his voice, and wondered if somebody else was there.

“I’m calling the police!” You shouted back.

Then you heard the same voice just in front of you, clearly amused with the situation. “You’re welcome to do so, though I’m not sure they’d believe you.” It was the same man from the couch, smiling at you. You noticed how he seemed to be glitching, and how as his head tilted to the side his figure had duplicated in blue for a split second. “As I’m sure you can tell by now, I’m not exactly human.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I’d like to get to know you, Y/n. Is that so much to ask?”

The first few nights that you had stayed up a little too late and wound up speaking that deranged spirit again, you had been terrified. But soon enough you learned to enjoy his company. Sure, he could be a little unsettling at times, particularly when he was irritated and got...cold. Not just figuratively, which he was, but literally. The temperature in your apartment would drop a significant amount and you would change subjects shivering. But all in all, from what you could see behind that wall he had up, he was simply lost at worst, not exactly evil. And it was nice to not have to be so lonely all the time.

But during one of these visits, early on, you had decided to ask why.

“Why me, of all people?”

The man you had come to know simply as ‘Dark’  leaned in, lighting up as though he had been waiting on you to ask that this entire time. “Oh, Y/n. Don’t you know?”

“Why would I ask if I already knew?”

He let out an impatient sigh. ‘That’s...I was being...” He glanced up at you just in time to catch the smile playing at your lips after successfully ruining his aesthetic. “You know what? You can stay in the dark.”

“No no no, I’ll shut up, just tell me.” You turned to face him on the couch, tucking your legs under yourself.

He left you in suspense for a few moments, before dropping his voice down low when he spoke so you would have to lean closer in just to hear him. “Let’s just say you are...spiritually attuned to my world.”

“Spiritually attuned?”

“Yes, you are psychic, a medium, clairvoyant. Whatever you want to call it.” He explained. “You are a magnet to things outside the realm of the natural. A strange pair, aren’t we?”

And that was all it took, so many unexplained events from your past were now explained, and a world of possibilities was opened to you. You must’ve spent weeks researching how to harness your abilities, starting the second he left. Sure, most sites and blogs were absolutely full of it but you got the gist. With that and some common sense, how much could go wrong?

You started to take silly jobs on the internet, from old women who thought something was off with their mirrors to amateur ghost hunters who wanted a ‘consultant.’ It took you a while to gain some confidence that you weren’t just pulling this stuff out of thin air, that you hadn’t lost your mind. But after a few months, once you hit that learning curve, man it was fun.

Your latest job was a little more hardcore, a young family wanting help to push a poltergeist out of their new home. Their stories had chilled you to the bone, but you were happy to help. Your evaluation at the house went fine, nothing too far past what you were used to. Except, the entire time you were there you felt as though you had weight sitting on your chest. You could barely listen to the poor couple tell you what they experienced due to a faint scratching feeling at the back of your mind. You weren’t an expert yet but you could tell that whatever this thing was, it did not welcome you there. Worse yet, the feeling of being drained that the couple mentioned was certainly affecting you as well. Perhaps worse.

But all that accomplished was making you even more determined to rid the house of it. You took notes for your research later, tried to communicate in the most active part of the house (with no results,) and gave the couple the best advice you could at the moment.

“Until this thing is gone, it’s best you stay somewhere else.”

A few nights later, you had just finished packing your bag and begun heading for the door when you heard Dark just behind you. “Good evening, Y/n.” His voice was layered, followed by a subtle echo bouncing off the walls of your small apartment. When you turned to face him you saw he was already frowning, having realized you were on your way out. “Where are you off to so late?“

“I’m going to hang out with some friends. So I’m sorry, you’ll have to find some other way to entertain yourself tonight, instead of ya know, slowly but surely turning me into a nocturnal hermit.“ You joked, adjusting the tote bag on your shoulder.

He chuckled, bringing his hands behind his back. “I hate to break this to you my dear, but you were there well before we met.”

“Ha ha.” You turned to leave but were stopped short when you saw that he had apparated directly in front of you.

“What’s in the bag?” He asked, starting to reach for it curiously before you stepped back.

“Nothing.” You said, a little too quickly. “Just some party supplies, alright?”

He raised his brow, no longer amused. “...Convincing. Is it really so difficult to be honest with me?”

“Oh don’t even try and pull that card, you won’t even tell me why you’re haunting that jerk upstairs.”

His jaw clenched, and he looked away from you. “That’s different. Bringing such things to light would only do more harm than good.”

“Well, I may be wrong but...my thing is kinda the same. And I like what we’ve got going on so just let it go. Please?”

Dark stayed quiet, peeved off and clearly even more curious than he was before. Finally, he side-stepped out of your way, “Just be careful.”

When you got to the house, you were careful. Keeping lights on and keeping quiet while you did everything your research said you were supposed to. As you did, the spirit was also quiet, too quiet. And on your way home, you kept waiting for that heavy feeling on your chest to fade away.

Your apartment was freezing when you stepped out of the bathroom after your shower. Cold air brushed over your shoulders as you wrapped your arms around yourself. “Dark?” You called out, looking around for him. This wasn’t like him. He usually made you aware of his presence as soon as he showed up. You walked into your bedroom and when you locked eyes with another in the mirror, you froze.

This wasn’t like Dark, because it wasn’t him.

Instead, the person standing behind you was a very decrepit and very angry old woman, seemingly fading in and out of reality as she glared at you. “Y̸o̵u̶ ̴s̴h̷o̵u̶l̶d̸ ̸h̵a̵v̷e̷ ̵l̸e̴f̷t̶ ̷w̶e̶l̵l̶ ̸e̴n̵o̷u̶g̷h̶ ̶a̸l̶o̴n̸e̷.̴“

The mirror shattered and you whipped around to face her, but she wasn’t there. The air whirling around the place started to pick up, and picture frames flew off the wall at you, then other objects that had decorated your room. You tried to flee but your front door wouldn’t budge. You started to bang on it, crying in fear and praying that anyone would hear you. Next thing you knew though, you were flung towards the wall.

Finally, everything settled. The weight was off your chest, but there was plenty of pain there in it’s place. You slowly pulled yourself into a sitting position, then wiped the tears off your face with one hand and held the other over your ribs. You weren’t sure how long you sat there, waiting for something to happen and your heartbeat overpowered the ringing silence in your ears. You wanted to get your phone, to call for help but you were terrified of gaining attention again. You didn’t even really stop shaking until you heard a familiar voice.

“...Y/n?” Dark didn’t see you when he first showed up, just the disaster area that was your living room. Once had seen you, he was beside you in a blink of an eye. You didn’t even think about it before you wrapped your arms around him. He only gave you a moment of comfort before he pulled back, looking over you in concern. “What happened? Who hurt you?”

You couldn’t really get much out between pained wincing as he scooped you into his arms. “It was a -Ow- s-spirit.”

He laid you down on the couch as gently as he could, and you could see his face change from confusion to recognition to irritation. “Why, pray tell, would a spirit be here?”

“I may have taken a job to get rid of it...” You muttered under your breath.

“Unbelievable.” He shook his head, about to say something else before he stopped himself. Instead he moved his focus to your hand, moving it to reveal the dark bruise over your ribs.

“See, I knew you weren’t gonna like it.”

“You going off and messing with things you haven’t even begun to understand? Of course I don’t like it.” His figure glitched and layered itself in different colors before he got up and went to the kitchen.

You scoffed at his remark, trying to sit up. “Hey I understand more than you think, I’ve been doing this crap for months!”

He came back around the corner with an ice pack from your freezer in his hand. “Months?” He apparated in front of you, gently placing the pack down on the bruise, allowing you to squeeze his free hand until the shock wave from the pressure passed over you.

“I started looking into all this after you told me the truth.” You confessed. “I mean with the internet it wasn’t difficult, and I do my due diligence alright? I don’t know what went wrong.”

The aura behind him flashed pure red for just a moment, he approached his next words much softer than usual. “You can’t navigate things like this using the internet, Y/n.”

“Well I didn’t think you’d want to help me help everyone else get rid of their ghosts.”

He scoffed at you, beginning to raise his voice as the aura swapped back to blue. “You were right! I don’t understand why you would want anything to do with this, anyway. Why would you do this to yourself??” 

“I thought...I thought it’d be fun-”

“This isn’t a game!”

“You know I really don’t get you, why-”

“Of course you don’t! Do you even know what I am?”

“Well, no...”

“Neither do I.” He growled. His words truly sunk in once you saw the pain behind his eyes. He collected himself, taking a deep breath before continuing, “What I do know, is that I was human once. And people screwing with things that they shouldn’t have for selfish reasons is what turned me into this. Over the years I’ve had to see other terrible things happen to well meaning people. I’ll be damned if you throw yourself into the fire for fun.”

You nodded softly, breaking the intense gaze between you to look as your hands. “...Okay.” You opened your mouth to speak again after that, but decided against it.

“What is it?” Dark asked, trying and failing to hide the impatience in his voice.

“I just didn’t think...well I really didn’t think you’d care. Well, about this part I guess-”  You sighed, cutting yourself off this time, rather than rambling.

He was quiet for a moment, placing his hand under your chin and tilting your head up to look at him. “I care...more than you know.” It was the silence after that, that spoke volumes, and even more so the way he moved forward to press his lips to yours. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a poltergeist to take care of.”

[thefanficmonster]

Death’s Tales

The Curator (The Dark Pictures Anthology) x Reader (Female)

Warnings: None (Maybe slight spoilers and slight mentions of death)

Genre: Dark Theme, slight Angst

Summary: This isn’t Y/N’s first visit to the Curator’s repository. She’s visited two times so far and deep down she knows she’ll keep coming back. Stories have a way of trapping you in the place where they live. But then again, it’s nice to have some good company for when you are introduced to those stories. Someone to laugh with during all the humorous parts. And also someone to offer you tissues when you are going through the thick of the lives written on the pages of the many books.

Requested by Anon! Hi there! Thank you so much for your request! Sorry it took so long to write, though I hope the fic makes up for the wait. I hope I captured what you had in mind. Please, enjoy. Love, Vy ❤❤❤

“Hello? You here?!“ Y/N calls out as she walks into familiar room. She immediately gets the feeling that she’s in the presence of a more intense power than she could explain - the power of all the timeless stories currently surrounding her. This is by no means her first tango with the deathless death turned into words written on thin, delicate pages for people to enjoy. She has always had an odd connection to each and every story she reads, so this place was the ultimate trap when she first wandered in, expectations low and head held high. She underestimated the repository, however, it didn’t take long for it to turn the tables on her with all it has to offer. In less than an hour, she had her nose buried in a book, her expectations exceeded by miles and her mind transported to a different place and time.

“Where else would I be?” The distinct voice she’s gotten so used to hearing replies from somewhere near by, “You know I rarely leave this place.”

 “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that’s a sad way to be spending your time. But man, if I could stay here all my life I would.“ She struts into the room where the reply came from.

He is indeed there, standing by one of the many shelves, a candleholder with lit handles in one hand, browsing the shelf’s contents with the other. He chuckles at her statement, brushing it off completely, “I was waiting for you. Have a seat, I’ll pick a story for you.”

She gets comfortable, unwrapping her scarf and shrugging off her jacket. Sitting down in one of the leather chairs opposite his desk, she crosses her legs and waits expectantly.

“Ah, there we go. ‘House Of Ashes’, how does that sound to you?” He pulls out a book, holding it under the candlelight for Y/N to see the cover with the title engraved in the, what seems to be, leather surface.

She frowns, scrunching her nose, “You know what, no. I’m tired of these sad and scary stories laced with death. I can’t live knowing I gave those characters a bad fate. I know it’s redo-able, but I can’t help but feel shitty afterwards.” She shifts in her seat, “First all those people left stranded on that boat! Then I was tricked into sympathizing and emotionally investing into characters that were nothing more than the product of a broken mind!” She gives him a glare that’s looking through him more than at him, “I think I deserve a different story this time. Something lighter.”

The older man chuckles. “I was gonna have you choose between this one and this other oldie I have,” he points at the desk where another book is already sitting, “it’s a longer story, I might have mentioned it before.” Y/N reads the title ‘The Impatient’ engraved in the olive green cover of the large book, “But that’s not in any way lighter either. I would even say it’s among the more depressive ones.“ He pauses for a second, returning ‘House Of Ashes’ in its spot, “Perhaps I could find a story of a less melancholic premise.”

“Wait.“ She lifts her hand, putting his actions to a halt, “Why don’t we change it up for once? How about you tell me a story instead of reading me one?“

He’s very clearly taken aback by this. “I’m afraid an old man like myself doesn’t have a lot to share. Especially not when I’ve spent a rather big chunk of my life in this very place, doing this very thing.”

Y/N shakes her head, “Quite the contrary, mister Curator. I believe you have way more stories than all the people my age combined.” She smirks, “Don’t worry, I won’t tattle if you have some dirt on your name. What is it? Robbery? Fraud? Murder?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Y/N. I am not that interesting.“ He chuckles, settling in his chair. “But I believe I could tell you the story of the only time I helped someone directly rather than through the riddles you hate so much.“

She’s clearly pleased with the outcome of her protest. She gives him a smile, “I’m all ears.“

He can’t help but shake his head at her child-like enthusiasm for something so simple. He’s determined to make it worth her while, so he digs through the contents of his brain, looking for the most interesting memories he has stored there - the ones that would entertain her. Eventually, he comes up with one.

“Have I ever mentioned my dear friend Alan to you, by any chance?“

Y/N thinks for a moment before nodding, “Yeah, but as usual, you were very vague.”

He chuckles, “I know you hate not being given details, so I’m gonna make sure not to leave anything out.” He absentmindedly picks up the pen on his desk, twirling it between his fingers, “Well, a brief introduction to our character Alan: he’s a psychiatrist. A year or two younger than me. He’s from Calgary. I met him in my mid-thirties, when I was still what some would consider young.” He smiles at the pleasant memory.

Y/N fakes shock, placing a hand over her chest, “You mean to tell me there was time when you, the Curator, were young? You can’t be serious. I refuse to believe that.”

“I was. And I was quite handsome, mind you.“ He takes out his wallet, opening it and handing it to Y/N. On the right, covered by a thin layer of clear plastic is a black and white photo of two men in their early to mid forties.

“You’re the one on the left, right?” She asks, staring at the photo wide eyes, looking up at him for confirmation. He nods in response. “Wow, I honestly wouldn’t have recognized you.” 

“Understandably so. Time has really taken a toll on me.“ He actually looks saddened when he says that. She can tell that was less a joke and more the truth.

“I wouldn’t say so.“ She tells him sincerely, a small genuine smile on her lips.

He returns her smile, his eyes becoming a bit livelier. “Him and I are still friends till this day. He’s a walking book of stories, I’m sure you’d like him if you ever get the chance to meet him. You see, he has spoken to me about all his patients, never once naming one of them. Until this on young man had come into his office. He was struggling with issues medicine in and of itself couldn’t completely fix. His name was Joshua. The boy was having a really tough time dealing with the loss of his sisters.” He sighs at the memory, “Alan told me he tried everything. He tried all things his years of practice and work have taught him but the boy was slowly sinking further and further down into the void of his mind.“

His voice is way different from his usual narrator tone. You can hear the weight of the events he’s reciting in every syllable that leaves his lips. She is now an accomplice, exactly like if she were there when it all happened.

“It was troubling my friend to the brink of madness, I couldn’t just stand aside and watch that. Also that kind young man, Joshua, deserved a lot better than what life was giving him. Every branch that poor boy held onto snapped. Everything he ever tried to make of himself crumbled. I admired him for the fact that he kept trying and seeking a way to succeed. What he failed to see was the obvious need for help he had. He was longing for a helping hand but no one noticed, or they simply didn’t care. Except this one girl. Her name was Samantha. She saw right through his act. But he never allowed her helping hand to reach him. He never wanted to be a weight on her shoulders. Never wanted to be nor the bump in her road nor the baggage she carried while walking it. So, I stepped in. I taught him the importance of having someone by your side, and taught her the importance of never giving up on someone who means a lot to you. Luckily for themselves and for Alan and I, they listened.“

“Forget about Alan, I want to meet Joshua and Samantha. I want to meet them and give them a big hug.“ Y/N says, her mind wandering to the images she has compiled. A broken boy and a girl with the strength to carry both her and his world in her arms. She can quite see their face, but she can picture their auras, their energies. They feel so real to her, and all just from the Curator’s words alone.

Soon enough, her eyelids start giving out, her eyes fluttering closed. She’s fighting to the best of her ability to stay awake, see this story to its end, but the Curator’s storytelling and the dark, candlelit room aren’t helping her with the battle. Her mind is drifting further and further into the land where the story she’s being told will keep expanding with elements added by her imagination. She’s certain she’ll dream of this tale.

“Oh you’re already clocking out, huh?“ The Curator chuckles, pausing his story mid-sentence.

“Can’t help it.“ Y/N mumbles, already more than half asleep, “Just tell me how it ends, you’ll fill in the gaps when I wake up.“

“Well, it hasn’t ended yet. I can tell you where it’s at at the moment.“ She hums approvingly, “It’s been five years since I stepped in and now they are happily married. They have a little one on the way. A little girl, I believe.“

A lazy smile forms on her face. “That’s nice.” the words leave her lips in the form of a sleepy sigh moments before she has been dragged into the deepest crevasses of her mind and imagination.

The Curator calmly and quietly gets up, taking his jacket from the coatrack. He drapes it over the girl asleep in the armchair on the other side of his desk. Little does this college student know, he has seen both her past and future. He has met her in several different periods of her life. She’s been like her own personal guardian angel. In her past-lives too.

Guardian angel of death.

He was lucky to have met Alan before that curse was bestowed upon him - making the psychiatrist the only man he could interact with without bringing him a sooner than anticipated and inevitable demise. He wasn’t completely honest with Y/N about the time frame of meeting the other man, but that was not an important piece of information. She could do without it. He used the only hall-pass he had to do his old friend a favor - settle the storms that raged between Joshua and Samantha. And now, he’s locked away from the world, waiting for souls to come to him instead of the other way around.

Nowadays, he just stays hidden from people and only meets with those who wander into his repository. It’s always the same pattern: they come in, not really sure how they ended up there; He coaches them through a story they think they have some sort of impact on; and then they leave and never come back.

Color the man surprised when he saw her walk in the first time. It took him no time to connect the dots, he’d recognize her anywhere. She wasn’t clueless like the others, she actually seemed like she was looking for the place. He spent the next week or so feeling like he had failed the only purpose he had - to keep her safe. That was until she showed up again, even cheerier than the first time. That’s when he knew he shouldn’t fear for her, for she was a phenomenon beyond his understanding. A soul never in death’s reach.

“I hope you never get to see the same fate as everyone else who meets me.“ He whispers, looking down at her sleeping form.

He knows she’s special. After all, he never has never met anyone more than once.

[hopelikethemoon]

his family (Javier x Reader)

Title: His Family  Rating: PG-13 Length: 3,000 Warnings: Angst w/ Fluff  Notes: Surprise! This chapter is from Javi’s POV. Click this to check out the timeline for Maybe Today, Maybe Forever. Summary: Josie is born.  Tag List: @grapemama​  @seawhisperer​ @huliabitch​ @pedropascalito​ @rogrsnbarnes​@thewallpapergoesorido​ @twomoonstwosuns​ @gooddaykate​ @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow​@hiscyarika​​ @plexflexico​​ @readsalot73​ @hdlynn​ @lokiaddicted​ @randomness501​​@fioccodineveautunnale​​ @roxypeanut​ @just-add-butter​​

He wanted to call Steve. 

He wanted to call his father. 

The phone was right there. Screaming at him. Mocking him.

With each methodic tick of the clock on the wall above the door, he felt like the room was closing in on him. 

Javier rested his elbows against his thighs as he leaned forward, rubbing the back of his neck as he stared at a scuff mark on the linoleum floor.

It had been two hours since the nurse had ushered him out of her room. Two hours since the door shut behind him and he was sent to wait in a waiting room meant for friends and extended family members. Two hours of watching grandparents waiting for their grandchildren to be born, friends waiting to see their new godchildren. He was the only father anxiously waiting to meet his child. 

It was bullshit. He’d had half a year to prepare for this moment but it hurt like a son of a bitch. More than he’d expected. He should’ve been in there with her. Holding her hand, kissing her brow. But instead, he was alone.

So was she. 

He just wanted to call someone — anyone. He wanted to vent, to yell, to point every fucking injustice he’d suffered during this whole goddamn process.

So he paced instead. Up and down the hall until a nurse snapped at him to go wait in the waiting room.

What if he called Steve?

“Hey man, hope Miami’s treating you like shit. Why the fuck did you have to leave? If you hadn’t fucking left, none of this would be happening.”

But he couldn’t even humor a world where he wasn’t about to become a father. She wasn’t even born yet, but that little girl and her mother were his whole goddamn life. He’d suffer it all again, just to end up right there in that waiting room.

Javier scrubbed his hands over his face, sighing heavily. He wanted a fucking cigarette. He hadn’t touched them in months, thanks to her, but he needed one. Just one. 

He bummed one off one of the grandfathers sitting in the waiting room. He seemed thrilled to offer Javier something to get him to stop pacing around the small room. 

He sank back in the seat that had become the bane of his existence, smoking that cigarette like it might just offer him salvation.

This situation had to be punishment. He made that decision as the clock on the wall reminded him that it had been three hours. He was being punished for all the shit he pulled. The hookers, the people he killed, the people he let down. 

He put the cigarette out in the ashtray on the side table, already itching for another to calm his nerves. 

Javier dragged his fingers through his hair, tugging at the strands as they slid between his fingers. He should’ve been in there with her. She shouldn’t have to be going through childbirth alone. What a fucking shitty way to bring a new life into the world.

Once he had his daughter in his arms, he decided, he was never letting her go. Or her mother, for that matter. He still couldn’t wrap his head around it. Him — a father. He’d kept attaching that noun to himself and it still just didn’t feel real.

Made worse by the fact that he was on the outside looking in.

He’d never tell her how hard it had been for him, because it seemed like a jackass move considering she was the one who had been throwing up, losing sleep, and suffering while carrying their baby. He’d tried, in recent weeks, to at least voice his frustrations, but it wasn’t everything. There was a wound that was festering within him and he was willing to just wait it out until it healed.

He pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes before he pried himself out of the chair in search of shitty vending machine coffee . It was down the hall, closer to the maternity ward — closer to where new fathers who didn’t want to be in the room waited. Those assholes didn’t know what they were missing out on. What he wouldn’t give to be in there, with her. 

Javier had never really done emotions. If he had, he likely wouldn’t have hauled ass when it came down to his own wedding. Commitment used to feel like a four-letter word. When he was a young buck who didn’t want to get tied down in Texas. Hell, half the reason he ended up in the DEA was because it meant he wouldn’t have to settle. Different assignments across the country — across the world. Never in one place for too long… until Colombia.

Until her. 

He figured he must’ve known when she first started working at the DEA. She wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with him. She’d given him hell within her first week in the office. She didn’t let a damn thing slide and she wasn’t afraid to call him out on shit. God, she’d been a breath of fresh air. Not that he hadn’t enjoyed Steve’s company. But she was different — one of the guys. Except she was more than that. 

He’d fancied her for a long time. Longer than he’d likely ever admit to another living soul. 

Fuck. He still remembered that rush of excitement he’d felt after Steve and Connie dipped out of their farewell hurrah. She’d looked so fucking good sitting beside him at the table. They’d both been throwing playful jabs at each other and he’d spent the better part of the evening wondering what her lips would taste like. He finally had the chance to make a move. Both of them just tipsy enough to forget about all the reasons they shouldn’t. That night had led them to this moment. 

“Señor Peña?” A nurse stood in the threshold of the waiting room, calling for him. She turned, just as he approached, “Señor Peña?”

“Si.” Javier breathed out, fingers gripping his styrofoam coffee cup more tightly. “Mi nombre es Javier Peña.” 

She was ready to see him. 

Javier wasn’t entirely certain what was said to him after that. It was all a blur as he was finally led through the maternity ward doors, the sound of them swinging closed behind him nearly deafening — which he realized was ridiculous. The nurse ushered him back into the room he’d vacated four hours ago, when he’d first returned from the DEA. 

The whole afternoon had been bullshit. 

She’d gone into labor just after lunch and he'd dropped her off at the hospital and returned to work. Was she going to have their daughter while he was working on compiling a report? Would she remember to page him — or would she be too caught up in holding their daughter for the first time? He got fuck-all done that afternoon, watching the minute hand tick down until he was free to leave. 

They let him visit with her briefly before the time came. Before they were pulled apart because he was just a friend. He knew it was coming, he’d prepared for it to come, but it had felt like getting shot. To deny that he had any hand in conceiving that little miracle.

His heart felt like it was going to explode as his gaze fell upon the bundle in her arms. “Holy shit.” He swallowed thickly. Javier drew in a shaky breath as he took a step forward, fingers clenching and unclenching at his side. 

Where had his coffee gone? Fuck. Everything about the last five minutes was a blur. 

“Is she…” 

“She’s beautiful, Javi.” She smiled at him and he felt a rush of pride go through him. His feet carried him towards the bedside, trembling fingers brushing over her forehead as he pressed a kiss there. His fingers moved to her shoulder, giving her three short squeezes as he peered down at their daughter. 

She was gorgeous. Far more gorgeous than she had any right to be, given that she was partly made out of him. 

“Can I—”

“Please.” She sat up slowly, keeping the baby cradled to her chest before she carefully passed her into his arms. “Hold her head, just like that.” She squeezed Javier’s forearm, still smiling up at him. “Isn’t she beautiful?” 

“She’s gorgeous.” Javier blinked, feeling his eyes burn before a tear rolled down his cheek. His chest felt so tight as he stared down at her. He couldn’t fathom how he deserved to be holding something so tiny and pure. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, laughing breathlessly as her little eyes opened to look up at him. “Hi, baby girl.”  

“I still want to go with your grandmother’s name.” 

Javier looked up at her, offering her a watery smile. “Yeah?”

“She seems like a Josie, doesn’t she?”

“She seems like she’s perfect.” Javier looked back down at the baby in his arms, grinning at the way she was staring up at him. “Josie.” He breathed out, cradling her to him gently. Javi looked back towards the bed, brows furrowed. “How did you do?”

She shrugged, gesturing to Josie. “I gave birth.” Javier knew her well enough to know that she was tamping down her own feelings about the matter. 

“Baby, I wish I could’ve been here.” 

“Me too.” She said sadly. “Once we’re home, everything will be easier.” 

Only, he knew it wouldn’t. He still had to go to work tomorrow and pretend that his daughter hadn’t just been born. He’d have to come up with excuses for his exhaustion. None of it was easy. Worth it, but not easy. 

All of it was worth this moment. Holding his daughter in his arms. His flesh and blood. More than he ever deserved. 

“I was thinking about burning through a couple of my vacation days—”

“Javi.”

“I know.” 

“You can’t.”

“I want to.” 

She sighed, “It would be too coincidental.” 

He stared down at his daughter, his brow furrowing. “I don’t wanna miss out on anything.”

“You can’t argue with me, Javi. I just pushed that watermelon out of my vagina.” 

He shot her a look. “Fuck. I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t want to be there.” 

“It’ll get easier.” 

It wouldn’t. But he was willing to take what he got. 

“How do you feel?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “Exhausted.” 

Javier shuffled closer to her bed, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips. “You did such a good job, baby.” He whispered. He wished he could’ve been there with her, been there to hold her hand. But there was no point wishing for something that was never meant to be his. 

She reached up and cupped his cheek, “She was worth all the pain.” 

“Yeah she was,” Javier said quietly. 

 ———

Leaving the hospital when visiting hours came to an end hurt worse than Javier had expected it would. Walking away from the woman he loved and their baby felt like a strange brand of torture. Made worse by the fact he went home to an apartment that hadn’t felt like home since he started spending nights with her. His bed felt too small, tainted with memories he’d traded for a better life. His apartment didn’t have the nursery he’d painted, it didn’t have the crib he’d put together. It was merely a place he slept, not the place he lived. 

She paged him around eleven in the morning to let him know she was being discharged. He was out of the office on a stakeout with Daniel — not free to take her home. When he got back to the office late in the afternoon, she’d called and left a message on his desk phone. The hospital helped her get a taxi and she and baby Josie were both safely home.

Home. Where he should’ve been. 

Weren’t fathers supposed to be there when their kids came home?

“You look like shit.” Chris remarked, kicking back in his chair as he looked across the office at Javier. “What’s your problem?”

“Didn’t sleep last night.” Javier rubbed at his eyes, perching an elbow on his desk. He was counting the minutes until he got to leave. 

“Oh, yeah?” Chris wiggled his brows suggestively. 

Javier glared at him. “Fuck off.” 

“That bad, huh?”

“I couldn’t fucking sleep. End of story.” 

Chris fell silent for a few minutes, right up until the moment he jerked his head towards the empty desk across from you. “At least we’ve got a good month free of her. Something to look forward to.” He squished a stress ball in his hand. “Could be longer. Never know with these bitches when they become mothers. They get all sentimental.” 

Javier felt heat rising up the back of his neck, fingers curling into fists atop his desk. “Watch your fucking mouth.” 

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Javier gritted out. 

“I don’t get how you’re friends with her.” Chris shrugged and dropped the subject. 

The last couple of hours of work dragged. They tried to get Javier to head up an overnight mission, but he offered it to Chris and Daniel instead. He had somewhere he needed to be and that was not sitting in the back of a van getting bullshit intel. 

 ———

“Baby, you didn’t have to cook.” Javier complained as he looked towards the kitchen before his gaze flickered back towards where she was resting on the sofa. “I could’ve eaten anything out of the fridge.” 

She laughed softly, “I needed something to do. I did not like being here all day.” She sat up gingerly, paining creasing across her features.

“Hey, hey. Stay sitting.” Javier urged her, moving to join her on the sofa. “How do you feel?”

She made a face, “I’m going to spare you the details.” 

Javier drew her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I wish I could’ve been here today.” 

She interlaced her fingers with his, squeezing tightly. “Me too. But I also wish I’d been able to go to work today. I don’t know if I can handle ten weeks of this.” 

“Let me take a couple days off. I’ll say I have to go see my pops or something.” Javier suggested, hoping she’d take him up on that offer. 

She relaxed back against his chest, tilting her head so she could look up at him. “Javi.” 

“I know.” He sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair and down the back of his neck. “But this is gonna kill me. Just a couple days.” 

“Javier, we have to play this safe. You taking off is going to look suspicious.” 

“No, it’s not.” Javier gritted out. “No one would suspect us. No one is going to think me taking a couple days off to see my pops has anything to do with you being on maternity leave.” 

“No, no.’ She shook her head. “You can’t say you’re going to Texas, they can double-check that shit.”

“So what do you want me to say?” Javier questioned. She hadn’t said ‘no’ full stop that time. 

“Say…” She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. “Say you’re visiting someone. Someone who might have intel.” 

“Fine.” Javier shifted so he could meet her eyes. “Five days. The weekend and three vacation days.”

She sighed and considered it. “Fine.” A faint smile played over her lips. “Please eat. She’s going to be up again soon to eat and I’d like some company.”

Javier pressed a kiss to the top of her head before he slowly peeled himself out from behind her. He could handle five days. Five days wasn’t quite ten weeks getting to bond with his daughter and help his partner through her own healing process — but it was something. 

Now he just had to hope it got approved. He’d come up with some story, some hooker, some shadow of his past. He could probably get something out of one of them to corroborate his story.  

———

“I’ll get her,” Javier whispered as he groggily sat up in bed, rubbing at his eyes. 

“She’ll want to eat.”

“Just rest, baby.” He urged her as he slid out of bed and padded blearily across the bedroom to the bassinet. Josie was fussing, soft little mewl-like cries that were the start of a much louder cry. “Shh.” He lifted her into his arms carefully, his palm resting against the back of her head. “Daddy’s got you.”

He carried her carefully, settling back down onto the bed. He had Josie nestled against his chest, his heart beating faster as she nestled her little cheek against his skin and quieted. “She’s so tiny.” Javier marveled. 

“She is.” She answered as she turned on the bedside lamp, “And enjoying the skin-to-skin.” Javi watched as she pulled the pillows up behind her so she could recline more comfortably. “What?”

“Can’t believe we made her.” Javier mused as he reluctantly passed Josie off to her mother. He knew she needed to eat, but he just wanted to hold her a little bit longer. It had only been a day, but already there was this deep seated fear that he would blink and miss everything. That he’d go to work and come home a stranger in his daughter’s eyes. 

Javier settled onto the bed beside her as she worked to get Josie to latch on to her breast. That was his whole world right there. None of the other shit mattered. Everything that came before this… irrelevant. 

It felt like just yesterday that she’d told him she was pregnant. Just yesterday, that his entire life narrowed down to just these two people. 

He had never actually envisioned what being a father would he like. His own father used to tell him that once he settled down and met someone he could commit to — everything would change. He’d thought it was bullshit until it happened to him. Until he realized he had to grow the fuck up and be a man worthy of being a father to her child. 

“Hey,” Javier whispered, his fingers spreading out over her stomach as he looked up at her.

“Yeah, Javi?”

“I love you.”

She smiled, “We love you too.”

One day, he hoped he wouldn’t have to hide this. To never have to pretend to have only a passing interest in their lives, when in reality, he was counting the seconds until he could be alone with them again. Where this was the woman that he loved and his daughter. 

Where this was his family.

[wickedmilo]

BASEBALL AND SPIDER MONKEYS | MILO & ORION  PART 1

PLACE: Orion’s house TIMING: 11:12 PM SUMMARY: Orion hosts a vampire movie night to help Milo feel better about the changes in his life WRITING PARTNER: @3starsquinn​ CONTENT WARNINGS: Some brief NSFW humour

Milo wasn’t sure what he had been expecting. Rio wasn’t the type to lie, and had been pretty clear about living in a large property alone. Maybe he was developing trust issues, because standing in the kitchen now, staring out at the expanse of space, he felt guilty for ever doubting his friend. It was a large property, a nice one too. He was glad he had somewhere decent to stay. If anybody deserved that, it was Orion. The fact that he had put himself on the line, had created such a permanent rift between himself and Dani, for the sake of keeping him safe… it was something he still considered when he allowed his mind to wander. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to be able to repay him, though showing up for movie nights felt like a pretty good place to start. He had a sneaking suspicion Orion had organised this particular watch party in an attempt to make him feel more grounded, to make him feel more at ease with his new life… or death. But he was really hoping his company had something to offer Rio in return. It must get lonely sometimes, such a big house with nobody in it. 

Turning his attention back to the popcorn as it began to pop in the microwave, he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. The smell was already overwhelming, but he had been the one to insist. It wasn’t a movie night without popcorn, and something about the mundane routine was incredibly comforting. “So,” he said, turning briefly to Rio who was sitting beside him on the kitchen counter. “What did you say was on the list?” Still watching the timer as it continued to count down the seconds, he used his fingers to tick off the list of franchises he had been given by his friend. “Twilight, of course. But you said The Vampire Diaries, right? Specifically episode one? Did you make this list? Or did you steal it from a teenage girl’s tumblr account? Be honest with me.” 

Sitting on the counter, Orion listened to the microwave’s buzzing as the kernels slowly started to pop. For once, the sound of the microwave and the distant sound of the pool filter wasn’t the only thing to keep Rio busy. He wasn’t sure anybody had been in the house to hang out with him since Skylar had left. It was such a relief to have somebody occupying space in the kitchen with him again. Even if this was only temporary, it was worth it. For just today at least, he wouldn’t feel so alone in this house. “Stop looking like that.” Rio warned, catching his eyes as they floated around the place, “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a real housewife or whatever those rich people shows are. All of this was purely by chance. And it’s not mine. I’m just staying here for now.” Rio smiled, but he truly didn’t want Milo thinking the wrong thing. He didn’t know why he hated the idea of people thinking this was actually his house, but something about it felt wrong. Like he was living a facade. It was partially true, but not because of this house.

“Not necessarily in that order.” Orion checked his phone for the list he had compiled. Most of the media he had never consumed himself. His parents had never been fond of their children watching such inaccurate depictions of supernatural creatures. They didn’t want Athena and Rio to get the wrong idea of what they were weak to, but more than anything else they didn’t want them romanticizing the idea of what they considered monsters. Clearly, something had gone wrong along the way with Rio. “I did my research from multiple sources.” Rio countered, not necessarily disclosing where those sources came from. “I never got to watch this stuff growing up, so I’m going in just as blind as you. But I have seen some scenes from Twilight. Personally, I think it could have been worse.” 

Milo laughed, unable to help himself. “I’m not looking like anything.” He insisted, holding up his hands in surrender. “I am, however, wondering who your sugar daddy is and how I can get in on the action.” His eyes were shining with mischief as he teased Orion. He knew his friend wouldn’t mind, and sometimes he just made it so easy. “Oh, because the order is important?” He asked, sarcasm dripping from his tone. “Trash is trash, Rio. Sometimes you just gotta sit back and enjoy it.” Pulling open the door to the microwave as the alarm began to sound, he shook the bag of popcorn before emptying it into the bowl he had ready. His fingertips burned with the heat. It was strange no longer needing to worry about that. “Multiple sources being tumblr?” He raised his eyebrows, chewing absentmindedly on a piece of popcorn. The taste was pretty close to how he remembered it, only dull, and one note. Wrinkling his nose, he took another piece for the sake of it.  

“Wait, you never got to watch vampire movies?” He had wrongly assumed Rio’s childhood largely consisted of vampire movies, and scary supernatural YA. It made sense considering what he was, what his parents were hoping he would grow up to become. Realising that may not be true was a reminder of just how much he didn’t know, just how much they still had to talk about when Orion was ready. If Orion was ready. “Wouldn’t that be like… homework for you?” He was genuinely curious to know. He hadn’t been allowed to watch much TV because his own parents had made it very clear they wanted him to study in his free time. But surely watching shows about the supernatural, learning about the supernatural, was studying for a hunter. “I guess we’re in it together then. Maybe we should start with Twilight after that glowing review.”  

“I know you’re joking and that you don’t actually think I have a sugar… dad.” Orion scrunched his nose at the thought of saying the word. He didn’t have the emotional capacity to have a relationship like that. “It was a very specific and weird order of events that led to me being here. Including but not limited to my parents sucking, invading a girl’s privacy, getting attacked by a man eating watermelon and eventually the only person I’ve ever dated and I breaking up.” He was shortening events obviously, but this provided a very small glimpse of the life that Rio never disclosed to Milo at the comic book shop. They had never talked much about personal lives there, avoiding it altogether to chat about comic books instead. “My sources prefer to remain undisclosed.” He crossed his arms and pouted, abandoning Milo in the kitchen with the popcorn to head to the living room. 

“It’s not really considered homework when it’s not accurate.” Rio spoke normally, but figured Milo would be able to hear him from where he was in the kitchen. Rio started setting up the tv to get their first pick of the night ready. “Not to say all of them are inaccurate, they all get a little bit right. But they thought it would do more harm than good.” Rio still found time to watch a few when he could. Whether it was through the movie theater or at the Scribrary when he not so formally moved in there. “Besides, vampires were never my families focus anyways.” He nodded in agreement with Milo on the movie pick and found the movie, starting it up before pausing, “Ready when you are.” 

“But am I joking though?” Milo teased, laughing at the term Orion chose to use. “You can say daddy, you know. It isn’t going to kill you.” He laughed again, surprising himself with how easily the sound escaped him. Hugging the bowl of popcorn to his chest, he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so at ease, couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so warm. “Was the specific order of events signing up to a sugar daddy website? Going on a date? And then securing a sugar daddy?” Falling silent when Rio began to elaborate, he was reminded not for the first time of just how strange his life had been. Nobody who hadn’t grown up with the supernatural could ever drop a carnivorous watermelon into the conversation as though it was on the same level as a break up. “Huh, no kidding about the complicated…” He muttered, deciding not to ask any further questions. He didn’t want to bring the mood down, but he also didn’t want to make his friend uncomfortable. There was a time and a place for serious conversation, and the start of a trashy movie marathon didn’t feel like either.  

Chewing on another piece of popcorn, he didn’t immediately follow Rio to the living room. Instead, he took the time to enjoy the moment, observing the mundane aspects of the kitchen, and appreciating them in a way he never had before. His life had been turned upside down, for a month before meeting Harsh he had spent his time between the abandoned buildings, the streets of town, and the woods. No kitchens, no bathrooms, no comfortable living space. It felt good to be back, to be grounded again. Listening to Orion as he explained why his parents had kept him away from certain shows and films, he could almost understand the logic. Not knowing whether Hunters had hearing on par with his own, he finally wandered into the living room to reply. “I guess that makes sense… though I can think of a few films that would probably help if they were trying to make you see these people as monsters. I mean basically every horror movie ever, let’s be real.” Raising his eyebrows at the mention of vampires not being the family's focus, he set the popcorn down on the coffee table. “Oh, yeah?” He asked, dropping onto the couch, making himself comfortable without any kind hesitation. Couch surfing in the years before his death had left him more than capable of relaxing in other people’s houses. “Do I want to know what your family’s focus was?” Nodding towards the screen, he let Rio know he was ready without potentially interrupting an answer to his question. There was still so much he needed to learn.  

“I really feel like it could kill me. For my own sanity I’ll just avoid saying it altogether.” Milo was saying the word daddy way too many times for Orion’s sanity. Was this what Rio had set himself up for when he stayed in Skylar’s house? Sugar daddy accusations? The idea might be a bit less shocking if normal, no strings attached sex didn’t terrify Rio to his core. He couldn’t even sleep with his ex, who he adored. He couldn’t say he was surprised when Milo didn’t ask for any elaboration. Life here was complicated. They wouldn’t actually get to watch anything if they waited around for Rio to tell his life story. 

“They had plenty of stories all on their own.” Rio remembered his parents' stories vividly. They spared no detail of the gore they had witnessed. They liked to talk about the death and destruction werewolves or fae would leave behind. Though they never spent as much time talking about what they would do to it in turn. Ironically, the ending always included some kind of heroic intervention. Their parents or their grandparents swooping in at the perfect time and serving justice. His sister used to fall for those stories every single time. Rio used to be afraid of those stories. It wasn’t until he got older that he realized exactly what he should have been afraid of. Rio pressed play on the movie and let it get started, but continued talking with Milo. “Depends on how much about the supernatural you want to know. Both of my parents came from different families of hunters. So Athena and I got to focus on two things growing up. Werewolves and Fae. But my… abilities were always focused towards werewolves.”  

Milo made a big deal about pouting in disappointment. “Is that because you’re only allowed to say it in Daddy’s company?” He asked, before raising his arms in surrender. “Okay, okay- I’ll stop now, I swear- I couldn’t resist.” His smile fading as the conversation became serious once again, he leaned back against the cushions behind him, listening intently to what Orion had to say. His own parents had been strict, and rigid. Growing up, their expectations of him had been unreasonably high, and in his opinion, put him under an unnecessary amount of stress. But they had been loving, and caring, and they had never resorted to scare tactics. He couldn’t imagine the trauma Rio might be carrying from being intentionally scared by the people who were supposed to protect him. Had they really told him stories equal to the horror movies he used to binge watch? Surely it had to be worse if they were based on the truth? On experiences they had been through?  

Laughing quietly, he reached forward again to pick up the popcorn bowl, somehow feeling more comfortable when he was holding it. The smell reminded him of watching movies with his parents, as did the action of occasionally eating some, even if the taste wasn’t quite there anymore. “I mean, it isn’t as though I can just ignore it…” He pointed out. He could bury his head in the sand, but there were too many things out there he had a feeling he should know about. Supernatural life had to be easier when you understood the full extent of the world you were living in. He wanted that to be true, at least. “Huh… so werewolves really do exist.” He muttered, more to himself than to Rio. It was something he had suspected for a while, but his friend was now the first person to confirm the fact. “Fae?” He echoed, realising he wasn’t familiar with the term. Pausing for a moment, recognising the way Orion hesitated, he chewed thoughtfully on a piece of popcorn, offering the bowl to him as though it might remind him he was in a safe environment. “So, forgetting the- you know, the bad stuff, what can you do?” He asked curiously. “You’re different, right? You told Dani you barely counted as human so… are we talking Spider-Man backflips? Or is it something else? Was one of your ancestors bitten by a radioactive werewolf?” He wanted to give Orion the chance to talk in a playful way, in a way that almost trivialised the darker aspects of his life. Rio had begun to make vampire jokes, and the relaxed environment they created helped to lift some of the weight from his shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, he could return the sentiment. 

Orion was mostly happy to ignore the beginning scenes of the movie in favor of talking with Milo. Even if the topic was his least favorite to discuss. For some reason, things with Milo just seemed easier. He could casually talk about topics he would usually avoid unless absolutely necessary. “Sorry to ruin your fun. I’m sure you wanted to find out about werewolves naturally.” Rio laughed, gesturing for the bowl of popcorn and then opening his mouth to see if Milo would try to throw it to him. “Fae are a lot more complicated. That’s a supernatural lesson for another night. But they have their own sect of hunters.” He didn’t need to overwhelm Milo with all of that knowledge. There were too many fae to describe in a single setting anyways. Not that Rio knew all of them as it was.  

Rio couldn’t but laugh at the radioactive werewolf comment. The comic humor didn’t escape him, but it was the irony of the theory that made it even better “Oh god I wish. If hunters found out they were actually descended from werewolves I think their heads would spin.” Rio might actually go back to the Silver Bullet if he got to see that. “Yeah. I guess. I have this sort of… sixth sense I guess. If a werewolf is around I can feel it.” The gift that kept on giving. He had never figured out if there was an off switch to it. He mostly just dealt with it until he went numb to the tingling sensation. “I have faster reflexes. I’m kinda strong. I heal a bit faster than normal humans. Oh and I can see in the dark.” Rio tried shrugging them off. He never liked his abilities. No matter how great they might be objectively. “I could probably do a spider-man backflip if I trained. Any more questions?” 

“Oh, no. I’ve already found out way too much without anyone to guide me through it. I’m done with finding things out on my own.” Milo assured his friend. In reality, it had been an incredibly difficult, and jarring process, but sitting here with Orion now made it more than easy to shrug off. Raising his eyebrows when he realised what he was being asked to do with the popcorn, he laughed, shifting on the sofa to give himself a better angle before aiming carefully. He so nearly missed, but with a sharp tilt of his head Rio caught the popcorn on his tongue, and he felt a ridiculous sense of accomplishment that definitely wasn’t warranted. Nodding in acceptance of Fae being too broad of a subject to cover without ruining the evening, he shelved his curiosity, ready for another night, another conversation. Offering Orion a grin when he laughed, he was genuinely proud of himself for being able to draw it out of him. He knew him well enough to understand this subject wasn’t one he was overly comfortable with. And he was not only talking about it now, but willing to joke about it. He enjoyed that.  

“The ultimate plot twist, right?” He agreed, listening to the description of a sixth sense, wondering if it felt anything like being able to sense the blood pumping through a person’s veins. There were some moments it was all he could think about, hearing their heartbeat, feeling the heat of their skin, the pulse in their neck… he swallowed, pushing away the thought before he could make himself thirsty. That wasn’t going to be productive. And it certainly wouldn’t do anything to help his case in proving to Orion he was the same person he had always been. “So kind of like Spider-Man?” He confirmed. “I was almost right.” At the mention of any more questions, he sat up straight, attempting to look as serious as he could. “Only two. Potentially the two most important questions you are ever going to be asked. Number one; are you Team Edward, or Team Jacob?” He waited for his words to register before continuing, gesturing to the screen where the Cullen’s were entering the school cafeteria. They were walking in slow motion, their skin white, and pale against the film’s dramatic colour grading, and their faces were striking, intense, so obviously intended to be sexy. “Number two;” he added, maintaining his mock sincerity. “Do I look like that now? There’s only one right answer to this question, okay? Don’t hurt my feelings.”  

Orion hadn’t exactly spoken about his history with the Scribrary. Or rather, two separate scribe buildings that he had access to now. The drama with Dani and the discovery of the hunter heritage all felt so fresh that RIo didn’t feel the need to pile on top of that with the Scribe history. But Milo might have lucked out in friendship when it came to finding someone with supernatural knowledge. Milo accommodated Rio’s request and tossed a piece of popcorn that Rio just barely managed to catch. The surprise took over, and he shot his arms up in the air in a triumphant cheer, maybe an overreaction but not one he was going to regret.  

“I’m not that lucky. My family was convinced that the powers come directly from God. So take that as you will.” Rio was glad Milo was getting such a kick out of this. It was surprisingly easy to talk about it when the conversation wasn’t so… depressing. “Basically. I’m not nearly as cool or pretty as Peter Parker though.” He had gone through a long Peter Parker phase when he was younger, for obvious reasons. Rio was ready for his follow up questions until Milo actually asked them. He rolled his eyes and groaned in response, but felt his posture relax slightly at the change of subject. “I’ve seen enough memes to know the only right answer is Bella’s dad. I mean like… look at him.” Rio pointed at the screen, even though he wasn’t actually on it at the time. His point stood. “What’s so bad about looking like that, huh? I think you’ve always sparkled to me.” Rio laughed to himself and shot an innocent smile in Milo’s direction, “You look much more alive than they do.” 

There was something so endearing about the way Rio celebrated his win, that for a few seconds following Milo found himself entirely speechless, overwhelmed by the affection he felt for his friend. “Maybe you are God.” He teased, barely putting any consideration into the joke, knowing Orion would appreciate it regardless. “Maybe you’re going to get older and suddenly inherit your omnipotence. If you don’t know what to do with your powers, please come to me. I have some pretty great ideas, you know. Tequila in every water fountain would be a good place to start...” Laughing at the mention of Peter Parker, he wasn’t sure he had met anyone who hadn’t crushed on the character at some point in their life. Sexual orientation didn’t come into play in relation to Spider-Man. “Hey, don’t put yourself down like that. You’re every bit as great as Peter Parker. I’d choose you over him any fucking day.”  

Feeling a spark of satisfaction at the reaction to his questions, his eyes were shining with mischief. He was unapologetically proud of garnering such a response. “Okay, but is Bella’s dad hotter than Jacob, is that what you’re trying to tell me here?” If he had a heartbeat, he knew he would be blushing at the comment on sparkling. It was such a stupid thing to get flustered over, but he was rarely ever the recipient of compliments. He didn’t know how to accept them. “You know…” He shifted on the couch, readjusting the popcorn bowl. “That’s probably a good thing because if you try pushing me into the sunlight it isn’t going to end well. Let me sparkle in the dark, please and thank you.” Glancing back up at the screen, he wondered if the vampires in Twilight had reflections. Surely they must, how else would they look so flawlessly put together? “I do?” He asked curiously, pressing his fingertips to one of his cheeks as though he would be able to feel what Orion was talking about, the difference in complexion, the difference in demeanour. “I guess I don’t really know what I look like anymore… it’s weird only seeing myself on my phone screen, it isn’t like I can use any natural lighting either. The whole thing is just… really fucking weird.”  

“You’re getting way too deep for me.” Orion laughed, lowering his victory arms and pull his legs up until a fetal position instead. “I’d have to get old in the first place. Hunters don’t exactly have the same life expectancy as an average human.” Sure, that was mostly due to the dangerous nature of their lives. But Rio had already decided long ago that just turning away from his hunter heritage and trying to live a normal life wasn’t enough. He had to actively try to protect the supernatural. In a way, he might be cutting his life even shorter. He was siding with people that may want to kill by going against those that would protect him. He wasn’t going to be getting much love from either side, in some cases. “I’ll make sure to keep your suggestions in mind though. In case I ever meet them.” Not that he really believed in any of that. “Now I know you’re just being nice. Everybody would choose Peter Parker.” 

With a shrug, Rio tried to defend his statement, “I’ve been spoiled on some parts of this series. There’s a lot to be left desired about Jacob. Mr. Swan seems like a nice guy. I mean he’s older than what I would be comfortable dating, but honestly I’m just not comfortable dating.” Honesty was a virtue, or so they say. Rio spent so much of his life lying that when he finally met those he could tell the truth to it seemed to all erupt at once like a volcano. “Yeah. Suddenly the night hang outs make a lot more sense.” Rio considered what Milo talked about. It was so strange, the idea that he could no longer see himself. Something that was so trivial to most people that they don’t think twice about it as they pass by a mirror and check their hair. “Sure. I mean, I’m not like… I don’t know studying your features or anything but…” Not off to a great start, “You just look like… you. The movie seems to over exaggerate the pale features and stuff like that. I don’t think you look much different. Which is nice.” Jesus, his face felt like it was on fire. He thought he had moved past this by now? 

“Hm, I don’t think anybody has ever called me ‘deep’ before.” Milo admitted, doing nothing to hide how amused he was. “I kind of like it.” His smile fading rapidly at Orion’s second comment, he suddenly found himself eyeing his friend with an open, and unguarded concern. It was a strange thing to say so casually, especially when it was clearly not intended as a joke. He hadn’t considered the life expectancy of Hunters until this moment, and he wasn’t sure it was something he really wanted to dwell on. Orion was safe, because Orion wasn’t a Hunter, right? How could you be a Hunter when you weren’t actively hunting? He wasn’t stupid enough to believe it was that simple, but for now, he was happy to convince himself otherwise. “Please do.” He said, easily falling back into their banter. “I think Tequila on tap would make the world a much greater place to be.” Offering Rio a warm smile, he needed him to see how serious he was. “Rio,” he said, his voice slow, and sincere. “I promise I would choose you. I mean, fuck Peter Parker. Come on...” Peter had a lot to offer, sure. But in his own mind Orion also had powers, Orion was just as interesting, if not more interesting because unlike Peter, he had actively saved his life. Or… unlife? He still wasn’t sure how that terminology worked.  

His smile only growing when his friend proceeded to announce just how much he really knew about the Twilight series, he couldn’t bring himself to tease him for it. Not after the reminder of how grateful he was to be in his company. “Hey, you know what? Neither am I.” He admitted, quite possibly for the first time out loud. You only had to look at his history, at the ridiculous patterns of repeated behaviour for his commitment issues to become apparent. Even he knew he had them, he wasn’t about to deny it. His childhood had been too structured, too rigid. It had left him with a determination to be free. He still wasn’t entirely sure what his definition of ‘free’ was, especially now. But he did know it didn’t include dating. “Honestly, people are probably better off without having to deal with my bullshit anyway.” He absentmindedly took a handful of popcorn from the bowl, eating the pieces one by one before speaking again. “I was always more active at night anyway.” He shrugged off his new limitations. Life didn’t feel all too different in that aspect. The days had always been reserved for sleeping off hangovers and comedowns, the only thing he really missed was working. And Tower Comics usually had late shifts on offer, so hopefully he wouldn’t have to miss it for very long.  

Pausing for a moment, hand halfway back to the popcorn, he realised Orion was observing him, carefully taking him in. It made him feel strangely exposed, but not uncomfortable like he might have assumed. There was something about his friend that made him feel so at ease, he couldn’t explain it even if he wanted to. He could only hope the sentiment was shared between them. The relief he felt when he was assured he still looked like himself was unexpected, until the words escaped Rio he had been entirely convinced it didn’t matter, he didn’t care. There was something so grounding about realising his appearance hadn’t changed. It was only further validation of the fact that he was still Milo, regardless of what Dani believed. Regardless of what Hunters and Slayers were taught about his kind. A half smile tugging at his lips, he didn’t hide how vulnerable he felt, because he didn’t want to hide how vulnerable he felt. He wanted to be honest, Rio deserved that much from him. “Thank you.” He murmured, his voice barely louder than a whisper. It didn’t take very long for him to push his vulnerability to the side though, because it became all too easy to make a joke as the blood rushed to Rio’s face. He believed Rio when he said he was over his crush, but he was always going to enjoy watching him blush. “You know, blushing in front of a vampire kind of makes you look like a snack.” He grinned, hoping his play on words would be obvious, and Rio would realise he was paying him a compliment.  

“Do you want me to repeat it again so you can hear it more?” Orion laughed, resting his chin on his knees and shifting his tone to an only partially faked form of admiration, “Wow, Milo. You’re just soooo deep. I’ve never met anyone as intellectual as you.” Rio grinned after finishing, leaning back against the arm of the chair, “Hope that helped.” Despite the joking nature of the conversation, Milo seemed all too sincere when doubling down that Rio was better than Peter Parker. As absurd as that sounded, Rio couldn’t help but be a bit flattered. More than that though, he felt embarrassed by the compliment. One that he didn’t exactly know how to reply to. He was always terrible at accepting compliments. Instead, he switched guys. “Right. Well you should be careful who you promise stuff to. It’s a whole fae thing, I’ll explain later. But just be mindful of words like that to people.” Rio had learned the hard way just how dangerous a promise could be in the wrong hands. “But uh… thanks.” 

Rio didn’t know how to respond to Milo. Rio wasn’t good at relationships, though maybe for different reasons than Milo. He didn’t know how to tell Milo that he didn’t seem like a hassle at all without it sounding like Rio was trying to date him. He shrugged the question off instead, choosing instead to show minor interest in the movie again until Milo mentioned being more active at night. “Yeah, I guess I sort of am too. I get the most done at night.” Less distractions to worry about, he figured. 

Having his red face pointed out to him probably made Rio blush even harder. At the very least, it made his cheeks light on fire. “A joke about eating me? That’s just in poor taste.” Rio couldn’t even pretend to be serious, not with his giggling and the smile that wouldn’t leave his face. If compliments made him so awkward, how come he also couldn’t stop grinning? “Most people think I’m one missed meal away from snapping in half. This town thinks I’m like a saltine cracker or something. Just waiting to be stepped on and crumble.” Was that how Rio avoided dealing with the possibility that the vampire had just called him cute? Definitely. 

“Obviously.” Milo countered quickly, tilting his chin in an attempt to look proud, and smug, as Orion elaborated on his intelligence. “Thank you, thank you.” He teased. “I don’t try at all, you know? It just comes to me naturally.” Quickly dissolving into laughter, he caught his friends eye, joining him in sinking back down into the cushions. “Oh, it did.” He assured Rio. “I appreciate the confidence boost.” A frown creasing his brow as he listened curiously to the warning, he hadn’t forgotten their unwritten agreement to put off the difficult conversations, to keep things light-hearted, and fun, and deal with the real world at another time. But he had a burning desire to know more, to understand. He felt as though he had been living in the dark, metaphorically, of course, for far too long now. Orion had become his light. “Okay, how about swearing? If I swear to choose you over Peter Parker, is that going to put me in danger?” He asked, genuinely wanting to know. “Hm, you don’t need to thank me, you dork. Thank Parker for being lamer than you are.” He nudged him with his shoulder, encouraging him to smile. “Who knew that was possible, huh?”  

Dropping his head back against the cushions behind him, he turned his attention to the film as Orion insisted he was also a night owl. He kind of figured, given how they had reconnected, but it was a nice detail, one he was very happy to know. With every day that passed he could feel them trusting each other more, getting closer, and more comfortable with being who they were. What they were. He used to have that with Dani… not so much now. And he was so, so grateful he wasn’t alone. Laughing again, even harder this time, he couldn’t help himself. The situation was so ridiculous, so beyond funny that he had to laugh. If he didn’t laugh he would cry, or go insane, whichever came first. “Oh really?” He demanded, his eyes shining as he looked back at his friend. “You started it with the whole pointing out my lungs don’t work for shit, so… do you know how rude it is to tell someone they’re dead? How do you think Edward would feel?” Humming quietly, making his amusement abundantly clear, he chewed on another piece of popcorn. “Yeah, well, the joke’s on them because Saltine Crackers taste fucking great. Hey look,” he feigned surprise, wondering if he could elicit another blush. “Another joke about eating you.”  

Orion had to appreciate Milo’s commitment to this Peter Parker debate. He wasn’t Rio’s favorite character by any means, but he was one of the most popular characters in probably all of comics. Being compared to and even rated above him was a surprisingly good feeling. “Swearing is tricky too. Though I guess not for a statement like that.” Unless there were any real Peter Parker’s in the world whose life came in danger soon. “It’s best to avoid any potentially binding statements like that. Just to be safe.” Rio needed to take his own advice. It was pathetic how easily he fell into Lydia’s grasp when he had grown up with two wardens constantly warning him of the dangers of fae. “Well I’m going to make sure my headstone reads that I was less lame than Peter Parker. Probably my biggest accomplishment in life.” 

It was so nice not sitting on the couch by himself like he normally did every night. Even if they were watching a movie that Rio didn’t particularly care for. Things could be a lot worse. Right now with Milo things seemed pretty okay. Good even. “That’s old news now, you can’t use that against me!” It didn’t matter that it was barely a week old, Rio just wanted the spotlight off of him again. “I’d like to think that he would have a sense of humor about it.” He paused, glancing at the screen and trying to think of more than once in the entire movie so far that he had actually smiled, “Actually, never mind. Point taken.” Oh god. Did Milo just making another joke about eating Rio? Far past the vampire reference, this made Rio heat up even further. He dug his forehead into his raised knees and curled up into a ball so Milo couldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing his face. “No fair. You’re doing this on purpose!” Rio yelled, the sound slightly muffled from pressing against his jeans. 

“Hm, okay.” Milo agreed, nodding as he took in what Orion was telling him. Until the real conversations, until they could sit down and talk about everything he didn’t know, he was going to hold onto the snippets of information he was given. He was smart enough to understand if Rio was telling him now, on their supposed night off from the world of the supernatural, then it was important. “No binding statements, got it. I stand by what I said though.” He added, grinning at his friend. “Only slightly less lame, but, you know... it’s enough.” He didn’t want to imagine any gravestone for Rio, the idea of mortality versus immortality was something he had strictly refused to let himself think about, but he had to admit the thought of the tagline was amusing. “You’re not going to top that, so you may as well give up now.” He teased, catching Rio’s eye and feeling an undeniable rush of affection. He needed this, a reminder that all hope wasn’t lost. There were things, and people, worth living for.  

Laughing at the response to the previous joke being dragged back to the present, he shook his head, allowing himself to focus on the now. He got lost in his own head far too often, and he didn’t want to miss a second of this night with Orion. “Nope, that so isn’t how it works.” He insisted. “I think you’ll find I can, and I will.” Laughing again as they both turned to watch Edward on screen, the vampire’s mouth a thin, straight line, his body filled with obvious tension, he couldn’t remember laughing this hard since his death. He couldn’t remember feeling so normal. Who knew Twilight was going to be his saviour? Only tearing his gaze away from the screen to watch Rio hide his face, he playfully reached out to tug at his arms. “Doing what on purpose?” He asked, his innocence very obviously disingenuous. “Doing what? I don’t understand, Rio. My mind is pure, and innocent, and virtuous. I’m only trying to compliment you.”  

“I’ll take what I can get. Slightly less lame is just fine.” Orion laughed, revelling in this moment. Where all that seemed to matter was Milo, Peter Parker and the sounds of twilight distant in the background. It was a good moment. “Clearly I’ve peaked in life. No reason to go on from here.” It had been so, so long since he had been able to laugh like that. It almost made him sad, thinking about how lonely he had felt lately. But he pushed aside that butterfly in his stomach. Good vibes only tonight. 

Rio wasn’t going to budge as Milo pulled at his arms, refusing to give him a win on this. A small bit of light shone through as his leg shifted and he peaked up to meet Milo’s eye, “I don’t believe you.” Rio pouted, readjusting to shut his leg again. “I don’t think you’re pure, innocent or virtuous.” Eventually, Rio had to end the facade and lifted his head back up. He feigned annoyance, narrowing his eyes at his guest and crossing his arms. “You know if you had ‘complimented me’ like that like a year ago I probably would have melted to the floor right?” He used his fingers to make air quotes. They both knew that was true. Until Rio met Winston and started dating them, Milo was one of the small list of pretty guys that Rio could barely form words around. Another being Ricky and Adam. Thankfully, that had passed. Or Rio sure hoped that it had. The redness in his face seemed to be arguing against that. “Don’t you have a movie to watch? Notes to take? Like about baseball and spider monkeys?”  

“Good.” Milo teased. “I would hate for you to be disappointed.” Laughing at Orion’s comment, he gestured to where they were sitting. “I mean, you’re sitting on a couch watching Twilight with a vampire. You’ve definitely peaked.” Picking up a piece of popcorn and throwing it lazily at his friend, he rolled his eyes, splitting his attention between their conversation and the movie. “That doesn’t mean you get to tap out though, asshole, so you can quit with no reason to go on. When I say give up I mean spend your life getting high, and eating pizza. Because we both know those are two excellent motivators for staying alive.” His laughter only coming more easily to him as Rio refused to budge, he eventually let go of his arms, allowing him re-emerge from the darkness in his own time.  

“Excuse me, I am all three of those things.” He countered, pretending to be offended by the apparent lack of faith. “But I guess I can forgive you, I’m a complicated person, so difficult to understand.” He was being overly dramatic for the sake of it, but wasn’t that what was so great about this night? They could be young, and dumb, and make stupid jokes. They could shut away the outside world and pretend the only thing that mattered were their ridiculous attempts at humour, and the emotionless, super hot vampires on the television screen. “Yeah, I know, I’m sad I didn’t realise at the time.” He grinned mischievously. “Although maybe that would have driven you away and then where would you have bought your comics from?” Shoving Rio gently when he told him he should be taking notes, the popcorn bowl spilled over, but he paid no attention to the scattered pieces. He would clean them up when necessary, but the whole point of right now was being free, living in the moment. “Yeah? Maybe we should try out for the same team. You’re every bit as weird as I am, you know? With your X-Men Hunter mutation bullshit. We’re in this together now.” He did nothing to hide how much the closing statement meant to him, allowing the warmth of his words to remind him he was cared for, and protected. They both were. 

“That’s what you call peaking, huh?” Orion laughed sarcastically, “I’d love to say I have higher standards. Clearly that’s not true.” And it wasn’t. His two best friends now were a werewolf and a vampire. It was like something out of a dream. Or maybe one of his parent’s nightmares. The majority of his friend group was supernaturally inclined in some way. Whether that be spellcasters or one of the supernatural beings his parents tried and failed to raise him to despise. Rio plucked the piece of popcorn from the couch that Milo so rudely launched at him and popped it in his mouth. “I don’t smoke though, so that’s already one reason eliminated. I do love pizza though.” Rio glanced up at the ceiling to consider that prospect. Pizza did sound pretty appealing. Actually, pizza sounded good right now. “Hmm, maybe we should order a pizza.” 

“Not right now, you aren’t.” Rio refused to give him anything while he teased him for the crush Rio had before the two were legitimate friends. It felt like a lifetime ago admittedly, though in reality it had probably been less than a year. Rio had a habit of developing feelings like that for just about every pretty guy that spoke nice words to him. At least until Rio moved in with Ricky and Winston and Rio practically fell in love with Winston instead. Rio hadn’t felt anything quite like that since Winston left town. “Don’t be. I wouldn’t have known how to date back then even if I had the opportunity.” He barely figured out how to date Winston, and that had been an entire saga on its own, “And don’t smile at me like that!” Though he detested the idea of being compared to a hunter, he understood Milo’s sentiment and at least appreciated that he veiled it with comic book references, “I’m only going to take that as a compliment because you compared me to the X-Men. But absolutely not. No sports for me.” 

“I’m offended by the implication of you settling for my company.” Milo teased. “But I’ll choose to let that slide because I’m comfortable and I don’t want to waste my energy on a dramatic exit.” Laughing quietly when Rio ate the popcorn he had dropped, he carefully contemplated the suggestion of pizza. It was another food he hadn’t tried since becoming a vampire. If his experiences with eating and drinking were anything to go on, it would be nowhere near as enjoyable as it used to be. But wasn’t that what you were supposed to do? You ate popcorn until you were genuinely hungry, and then you decided to order takeout. The familiarity of the routine was too strong for him to say no. “Want to order after Twilight?” He asked, glancing back towards the screen. They had to be reaching the middle of the film, they might even be two thirds of the way through. “Heads up, though. If you put garlic on it, then you’re going to end up on the menu.” 

His smile only growing as Orion continued to insist he wasn’t pure, innocent, or virtuous, he finally abandoned his claims. “Maybe not.” He admitted, content to give in now that he had pushed back just a little. He had to at least remain indignant if he was going to accept defeat. Forgetting the makeshift disagreement, he settled further down into the cushions, pulling his legs up beneath him, listening to his friend explain he wouldn’t have known how to date. It was hardly surprising, given what he had come to know about Orion’s quiet, and gentle nature. But if he was being honest, he hadn’t either. Hell, he still didn’t know how to date. They had met just under a year ago, but it was clear a lot had changed for both of them over such a short period of time. “Screw you, I’m allowed to smile at you!” He countered, his tone petulant, but filled with affection. “And yeah, I knew the X-Men talk would do it, you’re very predictable, you know?” 

“Well I’m offended by your attacks on me tonight. And for using my old crush against me to tease me. Both are very rude.” Orion hummed matter-of-factly, “So we can both be offended together. But only one of us gets the dramatic exit at the end.” He didn’t get many relationships like this. Teasing and comfort didn’t come naturally to him. It was hard to find his groove in a conversation when he had to spend so much of it planning ahead and second guessing every single word both before and after it came out of his mouth. Normally, he spent just as much time stumbling through a sentence as he did actually speaking. It usually took a lot of time and a lot of effort and patience on the other parties side to crack through some of that anxiety. Even then, he had only really achieved that sense of ease with a few people. Ariana, Blanche, Winston and Skylar were the first that came to mind. Now Milo too. It was comforting knowing that there were at least some people in town he could be his unfiltered self around. “You don’t have to ask me twice.” Rio shook his head passionately, the idea of pizza far too good to pass up. “Oh ha ha. Very funny. No garlic crust for us apparently.” 

A yawn escaped Rio, and he stretched before readjusting on the couch to lay on his bed across it. He kept his knees bent and his head propped on the arm so he could still look over at Milo. “But I like you anyways” Rio reassured the vampire and gave him a thumbs up from his new position on the couch. “You’re allowed to smile at me. Just not like that.” Rio was still joking, but it had definitely been different than the other grins the two had exchanged. Rio didn’t have the energy to try to discern why it felt so different. Besides, he didn’t want to ruin the mood. He kept shifting his view between the movie and Milo. “Being predictable is exactly the vibe I’m going for. Nonthreatening, predictable, totally normal non-hunter Rio.” 

“This is your house, moron, so obviously I get the dramatic exit.” Milo pointed out, very pleased they were in something together, even if the comment had been trivial, and light-hearted. It felt good to be side by side with Orion. He knew, to a certain extent, they really were in this together. In everything together. His friendship with Rio was quickly becoming his main source of support, and he couldn’t imagine it any other way. “You don’t need to tell me, I know I’m hilarious.” He added, watching as his friend stretched lazily, curling up on the sofa in a way that stupidly made him want to find a blanket, fetch him a hot chocolate, and make sure he was comfortable. He looked so innocent, it would be impossible to know all of the terrible things he had seen in his life. The struggles he had to face on a daily basis. Turning his attention back to the film, he couldn’t say anything particularly interesting had happened, but he had to admit he had thoroughly enjoyed the viewing experience. Despite not knowing what like that meant, he hummed quietly in response. “Sure, whatever.” A quiet laugh managed to escape him as he made a start on what was left of the popcorn. “I don’t know about labels, but whoever you are, I like you very much. I appreciate your vibes, you know.” He was only half teasing, needing Rio to know he genuinely enjoyed his company, that moments like these meant more to him than he could ever possibly say.  

Keeping his gaze fixed on the screen, he didn’t want to embarrass Orion further, even if he was desperate to see his reaction to the admission, so he fell back into a comfortable silence, patiently allowing the end of the story play out. Simultaneously, it felt as though it was over in minutes, and took hours to finally draw to a close, but as the credits began to roll, accompanied by a tacky love song he embarrassingly recognised, he turned back to Orion, ready to ask him whether he still wanted pizza. It didn’t take him long to realise his friend definitely wasn’t hungry, though, and he stared, almost in shock, as Orion slept soundly on the cushions beside him. It wasn’t as though he was surprised he was tired, or surprised he had been lulled to sleep by what he could only assume was a vampire satire. It was the fact that he had fallen asleep next to him. Next to a vampire. Dani had made it perfectly clear he couldn’t be trusted, that nobody should be left alone with him. And although he knew Orion didn’t agree with her, being alone with somebody fully conscious was very different to being alone with them and unaware. Being alone with them and vulnerable. Biting down on his bottom lip, repressing a smile, he shrugged off his hoodie without jostling the couch, carefully draping it over Orion’s form. He could try and find a blanket, but wandering his house without his permission felt too much like a violation, so hopefully the item of clothing would suffice. He didn’t need to sleep, he didn’t need to rest in the same way Orion did, but as he settled back down again, unable to tear his gaze away, he realised he was in a position to protect. To care for somebody he was fairly certain wasn’t used to being cared for. “Night, Rio… I’ll be here when you wake up.”  

[bbhyeoliskooks]

…〔𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬〕… SIX

Having an unrequited crush on Soobin was difficult, but you manage to make them hidden so he’s oblivious. It’s getting harder though, since each time you see him, you fall deeper into his mesmerizing eyes. You want to get rid of your feelings for him, so you grow closer to a boy named Beomgyu. However, when your one of your best friends, Sunhye asks you to back away so she can have a chance with Soobin, everything inevitably comes crashing down on you.

intro / one / two / three / four / five / six / seven

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Pairing: Beomgyu x Reader x Soobin

Genre: 3 1/2 cups of angst and 3 cups of fluff !!

Warnings: Language, illegal smoking (sunhye smh), sort of suggestive (if you call it that- you’ll see soon), long chapter (6.5k !!)

Playlist: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Something, Still Into You, Confession, Crazy For You

(Okay due to school, it had been such a long time that I’ve actually started to work on this chapter !! I’m so sorry that it took two months since I can’t find the time to finish it, so I hope to whoever has been waiting for the next part that you enjoy it berry berry much !! I hope this chapter was worth the wait :))

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Hidden in the dark alleyway between the separate school buildings were two students perched six feet away from each other. They were doing a good job of avoiding each other these past few days- maybe even weeks, but it seemed that one of them were somehow dragged back by the neck. One was drenched from the pouring rain, while the other one was not. One was a boy, and one was a girl.

That girl stepped closer to him with a stern look on her face. Her expensive designer clothes were soaked, as she forgot to bring an umbrella today. Though she paid no attention to it, only thinking of the things she needed to accomplish to get to the top. On the other hand, the other person, that boy held onto his black umbrella tightly. He was tired of putting up her shenanigans, but zipped his lips tightly so not to say anything. Interacting with her was now dangerous, so he needed to break it up to her that he wasn’t going to join in her evil forces anymore. 

“Sunhye, I am tired of this crap. You know that I don’t want to cause her harm, the only thing that I’ve been doing to her this whole time. Consider me out of this plan if you’re going to let her get hurt in the end.”

“And you think I’m going to listen to you?” She pulled out a box of cigarettes from the pocket of her favorite jeans and plastered on a mischievous grin full of malice. “That bitch deserves to be kicked out of school, quite literally in my opinion,” she concluded, glancing over at the boy who was rolling his eyes. He was obviously disgusted, but she couldn’t bring herself to care less. 

Snickering to herself, she asked quietly, “why? Do you like her? After all this time?! Seriously, don’t make me laugh, Choi Beomgyu. That- that’s so pathetic!” Her voice teetered on the edge of holding the big amounts of giggles in until she burst into full fits of laughter, clutching her stomach as if it hurt to laugh. 

Looking at her now, Beomgyu thought she was completely insane. 

The atmosphere was extremely awkward, and he felt almost uncomfortable being alone with her. The dim alleyway wasn’t making it any better, and he felt the need to run away from what was happening. But he needed to tell you. If he wanted to leave this plan he was forced into, then he had to make his voice come out as firm. By doing so, he cleared his throat, trying in his best efforts to appear as tough even though his heart was quaking in fear. “You’re insane. I’m going to tell her whether you like it or not...” he paused to collect his thoughts before taking a few steps away from her. He didn’t like being so close to her unlike the past where he put his sole trust in her; the girl was too repulsive for words to describe. He could no longer think of her as his companion after all the of the crap she’d intentionally done.

“I’m not doing this plan, you aren’t going to hurt her as long as I’m there to protect her.” 

Saying those words must’ve snapped something in her, and her laughter came to an abrupt stop. Utilizing the silence to take a good look at her physical appearance, he could see that her face was dull with paleness, and her eyes seemingly rolled to the back of her head in sign of annoyance. She had a tight frown on her face, one that he had seen before when she was planning to do something terrible. Another reason to hate what she became, he compiled in his head. 

Instead of admitting her defeat, she just smirked and threw her hand around. 

“Just watch me, then.”

Now, he urged himself to walk out of the alleyway. Turning back once more, he saw her wave a goodbye towards him before she started to giggle. He wanted to throw up from the fear rumbling around in his stomach. From the corner of his eyes, he could see her laughing harder than ever before. How can somebody be that desperate for love when they know that person will never love them back? He felt the need to laugh, but it was uncomfortable to do so in front of her. Lee Sunhye... she was insane. Just insane. 

As the drops of rain made comforting sounds of ambiance on his black umbrella, his mind clouded with thoughts where the two of you would spend lazy mornings at your house whenever it was raining. Those were the best days he’s ever had, he thought to himself. Just seeing you laugh while he teased you about the way your eyebrows furrowed in concentration, run your fingers through his hair as you both told stories, or hell- even seeing you smile genuinely from his compliment, it never failed to make him grin too. 

He hoped running into you during class would perhaps make him feel better. You always did, but he didn’t tell you, especially now when you were so called enemies. Maybe, he thought, seeing your sparkling eyes light up when you made eye contact with him would brighten up his day a little bit. However, thinking of your comforting presence still wasn’t able to ease the bad feeling in his chest. It tugged endlessly at his heartstrings, hopelessly warning him to listen to his gut feeling...

And that gut feeling told him that prom tonight would go horrible. 

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As Beomgyu was making his way to the entrance of the school, he could see the outline of two familiar figures walking in the rain. Stopping for a while, he noticed that his lips unknowingly turned into a deep frown. That showed him he grew “just a bit” jealous at the sight of them dancing around in the puddles and laughing about whatnot. He lingered longer than he should’ve under the disguise of his black umbrella and managed to hear each and every word both of them were saying. 

It was you and Soobin, with him holding the umbrella above you so that you wouldn’t get any specks of rain on yourself. However he wasn’t doing a good job for himself, as his right shoulder and leg was becoming soaked from the pouring water. Beomgyu scoffed at this before deciding to the follow subtly and silently behind you.

“Hey, do you want to go to prom with me? I should’ve asked earlier, but there wasn’t enough t-time,” Soobin’s voice at the end started to tremble, though you didn’t look like you caught on. The boy following you rolled his eyes. You were going to freak out about this in the middle of class for sure. 

Like he expected, your face lit up in surprise and you jumped up and down excitedly. It was seven in the morning, so how could you be so energetic in the morning? The answer that he anticipated to come out of your mouth was correct, anybody could easily predict this and get it right. “Soobin, what makes you think I’ll say no? Of course, I’m going to say yes!”

Soobin smiled softly at your blissful expression, ruffling your hair playfully. You always looked so cute whenever you agreed to something as small as this. “Okay, that’s great! I don’t why I was feeling so nervous to ask you, but I would love to go with you tonight.”

You suddenly stopped in your tracks as Soobin staggered to take a few steps to the back so you wouldn’t get wet. 

He would love to...? Go with you...? As a friend or...? You let your mind wander off into your daydreams for a while if not for the words of Soobin piercing through your ears. There was this confused expression on his face, like he knew every thought you were thinking. You wouldn’t be surprised though, he was your best friend. And you were right. That’s exactly what he said. “J-just as friends though, you know?” He sent you a friendly smile while you held back the urge to choke yourself. 

“Yeah. Just as friends.” Ughh, here we go again. Yet, you still needed to get it through your thick head that he wouldn’t like you! Ever! Like every other time, you jumped into conclusions before knowing the full truth right away. 

Your expression of happiness faltered a little, but you endured the pain and kept smiling. As usual, Soobin didn’t notice one bit, but the other boy following behind with that mysterious black umbrella could tell straight off the bat. 

Beomgyu sighed after seeing both of his best friends entered the warm school. His veins were pumping with adrenaline; he could’ve almost gotten caught, but right now he didn’t care about that. It was his fault for being too nervous to ask. He knew he should’ve prepared earlier, but he wanted to propose to you today. Maybe by asking you, he would also tell you about what Sunhye was going to do... 

But he was too late. Soobin beat him to it this time. 

٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ

Twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine-

Thirty! Wait, it’s thirty! 6:30pm!

Energetically hopping from your spot on the couch, you ran to the front door with a big smile on your face. It was an understatement to say that you had prepared yourself for an hour when it took quite a while. You’d been waiting for this moment since the beginning of school, and it had to be perfect! The anticipation building up during classes didn’t help as it only made you feel much more nervous to see the one person you were waiting for. Honestly, you would’ve never thought that he would ask you out to the dance today, but you weren’t complaining! It was finally 6:30pm, the time where Soobin would pick you up from your house as his date.

“Just as friends, of course,” you ridiculed, reminding yourself of the repercussions if you thought anything more of it.

Just on time, Soobin was making his way down the street to pick you up. The aroma of wondrous flowers wafted in the air while he checked his watch to see if he was late! Seeing how he was right on the dot made him feel much better about taking you. Tonight was going to be perfect, all planned out. He had a content smile on his face, thinking of how seeing you would instantly make his day better. Though, he didn’t show it. You were his date... but just as friends, of course. 

You on the other hand, wanted so badly for it to be the opposite... though, you didn’t show it. 

Cracking the front door a little bit, you peeked out to see him in a comfortable, black suit. He was holding a bouquet of your favorite flowers wrapped together in a rosy pink ribbon. It was strange to see him dressing up this way because you always saw him as this boy who didn’t give a care in the world what others had to say about his style. Not this time, you guessed. There were many things that you noted too, but it got your face feeling flushed. His usual lazy hair was pushed to the back, showing his marvelous forehead that got your heart pumping for sure. 

Crap, yet again he’s making you feel things that friends shouldn’t.

He saw you waving shyly with your hand peeking out through the door. He raised this eyebrow at this, asking you if you were okay once he reached the front porch. Although you said you were doing quite fine and mostly excited to see everyone there, it wasn’t like that inside. You didn’t want to show your face yet because he looked extraordinarily breathtaking compared to you! 

As if he could read your mind through the thick door hesitantly shutting over and over again, he shot you an assuring look from the window. “Hey, it’s fine! I’m not going to judge you, I never do and you of all people should know that.” Yes... you knew that through and through. But it was Soobin! You looked like a hot mess compared to him, so how the hell was he going to miss judging you when you stepped out? The least you could do was purse your lips and agree to come out. Refusing him clearly wasn’t the best option either because where else were you going to go anyway?

First, you took a couple of seconds to calm yourself down. You couldn’t look like a rumbling dishwasher with bubbles pouring out when you came out for him! A few breathes would have to do for now, not like you were going to choke as soon as he saw you. Then, boldly stepping out of the entryway, you glared at the ground so that he couldn’t see your eyes. The heels that you hid in your closet now clattered against the cement. You actually liked them, you just didn’t know when to wear them. To add to the effect, you brushed your hair back while bashfully looking up at him. It wasn’t meant to be innocent or whatever you called it, but Soobin thought you looked gorgeous when you appeared from out of the doorway.

His breath hitched in his throat causing him to struggle letting out his initial thought.

“Sweet pea, you look absolutely stunning tonight...”

You squeezed your hands together that laid gently against your stomach. How were you supposed to respond to that when you were freaking out inside? After clearing your throat you giggled a little bit, scratching your head. “Uh, thank you?” You bit your bottom lip. He shouldn’t have said that, you felt like a fool as you felt yourself shy away from him. 

Plastering on an awkward smile, you nodded your head. He was staring at you now, his mouth parted a little as if he was pleasantly surprised seeing you in your favorite clothes. You hadn’t worn them before in front of him since you thought they would look terrible on you, but his reaction begged to differ.

There was this confident part of you, but at the same time you wanted to jump off a bridge and never be seen again. You were a fool for falling in love with your one and only best friend, there was no doubt, really. Because if he kept looking at you like that, you weren’t sure if you could hold on much longer...

٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ

Arriving there, you could see hundreds of juniors and seniors mixed together! Your eyes widened from the sheer amount of people that could be fit into a room. They looked so carefree and giddy, what you would give to experience that happiness with your new friends... at the same time though, it made you feel a bit melancholy too. The situation reminded you of your first memories with Sunhye and Soobin. Who would’ve known that the students who secretly despise and talk about each other behind their backs could have fun and mess around in one room being civil? You hoped it would be the same case for you and your old friend today, if you ever saw her. 

Not even one foot into the gymnasium, Soobin tapped on the back of your shoulder. His expression was eerily different, and you were going to ask him what was wrong. He cut you off with his own words. “Hey, I’m going to go the bathroom, okay? I’ll be right back!” But he told you on the way that he didn’t need to use the bathroom because he used it earlier. 

Your shoulders became tense at what you were suspecting, for it wasn’t right to think that way. You gave up in a few seconds. Your brain was too curious to pass up on an opportunity like this! Something was up with him today. It felt suspicious seeing him with this tight grin on his face that you’ve never seen before. You wondered if anything was wrong, but didn’t decide on saying anything until he came back. 

Nodding, you waved a quick goodbye hoping that he would be back soon. You swore if he didn’t save you from all of these partying students, you were going to-

“Y/N! Did you hear me?!” The music was blasting so he assumed you couldn’t make out a word he said. Fortunate enough, that took you out from your little thought bubble. 

“Yeah sure, Bin! I’ll be at the dance floor probably, so find me there!” 

Watching as he disappeared into the direction of the men’s bathroom, you chose to go over to the dance floor like you promised. Being in the corner of the place wasn’t fun when there were couples making out. You rolled your eyes upon seeing them playfully pin each other to the wall, your mind wandering to that one girl that intentionally toyed around with every boy to get Soobin’s attention. But you promised yourself that this night would be fun, the one where you would have the time of your life! “Hopefully, she won’t ruin anything today,” you whispered under your breath... “this day is supposed to be perfect, only me and Soobin; that’s all.”

You weren’t looking where you going as you searched for the party floor, failing to notice the boy that had been waiting for you in front. 

It all started with an apology before the unfortunate but sweet events went down that night.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”

Your eyes darted to the drink, and you facepalmed yourself. You almost got spilled with a drink of punch from a stranger! Wow, well aren’t you stupid as hell for not watching your steps?! Glancing up from the place where you almost got “drenched,” you made eye contact with the person that unbeknownst to you, purposefully stood in your way so that you would notice them. In many ways or another, they supposed. 

“G-gyu?” Your hands went up to cover your mouth in surprise, and he chuckled at your adorable, little habit. 

“Fancy seeing you here, princess, because I’m here to ask you: may I have this dance?” He held out his hand towards you, waiting for an answer. 

Recognizing that voice right away, you looked up to see Beomgyu under the soft glow of the golden light overhead. The way his black suit hugged every curve of his body easily made you realize how breathtaking he could be. Red alerts of suspicion flashed over and over in your head, but something about saying yes was so damn right. Just taking a good look at him was enough to make your cheeks turn to all shades of pink. You had to admit it; Beomgyu looked absolutely dashing in that suit. He cleaned up pretty well from his usual messy hair that somehow enhanced his beauty, but now you could see why most of the student population had a fat, juicy crush on him.

Once you realized that you were staring at him, you looked away in another direction before muttering a quick yes only the two of you could hear. “Fine, Gyu. You may have this dance,” you mocked.

Just like that, he pulled you into the place where everyone was having the time of their lives.

You giggled once you stepped onto the dance floor, your heart gradually pumping blood faster than you could’ve ever imagined. 

The first songs started off as everybody getting hyped, it was truly a time to remember. You never thought you could laugh with Beomgyu like you did before, but you did. Smiling so wide with him was like nostalgia, you missed the feeling so much. It was bittersweet sure, but... something about spending time with him is so beautiful.

Maybe if you told him that you liked Soobin earlier than perhaps everything would be like this.

The next song though, it struck a blow to your thoughts. Crazy enough, that next song was the one the two of you thought as “your song” a year ago. Crazy for You by Madonna was simply a magical song with him as it slowly started to crescendo all throughout the gym. Before you knew it, you were having a slow dance with your “enemy” whose giggles sent butterflies intensely fluttering in your stomach. The boy sent you an affectionate glance as he pulled you closer to him. You easily obliged. He allowed you to loosely wrap your arms around him, encircling his neck while he hesitantly laid his hands on your waist. You tensed up at the sudden contact before melting into his warm, comforting touch. Consider it strange, but you never knew how gentle he could be with you now after that whole situation. 

The comfortable silence between you was one that you found to be relaxing instead of awkward. Heck, being with him was a moment you would never trade for the world. As the lights shone down on the two of you, you felt like the main character in a story where after all terrible things happened, everything would bring you to a serene place like this. Just you in Beomgyu’s embrace while he gently rocked you back and forth was enough to bring you peace. A few seconds later, he whispered into your ear. 

“Hey... I need to tell you something. It’s really important, so whenever you’re ready-” you laid your head on his shoulder, softly shutting your eyes. His familiar cologne overwhelmed the senses of your nose gracefully, causing you to breathe in a scent of satisfaction. You felt complete. “Gyu, it’s okay. Just let me dance with you this once.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened, for that was not what his mind pushed him to ask. He thought that you were kidding or something, but there was a peaceful smile on your face while you rocked back and forth. He convinced himself that he would never be able to give you what you wanted which was happiness. Yet right now you were happy in his arms, and that’s what he’d been desiring for a year now. 

What he desired much more though, was in the palm of his hand. 

Now, his head was crying all the answers he was searching for quite a while. Endlessly roaming through the scorching sand of the desert while he sought for a drink did not matter because you were the sea right there. Something must’ve snapped in his mind because he should’ve known this long before- long before he got to blame you. 

He’s in love with you. Irrevocably, truly, and incredibly genuine, he fell deep in love with you whether he realized it earlier in his heart or not. 

Clearly thinking about it as he waltzed with you, the signs were there the whole time since knowing you. There was the way his heart pranced in circles when he saw you strolling down the hallway, juggling heavy books in hand. There was the desperate need to see you after making a terrible mistake of ignoring you for a week. There was the jealousy of seeing you with the one that looked so much better than you, but he didn’t want to admit it. There was love, so luminous that it could blind him if not for the fact that he was already blind for not acknowledging his feelings.

But now was the time to man up. Now was the time to tell you what he truly felt because he could no longer stand seeing you upset because of him. He needed to profess his feelings sooner or later, but this was the perfect time. Here with you encased in his embrace, he was desperate to to let you know that he loves you so damn much to the point it hurts whenever he sees you with Choi Soobin. 

Commotion from the other students fangirling about the new couples didn’t seem to faze either of you, but what caught your ear were the yells about a tall boy with raven hair dancing with one of his old best friends. At first you didn’t care about it since you were with someone who made you happy regardless, but in the middle of it you heard three or four familiar names. Including yours. You peeked out from Beomgyu’s shoulder to see what you called the love of your life and a formal friend waltzing together right underneath the colorful disco ball. They were on point... it was a very tall boy and his old best friend having the time of their lives. 

Hearing your heart shatter from inside your chest had to be the worst feeling you’ve ever experienced. It was inevitable that he would like somebody else, but it just had to be Sunhye. 

As if she knew you were staring, she looked over to you with a malicious glint in her feline shaped eyes. It was crystal clear that she was up to no good. Then without further notice, she swiftly planted her lips onto his so that you would obviously see. Her hands went over to cup the back of his head while she pulled him deeper in. The lump in your throat grew bigger each moment you laid your eyes on them. He must’ve been having such a good time if he wasn’t pulling away from those tainting lips... you felt the need to puke from staring at them for far too long. 

Snapping you from out of your trance, Beomgyu shook you a little bit. He had this worried look on his face but in your mind, you thought he was looking down on you. “Princess...? Is everything okay?” 

Suddenly, the thought pushed back in his mind about Sunhye’s plan came back about purposefully kissing Soobin where you could see. His heart dropped to his stomach like yours just seconds earlier.

Shit... you must’ve seen what happened. 

Feeling the tears well up in your eyes was enough to push yourself away from Beomgyu. He was going to bring you back in to counteract your action, but when you started on your heels- clamping your hand over your mouth so that you wouldn’t make any sounds, he knew the gravity of the situation was much more serious than anything he’s ever witnessed...

Inside his head, he cursed himself for not telling you earlier and getting caught up in his feelings while holding you. But before he could tell you the whole story, you had already disappeared into the entanglement of sandwiched student bodies practically gossiping about you. Now your heart was completely broken and he didn’t know how to pick up the missing pieces that belonged to Soobin.

٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ

“Stop it, Beomgyu! Just stop acting like you care about me. I want to be alone!” Doing the best you could to run in high heels, it came no surprise that you stopped under the streetlight by the gymnasium building. Your ankles were burning with each step you took, and damn how much you wanted to tell that boy following you to piss off!

Ceasing your sprinting footsteps to an abrupt stop, you faced the boy who chased after you. “I said, stop!”

He didn’t want to listen to your request, shaking his head frantically. 

“Y/N, please listen to me this once. I know I haven’t been the best person towards you, but you need to believe me!”

You glared at him.

“You must’ve not heard me right. I said leave me alone, that’s my only wish.”

He inched closer to your heaving body, trying to calm you down from what you had witnessed a few minutes ago. He understood the pain well, so he didn’t want anyone especially you to go through something like that. “Y/N... you know Soobin would never do that,” he reached for your hand but you harshly pulled it away from him.

“And you’re telling me this for what? You think I’m going to forgive you after what you’ve done to me? I don’t want to hear your voice, so just- just scram!”

Your chest heaved up and down from how desperate you were running, and Beomgyu felt the same trying to keep up behind you. With the last bit of energy last, he shut his eyes- afraid to see you upset again. He hated seeing you cry no matter what the reason was.

“No, please don’t let me go. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for doing all the things I’ve pulled. I haven’t been the best of a friend to you since I believed what I shouldn’t have. It’s not your fault; I’m the one that jumped into conclusions...”

You scoffed at his apology. If he was going to say sorry, he should’ve done it earlier because you claimed all of this as bull. “So now you’re acting nice to me? After all of the shit you pulled? How am I going to know that you’re actually being genuine to me? Like, seriously! Pick a side!”

“I like, wait! Give me a few seconds before I-” instead of dealing with the pain on your own accord, you hit him in the chest, interrupting what he was going to say. Tears were streaming down your cheeks as you punched him over and over in the chest. So hurt to deal with what was happening, you let out all your anger, begging him for the answer on why everything had to go wrong for you. “You what?! Spit it out already, I’ve been waiting months for you to say something! YOU HATE ME AND I- I... still, fucking want you to be my lover or maybe even a friend after all this time...”

With one last punch aimed at his chest, you threw out a fist only to be restrained by Beomgyu’s strong hands clutching your arms.

In one swift push, he pinned you against the wall, a stern expression on his face. You were instantly silenced by his outburst, your heartbeat becoming faster from how close you were to him. What was he doing or better yet, what was he going to do?! You didn’t know- you were more focused on the fact that you was close enough to feel his breath fanning on your lips. The expression on his face as he glared you down told you everything.

Frankly, he was tired of hiding everything. The opposite meaning of his words, his thumping heart as he chose to get closer to you, and most especially what he truly felt for you. You were as oblivious as Soobin not knowing your own feelings that it become so exhausting. He had to tell you now or else he swore he was going to burst! 

He shut his eyes tight, afraid that you would judge him once he told you everything. Words that he could no longer control endlessly flowed out of his mouth, and he had enough of it. 

“I... I like you too, Y/N! Can’t you see my feelings?! Every day, it’s just push and pull of wanting to kiss you, but you don’t want to acknowledge any of the signs that I send you! That’s why I’ve been so mean. And I know it’s not an excuse, it sounds stupid as hell, even to me. But I felt so scared because you only love Soobin, I didn’t really have a chance in the first place.”

Your jaw dropped... did he just confess? That he likes you? Beomgyu likes you???

His expression softened up a little bit once he stopped ranting, seeing the shocked look on your face. He gulped down the lump in his throat, cupping your cheeks as delicately as he could. His eyes were completely vulnerable while he tried to memorize every detail, to the way your eyelashes fluttered seeing him like this, to the way your mouth screwed shut as his eyes trailed to your lips. He said he couldn’t control his feelings towards you- well shit, he didn’t want to control them anymore. “I said, I like you. I really really like you, okay? The truth is out, and now you know.”

“Beomgyu, I-” suddenly, he firmly pressed his lips against yours, cutting you off short from your sentence. You were caught off guard but soon responded back eagerly, relishing in the way his pillowy lips glided easily into yours. Soon, the train of surprised thoughts stopped flowing, and you felt like you were on top of the world. A feeling of euphoria, you had to call it. You never realized how sweet and soft his lips could be until now. It was simply meant to be... Beomgyu kissing you as you slid down against the wall with him following suit. 

Surprisingly, he was gentle with you while his hand danced over your cheek to caress your jaw. He chuckled in between kisses, reciprocating the same passion you were showing. You swore that his lips were sweeter than any dessert you’ve ever tasted, but it was much better than those delicacies. It was a lie to say that you didn’t like it because... wow. He was amazing. 

Deepening the kiss, your hands traveled to the back of his head to tug at his surprisingly fluffy hair. At this point, you didn’t care if anyone saw- you just needed more. You never wanted this moment to end, for it felt like pure bliss. You got what you wanted at last which meant Beomgyu, himself... but you guessed you jinxed it because you needed some air. You slowly started to pull away, a string of saliva connecting the two of your lips together. 

Pulling away to gasp for the need of air too, Beomgyu breathlessly laughed as he affectionately nuzzled his forehead against yours. “So I take it that you like me too?” You didn’t respond to that one question, and Beomgyu was too caught up in the heat of the kiss earlier to notice.

When he was about to dive back for more, his action was unfortunately ceased by the yells of none other than Choi Soobin. 

“Y/F/N! CHOI BEOMGYU!”

Hearing his voice forced you to jump up from your spot on the chilly ground. Your legs moved on by themselves even though you were ankles were scorching hot inside. Beomgyu helped you up as soon as he saw the panic rush onto your face. Crap, he should’ve known to take you home instead... maybe then he could kiss you some mo-

“Y/N! Are you okay?!” Soobin rushed over to your side, placing his hand over your back as you accidentally choked on your own spit. Your breath had caught in your throat, and you started to cough hysterically as if you had run an exhilarating race. Disbelief had completely taken over your mind at what you had just went through, but you felt so alive- so happy that you finally got to kiss him. Still, there was this ounce of disappointment that told you he was toying with you again. That’s one thing that you didn’t want to know because... somehow, a tiny sliver of your heart from before led you to believe that you shared the feelings as well.

“I need to explain everything that you saw. It wasn’t what it looked like.” There was worry clearly written all over his face, judging by the way he sprinted towards you with hasty feet. He was panting as he placed his hands on his knees to calm down the pace of his breath. 

He glanced at Beomgyu whose eyes looked so vulnerable under the soft yellow glow of the streetlight. His lips were in a permanent curve as if he was over the clouds about something, he noticed. Then he took a good look at you. You had a small smile on your face that he recognized as familiar since you had shown it a lot for him. It meant that someone was making you feel flustered or “soft” as you called it, but only he was able to do it! Not even the playboys in class that hit on anybody they laid their eyes on. 

In response, your fingers grazed over Beomgyu’s. You were going to say something, but Soobin had taken away that opportunity. “Come on, Y/N,” Soobin snarled once he saw you reach over to Beomgyu’s hand.

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.

“Wait, Bin! I need to say something to Beomgyu; he told me something important.” He looked down to see you put on the sweetest look you could muster. This time your puppy eyes didn’t work on him. He knew it. The fact that a seed of jealousy had already sprouted throughout his chest, turning into an ugly flower of envy each time you shared a new, bold moment with another boy other than him made him feel sick to his stomach. He admitted it from the inside of his head; he didn’t want you to talk about his friend anymore. However, the red sirens in his head had told him that it wasn’t right that he was keeping you away from Beomgyu.

Then again, he was the one that brought great damage to your heart so what he was doing was correct! He couldn’t see you cry anymore because of that one boy, he wouldn’t be able to stand it any longer... but it wasn’t a good thing to keep you from forgiving someone...

His conscience was clouded with too many thoughts ranging from the right thing to do, to being selfish for his own feelings, yet the latter was clearly winning. He despised you being with Beomgyu. 

Soobin scoffed, not allowing your quaint request to get through the stiff boulder of his head.

“Like what? We need to get you home, so you have to talk to him tomorrow okay?” He had instantly clasped your hands into his upon hearing this and tugged you along the sidewalk, a frown permanently settled on his face. Anymore of this back and forth and his brain would explode of all of his values. 

You just sighed, acknowledging what Soobin had said was right. His grip got tighter when you mumbled a few words of a farewell to Beomgyu. You needed time anyway, but a whole night wasn’t good enough to sort everything out either. It was best to stay away from him for now so that you could figure out what your heart had truly desired for. 

Beomgyu just nodded at you, running his fingers through the tresses of his hair. It didn’t look like it, but he was breaking every second the more he looked at how you reassuringly smiled at the boy holding your hand. Well at least he was able to get a kiss, but Soobin had a huge advantage, being your crush for years now. The two of you looked absolutely perfect together! If you became a couple, he wouldn’t be surprised but instead bittersweet (mostly the bitter though) because you obviously deserved someone much better than this mess of inevitable love. It seems that he lost his chance to be with the love of his life. 

From what you had assumed though, you thought that he was giving you time to think about his words. But at the same time, you didn’t know what to think, honestly. 

How could you possibly choose when you liked both of them? 

٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ´`ﾟ٩๑۶⁎⁍̴̆⁎ ๑)｡ﾟ

Posted: 10/21/20- 12:45am

Tags:

[themilky-way]

as the hours pass {loki odinson}

gif credit: littlemisssyreid

pairing: loki odinson x fem!reader (might be considered gender neutral, though)

summary: he afraid of what he feels, so he does the only the thing he knows how to do: lie. based on this ask.

warnings: super shitty angst lol cuz it was 9 pm and my brain cells were FRIED. i think that’s it?? fluff at the end tho so we good 

author’s note: this took me a whole mf week to write which isn’t that bad but i have no time now and it’s kinda scary. yolo tho lol 

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when tony had initially proposed a weekly movie night for the entire team, not a single person would’ve imagined anything like this. a large projector had taken the place of the regular flatscreen television, consequently lining up in all the four corners of the penthouse windows. couches and reclining chairs compiled in a large circle instead of being adequately spread out amongst the common room, and they’d all been filled by at least one avenger. to those wishing to participate, jobs and duties had been assigned the week prior, the list ranging from making popcorn to dimming the lights. it was organized-sophisticated, in a way-how it had all been brought about, and to say the majority of the residents living in tony’s multi billionaire penthouse were surprised was quite the understatement. 

over the course of a few weeks, everything began falling into place. reminders didn’t need to be set anymore, and the designated tasks weren’t viewed as chores. natasha made sure to pop three full bags of delicious kernels- ensuring thor’s bowl had just enough butter to lick his fingers clean when he finished-while steve arranged a variety of pillows and blankets around the seating space. soon enough, fading shades of purple would ignite the obscurity of the living room-all due to the led lights binded to the borders of its ceiling-and either a horror or comedy film would commence. 

in such a manner, your spot could always be found on the same peculiar couch, next to the same peculiar individual. god, at that. to literally go to hell and back, to get placed in a home that wasn’t his home with people who wanted his head wasn’t particularly an easy life to lead. he wasn’t a man of sentiment, either, nor one who engaged in communal activities, so you took your part as a good samaritan and kept him company. the seat next to loki had been unreserved, with not even thor to take its place, and you shuffled away from a very frightened wanda to settle beside him. he'd been neutral, annoyed perhaps. if a stranger came to sit next to you out of the blue, wouldn’t you be, too? 

“mind if i sit here?” a mild pause signaled a response, and the shrug of his shoulders gave it away. “i’m not really enjoying the movie, and the space looked kinda cozy,” you added. 

after you had thoroughly felt the soft cushion of the seat and all its comfort, it was rather difficult to stray away from it. every friday evening, the striped bedding of the couch awaited your presence, and a pillow of an identical design lay by the armrest. loki always got there first, a bowl of ice containing two ice cream bars in his grasp, and if the belief that he had ever been remotely inconsiderate damaged your reasoning, the chocolate chip cookie he gifted you at the start of every night proved you wrong. 

if loki truly had to be honest with himself-his father, if he was peering down from above-the companionship you bestowed upon him didn’t upset him as he presumed it would. he half-expected his cold and antisocial nature to speak for itself, to grab hold of the kindness of your heart, crush it, and scatter its pieces so your blind hands would have to search aimlessly for them. for him, the opportunity would’ve been so effortless, so relieving in its own wicked sense, but you had already known that from the minute the tips of your sock-clad toes had walked right up to his. your words had been honey to him, simple yet profoundly eloquent that had dripped away every vowel on his tongue. the warmth that encircled you caromed over to him, and then his icy fingers became regular fingers, and his wintry complexion no longer overpowered the person he strived to be.

the thought alone of developing a kinship alarmed the presumably mischievous man, and when time, the most rewarding elements of his beloved universe, presented him with such a miraculous creature, he went into a comatose. the object of his interest was no longer an object, it was a person, an individual that appeared to envelop his nonexistent grace as if they depended on it. so his beautiful, virulent mind, as plentiful of wisdom as it was, conceived what it regarded to be the only correct answer. 

the seconds of long anticipated hours grew legs, and urged fragments of minutes to run off. solitude embraced the area loki used to adore being in, and his absence planted a seed of confusion within the person always seated beside him. the following nights were mindless for you, even when wanda had selected your favorite films to view, your headspace drifting off to the god who wasn’t watching it with you. interactions between your team lessened. refusing a handful of thor’s popcorn became a habit, and although he questioned you about it, he never brought it up again. then, a month flew by before you could cognitively process it. loki’s eyes hardly ever witnessed daylight now, or you for that matter. more often than not, his ear perked up at the soft squeaks of sneakers before their shadow halted in front of his door. the air in his lungs would almost escape from him entirely, lips pursed so tightly he felt them turn white, before mere seconds later distorted voices trailed your feet away from the barrier that separated him from you. foolish, he’d been foolish to deceive you so childishly. what could he possibly tell you now, that wouldn’t lead you to scurry away from him?

tonight, the best remedy to get some rest was to fix some tea. a good read seemed suitable enough, too, so a copy of The Scarlet Letter decorated your pillow. you trusted your weary legs to navigate you to the kitchen while your brain busied in forming unrealistic scenarios, as silly as it sounds, and you were doing fine and dandy until a conversation reeled you back in. an all too familiar voice-one you hadn’t heard in so long-was speaking, ranting, about things that bothered him? yeah, that was it. 

it was wrong to what you did at that moment, your dear mother had taught you better than this, but the never ending words spewing from loki’s mouth had glued the soles of your feet to the chilling tiles. 

a heartbeat shriveled to nothing, a weighty ache engulfing it in all its mighty glory, and everything you ever came to know became deception. “...ridiculous! i’ll tell you one thing, brother, and that is that they’re absurd for thinking i’m better.”

a booming retort-thor’s-defended you. “you’re ridiculous. they’re good to you and you’re going to throw it away because you’re afraid?” he neatly placed his mug on the counter before his firm hand landed on his brother’s shoulder and squeezed in reassurance. “if you keep pushing people away, you’ll outlive centuries-worth of joy.” loki flicked it away. “do they truly matter to you? enough for you to stop hurting them?”

the wall pressing into your shoulder obscured the visual of loki nodding his head. the tea you craved for now sounded disgusting, and no matter how hard you blinked your eyes, a puddle threatened to hover over them. you began toying with the sleeves of your sweater, hating the emerald shade you chose for it, and your head drooped down to focus on its marbled designs. odd shapes helped center your emotions, too much that you missed a figure passing by the entry. 

did you jump? yes. did loki jump? also yes. 

“what-why are you-why are you standing there?” his voice was shaky, concerned. he looked at your figure over once, his nervous glare lingering a little too closely at the pigment of your shirt, before he focused on you. it was hard for him to miss your anguish. the question his brother had previously asked him looped in his head, and by odin yes-yes, you mattered to him. 

“did you hear what i said?” he gulped. “all of it?”

your pupils were fully dilated, mouth inconceivably dry, so you muttered a tiny “yeah.”

“it’s alright, though. i’m not-i’m not mad, or sad, or whatever. i get it.” with enough strength, you pushed your body away from where you’d been cornered and started your leave. a tightening on your wrist stopped you. 

“please don’t go.” loki never begged, and he always trusted his ego to prevent him from doing it, but he’d inflicted grief on his most treasured midgardian, and he’d have to remedy that. “please.” 

“loki, hey it’s alright. i’ll leave you alone if that’s what you need.” he held you tighter before pulling your palm up to meet his chest. “what are you-look, i’m sorry-”

“you’re sorry?” he cut you off. “i’m sorry, don’t you see what you do to me?” the pad of one of his own hands moved to cover the back of yours to push it further onto his covered heart. it was beating faster than godly possible. if he were anyone else, maybe he was nearing a heart attack. “i do believe you’re the first one to do that.”

you ceased touching him before beginning to speak, but he knew your apologies, your questions, before they even escaped your lips. he fumbled on his words for some time, thorough confessions of his feelings never came as easily as he hoped, but he managed to get the point across. his obsidian, curly locks drizzling over his tiresome face distracted you, and his enticing features, his slurred attempts to achieve your forgiveness forced a tiny grin onto your mouth.

“it’s okay, honey,” you extended a hand outward in greeting. “let’s just start over, yeah?”

he choked on a breath at the name, and then two clammy hands melded into one, and everything was alright for once. “i’m loki, and the pleasure’s all mine, darling.”